PRYDAIN – album of the month!
We are proud to announce that PRYDAIN’s debut album ‚The Gates of Aramore‘ is ALBUM OF THE MONTH in British POWERPLAY magazine, issue #264 July 2023.
Order album: here or here
PRYDAIN – album out today!
Today another Metal Masterpiece sees the light of day on LIMB MUSIC: Austin Dixon, guitarist and founding member of US Power Metallers SONIC PROPHECY, fulfills a lifelong dream with PRYDAIN’s debut album ‚The Gates of Aramore‘.
Produced & mixed by Bob Katsionis (Firewind, Serious Black, Wonders, Outloud, Stray Gods, Warrior Path).
Cover artwork by Uwe Jarling (Heavens Gate, Roger Staffelbach, Grave Digger, Stray Gods).
Quote from Austin:
„I’m so proud today for the release of the debut album ‚The Gates of Aramore‘!
The music on this album has been a passion of mine that I’ve been working on for some years and it’s amazing to see it finally in the hands and ears of metal fans all over the world. The reception so far has been great and I’m thankful for the chance to make this contribution to the Power Metal World, a genre that means so much to me. This album has it all, including famous Power Metal guests that you know and love and support from a timeless and important record label, LIMB MUSIC!
If you’re a fan of the Classic Power Metal sound of early bands like Avantasia, Hammerfall, Stratovarius, Edguy, Blind Guardian, etc., please give our album a listen and CRANK IT UP! I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed working on it.
\mm/“
Order album: here or here
PRYDAIN – The Gates of Aramore is coming June 2, 2023!
Austin Dixon had been working on the song ideas for PRYDAIN over several years, but the real work began to happen during the Covid pandemic. Since no suitable musicians with the talent and enthusiasm for melodic power metal could be found locally and the Covid lockdown was also having ist effects, Austin started approaching some of his favourite musicians via internet in order to bring his songs to life.
First guy aboard was Pyramaze keyboardist Jonah Weingarten. Austin says „I’ve loved Pyramaze since their wonderful album ‚Legend of the Bone Carver‘. His orchestrations really helped bring the visions of my guitar riffs and structures to life.“
Katagory V mastermind Dustin Mitchell, another local Utah musician, contributed some initial bass tracks, and Firewind’s Bob Katsionis „has been on my radar since he blew me away live in Salt Lake City a few years ago with his dual-shred solos between guitar and keyboard, so I reached out.“
Bob agreed to produce and mix Prydain. He also brought in fellow Greek countryman Mike Livas (Silent Winter, Keepers of Jericho, Timo Tolkki) to sing. Next, Austin dared to approach three of his favourite guitarists to see if they would each contribute a solo: Mikael Dahl (Crystal Eyes), Jimmy Hedlund (Falconer), and Jens Ludwig (Edguy). „To my surprise, they were all up for it right away! This collaboration with so many of my heroes is the coolest aspect.“
Line-Up:
MIKE LIVAS – Vocals (Silent Winter)
AUSTIN DIXON – Lead & Rhythm Guitars (Sonic Prophecy)
JONAH WEINGARTEN – Keyboards & Orchestration (Pyramaze)
BOB KATSIONIS – Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Bass (ex Firewind, Wonders, Outloud, Stray Gods, Warrior Path)
Honored Guests:
Mikael Dahl (Crystal Eyes) – guitar solo
Jens Ludwig (Edguy) – guitar solo
Jimmy Hedlund (Falconer) – guitar solo
Dustin Mitchell (Katagory V) – bass guitar
John Yelland (Judicator) – additional vocals
David Åkesson (Qantice, Moonlight Agony, Symphonity) – additional vocals
➡️ Audio samples, videos and online stores ⬅️
➡️ YouTube Video ⬅️
PRYDAIN first single & video out now!
The first digital single and video from the album is the title track „The Gates of Aramore“. This was the first full song written for the album and helped to set the tone for the thematic elements that would come to define the PRYDAIN sound.
This song is a straightforward Power Metal anthem and features guest vocals by David Åkesson (Qantice, Moonlight Agony, Symphonity) and Stefani Keogh, thundering bass from Utah’s own Dustin Mitchell (Katagory V), as well as a blistering guitar solo from Mikael Dahl of the fantastic band CRYSTAL EYES.
We hope you enjoy this first taste of PRYDAIN!
The album „The Gates of Aramore“ will be released on June 2, 2023.
For fans of: Avantasia, Edguy, Staratovarius, Hammerfall, Blind Guardian
Pre-order now
PRYDAIN announces first single & video!
PRYDAIN announces their first single and video entitled „The Gates of Aramore“! Both will be released on April 22 via your favorite streaming platforms and on YouTube.
The wait to get some music into the hands of the fans has been a long one and we are so excited for you to hear this first sample of the album to come! Check out the video teaser.
The album „The Gates of Aramore“ will be released on June 2, 2023.
For fans of: Avantasia, Edguy, Staratovarius, Hammerfall, Blind Guardian
Pre-order now
YouTube Video Premiere
PRYDAIN release artwork and tracklisting!
Following up our last weeks’ announcement, PRYDAIN’s debut album „The Gates of Aramore“ will be released on June 2, 2023.
You can expect ten Epic Power Metal songs with vibrating guitar duels, virtuoso keyboard parts, awesome vocals, driving grooves, catchy melodies – and a storyline consisting of an ancient kingdom beyond space and time.
Outstanding cover design by renowned artwork wizard Uwe Jarling (Heavens Gate, Roger Staffelbach, Grave Digger, Stray Dogs).
Guitarist and songwriter Austin Dixon says:
„I first discovered Uwe from the amazing cover art he did for the new Grave Digger album. I reached out to him to discuss ideas and he had this amazing piece he was working on with these knights battling and an epic dragon and it just seemed perfect for the feel I was going for with PRYDAIN.
I immediately began writing a song inspired by this cover art, which became the penultimate track on the album, ’Kingdom Fury‘. This song turned out so cool and tells the story of the cover art, so check that out if you’re interested!“.
Here’s the tracklisting:
01. Sword & Sorcery
02. The Gates of Aramore
03. Lands Beyond
04. Sail the Seas
05. Quest of the Fallen
06. Way of the Forest
07. Ancient Whispers
08. Blessed & Divine
09. Kingdom Fury
10. Magic & Mystery
The CD version will include an exclusive bonus track.
Follow PRYDAIN:
Facebook
Release date: June 2, 2023
Release date: May 12, 2023