Posts By Asher
0 Powerplay Magazine – August 2020 – Reviews – Sons Of Butcher, Osyron, The Naked High, Red Cain, Saints Of Death,
0 Rock Out Stand Out – ALBUM REVIEW: Protokult – Transcending The Ruins “Transcending The Ruins is my first experience of PROTOKULT and I am now a new fan because of this mesmerizing record. With its huge variety of tracks, I am certain this will appeal to a wide variety of metal fans. 9/10”
Rock Out Stand Out – ALBUM REVIEW: Protokult – Transcending The Ruins “Transcending The Ruins is my first experience of PROTOKULT and I am now a new fan because of this mesmerizing record. With its huge variety of tracks, I am certain this will appeal to a wide variety of metal fans. 9/10” https://rockoutstandout.com/2020/09/29/album-review-protokult-transcending-the-ruins/
0 Canadian Progressive Death Skyless Aeons Streaming New Album “Drain The Sun”, Album Stream via MetalInsider

(contact info below)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – October 1, 2020
Interview request at asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
For fans of Opeth, Dark Tranquillity, Death, Garden of Shadows, Dissection
Canadian Progressive Death Skyless Aeons Streaming New Album “Drain The Sun”
Album Stream via MetalInsider
“Drain The Sun” Out via CDN Records

L-R: Stefan Oliva (Bass), Nicholas Luck (Guitars/Vocals), Nathan Ferreira (Lead Vocals), Martin Burchill (Drums)
Photo Credit: Skye Camara
Canada’s Skyless Aeons will be unleashing their new album “Drain The Sun” via CDN Records on October 2nd, 2020. Before the record officially drops, they have teamed with MetalInsider.net for its full stream HERE.
Meticulous and methodical, the writing process for “Drain The Sun” was roughly two years long to follow their debut EP “The Era of Famine” released in 2016. This new album adds more progressive, technical, and yet somehow more deliberate and doomy influences simultaneously, leading to a more progressive death metal sound.
The band comments on “Drain The Sun”:
“We are extremely excited to finally be releasing our first full-length “Drain the Sun”. On our previous EP four years ago, we were more focused on paying tribute to some of our favourite bands and getting every good idea we had onto a recording. With our new album, we wanted to create something that felt like a complete album from front to back. On “Drain the Sun” we have found our true sound, one that adds more from death, doom, and progressive metal to create a more atmospheric experience. Expect the same melodic turbulence and technical flourishes as before, with a darker, more dissonant approach all our own that we hope will bring in a variety of new extreme metal fans.”
Album pre-order on CDN Records here (CD), Bandcamp (Digital)

Track Listing:
1. Ascension Towards Nothing (6:30)
2. A Consciousness Decays (7:09)
3. Go Forth and Multiply (3:19)
4. The Age of Regression (7:32)
5. Dimensional Entrapment (6:31)
6. Path of Desolation (6:15)
7. Drain The Sun (8:05)
Album Length: 45:23
More info:
Facebook.com/SkylessAeons
EPK
About:
Around 2014, guitarist Nicholas Luck and drummer Martin Burchill met as a result of an errant bus ride in London, Canada. At this time, Burchill was looking for a stable project after drumming in various rock/punk/metal bands over the last decade or so, and Luck, only 18 at the time, was looking to start a death metal band.
Vocalist Nathan Ferreira and bassist Steve Oliva followed shortly after and with a scathing collective disdain for the larger structures of society and a commitment to constant evolution in sound and ethos the band recorded and released the “Era of Famine” EP in 2016.
The band has already gained a reputation through local shows as one of the more unique and energetic death metal bands in the scene, opening up for artists such as Ashbringer, The Convalescence, Nesseria, and Killitorous – a wide variety of styles, yet somehow, Skyless Aeons shares musical similarities with all of them.
At a live show, one can expect certain synchronicity and chemistry that can only come from years of experience and practice feeding off of each other’s ideas. Couple that with vocalist Ferreira’s on-stage recklessness mixed with unusually sardonic and self-deprecating stage banter, and it’s no surprise that Skyless Aeons are gaining notoriety and drawing more and more people to their local performances as of late.
2020 brings a new album “Drain the Sun”; it takes a different approach, using much heavier and expansive riffing textures and shows refining and maturation of the band’s identity. It can best be described as “; progressive death metal” with some dissonant, doom-influenced leanings.
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Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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0 Indulge Yourself With Video “Revelation” From Lyonen’s Debut Album “This is Lyonen”
(contact info below)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – October 1, 2020
For fans of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, Stratovarius, Helloween, Avenged Sevenfold
Indulge Yourself With Video “Revelation” From Lyonen’s Debut Album “This is Lyonen”

