Can you tell us about your monumental release, Animals and Angels.
It was seven years ago when we released our third ep, Animals and Angels. This was a very creative time period for the band, and we were riding high on the energy and the intensity of the live shows. I had just become friends with Joe Macre, the bassist from Crack the Sky, and we were starting to collaborate on some music; for his upcoming record and for the new 86 Bullets recordings.
In pre-production, Joe would come down to the studio and offer us advice. It was his idea for the drum part in the chorus for the title track, Animals and Angels. Jerry, our drummer, always would say to me how that one suggestion really changed the song and made it much better than before. The tracking was done at Studio E in Westminster, MD, like previously for the first two ep’s, with Josh Clark in the engineer’s chair again, and Joe Macre as co-producer, and he played bass on the title track. The artwork was all done by our singer, Steve. At the time, his computer wasn’t working, so he created all the artwork on his phone, which was pretty amazing to me.
For those unaware, the band name and theme was inspired by Tyke the elephant, who was murdered by 86 bullets back in the summer of 1994. In fact, we dedicated the ep in her memory. The song Hail of Bullets was a tribute specifically to her. Animals and Angels is about the idea that animals become angels in the end. Or perhaps they are secretly already angels when they are here. The first track, Together, was a favorite of ours to open shows, and Fly To Eternity was one of the heaviest and most aggressive songs we had ever written.
In looking back to that time, there are a lot of wonderful memories. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that seven years has passed, and I think of where I was at that time. I remember my animals and my angels that were around that are no longer with us. Life goes on and things change, but the music will always be there, like in a little time capsule of joy and emotions that will live on forever.
Chris Elliott – June 2025
Track-List
1. Together 03:55
2. Fly To Eternity 04:06
3. Animals and Angels 06:12
4. Hail Of Bullets 05:27
Animals and Angels writing credits
Band Members
Lead Vocals – Steve “Gravy” Graybeal
Lead Guitar / Vocals – Chris “Shredder” Elliott
Bass Guitar / Vocals – Eric Dee
Drums – Jerry “Jyro” Oxendine
Special Guest
Joe Macre and, Abby Otradovec
Label
Melodic Revolution Records
86 Bullets will appeal to fans of
Powerful, socially conscious hard rock and metal music. Their sound blends elements of classic metal, modern rock, and melodic hooks, appealing to listeners who enjoy bands like Disturbed, Godsmack, and Avenged Sevenfold. Their themes often touch on animal rights, justice, and personal empowerment, making them resonate with fans who appreciate both sonic intensity and meaningful lyrics.
Seven years on, Animals & Angels still hits hard—proof that great rock never fades.
Find Out More About Tyke the Elephant
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyke_(elephant)
86 Bullets Online
Website: https://mrrmusic.com/project/86-bullets/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/86Bullets1
Bandcamp: https://86bullets.bandcamp.com/music
iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/86-bullets/1229507791
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2iIpLqaOpzXNFwn14Mgyb7
Melodic Revolution Records
https://li.sten.to/mrrmusiccom
