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Category: EPKs

0 EPK – Shores of Null – The Loss of Beauty (2023)

  • December 15, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Shores of Null (Spikerot Records)

EPK – Shores of Null – The Loss of Beauty (2023)

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

For fans of Amorphs, Enslaved, Paradise Lost

Band: Shores of Null
Album Title: The Loss of Beauty
Release Date: March 24, 2023
Label: Spikerot Records

Spikerot.com/ | Shoresofnull.com | Facebook.com/shoresofnull | Instagram.com/shoresofnull | Twitter.com/shoresofnull

Youtube.com/user/shoresofnull | Youtube.com/user/ShoresOfNullVEVO

Shoresofnull.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Amazon

“The Loss of Beauty” is Shores Of Null’s fourth album and follows the acclaimed “Beyond The Shores (On Death And Dying)”, unanimously considered by fans and critics as one of the Doom Metal gems of recent years. Both albums were recorded between 2019 and early 2020, and although “The Loss of Beauty” was initially conceived as the band’s third album, ‘Beyond The Shores’ took its place as it better reflected the doom and gloom sentiment of the ‘annus horribilis’ 2020.

Across 11 tracks (plus two bonus tracks), Shores Of Null once again submerges listeners with tempestuous and turbulent riffs. The band continues to hone its sound and take its melancholic dark metal to new heights by mastering an assorted palette of genres with inbred poignancy. The lyrics celebrate beauty in imperfection and transience and are meant to be an invitation to seek beauty in little things, especially those unexpected and ephemeral.

The quintet of Shores of Null will be releasing singles over the following months to entice listeners further and have plans for a European tour to support the release. “The Loss of Beauty” has been shielded from the outside world until today, and it will finally see the light of day on March 24, 2023 via Spikerot Records.

“The Loss of Beauty” is dark and heavy, tinged with feelings of despair and melancholy. It is recommended for fans of Amorphs, Enslaved, and Paradise Lost.

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

About: Shores of Null stand out from their contemporaries with their ability to blend seemingly disparate elements into their sound, overwhelmingly heavy and soothing at the same time: blackened aggression stands alongside gothic-doom sections without either sounding out of place. Their music can be both melancholic yet majestic, made of chorale-like guitar textures across the instrument’s entire range, sustained by a powerful rhythmic section and punctuated by a refined mixture of clean and growled vocals, along with extensive use of pleasing vocal harmonies which have become the band’s trademark through the years.

The Rome-based metal band has been an unwavering presence within the metal underground since their musical outset in 2013, churning out three impressive records: the melodic and somber  “Quiescence” (Candlelight, 2014), the darker and more complex “Black Drapes For Tomorrow” (Candlelight/Spinefarm, 2017), and finally their most ambitious work to date “Beyond The Shores (On Death And Dying)” (Spikerot Records, 2020), a 38-minute long opus which continues to prove the band’s willingness to go off the beaten path while creating their ultimate doom manifesto.

The work, inspired by the five stages of grief formulated by the Swiss-American psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, has created quite a buzz in the underground, followed by the multi-award winning full-track video by Sanda Movies, an unprecedented output that has taken the heavy music hemisphere by storm.

The album sees guest appearances of the doom-titans Mikko Kotamäki (Swallow The Sun) and Thomas A.G. Jensen (Saturnus), along with the angelic voice of Elisabetta Marchetti (Inno). The band is able to present an even more diverse and eclectic sound on the album thanks to the addition of classical instruments like piano and violin, along with the return of the talented Marco “Cinghio” Mastrobuono (Hour Of Penance, Fleshgod Apocalypse) behind the production desk.

The band’s fourth album “The Loss Of Beauty”, recorded during the same sessions of “Beyond The Shores” is to be released on March 24, 2023.

Shores Of Null is:
Davide Straccione – Vocals
Gabriele Giaccari – Guitars
Raffaele Colace – Guitars
Matteo Capozucca – Bass
Emiliano Cantiano – Drums

Track Listing:
1. Transitory – 1:20
2. Destination Woe – 4:52
3. The Last Flower – 4:59
4. Darkness Won’t Take Me – 4:14
5. Nothing Left To Burn – 4:55
6. Old Scars – 4:23
7. The First Son – 2:17
8. A Nature In Disguise – 6:26
9. My Darkest Years – 4:56
10. Fading As One – 5:19
11. A New Death Is Born – 4:54
Album Length: 48:40
Bonus Tracks (CD and digital only)
12. Underwater Oddity – 4:18
13. Blazing Sunlight – 1:57

Album Credits:
Produced by Shores Of Null and Marco “Cinghio” Mastrobuono.
Recorded at Kick Recording Studio and Bloom Recording Studio, Rome, Italy, by Marco “Cinghio” Mastrobuono between July 2019 and February 2020.
Mixed and Mastered at Kick Recording Studio by Marco “Cinghio” Mastrobuono between September 2019 and February 2020.
Mic supervisor at Bloom Recording Studio: Fabrizio Ludovici.
Videos and scripts by Martina L. McLean and Sanda Movies
All music written by Raffaele Colace and Gabriele Giaccari.
All songs arranged by Shores Of Null.
All lyrics written by Davide Straccione.
All photos by Sabrina Caramanico
Design by Jukuki
Featured Guests:
Selvans: screams on “A Nature In Disguise”
Paolo Campitelli: piano on “The First Son” and “Blazing Sunlight”

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

What the press is saying:

“Take a solid 40-minutes and give Beyond the Shores your full attention. It’s a special thing to get a lengthy track like this so well-executed and dripping with emotion. The heavy moments are gripping, and the sorrow-fueled moments feel serene. It all leads up to an impressive conclusion with just enough uplift and acceptance that’ll leave you quite impressed, and most importantly, want to take the journey for another listen. Longingly beautiful from start to finish.” – DeadRhetoric

“Shores of Null continues to impress and expand upon their doomy sound. An epic-length track worthy to sit amongst the best of these ventures (Edge of Sanity, Insomnium). Emotionally fulfilling and musically satisfying all at once.” – Dead Rhetoric (Best-of 2020)

“this album definitely is one of the best Doom Metal pieces I had the pleasure to look at in 2020. Once you plunge into its astonishing flow, there will be no escape from that majestic march through soaring soundscapes to those tear-drenched horizons.” – Rock Music Raider (Best of 2020)

“While the song / album is fairly slow for the most part, with a primary focus on the instrumentals, the musicianship delves into other genres along the way. Featuring some passages that are akin to that of more progressive metal, some sections even fall back into more hard rock. All this, before dropping back into some of the slowest doom metal I’ve encountered this year.” – Metal Injection

“it’s certainly ambitious (video for “Beyond the Shores (On Death and Dying)”), but if you have the time, it’s worth the watch. Steeped in quality and excellent videography, it definitely deserves the attention for the amount of effort used.” – Metal Injection

“Shores of Null rolled the dice with Beyond the Shores (On Death and Dying) and delivered in a big fucking way… Shores of Null have crafted something special; a heart-wrenchingly emotive and beautiful journey of sorrow, anguish, pain, and acceptance. Beyond the Shores (On Death and Dying) is a splendidly sombre, brilliantly written opus of commanding death-doom that demands attention.” – Teeth of The Divine

“With all that said, Shores of Null gambled heavily on this album, and in my eyes, it most certainly paid off handsomely. To make a one-song album that’s stretching near the 40-minute mark requires a hefty amount of guts to pull off, but in doing so, they’ve made something that takes the potential found on Quiescence, and adds a heaping amount of maturity and songwriting growth to the formula. The result is a fantastic album that sees Shores of Null standing tall among their doom and funeral doom contemporaries,2 as well as a guaranteed spot on my year-end list.” – Angry Metal Guy

“this album is phenomenal, both in terms of concept and its monumental delivery… with this magnum opus [Shores Of Null] have proved their position front and centre as depressed doom-titans…” – The Sleeping Shaman

“The greatest danger of a single track album is that such a lengthy and expansive piece of music can be difficult to maintain momentum and interest throughout. Shores of Null have definitely avoided this, and the album is not only interesting throughout, but thoroughly engrossing. This is music to lose yourself in, so that forty minutes seems to pass in the blink of an eye. I’m not sure if the band plans to play this album live, but if so, and if they have the chance to do so, it will be a phenomenal spectacle. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to play it again….” – The Progressive Aspect

“This album is incredibly dramatic and engrossing from start to finish, with the guest appearances, in particular, the female vocals and excellent violins, helping to elevate and oftentimes complement the music on this record quite significantly, turning what was already a great album into one of the musical highlights of 2020. In a year that has already seen a variety of great releases by bands with a more gothic sound and style, this is perhaps one of the more impressive and enduring ones, and easily stands as the best thing SHORES OF NULL have accomplished to date.” – Distorted Sound Mag

“Beyond The Shores (On Death and Dying)” is a near perfect, monumental achievement of doom.  I can’t imagine any fan of the style not finding something here to enjoy.” – Metal Temple

“An enchanting, gloomy opus.” – Moshville Times

“A single track of incredibly well-realised melodic doom metal, layered with all sorts of treats and nuanced delivery.” – Wonderbox Metal

“A piece of delicious despair, delivered on a platter of storm-ridden and excellently executed Doom Metal. A record that left anybody else in the genre in 2020 quaking in their wake.” – Rock Music Raider

“their most intricate and brooding work to date… grandiose emotional impact.” – Metal Storm

“Every element plays a powerful role across this well thought out and constructed release. From the haunting piano and violins, the spoken elements, cleans and growls, all the way through to the crushing Doom rich segments, this takes you on a convoluted listening journey that, although at times painfully emotive for the listener, is at the same time an utterly superb listen that you want to tear yourself away from, yet can’t. Produced by Marco “Cinghio” Mastrobuono (Hour Of Penance, Fleshgod Apocalypse) ‘Beyond the Shores (On Death and Dying) is a magnificently powerful and moving release. Recommended for any and all Doom fans, especially fans of My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, Swallow the Sun and Amorphis.” – Metal Talk

“Shores of Null stand out from their contemporaries in their ability to blend seemingly disparate elements and to sound overwhelmingly heavy and soothing at the same time. Blackened aggression stands alongside gothic-doom sections without either sounding out of place. A powerful monument to the medium of depressive doom (recommended especially fans of My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, and Amorphis)”- Doomed and Stoned

“Beyond the Shores (On Death and Dying) might just be a single track but it is as epic and exhausting as a ten-track album. The lone track, nearly 40 minutes long and broken into segments that bury the mind under mountains of gloom and doom.” – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life  

