EPK – Ischemic – Self-Titled (2021)
Publicist – Jon Asher – asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“This self-titled release is the latest full-length from Toronto’s Ischemic, following 2018’s “Stagnation & Woe”. It is the most DIY endeavor yet by the band, all production, engineering, and artwork was handled by them and close friends, resulting in this stripped-down, but unrelenting collection of songs. Crafted during lockdown, the listening experience is a trek through a haunted castle, every corner infested with isolation and creeping dread. Dungeon-crawling doom and sludge riffs are threaded together with creaking, subterranean passages of guitar ambience and noise. Charging death-metal assaults relent to spell-casts of dizzying black metal.” – Ischemic
Facebook.com/Ischemic | Instagram.com/ischemiccanada | Youtube.com/IschemicCanada
Ischemic.bandcamp.com | Spotify
For fans of Autopsy, Thorr’s Hammer, Conan, Krallice, Fuck The Facts
Album Title: Ischemic
Release Date: April 2, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Self-Release
“Toronto’s Ischemic have plenty of blood, plus sweat and tears, in their similarly volatile fusion of death, doom and black metal.” – Exclaim!
1. The self-titled album was written and recorded entirely in the basement of Isabelle’s house in Scarborough. Work was often interrupted by one of her 4 cats sneaking into the recording space to wreak havoc.
2. The album cover and art direction was done by Anthony and photographer Danika Zandboer, who shot the iconic cover image for Vile Creature’s recent release “Glory, Glory! Apathy Took Helm!”. The mask featured on the cover is one of a series that were created by psychedelic artist Marcela Calderon Donefer.
3. The band name comes from Transient Ischemic Attacks, a kind of stroke. Isabelle is a nurse and heard the term often, prompting her to suggest it. The band quickly agreed, as our second choice of “Necrosis” was found to be in use by approximately 32 other metal bands at the time.
4. Ischemic’s first gig, the Headbanging for a Cure event, raised exactly $2112.00, wildly exciting all Rush fans in attendance.
5. Ischemic’s drummer also happens to be the best guitarist in the band.
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Track by Track explanation:
At 6 minutes long, “Scabs” is our version of a single! Pure 80s death-metal filth contrasted with crushing, doomy choruses and crusty black-metal leads, with a classically face-melting solo from Adam at its center.
“Crawl out of Hell” is an ode to the Sisyphean attempts of man to escape the hell we’ve made for ourselves. The track first appeared in primitive form on our “Frigid Descent” demo but we decided that it deserved a second life with our new lineup, so it was rearranged and cleaned up with crushing new production.
“Illusion of Humanity” is a barrage of blackened sludge riffs, with an almost stoner-rock level of elastic heaviness. The song concerns the tension between the mask of modern humanity and our still-active lizard brains, the riffs maintain a rumbling buildup that eventually lashes out at itself in violent grief.
“Scattering Garden” is the epic centerpiece of the album that swings from atmospheric clarity to skull-crushing doom, with brief pearls of optimistic melody. Clocking in at 22 minutes and 22 seconds, “Scattering” brings together all the elements that make Ischemic unique, ending on an intensely triumphant crescendo.
Album Title: Ischemic
Release Date: April 2, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Self-Release
Track Listing:
1. Scabs (6:38)
2. Crawl out of Hell (11:38)
3. Illusion of Humanity (11:03)
4. Scattering Garden (22:21)
Album Length: 51:42
Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Ischemic
• All songs written & produced by: Ischemic
• Recorded by: Anthony Abbatangelo, Mrudul Kamble
• Mixed by: Mrudul Kamble
• Mastered by: Topon Das
• Album Artwork by: Anthony Abbatangelo, Danika Zandboer
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
Album Band Line Up:
Anthony Abbatangelo – Bass
Mrudul Kamble – Drums
Adam Korchok – Guitars
Isabelle Tazbir – Vocals & Lyrics
(Left to Right) – Isabelle Tazbir – Vocals & Lyrics, Anthony Abbatangelo – Bass, Adam Korchok – Guitars, Mrudul Kamble – Drums
Photo Credit – Danika Zandboer
Ischemic formed in 2012 through the unholy power of Kijiji, where both Isabelle Tazbir (vocals/lyrics) and Adam Korchok (guitar) were searching for fellow ghouls to play some sort of doomy, monolithic death metal. They linked up and began to pull together people from their respective friend groups to play in the band. It wasn’t long before the lineup was solidified and Ischemic could begin churning out filthy, crushing metal from the void.
Ischemic works collaboratively, riff skeletons are brought to the rest of the members, then cursed with flesh. This cohesiveness has resulted in 4 recordings: “Frigid Descent” (2013); “All Paths Lead Nowhere” (2016); “Stagnation & Woe” (2018); and “Ischemic” (2021). The earlier records resonate with filthy, hellish, death/doom sounds that give way to experimentations in melodic black metal with “Stagnation & Woe”, and a revisit to the past in the most recent album.
The experienced musicians also lend their talents to other local acts; Tazbir has done time as a vocalist in the death metal bands Saprophyte, Serene Molestation, and Blastomycosis, and is currently in Experiment Specimen. Anthony Abbatangelo (bass) plays in the drone/psych band Qarafa and occasionally records and mixes projects for local bands. Mrudul Kamble (drums) fronts the progressive/death metal act Mors Verum and is working on launching a recording studio from his new home in Waterloo, ON.
The live show (post covid times) from Ischemic is both unsettling and energetic. What little light is permitted showcases disjointed, violent movements as Tazbir lures you into their tales of woe. They have shared the stage with the likes of Volur, Greber, Woe, Beyond Creation, and Iskra.
Ischemic’s new self-titled album is due out April 2, 2021.
Discography:
2021 – Ischemic (Full-length LP)
2018 – Stagnation & Woe (Full-length LP)
2016 – All Paths Lead Nowhere (EP)
2013 – Frigid Descent (Demo)
Shared Stage with:
Volur, Greber, Woe, Beyond Creation, Usnea, Iskra, Oozing Wound, Vile Creature, Sarin
Tours and Festivals:
2019 – Briefcase Fest/Cold Summer – Toronto, ON
2018 – Suoni per il Popolo – Montreal, QC
2017 – London DeathFest – London, ON
2014 – Briefcase Fest – Toronto, ON
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