Category: EPKs

0 EPK – Voraath – Vol 1: The Hymn of the Hunters (Exitus Stratagem Records)

April 26, 2024
by Asher
· EPKs · Voraath

EPK – Voraath – Vol 1: The Hymn of the Hunters (Exitus Stratagem Records)

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

“We think this album will be something unique, a whirlwind of emotions and an auditory odyssey. We capsulated real events in our lives and laced them through our complex musical universe. We want the fans to feel the music, ride along with us on this musical journey through our dystopian planet. This album will be an investment of thought and emotion. We want to immerse the listener in another world. It’s heavy yet sad, brutal yet immersive, so we hope to take everyone on a journey. That journey is scored with metal! – Voraath

For fans of Fleshgod apocalypse, Cattle Decapitation, Dimmu Borgir, Acid Bath, Septic Flesh, Gojira

Voraath.com | Facebook.com/Voraath | Instagram.com/voraath/ | Tiktok.com/@voraath | Youtube

“Celebrating Sci-Fi Dystopia, and a Debut Album, with Voraath… We’ve made mention of Carolina’s cinematic sci-fi proggy death metal aliens Voraath in this space before… Well, they’re back with yet another Shudder/SyFy worthy, seemingly budget-busting work of dystopian video art. “The Leviathan’s Keep”” – Decibel Magazine

“Voraath‘s aim is to do more than record and release music. The music is part of a universe they’re creating, drawing upon elements of horror and science-fantasy, which includes significant visual as well as audio portrayals, including the band’s own presentation of themselves on stage — each member appears as a character in the lore of the music” – No Clean Singing

“After a foreboding beginning, both visually and musically, the video (Judas, Blood and Vultures) erupts in extravagant scenes of vicious armed combat involving hideous alien protagonists, and other scenes of chilling mystery and horror as the conflict moves into shadowy realms. The music is itself violent, horrifying, and mysterious, a genre-bending extravagance that’s full of startling surprises. At the heights of its intensity the drums fire at superhuman speeds, the riffing roils in madness and maniacally darts and jackhammers, and the vocals rabidly snarl and barbarically scream. The music also channels the alien malignancy at work in the tale, as dire orchestration soars and sweeps, both eerie and stricken in its moods, before the musical fight to the death resumes, accented by a wailing guitar solo. And further, the mysteries unfold through ringing and swirling keys and craggy bass tones, gradually swelling in intensity toward another guitar solo, a captivating one which underscores a building feeling of grief in the music. At the end, another surprise awaits, a gentle but mesmerizing acoustic guitar harmony that seems wistful, but maybe also hopeful. All in all, it’s a hell of a narrative spectacle, musically as well as visually.” – No Clean Singing

“The fact that the troupe is already so mature and professional on their debut, but also so passionate about it, may be due to the fact, that all musicians were previously employed in other projects. But it wasn’t until VORAATH that they obviously found the repository of their creativity and, completely surprisingly, created a small milestone with “Volume 1: Hymny Of The Hunters!” 9/10″ – PowerMetal.de

“Voraath’s “Vol 1: The Hymn of the Hunters” isn’t just an album; it’s a meticulously crafted portal into a nightmarish realm where each track unfolds a new chapter of struggle and revelation. With their blend of brutal aggression and melodic nuance, Voraath sets a new standard in storytelling, promising listeners an immersive experience that transcends genres and challenges the boundaries of a musical literary experience. Embrace the darkness and join the hunt—Voraath awaits, ready to lead you through their extreme metal multiverse with unparalleled intensity and imagination.” – Metal Lair

“Voraath‘s Vol 1: The Hymn of the Hunters is a meticulously crafted journey through a rich, dystopian world. The band’s ability to blend metal with intricate storytelling sets them apart, creating an immersive experience that is both brutal and thought-provoking. Voraath has set a high bar with their debut, promising even greater adventures in the metal multiverse they are meticulously crafting.” – Amplify The Noise

“ this first Voraath album sends us into a cosmic epic” – Eklektik Rock

“The Barrens offers a blend of crushing riffs and distinctive soundscapes, delivering a unique cinematic soundtrack.” – Metal Insider

Tour Dates w/ Gorgatron, Casket Robbery, Voraath
June 19 – Fargo, ND – The Aquarium
June 21 – Missoula, MT – The Dark Horse
June 22 – Richland, WA – Ray’s Golden Lion
June 23 – Seatle, WA – The Funhouse
June 24 – Portland, OR – Twilight Cafe and Bar
June 26 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge
June 27 – Hollywood, CA – Knucklehead
June 28 – San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick
June 29 – San Louis Obispo, CA – Humdinger Brewing
June 30 – Tempe, AZ – Metal Head’s Clubhouse
July 1 – El Paso, TX – Rock House
July 2 – Thornton, CO – Trailside Saloon
July 3 – Albuquerque, NM – Rensden
July 5 – Austin, TX – Come and Take it Live
July 6 – Corpus Christi, TX – Boozerz Rock Bar
July 7 – Houston, TX – The Compound
July 8 – New Orleans, LA – The Goat
July 9 – Nashville, TN – The End
July 10 – Springfield, MO – The Odyssey
July 11 – Lincoln, NB – Cosmic Eye
July 12 – Kansas City, MO – Farewell
July 13 – Sioux Falls, SD – Bigs

** SLAMDAKOTA W/ MAUL & DETERIORATION

August 24 – Battle Creek, MI – Michigan Metal Fest – Leila Arboretum – info

Voraath – Vol 1: The Hymn of the Hunters

Release Date – June 17, 2024

Track Listing:
1 – Into Perdition – 1:29
2 – The Road to Samm Hill – 4:45
3 – Waypoint Orion – 4:45
4 – Terminus Rift – 4:56
5 – Dreadborn – 5:12
6 – The Barrens – 6:16
7 – Judas Blood and Vultures – 5:45
8 – The Leviathans Keep – 4:35
9 – Dirge Colony – 5:39
10 – The God-Killer Saga – 5:56
11 – Pyrrhic – 3:53
12 – Sirenhead – 4:54
Album Length: 58:11

Album Credits:
• All songs written and peformed by: Voraath
• Produced by: Joshua Ward
• Mixed by: Joshua Ward
• Mastered by: Mike Low
• Album Artwork by: Joshua Ward

Album Band Line Up:
Chelsea Marrow – Vocals
Tylor Kohl – Guitar
Daniel Presnell – Guitar
Paul McBride – Bass
Joshua Ward – drums, Keys, Vocals, studio Guitars
Additional artist:
Taylor Presnell – Studio Vocals

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

Track By Track:

1. Into Perdition

The old roads of the Appalachian, barren and soulless lay ahead. Each step reminding us of our failures and a foreshadowing of the unfavorable journey that lies ahead. This song captures the native folk tones on the Appalachian mountains, reworked to resemble the feeling of being lost and broken.

2. The Road to Samm Hill

We have received coordinates to the location of the relay, an alien mechanism that can bend space-time. Employed by EOS Corp, our mission is to retrieve the relay at all cost. As we approach the area of operation, we are confronted by a creature frail and decaying stumbling along the old road. As it approaches us it reaches out its hand, revealing a sort of otherworldly controller. The creature shortly after petrifies and dies. Resuming our journey we come across a barren village, with dead bodies scattered. Further investigating we discover that Ostromek Corp had been conducting experiments on what seems to be an otherworldly entity. The scientist and security officers of Ostromek had seemingly lost control of the creature which had led to the massacre of the local village. This song outlines our battle with the otherworldly entity as well as discovering a traitor in our own ranks.

3. Waypoint Orion

The mission to Samm Hill was a failure. We resumed our pursuit of the relay (The Nexus key) deep into the Appalachian forest where we would discover a mound of bodies, the corpses of the lost villagers. Creatures from beyond our dimension stood guard and at the apex of the mound was a vile creature with authority over the lesser sentinels. The relay had been activated and was shimmering red particles when we noticed the screams of a little girl laying at the base of the corpses.To recover the little girl we would have to eliminate the corpse guardian. After killing a few of the creatures the relay began to resonate louder and louder. As we shot the third creature the very land around us changed. The sky became red and the landscape was foreign. We shot the fourth creature and reality itself transformed around us. With each kill the relay activated, altering the world around us. As we eliminated the final guardian and rescued the little girl, we found ourselves trapped in a different dimension.

4. The Terminus Rift

Stuck in an alternate dimension, a dark world of obsidian spires and tattered geometric architectures, we had to find a way to return home. We are confronted by otherworldly zealots. Our primary mission is to survive while we try to figure out how to operate the relay. While making our way through the chasms of this dark stone city, we awoke a nefarious entity, a vicious titan whom the zealots praised as a god. While attempting to repair the relay, the hunters must survive the onslaught on the titan and its servants.

5. Dreadborn

This song is a flashback to how Marrow came to join the hunters. During a mission to retrieve a key component for the relay, a mechanism called the Navigators Key, the hunters had to infiltrate a military compound controlled by Ostromek Corp. The hunters would arrive to a facility of dead soldiers and a rogue seer with telepathic abilities on a murder spree. While on a mission of vengeance, Marrow (seer) targeted the hunters not knowing that they were not affiliated with Ostromek Corp. After a vicious battle, the hunters were able to subdue the seer, recruiting her into their ranks and acquiring the Navigators Key.
6. The Barrens

This was our first song as a band, a song that encapsulated the brutal and melancholic nature of post traumatic stress (ptsd). The video is a series of flashbacks for the point of view of two of the hunters. One is experiencing loss and betrayal; meanwhile being pursued by a savage otherworldly entity (which shows the layers of coping with one tragedy while fighting to simply exist). The other is the feeling of hopelessness that turns to hate and that hate consumes those around her. The music itself carries out like a metal movie soundtrack, with aggressive peaks and demented valleys, all culminating into the grand apex of the final segway, an epiphany of taking back control (live to fight another day). We hope this brings awareness to the struggles and trauma we all are dealing with, awareness for those coping with PTSD.

