Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life – Artach “Sworn to Avenge is a mind-assaulting record… You’ll hear the influences of classic black metal bands like Venom, early-Bathory as well as elements of the second wave; Immortal, Darkthrone etc. Ugly and uninviting stuff but very satisfying if you enjoy the gloomier side of metal… It’s a mammoth listen and does take its toll, but the array of ideas that Artach showcase does keep things interesting. An hour slips by, the cold has sunk deep into the bones and you’ll be left wondering if you’ll ever be warm again.” https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-artach-sworn-to-avenge-depressive-illusions-records/
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0 Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life – Artach “Sworn to Avenge is a mind-assaulting record…
0 \m/ Merci @MusicWaves_fr Le lauréat de ce TOP WAVES METAL du mois de Mai est conforme au classement général : la palme revient à la révélation Before & Apace et 3ème place The Wring
\m/ Merci @MusicWaves_fr Le lauréat de ce TOP WAVES METAL du mois de Mai est conforme au classement général : la palme revient à la révélation Before & Apace et 3ème place The Wring
0 GigRadar – Introducing: Wasted Land
0 Newfoundland Black Metal Duo Artach Unleash Music Video “Shimmer” For Release Day Of New Album “Sworn to Avenge”
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – June 25, 2021
For fans of Venom, Immortal, Celtic Frost, Darkthrone, Satyricon
Newfoundland Black Metal Duo Artach Unleash Music Video “Shimmer” For Release Day Of New Album “Sworn to Avenge”
Music Video Premiere via ThisIsBlackMetal
Album Stream Premiere via Black Metal Artists
New Album “Sworn to Avenge” Out June 25th via Depressive Illusions Records
Coming from the coldest, windiest, snowiest, and foggiest city in Canada, St. John’s, Newfoundland’s Artach is heavily influenced by nature and even takes after the bleak climate they are surrounded by. The result of months of winter provides inspiration for their raw, epic black metal that is in their new album “Sworn to Avenge”, which is now available via Depressive Illusions Records as of June 25th.
As described by Artach, their music is angry, savage, unhinged, but contains melody and some twists and turns to surprise the listener. Varied song tempos mixing blasting with thrashy, punky, doomy elements keep the sounds interesting and not monotone. They go into further detail about releasing their new music video for “Shimmer” for the full length’s release day:
“Lyrically, this one is more descriptive and doesn’t have any hidden meanings. Those shimmering and dancing lights of the Aurora Borealis can be seen even here in Newfoundland, but further north they look magnificent. There’s a spoken part in this one taken from a part of a poem by David Vedder (1790-1854) that was written about the Northern Lights. Musically this one is one of the more black metal sounding songs with lots of blast beats but as always, tempered with melody and hand-banging riffage.”
Watch “Shimmer” via its premiere on This Is Black Metal‘s YouTube channel – https://youtu.be/JyJ2xW2oquM
Along with “Sworn to Avenge” album full stream via Black Metal Artists YouTube Channel – https://youtu.be/0OIPlMtj8hE
“Sworn to Avenge” is the second album from Artach, following up 2020’s “Chronicles of a Black Winter”. Fans can expect more of the same compared to the first, but it pushes the envelope a little bit. Artach embraces evolution and aspire to play tighter, and have a more professional sound, but never sound overly polished.
Artach’s process is a collaborative one between the duo, the genesis of the songs are arranged on guitar by Sruthán and very roughly recorded at home. After getting together, they record drums and flesh out the song in an afternoon and by then the song is pretty much ready for the studio recording of guitars, then bass, and lastly vocals.
Artach is recommended listening for anyone interested in raw black metal and those with an interest in Celtic Frost, Darkthrone, and Satyricon.
“Sworn to Avenge” is available via Depressive Illusions at the following links: DepressiveIllusions.com, Artach.bandcamp.com, Amazon, Spotify.
