Category: EPKs

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

“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

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“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!

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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

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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

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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)

0 EPK – Nova Spei – Sequentis (Bam&Co. Heavy) (2021)

October 6, 2021
by Asher
· EPKs · Nova Spei (Bam&Co. Heavy)

EPK – Nova Spei – Sequentis (Bam&Co. Heavy) (2021)

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

For fans of Architects, Gojira, Deftones, Tesseract, Killswitch Engage

Album Title: Sequentis
Release Date: November 12, 2021
Label: Bam&Co-Heavy
Distribution: Propagande (physical) – Believe Digital(Digital)

NovaSpei.com | Facebook.com/NovaSpei | Twitter.com/NovaSpeiBand | Instagram.com/novaspei | Youtube

Novaspei.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

Online Store – www.novaspei.com/marchandise | Bam&Co. Heavy

“Une pièce qui a tout ce qui faut pour devenir un classique du métal québécois. Des phrases percutantes et pleine de sens sur une musique lourde à souhait.” – Ondes Chocs

“Nova Spei : Nouvel espoir sur la scène métallique au Québec” – Voir

L-R – Nicolas Dumais (Bass/BackVocal) | Julien De Carufel (Drums) | Dany Duplessis (Singer/Screamer) | Stéphane Filion (Lead Guitarist) | Dany Soucy (Rhythm Guitarist/Ambiant Lead)
Photo Credit – Claude Prud’Homme – Studio-017

NOVA SPEI is a Francophone progressive metal band from Montreal, Quebec. They were formed in 2012 by Dany Soucy (guitar) (Dook, Legion) and in 2014, Nicolas Dumais (bass) and Dany Duplessis (vocals) joined the lineup. Stéphane Filion (guitar) joined the band in August 2018 while Julien De Carufel (drums) arrived in August 2021.

The band is a heavy sound coming from the guitar and the drums reminiscent of Deftones, Meshuggah and Tesseract. Vocals are influenced by Killswitch Engage, Staind, and Breaking Benjamin. The progressive side on the bass is inspired by Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree.

Their rhythms depict texts that leave room for reflection. A reflective metal with a Djent flavor.

They presented their first album “Éponyme” 2017. In 2019, they were tour support for Anonmyus’ 30th anniversary Quebec tour of the same group, which added to their 50 date tour to promote the debut album.

The production and direction of their first full length were done in the band’s home studio in Champlain, QC, and it was mixed/produced/mastered in France by Anthony Chognard (Smash Hit Combo, CHSprod). Their lead single “The Man with 1000 Smiles” is in constant rotation on Quebec RadioX 98.1FM and their song “Ma Muse” can be heard during the Canadiens hockey games at the Centre Bell in Montreal.

2019 marked the beginning of the recording of their second album, which is entitled “Sequentis”, which will be released on November 12, 2021 via label Bam & Co Heavy.

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

FUN FACTS:
1. The album was recorded in the band’s home studio in 12 days
2. Drums were recorded in France by Jordan Keifer
3. Album was supposed to be out in Autumn 2020. Because of Covid, 1 year delayed.
4. No matter you use a standard guitar bridge or an EverTune bridge, Keep your guitar in tune!! That’s the line we heard the most while recording.
5. “Nouvel Espoir” was lyrically written after a joke while touring in 2019 with Anonymus with DanDup acting like a Preacher telling us we were the church of the New Hope.

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

The album as a whole:
Lyrically the album describes Nova Spei’s vision of society, sometimes critical, but not pessimistic. They try to wake people and to be better. Musically, lots of good riffs, many guitar solos, punchy sounds, and groove beats. They try to make it easy listening, but keep it cool to play.

Track by track explained by the band.
1. Animal
“Animal” talks about pushing our limits, it is about surpassing oneself, motivation, strength and relentlessness to achieve our goals.
2. Assez
“Assez” denounces those who use a cause to embellish their images but who do not do what they advocate.
3. Génération perdu
We have fewer and fewer human relationships, hidden behind our screens, more and more individualistic.
4. La proie
“La proie” denounces and sensitizes in a clear and straightforward way violence against women.
5. Sorcière
“Sorcière” represents our vices, our weaknesses, the witch can also be an unhealthy relationship.
6. Digitalisés
The human being has become a perishable product. We take what we need and throw it away as soon as it is consumed, the human being becomes cold and digitized.
7. Mal incarné
It’s hard to express the pain, the despair. Often it stays with us and eats away at us from within. The song is about that feeling.
8. Damné
This one talks about resilience, to stay strong and upright despite hardships.
9. Nouvel Espoir
When we unite, we are stronger than anything. By coming together, looking out for one another, we can build a better world. This is “Nouvel Espoir”.
10. Tête Dure
We often say that we learn from our mistakes. But nobody ever learns, it’s “Tête Dure”.
11. Qui Sème le vent
Some people despise others, they have no respect for their neighbors. But sooner or later the wind picks up and they reap what they sowed.
12. Démocratie bafoué.
The feeling of being flouted by the system, regardless of the political party, it’s all the same.

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Sequentis
Release Date: November 12, 2021
Label: Bam&Co-Heavy
Distribution: Propagande (physical) – Believe Digital(Digital)

Track Listing:
1. Animal (3:36)
2. Génération Perdue (3:55)
3. Assez (3:25)
4. La Proie (5:07)
5. Sorcière (3:40)
6. Digitalisé (3:50)
7. Nouvel Espoir (4:07)
8. Damné (3:32)
9. Qui Sème Le Vent (3:40)
10. Tête Dure (3:26)
11. Mal Incarné (4:26)
12. Démocratie Bafouée (3:39)
Album Length: 46:26

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Nova Spei
• All songs written by: Nova Spei
• Produced by: Nova Spei
• Mixed by: Anthony Chognard
• Mastered by: Anthony Chognard
• Album Artwork by: Filip Ivanovic
• Member of SOCAN
• Music is Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Dany Soucy (Rhythm Guitarist / Founder)
Dany Duplessis (Singer/Screamer)
Julien De Carufel (Drums)
Nicolas Dumais (Bass/Back Vocal)
Stéphane Filion (Lead Guitarist)

Discography:
2021 – Sequentis
2017 – Self-Titled

0 EPK – Athemon – Self-Titled (2021)

October 5, 2021
by Asher
· Athemon · EPKs

EPK – Athemon – Self-Titled (2021)

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

For fans of Nevermore, Pain of Salvation, Opeth, Gojira, Mastodon

“Full of dark and enigmatic atmospheres, the self-titled record is a 50-minute concept album divided into nine songs, which tells a story about self-awareness. The instrumental consists of two guitars, a bass, and drums that together form an ideal atmosphere for those who enjoy a deeper journey. This is a creative album that seeks to forge the perfect alloy of darkness and beauty.” – Athemon

Album Title: Self-Titled
Release Date: October 11, 2021
Label: Independent
Distribution: Tunecore

Athemon.com | Facebook.com/fly.athemon | Instagram.com/fly.athemon

Flyathemon.bandcamp.com

L-R – Athemon Current Line Up | Adriano Ribeiro (Guitar, Vocals) | Tom MacLean (Bass, Production)
Photo Credits: Adriano’s picture: José Simonetti, Tom’s picture: Sunny Dhaliwal

Out of a love for progressive and intricate music, two musicians crossed paths online during the beginning of the Covid global lockdown to create an everlasting experience. Living on different continents, bassist/producer Tom MacLean (To-Mera, ex-Haken) in the UK and vocalist and guitarist Adriano Ribeiro in Brazil, used the digital world to their advantage and give rise to their new band Athemon.

