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Category: EPKs

0 EPK – Artach – Sworn to Avenge (Depressive Illusions Records) (2021)

  • April 27, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Artach · EPKs

EPK – Artach – Sworn to Avenge (Depressive Illusions Records) (2021)

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

For fans of Venom, Immortal, Celtic Frost, Darkthrone, Satyricon

Album Title: Sworn to Avenge
Release Date: June 25, 2021
Label: Depressive Illusions Records

Facebook.com/ArtachBlackMetal | Instagram.com/ArtachBlackMetal | YouTube

DepressiveIllusions.com | Artach.bandcamp.com | Amazon | Spotify

“The song (She Gathers Leaves) is a thrill-ride, but also reveals elements of gothic witchiness. The raw vocals are caught up in a paroxysm of fierce, crazed adoration, venting cold-blooded roars as well as braying, throat-stripping howls and cut-throat screams. The full-throttle drumming is tumultuous, a changing array that hammers, gallops, rocks, thunders, and blasts. Urgently rising chords provide a recurring theme, surrounded by flame-throwing riffs that dart, pulsate, and spasm, drawing on elements of thrash and classic heavy metal as well as black metal. Ecstatically swirling leads further add to the wildness of the song. A mood of mystery does surface in the track’s brief intro, and that mood surfaces again in the song’s back half, leading into a necromantic guitar solo that takes flight in scintillating fashion.” – No Clean Singing

“check out Artach for a truly epic journey into the wildernesses that populate the dark fantasy land conjured through their excellent music. This sophomore album tells me that this is a band that will be releasing much good material for years to come and will soon be headlining the epic black metal stages or charts both online and at festivals. An excellent job all round.” – Metal Rules

“”Sworn to Avenge is a mind-assaulting record… You’ll hear the influences of classic black metal bands like Venom, early-Bathory as well as elements of the second wave; Immortal, Darkthrone etc. Ugly and uninviting stuff but very satisfying if you enjoy the gloomier side of metal… It’s a mammoth listen and does take its toll, but the array of ideas that Artach showcase does keep things interesting. An hour slips by, the cold has sunk deep into the bones and you’ll be left wondering if you’ll ever be warm again.” – Games, Brrraaains And A Head-Banging Life

“Very melodic black metal, yet aggressive and heavy with undeniable influences from plain old straightforward heavy metal, so while things are definitely “black metal”, there’s a lot of discipline at play and this is definitely not your average raw, chaotic black metal. There’s order to the chaos on Sworn to Avenge, but that doesn’t prevent it from being aggressive and sometimes kind of depressing and melancholic despite not descending into the slower playing usually associated with those stylings. It’s a rollercoaster of “fuck yeah!” and “kill me now” (in sort of a good way).” – The Metal Crypt

“Now for some blackened thrash from Canada’s Artach, a band with an unusual take on the genre and a very unique sound. The good news is that if you’re a thrash fan you’re going to like this album. The even better news is that if you’re a blackened thrash fan you’re going to love this album. All of your favourite elements are present, plenty of riffs, a great blend between groove, rawness and aggression and raw, high energy vocals. There is something for everyone here which is why I can see the album having a broad appeal.” – Cavedweller Music

“The album is comparable to watching a movie with astonishing twists where you think “I wasn’t expecting that!”. It shifts in intensity from chaotic black metal to more melodic and harmonious moments in the most spectacular manner. Again I have to mention the vocals, they are intriguing and unhinged and provide a visualisation of a person wracked with torture. A very refreshing display of black metal from a band that is clearly intent on forging their own path. Recommended for fans of Venom, Bathory, Darkthrone and Celtic Frost” – Metal-Roos

“With the jagged band name and bleak setting you can look upon the cover and get a taste of what’s in store, then you add in the hooded man with the sword and your ideas may be subverted, perhaps not. This is the real genius of Artach. They are making music that crosses genres; a bit of black metal, death metal, old school horns up fists of air grabbing metal as well. My favourite moments are when the band pushes the edges of what to expect and if they keep up this rate of writing, next year we are all in for a treat. ” – The Killchain Blog

“The album is definitely black metal – but there are some really nice elements in that that makes this author think the musicians are truly having some fun. In particular, ‘Frozen In Time’, exhibits this by delivering several rhythmic textures and a variety of guitar techniques. The vocals are also just well placed in this track in both timing and style.” – Brutalism (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)

“Artach have overnight become one of the most interesting bands to come out of the Newfoundland metal scene in some time, not only for the Darkthrone-esque duality of their lineup, but for their genuine appreciation for all things grim and frostbitten and their unique flavour of first wave meets second wave black metal. If you’ve not given Chronicles of a Black Winter a listen yet, give it a spin or two. It’s definitely worth checking out.” – HeavyNFLD (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)

“Artach is a mysterious two-piece Black Metal band who have issued their debut CHRONICLES OF A BLACK WINTER. Artach have spawned some fierce raw and primeval Black Metal. I’m hearing lots of classic Hellhammer/Bathory/Venom and maybe even dipping into second wave stuff like Immortal. It is all very black and grim the way this type of stuff should be.” – Metal-Rules (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)

“Like the album’s title may suggest, this album’s atmosphere is as cold and bleak as the North winds.  The album is very riff focused with modern production, but it isn’t too clean—I actually really enjoyed the production. Vocally, it is very unique and [not] just the same ol endless blackened screams.” – Metal Temple (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)

“A solid dose of second wave black metal.” – Astral Noize (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)

“This is an album that took a little time to grow on me and after more listens than I care to count, I still hear little twists that I hadn’t heard before. Pretty cool debut from a band that’s doing its own thing in a genre where bands are often content to imitate.” Rating: ⅘ – The Metal Crypt (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)
“It‘s nice to hear that there are still bands nowadays who pay such a tribute to the good old Black Metal days.” – VM-Underground Fanzine (Album Review – 2020 Chronicles of a Black Winter)

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

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Sworn to Avenge
Release Date: June 25, 2021
Label: Depressive Illusions Records

Track Listing:
1. Tuiteam an Duine (7:08)
2. Ice Throne (5:09)
3. Shimmer (6:35)
4. Endless Tundra (21:35)
5. Into the Frozen Woodlands (4:49)
6. She Gathers Leaves (5:25)
7. Mistress of Black Thorns (6:24)
8. Winter’s End (8:14)
Album Length: 1:05:23

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Artach
• All songs written by:  Artach
• Produced by: Fíochmhar and Artach
• Mixed by: Fíochmhar
• Mastered by: Fredrik Folkare (Necrophobic, Heartwind, Unleashed, Unanimated, etc.) at Chrome Studios
• Album Artwork by: Jerome Comentale
• Music is Canadian Content (MAPL)
• Album Band Line Up:
Fíochmhar: Vocals, Drums, Keyboards
Sruthán: Guitar, Bass

Artach is a two-man black metal band (Sruthán: Guitar/Bass, Fíochmhar: Battery/Vokills/Keys)based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Being from the foggiest, snowiest, wettest, windiest, and gloomiest capital city in Canada, one should not be surprised that this fuels the creation of Black Metal. Their inspiration comes from the land, nature, the bleak weather of the Canadian North, and influential black metal bands.

Since the duo’s formation in the spring of 2019, Artach has been consistently releasing new music. The band’s debut album “Chronicles of a Black Winter” was released digitally during February 2020 and later unleashed on physical CD by Depressive Illusions Records. The full length contained 9 songs of extreme, harsh, and haunting sounds, which included a cover of Celtic Frost’s ‘Jewel Throne’.

Now in 2021, the band returns with their next offering “Sworn To Avenge”, a full-length scourge of raw and relentless bruting gloom. From the calming blasts and savagery of album opener “Tuiteam an Duine” to the ingrained black metal blast beats, and headbanging riffage on “Shimmer” to the 20-minute exploration for the epic “Endless Tundra” about the doomed Franklin expedition of 1846 to the Immortal-esque riffing and unorthodox exorcism of album closer “Winter’s End”, Artach delivers a 65-minute cold deliverance of their surroundings.

The band adds:

“The music on ‘Sworn To Avenge’ is a frigid mixture of topics about nature and how it meets and interacts with the darkness of humankind. The desolation of the world, the planet, and the repeated failure of society to evolve to a place where we are a part of nature and not brutish subjugators of everything in our path… these are all themes described throughout many songs. The music is angry, savage, unhinged, but contains melody and some twists and turns to surprise the listener. Varied song tempos mixing blasting with thrashy, punky, doomy elements keep the sounds interesting and not monotone. Song structures often vary and we never limit a song to a certain length. We indulge and have them be as long, or as short as we think feels right.”

“Sworn To Avenge” will be available digitally from Artach along with CD and cassette via Depressive Illusions Records on June 2021.

Discography:
2021 – Sworn to Avenge (Depressive Illusions Records)
2020 – Chronicles of a Black Winter (Depressive Illusions Records)

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Artach doesn’t rehearse or jam, we just write and record constantly (sadly this was slowed down a bit in recent times due to lock-downs due to the raging pandemic). When a song is written, it gets recorded, then we move on to the next one. We’ve probably forgotten how to play the earlier songs as once a song has been finalized we don’t waste time jamming on it as we are not a live band. We move right onto the next song and keep the creative process flowing. For this reason, at any one time, there can be 10+ song ideas in various states of composition.

