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0 Slug Mag 9Salt Lake City) – Psychostick @ Urban Lounge 06.18 with Dog Fashion Disco, The Bunny The Bear
0 Ring Master Review – Expain – Just The Tip
0 Calgary’s Blues Rockman Matt Blais Announces Alberta + BC Summer Tour Dates; Music Video ‘Goodbye Sunshine’
ALBUM PROMO CAN BE REQUESTED HERE
RIYL = Sam Roberts, Matt Mays, The Arkells, The Trews, Joel Plaskett, Wide Mouth Mason, Big Sugar, Sloan, Tragically Hip
Tour Dates | MattBlaisMusic.com | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Reverbnation | Soundcloud | SIN Agency
Calgary’s Blues Rockman Matt Blais Announces Alberta + BC Summer Tour Dates; Music Video ‘Goodbye Sunshine’
Calgary, AB’s favourite rock/ blues musician Matt Blais is proud to announce he will performing summer tour dates in Alberta and British Columbia in support of his latest album ‘The Heartbeat‘.
“After a long year on the road in 2013, I wanted to recharge the batteries for myself and the band. But, after a few short months…we’ve started to miss it! Our passion is bubbling over and we’ve just got to get on tour again. We’ve got some new material we want to share with audiences and we’re excited to see our old friends and make some new ones.” comments Blais.
Blais is also currently entered in the ‘My Song For Change’ presented by Make Music Matter and Western Union Canada for his track ‘Fire From The Spark’. For more details and fan voting, please visit the following link: http://mysongforchange.com/entry/6979636
Tour Dates:
June 27 – Calgary, AB – Century Casino, 42 Ave. South East
July 1 – Calgary, AB – Stephen Ave Walk, 300 Block West on 8th Avenue
Show Details: Canada Day, Free show, Outdoor Stage, Set time: 4:15 p.m.
July 23 – Edmonton, AB – Taste of Edmonton – Churchill Square, Remax Stage
Details: Free show, Set time: 7:15 p.m.
July 25- Drayton Valley, AB – Sky Lounge, 4225-50th Street, Drayton Valley, AB
Details: 9 p.m., 18+, Cover TBA
July 26 – Red Deer, AB – Wild Bill’s, 7150 50 Ave
Details: 9 p.m., $10 cover, 18+
August 2 – Camrose, AB – Big Valley Jamboree, Singer Songwriter Tent, 4250 Exhibition Drive
Details: Set time: 1 p.m.
August 14 – Canmore, AB – Canmore Hotel, 738 – 8 Street
Details: 9:30 p.m., Ladies Night, 18+
August 15 – Grindrod, BC, Riverfront Pub, Hwy 97A
Details: 19+, No Cover, 9 p.m.
August 16 – Birch Island, BC – Serenity Performing Arts Centre, 2461 Birch Island Lost Creek Road
Details: All Ages, $15.00
August 17 – Calgary, AB – Taste of Calgary – Eau Claire Festival Plaza, 2nd Ave & 2nd St. S.W., Calgary, AB
Details: All Ages, Set time: 4:30 p.m., Free show
Showcasing this year at MUSEXPO in Los Angeles and touring across Canada for most of 2013 with performances at Canadian Music Week, Indie Week, Alberta Beach Fest, Canal Flats in BC, Calgary’s Blankfest III and the Calgary Stampede Fest, Blais has gained strong comparisons to artists such as Sam Roberts, Matt Mays and Joel Plaskett. Blending elements of fiery rock and roll with smooth vintage soul blues, Blais has formed a sound so uniquely his own that one can’t help but become emotionally charged. The combination of his high energy live show and a passion for song writing is Blais’ formula for success, which thus far has been very well received by critics and the audiences in Canada and beyond that continue to grow in number.
