Sacramento, California-based Progressive Metal project Lunar are launching today their full-length debut album Theogony, out via Divebomb Records.
After the release of an EP titled Provenance in December 2014, Lunar spent next two and a half years writing and recording material for Theogony, an ambitious release in every aspect, starting from the music itself to the concept which is based on the Nine Muses of Greek mythology, to the album art.
Commented drummer and composer Alex Bosson: “I really don’t set out to make music or albums with specific goals in mind. Really all I hope for is to make the music that’s in my heart… Something I can be proud of and enjoy. For me personally that means something progressive and spanning lots of genre and influence. I think with the wide range of musical influence, the vast lyrical topics and all the incredible guest musicians, I’ve definitely accomplished what I set out to with this album and I’m very proud of it!”
Theogony features guest appearances from over 20 musicians, including guitarist extraordinaire Angel Vivaldi, as well as members of Hatriot, Helion Prime, Berried Alive, and many more.
The artwork of the album was painted by Alex’ father, Ed. Alex notes: “Each song is named after one of the nine muses and the song musically and lyrically depicts my take on what that specific muse represents. The cover art is a picture of those nine muses.”
Theogony is out on November 10th through Divebomb Records; order it from Bandcamp here. Follow Lunar on Facebook.
Theogony Track Listing:
1. Thalia
2. Clio
3. Calliope
4. Polyhymnia
5. Euterpe
6. Erato
7. Terpsichore
8. Urania
9. Melpomene
Based out of Sacramento, CA, Lunar is a progressive rock / metal band formed in 2013 when longtime friends Alex Bosson (drums/percussion) and Ryan Erwin (guitar/vocals) decided to get together and write the style of music that was always in their hearts: genre-defiant and free of restrictive influence. After securing Danny Stevenson on keyboards, the search continued for a full lineup — but to no avail. Rather than delay their progress, the trio decided to record and release their debut EP, Provenance, during the winter of 2014.
Shortly after the release of Provenance, Danny parted ways with the group, while Bosson and Erwin began work on Lunar’s debut full-length, Theogony — a concept album based on The Nine Muses of Greek mythology. While reading about Melpomene, the Greek Muse of tragedy, Alex realized that the concepts that these Nine Muses represent — subjects such as history, tragedy, music, love, etc. — are the backbone for most creative output in this world. In keeping with the progressive element of the band, he had the idea to spread the musical and lyrical diversity of these themes across an entire album: each of the nine tracks named after one of the Muses, the music and lyrics based around the theme that each specific Muse represents.
Once more unable to flesh out a suitably complete lineup as writing progressed, Alex and Ryan decided to enlist contributions from other professional musicians around the world — initially a handful of guests laying down additional guitar solos. With the eventual additions of Ryan Price on bass and Chandler Mogel on vocals, a proper lineup for Theogony was set; and by the end of the recording process 17 different musicians had participated — including members of Hatriot, Angel Vivaldi, Helion Prime, Berried Alive, and more.
In the summer of 2017, Lunar signed on with Divebomb Records and are slated to release Theogony on CD later this year. A logical step forward from Provenance, the dynamically atmospheric hour-long journey of Theogony is sure to please fans of Porcupine Tree, Opeth, and Tool — to name but a few — with its lushly textured contrasts of beauty and aggression.
