Posts By Asher

0 EPK – Massive Scar Era – Metal Goes Egyptian (2023)

August 25, 2023
by Asher
· EPKs · Massive Scar Era

EPK – Massive Scar Era – Metal Goes Egyptian (2023)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

“This EP possesses a distinct nature due to its special concept. It is particularly appealing to metal enthusiasts who appreciate a diverse range of folkloric influences. Fans who enjoy the fusion of metal and various folk elements will find great enjoyment in this EP. (I think maybe Myrath would the closer to this sound although the instrumentation and tuning are different they would be the closest). I want them to feel the intensity and energy of metal while being embraced by the melodic beauty and cultural nuances of traditional Egyptian Arabic music. It’s an opportunity for them to embark on a musical journey that transcends boundaries and creates a unique fusion of genres. I hope that this blend of musical elements will ignite their imagination, evoke emotions, and leave them with an experience that lingers long after the music stops.” – Cherine Amr – Massive Scar Era

Band: Massive Scar Era
EP Title: Metal Goes Egyptian
Release Date: November 3, 2023
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/massivescarera | Instagram.com/massivescarera |

Massivescarera.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

“Steeped in Metal, but bridging the gap to Egyptian music, Massive Scar Era is a Metal band you need to know about in 2023. The brainchild of visionary artist Cherine Amr, their new EP Metal Goes Egyptian, the seventh release in her career, is coming out in November. Not only does the band creative a ground-breaking mix of Metal and world music, Cherine had to flee her country where “the devil’s music” is forbidden to create, let alone defying gender norms that could lead to punishment, or worse. With its unique fusion of Prog Rock, post-Grunge, Egyptian music, and Heavy Metal, the group just released a new single “Between Waves!”” – Ghost Cult Magazine

” When you’re a metal act, you either go big or you go home, and going big is what Massive Scar Era does extremely well. Today, the metal ensemble unveiled the video for their new single, “Oblivious,” off of their Metal Goes Egyptian EP. As an in-studio performance video, it’s simple but effective. It’s particularly effective due to the level of precision with which the band plays. Then you add in the orchestral elements, and you have essentially what amounts to a symphony. Beyond band founder and leader Cherine Amr, there are many minds and parties at play to bring this vision to life. Amr collaborates closely with musicians, producers, and video creators. Her goal is to combine heavy metal’s power with traditional Arabic music’s beauty and charisma. You’ll hear it all come together in perfect harmony upon Metal Goes Egyptian’s official release on November 3rd.” – V13

“As the title indicates, it’s metal with a middle eastern tone and style… mostly melodic death with clean and harsh vox.” – The Moshpit – WORT 89.9 FM (Madison, WI)

“the Egyptian-Western music cocktail has an almost hypnotic effect” – PowerMetal.de

“Through “Metal Goes Egypt”, their new EP, Canadian band Massive Scar Era invites open-minded heavy music fans to embark on a musical journey that transcends borders and creates a unique fusion of metal energy and the melodic beauty and cultural nuances of traditional Egyptian Arabic music.” – YoZone.fr

Band: Massive Scar Era
EP Title: Metal Goes Egyptian
Release Date: November 3, 2023
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Between Waves – 3:22
2. 30 Years – 4:43
3. Oblivious – 3:46
4. Back to the Sun – 3:41
5. Color Blind – 3:14
6. Endorphins – 2:37
EP Length: 21:26

Credits:
All songs performed by: Violins: Kristin Molnar, Zoé Dumais, and Rasha Masalkhi
Viola: Omar Abou Afach
Oud: Mohamed Masmoudi
Qanun: Nizar Tabcharani
Percussions: Phyras Haddad, and Bertil Schulrabe
Drums: Julia Geaman
Bass: Etienne Tremblay
Songwriting, Vocals, Guitar: Cherine Amr
Arabic Music Arranger: Weka Soliman
Music Copyist: Hugo Mayrand
Sound Technicians: Jacob Lacroix-Cardinal, and Nicolas Pétrowski
Music Producer, mix and master: Etienne Tremblay (La Machine à Mixer)
Recorded by Nicolas Pétrowski and Etienne Tremblay (La Machine à Mixer) at Studio Mixart, Montreal, QC,
• All songs written by: Cherine Amr
• Produced by: Etienne Tremblay
• Mixed by: Etienne Tremblay
• Mastered by: Etienne Tremblay
• Album Artwork by: Biggg Rock Films

=============================================================

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Metal Goes Egyptian is an EP and in-studio video sessions recorded and filmed with a traditional Egyptian Arabic music orchestra in Studio Mix Art in Montreal, QC. It consists of 6 songs: 2 brand- new and a rearrangement of 4 previously released songs.

Arabic music is typically known for its monophonic nature, emphasizing melodic lines. On the other hand, metal music frequently employs the riffing technique, where chords may provide little information about the melody. This compatibility is why metal is one of the most adaptable genres for incorporating Arabic arrangements without significantly altering the core composition.

In this project, Weka, the arranger of Arabic music, played a significant role in selecting the songs that would best suit to incorporate Arabic arrangement. Our collaborative process facilitated smooth decision-making through ongoing discussions and exchanges of ideas.

We selected songs with Egyptian-flavored vocal ornaments, and these naturally facilitated the harmonious integration of the Arabic arrangement. The intention was to avoid forcibly converting metal music into Egyptian music while ensuring the song’s foundational heaviness remained intact.

Track By Track explained:

1. Between Waves

Between the Waves was the first song that we worked on. It’s one of the oldest songs for MSE that wasn’t released digitally. In this song’s intro, a heavy riff is playing in the background, consisting of just two notes. Weka was free to incorporate the Hijaz scale without constraints, and he used maqam kord as a secondary “gens, ” a modern approach to this maqam. That’s how the song began. As the song progresses, it transitions into a new section with modulation on the G note, leading into maqam Rust. Finally, the ending of the intro (“Taslim” in Arabic) concludes with a return to the Hijaz scale, creating a glamorous ending.

I wrote this song when I was very young. It was even before I moved to Cairo in 2009. I was still in the process of discovering myself as a person before a lyricist and a songwriter. While I don’t resonate with the lyrics anymore, singing this song again reminded me of an entire lifetime.

2. 30 Years
This is a rearrangement of a previously released song under the same title. I wrote it when I turned 30 when I moved to Canada. I’m used to writing songs and then jamming on them with a drummer to try out different ideas. With the move to Canada, I didn’t know any drummer to jam with, and I wasn’t ready to network yet, so I had to navigate midi and drum machine, which was a pain – still a pain! But I wrote the drumline for this song on my computer, and with this added knowledge, it gave me a tool to finally express the beats I have in my mind, even if they don’t sound great.

3. Oblivious
Also, a rearrangement of a previously released song under the same title. I altered the way I sang the chorus to match the Arabic ornament played by the orchestra. I didn’t have to do this, but I just loved it so much that I couldn’t help not singing it. It’s a personal song, and its ending always gives me goosebumps. The song explores how people can sometimes misunderstand things without realizing it, either because they don’t have all the information or because they’re busy with other parts of their lives. It also looks at how our pride can affect how we take in information and how it can be really hard to admit when we’re wrong and face our mistakes instead of avoiding them.

4. Back to The Sun

“Back to the Sun,” the fourth track in the EP and the first single, holds a special place for me. It stands out for several reasons, including the captivating chorus sung on a Maqam Rust, which incorporates microtones. The song explores the theme of returning home, where home is not just a physical place, but a feeling of warmth and nostalgia—a place of ease and belonging.

The chorus of “Back to the Sun” beautifully utilizes the Maqam Rust, incorporating a microtone between the third and fourth degrees of the scale. This musical choice enhances the emotional and melancholic impact of the song, adding depth and expressiveness. Microtones, which refer to the pitches that lie between the conventional Western musical notes, allow for subtle variations in pitch within the Maqam Rust scale.

By incorporating microtones, the song achieves a nuanced and evocative melodic quality, capturing the essence of the emotional journey back home. These subtle variations in pitch within the Maqam Rust scale add an additional layer of depth and complexity to the music, enhancing the overall listening experience.

5. Color Blind
We decided to rearrange this previously released song for inclusion in this project primarily because of its numerous delicate vocal ornaments. These ornaments provided an opportunity for an Arabic arrangement. Once the Arabic arrangement was introduced, these subtle elements became much more pronounced compared to the original arrangement.

I wrote this song after I was denied entry to the USA to play at SXSW with MSE due to the Muslim ban implemented by Trump. Although Egypt wasn’t on the banned list, the border officer was cautious about bands from our region participating, fearing it could add to the ongoing protests at the festival. Fortunately, that’s all in the past now, and I’ve been able to perform many shows smoothly in the USA since the situation has improved.

6. Endorphins
This is a fresh song I composed during the pandemic using my keyboard. Needless to say how challenging the period of isolation was challenging for everyone, and on top of that, I was living alone in Vancouver. Zoom calls, online events, and even making music had become exhausting. I was struggling with feelings of depression and isolation. My career seemed to be at a standstill, and financial concerns weighed heavily on me.

