EPK – Candor Zealot – Revolt! (2026)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“Since we are a new act, we are rolling out a total of 6 singles over the next few months. We hope to generate some buzz by releasing a song one at a time. No one is asking for a full-length album from an unknown band, and no one has the attention span these days to even sit down and listen to a collection of songs that we used to call “albums”. I think this will be an exciting time for progressive rock and metal fans who want something melodic and catchy.” – Nate Silva – Candor Zealot
For fans of Rush, Billy Talent, Megadeth, Dream Theater, Coheed & Cambria
Band: Candor Zealot
EP Title: Revolt!
Release Date: December 4, 2026
Label: Slyde Productions
Distribution: DistroKid (digital)
Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Candorzealot.com | Facebook.com/candorzealot | X.com/candorzealot | Youtube.com/@candorzealot | Instagram.com/candorzealot | Tiktok.com/@candorzealot
Candorzealot.bandcamp.com | Spotify
“After several outstanding singles, ‘Dark Desires’ follows suit as another top tier slice of modern progressive metal. Perhaps what really sets Candor Zealot apart though is their attention to hooks and groove all while living in the prog metal world of razor sharp riffs, shifting time signatures and crazed complexity. This go around lead vocals are handled by guest musician Johnny Franco from Montreal who compliments the band’s signature sound quite well. Inspired by Rush and Coheed & Cambria, ‘Dark Desires’ is a gem and you can catch it on your Home for the Best New Rock… W-J-O-EEEE” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll (2026 – Dark Desires – single)
““All For You” is the 2nd single for us, showcasing a more radio-friendly side of the band and channeling more angst-ridden inspiration this time around. All For You is for everyone who has experienced emotional and other forms of abuse in a previous relationship and is making peace with it. The vibes here are more akin to Linkin Park or Bring Me The Horizon, and the big guitars and instrumental section give nods to bands like Gojira and Dream Theater.” – Nate Silva – Candor Zealot
““Lie For Country” is our debut single, and we wanted to introduce ourselves with breakneck speed, musical intensity, and a poignant political message. There are influences of Megadeth, Killswitch Engage, Billy Talent, and even System of a Down in this track, and it’s a song about being manipulated and politically indoctrinated without thinking critically. We are proud of this track, and we are pumped to release it!” – Nate Silva – Candor Zealot (2026 – Lie For Country – single)
“In nearly 20 years of working in Rock Radio & Covering Music, I have never heard a band burst onto the scene with such an electric debut track. Candor Zealot is one of Canada’s next great bands” – Patrick Walford – idobi Howl Curator, host of Rock The Walls (2026 – Lie For Country – single)
“Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to Candor Zealot. This new band has just dropped their debut single ‘Lie For Country’ and it’s a monster. Fast and furious progressive metal with deep hooks and a familiar voice with NATE SILVA on lead vocals, ‘Lie For Country’ is a hell of a beginning as the band states plans to release six singles in 2026. Well, bring ’em on fellas cause we’re all about it. Catch Candor Zealot on your Home for the Best New Rock… W-J-O-EEEE – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll (2026 – Lie For Country – single)
Band: Candor Zealot
EP Title: Revolt!
Release Date: December 4, 2026
Label: Slyde Productions
Distribution: DistroKid (digital)
Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada
Track Listing:
1. Revolt! – 4:27
2. All For You – 4:15
3. Dark Desires (ft. Johnny Franco) – 5:25
4. Lie For Country – 3:29
5. Shed The Night – 4:16
6. Hollow (ft. Satellite Birdhouse) – 6:57
Album Length: 28:51
Release Date: October 29, 2026
Label: Slyde Productions
Distribution: DistroKid (digital)
Length: 5:26Single Credits:All songs performed by: Candor Zealot
All songs written by: Nate Silva with Candor Zealot
Produced by: Nate Silva
Co-Produced by: Dino Soares, Alberto Campuzano, Chris Gagnon & Chris Ferris
Audio engineered, mixed and mastered by Chris Ferris at CFA Audio, Ottawa, Canada.
Album Artwork by: Casey Shea / Yardwolves (Instagram: @yardwolves)
SOCAN member
Nate Silva – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Dino Soares – Drums
Alberto Campuzano – Bass Guitar, Vocals
Chris Gagnon – Guitar, Vocals
Johnny Franco – Guest Lead Vocals
Nate Silva – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Dino Soares – Drums
Alberto Campuzano – Bass Guitar, Vocals
Chris Gagnon – Guitar, Lead Vocals
Band: Candor Zealot
Single #2 Title: All For You
Length: 4:16
Release Date: June 23, 2026
Label: Slyde Productions
Distribution: DistroKid (digital)
Genre: Prog Metal
Location: Ottawa /Toronto, ON, Canada
Single Credits:
All songs performed by: Candor Zealot
All songs written by: Nate Silva with Candor Zealot
Produced by: Nate Silva
Co-Produced by: Dino Soares, Alberto Campuzano, Chris Gagnon & Chris Ferris
Mixed by: Chris Ferris
Mastered by: Chris Ferris
Single Artwork by: Sabine El-Bachaalani
SOCAN member
Band: Candor Zealot
Single #1 Title: Lie For Country
Length: 3:30
Release Date: January 20, 2026
Label: Slyde Productions
Distribution: DistroKid (digital)
Genre: Prog Metal
Location: Ottawa /Toronto, ON, Canada
Singles Credits:
All songs performed by: Candor Zealot
All songs written by: Nate Silva with Candor Zealot
Produced by: Nate Silva
Co-Produced by: Dino Soares, Alberto Campuzano, Chris Gagnon & Chris Ferris
Mixed by: Chris Ferris
Mastered by: Chris Ferris
Album Artwork by: Casey Shea
SOCAN member
Singles & Band line-up:
Nate Silva – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Dino Soares – Drums
Alberto Campuzano – Bass Guitar, Vocals
Chris Gagnon – Guitar, Vocals
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Track By Track:
1. Revolt!
This tune is a straight-up middle finger to what is politically happening south of the border [of Canada]. That’s all I will say about that, lyrically speaking. Musically, a lot is going on – several influences show up, such as European melo-death styles like Scar Symmetry, pop rock like Paramore, and simple thrashy metal like Megadeth, and even nods to 80s video game music.
