\m/ Powerplay Rock and Metal Magazine 277 September/October 2024 \m/
Get your copy at https://powerplaymagazine.co.uk/shop/p/powerplay-277-septemberoctober-2024
World On Alert, The Aphelion, Rockshots Records Gloria Perpetua, 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐊 𝐀.𝐃.
#metal #heavymetal #music #musicmag #musicmagazine #metalmag #metalmagazine
Absolute Underground TV Magazine – October – November 2024 Derelict , The Aphelion, The Wring, Eternal Drak, Turbo https://absoluteunderground.tv/absolute-underground-magazine-issue-120/
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – November 22, 2024
Peruvian Death Metal INTESTINAL LACERATION Unleash Playthrough “Abyss of Atrocities”
Debut Album “Chaotic Eschatological Madness” Out Now via Gore House Productions
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L-R – Nestor Rossell (Guitars), Ricardo Quispe (Bass), Eduardo Vilchez (Vocals)
Photo credits: Eduardo Vilchez
Peru’s brutal death metal contingent INTESTINAL LACERATION has a new guitar and bass playthrough to unleash upon fans. The video is for their track “Abyss of Atrocities” off their latest album “Chaotic Eschatological Madness” released in 2022 from Gore House Productions.
The band adds about the track:
“This song is about a fight for the end of the world that ends with one’s autophagy reflecting itself in the narrative as a mirror, but it is oneself.”
Watch the visceral brutality via its premiere on Technical Music Review HERE.
Formed in 2009, Intestinal Laceration is for the twisted minds obsessed by the extreme, ancestral eschatology, existential cosmology, anti-Christianity, cannibalism, genetic mutation, and pathological malformations.
Conceived in the underworld of Lima, Peru, Intestinal Laceration began rehearsals where compositions of fast and rotten riffs, extreme blast beats, and overwhelmingly chaotic guttural vocals converged. Grinding the local scene over the next five years, the band unshackled their debut EP “Species of Ptrid Minds” in 2015 on Coyote Records (RU).
Their follow-up and first full-length “Chaotic Eschatological Madness” is chaotic, forceful, heavy, and gutturally raw for a brutal and pleasurable listening experience. An evolution from their EP, the album is high energy and nods to true old-school death metal with its elaborate and complex riffs.
The lyrical theme of “Chaotic Eschatological Madness” deals with the cosmological existential anguish as an answer to the absurdities of the world, searching for the true essence of nature in the phenomenological subjective experiences and cosmological knowledge, manifested in the cult of ancestral eschatologies as a symbolic cognitive cultural legacy that is shown in its original way of conceiving the universe (cosmological prefiguration). The album also talks about catastrophic natural phenomena, the regeneration of time, and the extinction of the human race as a misanthropic seed because of its self-destructive nature.
Recommended for fans of Guttural Secrete, Deeds of Flesh, Arsebreed, Gorgasm, and Defeated Sanity.
“Chaotic Eschatological Madness” was released on May 20, 2022, on Gore House Productions and is available on CD, Cassette, and Digitally at https://orcd.co/chaotic-eschatological-madness
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Track Listing:
1. Eternal Cosmic Darkness (3: 42)
2. Embryonic Mutation of Baalcetrorus (2: 36)
3. Time Regeneration (3: 01)
4. Oniric Experience (4: 01)
5. Return To Saturn (4: 01)
6. Eruption (3: 22)
7. Abyss of Atrocities (3: 18)
8. Sacrificial Retribution (3: 43)
9. Relic of Chaos (5: 57)
More info: Gorehouseproductions.com | Instagram.com/intestinal_laceration | Facebook.com/intestinallaceration
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NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – November 22, 2024
VALLORCH Announce New Single / Video “Circle Of The Moon” Off New Album “The Circle” Out March 2025
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Vallorch is back with their latest single and video, “Circle Of The Moon”, set to release today November 22, 2024. This liberating anthem invites listeners to reconnect with nature and embrace the joy of living. Inspired by Cimbrian myths, the song captures the essence of the ancient dances to the Moon God Maano, celebrating freedom and authenticity.
The track offers a glimpse into Vallorch’s upcoming album, “The Circle” (2025), set to release in March 2025, which explores the theme of the night in all its facets—from reflection and tranquility to celebration and connection. The album combines Vallorch’s signature folk metal sound with symphonic and power metal influences, blending vibrant melodies, heavy riffs, and a touch of melancholy.
“The Circle” marks a significant step forward in Vallorch’s musical journey. Their debut album, “Neverfade” (2013), introduced their distinctive folk metal style characterized by lively melodies and a straightforward rhythmic approach. With “Until Our Tale Is Told” (2017), the band expanded their horizons incorporating more intricate song structures and exploring new rhythmic patterns. Now, with “The Circle”, Vallorch has distilled the essence of their sound, crafting an album that is both polished and emotionally resonant. It balances the simplicity and catchiness of “Neverfade” with the ambitious arrangements of “Until Our Tale Is Told” creating a cohesive and mature work that showcases the band’s evolution.
The band’s current sound can be described as flowing, ecstatic, vibrant, grandiose, and gleaming. Influenced by Nightwish, Eluveitie, Alestorm, Epica, and Wind Rose, Vallorch seamlessly blends the energy of folk metal with the grandeur of symphonic and power metal. Their music stands out for its dynamic interplay of epic choruses, intricate melodies, and anthemic atmospheres.
Don’t miss “Circle Of The Moon” and its video—a powerful preview of the epic journey awaiting listeners in “The Circle”. This single is not just a song; it’s an invitation to celebrate life, embrace authenticity, and join Vallorch in their most accomplished chapter yet.
