Daniel Tompkins (TesseracT) and Paul Ortiz (Chimp Spanner) announce new project, Prince of Failure and self-titled album
Introducing Prince of Failure, the new collaborative project from Daniel Tompkins (TesseracT) and Paul Ortiz (Chimp Spanner).
The duo will release their new album Prince of Failure on 19th June via KScope.
Prince of Failure marks a significant shift in Daniel Tompkins’ creative world. Written and developed over several years with Paul Ortiz, the album traces a long internal process rather than a single moment of inspiration. The material reflects on neurodivergence, masking, and the psychological weight of living out of alignment with expectation - themes that shape both the narrative and the sound of the record.
Today, the duo have shared 'Horizon', the first single from the eponymous debut album alongside a new video. 'Horizon' features Kristyn Hope (Daedric) and you can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/8YqUCpw4_jU
Stream 'Horizon' here: https://orcd.co/horizon_listen
Pre-order Prince of Failure here: https://princeoffailure.lnk.to/Prince_Of_Failure
Dan Tompkins comments: "'Horizon' captures the moment where everything feels like it’s collapsing around you, but something inside is still pushing you forward. Within the wider story of the album it marks the beginning of the transformation - the point where the protagonist is forced to confront the weight of his own doubts and the expectations placed on him. Having Kristyn Hope on the track added another emotional dimension; her voice almost feels like a guiding presence cutting through the chaos.
"It was actually one of the first songs Paul Ortiz and I wrote together for this project around eight years ago, and one of the earliest ideas that really clicked creatively. The video was produced by Michael Levine using Unreal Engine, with additional FX work from Richard Oakes."
Musically, the album develops the atmosphere of Daniel Tompkins’ earlier solo work into darker, more reflective territory. Paul’s spacious arrangements, electronic textures and powerful guitar work sit alongside intimate, close-mic vocals, creating a strong sense of immediacy without sacrificing the dynamic scope associated with Tompkins’ progressive background and work with TesseracT. The pacing is restrained and deliberate with interludes and recurring motifs reinforcing the feeling of a continuous psychological arc.
The decision to release the record under the name Prince of Failure reflects the collaborative identity of the project and separates it from Tompkins’ previous roles. It allows the work to exist on its own terms, without reference to past expectations. The Prince of Failure now stands as an official creative partnership between Tompkins and Ortiz, a shared vision with long-term intent.
Prince of Failure online:
https://www.facebook.com/princeoffailure
https://www.instagram.com/prince.of.failure
TRACKLISTING:
1. The Glass Veil [01:38]
2. Dream Stealer [05:20]
3. Moonlight [04:09]
4. Phantom [04:01]
5. Fragile Crown [03:14]
6. Saturn’s Shadow [04:16]
7. Silent Throne [04:50]
8. Horizon (feat. Kristyn Hope) [05:08]
9. Palace of Echoes [00:42]
10. Prince of Failure [03:39]
11. Heartless [03:36]
12. Jaded Mantra [05:43]
