Heavy band LOTUS EATER has had a mixed bag this week. The UK band is feeling the effects of Covid-19, as their upcoming tour with Poppy has officially been postponed. Several bands’ tours, especially ones traveling overseas, are being either canceled or delayed indefinitely. This precaution is completely understandable, but the months of preparation and promotion are all for naught with the uncertainty of an ROI after the planning phase. This particular tour would have been huge, as the growing band being paired with the wildly-popular Poppy would expose them to thousands of potential new fans.

Thankfully, there is a saving grace to the story. “Narco” was released on March 12th, and it ushers in a new era for the band off the heels of a few more excellent singles and their fantastic 2019 effort Social Hazard. In addition, the band was able to salvage the tour cancellation by offering the tour-exclusive merchandise online. There are some real lookers in here, including an orange long-sleeve and a sleek white hoodie.

“Narco”s music video sees the band play in a dilapidated, dark house, with a variety of vibrant colors to stimulate the eyes. Several interesting, atypical camera angles match the discord of the track. The lyrics hone in on thought control and the illusion of free will, which are compounded by the fast-paced groove metal that hits the listener in short bursts. LOTUS EATER is known for their short tracks, but they fit a lot of character into each and every one of them.

Hopeless Records, which usually helms softer pop-punk bands like All Time Low, Neck Deep, and Sum 41, took a chance with LOTUS EATER because they saw something in the young, hungry band; I see it too, as “Narco” piles on the burgeoning discography ahead of whatever the band plans to release next. This band is making great use of their potential, and you can expect more music from them quite soon if they keep up their current, frenetic pace.