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Type: video

0 The Design Abstract Observe A Synthetic Assault w/ Video “Parallel Projection”, Lyric Video Premiere via TheCirclePit, New Sci-Fi Album “Technotheism” Out Now! via Abstrakted Records 

  • February 16, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · The Design Abstract

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – February 16, 2021

For fans Septicflesh, Scar Symmetry, Dimmu Borgir, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Machina

The Design Abstract Observe A Synthetic Assault w/ Video “Parallel Projection”

Lyric Video Premiere via TheCirclePit

New Sci-Fi Album “Technotheism” Out Now! via Abstrakted Records 


L-R: Logan Mayhem (guitar, songwriting, synth programming), and Voiicide (bass, vocals, scoring, additional sampling/programming)
Photo Credit – Tami Martin

Unleashing their melodic death sci-fi escapade “Technotheism” on Jan 29th, Ontario, Canada’s The Design Abstract are sharing with fans their latest lyric video for the track “Parallel Projection” in support of the full-length. The song is choppy electronic arpeggio punches along with the kick drum in perfect time, creating a more synthetic sound than most of the songs before it on the record. It features a very traditional song structure and some of the catchiest guitar parts you will on “Technotheism”.

The band adds:

“Parallel Projection is a very unique track in the context of Technotheism, since it contains almost no orchestral elements whatsoever. This track is the furthest we have ever gone into combining arpeggiated industrial electronic music with fairly straightforward melodic death metal. You could say it’s the most “minimal” track on the album if there even is such a thing with a band like us. The bridge was inspired by Gojira, which is an influence that also sets it apart from the rest of the album. We knew very early on that this song was going to be “single material”. “

Teaming up with TheCirclePit, the video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/x3IsfmpyTO8

The Design Abstract‘s new album “Technotheism” invokes the futuristic sounds of science fiction, as the band takes a step away from the traditional use of orchestral writing, by making it the soundtrack for anything space or cyberpunk related.

Still, in the experimental age for the band, each song is written completely differently and by different members of the band. “Technotheism” is purely a science fiction story told as such in a monumental thirteen track work of symphonic melodic death metal. It tells a cyberpunk story of a group of rebels fighting to regain control of Earth. It ranges from technical guitar work to atmospheric electronic passages, and just about everything in between. The band explains the album:

“We incorporate a blend of metal, orchestra, and industrial music that hasn’t been done in this way. Nobody can top the orchestral metal masterpieces like Death Cult Armageddon by Dimmu Borgir or Codex Omega by Septicflesh, however, we push this genre into the distant future, with the sounds of a cyberpunk dystopia punctuating every release.

This album is the absolute pinnacle of what the band is currently capable of, which speaks volumes to the fact that most of it was written so long ago. Most metal bands who incorporate orchestral writing do so in a pointedly antiquated way: the goal is to sound a bit archaic. The sound of The Design Abstract is rooted in futuristic science fiction. It’s a classically scored orchestra, but it sounds anything but old fashioned.”

The dramatic, grandiose music is presented in an articulate, but extreme wall of sound suitable for fans of science fiction, and melodic death metal and bands such as Fleshgod Apocalypse, Machina, and Dimmu Borgir.

“Technotheism” is available now via Abstrakted Records on the following digital platforms for stream and download.

YouTube
Bandcamp
Spotify
Apple Music

Previous videos:
“The Apotheosis” – YouTube (Music Video)
“The Return” – YouTube (Lyric Video)
“Annihilation” – YouTube (Quarantine Music Video)


Track Listing:
1. Relentless (2:05)
2. Deus Est Machina (6:33)
3. The Apotheosis (1:54)
4. Among the Stars (1:36)
5. The Resistance (4:37)
6. Voidwalkers (3:46)
7. The Omnisphere (1:32)
8. Data Shield Attack (6:18)
9. The Return (3:41)
10. Elucidate (1:11)
11. Parallel Projection (3:46)
12. Annihilation (3:46)
13. A World of One (4:00)
Album Length: 44:50

More info:
Facebook.com/thedesignabstract
Instagram.com/voiicide
EPK

About:

The Design Abstract is a two-piece sci-fi-themed symphonic melo-death band from Ontario, Canada consisting of Logan Mayhem (guitar, songwriting, synth programming), and Voiicide (bass, vocals, scoring, additional sampling/programming). The band formed with a single goal: to create a blend of industrial-influenced symphonic metal that had never been done before. Since the debut album Emanate in 2017, The Design Abstract has sought to shed the antiquated tendencies of orchestral metal bands, instead pushing far into the future conceptually and lyrically. With each subsequent release (Corrupt in 2019 and Esoteric in 2020), the band pushed further into “melodic death metal” territory, brandishing more comprehensive riffs, technical drum writing, and more guttural vocals, but never lost the industrial-electronic edge or the massive and dramatic orchestral passages. The cumulation of this sound is their latest album Technotheism due out Jan 29, 2021.

A grandiose display of musicality, technicality, and narrative, the sophomore full length is a monumental 13-track work of symphonic melodic death metal that tells a cyberpunk story of a group of rebels fighting to regain control of Earth. It ranges from technical guitar work to atmospheric electronic passages, and just about everything in between. One thing you’ll notice about Technotheism is how it’s structured and how it all flows together. The pattern of the types of tracks, the order, and their function was very carefully planned out in a way that few albums are.