Tato Rivas – Guitarist and Producer – Photo Credit: Barbara Gomez
Luis “Tato” Rivas is fueled by a passion for music, and willingness to spread his message through his solo-project, Lyonen. This comes forth in his debut album “This is Lyonen” released on August 13th, 2020.
Lyonen will have listeners engulfed into the world he creates with his innate talent and powerful compositions. Lyonen is an artist to keep an eye on and ear out for as he is set to cement himself in the music industry for years to come. Rivas shares his excitement about this album:
“This is the beginning of a dream. This album represents a younger version of me trying to reach dreams that were perturbed by opinions, lack of support from family. The cover art is inspired by that boy looking at the horizon with a clear vision of what he wanted, many emotions, and a huge challenge. This album for me is a way to say “I can” no matter what. In the middle of the pandemic without a job without money I said, I am going to do this, and I did it. I want to prove that anyone can do anything they want.”
The track “Revelation” is about not being engrossed in the lives of others and how you need the courage to do your own thing. The lyric, “the weak men always die” infers that a man with no passion is just an empty soul running on autopilot. Soaring powerful vocals are provided by the UK’s Craig Cairns.
Recommended for fans of Iron Maiden, Helloween, and Stratovarius, this release is just the tip of the iceberg for Lyonen; music is constantly being written and there are plans for a follow up album next year.
The album is out now and available on Apple Music, Spotify, and Lyonen.com/music.
Watch the video for “Revelation” on YouTube.

