CRUCIAL VELOCITY Featuring Members of King Diamond, Shaolin Death Squad + Chastain Harris Premieres “Brainstorm”

CRUCIAL VELOCITY announces Controller, the follow up to their self titled 2023 album release, is forthcoming and due to drop January 10, 2025. Heavier, leaner and darker than the debut album, Controller is ready for the masses.

“On the new album, Controller, we took the elements that we loved from the debut and basically magnified them. The songs are more concise and heavy yet always melodic. There is a flow and a consistency throughout. We do not shy away from our influences. We embrace the classic hard rock and metal from the 80’s and 90’s while keeping it fresh and creating a unique CRUCIAL VELOCITY sound. Fans of Queensryche, Alice In Chains, Ghost, Black Sabbath and even prog metal will align with this album.”  – Nate Bauer

The theme of “control” runs through much of the album. Political unrest with cult like figures. Online mind control. Religious control. Brainwashing men to kill thousands in the holocaust…

“Brainstorm” – the powerful and haunting lead single – was created by CRUCIAL VELOCITY‘s Nate Bauer through empathetic perspective-taking inspired by his child with autism.

Nate Bauer explains “Brainstorm is a deeply personal song with lyrics written from what I imagine to be the perspective of my non-verbal son who, as a result of Tuberous Sclerosis, has severe autism and seizures. I tried to capture what it might be like inside of his head, as he is unable to verbally communicate for himself. It is a tribute of sorts to everyone affected by autism or any special needs.”

Video by Wayne Joyner (Dream Theater, Tremonti, Devin Townshend)

Matt Thompson (King Diamond) – Drums

Androo O’Hearn (Shaolin Death Squad) – Vocals, Keys

Michael Harris (Chastain/Harris, Darkology, solo artist) – Lead Guitar

Nate Bauer – Guitar, Bass, Keys, Songwriter

Gary Long (Nomad Recording, Dallas TX) – Mixing, Mastering

“Brainstorm”

lyrics written by Nate Bauer

I cannot speak words they escape me

Look in my eyes they will show the way

I have no curse I’m just a human

Searching for light in a world of grey

I am alive my heart is beating

I understand the things you say

I feel your touch comfort it gives me

I know that you’ll take my pain away

 

In my mind I see colors that you’ve never seen

In my head I go places that no one has been

In my mind there is never a moment serene

Through my eyes I see life as a chaotic dream

 

Brainstorm echoing waves of a constant sound

Brainstorm forever spinning me upside down

In my mind I am free from the stress that you feel

In my head I cannot tell if this life is real

In my mind there is never a moment serene

Through my eyes I see life as a chaotic dream

 

I cannot speak words they escape me

Look in my eyes they will show the way

I have no curse I’m just a human

Searching for light in a world of grey

I am alive my heart is beating

I understand the things you say

I feel your touch comfort it gives me

I know that you’ll take my pain away

CRUCIAL VELOCITY started as a collaboration between songwriter/guitarist/bassist Nate Bauer and veteran mixing/mastering engineer Gary Long, owner of Nomad Recording Studio, in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. (www.Nomadrecording.studio). This morphed into the need for talented musicians to carry out Nate’s vision of melding the dark atmosphere and complexity of Opeth, Black Sabbath and Voivod into shorter, more accessible songs with the hooks and vocal harmonies of Queen, Alice In Chains and Ghost. Once Matt Thompson, Androo O’Hearn, and Michael Harris came aboard, (plus a guest appearance by Buddy Sledge), the band released the self-titled debut album which has been featured and favorably reviewed in Metalized, Powerplay, Rock Hard Italy and Metallurg Magazines and the music has featured on independent radio stations across Europe, South America and Mexico.

CRUCIAL VELOCITY premiered their first Wayne Joyner directed video for “Lilium” from their debut album on November 29, 2023.

Nate Bauer shares “Lilium is a first hand account of a human cadaver dissection. Lilium takes her name from the Lily which is the “flower of death”. The experience had such a profound effect on me that the song practically wrote itself. This is a thank you letter of sorts to the cadaver for allowing me to see the human body in a way I never could have imagined”.

About the members of CRUCIAL VELOCITY:

Matt Thompson, Drums (King Diamond, Shaolin Death Squad); Matt has been the touring and studio drummer for King Diamond for 20 plus years. Powerful and inventive, Matt can do it all. @mattthmpsndrums

Androo O’Hearn, Vocals, Keyboards (Shaolin Death Squad): Androo is a professional vocalist and multi instrumentalist. Powerful and unique. His use of layered vocal harmonies is one of the most important ingredients to the sound of Crucial Velocity. @androoohearn

Michael Harris, Guitar Solos: Michael is a legend. He has recorded 18 albums consisting of solo projects, Thought Chamber (Inside Out label), Darkology and Arch Rival. He recorded an album with David Chastain and 3 albums with world-renowned keyboardist Vitalij Kuprij. www.michaelharrisguitar.com

Nate Bauer, Songwriter, Guitar, Bass, Keyboard: Nate is lifelong musician from the plains of South Dakota. Heavily influenced by Opeth, Black Sabbath, Voivod, Iron Maiden, 80’s metal. Nate has written and recorded over 80 songs.