Category: EPKs

0 EPK – Plague Weaver – Ascendant Blasphemy (2021)

December 22, 2020
by Asher
· EPKs · PlagueWeaver

EPK – Plague Weaver – Ascendant Blasphemy (EP) (2021)

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

For fans of Rotting Christ, Varathron, old Samael, Triptykon, Dissection

Album Title: Ascendant Blasphemy
Release Date: February 26, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/plagueweaver | Instagram.com/plagueweaverband | Twitter.com/plagueweaver | YouTube

Plagueweaver.bandcamp.com | Spotify | iTunes

“From the moaning leads to the slow lurching cadence and the deep monstrous roars, the opening of the title song sounds like the beginning of a death/doom track, but although that oppressive feeling of plague and decay persists, the band also pitch into fits of percussive mayhem, fevered riffing, and vocal madness, and they stitch flickering bits of guitar lunacy into the song as well.” – No Clean Singing (2020 Review – Through The Sulfur Eyes)

““Through The Sulfur Eyes” is a solid EP… the overall sound that is achieved is impressive… PLAGUE WEAVER has an interesting doom-like black metal sound that works well with layered deep and high-pitched vocals. I think fans of doom metal and black metal aficionados will appreciate this one.” 8/ 10 – Metal Temple (2020 Review – Through The Sulfur Eyes)

“Through The Sulphur Eyes takes the best from Death, Black and Post Black and uses that metallic cocktail shaker from hell to greatest effect. The outcome is a fiery Extreme Metal piece that made us go for seconds a few times in a row. A true, blazing hot slab of alloy that will please the sturdiest of metalheads.” – Rock Music Raider (2020 Review – Through The Sulfur Eyes)

“breaking through to listeners in 2020 is a seriously steep hill to climb and bands have to either push the envelope, do something that can’t be found elsewhere, or just amaze and electrify with each release to grab attention and stay relevant. Plague Weaver do all that on Through the Sulphur Eyes and it’s up to you to show them how good a job they’ve done. What I’m saying is, go buy it. Now.” – Nine Circles (2020 Review – Through The Sulfur Eyes)

“Through crawling malignancy is how Plague Weaver approach their art, and these songs are filled with grim mood and malevolent auras” – Indy Metal Vault

“There’s a darkness running throughout Through the Sulphur Eyes that is quite powerful… The riffs are weighty, drenched in a toxic malaise, yet also possessing the razor-sharp cutting edge of underground black metal. It’s a captivating combination, that moves forward at a steady, relentless pace. What really lingers though is a feeling of uncleanliness; this music is corrosive, carrying with it a taint of infection and, well, plague.” – The Sound Not The Word (2020 Review – Through The Sulfur Eyes)

Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics

Album Title: Ascendant Blasphemy
Release Date: February 26, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Nothing Is Sacred (5;24)
2. Lay Fire (4:34)
3. Blood Runs Not (4:17)
4. Seek To Betray (4:34)
5. Upheaval and Arson (5:29)
6. Of Quivering Doves (4:34)
7. Deicidal Usurper (4:37)
8. In Exitium Caeli (4:41)
Album Length: 38:12

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Plague Weaver
• All songs written by: RM/JC
• Produced by: RM
• Mixed by:RM
• Mastered by:RM
• Album Artwork by: Gustave Dore
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album Band Line Up:
JC – voc
RM – guitars/bass/keyboards

Discography:
2019 – “Plague Weaver” EP
2020 – “Through the Sulphur Eyes” EP
2021 – “Ascendant Blasphemy” LP

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

The album described as a whole by the band:
Ascendant Blasphemy is a pretty cold journey from start to finish. The album’s tracks are quite diverse in terms of tempo, and sonic tone. There are equal parts mid and fast-paced tracks, with a couple of slow, doomy ones near the end, to help bring everything to a close. This album confidently pulls the listener in a few choice directions. With confident composition, the instrumentals lay a framework for powerful, diverse, and seemingly uncontrolled vocals. The riff-driven style is bound to attract some death metal listeners in addition to BM heads looking for something grim to bang their heads to.

Track by track explained by the band:
1 – Nothing Is Sacred
The album opener. This song starts off with a low-mid tempo, as it attempts to welcome the listener. The track quickly explodes into the verse sections with a faster tempo and more energetic vocals. The bridge introduces some extra guitar leads, and prepares the listener for the repetitive outro vocals, repeating the phrase ‘Nothing is Sacred. Let it be done.’

2 – Lay Fire
‘Lay Fire’ is a great example of just how fast, mean, and cold Plague Weaver can be. The main riffs ‘run’ at a comfortable pace along with the vocals, eventually winding down into a darker, wider-sounding bridge, complete with ambient screams. This tempo and mood carry the song to its end.

3 – Blood Runs Not
This song is a mid-tempo crusher! A consistent blastbeat carries the main riffs, with vocals that creep slowly, maintaining a powerful tone that really aids the sonic space in the verse sections. The bridge is a slower, more punishing section. Vocals here were delivered especially raw. This part is revisited at the end of the song, with lyrics aiming to condemn someone/something – “Blood runs not. Your neck spills lies, instead.”

4 – Seek to Betray
Starting fast and grim, then transitioning to a satisfying mid-tempo roll. The two main riffs of this song compliment each other perfectly. The vocal writing and recording process was particularly fun. There are a lot of rhythms and tonal changes here that don’t show up in the other tracks.

5 – Upheaval and Arson
Another great fast-mid tempo song. This is one of the more exciting tracks on the album. Lots of power in the low growls, with the intention of creating a ‘sharper’ tone in the verse sections. These vocals are just angry. Musically, this song is one of the more satisfying ones. With trading riffs and a tasteful solo to help bring the track to a close, it stands with ‘Lay Fire’ and ‘Deicidal Usurper’ as one of the faster, meaner songs.

6 – ..of Quivering Doves
Hello doom. This is one that hearkens back to the previous EP’s doomier songs – A definite evolution of that style. This song should signal to the listener that the album is nearing a close, as it (along with the final track) aims to illustrate some kind of aftermath. It was also the perfect sonic aesthetic to attach the image of ‘quivering doves’ to. This song is a desolate winter, where doves lay and quiver, helplessly dying along with the hope that they represent.