2. The band’s name, member names, and even some song titles are in Gaelic. It’s not that we speak the language, but because the historical roots of our island involve the immigration of people from Ireland, Scotland, and England. Therefore rather than re-tread the themes of the Scandinavian and Norse lands, which have been overdone in black/pagan/folk metal, we decided to stick with something more authentic to our own roots.

3. Many of the songs are about nature, and many of those involve winter. We live in the coldest, windiest, snowiest, foggiest, a capital provincial city in Canada. We’d give many Norwegian cities a challenge for gloomiest weather. As a result, the climate and nature are themes found in most songs.

4. Sruthán never played bass before Artach – just guitar. Fíochmhar never sang in a band before – just played drums.

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

Track By Track explanation:

Tuiteam an Duine: This one kicks off the album, it’s immediate. It blasts then calms, the savagery than the relative calmness. We wanted to have an opener that was somewhat in line with the opener on our debut which is an oft-mentioned fav from the first album. The song lyrics are about how humankind overall views themselves atop the food and intelligence chain. We are not. And this will be our undoing. I didn’t want the lyrics to be preachy so the ideas are not meant to pound you over the head totally. The title “Tuiteam an Duine” translates to the fall of man.

Ice Throne: This one is inspired by the technologies of the ancients left behind in the Arctic and discovered by the Stargate SG-1 team. It’s fairly self-descriptive and a fan of the show would recognize some of the ideas.

Shimmer: Lyrically, this one is more descriptive and doesn’t have any hidden meanings. Those shimmering and dancing lights of the  Aurora Borealis (in the north) can sometimes be seen even here in Newfoundland, but even further north they look magnificent. There’s a spoken part in this one taken from a part of a poem by David Vedder (1790-1854) that was written about the Northern Lights. Musically this one is one of the more black metal sounding songs with lots of blast beats but as always, tempered with melody and hand-banging riffage.

Endless Tundra: This is about the doomed Franklin expedition.  Musically this one was a challenge as we recorded it in 2-3 sessions, unlike the others. The structure is complex with intros, breakdowns, solo sections, and an outro. The plan was to write a song that was about 20mins long, I think we succeeded and added enough parts and riffs so as to not make it repetitive.  It is almost like a mini-album in and of itself in some ways.

Into the Frozen Woodlands: Loosely based on the book/film Into The Wild. Thoughts of leaving the shitty world behind and wandering into the wilderness are explored. Of course, it didn’t end well for the unprepared protagonist in this story.

She Gathers Leaves: Lyrically this one is more mystical and pagan. The music has a bit of a gothy feel in places and the music feeling lead to having some lyrics about witchy subject matter.

Mistress of Black Thorns: Mistress of blackthorns is about a cult. They are hell-bent on destruction and desecration of all that is holy in an effort to impress and gather followers to worship the mistress of blackthorns. The musical feel is in line with the subject matter: epic, sinister, and evil. Kind of gives some nods towards the early Norwegian BM scene, without either condemning or condoning their extreme actions.

Winter’s End: The was composed with the plan to not work out any of the music in advance. We came up with all of the parts and recorded the basis of the song in one jam-like session. The keys, which are the only song on the album that uses them, were played by Fíochmhar.  He played the intro keys, then the guitars were improvised over the top  – after the intro, the song goes into some Immortal-esque riffing and follows a non-traditional structure as it is more of an outro, albeit at full song length.  The lyrics describe the end of winter as the title suggests and how despite the warmth, we know the winter will return and we shall rise again!

0 EPK – Storm – Here I Am (single) (2021)

  • April 25, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · storm

EPK – Storm – Here I Am (single) (2021)

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

For fans of Helloween, Blind Guardian, Angra, Iron Maiden

Single Title: Here I Am
Release Date: May 28, 2021
Label: Self-Release

“Here I Am is the clearest example so far of what kind of a band we are, in the sense of music. This song best reveals the essence of our music – both the lyric side and the powerful side. Here I Am is our third single. Both the first and second singles were rather lyric, melodic, and slow. We tried to capture the commercial music market with them, but the truth is that our native audience and fans know us best for our “stormy” songs, if we can express it that way about our fast-tempo metal tracks. Our fans and especially we ourselves have been looking forward to officially release one of these songs, at last. Here I Am is certainly one of our favourites and we can’t hide that we count on its release a lot.” – Storm

Stormbg.com | Facebook.com/StormBandBG | Twitter.com/Storm40311126 | YouTube | Instagram.com/stormbandbg | Tiktok.com/@storm9050  

Stormbg.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify 

“With a sound that recalls classic ballads from heavy metal monsters, their powerful song “Sulza” stays in our playlist for more than two weeks now. Storm it’s – until now – the only Bulgarian band in any of our playlists. Enjoy, cause it’s a pleasure to discover new bands from different places in the world.” – Indie Rock World

“STORM feature melodic lines, swift tempo, heavy riffs, captivating vocals and deliver explosive show performances.” – Tunebubble

Single Title: Here I Am
Release Date: May 28, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing: 5:15

Discography:
2021 – Here I Am – Single
2020 – Sulza – Single
2019 – Angel – Single

Shared Stage with:
Синдикатът / The Syndicate (Bulgarian super band), Atlantic, Zombie Bar, RP Band, Total Stone, Nash’te Hora, Drastic Measures, EagleHeartBG

Tours and Festivals:
2019 – Slivnitsa Rock Night
2020 – Metal Madness Fest 6

Storm is a rock/heavy metal band from Sofia, Bulgaria, consisting of Alexander Mladenov (drums, vocals), Mihail Bonev (bass, vocals) and Nikolay Mihaylov (guitars). The project was initiated at the beginning of 2019 with the main purpose – recording and releasing original music.

After completing their line up in April 2019, Storm began the local concert circuit with a series of performances in Sofia and other towns of Bulgaria. Their live performances gained them the interest and liking of the audience, critics, and venue managers for their swift tempo, heavy riffs, captivating vocal harmonies, idea-driven guitar solos, and explosive live sets.

The initial success of live acceptance encouraged the trio to accelerate their creative activity with more songwriting.

Although the lack of live performance during huge periods of 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic, the band continued to garner popularity worldwide thanks to various metal and social media platforms.

With only being in existence for two years, Storm has reached over 80k streams on Spotify with just two singles released.

Presently, the trio is working on more tracks, with their next being their third single “Here I Am” for release in May 2021, as well as a first full length for a yet-to-be-determined date.

The band adds about “Here I Am”:

“Here I Am is the clearest example so far of what kind of a band we are, in the sense of music. This song best reveals the essence of our music – both the lyric side and the powerful side. Here I Am is our third single. Both the first and second singles were rather lyric, melodic, and slow. We tried to capture the commercial music market with them, but the truth is that our native audience and fans know us best for our “stormy” songs, if we can express it that way about our fast-tempo metal tracks. Our fans and especially we ourselves have been looking forward to officially release one of these songs, at last. Here I Am is certainly one of our favourites and we can’t hide that we count on its release a lot.” – Storm

0 EPK – DEFORMATORY – Inversion of The Unseen Horizon (2021)

  • April 20, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Deformatory · EPKs

EPK – DEFORMATORY – Inversion of The Unseen Horizon (2021)

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

For fans of Cryptopsy, Morbid Angel, Origin, Hate Eternal

Album Title: Inversion of The Unseen Horizon
Release Date: September 3, 2021
Label: Independent
Distribution: Independent

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

Deformatory.bandcamp.com

Extreme Gear Reviews (Deformatory’s Gear Review Channel) – YouTube | Facebook.com/extremegearreviews | Instagram.com/extremegearreviews

“A maniacal riff-fest colliding with pulverizing drumming and grotesquely executed vocals, Impaled Upon The Carrionspire is a memorable journey into a modern death metal portal of chaos. This is beyond a brutal wall of sound; it’s an experience that hooks you in, and guides you through everything you can expect to hear on the new album.” – Metal Injection
 
“Let’s cut to the chase: Imagine filling a syringe with unadulterated adrenaline, sticking it straight into your carotid artery, and jamming the plunger down with as much force as you can muster. That’s the effect of listening to Deformatory’s “Beyond the Abhorrence“. Driven by the mad weaponry of drummer Neil Grandy‘s almost relentless double-kick barrage and the rabid monstrosity of Charlie Leduc‘s cavernous bellowing, the song is a non-stop attack of mind-mutilating, pulse-pumping savagery. Leduc unleashes a plethora of macabre riffs and mutated leads, creating a multitude of frightening yet electrifying sensations, none of which are connected to a sane mind.” – No Clean Singing

 

“”Summoning the Cosmic Devourer,” being almost seven minutes long and just jam-packed with insanity, feels like it devoured other, lesser songs to become a terrifying megalith of riff after riff after riff. Dashing from one tempo to another with no warning, the song’s askew progressions illustrate sneering triumph and cosmic indifference with punishingly clear double-bass work to keep the tempo firmly in the mortal plane. This vile ceremony of riffs is intense and immediate enough to warrant constant attention, but it also seems to ooze with discordant mystery—each jarring and jagged chord hints at a terror outside our understanding. ” – Invisible Oranges
“those seeking the most brutal and battery ram-like extremity, Deformatory checks off all of the boxes that you’d like it to: strong musicianship and soloing, intense riffs and vocals, and just enough melody to keep it from going completely unhinged.” – Dead Rhetoric