The Heartbeat – Album Stream – http://mattblaismusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-heartbeat
Music Video – Goodbye Sunshine – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGOlj_goWMY
“Frontman Matt Blais knows how to work a crowd and he is far from afraid of showing off his talents.” – The Scene Magazine (Live Review – Indie Week 2013)
“Over the past five years, Matt Blais has been generating a catalogue of material that is both emotive and relatable. His passionate live performances demonstrate eagerness to create heartfelt songs and nowhere is more evident than on his newest album, The Heartbeat, where a poetic personality fuses with growing life experience.” – Beatroute AB
“The name Matt Blais is a familiar one to those in the Calgary, Alberta music scene. Well known as talented and respected musician, Matt likes to break musical moulds, mixing rock, blues and soul for a sound all his own…I sat with what might be described as a “perma-grin” as he effortlessly played to every person in the room that night. A natural born entertainer, Matt is the real deal, and if it’s an entertainer you’re looking for all you have to do is follow The Heartbeat.” – The Portal Magazine
“…he is rock ‘n’ roll. And has been for some time, now, becoming a fave staple on the western Canadian scene, fronting his melodic barroom blues rock band, that calls on the jukebox of classic rock influences – many of who are in said club (the 27 club) – while making it distinctively his own….And crowds have shown him a great deal of love over the past several years, with Blais and band packing rooms across the Prairies and gaining notoriety by performing during Calgary’s Juno Fest shows in 2008 and winning local talent showcases such as the AMP Radio Rockstar competition.” – Calgary Herald
“Blais uses heavily-charged emotional lyrics as well as a gritty band behind him to produce a blues-slash-rock sounds, which has been commended by many local media sources. His sound is highlighted by a sometimes raspy voice, which helps to fill the total appearance of the band.” – Grande Prairie Herald
“Matt’s newest release, “The Heartbeat”, is packed with emotionally driven rock and roll that possesses a nostalgic presence that will fill the listener’s head with a sound that is not usually found in today’s music scene…What makes him and this song (Running) unique is his ability to create a vintage sound that is of his own with lyrics that fully compliment the song as a whole. Matt instantly catches the listener’s ear with an addictive chorus.” – Emurg.com
Track Listing – The Heartbeat
1. Running
2. Guilty Heart
3. Headed Back to You
4. Goodbye Sunshine
5. All I’ve Got to Lose
6. Looking At You Now
7. Always
8. Get Out
9. I Wanna Love You
10. Set the City On Fire
For more info, show dates, music and to order ‘The Heartbeat’ from Matt Blais, please visit these links:
Purchase link – http://mattblaismusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-heartbeat
https://www.facebook.com/mattblaismusic
0 Rock n Rell Reviews – Hollow – Mordrake
0 Canadian Beats – Expain – Just The Tip
0 DISPARAGER Announce NYC Show Date w/ Sworn Enemy July 12th; New Acoustic Video ‘Gratitude’; Show Dates (NYC, OH, DE); New EP ‘Timeless, Ageless’
EP PROMOS FOR MEDIA COVERAGE (ex. feature, interview, album review, airplay, etc.) CAN BE REQUESTED HERE
RIYL = Deftones, Thrice, Junius, Neurosis, Isis, Defeater, Modern Life Is War, Refused, Fugazi
Tour Dates | Disparagermusic.com | Facebook | Twittter | Reverbnation
Soundcloud | Youtube | CBC Radio 3 | Instagram
Buy Links: Disparager.bandcamp.com | iTunes |Amazon |CD Baby
EPK | Press Photo | Download Album Lyrics | Download Album Cover
DISPARAGER Announce NYC Show Date w/ Sworn Enemy July 12th; New Acoustic Video ‘Gratitude’; Show Dates (NYC, OH, DE); New EP ‘Timeless, Ageless’
L-R: Chris AhKao (guitar, vocals), Jason Kim (guitar), Peter Meluso (drums), Sri Rao (bass) – Photo credit: Merissa Blitz
Brooklyn, NY’s post rock metal band DISPARAGER is proud to announce they will be opening support for hardcore aggressors Sworn Enemy on July 12th in NYC at Blackhorn 51 alongside Thorn Constellatin, Fate Breaks Dawn, Mala Entrana, Apparition, Halo To Havoc and Risers (full show details below).
“Without the influence of hardcore bands like E.Town Concrete and Biohazard, there would arguably be no Disparager, at least not in the formation that exists today. Sworn Enemy was part of a really special wave of hardcore for me, and they’re such a killer band live. Looking forward to sharing the stage with them.” comments vocalist / guitarist Chris AhKao.
In additional news, DISPARAGER has teamed up with Blank TV for the premiere of their new acoustic video ‘Gratitude’, the third track off their recently released debut EP ‘Timeless, Ageless’ produced by Jay Maas (Defeater, Bane, H2O, American Nightmare, Polar Bear Club).
VIDEO LINK – http://mail.ns2.blanktv.com/index.php/videos/video-premieres/409
DISPARAGER will be performing the following show dates in support of their debut EP ‘Timeless, Ageless’.
