Artist: CRYLORD
Album: BLOOD OF THE PROPHETS (CD)

Year: 2011
Media type: CD

Exploding out of Poland comes a new powerhouse of metal. Lion Music are delighted to welcome Boguslaw Balcerak’s Crylord to the labels roster.

Led by the prestigious talents of guitarist Boguslaw Balcerak, ‘Blood Of The Prophets’ breathes new life into the neo-classical genre with 12 first class songs chock full of big riffs, dynamic rhythms, jaw dropping guitar solos and infectious vocal melodies from 3 of the most acclaimed vocalist in the field - Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schulz (Evidence One, ex Domain) and neo-classical legends Mark Boals (ex Malmsteen / Ring Of Fire) and Goran Edman (ex Malmsteen / Karmakanic).

Blood Of The Prophets’ powerful music was inspired by the greats of neo-classical guitar and hard rock/heavy/power metal along with the epic qualities of film music. The classical influence of masters like Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin can also be heard at times in Boguslaw’s delivery; yet the album is proof that it’s possible to absorb these influences and not come out as a Malmsteen clone. With an effortless guitar style Boguslaw delivers both passion and power throughout the album providing the perfect backdrop for lyrics inspired by fantasy, mythology, bible, legends, love and feelings all expertly delivered by Schulz, Boals and Edman either individually or collectively.

Born in 1972, Boguslaw picked up the guitar at age 16 and over the years was in several bands based in his home city of Warsaw, Poland. Crylord’s formation came about in late 2007 but finding a suitable vocalist in his native homeland proved difficult for Balcerak. After growing frustrated at the lack of home-grown vocal talent that could deliver his material to the standard required, Boguslaw set about recording the albums instrumentation whilst continuing the search for the right vocalists.

The material that makes up ‘Blood Of The Prophets’ was written and arranged on the turn of the years 2008/2009 with recordings commencing in the spring of 2009 in two polish studios. Once the songs were complete Boguslaw took a chance and invited 3 of his favourite vocalists to perform on the album - Mark Boals, Goran Edman and Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schulz who all accepted after hearing the quality of the music on offer. Some delays in the vocal tracks due to scheduling difficulties were encountered but the last of the vocals were finished in early 2011. It was at this point that Lion Music heard some rough mix demos and a contract offer was made immediately after being suitably impressed by the material. With a deal in place the final element of the album was completed when Boguslaw asked King Diamond guitar master and Sonic Train Studios sound engineer Andy LaRocque to master the album. The result being a strong sounding record that puts many a neo-classical heavyweights productions to shame!

TRACKLIST:

1. Ante Bellum Overture (Intro).
2. Blood Of The Prophets.
3. Grave Of Love.
4. Bard’s Tale.
5. Warrior’s Moon.
6. Face Of Destiny.
7. The Heretic.
8. Behind The Walls Of Sadness.
9. Angel Of Divine.
10. Valley Of The Dead.
11. When The Time Has Come.
12. The Healing Hands Of Destruction.

LINE-UP:

Boguslaw ‘Bibas’ Balcerak – All Rhythm & Lead guitars, Bass.
Carsten ‘Lizard’ Schulz – vocals on 2, 5,6,8,10,12.
Mark Boals – vocals on 4,6,11,12.
Goran Edman – vocals on 3,9,11,12.
Kamil Wyzinski – Bass.
Tomek ‘Zawad’ Zawadzki – Bass.
Tukasz Dybalski – Keyboards.
Marcin ‘Kanclerz’ Kwasny – Drums.