Siren - "Back from the Dead"

Siren is a band that was established in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, USA in 1981. After releasing a series of well-received demos in the early 80’s, the band eventually landed a contract with a German label and released it’s first album in 1986. A second album, on a larger German label followed in 1988. By 1989, however, the band had gone on indefinite hiatus.

Almost 30 years later, though, fate intervened and through a series of events (detailed in the Siren EPK) the band was unexpectedly brought back together in 2017 to perform at the prestigious Keep It True festival in Germany the following year. Unbeknownst to the band, they still had a substantial and loyal following.

As Siren prepared for their reunion performance, labels approached them with offers to release an anthology of their early works. The resulting triple LP vinyl set with a replica of the debut Siren 7 inch single and a double CD set were released in 2018 to coincide with the live performance at Keep It True. These massive “Up from the Depths” collections also included new material recorded by the band for the anthology.

The band’s journey to prepare and perform at the festival was captured as it happened and is the subjected of a feature-length documentary film produced by wrestler/actor/author and Fozzy frontman, Chris Jericho. The film is scheduled for an early 2021 release through Gravitas Ventures. After their successful performance at the festival, and having been reunited for almost a year at that point, Siren decided to record another full-length studio album. It is not often that an independent band will have the advantage of a full promotional campaign for a film focusing on them. The album was recorded and released to make the most of this opportunity.

“Back from the Dead” is the new studio album from Siren. Released in the Spring of 2020, the music continues in the vein of their original influences such as Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Accept and Saxon, etc. but with a sound that remains uniquely their own. Stylistically the music can be described as traditional, melodic heavy metal with solid riffs, memorable hooks and even elements of prog scattered throughout. Vocalist Doug Lee’s voice remains a defining characteristic of the band’s sound, and ties together all of their recordings from 1984 through the present. Lee was also the singer for the highly respected progressive metal band Mekong Delta during the early 1990s while Siren was not active.

Drummer Ed Aborn, one of the founding members of the band in 1981, acted as engineer and producer for the recording of the new album. Guitarist Hal Dunn, also a founding member of Siren, and lead guitarist Todd Grubbs both brought their unique styles to the new material. Rounding out the current lineup of Siren is bassist Gregg Culbertson who also appears on the band’s third and final demo as well as their debut album, both released in 1986.

“Back from the Dead” features 15 songs and is available from FHM Records on CD and Underground Power Records on vinyl. Both labels are based in Germany and are solid supporters of the band. The album is also available digitally on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music and all popular streaming platforms.

“Back from the Dead” has received a very positive critical response from the media, including an 8.5/10 rating and review in Germany’s premiere metal magazine, Rock Hard. Other well-known magazines have also covered Siren’s resurgence on the metal scene including Sweden Rock, Deaf Forever and several web-based publications throughout Europe and the United States.

Tracklist:
The Sharpening
S-Blade Serenade
Fuel Injected Suicide
Science Fiction Movie
Lydia the Lunatic
The Devil May Care
Insomnia
Back from the Dead
I Am Clairvoyant
Watch Us Fly
Treason
Say It
Your Reality
How Do You Think I Feel?
Lost Passenger

Line-up:
Doug Lee - Vocals
Ed Aborn - Drums
Todd Grubbs - Guitar
Hal Dunn - Guitar
Gregg Culbertson - Bass

Credits:
"Back from the Dead" was recorded and mixed at Intersonic Studios in Valrico, Florida, USA with additional elements recorded at The Office in Brandon, Florida and Hellfire Club in Tampa, Florida.

The album was produced by Ed Aborn and Doug Lee and mixed by Ed Aborn and Todd Grubbs.

Mastering was performed by Jim Morris at Morrisound Recording, Tampa, Florida.

Links:
Web: www.SirenBand.us
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SirenBandUS
Instagram: SirenBandUS
Twitter: @SirenBandUS
BandCamp: sirenbandus.bandcamp.com