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Category: EPKs

0 EPK – Lycanthro – Mark of The Wolf (2021) (Alone Records)

  • February 10, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Lycanthro

EPK – Lycanthro – Mark of The Wolf (2021) (Alone Records)

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

For fans of Judas Priest, Saxon, Blind Guardian, Helloween, Manowar

Album Title: Mark of the Wolf
Release Date: June 4, 2021
Label: Alone Records (Greece)

Facebook.com/Lycanthrokills | Instagram.com/lycanthro_metal | Youtube

Spotify | Lycanthro.bandcamp.com

 

“Their latest single (Crucible) is a treat for any fans of power metal or good old classic heavy metal. The track features a catchy rhythm, precision drumming, and classic 80’s vocals. It’s over 7 minutes of headbang worthy heavy metal. The guitar work is a particular highlight of the track, changing pace throughout the track, keeping the listener engaged throughout.” – Metal Injection

“Mark of the Wolf is filled with mostly catchy heavy metal (good luck trying to get “In Metal We Trust” out of your head after hearing it once) that gets the listener break out the air guitar and air drums and sing along almost from beginning to end. Fans of ’80s heavy metal and modern power metal that’s not over the top should definitely find something to like on Mark of the Wolf.” -The Metal Crypt

“As a debut hard rock/heavy metal album overall, it not only showcases a variety of talent throughout its 43 minutes of captured studio time, but it also features an even number of eight powerful songs crafted with fury and determination… Mark Of The Wolf marks not only many criteriae for the consummate debut album but also marks LYCANTHRO’s own territory within the new breed. 5.0 Out Of 5.0” – KNAC.com

“with Mark of the Wolf this scribe believes Lycanthro will vault up the scene in terms of a fine debut album, a promising lift to those that love all aspects of power metal.” – Dead Rhetoric

“This is an album that bears repeating. For a band named after literal monsters, it’s uplifting and stirring. So Canadian, right? LYCANTHRO is a refreshing band; “Mark of the Wolf” is an impressive album.” – Metal Temple

“Mark of the Wolf is an album that can undoubtedly captivate its listeners over a long period of time. Even after several playthroughs, there are still details to discover that you didn’t notice before. Anyone who claims that there is no exciting talent left in the metal world these days is definitely ignorant – or deaf. Regardless of this basic thought: I wouldn’t be surprised if James – a huge Blind Guardian fan, by the way – one day creates an opulent rock opera in which he honours all his different influences. Anyone who sees him on social media knows that he is full of drive – let’s see where his path leads. Hopefully, we will see him on a European concert stage with his three new colleagues in the foreseeable future!” – Epic Metal Blog

“The Thrash / Power hybrid screams out loud and clear from the get-go, with ‘Crucible’, an absolute belter which, right from the first few bars, indicates that Vocalist James Delbridge has something of a range on him…  Interestingly, technically proficient and with an incredibly promising vocal delivery, this is clearly a band to watch.” – Ever Metal

““Enchantress” starts with solid sounds, before the machine slowly picks up speed and settles in medium tempo realms, before a longer solo part speeds things up. What should be emphasized here – as on the entire album – is the excellent work of the string wizards, above all Forest Dussault. With “In Metal We Trust” the North Americans have a real metal anthem in their luggage, which should be celebrated live according to all the rules of the art.” – Hellfire Magazin

“An authentic and truly excellent work in a new wave of traditional heavy metal, Lycanthro’s debut album Mark of the Wolf is the kind of passionate and diverse music that is surely the beginning of something great.” – Cavedweller Music

“any fan of straight up metal in the grand tradition will find plenty to howl about on “Mark of the Wolf”.” – Wormwood Chronicles

“Crucible,” starts things off slowly and with great measure. It advances forth into destruction and insanity with great aplomb. Delivering the world into a whirlpool of excess and power.” – The Median Man

“Eerie picked acoustic over strings begin the track (Crucible) with driving guitars burst through and start off a rampage of rock riffing and drums. With an uptight electric feel to the track, it’s a full on rock n roll epic complete with howling vocals and singing guitars.” – Backseat Mafia

“What’s better than spending your Saturday evening with a bunch of Canadian Heavy Metal Werewolves? I bet there’s not much that sounds more like an alpha move huh? LYCANTHRO have assembled their first full-length and it is a ripper! 8/10” – Reflections of Darkness

“Mark of the wolf” is an example of how a heavy metal album should sound. It is classic, and at the same time very inventive and fresh. Expectations fully met. Their debut can easily be classified as one of the most important events of 2021. Rating: 9/10″ – Power Metal Warrior

“All the songs on this disc have very well thought out compositions with excellent buildups from the intros to the outros. The songs are top caliber which can compete with any of today’s current metal bands” – John Ricci (Exciter)

“A harken back to the old school!” – Joe Comeau (Liege Lord, ex-Overkill, ex- Annihilator)  

“Had put on a performance that nearly upstaged the headliner” – KNAC.com

“Taking some classic influences and intertwining them into a potent, headbanging outfit. International attention and accolades aren’t far behind as these members grow” – Dead Rhetoric

“These guys write some amazing riffs, better than many with decades more experience” – Decibel Geek

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

“This album is a diverse listening experience. Even though everything in one way or another is under the umbrella of Power or Thrash metal, there is something for everyone on here in terms of melodic metal (except for screams haha). There are soaring high vocals, epic guitar solos, lots of harmonies, heavy chugging riffs, a few odd instruments, and even a breakdown or two. We firmly believe in making a diverse listening experience and this album is no different, there’s something everyone on this album!” – Lycanthro

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Mark of the Wolf
Release Date: June 4, 2021
Label: Alone Records (Greece)

Track Listing:
1. Crucible (7:17)
2. Fallen Angels Prayer (4:47)
3. Mark of The Wolf (5:02)
4. Enchantress (6:53)
5. In Metal We Trust (5:07)
6. Into Oblivion (3:24)
7. Ride the Dragon (4:03)
8. Evangelion (6:25)
Album Length: 43:02

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Lycanthro
• All songs written by: James Delbridge
• Produced by: Mike Bond/James Delbridge
• Mixed by: Jason Jaknunas
• Mastered by: Jack Kosto
• Album Artwork by: Velio Josto
• Member of SOCAN & ASCAP
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album Band Line Up:
James Delbridge – Vocals, Guitars
David Shute – Guitars
Carlo Cote – Bass
Nathan Shuman – Drums
Forrest Dussault – Guitars

Live Band Line Up:
James Delbridge – Vocals, Guitars
Forest Dussault – Guitars
Stew Everitt – Bass
Panos Andrikopoulos – Drums

Fun Facts / Story Angles:

1. This album as well as our previous EP was recorded at Wolf Lake Studios in Lac-des-Loups, Quebec. It’s a unique experience to record there as essentially, it’s a studio in a cabin in the woods. The area is very atmospheric and there’s aren’t that many outward distractions around so we can be productive and focus on the music. It’s like a camping trip mixed with the recording.

2. The album was mastered by Jack Kosto who the most well-known for being the lead guitarist in the power metal band Seven Spires.

3. We brought in a professional chamber choir for the song “Fallen Angels Prayer” on the new album

4. During November 2019, Lycanthro performed at the November Mayhem fest in St Johns Newfoundland. It was the 1st time we had played a show outside of Ontario/Quebec and it was an unforgettable experience. Getting flown in made us feel like rock stars and it was in a 350-person venue that was full! That coupled with experiencing the food, sights, and people made our show in Newfoundland an unforgettable one!

5. Lycanthro played a show during June 2019 in Toronto, ON, and on a boat! Every year our promoter friend Karina Davy of Neurotic Entertainment hosts her birthday concert called “Rock The Boat” where she’ll get three metal bands to play on the boat. It was a very unique and memorable experience but I (James) blew out my vocal chords during that show. Talk about suffering for your art!

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

The album as a whole:
The album is a diverse listening experience. Even though everything in one way or another is under the umbrella of Power or Thrash metal, there is something for everyone on here in terms of melodic metal (except for screams haha). There are soaring high vocals, epic guitar solos, lots of harmonies, heavy chugging riffs, a few odd instruments, and even a breakdown or two. We firmly believe in making a diverse listening experience and this album is no different, there’s something everyone on this album!

Track by Track explanation by James Delbridge:

1. Crucible was technically the 1st official Lycanthro song, I wrote this song back when I was in high school because we read the book “The Crucible” in English class. Also, I actually wrote the lyrics of this song while I was in English class instead of doing my school work. The story of “The Crucible” really fascinated me and I felt as though it would translate perfectly into a metal song. There are also references to other witchcraft stories such as William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” as well. In terms of the music, I was aiming for kind of a Judas Priest meets Death vibe and I think that got pulled off on this track.

2 .“Fallen Angels Prayer” – This song is the epic of the album. Lyrically it tells the story of the “Hunchback of Notre Dame” and Quasimodo’s sympathy towards the gypsy’s for being oppressed in the story, as well as his love for Esmerelda. I knew this song had to have a big and epic feel to it. I would akin this song to kind of our take on a Kamelot style song with lots of diverse instruments such as Piano, Flute, Violin, and a full-on choir! The choir we recorded live off the floor and it added the gigantic feel that we wanted out of this song.

3. Enchantress tells the tale of a man who is wandering through the woods and happens across a woman. She descends from the sky and the man instantly falls in love. He thinks he has already died and that she is an angel but in reality, she’s a demon who’s there to lead him to his death. It’s sort of a similar plotline to Triumph’s “Spellbound” video but with a much darker edge. In terms of the music, this song’s 1st half has sort of a power/groove feel to it with lots of odd chords and guitar harmonies. Then in the 2nd half, it gets a more distinctive Iron Maiden/NWOBHM feel to it with the fast chugging guitar parts. Also, this track has one of my favourite moments on the album at the very end where there’s an Yngwie Malmsteen style guitar run to close the song.

