CROSSBONE SKULLY have today (November 22) unleashed their debut album EVIL WORLD MACHINE which brought the legendary Mutt Lange (AC/DC, Def Leppard) out of retirement to executive produce the project. Released by Better Noise Music, the rock concept album echoes similar dystopian visions such as David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and Diamond Dogs and its story will be expanded in a forthcoming graphic novel and animated film, Thing #1, due in 2025.
EVIL WORLD MACHINE was praised via Classic Rock, who gave it a 9/10 rating, saying “Mutt lives!...Mutt’s sonic fingerprints are all over the album... an AC/Lep-inspired mongrel … There’s also plenty of Def Leppard and even Whitesnake in Crossbone Skully’s DNA”.
Watch the newly released music video for the album’s power-seizing track “Let’s Bust The Trust” streaming below or via YouTube
HERE. “‘Let’s Bust The Trust’ spits in the face of a broken currency, torching the lies of the elite, and screaming for a world where people over profit hold the power to turn it all around! Lives Over Loot!” says frontman Tommy Henriksen.
“I’ve based this album on my heroes – AC/DC, Queen, The Who, but also The Cars and Kraftwerk,” Henriksen continues “Mutt called and told me he thought there was something there. I started crying like a baby, it was like Jesus coming back and anointing you!” he says. “Mutt has taken these songs to a whole other level. Now I don’t mind what else happens with this record.”
Led and conceptualized by Henriksen (guitarist and musical director for Alice Cooper’s band and member of Hollywood Vampires), CROSSBONE SKULLY enlisted a sterling group of supporting musicians for EVIL WORLD MACHINE including guitarist Tommy Denander, keyboardist Jamie Muhoberac (My Chemical Romance, John Mayer, Seal), bassist Chris Wyse (Hollywood Vampires, Ace Frehley, The Cult, Ozzy Osbourne), drummer Glen Sobel (Alice Cooper, Hollywood Vampires), the late UFO bassist Pete Way, mixer Olle Romo (Muse, Bryan Adams) and producer/mixer Mike Plotnikoff (AC/DC, Aerosmith). Also lighting up the album are guest features and spoken word appearances by A-list actor/musician and fellow Hollywood Vampires bandmate Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper, Phil Collen (Def Leppard), Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe), Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Kane Roberts, and more.
“The seasoned classic rock listener will get an impeccably written, at times instrumentally dramatic, timeless album. The tracks are additionally tied into a concept story, with the main character clearly inspired by ‘Mutt’ Lange’s AC/DC and Def Leppard past.”
- Classic Rock (German Edition)
CROSSBONE SKULLY made their debut live performance last night, November 21, with a packed-out show at the Viper Room in West Hollywood, CA and will appear again tonight for a second performance. Henriksen’s live band is rounded out by Wyse on bass, guitarists Sam Bam Koltun (Dorothy, Faster Pussycat) and Anna Cara, and drummer Alex Boch.
Here’s what critics have been saying about EVIL WORLD MACHINE:
“The album delivers a larger-than-life Rock-n-Roll production that harks back to the days of Def Leppard’s 1983 classic ‘Pyromania’...If you enjoy ‘80s Def Leppard, AC/DC, and thickly dramatic Hard Rock, you will love Crossbone Skully. 5 out of 5 stars.”
- Cryptic Rock (USA)
“‘Evil World Machine’ is the gap in every record collection that you didn't even know you had. Definitely give it a listen!” (6.5/7)
- METAL HAMMER (Germany)
“‘Everyone’s On Dope’ is a medical miracle, somehow combining both eras of AC/DC into one glorious thudding package”
- Classic Rock (UK)
“An album that genuinely and authentically reflects Tommy's rock soul, offering the listener a modern and captivating version of the Crossbone Skully world.”
– Hammerworld Magazine (Hungary)
“‘Evil World Machine’ is an album that radiates rock 'n' roll, filled with passion and great determination, positioning itself among the best releases of the year in the genre.”
– La Heavy Magazine (Spain)
EVIL WORLD MACHINE is available now on CD, vinyl and various merch bundle options
here.
Exclusive Merch bundles are available
HERE at the BNM European store.
Watch a trailer for EVIL WORLD MACHINE via The NOISE Presents
HERE.
Find CROSSBONE SKULLY online:Website I
Instagram I
Twitter I
Facebook I
YouTube I
TokTok(L-R: Alex Boch, Chris Wyse, Tommy Henriksen, Anna Cara, Sam Bam Koltun)
Photo credit: Kim Moran
