To date it is the band's strongest-selling album, moving 1,825 copies in its debut week.[7]
Background
After notching over 200 live performances while touring to promote The Wreckage of Stars in 2015, the band announced they were entering the studio to record their sophomore release in February of 2016.[8]
On April 20, 2016, the band announced the name of their upcoming album as well as the release date.[9]Selves We Cannot Forgive was set to debut on July 22, 2016.[9]
The album's first promotional single, "For Red Cloud" was released in May, exclusively via MetalSucks.[10] The second promotional single "Vicious Lives" was released in July.[11] A music video for the title track was debuted via VEVO on July 25.[12] The video was directed by Justin Reich.[12]
Selves We Cannot Forgive would prove to be the band's final album with long-time guitarist Rik Stelzpflug, who would depart the band shortly before the release of the album, though he would still receive co-writing credits on "Sorrowpsalm."[13]
Replacing Stelzpflug was former The Faceless and Glass Casket guitarist Wes Hauch, who provided a guest solo on "Again." Though Hauch was pictured with the band before the album was released, he was only credited with the single guitar solo on the album.[14]
Former Vale of Pnath guitarist Mikey Reeves provides a guest solo on "For Red Cloud" and "Transmit to Disconnect."[15]
A music video for "Selves We Cannot Forgive" was released on July 25.[16]
This would be the band's final release with eOne, as they would sign for Century Media Records in 2019.[17]
Track listing
No.
Title
Length
1.
"For Red Cloud"
6:48
2.
"Sorrowpsalm"
6:30
3.
"Again"
5:40
4.
"Belie the Machine"
8:59
5.
"Selves We Cannot Forgive"
5:19
6.
"Transmit to Disconnect"
6:28
7.
"Matriarch"
7:21
8.
"Vicious Lives"
4:26
Total length:
51:31
Personnel
Black Crown Initiate
James Dorton – vocals
Andy Thomas – guitars, clean vocals
Nick Shaw – bass
Jesse Beahler – drums
Additional musicians
Grant McFarland, Sarah Thomas, Amanda Mellinger, Adam Biggs, Jeremy Graeff – backing vocals on "Matriarch"
Mikey Reeves – guitar solo on "For Red Cloud" and "Transmit to Disconnect"
Travis Ryan – vocals on "Transmit to Disconnect"
Wes Hauch – guitar solo on "Again"
Grant McFarland – cello on "Selves we Cannot Forgive", "Matriarch", and "Fallen Angel"
Rik Stelzpflug – co-writer on Sorrowpsalm
Production
Travis Smith – artwork
Sean Marlow – design
Paul Grosso – creative direction
Alan Douches – mastering
Carson Slovak, Grant McFarland – production
References
^Boozeman, Phil.(2016-07-18). [1]. Metal Sucks. Retrieved on 2016-07-22.
^Davis, Robert.(2016-08-03).[2]. Sputnik Music. Retrieved on 2016-09-18.
^Lambert, Aaron.(2016-08-11).[3]. Metal Injection. Retrieved on 2016-09-18.
^ abcdeeOne Music.(2016-06-14).[4]. eOne Music. Retrieved on 2016-07-23.
