Choir Collaborates with Death Metal Band for Latest Album
When a death metal band joined forces with a pop choir in response to a social media appeal, two musical genres converged in a unique collaboration.
Yula Andrews generously provided her choir, located in Framlingham, Suffolk, to assist the Ghosts of Atlantis band with their second album.
They collaborated to record three tracks in a village hall within the county.
According to band member Colin Parks, the recording process had more of a “tea and hobnobs” vibe than a typical rock and roll experience.
In a Facebook post from last year, lead singer Mr. Parks put out a call for female collaborators, stating, “I need some of your higher note goddess powers.” He went on to say, “You will be featured on the next record, if you’re up for it, let me know.”
Ms. Andrews, founder of the Pop Chorus in Framlingham back in 2012, responded to the message, and plans were arranged to meet at Burstall Village Hall.
Reflecting on the recording process, she remarked, “It was truly wonderful. We were belting out this music, but we were in a village hall in Suffolk on a Sunday morning, all of us in our jumpers. You couldn’t imagine anything further from death metal, but when you heard it in context, it just clicked.”
She went on to say, “We were uniting our music, and it was a genuinely lovely experience. Everyone was warm and welcoming, and the choir absolutely embraced it.”
Forty members of the choir joined forces with the band to record backing vocals for the latest tracks on the Riddles of the Sycophants album.
Mr. Parks, who also wields a guitar, remarked, “When you think of death metal, you might imagine some alcohol, but it was tea and hobnobs.”
Previously, the metal band had relied on virtual orchestras played on the piano to replicate the harmonies and sounds of a traditional choir.
Mr. Parks expressed that having the choir collaborate in person was a more pleasant experience.
“They are a community choir, and we are also from Suffolk, so it was lovely to see two worlds come together to create something a bit unique that nobody else was really doing,” he said.
“It has provided fans with an opportunity to experience something they wouldn’t have otherwise, and vice versa. I believe we’ve witnessed a wonderful crossover that dismantles barriers, and that was significant.”
The band launched their debut album in 2021 and have taken their symphonic music across Europe, with live performances in France, Switzerland, Germany, and Finland.
Ghosts of Atlantis boast a following of over 6,000 fans on Instagram, and their second album, featuring the Pop Chorus, was released just last week.
