– October twenty eighth, 2024 –
Picture by: Simon Ward & Jeremy Saffer
Out NOW by way of Metallic Blade Information – Order HERE
Shares Title Observe + Music Video – Watch HERE
“An pleasant name again to an period when rock’s purest parts powered essentially the most timeless music.” – Loudwire
“It’s an outstanding album stuffed with some unbelievable performances (from Steve Overland, Simon Phillips, and Joey Vera, in addition to Matheos) with nice songs that actually get you fired up as a listener. This KINGS OF MERCIA album is solely phenomenal!” – KNAC
“A testomony to the inventive imaginative and prescient of those two musicians. The album affords a refreshing departure from their consolation zones and is certain to please most rock followers.” – My International Thoughts
“‘Battle Scars’ is filled with blistering energy! The fury that erupts from the Matheos guitar creates a volcanic, seismic noise… Whereas Steve Overland pushes his vary with such impressed magnitude it takes your breath away.” – Rock ‘N’ Load
KINGS OF MERCIA‘s 2022 approachable, world-class self-titled debut was termed “actually a hybrid: it’s heavy, however not metallic. It’s acquired tones of melodic AOR onerous rock however with an edge.” Now, 2024 brings the band’s sophomore album written and recorded all through 2023, ‘Battle Scars‘ sees the core writing staff of Matheos and Overland increasing on their apparent chemistry.
“I feel it was a bit simpler this time round as a result of we’ve established working rhythm,” states Matheos, “I’ll ship Steve a minimum of just a few songs each couple of months, and I attempt to maintain them different. This permits him to work on whichever ones he feels strongly about.”
“What Jim sends me is the primary draft of that tune,” says Overland. “So as soon as he’s heard all of the melodies and the harmonies I sing, he can chop it about and make it how he thinks it must be. He at all times sends me three or 4 completely different variations. He’ll say, ‘What do you assume? Which do you want?’ Then we work it out between us and give you the one we’re each proud of.”
“Steve and I began working collectively in 2021,” says Matheos. “I used to be conscious of FM-they got here up across the identical time as Fates Warning – however I’d misplaced contact with them and wasn’t conversant in their more moderen work. When Steve was advisable to me, I checked out a number of the newer releases and felt Steve was precisely what I used to be on the lookout for.”
“It’s a distinct style of music that I’m usually concerned in,” says Overland, whose voice has been likened to different British greats Paul Rodgers and Glenn Hughes. “Clearly, I’d heard of Fates Warning – they’re a really large cult band of their subject. Jim and I touched base, and I advised him to ship me one backing observe. If it sounds nice, then it’s a win-win. If it doesn’t, we’ll simply name it a day, knock it on the top, not take it any additional. That tune turned ‘Humankind’ from the primary album. I wrote the melodies and the title and put all of it collectively. Jim acquired it and he was blown away. So we made a pair extra. I cherished doing it. It was simply such a distinct problem for me.“
These songs would grow to be the self-titled debut album, which was launched in 2022. Written throughout lockdown, bouncing tracks throughout the Atlantic, KINGS OF MERCIA discovered its mojo. Followers of Fates Warning, FM, and Armored Saint all rejoiced on the frequent floor on KINGS OF MERCIA, the candy spot in the course of the Venn diagram.
It’s a real collaboration that has led to KOM‘s ‘Battle Scars.’ Nevertheless, regardless of the unfolding sound and clear chemistry between the 4 Kings, Overland has by no means met his bandmates in individual. ‘Battle Scars,’ like its predecessor, is a slab of transatlantic magic.
Order ‘Battle Scars’ HERE
‘Battle Scars‘ Observe Listing:
01. Weapons and Ammunition
02. Eye for an Eye
03. Between Two Worlds
04. Legend
05. Battle Scars
06. Don’t Ask
07. Aftermath
08. Hell ‘n’ Again
09. Chilly
10. Angels & Demons
Watch the Music Video “Don’t Ask” HERE
Watch the Music Video for “Aftermath” HERE
KINGS OF MERCIA are:
Jim Matheos – Guitars
Steve Overland – Vocals
Simon Phillips – Drums
Joey Vera – Bass
KINGS OF MERCIA ONLINE
https://www.metalblade.com/kingsofmercia
https://www.fb.com/KingsofMercia
