Category: EPKs

0 EPK – Never Elected – Turbulent (2024)

February 27, 2024
by Asher
· EPKs · Never Elected

EPK – Never Elected – Turbulent (2024)

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

For fans of Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains, Guns N Roses, Soundgarden

Facebook.com/neverelectedband | Instagram.com/never_elected_band | Youtube.com/c/NeverElected

“Washington D.C.’s Never Elected are bringing back some of the best elements of the ’90s, including the long hair. Fusing the socio-political consciousness of Rage Against the Machine, Living Colour’s furious bass-riffs, and the Foo Fighters’ driving guitars, the band is an in-your-face grunge-revival explosion.” – New Noise Magazine

“It’s really about time that you “Wake Up” and start paying attention to the world around you, including the hard rockers known as Never Elected. The band has just released a visually-stimulating music video to accompany their recent single, a revved-up, riff-driven sonic assault that has been the band’s most successful track since its November 2019 release. “Wake Up” is a preview of what’s to come on the group’s next record which they have been hard at work on this year and are on the verge of completing. If it wasn’t already evident by its title and socio-politically themed lyrics, the hard-hitting music video for “Wake Up” illustrates the fact that the band is out to convey a serious message.” – V13

“After releasing the thought-provoking and socio-politically themed video for their song “Wake Up” last year, Washington, DC’s Never Elected is back with a new video for their song “Where You Belong”. The video touches on yet another serious topic. This time dealing with the struggles of mental health, a topic that is taboo to discuss openly in many cultures.” – All About The Rock

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Turbulent
Release Date: April 19, 2024
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:
1 – All Rise – 4:56
2 – Hate Breeds Hate – 4:20
3 – It’s Over – 4:06
4 – So Damn Easy – 5:04
5 – Time – 3:55
6 – Stab Me – 3:41
7 – Voice Inside – 5:09
8 – Tolerance Broken – 4:26
9 – All My Life – 2:15
10 – Death Complaint – 5:56
11 – One Of These Days – 4:00
Album Length: 47:52

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Never Elected
• All songs written by: Never Elected
• Produced by: Never Elected, Co-Producer Farhad ‘Zink’ Hossain
Recorded by Farhad ‘Zink’ Hossain at Zinkferd Studio
• Mixed by: Matty Pellets
• Mastered by: Jason Stanley
• Album Artwork by: Sujit Kumar

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Sujit Kumar – Vocals
Altan Aydin- Guitars
Dr T – Bass
Wesley Meyer – Drums

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About The Album Artwork:
The artwork is in 3 layers where you see a child, an angry screaming man and then also what looks like an AI-generated self just looking back at the two, devoid of any feeling or emotion.Track By Track:1. ALL RISE – He stood and waited for years while his father was already dead and gone. All he wanted to hear is that his father is innocent.His father, James, was the personal bodyguard of Karan, who was the son of an influential politician. He was a man of integrity and honesty and would even put his life down to serve his duty. His job was to protect and serve Karan without judgement.Karan was a party animal and indulged in every vice possible. While James didn’t personally endorse any of Karans habits, he was there to do his duty. Karan often threw expansive parties for his elite friends where everything his friends indulged in was provided. Most of these parties were also visited by the local politicians and the top cops.On one such party, there was a change and there was a raid by the Narcotics department and Karan is arrested along with a few of his high profile friends. The police and courts had all the evidence needed to prosecute, but in a matter of days he is acquitted and James is taken in custody as being the prime supplier of contraband. He is further charged with murder as well, as one of the party goers succumbed to an overdose.He looks up to his employers for help but is always told that they are going to stand behind him as long as he just waits in jail for a while. While in jail, he mysteriously is found dead. The family is in shambles and while the employers conveniently give them a sum of money to “heal”, all they wanted to hear is the truth showing that James was an honorable man.He sits there looking at the lady of Justice with the band around her eyes, when he hears the words “ALL RISE”. While his father is dead and burnt a long time ago, he just hopes to hear the word “Innocent”, but all that he hears is GUILTY AS CHARGED.

2. HATE BREEDS HATE – An abusive and tumultuous relationship with a person who was so consumed by hatred, that all they felt was hate.3. ITS OVER – The abusive relationship where he is shunned and told to leave time and again but must return because she keeps calling him back saying she is dying. He finally decides that he is done and is going back home, but then realizes he has no one and no place called home.

He finally answers the call that he has been deliberately ignoring over the last few weeks. “Please come back. Please. I don’t know why I let this happen. I’m dying, please return. I’ll make all the changes and it will all be better, but for now please come back. Please return”

Ever since he left, he has been shuttling between places and he had just found a place to live that he could afford. He leaves that place, losing his deposit and advance rent to return.

In less than three days, she tells him it’s over again and this time he knows he’s done, even though he has nowhere to go.

4. SO DAMN EASY – They kept telling him, that he needs to voice out everything that he has bottled up inside. He is happy just smiling and spreading the happiness and love. He is now just an existentialist and doesn’t care for life and has a constant hope to end it all. He is never ever going to show it or let anyone know, while dealing with episodes of severe bouts of depression and suicidal ideation, where he sometimes screams out for help silently while telling people that he does not need saving.

We’re sitting at a bar way past closing time. The owners were friends and they let us sit in after everyone was gone and the doors were shut. We’re talking about old times and school days when Kurt asks “ Baba, you sure you ok?” I burst out laughing and ask him why he asks. He says that he feels I’ve been bottling up all my thoughts. Then says “You’ve got to let it all go man. You’ve got to let out and show everyone what you have inside”

5. TIME – Cocaine, a plethora of pills, and a bottomless pit of Rum sounded like the perfect place to meet his soulmate.

During a time of complete hopelessness and having lost all reason to keep living, he goes on a partying binge where he hopes to overdose and die. There is nothing to save for and nothing and no one to live for anyway. There is no one he trusts and no one he knows that believes in him. One night, he thinks he has finally found someone who believes in him and accepts him for the loser that he is. The night at the club was great and the days and nights that followed were even better. He thought he had found his soulmate, only for both to wake up to reality once the high had worn out.

6. STAB ME – story of a boy who was born to family where the dad was a highly respected person, and his mom was a ‘housewife’. He was a smart and confident kid who did well in art and sport, and did average academically, but it was never ‘good enough’. He was always put down by family because he didn’t match the HIGH STANDARDS set by the family. Always being put down and under pressure with no one to talk to, his only friend was his mom.

He finds his solace in drugs in his late teens and gets to a point where the parents and immediate neighbors realize. Instead of helping him in the right way, the dad wants to hush the problem and tells him to “Figure it out” and “get out of it”. He doesn’t want anyone to know that his son is a drug addict. He stops giving him money for college and tells him to “figure it out”.

Kid starts stealing from home, his neighbors, and his friends to support his habit. Neighbors and friends let mom know. Mom cannot tell this to dad and she needs to keep this hush, so secretly gives money to the kid to support his habit..

These are his thoughts and conversations with his mom who helped him dissolve his pain away to death.

7. Voice Inside – Sitting on the top of a terrace on a hill, looking down at the city contemplating on giving up or fighting on and working to bigger, better things ahead. Working on long forgotten dreams. Working on every little strain of positive thought that was either suppressed, burnt out or deliberately killed by myself.

As I sat there reminiscing about good times, I felt guilty. For no reason at all, a feeling of guilt is what went through me. I was not used to feeling or thinking of good times. It had been ages. My mind and body seemed to be rejecting these good feelings.

Maybe it was the hash that night or the fact that I was away and alone from social interaction for a bit that opened the doorway into my long-suppressed self.

8. TOLERANCE BROKEN – After years of soaking in insults and building walls internally, the volcano inside of him is no longer dormant and is ready to explode. He now sees things in a different way and is ready to destroy it all.

Told to pretend and wear a mask, smile and tolerate and soak in all the offence. Keep those feelings locked behind those walls you have learnt to build all your life.

Whether as a girl in a patriarchal world, or as a dark skinned / unpretty / ugly child, hiding behind layers of make up or an artist forced to hide within cubicles of data filled screens. Or an immigrant in an unwelcome new world.

9. ALL MY LIFE – All My Life begins with a Rhyme that the artist’s grandma sang to him regularly, mocking his ugly looks as a toddler. The genesis of this fiery and incisive track lies in that childhood rhyme, a haunting echo of a grandma’s jests at the artist’s toddler ugliness. This fiery and incisive track serves as an unfiltered outpouring of frustration directed at all those who have brought adversity into the artist’s life, spanning different periods and across various aspects. It is a brief rant on the hypocrisy and self-serving agendas exhibited by both, close and extended family. To amplify its potency, the band enlisted the vocal prowess of Reena Joy, reviving the persona of the Grandma with chilling authenticity. The band continues their collaboration with Rahul Mukerji of Proviscocity LLC, who the band had previously worked with,on their last two releases, “Where You Belong” and “Wake Up”, both of which garnered widespread acclaim on a global scale. Recorded by Zink Hossain at Zinkferd Studio in Virginia, the song then travelled across the Niagara to Montreal, Canada, where it was mixed by Matty Pellets and mastered by Jason Stanley at Studio 9. Recorded by Zink Hossain at Zinkferd Studio in Virginia, the song embarked on a transcontinental journey, traversing the Niagara to Montreal, Canada. Here, it underwent meticulous mixing by Matty Pellets and mastering by Jason Stanley at Studio 9, adding layers of sonic depth to its raw emotional resonance.

10. DEATH COMPLAINT – Battered and bruised, mentally, emotionally, and even physically, because he just got off a fist fight that he provoked for no reason known to him as he has always been scared of violence and would never want to cause harm to anyone in any form…. He walks back to the room, he now lives in, looking at whatever possessions he physically owns. High on a mix of sleeping pills, alcohol and a few other drugs, his brain works out a suicide plan with what he sees before him but he stops at the last minute..

11. ONE OF THESE DAYS – One of These Days is all about self-reflection, introspection, and the yearning for transformation. Broken mirrors and distorted reflections, give an insight into the artist’s identity and innermost thoughts. Torn within himself, he acknowledges the existence of an ‘Echo Chamber’, where his words and thoughts resonate without being fully comprehended by others.

Despite these hurdles the artist decides to confront his fears and uncertainties head-on. The line “I want to walk on the sun, Might get my feet burnt, Let’s do it” encapsulates his resolve to embrace risk and challenge themselves, even in the face of potential adversity.

In essence, “One of These Days” encapsulates the journey toward self-awareness and personal growth, urging listeners to confront their inner truths and pursue change, regardless of the uncertainties that may await them.

L-R – Dr. T – Bass, Wesley Meyer- Drums, Sujit Kumar- Vocals, Altan Aydin – Guitar

Photo Credit – Rahul Mukerji

Never Elected, one of Washington D.C.’s most captivating and electrifying acts, is set to rock the airwaves new album “Turbulent” coming out on April 19th. The album is also a finalist in this year’s 2024 WAMMIES (Washington, D.C.’s version of the Grammy’s) for Best Hard Rock / Metal Album along with their other nominations for Best Hard Rock / Metal Band, and Best Hard Rock / Metal Single (All My Life).

Known for their thought-provoking material centered around socio-political themes, Never Elected continues to leave an indelible mark on the music scene. The album “Turbulent” is a deep reflection of the tumultuous times experienced by the band’s vocalist. From rocking out to evoking tears, the audience’s reactions to the songs have been diverse and intense, showcasing the emotional depth of Never Elected’s music.