Previous Lyric Videos:
Into the Frozen Woodlands – https://youtu.be/FtfosCUA7iw
She Gathers Leaves – https://youtu.be/g0nahpQ6O6s
Track Listing:
1. Tuiteam an Duine (7:08)
2. Ice Throne (5:09)
3. Shimmer (6:35)
4. Endless Tundra (21:35)
5. Into the Frozen Woodlands (4:49)
6. She Gathers Leaves (5:25)
7. Mistress of Black Thorns (6:24)
8. Winter’s End (8:14)
Album Length: 1:05:23
Album Band Line Up:
Fíochmhar: Vocals, Drums, Keyboards
Sruthán: Guitar, Bass
For more info:
Facebook.com/ArtachBlackMetal
Instagram.com/ArtachBlackMetal
EPK
About:
Artach is a two-man black metal band (Sruthán: Guitar/Bass, Fíochmhar: Battery/Vokills/Keys)based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Being from the foggiest, snowiest, wettest, windiest, and gloomiest capital city in Canada, one should not be surprised that this fuels the creation of Black Metal. Their inspiration comes from the land, nature, the bleak weather of the Canadian North, and influential black metal bands.
Since the duo’s formation in the spring of 2019, Artach has been consistently releasing new music. The band’s debut album “Chronicles of a Black Winter” was released digitally during February 2020 and later unleashed on physical CD by Depressive Illusions Records. The full length contained 9 songs of extreme, harsh, and haunting sounds, which included a cover of Celtic Frost’s ‘Jewel Throne’.
Now in 2021, the band returns with their next offering “Sworn To Avenge”, a full-length scourge of raw and relentless bruting gloom. From the calming blasts and savagery of album opener “Tuiteam an Duine” to the ingrained black metal blast beats, and headbanging riffage on “Shimmer” to the 20-minute exploration for the epic “Endless Tundra” about the doomed Franklin expedition of 1846 to the Immortal-esque riffing and unorthodox exorcism of album closer “Winter’s End”, Artach delivers a 65-minute cold deliverance of their surroundings.
The band adds:
“The music on ‘Sworn To Avenge’ is a frigid mixture of topics about nature and how it meets and interacts with the darkness of humankind. The desolation of the world, the planet, and the repeated failure of society to evolve to a place where we are a part of nature and not brutish subjugators of everything in our path… these are all themes described throughout many songs. The music is angry, savage, unhinged, but contains melody and some twists and turns to surprise the listener. Varied song tempos mixing blasting with thrashy, punky, doomy elements keep the sounds interesting and not monotone. Song structures often vary and we never limit a song to a certain length. We indulge and have them be as long, or as short as we think feels right.”
“Sworn To Avenge” will be available digitally from Artach along with CD and cassette via Depressive Illusions Records on June 2021.
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“The album is definitely black metal – but there are some really nice elements in that that makes this author think the musicians are truly having some fun. In particular, ‘Frozen In Time’, exhibits this by delivering several rhythmic textures and a variety of guitar techniques. The vocals are also just well placed in this track in both timing and style.” – Brutalism (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)
“Artach have overnight become one of the most interesting bands to come out of the Newfoundland metal scene in some time, not only for the Darkthrone-esque duality of their lineup, but for their genuine appreciation for all things grim and frostbitten and their unique flavour of first wave meets second wave black metal. If you’ve not given Chronicles of a Black Winter a listen yet, give it a spin or two. It’s definitely worth checking out.” – HeavyNFLD (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)
“Artach is a mysterious two-piece Black Metal band who have issued their debut CHRONICLES OF A BLACK WINTER. Artach have spawned some fierce raw and primeval Black Metal. I’m hearing lots of classic Hellhammer/Bathory/Venom and maybe even dipping into second wave stuff like Immortal. It is all very black and grim the way this type of stuff should be.” – Metal-Rules (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)
“Like the album’s title may suggest, this album’s atmosphere is as cold and bleak as the North winds. The album is very riff focused with modern production, but it isn’t too clean—I actually really enjoyed the production. Vocally, it is very unique and [not] just the same ol endless blackened screams.” – Metal Temple (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)
“A solid dose of second wave black metal.” – Astral Noize (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)
“This is an album that took a little time to grow on me and after more listens than I care to count, I still hear little twists that I hadn’t heard before. Pretty cool debut from a band that’s doing its own thing in a genre where bands are often content to imitate.” Rating: ⅘ – The Metal Crypt (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)
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0 Out Now! Canadian Prog Metallers MAITREYA’s New Album “Hyper Reels”
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – June 25, 2021
For fans of The Contortionist, Between the Buried and Me, Protest the Hero, Periphery
Out Now! Canadian Prog Metallers MAITREYA’s New Album “Hyper Reels”
L-R: Matt McCabe (Guitar), Steve McMillan (Drums), Matt Cutrara (Vocals), Lyam Morrison (Bass), Mark Wylie (Guitar)
Photo Credit – Jon Butler
Canadian progressive metalcore outfit Maitreya’s new album “Hyper Reels” is now out as of June 25th. Since January of this year, the band has been sharing singles with music videos to promote the sophomore full length and today they are excited to reveal its full stream and download on Bandcamp, Spotify and Apple Music at the following link: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/maitreya1/hyper-reels
Boasting a higher degree of musical complexity, filthy breakdowns and a wider range on the vocals ebbing from melodic cleans into sustained growls set to a whirlwind of complicated riffs. The record is a heavily layered listening experience, a cacophony of styles, merging together to create an intense wall of sound that forces you to pay attention to all the subliminal notes and tempo changes.
