‘Dystopia. Part 2’ is the second and final chapter of Royal Hunt ́s concept opus which – according to the band – is “loosely based on Ray Bradbury ́s famous novel “Fahrenheit 451” yet modified and expanded in order to fit into the current state of affairs of the world”. A few guest singers appearing on the album: Mark Boals, Mats Leven, Henrik Brockmann, Kenny Lubcke and Alexandra Andersen, giving the already cinematic sounding effort a truly theatrical flair.
André Andersen: “The working title for this track was “Betrayal” and if you´re familiar with the book “Fahrenheit 451” than you probably know the part in which the main character got home and discovers that he´s been betrayed by the very person he considered to be his only family. I´ve been thinking about the actual emotion that this kind of situation evokes: I guess everyone experienced a betrayal in one way of another and - even if the case was much less significant – it was still hurtful, right? Seems like even the music followed that train of thought, so it came out as rather diverse and - while the lyrics deal with the emotional aspect of the event - the music swings from “regret” – state to the flat out “vengeful”.
Another interesting detail is how the video editor captured this mood: the characters on the screen steadily change their appearance from “normal” to “monsters”… I never told him my thoughts behind this particular story, so it was kind of surprising to watch for the first time, as it´s uncanny how the video artist sensed the atmosphere/feeling of the track by listening to music and reading the lyrics”.
ROYAL HUNT released their recent studio album – “Dystopia, Pt. 2” – on October 26th 2022 via King Records (Japan/SE Asia) and on October 28th 2022 via NorthPoint Productions (EU/N & S America). The second and final part of the concept will again feature guest performers: Mats Leven(TSO, Skyblood, Vandenberg), Mark Boals (Y.J. Malmsteen, Ring of Fire, Royal Hunt), HenrikBrockman (Royal Hunt, Evil Masquerade, N´Tribe), Kenny Lubcke (Narita, Zoser Mez) and Alexandra Andersen (Royal Hunt, JSP). “Dystopia – Part 2” will be released in following formats: regular CD, various Deluxe editions/bundles and a gatefold, heavy vinyl double LP (availability date pending).
ROYAL HUNT keep expanding their trademark sound and, as the story which inspired the project – Ray Bradbury´s classic novel “Fahrenheit 451” – gets more intense towards the end, the music turns into more dynamic, heavier direction. Once again the guest singers add even more dramatic contrasts to an already cinematic yet solidly rocking soundscape.
Simply a “must have” for any symfo/prog/power fan out there!
TRACKLIST:
1. MIDWAY (RESUMPTION)
2. THORN IN MY HEART
3. THE KEY OF INSANITY
4. LIVE ANOTHER DAY
5. THE PURGE
6. ONE MORE SHOT 7. SCREAM OF ANGER
a) Hit and Run b) The Thrill of the Chase
8. LEFT IN THE WIND
9. RESURRECTION F451
The entire opus is just one minute shy of an hour: 58:57:17
BAND:
André Andersen – keyboards, DC Cooper – vocals, Andreas Passmark – bass, Jonas Larsen – guitars, Andreas HABO Johansson – drums
Connect with ROYAL HUNT:
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/2CzAMm46coQpauDZj4a4ic iTunes https://music.apple.com/us/album/dystopia/1543161212
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/royalhunt_official
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/royalhunt
