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Category: EPKs

0 EPK – Vortex – The Future Remains In Oblivion (2023)

  • April 19, 2023
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Vortex

EPK – Vortex – The Future Remains In Oblivion (2023)

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

For fans of Shadow of Intent, Septicflesh, Dimmu Borgir, Fleshgod Apocalypse

“‘The Future remain in oblivion’ is a conceptual album and there is a build up in intensity and emotion that goes along with the story line and the lyrics as you go from the first song to the last one. Lighthouse, our previous album, was our first orchestral work and it was more on the ambient/dramatic side. The new album’s songs are still melodic and orchestral, but they are much more aggressive and some of them have a black metal influence. When writing, our goal was to keep an important melodic aspect while elevating the energy level with our live show in mind. A friend from a well-known metal band heard some of the songs and said they sounded like Dimmu Borgir with Suffocation riffs, I suppose it was a compliment. We feel the album is a good combination of aggression/melody, ugliness/beauty and will appeals to fans of Shadow of Intent, Septic Flesh, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Lorna Shore, and I suppose… Dimmu Borgir.” – Vortex

Album Title: The Future Remains In Oblivion
Release Date: June 9, 2023
Label: Self-Release

Vortex.band | Facebook.com/vortex.band.ca | Instagram.com/vortex.band.ca | Twitter.com/vortexband | Youtube.com/@VortexBand

Vortexband.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

Linktree – https://linktr.ee/vortexband

Canadian College Radio Charts
– August 2023 – top 20 loud – #14 Vortex (earshot)

“#8 on Top 10 Quebec Band 2023 Albums – The Future Remains In Oblivion delivers a solid punch with their intense and well-felt symphonic death metal and, with a quality product like this, they have nothing to envy of the big names in the genre.” – Thorium Mag

“The Future Remains in Oblivion is the collision zone between powdered wig classical and battle jacketed death metal that should hold appeal for fans of Fleshgod Apocalypse, Septicflesh and those who like their Suffocation mixed with Dimmu Borgir.” – Decibel Magazine

“The song’s (The Walls) multi-faceted nature is further revealed in harrowing and haughty growls, jolting chords, and fiery sunbursts of sound, as well as through a swirling melodic guitar solo that spectacularly sends the song into the stratosphere. The song’s finale is itself a full-power spectacle that really gets the adrenaline surging.” – No Clean Singing

“If there’s anything that Vortex nails, it’s drama. Album highlight and banger track “First Blood” is simply massive” – Angry Metal Guy

“For some music is pure escapism but does that still hold true when bands like Canadian Melodic Death Metal monster Vortex whisk the would be listener into a bleak world that is recovering from a devastating cataclysm? Scenes of war and survival are punctuated with harrowing strings, technical riffs, and guttural and Black Metal inspired vocals as the band weave cinematic stories and orchestral touches into their third concept album “The Future Remains In Oblivion”” – Metal Noise

“the title-track The Future Remains In Oblivion, a song that will blow your mind with its insane wall of sounds, background orchestrations, epic passages, striking riffs and solos, and visceral yet intricate drums, resulting in one of the most breathtaking moments of the entire album.” – The Headbanging Moose

“An excellent group that you must discover because of the intensity they are able to show” – Ondes Chocs

“After hearing their new material live November 2022, I was really looking forward to hearing the sequel and it may be darker than ever.” – Thorium Mag

“a band that takes great pride in weaving together cinematic stories set to orchestral melodic death metal. Canada’s very own Vortex is prepared to whisk you away to a bleak world that is recovering from a devastating cataclysm in the latest album, The Future Remains In Oblivion.” – Canadian Beats

“The Future Remains In Oblivion est un disque coloré, aux mélodies chaleureuses et aux superbes guitares.
“The Future Remains In Oblivion is a colorful record, with warm melodies and superb guitars.” – Music Waves

“The breakdowns are huge in places. There are big moments where the influences pour through, but are blended with giant choral arrangements and symphonics. It’s absolutely like something out of a Lord of the Rings movie. I love the melodies, the harmonics, and the guitar solos. This is absolutely an album which ought to be part of your listening rotation this month. I was genuinely impressed with quite a bit of the entire album. I think that when you look at this album, the absolute banger of the title tack is 100% worth several spins with the blackened guitar riffs and tremendous choral arrangements.” – Metal Epidemic

“The songs you’ll find on this upcoming release are aggressive, but Vortex also has a strong melodic approach and lots of orchestrations combined with guttural, black metal vocals and diverse guitar playing that alternates between howling snippets and beautiful, emotional riffs. Recommended for fans of Shadow of Intent, Septicflesh, and Dimmu Borgir.”  – RTMB Music

“Melodic death, a bit technical and prog” – Mosh Pit Radio WORT 89.9FM (Madison, WI)

“Easy comparisons can be made to Cattle Decapitation and Lorna Shore, the riffs are crushing, the vocals are brutal and the guitar solos are insane. What’s really making me giggle are the little keyboard flourishes, which lightens the mood before it kicks your teeth in again. Skullcrushing.” – Sister Mary Metal

Album Title: The Future Remains In Oblivion
Release Date: June 9, 2023
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. From The Sun (5:24)
2. Downfall (4:11)
3. The Fool (3:13)
4. The Walls (4:32)
5. Our Possible End (4:23)
6. First Blood (4:29)
7. The Future Remains In Oblivion (4:50)
8. When No More Words Will Be Heard (5:22)
Album Length: 36:29

Album Credits:
– All songs performed by VORTEX
– All songs written by VORTEX
– Produced by Pierre Luc Demers and Dany Lévesque
– Engineered, mixed, and mastered by Pierre Luc Demers (Studio Ondechoc)
– Album artwork by Rudi Gorging Suicide
– MAPL – Canadian Content

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

The Album As A Whole:
‘The Future Remains In Oblivion’ is an orchestral death metal album with plenty of heavy riffing and melodies, technical vocals, and epic soloing. If you were to compare it with ‘Lighthouse’ it is more aggressive, and energetic, and the compositions have been crafted with live shows in mind.

Track by Track:

From the sun (5:24)
A natural cataclysm occurs, ‘‘death comes from the Sun’’. Important Solar Flares are scientifically possible, and we prefer writing about real possibilities instead of pure fiction. ‘From the Sun’ has an epic introduction and choruses. After the intro, when the vocals finally kick in for the verse, to us it sounds like something Fleshgod Apocalypse could have written.

Downfall (4:11)
After the cataclysm society collapses and we’ve read that there would be three stages in only three days if that was to happen for real, ‘’social order is a thing of the past, survival justifies the means’’. This number has some nice technical vocals, it’s going all over in many different styles. It’s one of the songs that are riff-oriented and thus less melodic with many fast blast beats.

The Fool (3:13)
Prior to the cataclysm, there is that guy who passes for crazy because he is hyper eco anxious. He is surely an important event related to ecology that will cause society to collapse ‘’Follow me, I designed a future to escape disaster’’. This one is the most deathcore of the album, heavy and brutal, with no place for melody.

The Walls (4:32)
Our Fool got all sorts of people to believe and follow him. Billionaires, soldiers, engineers, contractors, scientists, farmers, physicians, etc. They’ve put everything they’ve got into building a secret small city that is protected by reinforced walls and an arsenal. Inside these walls, they have everything they need to survive any cataclysm and its aftermath. ‘The Walls’ verses have a strong orchestral melody underlying black metal riffing and vocals to create a unique feel. The choruses have some of our best orchestral writing with its predominant violen melody supporting powerful layers of guttural vocals. ‘The Walls’ has one of the best solos of the album, technical with lots of feel and melody.

Our Possible End (4:23)
Outside survivors discover the city by chance. They are sick and deprived and they want in. ‘’ I can hear it coming from far again, the rumble of our possible end, a thud arising from the forest, the running of hundreds of men’’.

This song is straight old-school death metal with orchestrations.

First Blood (4:29)
This is war. They are coming again, but this time in greater numbers and much more prepared. ‘’This battle brought us our first suffering. In this battle, our first blood, our first deaths’’.  This one has aggressive black metal riffing and vocals in its verses, atmospheric orchestral melo-death in its choruses, huge choirs, and epic soloing, it has all that Vortex does at its best.

The Future Remains In Oblivion (4:50)
‘‘Others might know about us, but we have greater concern, we may be the last to stand. We have prevailed but while we had the past and now the present, the future remains in oblivion’’. This is one of our favorites, it is heavy, tasty, and beautiful. It has the most complex structure of the album, it may take a few listen to get into but it’s a song that will stick over time. It is based around the orchestra and some technical playing and vocals; it is challenging to play live, and we get a kick out of nailing it.

When No More Words Will Be Heard (5:22)
What is the place/importance of mankind in the grand schemes of the Universe? ‘’When no more words will be heard, what will happen to the world, to the Universe?’’.

This song is different from the rest of the album. Most of it is composed of three orchestral melodies that were inspired by movie scores. It perfectly fits its philosophical lyrics and it’s a perfect closer with its feel of despair and grandiose finale. We are going to use this slower song to create some dynamics in the pacing of our live set.

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

Story Angles – Fun Facts:

1. None of us fits the ‘regular’ death metal band member stereotype. Some of us have children and we all have jobs most people wouldn’t think were for a death metal musician. We count a business director, a paramedic, a wind farm manager, a big corporation team manager, and a music composer in our ranks. Two of the band members are schooled musicians.

2. We have played about 200 shows together until now.

3. We often drive for 6, 8, 10, and even sometimes 14 hours to play a live show, we are road warriors!!!

4. We are serious and professional, but occasionally some of us really like to party when the show is over. I would have great stories to tell but I’m not sure I should talk about them….

5. Over the years we had much bad luck and encountered many problems on the road and in our live shows, we could write a book on the subject. Some stories are just funny, and some others are not. Once we lost a trailer driving 110 kph on a highway, some people could have been killed, and all our equipment and merch was all over the ditch in the mud. Another time we had a soundman who thought he didn’t have to mic our guitar cabinets because we had wireless guitar systems, another one put the mikes on the drums and the cabs and left and never came back to the show, we had to do everything ourselves for us and the other bands. Once we got to a venue and the owner didn’t know that the promotor had booked a death metal lineup in his bar, you should have seen its face while we were sound checking…. The time a girl stripped while moshing in front of the stage was funny too, some guy had to take her out of the venue on his shoulder to stop her. And of course, we have tons of drunk guy stories but I’m not going to talk about that….

