Released February 18, 2026

Inspired by the war songs of Sabaton and the lyrics of Warren Zevon, ORACLE's "Cher Ami" was written in a single week by James Finchio. Larry Smith and Fernando Martinez Batiz helped develop the songs structure and energy, and Paul Markey sent it home with a ripping guitar solo.

The song is based on the incredible story of a Carrier Pigeon (also known as a Rock Dove) in WW1. The bird, whose name means "dear friend" accompanied a battalion consisting of portions of the 77th Infantry Division on October 2nd of 1918 into the Argonne Forest to capture Hill 198 from German Forces - what would become "The Lost Battalion." Supported by French and American Divisions on either side, the Lost Battalion pushed forward, claiming their objective. Unbeknownst to The Battalion, German lines had fought off the accompanying French and American forces, and began to encircle Hill 198, now held by The Lost Battalion. 

In an attempt to aid The Lost Battalion, American forces on the outside began an artillery barrage on the Germans, but instead began shelling Hill 198 and The Lost Battalion. Surrounded by Germans and being hit with friendly fire, they began sending carrier pigeons to deliver a message to American forces in a desperate attempt to stop the bombing. Germans shot down the pigeons until only one remained - Cher Ami. Almost immediately after Cher Ami took flight, he was shot down by German marksmen and plummeted to the ground. Miraculously, Cher Ami got up and took flight again. Cher Ami flew at roughly 60 miles an hour to deliver the message - surviving bullets, shrapnel, and bombs.

The Americans stopped their barrage, and The Lost Battalion held out long enough for the 82nd Division to break through the German lines, initiating a German retreat. Cher Ami was mangled, missing a leg, blind, and had a deep gash across his chest. He was given medical attention but passed away June 13th of 1919.

Cher Ami is the most decorated war pigeon of all time, having flown 12 successful missions and receiving the French Cross of War to honor his bravery in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Cher Ami saved the lives of 194 Men - he was a hero on that day. 

"So the next time you hear a pigeon coo, in Berlin or Chippewa, remember the Angel of the Argonne and raise up a hurrah"

https://www.thenmusa.org/biographies/cher-ami/

http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_425415

https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2017/07/21/the-lost-battalion-of-world-war-i/

Released December 13, 2025

Inspired by indie bands like the Backseat Lovers, the song "Flat Tire" by ORACLE took several years to reach completion. In the spring of his senior year of High School, James Finchio fell head over heels for one of his classmates. The lyrics of the song were inspired by how the couple spent their time - often dancing together into the evening. James describes her in the song simply - "pretty eyes and curly hair" - but in a deeper description, James would often compare her to the biblical Angel Gabriel because of how beautiful her hair really was. 

Before the summer, they would break up, which hit James harder than he expected - on his way home, he drove too fast and lost control of his car, crashing into an electrical box (which was a VERY expensive fix). The chassis and axle were badly damaged and his tire was flat. With great difficulty, he would write a terrible song titled Flat Tire. 

Months later, he was playing around with the lyrics "plastic drawers, and a plastic cup" (later plastic house), a descriptor for the emotional connection he now viewed as almost fake. From that verse, he would write an entirely different song, one that practically flowed out of him, but he had no title.

2 years later, he worked with Larry Smith to create the songs structure and bring it to ORACLE, adapting the name of the old song - "Flat Tire" - to become both the title and chorus. They would record the single in sessions over several weeks at the radio station where James worked, bringing in guitarist and vocalist Nicko Gillen and trumpet player Leo Vargas to play on the track. After initial mixing, drums were recorded by Paul Markey, who would master the track to be released on December 13 of 2025.