RORSCHACH TEST's founder James Baker’s musical origins started in the church, with his natural musical ability standing out through the weekly ritual of hymns and gospel. Rock music was off limits in his youth, sparking his initial rebellion against tradition while he pursued his desire for rock and roll. He learned guitar and continued to sing, this time in a drastically different style than that of his church upbringing, leading to Rorschach Test’s well-known debut on Slipdisc/Mercury Records, 1998’s Unclean.
Compared to the radical rumors and tales of his rebellious past, James Baker has come full circle in embracing his identity as a person of faith, extending to his time spent the past several years as a hospice chaplain. Rather than looking back in history, he focuses on the present, and carries his own journey as a source of inspiration for himself and others through the non-profit record label of his own creation, Unlabeled Artists, empowering underserved communities to support themselves through their art.
James knew at first visit that Full Well Recording Studios was the ideal creative space, with an array of analog and traditional and vintage consoles, instruments, and equipment available for owner Mike Bolenbach (best known for Alice Cooper’s Welcome 2 My Nightmare) to produce the most authentic recordings of Rorshach Test, with the true integrity of a human touch. Kolby, whose musical background includes a stint as the guitarist of CO-OP with Dash Cooper, co-produced alongside Mike Bolenbach.
Lyric inspirations are the result of growth and transformation, unapologetically addressing dark and difficult topics of realistic issues, negative archetypes, and struggles of humanity. Doing so through the lens of metal serves to address the darkest of sounds and subjects, understanding and embracing the shadows of life, inspiring freedom from them in the process.
Rorschach Test has returned with a new album, Fallen, plus the band has announced a 2025 tour. Rorschach Test kicks off the "Fallen Tour" January 17, 2025 with support from Cleopatra recording artists There is no Us, Spiral Death Curse, featuring former members of Witchburn, and Torso, who will be touring again, like Rorschach Test, for the first time in decades.
The Narcoleptic Goddess will be making her first public appearance, performing with Rorschach Test, sure to be a thrill for her 600K + followers.
"This is not like any tour I have been a part of " notes James Baker, front man of Rorschach Test, and tour organizer. "We will be partnering with non-profits like NAMI and Kyros to further the cause of fighting stigma, and creating awareness and acceptance for those facing mental health issues or substance use disorders. We are putting the traditional cliché of sex, drugs and rock n roll in an entirely different context, and hopefully creating space where people will no longer be ashamed or afraid to ask for help. Don’t get me wrong, we are not all going to hold hands and sing Kumbaya. We are still going to bring the fire and fury. I just want our audience to know that everyone needs support at one time or another. Even guys like me."
The root formula of Rorschach Test upholds its same original concept: a cybernetic organism with an overlay of human flesh, portrayed sonically in the form of synthesizers and electronic programming surrounded by live playing. What has changed, however, is the dynamic new alliance of founding vocalist James Baker with the creative addition of Kolby Peoples - whose guitar, writing, and production abilities draw parallels with the likes of Jeff Loomis - and the inspiration and lyrical creations of the elusive and mysterious figure known as The Narcoleptic Goddess.
Following years of silence since their last release, Rorschach Test re-emerged in 2024 with a new single in tow, paving the path to a full album launch. “Fallen” was accompanied by a music video created by Alex Chacon of Chacon Media, with a cast of Phoenix actors and a special appearance by lyricist The Narcoleptic Goddess herself. The story portrayed is one old as mankind, a reminder that “pride goes before a fall”.
Rorschach Test released the title track from the upcoming Fallen album and celebrated Goth Day with a video premiere at Outburn (May 22, 2024).
"Belated" Rorschach Test's second single from the upcoming album premiered at Revolver on August 2, 2024. Revolver writes "Gothic industrial-metal veterans Rorschach Test played shows with Korn and Type O Negative, among others, back in the Nineties and offered up three well-liked albums including their 1998 Slip Disc debut, Unclean, before going on hiatus for several years. The band resurfaced this spring with the single "Fallen," released on May 22nd, National Goth Day. Now, the trio are back once again with another new song...Hear industrial-metal vets RORSCHACH TEST's new comeback song 'Belated.'"
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