Production on Flight from Erebus (the 3rd Lost Ark album) began in 2010. This was a frustrating time. World Beneath the Decks (the 2nd album) was meant to be finished and released that year but wasn't quite at the level required. Consequently it resulted in a period where FFE was worked on in fits and starts. WBTD had been immensely fun to record but sadly ended up spending too long in production (owing largely to the 30 or so tracks that formed part of the overall project - some eventually seeing the light of day as bonus tracks on later EPs). So this is where FFE was born, in an uncertain and somewhat burnt out state of mind.
The darker sound had been planned to fit in with and compliment the (as yet unfinished) parallel story. The title was born out of this developing tale of Cooke Q and Battle M's journey into a fictional underworld. Track titles were initially all different, being based on lyrics written by Battle M. Sadly, this creative partnership also came to a mutually agreed end, during the album's production. This pretty much forced a comprehensive reappraisal and rewrite of the album concept, sound, lyrics, artwork and what the Lost Ark was all about. I've always enjoyed and valued the collaborative aspect of music productions, so new connections were made quickly and these worked out better than I could ever have hoped for. I am eternally grateful to all of the other talented artists that contributed to the tracks (see credits below). The project would be so much less without their input. I hope that they also enjoyed working on it.
There have been times where I wondered if this album would ever be finished and whether it was worth all of the time and energy that went into it. Despite being a spooky, dejected thing, it has for the most part been a very enjoyable album to make.
Right now, I am in that lovely place of being in between projects and eager to get to work on the next one. All I can say for now is that this will be the polar opposite to FFE and will more than likely involve yet more cool collaborators. The working title for now is "Human After All". Production on that will begin sometime next year. Between now and then I'll be working on a few more EP's, finishing off the FFE story and also another writing project with a very good friend.
THE CREDITS - subject to checking / confirmation
All tracks written and produced by Dean Boni, except where noted below.
Album cover image photography by Chris Aldridge, additional editing and design by Dean Boni.
1) THE DISCOVERY - vocals: Dean Boni, narrator: Angela Cassidy, Battle Mk 2 voiced by Brittany Draper, additional guitars: Chris Aldridge.
2) RED TENDER (ft. The Light Poetic Ministry) - music written and produced by Dean Boni, main vocals & lyrics written and performed by The Light Poetic Ministry (Allen Stevenson), reporter: Harriet Stevens, cult preacher: Craig Austin, the demon: Joe Rushton, additional guitars: Chris Aldridge.
3) LIGHTING CANDLES IN THE CHURCH OF THE DAMNED (ft. Kate Rogers) - music written and produced by Dean Boni, main vocals written and performed by Kate Rogers, hellfire preacher: Sean Rooney, additional guitars: Chris Aldridge
4) OUIJA - the medium: Angela Cassidy, Ouija players (questions written by each): Debbie Lashley, Dean Boni, Sonia Martins, Croz Crossley, Val Crossley, Geoff Barham, Brittany Draper, additional guitars: Chris Aldridge, additional vocals: Dean Boni
5) FIVE RIVERS - Charon: Laurence Roberts, vocoder vocals: Dean Boni.
6) ASPHODELS - wandering shades: Mike Brzezinski, Angela Cassidy, Geoff Barham, Amy Bullock, Brittany Draper additional guitars: Chris Aldridge.
7) THE WARLOCK - vocals: Dean Boni, the warlock: Sean Rooney, Logan Pine: Michael Martin, additional guitars: Chris Aldridge.
8) DJINN & TONIC (ft. TwinTwo) - main vocals & lyrics: TwinTwo, narrator 1: Angela Cassidy, narrator 2: Laurence Roberts, vocoder vocals: Dean Boni, additional guitars: Chris Aldridge.
9) NIGRUM SPECULUM MANET - vocals: Dean Boni, narrator: Tony West, mirror demons: Mike Brzezinski, Joe Rushton, Craig Austin, additional guitars: Chris Aldridge.
10) DEMOS ONEROI - sleep therapist: Bethany Saddington, nightmare narrator: Geoff Barham.
11) THE SENTINEL - Nyx: Sonia Martins, Low Beam: Joe Rushton, weather warnings: Val Crossley, the angel: Laurence Roberts, the warlock: Sean Rooney, additional guitars: Chris Aldridge.
12) LAST SCENE? - ride operators: Nick Stevens, Tony West, Rahim Galia, additional guitars: Chris Aldridge.
13) FLIGHT FROM EREBUS - the angel: Laurence Roberts, prayers: Mike Brzezinski, Angela Cassidy, narrator: Croz Crossley.
If I have forgotten anyone, please let me know.
Your Captain
Cooke Q
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