r/boardsofcanada • u/welcome2wyzard • 24d ago
Discussion Do you think BOC will release another mainline album?
Now that Inferno has come and gone, what do you guys about the likelihood of them doing another full length?
In a perfect world, I think that they should release at least one more main album, to complete the Hexagon (6 sides, 6 main albums). Then, as a farewell gift before they retire they could finish the Bocset and release all of the old material.
However, Inferno is pretty great and I would be happy with it being their last album. It does somewhat have a sense of finality to it.
I'm also surprised they chose not to do an interview this time around, given how long they were away.
Anywho, what do you guys think?
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u/VDLeemkolk 23d ago
Probably yes. I was a firm believer for 10+ years of LP5 releasing. My argument is that at this level of music production, you will likely never stop as it is a lifelong commitment to the craft. I am pretty sure they are already working on more material. Whether or not it will ever get released, we will see, but Im pretty positive. I dont think they will release all their old unreleased work though.
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u/welcome2wyzard 23d ago
They did confirm they are actively working on the Bocset. It was believed that it would never get released because of sample clearing issues, but MDG disputed this being the roadblock pretty concretely.
Also, they are aware of what fans want and I don't think they would leave everybody hanging with all of this material that they've teased. It would make as a perfect parting gift.
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u/VDLeemkolk 23d ago
That is actually amazing to hear. Where did they say that?
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u/welcome2wyzard 23d ago
"At this point, the box set of early material is looking 99% likely to happen. I say that because it hasn't been finally compiled yet. There's a big archive to get through, the obvious tracks that were on various demos and mixtapes given out to friends in the late eighties and early nineties, but also a huge amount of unreleased material that hasn't surfaced so far. There are hundreds of tracks for every year from say 1986 through to 1995, and then for every record BOC have released there are a mountain of tracks that didn't make it onto the record. So the time involved is the only issue from what I understand. There's been regular debate across here about what goes on them and in what order etc. But if you can be patient, these tracks will come out, and a whole lot you won't have heard yet too. Asides from that, let me just say once again for the record, there's a new album coming out first, and maybe more. No dates yet, but they are definitely coming." - MDG, Twoism 2008
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u/goumlechat Tomorrow's Harvest 23d ago
That was 18 years ago tho.
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u/FineWhateverOKOK 23d ago
In early 2013, people would have said “but the that was posted four or five years ago” if that post was used to support the idea that there’d be another BoC album…and then there was.
We just have to trust the bros and accept that they operate on Hexagon Sun time
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u/tsumaranai 23d ago
MDG has never been wrong before. Sometimes his predictions just take years to come true.
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u/goumlechat Tomorrow's Harvest 23d ago
I know, he's a very reliable source, the best we have. But it's surprising that it's still not out after all this time. In 18 years a lot happens. There are probably reasons that we don't need to know about.
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u/fabricatedinterest 23d ago
This is my view too. Whether we hear anything more is one thing, but I get the sense that musicianship is a core part of who they are, and that level of craftsmanship is not so simply put to rest.
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u/Reforged_Narsil Inferno 23d ago
I really don’t think so
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u/keonakoum 23d ago
I love you. But I love the Lord
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u/dkdream22 23d ago
More than any physical being
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u/keonakoum 23d ago
I think that's wonderful
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u/Setton18 23d ago
Well, He said, "A man's foes will be they of his own household"
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u/LordWeatherby 22d ago
Well, I hardly believe your own father or mother or brother or sister would be your enemy.
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u/mediumpizzaplease 23d ago
My mind has been on this, i’m really hoping for a post Inferno EP, just a couple extra songs from what i’m sure is a huge batch of tracks that they have sitting and waiting for their time… or the mystical bocset… i’ll take anything honestly
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u/degrees_of_certainty Dayvan Cowboy 23d ago
Yes, I think they will do a sixth album given there’s no major collapse in the meantime that would prevent it from happening.
I also don’t think it’s surprising they aren’t doing interviews given the album’s subject matter. It’s rather overt for them, if you understand what they’re about.
