03/03/2013 11:07
Mastercastle
Mastercastle: new album 'On Fire' out in April
Italian metallers Mastercastle return on 19 April 2013 with the red hot new album ' On Fire' released through Lion Music.
Home to 9 tracks of melodic heavy metal with neo-classical influences, Mastercastle have been honing their trademark sound since their debut 'The Phoenix ' (2009) and refining it through 'Last Desire' (2010) and ' Dangerous Diamonds' (2011). Led by the powerful vocals of Giorgia Gueglio, the virtuoso guitar of Pier Gonella and the driven bass lines of Steve Vawamas, 'On Fire' marks the bands first release with one of the metal worlds most respected drummers behind the kit, one John Macaluso (Ark, Yngwie Malmsteen, and James LaBrie). Macalusos addition has given the band a kick up the proverbial backside taking their unique brand of metal to an even higher plateau.
On the bands newest member Pier Gonella comments: "John gave us great energy because from the first time he heard our music he was really impressed. He participated in the composing process of On Fire and his vast experience was a great help for the albums production as well".
To give fans a taste of the upcoming album a promotional video has been produced for the track 'Chains' and is streaming now at
http://lionmusic.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=cce1415b747276db2c75f102a&id=a00d51d9eb&e=e8ca8ab65d
Track listing:
1. Silver Eyes
2. Chains
3. Platinum
4. Quicksilver
5. Gold Violet
6. The Final Battle (instrumental)
7. Leaden Roads
8. Titanium Wings
9. Almost a Fantasy (instrumental)
Once again all lyrics were written by Giorgia Gueglio. He comments: "I started the lyrics with the intention of writing a concept album with the title 'Metals', concerning metals in metallurgy, chemistry, alchemy and magic. But during their creation I found my lyrics full of sentiments, suffering and emotions. So 'Metals' became too cold. Many tracks have a title with a metal within, but these are "warmed" by blood, my/our human warmth, the passion of making music in a difficult world. So the album title was changed to 'On Fire'. 'On Fire' is a hot work, very human. On the front cover (also created by Giorgia) you can see a metal hearth. It represents our body that became real and can be hot or burn thanks to our emotions".
On the new album Gonella comments, "I don't feel a big difference to our previous releases, but I think this is our most (and best) melodic album so far. Our 1st album 'The Phoenix' had a similar sound but with more evident classical influences. For the 2nd album 'Last Desire' we moved to hard rock style and less neoclassical. Our 3rd album 'Dangerous Diamonds' was somewhere between those first two, with heavy riffs and powerful sounds. This new album has our best work in the vocal melodies and their presence, with a more "natural" sound, especially in the drums. There are some classical influences in the instrumental songs, and generally it has a heavier vibe in many ways thanks to Giorgia's vocals. The production is also heavy but never harsh and really emphasis the power this band has".
The writing process for On Fire began 3 months after the release of 'Dangerous Diamonds' in February 2012 shortly after John Macaluso joined the band. Many demos where recorded with John of the new material before recording for the album began proper with drums first being recorded from July 2012 to September 2012. Gonella recorded the album along with Macaluso aiming for a strong metal sound without the reliance on triggered samples and sounds. Guitar and bass recording came next before vocals were laid down. After the mix was also done by Gonnela and Macaluso before the album was mastered the album by Pier with Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio from late 2012 to early 2013.
(source: Lion Music)
(older news about the topic:)
Italian quartet Mastercastle are currently working on their fourth album entitled 'Metals' with an anticipated release of early 2013 on Lion Music.
The Mastercastle lineup, driven by vocalist Giorgia Gueglio, guitarist Pier Gonella and bassist Steve Vawamas introduces a special new presence to the band: Drum legend John Macaluso (Malmsteen, James Labrie, TNT, Ark etc).
Pier Gonella comments: "It's fantastic to have John in the band. His playing style has long been admired by all Mastercastle members and to have his signature drum sound driving the new material is something we can't wait to introduce to our fan base."
First leaks of the new material suggest 'Metals' will serve up the best melodic metal album done by the band to date.
Having picked up considerable praise for the power and melodicism of their debut 'The Phoenix' in 2009; Mastercastle wasted little time in delivering 'Last Desire' in 2010 and their epic third opus 'Dangerous Diamonds' in 2011. All of which have seen praise worldwide for the bands signature sound along with Giorgia Gueglio's soaring vocals.
(source: Lion Music)