BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE Shares Drum Play-Through for "The Raven"

May 4, 2023

Drummer Billy Freedom of progressive rock trio BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE is now sharing a brand new drum play-through for "The Raven!" The song is taken from the band's new album, 'Tempus Veritas,' which is out now via Season of Mist! The clip can be seen below.

The band comments, "'The Raven' is one of our favourite songs from 'Tempus Veritas.' It has such a satisfying blend of progressive technical styles with huge melodies, and it’s super fun to play. Billy came up with some incredible parts for this song, including some beautifully detailed ride work that really speaks to his jazz and soul inspirations as well as those from heavy music. We hope you enjoy this amazing drum play through from him!"

"Lyrically this song is written from the point of view of the first human in space - Yuri Gagarin. In his final moments aboard the test flight on which he would ultimately lose his life, he contemplates the stars above him - realizing he will never reach them again."

'Tempus Veritas' was released on April 14, 2023 and can be streamed, ordered, and downloaded HERE.

BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE create huge, memorable rock music that combines heavy-hitting savagery with intense melodic beauty. Their technical, fearlessly complex grooves and gigantic sing-along choruses have already earned them a widespread fanbase.

A ferociously tight live band, BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE have toured Europe and the UK extensively, supporting Skunk Anansie, HED p.e, INME and Black Map as well as festival slots at Download, Standon Calling and Planet Rockstock. Black Orchid Empire have sealed the bands reputation as a force to be reckoned with.

Having released their debut album ‘Archetype’ (2016) to universal acclaim, BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE signed with German label Long Branch Records to release the follow up albums ‘Yugen’ (2018) and ‘Semaphore’ (2020). Both albums received stellar reviews and over 3,000,000+ combined streams.

“Tempus Veritas” is a collection of stories that seeks to find compelling imaginary narratives hidden away in what we all think of as history. Behind every milestone or major event in humanity’s long, complex past lies a treasure trove of possibilities for invention - how did Pope Urban VIII feel when confronted by his friend Galileo about the true nature of the sun? What really happened during an almost triumphant but ultimately doomed Everest attempt? What was it like to be a Norse settler amongst the Saxons; did the omens of the ancient gods begin to disappear?

In approaching “Tempus Veritas”, BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE sought collectively to push themselves both musically and thematically. Their pursuit of heaviness, melody, emotional power and rhythmic complexity has pushed them to create something they‘re immensely proud of. “Semaphore” was an album of Sci-Fi, this is an album of Hi-Fi. Tempus Veritas.

Recording studio:
The Recording Studio London

Producer / sound engineer:
Produced by Black Orchid Empire
Paul Visser (engineer)
Dobromir Vasilev (assistant engineer)

Mixing studio and engineer:
The Recording Studio London
Paul Visser (mix engineer)

Mastering studio and engineer:
Systematic Productions
Ermin Hamidovic (mastering engineer)

Line-up:
Paul Visser: Vocals | Guitar
Dave Ferguson: Bass | Vocals
Billy Freedom: Drums

Cover artwork: Black Orchid Empire & Ines Hernandez

Links:
www.blackorchidempire.com
www.fb.com/blackorchidempire
www.instagram.com/blackorchidempire
www.tiktok.com/@blackorchidempire
www.youtube.com/blackorchidempire
https://spoti.fi/3HqEfEh
https://blackorchidempiresom.bandcamp.com

Shop: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/BOETV

Formats:
Digital
Digipak
Vinyl in various colours

Prog Rock Trio BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE Shares Video for New Song, "The Raven"

March 27, 2023

Progressive rock trio BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE is now sharing a brand new single, "The Raven," along with a music video! The song is taken from the band's forthcoming full-length, 'Tempus Veritas,' due on April 14, 2023! The video was created by Alina Gordienco and can be seen below.

Speaking about the single, vocalist/guitarist Paul Visser says: "'The Raven' is a song inspired by our love of Viking folklore and mythology. After the Danish Vikings began raiding England in the 9th century, many sought long-term settlement - they were farmers who saw an abundance of rich, fertile land in the hands of the Saxons. 'The Raven' is written from the point of view of such a settler who, after many years in a foreign land, is struggling with the feeling of losing touch with the old gods of his former home. The insane video created by our friend and visual collaborator Alina Gordienco is a brilliant modern-day take on the idea of losing your identity and fighting your inner demons."

Pre-orders are now available HERE. The album can be pre-saved on various digital platforms HERE.

