Category: EPKs

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)

0 EPK – Maitreya – Hyper Reels (2021)

January 12, 2021
by Asher
· EPKs · Maitreya

EPK – Maitreya – Hyper Reels (2021)

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

For fans of The Contortionist, Between the Buried and Me, Protest the Hero, Periphery

Album Title: Hyper Reels
Release Date: June 25, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Maitreyametal.com | Facebook/MaitreyaMetal | Instagram.com/maitreyametal | YouTube

MaitreyaMetal.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

“We’re always on the hunt for interesting new metal bands, and Canada’s Maitreya certainly qualifies. The band’s newest single, “Catalyst”, treads familiar progressive metal territory – think vocals similar to Leprous and instrumentation akin to older BTBAM – but rest assured it sounds fresh.” – New Fury Media

“Ambitious and aggressive, Canada’s Maitreya break boundaries from the beginning with Departed. Heavy, contemporary metal chords are underscored by droning, chorusing vocals, but blink and you’ll miss them as Maitreya soon change direction to a growling verse pandemonium. Their riffing is adventurous and deadly, cutting through weighty, rolling rhythms and movements.” – Jace Media

“Their musical abilities were astounding, and I believe they could have been each individually the most technically capable with their instruments of those performing that night.” – Metal Master Kingdom

“Lead-heavy, yet at the same time musically complex, Maitreya’s music is sonic baptism, taking the listener from the fire pits to the icy peaks. The band’s self-titled album weaves an intricate melodic narrative, where both headbanging metal-heavy riffs and reflective vocal lines co-exist in the vortex of sonic alchemy, presented to the listener in its raw, unfiltered elemental form.” – Dentata Music

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS

1. The band met their vocalist at a chance encounter at a grocery store because of an Intervals band t-shirt. The group existed as an instrumental project for a couple of years prior to rebranding with the addition of vocals. Guitarist Matt McCabe & Drummer Steve McMillan went out to grab some groceries when vocalist Matt Cutrara stirred up some conversation over a band t-shirt they were wearing. Not long after Matt came out to a rehearsal and the rest is history

2. All the songs on Hyper Reels are the original demo titles. After so long of calling them by those titles they just stuck.

3. In the early years, the band learned approximately 100 cover songs to take gigs as a cover band. The process of learning rock & metal hit songs helped teach the band valuable lessons in crafting songs.

4. The rhythm section of the band all went to the same high school. The band started in 2011 as an instrumental project. The project went on hiatus while Mark was studying music abroad. The band formed as Maitreya with the addition of vocalist Matt Cutrara in 2016.

5. 2 weeks prior to the band performing at the first round of Toronto’s Wacken Metal Battle, guitarist Mark Wylie underwent surgery for oral cancer.

Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics

Album Title: Hyper Reels
Release Date: June 25, 2021
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Catalyst (7:23)
2. Departed (6:04)
3. Radical (5:31)
4. Summit (4:31)
5. Invaders (6:18)
6. Bloom (4:26)
7. Pilgrim (4:44)
8. Flesh Engine (4:31)
9. Hyper Reels (0:57)
10. Iswara (4:27)
Album Length: 48:56

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Maitreya
• All songs written by: Maitreya
• Produced by: Maitreya
• Mixed by: Zane Hawley
• Mastered by: Phillip Self
• Album Artwork by: Justin Totemical
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Matt McCabe – Guitar
Steve McMillan – Drums
Matt Cutrara – Vocals
Lyam Morrison – Bass
Mark Wylie – Guitar

About The Album:
Hyper Reels is a collection of dialogues exploring parallels between human consciousness and technological advancement. The music peaks and valleys to the polarities of turbulent and serene emotions of the human psyche. Cues throughout the record reflect the integration of man and machine.

Track by track explained by the band:

1. Catalyst: Catalyst was the last song we wrote for the album and became an instant favourite. We believe it shows the full array of sounds in one song. Catalyst features signature Maitreya song devices like; riff-heavy sections, clean-ambient moments, big breakdowns, melodic lead passages, anthemic chorus vocals, a drum solo and progressive exploratory song structure. We wrote this song about Mark and his catalyzing role in bringing the band together, Mark’s dedication to the band in being able to organize various elements of writing, recording, and performance cannot be understated. In the same spirit, this is a song that has a very grateful and optimistic tone.

