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Posts By Asher
0 Heavy Music HQ – Sludgehammer – Antechamber (Self)
0 Lords of Metal – Sludgehammer – Antechamber
0 Out Now! SLUDGEHAMMER Streaming New Album “Antechamber”

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NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – April 12, 2019
For fans of Revocation, Mastodon, Lamb Of God, Cannibal Corpse, Pantera, Opeth, Decapitated
Out Now! SLUDGEHAMMER Streaming New Album “Antechamber”
L-R: Tyler Williams – Guitars, Josh Stephney – Vocals, Jeff Wilson – Guitars, Dan Ayers – Bass/Vocals, Fernando Villalobos- Drums
Photo Credit: Deborah Lawrence
SLUDGEHAMMER are now ready to pummel the masses with their new album “Antechamber” ready to destroy eardrums as of April 12, 2019. Heavy and groovy, the Toronto quintet delivers the goods with astounding precision and the confidence of a world-class band. Fans around the world, especially those with an ear for Decapitated, Pantera, Lamb Of God, and Cannibal Corpse can dig into this slice of groovy progressive melodic death brutality.
The band comments:
”This has been 3 years in the making. More blood, sweat, tears and passion went into this album than any of our previous releases. It almost killed us, but in the end, all the hard work was worth it. We made something that we enjoy listening to from front to back and now finally we get to share it with the world. In our opinion, that’s what it’s all about. Providing an entertaining and hardcore escape for everyone to experience.”
“Antechamber” is available for download and streaming on the following platforms:
Bandcamp
Spotify
iTunes
Amazon
Music Video – “Climatic Death” https://youtu.be/UnkIBsqGs3c
Metalheads moshing in Ontario and Quebec will be able to experience the SLUDGEHAMMER madness live on the following dates:
April 12 – Toronto, ON – Coalition T.O
April 13 – Hamilton, ON – Club Absinthe
April 19 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar
April 20 – Ottawa, ON – Café Dekcuf
April 27 – Kitchener, ON – Boathouse
May 3 – Brantford, ON – Our Place
May 11 – London, ON – Old East 765

Track Listing:
1. No Control (5:08)
2. Broken Sea (5:09)
3. Climatic Death (5:02)
4. Forsaken Souls (4:41)
5. Balance Of Life (5:00)
6. The Long Road (5:02)
7. Eternal Darkness (4:10)
8. Supernova Silhouette (8:37)
9. Line ‘Em Up (4:11)
Album Length: 47:04
For More Info:
http://www.facebook.com/sludgehammermusic
https://www.instagram.com/sludgehammermusic
https://twitter.com/sludgehammermx
BIO:
Since the release, their first full-length album, The Fallen Sun, Sludgehammer from Toronto, Canada have been riding a wave of great reviews for the record as well as their live show.
Originally formed in 2013 by Jeff Wilson (guitar) and Fernando Villalobos (drums), Sludgehammer’s initial lineup came together with the addition of Daniel Ayers (vocals/bass) and Christopher Szarota (vocals). By the end of the year, they released a demo which gained considerable ground. 2014’s EP Organ Harvester introduced Dan Ayers as a co-vocalist, creating a unique sound that molded Sludgehammer into the heavy and groovy band it is today.
In 2016, the LP The Fallen Sun was released; fast and chunky it was well received by fans and the media. Unfortunately, after the release of that album, the band parted ways with Szarota and Josh Stephney was brought on board to complete the album cycle.
With the lineup finalized, Sludgehammer hit the road and laid waste to every stage they set foot on, showing their fans that they were now stronger than ever. After a few successful tours in support of The Fallen Sun, it was time to start writing the next record which will be the first to feature Stephney on vocals. Sludgehammer is preparing to show their maturity by unleashing a second monstrous album “Antechamber” in 2019.
– 30 –
“Demonstrates all aspects of brutal music” – Heavy New York
“Enjoy almost 50 minutes of top-of-the-line melodic, furious and electrifying Groove Metal, courtesy of five Canadian metallers armed with their amazing sophomore album.” – Antichrist Mag
“Sludgehammer doesn’t fit neatly into the traditional death or groove metal box, as its diverse elements sets it apart from its peers… hooky riffs, catchy choruses and a perfect clean/growled vocal combination… Sludgehammer possesses loads of potential. Highly recommended!” – Bravewords
“This is how gifted SLUDGEHAMMER as a band is, even with only a demo, EP and now LP under their belts. On their own, they’re a devastating DIY metal band. With a contract in-hand, they’re gonna become unstoppable.” – Blabbermouth
““Demons From the Woodwork”. It’s a jolting, high-octane, full-throttled romp that incorporates elements of thrash, death metal, and head-slugging groove — and it’s an infectious beast that Sludgehammer have unchained.” – No Clean Singing
“Sludgehammer have a great way of infusing groove into their sound. Not nearly enough of that in death metal these days” – CJSF – Metal Meltdown
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | asher@ashermediarelations.com
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0 Kerrang! Album Premiere: The Psychedelic Vibes of GONE COSMIC’s “Sideways In Time”

