EPK – Caveat – Alchemy (2022)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“The creation of Alchemy has been one that has taken a few years to come to fruition, due to the stage & challenges of the modern world, but with that, we feel like the subject matter & music is more relevant than ever dealing with subjects such as addiction, the loss of a loved one, personal growth & even finding that light at the end of the tunnel.
Being the band is now going on two decades of making music together, Alchemy is the first album putting newest member Amanda Marie Bourdon on lead vocal duties. Amanda joined during the recording of Caveat’s last album Consummation showing a glimpse of her vocal potential with songs like Misunderstood & Seven Jackals. This time around Amanda steps into the limelight as the main vocalist, which still shares vocal duties with Greg Musgrave, but offering a new & fresh take on the Caveat sound taking the listener to uncharted territories that have turned out amazing.” – Caveat
For fans of Megadeth, Unleash The Archers, The Agonist, Meshuggah, Opeth, Cynic, Devin Townsend
Album Title: Alchemy
Release Date: February 11, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Distribution:
Facebook.com/caveatcalgary | Caveatcalgary.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music
#8 on Canadian College Radio – National Loud Chart – For the Week Ending: Tuesday, March 29, 2022 (source: Earshot)
“I’d recommend the album (Alchemy) for fans of Meshuggah, Unleash The Archers, Opeth, Devin Townsend and the like, along with people who like an experimental, progressive feel to their music.” – Metal-Rules
“Track three ‘Infinite’ to me is the best song on the album. Fast and heavy, it really lets rip and is a contrast to what you’ve heard so far on the album. The song is about fear and how it motivates much of our lives. ‘Black Mirror’, inspired by an episode of the TV show of the same name, starts with an almost country and western feel before becoming a full-on rock song with lots of changing tempos and vocals. ‘Ghost’ is melodic and powerful, full of twists and turns from ballad to prog rock. It showcases the talents of both vocalists well with lyrics about overcoming your personal demons.” – Metal-Rules
“There is some stellar musicianship here from all members and the seven songs are well written and engaging. The highlight of Alchemy is definitely the lead vocals of Amanda Marie Bourdon, who has a simply excellent voice… Alchemy is definitely worth adding to your collection. 4/5” – Heavy Music Headquarters
Alchemy opens with “Silver,” a relentless sonic assault of massive riffage that showcases Amanda Marie Bourdon’s powerful vocals with guitarist Greg Musgrave’s vicious growls. His gruffness injects several songs here, as do Bourdon’s keyboards. At times, she sings like a pissed-off Pat Benatar, and the rest of this quintet—Joe Sikorski on guitars, Matt Petti on bass and Casey Rogers on drums — matches her fury… this is an engaging listen for metal fans who don’t mind straying beyond the genre’s increasingly blurry lines.” – Shepherd Express (Milwaukee Weekly)
“they are more like a Dream-Theater-on-steroids or like Rush-gone-mad form of prog. ” – Metal Bulletin
“This is classic Melodic Death Metal, but different than the forefathers we all know. The harmonized clean vocals bring that element of temperance to the album, while the harsh vocals keep things rough and dark. A clean female singer and a harsh male singer have surely been done before many times, but I really like the interaction between these two. As a seasoned band, they have experience with songwriting, yet their sound isn’t old and tired. Indeed, it is energetic and infused with passion, and the bass work is fantastic…an instrument that often gets lost in the Metal genre. This was a nice surprise for me.” – Metal Temple
“On their new album CAVEAT offer seven songs, diverse in their compositions. While the guitars come up with dark, hard-hitting riffs as well as beautiful melodic parts, the mostly powerful, complex rhythmic brings in a great dynamic. By alternating between the different expressions of two strong singers, they lay all kinds of emotions into their music… All-together, “Alchemy” is an amazing listen, recommended for fans of genre-bending music. ” – Mostl Metal
“this album’s claim to take an experimental route is justified. With elements of many Metal subgenres flowing in their songwriting veins, it’s hard to stick Caveat into one category… Nevertheless, Caveat brings strength, and wonder to the Metal scene and has given us only a glimpse of what is to come.” – Metal Godesses
“A production that should be most satisfying for many fans of progressive metal, and perhaps a bit more for those who approach this style of metal from the metal rather than the progressive rock direction at that.” – Progressor
“I should say something about the musicianship. Frankly, it’s first-rate. I’ll start with bassist Matt Petti, who plays a major part in the band’s sound. If you want an excellent example of his virtuosity, listen to the first fifteen seconds or so of Black Mirror (yes, the song is based on an episode of that TV show). His fluidity and, in this case, almost funky tone proves him to be a bassist of the first rank. Then there are guitarists Greg Musgrave and Joe Sikorski. Versatile is the word to start with when describing their work. Check out closing song Zero Hour to hear the pleasing (to my ears, at least!) combination of crunch and melody that these two achieve. Silver, on the other hand, will blow you away with the virtuosic near-blast-beat playing of drummer Casey Rogers. Finally, Until Dawn is probably the best place to find the most effective blending of the two vocalists’ voices. I believe that Bourdon will become a truly essential part of the band if more use is made of her voice to complement that of Musgrave. On songs like this one, while one can hear, yes, Opeth and Cynic somewhere in the background, Caveat really comes into its own. This is a well-written, well-produced, engaging, and promising album. ” -Dprp.net
