Flahoola Unleashes New Album at Halloween Bash in Denver

The Denver-based rock trio Flahoola is set to release their debut album, Nightmare Fuel, on October 31, 2023, coinciding with the Halloween festivities. To celebrate this much-anticipated launch, the band will host a release show at the Oriental Theater on November 1, 2023, promising an evening filled with music and Halloween-themed activities.

Bassist and vocalist John Napier shared a haunting childhood experience that inspired much of the album. “I was being hunted by a Formula 1 racecar driver,” he recalled. “I just remember seeing a white helmet with an Italian flag chasing me. Each time I died in the dream, I would wake up, only to fall back into the nightmare again.” After years of this recurring dream, Napier eventually confronted his fear in a lucid dream, overcoming the driver once and for all.

This release show is expected to be more than just a concert; it will feature a costume contest, encouraging attendees to dress in their best Halloween attire. According to drummer Jaydon Kershner, the band aims to create a festive atmosphere that blends their music with Halloween spirit. “We’re trying to make it a big Halloween party,” he said, assuring fans that audience participation would be encouraged but not in a chaotic manner.

Flahoola, which derives its name from an old Irish term for an “extremely vulgar woman,” has been energizing the local music scene for nearly a decade. Initially formed by Napier and Kershner, the band expanded with the addition of guitarist Cole Helman in 2022. Together, they blend elements of traditional metal, classic rock, and stoner-doom into a unique sound, characterized by high energy and raw authenticity.

Despite their established presence on stage, Kershner noted that the band had not previously released any formal recordings. “We wanted to record these songs for a long time,” he explained. “Every time we played live, people would ask where they could find our music, and we had to tell them there was nowhere to find it yet.”

The band has been releasing singles since June, with nearly half of the album available to listen to ahead of the full release. Among the tracks is a song inspired by horror master Stephen King, which showcases the band’s darker lyrical themes.

To capture the energy of a live show, many songs on Nightmare Fuel were recorded live in the studio. Kershner described the experience of tracking “TommyKnocker,” a newer original that proved challenging to contain. “We were all pushing the tempo,” he said, explaining how the band’s collective excitement drove them to play faster than initially intended.

Helman added that the song aims to evoke a “trippy, transcendental” feeling, aligning with its themes of space and altered states of consciousness. “You get a little taste of the old and the new, where we came from and where we’re heading,” he said.

As the band looks ahead, they are already considering plans for more studio time to produce additional material. However, Kershner emphasized that the best way to experience Flahoola is through their live performances, where they consistently deliver a high-paced show. “It’s not intentional,” Helman remarked, “but it’s rock and roll.”

Fans can catch Flahoola in action alongside local acts Tongue Hammer, Nova Nights, and Shwarma at the Oriental Theater at 6 p.m. on November 1. With their debut album releasing on Halloween, Flahoola is poised to make a significant impact on the Denver music scene, blending their unique sound with the thrilling spirit of the holiday.