Track Listing:
1. Revelation (4:39)
2. Lyonen (4:54)
3. No Borders (4:52)
4. Nehme die Sünde (3:23)
5. I Am Not Wild (4:43)
6. Angels of Freedom (5:59)
7. Dancing Free (5:40)
8. Hard To Destroy (4:13)
9. Breaking The Silence (4:29)
10. 2 Hours to Go (3:20)
11. Outro (1:35)
Album Length: 47:54
For more info:
Lyonen.com
Facebook.com/lyonenofficial
Instagram.com/lyonenofficial
YouTube
EPK
About:
Music is energy – Luis Rivas said so. Music composer and Creator of the band “Lyonen,” Luis Rivas – nicknamed Tato Rivas – spent a significant part of his life devoted to music production in the genres of Metal and Rock. When it comes to the genre of metal, music requires a whole new level of involvement. “I started playing in 1995, and I have not stopped since,” Tato said.
Tato Rivas was born in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, spent his childhood listening to popular metal bands, and moved to Maryland, United States in 2016 for professional reasons and now he is getting ready to fulfill his dreams in the music industry and build his name. It has been a lifelong goal of him to find opportunities in music career – therefore, his unstoppable passion is getting closer to that moment.
Luis graduated in Audio Engineering in 2003 with four years of Study of Music, including Classical Guitar. With currently working as a Multimedia Producer, Luis has additional insight into the world of music videos and photography – which landed him the Promax BDA Award doing Promotion Audio Mixing for a TV Station and other awards as Director of a Documentary short film.
In 2017, Luis started his one-person project like a metal band named Lyonen, which produces music in the forms of Heavy Metal, Power Metal, and Rock. His profound influence in metal icons like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Helloween, Joe Satriani, Stratovarius, and much more motivated him to hold his position gracefully as a Guitarist, Music Producer, Composer, and Audio Engineer for his band Lyonen.
So far, Tato has been passionate about Heavy Metal, but he aims to produce music in other genres, such as Pop, Classical, and more. Tato Rivas – under the name of Lyonen – is all set for releasing his much-anticipated Debut Album named “This is Lyonen,” which is scheduled to release on 13th August 2020 on all mainstream music platforms like Spotify, iTunes, Youtube Music, Deezer, and many more.
Discography:
2020 – This is Lyonen
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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0 Nile’s Brian Kingsland Debuts Single For New Project Imperishable, Premiere “Exclusion Continuum” via MetalInjection
(contact info below)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – September 30, 2020
For fans of Emperor, Angelcorpse, The Legion, Morbid Angel, Obituary
Nile’s Brian Kingsland Debuts Single For New Project Imperishable
Premiere “Exclusion Continuum” via MetalInjection
L-R – Alex Rush – Bass, Brian Kingsland: Guitar/Vocals, Tommy Harrison: Drums
Photo Credit: Kevin Nealey
Imperishable is a brand new extreme metal band out of South Carolina. Created by NILE guitarist Brian Kingsland, they are off to a solid start with plans to release the EP “Revelation In Purity”(release date to be determined). Before presenting the final cut, the band is introducing themselves with their debut single, “Exclusion Continuum”. The track is dark, aggressive and catches the overall feel of the forthcoming EP, which summons riffs molded around power rather than flash. No overthinking, just pure unadulterated metal.
Joined by Alex Rush (bass) and Tommy Harrison (drums), the trio is determined to deliver ferocious material while retaining memorable hooks. Grinding, yet, groovy this mindset allows the group to focus on what inspires them; head banging compositions.
When asked what fans can expect from them, Kingsland responds:
“If you enjoy lots of technical wanky guitar, overly polished production; you won’t enjoy this record. This album will be more old school and raw. Topics lean heavily on self-confidence and strength in one’s beliefs. We shred, but only when it fits the composition. This band is all about the riffs and songwriting.”
Recommended for fans of Angelcorpse, Emperor, and Obituary, Imperishable is getting your attention with a swift kick in the teeth!
Watch the music video for the debut single “Exclusion Continuum” via its premiere on MetalInjection HERE.
The single is available for download on Bandcamp, Apple Music and stream on Spotify.
The release of their debut EP will be announced at later date.

For updates and news, follow the band on their Facebook and Instagram.
For more info:
EPK
About:
Imperishable is an extreme metal side project created by Brian Kingsland (Nile/Enthean), who writes the majority of the music, plays guitar and takes up vocal duty, with contributions from bassist Alex Rush (Enthean), and the pummeling drums of Tommy Harrison.
From South Carolina, the band was started as an outlet for Kingsland’s musical ideas that didn’t necessarily fit with his other bands; the predominant influences are the darkness of black metal and the power of death metal; namely, Emperor, Angelcorpse, and Morbid Angel.
The writing process for the band varies between the songs, Kingsland is always writing, tracking ideas with a growing repertoire waiting to be refined. With accommodations for musical personalities and influences, the song takes shape, with Kingsland’s lyrics adding the final touch. Lyrical themes are generally up to listener interpretation, but largely positive, confident and have some real-life application thrown in.
Conceived in late-2019, Imperishable will be releasing a four-track EP “Revelation In Purity” (date to be determined), which is produced and mixed by Kingsland. Mastered by Jamie King. There will likely be more music coming from the band in the future.
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
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0 Brutally Delicious – A Casual Conversation with DeathNoiseFrequency Season 2 Ep. #88
0 Antichrist Metal Mag – Video interview with Ancient Thrones
0 Album Review: Skyless Aeons – Drain The Sun (CDN Records – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life “Progressive death with touches of doom and thrash metal, Skyless Aeons look to take their sound to a more majestic stage. Aiming to make a massive splash with a debut that is as enjoyably heavy as it is thought-provoking. 8/10”
Album Review: Skyless Aeons – Drain The Sun (CDN Records – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life “Progressive death with touches of doom and thrash metal, Skyless Aeons look to take their sound to a more majestic stage. Aiming to make a massive splash with a debut that is as enjoyably heavy as it is thought-provoking. 8/10” https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-skyless-aeons-drain-the-sun-self-released/
0 Without Mercy Guitar Playthrough Showcases The Shred of “The Disaster” Off Upcoming Album “Seismic”, Playthrough Premiere via GuitarWorld
(contact info below)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – September 30, 2020
For fans of Cattle Decapitation, Meshuggah, Whitechapel, Pantera, Decapitated
Without Mercy Guitar Playthrough Showcases The Shred of “The Disaster” Off Upcoming Album “Seismic”
Playthrough Premiere via GuitarWorld
New Album “Seismic” Due Out November 20th
Featuring guests Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy, ex-Nevermore), Chris Broderick (Act of Defiance, ex-Megadeth, ex-Jag Panzer)

