• About AMR
  • Festivals & Associations
    • 420 Music & Arts Festival (Calgary, AB)
    • Armstrong Metal Fest (Armstrong, BC)
    • Calgary Metalfest
    • Calgary’s YYC Music Awards
    • Days of The Dead Festival (Red Deer, AB)
    • Loud As Hell Metal Fest (Drumheller, AB)
    • Metalocalypstick Fest (Lone Butte, BC) – Mountains, Camping and the Women of Metal!
    • ShrEdmonton Metal Fest & Conference
    • WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA
    • WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA
  • Services (Hire Us!)
  • Subscribe To AMR Artist News & Album Promo

Category: EPKs

0 EPK – Thunderor – Fire It Up (2022)

  • November 3, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Thunderor

EPK – Thunderor – Fire It Up (2022)

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

“I think we’ve created a truly original album with Fire It Up. It was a blast writing these songs and putting my personality into the lyrics for the first time. We’re proud to have done all of the tracking ourselves (it was a learning experience!) and to have done things the old-school way without any quantized drums or pitch correction. I think the result is a more natural-sounding recording, which gives a better human connection and allows the songs to shine through with the real attitude. The songs on the album are meant to inspire a life journey – an adventure with friends, motorcycles, romance, danger, and victory. I hope it will be a soundtrack for your adventures.” – JJ Tartaglia – Thunderor

For fans of Skull Fist, Saxon, Judas Priest, Gowan, Manowar

Album Title: Fire It Up
Release Date: February 25, 2022
Label: Boonsdale Records
Distribution: IDLA – Fontana North (CAN), Amped (USA), Proper Distribution (UK), Alive (Germany/Austria/Swiss), IRD (Italy), Bertus (Rest of Europe), Disk Union (Japan), MGM/Planet (Australia)

Facebook.com/ThunderorOfficial | YouTube | Instagram.com/thunderor_official | Thunderor.bandcamp.com

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. JJ Tartaglia is indeed an avid motorcycle rider and has been featured a couple of times in Adventure Bike Rider.

2. The band did actual motorcycle riding and yacht sailing to shoot their music videos.

3. Several keyboards were used in the production of the album, including 2 different keytars, and also a 40” gong.

4. JJ and Jonny have toured all over the world as members of Skull Fist.

5. JJ Tartaglia is drummer for Skull Fist, ex-Skull Fist guitarist Jonny Nesta, bassist Oscar Rangel is a member of Operus and ex-Annihilator.

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

The album as a whole:

Musically the album is a fresh take on NWOTHM, with 80s synths, piano, and gong hits.
Lyrically the album is an adventure, complete with motorcycles, romance, and danger. It inspires to go after your life and to never give up.

Track by Track Explained:

1. Fire It Up: Up-tempo track with 2 different choruses, massive hooks and melody. The lyrics are about motorcycle riding, romance, and escape.

2. How We Roll: Groovy, catchy song, reminiscent of Twisted Sister, Slade. The lyrics are about motorcycle riding, friends, and not wanting to go home.

3. All or Nothing: Fast tune, lots of double kick, ripping guitar solos, super catchy chorus. The lyrics are about motorcycle riding through a portal and metaphorically moving onwards in life.

4. Dangerous Times: Catchy 80s style piano-driven song, reminiscent of Toto, Journey, with a massive synth middle section. The lyrics are about romance and love.

5. Thunderor: Up-beat fun heavy metal song similar to the style of Skull Fist, some Pennywise influence, harmonized guitar solos and mini drum solo. The lyrics are about pulling up on a motorcycle and other guy’s girlfriends wanting you.

6. On the Run: Driving mid-tempo song, reminiscent of 80s Ozzy Osbourne. The lyrics are about being on a mission, romance, danger, and double cross.

7. Into the Storm: Guitar & synth instrumental, reminiscent of Yngwie Malmsteem.

8. Cold Tears: First half starts with a vocal & piano ballad, which progresses into a Manowar-esque epic with an over the top ending. The lyrics are about reflection on life, not giving up, and comradery.

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Track Listing:
1) Fire It Up (5:12)
2) How We Roll (4:14)
3) All or Nothing (4:31)
4) Dangerous Times (5:24)
5) Thunderor (4:32)
6) On the Run (4:04)
7) Into the Storm (1:34)
8) We Can Make It (4:21)
9) Cold Tears (5:17)
Album length (39:09)

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: JJ Tartaglia, Jonny Nesta, Oscar Rangel
• All songs written by: JJ Tartaglia, Jonny Nesta
• Produced by: JJ Tartaglia
• Mixed by: Chris Snow
• Mastered by: Harry Hess
• Album Artwork by: Daniel Porta
• Member of SOCAN or ASCAP
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album and Live Band Line Up:
JJ Tartaglia – Vocals, Drums, Keys
Jonny Nesta – Guitars
Oscar Rangel – Bass

L-R – Oscar Rangel – Bass, JJ Tartaglia – Vocals, Drums, Keys, Jonny Nesta – Guitars
Photo Credit – Rae Chatten

THUNDEROR is an 80’s-infused heavy metal band formed in 2020. Featuring a lead-singing drummer and an all-star lineup, the Canadian power trio delivers hook-driven stadium caliber songs with an untamed spirit.

Since 2019, drummer JJ Tartaglia had felt a calling, one which grew stronger each day. Being a member of several prominent metal bands over the last decade (most notably Skull Fist) and having essentially served as a disciple of heavy metal for many years, the time had come to take his quest even further. A new course was being charted for his musical mission. He would share a vision, a feeling… a message he could deliver only with his own voice.

Fueled by his passion for adventure, JJ began to work on drum arrangements and piano pieces that would become the skeletons of the Thunderor songs.

In 2020, with the addition of ex-Skull Fist bandmate Jonny Nesta on guitars, combined with JJ also composing on keys and vocals, songwriting began in full force and quickly yielded an album’s worth of material. Close friend and monster player Oscar Rangel (ex-Annihilator) was then called upon to do bass and the line-up was complete.  Thunderous drums, lightning hot guitar licks, dreamy synths, and piercing vocals would form the musical storm that is THUNDEROR.

The band would spend the next year self-recording the album, priding themselves on recording the natural way, producing an energetic record with a strong human connection.  Fall of 2021 would see the release of the 1st single HOW WE ROLL, immediately garnering a worldwide audience. The debut album FIRE IT UP is set for an early 2022 release backed by an European tour.

If you’ve ever felt a longing for escape, a thirst for adventure, wrapped in romance and danger, well what are you waiting for? Get after it and let THUNDEROR be your soundtrack!

Album and Live Band Line Up:
JJ Tartaglia – Vocals, Drums, Keys
Jonny Nesta – Guitars
Oscar Rangel – Bass

Artist endorsements:
JJ Tartaglia – Pearl Drums, Ahead Drumsticks, Remo
Jonny Nesta – Cleartone Strings, TourGear Designs
Oscar Rangel – Legator Guitars, Raven Picks

0 EPK – Ecryptus – K yr’am Beskar (2022) – SBDC Records (Slamming Brutal Death Community)

  • November 1, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Ecryptus · EPKs

EPK – Ecryptus – K yr’am Beskar (2022)

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

For fans of Morbid Angel, Immolation, Suffocation, Aborted, Blood Incantation, John Williams

EP Title: Kyr’am Beskar
Release Date: January 14, 2022
Label: SBDC Records (Slamming Brutal Death Community)
Distribution: DIY Digital

“Kyr’am Beskar (Mandalorian for “Death Metal”) is 4 grinding tracks of crushing death metal inspired by the Dark Side! Each song is a gruesome tome from the Canon Arcane, serving shredding riffs, ripping thrash solos, epic overtures, and inhuman drums!” – Ecryptus

SBDCRecords.com | Ecryptus.com | Facebook.com/ecryptus | Instagram.com/ecryptus | Twitter.com/ecryptus | Youtube.com/ecryptus

Ecryptus.bandcamp.com | Fremendeathcommandorecords.limitedrun.com | Spotify | Amazon

“Over this EP’s four track Ecryptus created death metal about lightsaber death, dying in a sarlacc pit, and more.” – Metal Injection

“it’s such an adrenaline-fueled shock-and-awe campaign, one that’s technically eye-popping, eerie and evil, and terrifically obliterating.” – No Clean Singing

“Crushing display of death metal, Ecryptus delivers…” – The Razor’s Edge

“the performances here are razor sharp and these tracks have proven to be fun and crushing in equal capacity. 8/10 ” – Metal Trenches

“The universe of Ecryptus is as thick as a bantha and as sharp as a lightsaber. With Kyr’am Beskar, the group shows us that it is always present and ready to take up arms to keep its place in the scene. 8/10” – Acta Infernalis

“Planetary Enslavement is possibly my favourite song on this release. It shows a degree of technicality and proficiency that is a little too uncommon. It’s exceptionally precise in its musicianship and understands that just because you go fast doesn’t make you good. This however is both fast and excellent. 8/10” – Rock Out Stand Out

“Ecryptus brings us gurglegrind riff salad ” DeathMetal.org

“Kyr’am Beskar is a more than good EP for fans of complex music. I really don’t know why they are not in a big label with good distribution to the deathbangers. And after all of that I’ve just realized there is a baby yoda burning in cover art. What the actual fuck? 10/10” Dark Souls United

“Live, the group takes the stage sporting sith-corpse paint, robes, armor, Dragoncon-acquired lightsabers, and their friend Scara Slayfield wearing her best “Hutt Slayer” Princess Leia outfit, serving drinks to the stage, and adorning the monitors.” – Rad ATL

““Rancorous” opens with a mighty roar before a spiraling assault of blast beats and demonic incantations rise over searing guitar leads that burn with the heat of Vader’s red lightsaber.” – Rad ATL

Ecryptus are an elite group of assassins from Korriban, now based in Atlanta, Georgia. We dispense galactic death metal inspired by the Dark Side and brutal tales of the Canon Arcane.

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

The EP as a whole:

Kyr’am Beskar features 4 grinding tracks of crushing death metal inspired by the Dark Side! Each song is a gruesome tome from the Canon Arcane, serving shredding riffs, ripping thrash solos, epic overtures, and inhuman drums!

Track by Track Explained:

1. Cauterized Saber Wound Massacre – Grinding out the macabre scene of an entire field of bodies, cleaved effortlessly by a maniac wielding a laser sword.

2. Planetary Enslavement – The morose tale of an entire species being forced into slavery under the rule of an invading empire. The track chugs into a furious battle, a bitter and tragic loss of life.

3. Compulsion to Disintegrate – A lightning-fast barn burner, rife with gravity blasts and all the shred! Follow a Mandalorian bounty hunter on a ride through the galaxy to collect undead trophies!

4. Digested Over a Thousand Years – This track invokes the doom, dread, and insanity of being slowly digested, regenerated, and digested again over the course of a millennium. The song begins a doom-laden funeral overture, then blasts into a movement of insanity before slowly fading into oppressive doom.

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Ecryptus hail from planet Korriban, now stranded on Earth in Atlanta, Georgia.
2.  Ecryptus dispense galactic death metal inspired by the Dark Side and brutal tales of the Canon Arcane.
3. Danny Ryann was in Gigan – whose members were in Hate Eternal – that was created by Erik Rutan – Who was in Morbid Angel.  Ecryptus is less than 3 degrees of separation for one of their most influential bands.

