Ridiculous isn’t a term I usually associate with music I enjoy and admire. But then along comes this bonkers new single from instrumental rockers Challenger Deep. “The Great Calamity” is the sort of wild roller coaster ride that feels like it should come with its own carnival barker. Jaw-dropping finger tapping! Electrifying runs! Amazing feats of rhythmic skill! It even has cowbell for fuck’s sake. The whole thing is just one long giddy rush that never stops surprising or delighting. So, yeah, it’s all a bit riduclous. Ridiculously fun. Ridiculously talented. Ridiculously good.
Directed and shot by Stephen Levy in Atlanta’s Longdale Park, the video is mostly performance based, which, I mean… yeah, of course! After all, half the fun is watching these guys rip through each mind-boggling change. Levy keeps things simple and fast-paced, allowing you to zero in all the action. There’s even a nice change of pace near the middle when the video goes dark and it’s made to look like the park is on fire (apparently, the red light and smoke that were used during filming fooled a nearby neighbor into calling the cops on the set). According to group, Levy will also man the helm for their next video which will be based on the old Sega game Road Rash. I seriously can’t wait for that one. I bet it’s ridiculous.
Watch/listen to “The Great Calamity” above.
“The Great Calamity” is the first single and video from Challenger Deep’s forthcoming record The Stuff of Legends. Engineered and tracked by Corey Bautista, the five-song release should be out by early summer. In the meantime, check out the “The Great Calamity” cover art from Taylor Adams and the full album tracklist below.
The Stuff of Legends tracklist:
01. The Great Calamity
02. 100 Years
03. Like Giving Wings to a Tiger
04. Hollow Bastion
05. Assignment 13
More Info
Bandcamp: challengerdeepdude.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @ChallengerDeepDude
Instagram: @challengerdeepdude
Twitter: @DeepDiversHQ