Kim Hooker - the voice and face of the classic-era of Tigertailz - has unveiled a new band Bare Knuckle Messiahs and the titanic rockers will release their debut album in October. Organically growing over the past few years since Kim left Tigertailz - the band he fronted for 25 years - Bare Knuckle Messiahs are completed by JJ (bass), Cy (guitars) and Andy Skinner (drums). Says Kim: 'I always knew I d come back with another band it's just that as I've gotten older there were other things I wanted to do that took priority so the time to throw my hat in the ring again had to feel right for me.' 'These are guys I've known for many years, which is the most important thing to me. Cy and Andy I knew from my Tigertailz days - both played in the Wazbones era back in 1994 - so I knew they were both brilliant and JJ I'd known for years from his time in S.E.X so I also knew he was quality.' The end result is That Which Preys On The Dead a ten-track angry, dark and frankly blistering rock album - that not only captures the spirit of heavy metal but allows its creators to move forward into the next chapter of their musical careers. With some parts written by Kim way back during the Bezerk chapter, and some parts way more recently, That Which Preys On The Dead stands proud as an exceptionally creative album, packed with a distinctive Hooker vibes, riffs, melodies and a sinister and aggressive backbone. Tracks like Blood Brothers - and its accompanying video - is a pure heavy metal anthem; My Image In Thee , is driven by a mighty headbanging anthemic power; I Need To Feel Your Pain hints at the darker riffs inspired by classic Seattle legends; while Smash It Up is a riotous, speedball of motorised cacophony that packs a killer punch; and 'Spit In Your Eye' is a thunderous and in-your-face hook-fest. 'The album, just like the band name itself, feels quite confrontational when you listen to it,' says Kim, 'but that's what Heavy Metal is, or at least should be! When I first started recording these songs I had a vision of it being very different from Tigertailz; I deliberately didn't record multi-layers of backing vocals (we had 56 on Bezerk ) because I didn t want to dig myself into the hole of not being able to pull it off live without the use of backing tracks. 'I was initially surprised when fans said they loved it because it sounded like the heavier Tigertailz/ Wazbones stuff ... although maybe I shouldn't have been because Andy and Cy are on it and I produced it using techniques I learned from my time in 'Tailz working with producer Chris Tsangarides and my mentor Tim Lewis.' Now fully back in the rock 'n' roll saddle, Kim and Bare Knuckle Messiahs intend to bring the noise to the masses and enjoy every minute. 'This is the album I've always wanted to make,' concludes Kim. 'I'm back to carry on where I left off - playing some great shows and having a great time with some close friends... it's all I've ever done so I may as well go on until I can't anymore!' Get in the ring!

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