Finding unique bands is extremely difficult in this day and age, but I can honestly say I’ve never heard a band that sounds like Sleep In Heads. Combining elements from so many different genres and styles of music has yielded a sound unlike any other, and on top of all that the band members are all extremely skilled at their instruments. Definitely check out On the Air, out now!
http://www.underairmedia.com/on-the-air-by-sleep-in-heads-album-review/
Tune in to Hamilton’s Y108 to hear Calgary’s Woodhawk on The Indie Show – Monday, March 19th – 11pm EST – https://y108.ca
Performing in #Hamilton on Wednesday, March 28th at This Ain’t Hollywood
https://www.facebook.com/events/315591642295949/
(contact info below)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – March 8, 2018
For Fans of Ensiferum, Amon Amarth, Wintersun, Aether Realm
NORTH HAMMER Unleash New Track “Magic Mead” via AntiChrist Mag
Debut Album “Stormcaller” Out March 16th
Created by Andrew James of Edmonton, AB’s Eye of Horus and Shotgunner, his new project, one man folk metal band NORTH HAMMER is drawing inspiration from the mighty Quorthon; for Andrew is not so much a one-man band as a one-warrior metal machine. Andrew wrote and recorded the guitar, bass, vocals, and orchestration along with drums done by Doug Helcaraxë Nunez for NORTH HAMMER’s forthcoming debut album “Stormcaller” set for release on March 16th, 2018.
Andrew explains the significance of his band’s name.
“The ‘north’ part was a representation of the common theme winter that comes up in metal music, including folk metal. It is also a reference to my native Canada. ‘Hammer’ is a reference to Mjolnir, Thor’s Hammer!”
Inspired by Wintersun, Ensiferum, Amon Amarth, Aether Realm, Blind Guardian, “Stormcaller” is a 21st century continuation of the work of Norse bards with its melodic death metal folk riffs.
“The experience I’m trying to give the listeners is that of a fellow fan. I want people to be euphoric for other bands that mean something to them like Ensiferum, Wintersun and Amon Amarth. To connect personally with my music and realize that I love and worship these bands.” explains Andrew James.
Teaming up with Antichrist Mag, NORTH HAMMER is premiering the third single “Magic Mead”, which can be heard at the following link: http://antichristmagazine.com/song-premiere-north-hammer-magic-mead/
Andrew James comments:
“‘Magic Mead takes us to the lodgings of the hero as he celebrates a glorious victory with his fellow brothers in arms over a distant tyrant king. As the militia feast and drink to their new found glory, a strange and fantastical looking woman catches his attention away from the camp. The magic mead part of it is contributed to his magical encounter with this woman as he follows her further into the night. Hallucinations start to happen and he eventually loses control of himself and passes out. This is the reason I chose to put the more blasty and dark ending to the song.”
While NORTH HAMMER is a studio project at the moment, Andrew James plans to put together a band of top-notch like-minded musicians for touring in Western Canada and beyond.
Album pre-order for NORTH HAMMER’s “Stormcaller” is available via Bandcamp here.
Song Stream – Avatar – https://youtu.be/wZC026VD8R4
Song Stream – Wanderer – https://youtu.be/QtES0i6ntKI
Track Listing of Album:
1. Avatar (4:46)
2. Wanderer (3:42)
3. Written In The Stars (3:27)
4. Magic Mead (4:11)
5. Tip of The Spear (3:49)
6. A Soldier’s Song (4:34)
7. Black Forest Rain (2:10)
8. Spellbinder (3:36)
9. North Hammer (3:26)
10. Lion’s Winter (3:34)
Album Length: 37:18
– 30 –
“The hard-charging melodic death metal of this song is itself heroic in its atmosphere, its darting, folk-influenced riffs, galloping rhythms, fiery soloing, and soaring keyboard melodies summoning mythic images of striving and triumph. While its musical antecedents are indeed clearly identifiable, it’s nonetheless a pulse-pounding, heart-swelling track, and one that proves to be very catchy as well.” – No Clean Singing
“Andrew James’ one-man project from Edmonton, North Hammer enters the heavy metal fray with the crushing debut “Stormcaller.” Especially for a first release, this album is intense, heavy and filled with high quality Ensiferum worship riffage. But North Hammer is not just a clone or a tribute, the sound of the band is clearly defined within the first few tracks and continues to develop and surprise throughout the album.” – CROM Metal
““Wanderer” begins with a Bathory-esque chorus in front of tender acoustics to further exploding into melodeath territories. Riffing comes and go in form of a melody that interwines the next segments of the track, which concludes with a great solo and a nice double bass storm. The composition is dynamic and moving enough, thanks to the mix of the Quorthon worship and the swinging melodic death metal influences.” – Toilet Ov Hell
“Metalheads who are down with the likes of Wintersun, Ensiferum, Amon Amarth, Aether Realm, and/or Blind Guardian should find something to like here.” – PureGrainAudio
“what really stands out in Stormcaller are the riffs. Andrew James pulls of some stellar work here, catchy & exciting with each song standing strongly on its own. The blend of folk melody & heavier death-metal sounds great.” – Games Brains & A Head Banging Life
“For a debut, this is an outstanding album that is full of ferocity. It is fast and loud. You can imagine the headbanging that would go on at one of their shows.” – Baby Dolls And Razor Blades
—
(contact info below)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – March 8, 2018
For fans of Loreena McKennitt, Enya, Blackmore’s Night
Bravewords Video Premiere: “Scarlet Wood” By SHADYGROVE Ft. Members of Elvenking, Sound Storm, Evenoire
New Album “In The Heart of Scarlet Wood” Out April 6th
L-R: Simone Morettin (Drums, Ethnic Percussions) | Fabio “Lethien” Polo (Violin) | Lisy Stefanoni (Vocals, flute)| Matteo Comar (Guitar) | Davide Papa (Bass) | Elena Crolle (Keyboards)
Featuring members from Elvenking, Evenoire, and Sound Storm, Italy’s SHADYGROVE will be releasing their debut album “In The Heart of Scarlet Wood” via Rockshots Records on April 6th. Fans of Blackmore’s Night and Loreena McKennitt will find much to love on this debut album with its acoustic heaviness being truly original and special. SHADYGROVE make music as fresh as tomorrow’s dawn.
