West coast-based metal unit DEATH DEALER UNION - featuring frontwoman Lena Scissorhands of modern metal leaders INFECTED RAIN - will finally release their debut album, entitled Initiation, this Friday, September 22, 2023 via Napalm Records!
Following searing recent singles "The Vow of Silence" and "The Integument", today, the band has released a third single - the dynamic "ILL FATED". The track juxtaposes 80s-influenced clean guitars and sinister metallic riffs as Lena displays her soaring trademark vocal delivery and introspective wordplay. The video features eye-catching imagery, sets and costumes, making for a striking viewing experience!
DEATH DEALER UNION says about the video:
“We wanted to present something a little different with this video - everything from the fantastic Cherry Bombs dance troupe to the actors involved. We sought to do something not usually done in heavy metal videos. Enjoy!”
In 2019, metal musicians CC McKenna (drums) and Doug Weiand (lead guitars) set forth on a dark musical path - aligning diverse metal influences with otherworldly channelings of alchemy, the occult and all things esoteric. Little did they know, the final ingredient of their impending amalgamation was on the horizon, set to emerge as DEATH DEALER UNION.
After meeting acclaimed frontwoman Lena Scissorhands, a musical pact was instantly formed - propelling the band into the studio with producer Valentin Voluta (also recognized for his work with Infected Rain). Now, with two new members - Hunter Havok (rhythm and lead guitars) and Jonny Heinz (bass) - in tow, the band is set to unleash their very first sacrificial offering to the masses, Initiation. The album brings forth the huge sound and exciting visuals fans experienced with the band’s debut offerings, plus an entire new trove of musical and lyrical elements. While no track is the replicant of another, they all weave a common thread of compelling essence that will have listeners clamoring to heed the word of DEATH DEALER UNION.
Pre-Order Initiation HERE
Initiation kicks off with its instrumental title track, droning deeply into electronic flourishes and spine-tingling organs. The track flows into first album single “The Vow of Silence” - a fast-paced burner featuring aggressive verses and a catchy chorus that fully showcases the album’s immense production, once again helmed by Valentin Voluta. “ILL FATED” juxtaposes 80s-influenced clean guitars and sinister metallic riffs as Lena Scissorhands displays her dynamic trademark vocal delivery and introspective wordplay. Tracks such as “Ekphrasis” and “Mythos” - the latter boasting one of the album’s most heart-stopping guitar solos - are rife with chunky 90s heavy metal and even nu-metal-inspired riffage. “The Big Blue”, “Back To Me”, “The Downfall” and “Anew” dance with metal styles ranging from symphonic power to progressive, showcasing the band’s diverse macrocosm of musical skill, before potent, heavy ballad “Love Me When I’m Ugly” provides heartfelt lyrics and melodies. Initiation ends with “Beyond Heaven”, an opus of expansive harmonies and eerie embellishments, closing the album with its most theatrical cut.
Find your own power within DEATH DEALER UNION - your Initiation is only the beginning!
Initiation track listing:
1. Initiation
2. The Vow of Silence
3. ILL FATED
4. Ekphrasis
5. The Integument
6. Mythos
7. The Big Blue
8. Back To Me
9. The Downfall
10. Love Me When I'm Ugly
11. Anew
12. Beyond Heaven
DEATH DEALER UNION is:
Lena Scissorhands - Vocals
CC McKenna - Percussion
Doug Weiand - Lead Guitars
Hunter Havokk - Rhythm & Lead Guitars
Jonny Heinz - Bass
DEATH DEALER UNION online:
[photo credit: Jeremy Saffer]
