Starts Shipping January 1, 2026
Media: Limited Edition 2 panel envelope style CD edition w/insert including free sticker for first 80 orders
This is a precursor for what is to come in May 2026 but this CD is extra special as 2 of the 3 tracks will NOT be pressed on the full length album. AND One of those tracks features Christian Liljegren (Narnia) So you will need to get this RARE sneak peak exclusive CD in your possession!
MOONLIT MASQUERADE
Wreckage (EP)
A dream comes true: Nick Layton, lead guitarist and songwriter of the USAmerican
Melodic Metal units FireWölfe and Reign of Glory, has realized a unique project under the name MOONLIT MASQUERADE, together with legendary musicians such as Zak Stevens and Jeff Plate from Savatage and Barry Sparks from MSG.
First appetizer "Wreckage", officially released on December 12th 2025, is a 3-track EP, also available as limited cardboard-sleeve CD. Apart from the title track 'Wreckage', the EP contains two exclusive songs for enthusiasts and collectors, which are neither available digitally nor featured on the longplay album planned for May 2026.
An Avalanche of Ideas
The initiative behind the project is sharp and effective. Layton intended to assemble a few new songs with overworked versions taken from his 2008 solo debut "Storming The Castle". Talking to his label Limb Music in Germany, they soon abandoned the idea of creating another instrumental album. New focus: heading into a far more promising project, brainstorming about possible voices, setting up a wish list of unique singers. A snowball crossing the Atlantic triggered an avalanche of ideas.
The Spirit Comes Alive
The title track of the EP features the voice and the melody lines of monumental Savatage and Circle II Circle singer Zak Stevens. 'Wreckage' is breathing the spirit of iconic Savatage compositions. Behind the drums we feel the beat of Zak’s fellow band member Jeff Plate
(TSO/Metal Church), teaming up as backbone of the songs together with bassist Barry Sparks (Michael Schenker Group/Dokken), accompanied by Nick Laytons songwriting associate Ted Gardner on keyboards. Nick says: „Ted Gardner created some awesome keyboards to give it that classic Savatage sound. Zak knocked it out of the park with his performance, and the middle vocal counterpoint section brings memories of such Savatage classics like 'Chance' and 'The Wake Of Magellan'."
Tsunami in the Sand
Instrumental tune 'Deceiver', originally part of "Storming The Castle" album from 2008, builds its walls onto the same foundation, but has been thoroughly overworked, featuring loads of newly integrated melody variations. The third number 'Show Me the Way' highlights both Nick's guitar play and the vocal range of Narnia's frontman Christian Liljegren. It combines neoclassical elements evolving into a tsunami of sounds created by gripping melody guitars. The recorded music has been mixed and mastered by renowned Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio, San Marino, Italy. Icing on the cake is the cover artwork of artist Uwe Jarling.
Nick's Stations
Together with his guitar playing side-kick Paul Kleff, songwriter/guitarist Nick Layton started FireWölfe back in 2010. Their debut album saw the light of day in 2011. "We Rule the Night" was released in 2014, "Conquer All Fear" in 2021, a Re-issue of "FireWölfe" in 2022. With Reign of Glory Nick Layton realized two album records: "All Will Bow" (2022) and "Slingshot" (2025). Temporarily he was a member of US Metal pioneers Q5 in 2019.
Line-up
Nick Layton - lead guitars
Ted Gardner - keyboards
Barry Sparks - bass guitar
Jeff Plate (Savatage, Metal Church) - drums
Zak Stevens (Savatage) - vocals on 'Wreckage'
Christian Liljegren (Narnia) - vocals on 'Show Me the Way'
Points of Interest:
- "Wreckage" is a 3-track EP gathering legendary musicians from planet Power Metal, featuring Savatage voice Zak Stevens, Narnia frontman Christian Liljegren, Savatage/Metal Church-Drummer Jeff Plate, and MSG/Dokken bassist Barry Sparks
- Mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni, cover artwork by Uwe Jarling
- Two of the three songs from "Wreckage" are exclusively available on the limited cardboard-sleeve CD
- These two songs are neither available digitally, nor will they be featured on MOONLIT MASQUERADE's debut album, scheduled for May 2026
- Music for friends and lovers of Savatage, Narnia, Dokken, Michael Schenker and Metal Church