The band comments:
“Hyper Reels is an honest expression and discovery of what Maitreya is all about. We lived with these songs for years, honing them on stage and in the studio. This album details our evolution as a band, remaining true to our metalcore roots and highlighting a trajectory not confined to any particular subgenre. In the process of making this album, we put everything under the microscope and as a result, every element is more refined and matured. Our intention with this record was to craft songs with strong conceptual meanings paired with a musical complexity that remains catchy. We are very proud of this album, and are excited to keep writing, recording, and performing music as long as we are able!”
“Hyper Reels” is recommended for fans of The Contortionist, Between the Buried and Me, and Protest the Hero.
Previous Music Videos:
Pilgrim https://youtu.be/DHIXyR9nguc
Summit https://youtu.be/yvacOheiE3Y
Catalyst – https://youtu.be/sLOVpNchls8
Bloom – https://youtu.be/fx3r4NAo3_Q
Track Listing:
1. Catalyst (7:23)
2. Departed (6:04)
3. Radical (5:31)
4. Summit (4:31)
5. Invaders (6:18)
6. Bloom (4:26)
7. Pilgrim (4:44)
8. Flesh Engine (4:31)
9. Hyper Reels (0:57)
10. Iswara (4:27)
Album Length: 48:56
Album and Live Band Line Up:
Matt McCabe – Guitar
Steve McMillan – Drums
Matt Cutrara – Vocals
Lyam Morrison – Bass
Mark Wylie – Guitar
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“We’re always on the hunt for interesting new metal bands, and Canada’s Maitreya certainly qualifies. The band’s newest single, “Catalyst”, treads familiar progressive metal territory – think vocals similar to Leprous and instrumentation akin to older BTBAM – but rest assured it sounds fresh.” – New Fury Media
“Heavy metallers Maitreya recognize the value of dreams with their new single and music video for “Bloom,” a rifftastic blast of progressive metal.” – V13
“What’s on the menu here is a wide range of flavours. There’s something to suit the taste of any serious metal fan. This relatively new band has some good ideas and knows how to execute them. Despite the current restrictions, these guys have plenty of time to bring the Maitreya brand to the fore.” – The Prog Space
“Ambitious and aggressive, Canada’s Maitreya break boundaries from the beginning with Departed. Heavy, contemporary metal chords are underscored by droning, chorusing vocals, but blink and you’ll miss them as Maitreya soon change direction to a growling verse pandemonium. Their riffing is adventurous and deadly, cutting through weighty, rolling rhythms and movements.” – Jace Media
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
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0 Rockshots Records: Out Now! Endless Chain’s Debut Album “Forthcoming Past” + New Lyric Video
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – June 25, 2021
For fans of Katatonia, Helloween, Amorphis, Anthema
Rockshots Records: Out Now! Endless Chain’s Debut Album “Forthcoming Past” + New Lyric Video
Debut Album “Forthcoming Past” Out June 25, 2021
ft. guests Mikko Heikkilä (Kaunis Kuolematon, Dawn Of Solace, Black Aeon Sun),
Ville Hovi (Blackstar Halo), Aki Salonen (Nemecic), Sami Yli-Sirniö (Kreator, Waltari),
Antti Kolehmainen, (Waltari), Samuli Mikkonen (Korpiklaani)
Finnish songwriter Timo Mölsä’s studio project Endless Chain‘s debut album “Forthcoming Past” is out now as of June 25th via Rockshots Records.