Formed by the dynamic duo, Sujit Kumar and Altan Aydin, who share a common love for all things grunge and rock ‘n’ roll, the band also features Dr. T on melodic bass riffs and Wesley Meyer, the driving force behind the drums. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the band persevered, recording and releasing two singles and music videos that kept their fans engaged during a period of uncertainty.

Recommended for fans of Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains, and Guns N’ Roses, Never Elected’s “Turbulent” is due out on April 19th, 2024, and is available for pre-order at https://neverelected.bandcamp.com.

Discography:
Turbulent – 2024
Down Too Long EP – 2017
Wake Up – Single – 2019
Where You Belong – Single – 2021

Shared Stage with: Shumaun, Iris Divine, XK Scenario, Shrewdness of Apes, Silent Island

0 EPK – Lÿnx – Claws Out (2024) (Bullzhorn Records)

February 27, 2024
by Asher
· EPKs · Lynx (Bullzhorn Records)

EPK – Lÿnx – Claws Out (2024) (Bullzhorn Records)

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

“All of us have put a lot of thought into this album, as every artist does. With our new frontman and his extraordinary talent, it has opened a whole new list of possibilities, and the energy that is Lÿnx has just gone to the next level. From Japan to Spain, the USA, and Germany our previous EP’s have made it to different parts of the world, our next album is going worldwide!

We are trying to give our fans the whole experience with this album. If you want to tour downtown with your girl or your boys and crank up the tunes, we got that. If you want to sit back and chill, listen to some good time rock, we got that too. You’re having a party? Hell Yeah! We should be the first album played because that’s what Lÿnx is. We bring the energy, the noise and want everyone to enjoy it with us!” – Lÿnx

For fans of Motley Crue, Guns N Roses, Skid Row, Mr. Big, Poison

“”Claws Out is a straight shot of heavy rock n’ roll straight to the heart. With its infectious energy, blistering guitar solos, and powerhouse vocals, it’s a proof to the enduring power of the genre. Crank up the volume, grab the Aqua Net, throw up the horns, and let Lÿnx take you on a journey through the wild and untamed world of hair metal glory. MUST LISTEN TRACKS: “Rock Machine”, “Can’t Get Enough”, “Band of Brothers”, “Pull the Trigger”, “Lights Out”” – Amplify The Noise

“Claws Out” is pure hair metal and above all with a very authentic, nostalgic production!” – PowerMetal.de

“”Claws Out” is a powerful shot from heavy rock n’ roll straight to the heart. With its contagious energy, hot guitar solos and powerful vocals, it’s a testament to the genre’s timeless power. Turn up the volume, take the hairspray and let Lÿnx take you on a journey into the wild and indomitable world of hair metal!” – Rockway.gr

“Lynx sound and style is so old they are practically new! Throw-back, retro, old-school…call ‘em what you will but it works because virtually no one is doing this anymore. There are a select few local bands who are doing this style and sound but more often than not they are cover bands. It takes balls of steel to rock like this in the year 2024 and I’m am so glad that they do!” – Metal Rules

“The look and feel of this debut full-length album just screams late 80s sleaze metal and the sound here very much pays homage to the halcyon days of smudged eyeliner, scratchy vocals and Sunset Strip fantasies but with an occasional contemporary gloss.” – Metal Forces Magazine

“Lÿnx serve their fans Claws Out not only the typical 1980s rock that you are used to from their previous releases, but also varied punk that is enriched with a good party mood. The listener never gets bored, on the contrary: this puts you in a good mood!” – Soundmagnet Magazine

“Lÿnx is an honest to goodness rock n roll band in a time when rock needs just that. They offer up blistering guitar riffs and solos, melodic choruses, and high energy performances that resemble the spirit of a time long gone by.” Hitonindie.com

“A brilliant release that perfectly builds on the stage that their self titled EP set. ‘Long Live Rock N Roll’ is a direct unyielding ode to what rock music used to be. A release that’s not for the faint of heart, its bold, brash and wonderfully Brutal. Landing as one of Lÿnx’s defining musical moments” Thomas Bedward- Broken 8 Records

“ Opening tracks can tell you a lot about an album. Sometimes bands come out swinging, and others take a slow burn approach. There’s no slow burn in Lÿnx. And the title track ‘Long Live Rock N Roll’ roars out of your speakers. It features a great guitar solo, fantastic percussion, and drips with 80s glam.” Dave Wilks – CGCM Radio/ Podcast

“This is a really solid, fun band that were excited about, and can’t wait to hear what’s next. So, Crank it up and press play!”- MusicNotez Magazine

“a crazy cocktail of glam and hard rock, “Claws Out” isn’t necessarily original, but it’s definitely effective.” – Music Waves

Album Title: Claws Out
Release Date: May 9, 2024
Label: Bullzhorn Records
Distribution: DistrokidTrack Listing:
1. Hell In High Heels (04:18)
2. Rock Machine (04:08)
3. Claws Out (04:24)
4. Can’t Get Enough (05:00)
5. Shake it Up (Remastered) (03:47)
6. Band of Brothers (05:31)
7. Nothing But Love (04:59)
8. Hard As Life (04:38)
9. Pull the Trigger (04:54)
10. Lights Out (04:09)

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Lÿnx
• All songs written by: Lÿnx
• Produced by: Bullzhorn Records
• Mixed by: Priyam Baksi
• Mastered by: Nathan Reiner
• Album Artwork by: Syafiq AL Faruq
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Ja6ur- Lead Vocals
Blade- Guitar, Backing Vocals
Fangs- Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Flash- Drums/ Percussion

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About the album (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

The album is straight, heavy Rock’n’roll, you could pull it right off the shelf of any record store on the Sunset Strip in the late 1980’s, of course with our modern day producing and mastering!

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1.Hell In High Heels: This song was Ja6ur’s Ex. We wanted to express in words the feeling of ‘Forbidden Fruit’ in a sense. When you know it’s gonna hurt but you still need it. Every person has that one volatile relationship, we’ve just given it lyrics.

2.Rock Machine: What’s a home? Safe space, family, comfort etc. Not for us! The tour vehicles never get the appreciation they deserve. Band’s tour bus/van/cars are our home away from home and we decided to write our anthem for these long overlooked heroes.

3.Claws Out: Title Track!!! With this one we wanted to hit hard and fast. So one thing led to another and well…Werewolf! In honesty, we wanted this one to have a different theme than other songs and it went through about 3 different versions before we decided to get Ja6ur write some bloodthirsty werewolf shit and it just worked out.

4.Can’t Get Enough: Sex! Drugs! Rock N’ Roll! Who doesn’t love a party anthem? Can’t Get Enough, we want more too! Always to excess, the chorus wanted those gritty Crüe gang vocals, the general theme stemming from Fangs and his vision of a night out with his lady.

5.Shake it Up: Every band needs that one fast paced shake your ass kind of song, something to get the ladies moving and the men groovin’. Shake it up has all the feels from the catchy riffs to the furious guitar solo. Strong bass to keep the beat, banging drums you’ll feel in your chest, and a screeching vocal tune that may just have you coming back for more!!!

6.Band of Brothers: “For a long time I’ve held the idea that family is not just what you’re born into but also those people that you choose to be in your life. One night while under the influence of a magical spore it became clear to me that the brothers I always wanted were already in my life. This is my ode to them.” – Fangs

7.Nothing But Love: Every good rock record has the one your girlfriend likes! So here ya go. We wrote this one about our special ladies and now you can cover it when you’re in the dog house.

8.Hard As Life: Been bullied? Shit on at work, for no reason? Had a bad fucking day? We wrote this for exactly these times, we’ve been there, you’re not alone!

9.Pull the Trigger: This song is about the 1950s Anti Rock n Roll movement/propaganda where it was considered as the ‘Devil’s Music’ or was believed as the cause of the nation’s social ills and youthful rebellion. As a result, it was banned from many radio stations, schools etc. Pull the Trigger is our way of telling them to Fuck off!

10.Lights Out: What’s more punk than getting punched out at your favorite karaoke bar? Okay there’s probably a lot but that’s not the point. Anyways that’s what happened to our buddy Cooper. Next thing you know there’s a song about it (with minor embellishments) We’ll make an honest man out of him one day!

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BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Our guitarist Blade uses his background in music production to compose a lot of our songs at work without an instrument in his hands. Constantly thinking of different riffs, beats he then goes into hope and sees how they can work musically. A lot of them works and some don’t but once he has an idea in his head he records it on his phone, goes home, grabs a guitar and starts figuring out how he can make it into the Lÿnx signature sound.

2. Our first show together was a show at the Blind Beggar in Calgary. We put on a 3-band show with us being the headliner to close out the night. We prepared our setlist and hit the stage. After the set, the crowd was demanding an encore, and of course we didn’t have one. We ended up playing Long Live Rock n Roll again and invited the crowd up to join us on stage and dance out the rest of the show. It was a great moment for the band and the fans loved it, what a great way to close out our first show together.

3. We are all blue-collar worker who have spent years and years grinding away the short time we have on this earth living someone else’s dream. We all decided as a band to create our own path while putting our heart, soul, and past experiences into our music. Our passion to create music is what drives us, while knowing that once we make it we never want to go back to the mundane working life we all know.

4. We want our fans to be taken back to a time long gone that was full of hair, crazy outfits and rockstars. As well as bring in a new generation who might pass off the music as “our parent’s music” we believe that the rock n roll genre has taken a backseat for a while to other genres which isn’t a bad thing, but we want to make sure that the rock is still alive and make our forefathers proud.

L-R : Blade [Guitars] | Flash [Drums] |Ja6ur [Vocals] | Fangs [Bass]

Photographer Credit: Breana Garland

Lÿnx is a Hard Rock/Hair Metal four-piece band currently based in Calgary, Canada formed in 2020 during the pandemic. Connected by a shared love of 80s Rock, the band immediately set about writing original songs that embody the style & swagger of the past, while embracing the polished production & down to Earth grit of their more modern rock influences. Having gained a reputation for their anthemic choruses, sizzling guitar solos & powerhouse vocals, Lÿnx have garnered a dedicated & eclectic international fan base. The band aims to build on the momentum created by their released music & push their sound into even more extreme & rock n’ roll places.

