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Category: EPKs

0 EPK – Tonic Breed – Outsold (2024) -10th Anniversary Edition

  • July 21, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Tonic Breed

EPK – Tonic Breed – Outsold (2024) -10th Anniversary Edition

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

Band: Tonic Breed
Album Title: Outsold
Release Date: September 13, 2024
Label: Self-Release

“Outsold is a ten-year-old album that will be revisited and remastered in 2024. This edit elevates all the songs and gives the album the release it deserves. Outsold is the Tonic Breed album that has been played the most live, combining all the songs on the release. The lyrics express the darker themes of life, politics, and our inner demons. So does the music itself, which is more progressive in complexity and length compared to the releases before and after it.” – Patrik K. Svendsen – Tonic Breed

For fans of Slayer, Pantera, Metallica, Testament, Megadeth

Tonicbreed.com | Facebook.com/tonicbreed | YouTube | Instagram.com/tonicbreed 

Spotify | Apple Music

“Tonic Breed reinforces my growing belief that music, and particularly metal, can one day survive and even thrive without need of the corporate machine.” – Metal Disciple (Outsold – LP)

“For an unsigned act Outsold has one of the best productions I have heard in a long time. Simply put it’s a fantastic album.” – Teeth of the Divine (Outsold – LP)

“TONIC BREED could easily advance up the ranks thanks to this impressive release.” – Metal Temple (Outsold – LP)

“10/10. Album of the year 2014.” – The Metal Review (Outsold – LP)

“For an unsigned act Outsold has one of the best productions I have heard in a long time. Simply put it’s a fantastic album.” – Teeth of the Divine (Outsold – LP)

“TONIC BREED could easily advance up the ranks thanks to this impressive release.” – Metal Temple (Outsold – LP)

Band: Tonic Breed
Album Title: Outsold
Release Date: September 13, 2024
Label: Self-Release

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Track Listing
1. Strife (4:17)
2. Fifth Estate (6:25)
3. Bad Company (6:41)
4. Blackened Mind (7:38)
5. Outsold (7:09)
6. Rebellious Tendencies (6:41)
7. Borregaard (8:11)
8. There’s Just One Escape (5:54)

2024 – 10th Anniversary Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Tonic Breed
• All songs written by: Patrik K. Svendsen, Mats Johansen
• Produced by: Patrik K. Svendsen
• Mixed by: Patrik K. Svendsen and Toproom Studio
• Mastered by: Toproom Studio

Album Band Line Up:
Patrik K. Svendsen: Vocals, Guitar
Rudi Golimo: Bass
Thomas Koksvik: Lead guitar
Mats Johansen: Drums

====================================================

The album as a whole.

Dark and energic, with surprising turns, but at the same time sticking to good old thrash recipe. Lyrical themes that touch the political specter, but also some the darkest thoughts humans can have. Every song is different and easy to tell apart from each other.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY).

Strife – The shortest song on the album. Plenty of catchy riffs and a melodic chorus. Dark-themed lyrics.

Fifth Estate – The banger on the album. Old school riffing, angry and fierce. A fast paced song that sticks to your head.

Bad Company  – Heavy song, downtempo. Your only friend is bad company, the loneliness.

Blackened Mind – A semi-ballad. Gets heavier and heavier, before the sweetest solo at the end.

Outsold – The title track. One of the more prog songs on the album. Takes the listener through a journey, with a clean part in the middle of the song.

Rebellious Tendencies – The surprising one. How can this song be placed as number six on the album? Thrash recipe.

Borregaard – The instrumental into oblivion, inspired by the heavy industrial town of Sarpsborg.

There’s Just One Escape – The end shall not be quiet. A fast-paced song, that starts off with a guitar solo.

This release is a revisited version of Tonic Breed’s 2014 album, Outsold. The genre has similarities to the old Bay-era thrash style, integrated with groove, melodic, and heavy elements. This marks the album’s 10th anniversary.

Until 2019, Tonic Breed was a full-pieced metal band, but Patrik K. Svendsen re-branded Tonic Breed to become a one-piece metal project with its first release in early 2021. After collaborating with artists such as Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Björn Strid (Soilwork), and Oliver Palotai (Kamelot), a new, but old album, is now on the horizon. Outsold is not re-recorded, and the album is still credited with the same lineup the band had in 2014.

Discography:
2024 – Outsold – LP – 10th Anniversary Edition
2022 – Fuel the Fire – EP
2018 – Install Memory – LP
2014 – Outsold – LP

0 EPK – Prisoner – House of Cards (2024) – Out Aug 21st

  • July 19, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Prisoner

EPK – Prisoner – House of Cards (2024)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

“We want to come out with something from everyone, pushing the boundary of what fits within a genre. We come out of the gate with high tempo, thrashing riffs, that throwback to the bay area thrash scene. Into what is considered to some as a power ballad. Which then throws you into a traditional hard rock song with big choruses and tight harmonies. In theory these songs don’t make sense together but under the House of Cards EP everything is cohesive.” Trevor MacDonald (Bass) – Prisoner

For fans of Black Sabbath, Megadeth, ACDC, Judas Priest, Metallica

Prisonerband.ca | Instagram.com/prisonerbandofficial | Facebook | Youtube

Spotify | Apple Music

“Can you guess what Metallica’s “Garage Days Re-revisited”, Trivium’s “Ember to Inferno” and Pantera’s “Cowboys from Hell” records have in common? A band having fun, a band giving it all out and a great and present bass guitar. This is what you will get when listening to “House of Cards” the new EP from the Canadian band Prisoner, formed in 2020 in Alberta by four young men on a mission to make Metal even bigger. The EP is formed by three songs and just under eleven minutes of playtime which is enough to show how fucking good they are! 9/10” – Ever-Metal

“And we’ve added the outstanding new single “On A Sunday” from heavy rockers Prisoner! Elements of alternative rock & metal with a twist of modern rock. So well written with acoustic passages leading up to the electric payoff, “On A Sunday” is a special one. Be sure to catch Prisoner on your Home for the Best New Rock.” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll

“A testament to their musical prowess and diverse range as artists, Prisoner adeptly captures both their high-energy and introspective moments in House of Cards.” – Amplify The Noise

“”House of Cards” did what an EP is supposed to do and that’s whet my appetite for more music from Prisoner. I look forward to their forthcoming full-length album and to hearing what else than do with,” – Rough Edge

“The Devil sends his beast with wrath, for he knows that time is short. Or something. That might be why Calgary metallers Prisoner have followed up their January debut full-length with this EP. And the Maiden reference at the start might have done them a disservice, actually, given that the trio of tracks showcases different sides than that. The opener, “Skies Are Blackened,” is full-on thrash. Think early Metallica, and you aren’t far off, but the next one, “On A Sunday,” couldn’t be more different. Acoustic in the way that Alice In Chains used to be, it’s a fabulous thing. And all of that is before “House Of Cards (The Game PT 2)” hustles into view on the back of quite a mighty gallop. A band to look for, you evidently will not chain Prisoner. 8/10” – Maximum Volume Music

“The Canadian band set out to return to their heavy rock roots, and by the sound of things they have very much done just that. This thing is like Prong but with punk vocals over the top, like the really early days of thrash or crossover. The production fits perfectly with the old-school feel too, feeling like it’s ripped right out of the 80s. The vocals really grew on me throughout, him being able to hit some damn impressive high notes! This thing honestly felt like it was too short, I’d love to have had more from them. Especially with the variety shown between the three tracks. Heck, the slower track, ‘On a Sunday’, is my favourite track on the EP, though the other two are close second and third. I somehow missed the band’s album back in January, but I’mma have to go back and check it out now, as I loved this! 8/10″ – Overtone Magazine

“Can you guess what Metallica’s “Garage Days Re-revisited”, Trivium’s “Ember to Inferno” and Pantera’s “Cowboys from Hell” records have in common? A band having fun, a band giving it all out and a great and present bass guitar. This is what you will get when listening to “House of Cards” the new EP from the Canadian band Prisoner, formed in 2020 in Alberta by four young men on a mission to make Metal even bigger. The EP is formed by three songs and just under eleven minutes of playtime which is enough to show how fucking good they are! 9/10” – Ever-Metal

“And we’ve added the outstanding new single “On A Sunday” from heavy rockers Prisoner! Elements of alternative rock & metal with a twist of modern rock. So well written with acoustic passages leading up to the electric payoff, “On A Sunday” is a special one. Be sure to catch Prisoner on your Home for the Best New Rock.” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll

“A testament to their musical prowess and diverse range as artists, Prisoner adeptly captures both their high-energy and introspective moments in House of Cards.” – Amplify The Noise

“”House of Cards” did what an EP is supposed to do and that’s whet my appetite for more music from Prisoner. I look forward to their forthcoming full-length album and to hearing what else than do with,” – Rough Edge

“The Devil sends his beast with wrath, for he knows that time is short. Or something. That might be why Calgary metallers Prisoner have followed up their January debut full-length with this EP. And the Maiden reference at the start might have done them a disservice, actually, given that the trio of tracks showcases different sides than that. The opener, “Skies Are Blackened,” is full-on thrash. Think early Metallica, and you aren’t far off, but the next one, “On A Sunday,” couldn’t be more different. Acoustic in the way that Alice In Chains used to be, it’s a fabulous thing. And all of that is before “House Of Cards (The Game PT 2)” hustles into view on the back of quite a mighty gallop. A band to look for, you evidently will not chain Prisoner. 8/10” – Maximum Volume Music

“The Canadian band set out to return to their heavy rock roots, and by the sound of things they have very much done just that. This thing is like Prong but with punk vocals over the top, like the really early days of thrash or crossover. The production fits perfectly with the old-school feel too, feeling like it’s ripped right out of the 80s. The vocals really grew on me throughout, him being able to hit some damn impressive high notes! This thing honestly felt like it was too short, I’d love to have had more from them. Especially with the variety shown between the three tracks. Heck, the slower track, ‘On a Sunday’, is my favourite track on the EP, though the other two are close second and third. I somehow missed the band’s album back in January, but I’mma have to go back and check it out now, as I loved this! 8/10″ – Overtone Magazine

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

EP Title: House of Cards
Release Date: August 21, 2024
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Skies are Blackened (2:42)
2. On a Sunday (4:26)
3. House of Cards (The Game Pt.2) (3:38)
EP Length: 10:46

Recording Credits:
All Songs performed by: Murray Emery, Wes Bartram, Jeremy Hartmann
All songs written by: Murray Emery
Produced by: Murray Emery, Reed Alton (Vocals)
Mixed by: Cody Anstey at Clarity Studios, Calgary, Alberta Canada
Mastered by: Cody Anstey at Clarity Studios, Calgary, Alberta Canada
Artwork by: John Garrett
SOCAN Member
MAPL – Canadian content

EP Band Lineup:
Murray Emery (Vocals/Guitar)
Jeremy Hartmann (Guitar)
Trevor MacDonald(Bass)
Wes Bartram (Drums)
Karl Pflug (Drums)

Live Band Lineup:
Murray Emery (Vocals/Guitar)
Jeremy Hartmann (Guitar)
Trevor Macdonald (Bass)
Karl Pflug (Drums)

============================================

About the EP artwork. Answered by Murray Emery

The artwork by John Garrett is hand painted and then digitized, and is a continuation of the first record. With the conceptual theme of our mascot “Davey” and his travels within the setting of his world. You can see from the first record his captivity within a cage. Which then evolves from the ‘Skies are Blackened’ single artwork foreshadowing the colors and theme of the EP. Davey’s movements reveal his magical powers and a more personal look at his character. We believe the artwork is just as important as the music, creating a feeling and idea around the band that we can use to make better music and perform better live. Hence why all of our album art is hand painted to reflect how organic our process is and stays true to our vintage influence in music taste.

About the EP as a whole. Answered by Karl Pflug

It is a conglomeration of music with multiple elements from varying sub-genres. Which are represented throughout the EP. It then bridges the gap between emotion and life experience to truly connect music to the individual. As a drummer, I love the style changes from song to song as it pushed me to be a better musician, all while keeping the music consistent, even though the songs are so different.

Track by Track.

1. “Skies are Blackened” is a hard hitting, in your face hard rock/metal track rooted in thrash metal influence. Its upbeat tempo and high energy rhythm drives the listener into the anthemic chorus topped with soaring high vocals. Lyrically it speaks on world ideals and how we interact with one another in society under a scoped direction created by the upper echelon of people running our world. This 2:42 track does not overstay its welcome and is a must listen for anyone interested in modern rock and metal that pays homage to its predecessors from the 70s-2000s.

2. “On a Sunday” directs the listener to the calmer angelic side of hard rock. With glassy acoustic guitar and a direct larger than life chorus it appeals to those who dabble in the world of hard rock and heavy metal. Influenced by 90s-2010s modern rock, this song speaks about human interaction in interpersonal relationships. The idea that someone believes they know you but in reality has no concept of your personal perception.

3. “House of Cards” is your go to anthemic hard rock anthem. Ripping guitar harmonies, with a massive and catchy chorus it’s reminiscent of pop punk styling and structure all while remaining rock n roll. This song has everything for every type of listener from musician to casual music fans alike. Lyrically and musically referencing the continuation of “The Game” from the first record.

====================================================

FUN FACTS – STORY ANGLES

1. “Skies are Blackened” was the first song ever written for Prisoner. I had been playing guitar for maybe two years and wrote it in an hour. It was my extreme thrash metal influence at 16 where I wanted to write something quick and simple as a show opener. The boys and I love playing it and it is collectively one of our favorite songs to play.