LISTEN: https://lnk.to/lURizi
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/IlyLrROKUQU
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ABOUT:
VALLORCH was born in December 2010, when Marco Munari (NewSun), Matteo Patuelli (Alzhagoth), and Massimo Benetazzo came up with the idea right after attending a concert together. Inspired by the energy and spirit of the event, they decided to form their own band, and the name VALLORCH—taken from a small Cimbrian village on the Cansiglio plateau—was quickly chosen as a tribute to their cultural roots.
For the first year, VALLORCH experimented with different sounds and musicians, searching for the right lineup. By January 2012, the group solidified with the addition of vocalist/flutist Sara, vocalist/bassist Leonardo Dalla Via, multi-instrumentalist Andrea ‘Demetrio’ Rampin (playing tin whistle, bagpipes, accordion), and violinist Francesco Salviato. This seven-member ensemble debuted live in March 2012, promoting their newly released EP Stories of North. Their captivating blend of folk metal quickly gained traction, earning them recognition in the Italian scene and leading to performances at events like Fosch Fest, where they opened for major bands.
However, the summer of 2012 brought changes. Violinist Francesco parted ways with the band, and Martina Mezzalira took his place. Around the same time, VALLORCH signed a record deal with Moonlight Records and entered the studio to work on their first full-length album. Released in 2013, Neverfade was met with critical and fan acclaim, blending fast-paced, melodic jigs with guttural and clean vocals, alongside powerful death metal riffs. This success landed them performances at major international festivals like Metaldays.
2014 saw further lineup shifts. Andrea Demetrio Rampin left the band, replaced by Paolo Pesce on accordion, hurdy-gurdy, and keyboards. Meanwhile, vocalist Sara took over tin whistle and bagpipe duties. Founding member Matteo Patuelli also stepped down, making way for guitarist Mattia Buggin to join. Despite these changes, VALLORCH pressed forward, embarking on their first European tour with Artaius. They played in Germany, Czechia, France, Belgium, and Slovakia, culminating in a performance opening for Mägo de Oz at the Metal for Emergency festival.
Later that year, they returned to the studio to record their second full-length album, Until Our Tale Is Told (2015). The album reflected the band’s growing compositional maturity and led to more festival appearances and live shows over the next two years.
In 2016, Riccardo Gianni briefly joined the band as a violinist, performing at several major local festivals. However, by 2019, the band was once again at a crossroads. After a series of lineup changes and creative challenges, founding member Marco Munari decided to leave the group. The remaining members—Massimo, Sara, Leo, Mattia, and Marco—faced a difficult choice: either disband or evolve. They chose to reinvent themselves as a five-piece band.
The global restrictions from 2020 to 2022 made live performances difficult, but the band used this time to focus on writing new material. By 2023, VALLORCH returned to the stage, opening for renowned acts like Alestorm, Wind Rose, and Rhapsody Of Fire.
Now, in 2025, VALLORCH is set to release their highly anticipated new album, “The Circle”, marking a triumphant return. Reborn from the ashes of their former selves, they are ready to take the world by storm once again.
VallorchLine Up:
Sara Tacchetto: vocals, choirs, tin whistle, bagpipe
Leonardo Dalla Via: vocals, harsh vocals, choirs, bass, programming
Marco Povolo: vocals, choirs, keyboards, bouzouki, programming
Massimo Benetazzo: Drums
Mattia Buggin: electric and acoustic guitars
Guests:
Serena Zucco (Adgarios): violin
Glorya Lyr (Eard): Celtic harp in “Antermoia”
More info:
Rockshots.eu
FOLLOW:
https://www.instagram.com/vallorch_official/
https://www.facebook.com/vallorch
Spotify
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NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – November 22, 2024
Out Now! France’s KINGCROWN’s New Album “Nova Atlantis” + New Music Video “Utopia Metropolis”
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The wait is over! Today, November 22nd, 2024, French power metal masters Kingcrown unleash their third studio album, “Nova Atlantis”. To celebrate its release day, the band is sharing their latest music video “Utopia Metropolis”. This track dives into a dystopian world where life, joy, and happiness are commodities for the rich, painting a chilling picture of division and greed.
Watch the video at https://youtu.be/eG23m2RHseM
Produced by Simone Mularoni (DGM), “Nova Atlantis” draws from mythological and historical inspirations, focusing on the lost city of Atlantis to transport listeners to a realm of epic legends and timeless mysteries. Influenced by giants like Iron Maiden, Gamma Ray, Symphony X, and Helloween, Kingcrown blends power metal with hints of death and melodic black metal, creating a rich, resonant experience.
“Nova Atlantis” is available at https://lnk.to/GX9GNQ
Music Video – “Real or Fantasy” – https://youtu.be/dbt9BPiK5Ug
Music Video – “Nova Atlantis” – https://youtu.be/ud6bBacimak
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Tracklist:
1. The Magic Stone
2. Nova Atlantis
3. Real or Fantasy
4. Guardian Angels
5. Letter to Myself
6. Judgement Day
7. A Long Way to Valhalla
8. Souls of Travelers
9. Utopia Metropolis
10. When Stars Are Aligned
11. Endless Journey
Line-up:
Joe Amore: Vocals
Ced Legger: Guitars
Bob Saliba: Guitars
Seb Chabot: Bass Guitars
David Amore: Drums
More info: www.Rockshots.eu | https://linktr.ee/kingcrown_off
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About:
Kingcrown is a French heavy metal band known for its powerful sound and dynamic performances. Emerging from the ashes of the band Öblivïon, Kingcrown has carved out a niche in the metal scene with their compelling albums and captivating stage presence.