“Violent passages, a heavy metal opera space approach, and everything in an incredibly perfect osmosis, and for almost 50 minutes. This innovative breath is once again coming from Canada, a country where the number of talented groups blush many countries. “Alchemy” is a must-have album and brings something to music. We’re rocking the genius! A true musical experience and what a singer! Awesome” – La Legion Underground Webzine
“Caveat releases a heavy, melodic, harmonic, hard album, full of interesting beats, very well done and short riffs and sharp solos, an elegant and structured production, high and strong chords, more than anything with serious sounds, combining metal styles – progressive rock and death metal which have a bit of faster and groove metal oriented sounds like in Alchemy and Infinite, an album full of energy, clean, heavy and hard, with a technical and rhythmic metal with precise drums and guitars as well than keyboards, at no time does it move away from one another. The combination of 3 voices makes it interesting, clean male and clean female voices that give it light and harmony, with a clean and high register, and the heaviness is given by the part of the guttural voice that appears at times. 9/10” – Darzen Metal Angels
“Thrashing riffs and funk-infused bass grooves melded with aggresive metal death growls and three-part vocal harmonies are just a few of the guilty pleasures on Caveat’s Red… The 53-minute musical journey leaves a crushing inferno of melodic sound in its wake through skilfully executed guitar riffs winding passages that never talk down or leave the listener behind and haunting balledesque moments that you wouldn’t expect to find on a metal album but feel right at home here with Caveat.” – The YYScene
“Caveat focused on music over visuals and blasted through a no-frills set featuring their unique and feverish style of prog metal.” – Metal Master Kingdom (Live Review – Wacken metal Battle Canada 2019 – Calgary Final)
#9 on Top 10 – Caveat – Self-Titled – Canadian National Loud Chart – For the Week Ending: Tuesday, December 20, 2005
“Vindication” is a masterpiece. All the right sounds, rhythm’s phenomenal guitars and great lyrics with plenty of meaning” – Prog Archives
“Within This Weakness”…a brilliant finale to this adventurous, untamed album called “RED”. This is “Caveat” and progressive metal at its finest.” – Prog Archives
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BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. Caveat was one of two bands ever signed to Scarab Metal Productions management company, headed by Terese Fleming who later went on to become one of the leading metal festival organizers in Western Canada from 2005 – 2015. Caveat released our self-titled EP on Scarab Productions in 2005
2. After parting ways with Scarab Productions, Caveat then signed with Toronto based indie label Cyclone Records who released Caveat’s 2007 magnum opus Red.
3. Caveat is the longest-running active metal band in Alberta.
4. Caveat’s guitarist/vocalist Greg Musgrave performed backing vocals on Nuclear Blast recording artists Divinity’s debut album Allegory, as well as performing character voices for Bioware video game Dragon Age Inquisition
5. Three of the five members of Caveat (Casey, Joe & Greg) simultaneously played in Alberta death-grind band Exit Strategy, from 2005 – 2017, which are largely considered one of the most influential death metal bands to ever come out of Alberta & also went on to perform in the Canadian Wacken Battle finals in Toronto in 2014.
6. Vocalist / keyboardist Amanda Marie Bourdon also plays bass & sings in Calgary band Greybeard along with drummer Casey Rogers. Matt Petti also plays bass in the instrumental progressive metal band Illuminated Minerva.
[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Album Title: Alchemy
Release Date: February 11, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Distribution:
Track Listing:
1. Silver (7:03)
2. Alchemy (7:08)
3. Infinite (6:44)
4. Black Mirror (7:06)
5. Ghost (8:35)
6. Until Dawn (5:55)
7. Zero Hour (7:21)
Album Length: 49:54
Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Caveat
• All songs written by: Caveat
• Produced by: Joe Sikorski
• Mixed by: Joe Sikorski
• Mastered by: Casey Rogers
• Album Artwork by:
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
Album and Live Band Line Up:
Amanda Marie Bourdon: Vocals & Keyboards
Greg Musgrave: Guitar & Vocals
Joe Sikorski: Guitars
Matt Petti: Bass
Casey Rogers: Drums
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The album as a whole:
This album has an almost soundtrack vibe to it, which really separates it from anything that we’ve done in the past. The lyrics are both dark & light with switches in feeling & mood ever-changing throughout the album.
Track by Track:
Silver: One of the more melodic songs on the album with catchy hooks, verses & an infectious chorus that touches on the silver lining of your actions & how they create the foundation for one’s existence.
Alchemy: One of the more proggier songs on the album, this song really showcases Amanda’s powerhouse voice as well as Matt’s incredible bass performance. This song deals with addiction & how we are in search of the magic elixir (in so many cases alcohol) that will make us a perceived better version of ourselves, which in almost every case turns out to be the opposite.
Infinite: This was the first song written for this album & is by far the heaviest song on the album with an almost Gojira feel at times. The lyrics explore peeling away & coming to terms with our own fears & how fear motivates so much of our human lives, with lines like “We feed upon the will of what grows in shadows”.