2. All For You
Showing a more angsty side of things, this song is a diss track to anyone who has hurt you and/or emotionally abused you. As such, it has more of a Linkin Park or Bring Me The Horizon vibe to it. The choruses have big guitars, and the middle section takes inspiration from bands like Gojira and Dream Theater. But still, this track is one of the more radio-friendly ones.
3. Dark Desires
This track, lyrically, narrates two people with similar perspectives on interacting (and arguing) with people on social media platforms. It’s inevitably a futile experiment and puts forth the message that it’s a waste of time. Musically, it’s more reminiscent of bands like Coheed & Cambria and Rush. We have our pal Johnny Franco doing guest lead vocals on the track, and second guitarist Chris Gagnon sings the part live.
4. Lie For Country
Another politically charged song that sounds like a mix of Killswitch Engage, Billy Talent, and even a bit of Slayer. It’s a song about political indoctrination and brainwashing.
5. Shed The Night
Shed The Night is a personal reflection on healing after bad breakups. There’s a bit of that cock-rock, Danjo Jones-esque vibe going on, but there’s also classic In Flames-like guitar arrangements and double guitar leads you’d hear in Boston. This one is another radio-friendly track and was conceived as such.
6. Hollow
This track is a story about learning how to love again with someone who is trying their best to hold onto them, while trying to reconcile with past demons, and this process of reconciliation being a detriment to the current courtship. Musically, there are moments of Tool, 80s-era Rush, and Opeth.
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Fun Facts – Story Angles:
1. The band name “Candor Zealot” was chosen because we wanted to convey the general intentions of our storytelling within the band name: “to be uncompromising in the pursuit of honesty and openness.”
2. Frontman Nate Silva and drummer Dino Soares have been playing music together since they were 14 years old.
3. Nate Silva, Dino Soares, and Alberto Campuzano were former members of the Toronto-based prog metal band THE SLYDE, who won the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle Canada competition and performed at Wacken Open Air in Germany.
4. Guitarist Chris Gagnon currently plays in 8 tribute bands.
5. Nate Silva wrote a thesis paper for his Master’s degree on chiptune artists who incorporate guitar playing into their music.
L-R – Alberto Campuzano (Bass Guitar, Vocals) | Dino Soares (Drums) | Nate Silva (Lead Vocals, Guitar) | Chris Gagnon (Guitar, Vocals)
Photo Credit: Ryan Stacey
For fans of Rush, Billy Talent, Megadeth, Dream Theater, and Coheed & Cambria, Canadian progressive metal newcomers Candor Zealot deliver a modern, melodic, and politically charged take on progressive rock and heavy metal. Formed in Ottawa by vocalist/guitarist Nate Silva, the band rises from the ashes of Silva’s previous project, The Slyde, whose members won Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019 and performed at Wacken Open Air in Germany.
Reuniting longtime collaborators Dino Soares (drums) and Alberto Campuzano (bass), and joined by Ottawa guitarist Chris Gagnon, a prolific multi‑band performer active in eight tribute acts, Candor Zealot represents a sharpened, revitalized continuation of the musical blueprint Silva began developing over a decade ago. The band name itself reflects their mission: an uncompromising pursuit of honesty and openness, both lyrically and creatively.
Musically, Candor Zealot blends catchy prog‑leaning hard rock with technical musicianship and emotionally resonant storytelling. Their influences span far beyond traditional prog and metal, pulling from European metal, pop‑punk, video‑game music, J‑rock, and even K‑pop, resulting in a sound that is both nostalgic and forward‑thinking. Lyrically, the band tackles political tension, personal struggle, relationships, and the complexities of modern life, grounding their music in themes that are both relatable and thought‑provoking.
In 2026, Candor Zealot launched an ambitious release strategy built around six standalone singles, each revealing a different facet of their evolving sound. Their debut single, “Lie For Country.”, introduced the band’s politically charged edge. In contrast, their second single, “All For You,” showcases a more radio‑friendly, emotionally cathartic side, drawing inspiration from Linkin Park, Bring Me The Horizon, Gojira, and Dream Theater.
With high‑energy live performances, a collaborative yet focused songwriting process, and a commitment to authenticity, Candor Zealot is poised to carve out a distinct space in Canada’s progressive metal landscape. Their 2026 singles mark only the beginning, with more music already in development for the years ahead.
SHARED STAGE WITH:
New group, so no previous shows under the name Candor Zealot. Though individually, we have all shared the stage with notable acts. Alberto played in Annihilator for 5 years; The Slyde (which Candor Zealot is a spiritual successor of, consisting of 3 out of the 4 members of The Slyde) opened for bands like Angra and Pain of Salvation, etc.
TOUR AND FESTIVALS:
New group, so no previous tours or festivals under the name Candor Zealot. Though The Slyde performed at Wacken Open Air Festival in 2019, and did several DIY tours in Ontario and Eastern Canada.
Artist Endorsements: Nate has artist deals and endorsements with Fender, Ernie Ball, Fryette Amps, and Corrigan Pickups
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