L-R – Ryan Loewen (Bass) DJ Temple (Guitars) Alex Friis (Vocals) Matt Helie (Drums)
Photo Credit: Shimon Karmel
Canada’s Without Mercy have their new album “Seismic” coming out in November and recently unleashed the first single “The Disaster” to throttle listeners around the world.
Teaming up with GuitarWorld today, guitarist DJ Temple is showcasing the shred on the track with the premiere of his playthrough that can be viewed HERE.
Temple adds:
“‘The Disaster’ was written to be unrelenting. Showing the best example of yourself under the worst conditions. Read the lyrics, they’ll get you there. I’m using my killer Schecter JL series on this track and running it down with Ernie ball strings and EMG 707’s. Then a single patch cable that runs to my kemper power rack and blasting through my EVH 4×12. Dunlop was my pick of choice on this record as well. Easter egg fans may notice a bracelet on my left hand which nods homage to an organization I’m proud of.”
The lyric video for “The Disaster” can also be viewed on YouTube.
Single download and stream are available on Apple Music, Spotify HERE.
Without Mercy’s forthcoming album “Seismic” is the fifth release from the band who have garnered praise from metal fans around the world for almost two decades. Unrelenting and diverse, this upcoming offering contains the most tracks to date on a single album from them. Regular listeners and uninitiate soon-to-be fans will adore the song structures, the complex rhythms and the overall diversity that makes up the album. The lyrical content will have them reflecting and invested while the relentless attitude of the compositions brings them to a new level of satisfaction. Featured on the album are metal titans Chris Broderick and Jeff Loomis.
Without Mercy formed in 2004 and through trial and tribulation, the band grew in fan base and discography. Producing material and touring bountifully, it resulted in accolades and awards and even features on video games. Over the years, they have grown and matured as musicians and people, each bringing different ideas to the table that they wanted to express.
For fans of Cattle Decapitation, Meshuggah and Whitechapel, expect the whole album on November 20, 2020 via Bloodblast Distribution.
Album Pre-Save HERE. Physical Pre-Order at Withoutmercyband.com.