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

EP Title: Kyr’am Beskar
Release Date: January 14, 2022
Label: SBDC Records (Slamming Brutal Death Community)
Distribution: DIY Digital

Track Listing:
1. Cauterized Saber Wound Massacre (4:12)
2. Planetary Enslavement (5:07)
3. Compulsion to Disintegrate (4:12)
4. Digested Over a Thousand Years (5:40)
EP Length: 19:12

EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: Ecryptus
• All songs written by: Ecryptus
• Produced by: Ecryptus
• Engineered by: Alex Parra at Second Sight
• Mixed by: Alex Parra at Second Sight
• Mastered by: Alex Parra at Second Sight
• EP Artwork by: Mike Michalski

EP Band Line Up:
Lord Crypt (Mike Michalski) – Guitar, Vocals (see also; Moonshield)
Dann Solo (Danny Ryann) – Drums (see also; ex Gigan, ex Tyr -live, ex Universe Divide)
Lord Tenebris (Allen Keller) – Bass, Vocals (see also; Degradations)
Lord Abraxas (Justin Brown) – Guitar

Live Band Line Up:
Lord Crypt (Mike Michalski) – Guitar, Vocals (see also; Moonshield)
Dann Solo (Danny Ryann) – Drums (see also; ex Gigan, ex Tyr -live, ex Universe Divide)
Lord Tenebris (Allen Keller) – Bass, Vocals (see also; Degradations)

Discography:
2021 – Kyr’am Beskar EP
2018 & 2020 – Rancorous – 7 inch single
2008 – Astral Crusades EP
2005 – The Continuum LP
2004 – Post Meridian Demo
2002 – The Time Before Light Demo

Shared Stage with:
Cryptopsy, Aborted, Vader, Cattle Decapitation, Malevolent Creation, Amorphis, Mortician, Incantation, Exhumed, The Chasm, Arsis, Daath, Misery Index, Hideous Divinity, Vitriol, Withered, Petrification

0 EPK – Hammerdrone – A Trinity of Rage (EP) (2021)

  • November 1, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Hammerdrone

EPK – Hammerdrone – A Trinity of Rage (EP) (2021)

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

“As once aggressively heavy and hauntingly melodic, the EP incorporates a variety of black and progressive metal influences to present an EP that both pushes the boundaries and embraces the roots of our old-school, melodic death metal origins.  We deliberately eschew clean singing as a dilution of the heavy intensity that we try to create with our music, so we have been described as ‘death metal that happens to be melodic’, rather than the ‘melodeath’ that many bands describe themselves as.  Lyrically, this is a concept EP that tells a tale in a traditional trilogy form – the rise of the hero against a force of evil; the struggle of that hero against his own doubts and the rising power of the evil that threatens to crush him; and the hero’s final, bittersweet triumph.” – Hammerdrone

For Fans of Be’lakor, Carcass, Amon Amarth, Rotting Christ, Kataklysm

Hammerdronemetal.com | Facebook.com/hammerdronemetal | Twitter.com/hammerdrone | YouTube

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

“”… here with Dark Harvest confirming itself as a heavy hitter, no doubt. Check out the title track for a killer example of intense melodic death paired with catchy songwriting” – Greg Pratt, Bravewords  (CAN) 8/10 – Dark Harvest review

“”There’s no substitute for good songwriting, and Hammerdrone have that concept well in mind. If you are looking for a new death metal band to seek out, Hammerdrone is a great starting point.” – Kyle McGinn, Dead Rhetoric (USA) 7.5/10 – Dark Harvest review

“‘Dark Harvest’ is a triumph of Old School Death Metal and what all the other bands should be striving to match.” Nik Cameron, Glacially Musical (USA)  – Dark Harvest review

“Imagine a cross between Dark Tranquility in ‘The Gallery’ stage with Rotting Christ in the ‘Dead Poem’ phase and Tiamat in the ‘Wildhoney’ phase, without forgetting Sentenced in the ‘Amok’ phase. Ready? Good. ‘Dark Harvest’ is better.” – Fernando Ferreira, World of Metal (POR) 9/10 – Dark Harvest review

“If the last few Amon Amarth albums actually had balls, their music would sound like Hammerdrone.” – The Metal Advisor, The Metal Advisor (May 11, 2014) –  Clone of Europa review

“…melodic death of this calibre may not be hard to find, but it rarely has this much classiness and energy behind it.” – Greg Pratt, Bravewords (Apr 07, 2014) – Clone of Europa review

“Hammerdrone’s songwriting prowess, attention to detail and willingness to push itself to try different things is what really sets Clone of Europa  apart..Somebody sign them already!”- Roswell47, Metal Psalter (Jul 15, 2014)  – Clone of Europa review

“these Canadians have recaptured what made Soilwork (and Dimmu) great in the first place…Somebody sign these guys already”- Kelly Hoffart, Full Metal Attorney (Mar 02, 2014) – Clone of Europa review

“Hammerdrone offers a no bullshit, no synths, no clean vox, in your face fifty minutes of the most exciting music 2014 has delivered so far to my ears”- Jonathan, TZEEEAC (Feb 14, 2014) – Clone of Europa review

“a perfect combination of melodic and extreme…this Metal band helps give the underground of Metal its grand reputation”- Stone, Metal Odyssey (Jul 01, 2013) – A Demon Rising review

“Their music has a certain unholy majesty to it that few bands can obtain…” – Matt Baggins, Two Metal Guys Reviews (Mar 13, 2013)  – A Demon Rising review

“a great, hard-hitting Death Metal experience”- The Circle Pit, The Circle Pit (Jan 11, 2013) – A Demon Rising review

“Lead vocalist, Graham Harris, had impeccable skill, projection and charisma – as did bassist Teran Wyer and guitarist Curtis Beardy.  Their stage dynamics exuded chemistry, adrenaline and drive…Lead guitarist, Rick Cardellini stood out with his intricate solos and expressive musicianship.  All in all, Hammerdrone were my favourite band of the night, and – in my opinion – the Wacken Battle winners.” – Amina Abdelwahab, Metal Master Kingdom (Jun 9, 2018) – Live Review

“Frontman Graham Harris was on fire during the entire concert, growling and roaring (and also making faces) like a beast, while his bandmates…delivered a well-balanced fusion of the more harmonious lines from Melodic Death Metal with the sheer heaviness and aggressiveness of old school Death Metal…after Hammerdrone’s concert was over, I knew the judges were going to have a very difficult time deciding who should be crowned the 2018 champions.” – Gustavo Scuderi, The Headbanging Moose (Jun 9, 2018) – Live Review

“This was the third time I had seen them play live over the past three months, and no lie, these adepts of melodic death metal never fail to awe…”- Xavier Catterinch, Metal Master Kingdom (Apr 6, 2018) – Live Review  

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

EP Title: A Trinity Of Rage
Release Date: December 10, 2021
Label: Self-released
Distribution: Self-released

Track Listing:
1. Part I – Rage, Corporeal (03:28)
2. Part II – Rage, Besieged (10:54)
3. Part III – Rage, Consummated (06:00)
EP Length: 20:23
 
EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: Hammerdrone
• All songs written by: Hammerdrone
• Produced by: Hammerdrone
• Mixed by: Vinnie Cardellini at Goldfinch Studios, Canada
• Mastered by: Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios, Sweden
• EP Artwork by: Graham Harris
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

EP and Live Band Line Up:
Graham Harris (Vocals)
Curtis Beardy (Rhythm Guitar)
Teran Wyer (Bass)
Rick Cardellini (Lead Guitar)
Vinnie Cardellini (Drums)

L-R: Teran Wyer (Bass) | Rick Cardellini (Lead Guitar) | Curtis Beardy (Rhythm Guitar) | Graham Harris (Vocals) | Vinnie Cardellini (Drums)
Photo Credit – Suzie Cardellini

Calgary, Canada’s death metal juggernaut, Hammerdrone, return with their most ambitious recording yet: “A Trinity of Rage”.

Deliberately written as a concept release and painstakingly crafted over the course of four years, the EP is accompanied by an original short story, “Eversor” (available as a bonus download via Bandcamp). The story revolves around the fictional second book of Revelation, in which is foretold the threat of Heaven’s destruction at the hands of Eversor, The Destroyer.

As the written story of “Eversor” ends, the EP begins, with both the music and lyrics of the three songs completing the narrative arc that the story introduces.

At once aggressively heavy and hauntingly melodic, the band incorporates a variety of black and progressive metal influences to present an EP that both pushes the boundaries and embraces the roots of their old-school, melodic death metal origins.

Mixed by the band and then burnished to shine by the professional mastering skills of the legendary Jens Bogren (Amon Amarth, Be’lakor, Rotting Christ, etc) at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden, the result is an epic and forceful musical expression of betrayal, broken faith and vengeance

“A Trinity of Rage” is due out December 10th, 2021, and will be available on all digital music platforms.

EP and Live Band Line Up:
Graham Harris (Vocals)
Curtis Beardy (Rhythm Guitar)
Teran Wyer (Bass)
Rick Cardellini (Lead Guitar)
Vinnie Cardellini (Drums)

Discography:
2021 – A Trinity Of Rage (EP)
2019 – An Ever Increasing Wave (Single)
2018 – Rituals Of Battle (Live) (EP)
2017 – Dark Harvest (Album)
2017 – Dark Harvest (Single)
2014 – Clone of Europa (Album)
2013 – Wraiths On The Horizon (Single)
2012 – A Demon Rising (EP)

Shared Stage with:
Archspire, Arrival of Autumn, Hideous Divinity, Depths of Hatred, Aggression, Divinity, Numenorean, Psychotic Gardening, Crimson Shadows, Vesperia, The Convalescence, West of Hell, Exit Strategy, Centuries of Decay, Mares of Thrace, etc.

Tours and Festivals:
2021 – Loud As Hell 9 – Drumheller, AB
2019 – Decimate 2 (co-headliner) – Calgary, AB
2018 – Loud As Hell 7 – Drumheller, AB
2018 – Boonsdale Fest/Wacken Metal Battle Final – Toronto, ON
2018 – UFR – Edmonton, AB
2017 – Days of the Dead IV – Red Deer, AB
2017 – Halloween in February – Calgary, AB
2017 – Loud As Hell 666  – Drumheller, AB
2013 – Calgary Metalfest 2 – Calgary, AB
2013 – Farmageddeon Fest – Riley, AB
 
Music Placements:
2016 – two tracks – “Subtle Knives” and “Clone of Europa” – featured on full-length movie “Adventures of a Pizza Guy”.

Quick Facts:
– “Dark Harvest” LP #9 on National Loud Charts –  Week ending Tuesday, May 22nd, 2018
– 2019 – ‘Metal Recording Of The Year’ WINNER at YYC Music Awards for “An Ever Increasing Wave”
2018 – ‘Metal Recording of the Year’ nominee at the 2018 YYC Music Awards for – Dark Harvest” (album)
2018 – Western Canada champion for Wacken Metal Battle Canada (www.metalbattle.ca) & 2nd place National.
2017 – “Dark Harvest” music video – World Exclusive Video Premiere – The Circle Pit 
2017 – Metal Master Kingdom Band of The Month – March
2013 – “A Demon Rising” EP – Metal Odyssey – Metal Pick of the Day

0 EPK – TYMO – The Art of A Maniac (2022)

  • October 28, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Tymo

EPK – TYMO – The Art of A Maniac (2022)

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

For fans of Megadeth, Slayer, Lich King, Municipal Waste, Exodus

“The Art Of A Maniac” is a great representation of where we are at now! Playing live with other Alberta thrash bands such as Hazzerd and WMD has definitely influenced this record! It feels good to have finally written a full-on thrash album and it was good to take the extra time over the pandemic and make sure we were satisfied with everything! We pushed our speed and playing boundaries on this record, it’s really different from our last album Purge & Reset. Any fans of thrash metal will definitely appreciate this record and we hope it’s added to their collection. Definitely our most aggressive and most focused record yet!” – TYMO

Album Title: The Art Of A Maniac
NA/ EU – Self-Release Date: February 5, 2022 – Label: Independent – Distribution: Tunecore
Japan / Asia – Release Date: February 16, 2022 – Label: Spiritual Beast – Distribution: Spiritual Beast

Tymo.ca | Facebook.com/tymoband | Twitter.com/tymoband | Instagram.com/tymoband | Youtube

Tymoband.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

#10 on Canadian College Radio – National Loud Chart – For the Week Ending: Tuesday, April 12, 2022 (source: Earshot)

#10 on Canadian College Radio – National Loud Chart – For the Week Ending: Tuesday, February 22, 2022 (source: Earshot)

“THE ART OF A MANIAC is probably one of the best thrash releases of the month!” – Metal Hammer Germany – February 2022

“In the mood for a good ol’ fashioned thrashing? Feeling the need for speed? Is it party time? If the answer to any (or all) of the above is/was a resounding “fuck yes!” then Tymo’s The Art Of A Maniac was the thrash album for you… Relentless and, most importantly FUN, Tymo’s clean, crisp lethal riffage and Tim Tymo’s feral barks combined to create a detailed thrash canvas liberally sprayed with blood, sweat, tears and beers….Bob Ross would approve (probably).” – Worship Metal (The 5 Greatest Canadian Thrash Albums of 2022!)