2. “On a Sunday” was the most unexpected song to come from the Prisoner camp. I had the intro riff on a voice note, and during our travels from Ontario to Alberta we as a band were going through potential ideas. I hated the idea at first, but with a bit of encouragement the boys and I wrote the rest of the song in one afternoon… on a Sunday. Lyrically I feel like everyone has been in a situation where no matter how hard they try, someone just can’t wrap their head around who they are. To me this is a relationship I know well, where someone knew me better than anyone, but also had no clue who I was and what my personal perception of myself was.

3. Prisoner’s first show was in the basement of the original guitar player’s frat house in Guelph, Ontario. The band built the stage out of stolen pallets and plywood behind Home Depot and Walmart. The house was packed and the show/party was shut down by police as people started to show up and party outside as they physically couldn’t get into the house. The roof was shaking and flexing during our performance from everyone jumping above us and we were worried it was going to be our one and only shot at glory before it collapsed. Thankfully we’re still here making music.  The house also had a “mold room” full of old mattresses which made Murray extremely sick for the next 3 shows Prisoner played in Ontario.

4. “Skies are Blackened” was the first song Murray ever wrote for Prisoner.

5. Prisoners drummer Karl was originally a jazz drummer and was introduced to metal when he was adopted into the band. Yet he had insane double pedal chops and his playing left the rest of the band speechless. He is currently going through the discographies of recommended bands from his bandmates.

6. Each member of Prisoner crossed paths before the band’s current formation without knowing each other. Murray met Trevor doing live sound for his band Even Odds and recording their music. He also met Jeremy when he was doing live sound at The King Eddy while Jeremy played in a performance with “Jam Club” at the Bell National Music Center. Trevor knew Karl from high school band and brought him up on the bands search for a “kick ass drummer”

7. We all have day jobs and we find them relatively humorous, but Jeremy’s takes the cake. He works at a basil farm… Which is hilarious because whenever we bring it up to other bands and people in general, they always ask him if he has a “hook up”. Yet he actually grows basil. Which we use on the regular for band made pesto sauce.

L-R – Murray Emery (Guitar/Vocals), Karl Pflug (Drums), Jeremy Hartmann (Guitar), Trevor MacDonald (Bass)

Photo Credit – Mikayla Loschuk

The high-energy Canadian rock band bringing you hard hitting riffs and unmistakably tight grooves. Founded in Calgary Alberta in 2020, Prisoners music is rooted in classic/hard rock, heavy metal, and blues. Influenced by all styles of rock and metal, their classic roots combine with a modern style to create a congruent take on modern rock music. Through the talents of frontman Murray Emery, guitarist Jeremy Hartmann, bassist Trevor Macdonald, and drummer Karl Pflug, Prisoner will deliver audiences the ultimate hard rock experience.

Discography:
2024 – House of Cards (EP) Current
2024 – Prisoner (self titled LP)
2022 – Prisoner of Time (Single)

Shared the stage with:
Osyron, Hazzerd, As Heads is Tails, Karnage through Crossing, Anciients, Flashback, Dead Quiet, Empress, LOVERS, Polluted

Tour/Festivals List:
2024 – Electric Highway Festival – Calgary, AB

0 EPK – Tzimani – I Feel Fine (2024) – Out Nov 15th

  • July 19, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Tzimani

EPK – Tzimani – I Feel Fine (2024) – Out Nov 15th

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations.com

“You know those albums that you listen to over and over again and you just know when the first song hits your sense of familiarity, nostalgia, warmth, and comfort? That is what we are trying to encapsulate. The album is straightforward heavy metal mixed with modern elements with a dash of AOR and we feel it is the best representation to show everyone what we are capable of. We are also trying to represent the future of the band and give everyone an entry into some of the larger questions that we struggle with and how we choose to represent that with our songwriting. We are not the type of band that is capable of singing about stories, dragons, and swords, but we excel at writing tunes that people can genuinely relate to and connect with.” – Seb V. – Tzimani

For fans Van Halen, Haunt, Striker, Traveler, Skull Fist, Cauldron

Band: Tzimani
AlbumTitle: I Feel Fine
Release Date: Friday, November 15th, 2024
Label: Glory or Death Records (Vinyl), Noize Cartel Records (Digital)

Facebook.com/tzimaniofficial | Instagram.com/tzimani_official | Youtube.com/@tzimaniofficial486

Tzimani.bandcamp.com| Spotify

Vinyl – ​https://www.gloryordeathrecords.com/

“the blistering new single “Haunting” from metal duo Tzimani! Driving speed riffs, AOR keys, breakout solos and soaring vocals make “Haunting” a very cool track.” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll

“Typically, when promo proclaims that a band represents a “bold new take” on a traditional, well-trod style, you can expect the same: yet another forgettable “revitalization” of a sound and aesthetic that has been done to death, reanimated, and then slaughtered by copycats once more. In the case of Tzimani, the status quo is effectively put in its place.” –  Sleeping Village

“Electrifying pace sets ‘We Are The Ones’ on fire, hurtling along at full velocity, displaying all the hallmarks associated with the “foot on the monitor” style of traditional heavy metal. Hitting hard like an out of control wrecking ball” –  Frenzy Fire / Metal Gods TV

“refreshing heavy rock 8/10”  SoundMagnet (German)

” This two piece hailing from San Diego shredded their way through their set. Straight up heavy metal brothers rocking their way across North America. Eddie can really play the guitar. Each song they played were full of mean riffs and ripping solos.” – Metal As Medicine (Live Review – 2019 – Kelowna, BC)

” They surprised us all when vocalist/guitarist Eddie Vazquez announced that they were the only other band on the bill. It was their best time to shine. Kudos to you Vazquez brothers!…  Tzimani set up shop, and made that stage their biatch! Soon enough they began playing songs that were not included in their demo such as “Overdrive,” and dished out their hits “Final Hour” and “Get Me Out Of Here” which are available on their demo. These bros emitted a tremendous confidence and were still glowing from their recent inaugural American tour.” – Ugh Metal (Live Review – 2017 – San Diego, CA)

Band: Tzimani
AlbumTitle: I Feel Fine
Release Date: Friday, November 15th, 2024
Label: Glory or Death Records (Vinyl), Noize Cartel Records (Digital)

Track Listing:
1. We Stand and Fight (4:30)
2. Breaker (3:28)
3. Hold On (4:31)
4. Haunting (3:59)
5. Endless Road (5:24)
6. Bleeding Life (3:29)
7. Empty (3:27)
8. I Feel Fine (4:56)
Album Length: 33:45

Album Recording Credits:
• Song performed by: Seb Vazquez (Drums) and Eddie Vazquez (Vox, Guitars, Bass)
• Song written by: Eddie Vazquez
• Produced by: Eddie Vazquez
• Mixed by: Eddie Vazquez
• Mastered by: Eddie Vazquez
• Album Artwork by: Ryan Bartlett

Band Line Up:
Eddie Vaquez – Guitars, Drums, Vox
Seb Vazquez – Drums

Live Band Line Up:
Eddie Vaquez – Guitars, Drums, Vox
Seb Vazquez – Drums
Robobass 5000 – Bass

=========================================================

About The Album Artwork:

Ryan Bartlett based out of Los Angeles has been our go to guy for all things album releases. He did our band logo, band symbol, and our eponymous release, so we wanted him to be able to take the artwork that we have from the EP and transcend it to something more comprehensive and elaborate. He absolutely knocked it out of the park and we think it is his finest piece in his portfolio but that is me being biased because I love it so much. He even went above and beyond and did out templates for physical release and did an incredible job at providing something original but engaging.  – Seb V.

About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

This album is our first synthesizer infusion with our sound. I’ve always wanted to blend heavy metal and synth and it’s our first foray into that sound and we think we were able to get it down in a way that works and remains engaging without potentially alienating the focus of the music. It also gives us an opportunity to go in a broader direction with where I want to go musically too. I’d love to go into a synth heavy AOR direction with a rockin’ metal twist. This album gives me that platform.  – Eddie V.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

We Stand and Fight

We Stand and Fight is a powerful speed metal song that channels the power and energy of early heavy metal to convey a lyrical message about standing up for what you believe in,  against all obstacles.

Breaker

While Tzimani is not an overtly political band, this song is specifically about those who have been scapegoated and blamed for all the ills in the world. Immigrants, are those that are trying to find a better life. This song is definitely more of a rock vibe to it with the midtempo chug but it is something that we like to perform live as a set piece to our shows.

Hold On

I think we all have had enduring issues with loved ones and those we choose to become romantic with. We try our best to make things work and over time we realize that some things are not quite right. The song is about those who struggle to hold on to something that they know it is not right for them in terms of forever. It will eventually be ok as time heals everything, and we have an uplifting tone and drive to the arrangement of the song with galloping double bass lines, sweet guitar leads, and energetic connecting pieces. It also slows down a bit so that the dynamics can speak for how the song is written lyrically.

Haunting

As Eddie said, Haunting is a song about toxic relationships and people having the courage to walk away from them. It can be difficult to realize the strength to make the distance so that is what I wanted to write about with this song. The song is infused with a driving synth-heavy pulse that not only carries the mid-tempo piece with elegance and eloquence it also pieces it all together with a melancholy timbre. It is one of our favorite songs to play and it really opens the dynamic capabilities of the band and what we can achieve sonically.

Endless Road

Musically, this song is going to bend and be closer to what modern heavy music leans to. While it retains the classic Tzimani double bass and heavy but clean rhythms, it has a mood and tone to it that brings the song to a resounding climax in the solo section. We think it is one of our more strong solo sections and it is a song that was written almost ten years ago and we feel that we are ready to release the song after some maturation musically. We all dream of triumph and tribulation and becoming the best that there is to be. This song represents the struggles one may go through the perseverance of building character and fear the loss of strength and the inability to carry on beyond what you personally believe you are capable of.

Bleeding Life

Imagine if Journey decided to write a slightly metal-heavy tune and added some galloping bass drum parts to it. This song represents an allegory of the struggles of daily life and the challenges that come with it. No one ever has it easy, even the dudes that we think do, so this song has more of a sad tone to it to carry the message that we are trying to illustrate musically. We love that this song gives us a lot of room to work with in terms of where we can go musically but its a song that represents a lot of the inner struggles that we each deal with as people, and as people in a band.

Empty

I think we all have had someone that “walked away” on us but really it was a matter of our own doing. We sometimes have to struggle within and deal with our personal demons in order to have a satisfied outlook on life and sometimes our own personal demons can get in the way of our romantic partnerships or people that we hold dearly. It’s a song closer to AOR with a bit of rock to it and we love how we arrange the tune to carry the message forward with clean rhythms, catchy lyrics, and an anthemic solo section.

I Feel Fine

This is Van Halen meets heavy metal all the way, baby. Go put on some 5150 and listen to that rattle and roll that was captured by the band during that point in their tenure. We tried to go with a bit of VH worship but also close out the record with a resounding finish to put the record to a close. Most of the songs in a lot of ways capture some form of inner struggle and this one certainly has the anthemic chorus where we proclaim “I Feel Fine.” The song is about the banality of everyday life. Think about the problems of that most people have to go through and the fact that most have to hide their true feelings. The song has blistering double bass. Massive hooks and a solo break to tie it all together.

=========================================================

FUN FACTS / STORY ANGLES

1.We tour in a SUV hauling a trailer. If you ever catch a black Pilot out on the road hauling a trailer at night chances are you will trail us to to a parking lot where we will eventually get cozy and fall asleep. We have this air mattress that we blow up and it fits perfectly when we put all the back seats down. I guess one of the perks of a traveling two man band.

2. We track and engineer all of our stuff in house. Eddie is good as an engineer so he puts all the hard work in the studio process to get a finished product. He really enjoys just playing guitar though and often thinks about hiring on a killer guitar player so he can just be a frontman and really own the stage. As we have learned doing the two-piece for so many years is that you are incredibly limited in how you do a “stage show” so you need to let the songwriting, energy, and live performance do most of the talking.

3. The best tour story that we have ever experienced was having our show in New Mexico get canceled on the same day we were supposed to play there. The promoter called me to give me the bad news but he had a friend that was throwing a garage style party and needed another live act. So he put me into contact with the birthday woman and she gave me an address.

Little did we know that the address was going to take us to backroads Albuquerque and it was sitting on a lot surrounding by two house that we had to drive on unpaved road for a bit. We feared that we would lose control of the vehicle as we were hauling a trailer headed to the place but it was fine. Once we arrive the party, it turned out that it was a backyard biker gang party and that there was going to be pantera tribute as the main entertainment. Think old, rad dudes in bandanas, open carrying, big knives in their waistbands, chain smoking, and real tough looking mfers.

We ended up performing our set to a widely accepting audience with loud hollering and hoots. We tore down and let the Pantera band set up.

Once they got going to kick off the show, the front man announced “WE ARE FROM LA.”

Eddie and I looked at each other thinking “dude this shit is tight! We are playing this garage biker party with another CA band”

Then the frontman goes “LOWER ALBUQUERQUE!” and the guitarist goes right into the opening riff into Cowboys from Hell. We must have openly laughed for a solid 5 minutes straight. It was incredibly well delivered and the seriousness of the gag gave it the punchline it deserved.

That is one hell of way to pitch to someone and it was such an incredible experience given the circumstances of the entire ordeal in New Mexico on that day.

4. Our backing track bassist has two nicknames. Mac Ableton is the one we created, and Robobass 5000 is the one our buddy DJ created. We did one time hear two kids talking shit about us in a bar after we played a set.

