Brighton breakout! It’s been an arduous and challenging five years since Stone Angels began laying the foundations for their forthcoming sophomore release ‘Up In Smoke’. Even more incredibly it’s the overwhelming percentage of a decade since their first release 2014’s ‘Give in to Temptation’!
Hailing from Sussex Stone Angels are rightfully proud of their impending long player, James and Sam take MPM on a journey through the inspirations and trials of the writing and recording process. From a professional poker playing drummer to see your home go, quite literally up in smoke this is a warts and all reveal upon where Stone Angels are, both, coming from and heading to.
Up In Smoke’ was the most challenging song that I have written, but with the support of my wife, bandmates, family and friends I was able to heal. It was my way of making a silver lining to that smoke cloud” notes James upon the therapeutic dimensions of song craft in an extremely challenging situation. Facing the potential bottom of the bottle or channelling energies into the focus of song-writing James thankfully opted for the latter.
Produced by multi-platinum award-winning producer Mike Krompass (Steven Tyler, Desmond Child, Honeymoon Suite, Natasha Bedingfield amongst many) and record at his Yorkshire Base Culture UK studios what we have is nine tracks with a mega-production you would expect from the likes of Nickelback. Opulent and majestic yet not overbearing ‘Up In Smoke’ sees Stone Angels hit the ring in a pugnacious mood.
With inspirations derived from all four components of the lineup there’s hard-grunge foundations to soaring southern epics via hard-driving freeway rocking. From city skylines to the open plains there’s no shortage of imagery within. Available to pre-order direct from the band on vinyl and CD ‘Up In Smoke’ is destined to be one of my favourites of 2024.
TRACK LISTING
Where The Crows fly
Gambler
Hold On
Up In Smoke
Halfway To Nowhere
Over The Edge
Ghost Of New York
Supercharged
Western Dreams
Pre-order here – https://stone-angels.com/shop/music/up-in-smoke-preorder/
As well as a quarter-final spot in Oxfordshire’s Metal to the Masses Bloodstock competition (at Oxford’s Jericho Tavern) be sure to catch Stone Angels live at Station 18 Festival, Hangar 18, Swansea on Sunday 5th May. Weekend and day ticket options are available from Station 18 Festival – The Big Rock Festival – 20 Bands over 3 Days in Swansea Tickets – Hangar 18 Music Venue, Swansea | Ticket24/7 (ticket247.co.uk)
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