7 – Deicidal Usurper
Aaaaaand we’re back to fast, grim, and mean! Deicidal Usurper grabs the listener right out of the gate, reminding them of the earlier tracks. This song has another ambient bridge section, which hangs on just long enough to thrust the listener back into the main riff for the next verse-chorus. The solo in this song is tasteful and proud, with ambient screams feeding the atmosphere behind it. The outro is a bit of a victory-verse feel, winding down into a harpsichord section that introduces the final track.

8 – In Exitium Caeli
The final track is hypnotic doom and gloom. ‘In Exitium Caeli’ is a second imagining of the aesthetic ideas left with the listener in ‘..of Quivering Doves’ – the final realization of those ideas. It seemed perfectly fitting to introduce such a song with the line “There is nothing.” – Sometimes the most basic imagery feels the best. The song continues on, with a repeating riff and a consistent drumbeat. The song ends with hypnotic guitar leads along the vocals chanting “Exitio Caeli” – “Destroy the sky” or in this case, “Destroy heaven”.

L-R – JC – Vocals, RM – Guitars/Bass/Keyboards

Plague Weaver is a black/doom metal band hailing from Ontario, Canada. The band was birthed in 2018 as a solo project by RM whom released two EPs, 2019’s self-titled debut and 2020’s ‘Through the Sulphur Eyes’. Both releases displayed traditional black metal roots delivered through a modern, doom-inspired atmosphere.

Joined in 2020 with the addition of new vocalist JC taking care of lyrics and vocal arrangments, Plague Weaver started its next chapter as a duo and quickly began work on creating punishing, grim, riff-driven black metal for the next assault entitled ‘Ascendant Blasphemy’. Set for release in 2021, their first full length is an evolution from its predecessors. More aggressive, and riff-driven but without abandoning Plague Weaver’s doom-inspired roots that can be heard on such tracks as ‘In Exitium Caeli’ and ‘..of Quivering Doves’. Overall, there’s a lot of musical variety across the new record, and a consistency to hold everything together, from start to finish. The album’s lyrics are a loose concept written by JC that follows a series of Satanic philosophies or questions considered from a Satanic perspective, illustrated to a loose fictional ideal. This album aims to invigorate and distress the listener.

“Ascendant Blasphemy” is due out February 26, 2021.

0 EPK – Rage In My Eyes- Ice Cell (2019)

December 21, 2020
by Asher
· EPKs · Rage In My Eyes

EPK – Rage In My Eyes- Ice Cell (2019)

For fans of Helloween, Symphony X, Iron Maiden

Album Title: Ice Cell
Release Date: August 14, 2019
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Self-Release

RageInMyEyes.com | Facebook.com/rageinmyeyes | Instagram.com/rageinmyeyes | Twitter.com/rage_in_my_eyes | Youtube.com/RageInMyEyes

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Ice Cell
Release Date: August 14, 2019
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Winter Dream (4:46)
2. Surrounded By Black Mirrors (4:16)
3. Dive Deep (4:14)
4. Hole in the Shell (4:35)
5. Death Sleepers (5:02)
6. Inner Fate (3:45)
7. Blank (5:23)
8. The Core (3:39)
9. Soul Gatherer (4:19)
10. Burn The Throne! (4:43)
11. Draft of Illusions (5:03)
Album Length: 49:50

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Rage In My Eyes
• All songs written by: Rage In My Eyes
• Produced by: Magnus Wichmann
• Mixed by: Adair Daufembach at Daufembach Studios, Hollywood, CA, USA
• Mastered by: Adair Daufembach at Daufembach Studios, Hollywood, CA, USA
• Album Artwork by: Tiago Masseti

Album Band Line Up:
Jonathas Pozo – Vocals
Magnus Wichmann – Guitar
Leo Nunes – Guitar
Pedro Fauth – Bass
Francis Cassol – Drums
Special Guest on tracks 1, 4 & 5:
Matheus Kleber – Accordion
Special Guest on track 11: Vinícius Möller

Live Band Line Up:
Jonathas Pozo – Vocals
Magnus Wichmann – Guitar
Leo Nunes – Guitar
Pedro Fauth – Bass
Francis Cassol – Drums

L-R: Magnus Wichmann – Guitar, Pedro Fauth – Bass, Jonathas Pozo – Vocals, Leo Nunes – Guitar, Francis Cassol – Drums

Photo Credit by Mariana Mantovani

RAGE IN MY EYES is a heavy metal band from Brazil. The band’s first album was recorded in 2017 and 2018, partially in Los Angeles and partially in their native Porto Alegre, Brazil. For 17 years the band went under the name Scelerata, which had a huge history in the Brazilian heavy metal scenario. The band had three albums released worldwide, including the acclaimed album “The Sniper” – partially recorded in Germany, at the Blind Guardian studio – that featured guest appearances from Paul DiAnno (former Iron Maiden) and Andi Deris (Helloween).

Scelerata was also Paul DiAnno’s official Brazilian backing band from 2009 to 2014, playing 50+ shows with this heavy metal icon. With this huge background, the musicians are now aiming for the future. RAGE IN MY EYES introduces to the world a unique kind of music. Being from southern Brazil, the band shows a side of the country most people don’t know about. Blending heavy/prog metal with elements of milonga – which is a music genre from southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina – the band presents a never-heard metal before.

In the albums “Darkness and Light” (2006) and “Skeletons Domination” (2008) (released as Scelerata), the band had already inserted instruments such as accordion in their songs. Renowned gaucho musician Renato Borghetti recorded the harmonica on the band’s first album and accordionist Matheus Kléber was featured on the second album. In the new song, “Death Sleepers” there is again the participation of accordionist Matheus Kleber. This is a trend that should improve in the near future. This mix of styles occurs naturally, depending on the roots of the band. Magnus Wichmann, guitarist and composer of the band, is the grandson of the legendary gaucho musician Teixeirinha.

