The Los Angeles, CA based heavy metal outfit Lightning Strikes have released their sophomore album ‘The King Is Victorious’.
It all started in early 2021… What began as a spark in Los Angeles quickly turned into a full-blown, global-spanning heavy metal mission. I laid down the thunderous drum tracks in L.A., setting the heartbeat of this album in motion.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet, Norifumi Shima was igniting Tokyo, Japan with blazing guitar tracks that tore through the silence like lightning across the sky.
Over in Germany, Mariano Gardella was forging his vocals with precision and fire. Deep in Texas, Barry Sparks locked in the low-end thunder, shaking the ground with seismic bass lines. And back in Los Angeles, Derek Sherinian was summoning pure magic from the keys, adding that cinematic storm to the sound.
Different cities. Different time zones. One unstoppable force. A global metal alliance — built track by track, continent by continent — until the sound became larger than borders, louder than distance, and powerful enough to shake the world.
To complete this project, as a Producer I encountered some challenges — not because of the musicianship, but because of everything happening around it. Coordinating artists across different time zones required patience, flexibility, and constant communication. On top of that, every single musician involved was actively committed to their own bands and major projects, each with demanding schedules and responsibilities.
There were moments when sessions had to be postponed, files had to wait to be exchanged, and plans had to be adjusted. But what made this journey special was the level of professionalism and mutual respect among everyone involved. We all understood that great work sometimes requires waiting. Rescheduling wasn’t a problem — it was simply part of the process.
In projects like this, delays are not obstacles; they are expected realities. What matters most is the shared vision and commitment to the final result. And thanks to everyone’s dedication, patience, and professionalism, we were able to overcome every logistical challenge and bring this project to life exactly as it deserved.”
Stream the album – here
Karpis Maksudian shared some thoughts on love that was put into creating ‘The King is Victorious’, “The excitement of the release comes from knowing this isn’t just another project. It’s the one people have been waiting on. The one that shows growth. The one that proves your sound evolved. The one that separates you from everyone else. The album was built on passion, fire, and brotherhood — and I’m beyond grateful to the warriors who stepped into the storm with me. A special, thunderous thank you to the legends who played on the title track ‘The King Is Victorious’ without hesitation, without conditions — just pure love for the music and the metal spirit: Rowan Robertson, Mark Zavon, Craig Goldy, Norifumi Shima, Takehiko “Shake” Kogure, Dario Mollo, Mariano Gardella, Rob Math, Barry Sparks, Derek Sherinian, Michael T. Ross and the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. Now it is time to let the world hear it.”
The bulk of the album was recorded by Maksudian, a Japanese guitar virtuoso, Norifumi Shima (Concerto Moon), American bassist extraordinaire, Barry Sparks (MSG, Yngwie Malmsteen), and up-and-coming Argentinian vocalist, Mariano Gardella, with keyboard maestro, Derek Sherinian (Black Country Communion, Sons Of Apollo), who guested on the group’s debut album, also making an appearance.
Originally formed in 1984, Lightning Strikes were the first metal band to feature an all Armenian-American line-up, well over a decade before the arrival of System Of A Down. Co-founder Maksudian revived the name with new personnel a quarter century after the initial breakup recording the group’s self-titled 2016 full-length debut with Brazilian vocalist Nando Fernandes (SINISTRA, HANGAR), the aforementioned Rob Math and Derek Sherinian, and former Black Sabbath vocalist, Tony Martin, who sang on and wrote the lyrics to ‘Death Valley‘ and ‘301 AD Sins of Our Fathers‘. Mixed by Roy Z, the album was well received and peaked on the Japanese Burrn! Magazine import charts at number 6.
Tracklisting:
- Fear Of Unknown
- Voices In My Head
- Clash Of Battalions
- The King Is Victorious
- Aim and Shoot
- Lucid Dreams
- New Beginning
- Masquerade Suite (Instrumental)
Line-up:
Karpis Maksudian – Drums/USA
Shima Norifumi – Lead Guitar/Japan
Barry Sparks – Bass/USA
Mariano Gardella – Vocals/Germany
Derek Sherinian – Keyboards/USA
Producer: Karpis Maksudian
Engineer: Dario Mollo