L-R – Justin L’Italien Dubé (Drums and Piano), Simon Desjardins (Bass), Alexandre Labrie (Vocals), Dany Lévesque (Guitars), Mathieu Duguay (Guitars and Orchestrations)
Photo Credit: Freeman

For Rimouski, Quebec, Canada’s Vortex, delivering a story is of utmost importance and unsurprisingly their last two albums “The Asylum” (2016) and “Lighthouse” (2018) released on PRC Music have been epic concept albums set to their signature orchestral blackened melodic death metal. The third installment in their discography is the self-released “The Future Remains In Oblivion”, which builds on their sound with added black metal influence, a heavy dose of aggressiveness, and a buildup of intensity and emotion as the storyline progresses.

When it comes to writing, Vortex starts with the story first, something worth talking about. Each song becomes a chapter and then the music can start to form based on the feeling of the tale. That process is diversified, sometimes the orchestra is the backbone of the song and sometimes it’s added once the drums and guitars are all written. All the band members participate in different degrees to the writing process, bringing their own influences into the mix.

The songs you will encounter on this upcoming release are aggressive, but Vortex also has a strong melodic approach and a lot of orchestrations combined with guttural and black metal vocals, and diverse guitars that alternate between howling shreds and beautiful, emotional riffs. It is recommended for fans of Shadow of Intent, Septicflesh and Dimmu Borgir.

“The Future Remains In Oblivion” is due out June 9, 2023.

Vortex is
Justin L’Italien Dubé – Piano and Drums
Simon Desjardins – Bass
Alexandre Labrie – Vocals
Dany Levesque – Guitar
Mathieu Duguay – Guitar and Orchestrations

Discography
2023 –  The Future Remains In Oblivion (Self-Release)
2018 – Lighthouse, PRC Music
2016 – The Asylum, PRC Music

Shared Stage with:
Aeternam, Obscura, Khalma, Vesperia, Obey the Brave, Anonymus, BARF, DBC, Mutank, E-Force, Boundaries, Insurrection, Feel like Home, The Flaying, Spirit of Rebellion, Reanimator, Chemicide, Replicant, Valfreya, Obsolete Mankind, Strigampire, Sufferize, Lycanthro, Nova Spei, Meet the mailman, Saccage, Dischord, Sanguine Glacialis, Windferer, Lancaster, Trollwar, Flesh Shrine, Death note silence, Blinded by Faith.

Tours and Festivals:
2019 – PRC Metal Bash tour (Quebec and The Maritimes)
2018 – Chemicide tour (Quebec)
2017 – E-Force tour – Eric Forest ex-Voivod (Eastern Canada)
2017 – Reanimator tour (Quebec)

0 EPK – Stratuz – Osculum Pacis (2022)

  • April 18, 2023
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Stratuz

EPK – Stratuz – Osculum Pacis (2022)

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

For fans of Paradise Lost, Tiamat, Moonspell, Crematory, Tristania

Album Title: Osculum Pacis
Release Date: April 26, 2022
Label: Self-Release

“An immersion in our own universe of sound which will lead you to listen to each of the themes repeatedly and thus discover each sound layer and the sensations they awaken.” – Stratuz

Stratuz.info | Facebook.com/stratuzofficial | Twitter.com/stratuzofficial | Instagram.com/stratuz_official | YouTube

Stratuzofficial.bandcamp.com | Spotify.| Apple Music | Amazon

“the fathers of Venezuelan death/doom” – Femforgacs

“For me this material is the best of the Latin scene of 2022” (Osculum Pacis) – Metallerium

“Osculum Pacis is a brutally artistic journey with Stratuz, it loudly demonstrates their abilities and vision, which they stayed true to throughout all the changes and dynamic shifts that we’ve been through on this sonic trip. I loved how packed is it with pure emotions of anger, melancholy, and growing brutality.” – ROCK ERA MAGAZINE

“Fans of doom metal, death metal – even black metal, can find something to appreciate with “Osculum Pacis”. For metalheads who like their metal dark and more mature with its themes, this is a great release to sink your teeth into.” – Team Brutal

It is an album, a record that can captivate anyone who loves music, both for its lyrical content and for its musical enrichment within rock in different trends and trends, along with orchestral arrangements that surround you. Without a doubt, a musical production for export.” – Cresta Metalica

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Osculum Pacis
Release Date: April 26, 2022
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Intro – 1:58
2. Morning Star – 3:50
3. Father Amorth (e) – 2:58
4. Holy Grail – 4:36
5. Caelibatus – 4:33
6. In the Name of God – 3:06
7. Back to the Sun – 3:09
8. Sodomized – 4:41
9. Dawn – 5:06
10. Left – 4:57
11. Condemned – 5:26
Album Length: 44:22

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Stratuz
• All songs written by: Gerónimo Egea / Franklin Berroterán
• Produced by: Gerónimo Egea / Franklin Berroterán
• Mixed by: Arturo Banús
• Mastered by: Arturo Banús
• Album Artwork by: Eugenia Bathoriya
• Member of ASCAP / BMI

Stratuz is:
Franklin Berroterán – Voices and Keyboards
Gerónimo Egea – Guitars
Leonardo Rangel – Bass
Diego Cabrujas – Drums

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

The album as a whole:
OSCULUM PACIS

Lyrically, it speaks of the abuses of the church and its deafening silence in the face of so many denunciations of abuse. It speaks of the manipulation of the masses, and injustice, but at the same time, it also speaks of the awakening of consciousness, of death as a process of transformation, and the need to change ourselves in order to rise up and banish our own miseries. It speaks of rising up aware of who we are.

About The Album Artwork:

The art of the album represents all the victims of the church, living or dead. The void of justice, the Kiss of Peace and Mea Culpa with each of their victims.

It is the indelible presence of their excesses, their sins, their demons, their double standards, their contradictions as an institution and of a deep reflection that should come someday.

Track By Track

MORNING STAR
Morning Star’ refers to the first light we see at dawn, that first star reminding us that the first light of the day reaches the spiritually higher men first, just like the last light of the day.

Morning Star’ represents Lucifer as the bringer of light. Light as knowledge. He is the bringer of light on our planet both in the material and spiritual way, and it’s in the hands of each to find their own light and understanding to wake up from so many layers of lies set through time.

FATHER AMORTH(e)

This song is dedicated to the late priest Gabriele Amorth or, as he was known in his lifetime, Father Amorth, who was the most respected and important exorcist in the Vatican. Within the song, there are Latin verses of the ritual used by the Vatican to perform exorcisms and it invites him to exorcise his brothers for all the outrages they have done against innocents, instead of hunting demons in vulnerable people.

HOLY GRAIL
It is arguably a darkly romantic theme, mixing the desire of a religious lady with someone very contrary to her faith, leading to the point of highlighting the weakness of the flesh and the energy that is released through desire, the value of blood and the chalice between her thighs.

CAELIBATUS
This song speaks of the fragility that can reach any religious person who practices celibacy, this tortuous measure to suppress the desires and the unnatural punishment to which his body is subjected.

The flesh is flesh and everything needs a balance, celibacy definitely does not have any attribute that allows that balance, who knows if this is part of the problem within this institution to commit so many abuses.

IN THE NAME OF GOD
It is a story of a priest who abused a child and takes his own life, he speaks of having committed these faults “In the Name of God” and blames the child for this attraction, however, the torment gives him no rest and he takes his own life as a way of escape, however, this is not enough to erase his atrocity.

BACK TO THE SUN
It could be said that it is a kind of ritual, where a living master who has left a deep mark among his followers through his teachings is bid farewell, and these, as a sign of respect, prepare his return home, the abode from which we all come. It is the closing of a cycle of transformation, transmutation, life and death or death and life.

SODOMIZED
It reflects the grotesque and disgusting nature of pedophiles within the Catholic Church, as well as the sarcasm with which they have handled the denunciations and the approving looks often given by the parents of some victims who believed more in the aggressors than in their own children.

DAWN
Dawn is a call for the awakening of consciousness, for progress and growth as individuals, to leave aside the manipulation of religions. It’s a call to demolish ignorance so that everyone can raise their voice with strength, but above all with solid foundations. Today we are burdened and saturated by the environment, we live for the sake of living and drifting.

LEFT
This song reflects that emptiness that many people feel internally, that feeling of abandonment, of loneliness, of neglect, that lack of sense for being on this plane, taking refuge in their own sorrow.

CONDEMNED
It is a rather crude and fulminating theme, as it goes against everything established, the political and religious power to manipulate the masses to their will and interests, a race destined to its own misfortune where mistrust, hatred and revenge reign, where competition is a mechanism to cancel the other, where the suffering or failures of others can be the satisfaction of many. It’s a misanthropic song to a certain extent.

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

Fun Facts – Story Angles:
1.    Stratuz was the first Venezuelan band to write songs against the Catholic Church and in the 80’s it was almost a crime to do so, this stirred up the country’s underground scene and the scandals began.

2.    In a major newspaper in the country, a whole column was devoted to discrediting Stratuz and the headline was, Stratuz worshippers of Satan. The effect was the opposite and the band became more popular.

3.    An interesting anecdote was a show that took place in a theatre under a Catholic church in 1989, the euphoria of the audience erupted during Stratuz’s performance and they started to set fire to the seats of the theatre, the priests were horrified by the event, but there was no serious damage, fortunately.

4.    During one of the band’s performances in the late ’80s, in the middle of the performance, a cross was taken from the stage and someone from the audience asked for it, this cross had been taken from a cemetery and weighed about 10 kilos, however, the fan thought it was made of styrofoam, he couldn’t get up from his seat during the show because he was too small and the cross was too heavy for him.

5.    In a concert in Barquisimeto in ’87, we threw a metal cross in the air, this cross was from the coffin of the bass player’s grandmother and we just wanted to use it as decoration, however, the adrenaline made us throw it, but we never imagined that it would fall on the head of one of the assistants producing a deep wound, the good thing about the story is that this boy bought a guitar and started to practice until he became part of a very well known band in the country (the accident was good for something).

6.    During the ’98 tour in Spain, in the city of Seville they were about to suspend the concert because there was a problem between the organizers and the sound engineer, however, some of us had some experience in operating equipment and decided to set up the event and fortunately it turned out to be a success, this even got reviewed in some local magazines.

