The Slyde – Awakening (2018)
For fans of Rush, Dream Theater, Coheed and Cambria, Haken
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“Vigorous and passionate, these players shine brightly, each contributing dynamic passages as witnessed in “Walk With Me”, “Fading”, and “Divide”. ” – Bravewords.com
“The Slyde have written a full-length rock record that is retro yet contemporary, edgy yet smooth. There are plenty of dynamics while staying high-energy and never boring or overwrought. Well-balanced and entertaining, these songs are progressive but not pretentious. Have a listen then tell your friends! ” – Progressive Music Planet
“If you’re looking for a familiar prog-rock band in the stylings of Rush, Dream Theater, Coheed and Cambria, and even a bit of Protest the Hero with a new-age twist, look no further and grab the album today ” – Canadian Beats
“An album with an incredible energy and a vocalist that keeps up with them, The Slyde make a formidable record. This band have many highlights on Awakening, including ‘Walk With Me’ and ‘So Blind’ where the band make clear just what they can do.” – Thinking Lyrically
“It’s obvious that The Slyde is very passionate about their music, and for good reason. The tracks contained on this album are top notch progressive jams, each offering their own unique spin on the prog rock/metal genre.” – Under Air Media
“Awakening is a thoroughly entertaining affair, especially for fans of Rush and early Dream Theater. ” – Disagreement.net
“…This is quite possibly the greatest thing I have heard from the underground in a while, at least in North America. The Slyde have nailed a style many deny exists, and done it with true flair. I really hope this band picks up, since they are one of the current unsung talents of this earth.” – The 10th Doctor of Prog, on The Slyde’s 2012 EP ‘New World Sympathy’
“…an impressive step forward/return to form for these Canadian bright-eyed musicians and stands to solidify their name as one of the more promising ventures in the increasingly prolific progressive metal scene.” – Heavy Blog is Heavy, on the ‘Back Again’ EP
“Back Again is a breath of fresh air as all four songs bounce along with spirit and confidence, not to mention a great blend of strong hooks, succinctness and technical ability which is evident but not rammed down our throats. Everything just sounds right, if that makes sense.” 8/10 – The Man of Much Metal
“Not just an epic heavy prog-fest, The Slyde have delivered an intelligent and compelling 4-track EP that hints at much promise to come from this Canadian four piece.” – ProgRadar, on the ‘Back Again’ EP
“The Slyde will be the band I remember from IndieWeek. Thanks for making it worthwhile guys. Incredible set. Best band of the week by a mile.” – Music Vice
[Download Album Cover]
[Download Album Lyrics]
Release Date: May 18, 2018
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: DistroKid
Track Listing:
1. Awaken (0:37)
2. Walk With Me (3:01)
3. In Silence (4:39)
4. These Wars (4:50)
5. Awakening (3:51)
6. So Blind (4:20)
7. Fading (3:54)
8. Join The Parade (4:39)
9. Divide (4:48)
10. Back Again (5:31)
Album Length: 40:16
Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: The Slyde
• All songs written by: The Slyde
• Produced by: The Slyde
• Mixed by: Andres Puche
• Mastered by: Matt Glover
• Album Artwork by: Casey Shea
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL) Yes
• Album Band Line Up:
– Nathan Da Silva (Vocals, Guitar)
– Sarah Westbrook (Keyboards, Samples)
– Alberto Campuzano (Bass, Vocals)
– Brendan Soares (Drums, Vocals)
Discography:
2018 – Awakening LP
2017 – Back Again EP
2012 – New World Sympathy EP
2011 – Feed The Machine
2010 – The Slyde II (demo/EP)
2009 – The Slyde I (demo/EP)
Shared Stage with:
Protest The Hero, Down With Webster, Pain of Salvation, Fuck The Facts, Dana Fuchs Band, Timber Timbre, Moxy, Heaven’s Fire, Sumo Cyco, Warmachine, Prismind, Polarity, Panzerfaust, Vesperia, Sierra, Coldrift, Reglement 17, Odd Ones, A Primitive Evolution, The Dead Centuries, Perpetuate, Akoufen, Colony, Parliament Owls, Cast in Cadence, Last Bullet, The Great Diversion, TimeGiant.
Festival and Tours:
2016-2017 – 14 dates in Ontario in support of Back Again EP
2013-2014 – 32 dates in Ontario/QC in support of New World Sympathy EP
2013 – IndieWeek – Toronto, ON
2013 – Cornwall Lift-Off – Cornwall, ON
2013 – Wacken Metal Battle Canada – Toronto, ON
2013 – CMW – Toronto, ON
2012 – 31 self booked shows in Ontario/Quebec in support of NWS EP/Feed The Machine
2012 – Right To Exist, Right To Resist, U of T – Toronto, ON
2012 – IndieWeek – Toronto, ON
2012 – Friends For Peace, City Hall – Ottawa, ON
2012 – Arts In The Park – Cornwall, ON
2012 – The Edg3 – Maxville, ON
2012 – Big Money Shot – Ottawa, ON
2011 – 27 dates – Ontario/Quebec in support of Feed The Machine
2011 – IndieWeek – Toronto, ON
2011 – Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest – Ottawa, ON
2011 – RiverFest – Brockville, ON
2010 – 36 dates in Ontario/Quebec/NB/NS in support of 2010 Demo release
2010 – Big Money Shot – Ottawa, ON
2010 – Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest – Ottawa, ON
2010 – RogersTV Daytime – Ottawa, ON
2009 – Big Money Shot – Ottawa, ON
Music Placements:
‘Take Us Away’ was licensed via BedTracks.com and used in the TV show ‘Don’t Drive Here’.
