ADAM LYTLE raises the spirits of Walker and Cohen on unnerving new single and video, ‘Black Masses’

COMPLETE with the darkest Scott Walker, Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen vibes, New York’s ADAM LYTLE today releases ‘Black Masses,’ the first single from new album, ‘Altars,’ (May 2^nd, 2025).

“’Black Masses’ is a parable,” he said. “A time-worn story of how the power-hungry use violence and religious fervour to achieve what they feel is their divine right to lead.” 

Shot on grainy 16mm by Douglas K. Horton, directed by Patrick Cecilian, and edited by Bill Kemmler, the accompanying video stars Sean Shannon as a priest losing his grip on reality.

New album Altars follows Lytle’s 2023 debut long-player ‘This Is the Fire’ and was created alongside long-term collaborator and producer, Jonathan Schenke (Liars, Parquet Courts).

“’Altars’ is collection of songs that is united by their unwavering examination of devotion,” added Lytle. “It’s a raw and unrelenting record but there is a strange, fragile beauty throughout.”

Written by Lytle, produced by Jonathan Schenke, ‘Altars’ features guitarist Cameron Kapoor, drummer William Logan, bassist Kevin Copeland, percussionist Mauro Refosco, vocalist Kristina Moore, and multi-instrumentalist, Oli Deakin.

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