“Adriano sent me his demo and it gave me goosebumps, so I was keen to get involved,” says MacLean.

From a significant evolution between demos to their final introductory recordings, MacLean and Ribeiro created a bonding friendship over musical interests that created the perfect environment to allow them to evolve and conceive their debut full length.

Formed as a gateway to express their art using progressive metal music, Athemon will debut their self-titled album on October 11th, 2021. The concept record is meant to be heard as one long 50-minute track divided into nine parts that will engage listeners on a journey that’s enigmatic, deep in sentiment, and inject a fresh outlook of self-perception during its intense and dark progressive atmosphere.

For the album’s recording, the band invited a special guest drummer from Brazil, Gledson Gonçalves who added his percussionist touch to compliment each one of the nine tracks.

“As nobody goes alone in this world (even being totally alone inside one’s own mind), the songwriting process had a lonely beginning, but a very collaborative end. The beginning of this project was driven by Adriano, but nothing would fit so well if it wasn’t for the amazing connection the three of us have (Adriano, Tom, and our special guest on drums, Gledson),” says MacLean.

The lyrics for the album were written by vocalist/guitarist Adrian Ribeiro and were inspired by thoughts of how confusing reality can be if you are not taking care of your emotional side. “The thin line between what’s real and what’s not is an endless world,” adds Ribeiro.

New fans of Athemon, can expect much more to come from the pair as they already have plans to launch their second album by the end of 2022, which they are currently composing with promising results.

As for the live spectacle of Athemon, for now, the band will let the music flow until the duo can connect from across the Atlantic for their first in-person jam session.

Recommended for fans of Nevermore, Pain of Salvation, Opeth, Gojira and Mastodon, Athemon’s self-titled debut will be available on all digital platforms on October 11th.

Fun Facts:
Until 2013, Tom was the original bassist in Haken and guitarist in To-Mera. He believes he’s one of a very small group of people to have opened for Dream Theater in two different bands.

The album as a whole explained by the band:

Full of dark and enigmatic atmospheres, the self-titled record is a 50-minute concept album divided into nine songs, which tells a story about self-awareness. The instrumental consists of two guitars, a bass, and drums that together form an ideal atmosphere for those who enjoy a deeper journey. Self-Titled Athemon is a creative album that seeks to forge the perfect alloy of darkness and beauty.

Track By Track Explained by the band:
1. Perception: It is the opening, instrumental music that carries evil cords and drags the listener into the enigma that will be presented. It’s the opening of a journey.

2. Whispers: With an intense instrumental, Whispers illustrates the principle of self-awareness, where our character starts a conversation with himself about echoes he can no longer avoid. The whispers of the mind that can no longer be shut down.

3. The Glass Hindered Us: With a strong chorus, The Glass hindered Us takes on a self-observation beginning, however, what you see is still blurry. The replacement of whispers by the observation of the image itself, but still in the form of two ghosts. Where there is an observer, there is another in observation. Two voices, one individual. In the end, our character realizes that he is the ghost.

4. Different From What Was Missing: Different From What Was Missing is a song that starts with a clean sound in a mysterious setting, and ends with an instrumental explosion. At this point in the journey, our character is faced with the faults. A grotesque expression of himself. A monster that he always tried to avoid, but that he now has to face out of the need to connect with himself, out of the need to reach out. From the observation of their own behavior and the acceptance of the piece that they tried so hard to avoid, then a seed of change is perceived.

5. Seed of Change: Seed of Change carries a wide variety of moments, it’s the song with the most variety of riffs. From the ugly and heavy to the beautiful and pleasant, as if struggling to understand how to get out of the commonplace, our traveler enters the field of action. This song is about returning to the path that was built. Almost like something inevitable. When you realize that you are the monster, you can then dismantle what was collapsing. Observation can fix what has escaped until then.

6. I Voice of Mine: I Voice of Mine opens the beautiful part of the journey. A more sensitive instrumental. For our traveler, self-questioning becomes inevitable, as he can no longer deflect thoughts that have always been there. He then realizes that he has all the time he needs to explore its magnitude. A beauty that makes you understand the delight of being what you are. He then starts to preserve more of his time and conversation in mind.

7. Reaching Deepness: In Reaching Deepness the band explores two musical climates. A melodic atmosphere finds at the end a thoughtful and striking atmosphere. A representation that even knowing yourself better, there will still be many internal battles to confront. Less timeless, our protagonist enjoys his existential dive, free-falling for more enjoyment. It is possible to reach more depth in himself when he no longer avoids those parts that have always been repudiated.

8. Greatest Understanding: Finally, in Greatest Understanding, through the symbology of the confrontation of a dark dream that represents fear and discomfort, our character understands the power he has. The power of self-transformation. To be able to transform is to evolve. So he understands that he is a finite part of a great mystery. Subjectively, then, he becomes a god of his own and starts to taste what is outside the cocoon he himself built. And so he flies.

9. Birth: Birth closes our journey with an instrumental full of beautiful melodies, especially the last one, a very sensitive theme that represents free flight, something possible for every form of consciousness.