L-R – Franklin Berroteran (Vocals, Keyboard), Geronimo Egea (Guitar), Leonardo Rangel (Baa), Diego Cabrujas (Drums)

Stratuz is a Venezuelan doom-death metal band formed in 1984. The group released their first demo in 1993 and their debut album “In Nomine…” in 1995, helping them to quickly become the most recognized metal band in Venezuela and cementing their place as one of the pioneer bands of extreme metal.
​
In 1999, Stratuz finished recording the album “The Last Angel” upon their return from a European tour. That same year, they signed with the Belgian label LSP-Company for a new album entitled “Spirit Seduction”.
​
The band decided to disband in 2006, but in 2019 they reform and start working on a new album titled “Osculum Pacis”, released on 26 April 2022.
​
Stratuz recently reached number one on the Jacquin Ravens Top 50 Metal on US radio station 99WNRR with their latest album “Osculum Pacis”.

Stratuz is:
Franklin Berroterán – Voices and Keyboards
Gerónimo Egea – Guitars
Leonardo Rangel – Bass
Diego Cabrujas – Drums

Discography:
Stratuz 1993 KCT
In Nomine… 1995 CD
The Last Angel 1999 CD
Spirit Seduction 2000 CD
Without Original Sin 2006 EP(Digital)
Osculum Pacis 2022 CD /Digital

Shared Stage with:
AVULSED, CENTINEX, ANASARCA, ACHERON
Tours and Festivals:
2006 – Ariah Fest (Caracas-Venezuela)
2001- Acheron + Stratuz (Caracas-Venezuela)
1999 – Avulsed + Stratuz (Caracas-Barquisimeto-Venezuela)
1998 – Festival del Sol (Mula – Spain) with Stratovarius
1998 – Repulsive Tour ’98 (Spain – Portugal)
1998 – Komm ’98 Fest (Köln – Germany) Headliner

0 EPK – Endeavour – For The Time Being (2023)

  • April 14, 2023
  • by Asher
  • · Endeavour · EPKs

EPK – Endeavour – For The Time Being (2023)

For fans of Bad Omens, Northlane, Sleep Token, Architects, Polaris

“The tracks don’t necessarily link to one another by telling one overarching story. However, some songs do have a connection to each other by delving a bit into personal matters. Others tell stories that are much broader and less personal. ‘For The Time Being’ captures the contrast between fleeting personal issues and the broader problems we face. They make up a big part of someone’s journey through life but are definitely not always insurmountable, though it does feel like that sometimes.

‘For The Time Being’ is all about that journey for us. It reminds us about the seemingly hopeless and overwhelming situations we find ourselves in that we’ve been able to get past. Some issues might still be there, but that’s okay for the time being. We’ve learned a lot during the process of making this record, and are happy we are finally able to show it to the world!” – Endeavour

Album Title: For The Time Being
Release Date: June 16, 2023
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Facebook.com/NDVRBand | Instagram.com/endeavour.nl | Youtube.com/@endeavourNL

Spoitfy | Apple Music | Ndvrband.bandcamp.com | Endeavourmerch.bigcartel.com/

https://linktr.ee/EndeavourNL

”Already having picked up notable coverage from the likes of Insane Blog and even some early Spotify editorial playlist support, this bright young band is delivering some absolute fire with their newest single. While taking notable influence from bands like Architects and Northlane (to name a few), Endeavour are getting closer to finding their overall sound – and we’re here for it. Give the new track a spin below.” – New Fury Media

”BLUR showcases how a song can stand out from the crowded music world by not being afraid to focus on lush vocal melodies and heavier style that blends seamlessly with lighter elements in a natural, organic way.” – Toxic Metal Zine

”Sticking to their ‘single-word’ track-titles, Endeavour have launched into 2023 with ‘Blur‘ – a representation of what their latest studio run has cooked up. The new single is reminiscent of, and has influences from TesseracT and Sleep Token, which should tickle the fancies of prog-metalcore lovers out there. We reckon you should keep an eye on Endeavour this year as there might be a lot more to come…” – Wall Of Sound Australia

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: For The Time Being
Release Date: June 16, 2023
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:
1. Definite (3:28)
2. Blur (3:17)
3. Black Box (3:26)
4. Aimless (3:17)
5. Colourblind (3:01)
6. Sober (4:15)
7. Breathe (3:48)
8. 127 (3:12)
9. For The Time Being (3:43)
Album length: 31:27

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Endeavour
• All songs written by: Endeavour
• Produced by: Tommie Bonajo, Anthony Scheijen
• Mixed by: Tommie Bonajo
• Mastered by: Tommie Bonajo
• Album Artwork by: Anthony Scheijen

Album Band Lineup:
Gijs Smeets – Vocals
Anthony Scheijen – Rhythm Guitar
Rob Heyen (Blur, Colourblind, Sober, For The Time Being) – Lead Guitar
Vincent Kuijpers (127, Black Box, Definite, Aimless and Breathe) – Lead Guitar
Jan te Velde – Bass
Teun Wolfs – Drums

Live Band Lineup:
Gijs Smeets – Vocals
Anthony Scheijen – Rhythm Guitar
Rob Heyen – Lead Guitar
Jan te Velde – Bass
Teun Wolfs – Drums

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

STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT THE BAND:

1. Endeavour began working together with producer and audio engineer Tommie Bonajo around 2020. This is what marked the beginning of the writing process for the album ‘For The Time Being’.

2. Gijs Smeets is the host/presenter of the Dutch tech and gaming YouTube channel Redux Gaming. You can find all kinds of gaming and PC-related content here (in Dutch though).

3. Rob, Jan and Anthony have graduated from the Conservatory of Maastricht. Teun is almost done with his study at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. Gijs studied at the Conservatory of Maastricht as well for almost three years but quit when he got a job offer as host/presenter and Product Manager at Redux Gaming.

4. Before Rob joined Endeavour, Vincent Kuijpers (who currently plays bass in Beachdog) played lead guitar in the band. He wrote the instrumentals for our single Breathe, the only song on the album that wasn’t written almost entirely by Anthony. It definitely adds a different vibe to the album because of this!

5. While writing for ‘For The Time Being’, we’ve been writing for our second album simultaneously. It’s already pretty far in its development!

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

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

MUSICALLY: Heavy yet melodic with a focus on harmony. A bit eclectic at times, but that makes the album varied and thus exciting. You never know what’s going to come next :).

LYRICALLY: The tracks don’t necessarily link to one another by telling one overarching story. However, some songs do have a connection to each other by delving a bit into personal matters. Others tell stories that are much broader and less personal. ‘For The Time Being’ captures the contrast between fleeting personal issues and the broader problems we face. They make up a big part of someone’s journey through life but are definitely not always insurmountable, though it does feel like that sometimes.

‘For The Time Being’ is all about that journey for us. It reminds us about the seemingly hopeless and overwhelming situations we find ourselves in that we’ve been able to get past. Some issues might still be there, but that’s okay for the time being. We’ve learned a lot during the process of making this record, and are happy we are finally able to show it to the world!

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

*Definite:
One of the heaviest songs on the album alongside Aimless. There are lots of screams. Musically very interesting and varied. Lots of synths and a huge breakdown.

“Lyrically it is about, very original I know, a breakup I went through :).” – Gijs

*Blur:
Blur is one of our newest songs. It’s melodic, big, and has exciting choir parts. The lyrics were inspired by the passing of Gijs’ grandmother.

*Black Box:
The lyrics were inspired by the MH-17 passenger plane being shot out of the sky, killing everyone. All were innocent passengers, mostly from The Netherlands so it’s kind of a big deal here. Probably the softest song on the album. It has a catchy chorus with an uplifting feel to it, which ties into the MH-17 passenger plane theme. Halfway through there’s a somewhat heavier section with an interesting harmonic approach.

*Aimless:
Huge chorus and breakdown. A lot of energy throughout. Lyrics are inspired by conspiracy theories.

*Colourblind:
Colourblind is a very good nudge into the direction we want to go in the future. Small and vulnerable first verse, contrasted by a big breakdown with a choir in the background.

“Lyrically it was inspired by some of my darker days. We all have them.” – Gijs

*Sober:
“This has to be my favourite song off the album and really shows us drawing inspiration from some of the fresher sounds from bands like Sleep Token and Bad Omens. Very atmospheric and melodic and building up to a huge climax.” – Gijs

*Breathe:
Breathe might be our most experimental song and really stands out. That’s because this is the only song written by our ex-member Vincent. Vocals again by Gijs and Anthony. This song got Drum and Bass influences, a kind of rapped verse and the nastiest breakdown and sound overall.

*127:
This was the first single we released. “It still is our catchiest riff and chorus if you ask me” – Gijs.
Lyrically inspired by the movie “127 hours”.

*For The Time Being:
Though it’s the last song that we finished and recorded, it was actually one of the oldest demos we had lying around. You’ll find less of our new sound and more of a “classic metalcore” sound.

“The lyrics are inspired by my fear of looking too far into the future. I don’t know why, it just overwhelms me.” – Gijs.

After gaining a lot of new listeners with the single releases for ‘127’, ‘Black Box’, ‘Definite’, and ’Breathe’, Endeavour continues to be fully committed to earning their spot in the contemporary metalcore scene. Consisting of five musicians from the South of The Netherlands. They are influenced by bands such as Northlane, Sleep Token, Bad Omens, Architects, and Loathe. Through hard-beating drums, memorable melodies, and captivating guitar parts Endeavour has made clear they’re a force to be reckoned with. Their music ranges from hard-hitting and energetic to melodically atmospheric and catchy. It shows they’re capable of even more promising releases in the future. As time goes on, the five metalheads won’t be discouraged to keep building on the foundation they’ve made for themselves. Being added to Spotify Editorial Playlist ‘Rauwe Kost’, and being given airtime on the Dutch radio station KINK helped them gain even more followers across the BeNeLux region. Praise and attention for their music can be found outside of the BeNeLux as well. Media outlets such as  Wall Of Sound Australia, Toxic Metal Zine, New Fury Media, Core Community, Core Radio, Ghost Killer Entertainment, lan Scene and Insane Blog have featured Endeavour’s music on their platforms in the past. The band has also received positive feedback on their music through reaction videos from YouTubers like Richard Janvrin, GazMASH and more.

