JUDICATOR

track-list:
I Am The Void
The Curse of Feanor

track 1:
music and lyrics by John Yelland and Austin Bentley
track 2:
lyrics by Hansi Kürsch, music by Andre Olbrich, Hansi Kürsch, Thomas Stauch and Marcus Siepen
produced by John Yelland
mixed by Carlos Alvarez at Dirty Viking Audio
mastered by Brett Caldas-Lima at Tower Studio

EP recording credits:
John Yelland – vocals
John Dolan – bass
Balmore Lemus – guitar
Jordy Elcess – drums
guest musicians:
Alexander Bosson – drums
Francisco Pérez – keyboards, orchestration

discography:
2012 — King of Rome — Album
2012 — Heroes and Villains — Single
2013 — Wenn Kronen zerschmettert sind — Single
2013 — Sleepy Plessow — Album
2014 — Coping Mechanism — EP
2015 — At the Expense of Humanity — Album
2018 — The Last Emperor — Album
2020 — Let There be Nothing — Album
2022 — The Majesty of Decay — Album
2023 – Mandy (Barry Manilow Cover) – Single
2023 – I Am The Void – EP

tours and festivals:
2019 — Western Crusade tour 2016 — American West (Utah, Colorado, Arizona, California, Oregon)
2019 — Mad With Power — Madison, WI
2019 — Hyperspace Metal Festival — Vancouver, British Columbia
2023 — Hyperspace Metal Festival — Vancouver, British Columbia

Games, Brrraaains & A Head Banging Life:
“A classic Blind Guardian track covered by a brilliant band, it’s a match-made in heaven, and the end result is so enjoyable. Few bands could match the inimitable power of the German power metal legends, but Judicator hit all the highs, in particular, the vocals, which are immense. It’s a very ‘true’ cover, no egregious changes to the original, it’s just Judicator covering Blind Guardian in style.”

This EP takes listeners through a roller coaster of emotions.
‘I am the Void’ travels through isolation, courage, and triumph, and then ‘The Curse of Feanor’ finishes out the EP like a thunderous cavalry charge.
“‘I am the Void’ explores something all artists have felt at one time or another — a gravitational pull towards giving up, throwing in the towel. If you’ve lost that magic spark that made something special, how can you recover it? Is it even possible? The song journeys through despondency, guilt, and shame, and plows through the fire, emerging like a phoenix reborn. The song takes you from ‘all is lost’ to ‘I can do it’.”
“‘I am the Void’ will scratch the itch of two different kinds of Judicator fans. Those who like the new direction of Judicator will enjoy the title track, while those who prefer our older ‘Cordisco-era’ catalog will like ‘The Curse of Feanor’. There’s something in this EP for everyone.”
Finally, the EP concludes with a cover of Blind Guardian’s ‘The Curse of Feanor’.
“Our Patreon supporters voted on this cover song last year, and we are making it available to the public now. There isn’t anything especially groundbreaking or innovative about the cover, but it’s a nice break from the emotional heaviness of ‘I am the Void’. It’s good to conclude the EP with a cavalry charge like this.”
The artwork was created by Marc Whisnant, who created the artwork for other Judi albums like ‘The Last Emperor’ and ‘The Majesty of Decay’.
“Marc collaborated with me on the artwork concept. The only guidance I gave him was that I wanted a sick, green color palette and something reminiscent of this scene from this scene in Annihilation.”
Hailing from Salt Lake City, USA, Judicator is a denim and leather-clad power metal act that will blow your hair back and excite your loins with its fervent riffs, wailing solos and powerful vocals.
Since their inception many years ago they have released six albums already and an EP ‘I Am The Void’ is on the horizon.
In 2010, John Yelland and Alicia Cordisco met at a Blind Guardian concert.
The two developed a friendship and formed Judicator two years later.
Prior to Cordisco’s departure from the band, Yelland would write all the lyrics and Cordisco would write all the music.
Since 2022’s ‘The Majesty of Decay’ however, Yelland has become the band’s primary songwriter and lyricist.
Mostly focused on historical topics, Judicator takes a look at everything from Napoleon Bonaparte to the renowned Byzantine general Belisarius.
They don’t shy away from heavy topics though, exemplified by the rollercoaster title track on this EP.
All of Judicator’s albums are concept albums.
The two primary themes explored are (a) history and (b) cancer and death.
Judicator brings raw energy and enthusiasm to the stage.
Through their performances, the band conjures imagery of both ancient battles and inner turmoil.
John Yelland:
“I’ve turned lots of heads at Judicator shows because I use fake blood to give my ears the appearance of bleeding. It’s not uncommon for me to get stopped shortly before and after performances by concerned people asking if I’m okay. I have to explain it’s just a stage gimmick. Oddly enough I’ve actually gotten more flak for performing barefoot on a couple of occasions!”