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Self-Titled
Release Date: October 11, 2021
Label: Independent
Distribution: Tunecore

Track Listing:
1. Perception (3:16)
2. Whispers (5:29)
3. The Glass Hindered Us (3:57)
4. Different From What Was Missing (5:23)
5. Seed of Change (7:25)
6. I Voice of Mine (8:12)
7. Reaching Deepness (6:42)
8. Greatest Understanding (5:54)
9. Birth (4:01)
Album Length: 50:20

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Athemon
• All songs written by: Athemon
• Produced by: Tom MacLean
• Mixed by: Tom MacLean @ Twelve Tone Studio
• Mastered by: Tony Lindgren @ Fascination Street Studios
• Album Artwork by: Luigi Quarta

Album Band Line Up:
Adriano Ribeiro (Guitars, Vocals)
Tom MacLean (Bass)
Gledson Gonçalves (session Drums)

Discography:
2021 – Self-Titled – LP (Athemon)

0 EPK – Bone Tower – We All Will Die One Day (EP) (2021) (No Funeral Records / Fresh Outbreak Records)

October 5, 2021
by Asher
· Bone Tower (No Funeral Records / Fresh Outbreak Records) · EPKs

EPK – Bone Tower – We All Will Die One Day (EP) (2021) (No Funeral Records / Fresh Outbreak Records)

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

For fans of Full of Hell, Pig Destroyer, Cryptopsy, Atka, Trap Them

“Both sonically and lyrically, ‘We All Will Die One Day’ represents a collective status of disarray. Challenging speed and complex rhythms serve to accelerate unfavourable emotions to the forefront of your mind. A raw and unfiltered byproduct of mental health in disarray and unfocused aggression, with no real direction on how to cope in a post-pandemic landscape. Basically a big ‘fuck you’ to the world we live in. While presented in an ugly package, these songs are a cathartic release with the intent of extinguishing deep feelings of depression and anger.” – Bone Tower

EP Title: We All Will Die One Day
Release Date: November 5, 2021
Label: No Funeral Records
Distribution: No Funeral Records & Fresh Outbreak Records

Instagram.com/bonetower | Facebook.com/bonetower.hfx | YouTube

Bonetower.bandcamp.com

“The album is a hellacious roller-coaster combining some of the most vicious and creative elements of Full of Hell with some of the cybergrind precision off bands like Monnier and Fucked. For my money, thee transition from penultimate track “The Sun” into the album closer/title track is one of the most haunting and acerbic passages of music I’ve heard all year.” – Decibel Magazine

“Whaaat the FUUUUCK, man! Bone Tower are as brutal, filthy, and noisy as they come, and We Will All Die One Day sees them reaching the full potential of their sonic ugliness. This album could be called ‘death metal,’ but that doesn’t really give enough credit to the total chaos and hostility of these songs. It’s more like destruction metal, like the metallic equivalent to busting down a wall with a sledgehammer. It’s fucking awesome, is what it is — and Jesus Christ, it’s fucking Canadian.” – The Pit

“Halifax-based Bone Tower create a horrible, horrible grinding death metal noise here on their debut, We All Will Die One Day, the eight-song EP barely clocking in at nine minutes, which sounds like math done right to me. Right away I’m thinking Full Of Hell, with the massive wall-of-noise production and grinding death, but there are also hints of Kurt Ballou-produced metallic hardcore bands like All Pigs Must Die or—not just saying this because the name reminded me—Pig Destroyer and their unsettling grindcore, or even fellow Canucks Fuck The Facts with their relentless experimentation.” – Bravewords

“Bone Tower do it all right here, the noise interludes (yes, they manage to find time for that) creating an atmosphere before the grindcore comes crashing back in, everything packing an unreal punch, this trio checking off every box I need in a nine-minute grind EP, this one absolutely energizing me while simultaneously destroying me, which, yes, is exactly what I need in a nine-minute grind EP. There are overtones of death metal here, yes, but really ragged and drunken death, like Hollowman-era Entombed covered by the members of Converge on the one night every decade they all get blackout drunk. In other words, very well done, and considering the fact that this band formed in February 2021, consider me floored. ” – Bravewords

“Music as violent as this leaves the imagination blazing. In this reviewer’s mind, Bone Tower are the assailant who brings a flame-thrower to a knife fight. We All Will Die One Day is a scorched earth sonic assault that leaves you cowering behind your door as the new occupants take over the town. You have no choice but to surrender and press repeat. 8/10” – Scream Blast Repeat

“Seriously, it sounds like it was produced by Kurt Ballou, there’s noise interludes, and the grind is utterly unhinged. So what gives? Maybe the difference is that these guys consistently dial things to 11 instead of meandering between a measly 10 and 10.5 (pah!)… “Mangled Wounds” is a good example of Bone Tower’s peak performance – those are some blasty fucking blasts, easily the fastest we’ve heard today.” – Toilet ov Hell

“Super fast and brutal deathcore with really short songs (less than 2 min!)” – WORT 89.9 FM Mosh Pit Radio (Madison, WI)

“Bending the mind like a dark Art House film that leaves you with a warped sense of reality as if were suffering hallucinations, “Empty Cave” and “The Sun” are a strange and violent pairing that obliterate any idea you may have had about what defines music as any form of rule book is thrown into the fire in preparation for the next searing hot ear drum shattering trauma and send you to into a complete sense of disarray. Each cut here is a complex and changing short, sharp, shock of a listen is made to make you feel unconformable and that is exactly what this does [7/10]” – Metal Noise

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

EP Title: We All Will Die One Day
Release Date: November 5, 2021
Label: No Funeral Records
Distribution: No Funeral Records & Fresh Outbreak Records

Track Listing:
1. Dislodging Splinters (01:13)
2. Am I Conscious (01:16)
3. Mangled Wounds (01:15)
4. Cower Away (0:38)
5. Under A Veil (01:06)
6. Empty Cave (01:59)
7. The Sun (0:48)
8. We All Will Die One Day (0:50)
EP Length (9:09)

EP Credits:
All songs written & performed by Bone Tower
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Michael Bowers
EP artwork by Jonas Deviller

Band lineup:
Jonas DeViller – Vocals, Electronics, Lyrics
Sean Carroll – Guitar, Bass
Michael Bowers – Guitar, Bass, Vocals

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

The EP as a whole:

Both sonically and lyrically, ‘We All Will Die One Day’ represents a collective status of disarray. Challenging speed and complex rhythms serve to accelerate unfavourable feelings to the forefront of your mind.

Track by track explained:

1. DISLODGING SPLINTERS: The lyrics in ‘Dislodging Splinters’ were initially written about a habitual cycle of letting opportunities pass you by, how future endeavours may possibly look because of this, the process of reflection, and an irrational sense of regret that tends to follow. From the first three snare drum hits poking you in the ears, the shrieking vocals, fast riffs and the feedback that closes out this track, this is only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the disorder that is to come next. Remember: this is only the first song. You’re in for a lot more discomfort.

2. AM I CONSCIOUS: An amalgamation of sludgy riffs, pick scrapes, tremolo picking, and blast beats, this song has the grip of Hell’s Gate, sending you face-first into the auditory ambush that ‘Am I Conscious’ presents. In compelling fashion, this song launches you into a concussive breakdown and concludes with the first of 4 boisterous interludes on the album.

