When 'Avalon' finally hits stores on Sept. 14, it will mark the culmination of a project that Erna's been chipping away at for the better part of a decade. Rumors of a new solo album from Erna began circulating as early as 2006, when the musician told Launch Radio that he was thinking of putting together some of his own work. Over the course of the next few years, rumors of Godsmack's impending breakup (that proved to be false) and Erna's own 2008 solo tour only fueled speculation about, and anticipation for a new solo effort. Now, the long-awaited day is finally upon us. And according to Sully Erna, fans should prepare to be blown away.
As Noisecreep reports, Erna has stated repeatedly that his forthcoming solo album will be nothing like the heavy, hard-rock sound that Godsmack is known for. Indeed, the album features contributions from decidedly non-Godsmack-esque musicians, including Lisa Guyer on vocals, classically trained cellist Irina Chirkova and percussionist Niall Gregory of Dead Can Dance, along with a host of musicians wielding instruments like hand drums, flutes and the piano.
Still, Erna remains confident that his new album reflects some of the best work he's ever done as an artist. "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," he wrote in a blog post on Godsmack's MySpace page. Just to make sure his fans wouldn't be confused, though, Erna added, "I must emphasize that THIS IS NOT A ROCK RECORD! 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 bandmates. 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!"
In an interview with Billboard, Erna gave more details about what fans might expect when they crack open 'Avalon' for the first time. "It's gonna be very Native American tribal rhythms mixed with these Middle Eastern bluesy kind of vocals," he says. "This is a project to get a different kind of music out of me that I feel is inside me." Erna's already released one song, 'Sinner's Prayer,' off of his new album; and, as we reported earlier, it's definitely a step in an entirely new direction. As for the rest of the album, we'll all have to wait a few more weeks before getting a taste of Erna's new sound. In the meantime, check out the full track list for 'Avalon' below.
Sully Erna, 'Avalon' Track List:
1. 'Avalon'2. '7 Years'
3. 'Broken Road'
4. 'Sinner's Prayer'
5. 'My Light'
6. 'The Rise'
7. 'Until Then...'
8. 'The Departed'
9. 'Eyes Of A Child'
10. 'In Through Time'