For the full-length’s release day, Endless Chain is sharing their latest video for the title track that features guest vocals from Ville Hovi (Blackstar Halo) and Aki Salonen (Nemecic) along with the opening speech by John Egerton. Drums by Korpiklaani’s Samuli Mikkonen with album producer Aleksanteri Kuosa on guitar, bass and keyboards.
Lyric Video – https://youtu.be/-6hNd3KVFl4
Mölsä comments on the album’s release:
“My project, which lasted about a year, is now coming to an end. The last good couple of years have been full of music and I have to say that ‘what a journey this has been’. February 2020 – after the pre-production – the recording was started and finalized (after many phases) in November 2020. The recording and mixing by Aleksanteri Kuosa and mastering by Juho Räihä. Thanks guys and BIG thank you to everyone who made this album possible.
What else can I say? I have invested a lot of time and practically all the usable energy to this album and to the whole project. But, it has been worth it – and I believe you can hear it! While the album is musically varied, it remains focused and tight. And it’s still very clearly a metal album. I can now proudly present the results. A big “Thank you!” goes to Rockshots Records for believing and releasing my music. Let the music speak for itself!”
“Forthcoming Past” features guests Mikko Heikkilä (Kaunis Kuolematon, Dawn Of Solace, Black Aeon Sun), Ville Hovi (Blackstar Halo), Aki Salonen (Nemecic), Sami Yli-Sirniö (Kreator, Waltari), Antti Kolehmainen, (Waltari), and Samuli Mikkonen (Korpiklaani). The full length was recorded, mixed, and produced by Aleksanteri Kuosa (Before the Dawn, Wolfheart, Waltari) along with mastering done by Juho Räihä (guitarist of Swallow the Sun).
A late bloomer to being a musician, Endless Chain‘s Timo Mölsä had his musical awakening in 2016, however, he has been listening and influenced by various genres of metal music for over 30 years. It took re-introducing himself to guitar with long-time friend Ari Hokkanen as a fun pastime that drove Mölsä to create his own songs. What would soon follow is a new project with contributions from Hokkanen for writing and lyrics.
Soon after, Mölsä shared his demos with drummer Samuli Mikkonen (Korpiklaani), who, after listening, joined the project and performed all the drums on the debut record.
Step by step things fell into place, through Mikkonen, Mölsä became acquainted with producer Aleksanteri Kuosa who had a big impact on the completion of the debut album.
“Aleksanteri is an imaginative producer and he was also very patient with a perfectionist like me. He knew how to weed out extra notes from my compositions and finally got the most out of my songs. There were maybe a total of 20 songs in the beginning, of which we went through less than 15 in the preliminary production. Finally, 10 songs had been selected for the album. Through Aleksanteri, I also got many other great musicians involved in the project.”
The end result is Mölsä‘s dark and melancholic sound premiered through Endless Chain‘s first offering “Forthcoming Past”.