Lÿnx is:
Ja6ur- Lead Vocals
Blade- Guitar, Backing Vocals
Fangs- Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Flash- Drums/ Percussion

Discography:
May 2024 – Claws Out
Sept 2020 – Long live Rock N Roll – EP
Feb 2020 – Lÿnx Self Titled Debut EP

SHARED STAGE WITH:
Iron Kingdom, Tyrants of Chaos, Arrival of Autumn, Wthcnvtcn, Sionis, Die Another Day, Crimson Caliber, Osyron, Balrogath, Chiliocosm, Faster than Bears, Orbit the Fox, Haunt the Stars, Sarafin

TOUR AND FESTIVALS:
Alternative Waves Festival, Medicine Hat Alberta 2023
Serenade Metal Fest, Edmonton 2023
WayneStock Music Fest, Drumheller 2023
Alternative Waves Festival, Medicine Hat Alberta 2022
Decimate Metal Fest, High River 2022

Artist Endorsements:
Soultone Cymbals
The New Vintage Custom Guitars – Calgary, Alberta
Just Music- Cranbrook, British Colombia

0 EPK – Drungi – Hamfarir Hugans (2024)

February 25, 2024
by Asher
· Drungi · EPKs

EPK – Drungi – Hamfarir Hugans (2024)

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

Management: Magnus Addi Olafsson – magnusaddi[@]gmail[.]com

“Worth the wait, for those that have been following us it has been a journey of postponement which will provide our fans with much satisfaction. To those who discover us they are in for a ride filled with Icelandic lyrics, heaviness and nature-inspired lyrical content. We aim for an experience filled with primal emotions, that most people will be able to relate to regardless of their understanding of our language.” – Drungi

For fans of Sólstafir, Skálmöld, Black Sabbath, Gojira, Manowar

Drungi.is | Facebook.com/drungiiceland | Instagram.com/drungiiceland | Youtube.com/@drungiiceland912

Drungi.bandcamp.com | Spotify

“Their music is so perfect that the only thing we can comment on is their clothes” – A&P Reacts

“Bringing an interesting mix of rock, black n roll and doom metal that takes elements from all three genres and conjures up an infectious hard rock/metal album for those of you that just want to cut loose with your basic intrinsic musical urges. Fiercely primal, raw, full of hooks, and chunky grooves, Drungi looks to shake your foundations to the core.” – Metal Epidemic

“a band who have managed to dig out a niche of their own with a unique yet cohesive sound and solid performances for their first and unsigned album. It speaks of a combination of lethal talent, inspiration, and a hell of a working ethic. I hope Drungi is willing to dig deep and mine the most out of its style, because this outfit has the potential to go very far indeed. Hamfarir Hugans is just the first step.” – Angry Metal Guy

“Based on a merger between the mind and Icelandic nature, “Hamfarir Hugans” is a surefire way to get a dosage of Icelandic music, heavy riffs and piercing vocals.”” – Metal Temple

Hamfarir Hugans is both exhilarating and emotionally resonant. Each track unfolds like a chapter in an ancient saga, drawing one deeper into Drungi‘s world. Hamfarir Hugans is satisfyingly heavy and melodic and an invitation to embark on a journey through the realms of myth and emotion. MUST LISTEN TRACKS: all eight tracks” – Amplify The Noise

“This album is a for sure the best debut of a band this year so far and I seriously doubt there will be something new so enticing as this new Drungi album. Try to put your dirty hands in this disc if you are seeking something different and very metal at the same time.” – Darksouls United

Album Title: Hamfarir Hugans
Release Date: April 5, 2024
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Alda – 5:42
2. Þoka – 7:00
3. Ófærð – 5:15
4. Skriða – 3:34
5. Frost – 4:42
6. Skjálfti – 4:20
7. Kvika – 7:31
8. Myrkur – 6:17

Album Credits:
– All songs Performed by: Magnús Addi Ólafsson, Rúnar Gauti Gunnarsson, Sjafnar Björgvinsson, Markús Loki Gunnarsson, Sandra María Bergþórsdóttir.
– All songs written by: Magnús Addi Ólafsson, Rúnar Gauti Gunnarsson, Sjafnar Björgvinsson, Markús Loki Gunnarsson, Guðmundur Kristinn Haraldsson.
– Produced by: Stephen Lockhart
– Mixed by: Stephen Lockhart
– Mastered by: Stephen Lockhart
– Album Artwork by: Magnús Addi Ólafsson and Rúnar Gauti Gunnarsson, Fixed by Dall-E AI for clarity

Album band lineup:
Magnús Addi Ólafsson – Bass
Rúnar Gauti Gunnarsson – Lead guitar,
Sjafnar Björgvinsson – Vocals,
Markús Loki Gunnarsson – Rhythm guitar,
Kristján B. Heiðarsson – Drums

Live band Lineup:
Magnús Addi Ólafsson – Bass
Rúnar Gauti Gunnarsson – Lead guitar,
Sjafnar Björgvinsson – Vocals,
Markús Loki Gunnarsson – Rhythm guitar,
Sandra María Bergþórsdóttir – Drums

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About The Album Artwork

It’s a merger between the mind and Icelandic nature. With our songs being very mind–nature inspired we thought this was a fitting idea for an album cover. – Magnus & Runar

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

As previously mentioned, the album is a theme following mental issues that people suffer from and the imagery of the Icelandic things in nature that can kill you. So, we have a death that’s both physical and mental. – Magnus

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Alda (Wave) – Musically it follows the rhythm of a wave crashing a boat into the cliffs of northwestern Iceland. Lyrically it’s about self-harm where sometimes you feel like you are drowning in the abundance of emotion and you wish you were just washing away.

2. Þoka (Fog) – Musically it’s following the feeling of being lost in a dense fog with no sense of direction and the panic that ensues. Lyrically it’s about having a brain fog and you don’t know if you are thinking logically and being on the brink of being insane or on the brink of total chaos much like schizophrenia.

3. Ófærð (Impass) – Musically: The name translates to impassible or Impass and the music follows the idea of violent storms, snow or rain and the music is inspired by those storms that make much of Iceland impassible both in winter and summer. Lyrically: Being trapped or isolated and having no escape from it much like Locked in syndrome.

4. Skriða (Landslide) – The highs and lows of the song translate into mountain tops and how easy it is to be caught in a landslide. Crumbling down from the turmoil one gets inflicted by, from a high point and until hitting rock bottom.

5. Frost (frost) – The damage that the Harsh cold of Iceland can inflict upon the world. Being trapped in an icy cold winter that never thaws. Fimbulwinter. Much like being a psychopath, with a complete lack of emotion.

6. Skjálfti (Quake) – Unstable, unpredictable, like the earthquakes we have every day in Iceland. Insecurity and shivering when you feel the shaking of the ground without any shaking happening in the ground. Inner turmoils and fears, Anxiety.

7. Kvika (Magma) – An epic scope of a volcano captured in an eerily musical way. The inner anger and violence that boils under the surface. The magma boils slowly but you do not know when it will erupt and cause cataclysmic events a mind disaster. Explosive manic disorder.

8. Myrkur (Dark) – We don’t know what happens in the darkness and how it will affect our life, and that’s the scary idea that happens in the musical part of Myrkur. Depression, You can let the darkness control you but you must remember to turn on the light that only oneself can turn on. The darkness can be obsessive but it is dangerous if it’s used wrongly on others and yourself.

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

Story Angles – Fun Facts:

1. Our most told story is the one about the guitarist the lied on his application. Saying that he was 16 when he asked to join when in fact he was still only 15, We had a lot of gigs with an underage guitarist and his parents were often seen in the crowd.

2. During our second gig we were about to go on stage and the bassist completely missed the fact that the guitarist had to go to the bathroom. And so walked on stage and played for nearly 5 minutes a single riff until the rest of the band finally joined him. Being an eventful gig our singer shows up dressed as a zombie priest with heavy makeup and Rúnar then reviewing the band before joining got scared out of his mind when meeting the vocalist outside the venue.

3. When arriving at Lemmy Rock fest in 2022 we were a bit early and noticed that nothing was properly set up at the time, so we carried all the shared gear, set up the stage and hung all the lighting + lighting programming prior to the show. An hour before heading on stage our bassist walked into the tattoo shop located in the venue and got the band Motif tattooed on his calf and was essentially in pain the whole show.

4. Sandra remarks – Magnus likes his show underwear like he likes his bacon, Extra crunchy.

5. Sjafnar our vocalist Participated in the Icelandic idol completely wooing the judges with Cowboys from hell acapella.

L-R: Magnus Addi Olafsson (Bass) | Sandra Maria Berþorsdottir (Drums & Vocals) | Sjafnar Bjorgvinsson (Vocals) | Runar Gauti Gunnarsson (Guitar) | Markus Loki Gunnarsson (Guitar)

Photo Credit: Hvergiland Photography

We are Drungi, hailing from the cool shores of Reykjavík Iceland. A refreshing addition to the hard rock/metal scene with an interesting mix of Rock, black‘n‘roll, and doom.

Formed in 2019, the lineup consists of Sjafnar on vocals, Rúnar on lead guitar, Loki on rhythm guitar, Magnús on bass and Sandra on drums. The first show they played was in mid-2019 when they opened a small local festival, Toolraiser 2019, and since then they have played numerous shows including Lemmy Rock Festival 2022 and Culture Night 2022.

Drungi celebrates their 5th year together with the release of their debut album “Hamfarir Hugans” this coming April 2024. Having all suffered from some form of mental illness, the debut album consists of songs inspired by Icelandic nature as well as the deep-rooted mental troubles, that many other people may struggle with every day. Their lyrics are all in Icelandic and connect with the harsh environments they as locals have had to deal with since the island was first populated. Their different musical backgrounds have come together to form a unique mixture of metal and rock that many people connect with on a deeper level.

Shared Stage with: Sóstafir, Krownest (2023 WMB winners), Vögel, Canis, Aesculus, Morii, Ormar, Hodris, Merkúr, Ultra Magnus, Skepna Overturn, Kookaveen, Nornagal, Skoffín, M-sea

0 EPK – ADON – Self-Titled (2024)

February 22, 2024
by Asher
· ADON · EPKs

EPK – ADON – Self-Titled (2024)

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

“While we hope that new fans will find many things to love about the album, the intention behind the music has always been artistic expression. We hope that in this way, people can connect with the album. We want people to be totally immersed in the cacophony of sound that is this album. We hope that it feels akin to be taking a journey through time and space and that they might consider what lies beyond this realm.” – ADON

For fans of Enslaved, Marduk, Hate, Havukruunu, Oranssi Pazuzu

Instagram.com/adon_metal | Facebook.com/ADONMetal | Youtube.com/@adon_metal6409

Adonmetal.bandcamp.com | Spotify

[Downlaod Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Adon
Release Date: April 12, 2024
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Ascension – (6:08)
2. Æther – (5:27)
3. Adon – (16:43)
4. Azimuth – (5:19)
5. Axiom – (3:48)
6. Æon – (11:03)
Total Length – 48:28

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Adon
• All songs written by: Æthelwulf II, Nath
• Produced by: Adon
• Mixed by: Dave Otero (Flatline)
• Mastered by: Dave Otero (Flatline)
• Album Artwork by: Adon

Album Band Line Up:
Nath – Guitars, Bass, additional vocals
Æthelwulf II – Vocals, additional instrumentation
James Stewart – Drums

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

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

As a whole, this album represents lifelong dreams. The pursuit of which escaped us as younger folk but found proper creative footing as we matured. It represents all of our influences in a way that, hopefully, can only be described as ‘ADON’. The album explores themes of war, power, death, apocalypse, cosmos, emergence, transformation, and repeating history, oftentimes through the lens of ancient Viking/ Saxon era imagery. Musically it finds its core in black metal though it couldn’t possibly only be described as that.

We believe it is uniquely us, and we made it for ourselves. We love to share our creative expressions with others though, and we hope that others can find meaning as we do.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

1. Ascension – This song sets the tone for the album with its brutality. The lyrics as we wrote them visually focus on the beginning of an apocalypse, and the hopeless futility of survival. The title ‘ascension’ conjures imagery of a kind of torturous rapture.

2. Æther – A non-stop onslaught of violent themes and images of battle. A war cry in the spirit of Vikings, taking flight on wings of vengeance.

3. Adon – This song tells a classic story of a man playing at being God. However, in this story, the subject an ancient king, is given a glimpse into the unfathomable and loses himself in the abyss before glimpsing an unknown eternity. The character of king I (Æthelwulf II) is based on my own line of ancestry of Saxon kings and their mix of pagan & Christian ideologies. This idea of asking God for the power to subjugate is delightfully paradoxical and all too common in our own history. To further tie into these ideas, a large portion of the lyrics for this song are written and performed in Olde English. I enlisted the help of an Olde English expert to help me translate my ideas and spent a good amount of time working on my pronunciation. Olde English is also present in other songs as well, but most prominently here.

