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Category: EPKs

0 EPK – Aquila – The Great Fire (2022)

  • August 11, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · Aquila · EPKs

EPK – Aquila – The Great Fire (2022)

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

“This is our best material to date. It’s brutal, heavy and catchy and it’s a rollercoaster ride. It has the Aquila sound still with some added influences to it. We have matured as people and as songwriters during this time of the pandemic. To be honest, this EP saved us from going crazy during these troubled times. It helped us stay focused and motivated through it all. I hope people give it a listen, we are metal fans and metal lovers. I’ve been in metal bands since 1999 and I’m, I mean, WE are so proud of this EP.” – Mark Arruda – Vocals – Aquila

For fans of Kataklysm, God Forbid, Gojira

Band: Aquila
EP Title: The Great Fire
Release Date: June 30, 2022
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/AquilaMetal | Instagram.com/aquila_metal | YouTube.com/c/AquilaMetal

Spotify | Aquilametal.bandcamp.com | Apple Music 

“Aquila strikes that excellent balance between aggression, heaviness, and constructing memorable earworms that keeps up listener engagement. The Great Fire embodies an ideal melodeath metalcore product – ready to take the band up from the underground into making worldwide impressions with their music.” – Dead Rhetoric (2022)

“There are plenty of great guitar solos and fills on this album, with the ones in ‘Bound For Glory’ and ‘Within These Flames’ especially standing out…. Aquila’s “Imperium” brings the fury back to metalcore, creating an album full of aggressive vocals and face-melting riffs and solos. “Imperium” is a mostly great debut from a band that’s hopefully on its way to even greater heights.” – Metal Underground (2010)

“A notable difference between Aquila and other Southern Ontario bands is that they thrash throughout their songs, have great guitar leads and refrain from plastering breakdowns throughout their music. They keep it raw and interesting…. Everyone should pick up a copy of Imperium next time Aquila comes to your town. Fans of Assassinate The Following, Unearth, Bloodshoteye and Odium will headbang to Aquila. This band will be legend… Wait for it…. dary.” – V13 (2011)

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

Band: Aquila
EP Title: The Great Fire
Release Date: June 30, 2022
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. The Great Fire – 5:11
2. Emperor’s Curse – 8:15
3. A City Risen – 4:16
4. The Plague of Galen – 6:16
EP Length: 24:00

EP Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Aquila
• All songs written by: Aquila
• Produced by: Aquila
• Mixed by: Aquila
• Mastered by: Aquila
• EP Artwork by: Silent Q Design
• EP and Live Band Line Up:
– Mark Arruda – Vocals
– Matt McGuire – Drums
– Anthony Rimac – Guitar
– Tony Medina – Guitar
– Colin Wakil – Bass

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

The EP as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Musically and lryicially this is the most brutal and progressive material we have ever written. I can honestly say we brought the METAL into METALcore again with this EP. The whole concept of the EP is about Roaman Emperor Nero who is famous for killing Christians and The Great Fire of Rome. This is my view of what happened at that time. I performed from my perspective of being Nero for these songs and how I felt doing these evil things to the people of Rome. It caused some arguments within the band.  

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Track 1 – The Great Fire

The Great Fire starts off slow and then it explodes.  It is our traditional straightforward in-your-face track with a Power Trip style breakdown in the middle of the song. The lyrics are about Nero causing the fire and that he wanted it to happen. There is artwork of Nero playing the flute while the fire was happening.  

Track 2 – Emperor’s Curse

This song starts off brutal and it is a rollercoaster of a track.  It starts off brutal and in the middle you travel into this Tool like drumming and guitars with a catchy hook at the end of the song. Lyrics are very brutal from beheading and crucifying Christian to Nero taking his own life.  This song is the most progressive song we have ever written, it was inspired by our own song, Bound For Glory, from our debut album Imperium.

Track 3 – A City Risen

The lyrics for this are about what Nero is thinking before he takes his life or even after his death.  He had some great ideas and he had a vision, but he was also a sick man. The songs through a slower but heavier pace with many hooks.  I think it’s my best vocal performance ever.  I used my singing range for this one, not just straight death metal vocals for this one.  

Track 4 – The Plague of Galen

Back in late 2019, McGuire and I started talking and we asked ourselves, wouldn’t it be cool to jam together again?  So we did.  With the pandemic happening in 2020, we were in the middle of writing a song which is now The Plague of Galen.  A plague that happened in Rome many years ago. We thought it was fitting.  The song has a melodic death metal feel to it that you can headbang to.  The breakdown in the middle is crushing, ending with Iron Maiden-type guitar playing.  

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Mark Arruda and Matt McGuire played in Bloodshoteye. But not at the same time. Arruda was the vocalist in the early days and McGuire played drums in 2004.

2. Chase Bryant played bass on Imperium and is now the bassist for Warbringer

3. Glenn Fricker recorded, mixed and mastered our debut album Imperium.

4. Anthony Rimac, Matt McGuire and Mark Arruda are still the original members from 2006

Aquila is a Canadian metalcore band from Hamilton Ontario.  The roots of their sound are from the early 2000s metal scene.

They started in 2006 with Matt McGuire (drums) and Anthony Rimac (guitarist) in Windsor Ontario. In 2009, Aquila entered the studio with Chase Bryant (current bassist for Warbringer), Matt Shelson (guitarist), and Mark Arruda (vocalist) and began working on their debut album, Imperium, with Glenn Fricker in Windsor, Ontario. From 2009 to 2013, they toured for their album across Canada, including a lengthy east and west coast tour, and multiple weekly shows in Ontario. Sharing the stage with the likes of Cryptopsy, The Agonist, Misery Index, Threat Signal, and many more, Aquila with their aggressive stage attitude can sure entertain and work the crowd.

In 2020, Aquila released 2 Eps, Valle Mortalitatis and Jewel of the Empire’s Crown. The 7 songs were recorded back in 2013 with Glenn Fricker, but were never released at that time.

Now with new guitarist Tony Medina and bassist Colin Wakil, Aquila worked hard to release a new EP called The Great Fire in 2022. The 4 songs were written, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Aquila.  A video for the title track, The Great Fire, was recorded by the band as well.

“We started writing for this EP in 2020.  The pandemic made it very difficult to get together. We also had to find a new guitarist. Once Tony joined the band he quickly learned the songs and started helping us record and mix ourselves. No pressure, just us in our element. I think the growth and maturity in our sound on this Ep. is obvious. This Ep is us, brutal and in your face.” – Mark Arruda – Aquila

Aquila’s latest EP “The Great Fire” was released on June 30th, 2022, and is available on all digital platforms.

Band Line Up:
– Mark Arruda – Vocals
– Matt McGuire – Drums
– Anthony Rimac – Guitar
– Tony Medina – Guitar
– Colin Wakil – Bass

Discography:
2009 – Imperium LP
2020 – Valle Mortalitatis EP
2020 – Jewel of the Empire’s Crown EP
2022 – The Great Fire EP

Shared Stage with:
Cryptopsy, A Life Once Lost, Misery Index, Endast, Threat Signal, Fuck The Facts, The Agonist

Tours and Festivals:
2008 – Harvest Fest in Windsor, ON
2008 – Funnel Fest in Windsor, ON
2009 – Knoniknoise Fest in Norfolk, ON
2009 – Canada Tour
2010 – Canada Tour

0 EPK – Nameless King – Order of The Black Flame (2022)

  • August 2, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Nameless King

EPK – Nameless King – Order of The Black Flame (2022)

Jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

“With this EP we really wanted to set the best first impression possible with quality production and songwriting that wouldn’t feel out of place in a playlist with staple bands of the genre. We feel that even though it’s still early in the band’s life, we’ve already managed to carve out a sound that perfectly describes our identity and what we want to get out of creating music. It’s a perfect sum of all our different influences and the direction we want the band to keep going in. The response from people so far has been far beyond what we expected, and we don’t intend to ever stop that momentum.” – Nameless King

For fans of At The Gates, Mors Principium Est, The Black Dahlia Murder, Heaven Shall Burn, Carcass

Band: Nameless King
Album Title: Order of The Black Flame
Release Date: March 25, 2022
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/NamelessKingBand | Instagram.com/namelesskingmetal/

Namelesskingmetal.bandcamp.com | Spotify

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

Band: Nameless King
Album Title: Order of The Black Flame
Release Date: March 25, 2022
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Amalgamated Kin – 5:06
2. Imprisonment – 4:21
3. Order of the Black Flame – 5:41
4. Grand Executioner – 6:53 ft. guest guitar solo Joey Hockin (Apprentice)
EP Length: 22:02

EP Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Nameless King
• All songs written by: Colton Hession
• Produced by: Jeff Black
• Mixed by: Jeff Black
• Mastered by: Jeff Black
• Album Artwork by: aleh_z
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
EP Recording Band Line Up:
Colton Hession – Guitar & Bass
Kurt Steigleder – Guitar
JR Painter – Vocals
Andrew Fox – Drums

Live Band Line Up:
Colton Hession – Guitar
Kurt Steigleder – Guitar
JR Painter – Vocals
Steve Cuddington – Drums

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

The EP as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

A fast, in-your-face collection of four songs with songs that are very dynamic with many tempo changes and many elements from different metal subgenres from melodic death metal, thrash metal, and even hints of prog, black, and deathcore.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

Track 1 – Amalgamated Kin

Lyrically the song tells the story of the boss character Oceiros, the Consumed King from Dark Souls 3. Musically it’s mostly pure melodic death metal, with a very black metal chorus along with a hardcore two-step feel to the solo section.

Track 2 – Imprisonment

This song is the outlier on the EP lyrics-wise and is the only song not about a character from Dark Souls, but instead about the game Super Monkey Ball. The lyrics were written in a way that unless you analyzed them extremely closely, you wouldn’t be able to tell they were about Super Monkey Ball. Musically it was written as a shorter, more standardly structured song with a high-energy power metal-ish solo section.

Track 3 – Order of the Black Flame

This track tells the story of the boss character Sister Friede from Dark Souls 3. It’s a very groove/thrash heavy song with the first full-on breakdown of the EP. We purposely had it appear later into the EP to make the breakdown section hit that much harder, hoping to have people not expect it.

Track 4 – Grand Executioner

This track is about the boss character Executioner Smough from the first Dark Souls. Musically it was designed to be very frantic with lots of sudden tempo and time signature changes, with every new section feeling different from the last, with a prog intro, hardcore breakdown, and pure thrash verses/solo section.Top – L- R – JP Sauve – Bass, JR Painter – Vocals, Kurt Steigleder – Guitar
Bottom – L- R – Colton Hession – Guitar, Steve Cuddington – Drums
Photo Credit – Jade Weekes

Riffy melodic death metal from Vancouver, BC lyrically inspired by Soulsbourne and other fantasy video games

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Every one of the band’s songs are about Dark Souls, with a small handful of songs about other video games.

2. We weren’t exactly sure when we wanted to start recording the EP until Jeff Black of Gatekeeper announced he wanted to start doing engineering for other bands aside from his own. We were the first ones to reach out to him so we get to have the honour of the first project he worked on! We’re so happy with how it turned out and how easy he is to work with that so long as he’s doing music engineering, we want him to be our guy.

3. As we were jamming and getting ready for our first show, Colton started playing Dammit by Blink 182 out of nowhere and the whole band joined in. That’s when we decided to end off our set by building up to what seemed like was going to be a huge and heavy breakdown, but kicked into a faster version of Dammit. The look on the crowd’s faces is something we’ll never forget, and it was incredible how wild they moshed for it.

4. At one point one of the lines in Imprisonment was “these bananas are a life risk” and we haven’t stopped laughing about it since. At some point down the road, we want to print that on the back of a shirt as an inside joke that literally only the band members will understand.

5. Despite being named after the Dark Souls 3 boss “Nameless King”, we have yet to write a song about him. One day we might get to it.