Guitarist Magnus Wichmann, the grandson of acclaimed Southern Brazilian folk musician Teixeirinha, highlights the arrangements of milonga and accordion present on the album: “In previous albums we had already added these elements and we saw that they combined very well with our style and compositions, and best of all, is that fans have approved these experiments. We want to present something new and, in the future, we will come up with more ideas.”

RAGE IN MY EYES’ new album, entitled “Ice Cell”, has just been made available on all digital platforms. “Ice Cell” was recorded between 2017 and 2018 in the cities of Los Angeles (USA) and Porto Alegre (Brazil) and was produced by Magnus Wichmann at Magneto Studio (Brazil) and Daufembach Studio (USA). It was mixed and mastered in Los Angeles by the renowned Brazilian producer Adair Daufembach. The cover was designed by Tiago Masseti, who has worked with Hibria, Luis Kalil and Daydream XI. According to the band, the graphic art seeks to show the mascot Sage in a darker mood: “We wanted to present a more realistic Sage, with a strong expression and at the same time that seemed marked by life; we brought him closer to us.”.

Drummer Francis Cassol’s recent move to the United States has helped the band strengthen relationships with producer Adair Daufembach. “Recording here in the US with Adair was an amazing experience. We have achieved impressive results in terms of sound, and I’m sure it will please our fans and metal fans in general.” Jonathas Pozo (vocals), Magnus Wichmann, and Leo Nunes (guitars), and Pedro Fauth (bass) keep the Brazilian base active and are setting the stage for the opening show for Iron Maiden on October 9 at Gremio Stadium in Porto Alegre.

“Ice Cell” is an independent release, initially out only on digital download and streaming platforms, as Jonathas Pozo explains: “We recently had a successful crowdfunding campaign that surpassed the goal and allowed us to make the ‘Death Sleepers’ video. We are looking into the possibility of a new campaign for a physical album distribution, offering different kits and packages to the fans.”

Artist Endorsements:
Drummer Francis Cassol is endorsed by: Paiste Cymbals, Aquarian Drumheads, Orbian Drums, C. Ibañez Drumsticks and Urbann Boards Drummer Shoes

Discography:
Under new band name Rage In My Eyes:
2019 – Ice Cell
2020 – I Don`t Want To Say Goodbye (single, tribute to Andre Matos)

Under previous band name Scelerata:
2006 – Darkness & Light
2008 – Skeletons Domination
2012 – The Sniper

Shared Stage with:
Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Kamelot, Gamma Ray, Angra, Edguy

Tour and Festivals:
2020 – Roadie Crew Online Festival
2020 – Bode Online Metal Fest
2019 – Opening for Iron Maiden – Porto Alegre, Brazil
2014 – Motorcycle Rock Cruise with Paul Di’anno as backing and opening band– 2 shows
2013 – Brazilian Tour with Paul Di’anno as backing and opening band – 12 shows
2011 – Brazilian Tour with Paul Di’anno as backing and opening band – 11 shows
2010 – Brazilian Tour with Paul Di’anno as backing and opening band – 19 shows
2009 – Brazilian Tour with Paul Di’anno as backing and opening band – 10 shows

0 EPK – Drown In The Abyss – Rising From The Tides (single) (2020)

December 16, 2020
by Asher
· Drown In The Abyss · EPKs

EPK – Drown In The Abyss – Rising From The Tides (single) (2020)

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

For fans of Shadow of Intent, Lorna Shore, Signs of The Swarm, Thy Art Is Murder

Single Title: Rising From The Tides
Release Date: December 18, 2020
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Facebook.com/drownintheabyss | Instagram.com/Drownintheabyss | YouTube

Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon

“‘Rising From The Tides’ is the first song we wrote, with the help of Chris Wiseman from Shadow Of Intent and Currents. This has been a pretty long process because of some life events, but a very fun and informative one. I used to produce Hip-Hop beats and this is way different. In Hip-Hop, everything is a pattern that repeats itself with minor changes in different sections, in metal, it’s a whole new level of production. You have so many things to write, arrange, and mix. This was for me a big learning experience and this upcoming album is going to help me a lot on my producing/mixing journey.” – Alexandre Lavoie – Guitars

About:

Drown In The Abyss was formed in Québec, Canada by Alexandre Lavoie. An unrelenting barrage of chaos and brutal riffs, it takes form as a symphonic deathcore band with lyrical themes primarily revolving around huge creatures of the abyss invading dry land.

Born in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Québec, Lavoie started producing music in 2017 making hip-hop beats. His passion for metal and playing guitar slowly came back and he left the hip hop genre for something more brutal and epic. Film music has always been one of the most inspiring music genres for him, so he wanted to introduce the orchestra behind the brutal riffs.

After playing guitar for nearly seven years, he decided to form his own band with the help of his vocalist friend, Sam Caron. Thus Drown In The Abyss was born. Part horror, part orchestra, but entirely heavy, the band is a force to be reckoned with.

In 2021, they will release their introductory album “Rising From The Tides” and on December 18, 2020, they will reveal the debut single and the title track, which was co-produced by Chris Wiseman (Shadow of Intent) plus mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy).

Single Title: Rising From The Tides
Release Date: December 18, 2020
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:
1. Rising From The Tides (4:27)

Single Credits:
• All songs performed by: Alexandre Lavoie, Sam Caron
• All songs written by: Sam Caron
• Produced by: Alexandre Lavoie, Chris Wiseman
• Mixed by: Christian Donaldson
• Mastered by: Christian Donaldson
• Album Artwork by: Ryan Bittner
• Logo – Caelan Stokkermans
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Single Recording Band Line Up:
Alexandre Lavoie – Guitars
Sam Caron – Vocalist

0 EPK – Maudiir – La Part du Diable (EP) (2021)

December 15, 2020
by Asher
· EPKs · Maudiir

EPK – Maudiir – La Part du Diable (EP) (2021)

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

For fans of Skeletonwitch, Darkthrone, Voivod, Ihsahn, Carcass

Release Date: February 19, 2021
Label: Self Release

Facebook | Youtube | Maudiir.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

