Please tell us a few words about the new release, about the music on it as a whole or a few words on each track in part. How are you happy with the final release?
“Path to Glory” is our first “official” studio EP. It features 2 songs on it that were included in our 2017 bootleg release (“Fortune Favors the Bold” and “Surrender”) in a more polished form, both benefit for the cleaner production. “Surrender” also got a layer of orchestration that it previously didn’t have, for a more epic and darker feel. 
“Not of This Earth” final arrangement came in place very close to the recording date, and it is the newest track on the EP.
“Path to Glory” (title track) reaches for a more anthemic feel but it throws a few speed curve balls to keep it interesting. It is probably the one that features the most guitar solos 

How would you describe/label the music on it? Does it sound like anything we might have heard before?
We all have our NWOBHM influences, and in some aspects that defines part of our music. We don’t intentionally try to copy anything, but for the most part people say we sound like NWOTHM (New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal). Besides “Surrender”, which is a doomier/gothier song with a more dark Black Sabbath feel, the bulk of material on this EP can be considered NWOTHM, with a sprinkling of speed and black metal. We try to keep it interesting, and don’t really lock ourselves to rigid rules. 

Where was it recorded and how much time did it take you to record it? Any interesting stories from the recording/producing the material?
We entered pre-production somewhere around January 2018, at which point we cut guide tracks for our drummer to play to. Alex (guitarist) has previously worked as an audio engineer, and he felt fairly confident that he can record all the instruments, except for drums, for which you need a good sounding room and a decent amount of investment in microphones. We entered Sound Arts Studios (Houston, Texas ) with Brian Baker as engineer at the end of April. We spent two days there tracking drums, rhythm guitars and lead vocals. Editing, guitar , bass and other overdubs were then handled at Nocturnal Sound Studios (Alex’s place) and then sent to Ricardo Camargo (TidalWAV Studios, New York) for mixing and mastering. 
As far as the studio session – it was a lot of hard work, watching the clock and our wallet, so we couldn’t really relax as much as we wanted to. Will (bass) brought a photographer to take group photos, but the sessions were so hectic that he just spent the whole day in the lounge waiting for us. At least we had some good bourbon in there, so it wasn’t a total loss for the guy. Let’s just say he left a little tipsy. 

What can you tell us about the cover artwork? Is there a link between the artwork and the lyrics? What are the topics of your lyrics?
Our singer and bassist both have a degree in History, so we tend to write mostly about historical events. William the Conqueror (“Fortune Favors the Bold”),Khan Krum (“Path to Glory”) and some of the songs that didn’t make it on the EP are about historical events. The title track is about the battle of Pliska. The artwork captures the final moments of emperor Nicephorus.
We also have a lighter side, “Not of This Earth” is about Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and “Surrender” is about a serial killer on the streets of Berlin.

What do you expect to gain through this release? What are the band's aims at the moment?
With the risk of sounding bashful, we are one of the premier metal bands in Houston, TX. We just did a gig with Angra, and are scheduled to open up for Saxon on their Houston stop in 2019. We are looking to take this a step further, get out of town more and play some more dates in around Texas, Louisiana and other States close to us. We are also shopping for label to help with the recording of a full album and the much-coveted European tour, or to do at least a few dates in Europe. 
As of now, there are local record stores that are carrying our EP, and online sales are going well, especially in the European markets. We are almost out of our first print, and have to go back to the factory and ask for a second run. 

Is there a special format the material is released in? Or is it released in multiple formats? How many copies were pressed?
So far we’ve released "Path to Glory" EP digitally and on CD format. We might run a tape and LP format in the future as there is some demand, especially for vinyl. If hipsters want it released on calliope and victrola, we'd be happy to oblige as long as there's demand for it.  So far we’ve done 500 copies (first run) and will do another run of 500 soon. 

Where and how will you promote this new release?
We haven’t done a CD release officially as we had to scramble to get everything finished so we have a product to sell at the Angra show. We are working on setting up a proper CD release at one of the stores that sells our product, The Sound Exchange (Houston, Texas), but we’ll have to work out logistics as we are running out of merch quick. 

Where can we order it from?We still have a few physical copies available thru scrollkeeper.bandcamp.com
You can also order the digital format at the link above. The EP is also available at Cactus Music and Sound Exchange (Houston, TX), End of An Ear Records http://www.endofanear.com/ (Austin, TX), Underground Power Records also picked up distribution https://www.underground-power.de/(Germany).
We are in talks with a company to sell in LA and San Francisco, so it will be available in these markets soon. 

October 2018