In January, we released the awesome Black Light Cobra (with a super-charged I Will Follow - U2 as a B-side). The song was a pseudo magnum opus for us at around 7 minutes, a litany of textures and melodic shifts, plus a conceptual storyline that weaved in references to 27 musical artists. It was a proud moment, making and releasing that.
Now we have the Summer to look forward to...
In May we will be starting the recording of two new singles,. The impetus being some interest that a label from the UK has been showing as of last Fall. I suggested that a next step to be recording a couple fresh new tracks for them to consider. They've heard the demos and liked the directions so here we go.
A brief description of each at this pre-recording stage (we all know the real character comes out when the green light comes on and we get to craft them together):
Hero Down - a moody, 7-minute track that vacillates between jazzy verses and more somber yet epic tones in the choruses and outro parts. The band Ours comes to mind with the darker and moody aspects. Its got a very cool solo at the end.
Star 5280 - Super uptempo at 173 BPM, this modern heavy rock thing seems pretty close to a heavy Muse track at the moment. A more compact 4 minute track, this one also has a cool solo that is 95% finger tapping with ideas borrowed from Reb Beach, Vito Bratta and Paul Gilbert. Come to mention it, Hero Down has a fair amount of that tapped stuff too. Something I was focusing on at the time.
Both songs will get their own art, courtesy of Henry Panciano (he's awesome). In our photos is a nearly finished Hero Down piece now. A few suggested edits and last minute wrap ups are coming on it.
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From The Equal Ground.com
9/4/14
by Eva Cantillo
Curve of the Earth is a purebred rock album and takes notes from alternative rock circa the ‘90s via ex-Thrash lead guitarist (Mike Lopez) better known as Lion Drome. Lopez takes some of the best effects and sounds produced by the grunge rock era to create something that is unlike anything else I’ve heard in a long time. It is both contemporary while having a nostalgic vibe to it, and of course, lots of guitar shredding added into the mix.
“Curve of the Earth” is one of the most dynamic songs within the album and really has that classic alternative rock character. The song begins with an upbeat guitar chord and from the start the melody and lyrics are super catchy. It has the potential of being a “hit single.” Lyrics also add some depth to the song as they materialize the “curve of the earth;” “No line-of-sight… understand it can’t be seen.” It seems to be taking a very poetic approach to personifying love; “Yeah you made me wanna want you… Wanna want you through both space and time.”
“Shake it off” is a slow-burning song that slowly but surely transforms into a rock ballad that is prefaced by the lyrics “set yourself on fire.” The trance-like guitar in this track puts you into a hypnotized state where anything is possible. “Wolf River” which is a special bonus track, has a beautifully seductive air to it and both Lopez’s looming voice and deep guitar chords that set the mood from the beginning. Yet again, the lyrics in this song depict a unique situation in a nuanced way; “What muse am I, here to entertain your witching?... She took the wheel of the ship after dark.” The song is quite emotive and striking through its simple yet ethereal and metaphorical musical form.
While this record is in rotation, I feel myself transported to a world of rock glory and existential, spacey, rock deserts filled with the ballads and triumphant and epic songs from Curve of the Earth. The songs have a undeniably “beyond earth” demeanor and anyone into classic alternative rock bands like U2, Muse and Incubus will definitely enjoy the complex and dynamic compositions of Curve of the Earth.
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There are recipe books for combining your Jelly Belly flavors together to make jelly bean equivalents of real world treats. Two blueberry jb's plus a buttered popcorn equals a blueberry muffin.
In that same spirit, allow me to describe the studio songs on the forthcoming lion_drome CD, "Curve of the Earth".
The Nite is On = The Epilogues + Filter + Motley Crue + John Tesh
Winter = Imagine Dragons + Bonnie Tyler + The Cars +Neal Schon
Curve of the Earth = Live + Dada (+ OHM for extended version)
Shake it Off = Chris Issac + Jack White
2 Eve = Duran Duran + Porcupine Tree
Angel (Nobody Told You) = RHCP + U2
Then It All Went White = U2 + Porcupine Tree
That Bird Don't Fly 'Round Here No More = Jeff Buckley + Gotye + Bjork
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Looking forward to working with Epilogues front man Chris Heckman on new lion_drome single, "The Nite is On", this summer. Just finished tracking the drums last weekend with Kenny James on the skins. secrete weapon was the baby monitor we stashed in the stairwell for some trashy ambient energy. Used 14 tracks of drums!!! Sounds huge. Off to a nice start.
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Guitar maestro Chris Poland (Megadeth, OHM) has contributed two takes to the outro solo on Curve of the Earth. The radio mix will not feature either but the maxi-single will have 2 versions of the extended version for your enjoyment. I've worked with Chris once before as a member of GasHead. He put down some amazing licks on a song called Skeletal. He is a super humble and talented dude. I'd suggest everyone check out all of the projects he's been a part of since the seminal Megadeth release from 1986, Peace Sells but Who's Buying?. He was perfect for the end of Curve. He's always had a jazz slant inform his playing and the end of the song just had a couple of chilled out dimished chords ripe for that style. Some of you may not know that his index finger on his fret hand doesn't bend, something that really adds to his unique voice. He had an accident severing his tendon when he was a teenager. Anyways, I am really appreciative of his help on my work and can't wait to mix it in.