“Touches of punk add attitude to these five angry and aggressive pieces of blackened thrash metal and make it an impressive debut EP” – Loud Enough? Magazine

“Some really great tracks and precise playing makes this debut EP a note worthy event” – Absolute Underground Magazine

““Le Temps Peste” is overall an engaging listen that, as it progresses, gets even better and more complex, gradually easing you into the building mood and feel of the EP, the first couple of tracks “Product” and “Abuse The Used” build on bleak Blackened driving riffs alongside a vitriolic rasping vocal delivery, the latter also benefiting from more of a haunting melody developing, a galloping Thrashy second half and soaring lead work which really adds to the sound.” 4/5 – The Metal Wanderlust

“Métal de bord en bord, ce projet fait partie de ceux dont les sonorités sont parfaitement heavy, mais ô combien inclassables, où se mêlent habilement les influences et saveurs auditives les plus diverses. Avec Maudiir, on fusionne avec brio black, thrash et death mélodique, avec une touche de métal classique et de NWOBHM dans les acérés riffs. Le temps peste inclut tout plein de riffs aussi corrosifs que galopants, qui rendraient très fiers autant un prêtre traître qu’une vierge de fer, risquant très bien de vous donner un sale mal de cou.” – BoulevardBrutal.com

“En tous les cas, F. ne s’enfonce pas dans l’erreur des artistes qui bossent en solo, à savoir, s’enfermer dans leur monde et devenir hermétique à l’oreille lambda. Sa musique est bien orchestrée ; même si elle fait appel à du déjà connu, elle tient la route et on y aime y retourner plusieurs fois. Il y a, à la fois de l’agressivité, de la noirceur, mais aussi de la fluidité dans ce metal un peu vieille école, mais bien vivant!” – Metal France

Maudiir, coming from the underbelly of Montreal, Quebec, Canada is an outlet for observations on obedience and industrialization riddled with man-made waste. With 80s heavy metal influences alongside black metal and punk, Maudiir is unique in sound; hauntingly dark while being corrosive and galloping.

Maudiir is a one-man black/thrash metal project that formed to be musically independent. Starting with guitar, F. works his way through each sullen track, adding drums, recording all the colorations and textures of the guitars, adding bass, and finally writing the words, very often at the same time they are being recorded.

The pessimistic aura of the music combines with lyrics about consumer society, religion, science going awry, addiction to technology, and environmental decay.

Maudiir released their debut EP “Le Temps Peste” during February 2020 and now returns exactly a year later with the follow up “ La Part du Diable”
due out February 19, 2021.

Creating an intensely dark sound, “La Part du Diable” was inspired by reactions from people to the health crisis created by Covid, the political climate in the US, and conspiracy theories. It’s a riff-driven EP with big bass grooves and corrosive vocals, mixing thrash metal and black metal with progressive elements, giving it a unique sound and feel.

“I would say that with “La Part du Diable”, I’m going into a slightly more progressive and thrash sound than on the first EP. I also added distortion to the bass guitar this time around, which I think adds a Voïvod feel to the songs.”

F. (ex-Deeply Confused, Tears for the Dead Gods) is also currently leading prog/thrash metal outfit Trinity Blast.

Maudiir is F.

Discography:
2021 – La Part du Diable (EP)
2020 – Le Temps Peste (EP)

Album Title: La Part du Diable
Release Date: February 19, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Fracture (4:50)
2. The Slumber (4:57)
3. The Fortunate Few (4:54)
4. Spirit of Sulfur (4:34)
5. The Crowning Hour (5:07)
EP Length: 24:24

EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: F.
• All songs written by: F.
• Produced by: F.
• Mixed by: F.
• Mastered by: F.
• Album Artwork by: cover artwork by bergZ, band logo by Dopesmoker
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album Band Line Up:
F. – Everything

0 EPK – Scepter of Eligos – Inverted Illusions (2021)

December 8, 2020
by Asher
· EPKs · Scepter of Eligos

EPK – Scepter of Eligos – Inverted Illusions (2021)

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

For fans of Crowbar, Incantation, The Black Angels, Acid Bath, Celtic Frost, Grave

Album Title: Inverted Illusions
Release Date: January 29, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/scepterofeligos | Instagram.com/scepterofeligos | Scepterofeligos.bandcamp.com

Album Title: Inverted Illusions
Release Date: January 29, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Album Credits:
All songs written and performed by Scepter of Eligos
Tracks 1-4 Mixed and Mastered by:
Jamie Hillyer at Module Overload Studio
Track 5 Mixed and Mastered by: Felipe Patino at Green Door Recordings
Cover art by: Christina Hunt of Heavy Metal Talisman
Layout by:S.Wyatt Houseman of Hidden Hand Extreme Music Marketing
Logo by: Dennis Lee Hughs of Cythraul Art

Track Listing
1. Reabsorbed (5:46)
2. Biological Possession (5:53)
3. Starless Chasms (4:46)
4. Inverted Illusion (3:24)
5. Procession of Spectres (10:20)
Album Length: 30:10

L-R – Andrew -Guitar/Vocals, Frank – Drums, Chris – Bass – Photo Credit by Alvino Salcedo

Hailing from Denver, Colorado, Scepter of Eligos crashes into listeners in a wave of death, doom, and psychedelic sludge. An amalgamation of heavy styles with an unique spin, Chris Candelario (bass), Frank Candelario (drums), and Andrew Sares (vocals/guitars) work collaboratively to flesh out what they describe as “Psychedelic metal of death”. To accompany their punishing music they craft lyrics based on Sares’ occult practices and readings. They take their name from Aleister Crowley’s description of Eligos; a Goetic demon that is said to appear on a winged horse holding a scepter and a serpent.

Since their conception in 2012, the musical careers of the power trio have been a whirlwind of gigs both on the local and national levels playing with bands such as The Chasm, Manilla Road, Lycus, and Bongripper garnering attention from a variety of metalheads. Thus far they have 3 releases to their name; a demo from 2013, the 2017 single “RIP Martin Eric Ain” and the 2018 EP “MMXVIII”. Pushing onward with grit and determination they will be releasing the full-length “Inverted Illusions” in 2021.

