Posts By Asher
0 Extreme Television – Interview w/ New Jacobin Club
0 Valley of Steel – Free Music Alert: Now You Can Download Vesperia’s Whole Demo for FREE
0 SkullsnBones.com – Review – Tribune – Elder lore / The Dark Arts
0 Balcony TV – Matt Track
0 H.M.M.A.C. Newsletter – June 2012 – Canuck Metal United
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Hey Metal Heads!
Welcome to our headbanging newsletter. We’re glad to hear from all of you and proud to bring Canadian Metal from across the provinces and territories to you.
In the news from H.M.M.A.C.
Congratulations to Montreal metal bands Dark Centuryand Hollow who were named the winners of this year’s En Route Heavy MTL battle of the bands that was presented by Dungeonworks Productions and Evenko on Friday, June 8th at Théâtre Corona. Both bands will now go on to play Heavy MTL with Dark Century scheduled to perform on Saturday, August 11th and Hollow on Sunday, August 12th at Parc Jean-Drapeau.
The final round was judged by a panel of local music industry representatives that included members of VOIVOD, members of Kataklysm, Jason Rockman (Slaves on Dope), Mikey Heppner (Priestess), Mike Metal (CHOM 97.7FM), Jon Asher (Asher Media Relations/H.M.M.A.C.) & Daniel Glick of Evenko/Heavy MTL.
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H.M.M.A.C. and Loudtrax.com will be unleashing Canuck Metal Volume 2 on July 1st (Canada Day). We would like to thank all the bands who submitted their tracks.
Here is the track listing with more to be added by Loudtrax.com
Arapacis – End of The Line
Crisis Kings – Glutton
Forbidden Sin – Man Down
Hollow – Sunriser
Hymnosis – How Dare You
Makaria – Spire
Nephelium – Merciless Annihilation
Project Mars – Don’t Hold Back
Sanktuary – Raise The Flag
New Jacobin Club – My Smile
The Void – If Ya Can’t Beat ‘Em (Detour ‘Em)
Trainwreck Architect – Dream Pariah
Tribune – The Succubus
Wolven Ancestry – The Animistic Awakening
Free download of Canuck Metal Vol.1 is currently available at the following link here. Promo code = HMMAC
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Check out these spotlighted bands.
If you are an artist or member of a group and would like to be featured in our spotlight, please send us your band’s information, as well as any relevant links (Myspace, music video, etc) so we may showcase your work in our newsletters and our Youtube channel.
Unleash The Archers – New Music Video – General of The Dark Army
Urban Aliens – New Music Video – Wall of Desh
Fatality – New Fan Video – Weekly Challenge 2 – Silly Walk Video Contest
Wolven Ancestry – New Music Video – March Forth Under Tortured Skies
All Else Fails – Web Series – Breaking Acclaim – Eps 1 –Kanye West Is Still A Giant Douche
Titans Eve – Album Preview – ‘Life Apocalypse’ – Free T-Shirt w/ Pre Order
Virulys – Live Video – Endless World
Valfreya – Music Video – Inferno
Teach Her Treason – New Song – Unkind
Korpius – Music Video – Awaking Terror
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Need a Music Video?
Check out these video companies
FadeBack Studios United (Edmonton)
Need Recording Services?
Dreamsound Studio (Hamilton, Ontario) Contact: Chris Rhodes dreamsound@sympatico.ca
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Burnt Offerings (CJLO 1690AM – Montreal) –Interview w/ Cannibal Corpse Drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz
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Events
June 11-17 – Toronto, ON – NXNE 2012
June 14 – Toronto, ON – NXNE – Grimskunk @ Bovine Sex Club
June 15-16 – Montebello, QC – D-Tox Rockfest
June 15 – Toronto, ON – Hard Luck Bar – Vesperia (Live DVD Filming)
June 23 – Montreal, QC – Slaves On Dope, Diemonds, Chainsaw Armageddon
June 23 – Toronto, ON – Entropy (CD Release)
July 17 – Medicine Hat Metal Fest
July 20-21-22 – Mandeville, QC – Hellfest Lanaudiere
July 20-21 – Armstrong, BC – Armstrong Metalfest
Aug 11-12 – Montreal, QC – Heavy MTL
Aug 11-12 – Toronto, ON – Heavy TO
Aug 17 – Montreal, QC – Automan
Aug 24-25-26 – Mascouche, QC – CMF3 Camping @ FULLPADGE 2012
Sept 28 -29 – Calgary, AB – Noctis V Metal Fest & Conference
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About HMMAC: HMMAC is dedicated to supporting established and upcoming talent in the Heavy Metal genre and its subgenres and promoting the overall practice of music. The Association will also help with promotional tour support, informing its members of grant support and new and upcoming information concerning the ever evolving music industry of today. We will be representing our Association through Trade Shows, Conferences and Seminars, and our own events.