4. “Mark of the Wolf” – This song is a great straight forward headbanger that is akin to the styles of Iron Maiden and Motorhead. It also has some of the weirdest and difficult guitar passages of the whole album in the verses of the song. In terms of the lyrics, this is 1 of 2 songs on this album that is based on the videogame Skyrim. This song in particular talks about the Companions, a group of mercenaries in the game who can turn into Werewolves.

5. “In Metal We Trust” – We figured that we needed a sing-along song for a live setting that will be a crowd-pleaser so then we wrote In Metal We Trust. We wanted a song that really channeled the spirit of old school Priest style metal with catchy riffs and memorable melodies, along with a chant they everyone can sing along to.

6. “Into Oblivion” – This song is the 1st of 2 songs on this album that was written before Lycanthro was a band, Into Oblivion was actually the 1st or 2nd song I’ve ever written. It also probably the old ball song on the album with having a groove metal vibe to it along with one of the few breakdowns we have in our songs along with an Annihilator-esque guitar solo. Lyrically it has to do with zombies, but the inspiration for the lyrics came from a fungus that is known as “Zombie Fungi” as it can claim control of the host mind, but this fungus has only been seen in bugs, but it fascinated me so that’s what the lyrical basis of the song is.

7. Ride the Dragon is the 2nd of the songs that I wrote before Lycanthro was even a band. It is also the song that has gone through the most amount of changes. Lyrically this is the 2nd song about Skyrim, more specifically when the Dragonborn rides the dragon Odavigg to Sovangarde. This song has a vibe that I can only describe as Iron Maiden mixed with Triumph with some great peaks and valleys within it. As well as most of the vocals on the song being layered with is something I’ve wanted to do a long time and it turned out amazing!

8. “Evangelion” – This song is the closest thing we have to a power ballad on this album. This song was a passion song for me as it took me a year to write it! Mainly because I wrote this song bit by bit while I wrote some of the other songs. Lyrically this song is based on the anime “Neon Genesis Evangelion” which is a show that is very near and dear to my heart. As for the music, there’s a few cool synth lines in the song that gives it an epic feel as well as one of the more melodic guitar solos on the album. This song I find has some epic Dio vibes to it reminiscent of tracks from him like “Last in Line” and “Stargazer from Rainbow. From the get-go, we knew this song would be perfect to close the album on an epic and triumphant note.

L-R – Panos Andrikopoulos (Drums), Forest Dussault (Guitar), James Delbridge (Vocals/Guitar), Stew Everitt (Bass)

Lycanthro are a four-piece Power/Thrash metal band that formed in 2016 in
Ottawa, Canada. They combine power, thrash, and speed metal, along with an energetic and epic stage presence with their lyrical themes from classic horror and mythology.

Lycanthro introduced themselves to the Candian metal scene with the release of their self-titled demo followed soon after by their 2018 EP “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”.

Encapsulating a heavy, yet melodic sound, that is drawn from influences of both European/American classic power and thrash metal along with high howling vocals, piercing guitars, a booming rhythm section as well as uses of instruments such as piano and classical guitar to forge a powerful sound, Lycanthro continues on in 2021 with their signing to Alone Records for the release of their first full length “Mark of The Wolf”. The album was recorded at Wolf Lake Studios in Lac-des-Loups, Quebec and was mastered Seven Spires guitarist Jack Kosto. For the track “Fallen Angels Prayer”, the band brought in a professional chamber choir to add to its epicness.

The album features various lyrical content that fans will appreciate exploring through its different dimensions. Some of the tracks are homages to different stories in pop culture and media, others are meant to bring the listener on a journey through the worlds of each song, or simply meant to be marvel as epic metal we trust.

The band adds:
“We are trying to present fans with a varied and memorable listening experience. Even though everything on this album still fits under the power / thrash metal umbrella, there is something for everyone on this record. High soaring vocals, harmonized guitars, heavy chugging riffs, odd but cool instruments and even a breakdown or two, all metalheads have something they can take from this record and walk away with a positive experience.”

“Mark of The Wolf is due out spring 2021 on Greek label Alone Records.

Album Band Line Up:
James Delbridge – Vocals, Guitars
David Shute – Guitars
Carlo Cote – Bass
Nathan Shuman – Drums
Forrest Dussault – Guitars

Live Band Line Up:
James Delbridge – Vocals, Guitars
Forest Dussault – Guitars
Stew Everitt – Bass
Panos Andrikopoulos – Drums

Discography:
2021 – Mark Of The Wolf – LP (Alone Records)
2018 – Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse – EP
2017 – Demo

Shared Stage with: Hammerfall, Udo Dirkschneider (Ex- Accept), Diamond Head, Unleash The Archers, Battle Beast, Venom Inc., Razor, Anvil, Flotsam & Jetsam, Cloven Hoof, Skull Fist, Blaze Bayley (ex-Iron Maiden), Powerglove,  Striker, Exmortus, Seven Spires, Aggression, DBC (Dead Brain Cells), Elm Street, E-Force (Eric Forrest ex-Voivod), Hibria

Tour and Festivals:
2022 – Hyperspace Metal Fest- Vancouver, BC (upcoming)
2019 – November Mayhem Fest – St Johns, NL
2019 – Heavy Metal Farmfest – Vankleek Hill, ON
2017- E-Force Demonikhol Tour (opening for Eric Forrest ex Voivod)

0 EPK – Ischemic – Self-Titled (2021)

  • February 9, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Ischemic

EPK – Ischemic – Self-Titled (2021)

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

“This self-titled release is the latest full-length from Toronto’s Ischemic, following 2018’s “Stagnation & Woe”. It is the most DIY endeavor yet by the band, all production, engineering, and artwork was handled by them and close friends, resulting in this stripped-down, but unrelenting collection of songs. Crafted during lockdown, the listening experience is a trek through a haunted castle, every corner infested with isolation and creeping dread. Dungeon-crawling doom and sludge riffs are threaded together with creaking, subterranean passages of guitar ambience and noise. Charging death-metal assaults relent to spell-casts of dizzying black metal.” – Ischemic

Facebook.com/Ischemic | Instagram.com/ischemiccanada | Youtube.com/IschemicCanada

Ischemic.bandcamp.com | Spotify

For fans of Autopsy, Thorr’s Hammer, Conan, Krallice, Fuck The Facts

Album Title: Ischemic
Release Date: April 2, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Self-Release

“Toronto’s Ischemic have plenty of blood, plus sweat and tears, in their similarly volatile fusion of death, doom and black metal.” – Exclaim!

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS

1. The self-titled album was written and recorded entirely in the basement of Isabelle’s house in Scarborough. Work was often interrupted by one of her 4 cats sneaking into the recording space to wreak havoc.

2. The album cover and art direction was done by Anthony and photographer Danika Zandboer, who shot the iconic cover image for Vile Creature’s recent release “Glory, Glory! Apathy Took Helm!”. The mask featured on the cover is one of a series that were created by psychedelic artist Marcela Calderon Donefer.

3. The band name comes from Transient Ischemic Attacks, a kind of stroke. Isabelle is a nurse and heard the term often, prompting her to suggest it. The band quickly agreed, as our second choice of “Necrosis” was found to be in use by approximately 32 other metal bands at the time.

4. Ischemic’s first gig, the Headbanging for a Cure event, raised exactly $2112.00, wildly exciting all Rush fans in attendance.

5. Ischemic’s drummer also happens to be the best guitarist in the band.

========

Track by Track explanation:

At 6 minutes long, “Scabs” is our version of a single! Pure 80s death-metal filth contrasted with crushing, doomy choruses and crusty black-metal leads, with a classically face-melting solo from Adam at its center.

“Crawl out of Hell” is an ode to the Sisyphean attempts of man to escape the hell we’ve made for ourselves. The track first appeared in primitive form on our “Frigid Descent” demo but we decided that it deserved a second life with our new lineup, so it was rearranged and cleaned up with crushing new production.

“Illusion of Humanity” is a barrage of blackened sludge riffs, with an almost stoner-rock level of elastic heaviness. The song concerns the tension between the mask of modern humanity and our still-active lizard brains, the riffs maintain a rumbling buildup that eventually lashes out at itself in violent grief.

“Scattering Garden” is the epic centerpiece of the album that swings from atmospheric clarity to skull-crushing doom, with brief pearls of optimistic melody. Clocking in at 22 minutes and 22 seconds, “Scattering” brings together all the elements that make Ischemic unique, ending on an intensely triumphant crescendo.

Album Title: Ischemic
Release Date: April 2, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Scabs (6:38)
2. Crawl out of Hell (11:38)
3. Illusion of Humanity (11:03)
4. Scattering Garden (22:21)
Album Length: 51:42

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Ischemic
• All songs written & produced by: Ischemic
• Recorded by: Anthony Abbatangelo, Mrudul Kamble
• Mixed by: Mrudul Kamble
• Mastered by: Topon Das
• Album Artwork by: Anthony Abbatangelo, Danika Zandboer
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album Band Line Up:
Anthony Abbatangelo – Bass
Mrudul Kamble – Drums
Adam Korchok – Guitars
Isabelle Tazbir – Vocals & Lyrics

(Left to Right) – Isabelle Tazbir – Vocals & Lyrics, Anthony Abbatangelo – Bass, Adam Korchok – Guitars, Mrudul Kamble – Drums
Photo Credit – Danika Zandboer

Ischemic formed in 2012 through the unholy power of Kijiji, where both Isabelle Tazbir (vocals/lyrics) and Adam Korchok (guitar) were searching for fellow ghouls to play some sort of doomy, monolithic death metal. They linked up and began to pull together people from their respective friend groups to play in the band. It wasn’t long before the lineup was solidified and Ischemic could begin churning out filthy, crushing metal from the void.

