Herc - Single Ankündigung feat. Arno Menses (Subsignal)
After almost 7 years of silence, the Germany-based story-teller, named Herc, is ready for another musical journey to the realms of Middle-Earth.
The successor of his first album, Towards the Mountains, is titled Of Light and Darkness and it is set to be released in the summer of 2023. It will be a concept album, inspired by Tolkien’s most epic book, The Silmarillion. In addition to this album, two singles are also set to be released:
1st Single: Melian
Release date: 15th April 2023
feat. Arno Menses
The first single is a story about the Maia Melian and King Thingol, who was enchanted by her ethereal voice, and got lost in the woods of Nan Elmoth.
When they finally met, they became one, a bond that no one could ever break.
A great thanks to Manos Zafeirakis at Shape & Mix Studio, for his major help in mixing this song.
Herc recruited a very special guest for this song.
Arno Menses (Subsignal, ex-Sieges Even), with his high-ranged voice, took over half of the leading vocals while also entangling some wonderful backings and choirs.
Herc enhanced the song's atmosphere with some ethereal harp takes by Athena Koumantarou and some unique choir parts, by his own wife and daughters.
Herc feat. Arno Menses – Melian
(OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)
Premieres on the 15th April 2023
2nd Single: Mahal
Release date: May 2023
The second single is the story about one of the Vala, Aulë, the creator of the seven Fathers of Dwarves. However, he created them before their predestined time and for that, he came close on destroying them. Mahal was the name that was given to him by the Dwarves. The meaning of that name was rumoured to be The Maker.
“HERC - Of Light & Darkness ”
(Self-financed)
Scheduled to be released: Summer 2023
Track list:
01. Of silver and gold
02. Mahal
03. Of light and darkness
04. Melian (feat. Arno Menses)
05. Onwards to Eldamar
06. Spirit of fire
07. Seeds of hatred
08. As darkness falls
09. Beneath the gloomy veil of agony
10. Of Gonnhirim
11. Doriath
12. A celestial dance
Total running time: 1hr 48mins
Line-up:
Herc
All vocals, choirs, narrations, all guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, orchestrations, drums arrangements & programming.
Panayotis Mavrakis
Lead & Solo Guitars on tracks
1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, & 11.
Recorded at Perilous home studio
Mixed by Herc
Track 4 co-mixed by
Manos Zafeirakis at Shape & Mix Studio
Mastered by CloudBounce
Herc had always a few talented collaborators / friends, to play their own part on his albums.
Panayotis Mavrakis (Cosmic Plunge, ex-Timeriver, ex-Soundgeist), even though that he started as a guest for this album, he finally decided to enrich Herc’s line-up as a lead guitarist, with plans to be more engaged in the future releases and / or any potential live shows.
Guest Musicians
Athena Koumantarou
Classic & Celtic Harp on tracks 4 & 12.
Attila Fay
ex-Mein Kopf ist ein Brutaler Ort
Solo guitar on tracks 9, & 11.
Andie Vahou
Choirs
Additional choirs by:
Natalia & Savina Choraiti
About Herc
& his enchanted journeys
Until recently, Herc was a one-man’s project by Iraklis Choraitis (ex-Arkenstone (GR) ), an independent musician / songwriter. He obtains most of his inspiration throughout the pages of books by J.R.R. Tolkien. His musical orientation derives from bands like Blind Guardian, Insomnium, Empyrium, and Bathory, as well as bands from the rock-verse like Styx and Blackmore’s Night.
In December 2005, he released his first non-official compilation of acoustic songs based on Poe’s and Tolkien’s poems, titled Of Perilous Realms… and other stories.
In October 2016 he finally self-financed and released his first official album, titled Towards the Mountains, which is based upon Tolkien’s book, The Hobbit. The album did not receive many reviews, but all of them were very good and encouraging to keep him going.
Now, Herc is exploring new endeavours and collaborations with the prospect of releasing as much music as possible!
Quelle: Herc