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

“Deformatory’s third album is their best. Inversion of the Unseen Horizon is an album that should have pride of place in any technical death metal fan’s collection. Enough said. Go listen to Deformatory.” – Wonderbox Metal

“Where Deformatory do stand out, is undoubtedly through the string section. Throughout Inversion Of The Unseen Horizon, there are constantly moments of sheer brilliance on the guitar and bass. Great riffs, but more over, intricate and obscure riff-work.” – Modern Free Press

“a precious album and you can enjoy it, completely.. drums are marvelous and vocalist is on top.” – Brutalism

“The album could entertain the devoted fan of contemporary brutal or tech-death, while keeping in mind that this is not jazz/abrupt metal, just fast, growling, and headbanging.” -Metall Bulletin

“Every track is  relentless, a rabid assault weighed down by a growling vocal delivery that meshes seamlessly with the voracious myriad  tempo changes, shifting from complex Morbid Angel like structures to punishing Suffocation barbarity and I can’t think of too many bands that have done this as successfully as Deformatory.” – Death Rattle Podcast

“Inversion of the Unseen Horizon is one of the most enjoyable and insane pieces of modern death metal that we have come across this year. Simple yet complex; brutal yet catchy; crisp yet raw; this is a trve brew of madness that can only be rightly served from the Trve North itself. DEFORMATORY  – the Canadian death metal duo from hell – have created one hell of a brutal, frenzied experience that you do not want to miss out on.” – 10/10 – Trve North Reviews

 

“check out Inversion Of The Unseen Horizon to fulfill your brutal death itch” – Metal Utopia

 

“Inversion of The Unseen Horizon is an album that sets an honorary place to rage, blackness and bestial howlings that overcome a devilishly effective rhythmic.” – Acta Infernalis

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

“Deformatory, perhaps more than any other band out there right now understand the sublime darkness of the genre and have been able to create some truly punishing music as a result of it. They are just taking every traditional aspect of good death metal and doing it better than everyone else.” – Two Guys Metal Reviews

“The dark and dissonant dimension to their sound really gives [Deformatory] a uniquely creepy and foreboding atmosphere. It feels like a massive pummeling that immediately overwhelms the senses.” – Metal Injection

“[Deformatory] is something of a hybrid, uniting the traumatic impact of brutal death metal and the blazing speed and instrumental flash of technical death metal.” – No Clean Singing

“[Deformatory] remain a savage Technical Death Metal beast, with a great combination of brutality and complexity being showcased”  – Wonderbox Metal

 

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Inversion of The Unseen Horizon
Release Date: September 3, 2021
Label: Independent
Distribution: Independent

Track Listing:
Chapter I – INCEPTION: THE CYRU’XILEAN NEXUS
1. Within The Astral Abscess (5:20)
2. Behold, The Apex of Decay (4:36)
3. Enginieering The Wvrmhorde (4:39)

Chapter II – INCURSION: THE PROTOTYPAL ESCHATON
4. Summoning The Cosmic Devourer (7:13)
5. Masticated By An Infinite Shadow (4:30)
6. In The Embervoid Where Dead Stars Reign (3:52)

Chapter III – INVERSION: THE HORIZONTAL REFLECTION
7. Deciphering The Archetype (3:53)
8. Impaled Upon The Carrionspire (5:01) (Classical guitar and solos by Jon Levasseur (ex-Cryptopsy))
9. Beyond The Abhorrence (4:13)
Album Length: 43:21

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: DEFORMATORY
Track 8 – Classical guitar and solos by Jon Levasseur (ex-Cryptopsy)
• All songs written by: DEFORMATORY
• Produced by: DEFORMATORY
• Mixed by: Topon Das (Apartment 2 Recording)
• Mastered by: Topon Das (Apartment 2 Recording)
• Album Artwork by: Paul Gerrard (www.gerrardart.com)
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

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

L-R – Charlie (Guitars & Vocals) – Neil (Drums) (Photo Credit: DEFORMATORY)

DEFORMATORY has been a maelstrom of devastation since 2010, assaulting all in their wake with relentless sonic brutality.

Rising from the depths of Ottawa, Canada, DEFORMATORY has been delivering their crushing brand of extreme metal to live, screaming, and sweaty audiences across the provinces of Ontario & Quebec as a headlining band along with being a supporting act for Cryptopsy, Obscura, Napalm Death, Archspire, Beyond Creation, Fuck The Facts, Gorod and more.

With over a decade of crafting a maniacal and unconventional approach to extreme metal, they have garnered the devotion of fans worldwide since their debut EP “A Prelude Of…” in 2011, which has been followed by two full-length albums “In The Wake of Pestilence” (Independent, 2013) and “Malediction” (CDN Records, 2016). Through CDN Records, they have also released a cover of Deicide’s infamous song “Once Upon The Cross” and a split album with Blood of Christ entitled “Bilateral Carnage” both in 2018.

Now in 2021, they bring forth a new hellstorm with their third full-length entitled “Inversion of The Unseen Horizon”, which will be their first as a duo featuring  Charlie Leduc (Guitars & Vocals) and Neil Grandy (Drums).

The nine-track album is an assault for the masses that reaches all corners of the extreme metal spectrum from straight-up death to old-school black metal, all to encourage a maniacal frenzy, which even includes a guest appearance from Jon Levasseur (ex-Cryptopsy), a very admired guitar player and influence for the band.

The lyrical and fictional story concepts behind the new record were in part inspired by Clive Barker’s book “The Scarlet Gospels” and guitarist/vocalist Charlie Leduc’s own interpretation & expansion of the Hellraiser mythos. It’s also a continuation of the story from the band’s 2016 release “Malediction”, where the band dived into the origin of the Prince of Darkness, Lucifer, who was an Angel possessed by Savael, a truly maleficent entity that consumed Lucifer’s corpse and became the embodiment of who we call Satan. Savael, however, was not an anomaly, nor was he a single omnipotent being, working on his own volition.

In fact, he was but a mere droid in a complex hierarchy of vile entities, known as The Ce’naxors. They are crafted and programmed to infiltrate distant planets and societies, to infect their purity with darkness, and ensure their carefully orchestrated annihilation is carried out. Savael was dispatched from their planet, which lies in the Fifth Dimension, called Cyru’xil in order to fulfill their cosmic design for Earth.

Explored in three chapters, (Chapter I – INCEPTION: THE CYRU’XILEAN NEXUS, Chapter II – INCURSION: THE PROTOTYPAL ESCHATON, Chapter III – INVERSION: THE HORIZONTAL REFLECTION, the album “Inversion of The Unseen Horizon” explores the origins of The Ce’naxors and the ominous landscape of their home planet, Cyru’xil, revealing their Arkitekt’s grand scheme for multiversal decimation and atomical consumption.

The Unseen Horizon is their planet, their beings and their plan.
The Inversion intimates it coming into view, from an otherwise hidden perspective.

Deformatory’s third full-length “Inversion of The Unseen Horizon” is due out independently on September 3, 2021.

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

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

0 EPK – My Beautiful Suicide – The Reckoning (single) (2021)

  • April 20, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · My Beautiful Suicide

EPK – My Beautiful Suicide – The Reckoning (single) (2021)

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

For fans of Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Linkin Park, 3 Teeth, Project 86

Single Title: The Reckoning
Release Date: February 4, 2021
Label: Self-Release

“An electronic rock song with a danceable beat about rising up and overcoming the things that beat you down. Coming to the point where enough is enough and no matter what, dead or alive, you’re going to rise above it. Could be good or bad. Maybe you’re overcoming addiction. Maybe you’re going to kill the person who abused you for years. This is a dark grinding mechanical foray into hatred and forgiveness. This single is part of an upcoming concept album, where each song is a piece of a puzzle that comes together over the duration of the record. Each song will tell a story that fits into a bigger picture, combining to explain an overall bigger story. There’s a positive message with the album, even though there are quite a few darker moments; sometimes it’s hard to see that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s there, but there’s a lot of darkness that needs to be gone through to reach it.” – Ian D. – My Beautiful Suicide

Facebook.com/mybeautifulsuicideofficial | Instagram.com/my_beautiful_suicide_official | Mybeautifulsuicide.bandcamp.com

My Beautiful Suicide, from Grand Rapids, USA has a new music video out for the single “The Reckoning”. Dark and gritty, the band pays homage to 90s era industrial and goth with this electronic rock song that boasts a danceable beat and lyrical themes about rising up and overcoming the things that beat you down. The man behind the project, Ian D., shares his thoughts on this pick:

“I chose “The Reckoning” to be the first single, because it’s catchy, dark, heavy, and has some cool vocals on it. Originally, I was thinking of a different track, but Tommy Church sent over the latest mix, which was different than the one I originally had worked on. I knew the moment I listened to it that I wanted it to be the first song to be released for the planned album. It will be track 5 on the record, I believe, so it’s almost in the middle of the concept/story being told, but as a stand-alone track I think it’s a good introductory track into the sound that is My Beautiful Suicide.”