0 EPK – Deformatory – Harbinger (EP) (2022)

  • August 2, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · Deformatory · EPKs

EPK – Deformatory – Harbinger (EP) (2022)

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

For fans of Hate Eternal, Angelcorpse, Vitriol, old Cryptopsy, Origin

“For us, the artwork and concept of the EP were just as important as the music and songwriting. It’s a heavy and jam-packed EP that has a little bit of every genre wrapped in brutal death metal packaging. Our hope is that every audio and visual release that is connected to this album helps the listener dive deeper into the totality of our creation.” – Deformatory

EP Title: Harbinger
Release Date: September 13, 2022
Label: Independent
Distribution: Independent

Deformatory.ca | Facebook.com/deformatory | Instagram.com/deformatory | Youtube.com/deformatory | Deformatory.bandcamp.com

“It’s been a hot minute since we last checked in on the Deformatory camp, but it seems they’ve still got it. Harbinger is a short and violent little EP, a perfect bite-sized helping of chaotic technical death metal in the vein of Origin (but with better production). It’s about exactly as much material as you want from this type of music: nothing overstays its welcome, there’s absolutely no fat whatsoever, and it never gets samey or starts to drag. Perfect in its savagery and delivery.” – Toilet ov Hell

“even though Deformatory sound like a demonic battalion, there’s only two of them responsible for all the destruction. It’s also a thoroughly convincing sign that those two put on a hell of a live show.” – No Clean Singing

“Bandcamp New & Notable: Mind-flaying brutal technical death metal that will pulverize you to smithereens while its complex structures stun your cerebral cortex.”

“Guitar player and vocalist Charlie Leduc, creates a series of tracks which are both brimming with utter fury and at times dashes of a haunting melody. The EP’s final track ‘Dustcult’ sees a combination of the two with the melody being used alongside that fury with great results. Another massive improvement from past releases is the overall sound on the release, it’s a clean and potent sounding EP. All the notes come through crisp and clear to the ear and have real punch. The drum sound is also excellent as drummer Neil Grandy offers an excellent display of sonic battery behind the kit. ” – The Razor’s Edge

“A highly intelligent villainy possesses every moment and movement made by Ottawa, Ontario-based technical death metal duo Deformatory, not only on this latest mLP but throughout their twelve year reign as one of the more underappreciated Canadian death metal entities around. ‘Harbinger‘ reinforces the impossible extremity their core songwriters have long written into a cryptic cyclone of violent brutal death metal. In the midst of this destruction they now achieve a most readable brand of cunning riff and rhythm beyond their usual stabbing at the limits of actionable notes within a composition. Theirs is a craft ambitious enough to push the body to a point of physical pain, mercifully limiting their inhumane acts to three to five minute bursts as they further detail the sinister cosmology of the bespoke sci-fi universe threaded throughout their discography.” – Grizzly Butts

“It’d left me looking forward to what they’re working on next and impressed by the amount of work that’d gone into the densely populated and vivifying brevity of this release. A high recommendation.” – Grizzly Butts

“This band manages to sound like a maniacally possessed total frenzy, but it is also intelligible. That’s probably due to the fact that the guitar work comes from metal music, as opposed to being inspired by free-form jazz, prog or groove/core. The most basic way to explain it is to say that even though this is totally blasting insanity, the listener that pays attention will notice that there is a thrash heritage that is sped up but still tangible.” – The Metal Bulletin

“Intensely relentless & destructively intelligent; Harbinger checks all items off the death metal list with ease. Deformatory perfectly channels musical violence in all its unholy glory with this EP.” – TRVE North Reviews

“Uh, la la. What a piece of brutality. Yes. Only 4 songs, true that, short release, but very good. Technical Death Metal or should I say Brutal Death Metal… Hmmm… Anyway, this ep, is very good, very well constructed, very good riffs passages, some groove in the middle of the songs, but never losing the “weight” of the songs, and… Real brutality from the first second till the last second. Give them a try.” – Blessed Altar Zine

“Deformatory attack with lethal precision and serrated claws. Their technical brutality is very moreish, and these new songs are easy to digest if you like a stomach full of spikes. Well-written and delivered with passionate expertise, Harbinger doesn’t mess around. The songs are savagely energetic and imbued with the desire to kill. A storm of violent drumming, merciless riffs, and bloodthirsty growls erupt with barely any restraint, hunting and lashing out with a frenzied fury. The short release hurtles by in a tempest of bladed wrath and potent hostility.” – Wonderbox Metal

“Crafted with the utmost care, the band keep things both simple and traditional, organically writing in the rehearsal space, jamming and experimenting until something lethal reveals itself. ” – Metal Noise

“Ferocious would be a word instantly popping to mind when you begin listening to Deformatory. The music is excellently composed and played to a high standard with a non-stop barrage of guitars and drums incinerating your very ear drums. The good thing about Harbinger are the vocals, which also complement the instruments. Its not a case where they are drowned out by the music or become a little quieter, which can happen with some bands. Charlie Leduc’s voice functions as another instrument, which is the way it should be, so everything can be brought tightly together.” – Fed Up!

“Harbringer is  four songs  of heavy and ferocious death metal at it’s  finest. ” – Winter Torment Webzine

“A maniacal riff-fest colliding with pulverizing drumming and grotesquely executed vocals, Impaled Upon The Carrionspire is a memorable journey into a modern death metal portal of chaos. This is beyond a brutal wall of sound; it’s an experience that hooks you in, and guides you through everything you can expect to hear on the new album.” – Metal Injection

“Taking cues from the tech-est and brutal-est of brutal technical death metal, the duo from Canada’s capital have offered up a shining gut punch that sings, screams, wallops, growls and races in the same vein as genre masterclass mainstays as Immolation, Suffocation, Cryptopsy, Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal and Origin. Plus, their name fucking rules!” – Decibel Magazine

“Brutally punchy and laced with annihilating streaks of black metal, cosmic machinations are put into bone-snapping focus through the band’s unrelenting technical death metal.” – Invisible Oranges

“Let’s cut to the chase: Imagine filling a syringe with unadulterated adrenaline, sticking it straight into your carotid artery, and jamming the plunger down with as much force as you can muster. That’s the effect of listening to DEFORMATORY… The whole thing is breathtaking in its careening and cavorting violence.” – No Clean Singing

“This is exquisite Tech Death which manages to avoid wading in wizardry over the top realms preferring instead to delicately balance both brutal and intricate arrangements for great effect. These guys aren’t fucking around.” – Cult Metal Flix

“DEFORMATORY play technical death metal with lashings of brutality. The songs are precise and merciless. It’s a controlled form of frenzied mayhem that the band unleash, one which is augmented by surprisingly potent streaks of melody, dark moments of atmosphere, infectious rhythmic devastation, and straightforward death metal brutality. DEFORMATORY know what they are doing with this style.” – Wonderbox Metal  

“…a manipulated frenzy of technical mayhem… DEFORMATORY just demolishes many bands that are signed!” – Metal Nation

“Inversion Of The Unseen Horizon consolidates DEFORMATORY’s position as one of the finest acts in the Canadian metal scene” – Heavy Music HQ

“…for those seeking the most brutal and battery ram-like extremity, DEFORMATORY checks off all of the boxes that you’d like it to: strong musicianship and soloing, intense riffs and vocals, and just enough melody to keep it from going completely unhinged” – Dead Rhetoric

“[DEFORMATORY is] a band that takes both the “tech” and the “death” parts to heart in their songwriting.  Their blend of crushing brutality and technical aptitude is a force to be reckoned with.” – Toilet Ov Hell

L-R – Neil Grandy – Drums | Charlie Leduc – Guitars & Vocals
Photo Credit – Savael © 2022

From their destructive 2013 debut “In The Wake of Pestilence”, on through their crushing 2016 follow-up “Malediction” and into the vortex of insanity from their 2021 masterpiece “Inversion of the Unseen Horizon”, DEFORMATORY unrelentingly summon their creative darkness to deliver another slab of ferocious Canadian death metal.

Without acquiescing to the weakness of modern metal, they reach deep into the abyss of infernal intensity to deliver a new offering of blistering madness entitled “Harbinger”.

Every song, every riff, and every beat writhes through its own iterations to devour the listener beyond this EP’s 15-minute runtime. Make no mistake: these are 15-minutes you will never get back and you will never recover from.  The sheer energy your soul requires to withstand this offering of musical violence will render your very core into a depleted version of itself.

The phenomenal production of this album is the work of Topon Das (Fuck The Facts, Apartment 2 Recording), who impeccably captured the essence and intensity of DEFORMATORY’s vision. Every nuance has been brought to light, mixed, and mastered without sacrificing integrity in order to fit into the modern standards of extreme music. All instruments are real fucking instruments and each can be discerned without the overproduced wall of plugins & tone packs we have unfortunately grown accustomed to hearing today. There is an eerie atmosphere that lurks throughout this album and it can be heard clearly through every string, growl, and cymbal.

To visually encapsulate the onslaught of Harbinger’s music, the artwork was masterfully created by the one and only Paolo Girardi. He has, without any doubt, unveiled one of his best paintings to date for this album cover. Additional haunting artistic creations were devilishly assembled by UK’s Adrian Baxter to further highlight the darkness that binds the death metal onslaught of DEFORMATORY’s new EP.

This is unequivocal vitriolic rage. This is uncompromising animosity.
This is not trendy. This is not a safe place.
This is a maelstrom of maniacal death metal.
This is DEFORMATORY.

You have been warned.
Heed the Harbinger’s call.

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Charlie Leduc – Guitars & Vocals
Neil Grandy – Drums

Shared Stage with:
Cryptopsy, Obscura, Napalm Death, Nader Sadek, Archspire, First Fragment, Beyond Creation, Fuck The Facts, Gorod, Unhuman, Unbreakable Hatred, Killitorous, Unleash The Archers, Deamon,

Discography:
2022 – Harbinger (EP) – Independent
2021 – Inversion of the Unseen Horizon (LP) – Independent
2018 – Once Upon The Cross Cover (Single) – CDN Records
2018 – Bilateral Carnage (7” Split with Blood of Christ) – CDN Records
2016 – Malediction (LP) – CDN Records
2013 – In The Wake of Pestilence (LP) – Independent
2011 – Believe The Lie (Single) – Independent
2011 – A Prelude To… (EP) – Independent

[EP Download Cover | EP Download Lyrics]

EP Title: Harbinger
Release Date: September 13, 2022
Label: Independent
Distribution: Independent

Track Listing:
1. PLAGUEWORM (2:56)
2. CORPSEBORN (4:02)
3. SUNROT (3:54)
4. DUSTCULT (5:05)
Total Runtime: 15:17

EP Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: DEFORMATORY
• All songs written by: DEFORMATORY
• Produced by: DEFORMATORY & Topon Das
• Mixed by: Topon Das (Apartment 2 Recording)
• Mastered by: Topon Das (Apartment 2 Recording)
• Album Cover Artwork by: Paolo Girardi | Additional Artwork by: Adrian Baxter
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Charlie Leduc – Guitars & Vocals
Neil Grandy – Drums

0 EPK – Hunting Giants – Mythos (2022)

  • July 28, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Hunting Giants

EPK – Hunting Giants – Mythos (2022)

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

For fans of Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Audioslave, Muse

“We are confident that new listeners, as well as those familiar with us through our previous release Skyward Eyes, will find a high caliber of intensity and listenability in Mythos that represents the musical growth and evolution of Hunting Giants. It’s a unique album expressed with a great diversity of energetic auditory texture. Each song hits hard with novel approaches and fresh ideas that will induce a comforting nostalgia in modern rock fans looking for something new and awesome.”

