The self-titled EP from SCELESTUS (pronounced sha-less-tus) is released today, May 10th, via Filthy Hands/Megaforce. On this latest project, ex-MUSHROOMHEAD vocalist J Mann joins forces once again with former bandmate and current Mushroomhead drummer Steve “Skinny” Felton to create Scelestus. Rounding out the group is Tommy Church formerly of THE AUTUMN OFFERING, a “badass guitarist” from North Carolina and a perfect fit for the group’s carefree yet well-written aesthetic that can only come from years of experience. A full album is expected in the fall of 2011.

The story of Scelestus can date back to the 90's, when an encounter in a rundown rehearsal facility immediately brought J Mann into the arms of Skinny and his band Mushroomhead. Joining the group immediately ultimately brought a number of other side projects their way, as J Mann and Skinny collaborated on such undertakings as (216), 10,000 CADILLACS, and CROSSFADER, as well as the independent record label SMDC.

“I had found a musical soulmate,” says J Mann. “We were family. Over the course of a decade, we literally achieved our dreams and goals, and we did it together.”

J Mann had an amicable departure from Mushroomhead in 2004, though gossip had led to confusion and misunderstanding between the two musicians.

“Tragically, it took the loss of Mushroomhead’s founding guitar player John ‘J.J. Righteous’ Sekula in October of 2010 for us to not only face each other but face ourselves as well,” J Mann admits. “We hugged, we cried, we laughed and we gave a fitting send off to a fallen comrade in front of 2,200 people at the Agora Theatre. We also vowed to work together again. Immediately.”

A few months later in February of 2011, J Mann and Skinny followed up on that vow. “[Skinny] called and said he had a free week, and this badass guitar named Tommy Church from North Carolina was in town, did I wanna jam?" says J Mann. “We decided to do it like back in the day; for fun, no egos, no over-analyzing, throw-and-go and get-it-out.”

And in four days, the trio did just that, producing a solid four tracks that now stand as the debut self-titled release for Scelestus.

The band’s debut self-titled EP is available through Megaforce Records.

“I stand by it because it came from the heart,” J Mann states. “It's honest, and that seems to have become a rare commodity.”