EPK – Laika – Somnia (2014) |

LAIKA – SOMNIA (2014)

RIYL = Insomnium, Dark Tranquillity, Children of Bodom, Amon Amarth, Mors Principium Est

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Release Date: September 30, 2014
Label: Filth Regime Records
Distribution: Bandcamp, iTunes, CD Baby
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Catolog #: Filth008

Contacts: PR Rep – Jon Asher – ashermedia[@]gmail.com

Radio Promotions – radiotrackingashermedia[@]gmail.com

“Laika combine the Gothenburg sound with a North American groove and intensity, the result is a giant slab of kick ass melodic death metal. Sommia the groups’ second full length release consists of 8 finely crafted songs and a dreamy and eloquent intro track called “The Restless Mind”. There some great guitar work on “Somnia” especially on tracks like “Fidelity” and the albums lone instrumental “Dream of Nothing”. The musicianship on this release is all-around solid. Vocalist Jordan Dorge has a powerful growl that cuts through the bands layered sound and the rhythm section add some crushing heaviness…a damn good melodic death metal album. If you like the classic Gothenburg sound do yourself a favor and pick up the latest release from Laika.” – Extreme Metal Television

“This Canadian sextet play old school inspired death metal, with synthesizer elements thrown in with the more melodic and heavier guitar parts. Laika, is not solely focused on playing fast and crazy, as their music contains tons of substance for starters, and their music is as unique as possible with synths used as a chilling backdrop to their progressive death metal.” – Explicitly Intense

“For an unsigned and independent band with only one other album under their belt, this really is a phenomenal release, and it really shines a light on how promising Laika’s future could be…the melodies and hooks they employ are the shining stars here.” – Metal Observer

“The musicianship on this album is top notch. Indeed all the band are really good at what they do. The song-writing is very good, and far more inclined to the progressive side than the death side, particularly on “The Immortal” and “Caligae A Galea.”” – Hellbound

“the album is a masterpiece of a wide variety of genres, and I for one can’t wait for the next release by this talented band, and am filled with hope they will not disappoint! Absolute masterpiece!” – Metal Temple

“Melodic death metal after Dark Tranquillity’s heart with a touch of Dimmu Borgir for good measure.” – Eternal Terror

“We’ve been following the promising young group since 2011 and watching the development of this release with much anticipation.” – Metal Underground

“The track (Escalation of Terror) features tight riffs with old school influences injected into a modern approach.” – Bloody-Disgusting

“The music is energetic and soaring, building to an impassioned crescendo, but although it’s propelled by a flurry of jabbing, pulsating riffs, it also includes elements that aren’t exactly standard fare for melodic death metal — rock beats instead of blast beats, and a conjoining of rippling keyboards and grumbling bass notes that provide a captivating accent. Jordan Dorge’s mid-ranged, feral howls also provide a venomous edge without obscuring the lyrics. But what really seals the deal is the band’s knack for writing memorable melodies: “The Immortal” will stick in your head and beckon you back for more. It’s a strong teaser for a strong album.” – No Clean Singing

“Pounding Death Metal songs makes this album a worthwhile buy for the personal Death Metal collection.” – Metal-Only

” ‘Somnia’ should be of interest to anyone who likes Scandinavian style melodeath.” – Metal Talk

“Laika’s new album “Somnia” is atmospheric death metal that has a similar sound that is derived from some of Europe’s finest melodic death metal tyrants such as Insomnium, Dark Tranquility and Children of Bodom. Laika’s sound has an attack that will definitely turn heads and gain fans” – Headbang or GTFO

“Somnia shows a young band with some serious promise and a hint of what’s to come. I’m keeping an eye on Laika, they have what it takes to bring it” – Angry Metal Guy

“The first thing that jumps out is how gloriously prominent the growling bass is. It cuts right through the twin guitar attack as half of a tight rhythm section. Complex and sometimes syncopated riffs are tempered by the melodic keyboards yet bolstered by passionate vocals. The hooks come in spades and the moshability is heavy as well….definitely recommended for melodic death metal fans.’ – About.com Heavy Metal

