Fly 2 The Sun is the second album by American rock band Soulidium

Soulidium

Soulidium is an American hard rock band formed in 2006. Formed in Tampa, Florida by frontman Michael McKnight, the band released their debut album, Children of Chaos in mid-2007. The band has toured & played with groups like Sevendust, Alice in Chains, Limp Bizkit, Alter Bridge, Puddle of Mudd ,...

. It is the first release since their 2007 debut, Children of Chaos

Children of Chaos (Soulidium album)

Children Of Chaos is the debut album by American alternative metal band Soulidium. The album was released in 2007. The song "Trapped" was also featured on the Saw IV soundtrack...

. A demo EP of Fly 2 the Sun was originally scheduled to be released on August 20, 2011, but was canceled upon the band entering discussions for a major label release. The album currently has no planned release date as of yet.

Background

Since 2007's Children of Chaos, frontman Michael McKnight had been working on music for a second album. Band members AJ Maldonado, Eric Beausoleil, Jake Jaden, and Danny Cayocca all either quit or were kicked out of the band for various reasons following the band's debut release. This led to McKnight replacing the former members with touring members Jadis Lucien and Chris Polidoro, both of whom were replaced before writing or releasing any media with the band. Guitarist Shadow Morte joined the band in 2008 and former drummer Danny Cayocca came back to the band in 2008, creating an incomplete three-piece band. In 2010, Michael McKnight found bassist Ilyn Nathaniel and second guitarist Spyder Zero Prime to complete the lineup and allow the band to begin recording a second album.

The band recorded from late 2010 until early 2011 for the unnamed album at Jan Smith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. In December 2010, McKnight confirmed the title of the album to be "Fly 2 The Sun" and a tentative release date of early 2011. During touring in 2010 at the 98Rockfest in Tampa, Soulidium played alongside Sevendust

Sevendust

Sevendust is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 1994 by bassist Vince Hornsby, drummer Morgan Rose and guitarist John Connolly. After their first demo, lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon and guitarist Clint Lowery joined the group...

 where Michael McKnight reunited with frontman Lajon Witherspoon

Lajon Witherspoon

Lajon Witherspoon is the vocalist for the Atlanta-based alternative metal band Sevendust. Members from such bands as Staind, Seether, Alter Bridge, and Diecast have listed Lajon and Sevendust as musical influences. In March 2008, Lajon was recognized in Hit Parader's magazine as one of the "Top...

. Soulidium had previously played 45 dates with Sevendust during the summer of 2008 where Michael McKnight had originally met Lajon Witherspoon. The two agreed to work together and McKnight traveled to Georgia to record the album's title track.

Recording concluded in June of 2011 after Soulidium had worked with producer Shawn Grove, who has worked with bands like Sevendust, Dashboard Confessional

Dashboard Confessional

Dashboard Confessional is an American rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from the debut album The Swiss Army Romance....

, and Matchbox Twenty

Matchbox Twenty

Matchbox Twenty is an American rock band, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1995...

, and producer Toby Wright, who has worked with Alice In Chains

Alice in Chains

Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...

, Metallica

Metallica

Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...

, and Korn

Korn

Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...

. Commenting on the album, Sevendust frontman and featured artist Lajon Witherspoon called the album, "The key to the box". Michael McKnight stated about the album that, "I think [a lot] of fans are going to really enjoy the hell out of what we have coming. I'm really proud of the band and everyone who's contributed to it. We can't wait to release it."

The band released the single, "Fly 2 The Sun" in May 2011. Any donation of $1 or more earned the single via email. The band announced on their website plans to release a limited edition EP on August 20, 2011 before releasing a full LP. However, the band entered discussions to sign with a major record label and therefore canceled the EP. Preorders for the EP will now be substituted for the full album upon release. A release date for the full LP is yet awaiting the outcome of label discussions.

Confirmed Tracks

• "Fly 2 The Sun" Feat. Lajon Witherspoon
  Lajon Witherspoon
  Lajon Witherspoon is the vocalist for the Atlanta-based alternative metal band Sevendust. Members from such bands as Staind, Seether, Alter Bridge, and Diecast have listed Lajon and Sevendust as musical influences. In March 2008, Lajon was recognized in Hit Parader's magazine as one of the "Top...
  
   - 3:18
• "Sacrificing You" - 3:54
• "A Reluctant Goodbye"
• "Calling"
• "S.O.A. (Son of Anarchy)"

Personnel

Soulidium

• Michael McKnight - Vocals/Songwriter
• Shadow Morte - Guitar
• Ilyn Nathaniel - Bass
• Danny Cayocca - Drums
• Spyder Zero Prime - Guitar

Additional musicians

• Lajon Witherspoon
  Lajon Witherspoon
  Lajon Witherspoon is the vocalist for the Atlanta-based alternative metal band Sevendust. Members from such bands as Staind, Seether, Alter Bridge, and Diecast have listed Lajon and Sevendust as musical influences. In March 2008, Lajon was recognized in Hit Parader's magazine as one of the "Top...
  
  - Vocals on "Fly 2 The Sun"

Production

• Produced, mixed, and mastered by Shawn Grove and Toby Wright