In the midst of this, the middle section in the 9/8 time signature emerged. I had recently come across the Saz VST and was experimenting with it when the arrangement for this part just clicked.

===================================================================

Story Angles – Band Fun Facts:

1. When I formed this band In 2004, in Alexandria, Egypt, it was established with an all-female lineup. The reason behind this choice was the restriction imposed by my family, which prohibited me from playing music with male musicians. While some perceived it as a feminist statement, I personally experienced it as one of the most oppressive situations I had ever encountered

2. In the SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) region, each country has its unique microtonal system. In the orchestra that recorded the Arabic Music, the members hailed from various backgrounds within the Arab-speaking region. However, despite their diverse origins, they all tuned in together and delivered an authentic Egyptian sound.

3. Traveling with my Egyptian passport has proven to be an extremely arduous task primarily due to the stringent visa procedures involved. In 2017, during the implementation of the Trump travel ban, MSE received an invitation to perform at SXSW. I personally had a physical appointment at the embassy, clearly stating the purpose of my travel, and providing the official SXSW invitation, I was granted the visa. However, upon reaching the borders, I faced an unexpected setback: I was denied entry, even though Egypt was not included in the travel ban list.

Massive Scar Era is the brainchild of the visionary artist Cherine Amr, who leads a collaborative journey with diverse musicians in every EP, bringing her unique vision to life. Originating from Alexandria, Egypt, and currently based in Montreal, QC, Massive Scar Era defies genre boundaries, weaving together a captivating tapestry of progressive rock, post-grunge, Egyptian music, and metal, resonating deeply with audiences across the globe.

With an impressive six albums already, Massive Scar Era is ready to present its seventh “Metal Goes Egyptian” this year. The first look at this EP is the single “Back To The Sun”, which holds a special place for Amr, which she explains:

“It’s a reflection of the warmth and nostalgia we all carry within us. The chorus, sung on a Maqam Rust with its intricate microtone, adds a touch of melancholy and emotional depth to the music. This song is an ode to the feeling of belonging and the yearning to return to a time and space where we felt at ease.”

A truly enriching musical experience, Massive Scar Era is doomy and melodic metal suitable for fans of Nawather, Merkfolk, and Aeternam.

Amr also adds:

“As the leader of this project, I am humbled and elated to witness the realization of my long-held vision. It has been an incredible journey, collaborating with an exceptional team of musicians, producers, and video creators. Together, we have crafted a musical experience that merges the power of metal with the enchantment of Egyptian traditional Arabic music. This project has expanded my horizons as a composer and creative leader, and I am grateful for the guidance and expertise that Katia Makdissi-Warren, our consultant, has provided. From the remarkable orchestral arrangements by Weka Soliman to the dedication of the sound production team led by Etienne Tremblay, every individual involved has contributed their talent and passion, ensuring a seamless and extraordinary outcome. With heartfelt appreciation, I thank everyone who has made this dream come true, and I invite you all to join us on this remarkable musical journey.”

“Metal Goes Egyptian” is due out on November 3, 2023.

More Info:

Since its inception in 2004, Massive Scar Era has been at the forefront of musical innovation, pioneering a remarkable fusion of fierce vocals, intricate violin melodies, distorted guitars, and the pulsating rhythms of Egyptian percussion. Her music reflects the cosmopolitan allure of Alexandria intertwined with the raw essence of Cairo’s urban landscape. The project’s distinctive sound and cultural influences have garnered widespread recognition, leading to its inclusion in two highly influential documentaries that shed light on the vibrant music scenes across the SWANA region: “Microphone” (2012) and “Before the Spring After the Fall” (2013).

She has embarked on extensive tours throughout Europe and North America, gracing renowned stages and captivating audiences with her magnetic presence.

Shared Stage with: Kreator, Dream Theatre, Dimmu Borgir, Septic Flesh, The Algorithm, Moonspell, Tyr

Tours and Festivals:
2019 – USA East Coast Tour
– USA West Coast Tour
– D-CAF Music Festival Cairo, Egypt
2018 – No Visa Required Cross Canadian Tour
2017 – Metalocalypstick (Lone Butte, BC)
2016 – Metalocalypstick (Valemount, BC)
2015 – SXSW (Austin, TX)
2014 – Total Metal Festival (Italy)
2014 – Inferno Metal Festival (Norway)
2013 – FreakStock Festival (Borgenstreich, Germany)
2013 – SXSW (Austin, TX)
2012 – Saxstock Festival (Germany)
2012 – Slot Art Festival (Poland)
2011 – Whiskey A Go Go (Los Angeles)
2011 – Metal Asylum, Dubai (UAE)
2011 – Cornerstone Festival, USA
2010 – Dubai Film Festival (UAE)
2010 – Cornerstone Festival (Marietta, IL)
2007 – SOS Music Festival (Egypt)
2008 – Sweden Rock Festival (Sweden)

0 EPK – Display of Decay – Vitriol (2023) (Gore House Productions)

August 25, 2023
by Asher
· Display of Decay · EPKs

EPK – Display of Decay – Vitriol (2023)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

“Every song is so unique that it feels like a new experience every single track. We never go into the writing process under the expectation of writing something a certain way and I think this translates well in the songs as they flow cohesively from track to track while each having their own unique added elements.” – Display of Decay

For fans of Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus, Immolation, Pantera, Morbid Angel

Band: Display of Decay
Album: Vitriol
Release Date: October 20, 2023
Label: Gore House Productions

Gorehouseproductions.com | Facebook.com/GoreHouseProductionsOfficial | Instagram.com/gorehouseproductions

Displayofdecay.ca | Facebook.com/displayofdecayofficial | Instagram.com/displayofdecayofficial | Tiktok.com/@displayofdecay

Spotify | Displayofdecay.bigcartel.com | All Links – https://linktr.ee/displayofdecay

Album Pre-Order – https://orcd.co/vitriol

“Edmonton’s long-standing denizens of death metal” – Decibel Magazine

“Should have lots of these from previous record, here are a few “This three-piece, hailing from the Canadian badlands, are an absolutely crushing ode to no-frills, old-school brutality.” – Metal Injection

‘’Perfect for fans of Deicide and Cannibal Corpse” – Bloody-Disgusting

“death metal that is surely to snap your neck and crush your skull.” – My Global Mind

“From pit anthems to intricate playing identifiable sound and raspy deep growls, every reason you love death metal is inside the tracks that lay within “Art in Mutilation.” – Metal Temple

“This is pure North American death metal with a dosage of thrash, but it’s the effective songwriting that keeps your interest from start to finish.” – Dead Rhetoric

“This is Brutal Death Metal that wastes no time on pointless intros or messing around.” – Wonderbox Metal

““Created To Kill” is a monster itself — a blazing onslaught of thrashing death with a raw, old-school tone, loaded with riff savagery and anchored by a nimble bass line and a hard-hitting drum attack. The song’s dynamic tempos are sure to be gasoline for the mosh pit, and the punchy grooves in the music should get heads moving vigorously as well. On top of all that death metal goodness, the rapid-fire vocals are as bestial as this kind of instrumental ferocity demands.” – No Clean Singing (2015 – Dust of Existence)

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: Display of Decay
Album: Vitriol
Release Date: October 20, 2023
Label: Gore House Productions

Track Listing:
1. Malicious Motorcide (3:17)
2. The Butcher (4:26)
3. Legion of Doom (4:04)
4. Familial Feast (3:26)
5. Harbinger (3:06)
6. Hot Lead Vengeance (4:01)
7. Slaughtercast (3:54)
8. Vitriol (3:19)
Album Length: 29:36

Album Recording Credits:
– All songs written and performed by Sean Watson,
Brandon Siefert, Logan Wilson.
– Drums performed by Tyson Travnik on ‘Hot Lead
Vengeance’ & ‘Vitriol’
– All lyrics by Display of Decay & Kland Kuly
– Mixed & Mastered by Christian Donaldson
– Assistant Mix Engineer by Dominic Grimard
– Cover art by Caelan Stokkermans
– Graphic design by Logan Wilson
– Canadian Content (MAPL)
– Member of SOCAN

========================================================================

The album as a whole:

‘Vitriol,’ was born of rage and spite fueled further by the chaos and uncertainty felt worldwide over the last few years.

The lyrical content covers a variety of topics ranging from pop culture references like Diablo & Mass Effect to darker undertones of the mainstream media’s obsession with school shootings and other acts of senseless violence that are continuously looped for ratings evidently posing a risk of reproduction.

Track By Track:

Malicious Motorcide: Malicious is a wild ride from start to finish. It’s a song about driving over hordes of people in a fit of rage, the elevation in tempo and chaos felt in the song flow together perfectly with the lyrical content which was based around real events a member of our band was nearly a victim of.

The Butcher: The Butcher to me is the most dynamic song on the record. Its tempo fluctuates so much throughout to build up with the story behind the song. Initially, it started out as someone who was taken hostage and held against their will, soon to be burned alive, but we couldn’t help but draw reference to Diablo’s notorious Butcher who’s been featured in several of their games. The sheer heaviness of that intro and the catchiness of the chorus are guaranteed to turn heads and blow minds.