Ischemic works collaboratively, riff skeletons are brought to the rest of the members, then cursed with flesh. This cohesiveness has resulted in 4 recordings:  “Frigid Descent” (2013); “All Paths Lead Nowhere” (2016); “Stagnation & Woe” (2018); and “Ischemic” (2021). The earlier records resonate with filthy, hellish, death/doom sounds that give way to experimentations in melodic black metal with “Stagnation & Woe”, and a revisit to the past in the most recent album.

The experienced musicians also lend their talents to other local acts; Tazbir has done time as a vocalist in the death metal bands Saprophyte, Serene Molestation, and Blastomycosis, and is currently in Experiment Specimen. Anthony Abbatangelo (bass) plays in the drone/psych band Qarafa and occasionally records and mixes projects for local bands. Mrudul Kamble (drums) fronts the progressive/death metal act Mors Verum and is working on launching a recording studio from his new home in Waterloo, ON.

The live show (post covid times) from Ischemic is both unsettling and energetic. What little light is permitted showcases disjointed, violent movements as Tazbir lures you into their tales of woe. They have shared the stage with the likes of Volur, Greber, Woe, Beyond Creation, and Iskra.

Ischemic’s new self-titled album is due out April 2, 2021.

Discography:
2021 – Ischemic (Full-length LP)
2018 – Stagnation & Woe (Full-length LP)
2016 – All Paths Lead Nowhere (EP)
2013 – Frigid Descent (Demo)

Shared Stage with:
Volur, Greber, Woe, Beyond Creation, Usnea, Iskra, Oozing Wound, Vile Creature, Sarin

Tours and Festivals:
2019 – Briefcase Fest/Cold Summer – Toronto, ON
2018 – Suoni per il Popolo – Montreal, QC
2017 – London DeathFest – London, ON
2014 – Briefcase Fest – Toronto, ON

0 EPK – Monarch – Future Shock (2021)

  • February 8, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Monarch

EPK – Monarch – Future Shock (2021)

Album Title: Future Shock
Release Date: April 16, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

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

For fans of Slayer, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Pantera

“Future Shock hits hard on a lot of levels, there are the riffs, the solos, the speed, the heaviness, the melodies, great memorable lyrics, the dynamic range of our creativity I think was truly expressed, and yet we still managed to sound like ourselves. We all just really look forward to sharing it with everyone.” – Monarch

Monarch.band | Facebook.com/monarchthrash | Instagram.com/monarch666 | Twitter.com/riseofmonarch | YouTube

Monarchmetal.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

Winners of Wacken Metal Battle USA 2019

 

“I tell you, they could give Megadeth a run for their money in the technically-superior-melodic-thrash stakes!” – Sentinel Daily

“Possibly more guitar-centric than their last album, Future Shock has that racing intensity and metal to the bone determination to win over even the most skeptical people in the underground. March up to the table and give Monarch your full support – as this is high quality thrash with diversity, musicianship, and killer songwriting at the forefront.” – Dead Rhetoric 

“No matter if thrash is the creed which you live by or you’re venturing into the frenzied scene for the first time. Monarch will appeal to all who like their heavy metal to sound…well, like heavy metal. Get the muscles warmed up, you’re going to find your neck and arms are about to get a serious workout. Cue fists in the air and heads being banged.” – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life

“Future Shock is a Thrash entity bearing little flaw in delivery, it succinctly manages to pack in a band’s identity into 47 minutes of relentlessly driven Metal invoking headbanging with every single track. For anyone a fan of the genre or of anything loud and fast this album is a necessity for their library.” – Metal Temple

“I like Monarch, and ‘Future Shock’ is an excellent album, the band are obviously very serious at what they are doing, and yet also have a unique sense of fun, I mean what other band can name the likes of the cartoons Futurama, the Legend of Zelda and Dragon Ball Z, as lyrical influences, and also come up with a character ‘The Whore of the North’ as the protagonist of another song? This hard hitting, yet very melodic, with some great hooks and choruses, the riffs and solos simply fly around your ears. If you’re a fan of the likes of Havok, Warbringer at el, you could do far worse than checking out this exciting foursome. Great stuff.” – The Razor’s Edge

“If there’s a reason to stick with Monarch’s thrashy second album Future Shock, it’s the fantastic chemistry between guitarist/vocalist Matt Smith and guitarist Casey Trask. They split soloing duties down the middle, trading them off with the finesse of a Mustaine/Friedman pairing, while locking in with harmonies on songs like “Khaos Warrior.” The first song alone, “Blast The Seed,” has seven guitar solos in its five minutes, and that’s not an exception, as all ten tracks have a truckload of impressive guitar performances.” – Heavy Music Headquarters

“What a journey, from games worship to outer space to political controversy to whorey warriors, from mesmerizing classical guitar to thrash metal. There are even some synthesized sounding beats thrown in for good measure. ‘Future Shock’ is a true showcase of the range of Monarch’s technical ability. This band is definitely under-appreciated at the moment. There’s too much technique and flair here for them to be flying under the radar. Monarch is perhaps too often written off as pretenders to bigger bands but they aren’t pretending. They are owning their genre.” – Uber Rock

“with Future Shock, Monarch delivers a quality album – ten strong metal tracks – that will be welcomed by fans of thrash, speed, and power.” – The Great Metal Debate

“those who are a bit tired of the usual thrash formula may find “Future Shock” a breath of fresh metal to their ears as the group tries to add some unconventional elements- whether intentional or not- to make themselves heard loud and clear. 4 / 5” – Brutalism

“You’ll find riffs a plenty on this album, so if you ever worried about not having enough memorable or headbangable guitar work you can put your mind at ease.” Cave Dweller Music

“blistering riff action, sick solos, incessant drumming, excellent production, need I go on? 4.1/5” – Deaf Sparrow

“The album deserves to find a place between “Judas Priest” “Iron Maiden” and other
Metal greats.” – Hellfire Magazin

“This album brings us the workings of an old-fashioned Thrash metal album where Matt Smith’s ragged and powerful voice fits like a glove.” – Algoderock

“there’s no shortage of melodies or classic-tinged shredding. In that same vein of musicality, the rhythm section is insanely tight. That ties everything together solidly, allowing for the vocal rasp to play around a bit more, adding a more extreme edge. Make sure to pay special attention to the bass, though. There are some incredible runs thundering through this release, occasionally taking it to the front as a strong feature instrument. While Future Shock drops neatly into the thrash bracket, it is most assuredly at the most metal end of that spectrum. Not in heaviness, but traditional idioms. If that appeals to you, get this one cranked!” – Slow Dragon Music

“Fans of old-school thrash and more recent bands will enjoy this fresh, surprising and successful opus. The compositions are brutal as you wish, heavy and ultra-fast and we never tire of the impressive technique of the four talented musicians. This group deserves to be known and have its place among the greats. The guitar solos are intense, sound like a ton of bricks, and are performed with bewildering efficiency. They must be really interesting in concert… I haven’t taken a thrashy slap like this since the release of Death Angel’s last album, Humanicide, released in 2019.” – Metal Alliance Mag 

““Go Forth… Slaughter” is a loud record that is full of twists and turns. Hopefully this release encourages Monarch to do some touring beyond Southern California, because songs like these need more ears.” – SD Metal

“A very colorful cover can also win over many fence-sitting people – and the rawer attention to detail on the production front gives us a clearer picture of what to expect live (a sinister snare snap plus in your face guitar tones duly noted). Go Forth…Slaughter executes in that late 80’s/early 90’s thrash/death platform, where people lost interest in major label veterans straying into commercial waters. Monarch makes it safe for you to trust their music: brutal, aggressive, and all for the love of the genre.” – Dead Rhetoric

“‘a super solid speed metal record.” – Metal Assault (2017 – Review – Go Forth… Slaughter)

L-R – Gabe Mendez (Bass), Adam West (Drums), Matt Smith (Vocals/Guitar), Casey Trask (Guitar)
Photo Credit: Astrid Anaya

Monarch is a heavy metal band from San Diego, consisting of Matt Smith on vocals and guitar (NIHILIST, DAMCYAN), Casey Trask on guitar (THE THREE TREMORS, CAGE), Gabe Mendez on bass (SUPRA SUMMUS), and Adam West on drums. Formed in 2007 by Casey Trask and some buddies in high school, Monarch weaved its web across San Diego, finding the best musicians to keep up with the lightning-fast rhythms, smashing drums, and screaming guitar solos, the standard was hard to keep until the right members were found. Adam West was next to join the band bringing a fearsome ferocity that few have ever seen in a drummer. His all-out style drumming and love of heavy metal was a perfect fit for Monarch’s earlier thrash metal material and has since been refined into a speed metal killing machine. Next to join would be Matt Smith, always revered by the members of Monarch as being one of the most creative and eccentric musicians in San Diego playing with local bands Damcyan and Nihilist, Adam and Casey would go to his shows and stare in awe as he would warm up and soundcheck with Yngwie Malmsteen licks. Matt joined the band around 2016, a year later the band would release their debut album “Go Forth… Slaughter” featuring raw thrash metal with a hint of what was to come, with Matt’s affinity and background in classical music, the sound was bound to evolve in the most epic way imaginable. Last to join, but certainly not least, was Gabe Mendez. The members of Monarch would always enjoy watching Gabe’s band Supra Summus perform in San Diego in which Gabe was the bass player/ lead vocalist and was certainly more than capable of the demanding rhythms of Monarch. In 2020, Monarch recruited this demon beast of a bass player and hasn’t looked back since. Monarch has shared the stage with bands such as Death Angel, Nervosa, Powerglove, Act of Defiance, and in 2019, they won the Wacken Metal Battle in the USA to guarantee a slot at the greatest heavy metal festival in the world, Wacken Open Air. Monarch will release their new album “Future Shock” in the year 2021.