Drop us an email at HMMACanada@gmail.com
We’re looking for the following:
– concert listings
– metal news
– events to sponsor
– submissions for HMMAC featured Band / Industry Rep.
– submissions for Loudtrax.com – Free Downloads
And please let people know they can sign up to our newsletter at this link – Signup –http://hmmac.fanbridge.com/
Canadian Metal News
Concert Listings
Toronto
Montreal
Vancouver
Trampled Under Hoof Productions
Calgary
Edmonton
Winnipeg
Ottawa
Regina / Saskatoon
East Coast Canada (Halifax, Fredericton, Moncton)
Canadian Labels
Consulting Firms
Booking Agents
Grant Deadlines
(Money$$$)
FACTOR Tour Support
May 24, August 23, November 29
FACTOR Showcase Support
May 3, July 19, October 11
FACTOR Juried Sound Recording and Demo Grants
June 28, November 1
CIRAA Groundbreaker Grant
10th of each month
0 EPK – Matt Blais
MATT BLAIS
Tour Dates | MattBlaisMusic.com | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Reverbnation | Soundcloud | CBC 3 | SIN Agency
Release Date: Feb 26, 2013
LABEL: Self-Release
DISTRIBUTION: TBA
CATOLOG #: TBA
UPC CODE #: TBA
ISRC Codes: CA0UV1200001 through CA0UV1200010
Contact: PR Rep – Jon Asher – ashermedia(@)gmail.com
Radio Tracking: Barbara Pavone – radiotrackingashermedia(@)gmail.com
Management & Booking Agent: Leanne Harrison – leanne(@)sinagency.ca
RIYL = Sam Roberts, Matt Mays, The Arkells, The Trews, Joel Plaskett, Wide Mouth Mason, Big Sugar, Sloan, Tragically Hip
“Frontman Matt Blais knows how to work a crowd and he is far from afraid of showing off his talents.” – The Scene Magazine (Live Review – Indie Week 2013)
“Over the past five years, Matt Blais has been generating a catalogue of material that is both emotive and relatable. His passionate live performances demonstrate eagerness to create heartfelt songs and nowhere is more evident than on his newest album, The Heartbeat, where a poetic personality fuses with growing life experience.” – Beatroute AB
“The name Matt Blais is a familiar one to those in the Calgary, Alberta music scene. Well known as talented and respected musician, Matt likes to break musical moulds, mixing rock, blues and soul for a sound all his own…I sat with what might be described as a “perma-grin” as he effortlessly played to every person in the room that night. A natural born entertainer, Matt is the real deal, and if it’s an entertainer you’re looking for all you have to do is follow The Heartbeat.” – The Portal Magazine
“…he is rock ‘n’ roll. And has been for some time, now, becoming a fave staple on the western Canadian scene, fronting his melodic barroom blues rock band, that calls on the jukebox of classic rock influences – many of who are in said club (the 27 club) – while making it distinctively his own.
“I’m not looking to revolutionize any genre,” Blais says simply. “I love rock ‘n’ roll songs.”
And crowds have shown him a great deal of love over the past several years, with Blais and band packing rooms across the Prairies and gaining notoriety by performing during Calgary’s Juno Fest shows in 2008 and winning local talent showcases such as the AMP Radio Rockstar competition.
