UTOPIA, the debut solo effort from Fifth Angel bassist John Macko, today announced the release of the self-titled first single from its upcoming album. The project also features drummer Ken Mary (FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, FIFTH ANGEL, ex-ALICE COOPER), guitarist Adrian Thessenvitz (AD INFINITUM) and vocalist Georgie Chapple. It melds elements of heavy metal, progressive rock, and jazz fusion into a melodic, yet powerful and distinct modern rock statement. A link to a lyric video for “Utopia” is available below.
The genesis of UTOPIA began with song ideas Macko developed over the last decade. After working with Mary closely during the songwriting process of Fifth Angel’s 2023 album, When Angels Kill, Macko decided to take the next step and assemble a group of talented musicians to bring his own vision to life.
“I grew up listening to Gentle Giant, the Beatles, and then playing pop music until I joined Fifth Angel and fell in love with heavy metal,” Macko said. “But UTOPIA is about presenting songs that are more progressive and cinematic in scope. It pays tribute to my roots, but it’s definitively modern metal with plenty of twists and turns.”
The project’s style is perfectly summarized by the title track. It transitions from heavy mid-tempo riffing and Chapple’s hauntingly pointed delivery to a soaring melodic chorus, as she wails, “How does it feel to walk on water? Can you hear me calling out your name?” The song changes time as guest Brent Barker provides a shredding guitar solo, with Chapple coming back in during the bridge, angrily warning that “The higher you fly the further you fall.”
“It’s really all about the dynamics,” Macko added. “That’s what UTOPIA does—delivers a style of heavy rock that can go all different directions. I’m really proud of the heaviness, the light and shade of all the songs, and how powerful Georgie’s lyrics are. She really takes these songs to a new level. I searched for a long time to find the right musicians to help me bring these tracks to life. Ken and Adrian delivered in a huge way. I couldn’t be happier with the result.”
UTOPIA’s album, out on February 6, 2026, via Outcast Angel Music, spans eight tracks: “No Way Home,” “Worthless,” “Madness,” “Utopia,” “Beauty of It,” “Violence,” “Singularity,” and “Anastasia.” The core band is joined by guests Brent Barker (lead guitar on “Utopia,” “Violence,” and “Anastasia”), Steve Conley (rhythm and lead guitar on “Singularity”) and Jim Dofka (lead guitar on “Singularity”).
The songs were all written together by Chapple, Macko, and Thessenvitz, except for “No Way Home” (Chapple/Thessenvitz) and “Singularity” (Macko). The record was produced by Thessenvitz and Macko, and mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios in Denmark. The album’s cover art was created by Henry Moreno of HHGRAPHX LLC.
The lyric video for “Utopia,” which was created by UK-based artist Andy Pilkington.