Show Dates:
June 26 @ Buzzbin Art & Music Shop – Canton, OH
Blackhorn 51, 80-12 51st Ave
BT51 Presents:
The Return of National Rec Artists & New York’s Own:
**SWORN ENEMY**
in support of their killer new release **Living on Borrowed Time**
with special guests:
THORN CONSTELLATION
FATE BREAKS DAWN
MALA ENTRANA
APPARITION
HALO TO HAVOC
RISERS
DISPARAGER
Formed just last year, DISPARAGER has always had the crazy notion that music is art and that art is never a means to an end but an end in itself. As an extension of frontman Chris AhKao regaining his life from personal demons, this debut EP is a testament to that. Bursting with dense rawness and precision while pushing the boundaries of metal with tracks like “At Least I Still Have Bon Iver” – half folk song, half crushing mix of Isis and Slayer – and “Pictures” – a time signature mindfuck the band is proud NOT to call prog rock. The music is meant to showcase a refusal to settle, to compromise, to live any other life than that inspired by unwavering intent, self-expression and integrity.
EP Stream – Timeless, Ageless – https://soundcloud.com/disparager/sets/timeless-ageless-ep
Song Stream – Tuesday Love – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN2J4SgT830
Song Stream – R.I.P. Bill Hicks – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUPEAO0FWbs
EP Track Listing – Disparager – Timeless, Ageless:
1. Pictures
2. Tuesday Love
3. Gratitude
4. R.I.P. Bill Hicks
5. At Least I Still Have Bon Iver
For more info, please follow the band at these links:
http://www.facebook.com/disparager
http://www.twitter.com/disparagermusic
http://www.instagram.com/disparagermusic
EPK – https://ashermediarelations.com/epks/epk-disparager/
– 30 –
“Disparager are from Brooklyn, New York and play metal or hardcore, or post-rock, or whatever you want to call it. Above all else though, Disparager are fucking badass. ” – Pure Grain Audio
0 OUT NOW! Mosh Pit Architects EXPAIN Debut Album ‘Just The Tip’; New Video ‘Aggressions Progression’ (Guitar / Bass Playthrough)
R.I.Y.L. – Thrash/Death/Punk, Black Dahlia Murder, Revocation, Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth, Municipal Waste
OUT NOW! Mosh Pit Architects EXPAIN Debut Album ‘Just The Tip’; New Video ‘Aggressions Progression’ (Guitar / Bass Playthrough)
Track Listing: EXPAIN – Just The Tip
1. Bacchus
2. Aggressions Progression
3. Phoenix Writhing
4. The King
5. Don’t Worry The Worst Is Yet To Come
6. Idol Worship
7. Allegiance To Pain
8. Manatee
9. Headbang Your Head Off
10. A.T.M.
11. Eating A Beating Heart
For more info, please visit the following links:
https://www.facebook.com/Expainmetal
https://soundcloud.com/expmetal
Album Order – https://expainband.bandcamp.com/
EPK – https://ashermediarelations.com/epks/epk-expain-just-the-tip-2014/
– 30 –
“Hold on to your balls, for Expain could be positioned as Canada’s next great metal export. Evidently going by their ferociously captivating debut album ‘Just The Tip’, the quintet slap together a masochistic mixture of blazing riffs, supersonic drumming, sexy solo’s and vocals so brutal it would make your last hangover as weak as Justin Bieber banging one out. Come on they mix jazz elements, that surely has to receive numerous acknowledgements, but also through the various sounds and lyric topics employed, this album is a party on it’s own” – Global Metal Apocalypse
“…the material on the album is certainly some of the most unique and entertaining music that I have encountered in a while…every single element, and every single moment on Just the Tip contains something unique for the listener to discover, and like the name of the album suggests, every subsequent listen to the album makes one realise that one has merely discovered just the tip of the iceberg with the whole host of things going on.” – Heavy Metal Tribune
“…this group takes various elements of their influences – which includes punk, jazz, classical, world, pop, and even country – and melds them into some serious stunning thrash metal.” – Pure Grain Audio
“For some parts it reminds me of the instrumental genius of latter Annihilator/Jeff Waters’ material…” – Brutalism
“a band built on displaying technical skills behind the instruments. A heavy and potent mixture of thrash and jazz metal, Vancouver, Canada’s Expain is hoping to become a staple in a genre built on technical skill and speed” – Under The Gun Review
“a perfect blend of the technical and melodic, combining together to create a sound that is incredibly unique and forthright. I have listened to the album several times now, and each time I find myself enjoying some new dimension to the sound, or some new aspect of the music. It just keeps getting better.” – Vancouver Metal