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NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – April 11, 2019
For fans of Earthless, Alabama Shakes, Black Sabbath, Tess Parks, Pink Floyd
Kerrang! Album Premiere: The Psychedelic Vibes of GONE COSMIC’s “Sideways In Time”
New Album ‘Sideways In Time’ Out April 12th via Kozmik Artifactz
Canadian Tour Dates (AB/SK/BC)

L-R: Abbie Thurgood (Vocals), Marcello Castronuovo (Drums), Devin “Darty” Purdy, (Guitar), Brett Whittingham (Bass)
Photo Credit: Mario Montes
Canada’s GONE COSMIC will be releasing their psychedelic fuzz rock debut album “Sideways In Time” on April 12, 2019, through Kozmik Artifactz. Teaming up with Kerrang!, the band is sharing with fans the full length’s full stream before it’s officially out!
The band comments:
“We are absolutely psyched to have our new album ‘Sideways In Time” streaming on Kerrang!. They are one of the most influential and long-running publications dedicated to rock, metal, and all things heavy, and we couldn’t be more honoured to have them share our tunes. We’ve been described as ‘if Mastodon and Pink Floyd had a love child that was raised by Janis Joplin and grew up listening to Black Sabbath’ and Kerrang! feels like the perfect place to share that love child.”
Hear the psychedelic vibes of GONE COSMIC’s “Sideways In Time” at the following link via Kerrang!: https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/exclusive-gone-cosmics-soulful-debut-will-send-your-head-straight-to-the-clouds/
“Sideways In Time” is available for pre-order on Bandcamp here along with it streaming and download on all major online platforms such as Spotify, iTunes, etc as of April 12, 2019.
Championed by a soaring songstress Abbie Thurgood (The Torchettes), whose boldly evocative tones recall Skunk Anansie chanteuse Skin and Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard, and accompanied by an agile and aggressive psych-rock outfit, composed of guitarist Devin “Darty” Purdy (Chron Goblin), bass player Brett Whittingham (Chron Goblin), percussionist Marcello Castronuovo (Witchstone), GONE COSMIC has carved out an expansive domain that stretches from sweltering southern sludge pits to breath-stealing sonic spacewalks.
Fans in Western Canada will have the opportunity to hear their tunes live on the following dates listed below.

Tour Dates:
April 12 – Calgary, AB – The Palomino
April 13 – Edmonton, AB – Bohemia
April 14 – Red Deer, AB – Bo’s Bar & Stage
April 19 – Saskatoon, SK – Amigo’s Cantina
April 20 – Regina, SK – German Club
May 3 – Victoria, BC – Wheelies
May 4 – Vancouver, BC – SBC Restaurant