7. Judas Blood and Vultures

Mission: 3116 The Red Village incident: The Valewalkers are contacted by an old friend, Tobias to investigate a series of strange disappearances in a neighboring village. It is believed that a vile creature from beyond the Nexus Rift, known by the locals as Lumia is responsible for the missing villagers, among them, Tobias’ new bride and infant child. As the hunters and their forlorn guide begin their pursuit of the creature and its cultist minions, they soon discover that not all is as it seems in the ruins of the red village.

8. The Leviathans Keep

This song is actually a prequel to our main story line. In our musical lore, we are mercenaries who take odd jobs in a dystopian society for resources for our village. We took a contract to escort a EOS Corporation scientist to a classified location in the mountains to recover data on a deceased entity. Our mission is to activate the IC-B18 energy barrier that isolates the area of operation and protect the scientist at all cost. Due to an intense GRS (Gamma Ray Storm), the relay drone used to communicate and initiate the barrier was destroyed which prompted an emergency evacuation, unfortunately the extraction point is occupied by savage mutant cannibals. The song follows our failed mission as we fight to survive the treacheries of the mountain. The end of the song has a unique twist. As our curiosity gets the better of us and we discover what EOS corp was researching; the corpse of a cosmic entity that will change our lives forever. The music is the culmination of primitive brutal rhythmic patterns and the epic soundscapes of survival. We are excited to share what we feel is something very unique in the metal and music community.

9. Dirge Colony

We have been given our final orders, to hunt down and eliminate the vile entity own as UA -33, the ender. While en route, the hunters came across the scattered remains of their friends from a neighboring colony. They dismally traversed the ravaged village. The hunter known as Ward, came across an old house with sounds of men celebrating. Ward began quietly investigating the dilapidated house, coming across a battered and wounded young woman. Bloodied, she fearfully signaled Ward to keep quiet. Realizing that she was a captive of soldiers, celebrating the pillaging of the colony, Ward along with the other hunters would murder the heartless mercenaries and mourn the loss of the young woman. This song was actually a dream that we wove into the music, a song about mourning loss and coping with nefarious circumstances.

10. The God-killer Saga

This song is the apex of our journey, from locating and retrieving the nexus key (relay) and the Navigators key, to grand standoffs with interdimensional entities, their mission would lead them to the very source of the apocalypse, to the entity UA-33 or the “ender.” deep in a gorge in the Appalachian mountains, the hunters approach a rift in the stone, a divot between dimensions. After defeating the creatures guarding the rift, the hunters would finally confront the seemingly iniquitous god; but nothing is what it seems and a secret with unfathomable repercussions will be revealed. Here is where the hunter’s journey ends and the sentinels of Voraath begins.

11. Sirenhead

Though most of the concept of our debut album follows a group of “survivors” who are tasked with hunting down an inter-dimensional deity who has ravaged the earth, for this song (Siren Head) we wanted to do something “less” otherworldly and a bit more of a horror. Our children love watching scary stories about this creature called “Siren Head.” Come to find out that so many kids his age are infatuated by the monster, so we wanted to write our interpretation of Siren Head based on the artist Trevor Henderson. This also allowed for us some family metal/horror time!”

12. Pyrrhic

After learning the truth of our journey, we must cope with the traumas and loss of our endeavors. This song is very bleak, capturing the sound of emptiness. Feeling as if there is no hope, no end, and the endless pain of enduring existence.

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

Fun Facts – Story Angles

1 -The lore of the music is inspired by 80’s sci-fi movies, game lore, and folk tales of the Appalachian mountains. We draw inspiration from our personal interests and hobbies here in the mountains which include hunting, martial arts, and tactical training, and our mountain adventures roaming the land.

2 – Our outfits are handcrafted by the wife of our guitarist (Frank Kohl). The armor and cuirass that our vocalist wears was hand crafted by leather crafter/armorer Joshua Niemeyer who is the owner of the crafting company “The Grim Ringer.” Our masks are altered mesh masks crafted by Tylor Kohl and Joshua Ward.

3 – Our drummer Joshua Ward also does drum tech work, working for renowned drummers such as George Kollias and Pete Sandoval.

4- Our Singer Chelsea Marrow is a professional voice actress for the Monster Factory. She was part of the Doom Eternal heavy metal choir.

5- Guitar player Tylor Kohl genuinely gets excited about gas station hotdogs, which is nasty.

Voraath is a Sci-fi horror-inspired extreme metal band featuring members from Xael, Visitant, Rapheumets Well, Implosive Disgorgence, and Sweet Blood. Crafting their own musical, the music serves to take you on an auditory odyssey.

An otherworldly and experimental metal act based out of the Carolinas, Voraath unifies epic soundscapes with bone-crushing brutal riffs. In September 2021, Voraath began as an experimental project with Joshua Nassaru Ward (Xael, Rapheumets Well), Tylor Kohl, Paul McBride, and Daniel Presnell. In April of 2023, Chelsea Marrow joined the team as the lead vocalist. The word Voraath itself refers to an act of vengeance as well as the deity of wrath.

Artist Endorsements: Ddrum, Saluda Cymbals, Los Cabos Drumsticks, Foot Blaster, Volta Innovations, Cad Audio, GHS Strings

Shared Stage with: Rings of Saturn, Extortionist, Volcandra, Born of Osiris

Tours and Festivals:
2022 -Cyber Shed U.S. tour with Rings of Saturn
2023 – Dimensional Destruction tour with Volcandra
2023 – Headlining the Blast Beats and Brews festival in Atlanta GA.
August 2023 – Michigan Metal Fest (with Born of Osiris)
2024 – February 17th – Metal Family Gathering presented Michigan Metal Fest

0 EPK – Ape Vermin – Andromedas Colossus (2024)

April 25, 2024
by Asher
· Ape Vermin · EPKs

EPK – Ape Vermin – Andromedas Colossus (2024)

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

“I personally think that this record is going to be well received by most of the “Metal” Community. We are a Sludge metal band pushing the boundaries with progressive and thrash metal as well. We’re looking forward to taking them on an epic sonic journey.” – Brett Lee – Ape Vermin

For Fans of High on Fire, Crowbar, Mastodon, Yob, and Conan

Facebook.com/ProgressiveDoom | Instagram.com/ape_vermin_official | Youtube

Apevermin.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

“Ape Vermin’s Andromedas Colossus is doom to the core. Though a lot for one sitting, it’ll sustain your attention during a long walk or drive. Fans of the genre will find much to relish, be it individual tracks or the whole, and it’s certainly one of the standout albums of the year so far.” – Doomed And Stoned

“Lovers of slow, massive riffs, rejoice! Ape Vermin is here for your daily dose of gnarly Sludge and Doom Metal music!” – Ghost Cult Magazine

“Ape Vermin have delivered a bone-crunching album that pulls no punches with it’s fearless attitude and exploration into SONIC and PSYCHEDELIC manipulation of the highest order.” – Outlaws of The Sun

“if you’re looking to be transported to another crushingly heavy musical universe, Ape Vermin are worth a listen.” – Rough Edge

“These axe-generated discharges alone were the stuff of Tony Iommi’s nightmares, but then the bass-made ferociously fuzz-rich, rhythmic rumbles and intensely explosive drumming sealed the deal. All combined and then topped off with Lee’s caveman-like gutturalized grunting vocals, it was a recipe that could’ve resulted in APE VERMIN being culpable for assault & battery charges.” – Riff Relevant

APE VERMIN – Riders of the Damned tour dates:
5/17 – Spartanburg, S.C – Ground Zero
5/19 – Tampa, FL – Brass Mug
5/21 – New Orleans, LA – The Goat
5/22 – Houston, TX – Black Magic Social Club
5/23 – Fort Worth, TX – Haltom Theatre
5/24 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger
5/25 – Laredo, TX – Cold Brew Rock Bar
5/26 – Austin, TX – Valhalla
5/28 – El Paso, TX – Rockhouse Bar & Grill
5/29 – Tucson, AZ – The Rock
5/30 – Phoenix, AZ – Blooze Bar
6/1 – Richmond, CA – Baltic Kiss
6/2 – Reno, NV – Alturus Bar
6/4 – Salt Lake City, UT – International Bar
6/5 – Casper, WY – The Gaslight Social
6/7 – Ridgeway, CO – The Sherbino
6/8 – Denver, CO – Hermans Hideaway
6/12 – Asheville, N.C – The Odditorium
Please add
***More Dates to be added***

Band: Ape Vermin
Album title: Andromedas Colossus
Release Date: May 17, 2024
Label: Independent
Distribution: CD Baby

Track Listing:
1. Obliteration Imminent – 5:12
2. Colony – 7:00
3. Solaruss – 5:30
4. Pulse Driver – 3:47
5. Mining The Colossus – 8:06
6. Signal Transmissions – 2:45
7. Motherlode – 8:32
8. Awakened – 3:17
9. Unearthing the Artifact – 7:43
10. Return to Andromeda – 7:57

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: APE VERMIN
• All songs written by: APE VERMIN
• Produced by: Barry Sams (Skinn jakkitt studios)
• Mixed by: Barry Sams (Skinn jakkitt studios)
• Mastered by: Barry Sams (Skinn jakkitt studios)
• Album Artwork by: David Paul Seymour

Album/Live Band Line Up:
Guitarist/Vocalist – Brett Lee
Drummer – Seth Lynn
Bassist – Jared Edge

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

About The Album Artwork:

It’s sci-fi, epic, and BRUTAL.

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

This album is extremely dynamic, melodic, Visceral, brutal and the lyrics are extremely dark.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

We open the record with 1.“Obliteration Imminent”, It definitely sets the bar for how heavy and dark this record is. “Your Obliteration is Imminent”.

