Larissa Dawns vocal soars like an eagle with soulful grace. She’s a force to be reckon with in this genre.
Posts By Asher
0 All About The Rock – Celestial Ruin – Pandora (EP)
0 Calles Rock Corner – Black Absinthe – Early Signs of Denial
0 NEWS: SLUDGEHAMMER Post New Music Video ‘Carrion Eater’; New Album ‘The Fallen Sun’ Out June 10th

(contact info below)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – May 16, 2016
Album Promo Request here.
For fans of Revocation, Mastodon, Lamb Of God, Pantera, Opeth
Facebook | Twittter | Reverbnation | Soundcloud
Youtube | Instagram | Bandcamp | iTunes
Press Photo | Album Cover | Album Lyrics
SLUDGEHAMMER Post New Music Video ‘ Carrion Eater’; New Album ‘The Fallen Sun’ Due Out June 10th
Upcoming Show Dates:
May 28 – Peterborough, ON – w/ Cryptelisk, Sacrificed Alliance, Anthropophagy – info

L-R – Chris Szarota – Vocals, Jeff Wilson – Guitars, Tyler Williams – Guitars, Dan Ayers – Bass/Vocals, Fernando Villalobos- Drums
Credit: Hayden John Wolf
“Sludgehammer is proud to present ”Carrion Eater” as our first music video from ”The Fallen Sun”. This is one of the first songs we wrote for the record and it has become one of our favorites. It was an ambitious track to create as we were trying to combine a lot of different musical elements into a cohesive song. We eventually got it to the point where it is now, an energetic, venom spittin’ ,leg stompin’, headcrusher! It was a lot of hard work creating this record, but also a lot of fun. We’re hoping everyone can enjoy it like we do.” comments guitarist Jeff Wilson.The album was self-produced by the band and mixed by guitarist Tyler Williams and mastered by world renowned producer & engineer Lasse Lammert (Gloryhammer, Alestorm, Teramaze) at LSD Studio in Germany.
To watch ‘Carrion Eater’, please visit the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAbgAUBrzvo

About:
Sludgehammer is a five piece Canadian metal band formed in 2013. The band began with guitarist Jeff Wilson and drummer Fernando Villalobos jamming together, which quickly resulted in writing songs and searching for a full line up. Their search led to vocalist Chris Szarota, who possessed an astonishing vocal ferocity and bassist and vocalist Dan Ayers, who passed the audition as a bassist and also revealed a golden voice. Thus, the first incarnation of Sludgehammer was formed.
The four members worked hard over the next few months to put together a demo, which was released at the band’s first gig on November 22nd, 2013. The demo was well received even though it was completely self-recorded and the gig offers kept on coming, along with new fans.
With the success of the demo, the band knew that it was time to step things up and hired producer Christian Anderson for their 2014 release, ‘Organ Harvester’. During the writing sessions, the band decided that Chris and Dan should share vocal duties for this record, as Dan’s voice had been absent from the demo. The dual vocals proved to be a force to be reckoned with and on August 11th, 2014 ‘Organ Harvester’ was released to rave reviews.
‘Organ Harvester’ gained both new fans and better shows, gathering serious momentum and solid name among the metal community. However by 2015, after playing many gigs with the ‘Organ Harvester’ material it became very obvious that the fans were hungry for more. The band began writing more songs for the next release and kept playing gigs, which led them to guitarist Tyler Williams. Tyler was working as a sound man at the Atria in Oshawa, ON where Sludgehammer was playing, and after their performance, Tyler approached the band. They set up a jam and in July 2015, Tyler Williams joined Sludgehammer.
The new five piece line up produced a much fuller sound as Jeff and Tyler began working together. The old songs were given new life and badass new material was being written for their next release, titled ‘The Fallen Sun’. The new songs featured dynamic vocal performances from Dan and Chris, mind bending guitar solos, heavy riffs and blistering drumming. As the songs started to pile up, Sludgehammer discussed recording a full length album. Tyler suggested that they record at his studio, Monolithic Productions. The band set up shop there and are now ready to unleash ‘The Fallen Sun’ for release on June 10, 2016.
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Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | ashermedia@gmail.com
Facebook | @AsherMedia | Hire Us
0 NEWS: PureGrainAudio Premiere Edu Falaschi (Almah, ex-Angra) Acoustic Track ‘Heroes of Sand’; New Acoustic Solo Album ‘Moonlight’ Out May 20th via Test Your Metal Records

