Fraxures Releases New Song Blackheart Serenade

Published Februrary 7th, 2025

Photos By: Chris Hazel

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San Diego’s own sonic wrecking crew, Fraxures, is back and ready to rip your speakers apart with their latest single, “Blackheart Serenade”! This crushing new track features the powerhouse pipes of Travis Neal (formerly of Divine Heresy), the relentless machine-gun drumming of Fred Aching (Kings of Thrash / Powerflo / Bulletboys), the bass-slapping of Vinny Marvaso, the pristine solos of Esty Sanchez, and the beautiful rhythms and haunting melodies sang by Nolan Davis. If you thought Fraxures was heavy before, buckle up, this one hits like a sledgehammer to the soul.

Produced by Holly West (Dead Groove / Zepparella) and premiering via BraveWords, the official music video for “Blackheart Serenade” is out now, so crank it up and witness the madness for yourself!

After turning heads with their 2022 Firewater Sessions EP, helmed by Billy Graziadei of Biohazard, Fraxures cemented their reputation for blending raw aggression with chilling harmony. That release was just the beginning, and now they’re ready to level up in a big way.

Mixed by Joel Wanasek (Ice Nine Kills / Machine Head) and mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More / Cynic / Sepultura), “Blackheart Serenade” is equal parts brutal and hypnotic. It’s a dark, electrifying taste of what’s to come on the band’s upcoming full-length album, "HĖXĖS", which promises to dive even deeper into their signature blend of chaos and symphony.

Fraxures is set to debut “Blackheart Serenade” live for the first time this Saturday, February 8th, at San Diego’s finest, Brick By Brick. This is the show to be at if you want to witness the band’s next chapter unfold in real time.

But don’t just take our word for it, blast the new single, watch the video, and get ready for Fraxures to take you on one hell of a ride. Their full-length album, "HĖXĖS", is currently in the final stages of mixing and mastering and is set for release sometime this fall.

Lead vocalist Travis Neal was kind enough to do an interview with Broadcast to the World.

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Interview

Chris Hazel: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today.

Travis Neal: Yeah absolutely, you are welcome brother.

Chris: What does this single mean to you, and why did you choose “Blackheart Serenade” to be the first one released?

Travis: This first single means a lot to me and all of us. It marks our next level of evolution. There has been so many things that have stood in the way of finishing this record and for that last almost 3 years we’ve been in and out of reworking every little detail. This was the first single to be mixed and mastered and completed which is huge! I think there was a time when we all were doubting Fraxures existence and this track is a testament that everything happens for a reason. We chose “Blackheart Serenade” because it shows all sides of who we are and our own personal growth and evolution as musicians, brothers and humans. We’ve weathered a lot of super storms to get here and the unleashing of this song is the sunlight peering through those storm clouds finally!

Chris: Can you walk us through the story or the creative process behind the song?

Travis: Well, I struggled for a long time to write this new music lyrically as well as melody wise. I think life was holding me back, maybe stress but either way I could not break through the block. Then I got sick and was sidelined for a year as well as losing my entire world as I knew. I had to uproot and find my peace and myself. Once I was feeling some or any inspiration, the flood gates blew open! Everything that had been pushed down, bottled up and experienced came to the surface with such power and emotion that we were writing, mapping and tracking sometimes 3 songs a day on the fly with nothing pre written coming into the session. It was nuts but it needed to happen!

Travis continued: The rest of band used that down time to fine tooth comb through every note and song to make sure that it was what each member felt perfect for their parts. These songs went through more evolution then any of other project I’ve been a part of. These guys really put their noses to that grindstone and it shows.

 (Photos by Chris Hazel at Brick By Brick. Click here to see full photo gallery of Faxures)

Chris: How does this single set the tone for your upcoming album or represent direction the band is heading musically?

Travis: I believe it is a great re introduction to Fraxures. We wanted to infuse different elements into our music to make it more inter-dimensional for our own sanity and for our listeners. We wanted the fans that know us and know what to expect from us to be taken down a more broader road without losing the integrity of who we are. I feel “Blackheart Serenade” sets the stage for this upcoming full length perfectly! We cannot wait for you all to hear the rest of this record.

