John West leaves Royal Hunt

[tsorl]

Danish/American hard rock act ROYAL HUNT has issued the following statement:

"ROYAL HUNT and John West [vocals] have decided that at this time (after numerous albums and concert tours) they are no longer able to contribute creatively to each other's future musical development. It's been a hell of a ride, but both parties feel like it is about time to move on and explore different musical paths — therefore, they mutually agreed to part ways as of March 16th, 2007."

"We're not ruling out possible future collaborations for a joint venture or a side project," ROYAL HUNT mainman André Andersen and John said in a joint statement, "but it won't be under the ROYAL HUNT moniker."

John joined ROYAL HUNT in 1999 during the recording of the "Fear" album and he worked with the band until its latest release — the "Royal Hunt 2006" live CD/DVD.

The band added in a statement: "We'd like to express our gratitude to John for a great eight-year run and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

ROYAL HUNT is currently working on material for a new album, which it expects to begin recording later in the year. Also in the works is a reissue of the band's live releases "1996" and "Closing the Chapter" (originally released in 1998). More details will be made available soon.

ROYAL HUNT released a DVD and double live album, entitled "Royal Hunt 2006" in November. The set was recorded (and filmed) on the historic stage of St. Petersburg, Russia's Music Hall on November 2, 2005. The show, which was witnessed by some 1,500+ enthusiastic fans, lasted about two hours (the band played a wide selection of songs from all of their releases since 1991 and some tracks from the latest CD, "Paper Blood") and was captured by six cameras. The DVD package also includes backstage/pre-production footage as well as interviews with all the bandmembes and their roadcrew. All mixing duties on the double CD were handled by André Andersen at NorthPoint Productions in Copenhagen. The set was mastered by Jan Eliasson at Audio Planet.

ROYAL HUNT's last studio album, "Paper Blood" was recorded at NorthPoint Productions and was mixed at EMI/Medley Studio with André Andersen (keyboards) and Lars Overgaard behind the board.

God damn! I saw them live last month, they were amazing and John's performance especially was top notch. One of the most soulful and skilled metal singers out there. Good to see there's no sour grapes though and he did last for twice as long as DC Cooper did (and was even better IMO)...

Wonder if he's concentrating on Artension and/or Feinstein from now on or will he do like Jorn and go solo exclusively (hope not). RH's going to have a hard time finding a replacement but they'll soldier on as usual.

 

[sixxswine]

Can you say sinking ship?!

 

[Wyvern]

That means that John West is going to join either Anthrax or Van Halen?

 

[tsorl]

Can you say sinking ship?!

I'm sure a lot of "experts" said that in 1999 too when DC Cooper left. It's pretty much Andersen who pulls all the strings in RH and if he's determined to continue he will.

 

[tsorl]

That means that John West is going to join either Anthrax or Van Halen?

Why not...

But on a more serious note, I'd like to see him do somekind of a project with his good buddy Chris Caffery. They both sure have the time now... If you add in CC's current touring drummer John Macaluso you have one helluva supergroup right there!

 

[Wheezer]

Kind of a shame. It sure seems like most metal bands these days have a revolving door. It makes me wonder if that's not holding metal back a bit. The more successful bands do seem to have a somewhat stable lineup. Although Evergrey has had its fair share of changes. Symphony X has had probably the most stable lineup that I can think of. Off the top of my head anyway.

I guess it could be argued that fresh blood can keep the creative juices flowing and help keep the music from becoming stale.

 

[sixxswine]

That means that John West is going to join either Anthrax or Van Halen?

They won't take an unknown hack sorry...

 

[sixxswine]

It sure seems like most metal bands these days have a revolving door. Symphony X has had probably the most stable lineup that I can think of.

Let's hope that continues...

 

[sixxswine]

I'm sure a lot of "experts" said that in 1999 too when DC Cooper left.

Let's be honest here, when people think Royal Hunt they think DC cooper, yes even years after he left...

 

[Wyvern]

Why not...

But on a more serious note, I'd like to see him do somekind of a project with his good buddy Chris Caffery. They both sure have the time now... If you add in CC's current touring drummer John Macaluso you have one helluva supergroup right there!

Right! John and Chris made a very good cover of 'Run The Hills' and I agree that putting Macaluso in and a solid bass player will define a great band. Sometimes the door needs to revolve to shake stagnation and kick the old blood in a new direction or at least a fresher one.

They won't take an unknown hack sorry...

You're right John needs a serious band, he can't work with amateurs

I bet there are bands in the prog and prog-power field right now making numbers about asking him to join.

NP: Girlschool - 'You Got Me'

 

[tsorl]

Let's be honest here, when people think Royal Hunt they think DC cooper, yes even years after he left...

That just tells a lot more about "the people" than it does about Royal Hunt. In the 8 years they've been "sinking" with West they've released 4 albums which have generally been received pretty well. If the people choose to live in the 90s then screw 'em I say...

 

[Wheezer]

Let's hope that continues...

Hope what continues? Most bands having the revolving door or SX keeping a stable lineup?

 

[sixxswine]

Hope what continues? Most bands having the revolving door or SX keeping a stable lineup?

The stable line-up of course!!!!! I love that band as is!!!!!

 

[sixxswine]

That just tells a lot more about "the people" than it does about Royal Hunt. In the 8 years they've been "sinking" with West they've released 4 albums which have generally been received pretty well. If the people choose to live in the 90s then screw 'em I say...

I myself just couldn't get into the West era, I do love their Moving Target album with Cooper the fit one I bought from them...

 

[Wheezer]

The stable line-up of course!!!!! I love that band as is!!!!!

Yeah me too. And I'm dying to hear the new one. Hopefully someone will leak the promo pretty soon.

 

[sixxswine]

Yeah me too. And I'm dying to hear the new one. Hopefully someone will leak the promo pretty soon.

You're a fucking riot!!!!!

 

[tsorl]

I myself just couldn't get into the West era, I do love their Moving Target album with Cooper the fit one I bought from them...

Yeah, that's fine, you like what you like and that's the way it goes.
It's just that when I think of "sinking ships" I think of bands releasing best-of records every two years instead of new material or staging reunions no-one wanted to see in the first place (some of these bands have been already mentioned in this very thread ).
Royal Hunt's still going forward after all the hardships and I salute Andersen for that. Looks like they're looking for a singer alredy, hopefully that won't take as long as it's doing with Lost Horizon...

 

[Fangface]

Aahhh, if only DC Cooper could go back with them... but that won't happen.

I like some of their recent works though, especially Eye Witness.