Once Romero chose the two songs that he did, I knew I was going to need a really great drummer. The songs were fast, heavy, and completely driven by the drums, so the bar was high. I had been following Ken Mary from his early days with Fifth Angel, through his work with Alice Cooper, and on to House of Lords, and up into his heavier work with Flotsam & Jetsam, so I already knew the level of precision, power, and musicality he brings to everything he touches. When he agreed to join us, I told him I wanted him to show off. When he said “my pleasure” I knew he was our guy. It felt like everything clicked into place—his playing elevated the tracks instantly, adding both intensity and finesse in all the right moments. We couldn’t have been happier to have him on board; he absolutely delivered and then some.