The video for “The Reckoning” was shot completely in Ian D.’s house during the pandemic. Taking advantage of free time, he wrote and put together the ideas for it in one night, and Jon Conner of A Hole in the Head Productions helped bring it to life.

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. The name My Beautiful Suicide comes from the idea of killing the negativity in your life; changing habits, making decisions that will better yourself, overcoming addiction. In doing so you are killing that old part of you, and emerging a new person. It’s humorous some of the reactions we’ve gotten from people hearing the name, without taking a moment to think about it, simply because it has the word suicide in it.

2. The video for The Reckoning was shot completely in Ian D.’s house during Covid. Ian had nothing but time so he figured it was perfect. he wrote and put together the ideas for it in a night, and Jon Conner of A Hole in the Head Productions really helped him bring it to life. He’s fantastic and really knows his shit when it comes to film. Ian included several of his own pets, including one of his tarantulas, scorpion, and African Bull Frog.

[Download Single Cover | Download Single Lyrics]

Track Listing: The Reckoning (3:22)

Single Credits:
• All songs performed by: Ian D./ Thomas Church
• All songs written by: Ian D./ Thomas Church
• Produced by: Thomas Church
• Mixed by: Thomas Church
• Mastered by: Thomas Church
• Album Artwork by: Ian D.
• Member BMI

Band Line Up:
Ian D.
Thomas Church

0 EPK – Summoner’s Circle – Chaos Vector (2021)

  • April 18, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Summoner's Circle

EPK – Summoner’s Circle – Chaos Vector (2021)

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

Management: Mark Kloeppel – Extreme Management Group – emg.markkloeppel[@]gmail[.]com

For fans of Dimmu Borgir, Behemoth, Immortal, Opeth, Tribulation

“The last year has been difficult on us all.  Many of us lost friends and loved ones, and none of us in the band thought it would last this long or end up this bad.  We figured early in 2020, before the pandemic hit, that we would finish the album, get it released, and immediately get back to touring. That didn’t happen. Now there is hope for the future, and this amazing album we sat on for over a year is finally being released.  We couldn’t be happier with how it turned out – a concept album that was first conceived over two years ago is now here. Our love of story-telling and cosmic horror has given us inspiration for a story that Blind has wanted to tell since our formation in 2015.  We wanted this album to elicit an entire range of emotional reactions in a post-Covid-19 world. While this album, in a literal sense, has nothing to do with the pandemic, we are certain that the content will appeal to metal fans and give them what they may need going forward as the post-pandemic clouds part.  This album is the culmination of ever-growing musicianship, new blood, old blood, staying true to our tastes, and growing with new experiences and goals. As we continue this journey with all of you, we can’t wait to share this creative endeavor with fans,  both new and old.  We have scratched every creative itch with this album, and we hope you find as much enjoyment out of it as we have in creating it.” – Blind – Vocals – Summoner’s Circle

Album Title: Chaos Vector
Release Date: August 27, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Blood Blast, powered by Nuclear Blast

Summonerscircle.com | Facebook.com/summonerscircle | Twitter.com/summoners13

Youtube.com/summoners-circle | Instagram.com/summonerscircle

 SummonersCircle.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music | Merch

“The song (Chaos Vector) itself is sonic alchemy, not merely because it creates a frightening atmosphere of dark magic being practiced and dangerous forces being unchained, but also because it blends together different sensations and stylistic ingredients from the realms of black, death, and gothic metal to create an experience that’s greater than the mere sum of its parts.” – No Clean Singing

“If you’re a fan of bands like Dimmu Borgir and Behemoth, then you’re going to love this.” – GearGods

“Summoners’ Circle have the whole package. Their songs are original and memorable, beautifully written, and hook the listener after the first listening. They have a great stage presence, and the theatricality and imagery of their live performances keep the fans talking about their experience way beyond the day of the show. I am honored to work on the production of their upcoming album.” – Yanic Bercier, Ph.D | Endorser of Yamaha Drums, Sabian, Vic Firth, Evans, AKG, RME, True-Systems, Engl, Ddrum

“Hooked the first time I saw this band play! No two shows are the same and I’m always left wanting more.  It’s what music and show should be!” – Lee Abney | Pentagram/Place of Skulls

“These guys are serious about what they do and the costumes and imagery match the grandiose sound they produce.” No Clean Singing

“SUMMONER’S CIRCLE’s full-length debut gets near the 75-minute mark, and yet it succeeds in balancing complexity, heaviness, catchiness, mystery and melodrama to make sure its duration does not become overwhelming. an almost perfect record …especially its flawless production and its tight, inventive songwriting.” – Metal Temple

“Summoner’s Circle is the kind of band you go your whole life hoping to hear and when you finally do it’s even better than you expected. They are the culmination of a lifetime spent listening to music and finally finding something that fits where nothing else has. Plus, brutality aside, they’re just a fantastic group of otherworldly beings.” – Josh Martin| 94.3 WNFZ

Become None debuted at #15 on the NACC Top 30 Loud Rock on 5/21/19

 “Summoner’s Circle have proven to the heavy music world through their fierce brilliant heavy metal musicianship that they’re the future of modern black metal.” – Underground Nation Magazine #007 – Oct 2019

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Chaos Vector
Release Date: August 27, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Blood Blast, powered by Nuclear Blast

Track Listing:
1. The Message (1:02)
2. Of Black Horizons (4:00)
3. Vessel (7:34)
4. The Hierophants (5:17)
5. Apostasy (7:45)
6. Chaos Vector (4:05)
7. Terminus Egress (9:12)
8. Chrysalis (1:35)
9. The Beyond (7:43)
Album Length: 48:17

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Summoner’s Circle
• All songs written by: Summoner’s Circle
• Produced by: Yanic Bercier and Summoner’s Circle
• Mixed by: Yanic Bercier at Wavetransform Studios – http://www.wavetransform.com/
• Mastered by: Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios – https://www.fascinationstreet.se/
• Album Artwork by: Yoann Lossel – https://yoannlossel.com/

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Blind – Vocals
Gog – Lead Guitar
Azra – Guitar
Y’takt – Bass
Hex – Keyboards
Invictus – Drums

Discography:
2021 – Chaos Vector LP (Bloodblast Distribution)
2019 – Become None LP (Pavement Entertainment)
2018 – Tome LP
2016 – Become None Single w/ Minotaur B-side
2015 – First Summoning EP

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

The album as a whole:
Chaos Vector is a Lovecraftian cosmic horror tale inspired heavily by H.P. Lovecraft’s The Case of Charles Dexter Ward. It tells a story of a man who is interested in the occult, gets in way over his head, and discovers a plot by ancient gods to pierce his world and bleed it dry. The album is heavier than our previous works and, we feel, more musically ambitious.  The songs are shorter and easier to digest while being able to convey a wider range of emotions both in the music and lyrical content. It is an homage to cosmic horror and capped with beautiful cover art created by French fine artist Yoann Lossel. The music is the strongest material we’ve written to date, leaving behind much of the early doom origins for a much more mature sound that is uniquely that of Summoner’s Circle.

Track By Track explained:
1. The Message is an atmospheric instrumental piece meant to set the tone of the album. It contains creepy whispers, backward masking, and disturbing audio captured from the Voyager probe as well as unexplained underwater sounds.

2. Of Black Horizons is the first full song on the album. It opens with a fast and aggressive kick in the jaw and maintains that energy throughout. Lyrically, this song is a warning of impending doom.

3. Vessel is a dark and moody blackened doom piece that conveys some of the creepiest elements of the album. Lyrically, it is about the main character obtaining an ancient vessel once used by King Solomon to imprison 77 ancient demons. The song tells the history of the vessel as well as the insatiable madness it brings to the character.

4. The Hierophants starts as a folk metal-inspired piece that initially gives a vibe of Basil Poledouris’ 1982 Conan the Barbarian.  As the song progresses it becomes heavier, and ultimately chaotic, by the end.  Lyrically, the song is a history lesson on “The Six”, the antagonists of the story, and the fictionalized members of the band.  It details the past encounters with these beings.

5. Apostasy has a misleading, pretty opening that soon gives way to one of the heaviest offerings of the album.  This song contains a lot of prog influences with a crushing verse & chorus and a grand keyboard solo during the bridge. Lyrically, this song is about the main character having doubts about his occult works as he is forced to sacrifice a pregnant woman bound to an inverted cross. Thus, opening a portal to another dimension and calling forth a beast from the void that rips itself from the woman’s womb and becomes The King in Yellow.

6. Chaos Vector is the title track and was the first song written for the album. It was written to be a fast and chaotic piece with multiple time signatures that still maintains a memorable hook. The drums were written by Yanic Bercier of Quo Vadis and Gone in April during a time that he filled in for drums. They are now recorded and performed by Invictus. Lyrically, this track is about the main character being locked in an asylum and being taunted by the madness he helped to unleash upon the world. Yet, despite his warnings, the people at the asylum view his ramblings as nothing more than the ravings of a madman.