Legion of Doom: We have songs about serial killers, school shootings, and otherwise brutal methods of dying. Deep down, we’re just a bunch of nerds who love playing heavy music and this song really captures that. We wrote this one about the ‘Death Knight’ in World of Warcraft, because it’s badass and because we can. Musically, this song was rewritten a number of times. I can remember a few minutes before a writing session, Brandon was on his way over and I was sitting there strumming along to warm up when I plucked the notes that would eventually become the chorus, and I thought to myself did I just write the best riff ever?!” Of course, I didn’t, but it’s a pretty damn great riff. This song is definitely more ‘progressive’ than the other ones perhaps, I feel there’s a definite nod to ‘Death’ in this one, but nonetheless, it’s about slaying monsters in Azeroth. FOR THE HORDE.

Familial Feast: This was the last and most unexpected song on the record. We had another tune initially on the record we ended up scrapping late as we felt it wasn’t up to par, but we had been jamming even newer stuff between recording sessions. Familial Feast just fell into place seamlessly and unexpectedly became one of our favorite tracks to play so it was a no-brainer to throw it on the record.

The lyrical content was written about Katherine Knight, an Australian-born murderer who in the early 2000’s killed and cooked her spouse with the intent of feeding him to his children. It’s a pretty wild case that never seemed to garner as much notoriety as one would expect with such gruesome details.

Harbinger: Harbinger is definitely one of the most technically challenging songs, if not the MOST technically challenging on the record. A frenzy from start to finish, this track features a wide range of dynamics stretching from sweep picking, and octaves, to full-on chaos!

Lyrically, it’s entirely based on Mass Effect and the Reaper invasion, because as previously mentioned, nerds.

Hot Lead Vengeance: This track was written right as we came back from the ‘Decimate the West’ tour in 2019. It was based on the growing number of senseless shootings going on around the world at the time. Every time you turned on the TV, every news network was covering a mass shooting somewhere, or some other act of senseless violence. It’s definitely an experience to sit and listen through and certainly not for the faint of heart.

Vitriol: The name of the track says it all. The lyrical content in this tune was written in a time of extreme rage and with that, the music just kind of followed. To me, it’s got the most powerful chorus of the entire record lyrically and musically because it’s simple yet effective.

========================================================================

L – R – Brandon Siefert (Bass), Sean Watson (Guitar / Vocals), Logan Wilson (Drums)

Photo Credit – Display of Decay

Formed in 2007, Display of Decay is widely noted for bringing a unique blend of old-school death metal, with tinges of thrash and doom metal. Hailing from Edmonton, the band has spread their infection across Canada, sharing the stage alongside other elite acts such as Kataklysm, Cattle Decapitation, The Faceless, Origin, Beyond Creation & more. After five well-received indie releases (two EPs and 3 full-lengths), Display of Decay is unleashing their fourth album “Vitriol” featuring eight aural assaulting tracks that set the mosh pits ablaze. “Vitriol” is due out October 20th, 2023 via Gore House Productions.

Discography:
2010 – Blood Borne – EP (demo)
2012 – Display of Decay – LP
2013 – Outbreak of Infection – EP
2015 – Dust of Existence – LP
2018 – Art in Mutilation – LP
2023 – Vitriol – LP

Artist Endorsements: EMG Pickups – http://www.emgpickups.com/artist/index/view/id/884

Music / Movie Placement: Bagman – Recycle or Die (2015)

Shared Stage with: Kataklysm, Cattle Decapitation, Defeated Sanity, The Faceless, Origin, Beyond Creation

Tours and Festivals:
2013 – Farmageddon Open Air – Ryley, AB
2014 – Loud As Hell – Drumheller, AB
2014 – Farmageddon Open Air – Ryley, AB
2015 – Armstrong MetalFest – Armstrong, BC
2016 – Loud as Hell – Drumheller, AB
2018 – Hamilton DeathFest – Hamilton, ON
2019 Las Vegas DeathFest – Las Vegas, NV
2019 Loud As Hell – Drumheller, AB
2020 Decimate MetalFest – Edmonton, AB
2021 Loud as Hell – Drumheller, AB

0 Gore House Productions – Take A Bite Of Fresh Death Metal Meat Being Served Up In DISPLAY OF DECAY’s “The Butcher” Off New Album “Vitriol” Out Oct 2023

August 25, 2023
by Asher
· Display of Decay · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – Aug 25, 2023

Take A Bite Of Fresh Death Metal Meat Being Served Up In DISPLAY OF DECAY’s “The Butcher”

New Album “Vitriol” Out October 2023 via Gore House Productions

L – R – Brandon Siefert (Bass), Sean Watson (Guitar / Vocals), Logan Wilson (Drums)

Photo Credit – Display of Decay

Display of Decay has been a cornerstone of the underground Canadian death metal scene for over a decade, having released five recordings (two eps and 3 albums) in that time, touring extensively, and making appearances at several festivals in Canada and the US. They have once again returned to the studio, to dish out another hefty serving of fast riffs, groovy bass lines, and thunderous gutturals as their fourth full-length “Vitriol” (Mixed & Mastered by Christian Donaldson of Cryptopsy) to be released in October of this year. While fans wait to sink their teeth into what promises to be a juicy offering of death metal, they can whet their appetites with the single “The Butcher”. The band shares their thoughts on the song and its nerdy ties:

“The Butcher is the most dynamic song on the record. Its tempo fluctuates so much throughout to build up with the story behind the song. Initially, it started out as someone who was taken hostage and held against their will, soon to be burned alive, but we couldn’t help but draw reference to Diablo’s notorious Butcher who’s been featured in several of their games. The sheer heaviness of that intro and the catchiness of the chorus is guaranteed to turn heads and blow minds.”

The album “Vitriol” was born of rage and spite fueled further by the chaos and uncertainty felt worldwide over the last few years. The lyrical content covers a variety of topics ranging from pop culture references like Diablo & Mass Effect to darker undertones of the mainstream media’s obsession with school shootings and other acts of senseless violence that are continuously looped for ratings evidently posing a risk of reproduction. Each song is delivered with precision and relentless brutality, a cumulation of both new-school and old-school American death metal.

Line up for slaughter, “The Butcher” lyric video is out now, and “Vitriol” will arrive on October 20, 20th via Gore House Productions. It is recommended for fans of Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus, and Immolation.

Watch and listen to “The Butcher” at the following links:

Lyric Video – https://youtu.be/8Bz0JKqbSkg

Spotify – https://sptfy.com/OMTv

Album pre-order at https://orcd.co/vitriol

Track Listing:
1. Malicious Motorcide (3:17)
2. The Butcher (4:26)
3. Legion of Doom (4:04)
4. Familial Feast (3:26)
5. Harbinger (3:06)
6. Hot Lead Vengeance (4:01)
7. Slaughtercast (3:54)
8. Vitriol (3:19)
Album Length: 29:36

Album Recording Credits:
– All songs written and performed by Sean Watson,
Brandon Siefert, Logan Wilson.
– Drums performed by Tyson Travnik on ‘Hot Lead
Vengeance’ & ‘Vitriol’
– All lyrics by Display of Decay & Kland Kuly
– Mixed & Mastered by Christian Donaldson
– Assistant Mix Engineer by Dominic Grimard
– Cover art by Caelan Stokkermans
– Graphic design by Logan Wilson
– Canadian Content (MAPL)
– Member of SOCAN

More info:

Gorehouseproductions.com | Facebook.com/GoreHouseProductionsOfficial | Instagram.com/gorehouseproductions

Displayofdecay.ca | Facebook.com/displayofdecayofficial | Instagram.com/displayofdecayofficial | Tiktok.com/@displayofdecay

-30-

“Edmonton’s long-standing denizens of death metal” – Decibel Magazine

‘’Perfect for fans of Deicide and Cannibal Corpse” – Bloody-Disgusting

“death metal that is surely to snap your neck and crush your skull.” – My Global Mind

“From pit anthems to intricate playing identifiable sound and raspy deep growls, every reason you love death metal is inside the tracks that lay within “Art in Mutilation.” – Metal Temple

“This is pure North American death metal with a dosage of thrash, but it’s the effective songwriting that keeps your interest from start to finish.” – Dead Rhetoric

“This is Brutal Death Metal that wastes no time on pointless intros or messing around.” – Wonderbox Metal

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0 Rockshots Records – Streaming Now! Welcome To The Realm of DRAGONHEART And New Album “The Dragonheart’s Tale” + New Lyric Video “Ghost Of The Storm” ft. Henning Basse (Metalium, Fire Wind)

August 25, 2023
by Asher
· Dragonhert · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 25, 2023

Rockshots Records – Streaming Now! Welcome To The Realm of DRAGONHEART And New Album “The Dragonheart’s Tale”

New Lyric Video “Ghost Of The Storm” ft. Henning Basse (Metalium, Fire Wind)

DRAGONHEART is welcoming fans to the realm of “The Dragonheart’s Tale”, the fifth studio album from the Brazilian fantasy power metallers now available as of August 25th via Rockshots Records.

