American heavy melodic rock sextet SpiralArms have signed to SPV Records to release their raw, bluesy, utterly uplifting second studio album, Freedom, as a digipak CD and as a high quality 180 gram Vinyl LP, on October 7th. SpiralArms, who hail from the East Bay area of California, came together vocalist Tim Narducci, and guitarist Craig Locicero made it their mission to form a true-blooded, heavy, melodic rock band. Tim and Craig had been friends since they were 15, when they bonded over their love of heavy metal and hard rock music. Looking back, Locicero reflects that they were probably the youngest kids in the East Bay metal scene that were drinking beer out in the parking lot after seeing bands like Testament and Exodus play. Although the two remained friends throughout the years, they both went their separate ways and started bands of their own.
Craig Locicero formed Forbidden, one of the most successful thrash metal acts to merge in the Bay Area from the 80s, while Tim Narducci went on to form Systematic, who were one of the first signings to Metallica drummer Lars Ulrichs record label, The Music Company. Systematics debut album, Somewhere In Between released in 2001, spawned a top 20 Billboard US Mainstream Rock Track hit, and the band were invited to tour the US on the Ozzfest Festival 2001. Following the release of the groups second album, Pleasure To Burn in 2003, (recorded with Slayers Paul Bostaph temporarily in the band on drums), Systematic embarked on the Jagermeister Music Tour with Stereomud, HedPE, Breaking Benjamin and Saliva. But Systematic imploded in 2004, so Tim and Carl decided it was time to start playing music together again and Spiral Arms were born. After a few personnel changes the band solidified their line-up; rounding out Spiral Arms are Chris Cornbread Lombardo, (who had recorded and toured the US and Europe extensively with Vicious Rumors), (bass and vocals), Brad Barth (keyboards), Anthony Traslavina (guitars), and Ron Reeden, (drums) who plays in Steve Smyths Esseness project.
SpiralArms debut album Highest Society, made waves and kindled interest in the group on both sides of the Atlantic on release in 2010, but The record came together over a long period of time, which is why it may not sound as compact and homogeneous as our new release, explains Narducci, who also produced Freedom. Compared to our debut, Freedom is more straightforward and focussed on the on the basics, and also more consistently oriented to our musical idols such as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. In addition, it has a bluesy, raw and very dynamic quality. We write songs which first and foremost have to please ourselves. Its always an amazing experience that the songs you write for your self are usually the ones that work best.
Freedom, packed with its fusillade of haunting hooks, groove-laden guitar riffs, melodious keyboards and pounding rhythms, all topped off with soaring, poignant vocals, is an epic rollercoaster ride of irresistible, glorious heaviosity which looks all set to catapult Spiral Arms into the hard rock worlds heady stratosphere!
SPIRALARMS “Freedom”
Release Date Europe: October 7th , 2013
Release Date US/Canada: October 8th , 2013
Release Date: Germany: October 4th , 2013
Quite a few European rock fans may not have heard of SpiralArms yet, but rest assured: thats going to change very soon! Because this American sextet is the epitome of a true-blooded rock band which blends tradition with contemporary elements, releasing a fusillade of amazing rock songs on their second album Freedom. Freedom has everything the fans love: strong guitar riffs, haunting hooks, vocals to put your teeth on edge and grooves which make every muscle in your body twitch. Check out Dropping Like Flies, the first single from the album, on YouTube (http://youtu.be/j1IBmwg6Tec) and experience the bands breathtaking power! Dropping Like Flies is only the beginning, we will soon release more gems from our new record, promises Craig Locicero, SpiralArms lead guitarist who looks back at years of experience as a longstanding member of thrash metal act Forbidden and is one of the driving forces behind SpiralArms. Another renowned band member is Tim Narducci, formerly with Californian hard rock act Systematic, whose amazing voice has become one the groups trademarks.
Friends since the age of 15, Tim Narducci and Craig Locicero bonded over their love of heavy metal and hard rock music. Looking back at that time period Locicero reflected, they were probably the youngest kids in the East Bay metal scene that were drinking beer out in the parking lot after seeing bands like Testament and Exodus play. Although the two remained friends throughout the years, they both went their separate ways and started bands of their own. After years of playing with their respective bands, the two friends contacted each other and decided it was time to start playing music together again, and in 2004 SpiralArms was born. After a few personnel changes, the band solidified their lineup. Rounding out SpiralArms is Chris ´Cornbread` Lombardo (bass/vocals), who had recorded and toured the US and Europe extensively with the band Vicious Rumors, Brad Barth (keyboards), Anthony Traslavina (guitars) and Ron Reeden (drums) who plays in Steve Smyths Esseness project.
Following two demos between 2004 and 2007, SpiralArms debut album Highest Society arrived in 2010 and kindled the interest of record companies from all over the world. The record came together over a long period of time, which is why it may not sound as compact and homogeneous as our new release, Freedom, explains Narducci, who also produced the current material. Compared to our debut, Freedom is more straightforward and focussed on the on the basics, and also more consistently oriented to our musical idols such as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. In addition, it has a bluesy, raw and very dynamic quality. And indeed, SpiralArms have continued to grow during the past three years. We definitely have evolved, Locicero confirms. You can hear that all band members are extremely good musicians and even more relaxed and laid-back than before. Young musicians tend to be a little insecure, but these days we feel very confident about ourselves and our music. We write songs which first and foremost have to please ourselves. Its always an amazing experience that the songs you write for yourself are usually the ones that work best.
Freedoms down-to-earth and very dynamic production also deserves a mention. The album oozes a liveliness which many other bands tend to lose in the studio. We always work at the studio as a full band, says Locicero. The basic tracks of the new album were recorded in just about 16 hours, the rest was recorded by and by, but always in the same spirit. From the beginning, we never lost sight of our vision and that special flair which our new songs have.
Just like rock fans shouldnt lose sight of SprialArms if they dont want to miss one of the hottest contemporary rock acts. Freedom will cut its own path, thats for sure, particularly since SpiralArms cant wait to tour on these shores: We hope to be able to come to Europe next spring at the latest. We havent forgotten the positive reactions to our show at the 2007 Graspop, where we were the only band without a record deal. Thats why we can hardly wait to play in Europe again.
www.spiralarms.com
TRACKLISTING Digipak CD:
1. Dropping Like Flies
2. Hold Me To The Sky
3. Exit 63
4. Blackmoon Morning
5. Drugs & Alcohol
6. Dealer
7. Lovers Leap
8. Tomorrow’s Dream
9. Freedom
Bonus track
10. I Lay Low
TRACKLISTING LP:
Side A
1. Dropping Like Flies
2. Hold Me To The Sky
3. Exit 63
4. Blackmoon Morning
5. Drugs & Alcohol
Side B
6. Dealer
7. Lovers Leap
8. Tomorrow’s Dream
9. Freedom
10. I Lay Low
11. Low Country Girl – Vinyl only BONUSTRACK
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