Cruz Del Sur Music is proud to announce the signing of North Carolina heavy metal outfit MEGA COLOSSUS. The label will release the band’s seventh studio album, Showdown, in mid-2024. Formed as COLOSSUS in 2004 by vocalist Sean Buchanan and guitarist/vocalist Bill Fischer, the band became a fixture on the East Coast live scene, including appearances at the famed South by Southwest festival in 2008 and 2009. The group issued its first album, …And The Rift The Pan-Dimensional Undergods in 2008, followed by the Drunk On Blood EP in 2010 and the …And The Sepulcher Of The Mirror Warlocks EP in 2012. Upon learning of another outfit named COLOSSUS, Buchanan and crew requested a battle of the bands to determine the name’s rightful owner. However, the “other” COLOSSUS declined and MEGA COLOSSUS was born in 2016 (?) as an ode to Godzilla and fantasy books. The HyperGlaive album followed in 2016, after which bassist/vocalist Anthony Micale joined in 2017. The V album was released in 2019, leading to the arrival of guitarist/vocalist Chris Millard in 2021 in time for the Riptime LP. Showdown was recorded with Al Jacob at Warrior Sound in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, earlier this year. The album will deliver twin-guitar harmonies, gallops and triumphant themes central to MEGA COLOSSUS’s sound. And a closer listen will reveal a few nods to classic rock acts KANSAS, RAINBOW and STYX. “We love big vocal harmonies and are trying some new things vocally on this one,” says Hawes. “We’re excited to see the response from our fans and hopefully get our music into the hands of new folks through this killer partnership with Cruz Del Sur.” “I would consider Showdown the adventure sequel to Riptime,” adds Fischer. “It is to Riptime as ‘Temple Of Doom’ is to ‘Raiders Of The Lost Ark’.” “It’s really hooky,” says Millard. “It’s kinda got the vibe of pop-punk that’s back in the zeitgeist.” Buchanan notes that Showdown was the culmination of a year-long period of the band “furiously” writing, demoing and recording everything they could. “The new album is the intersection of ideas between five very different musicians; as such, it’s become something new to us and difficult to categorize,” he says. “The prevailing commonality is the excitement and enjoyment we had while creating it, and I feel that sense is truly palpable while listening to these songs.” The band is also excited to return to Europe in August 2023 with a special appearance at Stormcrusher Festival. “We are playing throughout Germany and Austria on this run with some excellent bands: TOWER, SMOULDER, NIGHT DEMON and MECHANICAL TYRANTS, to name a few,” says Hawes. “This will be our first time overseas since the pandemic. It’s been way too long. We hope to see you on the road!” | 
