Flahoola Set to Release Anticipated Album on Halloween

The Denver-based speed metal trio, Flahoola, is gearing up for the release of their debut album, which will be available on Halloween, October 31. To celebrate, the band will host a release show at the Oriental Theater on November 1. The event promises to be a vibrant Halloween party, encouraging attendees to come in costume for a chance to win in a costume contest.

Bassist and vocalist John Napier shared a particularly haunting memory that inspired his creative process. He described a recurring nightmare from his youth where he was pursued by a Formula 1 racecar driver wearing a white helmet adorned with the Italian flag. “Every time I died, I would wake up,” Napier recounted, sharing how this unsettling experience persisted for several years until he finally confronted the dream character in a lucid dream.

Flahoola, which draws its name from an old Irish term meaning “extremely vulgar woman,” has been a fixture in the local music scene for nearly a decade. The lineup, which includes Napier, guitarist Cole Helman, and drummer Jaydon Kershner, solidified in 2022 when Helman joined the group full-time. Since then, they have been crafting a unique blend of traditional metal, classic rock, and stoner doom, but they had yet to release any formal recordings until now.

Kershner noted the band’s desire to record their music for years, especially after receiving enthusiastic responses from live audiences. “People would ask, ‘You guys have so much energy, where can I find your music?’ and we’d have to say, ‘Nowhere yet,’” he said, reflecting on the frustration of not having recorded material available.

To capture the essence of their live performances, most tracks on the album were recorded together in the same room. Kershner explained that their new song, “TommyKnocker,” proved to be particularly challenging to keep at a manageable tempo. “It sounds like you guys just want to do that faster,” their producer remarked during the recording process.

“This song is about space drugs, so we wanted it to feel transcendental,” Kershner added, explaining the creative vision behind the track. Helman mentioned that while the song turned out faster than intended, it offers a glimpse into the band’s evolving sound.

Listeners can also look forward to “Frankenstein’s Hell,” a rock opera that tells the story from the perspective of the iconic monster. The band has indicated plans to continue recording new material, hinting at a busy future in the studio.

The album release event at the Oriental Theater will feature performances alongside local acts such as Tongue Hammer, Nova Nights, and Shwarma. The night kicks off at 6 p.m. on November 1, promising an exhilarating experience for fans of rock and metal.

As Helman puts it, “It’s not intentional, but it’s rock and roll,” capturing the spontaneous energy that Flahoola brings to their performances. The anticipation around the album and the release event reflects the band’s commitment to their craft and their growing fanbase in the competitive music scene.