Iron Thrones have set the digital release of their new EP, The Wretched Sun, on July 27th. While this seems like a normal announcement, how this EP came to be isn't, read on:Iron Thrones is getting ready to release the fruits of their very recent, very public labor. The band won The No Label Needed Contest and Series and their music career was instantly turned upside down. The resulting EP, entitled The Wretched Sun, is rich, complex and will be available for sale digitally on July 27th.
The Minneapolis-based four-piece came together from the demise of guitarist and producer Steve Henningsgard's band Everest. Vocalist, Adam Clemans (previously of Sumerian Records' Veil of Maya); Drummer, Peter Clark (whose prior band recorded with Henningsgard) and Bassist, Curtis Parker joined the remains of Everest and since the band was so renewed in sound and personnel, they changed their name to IRON THRONES prior to releasing their debut. That self-produced album, Visions Of Light, was self-released in November of 2008 as a free digital download and was re-released on Tribunal Records in early 2009.
The NO LABEL NEEDED SERIES has followed the band's more recent development. The combination of video, blogs and photos combined with live chats has introduced the band to a national rock audience
They have been mentored by the members of Shadows Fall, recorded an EP produced by Will Putney for Machine Shop Productions (Lamb of God, Clutch, Four Year Strong, Chiodos), shopped for their stage and photo shoot clothing with Maria Brink (In This Moment) and Blasko (Ozzy) and received advice from the likes of Ben Weinman of The Dillinger Escape Plan. Working amongst this talent has inspired the band. "It's been awesome to have had the opportunity to be surrounded and supported by people who know what they're doing and are willing to teach us what they know," says Henningsgard.
The Wretched Sun has a sound that is inspired by the likes of Opeth, Burst, Mastodon, and Between the Buried and Me, as well as post-metal such as Cult of Luna and rock bands such as Cave In and Thrice. From the opening track "Like A Moth To Flame", which pummels with heavy double bass drums and churning guitar riffage, to the twisting, enigmatic opus "Against The Grain", each of the six tracks on The Wretched Sun paint vast landscapes luring the listener in with captivating swells that build to a crest then gush over, leaving a sense of both clarity and uncertainty in their wake.
On July 27th fans will be able to purchase The Wretched Sun and support the rise of Iron Thrones. The release will be available on iTunes, Amazon.com and through many other music sites.