– 30 –

“A symphonic technical death metal masterpiece with an amazing concept to keep you engaged from start to finish \m/” – Heavy New York

“Now for some nerd shit. Technotheism is a concept record about the future that at it’s core is a melodic death metal record, but the band dabbles with electronic elements, technicality, and grand orchestrations throughout. Fans of Last Chance To Reason and really any band Mike Semesky (Ordinance, Raunchy, etc) has been a part of will probably dig this.” – Metal Injection

“This is a grandiose affair, full of musicality, technicality, and narrative. Thirteen tracks of symphonic melodic death metal that tells a cyberpunk story of a group of rebels fighting to regain control of Earth. It ranges from technical guitar work to atmospheric electronic passages, and just about everything in between.” – The Prog Space

“The Canadian The Design Abstract continues exactly where the appetizer “Esoteric”, published last year, caused unimagined enthusiasm. As a result, the duo from Ontario cuts even more clearly into the notch of futuristic sci-fi melodic death metal, which lives largely from orchestral and symphonic density, but which also steers very sophisticated and elegant in the right direction… Rarely do you hear such an exciting album that continues to rotate a unique spindle of ideas between melodic and progressive elements. Death metal meets industrial, songs that are staged in a great symphonic and epic breadth. 9.5/10″ ” – Zephyrs Odem

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
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0 MONARCH Gets Heavy And Real With Video “Shred or Die!” Off Upcoming “Future Shock” Out April 2021

  • February 16, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Monarch · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – February 16, 2021

For fans of Slayer, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Pantera

MONARCH Gets Heavy And Real With Video “Shred or Die!” Off Upcoming “Future Shock” Out April 2021

New Album “Future Shock” Out April 16, 2021

L-R – Gabe Mendez (Bass), Adam West (Drums), Matt Smith (Vocals/Guitar), Casey Trask (Guitar)
Photo Credit: Astrid Anaya

San Diego’s thrashers and winners of the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle USA, MONARCH, will be unleashing their sophomore album “Future Shock” this year and have already released the first single/music video “Shred or Die”.

“Shred or Die”
 has been part of the band’s live show for a very long time and has stood out as a favorite and a good example of their aim as a band. This track is relevant to current events with lyrical content relating to civil unrest and power-hungry people ruling over others. The music video has received some pushback as it features heavy footage of the riots going on in America during the COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter protests. On the lighter side also features skateboarding around local San Diego skate spots.

Watch the video for “Shred or Die!” on YouTube – https://youtu.be/DOgceZdx2mU

Stream on Spotify – https://spoti.fi/3jTdlbX

Compared to their first, very DIY album, “Future Shock” was done professionally at Clarity Recordings in El Cajon, California, and is a big step forward for the band both musically and sonically. It explores the entire spectrum of MONARCH’s creativity, with each song varying in sound but maintains a cohesive feeling. The band comments on the album:

“We’re all just super excited to get this album out to everyone because I think everyone right now needs something new to get excited about. At the time of this release, the world is still under quarantine from the COVID-19 virus in parts of the world and we think it will be a welcome escape from having to worry so much right now. We should all be cautious of course, but we can’t make our lives not worth living. This album really inspires us to write even better and we’re still amazed at how it came out. We look forward to hearing its response by fans and getting to play it live and loud again.”

And speaking of live and loud, videos of the band’s Wacken 2019 performance can be seen at the following links:
Khaos Warrior Live at Wacken – https://youtu.be/wXiU078YKM0
Full Wacken Set – https://youtu.be/Gjct4mbhdxM

Providing light speed, thrashy power metal, MONARCH is recommended for fans of Children of Bodom, Pantera, and Judas Priest.

“Future Shock” is coming out on April 16, 2021.

Album pre-order (CD, Vinyl) – https://monarch.band


Track Listing:
1. Blast The Seed (5:16)
2. Khaos Warrior (2:51)
3. Future Shock (5:00)
4. Nuclear Warfare (4:00)
5. Shred or Die! (4:15)
6. Multiverse (3:02)
7. Fatal Vector (6:47)
8. Collision Of Bones (3:45)
9. Swarm Of The Whorenet (6:41)
10. Metal Soul (5:21)
Album Length: 47:04

More Info:
Monarch.band
Facebook.com/monarchthrash
Instagram.com/monarch666
Twitter.com/riseofmonarch
EPK

– 30 –

““Go Forth… Slaughter” is a loud record that is full of twists and turns. Hopefully this release encourages Monarch to do some touring beyond Southern California, because songs like these need more ears.” – SD Metal

“A very colorful cover can also win over many fence-sitting people – and the rawer attention to detail on the production front gives us a clearer picture of what to expect live (a sinister snare snap plus in your face guitar tones duly noted). Go Forth…Slaughter executes in that late 80’s/early 90’s thrash/death platform, where people lost interest in major label veterans straying into commercial waters. Monarch makes it safe for you to trust their music: brutal, aggressive, and all for the love of the genre.” – Dead Rhetoric

“‘a super solid speed metal record.” – Metal Assault (2017 – Review – Go Forth​.​.​. Slaughter)

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
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0 Rockshots Records: The Magical World of AVALAND Continues w/ New Video “Rise From The Ashes”, Metal Opera Album “Theater Of Sorcery” Out April 2, 2021, Album Guests w/ Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Zak Stevens (Savatage/TSO), Zaher Zorgati (Myrath), Emmanuelson (Rising Steel), Stéphan Forté (Adagio), Madie (Nightmare)

  • February 16, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Avaland (Rockshots Records) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – February 16, 2021

For fans of Avantasia, Ayreon, Beast In Black, Nightmare, Sonata Arctica

Rockshots Records: The Magical World of AVALAND Continues w/ New Video “Rise From The Ashes”

Metal Opera Album “Theater Of Sorcery” Out April 2, 2021

Album Guests w/ Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Zak Stevens (Savatage/TSO),
Zaher Zorgati (Myrath), Emmanuelson (Rising Steel),
Stéphan Forté (Adagio), Madie (Nightmare)



Avaland is L-R:
Camille Souffron: Bass, Double-Bass
Christophe Feutrier: Guitars
Adrien G. Gzagg: Composer, Writer, Lead Singer, Keyboards and Orchestrations
Lucas Martinez: Guitars
Léo Mouchonay: Drums

Grenoble, France’s AVALAND will welcome fans to their symphonic and operatic metal world when they release their debut album “Theater of Sorcery” on April 2, 2021, via Rockshots Records.