Reply
lion_drome / Blog
2023 - The Year of Singles
In January, we released the awesome Black Light Cobra (with a super-charged I Will Follow - U2 as a B-side). The song was a pseudo magnum opus for us at around 7 minutes, a litany of textures and melodic shifts, plus a conceptual storyline that weaved in references to 27 musical artists. It was a proud moment, making and releasing that.
Now we have the Summer to look forward to...
In May we will be starting the recording of two new singles,. The impetus being some interest that a label from the UK has been showing as of last Fall. I suggested that a next step to be recording a couple fresh new tracks for them to consider. They've heard the demos and liked the directions so here we go.
A brief description of each at this pre-recording stage (we all know the real character comes out when the green light comes on and we get to craft them together):
Hero Down - a moody, 7-minute track that vacillates between jazzy verses and more somber yet epic tones in the choruses and outro parts. The band Ours comes to mind with the darker and moody aspects. Its got a very cool solo at the end.
Star 5280 - Super uptempo at 173 BPM, this modern heavy rock thing seems pretty close to a heavy Muse track at the moment. A more compact 4 minute track, this one also has a cool solo that is 95% finger tapping with ideas borrowed from Reb Beach, Vito Bratta and Paul Gilbert. Come to mention it, Hero Down has a fair amount of that tapped stuff too. Something I was focusing on at the time.
Both songs will get their own art, courtesy of Henry Panciano (he's awesome). In our photos is a nearly finished Hero Down piece now. A few suggested edits and last minute wrap ups are coming on it.
Reply
Review of Curve of the Earth
From The Equal Ground.com 9/4/14 by Eva Cantillo Curve of the Earth is a purebred rock album and takes notes from alternative rock circa the ‘90s via ex-Thrash lead guitarist (Mike Lopez) better known as Lion Drome. Lopez takes some of the best effects and sounds produced by the grunge rock era to create something that is unlike anything else I’ve heard in a long time. It is both contemporary while having a nostalgic vibe to it, and of course, lots of guitar shredding added into the mix. “Curve of the Earth” is one of the most dynamic songs within the album and really has that classic alternative rock character. The song begins with an upbeat guitar chord and from the start the melody and lyrics are super catchy. It has the potential of being a “hit single.” Lyrics also add some depth to the song as they materialize the “curve of the earth;” “No line-of-sight… understand it can’t be seen.” It seems to be taking a very poetic approach to personifying love; “Yeah you made me wanna want you… Wanna want you through both space and time.” “Shake it off” is a slow-burning song that slowly but surely transforms into a rock ballad that is prefaced by the lyrics “set yourself on fire.” The trance-like guitar in this track puts you into a hypnotized state where anything is possible. “Wolf River” which is a special bonus track, has a beautifully seductive air to it and both Lopez’s looming voice and deep guitar chords that set the mood from the beginning. Yet again, the lyrics in this song depict a unique situation in a nuanced way; “What muse am I, here to entertain your witching?... She took the wheel of the ship after dark.” The song is quite emotive and striking through its simple yet ethereal and metaphorical musical form. While this record is in rotation, I feel myself transported to a world of rock glory and existential, spacey, rock deserts filled with the ballads and triumphant and epic songs from Curve of the Earth. The songs have a undeniably “beyond earth” demeanor and anyone into classic alternative rock bands like U2, Muse and Incubus will definitely enjoy the complex and dynamic compositions of Curve of the Earth.
Reply
New Songs and Jelly Beans
There are recipe books for combining your Jelly Belly flavors together to make jelly bean equivalents of real world treats. Two blueberry jb's plus a buttered popcorn equals a blueberry muffin.
In that same spirit, allow me to describe the studio songs on the forthcoming lion_drome CD, "Curve of the Earth".
The Nite is On = The Epilogues + Filter + Motley Crue + John Tesh
Winter = Imagine Dragons + Bonnie Tyler + The Cars +Neal Schon
Curve of the Earth = Live + Dada (+ OHM for extended version)
Shake it Off = Chris Issac + Jack White
2 Eve = Duran Duran + Porcupine Tree
Angel (Nobody Told You) = RHCP + U2
Then It All Went White = U2 + Porcupine Tree
That Bird Don't Fly 'Round Here No More = Jeff Buckley + Gotye + Bjork
Reply
Special guest on new single this summer.
Looking forward to working with Epilogues front man Chris Heckman on new lion_drome single, "The Nite is On", this summer. Just finished tracking the drums last weekend with Kenny James on the skins. secrete weapon was the baby monitor we stashed in the stairwell for some trashy ambient energy. Used 14 tracks of drums!!! Sounds huge. Off to a nice start.
Reply
Chris Poland
Guitar maestro Chris Poland (Megadeth, OHM) has contributed two takes to the outro solo on Curve of the Earth. The radio mix will not feature either but the maxi-single will have 2 versions of the extended version for your enjoyment. I've worked with Chris once before as a member of GasHead. He put down some amazing licks on a song called Skeletal. He is a super humble and talented dude. I'd suggest everyone check out all of the projects he's been a part of since the seminal Megadeth release from 1986, Peace Sells but Who's Buying?. He was perfect for the end of Curve. He's always had a jazz slant inform his playing and the end of the song just had a couple of chilled out dimished chords ripe for that style. Some of you may not know that his index finger on his fret hand doesn't bend, something that really adds to his unique voice. He had an accident severing his tendon when he was a teenager. Anyways, I am really appreciative of his help on my work and can't wait to mix it in.
Reply