JAMES RIVERA’S DISTANT THUNDER last news: - 4 May 2004
James Rivera, former Helstar and Destiny’s End and current Seven Witches front man, has formed a new project, Distant Thunder, which he considers a continuation of Helstar. Massacre Records - Germany is scheduled to release the debut CD, entitled “Welcome the End”, this summer. The CD was recorded in James’ home town, Houston, TX, at Spyder Studio and produced by Seven Witches band mate, Jack Frost. The line-up of Distant Thunder includes Symphony X bassist, Mike LePond, Z-LOT-Z guitar duo, Gregg Gill and Eric Halpern (also former Helstar and Destiny’s End guitarist) and Rick Ward on drums.
A statement from James himself explains the Distant Thunder concept. “’Welcome the End’ is a concept from tracks one through seven that tie in the whole meaning behind the Helstar name and continues its chapters from some of the songs off the first three records. The album cover for ‘Welcome the End’ now brings out the character who has always represented Helstar. Within Destiny’s End’s two-album career, only one song carried my science fiction creation, which was ‘The Watcher’ and out of that song, lyrics were used to title five of the concept songs for ‘Welcome The End’. Musically, Distant Thunder has produced the most extraordinary emotions and thoughts, which delivered my story lines with complete feeling, plus naturally allowed me to cover new territory vocal wise. The meaning and concept of each song sound like what they are about and are very visual. The other two tracks not apart of the concept, ‘Lost In Time’ and ‘Finding My Way’, have a slight noticeable difference upon first listen and a very strong lyrical content. In this world, you either never find out what the hell you want and what it takes to obtain it, or you just face the fact that the whole meaning of life was never meant to be a simple task and the more you follow your dreams, the more your inner fears disappear.”
The CD also includes a 2004 version of Helstar’s “Run with the Pack” and Accepts “Restless and Wild”.
A live performance debut of Distant Thunder and video shoot is scheduled for May 15th 2004 at Houston’s F.B.I. Club. Massacre Records – Germany will be releasing the video on select European Music Video Networks.
For those of you who are a long way from Houston, TX, Distant Thunder will be making its European debut in November of 2004. Specific dates will be announced soon on http://www.distantthunder1.com and sample mp3 clips of Distant Thunder songs are also available on the website.
James will be back in the studio with Seven Witches in May for his second Sanctuary Records release with the group. Then back on tour with Seven Witches in June.
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