Discography
2021 – “Future Shock” – LP
2017 – “Go Forth… Slaughter” – LP

Shared Stage with: Powerglove, Act Of Defiance, Nervosa, Michael Angelo Batio, Death Angel, Hatchet, Exmortus, Nihilist

Festival and Tours:
Wacken Open Air Festival 2019 (Wacken, Germany)
Winners of Wacken Metal Battle USA 2019

Artist endorsements:
XYZ Clothing, ISP Technologies, Liquid Death Mountain Spring Water

====================
BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS

1. In 2019, Monarch won a USA nationwide Wacken Metal Battle and earned a slot at one of the biggest heavy metal festivals in the world, Wacken Open Air Festival 2019 in Germany, that year featuring bands such as Slayer, Sabaton, Hammerfall, Prophets of Rage, and many many more.

2. When we went out to Germany to play Wacken, we were in our hotel room testing out our gear. It was one of Matt’s first times performing out in Europe and we all had to use converters and such for our amps and pedals. So Matt plugs something in wrong and it blows the power on the whole floor of the hotel, I don’t think we’ve ever laughed so hard.

3. Before Monarch existed, the other members (not knowing each other yet) would go watch Matt Smith perform with his bands Nihilist and Damcyan and stare in awe at his soundcheck and guitar solo wizardry, knowing not that they would one day be up there alongside him.

4. The drum tracks on “Go Forth… Slaughter” our first album were all recorded live with only Casey and Matt in the room playing guitars that they couldn’t hear, only Adam, to give the real vibe of our live intensity. No click track on the first record. The final track on that album, “Sonic Reaper” was the first and only take Adam did.

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Future Shock
Release Date: April 16, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:
1. Blast The Seed (5:16)
2. Khaos Warrior (2:51)
3. Future Shock (5:00)
4. Nuclear Warfare (4:00)
5. Shred or Die! (4:15)
6. Multiverse (3:02)
7. Fatal Vector (6:47)
8. Collision Of Bones (3:45)
9. Swarm Of The Whorenet (6:41)
10. Metal Soul (5:21)
Album Length: 47:04

Album Credits:
– All Songs Performed by: Matt Smith, Adam West, Casey Trask, Gabe Mendez, Alex Pickard
– All Songs Written by: Matt Smith, Adam West, Casey Trask, Alex Pickard
Produced, Mixed and Mastered by: Sean Tolley (Clarity Recordings)
– Album Artwork by: Marc Sasso
– ASCAP artists: Matt Smith and Casey Trask
Album Band Lineup:
Matt Smith (Vocals, Guitar)
Casey Trask (Guitar)
Gabe Mendez (Bass)
Alex Pickard (Bass – “Collision of Bones”)
Adam West (Drums)

Live Band Lineup:
Matt Smith (Vocals, Guitar)
Casey Trask (Guitar)
Gabe Mendez (Bass)
Adam West (Drums)

MONARCH – FUTURE SHOCK – Track By Track Explained:

The album as a whole:
It hits hard on a lot of levels, there are the riffs, the solos, the speed, the heaviness, the melodies, great memorable lyrics, the dynamic range of our creativity I think was truly expressed, and yet we still managed to sound like ourselves. We all just really look forward to sharing it with everyone.

Track by track:
1. “Blast the Seed” was written all together in about an hour at a practice one day, structure and everything. It was when the most recent Black Dahlia Murder album came out at the time, I think it was “Nightbringers”, and Adam (Drums) wanted to come up with something with that vibe and I think Matt started it up with the main chorus riff and it grew from there, this one has a unique vibe because it was literally a creation from all of us at the moment and is a really fun one to play live. The lyrics are about blasting seeds of life into space to save a doomed race.

2. “Khaos Warrior” is one of our favorites to play, a bunch of guitar harmonies, melodic riffs switching into brutal thrash rhythms, it’s a quick one but super exciting, the lyrics are about the Dragonball Z “Tournament of Power”. Awesome visuals in the lyrics, this one was written entirely by Matt Smith (Guitar/Vocals)

3. “Future Shock”, the title track, written by Matt Smith is based on the show Futurama, waking up, after being cryogenically frozen, into a future world, This one has one of the catchiest choruses of the album and leans more towards the brutal and thrasher side of the spectrum.

4. “Nuclear Warfare” is about just that, and really slams you with loud thrashing brutal riffs till the end, also written by Matt Smith (as an assignment for a composition course while earning his Associates of Arts in Classical Music degree).

5. “Shred Or Die!” Is our first single and music video from the album, this one has probably been in the Monarch setlist for the longest, this one really hits home nowadays lyrically about civil unrest and power-hungry people ruling over others. The music video has gotten some heat as it features some heavy footage of the riots going on in America during COVID-19 and “Black Lives Matter” protests. But on the lighter side also features skateboarding around local San Diego skate spots.

6. “Multiverse” allows us a glimpse into Matt Smith’s classical guitar playing potential, as the rhythm section backs him up with a heavy chord progression and an insane bass line. It gives the feeling of spinning through the blackness of space with no hope of return. It is also the intro track to our next song…

7. “Fatal Vector”, Another of Matt’s creations, using very disgruntled, brutal, chromatic riffs. This is a very unapologetic, unforgiving track about being on a collision course with fate, death. This one is a nonstop smasher live.

8. “Collision of Bones” was written and recorded by our former bass player (Alex Pickard), (All other tracks either feature Gabe Mendez or Matt Smith on bass guitar), about a near fatal car crash he was involved in. Probably will not be heard live anytime soon out of respect of Alex’s departure from the band. It’s a thrash metal song with a brutal half-time feel 2nd half.

9. “Swarm Of The Whorenet” Another of our more collaborative tracks, this song started off as a fictional universe we created in a saga called “The Whore Of The North”, this is the point in the story that the protagonist (The Whore Of The North) is being pursued by servants of the antagonist, in the form of Warrior Whore Hornets, featured in our cover artwork by Marc Sasso who did work for Dio, Slayer, Judas Priest, and many others. This song is an adventure, varying in rhythm and intensity but a very quirky feel that leads into one of the most exhilarating solo sections of the entire album. And war chant that will make you want to yell along with “WORLD WAR WHORE WAR-WHORING!”

10. “Metal Soul” This one, Matt came to us with this awesome bending guitar harmony (heard in the Intro and throughout the song) that reminded me (Casey) of an old school Japanese cop show or something like that and we really wanted to make something of it. It developed into one of the tracks we are most proud of. The lyrics ended up being about the Legend of Zelda “Master Sword” or the “Sword That Seals The Darkness” and turned into a thrashy/power metal trip. Featuring some of the fastest double bass on the album from Adam West and an epic buildup to a crescendo that will make you yearn for the next record.

0 EPK – Reality Grey – Beneath This Crown (2021)

  • February 2, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Reality Grey

EPK – Reality Grey – Beneath This Crown (2021)

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

Management and Booking: Extreme Management Group, Inc. emg.scotteames[@]gmail[.]com, EMG.MarkKloeppel[@]gmail[.]com

 For fans of Soilwork, As I Lay Dying, Scar Symmetry, Lamb of God, Unearth

“Beneath This Crown is in our opinion the most innovative and modern record we ever made. The creative process for each track has been very meticulous and nothing has been left to chances. It blends the melodic and experimental part of Reality Grey with the most brutal and aggressive side of the band.” – Reality Grey

Album Title: Beneath This Crown
Release Date: May 7th, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Blood Blast powered by Nuclear Blast    

Facebook.com/RealityGrey | Instagram.com/realitygrey | YouTube

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

“Melodic, aggressive and catchy, this track adds (Multidimensional Hollow) well placed synths and ambiance to an already well rounded sound, making it complex without being overcomplicated. The new album shows a marked evolution in the band’s sound, something that will intrigue current fans and entice new ones.” – Metal Injection

“Beneath this Crown, a creative step forward in their combination of NWOAHM from the early aughts, At the Gates-inspired metalcore and Scandinavian-flavoured melodic death metal.” – Decibel Magazine

“Reality Grey give off a viciousness and expertise hard to find in other bands. The instrumental expertise of each component is absolute, slighting touching tech-death side of acts like The Faceless but remaining ‘catchy’ in their complexity” – Metal Hammer

“It’s complete and total aural devastation with some seriously chunky moments, so it lives right up to what you’d expect a song called “The Void” to do.” – Metal Injection

“Reality Grey will serve the world of metal excellently both as an all round, no nonsense, metal act and as a brigde band for younger fans of heavy music” – Metalunderground.at

Album Title: Beneath This Crown
Release Date: May 7th, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Blood Blast powered by Nuclear Blast    

Track Listing:
1. Legion (Intro) (1:51)
2. Fade In Fear (4:44)
3. Kings Of Nothing (5:18)
4. Preachers Of Hatred (4:05)
5. Daybreakers (5:37)
6. Powerblast (4:09)
7. Multidimensional Hollow (4:16)
8. The Fury (4:01)
9. Dreaming (Feat. Milly Florio from End Of Skyline) (5:13)
10. Reascent (4:01)
11. Beneath This Crown (5:28)
12. Indelible Stains (3:39)
13. The Void (4:34)
Album Length: 57:03
 
Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Reality Grey
• All songs written by: Reality Grey
• Produced by: Reality Grey and Simone Pietroforte at Divergent Studios
• Mixed by: Simone Pietroforte at Divergent Studios
• Mastered by: Simone Pietroforte at Divergent Studios
• Album Artwork by: Anto Addabbo