We titled the song ‘Adon’ to further draw a line to concepts we frequently touch upon in our lyrics. The ancient word, ‘Adon’, can be translated as meaning “The Lord”. Adon as a god character in mythology, to me, personifies hubris. Calling yourself the Lord of anything is an expression of hubris in a human context. I thought exploring this idea of unhinged hubris to be quite interesting. This imagery is also the main theme on the album’s cover.

4. Azimuth – Originally inspired, like many of the songs on this album, by the Arthurian legend, but changed over time into a vision of destiny and decay, exploring the themes of emergence and transformation.

5. Axiom – Put simply, this song tells the story of a person being stretched into nothingness upon entering a black hole.

6. Æon – Another musing on apocalypse, telling a more complete story from our world ending completely to the unknown reaches of the cosmos. We use the imagery of a trumpet signaling the end of the age of the earth, as described in Judeo-Christian texts a motif musically and lyrically. I found it quite interesting to imagine a single blare of a horn signaling the end of humanity; the end of an age.

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Every song on the album features a guest musician or two.
-Chris Beattie (The Zenith Passage, Dreamer) adds lead and solo guitar to Ascension, Æther, Azimuth, and Æon. While our music isn’t anywhere near as complex as Chris’ own bands, we felt that his beautifully moving soloing style and unbelievable technical proficiency fit perfectly throughout the album.

-Justin Sakogawa (Warscythe, Splattered, ex-Defeated Sanity, Vile) contributes solos on both Axiom and Adon. Justin’s style takes an equally precise technical performance and injects it with a more traditional “Death” influenced soloing style that was perfect for the songs he contributed to. He also makes an appearance in the music video for Axiom to shred his parts on that song.

-Ember Belladonna provides some haunting and ethereal flute to Axiom and Adon. Her contributions to Adon truly take that song to another level and give it a cinematic and psychedelic edge.

– Kyle Schaefer (Fallujah, Archaeologist) adds his vocals to the track ‘Adon’ at key moments throughout the track.

2. We were lucky enough to connect with James Stewart (Decapitated, ex-Vader) during the pandemic and he graciously agreed to track drums on our EP. He offered us the option to have him on or debut when we got around to it, and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity. His home recording setup got a significant upgrade between our EP and album, and his performances are unforgettable. Having him involved to offer his insights and advice and his impeccable professionalism made the production of the album that much better.

3. I hit up Dave Otero on Instagram after hearing his mixes of Ahklys. I thought a similar production might work well for us, but didn’t fully realize who Dave was and the breadth of his work. It sounds idiotic to say now, with the number of MASSIVE hits he has under his belt, and for some reason, he agreed to mix the album. He offered indelible advice particularly as it pertains to future recordings. Still can’t believe he mixed and mastered this behemoth!

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

L-R – Æthelwulf II: bottom (seated) – Vocals, additional instrumentation, Nath: Top (standing) – Guitars, Bass, additional vocals

ADON was ideated long ago, but finally emerged in the winter of 2020 with their EP release ‘Arkane’.

Mixed and mastered at Endarker Studio in Sweden, it was clear from the start that ADON sought to craft extreme metal that was rooted in the foundations of the genres that inspired them, but stood on their own in the music they crafted.

The sound of the EP reflected their grimmer influences while teasing a future that was much darker and intense, with more room for experimentation within a Blackened/Death sound.

With their full-length, self-titled debut album, ADON reached their sights further still…

Recorded throughout 2022, the core of ADON remains whilst also featuring several collaborations from the likes of Kyle Schaefer (FALLUJAH), Chris Beattie (THE ZENITH PASSAGE, DREAMER), and Justin Sakogowa (SPLATTERED, WARSCYTHE), and several other talented guests, and was mixed and mastered by a staple of extreme metal, Dave Otero.

With an enormous, crushing, and relentless sound that still finds room for experimentation, ADON is ready to unleash on the planet their apocalyptic debut this coming April 2024.

Discography:
– 2024 – Self-Titled – LP
– 2020 – Arkane – EP

0 EPK – Ivy Gardens – Goon (2024)

February 22, 2024
by Asher
· EPKs · Ivy Gardens

EPK – Ivy Gardens – Goon (2024)

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

“Goon contains many tracks that our fans have been hearing live for a while. We knew how to craft a listening experience that mirrored our live performances, but we wanted to do something a little different. Sustaining a mosh pit through the course of a performance isn’t a concern on an album. We wanted an experience that took you places, with some unexpected twists, flowing from one song to the next and feeling like a natural progression to an ultimate finale.” – Ivy Gardens

For fans of Kyuss, Truckfighters, Queens of the Stone Age, Nirvana, Soundgarden

Band: Ivy Gardens
Album Title: Goon
Release Date: April 19, 2024
Label: Paper Cut Recordings

Facebook.com/ivygardensband | Instagram.com/ivygardensofficial | Youtube.com/@ivygardens420/

Ivygardens.bandcamp.com | Spotify

The Canadian National College Radio – May 2024 – Top 20 Loud – #9 Ivy Gardens (Earshot)

The Canadian National College Radio Loud Chart – #8 Ivy Gardens (Earshot) – For the Week Ending: Tuesday, May 21, 2024

“…the sonic equivalent of a panic attack.” – Canadian Beats

“Stoner metal, a little chilled sounding, but fast paced, cool stuff.” – Mosh Pit – WORT 89.9 FM (Madison, WI)

““Boner” has got a really cool groove, too, showing you what can happen when you’ve got a band that is truly possessed by the power of The Riff. It’s one of those grinding, motoriffic jobs in the spirit of Kyuss’ “Green Machine.” And it doesn’t take long before we, too, are caught under its sway. The retro organ sound from the keys provides a spooky touch to the chorus, which comes like a sigh of relief after the tense build-up of those guitar-driven verses. The drumming is swarmy and frenetic, and strikes with power at pivotal moments. The breakdown at 4 minutes is a headbanging oasis, made even cooler with the synthesizer’s late-’60s garage twist.” – Doomed and Stoned

“This Canadian trio are promising us a debut album that is “a relentless onslaught of vulgar, belligerent punk, sludge and sweat” when it is released in April. If this lead single is anything to go by, things are going to get very belligerent and sweaty when the full-lengther finally hits our death decks.” – Uber Rock

“GOON is an action packed and turbocharged release powered by Pissed Off grooves and a snarling Punk Rock Attitude which allows IVY GARDENS to deliver a devastating FREAKY slice of Psychedelic Sludge/Stoner Metal.” – Outlaws of The Sun

“Nothing about Ontario’s Ivy Gardens is predictable. Describing it is just going to sound trite. I love it when I know I’m going to miss the mark no matter what I write. But here’s my take: take some awesome keyboard parts from 1967, link them to 80’s New Romantic Synth parts played on guitar, add equal parts Stoner, Punk and Post-Metal. I mean, these guys drank the wrong whiskey and mixed it with the wrong drug while listening to the Clash, and then came down listening to Elvis Costello and early Queens of the Stone Age. Someone somewhere was blasting the B-52’s and the Stooges. It’s a heady mix that when mashed together is cohesive, fresh and original.” – Clean And Sober Stoner

““Goon” by IVY GARDENS. Pretty cool stuff. I like the inventiveness of it. Not something you’ll find carbon copies of. I also like the Stoner edge. Definitely worth checking out.” – Metal-Temple

“Alright, folks, if you haven’t already been swept up by Ivy Gardens, now’s the time. The Niagara, Ontario crew—masters of raw, unfiltered punk and sludge—delivered their first full-length album, Goon, back in April 2024. And let me tell you, it’s an auditory onslaught like no other… Goon is more than just a debut album; it’s a setlist Ivy Gardens fans have been craving. Since their thunderous arrival on the scene in 2021, they’ve been wreaking havoc across Canada’s east coast. And with a summer tour already in the works, this runaway train isn’t slowing down. Ready to dive in? The volume’s punishing, the intensity’s relentless, and there’s zero room to catch your breath—it’s like a panic attack in musical form. Ivy Gardens is daring you to join their world, where the mosh pit never ends, and the ringing in your ears is the only encore you’ll get. If you’re into Kyuss, Truckfighters, or Queens of the Stone Age, then Goon is about to become your new favorite album.” – Papy Jeff Metal

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: Ivy Gardens
Album Title: Goon
Release Date: April 19, 2024
Label: Paper Cut Recordings

Track Listing:
1. 12 Million Bar Blues (4:43)
2. Boner (5:27)
3. Chlorine (1:52)
4. Black Sand & Gold (0:57)
5. Lamb (2:01)
6. Stoic (3:14)
7. Goon (3:22)
8. Shattered Glass (1:45)
9. Provider (5:37)
Album length: 29:01

Album Credits:
All songs written, produced and performed by Ivy Gardens.
Joe Zandwyk, Andrew Blackborow, Sebastian Hogg
Mixed by Joe Zandwyk
Mastered by Audrey Leyenhorst
Album Artwork by Sebastian Hogg
Canadian Content – MAPL

Live and Recording Band Lineup:
Joe Zandwyk – Vocals, Drums
Andrew Blackborow – Vocals, Guitar
Sebastian Hogg – Keyboards

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

About The Album Artwork

The cover features a former mascot who died a very quick death. He’s immortalized forever on this record.

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

We consider Goon to be a historical document. At a particular point in space and time, somewhere in a sweaty basement in Southern Ontario, we achieved a sound. Sonic belligerence, and euphoria through volume. The words flowed out naturally from personal struggles and experiences. Here it is documented: Goon.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1 – 12 Million Bar Blues, the opener, our instrumental odyssey. No words. Just riffs. Energy. Power. The introduction to our sound, the introduction to the experience. It sends you hurtling forward at a million miles per hour until it drags you straight back down.

2 – Boner is our very own feel-good hit of the summer. Opening with a relaxed groove that builds and builds to the heaviest possible climax, Boner has been a major highlight of our live set since it was introduced. Following the more relaxed pacing of the song, the softer vocal performance less seen in our music tells of a (seemingly) simple disagreement between two bitter individuals.

3 – Chlorine is our oldest song to date. Written when we were just 14, it’s a pure punk song that is full of energy the whole way through. Speed and intensity. Lyrically, the track details the human experience of chemical warfare.

4 – Black Sand & Gold is an ambient soundscape, named after an old novel chronicling the Yukon gold rush. Vast, uncaring wilderness, biting frost, black sand, and gold are the visual references for this quiet, palate-cleansing track.

5 – Lamb is our fastest and most aggressive track. Andrew screams commands: be a lamb, guide my hand. Rhythmically intricate at a breakneck pace, this track was one of the first written for the album, and the first to reach this level of sonic violence and belligerence.

6 – Stoic is our most lyrically packed song on the album as well as rhythmically unique. Bouncing between hard-hitting dirges and quick, jumping rhythms, the song explores the perspective of someone with a lot of self-destructive behavior, who still manages to find peace through it.

7 – Goon is a song that was written with the intention of being both rhythmically intricate, but ultimately danceable. Where the verses are filled with screaming lyrics from the point of view of a struggling addict, the chorus takes a more melodic approach, as the person in question experiences the ecstasy that comes with getting their fix.

