The Battle of Sealand is the debut studio album by American shoegaze band Airiel. It was released August 21, 2007, on Chicago-based Highwheel Records. The album was named after the Principality of Sealand.

The Battle of Sealand
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 21, 2007
Genre
Length63:22
LabelHighwheel Records
ProducerDavid Golitko
Airiel chronology
The Battle of Sealand
(2007)
Molten Young Lovers
(2017)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Pitchfork(5/10) [2]
Stylus Magazine(B) [3]

According to an article on the Sealand News website, the members of the band were named official lords of Sealand in recognition of naming their album after the self-proclaimed micronation.[4] On September 30, 2007, it was announced that Airiel would be the first rock band to perform at Sealand;[5][6] however, the concert did not take place.

The band lineup for the album's recording included guitarist Chris DeBrizzio, bassist/vocalist Cory Osborne, drummer John Rungger and guitarist/vocalist Jeremy Wrenn.[1] German electronic musician, remixer and Tangerine Dream member Ulrich Schnauss made a guest appearance on the track "Sugar Crystals".[1][7]

Track listing edit

  1. Introduction – 3:28
  2. Thinktank – 4:21
  3. Thrown Idols – 3:32
  4. Sugar Crystals – 5:16
  5. You Kids Should Know Better – 7:59
  6. Mermaid In A Manhole – 4:36
  7. Stay – 6:16
  8. Peoria – 5:13
  9. The Release – 2:48
  10. Red Friends – 5:10
  11. The Big Mash-Up – 14:43
  12. The Sealand – 2:17 [hidden track]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Airiel – The Battle of Sealand at AllMusic
  2. ^ Pitchfork review
  3. ^ Stylus Magazine review
  4. ^ "Sealand News". Sealand News. September 24, 2007. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  5. ^ "Sealand News - News & Information from the Principality of Sealand". Sealand News. September 30, 2007. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved 2019-02-14.
  6. ^ "First live gig to rock Sealand". ResponseSource Press Release Wire. Retrieved 2019-02-14.
  7. ^ Ulrich Schnauss at AllMusic