Archive For
0 The Mountain Man Vs. Planet Mosh
0 May 1 – Vancouver Final – One Band To Rule Them All! Wacken Metal Battle Canada
(contact info below)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – March 2016
MetalBattle.ca | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube
Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2016
May 1 – Vancouver Final – One Band To Rule Them All! Wacken Metal Battle Canada
2016 Trailer Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQcxqsxchkQ
Free Download – Vol 4. Compilation featuring over 90 bands and 7 Hours of Canadian Metal – here.
WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA is proud to announce theVancouver Final on May 1st at Red Room for this year’s 2016 national competition to send one independent metal talent to the world stage at Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany, which holds an attendance of over 80,000 metalheads from around the world. After three battle rounds in Vancouver on March 2nd, 20th and 23rd, the following three bands (listed below) from the area will be performing for one to move on to perform at the National Final in Toronto on June 11th for ‘One Band To Rule Them All’ and play at Wacken Open Air 2016.
This is WMBC’s fourth year hosting the competition across country in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, London, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. For the last three years that Wacken Metal Battle has been held in Canada, it has produced two world champions Vesperia (2015) and Crimson Shadows (2013) to triumph at the international Wacken Metal Battle beating out over 30 other representing countries from around the globe.
Live Video @ Wacken – 2015 – Vesperia – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lwkzc4zGUY
Live Video @ Wacken – 2014 – Mutank – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQrLaG8BPL4
Live Video @ Wacken – 2013 – Crimson Shadows – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prOdgG4OwQU
2016 Band Line Up & Battle Rounds:
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Vancouver Rounds:
About:
Wacken Metal Battle Canada is part of an international competition where over a hundred band’s from across the country battle each other for one to be selected and join over 30 other countries for an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival Wacken Open Air, which has been taking place in Wacken , Germany for the last 26 years. Oshawa’s Vesperia (2014 winners – video at Wacken), Toronto’s Crimson Shadows (2013 winners – video at Wacken) and Montreal’s Mutank (2014 winners – video at Wacken) have had that honour playing in front of thousands. The 2016 festival will be taking place from August 4-6.
How it works:
Each city will hold their qualifying rounds plus city finals from the months of January to May 2016 selecting the top band to move forward to the national finals in Toronto, ON on June 11th at Opera House with one being selected to perform at the 27th edition of Wacken Open Air taking place from August 4-6. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry.
The finalists will be selected as follows by province.
Rules: http://metalbattle.ca/rules.html
Wacken Metal Battle Canada Promo Video: http://youtu.be/gQcxqsxchkQ
Wacken Metal Battle 2014 Canada Finals by Ondeschocs.com: http://youtu.be/RrOGyBtqwaQ
For more info on Metal Battle Canada, please visit these links:
Official Website: http://www.metalbattle.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetalBattleCanada
Twitter: @MetalBattleCAN
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/WackenMetalBattleCAN
For more info on Wacken Open Air, please visit http://www.wacken.com
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Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | ashermedia@gmail.com
Facebook | @AsherMedia | Hire Us
0 Fox Force Five News – Van Halst – World of Make Believe
The lyrics within World of Make Believe should not be overlooked. The concept of the record is a view from the artists’ point of view, and their perspective of the world’s current events. This includes powerful, heavy-hitting songs targeting issues like discrimination, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Kami doesn’t pull any punches on sexual assault, found in the song, Questions where she calls out society’s lack of understanding on such a powerful, uncomfortable yet important topic.
http://foxforcefivenews.com/van-halst-world-of-make-believe-influencing-change-through-music-review/
0 Fox Force Five News: CANADIAN BAND OF THE WEEK: VAN HALST
0 EPK – Black Absinthe – Early Signs of Denial (2016)
Black Absinthe – Early Signs of Denial (2016)
Release Date: May 13, 2016
For fans of Black Sabbath, Motorhead, Mastodon, High On Fire, Coheed and Cambria
Facebook | Twitter @ blackabsintheto | Instagram | YouTube | Soundcloud | Bandcamp
“Produced by Sum 41’s Dave Baksh, the new record serves as both a cleaner and heavier presentation of the sound the band have been honing since their formation in 2011. Running six tracks in length, the LP explores fear, corruption and overcoming disparity within their blend of classic and contemporary metal stylings.” – Exclaim!
