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THEM***Transatlantic Power / Thrash Metal Act's New 'Return To Hemmersmoor' Studio Album Released October 30th On Steamhammer / SPV*** |
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| Technically excellent, hard driving German / American Theatrical Power / Thrash Metal ensemble THEM have lined up the release of their immaculate third album, 'Return To Hemmersmoor', on Steamhammer / SPV on October 30th as a Digipak CD, double gatefold blue-with-black-swirls vinyl LP (with printed inner sleeves), download and stream. 'Return To Hemmersmoor' is the gripping final part of THEM's supernaturally inclined horror/fantasy trilogy, which was launched back in 2016 on 'Sweet Hollow' and continued in 'Manor Of The Se7en Gables, released to much acclaim on Steamhammer / SPV in 2018. Comparing the three albums, main songwriter, German guitarist Markus Ullrich comments that "Possibly the new material is a little tougher and more uncompromising. Being directly involved, we're too close to really be able to judge. Fact is: the album definitely sounds more mature, which certainly has to do with the songwriting as well as with our general approach. From the start, THEM have worked in a very focused manner according to a definite plan. For that kind of targeted strategy you really need the right line-up consisting of accomplished musicians that are one hundred per cent behind the concept. THEM totally fulfils all those conditions." The THEM line-up is completed by US vocalist KK Fossor, US guitarist Markus Johansson (Sylencer, 4ARM) US drummer Angel Cotte (Demolition Hammer), German bassist Alexander Palma and German keyboardist Richie Seibel (Lanfear, Ivanhoe). Despite living on totally separate continents, THEM play and work together as an extremely tight unit. When guitarists Ullrich and Johannson collaborate on compositions, frontman Fossor translates their inspirations into skilfully worded melodies and lyrics, while the rhythm section puts the pedal to the metal and expansive keyboard sounds lend the songs their very special atmosphere. 'Return To Hemmersmoor', which was once again mixed by Dave Otero at the Flatline Audio studio in Denver, includes hard-as-nails thrash metal songs such as 'Age Of Ascension', 'Hellhounds: The Harbingers Of Death' and 'Battle Blood', (with its references to the best of Bay Area traditions). Stand-out THEM classics such as 'Free' and 'Field Of Immortality' soar alongside the anthemnic 'Waken' or the epic finale 'Maestro's Last Stand', which brings the trilogy full circle with its intelligent 'Sweet Hollow' references. Reflecting on the concept behind the trilogy, Ullrich states that "Horror stories don't need a happy ending, no specific ethics, no moralising undertone. At the end of 'Return To Hemmersmoor', you don't see good automatically win over evil, quite the opposite: our fictitious protagonist started out in Germany on 'Sweet Hollow', went to America on 'Manor Of The Se7en Gables' and is now returning to his roots to embark on a merciless revenge campaign in the Hemmersmoor mire. The story is a kind of parable about the fact that good can easily mutate into evil if it's not recognized." |
| MIRED –Roland Hyams on 020 8677 8466
/ 07768 156392 roland@workhardpr.com www.them666.com www.spv.de 2nd September 2020 |
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© Work Hard PR 2020 |
THEM***German - American Power / Thrash Metal Act's Awesome New 'Manor Of The Se7en Gables' Album Released October 26th On Steamhammer / SPV*** |
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| Notable new German / American metal band Them, who merge the most significant components of US power and thrash metal to meld their own singular musical potion with lyrics focusing on spooks and horror, have inked with Steamhammer / SPV to release their consummate second album, 'Manor Of The Se7en Gables' on October 26th. 'Manor Of The Se7en Gables' takes up thematically from where 2016's debut 'Sweet Hollow' album left off but goes on to explore the stylistic extremes of this musical genre even further. "'Manor Of The Se7en Gables' sounds harder, darker and technically more sophisticated than 'Sweet Hollow'," states main songwriter Markus Ullrich, adding: "At the same time, fans may be taken by surprise by a number of changes because we have unmistakably continued to evolve as a band during the past two years."  The German guitarist, who was one of the founder members of prog metal band Lanfear before joining Them in autumn 2013 (and continues to be a member of speed/thrash metal act Septagon and instrumental project A Cosmic Trail), values this evolvement: "I like it when songs also live up to certain technical standards." Referring respectfully to his American bandmates, vocalist KK Fossor, guitarist Markus Johansson (Sylencer, 4ARM) and drummer Angel Cotte (Demolition Hammer), plus his German colleagues, bassist Alexander Palma and keyboardist Richie Seibel (Lanfear, Ivanhoe), Marcus states that "Luckily, we can easily fulfil those technical standards thanks to this outstanding line-up." US bassist Mike Lepond (Symphony X, Ross The Boss), also contributed as a guest musician in the studio, and – as on 'Sweet Hollow' – put the icing on the cake (or rather the songs) with his musical experience, as did Paul Sabu (Alice Cooper, David Bowie), who further refined the material as a chorus vocalist. "I'm really into haunting chorus parts," explains Ullrich, whose melodic vision has had a lasting effect on 'Manor Of The Se7en Gables'. "The new recording is a mix of European and American influences," he concludes, "and my German roots probably also shine through in some parts."  Despite its stylistic diversity, 'Manor Of The Se7en Gables' sounds all of a piece. The great homogeneity between music and lyrics is based on the one hand on the charismatic voice of frontman KK Fossor and on the other on the structured approach of the two main composers Ullrich and Johansson: "We had already decided on the album's plot when Markus and I started writing the songs," Ullrich explains. "That's why we worked in chronological order, composing first the intro and then each track in the scheduled sequence, which allowed us to keep in mind the story line and link the songs where stylistically possible. In line with the story's dramaturgy, the album kicks off with tough sounds, takes a number of surprising turns and ends as tough as a real metal album should."  'Manor Of The Se7en Gables', which was mixed by Dave Otero at the Flatline Audio studios in Denver, will be available on Digi-CD, double gatefold (red with white swirls 180 gram) vinyl LP, plus for digital download and stream. |
| Manorial –Roland Hyams on 020 8677 8466
/ 07768 156392 roland@workhardpr.com www.them666.com www.spv.de 23rd August 2018 |
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© Work Hard PR 2018 |
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