By Justin Smulison
Holy Mother is a hard rock/metal band founded in Long Island, New York in the early 1990s, after singer Mike Tirelli and drummer James Harris left Jack Starr’s Burning Starr. Holy Mother had steady and considerable output in the 1990s and early 2000s, and went on an unforeseen long-term hiatus after 2003’s Agoraphobia.
The members stayed active in the rock and metal community, most notably with Tirelli and bassist Randy Coven joining Riot in the mid 2000s, and Tirelli also joining Messiah’s Kiss.
But in 2020, Tirelli and Harris reactivated Holy Mother and released their comeback, Face This Burn via Massacre Records in 2021. The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with several local shows in NY, tempered by extended tours in the EU in support of globally renowned acts like Dynazty and Doro. Tirelli and Harris noted that the audiences – whether they were longtime or new fans – had the appetite for a follow-up, and so they went to work on the new LP, Rise, which is available June 7 worldwide from Massacre Records.
The album retains the hard rock/metal spirit of Face This Burn and back catalogue albums like Criminal Afterlife and Toxic Rain. Here, Tirelli’s vocal work has more layers, with melodies and choruses becoming almost operatic. Listen to “The Elevator” and the first single, “Fire” for the band’s trademark edgy, yet melodic metal style.
Rise is a pivotal time in the band’s history, as it marks the debut of new guitarist Mickey Lyxx and bassist Wayne Banks (now on double duty in Messiah’s Kiss), as well as the final drum contributions of Harris, who announced his departure after the record was completed.
Tirelli and Lyxx spoke with Jace Media contributor, and fellow Long Islander, Justin Smulison about maintaining the momentum after the initial comeback, the experience of supporting Doro and preparing to head back to Europe for another run opening for the metal queen, and some of the stand out tracks fans will hear at live shows.
Barbeuk Metal Fest in the town of Orée d’Anjou
Barbeukmetalfest.fr
https://www.holymotherband.com • https://www.facebook.com/holymotherband • https://www.instagram.com/holymotherband https://youtube.com/@Holymotherband
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