“You are about to live an unique experience created by Shores of Null. It is complex to describe such an experience with words. If the song has to be listened in a single take, it develops different and complementary ambiences. The band’s melancholic and heavy basis permanently stays, and guests add their specific touch, beginning with Mikko Kotamäki and Thomas A G Jensen’s howlings, that enrich the group’s intense rhythmic with this melodic oppression… Shores of Null took a huge risk with this new album. However, Beyond the Shores (on Death and Dying) is an unusually pure treasure, of which sparkle will shine for years on the band’s career, which seems to be at its peak. 9.5/10” – Acta Infernalis

“This album is a giant step, as they haven’t released a track over 10 minutes up to this point in their career. The concept is strong, based on psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’ five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance). Torment echoes through the whole song, as the main character struggles with loss. The journey builds with an unrushed pace, giving the listener time to sink into its darkness. Shores Of Null are daring with this new effort, and those with the patience for a song this long should be satisfied.” – Heavy Music Headquarters

0 EPK – Nomad – The Mountain (2023)

  • December 15, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Nomad

EPK – Nomad – The Mountain (2023)

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

For fans of Gojira, Lamb of God, Pantera, Sepultura, Devildriver

Band: Nomad
Album Title: The Mountain
Release Date: March 3, 2023
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: (Distrokid)

“This has been a long time coming. After so many external factors holding us back we are so happy to finally get this out to the world, and start crushing audiences again. We’re hoping that it fills the need for a little groove in the metal scene. We’ve spoken to many people in the audience after playing a show that say there are not enough bands like Nomad out there that like to slow it down and catch you with a good hook once in a while. We feel that many emotions and influences can be felt throughout this album and are sure to keep the listeners engaged and entertained with heavy riffs, blasting beats, and dynamic vocals.” – Nomad

Facebook.com/nomadmetal | Instagram.com/nomadbandbc | Nomadbc.bandcamp.com | Spotify

““Revolution” takes no time at all to seize attention. The drums clatter and boom with immediately thrilling effect, and around those convulsive strikes the guitars slowly meander and ring in a beguiling harmony. The vocals have their own interesting harmony but flare into rabid, throat-cutting growls. That slithering opening melody, warmed by the bass, reappears and becomes a swelling ear-worm — but with a pause the song transforms into a hulking and jolting brute. The guitars jitter and whine, and the vocals change into goblin-like snarls, creating a feeling of sinister menace, which becomes even more sinister thanks to an exotically swaying and swirling guitar solo whose piercing tones are somehow inviting as well as increasingly crazed. Maniac howls, ugly gurgling expulsions, and berserk screams vent the lyrics with their own groove, while the band as a whole continue on with their nasty but highly headbangable beating.” – No Clean Singing

“The Mountain is a smorgasbord of ideas delivered with unrelenting energy and creativity. It’s not the kind of metal that questions the very foundation of the genre like a Zeal & Ardor would, but it’s really questioning the notion of how many influences a band can integrate into its core identity. This record challenged me and tested my boundaries as a metal fan. This was not exactly my comfort zone as I’m usually more of an atmospheric guy at heart, but it’s not meant to make you feel comfortable. The Mountain is meant to explore the gaps between the past and the present, the harsh and the melodic and the catchy and the complex. New ideas are never easy and they should never be.” – Vox & Hops

“Nomad clearly have a higher purpose musically than just severing eardrums, and the album is an evolution in real-time. While the album has no concrete, overarching story to tell, each song is placed in the order that it was written. The time between opener “Burning Alive” and closer “Choke” puts the wide distance the group has creatively gone through in perspective. While The Mountain starts and ends in a rage, it does so in a different manner. Early on, the groove is strong, but by the latter third of the album, a more technical front is taken. In-between that, the trio of vocalists in the band employ everything from raspy wails to low grunts to melodic singing.” – Heavy Music Headquarters

“Listeners can expect diversity in approach with a meld of groovy death meets modern and semi-progressive influences in terms of hooks and heaviness across these nine tracks – a balancing act that has mixed results… Almost clocking in at an hour, The Mountain has certain appeal for those who love the aggression of modern, progressive groove-oriented metal” – Dead Rhetoric

“what is undeniable is that  NOMAD  plays the card of singularity, and with a disarming naturalness.” – MetalNews.fr

“for a brand new band coming from a fairly remote area, NOMAD has really hooked my interest and in the future, this might become an extremely potent band.” – Wormwood Chronicles

“they’re really a great band, as shown on songs as “Burning Alive” (where a classic Death/Thrash Metal appeal is clear, with many contrasts between grunts and shrieks, and many hooking parts), “Haunted” (a surprising song, filled with excellent arrangements and surprising elements, as the excellent and technical bass playing and clean chords parts, and tribal percussive moments), “Revolution” (a true and Progressive, with shifts between aggressive and introspective moments with clean vocals), “A Lonely Wanderer” (this one is more aggressive than experimental, abusing of the weight due a very good and technical playing of the drums, and what lovely Progressive melodies can be heard), “Blood Moon” (this one is essentially a Progressive Death Metal song based on a fine technical appeal and some melancholic touches, but always being brutal and aggressive, with excellent guitar parts and themes), and “Choke”. The others ones are equally excellent, so dive into this album without fears (and the lyrics are excellent, staying away from the usual themes based on ‘gore’ and ‘satan’ for some fictional characters, historical events, science fiction, and even Astrophysics)” – Metal Temple

Band: Nomad
Album Title: The Mountain
Release Date: March 3, 2023
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: (Distrokid)

Track Listing:
1. Burning Alive (4:30)
2. Haunted (6:00)
3. Revolution (6:05)
4. Relentless (6:09)
5. A Lonely Wanderer (5:08)
6. Blood Moon (9:40)
7. Rise in the Fall (6:20)
8. Processor (6:56)
9. Choke (8:52)
Album Length: 59:38

Album Credits:
– All songs written and performed by Nomad.
– Additional writing contribution by past members:
Kasey Klassen
Lorne Valliers
Dylan Heska
Justin Kleinsasser
– Mixed by Bretton Melanson
– Mastered by Christian Donaldson
– Album Artwork by: Angela Grimmuza/ Art Of Grimmuza
– MAPL – Canadian Content

Album and Live lineup:
Bretton Melanson: Drums/Vocals
Matt Johnstone: Guitar/Vocals
Jeff Mabb: Guitar/Vocals
Josh MacDonald: Bass

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

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Catchy. Groove Factory & Krank

Note, the tracks on the album are presented in the order they were written. It wasn’t written as a concept album so there isn’t a lot tying one track to the next lyrically.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Burning Alive
In the first song we wrote together, Matt had the riffs and brought them to our first practice, which took place at Bretton’s parent’s house, in the attic above their shop, with no air conditioning, in August. It was HOT. The title came from how ridiculously hot we were, and from there the lyrics came to surround the topic of forest fires and is intended as a call-out to any idiot that throws their cigarette butts out their car window.

2. Haunted
An exploration of building on one idea, can we use the same riff for the quiet section as well as the loud. The lyrics follow a man haunted and tormented by demons/hell/the supernatural.

3. Revolution
The first half is our “ballad” clean vocal spot #1. and the second half is rocking out to one hell of a sludge/groove riff, start light, go heavy, it’s kind of our “one” (Metallica). The lyrics call for a revolution, or societal change, redistribution of wealth, symbiosis with nature, and stop messing up the damn planet so our kids have a decent world to live in. The album title comes from the final line of the song (like how Slayer used “God hates us all” from disciple). The “Fuck you” is directed at those that put profits over the preservation of our planet.

4. Relentless
The verses of this song let us have fun with starting a riff slow and speeding it up over the course of the section. Also, drum solo #1 of the album. Lyrically the song portrays the mental struggle of dealing with anxiety induced by the duality of man. An acknowledgment that no matter how much good there is in the world there will always be a dark side to the mind of humankind  

5. A Lonely Wanderer
This one starts with some Mongolian Throat singing performed by Jeff and is also based around two main riffs, that we push and pull to bring ups and downs. It tells the story of a Man who’s fed up with society and leaves to live as a recluse, Wandering the wilderness, being a Nomad. This is the guy on the album cover, and on the inside of the CD case.

6. Blood Moon
This is our epic, it’s a long journey through a few different sections. Clean vocal spot #2 in the middle. It tells the story of a werewolf hunter who was bitten while hunting a werewolf and is becoming one himself.

7. Rise in the Fall
The title came first here, and I thought “gee, that sounds like the Russian revolution” one regime rising while the previous one falls, and it happens in the fall… not that deep of a double meaning, but it is one nonetheless. Wish I had written this in high school, would have upped my mark in history class, and I probably would have got a top mark in the school (darn second place). Yes, I am a huge nerd.

8. Processor
This one’s our most Tech death track. Got some really fast double kick bursts, using my low voice a lot for the vocals. The lyrics are about an artificial Intelligence designed to save humankind, who sees that humans are destroying the planet they need to live on, so the best way to preserve humankind is to preserve everyone digitally, and get rid of their bodies, so it’s trying to find every last person, “process” them, and incinerate the bodies, so there’s no further need to consume earth’s resources. The last line of the song says “destroyer of man” in one ear, and “protector of man” in the other

9. Choke
Another pretty long one, hitting different dynamic levels as we go. I looked for other meanings of the word “Choke”, which is the chorus section, Matt took the reins on a number of other sections and went with a cosmic theme, the birth, and death of the universe. We married those different themes together and this is the result.

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. The original form of the band formed after Matt approached Bretton at Armstrong Metalfest in 2015 to get the last required member to start a band. Originally a one-guitar band, the rest eventually decided to get a second and Bretton had been jamming with Jeff just before.

2. Went through 4 different lead singers (well, 3 but one guy came twice, it went Kasey – Justin – Kasey – Dylan) before deciding, screw it, let’s “Mastodon” it, and just share vocals. Bretton took the initiative on lead vocals learning the songs during the pandemic

3. Drums were tracked when we still had singer #1. Really slows down recording when you keep having to start from square one with a new singer.

4. Nomad was together for about a year with only one guitar before getting Jeff in the band. The addition of another guitar really fleshed out the sound and brought new techniques and influences into the band.

5. Djeff’s first jam with the band was right after Matt had moved to a house right beside the baseball fields in Enderby, I remember setting up, hitting my snare drum once, and seeing about a hundred baseball players all turn their heads at once to see what the heck that noise was. We didn’t jam there again.

