These songs are the culmination of ten years of work which finally came together under the desert summer skies of New Mexico. The original concept was cooked up by a couple of Johnny alums (St. John’s College Santa Fe) Jordan Grady and Franz Sturm, and one helluva bass player in Erik Teixeira who all share a love of metal and history. We managed just two live shows before life went on its merry way and the project lay dormant for a time save for my own guitar practice and some occasional chances for recording bass parts. Rather than letting Shield go the wayside, I wanted to give a lasting life to these songs and kept them going over the years until I finally had what amounted to a decent recording setup. Recording began in 2014 and finally finished in June of 2019. Much has changed since we first wrote Wrath of Achilles in 2009, but the constant throughout was a love for what we termed Antiquities Metal. Thus we are, at long last, as Odysseus returning home from long journeys, the old epics are given life once more. Haroo! Haroo! Haroo! - Franz Sturm

Vocals/Lyrics Franz Sturm, Jordan Grady, Homer, Virgil, Gilgamesh, Apollonius Rhodius.
Guitars Franz Sturm.
Bass Erik Teixeira and Franz Sturm.

Franz: This album is dedicated to Steve Maase, who taught me how to express myself through the wonders of the guitar while living life to the very fullest (the two are quite well one in the same). This album is for you, dear Steve. Thanks to my wonderful wife Joy and daughter Ezry for all of their love and putting up with my many late nights of recording. Thanks to my dear parents for always supporting my musical adventures with instruments, equipment, software, lessons, and more than I can really mention. Thanks to my sister Lora for all of her heartfelt encouragement and putting up with my loud practices over the years. Thanks to my extended family for always supporting my pursuit of metal and accepting me for who I am. Thanks to Brendan Sever for doing such an awesome job mixing and mastering this beast! Thanks to Paul Akmajian for your help with the album cover. Thanks to Erik Teixeira, Jordan Grady, Justin Dressel, Marcelo Gallegos, Chris Jackson, Brandon Daniel, Dan Hicks, Derek Bensonhaver, Jon Kidd, Tyler Pilette, Lily Maase, Michael Anthony, Luke Macias, Sicktanick, Jenny Perez, Lars Panaro, John Paez, Marita Campos Melady, Robert Bruce Crow III, Sarah Loomis, St. John’s College Santa Fe, The Polyhymnia Dorm, Steel Bender Brewyard, Iron Maiden, Apple Inc, Logic Pro, Mr. Parnell, Robert Anton Wilson, 300, The Iliad, Clash of the Titans, Zeus, Achilles, The Flying Spaghetti Monster, Monty Python, Rowan Atkinson, The Eleven Immortals in various states of visibility, and Aleister Crowley. For anyone else I’ve forgotten to mention by name, thank you.
In Memoriam: Justin Shearer. RIP my friend. Thanks for inspiring me to finish this album, and all of the great metal and beer we shared over the years! Skål!