Vocalist/guitarist Tim Branom (FIFTH ANGEL, BRANOM, CLOUD NINE) has started recording a new album in a Los Angeles studio.

Branom was a forerunner of the Seattle metal scene when he sang with GYPSY ROSE, which briefly contained future ALICE IN CHAINS members Jerry Cantrell and Mike Starr. After he moved to Los Angeles, he worked behind the scenes as a producer and sometimes as a live musician for Carly Smithson (WE ARE THE FALLEN, AMERICAN IDOL) and as a studio musician for Travis Meeks (DAYS OF THE NEW) for one album.

“It’s always a surprise to change direction”, Branom says, “but fans of bands like the FOO FIGHTERS and AUDIOSLAVE will love this stuff. I chose a studio with a 70’s vibe and fat sounds. We started recording at Barry Paul Recording studios in North Hollywood. If only the walls could talk. It served as a rehearsal hall and home for some of the great California songwriters and bands of the mid-70’s.”

All the vocals, guitars, bass and keyboards will be produced and performed solely by Tim Branom. Drum tracks for over twenty songs have already been recorded utilizing veteran drummer Chris Ross (JOHN WAITE, TERRY REID, MICK TAYLOR, STU HAMM, JEFF PILSON, STEVE LUKATHER). One song also features a contribution from cellist Sarah O’Brien (OZZY OSBOURNE, ELO).

Sixteen songs will be chosen for the album, including such titles as 'Four On The Floor', 'Bloody Mary'. 'Upside / Down', 'Never Return'. 'Follow You', 'Blind'. 'Revolver', 'What If', 'Scum', 'Junk From Your Trunk', 'Xperiment', 'Enemy', 'Taxman', 'Mystery Writer' and 'Buried Alive' (a bonus track previously released on iTunes).

Branom explains: “I wrote all the songs except for ‘Taxman’, a CHEAPTRICK song off their first album, which I just had to have. Another song pays tribute to Seattle heroes Mike Starr and Layne Staley. And because of the state of the music industry, no one really knows what comes next. So I’ve decided to shoot a music video for every song.”

You can hear demo versions of some songs on the official website Timbranom.com.

Video clips of the sessions can be seen below:

(Photo credit: Barry Paul)