6. Matt and Jeff have both played with broken ankles.

7. Matt was in the hospital with a blood clot in his brain and almost died, had to leave the hospital early to get to our gig on time.

L-R – Josh MacDonald (Bass), Matt Johnstone (Guitar/Vocals), Bretton Melanson, (Drums/Vocals), Jeff Mabb (Guitar/Vocals)

Photo Credit – Chris Geistlinger

Nomad is a dynamic, progressive death metal band from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada and consists of drummer/vocalist Bretton Melanson; guitarist/vocalist Matt Johnstone; guitarist/vocalist Jeff Mabb; plus bassist Josh MacDonald. Kickstarted by Johnstone who was looking for an outlet, he approached Melanson and since the material felt right and with their previous history playing together, the ball was rolling. Over a few years, there was a lineup flux, with each additional leaving their mark on the material. Ultimately, they then recruited Mabb as a second guitarist and MacDonald on bass, and working collaboratively, they weave their melodic, groovy death metal.

Looking to avoid going too crazy on the violence and gore tropes that are quite prominent in metal music, they tend to tell stories based on fictional characters, historical events, science fiction, and astrophysics. Each member adds their own flair to the songs, imprinting their distinct influences.

When they hit the stage, the audience is greeted by multiple vocalists that deliver a massive wall of layered sound, integrated sound effects, and a well-thought-out visual element. They played Canada’s prominent Armstrong Metalfest in 2016-2019 and performed alongside bands such as Kataklysm, Origin, Soulfly, and Alestorm. They are releasing their debut album “The Mountain” on March 3, 2023.

Tours and Festivals:  
Armstrong Metalfest 2016-2017-2018-2019

Shared Stage with: Alestorm, Origin, Nekrogoblikon, Wake, Within Destruction, Kataklysm,Archspire, Neck of the Woods, The Kennedy Veil, Sarah Longfield,
Revocation, Beyond Creation, Dayglo Abortions, Unleash the Archers, Rivers of Nihil, The Zenith Passage, Soulfly, Today is the Day, Pound, West of Hell

0 EPK – L.A. Project – Carry On (single) (2022)

  • December 7, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · L.A. Project

EPK – L.A. Project – Carry On (single) (2022)

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

Facebook /laprojectpt | Instagram.com/l.a.project2021/ | Laproject1.bandcamp.com | (Spotify, Apple Music) – https://ditto.fm/carry-on-l-a-project

“L.A. Project was created by musician Luís Amaro with the idea to be a instrumental project.” – Metalheads Forever Magazine

“The LA Project launches into the next dimension of rock with bombastic rock opus ‘5 Dimension’!” – Shewolf Magazine

“Gimme”, tem ali um toquezinho da sonoridade Van Halen e Dokken, “Goodbye” flui para uma linha mais melódica e pesada e finalmente “Rock Star” é composta por riffs rockeiros mostrando a versatilidade técnica e criativa do Luís.” – World of Metal Mag

Single Title: Carry On
Release Date: December 2, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Ditto Music  

Track Listing:
1. Carry On (4:26)

Single Recording Credits:
• Recorded and Produced by Ricardo Fernandes
•Song by Lukky Sparxx and music by Luis Amaro
• Produced by: Ricardo Fernandes
• Mixed by: Rich Gray / Ricardo Fernandes
• Mastered by: Ricardo Fernandes
• Album Artwork by: Nicolas Oliveros

Single Band Line Up:
Lukky Sparxx – vocals and guitars
Luís Amaro – Guitars
Rich Gray – Bass
Fábio Alessandrini – Drums

Discography:
2022 – Carryon On (single)
2022 – 5 Dimensions – EP

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Carry on start as a 3-chord progressive and after some drum beats it easily becomes a good song.

2. We recorded many different guitars and in the end, we chose what fit better.

3. At the end of recording the Carry On song we received an invitation to open for the concert of Tim Ripper Owens. Is truly great to see your work pay off.Top Left – Lukky Sparxx, Top Right Rich Gray, Bottom Left – Fábio Alessandrini, Bottom Right – Luis Amaro

L.A. Project is an international melodic metal/rock effort that was started by Luis Amaro during the pandemic. In order to bring his ideas to life, he recruited drummer Fábio Alessandrini (Annihilator, Bonfire), bassist Rich Gray (Annihilator, Aeon Zen), and vocalist Lukky Sparxx (Exxocet). In April, Amaro released L.A. Project’s debut EP “5 Dimensions” and is now following it up with a fresh new single “Carry On”. When asked about the track and the listening experience they are trying to deliver, Amaro responds:

“We think fans will approach it with a lot of curiosity about the new band and sound. Because the first was a little bit of experimentation in different moods. And now we try to have a solid and consistent style of music. All the songs have shredding guitar and are very well played. There is some technical stuff but at the same time it’s very easygoing.”

“Carry On” is about the choices that sometimes you need to make and finding much-needed inspiration in your life. The lyrics are easy to identify with and are relevant to many situations in life whereas the music comes across with plenty of melody and enough of an edge to appease a variety of metal audiences.

The single was produced and mastered by Ricardo Fernandes who did mixing along with Rich Gray. The album artwork was done by Nicolas Oliveros. The melodic riffs in “Carry On” have plenty of attitudes, the vocals demand attention and the listener will be engaged throughout the four and half minute run time. It is recommended for fans of Dokken, Mr.Big, and Steelheart.

0 EPK – High Fells – Catharsis (2022)

  • November 25, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · High Fells

EPK – High Fells – Catharsis (2022)

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

For fans of Hath, Decapitated, Sorrow Plagues, Harakiri for the Sky, Enshine

Band: High Fells
Album Title: Catharsis
Release Date: Nov 25, 2022

Highfells.com | Facebook.com/highfellstx | Twitter.com/highfellstx | Instagram.com/highfells | YouTube

Highfells.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

“There’s warmth and beauty to be found beyond the expected genre conventions if you know where to look.” – Eric Grubbs, CentralTrack magazine
​
“The song… “Where They Call My Name” proves that High Fells are worth taking very seriously indeed (even if the band clearly don’t take themselves too seriously)… The passion that floods through the searing screams and ravaging roars adds to the song’s wrenching severity.” – NOCLEANSINGING
​
“I have seen their name pop up a lot recently due to them being on a good number of local shows as well as being opening acts for national tours. These dudes play some killer blackened death that got the crowd into right from the first note… “Even for a newer band, these guys were tight and on point.” – VOX AND HOPS

L-R – Chris Szymankiewicz – Guitar, Nick Smith – Vocals / Guitar, Jeremiah Maynard – Drums, Erik McEwen – Bass
Photo Credit – Vance Valenzuela

Texas’ High Fells goes against the grain in regards to live blackened metal performance, they are longtime listeners of all different walks of music, and together they are proudly releasing their debut album “Catharsis” with they claim to be a journey between pure agony and anger, with a dash of hopelessness. It’s an emotional journey with sick riffs in which the lyrical content and the overall feeling of this album hit on a ton of mental and emotional wellness topics and the lack thereof. The band continues to explain:

“We are incredibly excited to debut our album “Catharsis” – the first of many to come. We’re excited to share it for many reasons, but primarily because it’s been such fun to write and perform, experimenting with styles and genres we’ve never fully committed to in other bands. The journey you’ll be taking over the course of 40 minutes will be a thought-provoking, visceral experience that will shed some light on mental illness and depressive episodes, something still a stigma in our current society.”

High Fells hopes that listeners can find something to relate to, something that will inspire them or helps convey emotions into words. They aim to shroud their lyrics with punishing riffs and blast beats that will ideally charm the listener.

Initially, High Fells set out to be a melodic black metal band, but as time has passed on and as they have played with more bands they love, the direction steered back towards death metal with that blackened flavor. Across the nine tracks, they bring ass-beating riffs with high-quality recordings.

Melodic, depressing, and angry, “Catharsis” is recommended for fans of Hath, Decapitated, and Sorrow Plagues.

Discography:
2021 – Apparition of Fear (Singles)
2022 – A Summon (Single)
2022 – Where They Call My Name (SIngle)
2022 – Catharsis

SHARED STAGE WITH:
Rivers of Nihil, Alluvial, Warforged, Fallujah, Revocation, Krisiun, Inoculation, Cognitive, Summoning the Lich, My Missing Half

TOUR AND FESTIVALS:
2021 – Cognitive / Summoning the Lich / My Missing Half – Fort Worth
2022 – Rivers of Nihil / Fallujah / Alluvial / Warforged – Dallas
2022 – Revocation / Krisiun / Inoculation / Alluvial – Dallas

Artist Endorsements:
DropStrap guitar strap adjusters – Nick Smith

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. High Fells played exclusively headless instruments for a while… there was a meme between band members about that Vine video where the guy is like… “So no head?” and throws his phone at the ground. We wanted to make a shirt to honor it but figured it’d probably be a little obscure. Shortly after, we played with Revocation and Chris convinced me (Nick) to get a Jackson. Now we’re team pointy obnoxious guitars till we die.

2. Half the band is HEAVY into anime and our guitars have obnoxious waifu stickers on the backs.

3. Our favorite warmup songs on guitar are either Ram Ranch by Grant McDonald, a VERY intentionally poor rendition of Sweet Child O’Mine, or some random Shania Twain lick. It goes over either really well or radio silence but we love it.

4. The art for our singles are photos taken by Nick at a nearby nature trail. I get incredibly terrifying vibes from there after sundown and have seen evidence of rituals performed in the clearings (even though I don’t believe in all that, it’s still spooky!)

5. Jeremiah has a concrete barn on his dad’s property with no light, heat, or air conditioning that he uses to practice when the rehearsal space is unavailable. When it’s 30 degrees out, when it’s 100+, when it’s raining, etc. Sometimes it rains enough that water comes in DURING PRACTICE.

