Greek epic/power metal force BATTLEROAR is currently putting the finishing touches on “Codex Epicus”, which is set for a June 15 release via Cruz Del Sur Music. The album will feature a guest appearance from someone very familiar to fans of epic metal: MANILLA ROAD guitarist/vocalist Mark Shelton.
Greek epic/power metal force BATTLEROAR is currently putting the finishing touches on their fifth full-length album, “Codex Epicus”, which is set for a June 15 release via Cruz Del Sur Music. The follow-up to 2014’s “Blood Of Legends” was recorded at Devasoundz Studios in Athens, Greece and will feature a guest appearance from someone very familiar to fans of epic metal: MANILLA ROAD guitarist/vocalist Mark Shelton. The cover artwork is being created by Vagelis Petikas of Revolver Design.
“The title symbolizes that in order to create something that will stand the test of time, something epic, you need to fight and struggle for it,” says guitarist Kostas Tzortzis. “We drew our inspiration from the ‘Codex’, a book written by worthy men well before our time. We wanted to portray that after gaining knowledge from the ‘Codex’, you could now create music that is epic and fitting of the book.”
“Codex Epicus” will mark the second BATTLEROAR album with vocalist Gerrit Mutz (also of SACRED STEEL). Mutz, who can also be heard on the band’s 2017 split with long-running U.S. metal bastions OMEN, is described by Tzortzis as someone who “sings with great passion and strength.” Asked to describe the sound of “Codex Epicus”, the guitarist says BATTLEROAR fans should expect something even more bold and grandiose compared to “Blood Of Legends”, along with some added wrinkles thrown into the mix.
“Musically speaking, the album has some new elements to present,” says Tzortzis. “But, overall, it’s definitely melodic, powerful, doomy and most certainly epic! We worked really hard on the songs and tried to come up with some new twists and turns while properly representing the history of BATTLEROAR.”
BATTLEROAR will support “Codex Epicus” with extensive live shows across Europe.
Originally formed in 2000, BATTLEROAR’s self-titled debut album was released in 2003. The band followed it up with “Age Of Chaos” in 2005 before joining Cruz Del Sur for the release of 2008’s “To Death And Beyond…”
The anticipation for GATEKEEPER’s first full-length album “East Of Sun” grows by the day, with pre-orders going fast and some limited edition vinyl prints already sold-out. Such a response leads perfectly into the band’s planned live show activities in support of the album, which started earlier this year and will run through the summer, including what should be a triumphant debut at Germany’s Keep It True Festival on April 27, which also is the same day in which “East Of Sun” will be released via Cruz Del Sur Music.
The anticipation for GATEKEEPER’s first full-length album “East Of Sun” grows by the day, with pre-orders going fast and some limited edition vinyl prints already sold-out. Such a response leads perfectly into the band’s planned live show activities in support of the album, which started earlier this year and will run through the summer, including what should be a triumphant debut at Germany’s Keep It True Festival on April 27, which also is the same day in which “East Of Sun” will be released via Cruz Del Sur Music.
Comments guitarist/founding member Geoff Blackwell: “Two of our members have played Keep It True in the past, but for me, this will be new territory and I’m extremely excited, needless to say. The Keep It True crowd is legendary in our niche so it’s hard not to have big expectations for the weekend. We want to get people moving, get them talking and we want to meet as many cool people as possible and make a bunch of new friends and fond memories. It’s gonna be great!
“We are going to bring our A-game to that stage, just like we do every night,” he continues. “GATEKEEPER puts on a high-energy performance and the past two years of regular gigging have turned the band into a tightly wound, well-oiled heavy metal machine.”
GATEKEEPER should be heading into Keep It True and additional live shows with plenty of momentum based on the early response to “East Of Sun”. The album, adorned with artwork from renowned British artist Duncan Storr (DARK FOREST, SKYCLAD), is being recognized as the veritable epic metal statement that it is, made all the more special considering GATEKEEPER was started as nothing more than a simple home studio project by Blackwell.
“It’s been a pleasant surprise to have this much early buzz and positive support,” he says. “The first day of pre-orders left us completely stunned and I’m very happy with the response to our music video for ‘Blade Of Cimmeria’. I can’t wait to reveal the other cool things we’ve got in store for everyone. We still have a few weeks before the album is out and we are almost completely sold out of pre-order LPs, so I’d suggest folks snap those up really quick!”