Links:
www.blackorchidempire.com
www.fb.com/blackorchidempire
www.instagram.com/blackorchidempire
www.tiktok.com/@blackorchidempire
www.youtube.com/blackorchidempire
https://spoti.fi/3HqEfEh
https://blackorchidempiresom.bandcamp.com

Pre-sales: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/BOETV

Formats:
Digital
Digipak
Vinyl in various colours

Former MEGADETH Members Unite to Honor the Legacy of Drummer GAR SAMUELSON

January 29, 2022

Bassist David Ellefson and guitarist Chris Poland have come together to record one final song posthumously with their friend and former MEGADETH drummer Gar Samuelson. The new track "The Raven" is the latest single from Fatal Opera, part of a new twelve-song collection of demo material compiled as the group’s final release, entitled FATAL OPERA 3, out now on Combat Records ®.

You can view the lyric video for "The Raven" below:

FATAL OPERA 3 can be streamed here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/4jOX9voVjVxg6PNPTPda7G

FATAL OPERA: Following his departure from Megadeth in 1987, Gar Samuelson assembled his new band Fatal Opera, along with his brother Stew on guitar. Gar went on to produce the group’s debut album in 1994, which also featured Dave Inman on vocals, Travis Karcher on bass and Billy Brehme on guitar. The group’s second album Eleventh Hour was released in 1997 and introduced Andy Freeman on vocals, reaching top 10 on European charts while the group continued building a loyal fan base touring across the USA that year. Sadly, in1999 Gar became ill and passed away, at which point the group disbanded.

Then, in 2018 Andy and Stew set out to remix the Eleventh Hour LP and in the process discovered a collection of demos with Gar which were intended to become the band’s third album before his passing. Although the demo tapes were damaged after many years of neglect, Freeman labored to revive the tracks with some songs lost forever. However, he was able to complete 12 tracks, inviting Ellefson & Poland to participate on "The Raven" as a way to conclude the legacy of Gar and Fatal Opera.

Chris Poland recalls, “Back in the day, long before Megadeth, Gar and his brother Stew were the heart and soul of a heavy instrumental jazz/rock project called THE NEW YORKERS. I played guitar with them and Robbie “Pag” Pagliari played fretless bass. It was everything we could do just to keep up! Stew’s right hand was a machine. Flawless. And Gar was right there with him always pushing things to the next level. And again, these two brothers were the heart and soul of Fatal Opera. It was a privilege to be a part of this release, and playing on ‘The Raven’ with David Ellefson made it that much more special. Gar was a true artist. Be it his amazing drumming, his painting or his wood sculpture pipe (he made by hand). Gar was one of a kind. And here Gar, Stew and crew push the limits of experimental metal. These songs are complex yet accessible. Music with a dark side that draws you into their world and keeps you wondering 'what’s next!'” Chris Poland also added additional guitar work to the track "Mask of Time".

David Ellefson adds,“This is a really cool moment for Chris and me to musically reunite with our friend Gar, now almost 35 years after our last studio session together, which was the 1987 re-recording of 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ for the Dudes movie soundtrack, compiled by director Penelope Spheeris. Gar was always such a free spirit with his music, no click tracks or digital reinvention for him. And, he seldom played the same thing twice, quite unusual for heavy metal! He just went for it with real gusto and that became the hallmark of his sound."

He continues, "When I was laying down the bass track for 'The Raven' it reminded me once again of Gar’s spontaneity in the studio, as if we were recording live in the same room together. I’m super happy these tracks were brought to life so we could have one last go around with Gar behind the kit. It’s a reminder that he truly was one of the greats!”

Combat Records ® is the label which was home to many iconic thrash & metal albums in the 1980s & 90s and was relaunched by Ellefson & Co. in 2017. It was also home to Gar Samuelson’sfirst full length record with Megadeth, their eponymous debut Killing is My Business…and Business is Good (1985). Ellefson states, “As a label, we are proud to release these final tracks from Gar. He was a masterful drummer who made an incredible impact on fans and musicians everywhere. I think it's appropriate that Combat would be home to his first and now final recordings.”

Fatal Opera 3 is available now across all digital outlets.

Fatal Opera 3 Line-up:
Andy Freeman – Vocals, Keyboard, Guitar
Stew Samuelson – Guitar
Billy Brehme – Guitar
Travis Karcher – Bass
Gar Samuelson – Drums