Album order – http://bit.ly/ForthcomingPastCD
Lyric Video – Nothing More – https://youtu.be/3ZeUhMPttYM
Lyric Video – All of The Above – https://youtu.be/b9nbm_euL9U
Lyric Video – Scars On Me – https://youtu.be/99b6S-kU02Q
Track Listing:
1. Forthcoming Past (6:41)
2. They’re The Ones To Fall (4:31)
3. Hold Out Hope (5:30)
4. All of The Above (3:45)
5. A Letter (4:31)
6. Nothing More (3:53)
7. Feel (3:38)
8. The Wild One (3:53)
9. Scars On Me (3:18)
10. The Memories (4:33)
Album Length: 44:19
Album Credits:
Endless Chain:
Timo Mölsä, Guitar
Special guests on the album:
Mikko Heikkilä, Vocals on no. 2, 3, 5, 7 ,10
Ville Hovi, Vocals on no. 1, 4, 6, 8 and 9
Aki Salonen, Rough Vocals on no. 1, 4 and 6
Salla Sundberg, Vocals on no. 7
Aleksanteri Kuosa, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Samuli Mikkonen, Drums
Sami Yli-Sirniö, Guitar Solo on ”Hold Out Hope” and “Scars on me”
Antti Kolehmainen, cello on ”Hold Out Hope” and “The Wild One”
John Egerton, opening speech on “Forthcoming Past”
For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Facebook.com/endlesschainband
Instagram.com/endlesschainband
– 30 –
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
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0 CDN Records: Canada’s Hexenklad (ft. members of SIG:AR:TYR, Eclipse Eternal, Pagan Ritual) Celebrate The Solstice With “Heathenheart” Music Video
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – June 25, 2021
For fans of Moonsorrow, Amon Amarth, Ensiferum, Insomnium, Windir
CDN Records: Canada’s Hexenklad (ft. members of SIG:AR:TYR, Eclipse Eternal, Pagan Ritual) Celebrate The Solstice With “Heathenheart” Music Video
Video Premiere via Bravewords
New Album “Heathenheart” Out July 23rd via CDN Records
L-R: Michael Grund – Guitar, Andrew Chalmers – Drums, Timothy Voldemars Johnston – Vocals, Matt Collacott – Bass, John Chalmers – Guitar
Photo by Vikki Kay Photography
As true heathens, folk/black metal act Hexenklad(ft. members of SIG:AR:TYR, Eclipse Eternal, Pagan Ritual) summon interconnected energies in their new music video for the first single and title track off their upcoming album “Heathenheart”, which can be viewed via its premiere on Bravewords HERE.
Releasing around the summer solstice, the time of year that draws people together to celebrate the longest day of the year, the band brings a message that you are not alone, which is also fitting with the global crisis of the past year. The band explains the track further:
“’Heathenheart’ is a folk metal anthem. As soon as it started to come together, we knew this had to be the single we released first. It is just so memorable and so poignant and relevant to the times we are all going through. It is a song about being alone, yet all connected. All lone wolves yet all part of a larger pack. About protecting and raising each other up. The song feels like its message. It is uplifting, powerful, memorable, anthemic.”
According to the band, they didn’t go into the writing process for this album with any intention to create a specific sonic experience. It is more an amalgamation of all the varied influences of its members and they didn’t want to constrain where the music took them. Each song on the album has a different meaning, a different feel, a different purpose. Each song should elicit a different response from the listener and make them think. The common thread that binds all these songs together is that they are all intense musically, even the slower songs, and feature heathen lyrics, most of which are very uplifting in meaning, even the darkest of them.
As a whole “Heathenheart” is an intense black metal-influenced folk metal album full of heathen anthems to raise a horn to. The heathen’s heart is full of chaos, creation through destruction, Hagalaz, and this is a journey into it.
“Heathenheart” is recommended for fans of Amon Amarth, Ensiferum, and Insomnium and will be released on July 23, 2021 via CDN Records.