Album Title: Mythos
Release Date: September 30, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

HuntingGiants.com | Facebook.com/huntinggiantsband | Instagram.com/huntinggiantsband | Twitter.com/huntinggiants | Youtube 

Huntinggiants.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

“A glorious adventure is about to begin, starting right here today! Heavy metallers Hunting Giants are debuting their brand new music video for “Rituals,” the first single from their upcoming album Mythos. The song indicates the zeal and the ambition that the band is bringing towards this new record, due for release on September 30th.  The “Rituals” video matches the flat-out intensity of the song, one that discusses necromancy and the harshness of hatred and shame.” – V13

“It’s not often that a band is described as ‘a blend of modern hard rock, progressive rock/metal and grunge influences,’ but that is indeed a fitting description of Vancouver’s Hunting Giants” – Bravewords

“If you’re tired of reading about the same old bands over and over again look no further. Its time to get excited about music again! Hunting Giants is a breath of fresh air! They are keeping the metal alive with their euphonious new sound. They hail from Canada where a lot hot new bands are burgeoning onto the music scene. Every song off their new album, Mythos is incendiary and their new album is a must have in your music collection.” – Metal Lair

“There are some fine songs on here like ‘Ancient Text’, ‘Too Big Too Kill’ and ‘Vanguard’… Guitarist Bradley Trivett has a neat line in big crunchy riffs and singer Stephen Atkey has a great voice. This will appeal to those who like Muse or Alice in Chains…” – Powerplay Mag UK

“Let me say this first, HUNTING GIANTS from Vancouver are REALLY freaking good. These guys are relatively new but they are tighter and more accomplished man many veteran bands.” – Rock You Show

“This is an album (Mythos) that you’ll want to wander through thanks to their technical proficiency and the production value.” – Metal Roos

“a solid listen, and a fairly unique combination of a few different styles. It’s mostly heavy enough for Metal fans, and mostly melodic enough for fans like myself who appreciate a good hook.” – Metal Temple

“Mythos’ features a very 1990s vibe, offering elements of nostalgia as well as a contemporary feel. They can go hard or ease back, adding theatre and energy in a single song (‘Vanguard’), and then draw deep on emotions (‘Mantle’). It’s a heady mix that runs alongside the overall story line in the album. ‘Mythos’ isn’t an album that will appeal to all. Certainly, those whose tastes veer towards the heavier end of the metal spectrum may baulk at it. It should however, appeal to a wide range of fans, who will be able to appreciate the textured and layered songs and the ambition of a band who have delivered a fine release.” – The Razor’s Edge

“a sonically pleasing experience that had a few unusual stylistic fusions. Most of the time, it’s strong enough for Metal enthusiasts as well as being melodic enough for people like myself who adore theatricality. Additionally, they demonstrated some excellent playing.” – Ever Metal UK

“Hunting Giants: Will grab listeners and amaze them.” – Permafrost Today

“There is a lot to discover here. The sound of the varied album is also well controlled and the rhythm section really bangs.” – Saitenkult

“Hunting Giants stake their claim as a powerful new force in the Pacific Northwest metal scene…this band is absolutely one you’ll want to keep an eye on.” – Wail Magazine

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Mythos
Release Date: September 30, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:
1. Mythos – 3:28
2. Ancient Text – 3:18
3. Too Big To Kill – 3:06
4. Rituals – 3:57
5. Among Thieves – 5:28
6. Whispers – 2:16
7. Vanguard – 2:54
8. Mantle – 3:19
9. Kindred – 4:05
10. Epitaph – 1:09
11. Into Stone – 4:55
12. Remnant – 4:00
13. King of Ashes – 2:52
Album Length: 44:49

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Hunting Giants
• Vanguard ft. Kirby J. Kaye
• All songs written by: Hunting Giants
• Produced by: Kirby J. Kaye for Aztech Productions
• Mixed by: John Webster
• Mastered by: Richard Addison at Trillium Mastering
• Album Artwork by: Kacper Gilka @kacpergilkaart
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Corey Wharton – Bass Guitar
Stephen Atkey – Vocals
Bradley Trivett – Guitar
Daniel Beavington – Drums

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The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

This album is musically very diverse as it ranges from intense white-knuckled metal tracks, down to gentle instrumental tracks peppered with melodic piano and haunting cello, all the way to epic ballads tastefully complimented by choirs, strings, and bells. Mythos lyrically explores archetypes, both heroic and villainous, that affect the world around us, as well as the inevitable fates which arise when these values are heinously held and expressed.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Mythos – The Call to Adventure.
We start the album off with the beginning of the hero’s journey, the call to adventure.  The guitar intro slowly gains momentum until all of the instruments join in with the toll of a bell. The vocals are low and the instruments hushed as if the beginning of a story is being told in front of a fire.  Our protagonist is introduced as a commoner who has witnessed the destruction of his homeland and can no longer idly stand by.  We follow him as he crests mountains and is swallowed by rich ravines until he runs face to face with the hanging dead, a symbol of the reality which he is walking into. The instruments and vocals both rise to a climax where our protagonist reaches the conclusion that this task may take his life, yet he believes that a life without freedom is one that is not worth living. He will not back down.  At the end of the track, we are reminded that he is good-natured but naive by the hanging corpses who warn him to not follow the path they did as the instrumentation fades with a final note of vocal harmony.

Ancient Text – The Prophecy
Starting out with a metal riff that weaves an auditory puzzle in the ear of the listener, Ancient Text is a story about a doomsday prophecy from a long-forgotten culture. While lyrically referencing both archaeological discoveries as well as age-old myths, we get to experience how a shaman from the distant past might interpret a meteor shower that destroys his tribe. The tension built by these raging riffs is eased by a sensual breakdown, this is where our hero is taken on a spiritual journey to see what disaster is coming for his people.  The peace is quickly shattered by a blood-curdling screech as he watches a comet slam into the ocean and pulls those he loves far out into the sea. We end the song with a rhythmic labyrinth of guitar, bass, and percussion framing the climax of our tale as he carves the vision of death he had been shown onto the temple walls to be interpreted by a future civilization.

Too Big To Kill – Domination and Avarice
The riff which begins this track immediately brings to mind the thrill of the hunt which is encapsulated by the lyrical repetition of ‘Row’ as our anti-hero cuts through the waves, hot on the trail of his next quarry.  As the instruments are hushed, the lyrics speak from the perspective of a man who desires only domination and finds satisfaction in ending the lives of those he hunts. This unending momentum builds throughout the song revealing how remorseless yet effective he is at killing until we arrive at the bridge, where the tables are turned and he finds himself fleeing from the beast which he sought to trap. Cornered and without option, our protagonist lets out one last “Come What May” as he charges toward his prey in one final effort.  This song is an exploration of those who love violence and the inevitable bloody end that they attract towards themselves.

Rituals – Necromancy, Hatred and Shame
A bass slide introduces us to a seductive salsa that peaks suspense until it explodes with a punk-inspired bounce.  This song follows a man who sees morality as a vain illusion that people create for themselves and that the maxim “Do what though will shall be the way of the law” reigns supreme. He is robbing a grave when we encounter him and we watch as he dismembers a corpse and grafts its limbs onto a different body. The chorus opens up with complex guitar and percussion work complimented by a simple call-and-answer vocal melody as the body is then reanimated by the grave-robber. In sudden contrast we are greeted by a soft and sensual vocal line with sparse instrumental work which speaks of the freedom moral relativism can grant you. This leads to a frantic Mastodon-inspired bridge where we explore how hatred can fester in a person if they isolate themselves away from the world and blame others for the fruit of their own actions.

Among Thieves – The Addict
The slow sensual riff of the verse comments on the seductive nature of destructive things which we can use to temporarily ease our emotional or psychological pain. We move on to see how they slowly alter you into someone you weren’t before. Under the racing gallops of percussion, we explore how violence can seem to be the most effective and immediate solution to solve disagreements and needs. The guitar, bass, and percussion all ring out as the progressive rock elements of the song are featured in a vocal chant expressing fear, pain, and hope. As the drums drop into halftime, we encounter a gritty taste of the life of those who live in addiction. A swell of guitar and stringed instruments signals the moment of self-realization and the protagonist has taken ownership of who they have become. We are greeted warmly by a swirling choir of vocals, guitar, and strings which are broken by the toll of bells as our hero embraces his faults and opens his heart to the world.

Whispers – The Voice of the Dead
A haunting instrumental track with a grand piano in place of the vocals as the main melody.

Vanguard – The Love Song
This non-stop rocking love song starts with an intricate bass line, a crunchy guitar riff, and a busy drum line peppered with ghost snare hits.  We follow a soldier on the front lines of a battle as he thinks of his love and what he would sacrifice to be with her once more. An incredibly catchy chorus blends back into the verse where his thoughts of his love is ripped away by the reality of the battlefield on which he is.  As the captain screams “Hold The Line!”, we get a ripping solo recorded by our producer Kirby Kaye as we flow by into the chorus. In the outro, we are treated to a key change and the soprano-esque wail of a dying man as he keeps his thoughts on the one he loves.

Mantle – Undeserved Worship
Right off the bat, we know that this song is a beastly one as all instruments and vocals come in on the same first beat. As an allusion to a toxic relationship, we follow the story of a man who makes a pact with an unknown force who claims to be subservient to him. While the vocals and instruments roar with aggressive verses and a theatrically inspired chorus, the deity demands to be re-payed for the boons she has bestowed upon her subject.  As the track breaks down into the bridge, he dismembered himself to feed her.  This is a mirror to those who sacrifice pieces of themselves for another who only seeks to use them. The song comes to a conclusion with the instruments playing the intro riff while it is accented by a feral vocal roar.

Kindred – A Tempting Offer
Opening up with the flight of guitars as they soar over a pounding bass riff, this song is about casting away the pain and trauma of the past and coming together as allies with those whom we once saw as enemies. The open chords of the chorus leave room for the bass and percussion to accent the coming riff as the vocals sing about the power of unification. The bridge drops into a monologue where our protagonist is faced with one final challenge.  This gives way to the last verse where we as the listener are given the choice to decide what happens in our futures. The triumphant outro hints at Queens of the Stone Age as the vocal harmonies ease into a final harmonized note.

Epitaph – Grief in Glory
A snare roll reminiscent of the drums of war synchronizes with guitars as they sail over the spine of the bass. The vocals speak of honor and the dreams of the future as a tyrannical figure manipulates the populace into furthering their corrupted agenda.

Into Stone – To Fight Again
The gallop of the drums sets an almost power metal vibe as the vocals set the stage for war and speak of the victory which is to come. Double kicks and blazing bass frame the Iron Maiden-inspired chorus while the vocals incite the need to fight for what you believe as tomorrow may be too late. A vocal chant erupts in the bridge which heralds those who have fought for valor as hints of the cello can be heard underneath the instrumentation.

Remnants – Victory in Death
Bass sets this frantic yet forlorn mood as the endless rhythm pounds out over vocals conveying the hopelessness of a hero who has been cornered by the demons he battled. A ghost-like wail recites the melody which the guitar previously squealed, leading to a triumphant chorus that speaks of the accomplishments our hero made in his life which brought him to this moment. As the guitar sails out into the bridge, we are met with polyrhythmic percussion and persistent bass. Following the final chorus, our hero is supported by a choir of harmonies as he sacrifices his own life for those he loves. He is destroyed and devoured by the darkness he held at bay as a demonic screech splits the air and a bass outro which hints at a positive finale with a major note.

King of Ashes – At What Cost
This epic industrial ballad is reminiscent of both Nine-Inch-Nails and King Crimson. The vocals ponder on the futility of victory at all costs as the percussion and instruments chase each other in polyrhythmic complementation. A constant yet subtle feedback loop heightens the vocals until they crescendo in a final lament, “Oh, to be the King of Ashes.” In finality, the album comes to a close and fades out with the ringing of a gong.

L-R – Corey Wharton (Bass), Bradley Trivett (Guitar), Daniel Beavington (Drums), Stephen Atkey (Vocals)
Photographer Credit – Bradley Trivett

Hunting Giants is a four-piece heavy rock band from Vancouver, BC, Canada.

This unique group of musicians offers a spectacular visuals-driven live performance that exceeds both the precise ferocity of their recordings, and the highest expectations of an energized audience looking for something recognizably different. Their music is both refreshing and familiar, serving well as the musical backdrop for one’s ongoing discovery of meaning in life and self.

Hunting Giants was started in 2017 with Bradley Trivett assembling the first musical themes and combining the percussive expertise of Daniel Beavington with the explosive rhythmic prowess of Corey J. Wharton into the foundation of a team set to discover and dominate the most enormous sounds and daunting massive ideas they could find. Led by the visionary passion and styling of frontman Stephen Atkey, Hunting Giants is poised to deliver to the highest expectations of an energized listening audience looking for something recognizably awesome.