8 – Shattered Glass is a quick punk blaster that turns on a dime. The lyrics depict a specific scene of violence and gore, and someone’s attempt to escape a dangerous situation.

9 – Provider, the record’s finale, is our stoner-doom sludge fest. A delicate introduction builds quietly, introducing its themes, until it all comes crashing down at an immense volume. We ride the groove out, and variations on its themes are introduced until the pressure is released gradually for the final gentle climax. Lyrically, Provider is a song about struggling to abandon a substance you’ve formed a reliance on, trying to ditch the last thing that keeps you going.

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

Fun Facts – Story Angles:

1 – Ivy Gardens operates under a golden rule: the “dollar to decibel ratio”. We almost exclusively use old junk amplifiers and speaker cabs. Old Peavey garbage, fished from some old fart’s garage jam space, is not only the secret sauce in our sound, but also the only possible way for us to accomplish the task of CRUSHING volume under a budget of $0.

2 – Among our various accolades is the title of “loudest band in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia”. A small little restaurant was not prepared for the volume and intensity we brought there on our recent East Coast tour, but the audiences were. A great show.

3 – One of our first musical achievements was a successful cover of YYZ. We’re huge Rush fans. We were maybe 15 when we first played it live, and under the unfamiliar lights of a strange venue, we blasted through it at nearly double speed. We’ve yet to be able to recreate it.

4 – Ivy Gardens is entirely DIY. We’ve built our own jam space, and recording studio, and studied audio engineering to record and mix our material. We are entirely self-sufficient.

L-R – Sebastian Hogg (Keyboards), Andrew Blackborow (Guitar & Vocals), Joe Zandwyk (Drums & Vocals)

Photo Credit – Rachel Imre

DOG ASS MUSIC. The only way to describe the vulgar, belligerent, punk, sludge & sweat of Ivy Gardens, from Niagara, Ontario. Birthed from a primal desire for physical volume and violent catharsis, Ivy has been hitting the road hard since their inception in 2021. Vibrating in the bones of audiences across Ontario, Quebec and the east coast of Canada.

The Ivy Gardens experience is a nearly endless stream of beaten-to-hell drums, searing organ, throbbing bass synths, and a liquid wall of guitar sludge. The volume is crushing. There is no room to breathe. The sonic equivalent of a panic attack. Never breaking the groove, never killing the energy, never stopping the mosh pit. The audience earns a brief moment of quiet melodic respite before a thundering finale, and the endless phantom ring in your ears serves as the band’s only encore.

Discography:
2024 – Goon (LP)
2023 – Shattered Glass (single)
2022 – Walk Like An Egyptian (single)
2022 – Ivy Gardens (EP)
2021 – Stonaire (single)
2021 – Another Blood (single)
2020 – About You (single)

0 EPK – Jupiter Hollow – Cohesion (single) (2024)

February 2, 2024
by Asher
· EPKs · Jupiter Hollow

EPK – Jupiter Hollow – Cohesion (single) (2024)

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

Band: Jupiter Hollow
Release Date: February 2, 2024
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Tunecore

JupiterHollow.ca | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | Instagram

Spotify | Apple Music

“The fun part about releasing each song one by one is it leaves the fans not knowing what is coming next. Compared to our last single “Distant Shadow”, our new single “Cohesion” does a complete 180 on level of aggressiveness, however still touches elements of beauty throughout the piece. We wanted to have a song that is heavy-hitting, while also having very melodic sections that breakout into a sense of euphoria. The performance in the video was meant to portray the different emotions and struggles a person may endure when dealing with mental health, having music as an emotional escape.” – Jupiter Hollow

PROG Magazine Top #9 Unsigned band 2020

“If Jupiter Hollow are emblematic of the next generation of progressive metal bands, a bright tomorrow lies ahead. Hugely impressive.” – Prog Magazine.

“Comparisons to bands like Tool, Live, A Perfect Circle and Nine Inch Nails come easy and for good reason. This is the new generation of players who are putting their spin on all things progressive, industrial and synthy. The grandsons of Genesis and Yes, this is progressive rock for the youth of today who find the originators a bit to baroque for their tastes… Their sound is built to appeal to fans of so many genres and preferences it should be a slam dunk.” – Skulls n’ Bones

“JUPITER HOLLOW just produced the best prog metal album of all time this year, condensing, mixing and forging a hot musical steel here.” – Prog Archives

“Each track displays plenty of musicianship from this young duo, with vocals continuing to strengthen and songwriting solidifying.” – Heavy Music Headquarters

“A young Canadian duo ready to bring fans of complex music a spacey, experimental and refreshing experience… bursting with high-quality heaviness and progressiveness.” – The Headbanging Moose

[Download Single Cover | Download Single Lyrics]

Band: Jupiter Hollow
Release Date: February 2, 2024
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Tunecore

Single Credits:
All parts written and performed by Grant MacKenzie and Kenny Parry
Produced by Grant MacKenzie and Kenny Parry
Mixed by Zane Hawley of Shadow Studio Canada
Mastered by Joao Carvalho of Joao Carvalho Mastering
Single Artwork by Studio 204 Limited
Members of SOCAN
Music is Canadian Content

Single Recording Band Lineup:
Kenny Parry (drums, vocals, lyrics, synth)
Grant MacKenzie (guitar & bass)

Live Band Lineup:
Kenny Parry (vocals)
Grant MacKenzie (guitar)
John-Ryan Godfrey (Bass)
Nathaniel Reynolds-Welsh (Drums)

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

Fun Facts – Story Angles:

1. We had our income confiscated at a show in Quebec by the local police and our performance was cut short due to the venue being illegal.

2. All official album drums are tracked in one take for each song and completely unedited, all recorded for video proof.

3. Our live performances feature focus-diverting visuals and conceptual and captivating costuming by vocalist Kenny Parry.

Toronto, Canada’s Jupiter Hollow takes music to a whole new level. Led by the fearless Grant MacKenzie and Kenny Parry, this powerhouse duo and live quartet featuring John Ryan Godfrey and Nathaniel Reynolds-Welsh have been making waves in Canada since 2015 with their unique brand of progressive rock/metal.

With thought-provoking lyrics, unique vocal melodies, harmonies, powerful guitar riffs, unyielded songwriting, and the duo’s incessant desire to bring fans on a journey, there’s always something new to explore. Thus far they have two full-length albums under their belts: 2020’s “Bereavement”, and 2018’s “AHDOMN”, and have another one in the works. Planning to release singles over the coming months, Jupiter Hollow takes their time to ensure a polished, impressive offerings song by song. The band just wants nothing more than to make their art and share the experience with as many people as they can.

Presenting their latest single, “Cohesion”, to follow their previous track “Distant Shadow”, this new song represents the relationship between an artist who wants nothing more than to have the freedom and the ability to express, share, and grow, but is trapped by the demands of survival in an oversaturated society incapable of supporting the true diversity of each individual.

Musically, “Cohesion” is a complete 180 on level of aggressiveness, however still touches elements of beauty throughout the piece. Jupiter Hollow wanted to have a song that is heavy-hitting, while also having very melodic sections that break out into a sense of euphoria. The performance in the accompanied music video was meant to portray the different emotions and struggles a person may endure when dealing with mental health, having music as an emotional escape.

“Most of us are struggling out there in some way, and a lot of us are on the verge of giving up on everything because we don’t have the life we dream of, constantly reminded everywhere we go by someone who is succeeding while we struggle to survive. So whether you’re an artist, a mechanic, a doctor, or just a single mother or father with barely enough time for their family, let alone themselves, everyone deals with darkness in their life at some point. This song is a reminder that no matter what may get in the way, never lose focus on what makes you be yourself, and never give up on what gives you joy.” adds vocalist Kenny Parry.

Watch and listen to the music video for “Cohesion” at https://youtu.be/7tbnhxuCD-c

Digital – Spotify, Apple Music

Explorative, and intriguing, Jupiter Hollow continues to push the limits of progressive rock and metal and is recommended for fans of Porcupine Tree, Coheed, and Cambria, Rush, and Protest The Hero.

Artist Endorsements: Ernie Ball, Ernie Ball Music Man, JH Audio

Discography:
2023 – Distant Shadow (single)
2020 – Bereavement – LP
2018 – Ahdomn – LP

Shared Stage with:
Protest the Hero, Bearings, Texas King, Hawking, I See Aura, Taking Balfour, Sky Caught Fire, Glass Lung, Chasing Shadows, Dizzy Mystics, Young Critters, We Are Human

Tours and Festivals:
2022 – Ontario CAN Headline Tour
2022 – GAINFEST – Guelph, ON
2021 – Kronik Kristmas Fest – Guelph, ON
2020-2021 – Bereavement Live-Stream Tour
2019 – Kronik Fest – Guelph, ON
2018-2019 – Ahdomn Tour
2018 – Kronik Kristmas Fest – Guelph, ON

0 EPK – Blood Opera – Songs in the Key of Death (2024)

January 30, 2024
by Asher
· Blood Opera · EPKs

EPK – Blood Opera – Songs in the Key of Death (2024)

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

“Hell is full. The dead are alive. Unlock humanity’s survival from the zombie apocalypse with Blood Opera’s “Songs in the Key of Death”! We are very proud to present our brand of “dead metal” with special musical and horror guests. We poured our love of all things horror into these songs. This album was made possible by the delicious humans who made it possible with their donations and pre-orders to our crowdfund campaign. We hope you feast on it in full as we feast on your flesh.” – Blood Opera

For fans GWAR, Dokken, WASP, Ghost, Mudvayne

Band: Blood Opera
Album Title: Songs in the Key of Death
Release Date: February 24, 2024
Label: Self-Release

Bloodopera.ca | Facebook.com/bloodoperainc | Instagram.com/bloodoperainc | Youtube.com/@bloodopera5933

Spotify | Bloodopera.bandcamp.com

“Toronto’s very own, Blood Opera primed the audience for the forthcoming onslaught…Blood Opera, local purveyors of the horror business, celebrating debauchery by toasting the crowd with a ceremonious Blood Chug!” – John Gallant (Live in Limbo)

“Blood Opera’s new single, “Be My Victim,” is a serious rock n’ roll homage to many aspects of the original Candyman film, including the nostalgia of playing scary childhood games, and the fear of losing complete control.” – Rue Morgue

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Booklet – Lyrics]

Band: Blood Opera
Album Title: Songs in the Key of Death
Release Date: February 24, 2024
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Just Keep Digging (1:04)
2. Feeding Frenzy (3:49) ft. guest vocals Morgan Lander (Kittie) and voice-over by Linnea Quigley (The Return of the Living Dead)
3. Don’t Go Out Tonight (3:06)
4. Fight to Survive (3:53) ft. voice-over by Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes, X-Files, Star-Trek)
5. A Waste of Good Suffering (3:55)
6. The Gates of Hell ft. guest keyboards Maurizio Guarini (Goblin) (4:51)
7. Breaking News (0:58)
8. Killer Klowns From Outer Space (Cover) (4:19)
9. The Ballad of Father Malone (4:11) ft. voice-over by Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog, Escape From New York)
10. Brundlefly (4:34)
11. Damien (5:11)
12. Be My Victim ft. voice-over by Tony Todd (Candyman) (Bonus Track) (3:59)
13. The Band of the Living Dead (0:30)
14. The Key of Death (0:43)
Album Length: 45:09

Album Credits:
– All songs performed by Blood Opera
– All songs written by Blood Opera, except Killer Klowns From Outer Space (cover from The Dickies, written by Leonard Graves Phillips) and Be My Victim (Jordan Foote/Scott Middleton)
– Produced by Blood Opera, except for Be My Victim produced by Scott Middleton (ex-Cancer Bats)
– Mixed and mastered by Nick Ginn (Schoolhouse Studios)
– Album artwork by Carlos Jacome (Creatus Artworks)
– MAPL – Canadian Content, except Killer Klowns From Outer Space (US)

Album/ Live lineup:
Max Murder – Lead Vocals
RIP Junk – Guitar, Back Up Vocals
Damien Deathgasm – Bass, Back Up Vocals
Muerto McBrains – Drums, Synth/FX Programming

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About The Album Artwork:

An evil, ominous aura basks an undead pianist, who plays Songs in the Key of Death. As his ghoulish face turns to the viewer, blood flows from the keys.