That success, he says, has nudged him to step his game up, as a performer and songwriter, which he thinks he’s done with his latest release The Heartbeat,” – Calgary Herald
“Blais uses heavily-charged emotional lyrics as well as a gritty band behind him to produce a blues-slash-rock sounds, which has been commended by many local media sources. His sound is highlighted by a sometimes raspy voice, which helps to fill the total appearance of the band.” – Grande Prairie Herald
“Matt’s newest release, “The Heartbeat”, is packed with emotionally driven rock and roll that possesses a nostalgic presence that will fill the listener’s head with a sound that is not usually found in today’s music scene…What makes him and this song (Running) unique is his ability to create a vintage sound that is of his own with lyrics that fully compliment the song as a whole. Matt instantly catches the listener’s ear with an addictive chorus.” – Emurg.com
“The boy has a confident presence on stage and certainly rejoices in the reality that to perform is to share a beautiful experience with your audience.” – Red On Black Music
“A great album that listens well.” – Quebec Daily Rock
“Matt sais également faire de très bonne balade avec de petits relents des Rolling Stones avec All I’ve Got to Lose. La chanson Looking At You Now me fait penser à Runaway Train du groupe Soul Alysum, mais il n’y a pas seulement des ballades sur The Heartbeat, on y retrouve également du bon rock bien énergique avec Get Out avec une excellente section rythmique, mais aussi avec I Wanna Love You” – Quebec Daily Rock
“His high energy set was a definite crowd pleaser, and everyone was up out of their seats for the entire performance. With a voice reminiscent of The Cat Empire (minus the accent), Blais powered through his rock songs, and showed his ability to go in a bluesy direction, with accompanying harmonica, that really brings out the grit in his vocals. Keeping with the theme of the opening acts, Blais brought in a cover of “Are You Gonna Go My Way” by Lenny Kravitz that was thundering, with good horn additions to make it his own. He transitioned smoothly to Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition“, but a version that was slower, harder and very slick. Next, a cover of Franz Ferdinand’s “Take Me Out“, full of the same joy and energy that Blais showed with the rest of the set, highlighting the great new material on the release. Fans eagerly streamed to the merch table, securing their own copy, which came free with paid entrance to the show.” – Live Review – YYC Music Calgary
Blankfest Calgary CBC Interview – http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2012/11/04/calgary-blankfest-blanket-mustard-seed.html
“Matt’s voice is entirely unique, and really fits into his old-style rock and roll music edge. If you are into classic rock, or just like a unique voice and refreshing style, his music is for you!” – Calgary Music Blog – CMB: The Calgary Music Scene
“And, Matt Blais…great voice and the band is very tight. What’s not to love?” – The Big Rock Blog – Tapped In
“Firmly rooted in many of the genres that Matt Blais incorporates into his music, his raspy yet refined vocals point each song in the direction it was originally intended.” – Phylicia Tran – Spun – The Gauntlet
1. Running
2. Guilty Heart
3. Headed Back to You
4. Goodbye Sunshine
5. All I’ve Got to Lose
6. Looking At You Now
7. Always
8. Get Out
9. I Wanna Love You
10. Set the City On Fire
• All songs performed by: Matt Blais
• All songs written by: Matt Blais
Except:
Running- Matt Blais and Sean Peters
Looking At You Now – Matt Blais and Nicholas Dourado
Set The City on Fire – Matt Blais and Jay Semko
• Produced by: Matt Blais
• Mixed by: Johnny Gasparic
• Mastered by: Johnny Gasparic
• Single released: RUNNING
• Available on: BandCamp
Matt Blais – Vocals, Guitar and Harmonica – (Photo Credit – Jenn Five) [Download – High Res Press Photo]
BIO:
Matt Blais isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel; he is just finding a new way to roll it.
Today, emotional music seems to be an art form that has gone the way of an ancient cave drawing, it still exists, but you have to know where to look.
A cutting edge artist, Matt Blais combines elements of fiery rock and roll with smooth vintage soul to form a sound so uniquely his own that one can’t help but become emotionally charged. The combination of a high energy live show and a passion for song writing is Blais’ formula for success, which thus far has been very well received by critics and the audiences that continue to grow in number.
His debut record, “Let It Out” is produced by Juno nominated all-star Canadian producer Mark Howard whose discography reads like a veritable who’s who of Canada’s finest musical talents. This includes artists such as The Tragically Hip, Sam Roberts, Avril Lavigne, The Wailin’ Jennys and Daniel Lanois, to name a few.