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Tommy Montenegro – Vocals
Anto Addabbo – Guitars/Clean Vocals
Alberto Pinto – Guitars
Alex Giustino – Bass
Francesco Inchingolo – Drums

Track by Track Explained:
1 – Legion: An orchestral intro with some Orwellian-like speech
2 – Fade In Fear: Fast, razorsharp riffs with a melodic chorus and light-speed guitar solos. Groovy.
3 – Kings Of Nothing: A groovy and brutal intro with crazy riffs, gives way to a “spacey” interlude with a fusion guitar solo.
4 – Preachers Of Hatred: The most brutal song of the album. Slayerish intro gives way to a groovy and jazzy pre-chorus. Insane drumming and a very heavy finale.
5 – Daybreakers: Progressive riffing in the intro, the double bass goes in unison with the guitars, vocals a-la Meshuggah, super spacey chorus with clean vocals. A nice progressive bridge takes the song to a very melodic fusion guitar solo.
6 – Powerblast: Very groovy song, guitars and drums are a monolithic wall of sound. Evil riffs in the final part. Brutal.
7 – Multidimensional Hollow: The most progressive song on the album. Very melodic and complex with light fast guitar solos and an epic finale.
8 – The Fury: Groovy and fast. It starts with a riff a la Breaking Benjamin that results in a old school hardcore chorus.
9 – Dreaming (Feat. Milly Florio of End Of Skyline): Intro Pantera style, the verse, and the chorus are completed with the amazing voice of Milly Florio from the band End Of Skyline that perfectly matches the brutality of Tommy’s voice. The dreamy final part will urge you to listen to the song again. A very experimental tune.
10 – Reascent: Progressive riffing in the intro gives way to an HC verse and chorus. Very evil bridge before the guitar solo.
11 – Beneath This Crown: The title track has different feels, super thrashy at the beginning, doomy special and crazy guitar solos.
12 – Indelible Stains: Super heavy intro guitars and drums makes a wall of sound. The lyrics on the song are some of our favourite ever.
13 – The Void: This song has a metalcore feel, clean vocals chorus and huge breakdowns.

L-R – Francesco Inchingolo (Drums), Alex Giustino (Bass), Tommaso Montenegro (Vocals), Anto Addabbo (Guitars/Clean Vocals), Alberto Pinto (Guitars)
 

Hailing from South Italy, Reality Grey stands tall in the Italian metal scene. Formed in 2004, Reality Grey began their quest to redefine melodic death metal. As a tight-knit 5 piece band, Reality Grey incorporates a modern hybrid of extreme music: melody, brutality; blending complex, yet catchy songwriting. Fearsome death growls & clean vocals give way to razor-sharp guitar riffs and fusion-oriented solos, Reality Grey set out to create something all their own.

With the release of the debut full-length album “Darkest Days Are Yet To Come” in 2006, in the heat of the melodic death metal revolution, Reality Grey managed to secure their first record deal with Razar Ice Records USA. Songs like “Reality Grey” and “Never again” racked up hundreds of thousands plays on the old MySpace allowing the band to tour, gaining popularity well beyond the Italian borders. Following up with EP “Day Zero”, Reality Grey began to push their own boundaries. Ferocious, yet melodic, with a no-holds-barred songwriting attitude. Songs like “Day Zero” and “Slavery” emerged the band’s experimental side, synths, melancholic pianos, and acoustic guitars; perfectly fused with intoxicating sonic aggression.

After years of non-stop touring alongside bands like Deicide, Unearth, Municipal Waste, Sadist, Malevolent Creation, and more, the critically acclaimed “Define Redemption” is released by Bakerteam/Scarlet Records; sending the band on their first headline tour in Japan. Reality Grey, now having been featured on worldwide publications Metal Injection, Metal Hammer UK, Metal Temple, and Metal.de, released 2018’s “The Void”. Reviewed as “a complete and total aural devastation…” that “will blow your speaker out” by Metal Injection.

Reality Grey has completed work on their upcoming full-length due out May 7th 2021 (Blood Blast Distribution powered by Nuclear Blast). Looking ahead with tours and festival appearances on their sights, Reality Grey will continue to push ambitiously, earning their place among the pantheon of heavy music.

Now, having inked a worldwide deal with Extreme Management Group (EMG), the band says “We’re thrilled to announce that we have started working with Extreme Management Group! Definitely the right place for us. Big news is coming very soon. Stay tuned!” EMG said, “We are excited to be working with Reality Grey. They have some really fantastic music. We expect big things to come from this partnership.”.

Artist Endorsements: Jackson Guitars/Fender, EMG Pickups, Mooer Audio, Enki Cases.

Shared Stage with: Deicide, Malevolent Creation, Unearth, Sick Of It All, Municipal Waste, Hatesphere, Rotting Christ, Destrage, Necrodeath, Hideous Divinity, Novembre

Discography:
2021 – Beneath This Crown LP (Self-Release/Distro Blood Blast – Nuclear Blast)
2014 – Define Redemption LP (Bakerteam/Scarlet Records)
2008 – Day Zero EP (Razar Ice Records)
2006 – Darkest Days Are Yet To Come LP (Razar Ice Records)
2004 – Reborn In Apathy Demo

Tours and Festivals:
2018 – Rock Metal Fest – Taranto, Italy
2018 – Breaking Sound Metal Fest – Brindisi, Italy
2018 – Undergrind Metal Meating II, Italy
2016 – RockCult Fest, Italy
2015 – Raw&Wild Rock Fest – Bari, Italy
2014 – “Redemption over Japan” – Headliner Japan Tour
2012 – Municipal Waste Italian tour, Italy
2012 – “Enslaving The Masses” Headliner Italian Tour
2012 – The Bad Side Festival, Gallipoli, Italy
2012 – European Headliner Tour, Fr/De/B/Holland
2012 – Apulia Metal Fest, Bari, Italy
2008 – Deicide Italian Tour, support band, Italy
2008 – Hatesphere Italian tour, support band, Italy
2008 – Total Metal Fest, Italy
2006 – Total Metal Fest, Italy

0 EPK – No Hope For The Lost – The Pilgrimage (EP) (2021)

  • January 26, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · No Hope For The Lost

EPK – No Hope For The Lost – The Pilgrimage (EP) (2021)

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

For fans of Periphery, Meshuggah, Deftones, Devin Townsend, Gojira

Album Title: The Pilgrimage
Release Date: April 9, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Facebook.com/NHFTL | Instagram.com/n0h0pef0rthel0st

Nohopeforthelost.bandcamp.com | Spotify

Single “Yu Yevon” digital pre-save here.

EP digital pre-save here

“The demonic possession vocals are back for “Jecht” with a barrage of Nu-Metalcore riffs that create a dramatic and frantic pit starter. An unexpected and sumptuous solo followed by a big breakdown sequence is an absolute pleasure.” – Metal Noise

““Yunalesca” is another super-short track, but the melodies are outstanding. There is a thick heavy synth line with clean guitars and piano notes, along with some ethereal singing. It begins to pick up, and segues into “Jecht.” The angry vocals and Djent tones are back. It chugs along with some meter shifting until the chorus, where some clean vocals come in. Here is where I might recommend some backing vocals to thicken up the sound, but the song is on fire.” – Metal Temple

“The guitar work exists in a sort of djent space without being overwhelming, knowing when to take breaks and go for it. A good example of this is part three which  acts as an interlude. The instrumentation here is actually really clever with the feeling of space being very apparent. ” – Rock Out Stand Out

“”Yu Yevon” knocks everything and everyone over like a waltz from the start. Expect a kind of mix of diverse genres such as progressive metal, metalcore mixed with soundscapes, and a predilection for video games.” – Musika

No Hope For The Lost is a project formed and led by musician and audio engineer Nathanael Bohnet. Ran out of Octave Studios in Medicine Hat, Alberta, No Hope For The Lost was formed as Deadlights originally in 2018. After releasing one EP and having Covid-19 cancel all plans for festival appearances and touring, Nathanael and bandmate/producer Re Mayer decided it was time to go back to the drawing board. Thus, starting under the new moniker No Hope For The Lost.

Combining influences of progressive metal, metalcore, and various influences from science fiction to video games, No Hope for the Lost delivers a sound that is as heavy as it is accessible. Their new upcoming EP “The Pilgrimage” is centered around the classic video game Final Fantasy X, and they have re-released their old Deadlights material as a homage to their formative days, thus continuing the pattern of being influenced by various works of fiction.

“The Pilgrimage is a structured listening experience that combines an atmosphere of high-energy melody and groove with a foundation of heavy rhythms and ferocious vocal patterns. The EP is meant to flow as one track broken into 4 movements, as we believe the best records are made to be heard that way. It draws influences from many sounds that prevailed through the 2010s, while continuously tipping a hat to the atmospheric soundscapes and vibes of the early 2000s. In a world where the fine line between djent, metalcore, and progressive metal is continuously blurred, The Pilgrimage is a sound confident on its own that refuses to fit in while still having the formulas that make interesting and catchy music. The Pilgrimage is a sound that imagines the heavy side of catchy, and the catchy side of heavy.”  – NHFTL

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS

1. The third track on the EP, and to be honest the entire concept of having things relate to themes present in Final Fantasy X, came from Re and I (Nate) talking in the studio late at night about how we wanted everything to link together. We figured out our concepts, and realized that a lot of the leg work for making everything fit was already there, we just needed one more thing. Re has been getting into a lot of experimental production, so we felt that maybe this was just what we needed to help make things link together. So Re took some random guitar part I wrote doing a scale/theory exercise and created something that really helps bring the rest of the ep together.

