Aqueous, Buffalo’s rapidly rising groove-oriented progressive rock quartet, released their newest studio cut, a nearly 10-minute composition entitled “Weight of the Word.” The new single is the first off the band’s upcoming studio project, their first studio record since their 2016 EP, Best In Show, and their first full-length LP since 2014’s Cycles.

A sprawling composition that has yet to appear in the band’s live repertoire, the nearly 10-minute track goes from funky intro, to harmony-laden verses with clever vocals layered with wordplay, to a pretty “Bohemian Rhapsody”-like bridge, to anthemic synth solos and a Sgt. Pepper-style guitar refrain, with the band’s impressive guitar fire power and remarkable rhythmic tightness on full display.

“Weight of the Word” carries a lot of weight for the band, as they adjusted their usual methodology for the writing and recording of the song. “Typically, we’ll road test a song for a while and hash it out during a performance,” says Mike Gantzer, the band’s guitarist. However with “Weight of the Word,” Aqueous wanted to experiment with their capabilities as songwriters and deliver a brand new studio piece never before heard by anyone else.

As Gantzer continues, “‘Weight of the Word’ is an emotionally packed song, and it covers all things that you’d expect from AQ: a fat groove, uplifting melodies, ripping but tasteful guitar and keys work, and lyrically speaking. We opened up to some unique inspiration in terms of what we were listening to when we wrote the song, and we all really worked as a unit to tap into the emotional aspect of the tune to deliver a performance and production that would match up with the purpose and content of it.”

The Aqueous-produced song was engineered and mixed by Justin Rose and mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Scott Hull (Steely Dan, Smashing Pumpkins, Snarky Puppy, Talking Heads, John Mayer, Beastie Boys) at GCR Audio in Buffalo, NY, where moe., James Taylor, and Lil Wayne have all previously cut records. For the last week, “Weight of the Word” has been playing exclusively on SiriusXM station Jam_ON, and beginning today it is available to stream on Spotify and iTunes.

You can stream Aqueous’ brand new single “Weight of the Word” below via Spotify:

Earlier this year, Aqueous [comprised of Gantzer (Guitar/Vocals), David Loss (Guitar/Keys/Vocals), Evan McPhaden (Bass), and Rob Houk(Drums/Vocals)] released their live record, Element Pt. I, which complied fan-selected cuts from their 2017 Spring tour. The second installment, containing selections from Spring and Summer 2017, is also expected in the coming months.

For more information of Aqueous’s upcoming tour dates, new projects, and more, head to the band’s website.

Phierce Photo by Keith G. (Instagram: @PhiercePhoto).

Upcoming Aqueous Tour Dates

8/18 – Rehoboth, DE – Dogfish Head Brewery
8/19 – Pittsboro, NC – The BIG What?
8/ 25 – Sherman, NY – Night Lights Music Festival
8/31 – Kansas City, MO – KCCrossroads *
9/1 & 9/2 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant *
9/7 – Steamboat Springs, CO – Schmiggity’s
9/9 –  Bellvue, CO – Canyon Jam Mishawaka Amphitheater
9/12 – Iowa City, IA – Gabe’s
9/13 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th St Entry
9/14 – Madison, WI – The Frequency
9/15 – Menasha, WI – The Source Public House
9/16 – Indianapolis, IN – Mousetrap
9/22 & 9/23 – Thornville, OH – Resonance Music & Arts Festival
9/30 – Canton, NY – Java Barn
10/24 – Wilmington, NC – Calico Room
10/25 – Raleigh, NC – The Pour House
10/26 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Pour House
10/27 – 10/29 – Live Oak, FL – Suwannee Hulaween
10/31 – Birmingham, AL – Zydeco
11/1 – Nashville, TN – High Watt
11/2 – Asheville, NC – Asheville Music Hall
11/3 – Covington, KY – Octave
11/4 – Morgantown, WV – 123 Pleasant Street
11/15 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
11/16 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
11/17 – Kalamazoo, MI – Bell’s Eccentric Café
11/18 – Ferndale, MI – Otus Supply

* dates w/ Umphrey’s McGee