IN COVERT return with their new single Darkfields, a track which combines darkness with intensity and rough energy, moving between post punk, noise rock, industrial and post metal elements.
Band members, Wes Lopez and Kris Balocca offer insight on the creative process behind the track.
Wes Lopez explains: “'Darkfields' was originally written during the pandemic. Behind the high energy of the song was an emotional explosion of frustration about fear and anxiety of the future. I was on the edge of losing my mind. Worrying about the path of destruction our civilization is going. It connects to this current time in 2025 with new fears and anxiety about our future.
“I was locked away in my room one night drinking and smoking a ton of weed, messing around with my Behringer Model D, plugged into my 4x10 cranked. Then I came across the opening riff for what would become this song. I recorded it onto my iPad then I came up with a pounding beat like something like Suicide. Then the song started coming together with roaring fuzzed out guitar on top. Originally the song was more electronic sounding it had some more synth layers to it.
“Then this song sat on my archive for a few years, until In Covert evolved into a full line up in 2023. This time around with a band, I decided to bring the song back but make it more simplified and punk rock, but keep the guitars heavy. Then the song evolved into what it is now. Then Kris’s vocals and lyrics just added a new element to the song. It’s one of my favorite songs to play live and I’ve noticed it’s one of the more positive responding songs in our set at our shows.”
Kris Balocca adds: "When Wes sent me this track, my initial instinct was to approach it with a typical “sing-song” mentality, focusing on conveying mood as I often do. However, I wanted to take a different approach and actually send a clear message through the song. Personally, I have a strong distaste for social media and the culture it perpetuates. Much like how the wage gap between the rich and poor influences societal treatment, the number of followers you have dictates your social status in today's world. There are countless incredible artists who remain in obscurity for a variety of reasons: maybe they refuse to sexualize themselves, maybe they were born into poverty and lack the advantages of nepotism, or perhaps they want to create something that deviates from the norm. The algorithmic pendulum is primarily swung by visuals, yet music and visuals have no inherent connection. Music should inspire visuals in the hearts and minds of listeners, not the other way around. After years of struggling in the scene, I felt compelled to write about my feelings in a tongue-in-cheek way. Social media has consumed us, infiltrating our conversations, subjugating people, and turning us into narcissists—prostitutes of the algorithm. And if you refuse to compromise your artistic integrity, breaking through becomes incredibly difficult. Meanwhile, individuals in peak popularity can post a mere selfie from their ivory tower and gain massive attention, while impoverished artists who have spent years toiling away often only receive pity or less. It’s a stark reflection of what we, as a society, truly value these days."
ZR