Press release –
Los Angeles–based heavy metal outfit Lightning Strikes return with their long-awaited new full-length album, The King Is Victorious, out today, February 18th on Rubicon Records.
The album features eight powerful new tracks and showcases a truly international lineup of elite musicians. The majority of The King Is Victorious was recorded by Lightning Strikes co-founder Maksudian, alongside Japanese guitar virtuoso Norifumi Shima (Concerto Moon), American bass legend Barry Sparks (Michael Schenker Group, Yngwie Malmsteen), and rising Argentinian vocalist Mariano Gardella. Rounding out the album is a special guest appearance by keyboard maestro Derek Sherinian (Black Country Communion, Sons Of Apollo), who also appeared on the band’s debut release.
Originally formed in 1984, Lightning Strikes made history as the first heavy metal band with an all Armenian-American lineup, predating the emergence of System Of A Down by more than a decade. After disbanding, Maksudian revived the Lightning Strikes name more than 25 years later, assembling a new lineup to record the band’s self-titled debut album in 2016.
That release featured Brazilian vocalist Nando Fernandes (Sinistra, Hangar), drummer Rob Math, Derek Sherinian, and legendary former Black Sabbath vocalist Tony Martin, who sang on and penned lyrics for standout tracks “Death Valley” and “301 AD (Sins Of Our Fathers).” Mixed by renowned producer Roy Z, the album was met with strong critical acclaim and peaked at #6 on Japan’s Burrn! Magazine import charts.
Tracklisting:
1. Fear Of Unknown
2. Voices In My Head
3. Clash Of Battalions
4. The King Is Victorious
5. Aim And Shoot
6. Lucid Dreams
7. New Beginning
8. Masquerade Suite (Instrumental)