“Fans rejoice, it’s gonna be almost 52 minutes of power metal music. This is a conceptual album and because it is, we’ve decided to put the tracks in a chronological order of our fantasy stories. To do that we divided this album into 3 acts. The first talks about the sea and pirates, the second one about blood battles, and the last one about magic and fire. Please enjoy this quest and journey of both storytelling and music.”

To celebrate the full-length’s release day, the band is sharing a new lyric video for the track “Ghost of The Storm” featuring guest vocals from Henning Basse (Metalium, Fire Wind), a track about the story of Bristol Storm, a crewman who begs the gods not to die in the shipwreck and becomes the ghost of the storm. Living trapped in the wreck of the Fury, the greatest war galleon in the realms. Lonely and mad he commands the storms and the sea to wreck other ships and the drowned sailors to keep him company. So, he forms the crew of the Ghost Galleon (Throne of the Alliance 2002).”

Lyric Video – “Ghost of The Storm” – https://youtu.be/c2qP393SYcA

Dragonheart‘s new album “The Dragonheart’s Tale” is available on CD at https://bit.ly/DragonheartCD

and digitally on Spotify and Apple Music.

Dragonheart members are long-time friends who play songs with medieval and fantasy atmospheres. Some members are fans of RPGs, movies, and video games. As well as medieval music, renascence music, sailors songs, Celtic songs, 80s heavy metal, and German power metal. Their new album “The Dragonheart’s Tale” features 10 tracks covering many styles of power metal, with acoustic tavern music and an orchestrated track, voiceovers, and, sound effects stitching together the narrative of the fantasy world created by the band. The work is rich in instrumentals and vocal arrangements worthy of a band with 26 years on the road. It also features guest vocals from Henning Basse (Metalium, Fire Wind) on “Ghost of The Storm” and was mixed and mastered by Fredrik Nordström (Dream Evil, Hammerfall) along with the album cover artwork by Andreas Marschall (Kreator, King Diamond, Blind Guardian).

The album also marks the return of the band’s original vocalist, Eduardo Marques, the band explains:

“On our last album (Battle Sanctuary) we went towards a darker path, and now with “The Dragonheart´s Tale” we wanted to return to our original roots. This is an epic power metal record with medieval influences capable of putting our fans to enjoy fantasy stories. They are songs that old bards used to play telling legends in taverns of the olden days.”

Vocalist Eduardo Marques also adds:

“This new album is my Ph.D. in heavy metal. It was 19 years of waiting to return to Dragonheart and put all these musical stories together. It’s the highlight of our 26-year career and we hope we’ve made another power metal classic. We cover all varieties and influences in style. I believe that Dragonheart’s Tale has the capacity to make the fan dream again and live our sagas once more.”

Dragonheart‘s new album “The Dragonheart’s Tale” is recommended for fans of Iron Maiden, Blind Guardian, and Helloween.

Music Video “The Devil Is By My Side” at https://youtu.be/dtOyDqULxsQ

Track Listing:
1 – The Hangman Willy´s Tavern – 1:04
2 – DRAGONHEART’S TALE – 5:35
3 – Act 1: Sea, Waves and Gunpowder – 0:10
4 – UNDER THE BLACK FLAG – 5:11
5 – GHOST OF THE STORM – 6:42 ft. Henning Basse
6 – BARBARIAN ARMADA – 4:24
7 – Act 2: Battle, Honor and Blood 0:09
8 – ERIC, THE RED – 5:22
9 – WESTGATE BATTLEFIELD – 4:58
10 – Act 3: Magic, Anvil and Fire – 0:12
11 – THE DEVIL IS BY MY SIDE – 5:57
12 – PLAGUE MAKER – 4:51
13 – Finale: The Bard 0:27
14 – THE BALLAD OF JOHN CURSED – 3:38
15 – EARLY DAYS – 3:53
Album Length: 52:39

Album Credits (music, cover/art, production):
– Composition: Eduardo Marques/Marco Caporasso/Thiago Mussi
– Produced by DRAGONHEART and Maiko Thomé
– Mixed and Mastered by Frederick Nordstrom
– Cover art concept by Marco Caporasso and Eduardo Marques
– Cover art made by Andreas Marshall

– Drums, Bass, Guitars, Flutes, Percussion, FX and Voices recorded by Maiko Thomé in Sonata Prima Studio, Curitiba, Brazil.
– Eduardo Marques: Voices, Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Guitar, Voice Over.
– Marco Caporasso: Voices, Backing Vocals, Electric Guitar, Voice Over.
– Thiago Mussi: ExtraDrum, Backing Vocals.
– Maiko Thomé: Backing Vocals, Voice Overs, Flutes, Percussion.
– Vanessa Rafaelly: Backing and Main Vocals in Plague Maker and Eric, the Red
– Henning Basse: Lead Vocals in Ghost of the Storm.
– Bass: Filipe Mata
– Orchestra: Reinaldo Sniker Jr.

More info: Rockshots.eu | Facebook.com/dragonheartofficial | Instagram.com/dragonheart_metal

About: The band Dragonheart started its activities on July 10, 1997, in Curitiba, in the south of Brazil. The original line-up had the brothers Marco Caporasso (guitar and vocals), Marcelo Caporasso (drums), Eduardo Marques (guitar and vocals), and Mauricio Taborda (bass and vocals). Soon the band was signed by a label and released their first album, Underdark. The album had excellent acceptance by the public and press.

With a good reception, they released their second album, “Throne of the Alliance”, the first part of a trilogy, and started to appear in 2002 as one of the main Brazilian power metal bands. The album has been mixed and mastered in Finnvox Studio in Finland and the cover art was by Andreas Marschall. And it was elected as one of the best live bands, album, and song of the year by the public and specialized vehicles in Brazil alongside Sepultura and Angra. In April, Eduardo Marques (guitar and vocals) left the band for personal reasons. At the beginning of September 2002, the entry of André Mendes (guitar and vocals) was announced.

In February 2005, the album Vengeance in Black was released, the second chapter of the trilogy, produced by the band and mixed and mastered by renowned producer Tommy Hansen (Helloween, Pretty Maids). The art was again in charge of the German artist Andreas Marschall. The album also left its mark on all the major media of the style and features the participation of German vocalist Olaf Senkbeil. And it yielded a tour in Brazil with the German band Grave Digger and 2 shows with the band Hammerfall and played with Nightwish, U.D.O, Epica, and many other great names of Worldwide Metal.

In 2010, drummer Marcelo Caporasso leaves the band. Then Thiago Mussi is cast on drums.

In 2015, the band ends the trilogy with its fifth album called: The Sanctuary Battle, produced by guitarist André Mendes, mixed and mastered at the Avant-Garde studio by the great Maiko Thome de Araujo. The cover was designed by Dusan Markovic. Pitch Black Records made a worldwide release with great repercussions in Brazil and abroad.

In 2019, the band invited one of the founders of Dragonheart, vocalist, and guitarist Eduardo Marques, to return to the lineup. After almost 20 years, he accepted the invitation and the challenge of composing an album that resumed the identity of the first two works.

Marco Caporasso (Vocals and Guitars), Eduardo Marques (Vocals and Guitars / Lead Guitars) e Thiago Mussi (Drums).

Finally, in 2022, the result of this journey comes true and the album “The Dragonheart’s Tale” is recorded and planned to be released on Rockshots Records in August 2023.

– 30 –

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0 AUGURIUM Releases Brutal, Slamming Album “Unearthly Will” + Canadian Tour Dates (BC, AB, SK)

August 24, 2023
by Asher
· Augurium · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 24, 2023

Canada’s AUGURIUM Releases Brutal, Slamming Album “Unearthly Will”

New Album “Unearthly Will” Out August 2023

+ Western Canadian Tour Dates (BC, AB, SK)

L-R – Taylor MacDonald – Drums, Logan Barlow – Lead Guitar, Yianni Pantelopoulos – Vocals, Cejay Carnochan – Rhythm Guitar, Reid Paraszczynec – Bass

Regina, SK’s brutal death metal act Augurium is now releasing their third studio release “Unearthly Will” to follow the band’s second album 2018’s “Unhallowed Ascendance” and 2017 EP “Omen”, which were stepping stones of straight-up brutal death metal, to a now more refined, darkened, carefully crafted monstrous offering. “Unearthly Will” is a culmination of core ideas that remain consistent and brutal yet experimental. It brings a dark musical aspect to lyrical themes of light and inner thought processes. The band shares their thoughts:

“This project has been an awesome journey and a welcome challenge to create over the past two years. All of our experiences have been absorbed and expressed within the walls of sound. As a tapestry is weaved together, each day as a thread towards the colossal effort that went towards this death metal release. We hope that our listeners enjoy this album for what it is, and perhaps join us when we perform in your area.”

The original line-up went to high school together and always jammed to their heroes hoping to one day do it themselves. After joining a former band and getting a taste of live shows and creating material, they decided to pull the plug and start doing what had been talked about for years prior. Thus Augurium was born with a hunger for heavy brutal death metal.