Kingcrown was formed in 2018 by former members of Öblivïon, a band that had gained a significant following in the metal community. The transition from Oblivion to Kingcrown marked a new chapter, bringing with it a refined musical direction and a fresh start for the band members.
Albums
1. Resilience (2018)
The debut album “Resilience” was released under the name Oblivion before the band transitioned to Kingcrown. This album set the stage for the band’s future, showcasing their heavy metal roots and intricate compositions.
2. A Perfect World (2019)
“A Perfect World” was the first album released under the Kingcrown name. It featured a blend of powerful vocals, melodic guitar work, and a tight rhythm section. The album received positive reviews and helped solidify Kingcrown‘s reputation in the metal community.
3. Wake Up Call (2022)
Continuing their momentum, Kingcrown released “Wake Up Call” in 2022. This album highlighted the band’s growth and evolution, incorporating more diverse elements into their music while retaining their signature sound.
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NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – November 22, 2024
“Watch The Weather Change” The New Music Video From Progressive Collective LUNAR
ft. members Helion Prime, Beholder, Vis Mystica, Mokili Wa, Nordic Frost, Outloud, Double Vision
Fourth Studio Album “Tempora Mutantur” Out Jan 2025 via Saibot Reigns Records
Making Live Debut at Hyperspace Metal Festival 2025 (Vancouver, BC) – April 11th
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Top 1st Row – Ryan Price – Bass, Alex Bosson – Drums
Middle 2nd Row – Connor McCray – Lead Guitar, Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals
Bottom 3rd Row – Carlos Alvarez – Rhythm Guitar, Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals, Anthony Stahl – Keyboards
Progressive collective LUNAR, founded by drummer Alex Bosson (Helion Prime, Planeswalker) and Ryan Erwin who passed in 2018 and continues in his memory to present their fourth full-length “Tempora Mutantur” to follow 2023’s “The Illusionist”.
For this new record, there’s a fresh lineup to change it up from their previous one with the addition of guitarists Carlos Alvarez and Connor McCray (Vis Mystica) along with keyboardist Anthony Stahl plus album guests Wayne Ingram (Wildrun), Joe Gullace (Thank You Scientist) and Sam Vallen (Caligula’s Horse).
A collaboration of musical minds, and with anything LUNAR does; “Tempora Mutantur” is an emotional thematic listening experience with lots of ups and downs musically and lyrically dealing with the passing of time and the effects it has on us physically and mentally.
Originally the album was to be a 4 track EP with seasonal concepts, but as the cooperative wrote more and more, they decided they wanted it to be more and have some general passing of time themes as well, so they pushed forward with a full album experience.
“This album deals with something everyone can relate to and no one can escape: the passing of time. We get older, our perspective changes, and we gain some things, and lose others… sometimes the things and ones we love. And we struggle and fight along the way. This album deals with some of the highs and lows we deal with along this journey we all share. Hopefully, the fans will be able to resonate with it and find some solace and aid in their own experiences of time passing. I believe the songwriting has gotten stronger over the years. I think the songs are a bit more well-structured. But I think the overall sound of the band has remained pretty consistent over the years. The music is very “prog,” so it’s been diverse I think from day 1. Probably even more so now than it was at first.” adds Bosson.
Today, LUNAR presents its first single “Watch The Weather Change” accompanied by a music video. The closing track of the album speaks of dealing with denial and mental vacancy.
“While this is technically the last of a 3 part song on the album, I felt this song encapsulates the feeling of the album best. It has some wonderful shreddy sections on each instrument, a simpler structure with a mix of heavy elements of growl vocals, and a good catchy chorus. This was the first time we’ve ever been able to shoot an actual band footage music video overlooking a beautiful Los Angeles skyline. We shot this footage almost a year ago and I’m excited to get to share it with the world!” adds Bosson.
Watch and listen to the video for “Watch The Weather Change” at https://youtu.be/WKdnZD_DJsE
Spotify – https://spoti.fi/4g0ita5
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Recommended for fans of Opeth, Caligula’s Horse, Haken, Tool, and Porcupine Tree, LUNAR’s fourth studio album “Tempora Mutantur” is due out January 31, 2025, from Saibot Reigns Records.
Album pre-order – http://lunarbandofficial.bandcamp.com/
A studio project since first conceived in 2014, LUNAR will make its live debut next year at the 2025 Hyperspace Metal Festival in Vancouver, BC, Canada on April 11th. Info here.
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(Album Artwork by Ed Bosson)
Track Listing:
1. A Summer To Forget – 6:37
2. Fall Back Into Old Habits – 11:16 ft. guest guitar solo by Wayne Ingram (Wilderun)
3. Seasonal Interlude – 4:47
4. Weakening Winter Touch – 8:46
5. Spring In My Step – 7:26
6. Tempora Mutantur: Part I – Passage of Time – 3:12 ft. guest guitar solo by Sam Vallen (Caligula’s Horse)
7. Tempora Mutantur: Part II – Broken Pendulum – 3:47
8. Tempora Mutantur: Part III – Watch The Weather Change – 4:51
Album Length: 50:45
Album Credits:
Performance and Writing credits – full info HERE.