“this is an interesting slab o’melodic death metal that really doesn’t take its foot off the gas for its eight full songs. Hailing from Canada the six-piece keep it heavy while also adding keys to the mix.” – Amps And Green Screens

“All in all, the album is a masterpiece of a wide variety of genres, and I for one can’t wait for the next release by this talented band, and am filled with hope they will not disappoint! Absolute masterpiece!” – Metal Temple

“These guys have great taste I can tell by the way they’ve siphoned out all the great elements happening in Metal today and strapped them together all for our pleasure. Basically their collective depth of influences really keeps me interested as these prairie Metalheads seemingly bash, smash and thrash their way through some pretty heavy duty Metal anthems.” Dan Potter – Absolute Underground

“Laika has hit a homerun with Somnia. There’s nearly nothing to complain about, it could have been more aggressive, and the production is top-notch. The fact that a band this young could put together such professional sounding album only means that the future is either glorious or tragic. Let’s hope for the former.” – Yell! Magazine

“I found complex tunes like “Escalation of Terror” and “Caligae A Galea” to be intriguing and classy affairs. This is melodic death metal with its own identity, not following the usual cliches. I could easily see this band moving up the ladder and attracting attention.” – Wormwood Chronicles

“the album sounds solid and full, with a great boost of energy and aggression and when played loud it makes everything sound huge and right in your face and that´s just how a Death Metal record should sound…”Somnia” is a very interesting and excellent death metal album that every headbanger should own. – Melodic

L-R – Ian Garraway – (Guitars, Back Up Vocals) – Mike Mason (Bass) – Steve Tedham (Keys) – Jordan Dorge (Vocals) – Alex Kling – (Guitar) – Blair Garraway (Drums) – Photo Credit: Kelly Allison

Named after the Soviet dog who became one of the first animals to travel to space – “In the beginning we were quirky dudes full of pretty insane ideas, much like sending a dog to space, so it seemed fitting” – Laika has been known to walk its own path while creating atmospheric, melodic death metal.

Founded in 2009 as a six-piece, the band unleashed a self-released album in 2010, then hit the road, sharing the stage with the likes of All Shall Perish, Kataklysm, Necronomicon and Unleash the Archers, before temporarily backing away from the spotlight.

Driven by a thirst for evolution, Laika spent two years constructing and writing its upcoming full-length album, Somnia (out September 30, 2014), filling it with melodic hooks, ominous keys and lyrics that are bound to get stuck in listeners’ heads to an almost maddening degree. Brace yourself, as this fall, Laika will hit the scene hard, just like they did all those years ago.

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Track Listing: Laika – Somnia
1. Restless Mind (1:31)
2. Escalation of Terror (4:26)
3. Somnia (5:26)
4. Fidelity (3:48)
5. Caligae A Galea (5:29)
6. Dream of Nothing (5:35)
7. The Immortal (3:52)
8. Predictions (Tide Bearer) (5:48)
9. Invaders (4:13)

Album Length: 40:12

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Laika
• All songs written by: Laika
• Produced by: Laika
• Mixed by: Ryan Forsyth
• Mastered by: Ryan Forsyth

Album Band Line Up:

Jordan Dorge – Vocals, Ian Garraway – Guitars, Mike Mason – Bass, Steve Tedham – Synth, Blair Garraway – Drums

Live Band Line Up:

Jordan Dorge – Vocals, Ian Garraway – Guitars, Alex Kling – Guitars, Mike Mason – Bass, Steve Tedham – Synth, Blair Garraway – Drums

Discography

2009 – Crafting The Cataclysm – demo/full length
2011 – Somnia – EP

Shared stage w/
Kataklysm, Decrepit Birth, Krisiun, Septic Flesh, Melechesh, Ex Deo, Dire Omen, Holy Grail, Endast, Skeletonwitch, Into Eternity, Divinity, Anciients, Annex Theory, Abysmal Dawn, Obscura, All Shall Perish