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Track Listing:​
1. Lingering – 3:56
2. Strangled – 4:04
3. Apparition of Fear – 3:38
4. Hypoxian – 4:08
5. A Summon – 3:22
6. Hiraeth – 6:52
7. Fall With the Sun – 3:01
8. Reaping Discontent – 4:31
9. Where They Call My Name – 5:45
Album Length: 39:14

Album Credits:​
• All songs performed by: High Fells
• All songs written by: High Fells
• Produced by: Nathan Wackett / Clay Schroeder / Nick Smith / Michael Briggs
• Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Wackett
• Album Artwork by: Dawid Figielek
​
​Album and Live Band Lineup:​
Nick Smith – Guitar / Vocals
Chris Szymankiewicz – Guitar
Jeremiah Maynard – Drums
Erik McEwen – Bass / Backing Vocals

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

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Catharsis is a journey between pure agony and anger, with a dash of hopelessness. You’ll know which is which.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

1. Lingering
Lyrically… this was one of the first ones I wrote lyrics for and it focuses around the idea of personifying a sense of dread. It functions as a foreword for what’s to come – dread, anxiety, depression, thoughts of hopelessness.

2. Strangled
Pure anxiety – the feeling of not being able to escape it.

3. Apparition of Fear
I (Nick) have recurring dreams of returning to the worst times in my life like I never moved past them. I’ll wake up sweating and unable to determine if they were real or not – AoF conveys this well.

4. Hypoxian
Our issues with turning inward and suffering silently in place of reaching for help. Locking oneself away and losing any sense of self.

5. A Summon
A story I read not long ago about a character who was summoned from their world into another, to serve as the host for a cosmic entity. The thought of being thrown into another world, away from all you knew, and your body is no longer yours. Horrifying!

6. Hiraeth
Chris – It’s the struggle of finding what home is, whatever that is whether it’s a person or a place. The anxiety of not feeling like you belong and everything thing feels off. It’s a struggle I think everyone can relate to at one point or another.

7. Fall With the Sun
As the album progresses, the overarching depressive lyrical content begins to culminate and manifest as the sun goes down, both literally and figuratively. The sadness amplifies at night, and we view our lives as being sunsetted by being unable to control these thoughts.

8. Reaping Discontent
Another nightmare from my past that has haunted me – this time I’ve accepted that I am to blame and I deserve this all.

9. Where They Call My Name
The eventuality of a lifetime of negative thoughts – we all use nature and forest walks as an escape from our daily problems, and I paralleled this with going the wrong direction and committing suicide in a place of healing.

0 EPK – Twisted Mind – From Slave to Prophet (2022)

  • November 25, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Twisted Mind

EPK – Twisted Mind – From Slave to Prophet (2022)

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

“This EP is all about our timeline from where we started back then at the beginning of the pandemic and through the war of getting rock & roll less stigmatic. We strive to be the ones who will break the glass ceiling of musical genres. We didn’t come from great money and wealth. We are warriors, fighting hard and aiming to become something bigger, something that will bring “a word”. And while we are on our way, we try to inspire people to fight for their beliefs, unite for a cause, open their minds to other points of view and create amazing things together which will maybe make the world a better place. That’s why we choose “From Slave to Prophet” as the concept name for our EP.” – Twisted Mind

For fans of Metallica, Muse, Dhafer Youssef, Linkin Park, Orphaned Land

EP Title: From Slave to Prophet
Release Date: December 9th, 2022
Label: Rad Star Management
Distribution: The Orchard

Facebook.com/twistedmindmusic | Instagram.com/twistedmind.bandil | Youtube.com/c/TwistedMindband

Spotify | Apple Music

“An excellent EP made by talented and motivated musicians.” – Pierre Davidson – A Progressive Life – CFUZ 92.9 FM – Penticton, BC

“Good old just “metal” nice edge, catchy good stuff.” – The Mosh Pit 89.9 FM – Madison, WI

“it’s a cracking tune (Long Live Rock & Roll) that varies in pace, style and has a groove that is catchy as hell. It’s got a spirit and vibrancy that demands your attention, the interplay is excellent and Yanir Chmiel’s vocals are superb.” – Ever Metal

“Twisted Mind hits such a peculiar part of my brain, with a classic heavy metal understanding of vocal melodies melding with modern radio rock production and a sprinkle of folk in the mix. This new EP is bound to attract both boomer and zoomer metalheads alike considering the versatility and widespread catchiness that From Slave to Prophet holds. While the band has the Middle Eastern flair akin to Orphaned Land or Myrath, they also possess a accessible, progressive characteristic that allow them to comfortably share the stage with Trivium or Dream Theater. All in all, I keep returning to this stylistic enigma and love it every time.” – Album of the Month December 2022 – Metal Has No Borders 

““Long Live Rock and Roll,” hits hard and heavy. A song that combines the best of rock and roll, turning through the growth… “Walked Through Hell,” shimmers and shifts, twisting the pathways of time forward and bringing the cascading elements…. “From Slave To Prophet,” turns the direction and hits the hammer hard. A burning passion.” – The Median Man

“With 5 songs, the main song is the great “Burning Grounds”, which serves as a perfect picture of what the listener will hear in the 24 minutes of the work. With lyrics that protest against politicians and governments that try to use moments of a real state of emergency to control and silence the population, the song delivers a very well-made mix of elements from Hard Rock and Melodic Metal, which generates a heavy song. , technique, but which does not give up musicality and melodies.” – Roadie Metal

“five pieces which have an enormous artistic value. Rarely has EP touched me so much, and the work done by Dan Saliman and his associates is enormous and of stunning quality. Impossible not to replay these songs which are as human as they are technically impeccable, and we often have the feeling of finding ourselves on the side of the Orient, between marvels and painful history, poverty and richness of the soul. A wonderful discovery, which is reminiscent of the magical THE KORDZ and their sublime Beauty & The East… TWISTED MIND, a band for open-minded freaks and free-spirited music lovers.” – MetalNews.fr

““From Slave To Prophet” is something fresh and different.” – Metal Universe

“TWISTED MIND: Present a fiery new kind of happy metal with the new EP “From Slave To Prophet”!” – Metal Only

“The first band to open the mosh pit in this festival were Twisted Mind,a great achievement for the new band in our local scene  ”- Metalist Magazine

“This  band sounds like a super tight and professional rhythm turbo unit, creating happy shredding rock with a middle eastern touch” – Yosmusic.com

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

EP Title: From Slave to Prophet
Release Date: December 9th, 2022
Label: Rad Star Management
Distribution: The Orchard

Track Listing:
1. Long Live Rock & Roll – 03:59
2. Burning Grounds – 04:49
3. Walked Through Hell – 03:52
4. Back Home – 06:25
5. From Slave to Prophet – 05:00
EP Length: 24:07

EP Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Twisted Mind
• All songs written by: Twisted Mind
• Produced by: Omer Lempert
• Mixed by: Omer Lempert
• Mastered by: Maor Appelbaum
• EP Artwork by: Inbar Kassavi

EP Recording Line Up:
Lahav Zityat – Guitar +Oud
Assaf Tirosh – Bass
David Darash – Drums
Yanir Chmiel – Lead Vocals
Dan Saliman – Guitar + Bouzouki

Live Line Up:
Lahav Zityat – Guitar +Oud
Or Levy – Bass
David Darash – Drums
Yanir Chmiel – Lead Vocals
Dan Saliman – Guitar + Bouzouki

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

The EP as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

This EP is all about our timeline from where we started back then at the beginning of the pandemic and through the war of getting rock & roll less stigmatic. We strive to be the ones who will break the glass ceiling of musical genres. We didn’t come from great money and wealth.

We are warriors, fighting hard and aiming to become something bigger, something that will bring “a word”. And while we are on our way, we try to inspire people to fight for their beliefs, unite for a cause, open their minds to other points of view and create amazing things together which will maybe make the world a better place. That’s why we choose “From Slave to Prophet” as the concept name for our EP.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

1. Born To Rock & Roll:  A song that empowers rock & roll music and says rock and roll will never die.

2. Burning Grounds: this is a protest song we wrote about the world as we see it today. Corruption in governments, violence, and problems of the world as we perceive them.

3. Walked Through Hell: a song about a failed and toxic love story in which a woman took a man and dragged him through hell.

4. Back Home: a song that was written about a toxic relationship.

5. From Slave to Prophet: a song describing the biblical story of Josef who started as a slave in Egypt after his brothers sold him for slavery, and eventually became a prophet who could predict the future with his dreams.

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

STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT THE BAND

1. Dan Saliman (our guitar and bouzouki player) and Or Levi (bass player) are cousins.

2. A year After Yanir (our lead singer) joined the band they all remembered Dan saw him at a night out one day and asked him if he would maybe like to collaborate on a song with his band. They did not try this collaboration and a year passed and Yanir became the lead singer without anybody remembering that night out.

3. Yanir actually came from being a pop/RnB singer to being a rock/metal singer and at the start, he had to learn and practice his screaming techniques, let’s just say his neighbors didn’t really like that.

4. We got a big record deal before we even released our first single to the world but we decided not to sign it because we felt that we weren’t ready yet.

5. One show we had was the blackest show we could ever imagine where one of us smashed his forehead running into a glass door, Yanir broke the mic stand and got the mic itself wet, nearly electrifying himself, Dan fell with his guitar on stage, hitting his eye and Lahav broke his guitar stand which ended with 3 of his guitars hitting the floor hard. So yes, we finished that show, but it was truly one hell of a show.

6. A bonus story: Lahav broke his back crowd surfing at an Avenged Sevenfold performance at Grasspop festival, causing a bus full of touring fans to wait for him to get medical assistance and almost missing their flight back home.

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

L- R – Lahav Zitiyat – Guitar +Oud, David Darash – Drums, Yanir Chmiel – Lead Vocals, Or Levy – Bass, Dan Saliman – Guitar + Bouzuki

The AOR rock/metal group Twisted Mind was founded in 2017 by Dan Saliman, an Israeli musician of a Yemenite & Moroccan-based heritage. Dan grew up in a home where oriental music was a Major part of his musical background

After a long process of creating a musical concept, Dan was joined by the other members, achieving this final line-up. The four joining members helped mold the sound, bringing their own styles, influences, and cultural heritage to Twisted Mind, thus creating a powerful combination of music that fuses the power and aggression of heavy metal, throughout the liberating energy of modern rock & roll.

And all this while using ethnical Middle Eastern music – emerging from their homeland and from the band members’ heritage and their own family ‘DNA’.Starting in San’aa –Yemen, through Istanbul – Turkey, passing through the deserts of Libya and traveling the long roads to a garage in Los Angeles.