Track Listing:
1. Dazed (4:49)
2. Deadlock (6:41)
3. Siren (4:48)
4. Faded Release (5:46)
5. Turbulent (4:36)
6. Misfit Wasted (7:10)
7. Bear The Weight (5:53)
8. My Design (6:28)
Album Length: 46:14
Album Band & Live Line Up:
Abbie Thurgood (Vocals)
Marcello Castronuovo (Drums)
Devin “Darty” Purdy, (Guitar)
Brett Whittingham (Bass)
For more info:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gonecosmic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gonecosmicband
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gonecosmic
EPK – https://wp.me/pciNW-d3q
Bio was written by Christine Leonard (Beatroute AB, Canada)
– 30 –
“And then there’s Gone Cosmic with their Sideways In Time album, released through Kozmik Artifactz. Set for an early April release this is some grade A, female-fronted psych rock, it whirls and it winds and it wails like a hard rocking banshee on the prowl! Simply stunning!” – Stoner Hive
“Gone Cosmic give it a real good go though. Doing so with serious aplomb as the superb vocal range of vocalist Abbie Thurgood leads us through a selection of rollicking fuzzed out riff heavy tracks. From other-worldly and expansive walks through unknown landscapes to sludge-infused Southern rock and roll swamp treks, Gone Cosmic take us on a sonic journey.” – Games, Brrrains & A Head-Banging Life
“Sideways in Time will teleport you to a place where the beautiful and the brutal collide- it’s as if Mastodon and Pink Floyd had a love child that was raised by Janis Joplin and grew up listening to Black Sabbath.” – Cody Smith – Frog E Style Productions
“It feels like an evolution of the genre” – Chris Beck – Doom Tomb
“Fresh off of announcing their signing to the Kozmik Artifactz label before the April release of their debut Sideways in Time (so bleeding bloody good, by the way), this Calgary supergroup comprised of members of Chron Goblin, Witchstone and Joplin-esque lung pummeler Abbie Thurgood, formerly of The Torchettes, are a heavy, groovy, psych-storm, headtrip. You’re welcome.” – Mike Bell – YYScene
“ It works in a spectacularly gnarly and boombastic, rifftastic, fantastic Joplin blues-rock way.” Mike Bell – YYScene
“Awakening the ears and seducing souls with an addictive pairing of folk-blues and psych-rock, Calgary’s Gone Cosmic is a band that thrives on the mix of complementary and contrasting traits that each member brings to the party. “ – Christine Leonard – Beatroute
“The electromagnetic energy generated when Thurgood’s soaring vocals and passionate lyrical narratives are added to the compelling riffs and hypnotic pulses of the band’s instrumentation is a stunning and stimulating force to behold. “ – Christine Leonard – Beatroute
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | asher@ashermediarelations.com
Facebook | Tweet @AsherMedia | Instagram @AsherMedia
0 STRIKER Announces North American Tour Dates w/ Holy Grail, Bewitcher

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NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – April 11, 2019
For Fans of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Enforcer, Skull Fist, Steelwing
STRIKER Announces North American Tour Dates w/ Holy Grail, Bewitcher
Music Video “Head First”
Sixth Studio Album “Play To Win” Out Now!
Photo Credit: Dana Zuk
Edmonton’s STRIKER will be hitting the road this summer for the ‘Deadly Ripping North American Tour’ with Holy Grail and Bewitcher. The 21 date tour will kick off in Phoenix, AZ on July 12th and wrap up in Los Angeles on August 4th (dates listed below). STRIKER is touring in support of their sixth studio album “Play To Win” released this past October via their independent label Record Breaking Records.
The band comments:
“Hitting the road with our brothers of shred Holy Grail this summer to bring our new album ‘Play to Win’ to fans across North America! This is the summer of the Road Dogs, and we will be doing many more shows across North America and the rest of the world before it’s all said and done. There’s never been a better time to headbang in the front row!”
Champions in blending classic heavy metal, hard rock, and 80’s hair metal, Canadian shredders STRIKER‘s sixth studio album “Play To Win” features 10 fist pounding shredtacular anthems produced by the band plus mixed and mastered by Hendrik Udd (Firewind, Powerwolf, Hammerfall, Delain). The album follows their 2017 self-titled full length that the band supported with tours across Europe and North America with Sonata Arctica, Dark Tranquility, and Warbringer along with festival appearances at 70,000 Tons of Metal, Bang Your Head Festival (Germany) and more to add to their almost 1000 shows performed in their decade-plus career. That fifth studio album also garnered them a nomination from Canada’s JUNO awards, the country’s highest music prize, along with wins at the Edmonton Music Awards and Western Canadian Awards.
Album CD order, stream and download available on www.Striker-Metal.com, iTunes, Amazon and Spotify.Music Video – “Head First” can be viewed here.Lyric video – “Heart of Lies” can be viewed here.

w/ Holy Grail, Striker, Bewitcher
– 30 –
“Play to Win, which might be their most balanced effort yet. It’s their most catchy, too: the likelihood you’ll be singing along with every song before they finish is very, very high.” – Metal Sucks
“expertly combined killer arena rock choruses with well-done, cleaner verses.” – Metal Injection
“Six albums in six years. That is something almost unheard of, even in the modern era of production that considerably lessens the time needed to record and mix albums. Striker always seems to provide a new album right around when I start to wonder, “Hey, I wonder what Striker is up to?”. PLAY TO WIN is the band’s 6th LP and to my ears, one of their best. Rest assured, the band has not altered their sound. This is still classic metal, mixed with modern elements that continues to leave all pretenders in a cloud of choking dust.” – Metal Rules
“You can hear influences ranging from Dokken to Metallica on Play to Win, and it’s all done with masterful songwriting, performances and production. This is a slick, aggressively-mixed record that drips with excitement and replayability… Striker have produced their best record since City of Gold, and all fans of straight-up hard rock and metal need to own this album.” – Heavy Music HQ
“Striker have knocked this one out of the park and into the stratosphere. You’d be hard-pressed to find a catchier slice of fine cheddar this year, and I’d highly recommend it.” – New Noise Mag
—
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | asher@ashermediarelations.com
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0 Heavy Metal Trio AxMinister Premiere Music Video “The Trials of Hercules” via MetalInsider

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NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – April 11, 2019
For fans of Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Manowar, Slayer
Heavy Metal Trio AxMinister Premiere Music Video “The Trials of Hercules” via MetalInsider
EP “The Crucible of Sin” Out Now!