(contact info below)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – May 16, 2016
Album Promo Request here.
TestYourMetalRecords.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Online Store
PureGrainAudio Premiere Edu Falaschi (Almah, ex-Angra) Acoustic Track ‘Heroes of Sand’
New Acoustic Solo Album ‘Moonlight’ Out May 20th via Test Your Metal Records

EduFalaschi.com.br | Facebook | Twittter @EduFalaschi | Youtube | Instagram: @edu_falaschi

Canadian label Test Your Metal Records is set to release internationally known Brazilian singer and composer EDU FALASCHI’s solo debut album ‘Moonlight’ on May 20th for North America. This is the first solo album by the ex-ANGRA front man currently of ALMAH to celebrate his 25 year career with sixteen records released worldwide, which he has received a Brazilian golden disc award, sold more than one million CDs along with countless world tours and recognition from fans around the globe, especially in Japan, Europe and South America.
Teaming up with PureGrainAudio.com, TYM and EDU FALASCHI are proud to premiere the new acoustic track ‘Heroes of Sand’ at the following link:http://puregrainaudio.com/audio/edu-falaschi-unveils-stream-of-acoustic-version-of-heroes-of-sand-exclusive-premiere
The album features nine acoustic versions of the most significant songs of his career with Angra and Almah such as Nova Era, Rebirth, Heroes of Sand, Spread Your Fire, Bleeding Heart, Wishing Well and Breathe. All the material was rearranged for the voice accompanied by piano, guitar and orchestra in order to present an outstanding mixture of rock, jazz, classic and popular music highlighting harmony and melody. Album Pre-Order available at http://testyourmetalrecords.bigcartel.com/product/edu-falaschi-moonlight-released-may-20th-2016
The cover artwork was created by Brazilian designer Gustavo Sazes (Almah, Kamelot, Sepultura, Arch Enemy, Morbid Angel, Manowar, etc.).