2. Departed: Departed keeps the energy high and is the most technically complex song on the record. Departed borrows some operatic influence and is one of the more progressive songs. The lyrical ideas stem from AI fiction such as Westworld, The Matrix, and Blade Runner, with themes of questioning consciousness and revelations about the nature of truth.

3. Radical: Radical is about a human who integrates his body and mind with technological upgrades, then regrets his decisions after the artificial intelligence takes control of his consciousness. Radical showcases our signature spin on the traditional metalcore sound. Utilizing the archetypal story of someone getting what they wish for in a more negative way than they had imagined, like a genie, or the Twilight Zone. This song has a more angry and oppressive tone to reflect the struggle of the character getting consumed by his own technological greed.

4. Summit: Summit is an exploration of the concept of spiritual value, and the way that giving time and attention to things gives them power. At times we give this power to things or concepts which do not add positivity to our lives but instead hollow and degrade our existence. Inspired by the novel American Gods by Neil Gaiman and the show of the same name. The song also touches on the themes of tradition versus postmodernism; Do we trust in the concrete past or look to the future, free from constraint?

5. Invaders: Invaders is a song questioning the place and impact of technology in our world. Do things that make life easier make us better as a whole society? Does the ability to distract ourselves from our lives with an ever-growing industry of media help us, or does it make the very things we’re distracted from grow and ultimately hinder our personal growth? Is there a way back to the way life was before, or are we stuck now with the culture of dissociation and distraction. The impact of technology has had is viscerally felt by the band, having been part of the last generation to grow up without it for the majority of childhood. No one on the planet can predict how technology will affect humanity as a whole, for the better or for the worse. Technology has been so useful in creating connection and intimacy, while also encouraging distraction and apathy. We name drop Black Mirror in this song as a snarky reference to the show that encompasses the more pessimistic side of this technological commentary.

6. Bloom: Dreams are something we all share, whether it’s a pleasant walk through a garden with a long lost friend, a surreal inversion of mundane life, or a horrific run in with an unknowable evil, we all have them at some time. As universal as dreams themselves is the wish to control these experiences. Bloom explores this idea, through the eyes of a dreamer who finds themselves tormented until they gain control. Inspired by the concept of lucid dreaming, and the imaginative power that dreams hold. Drowning in your own consciousness can be quite scary, and we try to capture some of that energy in a creative way.

7. Pilgrim: Pilgrim has one of the more broad scoped lyrics concepts in the album. It talks about social trends and the kind of philosophy which organizes our society. Our society is organized in a way that leads many to feel imprisoned and trapped within the social norms and systemic structures that exist. This song seeks to emulate both the feelings of imprisonment, as well as a more positive vision for our collective societal future.

8. Flesh Engine: The original inspiration for Flesh Engine came after seeing Meshuggah live while tripping on acid. The moshpit seemed to engulf the entire room, the band was like a mechanical engine that churned all the bodies into the room into a massive turbine. Flesh Engine is a big ol’ love letter to identity philosophy as well as a lil sprinkling of cartesian dualism. Commenting on how identity can be defined as the sum of one’s memories and experiences. The song also comments on how prevalent overthinking is and also representing negative thought spirals that are an unproductive waste of thought. The energy of the song feels frustrated, the frustration of figuring out one’s identity, as well as one’s own mind.

9. Hyper Reels: A manifesto compilation of seed messages from songs spanning our discography.

10. Iswara: Similar to Pilgrim, Iswara deals in a broad societal commentary. This time specifically reflecting on the culture of fear that exists and rules most of the world. At a time when capitalism and consumerism are dominant powers, our spiritual selves are left starving for genuine meaning and purpose. This song reflects the plight of the average soul, trying to live without fear, and focusing on the things we do have, rather than what is absent.

L-R: Matt McCabe (Guitar), Steve McMillan (Drums), Matt Cutrara (Vocals), Lyam Morrison (Bass), Mark Wylie (Guitar)

Photo Credit – Jon Butler

Maitreya (may-trey-ah)

Maitreya is a progressive-metalcore band located in Whitby, Ontario. Maitreya has been active in the Oshawa metal scene since 2016. In the early days, they took up residency at a local pub, and they have built a solid regional following through live performance. They are currently focused on expanding their reach online.