7. Terminus Egress is probably the most ambitious and emotionally driven song we’ve ever written. It is the longest track on the album and is meant to convey a sense of depression, regret, and complete loss of control that results in suicide. The song features guest musician Julie Belanger Roy, of Gone in April, performing operatic vocals, violin, and viola. Lyrically, this song is about the main character escaping the asylum and being instructed by The Six to sacrifice his own infant son.  Refusing to do so, a decision is made, and he pulls a pistol on himself and shoots himself in the head in front of his son and terrified wife. Before his body hits the floor, The Six curse his bloodline to carry out the deed he was meant to complete.

8. Chrysalis is a piano interlude, composed by Hex, meant to maintain the feeling of loss after Terminus Egress as well as allow the listener a chance to breathe. While there are no lyrics, in the story, this chapter conveys the passing of time by several hundred years and follows up to the most recent descendant of the main character.

9. The Beyond is the ending of the album and the story.  It opens with a dark and cosmic atmosphere that gives way to a blackened verse and chorus and a very moody bridge. The track maintains a feeling of space and horror throughout, with some of the more interesting guitar layerings on the album. Lyrically, this song is about a distant descendant of the story’s main character studying the farthest reaches of our universe, only to be ripped away from it by an unknown force.  The descendant falls through an endless void without dying for millions of years.  Unable to die or move, simply drifting further away from their home universe until they eventually crash into another universe that is being consumed from its center by a galactic-sized cosmic horror.  This horror embraces the descendant and uses it as the key into our own universe and Earth to begin consuming all.

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. The Chaos Vector album also has a complete short story that tells the album’s story in literary fashion. This story marks a new chapter in The Lore of The Six, and sets a foundation for us conceptually moving forward.

2. The Chaos Vector album was recorded by Yanic Bercier at Wavetransform Studios in Knoxville, TN. Yanic also wrote the drums for Chaos Vector before Invictus was brought in as the full-time drummer. Yanic’s wife, Julie Belanger Roy, who is also the operatic vocalist and violinist in his band, Gone In April, is featured as a guest musician on Terminus Egress for opera vocals, violin, and viola, which she composed for the song.

3. Gog is the father-in-law to Blind, who married Gog’s daughter, Katarina, in September of 2018.

4. Despite the dark content and appearance of the band.  The entire band enjoys sharing horrible dad jokes and owning the stereotype that metalheads love dogs, cats, and just pets in general.  The band never turns down an opportunity to meet a new furry or scaley friend and enjoys going to zoos and aquariums.

5. Blind works as a photographer and videographer outside of the band and does most of the bands’ photos, photo edits, non-music video videos as well as video editing.  Gog, who has a degree in film, and Blind frequently work together to create new visual art for the band.

6. On the last day of the Hexed North American Tour with Children of Bodom, in New York City, our keyboardist, Hex, cut through two tendons on the back of his left thumb while trying to open a new package of cables with a knife.  It was a bloody mess and, unfortunately, he spent the day in surgery in a New Jersey ER getting put back together. Due to Hex’s injury, he was unable to perform that evening. We were also unable to find a volunteer human sacrifice for this show. Due to both of these situations, Blind brandished the dagger we use for the sacrifice and addressed the crowd by saying, “You may have noticed that we are missing a keyboardist tonight. This is because Hex was playing with our sacrificial dagger and accidentally cut two tendons in his hand.  So, he is spending the night in a New Jersey hospital.  You will also notice that we will not be performing a sacrifice tonight.  This is because the dagger can only taste virgin blood once per day.  For this, we apologize.”  The statement was received with lots of laughter.  The following day, while returning home, social media posts regarding Hex’s well-being were met with show attendees commenting such things as, “wait, that story was real!?” Fortunately, Hex made a full recovery.

L-R: Invictus (Drums), Y’takt (Bass), Hex (Keys), Blind (Lead Vocals), Gog (Lead Guitar), Azra (Guitar)

Photo Credit: Rachel Craig Media/Joshua Winstead Photography

“Let the Summoning Begin…”
Summoner’s Circle is a six-piece theatrical metal band that blends elements of doom, death, black and progressive metal into what they refer to as simply Epic Metal.

For the band, every song in an incantation, every live performance is a Summoning, and everything they do is tied intrinsically to the mythology, or lore, they have created. The lore tells the story of the band’s origins, battles of divine conquest and showcases their creativity and vision, which sets the stage for a very entertaining live performance where bigger is better, and Epic is always the standard.

The Summoners released their first EP, entitled First Summoning, in late 2015. This was followed in 2016 by the single, Become None, and its B-side, Minotaur, both of which are included on their debut full-length release entitled Tome, which was released in June of 2018.

In May of 2019, Tome was repackaged and released as Become None via the Pavement Entertainment label.

In the spring of 2019, Summoner’s Circle joined Children of Bodom, Swallow the Sun and Wolfheart as part of Bodom’s Hexed North American Tour, gaining many new fans and excellent reviews.

In June of 2019, the Six signed a worldwide management deal with Extreme Management Group, Inc. who also manages Suffocation, Cattle Decapitation, Misery Index and many others.

Summoner’s Circle’s second full-length album Chaos Vector is scheduled to be released in 2021 and will be accompanied by a Lovecraft-style cosmic horror short story written by the band. Each song is a chapter in the story. 

Shared Stage with:
Pentagram, Deicide, All Hell, Crowbar, Goatwhore, Place of Skulls, GWAR, MacSabbath, Phil Anselmo and the Illegals, King Parrot, Thy Antichrist, Wolfheart, Swallow the Sun, Children of Bodom, Kataklysm, Nevalra, Whitechapel

Tours and Festivals:
2019 – Full Terror Assault Open Air – Cave In Rock, Illinois
2019 – 25th Soopa Gathering of the Juggalos Festival – Springville, In
2019 – Hexed North American Tour with Children of Bodom, Swallow the Sun and Wolfheart – Canada/USA
2018 – Funny Ears Music Festival – Knoxville, TN
 
Artist endorsements:
Gog, Azra, Y’takt – Solar Guitars Feature Artists and DR Strings
https://www.solar-guitars.com/artists/gog-herb-himes-summoners-circle/
https://www.solar-guitars.com/artists/ytakt-john-springer-summoners-circle/
https://www.solar-guitars.com/artists/azra-haley-clark-summoners-circle/

0 EPK – Before & Apace – The Denisovan (2021)

  • April 18, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Before & Apace · EPKs

EPK – Before & Apace – The Denisovan (2021)

Publicist – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

For fans Tool, Meshuggah, Devin Townsend, The Mars Volta

“The Denisovan is a collection of epiphanies that have altered my worldview, put to music. It is a sequence of existential discoveries in odd time signatures. It is the merger of thinking and feeling.” – Devin Martyniuk – Before & Apace

Album Title: The Denisovan
Release Date: May 11, 2021
Label: Self-Release

BeforeAndApace.com | Facebook.com/b4.apace | BeforeAndApace.Bandcamp.com| Spotify

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: The Denisovan
Release Date: May 11, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Zeno (11:14)
2. Limbics (9:43)
3. Ontogeny (11:16)
4. Simultanagnosia (19:49)
Album Length: 52:04

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Before & Apace
• All songs written by: Before & Apace
• Produced by: Devin Martyniuk
• Mixed by: Christian Douglas and Devin Martyniuk @ Toneshift Audio, Allan, SK
• Mastered by: Brett Zilahi @ Carvalho Mastering, Toronto, ON
• Album Artwork by: Varya Vinogradova
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album Recording Band Line Up:
Permanent/Ongoing Member: Devin Martyniuk (guitar, vocals)
Additional Members for The Denisovan:
Kaylon Disiewich (bass, Taurus pedals)
Bryce Holcomb (vocals, guitar)
Arlan Kopp (drums, percussion)

BEFORE & APACE is a heavy progressive rock project from the creative mind of Saskatoon, Canada’s Devin Martyniuk. The project draws from the same well as Tool, The Mars Volta, and Meshuggah. Over a span of multiple years starting in the mid-2000s, while splitting time as a guitarist/multi-instrumentalist between Western Canada’s goth-punk/metal misfits, The New Jacobin Club, and eclectic folk-rock band, Old Joe and the Truth Hurts, Martyniuk began to craft the songs that would ultimately comprise the debut album THE DENISOVAN by BEFORE & APACE.

It was during this time that Devin Martyniuk met drummer Arlan Kopp (also of The Department Heads) as both were percussionists in the University of Saskatchewan’s Wind Orchestra. They bonded instantly over common musical interests and an amicable fondness for Heroes of Might and Magic III. After Devin shared some of his music with Kopp they began composing drum parts together, often beginning by sequencing the intricate parts using Drumkit from Hell (a set of drum samples created by the band Meshuggah).

Bryce Holcomb, one of Martyniuk’s closest friends and musical snob-kin since early adolescence, joined the project shortly thereafter as the vocalist and sometimes-guitarist. Holcomb’s band at the time, Moksha, were just finishing their run and both Martyniuk and Holcomb were excited at the opportunity to collaborate together musically again; they had previously been part of an acoustic guitar trio called Polysorbate-80, but with BEFORE & APACE, they would be able to explore a completely different span of the musical spectrum.

Now with just a bass player needed to round out the band, Jesse Selkirk joined BEFORE & APACE. While Selkirk would ultimately only stay with the project for a short time, he was integral in bringing focus to the final stages of composition. He would also bring in a few riffs that ended up being the first section of the opening track ‘Zeno’. Selkirk eventually stepped away from the project as he would go on to pursue his own creations: The Depth and, more currently, Sleepwreck.