Twisted Mind EP Recording Line Up:
Lahav Zityat – Guitar +Oud
Assaf Tirosh – Bass
David Darash – Drums
Yanir Chmiel – Lead Vocals
Dan Saliman – Guitar + Bouzouki

Twisted Mind Live Line Up:
Lahav Zityat – Guitar +Oud
Or Levy – Bass
David Darash – Drums
Yanir Chmiel – Lead Vocals
Dan Saliman – Guitar + Bouzouki

SHARED STAGE WITH:
Unleash the pain, Desert, Scardust, Lehavoth, Hotbox, Sinnery, Artland, Subterranean Masquerade, Walkways, Stormbound, Revision The Dream, Bzaat, Dukatalon, DPS, Delicate Disorder, Anti Rabbit, Prey For Nothing
The Great Machine, Ortega, Monsters of Rock, Boten Matok Bakirkas

TOUR AND FESTIVALS:
2022 – Festifiler – Tel-Aviv, IL (Upcoming)
2022 – Sheikh Abreik – Tiv’on, IL
2021 – The Israeli metalfest – Tel-Aviv, IL
2021 – Motorfest – The Golan Heights, IL

0 EPK – They Grieve – To Which I Bore Witness (2022) (Silent Pendulum Records)

  • November 22, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · They Grieve

EPK – They Grieve – To Which I Bore Witness (2022) (Silent Pendulum Records)

Two-piece drone and gloom from Ottawa, Canada

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

“We are very proud of how far we’ve come as a band since our last release. Although it’s been a painstaking process, having scrapped and then re-written most of it, we feel that the end result is a very clear step in the right direction for us. We took our time trying to get the details right, getting more comfortable and adept at filling sonic space as a two-piece. Specifically, we put a lot of work into blending our disparate drone and post-metal influences in a way that feels more natural and seamless than our previous efforts. Recording with Topon Das was a great experience, and certainly helped us bring the album to life. His engineering expertise allowed us to capture the intensity of our live performances without sacrificing the atmosphere. Additionally, Mike at Silent Pendulum records has provided us with a wonderful home for this album—he is at the forefront of new metal, and we’re excited to be a part of it.” – They Grieve

For fans of The Body, Cult of Luna, Bell Witch, Thou, Year of No Light

Album Title: To Which I Bore Witness
Release Date: February 24, 2022
Label: Silent Pendulum Records
Distribution: DistroKid

Silentpendulumrecords.com | Facebook.com/theygrieve | Instagram.com/theygrieve | Soundcloud.com/theygrieve | Theygrieve.bandcamp.com | Spotify

“In the song (To Which I Bore Witness) itself, the music lumbers like a wounded leviathan, staggering ahead with terrific heaviness through corrosive chords and pounding drums — and unexpectedly, it also gets significantly louder, all the better to crush the listener into submission. Enhancing the daunting atmosphere of the music, the vocals scar the senses with harsh howls of ruinous torment, and a guitar wails in bitter grief. Suddenly, just as the video’s protagonist lands on a barren beach (to meet her other self), the music dramatically changes. A slow piano melody ethereally rings in moody but mesmerizing fashion above a humming bass and steady beats. That interlude only seems to magnify the bruising impact of what follows it. The piano still rings, but the rough reverberations that surround it abrade like heavy-grit sandpaper, and the screams reach new heights of harrowing intensity. The drums boom, the chords scrape and moan, the feeling of immense desolation becomes staggering. The protagonist buries the box she removed from within forest roots and wanders away, alone.” – No Clean Singing

“As you can probably imagine from the song titles, They Grieve are not a happy band. The duo infuse a lifetime’s worth of depression and darkness into their music, drawing inspiration from acts like Grieve, Amarok and Burning Witch.” – Decibel Magazine (All That a Body Can Suffer off I Made My Sacrifice Accordingly)

“[…] a surprisingly nuanced take on sludge metal.” – Dreams of Consciousness

“Previously I had compared the music to an introspective journey. This feels more like sinking into quicksand.” – Metal Trenches (I Made My Sacrifice Accordingly)

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: To Which I Bore Witness
Release Date: February 24, 2022
Label: Silent Pendulum Records
Distribution: DistroKid

Track Listing:
1. Wither (7:12)
2. Under the Weight (7:23)
3. If Light Should Appear (7:00)
4. To Which I Bore Witness (6:43)
5. Guided (3:18)
6. Weakness (8:01)
Album Length: 39:40

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Deniz Guvenc & Gary Thibert
• All songs written by: Deniz Guvenc & Gary Thibert
• Produced by: Topon Das at Apartment 2 Studios
• Mixed by: Topon Das at Apartment 2 Studios
• Mastered by: Dave Williams at Eight Floors Above
• Album Artwork by: Pascale Arpin
• Additional tracks recorded by Alex Jakimczuk at Uppercut Studios

Album and Live Band Lineup:
Gary Thibert: Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Deniz Güvenç: Drums, Synthesizers, Piano, Vocals

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

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

“This album, both lyrically and musically, tries to capture the uncomfortable juxtaposition between weakness and weight. We are constantly trying to express the ways in which the ugliness and decay we see in the world sets itself down and plants its roots inside of us—how the weight of the world transforms into our own weakness once it has done so. We try to capture this feeling of juxtaposition and tension within the music itself by oscillating between ambient, textural drones and heavy, doom-laden riffs.” – Deniz

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

1. Wither
This song, the album opener, was written twice. The decision to scrap the original version in its entirety was anxiety-inducing at first, but clearly feels like the right decision now that everything is said and done. We spent a lot of time fine-tuning the last half of the song, and the ending was one of our favourite parts to write—in fact, it is still one of our favourite parts to play live. Writing this song really forced us to get more comfortable with not only using samples in a live context, but also with blending and balancing tones and dynamics at the same time to ensure everything hits in the right place. Without our electronics, we would need 5 or 6 guitarists to pull this off on stage.”

2. Under the Weight
“This was the first song we wrote for this album, but it was completely re-written from start to finish. The process began while we were on a brief hiatus in 2017 during which time Gary was living and working across the country. We tried to write on our own and send demo recordings back and forth, but we quickly realized that this process simply doesn’t work for us. Nothing we came up with during that period sounded quite right. The distance really showed us how important improvisation and playing off of each other is for our writing process.”

3. If Light Should Appear
“Although this was one of the last tracks we wrote for the album, we feel that it is probably the most stylistically similar to our previous work. Especially the ending, where we lean more into the denser, dissonant wall-of-noise drones we wrote for our first EP. It is also one of the more aggressive and rhythmically diverse tracks on the album. The title of the song was inspired by a short line Anne Carson wrote in her introduction to If Not, Winter, her translation of Sappho’s collected fragments.”

4.  To Which I Bore Witness
“Although this is the title track of our new album, it was one of the last songs we wrote. We had spent well over two years writing and re-writing nearly every other song on the album. At that point, we felt like we really started understanding what makes us sound like ‘us’, so this song came together seamlessly. Lyrically, we have always written one single piece to be split up and used for the entire album. To Which I Bore Witness is no different. The lyrics come directly from conversations we have as friends—more than a band, They Grieve is a space where we both can be vulnerable and open with each other about our experiences of grief, loss, and weakness in ways we simply can’t with other people. During the years we spent writing this album, we had many conversations about succumbing to depression—about how the ugliness and trauma we see in the world sets itself to work inside of us as individuals, plants its roots in us, and decays from without to within.”

5. Guided
“We’ve always been vocal about our love of classical minimalism and contemporary groups like A Winged Victory for the Sullen working within that realm. We do not see this track (which features only piano and one guitar) as an interlude or transition, but as something complete in-itself that expresses the same ideas as the other tracks on the record. Deniz’s piano part was recorded with Alex Jakimczuk at Uppercut Studios, and it was the only thing we recorded outside of Apartment Two with Topon Das. We love how Alex was able to bring out the natural harmonics and overtones of the piano and how Topon was able to blend the guitar layer into it.”

6. Weakness
“This track was yet another that we re-wrote in its entirety after performing it live. We spent quite a lot of time discussing the dynamic “narrative” of the song—how the slower, quieter introduction would crescendo into doom, how the dissonance of that doomy guitar riff would eventually evolve into harmony, how we would handle the sharp contrast between the much faster, intense ending and the swirling ambience preceding it. Of all the songs on the record, this one forced us to confront our limitations as songwriters the most.”

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1.  We’ve always loved collaborating with friends and family. Gary’s brother Cory filmed and produced both of our music videos, while Cory’s partner Linnea choreographed and performed in both. In the early days of They Grieve, we did a skill-swap with our good friend Pascale Arpin and her band Ultra Love: Gary recorded their first EP, and Pascale did the artwork for our album.

2. Although we’re a two-piece, we run the same amount of gear as a four or five piece band live.

3. We have been close friends for over a decade and have never considered adding other members to the band.

4. We chose our band name in a huge rush because our friends in Greber wanted us to play a show with them long before we were ready. We only had two songs written, and we messed them both up at the show.

Photo Credit – Ev Osmanovic

They Grieve is a two-piece doom, drone, and post-metal band based in Ottawa, Canada. Drawing influence from both minimalist ambient music and down-tempo metal, they blend warm synthesizers, electronics, and lofty guitar drones into mournful hymns and monolithic dirges with urgency, tension, and weight.

Members Gary Thibert and Deniz Güvenç formed They Grieve in 2015 with the intent to experiment with new forms and processes for songwriting, collaboration, and improvisation. Their first EP, I Made My Sacrifice. Accordingly, was self-recorded and self-released in late 2016. In 2018, it was re-released with an added bonus track and accompanying music video through Transcending Records.

They Grieve are set to release their first full-length album entitled To Which I Bore Witness. Recorded at Apartment 2 with Topon Das of Fuck the Facts, this album presents a marked change in the band’s sound. Moving away from the harsh-noise influence on their first album, To Which I Bore Witness unveils a much more refined approach to texture and atmosphere while simultaneously shifting to a slower, heavier pace.

Employing a nuanced sense of harmony, the result is an emotional, dynamic, and doom-laden take on post-metal.