L-R – Tim Smith (Guitars), Nicholas Klaus (Vox/Bass Guitar), Bas von Bismark (Drums)
Metal warriors on a holy quest, Toronto’s AxMinister‘s have unleashed their latest music video to offer to the heavy metal gods “The Trials of Hercules”. The video is third episode in the band’s planned 5 part series to give fans a visual guide to tell the story of their latest EP “The Crucible of Sin”. The trio has previously released videos “Prey” (Eps. 1) and “Salvation” (Eps. 2). All 5 episodes/music videos in the series were produced and directed by drummer Bas Majzoub (aka Bas von Bismark).
Drummer Bas von Bismark explains:
“The third installment in the series, “The Trials of Hercules” is an action packed video, supporting a song that showcases the band’s musical influences: traditional and thrash metal. Following the decimation of his children, our hell-bent on vengeance hero finally confronts his murderous nemesis; at the same time, his abducted wife faces off against her kidnapper. The band pooled our resources, and under my direction, with the help of the production team, we achieved a sexy and fast-paced video. Cinematographer Chris Mierzwinski is a poet with the camera, and he and I have had a working creative relationship for a long time, so as such, we were able to lock-down the bad-ass visual style and deliver you a well executed entertaining product. We’re humbled by the response towards episode ii, and we’re confident episode iii, “The Trials of Hercules”, will do even better.”
Teaming up with MetalInsider.net, AxMinister is premiering their third episode “The Trials of Hercules” at the following link: https://www.metalinsider.net/video/video-premiere-axminister-the-trials-of-hercules
“The Crucible of Sin” is available for digital download and stream on Bandcamp here, iTunes and Spotify.
The band adds:
“Our EP “The Crucible of Sin” sports a sense of humour. It tries to tell a… at times, nihilistic, a story about love, lust, oppression, and redemption. Following every recording and show, we try to reflect on our own mistakes and attempt to improve. We grew to understand our 90s thrash/traditional style of songwriting and compose accordingly. This EP has that ‘90’s warm thrash sound akin to Megadeth’s Youthanasia album. We hope old and new audiences join us on a journey that is at times fictional, visual and imaginative, while other times introspective and contemplative. We like you to dance, head bang, and mosh to it.”

Track Listing:
1. Prey (4:15)
2. Salvation (4:16)
3. The Trials of Hercules (4:06)
4. The Succubus and the Crucible of Sin (5:10)
5. Sanctus Equitis Mortis (5:06)
EP Length: 22:56
For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/AxMinister
https://twitter.com/axministertrio
https://www.instagram.com/axminister_band
EPK – https://wp.me/pciNW-bOO
(Bio written by Steve Earles)
– 30 –
“From the drop of the first note, AxMinister pull their ax from stone, brandishing it mightily and powerfully as they dish out shredding sharpened riff after sharpened riff. Thrown in to the mix are face melting solos as well as ever-present charging drumming as well as very solid very infectious vocals. Each of the five tracks present within this release are woven together well to provide you with a cohesive and well rounded sound that you will have a hard time getting out of your head. With The Crucible Of Sin, AxMinister gift you with five highly addictive and highly entertaining tracks that you keep coming back to.” – Cadaver Garden
“The Crucible of Sin is a great thrash/traditional metal album, showing strong influences from Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Slayer and Metallica to full effect.” – Hellbound
“an exciting piece of Thrash Metal. It has a unique touch to it that allows the EP to be memorable, whilst the guitars make it very enjoyable.” – Noizze UK
“The stair-step cultural guitar to snare combinations for “The Trials of Hercules” brings out the Manowar fan in us all – while the speedy double kick locomotive aspects to closer “Sanctus Equitus Mortis” surely keep the ears pinned for a closer…It’s clear that you have a solid set of musicians and keen songwriting abilities – so if you want something a bit more dramatic and adventurous in your thrash airings, AxMinister could be that difference maker for you.” – Dead Rhetoric
“”The Crucible of Sin” is a lyrically-strong (hard & heavy) power metal recording with strong lead vocals, great guitar solos, a slick rhythm section, and inspired songs that will make you want to wave the banner of true heavy metal for all to see!! This is honest to goodness heavy metal that has been made possible thanks to hard work & dedication of true heavy metal maniacs.” – Heavy Metal Time Machine
—
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | asher@ashermediarelations.com
Facebook | Tweet @AsherMedia | Instagram @AsherMedia
0 Daily Hive Calgary – There’s a massive 3-day music festival in Calgary for 4/20 this month
0 Rockshots Records: SANDNESS Release New Music Video “Tyger Bite” + New Album “Untamed” Out June 2019