The self-titled debut album – released August 2017 – provided the band opportunities to reach new markets across the GTA with a well-received product that sold out in off-stage sales. Maitreya showcased at Kitchener Metalfest, Wacken Metal Battle Toronto, 5/4 Fest as well as supporting the successful challenge for the Guinness World Record for Longest Concert (Stouffville, 2017). The band has leveraged their voice on stage raising funds for Sick Kids Hospital, Grand River Regional Cancer Centre, and United Way Toronto.

Maitreya’s polished sound reflects the unitive chemistry and evolution of the group. With wall-of-sound, riff-heavy through-composed works, guitarists/songwriters Mark Wylie & Matt McCabe include textural and harmonic palettes to create a wide sonic soundscape in the genre. Bassist, Lyam Morrison, and drummer, Steve McMillan, carve out space for groove-centric drum and bass interplay deftly navigating metric modulations, tempo changes, and polyrhythmic maneuvers. New works feature a dramatic and theatrical approach to the delivery of Matt Cutrara’s vocal performance. The lore of futuristic/hyperreal themes in sci-fi TV shows like Black Mirror & Westworld shape thematic commentaries on the impact and aftereffects of technological integration with human consciousness.

Maitreya is a brotherhood; a collaborative expression of the human experience. The music acts as a mirror reflecting the dualistic states of nature contrasting loving, blissful, and uplifting vibrations and the dark, turbulent inertia of ones’ deepest fears. Maitreya doesn’t shy away from these emotions, instead uses them to catapult the music into expansive themes and new territories that expand the listener’s perspective of metal-genre boundaries.

Maitreya originates from Sanskrit, translating to future buddha. Through this bodhisattva character, the band anthropomorphizes metaphysical concepts, spirituality & mysticism, science fiction aspects, and entheogenic experiences present in their music.

Recording and production for the sophomore album, Hyper Reels, is currently in its completion stage and set for release in 2021.

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Matt McCabe – Guitar
Steve McMillan – Drums
Matt Cutrara – Vocals
Lyam Morrison – Bass
Mark Wylie – Guitar

Discography:
2017 – Self-Titled LP
2019 – Colonize – Single
2021 – Hyper Reels LP

Shared Stage with:
Arkona, Valfreya, Throne to the Wolves, Creatures, Vodnik, Atria, Raider, Lutharo, AEpoch, Vesperia, Sanguine Glacialis, Fallen Legion, The Divided Line, Devouring Saturn, Pillars of Autumn, The Frame Defect, Mount Abora, The Dead Centuries, Pantomime, Bodhi Jar, Kraign, Kavara, Decatur, Kohlit, Adversus, Please Stand By, God Helmet, Rolodex Darko, Kozen, Sixteen Loko, The Animist, Telomere, Her Majesty the King, and more

Tour and Festivals:
2017 – 5/4 fest – Toronto, ON
2018 – Wacken Metal Battle – Toronto, ON
2018 – Kitchener Metalfest – Kitchener, ON

0 EPK – Manuel Barbará – Moonrise (2021)

January 9, 2021
by Asher
· EPKs · Manuel Barbara

EPK – Manuel Barbará – Moonrise (2021)

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

For fans Dream Theater, Keith Merrow, Periphery, Tesseract, Jeff Loomis

Manuelbarbara.com | Facebook.com/8stringalchemy | Instagram.com/8stringalchemy | YouTube

8stringalchemy.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

Album Title: Moonrise
Release Date: March 19, 2021

Track Listing

1. Moonrise (5:08)

2. The God Complex (6:08)

3. Children of Prometheus (4:54)

4. Mirrors I – Image (5:10)

5. Mirrors II – Silver (3:48)

6. Mirrors III – Reflection (4:20)

7. The Nightmare Weaver (6:15)

Album Length: 35:45

Album Credits
– All Songs Performed by: Manuel Barbará, Nick Thorpe, Joey Ferretti
– All Songs Written by: Manuel Barbará
– Produced by: Manuel Barbará and Charles Henry-Volk
– Mixed and Mastered by: Charles Henry-Volk
– Album Art: Annie Tohill
– Drums Recorded by Benny Grotto and Sam Stallings at Mad Oak Studios

Album Band Lineup:
Manuel Barbará – Guitars, Programming
Nick Thorpe – Bass
Joey Ferretti – Drums

Discography
2021 – Moonrise

Manuel Barbará is a New Jersey based musician and composer with a passion for progressive metal and contemporary classical music. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music where he earned a degree in guitar Performance and Composition.