One kid goes to another and says “dude did you like that band?” and the kid responds “fuck no. They use auto bass.”

It was hilariously candid and I am sure the kids did not know we were within earshot but we laughed about it and still joke about it to this day. It keeps us grounded and ensures that we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Especially living in the 21st century.

5. Raising Canes is our favorite tour food and we try our damndest to consume it as often as we can while living out on the road. I have tried contacting them through several outlets to try to secure some form of sponsorship but to no avail.

L-R – Eddie Vazquez – Guitars, Bass, Synthesizers, Vox – Seb Vazquez – Drums,
Photo Credit: Chris Mcfly

Tzimani is a dynamic metal duo comprised of brothers Seb and Eddie Vazquez from San Diego CA. Founded in 2017 after the pair split from a previous project, Tzimani sought to revolutionize their musical direction. Seb, a powerhouse on drums, and Eddie, a multi-instrumentalist handling guitars, bass, synthesizers, and vocal duties, hit the ground running with their new sound.

In 2017, Tzimani launched their journey with a demo release, swiftly followed by an ambitious West Coast and Southwest tour. They captivated audiences in key markets like Portland, Seattle, and Texas, rapidly building a dedicated fanbase with their electrifying live performances.

The band’s momentum continued to surge in 2018 with the release of their eponymous self-titled EP. This major release, distributed digitally through Noize Cartel Records, propelled Tzimani into the national spotlight. Their relentless touring schedule took them across North America, including over 100 shows that extended into Canada. Notable festival appearances at the Legions of Metal Festival in 2019 and Hyperspace Metal Festival in 2022 solidified their reputation as a formidable live act.

Tzimani’s sound is a unique fusion of melodic AOR elements and the aggressive, rhythmic intensity of old-school heavy metal. Drawing inspiration from iconic bands like Iron Maiden, Mötley Crüe, Van Halen, and Def Leppard, Tzimani’s music features twin-guitar leads, virtuoso solos, and Seb’s pounding double-bass drumming. Eddie’s vocal phrasing echoes the legendary Dio, while his guitar work channels the spirit of Eddie Van Halen.

Their dedication to the craft saw them included in two significant compilations: “No Legacy” in 2017 and “Metal Assault Mixtape” in 2019. Following the success of their 2018 EP, Tzimani re-released it as an expanded edition in early 2020. This reissue featured two cover songs from W.A.S.P. and Dio, along with their original 2017 demo, aiming to reach a broader audience in anticipation of their next major release.

Despite the relentless touring from 2017 to 2019, the pandemic brought an unexpected slowdown for Tzimani. From 2020 to 2023, the band entered a dormant phase, with limited activity and sporadic performances across California. During this period, however, they remained active in the local scene, using the time to write, record, and finalize their highly anticipated debut album.

As Tzimani prepares to re-emerge, they aim to reclaim the respect and recognition they earned in their early years. Their upcoming 2024 release “I Feel Fine” promises to capture the essence of their relentless energy and innovative sound, heralding a new era for the band. With a legacy of electrifying performances and a sound that bridges the past and future of metal, Tzimani stands poised to make a significant impact on the music scene once again.

Artist Endorsements: Orion Cymbals

Discography:
2024 – I Feel Fine – LP (Glory or Death Records (Vinyl), Noize Cartel Records (Digital)
2024 – We Stand and Fight (single)
2019 – Compilation “Metal Assault Mixtape” – Carry On (song)
2018 – Self-Titled EP
2017 – Compilation “No Legacy Vol. 1” – Final Hour (song)
2017 – Demo

Shared Stage with: Hellfire, Haunt, Bewitcher, Savage Master, Iron Kingdom, Byzantine, Avatar, Great Electric Quest, Toke, Gatekeeper, Mothership, Vicious Rumors, Traveler, Eternal Champion, Witherfall, Paladin, Into Eternity

Tours and Festivals:
2022 – Hyperspace Metal Festival – Vancouver BC
2019 – Final Hour Tour
2019 – Legions of Metal Festival – Chicago
2018 – North American Tour Apr 6- Apr 30
2018 – North American Overdrive Tour
2017 – Overdrive Tour

0 EPK – Nightwraith – Divergence (2024) – Out Sept 13th

  • July 15, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Nightwraith

EPK – Nightwraith – Divergence (2024) – Out Sept 13th

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

“I know it sounds cliche, but we really wanted Divergence to take listeners on a sonic journey. There are many layers, and the idea was for people to hear something new upon each listen. The album is intended to lift you up with major melodies, evoke emotion with harmonic minors, and harken overall feelings of nostalgia and hope. The single ‘Perpetual Night’ is a good example of a driving heavy-metal song that is catchy but epic. It checks all the NightWraith boxes by having hooks accompanied by clever vocals, a dynamic drop-off that brings the energy down, and some really epic solos. The other single ‘Whispers of Dragonflies’ is an even more extreme example of this formula. It starts with a nostalgic-sounding synth melody, goes into a fast chorus, and has a clean middle section that showcases more of our classic rock influences. As the energy in this song gradually picks back up, there is a beautiful flute solo by Kelly Schilling (Dreadnought) that ends with the same chorus from the beginning, making it a ‘circular’ type of song.” – Benn Pitts – Nightwraith

For fans of Tribulation, Opeth, Mastodon, Enslaved, Judas Priest

Band: Nightwraith
Album Title: Divergence
Release Date: September 13, 2024
Label/Distribution: What’s Left Records

Nightwraithband.com | Facebook.com/nightwraithband | Instagram.com/nightwraithband | Youtube.com/@nightwraithband5142 | Twitter.com/nightwraithband

Nightwraith.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music | Soundcloud.com/nightwraithband

“As you’ll quickly discover, in its opening phase it (Whispers of Dragonflies) presents an unusual amalgam of futuristic swirling keyboards and full-throttle blackened ferocity replete with raking chords, hammering drums, and scalding vocals. But it does begin changing, like a musical chameleon. Those changes include a beautifully ringing guitar melody backed by shimmering synths, musing bass tones, and gripping drum fills, and fronted by somber and melancholy singing with a bit of grit in the gears. That phase is a sublime experience, made even more sublime by a guitar solo that sounds like a beguiling prog-rock throwback. The intensity builds again, but without sacrificing the music’s increasingly head-spinning beauty, and that paves the way for the afore-mentioned concert-flute solo, which is flat-out mesmerizing. As also mentioned, the song then loops back to its beginning — hammering, slashing, scalding, and swirling once more, fierce but also glorious. The song is presented with a beautifully filmed video of the band performing the music. Enjoy!” – NoCleanSinging (Whispers of Dragonflies off album Divergence 2024)

“The ringing guitar and keyboard instrumental that opens the song (Beguiler) is magically inviting, but only one feature of a richly tapestried piece that moves through many moods and musical variations. As the song ebbs and flows, twists and turns, it crosses through shade and sun, traversing the gloom of sorrow, seething with tension, and spinning the mind with extended guitar jams that dart and dance, slither and swirl, and become trippy, bluesy, and occult. While all that happens, the rhythm section are putting on their own show. The bass hums and pulses, meanders and invigorates, and the drumming ranges from neck-snapping back-beats to open-handed blasts, with plenty of electrifying fills in the spaces between. Variations mark the vocals as well, which veer from rasping blackened snarls to guttural growls.” – No Clean Singing (Nightwraith – Offering 2022)

“Nightwraith brings their own unique blackened heavy metal to the table with their new record Offering. It’s an extremely cool listened rife with throat-shredding vocals, classic rock organs, and of course dizzying stringwork.” – Metal Injection (Nightwraith – Offering 2022)

““Genesthai” opens with quiet echoey guitar picking and synth washes before gradually building in intensity and reaching full blast-beat fury. Throughout the six-minute track, NightWraith—vocalist/guitarist Benjamin Pitts, drummer Isidro Soto, guitarist Igor Panasewicz, keyboardist Caleb Jose Tardio and bassist Jerry Hilger—shift comfortably between more extreme death- and black metal-influenced passages and a more classic metal gallop, all while maintaining a strong melodic sensibility. It’s dynamic, intricate and, well, it flows.” – Decibel Magazine (Nightwraith – Offering 2022)

“The ‘Blackened Dad Rock’ of Denver’s NightWraith A new metal subgenre.” Westword (Denver) (Nightwraith – Offering 2022)

[Album Download Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: Nightwraith
Album Title: Divergence
Release Date: September 13, 2024
Label/Distribution: What’s Left Records 

Track Listing:
1. Fruitless (5:15)
2. Perpetual Night (5:13) ft. guest Cole Rudy – Pedal Steel Guitar
3. One Flower (5:14) ft. guest Andreas Wild – Baritone Saxophone
4. Whispers of Dragonflies (5:27) ft. guest Kelly Schilling – Concert Flute
5. Invocation (2:19) ft. guest Joey Truscelli – Guitar Solo
6. Fallen Kings and Queens (4:20) ft. guests Dan Phelps & Chuck French – Backup Vocals
7. Nothing Left to Lose (3:24)
8. Divergence (5:20) ft. guests Jeremy Portz & Xander Galvin-Soto – Auxiliary Percussion
9. Us and Them (bonus Pink Floyd cover) (5:18)
Album Length: 42:08

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: NightWraith
• All songs written by: Benjamin Pitts and NightWraith
Except ‘Us and Them’ – written by: D. Gilmour, N. Mason, R. Waters, R. Wright
• Produced/Engineered by: Jacob St. Amand and NightWraith
• Mixed/Mastered by: Zack Ohren
• Album Artwork by: Jef Kopp
Guest Musicians:
Cole Rudy – pedal steel guitar on Perpetual Night
Andreas Wild – baritone saxophone on One Flower
Kelly Schilling – concert flute on Whispers of Dragonflies
Joey Truscelli – guitar solo on Invocation
Dan Phelps & Chuck French – backup vocals on Fallen Kings and Queens
Jeremy Portz & Xander Galvin-Soto – auxiliary percussion on Divergence

Album / Live Band Line Up:
Benjamin Pitts: vocals/guitar
Isidro ‘Spy’ Soto: drums
Igor Panasewicz: guitar
Caleb Jose Tardio: keyboards/synthesizer
Jacob St. Amand: bass

==============================================================

About The Album Artwork

The artwork was done by our talented friend Jef Kopp who is a renowned tattoo artist, and fantastic human. It is drawn by hand, with colored pencil, permanent marker, watercolor marker, and paint, and it captures some really bleak and post-apocalyptic feelings. We use the Greek god Pan as the centerpiece for many of our albums and merch designs, as he’s become a mascot of sorts for our band. The vision for the album artwork was for Pan to be in the future, taking stock of the wasteland that humanity has created, but offering a glimmer of hope that the course can still be corrected. This ties in with our band philosophy that music does make the world a better place, and unites all of us as people.

About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

Musically, the songs on ‘Divergence’ often utilize classic songwriting structures (verse/chorus/bridge/lead). Each individual instrument is not overly complicated, but when layered on top of each other, the music has a lot of depth. Even with the guitars, we always try to play different chord voicings to create a fatter tone. This might not even be very perceptible unless you were to break it down in the mix, then you could hear that each guitar is playing similar notes but at different neck and fret positions. The drums are fast with lots of big rock fills and the choice to use fast double bass and blast beats was meant to give the album a driving, more ‘classic’ metal sound. The keyboards/synthesizer tones are the icing on the cake and are what really color the album in a nostalgic-sounding way. The melodies that were written to lay on top of the guitars are what give the songs the musical complexity that can be rare within the heavy metal genre. There are also a lot of solos on this album, but none of them are overly ‘shreddy’ and are meant to serve the song, not the player. We also stepped up the production on this album by recruiting some talented guest musicians to contribute and added extra rhythmic layers using acoustic guitar and percussive instruments like cowbells and shakers. Then we stepped up the production again by involving producer Zack Ohren (Machine Head, Immolation) to mix and master the project, which gave it a top-shelf-sounding production quality!

Lyrically, I feel like I really put myself out there and I did not hold anything back. At times it seems like our world is crumbling, for many reasons, and the lyrics are an honest representation of the frustration many of us feel. But there is also the element of hope and positivity, which is a unifying theme between the lyrics of all NightWraith songs. I feel that if I only aired grievances without offering any solutions, then I’m just complaining and that is not very helpful. Although real solutions could be a tough pill to swallow for many people, this is the risky part of saying what you really feel since it leaves you open to criticism. But I don’t give a fuck about that anymore, so I’ll say what I want to say. People kill each other over religious ideals, so embrace a Godless way of life. Technology is destroying our mental health so put down the phone and re-establish a relationship with nature. The environment is falling apart so stop eating animals. Capitalism doesn’t work for everyone so try to help the people around you. This is along the lines of what I mean, and are all themes that are touched on in the lyrical content of ‘Divergence’.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

Fruitless: this might be one of our most musical songs because it has multiple key modulations and a proggy bridge section. We felt it was a good opener to the album because it’s not overly aggressive, has a chorus that’s easy to sing along with, but still has blast beats. It’s a good overall representation of the sound of ‘Divergence’ and foreshadows what can be expected in the rest of the songs. There is also a short clean vocal section in the bridge with one of my favorite lines on the record: “We’re better off, skeptical and Godless.” This ties into the lyrical theme of the album, that after years of spiritual searching, we have only found it through music and not any type of religion or deity. I’m sure plenty of people can relate to this feeling which is why I wanted to write about it. There is also a Rudolf Steiner quote during the bridge that helps button up the lyrical concepts around natural law and ancient wisdom.