While attracting a lot of new fans with each single release, Endeavour is readying themselves for the release of their upcoming debut album ’For The Time Being’. They’ve already successfully showcased their music to new fans as support act for bands from all over Europe, the UK and Japan such as Immerse (UK), Behind Blue Eyes (UK), Elyne (Italy), Tide Has Turned (Germany), For I Am King (The  Netherlands), Fleddy Melculy (Belgium), Sable Hills (Japan) and more.

“For The Time Being” is due out June 16, 2023.

Shared Stage with:
Endeavour has successfully showcased their music as support act for bands from all over Europe, the UK and Japan such as Immerse (UK), Behind Blue Eyes (UK), Elyne (Italy), Tide Has Turned (Germany), For I Am King (The Netherlands), Two And A Half Girl (The Netherlands), Fleddy Melculy (Belgium), Sable Hills (Japan) and more.

Tours and Festivals:
– 2022 Tour:
2022 – Har Rock Open Air – Oirsbeek, The Netherlands
2022 – InToom Fest – Limbricht, The Netherlands
2022 – Caveau – Mainz, Germany
2022 – Bluff, Heerlen, The Netherlands
2022 – Koempelrock – Geleen, The Netherlands
2022 – Sable Hills – Geleen, The Netherlands
2022 – Fleddy Melculy – Vlaardingen, The Netherlands
– 2019 Tour:
2019 – Nu Of Nooit – Sittard, The Netherlands
2019 – Nu Of Nooit – Maastricht, The Netherlands
2019 – Blegh Fest – Landgraaf, The Netherlands
2019 – Metalcore Night – Urmond, The Netherlands
2019 – De Dukdalf – Wieringerwerf, The Netherlands
– 2018 Tour:
2018 – For I Am King – Sittard, The Netherlands
2018 – Mandril Metal – Maastricht, The Netherlands
2018 – Nu of Nooit – Sittard, The Netherlands
2018 – Immerse – Geleen, The Netherlands
2018 – Behind Blue Eyes, Geleen The Netherlands

0 EPK – AxMinister – vir fortis (EP) (2023)

  • April 13, 2023
  • by Asher
  • · axminister · EPKs

EPK – AxMinister – vir fortis (EP) (2023)

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

For fans of Megadeth, Manowar, Rush, Iron Maiden, Slayer

“A journey through history, we examine the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and the story (along with the myth) of Vlad the Impaler. The songs are historically accurate, and the lyrics for the 17 minute Napoleon song, are academic; this EP is a history lesson.” – AxMinister 

Axminister.ca | Facebook.com/AxMinister | Twitter.com/axministertrio | Instagram.com/axminister_band | Youtube.com/@AxMinisterTV

Axminister.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

“From the drop of the first note, AxMinister pull their ax from stone, brandishing it mightily and powerfully as they dish out shredding sharpened riff after sharpened riff. Thrown in to the mix are face melting solos as well as ever present charging drumming as well as very solid very infectious vocals. Each of the five tracks present within this release are woven together well to provide you with a cohesive and well rounded sound that you will have a hard time getting out of your head. With The Crucible Of Sin, AxMinister gift you with five highly addictive and highly entertaining tracks that you keep coming back to.” – Cadaver Garden

“this EP (The Crucible of Sin) is just some good ol’ fashioned beer and pretzels Heavy Metal in the vein of bands like Manowar” – Metalcrypt

“The Crucible of Sin is a great thrash/traditional metal album, showing strong influences from Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Slayer and Metallica to full effect.” – Hellbound

“an exciting piece of Thrash Metal. It has a unique touch to it that allows the EP to be memorable, whilst the guitars make it very enjoyable.” – Noizze UK

“The stair-step cultural guitar to snare combinations for “The Trials of Hercules” brings out the Manowar fan in us all – while the speedy double kick locomotive aspects to closer “Sanctus Equitus Mortis” surely keep the ears pinned for a closer…It’s clear that you have a solid set of musicians and keen songwriting abilities – so if you want something a bit more dramatic and adventurous in your thrash airings, AxMinister could be that difference maker for you.” – Dead Rhetoric

“”The Crucible of Sin” is a lyrically-strong (hard & heavy) power metal recording with strong lead vocals, great guitar solos, a slick rhythm section, and inspired songs that will make you want to wave the banner of true heavy metal for all to see!! This is honest to goodness heavy metal that has been made possible thanks to hard work & dedication of true heavy metal maniacs.” – Heavy Metal Time Machine

“AxMinister are having fun with these five high octane songs, and if you enjoy NWOBHM then so will you.” – Firebrand’s Rock And Metal Express

“You can tell that AxMinister is a band that is all about fun, especially since one of their songs is titled “Arnold Schwarzenegger” – Metal Master Kingdom

“I don’t know how I’ve never come across these guys before; they played some great traditional Heavy Metal about history and had a killer stage show to boot, with frontman Nicholas Klaus looking like an executioner and their drummer constantly changing hats/helmets/masks throughout the set.” – Five Magics Music

“[AxMinister’s] gritty pounding thrash originals should also make lots of fans on the Fourth of July, so keep them in mind!” – Sault Metal Scene

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

EP Title: vir fortis
Release Date: May 11th, 2023
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Digital – CD Baby

Track Listing:
1. The Age of Napoleon… The Rise – 17:06
2. Vlad The Impaler… Son Of The Dragon – 7:02
3. Vlad The Impaler… Forests of Impalement – 4:45
EP Length: 28:53

EP Credits:
All songs written and performed by AxMinister
Produced/Mixed/Mastered at Monolithic Productions by Tyler Williams
Member of SOCAN – yes
MAPL – Canadian Content
All album artwork by Bas Majzoub

EP and Live Band lineup:
Nicholas Klaus – Vocals/Bass
Steve MacLeod – Guitar
Bas Von Bismark – Drums

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

EP as a whole:
A journey through history, we examine the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, and the story (along with the myth) of Vlad the Impaler.

Track By Track:

The Age of Napoleon…The Rise, is act one of a 3 part saga, inspired by the rise and fall of the French Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. It is just over 17 minutes long, starts at his birth in Corsica, and ends with the French revolution, and young Napoleon as Captain.

The following two songs are about Vlad the Impaler (aka Dracula); two historic looks, through a supernatural lens.

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

Func Facts – Story Angles:

1. The artwork for the album are oil paintings by our drummer Bas. Bas is sort of obsessed with Napoleon Bonaparte, and there at least 2 more songs about the French Emperor to be released in the coming years. The Napoleon song has been in the works for over 5 years.

2. Nicholas Klaus had to learn the accordion for ‘The Age of Napoleon…the Rise’; fortunately, being of Eastern European heritage, it came naturally to him! The melody that appears at the end of the Napoleon song, on the accordion, as well as the guitar outro, are one of the melodies for part 2 of AxMinister’s Napoleon saga, to be released in the coming years.

3. The two Vlad songs were always meant as two parts, and the band still refers to them as Vlad 1&2. The original Vlad 1 got scrapped, with only the main melody carrying over to Vlad the Impaler…Son of the Dragon.    

L – R – Bas – Drums, Nick – Vocals/Bass, Steve – Guitar
Photo Credit – Maribeth Chabot – Shootingstarr Rock & Roll Photography

Hailing from the frozen tundra of Ontario, AxMinister are the heroes of metal the world needs!

Initially formed back in the forgotten mists of metallic history (1999); the power-trio AxMinister looked upon how po-faced metal had become; and yay, and verily, did they pull their mighty Ax from its anvil where it had rested, Excalibur-like, until it was needed; and set out to put the metal world to rights…that is as it should be! They are here to minister the metal, and they have their mighty Ax; their symbol of salvation to guide them.

In magic and metal myth, names have power, and none more so than AxMinister, as splendidly-named drummer Bas Von Bismark explains. “We play warriors of metal on a holy quest. Our preferred weapon is the Ax. It’s also a street name where we partook in libations as teenagers.”

Inspired by Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, and Manowar, Bas describes AxMinister’s sound as “sped up Type O Negative.”

Bas is stoked for fans to hear AxMinister’s new music, their fifth studio release, the 2023 EP “vir fortis” follows 2018’s “The Crucible of Sin”.

“This new EP is a journey through history, we examine the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and the story (along with the myth) of Vlad the Impaler. The songs are historically accurate, and the lyrics for the 17-minute Napoleon song, are academic; this EP is a history lesson.” 

Live, AxMinister really wields their weapons of choice to great effect. “We put on a show, as we play medieval characters on stage. Sometimes we make a human sacrifice as our guitarist solos, other times we chant and pour blood on ourselves. We try to be theatrical and our stage show is constantly evolving.”

“vir fortis” is due out May 11, 2023 and available for pre-order on Bandcamp here.

Discography:
2023 – Vis Fortis (EP)
2018 – The Crucible of Sin (EP)
2017 – Visceral Speed  (Single)
2015 – AXistential Christmas (single)
2015 – Unborn Warriors: The Cries of Tomorrow (single)
2015 – Betray Everything (LP)
2013 – Ora Pro Nobis (EP)
2010 – Stripped of False Pride (EP)
Shared Stage with:
King Parrot, The Agonist, Varga, Psychostick, Cauldron, Crimson Shadows, Vesperia, Wrechedpain, Profaner, Lutharo, Protokult, PHEAR, Decatur
Tours and Festivals:
2016 – Dime Fest – Windsor, ON
2014 – Niagara Metal Fest – Niagara Falls, ON
2016 – Hope For Paws fest – Toronto, ON

0 EPK – Ethereal Void – Gods of a Dead World (2023) (Abstrakted Records)

  • April 12, 2023
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Ethereal Void

EPK – Ethereal Void – Gods of a Dead World (2023 (Abstrakted Records)

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

“This album is definitely our most consistent offering to date. We refined the sound both in writing and production while maintaining a unique angle for every song. The biggest stand-out is the introduction of orchestral elements to the sound. It feels like a long time coming, at least from my perspective. 