For more info: http://www.edufalaschi.com.br
About:
Edu Falaschi started his professional career in 1990 working in such bands as Mitrium and Symbols. For more than ten years (2001 – 2012) he was the frontman and one of the main composers of ANGRA and recorded four albums with the iconic of Brazilian metal band. Many live and radio hits of the band, as Nova Era, Lease Of Life, Wishing Well, Spead Your Fire and others, are written by Edu. In 2006 Edu Falaschi established his own band, ALMAH and garnered international success. ALMAh has released four studio albums: “Almah” (2006), “Fragile Equality” (2008), “Motion” (2011) and “Unfold” (2013). The band is currently working on its 5th album. Edu Falaschi was voted by Japanese fans as one of the best rock singers in the world several times. He is often invited as a special guest to shows and recordings of many Brazilian and international stars such as Tarja Turunen, Vivaldi Metal Project, Genius Rock Opera, Soulspell Metal Opera, and others.
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | ashermedia@gmail.com
Facebook | @AsherMedia | Hire Us
0 EPK – Sludgehammer – The Fallen Sun (2016)
Sludgehammer – The Fallen Sun (2016)
Release Date: June 10, 2016
For fans of Revocation, Mastodon, Lamb Of God, Cannibal Corpse, Pantera, Opeth, Decapitated
Facebook | Twittter | Reverbnation | Soundcloud
Youtube | Instagram | Bandcamp | iTunes
Press Photo | Album Cover | Album Lyrics
“Sludgehammer brings its “A” game on its debut full-length release, The Fallen Sun. Sludgehammer doesn’t fit neatly into the traditional death or groove metal box, as its diverse elements sets it apart from its peers. Its 11 tracks (including two bonus tracks) are decorated with hooky riffs, catchy choruses and a perfect clean/growled vocal combination…There are many memorable moments on The Fallen Sun and for an unsigned band, Sludgehammer possesses loads of potential. Highly recommended!” – Bravewords
“This is how gifted SLUDGEHAMMER as a band is, even with only a demo, EP and now LP under their belts. On their own, they’re a devastating DIY metal band. With a contract in-hand, they’re gonna become unstoppable.” – Blabbermouth
“Sludgehammer’s ‘Carrion Eater’ video is a raging good time” – Sorrow Eternal
““Demons From the Woodwork”. It’s a jolting, high-octane, full-throttled romp that incorporates elements of thrash, death metal, and head-slugging groove — and it’s an infectious beast that Sludgehammer have unchained.” – No Clean Singing
“Sludgehammer have a great way of infusing groove into their sound. Not nearly enough of that in death metal these days” – CJSF – Metal Meltdown – Michael Livan
“these Canadian bruisers have definitely hit the heavy on the head with their debut record ‘The Fallen Sun’…their catchy as fuck, moshtastic tunes are sure to light up pits from Toronto to Tokyo…They’ve obviously worked hard to create a record with plenty of hooks, riffs and roaring heavy metal power. Heartily recommended!” – The Killchain
“The thing about Sludgehammer musically is they take so many different styles and mesh them together into this sound that encapsulates traditional, thrash, modern, death, and progressive metal, while creating something unique yet familiar. The excellent guitar work with hooky riffs and blazing solos matched with the heaviness and intensity was greatly appealing.” – Get Ready To Rock
“The album has a badass cover and they followed it up with some badass songs. Powerful true metal sound. Everything blended so well, the speed of the drums; the guitar sounds were music to my ears. Powerful vocals, a bit of growling but you can understand ever-single word.” – Kats Metal Litter Box
“Sludgehammer is visceral and and definitely lives up to their name. With several different genres of metal at work including thrash, death, and groove, what you get is a murky and sludge filled sound that does in fact hit you like a fucking hammer upside the head. There are eleven total songs on this release, and each one has the capacity to kill you all by itself.” – Cadaver Garden
“The night opened with Sludgehammer, a local band with some great art on their bass drum. When the lights went down and the crowd got ready out came the guys in this local band battering through each of their songs. Although being unfamiliar with these guys, I had to go home and find their music; Sludgehammer had the stage presence of a high end professional band. Battering away through everything they could, making jokes to the audience and having some showmanship is what we look for and although a lot of people like to skip te local bands at these shows, you would have regretted missing this band.” – Five Magics Music
“Yeah, they live up to the name. The vocals and guitar are sludgy death while the drums are thrashing hammers. Throw in a guitar solo and a deep groove and you’ve got SLUDGEHAMMER. The cleaner vocals remind me of EVILE while the death growls are just plain sinister. The band’s sound is nice and thick. The first four songs of the EP are available on SoundCloud.” – Metal Descent
“Strong metal roots are obvious, but the way they blend several styles of death, groove, thrash, and even melodic metal is impressive. Never a dull moment and it makes each song distinct from each other. Consider the length of time they have been together as a band, they craft their music effortlessly while most bands take years to find their style this band has done it fairly quickly and gathered many elements of the metal genre into a cohesive arrangement that is sure to please many metalheads around the world.” – Arte Mortifica Reviews
“Sludgehammer, a death metal band hailing from Toronto Canada, combines face-melting riffs with groveling, roaring lyrics to create a relentless, powerful sound that is all Sludgehammer’s own. It does not end there. Unlike most death metal acts, Sludgehammer has a unique groove metal sound intermixed into their songs.” – Metal Temple
“This album contains 11 tracks that left me incredibly impressed. Recorded and mixed by guitarist Tyler Williams, the quality alone gets a thumbs up from me. Featuring superior guitar and bass work and freakishly amazing drum work, the vocals are the icing on the cake that leaves me desiring another piece. As a musician myself, I can understand the difficulty level in every instrument that’s being played, which earns a second thumbs up from me as it is far from easy. The guitars are without a doubt my favorite part of this album as they seem to tell a story in themselves. Some tracks that stand out to me are “The Black Abyss”, “Revolting” and “Utopian”. They contain both superb instrumental work and nostalgic feeling vocals that leave me wanting to hear it over and over again. It is no question that these guys are exceptionally talented and all contribute something notable to the album.” – Damnation Magazine
“The Fallen Sun is a really strong album and one that more people should be listening to. Vocally it’s strong in both lead and backing vocals, the riffs are huge and it’s just an all-round catchy, yet heavy, album. Well worth a few listens.” – Midlands Metalheads
“What more can I say except this is the greatest new band I have heard recently and one of the finest debuts ever. If this is the beginning I shudder to think what they plan ahead.” – Eternal Terror