“Both of this Canadian band’s two first albums were solid thrash outings but nothing prepares you for the absolute mauling and downright punishing assault this third one subjects you to. Every tune here is a thrasher’s delight, the blistering and wholly savage intent being there for all to hear, as opening instrumental ‘Tymonicide’ proves, and then some. What gets your attention is the wicked production, giving this one of the most vicious guitar sounds you’ll hear in 2022… Relentless. energised and thoroughly riveting, this is a thrasher’s dream. Play loud and it’s guaranteed to piss your neighbours off, or have them join the pit. 9/10” – Powerplay Magazine 

“a thunderous cacophony of thrash, fuelled by aggression and menace, ‘The Art Of A Maniac’ is terrific. 10/10” – Metal Gods TV

“Why I like it: Heavy, frantic thrash metal.” – AlanCross.ca

“another kick ass Canadian thrash act I will need to add to the ever expanding library of metal.” – Apoch’s Metal Reviews

“TYMO are an enrichment for the thrash scene. Tempo, joy of playing, song hosting – a whole lot fits together wonderfully. I’m excited to see what’s to come.” – My Revelations

“The Short List: 6 Titles You Want to Hear. these are the albums I’ll be spinning – TYMO” – Tinnitist

“My puny gripes about the lightning velocity aside, this record has won me over after multiple listens thanks to its frenzied riff work, hilarious themes & hooks, brilliant cover art, and sheer stubbornness. It definitely will take a few repeats to reveal all the enjoyable bits and bobs it has to offer, because it will inevitably whizz through your ears in a blinding flurry of shredding at first. The Art Of A Maniac will, quite simply, grab you by the face and keep hammering your skull into a wall at mach-speed until you’re forced to admit that you’re actually having a fantastic time. That’s what the ‘war beneath the skull’ was for me, anyway… 8.5/10” – Metal-Observer

“If you want uncompromising thrash metal with the edge of the likes of Municipal Waste, look no further than Canadian thrashers TYMO… Overall, ‘The Art of a Maniac’ is an aggressive, full-on thrash record that stands solidly as a sophomore release. Jagged, thick riffage dominates but not to the detriment of the other elements. If you like your thrash violent and fun, TYMO should be a band you check out.” – The Razors Edge Rocks

“these Alberta-bound Canucks not only walk the walk but talk the talk, contributing another mighty slab of unrelenting party-thrash to the never-ending thrash revival. Throw in plenty of nods to fellow genre miscreants like Municipal Waste and Gama Bomb and a few classic flourishes, and you’re in for one riffy ride.” – Angry Metal Guy

“this is a quick hitting assault that delivers plenty of punch, ideal transitions, and potent rhythms/lead play for even the newcomers to incessantly headbang and throw themselves about… Those into the work of Lich King, older Megadeth, and Exodus could easily enjoy and savor Tymo. 8/10” – Dead Rhetoric

“Canadian thrash metal group Tymo know what its audience wants on The Art Of A Maniac: 32 minutes of neck-smashing music meant to be consumed in an environment with bodies flying around. The urgency behind songs like the anthemic “Alcoholocaust” and rambunctious instrumental “Tymonicide” is a feature that elevates this album above their last one.. The Art Of A Maniac is a step up for Tymo, a no-nonsense thrash album with mayhem on its agenda. 3.5/5” – Heavy Music Headquarters

“It’s a fast and aggressive but precise and melodic sound Tymo have crafted, combining elements from both the European and American schools.” – The Metal Crypt

“In the World of Tymo there is no holding back and no time to waste as scores are settled and riffs fly like bullets with deadly accuracy, leaving no place to hide and no time to run for cover. The fretboard smoking Speed Thrash attack begins with instrumental “Tymonicide“, the conjoined twin of “Sanity Clause” as together like Butch Cassidy and the Sun Dance Kid they blast their way out of the record and into your unsuspecting ear drums.” – Metal Noise

“The Art Of A Maniac Tymo manages to combine riffs full of the heaviness of 1980s thrash with their own modern means and ingenious solos, and can thus appeal to fans of old-school veterans like Megadeth or Exodus as well as younger fans of convincing with more progressive metal. For me the first highlight of 2022, and therefore 9 / 10” – Soundmagnet Magazin

“straightforward classic thrashy stuff. cool!!” – WORT Mosh Pit Radio 89.9 FM – Madison, WI

“nothing beats a good album of “brain-breaking music” – Olivier No Limit

“The Art Of A Maniac is a solid album… Highly recommended for fans of Megadeth, Slayer, Lich King, Municipal Waste and Exodus.” – MetalFan.nl

“This really hits the spot. From the opening instrumental “Tymonocide” to the final blur of “Alcoholocaust”, this bunch never lets up on the gas. This isn’t the chunky, chugging kind of thrash or the more, melodic progressive variety…this is pure manic speed, chock full of shifty riffs and acid-spitting guitar solos.” – Wormwood Chronicles

“”The Art of a Maniac” is a thrash orgy whose title lives up to its promise… Incessant continuous barrage with breakneck tempo dynamics, rock-hard precision and purposeful, to the point attitude. A mighty furious Thrashorkan, taking no prisoners with furious power, mercilessly blowing everything away!” FFM-Rock.de

“I’m hearing what could be roughly described as a mixing of the riffs of EvilDead and Tankard, the thrashier backline of Suicidal Tendencies, the lyrical nods to Acid Reign and Exodus, and Al Jourgensen-style vocals.” – SDMetal

“the “axes” are fluid and sharp… The vocal registers are violent and seasoned… Don’t hesitate to listen to him.” – Broken Tomb

“it’s a flurry of aggressive riffs and angry vocals that we’re talking about. In addition, the solos are phenomenal and the tempo remains frantic from start to finish. Fans of the first Megadeth, Exodus, Slayer or more recently of Lich King or Municipal Waste will find themselves there.” – Soil Chronicles

“‘The Art of a Maniac’ is a thrilling thrash metal album that doesn’t reinvent the wheel of metal. It is the pure energy that drives these songs, tracks that unfold their dynamic and powerful vibe right away. It’s just what you need for a good metal party.” – Markus Heavy Music Blog

“Drenched in classic thrash’s greatest hits but carving a determined identity from all this 80s goodness, Tymo’s work is exemplary. At what point could you want anything else from a modern thrash record? Seriously, put that title track on and tell me if you’ve heard a better thrash track than that in the past year or so? I’m not sure I have. Get this now!” – Killchain Blog

“Riffs cutting like a razor”- Hardrocker Magazine

“Frontman Tim Tymo’s vocal style is in the vein of Black Album-era James    Hetfield with a great melodic grit” – Metal Master Kingdom

“When I hear the instrumental tune Flames To Frost, I think of early Iron Maiden” – Hard Rock Info

 

[Downlaod Album Artwork | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: The Art Of A Maniac
NA/ EU – Self-Release Date: February 5, 2022 – Label: Independent – Distribution: Tunecore
Japan / Asia – Release Date: February 16, 2022 – Label: Spiritual Beast – Distribution: Spiritual Beast

Track Listing:
1. Tymonicide (2:55)
2. Sanity Clause (2:54)
3. Mars Attacks (3:44)
4. Estrogenocide (4:11)
5. Age Of Deception (2:42)
6. The Roy Parson Project (3:10)
7. War Beneath The Skull (4:12)
8. The Art Of A Maniac (3:41)
9. Alcoholocaust (4:32)
Album Length: (32:01)

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Tymo
• All songs written by: Tim Tymo, Nick Schwartz. Harlen Jacobs, & Marc Durie
• Produced by: Tymo
• Mixed by: Graham Smith at Atreus XO Studios
• Mastered by: Graham Smith at Atreus XO Studios
• Album Artwork by: Andrei Bouzikov
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Tim Tymo – Vocals & Guitar
Nick Schwartz: Guitar & Backing Vocals
Harlen Jacobs: Bass & Backing Vocals
Marc Durie: Drums & Backing Vocals

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

The album as a whole: 

The album has a common theme of destruction and chaos! Themes of destroying to gain control and take over! Lyrically and musically the album moves very fast, we wanted to create a feeling of chaos happening all around the listener! We touch on subjects of mental illness, alien invasion, civil conflicts, social media, and substance abuse! We accompany that with fast riffs, shreddy solos and thick angry vocals! – Tim Tymo

Track by Track Explained:
1. Tymonicide: A fast instrumental opener to warm the listener up to the band and the new record! It leads directly into the next track “Sanity Clause.” Similar to Megadeth’s “Into The Lungs Of Hell” leading into “Set The World Afire.”

2. Sanity Clause: An angry thrasher touching on the subjects of suicide and the journey to hell to relive the pain over and over again! The riffs accompany the vocals in anger and it cuts through the pain like a razor! A fast punch in the face to start off the album!

3. Mars Attacks: Possibly Tymo’s new thrash anthem. Lyrically it’s about the film and the comics “Mars Attacks.” It tells the story of the Martians annihilating the human race and taking over the Earth! The riffs morph into each very smoothly. If you love old school Exodus, you will love Mars Attacks!

4. Estrogenocide: One of the groovier and gallopy tracks on the album! Lyrically it tells the story of women taking over the Earth and slaughtering all of the men to create a Utopia! Surviving men are enslaved for their seed to continue the human race! This track was inspired by the Rick & Morty Episode “Gazorpazorp.”

5. Age Of Deception: A groovy, progressive, jazz fusion inspired track, similar to Megadeth’s first two records “Killing Is My Business” and “Peace Sells.” The song touches on the subject of social media abuse and how people change once they get behind technology! The human race is now very connected yet very distant from each other!

6. The Roy Parson Project: A song with a mix of fast thrash and groove metal! It’s inspired by Roy Parson from the Rick & Morty episode “Mortynight Run.” It touches on the subject of Roy’s journey and the effects of video game addiction. We like to escape real life to find more enjoyment in the virtual world! If you’re a Lich King fan, you love this track!

7. War Beneath The Skull: The slowest and most progressive song on the album. A journey through different time signatures and feel changes. It’s a groovefest with some industrial elements! Lyrically it’s about the internal fight that comes with mental illness. Always having a battle with yourself!

8. The Art Of A Maniac: The title track of the album is definitely the angriest and most ferocious song on the album! The riffs are fast and will satisfy any thrash metal fan, this song has a little bit of everything from the album. The lyrics were inspired by “Art The Clown” and “The Devil’s Rejects.” It follows the point of view of a mass murderer on a killing spree. A full on maniac!

