{"id":11585,"date":"2023-04-11T11:35:49","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T10:35:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.progradar.org\/?p=11585"},"modified":"2026-08-21T16:04:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T15:04:05","slug":"ray-alder-announces-sophomore-solo-album-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progradar.co.uk\/index.php\/2023\/04\/11\/ray-alder-announces-sophomore-solo-album-ii\/","title":{"rendered":"RAY ALDER \u2013 Announces sophomore solo album II?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Launches first single\/lyric video This Hollow Shell? \/ Pre-order started!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the fantastic feedback for the first solo album by Fates Warning vocalist Ray Alder What The Water Wants back in 2019, InsideOutMusic are pleased to announce the upcoming worldwide release of the follow-up effort II on June 9th <\/sup>2023. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once again, just like for the What The Water Wants debut, the new album was written with guitarists Mike Abdow (Fates Warning touring member) and Tony Hernando (Lords Of Black) \u2013 who both also performed bass guitar on their own songs , features drummer Craig Anderson (Ignite, Crescent Shield) and was mixed by Simone Mularoni (Rhapsody, Michael Romeo, DGM). Ray Alder\u2019s second album is simply entitled II, but in musical terms this is a much more revealing, exploratory piece of work than its predecessor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ray Alder checked in with the following comment about II, whose cover artwork can be seen above:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we wrote the first solo album I wanted to try some different musical styles. I didn\u2019t want it to be really heavy, but more musical with catchy choruses. I think we did a pretty good job on that first one.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But with this new album I wanted the music and lyrics to be darker and heavier. I think Mike did a fantastic job with the music. He listened to what I was saying and thinking musically. Tony knows that I like the big choruses and somewhat traditional sound. And of course Craig did an amazing job on the drums as usual. It’s an honor to be able to work with them.

This album is more of a reflection of what I heard going forward as a solo artist. Longer songs, deeper lyrics and really pushing myself vocally. I hope that whoever listens to it enjoys it as much as I did while working on it… <\/em>

With the album\u2019s pre-order starting today, you can now check out the opening track This Hollow Shell in a lyric-video created by Cloud Music Typography here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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