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

Legend has it that the world’s most gruesome heavy metal band Blood Opera died while making their debut album. A couple of dudes attempt to dig up the bodies which are said to have the only copy of the album. They unwittingly unleash the ghouls, setting off the zombie apocalypse. The songs have grooves, badass riffs, eerie synths, and big choruses and are about our beloved horror films. A news report breaks up the album, detailing the zombie carnage that has run rampant. As the album ends, the listener is told how The Band of the Living Dead will return, and how with this CD, they possess the first key to humanity’s survival.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

2. Feeding Frenzy: A Twin Peaks-inspired keyboard intro provides the backdrop to the grave-robbing narration. The song then launches into a fast and heavy rocker, inspired by Return of the Living Dead. The songs feature Kittie vocalist Morgan Lander and actress Linnea Quigley.

3. Don’t Go Out Tonight: Based on the film Maniac, this drop d tuned chugger is short and straight to the point but keeps the energy flowing.

4. Fight to Survive: A film reel begins spinning as a drum intro launches into this 80’s hair metal track based on The Hills Have Eyes. Featuring actor Michael Berryman.

5. A Waste of Good Suffering: An Iron Maiden-style galloper based on the film Hellraiser, featuring a memorable guitar harmony and groovy bass solo.

6. The Gates of Hell: inspired by the cult film of the same name. Another heavy track brings in more modern influences and progressions. Features guest keyboard work by Goblin’s Maurizio Guarini.

8. Killer Klowns From Outer Space: This is a cover of The DIckies song from the film of the same name. It features guest keyboard work by the composer of the OST John Massari.

9. The Ballad of Father Malone: This Black Sabbath doomy track features actress Adrienne Barbeau and is based on the film The Fog.

10. Brundlefly: A snippet featuring our late drummer Dick Demons drum solo then launches into a sci-fi punk/metal hybrid track based on The Fly.

11. Damien: A Satanic, gregorian style operatic intro summons a heavy demonic track based on The Omen.

12. Be My Victim: This bonus track was our single from 2022 and features actor Tony Todd and is based on the film Candyman. It was produced by Scott Middleton (ex-Cancer Bats). As it is an older song it features a couple members no longer in the band but as it is an important song for us we wanted to include it. Fans of Ghost will dig this keyboard and chorus-driven rocker.

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Fun Facts – Story Angles:

1. The album is meant to be listened to in full as it contains a storyline and song-to-song transitions.

2. Features Kittie’s Morgan Lander, Killer Klowns From Outer Space OST composer John Massari, Goblin’s Maurizio Guarini and actors Linnea Quigley, Tony Todd, Adrienne Barbeau and Michael Berryman.

3. Officially endorsed by zombie godfather George A. Romero

4. Officially approved by GWAR to be their direct support for their latest Toronto show in October 2023 as touring mates X-Cops could not get through the Canadian border.

5. All zombie prosthetics are made by vocalist Max Murder.

Top L-R – RIP Junk (Guitar, Vocals), Damien Deathgasm (Bass, Vocals)

Bottom L-R – Max Murder (Lead Vocals), Muerto McBrains (Drums, Programming)

Photographer Credit – Craig Leonard (Billy Bones)

They were born in blood, conceived in Hell, and reanimated by accident! Bent on cannibalizing the entire human race, Blood Opera have already infected whole populations with their raunchy and often controversial live displays of violence, gore and perverse sexual acts! Having feasted on human flesh with bands such as GWAR and being endorsed by the zombie Godfather himself, George A. Romero, these purveyors of so-called “Dead Metal” have quickly become Canada’s number one horror metal act. With powerful operatic vocals, sleazy guitar riffs, and blasphemous lyrics inspired by some of the scariest movies ever made, one thing is for sure- if the gates of Hell are left open, it could mean the end of all humanity!

Discography:
2024 – Songs in the Key of Death – LP
2022 – Be My Victim (single)
2019 – Blood Opera – EP

Shared Stage with:
GWAR, BA Johnston, Night Chill, Thunderor. Official after party band of the “It’s Alive!” Kirk Hammet ROM exhibit and the horror conventions Frightmare in the Falls, Shock Stock, Horror Rama

0 EPK – Cell Press – Cages (2024) (The Ghost Is Clear Records)(Ancient Temple Recordings)(No List Records)

January 23, 2024
by Asher
· Cell Press · EPKs

EPK – Cell Press – Cages (2024) (The Ghost Is Clear Records)(Ancient Temple Recordings)(No List Records)

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

“We think (and hope) that folks who enjoyed our first EP will be pleased with this offering and the next evolution of our sound and auditory trajectory. We are trying to offer a full-length album with no filler from start to end and are appealing to our listeners to embrace an almost passe era where bands present collections of songs that are meant to be listened to altogether and that fit and tell a complete story, with each song being individual chapters to that story.” – Cell Press

For fans of KEN Mode, Unsane, Keelhaul, Burnt By The Sun, Yautja

Band: Cell Press
Album Title: Cages
Release Date: March 8, 2024
Label: The Ghost Is Clear Records (Vinyl), Ancient Temple Recordings (Vinyl), No List Records (Cassette)
Distribution: Distro Kid

Facebook.com/cellpressmtl | Instagram.com/celllpresss | Twitter.com/celllpresss

https://linktr.ee/cellpress | Cellpress.bandcamp.com | Spotify

Canadian Campus Radio Charts – The National Top 50 – #34 – Cell Press (Earshot) – For the Week Ending: Tuesday, March 19, 2024
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Canadian Campus Radio Charts – The National Loud Chart – #3 Cell Press (Earshot) – For the Week Ending: Tuesday, March 19, 2024

“An album that prides itself on being an old school sludge-fest and manages to deliver the goods from start to finish, Cages finds one of Montreal’s best live acts in fine form. With blistering riffs, gut-wrenching vocals and a few unexpected twists, Cages captures Cell Press at their height, the ultimate sludge metal experience that captures their on-stage fury… Cages is a no bullshit record, an exciting new chapter in the story of Cell Press that promises a bevy of possible avenues. Sludge rarely sounds so invigorating.” – Exclaim!

“Are you looking for the perfect soundtrack for a grueling weightlifting session on Doomsday? Well, look no further, as Montréal’s Cell Press concocts an edgy-yet-sophisticated ooze of jazzy punk, grindcore, noise rock, and sludge on the debut LP Cages, that’ll have your muscles burning hotter than the world around you.” – Pan M 360

“The song (Original Uranium Baby) is indeed a hook monster that will get your muscles jumping, but the hooks are mangled and the beats don’t consistently follow a straight line. It sounds stripped-down, as lots of catchy music often does, but it mutates as it goes. There’s a heavy throbbing and punching quality to the bass lines, and the riffing seems to blare, quiver, and lurch in differing phases of derangement, while the drumming comes off-kilter just enough to enhance the song’s bamboozling qualities, and the swift fills add to its electric effects. As the music works its odd magic, and begins to seem like a big ugly bulldozer out of control, a voice howls and screams in a throat-shredding combination of fury and madness.” – No Clean Singing

“An abrasive set of songs, Cages is a brutal listen which musically leans more on influences from the rougher side of the hardcore and metal worlds. Tracks like “Dark Side of the North” and “Recoil (A Collective Behaviour of Violence) tackle subjects like the lack of clean drinking water in the Northern Communities of Canada (the former) and gun control / American Mass Murder (the latter). Unsurprisingly, this raw, honest, ugly look at life, is sonically matched by a soundtrack that is equally as harsh.” – V13

“‘Kissed by a Morose on Mont Royal’ is a banger.” – Overtone Magazine

“Cages is nothing if not pure sonic chaos distilled into a surprisingly palatable if not refreshing listening experience. It opens with “Adult Baptisms” and hits you with as much force as the cops taking an Enforcer to the door of the wrong person’s apartment, knocking out at least two of your teeth and bruising your sternum. A blistering meditation on the zealous way some people buy into the lies sold by the media to influence our thoughts and opinions, it perfectly encapsulates what it feels like to be constantly tasked to dig through the mud to find the truth and then to fight for your life to defend it. In short, for an opening track, this one is absolutely brutal.” – Noob Heavy

“These guys promised good things on their debut EP and “Cages” sees them following through in workmanlike style. A band that fans of EYEHATEGOD and CHERUBS both can appreciate.” – Wormwood Chronicles

“a muscular nine-song full-length titled Cages. Drawing on a gnarly mix of metal, hardcore, and sludge” – Some Party

“The head f*** that is “Blue Royale” is a backwards tune with a sample that might make you feel like your brain is about to implode but feels in keeping with the straight jacket wearing patient depicted by Sean Arsenian in the cover art. They say that art reflects life and that’s perfectly true with this… Mark McGee saves his finest kit performance until the albums grand finale with “Things They Do in France“, a song about love lost and how good it could have been if it wasn’t so toxic to which we can all relate. Playing with textures and tempos, this one twists and contorts with alarming regularity before the downtempo finish which can only be described as a Chef’s Kiss moment. Heed the warning. Cell Press have something to say. – Metal Noise

What the press has said about Cell Press’ 2020 Self-Titled EP:

“From the grooves on “Piss Police” to the odd-timed melodic chords of “Blacked Out in Verdun,” everything moves in unexpected ways. All of this is perfectly set to the backdrop of PQ’s uniquely cackled screams… Cell Press is a great sludge metal EP that reminds the listener of the best aspects of this sub-genre. This EP makes the future appear bright for what is to come from this band. 8/10″ – Exclaim!