He was not born into a musical family. He did not grow up surrounded by music, and he did not dream of being a musician from a young age. In fact, despite taking piano lessons as a child, he rarely thought of music even as a recreational activity. For most of his teenage years, he intended to pursue a Computer Science career. However, inspired by bands such as Iron Maiden and Pink Floyd he took up guitar at the age of sixteen. Under the tuition of renowned guitar teacher Matt Mills, he successfully auditioned for Berklee less than three years later.

Metal drew him in with its complexity and sophistication, energy and passion. Through it, he found a gateway into the classical tradition. He has had the opportunity to study both of these styles under mentors such as Joe Stump, Jon Finn, Shaun Michaud, Norm Zocher, Marti Epstein, and Arnold Friedman.

Precision, structure, discipline, and ambiance, characterize both his guitar playing and his compositional style. Drawing from his eclectic musical background he takes equal inspiration from bands like Periphery, Tesseract, and Dream Theater as well as from instrumental guitarists like Tony MacAlpine and Paul Wardingham and composers such as Dubussy, Bartók, Pärt, and Stravinsky.

Taking his training as a classical composer and applying it to this style of modern metal that he loves so much, and going beyond the standard Yngwie “neo-classical metal” influence, Barbara will present his debut album “Moonrise” this coming March 2021.

Barabra adds:

“This music has been part of my own little universe for so long, and I am beyond excited to share it with the world. The process of making the album has been an epic journey, a learning experience, and a trial by fire all wrapped into one and I am looking forward to bringing it to an audience. The purpose of music for me, after all the craft and technique and study are done, is to draw the listeners in and allow them to experience totally new worlds. The details of those worlds will be up to each individual person, but I hope the audience will join me on this small adventure I’ve prepared.”

Much of the writing of the full length was done during the very early days of his training in classical composition and he has even more music to come (unrecorded, as of yet) that is much more refined and elaborate in its use of compositional techniques and harmonic language.

0 EPK – Jeff Pennachio – Setting The Stage (EP) (2021)

January 2, 2021
by Asher
· EPKs · Jeff Pennachio

Jeff Pennachio – Setting The Stage (EP) (2021)

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

For fans of Plini, Dream Theater, Trans Siberian Orchestra

EP Title: Setting The Stage
Release Date: January 22, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Jeff Pennachio (wixsite.com) | Facebook | Instagram.com/voidboi2032

“You really have to admire what instrumental wizard Jeff Pennachio is doing on his new song, “Interposition”. A multi-instrumentalist that does indeed record every instrument himself (guitars, bass, drums, programming), his new solo EP Setting The Stage drops later this month… While relatively short at under 4 minutes long, the new song does a good job of offering what Jeff is all about – instrumental and progressive goodness that straddles the line between progressive rock and progressive metal with ease.” – New Fury Media

Jeff Pennachio – Photo Credit – Jason Checkla Photography

Jeff Pennachio comes from New York State in the USA and besides being known for his guitar playing in Design The Void, he is also releasing his own solo work.

Between 2016 and 2018 he wrote the solo material while in a cover group titled The Stay. The group did not steer in the direction so much of original music, but the inspiration was there to start composing music of this sort. He began working on the tracks as a small compilation for potential future work. After a couple of years had passed, Pennachio has finally taken the time to release this music to the public.

Pennachio writes and records all guitars, drums, bass, and orchestrations and will be continuing on composing music that takes inspiration from soundtracks. He also finds inspiration in bands such as Dream Theater, Plini, and Trans Siberian Orchestra. His debut solo EP “Setting The Stage” is due out January 22, 2021.

EP Title: Setting The Stage
Release Date: January 22, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:
1.Wilson Theater (5:29)
2.Interposition (3:34)
3.The Voyager (4:27)
EP Length: 13:32

EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: Jeff Pennachio
• All songs written by: Jeff Pennachio
• Produced by: Joshua Johnson
• Mixed by: Joshua Johnson
• Mastered by: Joshua Johnson
• Album Artwork by: Entruvia

Album Band Line Up:
Jeff Pennachio – Guitars, Drums, Bass, Orchestrations, Programming

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