Boasting live performances that are as varied and intriguing as their music, one can expect to be overtaken by the energy and succumb to the gritty, cryptic psychedelic doom Scepter of Eligos channels from the stage.

Discography:
2021 – Inverted Illusions (LP)
2018 – MMXVIII-EP (2018)
2017 – RIP Martin Eric Ain (Single)
2013 – Scepter of Eligos (Demo)

Shared stage with:
The Chasm, Manilla Road, Lycus, Bongripper, Weaponizer, Dawn Rayd, Badr Vogu, Morbid Saint

Festivals:
Stygian Rites, Decemburger, Anthem Music Metal Festival

0 EPK – Aaron Holt – Set Free Your Sorrow (single) (2020)

December 1, 2020
by Asher
· Aaron Holt · EPKs

EPK – Aaron Holt – Set Free Your Sorrow (single) (2020)

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

For fans of Dream Theater, Tremonti, Rush, Avenged Sevenfold, Porcupine Tree

Single Title: Set Free Your Sorrow (3:54)
Release Date: December 18, 2020
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Facebook.com/aaronholtmusic | Instagram.com/aaronholtartist

Aaronholt1.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify

Single Title: Set Free Your Sorrow (3:54)
Release Date: December 18, 2020
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Single Credits:
• All songs performed by: Aaron Holt, Sujit Kumar, TJ Maistros
• All songs written by: Aaron Holt, Sujit Kumar
• Produced by: Aaron Holt
• Mixed by: Aaron Holt
• Mastered by: Aaron Holt
• Album Artwork by: Sujit Kumar

Album Band Line Up:
Sujit Kumar, Vocals
Aaron Holt, Guitar/bass
TJ Maistros, Drums

Aaron Holt’s musical journey started on the George Mason University campus where he was asked to play bass guitar for a local church’s grand opening. It was there that he met drummer and percussionist TJ Maistros who would grow to become a lifelong friend and amazing collaborative partner.

The album My Burdened Mind was a very long and labored writing, recording, and mixing project that ended up taking way longer than originally estimated to create the finished product at 47:36 minutes. The long story short is that the album My Burdened Mind was another grand learning experience for Aaron as a producer especially in terms of recording source material that was worthy of being shared with the world.

After the album’s release, vocalist Eric confirmed he would no longer participate in the project and would not want to participate in any live shows. Short of a bassist and vocalist Aaron and TJ anxiously sat on the release and hoped that anyone would listen. Enter album 3, the endeavor where Aaron is truly making every effort to improve upon everything he didn’t quite get right before.

He signed on the incredible help of local vocalist Sujit Kumar who in his own right stands on pretty high shoulders in the local DC music scene as well as making a name for himself across the globe. Sujit agreed to meet and record a few demo tracks, one older song that Eric originally recorded and another new song that would eventually go on to be the single “Set Free Your Sorrow” for a full-length album.

Fast forward to 2020 and Aaron with the immense help of TJ and Sujit has completed a 3rd album clocking in at 58 minutes with 10 songs. The production is solid, all instruments hold their own, and everyone listening has great smiles on their faces with absolute relief that everything has come together so well and polished compared to older works. The new album “In The Palace” features a lot of emotional baggage associated with past relationships, differences in opinion among close friends, thoughts on dealing with incredibly stressful daily life, and also a bit of fantasy writing as well in the longest prog ballad written by the group to date. You can expect to hear a large mix of guitar-oriented music such as straight-ahead rock, classic metal riffs, and intricate progressive lines that flow through each section seamlessly.

Live Band Line Up:
Sujit Kumar, Vocals
Aaron Holt, Guitar
TJ Maistros, Drums

Discography:
2018 – My Burdened Mind
2017 – The Unknown

Fun Facts / Story Angles

1. Probably the most important fun fact involves the title of the album, for the 3 years or so we worked on this when I (Aaron Holt) lived out near Winchester, Virginia, which was a long drive away from anyone and anything. Our new vocalist Sujit hates driving, so I often drove the 1+ hour drive to his apartment. We quickly discovered our shared love of cooking and started to share lots of recipes. Sometimes I wondered if I was there to work on music, or just look through his kitchen and talk about cooking. On his Facebook page though, he has a location created for his home called “The Palace of Markujitsu”, which is a weird spelling of his name. I scratched my head for some time about the album title and didn’t really have any great ideas except a song title or lyric excerpt. I read a few articles online about naming albums and one great suggestion maybe I had overlooked, was to name it after where it was recorded. Like for instance Beatles and Abbey road, classic in a great sense. So, we went with it, “In The Palace” seemed like a great fit for the title since so much of it was in fact recorded at Sujit’s place.

2. Much the case with the first album I (Aaron Holt) recorded, all the gear I recorded the guitar with has since been sold and replaced with other gear. There is an element of knowing how certain pickups have been good for me in recordings past, but I swapped quite a few pickups through, guitar speaker choices, string gauges. Whatever I recorded with felt right at that moment but has since evolved further since then. I watch some youtube videos where they try to recreate the classic sound of an album, but ultimately I feel that pain after recording my own music and not even being able to play that same gear set up the same way. I went completely overboard on getting a whole midi rack system working with pedal switching and amp switching that was all perfectly coordinated, and you can hear it all on the album. Come time to play live, or jam everything is much simpler where I can step on pedals I need, and just switch between amp channels that give me all my tones. I determined I had some core parts to my sound, and others I really just didn’t need. In most cases, less is sometimes more.

3. I (Aaron Holt) suppose many bands do this, but many of the original vocal demos are recorded by me, which don’t really sound that great. I never thought my voice sounded that good for the style of music we’re trying to create. But Sujit is very kind of it all, and takes my demos and just does them total justice. I couldn’t ask for more, but somewhere buried deep in my hard drives I suppose there’s a file of me singing set free your sorrow with my horribly strained tenor vocal range.