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NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – April 11, 2019
For fans of Motley Crue, Whitesnake, Poison, RATT, Cinderella
Rockshots Records: SANDNESS Release New Music Video “Tyger Bite” + New Album “Untamed” Out June 2019
New Album “Untamed” Out June 14th via Rockshots Records

Italian classic 80’s hair metal inspired band SANDNESS have released their new music video “Tyger Bite” in support of their third studio album “Untamed” due out on June 14, 2019 via Rockshots Records. The album features a completely renewed and modern sound of eleven new catchy and sleazy songs to add to the band’s catalog from their two previous releases on Sleazy Rider Records 2016’s “Higher & Higher” and 2013’s “Like An Addiction”.
Vocalist/guitarist Robby Luckets comments:
“‘Untamed’ is a very melodic hard and heavy album. The people who are acquainted with our sound and that are waiting for our comeback won’t be disappointed. At the same time, this album can also be appreciated by people who have never heard our music or specific genre. We tried to keep a sound with more variety and add catchier, more modern songs mixed with heavier and sleazier ones. We also think that this album shows how much we have grown as musicians and as a band, even though we are sure there’s plenty more to learn and to explore.”
And bassist Mark Denkley adds:
“If you compare this album to the previous one, one of the first things you notice is that Untamed is more straightforward, shorter and more lighthearted: the main thing we want is for people to have fun when they listen to it. Most of the lyrics are about partying and enjoying life in general. However, you will still find some songs with a deeper meaning. We have one against bullying, one about finding the strength to fight back when life gives you lemons, and one about keeping the good rock’n’roll spirit alive through the younger generations.”
SANDNESS has also taken their twist on 80’s inspired hard and heavy metal across Europe with multiple tours and festivals in Latvia, France, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Belgium and the Netherlands along with sharing the stage with acts such as Tygers Of Pan Tang, Reckless Love, Hell In The Club, L.A. Guns, Adam Bomb and more.
“Tyger Bite” can be viewed at the following link: https://youtu.be/DcEHhWDyA0w
Album pre-order via Rockshots Records at http://bit.ly/Untamed_CD.

Track Listing:
1. Life’s a Thrill
2. Tyger Bite
3. London
4. Never Givin’ Up
5. Easy
6. Pyro
7. Radio Show
8. Tell Me Tell Me
9. Only The Youth
10. The Deepest Side Of Me
11. Until It’s Over
Album Length: 37:27
Band Line Up:
Mark Denkley – Bass guitar, lead and backing vocals
Metyou ToMeatyou – Drums and backing vocals
Robby Luckets – Guitars, lead and backing vocals
Label Website: http://www.rockshots.eu
Website: http://www.sandnessofficial.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Sandnessband/
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/user/SandnessSleaze
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sandness_official/
– 30 –
“… young and talented Italian band … more than … potential Hard Rock, to my eyes they made an interesting mixture of Heavy Metal with Progressive Rock … musical influences are very diverse as well as their very variable rhythms … a band that has a very versatile sound …” – X Reviews
“If you like the Hard Rock of the 80s, with this record you’re going to have a great time, one of those that you never getting tired of hearing again and again.” – Metal Brothers
“… influenced by Mötley Crüe, Crashdiet, Poison, Michael Monroe, Hanoi Rocks, W.A.S.P., L.A. Guns, Cinderella and many more … their Rock is simply catchy and cool.” – My Global Mind
“‘Higher & Higher’ is a successful work, feeding on Metal and Hard Rock, it will certainly satisfy a large chunk of the sound enthusiasts, now called ‘old school’.” – Metal Eyes Iye Zine
“‘Higher & Higher’ … shows that SANDNESS can play and are widely present in the nowadays Glam- & Street Rock scene …” – Hardsounds
—
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | asher@ashermediarelations.com
Facebook | Tweet @AsherMedia | Instagram @AsherMedia