Produced by: Alex Bosson
Mixed by: Carlos Alvarez
Mastered by: Tony Lindgren
Album Main Lineup:
Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals
Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals
Carlos Alvarez – Rhythm Guitar
Connor McCray – Lead Guitar
Ryan Price – Bass
Alex Bosson – Drums
Anthony Stahl – Keyboards
Live Lineup:
Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals
Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals
Jordan Price – Guitars
Ryan Price – Bass
Alex Bosson – Drums
For more info: Facebook.com/lunarbandofficial | Instagram.com/lunarbandofficial | X.com/LunarBandOffcl
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“It’s really well done technically by a band that clearly cares about their music and can play.” – Rock The Joint Mag (The Illusionist 2023)
“If I had one word to describe this album, it would be this one: whirlwind… “The Illusionist” is an album that is living. From its jazzy highs to its heavy metal lows, this album is constantly on its toes, never repeating itself and never, ever growing complacent. A wonderful whirlwind indeed. 9/10” – Ever Metal
“I feel like Lunar has captured the balance between accessibility and technicality very well. I hear many of the same elements in their sound that, when employed well, make bands like Dream Theater, King Crimson, Voïvod and even Sigh so engaging. I love when an album comes out of nowhere (for me, anyway) and makes this much of an impression.” – The Metal Crypt
“As I said at the start, when I heard this album I was immediately grabbed by it. The story works nicely, it is very character based and features plenty of emotions which as a listener I certainly could relate to. The music is terrific with all the players putting in excellent performances and the instrumentation used in a clever way to match all that is going on with the lead character. There are moments of heavy prog as well as metal, but melody runs through the heart of it. The fact that some of the people in the band have never met or even been in the same room together is remarkable as it sounds like everyone was on the same hymn sheet and it doesn’t sound pieced together. That is a great credit to the writing, arranging as well as all the musicians doing their parts to the benefit of the whole piece. An absolutely delightful as well as enjoyable album.” – CGCM Rock Radio
“The concept is that there are songs that are angry, songs that are confused, songs that are depressed, and everywhere in between. Styles on the album run the gambit from Progressive Metal with melodic vocals, to moments of Jazz, to cookie monster Thrash…. The musicianship is solid on all of the parts, with some excellent performances, notably vocalist Chandler Mogel… it does warrant checking out for Prog-Metal fans that like a mix of growler and melodic vocals.” – Metal Express Radio
“The Illusionist again is at the highest level of the progsphere, Bosson’s continuation of the Lunar name, honouring his co-founder and friend, through the medium of progressive metal, is an advantageous endeavour. 9/10” – Musipedia of Metal
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NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – November 22, 2024
Moving Onto Their Next Horizon Toronto Prog JUPITER HOLLOW Unveil New Single / Video “Incivility”
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L-R – Nathaniel Reynolds-Welsh – Drums – Grant MacKenzie – Guitar, Kenny Parry – Vocals, John-Ryan Godfrey – Bass
Pushing from one horizon onto the next, Toronto, Canada’s Jupiter Hollow‘s growth has come a long way since making their debut as a duo in 2015. Led by the fearless Grant MacKenzie and Kenny Parry, this recording and songwriting powerhouse duo has transformed into a live quartet with the addition of John Ryan Godfrey (Bass) and Nathaniel Reynolds-Welsh (Drums).
Advancing their unique brand of progressive rock/metal, the band is presenting their latest single “Incivility” accompanied by a music video to close out their new music releases for 2024. “Incivility” serves as a bold statement, reflecting the band’s evolution both sonically and thematically. With its intricate arrangements, evocative lyrics, and captivating visuals, the single is a testament to the band’s relentless dedication to pushing artistic boundaries.
The band comments on the single:
“At its core, Incivility reflects humanity’s inner struggles, the relentless pursuit of purpose, and the emotional void created by modern distractions. The lyrics delve into themes of arrogance, wasted time, and the consequences of superficial existence, symbolized by “filming your bones”—a critique of documenting life rather than living it.
The song wrestles with the tension between ambition and the emptiness of unmet expectations, asking hard questions: At what cost do we chase our dreams? and How do we reconcile purpose with the pressures we hide? The recurring imagery of the “yawning cage of wasted love” evokes a profound sense of entrapment, urging listeners to confront the emotional weight of past mistakes while seeking true fulfillment.
Musically and lyrically, Incivility challenges listeners to reflect on their lives, embracing the discomfort of self-awareness while pushing forward with resilience. It’s both a cautionary tale and a call to action—demanding authenticity in a world that often values the opposite.”
Watch and listen to the music video for “Incivility” – https://youtu.be/b8sZlV–QZk
Spotify – https://spoti.fi/4g0cqSV
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With thought-provoking lyrics, unique vocal melodies, harmonies, powerful guitar riffs, unyielded songwriting, and Jupiter Hollow’s incessant desire to bring fans on a journey, there’s always something new to explore. Thus far they have two full-length albums under their belts: 2020’s “Bereavement”, and 2018’s “AHDOMN”, and they have another one in the works. Planning to release singles over the coming months, Jupiter Hollow will take the time to ensure a polished, impressive offerings song by song. The band wants nothing more than to make their art and share the experience with as many people as they can. Recommended for fans of Porcupine Tree, Coheed, and Cambria, Rush, and Protest The Hero.
Previous Single:
Music Video – “Cohesion” at https://youtu.be/7tbnhxuCD-c
More info: JupiterHollow.ca | Facebook | X | Instagram
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“If Jupiter Hollow are emblematic of the next generation of progressive metal bands, a bright tomorrow lies ahead. Hugely impressive.” – Prog Magazine.
“Comparisons to bands like Tool, Live, A Perfect Circle and Nine Inch Nails come easy and for good reason. This is the new generation of players who are putting their spin on all things progressive, industrial and synthy. The grandsons of Genesis and Yes, this is progressive rock for the youth of today who find the originators a bit to baroque for their tastes… Their sound is built to appeal to fans of so many genres and preferences it should be a slam dunk.” – Skulls n’ Bones
“JUPITER HOLLOW just produced the best prog metal album of all time this year, condensing, mixing and forging a hot musical steel here.” – Prog Archives
“Each track displays plenty of musicianship from this young duo, with vocals continuing to strengthen and songwriting solidifying.” – Heavy Music Headquarters
“A young Canadian duo ready to bring fans of complex music a spacey, experimental and refreshing experience… bursting with high-quality heaviness and progressiveness.” – The Headbanging Moose
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NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – November 22, 2024
Vancouver Prog UTILITY PROVIDER Shed The Mental “Scabs” of Addiction and Trauma w/ New Lyric Video
New Album “Challenger” Out Nov 26th, 2024
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L-R – Tyler Mayfield – Lead Vocals, Chris Thomas – Guitar/Backing Vocals, Shayne Gold – Bass/Backing Vocals, Vadim Cartovenco – Drums
Vancouver, Canada’s UTILITY PROVIDER is set to release their third full-length “Challenger” on November 26th. Before it releases, the prog quartet is sharing their latest lyric video for the track “Scabs”. The song was written about overcoming addiction and trauma, surviving, and shedding your mental ‘scabs’.
Vocalist Tyler Mayfield explains further:
“My personal favourite of the album, “Scabs” has perhaps the best sounding vocals, clean and raspy, and uniquely features an unexpected drums-only intro. It is also the longest song on the album at 5 minutes and 55 seconds. The first half of the song is more rock sounding and you can hear this primarily in the guitars and vocals, although that signature U.P metal/rock guitar tone is still present. Things heat up in the second half with a distinctly ‘metal’ riff, very powerful drums, and intense vocals. The ending is my favourite part; a single guitar riff with repeating harmonic notes and quiet drums which allow a beautiful falsetto harmony between Chris and myself to shine through. Listen closely and you’ll also hear a subtle but intricate bass riff in the background separate from the guitar. If you close your eyes you can hear the ghost of old-school Alice in Chains.”
Watch and listen to the lyric video for “Scabs” at https://youtu.be/Yx-HW9adaWs
Produced with Nick Bergeron at Starport Studios (Langley, B.C.) with mixing and mastering by the renowned Michael Kraushaar at Little Red Studios (Vancouver B.C), UTILITY PROVIDER’s new album “Challenger” features a fresh new lineup and is an evolution from its predecessors 2022’s “Lost in Humanity’s Grip” and 2019’s “All in Time”.
“The writing is much stronger than in the previous releases and the production as a whole is miles ahead of them. What I love about this album is how each song has its own identity; its own sound, and its own story. There are definitely some surprises in store for our fans.” adds vocalist Tyler Mayfield.
The overarching theme of “Challenger” is one of triumph over adversity and having the courage to throw off your “chains” (both physical and mental) and strike out on your own. UTILITY PROVIDER wants fans to be able to make a connection with the music and connect with them on a very personal level. They showcase this with a concept of a side “A” and a side “B”.
“Up until this album, all U.P songs were written in drop C tuning. The first 6 songs of the album stay in that same drop C tuning, however side “B” is written in A# tuning – it’s literally a whole new sound for our fans! The transition from side “A” to side “B” is marked by a beautiful instrumental track written solely by guitarist Chris Thomas called “Northern Storm”. We hope the listeners will enjoy this nuance within the album. We sure had a ton of fun recording it!” adds Mayfield.
Lyrically, the album “Challenger” was mostly penned by vocalist Tyler Mayfield who wants to tell a story. He elaborates:
“As the lead vocalist, I feel that it’s my duty to put into words the message that the music is trying to convey. There is a lot of teamwork between Chris and myself to get that right. So in this way, the lyrics don’t always necessarily reflect my personal life, but are more tailored to reflect the story within the music.”
With members individually influenced by different elements of metal. You will hear their sonic meshing of blues rock, prog metal, thrash, and grunge throughout the album. Recommended for fans of Mastodon, Devin Townsend, Alice in Chains, and Gojira, “Challenger” is due out on November 26th, 2024, and is available for pre-order at https://utilityprovider.bandcamp.com.
Lyric Video – “Challenger” – https://youtu.be/eHdrDo2AD8Q
Show Dates:
Dec 20 – New Westminster, BC – Bully’s Studios – info w/ Mourning High, Assailant, Evan Way
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Track Listing:
1. Broken Ghost Touches – 2:39
2. Humans – 4:23
3. Challenger – 5:08
4. Social Murder – 1:59
5. Killer Instinct – 3:36
6. Northern Storm – 1:13
7. You Know She’s Metal – 3:14
8. Loudest Voices – 4:47
9. Skin & Bones – 4:22
10. Independent Soul – 2:28
11. Scabs – 5:55
12. Controversy In Everything – 4:40
Album Length: 44:29
Album Band Line Up:
Guitar/backing vocals: Chris Thomas
Drums: Vadim Cartovenco
Lead vocals: Tyler Mayfield
Bass/backing vocals: Tyler Parsons-Mathieu
Live Band Line Up:
Guitar/backing vocals: Chris Thomas
Drums: Vadim Cartovenco
Lead vocals: Tyler Mayfield
Bass/backing vocals: Shayne Gold
More info: Facebook.com/utilityproviderband | Instagram.com/utilityproviderband | X.com/utilityboys
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“We’re back at it on a Monday morning & we’ve just added the punishing new track “Challenger” from UTILITY PROVIDER! “Challenger” is the title track from the forthcoming album set for a Nov.26th release. A heavy driving track that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let up for 5 minutes. Varied tempos and outstanding musicianship make for a special cut.” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll
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EPK – LUNAR – Tempora Mutantur (2025) (Saibot Reigns Records)
ft. members from Helion Prime, Beholder, Vis Mystica, Mokili Wa, Nordic Frost, Outloud, Double Vision
For fans of Opeth, Caligula’s Horse, Haken, Tool, Porcupine Tree, Ayreon
Band: Lunar
Album title: Tempora Mutantur
Release Date: January 31, 2025
Label: Saibot Reigns Records
Facebook.com/lunarbandofficial | Instagram.com/lunarbandofficial | X.com/LunarBandOffcl | YouTube.com/@lunarbandofficial
Lunarbandofficial.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music
“It’s really well done technically by a band that clearly cares about their music and can play.” – Rock The Joint Mag (The Illusionist 2023)
“If I had one word to describe this album, it would be this one: whirlwind… “The Illusionist” is an album that is living. From its jazzy highs to its heavy metal lows, this album is constantly on its toes, never repeating itself and never, ever growing complacent. A wonderful whirlwind indeed. 9/10” – Ever Metal
“I feel like Lunar has captured the balance between accessibility and technicality very well. I hear many of the same elements in their sound that, when employed well, make bands like Dream Theater, King Crimson, Voïvod and even Sigh so engaging. I love when an album comes out of nowhere (for me, anyway) and makes this much of an impression.” – The Metal Crypt
“As I said at the start, when I heard this album I was immediately grabbed by it. The story works nicely, it is very character based and features plenty of emotions which as a listener I certainly could relate to. The music is terrific with all the players putting in excellent performances and the instrumentation used in a clever way to match all that is going on with the lead character. There are moments of heavy prog as well as metal, but melody runs through the heart of it. The fact that some of the people in the band have never met or even been in the same room together is remarkable as it sounds like everyone was on the same hymn sheet and it doesn’t sound pieced together. That is a great credit to the writing, arranging as well as all the musicians doing their parts to the benefit of the whole piece. An absolutely delightful as well as enjoyable album.” – CGCM Rock Radio
“The concept is that there are songs that are angry, songs that are confused, songs that are depressed, and everywhere in between. Styles on the album run the gambit from Progressive Metal with melodic vocals, to moments of Jazz, to cookie monster Thrash…. The musicianship is solid on all of the parts, with some excellent performances, notably vocalist Chandler Mogel… it does warrant checking out for Prog-Metal fans that like a mix of growler and melodic vocals.” – Metal Express Radio
“The Illusionist again is at the highest level of the progsphere, Bosson’s continuation of the Lunar name, honouring his co-founder and friend, through the medium of progressive metal, is an advantageous endeavour. 9/10” – Musipedia of Metal
“The disc is well produced and played very well, so anyone who wants to dive into tempo changes and virtuosity will find what they are looking for.” – Metal Shock
“It is a dynamic and inclusive variety of the form we get here, where gentle atmospheric laden sequences and vibrant, guitar driven passages with regular as well as a more alternative variety of progressive metal coexist quite nicely, with occasional flirts towards extreme metal as a part of the experience. The compositions are further fleshed out by the use of world music elements inside of a metal context, as a standalone feature, as elements of more dreamladen ambient tinged interludes as well as combined with passages with a bit more of a jazz orientation. The latter which is present also in a more standalone and elegant manner. Occasional use of orchestral textures is a part of the totality too, and the band aren’t afraid to hit a more energetic power metal run when needed either. The vocals are clean and melodic, with occasional use of growls but more for dramatic effect and less as a defining feature. A production to seek out, inclusive and dynamic progressive metal is a type of music you tend to enjoy.” – Progressor
“LUNAR present an impressive show with „The Illusionist“. In contrast to the album title, however, there are no illusions, but quite real musical art. Thereby LUNAR conjure all kinds of things out of the hat. Their magic consists of a collection of high-quality multi-faceted songs. Thereby they go mainly a hard way. But many fine passages, which are refined with classical instruments of all kinds, provide great experiences. Furthermore, exotic sounds additionally provide for an atmospherically deep and exciting work. Personally, I also noticed especially the excellent guitar work, which conjures up fantastic moments again and again. In its entirety, it is a work of art of all the musicians involved, who have created something magical here. I can’t see any weaknesses here.” – Metal-Heads.de
“This is a record that everyone must own. Every generation and every country should adore an album like this, as one like Theogony rarely makes itself known. If you like music and consider it art, this is a must.” – Prog-Sphere on “Theogony” #23 Best Albums of 2017
“The sophomore album from this Cali band is showing the band expanding their horizons in sound. The heavy parts are heavier, the lighter parts are even lighter and the proggier parts are even more insanely proggy *plus on the song, Surrender, there is a very cool nod to the final lasting riff in Opeth’s Deliverance to close out the track…don’t think I didn’t catch that!* With all of the guest appearances, fantastic production and just masterful songwriting, this is one of the strongest prog albums you will hear all year. Trust me!” – Heavy Debriefings on “Eidolon” #39 Best Albums of 2019
“Inspired by a tragedy that befell the project in the way of losing guitarist Ryan Erwin, drummer and songwriter Alex Bosson has put his emotions towards honing a release that is as beautiful as angry. Helping him in his vision are guest contributions from members of Haken, Leprous, Thank You Scientist, Fallujah, etc.” – Prog-Sphere on “Eidolon” #19 Best Albums of 2019
“The word “classic” gets tossed around a lot, but I honestly can’t think of a better word for Eidolon. From front to back and top to bottom, this album is both firmly rooted in death metal with a progressive bend while standing alone atop the mountain. It’s equally headbanging heavy and enthralling, music to get in the mosh pit and simply sit in awe of. This is required listening because there’s nothing else quite like it.” – Progarchy on “Eidolon”
“Like Theogony, Eidolon is another very impressive showcase of modern progressive metal. It’s technical, emotional, melodic, and aggressive and is just very well put-together overall.” – wimpsandposers.com
Best of AOTY:
Prog-Sphere: “Theogony” #23 best of 2017
Prog-Sphere: “Eidolon” #19 best of 2019
Heavy Debriefings: “Eidolon” #39 best of 2019
Wimpsandposers: “Eidolon” #20 best of 2019
2019 SAMMIES (Sacramento Area Music Awards) Nominee “Best Metal Band”
[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Band: Lunar
Album title: Tempora Mutantur
Release Date: January 31, 2025
Label: Saibot Reigns Records
Track Listing:
1. A Summer To Forget – 6:37
2. Fall Back Into Old Habits – 11:16 ft. guest guitar solo by Wayne Ingram (Wilderun)
3. Seasonal Interlude – 4:47
4. Weakening Winter Touch – 8:46
5. Spring In My Step – 7:26
6. Tempora Mutantur: Part I – Passage of Time – 3:12 ft. guest guitar solo by Sam Vallen (Caligula’s Horse)
7. Tempora Mutantur: Part II – Broken Pendulum – 3:47
8. Tempora Mutantur: Part III – Watch The Weather Change – 4:51
Album Length: 50:45
Album Credits:
Performance and Writing credits – full info HERE.
Produced by: Alex Bosson
Mixed by: Carlos Alvarez
Mastered by: Tony Lindgren
Album Artwork by: Ed Bosson
Member of ASCAP
Album Main Lineup:
Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals
Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals
Carlos Alvarez – Rhythm Guitar
Connor McCray – Lead Guitar
Ryan Price – Bass
Alex Bosson – Drums
Anthony Stahl – Keyboards
Live Lineup:
Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals
Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals
Jordan Price – Guitars
Ryan Price – Bass
Alex Bosson – Drums
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About The Album Artwork:
The album cover was once again done by my father Ed Bosson. I wanted to do the seasonal songs based on the autumn version of the cover you’ll see (for the song “Fall Back Into Old Habits”). So my dad was gracious enough to recreate the painting 3 more times with the different seasons. The winter version is what ended up being the final cover for the album.
About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
The album deals with something we can all relate to: the passing of time. Lyrically and musically you will experience some of the highs and lows we all feel along the way.
Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
1. A SUMMER TO FORGET – the album starts of with a song that sounds a bit upbeat musically (heavy with the horns) despite a fairly dark lyrical theme: dealing with memories, how we sometimes forget what we wish we wouldn’t and cling on to what we wish we could forget.
2. FALL BACK INTO OLD HABITS – this is the longest song on the album, and one of the heaviest. Mostly having growl vocals and multiple shreddy guitar solos. Lyrically dealing with addiction, or anything we do that can give us temporary relief to help us get through rough moments, but ultimately have terrible long-term effects on ourselves.
3. SEASONAL INTERLUDE – this song is a bit of a breather. We take some self-reflection in knowing that the bad times will pass and, though it may not be immediate, the good times will come again. Musically it’s soft and emotional with some beautiful cello work before exploding into a heavy ending with a very avantgarde saxophone solo
4. WEAKENING WINTER TOUCH – this song is dealing with the feelings of weakness and powerlessness over our own circumstances. Often asking “why?” or “what did I do to deserve this?” Musically I think this is a very powerful song, heavy on the synths with a catchy and powerful chorus.
5. SPRING IN MY STEP – a much more upbeat song with an awesome main guitar riff, dealing with the relief of hitting a positive point in time. We’ve gotten through the bad times and hit a good high… but how long will it last?
6. TEMPORA MUTANTUR: PART I – PASSAGE OF TIME – the first of a 3 part song. The soft piano piece where we look back and reflect on what we’ve had and what we’ve lost, ending with a beautiful set of harmonica and guitar solos
7. TEMPORA MUTANTUR: PART II – BROKEN PENDULUM – the second part deals with the anger we feel over what we can’t get back. Likely the heaviest song on the album
8. TEMPORA MUTANTUR: PART III – WATCH THE WEATHER CHANGE – the final chapter where we deal with denial and mental vacancy. A good balance of heavy elements, but with a catchy chorus.
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Fun Facts – Story Angles
1. The second album “Eidolon” is written from Alex’s perspective about the death of his friend and Lunar co-founder Ryan Erwin
2. 3 of the 4 album covers were paintings done by Alex’s father Ed Bosson
3. The members of Lunar have never all been in the same room together
4. The band has existed for a decade and will finally be playing their first live performance as this group in 2025
Top 1st Row – Ryan Price – Bass, Alex Bosson – Drums
Middle 2nd Row – Connor McCray – Lead Guitar, Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals
Bottom 3rd Row – Carlos Alvarez – Rhythm Guitar, Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals, Anthony Stahl – Keyboards
Based out of Sacramento, CA, LUNAR is a progressive metal band formed in 2013 when longtime friends Alex Bosson (drums/percussion) and Ryan Erwin (guitar/vocals) decided to get together and write the style of music that was always in their hearts: genre-defiant and free of restrictive influence. After securing Danny Stevenson on Keyboards, the search continued for a full lineup… but to no avail. Rather than delay their progress, the trio decided to record and self-release their debut EP, PROVENANCE, in the Winter of 2014.
Shortly after the release of PROVENANCE, Danny parted ways with the group, while Bosson and Erwin began work on LUNAR’s debut full-length, THEOGONY – a concept album based on the nine Muses of Greek mythology. While reading about Melpomene, the Greek Muse of tragedy, Alex realized that the concepts that these nine Muses represent – subjects such as history, tragedy, music, love, etc. – are the backbone for most creative output in this world. In keeping with the progressive element of the band, he had the idea to spread the musical and lyrical diversity of these themes across an entire album: each of the nine tracks named after one of the Muses, the music and lyrics based around the theme that each specific Muse represents.
