Luke Appleton (Iced Earth / Absolva) releases new video in preparation of full solo album

Iced Earth bassist and Absolva guitarist Luke Appleton releases a debut full length solo album, featuring guest contributions from original Iced Earth singer Gene Adam, Absolva frontman/Blaze Bayley guitarist Chris Appleton, Metaprism singer Theresa Smith and Babylon Fire guitarist Rishi Mehta.

‘Snake Eyes’ is the follow-up to the acoustic EP ‘How Does It Feel to Be Alive?’ which was released in 2018. In contrast, although ‘Snake Eyes’ is acoustic-based, it features some electric guitar, midi-orchestration and percussion. The result is a real mix of rhythms and vibe, from the emotional ‘Crocodile Tears’ to the upbeat ‘Medusa’, to the beauty of the vocal duet in ‘First Star’.

The album was recorded in February 2019, engineered and produced by Luke’s brother and fellow Absolva member Chris Appleton who also produces (and plays guitar) for former Iron Maiden singer Blaze Bayley. Artwork by Brazilian Caio Caldes of Cadiesart (Dragonforce/Absolva).

The guest performances are as follows….
Gene Adam – vocals on ‘Slay the Hydra’
Chris Appleton – guitar solo on ‘Crocodile Tears’
Theresa Smith – vocals on ‘First Star’
Rishi Mehta – guitar solos/melodies on ‘Stone Broke From My Heart’ and ‘Walkers’

Track listing….
1. Inside Out
2. Medusa
3. Snake Eyes
4. First Star
5. Heart Returns
6. Crocodile Tears
7. Stone Broke From My Heart
8. Walkers
9. The Other Side
10. Slay the Hydra
11. A Man of a Thousand Words
12 How Does It Feel to Be Alive? (Live – bonus track)

The album is released 26th April 2019 on the Rocksector Records label and is available to order now from Luke’s own website www.lukeappleton.net

Luke has this to say…. “Snake Eyes is an emotional rollercoaster of which I’m extremely proud. Lyrically and performance-wise I believe this is some of my best work to-date. I wanted to create something that is much more than ‘just an acoustic album’ and I feel I’ve succeeded in that goal”

Fans will get the opportunity to see Luke perform on the road this year with the following tour dates arranged….

21st April : Belgium, Deinze, Cafe Elpee
27th April : UK, Whitehaven, Three Tuns
28th April : UK, Blackpool, Waterloo
3rd May : Belgium, Bree, Ragnarock
4th May : Belgium, Hamme, Rockfest Hall
10th May : Germany, Konstanz, Backstage Rock Bar
11th May : Germany, Balingen, Doppel Decker
18th May : Netherlands, Geleen, Cafe De Meister
19th May : Netherlands, Helmond, Muziek Cafe
26th May : UK, Bromsgrove, Breaking Bands Festival
13th July : UK, Manchester, SOS Festival
10th August : Finland, Kotka, Dark River Festival
1st September : UK, Newcastle, Trillians
5th September : Greece, Thessaloniki, Stones Rock Bar
6th September : Greece, Skydra, Stones Rock Bar
7th September : Greece, Athens, Tithora
20th September : UK, Bristol, The Gryphon
21st September, UK, Stoke, Freebird
22nd September, UK, Oldham, Whittles