Discography:
2022 – Mythos – LP
2018 – Skyward Eyes – EP

Shared Stage with:
Unleash the Archers, Wednesday 13, Ophelia Falling, Kayas, Vessel, Sick Logic, Dark Stone

Tours and Festivals:
2019 – HempFest – Seattle, WA
2019 – Metal battle 2019 – Vancouver, BC

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BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS

1. How the band formed, aka Steve pirating their recordings and sending a finished track as an application.

Hunting Giants began in Vancouver, British Columbia when Bradley Trivett digitally composed and assembled a group of songs unlike any he had created before, including some material co-written with long-time friend and former band-mate Corey Wharton. The new songs were fast, concise, and particularly short in duration when compared to the music from his two former bands, Oddchild and One Tree Forest, both known for long progressions and exploratory soundscapes. The new material did away with the complicated structures and massive arrangements in favour of dense, rich music that gets straight to the point.

Looking to give life to this fascinating new material, Brad enlisted the help of another long-time friend and former band-mate Daniel Beavington to add his unique and powerful drumming flair. After working for several weeks to nail down the structure and challenges the new material posed, the two were ready to bring in the earth-shattering talents of bass player and close friend Corey Wharton. Daniel and Corey had both worked previously with Brad in Oddchild, and were excited to reclaim the passion and start a new group.

The three of them worked smoothly together as they were quite familiar with one another’s playing style, quickly rekindling the chemistry they had developed over their 15 years of experience playing together. They transcribed the riffs from their original digital format and sculpted them further by adding the depth and dimension found only in live performance.

After a few months of intense rehearsal, the group felt that the time was right to take the next step toward completing the group with a powerful vocalist that understood the music and themes, but they somewhat disagreed on how to go about it. Brad was focused on lining up the professional recording of the music, believing that the right singer would be attracted by exhibiting their ability to succinctly perform all the work they had done. Daniel was more enthused with canvassing the need and scheduling auditions to see what the world around them could offer.

Brad called upon another former band-mate and family friend Kirby Kaye, enlisting his cooperation to produce for them a good-sounding instrumental album to attract the singer that was needed to finish their music. Kirby quickly contacted his good friend and sound engineer John Webster, and together with Brad, Corey, and Daniel, booked studio time and recorded the drum lines for the new music in one intense day. From there, the group began recording the matching bass lines.

Meanwhile, in response to the push for auditions from Daniel in a Craigslist ad, the group received an email from singer-hopeful Stephen Atkey. Stephen had recently quit his job in Edmonton, said farewell to his friends and family, and moved to the west coast, following a dream that he would there find a promising musical partnership. A dream that had so far floundered in the province he was born.

The email that Stephen sent included a pirated live recording of one of their songs, to which Stephen had used Pro-Tools to assemble a layered vocal line that immediately got their attention. The work done and the artistry displayed was more than enough to hastily arrange a meeting and jump on the opportunity. The meeting went very well, and they decided to meet up for the next rehearsal.

After the first jam, it was clear that the four musicians had unique chemistry and with that, the group took their first lumbering steps towards significance by officiating the roster of the four-piece band.

By that time, guitars and bass were fully recorded and the team was ready to lay down the vocal tracks, despite Stephen having only been involved in the project for a few weeks. Still, Stephen was able to quickly craft and record vocals that enhanced the music beautifully and elevated it to a level nobody thought possible.

Two months from that meeting, the group had finished and mastered the album to be known as Skyward Eyes, and were ready to grow the group further, but were unable to without first discovering a name that would fit the grandiosity of the music and the aggressive drive they all had toward the project. After some time, the group finally emerged as Hunting Giants.

2. Stephen getting bottled at a Periphery Show:

After the first day of recording vocals for our first EP, Skyward Eyes, the band decided to take a night off to celebrate their success and be inspired by a successful touring act.  The opening band, Animals as Leaders, were absolutely amazing and had brought Steve to the pit. After the first few songs of Periphery, Steve needed some fresh air and went to leave the pit but was blocked by a line of metal heads refusing his access.  Steve pushed past them to get through and in response one of them through a bottle point-blank into Steve’s head.  The bottle smashed into Steve’s forehead and the blood started pouring onto the floor of the pit.  The security guards gathered up Brad and Corey and told them that their friend was in critical condition.  Corey helped clear the blood from Steve’s face as Brad called for a Taxi to take them to the hospital.  Steve, while fainting from blood loss, hid his weed under the garbage can in the hospital while the doctors operated on his skull.  They were able to stop the bleeding, stitch up the wound and in a couple of hours let them go. Steve then slinked back in to grab his weed undetected.  Later that day Steve wrote the lyrics to the song ‘Extinction’ while still covered in his own blood and the very next day was back in the studio recording the last two tracks.

3. Getting all of our gear stolen

Hunting Giants had practiced for months for an incredibly important show, an annual BC-wide battle of the bands. They were confident in their performance but had stiff competition and several of the members had work early in the morning so they packed up their gear in the truck parked behind the downtown venue.  The winners were about to be announced so the members decided to wait a couple of minutes before they took off the night. They did not expect to win the battle of the bands, but lo and behold, they did.  In the pounding of adrenaline, they forgot about the vehicle parked behind the venue and were brought onstage for an acceptance speech.  During the speech, their vehicle was broken into and almost ten thousand dollars of musical equipment was stolen.  Only ten minutes later, they went back to their vehicle to find the windows smashed and all of their gear missing. A night of soaring highs turned into that of extreme lows as the realization of what had just happened dawned upon them.  

0 EPK – Syryn – Heads or Tails (2022)

  • July 25, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · SYRYN

EPK – Syryn – Heads or Tails (2022)

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

“This album was a blast to write! We’ve been holding on to these riffs for a long while, and hopefully, the anticipation is exactly what our fans were waiting for. We’ve got a mix of thrash, rock, metal, and ballads on this one. We are extremely proud of this album from all angles. The songwriting, lyrics, art, and production quality show the effort we put in. It’s something we know we’ll be proud of in the years to come.” – Syryn

Album Title: Heads or Tails
Release Date: August 26, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

For fans of Iron Maiden, Unleash the Archers, Battle Beast, Megadeth, Helloween

Syrynmetal.wixsite.com/syrynofficial | Facebook.com/syrynofficial

Twitter.com/syrynofficial | Instagram.com/syrynofficial | YouTube

Syryn.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

“Thoroughly enjoyed this – there’s loads going on and as I mentioned before they go through loads of metal genres sometimes in one song… Both Rage and Gorieu can riff and shred with the best of them, the rhythm section drive the songs and the icing on the cake is Voxx’s vox! If you like ANY sort of metal, then this will appeal. C’mon give these crazy Canucks a go.” – My Global Mind (Heads or Tails 2022)

“In Heads or Tails, Syryn have upped the ante on all of their power-thrash antics, further developing and cementing their twisted nautical world and their epic riff-fueled power metal sonics.” – Metal Observer

“Calgary’s Syryn continues exploring the realms of pirate metal on “Heads or Tails” “- LA Beat

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Heads or Tails
Release Date: August 26, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing
1. Surrender – 6:54
2. ‘Til We Drown – 5:12
3. Walk The Plank – 4:38
4. Sink Or Swim – 3:34
5. Madness Becomes Me – 5:32
6. Fist Full Of Daggers – 5:06 ft. guest vocals Craig Carswell (Producer, Singer /Songwriter, Dorians Mirror, Court of Cardinals)
7. Heads Or Tails – 6:18
8. Succubus Queen – 4:50 ft. guest vocals Amanda Kiernan (ex-The Order of Chaos, ex-Into Eternity)
Album Length: 42:08

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: SYRYN
• All songs written by: SYRYN, (Craig Carswell – co-writer on Fist Full of Daggers and Amanda Kiernan on Succubus Queen)
• Produced by: Craig Carswell at Redblack Recording & SYRYN
• Mixed by: Craig Carswell at Redblack Recording
• Mastered by: Craig Carswell at Redblack Recording
• Album Artwork by: Bo Bradshaw
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Sloan Voxx (Vocals)
Paulo Rage (Guitar)
Lyxx Rose (Bass)
Bryan Campbell (Drums)
Byron Gorieu (Guitar)

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The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Sloan – This album is part of my soul. Not only is it melodic, but it is also menacing and malicious. It’s happy and fun, yet heartwrenching. Every piece of music written includes a piece of myself. How could it not, really. We write from experience, we write from knowledge, or dreams, or desires. I write from all of the above, and more. The beauty of this album as a whole is that we all get it. We all feel those things and want to represent them as best we can. Be it to cheer someone up, provide an awesome drinking song, be pissed off at something or someone, dig a bit deeper, stand up for ourselves, give a musical hug, or whatever the hell else we feel like. This album encompasses all of that and more. Music is a voice, and we are choosing to use it.

Lyxx – Lyrically it is intense and captivating, musically it is energetic and also pulls you in. It’s more focused on the experience of the sailors/pirates and how they handle encounters with the Siren. She still has her voice on the album, but now the sailors get a turn. There are lots of upbeat rhythms and slow but passionate riffs to keep you encapsulated by the ebb and flow of the musical waves.

Paul – This album is the first music released from our current line-up. It is a natural progression from the first album and I’m excited to share what we have made with others.
More told on the sailors/pirates side instead of the sirens this time… well until it gets more towards the end.

Byron – A different perspective of the same concept of the first album. Musically it continues to build as you listen and adds new surprises.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
 
1. Surrender –
Sloan – This song is about never giving up. It’s about standing up for ourselves, and for all of those before us… persevering no matter what and fighting with everything we have in us not to give in or give up. From the aspect of the Sailor, he knows the Siren is trying to break him. She’s got a plan, and she’s about to execute it. He doesn’t let her. He has to fight back, no matter what it takes. Hold your head high, and FIGHT!
Lyxx – This one is about fighting back against everything or anyone that’s trying to put you down. You chant “Fight” at the end to signify that you have an army to back you and you feel unstoppable.
Paul – The album opener has some moody and intricate passages and moves through some different melodies. This song builds up to a triumphant and thrashy rebellious gang vocal of “Fight”.
Byron – A fun start to the album, both musically and lyrically.

2. ‘Til We Drown –
Sloan – This song talks about the life of a Pirate. Rigging the ship and returning from a pillage with a generous amount of treasure. OBVIOUSLY you’re ready to celebrate. Best way to do it? Have a drink and party! Reminiscing about your journey, your battles, your accomplishments. Raising a glass to your comrades, drinkin’ it down ‘til you drown and chanting through the night!
Lyxx – This is a fun one about drinking! Or drinking water if you don’t like mead! When you’re out at sea and have spent many weeks pillaging and plundering, you reward yourself with a drink, and it is law that you drink it down, til you drown!
Paul – Set out on a pirate adventure! Let’s get drunk and stumble around on a ship until we cause our own demise. Mid tempo and has a constant spirited groove.
Byron – The drinking song of album #2. A song with the same level of seriousness and drunkness as “ Three Sheets To The Wind ”

3. Walk The Plank –
Sloan – You’ve been captured. You’re terrified. What can you do? Beg? Plead? Ask for forgiveness? Anything to keep you alive! Sorry, not happening. Pirates are pirates. They have no soul and they cannot be reasoned with. Looks like you’re on a salty trip to the bottom of the ocean, me hearty. Sorry, not sorry.
Lyxx – In this one, you are caught and have to beg for your life to stay on the ship. You’ve been captured and ordered to Walk the Plank. Will you survive?
Paul – Fastest and most energetic track on the album. You’re about to meet your doom matey.
Byron – Fast, thrashy song that shows the panic and fear of walking the plank.

4. Sink Or Swim –
Sloan – Aside from the evident sinking or swimming, this song is about endurance. It’s about trials and tribulations and how we handle them. The uncertainties of life and how we navigate them. We internally fight with ourselves, our past and our consciences daily. This is a prime example of processes we go through when we are scared or in the dark not knowing what lies ahead. We can’t go back, only forward. Will we sink, or will we swim?
Lyxx – You still got kicked off the ship. Hope you know how to swim!
Paul – Still has some vigorous speed carried over from the last song and now you’re in the water, you’re screwed if you can’t swim… and watch out for the sharks!!!
Byron – Great riffs and gang vocals on this song, swim to live another day or sink and meet your doom!!!!