Album and Live Band Lineup:
Gary Thibert: Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Deniz Güvenç: Drums, Synthesizers, Piano, Vocals

Discography:
2022 – To Which I Bore Witness (12” Vinyl) – Silent Pendulum Records
(2018) – I Made My Sacrifice Accordingly (CD re-release w/ bonus track) – Transcending Records
(2016) – I Made My Sacrifice Accordingly (cassette, digital) – Dwyer Records

Shared Stage with:
Eyehategod, Come to Grief, Vile Creature, Author & Punisher, thisquietarmy, Set and Setting, Autarch, Greber, The Great Sabatini, Black Ships, Hammerhands, Botfly, Loviatar,Tours and Festivals:
2019 – Side by Side Weekend – Ottawa, ON
2019 – Apriliis Fest – Montreal, QC
2018 – Meltdown Fest – Saint-Catherines, ON
2018 – Gloomfest – Sherbrooke, QC

0 EPK – Malice Divine – Everlasting Ascendancy (2023)

  • November 21, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Malice Divine

EPK – Malice Divine – Everlasting Ascendancy (2023)

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

“I am incredibly excited to finally have the sophomore Malice Divine album “Everlasting Ascendancy” released out into the world! With this album, I am aiming to have the listener feel empowered and inspired to go after what they want in life and not settle for less. The message of Malice Divine is one of empowerment and that message can be found throughout all 8 tracks on Everlasting Ascendancy in some shape or form. I poured my heart and soul into this album, which will be apparent both musically and lyrically. Despite the music obviously being extreme metal, that doesn’t stop me from writing about very personal matters. A lot of the songs on this album have complex song structures, but there is also a lot of catchiness and melody to make this album a very memorable listen, nonetheless. All in all, I am incredibly proud of this album, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!” – Ric Galvez – Malice Divine

For fans of Dissection, Immortal, Watain, Thulcandra, Skeletonwitch

Album Title: Everlasting Ascendancy
Release Date: January 27th, 2023
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/malicedivineband | Youtube.com/malicedivine | Instagram.com/malicedivineofficial

Malicedivine.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

Pre-Save the album here:  https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/malicedivine/everlasting-ascendancy-2 

Pre-Save the single Silenced Judgement, to be released December 16th, 2022:  https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/malicedivine/silenced-judgement-2 

Pre-Save the single / title track Everlasting Ascendancy, to be released January 6th, 2023:  https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/malicedivine/everlasting-ascendancy 

“Malice Divine hop back and forth between coming off like a death metal band doing covers of stuff they’ve recorded as a black metal band and coming off like a black metal band doing covers of stuff they’re recorded as a death metal band.”- Decibel Magazine

“Whether you’re into death metal, progressive metal, or epic metal, this album ticks all of those boxes effortlessly.” – Powerplay Magazine

“What exactly does Malice Divine bring to the table? Judging from “In Time” alone, the project brings a great cornucopia of gripping riffs, virtuosic soloing, constantly dynamic rhythms, harrowing vocals, and a talent for interweaving variant melodies that turn out to be memorable, as well as an ability to make such kaleidoscopic music both cohesive and catchy. The opening sequence of riffs begins to establish the pattern, shifting from sensations that are slow, dismal, and perilous to spidery and feverish, and then to cold and cruelly deranged. But that’s just the start of this dark but exhilarating piece.” – No Clean Singing

“My time with Malice Divine has shown me that Ric Galvez is a talented vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, and fans of blackened and/or melodic death metal are highly encouraged to check it out. Malice Divine has planted their flag squarely on my radar, and I’m excited to see what Galvez comes up with on the next go-around.” – Angry Metal Guy

“Black Metal, Thrash Metal, Death Metal thrown into an insane blender of savage brutality\m/ \m/” – Heavy New York

“his self-titled debut is a very guitar-centric slab of Black/Death that sounds like a mixture of Dissection’s melodic sensibility with Skeletonwitch’s relentless energy. The playing is as sharp and precise as you’d expect it to be, and some of the leads are really superior…” – The Metal Crypt

“While “Triumphant Return” is one of the more upbeat tracks on the album, it’s still packed with deliciously heavy riffs, blast beats, and demonic vocals, all from the mind of Ric.” – Gear Gods

“Throughout, it is sufficiently complex and convoluted to keep your attention with no shortage of impressive leadwork bursts.There are several standout tracks for me, the insanely driving but majestic ‘Quantum Manifestation’, the dark and intense ‘Malicious Divinity’, the darkly melodic ‘Triumphant Return’ and the dark driving ‘In Time’ with its soaring leads. ‘Malice Divine’ should appeal to fans of Dissection, Immortal and Wintersun. With stunning cover artwork that reflects the colour and mood of that previously mentioned album, Dissection’s Storm of the Light’s Bane, hinting as to what to expect from the contents… This is yet another inspiring example of time during the COVID-19 pandemic being put to good use by a skilled and dedicated Metal musician.” – Metal Talk

“It’s a very impressive album and has to do a lot to catch my attention who isn’t into a ton of black metal. The songs are bigger, packed with more atmosphere and instrumentation (like the classical guitar interludes on this track) and are obviously heavy songs. This track (“Into Subconscious Depths”) is no different and takes no prisoners encompassing on a wild journey that will take you to places you never expected to.” – Technical Music Review

“Fans of death, thrash and black metal will find enough to feast on, with the likes of ‘Quantum Manifestation’ and ‘Malicious Divinity’ serving up a white-hot cornucopia of fast riffing and fretboard mania. The severity of Galvez’s harsh vocal delivery deserves mention here as an unexpected delight. His throat abrasions take the head voice of black metal and the rasp of a death metal guttural and always sound urgent and expressive… There’s no doubt Ric Galvez passes with flying colours as a multi-instrumentalist on his debut album.” – Scream Blast Repeat

“Whether it is in the form of a sharp, icy riff or expressive and flamboyant lead solo, Galvez knows what he is doing and delivers some juicy material in the process. I also love the inclusion of some classical guitar sections, albeit sparingly used to ensure maximum impact… In summary, ‘Malice Divine’ is an incredibly solid and charming record that I have liked getting to know in some detail. Ric Galvez is not the finished article by any means but the music on this debut solo effort demonstrates that he has the skill and talent to take this project even further and garner plenty more fans in the process. I have a soft spot for melodic blackened death metal and this is one of those records that firmly reminds me just why that’s the case.” – Man of Much Metal

“Malice Divine still has a solid mission statement of a debut album, with a composure to its songwriting and ear-catching nature to the riffs that should be a welcome addition to the collections of those who worship at the altar of old-school melodic black metal.” – Metal Bite

“The eponymous album is a mesh of black and death metals with a lot of impressive guitar work, including a guitar tone as crisp and clean as the rural winter air that invaded my Sanctuary of Sweat.” – Brutaltopia

“a shreddy melodic form of polished, surgical, blackened, technical death metal that’s in line with the likes of Inferi and such.” – Teeth of The Divine

“There’s just so much to enjoy in this one (In Time). Guitar solos? Check. Awesome death metal riffs? Check. Classical guitars? Also check. This is a really well-crafted track that will keep you engaged throughout it’s 8 minute runtime.” – Abrasive Noise

“Thrillingly speedy, highly emotional acoustic or melancholically indulgent – with MALICE DIVINE every note is in the right place and despite the overlong songs, there is never the slightest bit of boredom, because captivating, brilliantly presented Black/Thrash/Death with an experimental or slightly progressive flavor reigns here. This first (fire)work comes as a surprise and heralds the year 2021 with a bang!” – Nocturnal Hall

“MALICE DIVINE lays a playful elegance on the scales that suggests great things.” – My Revelations

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Everlasting Ascendancy
Release Date: January 27th, 2023
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Silenced Judgement  (4:10)
2. Apparitions Of Conquest (8:22)
3. Usurping The Paragon (6:07)
4. At One With Infinity (6:06)
5. Parasitic Demons (5:39)
6. Reclaimed Strength (5:31)
7. Illusions Of Fragmentation (8:39)
8. Everlasting Ascendancy (8:10)
Album Length: 52:44

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Malice Divine
• All songs written by: Ric Galvez
• Produced by: Tyler Williams
• Mixed by: Tyler Williams
• Mastered by: Jamie King
• Album Artwork by: Eka Saputra (Psychopart)
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album Band Lineup:
Ric Galvez – Vocals/Guitars/Bass
Dylan Gowan – Drums (Session)

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

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

The album is a dynamic experience while also being an overall more aggressive album than the first one, especially in the vocal delivery. There is still plenty of melody and classical guitar sections, which is a major part of Malice Divine’s sound. The solos on this album are even more virtuosic than before as well. Lyrically the album explores themes such as the paranormal, revenge, determination, spirituality, and reclamation. Two of the eight songs on this album are quite old, even older than most of the music on the self-titled debut album. The music for Silenced Judgement and Illusions Of Fragmentation was written in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

1. Silenced Judgement: The shortest song on the album, as well as the oldest. I originally wrote the music (except for the guitar solo) back in early 2014. The lyrics and the guitar solo I wrote in 2021. It’s a very straightforward and energetic song and kicks off right away, which is exactly how I wanted to start this album.

2. Apparitions of Conquest: The darkest song on the album, as well as the album’s second longest song. Lyrically this song is about the paranormal phenomena of apparitions but from their perspective. After around 5 and a half minutes of unrelenting metal, there is a . where it remains until the end. There is a total of 4 guitar solos in this song.

3. Usurping The Paragon: The fastest song on the album, as well as the fastest Malice Divine song yet. At 218 BPM, this one will incite some insane mosh pits when performed live. This is also the most aggressive Malice Divine song yet as well. It has 3 guitar solos, the first of which was improvised in the studio. Lyrically the song is about becoming the best at what you do.

4. At One With Infinity: The most mid-tempo song on the album. It offers a nice change of pace from the album’s first 3 songs which are all fast-paced ragers. This one is also most likely the grooviest song on the album as well. After the second chorus the songs into some adventurous territory by heading to multiple different riffs that don’t repeat themselves. The guitar solo section is also exceptionally epic as well. Lyrically the song is about the immense potential that we have within us to accomplish whatever we want to accomplish, and not letting any limiting beliefs whether from other people or ourselves hold us back.

5. Parasitic Demons: A very energetic and fast song at 210 BPM. After the second chorus/first guitar solo, the song deviates into more adventurous territory with a succession of riffs that do not repeat after they have come to pass. Eventually, the song returns to familiar territory again with the 3rd verse riff at the 4:20 mark. The last chorus of the song is slightly different than the first two. It’s based on the same notes as the first two choruses, but this time its tremolo picked in the lower register of the guitar.

6. Reclaimed Strength: This song is entirely in the key of G Minor, which is something that Malice Divine hasn’t done prior to this song. It’s the lightest and least extreme song of the entire album, but it still has a good energy to it. The song opens with a classical guitar piece, which around the 0:20 second mark has a very melodic guitar solo soar over the top of it. Lyrically, the song talks about taking your power back after unnecessarily giving it away for far too long.