“You know that feeling, when you spin a new record for the first time and it just fucking destroys you? Well today I am happy to report, Cell Press outta Montreal have truly delivered the goods with their debut self titled EP. I mean fuck, is it any wonder this band rules, when they can boast members from the likes of The Great Sabatini, Biipiigwan, I Hate Sally, Architect. With their self-titled release, Cell Press give zero fucks about accessibility, instead they focus on delivering punishing aggression with a melting pot of sludge metal, noise rock, and grindcore.” – The Sludgelord

“a perfect showcase of their unique sound and style and leaves you wanting to hear more from the band. Their total disregard for the limitations of genres and boundaries results in the EP blending noise, grindcore, sludge, punk, groove and dark ambient among other influences. They perfectly blend raw aggression with groove and melody and aren’t afraid to shift gears to play with ambience and noise.” – Cave Dweller Music

“Warm fuzzy guitar tones bring a touch of the Sabbath to “Piss Police” with broken chords and momentary pauses giving the kind of sound that Raging Speedhorn look for to accompany the rampant venting screams of the vocals that unapologetically roar along during the montage.” – Metal Noise

“Cell Press’s debut self titled EP is definitely an interesting listen. I didn’t expect it to take me on the journey which it did. An aggressive sound runs throughout showing that this band don’t play by the rules, they’re making music the way they want to.” – The Independent Voice

“Noisy and enjoyable, I give this Cell Press effort high marks. I am a Punk fan from the beginning, and I hear those roots here, certainly in the attitude, even if the category is technically off. The disenfranchisement is very appealing. Recommended.” – Flying Fiddle Sticks

Canadian College Radio Loud Charts for – Cell Press – Self-Titled (EP) (2020) :

#1 – National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, February 2, 2021 (Earshot)

#3 – January 2021 – Top 20 Loud – National Loud Chart (Earshot)

#6 – National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 (Earshot)

#1 – National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, January 19, 2021 (Earshot)

#1 – National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 (Earshot)

#5 – December 2020 – Top 20 Loud – National Loud Chart (Earshot)

#2 – National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, December 15, 2020 (Earshot)

#3 – National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, December 8, 2020 (Earshot)

#10 – National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, November 10, 2020 (Earshot)

Track Listing:
1. Adult Baptisms (3:12)
2. Kissed by a Morose on Mont Royal (3:14)
3. Original Uranium Baby (2:48)
4. Dark Side of the North (4:02)
5. JOI to the World (4:01)
6. Disco Naps on the Devil’s Bedpost – (4:08)
7. Blue Royale – (3:31)
8. Recoil (A Collective Behaviour of Violence) – (3:51)
9. Things They Do in France – (4:35)
Album Length: 33:22

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Cell Press
• All songs written by: Cell Press
• Engineered by: Sean Pearson (Cursed, Shallow ND, Fiftywatthead) @ Boxcar Sound Recording
• Additional guitars tracked at Unfamous Audio; engineered by Paul Edwards
• Mixed by: Scott Evans (Kowloon Walled City, Town Portal, Great Falls) @ Antisleep Audio
• Mastered by: Carl Saff (Ken Mode, Blacklisters, Fu Manchu, Childbite) @ Saff Mastering
• Album Artwork by: Wurmzilla
• Music is Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album Band Line Up:
PQ – Vocals
Sean Arsenian – Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Mark McGee – Drums

Live Band Line Up:
PQ – Vocals
Sean Arsenian – Guitar, Vocals
Mark McGee – Drums
Tristan Dorrington-Meehan – Bass

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About The Album Artwork:

The cover art is a painting made by guitarist Sean (aka Wurmzilla) depicting an inpatient in a psychiatric ward. The style of the rendering is attempting to express the fragility and mania of the person, and some of the ideas in the songs.

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

Cages as a whole album is a collection of songs with different themes and vibes. Written over the span of two years (2021-2022) when the world was changing rapidly as was our personal lives. Certain peaks and valleys through those years influenced the songs and the songwriting. Cages is an angry, gritty unapologetic look at the world through our eyes and expressed through our voices and instrumentation for your ears.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Adult Baptisms – Questioning modern media and misinformation in a world in which a tsunami of news and information bombards us every waking hour. What is real and what is not? Adult Baptisms would refer to people developing a religious fervor and cult-like view based on lies influenced by the opinion of a news corporation or the editorial take of a media personality.

Kissed by a Morose on Mont Royal – Opining on the contagiousness of mood and depression and the cloudiness of perception when in such a state.

Original Uranium Baby- A dystopian tale set in the town of Elliot Lake, Ontario in the year 2088.

Dark Side of the North- Expressing fury over the lack of clean drinking water for the northern communities in Canada which has been promised and then ignored over several election cycles and calling for change now.

JOI to the World is a song about hopelessness and the acceptance that things will never get better.

Disco Naps on the Devil’s Bedpost- a song about addiction and pushing the line of consumption more and more. Testing and tempting death by sticking one’s finger right in its face, daring it to make the move.

Recoil (A Collective Behaviour of Violence)- Exploring and questioning American-made mass murder and gun culture, broken promises by politicians, and the willful blindness and gross ignorance of 2A advocates and political lobbyists.

Things they do in France – A song about lost love and what could have been had it not been so toxic.

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Fun Facts:

The members of the band have individually recorded at Boxcar Sound Recording in Hamilton, Ontario with sound engineer Sean Pearson a combined total of one dozen times between this band and their other projects (The Great Sabatini, Swarm of Spheres & Cruickshank).

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Cell Press is a Montreal-based band that formed in 2019. They play a sort of burly noise-rock that leans more on the hardcore and metal side of the swamp. They took their name from the 2001 Russian prison documentary “The Mark Of Cain”. The brutal humanity of that film is reflected in the music… on the surface, it’s raw and punishing, but there are complexities and nuances revealed once the surface noise has been embraced. Members have played in a myriad of punk, metal, and hardcore bands such as The Great Sabatini, Biipiigwan, I Hate Sally, The Chariot, Animal Ethics, Architect, Swarm Of Spheres, and Angles. Cages is their first full-length album, recorded at Boxcar Sound Recording in Hamilton, ON, and due out in early 2024.

“We are very happy to announce our first full-length album “Cages”. This album has been in the works for the last three years, taking two years to write and one year to record, mix, master, and find the right partners to work with on the release. This album jumps all over the place thematically from demanding clean drinking water for the people in the northern communities in Canada to dystopian fiction in which the radioactive bones of the dead are used as currency, to addressing the current state of “truth” and what we consume as information on a daily basis and how it has been dividing society to the point that it is almost reminiscent of a holy war with men and political affiliations taking the place of gods.

Despite this diversity in lyrical themes throughout the album, the music pulls it all together from start to finish with relentlessly punishing guitars and drums. The aesthetic of our cover art is once again designed and painted by our guitar player, Sean Arsenian (aka Wurmzilla) who has a real knack for visualizing what the music on our album would look like translated into art. We are very proud of this album and are looking very forward to releasing it to your ears!”

Discography:
2024 – Cages – LP
2021 – Split LP w/ Anthesis, Botfly, Greber & Clouds Become Oceans
2020 – Self-titled- EP

Shared Stage with: Greber, Ken Mode, Frail Body, Diner Drugs, Fuck the Facts. Glowing Orb, Skumstrike

0 EPK – Metro Society – The London Conspiracy Chapter I 1898 (2024)

January 18, 2024
by Asher
· EPKs · Metro Society

EPK – Metro Society – The London Conspiracy Chapter I 1898 (2024)

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

For fans of Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, Threshold, OSI, Pain of Salvation

“We feel that fans who have been following the band over the years are in for a treat. The production and songwriting have taken a big step forward in overall quality and there is a dark storyline involved that we think listeners are going to want to know “What happens next?” after each song. Each member of the band has moments throughout the songs that are rooted in the Progressive Rock / Metal style and really showcase what the band is capable of on their respective instruments/talents. Guitarist Chris Mangold has some amazing lead guitar work in the songs “City Streets” and “Society” for example. Vocalist George Margaritopoulos gives an impressive vocal performance throughout the album that showcases his dynamic range of vocal styles. The rhythm section consisting of drummer Will Mangold and bassist Ian Ringler provides a thunderous and intricate backdrop that drives each song forward while not skipping out on complex technical nuances.

We are going for the full album front-to-back listening experience with this album. This is a story-based album that we are hoping listeners will dive into the full album experience. The songs are really meant to be listened to together as a whole, however, we also feel that any of the individual songs could be listened to on their own and still tell their own story. Hopefully, after listeners hear one or two songs they’ll want to jump into the full album to hear the rest.” – Metro Society

Band: Metro Society
Album Title: The London Conspiracy Chapter I 1898
Release Date – March 1, 2024
Label: Metro Society Records
Distribution: Distrokid

Metrosociety.net | Facebook.com/MetroSocietyBand | Metrosociety.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

“”Pieces of the Past: It’s the epic track on the record and ranges from up-tempo heavy hitting to progressively synced parts and superb lead vocals and vocal harmonies.” – Sonic Perspectives

“an ambitious album and Metro Society have some hits (the vocal lines on “Underground” for one)…The London Conspiracy Chapter I 1898 is an enjoyable album,” – The Metal Crypt

““The London Conspiracy Chapter I 1898” is a captivating album that is convincing both musically and conceptually. Metro Society proves to be a talented band that knows how to bring a story to life through their music. Fans of progressive rock and metal should definitely keep this album in mind and embark on a thrilling journey to Victorian London.” – BetreutesProggen.de

“a captivating second album that explores the darker side of London’s history.” – Maximum Volume Music

““Inferno” closes the album, and it wraps up the tale with an edge in the vocals and music. The bassist and guitarist exchange leading parts in the vein of RUSH, and it is here that you can really take in their musicianship…. They tell the tale with enthusiasm, energy, and spirit.” – Metal Temple

“Musically, The London Conspiracy Chapter I 1898 is very reminiscent of similar ones like 2112 by Rush or Metropolis Part 2 by Dream Theater, or Ziltoid the Omniscient by Devin Townsend. So, if you’re a fan of them, have a listen. I know I’m looking forward to chapter II.” – DPRP.net

“After the intro ‘London 1898’, which incorporates the distinctive ringing of Big Ben, each number lasts between five and ten minutes, giving enough time to unfold and give listeners the opportunity to adjust to the atmosphere. But the band lets it rip on the metallic ‘Lost Souls’, and it’s not just on this track that the rhythm section’s class proves itself. The most melodically interesting piece is ‘Pieces Of The Past’, which switches between metallic, poppy and dark passages with considerable ease and also features a clean guitar solo. The pretty instrumental ‘Society’ could be a bit nostalgic for the prog fan, as it reminds a little of the early phase of DREAM THEATER, when the men around John Petrucci were able to do something like that quite effortlessly.” – PowerMetal.de

“You can be sure to get some heavy riffing, I tell you that. The first part of ”Pieces Of The Past” for example, has Chris Mangold pretty wild at the strings. In the more commercial moments, I actually think of Kansas and some of their ex-vocalist Steve Walsh’s solo works. Margaritopoulos is a quite good vocalist. In the higher range he impresses the most, especially when he manages to keep the voice fairly clean.” – Melodic.net

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: Metro Society
Album Title: The London Conspiracy Chapter I 1898
Release Date – March 1, 2024
Label: Metro Society Records
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:
1. London 1898 – 2:59
2. City Streets – 7:34
3. Lost Souls – 6:29
4. Pieces of the Past – 9:25
5. Society – 6:37
6. Underground – 5:33
7. Inferno – 7:23
Album Length: 46:02

Album Credits:
Album Recording Credits: Chris Mangold, Ian Ringler, Will Mangold, George Margaritopoulos
All songs written by: Chris Mangold, Ian Ringler, Will Mangold
Produced by: Chris Mangold, Ian Ringler, Will Mangold
Mixed and mastered by: Rob Murray and Kyle from Wilderfox Studio, Vermont
Album artwork by: Harley Velasquez at Infinity NucleartStudio

Album Band Line Up:
Chris Mangold – Guitars / Keys
Ian Ringler – Bass
Will Mangold – Drums
George Margaritopoulos – Vocalist

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About The Album Artwork:

Late 19th century Victorian London. A mix of intrigue, mystery, Old London cityscapes, conveying the investigative story of a Detective in 1898 London.

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

This album is based on a conceptual story written by Chris Mangold and Ian Ringler. The music and lyrics are formed around the dynamics of the storyline. The main theme running through the album and lyrics is the following: There is a very thin line that separates the thirst for knowledge and the addiction of obsession.