“folk, ethnic, acoustic Celtic pop. We are trying to bring the popular music of our regions, mixed with Celtic and Medieval music, to a more modern view without altering its soul. We write very evocative songs to guide the listener on a journey to where nature still rules.” says violinist Fabio ‘Lethien’ Polo.
Vocalist Lisy Stefanoni adds:
“We love the different styles of folk music and the various approaches of the main musicians. We also love the Celtic music. In the metal genre, folk metal inspires us the most. We listen to bands like Eluveitie, In Extremo, also symphonic projects like Ayreon and The Gentle Storm. Those who love folk-metal will certainly appreciate our songs because we all come from that musical background. We take our fans on a journey to a place where myths are real and there is evidence of the magic forces of our planet. In this world the listener can meet legendary creatures walking into enchanted landscapes or see ancient rituals happening.”
Teaming up with Bravewords.com, SHADYGROVE are premiering their new video for the first single “Scarlet Wood”.
Watch it now at this link: http://bravewords.com/news/exclusive-shadygrove-featuring-elvenking-sound-storm-evenoire-members-debut-scarlet-wood-music-video
“In The Heart of Scarlet Wood” is set for release via Rockshots Records on April 6th, 2018 and available for pre-order here.
For more info:
http://www.rockshots.eu
http://www.shadygrovefolk.com
http://www.facebook.com/shadygrove.italy
http://www.instagram.com/shadygrovefolk
EPK – https://wp.me/pciNW-bwL
(Bio written by Steve Earles)
– 30 –
—
Within The Giant’s Reach – In The Beginning (EP) (2018)
For fans of After The Burial, Lamb of God, Emmure, Upon A Burning Body, Chimaira, Fear Factory, Slipknot, Whitechapel, Suicide Silence
Release Date: May 11, 2018
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby
EP Title: In The Beginning
Publicist – Jon Asher – ashermedia(@)gmail.com
Management / Booking – Jason Schuler – Facemelt Logistics / Death By Metal STL Boooking – facemeltlogistics(@)gmail.com
Download Band Photo | Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics
“I can’t even try and place Within the Giant’s Reach into any genre as they seem to cover most genres in one track. There are elements of Thrash, Death, Death-core, Hardcore and Tech Death. How it is possible to manage this in one track is beyond my imagination. If their forthcoming EP is anything like this track, then I am sure that Within the Giant’s Reach will find themselves a lot of new fans across the globe.” – The Metal Review
[Download EP Cover]
[Download EP Lyrics]
Release Date: May 11, 2018
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby
EP Title: In The Beginning
Track Listing
1. The Summit (3:48)
2. Faceless (4:31)
3. Rise (4:23)
4. Collapse Rebuild (4:36)
5. Scars (3:28)
6. Same Blood (3:42)
EP Length: 24:31
EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: WITHIN THE GIANT’S REACH
• All songs written by: WITHIN THE GIANT’S REACH
• Produced by: MONSTER SOUND MEDIA
• Mixed by: TRAVIS JAMES
• Mastered by: TRAVIS JAMES
• EP Artwork by: KENDALL JOHN
EP and Live Band Line Up:
– William Taylor – Guitar
– Norman Lucas – Vocals
– Evan Parigi – Drums
– Edgardo Ortiz – Bass
– Lenny Martinez – Guitar
Many bands make metal drawing inspiration from what has gone before, but San Antonio-based WITHIN THE GIANT’S REACH make music courageously drawn from the present, inspired by the reality of the world that surrounds them. Theirs is a firestorm of fury, a searing sonic symphony of songs from the heart dealing, in songs likes ‘Scars’ and ‘Faceless’ with such subjects as bullying and internet trolls. Overall with songs like ‘Rise and ‘The Summit’, WITHIN THE GIANT’S REACH make music of strength, self-belief and empowerment.
Guitarist William Taylor describes WITHIN THE GIANT’S REACH’s music as “aggressive, motivational, hard-hitting, lyrical metal”.
Taylor explains the profound meaning of his band’s name.
“The name is based on the struggles we face mentally and physically. The Giant represents the struggle towering over you, keeping you within reach. We don’t let them define us but we are in constant battle until the day you wake up, see your full potential, reach for the sky, and conquer your Giant.”
Taylor and band are stoked for fans to hear the new EP “and feel the energy I want to wake up inside of them. I want to inspire them to conquer their Giants and to do great things. No matter how hard it gets…Move forward! You only have one life, so live it! We want to project our drive, our reach for heavy brutal music bringing back lyrical song-writing.”
Live, WITHIN THE GIANT’S REACH more than live up to their name.
“People feel the raw energy we unleash. Nothing is overly complicated or hard to pick out, but everything hits hard, is in your face, and really tells the story musically that Norman is relying with his vocals. The listeners will really experience the message that we have laid out. You want to bang your head, throw your fists in the air, and scream along every time!”
WITHIN THE GIANT’S REACH’s debut EP “In The Beginning” is due out on May 11, 2018 and available for pre-order on Bandcamp here.
(Bio written by Steve Earles)
Artist Endorsements:
Dirtbag Clothing
Death By Metal STL
ashermediarelations.com 