Black Mirror: One of the more experimental songs on the album, this song was written, inspired & lyrically based on the Black Mirror episode called White Christmas, which is based on the idea of imprisoning the human mind with modern technology & basically playing God. Dark stuff.
Ghost: This was the last song that was written for this album & is probably the best indication of what is to come for future Caveat music. This is probably the most progressive song on the album, with twist & turns galore. The lyrics deal with trying to overcome your personal demons that keep pulling you down the rabbit hole into depression & personal turmoil. Kind of like a ghost that haunts you that no one else can see or feel but you
Until Dawn: The music for this song was written by Casey & was an exploration of the idea of writing an epically big Devin Townsend type song with huge chords, massive vocals & a positive message about finally finding someone that truly connects with you & takes you from the dark to the light so to speak. Lyrically this song was written about Greg’s family & the positive impact that his wife & kids have had on his life. Super metal I know…
Zero Hour: Probably the most melodic song on the album, this was one of the last songs written for the album & really focuses on Amanda’s incredible voice & creating huge hooks with soaring melodies throughout the song. Lyrically this song was written around the time that Greg’s mother was dealing with dementia throughout the last month of her life before eventually passing away peacefully Very personal & introspective lyrics make this one very near & dear to the band; Greg & Amanda in particular who both went through losing their mothers during the making of this album.
L-R Joe Sikorski – Guitars, Greg Musgrave – Guitars & Vocals, Amanda Marie Bourdon – Vocals & Keyboards, Casey Rogers – Drums, Matt Petti – Bass
Photo Credit – Monika Deviat
Caveat was formed in mid-2001 by founding members Greg Musgrave on guitar and vocals, Jawad Baloch on drums & Terry Baldwin on bass & backing vocals. Shortly afterward Casey Rogers was asked to join as the new drummer of Caveat. This lineup would go on to record and release the debut album ‘The Biggest Secret’, which they released on May 14th of 2003.
After supporting the album, Caveat decided to expand and recruited Joe Sikorski in 2004 to the second guitar, who had been playing with Thorazine since the mid-’90s.
During 2005 Caveat partnered up with Scarab Productions to record and release a self-titled EP, which ended up landing on numerous campus radio charts and found the band playing larger shows than ever before. After parting ways with Scarab Production in late 2006, the sound of the band evolved yet again, writing more progressive and technical sounding songs, resulting in their 2007 magnum opus full-length album entitled ‘Red’.
To release ‘Red’ Caveat partnered up with Toronto-based indie record label Cyclone Records. To the band’s delight, ‘Red’ was very well received in the metal community and the band played more than ever in & around Western Canada.
Just prior to the release of ‘Red’ several members would branch off and form the deathgrind side project Exit Strategy with Shane Hawco (ex-Thorazine). Exit Strategy quickly became popular in the Western Canadian extreme metal scene. In 2008, after a successful several-year run, Caveat would elect to go into indefinite hiatus to focus on Exit Strategy.
Five years later saw the brief reformation of the band when Calgary Metalfest organizer ‘Big’ Nate Reno asked Caveat to reform to play the inaugural festival in the summer of 2013, and the band obliged. Original bassist Terry Baldwin elected to not be involved with the reunion show, so Caveat turned to former Verbal Deception and current Illuminated Minerva bass player Matt Petti to handle bass duties for the Metalfest performance. After that short hiatus, the band officially reformed at the end of 2014 with Matt Petti replacing Terry Baldwin permanently on bass duties.
Songwriting began for a new album while playing a handful of shows and several metal festivals across western Canada. Recording began in May 2015 and the new album entitled ‘Consummation’ was released on June 24th, 2016. ‘Consummation’ was also a moment of further evolution of Caveat, as local musician Amanda Marie Bourden was asked to join the band as keyboard player and second lead vocalist. Amanda accepted the invitation, and her powerful vocals were featured throughout ‘Consummation’ providing a great contrast to Greg’s clean & brutal vocal attack.
In 2017 and 2018, writing commenced for the album and would feature new vocalist Amanda as more of the primary voice in the new material. This culminated into the most diverse ambitious collection of songs to date. Then in late 2019, recording began for the new album with both Joe and Casey handling main production duties this time. Production was completed in late 2020, but due to the Covid pandemic-related shutdowns, the band decided to shelve its release for the duration of 2021 as a result.
Now Caveat’s delayed fifth album, entitled ‘Alchemy’, is for release in early 2022, and once again Caveat promises to deliver a majestic metallic assault on the senses. Stay tuned and expect the unexpected.
Album and Live Band Line Up:
Amanda Marie Bourdon: Vocals & Keyboards
Greg Musgrave: Guitar & Vocals
Joe Sikorski: Guitars
Matt Petti: Bass
Casey Rogers: Drums
Discography:
2022 – Alchemy (TBD)
2016 – Consummation
2007 – Red
2005 – Self-titled EP
2003 – The Biggest Secret
Music Placements:
Theme song for Alberta MMA event for ‘AX Combat presents: Havok’ – song used: Vicious Circle from our 2006 album Red
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