Perpetual Night: this song could be the most ‘classic NightWraith’ song on the album, it’s got it all! It has a catchy black metal sound to it, a dynamic bridge section that brings the energy way down and picks back up with back-to-back guitar/keyboard solos, plus the chorus is fun to sing along with. Lyrically, this song is about how our global society is kind of blindly going all-in on technology, and how we should maybe take a step back and re-establish a connection to nature. In my experience, I get much more meaning from life through the physical world around us, and not through the dopamine-driven logic of tech. The lyrics also explore what our world might look like if we continue down this path, which is the overarching theme of the album: “Colorless dreams in perpetual night”.

One Flower: this song wins the award for most solos! The bridge section, also has one of my favorite guitar riffs on the entire album, which captures a cool 80s kind of vibe. There are killer back-to-back guitar solos and a really fitting saxophone solo performed by the talented Andreas Wild of The Night Sweats. Lyrically, this is probably the most pissed and anarcho-punk out of all the songs, as it’s mostly about the many failures of capitalism. Additionally, the lyrics were inspired by a publication titled ‘Expect Resistance’ where the forward highly encourages anyone to plagiarize or reproduce the contents with or without citing the sources, so I am definitely not the first person to use these analogies. But for all of the frustrations expressed in the lyrics, there is also an offering of hope: “Where one flower blooms, more will follow”. This theme of hope also ties into the album artwork, where you may notice a single flower growing in a pile of rubble.

Whispers of Dragonflies: this song really showcases our musical range, and has a cool ‘circular’ song structure which makes it really stand out on the album. The song kicks off with a John Carpenter-style synth intro. The main riff for the beginning/end of the song is very intense, and then the song has a dynamic shift to clean guitars that help the synth chords really shine through. The vocals go clean for this section too, but have enough grit on them to sound haunting. There is also a clean guitar solo, a rock fusion section with a synth interlude that sends you to outer space, and a lovely flute solo performed by our friend Kelly Schilling from the band Dreadnought. Lyrically, this is a poem I wrote about about an area in Colorado called the Lost Creek Wilderness. My Dad took me there for a multi-day backpacking trip when I was a kid, and the area completely blew my mind. I still return every few years and hike the same 25-mile loop I did with my Dad when I was young. It’s an inspiring area in the Pike National Forest and I highly recommend visiting if you ever have the means.

Invocation: this is an instrumental track and picks up where the song ‘Offering’ (from our previous album) leaves off. It’s interesting because this song takes the two main riffs from Offering and stacks them on top of each other, creating somewhat of a ‘movement’ and putting a fresh twist on the original parts. This song also starts with a proggy ‘King Crimson-esque’ keyboard solo, and ends with an incredible guitar solo performed by our friend Joey Truscelli from the band Wayfarer.

Fallen Kings and Queens: this song starts with a bang and goes directly into one of three verses that have a driving ‘NWOBHM’ cadence to them. Between the bridge with harmonized guitars, the melodic chorus, and a 4 bar drum solo, this is definitely the ballad on the album. Lyrically, this is our most emotional song because it’s written for some friends of ours who are no longer with us. There are three verses in this song, each written for an inspirational Denver artist whose life was tragically cut short. The goal was to use this as a way for us to personally heal from these losses, but non-specific enough that a listener could also apply the meaning to any fallen loved ones in their lives. Guest vocals were performed by our friends Dan Phelps and Chuck French, who were both closely connected to the fallen.

Nothing Left to Lose: every NightWraith album has one song that falls within the umbrella of punk/hardcore, and this is that song! It includes a combination of riffs from the toolshed that needed a home, but they all work together perfectly. The chorus riff is actually a play on the main riff from ‘The Sentinal’ by Judas Priest, one of my all-time favorite Priest songs. The verses have one of the coolest-sounding drum sections on the record, and the bridge has an awesome half-time breakdown – but its also very melodic so it fits perfectly with the rest of the album. Lyrically, this one is pretty cynical. It’s about how being in bands for many years has been all-consuming and caused issues in other aspects of my life, namely relationships and jobs. As pessimistic as the lyrics are they certainly ring true, and anyone in a band or in the music industry can probably relate. There’s a line in the song that reinforces an unhealthy stereotype about artists, but it’s fitting: “the best songs occur when we’re tortured”.

Divergence: musically, this song is our most cinematic sounding, which is why it is the title track of the album. It starts with a rhythmic verse that is followed by a huge blues guitar lick. This sets the stage for the second act of the song which is an arrangement of super melodic chords on top of some furious blasting. There is an awesome rhythmic section that we lovingly refer to as the ‘Deftones’ riff, then a break in the song that includes an auxiliary percussion section performed by our friend (and Abhoria bandmate) Jeremy Portz. Our drummer’s kiddo Xander also recorded some bongos on this percussion section, and it was really cool having a new generation involved! The end of the song has a super climactic synth section with blast beats underneath it, again lending to the cinematic quality of this track. Since this song is divided into two halves, the lyrics represent two possible paths that humanity could go down in regard to technology, specifically AI. If this technology is left unchecked, it could have disastrous consequences for everyone. This also ties into the cover art which represents the destruction of humanity and civilization, and is even represented by the ½ and ½ color vinyl scheme. It’s not all doom and gloom though, there’s still time to unify as people and put some guardrails in place. This might also be a good time to mention that this album was 100% written and produced by humans, no AI whatsoever was used in the making of this record!

===================================================================

STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT THE BAND

1: NightWraith has over 100 years of combined musical experience because we’re all old haha!

2: One time someone tried to break into our van through the side window, but the joke was on them because the door was busted and did not open! Unfortunately, we had an out-of-town show a few days later, and the exhaust system clogged up on our way home. So we were moving at a max speed of 35 mph all the way home, with a broken window, at night, in the dead of winter. It was so cold that Igor and Caleb had to pull out the emergency blanket to stay warm, which was actually kind of adorable.

3: Ben and Spy used to play together in a legit Dethklok tribute band! And Joey (Wayfarer) who did the guitar solo on our song ‘Invocation’, was the ‘Swisgaar’ of the band and executed all of those leads not for note – super impressive!

4: Caleb has earned a doctorate in English literature, so technically there’s a Dr. in the band!

5: Igor runs several restaurants around Denver/Boulder named Quiero Aerepas, and serves authentic Venezuelan street food. Igor is also the only member who previously made a living as a professional musician – in South America!

===================================================================

L-R – Caleb Jose Tardio – Keyboards/Synthesizer, Igor Panasewicz – Guitar, Isidro “Spy” Soto – Drums, Jacob St. Amand – Bass, Benjamin Pitts – Vocals/Guitar

Photo Credit – Josh Massara

NightWraith is a melodic death metal band from Denver, CO that explores the genre with an eclectic and intuitive approach. Their music encompasses poignant themes: seeking the sublime in nature, being genuine in a deceptive world, and living with the idea of death—concepts that unite us all as people. Using haunting melodies and triumphant anthems, NightWraith offers listeners a sonic pilgrimage into the heart of being human.

The band was formed in 2016 without any preconceived notion of genre, allowing them to develop their sound organically. “Gone are the days of trying to be the fastest or heaviest band,” says founding member Benjamin Pitts. “We’ve already done bands like that and now we just want to write music that is fun to play and meaningful to us.” The members of NightWraith have been musical companions for over a decade in the Denver scene, but this lineup achieves its own unique approach to aggressive music, inspired by but not limited to the past.

After releasing a self-titled album in 2019, Nightwraith gained notoriety and played shows with heavy hitters like ‘Khemmis’ and ‘Green Druid’, but they were still developing their sound and being called to a new musical frontier.

During 2020, a year filled with anxiety and isolation, the band would finally have the time and freedom to create the next chapter of their story. Their new full-length, “Offering”, is a monumental effort that has turned some heads in the death metal circuit and beyond. With the addition of a new member in early 2021 (keyboards/synthesizer), the band broadened the scope of their exploration, making “Offering” an experience that is both aggressive and textural.

Pulling inspiration from a wide array of bands and genres, NightWraith has been sonically refined into something truly unique. “It’s like we took all the heavy parts from bands like Carcass, and Enslaved, and combined it with the warmth of classic bands like Thin Lizzy, and Blue Oyster Cult”, explains Ben. “It has been really fun inserting rock guitar and organ tones into a genre that typically avoids these types of sounds.” Additionally, the songwriting on “Offering” is deliberate, concise, and thoughtful, while remaining heavy enough to please the death metal audience for which it was intended.

As NightWraith continues to evolve, it is clear that their ambitions are paying off. “Offering” is expressive, inventive, joyful, sorrowful, and will certainly inspire its listeners. “Offering” was released on March 25th, 2022 and is available on digital/analog formats through Reaping Scythe Records.

In 2024, the band will be unleashing their follow-up “Divergence” from What’s Left Records.

Discography:
2024 – Divergence – LP
2022 – Offering – LP
2019 – Self-Titled – LP
2017 – Demo – cassette

Shared the stage with:
Khemmis
Orbit Culture
Abigail Williams
Nite
Vale of Pnath
Bewitcher
Glacial Tomb
Of Feather and Bone
Green Druid
Necropanther
Cyborg Octopus
Cloud Catcher
Smokey Mirror
Native Daughters
Bleakheart
Velnias

Festivals:
Denver Hex Fest – 2019 (Pig Destroyer, Lightning Bolt, The Body, Author and Punisher, Dreadnought)
Decemburger Fest – 2017 (Bongripper, Serial Hawk, Call of the Void, Vermin Womb, The Munsens, Abrams)

Music Placements: Flow Right Plumbing – Phone Jingle

0 EPK – Maitreya – Auxesis (2024) – Out Oct 11th

  • July 12, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Maitreya · Uncategorized

EPK – Maitreya – Auxesis (2024) – Out Oct 11th

Publicist – Jon Asher – Jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

For fans of Between The Buried and Me, The Contortionist, Twelve Foot Ninja, Leprous, Thank You Scientist

Maitreyametal.com | Facebook.com/maitreyametal | Youtube.com/@maitreyametal | Instagram.com/maitreyametal

Maitreyametal.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

“Just relaxing and enjoying a catchy riff is not an option with Maitreya anyway. If you like complex song structures and styles that are woven together without compromise, Maitreya is the right place for you.” – Musika

“We’re always on the hunt for interesting new metal bands, and Canada’s Maitreya certainly qualifies. The band’s newest single, “Catalyst”, treads familiar progressive metal territory – think vocals similar to Leprous and instrumentation akin to older BTBAM – but rest assured it sounds fresh.” – New Fury Media

“Heavy metallers Maitreya recognize the value of dreams with their new single and music video for “Bloom,” a rifftastic blast of progressive metal.” – V13

“What’s on the menu here is a wide range of flavours. There’s something to suit the taste of any serious metal fan. This relatively new band has some good ideas and knows how to execute them. Despite the current restrictions, these guys have plenty of time to bring the Maitreya brand to the fore.” – The Prog Space

“What we have here with Hyper Reels is a fresh take on both progressive metal and metalcore in general. Ten high-powered and heavy efforts that go in a myriad of unexpected and thrilling directions. If there’s one thing Maitreya do well on Hyper Reels, it is to keep you guessing all the time.” Games, Brrraaains & A Headbanging Life​
​
​“Ambitious and aggressive, Canada’s Maitreya break boundaries from the beginning with Departed. Heavy, contemporary metal chords are underscored by droning, chorusing vocals, but blink and you’ll miss them as Maitreya soon change direction to a growling verse pandemonium. Their riffing is adventurous and deadly, cutting through weighty, rolling rhythms and movements.” – Jace Media

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

EP Title: Auxesis
Release Date: October 11th, 2024
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Paradigm (6:47)
2. Still Motion (4:49)
3. The Traveler (5:32)
4. Vestigial Memories (5:21)
5. Arcana (6:05)
Album Length: 28:33

EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: Maitreya
• All songs written by: Maitreya
• Produced by: Maitreya / Zack Johnson
• Mixed by: Zack Johnson
• Mastered by: Luc Chiasson
• Album Artwork by: Lucas Escobar / Lyam Morrison
• Member of SOCAN
• MAPL – Canadian Content

EP/Live Band Line Up:
Mark Wylie – Guitar
Lyam Morrison – Bass
Matt Cutrara – Vocals
Brandon Pellatt – Drums

======================================================

About The EP Artwork

Lyam : With the themes of growth in the music, I wanted to reflect that in the artwork. Using geometric concepts to represent that was in the forefront for my collaborator Lucas Escobar and

I, alongside the concept we’ve cultivated in the band, that Maitreya is a character our art embodies and not simply a name.

Central in the artwork is Maitreya, seated atop an ascending harmonic series, emanating outwards into higher planes of being. Surrounding them are symbols representing values that can either propel them higher or drag them into stagnation. To the lower right are symbols of the three poisons, delusion, attachment and aversion. Opposing them in the upper left are symbols to evoke their counters, wisdom, generosity and love. At the pinnacle of the artwork sits the diagram of the tree of life, which represents in this case the growing connection between all things that is unseen. Entering the frame from outside is Saturn, this is a representation of the point we’re at in our lives and also in this project. A time of change and realization, with Saturn’s return. The geometry framing all of this is the circle in square diagram, which represents varying levels of being, as Saturn returns it allows the middle level to shift which in turns allows for a jump to a greater existence. The colours were also very intentional. Traditionally, dioxazine purple has represented the fabric that’s beneath and throughout the universe. Gold is universally known for being precious, and in our case the gold represents how by simply being all things are precious.