“The whole record is classic metal & deserves to catapult this band over the wall & into the rooms of many. This is a band that doesn’t know the meaning of the words over play. Everything is understated, controlled & precise. Black Absinthe are not trying to re-invent the wheel but add a new spoke.” – All About The Rock
“It is one quite impressive EP that goes all out to impress. It is hard to imagine that just three guys could make such an impact, but they do! Quite a robust six tracker that is distinct and captivating!” – RAM Zine
“From the opening track “The Wild” to “Pigs” to my personal favorite “Winter” the band works their way through everything from classic rock all the way to hardcore…What Black Absinthe does is make music that comes across live; music that will bring a crowd to their feet, but contemplate the lyrics after the show is all said and done. It’s a tricky feat to bring that across on a studio recording. “Early Signs of Denial” nails it and shows the band must be a great time on stage.” – We Love Metal
“there is a lot of diversity amongst the six songs here, but the overall impression is that this release is a hard-hitting rock ‘n roll album with strong metal leanings. A song like the opening cut, “The Wild”, manages to display much of what the band is capable of in just 4 minutes. This track is able to groove, rock out, and make you want to sing along.” – Skull Fracturing Metal
“Through the six songs presented, I noticed a depth that I wasn’t prepared for. An up-tempo metallic drive, clean and rough vocals done masterfully by Jack Cerre (also handling guitar duties, and a dead-ringer for former Corrosion Of Conformity singer Karl Agell), and a mid-paced and streamlined nostalgic sound which can transition perfectly to moments of pure riffing aggression and thundering bass and drums at a breakneck pace (provided by Kyle Scarlett and Austin Henderson respectively).” – Power of Metal
“it’s certainly one of the most interesting records I’ve heard this year…a promising debut album by a band with a lot of potential and I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing where Black Absinthe go from here!” – Nerd Circle Online
“they capture the energy and excitement of the early thrash and NWOBHM scenes, with catchy choruses propelled by strong, tuneful vocals. It’s all backed up with some excellent riffs, leads, bass patterns, and drumming that doesn’t need to rely on brute force to impress. Bands like Black Absinthe capture all that is good about both classic and modern metal, and Early Signs Of Denial deserves a far bigger audience.” – The Sound Not The Word
“ici on aime la musicalité et de belles mélodies chiadées et vintage. On ne peut regretter qu’une chose: la demie heure de cette galette passe trop vite.” – Metal France
“Imagine Motörhead with a dose of double pedal bass drumming, and you’ve got Black Absinthe. This stuff was very head bang friendly, and lured a small crowd of long-haired metal heads to the front of the stage. Black Absinthe had a great rough sound, perfect for beer drinking and head banging – even on a Wednesday night.” – Examiner (Live Review)
” With the odd hint of Kill Em All-era Metallica in their veins, Black Absinthe absolutely bring the energy to the rest of the crowd, enticing the more physical and active people in the audience to come up to the pit and mosh…Black Absinthe does a great job creating the DIY, raw metal presence that one can compare to the NWBOHM bands of the early 80s, as dazzling lead work and heavy riffing perfectly complements the hard rock choruses and atmosphere.” – Axis of Metal
Track by Track description by the band:
Once the songs on this album were finished we were looking for a title that felt in tune with the songs as a whole. We consulted a St.John’s Ambulance First Aid Reference Guide for possible names. Beating out contenders like ‘Penetrating Chest Wound,’ ‘Bites From Ticks,’ or ‘Putting on Dressings,’ we decided on Early Signs Of Denial. It captures the pessimistic nature of a lot of the lyrics and we think suits it sonically too. It’s a metal record, Early Signs of Denial seemed like it should be the name of a metal album!
1. THE WILD – Is the feeling of freedom, crashing and burning at the feet of desire.
2. IS THIS LIFE – This is a mental trip from disparity to triumph.
3. BURJ KALIFAH – “The pain of our daily struggle”, -Workers building a modern kingdom have a story to tell.
4. PIGS – This song screams the extreme suffering of a pig escaping a slaughter house. The sounds of the guitar are modeled on the squeal of a pig.
5. NOW – The philosophy of time, thinking of what you want, but at the cost of what you have to do to get it.
6. WINTER – Crossing the frozen St. Lawrence, the ones you care about may die as the winter steals your hope. The journey out of the night and further into the storm become the crescendo of the album.
Shared stage w/: Mutank, Caym, Sludgehammer, Finger Eleven, Python, Alcholator, Phosphorus
Black Absinthe are a 3-piece modern heavy metal band from Toronto, Canada.
Formed in 2011 by vocalist and guitarist Jack Cerre, bassist Kyle Scarlett, and drummer Austin Henderson, the trio continue to rip through the underground Toronto metal scene without pause.
Compounding heavy riffs and bass lines reminiscent of classic thrash and new wave British heavy metal with a range of progressive to classic rock influences, Black Absinthe presents a solid example of a Canadian metal band. They’re road hungry, influenced and supported by other Canadian musicians, and are ready to innovate and build on the traditions of a genre they venerate and respect.
Over the last year Black Absinthe has continued to build their set list; all the while playing shows in both new and familiar spaces. In May 2016 the band released their third six track EP Early Signs Of Denial. Since its release last Spring the band has had the opportunity to showcase the album throughout Ontario and Quebec. Plans for more shows and new music videos featuring the album are in motion while the boys continue to work hard on new material for their next release.
