Billy Nomates balances chaos and catharsis on third studio album Metalhorse
Billy Nomates’ third album Metalhorse, out now via Invada Records, marks a powerful shift for Tor Maries both musically and personally.
Produced by: James Trevascus
Written in the wake of seismic life changes—including the death of her father, a decision to self-manage, and a multiple sclerosis diagnosis—Metalhorse transforms grief, instability, and resilience into her most expansive and conceptually rich work to date. The album’s foundation lies in the surreal metaphor of a crumbling funfair, a symbolic landscape that captures life’s unpredictable mix of thrill and risk. Recorded at Paco Loco in Seville and produced by James Trevascus, it’s the first Billy Nomates album created in a studio with a full band. Despite setbacks—including the sudden loss of her bassist’s father just as recording began—Maries pressed on, crafting a record that often finds strength in limitation.
Sonically, Metalhorse broadens Billy Nomates’ punk roots with bluesy textures, piano-led arrangements, and eerie soundscapes. From the off-kilter blues of ‘Life’s Unfair’ to the delicate, sample-laden ‘Comedic Timing,’ and the cathartic single ‘The Test,’ the album blurs genres in service of mood and momentum. The absence of live bass in the early sessions forced Maries and her collaborators to innovate, creating room for more abstract layers like swirling speaker sounds and atmospheric samples. ‘Dark Horse Friend,’ featuring The Stranglers’ Hugh Cornwell, lends a surreal, full-circle moment, especially meaningful for Maries, whose late father was a devoted fan of the band.
Maries says of ‘The Test’:
“It’s working at something against the odds and feeling like someone’s helping you from the other side, and if they see you that’s the test.”
Ultimately, Metalhorse is a record about endurance—finding hope, even when it feels fabricated, and embracing moments of joy in the chaos. It’s a cathartic spin on a broken ride, daring listeners to hold on and keep moving.
Standout Songs: ‘Metalhorse,’ ‘The Test,’ ‘Plans,’ ‘Gas,’ and ‘Strange Gift.’
Release Date: May 16, 2025
7.3
We’ve covered Billy Nomates previously: ‘Plans.’
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