5. Madness Becomes Me –
Sloan – This song represents uncertainty and confusion. Am I hearing this? Am I seeing this? Is it real, in my mind or is someone or something placing these thoughts there? An internal battle of disorientation eventually rendering us mad. We are tortured and we are blind. It’s got a hold of me and it’s overwhelming. We crave peace and solace. Whatever this is… whoever you are… please let go of me.
Lyxx – The Siren is starting to feel some conflict about her troubles at sea. Maybe this life is no longer fulfilling.
Paul – Power Ballad-ish type of feel.  Entices the listener in to bring some insight of the siren’s own conscience.
Byron – the Sirens debut of the album. Enticing the drunk sailors who had won the fight depicted earlier in album.

6. Fist Full Of Daggers –
Sloan – You’ve been driven to madness, and now you’re full of hate. You were pushed to your limits. You were lied to, misled and made to look a fool. You don’t trust anyone and you can see true colors shown. Backed against a wall, all you can do is fight your way out. You find yourself with a fist full of daggers and nothing will stand in your way.
Lyxx – Sometimes, people just get on your nerves and you want to give them a fist full of daggers.
Paul – Slow grooving and powerful tempos with some almost blast beats. When you’ve been pushed to your breaking point and someone is gonna feel the jab of your dagger, metaphorically.

7. Heads Or Tails –
Sloan – This song speaks to perspective. It speaks to choices and the various paths we can take in life. We never know which to take. Sometimes it’s the right one, sometimes it’s the wrong one. How do we know which one to choose? The last one we took maybe didn’t lead us where we wanted it to. Maybe it’s got hurtful memories, but we must still move forward. We must find our place in life within ourselves even though we are unsure of where it may lead. In times of peril and ambivalence, we let the coin decide.
Lyxx – In this one, the Siren is struggling with all the chaos and calamity around her. She is confused by her need to kill and feed, but transfixed on the guilt afterward. Why is she conflicted if this is her purpose. Could she choose a different path?
Byron – POWER BALLAD!!!!

8. Succubus Queen –
Sloan – You are cordially invited to the celebration…. Here, we introduce one powerful and feared, bad-ass bitch, The Succubus Queen. She’s gorgeous, she’s enticing, she’s terrifying and you’re being brought to grovel at her feet. She’s got plans for you and you’re not going to like it… or will you? Drain your soul in the depths of infatuation and find out.
Lyxx – She chose a different path for sure! lol
Paul – Intricate intensity and mighty shifts musically. Has the Siren lost her mind and gone even more evil?
Byron – Intense end to the album with lots of cool twist and turns to show the true evil mind of the Siren.

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BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1.  Sloan writing on the way to shows to perform the song for the first time that night (Be sure to mention Bry being so pushy, and Paul being so fuckin quick!)

2. Lyxx – Our singer Sloan, not once, but twice finished writing a song on the way to a show. Once on the drive to Edmonton, and another time on the way to Lethbridge. We performed these songs only an hour after they were finished, and the crowds loved it!

3. The first show we played was in the evening after I had to speak at my father’s memorial service. My parents were always supportive of music in my life but never got to see Syryn play. That first live show with Syryn was difficult because I know my father would have been there if he were able. – Bryan

4. The next album/E.P. story is already created and I’ve already started 4 songs towards it. I’m always writing new music and presenting ideas to the band. But only because Bryan makes me and wants the next album written by next week – Paul

5. Sloan – Amanda and Sloan’s writing and recording experience “Sharp Serpentine Tail”.

6. I was initially lured into Syryn by Sloan asking for help recording drums for a single (unbreakable) that she wanted to let others hear in order to start a new band. I was playing in two other bands at the time so wasn’t really looking for another group. This quickly turned into recording the first album and playing the initial shows so people could hear it and…yes, joining the band. I have enjoyed this group so much that it only made sense by that point. Today, it has become my primary music focus and the only group I’m playing in. – Bryan

7. I turned down playing in Syryn a year prior to joining, but once I heard Sloan’s vocals and jammed with the group, they lured me in and they now have my soul! – Paul (Ass! – Sloan)

L-R – Paulo Rage (Guitar), Byron Gorieu (Guitar), Sloan Voxx (Vocals), Lyxx Rose (Bass), Bryan Campbell (Drums)
Photo Credit – Dana Zuk (Dana Zuk Photography)

SYRYN (pronounced Siren) is a Calgary-based metal band combining the roots of Power Metal, Thrash, Traditional Heavy Metal, and Opera.

SYRYN will seduce and entice you with mysterious and menacing melodies, fierce guitar shreds, captivating vocals, and swift drum attacks.

In Greek mythology, the Sirens were dangerous creatures, who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island.

SYRYN have come a long way since its inception and the finalizing of its lineup. They released their debut album “From the Depths” in January of 2020. The release of their first album heeded consciousness to the world about the group, resulting in major growth of their fan base and the international distribution of their music and merchandise. They have had the honor and pleasure of participating in Loud as Hell Festival, Decimate Metalfest, and Metalocalypstick Festival and hope to continue on their festival journey by playing various other events and festivals worldwide. Additionally, in 2019, SYRYN proudly wore the title of one of Wacken Metal Battle’s Canadian Semi-Finalists! In 2021, Beyond the Depths was nominated for and awarded “Metal Recording of the Year ” by the YYCMA’s. In 2022, they were nominated again by the YYCMA’s for their latest single “Madness Becomes Me” under “Metal Recording of the Year”, and as artists for “Group of the Year”.

2022 will also see the group release their sophomore album “Heads or Tails”, a record full of growth, diversity, and a much more collaborative effort as a whole compared to their debut full-length along with co-writing with guest vocalists Amanda Kiernan (ex-The Order of Chaos, ex-Into Eternity) and Craig Carswell (Producer, Singer /Songwriter, Dorians Mirror, Court of Cardinals). “Head or Tails” is more a themed album branching out into the Pirate/Sailor’s perspective and beyond. The band wanted to continue on the storytelling of a Siren’s journey, touching on as many aspects of it as they could fit onto the record (including the many emotions we go through in everyday life: Love, fear, anger, happiness, sadness, regret, etc.). Syryn also wanted to shake things up and create something a bit out of their regular musical realm, no two songs are alike and that makes the band more difficult to categorize. They try to incorporate all their influences into their own sound with a wide array of styles to adhere to many people’s tastes.

To truly capture the magic of this band, you will want to experience one of their fun and interactive live performances. Young fans (Syrynites) are always encouraged to join them on stage and they plan to do more local and international touring, and all-ages events in the future in hopes of expanding their fan base, and the awareness of their music and group. They hope to be in an area near you soon, and can’t wait to meet you all!

“We would like to express our eternal gratitude to each and every being who has listened to our music, who has attended our live shows, who have purchased and worn our merchandise, who has offered kind words and encouragement. Most of all, thank you for being you and letting us be a part of your lives. From the bottom of our hearts, we appreciate you and your support!”

SYRYN is:
Sloan Voxx (Vocals)
Lyxx Rose (Bass)
Byron Gorieu (Guitar)
Paulo Rage (Guitar)
Bryan Campbell (Drums)

Artist Endorsements:
Paulo Rage – WB Gear (Revv Amplification & S.I.T. Strings)
Bryan Campbell – Scorpion Percussion, WB Gear

Discography:
2022 – Heads or Tails – LP
2020 – Beyond the Depths – LP

Shared Stage with:
Into Eternity, Planet Eater, Goatwhore, Neck of the Woods, Anciients, Hammerdrone, All Else Fails, The Order Of Chaos, Iron Kingdom, The Convalescence

Tours and Festivals:
2022 – Loud as Hell Festival – Drumheller
2022 – Decimate Metal Fest Fundraiser – Calgary/High River
2022 – Decrepit Metal Fest II – Edmonton
2022 – Serenade Metal Fest – Edmonton
2021 – Decimate Metal Fest – Calgary/High River
2020 – Decimate Metal Fest – Calgary
2019 – Loud As Hell Metal Fest – Drumheller
2019 – Wacken Metal Battle – Calgary
2019 – Decimate Metal Fest – Calgary
2018 – Metalocalypstic Fest – Lone Butte, BC
2018 – Decimate Metal Fest – Calgary  

 

0 EPK – Tyrants of Chaos – Relentless Thirst for Power (2022)

  • July 21, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Tyrants of Chaos

EPK – Tyrants of Chaos – Relentless Thirst for Power (2022)

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

For fans of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Megadeth

TyrantsofChaosBand.com | Facebook.com/tyrantsofchaos | Instagram.com/tyrants.of.chaos_official | YouTube

Spotify | Tyrantsofchaos1.bandcamp.com

#86 Sentinel Daily’s Top 100 Albums of 2022 – Tyrants Of Chaos – Relentless Thirst For Power 

“they release a sound that could rattle the very bowels of hell. Which is a pretty good noise to make!… If traditional, thrash-tinged heavy metal is your thing, you should probably get to know Tyrants of Chaos pretty soon! ” – Sentinel Daily

“a thunderous ten-song onslaught featuring the classic sound of traditional heavy metal.” – Metal Roos

“it’s full of chugging traditional metal… if bands like Striker, White Wizzard, Night Demon, Midnight Priest, etc. are in your playlist, you might find something like from Tyrants of Chaos.” – The Metal Crypt

“The band showing diversity from the off – ‘Skull Crusher’ picking up pace to become the fastest song heard so far. And the most melodious too! And with the famous ‘Maiden-esque gallop, ‘Skull Crusher’ plants feet firmly on the monitor. Old school traditional heavy metal at its best.” – Metal Gods TV

“I hereby recommend the third, current long-distance album “Relentless Thirst For Power” by the band from Alberta to every traditional headbanger with a clear conscience.” – Obliveon

“very memorable, powerful pillar riffs that remind you of songs like Mercyful Fate’s “Evil” or Judas Priest’s “Breaking The Law”, the sort of riffs that have a classic feeling.” – Eternal Terror

“Tyrants of Chaos live up to their moniker, making Relentless Thirst for Power a record that most heavy and old school North American power followers could easily get into.” – Dead Rhetoric

“when it comes to hooks, TYRANTS OF CHAOS have delivered a convincing album… fans of classic stainless steel should definitely give it a chance.” – Hellfire Magazin

“On “Relentless Thirst For Power” the band delivers catchy refrains, rich riffs and nice solos almost continuously.” – Powermetal.de

“When it comes to piercing leather lungs, high note ascension, and fierce main melodies, Tyrants of Chaos have the ideal frontman in Phil Sirias – his conviction and delivery during “Slay the Hostages” rivalling the Halford/Dickinson 80’s heydays, yet also showcasing a smoother register in the low range verses of a semi-marching, doom-oriented “No Lives Matter”.” – Dead Rhetoric

“Listeners can expect a strong, engaging twin-guitar foundation that lays down addictive, headbanging rhythms that move through mid-tempo to slightly faster/heavier moments, plus bass/drum rhythm section work which maintains that solid backbone to drive the main swinging hooks home. It’s evident that these gentlemen have studied, enjoyed, and worship at the feet of artists like Megadeth, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Iced Earth, and much missed domestic act 3 Inches of Blood when you take in specific key riffs or soaring screams/ high note escapades during “Skull Crusher” plus “T.O.C.”.” – Dead Rhetoric

““T.O.C.” is the first track off of TYRANTS OF CHAOS’ ‘Relentless Thirst for Power.’ The track is an immediate, fist-pumping, head-banging power metal classic. The next track, “The Black Gap,” will have fans reaching for their air guitars and grooving out.” – Infrared Mag

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Relentless Thirst for Power
Release Date: August 19, 2022
Label: TOC Recordings

Track Listing:
1. T.O.C 4:35
2. The Black Gap 5:01
3. Mourning Sickness 5:12
4. Skull Crusher 5:05
5. Slay the Hostages 5:12
6. Red Rage 4:17
7. Nightmare Machine 5:04
8. Indocri-Nation 3:59
9. No Lives Matter 3:49
10. Lucky Dog 4:36
Album Length: 46:55

Abum Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: TOC
• All songs written by: TOC
• Produced by: Arik Wagner
• Mixed by:
• Mastered by:  MCC Recording Studio Calgary (Johnny Gasparic)
• Album Artwork by:  Pierre-Alain D. 3mmi Design (www.3mmi.org)
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Phil Sirias – Vocals
Curtiss Vaselenak – Rhythm / Lead Guitar
Arik Wagner – Rhythm / Lead Guitar
Sean Simpson – Bass
Ryan Dyck – Drums

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

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
Lyrically it covers a range of topics. Musically it’s pure heavy metal from beginning to end. No filler.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
1. T.O.C.
Musically- Straight forward, neck-wrecking heavy metal
Lyrically- While under the guise of sounding like preparing for battle, T.O.C. is simply about playing metal shows and entertaining the crowd.