Today, the band presents their new lyric video for the second single “Rise From The Ashes” featuring guests Zaher Zorgati (Myrath), Madie (Nightmare/Faith In Agony), Zak Stevens (Ex-Savatage/TSO/Archon Angel), Heli Andrea (Mobius/OLANE), Jeff Kanji, Emmanuelson (Rising Steel/Ellipsis), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear/ex-Gamma Ray).

Band founder and mastermind Adrien G. Gzagg comments about the track:

“This is the great finale on the album! And what is a great finale without all the actors of the show? That’s why I decided to make everyone sing on this song, to reunite the whole Avaland Family on a powerful chorus. With the first track, there are the 2 hymns of Avaland. It’s for this kind of emotion I created Avaland, I’m impatient to sing this song on stage! Every character comes back to Avaland and the light shines again. It’s a bit “cliché”, but I like this happy end for this first album. It results perfectly from all the efforts we put in this first Opus and trust me, it was a long and hard road!”

Continue the exploration into the world of AVALAND by listening and watching the video for “Rise From The Ashes” via Rockshots Records’ YouTube channel – https://youtu.be/Jdi7XqfH7OU

Stream on Spotify – http://spoti.fi/2NnUo53

 

Inspired by heroic fantasy, history, mythologies, and esoterism, Adrien G. Gzagg decided to create an epic story album with 8 characters. Entitled “Theater Of Sorcery”, the debut will be a theatrical metal adventure that tells the story of a young sorcerer Adam Wilstorm who could be the salvation of bringing back the light to the kingdom of Avaland and during his journey, he must learn to control his powers linked to the Storm.

For AVALAND, Gzagg reunited with four musician friends Camille Souffron (Bass), Christophe Feutrier (Guitars), Lucas Martinez (Guitars), and Léo Mouchonay (Drums) that he has performed with in the past to help him to record the metal opera’s debut full-length. The record also includes talented guests for vocals and guitars with Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Zak Stevens (Savatage/TSO), Zaher Zorgati (Myrath), Emmanuelson (Rising Steel), Stéphan Forté (Adagio), Madie (Nightmare) among many other great musicians.

Gzagg adds:

“I started my heavy metal life as a great fan of Avantasia and Ayreon. I was impressed by those big teams Tobias Sammet and Arjen Lucassen could create. I quickly knew I would make something like this in my life! It wasn’t easy to find musicians who were crazy enough to follow me in this adventure, and I thank them so much for their trust in this project, especially guitarist Christophe Feutrier (guitars) my partner in crime for Avaland for 5 years now.

I like to also add that Avaland is not a “classic” band, it’s a Metal-Opera and when Covid is over, I plan to take it the stage with many vocalists to perform this theatrical tale of an epic and magical story. To sum it up, Avaland is a modern-age opera to not just fans of metal, but beyond!”

The debut album “Theater of Sorcery” will be released on April 2, 2021.

Digital Album Pre Save: https://backl.ink/143916904

Physical Album Pre Order: http://bit.ly/TheaterOfSorcery_CD

Music video “Theater of Sorcery” ft. Emmanuelson (Rising Steel/Ellipsis) – https://youtu.be/WwfLyfldODI


Track Listing:
1. Theater Of Sorcery – feat. Emmanuelson
2. Gypsum Flower – feat. Scheepers/Emmanuelson/Zorgati
3. Let the Wind Blow – feat. Zorgati/Heli/Kanji
4. Storyteller – feat. Zak Stevens
5. Escape To Paradise – feat. Zorgati/Kanji
6. Holy Kingdom Of Fools – feat. Jeff Kanji
7. Never Let Me Walk Alone – feat. Madie
8. Deja-Vu – feat. Emmanuelson
9. I’ll Be Ready For Your Love – feat. Heli Andrea
10. War Of Minds – feat. Zorgati/Madie
11. Rise From The Ashes – feat. Zorgati/Madie/Stevens/Heli/Kanji/Emmanuelson/Scheepers

AVALAND is :
Adrien G. Gzagg: Composer, Writer, Lead Singer, Keyboards and Orchestrations
Christophe Feutrier: Guitars
Lucas Martinez: Guitars
Camille Souffron: Bass, Double-Bass
Léo Mouchonay: Drums

Guests / Characters:
Adrien G. Gzagg is Adam Wilstorm
Zaher Zorgati (Myrath) is Adam’s Inner Voice
Jeff Kanji is Jacob Reiser, Adam’s Best Friend
Heli Andrea (Mobius/OLANE) is Solveig Elweiss, Adam’s Beloved
Emmanuelson (Rising Steel/Ellipsis) is The Master Of Sorcery
Zak Stevens (Ex-Savatage/TSO/Archon Angel) is The Storyteller, appearing from the past
Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear/ex-Gamma Ray) is Aloïsius Jestens, King Of Avaland
Madie (Nightmare/Faith In Agony) is The Guardian Angel

Guests Guitars:
Ricky Marx (Ex-Pretty Maids/Now Or Never) on 1. Theater Of Sorcery
Stephan Forté (Adagio) on 2. Gypsum Flower
Ayman Mokdad (Venus Syndrome/Alien Encounters) on 7. Never Let Me Walk Alone
Virgile (ex-Rising Steel/Schräpnel) on 11. Deja-Vu

Choirs and Back Vocals:
Adrien G. Gzagg
Chris Feutrier
Leo Mouchonay
Emmanuelson
Jeff Kanji
Heli Andrea
Yves Campion (Nightmare)
Cara (Eltharia)

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Avaland-themetalopera.com
Facebook.com/avaland.metal.opera
Instagram.com/avaland_metal_opera
Twitter.com/AvalandMetal

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 New issue of Absolute Underground mag is out! w/ Interviews Red Cain, Malice Divine, Maudiir w/ Album Reviews Without Mercy, Fuck The Facts and lots more!

