Roman Candle: Unadulterated

Fans of Las Vegas based Roman Candle already know the band has a heavy and agressive sound. The fresh-from-the-press release ‘Unadulterated’ is exactly that, but even heavier and even more agressive. The album leans into a style that, according to the band's vocalist Piper Ferrari, is “bigger and angrier”, while still staying close to their original identity. Tracks like ‘Blasphemous Act’, ‘On Second Thought Maybe Gaslighting Is Real’ and ‘For Once My Hands Are Still’ show how the album moves between pure aggression and emotional moments, giving the record a strong and consistent personality.

The first and already released single ‘Blasphemous Act’ is one of many intense songs on the album. The track was a last-minute addition to the record and carries a chaotic energy that feels as raw as you can get. It explores themes of obsession and destruction, with a dark unfiltered tone. The song is named after a Magic: The Gathering playing card, and it starts with a spell giving it an eerie feeling. In the interview we did with Piper, she explains it as: “everything’s dead now”, reinforcing the sense of total collapse.

Another track on the album, ‘On Second Thought Maybe Gaslighting Is Real’, is a throwback to an earlier release, ‘Gaslighting Isn't Real’, giving the album a sense of continuity. Then there’s ‘For Once My Hands Are Still’, which stands out for a different reason. It’s a spoken-word track that doesn’t calm you down – if anything, it’s quite graphic. Musically it feels more restrained, focusing on a dark atmosphere and control. It adds depth to the album, showing that the band can create impact in more than one way. Interestingly, this track was almost left out completely.

When we covered Roman Candle at the New Cross Inn in London last year, the band played just as aggressive and loud as ‘Unadulterated’ sounds. Piper pushed the crowd forward, encouraging mosh pits and stage dives, turning the show into a proper hardcore set. We can’t wait to see how the new material does live.

Check out the interview we did with Piper below.