About  the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

Mark:
Auxesis is the Greek word for growth. We felt this was an accurate depiction of the state and development of the band during this album cycle. It became like a motto, ‘in the spirit of Auxesis’ – to operate in a fashion that allows us to grow to our full potential as individuals and as musicians.

The album is rich with a depth of sonic layers such that the listener can yield new discoveries after multiple listens. The complexity of the music is subtle, making it accessible to general audiences but also intriguing to the advanced, musically-inclined demographics. There’s a strong poetic focus to create an artistic work ripe with emotional and philosophical commentaries on the human condition.

Matt:
Auxesis treads interesting ground lyrically with themes of change, growth, introspection, creation, dreams and memories. Musically we tread new ground with some reggae inspired sections, spoken word/characters sections, acapella, and choral sections.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

Paradigm
Mark: Paradigm musically is based around two core ideas; a patterned harmonic sequence and rhythmic modulations over 6/8 time.It started with a Maj7#11 chord voicing I got from Allan Holdsworth. The goal was to have this Lydian modal sound modulate to various keys using the interval sequence of a Major 3rd down, followed by a minor 3rd down before repeating. When mapped out to a Circle of 5ths diagram, these sequences generate interesting geometric patterns.There’s a 6/8 arpeggio idea that is present throughout each section. Rhythmically I wanted to attempt different polyrhythm and polymeter ideas against this 6/8 ostinato. As each new section modulates harmonically, it also modulates in time signature.Matt:
Lyrically Paradigm is about understanding the relationship between your feelings and your identity. Some people choose to let their emotions consume them, when they are only a part of your identity.

Lyam: When Mark showed me the composition for Paradigm I was blown away. It stayed in our backlog folder for a while and I’d listen to it periodically, it struck me as much more of a journey than most of the music so far had been. We talked a few times about including spoken word passages in a song and it was the perfect candidate for that. I’m a person who is often overwhelmed by feeling. Over my life I’ve learned more and more that emotions are an experience and not something that makes you you. That became the lyrical concept I pushed for, and relating that to a “Paradigm” shift once a person gains enough experience to learn that perspective.

Still Motion
Mark: Many of my compositions are inspired by practice and studies of Yogic traditions. This song in particular is based on the experience of expansion felt in meditation. The attempt musically was to capture the type of motion felt in an astral out-of-body-experience, while still remaining conscious of the physical body. Most notable of this effect compositionally is the rhythmic interplay used in the chorus section. The rhythm has a way of syncopating on and off the beat, creating a type of non-resolving momentum.

Matt:
Lyrically Still Motion is about gaining the benefit of stillness in clarity and awareness. Being able to forgive yourself for straying from your path, and learning as much as you can along the way.

The Traveler
Mark:
The seed idea for this song can be traced to a goofy way we would cover Bulls on Parade by Rage Against the Machine. I would set up a wah effect on a clean channel for that “70’s porn-funk” kind of sound and do a reggae-funk thing against the hip-hop inspired verse rap section. I basically thought it would be funny to have a song that drifted in between this jazz-funk-reggae hybrid with metal. This is something I found 12 Foot Ninja executed well on, pretty sure I also ripped off the intro chord progression from one of their songs to get the ball rolling on this tune.

Matt:
Lyrically The Traveler is rooted in hurt and displacement. Dealing with feelings of betrayal and a breakdown of communication.

Vestigial Memories
Mark:
This song instrumentally is the oldest tune on the EP, dating back to an original demo titled Glacier in 2018. During the period of time in my life when I wrote this song, I was undergoing radiation treatment post oral cancer surgery. Reflecting on the vibe of the music now, it sounds hopeful and optimistic about future health but also highlights the emotional darkness and physical suffering of the experience.

Matt:
Lyrically, Vestigial memories is about trying to find peace inside the sea of memories that exist within you at all times. Exercising discernment on which memories to prune and which memories to hold dear is not an easy task.

Arcana
Mark:
This song is inspired by the band, Arcane Roots (hence the title… Lyam and Matt ended up making this super obvious because the words arcane roots appear in the lyrics). I resonated with the way they incorporated synths and vocal harmonies into their sound. I found while emulating their work that there’s a kind of simplicity that can yield a very powerful sonic result – which I think comes across in the chorus sections of this song.

Matt:
Lyrically, I think about Arcana almost as a sort of fairy tale. It talks of magic and belief, truth and the interconnectedness of it all. It has some morals in that it criticizes cowardice and praises surrender. It’s sometimes hard to write optimistic lyrics for me, but this song turned out cautionary, but optimistic overall.

Lyam: The lyrical concept for this one came from a conversation Mark and I had about faith and our differing experiences with it. Giving the trust to have faith in a spiritual concept is always hard for me because of my experiences with Christianity. I wrote the lines for the chorus on a hike. I see God or something like that in nature whenever I get out there. That experience made me want to make the song about choosing to give that trust for faith, instead of about fear.

======================================================

STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT THE BAND

#1: EP Name
Mark: We were having some difficulty naming the album initially, and were against using a song title for the EP title. There was one phrase lyrically that resonated with me in The Traveler – “Our Future is Hyperbole”. I originally thought that might be a cool title, but I put that phrase in Google, and the word Auxesis came up – as a rhetorically synonym for hyperbole or exaggeration. After combing through the various definitions, we felt we could justify all of them to represent the album.

Auxesis (Greek: αὔξησις, aúxēsis) is the Greek word for “growth” or “increase”. In rhetoric, it refers to varying forms of increase:

hyperbole (overstatement): intentionally overstating a point, its importance, or its significance[1][2][3]

climax (ascending series): a series of clauses of increasing force[4]

amplification (rhetorical increase): extension or exaggerated, needless repetition of arguments to emphasize the point

#2: Line up change
At the end of 2022, the band parted ways with original drummer, Steve McMillan and second guitarist, Matt McCabe. There was a pull between the professional commitments of the band and the demands of fatherhood and family obligations.

The band recruited drummer, Brandon Pellatt, in 2023. Mark and Lyam worked with Brandon during summer employment at Canadian Musicians Co-operative from 2019-2021. When it became time to consider a new drummer, it was an easy transition with the prior history performing music together and sharing similar tastes in music.

#3 Drummer envy
Before Brandon joined the band, there was nothing more Brandon wanted to do than to be in the band. Brandon, Mark, and Lyam all worked together and performed in different situations prior to him joining. The majority of that music consisted of pop/rock songs other people wanted to play and maybe a few Mark Wylie metal originals on the street for the fine, albeit agitated folks of Barrie, Ontario. Maitreya was doing all the things that Brandon wanted to be doing!

#4 Band Assemble
Matt was working at Fresh Co when our original members were shopping for milk in Intervals T-shirts. Matt complimented them and the got to talking, turns out they were an instrumental band looking for a vocalist. They invited Matt to jam, and the rest is history.#5 Trumpet Collaboration
In the summer of 2023, the band had been offered a gig on a bill stacked with great Toronto prog bands. Everyone was available to do the date except our vocalist. We didn’t want to pass on the show so we contemplated just playing the show instrumentally. Mark had a crazy idea of attempting to find a saxophone or trumpet player to replace the vocal melodies and stretch out with improvised solos. We figured the audience of progressive music fans would be receptive to this attempt, so we hired jazz trumpeter Paul Callander to fill in. The show went way better than expected, and since we were in the final stages of pre-production for Auxesis – we had Paul record versions of his parts to use for an instrumental release of the EP.#6 Vestigial Memories Backstory
Matt:
There was a period in my life where my memories were overwhelming me, replaying the emotional low points over and over again, but then learning to flow with the more negative cycles as just another part of the wave. Ideals can blind you to reality if you choose to sugar coat everything.

L-R: Mark Wylie (Guitar) | Lyam Morrison (Bass) | Brandon Pellatt (Drums) | Matt Cutrara (Vocals)

Photo Credit: MG Ommert

Maitreya embodies catharsis in musical expression, designed to explore the turbulent emotions of the human condition. Established in 2016 from Whitby, Ontario, Maitreya (may-trey-ah) makes progressive metal music with foundation in heavy sounds, with heart open to ethereal lofty textures. 

In the sophomore release of Hyper Reels (2021), the band’s full DNA unfolds revealing a simultaneous beauty and devastation. The densely layered compositions serve to guide listeners through a collection of commentaries exploring metaphysical reality, artificial intelligence, and the human soul’s place in that landscape. Jace Media highlights signature elements of the album, reviewing the work as “Heavy, contemporary metal chords are underscored by droning, chorusing vocals, but blink and you’ll miss them as Maitreya soon changes direction to a growling verse pandemonium. Their riffing is adventurous and deadly, cutting through weighty, rolling rhythms and movements.” 

The character of Maitreya’s sound evolved greatly since their self-titled (2017) album. Fast frenetic guitar stylings, powerhouse vocal performances, and a full-tilt energetic live show cemented Maitreya as one of Toronto’s exciting up-and-coming metal bands, earning them spots on festivals like Wacken Metal Battle and Kitchener Metalfest. As Dentata Music reviews; “Maitreya’s music is sonic baptism, taking the listener from the fire pits to the icy peaks. The band’s self-titled album weaves an intricate melodic narrative, where both headbanging metal-heavy riffs and reflective vocal lines co-exist in the vortex of sonic alchemy, presented to the listener in its raw, unfiltered elemental form.”

The band entered a new chapter in 2023, seeing the departure of drummer Steve McMillan and guitarist Matt McCabe. Original members Mark Wylie (guitar), Lyam Morrison (bass), and Matt Cutrara (vocals) recruited drummer Brandon Pellatt to support the band’s increasing demands for rhythmic complexity and progressive genre-bending tendencies. 2024 will see the release of the Auxesis EP, five new original works that showcase the band’s trajectory into the modern progressive-metal sphere. A subsequent deluxe release will feature instrumental versions with trumpet performances, giving nod to the band’s influence in the jazz-fusion realm.

Discography:
2024 – Auxesis – EP
2021 – Hyper Reels – LP
2019 – Colonize – Single
2017 – Self Titled – LP

Tours and Festivals:
2023 – Oshawa Music Week – Oshawa, ON
2018 – Wacken Metal Battle – Toronto, ON
2018 – Kitchener Metalfest – Kitchener, ON
2017 – 5/4 fest – Toronto, ON

0 EPK – Pythonic – EP 1 (2024) – Out Sept 27th

  • July 12, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Pythonic

EPK – Pythonic – EP 1 (2024)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

“Pythonic is ecstatic to finally be releasing our first set of recordings. We have been working diligently over the years to perfect our craft to bring it to the masses. What our craft can be described as we have always left that open to interpretation. We have heard wild claims from people over the years. “You sound like Bolt Thrower or Morbid Angel with clean vocals”. The one that resonates the most with the band though is being labeled as Groove Metal. We are a groovy bunch of dudes and the music makes people move. Although it’s a fairly ambiguous sub-genre. We still do not throw ourselves into any single sub-genre as we are not done writing and it leaves it open for us to produce any type of track we desire.” – Pythonic

For fans of Lamb of God, Devildriver, Machine Head, Trivium, Pantera

Facebook.com/pythonicband | Instagram.com/pythonicband | Youtube.com/@pythonicband

Spotify | Apple Music

Digital Single – Spotify – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/pythonic/love-h8

“Pythonic comes from Canada with ‘Epica’, a track that features fast-paced guitar riffs, heavy drums and an engaging, torn vocal that delivers to listeners the essence of metal and subverts such as alternative, thrash and even melodic, being perfect to the circle and not to leave anyone standing still.” – Os Garot Os Deliverpool

“Pythonic has an EP for you. Blending Thrash with Old School Swedish Death Metal, the band manages to sound like Entombed but without losing its unique style… So if you have a few minutes of anger to drain, these guys are going to cover you!” – Metal Eclipse Reviews

“Overall I’m a pretty big fan of this record. If you want something that sounds
maybe like an Anthrax or a Slayer record then you really want to check this out.
The most dynamic and unique part of this EP, in particular is the vocals
are double-tracked and they’re very high in the mix which is something that is somewhat different than a lot of the other metal releases this year which I greatly appreciate. If you want something that has a lot of the thrash guitar element then you’re really going to want to check this out. The guitar and drum parts are fantastic, they really keep the songs very tight even though the vocals are very in your face and they’re usually the the first thing that you would notice with this kind of record but overall this is very strong.” – Brutally Delicious

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

Band: Pythonic
EP Title: EP 1
Release Date: September 27, 2024
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:
1. Positive Deconstruction (5:19)
2. Love H8 (4:02)
3. Pills (3:09)
4. Practise What You Preach (5:13)
5. Epica (5:00)
EP Total Length: 22:43

EP Recording Credits
All songs performed by Pythonic with Jordan Gall
All songs written by Pythonic
Produced by Pythonic with Jordan Gall
Mixed by Christian Douglas at The Sound Castle
Mastered by Christian Douglas at The Sound Castle
EP Artwork by Danya Lawton

EP Lineup:
Dustin Reiner – Lead Vocals and Bass
Ryan Hunter – Lead Guitar
Vincent Kohut – Rhythm Guitar and Backing Vocals
Jordan Gall Drums

Live Lineup
Dustin Reiner – Lead Vocals
Ryan Hunter –  Lead Guitar
Vincent Kohut – Rhythm Guitar and Backing Vocals
Morgan Warriner – Bass and Backing Vocals
Jayden Warriner – Drums

==============================================

About The EP Artwork

The concept for the EP has gone through many ideas and changes. The one solid piece that we wanted on the first one was a big tree as the main focus. At the base of the tree is a guy pulling puzzle pieces off himself and replacing them with pieces from the tree. This goes along with the track Positive Deconstruction which is the opening track on the EP. Healing through nature is the point trying to be conveyed through the album art. Personal healing and growth is a concept that the band wants to push through themselves to fans and the album art can help portray that.