2. THE BLACK GAP
Musically- It is another heavy-hitting metal banger that the audience can really mosh to.
Lyrically- The Black Gap depicts a time in World War Two history where German U-Boats were sinking large numbers of ships in the unprotected area of the North Atlantic called “The Black Gap”

3. MOURNING SICKNESS (Tyrants Greed part 2)
Musically- A mosh-worthy banger with a darker, sludgier tone.
Lyrically- The lyrics were actually written over 10 years ago. They cover topics such as corruption, greed, ignorance, and turning a blind eye.

4. SKULL CRUSHER
Musically- A fast-paced face-melter filled with intense vocals, shredding guitars, and a thunderous rhythm section.
Lyrically- The lyrics can be interpreted in one of two ways. On the surface, it’s a song about oppression, control, and fear. Below the surface, it is about toxic relationships.

5. SLAY THE HOSTAGES
Musically- A “Priest” style, ear piercing, balls-out metal assault.
Lyrically- Similar to T.O.C. Slay the Hostages sounds like a song about committing crimes and sacrifices but it is simply about playing metal shows and entertaining the crowd.

6. RED RAGE
Musically- a “Maiden” style metal “Scottish jig” if you will.
Lyrically- Red Rage is a historically accurate depiction of the Battle Of Bannockburn.

7. NIGHTMARE MACHINE
Musically- Nightmare Machine is a slightly more progressive and melodic metal song with multiple breakdowns and emotional vocals.
Lyrically- The basic theme for this song in a word is revolution. This song promotes standing up to government overreach and oppression, brothers and sisters joining together as one, and keeping pushing forward no matter the struggle.

8. INDOCTRI-NATION
Musically- A classic Teutonic power metal song with melodic tones.
Lyrically- The lyrics are a story about someone suffering from mental health issues. The story highlights mental fears and follows an unknown individual’s journey through the hardships of life as they contemplate suicide, only to realize the power to overcome their fears is in their own hands.

9. NO LIVES MATTER
Musically- It is a slower ballad-style metal song.
Lyrically- No Lives Matter is about our short existence on this planet, and ultimately our death. It drives home the message that in the end, we all die, so don’t live your life in fear.

10. LUCKY DOG
Musically- a classic, 80’s style, fun, and entertaining heavy rocker.
Lyrically- The lyrics are specifically about NASCAR and racing. The lyrics contain NASCAR slang.

L-R – Sean Simpson – Bass, Curtiss Vaselenak – Rhythm / Lead Guitar, Phil Sirias – Vocals, Arik Wagner – Rhythm / Lead Guitar, Ryan Dyck – Drums

TYRANTS OF CHAOS are an original traditional metal band from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Founding member Curtiss Vaselenak formed the band in 2013. After going through several member changes the TYRANTS are now solid and at the height of their musical career. Phil (air raid siren) Sirias, drummer Ryan Dyck, ax-slinger Arik Wagner, and Sean ‘the Slayer’ Simpson round out this hard‐driving, in-your-face metal band. Their live show is something every metalhead needs to experience.  

Since forming TYRANTS OF CHAOS, the band has released two albums 2016’s debut and “THE CALM BEFORE the STORM,” and 2019’s “Into Oblivion” and have played and headlined numerous shows and festivals in support of their album. There is no slowing down in the TYRANT camp as third and newest album “Relentless Thirst for Power” is set for released during summer 2022. All genres have influenced their sound, but none so much as the NWOBHM. If you appreciate Saxon, Maiden, or Priest, you will love TYRANTS OF CHAOS!

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Phil Sirias – Vocals
Curtiss Vaselenak – Rhythm / Lead Guitar
Arik Wagner – Rhythm / Lead Guitar
Sean Simpson – Bass
Ryan Dyck – Drums

Discography:
2022 – Relentless Thirst for Power
2019 – Into Oblivion
2016 – The Calm Before the Storm

Shared Stage with:
Monster Truck, Rik Emmett, Streetheart, Honeymoon Suite, Quiet Riot, Tom Cochrane, Glass Tiger

Tours and Festivals:
2018 – Loud As Hell Fest – Drumheller, AB

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. The entire band are a bunch of crazy cat people.
2. While playing a sold-out show at a private hall, tensions were high when the Hells Angels walked in. Intimidating? Yes, but they were there, like any other paying patron, to enjoy a rock concert.
3. Curtiss is a huge NASCAR fan so we wrote the song “Lucky Dog” as a shout-out to all the NASCAR and racing fans out there.
4. Phil is a war history nerd. Many songs in our catalog depict historically accurate events that occurred during various battles and times of war.
5. The entire band has an absolutely crazy sense of humor. During band practice, it seems like we’re cracking jokes more than playing. Humor makes us all take ourselves less seriously and keeps us grounded. Humor plays a significant role in keeping the band together as one solid unit.

0 EPK – Tonic Breed – Fuel The Fire (2022)

  • July 19, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Tonic Breed

EPK – Tonic Breed – Fuel The Fire (2022)

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

“Being a full-pieced band for 13 years, Tonic Breed has gained tons of experience in the music scene. After the third and last split up in 2019, Patrik K. Svendsen decided to reinvent the band. He now operates alone as a songwriter but with great company on his songs. With guest appearances from bands such as Megadeth, Soilwork, and Kamelot, Tonic Breed is now awaiting its first release in this new format. Expect hard-hitting thrash, with melodic and groovy elements, in this new EP from the Norwegian metal act.” – Patrik K. Svendsen

For fans of Pantera, Slayer, Metallica, Testament

EP Title: Fuel the Fire
Release Date: July 22, 2022
Label: Self-Release

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

Spotify | Apple Music 

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

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

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

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

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

EP Title: Fuel the Fire
Release Date: July 22, 2022
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Fuel the Fire (4:56) ft. Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Bernt Jansen (Artch/Wig Wam)
2. No Rocks on the Scotch (4:11) ft. Björn Strid (Soilwork), Martin Skriubakken (Endezzma)
3. H.E. Antagonist (3:43) ft. Oliver Palotai (Kamelot) (guitar solo)
4. Blood Moon (4:07)
EP Length: 16:57

EP Recording Credits:
All songs performed by: Patrik K. Svendsen
All songs written by: Patrik K. Svendsen
All songs produced by: Patrik K. Svendsen
Track 1 and 2 Mixed by Patrik Svendsen and Viktor Gullichsen
Track 1 and 2 Engineered and mastered by Viktor Gullichsen
Track 3 Mixed by Patrik Svendsen and Oliver Palotai
Track 3 Engineered and mastered by Oliver Palotai
Track 4 Mixed by Patrik Svendsen and Juhis Kauppinen
Track 4 Engineered and mastered by Juhis Kauppinen

EP Band Line Up:
Patrik K. Svendsen
Also guests:
Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth)
Bernt Jansen (Artch/Wig Wam)
Björn Strid (Soilwork)
Martin Skriubakken (Endezzma)
Oliver Palotai (Kamelot)

Fuel the Fire is the latest release by Tonic Breed. The EP includes four songs, each with its unique touch and sound. The songs are recorded over a more extended period with multiple sound engineers from different countries, with various musicians as guest appearances. The genre has similarities to the old bay era thrash style, integrated with groove, melodic and heavy elements. 

Until 2019, Tonic Breed was a full-pieced metal band, but Patrik K. Svendsen re-branded Tonic Breed to become a one-piece metal project with its first release in early 2021. Patrik is the composer of all songs, but he is not alone. Great company in the form of guest appearances is featured on the EP. Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Björn Strid (Soilwork), and Oliver Palotai (Kamelot) are some of the names that can be heard across the EP.

Discography:
2022 – Fuel the Fire – EP
2018 – Install Memory – LP
2014 – Outsold – LP

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. The music video for Blood Moon was recorded a year before it was publically released.

2. When Patrik first contacted Dirk Verbeuren, he had problems with his recording equipment. Instead of sending a proper demo recording, he sent a MIDI file that was programmed on a computer. The song reminded Dirk of old-school retro gaming music, which he actually liked very much. At least he heard the potential.

3. Bernt Jansen and Patrik know eachother from way back. Being from the same city, Sarpsborg in Norway, Bernt was a music teacher in one of Patrik’s classes. This year marks exactly 20 years since then.

4. Just days after Patrik and Bernt agreed on cooperating on Fuel the Fire, Wig Wam (where Bernt plays bass) reached a worldwide hit song with “Do ya wanna taste it” after it was featured on the Netflix show Peacemaker.

0 EPK – The Occult – Self-Titled (2022)

  • June 29, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · The Occult

EPK – The Occult – Self-Titled (2022)

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

For fans of Type O Negative, Life of Agony, Misfits, Guns N Roses & The Ramones

“We want people to forget about their problems and just get lost in the music. The Occult, despite having dark content (i.e. murder, overthrowing of governments or what have you) is a celebratory band. People come to the shows and leave with a smile. They dance, cry and let themselves go. I think that’s the essence of rock and roll really. Having a transcendental experience.” – The Occult

Album Title: Self Titled – The Occult
Release Date: Aug 19, 2022
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/TheOccultBand | YouTube | Instagram.com/theoccultband

Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify – https://linktr.ee/officialTheOccultband

Infusing 80’s American punk with 90’s rock n’ roll and alt-metal, Montreal, Canada’s The Occult is gearing up to release their debut self-titled album on August 19th, 2022.

Amidst the dark lyrical content such as murder, politics, and disdain for religion, The Occult is ultimately a celebratory band. They like to ensure that people leave the show with a smile. Hoping that people will forget their problems and become fully immersed in the music, they look to provide a transcendental experience. Well rehearsed, they don’t get on stage and wing it, they are dedicated, passionate, and meticulous about their music.

For the most part, each of the band’s songs starts with the vocals, a chorus melody that needs music to be written around it. Once that core of the song is done the rest starts taking shape. The sole songwriter, Eric Savanis was surprised with how simple it was to write – natural and innate. Constantly writing, he finished the thirteen tracks in a few months.

According to the band, this debut is the first step in what they hope is a long journey. They have a lot to say and think people will really dig the tunes. With a conglomeration of influences, especially stuff from the Seattle region in the early 90s, The Occult presents something that is both familiar and fresh. They are recommended for fans of Type O Negative, Life of Agony, Danzig, and Misfits.

Album Band Line Up:
Vocals: Eric Savanis
Rhythm/Lead Guitar & Back Vox/Co-Lead on Dots Vox: Alex Klimatiris (Purple Meadow)
Bass & Back Vox: Gianni Berretta (House of Dusk)
Drums: Justin Piedimonte (Immortal Guardian, ex-The Chronicles of Israfel)
Guest Vocals on Planet Pisces: Lord Fez Khan (ex- Crosstitution, Double Cross)

Album Title: Self Titled – The Occult
Release Date: Aug 19, 2022
Label: Self-Release  

Track Listing:
1. Watch You Die – 3:05
2. In This Night – 2:59
3. Deth Doll – 3:22
4. Strangling Republicans – 2:48
5. It’s Amateur Hour – 2:49
6. 20 Years – 2:59
7. Dots – 2:05
8. Gotta Love Those Humans – 3:47
9. Dine with Me – 1:56
10. Team Satan – 3:48
11. Planet Pisces – 2:44
12. Nicole – 2:51
13. Occupy Unite – 3:14
Album Length: 35:50

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: The Occult
• All songs written by: Eric Savanis
• Produced by: Eric Savanis
• Mixed by: Maxime Philippe
• Mastered by: Maxime Philippe
• Album Artwork by: Ishca Photography

Album Band Line Up:
Vocals: Eric Savanis
Rhythm/Lead Guitar & Back Vox/Co-Lead on Dots Vox: Alex Klimatiris (Purple Meadow)
Bass & Back Vox: Gianni Berretta (House of Dusk)
Drums: Justin Piedimonte (Immortal Guardian, ex-The Chronicles of Israfel)
Guest Vocals on Planet Pisces: Lord Fez Khan (ex- Crosstitution, Double Cross)

Live Band Line Up:
Vocals: Eric Savanis
Rhythm Guitar & Back Vox: Rafael Corzo
Bass & Back Vox: Carlos Carvalho
Drums: TBD

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

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

It’s certainly dark but there are aspects of celebration in there. If you’re watching a zombie movie where the protagonist survives by killing everyone, it certainly causes for celebration. Finding the light in the darkness if you will. The record is no different.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Watch you Die – Pretty self-explanatory if you ask me. Musically it’s very dynamic and certainly a favourite to play live.

