Hour of 13 Announce Return; Rare Tracks Compilation Coming Soon
The last time we heard from Hour of 13 was in Spring 2014, when the band issued what would be their final track in a tribute to the recently-departed Jason McCash from The Gates of Slumber. By then, founding multi-instrumentalist Chad Davis had already taken the band through three somewhat tumultuous albums, beginning with their 2007 self-titled on Shadow Kingdom and then moving to Eyes Like Snow/Earache for 2010’s The Ritualist (streamed here) and Earache alone for what would become their swansong in 2012’s 333 (discussed here).
After trading out frontman Phil Swanson for Ben Hogg, also of Beaten Back to Pure, the band continued on for a while but eventually came apart with the previously-noted “Upon Black Wings We Die,” Davis moving on to a number of other projects, among them Night Magic, which was started in 2015 to be a direct continuation of what Hour of 13 accomplished.
Reportedly before the end of this year, Hour of 13 will join forces with Shadow Kingdom to release Salt the Dead, a collection of rare and otherwise unreleased tracks that will mark their return to existence as a band. Davis, who has since relocated to the West Coast, has put the project in motion officially a decade after it first started and announced his still-somewhat-murky (as if he’d have it any other way) path forward thusly:
HOUR OF 13 – Statement – 10-1-2016
2006 was an immense year for influence and creation. A simple session of writing spawned three songs that paved the way for a debut album destined to return American Heavy Metal back to the forefront of the underground Metal scene. And with the release came a quick acclaim, building up a following that the entity itself never saw coming. Throughout its lifespan, HOUR OF 13 has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Not ever really existing in the other classes of bands within its scene, it paved a path of Darkness and gloom that solidified its place within the tops of the genre. All that rise must fall…
Due to a professional ordeal that was both good and bad, along with the passing of some of its closest friends, the idea to lay it to rest until the right time was evident and heeded. Coupled with all of the problems, departures and returns, backlash and all around trash talk, the ideals were continued under the NIGHT MAGIC name. The slumber for Ho13 in its name had been thought to be eternal. Forever.
But, as we all know, NOTHING is forever..
As of 10-1-2016, I am pleased to announce the chains of past problems have been broken, and with the aid and support of the following gained within its initial unveiling, HOUR OF 13 have resumed exactly where it was laid to rest. To be honest, I myself have been waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the day this could be. All I have wanted was to feel the fires of creation rise, and I am more than excited to be able to continue the original intent of HOUR OF 13. Complete details as to the current incarnation of this rebirth is unknown at the moment. However, to be able to bring to you, the supporters, this return is very much my namesake.
With this return also comes the announcement of an HOUR OF 13 retrospective double LP/CD/Cassette release coming later this year. Titled “Salt The Dead: Rare and Unreleased”, this collection contains material from the beginning up until its rest. Shadow Kingdom Records, who gave Ho13 its initial push with the release of the debut album, will release this collection. More info will be announced when the release dates are known.
Hails to each and every one of you. I honor your support til the ends of the Earth. In His name we praise the fires of Hell!
Regards,
Chad Davis – HOUR OF 13
https://www.facebook.com/hourof13doom/
http://www.shadowkingdomrecords.com/