Through a few line-up changes and numerous festival shows and supporting Belphegor and Cryptopsy, Augurium has been making a name for itself across the country. Thematically, there are many different influences from philosophy, the study of different religions, fantasy franchises, video games, and mythology. They aim to write for entertainment, but also to spread a positive message, hopefully making the world a better place through music.

Augurium takes their old and new favourites within the world of heavy metal and spins them into something brutal and truly engaging. They are recommended for fans of Belphegor, Decrepit Birth, and Cannibal Corpse.

Before the album officially drops on August 25th, they have teamed up with NoCleanSinging for its full-stream premiere HERE.

“Unearthly Will” is available for pre-order at https://augurium.bandcamp.com.

Lyric Video – “The Inquisition of Possessed” – https://youtu.be/acv80cu4iXU

Augurium will also be commencing a tour around Western Canada (dates listed below).

Tour Dates:
Aug 24 – Kelowna, BC – JackKnife Brewing w/ Neck Of The Woods, Omnia Nihil
Aug 25 – Vancouver, BC – Astoria w/ Atavistia, Kayas, The Blade Itself
Aug 29 – Drumheller, AB – Neighbours’ Corner Pub
Aug 30 – Edmonton, AB – Rendezvous Pub w/ Kryotic
Aug 31 – Calgary AB – Nvrland w/ Kryotic
Sept 1 – Saskatoon, SK – Black Cat Tavern w/ Cell and Krytotic
Sept 2 – Regina, SK – The Exchange w/ Cell and Krytotic

Track Listing:
1. Inquisition of the Possessed – 3:15
2. Phantom Parallax – 3:15
3. Sanguine – 2:58
4. Ancient Grimoire – 4:27
5. Inceptus Mysteria – 3:17
6. Unearthly Will 2:53
7. As Above… So Below – 3:19
8. Invictus – 3:49
Album Length: 27:16

More info: Facebook.com/AuguriumSK | Instagram.com/auguriumband

– 30 –

“an intense, sinister journey through the depths of death metal, the album is sure to delight genre fans.” – Amplified-Mag

““Phantom Parallax” (single) with the promise of atmospheric, orchestral, bloodthirsty destruction served with a side order of slamming riffs, break neck time signature changes and breakdowns galore.” – Metal Noise

“All in all one can say that every track on “Unearthly Will” fits very well into the overall construct… there is no boredom and the overall length of 27:16 minutes proves that the dark trip is not long-winded but rather shorter, but all the more intense. The newly adopted, rather epic orchestral approach convinced me that AUGURIUM can implement both straightforward and atmospheric songwriting, I’m very excited to hear what the Canadians will be hearing in the future and I would really like to experience the whole thing live!” – PowerMetal.de

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0 VORTEX Unleashes New Video “The Future Remains In Oblivion” (Directed by Chris Kells of The Agonist) + Canadian Tour Dates (QC, ON, NB, PEI)

August 24, 2023
by Asher
· Music News · Vortex

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 24, 2023

VORTEX Unleashes New Video “The Future Remains In Oblivion” (Directed by Chris Kells of The Agonist)

New Album “The Future Remains In Oblivion” Out Now!

Canadian Tour Dates (QC, ON, NB, PEI)

Rimouski, Quebec’s Vortex has teamed up with Chris Kells of The Agonist to direct a new visual treat of an apocalyptic world where mankind must fight for their individual survival. The music video is for the title track from their latest album “The Future Remains In Oblivion” released this past June. It is one of the band’s favourite songs off the full-length along with being the most intricate.

““The Future Remains In Oblivion” (title track) has the most complex structure of the album, it may take a few listens to get into, but it’s a song that will stick over time. It is based around the orchestra and some technical playing and vocals; it is challenging to play live, and we get a kick out of nailing it.” adds the band.

The music video can be seen and heard via its premiere on Decibel Magazine HERE.

Vortex‘s third epic concept album is set to aggressive and beautiful orchestral melodic death metal with hints of black metal. Each song on “The Future Remains In Oblivion” is one chapter in their well-written sci-fi tale and there is a build-up in intensity and emotion that goes along with the storyline and the lyrics as you traverse the album. They share their thoughts:

“This is an orchestral death metal album with plenty of heavy riffing and melodies, technical vocals, and epic soloing. Some of the songs are riff-oriented and some others had the orchestra and melodies written before the drums and the guitars. We wrote all the lyrics before the music to make sure that it would fit the feel and emotion of each song/part of the story. When we start writing a song, we know exactly what feeling and emotion we are aiming at, it’s a good way to push ourselves creatively and write thoughtful music.”

Those familiar with the previous albums will note that they were more on the ambient/dramatic side. The new album’s songs are still melodic/orchestral but much more aggressive and some of them have a black metal influence. Vortex’s goal was to create songs that would have a greater impact on their live shows, and these aggressive songs work well live. They feel the album is a good combination of aggression/melody, and ugliness/beauty.

Creativity and storytelling are the key tenets of Vortex. Their masterful lyric writing is equally matched with their prowess in devising riffs, and orchestrations. They will transport the listener into a new world and are recommended for fans of Lorna Shore, Dimmu Borgir, and Fleshgod Apocalypse.

The band will also be touring from the months of September to January performing across Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, and PEI where they will be joined by Aeternam, Serene Dark, Strigampire (2023 Wacken Metal Battle Canada Champions), and Beyond Fiction on select dates.

Tour Dates:
Sept 15 – Rivières-Du-Loup, QC – Espace Berger w/ Aeternam, Alvar, Synyster
Sept 16 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar (Hellstorm Prod. 20th Anniversary Show)
Oct 20 – St-Georges, QC – Bar 4000 w/ Strigampire, Beyond Fiction
Oct 21 – Ottawa, ON – The House Of Targ w/ Serene Dark, Strigampire
Nov 3 – Saguenay, QC – CEM w/ Beyond Fiction, Strigampire
Nov 4 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar w/ Strigampire, Serene Dark
Nov 15 – Edmundston, NB – Ateepic w/ Aeternam
Nov 16 – Charlottetown, PEI – Trail Side Music Hall w/ Aeternam
Nov 17 – Moncton, NB – Xeroz w/ Aeternam
Nov 18 – Saint John, NB – The Panic Room w/ Aeternam
Dec 15 – Rimouski, QC – Le Paradis w/ Strigampire, Serene Dark, Beyond Fiction, Synyster
Dec 16 – Trois-Rivières, QC – L’Entité w/ Strigampire, Serene Dark, Born Divided
Jan 26 – Drummondville, QC – La Sainte-Paix w/ Aeternam
Jan 27 – Quebec, QC – L’Anti Bar w/ Aeternam

“The Future Remains In Oblivion” was released on June 9, 2023, and is available at the following links:

Digital (Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music) – https://linktr.ee/vortexband

Track Listing:
1. From The Sun (5:24)
2. Downfall (4:11)
3. The Fool (3:13)
4. The Walls (4:32)
5. Our Possible End (4:23)
6. First Blood (4:29)
7. The Future Remains In Oblivion (4:50)
8. When No More Words Will Be Heard (5:22)
Album Length: 36:29

For more info: Vortex.band | Facebook.com/vortex.band.ca | Instagram.com/vortex.band.ca | Twitter.com/vortexband

– 30 –

“The song’s (The Walls) multi-faceted nature is further revealed in harrowing and haughty growls, jolting chords, and fiery sunbursts of sound, as well as through a swirling melodic guitar solo that spectacularly sends the song into the stratosphere. The song’s finale is itself a full-power spectacle that really gets the adrenaline surging.” – No Clean Singing

“If there’s anything that Vortex nails, it’s drama. Album highlight and banger track “First Blood” is simply massive” – Angry Metal Guy

“For some music is pure escapism but does that still hold true when bands like Canadian Melodic Death Metal monster Vortex whisk the would be listener into a bleak world that is recovering from a devastating cataclysm? Scenes of war and survival are punctuated with harrowing strings, technical riffs, and guttural and Black Metal inspired vocals as the band weave cinematic stories and orchestral touches into their third concept album “The Future Remains In Oblivion”” – Metal Noise

“the title-track The Future Remains In Oblivion, a song that will blow your mind with its insane wall of sounds, background orchestrations, epic passages, striking riffs and solos, and visceral yet intricate drums, resulting in one of the most breathtaking moments of the entire album.” – The Headbanging Moose

“Melodic death, a bit technical and prog” – Mosh Pit Radio WORT 89.9FM (Madison, WI)

“An excellent group that you must discover because of the intensity they are able to show” – Ondes Chocs

“After hearing their new material live November 2022, I was really looking forward to hearing the sequel and it may be darker than ever.” – Thorium Mag

“a band that takes great pride in weaving together cinematic stories set to orchestral melodic death metal. Canada’s very own Vortex is prepared to whisk you away to a bleak world that is recovering from a devastating cataclysm in the latest album, The Future Remains In Oblivion.” – Canadian Beats

