a storm is on the way…

Our brand new album IN THE STORM, is out 29 Sept and is available for PRE ORDER NOW!

Click HERE and select your pre order bundle, including the signed CD digipak, stunning splatter and marbled vinyl, as well as the official album t-shirt and band patches!

WHERE IT ALL STARTED…

In early 2020 we got together to discuss plans for our second album. We’d just had our most successful year, playing Download Festival, selling out the Camden Underworld and jetting to Miami to play the KISS Kruise - in short, we felt nothing could stop us. And then the pandemic hit…

Stuck at home, unable to tour, or even rehearse, we had but one option - to get our heads down and write the best damn album of our lives...

WRITING THE SONGS…

Despite our enthusiasm, the start of the writing process was difficult. As a band we like writing together, and whilst we tried this over Zoom, it just wasn't the same. Still, the lockdown gave us plenty of time to record our own ideas at home, giving us more material than ever for an album. Once lockdown restrictions eased, it was now just a matter of getting together and turning these ideas into songs.

For this to be a great record, we agreed it couldn't just be written on laptops. All 5 of us need to be in the same room, each giving their input. As writing progressed, we found our sound beginning to evolve. A big moment was the song MASQUERADE. With its heavy breakdown, vocal harmonies and the addition of orchestration, this track gave us the confidence to take more risks. From that moment this became a more expansive record, with new instruments, new influences and more complex arrangements being used.

RECORDING THE ALBUM…

A big goal for this record was to step up the production levels and have a sound that could hold its own against the big boys.

To do this, we chose Backstage Studios, a residential studio in the middle of the English Countryside – home to JUDAS PRIEST guitarist ANDY SNEAP. To produce, we worked with COLIN RICHARDSON and CHRIS CLANCY, best known for their work with MACHINE HEAD, TRIVIUM, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, THOSE DAMN CROWS and MASSIVE WAGONS.

With the right studio, the right equipment and the right producers, we knew this album would be a level up in sound. It was now down to the 5 of us to deliver...

CAPTURING THE SOUND…

In Week 1, Chris made it clear he wanted to capture our live sound. To keep us sharp, we rehearsed the songs every morning, experimenting with tempo shifts and structural changes. Once ready, Charlie would then record his drum tracks with the rest of the band playing - again trying to capture that live energy.

In Week 2, was started to track guitars and bass. Finally, we had the time to really nail our tones on a record - experimenting with as many guitar and amp combinations until we got it right. Recording in a fancy studio can put you on edge, but Colin and Chris knew how to get the best out of us - pushing us to get the best takes, and encouraging us to think outside the box. Without doubt, this is our best produced record, but it’s also a massive step up in musicianship, with everyone bringing their A game to this record.

In Week 3, we finally reached vocals and overdubs. Along with being a producer, Chris is also a great singer and really helped Nico come into his own - pushing his range, encouraging him to use different vocal styles, and utilising his voice to expand the songs with harmonies and overdubs. No matter how great the musicianship, a great song needs great vocals, and we know this is Nico’s best performance on a Dead Man’s Whiskey recording.

FINDING A NAME…

When it came to naming the album, we wanted a title that encapsulated both the sound of the record, as well as the stories behind the songs…

To us, IN THE STORM perfectly captures the uncertainty and chaos we’ve experienced these past 3 years - and maybe you’ll be able to relate in your own way. Moreover, we felt the name matched the energy of the album, with everyone channelling their frustrations to make these songs as powerful as possible.

From the get go we said this album needed to be a game changer, and we can honestly say it is the best written, and best produced record we have ever done. We can’t wait to share this with you all and even better, play it live!

Until then, stay classy folks.

Billy, Charlie, Elliott, James, Nico

DMW

OUR BRAND NEW ALBUM!