Next up is 2. “Colony”, With an atmospheric and tribal acoustic intro. Then to crushing metal with machine gun-like double bass. “We’re all one now, to destroy all”.

3. “Solaruss” smacks you like an asteroid you knew nothing about, it’s extremely dark and prophetic. “Time to break the blackened curse, Twisted visions of hell, Solaruss on the front line, On and on we kill”. It speaks for itself.

4. “Pulse Driver” is a dark hypnotic Instrumental track with tribal undertones. I wouldn’t call it a filler but it definitely serves as an evil buffer for whats still on the Horizon.

5. “Mining the Colossus” This one serves as a double meaning, one is something I want the listener to depict. The other is how humanity is absolutely destroying our sacred mother. It’s true, We have been mining this colossus for far too long.
“Vermin, We’re all vermin. Destroying is all we know. Mining the colossus, we’ve been mining for far too long”.

6. “Signal Transmissions” is exactly what it sounds like, an astral tether to the sonic mothership.
7. “Motherlode” It’s not an anomaly. Its exactly where and and what it needs to be. We’ve hit the motherlode.

8. “Awakened” My personal favorite. We’re back, and we’re making up for lost time. Hell has come back to life. Sludge metal meets Thrash in fine form. Double bass so crushing it could cause another world war. Guitar leads reminicent of Dimebag Darrell and Kerry King in their prime and enough low-end to destroy planets. The Colossus is awake, prepare for your imminent obliteration. “Ten thousand years, through portals of time. Awaken this hell, Your world will be mine. Destroyed to extinction by hellish invention, made up for lost time, Hell has come back to life”.

9. “Unearthing the Artifact” Hailing the black mass, the blackest mass of all. The one inside of you. Very dark, we all are deep down. Have you unearthed it? “Discover the origins of the blackened stone, Conjuring the evil from within, Defining the marker of this realm, unearthing the artifact from within”

10. “Return to Andromeda” is it time? “Forged by the fires of life and death on this wicked night. Becoming the echoes of war, return to life”. An epic conclusion to an epic record.

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

The drummer was the original bassist

The guitarist/vocalist played drums on the “Arctic Noise” E.P as well as handling normal duties.

The band name came from an IRON MONKEY lyric. Long live Johnny Morrow.

APE VERMIN is a 3-piece act delivering a hellish avalanche of Sludge Metal with Progressive and Thrash Metal tendencies. Hailing from Valdese, N.C and composed of Guitarist/Vocalist Brett Lee, Drummer Seth Lynn and Bassist Jared Edge. They vow to continue pushing the boundaries of the genre.

Discography:
2024 – Andromedas Colossus LP
2021 – Arctic Noise EP
2018 – Sonic Monolith LP

Shared Stage with: Crowbar, Weedeater, King Parrot, Brujeria, High on Fire, Goatwhore, Monolord, Toke, Forming the Void, Rezn and many more.

Sponsors / Endorsements: Dean Guitars, Pig Hog Cables, Coffin Cases, Rock n roller multi carts

0 EPK – Valfreya – Dawn of Reckoning (2024)

April 24, 2024
by Asher
· EPKs · Valfreya

EPK – Valfreya – Dawn of Reckoning (2024)

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

“Dawn of Reckoning is a concept album. The main theme revolves around the anger of the goddess Hel which plays the metaphorical role of a fatal justice towards a guilty humanity. The songs convey this anger, but also a range of intense emotions related to the execution of humankind. Musically, you will hear dark symphonies, epic choirs, versatile vocals alongside tumultuous guitars and violin riffs.” – Valfreya

Valfreyaofficial.com | Facebook.com/Valfreya.Metal | Instagram.com/valfreya_band | Twitter.com/valfreyametal | Youtube.com/ValfreyaMetal

Valfreya.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

Indiegogo / Album Pre-Order – https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/contribute-to-valfreya-s-new-release#/

[Download Album Lyrics | Download Album Cover]

Bands: Valfreya
Title: Dawn of Reckoning
Release Date: May 24, 2024
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby

Track Listing:
1. Dawn of Reckoning – 1:56
2. The Rise – 5:55
3. Warcry – 5:52
4. The Fate – 4:10
5. The Fall – 5:22
6. Equilibrium – 8:31
7. The Fallen Kings – 5:02
8. A New Era – 5:11
9. Le Périple – 4:44
10. Reus es – 6:14
Album Length: 53:02

Album credits:
All songs performed and written by Valfreya
Production: Valfreya
Mixed & Mastered: Christian Donaldson
Album Artwork: Alex O’Dowd
Member of SOCAN

Album Band Lineup:
Corinne Cardinal – Vocals
Daniel Simard – Guitar
Erik Grenier – Guitar
Jérémy Racine – Drums
Anis Balti – Bass
Maude Théberge – Violin

Live Band Lineup:
Corinne Cardinal – Vocals
Daniel Simard – Guitar
Erik Grenier – Guitar
Jérémy Racine – Drums
Julian Vargas – Bass
Eva Doucet De Leon – Violin
Guest Member: Mathiew Beaudry – Drums

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

About The Album Artwork:

The artwork depicts Hel as she annihilates humanity

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

Dawn of Reckoning is a concept album. The main theme revolves around the anger of the goddess Hel which plays the metaphorical role of a fatal justice towards a guilty humanity.

The songs convey this anger, but also a range of intense emotions related to the execution of humankind.

Musically, you will hear dark symphonies, epic choirs, versatile vocals alongside tumultuous guitars and violin riffs.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY)

1. Dawn of Reckoning:

Epic symphonic introduction song which represents the apocalyptic imminent coming of the goddess Hel.

2. The Rise

Lyrics: Hel is rising her army. Humanity had enough warnings. Its denial is its obsolescence. It is its turn to be threatened and face extinction.

3. Warcry

Lyrics: Lyrics are describing the upcoming epic battle between the army of death and humankind.

4. The Fate

Lyrics: The lyrics explain that this extermination is in fact a chance The lyrics explain that this extermination is in fact a chance to rebuild a better, more respectful, and better-balanced world.

5. The Fall

Lyrics: Hel is still threatening humankind as we hear the nostalgic answer of a human being, leaving this world with regret.

6. Equilibrium

Lyrics: The universe reflects the absurdity of faith, false beliefs, and the stubborn nature of humans. They are not more important than other lives. They are not supreme. They are frail. They are damned.

7. The Fallen Kings

Lyrics: It is the tale of humanity: why and how they failed.

8. A New Era

Lyrics: It is the inauguration of a modern birth: the latest opportunity

9. Le périple

Lyrics: A human’s life: Innocence, discovery, ambition, false ideas, lies… This being slowly realizes that humanity is not virtuous.

10. Reus es

Lyrics. The title ‘’Reus es’’ means ‘’you are guilty’’. This is the end for humanity. The last scourge, the last affliction. Through this song you can hear the last words of a condemned person who’s accepting the fate of this filthy humanity.

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

L-R – Daniel Simard (Guitar), Érik Grenier (Guitar), Corinne Cardinal (Lead Vocals), Jérémy Racine (Drums)

Photography by Philippe Quinn – Picture artwork by Corinne Cardinal

Blackened death symphonic metal band from Montreal, Canada. Valfreya has been active, for the delight of its enthusiastic fans, since 2009.

Thrilled bards, fervent musicians, storytellers and spirited performers, Valfreya used to gear their musicality towards a celtic and folkloric metal genre.

UNTIL NOW… meet the new sound of Valfreya!
Forget about folk metal.
Forget about Viking metal.
Allow dark symphonies alongside tumultuous guitar riffs to stain your mind and guide you through the ”Dawn of Reckoning”.

Discography:
2009: First Chronicles – EP
2012: Path to Eternity – Album
2013: Acoustic Chronicles – Acoustic EP
2017: Promised Land – Album
2019: Acoustic Chronicles part II – Acoustic album
2024: Dawn of Reckoning – Album

Shared Stage with: Cradle of Filth, Tyr, Korpiklaani, Carach Angren, Arkona, Moonsorrow, Gloryhammer, Hammerfall, Dark Tranquility, Unleash the Archers and many more.

0 EPK – The Distinguished Order of Disobedience (The D.O.O.D.) – Subterfuge (SelfMadeRecords L.L.C. and digitally distributed by Earache Records)

April 24, 2024
by Asher
· EPKs · The Distinguished Order of Disobedience (The D.O.O.D.)

EPK – The Distinguished Order of Disobedience (The D.O.O.D.) – Subterfuge (SelfMadeRecords L.L.C. and digitally distributed by Earache Records)

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

“Subterfuge calls back to the days of thrash metal and has a defiant spirit in itself. This song takes a look at how we as a people in this country and others, regardless of political affiliation, are lied to on a regular basis for the gain of the greedy. It aims to speak to all of the common people and encourage everyone to speak up for what they believe in and not take everything that is fed to them by people in power at face value. We don’t believe in telling people where to hang their political hats, but rather to remind everyone to question authority, and that many speaking up as one is more powerful than the few.” – The Distinguished Order of Disobedience (The D.O.O.D.)