“The Future Remains In Oblivion est un disque coloré, aux mélodies chaleureuses et aux superbes guitares.
“The Future Remains In Oblivion is a colorful record, with warm melodies and superb guitars.” – Music Waves

“The breakdowns are huge in places. There are big moments where the influences pour through, but are blended with giant choral arrangements and symphonics. It’s absolutely like something out of a Lord of the Rings movie. I love the melodies, the harmonics, and the guitar solos. This is absolutely an album which ought to be part of your listening rotation this month. I was genuinely impressed with quite a bit of the entire album. I think that when you look at this album, the absolute banger of the title tack is 100% worth several spins with the blackened guitar riffs and tremendous choral arrangements.” – Metal Epidemic

“The songs you’ll find on this upcoming release are aggressive, but Vortex also has a strong melodic approach and lots of orchestrations combined with guttural, black metal vocals and diverse guitar playing that alternates between howling snippets and beautiful, emotional riffs. Recommended for fans of Shadow of Intent, Septicflesh, and Dimmu Borgir.” – RTMB Music

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0 VANTABLACK WARSHIP Unveils AI Music Video “Unplug the Drug” About Our Addictions To Social Media + QC Tour Dates & Trois Rivieres MetalFest

August 24, 2023
by Asher
· Music News · Vantablack Warship

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 24, 2023

VANTABLACK WARSHIP Unveils AI Music Video “Unplug the Drug” About Our Addictions To Social Media

QC Tour Dates & Trois Rivieres MetalFest

New Album “Last of the Hardmouthed Poets” Out Now! via BAM & Co. Heavy

L-R – Pat Gordon – Guitars, Pierre Pitre – Drums, Yannick “Pil” Pilon – Vocals, Thierry Hivon – Guitars, Kurt Clifford – Bass
Photo Credit – François Beaudry

Montreal, Canada’s Vantablack Warship dives into the depths of AI to present its first music video created by the machine and gives fans a message of awareness towards our use of digital tools. Entitled “Unplug the Drug”, the track has a sick groove and guitar solo for you to listen to and turn all your channels off. The band adds about the song and video:

“We simply were inspired by the AI videos Above the Void made for Voivod MORGÖTH TALES and felt that was a great route to take for our next video Unplug the Drug, as it is a song about addictions to social media in a day and age where the internet has become a drug for many people and the arrival of AI which will only continue to create society’s growing dependencies on such technologies. One can wonder with The more social media we have and the more we think we’re connecting that perhaps we are really disconnecting from each other?” – Vantablack Warship

Watch and listen to “Unplug the Drug” via its premiere on Bravewords HERE.

Vantablack Warship is made up of members who have worked in prominent groups of the Quebec underground scene for the last 30 years (Arseniq33, Ghoulunatics, Brutal Chérie, Foreshadow, Les Ékorchés, Buffalo Theory Mtl). With a self-titled EP and album “Abrasive Pulmonic Speak” under their belts, they have shared the stage with an impressive lineup of prominent bands. They now have a new partnership with the Quebec label BAM & Co. Heavy to present their new album “Last Of The Hardmouthed Poets”.

The title of the album speaks to blacklisted writers of yesteryear and reminds us not to take freedom for granted of expression and freedom of thought. “Last of the Hardmouthed Poets” also refers to the ending eras, to dying races, to lost generations, and to cherish those who remain. It’s a hard-hitting bomb of an album ready to blow your mind with thrash metal riffs and expertly written lyrics. The band expects that people who are already familiar with them will be pleasantly surprised with what they consider their best effort yet. It’s pedal-to-metal driving music that would be an excellent soundtrack to road trips this summer.

The tracks on “Last Of The Hard Mouthed Poets” all came together organically, but were mainly inspired by the writings of Beat Generation authors, and various life themes such as loss, perseverance, anti-racism, and cherishing the important things in life. They are unapologetically fast, and addictive, most suitable for fans of Cancer Bats, Cro-Mags, Exodus, Slayer, and Pantera.

“Last of the Hardmouthed Poets” was released on April 28th, 2023, and is available from BAM & Co. Heavy.

Album order links:

Vinyl – https://boutique.boiteamusique.ca/qc/vantablack-warship/33280-vantablack-warship-last-of-the-hardmouthed-poets-lp-vinyle.html

CD – https://boutique.boiteamusique.ca/qc/vantablack-warship/33279-vantablack-warship-last-of-the-hardmouthed-poets-cd.html

Digital – https://bfan.link/last-of-the-hardmouthed-poets

Bandcamp (digital only) – https://vantablackwarship.bandcamp.com

Previous Videos:

Hunting The Recruiter – https://youtu.be/rwhSXH0WW_E

Gone – https://youtu.be/PwDmER4kEcY

Inside The Mind – https://youtu.be/zW55UH6J38k

Tour Dates:
Sept 6 – Montreal, QC – Pirahna Bar w/ King Parrot
Sept 22 – Montebello, QC w/ Anonymous, B.A.R.F
Oct 14 – Granby, QC w/ Sarkasm
Oct 20 – Alma, QC – Café du Clocher w/ B.A.R.F.
Nov 10 – Trois-Rivières, QC – Amphithéâtre Cogeco – Trois-Rivières Metalfest w/ Matryr, Kataklysm

Track Listing:
1 – Blacklisters Lament – 0:36
2 – We Shall Not Sleep – 3:14
3 – Hunting the Recruiter – 3:09
4 – 40 Acres – 3:19
5 – Choose Your Ride – 1:55
6 – Unplug the Drug – 2:11
7 – Laughing In Anger – 3:47
8 – Gone – 2:39
9 – Inside His Mind – 3:12
10 – Fameless – 2:19
11 – Above it All – 2:12
Album Length: 28:38

Vantablack Warship is:
Patrick Gordon – Guitar
Yannick “Pil” Pilon – Vocals
Thierry Hivon – Guitar
Kurt Clifford – Bass
Pierre Pitre – Drums

For more info: Bamand.co | Facebook.com/VantablackWarship | Twitter.com/VANTABLACKWRSHP

– 30 –

Canadian Campus Radio Charts:#12 Top 20 Loud – !earshot – May 2023

#131 Top 200 – !earshot – May 2023

“I need an album like this to come along every now and again. An album to fire you up, get the blood pumping and a nice reminder that you’re not as old as your body feels.” – Smorg Magazine

“If you have never listened to VANTABLACK WARSHIP, I advise you to start with “Unplug The Drug”, which is really excellent. Don’t miss them on show, because with a release like this, it’s going to be brewing in a medium time!” – Metal Universe

““Last of the Hardmouthed Poets” is a record of condensed tracks and furious energy. Each title is a muscular cocktail” – Music Waves

“Last of the Hardmouthed Poets demonstrates a clear progress at all levels for the Montreal quintet and the starting spots in the leading squad of the most important bands in the current Quebec metal scene. Already a candidate for the metal album of the year in Quebec!” – Famille Rock

“From the fiery crucible of Quebec’s metal scene, Vantablack Warship rises once more with their latest opus, “Last of the Hardmouthed Poets“. The ensemble, made up of stalwarts from an array of legendary bands including Les Ekorchés, Leprocy, Buffalo Theory Mtl, Arseniq33, and Ghoulunatics, have been fanning the flames of thrash, hardcore, and groove with unyielding tenacity.” – IDIOTEQ

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0 Japan’s HEXVOID Release New Music Video “You got the garbage, Losers get out.” + Tour Dates For Canada And Mexico

August 23, 2023
by Asher
· Hexvoid · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 23, 2023

Japan’s HEXVOID Release New Music Video “You got the garbage, Losers get out.” + Tour Dates For Canada And Mexico

L-R – Itaru, Hajime, ERC, Takehiro

Japanese groovy metal/rock band Hexvoid not only has a new lineup, but they also have a new single out, which aims to get fans stoked for their upcoming September tour dates in Mexico and Canada. From Tokyo, they are eager to put the pandemic behind them and bring their noise to people around the world.

The latest single “You got the garbage, Losers get out.” is presented in a violently colourful video that exudes the chaos found in both the vocal presentation and frenetic, fast riffs. Complete with a groovy low end, there are prominent elements of punk rock and funk wrapped up in a crazy metal package. Rapid tempo changes will keep the listener on their toes and vibing through each chorus.

Hexvoid mainly takes its inspiration from old-school rock, metal, and hardcore. With an emphasis on nu-metal rock of 90′ to 00′ they are full of raw emotions, groove, and intensity, the double vocals juxtaposing between mellow and aggressive lyrics. Since 2007, they have toured Japan extensively, appeared on the metal/rock TV program J:HEAVEN, and been featured in several magazines. In 2018 they toured Mexico the following year, made it to the finals in the Wacken Metal Battle Japan, and then toured Canada. They return to both of these countries this year in September with ten stops planned.

Wacky, heavy, and adrenaline-pumping, they are recommended for fans of System Of A Down, Slipknot, and Korn.

