Merge Records has announced that The Most Lamentable Tragedy [hereafter TMLT], the fourth studio album by Titus Andronicus [hereafter +@] will be the band’s Merge debut. A rock opera in five acts, TMLT will see release on July 28 as a digital download, double CD, and triple LP. Prior to that, +@ will perform a historic five-night engagement July 24–28 at Brooklyn’s Shea Stadium, the band’s headquarters.

The central narrative of TMLT (“a work of fiction,” claims singer/songwriter Patrick Stickles) concerns an unnamed protagonist whom we meet in deep despair. Following an encounter with his own doppelgänger (an enigmatic stranger, identical in appearance though opposite in disposition), long held secrets are revealed, sending our protagonist on a transformative odyssey, through past lives and new loves, to the shocking revelation that the very thing that sustains him may be the thing to destroy him.

TMLT was produced by frequent collaborator Kevin McMahon and +@ lead guitarist Adam Reich. The core band is rounded out by the long-standing rhythm section of Eric Harm (drums) and Julian Veronesi (bass) plus rookie guitarist Jonah Maurer. Joining in throughout are pianist Elio DeLuca and violinist Owen Pallett, beside a cast of guests representing some of New York’s most exciting bands (The So So Glos, Baked, Bad Credit No Credit, Lost Boy?, etc.).

Titus Andronicus on tour:

May 2 Burlington, VT – Waking Windows
Jul 24 Brooklyn, NY – Shea Stadium
Jul 25 Brooklyn, NY – Shea Stadium
Jul 26 Brooklyn, NY – Shea Stadium
Jul 27 Brooklyn, NY – Shea Stadium
Jul 28 Brooklyn, NY – Shea Stadium