FRENCH PROGRESSIVE METAL ACT LALU ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM "PAINT THE SKY"

"PAINT THE SKY" OUT JANUARY 21, 2022

NEW SINGLE & VIDEO 'THE CHOSEN ONES' OUT TODAY

Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce the release of progressive metal act LALU's new album, "Paint The Sky" on January 21, 2022. LALU is a musical project originally founded in 2004 by the French composer and producer Vivien Lalu, son of Noelle and Michel Lalu (members of the ‘70s French progressive act Polène). ‘Paint The Sky’ will be the first album, and third album overall from the band, released under the new partnership between Vivien and Frontiers. Fans can get their first taste of music from the new album with the release of the single and video, 'The Chosen Ones' featuring Jordan Rudess(Dream Theater) and Simone Mularoni (DGM). Watch the video below.

Pre-order/save "Paint The Sky" HERE: https://orcd.co/paintsky

"Paint The Sky" is easily the most accomplished and mature album put together by Vivien thus far in his career. Being the son of two progressive musicians from the '70s and growing up surrounded by progressive music, Vivien always wanted to craft a true-to-its-roots progressive rock album. He spent a lot of time laying down the basics for the new effort and along with this new album comes a change in vocalist specifically designed for this more progressive version of LALU. In May 2020, Vivien announced Damian Wilson (Arena, Headspace, Threshold) as the lead vocalist for ´Paint The Sky’. LALU's lineup on the album is rounded out by Jelly Cardarelli (on drums) and Joop Wolters (guitars and bass).

Guests on "Paint The Sky" include Alessandro Del Vecchio, Alex Argento, Gary Wehrkamp, Jens Johansson, Jordan Rudess, Marco Sfogli, Simon Phillips, Simone Mularoni, Steve Walsh, Tony Franklin, and Vikram Shankar. See tracklisting below for details on which tracks they appear on.

LALU's first full-length album, ‘Oniric Metal’ (2005) garnered critical acclaim upon its release, including being named ‘Album of the Month’ in Rock Hard Magazine, and marked a new chapter for Vivien and his insatiable need to create mind-expanding, cinematic music. LALU's second opus, 'Atomic Ark' (2013) featured vocalist Martin LeMar, bassist Mike LePond (Symphony X), guitarist Simone Mularoni (DGM), and world class drummer Virgil Donati (Planet X, Steve Vai, Allan Holdsworth). Additional contributions came from Jens Johansson (Stratovarius), Joop Wolters, Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Marco Sfogli (James LaBrie), Mike Andersson (Cloudscape) and Peter Wildoer (James LaBrie).

Spring 2014 saw Vivien venturing out on a unique live tour, hosting only a few select shows featuring the all-star Atomic Ark line-up of Martin LeMar, Mike LePond, Simone Mularoni, and Virgil Donati, adding Joop Wolters as a second guitarist on stage. After a few weeks’ practice, the tour culminated in the live recording of their set during the final stop. Produced by Vivien and mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio, the digital-only ‘Live at P60’ was released in June 2015.

"Paint The Sky" now marks the latest installment in the ever evolving musical odyssey that is LALU. Come join the journey!

LINE-UP:

Damian Wilson - Vocals

Jelly Cardarelli - Drums

Joop Wolters - Guitars & bass

Vivien Lalu - Keyboards

An Homage to Three Decades of Explosive Metal:

Napalm Records to Release BODOM AFTER MIDNIGHT’s EP, Paint The Sky With Blood, on April 23, 2021

Pre-Order Your Copy HERE

"Like ourselves, Alexi was beyond stoked about these songs and anxious to get these out so we are happy that we can fulfill his wish. Needless to say that we are honored and proud to be a part of his very last creative work and unleash it the way he wanted it to. It’s time to let the beast out of the cage one more time as a celebration of Alexi’s music, legacy and the man himself."

- BODOM AFTER MIDNIGHT

In 2020, the news was flooded: Led by the extremely talented Alexi Laiho, newly formed supergroup BODOM AFTER MIDNIGHT was about to become the striking successor to legendary metal band CHILDREN OF BODOM. Their sonic plans were massive – including an EP release in the spring followed by a full-length album later in the year.

The EP, Paint The Sky With Blood (out April 23 via Napalm Records), was recorded in Finland back in 2020 and was meant to be the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Sadly, that chapter ended far too soon, and now, the three-track piece embodies a whole new meaning. Paint The Sky With Blood is an overwhelming tribute to an outstanding artist and an exceptional sonic heritage – matchless late guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho – and at the same time, a modern homage to the genre itself.

A storm of raging guitars and blaring drums merge with Alexi Laiho’s versatile vocal power, leading into a heavy attack – title track “Paint The Sky With Blood” – opening the 14 minute EP of the same name. The track is strikingly reminiscent of early-CHILDREN OF BODOM elements, while also adding exciting modern influences into the fold. Second stunner “Payback’s A Bitch” and its massive riffing are on a quest for retribution, delivering a hard-hitting, second to none offense. The interplay of Alexi Laiho, guitarist Daniel Freyberg, drummer Waltteri Väyrynen (Paradise Lost), bassist Mitja Toivonen (ex-Santa Cruz) and live keyboardist Vili Itäpelto is not only a testament to the band's extraordinary musical ability, but also showcases their skill in deftly incorporating a variety of genre influences.

Closing cover track “Where Dead Angels Lie” is an absolute triumph – originally performed by Swedish extreme metal formation Dissection, the track shines as a timeless classic with a new edge. Eerie riffs and vocals alternating between menacing murmurs and characteristic guttural, distorted vocals stay faithful to the original while branding this version with an undeniable BODOM AFTER MIDNIGHT punch.

Paint The Sky With Blood Tracklisting:

01. Paint The Sky With Blood

02. Payback’s A Bitch

03. Where Dead Angels Lie (Dissection Cover)

Paint The Sky With Blood will be available in the following formats:

- 10" Spined Sleeve Oxblood

- 10" Spined Sleeve Inkspot Ox/Black

- 10" Spined Sleeve Black

- Deluxe Box

- 1 Digipak Mini CD

- Digital Album

BODOM AFTER MIDNIGHT are:

Alexi Laiho - guitar & vocals

Daniel Freyberg - guitar

Mitja Toivonen - bass

Waltteri Väyrynen - drums