  • February 15, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Fuck The Facts · Malice Divine · Maudiir · Red Cain · Without Mercy
New issue of Absolute Underground Mag is out!
w/ Interviews Red Cain, Malice Divine, Maudiir
w/ Album Reviews Without Mercy, Fuck The Facts
and lots more!
http://absoluteunderground.tv/au-magazine/volume-17/item/475-au-vol-17%E2%80%932-issue-98

0 Canadian Prog Power RED CAIN Shares New Visualizer For “Precipice of Man”, Premiere via Folk N’ Rock, New Album “Kindred: Act II” Out Now!

  • February 15, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Red Cain

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – February 15, 2021

For fans of Kamelot, Symphony X, Amaranthe, Powerwolf

Canadian Prog Power RED CAIN Shares New Visualizer For “Precipice of Man”

Visualizer Premiere via Folk N’ Rock

New Album “Kindred: Act II” Out Now!


L-R – Tyler Corbett – Guitar, Evgeniy Zayarny – Vocals, Taylor Gibson – Drums – Photo Credit Ravenkin Photography

Canada’s progressive power gothic metal band Red Cain unleashed their new album “Kindred: Act II” digitally this past January with the CD physical release due out via Sliptrick Records later date this year.

Today, the band presents their latest visualizer for their track “Precipice of Man”.

Vocalist Evgeniy Zayarny adds:

“A ballad, but also…not? Certainly the most experimental track on this album, “Precipice of Man” was born out of focusing entirely on capturing the story and atmosphere related to the track from note one, and creating a musical landscape supporting those elements. Utilizing falsetto vocals and electronic touches not found in other tracks, “Precipice of Man” still keeps the weight and urgency of the album, but provides a necessary introspective and cautiously uplifting element.

Within the “Kindred” concept, this is a track that “takes stock” of the world of the album at the time, featuring three parts from the POV of three characters: the opening stanzas from Zalcoatl’s companion Juliet urging him to push on (“take my hand and step out onto the precipice of Man”), the Nameless Exarch’s ominous Latin chants in the middle of the track as he commands his hordes, and Zalcoatl’s meditation on the role of humanity (“all their songs, they weren’t meant for us…but we are all that’s here”). The track hits a crescendo with an uplifting, determined chorus from all our protagonists together – “There is life in the ashes, there is smoke upon the shore – and your weary hands hold the fate of more than you can know” – showing that there is still hope on the journey to the Sun.”

The video can be seen and heard via its premiere on Folk N’ Rock HERE.

Described as a vehicle of “Melancholy and Rage” and born out of the emerging music scene of Calgary, AB, 2017 YYC Awards Metal Recording of the Year winner Red Cain is a power/progressive metal project with Russian roots. With intricate songwriting, a heavy yet melodic feel reminiscent of progressive acts, and elements of Slavic myth and Russian paganism in the storytelling tradition of the cult of Veles, Red Cain champion a fluid, dynamic, and unique musical style centered around telling dark, conceptual Faustian sagas and constructing those into an unforgettable live experience.

Their new sophomore full-length continues and ends the band’s storytelling of their Kindred saga, which began with their 2019’s “Kindred: Act: 1”. Offering a mix of melodies and metallic styles in power, progressive and goth metal, Red Cain continues to deliver epic adventurous songs with tracks like Sunshine (Blood Sun Empire)”, “Demons”, “Kindred” and “Varyag and The Shrike”.

Vocalist Evgeniy Zayarny comments:

“Step forward in the ranks of the Varyag Mstislav, hear the chilling call of the Nameless Exarch, and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Aztec warrior Zalcoatl in the depths of an ancient Ziggurat. Experimental, aggressive, yet melodic and recognizably Red Cain, the second act in the “Kindred” saga sets the bar even higher in the hybrid prog/power style we have made our own.

Inspired by the age-old Slavic rites honouring the Sun and continuing the storytelling tradition of Veles, this album is an amalgam of myths, genres, and emotions – and we could not be more proud to be able to share it with you.

All stories must come to an end – but this is one where the action and intensity is at its peak. This is a story where the stakes are lethal, where the music is loud and the melodies cut deep – where the frozen North wind chills the land and an eldritch specter hangs over the horizon. Above all, this is a story of humanity reaching out toward the Sun, come what may. This is our story of “Kindred” – and we are absolutely fired up to bring you with us on this mad ride.”

Recommended for fans of Kamelot, Symphony X, and Amaranthe, Red Cain‘s new album “Kindred Act: II” is available on the following digital platforms:
Bandcamp (includes seven custom pieces of digital art designed by the band)
Spotify

Lyric Video – “Sunshine (Blood Sun Empire)” – YouTube


Track Listing:
1. Kindred (5:06)
2. Demons (4:40)
3. Precipice of Man (5:18)
4. Baltic Fleet (4:53)
5. Varyag and The Shrike (5:54)
6. Sons of Veles (5:01)
7. Sunshine (Blood Sun Empire) (5:49)
Album Length: 36:45

For more info:
Facebook.com/redcainofficial
Twitter.com/RedCainArmy
Instagram.com/RedCainArmy
EPK

