In the spring of 1991 WICKED MARAYA, signed to an independent record label, begin rehearsals on the songs for what is scheduled to be their debut CD. The band decides to team up with producer Jim Morris (Savatage, Iced Earth), known for his melodic fused production, and they begin with the pre-production, and start recording “Lifetime In Hell” at the world renowned Morrisound Recording Studio.
Upon completion of the album, although still signed to their label, the band showcases for labels and a larger management, since the band did not attain the next tier representation that they were seeking. During this time WICKED terminates the relationship with the band’s label and management.In May of 1992, WICKED MARAYA journey to L.A. to showcase their talent on the West Coast. The band quickly becomes a popular force on the Sunset Strip, as their heavy/thrash/progressive style is a bit left of center from the usual acts, and their bombastic performances have the Strip buzzing. However, no record deal comes.
WICKED MARAYA begin writing and rehearsing new material. In November of 1992, Jim Morris joins the band in L.A., and once again the partnership begins creating the next phase of WICKED MARAYA. A 5- song demo is produced with a vast progression from the more raw metal style of “Lifetime In Hell”. These songs exhibit more moody, atmospheric vocals, and a heavier, groove oriented, guitar harmony laden sound.
The demo makes its way to the Fanzine realm as well as local radio. Over the next year, with several very positive reviews in the press, the demo finds its way to Europe. A call comes from Mausoleum Records in Germany, with whom WICKED MARAYA sign a recording contract.
In early 1994, the band and Jim Morris fly to Germany to begin recording “Cycles” – the band’s moody, melodic, precisely crafted album, to be released in Europe in April 1994. The band then embarked on a highly successful European tour opening for Metal Church. The album hit #1 on the German Album Rock Radio charts, and received major acclaim in such prestigious European
magazines as Aardschok and RockHard.
The video for the single “Another Day”‘ was released nationally on Warner Bros. Rock Video Monthly, as well as getting major airplay on Europe’s VIVA Television.
Following the July 1994 U.S. release, WICKED MARAYA went on three consecutive cross-country tours – as a co-headliner with Chicago’s Cyclone Temple and as support for Dee Snider’s Widowmaker and also guitar maestro Yngwie Malmsteen. U.S. radio stations also embraced the debut CD, as well as American music magazines. In July 1996, the band – now called MARAYA – signed a licensing deal for Europe with Rising Sun Productions in Germany, for their second CD “No Hope For Humanity…?” MARAYA then went on another successful European tour with Skyclad to support the release of the new CD. MARAYA, and their U.S. record label, 80 West Records, released their third CD “Counterculture” in 1998. Headlining tours in the U.S. followed, as well as supporting slots with Great White, Dokken, RATT, Fu Manchu and Superjoint Ritual, to name a few.
FACTS
– The new/old and 4th album by the US Power/Melodic Metal outfit WICKED MARAYA!
– Recorded in 1991 and now finally released with 2 new songs!
– Produced by Jim Morris at Morrisound Recording in 1991.
– New songs “Suicidal Dawn” and “Fall From Grace” recorded and produced by John Iadevaio at Soundmine Recording Studio in autumn 2014, mixed and mastered by Daniel Malsch.
– Backing vocals on “Seizure” by Luc Lemay of Gorguts.
– Album artwork created by Georgi from Moon Ring Design.
BIOGRAPHY
Founding members and brothers John Iadevaio, Michael Iadevaio, childhood friend FALCO, cousin Dan Malsch along with good friend Mike Nack are the force behind WICKED MARAYA’s music. Their live performance thrives on dynamics, attitude, and building tension by raising and lowering intensity levels, then climaxing with a unique burst of power!
After an 18 year break, WICKED MARAYA is back with 2 new songs, a new video, and a new/old album: “Lifetime In Hell” – their 1991 unreleased first recording with legendary Producer Jim Morris! 3 years before the release of their critically acclaimed debut CD “Cycles”, WICKED MARAYA recorded their 9 song effort at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, FL.
A heavy, bombastic, raw CD, “Lifetime In Hell” is WICKED MARAYA at their earliest, hungry stage… setting the pre-cursor to the “Cycles” sound, with big vocals and twin harmony guitar work.
Together with 2 new songs – “Suicidal Dawn” and “Fall From Grace” – WICKED MARAYA is ready to release their new music to the world, along with the video for “Suicidal Dawn”.
Having toured the US and Europe both as a headliner and as support for bands like Metal Church, Yngwie Malmsteen, Dee Snider, Dokken, RATT, Great White and Skyclad, WICKED MARAYA is looking forward to once again hitting the stage and bringing their sound to their fans!
DISCOGRAPHY
1994 – Cycles • 1996 – No Hope For Humanity…? • 1998 – Counterculture • 2016 – Lifetime In Hell
US RELEASE DATE: May 6th, 2016
FORMAT: CD
LABEL: Massacre Records
CAT. NUMBER: MAS CD0939
RUNNING TIME: 50:07 Minutes
Genre: U.S. Power Metal
HOME COUNTRY: USA
BARCODE: 4028466109392
TRACK LIST
1. Sounds Of Evil
2. Lifetime In Hell
3. Tomorrow’s Child
4. Crash & Burn (Idiot’s Delight)
5. Seizure
6. Johnny
7. The Calling
8. River Runs Black
9. Blackout
10. Fall From Grace
11. Suicidal Dawn
LINE-UP
FALCO – Vocals
John Iadevaio – Bass
Michael Iadevaio – Guitar
Daniel Malsch – Guitar
Mike Nack – Drums