9. Alcoholocaust: Tymo’s party and drinking anthem! This is Tymo’s “Whiplash.” Fast open string riffs that take you on a wild ride! It tells the story of Tymo on tour and partying their way through every town! Very Municipal Waste inspired! We wanted to end the album with a bang and we feel this song delivers!

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS

1. So far most of Tymo’s song subjects revolve around destruction, aliens, and Rick & Morty! 

2. Tymo started out as a hard rock band but we were a metal band at heart! We were pulled aside by a promoter after our second show and told we should be ourselves and play what we want to play, which is metal. The rest is history! 

3. Tymo is well known for how well they cover other metal songs! The band performed as “Megadeth” at a Bands As Bands Halloween show back in 2019! The band covered Holy Wars…The Punishment Due, Skin O My Teeth, Wake Up Dead, The Conjuring, Devil’s Island, & My Last Words! 

4. Songs Age Of Deception and We The Pawns include gang vocals from all four band members! Both parts were recorded in a cramped vocal booth with the band circled around a vocal mic! Social distancing at its finest! 

5. While filming the music video for Killer Krom, the band invited a bunch of fans to be a part of the video! Everyone was paid with pizza and all you can drink Lucky beer! It was one of the drunkest Sundays we have ever had, it definitely shows in the video!

L-R – Nick Schwartz (Guitar), Tim Tymo (Vocals & Guitar), Marc Durie (Drums), Harlen Jacobs (Bass)
Photo Credit by Dana Zuk

“A golden shower of thrash metal!” Six words to sum up Tymo! A band whose attitude lives up to the title of their debut album “Purge & Reset”. Lead guitarist and vocalist Tim Tymo explains that the origin of the title is more than words; it is a statement of lost faith in humanity. “Let’s just say we have a creator or superior being. If this god gave up everything we needed to flourish and returned to see all the wars and corruption, it would want to wipe the slate clean and start over. Hence…PURGE AND RESET!

Formed in Edmonton in 2015, Tymo is comprised of Tim Tymo as the lead guitarist and vocalist, Nick Schwartz on rhythm guitar, Harlen Jacobs on bass, and Marc Durie on drums.

Tim Tymo describes the band’s sounds as “loud, angry, and explosive thrash”. Tymo has a serious mission to entertain their fans. “We love writing and performing, and we all share a common passion for thrash metal. We wanted to reference our heroes and mix up that inspiration with our own brew and see what we came up with, and here we are. We want to give people a source of inspiration and excitement!

Tymo’s debut album “Purge & Reset” was released in August of 2017 and Tymo performed shows in support of the album throughout 2018. The band returned to the studio in early 2019 to record a single entitled “Sanity Clause.” It was released in late 2019 with very positive reviews and sold-out shows! Due to Covid 19, the band spent much of 2020 in the studio recording their follow-up album to Purge & Reset!

As of 2021, Tymo performed at the Loud As Hell Festival 2021 and has finished recording their next full-on thrash album! Much faster and more aggressive than Purge & Reset. The album entitled “The Art of A Maniac” is planned to be released in 2022 and Tymo has a mission to expand its audience and dominate the world! Planning to tour Europe and many other countries.

See you out there!

Discography:
2022 – The Art Of A Maniac – LP
2017 – Purge & Reset –  LP

Shared Stage with:
Ninjaspy, Mortillery, Hazzerd, W.M.D, Thor, Flotsam & Jetsam, Eye Of Horus, Quietus, Into Eternity, Arrival Of Autumn, Planet Eater, Terrifier, Iron Kingdom, Tides Of Kharon, Untimely Demise, Juliet Ruin, Illyrian, Immunize, Black Friday, Ravage Red, and many more!

Tours and Festivals:
2021 – Loud As Hell Festival, Drumheller, AB
2017 – CEMR Fest – Edmonton, AB
2016 – Muel Fest – Edmonton, AB

0 Rockshots Records – Brazilian Multi-Instrumentalist Lucas Barbosa’s TERRA’s New Video “Sound Of Rain”, Debut Album “Hypercube” Out November 19th

  • October 25, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – October 25, 2021

Rockshots Records – Brazilian Multi-Instrumentalist Lucas Barbosa’s TERRA’s New Video “Sound Of Rain”

Debut Album “Hypercube” Out November 19th

Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Lucas Barbosa will be releasing his studio project Terra and its debut album “Hypercube” on November 19th via Rockshots Records.

Today, the third single “Sound of Rain” is revealed with a music video via Rockshots Records’ YouTube channel.

Music Video – https://youtu.be/tLK-ZikGZNw

Digital Stream – https://spoti.fi/3jAiIxJ

Barbosa explains the track:

“Sound Of Rain is a soundtrack for a resting session at the end of a long and tiring journey or just an exhausting day. In every journey, there is a moment when we sit down, take a deep breath and try to make sense of all the learnings, mistakes and lessons we collect along the way. It is part of the learning process and it feeds the creative and constructive loops of any thought or idea we might be forming. Our subconscious does this process automatically during our dreams when we sleep. So, Sound Of Rain talks about owning this process, about Lucid Dreaming, by the sound of pouring water, in a comfortable and warm environment, where we lead the process of making sense of all what we learned so far in our life journeys, what is yet to discover and what path should we take to get to the final goal. In this case, the formation, comprehension and harvesting of the perfect Idea, the one that represents the best version of ourselves, a Hypercube on the top of the mountain. In order to transmit this message, elements of percussion, finger-style classical guitar, exploring harmonic features of the instrument, and organic rhythmics were used, over smooth by dynamic harmonic progression were implemented”

Terra brings a combination of musical, audiovisual and artistic experience that translates the personality and ideas of Brazilian composer and multi-instrumentalist Lucas Barbosa, resulting in a musical journey for those who love music and exploration of the new.

“The idea of Terra was always there, I believe. I have been composing and writing songs since I was 15. I needed a platform to structure and back these songs. This platform should allow me to combine some passions of mine: folk and metal music, traveling and photography. When I was around 20, I came up with the concept of TERRA, a project that would combine all the influences that made the musician and the person I am, in an organic manner, which would allow me to tell my stories of discoveries and exploration, including my experiences traveling through Brazil and throughout the world. It took about 10 years to actually find the environment and opportunity to bring this idea to life by recording Hypercube and kick-starting this journey.” comments Barbosa.

Terra’s first record is the outcome of the combination of elements put together to tell a story of a journey of growth and self-discovery, that frankly, could be the tale of every human being at some point in their lives. Ten songs are there to paint a picture of the artist’s personality and explore each step of the way with the respective deserved depth. Although heavy metal is the glue that unites all the musical nuances presented on this album, “Hypercube” does not shy away from a rich range of influences such as American Bluegrass, Country Music, Classic Rock, Classical Music, Western Folk, traditional Brazilian, Caipira and Sertanejo music along with passages of Samba, Capoeira, Bossa Nova and many others to convey its message. Lucas Barbosa was responsible for playing almost all instruments, including rhythm and lead guitars in all their forms (electric, classical, 6 string, 12 string), bass, Brazilian guitar (or Viola Caipira), Andean guitar (or Charango), Pan flute (Andean flute), harmonica, percussions and piano, in addition to performing all of the vocals in the songs.

Terra‘s debut album “Hypercube” is due out November 19, 2021.
CD Pre-Order: https://bit.ly/HypercubeCD
Digital Pre-Save: https://bfan.link/hypercube

Music Video – Let It Burn – https://youtu.be/OZhRNaqerkQ
Lyric Video – Sign My Name – https://youtu.be/6MZ1mf55tgM


Track Listing:
1. Let It Burn (4:18)
2. Always Resist (4:35)
3. Sign My Name (6:31)
4. Down The Road (4:03)
5. Shivers and Snow (4:56)
6. Sound of Rain (5:45)
7. Against The Wind (10:29)
8. Montaria (9:49)
9. Hypercube (8:54)
10. Our Time Is Now (6:19)
Album Length: 1:05:44

Album Credits:
All songs & Lyrics written by Lucas Barbosa
All Instruments, except drums, played by Lucas Barbosa, including Vocals, Guitars, Bass guitars, 6-string and 12-string Acoustic Guitars, Brazilian Guitar, Andean Guitar, Pan Flutes, Harmonicas, Piano and Percussions
Drums recorded by Alex Cristopher
Produced, Engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Thiago Bianchi at Fusão Studios in São Paulo, Brazil.
Cover art Concept by Lucas Barbosa
Art by Carlos Fidelis

More info:
Rockshots.eu
Facebook.com/TerraLucasBarbosa
Instagram.com/terramusictrip
Youtube

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 EPK – Sinful Ways – Darkest Days (2021)

  • October 22, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Sinful Ways

EPK – Sinful Ways – Darkest Days (2021)

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

“Over the pandemic, we all really worked at our instruments and really wanted to push ourselves into a more mature yet still energetic and raw sound, which we think we captured on this EP. From front to back, this EP holds a lot of musical value.” – Sinful Ways

For fans of Trivium, Parkway Drive, Avenged Sevenfold, Slipknot

EP Title: Darkest Days
Release Date: December 10, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Facebook.com/SinfulWaysBAND | Instagram.com/_sinfulways | YouTube

Spotify | Apple Music

EP digital – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sinfulways/darkest-days-ep

“A huge sound, massive riffs and ferocious roaring, the drums providing a thunderous backdrop.”” – The Razor’s Edge

“Canadian metal band Sinful Ways are on a quest to bring you, well, metal. With influences that span multiple subgenres (especially including a helping of thrash metal influence), the band are offering up Darkest Days – their sophomore EP. Many of these songs are truly written with the moshpit action in mind, making for a solid introduction to the band. It’s only 18 minutes long, too, so tracks like “Vow Of The Devil” (an EP standout) manage to not drag on too long” – New Fury Media

“The band have spent the last two years or so releasing content, slowly piecing together where they want to go. Like the title track to their first EP To Hell Tonight, there’s an attempt at loftier songwriting with closer “Pursuit.” Its grandiose guitar solo and ensuing breakdown are an excellent snapshot of the group’s evolution.” – Heavy Music Headquarters

“…as the crows kraa an arty spoken word sets the tone as “Welcome” bursts into “Vow of the Devil“, a classic Trivium esq all out riff attack that blends elements of Thrash, Groove and Metalcore into one homogeneous seething beast accompanied by a scathing vocal attack encased in a classic Thrash bark at very much acts as a wake up call before “Bury The Hatchet” comes in swinging like a wrecking ball. The band made the statement that they had worked at their instruments while unable to play shows and in the second offering that time spent comes into its own with dedication to their craft and attention to detail shining like a lighthouse beacon over stormy waters.” – Metal Noise

“loaded with good, strong and energetic sounds, ready to conquer your ears.” – Zone Nights

“Canada’s Sinful Ways have a loud new single “Burst Into Flames” out that is ready to launch listeners into a fray of melodic heavy metal. This new single is a little different from what they have previously released and it shows that they are a diverse band who explore different sounds and can write different metal compositions from different genres. The result is a smooth blend of a few different genres in one refreshing, fast, melodic song.” – Metal Nation

“The guitar work is very well done, the riffs compliment the drums perfectly, the transitions are very well done. The bridge/breakdown fits perfectly, it sounds like they used a light octaver on the guitars to give them an extra punch there and it worked amazingly. The guitar solo afterwards was well executed.” – The Ottawa Sound

“Sinful Ways practice a very aggressive and fast thrash sound in the Machine Head and Lamb of God line, crossing growls with clean voices. It is the type of band that easily captivates: professional musicians, excellent notions of composition, modern contagious sound and a clear desire to win. Uncompromised, but still serious, these Canadians will please fans of elite and quality metal” – Metal Hammer Portugal

“With a kickass attitude, drive and awesome production this band is destined for greatness” – Henric Liljesand (The Unguided, Night Crowned)

“Burst into flames brings the pain. The song is very well written and structured by blending modern and old school metalcore aspects” – Michael Labelle (A skylit drive, horcrux)

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

EP Title: Darkest Days
Release Date: December 10, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:
1. Welcome/Vow of the Devil (4:46)
2. Bury the Hatchet (3:40)
3. Manhattan (3:20)
4. Pursuit (6:18)
EP Length: 18:05

EP Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Sinful Ways
• All songs written by: Sinful Ways
• Produced by: Cameron Dunn @ Hillside Audio
• Mixed by: Cameron Dunn @ Hillside Audio
• Mastered by: Scott Middleton
• EP Artwork by: Nik Paquin
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

EP Recording and Live Band Line Up:
Brad Lake – Clean Vocals/Bass
Dave Matlak – Drums/ Harsh Vocals – Main Screams
Georgio Karapanos – Guitar/Programming
Frank Lahache – Guitar/ Harsh Vocals – Backing Screams

L-R: Frank Lahache – Guitar/Vocals | Brad Lake – Bass, Vocals | Dave Matlak – Drums, Backing Vocals | Georgio Karapanos – Guitar
Photo Credit: Jessy Dwyer, Beyond the Pit

Sinful Ways is Canadian heavy metal that embraces the roots of the genre while also exploring thrash, groove, and metalcore.