Shortly after Selkirk’s departure, Kaylon Disiewich of Abscission and The Divided would step in and assume the role. In addition to his undeniably monstrous playing, Kaylon most importantly brought a sense of completeness to the band. After making the monumental task of learning the newly-finished and arduous songs, Kaylon added an unmistakable dimension to the band’s sound and would even define some of the most iconic moments (the post-intro drum-and-bass beginning of Simultanagnosia comes to mind).

With the lineup now complete and the songs finished, the band would now share the music in two ways: the stage and the recording. While BEFORE & APACE would go on to play a number of shows, nearly all in the Saskatoon area, their crowning achievement on the stage would be opening for Devin Townsend in Regina, SK. During this same period, the band would begin recording in Martyniuk’s home studio the songs that would comprise the debut album from BEFORE & APACE, THE DENISOVAN.

“The Denisovan” is due out May 11, 2021.

Album Recording Band Line Up:
Permanent/Ongoing Member: Devin Martyniuk (guitar, vocals)
Additional Members for The Denisovan:
Kaylon Disiewich (bass, Taurus pedals)
Bryce Holcomb (vocals, guitar)
Arlan Kopp (drums, percussion)

Live Band Line Up:
Live lineup as well as the lineup for forthcoming recordings is subject to change. Devin Martyniuk is the one ongoing fixture of Before & Apace.

Discography:
2021 – The Denisovan – LP

Shared Stage with:
The Devin Townsend Project, Ninjaspy, Adolyne, Sparky, Titan

0 EPK – In Solastalgia, EitherWay (2021)

  • April 13, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · In Solastalgia, EitherWay

EPK – In Solastalgia, EitherWay (2021)

For fans of Milanku, Mogwai, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Neurosis

Facebook.com/In-Solastalgia-EitherWay-113534206766985 | Instagram.com/insolastalgiaeitherway/

 InSolastalgiaEitherWay.bandcamp.com

EP Title: Morii
Release Date: October 8, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Amplify

“”Morii” proposes a post rock with multiple facets, sometimes muscular, sometimes cinematic or even melancholic but always fascinating.4/5″ – Music Waves

“”Morii” propose un post rock aux multiples facettes, parfois musclé, parfois cinématique voire mélancolique mais toujours passionnant. Une réussite pour In solastalgia, Either Way qu’il faudra suivre de très près.4/5″ – Music Waves

“Some of the most special musicians are the ones who look beyond the actual music. It seems counterintuitive since musicians make music for a living, but some tend to lean more towards artists than a music makers. Jean Philippe Hébert would land in the former category with his latest solo project In Solastalgia, Either Way. Hébert has been working diligently over the last several months to bring this project to life, and it’s finally arriving with the music video release of “Morii,” the title track to his new six-song EP. Judging by the spectacular visual accompaniment to the song, you can tell that there’s so much more on Hébert’s mind than just chords and verses.” – V13

“The cinematography behind In Solastalgia, Either Way is not something that can be understated. Their music is a complete audio visual experience that dramatically intertwines progressive post-rock and vivid imagery that is best experienced live. In lieu of live events right now, In Solastalgia, Either Way conveys their messages through music videos such as the one for ‘Opia’.” The Prog Space

“Between soothed delicacy ( « The Warlike Fox », nice acoustic piece ) and mystery veil ( the last two titles being accompanied by a darker aura, even if « Solastalgia » will finally light up by its pretty arrangements ), Morii is a unique introspective experience, which can evoke groups like Mogwai or Godspeed You! Black Emperor, are groups often questioning their music and constantly renewing themselves. In Solastalgia, Either Way seems to express a feeling in this spirit on Morii, his music certainly taking on a completely different dimension live with video projections. Hoping that a European tour will not be long.” – Eklektik Rock

“On peut sentir l’influence notamment de Goodspeed You! Black Emperor dans le son de Jean Philippe Hébert. ” – Le Canal Auditif

“The title track is quite friendly with shimmering guitars and a homely melody, including an effective increase in energy potential. After the acoustic-melancholic pink-floyd reminiscence ‚ The Warlike Fox ‘ make In Solastalgia, Either Way with ‚ Zenozyne ‘ on Dark Ambient, who gets into a cluster of noise and voodoo and effectively with ‚ La Solastalgie ‘ on powerfully thick pants in Post Rock. Rating: 9/15 points” – Betreutes Proggen

“Jean-Philippe, multi-instrumentiste reconnu, a déjà accompagné pas mal de vedettes locales durant sa jeune carrière et se consacre aujourd’hui à ce projet post-rock pensé autour de l’idée philosophique de Glenn Albrecht décrivant une forme de détresse existentielle causée par le changement environnemental. Vaste sujet défendu par une musique instrumentale à l’émotion tangible où les six titres suivent un parcours balisé par les standards du post-rock mais rehaussé, par exemple sur le 4e volet, d’une ballade folk mélancolique; oxygénation salutaire avant de replonger dans des inquiétudes palpables et dramatiques. Intéressant!” – Prog Censor

“Après plusieurs années de travail, il sort son premier projet solo « In Solastalgia EitherWay », qui a été construit autour de l’idée du philosophe Glenn Albrecht. Il décrit une forme de détresse émotionnelle ou existentielle causée par le changement environnemental. Ce projet combine l’amour de l’artiste pour la nature et la musique. L’approche musicales varient de Godspeed You! Empereur à des moments plus lourdes comme Opeth. Vous pourrez entendre tous ces mondes se fusionner dans sa musique. Le son de cet EP (30min.) tourne autour du post-rock instrumental tantôt lourde, tantôt atmosphérique et parfois cinématique. Des titres comme ‘’Opia’’ qui débute tout doucement avec une guitare acoustique ainsi que la guitare électrique aérienne, dont la progression nous amène vers un son plus métallique. JP HÉBERT nous présente ici un projet totalement différent ce qu’il fait habituellement. Sans faire une comparaison directe avec Alex Henry FOSTER. Je pense que si vous aimez la musique de AHF vous allez apprécier « In Solastalgia EitherWay ». Qui soit en passant sont 2 artistes de chez nous au Québec !! Un début prometteur !!” – Profil Prog

“The Post Rock band In Solastalgia Either Way is one band that is on my own radar. This is an all-star band of experienced touring musicians.” – Montreal Rocks

Track Listing:
1. Good People, Bad Medecin. (4:25)
2. Opia (6:40)
3. Morii (4:45)
4. The Warlike Fox (2:59)
5. Zenozyne (5:39)
6. La Solastalgie (4:36)
EP Length: 29:07

EP Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Jean Philippe Hébert and Max Gosselin on Drums
• All songs written by: Jean Philippe Hébert
• Produced by: Jean Philippe Hébert
• Mixed by: Ryan Battistuzzi
• Mastered by: Ryan Battistuzzi
• EP Artwork by: Jean Philippe Hébert and photo by Élise Charbonneau
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

EP Recording Band Line Up:
Jean Philippe Hébert on guitars, keys and Max Gosselin on Drums

Live Band Line Up:
Jean Philippe Hébert – Guitars
Balloo – Bass
Vithou – Keys
Gabriel – Guitars
Maxu – Drums

Photo Credit – Elliot Maginot

About:

Jean Philippe Hébert is an academically trained guitarist. Originally from Québec City, JP was educated at Notre-Dame-De-Foy campus, a private college in the outskirts of Quebec capital.  He grew up surrounded by nature with one brother and two parents in the medical field.

As a young boy, JP would admire a guitar that had been hung on the wall of his house for ages, until he found the courage to ask for the instrument and some lessons. As a teenager, JP played a lot, concentrating his efforts towards a heavy style of music, until he started college and began studying classical and jazz. He is also a multi-instrumentalist; playing not only guitar but piano, drums and bass as well as banjo, mandolin and other specialized guitars.

His musical abilities landed him many gigs with prominent local Quebec City acts like Elliot Maginot, Lisa Leblanc and Les Soeurs Boulay to name a few. For over a decade now he has been lead guitarist on many of these projects both in-studio and live settings.

He is currently working on a solo project “In Solastalgia EitherWay”, which is the fruit of many years of work; it was built around the philosopher Glenn Albrecht idea that describes a form of emotional or existential distress caused by environmental change. This project combines JP’s love for nature and music. His influences vary from Godspeed You! Black Emperor to Goat and to heavier things like Opeth. You can hear all these worlds colliding in his music, somehow perfectly placed in chaos.

The debut 6 song EP entitled “MORII” will be released on October 8, 2021 that will then be followed by a series of concerts. The concerts themselves will be worked on as moving portraits, as he will work closely on visuals with videographers. This project is both musical and visual.

0 EPK – Eclipser – Pages (2021)

  • April 12, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Eclipser · EPKs

EPK – Eclipser – Pages (2021)

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

For Fans of Ulcerate, Deathspell Omega

EP Title: Pages
Release Date: May 28, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/eclipserofficial | Twitter.com/Eclipseroffici1 | Instagram.com/band_eclipser/

Eclipser.bandcamp.com | Spotify

“The writing and recording of this EP were pretty chaotic and we think it comes through in the music. We had some member changes that forced us to reinvent our sound and move away from our previous release (Pathos). We finished tracking drums right before the first wave of covid hit Canada so we had to learn to track the rest of the album from home. There’s a good mix of aggression and melody both within the songs and from one to another. 