For fans of Lamb of God, Pantera, Avatar, Rob Zombie, Powerman 5000

Thedoodband.com/home | Facebook.com/thedoodband | YouTube.com/c/TheDoodband | Instagram.com/thedoodband | Twitter.com/thedoodband

Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon

“Great Live Show!!!!” – STEPHANIE JENSEN (Former A&R For Chuck D, Infernal TV)

“ Great show!! I like the added video aspects and the sound is very muscular.” – MATT LaPLANT Producer

“Some bands are monsters in the studio. Others are killers on the stage. Occasionally, a select few pop up that are masters of video. The truly rare ones, however, are fully capable of blowing your senses in any medium they want. Sarasota’s own The D.O.O.D. (short-hand for The Distinguished Order of Disobedience) is firmly entrenched on that shortlist of acts that can (and will) snatch you by the hair and subject you to the thunder… in every way imaginable.” – BamRising – The Sound of the Underground

Band: The Distinguished Order of Disobedience (The D.O.O.D.)
Single Title: SUBTERFUGE 04:21
Release Date: February 14, 2024
Label: SelfMadeRecords L.L.C.
Digital Distributors: Earache Records Digital Distribution

Single Credits:
Recorded and Mixed at Morrisound Studio
Mastered by J.P. Braddock at Formation Audio

The Distinguished Order of Disobedience (The D.O.O.D.) is a metal band from Sarasota Florida. Established in 2004 their music and theatrical stage set has made them one of the premiere acts in Florida and they are quickly finding a place from themselves on the national scene. Having toured The United States on several successful outings, the music is finding a place in the metal community, garnering praise worldwide from fans of music everywhere. Under their belt is 5 studio albums and direct support for tons of National acts as well as playing one of the biggest music festivals in America. The D.O.O.D. released a brand new single, “Chaos for the Fly” on January 15th, 2023- available on most streaming platforms and is the first release from a new studio album due out mid-2024, with a new single set to be out for the song Subterfuge in February 2024.

Originally put together by Raynus and Jonzey DOOD, this band is crushing shows and winning over crowds in Florida or on tour nationally exposing the world to their new and exciting brand of heavy metal, live audiences just have a hard time not liking this band. Their music is heavily influenced by the music that has excited them over the years, hard and driving with good hooks and unabashed and unafraid riffs reminiscent of the pioneers of the music genre, all the while grinding forward into the music of today and tomorrow.

Discography:
2024 – Subterfuge – Single
2023 – Chaos For the Fly – single
2022 – Firefly LP
2020 – Infected by Faith Reissue – Single
2019 – No Presents For Christmas – Single
2018 – Buttercup!! LP
2017 – Beautiful Ride EP

SHARED STAGE WITH:
Hemlock, Tantric, September Mourning, The Convalesence, Drowning Pool, Combichrist, Green Jelly, Pigweed, Filth, Casket Robbery, Marc Rizzo (Soulfly), Hed PE, D.R.I., Michale Graves, Saliva, David Ellefson, Orgy, Motograter, Anvil, Overkill, Sick Puppies, Bobaflex

Tour and Festivals:
Toledo Dethfest 2023-Toledo Ohio
2023-Hemlock Tour Florida Leg
2023 The Chaos for the Fly Tour Leg 1 Sarasota Fl/Gainesville Fl/Birmingham Al/Nashville Tm/Louisville Ky/New Haven Kentucky/ Toledo Ohio
2023 Chaos for the fly tour Leg 2/3 Ct Shows/Ardmore PA/Savannah Ga
Welcome to Rockville 2021-Daytona Florida
2021 Firefly tour- Tampa FL/Lafayette La/Albuquerque NM/Tuscon Az/Bisbee Az/Tonopah Nv/Reno NV

0 EPK – Impending Annihilation – Idiopathic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head (2024) (Gore House Productions)

April 19, 2024
by Asher
· EPKs · Impending Annihilation

EPK – Impending Annihilation – Idiopathic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head (2024) (Gore House Productions)

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

“These songs used a super extended range guitar/bass or a fretless bass. There are not many songs that use these unusual instruments. This example of musical instrument work will surely shock you. When someone gets an instrument with a lot of strings, it’s hard to figure out what it can play because it’s a newly designed instrument. For this reason, many people stop playing just by hitting the thick strings. When you listen to our songs, you’ll want to use all the strings.” – (Kei) – Impending Annihilation

For fans of Viraemia, Brain Drill, Monumental Torment, Archspire, Entrails Eradicated

Gorehouseproductions.com | Facebook.com/GoreHouseProductionsOfficial | Instagram.com/gorehouseproductions/

Facebook.com/impending.annihilation | Twitter.com/IxAx_pirodeath | Youtube.com/c/GotohKei | Instagram.com/impending.annihilation

Impending-annihilation.bandcamp.com

Album Order – CD and Digital – https://orcd.co/idiopathic

Album / Single Title: Idiopathic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head
Release Date: April 19, 2024
Label: Gore House Productions

Track Listing:
1. Rapidly Destructive Coxarthropathy (2:04)
2. Idiopathic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head (1:29)

EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: Gotoh Kei, horizon
• All songs written by: Gotoh Kei, horizon
• Produced by: Gotoh Kei
• Mixed by: Gotoh Kei
• Mastered by: Gotoh Kei

EP Band Line Up:
Gotoh Kei – Guitars, Bass
Horizon – Vocals

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

About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

The goal written on the score is Perpetuum mobile. In English, this is perpetual motion, a musical term that refers to music that is constantly in motion. Both songs continue to play at high speed without stopping. (Kei)

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

1. Rapidly Destructive Coxarthropathy – For this song, I used a 7-string fretless bass. Fretless basses are often used in technical death metal, but rarely in unison with the guitarist’s sweep. It is often played slowly and elegantly with vibrato and portamento. But I wanted a quick and dirty sweep. (Kei)

2. Idiopathic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head – This song used a 10-string guitar and an 11-string bass. Many of these guitar and bass performances with many strings are uploaded to YouTube. However, it is rare to use all the strings from end to end in one phrase. After hitting a low note, play a possible phrase on a six-string instrument. I wanted to see a piece of music that would be impossible without 10 or 11 strings. So I decided to make it myself. (Kei)

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

BAND FUN FACTS – STORY ANGLES

The band photo was taken during a private trip, which was originally to see reptiles. However, IxAx, who had been on hiatus, began making concrete steps toward reactivating from that day on. The location of mountains and waterfalls gives you the feel of a band photo.

L-R: Horizon (Vocals) | Gotoh Kei (Guitars, Bass) – Photo Credit – Suzuta

Technical prowess and a barrage of speed come for you in the new two-track EP “Idiopathic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head” from Japan’s Impending Annihilation, out on April 19, 2024, on Gore House Productions. This onslaught of technical death metal leaves no survivors and pushes the boundaries of the genre. The band comments on this release:

“These songs represent the pinnacle of technical death metal for us. We wanted to create something that truly stood out in the genre, and so we crafted these tracks with a focus on rapid, intense instrumentation that utilizes super extended-range guitars and fretless bass. It’s an example of musical instrument work that will surely shock listeners.”

With the overarching goal of perpetual motion in mind, Impending Annihilation has crafted a sonic experience that refuses to stand still. Describing their vocal approach, vocalist Horizon points out that they don’t adhere to traditional lyricism in their music. Instead, they view vocals as instruments themselves, using growls and gutturals in the same way one would incorporate sweeps and tappings into a song structure.

Impending Annihilation strives to deliver performances that captivate and intrigue. Their compositions aim to defy common structures, embodying the essence of technical death metal while embracing the perpetual motion of their musical vision.

Blasting onward at an unyielding pace, full of strangeness and fury, “Idiopathic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head” is innovative and impressive. It is recommended for fans of Monumental Torment, Archspire, and Entrails Eradicated.

“Idiopathic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head” is available for pre-order on CD and digital at the following link – https://orcd.co/idiopathic

Discography:
2017 – Delirium Tremens – full length
2015 – Implacability of KILL ME: Inu O Shinobite Sakura Saku – EP

Shared Stage with:
BLEEDEAD
DEVILOOF
Adipocere Necrophilia
Sparganum Proliferum
Multiple Individually

0 EPK – Ancient Entities – Echoes of Annihilation (2024)

April 15, 2024
by Asher
· Ancient Entities · EPKs

EPK – Ancient Entities – Echoes of Annihilation (2024)

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

“We think fans first hearing the album will find there is a refreshing mix of styles of death metal. Modern, old school, and some sounds in between. Over the last two years of playing and testing out markets, we can definitely say the massive sound of Ancient Entities will be well received by all fans of metal old and new on record as well. The goal of Ancient Entities is to bring you back to ancient times, to portray and capture the feel of the lyrics and subjects of our songs through powerful music, ambiance, and riffs.” – Ancient Entities

For fans of Necrophagist, Decapitated, Blood Red Throne, Nile, Aeon

Instagram.com/anciententities | Youtube.com/@anciententities | Facebook.com/AEbandofficial | Twitter.com/Aentitiesband

Anciententities.bandcamp.com | Anciententities.bigcartel.com

“Ancient Entities are not just a random band name, but a state of mind on Echoes Of Annihilation. They go back in history to when Mayans and Aztecs reigned, where the idea of a person being tied to a stake and burned alive while wearing a flammable vest was not a plot point to a B-level horror film. Mummification, the burning of Roman civilization and sacrificial cannibalism are just some of the subjects explored with turbulent death metal.” – Heavy Music Headquarters

“”Echoes of Annihilation ” it is a solid and extremely flowing platter, full of inspired moments and cared for in almost all its aspects… it’s a really good hit in the teeth!” – Metal.it

““Hidden,” is a snarling, thrashing menace. A song that brings the burrowing of time to forment the great beyond.” – The Median Man
“The band’s mission is clear: to transport listeners to ancient times, capturing the essence of historical narratives through their relentless music, its enveloping atmosphere and crushing riffs.” – Broken Tomb Magazine

“ANCIENT ENTITIES plays in a real frenzy, especially in the last third, literally overturns modern, yet old-school Death Metals at the constant demonstration and has not had a single song in your pocket until the end that you want to skip for any reason. So you can congratulate the boys on a proper first performance, who wonderfully bridges the gap between classic and contemporary death lead and sends a clear signal here and there, especially when it comes to brutality. Even if the gruesome artwork suggests bad things: “Echoes Of Annihilation” is a really cool death metal disc!” – PowerMetal.de

