Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce the release of ‘Vagabond’, the debut album by new German metal band Sonic Haven. The group was founded by frontman Herbie Langhans, one of the most gifted metal singers on the current European scene.
“I didn’t write that many metal songs in the last few years, so am really on fire with Sonic Haven to do it again,” states Langhans with a smile. “I like classic, traditional and melodic metal with hard rock elements and sing-along parts, so my goal was to write an album that gives you a good feeling. You know, that makes you smile, that gives you goosebumps, that gives you power! I think it’s the perfect album to rest a bit in the Sonic Haven.”
The vocalist had previously been quoted as saying “for the last few years fans have asked me if I will do something again in the style of German melodic power metal. The answer is a resounding ‘yes’ and here I am with a great new line-up and an amazing album. I can’t wait to release it, and especially to hear what you think about it! With the support of Frontiers Records we hope to create something big…now we need your support to METAL ON with us!”
As for the kind of album he wanted the band to make, Langhans had a clear goal in mind from the outset, envisioning “a traditional metal album, but one that is up to date sonically and lyrically. It’s about life, friendships, pain, today’s society, dreams, relationships, family. I also wanted to write an album for the fans, as I am sure that a lot of people feel the same when they read the lyrics and compare it to their life situations. I wanted to write an album for everyone.”
Given the lockdown restrictions that have been in place, he adds that “everyone recorded their parts at home. It was important for me to have musicians that can record at home in good quality. They also bring a lot of cool ideas and their own style to the music. This is just our first album, but it already worked like clockwork!”
Of the title track and first single, he describes it as being “about people in our society that are different, but in a good and creative way, like musicians and artists. Often these people are not accepted, or people smile at them, like ‘come on guy, you wanna do music for living? Pah, just do a normal job from 9 to 5 and stop dreaming’. I would say no, never stop dreaming. You are a great singer, guitarist, painter, photographer or whatever, just do it and try to make your dreams come true. Don’t listen to those people with their boring jobs and boring life. And, especially this last year, a lot of artists feel like vagabonds, not accepted, not relevant, no support.”
Langhan has earned international recognition as a studio singer and as a member of the bands Avantasia, Voodoo Circle, Sinbreed, Beyond The Bridge and, more recently, Firewind. For Sonic Haven, he has put together an outstanding line-up of talent, including drummer André Hilgers (Bonfire, Rage, Silent Force), guitarist Carsten Stepanowicz (Radiant) and bassist Dominik Stotzem (Beyond The Bridge).
‘Vagabond’ was recorded and produced by Langhans together with Sascha Paeth (Avantasia, Kamelot, Beyond The Black, Sascha Paeth’s Masters Of Ceremony) on mixing duties, plus Michael Rodenberg aka Miro adding his signature touch on orchestrations.
VAGABOND
TRACKLISTING
1 Vagabond
2 Back To Mad
3 Nightmares
4 Keep The Flame Alive
5 End Of The World
6 The Darker Side
7 I Believe
8 Save The Best For Last
9 Blind The Enemy
10 From White To Black
11 Striking Back
SONIC HAVEN
VAGABOND
debut album
out 07.05.21
(Frontiers)
pre-order link
orcd.co/sonichaven
SONIC HAVEN
Herbie Langhans – vocals
Carsten Stepanowicz – guitars
Dominik Stotzem – bass
André Hilgers – drums