The band began when Andres Pierce (guitar/vocals) and Brad Lake (guitar/vocals) were in high school. They went through many different name changes and tried out different drummers and singers for a long time before the Sinful Ways we know today was formed with the addition of Georgio Karapanos (guitar) and Dave Matlak (drums/backing vocals). 

The first EP “To Hell Tonight” was launched in 2019 and the band cemented their heavy melodic metal with substance. Sinful Ways channel energy and enthusiasm both on their recordings and live. They are an engaging band that will play each show as if it were their last compared to other bands that don’t have the attitude or energy of a true metal band.

In 2020, Sinful Ways began releasing singles to capture the attention of listeners, starting with “No Escape” and “Burst Into Flames”. 

Now in 2021, the band is ready to offer up their sophomore EP “Darkest Days”, a solid blend of melodic and thrashy elements creating a mix that sits beautifully between the two. Lyrically, you will read the anger they share towards faulty governments and the treatment of people in other areas of the world.

“Over the pandemic, we all really worked at our instruments and really wanted to push ourselves into a more mature yet still energetic and raw sound, which we think we captured on this EP. From front to back, this EP holds a lot of musical value.” adds the band.

“Darkest Days” is due out December 10, 2021 and will be available on all digital platforms.

Band Line Up:
Brad Lake – Vocals/Bass
Dave Matlak – Drums/Vocals
Georgio Karapanos – Guitar/Programming
Frank Lahache – Guitar/Vocals

Shared Stage with:
A Pale Horse Named Death, Maplerun, Stormy Atmosphere, As the Structure Fails, The Northern, Fractures & Outlines

Artist Endorsements:
Dirtbag Clothing, WB Gear

Discography:
2021 – Darkest Days (EP)
2021 – Bury the Hatchet (Single)
2020 – Burst into Flames (Single)
2020 – No Escape (Single)
2019 – To Hell Tonight (EP)

0 EPK – WarCall – Dead End Pt. 2 (2021) (Plan B Music)

  • October 18, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Warcall

EPK – WarCall – Dead End Pt. 2 (2021) (Plan B Music)

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

For fans Motorhead, Metallica, Dissection, Iron Maiden, Slayer

EP Title: Dead End Pt. 2
Release Date: November 26, 2021
Label: Plan B Music
Distribution: Independent

Facebook.com/warcallband | Instagram.com/warcallband | YouTube

Spotify | Apple Music

“This EP is part two of the two recordings we’ve released in 2021. As a whole, the two EPs are a collection of 9 songs (the first EP is 4 tracks and the second EP is 5 tracks), 9 stories about struggle. Recorded and mixed in a post-apocalyptic setting, we have let the events of 2020 influence the process and the mood of the two EPs, while still aiming for a timeless production that will age well in time. The title and artwork represent the doom and gloom of life in the year 2020 and how the human race reacts in the face of death and uncertainty.  With the impossibility to meet to even take a band picture, WarCall presents themselves as fictional post-apocalyptic warriors, a subtle comment and nod to the current events that marked the year 2020. 

This second half is the continuation from where we left off with the first 4 songs on Pt.1.  Every song on Pt. 2is unique and we are really proud of the final result. This represents our best work yet, both in terms of songwriting and musical performance.  We cannot wait to share these songs live and be able to reconnect with our audience to headbang to Dead End.” – Warcall

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

“Montreal’s WarCall have released the second part of their Dead End EP series! Without a doubt, this latest piece of their heavy metal story solidifies an exciting chapter and represents another huge step forward for a band who’ve been releasing solid thrash-y metal since 2008. Epic, deep, raw and ravenous don’t do enough justice in describing the angst and power behind these two 2021 releases. The need to create and deliver unfiltered metal is equal parts passion and equal parts purpose from a band who has a lot more to share with us in years to come. WarCall represent the drive that every metal band hopes to have in their sonic army… Don’t sleep on WarCall’s releases… as new nuanced sonic battles await at every turn, in every song…” – Steve Kraus – Host of 6o on CKLU 96.7FM

“WARCALL have delivered an impressive EP full of meaty riffs and growls any thrash fan would approve of. Listening to it in full is recommended as you’ll really get to experience how the band have manage to web together the addictive melodies of thrash and the bang your head riffs that have made the sub-genre so beloved by fans world over.” – Rock Out Stand Out

“These guys are really good at spreading melody all over while keeping a hard edge to their music; that was true on Invaders and it’s still true here. There are more than a few nods to old-school traditional metal in the guitar work as well as some subtle, hard-hitting, visceral power metal elements that are a little reminiscent of Quebec City’s Hanker’s more power metal-ish moments. The vocals are more on the melodic death side of things, a harsh more-or-less growly style that’s decipherable enough if you pay close attention. At just under 21 minutes, Dead End Pt. 1 packs a lot of variety that makes it hard to pigeonhole it into a specific genre, so if you like hearing a band that’s experimenting with its sound while remaining within the confines of metal, this one is certainly worth a look.” – The Metal Crypt

“This is an E.P. which rages, the thick riffs and battering drumming sweeping through each of the four songs. It’s a blitzkrieg of an assault, the combination of melody and ferocious savagery working neatly. It’s certainly fast, blurring the boundaries of speed, power, and thrash metal. The final two songs, ‘800x’ and the speed metal blurring of ‘The Chase’ maintain the momentum which is frenetic from the start. Proudly citing themselves as a DIY band, WarCall were able to record the E.P. at various band members studios. Producing, mixing, and mastering themselves, this is really a self-sufficient beast that is straining at the leash to return to the live scene. The band have captured their rough and ready sound and it’s one that is pleasing from beginning to end.” – The Razor’s Edge

“Fast, aggressive, full of riffs, exciting drumming and growling vocals. Nice old school, including accompanying vintage production. It grinds and grinds a bit here and there, which is exactly what I think is the charm of this music.” – Wings of Death

“This is just fantastic, straight forward, super enjoyable metal that you can really bang your head to. While focusing a lot of energy on speed and aggression there is still plenty of melody in the mix here with a certain level of groove maintained throughout the album. The vocals have a harsh edge but are very easily understandable and suit the melodic overtone of the music. There’s plenty of riffs to be enjoyed, alongside high energy drum work that will get you out of your seat and onto your feet. If you enjoy bands like The Crown, One Man Army and the Undead Quartet and Legion of the Damned then you will most likely enjoy what the band have to offer. I don’t have too much else to say other than blast this bad boy on loud and rock the hell out.” – Cave Dweller Music

“There is a blistering pace to the band’s music with heavy, crushing riffs and growled yet clear vocals. To my ears this comes across as a mixture of Slayer-esque thrash, with moments of Maiden-esque solos, with Karl Willets of Bolt Thrower supplying the vocals. The band incorporate tempo changes and melodies, and this works surprisingly well.” – Metal Gods TV

“Big things are happening for Montreal’s WarCall…Motor-Maiden-‘tallica brand of street wise thrash…” – Decibel Mag

“The creativeness they’ve put into their debut far surpasses anything else I have heard from new Canadian bands this year…Inventive, fun, crisp and a great first offering”. – Exclaim!
“WARCALL’s delivery is fresh, powerful, with good drive and melodies and this tight-knit feeling that just gives you this sense of urgency.” – The Metal Observer

“Actually, “very very heavy” doesn’t go far enough. “Bully Bastard” slugs had enough to loosen teeth and leave bruises, and the grooves are damned compulsive, too, so loosen up your neck muscles before diving into this track. But while the song rocks hard enough to shake listeners like rag dolls, the music also channels rage and intensity through the raw grit of the vocals and the grim (but very catchy) vehemence of the riffs.” – No Clean Singing

“Fans of an old school thrash/speed sound will find plenty to enjoy throughout Invaders. 10 tracks of meaty metal that makes you want to dig out the old patch jacket & head-bang until your neck fuses.” – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life

“If you enjoy old school thrash, early speedy rock ‘n’ metal MOTÖRHEAD or DARKTHRONE in their thrashy black metal/crusty punk phase then WARCALL will wet your appetite and get you salivating! Dig out your battle vest, your whitewashed denim jeans, and white trainers and bang that head furiously!” – All About The Rock

“It’s fast, it’s heavy, it’s exciting, and it doesn’t try too hard to be something it’s not, while also knowing exactly what it is. That’s a rare trait to have in a band, and it shows their consistency and maturity as songwriters; you can really tell this is not their first album. The ultimate takeaway here is that WARCALL deserve a lot more attention than what they’re currently getting. I hope to see them take things to the next level on their next full-length.” – Metal Temple

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS

1. WarCall is proud to be a totally DIY band. We record, mix and master our own music and book our own tours.

2. The album was recorded in the Covid pandemic. We were able to record the drums in the summer in JC’s studio and the bass and vocals were recorded in Mat’s studio. JC and Mat each auto produced their guitar tracks on their side.  Once all the instruments were recorded, Mat took care of editing and sound reinforcing the drums and guitars, while JC re-amped the guitars and solos in his studio.  After the production process, Mat took care of the mix in the fall of 2020, with the input of Phil, JC and Gord along the way. Mixing was done by the end of 2020 and JC took care of the mastering in January 2021.    

3.  On top of being self-sufficient in the studio, WarCall is a road warrior and stage hungry band. 2020 was really hard for not being able to play shows and go on the road. A tour of Europe was in preparation for the fall on 2021 and it does not seem possible in the current context. So, while waiting to go on the road, WarCall will release music and probably start a new recording project soon!

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

EP as a whole:

Recorded and mixed in a post-apocalyptic setting, we have let the events of 2020 influence the process and the mood of the EP, while still aiming for a timeless production that will age well in time. The title and artwork represent the doom and gloom of life in the year 2020 and how the human race reacts in the face of death and uncertainty.  With the impossibility to meet to even take a band picture, WarCall presents themselves as fictional post-apocalyptic warriors, a subtle comment and nod to the current events that marked the year 2020.

Track by Track:

1. Intoxicated – The ways one can injure himself are numerous.  
2. Black Amber – If you want something so hard it hurts and pushes you to self-destruction.
3. Off Road – A real-life tale of winter, ski doo and wolves.
4. Control Denied – Being powerless in front of a situation leads to frustration, anxiety and revolt.
5. Venom – The struggle of the warrior.

