Avalon (Sully Erna album)
| Avalon | ||
|---|---|---|
 | ||
| Studio album by Sully Erna | ||
| Released |
September 14, 2010 | |
| Recorded | Serenity West Studios, Hollywood, California | |
| Genre | Acoustic rock, symphonic rock, tribal rock, alternative rock, Native American music, piano rock | |
| Length | 54:40 | |
| Label | Universal Republic | |
| Producer | Sully Erna | |
| Singles from Avalon | ||
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Avalon is the first solo studio album by American rock musician Sully Erna, released on September 14, 2010.[1] Avalon is a combination of work that took Sully Erna almost seven years to complete.[2]
Background
In October 2006, Launch Radio Networks reported that Sully Erna has started working on his solo album. Although he wasn't exactly sure what shape it will take, Erna told Launch Radio Networks that "I've been putting some thought into it," he said. "I actually have some stuff that I'm doing on the side right now. I don't know when I'm gonna kind of unleash something like that, and I don't know really what it's gonna be yet. I have a couple of different ideas, and I'm not sure what and when it's gonna happen, but of course Godsmack is our lifeblood and we don't have any plans on trying to break this thing up. But, you know, we do want to venture out a little bit and just do some side stuff."[3]
While other Godsmack members were busy with their side project, Another Animal, it was reported by The Pulse of Radio that Sully Erna has officially launched his solo tour. The tour started on May 1, 2008, and ended on August 1, 2008. During the tour, Erna performed "Eyes of a Child", and "Until Then". Both songs are not featured on any known Godsmack album or compilation.[4]
During 2008, many people questioned the future of Godsmack, and rumors began swirling. Sully Erna put those rumors to rest, stating "The band's in great shape. We're getting along wonderfully, and there's no problems whatsoever. We all know this is an entity we can't just shut down; it's gonna continue to go, and everybody's just kinda doing something on the side that's...a little different than what we'd do from Godsmack."[5]
In March 2009, It was reported that Sully Erna has finished recording his first solo album, entitled Avalon. According to Erna, Avalon is a combination of work that took him almost seven years to complete.[2] Erna described Avalon as his best work to date, stating "I truly believe that this is my best work to date. I'm more proud of this record than any other music I have ever recorded."[6]
Sound
Sully Erna described the album as being "A very different kind of sounding record," and "A huge departure from anything I've ever done."[7] When interviewed by Billboard.com, Erna described the sound of his upcoming solo album as being very Native American tribal rhythms, stating "It's gonna be very Native American tribal rhythms mixed with these Middle Eastern bluesy kind of vocals. This is a project to get a different kind of music out of me that I feel is inside me. .. and not for any expectations about how big the hit may be or if it's gonna make it on the radio."[5]
 |
"Sinner's Prayer"
 Sample of "Sinner's Prayer". The song was originally written for this year's Sylvester Stallone blockbuster "The Expendables". "Sinner's Prayer" became available to download on August 3, which is the same date it can be heard on local radio stations across the country for the first time. |
| Problems playing this file? See media help. | |
In further describing the album's sound, Sully Erna posted a message on the band official forums, stating:
| “ | This is a series of beautifully arranged compositions that I have created over many years. Some compositions are newer, written with the help of my solo band mates. Others have been shelved over time waiting for the right moment to be released. That moment is finally here, and I couldn't be more proud to share it with all of you!![6] | ” |
Erna goes on to explain that the album was recorded with instruments such as hand drums, cellos, flutes and piano, making it very different from his signature sound with Godsmack.
| “ | This record was recorded with all hand drums, cellos, flutes, piano, etc... It is very eclectic and intellectual. It is something that you will want to put on when you're in the mood to lie on your couch, dim the lights, and light all your candles and incense. Just vibe out to this hypnotic variety of music, and enjoy the pictures that will be painted in your mind. This is a very visual record, so for sure the visuals will come. Don't be surprised if it triggers some deep emotions within you based on your own life situations. Either way, enjoy the ride, it's a beautiful one!![6] | ” |
The album features Lisa Guyer who had performed backing vocals for the song "Hollow" on Godsmack's previous album, classically trained cellist Irina Chirkova, and percussionist Niall Gregory of Dead Can Dance.[6]
Album title
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The meaning of "Avalon"
In this interview with TheAudioPrev, Sully Erna explained the meaning behind "Avalon". |
| Problems playing this file? See media help. | |
According to Sully Erna, the album was named after one of the songs on the album, entitled "Avalon", because it encompasses the album as a whole, stating:
| “ | If someone asked me if there was one song that could define our sound that’s the song I’d pick. It’s just a little bit of everything – Lisa sings great on that song and it’s just one of those songs I’d reference as haunting and hypnotic. It’s all hand drumming and has beautiful melodies. It’s a journey through meditation. The song is about experiencing visions and feelings you get under meditation. I just think it’s a really beautiful song, it’s very smooth and seamless. That’s the one I’d have represent the project.[8] | ” |
Promotion
"If I could ask one simple favor of all of you, I would ask for you to please pass this music on to as many people as you can. Spread the word that there is a great new record out, and if they don't have it yet, they are missing out on a real musical experience. Request Sinner's Prayer on the radio and help me make Avalon a great success."
