Frontiers Music Srl is thrilled to announce the release of Holter's“Vlad the Impaler” on November 9.
Born as a one-off musical extravaganza between two Norwegian metal and hard rock giants, Trond Holter (ex WIG WAM) and vocalist JORN, the Dracula Rock Opera has now morphed into a full-time musical project with guitarist, producer, and songwriter Trond Holter at the helm.
While the original plan was to leave “Swing Of Death” as a unique one-off recording, the success Trond had staging the album as a musical in front of audiences in Norwegian theaters convinced him that a follow up was not only possible, but maybe even mandatory. He was sitting on plenty of material anyway and felt inspired to tell the stories of Dracula and other vampires that did not find a home on the debut album's storyline.
"The first round of the Dracula Rock Opera was, in terms of live shows, only half the story with about 45 minutes of music. So, I added some additional songs for the live shows in Norway, which completed the story,” tells Trond Holter. "It was my intention all along to make this into a big show, even if it took some years to complete. When I started working on the songs for the new album, I found parts of them were outdated, so I rewrote parts of them and that inspired me to write new songs as well. It's a bit hard for me to say being so close to the material, but it's a few steps up the ladder sound wise. You can easily recognize the spirit of the first album, only with more energy. The "Vlad the Impaler" album was made to fill out the musicals being performed for the first album, so it is in fact pretty much the sophomore album from Dracula."
The result of this new inspiration is “Vlad The Impaler.” Vlad, also known as Vlad Dracula, was Voivode (or prince) of Wallachia three times and is the historical figure that inspired the famous legends about Dracula.
With an outstanding line-up featuring singers Nils K Rue (Pagan's Mind) and Eva Iselin Erichsen, Bernt Jansen on bass, Per Morten Bergseth on drums, and Erling Henanger on keyboards, “Vlad The Impaler” starts where “Swing Of Death” left off. Musically, it is an album that gets straight to the point while simultaneously utilizing diverse musical landscapes and includes catchy and melodic songs in a similar style to it's predecessor. Think Savatage meets Meat Loaf meets Queen meets Alice Cooper with contemporary hard rock in the mix and you'll have a sense of what's in store.
"We all know Nils K Rue`s great work with Pagan's Mind. The vocals and theatrics he delivers both live and on record are simply amazing! And the higher he gets, the better he sounds!! I came across Eva Iselin Erichsen in 2016 and later, when I got the chance to have her audition, I was blown away. She's all over the place, live and on record, giving everything that she's got. She is an amazing singer and a real star in the making. We are ready to take the whole Rock Opera live across the European continent!” concludes Trond.
The album will be presented in the live setting in Halden, Norway with a special release show on November 10th. More shows are in the works including an appearance in spring at Karmøygeddon Festival (May 3. 2019).
Without a doubt, “Vlad The Impaler” is going to be one of the highlights of the heavy metal genre in 2018. Enjoy!
Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce that the production of a follow up album to the successful DRACULA“Swing of Death” release has started under the direction of the main songwriter and guitar player, Trond Holter.
While the original plan was to leave “Swing of Death” as a unique, one-off musical extravaganza, the success that the rock opera had after being staged in front of audiences in Norwegian theaters convinced Trond that a follow up was possible. Not to mention, he was also sitting on plenty of material that did not find a home on the debut album.
The new album will feature the full live line-up, including:
Trond Holter: guitars
Nils K. Rue: on lead vocals
Jeanette Heidenstrøm: vocals
Bernt Jansen: bass
Per Morten Bergseth: drums
Erling Henanger: keyboards
Trond says: “I am really looking forward to recording a new Dracula album! We have already started playing live shows and the new lineup is working really well. Nils K. Rue from Pagans Mind brings solid quality as do the rest of the guys. I will continue writing in the same spirit as when I wrote the first "Dracula" album. A lot of new exciting songs are taking shape these days and I can't wait to dig into it.”
Trond plans to write and record this spring until the end of summer for a release tentatively scheduled for early 2018.
It’s a “concept” album, so it automatically gets the “artistic license” accreditation allowing the artist to express themselves a little “differently” than expected. And while that’s certainly the case for this little outing. Crafted by former Wig Wam guitarist Trond Holter along with JornLande, as far as concept albums go (apart from a few quirks), it’s pretty straight forward melodic hard rock.
It’s always great to hear Jorn at full force working with a different writer, as he stretches those vocals beyond the formula his solo albums have become.
He sounds fantastic on this album, utilizing his menacing voice to the power needed on such a concept dealing with the life of 15th century resident Count Vlad the III
, Prince of Wallachia, widely known as Vlad, The Impaler or by his patronymic name Vlad Dracul(a).