The album was produced by Dave Baksh (Sum 41) out of the Gentleman’s Den studio in Pickering, ON whose experience made all the difference with the final product; aiding in refining drum dynamics, smoothing the transitions, and layering harmonic guitar lines. Black Absinthe’s Early Signs Of Denial sound aims to showcase what a contemporary Canadian metal band is offering to the world: songs built with the spine of our heavy metal predecessors, songs that feel right being played while whipping down a highway, songs that relate to the anxieties of being raised in a constantly changing world. For us that means a mix of power metal, thrash, and pop-punk thrown over the scaffolding of Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, and Iron Maiden.
“This was our first foray into recording in a studio environment plus working with a producer and mixer. Having a team of people around us helped us produce better songs at a higher quality to give our fans the chance to hear what we’re truly about without the barrier of poor recordings. It’s our jump from the basement to the studio, the raw energy is still there, but there’s an added level of detail to each track. We wanted to make a significant jump forward in quality and songwriting plus for fans who have been following us, we think they’ll be pleasantly surprised.” comments vocalist/guitarist Jack Cerre.
The title “Early Signs of Denial” is a conceptual connection to the themes of fear, corruption, and overcoming social disparity. The record is a mix of fierce crumpling tones, polished instrumental sections, and a battle of soaring and stressed vocals meeting to make a blend of contemporary and classic metal. With each track this record presents moments and movements of genres that form Black Absinthe’s sound. The band does not tread lightly over their new wave of British heavy metal foundation. With that foundation though there is a concerted effort to build and experiment rather than recreate. There is a wealth of stylistic combinations to work with in the heavy metal genre. Early Signs Of Denial is a snapshot of what three guys that came of age during the boom of file sharing era would produce; songs influenced from past artists they would have never gotten to hear on a television or radio mixing with the wave of Nu-Metal and Pop-punk popular at the time.
Through the bands expanding network cultivated through Coalition Music’s “Artist Entrepreneur Program”, they chose Frank Gryner (Rob Zombie- Hellbilly Deluxe) to mix and master the album. His strong ability to work with a diversity of sounds was the appeal to the band. His mixing took the album into the sonic spheres of a classic 80’s sound providing, grandeur, psychedelia, and an arena rock feel that could properly represent the textures put down in tracking. There was an immediate trust formed with the stylistic choices Gryner made throughout mixing.
0 NEWS: LIKE ANIMALS Announce Ontario Show Dates; New Music Video ‘The Lion’s Share’
(contact info below)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – March 29, 2016
For EP Promo, send request here.
For fans of Mars Volta, Fall of Troy, Protest The Hero, Every Time I Die
EPK | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube
LIKE ANIMALS Announce Ontario Show Dates; New Music Video ‘The Lion’s Share’
New EP Out ‘Feral’
L – R – Will Tennant – Drums/Backing Vocals, Jamie Haffenden – Guitar/Lead Vocals, Myke Caouette- Bass/Backing Vocals
(Photo Credit: Travis Tiernay)
Music Video – The Lion’s Share – Watch here.
Unleashing their new EP ‘Feral’ this past January to follow their previous animal-themed EPs ‘Sweet Whispers, Plagued Ears’, ‘The Undertoad’ and ‘The Wild’, Orillia, ON’s deviant melodic math metallers LIKE ANIMALS are hitting the road for dates in Barrie, ON and Oshawa, ON this April (details below).
April 2 @ The Atria – Oshawa, ON – info
April 7 @ Roxy Side Room – Barrie, ON – info
In additional news, the band’s new music video ‘The Lion Share’ can be viewed at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htkv597DG20
To listen to ‘Feral’, please visit the following links:
Bandcamp: https://likeanimals1.bandcamp.com/album/feral-ep
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/like-animals-90539529/sets/feral-ep
For more info, visit their Facebook page at Facebook.com/likeanimals
Like Animals are breaking free of the constricting chains of modern music and are busy creating their own uninhibited style of spastic-math-metal graced with emotionally-charged vocals. Like a wild animal each member maintains a sense of chaos through their arpeggio guitar and bass sections, unorthodox drums peppered with dynamic changes, and finally tempered by the wavering vocals soaring just slightly above the instrumentals both in tone and feeling. The beasts within the band each perform vocal duties a sound akin to a coyote-esque choir featuring Jamie Haffenden on guitar and lead vocals, Will Tennant on drums, Myke Caouette on bass.
Their name is synonymous with their song-writing and attitude, where they are part of a pack, but still remain hungry and solitary, like a stray animal. Their 400-show track record over the years reveals their dedication to their craft having shared the stage with such bands as Fuck The Facts, Dog Fashion Disco, Adrenechrome, Downtown Brown, Scale The Summit, Polkadot Cadaver, Teethmarks and many more.
