Re-recorded tracks from the Slauter Xstroyes and Energy Vampires albums, plus unreleased material. Syncopated Angel - 1962-2018 - Dedicated to the memory of Jonathon Stewart.
Release date: April 21, 2023.
Jonathon Stewart was a charismatic and talented musician and person. His legacy includes two albums with Slauter Xstroyes and one album with Energy Vampires, and he has worked with some of Chicago's best musicians. In 2016 Jon decided he was going to re-record four Slauter Xstroyes tracks with new musicians on his own. He was in touch with Jimmy Caterine who had his own heavy metal story with Sacred Rite and started working on this project. Rich Hunziker started working with Jon so he could complete the vocals and in the meantime, Hunziker hired several guitarists for the lead and solo parts. It was then when they came across the unreleased "Portrait of Pain" track that once completed, Jon was stoked even more about this project. However, that goal of getting these five songs recorded would never be completed as he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in early May of 2018 and passed in late June of that same year. By mid-2019, Rich Hunziker finally had enough emotional strength to have his master tapes digitized. After messing around with them a bit, he decided he couldn't let those tracks go to waste and wanted to complete them in Jonathon Stewart's memory. What started as a small journey, became a full release using mostly the musicians from the four completed tracks but also guest musicians such as Chris Holmes (ex-W.A.S.P., solo), Steve Grimmett (Grim Reaper), Sonia Anubis (Cobra Spell, ex-Burning Witches, ex-Crypta), and others. They re-recorded more songs from Slauter Xstroyes and Energy Vampires using Jon's original vocal tracks from his master tapes, and now, you have a very special release dedicated to the memory of Jonathon Stewart.
Available versions:
- Limited CD
- 180gr black vinyl, limited to 400 copies.
- 180gr red vinyl, limited to 100 copie.
CD includes booklet with liner notes, lyrics and unpublished photos. Vinyl versions include a 4-page insert with liner notes, lyrics and unpublished photos.
TRACKLIST:
01. Mother Fucker
02. Syncopated Angel
03. Mind’s Eye (original 1992 demo)
04. Portrait Of Pain
05. Rock 'N' Roll
06. Winterkill
07. Free The Beast
08. No Idea
09. My Eyes
10. Battle Axe
11. Free The Beast (alternate solo)
12. Portrait Of Pain (2022)
Songs written and performed by:
Mother Fucker (Stewart, Sullivan): Jonathon Stewart (vocals), Chris Holmes (guitar solos), Jimmy Caterine (guitars), Peter Crane (bass), Steve Hambruch (drums).
Syncopated Angel (Stewart, Sullivan): Jonathon Stewart (vocals), Jimmy Caterine (guitars), Peter Crane (bass), Gerard K Gonsalves (drums).
Mind's Eye (Stewart, Sullivan) (unreleased song recorded in 1992): Jonathon Stewart (vocals), Brent Sullivan (bass), Vernon Voss (guitars), Tony Rios (drums).
Portrait Of Pain (Stewart, Sullivan) (unreleased): Jonathon Stewart (vocals), Dee J Nelson (acoustic & electric guitars), Andee Black (12-string acoustic guitar). Peter Crane (bass) and Gerard K Gonsalves (drums) on 2022 alternate version.
Rock 'N' Roll (Stewart, Verthein): Ethan Foxx (vocals) Jimmy Caterine (guitars), Peter Crane (bass), Gerard K Gonsalves (drums), Therese Cudmore (cello).
Winterkill (Stewart, Sullivan, Kratky): Steve Grimmett (vocals), Jimmy Caterine (guitars), Dee J Nelson (lead guitars), KP Bladez (bass, keys), Gerard K Gonsalves (drums).
Free The Beast (Stewart, Sullivan, Kratky): Berzan Önen (vocals), Jimmy Caterine (guitars) Sonia Anubis (lead guitars), KP Bladez bass, keys), Gerard K Gonsalves (drums). Dee J Nelson on lead guitars (bonus track).
No Idea (Stewart, Sullivan): Berzan Önen (vocals), Jimmy Caterine (guitars), Dee J Nelson (lead guitars), KP Bladez (bass, keys), Gerard K Gonsalves (drums).
My Eyes (Stewart): Sandy Essman (vocals), Jonathon Stewart (ghost vocals), Jordet (piano & keys), Cathie King (5-string violin), Therese Cudmore (cello). Strings arrangement composed by Jimmy Caterine.
Battle Axe (Stewart, Sullivan, Kratky): Jonathon Stewart (vocals), Jimmy Caterine (guitars), Peter Crane (bass), Gerard Gonsalves (drums).