Word has sufaced this morning that Gozu have signed with Blacklight Media, a new label founded by acclaimed chef Chris Santos in partnership with Metal Blade Records and its founder, Brian Slagel. The Boston rock band released Revival off Ripple Music earlier this year, an effort that helped lead to a Metal Artist of the Year nomination in the 2016 Boston Music Awards.
Gozu’s fourth studio album, and first for Blacklight Media/Metal Blade, will be out sometime in the second half of 2017. The Obelisk reports the dudes will record the LP in June with Dean Baltulonis at the Wild Arctic Studio in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
“A chance to sign to a label of this realm and magnitude does not usually happen,” says Gozu guitarist/vocalist Marc Gaffney, “so, when Chris Santos told us he wanted to work with us after a show at Lucky 13 in Brooklyn, we were in s state of shock. The four of us are simply in awe that we will be working with Brian Slagel — I mean Metal Blade, talk about Rock Royalty. I think Brian has to be in the upper echelon of respected gentleman in the field. Now, to work with such an intelligent and genuine soul as Chris Santos, my coffee tasted a little better this morning and the sun shined a bit brighter.”
In addition to his interest in hard rock and metal, Santos is also known for his being a judge on Food Network’s Chopped and as executive chef and managing partner of the New York City restaurants VANDAL, the Stanton Social and Beauty & Essex.
Adds guitarist Doug Sherman: “This is an amazing opportunity for Gozu to be a part of Blacklight Media/Metal Blade. To be actually be working with celebrity chef Chris Santos, who is extremely passionate about metal and successful with everything he touches, and the legendary Metal Blade CEO Brian Slagel is truly mindblowing. I’m looking forward to this new chapter in our career.”
Blacklight Media is a hard rock and heavy metal label founded in February 2016 by Chris Santos, executive chef and managing partner of New York City restaurants VANDAL, The Stanton Social and Beauty & Essex, in partnership with Brian Slagel, founder of Metal Blade Records. They launched the label with breakout band Good Tiger, led by guitarists Derya Nagle and Joaquin Ardiles. Blacklight has a distinct focus on releasing music that possesses an extensive amount of melody, mixed with heavy ebbs and flow.
Gozu recently wrapped up a European tour and an appearance at Psycho Las Vegas. Watch their set from the latter below.