“Each footstep brings me closer to you” rasps Blais in his new single currently being played across Canada “(Oh!) What Can I Do?”. . . and only time will tell where his steps will take lead. With a recipe like this however, you can be sure they’re heading in the right direction.
Past Festival & Tours
2013 – Calgary Stampede
2013 – The Heartbeat Tour – Cross Canada Tour
2010 – “Blow a Tire” Western Canadian Tour
2010 – “Blow a Hose Western Canadian Tour
2009 – Big Valley Jamboree w/ Troy Kokol, Myrol, The Wheatpool
2008 – Monster Truck Rally @ Stampede Grandstand
2006 – Australian Tour (no name)
Shared the stage with:
• Charlie Winston
• The Great Bloomers
• K-OS
• The Dudes
• Michael Bernard Fitzgerald
• Lindsay Ell
• The Watchmen
Accomplishments
2008 – Big Rock Star Talent Competition Winner
2008 – Juno Fest Performer
2009 – Big Rock UNTAPPED Artist
#5 on Top 50 – CJSW 90.9FM (Calgary, AB) – May 11, 2010
#1 on Folk Chart – CJSW 90.9FM (Calgary, AB) – May 11, 2010
Discography
2013 – The Heartbeat
2010 – Let It Out
2008 – EP – The Matt Blais Connection
Let It Out
Release Date: Mar 5, 2010
LABEL: Self-Released
DISTRIBUTION: Indiepool
CATOLOG #: MBM2010
UPC CODE #: N/A
ISRC Codes: CA0UV0900001 – CA0UV0900011
• All songs performed by: Matt Blais
• All songs written by: Matt Blais except:
• Back to Life – Matt Blais & Jay Semko,
• If It’s Love that You Need – Matt Blais & Sean Peters,
• Let It Out – Matt Blais & Troy Kokol
• Produced by: Mark Howard
• Mixed by: Mark Howard
• Mastered by: Gavin Lurssen
• Single released: Back to Life (campus radio stations cross Canada)
• Available on: iTunes, Bandcamp, Amazon, HMV
1. I’m in Love
2. Beautiful Thing
3. (Oh!) What Can I Do
4. If It’s Love That You Need
5. So Far Away
6. Seller of the Sound
7. Amphibious
8. Take Care of You
9. Time
10. Back to Life
11. Let It Out
2008 – The Matt Blais Connection EP
The Matt Blais Connection EP
Release Date: Aug 12, 2008
LABEL: Self-Released
DISTRIBUTION: CD BABY
UPC CODE #: 884501018555
1. (Oh!) What Can I Do?
2. Amphibious
3. Beautiful Thing
4. Time
5. My Lady Friend
6. The Boy
• All songs performed by: Matt Blais
• All songs written by: Matt Blais
• Produced by: Derek Sylwestrzak/ Matt Blais
• Mixed by: Derek Sylwestrzak
• Mastered by: Derek Sylwestrzak
• Available on: CD Baby, Amazon
0 InkedAngels.net – First Look: Project Mars ‘Don’t Hold Back’
0 Heavy MTL BOTB Winners Announced! HOLLOW & DARK CENTURY Play Canada’s Most Prestigious Metal Stage
Heavy MTL BOTB Winners Announced
HOLLOW & DARK CENTURY To Play Canada’s Most Prestigious Metal Stage
Montreal metal bands Dark Century and Hollow have been named the winners of this year’s En Route Heavy MTL battle of the bands that was presented by Dungeonworks Productions andEvenko this past Friday on June 8th at Théâtre Corona. Both bands will now go on to play Heavy MTLwith Dark Century scheduled to perform on Saturday, August 11thand Hollow on the Sunday, August 12th at Parc Jean-Drapeau.
The final round was judged by panel of local industry that included members of VOIVOD, members of Kataklysm, Jason Rockman (Slaves on Dope), Mikey Heppner (Priestess), Mike Metal (CHOM 97.7FM), Jon Asher (Asher Media Relations/H.M.M.A.C.) & Daniel Glick of Evenko/Heavy MTL.