3. MANGLED WOUNDS: The meaning of the words in ‘Mangled Wounds’ are totally up for interpretation and expresses a couple of different personal thoughts: it was written both literally, outlining repeated trauma, as well as figuratively, about how one might process anxiety and depression. Opening abruptly with tremorous blast beats and rattling vocals, this tune wastes no time in delivering its taunting message. With a sense of urgency, the cryptic lyrics rest upon escalating guitar licks, as drums rapidly push this anthem to the point of no return. Briefly, you are allowed to catch a quick breath, only to be slingshotted into a barrage of open chugs. The main line ‘mangled wounds torn open again…’ is chanted back at you, and you are plunged into the second interlude track, ‘Cower Away’.

4. COWER AWAY: ‘Cower Away’ is the first of two harsh electronic tracks on ‘We All Will Die One Day’. It is simultaneously the most straightforward in terms of song structure, as well as totally frigged up and distorted. The main objective with this tune (if you can really even call it that) was to break up the tracklist with a different flavour of stress and to serve as an intro to the following track.

5. UNDER A VEIL: This song is pissed. There is more than one meaning, but it’s really written about the perception that you are always in the wrong, that who you are is a made-up persona, you aren’t good enough, and you should be exiled from everything positive in your life. This feeling couldn’t be further from the truth, and it is simply anxiety creeping in to say hello; A flurry of notes and blast beats being thrown at you really like to drive that idea deep into your head, though. Cower away under a veil of delusion.

6. EMPTY CAVE: Track #6 off ‘We All Will Die One Day’ begins with a propulsive sequence of blast beats and screeching vocals, coming at you like a wrecking ball. ‘Empty Cave’ is a commentary on dissociating, holding onto suppressed feelings, self-doubt, and the effects mental turmoil may have on you. The panicked rhythms and frantic vocals lead to an anticlimactic passage that symbolizes the descent into a state of decay. The droning feedback and familiar choir observed at the end of this song are a slow burn into the cacophony that is ‘The Sun’.

7. THE SUN: Distorted synths, jarring rhythms, and controlled chaos. ‘The Sun’ is a demonstration of what it feels like to be at the end of your rope; to have no patience left, and the sense of exhaustion boiling over. This is an intro to the title track and features both a sample from ‘Empty Cave’, and a distorted voice proclaiming a variation on the album’s title. We all will die one day, and this track is setting that mood – prepping you for the following song.

8. WE ALL WILL DIE ONE DAY: As the namesake of the album, you really want to make a statement. We all know you are your own worst enemy, and that’s what ‘We All Will Die One Day’ stands to shove down your throat. We’re all human, we all have shitty habits, and those practices are probably what’s gonna give us the axe one day. Whether you mindlessly find yourself repeating damaging thought patterns or any other number of self-destructive tendencies… This song encourages you to mull over your daily actions. The 8th and final track on ‘We All Will Die One Day’ hangs around for just a measly 50 seconds (and 17 of those are sustained feedback), but packs a major punch in that short amount of time. Blistering riffs lead into a short and sweet breakdown, leaving you confused about what the heck you just listened to. ‘We All Will Die One Day’ is a punishing conclusion to the album.

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

Story Angles / Fun Facts:
1. The music was really initially inspired by personal events over the past year and the frustrations that have come with it.

2. Music equivalent of the chaos ensuing globally since last year. An angry jab back at the universe for anyone who was angry and watched the world unfold with racial upheaval, conservatives and conspiracists coming out of the woodwork against Covid economic regression with millions losing jobs, the entire world changing beneath our feet, and for the politicians who claimed to be on our side but continue to fight against the truth.

3. Wrote and recorded the entire record over the course of a week and a half to 2 weeks. It came together as a whole very quickly and organically. Bunkered down in Michael’s apartment and banged out the instrumentals in one night, and recorded vocals at Jonas’ on another.

L-R – Bone Tower – Sean Carroll (guitars, bass), Jonas DeViller (electronics, vocals), Michael Bowers (guitars, bass, vocals)
Photo Credit: Hayley Frail

Bone Tower got its start early in 2021, with the sole purpose of channeling built-up negative energy and creating a hectic, pissed-off sounding record. Hailing from Atlantic Canada they got straight to the point through pummeling angry death metal.

Bone Tower is the musical equivalent of the chaos ensuing globally since last year. An angry jab back at the universe for anyone who was angry and watched the world unfold with racial upheaval, conservatives and conspiracists coming out of the woodwork against Covid, economic regression with millions losing jobs, the entire world changing beneath our feet, and for the politicians who claimed to be on our side but continue to fight against the truth.

The trio of Jonas DeViller (vocals/electronics/lyrics), Sean Carroll (guitar/bass), and Michael Bowers (guitar/bass/vocals) is a seasoned one at that and they were able to quickly write and produce their debut EP ‘We All Will Die One Day’ in two weeks. It came together as a whole very quickly and organically.

This is just the start for Bone Tower, they already have a follow-up record in the works. As of now, they are mostly a recording project but they intend on eventually playing shows. When they do finally play live, it’s bound to be just as fucked up as the recording.

EP ‘We All Will Die One Day’ is due out November 5, 2021.

0 EPK – Fractures & Outlines – Vultures (single) (2021)

October 2, 2021
by Asher
· EPKs · Fractures & Outlines

EPK – Fractures & Outlines – Vultures (single) (2021)

For fans of A Day to Remember, Beartooth, Wage War, Silverstein, Alexisonfire

Release Date: October 15, 2021

Label: Self-Release

Distribution: Distrokid

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon(@)ashermediarelations.com

Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

Sales Links: Bandcamp | iTunes | Spotify

Single – Pre-Save – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/fracturesandoutlines/vultures

“Fractures & Outlines put the extent of their influences into this latest track. Taking hints from hardcore legends, such as early Silverstein or Alexisonfire as well as metalcore hardhitters like Obey The Brave and Killswitch Engage. “Kerosene” also features a guest vocal performance from Salem Trials frontman Jericho Spencer-Champagne to add to the powerful nature of the track.” – Metal Injection

“From the start this track punches its way out of the speakers. It features some of the best growl vocals I have heard for some time. The beat is crazy infectious, in fact the whole track is one big catchy escapism from life as it is. Just what the band intended.” – Backseat Mafia

“FRACTURES & OUTLINES are very talented band. Their music ability is put out as if it were a parade from album start to album finish.” – Metal Temple

“‘’End Of The World’’ throws me back into my emo-phase right away. I am LOVING it! The music is very dynamic, fast and diverse. I like the clean vocals and the growls together. ‘’Echoes’’ starts with high pitched screams, and that is when I was completely sold. The chorus has an original twist to it, there is somewhat of a breakdown in the drumline when you hear ‘’ECHOES’’” – Lyrical Spell Magazine