The album is much more refined musically as well. While we generally keep to the traditional EV themes, There is a constant-running sub-theme of the futility and violence of warfare.” – Ethereal Void

For fans of Gojira, Septicflesh, The Design Abstract

Band: Ethereal Void
Album Title: Gods of a Dead World
Release Date: May 26, 2023
Label: Abstrakted Records

Facebook.com/EtherealVoid | Design.bandcamp.com | Spotify

““The Voiceless” is a rushing charge. It gets the listener’s pulse pumping because the song itself has such a mad pulse. Many of them actually, from the fast jolts in the fuzzed-out riffage to the die-stamp hammering of the snare and the jackhammer impact of the bass. And it does sound like a mad pulse, thanks to the swarms of frantic tremelo’ed fretwork, the relentless double-bass strafing, and the ugly ravenous growls. While the head-hooking energy of those assaulting ingredients never really lets go, the music does also move sideways. Eerie spectral tones ring out, creating an overlay of melancholy. The music even seems to elevate in wailing splendor, as a prelude to a sorcerous guitar solo that sounds both inviting and yearning, both enticing in its glimmering tones and downcast in its mood. Even the unhinged screams of the vocalist almost sound like singing (almost).” – No Clean Singing

“A compact and concise release, Gods of a Dead World comes in at around 26-minutes long and features a number of sharp and savage pieces of music. Kicking off with a frantic showcase of guitar screams and squeals, with the chunky familiarity of death metal heaviness, Overture to Annihilation gets in, smashes stuff up, and gets out.” – Games Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life

“Gods of a Dead World has everything you could want out of a straight up death metal offering. The riffs are tight, but the guitar sound is absolutely filthy, which only delights me more. There are plenty of melody and solos to be had as well. The bass and the drums have a natural and hammering sound that will keep you strapped in for the entirety of the album. There are some more orchestral elements added in that only contribute to overall vibe of the album. And the vocals are extremely reminiscent of some of the masters of death metal. So. Much. Gravel.” – Metal Purgatory

“The music pounds through your skull, marching forward with groove in every song. Each song has some kind of hook that draws you in. It’s never the same, though, and never the coming from just one aspect of the song. Ethereal Void really knows how to craft a song to grab your attention and keep it. Overall, Gods of a Dead World is a cohesive album with plenty to offer fans of almost any genre touching death metal. If you are looking a new album to please the old gods, give this one a spin for sure.” – Metal Purgatory

“or a Death Metal cut “Overture to Annihilation” is a real eye opener, blood soaked in cinematic orchestration and virtuoso lead guitars, the barked vocals having that story telling quality to them. That flows nicely into “The Voiceless“, which introduces the lyrical themes and creatures with Voiicide playing both victim and killer as vocals come from alternate angles with a vocal tweak. It works incredibly well, the riffs flowing freely with chugging aggression, the leads bright and vibrant against the darkness. The way the cuts have been put together has been well thought through, the segway into “Seeds of Hatred” barely noticeable as the flow continues like an orchestral piece but there is also enough of shift to identify the track as being separate.” – Metal Noise

“…the group’s sound is as mysterious as the black hole vortex that occupies the minds of modern physicists. They pride themselves on their rhythmic prowess and their abstract melodies, yet their music remains impenetrable and enchanting at the same time. Gods of a Dead World is what Blut Aus Nord would sound like if they composed a death metal record.” – Scream Blast Repeat

“Death metal with a little progressive brutality” – The Moshpit – WORT 89.9 FM (Madison, WI)

“How this band manages to use guitars far beyond catchy groove riffs to create complex atmospheres it’s as impressive as it is entertaining. A quite creative Death Metal proposal.” – Rock Attack

“A production to seek out of a hard, intense and tight and occasionally also heavy variety of extreme metal tends to fascinate you, and in particular when explored in arrangements that also adds a distinct and eerie otherworldly feel to the landscapes explored.” – The Viking in the Wilderness

Band: Ethereal Void
Album Title: Gods of a Dead World
Release Date: May 26, 2023
Label: Abstrakted Records

Track Listing:
1. Overture to Annihilation (1:35)
2. The Voiceless (2:59)
3. Seeds of Hatred (3:44)
4. The Art of Ruination (2:48)
5. Psychosomatic Suicide (2:59)
6. Decay (Interlude) (0:46)
7. Return to the Void (3:34)
8. The Brown Stone Spire (2:32)
9. Gods of a Dead World (5:49)
Album Length: 26:50

Album Credits:
All songs written and performed by Ethereal Void
Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Voiicide at Abstrakted Records
Voiicide – Vocals, Bass
Terci Ruina – Rhythm Guitar, Songwriting
Nemesis – Lead Guitar

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

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Gods of a Dead World is a dark and heavy exploration of war, suffering, and demise.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Overture to Annhiliation – We’ve never done an abbreviated album intro for Ethereal Void, so I wanted to experiment with how it would work in the flow of the album. It works great for building tension and setting up the context of the album.

2. The Voiceless – Conceptually, this song is about a mass exodus of people from another realm, silently venturing onward to an unfathomable destination.

3. Seeds of Hatred – This song is about a geographic area that’s cursed to be forever torn by war. Era after era, it sees bloodshed and turbulence.

4. The Art of Ruination – Similarly, this track is about the futility of war, and how there’s always someone else ready to cut you down after you’ve fought your populace to death.

5. Psychosomatic Suicide – This song departs from the theme, and offers a more traditional death metal vision of a mind betraying the body and causing a suicide.

6. Decay – This is a clean instrumental interlude pushing into the real of post-tonal. it offers a break from the relentlessness of the album, and allowed us to explore a style of melodic writing rarely glimpsed.

7. Return to the Void – This is a classic EV theme; worship of entropy, and embracing the end of all things.

8. The Brown Stone Spire – This song is unabashedly about a minor gag from a show called Welcome to Night Vale.

9. Gods of a Dead World – The planet is dead, life is forsaken, and the ones responsible for the downfall of humanity are left alone in the barren wasteland that is the world.

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

Story Angle – Fun Fact:

The band was originally designed to be an outlet for dissonant, chromatic, and more brutal riffs. Things that would not fit in with our other band The Design Abstract. Ironically as the years went on, TDA became more suited to traditional death metal riffs, AND Ethereal Void added in more diverse musical elements. They are still two distinct sounds, but the original vision of the band was to allow what was not allowed in The Design Abstract.

Ethereal Void is a 3-piece death metal band from Ontario. Incorporating grooves and progressive elements, the band creates dark, rhythmic sounds of worship to the void. 

Discography:
Gods of a Dead World – 2023
Acolytes of Entropy – 2021
Disciples of the Void – 2020

0 EPK – Pyrexia – System of The Animal 25 (2023) (Gravitas Entertainment)

  • April 7, 2023
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Pyrexia

EPK – Pyrexia – System of The Animal 25 (2023) (Gravitas Entertainment)

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

“This album was ahead of its time in 1997. I don’t think a lot of people were ready for such a mix of Brutal Death Metal VS. Beatdown Hardcore. When people hear this material with the production we put together with Demigod Studio, combined with the fact that the music was written in the mid-90s. I think it puts Pyrexia in a whole new light for a lot of people. I think the songwriting is really going to stand out for listeners bored with bands that put out the same album over and over.” says Pyrexia Guitarist Chris Basile.

Album Title: System of The Animal 25
Release Date: June 6, 2023
Label: Gravitas Entertainment

For fans of Dying Fetus, Hatebreed, Aborted, Suffocation, Morbid Angel

Pyrexia.world | Facebook.com/PYREXIADEATHMETAL | Youtube | Instagram.com/pyrexiaofficial

Album pre-order – Pyrexiaofficialmerchandise.bigcartel.com | Pyrexia.bandcamp.com

“Close out the week in this post-apocalyptic hellscape with a fittingly on-point lyric video from U.S. death metal legends Pyrexia for the track “Unscathed.”” – Decibel Magazine

“Pyrexia sound brutal like never before with the reimagined release of System Of The Animal 25. This album will reignite your love for Brutal Death Metal.” – Metal Talk

“Brutal death metal with a little bit of a hard/deathcore sound. Cool stuff” – The Mosh Pit – WORT 89.9 FM – Madison, WI

“this re-recording is absolutely monstrous” – The Razor’s Edge

“the album is very punishing and pummels from all directions. This is certainly a nice modernization of an older work. It brings the sound into a pulverizing new mix. The newfound sound is powerful, but the album was already very solid to begin with and simply gets a nice revamp. This is a solid look at some of the foundations of death metal. The album has all the right grooves to impress, even in the present day.” – Heavy Music Headquarters

“If you’ve never heard the original SYSTEM OF THE ANIMAL, you’re fine and in good company (see previous statements), SOTA 25 is the definitive version and will knock you on your arse in ways the original never quite could. Thanks to beefier production values, there’s a density to tunes like “Downsized” and “Purging the Nemesis” that are painfully absent from the original. And then there’s vocalist Jim Beach; the man’s voice sounds like Cookie Monster made love to a garbage disposal, it’s otherworldly. No disrespect to journeyman vocalist Keith DeVito’s original performance, but his delivery has always been snarly and much less guttural. In the right context he’s great (see Internal Bleeding’s IMPERIUM), but hearing Beach snarling his filth across “Unpurged” makes it a night and day listening experience.” – Metal-Rules

 

[Download Album Artwork | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: System of The Animal 25
Release Date: June 6, 2023
Label: Gravitas Entertainment
Digital: All platforms

Track Listing:
1. Confrontation
2. Downsized
3. System of the Animal
4. Closure
5. Purging the Nemesis
6. Day One
7. Unscathed
8. G.F.Y.S. (Go Fuck Your Self)

Song performed by: Pyrexia
Written by: Chris Basile
Produced by: Chris Basile
Mixed/Mastered: Miguel Tereso
ASCAP member
Album Cover Artwork by Francoise Duvvier
Lyric Video Artwork by: Aarmada Art

Band Lineup:
Chris Basile – Guitar
Shaun Kennedy – Bass
Jim Beach – Vocals
John Glassbrenner – Drums

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

Story Angles – Fun Facts:
1. Guitarist Chris Basile originally wrote this track in 1989 for the first band he was in Mortuary. The first people to play and perform this song were Terrence Hobbs, Mike Smith, and Doug Cerrito of the original Suffocation lineup while they were all in Mortuary together. It would later appear on the first recording of the album System of the Animal in 1997.

2. Lyric Video artwork was done by the same artist who did the “Gravitas Maximus”  album cover Aarmada Art.

3. In 2018 Pyrexia pulled off the impossible. The band had a European tour and a US tour scheduled so close together that the tours overlapped for 5 shows. Rather than cancel any shows from either tour. Pyrexia Split itself in 2. Using past members and sessions musicians, Pyrexia played on 2 separate Continents simultaneously for 5 straight nights.