4. Most of the lead vocals were recorded in Sujit’s entryway closet with tons of sound panels conveniently also stored in the closet for when we were done tracking. We used a full-on condenser mic which would pick up anything, but it was near studio levels of silence except for when an ambulance drove down the street but those were good excuses to check the food or get something else to drink.

5. Drummer TJ Maistros likes to spend most of his time practicing fills that are pretty unconventional, it’s been almost hilarious to watch him try to recreate some of the things Mike Mangini has started to incorporate like his true stereo drum kit. TJ is taking bits and pieces of this into account for new material that we’re writing.

6. All drums for “In The Palace” were recorded in 3 days at Aaron Holt’s brother-in-laws’ extra-large garage. We tracked everything on my mac mini with 22 microphones.

7. In my daily life I’ve started to not really even listen to a ton of metal music, mostly pop and blues rock type stuff which all have super catchy melody lines, which in some ways I think help keep me grounded on what the general American public so to speak enjoys hearing.

0 EPK – Duskwalker – All They Know Is Fear (2019) (CDN Records)

November 26, 2020
by Asher
· Duskwalker · EPKs

EPK – Duskwalker – All They Know Is Fear (2019) (CDN Records)

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

For fans of Morbid Angel, Carcass, Pantera, Van Halen, Cannibal Corpse

Album Title: All They Know Is Fear
Release Date: November 22, 2019
Label: CDN Records
Distribution: CDN Records

Facebook.com/DuskwalkerOfficial | Instagram.com/duskwalkermetal | Twitter.com/duskwalkermetal | YouTube

CDNRecords | Apple Music | Spotify | Amazon

“After drummer Cale Costello summons listeners with a lethal drum roll, the song (Shadowcreeper) quickly lunges for the kill. Vocalist Joey Scaringi’s rasped snarls and growls accompany blastbeats until the mid-song breakdowns syncopate with the Shadowcreeper’s violent pursuit. Once guitarist John Robinson’s sharpened solo starts stabbing, the finale seems written in blood. There’s no happy ending here, just melodic death metal that balances brutality and infectious grooves.” – Decibel Magazine

“In crafting “The Crawling Tongue“ (single), the band wanted “to take the listener somewhere dark”, and in that they succeeded. It’s a ghoulish and ghastly song, but also a brutish neck-wrecker, anchored by a cold, menacing, rhythmic slugger of a riff and vertebrae-cracking drumwork. In the vocal department, frontman Joey Scaringi shifts between gruff, bellowing growls, livid screams, horrid pronouncements, and filthy gurgles, and as the song proceeds the band inject bursts of jittery, jolting fretwork, dismal chords, and squealing guitar mutilation, as well as a freakish fret-melting solo that amplifies the feeling of cruel, unearthly derangement in the music.” – No Clean Singing

“Your neck is going to hurt after giving these guys a spin. DUSKWALKER evoke a pure metal spirit that hones a modern groove into a heavier and darker place where all they know is fear! Their tunes pick and pull accents of influence from a wide spectrum but overall stay true to a highly accessible and aggressive metal barrage. Every song on the album is different but shades of Dethklok, Carcass, Pantera, Amon Amarth, Revocation, and Nile can be felt in the shadows around every turn. “All They Know Is Fear” proves to be one hell of a ride, in which I’m sure will resonate a diverse group of metalheads. Crank this up loud and apologies in advance for tomorrow’s neck pain! 8/10” – Blessed Altar Zine

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: All They Know Is Fear
Release Date: November 22, 2019
Label: CDN Records
Distribution: CDN Records

Track Listing:
1. The Return (1:58)
2. Dimensional Collision (4:13)
3. The Crawling Tongue (5:20)
4. Madness Unleashed (4:57)
5. Dyatlov Pass (5:58)
6. Shadowcreeper (3:58)
7. Bielek (3:50)
8. Domus Volant Noctuae (2:18)
9. The Crushing Weight Of Guilt (5:19)
10. Masters Of Vril (7:04)
11. Ripping Terror (3:43)
Album Length: 48:41

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Duskwalker
• All songs written by: John Robinson, Cale Costello, Matt Grabon, Joey Scaringi
• Produced by: John Robinson, Cale Costello, Jon Howard
• Mixed by: John Robinson
• Mastered by: John Robinson
• Album Artwork by: Alexandre Goulet
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Joey Scaringi – Vocals
John Robinson – Guitars
Cale Costello – Drums
Matt Grabon – Bass / Vocals

Formed in 2015 In Niagara Falls, Canada. Duskwalker combines traditional heavy metal and death metal with atmospheric passages. Comprised of Niagara’s lifer metal musicians, they released their debut “Codex Mystirium“ in 2016. In November of 2019, Duskwalker released their sophomore album “All They Know Is Fear“ Distributed by CDN Records. The band won The Niagara Music Award for Best Heavy Metal Group in 2019 and 2020.

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Joey Scaringi – Vocals
John Robinson – Guitars
Cale Costello – Drums
Matt Grabon – Bass / Vocals

Discography:
2019 – All They Know Is Fear – LP
216 – Codex Mystirium – LP

Shared Stage w/:
Overkill, Crowbar, Hate Eternal, Vital Remains, Venom Inc, Iron Reagan, West Of Hell, Necronomicon, Lutharo

Tours and Festivals:
2016 – Full Terror Assault Open Air Festival (Illinois)

0 EPK – Sennight – New Takes The Old (2021)

November 26, 2020
by Asher
· EPKs · Sennight

EPK – Sennight – New Takes The Old (2021)

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

For fans of Katatonia, Opeth, Kamelot

Release Date: TBA 2021

Facebook.com/sennightofficial | Instagram.com/sennight.official

Sennight.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

Release Date: TBA 2021

Track Listing:
1. Perfect Symmetry
2. New Takes The Old – ft. guest solo Brian Kingsland (Nile, Imperishable)
3. Tearing Free – ft. guest solo Ron Dalton Jr.
4. When Daylight Dies
5. Golden Crown – ft. guest solo Ron Dalton Jr.
6. Who Am I – ft. guest solo Alex Parra (Paladin, Sadistic Ritual)
7. Arise – ft. guest solo Ron Dalton Jr.
8. I Am
9. Misbegotten
10. Go

