Norwegian prog metallers IMPERIAL CHILD have released a video for “Libertalia”, feat. the ex SAVATAGE and current TRANS SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA singer, Zak Stevens. The song is taken from band’s debut album entitled “Compass Of Evil”, which will be released as CD, limited edition vinyl and digital download via Soulmaker Recordings, on March 13, 2020.
The IMPERIAL CHILD debut is a concept album, that contains the compelling first part of the story about William Green, a man of the living dead and his fight against the devil and the buccaneer, Darren Half-Eye. The album has been produced by the Grammy nominated guitarist and sound engineer, Andy LaRocque (KING DIAMOND, DEATH) and was recorded in Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden.
Whoever has been following 70000TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, over the past 9 years, does not only know that it is much more than just another festival at sea. They will also know that one of the things that make it such a unique once in a lifetime event is that even now, only 2 months before the Independence Of The Seas will take 3000 metalheads and 60 world class heavy metal bands from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Cozumel, Mexico, from January 7th to 11th, for Round X, the Skipper and his crew always manage to surprise fans with specials – including one time performances, album and band anniversaries, unexpected jam band constellations, and other premieres exclusively happening on board.
After recent additions such as Devin Townsend and Sortilège to the line-up that already features names like Emperor, Epica and Wintersun, 70000 TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, is excited to announce another world premiere event on board, namely the very first live show by Zak Stevens’ new project ARCHON ANGEL. The band’s debut album Fallen will be released in early 2020 on Frontiers Music, with a music video for the title track and pre-orders for the album launching on December 4, 2019.
Don’t miss the boat! Visit 70000tons.com to book your cabin before they’re gone.
About ARCHON ANGEL
Archon Angel’s inception goes back to a meeting between producer/guitarist Aldo Lonobile (Secret Sphere) and former Savatage and Circle II Circle vocalist Zak Stevens, who is also a key performer in Trans-Siberian Orchestra. After immediately finding common creative grounds, Aldo submitted to Zak some song ideas which were reminiscent of the classic Savatage sound of records such as Edge Of Thorns and Gutter Ballet. The two felt the magic was there, so no time was wasted in getting together to craft an absolutely striking metal album.
Zak Stevens remembers the inception of Archon Angel quite vividly: “Aldo was producing the ‘Return to Eden’ (Timo Tolkki’s Avalon) album and that’s how we originally met in 2018. He contacted me by email and together we chose the two songs I would be singing on. Right away, it was super easy working with Aldo and we thought very much alike as far as music and production are concerned. And now, here we are today as bandmates in Archon Angel and playing together on the debut album, ‘Fallen’!”
“For Archon Angel, we pretty much started all the songs from scratch,” continues Zak. “Aldo had quite a few songs demoed to get things started with and we just went from there. He’s an amazing guitarist and I was more than impressed with everything he did. From there, everyone got involved. The band guys in Italy (Aldo – Guitars, Marco Lazzarini – Drums, and Antonio Agate – Keys) and in France (my old friend Yves Campion from the band Nightmare on bass) helped Aldo with the instrumentation. I worked on vocal melodies with Aldo, along with my wife Katherine, who is a very creative writer in her own right. She helped Aldo and I with some amazing lyrical contributions and with the overall concept stuff for the album.”
“Zak had a huge impact on my musical background: he has a unique vocal tone and the milestone albums he recorded with Savatage are among my all time favourite albums,” adds Aldo. “When Frontiers Records gave me the chance to work with him during the production of ‘Return To Eden’ I was very excited and everything has been super easy. I am very proud of the music we wrote together and we are a great team, stay tuned for more news!”
In the songwriting department, some of the most outstanding writers and musicians from the Italian Rock scene couldn’t help but pitch in, including Simone Mularoni (of DGM and Sweet Oblivion) and Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge of Forever, Jorn, Hardline, etc.).
The album itself deals with a central character, the “Archon”, who is a modern day angel figure. The idea goes back to the religious system of Gnosticism with the difference that in this instance, the Archon’s story is immersed into modern-day times. The Archon is a medium who brings messages to God (Demiurge) from the people of Earth. The tale that the album tells is one that follows the story and life and times of the modern-day Archon, as he is called upon to protect the people of Earth through frightening, turbulent times.
