Florida energy/trad steel outfit Helms Deep had us at “bassist John Gallagher.” Apologies to the opposite members, who all look like fairly stable, but when Raven vocalist/bassist Gallagher is concerned, we’re already there. And, yeah, “Chasing the Dragon” doesn’t disappoint. Helms Deep is definitely the venture of guitarist/vocalist Alex Sciortino, who shaped the band a number of years again. HD’s indie debut, Treacherous Methods, was launched in 2023 (later reissued by Anonymous Grave) and featured Raven drummer Mike Heller, together with Gallagher. This time across the band has expanded to included second guitarist Ray DeTone, and Hal Aponte has changed Heller. The monitor we’re premiering gives a speedy energy steel punch, with guitar acrobatics, a punchy refrain and relentless vitality.
Chasing the Dragon was recorded in 3D, with guitarist DeTone co-producing with Sciortino. It was re-amped by Lasse Lammert and Detone with DeTone dealing with the blending at Dancetone Music Studio. Mastering was carried out by Andy Van Dette (Deep Purple, Bruce Dickinson, Fates Warning, Girlschool, Rush, Savatage). It is going to be out there on double LP (with silkscreened D-side), CD and digitally by way of Anonymous Grave Information on June 20. Place your preorder right here or right here.
Sciortino had this to say in regards to the title monitor to the outfit’s new album:
“‘Chasing The Dragon’ was dubbed the title monitor because the writing and recording of the album was accomplished within the Chinese language 12 months of the Dragon (coincidence or destiny?) and we went with that because the theme for the album. It’s showcase of the band’s pace with some attention-grabbing refined parts within the intro, like soprano guitar—one thing you don’t hear usually in steel—which sounds form of like a harp. It was chosen as a single as a result of it’s one of many catchier, extra concise songs on there, the place others are longer and a bit proggier.”