Story setting:

Set in the city of London during the year 1898, a new century approaches as the Victorian age draws to an end. It has been ten years since the horrific murders of Jack the Ripper gripped the city in fear. The darkness of those gruesome events still casts a grim shadow over the city and its citizens. An up-and-coming detective is thrown into a murder mystery involving the suspicious death of his former mentor the now-retired Metropolitan Police Commissioner. The Detective has vowed to solve this case and begins to discover far more than he ever imagined. Clues and raised suspicions all lead to a twisted tale of betrayal, secret societies, and murder all seemingly linking back to the Ripper. Will the Detective uncover the long-hidden secrets of London’s sorted past or will he become a victim of his own unrelenting obsession?

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. London 1898 (Instrumental)
– This song is a shorter instrumental track that is meant to place the listener into the setting of the story which is the city of London in the year 1898.

2. City Streets
– This song is the first song on the album with lyrics. This is a Prog rocker with driving guitars and catchy melodic vocals.

3. Lost Souls
– This song features heavy crunchy guitar riffs with heavy-hitting drums. The song transitions from the heavy into sober moments then back.

4. Pieces of the Past
– This is the epic of the album. This song ranges from up-tempo heavy hitting to Progressively synced parts and incredible lead vocals and vocal harmonies.

5. Society (Instrumental)
– This is the 2nd instrumental song on the album. This is a heavy heavy-hitting Prog Metal song with many guitar riffs and intricate drum and bass work, this also features an extended guitar solo from guitarist Chris Mangold.

6. Underground
– This song takes on perhaps the most unique sounds recorded for the album. The tone of the instruments and lyrics are very much reflective of the underground tunnel-like setting of the storyline. Lots of layered dark keyboard work from Chris Mangold and the chime/crunch tones from bassist Ian Ringler’s 12 String Bass work.

7. Inferno
– This is the heavy hitter’s final song on the album. Lots of heavy guitar and drum work on this song along with heavy melodic vocals.

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Fun Facts – Story Angles:

1. Chris Mangold initially recorded guitars to click tracks to get the vibe down for the feel and flow of the tracks for London. This did cover a longer span of time than normal; 2019 until 2023. We came up with 115+ minutes of music, so we are going to carve that up and do 2 releases for the London album in 2 chapters. When we were tracking the main elements for Chapter I, Chris would share this to see what the guys thought. If I got riffs and verses stuck in my head, I knew those were it. All the music was inspired by the London story. Would constantly envision the story in the feel of the songs. Some themes were captured on acoustic initially and then transcribed over to electric guitar. With the exception of tracks Society and Underground, most of the songs were guitar-driven. Recording did take longer; band members were across multiple states, and George was overseas. All music was tracked and recorded through ProTools pulling in tracks and sessions over online share drives. Needed to pull them down. Guitars and Keys were recorded in Missouri, Drums recorded in Montana, Bass in Colorado, and George’s vocals from his studio in Europe. Brought that all together in ProTools later to be mixed/mastered online. A true product of the digital age.

2. One special track is Underground. If you know Metro Society, the underlying theme is based on the Metro train systems of the world, influencing story and emotion into the music. Paris album was based in 1996 around the Metro system, while London is based in 1898 and shrouded in mystery encapsulating the origin of the London subway system post Jack the Ripper murders. The underground track was based on a keyboard idea Ian Ringler came up with. Chris Mangold took that idea and wove that very small idea into a dark flowing track. It’s a song of transition, unknown, and the pathway for the Detective to venture to the next place and phase of his investigation. It’s amazing when a small sequence of sound unfolds into various parts, connected to form a whole, layered into a complete song. The sound of the track was inspired by some of Queensryche’s darker tracks from Rage for Order and from the track Pulse by the band Wolverine.

3. Bit of a story and concept around the track Society, from the London album. An idea that we had was to have an instrumental track on each album. The track, Metro, was on A Journey in Paris emphasizing the sounds and darkness of the Paris metro. For London, we came up with the idea of Society. When you listen to them back to back, you’ll notice some riffing carried over. Chris Mangold was inspired by the motion and sound of the Metro subway cruising down the tracks. Gives it that driving fast-moving riffs to give the listener that feeling we were after. We will see what the future holds, but we have done a storyboard idea for a future album based on New York and was potentially having an epic instrumental track called, Metro Society.

4. What has been amazing is the collaboration between Ian and Chris when it comes to various song structures and ideas. Chris has a tendency to come up with endless riffs where we usually have more than needed, and Ian has an uncanny way of reducing or expanding sections to give them better flow. We bounce off of each other, talking about song structure and how it applies to the story. We keep things free-flowing for the most part, but because we are not 100% married to some of the parts, we can rearrange when needed. Creating a story, sprawling concept album helps with creating songs. The songwriter needs to have an idea in mind beyond coming up with a melody or a jam section. The story and concept drive the making of the song and truly inspire the emotion we are shooting for. Yes, we are truly engrained and focused on more complex progressive appealing tracks, but having enough structure that still keeps the element of a song.

5. Something we were striving for on the London album was the feel. When someone thinks of British music, we incorporate that rock and the swagger. That driving, flowing, and pumping feeling. What Chris Mangold took into account when coming up with the main riffs of City Streets, Lost Souls. England has come out with endless music gems and when you pluck out that driving feeling from Billy Idol, Porcupine Tree, The Beatles, Def Leopard, Threshold, and Rolling Stones you get a plethora of ideas to work with. Chris Mangold, inspired by the Deadwing album by Porcupine Tree, truly inspired the track City Streets. Listen carefully and you’ll get it. Check out, Pieces of the Past, and there are sections in there inspired by bands The Who and Boston (okay, not British but damn good) and many other great bands. Inspiration comes from the story, the bands we know and love, and what album you’re working to achieve. Mold these varying styles into a genre such as progressive metal and you end up with quite the song you were hoping for. Trust the process!

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

Metro Society, the brainchild of guitarist/songwriter Chris Mangold and bassist Ian Ringler (MAGNITUDE 9 / PSYCO DRAMA), is set to send shivers down the spines of progressive rock/metal enthusiasts.

“The London Conspiracy Chapter I 1898” revolves around a gripping story penned by Chris Mangold and Ian Ringler, exploring the thin line between the thirst for knowledge and the addictions of obsession. Set against the backdrop of London in 1898, the Victorian age draws to a close, but the horrors of Jack the Ripper’s murders continue to cast a grim shadow over the city.

The album features an exceptional lineup of musicians, including vocals from George Margaritopoulos (WARDRUM) and Will Mangold, Chris’ father who contributed his talent to the drum tracks. The final recording, production, and mixing was a joint effort between the band and Rob Murray and Kyle from Wilderfox Studio. It is recommended for fans of Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, and Threshold.

“The London Conspiracy Chapter I 1898” is due out on March 1, 2024, via the band’s own label Metro Society Records.

Album Band Line Up:
Chris Mangold – Guitars / Keys
Ian Ringler – Bass
Will Mangold – Drums
George Margaritopoulos – Vocalist

Discography:
2024 – The London Conspiracy Chapter I 1898
2007 – A Journey in Paris

0 EPK – Confined To Oblivion – “Les Étoiles Filantes” (Les Cowboys Fringants) (cover single) (2024)

January 15, 2024
by Asher
· Confined To Oblivion · EPKs

EPK – Confined To Oblivion – “Les Étoiles Filantes” (Les Cowboys Fringants) (cover single) (2024)

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

“For this song, we wanted to emphasize the catchy melody of the original by Les Cowboys Fringants. Starting with a tribute to the song, taking liberties by adding a modern breakdown, and concluding with an epic build-up. We tried to bring an epic and heavy version of a classic Quebec song. The same singalong choruses but we added a renewed energy that’s perfect for a metal Saint Jean Baptiste party.” – Confined To Oblivion

For fans of In Flames, As I lay Dying, The Agonist, Arch Enemy, Parkway Drive

Facebook.com/confinedtooblivion | Twitter.com/forgottencto | Youtube.com/c/ConfinedtoOblivion | Instagram.com/confinedtooblivion

Confinedtooblivion.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

“Confined To Oblivion has everything to be serious. Resumption is only their first album, but it showcases every element of a mature band, which knows to melt its influences to create a vortex of heady intensity.” – Acta Infernalis

“c’est toujours de plus en plus lourd” – Ondes Chocs

“Heavy as fuck, catchy when it shouldn’t be, immense instrumentation and tons of energy, this is a very fine melodic death metal release.” – Games, Brrraaains & A Headbanging-Life

[Download Single Cover | Download Single Lyrics]

Band: Confined To Oblivion
Title: Les Étoiles Filantes – Cover from Les Cowboys Fringants
Release Date: 2024-01-12
Label: Self-Release
Single Length: 4min25

Credits:
• Song performed by: Confined To Oblivion
• Song written by: Les Cowboys Fringants
• Produced by: Antony Lepage
• Mixed and Master by Antony Lepage
• Artwork by Jean-Charles Carrère
• Socan FORTIN JEAN YANNICK SOCAN ID. 7640772 IPI No. 710206402
Line Up:
Jean-Charles Carrère – Vocals
Yannick Fortin – Lead Guitar
Simon Chenard – Rhythm Guitar
Antony Lepage – Bass

Originating in Montreal, Canada, Confined to Oblivion emerged onto the music scene in early 2015, drawing inspiration from Melodic Death Metal and Extreme Metal genres. Following the release of their debut EP, “The Cycle,” in 2016, the band returned to the studio in 2018 to craft their second EP, titled “When Did We Stop Listening?”

Confined to Oblivion actively toured and performed at numerous shows across Canada, sharing stages with notable bands such as Unearth, Darkest Hour, The Agonist, and Beyond Creation. The addition of their new vocalist, Jean-Charles Carrere, marked a shift towards a darker musical trajectory for the band. This transition involved the incorporation of more intricate compositions, along with the introduction of black, death, and progressive elements.

The culmination of this evolution is evident in their latest album, “Resumption” (2021), a product of two years of meaningful collaboration. The album, mixed and mastered by Henrik Udd (known for his work with Architects, Bring Me The Horizon, At The Gates), showcases the band’s commitment to pushing musical boundaries and exploring new dimensions in their sound.

FRENCH

Confined to Oblivion a débuté à Montréal en 2015, puisant son inspiration dans le Death Metal mélodique et le Metal extrème. Après la sortie de leur premier EP, “The Cycle”, en 2016, le groupe est retourné en studio en 2018 pour produire leur deuxième EP, intitulé “When Did We Stop Listening?”.

Le groupe a joué au Canada, partageant la scène avec des groupes comme Unearth, Darkest Hour, The Agonist et Beyond Creation.

Avec l’arrivée de leur nouveau chanteur, Jean-Charles Carrere, le groupe a emprunté un chemin musical plus sombre, créant des morceaux plus complexes et introduisant des éléments black, death et même progressifs dans leur composition.

Leur dernier album, “Resumption” (2021), mixé et masterisé par Henrik Udd (connu pour son travail avec Architects, Bring Me The Horizon, At The Gates), est le résultat de deux années de travail.

Shared Stage with: Unearth, Darkest Hour, The Agonist, and Beyond Creation

Festivals:
2019 – Farmfest, Vankleek Hill, ON
2019 – Breakdown Fest – Montreal, QC
2018 – Homefest – Saint Honoré, Qc
2017 – F*CK off fest – La Source de la Martinière, QC

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