“Try and fight your way through this album without stopping; you’ll find yourself “Defenseless.”” – PureGrainAudio

“if you are into the post hardcore scene then this album is for you!… As amazing as the album is, I’d be willing to wager that the live experience would be even better. I hope they manage to make it out to SoCal one day or even Vegas I’d love to attend one of their concerts!” – The Music Below

“Overall, Fractures & Outlines debut album provides a more than enjoyable throwback to old-school metalcore and screamo but with their more varied and melodic sound and optimistic lyrics they do add an energetic breath of fresh air to both subgenres. ” – Belgian Metal Shredder

“ce groupe a le mérite d’avoir une excellente dynamique et d’être une équipe bien liée. Ils sont charismatiques et les gars ont du plaisir sur scène, ce qui pour moi est un incontournable pour offrir un excellent show! Leur album, Defenseless sorti en mai 2019, nous transporte dans divers thèmes tous reliés à nos luttes et nos démons intérieurs. Des thèmes lourds de sens, mais amenés musicalement avec brio.” – Ondes Chocs (Live Review – FarmFest 2019)

“An interesting choice to the lineup, as the other bands were of the deathcore / melodic metal genre. However, what they lacked in genre similarity they made up for in energy. This was highlighted by their cover of Alexisonfire “This Could Be Anywhere in the World“, which I and the crowd were taken aback by. Not only did they do the cover well, but they got the crowd engaged and were eager to mosh and singalong to it.” – Splice Media Group

[Download Single Cover | Download Single Lyrics]

Release Date: October 15, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:
1. Vultures (4:48)

Single Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Fractures & Outlines
• All songs written by: Fractures & Outlines
• Produced by: Eric Desormeaux (Tinytik Productions)
• Mixed by: Eric Desormeaux (Tinytik Productions)
• Mastered by: Eric Desormeaux (Tinytik Productions)
• Album Artwork by: Nicholas Boudreault
• Member of SOCAN
• Music is Canadian Content (MAPL)

Recording and Live Band Line Up:
Nicholas Boudreault – Vocals
Eric Desormeaux – Rythm Guitar
Maxime Rondeau – Lead Guitar
Maurice Emond Jr. – Bass Guitar
Mathieu Fréchette – Drums

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Nick actually passed out after delivering the long scream during the breakdown of Vultures, and then proceeded to panic because he thought he had epilepsy. Turns out he just ran out of air (we promise he’s okay).

2. Eric has gotten very good at music production and is the one that produced Vultures and all other upcoming singles.

3. The reason why we’re going for a comic book theme for our single artwork (all made by Nick) is that Nick considers that each song represents one of his inner demons, or villains, and tells its own story.

4. Max is our lead guitarist despite having the smallest hands we’ve ever seen on a human being.

5. Matt had issues with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and once played an entire set with his drumstick duct-taped to his hand.

Photo by: Jessy Dwyer (Beyond the Pit)
Nick Boudreault (Vocals) – Maxime Rondeau (Lead Guitar) – Maurice Emond Jr. (Bass) – Mathieu Fréchette (Drums) – Eric Desormeaux (Rhythm Guitar)

Ripping out of Gatineau, Canada, Fractures & Outlines is a post-hardcore band with influences ranging from Silverstein, No Use For A Name and Killswitch Engage.

The band came together in 2014 and work tirelessly planting their feet in the local underground music scene. Intrepidly, they created their first EP ‘Checkmate’ in 2017, which was met with solid acclaim from various publications.

As a team, the band works on each song together crafting heavy hooks, catchy choruses, and brutal breakdowns with lyrical themes about internal struggle and having to fight your own demons. Working to further develop a sound that is their own, they hit the studio in 2018 to start work on their 10 track full-length ‘Defenseless’ released in May 2019.

In 2020, a year after the release of their debut album, the band returned with their follow-up single “Kerosene”. The band teamed up once again with producer Joe Lyko (Dark Moon Productions).

Now in 2021, Fractures & Outlines return with their next single “Vultures”. The track was written amidst a band hiatus in the middle of the Covid pandemic. It’s a hard-hitting mosh anthem that fulminates their band’s frustration towards the current state of the world and their anger concerning seeing people around them falling for misinformation and conspiracies. As you listen, you can hear a blend of musical elements similar to early Silverstein and heavy-riffing like A Day to Remember.

“Vultures” is due out on October 15, 2021 on all digital platforms.

Discography:
2021 – Vultures (single)
2020 – Kerosene (single)
2019 – Defenseless – LP
2017 – Checkmate – EP

Shared Stage with:
Mass Hysteria, War of Ages, Blind Witness, Obey The Brave, Affiance, Kamakazi, Rouge Pompier, Story Untold, Sworn Enemy, Cardinals Pride, BearingsTours and Festivals:
2019 – FarmFest – Vankleek Hill, ON
2018 – Hullfest – Gatineau, QC
2017 – Floodfest – Gatineau, QC

0 EPK – MEKA NISM – The Day Fell (single) (2021)

September 30, 2021
by Asher
· EPKs · Meka Nism

EPK – MEKA NISM – The Day Fell (single) (2021)

Single Title: The Day Fell
Release Date: September 30, 2021
Label: Apex Arts Music
Distribution: Vydia

For fans of – Full Band: Evanescence, System of a Down, Avatar, The Cranberries, Halestorm

Solo: Tori Amos, Dresden Dolls, Siouxie and the Banshees, Florence and the Machine, Jewel

Facebook.com/MekaNismBand | YouTube | Instagram.com/mekanismband

Mekanismband.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

Single Pre-Save – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mekanism/the-day-fell

Meka Nism is a musician known for her alternative metal band, her passionate solo acoustic performances along with international and multi-dimensional collaborations.

Today, she shares “The Day Fell”, a new single crafted from an honest moment of vulnerability in the chaos of life during the Covid pandemic. Written on piano during quarantine in the summer of 2020 while experiencing the extreme decay of all stability of “normal” life, this song is Meka Nism’s acknowledgment of both the fear of loss and genuine gratitude for the enduring human spirit.

“It’s the fragile inner reflection of the destruction, with a refusal to crumble. A welcoming of the 5th dimension and a hopeful higher perspective into our morphing reality,” Meka states.

“The Day Fell” is a metalhead’s raw attempt at telling the truth about how we feel during these very unstable times. It may be a more gentle expression than we usually see from Meka Nism, but it’s the reason we know that she reveals truth in her songs. This recording demands attention to fully breathe it in, with gorgeous violin by Michelle Jones, guitar by Raziel, engineering by Erik Emery, mixing by Jeremy Klein, all overseen by producer/ Apex Arts Studios owner Shana Ballard and of course, written and performed on piano and vocals by Meka Nism herself.

