Photo Credit: Sandy Carson
Austin, TX: Austin Psych-Rockers The Well release their fourth full-length studio album “…And Flames Ran Like Living Animals,” today on Spaceflight Records.
“…And Flames Ran Like Living Animals” is the follow up to 2019’s Death & Consolation. Of the new album, vocalist and guitarist Ian Graham says “I think it’s our most diverse album because it’s packed with the intense emotional peaks and valleys that have defined the last 6 or 7 years. It’s been a wild ride, so of course this album reflects it.”
The first four songs were recorded with Bryan Richie (The Sword, Spaceflight Records) at Paper Weapons Studio in Taylor, TX and the band continued to write and craft and play live (supporting 1000mods, Truckfighters, and headlining tours.) Lisa Alley talks about the process “We decided, or embraced the opportunity to be able, to not rush it. To treat these first new songs with care. We emerged more contemplative, maybe… deliberate. Recalling the spirit with which we approached our first album, we spent time with the mood of each song, the dynamics, the storytelling, but we also came at them with the intent that they be played live.” She continues “We were building a live set, more precious after the time away from that possibility.”
The rest of the album was written and recorded in the storm of 2025 with longtime collaborator Chico Jones producing, mixing and doing additional tracking to the Taylor sessions, and Max Lorenzen of Rare Earth mastering the set. These songs feel very now; though not directly speaking to any one current issue fighting for attention in the long list of today’s headlines, they are of it, and snatch you up in recognition.
The end result, “…And Flames Ran Like Living Animals,” is a push and pull, a swing of an ax and a sigh of relief, a call to arms and a suggestion of inner battles to conquer first. A balm, but also a mirror. A reminder that we’re going through this moment together.
The Well will be showcasing the new album with late summer and fall tour dates with support from Moon Destroys & Pink Fuzz, along with a Levitation appearance 9/13. Ian Graham says “Sci-fi psychedelic, occult kink, heartbreak, post apocalyptic murder madness. Rejoice within the riff.”
Lisa Alley talks about being on the road: “We’ve always been a band that tours heavily, but heading out this time feels special, as it is the first time since the pandemic that we have a new album to bring along and share and celebrate. We got extra pep in our step.”
“We scored advance copies of “…And Flames Ran Like Living Animals” special Magma edition from Goldrush Vinyl as we rolled out of town. A select number will be available each night at the merch table directly from the band, so get your tickets & get there early to ensure you are able to secure an advance limited edition copy. “
The Well team up with Moon Destroys (members of Torche, Royal Thunder) on this east coast portion of tour, who also have a new album, Omni, out September 4th on Blues Funeral Recordings. Denver’s Pink Fuzz join the west coast dates in October, hot off their recent single ‘Manipulator.’
Tickets available here
The Well was formed in 2011 by guitarist/vocalist, lan Graham, bassist/vocalist Lisa Alley and drummer Jason Sullivan. It initially began with Alley and Graham vocalizing in a central Austin garage over a bass drum and acoustic guitar. Blending elements of 70’s proto metal, 60s psychedelia, southern sludge and even New wave.
Renowned for their immersive live performances, The Well rapidly gained momentum in the Austin scene with first seven inch vinyl single (titled simply “7”) drawing positive attention from numerous unground metal review sites and even a glowing write up in the European magazine Metal Hammer. In 2014 their debut full length was released shortly after signing with Riding Easy Records in Los Angeles. The band released three albums with Riding Easy, Samsara, (2014) Pagan Science (2016) and Death and Consolation (2019).
The Well has toured extensively here in North America and abroad alongside Electric Wizard, High On Fire, Ty Segal and Chelsea Wolf, and played notable festivals including SonicBlast Moledo (PT), Desertfest (UK, DE, BE), Muddy Roots (US), Up in Smoke CH),Blow Up Fest (FI), Void Fest (DE), Levitation Festival (US), La Taverne (CA) and appearing live on legendary German TV show, Rockpalast. They toured Nepal where they played the Kathmandu Blues and Roots festival, as first western band on the lineup. They also performed at the Austin Music Awards where they won Best Metal Band in 2020. The Well wrote the theme song for AMC’s Ride with Norman Reedus and appeared as guests and performed live on the show’s pilot season. Now The Well have found a new home with the Austin based label Spaceflight Records. The album, “…And Flames Ran Like Living Animals” to be released with Spaceflight in the fall of 2026.
Spaceflight Records is an Austin-based nonprofit record label supporting those who make music through physical releases, distribution, and hands-on release management. Its work focuses on creating sustainability by restoring record sales as a meaningful source of income for working musicians.
Website: https://www.thewellband.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellband
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewellband