Category: EPKs
0 Protected: EPK – Idol of Fear – Trespasser (2022) (Somnolence Productions)
0 EPK – CHOREOMANIC – Self-Titled (2022)
EPK – CHOREOMANIC – Self-Titled (2022)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
For fans Zappa, Mr. Bungle, John Zorn, Infectious Grooves, Brian Setzer Orchestra
Album Title: CHOREOMANIC
Release Date: February 18, 2022
Label: Self Release
Distribution: Self Distribution
Choreomanic.com – Facebook – Instagram – Youtube – Bandcamp – Spotify
Digital Pre-Save – https://emubands.ffm.to/choreomanic
“With ‘Choreomanic’ Joost van der Graaf shows a completely different side of himself. It is a special musical whole that you really have to listen to several times to process it. You keep hearing new things in every song. No guitars and yet heavy, it is a special mix that will certainly appeal to fans of more technical work. The special thing is that Choreomanic will probably also appeal to audiences from other genres such as jazz. In any case, it is not everyday. However, the production is so strong that you should at least give it a listen, whether you’re a fan of the harder work or not, ‘Choreomanic’ is too good to pass up.” – Metal-Experience
[Downlaod Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Album Title: CHOREOMANIC
Release Date: February 18, 2022
Label: Self Release
Distribution: Self Distribution
Track Listing
1. This Is Not A Drill (3:50)
2. Spun Sugar (2:45)
3. What You Get (3:26)
4. Red Flags (2:26)
5. Choreomanic (2:17)
6. Walk With Urgency (2:33)
7. Off With The Figurehead (2:18)
8. Time To Let It Out (2:08)
9. Calling God (4:28)
10. Take The Money Give It To Me Now (2:31)
11. Story About The Moon (2:46)
12. Away From The Sun (5:52)
Album Length: 37:25
Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: CHOREOMANIC
• All songs written by: Joost van der Graaf
• Produced by: Michiel Eilbracht & Joost van der Graaf
• Mixed by: Michiel Eilbracht
• Mastered by: Michiel Eilbracht
• Album Artwork by: Yvo Sprey
Album Band Line Up:
Thijs Ronteltap – Keys
Jeroen Verberne – Trombone
Tommie Freke – Saxophone
Gidon Nunes Vaz – Trumpet & Bugle
Koen Herfst – Drums
Joost van der Graaf – Bass, Sampling, Voice & Percussion
Live Band Line Up:
TBD
===========================================
Track by track explained by Joost van der Graaf:
1. This is not a drill: I think is a great first song with a noisy modular intro and a really “busy” structure once it goes. Lyrically inspired by corruption, panic drills, and nuclear attack.
2. Spun Sugar: instrumental track with a “circus” vibe to me…
3. What you get: easy intro and then panic all the way. A person is chased by dogs and there’s shooting. It ends badly.
4. Red flags: short instrumental with an almost happy horn melody on top of a harsh intro. Time signature changes just because it happened. Due to one of many theories on Choreomania, a person suffering from it would immediately start convulsing and tripping at the sight of the color red. I think I imagined such a person being surrounded by red flags…..
5. Choreomanic: Obviously the title track. Instrumental (apart from the exclamation of the word) This was the very first idea I got for the album. It has some sort of a Punk vibe I believe…
6. Walk with urgency: the cool thing about this song is that the main groove and bassline are inspired by the intro of a song by my first serious band Creepmime! That song is called ‘King Of Misrule’, from the album ‘Chiaroscuro’ 1995… Instrumental. Titel refers to the way a junky walks with urgency on the way to scoring.
7. Off with the figurehead: I somehow have trouble with figureheads in general. Pretty much an instrumental Thrash song.
8. Time to let it out: 12/8 is probably my favorite time signature, so I guess I clapped my hands in sheer joy! This one is the single for good reasons I think. Short song, a lot going on, annoying repetitive horn parts, yep…
9. Calling God: the heavy midtempo one. I absolutely love the sound of that desolate Bugle! Lyrically: a joke that is not supposed to be funny. Don’t play outro with kids around!
10. Take the money give it to me now: Title says it all. Here the junky finds what he’s looking for and is reborn. Thrash with horns!
11. Story about the moon: instrumental, a bit of a prog track. About the title: I am one of those people who does not buy the moon landing lie. Bring it on!
12. Away from the sun: actually a long outro based on a bass drone idea I had been carrying with me for some years. Awesome horn parts based on original ideas for guitar and keys by Andy Judd (longtime friend and Creepmime mastermind) and Thijs Ronteltap. Would make a nice movie soundtrack I think.
Instrumental track, kind of a death march. There’s a vibe of blistering heat, hence the title.
Dutch bassist Joost van der Graaf (1973) has been active in music since he was fourteen years old. In the early 90’s he toured Europe for the first time, as a bass player/ vocalist in Creepmime (Mascot Records), to promote the album ‘Chiaroscuro’. After Creepmime he studied music in Amsterdam and became a working musician, performing and teaching.
In the new millennium, Joost co-formed I CHAOS (RITF records, Suburban distr.) The band released two albums: ‘The Human Repellent’ and ‘Masterbleeder’. In this period he was also a stand-in bassist for Sinister, touring Russia.
In 2012, he became a permanent member of GermanThrashers Dew-Scented (Metalblade), releasing three full-lengths with them up to 2018: ‘Icarus’, ‘Insurgent’ & ‘Intermination’. The band toured extensively through Europe but also in Japan, together with renowned bands from the international metal scene (Testament, Exodus, Death Angel, and others).
Joost teaches ‘Bass Skills’ and ‘Band Development’ at The Metal Factory in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Since 2019 he proudly plays with Dutch iconic act Pestilence (Agonia Records) appearing on the album ‘Exitivm’.
In 2020, he started working on his own project CHOREOMANIC, in which different musical influences from his past come together. Obviously one of these influences is metal, but also other styles like funk & prog.
His self-titled debut album CHOREOMANIC will be out on February 18, 2022.
Joost van der Graaf’s Discography:
2022 – Choreomanic – Self-Titled (Self-Release)
2021 – Pestilence – Exitivm (Agonia Records)
2015 – Dew-Scented – Intermination (Metal Blade Records)
2015 – Dew-Scented – Immersed – 7#split EP (Metal Blade Records)
2015 – I Chaos – Masterbleeder (RITF Records/Suburban Distribution)
2013 – Dew-Scented – Insurgent (Metal Blade Records)
2012 – Dew-Scented – Icarus (Metal Blade Records)
2011 – I Chaos – The Human Repellent (RITF Records/Suburban Distribution)
2009 – I Chaos – Self-Titled – EP (Self-Release)
2008 – Cypher – MMVIII – EP (Self-Release)
1995 – Creepmime – Chiaroscuro (Mascot Records)
Endorsed by:
Ibanez – https://www.ibanez.com
Peavey – https://peavey.com
Tech 21 – https://www.tech21nyc.com/products/amplifiers/powerengine-dd/
DR Strings – https://www.drstrings.com
Rock n Soul – https://www.rocknsoul.nl
0 EPK – Primalfrost – Lost Elegies (2021)
Primalfrost – Lost Elegies (2021)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
For fans of Wintersun, Wolfheart, Stormlord, Kalmah, Insomnium
Album Title: Lost Elegies
Release Date: December 28, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Facebook.com/Primalfrost | Instagram.com/primalfrostofficial
Primalfrost.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Primalfrost.bigcartel.com | Apple Music
“Epic Metal, in the veins of the Folky, the Black, and the Melodic Death, is a sound that is dominated almost entirely by WINTERSUN, who arguably created and dominated a scene all on their own. Up until now, I believed that no other band who attempted this style of music would be able to live up to them, but Canadian Epic Metallers PRIMALFROST do more than that, having created a seamless symphony of melody, heaviness, speed, story-telling, crunch and atmospherics, embellished by perfect mixing.” – 10/10 Metal-Temple (Prosperous Visions Review 2014)
“There seems to be something in Canadian waters that produces high quality one-man projects, especially in the viking/black/folk metal areas…. Brainchild of Dean Arnold, Prosperous Visions is his full-length debut after the EP Chapters of Time two years ago and it has turned out to be a nice slab piece of epic black/power/folk metal… Prosperous Visions is pretty impressive for a 17 year old! And the album is not that easy to pigeonhole, since Arnold manages to layer the songs well and almost constantly shifting tempo without losing focus or flow.” 9/10 – Metal-Observer (Prosperous Visions Review 2014)
“Music wise, the riffs and symphonic orchestrations take on a Scandinavian flavor reminiscent of legendary Bathory and Immortal, as well as touches of Ensiferum. The record’s blackened power/folk metal sound has a frosty, Nordic battle warrior vibe… Fans of this style of metal will be ecstatic over Prosperous Visions. It’s not as top-shelf as the previously-mentioned bands, but for a debut, Primalfrost shows heaps of promise.” – Bravewords (Prosperous Visions Review 2014)
“Prosperous Visions is 55 minutes of prime-time Melodic Black Metal. If you want the epic, fantastical grandeur of Power Metal with the rougher, more aggressive delivery of Black Metal then this is for you. An ambitious album and well worth adding to your collection. May they prosper for many years to come.” – Wonderbox Metal (Prosperous Visions Review 2014)
“there are no parts of the album that can be considered disappointing in any way, as Primalfrost provides plenty of great riffs, brutal moments, and glorious sounds.” Skull Fracturing Metal (Prosperous Visions Review 2014)
Album Title: Lost Elegies
Release Date: December 28, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Track Listing:
1. Maelstrom (5:11)
2. Bringer of Immensity (4:36)
3. Nomad (3:38)
4. Stormbearer (4:16)
5. Voyage Into Ruin (9:06)
6. Solace Kingdom (5:59)
7. As Embers Wane (1:57)
8. Tenebrous Skies (10:59)
Album Length: 45:47
Album Credits:
Dean Arnold – All Instruments, Vocals, & Orchestration
Recorded by Dean Arnold in Toronto, Canada
Mixed & Mastered by Jonathan Lefrancois-Leduc of Silverwings Studios in Montreal, Canada
Additional Orchestration by Jonathan Lefrancois-Leduc
Album Artwork by Jan Yrlund of Darkgrove Design
2021 – Lost Elegies – Album
2021 – Stormbearer – Single
2021 – Nomad – Single
2021 – Maelstrom – Single
2014 – Prosperous Visions – Full-Length
2012 – Chapters of Time – EP
Primalfrost was formed in 2012 by Canadian musician Dean Paul Arnold when he was 15 years old. Dean is the sole composer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist behind the band since its inception. Primalfrost’s sound combines melodicism/lush symphonic with the grit/power of extreme metal, taking influence from bands like Wintersun, Wolfheart, Stormlord, Septicflesh, & more.
Primarily a guitarist, Dean has performed hundreds of shows in 30+ countries across four continents. Primarily touring with American Death Metal band Vital Remains, and now Toronto’s own Operus, Dean has acquired hard-touring experience in a vast variety of settings. Dean has had dozens of guitar solo appearances on a wide variety of metal albums, including Polish death metal band Hate’s 2017 album “Tremendum” (Napalm Records) and for Colorado’s Buried Realm, alongside players like Teemu Mäntysaari (Wintersun) and Brandon Ellis (Black Dahlia Murder).
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple lockdowns, the band has been brought out of hiatus allowing a new album to be recorded/released. Titled “Lost Elegies”, Dean has teamed up with Jonathan Lefrancois-Leduc (Blackguard, Ex-Deo) for mixing & mastering as well as Jan Yrlund (Manowar, Tyr, Korpiklaani) for artwork. This album is a powerhouse of melodic metal with blistering riffs, guitar solos, orchestration, & more, sure to be enjoyed by many. “Lost Elegies” is due out December 28, 2021.
0 EPK – Circa Arcana – Bridget Viginti (2022)
EPK – Circa Arcana – Bridget Viginti (2022)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“Musically the EP takes you through a journey. We decided to start it off with 10 of Swords, which we felt was a great opener of a song for our listeners. It gives off the best impression of the sound that is Circa Arcana. As the listener goes through the record you can hear all the nuances that you heard in the opening song.” As a whole, musically I can say the record is a fast-paced rollercoaster to the face kind of experience. We are really excited for everyone to hear it!
This EP also touches on a lot of deep concepts. I have always been a believer that a song should be interpreted by the listener and in one’s personal interpretation one can find their meaning to the song. We do touch on dark themes some personal stuff and some dark conceptual stuff. But honestly, if you want to figure out meanings to the songs, you’re gonna have to dig a little deeper to figure those out! We incorporate a lot of symbolism on our social accounts, our videos, photos, etc. All I can say is if you enjoyed “ESOTERIC” and “THE TOWER” then you are definitely going to enjoy this EP!” – Johny Serna – Guitar
For fans of Underoath, Blessthefall, Wage War, Like Moths To Flames, We Came As Romans
EP Title: Bridget Viginti
Release Date: February 18, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid
Facebook.com/circa.arcana | Instagram.com/circa.arcana | YouTube
Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon
“Do you like melodic metalcore? If you do, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy what Texas metalcore band Circa Arcana are doing with their newest single, “Esoteric”. Formed last year during the COVID-19 pandemic, you might not think it a good time for a new band to form, but art often flourishes during the darkest times. It’s no different for Circa Arcana – the band is currently finishing their first EP entitled Bridget Viginti, slated for later release in 2022. A decent comparison might be mid-period Killswitch Engage, It Dies Today, or even the underrated Diecast album Internal Revolution, as the band’s combination of bright melodies and aggression will fit right at home to fans of that style.” – New Fury Media
“Circa Arcana may have gotten started last year, but some of the members have been around in the El Paso for a WHILE. Their sound has compared to It Dies Today, I See Stars, Blessthefall & Howard Jones-era Killswitch Engage.” – Daniel Paulus – KLAQ 95.5 FM – El Paso, TX
[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]
EP Title: Bridget Viginti
Release Date: February 18, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid
Track Listing:
1. Ten of Swords (5:42)
2. The Tower (4:31)
3. The Chariot (3:00)
4. Luna (4:28)
5. Esoteric (4:40)
EP Length: 22:19
EP Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: CIRCA ARCANA
• All songs written by: CIRCA ARCANA
• Produced by: CIRCA ARCANA / JTS STUDIO PRODUCTIONS
• Mixed by: CHRIS HARD / RESARTUS PRODUCTIONS
• Mastered by: CHRIS HARD / RESARTUS PRODUCTIONS
• EP by: Kavan the Kid
EP Recording & Live Band Line Up:
Kevin Cangas – Vocals
Johny Serna – Guitar
Felipe Jasso – Guitar
Frank Loya – Drums
Ben Reyes – Bass
==========================================
The EP as a whole explained by the band.
[Johny] – “Musically the album takes you through a journey. We decided to start it off with 10 of Swords which we felt was a great opener of a song for our listeners. It gives off the best impression of the sound that is Circa Arcana. As the listener goes through the record you can hear all the nuances that you heard in the opening song.” As a whole musically I can say the record is a fast-paced, Rollercoaster to the face album. We are really excited for everyone to hear it!”
Track by Track explained by the band.
[Johny] – “10 of Swords is the opening track to the record. It really shows the diversity of the sound to Circa Arcana. The song ties in clean ambient hooks with a melodic chorus, a plethora of synth and string production, and finishes with a death punch of a breakdown. This song really shows off the multitude of influences based within our music and captures a little of everything for the listener to enjoy!”
[Johny] – “The Chariot. This song is our reckless powerhouse on the album. 3 minutes of non-stop in-your-face aggression. When we wrote this song we wanted it to be a call to action, make you get up on your feet type of song. It incorporates groove-ish moving riffs, a killer breakdown, and even a Viking chant. Definitely, one of our favorites to perform live!”
[Johny] – “The Tower. This is our “arena metal” song as well as our second single. If you listen to the lyrics carefully it’s one hell of a story. The song started off with the opening lead. Originally all I had written was probably the first 30 seconds to the track and after I showed the rest of the guys we quickly figured out a pattern for it and knocked it out. Frankie actually came up with that breakdown for it, still one of my favorites. The entire song is a headbanger from start to finish. Personally, my favorite thing about this song is when we play it live people can easily catch on to the chorus and sing along.”
[Johny] – “Luna. Luna was actually originally written by Frank. Frank is a badass songwriter and one day when we were just kicking it after rehearsal he showed it to me. If I remember correctly it was a song he had written over a year or two ago and had recently found the file on his laptop. I loved the idea immediately and we decided to re-write it from scratch. It’s the lightest song on the record, hardly any screams but a beautiful song!”
[Johny] – “Esoteric. Esoteric was the first single we released as a band. We started writing the song off of the chorus riff. That riff was something I had written about 4 years ago when I played with Frank in another local band but we never did anything with it. When we first formed Circa and were trying to start writing some songs he remembered that riff. I had to find an old phone recording to remember what he was talking about. We built the song up pretty quickly from there. It’s definitely an eerie song, lyrically touching on the topic of addiction and overcoming it.”
L-R – Ben Reyes (Bass), Kevin Cangas (Vocals), Francisco Loya (Drums), Johny Serna (Guitar), Felipe Jasso (Guitar)
Photo Credit – Bryan Castro
Texas 5-piece metalcore act Circa Arcana from El Paso Texas bring forth a mixture of melodic ferocious vocals, bouncy breakdowns, and hard-hitting riffs. Founded by Johny Serna (guitar), Frankie Loya (drums), Felipe Jasso (guitar), Ben Reyes (bass), and Kevin Cangas (vocals) the 5-piece released their first single “Esoteric” on January 2021. Touching on the struggles of overcoming one’s personal demons, “Esoteric” led the way to the band’s second single which enfolded a darker theme within the band. “The Tower” released in June of 2021 bridges the gap between sanity and madness. The band encompasses a blend of modern metal concepts with a nostalgic yet new approach. Circa Arcana dive into the realms of Metalcore, Post-Hardcore, and Emocore genres. The band finished recording their first EP titled “Bridget Vīgintī” and has set its release for February 18th, 2022. The title derives from the name of the first “witch” burned in Salem, Massachusetts, and the symbolic number “20”, for the 20 witches burned during the Salem Witch Trials.
EP Recording & Live Band Line Up:
Kevin Cangas – Vocals
Johny Serna – Guitar
Felipe Jasso – Guitar
Frank Loya – Drums
Ben Reyes – Bass
Discography:
2022 – Bridget Vīginti (EP)
2021(June) – The Tower (single)
2021 (January) – Esoteric (single)
Shared Stage with:
The Crowned, Semper Acerbus, Pyrotechnica, A Liar Like You, Darken the Day, Fatherwolf, Iperion, Anathemia
0 Protected: EPK – Dead Velvet – Dogs (2022) (single)
0 EPK – Messora – Forever as I Beg (single) (2021)
EPK – Messora – Forever as I Beg (single) (2021)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“Forever as I Beg is about being trapped in a self-destructive and self-abusive cycle where your vices control you. The song begins lyrically in the valley of the cycle, where the character is in-between self-destructive bouts and is just dealing with the aftermath of their behavior. As the song progresses the lyrics turn darker and read as if there are two characters, an abuser and a victim, even though there is only the one individual. The music darkens to reflect this. Towards the end of the song the lyrics are entirely from the point of view of the “abuser” as the music reaches its dynamic climax.” – Zach Dean – Messora
For fans of Opeth, Gojira, King Crimson, Porcupine Tree, Rivers of Nihil
Single Title: Forever as I Beg
Release Date: December 17, 2021
Label: Hatred and Lust
Distribution: Hatred and Lust
Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify
Digital Pre-Save – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/messora/forever-as-i-beg-single
Montreal, Canada’s Messora started as a solo recording project with no clear goal back in 2016 and since then, has evolved into a full-fledged live band that is releasing a new single “Forever as I Beg”, a follow up to the 2019 album “The Door”. Listeners familiar with the album will be pleasantly surprised by this new, very long, single, which goes through the whole “album” kind of arc and progression within the single piece of music. You are meant to get the album experience condensed in a nine-minute progressive death metal song. Zach Dean explains the track further:
“It is about being trapped in a self-destructive and self-abusive cycle where your vices control you. The song begins lyrically in the valley of the cycle, where the character is in-between self-destructive bouts and is just dealing with the aftermath of their behavior. As the song progresses the lyrics turn darker and read as if there are two characters, an abuser and a victim, even though there is only one individual. The music darkens to reflect this. Towards the end of the song the lyrics are entirely from the point of view of the “abuser” as the music reaches its dynamic climax.”
Dean continues to explain that “Forever as I Beg” is the fully matured version of the sound Messora was exploring and developing on “The Door” and now that Messora has taken its “progressive death metal” sound to its peak, the band will be exploring different styles in the future. As a very aesthetically driven band, they put a lot of care into creating a unique aesthetic and atmosphere for their live show. It’s all about cool outfits and red lights.
Dark, experimental, and unpredictable, Messora is recommended for fans of Opeth, Gojira, and King Crimson.
[Download Single Cover | Download Single Lyrics]
Single Title: Forever as I Beg
Release Date: December 17, 2021
Label: Hatred and Lust
Distribution: Hatred and Lust
Forever as I Beg (8:49)
(bonus download track via Bandcamp) Closer (Nine Inch Nails cover) “b side” (3:43)
Recording Credits:
– All songs performed by Messora
– Forever as I Beg written by Zach Dean
– Closer written by Trent Reznor
– Produced by Zach Dean and Jonathan Leduc
– Mixed and Mastered by Jonathan Leduc
– Album Artwork by Maya Charest
– Member of SOCAN
– Forever as I Beg – music is Canadian content
– Messora is Sam Neumann, Ben Bertrand and Zach Dean
==========================================
“Overall, this was indeed a hard album to categorize, genre wise. When the album is at its fiercest, I get a distinct GOJIRA vibe…those hard as ice riffs, sterile vocals, and punishing sound. But when they harmonize and explore some melody, and the two more ambient tracks, it lets me know that they are not afraid to experiment a bit. That is a strong quality to any good band, not afraid to take some risks for the sake of overly formulated music. I think that they are just beginning to hit their stride, and can’t wait to hear their next release.” 8/10 – Metal Temple
“Messora constantly find new directions, evolving their music from one side to the other and back. The fact they can do it flawlessly is a joy [8/10] ” – Metal Noise
“The music is technical, brutal, thoughtful, and emotional; taking the listener on a singular journey to the recesses of your mind… This is music for your ears and soul, so purchase and stream the album at the links below.” – Ghost Cult Mag
“If you are a progressive music fan or a fan of metal in general, you need to give ‘The Door’ a chance. It’s challenging, haunting and complex. I don’t have a single complaint about the album and it’s very hard to believe that this is their first LP. Bands normally chase this perfection for years before achieving it. If they continue on this path there is nothing stopping Messora from joining the greats.” – Diary of a Music Addict
“The Door is a guitarist’s album, as central member and founder Zach Dean performs guitar and vocals, and does so with intense gusto. Influences range from Gojira, Tool, Lamb of God, Psycroptic, and Children of Bodom, which sounds neither interesting nor unique, but Messora makes it work, creating a hella tight sound that incorporates it all into one potent wallop… In the end, Messora offers a ridiculously fun guitar album of ear candy.” – Angry Metal Guy
“The Door is one record you certainly check out if you want nothing but solid tracks all the way through. This record will certainly put Messora on the metal map.” – Metal Utopia
“I am starting to sound like a broken record when I talk about all the bands who have released great debut records this year. Well, add another to the list, because Messora is here with their debut, The Door. Messora have created a melting pot of a debut record with how many styles they try to fit into The Door. Having not heard of this band prior to this, I was pleasantly surprised and satisfied with what I heard, especially considering it started as a solo project and bloomed into something much more, and I am beyond excited to see what they do on future records because they’re only going to get better.” – Metal Utopia
“one dynamic and briliant listening experience.” – Noob Heavy
“The Door, their debut album, is more like a kaleidoscope of metal – a blending of various subgenres in the metal sphere. As you listen closely to each song you embark on a very unconventional and artistic journey that dips you in bits of black metal, thrash, power, doom and death metal. For me to say I loved the entire album is huge…Messora truly an exceptionally talented musicianship that is simply a heavy work of art.” – Boston Rock Radio
“It’s bone splintering stuff, with pulverising segments of speed and also crushing heaviness which put the band in the doom camp at times. Certainly one I would recommend exploring. 8/10” – Musipedia Of Metal
“Promising career start for the Canadian quartet” – Broken Tomb Magazine
“Combining a variety of genres, the group made good impressions on those who shows up early with their tight musicianship and ability to change pace on a moment’s notice” – Apt 613
“… Messora was a whirlwind on stage. It was hard to believe that a half hour had passed when they began to play their final song, as each song had layered onto each other leaving viewers with a feeling that the experience was almost surreal.”- Splice Media Group
“…and these guys have not only kicked down the door, they have torn it apart and blown it straight off its hinges…. Their range and versatility know no bounds, and if this standard of work is carried on, they could mould and develop into anything and become colossal world leading metallers, and then those of you who took the time to have a listen now can say that you heard their debut album before they got to next level giants and it was that fucking good.” – The Metal Wanderlust
Photo Credit: Vladim Vilain
Formed as a solo recording project in 2016, Messora has become a band that obscures and challenges genre. To the band, the music comes as what feels best in the moment. To the fans, it is a kaleidoscope of sound that appears different at every glance and to every eye. Messora has been described as Death Metal, Black Metal, Progressive Metal, Melodic Metal, and Doom Metal, and Experimental music by fans and showgoers. The elements that make up the music may seem familiar to some, yet the whole remains a challenge to define.
The band knows how to set themselves apart from others musically as well as aesthetically, with showmanship and presentation second only to musical performance during their live show. They demand attention with their presentation, but keep it with the strength of their performance and musicianship. Messora always delivers, visually, aesthetically and musically.
Messora has headlined shows in Kingston, Ottawa, Montréal and Mont-Laurier, and has opened for popular international bands such as Replacire, Arsonists Get All The Girls, Wolfheart, Mors Principium Est, Carach Angren and Inanimate Existence.
Messora released their debut album “The Door” on October 4th, 2019 to widespread acclaim from fans and critics, establishing the act as an important part of the Montréal metal scene.
Now in 2021, they return with their single “Forever as I Beg”, an almost album experience condensed in a nine-minute progressive death metal song.
Messora’s Zach Dean explains the track further:
“It is about being trapped in a self-destructive and self-abusive cycle where your vices control you. The song begins lyrically in the valley of the cycle, where the character is in between self-destructive bouts and is just dealing with the aftermath of their behavior. As the song progresses the lyrics turn darker and read as if there are two characters, an abuser and a victim, even though there is only one individual. The music darkens to reflect this. Towards the end of the song the lyrics are entirely from the point of view of the “abuser” as the music reaches its dynamic climax.”
Dean continues to explain that “Forever as I Beg” is the fully matured version of the sound Messora was exploring and developing on “The Door” and now that Messora has taken its “progressive death metal” sound to its peak, the band will be exploring different styles in the future. As a very aesthetically driven band, they put a lot of care into creating a unique aesthetic and atmosphere for their live show. It’s all about cool outfits and red lights.
Dark, experimental, and unpredictable, Messora is recommended for fans of Opeth, Gojira, King Crimson, Porcupine Tree, Rivers of Nihil.
Messora is now, Sam Neumann, Ben Bertrand and Zach Dean
Discography:
2021 – Forever as I Beg (single)
2019 – The Door
Shared the stage with:
Carach Angren, Mors Principium Est, Wolfheart, Replacire, Arsonists Get all the Girls, Inanimate Existence, Eye of Horus
Festivals:
Vankleek Hill Farmfest 2019
0 EPK – Hyperia – Silhouettes of Horror (2022)
EPK – Hyperia – Silhouettes of Horror (2022)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
For fans of Exmortus, Arch Enemy, Unleash the Archers, Havok
Album Silhouettes of Horror
Release Date: March 18, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby
Hyperiametal.bandcamp.com | Facebook.com/Hyperiabandofficial | Instagram.com/hyperiametal
“If you prefer your metal loud, dark and just a touch campy (and who doesn’t?), then Calgary-turned-Vancouver rockers Hyperia are planning to deliver with Silhouettes of Horror, the follow-up to 2020’s equally furious and equally fun Insanitorium. First single “Operation Midnight” is an unrelenting barrage of riffage held down by Marlee Ryley’s throat-blistering vocals.” – Exclaim!
Insanitorium – #18 on Top 20 – February 2020 – Canadian College Radio Loud Charts (source: Earshot)
“They’ve got their own flair of melodic and thrash metal going for them which is only going to serve them better as the future comes. All in all I’d absolutely recommend this album, not just because it’s an album that’s got its own vibe and identity to it but it’s arguably the first thrash metal album of the year to grab my attention”- THE METAL ONE ABOVE ALL
“Insanitorium will get the blood flow going and cause massive pit eruption when Hyperia tear up the stage and that’s what the best thrash of any kind should achieve. Keeping their eyes on the prize with creative flourishes in a brief two-year window since forming, the future looks very bright for these Canadians as more people flock to the band’s addictive, pounding style” – DEAD RHETORIC
“Unhinged and unconfinable, Hyperia may throw a lot and we mean a lot of ideas at the wall in the hope that they stick but in the end, it’s their scattershot approach and fearless demeanor which makes them so damn appealing!”
– WORSHIP METAL’S 2020 “10 THRASH METAL ALBUMS YOU HAD TO HEAR IN JANUARY”
“Musically everything is very well done: blast beats and solid drum patterns, driving basses, powerful riffs and handsome melodic guitar solos in well-constructed and arranged songs. But the signboard for Hyperia seems to me to be the smooth vocals of Marlee. They range from very powerful and clean, to strong screams and just as rough and raw grunts. Maybe I can mention Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy) as an example, but it seems to me that Marlee can handle even higher screams” – MUSIKA.BE (Translated from Dutch)
[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Album Silhouettes of Horror
Release Date: March 18, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby
Track Listing:
1. Hypnagogia 4:17
2. Intoxication Therapy 4:38
3. Experiment 77 4:28
4. Severed 4:20
5. Prisoner Of The Mind 4:18
6. Terror Serum 4:51
7. Whitecoat 3:31
8. Silhouettes of Horror 3:54
9. Operation Midnight 4:22
10. Pleonexia 6:59
11. Gimme Gimme Gimme (ABBA Cover) 4:29
Album Length 50:13
Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Hyperia
• All songs written by: Colin Ryley, Marlee Ryley, David Kupisz
• Produced by: Colin Ryley
• Mixed by: Colin Ryley
• Mastered by: Mika Jussila
• Album Artwork by: Andrei Bouzikov
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
Album Band Line Up:
Marlee Ryley – Vocals
Colin Ryley – Lead Guitar
David Kupisz – Rhythm Guitar
Scott Degruyter – Bass
Gord Alexander – Drums
Live Band Line Up:
Marlee Ryley – Vocals
Colin Ryley – Lead Guitar
David Kupisz – Rhythm Guitar
Scott Degruyter – Bass
=======================================
The album as a whole explained by the band:
Silhouettes of Horror’s lyrical concept is that of parapsychology, night terror hallucinations, and inhumane government experiments. The music is fast, melodic, and heavy-hitting thrash metal.
Track by track explained by the band:
Hypnagogia – Fast opening track that sets the pace for the album. Lyrically it deals with the condition “Hypnagogia” which is a state between wakefulness and sleep where someone experiences hallucinations.
Intoxication Therapy – Our classic thrash song on the album is about dependence on alcohol and a party lifestyle. It borders on a fun yet a real topic that a lot of people might relate to.
Experiment 77 – This song was written about a government experiment where they dosed subjects with LSD for 77 days to study the human mind, doubling the dose each day. It showcases a lot of intricate moments for each instrument and contains extended dual-guitar solo as well as bass solos.
Severed – The slowest song on the album. A change of pace from the rest of the album. Lyrically it’s about how humans were originally all connected, but how throughout time the link of our collective consciousness has been severed.
Prisoner of the Mind – A super melodic and classical-based lick starts this song off. It leads into a fast and thrashy verse with a big, catchy sing-along chorus. Lyrically it describes how we are all slaves to our thoughts and conditioning.
Terror Serum – Terror Serum is a song about living life in fear. A metaphor for being injected by fear from media, news, and our entire culture. Musically a high-energy song, it shows off a range of vocal styles and includes an extended C-section with harmonized guitar leads.
Whitecoat – Whitecoat is influenced by Stephen King’s novel “The Institute” where the government runs experiments on young people to harness their powers and create psychological warfare. Another fast-paced classic thrash song that is sure to start pits live.
Silhouettes of Horror – The title track of the album – this song starts with only guitar and builds with drums into a fast-paced double kick frenzy. A constant pulse flows throughout the song that is ridden with heavy vocals and instrumentals.
Operation Midnight – Operation Midnight is the first single from the album and accompanied by a music video. This song is hard-hitting with melodic vocal lines and sporadic guitar riffs. A catchy and memorable song that portrays what the whole album is about.
Pleonexia – The grand finale and longest song on the album. Lyrically, the song is about corporate greed and how it affects our society. Another fast song with constant double kicks and a variety of vocal types.
Gimme Gimme Gimme – Our homage to the great ABBA. We took this classic song and made it thrash with an extended solo section. We’ve always been fans of non-metal metal covers and wanted to demonize the pop hit.
=======================================
BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. Hyperia recently made the decision as a band to move to Vancouver to pursue their musical goals in a more established city.
2. Hyperia had a 3-month tour planned throughout the UK, Europe, and Canada that was unfortunately canceled due to the Covid pandemic.
3. In 2019 Hyperia branded a beer named “Hybeeria” that was sold during the band’s “Asylum” Music Video Premiere as well as their debut album’s sold-out release show, which was a record-breaking event for the venue, having almost 300 people in attendance for a local headlining act.
4. In 2019, Hyperia signed to Latvian-Record label Sliptrick Records, who released their debut album “Insantorium” worldwide.
5. In February 2020, weeks before the covid-shutdown, Hyperia was asked to open for Soulfly and Toxic Holocaust at the Gateway Venue in Calgary, Canada.
6. Guitarist Colin and vocalist Marlee Ryley are a husband and wife thrashing team!
L-R – David Kupisz – Rhythm Guitar, Colin Ryley – Lead Guitar, Marlee Ryley – Vocals, Scott Degruyter – Bass
Photo Credit – Derek Carr of Visions in Pixels Photography
HYPERIA (originally from Calgary, AB now based in Vancouver, BC) is a Melodic Thrash Metal band known for their wailing vocals, shredding guitars, and fast, heavy music. Formed by Colin and Marlee Ryley in September 2018, they found 3 members from the local metal community and hit the ground running. Since the release of their debut EP “FISH CREEK FRENZY” in 2019, HYPERIA has been thrashing venues and taking the Western Canadian metal community by storm.
In April 2019, HYPERIA announced their signing SLIPTRICK RECORDS, who released their debut full-length album “INSANITORIUM” in January 2020. The band celebrated their release to a 300 person sold-out show in their hometown of Calgary, Canada.
Later that year, the band announced the departure of their previous drummer Jordan Maguire, while at the same time revealing the commencement of their second record “SILHOUETTES OF HORROR” with session drummer Gord Alexander (Tessitura, Tides of Kharon, Immunize). The album was completed in June 2021 and is due out in March 2022.
Live Band Line Up:
Marlee Ryley – Vocals
Colin Ryley – Lead Guitar
David Kupisz – Rhythm Guitar
Scott Degruyter – Bass
Album Band Line Up:
Marlee Ryley – Vocals
Colin Ryley – Lead Guitar
David Kupisz – Rhythm Guitar
Scott Degruyter – Bass
Gord Alexander – Drums
Discography:
2022 – Silhouettes Of Horror – LP
2020 – Insanitorium – LP (Sliptrick Records)
2019 – Fish Creek Frenzy – EP
Shared Stage with:
Soulfly, Toxic Holocaust, Hatchet, Invicta, West Of Hell, Seax
Artist Endorsements:
WB Gear
0 EPK – My Hollow – Fighting The Monsters (EP) (2022)
EPK – My Hollow – Fighting The Monsters (EP) (2022)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“This is by far some of the heaviest tunes we have written and the addition of Lead Guitarist Danio Pirrone and keyboardist Matt Williams has also created a new dimension to the My Hollow sound to make it so much more epic. The new tunes don’t stray too far from our back catalog, but they do possess more of a mature approach to our songwriting. At the end of the day, we hope that the listener can extract their own joy from each individual song. We think the older, as well as the newer fans, can find tangible qualities to enjoy about the new EP.” – My Hollow
For fans of Chimaira, Gojira, Lamb of God, August Burns Red, Fit For An Autopsy
Heavy, Progressive, Groove, Death, Metal
Myhollow.ca | Facebook.com/myhollowband | Twitter.com/my_hollow | Instagram.com/myhollow | YouTube
Myhollow.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify
“It has all the subtlety of two-ton anvil slamming down on a set of pearly whites! ” – Heavy Metal Time Machine
“Five pissed off Canadians ready to tear my head off! A welcome surprise.”- Power of Metal
“A staggeringly great job these boys are doing.”- Metal Talk
“I once read it was the test of the progressive band to take two wholly unrelated pieces of music and move seamlessly between them. My Hollow has that in spades, and diamonds, and clubs, and hearts.” – Glacially Musical
“On Borrowed Time is killer. True, it’s packed with a lot of influences, ranging from Pantera to Parkway Drive and more, but My Hollow still retain their own unique, bone-shaking, heavy sound. They’ve just been sure to include all of the best and dirtiest elements of heavy music.” – Skullnbones
“A heavy rabbit punch of an album.” – Hunter Young, Metal Machine
“They are a dynamic band, jamming along at 100mph, then cruising along to vast, deep sonic vistas that refresh the listener throughout the album (after On Borrowed Time, Cold Dark Days slows it down). They bounce around from different influences and spheres, but never staying long enough to wear out their welcome.” – Hunter Young, Metal Machine
“Canada’s My Hollow really set the metal underground on fire with their debut full-length entitled “On Borrowed Time”. This CD encompasses most every element of death metal and death-metal/core into the mix and the end result is one of the best releases I have heard this year. Definitely in the top 10.” -Akerthorpe, Encyclopedia Metallum
[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]
EP Title: Fighting The Monsters
Release Date: TBD
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: TBD
Track Listing:
1. Vultures (4:59)
2. Fighting The Monsters ft. Björn Strid (Soilwork) (4:19)
3. Hell Or High Water (6:26)
4. Faded Through (5:17)
5. The Iron Harvest (4:40)
EP Length: 25:41
EP Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: My Hollow
• All songs were written by: My Hollow
• Produced by: Greg Gallagher and Sean De Faria
• Mixed by: Tyler Williams @ Monolithic Productions
• Mastered by: Tyler Williams @ Monolithic Productions
• Album Artwork by: Jennifer White
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
EP Recording and Live Band Line Up:
Graham Gaudreault – Vocals
Angelo Giammattolo – Drums
Greg Gallagher – Guitar
Danio Pirrone – Guitar
Sean De Faria – Bass
Matt Williams – Keyboards
=============================================================
The EP as a whole:
Lyrically, the album fits well together. Each song has its own struggle and perseverance. The main focus for each song was to have its own battle and its own victory. Each topic is different, each outcome is the same.
Track by track explained:
1. Vultures
When I wrote this song I wanted to write something brutally heavy and I had this kind of black metal fast tremolo guitar riff that just totally crushed. I wrote a couple of alternate parts that were cool, but didn’t have the feeling that I was going for. I would say that this song was probably one of the most difficult ones for me as I had to revisit it a couple of times. I am definitely happy with the finished product which made all the struggle worthwhile. (Greg – Guitar)
2. Fighting The Monsters:
This song came together like peas and carrots. I wanted to write a single that had huge sounding choruses and fast, hard hitting verses. We wanted some singing parts in the chorus and we were fortunate enough to have Bjorn of Soilwork completely kill it on this song. I was definitely aiming for a sound that a bigger variety of crowd may latch on to. (Greg – Guitar)
When I wrote the guitar parts for this song they ended up coming together really quickly. I remember feeling some stress and some loneliness at the time and I think that it comes through in the music. It’s also a lot different structurally than most of our songs, which is something that I always try to bring to the table. It also features a longer instrumental section nearing the end which also has gotten positive feedback from the crowd during live performances. Danio Pirrone added a pretty sweet guitar solo in place of the one originally written as a place holder, which is far more technical than My Hollow leads of old. The vocals that Graham added feed into the feel of the music as well, that feeling of unrest and longing for closure are evident in the lyrics. (Sean – Bass)
4. Faded Through:
This was one of the first songs I wrote coming off the release of the “And Now We Fall” single. I wanted to keep the same feel and evolve from that sound which was heavy on the keyboards. I had some basic ideas for the keys and when Matt got a hold of the song, he took it to the next level. The song really came together when we started jamming it out. I had a hard time coming up with an ending and Sean had this killer break down the fit perfectly which in turn allows us to do our trademark move, “The Slowbang,” when we play it live. If you’ve ever seen us play Cold Dark Days live, you’ll know what I’m talking about. (Greg – Guitar)
5. The Iron Harvest:
For me, this song was all about the ending. I actually wrote the song backwards in a sense. I had this killer idea for an ending of a song and what better way to start the song than to completely blast the fuck out of our forearms with a shit ton of tremolo picking. We jammed this song out for a while and with some solid ideas from the boys, this beast of a song was born. (Greg – Guitar)
This was my least favourite song, in truth, prior to Matt getting involved. The ending was awesome, but I wasn’t a fan of the beginning sequence until Matt added his parts in, which for me really improved the tune dramatically. He brought some outside-the-box ideas to parts I felt needed something extra and morphed it into one of my favourites tracks from this release. Danio Pirrone came into the studio and ripped a few lead parts on top of this tune that we could only dream of playing in a My Hollow song prior, this is only a small feature of what he is capable of, so it’s a taste of what’s to come from future My Hollow songs. (Sean – Bass)
L-R Angelo Giammattolo – Drums, Sean De Faria – Bass, Graham Gaudreault – Vocals, Greg Gallagher – Guitar, Matt Williams – Keyboards,
(not pictured in photo) Danio Pirrone – Guitar
Photo Credit – Brett Teskey
hollow: (1) a place or area that is lower than the area around it.
(2) an empty space inside of something.
The definitions of the word hollow describe My Hollow fittingly. With intense riffs and passages seamlessly giving way to lower, heavier parts in a lock-up, chunked out style with mutes leaving empty space in an otherwise chaotic sequence.
Based out of the Toronto area, My Hollow boasts a cast of independent metal journeymen, hungry to be heavier, tighter and more engaging with every song. Applying advice and drawing experience from performing alongside some of Canada’s biggest metal exports; The Agonist, Cryptopsy, Threat Signal, Beneath The Massacre among others. My Hollow as a whole can draw from a multitude of influences, not only from metal but from other genres as well, reflected in both their recorded releases as well as their live performance. Described by Danish webzine Power Of Metal as “five pissed off Canadians ready to tear my head off!” As well as “all the subtlety of a two-ton anvil slamming down on a set of pearly whites” by US based heavy metal blog, Heavy Metal Time Machine.
My Hollow has two official releases, 2012’s ‘Cold Dark Days EP’ featuring four demo versions of songs which were reworked and reimagined on 2014’s ‘On Borrowed Time’ full length release featuring My Hollow’s most refined and focused work to date.
Like any band, My Hollow has had its highs and lows. Being selected as a finalist for the annual Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2013 solidified My Hollow as one of Toronto’s, as well as Canada’s top metal acts and announced themselves to a broader spectrum of listeners. Although narrowly missing out on a spot to perform in Germany at heavy metal’s premier festival the experience proved to strengthen the bands resolve and galvanize their confidence in the process.
While the band’s recorded releases give the listener an idea of what My Hollow is about, the live performance is where My Hollow truly shine. “With a crushing wave of energy, and sound, My Hollow filled the venue with their effervescent presence. The lads never disappoint on stage,” is how Toronto based metal publication Metal Master Kingdom described their experience.
With a new EP “Fighting The Monsters”, which includes guest vocals from Bjorn Strid (Soilwork) due out in 2022 and an ever-evolving sound and live performance, My Hollow strive to become an ever-present staple in the Canadian and global metal scene and will stop at nothing to leave you hollow, and wanting more.
EP Recording and Live Band Line Up:
Graham Gaudreault – Vocals
Angelo Giammattolo – Drums
Greg Gallagher – Guitar
Danio Pirrone – Guitar
Sean De Faria – Bass
Matt Williams – Keyboards
Discography:
2022 – Fighting The Monsters (EP)
2020 – iSolation (Single)
2018 – And Now We Fall (Single)
2015 – On Borrowed Time (LP)
2013 – Cold Dark Days (EP)
Shared Stage with:
The Agonist, Beyond Creation, Cryptopsy, Soilwork, Unearth, Battlecross, Fit For An Autopsy, Wretched, War Of Ages, SkullFist, Neck Of The Woods, Operus, Kill Devil Hill, Vital Remains, Warbringer, Beneath The Massacre. As well as (relatively) local bands: Insurrection, Centuries Of Decay, Sludgehammer, Astaroth Incarnate, BornBroken, Lutharo, Tortured Saint, Burning The Day.
========================================
BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. The guitar and vocal tracking for the album were engineered by both Greg Gallagher and Sean De Faria. The drums were recorded by Tyler Williams at Monolithic Productions, who also mixed and mastered the album. Every band is on a budget, the more money you can save doing things yourself the better, so long as the end product is acceptable. That money can be used for other ventures like promotion, music videos and merchandise.
2. All artwork from the last 10 years has been done by Jennifer White, the wife of our vocalist, Graham. She has made so many amazing pieces over the years and has really made us look good visually. She also created the storyboard for the music video for ‘Vultures,’ as well as creating all of the puppets, props and backgrounds by hand, all while serving as de facto director for the video. We are very fortunate to have her around, My Hollow wouldn’t have been the same without her.
3. We have a number of “Easter Eggs” and hidden inside jokes without our content. A lot revolve around Angelo’s obsession with the number ’11.’ For instance, whenever we can we change the double-L’s in My Hollow to My Ho11ow, or whenever we have a music video we’ll have things in the background, like in the music video for “On Borrowed Time,” the clock is set to 11:11. Also, on one of our recordings, Graham said ‘Meow’ instead of ‘Now,’ in homage to the cult movie classic “Super Toppers.”
0 EPK – Fall of Stasis – The Chronophagist (2022)
EPK – Fall of Stasis – The Chronophagist (2022)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“We wanted our first album to bring something fresh to the metal scene. Each song was carefully written and fine-tuned to maintain the listener’s attention. We wanted the album to showcase every member’s musical influences without compromising the quality of our music. The result is a relentless, fast and aggressive yet melodic and symphonic opus with a different vibe and story for every track. Overall, each song blends well into the next one, yet they’re different enough to keep the listener involved for the duration of the album. We asked Christian Donaldson to record, mix and master our album since he’s easily one of the most respected and recognized metal producers in the province. Again, we didn’t want to cut corners and we made sure to partner with someone who would do justice to our music. Lyrically, the album showcases fictive storytelling from start to finish, although the lyrics often symbolize modern social issues along with some of the band members’ personal experiences.” – Fall of Stasis
For fans of Finntroll, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Black Dahlia Murder, Unexpect, Ne Obliviscaris
Album Title: The Chronophagist
Release Date: February 25, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Self-Release
Facebook.com/fallofstasis | Instagram.com/fallofstasis | YouTube | Fallofstasis.bandcamp.com
“With their frantic sound and otherworldly, playful yet dark ambiances, Fall Of Stasis is ready to drag you into a world where madness reigns.” – Maxime Pagé, Thorium Mag
[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Album Title: The Chronophagist
Release Date: February 25, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Self-Release
Track Listing:
1. Wilted Forests (3:13)
2. Fall of Stasis (6:52)
3. Drunken Howl (4:08)
4. Baal Arise (2:01)
5. The Cult (2:54)
6. Twilight Carnival (6:18)
7. Baron (5:40)
8. The Last Waltz (4:50)
9. Swarm Of Casualties (6:40)
10. The Chronophagist (Feat. Viky Boyer) (6:50)
Album Length: 49:31
Album Recording Credits: Christian Donaldson
• All songs performed by: Fall of Stasis
• All songs written by: Fall of Stasis
• Produced by: Christian Donaldson
• Mixed by: Christian Donaldson
• Mastered by: Christian Donaldson
• Album Artwork by: Roberto Napolitano
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
Album Band Line Up:
Jessica Dupré – Lead singer
Gabriel Bernier – Lead guitar/back vocals
Tristan Bergeron-Boucher – Rhythm guitar
Mathieu Groulx – Bass
Sergei Lecours – Drums
Mélissa Bissonnette – Keyboard
========================================
The album as a whole explained by the band:
Lyrically: The album showcases fictive storytelling from start to finish, although the lyrics often symbolize modern social issues along with some of the band members’ personal experiences.
Musically: This album is a melting pot of each band member’s musical tastes and influences, which makes for a pretty varied repertoire, ranging from smooth and melancholic ballads to aggressive and fast metal riffs. This gives us somewhat of an “apocalyptic” sound, something that is also reflected in most of the lyrics.
Track by Track explained:
1. Wilted Forests: A very symphonic, instrumental song that sets the tone for what’s to come by showcasing some of the musical themes of the album.
2. Fall of Stasis: This eponymous track describes an apocalyptic flood transcending both space and time. Musically the song starts with an eerie piano section which evolves into death metal riffs, followed by a soaring chorus. The final section of the song brings back the main riff and features the guitar and the piano trading solos back and forth.
3. Drunken Howl: This song tells the story of a murderous captain and details some of the most well-known torture methods used by pirates throughout history. Heavily influenced by Alestorm, this pirate metal piece starts off with an upbeat accordion riff that sets the tone for a classic folk metal song. The track ends with a guitar solo and a modulation of the main riff.
4. Baal Arise: This piece describes a demon’s awakening and his wish to enslave humanity. This is a short, fast-paced, “in-your-face” type of song that starts off with a brutal death metal riff followed by an epic chorus.
5. The Cult: This is about a pagan cult that heavily indulges in psychoactive substances. The song starts with a syncopated section followed by a folky yet intense main riff solidified by fast and sustained blast beats.
6. Twilight Carnival: This song tells the story of a carnival where tormented people end up reliving their worst memories and regrets. The song features a circus-themed chorus blended into a succession of acoustic guitar parts and brutal guitar riffs.
7. Baron: This epic tale is heavily inspired by our hometown’s most infamous alcoholic who would willingly partake in crazy antics in exchange for beer. This song is fast, eclectic, and features back-to-back riffs structured in an unconventional fashion.
8. The Last Waltz: This piece tells the story of a sorceress who takes advantage of lustful wanderers. This is a classic power-ballad type of song with an acoustic intro and melodic riffing followed by a smooth middle section. The song ends with a melodic-trashy riff and a fade-out solo.
9. Swarm of Casualties: This one is about two armies stuck in a time loop, doomed to be at war with each other until the end of time. This song has a strong melodic death metal influence starting off with an organ intro followed by a melodic section that abruptly turns into a thrash metal riff. The chorus features a catchy vocal hook that gives a very punk-ish vibe.
10. The Chronophagist: This is the final song of the album and it tells the story of a deity who has the power to steal time from mortal beings. The song starts off with a slightly modified version of Wilted Forests’s intro, followed by a heavy riff and an epic, vocally-charged chorus. The last chorus is cut short by an eclectic and odd-timed trashy riff followed by a black metal section. The song ends with an epic riff and a fading soaring guitar solo.
L-R – Sergei Lecours (Drums), Mélissa Bissonnette (Keyboard), Mathieu Groulx (Bass), Jessica Dupré (Lead Vocals), Gabriel Bernier (Lead Guitar),Tristan Bergeron-Boucher (Rhythym Guitar)
Photo Credit – Martin Trottier, Darkest Media
Fall Of Stasis, based in Montreal, Canada, was originally formed in 2014 with the intention of creating original music that couldn’t be defined by a specific genre. They started off with a very eclectic and progressive style, and as time went on, it was toned down in favour of musical cohesion and they added symphonic arrangements.
In 2017, the band released their demo and will be following it up in 2022 with the full-length “The Chronophagist”, which maneuvers closer to black metal but with definitive prog-heavy stylings. Working together on everything, there isn’t a single song where the creative input from a band member has not been blended into the mix. Fall of Stasis firmly believes that creative collaboration is one of their main strengths.
The current lineup of Fall of Stasis consists of Jessica Dupré (vocals), Gabriel Bernier (lead guitar/backing vocals), Tristan Bergeron-Boucher (rhythm guitar), Mathieu Groulx (bass), Sergei Lecours (drums) and Mélissa Bissonnette (keyboard). Each of the musicians brings a wide array of influences which results in a distinct sound, which caters to folk, black, progressive and death metal fans alike, but also to the uninitiated, thanks to their original and catchy melodies.
Symphonic yet brutal and often unpredictable, they present a mix of very powerful growls and clean vocals, along with good stage presence, efficient crowd work and tight musicianship. They have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with many notable local and international bands such as The Agonist, Wolfheart and Beyond Creation.