– 30 –

“From the proggy goodness of album opener “Kindred”, to the blast beats of “Baltic Fleet”, to the epic closer “Sunshine (Blood Sun Empire), there is something here for every fan of progressive power metal.  With this being Act II in Red Cain’s Kindred body of work, I really feel as though I entered a movie theater right in the middle of an epic saga. Each song is a journey in and of itself, but each also contributes to the overall fantastic voyage.  I will absolutely be purchasing Act I of this amazing tale and listen from start to finish, the way it was intended. Do yourself a favor and do the same!” – Metal Rules

“If you like your music melodic, mysterious, and gothic, with a progressive power metal base, then this is for you. This has been a joy to review and yet another band to add to my favoured list. ” – The Prog Space

“Zayarny is a powerhouse vocalist and the contortions he forces into Red Cain make for a very diverse record.. the talent behind the record is undeniable, and at the very least, Kindred proved far more creative and thought-provoking than most death metal records I’ve recently tackled. You should give it a shot — even if you’re not a big weenie..” – Angry Metal Guy

“Overall, ‘Kindred: Act II’ is an interesting mix of styles that combine together in technical wizardry to set the backdrop for the continued tales of the warrior Zalcoatl. There’s some unexpected musical influences that bubble to the surface, particularly the liberal use of electronic elements provides a futuristic, yet gothic, element to the tales. Vocally, there’s some clear inspiration from Kamelot going on here. They’re predominantly clean, but with a wide range between high pitched and deep passages. The guitar work is pretty varied as well and at times even hits a distinctly djent groove that seems to appear out of nowhere!… Fans of Kamelot and Mastodon alike will find some common ground with ‘Kindred: Act II’ (and Act I for that matter).” – Uber Rock

“These seasoned metal performers brought me to school with a clear cut album, delivered beautifully across seven tracks. The epic highs and lows of the album leave me wanting more… My hat is off to RED CAIN!” – Metal Temple

“With a flurry of progressive guitars, grandiose vocals and intriguingly wild effects, Red Cain burn brightly from the very start with the opening track, Kindred.” – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life

“Songs alternate between melodic and more progressive portions in fine fashion. There is also a heroic aspect to the band that assures that they have some variety and also ties them to power metal. The entire affair is uplifting and does a good job getting the listener entranced in the music… a fun album and a very nice way to start the year off. It will also appeal to fans of bands from a number of different sub-genres.” – Heavy Music Headquarters

“the crew here found yet another gem from Red Cain, one filled with cosmic terrors this time. Kindred: Act II provides us with an additional slice of that delicious metal geekery that this band is capable of. A record that makes complexity sound easy, even casual. And that’s a feat not many bands master these days anymore.” – Rock Music Raider

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Rockshots Records: Prog Power Greece’s Illusory Share First Single “Besetting Sins” Off Upcoming Album “Crimson Wreath” Out May 2021

  • February 12, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Illusory (Rockshots Records) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – February 12, 2021

For fans of Iron Maiden, Queensryche, Savatage, Jag Panzer

Rockshots Records: Prog Power Greece’s Illusory Share First Single “Besetting Sins” Off Upcoming Album “Crimson Wreath” Out May 2021

Set to release their third full length“Crimson Wreath” this coming May 2021 via Rockshots Records, Greece’s prog power Illusory are sharing the record’s first single “Besetting Sins”.

“This is the opening track of the album and also our first single off the “Crimson Wreath” album. A very heavy song with fast guitar gallops, an Eastern flavor, a melodic chorus, and a progressive twin guitar melody in the middle of the song. It speaks about religion and especially about Seven Deadly Sins.” adds the band.

“Besetting Sins” can be heard at the following links:
Lyric Video – https://youtu.be/9L179x_ygPE
Spotify – http://spoti.fi/3tSk2Qj

Having opened for such legendary acts Blue Oyster Cult, Warrel Dane, Geoff Tate, and Gus G, Illusory‘s new album “Crimson Wreath” is the next step in their widely praised evolution to follow 2016’s Polysllabic (7hard/7us) and 2013’s “The Ivory Tower” (The Leaders Records).

Melodic, riffy, cerebral, and complex “Crimson Wreath” is a very emotional and melodic release, yet heavy and strong at the same time. Both new fans and ones who have been listening to the band for years will indulge themselves in this latest offering of classic, progressive, epic, and thrashy performances. Lyrical themes found on “Crimson Wreath” are mostly anti-war, but the full length also includes a thematic unit consisting of three songs that deal with human loss.

For fans of Iron Maiden, Queensryche, Savatage, Jag Panzer, Illusory’s “Crimson Wreath” is available for pre-order at the following link: http://bit.ly/CrimsonWreathCD

Album Trailer – https://youtu.be/knYlJKpqXgI


Track Listing:
1. Besetting Sins (5:01)
2. Acedia (2:11)
3. Crimson Wreath (6:35)
4. Immortal No (4:25)
5. All Shall Fade (1:51)
6. All Blood Red (5:48)
7. The Voice Inside Me (1:28)
8. S.T. Forsaken (8:08)
9. Ashes To Dust (5:51)
10. A Poem I Couldn’t Rhyme (4:22)
An Opus Of Loss And Sorrow:
11. Pedestal I: Past Forever Last  (6:07)
12. Pedestal II: The Isle Of Shadows (9:08)
13. Pedestal III: Agony’s Last (6:53)
14. Fortress Of Sadness (10:04)
Album Length: 1:18:00

ILLUSORY is:
Dee Theodorou – Vocals
George Papantonis – Guitars
Greg Bakos – Guitars
Niki Danos – Bass
Makis Vandoros – Keyboards
Costas Koulis – Drums

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Illusoryband.com
Facebook.com/illusoryband
Instagram/illusory_band
Twitter.com/illusoryband

– 30 –

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Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
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0 Canada’s Maudiir Summon A Blackened Thrash Slaughter With “Spirit of Sulfur” Off “La Part du Diable” Out Feb 19th, Single Premiere via Decibel Magazine

  • February 11, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Maudiir · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – February 11, 2021

For fans of Skeletonwitch, Darkthrone, Voivod, Ihsahn, Carcass

Canada’s Maudiir Summon A Blackened Thrash Slaughter With “Spirit of Sulfur” Off “La Part du Diable”

Single Premiere via Decibel Magazine

New EP “La Part du Diable” Out February 19, 2021

Montreal’s Maudiir has a new single out, “Spirit of Sulfur” being premiered on Decibel Magazine HERE.

