The overhaul features Dave Lombardo on drums with Stu Block from Into Eternity “re-inventing” the vocals. Downright Dominate and their version of Van Halen’s Romeo Delight are the first two songs released from Metal II, both featuring the late Alexi Laiho.
“Although Alexi Laiho’s shredding in Downright Dominate and the Van Halen song Romeo Delight was recorded a while back,” says founding member Jeff Waters, “adding Stu and Dave to these songs gave us all the feeling that ‘Metal II’ is also a fitting tribute to our two fallen guitar heroes.”
“METAL II” (out February 18) is the Kick-Off to this long- termed campaign which will unveil special configurations, additional bonus material + exclusive and previously unheard new tunes from the band.
Jeff Waters about new single ‘ROMEO DELIGHT‘:
“There was something about “Women And Children First”. Itwas massively-brutal attitude meeting aggression, meets a DLR-fronted party. You have to remember when this came out.‘Romeo Delight’ is the most “heavy” song from VH, in my (and Kerry King’s!) opinion.
The photos on the cover/back cover of “WACF” were impactful. It was a green cover and it was a photo of the band posing for a record cover shot and instead of blowing that photo up to the full size of the LP, they cropped it so it was a third the size of the record and everything around it was green. I would stare at the front and back pics for hours! Eddie was like a 2nd father, in a way. Millions probably feel that way too and only fans of his from back then could understand this.
His playing, writing, performance and smile were second to none. EVER.
He was a superb writer, lead guitar innovator, genius rhythm player and was able to build a gear empire. He took chances. Did his own thing. It worked. Millions and more will mourn him, as long as the future world likes music. But we also will be celebrating forever, as musicians will continue to hand down the “EVH-Influenced-Musical-Genes” to future generations!”
The pre-sale start is connected to a big competition where fans can win an originally signed ANNIHILATION II – EPIPHONE FLYING V guitar additionally to a virtual meet & greet with Jeff Waters himself!
Tracklisting:
1. “Chasing The High” featuring William Adler
2. “Downright Dominate” featuring Alexi Laiho
3. “Army Of One” featuring Steve “Lips” Kudlow
4. “Couple Suicide” featuring Danko Jones and Angela Gossow
5. “Heavy Metal Maniac” featuring Dan Beehler & Allan Johnson6. “Haunted” featuring Jesper Strömblad
7. “Romeo Delight”
8. “Detonation” featuring Jacob Lynam
9. “Clown Parade” featuring Jeff Loomis
10. “Smothered” featuring Anders Björler
11. “Kicked” featuring Corey Beaulieu
PREORDER “METAL II” here.
Oran O’Beirne
www.overdrive.ie 2022