When the Gods is the latest full-length album by multidisciplinary artist and carpenter Brice Frillici, unknown for his extensive catalog of independent recordings and a previous feature on NPR’s Open Mic in 2006. Written primarily around 2014 and recorded intermittently over the past decade, the album represents Frillici’s continued exploration of psychological and cinematic sound design through minimal, song-based structures. Torch Ballads. Nod to The Halloween. Even though Halloween Sucks!

The album’s tone merges elements of dark folk, avant-garde, and minimalist art-rock. The compositions are slow, layered, and atmospheric — characterized by raw guitar tones, sparse percussion, and an intentional embrace of imperfection. The production retains the texture of analog recording, emphasizing human timing and emotional resonance over polish.

Influences and References:
Frillici cites Tom Waits’ The Black Rider, Swans, and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds as direct tonal influences, alongside the melancholic songwriting traditions of Elliott Smith, Leonard Cohen, and JJ Cale. The cinematic and psychological elements draw inspiration from directors David Lynch, David Cronenberg, and Jim Jarmusch, as well as the spiritual soundscapes of Popol Vuh and the restrained intimacy of Chet Baker.

Concept and Themes:
When the Gods departs from Frillici’s previous works (Galion and Raids), shifting from mythological grandeur to internal darkness. The album examines horror not as spectacle but as emotional truth — a study of stillness, decay, and the tension between beauty and menace. It maintains the artist’s signature “handmade” aesthetic: recorded largely in home environments and workspaces, merging the discipline of a tradesman with the introspection of a poet. Possibly a sequel to the album Stone Moon Demon.