The EP as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

Lyrically this album reflects on the massive displacement of hate in the world and the need to shift into a state of love. Basically, we can see the bullshit and we will not allow it to penetrate into our hearts and minds. This music is our shield against those low vibratory forces.

Musically I would say this EP comes from the heart a lot of the songs came to be very naturally. The songs are all a few years old now with the exception of a few parts in songs. A lot of these songs were written when most of the band was coming into themselves as musicians and we all had a strong push to be better than we were before. It just kind of worked out that most of the songs fit sort of thematically and riff-wise as well nothing is too far outside of each other but still distinct enough to know it is a different song

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

Positive Deconstruction – musically this song always came across as a little more on the greasy end. The verse riff just gets bouncy and slidey. Our original drummer wanted blasts in the second half of the chorus riff but it sounded way better when we recorded the drums that we did. The ending breakdown, although repetitive yet heavy, has the monotony broken up by a sick guitar solo headed by Ryan.

Lyrically – societal collapse for a better future for humankind

Love H8 musically came out exactly as we needed it to as a sick thrash song. The idea behind the track was to get people to move and it does just that while played live.

Lyrically – challenges of a relationship

Pills musically was written fairly quickly while at band practice. Vince had the main chorus riff ready to go and the rest just sort of followed. The song has some bigger tempo changes that help to synthesize the feelings of being on pills while listening. The ups and downs of addiction.

Lyrically – medications pollute the body

Practice What You Preach was written while guitar player Vincent was listening to a fair bit of Nile so some slight Egyptian-esque sounds definitely come out in the riffs. This song has a fairly big emphasis on the harmonies thrown together within the track. This song came out a fair bit slower than the rest of the songs but it’s a good reprieve with some great riffs.

Lyrically – inner turmoil of growth

Epica is meant to be triumphant and powerful. It is a song about standing up for what you believe in and challenging the status quo. I believe it is portrayed very well within the riffs and lyrics

Lyrically – the illusion of freedom

==============================================

STORY ANGLES – FUN FACTS

The EP had drums recorded at powder room studios, located in Hafford Saskatchewan,  which is owned by EP Drummer Jordan Gall who Vincent grew up with. The rest of the tracks were recorded in Vincent’s Bedroom and the tracks were sent off to Chirs Douglas at The Sound Castle to be mixed and mastered

When Ryan first joined the band he was only 16 years old and brought along with him long-time bass player Alyxx Frayne who was the same age. She would later go on to play bass in Widow’s Peak after moving to CalgaryAll the core members of Pythonic grew up in different places. It’s just by sheer chance we all linked up. Ryan was born in BC and moved to Saskatoon. Vincent was raised on a Farm near a small town called Hafford and Dustin grew up in Melfort. The current rhythm lineup consisting of brothers Jayden and Morgan Warriner both went to school with Ryan and ended up being really good fits to the band.

The first sold-out show we played was a fundraiser for the Saskatoon SPCA on September 15th, 2023. It was also the first show that we played with Jayden on drums. The show ended up raising 5k for the SPCA. We were the third band on the bill the band after us was Kelevra and when they got up on stage after us the singer said to the crowd “Well I don’t know how we are supposed to follow that set”. They played just as a killer of a set that night.

Without any recorded material we almost got to play a Junofest showcase when the Junos were in Saskatoon it was the year Striker won with their album Play to Win. The show was going to be opening for Striker and Untimely Demise. The show was unfortunately canceled the day of the event as COVID-19 was labeled a pandemic that day.

L-R – Vincent Kohut (guitar, backing vocals), front Jayden Warriner (drums), Back Dustin Reiner (vocals), Morgan Warriner (bass, backing vocals), Ryan Hunter (guitar) – Photo by Mac Ulmer

Pythonic is a Canadian metal band founded late 2015. Through the years there has been many line up changes with the band, however there has been a core three members through it all. Dustin Reiner on Vocals masterfully entwining thought provoking lyrics with sick flow and harsh growls. Lead guitarist Ryan Hunter has been the resident guitar prodigy laying down some of the grooviest riffs and most intense guitar solos. Rhythm Guitarist Vincent Kohut generates riffs like a machine mixing heaps of thick low end with tight tremolo picking which keeps riffs varied and fresh. Recent addition to the band Jayden Warriner has taken up the sticks and slams nasty beats behind the kit. The most recent addition to the fringe is Jayden’s brother Morgan Warriner hitting fat low end on the bass and locking in for a tighter rhythm section than you can imagine.

Shared Stage with: Agony Spawn, Untimely Demise, Ravenwitch, Hatchet, Hazzerd, Reject, Kelevra, Augurium, Widows Peak, Protosequence, Wasted Heretics, Art of Attrition, Alien to the Ignorant, Mileshigh, 6M

Tours and Festivals:
2019 – Shockerfest 26 – Edmonton, AB
2018 – Saskatoon Screamfest – Saskatoon, SK

0 EPK – Manuel Barbara – Whisper in a Storm (2024)

  • July 3, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Manuel Barbara · Uncategorized

EPK – Manuel Barbara – Whisper in a Storm (2024)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

“I believe that these four tracks are hands-down the best music I have made so far. I think people will really feel that this music has come into its own, and I am excited to move further in this direction in the future. I want this EP to be a heavy, slamming journey to four very distinct musical places, featuring some of my favorite musicians.” – Manuel Barbara

For fans of Monuments, Tesseract, Periphery, Meshuggah, Keith Merrow

Manuelbarbara.com | Facebook.com/8stringalchemy | Instagram.com/8stringalchemy  | Youtube.com/@8stringalchemy | Tiktok.com/@8stringalchemy

Linktr.ee/8stringalchemy | 8stringalchemy.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

“the song (A Different Horizon (feat. Jake Howsam Lowe (Plini)) blends metal heaviness and classical music concepts to create something intricate, unique, and highly technical.” – Decibel Magazine

“Berklee trained and steeped in metal music, composing, and shredding, the EP (Whisper in the Storm) is going to unite die-hard metal fans and guitar geeks alike. The first single off this EP is “Dead Hand,” which features Jody Miller, a renowned violinist in the video game music scene.” – Ghost Cult Magazine

“If a sophisticated and often elegant variety of mainly instrumental progressive metal is a subject matter of particular interest, and you are fond of such creations exploring the entire span from gentle and melodic all the way towards the extreme, then you will find this EP quite the rewarding experience I’d imagine.” – Progressor

“When I came across New Jersey based guitarist and composer Manuel Barbará and his solo debut album “Moonrise” in 2021, I saw myself blown away by his modern instrumental style, combining mighty heaviness with dreamful electronic sounds. Finding inspiration in a wide range of classical, neoclassical as well as contemporary artists and bands, his new EP, “Whisper in a Storm”, lines up here as well, offering epic shredding within a spacey atmosphere fitting to the Blade Runner theme. While the playing is highly sophisticated and not an easy listen due to its dissonance and complexity, there’s still this djenty grooviness that keeps me vibing with it. Recommended ffo modern Progmetal in the veins of Tesseract, Periphery and Meshuggah.” – The ProgSpace 

“Prog metal, with a pinch of metal/deathcore musically” – Moshpit Radio 89.9FM WORT (Madison, WI)

“With its rhythmic elements and heavy riffs, Manuel Barbará’s debut album is in the purity of modern instrumental progressive metal. But his influences from classical composers add an interesting extra touch.”- Music Waves (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“a spectacular showcase of the progressive qualities of Manuel Barbará.” – Games, Brains and A Headbanging Life (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“This is an astounding first record. Especially for a single composer. If you are a fan of atmospheric instrumental metal, give it a shot. I give the album a solid 8/10. Manuel is already looking forward to the future with new compositions which are even more refined and elaborate. I’m looking forward to it with great anticipation.” – Belgian Metal Shredder (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“I really enjoyed my time with this album. I’m a big fan of djenty riffs, dissonant tones and atmosphere which this album provided aplenty. The record shows that Manuel is a master craftsman in composition. The album clocks in at about 35 minutes. In this case that’s a plus. It doesn’t overstay its welcome and makes the tracks stand out more. The album is instrumental, which could be a turnoff for some people. But to me it benefits from it. It’s more of a listening album than an all-out headbang/rocking out record.” – Belgian Metal Shredder (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“without a doubt that we have a talented musician and composer in front of us. The approach is in large parts of the material progressive metal with the corresponding hardness and complexity… You can’t deny the band’s instrumental quality…” – Metal-Heads.de (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“Manuel Barbará shines bright on Moonrise… this is a fascinating listen and it is easy to appreciate Manuel’s complex musical narrative… this deserves a listen as it does embody the prog metal ideal and as such, it’s a damn good album: think Tesseract or Periphery.” – RAMzine (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“Barbará has rejuvenated the instrumental metal genre, boldly handling what is often perceived as a deficit of vocals and composing with refinement and a brilliantly malicious sense of melody and groove.” – Jace Media (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“It’s unbelievable that Moonrise is the debut of a musical high-flyer. Manuel Barbará releases an unbelievably mature masterpiece, which not only pays homage to its role models Dream Theater, Keith Merrow, or Periphery, but also presents crisp, progressive Djent Metal at eye level, which despite its perfection and precision still offers room for improvement. My recommendation with 8.5 / 10” – Soundmagnet (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

“Inviting the listener in with some mystical soundscapes, the tempo and mood change immediately when the trio start firing on all cylinders with a dent-driven, pushing rhythmic sound alongside Manuel’s epic and virtuosic guitar work. The overall sound is dark and mighty, but every now and then gets brightened by some gleaming tones. The use of electronic sounds add a modern vibe as well and he skillfully alternates between full-power, highly technical, and calmer, atmospheric parts, before taking us to the gigantic ending riff.” – Tuonela Magazine (2021 – Moonrise – LP)

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]
EP Title: Whisper in a Storm
Release Date: September 13, 2024
Label: Self-Published
Distribution: Distrokid
Track Listing:
1. Dead Hand (feat. Jody Miller) – 5:43
2. A Different Horizon (feat. Jake Howsam Lowe) – 5:49
3. Aphelion (feat. Michael Nystrom Bala) – 4:13
4. Whisper in a Storm (feat. Thalia Tymowski & Millisa Henderson) – 4:51
5. Whisper in a Storm (instrumental) – 4:51
EP Length: 24:42

EP Credits:
All songs written and performed by Manuel Barbará
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Manuel Barbará
EP artwork by Jason Grossman
===================================================

About The EP Artwork

Since Whisper in a Storm is about Blade Runner, I thought having some origami on the cover would be appropriate. I was considering just making it an origami unicorn, but I ended up settling on the eye.

About the EP as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

This EP is designed to be a strange, adventurous, expertly crafted punch to the face with just enough spacey ambiance to make it punch even harder and just enough big synths to make it feel like you might be stabbed with a katana under a neon sign.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

Dead Hand was the first of the four songs to come together. Heavily inspired by Monuments, it mainly features a big heavy riff that keeps returning with slightly different feels and that gives me an image of a big snake that you definitely don’t want to get in the way of. That riff gives way to all kinds of spacey ambiance and twisty strangeness. The ending riff is one of the heaviest and weirdest things I’ve ever written, and Jody’s scary violin textures tie the whole experience together.

A Different Horizon kicks off with an off-kilter riff in 3s that sets the tone for the rest of the song. There’s always something making you anticipate the next section. Jake’s brilliant solo is bookended by a massive melodic riff and the whole piece ends with a section that the bass player in Necronomicon ex Mortis described as “what in the Dark Souls haunted cathedral is this?”

Aphelion –  The original idea for this song was “What if I took a straightforward unga-bunga riff and made it weirder and weirder every time it happens”. The big stompy intro with slightly alien harmony goes through a process of transformation and fragmentation until it comes back to its original form and immediately falls apart again. The two solos, by myself and Mike, contrast one another very nicely.

Whisper in a Storm is the most “traditional” of the four songs with what is mostly a typical verse-chorus sort of structure. It still features odd expanding and contracting rhythms and huge stacks of guitars with Thalia’s powerful voice tying the whole thing together. The final bridge gives way to two melodic guitar solos and a final, crushing riff.

===================================================
STORY ANGLES – FUN FACTS

1. One of the sound effects in Whisper in a Storm is actually two kitchen knives scraping together.

2. I regularly find myself in the odd position of being metal teacher while being not abstract enough for classical teachers

3. I learned to play guitar on a 7-string. 6-strings feel like toys whenever I pick one up.

4. I feel like my music is a constant attempt to surprise myself with something. The trouble is, once I write it, it stops being surprising.

5. I played a show in Long Island a few months ago. It took 4 hours to get to the venue and I was 45 minutes late to my start time. My panic quickly disappeared when the other bands turned out to be an hour late to theirs.

Manuel Barbará is a metal guitarist and composer from the East Coast of the United States who combines the aggression and technical mastery of heavy metal with formal and harmonic concepts learned from the great composers of the 19th and 20th century. Trained at Berklee College of Music (2020, Guitar and Composition), Manuel brings his love of modern “classical” music and composition to bear on the progressive rock that has always inspired him. His compositions, whether for metal band or chamber ensemble, aim to unify these two disparate spheres of music.