EP Title: Dead End Pt. 2
Release Date: November 26, 2021
Label: Plan B Music
Distribution: Independent

Track Listing:
1. Intoxicated (3:36)
2. Black Amber (4:59)
3. Off Road (4:03)
4. Control Denied (3:37)
5. Venom (6:12)
EP Length: 22:30

EP Title: Dead End Pt. 1
Release Date: April 23, 2021
Label: Plan B Music
Distribution: Independent

Track Listing:
1.  Reckless (4:19) – Lyric Video – YouTube
2.  Death Wish (8:00)
3.  800x (3:42)
4.  The Chase (4:41) – Music Video – YouTube
EP Length: 20:44

EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: WarCall
• All songs written by: WarCall
• Produced by: WarCall
• Mixed by: Mat (Mathieu Simard)
• Mastered by: JC (Jean-Christophe Lachaine)
• Album Artwork by: Timur Khabirov
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

EP and Live Band Line Up:
Gord – Bass and Vocals
Phil – Drums
Mat – Guitars
JC – Guitars

Left to Right: Phil – Drums, Gord – Vocals / Bass, Mat – Guitar, JC – Guitar
Photo Credit / Artwork: Timur Khabirov

War has always been an intrinsic part of humanity. Whether it is huge wars involving entire countries or the small wars we all fight every day to survive, it is fair to say that war has defined humanity.

One of the definite treatises on war is Sun Tzu’s ‘The Art of War’; a book still in print to this very day. On the use of music in war, Sun Tzu writes: “Gongs and drums, banners and flags, are means whereby the ears and eyes of the host may be focussed on one particular point.”

Now, we have WarCall, who not only use drums, but also bass, guitars, and vocals to achieve the same end with their growing army of fans.

Inspired by Iron Maiden, Metallica, Motorhead, Dissection, and Slayer, guitarist Mathieu Simard describes WarCall’s music as “fast, aggressive, melodic, dramatic!”.

Now, with four well-received albums under their bullet-belt (Invaders (2017), III (2015), Blood, Guts, and Dirt (2013), Demonarchy (2008)), and releasing their first of two EPs for 2021, “Dead End Pt. 1” on April 23rd, this power-quartet will now unleash “Dead End Pt. 2 on November 26th via their own label Plan B Music.

As a whole, the two EPs are a collection of 9 songs, 9 stories about struggles during 2020 (“Dead End Pt. 1” being 4 tracks). The EPs were recorded and mixed in a post-apocalyptic setting. As with every album, “Dead End Pt. 1” and “Dead End Pt. 2” are technically more advanced in terms of songwriting and production. Of course, Warcall has evolved as musicians from each recording, but they believe that their total is greater than the sum of its parts, so they play what feels right for the metal.    

“We have let the events of 2020 influence the process and the mood of the two EPs, while still aiming for a timeless production that will age well in time. The title and artwork represent the doom and gloom of life in the year 2020 and how the human race reacts in the face of death and uncertainty. With the impossibility to meet to even take a band picture, WarCall presents themselves as fictional post-apocalyptic warriors, a subtle comment and nod to the current events that marked the year 2020. And while more atmospheric in their nature, the 5 songs from Dead End pt. 2 are delivered in a raw package. At first, we wanted to work on the songs a little more in order to achieve a different atmosphere than Dead End pt. 1. We experimented with sounds and textures to add in the places we thought needed it, but each time, we preferred the original version. In the end, we chose to go ahead with the songs as they are in their purest form.”

Live, post covid times, WarCall will truly give it their all with total authenticity. What you hear on their recordings is what you hear on stage. Energetic, powerful, focused, and proficient performances ready to encourage the circle pit.    

WarCall has toured Europe (FR, DE, BE, CZE, SP) three times along with multiple tours across Eastern Canada. They have also been opening support for such bands as Destruction, Anvil, Paul Di’Anno, Kalmah, Catamenia, Impaled Nazarene, Arkona, Norther, Anonymus, Slaves on Dope, Martyr, Reanimator, Wolven Ancestry.

WarCall’s new EP “Dead End Pt. 2” is due out November 26, 2021 via Plan B Music.

Discography:
2021 – Dead End pt. 2 – EP
2021 – Dead End pt. 1 – EP
2017 – Invaders – LP
2015 – III – LP
2013 – Blood, Guts, and Dirt – LP
2008 – Demonarchy – LP

Shared Stage with:
Destruction, Anvil, Paul Di’Anno, Kalmah, Catamenia, Impaled Nazarene, Arkona, Norther, Anonymus, Slaves on Dope, Martyr, Reanimator, Wolven Ancestry

Tour History:
2019 – Winter Bash Festival (Montreal, QC),
2018 – Eastern Canada Tour (QC, NB, NS)
2017 – Opening Support for Anvil (Montreal, QC)
2017 – European Tour (FR, DE, BE, CZE)
2016 – Opening Support for Malignant Tumor (Quebec City, QC)
2016 – InnerFest (Jonquiere, QC)
2015 – Opening Support for Reanimator (Montreal, QC)
2015 – European Tour (FR, BE, DE)
2014 – European Tour (FR, SP, CZE)
2012 – Opening Support for Destruction (Montreal, QC)
2012 – Opening Support for Kruger (Sherbrooke and Trois Rivieres, QC)
2012 – Opening Support for Kruger (Troies, QC)
2012 – Opening Support for Salves On Dope (Montreal, QC)
2011 – Kalmah Tour (QC, ON)
2009 – Opening Support for Wolven Ancestry, Hellacaust (Toronto, ON)
2008 – Catemenia Tour (QC, ON)
2008 – Opening Support for Norther (Ottawa, ON, Chicoutimi, St-Hyacinthe, QC)
2008 – Opening Support for Impaled Nazarene (Halifax, NS, Moncton, NB)
2008 – Opening Support for Martyr (Lebel-sur-Quévillon, QC)
2008 – Opening Support for Kalmah (Montreal, QC)

0 EPK – Sun Below – Self-Titled (2021)

  • October 18, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Sun Below

EPK – Sun Below – Self-Titled (2021)

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

Release Date: November 19, 2021
Label: Independent

“We are beyond Sativa stoked to be releasing our self-titled debut LP after months of rehearsing, recording, and self-producing. We feel this album represents all the elements that embody our style; crushing doom, infectious grooves, big riffs, driving bass, earth-shattering drums, and experimental vocals. The album story contains a fully formed concept around the central figure of the record, the Holy Drifter. The goal is to transport the listener through various points in time in not only the Drifter’s life, but in the history of his mountain shrine atop the Chronwall, as he struggles to find the meaning in his erratic, herb induced visions. As he comes closer to reaching a point of discovery, the laws of time and space are bent to reveal an impending doom reaching across twin worlds. The album balances long burning, crushing doom with raw, up-tempo heavy rock and exploratory instrumental jams to present a vast sonic landscape.” – Sun Below

For fans of Black Sabbath, Sleep, Electric Wizard, Red Fang, Kyuss

Facebook.com/sunbelowband | Youtube | Instagram @SunBelowband | Spotify 

Bandcamp | Apple Music | Amazon

“Sun Below are a trio from Toronto and couldn’t be further away from Rush. They specialize in loose, long burning jams that are incredibly loud, monumentally heavy and utterly infectious.” – Powerplay Magazine  

“Black Volume III opens with “Green Visions” and thereby takes some righteous fart-fuzz for a walk both that and “Solar Burnout” show plenty of resi(n)dual Sleep influence, but honestly, it’s a self-releasing band with three dudes who sound like they’re having a really good time figuring out where they want to be in terms of sound after about a year from their first release, and if you ask anything else of Black Volume III than what it gives, you’re obviously lacking in context. Which is to say you’re fucking up. Don’t fuck up. Dig riffs instead.” – The Obelisk

“Low-frequency sludge rock lumbers out of the hellish bog, slanging bottomless fuzz sounds, that are sure to roil the properly inebriated. “Green Visions” is a perfect wedding song full of ominous riffage and jilted vocals, just right for a reanimated corpse bridge and groom. The eleven-minute track “Solar Burnout” picks up ideas from the occult masters Electric Wizard and drives a stake through this world’s main live giver. Sinister atmospheres, delirious guitar riffs are what this three piece are all about and judging from their bio; weed too.” – Absolute Underground  

“I dig the license in their music – the band is SOLID, solid facility like a 3 man outfit of decent players usually shows while not particularly yielding to the geeze and wheeze of their musical luminaries’ arrangements; which is to say they bring a bit more tautness and edge, but only a bit. Have a listen. I am sure these guys will be making the music festival rounds soon” – Metal Temple

“The recently released Black Volume II levels up this swinging stoner trio’s rolling, self-described “sativa rock.” Even though song lengths can spiral to upwards of 11 minutes, Sun Below keep it relatively lean, working in service of their mighty grooves first and foremost” – Michael Rancic, NOW Magazine (2019)

“The music is a perfect combination between heavy stoner rock, and some light creepy doom. I would definitely love to see this band play live (you know, after this whole crisis is over)! I’ve been smoking a lot of pot as of late (wonder why…) — this is great music for my stoner metalheads.” – MFKNZINE – Stoner Metal Saturday

 

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. The band formed after a chance reply to a Kiji ad for a drummer seeking a band. Not sure how many success stories there are from meeting anyone in person through Kijiji, but this is one!

2. The new album was not originally intended to have a loose concept throughout, however, after analyzing our existing material during rehearsal sessions we realized we could piece a narrative together based on the themes that run throughout our music. The idea of revisiting the character of the Holy Drifter and expanding upon his story caused us to “drift” down the rabbit hole of smoke, visions, alternate realities and time travel paradoxes. It was fun to recontextualize some of our older songs and give them new meaning within the story.

3. The band has (we believe) coined several terms of our own. While many bands identify themselves as stoner rock or stoner metal, we believe we are the first to have narrowed our sub-genre down to a specific strain: sativa rock. This is to reflect our style of stoner/doom where the energy in the music remains consistent and demands your attention and engagement throughout. We also stumbled on the term “dooman”, essentially a doom human, a person living a simple life driven by fuzz and earth cracking volume. Lastly, the song title Chronwall Neanderthal came about while driving to a gig in Montreal from the GTA and passing Cornwall. We started spit balling titles for a new song we were to debut that night, and Cornwall became Chronwall which would eventually become the mountain range depicted on our album cover.

Sun Below is a heavy stoner/doom power trio from Toronto. Playing a signature brand of self-described Sativa rock, a combination of fuzz, volume, and heavy grooves, Sun Below seeks to spread their infectious, rollicking sound to the masses.

Starting as a humble seedling in 2018, the trio formed with a desire to create heavy rock with stoner/doom elements in a groovy Sabbath style, and through constant improvisation, the material is grown organically first with the music and then with the lyrics.

Engaging, extended tracks compiled with a crushing amount of volume touch on topics including cannabis, the occult, Lovecraft, unexplained occurrences, the infiniteness of space and the Holy Drifter. Even at length, each track is an exceptional sonic journey through space and time. Inviting their listeners to get into the groove and the headspace of the music, Sun Below is the perfect combination of a mellow trip with an energetic Sativa boost.

The trio of Jason Craig (guitars/vocals), Garrison Thordarson (bass/backing vocals) and Will Adams (drums/backing vocals) specialize in loose, long burning jams that worship at the altar of tone, riffs, and smoke, but also brim with raw bombastic heavy metal rock to keep the energy up high. Smoke up, tune down, play loud, burnout.