We recorded the drums and re-amped the strings at Apartment 2 recording (Topon Das – Fuck The Facts). We then finished tracking the vocals ourselves, then passed everything over to Reverence Audio for mixing. We then moved everything back to Apartment 2 for mastering.” – Eclipser

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

“…an impressive example of the modern North American black metal scene, handily matching the technical creativity and melodic nuances exemplified in recent outings from Infera Bruo and Botis.” – Angry Metal Guy (2019 Review – Pathos)

“Of this band’s many layers, their vocals are perhaps the most haunting and ungodly element: shrill, disturbing shrieks diverge from inhuman guttural lows to form a sort of infernal harmony that jarringly punctuates the pulsating wall of noise surrounding it.” – Invisible Oranges

“From the ancient depths where long forgotten fears sleep comes Ottawa’s Eclipser. Their blackened death metal style tears and claws at your insides like a caged animal yearning to be free.” – Toilet Ov Hell

“This is black metal played with dark brutality and dissonant intensity. It’s a blackened hybrid that focuses more on black metal than anything else, but still finds time to incorporate death metal elements into itself with a voracious hunger. It’s overwhelmingly bleak and aggressive, but has surprising moments of melody and coherence mixed in with its jagged dissonance and unfriendly exterior.” – Wonderbox Metal (2019 Review – Pathos)  

Pathos is their remarkably self-assured debut, and it culls elements both modern and primordial from black and death metal – resulting in an album that’s simultaneously grandiose, brutal, and completely evil.” – Dreams of Consciousness (2019 Review – Pathos)    

“If moody, brutal, atmospheric blackened death is your thing, Pathos needs to be put into your little grim, frostbitten ear-holes.” – Sentinel Daily (2019 Review – Pathos)

“…an extremely promising debut from a band only two years into their career.” – Distorted Sound (2019 Review – Pathos)

“… a refreshing album that holds nothing back, delivering fiery punch after fiery punch until you are nothing but ash being carried away by a cold winter wind.” – Trve North Reviews (2019 Review – Pathos)

“…a stellar debut.” – Black Metal Daily (2019 Review – Pathos)

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

Top L-R – Christian Beaupre – Guitar, Sebastien Choquette – Bass
Bottom L-R – Ryan Menard – Guitar, Vocals, Chris Joyal – Drums

A name derived from the all-obscuring sound they produce, Ottawa, Ontario’s ECLIPSER spews forth a foreboding polarity of soaring melodies and nightmarish dissonance, coiled together to create a dreadful malaise of blackened death metal promised to starve the light of everything it touches.

Shared Stage with:
Carach Angren, Mors Principium Est, Wolfheart, Cognitive, Monotheist, The Machinist, Bane (Serbia), Uhtcearu, Venom Prison, Homewrecker, Joy, Black Mass

Discography:
2021 – Pages – EP
2019 – Pathos – LP
2018 – Promo
2017 – Demo

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

EP Title: Pages
Release Date: May 28, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Pages (3:10)
2. Matternaught (1:26)
3. Carry Your Burden (2:46)
4. To Never Wake Again (2:29)
5. Fathomless (4:46)
EP Length: 14:38

EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: Eclipser
• All songs written by: Eclipser
• Produced by: Eclipser
• Mixed by: Mike Raymond @ Reverence Audio
• Mastered by: Topon Das @ Apartment 2 Recording
• Album Artwork by: Misanthropic-art
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

EP Band Line Up:
Ryan Menard – Guiatr, Vocals
Christian Beaupre – Guitar
Sebastien Choquette – Bass
Chris Joyal – Drums

0 EPK – Bloodsport – Lethal Tender (2021) (Nightstrike Records) (80s Metal Homage To Jean Claude Van Damme)

  • April 12, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Bloodsport · EPKs

EPK – Bloodsport – Lethal Tender (2021) (Nightstrike Records) (80s Metal Homage To Jean Claude Van Damme)

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

For fans of Helloween, Exciter, Queensryche, Judas Priest

“We were really wanting to continue with the Bloodsport movie theme because it’s such a hit movie for cult cinema, not to mention it’s Van Damme’s best in terms of action and authenticity! Alas, we decided not to focus too much on one film, as he has close to a dozen good martial arts films from that era, all of them totally awesome in their own way. So, we went with Lionheart, which is a childhood favourite of mine and something I’ve owned on VHS for as long as I can remember. The movie totally rips! To anyone who hasn’t seen it: you’re in for a wild ride Van Damme style! We feel like our music acts as a second soundtrack to the films! They are completely and respectfully dedicated to the glory of those films.” – Bloodsport

EP Title: Lethal Tender
Release Date: March 12, 2021
Label: Nightstrike Records
Distribution: Nightstrike Records

Facebook.com/bloodsportmetal | Instagram.com/bloodsport_band | Youtube

Bloodsportband.bandcamp.com (Limited Edition Cassette)

Formed in early 2018 in Vancouver, Bloodsport is a band not only created to pay tribute to Jean-Claude Van Damme and all the exhilarating films he’s put out, but also to redefine the best aspects of 80s heavy metal and speed metal – the music many of us grew up with! Chock-full of fast riffing, crazy solos, pounding drums and, featuring Jan Loncik – one of the best metal vocalists in Canada – the trio can do no wrong! Bloodsport truly takes it to the next level, incorporating the odd time signature and unconventional song structure to their lengthy, riff-laden tunes. Welcome to the Kumite!

 Story Angles / Fun Facts:

1. Bloodsport is split up between two provinces, with members residing in British Columbia and Alberta. Due to the band’s studio-only approach thus far, the recording of this newest EP was straightforward, but with plans to take on live shows down the road, this could get more complicated. Bloodsport has “live” members ready to go and the rehearsals will likely happen in Vancouver, British Columbia.

2. On “Lethal Tender”, vocalist Jan Loncik filled many shoes, including as bassist and drummer, not to mention he recorded, mixed and mastered the whole thing! An integral member of Bloodsport, Jan is a fantastic musician and also plays in the bands Hrom and Radyator.

3. All Bloodsport lyrics and themes revolve around Jean-Claude Van Damme’s movies in the late 80s and early 90s specifically focused on his martial arts films.

4. The band’s artwork is done by close friend and skillful painter (not to mention highly underrated), Constance Knight. A quick search of her work will reveal amazing hand-painted pieces – she can be contacted through her Instagram page.

5. Vocalist Jan Loncik and lead guitarist Joey Kolsteren have only met once in real life.

Left to right – Dragos B. – Guitar, Jan Loncik – Vocals + Drums & Bass (studio), Joey Kolsteren – Lead Guitar

[Download Album Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

EP Title: Lethal Tender
Release Date: March 12, 2021
Label: Nightstrike Records
Distribution: Nightstrike Records

Track Listing:
1. Lethal Tender (7:53)
2. Lion’s Den (5:06)

EP Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Bloodsport
• All songs written by: Dragos B.
• Produced by: Jan Loncik
• Mixed by: Jan Loncik
• Mastered by: Jan Loncik
• EP Artwork by: Constance Knight

EP Band Line Up:
Dragos B. – Guitars
Joey Kolsteren – Guitars (Lead)
Jan Loncik – Vocals + Drums & Bass (Recording only)

Discography:
Lethal Tender EP (2021)
Kumite Attack EP (2018)

0 EPK – The Wring – Wring² Project Cipher (2021)

  • April 4, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · The Wring

EPK – The Wring – Wring² Project Cipher (2021)

ft. album guests Marc Bonilla (Keith Emerson Band, California Transit Authority, Glenn Hughes), Bryan Beller (Joe Satriani, The Aristocrats, Dethklok, Steve Vai), Thomas Lang (Robert Fripp, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Williams), Jason Henrie, Jason Sadites

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

For fans of Rush, Fates Warning, Dream Theater, Queensryche, The Dead Daisies

Album Title:  The Wring2 – Project Cipher
Release Date: May 28, 2021
Label: Self-Release

“If in the ’80s, Geddy decided to shun the synthesizer and Alex became a disciple of Dave Mustaine instead of Midge Ure, Rush might have sounded something like this.  The album is 7 songs with one instrumental and 6 vocal tracks.  It is a rock record with bits of proggy stuff hidden inside.  The players are diverse and really complement each other and the overall vibe.” – The Wring

TheWring.ca | Facebook.com/thewringband | Instagram.com/wringband | Youtube

Thewring2.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

““Wring² Project Cipher comes with a heavy, classic rock feel, but there’s an epic, questing nature to tunes like Sorceress, Steelier and Dose that pushes The Wring beyond metal norms and into prog territory.” – Prog Magazine

“The extreme professionalism on display throughout this entire album, although a labour of love, is a true master class of musicianship performed by musicians who are truly at the top of their game, making the industry what it is today. The sheer attention to detail is a credit to each and every performer as they tailor their craft neatly and precisely throughout every track, with nothing less than perfect being the order of the day.” – Stargazer Music Magazine