“Ancient Entities with Echoes of Annihilation, this is a Milwaukee band that really focuses in on how to balance technical death metal while still making it listenable for the non-tech death fans out there. They know how to do some fretboard gymnastics. They definitely know how to play across the drum kit but it’s also something that doesn’t just go absolutely insane 100% of the time. They know how to write songs, they just know when to show off at the right times and that’s the kind of album I can really be behind. It has a really rich and full production style yet just raw enough to kind of give it a mid-late 90s kind of feel behind it. This is a death metal album that really should be up a lot of people’s alley and if you like the slightest amount of tech death you shall love Ancient Entities.” – Heavy Debriefings

“a Death Metal disc you need, cavernous growl, an incessant and incandescent riffingwork and a brutal and groovy rhythmic section, then this debut by Ancient Entities is a more than pleasant discovery for you: give them a chance!” – All Around Metal

“Hailing from the dominant Midwest of Milwaukee, WI, Ancient Entities has brought forth a punishing new album. In the wake of an already brutal year, Echoes of Annihilation puts the “Death” back in Death Metal. From beginning to end this album will quench your thirst and leave you begging for more. The technical melodies from the guitars and on key drumming make this easy listening whether you like “Tech Death” or not. Vocally will leave you reminded of early Aborted and Cannibal Corpse (George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher) era. Check this album out and add it to your daily listening.” – Keeper Magazine

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: Ancient Entities
Album Title: Echoes of Annihilation
Release Date: June 21, 2024
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Cenote Sagrado (1:21)
2. Empire In Ashes (4:19)
3. Creatures From The Sand (3:42)
4. Blood Upon Stone (3:16)
5. Ritual Autopsy (4:43)
6. Hidden (3:53)
7. Pierced by Obsidian (4:08)
8. Wall of War (4:28)
9. Damnatio Ad Flammas (3:24)
Album Length: 32:18

Album Credits:
– Mixing and mastering done at Hertz Recording by Wojtek Wiesławski
– Drum editing: Christopher Lars Djuricic at Belle City Sound
– Recording and editing instruments: Fatty Acid Studios Jake Falk
– Vocal recording: Dan Klein at Iron Hand Audio
– Drums recorded by Nick Morgan
– All songs written by Alex Rausa, Bernardo Mendia, Brian Guilliford
– Special credit Luke Veranth for contributions to songs,
– Jake Falk for recording guitars on songs 1-8
– Cole Daniels for the recording of all bass tracks 1-8
– Album artwork: by Bernardo Mendia
– BMI Affiliated

Album Recording Lineup:
Alex Rausa – Guitar
Bernardo Mendia – Drums
Cole Daniels – Bass
Brian Gulliford – Vocals
Jake Falk – Guitar

Live Band Lineup:
Alex Rausa – Guitar
Bernardo Mendia – Drums
Luke Veranth – Bass
Brian Gulliford – Vocals
Jake Falk – Guitar

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

About Album Artwork

The album artwork was made by Burns. He handles most of our artwork and logo work. The album artwork from my memory was made by combining a couple of different pyramids. It’s both cinematic yet also gets the point across that we are a death metal band. The black in white is simple yet brings out the line work and architecture of the pyramid.

About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

This album portrays through sound the war tactics and brutality of Ancient historical civilizations.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

1. Cenote Sagrado – A magnificent opus of instruments. (Instrumental track).

2. Empire In Ashes – Is about the burning of Rome by Emperor Nero.

3. Creatures Of The Sand- The creation of the human race from the perspective of the Anunnaki

4. Blood Upon the Stone- The ritual of sacrificial cannibalism upon Spaniards by the Aztec tribes

5. Ritual Autopsy – A musical description of the rituals of mummification

6. Hidden- The death and rebirth of the Egyptian god Ra.

7. Pierced by Obsidian – Ancient Mayan sacrificial ceremony where the victim would be tied to a stake and rained upon by Obsidian tipped arrows.

8. Wall of War- The first experience of an ancient Greek phalanx

9. Damnatio Ad Flammas- an ancient punishment where a victim was tied to a stake, forced to wear a flammable vest, and burned alive starting at the chest.

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

STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT THE BAND

1. Our first two shows were with Jungle Rot and Soulfly. Following that we played a bunch of mid-tier festivals in the US in our first two years of being a band. Our session guitarist Luke is actually good friends with Dave from Jungle Rot and most of us have known Jimmy from going to shows throughout the years. They are almost like a big brother band to us and have supported us since day one. Hails to the boys in Jungle Rot “OLD SCHOOL”

2. Echoes of Annihilation took 6 months to produce mix and master. The legendary Wjotec Wieslawski from Hertz recording made sure we got our best work on track and didn’t compromise when it came to making a perfect album. We recorded here in the States at multiple studios and Hertz mixed and mastered the album. We wanted to work with Wjotec cause he produced some of our favorite bands growing up such as Behemoth, Decapitated, Hate, Hour of Penance, and Vader. In our opinion, he helped create a masterpiece of an album and we hope everyone else thinks so too.

3. We have lots of talented musicians in the band. Alex and Luke learned from the same jazz teacher in the mke area, Steve Peplin. He’s a very notable name in Milwaukee and the jazz community. On top of that Alex also took some lessons from Paul Ryan (origin) in his early 20s and also from Cristiano Trionfera (ex-Fleshgod Apocalypse) a couple of times. Knowledge from these musicians helped form Alex’s style of playing especially when it comes to leads. You can hear a lot of what Paul Ryan calls “laser sweeps” in Echoes of Annihilation.

4. Burns and Alex have known each other for close to 10 years. Burn’s previous band Purge and Alex’s previous band Devolving Messiah played many shows together. Until we formed the midwest super group Ancient Entities.

5. Luke Veranth was not a death metal guitarist to begin with and played lots of classic rock. Alex and Luke worked together for I.A.T.S.E Local 18, putting together a stage production. Eventually, Alex asked him to play with the band after finding out they had the same music teacher.

L-R – Live Lineup – Luke Veranth – Bass, Bernardo Mendia – Drums, Brian Gulliford – Vocals, Alex Rausa – Guitar, Jake Falk – Guitar

Ancient Entities is a band consisting of members Alex Rausa, Bernardo Mendia, Jake Falk, luke Veranth, and Brian Gulliford. Our lyrical content focuses on ancient civilizations, folklore, and mythology from all around the world. The band’s style consists of powerful technical death metal riffing mixed with catchy and titanous rhythm sections, proving for a massive sound.

Shared Stage with:
Soulfly, Jungle Rot, Pyrexia, 200 stab wounds, Putrid Pile, Lividity, Narcotic Wasteland, Gorgatron, Nest, Embryonic Autopsy.Tours and Festivals:
5/6/2022 Second annual Gorecamp cookout
Severed Cannibal Entities tour
3/24/2023 Indianapolis, IN – black circle
3/25/2023 Chicago, IL – Magoos
3/26/2023 Madison, WI – The crucible
6/9/2023 Slamdakota – Sioux Falls, SD
Road to Hell Awaits Golf Coast Metal Fest
8/18/2023 Metalrie,Louisiana – The marsh room patio bar and grill
8/19/2023 long Beach, Mississippi – Trax bar and grill
8/20/2023 Birmingham, Alabama – Firehouse

0 EPK – Shroud of Despondency – LanzerRath Split (2024) (Northern Spire Productions)

March 29, 2024
by Asher
· EPKs · Shroud of Despondency

EPK – Shroud of Despondency/LanzerRath Split (2024) (Northern Spire Productions)

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

“From Michigan’s desolate reaches, two decades apart, Shroud of Despondency and LanzerRath unite here in an unholy union of cosmic black metal.”

For fans of Emperor, Enslaved, Root, Thorns, Sigh

https://www.facebook.com/shroudofdespondency | https://ShroudofDespondency.bandcamp.com

“Shroud has always struck a fine balance between black metal’s esoteric and progressive bookends; in addition to the skin-searing atonality and machine gun riffing inherent to the genre, the band has made it a commonality to include tasteful strains of classical, Americana and folk, not to mention thrash, doom and death metal, in their sound. Basically, I was amazed they still hadn’t had someone’s dotted line thrust in front of their faces, especially in light of 1) the black metal genre’s historical open-armed acceptance of everyone from Emperor and Vattnet Viskar to Abruptum and Panopticon, and 2) the shitloads of crap out there that gets passed off as ‘essential listening.’”- Decibel

“From top to bottom, from the beginning of the first track until the last note of the fifth and final song of the album, Air of Abrasion is simply brilliant. It’s such a wild ride of an album, with literally the first 3/5ths of the album bringing such a visceral and stunning quality, to the last two tracks showcasing an emotive and musical talent that is flat out levelling on a whole new plane, or at least that elusive plane of musical identity and awareness that few artists actually achieve. I get the feeling that no matter if Shroud of Despondency sold 100 records or 100 million records, their writing and output would still be of the same quality and magnitude.” – Teeth of the Divine

“And that brings me to the second ingredient — the instrumental music on the album. It’s a match for the lyrics. This is one of the year’s bleakest, blackest, most bombastic albums — it’s emotionally wrenching, but it’s so well-executed that it’s transfixing. Rory Heikkila explained that for this final Shroud of Despondency album he purged various influences that had seeped into the project over the years since he started it:

“It needed to be unarguably a Black Metal album and it needed to do away with certain other elements that had crept in over the years. Death metal, progressive metal, and acoustic folk music were largely forsaken because black metal is still probably the most emotive form of music a person with my disposition can create.”

