New York heavy metal trio Sanhedrin have presented their latest single, “Let’s Spill Some Blood.” The track comes in advance of the band’s Heat Lightning full-length, set for release Friday, March 14th on Metal Blade Records.
Notes vocalist/bassist Erica Stoltz. “The lyrics of ‘Let’s Spill Some Blood’ reflect how fortunate the human race is that most people seek justice as opposed to revenge. There are many dark forces in the corridors of power pretending to be forces for good, and this song calls them out for what they are and urges the listener to stand up and fight for what’s right.”
The main guitar riff of the verse is hypnotically repeated over and over again, “symbolizing history repeating itself,” according to guitarist/vocalist Jeremy Sosville. This works its way into an inspired singalong chorus, a signature of the Sanhedrin sound.
Pre-order Heat Lightning here.
Sanhedrin has spent the last decade at the forefront of the American heavy metal scene blending traditional metal and hard rock sounds with a fresh modern energy and perspective. With 2022’s critically lauded Lights On album, the band had created their most complete work. With their follow-up, Heat Lightning, the band delivers a diverse collection of songs that wholly capture their wide array of influences with an elevated production level.
“Sonically, there’s no comparison,” notes drummer Nathan Honor when asked how Heat Lightning compares to the band’s previous efforts. “Heat Lightning is the fullest representation of the power of this band. When you take three seasoned musicians with their favorite handpicked instruments, put them in front of two brilliant producers/engineers in a studio stacked with incredible equipment and no outside distractions, this is what you get.”
Unlike the previous three albums, which were all tracked and mixed by Colin Marston, for Heat Lightning Sanhedrin opted to work with a fresh set of ears in a new environment. In doing so, the band landed at the legendary Utopia Bearsville studio in Woodstock, New York. At the helm for recording and co-producing were Matt Brown (Life of Agony, A Pale Horse Named Death) and Jerry Farley (Sick Of It All, Madball).
Heat Lightning gets its title from the second track of the same name. “‘Heat lightning’ is a flash of lightning from very far away, sometimes seen in a clear sky,” says vocalist/bassist Erica Stoltz. “It is used as a metaphor for where we see ourselves at the moment about climate change. Collectively we have moved further away from our direct relationship to nature and have adopted a paternal relationship with the natural world, as if we have control.”
It was one of the first songs written for the album and one of the most dynamic tracks the band has ever written. Elsewhere, “The Fight Of Your Life” is a tribute to those we call “lifers” in the music business.
“It’s about the compulsion to play music no matter what. When you get the bug and you have it for life, it is your north star, your reason to be,” says Stoltz.
“Franklin County Line” is the fastest song on the record, and inspired guitarist Jeremy Sosville’s hometown and surrounding area in northern New York state. Sosville recounts, “Erica and Nathan came up to visit me and work on new music. In the process, we wrote a song inspired by the local Amish population but with a naughty twist.”
“This album is a symbol of persistence during hard times, friendship through music, and the unwavering desire to do our best work together,” says Sosville. “After a decade of being a band, we are proud that we continue to push ourselves to new places sonically and musically. We hope the listener can hear our sincerity and our dedication when listening to this new collection of songs.”
Heat Lightning, which features the striking hand-painted cover art of band friend and fervent supporter Johan Prenger, will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
- 180g Black
- Violet Blue Marbled
- Ruby Red Marbled (Ltd. 500)
- White/Purple Splatter (Ltd. 200)