Track Listing:
1. Thunderbird (ft. Jeff Loomis) (4:53)
2. Abysmal (5:42)
3. Left Alone (4:00)
4. Wiindigo (4:55)
5. Disinfect The Soul (ft. Chris Broderick) (7:18)
6. The Disaster (3:52)
7. Possessed (4:04)
8. I Break The Chain (4:44)
9. Uprooted (4:58)
Album Length: 44:29
For more info:
Withoutmercyband.com
Facebook.com/withoutmercyband
Instagram.com/withoutmercyband
EPK
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“The thrash-stomp modes on “Worthless” ring like a head-on collision between DECAPITATED and BIOHAZARD with a dash of power metal thrown into the solo section. Alex Friis wrings his throat to huge extremes, hopefully leaving tissue intact as he hits agonizing squeals while throwing indictments against former band members — guess on your own who that might entail. DJ Temple’s guitar work on “Worthless” is terrific..” (Mouchido EP 2016) – Blabbermouth
“Vancouver’s Without Mercy is a prime example of how putting in a little bit of elbow grease can result in advantageous outcomes. The quartet play their brand of melodic, groove-laden death metal independently, but refuse to remain held back by a lack in the promotional and money machine backing departments. Over the course of a decade or so, the band has experienced the same highs and lows as most others, but their successes – which include a small handful of recordings, a bigger handful of tours, and appearances in video games – have been felt at a deeper clip because they’ve essentially managed everything themselves.” (Mouchido EP 2016) – Decibel Magazine
“In a word, the music rips. And it also thunders, and punches so fast and hard that it’s like a jackhammer-sized nail gun ramming bolts into concrete at high speed while the operator howls and shrieks for all he’s worth, segmented by a start-stop breakdown that will give your skull a good rattling and lit up by swarming guitar flurries that are as fiery as the torches in the video (Burn).” (Mouchido EP 2016) – No Clean Singing
” the band live up to their name with each song on this 4 track EP going for straight for the throat; merciless aural violence and tight, technical proficiency melded with some serious might!” (Mouchido EP 2016) – Worship Metal
“Mouichido might only be a brief four songs and nineteen minutes long but, by the end of it, the Canadian death metal wrecking machine have left you in no doubt as to what they’re about.” (Mouchido EP 2016) – PureGrainAudio
“Right from the beginning you feel the weight and the immensity of Mouichido and one listen just doesn’t do it justice. This is a re-release of previously recorded material with a new vocalist and even so, Without Mercy comes out swinging again and knocks it clear out of the park.” (Mouchido EP 2016) – Cadaver Garden
“possibly the most savage song to ascend from the depths of the west in a good long while.” – Canadian Beats
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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0 Protokult’s Streaming New Album “Transcending The Ruins”, Premiere via Bravewords

(contact info below)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – September 30, 2020
For fans of Arkona, Korpiklaani, Windir, Nightwish, Turisas, Skyforger
Protokult’s Streaming New Album “Transcending The Ruins”
Premiere via Bravewords
New Album “Transcending The Ruins” Out October 1st, 2020

L-R: Dawid (Bass), Kaveh Afshar (Percussion), Ekaterina (Vocals, Woodwinds), Martin Drozd (Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer), Jack Neila (Rhythm and Lead Guitar)
Protokult have been defining folk/pagan metal since 2009 when they released their debut album “Ancestral Anthems”, since then they have created three additional uncompromising and relentless albums with their fifth “Transcending The Ruins” coming out on October 1, 2020.
Over two years in the making, “Transcending The Ruins” is a rush, meant to be enjoyed either as a whole journey or at any entry point, the band ensures. Approaching this record with a bit more maturity and consistency, the result is heavier, faster, darker.
Inspired and fascinated by various metal genres alongside folk-culture, after a few years of experimenting, Protokult was meant to fuse the two together while paying homage to the past, Bacchanalian festivities, and honouring the underground.
For fans of Arkona, Korpiklaani, and Nightwish, the record pulsates from start to finish yet incorporates the massive dynamics, ambience, and dashes of folk-melodies that the band has become known for.
Before “Transcending The Ruins” officially releases, the band have teamed up Bravewords for the album’s exclusive full stream HERE.
The band comments on the full length’s release:
“‘Transcending The Ruins’ is an album about growing up and tipping our hats to the great metal influences of the generations. Some can say the industry has been shaken hard and is in a state of flux so as artists we try to outdo ourselves on every performance and transcend what the popular or common standards may be. Everyone is playing on the edge of their ability and no matter whether you listen from start to finish or dive in randomly, that energy and sincerity are everywhere. This is Protokult on speed all the while putting on a professional face, which makes it the most consistent and rewarding album to date.”
“Transcending The Ruins” will be out on October 1, 2020. Album pre-order on Bandcamp.
Music Video “Feed Your Demons” – YouTube
Music Video – “Troubled Lad (Slainte Mhaith)” – YouTube

