Known for his progressive work in the Canadian band FEN, vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Doug Harrison announces the third album, “A Battle to the End Fought on the Edge of a Knife,” from his solo project Slug Comparison, due out May 2025.
Written by Harrison along with vocals, guitar, bass, and programming, he is joined by drummer Flavio Cirillo (Art of Dying, Puddle of Mudd) with mixing done by Ben Kaplan (Biffy Clyro, Bend Sinister, Ninjaspy, Mother Mother, Corb Lund) and mastered by Brock McFarlane at CPS Mastering (Mother Mother, Corb Lund).
Slug Comparison unveiled the first single, “March Through the Forest,” this past January and is sharing the next single and the album’s opening track, “Wish to Adapt,” from the 11-song album. The track is about reaching the end of yourself, when you know what you’re going to do in virtually every situation, and you’re bored, and you want to change, and you wonder if you can, if you can break out of yourself. This song captures the yearning that might lead to the breaking of patterns.
The full length describes trying to squeeze the creative process into the demands of normal life. Most musicians don’t make much money, if any. And one’s schedule doesn’t tend to open up great swathes of time for creativity. Every minute you get to work on music is the spoil of a battle won against the forces of daily life. Sacrifices are made. Metaphorical limbs are lost.
Harrison’s comments:
“My past work includes a lot of acoustic guitars and delicate layering. The new material is all electric, has more upfront rock production, and is more riff-heavy. I lean into my early influence of grunge, but this record also has touches of prog and alt-rock. Fans who know my other band, Fen, might like “Metal Roots Came Twisting” for its expansive journey. I want fans to enjoy the high, uplifting energy of this exhilarating musical experience.”
Harrison does assure fans that future releases will continue to explore the moody, acoustic-based territories that defined his earlier work. Recommended for fans of Mother Mother, The Killers, and Porcupine Tree.
Due out on May 9, 2025, album pre-order for “A Battle to the End Fought on the Edge of a Knife” is available at https://slugcomparison.bandcamp.com/album/a-battle-to-the-end-fought-on-the-edge-of-a-knife