Album Band Line Up:
Jessica Dupré – Lead singer
Gabriel Bernier – Lead guitar/back vocals
Tristan Bergeron-Boucher – Rhythm guitar
Mathieu Groulx – Bass
Sergei Lecours – Drums
Mélissa Bissonnette – Keyboard
Live Band Line Up:
Jessica Dupré – Lead singer
Gabriel Bernier – Lead guitar/back vocals
Tristan Bergeron-Boucher – Rhythm guitar
Mathieu Groulx – Bass
Sergei Lecours – Drums
Mélissa Bissonnette – Keyboard
Viky Boyer – Feature vocalist
Shared Stage with:
Wolfheart, The Agonist, Beyond Creation, Obey the Brave, Seven Spires, Burning the Oppressor
=========================================
BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. Our singer’s ex-girlfriend once came to one of our shows and she bought a demo along with 2 tickets for an upcoming show. In a fit of jealousy, her girlfriend set our demo and tickets on fire the following day.
2. When the band was just starting out, we jammed in a small shed next to a chicken coop. Our gear was questionable, to say the least, and we had to use logs and rocks to keep the cymbal stands from falling mid-song. In the winter, the temperature could easily drop to -20 degrees celsius, so we had to start a fire in the woodstove and throw logs in every once in a while. Needless to say, this wasn’t great for our instruments.
3. Our lead guitarist Gabriel and our drummer Sergei met on MSN about 15 years ago, and their friendship solidified when Sergei started regularly selling weed to Gabriel right in front of the house, which never failed to make his mother angry.
4. At some point we were jamming in a residential area and one of the neighbours made a noise complaint. When they arrived, we couldn’t hear them knocking because we were busy butchering Are you dead Yet? by Children of Bodom, so they entered the house and found an ounce of weed sitting on the table (it was still illegal at the time). Fortunately for us, his roommate saw them and handled the situation without further incident.
5. A few years ago, we were playing at the first edition of a small festival called Farmfest in Vankleek Hill, Ontario. The attendance was pretty scarce, but we still had a lot of fun. We were camping there and it was getting pretty cold outside as the night fell, so we crammed into the van of a festival-goer. While we were having the time of our life, our bassist was busy conceiving his future daughter in the tent next to us.
0 EPK – Anarcheon – Scary Tale (2021)
EPK – Anarcheon – Scary Tale (2021)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
EP Title: Scary Tale
Release Date: November 26, 2021
Label: Self-Release
For fans of Sepultura for the grooviness mixed with Carcass type vocals, In Flames (Early), Unearth, Jinjer
Facebook.com/anarcheonband | Instagram.com/Anarcheonband | Twitter.com/Anarcheonband | YouTube
Spotify | Apple Music | Anarcheon.bandcamp.com | Soundcloud
“The EP takes you through a transition of a woman to a blood-thirsty beast. She longs for her bloodthirsty lady lover only to realize once she is turned she is someone she never imagined she could be. Out for souls and feeling no remorse. Feeling godly and that these mortals should just be thankful to be graced with such exquisite beauty.
One can as well take this EP as a metaphor for someone very lost in love and what is right and wrong. They often feel like they can be two different people once they have suffered a tragedy or heartbreak. Resulting in self-loathing and guilt that you ruined someone and can only protect yourself by turning off the consciousness hence feeling superhuman with no emotions to weigh you down.” – Anarcheon
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“first executive officers of sonic extremity, meting out judicious servings of melody and enmity.” – Factory Worker Media
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STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT THE BAND
1. Kaija – When I was first meeting Sylvain I asked him to meet me at a local pub. What I didn’t tell him was that it was a pub my cousin works at. I made sure we sat at the bar where she was working just in case she had to save me from a weirdo. HAHAHA. But of course, the meeting went amazing, we clicked right away and immediately wanted to work together. Later I found out it was actually Sylvains birthday, haha!
2. We track and produce all our new music with Matt Roach at Rain City Recorders.
3. Sylvain the bass player is the main writer for the band.
4. We are all pretty nerdy and funny. When we aren’t playing music you can catch us laughing our asses off at stupid stories we make up, doing karaoke, drinking hot sauce or playing Magic the Gathering in the jam house basement.
EP Title: Scary Tale
Release Date: November 26, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Track Listing:
1. Transyldrainia (4:28)
2. Vlad to the Bone
3. Scary Tale (6:19)
EP Length: 16:01
EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: Anarcheon
• All songs written by: Anarcheon
• Produced by: Matt Roach & Anarcheon
• Engineered by Matt Roach & Emily Ryan at Rain City Recorders
• Mixed by Matt Roach
• Mastered by Stu McKillop
• Album Artwork by:
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
Recording and Live Band Line Up:
Sylvain Maltais- Bass
Kaija Krimson- Vocals
Mac White – Drums
Mike Watson – Guitar
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Track by Track Explained:
1. Scary Tale: “Scary Tale” is a story of a girl most likely from the 1600s. She is in love with a vampire that has seduced her through love and promises. When this vampire love of hers shows up she is greeted by two vampires. Thinking she is being betrayed she freezes. Her love reassures her she’s there to turn her and be together for eternity. Once she is turned she loses all sense of love and compassion and starts her murderous spree.
2. Vlad To The Bone: “Vlad To The Bone” is a tale of a sexual bloodlust between two vampires. She plays with her black swan for years, draining him little by little but grows impatient. She sires him and essentially makes him her bloodplay lover.
3. Transyldrania: “In this EP, we flip the sequence and start with “Transyldrania”, We wrote this last but it really almost tells about the psychology of trying to make someone see the sheer pleasures of being immortal. The big question :
Have you ever wondered
Have you ever dreamed
Of a life not bound by hours
Not life or death
But somewhere in between
As humans, we are very fragile. This song suggests life can end at any moment so why not just come to the dark side where you will be free of the disease of death. It tells of how the person could be torn but in the end, begs to be free with the coercion of this magical beast.
L-R – Sylvain Maltais – Bass, Mike Watson – Guitar, Mac White – Drums, Kaija Krimson – Vox
Photo Credit – James Weekes Productions
Vancouver, BC’s ANARCHEON was formed in 2015 and features vocalist Kaija Krimson, founder of Metalocalypstick Fest, the BC metal fest celebrating women in metal, along with guitarist Mike Watson, bassist Sylvain Maltais and drummer Mac White. With a band name playing off the word Anarchy, ANARCHEON is more of a Frankenstein of their various influences. Demonstrating shemonic screams, catchy riffs, and energetic heavy bass leads, the band has released an EP “Stratusfear” in 2017, two stand-alone singles in 2020 “Sir.Traline” and “Headless Horseman” along with a lone single to kick off 2021 with “Bloody Merry”.
Now, this coming Fall 2021, the band is ready to serve up their next recording “Scary Tale”, a story EP to take fans through a vampiric journey into the dark side of Anarcheon. Lyrically it’s very different from what Anarcheon has released in the past, but musically this EP is a maturing step forward for the band’s brand of grooving melodic death metal.
ANARCHEON has shared the stage with multiple bands from the Western Canadian metal scene and beyond such as Nervosa, The Agonist, Butcher Babies, and more.
Band Line Up:
Sylvain Maltais- Bass
Kaija Krimson- Vocals
Mac White – Drums
Mike Watson – Guitar
2021 – Scary Tale (EP)
2021 – Bloody Merry (single)
2020 – Sir.Traline (single)
2020 – Headless Horseman (single)
2017- Stratusfear (Demo-EP)Shared Stage with:
The Agonist, Nervosa, Butcher Babies, AngelMaker, Into, Eternity, Arrival of Autumn, Planet Eater, Blackwater Burial, Galactic Pegasus, Omega Crom, Body Snatcher, Hell Chamber, KOSM, God Said Kill, The Vth Circle, Truent, Of Artistry, 2 Shadows
2016- Metalocalypstick Fest – Valemount BC
2017 – CEMR Fest – Calgary Alberta
2017 – Metalocalypstick Fest- Lone Butte
2018 – Armstrong Metal Fest – Armstrong BC
2019 – Metalocalypstick Fest – Lone Butte BC
2021 – Loud As Hell Festival – Drumheller, AB
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