# Velvet Chains (band)

Velvet Chains is an American hard rock band based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

## History
### Formation and first album (2018–2021)

The band was formed in 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada by Nils Goldschmidt. He recruited the original lineup through an ad he posted on Craigslist. Initially the band would play covers at local bars and clubs, however in 2020 Nils decided to transition into an original band.
The band launched its first album "Icarus" on 24 September 2021. It was released with 10 songs, including two singles "Tattooed" and "Strangelove". It features guest appearances by guitarist Richard Fortus from Guns N' Roses, and bassist Jeff Rouse and guitarist Mike Squires, both from Duff McKagan's Loaded. This album was later taken down by the band in 2023; however 3 songs "Tattooed", "Pass The Disease" & "Wasted" were re-recorded with Ro Viper on vocals and re-uploaded.
The first single "Tattooed" features special guest appearance of Guns N' Roses guitarist Richard Fortus and it was released in July 2021.

### Current lineup and latest releases (2022–present)

The band launched its second EP "Morbid Dreams" on 21 October 2022. It was released with 6 songs, including three singles "Last Drop", "Back On The Train" and "Can't Win".
In 2024, the band underwent a transition in their lineup, now featuring Ro Viper on vocals, Lahi Cassiano on lead guitar and backing vocals, Jason Hope on drums, Von Boldt on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, and Nils Goldschmidt on bass and backing vocals who is also the only original founding member. In 2023 the band released 3 new singles: "I Am The Ocean" produced by Kellen McGregor; "Stuck Against The Wall" produced by Erik Ron; and "Eyes Closed" produced by The Heavy and mixed by Joshua Wilbur.

## Live Shows

The band participated in Rock Fest 2022 which was held July 13–16 in Cadott, Wisconsin, in Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2022 which was held September 8–11 in Alton, Virginia and in Summer Breeze Open Air Brasil Festival 2023 which was held April 26–28 in São Paulo, Brazil.
Velvet Chains has also opened for several mainstream acts including Stone Temple Pilots, The Winery Dogs, Saint Asonia, L.A. Guns and Last in Line, among others.
In early 2024 the band went on tour to Brazil with Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, billed as their opening act for their "The River is Rising" tour. The shows were held in Belo Horizonte on January 29, in São Paulo on January 31, in Rio de Janeiro on February 1 and in Porto Alegre on February 4.

## Members
### Current members

* Nils Goldschmidt – bass and backing vocals
* Ro Viper – lead vocals
* Jason Hope – drums
* Lahi Cassiano – lead guitar and backing vocals
* Von Boldt – rhythm guitar and backing vocals

### Past members

* Noelle Schertzer – drums
* Laurent Cassiano – lead guitar and backing vocals
* Burton Car – lead guitar and backing vocals

## Discography
### Icarus (2021)

* Before We Shine - 3:43
* Burning City - 2:44
* Tattooed (feat. Richard Fortus) - 4:13
* Pass the Disease (feat. Mike Squires & Jeff Rouse) - 3:02
* Wasted - 4:23
* Strangelove - 4:41
* Flexing - 1:38
* Sex Slave - 3:24
* Teenage Stoner - 3:11
* Gone - 3:20

### Morbid Dreams (2022) EP

It was released on 21 October 2022 with 6 songs, including three singles "Last Drop", "Back On The Train" and "Can't Win".
* "Back On The Train"
* "Last Drop"
* "Hiding From Stars"
* "Can't Win"
* "Time Stood Still"
* "Fade Away"

### 2023 Singles

* "I Am The Ocean" released on 20 July 2023.
* "Stuck Against The Wall" released on 14 September 2023.
* "Eyes Closed" released on 4 October 2023.

### 2024 Singles

* "Suspicious Minds" released on 26 January 2024.
* "Enemy" released on 7 June 2024.
* “Dead Inside” released on 25 October 2024.

### Charted Singles

| Title | Year | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Year | US Main. |
| "Stuck Against the Wall" | 2023 | 37 |
| "Dead Inside" | 2024 | 22 |

### Music videos

List of music videos, showing year released and directors :
| Title | Year | Director(s) |
| "Last Drop" | 2022 | Circus Head |
| "Back on the Train" | 2022 | Dean Karr |
| "Can't Win" | 2022 | Circus Head |
| "I Am the Ocean" | 2023 | Circus Head |
| "Stuck Against the Wall" | 2023 | Leo Liberti |
| "Eyes Closed" | 2023 | Julian Oyanedel |
| "Suspicious Minds" | 2024 | Leo Xavier |
| "Enemy" | 2024 | TFP Studios |
| "Dead Inside" | 2024 | Circus Head |

## Awards

| Year | Award | Category | Result |
| 2021 | Music Video Awards | Best Production Design | Finalist |
| 2022 | Richmond International Film Festival | Best Music Video | Nominated |
| 2022 | Premios Pulsar Chile | Best Rock Band | Nominated |
| 2022 | Santiago Horror Film Fest | Best Music Video | Won |