Chris: What do you hope listeners connect with most when hearing the new track?

Travis: The raw emotion! This song as well as most of the others are very personal to me and I poured a lot of my heart into this lyrically. We all did and my hope is that anyone that listens will hear that and it might relate to their own experiences in some ways and offer support with the listener knowing they are not alone.

Chris: Are there any behind the scene moments or fun stories from creating the single or filming the music video you would like to share?

Travis: Well, the recording process I feel brought up together so much tighter and there were many session where it was all fun and funny and we laughed for hours. I would always take just the synth tracks and put just Nolan’s voice with it, it made it like vintage soundtracks lol, because he’s got that voice, it was so good. Who knows we might just release an EP like that? With the haunting melodies of Nolan Davis!

Chris: And what about the “Blackheart Serenade” music video?

Travis: The video was amazing. Hot AF in the Imperial valley desert! Sweating out asses off, being dirty and probably filming parts in places that were definitely not good for our health. The big building we shot in had been abandoned for 40 plus years and the rafters served as the only sanctuary for the local birds apparently so the was like 3 inches of dried bird shit covering the majority of everything so I’m sure that poo dust was great for our lungs but it turned out amazing in the end! At one point I’m pretty sure Esty was like I’m not going in there, can we just shoot it outside? (Laughing)

(Photos by Chris Hazel at Brick By Brick. Click here to see full photo gallery of Faxures)

Chris: How does it feel to be cancer free & to have no more chemo treatments? How good does it feel to be doing this shit again?! Creating, sharing, & performing live up on stage with all the love & support from your music family?

Travis: I can’t even describe it. At one point I wasn’t sure the outcome of the diagnosis and at stage 3 I thought my days were numbered. There was talk with my loved ones about end of life preparations if needed and where and how it was all going to take place. But I just came to conclusion that it’s not my time and this disease was not my end all be all! So I fought with every ounce of strength I could and just kept smiling no matter how shitty I felt, how bad things were or how much longer I had to go, I just kept a smile on my face even if it was fake. The outpouring of our community was breathtaking! So much love and support and that’s a big part of what kept me going and got me through it. So when I was able to start creating and performing again, it just hit a little differently. I’m eternally grateful and the only way I feel I can return the favor is to deliver! So that’s what I strive even harder for.

Chris: Do you have any advice or words of encouragement for other people going through similar battles in their lives?

Travis: It’s pretty crazy because we all struggle with stuff everyday, financial stress, depression, anxiety, emotional trauma, etc. But when your health is in jeopardy, like really in jeopardy and you get sick, nothing else matters and you really see how small our huge problems really are. In our darkest moments we as humans do either one of two things. Either rise up or let it consume us. Always rise up! Even if you feel you are all alone, you are not. You have your family. If you don’t have that then you have your brothers and sisters out there that will ride with you always. I found out who was real and was for show when this happened and it was eye opening but welcomed. Always remember that it is darkest before the dawn. Lean on your ride or die’s and above all… Stay fucking positive! If you believe there isn’t a way out, then there won’t be. Always focus on that tiny light at the end of whatever tunnel you are in, if you don’t see then it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Keep pushing, keep bettering yourself, keep feeding your soul, cut out the ones that are dragging you down no matter how much it hurts, just keep pushing always. We’ve all been in the pitch black and we found our way out, this is no different. The key is to come out stronger, focused and determined to be better.

Chris: Looking back on everything, how excited are you for the future of Fraxures & how excited are you for this new chapter?

Travis: I cannot even put into words how excited I am for the next chapter in this band’s existence. This record means so much to me and the rest of the band. We worked hard, weathered every storm and spit in the face of defeat! We cannot wait for all to hear what that sounds like! With Blackheart Serenade, it’s just but a taste of what’s to come!

Chris: Is there anything you want to say to readers of this?

Travis: Thank you taking the time to read this, thank you supporting this platform and our music! It you who keep the fire going with all of us out here just trying to make a tiny spec in the world. Much love and respect to all of you