CJ Shaman Unleashes “EL DIABLO” — A Music Video & Album Born from Fire, Loss, and Pure Rock N’ Roll

Few artists today embody the raw spirit of rock like CJ Shaman. With the upcoming release of his highly anticipated album, El Diablo De Ocho (“Devil of Eight”), set to drop worldwide on July 8th, CJ is unleashing more than just music — he’s opening a portal into a cinematic, emotional, and electrifying new era of his artistry. The release will be backed by a special marketing campaign from Virgin Music Group’s marketing platform, and anchored by a live release show in Las Vegas, featuring special guests.

The debut music video for the title track “EL DIABLO” sets the tone. Heavily inspired by cult and grindhouse cinema from the ‘70s to ‘90s — think From Dusk Till Dawn, Natural Born Killers, Near Dark, and Apocalypse Now — the video fuses horror aesthetics with classic MTV-era edge. Directed with instinctive grit by videographer Shaun, the shoot took place in the infamous Nevada desert at an abandoned cement factory surrounded by bat nests and birds of prey. “It was hotter than hell’s nails,” CJ laughs. “But we all pushed through like the badasses we are.”

The video is more than stylized spectacle — it’s personal. “The song itself is inspired by the tragic passing of a dear friend,” CJ reveals, referencing Nick Viotti, the “El Diablo” the song is named after. Nick, known for his brilliant mind and love of horror and the occult, was one of two major losses CJ faced in a short time — the other being his best friend Joshua “Cooter” Lopez. “Losing both of them really sent me into a retrospective state… questioning existence, immortality, and the direction of my life and career.” The video and album channel that grief into something transformative — a celebration of life through sound, sorrow, and showmanship.

CJ Shaman’s forthcoming album is a love letter to the roots of rock: from blues, country Americana, and disco funk to pure adrenaline-soaked guitars. “It’s deep, it’s raw, it’s gritty, and it’s the truth — but it’s fun, and meant to thrill, not depress,” he explains. “If you mix joy and heartbreak, and shake it hard enough, you get real Rock N’ Roll.”

Gratitude runs deep in CJ’s creative world. He gives special thanks to his partner and best friend Eva Long, whose support has been unwavering. His daughter Marilyn, too, played a crucial role — inspiring his artistic taste and fueling his emotional resilience. “Her style in art, film, and music has influenced me deeply,” he says.

And above all, he honors the friends who inspired the soul of this project: Joshua and Nick. “They were my brothers. They introduced me to a world I never would’ve known — a more free, artsy, open culture. I grew up conservative and LDS. They were my door to another universe. I just hope I’ve honored that in this music.”

CJ sums up his mission best:

“Like a true alchemist, it was my goal to take that pain and turn it into beauty. No more tears, baby — just Rock N’ Roll.”

The project is being distributed globally, exclusively through BentleyRecords.io — known in the industry as “The Future Label” for its cutting-edge artist tools, AI infrastructure, and global reach. Personally supported by CEO Dr. Luca Dayz, the release is also receiving strategic support from the Bentley Records A&R team, ensuring elite-level positioning across digital platforms and fan ecosystems. Strategic publishing through Bentley Global Music Publishing inc.