Track Listing:
1. Mark Of Thunder (6:45)
2. Feed Your Demons (6:25)
3. 1516 (Keeper of the Hops) (3:58)
4. Oy Kanada (5:29)
5. Troubled Lad (Slainte Mhaith) (4:30)
6. Na Gryanoi Nedele (1:47)
7. Rusalka (6:17)
8. Valley of Thorns (7:45)
9. Wenches (4:23)
10. Greet The Dawn (6:09)
11. Dead New World (15:23)
Album Length: 1:08:57
Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Protokult
• All songs written by: Martin Drozd, Ekaterina
• Produced by: Protokult, Darren Mcgill
• Mixed by: Darren Mcgill
• Mastered by: Tyler Williams
• Album Artwork by: Marie Cherniy
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
Album Band Line Up:
Martin Drozd – guitar, vocals, keyboards, additional percussion, jawharp
Ekaterina Pyatkova- vocals, recorder,
Kaveh Afshar – drums
Jack Neila – rhythm and lead guitar
Dave Slowiak – bass, gang vocals
Live Band Line Up:
Martin Drozd – guitar and vocals
Dave Slowiak – bass and backup vocals
Ekaterina – vocals, recorder and synth
Jack Neila – guitar
Kaveh Afshar – drums
Guest musicians:
Quinn Strahl – electric violin
Matt Hilden (Vesication) – vocals
Joe Feral- vocals
Jesse Harvey (Ammo) – vocals
Cristina Marcu – operatic vocals
Ewelina Ferenc- folk vocals
Corktown trans-choir:
Jason Adamo, Geoff Hodsman, Andrei Sin, Davey White, Matt Hilden, Oliver Salathiel
Protokult.com
EPKAbout:
As interests in history, paganism and folklore took an increasingly strong hold on folk metallers Protokult, they were inspired to unleash their debut album, “Ancestral Anthems” in 2009. With the first two pressings selling out in months, they vowed to take things to the next level while continuing to deliver a unique mix of Canadian and international influences. In 2011, they released their next offering, the EP “Marzena”, then followed by sophomore album “No Beer In Heaven” that was widely praised for its hooky fun-loving anthems, especially the single “Get Me A Beer!”.
Protokult’s goal? To unite its members’ diverse cultures into one sound, balancing tradition and folklore with heavy, thrash, and black metal for headbangers everywhere.
Over the past few years, the ever-evolving Protokult has graced the stage with the likes of Arkona, Turisas, Alestorm, Gloryhammer, Tengger Cavalry, Cellar Darling (X-Eluveitie) and Razor.
With beauty and the beast-like contrast between Ekaterina’s haunting vocals and the band’s metal rampage, they are ready to unveil their third full-length “Transcending The Ruins”, which is slated for release on October 1st, 2020. The album captures the reformed quintet at an all-time high, showcasing an impressive palette of powerful riffs, glorious onslaughts, and essentially reminds us, why we love heavy metal and it’s darker atmospheric shades.
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“they’ve got a good sense of humor, and they sound top-notch” – Metal Sucks
“boozy blast of heathen prog” – Team Rock
“Le metal a du talent.” – Metal France
“a superb album. Protokult gives folk-metal a new nice dimension. Their progressive folk-metal approach is a very delicious one. Don’t let the ‘beer-titles’ fool you, the band goals are far beyond beer-humpaa. They’re far more serious, despite of the sometimes quite merry tunes. This is one of the best folk-metal albums I’ve heard this year” – Folk-Metal.nl
“Let’s mark the list down, shall we: Awesome Folk music spanning different areas of sound and direction, check! Creative and art work based around an old fashioned beer hall, check! And last, but certainly not least, BEER themed music!!!!.” – Metal Temple
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