Music Video – “You got the garbage, Losers get out.” – https://youtu.be/FbJgHHDtDXQ

Spotify – https://spoti.fi/3KRRnoA

Tour Dates:
Sept 7 – Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico – Gato Calavera
Sept 8 – Uriangato-Moroleon, QRO, Mexico – Foro Music Mc Lobo
Sept 9 – Ciudad Fernandez, SLP, Mexico – Rock House Bar
Sept 10 – Queretaro, QRO, Mexico – Chihuahua’s Bar
Sept 12 – St. Catharines, ON Canada – The Warehouse
Sept 13 – London, ON, Canada – Richmond Tavern
Sep 14 – Hamilton, ON, Canada – The Doors Pub
Sept 15 – North Bay, ON Canada – The Highland
Sept 16 – Kingston, ON, Canada – Overtime Sports Bar
Sept 17 – Vancouver, BC, Canada – The Cobalt

More info: Facebook.com/HEXVOID.official

-30-

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0 Trois-Rivières MetalFest Adds Suffocation, Incantation, Skeletal Remains, Stabbing To 2023 Lineup w/ Martyr, Kataklysm, and more!

August 23, 2023
by Asher
· Music News · Trois-Rivières MetalFest

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 23, 2023

Trois-Rivières MetalFest Adds Suffocation, Incantation, Skeletal Remains, Stabbing To 2023 Lineup w/ Martyr, Kataklysm, and more!

Trois-Rivières MetalFest has unveiled Suffocation, Incantation, Skeletal Remains, and Stabbing as the next addition of bands for their 2023 lineup with all of them performing on the second night of the festival on Saturday, November 11th alongside previously announced bands Kataklysm (promoting their new album “Goliath”), Burning The Oppressor and Spirit of Rebellion.

The first night of Trois-Rivières MetalFest on Friday, November 10th is sold out with Martyr headlining and performing an exclusive set of their “WarpZone” album along with being joined by some of Quebec’s favourite heavy hitters Barf, DBC (Dead Brain Cells), Nova Spei, Sarkasm, and Vantablack Warship. There is still one more band to reveal for that night, which will be announced in October and it will be a real treat for those Friday night ticket holders!

Tickets are available at: https://www.amphitheatrecogeco.com/spectacles/metalfest-2023

(Please note: Weekend Passes and Friday night November 10th are sold out)

Since 2001, Trois-Rivières MetalFest has been bringing metal music fanatics from across Quebec and abroad together for one of the province’s most extreme mosh pits. Presenting past headliners such as Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, Annihilator, Voivod, Despised Icon, and many others to name a few, Trois-Rivières MetalFest has continued to evolve and is celebrating its 16th edition this coming November 10th and 11th at Amphithéâtre Cogeco.

For more information, please follow Trois-Rivières MetalFest at the following links:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/troisrivieresmetalfest

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/3rivmetalfest/

Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/531909702372069/531911975705175/

November 10 Lineup – More TBA
Martyr
– to be announced in October
Barf
DBC (Dead Brain Cells)
Nova Spei
Sarkasm
Vantablack Warship

November 11 Lineup
Kataklysm
Suffocation
Incantation
Skeletal Remains
Stabbing
Burning The Oppressor
Spirit of Rebellion

About: Trois-Rivières Metalfest was originally founded by Jean-François Houle, Samuel Landry, and Annie Richard. For 2023, the team is now experiencing a second wind with the addition of new blood. Its new committee, now made up of Jean-François Houle, David Steines, Dany Soucy, and Nicolas Dumais, has set itself the task of ensuring the sustainability of the festival for many years to come! Once again this year, the Trois-Rivières Metalfest will do everything possible to prove that its festival still has its place among the biggest events in the province.

More info: 3rivmetalfest.com

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0 EPK – Cabrakaän- Aztlán (2023)

August 22, 2023
by Asher
· Cabrakaan · EPKs

EPK – Cabrakaän – Aztlán (2023)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

Management – The Celestial Agency – Celestia Scarlett – thecelestialagency[@]gmail[.]com

For fans of Nightwish, Epica, Equilibrium, Eluveitie

Band: Cabrakaän

Album Title: Aztlán
Release Date: Nov 17, 2023
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby

Cabrakaan.com | Instagram.com/cabrakaan_band | Facebook.com/CABRAKAAN | Youtube.com/CABRAKAAN

Cabrakaan.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

“In the world of metal music, where genres often blend and boundaries are pushed, there emerges a band that beautifully merges traditional folk elements with the raw power of heavy metal. Enter Cabrakaän, a Mexican folk metal band on a mission to reconnect with their ancestral roots and preserve the rich cultural heritage of Mexico.” – Infrared Magazine

“CABRAKAÄN has released an amazing, fun, well-written album with influences from various folk styles aligned with Death Metal. It’s definitely one of the best releases of the year in the style and the band deserves all the attention they are getting from the media and the public. 10/10” – Metal Temple (review 2019 – Cem Anahuac My Home)

“While the band may celebrate cultures that are unknown to most Canadian metal fans, Cipäktli says live performances by Cabrakaan are an immersive experience. The band, who wear face paint and costumes to conjure up the “time of the Aztecs,” like to give audiences both a visual and sonic feast.”

-Calgary Herald: “Symphonic Metal Band Cabrakaän Brings Spirit Of Ancient Mexico To Calgary”

“The use of traditional, lesser-known instruments that rarely leave Central/South America jamming along with metal instruments – in a way that would make Ozzy Osbourne in his prime proud – is the last thing Calgary expected to experience, and yet Cabrakaän is here.”

– Calgary Journal: “Cabrakaän, Calgary’s friendly neighbourhood Mexican folk metal fusion band”

“Cabrakaan Mesmerize the Crowd” – The Phoenix (Kelowna)

Band: Cabrakaän Album Title: Aztlán
Release Date: Nov 17, 2023
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby

Track Listing:
1. Tonantzin – 3:50
2. Fuego – 5:28
3. Tlaloc – 4:01
4. Luces y Sombras – 3:51
5. Malintzin – 5:16
6. Mictlán – 4:25
7. Yolot – 5:16
8. Xóchitl – 2:42
9. La Cigarra (featuring Reed Alton) – 5:31
10 Mictlán (English Version) – 4:25
11. Fuego (English Version) – 5:28
Album Length: 50:13

Album Credits:
– Produced by Marko Cipäktli and Cody Anstey
– All songs mixed by Cody Anstey at Clarity Recording & Mixing (Osyron, Ravenous E.H., Wu-Tang Clan)
– All songs mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios (Nightwish, Children of Bodom, Amorphis)
– All lyrics by Pat Cuikani & Marko Cipäktli
– Member of SOCAN- MAPL

Album Band Line-up:
Pat Cuikani, Vocals
Marko Cipäktli, Drums & Rough Vocals
Alex Navarro, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar
David Saldarriaga Tobón – Bass, Classical Guitar

Live Band Line-up:
Pat Cuikani, Vocals
Marko Cipäktli, Drums & Rough Vocals
Alex Navarro, Lead Guitar
Brendan Wilkinson, Rhythm Guitar
David Saldarriaga Tobón – Bass, Classical Guitar

==========================================================================

The album explained:

Aztlán tells different stories from Mexican history, as you will see in the lyrics and track listing. This theme plays a role in both the lyrics and the music – it’s when they’re put together that the album truly becomes something special. Musically, there are many complex elements and a lot of styles are incorporated, and this represents how many influences make up who we are. Percussion is one of civilization’s first musical instruments, so we spent a lot of time incorporating different styles that helped tell the story. We also incorporated a lot of orchestration including a live string ensemble, organs, traditional Mexican folk styles, and more to truly bring the music to life.

Track by Track:

1. Intro (Tonantzín)
The album begins with an introductory song, alternatively titled Tonantzín. Tonantzín is a Nahuatl (indigenous Aztec language) word: to – “our”, nān- “mother”, tzin = honorific suffix. It’s a term often used when referring to a respected woman. In this case, Tonantzín is Mother Earth and represents the spirit and soul of our land. The track produces a peaceful atmosphere with creative percussive elements, a live string ensemble, and an emotive story through sound.

2. Fuego
Fuego is a story about premonitions and nightmares that were experienced by Aztec people about the Spanish conquest. It is based on the “First Bad Omen” of 7 that happened in the decade before the Spaniards’ arrival in 1521. In this omen, there was a fire that burned in the sky every night for a year, shaped in a way that made the sky look like it was bleeding. Musically, it is hard-hitting, melancholic, dark, and energetic all at once.

3. Luces y Sombras (English title: Shadows)
This song is about the atrocities committed by the Catholic Church committed against indigenous people in Mexico, and the efforts taken to erase pre-Hispanic belief systems, cultures, and ways of being. The creation of this song included a guest musician who performed church organs on location at a historic cathedral in Calgary, Canada. The song itself engages with a topic often seen as taboo in Mexican society today and makes an important statement about remembering their cultural history. Musically, this song evokes all the feelings we have about this topic through grand dramatic instrumentation.