Whether aggressively or delicately, there’s no mistake that Meka Nism wants to rock the essence of our souls. Listening to “The Day Fell” will reach into the depths of the heart and shine some much-needed compassion into our darkest shadows.

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

“Meka, is an absolute star with a spine severing growl and a strong melodic vocal that easily surfaces as the capstone of this band. Considering the past and present singers that set the stage for this like Ann Wilson, Amy Lee, and Lzzy Hale, it is clear that Meka has stepped up to fly this particular banner. Girlfriend can sing, people. And from watching the video the band has recently released, featuring the title track from their five song EP “The War Inside,” she simply seems to own the performance space, born to be there, willing to travel at glorious speeds letting you ride shotgun with a smile plastered across your face.” – Keith Clement/ Metalheads Forever

“Did anyone order a soul crushing, female fronted metal band?” – Idobi Radio

“While there’s a distinct modern metal feel to Meka Nism, the key to what makes their sound more unique and engaging is the pool of influences that they draw from…they have managed to find their own style within it – one that you will have a hard time forgetting once you hear it. A band that could easily find themselves on the rise as word starts to get around.” – Dead Rhetoric

“All in all, this is an impressive effort. The songwriting and playing are years beyond a band that isn’t signed to a record deal, and you would never realize that this is an independent release as the production value rivals any major label offering. If this EP is any indication of what Meka Nism is capable of, I am really looking forward to when they release their first full-length album.” – Grande Rock

“What would happen when you lock Arch Enemy and Lacuna Coil in the same room and force them to record an album? Well, you’d probably get something like Florida residents Meka Nism.” – Merchants of Air

“They experiment with melodies, dipping their toes in and out of a pool of sounds and influences. Then, they combine these creative expressions with the most important element of their music: the message. Meka Nism doesn’t just deliver thrashing tunes; it seeks to deliver listeners from their own wars inside. ” – Shockwave Mag

“A little bit of keyboard, a thumping drum beat followed by roaring riffs leads into the blazing hot title track. A track that mixes modern metal with operatic style scope. That element comes from the incredible range on singer Ms. Meka. She can go from huge soaring melodies to heavier shouts and screams in an instant. Incredible.” – Games, Brains & A Head-Banging Life

“After listening to “The War Inside” several times, I wonder why I did not have this band on my radar before. Meka Nism plays heavy metal / hard rock at a very high level. For me it’s THE newcomer of the year.” – Metal Heads Forever Magazine

“If you have no picked up this EP yet, run and do so immediately. ” – Down South Mag FL

“In closing, I would just like to say that it is a gross misunderstanding that this band has not been picked up and signed. I could easily see them attached to Century Media or Roadrunner Records. The music world, hell, the metal world needs to be exposed to Meka Nism, and their incredibly talented and soulful lead singer, Ms. Meka. Rating: 8/10. ” – I’m Music Magazine

“It’s honest, heavy and packed full of some of the most amazing elements of metal music infused with some of the most versatile, controlled and distinct vocals in metal music today.” – Yesterdaze News

“Meka Nism bodes themselves to be major players in the metal game with their crushing sound, their moments of sounding equally brutal and equally beautiful in the same token, and tell stories that will make fans of European/power metal quite happy. This EP gets an 8 out of 10 rating from Madness To Creation just for the pure talent and prowess that they possess.” – Madness To Creation

“Meka Nism is a band to watch. ” – Sonic Cathedral

“Lead singer Ms. Meka is intriguing and quite compelling, both visually and with her vocal range, and the guys in her band provide the perfect vehicle for the artistic vision that they’ve managed to create together.” – I’m Music Magazine

“This band is simply what is needed in this world. I truly cannot get enough of this band and the music. Their second album “The Shift” is a work of art. The EP takes you on a journey through so many levels of brilliance in metal and rock. ” Metal Unrated

“They are an exceptionally talented 5 piece, fronted and founded by Meka, whose vocals are just mesmerizing…I feel like I can say a lot of the same things about a bunch of the songs, yet all the songs are very different. For the most part, they are all dynamic, they build and drop, they’re powerful, diverse, melodic, and heavy. You can feel the passion as well throughout, and that is often something hard to capture on a recording. The musicianship is top notch in all aspects…Easily one of my favorites of 2015. It blew me away like few things do anymore.” – The Last Exit (EP review “The Shift: Anthems For A Revolution” (2015)

“Full of energy, this band never fails to strike a chord with everyone sharing the stage from the audience. Meka’s vocals are the antithesis of the ever-present smile on her face that lights up the room. This lovely woman genuinely smiles with her eyes. The entire band is simply memorizing. Meka Nism is one of those bands that must be seen live. Don’t hesitate to meet them either. All of them are engaging, genuine and make you feel like the rock star! ” – Metal Nexus

“Orlando’s metal/operatic band, MekaNism performed songs which included “From Out of Nowhere” and “Mekamorphosis,” which got the crowd hyped for their set. Ms. Meka, with her melodious sound and great enthusiasm, was so engaged and energized throughout the performance. The rest of the band was bursting with the same energy and truly put on a memorable show.” – (Live Review) Monkey Goose Magazine

“From Palatine, Illinois to Springfield to Austin and now Green Bay, Meka Nism has taken on the United States with such a vengeance and an all-around great perceptive on life. I mean, come on, their trailer caught on fire and the entire band was still in high spirits to kick ass every night when they performed before Avatar….Every time I go and travel to see Meka Nism, it is so worth it.” – Unrated Magazine

” Meka Nism combines the sounds of nu-metal, progressive rock, with a touch of symphonic flair and art rock showmanship. Fronted by “vocal artist and shaman” Ms. Meka takes the shaman moniker very seriously: her onstage look resembles a tribal shaman, with makeup on her face in harsh, bold lines; her outfit resembling something out of a Mad Max movie, and holding a shamanic wand in one hand, and a microphone in the other. It’s a very cool look that complements the powerful musical sound quite well.” – Script The Darkness

Single Title: The Day Fell
Release Date: September 30, 2021
Label: Apex Arts Music
Distribution: Vydia

Track Listing
1. The Day Fell

Single Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Meka Nism (vocals, piano)
• All songs written by: Meka Nism/ Michelle Elizabeth Strier
• Produced by: Apex Arts Studios/ Shana Ballard, Meka Nism/ M. Strier, Erik Emery
Engineered by Erik Emery, featuring Michelle Jones on violin and Raziel on guitar
• Mixed by: Jeremy Klein
• Mastered by: Jeremy Kelin
• Member of BMI

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Everyone had been experiencing enormous change during the pandemic of the past couple of years. Meka Nism wrote The Day Fell on a piano at a friend’s house after many losses including an emergency plumbing incident that caused temporary homelessness. A piano ballad written in a moment in between. Which is appropriate because this is a single in between other releases coming and a reinvention of the band as a whole and Meka Nism herself as an artist, performer and soul having a human experience. She plans on releasing a wider range of music in the future very much in the metal genre but Not stopping there.