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Adam Mast, David Holquin, Ron Dalton Jr, Trevor Norris
• All songs written by: Adam Mast
• Produced by: Adam Mast and Zac Thomas
• Mixed by: Zac Thomas, Jam Room Studios
• Mastered by: Zac Thomas, Fisheye Mastering
• Album Artwork by: Adam Mast

Album Band Line Up:
Adam Mast – Vocals, Bass, Guitars
Trevor Norris – Solo Guitars
David Holquin – Drums

L-R – Sennight – Adam Mast – Bass, Vocal | Trevor Norris – Guitar

Atlanta’s Sennight was founded in 2017 by bassist/vocalist/songwriter Adam Mast. After years of playing bass in the extreme metal scene, his musical tastes and direction changed and he began writing in a more melodic/heavy metal direction. Influenced by melodic metal bands such as Katatonia, Opeth, and Kamelot, he sought to craft a sound with heavy guitars and drums entwined with harmonic vocal melodies.

Sennight’s first EP “Fear of the Unseen” came out in May 2019, recorded at Jam Room Studio in Columbia, SC with engineer Zac Thomas. Joining in on the studio tracks were a couple of ace North Carolina metal musicians: Drummer David Holquin (Violent Life Violent Death) and guitarist Ron Dalton Jr. (Your Chance to Die, Final Curse).

Wasting no time, Sennight reentered the Jam Room Studio in late 2019, again with Thomas at the console, and began recording their first LP “New Takes The Old” with guitarist Trevor Norris officially joining the band in early 2020. Holquin and Dalton Jr. helped again with studio tracking and the sessions along with guest guitar solo appearances from mainstay southeastern metallers Brian Kingsland (Nile, Imperishable) and Alex Parra (Paladin, Sadistic Ritual).

Up to this point, the writing has been done by Mast who fully demos the songs on a DAW and sends them to the other studio players. The guitar solos are fully made by the individual players and the drums are creatively improved by the drummer. When it comes to their live shows, metal fans can anticipate a high energy set with a big guitar sound, in true classic rock band style with no backing tracks. Sennight’s debut album “New Takes the Old” can be expected in 2021.

Album Band Line Up:
Adam Mast – Vocals, Bass, Guitars
Trevor Norris – Solo guitars
David Holquin – Drums

Live Band Line Up:
Adam Mast – Bass, Vocals
Trevor Norris – Guitar

Discography:
2021 – New Takes The Old
2020 – Alone in Ecstasy (Single)
2019 – Fear of The Unseen (EP)

0 EPK – Feed After Midnite – Out of Time (single) (2020)

November 21, 2020
by Asher
· EPKs · Feed After Midnite

EPK – Feed After Midnite – Out of Time (single) (2020)

“A driving, anthem, hard rock tune with lyrics that paint a picture of a post-apocalyptic world in need of someone to fight for what is right. Are you ready to fight?”

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

For fans of Deftones, Avenged Sevenfold, Breaking Benjamin, Volbeat, Iron Maiden

Single Title: Out of Time
Release Date: October 2, 2020
Label: Feed On Records
Distribution: Distrokid

Facebook.com/FeedAfterMidnite | Instagram.com/feed_after_midnite_band | Youtube

Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Amazon

L-R: Feed After Midnite Current Line-Up:

Dylan DeRepentigny (Bass), Sean Bolster (Drums), Yvon Gauthier (Vocals), Denis Bastien (Guitar), Marc Bastien (Guitar)

Photo Credit- Laura Collins

Feed After Midnite hails from Ottawa, Canada, and thanks to recent, pandemic-granted free time, released a single “Out of Time”.

This is the first single from the fairly new, laid back band who are out to show rock fans around the world that they are “just some dudes having fun and playing tunes”. Embodying that mantra, Feed After Midnite maintains a high level of professionalism, which comes through in their musicianship.

Feed After Midnite shares their hopes for the energetic, upbeat single:

“We are aiming to provide our fans with a mix of a modern hard-hitting sound and also the refreshing nostalgic sound of old school rock and metal. A driving, anthemic hard rock tune with lyrics that paint a picture of a post-apocalyptic world in need of someone to fight for what is right. Are you ready to fight?”

“Out of Time” can be heard on YouTube and Spotify.

Feed After Midnite formed in 2018 and take a large amount of inspiration from horror movies, current events, and childhood memories. When they started they had a predominantly hard rock sound which evolved into heavier stylings but at the same time, remaining catchy and simple.

Those who enjoy many facets of hard rock and metal will appreciate Feed After Midnite, especially those who like Deftones, Avenged Sevenfold, Volbeat, and Faith No More. The band expects to be releasing more music in 2021.

The single “Out of Time” was released on October 2, 2020 and available for download on Bandcamp, Apple Music, Amazon.

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS

1. For their 5th show ever, Feed After Midnite got to open for Buckcherry at Ottawa’s legendary venue, Barrymore’s. They were surprised when a local promoter offered them the spot, they had never played a show with a known band before. The venue was a lot bigger than they were used to, a fun experience.

2. The drums were recorded at Audio Valley Studios. The guitars and bass and vocals were recorded at Dark Moon Productions. Joe Lyko, tracked, mixed, and mastered the songs.

3. Most of Feed After Midnite’s lyrics are inspired by 80s’ nostalgia (movies, cartoons, horror, childhood memories)

4. In late January 2020, Feed After Midnite was on a roll, found a new drummer that fit in perfectly, worked on new songs, booked some studio time, they had shows lined up, then Covid-19 happened. It put the brakes on everything. The time off gave them the chance to really work on the small details of their songs they were planning on recording. They re-grouped 3 months later, booked studio time, played a show (with restrictions), released some music. It went well in the end, they’re stronger than ever.

5. Most members can play multiple instruments. Yvon (vocalist) used to play in a band with Denis and Marc as the drummer for over 15 years. Sean (drummer) started out on guitar.

