This track started life about a year ago, and has been a slow evolution of details around a solid structure. It's another watershed moment as far as subject matter is concerned, facing up to anger issues and their link to depression: "The Black Dog".

These Flames Around My Door

I wrote and first recorded this piece in the summer of 2012 - it was the first time I had tackled some very combustible and personal subject matter, and I decided to throw absolutely everything I had at it musically. Only a handful of my nearest and dearest got to hear this at the time, but I now feel ready to let everyone hear it. 

I'm incredibly proud of this, especially as it was my first attempt at writing a piece with orchestral backing. I have since improved my mixing and mastering skills, so I have given it another once-over and re-done some of the guitar parts, and it's now at a standard I'm happy with.

Hope you enjoy it, this is me and my past colliding, and yes, it was an uncomfortable song to write, but that just makes it all the more satisfying now!

One Last Bridge To Burn (Remixed Feb 2014)

This track has been ten years in the making, finally after countless revisiting and remixing, I'm happy with it.  I fought long and hard to come up with lyrics for this, but nothing seemed to work. After attending the funeral of a dear friend recently, it struck me that sometimes, life floors us with such power that there ARE no words. The timing of this, and the mood of the song seemed too profound to be a coincidence.

Even though she hated rock and metal music, this is my best effort to date, and so I dedicate it to the memory of my friend Tasha Virgo, who gave her best to everyone, every single day.

When Words Fail

The first of what I hope will be a series of rocked-up cover versions of of pop songs, mostly from my childhood! You can't beat a bit of Lionel, and having witnessed the great man perfom this track live on two occasions, "Hello" was an easy choice of song.

I feel that this recording marks another step forward for me, as I'm using upgraded orchestral and drum synths for the first time, and I'm pleased with the early results.

I'm well aware that singing isn't my forte, but decided to give it a go; it's just a bit of fun, and some bits actually turned out better than I thought possible! I hope you enjoy the track :)

Hello (Is It Metal You're Looking For?)

Trying some new methods!  Didn't feel the need to spoil this one with vocals :-p

Volts

A little ditty about my hometown, Skegness. Thought I'd have some fun with this... 

Welcome one, welcome all
To the strip you think you know
The famous lights, shining so bright
Twenty-four hours a year
Desert sun deserts us like the French
Exchange kids who look around
At fat guys in football shirts
Heading for the island of fantasy
(Welcome to Vegasssss)

There's trouble in Vegas
What the hell happened here?
There's trouble in Vegas
Nothing left of the motherland
There's trouble in Vegas
What the hell happened here?
There's trouble in Vegas
Nothing left of the motherland, motherland

Old folks gamble their cash with the kids
Who can't spell "college fund"
Keep it alive, keep feeding the beast
There's too many big fish in our pond now
Same old shit, just a different shop, yeah
Still grey and old, and dying underneath
Hey man, you're a big tough city boy
What did you bring to our town?

There's trouble in Vegas
What the hell happened here?
There's trouble in Vegas
Nothing left of the motherland
There's trouble in Vegas
What the hell happened here?
There's trouble in Vegas
Nothing left of the motherland, motherland

Tell them not to come
Kill, kill, kill the memories (x4)

Now I can't go home

Never go home (x6) 

Trouble In Vegas

Here's a positive song for anyone who's been having a tough time of things lately.  A lot of hard work went into this, but I think it was worth it... I hope you agree!

Ross Shipley