His guitar playing is precise and disciplined and his compositions are carefully constructed pieces, full of ambiance and color. Talking about his music, Barbará says: “The purpose of music for me, after all the craft and technique and study are done, is to draw the listeners in and allow them to experience totally new worlds. The details of those worlds will be up to each individual person”.

His debut album “Moonrise” was released in March 2021 and returns in 2024 with his follow-up EP “Whisper In The Storm” out on September 13th.

Discography:
2024 – Whisper In The Storm – EP
2022 – Clockwork Soul (single)
2021 – Moonrise – LP

Shared Stage:
Manuel Barbara also plays in bands:
– Necronomicon Ex Mortis
– Apocalyptic Sandwich of Doom (unreleased)

Opened for: Absurd Condition, Chris Cyanid, Jackpipe, Share the Burden, Feast Your Eyes, Sadha, The Shape it Takes, Eradicate, Krimson Mask, Hellswind

0 EPK – Artach – Sgrios (2024)

  • June 26, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · Artach · EPKs

EPK – Artach – Sgrios (2024)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

“This EP “Sgrios” might surprise some listeners as we took on an experimental direction, a black metal spin on industrial metal sounds. Bands like Rammstein, Fear Factory, and Pain for example. Think of a mash of styles that we haven’t heard much of. Something fresh and original. Not a ton of Black Metal bands will have Rammstein-esque synth guitar sounds, tremolo-picked riffs, and harsh black metal vocals. However, it’s still us and still has all the elements from our previous releases. This is just a taste of what’s to come as we work on our upcoming 3rd full-length that will be released this fall and will once again be our signature sound.” – Artach

For fans of Immortal, Venom, Slayer, Darkthrone, Celtic Frost

Facebook.com/ArtachBlackMetal | Instagram.com/ArtachBlackMetal | Youtube

Artach.bandcamp.com

Band: Artach
EP Title: Sgrios
Label: Self-Release
Release Date: July 6, 2024
Track Listing
1. Frozen Factory – 3:00
2. The Black Hole – 3:32
3. Super-Cybernetic – 3:18
4. Atomic Cabaret – 3:04
EP Length: 12:55
EP Credits:
All songs performed, written, produced, mixed and mastered by Artach.
Album cover art by Inneal and Artach.

Artach are:
Fíochmhar: Drums/Vocals
Sruthán: Guitar/Bass

======================================================

About The EP Artwork

The SGRIOS cover has us in robot form in a frozen industrial wasteland. It fits with the lyrical topics for the EP perfectly.

About the EP as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

Lyrically, the topics explored on the SGRIOS EP cover technology, apocalyptic themes, and some tongue in cheek suggestive topics. Musically you will hear industrial metal through the Artach blackened-thrash lens.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

1. Environmental collapse due to greed (“Frozen Factory”) – the most “Artach-sounding” song on here.

2. The perils of deep space exploration with suggestive themes (“The Black Hole”)

3. Sex between two robots (“Super-Cybernetic”)

4. “Atomic Cabaret,” is a dark reflection on the development and catastrophic consequences of nuclear technology, highlighting the destructive potential, moral dread, and existential uncertainty of the atomic age. Musically summons Rammstein vibes.

======================================================

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Artach doesn’t rehearse or jam, we just write and record constantly (sadly this was slowed down a bit in recent times due to lock-downs due to the raging pandemic). When a song is written, it gets recorded, then we move on to the next one. We’ve probably forgotten how to play the earlier songs as once a song has been finalized we don’t waste time jamming on it as we are not a live band. We move right onto the next song and keep the creative process flowing. For this reason, at any one time, there can be 10+ song ideas in various states of composition.

2. The band’s name, member names, and even some song titles are in Gaelic. It’s not that we speak the language, but because the historical roots of our island involve the immigration of people from Ireland, Scotland, and England. Therefore rather than re-tread the themes of the Scandinavian and Norse lands, which have been overdone in black/pagan/folk metal, we decided to stick with something more authentic to our own roots.

3. Many of the songs are about nature, and many of those involve winter. We live in the coldest, windiest, snowiest, foggiest, a capital provincial city in Canada. We’d give many Norwegian cities a challenge for gloomiest weather. As a result, the climate and nature are themes found in most songs.

4. Sruthán never played bass before Artach – just guitar. Fíochmhar never sang in a band before – just played drums.

Artach is a two-man black metal band (Sruthán: Guitar/Bass, Fíochmhar: Battery/Vokills/Keys)based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Being from the foggiest, snowiest, wettest, windiest, and gloomiest capital city in Canada, one should not be surprised that this fuels the creation of Black Metal. Their inspiration comes from the land, nature, the bleak weather of the Canadian North, and influential black metal bands.

Since the duo’s formation in the spring of 2019, Artach has been consistently releasing new music. The band’s debut album “Chronicles of a Black Winter” was released digitally during February 2020 and later unleashed on physical CD by Depressive Illusions Records. The full length contained 9 songs of extreme, harsh, and haunting sounds, which included a cover of Celtic Frost’s ‘Jewel Throne’.

Now in 2021, the band returns with their next offering “Sworn To Avenge”, a full-length scourge of raw and relentless bruting gloom. From the calming blasts and savagery of album opener “Tuiteam an Duine” to the ingrained black metal blast beats, and headbanging riffage on “Shimmer” to the 20-minute exploration for the epic “Endless Tundra” about the doomed Franklin expedition of 1846 to the Immortal-esque riffing and unorthodox exorcism of album closer “Winter’s End”, Artach delivers a 65-minute cold deliverance of their surroundings.

Discography:

*Artach – “Album 3” – FALL 2024
*Artach – Sgrios (EP) – JULY 2024 Release
2024: From The Frozen Vault (EP)
2023: Hell on Halloween (Single)
2021: Countess Bathory (Single)
2021: Sworn to Avenge (album)
2020: Night Songs (single)
2020: Chronicles of a Black Winter (album)
*Forthcoming releases.

“With the jagged band name and bleak setting you can look upon the cover and get a taste of what’s in store, then you add in the hooded man with the sword and your ideas may be subverted, perhaps not. This is the real genius of Artach. They are making music that crosses genres; a bit of black metal, death metal, old school horns up fists of air grabbing metal as well.” – Killchain (2021: Sworn to Avenge)

“Artach are one of the most interesting black metal bands to have come out of Canada in recent years. The unique meshing of first and second wave black metal styles alongside elements of progressive black metal creates an interesting and intriguing album. The band’s enjoyment for creating and love for their craft really shines through, it is refreshingly authentic and invigorating, daring to explore things in their own way instead of adding more footprints to an already well trodden black metal path.” – NOIZZE (2021: Sworn to Avenge)

“The song (She Gathers Leaves) is a thrill-ride, but also reveals elements of gothic witchiness. The raw vocals are caught up in a paroxysm of fierce, crazed adoration, venting cold-blooded roars as well as braying, throat-stripping howls and cut-throat screams. The full-throttle drumming is tumultuous, a changing array that hammers, gallops, rocks, thunders, and blasts. Urgently rising chords provide a recurring theme, surrounded by flame-throwing riffs that dart, pulsate, and spasm, drawing on elements of thrash and classic heavy metal as well as black metal. Ecstatically swirling leads further add to the wildness of the song. A mood of mystery does surface in the track’s brief intro, and that mood surfaces again in the song’s back half, leading into a necromantic guitar solo that takes flight in scintillating fashion.” – No Clean Singing (2021: Sworn to Avenge)

“check out Artach for a truly epic journey into the wildernesses that populate the dark fantasy land conjured through their excellent music. This sophomore album tells me that this is a band that will be releasing much good material for years to come and will soon be headlining the epic black metal stages or charts both online and at festivals. An excellent job all round.” – Metal Rules (2021: Sworn to Avenge)

“”Sworn to Avenge is a mind-assaulting record… You’ll hear the influences of classic black metal bands like Venom, early-Bathory as well as elements of the second wave; Immortal, Darkthrone etc. Ugly and uninviting stuff but very satisfying if you enjoy the gloomier side of metal… It’s a mammoth listen and does take its toll, but the array of ideas that Artach showcase does keep things interesting. An hour slips by, the cold has sunk deep into the bones and you’ll be left wondering if you’ll ever be warm again.” – Games, Brrraaains And A Head-Banging Life (2021: Sworn to Avenge)

“Very melodic black metal, yet aggressive and heavy with undeniable influences from plain old straightforward heavy metal, so while things are definitely “black metal”, there’s a lot of discipline at play and this is definitely not your average raw, chaotic black metal. There’s order to the chaos on Sworn to Avenge, but that doesn’t prevent it from being aggressive and sometimes kind of depressing and melancholic despite not descending into the slower playing usually associated with those stylings. It’s a rollercoaster of “fuck yeah!” and “kill me now” (in sort of a good way).” – The Metal Crypt (2021: Sworn to Avenge)

“Now for some blackened thrash from Canada’s Artach, a band with an unusual take on the genre and a very unique sound. The good news is that if you’re a thrash fan you’re going to like this album. The even better news is that if you’re a blackened thrash fan you’re going to love this album. All of your favourite elements are present, plenty of riffs, a great blend between groove, rawness and aggression and raw, high energy vocals. There is something for everyone here which is why I can see the album having a broad appeal.” – Cavedweller Music (2021: Sworn to Avenge)

“Instrumentally I think Artach have pushed the boundary of what they achieved on their previous record. The structure of the songs here are more experimental and incredibly diverse, especially with the aforementioned “Endless Tundra”. The guitars push up against the limits of what one would typically expect from black metal while also keeping a foot firmly planted in that world, so as not to stray too far from the conventions that make the genre what it is. It’s an interesting middle ground and I’d like to see Artach continue to push these ideas further on their next release. This album as a whole sees the band try different things and generally improve upon the formula established on their debut, and I look forward to seeing what they do next.” – Heavy NFLD (2021: Sworn to Avenge)

“The album is definitely black metal – but there are some really nice elements in that that makes this author think the musicians are truly having some fun. In particular, ‘Frozen In Time’, exhibits this by delivering several rhythmic textures and a variety of guitar techniques. The vocals are also just well placed in this track in both timing and style.” – Brutalism (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)

“Artach have overnight become one of the most interesting bands to come out of the Newfoundland metal scene in some time, not only for the Darkthrone-esque duality of their lineup, but for their genuine appreciation for all things grim and frostbitten and their unique flavour of first wave meets second wave black metal. If you’ve not given Chronicles of a Black Winter a listen yet, give it a spin or two. It’s definitely worth checking out.” – HeavyNFLD (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)

“Artach is a mysterious two-piece Black Metal band who have issued their debut CHRONICLES OF A BLACK WINTER. Artach have spawned some fierce raw and primeval Black Metal. I’m hearing lots of classic Hellhammer/Bathory/Venom and maybe even dipping into second wave stuff like Immortal. It is all very black and grim the way this type of stuff should be.” – Metal-Rules (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)

“Like the album’s title may suggest, this album’s atmosphere is as cold and bleak as the North winds.  The album is very riff focused with modern production, but it isn’t too clean—I actually really enjoyed the production. Vocally, it is very unique and [not] just the same ol endless blackened screams.” – Metal Temple (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)

“A solid dose of second wave black metal.” – Astral Noize (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)

“This is an album that took a little time to grow on me and after more listens than I care to count, I still hear little twists that I hadn’t heard before. Pretty cool debut from a band that’s doing its own thing in a genre where bands are often content to imitate.” Rating: ⅘ – The Metal Crypt (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)

0 EPK – Gigantum – Self-Titled (2024)

  • June 19, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Gigantum

EPK – Gigantum – Self-Titled (2024)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

“Each song tells its own story and takes you some place different. They have their own personality. The album’s listening experience takes you on a journey. We are trying to shake the foundation and rattle the windows.” – Gigantum

For fans of Iron Blanket, Black Sabbath, Clutch, Fu Manchu, Mastodon, Red Fang

https://linktr.ee/gigantumband | Facebook.com/gigantumband | Instagram.com/gigantumband | Youtube.com/@Gigantum

Gigantumband.bandcamp.com | Apple Music |  Spotify

“It’s wide ranging heavy music odyssey that spans six hefty heavy rock tracks on ‘Gigantum’ (2024)” – Doomed & Stoned

“Gigantum have released a no-hold barred “NO FUCKS GIVEN” attitude that will no doubt strike a chord with the jaded Doom/Stoner Metal fan currently out there. Excellent and Highly Recommended.” – Outlaws of the Sun

“With a flair for the dramatic, Gigantum has a no-nonsense approach to writing and riffing, yet remains free of pretension that fouls up a lot of modern bands with retro influences. This is only the beginning for this band! Jam out Gigantum to 11 and burn one right now!” – Ghost Cult Magazine

“Gigantum’ is an impressive debut that showcases the band’s ability to traverse different musical territories while maintaining a cohesive and powerful sound. With each track telling its own story, GIGANTUM crafts a listening experience that is both diverse and deeply rooted in heavy rock tradition. This album is a must-listen for fans of bands like Black Sabbath, Clutch, and Fu Manchu who crave a mix of crushing riffs, heavy grooves, and dynamic vocals.8.5/10″ – Infrared Magazine

“If you can imagine a slightly more psychedelic variety of classic era Black Sabbath that has been given a little bit of a punk attitude and expression then you should have a fair general idea of what to expect from this album. An album I suspect quite a few who tend to enjoy vintage era doom metal might find to be an interesting experience.” – Viking in the Wilderness


“That sort of plot is perfect for a stoner jam like “Necron99,” the closer to their self-titled debut album. There’s a good deal of jamming going on in this album” – Heavy Music HQ

“the group from Los Angeles chooses many unconventional methods and also reveals exciting things here.” – PowerMetal.de

“All experienced musicians, this is the work of a fully-fledged group that is ready for anything.But as for “Monkey King,” for all its doom-laden, Sabbath jamming on Fu Manchu chic, it’s a band that will do things on its own terms. Mia X is capable of whipping up a frenzy, and “For All My Friends” has something truly unsettling about it. If the album as a whole feels like heavy psych and melody are engaged in a battle to the death, then never is that better shown than on the fabulous “Forever Dreaming.”… with this self-titled statement, Gigantum are laying down a big marker. 8/10″ – Maximum Volume Music

“ an energetic hard rock record with a couple of very good doom songs. Recommended.” – Flying Fiddle Sticks

“Groovin’ stoner/doom” – The Moshpit 89.9FM (Madison, WI)

Album Title: Self Titled
Release Date: September 6, 2024
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: DistroKid

Track Listing:
1. Monkey King – 6:11
2. For All My Friends – 5:38
3. Forever Dreaming – 7:02
4. Brain Haze – 8:36
5. Rock Box – 3:38
6. Necron99 – 8:48
Album Length: 39:52

Album Credits:
All songs performed by: Gigantum
All songs written by: Gigantum
Mixed by: Charlie Waymire at Ultimate Studios
Mastered by: Ernesto Homeyer
Album Artwork by: Mia X, Art Director: Luis Aira,
Member of ASCAP and BMI

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Mia X – Vocals/Bass
BlareNBitch – Guitar/Vocals
Mark Lüntzel – Guitar/Vocals
Chase Manhattan – Drums

===================================================

About The Album Artwork

Mia: I envisioned a lot of speakers just blasting out Gigantum and that is how the artwork came to be.

