EPK – Helsott – Will And The Witch (2022) (M-Theory Audio)

EPK – Helsott – Will And The Witch (2022) (M-Theory Audio)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

For fans Amon Amarth, Ensiferum, Moonsorrow, Finntroll, Arkona

Album Title: Will And The Witch
Release Date: May 20, 2022
Label:  M-Theory Audio
Distribution: The Orchard/Sony, PHD

M-Theory Audio | Helsott.com | Facebook.com/helsott | YouTube | Instagram.com/Helsott

Helsott.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

Album Pre-Order – http://smarturl.com/helsott

California’s Helsott will be unleashing their forthcoming concept album “Will and the Witch” on May 20, 2022 via M-Theory Audio. The album is mixed and mastered by J-F Dagenais (Kataklysm, Ex Deo) and features special guests Tim “Ripper” Owens (ex-Judas Priest), Vladamir Reshetnikov (Arkona), Freddie Vidales (Ashes Of Ares), Lethien (Elvenking), Kevin Storm (Kalmah, Shining), Bjorn Friedrichsen, Mikey Muller, and Whistlin’ Rick Story.

Since their incarnation in 2019, Helsott has amassed a respectable discography including two EPs and two full-lengths. They have toured throughout North America and Europe along with performing on several festivals including Wacken Open Air.

On their new record  “Will and the Witch”, Helsott goes back to their roots along with adding orchestrations composed by the band. Overall, “Will and the Witch” will have more thrashy elements and fewer orchestrations than their previous work, which results in a bit less complexity than earlier albums, yet keeps the essence intact while catching listeners off guard with new influences befitting of the album’s theme, but maintains the group’s underlying core that definitely is still Helsott. Vocalist Eric Dow explains further:

“The album is a concept recording. It’s basically a fan fiction story about how Billy The Kid became the fastest gunfighter in the wild west. There are southern vibes with banjo and fiddle. There are Native American vibes with hand drums and flute. There is thrash metal, power metal, death metal, and even acoustic campfire parts. We think there are enough flavors on this album to keep any listener engaged and wanting to listen over and over again. The title track explores the relationship between the two main characters on the album. Musically it’s melodic and thrashy, but also catchy and fun so I think this is a great song to introduce the listener to the full-length.” 

Heavy, and eclectically enchanting, Helsott weave tales from mythology and history and are recommended for fans of Amon Amarth, Ensiferum, and Moonsorrow.

Album Title: Will And The Witch
Release Date: May 20, 2022
Label:  M-Theory Audio
Distribution: The Orchard/Sony, PHD

Band Recording and Live Line Up:
ERIC DOW – VOCALS/ORCHESTRATIONS
MARK DOW – GUITARS/VOCALS
COOPER DUSTMAN – DRUMS/VOCALS/ORCHESTRATIONS
PETE TRUAX – GUITARS/VOCALS

Album Recording Credits:
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY HELSOTT
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER MICHAEL BEAULIEU
RECORDED AND EDITED BY MIKEY MULLER
DRUMS, VOCALS, GUITARS, AND BANJO RECORDED AT TRENCH STUDIO
ORCHESTRATIONS RECORDED BY COOPER DUSTMAN
MIXED AND MASTER BY J-F DAGENAIS
COVER ART BY FELIPE MACHADO FRANCO

SESSION/GUEST MUSICIANS:
BJORN FRIEDRICHSON – BASS ON TRACKS 1-4,6-11
FREDDIE VIDALES – BASS ON TRACK 12
MIKEY MULLER – BASS ON TRACK 5
TIM “RIPPER” OWENS – VOCALS ON TRACK 4
VLADIMIR RESHETNIKOV – FLUTE ON TRACK 9
LETHIEN – VIOLIN ON TRACKS 2 AND 5
KEVIN STORM – SOLO GUITAR ON TRACK 11
WHISTLIN’ RICK STORY – BANJO ON TRACKS 2 AND 8

Top L-R: Helsott Current Line Up | Eric Dow (Vocals) | Cooper Dustman (Drums) | Bottom L-R: | Mark Dow (Guitar) | Peter Truax (Guitar)
Photo Credit – Justin Gummow