The second single is from the upcoming EP “La Part du Diable” due out on February 19, 2021.

The fourth of five tracks, “Spirit of Sulfur” is where it starts to get more experimental on the EP. Very bass-driven, the contagious harmonies flirt with thrash and punk, and it then develops into a kind of space rock instrumental section. The abrasive lyrics are about deceitful leaders grinding down their countries.

The biggest benefit to a solo project is being unrestricted in style and creative direction, something that is fully embraced in Maudiir’s work. An aggressive blackened thrash base is complimented with upbeat punk drumming and a heavy focus on the bass parts, resulting in a fresh take on modern metal. This uncommon attention to bass riffs resulted in this single, as Maudiir explains:

“On the first single, ‘The Slumber’ I was switching things around when I got to the bass parts. After that, I thought “why not try to write a whole song on bass?” That experiment yielded the track ‘Spirit of Sulfur’. That was very interesting for me; getting out of my comfort zone trying to figure out guitar parts that would complement the main bass lines.”

Riff-driven with big bass grooves and corrosive vocals, “La Part du Diable” is the second release from the one-man project to follow the debut EP “Le Temps Peste” released in February of last year. The intense, dark music comes with lyrics that draw on societal reflections, religion, and the environment.

Maudiir is recommended for metalheads looking for something new, especially fans of Carcass, Darkthrone, and Skeletonwitch.

The entire EP “La Part du Diable” releases on February 19, 2021 on all digital platforms.

First single “The Slumber” – YouTube, Spotify


Track Listing:
1. Fracture (4:50)
2. The Slumber (4:57)
3. The Fortunate Few (4:54)
4. Spirit of Sulfur (4:34)
5. The Crowning Hour (5:07)
EP Length: 24:24

More Info:
Facebook
Bandcamp
EPK

About:
Maudiir, coming from the underbelly of Montreal, Quebec, Canada is an outlet for observations on obedience and industrialization riddled with man-made waste. With 80s heavy metal influences alongside black metal and punk, Maudiir is unique in sound; hauntingly dark while being corrosive and galloping.

Maudiir is a one-man black/thrash metal project that formed to be musically independent. Starting with guitar, F. works his way through each sullen track, adding drums, recording all the colorations and textures of the guitars, adding bass, and finally writing the words, very often at the same time they are being recorded.

The pessimistic aura of the music combines with lyrics about consumer society, religion, science going awry, addiction to technology, and environmental decay.

Maudiir released their debut EP “Le Temps Peste” during February 2020 and now returns exactly a year later with the follow up “ La Part du Diable”
due out February 19, 2021.

Creating an intensely dark sound, “La Part du Diable” was inspired by reactions from people to the health crisis created by Covid, the political climate in the US, and conspiracy theories. It’s a riff-driven  EP with big bass grooves and corrosive vocals, mixing thrash metal and black metal with progressive elements, giving it a unique sound and feel.

“I would say that with “La Part du Diable”, I’m going into a slightly more progressive and thrash sound than on the first EP. I also added distortion to the bass guitar this time around, which I think adds a Voïvod feel to the songs.”

F. (ex-Deeply Confused, Tears for the Dead Gods) is also currently leading prog/thrash metal outfit Trinity Blast.

Maudiir is F.

– 30-

“As “The Slumber” begins, a jittery, dissonant bass riff, underlaid by droning guitar and soon joined by F.‘s rabid snarl, creates an immediate feeling of incipient and dangerous derangement as it quivers above a neck-popping back-beat and a febrile bass line. But the flashing thrash riffs that come into play give the song a different and more glorious and heart-palpitating dimension. And the multi-faceted nature of the song becomes even more evident when the drums start spitting bullets and the riffing creates a manifestation of savage, blazing chaos, driven to further heights of spectacle by an incandescent guitar solo. F.‘s vocals rise to greater heights of throat-splitting madness as the feeling of perilous tension returns, but that turns out to be a prelude to another eye-popping solo and another dose of thrashing ebullience at the finale.” – No Clean Singing

“Crunchy, razor-sharp guitars, thundering drums and good vocal work all delivered with heaviness. If you’re tired of all those black/thrash bands that sound too much like each other, this is a little different. Just solid blackened thrash with a strong footing in traditional heavy metal that calls for repeat plays.” – 3.75/5 – The Metal Crypt

“I’d say that the one-man band exists in the progressive black/thrash zone, overall landing in a spot where extreme metal begins. This comes across as relatively accessible and modern, despite the pummeling drum sound, bracing guitar and bile vocals, not an easy thing to achieve. They are in the same family tree as their provincial compatriots Voivod, but on the slightly less odd side of the family. Professional in every respect, the production and playing are top notch, and the song writing is obviously advanced as well, rendering me very surprised that this hasn’t been picked up by a label yet.” – The Mighty Decibel

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Streaming Now! IMMORTAL GUARDIAN Premiere “Psychosomatic” Album Stream via ThePit

  • February 11, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Immortal Guardian (M-Theory Audio) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – February 11, 2021



For fans of  Iron Maiden, Helloween, Symphony X, Kamelot, Marty Friedman, Dragonforce

Streaming Now! IMMORTAL GUARDIAN Premiere “Psychosomatic” Album Stream via ThePit

Progressive/Power Metal Quartet Immortal Guardian’s Concept Album “Psychosomatic” Out February 12, 2021
via M-Theory Audio



IMMORTAL GUARDIAN is (L-R):
Gabriel Guardian (Guitars/Keyboards)
Carlos Zema (Vocals)
Joshua Lopez (Bass)
Justin Piedimonte (Drums)

Set to release their sophomore album “Psychosomatic” on Friday, February 12th via M-Theory Audio, IMMORTAL GUARDIAN have teamed up with ThePit for the record’s full stream before it officially drops.