2. The guitars for this EP were my (Nate) first attempt at a full re-amp setup. Our friend in Raising the Ruins lent us his 5150/Mesa Rectifier setup, and we had our fun blending that with a gnarly Helix Tone with a Friedman IR.

3. One of the synth patches I (Re) used in Yu Yevon and Braska was actually created by my 3-year-old daughter Vela when she was 2. I let her mess around with the synth until something we had to save was made. It ended up actually getting used, so I actually credit her as one of the creative inputs on this EP.

4. One of the songs on this EP is actually a reprisal of an older song I (Nate) released for my solo project with Re reworking riffs and helping transform it into a better song. Another song off the EP was originally a song that myself and our former guitarist Cesar brought into a band a few years ago. Though both of us had left that project, Re had ended up joining them for a time, and we got the go-ahead to take it for ourselves and rework it into what it is now.

5. Back in 2017 when I (Nate) was trying to figure out collaborations for a solo project, I reached out to Re and we ended up working on a song called Chaotic. A year after that we ended up playing a few shows together with the original lineup when we were Deadlights and Re’s project Bring Your Own Bodies. The following day we did a live stream here in the band studio house for 2 Shadows and BYOB, and shortly after that, I reached out to Re about possibly working together on future promotional stuff as we are both aspiring audio engineers. Two years later Re has not only moved Medicine Hat, but we are finally going at what we have been talking about for the past 3 and a half years.

The EP as a whole:

This EP is a structured listening experience that combines an atmosphere of melody and groove with a foundation of heavy rhythms and ferocious vocal patterns. The album flows as one track broken into 4 movements, as I believe the best albums are made to flow as much as possible.

Track by Track explained:

1. Braska:
The opening track. It is very prog rock-esque and the softest song on the album. It is ominous and atmospheric with vocal layers sung by both Nate and Re all throughout the track. The song is the first movement of the reprised melody throughout the EP. The song builds up into the next track after kicking into distorted guitars and progressively more layered and layered vocals shrouding the song as it closes, using various noises to make an unsettling environment into the next song.

2. Yu Yevon:
Continuing the buildup of noise and voices that made up the end of the intro, Yu Yevon immediately explodes into a rhythmic groove driven by heavy guitars and bass. Soon after, Nate’s screamed vocals kick in to really drive the point home that this experience has started. After going into the first verse, we are reminded of the synth-driven atmospheres of the previous track being thrown into the rest of the song in various contexts. The choruses of this song are a key change into an upbeat and soaring movement that descends back into the heavy rhythmic territory that glues the song together. The bridge of this song is a hardcore and groove metal influenced mosh riff compilation that takes a break from the overused metalcore formula rhythms and focuses on dynamic and power chord driven anger riffs before going back into the upbeat chorus that finally ends the song. The song ends as the next track can slowly be heard fading in with the last sounds of guitar fading out.

3. Yunalesca:
Yunalesca is an interlude track inspired by my (Re)’s aspiration to one day score for movies and video games. It was originally made by looping a riff Nate created and making an atmosphere around it with my synthesizer, and various samples. I then used my vocoder to sing the first reprisal of the reprising melody in the EP. I feel this song paints a picture of the various beautiful natural and urban environments created throughout Final Fantasy X, while still maintaining the influences of the artists I was listening to at the time. The ending sequence of the song uses glitching and reverse effects to shift a change from euphoric and soaring to abysmal and uncertain as distorted and layered voices once again shroud the listener in new ways before being fully immersed in the next and final song.

4. Jecht:
Jecht immediately starts off with part of its chorus: the reprising melody of the EP. This moment defines and makes the listening experience full circle as the final song kicks in with aggressive nu metalcore and djent inspired barrage of riffs. After showing off some riffs and fast aggressive vocals, the song breaks into heavy rhythms and synths before the pre-chorus. The song kicks into a dramatic and melodic chord driven chorus focused on a massive and layered sound. Right after the first chorus, Nate and Re compete with each other with fast guitar leads and a very operatic performance before once again contrasting melody and brutality.

The song’s chorus repeats and then goes into a grand finale sequence that is more or less our ode to Canadian Prog. The song ends with heavy rhythms and an abrupt ending to give a final cliffhanger effect after everything the listener just listened to.

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

Album Title: The Pilgrimage
Release Date: April 9, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:
1. Braska (1:36)
2. Yu Yevon (4:26)
3. Yunalesca (1:30)
4. Jecht (4:55)
EP Length: 12:28

EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: Nathanael Bohnet and Re Mayer
• All songs written by: Nathanael Bohnet (Song 3 Written by Re Mayer
• Produced by: Nathanael Bohnet and Re Mayer
• Mixed by: Nathananel Bohnet (Track 3 Mixed by Re Mayer)
• Mastered by: Nathanael Bohnet
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album Band Line Up:
Re Mayer – Guitar / Backing Vocals / Synth
Nathanael Bohnet – Bass/ Lead Vocals

Live Band Line Up:
Re Mayer – Guitar/Backing Vox
Nathanael Bohnet – Vox

Discography:
2021 – The Pilgrimage EP
2020 – Deadlights EP (also known as No Hope For The Lost)

Shared Stage with:
2 Shadows, Sicks, Widows Peak, Raising The Ruins, BYOB, Revanchist, Blackest Sin

0 EPK – Cavedweller – Slow Death (single) (2021)

  • January 26, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Cavedweller · EPKs

EPK – Cavedweller – Slow Death (single) (2021)

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

For fans of Every Time I Die, Norma Jean, The Chariot, Chelsea Grin, Whitechapel, Traitors

Facebook.com/CavedwellerNB | Instagram.com/Cavedwellernb | Twitter.com/CavedwellerNB

Cavedweller506.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Youtube

“We’re just four homies from a small town that play groovy riffs, and crushing breakdowns. Come show us what you’ve got in the pit.” – Cavedweller

Release Date: February 5, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing: 1. Slow Death (2:39)

Single Credits:
• All songs performed by: Curtis Bonvie, Alex Sturgeon, Sam Brown, Brad Kenny
• All songs written by: Curtis Bonvie, Alex Sturgeon, Sam Brown, Brad Kenny
• Produced by: Tyler Chambers, Gabe Charron (video)
• Mixed by: Tyler Chambers
• Mastered by: Tyler Chambers
• Single Artwork by: Gabe Charron
• Canadian Content (MAPL): Yes

Single Band Line Up:
Cujo Bonvie – Vocals
Alex Sturgeon – Bass
Sam Brown – Drums
Brad Kenny – Guitar

Live Band Line Up:
Cujo Bonvie – Vocals
Alex Sturgeon – Bass
Sam Brown – Drums
Alex Crotty – Guitar

Discography:
2021 – Slow Death (single)
2020 – Primal – EP
2019 – Free-Sushi  – Demo

Cavedweller is four homies from the small town of Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada that play groovy riffs, and crushing breakdowns.

Cavedweller is Cujo Bonvie (vocals), Alex Sturgeon (bass), Sam Brown (drums), and Brad Kenny (guitar), four guys who have known each other from the local scene for years. Brown and Sturgeon used to play together in local act Blueprints, and Bonvie was a regular attendee to local shows, and played in a number of local bands, including Dumpster Mummy, Panda Bee Catastrophe, and The Mind Unleashed. Once the four of them started jamming, the chemistry was evident and the rest is history.

In 2019, the band recorded their demo “Free-Sushi” which was followed up in 2020 with the EP “Primal”. The EP was mixed and mastered themselves; guitars were recorded in Sturges room, drums at a friend’s place, and mastered at Kenny’s place. During the recording process at Sturges, a lightsaber battle broke out between Sturge and Kenny to determine whose masters would be the ones released. It was a long and intense battle, but Kenny was ultimately the victor.

There is a wide range of influences coursing through the blood of the band including hardcore, punk, deathcore, and a little bit of prog-metal, and the final result is best suited for fans of Chelsea Grin, Whitechapel, and Traitors.

Cavedweller has played with several bands in their short history and expects to have a full length out by the end of 2021.

Don’t be shy, come show us what you’ve got in the pit!

0 EPK – Diner Drugs – As Is (2019)

  • January 22, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Diner Drugs · EPKs

EPK – Diner Drugs – As Is (2019)

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

Management / Booking: Manager, Kate Butler, She Said Feck Records – shesaidfeckrecords[@]gmail.com

Album Title: As Is
Release Date: September 13, 2019
Label: Self-Release

For fans Red Fang, Cancer Bats, Alexisonfire, The Bronx, Heart Attack Kids

SheSaidFeckRecords.com/diner-drugs-epk | Facebook.com/DinerDrugs | Twitter.com/DinerDrugs | Youtube | Instagram.com/DinerDrugs

DinerDrugs.Bandcamp | Apple Music | Amazon| Spotify 

“Jack Of All Trades” uses clever drum timing between guitar riffs which assaults the senses in different ways and rattles your eardrums like an off-balanced washing machine. The skate punk style writing of this track will have you wondering if NOFX and Suicidal Tendencies had a baby.” – Sarah Hellingwerf, The East 

“Diner Drugs is one of those “f&*k all” bands that play heavy, fast and dirty rock.” – Jamie Robash, Divide and Conquer Music 

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: As Is
Release Date: September 13, 2019
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Under Fire (4:18)
2. Need Time (3:57)
3. Gump Truck (3:58)
4. Jack of All Trades (3:08)
5. Medicine (2:37)
6. Rotten Eggs (4:46)
7. Back on the Blues (2:36)
8. Cell Maid (4:43)
Album Length: 30:17

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Diner Drugs
• All songs written by: Diner Drugs
• Produced by: Kyle McDonald
• Mixed by: Kyle McDonald
• Mastered by: Kyle McDonald
• Album Artwork by: Brock Jorgensen
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content – MAPL

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Jackson Landry – Guitar/Vocals
Chris Lee – Bass/Vocals
Jordan Fournier – Guitar/Vocals
Jesse Briggs – Drums

 L-R: Jackson Landy (Guitar/Vocals) | Jesse Briggs (Drums) l Chris Lee (Bass/Vocals) l Jordan Fournier (Guitar/Vocals)

Photo Credit – Brock Jorgensen

Diner Drugs is a four-piece stoner metal punk crew, born out of a desire to defeat the boredom of east coast living. Diner Drugs is fast, loud and is always keen to turn up the heat with catchy choruses and deep vocal harmonies while sticking to their deep stoner metal roots.