In order to promote his solo album, Sully Erna has taken a different approach to getting his new music heard, stating "What we’re doing right now is just speaking with a lot of different film companies to see what movies are coming out this year and next year and trying to attach some of the songs to that."[7]
On September 25, Sully Erna told the Artisan News Service in a video interview that he was approached to record "Sinner's Prayer" for 2010's Sylvester Stallone film "The Expendables", which will also feature Jason Statham, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke and Randy Couture.[9] A few months later, however, Erna stated that the song won't be featured in that movie because Stallone changed the scene the song was attached to.[10]
Release
Avalon was released on September 14, 2010 through Universal Records.[1]
Release history
| Country | Date | Distributing label | Format | Catalog | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | September 13, 2010 | Spinefarm Records | CD and Music download services | B004071TIG | [11] |
| United States | September 14, 2010 | Universal Republic | B003XQRZA6 | [12] |
Reception
Commercial performance
The album debuted at number twenty-four on the US Billboard 200 chart with first-week sales of nearly 14,000 copies.[13]
Critical response
Upon its release, Avalon received unanimously positive reviews from music critics.
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Blistering |   [14] |
| Evigshed | [15] |
| Reflection of Darkness | [16] |
| Sea of Tranquility |  [17] |
| Zoiks! Online | positive[18] |
| Pop Culture Madness | positive[19] |
| AllMusic | [20] |
- Evigshed was one of the first websites to comment on Avalon, giving the album a perfect rating, stating "Sully Erna's Avalon is not simply a good album. It is an excellent first solo record, inspiring, inventive, peaceful, a must listen and a real delight.", then he finished his review with "It successfully combines haunting melodies with inspired tribal rhythms and a real sense of harmony. I really love Sully’s vocal style. Avalon is simply an excellent album and certainly is worth a listen. It is wholly captivating and brilliant. It will blow your mind."[15]
- Colin McNamara of Reflection of Darkness gave the album nine stars of ten, stating "For Godsmack fans who felt that their latest album, The Oracle, was a letdown due to a lack of tribal/spiritual influences, Avalon is the perfect remedy for that.", then he added, "Every song is a spiritual journey that doesn’t preach religion, just the stuff of life. Erna certainly respects his Wicca/ pagan beliefs, but his ultimate goal with Avalon was to connect his own life through readers in numerous ways, not his religious practices. Definitely worth looking into for those who like new age or acoustic music with strong messages."[16]
- Scott Ward of Sea of Tranquility gave the album extremely positive review, awarding it four and a half stars out of five, and stating "There is so much good on this album from top to bottom that it is hard to find any fault with it at all. This one is just great music from start to finish. Sully has given us a special treat that is meant to be savored.", then he added, "As good as the Godsmack album was earlier this year, this one is a much more powerful musical statement" [17]
- Bob Zerull of Zoiks! Online described Avalon as "one of the last great albums.", adding, "With Avalon Sully Erna earns the respect he's always deserved, but never gotten. Avalon is one of the last great masterpiece albums."[18]
- Kristyn of Pop Culture Madness gave the album positive review, and praised its honestly stating, "The tracks take the listener on a musical journey, painting vivid imagery and allowing us to lose ourselves in the albums haunting melodies and tribal rhythms. Sully Erna truly shows his amazing versatility as an artist, and the lyrical content exposes Erna’s more vulnerable side, which we don’t always get to see, as we are used to hearing the aggressive side of him with Godsmacks’ tunes.", she added, "Tracks like “Broken Road” and “7 Years” show raw honesty, which is something we see very little of in today’s music landscape."[19]
- James Christopher Monger of AllMusic gave the album positive review, and praised Erna's inventive and new musical approach, "...there’s a lot to be said for managing to crank out such a powerful product with all of the amps turned off.", he added, "That sound expands to an even greater extent on the single “Sinner’s Prayer,” bolstered by guest vocalist Lisa Guyer, Bulgarian cellist Irina Chirkova, and Dead Can Dance percussionist Niall Gregory."[21]
Singles
Sinner's Prayer
"Sinner's Prayer" featuring singer Lisa Guyer is the lead single from the album. Universal Records sent the song to U.S. radio on August 3, 2010.[22] The song became available as a digital download on August 3, 2010.[23] A music video of the song featuring Sully Erna's solo band members performing the song was released on September 15, 2010.[24]
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Sully Erna.
