Chasing the Grail
Encyclopedia
Chasing the Grail is the fourth album from the Heavy Metal
band Fozzy
. It is their first album since the release of All That Remains
and was released on January 26, 2010.
had signed the group to a worldwide deal for the release of a new album. According to guitarist Rich Ward, Riot is the only label worthy of releasing the album. According to lead vocalist Chris Jericho, "For the first time, Fozzy has a ballad on the album and a 14-minute prog rock-inspired tune called 'Wormwood'". According to Jericho, the song 'Broken Soul' is a "'70s-type Southern rock-type ballady-type tune". In June 2009 the band was finishing the last details of the album.
"Martyr No More" was used as one of the official theme songs for the 2010 WWE Royal Rumble
pay per view.
Rich Ward on "Let The Madness Begin"
"[That particular track] is all about the balance between a really good, classic melody and a great, classic rock riff. That was our focus for the whole record, but I think 'Let The Madness Begin' is probably the one song on the album where I think that balance is best.
"Sometimes when you're trying to write a heavy album, you find that sometimes you'll end up compromising the melody for the riff, because obviously, the riff is so important for the drum part. On some rock albums, the vocals become the focus, and then the music takes a backseat. We tried to find that fine line where the music was important and the melody was important. We treated them as equals, and I think 'Let The Madness Begin' was that perfect balance between hard rock melodic vocals and a big metal riff."
On July 22, Fozzy released the music video for their second single, "Let The Madness Begin", which was a compilation of the band performing the song from multiple concerts in the U.S. and U.K. in the early portion on 2010.
and Chris Jericho
unless otherwise noted.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Fozzy
Fozzy
Fozzy is an American heavy metal/hard rock band, formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 1999. Lead singer Chris Jericho , who is also a professional wrestler, resides in Florida, while the rest of the band lives in Georgia. The band is currently signed to Riot! Entertainment...
. It is their first album since the release of All That Remains
All That Remains (album)
- Singles :* "Enemy"* "It's a Lie" * "Born of Anger" * "The Test"- Personnel :* Chris Jericho — lead vocals* Rich Ward — lead guitar, Backing Vocals* Mike Martin — rhythm guitar* Sean Delson — bass guitar...
and was released on January 26, 2010.
Background
In March 2009, the band announced that Riot EntertainmentRiot Entertainment
Riot! Entertainment is an independent record label, music distribution service and tour promoter based in Wollongong, Australia. According to their website, Riot is Australia's biggest heavy metal music distribution company. The company serves as the Australian distributor for Nuclear Blast, Metal...
had signed the group to a worldwide deal for the release of a new album. According to guitarist Rich Ward, Riot is the only label worthy of releasing the album. According to lead vocalist Chris Jericho, "For the first time, Fozzy has a ballad on the album and a 14-minute prog rock-inspired tune called 'Wormwood'". According to Jericho, the song 'Broken Soul' is a "'70s-type Southern rock-type ballady-type tune". In June 2009 the band was finishing the last details of the album.
Release and reception
The album was released through Riot! on January 26. The album did not chart on the Billboard 200, it did however, chart on the Heatseekers Album charts, reaching # 6 at its peak. The album commercially did not do extremely well, selling little over 2000 copies in its first week.Martyr No More
On September 8, 2009, the band released the first material from the album, "Martyr No More", along with the album art and a release date of January 26, 2010."Martyr No More" was used as one of the official theme songs for the 2010 WWE Royal Rumble
Royal Rumble (2010)
Royal Rumble was the twenty-third annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on January 31, 2010 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia and featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown and ECW brands...
pay per view.
Let The Madness Begin
On October 16, 2009, the band released the second single from the album, entitled "Let The Madness Begin".Rich Ward on "Let The Madness Begin"
"[That particular track] is all about the balance between a really good, classic melody and a great, classic rock riff. That was our focus for the whole record, but I think 'Let The Madness Begin' is probably the one song on the album where I think that balance is best.
"Sometimes when you're trying to write a heavy album, you find that sometimes you'll end up compromising the melody for the riff, because obviously, the riff is so important for the drum part. On some rock albums, the vocals become the focus, and then the music takes a backseat. We tried to find that fine line where the music was important and the melody was important. We treated them as equals, and I think 'Let The Madness Begin' was that perfect balance between hard rock melodic vocals and a big metal riff."
On July 22, Fozzy released the music video for their second single, "Let The Madness Begin", which was a compilation of the band performing the song from multiple concerts in the U.S. and U.K. in the early portion on 2010.
Track listing
All songs by Rich WardRich Ward
Richard Park "Rich" Ward is an American guitarist, also known by his stage name, "The Duke". Ward is best known as a founding member of Stuck Mojo, a popular and influential underground rap-metal band of the 1990s, but he is also known as lead guitarist of heavy metal band Fozzy.-Early life:Ward...
and Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho
Christopher Keith Irvine , better known by his ring name Chris Jericho, is an inactive Canadian-American professional wrestler, musician, songwriter, radio personality, television host, actor, author, and dancer...
unless otherwise noted.
- "Under Blackened Skies" (Ward, Jericho, Sanders) - 5:32
- "Martyr No More" - 4:36
- "Grail" - 5:09
- "Broken Soul" - 4:09
- "Let the Madness Begin" - 3:47
- "Pray for Blood" - 5:11
- "New Day's Dawn" - 4:34
- "God Pounds His Nails" - 4:20
- "Watch Me Shine" - 3:38
- "Paraskavedekatriaphobia (Friday the 13th)" - 5:26
- "Revival" (Ward) - 4:47
- "Wormwood" (Jericho, Martin) - 13:52
Personnel
- Chris JerichoChris JerichoChristopher Keith Irvine , better known by his ring name Chris Jericho, is an inactive Canadian-American professional wrestler, musician, songwriter, radio personality, television host, actor, author, and dancer...
– Lead vocals - Rich WardRich WardRichard Park "Rich" Ward is an American guitarist, also known by his stage name, "The Duke". Ward is best known as a founding member of Stuck Mojo, a popular and influential underground rap-metal band of the 1990s, but he is also known as lead guitarist of heavy metal band Fozzy.-Early life:Ward...
– Guitars/vocals - Sean Delson – Bass guitars
- Frank FontsereFrank FontsereFrank Fontsere is a professional drummer from Marietta, Georgia, United States, known mostly for his work in rap/metal group Stuck Mojo ...
– Drums
Additional personnel
- Eric Frampton – PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, Hammond organHammond organThe Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company. While the Hammond organ was originally sold to churches as a lower-cost alternative to the wind-driven pipe organ, in the 1960s and 1970s it became a standard keyboard...
& keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Renny Carroll ( Forever Never) Harmony backing vocals
- Jeff WatersJeff WatersJeff Waters , is the guitarist and mastermind of the metal band Annihilator. He was born in and resides in Ottawa, Canada. As the main member and songwriter for Annihilator, Jeff is considered among the most influential guitarists in the world and as a top songwriter. He is also a well-known mix...
– Guitar solos on "Martyr No More" and "God Pounds His Nails" - Mike Martin – Producer, all guitars and backing vocals on "Wormwood"
- Lord Nelson – Revelator on "Wormwood"
- Rosemary Serpa, John Martin, Mike Martin, Sarah Martin, Tiffany Martin, Sophia Martin, Danny Messier and Katie Messier @ St. Michael's Episcopal Charleston, SCCharleston, South CarolinaCharleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
– Choir vocals on "Wormwood"