Powerage Records in cooperation with Candlelight Records proudly announces the November 25 American release for Doom Gloom Heartache & Whiskey, the new album from England’s Viking Skull. Recorded and produced outside Philadelphia, where Candlelight's American offices are located, the record is the first to feature new drummer Jess Margera (cKy). The band will celebrate the release with five special performances alongside Clutch.
Born to rock and rock hard they do, Viking Skull make their proper US introduction with the release of Doom Gloom Heartache & Whiskey. Due to limited label support and resources the band’s two previous albums are hard-to-find items for the band’s fast growing fanbase. Vocalist Roddy Stone notes, "being signed to a record company that actually wants to sell records and help us out a bit by splashing some cash so we can actually record an album and tour is a first for us. It’s like upgrading from sails to a big jet engine on a battle ship armed with riffs and songs so dense they can crush planets. It's a perfect combination to rid the world of the piss weak metal we hear today; bands who spend more time doing their hair and chasing the latest fad than actually writing a decent tune. This is the year of the skull, our boots are heavy and your hinges are weak; watch out!"
Stone with bassist Waldie, guitarists Dom and Brandwine Eel and Margera take their love of Sabbath and add to it modern rock icons to create a good ole rock n roll vibe that is contagious and fun. Already a noted live performer in Europe where the band have toured with the likes of Dio, Him, Clutch, and two appearances at the prestigious Download Festival, Viking Skull are looking forward to their first big performances in the US. “Its about time Viking Skull got to play some proper gigs in the US," says drummer Jess Margera. "I was starting to get sick of always having to fly across the Atlantic Ocean every time I needed to get my fix. The United States needs Viking Skull! Maybe the country would be in better shape right now if we got John McCain and Barack Obama a beer, a shot of whiskey and the new Viking Skull album."
Formed in 2003, Viking Skull draw deeply on a mix of Black Sabbath, AC/DC, WASP, Motörhead, The Who, Kiss and Thin Lizzy for good measure. The band recorded and independently released their early songs for a whopping $500. The recording, titled Chapter One, was met with amazing reviews; the album still the only one to date to score 11 out of 10 in Metal Hammer! In 2005 the band recorded Born in Hell, their debut full-length. European tours with Clutch and cKy would follow as the band’s profile continued to grow. Late 2006 would see the band return to the studio for recordings of the first record to see limited US release. Chapter Two was released in early 2007 and featured guest appearances from members of cKy and Fireball Ministry.
Doom Gloom Heartache & Whiskey is the first album from newly-formed London-based Powerage Records. A joint venture between Classic Rock Magazine/Future PLC and Plastichead Music Distribution, Powerage Records was intently formed to champion high-voltage rock and roll. A&R veteran Derek Oliver has been brought in to oversea artist liaison while the editorial and sales teams of Classic Rock and Plastichead Music tackle the marketing and sales for the artists. In the US, Candlelight Records will oversee and coordinate all efforts for Powerage with the help of Caroline Distribution/EMI Music Marketing.
The track listing for Doom Gloom Heartache & Whiskey: Start a War, Doom Gloom Heartache & Whiskey, In Hell, Hair of the Dog, Shot Down, Double or Quits, In for the Kill, 19 Swords, Drink.
Confirmed dates with Clutch are as follows:
10/27/2008 Starland Ballroom - Sayreville, NJ
10/28/2008 Webster Theater - Hartford, CT
10/29/2008 930 Club - Washington, DC
10/30/2008 Newport Music Hall - Columbus, OH
10/31/2008 Orbit Room - Grand Rapids, MI
For more information contact Dave Brenner (earsplitpr@aol.com) or Paula Hogan (paula@candlelightrecordsusa.com). European media contact Darren Toms (d.toms@plastichead.com).
http://www.myspace.com/vikingskull
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightusa
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