“In my metal induced coma, I am inclined to say this band should not be sniffed at or trifled with, they are some serious thrash metal impresarios… For Fans Of: Uber thrash with a touch of jazz.” – All About The Rock
“Wildly diverse band that combines elements of thrash, punk, tech metal and even some jazz with an off-the-wall comedic streak.” Prog NW Metal Zone
“It’s one of the finest independently released albums I’ve ever heard in my life. From the short intro track ‘Bacchus’ all the way to the perfect closer in ‘Eating A Beating Heart,’ there’s so many quality thrashers on the disc. ‘The King’ is a personal favorite of mine as the musicianship is ridiculously tight. ‘Aggressions Progressions’ has an absolutely beautiful dueling solo section and ‘Manatee’ has a sick bass solo. Overall it’s 11 tracks of pure thrash mayhem” – Broken Neck Radio
0 EPK – Protokult – No Beer In Heaven (2014)
Protokult – No Beer In Heaven (2014)
RIYL = Arkona, Windir, Nightwish, Turisas, Skyforger
Release Date: August 8, 2014
Label: Self Release
Distribution: Bandcamp, iTunes, CD Baby
ISRC Codes #: (coming soon)
UPC Code #: (coming soon)
Protokult.com| Facebook | Twittter | Reverbnation | Soundcloud | Youtube | Last.FM
Sales Links: Bandcamp | iTunes
Press Photo | Download Album Lyrics | Download Album Cover
“they’ve got a good sense of humor, and they sound top-notch” – Metal Sucks “boozy blast of heathen prog” – Team Rock “Le metal a du talent.” – Metal France “If you’d like a taste of the brew Protokult has on tap, check out the eclectic, hoppy folk thrasher “Get Me a Beer”. Indeed this mix of traditional folk, thrash metal, death metal, and other genres will have you stomping your feet and drinking too fast.`- Yell Magazine “The rousing opening track “Get Me A Beer” is alcohol-fueled folk metal with similarities to bands like Korpiklaani, but they have many other facets… It’s an extremely diverse album” – Heavy Metal. About.com “Ah this album was a pleasure to review. So many albums are a slog to get through, but I was sorry when No Beer In Heaven ended…All the band are excellent musicians and you can hear their joy at playing their music. Ekaterina Pvatlova brings another dimension to the band too; her vocals are nothing you’ve heard in metal before, and I love the touch she brings with the woodwind instruments…I love the track “Get Me A Beer” – it could be marketed as a cure for depression. Elsewhere, the contrast between folk and metal works very harmoniously: heavy and uplifting at the same time. Joyous stuff! The band also have a good sense of humour, and while they can be serious, this is an enjoyable life-affirming album to listen to, which is as it should be. Our lives are brief; we should try and enjoy our spell on this earth! I love the album artwork and presentation too. This is a band the world needs to hear more of. Highly recommended! – Hellbound “a superb album. Protokult gives folk-metal a new nice dimension. Their progressive folk-metal approach is a very delicious one. Don’t let the ‘beer-titles’ fool you, the band goals are far beyond beer-humpaa. They’re far more serious, despite of the sometimes quite merry tunes. This is one of the best folk-metal albums I’ve heard this year” – Folk-Metal.nl “Protokult is a colourful collective, made up of four guys and a lady…It is a versatile album…progressive twists and turns in the songs and surprising approaches.” – Lords of Metal “The very second I started to listen to No Beer In Heaven and “Get Me A Beer” came on I was instantly hooked. Instantly Protokult kills it with a killer opening riff that is a combination of electric guitar and synthesizer. “Get Me A Beer” has one of the wildest mix of genres and styles that I have heard in quite some time.” – Kingston Music Reviews “Let’s mark the list down, shall we: Awesome Folk music spanning different areas of sound and direction, check! Creative and art work based around an old fashioned beer hall, check! And last, but certainly not least, BEER themed music!!!!.” – Metal Temple “Folk and metal comes together in a epic way with Protokult. The mix is perfect for the party and other festivity’s that needs a nice kick in the ass, like a metal heads funeral. Hooks, beer and the ever changing change ups makes this LP one for the books.” Tommy Tee – The Metal Factory on Insane Realm Radio.com “Although PROTOKULT is a Canadian-based group, the members come from various backgrounds (Polish, Irish, Russian, Czech) and the result is a marvellous mix of Canadian and international forces. The goal is to unite these cultures into one sound, balancing tradition and folklore with heavy, thrash and black metal for