4. La Cigarra
This song is a cover of a traditional mariachi song by Raymundo Pérez Soto. The lyrics represent the feelings that an artist has whenever they sing. Their love of singing is so powerful that they are willing to die for it, just like the cicada (cigarra). The song features guest vocalist Reed Alton of melodic metal band Osyron performing a verse and some harmonies, and a guest violinist James Watson. As in the original, it’s vocally powerful – but with a distinctive metal turn.

5. Malintzin (English title: Blinded)
Malintzin is about the concept of “malinchismo”, which refers to people who deny their cultural roots when assimilating into a new country and culture like the United States or Canada. The band wrote this song in reference to Mexicans who do this when they migrate, adopting a “new” citizenship. The band members conceptualized this song from their immigration experience after moving to Canada. The song fuses together orchestral, tribal, and metal elements.

6. Mictlán (pronounced mickt-lahn)
In Aztec mythology, Mictlán is the underworld and contains nine distinct levels through which the dead must overcome a series of challenges before reaching their final resting place. This song is about those levels and the tests that need to be passed in order to reach Mictlantecuhtli, the god of the dead, who allows the dead to be at rest. Musically, the song features nylon string instruments to emulate the sound of a vihuela (Spanish guitar), hompak (Mayan trumpet), and orchestral arrangements.

7. Tlaloc (pronounced tlah-lock)
Tlaloc is a song about the constant battles between civilizations for power. Tlaloc, in many ancient pre-hispanic civilizations, is the god of rain and thunder. In this song, the civilizations are battling one another in competition for respect, gifts of rain, and, fertile land for their survival. The battles are happening before his eyes. The song features an unexpected combination of Spanish guitar, choirs, growls, and atmospheric sounds that will transport the listener to an ancient civilization.

8. Yolot (pronounced yo-loteThis song depicts a love story between a Spanish soldier and an indigenous woman. Yolotl was the name of the woman. Yolotl is a Nahuatl word for “heart”. Yolotl features a string ensemble (violin, viola, and cello) to help tell the story.

9. Xochitl (pronounced show-cheetle)
This is a Nahuatl song about eternal love. The band has adapted the love song to be a lullaby. Xochitl was recorded as an acoustic, ‘unplugged’ song to evoke the emotions that it contains. The song is dedicated to Marko’s late mother.

==========================================================================

Album Facts:

1. The band collaborated with a professional organist to record organs for their song Luces y Sombraes / Shadows, which is a song that tells the story about the Catholic church’s controversial efforts to assimilate indigenous Mexicans during colonization. They recorded organs on-location at Knox United Church in Calgary, Canada.

2. The band collaborated with a string ensemble – a cellist, violinist, and violist – for multiple tracks on Aztlán.

3. The upcoming album is the first one they’ve recorded outside of Mexico.

4. Marko is a professional audio and recording engineer and collaborated with the album’s recording engineer to achieve the sound they were looking for.

5. Several songs on the album were adapted from original demos that the band recorded nearly a decade ago.

6. Some tracks will include flute samples performed by Agustín García Reyes, a researcher and expert in Mexico’s indigenous history. He hand-makes traditional flutes and ocarinas. The documentary will contain an interview and video demonstrations of traditional instruments.

Band Facts:

1. The band’s founding members, Pat and Marko, are based in Canada and are both from Toluca, Mexico. Other members (Alex and David) are currently based in Mexico City.

2. The band has two non-Mexican members: Brendan, the rhythm guitarist (Australia, currently living in Canada), and David (Colombia, currently living in Mexico City).

3. For each album the band has released, they record an adapted cover of a traditional Mexican song. For Songs of Anahuac, they recorded an adapted version of La Llorona that incorporated indigenous lyrics. For Cem Anahuac My Home, they recorded a cover of La Bruja. The upcoming album will include a cover of Linda Ronstadt’s La Cigarra.

4. Pat Cuikani, Cabrakaän’s vocalist, is classically trained as a light lyric soprano singer and has performed in Spanish, Italian, English, French, and more.

==========================================================================

Photo Credit – Angela Ambrose – Lunar Ring Sound & Graphics Inc.

Marko Cipäktli and Pat Cuikani formed Cabrakaän in 2011 in Toluca, Mexico with the initial concept of creating music that reflected and reinforced their cultural roots. Over time, they developed a sound based on their shared musical interests: death metal, classical music & opera, and traditional Mexican music, with a strong desire to express and share their country’s folklore through heavy music. The band’s name is based on a character from a Mayan sacred book, who was the god of mountains and earthquakes.

“I met Paty when I owned my studio in Toluca (Mex), and she was playing in a symphonic/ choral metal band. Originally, I wanted to make death metal. That was my main goal.”, Cipäktli explained.

“We started talking. She told me: ‘I’ve always wanted to do something using pre-hispanic elements’, and she knew someone who was interested in creating a style like this.” – that someone was Ramón, who became the band’s first rhythm guitarist. “

The band’s sound and style were initially influenced by popular metal acts like Nightwish, Amon Amarth, and European folk metal bands. Soon after, the band established a distinct sound, style, and ambition to tell the forgotten pre-hispanic folk stories, mythologies, histories, and traditions of Mexico’s sociocultural past and present. They continue to work with indigenous Mexican artists to incorporate authentic prehispanic instruments like ocarinas, flutes, percussion instruments, and more in their music. Their lyrics are sung in English, Spanish, Zapoteco, Nahuatl, and other ancient languages.

In 2014, the band made their debut with the EP “Songs From Anahuac” and displayed a mix of death, folk, and symphonic European influences with Prehispanic instruments along with storytelling of Mesoamerican mythologies (Aztec, Mayan, Tlaxcaltecan, Olmecan) plus Mexican folklore such as La Llorona, La Bruja, Day of The Dead.

In 2017, the band was invited to Metalocalypstick Fest in Lone Butte, BC where the beauty of the Canadian Rockies won them over and encouraged them to make the grand decision to relocate to Canada. They have now called Canada home since 2018, trading the heat and the beach for the cold and natural beauty of the great north.

Settled in Canada, Cabrakaän released their sophomore effort “Cem Anahuac My Home” in 2019 continuing their storytelling of Mesoamerican tales. The word Cem Anahuac means literally land surrounded by water in Nhuatl, and that’s what their Aztec ancestors used to call the Valley of Mexico before the Spanish invasion.

“Our past reflects a lot of our present and Cem Anahuac is in the heart of Mexicans since we are born, that’s the message behind the record.”

Now in 2023, post-COVID, the band is able to continue to release new music and tour the Canadian north again. The band has their sights set on sharing their first full-length and 3rd studio recording “Aztlán” this coming November.

Cabrakaän hopes to give their listeners an immersive experience that draws them into a different world. Their ultimate goal is to share themselves and a piece of their culture. Their music’s fusion of multiple genres is representative of the cultural fusion that they evoke in lyrical and musical themes.

The theme of “Aztlán” is centered on the Spanish conquest – colonization and the defeat of Mexico’s Aztec empire, Tenochtitlán. Some songs chronicle stories from before the Spaniards’ arrival in Mesoamerica, and others draw on their rich culture that transformed from centuries of cultural fusion, which makes them who they are. In Mictlán, for example, they share the Aztec myth of the underworld. In this myth, there are nine levels to reach Mictlán. There are also nine main tracks on the album as an homage to this myth.

For “Aztlán”, band founder and drummer Marko Cipäktli developed orchestral elements and arrangements with the audience in mind.

“I want them to feel the message through the music, and that is the purpose of the orchestration. Orchestration always adds a different atmosphere and a layer of emotion for the listener to feel and gain something valuable from – strings, brass, and so on – to make people feel and experience what the musicians want them to”.

Pre-hispanic instruments are a huge part of it, but the orchestration in the music will help to translate the song’s intended meaning into an emotive experience for the listener.

Audiences can expect to hear a mature, grander version of Cabrakaän’s familiar sound that interweaves metal with symphonic and folk elements. They believe that, even though their lyrics are in multiple languages, audiences of all linguistic backgrounds will hear their stories through the music itself. They hope their Mexican fans will hear this album and feel represented along with everyone else who enjoys learning about our culture and history through the power of metal!

“Aztlán” is due out November 17, 2023.

Album Band Line-up:
Pat Cuikani, Vocals
Marko Cipäktli, Drums & Rough Vocals
Alex Navarro, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar
David Saldarriaga Tobón – Bass, Acoustic Guitar

Live Band Line-up:
Pat Cuikani, Vocals
Marko Cipäktli, Drums & Rough Vocals
Alex Navarro, Lead Guitar
Brendan Wilkinson, Rhythm Guitar
David Saldarriaga Tobón

Discography:
2023 – Aztlán
2019 – Cem Anahuac My Home
2014 – Songs from Anahuac

Members of Cabrakaän have shared the stage with Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius), Sonata Arctica, and performed at Mexico’s monolithic metal festival, Heaven and Hell Festival.

Tours and Festivals:
2020 – Loud as Hell Fest – Drumheller, AB
2018 – March of the Frozen North (BC, AB, SK)
2017 – Metalokalypstick Fest, Lone Butte, BC

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