4. The “System of the Animal 25” layout for the CD and Vinyl was done by none other than Danny Nelson, singer of the New York band Malignancy.

5. 25-year anniversary of the original release.

Photo Credit – Jim Wertman

Band formation: 1990 – present
Location: Long Island, New York
1987-1989: Chris Basile joins the band Mortuary along with Terrence Hobbs, Doug Cerrito, and Mike Smith, all of Suffocation. Together over 30 songs were written by the band and many of the songs and riffs written during this time appear on both Pyrexia and Suffocation’s early releases leading to many comparisons.
1990: Basile meets up with the four other original members Guy Marchais, Rob Shimonski, Daryl Wagner and Mike Andrejko, and Pyrexia is formed. They go on to release their 1991 demo Liturgy of Impurity and later the classic 1993 Full-length Sermon of Mockery, cementing their place in the anoles of Death Metal history……
Pyrexia continued to release one seminal release after another including their 1997 “System of the Animal”, and even teaming up with Trevor Peres of Obituary in 1999 to form the band “Catastrophic” which went on to release their debut album on Metal Blade records.
In 2007 the band signed with Unique Leader Records and began an extensive campaign of touring and performing both in America and overseas in support of the next three albums released under the UL moniker that continues today.
With the addition of Gravitas Entertainment and Management as full-time management for the band, the schedule and team in place for 2023 have the band set for new heights…..
Band Lineup:
Chris Basile – Guitar
Shaun Kennedy – Bass
Jim Beach – Vocals
John Glassbrenner – Drums
Discography
2023 – System of The Animal 25 (Gravitas Entertainment)
2021 – Gravitas Maximus – LP (Unique Leader Records)
2018 – Unholy Requiem – LP  (Unique Leader Records)
2015 – Sermon of Mockery Reissue – LP (Century Media)
2013 – Feast of Iniquity – LP  (Unique Leader Records)
2007 – Age of the Wicked – LP  (Unique Leader Records)
2004 – Cruelty Beyond Submission – Compilation (Rex Records)
1999 – Catastrophic-The Cleansing (featuring members of Obituary)
1997 – System of the Animal – LP (Serious Entertainment)
1995 – Hatred Anger And Disgust – EP (Self-Release)
1993 – Sermon of Mockery – LP (Drowned Productions)
1991 – Liturgy of Impurity – EP (Self-Release)

0 EPK – Signs of Chaos – Blindsided (2023)

  • April 7, 2023
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Signs of Chaos

EPK – Signs of Chaos – Blindsided (2023)

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

For fans of Machine Head, The Haunted, Pantera, Gojira, Nevermore

Album Title: Blindsided
Release Date: April 21, 2023
Label: Self-Release

SignsofChaos.ca | Facebook.com/signsofchaosmetal | Instagram.com/signsofchaosmetal | Twitter.com/socmetalwitter | Youtube

Signsofchaos.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify

“Signs of Chaos are an amazingly talented and hard working band that have been staples in Ottawa’s metal scene for many years. This album is an excellent demonstration of what this band does best: KICK FUCKING ASS !” – The Ottawa Epitaph – Album Reviews

“I often wonder just how it is that a band that is this good remains unsigned? … ‘Rise’ is like getting a blast of fire as you go about sticking your head into a furnace! … like ‘Holy cat in the hat Batman!’ if this metal doesn’t come off as the the very definition of the word ‘heavy’ then I don’t know what would!” – Heavy Metal Time Machine: Signs of Chaos

“They’re one of those unique bands that you could show your kvlt friend, and girlfriend to all at the same time without the fear of either being cast out as a poser, or not getting laid.” – Shy Guy Assassin – Guest Column: Three Bands You May Not Know But Should

Album Title: Blindsided
Release Date: April 21, 2023
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Faceless – 4:20
2. Bastard Son – 4:09
3. Through Your Eyes – 5:53
4. Blindsided – 4:16
5. Anonymous – 5:02
6. Dead to You – 3:54
7. No One Gets Out Alive – 5:06
8. Curveball – 4:52
Total runtime: 37:32

Album Credits:
All songs performed by Signs of Chaos
All songs written by Signs of Chaos
Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Stephane Desilets
Album Artwork by: Jeremy Dumouchel
Album Band Lineup:
Nick Bedard – Vocals
Matt MacIvor – Guitar
Dave McCann – Guitar
“Handsome” Tom Hansen – Bass
Stephane Desilets – Drums

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

Track by Track:

Lyrically:

Faceless
Being in a toxic relationship where you can’t get out, having zero emotions to the point you become faceless

Bastard son
Growing up alone, struggling with drugs to cope with not having a father, and trying your best not to become him

The world through your eyes
No one seems to have an original opinion,  everything is recycled from the last person and made to sound like their own

Blindsided
Being rejected and shunned because the people you once cared about no longer share the views they once did

Anonymous
Inspired by silence of the lambs buffalo bill

Dead to you
One day people just stopped talking to me and I felt dead to them. We were very close and they knew I struggled with substance abuse and they also did, or supplied it. They turned their back on me and for a few years it was like I didn’t exist

No one gets out alive
Where someone is bullied to the point where he takes the lives of others and people only care or pay attention after the fact. How quickly it’s forgotten until it repeats again

Curveball
Instrumental

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

Album Fun Fact:
Every time our bassist Tom’s name is mentioned on the liner notes for an album he has a different nickname. On Blindsided he has three credits, so three different nicknames. When we run out of nicknames for Tom then we’ll have to disband. We’ve still got enough in the backlog for a couple more albums though.

L-R Dave McCann – Guitar, “Handsome” Tom Hansen – Bass, Nick Bedard – Vocals, Matt MacIvor – Guitar, Stephane Desilets – Drums
Photo Credit: GNGP Photography

Formed in 2008, Ottawa, ON based SIGNS OF CHAOS’ assaulting and aggressive sound has made ripples on their local scene having opened for such bands as Alestorm, Eluveitie, Insomnium, Firewind, Dark Tranquility, Beyond Creation, Exciter, Death Angel to name a few. The band features the insane riffage of Matt MacIvor and Dave McCann along with the ear-stabbing vocals of Nick Bedard followed by the blasting drums of Stephane Desilets and the trademark tombstone slab of bass playing by Tom Hansen. The band’s ready to unleash their second full-length “Blindsided” this coming April 2023 to follow their 2016 EP ‘Watch It Burn’ and 2012’s debut album ‘Rise’. 

Discography:
2023 – Blindsided – LP
2016 – Watch It Burn – EP
2012 – Rise – Album
2009 – Untitled Promo CD – Demo

Shared stage with: Hatebreed, Act of Defiance, Alestorm, Eluveitie, Insomnium, Firewind, Arsis, Nightrage, Dark Tranquility, Malignant Tumour, Beyond Creation, Exciter, Death Angel, Jungle Rot, Reanimator, Dissentient

0 EPK – Juliet Ruin – Give Me The Crown (2023) (single)

  • March 31, 2023
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Juliet Ruin

EPK – Juliet Ruin – Give Me The Crown (2023) (single)

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

“Give Me The Crown is a seething, yet amusing track about enduring revilement while maintaining a great sense of humor. An upbeat, sanguine song that implores the listener to be apathetic to judgment from people they’d never take advice from.” – Juliet Ruin

For fans of Jinjer, Infected Rain, The Agonist, Butcher Babies, Once Human, Killswitch Engage

Single Title: Give Me The Crown
Release Date: March 31, 2023
Distribution: Distrokid

JulietRuin.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube

Spotify | Bandcamp | Apple Music | Amazon

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/julietruin1/give-me-the-crown

“If you are a fan of the likes of JINJER, INFECTED RAIN, THE AGONIST and BUTCHER BABIES then the “Dark Water” E.P is one for you to check out. The E.P opens with the title track “Dark Water” as a ferocious riff creeps in as the rhythm section sounds away. From then the band are now in full swing as the very haunting sounding vocals coming in. The song leads to a sing along chorus with a cool lead line afterwards. When the breakdown hits the vocals add a sort of dreamy feel to it until the guitar solo sections kick in. Great way to start things off.” 8/10 – Metal Temple

““Dark Water” by JULIET RUIN is a great listen and one I really enjoyed. From listening the vocals have a lot of range as Jess goes from hauntingly clean to aggressive death growls. The band has a very modern sound that is filled with great riffing and killer grooves. The songs here are great and you can hear their influences at times too. This is a band that, from listening to this, sounds like they need to be experienced in a live setting and I would love to hear more from them in the future.” – Metal Temple

“As mentioned, Juliet Ruin is not a stranger to attention and praise and can expect a lot more with Dark Water. It is their most striking offering yet and with the new evolution in the band’s already potent sound, surely the first step to greater things.” – The RingMaster Review

“Bang your heads to the new EP by this amazing Canadian Modern Metal crew, reflecting a turn to darker sounds and grittier vocals while still preserving the spirit of what makes the band who they are.” – The Headbanging Moose

“Bloody love it! One of the best EPs I’ve heard this year so far. ” – Ever Metal


[Download Single Cover | Download Single Lyrics]

Single – Give Me The Crown – 3:29

Single Credits:
• Performed and written by: Juliet Ruin
• Produced by : Diego Fernandez and Juliet Ruin
• Mixed/Mastered : Diego Fernandez at Oracle Recording Studios
• Artwork by : Brandy Black
• SOCAN Member
• Canadian Content: MAPL


L-R – Kent Geislinger – Guitar and Vocals, Jess Ruin – Lead Vocals, Wesley Rands – Guitar, Jesse Bauman – Drums, Cody Reid – Bass and Backing Vocals

Photo Credit – Brandy Black

Juliet Ruin was formed in 2015 from the ashes of a previous project Fiction of Fate with the desire to fuse metal sound with clean technical vocal stylings in a way that is both beautiful and beastly. 

Clean and spirited, Juliet Ruin is comprised of Jess Ruin (lead vocals), Kent Geislinger – (guitar/backing vocals), Wesley Rands (guitar), Cody Reid (bass/backing vocals) and Jesse Bauman (drums); creating an original sound chock full of catchy hooks that convey a fresh and emotive feel to their heavy music.

Juliet Ruin took the obligatory first step with their debut self-titled EP in 2017 and quickly made their way through the local scene, captivating audiences with high-energy interactions that evoke emotion, vulnerability and power over various local gigs and appearing at several festivals over their flourishing career.