Jorn takes the lead role, singing with his usual power and intimidating snarl, even if he does look constipated throughout the video for the song Walking On Water – which for the record is one of the best lead vocals I’ve heard from Jorn in years.
The opening track Hands of Your God is also a belter, an imposing moody track that smolders along with Jorn in full control.
Swing Of Death is one of the few left turns, the quirky, burlesque, almost pop sounding song that has a very 80s commercial chorus. The metal ballad Save Me has a similar feel, Jorn joined on vocals by the heroine of the story, Norwegian singer Lena Fløitmoen (representing Mina/Lucy from the Bram Stoker book).
The straight forward and catchy rocker River Of Tears has a strong Wig Wam vibe running through it.
The epic Queen of the Dead has some brilliant guitar work, especially as the song explodes into the final minutes.
Under the Gun closes out the album with a pretty commercial, yet heavy statement, plenty of guitars and vocals from both singers.
Good stuff for all fans of Jorn. The album has that certain Wig Wam flair also, while employing a darker and heavier delivery.
The subject matter could have resulted in a very self-indulgent piece of music, but this little outing is surprisingly commercial and accessible for all.
Well produced, great vocals from Jorn and some likable songs rounding out a solid release.
Frontiers Music Srl, is pleased to announce the release of a new exciting album written and performed by the two Norwegian Rock Stars Jorn Lande and Trond Holter entitled DRACULA “Swing of Death on January 23 in Europe and January 27 in North America.
This exciting concept album was inspired by the life of Count Vlad the III, Prince of Wallachia, widely known as Vlad, The Impaler or by his patronymic name Vlad Dracul(a). The whole story explores the inner struggle inside the multifaceted and engorging character that this mysterious 15th Century personality was, while also taking into account some of the metaphysical aspects that passed into literature, forming the whole basis of the vampire mythos.
Jorn Lande – who impersonates Dracula, is the main character of the album and the female parts are sung by Norwegian singer Lena Fløitmoen (representing Mina/Lucy from the Bram Stoker book). The drama of the story reveals Dracula’s inner battle, where he still remembers what true love was, and as he wandered the Earth for centuries with a thirst for blood, his loneliness and desire to be able to love again has led him to the brink of insanity. In the original Bram Stoker version, he leaves Transylvania by ship and when he meets Lucy's best friend, she reminds him so much of his first love Mina, that he becomes obsessed. His mission is to take her as his bride, and make her Queen of the dark.
Musically, “Swing of Death” is not like a typical rock opera or musical, since it has no storyteller or too many long instrumental parts and intros. It is an album that gets to the point with no detours and even if it exposes some diverse musical landscapes, it does include catchy and melodic songs with commercial radio potential. Vocally this release gives you everything from Jorn Lande’s past extensive catalogue all in one album. Jorn’s ability to be innovative and original while at the same time showing where his roots came from, is truly unique. Jorn and Trond’s musical influence when creating this epic masterpiece came mostly from 70’s era Meat Loaf, Queen, Alice Cooper, plus some other Classic and more contemporary Hard Rock elements. All mixed together with their own modern musical heavy rock style, Dracula “Swing of death” is something extraordinary. The lyrics are not limited to the old days of Bram Stoker’s era and could easily be a Dracula story of today.
A trailer for DRACULA is available here:
Track listing: Hands of Your God; Walking On Water; Swing of Death; Masquerade Ball; Save Me; River Of Tears; Queen of the Dead; Into the Dark; True Love Through Blood (Instr.); Under The Gun
Pre-order the album NOW via this link:
DRACULA “Swing of Death” features performances from:
Jorn Lande: Lead Vocals
Trond Holter: Guitars, Piano
Bernt Jansen: Bass
Per Morten Bergseth: Drums
Lena Fløitmoen: Lead and Background Vocals on “Save Me”; “River of Tears”, “Into the Dark”, “Under the Gun”, plus background vocals on “Swing of Death”
JORN (Jorn Lande) and Trond Holter, DRACULA"Swing Of Death"
ALBUM ABOUT THE DARKEST LEGEND OF THEM ALL - DRACULA - TO BE RELEASED JANUARY 2015
Jorn says: "A demonic and beautiful love story inspired by Bram Stokers Dracula, reflecting the inner shadows of the man and myth. We have worked on and off, on this epic album, and it took us close to 4 years to complete it. It's not the typical rock opera with a storyteller and long instrumental parts, but more of a dark and melodic rock album with songs of radio potential that take you straight to the point.
Trond and I are excited and proud to finally announce the release dates for the album, which are January 23rd in the EU and January 27th in North America.
