THE BEAST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CRUCIAL VELOCITY Drops Controller – A Dark, Heavy, and Concise Follow-Up to Their 2023 Debut

Featuring Members of King Diamond, Shaolin Death Squad, and Chastain Harris

Available Now: https ://orcd.co /controller
Release Date: January 10, 2025
Genre: Progressive Metal, Hard Rock, Thrash, Metal

Dallas/Ft Worth, Texas – Today, CRUCIAL VELOCITY drops their highly anticipated second full-length album, Controller , following the success of their 2023 self-titled debut. Heavier, leaner, and darker than their first release, Controller showcases the band's refined sound, blending progressive metal with hard rock and thrash elements, all while maintaining a melodic, concise approach.

Controller features a tight and focused set of tracks, steering clear of overindulgent solos or excessive musical flourishes. Instead, the band creates a balanced sound of heavy guitar riffs, expressive vocals, and deep social commentary. As Metal Digest notes, Controller exemplifies "tight prog"—a masterclass in progressive metal without the grandiosity that often accompanies the genre.

“On Controller , we took the elements that we loved from the debut and magnified them. The songs are more concise, heavier, and yet always melodic. We embrace our influences from classic hard rock and metal, creating a unique CRUCIAL VELOCITY sound,” says Nate Bauer, the band’s mastermind. "Fans of Queensryche, Alice In Chains, Ghost, Black Sabbath, and prog metal will align with this album."

The album explores themes of control and oppression, touching on political unrest, cult-like figures, religious control, and the darkness of history, including the horrors of brainwashing and the Holocaust. These heavy themes resonate deeply with Bauer’s personal experience as he draws from his life, including the lead single "Brainstorm," released in November 2024. The song is inspired by Bauer’s perspective as the father of a child with autism and serves as a tribute to individuals affected by autism and other special needs.

A second single, Hollow , premiered with a video at Metal Insider in December 2024. The song delves into the dangerous power of ideology and its role in creating cult-like movements, both historically and in today’s world. Bauer explains, "Ideology promotes thoughtless thought... people place complete trust in the ideology and the leaders who promote them. This song is about the need for deep, pragmatic thought."

CRUCIAL VELOCITY originally formed from a collaboration between songwriter/guitarist/bassist Nate Bauer and renowned mixing/mastering engineer Gary Long . The addition of drummer Matt Thompson (King Diamond), vocalist/keyboardist Androo O'Hearn (Shaolin Death Squad), and guitarist Michael Harris (Thought Chamber, Darkology) solidified the lineup that delivered their self-titled debut album to critical acclaim.

Their 2023 debut received favorable reviews from publications like Metalized , Powerplay , Rock Hard Italy , and Metallurg Magazines . The band has garnered attention from radio stations worldwide, with their music featured across Europe, South America, and Mexico. Controller is poised to elevate their reputation further, demonstrating their evolution into a confident, forceful act with a clear vision.

"CRUCIAL VELOCITY sounds like a veteran act, completely sure of their purpose and position," says Steven Reid of Sea of Tranquility . "Highly recommended."

CRUCIAL VELOCITY is now ready to bring their message to the masses with Controller —a dark, heavy, and melodic journey that strikes a perfect balance between technicality and accessibility. The album is available for streaming now on all major platforms.

For more information and press inquiries, please contact:
Nate Bauer
Email: mrnatebauer @gmail.com
Website: crucial -velocity.com

Band Members:

• Matt Thompson (Drums) – King Diamond, Shaolin Death Squad
• Androo O’Hearn (Vocals, Keyboards) – Shaolin Death Squad
• Michael Harris (Guitar Solos) – Thought Chamber, Darkology, Vitalij Kuprij
• Nate Bauer (Songwriter, Guitar, Bass, Keyboard) – Solo Projects, Influenced by Opeth, Black Sabbath, Voivod

Listen to Controller Now:
https ://orcd.co /controller

 Follow the band at these links:

Www.crucial-velocity.com 
https://crucial-velocity.com/epk-for-labels
https://crucialvelocity.hearnow.com/crucial-velocity
https://crucial-velocity.com/campaigns/874626
https://www.instagram.com/natebauermusic/