Angus McSix

Last updated

Angus McSix
Angus McSix in Stuttgart.jpg
Angus McSix on their debut tour 2023
Background information
Origin Switzerland, Germany, Italy
Genres Power metal, symphonic metal
Years active2021–present
Labels Napalm Records
Members
  • Thomas Winkler
  • Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann
  • Thalia Bellazecca
  • Manu Lotter
Website angusmcsix.net

Angus McSix is an international power metal band formed by Swiss singer Thomas Winkler and German producer, vocalist and guitarist Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann. The debut studio album, Angus McSix and the Sword of Power, was released on 21 April 2023 through Napalm Records. The band members each embody a character in the concept story told through this album.

Contents

History

Angus McSix was formed in August 2021 after the split of ex-Gloryhammer frontman Thomas Winkler and his fellow musicians. The leader of the German band Orden Ogan, Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann, contacted Winkler with the idea of forming a new power metal supergroup. He suggested Angus McSix as the band's name, in reference to the stage character Angus McFife embodied by him so far. The name arguably reveals the continuation of Winkler's previous stage character, but also indicates with a pun in the band's lyrics that the character has received an upgrade (becoming "one better", as Fife is one letter off Five) and will henceforth persist as a more powerful version of himself. To realize the story and complete the band, the two founders asked the Italian guitarist Thalia Bellazecca (ex-Frozen Crown) on the one hand and Manu Lotter, the former drummer of the band Rhapsody of Fire, on the other.

The quartet recorded the songs written by Winkler and Levermann at Greenman Studios during 2022 and met in Serbia, where they produced two music videos for their first two singles "Master of the Universe" and "Sixcalibur". The first single, "Master of the Universe", is seen by many fans as a dig at Winkler's former band, who had expelled him from the band by email after ten years. [1]

On 21 April 2023, Angus McSix's debut studio album was released under the Napalm Records label, entitled Angus McSix and the Sword of Power. This refers to the content of the song lyrics, which continues the story of the fictional Scottish crown prince Angus McFife XIII after he died a hero's death at the end of the Gloryhammer album last sung by Winkler and now returns from the realm of the dead as a stronger version of himself with the name Angus McSix. The album reached number ten in the German album charts, number 16 in the Swiss album charts and number 26 in the Austrian album charts, making it the most successful debut by a power metal band in those countries. It also reached number 24 in the UK rock and metal charts.

Music style

Angus McSix with Sixcalibur Angus McSix.jpg
Angus McSix with Sixcalibur

Angus McSix's style is influenced by both late 1990s power metal and modern disco elements. [2] Others see parallels in their music to Sonata Arctica or Blind Guardian. [3] The vocals are powerful, multi-faceted and clear, and have been described by reviewers as groundbreaking for the genre and compared to Rob Halford or Ronnie James Dio. [4] [5] The structure of the songs are mostly in classic verse form.

Members

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
GER
[6]
CH
[7]
AUT
[8]
UK
Rock

[9]
Angus McSix and the Sword of Power10162624

Singles

List of singles, showing year released and album/EP name
TitleYearAlbumRef.
"Master of the Universe"2023Angus McSix and the Sword of Power [10]
"Sixcalibur" [11]
"Laser-Shooting Dinosaur" [12]
"Ride to Hell" [13]

Music videos

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. "Alleged Leaked Group Chats Suggest Gloryhammer Are Misogynists + Obscene Racists". Loudwire. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  2. "ANGUS MCSIX – ANGUS MCSIX AND THE SWORD OF POWER". Metal Inside. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  3. "ANGUS MCSIX – ANGUS MCSIX AND THE SWORD OF POWER Review". Angry Metal Guy. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  4. "Angus McSix – Angus McSix and the Sword of Power (2023) – Review". Rockmusic Raider. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  5. "Angus McSix – Angus McSix and the Sword of Power Album Review". Sonic Perspectives. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  6. "Angus McSix – Angus McSix and the Sword of Power". offiziellecharts.de. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  7. "Official Swiss Album Charts: 21 April 2023 – 28 April 2023". hitparade.ch. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  8. "Angus McSix – Angus McSix and the Sword of Power". austriancharts.at. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  9. "Official Rock & Metal Album Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  10. "Angus McSix To Release Debut Album In April; "Master Of The Universe" Music Video Streaming". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  11. Team, Editorial (2 April 2023). "ANGUS McSIX Releases Second Single and Official Music Video "Sixcalibur'". Sonic Perspectives. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  12. "Angus McSix Get Animated For 'Laser-Shooting Dinosaur' Video". antiMusic. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  13. "Angus McSix Releases Action-Packed Animated Music Video "Ride To Hell"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved 5 April 2024.