7. Illusions Of Fragmentation: The longest song on the album, as well as the second oldest song too. I originally wrote the music (minus the guitar solos) back in 2015. I had this song shelved for a long time, and when I was writing for this new album, I decided to bring this one out of my vaults. I wrote the guitar solos and lyrics in 2021. This song also has the most classical guitar sections, with it appearing 3 times throughout the duration of the song. Lyrically this song is about coming to the realization that the things you desired for and believed that you needed to make you happy, and content aren’t all that you made them out to be. It was just an illusion. The power to be content was inside you the entire time.

8. Everlasting Ascendancy: The title track of the album. This song summarizes everything that Malice Divine is about. It has uplifting lyrics, fast tremolo-picked sections, groovy and heavy riffs, epic melodies and solos, and a classical guitar piece that concludes the song. As I was deciding on the track list for the album, I knew immediately that this one would be the perfect album closer. It just has that type of vibe that calls to be an album closer. I can definitely see this being one of Malice Divine’s most loved songs.

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Ric has a music degree from York University
2. Ric was on Banger TVs “Shredders Of Metal”
3. The music for two of the songs from “Everlasting Ascendancy” were written well before most of the material on Malice Divine’s self-titled debut album. Those two songs are “Silenced Judgement” and “Illusions Of Fragmentation”.
4. A lot of the lyrics for Malice Divine were inspired by Ric’s personal experiences.
5. Malice Divine will finally start to perform live in 2023!

Toronto, Canada’s Malice Divine is a solo project conceived by Ric Galvez, who had always had the dream of being the leader of his own project. He wanted to expand beyond being known as just a lead guitarist, into also being known as a songwriter, vocalist, and frontman. Ric has played in local bands previously and was a contestant on Banger TV’s Shredders of Metal Seasons 1 & 2.

Ric has a major in music from York University, and through Malice Divine he shows off his vocal, guitar, and bass prowess. His lyrics are inspired by psychology, spirituality, as well as personal experiences that involve the overcoming of obstacles and hardships, using the resulting verses as a form of empowerment.

The second offering from Malice Divine, entitled “Everlasting Ascendancy”, will be released in early 2023. Once again it features Ric Galvez on Vocals, Guitars, & Bass, as well as Dylan Gowan (Vesperia, Banger TV) playing session drums. Malice Divine is also currently transitioning from being a solo project into being a band effort, and is set to start performing live in 2023. What people can expect from seeing Malice Divine live is highly aggressive black and death metal-inspired music, with shreddy and virtuosic guitar solos that add a melodic layer that isn’t common in the genre.

Malice Divine’s sophomore album “Everlasting Ascendancy” is set to be released January 27th, 2023.

Album Band Lineup:
Ric Galvez – Vocals/Guitars/Bass
Dylan Gowan – Drums (Session)

Discography:
2023 – Everlasting Ascendancy – LP
2021 – Self-Titled – LP

0 EPK – North East Bistro – We Both Lived At Night (2022) (single)

  • November 18, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · North East Bistro

EPK – North East Bistro – We Both Lived At Night (2022) (single)

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

For fans of Ghost, Type O Negative, The National, The Cure, Interpol

Facebook.com/NEBMontreal | NorthEastBistro.bandcamp.com

“This is the first new song written since “Sing Your Heartache” was released in 2018. It’s our heaviest song so far. It’s also the 1 st single out of 3 from the Sundown sessions. The song was recorded at the Palm Isle Studio by Carl Roberge. He also tracked the guitars and that might be the reason it sounds heavier. We gave him a carte blanche and the result was quite impressive! Carl is an old friend of ours and we wanted to work with him for a long time. I’m a big Misfits, Ghost, and Type O Negative fan and I always wanted to write a “monster” song. And there it is! The song is really about a friend who I never really knew in…daylight time. Only when the sun went down. There we met. Night time only. We both lived that way, like vampires.”

Single Title: We Both Lived At Night
Release Date: Nov 18, 2022
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
We Both Lived At Night (3:27)

Single Recording Credits:

• All songs performed by: NEB
• All songs written by:Benoît Forté
• Produced by: Carl Roberge
• Mixed by: Carl Roberge
• Mastered by: Carl Roberge
• Album Artwork by: Ian Lavoie

Band Lineup:
Ian Lavoie, vocals
Cat Sauvé, vocals
Mat Lassonde, drums
Ben Forté, bass
Carl Roberge, all guitars

Discography:
-MARTINI 2004 Album
-SHARING ALL OF OUR DARKEST MOMENTS 2008 Album
-COMMITTED 2011 Album
-A SECOND LIFE 2017 EP
-SUMMER TRENDS PART III 2017 single
-SING YOUR HEARTACHE single/video 2018
-KINGDOM 2020 single

North East Bistro is one of the oldest bands still hanging around in Montreal, Canada, and has been since the beginning of the millennium. They have released three albums, an EP, and a handful of singles, and have a new single “We Both Lived At Night” ready to present to the world. With influences ranging from Alice in Chains to Iron Maiden to Slipknot to Baroness, they play dynamic rock that will be intriguing to people far and wide. Bassist Ben Forté comments on the single:

“This is the first new song written since “Sing Your Heartache” was released in 2018. It’s our heaviest song so far. It’s also the 1 st single out of 3 from the Sundown sessions. The song was recorded at the Palm Isle Studio by Carl Roberge. He also tracked the guitars and that might be the reason it sounds heavier. We gave him a carte blanche and the result was quite impressive! Carl is an old friend of ours and we wanted to work with him for a long time. I’m a big Misfits, Ghost, and Type O Negative fan and I always wanted to write a “monster” song. And there it is! The song is really about a friend who I never really knew in…daylight time. Only when the sun went down. There we met. Night time only. We both lived that way, like vampires.”

Compared to their previous releases, listeners can expect this latest offering to be much heavier than expected, the band has never gone this far before on the distortion but they maintain a very groovy and melodic sound. In the past, they always had a brass section but for the more recent songs, they worked in a string section instead. They do miss the horns and suggest that they will eventually come back.

When it comes to writing, the words come first and they try to follow the mood of those, rarely does the music come first in North East Bistro. Forté first records some demos with the main core of the song, and the lyrics are usually all done. With an acoustic guitar and vocals, they flesh out the parts and harmonies, and finally the drums. Once satisfied, they hit the studio.

For more than 20 years, North East Bistro has been ripping it up and they are excited to share their latest incarnation. The single “We Both Lived At Night” is dark, melancholic and just in time for Halloween, it is recommended for fans of Ghost, Type O Negative, and The National.

0 EPK – Korrosive – Toxic Apokalypse (2022) (CDN Records)

  • November 7, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Korrosive

EPK – Korrosive – Toxic Apokalypse (2022) (CDN Records)

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

“Diabolical, fast, unforgiving armageddon. From slow passages, mid-tempo bangers, hyper-fast blast beats, and the occasional odd-time signature, it’s a ride in extreme thrash unlike anything before. Toxic Apokalypse is an album that will hit you hard, fast and leave you with a “what the fuck just happened?” feeling.” – Korrosive

For fans of Sodom, Kreator, Death, Sepultura

Album Title: Toxic Apokalypse
Release Date:
– CD – November 18, 2022
– Digital – October 7, 2022
– Vinyl TBA 2023
– Cassette – TBA 2023
Label: CDN Records
Distribution: CDN Records

Facebook.com/korrosivethrash | Instagram.com/korrosivethrash | Youtube

Korrosivemetal.bandcamp.com | Spotify 

“If you like your thrash metal with a little San Francisco and a nice helping of Germany, then this is the album for you. “Toxic Apokalypse” is already out on CDN Records from Canada and it’s a must for any metal fan who likes it hard, nasty, and ripping off heads! This is easily in my top five metal albums of 2022.” – Pete Altieri, Murder Metal Mayhem

“It’s an album which is relentless, something that any self-respecting thrash fan would want. And yet, there is some balance to the album. It’s paced well, with the tempo picking up again at the tail end of the album” – UK Thrashers

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Toxic Apokalypse
Release Date:
– CD – November 18, 2022
– Digital – October 7, 2022
– Vinyl TBA 2023
– Cassette – TBA 2023
Label: CDN Records
Distribution: CDN Records

Track Listing:
1. Into Nekropolis 05:28  
2. Radioaktive Scourge 01:48  
3. The Goddamned 04:47  
4. Fatal Strike 03:28
5. Libertad y Muerte 05:15  
6. Infernal Onslaught 05:10  
7. Hail the Hellfire 04:20  
8. Karnage Incarnate 07:39  
Album Length (37:55)

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Korrosive
• All songs written by: Korrosive
• Produced by: Ben Erikson
• Mixed by: Ben Erikson
• Mastered by: Arthur Rizk
• Album Artwork by: Ed Repka
• Music is Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album and Live Band Lineup:
Rad Zarei – Vocals
Jack Neila – Guitars
Kaveh Afshar – Drums
Derek Solomos – Guitars
Carlos Rodriguez – Bass

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

Track By Track:

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Diabolical, fast, unforgiving armageddon. From slow passages, mid-tempo bangers, hyper-fast blast beats, and the occasional odd-time signature, it’s a ride in extreme thrash unlike anything before.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Into Nekropolis
Into Nekropolis is the first song that introduces the whole album. This picks up literally from where Kaustic Hordes (2021) ended. We wanted to write something that would capture the attention of the listener and encapsulate the idea of the entire album into a single track. And that is how we came up with Into Nekropolis.

Radioaktive Scourge
For this one, we wanted to write something that is aggression, unlike anything we’ve released before. From the speed, the lyrics, and the sheer intensity, this song may be the shortest track but makes the largest impact and it’s over before you know it.

The Goddamned
This track is what the band calls as “our answer to Terminal Violence”. A mid-tempo banger that oozes thrash from beginning to end. Lyrically, this song talks about the curse of immortality from bloodlust, which basically happens when someone has an insatiable thirst for violence.

Fatal Strike
This track is our densest song, which has three solos in a span of three and a half minutes, playing with blast beats and a catchy chorus. It’s probably the most violent song in the album and that is why we decided to shoot a music video for it.

Libertad Y Muerte
Libertad y Muerte is a collaborative effort between Jack Neila and Derek Solomos, putting their best foot forward musically for this track. Switching from the key of G to the key of D, this track also shows experimentation with odd time signatures, having three different ones throughout the whole song.