Still relatively new, but reaching towards the light and maturation, Sun Below have been hard at work sharing the stage with the likes of Black Mastiff and Chron Goblin; releasing three EPs: Black Volume EP (2018); Black Volume EP II (2019); Black Volume EP III (2019) and a music video into the haze. With a new stoner sun set to rise in 2021, the power trio will release their first full-length debut on November 19th to keep the fuzzy momentum going.

Album Band Line Up:
Jason Craig – Guitars and Lead Vocals
Will Adams – Drums and Backing Vocals
Garrison Thordarson – Bass and Backing Vocals

Live Band Line Up:
Jason Craig – Guitars and Lead Vocals
Will Adams – Drums and Vocals
Liam Gray – Bass

Discography:
2021 – Twin Worlds I – Single
2019 – Black Volume III EP
2019 – Black Volume II EP
2018 – Black Volume EP

Shared Stage with:
Graveyard, Black Mastiff, Chron Goblin, Cross Dog, Villain, Head, Cellphone, Answer with Metal, Black Galaxy, Doom ‘an Blue,  Hounskull, Rough Spells, Punch Drunk, VS the Borg, Kohlit, Pussy Stench, Strange Limbs, Hunter Gatherer, Caleb Beal, Hexenklad, Old Soul, Throne to the Wolves, The Northern, Being, Of Rose and Amber, Anthropophagy

Tours and Festivals:
Played as local support for Graveyard on their 2020 North American Tour – February 19 at The Opera House
Played as local support for Black Mastiff and Chron Goblin on the Toronto stop of their Fall 2019 Canadian Tour – October 18 at the Hard Luck Bar

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

The album as a whole explained by the band (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

The album is a journey through time, space, and the limits of sonic power. Musically, it combines fuzzed-out grooves, punishing volume, and moments of spaced-out clarity which make for a fully immersive journey. With a run time of well over an hour, the album is meant to transport the listener across worlds and time, while traversing a vast landscape of heavy sounds. Lyrically, the album focuses on the Holy Drifter, his quest to discover higher meaning within visions that haunt and excite him, and his greater role in the cosmic balance of the universe. He, and the ancient herb which influences his mind, are thrust to the center of a time travel paradox that crosses realities as the sun burns low. Prepare to tune down, smoke up, play loud, and burn out.

Track by Track explained by the band:

1. CHRONWALL NEANDERTHAL: Thousands of years in the past, a dooman neanderthal and his kin reside in a valley surrounded by a vast moutain range known as the “Chronwall”. The looming stone peaks provide a natural defence against rival groups. In the valley grows a strange and potent herb, which over time the neanderthal learns to harvest. Once consumed, the strain ignites and stimualtes his ancient mind, and the group learns to harnesh the power of flame. Many enemies attempt to scale the Chronwall to take the fire and herb for themselves, but none are successful.

2. HOLY DRIFTER: Thousands of years later in the current day, a ragged wanderer known as the Holy Drifter resides in a mountian shrine within the Chronwall. Lured there by his erractic visions and the pull of the ancient herb, the Drifter has withdrawn from society after failed attempts to share his gift of sight to the masses. As the Drifter searches for the higher meaning within his visions, he is forced to seek out further stores of the ancient herb.

3. SHIVA SATIVA: Shiva, a solar deity which transcends time, bestows upon the earth a sacred sativa strain.

4. GREEN VISIONS: In the not too distant past, an uninitiated mind breathes deep of the ancient herb, and experiences visions which enlighten and disturb. Alternate futures and realities are revealed, as is a premonition of the sun drowning in a reflection of a green sky. Lacking the understanding to make sense of the experience, this fertile mind begins a journey down the holy path.

5. BONG PSALM: A pause in time for reflection and to stoke the visions.

6. KINETIC KIEF:
Running low on the strain, the current day Drifter begins smoking his stores of kief built up over the years. The Kief, already having been used in the Drifter’s rituals, is uniqiuely wired to elicit a kinetic energy which puts the Drifter more in tune with his surroundings. Realizing that his location within the Chronwall’s mountain shrine is no coincidence, he begins preparations for a decisive ritual.

7. DOOM STICK: The ancient staff once carried by the Chronwall elders of old has found its way through the centuries into the grasp of the drifter.

8. TWIN WORLDS I & II: Having grown frustrated over the years with his inability to understand his fleeting visions and harness his power, the Drifter gathers his remaining stash and scales the Chronwall to its highest peak. Commencing the ritual, the drifter levitates as he inhales deeply. A rupture forms in the sky above and a void appears. Within, the Drifter sees an ageless man floating amongst billowing smoke. Before he can question what he is seeing, a telepathic link is established and it is reveled that the man through the void is himself, many years later in an alternate future timeline. In the future Drifter’s world, the sun is burning low and is threatening to burnout entirely. In a desperte attempt to warn his past self of the impending doom both of these twin worlds face, the simaltaneous rituals have opened a passage in time. Through their mental link, the main timeline drifter learns that his future counterpart has done little to hone his gifts over time and has waited too long to act to save his world, despite having lived to an age beyond human limits. While shifting between timelines, the future drifter bestows seeds of a future timeline strain of the ancient herb our drifter has been seeking, which will amplify his abilities. However, as the future drifter struggles to keep the connection between worlds, some of the seeds travel further back in time then he intended, and land in the Chronwall valley of the distant past. The future drifter breathes deep one final time as the void closes.

9. SOLAR BURNOUT: In the alternate future timeline, the Sun finally burns out and implodes into itself. The result of the implosion is a massively expanding black hole which begins to consume all of the surrounding planets and stars. With the black hole threatening to engulf the earth, ships take flight for new green horizons. As the ships depart for deep space, the power of the void proves too much and pulls them across the event horizon where even light itself cannot escape.

EPILOGUE:
Following the closing of the album/story, the future timeline earth is consumed by the void. It is not clear exactly what the fate of the future drifter is. The current timeline drifter begins to plant the future seeds of the potent herb. Thousands of years in the past, the seeds that got away from the future drifter germinate and are discovered by the ancient neanderthals.

As the seeds planted by the current timeline drifter grow into plants and are harvested, the Drifter experiences a new level of potency, which causes him to retreat further into his shrine and his visions, while winged shapes take flight and circle the Chronwall against an increasingly hazy sky. The sun burns increasingly bright as if the future herb is pulling kinetic energy directly out of it. The Drifter’s future is left hazy as well; many questions remain as he navigates the smoke stream of time and space.

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Self-Titled
Release Date: November 19, 2021
Label: Independent
Distribution: Independent

Track Listing:
1. Chronwall Neanderthal – 4:34
2. Holy Drifter – 14:24
3. Shiva Sativa – 4:11
4. Green Visions – 5:56
5. Bong Psalm – 3:56
6. Kinetic Kief – 4:24
7. Doom Stick – 3:35
8. Twin Worlds – Part I & II – 18:00
9. Solar Burnout – 14:24
Album Length: 1:11:28

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Sun Below
• All songs written by: Sun Below
• Produced by: self-produced
• Mixed by: Will Adams
• Engineered by Farmer Jesse
• Recorded at Rival Sound Studios in December 2020
• Album Artwork by: Adam C Design and Illustration
• Member of SOCAN
• Music is Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album Band Line Up:
Jason Craig – Guitars and Lead Vocals
Will Adams – Drums and Backing Vocals
Garrison Thordarson – Bass and Backing Vocals

Live Band Line Up:
Jason Craig – Guitars and Lead Vocals
Will Adams – Drums and Vocals
Liam Gray – Bass

0 EPK – Exes For Eyes – The End Of Summer (feat. Björn Strid of Soilwork) (single) (2021)

  • October 14, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Exes For Eyes

EPK – Exes For Eyes – The End Of Summer (feat. Björn Strid of Soilwork) (single) (2021)

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

Album / Single Title: The End Of Summer (feat. Björn Strid)
Release Date: Oct 15, 2021
Label: TrackPants Productions
Distribution: Distrokid

For fans of Slipknot, Soilwork, Lamb of God

“The End Of Summer is the first of 4 singles that will make up the perceived idea of a 4th release. With Covid-19 running wild and having released our most ambitious offer to date with “Of Strength And Sorrow”, we were forced to shelve plans of a return to the road after a 3 year hiatus.  With life, death, and everything in between determining the pace in which we advanced, we’ve decided to take a slower and more focused approach to creating new music.  Of Strength and Sorrow wasn’t given a proper presentation, so we will be relaunching the band by presenting even newer music in smaller doses, the first offering being “The End Of Summer”.” – Dave Sheldon – Exes For Eyes

“The End Of Summer is basically a metaphor for the amazing quality of life we have all taken for granted.  The song is about people becoming soft. We don’t know what true adversity is..none of us. We are the genetic products of strong people who survived and we’ve let all of that go.  I really do believe we are seeing the end of that era.” – James Arsenian – Exes For Eyes

 

ExesForEyes.com | Facebook.com/ExesForEyesBand | Instagram.com/ExesForEyesBand

Twitter.com/ExesForEyesBand | YouTube

Online Store – Exesforeyes.com/merch | Spotify

“EXES FOR EYES have shown that they have matured sonically, completing an album that is darker without abandoning the soundscapes their fans have grown to love with their massive groove.” – The Rockpit

“pulverizing grooves…” – Calum Slingerland / Exclaim

“…specifically to please the musicians and not to follow any trends or fit into any category. If you check out other reviews, you’ll see that no one can seem to agree on what type of music Exes For Eyes is and that’s a great thing.” – Jason Wellwood/Earshot

Tracking Listing:
The End Of Summer (feat. Björn Strid) (5:20)

Single Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Exes For Eyes
• All songs written by: D. Sheldon, J. Arsenian
• Produced by: Dave Sheldon
• Mixed by: Dave Sheldon
• Mastered by: Dave Sheldon
• Album Artwork by: Exes For Eyes

Album Band Line Up:
Vocals – James Arsenian
Guitars – Dave Sheldon
Drums – Aaron Spink
Bass – Graham Porter
*Guest Vocals – Björn Strid (Soilwork/The Night Flight Orchestra)

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

STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT THE BAND

1. All band members can drive…however, On tour, Dave is the only one allowed to drive.

James was the last one to get his driver’s license (age 35?), but Dave has a fear of not being in control of the wheel at any given time.  Aside from a brief 45min stint on the 2014 west coast CDN tour where Graham drove, Dave has driven to and from every show since 2011.

2.  At one time we DID have 2 guitarists, but there was never a Randy Doyle.

As noted in The Ampler Grid’s liner notes, Randy Doyle was named 2nd Guitarist.

The name was actually derived from the rig used to play backing tracks for additional guitar work live.

Randy (Randall RH200 amplifier) Doyle (Doyle Audio Engineering 4×12 speaker enclosure)

3.  James enforcefully escorted a promoter to an ATM to withdraw our guarantee after a poorly promoted out-of-town show.  In 2008 (prior to creating EXES) James and Dave were tour mates in other bands.  We played an out-of-town show in Liverpool, Nova Scotia that was of poor promoting/attendance.  After the show, the promoter tried to run, but was intercepted by James and EXES Alum Evan Rose (not Randy Doyle).  They walked the promoter to the bank on the other side of town to withdraw a partial amount of the funds promised for the performance.

L-R – Dave Sheldon – Guitar, James Arsenian – Vocals, Aaron Spink – Drums, Graham Porter – Bass – Photo by Jason Spun

EXES FOR EYES is a project born of an overwhelming amount of mutual respect and admiration between two men. A respect for one another’s work ethic, musical proficiency, stylistic taste and of course, for each other as people. The concept of blindness, be it willing, involuntary, inherent or otherwise is so foreign and far removed from anything within the realm of experience for these men.

