Signum Regis have released “Time To Pay,” the opening track of their upcoming eighth album Beyond Spacetime, featuring former Judas Priest vocalist Tim “Ripper” Owens. The record arrives October 9 through Fireflash Records.
Bassist and founding member Ronnie König explains how the pairing came about:
“‘Time to Pay’ is probably my favorite track on the album. I think Filip didn’t write it with a specific singer in mind, but it ended up being the perfect fit for the one and only Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens. His drive is unmatched, his voice so unique that you can recognize him from miles away. Overall, this song captures passion for metal at its finest.”
Stream or download “Time To Pay”: save-it.cc/fireflash/time-to-pay | Bandcamp
An Album Of Guest Voices
Beyond Spacetime features a striking roster of singers: current vocalist Mayo Petranin, who recently returned to the band, his successor Jota Fortinho, plus Ripper Owens, Matt Smith of Theocracy, Ralf Scheepers of Primal Fear, Johnny Gioeli of Hardline and Axel Rudi Pell, Tasos Lazaris of Steel Arctus and White Wizzard, and David Åkesson of Symphonity and Quantice. Victor Smolski of Almanac and ex-Rage contributes a guitar solo on “Throne Of Gold.”
That lineup was never the plan. Guitarist Filip Koluš, who also mixed and produced the album, explains:
“Originally, the entire album was supposed to be sung by Jota Fortinho, but unfortunately, in 2024 he decided to leave the band. The album was already 80% instrumentally written and recorded, ready for the vocal recordings. Afterwards, we really wrote a list of singers who, from our perspective, would be ideal for the sound and meaning of each song. We didn’t set any barricades, we also wrote down the names of top singers, in many cases our all-time favourites, on who we basically grew up. We were shocked and extremely happy that we finally approached practically all the singers and none of them turned down the offer!”
Both Petranin and Fortinho appear on the record, sharing a duet on “Echoes Of Glory.” Mastering went to Miro Kiiski, known for his work with Beast In Black and Hypocrisy, with artwork by Uwe Jarling.
Songs With Long Histories
Several tracks predate the band itself. “Throne Of Gold” and “Back To Zero” go back to earlier incarnations, the latter written by original drummer Luděk Struhař. “Midnight Train,” “Into The Rabbit Hole” and “A Dream Or Two” come from pieces Koluš composed in his teenage years. The brand new material includes “Time To Pay,” “Waterfall,” “Morning Dawn” and the title track.
“Tell Our Fears Goodbye” is an acoustic piece Koluš dedicated to his wife, included as a CD bonus track with Johnny Gioeli on vocals.
“Just as much as with the music, on the new album we pushed the envelope with the lyrics as well,” says Tommy König, who wrote part of the lyrics. “You will certainly find some of the most daring, introspective lyrics ever to appear on our albums. We did not hold back!”
The band celebrates its 20th anniversary next year.
Pre-order Beyond Spacetime: save-it.cc | Bandcamp
Available on CD jewelcase with the exclusive bonus track, and on limited sunny yellow vinyl with a signed autograph card.
Signum Regis Live
- Oct 17 – Moon Fest, Nitra, SK
With Fellowship:
- Nov 6 – Blast Of Eternity, Heilbronn, DE
- Nov 7 – Brainstorm Festival, Apeldoorn, NL
- Nov 8 – Cacaofabriek, Helmond, NL
With Theocracy and Sunburst in 2027:
- Mar 5 – Nieuwe Nor, Heerlen, NL
- Mar 6 – Estrado, Harderwijk, NL
- Mar 7 – DVG Club, Kortrijk, BE
- Mar 9 – Le Chinois, Paris (Montreuil), FR
- Mar 11 – Teck Rock, Kirchheim Unter Teck, DE
- Mar 12 – Elements Of Rock, Uster, CH
Tickets: theocracymusic.com/tour
Signum Regis
- Mayo Petranin – lead and backing vocals
- Filip Koluš – guitars
- Ronnie König – bass
- Ján Tupý – keyboards, backing vocals
- Jaro Jančula – drums
