OBLIVION PROTOCOL – the new project led by Threshold keyboard player and songwriter Richard West – has unveiled “Forests In The Fallout,” the first single from their forthcoming debut album, “The Fall Of The Shires”, due out on August 18th via Atomic Fire Records.
Written as a sequel to Threshold‘s 2017 concept album “Legends Of The Shires,” “The Fall Of The Shires” delivers a dense, climactic sound somewhere between Rush, Steven Wilson, “The Dark Side Of The Moon”-era Pink Floyd, and hard rock masters Ghost, all the while providing the listener with clever little nods, bows, and references to the first installment.
OBLIVION PROTOCOL mastermind West elaborates, “At the end of Legends Of The Shires, the protagonist considers a number of possible futures – ‘maybe a painter, a guide, a clerk, a maker, or maybe a writer, a king, a star, a fighter.’ So the sequel tells the story of him becoming the king and the consequences of that choice where he decides that the only way to control the population is to suppress and control them, so the shires become a much darker place.”
The cover art for “The Fall Of The Shires” was designed by celebrated artist Thomas Ewerhard who was responsible for so many of Threshold‘s classic covers such as “Hypothetical” and “Subsurface”, and depicts the downfall. The record’s first single, “Forests In The Fallout,” is told from the perspective of the suppressed people and is the perfect introduction to this new progressive metal masterpiece.
OBLIVION PROTOCOL‘s lineup is completed with three renowned musicians: guitarist Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation), bassist Simon Andersson (Darkwater), and drummer Darby Todd (Devin Townsend). Additionally, Threshold‘s Karl Groom has contributed some truly enthralling guitar solos to the record.
“The Fall Of The Shires” will be available in CD-digipak, LP (Green), and digital formats. Pre-order it, in the physical format of your choice, pre-save it on your preferred DSP or pre-order it digitally to receive “Forests In The Fallout” instantly at THIS LOCATION.
“The Fall Of The Shires” Album Artwork
“The Fall Of The Shires” Track Listing:
1. The Fall (Part 1)
2. Tormented
3. Public Safety Broadcast
4. This Is Not A Test
5. Storm Warning
6. Vertigo
7. Forests In The Fallout
8. The Fall (Part 2)