The music is dissonant and dire, with riffs that lash and spiral off in deranged tangents. It’s intense and dramatic. It builds tension like a ratchet torquing bolts to the breaking point. The keyboard orchestrations (at least I think synthesizers are what I’m hearing) build like thunderheads and then explode, with torrents of sound that come down like a deluge, backed by the accompanying howl of wind and the boom of thunder.” – No Clean Singing

[Download Split Cover | Download Lyrics]

Title: Shroud of Despondency/LanzerRath Split
Label: Northern Spire Productions

Release Date: May 10, 2024

Track Listing:
1. Shroud of Despondency – The Source of Multiversal Degradation – 10:43
2. Shroud of Despondency – Celestial Vencom – 9:52
3. LanzerRath – Nebular Collapse, The Dissolution of Order and Meaning

Shroud of Despondency tracks credits are as follows:
Rory Heikkila-all instruments and clean vocals
Ron Blemberg-all harsh vocals
Danny Washburn-additional vocals

The Shroud of Despondency portion of the split was written and recorded by Rory Heikkila in 2023.

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

About The Split Artwork

We wanted something cosmic-themed.

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

Shroud of Despondency part of the split focuses on an outward expansion into the cosmos of negative energy that wreaks havoc on all creation wherever it ends up.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY) for Shroud of Despondency

1. The Source of Multiversal Degradation is a song about the origin of a collection of negative energy(doubt, hate, repression, etc) that forms into a physical entity and then expands out into the universe/multiverse to terrorize whoever it comes into contact with.

2. Celestial Venom concerns the expansion and of this force.

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

Fun Fact from Shroud of Despondency:

Shroud of Despondency prides itself on being unpredictable and remains concerned only with the artistic process. While previous albums have focused primarily on dying, death, entropy, and the despair that comes with life, in its current state it is taking a more science fiction approach to these topics. This split and an upcoming full length continue what was started on 2016’s full length, “Of Origin, Conflict, and Recurrence”, in that it sees these negative energies as taking physical form in host bodies and wreaking havoc.

L-R – Rory Heikkila (all instruments), Ron Blemberg (vocals)

Shroud of Despondency was formed in the mid-late 90s in Upper Michigan by Rory Heikkila and has remained a highly active and unpredictable project ever since. While lineups and collaborations occur ever so often, the project’s two main contributors remain Rory Heikkila(instruments) and Ron Blemberg (vocals). This album has Shroud of Despondency collaborating on a split with Michigan’s black metal band LanzerRath. From Michigan’s desolate reaches, two decades apart, Shroud of Despondency and LanzerRath unite here in an unholy union of cosmic black metal.

Discography:
2024 – Shroud of Despondency/LanzerRath split
2022 – Air of Abrasion full length
2021 – Goodnight, My Kitten full length
2020 -Brumation full length
2020 – Runway Fatigue and Descriptions of Teeth full length
2020 – The Silent Note of the Coldest Night full length
2019 – Befouled by the Sacred double album
2018 – Cull full length
2016 – Of Origin, Conflict, and Recurrence full length
2016 – Moon from the Mountain full length
2015 – The Beast’s Desire to Sacrifice full length
2015 – Family Tomb full length
2014 – Tied to a Dying Animal double album
2012 – Pine full length
2011 – Objective:Isolation full length
2011 – Dark Meditations in Monastic Seclusion full length
2022 – For Eternity Brings No Hope full length

0 EPK – Gnarwhal – Altered States (EP) (2024)

March 23, 2024
by Asher
· EPKs · Gnarwhal

EPK – Gnarwhal – Altered States (EP) (2024)

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

“We hope our progression as a band and as songwriters appeals to our fans and listeners. The Altered States EP is a bit darker and maybe heavier than our first album. Conceptually and thematically, the songs on the EP fit together better as a package and we hope this is conducive to a front to back experience for listeners.” – Benji Straker – Gnarwhal

For fans of The Sword, Kyuss, Mastadon, Elder, Truckfighters

Gnarwhalband.com | Facebook.com/gnarmusic | Instagram.com/gnarwhalsounds | Youtube.com/@gnarwhalband | Soundcloud.com/gnarwhalband

Spotify | Apple Music | Gnarwhalband.bandcamp.com

“Gnarwhal moves along at its own Fuzzed Out Stoner pace with its style of Hard Rock and slightly Doom tinged grooves. Taking cues from bands such as Mastodon, The Sword, Elder and King Buffalo, these guys walk a fine line between Classic and Modern day Stoner sensibilities especially with the Proggy Spaced out vibes. There’s a HEAVY METAL beast waiting to escape from the cleaner grooves that Gnarwhal plays and when it does escape from its cage, Gnarwhal becomes a more exciting creative unit.” – Outlaws of the Sun

““Tides,” a brutal, stormy track that meshes fuzzy, downtuned vibes with unrelenting proggy rhythms. Forlorn vocals that seem to prophesy the inevitable collapse of civilization, as illustrated by the single art.” – Doomed And Stoned

“Altered States follows Canadian four-piece Gnarwhal‘s 2023 self-titled debut full-length with four songs that effectively bring together atmosphere and impact in the six-minute “The War Nothing More” — big build in the second half leading to more immediate, on-beat finish serving as a ready instance of same — with twists that feel derived of the MastoBaroness school rhythmically and up-front vocal melodies that give cohesion to the darker vibe of “From Her Hands” after displaying a grungier blowout in “Tides.” The terrain through which they ebb and flow, amass and release tension, soar and crash, etc., is familiar if somewhat intangible, and that becomes an asset as the concluding “Altered States” channels the energy coursing through its verses in the first half into the airy payoff solo that ends.” – The Obelisk

“With their innovative sound and thought-provoking lyricism, Gnarwhal continues to push the boundaries of heavy music and establish themselves as a formidable force in the Canadian rock landscape and Altered States is a testament to Gnarwhal‘s ability to seamlessly blend diverse influences into a cohesive sonic tapestry.” – Amplify The Noise

“To Canada, Yellowknife to be precise, and the fuzzed-up, whacked-out goodness of Gnarwhal. The band has not long since released a nice little EP, Altered States, that simply oozes class. At times they inject a bit of space rock quirkiness – that should probably be quarkiness, given that first track Tides carries more than a whiff of Hawkwind about it – but for the most part this is wholesome, fuzzy doom of the highest order.” – Sentinel Daily

“rich in beautiful qualities in a vein that is both granite and catchy, these four titles confirm that Gnarwhal a group to follow closely. ” – Music Waves

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

Band: Gnarwhal
EP Title: Altered States
Release Date: May 24, 2024
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Tides (3:37)
2. The War / Nothing More (6:36)
3. From Her Hands (3:46)
4. Altered States (3:19)

EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: Gnarwhal
• All songs written by: Gnarwhal
• Produced by: Dan Ponich
• Mixed by: Dan Ponich
• Mastered by: David Collins
• Album Artwork by: Jonah Cutler
• Member of SOCAN
• All music is Canadian Content (MAPL)

EP and Band Band Line Up:
Mark Kilbride – Lead Vocals
Benji Straker – Guitar / Vocals
Jeremy Straker – Bass / Vocals
Layne Rybchinski – Drums / Vocals

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

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

Musically the EP as a whole is really inspired by the music I was listening to at the time of writing each song. I have a basis for what I want a Gnarwhal song to sound like, then draw in aspects from the influences that are in my life at the time. There also needs to be a cohesive flow or feeling to the EP which in this case, musically, is a bit darker and heavier than our last release.- Benji

There seems to be a common thread to most of the lyrics on the album and I feel listeners will be able to relate their own experiences to the songs. I know what these songs mean to me and try to steer toward authentic emotions to accompany the instruments.

The songs on the album portray a sense of resilience and a fight against the complexities of our own thoughts and emotions. No matter how much the characters in the songs endure, you can still feel a sense of hope and resilience. – Mark

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

TIDES

Tides came along from the main riff that had been spinning around in my head for quite some time and a vocal melody that I could also hear over top of it. I really wanted to do something that was a bit of a departure vocally and was really into melodies that Stephen Brooks (singer of Torche) writes and performs. I also like the vocal range space he sits in.

The chorus lead takes some inspiration from Russian Circles and once that came together we had a pretty solid track. Lyrically, I just looked in my notebook full of lyrics and picked some doomy stuff that portrays a dark feeling of missing out on things past and being trapped in an apocalyptic feeling. – Benji

The War/Nothing More

This is actually two songs that I wrote at completely different times that we thought would work well stitched together. I wrote The War shortly after we finished recording our first album. At that same time I was writing music for my Hughes project EP so lyrically and thematically it fit right in line with that. Once I finished it, I actually released it as an acoustic solo version on the EP, Here I Am.

The Nothing More demo was written shortly after and musically it was inspired by my classic post-hardcore/punk influences. I think Refused would be the main driver of the rhythm on this track. – Benji

In Nothing more, I am fond of the lyric: “Shed your skin to make it”. This part relates to putting in the work day in and day out, wanting something so bad you are willing to do anything just to grasp it. Pushing your own boundaries, knowing you put the time and effort into your vision.

“Whole again you can’t fake it”: Being authentic. To be whole this character has to believe in this process and be present in his delivery of the songs. – Mark

3) From Her Hands:

Stones slipping from her hands, down to the ground like yesterday. Tides of hope for tomorrow are coming down to wash you away.

These lyrics come alive in the outro of this track. The stone slipping from her hands could symbolize so many things that we try to hold on to. What is meaningful to you and worth holding?

What are you willing to do to keep the stone from slipping away? A search for what you value comes to mind and the fight to protect what matters to you the most. – Mark

4) Altered States:

“Take what is left of me cause I’m the one you saved”

An appreciation for the difficult times, as much as it makes this character hurt, it shapes them at the same time.

Wanting to belong, finding a purpose

Many of the traits we all share as human beings

“Gone are the Memories” represents an entire lifetime of experiences and wanting to hold on to these memories. All the relationships we create, trying to remember who we are and fighting for this with everything we have.