Album pre-order available at https://cdnrecords.com/shop/hexenklad-heathenheart/
Track Listing:
1. Heathenheart (5:02)
2. Cold Beauty of Winter (4:52)
3. Huginn and Muninn (4:14)
4. Dark Moon in Capricorn (5:13)
5. Rootbound (4:13)
6. The Raven Returns to the Knoll (4:33)
7. A Thousand Paths to Wisdom (4:26)
8. Olde Gods Awaken (5:53)
9. Beware the Outstretched Hand (5:21)
10. A Forest of Dead Trees (4:32)
11. Upon the Wings of Valkyries (7:03)
12. A Moment of Silence (1:00)
13. We Raise a Horn (4:07)
Album Length: 1:00:36
Album Credits:
Timothy Voldemars Johnston – Vocals, Lyrics
Michael Grund – Guitar. Bass on songs 4, 7, & 9
John Chalmers – Guitar. Bass on song 13
Andrew Chalmers – Drums & Percussion
Clare B. – Keyboards & Orchestrations
Emmanuel “Audeath” Audet (Black Empire/Winterfog) – Bass on Songs 2, 5, 8, 10, & 11
Matt “Coldcuts” Collacott – Bass on songs 1, 3, & 6
Nick Sauter – (Treats for Addicts) Guitar Solo on song 7
Alex Chalmers – Clarinet on song 13
All songs by Hexenklad
Song 2 written by Jon Kal and Hexenklad
Lyrics on songs 4 & 8 by Michael Grund
Recorded at Shiver Sound Studios by John Chalmers
Audeath’s Bass recorded at Black Amp Studio
Mixed at BWC Studios by Greg Dawson
Mastered at West West Side Music by Alan Douches
Cover art by Darek Zawiązalec of Black Forest Forge
CD Layout by Robo of Element 6 Custom lmn6.ca
Photography by Vikki Kay Photography
Canadian Content (MAPL)
Live Band Line Up:
Timothy Voldemars Johnston – Vocals
John Chalmers – Guitar
Steve Bowen – Guitar
Matt “Coldcuts” Collacott – Bass
Andrew Chalmers – Drums
For more info:
CDNRecords.com
Facebook.com/hexenklad
Instagram.com/hexenklad
Hexenklad.bandcamp.com
Spotify
EPK
– 30 –
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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0 Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life – Maitreya “What we have here with Hyper Reels is a fresh take on both progressive metal and metalcore in general. Ten high-powered and heavy efforts that go in a myriad of unexpected and thrilling directions. If there’s one thing Maitreya do well on Hyper Reels, it is to keep you guessing all the time.”
Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life – Maitreya “What we have here with Hyper Reels is a fresh take on both progressive metal and metalcore in general. Ten high-powered and heavy efforts that go in a myriad of unexpected and thrilling directions. If there’s one thing Maitreya do well on Hyper Reels, it is to keep you guessing all the time.” https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-maitreya-hyper-reels-self-released/
0 Hails Horns! \m/\m/ Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay love! #9 – Osyron !earshot – The National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Hails Horns! \m/\m/
Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay love!
#9 – Osyron
!earshot – The National Loud Chart
For the Week Ending: Tuesday, June 22, 2021
0 EPK – Shumaun – Memories & Intuition (2021)
EPK – Shumaun – Memories & Intuition (2021)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
For fans of Rush, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree
Shumaun.com | Facebook.com/shumaun | Instagram.com/zinkferd | YouTube
Shumaun.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music
Album Title: Memories & Intuition
Release Date: September 10, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Self-Release
“When I started writing the melodies for this album I knew that I wanted it to be even more melodic than our previous couple albums. We’ve always been known as a melodic band, but I wanted to up the ante. Most of the songs came pretty quickly and organically. It was an honor to have guys like Thomas Lang, Mark Zonder, and Atma Anur reinterpret the drums on these tracks. This is the first time we included more than one instrumental… I just felt it was really appropriate and helped with the flow of the album. Instrumentals allow us for more musical exploration. The album was supposed to be released in the Summer of 2020, however production was delayed for obvious reasons. – Shumaun – (Farhad Hossain – guitar, vocals, keys)
WINNER: The Deli Magazine’s “BEST OF 2015 Reader’s Pick Award” for Washington DC
“It’s not just Orbin’s simple-complex drumming that shines here. Hossain’s soaring vocals, and the guitar/bass dynamics. They sound simple but scream progressive, forward-thinking. While pop-oriented progressive rock tunes aren’t usually on Decibel’s turntable (digital or physical), Shumaun was hard to deny.” – Decibel Magazine
“Great vocals, well-written songs, and solid musicianship are the hallmarks for the debut self-titled release by Shumaun. It’s a very enjoyable album for anyone who likes to sing along with their music. With Shumaun, the songs come first. And that makes for a very enjoyable experience.” – Progressive Music PLanet