About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

Blare: The album starts off straight forward and powerful. Some songs really take you on hills and valleys and other songs that are straight forward. It ends on a heavy note with Necron99

Chase: The album musically, I would say all the songs collectively work together. Each song definitely has its own unique sound, but all fit under the same umbrella so to speak. I think we’re not afraid of any one idea or concept and it’ll all end up sounding like us.

Mark: Mélange of styles – Heaviness and heavy riffs in conjunction with softer, emotional sequences.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

Mia: Monkey King – lyrically – About the Chinese trixter deity called Sun Wukong.

Blare: Envisioned “royalty” when creating the bridge to go with the vibe of Sun Wukong.

Mark: Musically Is a rocknroll stomper

For All My Friends
Mia and Blare:
Is more poppy with a bit of anger behind it. It jams out all the emotion. It’s about losing friends either purposely or through misunderstanding or death and the complicated feelings that go along with that.

Mark: Musically, is groovy, foot tapping fun.

Forever Dreaming
Mark:
Galloping through an uneven landscape of sounds and intensity. Lyrically – is a deeply personal story that is symbolic if left up to the listener.

Brain Haze –
Mia and Blare: Lyrically – Being stressed that your brain no longer works and is on fire.

Blare: Musically – envisioned what it would sound like to be emotionally in a black hole and then finding peace.

Mark: Musically, It’s like rocknroll disco

Rock Box –
Mia: lyrically – Loving music and playing. Not wanting to be defined musically and doing it because it’s what we love.

Blare: Musically – it’s our ode to punk rock Gigantum style going 100mph.

Mark: Is a swift kick in the ass.

Necron99 –
Mia: This was inspired by the 1977 animated movie, WIZARDS. It’s a very interesting concept and a lot of the themes are still very current for today.

Blare: Lyrically, It has a very doomy industrial feel that doesn’t end well. Musically – it’s very heavy and doomy.

Mark: Musically, it’s a heavy repetitive journey into darkness.

===================================================

STORY ANGLES

Mia: A lot of the songs are about conversations that we have at practice. Necron99 came about when Mark told us about this movie he was really into and wanted us to check out called, WIZARDS. After watching it, I went down a rabbit hole to learn more and when he started playing the riff that is now Necron99, I started thinking about the importance of what the movie was portraying.

Brain Haze came about when Blare and I were talking about how the mind’s pathways are affected when the brain is on the fritz. Having consciousness during a really hard time, it becomes like a dream where you are disassociated and know what is happening, but you are a passenger in your own life.

Sun Wukong came about because Mark had come over after to my place after yoga and was telling me about this monkey that ate the sun that I guess they talked about during the session. I found that intriguing and wanted to learn more, so I started looking up monkeys in Chinese mythology and found out about this compelling monkey with a very wild story that went on for centuries who is known as Sun Wukong. So I wrote all these lyrics for him and guess what? Wrong monkey. I’m glad that I stumbled upon him though. A very interesting deity.

Mark: All of the band members find the work that we do on this project as therapeutic and healing. We hope that these qualities come through in our music and that the listener can feel our honesty and help them in some way.

===================================================

FUN FACTS:

Mia is an herbalist, makes her own teas and works at a witchcraft shop in Burbank called The Crooked Path.

Blare is a left-handed musician and has a degree in world music. She can play the sitar!

Chase has 8 drum sets and over 80 snare drums and will not share any of it with anyone.

Mark is a vegan mountain man that makes his own hot sauce.

They all love pets.

Mark has 2 cats, 2 turtles, various fish and a bearded dragon that he also has a tattoo of.

Mark speaks basic Japanese and wants the band to tour there next year.

We tend to laugh a lot at practice. We crack each other up and in actuality, we are comedians pretending to be musicians.

L-R – Mia X – Vocals/Bass, BlareNBitch – Guitar/Vocals, Chase Manhattan – Drums, Mark Lüntzel – Guitar/Vocals

Photo Credit Mariana Fiel

Gigantum, a dynamic new force in the Los Angeles, USA, heavy music scene, is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of their debut self-titled album full of dirty tuneage that will attract the ears of anyone into heavy rock n’ roll.

The band, comprising seasoned musicians Mia X, BlareNBitch, Mark Lüntzel, and Chase Manhattan, promises to deliver a heavy, yet creatively expansive sound that puts a new spin on rock n’ roll. Each song on the album tells its own story and takes you somewhere different. Gigantum invites listeners to embark on the first leg of this musical adventure. It is recommended for fans of Black Sabbath, Clutch, and Fu Manchu.

“The album musically, we would say all the songs collectively work together. Each song definitely has its own unique sound, but all fit under the same umbrella so to speak. We think we’re not afraid of any one idea or concept and it’ll all end up sounding like us. It’s a mélange of styles – Heaviness and heavy riffs in conjunction with softer, emotional sequences.” adds the band.

Due out on September 6th, 2024, Gigantum’s self-titled album is available for pre-order at https://gigantumband.bandcamp.com.

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Mia X – Vocals/Bass
BlareNBitch – Guitar/Vocals
Mark Lüntzel – Guitar/Vocals
Chase Manhattan – Drums

Discography:
2024 – Self-Titled EP

0 EPK – Dream Heavy – Song In The Dark (single) (2024)

  • June 18, 2024
  • by Asher
  • · Dream Heavy · EPKs

EPK – Dream Heavy – Song In The Dark (single) (2024)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

“We anticipate our long-awaited upcoming EP will be well received by our current fans and also garner us a batch of new ones! We want our fans to be lost in the stories of our songs. We want to take them on an unpredictable, intense, and utterly enjoyable thrill ride that deeply influences their emotions and encourages them to seriously contemplate our place as humans in these perilous times.” – DreamHeavy

For fans of Porcupine Tree, Kalandra, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Nightwish, Unleash the Archers

Dreamheavy.ca | Facebook.com/dreamheavymusic | Instagram.com/dreamheavyproject

Show Dates:​
July 5-6 – Midsummers Music Festival – Smithers, BC
July 12-13 – Arts on the Fly Festival – Horsefly, BC
July 18 – Billy Barker Days – Quesnel, BC
July 19-20 – Discovery Coast Music Festival – Bella Coola, BC
July 26 -28 – Kispiox Valley Music Festival – Kispiox Valley, BC
August 16-18 – Robson Valley Music Festival – Dunster, BC
November 1-2 – Woodstove Music Festival – Cumberland, BC

Single Band Lineup:
Seth Macdonald: acoustic and Electric Guitars, Vocals
Shara Gustafson: Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals
David McKillican: Drums
Liam Randall-Gustafson: Bass Guitar
Mary:  Synth, Keys

Live Band Lineup:
Seth Macdonald: Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Vocals
Shara Gustafson: Lead Vocals, Harmony Vocals
David McKillican: Drums
Liam Randall-Gustafson: Bass Guitar
Scott Duncan: Violin

============================================

About The EP Artwork

The album artwork is currently being created by our gifted daughter Saeda Rose.

It is to be a representation of the “Great Mother” or the “Tree of Life” connected to the cosmos and “Dreaming” all of creation into being.

About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

This EP is a sonic journey that is designed to take the listener to places and deep instinctive emotions in the mind…Lyrically the theme throughout tends towards the inspirational and rebellious. There is true irreverence for the divine here, but also unabashed anger towards the institutions of humanity that continue to keep us enslaved.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

“Song in the Dark” is a melodic/progressive metal journey with a primitive tribal feel. The song is the story of our species’ evolution from our earliest awareness of the self and our awe at the universe around us to the brilliant, violent and destructive and arrogant beings we have become.

“Blasphemy” with its genre-hopping exploration of Celtic, reggae, and acoustic Metal styles is a stark criticism of organized religion whilst encouraging us to embrace our own personal journey towards the Divine.

“Filthy Rich” is a driving Hard/Progressive Rock music attack on the 1% in our global society. It reminds the selfish ultra-rich scum of the Earth that their days in power are numbered and a revolution on a global scale is coming to re-distribute their wealth to the masses!

“Mourning After” has its roots musically in Celtic melodies blended with Progressive Metal and Rock Opera. Lyrically it is a reminder to humankind that the incessant pursuit of material wealth will only end in the ultimate destruction of our souls. The song blends my own lyrics with a couple of verses from the song “Spirit of Man” one of the most powerful pieces recorded on Jeff Wayne’s 1979 Rock Opera; “War of the Worlds” (originally performed by Phil Lynott and Julie Covington.)

============================================

FUN FACT – STORY ANGLES

1. Dream Heavy is truly a family band.

Shara and Seth have been playing music together for the full 25 years that they have been a couple. They have also raised 5 children, have 3 grandchildren and built their own home on the same piece of land that Seth was raised on. Their son Liam is now a full-fledged member of the group and brings his “Gentle Giant”, youthful Metal-inspired influence to everything they compose and perform. Their Drummer David McKillican is like their surrogate son or younger brother; having first joined the couple’s previous band back in 2008.

2. The band not only works together artistically but also owns a Silviculture company responsible for planting close to 2 million trees every summer.

3. The family also hosts the Robson Valley Music Festival on their property in mid-August every summer. Shara is the Producer, Grant Writer, and Artistic Director of the event while Seth is the Operational Manager and takes care of physical logistics. The Festival has been running since 2005 (with a brief hiatus during the pandemic ) and boasts 5 stages, a huge variety of eclectic talent from around the world, and sees an attendance of around 1000 people annually.

4. David is a small business owner as well specializing in house renovations and custom cabinet building. He lives with his wife “Sasparilla Fox” an infamous Burlesque dancer, troupe leader, and dance teacher on a rural property outside of Quesnel BC.

Sometimes she even choreographs routines for the band and if we get truly lucky, shares the stage with us!

Dream Heavy is a sonic and visual explosion of an experience unrivaled by any other.

Ethereal vocals, Rich Harmonies, Intricate and melodic guitar and violin melodies, and a driving and diverse rhythm section guaranteed to keep you moving and guessing from the first snare crack to the last echo of enraptured melody.

EPIC WORLD FOLK METAL..

A tour de force!  Fearless Epic World, Melodic, Folk Metal. With influences in Metal, Latin, Celtic and other World music, Dream Heavy is a heavy hitter on all fronts.  Experiencing their unique sound, colorful stage costumes and thought provoking lyrics, is an unforgettable experience. You will not be disappointed by the spell that they weave..! With original members of BC festival touring favorites Mamaguroove and more recently Samson’s Delilah, their music has charted Top 10 lists on campus radio across Canada .  The group has now fully transitioned to their new name and heavier groove. Prepare to Explode on the dance floor!  

Dream Heavy, will be releasing their first single “Song in the Dark”(Recorded, Mixed, and Co-Produced by Jane Aurora at Arrival Sounds) in the spring of 2024.

Shared Stage with: Buffy Saint Marie, Five Alarm Funk, Digging Roots, Coco Jaffra, Mihiranghi, Delhi to Dublin, Mariachi Ghost, Stephen Lewis’ Big Band of Fun,  Rachelle Van Zanten, Coco Love Alcorn, Jack Garton’s Demon Squadron, John Wort Hannam and many more throughout the Western Canadian Music Festival scene.

Tours and Festivals:
2024: Tongue on the Post Festival-Medicine Hat,  AB
2023: Northern BC Halloween Tour-Quesnel and Prince George BC
2023: Robson Valley Music Festival-Dunster BC
2023: Corofin-County Clare, Ireland (duo concert series)
2023: Williams Lake Arts and Culture society gig-Williams Lake BC
2023:tour: Northern BC and AB
2022: Woodstove Music Festival-Cumberland BC
2022:Robson Valley Music Festival-Dunster BC
2022:Kispiox Valley Music Festival- Kispiox Valley BC
2022:Peace Valley Music Festival-Hudson Hope BC
2022:Midsummer Music Festival-Smithers BC
2022: North Country Fair-Driftpile AB

 

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