Collateral Release “On The Long Road” single from upcoming album “Should’ve Known Better”

“This is classic rock wrapped up in new packaging, 

“Collateral are back and sounding bigger and bolder than ever before.” 

“Everything that’s great about Collateral, the swagger, 

“I’ve never been in a position to write about such a personal painful subject,” says Collateral’s frontman Angelo Tristan about the new single. “During the pandemic, my partner’s mum passed away with no real warning. It was a real dark time, and there was no way of escaping it, so I did the only thing I know how, and that was to try and get those feelings out. It’s about tragedy, but I’m starting to see an underlying hope within the song. After all, it’s a story that sooner or later, we all take part in.”

Since the band released their eponymous debut album (Top 5 UK Rock Album Chart) at the start of 2020 Collateral have spent no time standing still. Covid came only weeks after the debut album was released and forced the band to cancel their highly successful tour with Phil X (Bon Jovi) halfway through. This made the band hungry to keep the momentum. With innovative ways to produce top quality live streams, the band became special guests supporting the likes of Skid Row, H.E.A.T and Reckless Love.

Collateral, the Kent-based rock and roll band are comprised of Angelo Tristan (lead vocals, guitar), Louis Malagodi (guitar), Jack Bentley-Smith (bass) and Ben Atkinson (drums).

After the gruelling back-to-back tours with Skid Row, H.E.A.T and Reckless Love, the band ignited a spark and strengthened their already loyal fanbase leading them to win the opening slot at 2023s Stonedead Festival, leading the band to perform their biggest show.

Collateral’s hotly tipped sophomore album looks like it will take them to the next level. A lot of people don’t know what to expect from the new album, as the band have been tight-lipped about the new songs. Collateral have created a state-of-the-art rock album that will immerse listeners in their rock music universe, enabling fans to feel the blood, sweat and glory that went into the recording of every song.

“We wanted this album to express where we were in our own lives since the release of our first. So much has happened since then, I mean the world shut down for what felt like a lifetime! And it was obvious that people were going to need some sort of optimism.  I hope ‘Glass Sky’ is one of those songs that gives people the belief to find themselves again.”

“Should’ve Known Better” is an album that goes beyond specific music genres,” says Angelo. “It’s almost like a soundtrack to a beating heart.  It’s an album that will remain timeless in years to come.”

1. GLASS SKY (3.53)
2. ORIGINAL CRIMINAL (3.58)
3. JUST ONE OF THOSE DAYS (3.19)
4. TEENAGE DREAMS (4.34)
5. ELYSIUM (4.02)
6. ON THE LONG ROAD (4.47)
7. NO PLACE FOR LOVE (3.35)
8. GAME CHANGER (3.54)
9. FINAL STAND (3.49)

PRODUCTION CREDITS
PRODUCED BY DAN WELLER
RECORDED AT MARSHALL STUDIOS, MILTON KEYNES
ENGINERED AND MIXED BY DAN WELLER
MASTERED BY RYAN SMITH @ STERLING SOUND

Collateral’s frontman, Angelo Tristan, breaks down the songs on the new album track by track.

GLASS SKY
This is the flag ship of the album. Louis came into the rehearsal studio one day with the opening riff and I literally stopped what I was doing. I turned around to him and said, “That’s it… That’s the hit”. The lyrics were like water off a duck’s back. It felt easy to write something empowering. It was crying out for a Shanty style gang vocal that I could imagine a rallying arena scream along to. I felt this song had to bring people together. We’re all searching for that breakthrough, for that love, for that thing that will make us feel complete. This is that song.

ORIGINAL CRIMINAL
This song is a nod to the Bonnie and Clyde style lifestyle. A mysterious character that has a dangerously attractive persona doing what he likes when he likes. The best part of this song is that you never know if he’s a good or bad guy. I guess he’s what all men would want to be. An “Original Criminal.”

JUST ONE OF THOSE DAYS
Showing my country influence, I wanted to create a song with a happy and upbeat vibe that would make people forget about a bad day. We all have them, we all have ‘One of those days’ where nothing quite goes to plan and that was the perfect inspiration for this song. We decided to have a key change chorus to really uplift the optimism, Bryan Adams style, and I think the song as a whole really captures the important things in life and at the same time lets you let go of the stupid everyday stresses, we all go through.”

TEENAGE DREAMS
I find myself writing a lot about nostalgia, I find magic in it, “Teenage Dreams” is that nostalgia. Going back to a simpler time. A time where the only worries in life were making sure you didn’t get caught sneaking out with your friends until the early hours of the morning. This song puts you back in your teenage self, a self where you miss school, a self where you slept in past midday, a self when you were invincible. The best time of our lives.

ELYSIUM
“Elysium” is what we all crave for at the end of a hard week at work. That need to shake off the rigidness of the office and to be intertwined in the hot and sweaty atmosphere of the nightclub. It’s a song that does what is says on the tin, there’s no hidden meanings or messages. Just a message of letting your hair down and having a good time.

ON THE LONG ROAD
There was so much loss during Covid. My partner lost her mum without warning and seeing the heart break was devastating. This was written for her. A song, I hope, people can seek solace in when they need a shoulder to cry on. This is my favourite track on the album, but also the hardest to perform live due to the emotions that run through me.

NO PLACE FOR LOVE
A story of two people who, despite being in a world which is designed to kick love into the gutter, give everything to make it work. When there’s no place for love, if they are in each other’s hearts, then nothing can break them. It’s a story of hope but also a story of struggle. Instead of going down the Hollywood happy ending, I wanted to add a more real-life aspect to it, the aspect that love can also hurt.

GAME CHANGER
“Game Changer” is all about wanting that person that you can’t have. In this case I wanted to write a song that oozed cheekiness to take it away from the common love song. It’s fast, hard and straight to the point. I wanted people to take this song and make it their own, I want the listener to believe that they are the ‘Game Changer’. Just like the running theme throughout the album it’s the optimism and the light at the end of the tunnel that makes this song so exciting.

FINAL STAND
Unlike the other songs, “Final Stand” delivers a darker message of battling your inner demons. Those days where you look at yourself in the mirror and the person looking back at you is telling you to give up. Musically it shows our heavier side and lyrically shows a darker side to us. This song brings the balance on the album.

April 20 – Blackpool, Waterloo – Book Tickets

FM TOUR – MAY/JUNE 2024

May 3 – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms – Book Tickets
May 4 – Gateshead, Glasshouse – Book Tickets
May 5 – Leeds, Brudenell – Book Tickets
May 10 – Bury St Edmunds, Apex – Book Tickets
May 18 – Newbury, Arlington Arts – Book Tickets
May 31 – Glasgow, Oran Mor – Book Tickets
June 1 – Aberdeen, Lemon Tree – Book Tickets

July 6 – Southend on Sea, Chinnerys – Book Tickets

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