In 1981, Billy Noknees embarked on his most ambitious project yet: Gauntlets of Steel, an album intended to merge heavy metal imagery with his signature disco beats. Filled with warrior anthems, dark oaths, and sharp-edged themes, the album was a bold attempt to bring swords and spikes to the dancefloor. Unfortunately, it was also a prime example of Billy’s knack for turning even the simplest studio session into chaos.

The producer for the sessions, Rick "Chains" Hardsteel, was known for his love of theatrics and had been brought on to help Billy capture the epic, metallic tone he craved. However, things quickly derailed when the two started arguing—not over music, but over who could wear the most spikes and chains at once. Billy showed up to the studio each day with increasingly elaborate outfits, while Rick countered with his own over-the-top accessories. The competition escalated to absurd levels, culminating in a studio showdown where both men refused to record until one conceded defeat. Neither did.

Despite the drama, Gauntlets of Steel was completed—a surreal mix of disco beats layered with Billy’s fantastical metal-inspired lyrics. The tracklist itself reads like a playlist for a headbanger’s ball, yet each song brims with the unmistakable groove of OBIISSS:

01 Heart Unbroken 
02 Shadow Blade 
03 Legion of Steel Eternal 
04 Bridge of the Damned 
05 Spikes and Chains 
06 Warrior’s Oath
07 Gauntlets of Steel 
08 Warriors 
09 Wrath of the Betrayed 
10 Spikes and Motorbikes
11 Spikes and Chains (Reprise) 

While Billy was proud of his work, Gauntlets of Steel landed with a thud upon release. By 1981, metalheads rejected its disco leanings, and disco fans found the metal imagery bewildering. The producer, Rick Hardsteel, left the project halfway through after Billy accused him of wearing fake rubber spikes, though not before leaving his signature sound on the tracks.

The album was quietly self released in limited numbers, with most copies gathering dust in record store backrooms. It wasn’t until a box of unsold records was rediscovered in a Los Angeles thrift shop in 1999 that the album regained attention, celebrated as a cult curiosity for its audacious blend of genres.

Now, remastered with the magic of AI, Gauntlets of Steel is presented with its original sleeve—featuring Billy standing proud, in massive spikes. A mix of swords, synths, and defiant disco grooves, it’s a testament to Billy’s fearless creativity (and stubbornness).

Prepare to experience Gauntlets of Steel, where metal meets disco in the most gloriously absurd way imaginable!

Spikes And Motorbikes

[Verse]

EVERY VIP IN THE CLUB GOT HIS EYE ON ME
WEARING HIS COLD VICE-LIKE GRIP MONEY SCENT GLEAMING WHITE SMILE
BEAUTY IS NOW DANGEROUS ITS SAD
ULTRASOFT BLUE VELVET TOUCH PSA FULL OF TRICKERY
TOO MUCH OF A GOOD STINGS ITS

[Chorus]

POP... POP... TRAGEDY [x4] RIGHT OFF THE SPOON INTO YOU
SPOON-FED INTO YOU
OOHH IIYIII POP

pop tragedy

Paper Crown - David Freidzon

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Written by Alex Morris & Brad Morris.
Engineering & Mastering by Sam Driborr.

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Double Life

Veronica

Voler d'Infini

The world lost a good one and in my healing I will no doubt draw from his love and his lessons to write songs inspired by him. This is a simple one that spilled out quickly and easily. 💔❤️

Joseph’s Heart of Gold

I can't hide

Watch the Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOefrJUY3MU

"Ghost to Ghost, Vol. 2" is genre-less while tipping its cap to hip-hop, psychedelic alt, and soul. "Vol. 2" represents the skeletons in everyone’s closet, a theme that Murdock and the Ghost Family vulnerably touch on throughout the record by confronting topics like death and mental health.

"Vol. 2" speaks to those who feel misunderstood and invites us to see our monsters as angels in disguise. It’s the perfect anthem for the current societal climate by encouraging people to keep moving forward despite the amplified confusion and fear of the unknown.

"Ghost to Ghost, Vol. 2" embodies a whole new sound embedded with Venice Beach vibes, and musical touches reminiscent of The Beach Boys, Frank Ocean, The Mamas and the Papas, The Neville Brothers and genres in between. "Ghost to Ghost, Vol. 2" was co-produced and mixed by Brooklyn native experimental pop/electronic artist Prospect Lux.

The Ghost to Ghost project is an ever evolving collaboration that was spawned out of the rugged need to create. An offering for the people by the people, seeking to deepen, empower, and uplift.

Cover art by Davi Escobar

Written and performed by Zachary Murdock and Kevin Joseph

Produced by Kevin Joseph, Beats by Ghostwriter, Joshua Morales and Prospect Lux

Featuring Wiill, Joshua Morales and Ruby Modine

Live drums by Matty Moose

Horns and Flute by Adam Chavira

Executive produced by Prospect Lux

Mastered by Twinjo NYC

Visions by Matthew Watkins

Island

"Too hot to handle" is an up-tempo pop song. It is about a person's courage to face their challenges and face the changes in life that come with them. It's about gratitude towards fellow human beings and also towards oneself. Deep trust and the realization that only through this process could the change from an unhappy being to a happy life, characterized by self-confidence and appreciation, come about, are portrayed in the song.

Spikes And Motorbikes

OBIISSS

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