Description

For more than three decades, Converge have delivered musical and emotional catharsis, putting purpose before perception and intent before interpretation. Whether its their 2001 landmark recording ‘Jane Doe’ or their 2021 ‘Bloodmoon: I’ collaboration with Chelsea Wolfe, they have created some of the most compelling music, lyrics, and visual art of the 21st
century. During that time, fewer bands have had a greater impact on the underground imagination.

It seems unlikely that anyone who has been making music for this long would create one of their best works for their eleventh album, in their 35th year as a band. And yet: ‘Love is Not Enough’ might be the apotheosis of Converges decades-long journey through the punk, hardcore and metal microcosm. What vocalist/lyricist Jacob Bannon, guitarist/producer Kurt Ballou, bassist/vocalist Nate Newton and drummer Ben Koller have created is a strident artistic statement on the turmoil of living that hones their collective strengths to a razors edge.

There isnt an ounce of fat. Every song moves with a power and purpose that eclipses their human origins, that speaks to the anger, pain, and frustration of the modern age. From the opening fusillade of the title track to the closing hurricane of We Were Never the Same, ‘Love Is Not Enough’ is a sonorous balance of vitality and viciousness that reflects the chaos
and uncertainty of the times we live in.

Theres always obstacles in the world, Bannon says. Personal, professional, economical, whatever. But I feel like were in a pressure cooker somewhere on our evolutionary line. Its a lot just to be a human being in the modern world, trying to function, maintain, grow, have empathy, have compassion. It takes more than it used to, to do all those things.
The album title itself says everything about the trials of today. The line Love is not enough is something I had kicking around for a while, Bannon says. Some of the things I wrote at the time were from a human resilience perspective, an acceptance of the brutality and unforgiving nature of the world. I was reflecting on that in poetic form and set it aside. When we got into the studio, it all fit together.

‘Love Is Not Enough’ was recorded and mixed by Kurt Ballou at God City in Salem, Massachusetts, with engineering assistance from Zach Weeks. Jacob Bannon did the artwork and design, creating an image for each song and a commanding cover depicting a celestial witness to a world aflame. We still identify this band as the outlet thats essential to our lives, Bannon says. We give everything we have to it. Being past your average middle age, were starting to see deeper than before into a variety of places. And I dont think thats specific to us. I think thats something thats utterly relatable.

Limited ‘golden god’ vinyl pressing.

*Please note – image is a mock up only – actual colours may vary on finished product*

Tracklisting:

1. Love Is Not Enough
2. Bad Faith
3. Distract and Divide
4. To Feel Something
5. Beyond Repair
6. Amon Amok
7. Force Meets Presence
8. Gilded Cage
9. Make Me Forget You
10. We Were Never The Same