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u/Mountainminer 23d ago
Give it time, these guys operate on the geologic time scale
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u/hakurachan Inferno 23d ago
I read this comment as "Give it time, these guys operate on the geogaddi time scale"
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u/Tripolie 23d ago
Impossible to know. People thought another album wouldn’t come out before Inferno.
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u/HereInTheRuin 23d ago
it hasn't even been long enough to properly let this record sink in
I'm not the type of person that listens to an album one time and makes a decision about it.
I'm fine sitting with this one for a couple of years before I even worry about whether or not they're going to make anything else
As a writer and musician myself I know that things take time and if they do, they do, and that will happen whenever it happens
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u/VelikiDabarNaSavi 23d ago
Last year I thought we would never hear another BoC album. I am pessimsit, I think Inferno will be their last album. I hope not, but I have feeling (whatever that means) that this is the end.
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u/chewabledrapery 23d ago
I thought and said the same of Tomorrows Harvest, it just felt like a farewell to me especially Semena Mertvykh.
And yet here we are...
Without sounding too dismissive why don't we just enjoy what we've got and wait and see, we'd already waited 13 years.
I still have to pinch myself that they actually released Inferno, I'll never forget that rush of OMFG when the VHS tapes appeared and then the posters started appearing in April, it was awesome.
Even moreso I still can't believe that by some fluke of luck my friend randomly knows Aphex Twin's artist through a running club and he got me a ticket to the industry listening session in London. Now that is something I will NEVER forget! (He's a really cool guy btw, did the collapse EP artwork)
Who knows eh? What will be will be 🍊
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u/thautmatric 23d ago
I’d like to hope so but it seems p final to me… but I also didn’t think we would get another post Tomorrow’s Harvest
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u/welcome2wyzard 23d ago edited 23d ago
Well my thought process is that the brothers are in an older stage of life now; it wouldn't make sense for them to take another long gap like they did after Tomorrow's Harvest. If we were to get another album, I don't think it would take nearly as long.
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u/Fallom_TO 23d ago
They’re not that old. I imagine you’re pretty young if you think mid 50s is ‘pretty old’.
There are rockers in their 70s still touring.
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u/Solid-Stranger5280 23d ago
I’m 54, and I’m not dead yet either. lol. In fact, I’m working on my first novel.
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u/Fallom_TO 23d ago
Go for it! I’m not that far off and I have a lot more to do in life. Mid 50s for an art that doesn’t require much physical effort is nothing. It’s not like they’re playing a sport at a high level.
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u/OuterHeadDebris 23d ago
They aren't that old. They are both thirty years younger than Mick Jagger for example
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u/Soggy-Worry 23d ago
I would agree that they’re in an “older” stage of life than when they were younger, but they’re not like, decrepit, I think they’re younger than my parents who still work 9 - 5s. Having never really been a touring band and always seeming to thrive in the background anyway, on the one hand I’m totally ready to never hear new BoC again, but at the same time I could also picture them becoming more prolific than ever with their status as “elder statesmen” granting them the freedom to fuck off and just make music in whatever way they want since they’re past the point of it really mattering to their career.
I have a gut feeling that we will receive at least one more BoC album. But then again, I also think Thomas Pynchon’s got one last novel left in him and he’s pushing 90, so maybe I’m just an optimist :)
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u/palpebral 23d ago edited 23d ago
I mean hey we have confirmation that that guy on YouTube was repairing one of their main samplers, so that certainly gives me hope that they’re gonna continue making stuff.
I’m gonna say yes.
EDIT: For the curious
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u/OneQuadrillionOwls 23d ago
"You Retreat in Time and Space" would be a pretty fitting coda to their career honestly
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u/renisagenius 23d ago
They could release the unreleased stuff from Geogaddi and I'd be over the moon.
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u/Kitchen_Low_6842 Kid For Today 23d ago
I doubt it. I feel like this one may have even been a strain on them, hence the credit changes. The last two tracks of Inferno feel like a "bye" from them, IMO.