2. In This Night – Probably a little less on the nose than the previous song but these themes are similar. The modulations in the verses were certainly accidental but still stand out as something that’s just really cool musically.

3. Deth Doll – A friend of mine had an old Facebook handle where she called herself Deth Doll. She was going through a time so I decided to write a song for her fictionalizing her name into a character that basically destroys whatever opposition is thrown in her direction. She loved the tune which was an added bonus for sure. Musically it’s got hints of Nirvana in the bridge with the off-the-kilt lead work that Alex threw in there. The rest is almost driving stoner rock but not in a way that’s embarrassing.

4. Strangling Republicans – The title says it all really. Musically it’s a pretty straightforward punk rock and roll tune with some metal overtones in the verses.

5. It’s Amateur Hour – Former Prime Minister and war criminal Stephen Harper sold arms to the Saudis a couple of months back and was quoted as saying “I’m really proud of this deal.” Saudi Arabia, as most people know, is known for its massive bombing campaigns in Yemen among other war crimes. The fact that Stephen Harper is proud of his hand in these war crimes is so disturbing it’s really beyond words. This song is a summation of the years he was in power and the fact that people like him can not only exist in society but thrive. It’s really a reflection of how deranged of a society we, unfortunately, live in. Musically it probably smashes the most, a great closer for our live shows.

6. 20 Years – There are 2 main themes here. The first was the experience that the people in Point Pleasant, West Virginia had when they started experiencing hauntings from a creature they ended up naming the Mothman. The other one was my friend’s inability to take care of herself at that point in time. This tune has a Joey Ramone-type chorus. Poppy in the best sense of the word.

7. Dots – My disdain for Christianity and all the poisons it pours into society. Ferocious high-velocity punk rock tune. Alex sang co-lead vocals on the verses and killed it.

8. Gotta Love Those Humans – Disdain for society’s need for conformity and its inability to welcome people that are operating out of the norm. The heaviest tune on the record, taking cues from Slayer and early Metallica among other things.

9. Dine with Me –  This is about Monsanto and the crimes it committed and continues to commit in Pakistan and India where they created a suicide epidemic by putting farmers in a position of financial catastrophe. Another high bpm punk rock beating.

10. Team Satan – Highlighting, yet again, my disgust for the church and the slave religion that it imposes on the masses. Punk metal tune with a pretty cool bridge. Fun fact, there are about 60 guys screaming GO in the chorus which was a blast to record.

11. Planet Pisces – Students of Astrology know that one of the Piscean traits, that people born under this sign exhibit, is self-deception. Take that concept & blow it up by a thousand and you have Planet Pisces, a tale of insanity & contradictions. Musically there’s punk and some aspects of death metal. The Lord Fez Khan, formerly of Crosstitution, now in Double Cross, guest screams on this song.

12. Nicole –  An exaggerated tale of a nightmare roommate that friends of mine had to endure. Musically it’s a blend of punk and metal with an anthemic sing-along chorus.

13. Occupy Unite –  Based on the Occupy Movement from a couple of years back. Same as Nicole, high octane punk and metal. There’s a riff in there that I call a Soundgarden muscle riff. It makes me happy that their influence is in there somewhere.

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

Discography:
2022 – Self-Titled LP
2021 – Planet Pisces – Single
2018 – In This Night – Single

Shared Stage with:
Guttrot, Ovniii, Doom An Blue, Murtenscythe, Pussy Stench, Califo Fray, Wykan. Ruby  Slipper, Mistwalker

STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT THE BAND

1. As noted above, this is the first step in what we hope is a long journey, I have a lot to say and think people will really dig the tunes.

2. I remember going to Alex’s, where Gianni and I tracked the guitars and were trying to record Dots. I am not a guitar player in the traditional sense of the word. I use it to write and that’s it. I don’t really practice anymore and my leads are limited. When Alex realized that it was gonna take hours to record a 2-minute song he grabbed the guitar out of my hand, plugged in his guitar, and finished it in one take. Gianni and I had a good laugh about that. At the time, Alex had no idea that it was a full record, when he asked me how many songs there were, his face turned white when I responded there were 13. The poor bastard didn’t know what he signed up for

3. While the songs might seem tongue and cheek at times, there’s magick permeating everywhere on the record. As a student of Western Hermeticism, it’s no coincidence that the band is called The Occult.

4. The band members that played on the record were all in the band at separate times for about 5 minutes. Due to scheduling, it was impossible to set up a jam. Eventually, everyone got other things started so it was time to find new guys to play the material live.

0 EPK – Oak, Ash & Thorn

  • June 28, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs

EPK – Oak, Ash & Thorn

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

For fans of Borknagar, Tyr, Immortal, Amon Amarth, Primordial

“Lyrically the album is about the old gods, the ancestors, and the struggles that come along with being human. Musically it’s very melodic with 3-part harmonies and plenty of blast beats.” – Cierra White (Drums)

 “I think the things that make us sound like Oak, Ash and Thorn are Cierra’s unorthodox drumming, my dual clean & growled vocals, and the layers of interweaving strings. Lyrically, it’s about my personal lived experiences expressed through pagan terminology.”  – Adam Armstrong (Vocals, Guitar)

EP Title: To Gaze on Stars of Frost
Release Date: May 26, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby

Facebook.com/ofoakashandthorn | Twitter.com/MetalOATs | YouTube | Instagram.com/ofoakashandthorn 

Oakashandthorn.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

“Oak Ash and Thorn have returned in triumphant fashion with one of the top EP’s of 2021.” – Folk-metal.nl

“[May Every Altar Linger] opener ‘Let the Hearthfires Burn’ will surely eat a hole in your ear before it’s finished, it’s too sweet.” – Kvlt of Brewtality

Oak, Ash & Thorn arose along Colorado’s Rocky Mountain front range out of a collective passion for heavy metal and old-world paganism. Their debut album, May Every Altar Linger, was released in 2018, laying the band’s foundation of melodic death/black metal shaded with traditional European folk music. The band teamed up with Fabian Jiru of Trollfest/Fleshmeadow to record the To Gaze on Stars of Frost EP, released May of 2021, and is now touring in select states throughout the western United States.

EP Band Line Up:
Adam Armstrong – Lead vocals, guitars
Casey Hill – Guitars
Nate Periat – Guitars, backing vocals
Erik Hoffman – Bass
Cierra White – Drums
Fabian Jiru – Guitar solo on “Suspended and Frozen”

Live Band Line Up:
Adam Armstrong – Lead vocals, guitars
Jason Harding – Backing vocals, guitars
Erik Hoffman – Bass
Cierra White – Drums

Discography:
2021 – To Gaze on Stars of Frost – EP
2018 – May Every Altar Linger – Full Length

Shared Stage with:
Rotting Christ, Borknagar, Abigail Williams, Ghost Bath, Vale of Pnath, Stormruler (Devastation on the Nation 2022), Cattle Decapitation, Carnifex, The Faceless, Rivers of Nihil, Nekrogoblikon, et al (Summer Slaughter 2019), Tyr, Orphaned Land, Ghost Ship Octavius, Aeternam (Tyr’s tour in support of their album “Hel”), Arkona & Metsatöll (Pagan Rebellion North America Part II 2019), Kalmah, Vreid, Empyrean Throne (Kalmah’s Heroes to Us Tour 2019), Cradle of Filth, Cancerslug, &  Frayle (CoF’s most recent US headliner).

Tours and Festivals:
2022 – Existence is Futile Tour – Grand Junction, CO
2022 – Devastation on the Nation – Denver, CO
2019 – Summer Slaughter – Denver, CO
2019 – Pagan Rebellion North America Part II – Denver, CO
2018 – Snakes & Vultures over North America – Denver, CO
2015 – Beltania Festival – Colorado Springs, CO

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

The EP as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Lyrically the album is about the old gods, the ancestors, and the struggles that come along with being human. Musically it’s very melodic with 3-part harmonies and plenty of blast beats. – Cierra White

I think the things that make us sound like Oak, Ash and Thorn are Cierra’s unorthodox drumming, my dual clean & growled vocals, and the layers of interweaving strings. Lyrically, it’s about my personal lived experiences expressed through pagan terminology. – Adam Armstrong

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Praise Unto the Immortals, lyrically, is about the old gods of the world: the elements. Earth, air, fire, and water, and all their many forms. Musically, this song is nostalgic and full of longing, layered with a healthy dose of blast beats. – Cierra White

2. Anthem to the Forest of Our Ancestors, lyrically is about the death of my father and the void that it left in my life. Musically, this track is probably the most somber and the most influenced by Euro folk of the four of them. – Adam Armstrong

3. Ride!, lyrically, is a battle cry to those you hold dear to take a stand for what is important. Musically, this is probably the most upbeat song we’ve ever written. It’s very much a pump your fist and shout with your chosen brethren type of song. – Cierra White and Adam Armstrong

4. Suspended and Frozen, lyrically is about the end of a long relationship and the enlightenment I gained from getting through that grieving process. Musically, this track is the most experimental we’ve ever gotten. It’s our only song with a guitar solo in it, we experimented with vocal harmonies and brought forth some unorthodox riffs. – Adam Armstrong

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. When brainstorming names for our first album, we thought it would be funny if the acronym for it was MEAL since the acronym for our band name is OAT. Our bassist at the time came up with “May Every Altar Linger”, so we ran with it. Only a couple of people thus far have put it all together. – Cierra White  

2. Each member has some other creative venture that they do on the side. Cierra is also in Denver’s post-black metal band Harboured and has a long, storied history as a powerhouse drummer among northern Colorado metal bands. Erik is part of a regular podcast about movers and the ridiculous shit that they experience on a daily basis.  Jason is an EDM enthusiast and has a solo project called Kaom. Adam is an actor and stage performer, and has a history as a burlesque/circus MC, and is also the lead villain in an upcoming indie vampire flick.

3. When OAT began, they played strictly acoustic, dark folk music, and in fact, for some time after the band’s reimagination as a metal band, the songs were still written solely on acoustic guitars to attempt to maintain a sense of folkishness.