While Archon Angel are currently preparing to tour the world, one thing is safe: It will all start here – making their appearance aboard the 70000 TONS OF METAL the kick-off for a truly unique experience!
Lineup:
Vocals: Zak Stevens
Guitars: Aldo Lonobile
Bass: Yves Campion
Drums: Marco Lazzarini
Keyboards & Piano (Studio): Antonio Agate
Following the impressive main stage performance of Zak Stevens with Savatage & Trans-Siberian Orchestra in front of 80.000 people at Wacken Festival 2015, Zak and his band CIRCLE II CIRCLE are about to release their new album “Reign Of Darkness”.
earMUSIC/Edel and Zak Stevens have enjoyed critical acclaim and commercial success together over the years with Savatage albums like “Edge Of Thorns”, “The Wake of Magellan” and “Dead Winter Dead” (true milestones of hard rock and metal and some of the biggest charts metal successes in the 90s) and CIRCLE II CIRCLE albums such as “Seasons Will Fall” alike.
“Reign of Darkness”, marking the third release in a row for CIRCLE II CIRCLE on earMUSIC, is released on October 16th, 2015.
CIRCLE II CIRCLE is a band that has been reinventing themself through the years, but maintaining that signature sound that fans around the world love – “Reign Of Darkness” is no exception to that attitude, bringing out the very best, CIRCLE II CIRCLE has to offer. Needless to say, that “Reign Of Darkness” overshadows what has been done before.
“You might say that “Reign of Darkness” represents a musical reinvention for us, but the minute you hear each song you know right away that it‘s CIIC. We wanted to pay homage to the past, but we also wanted to create a musical renaissance within our genre that is fresh and energetic. This is an album that will positively pave the way for our future.”– Zak Stevens
“Reign of Darkness” features the powerful metal sound, strong hard rock riffs, both emphasizing Zak Stevens’ passionate melodic rock vocals. Again, the band has created something new, something fresh and vigorous. And the artwork definitely sets new standards.
Tracklist
1. Over-Underture
2. Victim Of The Night
3. Untold Dreams
4. It’s All Over
5. One More Day
6. Ghost Of The Devil
7. Somewhere
8. Deep Within
9. Taken Away
10. Sinister Love
11. Solitary Rain
In August 2012, CIIC delivered a groundbreaking performance of Savatage’s most successful albums “The Wake of Magellan” at the world biggest and craziest heavy-metal festival Wacken Open Air in Germany. Followed by a sold-out tour in Europe and Brazil in support of their studio album “Seasons Will Fall”, CIRCLE II CIRCLE really hit it off from this point. This album had been considered to be the strongest album of their entire career from both a musical and production standpoint… That was until now, when CIIC is about to release their brand new record!
Circle II Circle are
Zak Stevens (Savatage) – Vocals
Mitch Stewart – Bass/Vocals
Bill Hudson (Power Quest, Cellador) – Guitars/Vocals
Christian Wentz – Guitars/Vocals
Henning Wanner (White Lion, Jaded Heart) – Keyboards/Vocals
Marcelo Moreira (Almah, Symbolica, Marmor) – Drums
Professionally filmed video footage of CIRCLE II CIRCLE‘s entire performance at this year’s Wacken Open Air festival, which took place August 2-4 in Wacken, Germany, can be seen at this location.
The band, led by ex-SAVATAGE vocalist Zak Stevens, is currently touring Europe in celebration of the 15 years of the SAVATAGE classic album “The Wake Of Magellan”.
CIRCLE II CIRCLE recently recruited drummer Adam Sagan (INTO ETERNITY, FINAL DARKNESS, ECHOTERRA) to sit behind the kit for the European trek.
A drummer of 20 years, Sagan has toured extensively and shared stages with some of the biggest names in rock and metal, including MOTÖRHEAD, CANNIBAL CORPSE, GWAR, STRATOVARIUS, OPETH, DANZIG, KAMELOT and dozens more. In addition to touring and recording, he also pens an instructional column for Drumhead magazine, and offers private drum instruction in the Minneapolis/St Paul area of Minnesota.
CIRCLE II CIRCLE current touring lineup:
Zak Stevens (Vocals) Mitch Stewart (Bass) Bill Hudson (Guitars) Christian Wentz (Guitars) Henning Wanner (Keyboards) Adam Sagan (Drums)
, which took place August 2-4 in Wacken, Germany, can be seen at 
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 