Failed to see her memories – I love this lyric and it was written while listening to the tracks. This was one of the lines that kept coming back to me. I feel this line is relatable and it would be interesting to hear the stories out there that could stem from this lyric. You know, from the point of view of the listener. I know what it means to me and it is quite powerful, and I can’t wait to share this live. – Mark

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

Fun Facts – Story Angles:

1. On the day of our very first show, Layne started feeling ill in the afternoon. We were headlining to a sold out room so the show had to go on. Layne showed up late for load in and soundcheck and spent the majority of soundcheck in the bathroom on the toilet.

When the opening bands were playing, Layne was nowhere to be found. He showed up to the venue 5 minutes before our set looking like a ghost and like he just lost 30lbs. He downed 3 or 4 Jagermeister shots and played flawlessly while feeling miserable. At the end of our setlist, he begged us not to play an encore, but the crowd asked for it and Layne had to struggle through 2 more songs. – Benji

2. On tour, Jeremy eats his cereal with water. But he gives it 110% every time. – Layne

3. Prior to landing on the band name, Gnarwhal, we went by the name Witchfinger (for a week or two). It was a joke on a cramped finger Mark had at a practice but everyone we told thought we were saying “which finger?” – Jeremy

4. In August 2023, our city was under a wildfire evacuation alert. Our rehearsal spot is right at the edge of town where the fire was approaching. So on the day the alert was released we completely emptied our jamspace of all gear and stored it in a cube van in Benji’s driveway (he lives on the opposite side of town). The next day – the entire city went under mandatory evacuation so everyone had to leave for three weeks while fire crews (including Jeremy who stayed back to work the fire line) fought the fire. The city was saved, our gear was spared, and Jeremy is a hero! – Benji

Gnarwhal is a genre-bending four-piece rock band that weaves heavy alternative fuzz rock with progressive metal intricacies and doom-tinged grooves. Originating in the remote northern Canadian city of Yellowknife in 2021, the band swiftly coalesced and emerged as a leading catalyst in the resurgence of heavy music within their home territory.

Drawing inspiration from prominent acts such as Mastodon, The Sword, Elder, and King Buffalo, Gnarwhal navigates a musical spectrum that gracefully straddles the realms of classic and contemporary fuzz and heavy rock. They artfully intermingle these elements with nods to ’90s grunge influences, paying homage to their collective punk and heavy metal tastes.

Their inaugural self-titled album, “Gnarwhal,” was released in early 2023. The impressive debut earned them a nomination for a 2023 Western Canadian Music Award, in the Metal and Hard Music category. In 2022, they also claimed the Best New Single award at the inaugural 2022 Music NWT Awards.

Gnarwhal has had the privilege of sharing stages with notable acts and has left their mark on some domestic festivals and stages in Western Canada, helping establish their status as a burgeoning force within the Canadian rock landscape. With their innovative sound and distinctive blend of genres, Gnarwhal is poised to leave an impression on the heavy music scene.

Gnarwhal’s sophomore release, the Altered States EP, will be dropping on May 24th, 2024.

Awards and Nominations:
2023 – Nomination for Western Canadian Music Award (Metal and Heavy Music Category)
2022 – Best New Single Award (NWT Music Awards) for the single “Deep Spaced”

Discography:
2024 – Altered States – EP
2023 – Gnarwhal (self-titled)
2023 – Ember Sky Ash (single)
2022 – Deep Spaced (single)
2022 – The Outlier (single)

Tours and Festivals:
2024 – The Electric Highway, Calgary AB
2023 – Breakout West, Kelowna BC
2023 – Kelowna BC, Rossland BC, Calgary AB
2023 – Snow King Festival, Yellowknife NT
2022 – Folk on the Rocks Festival, Yellowknife, NT

0 EPK – NOTSM – Only Death Brings Silence (2024)

March 19, 2024
by Asher
· EPKs · NOTSM

EPK – NOTSM – Only Death Brings Silence (2024)

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

“The aim of this album and its singles is to provide listeners with a multifaceted listening experience. Through the lyrics, I aspire for listeners to connect with the themes and find personal resonance, all while delivering plenty of opportunities for headbanging from the heavier moments of the album. During softer moments, I hope listeners will appreciate and be moved by the melodies, while during more experimental segments, I hope they’ll find intrigue and curiosity, urging them to explore the full breadth of the musical ideas presented. The meticulously crafted tracklist is designed to captivate listeners from start to finish, ensuring an engaging and immersive experience throughout the entirety of the album.” – NOTSM

For fans of Mors Principium Est, The Halo Effect, Rivers of Nihil, Sylosis, Nightrage

Linktree – https://linktr.ee/notsm | Instagram.com/notsm.music | Facebook.com/notsm.music | Youtube.com/@notsm_music

Notsm.bandcamp.com | Spotify

““Only Death Brings Silence” is not just an album; it’s an introspective journey into the soul of its creator. It’s an invitation to explore profound themes through the lens of progressive metal music, promising to resonate with fans and newcomers alike. With its intricate compositions and thoughtful lyrics, this album should make a significant impact on its release, urging listeners to both enjoy the primordial headbanging and obligatory “onion-face” of musical acceptance and reflect deeply on the existential themes it wrestles with, which is very relevant today and good to see, as well as hear, that the need to craft a message that resonates with everyone in the vehicle of art that can still be enjoyed in blissful ignorance. 5/5” – Metal Epidemic

“Only Death Brings Silence is an intoxicating and powerful exploration of not only the human condition but of sound. MUST LISTEN TRACKS: “Terminal”, “You Make Your Own Luck”, “One Death Brings Silence”” – Amplify The Noise

“Technical and groovin’ prog ish metal, probably falling in the melodic death pile.” – The Mosh Pit 89.9 FM – WORT FM (Madison, WI)

“Perhaps that Matt Barkley has strengthened himself for the release of his first album with a phenomenal front man who hits the right notes in all Metalcore pitches. Alex Hamilton is a real asset to “Only Death Brings Silence” and one of the many reasons why you should definitely check on the duo’s first EP. But you can also name the fine riffing, the great melodies, the thick breakdowns and the groovy foundation of the disc, because the given ingredients ensure that, that you can have the six new pieces properly packed on the eggs. NOTSM does not even have to be particularly brutal or overly harmonious, but can rely on the thrashy attitude, the occasional post-metal excursions and the varied vocal performance, who do not necessarily take unconventional paths in the package, but fire the songwriting factor with enough positive energy that you take your thumb up as quickly as possible.” – PowerMetal.de

“I loved it, powerfull Metalcore energy with big guitar riffs, vocals are solid too (The Hedonic Treadmill). The production side is really good ! Bravo” – MANAGRAM Productions

“The song (The Hedonic Treadmill) is interesting, the vocals and guitar lines really hit hard, congrats. The production is good too.” Dreamfuss – Alt-rock

“We really dig this track (The Hedonic Treadmill), you can definitely feel the emotion and the passion in every aspects, we love how it moves from Metal, to Metal Core so effortlessly, as well as being very melodic.” – The Metal Asylum

“Brutal and precise! Love the metal!” – Buzz Slayers

“Big big track (Humans) here, the riffs are devastating with a good groove and the vocals powerful and melodic, it’s a good job well HEAVY ! Bravo \m/ !” – MANAGRAM Productions

“Great structures and riffs, the song (Humans) is heavy and well constructed, you’ve created something powerful!” – Roadie Metal

“(Humans) Fast, distorted and heavy! That’s what I enjoy in this genre! The riffs kept me at the edge of my seat and then the vocals came in with some amazing screams that really sound good! That bassy mixed voice sounds absolutely great. The chorus is really melodic and I enjoyed it! I would not change anything here, it’s really fast and gives out a unique kind of energy. I would not consider this simply metal, we have such great music that should not be overlooked because it’s produced in a metal song! The break was done pretty good as well and would create an amazing mosh pit!” – Indiefferential Magazine

“(Humans) The first thing I want to say is that the production quality is top notch! Every instrument sounds at its best! The grooves are so rhythmically fun! The kick drum sounds like a machine gun! It’s so fast! Unbelievable! The leads are epic!” – FFeel Music

“(Humans) Loved the performance! Beautiful songwriting and tasty riffing & vocal performance. Straight up brutal and relentless heaviness. It just screams aggression and power! Has a bit of a groovy death metal touch to it. very solid release.” – Dejected

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: NOTSM
Album Title: Only Death Brings Silence
Release Date: May 3, 2024
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Humans (3:34)
2. Terminal (5:00)
3. The Hedonic Treadmill (4:50)
4. The Hedonic Treadmill 2 (4:40)
5. You Make Your Own Luck (4:21)
6. Only Death Brings Silence (11:51)
Total Length: 34:16

Album Credits:
All songs performed by: NOTSM
All songs written by: Matt Barkley
All lyrics written by: Matt Barkley
All vocals performed by: Alex Hamilton
Mixed by: Marc Peiron
Mastered by: Marc Peiron
Album Artwork by: Cutting Edge Metal
Canadian Content – MAPL
Member of SOCAN
Member of ASCAP

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

About The Album Artwork

The concept behind “Only Death Brings Silence” delves into the noise of our modern world, where the constant need to voice opinions, the onslaught of distressing news, and online discord create a metaphorical “loud” environment, and the album suggests that the only respite from this overwhelming clamor is found in death.

The album artwork encapsulates this theme through a deliberately blurred image, symbolizing the sense of being unrecognizable and adrift in the sea of societal “noise”.

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

“Only Death Brings Silence” takes listeners on a musical and lyrical adventure that explores some dark aspects of the human experience. The heavy and dynamic musical compositions enhance the emotional impact of the lyrical themes, creating a cohesive and immersive experience for fans of heavy metal.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Humans:
Lyrically – This song is about the profound negative impact that humans have made on the planet.

