Year : 2024
Style : Melodic Power Metal
Country : International
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 108 mb
Bio:
It all happened on a sunny 23rd of August in Spain, when Roland Grapow (ex- Helloween, Masterplan) and Mario Lochert (Emergency Gate, ex - Visions of Atlantis) had a conversation backstage over a cool beverage, talking music business – you know, what musicians usually do.For quite a while, Mario had had the idea of bringing together 6 musical masterminds to form a band floating around his head.After a few initial concerns about igniting various conflicts when getting together in that configuration, eventually Mario was able to convince Roland of his intentions.Back in Munich, Mario immediately contacted his friend of many years, Thomen Stauch (ex- Blind Guardian, Savage Circus), telling him about his idea. Thomen was sold and joined the bunch right away.After that, Jan Vacik (ex- Dreamscape) and Dominik Sebastian (Edenbridge) were quick to agree to a collaboration, too. With that, a new band was born, consisting of five highly motivated musicians!Initially, it turned out to be quite a task to bring these full-time musical workaholics together in one studio at the same time. However, against all odds, they got together on short notice in January 2014.Needless to say, when they arrived at the “Dreamsound Studios” Munich, none of the blokes had any idea yet where exactly their musical venture would take them.After a long night, accompanied with numerous anecdotes from the world of music and a solid amount of beers (which, of course, were just “meant to keep the vocal cords smooth”), the band started the songwriting phase!Everyone was on the same wavelength, as if they had been working together in this configuration for decades.The fact that they were able to collectively write songs, without any pressures and in an awesome environment, gave wings to these 5 maniacal musicians and got their juices flowing to create something outstanding.Everyone was literally bubbling with ideas and as soon as 7 days later, they had written eight roughly structured songs, building a foundation for a powerful and melodic Power Metal record!Yet what good can awesome songs do without a voice to carry them? After a few considerations as to a fitting singer for the band, the newly formed group contacted the US-based Swedish expat “Urban Breed” (ex-Tad Morose, ex- Bloodbound, Trail of Murder). After exchanging just a few emails and samples, the answer was loud and clear: “Ok, I’m in, if you really want it! After a short wait, he submitted his first song ideas which fit in with the existing songs seamlessly.These 6 musical warriors are currently working on their first album, which is planned to be released in early 2015, as the band intends to showcase their talent in the very same year on various tours and festivals – LIVE.
Album:
Ten years Serious Black, ten years of melodic power metal, with the license to create anthems: since their founding in 2014 the band enthuses their fans not only with five studio albums by now but also at concerts and festival appearances around the globe. The decadal birthday Serious Black celebrates now, releasing their latest output. "Rise Of Akhenaton", their meanwhile 6th full length album, will be released via AFM Records. At that time the band will be on tour throughout Europe, with Sonata Arctica and Firewind. Until then, to shorten the waiting time, Serious Black will publish three singles, including video clips, starting end of May with the uptempo track "Metalized". With its powerful guitar riffing, the dynamic base of drum and bass and the hymn like catchy tunes this song unites all the band’s excellences.Not only "Metalized", but any of the eleven tracks on the new album show that Serious Black stylistically went back to their roots, but at the same time, due to the modern production by Lochert und Bob Katsionis, "Rise Of Akhenaton" sounds more diversified than ever. The interim focus on progressive directives has now changed to more catchy arrangements. Anno 2024, straight, classic power metal - the style the band once got to be known for - reigns again. "The return to what characterized us once, was already indicated on 'Vengeance Is Mine'," Lochert explains the natural evolution of the band and adds: "Since his joining three years ago our singer Nikola Mijic has turned out to be a real jewel for us. Because of his expressive voice and his intuitive feeling for great melodies the songs got more clarity and a more direct pace."Next to others, Lochert talks about "We Are The Storm", a song about the four horsemen of the apocalypse, in which it says: "We are the storm, we bring the pain, part of the army where the chaos reigns."Also "Take Your Life" - absolutely capable to sing along with - and the catchy "Shields Of Glory" with its chorus, reminding of Rainbow, document the musical enhancements of the band. Another tradition in the history of Serious Black is marked by the sentimental ballad "When I'm Gone", and the oriental title track ties in with "Akhenaton", from the debut album "As Daylight Breaks", 2015.Last but not least: the cover song "I Will Remember" (originally by Toto), which is dedicated to Mario's father who died recently, has a special meaning to Mario Lochert: "The track stands for the great things we reached and experienced as a band, that will be remembered forever, if we once lose sight of each other - for whatever reason."Until then, many years may pass by! The chart ranking of #16 in Germany for "Vengeance Is Mine" Serious Black took as inducement and raised with "Rise Of Akhenaton" in every sense.
Line Up:
Nikola Mijic - Vocals (Alogia, Dreyelands, Eden's Curse, Expedition Delta)
Bob Katsionis – Guitar - See also: Burnt City, Captain Hawk, Outloud, Prydain, Stray Gods, Vass/Katsionis, Warrior Path, Wonders, ex-Encomium, ex-Imaginery, ex-Retrospect, ex-Revolution Renaissance, ex-Jade Lizard, ex-Zion, ex-Mirage, ex-Skyward, Goditha, ex-Acid Death, ex-Casus Belli, ex-Firewind, ex-Karmic Link, ex-Nightfall, ex-Perpetual, ex-Serious Black, ex-Deviser (live), ex-Septicflesh (live), ex-Star Queen, ex-Fatal Morgana, ex-Lighthunters, ex-Νίπτω τας χείρας (NTX)
Dominik Sebastian - Guitars (2014-present) - See also: A Ghost Named Alice, Edenbridge, Shadows' Grey, Thirdmoon, ex-Scargod, ex-In Slumber (live), ex-Olemus (live), ex-Astaroth (live), ex-Mortus, ex-Patunum (live), ex-Nana D. (live), ex-Out of Cage (live), ex-Swanpoem (live)
Mario Lochert - Bass (2014-present) - See also: Emergency Gate, ex-Visions of Atlantis
Ramy Ali - Drums (2018-present) - See also: Iron Mask, Roger Staffelbach's Angel of Eden, Evidence One, ex-Getaway, Rik Priem's Prime, ex-Freedom Call, ex-Justice, ex-Kiske / Somerville, ex-Beautiful Beast, ex-Big Apple, ex-Frontline, ex-State of Rock
Tracklist:
01. Open Your Eyes
02. We Are the Storm
03. Silent Angel
04. Take Your Life
05. Shields of Glory
06. When I’m Gone
07. United
08. Rise of Akhenaton
09. Virtual Reality
10. I Will Remember
11. Metalized
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