With four animal-themed EPs in tow (‘Sweet Whispers, Plagued Ears, The Undertoad, The Wild) and their new release called ‘Feral’ due out on January 22nd, 2016, the band is constantly working to create a continuously more mature and higher caliber sound. The group hunts and writes as a unit by drafting and evolving each song with each giving their own input.
Lyrics contend with themes such as: self-doubt, lack of self-worth, depression, anxiety, and the like. Like Animals continue to push the boundaries of the several genres which they base their experimental music on while committing to the best music they can produce.
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Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | ashermedia@gmail.com
Facebook | @AsherMedia | Hire Us
0 NEWS: Exclaim! Premiere THE DECOYS Video ‘In Our Blood’ + Canadian Tour Dates (BC, AB, SK, MB, ON)
(contact info below)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – March 29, 2016
Album Promo Request here.
For fans of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Cars, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Pearl Jam
TheDecoysBand.com | Facebook | Twitter @Thedecoysband | Youtube
Exclaim! Premiere THE DECOYS Video ‘In Our Blood’
+
Canadian Tour Dates (BC, AB, SK, MB, ON)
New Album ‘In Our Blood’ Out April 15th
Music Video – ‘Don’t Hesitate’ – Watch here.
What originally formed as a band to support guitarist and vocalist Matt Stanley’s solo EP “The Life & Times” in 2008, has developed into a three piece of good old rock n roll fun known as THE DECOYS. Comprised of Matt Stanley on guitar/vocals, Sean Poissant on drums and Sean Schneider on bass, the Kamloops, BC based band deliver raw and honest tunes influenced by the spirit of artists like Neil Young, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Led Zeppelin.
Their upcoming album ‘In Our Blood’ set for release on April 15, 2016 is already gaining buzz for its infectious first single ‘Don’t Hesitate’. Now teaming up with Exclaim!, THE DECOYS are premiering their music video for ‘In Our Blood’ at the following link: http://exclaim.ca/music/article/the_decoys-in_our_blood_video
The title track is also available for FREE download on PureGrainAudio.com at the following link: http://puregrainaudio.com/audio/the-decoys-in-our-blood-free-song-download
‘In Our Blood’ is the follow up to their 2011 debut album “Stripped, Bare, And On Display” co-produced by Henry Small (Prism, Scrubbaloe Caine, John Entwisle Band), which garnered much support from Western Canadian radio for their singles “I Know” and “Modern Disaster” leading them to be one of Western Canada’s most active independent touring acts.
Vocalist / guitarist Matt Stanley comments on the upcoming album ‘In Our Blood’:
“We definitely have a power trio kind of sound now. We have a different bass player on this album and when we parted ways with our former lead guitarist, I went from playing rhythm guitar to playing lead guitar. We’re also better players and songwriters at this point. The last album was pretty much straight rock and alternative. We’ve dug a little deeper this time around, incorporating elements of punk, grunge, folk and country rock and writing lyrics about everyday life. The best inspiration for writing songs is experiencing the world; getting out there, playing live and being a touring rock ‘n’ roll band.” says vocalist / guitarist Matt Stanley.
The band will be supporting the album with a tour kicking off on April 14th across Western Canada plus dates for the first time in the Prairies (SK, MB) and Ontario. (dates listed below).
1. Don’t Hesitate (3:33)
2. Not Right Now (4:14)
3. Ain’t Gonna Let You Go (5:12)
4. Wasting Your Time (4:42)
5. Alibi (3:44)
6. Crossed The Line (3:51)
7. In Our Blood (4:39)
8. The Underdog (4:32)
9. The Lighthouse (3:29)
10. Don’t Hang Me Up (7:29)
Album Length: 45:30
Tour Dates:
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Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | ashermedia@gmail.com
Facebook | @AsherMedia | Hire Us
0 Rock n Reel Reviews – Demise of The Crown – S/T
A darker power metal band with some great riffs, and a lot of potential…a great debut effort…I think they’ll be a huge deal in the near future. There’s a ton of potential in this band.
http://www.rocknreelreviews.com/review/demise-of-the-crown-demise-of-the-crown/
0 The Mountain Man Vs. Music Express
0 SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: RHINE – AN OUTSIDER
Rhine’s latest full-length release, An Outsider, opens with seriously ominous sounds that will intentionally bend your mind in preparation for its impending sonic doom. The Seattle-based band has a unique brand of melodic tech metal that skillfully blends soft and operatic singing with beastly metal growls that change without notice. Songs take sharp unexpected turns at any given time, leaving the listener constantly guessing; there is absolutely nothing predictable on this release, giving it mysterious appeal.
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