2. Meka Nism is a trained Shaman/ spiritual life coach/ tarot card reader bringing esoteric and mystical themes into her music for Empowerment and Inspiration to Transcend previous limitations. She is working on what it means to experience music as a medicine or tool of epic transformation.

3. Meka performed over 150 shows in Japan as solo Artist, Origami Girls and Performance Art/ Experimental Opera Singer/ Butoh Dancer.

4. Meka is starring in the Central Florida Witches Ball on Saturday, October 16th at fire fury Barnoness Alto. This rock musical and festival is a charity event to raise money for Transfiguring adoption.

5. Meka also makes other appearances in performance art/ musical collaborations such as the Creature Cabaret for the Creative City Arts Project and the Orlando Fringe Festival.

Meka Nism is an Alternative Metal singer, performer, artist and shaman who creates and collaborates on music, art, shows and experiences meant to empower, inspire and expand the consciousness of those who witness and participate.

Meka Nism was formed initially as an experimental, acoustic, and goth rock project called Meka Nism and Her Rusty Tears with members including Florizel Dennis and Brain Manowitz (vegan Black Metal Chef). Meka grew up into the Orlando rock scene as guitar player for Orlando punk legends “Dirty Barby” (having played CBGB’s) and founder of goth metal cabaret band “Angel Autopsy” (appearing at Florida Music Fest). Florida based Hidden Records quickly noticed her as being a unique talent and put her on their independent label. In 2006, “Mad to Love” was the first album recorded by Meka Nism and her Rusty Tears. The album was recognized as an exceptional artistic achievement of great beauty and passion. “Break,” the second track from the album, was the WINNER of the Songwriter’s Showcase of America’s (SSA) Best Experimental Song of the Year – 2006. Meka was also SSA’s Solo Artist of the Month – January 2007. Explosive with enthusiasm, Meka made an impact on the Central Florida music scene as well as enchanting audiences around the US with her expressive dark humor storytelling acoustic set, in areas like Southern California, New York City, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and more.

From 2007-2010, Meka lived and toured across Japan having played over 150 shows as solo acoustic artist Ms. Meka Nism and as J-Pop/ Rock duo Origami Girls with partner/bassist Yukari Ikeda. Meka was able to experience life and culture while playing shows in Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo, Sapporo, Kobe (Going Kobe Rock Fest )etc and also studying Japanese Butoh dance, Buddhist Meditation and more. Yukari and Meka also made a television appearance on Kyoto Television playing their popular song,”Origami Beat”. Their Horror Release of “Zombie Grrrls” and “Samurai Ghost” was celebrated with a Zombie Movie and Zombie Prom at Urbanguild in Kyoto on Halloween 2009. They took drummer Eri Takeda on tour in Florida with them in Jan. 2009 as noted by the Orlando Weekly.

The movement to create a full metal group to support the soaring vocal range and intensity of Meka Nism began when she returned to the US. In March of 2013, the debut EP “The Dance at the End of the World” was released as the band’s first collaborative collection of songs as a band. The theme behind the EP was based off of a world that was destroyed, desolate and in dismay. It was meant to uplift spirits to a higher potential out of negative situations and to bring them to light. Meka Nism also released their first music video for the single “Bring the Sun Back” (With partial lyrics in Japanese) in October of 2013. Meka Nism’s debut EP “Dance at the End of the World” was proof that new sounds, new excitement and new frontiers have not only been explored but have been claimed as her own unique voice in the music industry.

After touring and playing numerous shows in Florida and in the South East, opening for Mastodon at the Kink Festival, and headlining a House of Blues show, Meka Nism began the journey to start “The Shift”. The EP was successfully funded by a Kickstarter campaign back in 2014. Brett Hestla, former bass player for Creed and vocals for Dark New Day, was chosen as the producer and recording began back in October of 2014. “The Shift” was released on May 1st with a massive CD Release show at the House of Blues in Orlando, Florida.

2015 was a big year for the band in that they toured for a month with platinum award winning band, Trapt, all across the mid-west and east coast. Meka Nism also played the Texas Showdown Festival in El Paso, Texas, opening for the likes of The Offspring, Limp Biscuit, Grammy Award winners – Body Count, iwrestledabearonce and more. Followed by a tour across Texas with Otep. They released two music videos during this time “Mouth of God,” and “From Out of Nowhere,” to celebrate their impressive LIVE show performance and their enthusiasm for their fans. Meka Nism “Live from Machine Shop,” is also available as an album for the capture of their onstage presence.

In 2016, Meka Nism got the opportunity to tour with the Swedish power-house and one of metal’s biggest up and coming bands, Avatar. The two bands wrecked havoc across the east coast and mid-west before ending in Minot, North Dakota. Upon returning home, Meka Nism was named Orlando’s #1 Metal Band according to the Orlando Weekly and was chosen to headline the local stage at the 3rd Annual Kink Festival opening for Evanescence, Hellyeah, and InFlames.

In 2017 they were given the slot to open the main stage at WJRR’s Earthday Birthday 24 with the likes of Alter Bridge, Sevendust, Nonpoint, and more. They traveled in the fall to Lubeck, Germany to record the EP, “The War Inside” with world renowned producer and engineer, Lasse Lammert and documented some of the experience to share with their audience. While in Germany they played at the Breeding Festival in Flensburg.

The 2018 release of “The War Inside” had a great media response from the Metal press Internationally. They had a successful listening party at Park Ave CDs hosted by WJRR’s SupaDave and opened for Joanthan Davis(Korn) at The Plaza. The three music videos to support this release from director Jim Doughetry showcase the energy, theatrical presence and Shamanic themes behind Meka Nism’s music. “The War Inside, “ “Trailblazer,” and “Black Sky,” are each a celebration of visual aesthetic with spiritual consciousness featuring performers like Masami Koshikawa and Lady Cimorene of Phantasmagoria. Both of whom Meka herself enjoys creating Performance Art experiences with, including the Creature Cabaret, Hoodstock, Orlando Fringe Festival, and Creative City Project. Meka also opened Earthday Birthday 25 by singing our National Anthem, as a significant honor in her career.