Infernal Onslaught
Infernal Onslaught is another track that brings you from one end to the other, by combining mid-tempo riffs, blasts, and old-school thrash vibes. This track is probably Korrosive’s most experimental song in terms of musicality and lyrics.

Hail the Hellfire
Hail the Hellfire is perhaps the anthem to the entire Toxic Apokalypse album. Written as a reflection of the period when the album was being composed, this track discusses the brutality of war and the end result of each and every individual involved in its cause, regardless of side.

Karnage Incarnate
This track was originally written for Jack Neila’s previous death metal band, Vias, and was rewritten as it was thrashy, and fit the Korrosive vibe perfectly. This track also features solos from both Jack Neila and Derek Solomos.  

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Both of Korrosive’s albums (Kaustic Hordes and Toxic Apokalypse) deals with the subject of science fiction, armageddon and “what if” scenarios. The album art and the songs are mostly tied with each other, basically narrating a story drawn out in both albums.

2. The album art for Toxic Apokalypse was created by Ed Repka who has worked with bands such as Dark Angel, Death, Hirax, Megadeth, Suicidal Angels and Venom.

3. The band’s sound engineer, Ben Erikson, played the cyborg in the band’s 2021 music video “Burning Earth 2029”.

4. Jack Neila works for Glenn Fricker, who played shows with Michael Jari Davidson (director of two Korrosive music videos), who also played in a band with Craig Newman, the CEO of CDN Records, the band’s label.

5. Toxic Apokalypse was mastered by Arthur Rizk, who is known for producing, mixing and/or mastering for Power Trip, Cavalera Conspiracy, Kreator, Cro-Mags, Municipal Waste, Soulfly, Sacred Reich and Primitive Man.  

L-R: Korrosive Lineup | Carlos Rodriguez (Bass) | Kaveh Afshar (Drums) | Rad Zarei (Vocals) | Jack Neila (Guitar) | Derek Solomos (Guitar)
Photo Credit – Michael Jari Davidson

Canadian extreme thrash metal band Korrosive was formed by vocalist Rad Zarei in late 2015 initially as a project to create something that would explore and push the boundaries of thrash metal.

After a few years and some band member changes, the final lineup was established in the summer of 2020. With the initial addition of powerhouse Kaveh Afshar on drums and Carlos Rodriguez on bass, followed by the monstrous addition of Jack Neila and Derek Solomos on guitars, Korrosive was well on its way to decimating with its unrelenting style of blistering extreme thrash metal.

Korrosive is a thrash that is in your face, unapologetic and is definitely one that offers a headbang-inducing experience, unlike anything you’ve heard before.

Album and Live Band Lineup:
Rad Zarei – Vocals
Jack Neila – Guitars
Kaveh Afshar – Drums
Derek Solomos – Guitars
Carlos Rodriguez – Bass

Discography:
Toxic Apokalypse (album) – 2022
Korrosive x Fascicide (split) – 2022
Kaustic Hordes (album) – 2021
Melting from Within (EP) – 2019
Destroyed (demo) – 2018

Shared Stage with:
Havok, Venom Inc., Narcotic Wasteland, Voivod, Exciter, Accept

0 EPK – The Bloody Hell – Nobody Cares (2022)

  • November 7, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · The Bloody Hell

EPK – The Bloody Hell – Nobody Cares (2022)

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

“The album took about 3 years to complete due to covid restrictions, lockdown, and all the madness that was the pandemic. With this album, we feel our sound has evolved nicely from the previous record released in 2018. We have worked hard to shape our songwriting and storytelling abilities and that is thoroughly displayed over the nine tracks on this album.” – The Bloody Hell

Album Title: Nobody Cares
Release Date: November 10, 2022
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/thebloodyhellhfx | Instagram.com/thebloodyhellhfx | Twitter.com/TheBloodyHell1 | YouTube

TheBloodyHell.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify | Linktr.ee/thebloodyhellhfx

“Sound wise it’s very accessible, an up-tempo and fun listen that is easy on the ear and compelling to the mind, with influences that the band cite as ranging from Misfits, Nirvana, and Motorhead and it’s filled with catchy hooks and grungy raw-edged vocals, a winning combination in this particular context, it’s very broad spectrum and if you like a horror twist then it could be even more appealing to you. Lyrically the content is interestingly often ambiguous and delivered with clarity of content so you can give them your own interpretation.” – The Punk Globe (Self-Titled 2018)

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Nobody Cares
Release Date: November 10, 2022
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. As Above  – 1:10
2. Hide Away – 3:47
3. When You’re Gone – 3:20
4. Barbra – 2:09
5. G – 6:00
6. Nobody Cares About America Anymore – 3:38
7. Rulers of the Night – 3:34
8. Dead to Me – 3:01
9. So Below – 1:38
Album Length: 28:20

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: The Bloody Hell
• All songs were written by: The Bloody Hell
• Produced by: Ian Kean
• Mixed by: Alex Burris
• Mastered by: Alex Burris
• Album Artwork by: James Densley
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album and Live Band Lineup:
Ian Kean – Guitar / Vocals
James Densley – Lead Guitar / Piano
Kyle Cantfell – Drums
Joe Woods – Bass

Discography:
2022 – Nobody Cares LP
2022 – Punk Canada Volume 1 – Punk Covers compilation
2018 – Self Titled LP

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

Track by Track:

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

It’s a true story and we mean every word, hook, or note.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY) explained:

As Above is the brainchild of James Densley- He is not so secretly a great piano player so I asked him to whip up some piano parts to open and close the album and gave him free reign to create what he needed to express himself in that regard.

Hide Away is fast and punky with a driving riff and slick earworm guitar lead. Lyrically it’s about being unable to commit emotionally and paying the price for it.

When You’re Gone is an aggressive anti-love song of sorts. I wish we never met but I won’t forget you when you’re gone. It’s as if the saying “ The axe forgets but the tree remembers” was turned into a song. 

Barbra is a cover of an old Canadian punk song by Vancouver legends Modernettes. Just a great driving song with super cool teenage angst and lyrics.

G is a song we had kicking around for a while but it never felt complete. The saxophone did the trick and became a total left field kinda track for us. Keep them guessing.
 
Nobody Cares About America Anymore is an anti-political song. We consider it as a radically indifferent social commentary. It’s sharp and biting aggressive and doesn’t hold back or pull punches. 

Rulers of the Night is a little more laid back than the rest of the album and is sort of a teenage fantasy type of theme about being the anti-cool kids, loosely based on the movie The Lost Boys. 

Dead to me is our bastardization of the classic blues formula. It’s a true story of a love gone terribly wrong.

So Below is the other half of the piano piece by James Densley, creepy and soothing to close out the album.

L-R – The Bloody Hell – Kyle Cantfell – Drums, James Densley – Lead Guitar / Piano, Ian Kean – Guitar / Vocals, Joe Woods – Bass
Photo Credit – Ian Kean

Formed in 2017, The Bloody Hell has gotten dirtier and more polished at the same time, with the band infecting fans with their pop-cultural hooks and concepts, while the guitars keep getting louder and the vocals becoming uglier. The Bloody Hell is pretty much what would happen if George Thorogood sang for the Misfits, but all the songs were written by Tom Petty.

Super catchy horror rock songs about drinking and heartache are played at punk rock speed with a lineup that features vocalist/guitarist Ian Kean (guitar, vocals), guitarist and pianist James Densley also known from Bubbles and The Shit Rockers, the band fronted by the character Bubbles from the hit TV show The Trailer Park Boys, drummer Kyle Cantfell (Elektric Mistress), and bassist Joe Woods (Root Cellar).

Fast forward now to 2022, and these Canadian punk rockers from Halifax, Nova Scotia return in 2022 to finally release their long-awaited follow-up to their 2018 debut self-titled album. Entitled “Nobody Cares”, the sophomore full-length is out now as of November 10th. Over the last two years during the Covid pandemic, the band shared two singles and music videos, “Nobody Cares About America Anymore” and “When You’re Gone” off the record to a great reception from fans.

“The album took about 3 years to complete due to Covid restrictions, lockdown, and all the madness that was the pandemic. With this album, we feel our sound has evolved nicely from the previous record released in 2018. We have worked hard to shape our songwriting and storytelling abilities and that is thoroughly displayed over the nine tracks on this album. We are hoping that fans who loved our first album will be super excited to hear this one to see how our songwriting has progressed. And we hope that people hearing us for the first time will find something in our sound to relate to or sing along with.” adds vocalist/guitarist Ian Kean.

“Nobody Cares” features The Bloody Hell’s signature sound of raspy aggressive, catchy horror, and politically charged antics over nine tracks that clock in at just over 28 minutes. From tracks like “Hide Away” with its fast punky driving riff and slick earworm guitar lead to “Barbra” a cover of an old Canadian punk song by Vancouver legends Modernettes to even having saxophone on “G” along with added piano on “As Above” and “So Below”, punk fans will find it to be an energetic and passionate sonic experience that conveys stories from lived experiences that many can relate to.

“It’s a true story and we mean every word, hook, and note on it. We give an emotional rollercoaster for your eyes and mind with twists and turns, ups and downs. Just as life is. All the lyrics come from personal experiences whether it be a relationship failure or success, a wild story of substance abuse, or just an observation about world events. I write what I know and try to be truthful in my lyrics.” says Kean.

With a big emphasis on storytelling, so are the two music videos they released to support the album, which can be viewed below.

When You’re Gone – https://youtu.be/FjE2iDebguY​

Nobody Cares – https://youtu.be/4QVIfLQY2Ys​

Suitable for a variety of fans, The Bloody Hell cites influences ranging from Misfits, Nirvana, and Motorhead, anyone who enjoys a fun and dirty romp with a bull horn of grungy vocals.

Their new album “Nobody Cares” is available on all digital platforms and cassette as of November 10th, 2022 at https://linktr.ee/thebloodyhellhfx.

Shared Stage with:
Propagandi, Heart Attack Kids, Raygun Cowboys, Orchids Curse, Diner Drugs,
Which Witch is Which, Old Blood, Hitman, Cluttered

Tours and Festivals:
2022 – Merciless Metalfest – Stanley Nova Scotia
2019 – Nova Scotia Music Week  –Truro Nova Scotia

Music Placements:
Bone Cage – 2019 – Award-winning indie film

Past Features:
– When You’re Gone – Song of the day – Dropoutentertainment.com
– Q104 radio – Route 104 artist showcase – Interview plus 3 songs

Corporate sponsors/artist endorsements:
Music Nova Scotia Artist Development Grant 2020

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