[Download Press Photo]L-R – Chris Szarota – Vocals, Jeff Wilson – Guitars, Tyler Williams – Guitars, Dan Ayers – Bass/Vocals, Fernando Villalobos- Drums – Credit: Hayden John Wolf
Canadian metallers SLUDGEHAMMER have a single objective: to crush audiences with their penetrating and abrasive brand of thrash-tinged death metal. The band was forged in Canada’s heavy metal hub of Toronto and is driven to satisfy an audience that craves ferocity. The five piece began when guitarist Jeff Wilson and drummer Fernando Villalobos were jamming together in 2013. The two soon discovered that they were drafting song after song and needed to fill out their line up, which led to the discovery of Chris Szarota, who possesses a distinct level of aggression as a vocalist. Next to join the band was spitfire Dan Ayers who continues to prove his dominance and prowess on bass and vocals, and finally Tyler Williams stepping up to the plate on guitar and delivering punishing riffs. This would become the final incarnation of SLUDGEHAMMER that pounds out track after track of punishing metal.
Live, the band is a roaring waterfall with the audience standing precariously at the edge waiting to be engulfed by the sheer force. Their name portrays an accurate description of the band’s sound and intent; sludgy grooves and beats, forged with a hammer, methodically with the up-most precision. The band released their debut EP ‘Organ Harvester’ in 2014 that features their invariable dual vocals. Around that time, Tyler Williams joined the band as a permanent fixture and has breathed new life into the older material as well as recorded their sophomore release ‘The Fallen Sun’ full length, which is set for release on June 10th, 2016. SLUDGEHAMMER still continues to pump out release after release with another one already slated for 2017.
Lyrical content for the band acts as a medium by channeling a dark and sinister spirit that is unforgiving and relentless, a perfect pair for the instrumentals. With titles like ‘Carrion Eater” and “Utopia” the quintet endorse an individual’s pursuit to survival and satisfy all needs, no matter how calloused. 2016 is gearing up to be a big year for SLUDGEHAMMER. With their upcoming album, metal fans can expect to see more of the Toronto heavy hitters. Read more about the band and future plans here: https://www.facebook.com/sludgehammermusic/
0 NEWS: WITHOUT MERCY Announce ‘Mouichido’ Cross Canada Tour (AB/MB/SK/ON/QC)

(contact info below)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – May 16, 2016
EP Promo Request here.
For fans of Lamb of God, Pantera, Gojira, Decapitated, Cannibal Corpse
WithoutMercyBand.com | Facebook | Twitter @WithoutMercy | Youtube | Bandcamp
Download Press Photo | Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics
WITHOUT MERCY Announce ‘Mouichido’ Cross Canada Tour (AB/MB/SK/ON/QC)
New Music Video ‘Burn’
New EP ‘Mouichido’ Out May 27th
Upcoming Show Dates:

July 1 – Penticton, BC – TBA

Photo Credit: Shimon Karmel
Set to unleash their upcoming EP ‘Mouichido’ on May 27th, Vancouver, BC’sWITHOUT MERCY will be hitting the road following its release for a cross Canada tour in support of it. Their forthcoming EP ‘Mouichido’ is a rebirth for the band as it’s a re-release of re-recorded material from their 2014 EP ‘Reborn’.‘Mouichido’, the Japanese word for “Repeat” or “to do one more time” is perfectly titled for the EP to signify its re-release of previously recorded versions that now feature new vocalist Alex Friis and bass tracks recorded by Tristan Martin plus live performance being done by Ryan Loewen along with a guest appearance by vocalist Mark Hunter of Chimaira on track ‘In Waves’.
The band has released two videos in support of the EP ‘Burn’ and, both can be viewed at the following links below. Album pre-order at the following link here.

