Slovak melodic power metal outfit Signum Regis have announced a European tour supporting Theocracy and Sunburst, ahead of their eighth studio album Beyond Spacetime, out October 9 through Fireflash Records.
“When we got the offer to join Theocracy on their European tour, we immediately said yes. They are the perfect match for us. We have known and worked with Matt Smith for years and have a lot of respect for Theocracy. Fans have been asking for such a tour for a long time, and now it is finally about to happen. We are very much looking forward to it,” comments bassist Ronnie König.
The band has also just released a fourth single and lyric video for “Back to Zero,” featuring Tasos Lazaris of Steel Arctus and White Wizzard.
“Our new single ‘Back to Zero’ is a hard-rocking song about standing up after you’ve fallen to your knees, about coming back from a difficult situation stronger than ever. The lead singer on this one is Tasos Lazaris. After he finished recording it, I knew this guy was pure gold. Amazing performance on a great song written by our old friend and former Signum Regis drummer Luděk Struhař, with lyrics by Tommy König,” the band comments.
A Record Full Of Guest Vocalists
Beyond Spacetime features a striking roster of singers. Current vocalist Mayo Petranin, who recently returned to the band, appears alongside his successor Jota Fortinho, plus Ripper Owens (ex-Judas Priest), Matt Smith (Theocracy), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Johnny Gioeli (Hardline, Axel Rudi Pell), Tasos Lazaris and David Åkesson (Symphonity, Quantice). Victor Smolski of Almanac and ex-Rage contributes a guitar solo on “Throne Of Gold.”
That lineup was not the original 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, and even share a duet on “Echoes Of Glory.”
“We are so satisfied and proud of it! Even though the last 3 years were not easy for the band, this is definitely not just a ‘next’ Signum Regis album, we are a band, we are always aiming to create something special, for us, and for fans,” Koluš adds, noting the record would be “completely different compared to our common production. We jumped out of our basic style, we were experimenting with new things in the studio a lot, we teleported King Rex from the ground to space, which sounds crazy, but that’s how it was supposed to be!”
Mastering went to Miro Kiiski, known for his work with Beast In Black and Hypocrisy. The artwork comes from Uwe Jarling, whose credits include Heaven’s Gate, Grave Digger and Front Row Warriors.
The album spans uptempo power metal hymns, epic and progressive tracks, true metal fist-raisers, neo-classical touches and ballads. Some songs go back decades: “Throne Of Gold” and “Back To Zero” predate the band in various forms, and “Midnight Train,” “Into the Rabbit Hole” and “A Dream or Two” come from pieces Koluš wrote in his teenage years. “Midnight Train,” originally an instrumental for classical guitar, was rearranged with vocals and tells the story of an old man waiting for his last train. “Tell Our Fears Goodbye” is an acoustic piece Koluš dedicated to his wife.
“Just as much as with the music, on the new album we pushed the envelope with the lyrics as well. On ‘Beyond Spacetime’ they reflect both personal and universal experiences. You will certainly find some of the most daring, introspective lyrics ever to appear on our albums. We did not hold back!” says Tommy König, who wrote part of the lyrics.
The band celebrates its 20th anniversary next year.
Pre-order Beyond Spacetime: save-it.cc/fireflash/beyond-spacetime | Bandcamp
The CD jewelcase includes the exclusive bonus track “Tell Our Fears Goodbye” featuring Johnny Gioeli on vocals. A limited sunny yellow vinyl edition comes with a signed autograph card.
European Tour With Theocracy And Sunburst
- March 5 – Nieuwe Nor, Heerlen, NL
- March 6 – Estrado, Harderwijk, NL
- March 7 – DVG Club, Kortrijk, BE
- March 9 – Le Chinois, Paris (Montreuil), FR
- March 11 – Teck Rock, Kirchheim Unter Teck, DE
- March 12 – Elements Of Rock, Uster, CH
Theocracy and Sunburst also play March 13 at Fullmetal Osthessen in Niederaula, DE and March 14 at Werkhof in Hagen, DE, both without Signum Regis.
Tickets: theocracymusic.com/tour
November Shows With Fellowship
- November 6 – Blast Of Eternity, Heilbronn, DE
- November 7 – Brainstorm Festival, Apeldoorn, NL
- November 8 – Cacaofabriek, Helmond, NL
Signum Regis
- Mayo Petranin – lead and backing vocals
- Filip Koluš – guitars
- Ronnie König – bass
- Ján Tupý – keyboards, backing vocals
- Jaro Jančula – drums