EP Title: To Gaze on Stars of Frost
Release Date: May 26, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby

Track Listing:
1. Praise unto the Immortals – 5:32
2. Anthem to the Forest of Our Ancestors – 5:16
3. Ride! – 5:14
4. Suspended and Frozen – 8:16

EP Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Oak, Ash & Thorn
• All songs written by: Oak, Ash & Thorn
• Produced by: Oak, Ash & Thorn and Fabian Jiru
• Mixed by: Fabian Jiru
• Mastered by: Fabian Jiru
• Album Artwork by: Adam Armstrong
• Member of ASCAP

EP Band Line Up:
Adam Armstrong – Lead vocals, guitars
Casey Hill – Guitars
Nate Periat – Guitars, backing vocals
Erik Hoffman – Bass
Cierra White – Drums
Fabian Jiru – Guitar solo on “Suspended and Frozen”

0 EPK – Gerald Peter Project – Incremental Changes, Pt. 2 (2022)

  • June 22, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Gerald Peter Project

EPK – Gerald Peter Project – Incremental Changes, Pt. 2 (2022)

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

For fans of Tigran Hamasyan, Jordan Rudess, Hans Zimmer, Dream Theater, Haywyre

“I want them to close their eyes, forget everything about their surroundings, their real life, and find themselves completely getting lost in the music, going on a journey with the music and “wake up” again when the album finishes.” – Gerald Peter

Artist Name: Gerald Peter Project
Album Title: Incremental Changes, Pt. 2
Release Date: June 24, 2022
Label: GRIDMusic
Distribution: Universal Music

Geraldpetermusic.com | Facebook.com/geraldpetermusic | Twitter.com/geraldp001 | Youtube.com/geraldpetermusic | Instagram.com/geraldp001

Digital Album Sales Links – GPP.lnk.to/IncrementalChanges2 | Geraldpeter.bandcamp.com

“IT’S AWESOME MUSIC” – JORDAN RUDESS, DREAM THEATER

“DEEP, LYRICAL, HIGH MELODICALLY […] BOMBASTIC DIMENSIONS AND DRAMATIC PATHOS […] FULL OF SURPRISES, MOOD CHANGES, DYNAMICS AND THEMES”  (translated from German) – BABYBLAUE SEITEN, VOLKMAR MANTEL

“[…] OFFERING INSTRUMENTAL ROCK-PROGRESSIVE WITH GREAT PURITY THROUGH SYMPHONIC AND LYRICAL DEVELOPMENTS.” – MUSICINBELGIUM.NET, PHILIPPE THIRIONET

“‘ENIGMA’ IS THE CINEMATIC PROGRESSIVE ROCK OUTFIT THAT HAS BEEN MAKING QUITE THE BIG SLASH RECENTLY. YOU CAN CLOSE YOUR EYES AND IMAGINE AN EPIC FUTURISTIC BATTLE AS YOU LISTEN TO THE SONG.” – THEMUSICBELOW.COM

“[…] SOME INCREDIBLE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC. BEST DESCRIBED AS PROGRESSIVE IN AN ALMOST AMBIENT AURA. LISTENING TO THIS YOU GET TRANSPORTED INTO DEEP SPACE.” – BATTLEHELM.COM, ANDERS EKDAHL

“A MELODIC POWERHOUSE ANTHEM […] PAINTS A DREAM OF STEADY FLOWING NEON LIGHTS, CRISP CHARACTERS, AND MYSTERY STEEPED IN SHADOW […] ‘ENIGMA’ IS TRULY A WORK OF ART THAT YOU MUST EXPERIENCE TO COMPREHEND.” – THELITTLESTVOICE.COM

Gerald Peter, the composer, keyboardist, seaboard player and producer of his creative project takes the listener on an ongoing musical journey through 10 thematic ‘movements’, transcending genre boundaries with elements of progressive rock, cinematic, jazz and electronic music. The new album “Incremental Changes, Pt. 2” under his artist name “Gerald Peter Project” will be released on June 24th via Austrian label Grid Music. The album features the versatile drummer Aaron Thier and a few prominent special guests, including Dream Theater keyboard virtuoso Jordan Rudess, the award-winning soundtrack vocalist Julie Elven (singer for the game soundtracks of Horizon Zero Dawn, World of Warcraft), and the high-skilled guitarist Martin Miller.

“For me, my album Incremental Changes, Pt 2 is a musical statement, an emotional journey and an inner transformation expressed through music. When you listen to my album, you will recognize that it changes and develops a lot, I think that these changes reflect an inner transformation I went through, but also any person can go through comparable to a character developing and leveling up in a computer game. So step by step you go through this musical journey, you can develop yourself through incremental changes into a better version of yourself with every movement you go through. So in the end,  you slowly transform into a state where you are ready for any challenge facing you and your final goal is reached.” – Gerald Peter

Live Band Line Up:
Gerald Peter – Keyboards
Aaron Thier – Drums

Discography:
2022 – Album “Incremental Changes, Pt. 2”
2019 – Two Singles / Videos “Enigma” & Flow
2017 – Video and EP “Incremental Changes, Pt. 1”
2015 – Demo Video “A piece of music by Gerald Peter”

Artist Name: Gerald Peter Project
Album Title: Incremental Changes, Pt. 2
Release Date: June 24, 2022
Label: GRIDMusic
Distribution: Universal Music

Track Listing
1 – Prologue (7th Movement) [3:22]
2 – Enigma (8th Movement) [6:40]
3 – Flow (9th Movement) [4:29]
4 – Transformation (10th Movement) [5:00]
5 – Submerge (11th Movement) [6:19]
6 – Gleam (12th Movement) [4:57]
7 – Timeless (13th Movement) [4:46]
8 – Pulse (14th Movement) [5:51]
9 – Epilogue (15th Movement) [3:15]
10 – Finale (16th Movement) [10:02]

Album Credits
Keyboard, Seaboard, Composition, Production: Gerald Peter
Drums: Aaron Thier
Backing Vocals: Julie Elven
Guest Appearances:
Keyboard Solo by Jordan Rudess on Track 10 Finale from minute 5:42
Guitar Solo by Martin Miller at Track 8 from minute 4:46
Drum Recording Setup, Mixing & Mastering: Mike Wolff @ melonFM
Album Artwork by: Florian Solly / flowdesign.at
Member of AKM (Austrian organization for composer)

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

The album as a whole explained:

It is a story being told through melodies and rhythms. I express these mainly through the piano and synth lead sounds and also heavy synth bass lines. Like in a symphony, melodies and themes are recurring. The album starts epic and heavy prog, gets a bit more calm and gentle in the middle, and then gets more uptempo towards the end, in the big finale it gets epic and heavy prog again.

Track by Track Explained:

1 – Prologue (7th Movement) [3:22]
Epic / atmospheric, without rhythm/drums, arose by a free jam with Julie Elven. Introduction of the piano, some leads, and some epic synths reminding on certain film soundtracks.

2 – Enigma (8th Movement) [6:40]
I would describe that as a heavy synth prog track that was inspired by Dream Theater. The idea for the main riff arose already 15 years ago. The main part here was finding the right sound for the riff and leads, but I am happy with the result. What I am happy with as well of how it develops, it starts pretty much heavy already, but through progressive parts and tempo and time signature changes the track is able to raise its energy more and more throughout the end. Aaron plays a killer drum solo in the middle through a theme that reminds of film music. Julie sounds great and brings the right vibe to the track.

3 – Flow (9th Movement) [4:29]
In this track, the album incorporates more jazzy elements, but without losing the epic and atmospheric vibe. Here I am playing a jazzy piano solo at the end which is a lot of fun to play, in the middle and end I am bringing up themes that were used in other movements already.

4 – Transformation (10th Movement) [5:00]
The sounds and themes are inspired by Harry Potter, Hans Zimmer, Skrillex, and Dream Theater. When I listen to it I picture a story about a big transformation in a pre-apocalyptic world. Aaron has a killer drum solo in the end as well.

5 – Submerge (11th Movement) [6:19]
This is inspired by Rachmaninoff, a movie soundtrack, and some jazz jam sessions I went to. This is probably also the most memorable track and melodies from the album.

6 – Gleam (12th Movement) [4:57]
This track turned out beautiful. It starts calm but it develops into an epic rock ballad track in the end, all in  7-8 of course. The guitar solo part which I play on the seaboard is a reprise of the 2nd movement from my first EP.

7 – Timeless (13th Movement) [4:46]
This is the calmest track of the album. It gives the listener opportunity to calm down again after that high-energy section. I really like the piano solo in this track which has a playful vibe.

8 – Pulse (14th Movement) [5:51]
This track is the track with the most electronic vibes, which is inspired by EDM music obviously. But I incorporated some piano music into the mix and also some jazz elements which makes this track a very interesting fusion of styles. Martins’ guitar solo is genius at the end of the song.

9 – Epilogue (15th Movement) [3:15]
Being almost teleported to the beginning of the album, this has a similar sound and vibe to the prologue. This was also recorded in the same impro session with Julie. This track was only improvised. Some additional epic sounds were added afterward. It was an amazing experience jamming with Julie, she has such a unique voice and creates such an out-of-this-world atmosphere with what she is doing, so it was easy to get inspired by that. This track is also the perfect transition to the big finale.

10 – Finale (16th Movement) [10:02]
Like in every big journey there must be a final challenge in the end, as the end boss in an epic computer game. This track would be the equivalent of an end boss in such a game, high energy, thrilling, action, complex, progressive, playful, and full of drama which eventually turns into something playful in between and something positive in the end. Just around the transition to the positive ending part there is a killer lead solo by Jordan Rudess. After that solo, I am playing my final synth solo of the album I am very happy with how it turned out and the album ends with positive and hopeful energy but leaves space for a continuation of part iii.

Background Info:

Gerald Peter Project is a crossover genre-transcending music project starring Gerald Peter as the keyboard/seaboard player accompanied by the versatile drummer Aaron Thier. Gerald leads through a musical story with his ongoing compositions by combining different elements of prog rock, neoclassical, jazz, cinematic, and electronic music.

Gerald Peter founded the project in 2014 as a creative outlet when he was a working musician on a cruise ship playing dance and party music every day. The creative outlet continued when he was working for ROLI as a Seaboard product specialist in 2015 & 2016. He collected many musical ideas over many years by improvising on the piano and seaboard, inspired by his favourite artists over a variety of genres (but mainly prog), and inspired by gradual and drastic shifts in his life (‘incremental changes’). After having a huge amount of music material, he thought it would be a good idea to compose, based on that material, some concert music being able to record, produce and perform his own music without the need of an entire band around him which was at this point in this life impossible to have because of ongoing traveling. In the beginning, it was an entirely solo project consisting of only Gerald on the keyboard/seaboard and a backing track that was created by himself. But after many living room concerts during the demo phase of his project, he decided to bring the project to the next level and add some live drums. He asked his former bandmate Aaron Thier from Circle of Illusion, who was a great fit for the project and music. They recorded the digital EP “Incremental Changes, Pt. 1” in 2016 together as a live video shoot recording in Vienna, which was released on YouTube and Bandcamp in 2017. In the years from 2017 – 2019 several live shows have taken place in many different locations, e.g. in Vienna, Nuremberg, Toronto, Budapest, and Anaheim, California at the NAMM show 2019. In 2019 Gerald Peter Project released two new performance videos and singles ‘Enigma’ and ‘Flow’ which are both part of the current album ‘Incremental Changes, Pt. 2’. GERALD PETER PROJECT incorporates self-made instrument reactive visuals at its live shows, which are created by a MIDI visualizer program Gerald developed by himself. Gerald was working as a programmer in his 20s and has a degree in media informatics. Some of his visuals can be seen in the music video of ‘Flow’ which was shot in the 8K projection room ‘deep space’ in Linz, Austria, and during live concerts.

Gerald Peter, born in 1986, is a composer, producer, and keyboardist from Vienna who has already worked for Jordan Rudess Music as a co-composer (for the albums “Rockestra” & “Heartfelt”), for Cirque Du Soleil as a touring show-band musician and for ROLI as an international seaboard specialist and demonstrator. Gerald Peter has previously released albums with his band’s Circle of Illusion and Inspirational Corner as well.

STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. In 2017, having Aaron Thier be part of the project was a last-minute decision. I had the studio for a video shoot and camera crew already booked and Aaron had only one week to learn the entire music of Part I which was recorded and shot one week later.

2. When I was in London I got visited by Lisa Maria Harris, and a few moments before I just recorded the demo of the 2nd movement of the first EP and I ask her if she could try singing this melody, “I would like to know how it sounds”. Her voice from this spontaneous take ended up in the final record!

3. When I was performing at the NAMM show in 2019 unfortunately Aaron could make it, but I hired a professional drummer, Camille Bigeaut who learned the entire music. When performing at the Hilton Hotel at our spot we only had 10 minutes for the change-over in between bands, so I had all my interface and cables/notebook already ready in my suitcase which I just put as a whole on the stage.  

4. When I was working at the cruise ship as a show keyboard player in 2014, I was using the crew party event “the crew talent show” as a spot to perform my first piece from my solo project in the main theater of the Carnival crew ship I was working at in front of the entire staff of this cruise. After that show, I was known on the ship, and people seemed to enjoy the show. I used video footage from that show to edit the video of “a piece of music by Gerald Peter” which I released at the beginning of 2015 on my youtube channel. This work motivated me to continue my solo project work.

5. We are performing the album release show for Incremental Changes, Pt. 2   in a cinema!

6. I was telling my mother “I need an outfit which glows for my video but I don’t how to realize it”, my mother “I can sew you a neon costume, do you have a draft of what theme you want on the costume”, I showed her what I want … she spent days of sewing but finally she got it right what I want and it is what I wanted which I used in the video and on stage. She is/was my costume creator even if she has never done that before!

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