Video – Worthless – Youtube

For more info, please visit: www.WithoutMercyBand.com.
About:
Tenacity, work ethic and originality. There’s no excuses anymore.
Vancouver-based Without Mercy certainly stays true to its name. Ruthless and menacing, these Canadian metal titans have cultivated and redefined the phrase, “Fuck Pussy Metal”.
Founded in 2004, Without Mercy has gone from strength to strength over the years. They released their first EP “All Else Fails” in 2007 completely independently and used its humble beginnings to start the catapulting of performances, internet presence and radio play. In 2009, Without Mercy went on to record their self-titled full length album using the same team that worked on records by Devin Townsend, Mudvayne, and Marilyn Manson. Without Mercy rode the attention wave of their self-titled debut, using the escalation to begin a relentless performance schedule that would lead them far from their hometown and include over 200 live performances. No stranger to tenacity, in only a few short years Without Mercy have achieved; being the only indie metal band in Western Canada to have two tracks available on Rock Band 3, being featured in Tattoo Savage Magazine, and pioneering the phrases, ‘You Smell Like A Bitch’ and ‘Fuck Pussy Metal’ – which have now become synonymous with the band.
In 2014, Without Mercy unleashed third studio release, “Reborn”. Another massive evolution for the band, Without Mercy sought to bring back the organic metal sound and combine it with a high production standard. Fast forward to 2016, some line up changes with a new vocalist and bassist, the band is ready to share with fans re-recorded material from ‘Reborn’ on their new EP ‘Mouichido’ that even features Chimaira vocalist Mark Hunter on their track ‘In Waves’. The EP is set to be unleashed on May 27th, 2016 and will be supported with a steady rotation of touring and appearances across Canada and the USA. All of course, independently.
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Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | ashermedia@gmail.com
Facebook | @AsherMedia | Hire Us
0 Canadian Beats – Interview w/ Fractal Cypher
0 Wings of Death – Without Mercy – Mouichido (EP)
Herhaling of niet, als kennismaking met Without Mercy is Mouichido uitermate geschikt. Deze band klinkt inmiddels echt wel anders als op het voorgaande album, jaren geleden en een muzikaal spectrum terug. Wanneer je je metal graag modern en bruut hebt is dit zeker een aanrader!
0 EPK – A Devil’s Din – Skylight (2016) (Island Dive Records)
A Devil’s Din – Skylight (2016)
Release Date: June 17, 2016
Label: Island Dive Records
For fans of Ghost, Syd Barrett/Floyd, Psych-era Beatles, Early Sabbath,
70’s prog: Yes, King Crimson, etc, QOTSA, Tool, My Bloody Valentine
ADevilsDin.com | Facebook | Twittter @ADevilsDin | Reverbnation
Soundcloud | Youtube | Last.FM | CBC Radio 3 | Tumblr
Bandcamp | iTunes | Amazon | CD Baby
“Rock ’n’ roll on the timeless precipice of psychedelic, progressive, transgressive danger. Be warned.” –Lorraine Carpenter, Montreal Mirror/ Cult Mtl
“For those into the good old smoothness of Bowie, the cheery lightheartedness of The Pixies, and a dark side of Sabbath, this is definitely an album (One Day This Will All Be Yours) to check out!” – Forget The Box
“the band has one very important thing! Good songs. And even more special, great lyrics.” – ProgShine


L-R – Dominique Salameh – Drums, Vocals, David Lines – Keys, Guitar, Vocals, Thomas Chollet (R) Bass, Guitar, Vocals – Photo Credit: Renaud Kasma
A Devil’s Din is made up of 3 musicians born in the Old World who traveled across the ocean to find each other in Montreal, drawn together by a mutual love of melodic, innovative, inventive and daring rock music. Fusing the colourful sounds of Syd Barrett’s Pink Floyd & the psychedelic-era Beatles with intensity of classic power bands like Sabbath, The Who, and Led Zeppelin, as well as the boundary-pushing adventure of Yes, Gentle Giant and King Crimson, A Devil’s Din is an uncommon and uncompromising voice in modern music.
In 2008, UK-born stalwart Montreal-based multi-instrumentalist and session musician David Lines decided he needed to form a musical outfit that would suit his own particular psychedelically-induced musical visions, and thus A Devil’s Din was born. While still working as a musical “gun-for-hire” around town, he continued to develop the songs and sound for A Devil’s Din–which he considers an Art Project not to be tainted by commercial desires–recording their first album One Day All This Will Be Yours between 2009 and 2010, and releasing it on his own label Island Dive Records in 2011.
Though the musicians on that record were excellent, it wasn’t until Lyonnais bassist and disciple of the Holy Trinity of Rickenbacker Bass (John Entwistle, Chris Squire and Geddy Lee) Thomas Chollet entered the picture, along with drummer Dom Salameh (whose Lebanese roots and childhood in France did not at all prevent him from becoming an ardent Keith Moon devotee) that the sound really began to take shape. The synergy of the three took the music to another level, as witnessed at their intense and energetic live shows and has been made manifest on the new A Devil’s Din album SKYLIGHT.
A Devil’s Din continues to travel further afield in the world of psychedelic and progressive rock music, transforming listeners’ minds whereever they go.
Their first European tour will take place in September and their albums are available through various retailers online and through their website.