“Overall, the entire album is laden with a rich tapestry of sound and lyrics, well thought out and carefully developed by founder member and visionary Don Dewulf, taking the listener on that perfect journey of thought, and is a credit to its makers gathering no dust in any collection. 10/10” – Stargazer Music Magazine

“Thanks to his renowned session musicians and original compositions, The Wring is a refreshing discovery that offers a personal reading of modern metal. 4/5” – Music Waves

“What sounds at first to be a straight-forward rock album, turns out to be so much more. It’s a tad short, but sometimes less is more. You can hear many influences in these tracks, some of them familiar, but The Wring have stamped their own identity all over it. This should keep you going for the time being but expect more from Don Dewulf with The Wring3 already in the recording stage!” – The Prog Space

“Dewulf’s guitar work shines throughout, at times reminiscent of Alex Lifeson in his prime, such as his powerful solo on ‘Steelier’ which soars above the raging musical maelstrom below. There’s even a funk-infused breakout on ‘Dose’, which is infectious with its driving hook. It’s an absorbing record, one that takes time to soak in, but several plays ensure that it’s burnt deep into the memory. When those end-of-year lists come round, ‘Wring² Project Cipher’ is likely to be pushing for a slot.” – The Razor’s Edge 

“The Wring generally succeed at what they’re going for—Dewulf has produced a fun, catchy record. Particularly on the album’s middle section (“Cipher,” “Steelier” and “Dissension”), there’s some great songs with great riffs. If you’re after some new prog, you could do a lot worse than this album, and I found it quite hard to score.” – Angry Metal Guy

“The overall sound is something like the heavier side of Rush, with hooks and melodic elements smoothing out the guitar crunch, making this very accessible.” – The Progressive Aspect

“Coming out of nowhere with a completely experienced, well-produced, and polished debut record full of complex compositions and dynamics for vocals, guitar, bass, and drums is Sudbury’s newest best-kept secret: The Wring… I give this album a solid 63 out of the 67 moons of Jupiter, including all four Galilean moons.  Highly recommend it for fans Tool, Opeth, Soundgarden, Rage Against The Machine, or if you listened to your dad’s records growing up.” – Kipp Grose, Asylum Club

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

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title:  The Wring2 – Project Cipher
Release Date: May 28, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. The Light (4:10)
2. Sorceress (4:44)
3. Cipher (4:29)
4. Steelier (4:25)
5. Dissension (4:08)
6. Dose (3:27)
7. Touch (4:29)
Album Length: 29:54

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Dewulf/Lang/Bonilla/Beller/Henrie/Sadites
• All songs written by: Music: Dewulf, Lyrics: Dewulf with Bonilla & Kraus
• Produced by: Dewulf
• Mixed and Mastered by: Forrester Savell
• Album Artwork by:  Melissa Friesen
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Recording Line Up:
Don Dewulf – Guitars
Thomas Lang – Drums
Marc Bonilla – Vocals
Bryan Beller – Bass – 3 tracks
Jason Henrie – Bass – 4 tracks
Jason Sadites – Guest Solo on 1 track

Discography:
2021 – The Wring2 – Project Cipher
2019 – 48 oz. – Single
2017 – The Wring – Album

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

The album as a whole:
If in the 80’s, Geddy decided to shun the synthesizer and Alex became a disciple of Dave Mustaine instead of Midge Ure, Rush might have sounded like this. The album is 7 songs with one instrumental and 6 vocal tracks. It is a rock record with bits of proggy stuff hidden inside. The players are diverse and really complement each other and the overall vibe.

Track by track explained Don Dewulf  :
The Light – A very fun song to play. Lots of changes and riffs. This is one song where Marc totally took the vocals in his own direction.  I had a much heavier vision but he has a style that really works against the riffs and strange, shifting time signatures.  

Sorceress – One of my favourite tracks. The riffs are quirky but really fit the mood. I had composed a very complicated bass part and when I gave it to Bryan Beller, he tossed it out and primarily mirrored the guitar with his bass lines.  While my ego was injured, it turns out he was 100% right… the bass totally drives the song. Marc also did a cool spoken-word part in the pre-chorus which was unexpected and totally fits!  A friend of mine, Steve Kraus wrote the lyrics for this song and they are fantastic.  One of the very few parts not composed by me.

Cipher – An instrumental track. I played this on a 7-string so there is a massive low end. The parts are short enough and musical enough to hold interest without vocals. I really like the bass and guitar solos here too. A combination homage to YYZ and March of the Fire Ants.  Jason Henrie played some killer bass on this track and created an awesome video also. 

Steelier – This song started with the pre-chorus – a very jazzy progression in the spirit of Steely Dan. I named the rough early version “Steelier” in that context.  When the lyrics came later, the story is about perseverance and maintaining one’s wonder in the face of adversity so I thought the demo name was appropriate. The chorus is in an odd time, but fits perfectly, I love when that happens.

Dissension – A pretty straight-ahead rocker. I went for a Dio vibe with the lyrics… I could not tell you what Holy Diver is about but the lyrics are awesome.  I tried to capture some of that ‘strength in phrases’ approach. Of course, Triple 6 is a reference to the devil in all of us. Has a cool breakdown and a phenomenal guest solo from Jason Sadites.

Dose – Another fun song with a great chorus. Marc did an amazing job on this song.  Lots of little bits of odd time that add flavour and dynamics. Great bass lines and my Lifeson-esque solo. Most of the record is a 1981 Les Paul Custom through a Marshall amp.  In this song, I use a Strat which is very unusual for me.  I like the thin jangle and how it works in this song.
 
Touch – I love the main riff. It started life as a very Toolish part, but I found it a bit jarring so I added 3 to the 5 so Marc could sing in 4. Good chorus. Cool odd time breakdown and a neat little solo. The end is pure pretentiousness.  The main riff changes time signature 13x but the vocals and reprise of the intro riff smooth it out, so it all works.

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

  1.  I (Don Dewulf) am proud of my music.  I am proud of my affiliation with some of the great players of this generation. Music is the food of the soul and having Thomas Lang, Marc Bonilla or Bryan Beller say they enjoy playing my songs and then give me their serious attention and very best effort is beyond my dreams.
  2. Jason Henrie was supposed to track all of the bass parts on this record but personal commitments precluded that so he reached into his Social Media Rolodex and connected me with Bryan Beller and Stu Hamm as potential candidates to complete the bass tracking. I contacted them both.   Stu was interested, but unavailable due to other commitments. Bryan jumped on it and we connected instantly.  I messaged Stu back to let him know and he told me he could now do the project. I’d already committed to Bryan so I had to turn down Stu Hamm!! How crazy is that?
  3.  I always wanted The Wring to be a ‘band’ with equal input and collective focus.  It never turned out that way.  I wrote everything, decided everything, paid for everything. It was a somewhat lonely place. Then I met Mikael Akerfeldt. I am a very big Opeth fan. I asked him many questions about his songwriting and band process. He told me that he does everything, writes everything and the guys just learn what he gives them. He said he even taps out the drums on a machine for Axe.  So really, Mike is Opeth and Opeth is Mike. I do the same. So, on a much, much, much smaller scale, I realized that I am the Wring.  And it was good.
  4.  The Wring opened for Diamond Head in 2018. When I walked into the venue, I immediately spotted Brian Tatler on the stage. I had been a fan since the ’80s and it was such a surreal feeling knowing we would share a stage with them.  I just shook his hand. Couldn’t even speak. We played a great set and I gave one of our CDs to Brian’s wife after the show. That gig was an honour for me but it also put the world into perspective when you have legends like Diamond Head playing these club gigs while horrible pop garbage sells trillions.
  5.  The Wring opened a show in Ottawa. The Dead Daisies and Hookers & Blow were the main acts with 4 bands on the bill. The place was full for our set and the crowd was awesome. I remember two things about that show, the sound man let us play for 40 minutes instead of 30 and we were the only band that didn’t play any cover songs.

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

About:

The Wring is a progressive rock project created in 2015 by guitarist Don Dewulf who had compiled a large inventory of compositions that he had fully demoed, just needing players to turn the demos into songs.  The project started out in a band format with local musicians and they released a debut self-titled album in 2017.  

After a series of live dates sharing stages with Anvil, Diamond Head, and Dead Daisies, the band dissolved.  A chance conversation with Mikael Akerfeldt inspired Dewulf to forge ahead with new material, re-connecting with bassist Jason Henrie and engaging world-renowned musicians to perform, bringing the new songs to another level.

The result of that was “The Wring 2 – Project Cipher” releasing in 2021, which will feature album guests Bryan Beller (Joe Satriani, The Aristocrats, Dethklok, Steve Vai), Thomas Lang (Robert Fripp, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Williams), Jason Henrie, and Jason Sadites.  

Always starting with a riff, Dewulf builds compositions that showcase his signature blend of classic heavy rock meets prog. The lyrics come after the music is done and are usually a targeted response to an interaction that has sparked anger. The translation of emotion into words is subtle, often belying the more aggressive undertones. Expect more from Dewulf with The Wring3 already in the recording stage!

Shared Stage With:
Anvil, Diamond Head, Sven Gali, The Dead Daisies, Hookers & Blow

Tours and Festivals:
2018 – Budweiser New Music Festival – Sudbury – Finger Eleven, Glorious Sons, Crown Lands

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