head-bangers everywhere.” – Demented Magazine “Most bands go on the road to promote the CD and encourage fans to buy it but this album would actually encourage me to go and see the band. The music speaks and says that this band will be well worth watching live.” – Extreme Metal Television “Anyone who has seen this band live knows that the beer maidens will be pouring potent potables into ever thirsty mouths at the front of the stage. Before this delightful feature comes to fruition, the fans come in close, sing along, and dance the metal jig during the pagan musical onslaught from the band. We are instantly transported to villages, and forests of another era.” – Metal Master Kingdom (Live Review) “All in all No Beer In Heaven is an extra large package of dark folk metal here to drink and party with you. If you’re a folk fan, be sure to give them a listen. The album is a solid piece and an enjoyment to even non-folk fans. Oh, and they also love the ‘Water of Life’ (that is vodka if you didn’t know already).” – Two Guys Metal Reviews ““Get Me a Beer!” is a hearty and raucous opener and one that will get heads bobbing (and banging) no doubt.” – Femme Metal Webzine “They belong amongst the ranks of bands like Moonsorrow and Skyforger…Almost every song twists and turns through several folk metal transformations, without ever tapping into cheesy or overly tired clichés.”- Metal Observer (2010 review for Ancestral Anthems)“Their songs pulse and writhe like a sinuous living thing.”- Exclaim (2012 review of Marzena)
Live Video – Get Me Beer Live Video – Get Me Beer Live Video –
Track Listing: Protokult – No Beer In Heaven
1. Get Me A Beer! (3:04)
2. Heaven Cast Me Out (4:04)
3. My Father’s Word (5:49)
4. Flight of The Winged Hussar (5:52)
5. Sol Intention (4:39)
6. Edge of Time (5:28)
7. Sanctuaries (2:04)
8. Desert Scourge (4:31)
9. Gorale (4:15)
10. Summer’s Ode (6:07)
11. Razbival Okovi Perun (1:26)
12. Water of Life (8:46)
Total Length: (56:12)
Hidden Tracks:
13. Brotokult (3:03)
14. We Smoke The Ganga (3:33)
Release Date: August 8, 2014
Label: Self Release
Distribution: Bandcamp, iTunes, CD Baby, Friendly Fire Distro
ISRC Codes #: (coming soon)
UPC Code #: (coming soon)
Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Protokult
• All songs written by: Martin Drozd, Ekaterina
• Produced by: Protokult &Glenn Fricker
• Mixed by: Glenn Fricker at Spectre Sound Studios
• Mastered by: Glenn Fricker at Spectre Sound Studios
Album Band Line Up:
Martin Drozd- Vocals, guitars, darbuka, jaw harp, synthesizer
Ekaterina – Soprano and traditional vocals, recorders, psaltery, zhaleika & sopilka.
Dawid Slowiak- Bass, group chants
Jeremy Jackson (Vodnik) – Guitars, group chants
Mike Matveev- Drums
Live Band Line Up:
Martin Drozd- Vocals, guitars, synthesizer
Ekaterina –Vocals, recorders, synthesizer
Dawid Slowiak- Bass, group chants
Jeremy Jackson (Vodnik) – Guitars, group chants
Mike Matveev- Drums
L-R: Jeremy Jackson aka Vodnik (Guitar) – Martin Drozd (Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer) – Mike Matveev (Drums), Dawid Slowiak (Bass), Ekaterina Pyatkova (Vocals, Woodwinds, Synthesizer) – Photo Credit: Erica Ivashina
As interests in history, paganism and folklore took an increasingly strong hold on folk metallers PROTOKULT, the band was inspired to unleash its debut album, Ancestral Anthems. With the first two pressings selling out in months, they vowed to take things to the next level while continuing to deliver a unique mix of Canadian and international influences.
PROTOKULT’s goal? To unite its members’ diverse cultures into one sound, balancing tradition and folklore with heavy, thrash and black metal for headbangers everywhere.
Over the past few years, the ever-evolving PROTOKULT has graced the stage with the likes of ARKONA, TURISAS, ALESTORM, BLACKGUARD (formerly Profugus Mortis) and WILL OF THE ANCIENTS and now they’re ready to unveil a full-length follow-up to 2011 EP Marzena.
With a beauty and the beast-like contrast between Ekaterina’s haunting vocals and the band’s metal onslaught, No Beer In Heaven, which is slated for an August 8 release, captures the reformed quintet at an all-time high, showcasing an impressive palette of entirely new compositions, and straps the listener on an adventurous, heavy and experimental trek, diving into themes of drinking, history and human endeavor.
Discography
2014- No Beer In Heaven-full length
2011- Marzena- EP
2009- Ancestral Anthems- LP
Shared Stage w/:
Turisas, Alestorm, Arkona, Huntress
Tours and Festivals:
2014 – Vikingfest (Montreal)
2014 – Headbanging For a Cure (Toronto)
2012 – Paganfest (Toronto)
2012 – Headbanging For a Cure (Toronto)
ashermediarelations.com 