Download Single Cover | Download Single Lyrics

Single Title: Out of Time
Release Date: October 2, 2020
Label: Feed On Records
Distribution: Distrokid

Single Credits:
• All songs performed by: Feed after Midnite
• All songs written by: Feed after Midnite
• Produced by: Feed after Midnite
• Mixed by: Joe Lyko
• Mastered by: Joe Lyko
• Album Artwork by: Marc Bastien
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Band Line Up:
Marc Bastien – Guitar/keys
Denis Bastien – Guitar
Sean Bolster – Drums
Dylan DeRepentigny – Bass
Yvon Gauthier – Vocals

Discography:
2020 – Running Man (single)
2020 – Out of Time (single)

Shared Stage with:
Buckcherry, Beasto Blanco, Eve of Uprise, Scepter, Black Absinthe, Danny Van Sceney

0 EPK – Vis Mystica – Celestial Wisdom (2022) (Dark Star Records)

November 18, 2020
by Asher
· EPKs · Vis Mystica

EPK – Vis Mystica – Celestial Wisdom (2022) (Dark Star Records)

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

“Celestial Wisdom is an EP that I want people to listen to when they want to escape the craziness and mundane nature of everyday life. Sitting in an office for a 9 to 5 job doesn’t offer one much time for adventure or fantastical experiences and Vis Mystica wants to convey that through its music. You can be sitting at home, driving to work, anything and have the opportunity to turn on this album and be transported to a wonderful land outside of the boundaries of our reality.” – Connor McCray – Vis Mystica

For fans of Rhapsody, Blind Guardian, Twilight Force, Symphony X, Wintersun

Album Title: Celestial Wisdom
Release Date: December 2, 2022
Label: Dark Star Records
Distribution: Dark Star Records

Facebook.com/vismysticaofficial | Instagram.com/vismystica | YouTube

Vismysticaband.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Amazon

“Vis Mystica is a very interesting power metal band from Pennsylvania. Listening to this group is like finding an oasis in the middle of the driest desert. Although one of its main characteristics is that its music is based on the Star Wars universe, it is fair to say that its music shines by itself and it is not for less, since its influences are not found in its local scene, not even in its country.” – Metal-Rules.com

“Offering escapism from everyday life, Vis Mystica transports listeners into a fantastical world of magical powers and epic stories with their Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic inspired Power Metal. Along with taking great influence from other bands, they possess a style that is unique and holds its own in the power metal landscape.” – Bloodynews.ro

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: Celestial Wisdom
Release Date: December 2, 2022
Label: Dark Star Records
Distribution: Dark Star Records

Track Listing:
1. Whispering Winds of Fate (feat. Jonas Heidgert – Dragonland) 3:58
2. Legacy of the Builders (feat. David Michael Moote (Operus) and Ty Christian – Lords of the Trident) 5:29
3. The Plains of Silence 4:42
4. Lux Et Veritas (feat. David Michael Moote – Operus) 5:36
5. Beyond the Gates of Fury 4:04
EP Length: 23:51

(CD Bonus Tracks)
6. The Plains of Silence (2020 Demo feat. Jesse Isadore)
7. Introitus (2016 Demo)
8. Secrets of the Maps (2016 Instrumental Demo)

EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: Vis Mystica
• All songs written by: Connor McCray
• Produced by: Chad Anderson
• Mixed by: Chad Anderson
• Mastered by: Chad Anderson
• Album Artwork by: Cody Bucher

Album Band Lineup:
Connor McCray – Guitar, Bass, Orchestration
Devin Dewyer – Vocals
Dillon Trollope – Drums

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The EP as a whole:

Celestial Wisdom is a fantastical journey into a world full of mystic powers and sprawling landscapes, with a classic “Good vs. Evil” battle and many memorable locations and detailed stories.

Track by track explained:

Whispering Winds of Fate:
As the intro song and shortest song on the EP I made Winds a sort of guide to the main world in where our story takes place; Tython.

This song describes the sentient world calling out telepathically to beings spread throughout the galaxy to board 9 ships and come bask in the planet’s knowledge and secrets.

Legacy of the Builders:
Builders is a more cynical track that introduces our villains; the brutal Rakatan Empire. This song outlines the arrogance of this race and their quest for not only dominance, but their desire to be truly immortal and have a galaxy of slaves to build monuments to their glory and dominance.

The Plains of Silence:
Plains take us back to Tython to the Silent Desert; where all sound is nullified and students can meditate on the power of the world. This was the first song

I wrote for the EP and definitely has a much more “Happy” feel than many of the other songs I’ve written.

Lux Et Veritas:
Lux is another kind of “happy” song but the lyrics tell a completely different story. This song is based on the prisoner Daegen Lok; who was exiled for prophecizing a coming war between the Rakatans and the people of Tython.

Beyond the Gates of Fury:
The final song on the album is, fittingly, the most “Furious”. Fury deals with the final battle between the Rakatans and Tythonians and culminates with the fulfillment of the prophecy that was first spoken of in Lux Et Veritas. This is the end of our first tale but leads directly into the next story arc we will be writing about.

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

STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS

1. When contacting Jonas Heidgert about singing on the album, he offhandedly mentioned his love of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic without knowing that the entire album was based around it.

2. Connor had actually enquired about joining David Michael Moote’s band, Operus, in 2018; long before he asked him to sing on the EP.

3. Devin has numerous side projects of various spoof varieties, most notably Narwhal Bloodbath and their first single “Sketti ‘N Butter”

4. Despite the band’s very Star Wars-oriented music and lyrics, Connor is an obsessive Lord of the Rings fan and has numerous tattoos based on the Tolkien novels.

L-R – Devin Dewyer (Vocals), Connor McCray (Guitar, Bass, Orchestration) – Photo Credit – Cody Bucher

Lingering in the unknown regions of the galaxy for many years, Vis Mystica has returned to known space to unleash an onslaught of music that has not been seen for a thousand generations: Jedi Metal!

Learn the stories of the ancient masters and their battles against the forces of evil in the tales of Vis Mystica.

For fans of Rhapsody, Blind Guardian, Twilight Force, Symphony X, Wintersun.

Page 54 of 73

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