However as the process has begun to create this music, it has become apparent how limited one’s own vision can be when staring at the broad side of limitless potential and ambition. With the musical vision of Dave Sheldon (ex-Annihilator, Man With Target) and the lyrical conception of vocalist and frontman Big James (Endast, Authors) the project is very quickly taking shape into something more than either anticipated. The hope is to see the world of metal in a new light, with EXES FOR EYES.

Discography:
2021 – The End Of Summer (single)
2019 – Of Strength And Sorrow – LP
2014 – Tongues Like Figure Eights – LP
2011 – The Ampler Grid – LP

Shared stage with:
Silverstein, Slipknot, Faith No More, Korn, Alexisonfire, Lamb of God ,Iggy Pop, NOFX, Billy Talent, Mastodon, Bullet For My Valentine, Meshuggah, Within Temptation, Gojira, Testament, Arch Enemy, Lagwagon, Lita Ford, Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg with Andrew W.K., Warrant, Dokken, Neurosis, Rocket From the Crypt, Asking Alexandria, Periphery, Deafheaven, Coal Chamber, Nuclear Assault, Dying Fetus, Glassjaw, Ihsahn, Pentagram, Gorguts, B.A.R.F., Motionless in White, Moneen, Lofofora, Small Brown Bike, Pig Destroyer, Anonymus, The Flatliners, The Agonist, Fozzy, Nothing More, Jasta, Battlecross, Insomnium, Slaves on Dope, Omnium Gatherum, Wilson, Dead Tired, Toyguitar, Dig It Up

Tour and Festivals:
2016 – East Coast Awakening (Keswick, NB)
2015 – November To Remember (Central and Eastern Canada)
2015 – Heavy Montreal (Montreal)
2015 – TOURS Like Figure Eights (Central and Western Canada)
2014 – Flight Of The NavigaTOUR (Central and Western Canada)

Artist endorsements:
Sully Guitars, Omega Amps, ToneSpeak speakers, Airis Effects, Yamaha Drums, Headhunter drum sticks, Murat Diril cymbals

 

0 EPK – Depleted Uranium – Origins (2022)

  • October 12, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Depleted Uranium · EPKs

EPK – Depleted Uranium – Origins (2022)

For fans of Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, Charles Bronson, Orchid, Spazz

Album Title: Origins
Release Date: January 28, 2022
Label: Independent
Distribution: Independent

DepletedUraniumband.com | Facebook.com/depleteduraniumband | Instagram.com/depleteduraniumband | YouTube

Depleteduranium238.bandcamp.com | Spotify

#2 – Canada’s College Radio Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, March 8, 2022 (Earshot)

#7 – Canada’s College Radio Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, March 29, 2022 (Earshot) 

“It’s raw, dystopian, apocalyptic and there’s no way I’m the only catching vibes of Tool’s “Prison Sex” and Voivod’s “Ravenous Medicine” from the video and Orchid, old Converge, Dystopia and Combatwoundedveteran from the tune (Beta Particles) itself.” – Decibel Magazine

“The music (which could be thought of as a blending of powerviolence and math metal) genuinely sounds insane — furiously so — and yet something about the experience makes sense. Not just because it sounds like people throwing away mental shackles and conventions, but also because the music simultaneously gets its hooks in your head. There’s a sense of order and precision of execution in it, at the same time as it seems completely disruptive of order.” – No Clean Singing

“Aside from grind, you’re getting a decent dose of mathcore, but even more often, the music veers into territory that I think would appeal to screamo fans. These parts are governed by clean-ish, anguished vocals and additionally infused with melancholy by the guitar. While they do the most to define the mood of the album, I’d still hesitate to pigeonhole it, as the band pivots from style to style often enough to give the music a nicely weird, free-form feel. If you’d like a take on the post-nuclear apocalypse that isn’t filled with boring zombies and mutants, look no further.” – Toilet Ov Hell

“All in all, “Origins” pretty much kicked me in the balls and announces that here is a new force to be reckoned with in the grindcore world.” – Wormwood Chronicles

“It’s carnage but carnage you’ll want to experience over and over again.” – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life

“Origins is a deliciously disgusting album, there transpires a form of sincerity, without artifice or make-up. In about twenty minutes, Depleted Uranium will take you apart like a puzzle! This music is so visceral that it explodes the stomach and the ears.” – Aux Portes du Metal

“‘Origins’ is not only an impressive feat for a one take live performance, but it really has a lot of violent energy and the twenty minutes or so flies in. You sometimes find that powerviolence/grindcore can be a little one note (I know, I know, it’s kinda the point) but Depleted Uranium’s work has a lot more variety to it and isn’t merely noise for music’s sake. If you like your music ugly, visceral and yet a bit thought provoking then Depleted Uranium are going to be for you!” – The Killchain Blog

Top Clockwise: Corey (Bass), Nick (Drums), Murray (Guitar, Vocals), Babak (Vocals)

Failure is the only way to learn. Expression is the only way to live. Communication is the only way to see. Silence is the only way to hear.

Spanning over 10 years together as a band, Depleted Uranium delivers a mathematically precise, fast-paced and aggressive sound. Formed by friends and former bandmates, Andrew Murray (guitar), Nick Misasi (drums), Babak Kazemzadeh (vocals), and Corey Stinson (bass) have been the core of the Depleted Uranium for most of its existence.

The intensely delivered music of their live performances was captured in their first full-length, self-produced, and self-titled album released in 2018. In 2022, they will follow this up with “Origins”, a record that contains material from the band’s first years and gives a history of who they are and where they come from. In their youth, as many are, they were dissatisfied with their current surroundings and they channeled built-up emotions into the music.

Delivering a precise, intense, non-stop, energy-filled, technical performance with a custom strobe light show every time, Depleted Uranium plans to continue evolving as a band and begin writing new music in the near future.

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

Describe the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

Origins is our band’s history of who we are and where we come from. It is meant to be listened to in reference to our self-titled, debut release; Depleted Uranium, to give a perspective that will also further be referenced in our future releases. Both lyrics and music hold a high tension and are expressed without hesitation. Both are relevant to our time and space of creation and are embodied with existential yet direct meaning. The Album as a whole was a statement of youth being dissatisfied with the existing conditions of reality and channeling our experience into what it is today. “If one cannot withstand the hot glow of anger upon the discovery of a wrong, then time is wasted thinking deeply”. Our band name, our lyrics, and our music are a product of the system with the right individuals as the recipe. Our message in the album is to strive for personal freedom and to focus on what you want rather than what you don’t. This album was a path out for all of us.

Describe each song track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)
Lyrics notes from Babak. Music notes from Andrew

1.     Depleted Uranium: Lyrically, it makes a case for general apathy towards “the system” while accepting that you’re on your own to navigate through life.  No one’s coming to save you. Figure your shit out. Musically, we wanted to be in and out in under 1 minute.

2.     The Tear and the Flood: Lyrically, it is ultimately about death.  It’s about accepting that you will end and maybe making that happen before it happens on its own. Musically, it was to create the shock of transition, a before and after moments like a car accident or amputation, and you will never go back ever again.

3.     Alpha Particles: Lyrically – ”Life will end, and what counts is how you felt when you could breathe” along with the never-ending quest of “why?”. Musically, it was as we do with our music, but it dawned the first 5/4 time on our journey in an attempt to fuse Power Violence with Math Metal. It evolved our dual vocals and the band as a whole. To this date, we have never tired of playing it.

4.     Van Halen Radiation Belt: Lyrically, this song is about the concept that morality is relative and not absolute. Things aren’t so black and white;” You’re with us or you’re with the terrorists”. Musically, it was a throwback to simplified early punk song progressions, but done our way. Get in, get ‘er done and get out.

5.     Beta Particles: Lyrically, this song is about being socially marginalized.  For whatever reason.  It’s about society’s aim to “cure” those who are different.  To assimilate or destroy vs accept, by any means necessary. Musically, it was born when we were starting to solidify in our songwriting and the process was fairly quick. The big transition in the middle was due to our 4-track recorder eating the tape of the first demo recording and when we listened back, it made the song. Once Blair (2nd guitar) joined, it was the song that began highlighting the simplified dual guitar harmonies.

6.     Counter Balance: Lyrically – “How long must I buy your lies? Shut my mouth, swallow my pride? Bow my head and kneel? While you write the pages of history in blood?”. Musically, it is our longest album song at just over 3 minutes and was originally 2 different songs that got fused together, hence the length. The ending breakdown of this song sums up the journey through it, and this song truly made the music and lyrics one unit upon the end precipice of the song, along with all future rehearsals and recordings as a band.

7.     Deficiencies: Lyrics – It’s hard to change people’s minds sometimes. Musically, it was a thrash rock out song written after the intensity of Counter Balance. It is meant to bring you back to why you started making music in the first place; to rock out and have fun!

8.     Small Odds: Lyrics – “If you believe, there will be a brighter day”. Lyrics (Andrew) – The strive for freedom, however, an individual may interpret that and never give up, learning and success are based on countless failures. Musically, another throwback to Melodic Hardcore with a mathy intro. Also a change of key from many songs on the album, the idea was to keep it simple as the dual vocals are the front line.

9.     Open Wound Diaries: Lyrics: This song is about suicide. Musically, it further expressed our math itch and the simplified dual guitar harmonies. It was meant to be a thunder cloud of sound, seemingly out of control yet totally calculated while giving a dark, chaotic ambiance for the lyrics.

10.  Percentages (Bonus Track): Lyrics are about losing control of your own thoughts and mind to propaganda and mainstream thinking. “Too late, or not, it is your choice”. Musically, it was another fusion of 2 songs and a switch back to melody. It was recorded in 2008 and features Matt Kozma on bass (2007-2009) minus Corey (existing bass) and Blair (2nd guitar). It is also only available on the Physical CD of Origins as a Bonus Track. Throughout the song, it represents the album journey as it contains an influence of all songs on the album, and is to be listened to as the finale.

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Origins
Release Date: January 28, 2022
Label: Independent
Distribution: Independent

Track Listing:
1 – Depleted Uranium – 0:43
2 – The Tear and the Flood – 1:19
3 – Alpha Particles – 1:56
4 – Van Halen Radiation Belt – 1:16
5 – Beta Particles – 2:06
6 – Counter Balance – 3:01
7 – Deficiencies – 2:01
8 – Small Odds – 1:44
9 – Open Wound Diaries – 2:28
Digital Album Length: 16:39
10 – Percentages – 4:56 (BONUS TRACK ON CD ONLY)
CD Album Length: 21:35

Album / Single Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Depleted Uranium
• All songs written by: Depleted Uranium
• Produced by: Andrew Murray
• Mixed by: Dave and Zeppelin at Encore Music Studio
• Mastered by: Alberto Bandino at Cutfire Studio
• Album Artwork by: Depleted Uranium circa 2008-2010
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
Album Band Line Up:
Andrew Murray – Guitar/Vocals
Nick Misasi – Drums
Babak Kazemzadeh – Vocals
Corey Stinson – Bass
Blair Hearsum – Guitar (tracks 1 – 9)
Matt Kozma – Bass (Album bonus track 10)

Live Band Line Up:
Andrew Murray – Guitar/Vocals
Nick Misasi – Drums
Babak Kazemzadeh – Vocals
Corey Stinson – Bass

Discography:
2021 – Origins – LP
2018 – Depleted Uranium – EP
2008 – Demo
2006 – Demo

Shared Stage with:
My Hollow, Goreworm, Operess

Tours and Festivals:
2021 – Ontario Death Fest (Toronto, ON)

Page 45 of 73
  • 1
  • …
  • 43
  • 44
  • 45
  • 46
  • 47
  • …
  • 73

Asher Media Relations Tweets

Tweets by AsherMedia

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

Join 2,177 other subscribers

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Bandcamp
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • ashermediarelations.com
    • Join 656 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • ashermediarelations.com
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...