They’ve developed a reputation for their live performances, keeping themselves steadily on the road, and are now certified road dogs lending east coast support for Cancer Bats and Dead Quiet along with Maritime, Ontario and Quebec support several times over for Heart Attack Kids and local support for heavy hitters Mokomakai and Red Fang.

With two albums under their belts As Is (2019) recorded by Kyle MacDonald of Zaum and their self-titled EP (2017) they have gained immense support and several accolades from their peers and were recipients of the MNB Loud Artist of the Year Award in 2018 and were nominated for MNB Video of the Year Award in 2019.

Since 2009 members of Diner Drugs have been foundations of the Moncton metal scene as former members of Bong Jovi, The Human Comedy, and Savage Young. Diner Drugs as always have no signs of slowing down and already planning for their next record in 2021.

*Their upcoming spring tour with Woodhawk and spring shows in Newfoundland was subsequently canceled due to Covid 19 but with hopes to reschedule for later in 2020/21.

Artist Endorsements:
PENSION Clothing Company

Discography:
2019, As Is (LP)
2017, Self Titled (EP)

Shared Stage with:
Cancer Bats, Mokomakai, Red Fang, Dead Quiet, Heart Attack Kids, Iron Giant, Zaum, Hard Charger Motherhood

Tours and Festivals:
2019 – Cancer Bats East Coast Tour w Dead Quiet
2019 – Mud City Meltdown Festival w Red Fang – Moncton, NB
2019 – Heart Attack Kids East Coast/ON/QC Tour
2018 – Heart Attack Kids East Coast Tour
2018 – She Said Feck Records East Coast Tour
2017 – Mokomaki – East Coast Support

0 EPK – The Design Abstract – Technotheism (2021) (Abstrakted Records)

  • January 19, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · The Design Abstract

EPK – The Design Abstract – Technotheism (2021)

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

For fans Septicflesh, Scar Symmetry, Dimmu Borgir, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Machina

Album Title: Technotheism
Release Date: Jan 29th, 2021
Label: Abstrakted Records 
Distribution: Distrokid

Facebook.com/thedesignabstract | Youtube | Instagram.com/voiicide

Design.bandcamp.com | Spotify

“Incorporating old school sci-fi visual elements with choppy electronics, catchy guitar parts and perfectly timed kick drums, this track (Parallel Projection) is a synth metal blast!” – Metal Injection

“A symphonic technical death metal masterpiece with an amazing concept to keep you engaged from start to finish \m/” – Heavy New York 

“Now for some nerd shit. Technotheism is a concept record about the future that at it’s core is a melodic death metal record, but the band dabbles with electronic elements, technicality, and grand orchestrations throughout. Fans of Last Chance To Reason and really any band Mike Semesky (Ordinance, Raunchy, etc) has been a part of will probably dig this.” – Metal Injection

“This is a grandiose affair, full of musicality, technicality, and narrative. Thirteen tracks of symphonic melodic death metal that tells a cyberpunk story of a group of rebels fighting to regain control of Earth. It ranges from technical guitar work to atmospheric electronic passages, and just about everything in between.” – The Prog Space

“I love hearing something ambitious and genre-bending when a band can follow through on their vision.  The Design Abstract is one such band, one that had an idea and put it together almost flawlessly… This album is every bit as diverse, colorful, and epic as I had hoped, and there are jaw-dropping moments galore.  I absolutely love this record.” – The Prog Mind

“The Canadian The Design Abstract continues exactly where the appetizer “Esoteric”, published last year, caused unimagined enthusiasm. As a result, the duo from Ontario cuts even more clearly into the notch of futuristic sci-fi melodic death metal, which lives largely from orchestral and symphonic density, but which also steers very sophisticated and elegant in the right direction… Rarely do you hear such an exciting album that continues to rotate a unique spindle of ideas between melodic and progressive elements. Death metal meets industrial, songs that are staged in a great symphonic and epic breadth. 9.5/10″ ” – Zephyrs Odem

“The Design Abstract goes for a big symphonic style in extreme metal, with a few twists and surprises along the way. Fans of the dystopian and/or futuristic sounds may find the album especially interesting. The Design Abstract is the symphony that remains after the alien zombies have taken over and this is the music that they want the world to hear to remind everyone that the zombies are horrible beings that enjoy tormenting the population with grandiose cacophony. When can the party begin, right?” – Metal Bulletin Zine 

“THE DESIGN ABSTRACT – Technothesim is an eavesdropping beyond one’s own musical nose, which is worth it!” – My Revelations

L-R: Logan Mayhem (guitar, songwriting, synth programming), and Voiicide (bass, vocals, scoring, additional sampling/programming) – Photo Credit – Tami Martin

The Design Abstract is a two-piece sci-fi-themed symphonic melo-death band from Ontario, Canada consisting of Logan Mayhem (guitar, songwriting, synth programming), and Voiicide (bass, vocals, scoring, additional sampling/programming). The band formed with a single goal: to create a blend of industrial-influenced symphonic metal that had never been done before. Since the debut album Emanate in 2017, The Design Abstract has sought to shed the antiquated tendencies of orchestral metal bands, instead pushing far into the future conceptually and lyrically. With each subsequent release (Corrupt in 2019 and Esoteric in 2020), the band pushed further into “melodic death metal” territory, brandishing more comprehensive riffs, technical drum writing, and more guttural vocals, but never lost the industrial-electronic edge or the massive and dramatic orchestral passages. The cumulation of this sound is their latest album Technotheism due out Jan 29, 2021.

A grandiose display of musicality, technicality, and narrative, the sophomore full length is a monumental 13-track work of symphonic melodic death metal that tells a cyberpunk story of a group of rebels fighting to regain control of Earth. It ranges from technical guitar work to atmospheric electronic passages, and just about everything in between. One thing you’ll notice about Technotheism is how it’s structured and how it all flows together. The pattern of the types of tracks, the order, and their function was very carefully planned out in a way that few albums are.  

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Technotheism
Release Date: Jan 29th, 2021
Label: Abstrakted Records                
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:
1. Relentless (2:05)
2. Deus Est Machina (6:33)
3. The Apotheosis (1:54)
4. Among the Stars (1:36)
5. The Resistance (4:37)
6. Voidwalkers (3:46)
7. The Omnisphere (1:32)
8. Data Shield Attack (6:18)
9. The Return (3:41)
10. Elucidate (1:11)
11. Parallel Projection (3:46)
12. Annihilation (3:46)
13. A World of One (4:00)
Album Length: 44:50

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Voiicide & Logan Mayhem
• All songs written by: Voiicide & Logan Mayhem
• Produced by: Voiicide @ Abstrakted Records
• Mixed by: Voiicide @ Abstrakted Records
• Mastered by: Voiicide @ Abstrakted Records
• Album Artwork by: Roger Creus
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album Band Line Up:
• Voiicide – bass, songwriting, scoring/programming, lyrics, vocals
• Logan Mayhem – guitars, additional songwriting, sampling
• Guitar solos on track 2 by Luke Robinson
• Guest vocals on track 2 by Megurine Luka

Discography:
2021 – Technotheism – LP
2020 – Esoteric EP
2019 – Corrupt EP
2017 – Emanate – LP
(as band name ‘Design.’)
2016 – Catharsis – LP
2013 – Apotheosis

0 EPK – Matt Chanway – Unrelenting (single) (2021)

  • January 18, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Matt Chanway (Guitar Shredder)

Matt Chanway – Unrelenting (single) (2021)

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

“This tune was a lot of fun to write, and I feel it flows a lot better than songs I’ve released in the past. One big difference is the use of live drums, played by the amazing Mike ‘Machine’ Mallais.  Previous music I’ve released has used programmed drums, and while my programmer did a great job, there is just something about live drums and Mike slayed it on this track. This is the first of several new songs I’ve got lined up this year, and I am very excited to play these live when it is safe to do so!” – Matt Chanway

Progressive Instrumental Metal Guitar Shred

For fans of Plini, Scale The Summit, Animals As Leaders, CHON

Release Date: February 19, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/MattChanway | Instagram.com/MattChanway | Youtube

Spotify | MattChanway.Bandcamp | Amazon

“For fans of artists like Animals As Leaders, Scale the Summit, and Plini, “Unrelenting” showcases all of Matt’s various technical guitar abilities. From angular, dissonant riffs and pummeling rhythms to all manner of lead shredding, the track is jam-packed with all kinds of prog goodness and is undoubtedly sure to please fans of the genre.” – Gear Gods

“Solo artist Matt Chanway is a shredder whose instrumental compositions elicit comparisons to Conquering Dystopia, Alluvial, and the like. It becomes immediately evident that the dude knows his way around a fretboard (having studied guitar performance at the University of West London), but his widdely-woo is tasteful enough so as to not become tiresome, with care taken to first craft a sick riff to wail over. You can watch the maestro at work in this playthrough of “The Receiver of Wisdom” – a ditty from his debut self-titled album released on Christmas day 2016. A fine gift suited for even Jesus himself.” – Geargods

“Matt’s self-titled solo debut is proof of his versatility and prowess as a musician… quite impressed by his new material” – Progzilla (Album Review – Self-Titled 2016)

