Out May 24th

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Photo Credit: Franz Schepers There's no doubt that the musical evolvement of Hamburg sleaze rockers NIGHT LASER can be felt in every single note of their latest studio album, Call Me What You Want. Using experience gained from their three previous albums, Fight For The Night (2014), Laserhead (2017), and Power To Power (2020), plus more than two hundred concerts, the five-piece have created their most varied and powerful studio production to date. The album is a collaborative effort by band founders/brothers Benno (vocals) and Robert Hankers (bass), new additions Felipe Zapata Martinez, Vincent Hadeler (both on guitar), and drummer Ingemar Oswald, along with producer Dirk Schlachter (Gamma Ray, Ross The Boss) and mixing/mastering expert Eike Freese, known for his work with Deep Purple, Helloween, and Simple Minds, among others.

Bassist Robert Hankers comments on how stellar group effort made up the true magic behind the new album:

"Call Me What You Want is based on real teamwork! In contrast to our previous releases, this time we threw the ideas and visions of everyone involved together, mixed all the different components, and then brought out the best in every one of us at the studio.

This has made the material even more versatile and multi-faceted. In our case, it was really helpful to have so many different cooks from the beginning."

In addition to strong guitar riffs, striking vocals, and inspired songwriting combined with a few surprises like the German-language country cover "Uber-Alman" and "Fiddler On The Roof" - a hot mix of power metal and ballad - Call Me What You Want thrives in its vibrant studio production.

"Dirk is an old-fashioned guy in the most positive sense of the word. He expected our best musical performance, (and) working with him was a bit like going through a school of hard knocks," says Benno Hankers, looking back on exhausting but fruitful days at the studio. "But the effort was well worthwhile, not least because Eike has achieved such a warm and lively mix." Eike Freese mixed and mastered Call Me What You Want at the renowned Chameleon Studio in Hamburg.

Fantastic contributions from the three guest musicians are also an integral part of the NIGHT LASER sound including breathtaking vocal performances, technical guitars (including some twin guitar solos), and a super tight rhythm section.

Robert Hankers comments: "We deliberately opted for slightly more conspicuous keyboards and targeted splashes of colour courtesy of cello and violins to achieve the most multi-layered sound possible."

In regards to the songs' themes, Benno Hankers says: "There are only anti-standards on Call Me What You Want, in other words, no lyrics about women, cars or parties, those cliches are all things of the past! Instead, I prefer to play with metaphors and, in addition to some personal topics, I also talk about socio-critical aspects that may open our listener's eyes."

Call Me What You Want will be available in May of 2024 via Steamhammer/SPV on CD, vinyl, and digital download, with at least four tracks accompanied by videos coming out ahead of release date. These singles will include album openers "Bittersweet Dreams" and "Way To The Thrill", as well as the hell-raising "Laser Train" and the anthem "Don't Call Me Hero".

Tracklist:

• "Bittersweet Dreams"
• "Way To The Thrill"
• "No More Changes"
• "Don't Call Me Hero"
• "Law Of The Vulture"
• "Laser Train"
• "Travelers In Time"
• "Captain Punishment"
• "Fiddler On The Roof"
• "Thin Ice" (bonus track)
• "Uber-Alman" (bonus track)