| Standard single disc edition | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Avalon" | 4:57 |
| 2. | "7 Years" | 8:41 |
| 3. | "Broken Road" | 5:08 |
| 4. | "Sinner's Prayer" | 4:17 |
| 5. | "My Light" | 5:28 |
| 6. | "The Rise" | 6:45 |
| 7. | "Until Then..." | 5:10 |
| 8. | "The Departed" | 5:50 |
| 9. | "Eyes of a Child" | 4:40 |
| 10. | "In Through Time" | 3:43 |
| iTunes & Amazon download editions | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 11. | "Cast Out (Spirit Ceremony)" | 4:34 |
- "The Departed" is an iTunes bonus track on the deluxe edition of The Oracle by Godsmack.
Credits and personnel
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Chart positions
Album - Billboard
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 | 24 |
| US Billboard Rock Albums | 9 |
| US Billboard Digital Albums | 21 |
| Greek Albums Chart | 65 |
References
- 1 2 "Godsmack Singer Sets Release Date For Solo Album". Blabbermouth.Net. 2010-07-29.
- 1 2 "Godsmack's Sully Erna Announces Solo Album". antiMusic.com. 2010-07-29.
- ↑ "Godsmack Singer Thinking About Solo Project". Blabbermouth.Net. 2010-11-01.
- ↑ "Godsmack Frontman Performs METALLICA's 'Nothing Else Matters'". Blabbermouth.Net. 2010-07-27.
- 1 2 "Godsmack's Erna Plots 'Exotic' Solo Album". Billboard.com. 2007-12-11.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Sully Erna releases his solo album Avalon". Godsmack.com. 2010-07-29.
- 1 2 "Godsmack Singer Calls Solo Album 'A Huge Departure'". Blabbermouth.Net. 2009-03-05.
- ↑ "Exclusive Interview With Sully Erna". TheyWillRockYou.com. 2010-09-13.
- ↑ "Sully Erna Working on The Expendables soundtrack" Metalrage.com. Retrieved on November 19, 2009.
- ↑ "Godsmack Frontman: ‘Our Sound Is Much More Mature Now’ – Apr. 12, 2010 – Blabbermouth.net | Motley Crue News at Rockzilla" Rockzillatv.com. Retrieved on April 12, 2010.
- ↑ "Avalon: Sully Erna". Amazon.co.uk.
- ↑ "Avalon: Sully Erna". Amazon.com
- ↑ "Sully Erna's 'Avalon' Cracks U.S. Top 25Review". Blabbermotuh.net. Retrieved 2010-09-22.
- ↑ "Blistering.com Review: Sully Erna - Avalon". blistering.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
- 1 2 "Sully Erna Avalon Review". Evigshed.com. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
- 1 2 "Reflections of Darkness - a dark music webzine - Sully Erna - Avalon". ReflectionofDarkness.com. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
- 1 2 "Review: "Erna, Sully: Avalon"". Sea of Tranquility. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
- 1 2 ""Godsmack’s Sully Erna’s ‘Avalon’ is one of the last great albums." – Music Review". Zoiks! Online. Archived from the original on 20 September 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
- 1 2 "Godsmack frontman Sully Erna debuts solo album Avalon". Pop Culture Madness. Archived from the original on 18 September 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
- ↑ Avalon (Sully Erna album) at AllMusic
- ↑ "AllMusic: Sully Erna's Avalon Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2010-09-14.
- ↑ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Archived from the original on 2 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-29.
- ↑ "Amazon.com: Sinner's Prayer: Sully Erna: MP3 Downloads" Amazon.com. Retrieved on July 27, 2010.
- ↑ "Sully Erna - Sinner's Prayer" on YouTube
External links
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