The album can be heard at the following link HERE.

After winning over new audiences with their acclaimed 2018 debut full-length “Age of Revolution” and touring relentlessly alongside fellow shredders such as Marty Friedman, Powerglove, and Exmortus, IMMORTAL GUARDIAN gathered in Las Vegas last year to begin recording their second album. As the spread of COVID-19 and the subsequent pandemic began to ensue, each member of the band retreated to their respective hometowns. With shutdowns around the world being enforced, the band completely scrapped the record that they had been working on and were heavily inspired to write and create a new thematic record about their emotions surrounding current events.

“Psychosomatic” is a product of the extraordinary events of 2020. The result is a truly multi-national record, with guitarist/keyboardist Gabriel Guardian remaining in Las Vegas, vocalist Carlos Zema recording his vocals from his home in Brazil, new drummer Justin Piedimonte joining the band from his hometown in Montreal, Canada, and new bassist Joshua Lopez remaining in IMMORTAL GUARDIAN‘s native Texas.

The group, founded by Gabriel Guardian, whose uncanny ability to play guitar and keyboard simultaneously has been showcased on MTV’s “Amazingness” along with his unique dual-instrument covers of classics by the likes of Iron Maiden, Pantera, and Guns N’ Roses have garnered hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube and have been built upon the band’s following through multiple self-released EPs before signing with M-Theory Audio for the 2018 release of their first full-length record, “Age of Revolution”. The band has also performed live alongside some of the biggest names in metal, including Judas Priest, Dragonforce, Kamelot, Symphony X, Sonata Arctica, Slayer, Metal Church, Soilwork and Steve Vai, and in countries such as Brazil and Russia, and during high-profile performances at ESPN’s X Games, South By Southwest and the Fun Fun Fun Fest.

“Psychosomatic” is the next step in IMMORTAL GUARDIAN’s evolution while still capturing the band’s exhilarating trademark melding of melodic power metal with progressive/shred tendencies.

Digital pre-save, CD and limited-edition purple vinyl pre-orders for “Psychosomatic”, which will be released by M-Theory Audio on February 12, 2021 are available now at http://smarturl.com/immortalguardian.

Videos:
“Read Between The Lines” – YouTube (Lyric Video)
“Lockdown” – YouTube (Music Video)
“Clocks” – YouTube (Music Video)


Track Listing:
1. Psychosomatic (5:33)
2. Read Between The Lines (6:01)
3. Lockdown (4:12)
4. Phobia (6:13)
5. Clocks (5:12)
6. Self-Isolation (0:39)
7. Goodbye To Farewells (5:50)
8. Candlelight (5:24)
9. Find A Reason (7:00)
10. New Day Rising (5:56)
Album Length: 52:06

Album cover art by Nathalia Suellen (Secret Sphere, Almah, Dark Moor).

For more info:
M-theoryaudio.com
ImmortalGuardian.net
Facebook.com/igmetal
Instagram.com/immortal_guardian
Twitter.com/igmetal
EPK

– 30 –

“A mega-catchy prog-power anthem (Read Between The Lines) mixed with a blend of crushing performances that’ll leave you salivating for more.” – Metal Injection

“Psychosomatic, an album that will likely be viewed as one of 2021’s best releases, and a landmark record for Immortal Guardian. ” – Metal Nation

““Psychosomatic” is a super catchy (Prog) Power Metal album” – Metalheads Forever Magazine

“With this album (Psychosomatic) Immortal Guardian should no longer be seen as a promising band. Not only have they shown that they have an enormous compositional quality and an elite technical level, they have also shown that they are a band that faces difficulties and that they have all the will to continue. Making a high-quality second album two years after their dazzling debut tells us about the enormous inner power these musicians have.” – Metal Rules

“Psychosomatic is the impressive new full-length album from North American power metal act Immortal Guardian. Every song is listenable on its own, and over the course of the entire album there’s a good track-to-track ebb and flow. I strongly recommend ‘Psychosomatic’ and would like to rate it highly overall… super talented musicians who have put out a fantastic second album in Psychosomatic – the music here is consistently first rate and that will never change.” – The Great Metal Debate

“Holy fucking shit, man. Talk about epic… Immortal Guardian make some seriously epic symphonic power metal that throws in elements from all over the metal spectrum. We have power metal highs and death metal screams on top of keyboards and even some djenty staccato riffs here and there. It’s a different take on epic metal and it’s definitely something that will interest you… I’m not sure I’ve heard anything quite this varied before but I’ve gotta say I dig it.” – Metal Sucks

““…vocalist Carlos Zema (ex-Outworld) has an amazing range and more passion for delivering heavy words than 98% of active power vocalists out there.” – Your Last Rites

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Thank You MDs and DJs for the airplay love! #10 Red Cain !earshot – The National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, February 9, 2021

  • February 10, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Red Cain

Thank You MDs and DJs for the airplay love! #10 Red Cain !earshot – The National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, February 9, 2021

https://earshot-online.com/charts/index.cfm?intChartTypeID=106&dWeekOfID=2021-02-09

0 Cell Press Shares Guitar Playthrough For Noise Jam “My Son Will No The Truth”, EP Out Now! Limited Edition Cassette from Ancient Temple Recordings and No Funeral Records