The next exciting step for Juliet Ruin was the release of their first full-length album ‘Old Stardust, Love and Chaos’ in 2019 which showcased more technical and heavy instrumentation, including some dabbling in low-tuned 7-string guitars. The lead vocals also on that release increased in volume of screams and clean techniques with complimented pop-esque power vocals.

In 2020, the age of Covid, things were tough, no touring, no fans to perform in front of, but not seeing it as a lost cause, Juliet Ruin came together to do what they do best, uniting their love for the music and writing new bangers for current fans and new ones to come. Juliet Ruin was very excited to kick off 2021 with a new EP “Dark Water”.

Now the band returns with more music for 2023, with their first single of the year “Give Me The Crown”, a seething, yet amusing track about enduring revilement, while maintaining a great sense of humour. It’s an upbeat, sanguine song that implores the listener to be apathetic to judgment from people they’d never take advice from.

Discography:
2021 – Dark Water – EP
2019 – Old Stardust, Love, and Chaos – LP
2017 – Self-Titled – EP

Shared Stage with:
Jinjer, The Browning, Sumo Cyco, Royal Tusk, The Agonist, Wednesday 13, The Veer Union, Into Eternity, Sovereign Council, Ninjaspy, Shark Infested Daughters, Tessitura, Tides of Kharon, Black Friday, Solborn, Protosequence, Process, Bastian, WMD, New Jacobin Club, Forsaken Rite, Van Halst, Anarcheon, Kosm, The Myopia Condition, Tartar Control

Tour and Festivals:
2019 – Loud As Hell – Drumheller, AB
2018 – Days of the Dead – Red Deer, AB
2018 – Screamfest – Saskatoon, SK
2018 – Loud as Hell Festival – Drumheller, AB
2018 – Metalocalypstick Fest – Lone Butte, BC
2017 – Days of the Dead – Red Deer, AB
2017 – Metalocalypstick Fest – Lone Butte, BC
2017 – CEMR Fest – Calgary, AB
2016 – Metalocalypstick Fest – Valemount, BC

Awards:
2018 – Edmonton Music Awards – Nominated for Metal Recording of The Year – Ugly Side

Quick Facts:
EP – Old Stardust, Love, and Chaos debut #11 on the iTunes metal chart.
Bassist Cody Reid endorsed by Nordstrand Audio

Drummer Jesse Bauman endorsed by Attack Drum Heads and Los Cabos drumsticks.  

Album and Live Line-Up:
Jess Fleming – Vocals
Kent Geislinger – Guitar
Wesley Rands – Guitar
Cody Reid – Bass
Jesse Bauman – Drums

0 EPK – Talia Hoit – Abandon (single) (2023)

  • March 30, 2023
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Talia

EPK – Talia Hoit – Abandon (single) (2023)

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

“When I wrote this song last year, it was not particularly intended to be something I would release, it was just a moment of vulnerability I had at my piano one day where this song unfolded into existence as I was going through something and had a moment of being emotionally overwhelmed and just started playing the keys and saying the words. It became a beautiful poem about letting go of something that had been really important to me but was dying in my life. I’m really grateful to all the amazing people who have helped me bring this music to life to be able to express my art both musically and visually, and to be able to share it with the world.” – Talia Hoit

For fans of Nightwish, Within Temptation, Evanescence, Delain, Thy Shade

Taliahoit.com | Facebook.com/taliahoitmusic | Twitter.com/taliahoit

Instagram.com/talia_hoit | YouTube.com/@taliahoit | Tiktok.com/@taliahoitofficial

Linktr.ee/taliahoit | Apple Music | Spotify

“Will especially appeal to you if you are a fan of female fronted metal in the vein of Epica, Sandra and early Within Temptation … This lady has a beautiful operatic voice …. As well as ability on keyboards and arranging skills…” – Rick Tilley, Metal Gods TV

“The soprano vocals are delicate and angelic and the vocal lines are catchy and easily to sing along to… would recommend for fans of: Nightwish, Within Temptation, Epica, After Forever, Unsun, Leaves’ Eyes, Sirenia, Ancient Bards, The Gentle Storm” – Sasha Bannister, Noizze UK

“Angelical voice” – Victor Augusto, Ever Metal

“From the start, Talia’s powerful vocals pull you in…I would recommend..to fans of early Tristania and Enter/TheDance-era Within Temptation … Talia is a phenomenal operatic vocalist that is probably more influenced by Simone Simons and less by Vibeke Stene” – Sonic Cathedral

“Haunting vocals” – John Bear, Westword

“são os vocais de Talia Hoit (também responsável pelas orquestrações) que brilham nas dez faixas de “Live to Tell the Story”, com destaque a “Forever Dream”, onde ela desfila todo o seu talento de forma quase mística.” – Marcelo Lopes Vieira, Metal Na Lata

“wondrous vocals from Talia that ooze feeling” – Black Phoenix Rising Metal Forum

Single Info:
Title: Abandon
Release Date: March 30, 2023
Label: Iberis Entertainment, LLC (self-released)
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:  Abandon (4:03) (single)

Credits:
Written by: Talia Hoit
Performed by: Talia Hoit (vocals, piano) and Mane Cabrales (all instruments, backing vocals)
Produced, mixed and mastered by Mane Cabrales
Artwork by Gogo Melone
Talia is a member of ASCAP

Discography
Solo:
Upcoming album, not yet announced (currently in production)
Abandon, single, 2023
Until It’s Forgotten, single, 2022
Angel, single, 2020 (was a soundcloud release only, will be officially released on all digital platforms in a few months)
With Beyond Forgiveness (vocals, orchestration, co-songwriter):
Cold As Winter’s Ice, Album (currently in production)
Live to Tell the Story, Album, 2019
The Great Wall, Album, 2017
The Ferryman’s Shore, EP, 2015

Solo:
A Little Longer, Album, 2012 (short run cd release only)
Fate’s Too Small, Album, 2007 (short run cd release only)
With AnaDies (keyboardist, co-songwriter):
Catalyst, EP, 2006
Formamentum, Album, 2004

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

Story Angles / Fun Facts:

1. This was a new song I had written last summer and was unplanned as far as a recording.  I was looking for mix engineers for my band Beyond Forgiveness’s album, and I was talking to Diana Shade, who is the lead singer of the band Thy Shade, which is one of my favorite bands.  I asked her who does their production because I love it so much, and she asked Mane to produce for me.  And he is currently mixing my band’s album as well.

2. The video was produced by Digital Myle, which is a well-known videography company in the Denver area.  Kyle and his crew have made hundreds of videos for bands, including several bands that I follow locally such as Purge the Heretics, Signs of Tranquility, and Sharone, among many others.  In October, I reached out to him to do a video for my previous single, Until It’s Forgotten and loved working with them so much that I returned to them for the video for this single.  The song is very metaphorical, and I have trouble sometimes with how to best convey the song visually.  I feel like Kyle’s ideas and vision for both my videos have been brilliant for capturing the mood and concept of my music in a visual way.  

3. The cover artwork is a piece created by the amazing digital artist Gogo Melone from Finland, who has done artwork for a large number of well-known bands over the years, including one of the fantastic singles from Xandria that were just released last year.  I had originally planned something different for the cover art, however, when I saw this particular piece that she had created (which wasn’t specifically for my project but was available for sale from the artist), it really resonated with me, and my song and the imagery in my video, and is really beautiful artwork, so I happily selected this piece instead of what I had previously created.

4. This is only my second “official” single release as a solo artist, although I have released several albums with my band, and had done some of my music at a local level before.  My first single is Until It’s Forgotten, which can be found on YouTube and all the sites.  However, even though I’m just starting to release music, I have been writing for many years, just didn’t pursue the professional production of it until more recently, so there is much more music in the works, and hope to be released in the future!

5. In a few months, we are also planning to re-release officially the song, Angel, which was produced for me by Jarek Musil a few years ago but was never widely distributed.  I am so happy that we will be able to make that song more publicly available.

Talia Hoit is an American singer-songwriter from Colorado. Classically trained, she begin playing the piano at the age of 5. Now she writes original songs, performs on vocals and keyboards, and composes orchestra scores for symphonic metal.

She was the keyboardist and a co-songwriter for the hard rock band Anadies for 5 years, releasing an album, Formamentum (2004), and an EP, Catalyst (2006), before branching out to write her own solo songs and sing classical music. She performed as a Soprano with the Colorado Springs Chorale for 10 years, and as the Chamber Singers of the Colorado Springs Chorale for 5 years. As a solo artist, she wrote and independently recorded two original albums of songs, Fate’s Too Small (2007) and A Little Longer (2012) which had a limited physical cd release only.

In 2014, she recorded ambient vocal backing tracks as a guest musician for a symphonic power metal band, Psycodrama. After this studio experience, she decided to pursue her passion for singing symphonic metal. That same year, she joined the band Beyond Forgiveness and is currently the lead singer, orchestral composer, co-lyricist, and co-songwriter for the band. They have released an EP: The Ferryman’s Shore (2015), two albums: The Great Wall (2017) and Live to Tell the Story (2019), and are currently in the studio working on their third full-length album, Cold as Winter’s Ice.

In the fall of 2020, she worked with producer Jarek Musil to record a single, Angel, for personal purposes, which had a soft release in early 2021 on Soundcloud only. Since the Covid pandemic, she has been working remotely with a talented group of producers and musicians to bring more of her most personal and intimate solo songs to life.