The En Route Heavy MTL battle of the bands took place from January to May with twenty of Montreal’s best independent metal bands showcasing their head banging fury over five rounds in front of iconic guest judges such as Jeff Waters (Annihilator), Glen Drover (ex-Megadeth), Vinny Appice (Kill Devil Hill, DIO, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell), Alex Skolnick (Testament, Alex Skolnick Trio) and Paul Mazurkiewicz (Cannibal Corpse).
Heavy MTL 2012 Lineup – http://www.heavymtl.com/2-lineup/index-cached.html
The bands in the final round were the following:
Bookakee
www.facebook.com/bookakee
Dark Century
www.darkcentury.ca
Hollow
www.hollowofficial.com/presskit
Spelldown
www.spelldown.net
Trainwreck Architect
www.myspace.com/trainwreckarchitect
For more info please visit http://heavymtl.com/en/
0 ALL ELSE FAILS Post ‘Breaking Acclaim’ Eps 1 ‘Kanye West Is Still A Giant Douche’
Facebook | Youtube | Myspace | Reverbnation | CBC Radio 3 | Twitter | LoudTrax | Bandcamp | iTunes
ALL ELSE FAILS Post ‘Breaking Acclaim’ Eps 1 ‘Kanye West Is Still A Giant Douche’
Since 20o7, Edmonton, AB based metallers All Else Fails have been unleashing a web series called ‘Studio Space’where the band chronicled their studio and tour adventures for fans. Now in 2012, as AEF posted their series finale this past March, the band is now rebooting a new series called‘Breaking Acclaim’ that features AEF’s satirical sense of humour along with their road side antics.
To view episode 1 titled ‘Kanye West Is Still A Giant Douche’ please visit the following link.
Video Link – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FAa8_lX3Oo
Links
Music Video “Obsidian Walls” directed by vocalist/guitarist Barrett Klesko – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ4PZuzQq_g
FREE DOWNLOAD – cover songs – “All Else Fails – Ruins Punk For Everyone” –http://allelsefails.bandcamp.com/releases
Album stream “The Oracle: What Was, Is And Could Have Been” –http://allelsefails.bandcamp.com/album/out-aug-19th-2011-the-oracle-what-was-is-and-could-have-been
Free Download – This World In Flames – http://allelsefails.bandcamp.com/track/the-world-in-flames-free-download
Music Video – Rebirth – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGov6ji_72s
Bio:
Socially conscious, lyrically poetic, rife with apocalyptic symbolism; All Else Fails is poised to take our world by storm. Playing an aggressively dark blend of Punk, Metal, and Rock, this well established Edmonton based band breaks the traditional ideals of their genre by producing music infused with experimental elements, incorporating Classical music, Electronica influenced synth lines, and spoken word sampling. This is metal for a new audience, one that’s ready for what’s beyond the ordinary.
Their inspired high-energy live show sets them apart from their peers, often drawing comparisons to The Holly Springs Disaster and Killswitch Engage.
The band’s unique sound has won them acclamation and fans from across Canada and around the globe. Using intricate guitar riffs and meaningful lyrics delivered with powerful vocals, they draw their listeners in, and then blast them with full frontal force!
The band has played with major touring acts such as Fear Factory, City of Fire, 3 Inches of Blood, Threat Signal, Decapitated, Suffocation, and Arise & Ruin, as well as earning a spot playing the Ernie Ball stage on the 2009 Vans Warped Tour that featured Bad Religion, Alexisonfire, NOFX, Devil Wears Prada, Underoath, and more.
On the local circuit via their indie label Suicidal Bride Records, All Else Fails frequently shares the stage with some of Canada’s top touring indie acts such as Ninjaspy, Endast, Quartered, Stella, Dead Jesus, Fattooth, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Submerge the Sky, Without Mercy, and more.
AEF have several tours under their belt including a 2009 Cross Canada tour, western Canada in June of 2010, and coast to coast Canadian tour again in September of 2010 which saw them placed on not just one showcase at Indie Week in Toronto, but so impressing organizers of the event that they received an invitation to play a second showcase that week.
2012 is a year full of promise for the band with an aggressive plan to increase touring, building on the wave of new fans that were created on previous tours, as well as new recordings and music videos. All Else Fails will be reaching beyond borders this year, ready to set the world in flames!
ashermediarelations.com 