Hidden Evolution by Angelus Apatrida

ANGELUS APATRIDA were once dubbed “the most promising and threatening Metal band from Spain!” when Century Media Records first launched the band internationally in the turn of 2009/2010. And it indeed became a non-stop busy period ever since the release of their “Clockwork” album. Kicking off with a support slot for the Spanish Arch Enemy tour in December 2009, this talented and voracious Thrash Metal quartet made sure to stay busy and spread their musical message on the road, doing about 80 (!) shows in their native Spain as well as in Portugal (with appearances at all relevant festivals, including Sonisphere or En Vivo) and crowning activities by acting as national support for the recent Slayer / Megadeth tour there. Additionally, ANGELUS APATRIDA also toured Europe twice for the release: First together with Skeletonwitch and Warbringer as well as later on with Dying Fetus, Keep Of Kalessin, Carnifex and Fleshgod Apocalypse, which launched the band towards the loyal European Thrash Metal legions…

Originally founded around 2000 in Albacete, Spain, the band’s name mixes Spanish and Latin language and can be translated into English as ‘stateless’ or ‘renegade’ angels. Previous to signing a worldwide deal with Century Media Records, ANGELUS APATRIDA had already put out two independent, self-released albums (“Evil Unleashed” in 2006 and “Give ‘Em War” in 2007) and finally managed to become the new leading Metal act in Iberia with their third album release, “Clockwork”, in 2010: Spain’s biggest music magazine Mondosonoro voted ANGELUS APATRIDA “Best Metal band of the year (2010)”, Kerrang Spain and Rockzone Mag named them “Best band of the year (2010)” and Rolling Stone Spain finally labeled them as "The Spanish band that plays the most outside of the country". Upon release, “Clockwork” entered the official sales charts in Spain on #44 as well as in Greece on #45 and the album’s first single, “Blast Off”, was backed up by a very effective and vivid video-clip, which opened further doors for the band.

ANGELUS APATRIDA’s next album, “The Call”, which showcased a progressing entity and their strongest material so far, entered the official sales charts in Spain at a stellar # 14 spot upon release in 2012 and was enhanced with the clever video clip for the track “You Are Next”, smoothly also continuing the rapid growth of the band internationally. The album’s touring campaign included two comprehensive European runs: First together with labelmates 3 Inches of Blood, with whom they also shared a split 7" EP release, Goatwhore and Havok, and then a second time with Havok and Savage Messiah. In order to prolongue the band’s cycle of activity and to debut their previous catalogue also outside of Spain, Century Media Records officially re-released the band’s early albums as a 2CD set with several bonus tracks (Total: 37 tracks!) entitled “Evil Unleashed / Give ‘Em War” in late 2013, followed up by a successful first-ever tour in Japan together with Rotting Christ and Havok, just before ANGELUS APATRIDA kicked off working on their next studio album release.

Entitled “Hidden Evolution”, the album - just as its two predecessors - has been once again recorded in Moita, Portugal at Ultrasound Studio with longtime producer Daniel Cardoso (Anneke Van Giersbergen, Anathema, etc.) and the expressive cover artwork was this time handled by Gyula Havancsák / Hjules.com, who has also decorated album sleeves of bands such as Annihilator, Destruction, Stratovarius, Grave Digger or also Nightingale. “Hidden Evolution” doubtlessly shines through as ANGELUS APATRIDA’s most versatile and matured effort to date, carrying forth the band’s trademark combination of raw Thrash Metal riffing heaviness pairing with ultra-melodic, almost traditional Heavy Metal rooted catchiness, both constantly embedded in very effective songwriting and topped off by Guillermo Izquierdo’s charismatic vocals. The main theme of “Hidden Evolution” revolves around discoveries and technical developments that have been secretly pushed back for different reasons (big corporations, possible danger towards establishment, governmental conspiracy, etc.) and the 10 tracks on the album consequently speak about the very current topic of how humans seem to easily be able to go against their own race based on various obscure interests.

A metal label with diverse tastes, Century Media arose from humble origins as a bedroom label based out of Dortmund, Germany in 1989 and have expanded greatly over the past 30+ years.

Acting as a beacon of professionality, reliability, and an unwavering dedication and passion to the most important thing of all – the music – Century Media are a flagship label in the metal and hard rock fields.

centurymedia.com
YouTube
Instagram
Facebook
cmdistro.de