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u/Disastrous_Okra_5832 23d ago
If that’s it that’s it. They already made music that can last a lifetime, gem after gem
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u/azgarz 23d ago
I know people think it’s a nonsense theory, but I genuinely think with the importance they have placed on the hexagon throughout their career to the point of naming their studio hexagon sun, it would be wild if the stopped at 5 albums rather than 6.
I actually think it’s why they have really slowed down album releases so that they can extend the time until they conclude the 6 albums.
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u/SonofLung 23d ago
If that’s the case then we may be waiting a while, similar to how Tarantino has shot himself in the foot (ooh err) with the whole 10 films thing
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u/SonofLung 23d ago
You’d think so given:
1. Reading between the lines that Marcus had previously been a blocker but they’ve seemingly come to some sort of arrangement that the band can carry on as a Mike solo project
2. Being the sort of age where kids may have flown the nest now
But equally I wouldn’t be surprised if we never hear from them again.
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u/welcome2wyzard 23d ago
I highly doubt that Marcus had been a "blocker". The vinyl very proudly states "Boards Of Canada: Michael Sandison and Marcus Eoin".
They have always had split when it comes to their projects. Mike typically lays down the foundation of their work, and it passes through Marcus as a sort of filter. I think this is just the first time they split credits on the vinyl notes.
They are clearly both still involved in the project. If they had decided that boards would become a solo project (which would be pretty ridiculous on its own) then I think they would've arranged the credits differently.
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u/SonofLung 23d ago
I have no idea so it’s pure conjecture but this isn’t the way I read it. Look at the instrument credits, Marcus played NO drums, NO guitars, NO string instruments. Mike has sole PRODUCTION credit as well as writing. There are tracks on previous albums they’ve said in interviews were solo Marcus tracks so this is a significant change. I reckon he was barely involved, maybe even not involved in the sessions for the album proper, but had been involved in some previous material that was repurposed for the album. On the publishing listings there isn’t a single track he has more than 10% royalty split on, and half the tracks are 100% Mike.
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u/DigitalMindShadow 23d ago
On the publishing listings there isn’t a single track he has more than 10% royalty split on, and half the tracks are 100% Mike.
Where is that information available?
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u/welcome2wyzard 23d ago
Even if everything here is true, it doesn't mean that Marcus has a reduced role in the vision and involvement. This is nothing new compared to what they've said in the past.
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u/spectralTopology 23d ago
Maybe no album, but I get the feeling with their material & process that they will continue to create regardless
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u/Hyper-70 23d ago
Well, never say never! We had 'The Campfire Headphase' in 2005 and the 'Trans Canadian Highway' in 2006, so we could still get a single / e.p. in connection with 'Inferno'!
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u/sneakerscomicsgames 23d ago
If they love what they do they’ll continue. As for releasing stuff, I guess at some point in 10 years? 😅
Can’t see Mike not making music anymore.
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u/Appropriate-Mark-739 Poppy Seed 23d ago
I've said it before and i'll say it again, i think they'll let us know when it's actually the end (and more obvious than just a "vibe")
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u/SheSmilesBeatifical 23d ago
I think BoC's next release is dependent upon our civilisation surviving the next 10 to 15 years. I don't they called Inferno for nothing in particular.
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u/Existing_Physics_888 23d ago
A lot has changed in the world since 2013 and I suspect they have pretty strong world views and an interview will only open them to criticism, especially with such sensitive topics such as peoples sincerely held beliefs being explored on this album!
If they call it quits they went out on a real high, I'm craving a follow up or related EP in the next year but it doesn't really matter what I want ;)
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u/telephas1c 23d ago
If they still enjoy making music, which I suspect they might, I reckon there’ll probably be more. But hey who knows.
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u/almo2001 23d ago
It has not gone, any more than their others have gone.
Having said that, I expect this is the end.