GATEKEEPER upcoming live shows:
April 20 – Char’s Landing – Port Alberni, British Columbia
April 21 – Logan’s Pub – Victoria, British Columbia
April 27 – Keep It True Festival – Germany
May 12 – Pat’s Pub – Vancouver, British Columbia
June 9 – Decimate Metalfest – Calgary, Alberta
June 10 – The Wolf – Maple Ridge, British Columbia
June 30 – Munnin’s Post – Kelowna, British Columbia
July 14 – Armstrong Metal Fest – Armstrong, British Columbia
August 04 – Shred The Loops Festival – Kamloops, British Columbia
The 2014 creation of guitarist Jeremy Sosville (BLACK ANVIL) and drummer Nathan Honor, SANHEDRIN was eventually joined by former AMBER ASYLUM and LOST GOAT bassist/vocalist Erica Stoltz, whose vocal and lyrical exploits quickly became the perfect complement to the pair’s fledgling compositions. The trio produced a self-titled demo in 2015, but it wasn’t until “A Funeral For The World” did the band come into their own. Boasting a familiar, but not derivative sound, SANHEDRIN’s songwriting is rooted in the classics, translating into a fresh and honest take on rock and metal that easily crosses into doom, hard rock and stoner metal territory.
Pic by Suzanne Abramson
SANHEDRIN, one of the most exciting new bands to emerge from the Brooklyn music scene, has signed with Cruz Del Sur Music for the April 27 European/May 4 North American vinyl release of their debut full-length, “A Funeral For The World”.
The 2014 creation of guitarist Jeremy Sosville (BLACK ANVIL) and drummer Nathan Honor, SANHEDRIN was eventually joined by former AMBER ASYLUM and LOST GOAT bassist/vocalist Erica Stoltz, whose vocal and lyrical exploits quickly became the perfect complement to the pair’s fledgling compositions. The trio produced a self-titled demo in 2015, but it wasn’t until “A Funeral For The World” did the band come into their own. Boasting a familiar, but not derivative sound, SANHEDRIN’s songwriting is rooted in the classics, translating into a fresh and honest take on rock and metal that easily crosses into doom, hard rock and stoner metal territory.
Live stints with ACID KING, CASTLE, CAULDRON, CRYPT SERMON, HELL FIRE, KHEMMIS, MAGIC CIRCLE and SATAN furthered honed SANHEDRIN’s approach, ultimately leading to Cruz Del Sur Music offering the band a deal.
“The three of us in this band have a very clear and shared vision artistically, and we were not going to settle with anyone who would compromise that,” says Sosville. “Enrico [Leccese], the label owner at Cruz, has shown through the years that he is truly motivated by a passion for music, above all. You can see it in the quality of his roster and the records they release. Our dealings with him have been very genuine and positive, and we feel that this is a good partner for SANHEDRIN.
“Our goal as a band is to constantly be growing and reaching as many people as we can. Up until now, the band has been involved in every single aspect of this album’s release. From putting up the time and investment in recording and duplication, right down to packing orders, it’s been a true DIY operation. That said, that comes with limitations, especially in Europe where we have been so well-received but are so far away from. We feel that this new partnership with Cruz Del Sur is a great step in reaching more people with our music than we currently can on our own.”
The bustling, creative hotspot that is Brooklyn has provided plenty of inspiration to SANHEDRIN, a place that according to Sosville, helps channel their unique approach to music. “I think New York bands in general have a certain swagger and attitude unique to this area, and that comes across in the songwriting and the live show for us. We’re immersed in a very diverse culture where we are exposed to many types of musical sounds in our everyday life, and we absorb something from all of it even though our foundations are based in heavy metal and hard rock.”
While SANHEDRIN is partly the product of their environment, it is their combined talent and experience that is ultimately the defining element here. Parlaying a song-first format that proves the trio is greater than the sum of its parts, SANHEDRIN clearly benefit from its members already knowing the ins-and-outs of a successful band operation.
“Every band has its own recipe for what works for that group of individuals,” says Sosville. “Playing with other people or projects can offer a fresh perspective that can inform your own creative process in a new way. Whenever you create with different people, you will learn something new and continue to grow as an individual. I have certainly taken the things I have learned from BLACK ANVIL and used whatever knowledge I’ve acquired to help SANHEDRIN grow artistically and otherwise. The main goal is to forge a path where we are surrounded by people who inspire us and believe in what we are doing.”
Fresh off a west coast run, SANHEDRIN has its sights set on future stateside live intrusions and are already thinking about their next studio venture.
“We look forward to this record we’ve put our hearts into continuing to reach more people as 2018 moves along,” wraps Sosville. “We are also currently working on playing as many new places as we can. Currently, we are working with another band to do an east coast run here in America in June. We are also hopeful that we can get to Europe before this year ends, as there has been a great reaction to this record over there so far. Lastly, we are hard at work writing our next record, which we are aiming to release in the early part of 2019 on Cruz Del Sur. We are excited for what the future holds!”
Greek epic/power metal force BATTLEROAR is currently putting the finishing touches on their fifth full-length album, “Codex Epicus”, which is set for a June 15 release via Cruz Del Sur Music. The follow-up to 2014’s “Blood Of Legends” was recorded at Devasoundz Studios in Athens, Greece and will feature a guest appearance from someone very familiar to fans of epic metal: MANILLA ROAD guitarist/vocalist Mark Shelton. The cover artwork is being created by Vagelis Petikas of Revolver Design.