0 EPK – Sovereign Council – World On Fire (2023)

  • March 29, 2023
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Sovereign Council

EPK – Sovereign Council – World On Fire (2023)

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

“This is the first release for us since we decided to alter our lineup and adjust our musical trajectory. We feel that the sound we have created here is still at its core very “Sovereign  Council” but has matured and developed into something greater. We are extremely proud of this new sound and cannot wait to see how people respond to it. We have another set of songs nearly completed as well; these new songs continue our new direction and add another new edge as well as a heavier feel. You’ll have to stick around for the next release to find out what that edge is.” – Sovereign Council

For fans of Delain, Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil, Evergrey, Evanescence

EP: World On Fire
Release Date: May 5, 2023
Label: Independent

Facebook.com/SovereignCouncilpage | Twitter.com/sovcouncil | Youtube.com/@SovereignCouncil | Instagram.com/sovereigncouncil

Sovereigncouncil.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

“To me it’s shocking that most prominent labels into a powerful style of symphonic, progressive metal have not reached out to sign Sovereign Council. World on Fire contains all the ideal components in sound, songwriting, tones, and natural talent to be a great addition to any roster. 9/10” – Dead Rhetoric

““World On Fire” is simply an excellent EP all around. Every track has something unique to offer and it is easy to imagine any of the five songs becoming a favourite depending on the listener. The melodies are catchy, the production is clean and the talent is immense. In particular, I would recommend this release to fans of bands with a more modern take on symphonic metal, such as recent Within Temptation, Beyond The Black, Dark Horse | White Horse and Phantom Elite to name a few. I’m excited to see what comes next for SOVEREIGN COUNCIL. They have certainly made a fan out of me.” – Female Fronted Power

“you should definitely take a listen at the new album by Sovereign Council, a band that proudly carries the flag of heavy music wherever they go and that’s moving towards a very interesting direction with their new release.” – The Headbanging Moose

“World on Fire marks a welcome return for Sovereign Council, showing a band with a will to break genre boundaries” – Metal Observer

“Comeback has succeeded. Now Sovereign Council should follow up with a full-length album. 8/10” – Metalheads Forever Mag

“Female fronted metal, a little goth, a bit of a Lacuna Coil vibe” – The Mosh Pit – WORT FM 89.9 (Madison, WI)

“Dynamic solos and incredible vocal range come together in the impressive display of melodic metal that is “World On Fire” ” – Darkzen Dragon Metal Angles

“Sovereign Council can do it with atmosphere and especially with melodies… “World On Fire” is a very pleasant melodic metal record that feels honest. The EP is very good” – Metal Forever

“A new opus is born” – Soil Chronicles

“you should keep an eye on the band for the future, because the opener and the closing ‘Of The Ashes’ in particular clearly show that there is a lot of potential here” – PowerMetal.de

“Comeback succeeded. Now, however, Sovereign Council should follow up with a full-length album.” – Keep On Rocking

“Upon first listening to World On Fire, the title of this mini, one can appreciate affinity with world-class bands such as Delain. The mood is halfway in an ideal point of contact between power prog, gothic metal and symphonic manner. Heavy guitars, dreamy keyboards and sophisticated drumming. We note a more than discreet production and the voice of Lisa Thompson who stands out for her good technique and beautiful timbre” – MetalShock.it

“Here’s living proof that shows that Female-Fronted Symphonic Rock/Metal isn’t an exclusive domain and does reach beyond the boundaries of the Netherlands and mainland Europe…The  Euro Symphonic Rock connection is strengthened with Delain’s Timo Somers pitching in with a  trademark solo on the single ‘The Human Condition’, while the album also features Brazilian-based violinist Marina Andrade…An album with a title which offers up the suggestion that, like the galaxy it describes, is vast and with limitless boundaries, ‘Laniakea’ is a collection which is  more epic and melodic rather than Symphonic and orchestral. It’s going to be a record which has  fans of Nightwish and Delain pricking up their ears as this is something along the same lines yet  a little bit different.” – Mike Ainscoe – Rocktopia (Laniakea – 2015)

“There are not many Symphonic Metal bands coming out of Canada at the moment, but  Sovereign Council is certainly one band from that country to watch out for! This is a grower and  well recommended..8.5/10” – Ravenheart Music  (Laniakea – 2015)

“Here is another great work of this great band that will surely please the most demanding heavy  metal fans as well as fans of good music in general.” – Cássio Pagliarini – Heavy Metal Brasil  (Laniakea – 2015)

“Progressive Symphonic Metal (new Canadian symphonic metal band that has a strong  orchestral sound with some wonderful violin and piano along with the beautiful, theatrical vocals  of Lisa Thompson contrasted against very harsh male vocals.” – Prog Metal Zone – Prog Metal Zone (Laniakea – 2015)

“There is something hidden within Canada…I think this band will be hot in 2015.” – Odie – Rock Fanatic Rockcast  (Laniakea – 2015)

“The CD is well-presented with a simple, but elegant album cover reminiscent of something  House Of Lords might do, with a regal-looking logo that visually matches the image of the bands name. The back cover photo and layout messed up my brain. The band put a bit of time and energy into the 10-page booklet with nice photos, (the band look slightly gothic), lyrics and liner notes. It was self-produced and sounds quite good for a homemade recording…. This is a pretty impressive debut. The band has it together with good songwriting, production, performances and presentation. I could see a European label like Napalm or Massacre showing some interest in  Sovereign Council, based on the strength of NEW REIGN.” – JP – Metal-Rules.com (New Reign 2013)  

“You may not necessarily think of symphonic metal bands when you think of Canada, but that’s about to change… Sovereign Council that’s on a mission to bring their musical dream to the masses. Their debut album New Reign fuses together elements of rock, heavy metal and classical music while blending in a compelling mix of male and female vocals. All of these ingredients combine  together to elevate what you think symphonic metal is supposed to sound like to a whole new  level.” – Rock Revolt Magazine (New Reign 2013)

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

EP: World On Fire
Release Date: May 5, 2023
Label: Independent  

Track Listing:
1. World On Fire – 4:43
2. The Wait – 4:24
3. Aberration – 4:00
4. Breathe You In – 3:34
5. Of The Ashes – 4:13
EP Length: 20:52

EP Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Sovereign Council
• All songs written by: Sovereign Council
• Produced by: Joe Moon  
• Mixed by: Silver Wings Studios
• Mastered by: Silver Wings Studios
• EP Artwork by: Martin Trottier
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

EP and Live Band Lineup:
Lisa Thompson – Lead Vocalist
Joe Moon – Lead Guitarist & Backup vocalist
Chris Thompson – Rhythm Guitarist
Shaun Vanhooser – Bassist
Brandon Schneider – Drummer

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

The EP as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

“World On Fire” was written and composed from a place of love and vulnerability. We don’t want to tell people how to interpret the songs however, we would rather you listen and make your own judgments and derive your own meaning. The beauty of music is in its ability to mean so many different things to so many different people.  

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)
1. World On Fire: The lyrics are about making tough life-altering decisions and having to leave everything behind. Musically, it hits hard with heavy dynamics but is also very melodic.  

2. The Wait: These lyrics are about recovering from heartbreak and waiting to be saved by a  knight in shining armor.  

Musically there are hints of power metal with driving guitars and drums.

3. Aberration: This is a song about dealing with inner demons and feeling as if you are lost in a dark world of your own. Musically it has dark synth throughout and heavy-hitting guitars and drums.  

4. Breathe: This is a sexy song about being consumed by the longing for someone. Musically it is a slower-paced melodic song but still delivers heavy elements.

5. Of The Ashes: This song is a lyrical analogy for fighting for yourself, talking yourself through an internal war, and having the courage to fight for what you deserve. Musically it is one of our more technical songs. Utilizing double kick and down-picked guitars.

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Chris and Lisa are cousins. Chris invited Lisa to record some guest vocals on SC’s first album  “New Reign” which she did from her home studio. The band then invited her to the album photoshoot and the rest is history. If we had told her in 2013 that she would be at the front of a  metal band and absolutely in love with it in 2023, she would have laughed us out of the room.  

2. In 2015 we went on our first tour through western Canada in a cramped 10 passenger van and  no trailer. Sleeping in the van with 5 members and all our gear was a challenge so our drummer  Brandon slept one night in a TD bank entrance, and another night on a parking lot sidewalk  beside our van in a sleeping bag. He’s a trooper.  

3. Lisa and Joe are spouses. While writing material for our “World On Fire” EP, they didn’t  realize they were writing about each other in some of the songs. You can get a sense of their  journey by listening to the lyrics.

4. Our band is so much more than a band. We are a family. We have been through so much  together and always came out stronger and closer. When we get together we work of course, but  we also spend personal time together. The laughter when we’re all in the same room is  contagious and I think we all appreciate the value of our friendship.

5. We have some of the most supportive close friends and family who have followed this project  and believed 100% in its success from day one. These people all know who they are. We thank  each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts. This project would not be the same  without you.

L-R – Joe Moon – Lead Guitarist & Backup Vocals, Brandon Schneider – Drummer, Lisa Thompson – Lead Vocals, Shaun Vanhooser – Bassist, Chris Thompson – Rhythm Guitarist
Photo Credit: Dark Moon Productions

From headlining performances as well as supporting slots for some of the biggest bands in metal, Ottawa, Canada’s Sovereign Council have hit the ground running and haven’t stopped since they formed in 2012 originally in Kingston, ON. They have released two full-length albums to date “New Reign” (2013) and “Laniakea” (2015) and now they have a fresh new EP “World On Fire”. The majority of the EP comes from vocalist Lisa Thompson’s personal experiences and this five-song progressive, symphonic, and power metal-influenced record will take listeners through a range of emotions and imagery ranging from inspiring,

Sovereign Council is comprised of five members: Alexander MacWilliam (vocals), Lisa  Thompson (vocals), Chris Thompson (guitar), Shaun Vanhooser (bass guitar), and Brandon  Schneider (drums). This band lineup lends a noteworthy blend of male and female vocals, which is particularly unique to the metal scene.

The group’s blend of vocals has earned them comparisons to Lacuna Coil, Evanescence, Delain,  Nightwish, and Kamelot. Like these bands, Sovereign Council embraces metal head-on, with all of its throttling guitar riffs, intense bass lines, driving drums, and fluctuating vocals that are at times guttural and at others more mellow and introspective.

Their new EP “World On Fire” is due out on May 5, 2023.  

Sovereign Council is:
Lisa Thompson – Lead Vocalist
Joe Moon – Lead Guitarist & Backup vocalist
Chris Thompson – Rhythm Guitarist
Shaun Vanhooser – Bassist
Brandon Schneider – Drummer

Discography:
2023 – World On Fire EP
2015 – Laniakea LP
2013 – New Reign LP

Shared Stage with:
Powerglove, Immortal Guardian, Unleash The Archers, Stryker, Alestorm, Aephanemer, Amorphis, Anneke Van Giesbergen, The Agonist, Sevenspires, Red Handed Denial, Sonata Arctica, Primal Fear

Tours and Festivals:
2017 – The Exchange (Regina, SK)
2017 – Rendezvous Pub ( Edmonton, AB)
2017 – Distortion (Calgary, AB)
2017 – Metalocalypstic Fest (Lone Boote, BC)
2018 – Music Fest 4 Vets (Low, QC)

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