Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
This is our debut album so the band is new! I’m Je Schneider and I write/record all of the music along with writing the lyrics. Eric Gillette is currently the lead guitarist in the Neal Morse Band. Eric Castiglia is also a session musician and Diane Lee is also the vocalist in ‘Lost Journey.’

How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music? 
Isle of the Cross is progressive metal with many hints of various sub-genres such as Symphonic - Death - Melodic - Extreme - and Avant-Garde. The life-long influences are lengthy but for this specific album, I would say a unique mixture of Ayreon, Meshuggah, Persefone, and Archspire to name a few - as far as influences at the time of writing. 

Why should a metalhead buy your demos/albums?
I feel it’s a fairly solid body of work and one with a fair spread of styles. If someone enjoys a little more of a variety, then they might enjoy this album.

What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media? 
So far, the track ‘Tartarus’ is the only release and is the first official single. I haven’t heard any complaints so it seems to be received well so far!

Do you play live as well? How's your live activity so far?
We have not played live as of yet and the album is new so there is no prior live activity. 

What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?
Trying to add something worthwhile to the ever-expanding realm of metal and music, in general, is a tall order as nearly everything has already been done. It’s my hope to offer something with its own uniqueness and something that stirs emotions. There are many more volumes to be written, so ‘Excelsis’ is just a start and those to follow will push further into deeper territory. 

What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
I’m currently writing the next album. 

Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
‘Excelsis’ is due to release this month of February 2020 and via Rockshots Records - so please find them online for your listening pleasure! 

February 2020