The massive collaborative studio project, Nuclear Messiah, built around the visionary mastery of former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland—has released a brand new single titled “For Mad Men Only“. The roaring track serves as a heavy metal reimagining of the classic 1970s tune originally penned by May Blitz.
To bring this powerful cover song to life, the guitarist enlisted an impressive roster of rock and metal veterans. The track features lead vocals from the incomparable Joe Lynn Turner (known for his legendary stints in Rainbow and Deep Purple), additional guitar work by Pat Travers, bass duties handled by ex-Hawkwind member Alan Davey, and a driving rhythm courtesy of former Megadeth drummer Shawn Drover.
This blistering new single keeps the momentum going at a fierce pace and offers an exciting preview of the upcoming Nuclear Messiah concept album, Black Flame, which is scheduled to arrive on April 24 via Cleopatra Records. Billed in a recent press release as a sonic prophecy, the monumental LP unites 36 iconic musicians spanning five decades of hard rock and heavy metal history. Production on the ambitious record was overseen by Cleopatra founder Brian Perera, alongside Derek Hughes and Jürgen Engler, with A&R direction steered by John Lappen.
Reflecting on the sheer scale of this collaborative endeavor, the project’s mastermind expressed his profound gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside so many revered artists.
“This Nuclear Messiah record has been an absolute pleasure for me to make and be a part of,” said Chris Poland. “If someone told me when I was a kid that I would be on a record someday with nearly 40 of rock’s royalty, I would have said you’re dreaming. Well, it happened!!! This record is a tour de force of artists from groups we all know and love. From the first track to the last it just never lets up. Thank you, Cleopatra!!!”
The legendary frontman tackling the vocal duties on the latest single shared his own excitement about diving back into the psychedelic, boundary-pushing sounds of the early seventies with a metallic twist.
“It’s great to be on board with the guys from Nuclear Messiah but I never thought after 56 years that I’d be doing a metal cover version of a May Blitz song,” added Joe Lynn Turner. “Recording ‘For Mad Men Only‘ was a time warp experience. I remember back in 1970 when the band was releasing new material in a prog/psychedelic/ punk style. The power pop attitude and cryptic lyrics of non-conformity still ring true to form. It was an absolute pleasure to make a contribution to this amazing new project! Cheers to all!”
Black Flame opens with a commanding spoken-word introduction delivered by actor William Shatner before unleashing a staggering array of talent. The guest list reads like a living timeline of heavy music, featuring members of Vanilla Fudge, Kings Of Thrash, Guns N’ Roses, Uriah Heep, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, UFO, Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Deep Purple, Testament, Night Ranger, Michael Schenker Group, and Yes, alongside solo heavyweights like Yngwie Malmsteen and Thor.
Aside from a selection of reimagined classics originally by Lucifer’s Friend, Holocaust, May Blitz, and Uriah Heep (specifically a cover of “Look At Yourself“), the record consists of brand new original material. In a unique collaborative twist, each new composition was penned directly by the specific lineup performing on that given track.
Black Flame Official Tracklist:
- “The Prophet Of Fallout” (feat. Chris Poland & William Shatner)
- “Devil Won’t Let Go” (feat. Chris Poland, Ronnie Romero, Vinnie Moore, Vinny Appice, Don Airey & Steve DiGiorgio)
- “Death Or Glory” (feat. Chris Poland, Thor, Bob Daisley, Glen Drover & Fred Aching)
- “Ride The Sky” (feat. Chris Poland, Arthur Brown, Vinny Appice & Alan Davey)
- “Dice And Thunder” (feat. Chris Poland, Rick Wakeman, Ronnie Romero, Bumblefoot, Steve DiGiorgio & Fred Aching)
- “For Mad Men Only” (feat. Chris Poland, Pat Travers, Joe Lynn Turner, Alan Davey & Shawn Drover)
- “Nuclear Messiah” (feat. Chris Poland, Lance Lopez, Greg Walker, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Vinny Appice & Don Airey)
- “Look At Yourself” (feat. Chris Poland, Sebastian Bach, Derek Sherinian, Bob Daisley, Mick Box & Carmine Appice)
- “She’s So Evil” (feat. Chris Poland, Joel Hoekstra, David Ellefson, Don Airey, Andrew Freeman & Simon Wright)
- “Black Flame” (feat. Chris Poland, Ronnie Romero, Jonathan Cain, Phil Soussan, Glen Drover & Chris Adler)
- “Electric Burn” (feat. Chris Poland, Marty Friedman, Joe Bouchard, Marc Lopes & Chris Adler)