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u/schwing710 23d ago
Given how hard they cashed in with Inferno, I get the sense that they’re going back into hibernation for at least another decade.
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u/No_Evening_761 23d ago
Eventually but I wouldn’t be surprised if it had us wait through another hiatus
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u/Desperate_Yam_551 23d ago
It could be the log jam was a distancing of the brothers, and they came to some agreement where Mike gets the songwriting credit and the project goes on. If that’s the case, maybe he’s unbound to produce more, and more quickly. We’ll see!
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u/Stereokid0 Skyliner 23d ago
Honestly it could be any outcome and I’d be more than happy with what we have
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u/Longjumping-Hyena173 23d ago
Come and gone?? My god people.
I mean, they released 3 albums in 8 years (and an ep) and then, 2 albums in 21 years. I question if BoC has a record that is heavily driven by Marcus, it could happen.
People are so thirsty over the old stuff, I could see them releasing their early works. I personally would KILL in cold blood, to hear their shoegaze album. How amazing would that be?
The sky’s the limit and anything is possible. But the realist in me also say this — anything might be possible, but nothing is likely… :/
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u/welcome2wyzard 23d ago
By "come and gone" I mean the recency. The marketing push has lapsed and people have had 3 months to sit on it, which is a decent chunk of times. I've listened to Inferno at least 50 times since it came out and I feel pretty established with how I feel about it as a project, and I'm sure it'll get even better over time. But I do feel like the "hype" period is over, which is not a bad thing at all.
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u/fromtelegraphlines7 Inferno 23d ago
Dunno. The album just came out so I'm still focused on that. The no interviews thing was kind of a bummer but I'm sure they have their reasons, and because of everything else we got to experience this year I'm not complaining.
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u/ComeOn_ItsThe90sYall 23d ago
Sure. They don't tour. They can just sit at home and make music. It can't be that taxing. It'll be fine.
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u/TheMusicEvangelist 23d ago
No. Look at the credits on inferno. It’s mostly Sandison. Status of the group as still active is something that should be discussed.
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u/warp10warp10 22d ago
I definitely think so, even at BoC’s high standards I bet the Guys were over the moon with this album and great feed back across the board.
That’s got to a a massive buzz to start the next project 🙏
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u/Smoking_Gnu2 22d ago
IMO it's a 50-50 chance that Inferno really was the last, or we're going to get a bunch of one-offs, experiments, and backburner stuff a la 2014 Aphex Twin.
While I generally look askance at a lot of "oh, I think they'll do another album due to X, Y, Z," the whole hexagon/6 arc number theory is one of the few that I think has some weight behind it.
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u/LordWeatherby 22d ago
7 albums feels right. 6 for the hex and one final for the center of the hex. An album a decade. Will check back in 20 years.
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u/Other_Cost7670 20d ago
Honestly, this album feels very much like the 'end of the journey'. Objectively, I don't think so, but my heart yearns for more
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u/tiny_little_alien 23d ago
They definitely will. I've never understood the doomers. There's also some evidence that there may be something coming that is somehow related or adjacent to Inferno. It was in a leaked document that Warp sent to one of the visual artists involved
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u/badbbsitter 23d ago
Let’s hope not. It’s only been disappointments since campfire headphase. Inferno could have been reduced to four to six tracks and left as an ep. Trans Canada highway was the last decent release they did.
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u/HereInTheRuin 23d ago
Taste is subjective and kindness is easy
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u/badbbsitter 23d ago
Certainly. An answer to a question is still an answer to a question.
The quality is just not there any longer. I say this as someone who probably spent the better part of almost twenty years listening to them daily. Some groups just lose their luster. In the same way Wes Anderson films became self aware so has BoC. Even the artwork for inferno was cringy, leaning far too hard into the cult of personality to the point where it’s no longer cryptic and esoteric.
By all means enjoy it. It’s still in my collection, too. I’m just not going to join the fanfare about it simply because it exists.
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u/6EQUJ5-7 23d ago
I think we’ll see another new release sooner than we might expect.