L-R: Alberto Campuzano (Bass, Vocals), Nathan Da Silva (Vocals, Guitar), Sarah Westbrook (Keyboards, Samples), Brendan Soares (Drums, Vocals) – Photo Credit: Gilad Cohen
Following up with 2017’s EP release “Back Again”, Canadian melodic proggers The Slyde return with their first full length effort titled “Awakening”. The band (formerly known as just Slyde) will drop ten tracks of the intricate, contrapuntal prog rock they’ve honed over the last decade, on May 18 2018.
The band comments:
“‘Awakening’ refers to the process of invoking change. Each song can be seen as a protest song, arguing for a more peaceful and autonomous way of life. For example, the opening track ‘Awaken/Walk With Me’ is about getting away from the powerful effects of media control and propaganda. ‘Back Again’ is about the beauty and fragility of our Earth, and how we take it for granted. ‘Divide’ refers to the brainwashing effects of politics of fear and division in the West. “Awakening” looks at our daily consumption and poses the question ‘what is, or could be, our reality?”
Aptly named, The Slyde focuses their lyrics on sociopolitical and environmental issues. The band has a mission to give fans of all genres something to rock out to while injustice and turmoil swirls around them. Hailed as ‘intelligent and compelling’, The Slyde is a euphemism or foreshadowing to the destination of our society and environment.
Beginning in 2008, they had the idea to create progressive and somewhat heavy music but with a pop sensibility. They have evolved far from their 2 demos (2009 and 2010) to formulate esoteric, textured, hair-swinging, high-energy prog with politically motivated lyrics showcased on the full-length Feed the Machine (2011).
Embracing their heavier side and putting a more metal spin into the riffs, the new album is less conceptual but stays true to their mission statement with their quirky arrangements, aggressive edge and ominous lyrics. The result is a thought provoking, high-octane album for fans of Rush, Dream Theater, Haken, Coheed and Cambria, and Megadeth. Driven by Nathan Da Silva’s elegant vocals, Sarah Westbrook’s powering keyboard skills, and the powerful rhythm section of Alberto Campuzano and Brendan Soares, the band will catch the ears of any technically minded melodic prog rock fan.
The band adds:
“We think fans will certainly enjoy this release, and will notice that we’re slowly adding more of an aggressive edge to our songwriting plus incorporating more ‘metal’ elements into the riffs. ‘Awakening” is less conceptual than previous releases by containing more straight up rockin’ tunes. Each song stands on its own.”
The Slyde has played over 150 shows on the Eastern Canadian circuit, including support for Protest the Hero, Ottawa Bluesfest, Canadian Music Week, IndieWeek, and Wacken Metal Battle Canada.
“Awakening” is due out on May 18, 2018 and available for pre-order on Bandcamp, iTunes, Amazon and Distrokid here.
THE SLYDE is:
Nathan Da Silva (Vocals, Guitar)
Sarah Westbrook (Keyboards, Samples)
Alberto Campuzano (Bass, Vocals)
Brendan Soares (Drums, Vocals)
Track by Track explained:
1) Awaken – An intro track; a swell erupting into scene of a protest. Mystery that sets up destruction for:
2) Walk With Me – A straight forward, punk-inspired upbeat opening track with a breakdown catchy chorus and breakneck keyboard solo. This song talks about media control and propaganda. Reminds me of System Of A Down and Megadeth.
3) In Silence- about the metaphorical and literal abuse of people- contrasts of heavy intricate sections, with a quiet mid-section, ramps up into a rhapsodous catchy part then leads to a crazy screaming guitar solo! People might ‘get triggered’ by these lyrics because it has the word ‘rape’ in it. Musically similar to The Fall of Troy, Megadeth, and Opeth.
4) These Wars – happy joyful intro riff using major tonality, pretty heavy lyrics, contains a double guitar/key solo then more key solo. This song is about narcissism and the takeover of social media in society. Musically similar to riffs heard in Soilwork, and Dream Theater.
5) Awakening – The title track, usage of organ tones gives a Deep Purple vibe. Quirky, monophonic riffs remind me of Dream Theater and Symphony X. Also has a catchy chorus, and probably the most technical song on the album.
6) So Blind – Another fast, punk and metalcore-inspired heavy song. Very catchy Chorus at 1:00. Awesome keys/guitar double solo, keys solo breaks out of double solo. Very dirty outro at 03:30 that abruptly shifts the pacing of the song. As is the title: No one can shove their way through the everyday hustle and bustle to see that the most basic of their own human rights are being eliminated. (the last 4 songs from here were previously released as an EP in 2017 called ‘Back Again’)
7) Fading – Intro is a big anthemic auditorium sound. Lots of key and guitar dueling underneath soaring vocals. The interplay between the guitar and keys remind me of old school In Flames and other Eurometal bands like Soilwork and MyGrain. Aliens don’t want to be our friends. Humans are too messed up.
8) Join the Parade – A more progressive cut from the album, using shifting meters, funky bass lines (reminiscent of Daft Punk), and a tempo change halfway through into a Metallica-inspired thrashy section for a keyboard solo. Hooky chorus as well. The song is about not having freedom and conforming.
9) Divide – Another Eurometal-inspired song with its guitar riffs, hard hitting drums and bass, and dualing keyboard and guitar lines. Verses have punky vocals and chorus has a repeating call-and-answer hook from the backup vocals. This song talks about the politics of division and fear, and was written in secret as an anti-trump song during the 2016 campaign. Finishes with a moody piano outro.
10) Back Again – Our only ballad on the album, this song is the most radio friendly of all the songs, and showcases the most dynamic and variety in our sound. Lots of ambiance and sparse textures, with a middle section that has our signature sound that’s prevalent throughout the record, then comes back down to finish the song. The tune was inspired by Carl Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot concept and how the fragility and beauty of our world is taken for granted and often forgotten about.
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