NEW EP, BRIMSTONE PROPHECIES EP OUT JULY 11, 2025
Pillars of a Twisted City makes a powerful return with the release of a striking new video for their latest single, “False Prophet”, which premiered on V13. Serving as the first glimpse into their highly anticipated upcoming EP, Brimstone Prophecies, set to drop on July 11, “False Prophet” sets the tone for what promises to be a dark and immersive journey.
The accompanying video is a visual tour de force, directed by acclaimed cinematographer Jon Joffin, renowned for his work on major film and television productions such as Love on the Air and Alice —and the award-winning (Canadian Society of Cinematographers Winner) Mitchell Baxter. Together, they craft a moody, cinematic experience that perfectly echoes the emotional weight and apocalyptic themes of the track. With Joffin’s signature visual storytelling and Baxter’s sharp directorial vision, the video elevates the song to new artistic heights, capturing the brooding essence and ominous energy that fans have come to expect from Pillars of a Twisted City.
Johnny says,
“The song “False Prophet”, at its core, is about the uncorrupted freedom and enjoyment of being part of the natural world as a young person. And the loss of that connection to the natural world when becoming an adult. The indoctrination into systems that negate creativity or the essential connection between humans and the natural world.
As an adult having To come to terms with morality and values often lead us back to this natural world. It’s always there ,we just need to be willing to accept it. To let go of the status quo, ego,physical and psychological toxic environment.”
“The experience of working with Jon Joffin, Mitchell Baxter, Nathan Young , Was such a privilege and honour as an artist. These Individuals have fierce creative energy, and a love of poetic metaphor cinematography. Jon Joffin, was able to understand that poetic connection of loss of a connection to the natural world. And the images and video captures these moments perfectly.”
“False Prophet” is a haunting and introspective single that confronts the collapse of personal ideals in a world where truth is elusive. Written by Johnny Stewart, the track draws from his turbulent experiences in public school, where rigid dogma, religious coercion, and creative repression left deep scars. Musically channeling the brooding pulse of Modern English, Killing Joke, and P.I.L., False Prophet marries post-punk textures with poetic lyricism inspired by Jeff Buckley, Jim Morrison, and Jack Kerouac. Originally penned as a poem, the lyrics delve into fractured realities and existential disillusionment: “Open your eyes, / Everything is just shattered / Nothing is as it seems…”
First off, care to introduce Pillars of a Twisted City to our readers?
Pillars of a Twisted City is the solo project of Johnny Stewart. It is also an artistic collaboration with painters, photographers, filmmakers, and musicians. A platform for free thought, artistic expression, without being stereotyped into one specific musical genre.
Your latest single, “False Prophet,” explores the loss of connection to the natural world. How personal was this theme for you while writing it?
There is profound personal meaning for me with the lyrics of the song, yet its underlying themes could be shared with any individual and related to their own personal experiences. All humans, at some point, go through disconnection with their environments. This song’s lyrics are about connecting with that natural world.
How does your EP, Brimstone Prophecies, differ thematically and sonically from your previous releases like Sentinel?
The music production has stepped up in its recording quality compared to previous Pillars releases. An amalgamation of the velocity of black metal, juxtaposed with melancholy atmospheric musical parts. All that merged with everything I love about 80s dark wave and postpunk. Imagine if you took Depeche Mode, Modern English, Enslaved, Mogwai, and blended them together. The lyrical statements on Brimstone Prophecies are addressing ideological views of an individual’s current place within an urban and rural environment.
You’ve mentioned that much of your work is written in remote, immersive environments — where was Brimstone Prophecies created, and how did the setting influence the sound?
All the guitar, keyboard, vocals, and other bits of instrumentation were recorded in or around Tofino, British Columbia, Canada. The drums were recorded in Vancouver, BC I have two locations out here that I can set up and record without any interference from the outside world, other than the sounds of the ocean and nature. This immersive experience has a huge influence on song composition.
How do the visuals for “False Prophet” tie into the greater narrative or tone of Brimstone Prophecies as a whole?
The visuals for False Prophet have textured cinematic landscapes with a visual narrative, depicting the beauty, the loss, and the rediscovery of one’s self. That metaphor association of lyric, but also music, ties together the entire EP from start to finish. The three songs on the EP, False Prophet, Brimstone Prophecies, and Sapphire, are all intrinsically connected.
The EP is mastered by Grammy-winner Greg Mindorff — what was it like handing off such a personal project to someone with that level of polish?
I like to think of myself as a painter. I form inspiration, gather the paints and the canvas, and create the painting. Greg Mindorff takes that painting, puts it in a frame, and hangs it on the wall in the most beautiful art gallery for everyone to view. That’s how I experience working with Greg. He wins the awards for a good reason. Greg listens to the artist and the song and uses his experience to make it the best it can possibly be.
What do you hope listeners walk away with after experiencing Brimstone Prophecies from beginning to end?
This EP is a great representation of the songs and styles of Pillars of a Twisted City. I would hope that these songs take the listener on a bit of a journey with a few twists and turns. A message of challenging the status quo. A genre-defying musical experience that has no boundaries.