Track listing: Angel Below

A punch in the face. Double bass drums hammering away. An enormous wall of guitar sound towering above.

That's the opening strains of Salt Lake City based Ex-Okay's forthcoming single "Angel Below." The maelstrom drops away for the verse momentarily but then comes right back at you...until the gorgeous piano-laden interlude. It's a work of hard rock art.

"Angel Below" is the lead-off single from The Red Album, the group's full-length record with a release date yet to be announced. But the album is going to wow listeners. Ex-Okay's continuing stints at legendary N.R.G. Studios have yielded nothing but massive sounds. 

And the team assembled for "Angel Below" is nothing short of all star. Production reins were handled by Joe Haze (Sublime, Gladys Knight, George Lynch, ESPN, Pop Will Eat Itself). It was mixed by Grammy-winner Chris Lord-Alge (Green Day, Prince, James Brown) and mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Dream Theater, Yes, Halford). Joining in instrumentally, you've got Brian Tichy on drums, bassist Adam Smith, and vocals/guitar duties filled by Tom Anderson.

You can hear a blend of the group's influences coming through "Angel Below." Definitely an Emo/Punk vibe channeling Taking Back Sunday. The musical IQ of Muse. Arrangements harken to the variance of someone like Linkin Park. 

Keep eyes and ears tuned to exokay.com for a release announcement for both "Angel Below" and later The Red Album in its entirety.