Musically – This song has a basic song structure and was written primarily to accommodate the lyrics. The song is fast-paced and is more or less based on the same musical motif throughout its entirety. I’m not a big fan of guitar solos, but I thought a solo would fit nicely in the middle of this song. The section from 2:31-2:41 was written with a live setting in mind and is meant to pump up the crowd before the last verse comes in with a bang.

2. Terminal:
Lyrically – This song is about mortality and how, no matter what we do in our lives, we’re all going to eventually die.

Musically – This is a slower-paced song that has a kind of “doomy” vibe to it. The first part of the song follows a pretty common format, but the second half veers off in a completely different direction ending with a mind-bending drum part.

3. The Hedonic Treadmill:
Lyrically – This song is about how we’re always chasing the next high, even though it rarely leads us to the happiness and fulfillment we are hoping it will.

Musically – This song starts with a headbanger of a riff that is clearly inspired by Meshuggah. The vocals come in pretty heavy during the second riff of the song, and then there’s a weird (what I like to call) “guitar trade-off”. A “guitar trade-off” is a technique I use often in my songwriting where each guitar will play a different riff and then, on the repeat, they will swap and play the other guitar’s riff. After this section, the song is pretty simple from a structural point-of-view until it gets to the fast riff around 3:18. Right before the fast riff though, there’s some neat rhythmic ideas happening: if you listen closely, the guitar chug pattern is in 7/8 time and never changes, but the drums change three different times throughout the course of the riff. The outro starts with a neat guitar melody that’s played on its own, and then the rest of the music comes in with a cool rhythmic pattern that eventually fades out.

4. The Hedonic Treadmill 2:
Lyrically – This song is about how we’re always chasing the next high, even though it rarely leads us to the happiness and fulfillment we are hoping it will.

Musically – This is the second part of a two-part song, and it starts with the same rhythmic pattern that part 1 ends on, but without the melody overtop. The vocals of the song immediately come in and feel like a punch in the face. The rest of the song has a more basic structure than the first part and has a lot of clean guitar and vocal sections, which is meant to contrast Part 1 of the song. After the punchy riff from 3:31 to 3:44, the outro of the song is really chill, ending on a big crescendo that stops dead right at the top.

5. You Make Your Own Luck:
Lyrically – This song is about the role that luck plays in the successes and failures of our lives.

Musically – This song has a basic song structure and was written primarily to accommodate the lyrics. This is another fast-paced song that has a pretty typical structure. When writing the vocals for this one, I wanted to keep them harsh the whole time because of the aggressive nature of where the lyrical content came from. I ultimately decided to let the guitars carry the melody during the choruses.

6. Only Death Brings Silence:
Lyrically – N/A
Musically – This is a long instrumental song that is a rollercoaster ride through many different musical ideas. If you listen closely though, some of the ideas do come back again, either rhythmically or melodically. The original idea I had for this song when I wrote it was to split it up into about 10 different tracks, but I ultimately decided to keep it together as one song because that’s how I always intended it to be listened to.

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

Story Angles – Fun Facts:

1. NOTSM is an acronym for “none of this shit matters” and this is a mantra I’ve been using for years to remind me to focus on the things that are important in my life.

2. The lyrics for “The Hedonic Treadmill” and “The Hedonic Treadmill 2” come from my own experience of dealing with burnout.

3. The vocalist on this album, Alex Hamilton, was hired off of Fiverr.

4. All instruments on this album are programmed. All guitars and vocals are recorded.

5. The working title for the song “Only Death Brings Silence” was “Zippicamknicks”, an undergarment from Aldous Huxley’s novel “Brave New World”.

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

Excitement builds for the release of NOTSM’s debut album “Only Death Brings Silence” on May 3, 2024. A solo project from Matt Barkley, the album delivers a unique blend of heavy metal, proggy riffs, and breakdowns wrapped up with introspective lyrical themes. Barkley’s primary instrument is the guitar, thus the songwriting process typically begins with guitar-based riffs or concepts. He has a deep fascination with rhythm guitar playing, often experimenting with intricate rhythmic patterns, and using odd time signatures, polyrhythms, and polymeters to create engaging compositions. He comments on the album:

Over the years, Barkley has maintained a riff bank—a repository of ideas that he frequently revisits and refines for use in his music. In his approach, music precedes lyrics, though he’s recently delved more into lyric writing. This album sees a blend of both processes, with two songs crafted around pre-existing lyrical concepts. While his methods may evolve in the future, this amalgamation of guitar-driven creativity and evolving lyrical exploration defines my current writing ethos.

NOTSM is defined by Barkley’s willingness to adapt and refine his sound while retaining the spirit of experimentation and innovation that is evident in the music. “Only Death Brings Silence” is recommended for fans of The Halo Effect, Rivers of Nihil, and Sylosis.

0 EPK – CHUNKED – Inhaling the Infestation (Gore House Productions)

March 15, 2024
by Asher
· CHUNKED (Gore House Productions) · EPKs

EPK – CHUNKED Inhaling the Infestation (Gore House Productions)

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

“I think that people will like to hear more material that follows the same path of the EP with the obvious addition of newer structures, variations, and influences. Now that this band is playing live shows, I took the live presence more into account while writing the material. This upcoming album is going to make our fans drag their knuckles on the ground like a Neanderthal and de-revolutionize back to their primitive state. The singles will do the same thing.” – Arian Mauk – Chunked

For fans of Mortician, Sanguisugabogg, Torsofuck, Bodybox, Fluids

Facebook.com/ChunkedBand | Instagram.com/chunkedband | Chunkedband.bandcamp.com

CD / Cassette – https://store.gorehouseproductions.com/collections/chunked

All Digital Platforms (Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music) – https://orcd.co/inhaling-the-infestation

Album: Inhaling the Infestation
Release Date: March 15 (Digital), May 3 (CD) – 2024
Label: Gore Hose Productions

Track Listing:
1. Pulsing Excrement (2:59)
2. Liquid Cranial Detonation (2:12)
3. Concrete Veins (1:44)
4. Inhaling the Infestation (4:04)
5. Putridity (2:53)
6. Submerged in Rotten Sewage (4:15)
Album Length: 18:16

Album Credits: All songs performed by Arian Mauk.
All songs written by Arian Mauk.
Produced by Arian Mauk.
Mixed by Arian Mauk.
Mastered by Jeremy Wilson.
Album Artwork by Arian Mauk.

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

About The Album Artwork:

The album artwork is just the outline of a cave, which walks in line with the initial idea I had for chunky cavernous death metal.

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

This EP is a simple and effective type of death metal with no extra flair. Death Metal down to its core.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. “Pulsing Excrement” is about a big ol’ pile of shit. The main focus of this track was to kick open the door with an instant hook and end with a slowed breakdown.

2. “Liquid Cranial Detonation” follows the topic of someone’s brain and skull exploding. Simple as that. It is a short track that is meant to be a constant headbang.

3. “Concrete Veins” is a very literal song, being about veins made of concrete. It is a short but sweet track that dips heavy into the hardcore influence mentioned previously.

4. “Inhaling the Infestation” is a power ballad about a swarm of insects slowly taking over a human body, very painfully and meticulously. It is a well-structured and catchy track that will make your knuckles sink towards the ground and start grinding across the floor.

5. “Putridity” takes a different and a little more specific route than the other tracks. The lyrics describe a pile of strangled and dead elderly people who have been stacked and stored for months. Rotting and reeking. The usual.

6. “Submerged in Rotten Sewage” wraps up this EP following a similar structure as track 4. Once again, the lyrics are very literal to the song’s name. They’re about getting submerged in slimy, rotting, thick, putrid sewage.

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

Fun Facts:

1. This whole EP was written, recorded, mixed and ready to be mastered in the span of only 3 days.

2. Chunked has a father/son duo (Arian and Dustin Mauk) and has two sets of twins. (Cole and James both have twin brothers.)

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

L-R: Arian Mauk (Vocals), Cole Taylor (Drums), James Stone (Bass), Dustin Mauk (Guitar)

Kingsport, Tennessee, USA’s brutal and unrelenting death metal act Chunked are pleased to announce their signing with Gore House Productions for the digital release of their EP “Inhaling the Infestation”. The record is a knuckle-dragging testament to primitive death metal and is set to drop digitally on March 15th and physical CD / Cassette on May 3rd, 2024.

Founded in 2023 by the visionary Arian Mauk, Chunked emerged with the sole purpose of crafting a personal favorite in the realm of death metal—something heavy, simple, and undeniably powerful. Initially intended as a one-off project, Chunked gained unexpected traction, leading Mauk to assemble a full band and continue the journey into the abyss of primal, visceral sound. He shares his thoughts on the upcoming release:

“This EP is a simple and effective type of death metal with no extra flair. Death metal down to its core. I wanted to create a memorable experience with this EP. With tracks like “Liquid Cranial Detonation” and “Concrete Veins” being shorter and catchier, and tracks like “Inhaling the Infestation” being more well structured and longer. For our next release, which will be a full-length, our fans can expect a minimum of 30 minutes of material.”

The artwork for “Inhaling the Infestation” is a cave outline that perfectly encapsulates the cavernous and chunky death metal that Chunked delivers—a no-frills, down-to-the-core death metal experience. It will make fans drag their knuckles on the ground like a Neanderthal and de-evolution back to their primitive state. It is recommended for fans of Mortician, Sanguisugabogg, and Torsofuck.

Shared Stage with: Angel Massacre, Deceit, Retribution, Raptured, Chained, Pressure Point, Every Promise Kept, lawofinertia, Autumn Lies Buried, Quiscent Mantis, Warclown, Dielation, Clockwise

Page 18 of 72

Asher Media Relations Tweets

Tweets by AsherMedia

Asher Media Email Subscription

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Email Address:

Join 2,176 other subscribers