  • February 10, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Cell Press · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – February 10, 2021



For fans of KEN mode, Unsane, Mastodon, Keelhaul

Cell Press Shares Guitar Playthrough For Noise Jam “My Son Will No The Truth”

EP Out Now! Limited Edition Cassette from Ancient Temple Recordings and No Funeral Records

Lineup (L to R): Sean Arsenian (Guitar, Vox), Joey Cormier (Bass), Mark McGee (Drums), PQ (Vox)

A concoction of noise, sludge, grindcore, and extreme metal, along with anything and everything the band feels like creating, Montreal’s Cell Press (a convergence of talent from well-seasoned musicians (The Great Sabatini, Biipiigwan, I Hate Sally, Architect)) unleashed their self-titled debut EP this past November along with limited editions cassettes released by No Funeral Records and Ancient Temple Recordings.

“This EP sorta sums up what we’re about at this particular moment. Genre people might not be satisfied with our lack of adherence to any one sound for too long, but we didn’t make these songs for those sorts of people. This ep is designed as a broad introduction to the band, and new listeners will hopefully anticipate what else is coming down the pipe in the future. It upholds the high standards Cell Press sets for themselves and each song is quite different from the others.” says the band.

Today, Cell Press’ guitarist Sean Arsenian shares his playthrough for the band’s noise track “My Son Will No The Truth”.

Arsenian adds:
“This track is the long noise jam on the debut Cell Press EP. PQ caught the guitar tracking on video so I synced it up with the final master.

At Sean Pearson’s suggestion, we built this piece by only allowing the performer to hear the prior track. In this case, I was improvising guitar noise with only the drums in the cans. Mcgee had laid down the drums only having heard a strange loop that Pearson made. we continued down that line till we’d painted some sort of insane sonic landscape. Sean Pearson later mixed it all into what you have here, and it was one of the most fun experiences in the studio with buddies I’ve had in years.

I played this IO guitar made by my friend Nick Brygadyr. He makes very nice guitars. It has a pearly gates in the bridge position because I heard that’s what the guy from Cherubs uses and it sounds great. I split the signal into two amps, with a couple of pedals going into each, but kept it pretty simple. Volume plus vibration equals noise. Thanks for watching! and this is probably a journey best taken with headphones.”

Watch and listen to the playthrough on YouTube – https://youtu.be/OxLoiNyOa90

Super loud and vigorous, Cell Press is recommended for fans of Jesus Lizard, Converge, and Botch.

Digital download here.
Spotify playlist add here.
Limited edition cassette order available from No Funeral Records and Ancient Temple Recordings.

Videos:
Blacked Out In Verdun – YouTube (Music Video)
Desert Breath – YouTube (Music Video)
Piss Police – YouTube (Drum Playthrough)
Dead At OACI  – YouTube (Drum Playthrough)

Track Listing:
1. Piss Police (3:35)
2. Desert Breath (2:52)
3. Blacked Out In Verdun (2:37)
4. Dead At OACI (3:31)
5. My Son Will No The Truth 11:40
EP Length: 24:18

For more info:
Facebook.com/cellpressmtl
Instagram.com/celllpresss
EPK

About:

Cell Press are a Montreal-based band that formed in 2019. They play a sort of burly noise-rock that leans more on the hardcore and metal side of the swamp. They took their name from the 2001 Russian prison documentary “The Mark Of Cain”. The brutal humanity of that film is reflected in the music… on the surface, it’s raw and punishing but there are complexities

and nuances revealed once the surface noise has been embraced. Members have played in a myriad of punk, metal, and hardcore bands such as The Great Sabatini, Biipiigwan, I Hate Sally, The Chariot, Animal Ethics, Architect, Swarm Of Spheres, and Angles. Their self-titled EP is the first offering of tunes. Recorded pre-quarantine in Hamilton at Boxcar Sound Recording

(Sean Pearson), mixed in Oakland at Anti-sleep studios by Scott Evans with the pandemic in full swing… 2 local shows have been logged but any further plans to gig have been halted by Covid-19.

Discography:
2020 – Self Titled – EP

– 30 –

“From the grooves on “Piss Police” to the odd-timed melodic chords of “Blacked Out in Verdun,” everything moves in unexpected ways. All of this is perfectly set to the backdrop of PQ’s uniquely cackled screams… Cell Press is a great sludge metal EP that reminds the listener of the best aspects of this sub-genre. This EP makes the future appear bright for what is to come from this band. 8/10″ – Exclaim!

“You know that feeling, when you spin a new record for the first time and it just fucking destroys you? Well today I am happy to report, Cell Press outta Montreal have truly delivered the goods with their debut self titled EP.  I mean fuck, is it any wonder this band rules, when they can boast members from the likes of The Great Sabatini, Biipiigwan, I Hate Sally, Architect. With their self-titled release, Cell Press give zero fucks about accessibility, instead they focus on delivering punishing aggression with a melting pot of sludge metal, noise rock, and grindcore.” – The Sludgelord

“Warm fuzzy guitar tones bring a touch of the Sabbath to “Piss Police” with broken chords and momentary pauses giving the kind of sound that Raging Speedhorn look for to accompany the rampant venting screams of the vocals that unapologetically roar along during the montage.” – Metal Noise

“Cell Press’s debut self titled EP is definitely an interesting listen. I didn’t expect it to take me on the journey which it did. An aggressive sound runs throughout showing that this band don’t play by the rules, they’re making music the way they want to.” – The Independent Voice

“Noisy and enjoyable, I give this Cell Press effort high marks. I am a Punk fan from the beginning, and I hear those roots here, certainly in the attitude, even if the category is technically off. The disenfranchisement is very appealing. Recommended.” – Flying Fiddle Sticks

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

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