2019 started out rocking with openeing for Stabbing Westward at the House of Blue then doing some shows from the South to Northeast States with a festival appearance at Metal in the Mountains in West Virginia and another at the Millennium Music Conference/Showcase in Harrisburg, PA. They ended the year with the most epic show headlining at the House of Blues and opening for Grammy nominated band Death Angel.

Though 2020, everything changed for us all, Meka started the year in Los Angeles attending NAMM and her first attendance to the Grammy Awards as a Governor of the Board for the Florida Chapter of the Recording Academy. She took the time to study Theta Healing while getting her Spiritual Life coaching certificate and started a podcast called Ascended Heart Navigators with friend Nataraja. Meka began working with Apex Arts Studios in North Hollywood, CA and studio owner/executive producer Shana Ballard. They are collaborating on the release Meka Nism’s heart healing project starting in September 2021as well as plan to continue her innovative force in the metal community with a new full length album for 2022.

Discography:
2018 – The War Inside
2016 – Meka Nism Live at Machine Shop
2015 – The Shift: Anthems for a Revolution
2013 – The Dance at the End of the World – Meka Nism
2007 – Mad to Love – Meka Nism and her Rusty Tears (dark acoustic)

Shared Stage with:
Evanescence, Avatar, Mastadon, Jonathan Davis, Saigon Kick, Stabbing Westward, Gojira, Gemini Syndrome, September Mourning, Trivium, Alterbridge, Thrice, Death Angel, Nothing More, Body Count, The Offspring, Iwrestledabearonce, Sid from SlipknotTours and Festivals:
2019 – Metal in the Mountains – West Virginia
2018 – Earthday Birthday 25 National Anthem Orlando, FL
2017 – WJRR’s Earthday Birthday 24, BreedingFestival (Germany)
2016 – tour with Avatar US
2015 – tour with Trapt, tour with Otep
2015 – SXSW, Kink Festival, Texas Showdown (El Paso, Tx)
2014 – Kink Festival – Orlando, FL

0 EPK – SYRYN- Madness Becomes Me (single) (2021)

September 8, 2021
by Asher
· EPKs · SYRYN

EPK – SYRYN- Madness Becomes Me (single) (2021)

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

For fans Unleash the Archers, Iron Maiden, Battle Beast, A Sound of Thunder, Nightwish

Single Title: Madness Becomes Me
Release Date: September 10th, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby

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

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

Syryn.bandcamp.com | https://spoti.fi/3gZO8wh | https://apple.co/3tcDEyk

“Beyond the Depths is another sterling example of Canadian might and strength.” – Dead Rhetoric

“And with this song (Dead Men Tell No Tales’, the Canadians clearly show that they want to follow in the footsteps of their compatriots from Unleash The Archers or The Order of Chaos. Power Metal with thrash elements, a singer who can easily stand up to the powerful guitars, the booming bass and the driving drums. The powerful vocals are peppered with high metal screams.” – MetalHeads Forever Mag

“‘Unbreakable’ comes in like gang busters from the very first note. The senses become infused with the haunting darkness that wants to possess your ears, and it demands your soul. I am captivated with every bass and drum beat which becomes intertangled with strong feminine vocals that speaks directly to me. Women have always faced challenges in any industry, let alone the metal genre, and yet here we are with the band Syryn featuring Sloan Voxx on vocals and their war cry for anyone needing that justifiable push towards righteousness on their own behalf or others. The guitars are sweet, fast, precise and impressively very Iron Maiden-ish. Overall, the entire musicianship impressed me. I actually got goosebumps listening to “Unbreakable.” This band reinforces the notion that metal talent is alive and well in Calgary, AB with bands like Syryn on the scene. I for one am excited and looking forward to listening to their upcoming EP or album in the near future.” – Ingrid Newton, Metal Master Kingdom

Single Title: Madness Becomes Me
Release Date: September 10th, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby

Track Listing:
1. Madness Becomes Me (5:24) (single)

Single Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: SYRYN (& Craig Carswell in gang vocals)
• All songs written by: SYRYN
• Produced by: SYRYN and Craig Carswell @ RedBlack Recording
• Mixed by: Craig Carswell @ RedBlack Recording
• Mastered by: Craig Carswell @ RedBlack Recording
• Single Artwork by: Fish Tailed Goat
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Band and Live Line Up:
Sloan Voxx – Vocals
Byron Gorieu – Guitar
Bryan Campbell – Percussion
Paulo Rage – Guitar
Lyxx Rose – Bass

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

Calgary’s SYRYN are offering up a new epic single to seduce fans of melodic power metal. Entitled “Madness Becomes Me”, the song is a preview to their forthcoming yet-to-be-titled 2022 album to follow their debut 2020 full-length “Beyond The Depths”.

Featuring powerful soaring vocals, storytelling, galloping riffs and rhythm, the track leads the listener on an adventure of “twists, turns and burns”.

To reveal “Madness Becomes Me”, Syryn is sharing a lyric video for new fans and their loyal legion of Syrynites (fans of Syryn) to sing along to at the following link: https://youtu.be/XuhptqpyWRU

The new single was produced by the band with mixing and mastering done by Craig Carswell (RedBlack Recording).

The band adds:

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

About:

Calgary based metal band combining the roots of Blues, the domination of Power Metal and the rapid shreds of Thrash.

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

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

SYRYN have come a long way since their inception and the finalizing of their lineup. They released their debut album in January of 2020 and are currently working on their sophomore album. The release of their first album heeded consciousness to the world about the group, resulting in major growth of their fan base and the international distribution of their music and merchandise. They have had the honor and pleasure of participating in Loud as Hell Festival, Decimate Metalfest, and Metalocalypstick Festival and hope to continue on their festival journey by playing various other festivals world-wide. Additionally, in 2019, SYRYN proudly wore the title of one of Wacken Metal Battle’s Canadian Semi-Finalists!

The group has received various positive reviews, and has been featured in various publications such as Bass Player Magazine (UK) (Feature: Lyxx Rose), Powerplay Magazine, Metal Temple, Metal-Rules.com, Metal Master Kingdom, and more!

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

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

Discography:
2021 – Madness Becomes Me (single)
2020 – Beyond the Depths – LP

Shared Stage with: Into Eternity, The Order of Chaos, All Else Fails, ANCIIENTS, Iron Kingdom, The Convalescence

Tours and Festivals:
2019 – Loud as Hell Festival
2019 – Decimate Metalfest
2019 – Wacken Metal Battle Canada (Semi-Finalist)
2017 – Metalocalypstick Fest

Artist Endorsements:
WB Gear – Endorsement
Scorpion Percussion – Endorsement

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