“My initial thought of an angel was the cute kind of cherub, but traditionally angels aren't comforting figures,” says Jon Courtney. “They’re often overwhelming, terrifying beings.”

That idea inspires Pure Reason Revolution’s new album, Terrifying Angels. Following the reflective Coming Up to Consciousness, the band returns with a darker, heavier sound, combining crushing riffs, ominous atmospheres and grunge influences with their signature vocal harmonies.

“The last record was more chill, so it felt natural to do something grittier and more aggressive,” Courtney explains.

Collaboration played a significant role in the writing, with founding member Greg Jong, Paul Mullen (Losers, Yourcodenameis:milo) and Kenny Fitzgerald contributing alongside Courtney. Vocalist Annicke Shireen and drummer Ravi Kesavaram deliver powerful performances, while Mariusz Duda (Lunatic Soul) and Kristoffer Gildenlöw make guest bass appearances.

The album explores angels as symbols of both salvation and destruction. Across seven tracks, themes of love, memory, truth and identity reveal that the forces which transform us are often the same ones that wound us.

“Terrifying Angels is about encountering forces that appear redemptive and discovering that transformation is never gentle,” says Courtney. “The forces that save us are often the same forces that undo us.”

Mixed by Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief), the album will be released on CD Jewelcase, Transparent Red LP and digital formats.