Once more unable to flesh out a suitably complete lineup as writing progressed, Alex and Ryan decided to enlist contributions from other professional musicians around the world – initially a handful of guests laying down additional guitar solos. With the eventual additions of Ryan Price on bass and Chandler Mogel on vocals, a proper lineup for THEOGONY was set: and by the end of the recording process 17 different musicians had participated – including members of Hatriot, Angel Vivaldi, Helion Prime, Berried Alive, and many more.
In the Summer of 2017, LUNAR signed on with Divebomb Records and in November of 2017 THEOGONY was released on CD. A logical step forward from PROVENANCE, the dynamically atmospheric hour-long journey of THEOGONY is sure to please fans of Porcupine Tree, Opeth and Tool – to name but a few – with its lushly textured contrasts of beauty and aggression.
THEOGONY received numerous raving reviews even being called a “masterpiece” and “A record everyone must own. Every generation and every country should adore an album like this.” And even made #23 on Prog-Sphere’s Top albums of 2017.
In the Spring of 2018 Ryan Erwin unexpectedly passed away, leaving Alex unsure of what to do. After some time passed, he decided to persevere through the tragedy and continue on with LUNAR. Using the tragedy as inspiration, he began writing the next album, EIDOLON – another concept album based around the cycle of life and death and the stages of grief that the ones left behind feel. After writing all the music for the album, Alex enlisted friend Balmore Lemus (NOVAREIGN) to handle tracking guitars for this album. And with Ryan Price and Chandler Mogel both returning again, the lineup for EIDOLON was set.
In keeping with the diversity that the guests brought to THEOGONY, Alex decided to continue with that idea. By the end of recording, a total of 18 musicians contributed to EIDOLON – this time including members of Haken, Thank You Scientist, Fallujah, Leprous & Caligula’s Horse, to name a few.
EIDOLON is another journey of progressive metal at its finest, spanning 7 tracks and nearly an hour of material. Once again being released through Divebomb Records, EIDOLON is available as of November of 2019.
LUNAR’s 3rd full-length album, entitled “The Illusionist,” was released on March 3rd, 2023 on Saibot Reigns Records. The album featured another slew of amazing guest musicians, including: Sam Vallen, Andy Gillion, Jørgen Munkeby, Christian Muenzner, Ben Karas and more! Plus features the addition of Alex Nasla on keyboards. The album was mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studios and features cover art by Travis Smith.
No waiting long between releases, LUNAR is now presenting their fourth full-length “Tempora Mutantur” due out on Jan 31st, 2025 on Saibot Reigns Records. For this record, there’s a fresh lineup to change it up from their previous one with the addition of guitarists Carlos Alvarez and Connor McCray (Vis Mystica) along with keyboardist Anthony Stahl plus album guests Wayne Ingram (Wildrun), Joe Gullace (Thank You Scientist) and Sam Vallen (Caligula’s Horse).
A collaboration of musical minds, and with anything LUNAR does; “Tempora Mutantur” is an emotional thematic listening experience with lots of ups and downs musically and lyrically dealing with the passing of time and the effects it has on us physically and mentally.
Originally the album was to be a 4 track EP with seasonal concepts, but as the cooperative wrote more and more, they decided they wanted it to be more and have some general passing of time themes as well, so they pushed forward with a full album experience.
“This album deals with something everyone can relate to and no one can escape: the passing of time. We get older, our perspective changes, and we gain some things, and lose others… sometimes the things and ones we love. And we struggle and fight along the way. This album deals with some of the highs and lows we deal with along this journey we all share. Hopefully, the fans will be able to resonate with it and find some solace and aid in their own experiences of time passing. I believe the songwriting has gotten stronger over the years. I think the songs are a bit more well-structured. But I think the overall sound of the band has remained pretty consistent over the years. The music is very “prog,” so it’s been diverse I think from day 1. Probably even more so now than it was at first.” adds band co-founder and drummer Alex Bosson.
Recommended for fans of Opeth, Caligula’s Horse, Haken, Tool, and Porcupine Tree.
A studio project since first conceived in 2014, LUNAR will make its live debut next year at the 2025 Hyperspace Metal Festival in Vancouver, BC, Canada on April 11th. Info here.
Discography:
2025 – Tempora Mutantur – LP
2023 – The Illusionist – LP
2019 – Eidolon – LP
2017 – Theogony – LP
2014 – Provenance – EP
Endoresements: Alex Bosson – Scorpion Percussion sticks
Thank you Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay love! \m/\m/
For the Week Ending: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
CJLO – 1690AM – Montreal – Loud
#7 BornBroken
https://www.earshot-online.com/charts/cjlo.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2024-11-19
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CJSR FM 88.5 – Edmonton – Loud
#8 Atomis, #10 Culled
https://www.earshot-online.com/charts/cjsr.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2024-11-19
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CFOU 89,1 FM – Trois-Rivieres – Top 30
#4 Sandveiss
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfou.cfm?dWeekOfID=2024-11-19
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Local 107.3fm – Saint John – Top 30
#14 Grave Mass
https://www.earshot-online.com/charts/cfmh.cfm?dWeekOfID=2024-11-19
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CIVL 101.7 FM – Abbotsford – Top 30
#10 Infrared, #28 Triskelyon
https://www.earshot-online.com/charts/civl.cfm?dWeekOfID=2024-11-19
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