“AWESOME! OK, this band is AWESOME and have produced probably my favourite album of the year.” – Decibel Geek
“Shumaun’s music is impressive and pretty close to brilliant – Background Magazine
“Has the best album of 2019 been released right at the beginning of the year? That’s not fair! Everyone else with a 2019 release has their work cut out for them, to stand up against Shumaun’s brilliant sophomore effort: “One Day Closer to Yesterday.” – Metal Asylum
“Farhad Hossain puts goose bumps on my arms with his beautiful voice.” – Rock Portaal
“This stuff is incredibly catchy, mostly due to the excellent vocals of Hossain. Sometimes I find the emphasis on lead vocals rather annoying, especially if the vocals are not up to snuff. That is far from the case here. His vocals are superbly melodic and had me completely transfixed throughout the disc’s fifty-two minute running time.” – Sea of Tranquility
Shumaun (L to R) – Jose Mora: Bass, Farhad Hossain: Vocals, Guitar, Keys, Tyler Kim: Guitar
Shumaun initially started as a solo project by Farhad Hossain (ex singer/guitarist/keyboardist of Iris Divine). After recording a few demos, he decided to recruit a few friends to help build the project into a full-fledged collaborative band. Through the course of recording their self-titled debut album, Shumaun went through a period of tribulation while securing a drummer. Original drummer Tanvir Tomal (ex Iris Divine) had to leave for professional obligations in the middle of the recording sessions and was later replaced with Waqar Khan (Entity Paradigm), who is also well known for his work with the platinum-selling Ali Azmat of the EMI recording artist Junoon (one of South Asia’s most successful rock bands). Waqar remained with the band long enough to record a few tracks on the debut record as well as appear live for some of the earlier shows. Travis Orbin (Darkest Hour, Periphery), Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord) recorded the remaining drums on the debut record that was released in the fall of 2015. Tanvir has since returned to the band as the live drummer.
2019 saw the band releasing their sophomore album “One Day Closer to Yesterday.” The album was once again mixed by Brett Caldas-Lima at Tower Studio in France. The album was rawer and heavier, but the melodies and vocals were never compromised. It includes the bombastic prog metal single “Go.”
2021 sees Shumaun releasing their third album “Memories & Intuition,” which features the amazing drumming of legends such as Thomas Lang (Peter Gabriel, Paul Gilbert), Atma Anur (Jason Becker, Tony Macalpine), Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord), and Leo Margarit (Pain of Salvation). Shumaun once again tapped Brett Caldas-Lima and Tower Studio for mixing and mastering. The album is their most melodic to date and consists of their single “Memories of Water.”
The Shumaun sound is shaped by the soaring vocals and lead guitar work of Farhad Hossain, the pounding melodic bass lines of Jose Mora, and the subtle guitar nuances of Tyler Kim. The band has received many accolades, and have made it onto several “album of the year” lists from sites such as Progressive Music Planet, Decibel Geek, and Metal Asylum etc. The band also won The Deli Magazine’s “Best of 2015” for Washington DC bands, and have been featured on Revolver Magazine, and Decibel Magazine.
[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Album Title: Memories & Intuition
Release Date: September 10, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Self-Release
Track Listing:
1. A Subtle Invocation (3:20)
2. Prisoners (3:51)
3. Memories of Water (3:33)
4. Jabriel’s Song (5:59)
5. Invincible (7:22)
6. Under the Sun (5:06)
7. The Pursuit of Happiness (5:11)
8. Tides (4:28)
9. Intuition Underground (4:39)
10. Breathing Light (9:00)
11. A Planetary Shift (5:40)
12. The Day We Said Goodbye (5:18)
Album Length: 1:03:26
Album Credits:
All songs written by Farhad Hossain
All songs performed by Shumaun
Produced by Farhad Hossain
Mixed and Mastered by Brett Caldas-Lima at Tower Studio
Album Art by Farhad Hossain
Album Band Line Up:
Farhad Hossain – Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Jose Mora – Bass
Tyler Kim – Guitars
Drums: Thomas Lang (Tracks 2, 5, 9, 10)
Drums: Mark Zonder (Tracks 1, 3)
Drums: Atma Anur (Tracks 4, 7)
Drums: Leo Margarit (Tracks 6, 8)
Drums: Chris DeChiara (Track 11)
Additional keyboards on “Tides” by Bill Whitney
Discography:
2021 – Memories & Intuition
2019 – One Day Closer to Yesterday
2015 – Shumaun
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