Fatal Opera sends some light with new single and album towards us

In all of the uncertainties of times we're living in music always shone a light for me. It contains my hope and keeps me pushing on forwards.

This goes even more in these days for me. So it was a massive highlight as I got the info that a brand new track by experimental progressive metallers Fatal Opera surfaced. 

Almost 20 years after the initial recordings, a brand new Fatal Opera record see's the light of day.

It's not "just" a song. It lives and breathes the typical soul of a song by this particular band. The many timing changes, the dark tonality, the unique lyrics but most of all a glimpse of uplifting positivity is what keeps me sticking to this particular band. There are also few slower parts that add to the great atmosphere - these lay the foundation for a even heavier next part of the single.

"The Raven" holds all of this. Plus it is some sort of reunion. David Ellefson contributes the bass guitars while Chris Poland can be heard on the six strings. Don't wait any longer and go straight to the music.

But we're even graced with more good news as as full new album by Fatal Opera also shines now on Spotify. Read all of the story below, I think a lot of the history guys out there will love to know how the story around Gar Samuelson (R.I.P.) moved on after he left Megadeth back in the day.

FATAL OPERA 3 can be streamed here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/4jOX9voVjVxg6PNPTPda7G

Following his departure from Megadeth in 1987, Gar Samuelson assembled his new band Fatal Opera, along with his brother Stew on guitar. Gar went on to produce the group’s debut album in 1994, which also featured Dave Inman on vocals, Travis Karcher on bass and Billy Brehme on guitar. The group’s second album Eleventh Hour was released in 1997 and introduced Andy Freeman on vocals, reaching top 10 on European charts while the group continued building a loyal fan base touring across the USA that year. Sadly, in 1999 Gar became ill and passed away, at which point the group disbanded.

Then, in 2018 Andy and Stew set out to remix the Eleventh Hour LP and in the process discovered a collection of demos with Gar which were intended to become the band’s third album before his passing. Although the demo tapes were damaged after many years of neglect, Freeman labored to revive the tracks with some songs lost forever. However, he was able to complete 12 tracks, inviting Ellefson & Poland to participate on "The Raven" as a way to conclude the legacy of Gar and Fatal Opera.

Chris Poland recalls, “Back in the day, long before Megadeth, Gar and his brother Stew were the heart and soul of a heavy instrumental jazz/rock project called THE NEW YORKERS. I played guitar with them and Robbie “Pag” Pagliari played fretless bass. It was everything we could do just to keep up! Stew’s right hand was a machine. Flawless. And Gar was right there with him always pushing things to the next level. 

And again, these two brothers were the heart and soul of Fatal Opera. It was a privilege to be a part of this release, and playing on ‘The Raven’ with David Ellefson made it that much more special. Gar was a true artist. Be it his amazing drumming, his painting or his wood sculpture pipe (he made by hand). Gar was one of a kind. And here Gar, Stew and crew push the limits of experimental metal. These songs are complex yet accessible. Music with a dark side that draws you into their world and keeps you wondering 'what’s next!'” Chris Poland also added additional guitar work to the track "Mask of Time".

David Ellefson adds,“This is a really cool moment for Chris and me to musically reunite with our friend Gar, now almost 35 years after our last studio session together, which was the 1987 re-recording of 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ for the Dudes movie soundtrack, compiled by director Penelope Spheeris. Gar was always such a free spirit with his music, no click tracks or digital reinvention for him. And, he seldom played the same thing twice, quite unusual for heavy metal! He just went for it with real gusto and that became the hallmark of his sound."

He continues, "When I was laying down the bass track for 'The Raven' it reminded me once again of Gar’s spontaneity in the studio, as if we were recording live in the same room together. I’m super happy these tracks were brought to life so we could have one last go around with Gar behind the kit. It’s a reminder that he truly was one of the greats!”

Track Listing for Fatal Opera 3 :

1. The Raven (Feat. David Ellefson & Chris Poland)

2. Live Again

3. Mask of Time (Feat. Chris Poland)

4. Killers in the Night

5. Swept Away

6. Burning of the Midnight Lamp

7. 10 Years Gone

8. Little Sister

9. Salt

10. Rise

11. Wings of Pain

12. Jumped in the Pot

Fatal Opera 3 Line-up:

Andy Freeman – Vocals, Keyboard, Guitar

Stew Samuelson – Guitar

Billy Brehme – Guitar

Travis Karcher – Bass

Gar Samuelson – Drums

Unearth hidden underground demo gems with free download sampler

Big names were once small one's... Do you sometimes find yourselves looking through your collection and finding old records of bands that sadly never made it out to a bigger audience? This happens often to me.

I recently took a look at some demo tapes I bought quite some time ago and thought about those bands again. Mostly it was the case that I went to their shows and was excited to see and hear something new. So often I found myselves purchasing those stuff after the show was over directly out of the hands of the artists. What a great feeling to buy directly from those who create what we all love and like.

It's cool to see the same thing seems to happen in other parts of the world, too. It's a great to see that others also do care about this stuff and try to save it from the dust of time. One that I just ran across is the Texas Metal Underground Records label. Read below what's their mission and pick up the nice goodie they offer you.

Texas Metal Underground (TMU) Records have released their first ever free digital music sampler featuring one full mp3 song from their entire re-issued curated catalog releases.

(c) by TMU Records, used with kind permission

TMU Records has provided the following mission statement:
"Since 2008, TMU Records has been unearthing lost and unheard musical gems from the fertile underground Texas metal scene of the mid 1980’s through the early 1990’s. To preserve and share this heavy musical legacy, the label focuses primarily on bands who burned bright, briefly, but disappeared without a trace before anyone could take much notice.

Bands who managed to get a demo recorded but for reasons unknown never shared it beyond a close circle of friends and fans. Whether on vinyl, CD, or cassette, all TMU Records releases are given lavish treatment with custom packaging, unseen photos, show flyers, interviews, informative booklets, rare bonus tracks and extras for the denim and leather die-hards.

For 2016, look for upcoming deluxe vinyl releases from Karion, Las Cruces, Bad Heaven, SSR, and more!

TMU Records digital music sampler tracklist:

1. Broken Teeth - Flame Thrower
2. Baron Steele - Night of the Wolves
3. Sentinel - Panzer Attack
4. Wicked Angel - People of the Black Circle
5. Meddallion - Stormbringer
6. Final Vengeance - Darkside
7. Wicked Step - Rock N Roller Masses

Download the free songs, compilation artwork and track listing from this location.

For further information on the label make sure to see the TMU Records website and if you'd like to purchase one or more of their releases just click on to the Bandcamp page. Most of the stuff is available in various formats so you can pick exactly what you need.

Here are some of my impressions that I had while I checked out the free compilation: The backside of the compilation shows how much love the people behind the releases spend on this. Every band is featured with a little image of the cover. Above you'll find the original band logo and a short discription underneath the image gives a quick idea of the band's style as well as information on the re-release special features. Don't miss out these gems.

While I'm typing these lines I'm enjoying the track included of the Baron Steele camp. How much I love the rough style of demo recordings. And it's cool to hear what this band contributed to the sound of their time. Hope many more will appreciate this. And while you're enjoying this why not go out and support demo band's of today's as well? Go and give them the support you're able to give'em. They are the source of tomorrow, our future. Never forget that. Big names were once small one's.