“if you find bands like Megadeth, Revocation and guitarists such as Jeff Loomis to be up your alley, Matt Chanway’s debut effort is absolutely your cup of tea and you would be well-advised to give it a spin. A compelling debut in every aspect.” – Metal Assault (Album Review – Self-Titled 2016)

“‘Eyes in the Sky’, just WOW! This is my ultimate favorite track in this album. Drums and guitars parts are just awesome. I love the guitar riff so much, and how the drums breaking-it over it. It’s just stunning. Also, the next part took me back to my beloved 80s metal era! I really felt the guitar here was the vocalist, not just a string instrument doing some melodies. The solo of this track took an oriental mode, which helped the track output very much indeed.” – Rock Era Magazine (Album Review – Self-Titled 2016)

“You can hear the love of playing the guitar that emanates from the fingers of this extremely talented player with song after song of thrills and heavy shredding.” – Altered Frequencies (Album Review – Self-Titled 2016)

“This is not an album just for shredders, it’s for anyone who wants an album of great metal that will get your head banging and wear your air guitar out.” – The Ripple  Effect (Album Review – Self-Titled 2016)

“Burstfire solos, frantic time signatures, complicated riffing and the like are all signposts of an artist who wants to see how far he can go. Unsurprisingly, this ambition pays off. The release could stand on its own as proof that Matt could play alongside the world’s greatest in shred guitar.” – Prog Sphere Magazine (Album Review – Self-Titled 2016)

“The progressive metal genre never ceases to provide scores of insanely skilled guitar-slingers, and Vancouver’s Matt Chanway can now be recognized as another mind-blowing practitioner of the style.” – Guitar.com

Release Date: February 19, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing: Unrelenting (4:59)

Single Credits:
Song is written by Matt Chanway
Produced, mixed, mastered by Dan Yakimow
Musicians:
Guitar – Matt Chanway
Drums – Mike Mallais
Bass – Colin Gradin

Matt Chanway is a Canadian guitarist, instructor, and session musician from Vancouver BC. His debut album was released in 2016 to critical acclaim, and not long after finished as a finalist in Guitar Idol, the world’s foremost guitar competition showcasing the top emerging players on the planet. In 2019, Chanway released the follow-up single “The Beyond”, once again to high praise. Holding a Fellowship in music performance from the University of West London, Matt teaches guitar and theory full-time in his hometown Vancouver BC.

Matt’s playing is inspired by a combination of the old and new school, with rock guitar players from the ’80s, modern progressive “shredders” such as Dan Mongrain and Jeff Loomis, as well as 70’s jazz-rock musicians John Mahavishnu and Al Di Meola. Fans of challenging, progressive, intense instrumental music – artists such as Plini, Alluvial, Tony Macalpine, Animals As Leader – will enjoy Chanway’s music.

Now in 2021, Chanway returns with a fresh new single entitled “Unrelenting”, an upbeat, shredtacular track to take listeners on a wonderful sonic adventure of instrumental progressive metal showcasing his authentic guitar themes, and addictive riffs. Plans for more music in 2021 is already in the works, and Chanway looks forward to sharing his razor-sharp passages meld with soaring solos.

Discography:
2021 – Unrelenting (single)
2019 – The Beyond (single)
2016 – Self-Titled (LP)

2019 – The Beyond (single)

 

0 EPK – As We Suffer – The Fallen Pillars (2021)

  • January 18, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · As We Suffer · EPKs

EPK – As We Suffer – The Fallen Pillars (2021)

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

For fans of Machine Head, Propagandhi, Death by Stereo, Rise Against

Album Title: The Fallen Pillars
Release Date: April 30, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/aswesuffer | Instagram.com/aswesuffer

Distrokid – Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon here.

“Ottawa’s As We Suffer are entering new territory with their new song, “The Fallen Pillars”. The title track off the band’s upcoming debut album (due out in April), it’s a blender of different metal and hardcore subgenres. Everything from groove metal to metalcore influences are prominent in the new track, with powerful vocals that help the band’s accessibility.” – New Fury Media

“AS WE SUFFER infuse anthemic heavy metal vibe into their metalcore / hardcore spine with new track “Invade The Host”” – IDIOTEQ

A little metalcore, a little bit hardcore, a little bit groove… but a hell of a head-banging heavy metal album, As We Suffer bring blistering intensity on the opening pairing of Caustic Paradigm and Malicious Compliance. Tracks that are perfect for opening up a big pit of sweating bodies and neck-breaking behaviour. The former has the speed while the latter has the kick-ass groove.” – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life

“Their energetic brand of metal will interest fans of the mainstream metalcore/ hardcore of the 00’s such as Bullet for My Valentine, and early Killswitch Engage.. a fun and energetic debut, and I hope soon to be able to experience it live.” – The Independent Voice

“this is a pretty killer debut for As We Suffer! If you were a teenage metalhead in the mid-2000s then this will call out to you with its nostalgic combination of bands that you loved back then. This gives ‘The Fallen Pillars’ strong potential to find its way into the music collections of many people and I feel that the core concept will be pretty relatable to everyone. What really interests me is where As We Suffer will go from here? Will we see a string of concept albums from them, or is this a one off? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain, As We Suffer is a band worth keeping an eye on.” – Uber Rock

“The Fallen Pillars is a solid first album for a band that obviously loves everything that’s fast and aggressive. With great performances across the board and some strong songwriting… Give the album a listen!” Rock n’ Load Mag

“As We Suffer As a first effort, The Fallen Pillars has the chance to win over decades of fans who have an affinity for metalcore.” – Heavy Music HQ

“Another stand out is “Concrete Fist” which was one of the pre-release singles and an obvious choice as it throws down the gauntlet to any opposition. A song about making a stand through violent uprising with the caveat that this kind of solution often comes at the sacrifice of a healthy mind, it’s heavy from start to finish but arguably saving the best to last with title track “The Fallen Pillars” which is reminiscent of “The End of Heartache” era Killswitch Engage. The clean vocal parts on this one are simple immense and the way they’ve been cut with the uncleans is impressive [8/10]” – Metal Noise

“Today’s Song of The Day is The Fallen Pillars by As We Suffer. As We Suffer is a Hardcore/Punk/metal band from Ottawa and The Fallen Pillars is the title track off their upcoming debut album, set to release in April of 2021. It’s the most melodic song on the album, but doesn’t sacrifice heavy as it includes a djent vibe, along with aggressive riffs. As We Suffer play with pure passion, which echoes out clearly through their music.” – Dropout Entertainment

“The sound of the album is great throughout and perfectly adapted to the selected spectrum of effects of the music. Vocalist Matt Caldwell has the right style for every part and is really a great singer who can cover many areas, which is probably one of the biggest pluses.” – Schwermetallvergiftung

L-R – Ryan Caldwell (Bass), Jason Yocom (Guitar), Matt Caldwell (Vocals), Derik Roblin (Guitar), Chris Nunn (Drums)
Photo Credit – Laura Collins-Music Photography

Ottawa, Canada’s As We Suffer started out as a cover band, but quickly delved into writing original material. In the early days they focused on a more metal-infused skate punk vibe with major influence stemming from Pennywise, Strung Out, and NOFX but it very quickly took on a more metal feel. Since 2020, the sound has further morphed into a more metalcore vibe along the lines of early Killswitch Engage and Bullet for my Valentine, while still maintaining a distinct hardcore style.

Four of the original band members have known each other for a long time, with two of the members, vocalist Matt Caldwell and bassist Ryan Caldwell being cousins; together with their long-time friends drummer Chris Nunn and Jason Yocom. The band officially established in 2018 picking a name that represents unity in the existential suffering we all experience. Eventually, they were joined by guitarist Derik Roblin.

The long time comradery between the members enables them to write music organically, trading off who is the primary songwriter for each track. All lyrics are written by M. Caldwell, who aims to tell a story and deliver a message without being too literal or specific, allowing the audience to interpret on their own. Themes are largely infused with existentialism, civil and political unrest.

This organic flow continues to benefit the band when they play, the passionate stage presence is heightened by M. Caldwell’s intensity, R. Caldwell’s slick bass licks, Roblin’s powerful energy, and Nunn’s technical prowess. They bring a unique back-to-basics flavor to each performance, especially through the dynamic nature of each of the band members.

As We Suffer released a demo in 2018 and will follow it up with “The Fallen Pillars” in April 2021.

Album Band Line Up:
Ryan Caldwell (Bass), Jason Yocom (Guitar), Matt Caldwell (Vocals), Derik Roblin (Guitar), Chris Nunn (Drums)

Discography:
2021 – The Fallen Pillars (LP)
2018 – Demo

Shared Stage With:
Living with Lions, Venom Prison, Fates got a Driver, Call it Home

 

Album Title: The Fallen Pillars
Release Date: April 30, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Caustic Paradigm (2:58)
2. Malicious Compliance (3:24)
3. An Open Letter (to the Bleeding Hearts) (2:41)
4. Fucking Relentless (2:28)
5. Invade The Host (3:21)
6. The Great Leveler (3:51)
7. High Tide (3:32)
8. Scatter The Herd (2:25)
9. Shadows Caste In White (4:44)
10. Concrete Fist (2:59)
11. The Fallen Pillars (5:17)
Album Length: 37:46

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: As We Suffer
• All songs written by: As We Suffer
• Produced by: Dark Moon Productions
• Mixed by: Dark Moon Productions
• Mastered by: Dark Moon Productions
• Album Artwork by:
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album Band Line Up:
Ryan Caldwell (Bass)
Jason Yocom (Guitar)
Matt Caldwell (Vocals)
Derik Roblin (Guitar)
Chris Nunn (Drums)

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