Category: EPKs

0 EPK – Asbestos Worker – Dead End Town (2020) (No List Records)

February 16, 2020
by Asher
· Asbestos Worker · EPKs

Asbestos Worker – Dead End Town (2020) (No List Records)

For fans of Hawks, Killdozer, Janitor Joe, Pissed Jeans, Shallow North Dakota

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

Album Title: Dead End Town
Release Date: January 23, 2020
Label: No List Records
Distribution: Distrokid

Facebook.com/homeofhaterock | Twitter.com/WorkerAsbestos | Instagram.com/asbestosworker | Youtube

Store.nolistrecords.com/album/dead-end-town | Spotify | Distrokid

Photo of Josh Stever taken by Josh Stever – Bass, Guitar, Drums and Vocals

Asbestos Worker is Josh Stever. Josh Stever is an asbestos worker. Josh Stever is on guitar, Josh Stever is on bass, Josh Stever is on drums, Josh Stever is on vocals. Josh Stever aka Asbestos Worker keeps his hits coming with the release of his first full length “Dead End Town” via No List Records.

With very little time out of his personal life and career, Asbestos Worker is a solo project created out of necessity. It’s aggressive unrelenting rock that was first debut in March 2019 with the EP “My New Vision – A manifesto on how to forcibly seize power and eradicate sadness across the globe”. Not wasting any time, in just under a year, his latest release, the full length “Dead End Town” was unleashed to kick off 2020. Asbestos Worker’s goal is to create a loud, thought-provoking and relatable noise rock experience. With influences from grindcore as well as punk and thrash, the madness is 11 tracks of muscular hate rock for everyone sick of something, the perfect soundtrack for getting laid off from the steel mill.

Stever adds:

“Music has always been my therapist. So my songs have a never ending supply of things I have to get off my chest. Whether that be my own fears and insecurities and depression, or it could be the everyday irritations that we all face or the various social and political issues that might be pissing me off at the time. I guess you could say the world we live in is what inspires my lyrics and tunes. It’s also been a dream of mine to make a record since I was a kid and let’s face it, not many people ever realize their biggest dreams. And I was able to write the record all the music myself.”

When it comes time to doing live sets, the band consists of ⅔ of the band Tongue Party (Adam And Brandon Hile) on drums and guitar and Luke Gutting (former bassist for Tongue Party, current bassist for the band Cola Horse).

“Dead End Town” was released on January 23, 2020 and is available from No List Records.

Track by track explained by Asbestos Worker:
1. Over Analytical – This song was written at the end of one of the darkest times in my life. It was written on a night laying in bed unable to sleep because I was too busy thinking about the futility of life.
2. The Inconvenient Truth – The Inconvenient Truth is, in my opinion, that the majority of people have a lot to bitch about in this world. And those people are too lazy or lack the conviction to do anything about it.
3. Dead End Town – I live in east St. Paul, Minnesota. Which unfortunately is the greatest place in this state to live. In fact St. Paul sucks!
4. Defeatist – I wrote and dedicate this song to every nihilist troll who instead of doing anything useful with his life decides since there’s no point in this life he might as well make everyone else as miserable as possible.
5. Resting Bitch Face – I have one of those faces that if I’m not smiling I look like I want to murder someone. Even if I’m happy.
6. Thank You May I Have Another – Sometimes people stay in abusive relationships because they think they deserve it.
7. Burdened By Regrets – Also at the tail end of my darkest hour. I was as the title say Burdened By Regrets
8. Responsible Adult – I have 2 kids and know who I am and how the world perceived me. I really am amazed that I was allowed to have children.
9. Deadlock – I feel that at this point in history we as a species are deadlocked in a battle between ignorance and intelligence. All that’s at stake is our lives and our planet.
10. The Definition Of Asshole Is A Picture Of You – This one is dedicated to all the alt-right, neo-nazi assholes out there
11. Let’s Take This Outside – I work in construction and I was on a job last year where a guy who couldn’t punch his way out of a wet paper bag threatened to hit me with a small broom. All because I walked through an area He didn’t want me to but had forgotten to put up a barricade.

Fun Facts:
1. Josh Stever came up with the Asbestos Worker name because of his job. He’s a mechanical insulator by trade and the union is the heat and frost insulators and asbestos workers. He was trying to come up with something dark and ominous but everything else he came up with seemed contrived and cheesy.

2. This record and the EP before it were written and recorded between January – July. of last year. While also trying to teach himself how to play drums and how to record. And most of it was recorded while his daughter’s were sleeping in the room right above him. He uses 15 and 20-watt amps.

3. The main guitar riff for “The Definition Of Asshole Is A Picture Of You “was written 24 years ago when he was still in high school. He’s never forgotten it, but never got a chance to use it.

“Asbestos Worker is a one person band from Minneapolis, Minnesota who formed in 2018, from the looks of things. Asbestos Worker play an ugly and negative sounding style of music that incorporates elements of punk, metal, grunge, and noise rock within their sound. Musically, Asbestos Worker can be loosely compared to bands such as Flipper, Cuttthroats 9, Unsane, Melvins, and other like-minded bands. Since forming in 2018, Asbestos Worker has released a six song EP titled My New Vision-A Manifesto On How To Forcibly Seize Power And Eradicate Sadness Across The Globe in March of 2019. Dead End Town is Asbestos Worker’s latest LP, which was released on January 23rd, 2020. On Dead End Town, Asbestos Worker offers up eleven tracks of killer punk, metal, grunge, and noise rock. Overall, Dead End Town makes for an awesome listen and definitely should not be missed. Highly recommended! Enjoy!” – Dead Air At The Pulpit

“Asbestos Worker has returned with “Dead End Town”, 11 tracks of muscular hate rock for everyone sick of something. Driving like a jackhammer into your fucking teeth, tracks like “Deadlock” are as precise as Tar and hit like a bag of concrete dropped on your skull. The perfect soundtrack for getting laid off at the steel factory.” – Aaron Marko

“Asbestos Worker is a one person band from Minneapolis, Minnesota who formed in 2018, from the looks of things. Asbestos Worker play an ugly and negative sounding style of music that incorporates elements of punk, metal, grunge, and noise rock within their sound. Musically, Asbestos Worker can be loosely compared to bands such as Flipper, Cuttthroats 9, Unsane, Melvins, and other like-minded bands. My New Vision-A Manifesto On How To Forcibly Seize Power And Eradicate Sadness Across The Globe is Asbestos Worker’s debut EP, which was released on March 24th, 2019. On My New Vision-A Manifesto On How To Forcibly Seize Power And Eradicate Sadness Across The Globe, Asbestos Worker offer up six tracks of killer punk, metal, grunge, and noise rock. Overall, My New Vision-A Manifesto On How To Forcibly Seize Power And Eradicate Sadness Across The Globe makes for an awesome listen and definitely should not be missed. Highly recommended! Enjoy!” – Dead Air At The Pulpit (Review of 2019 debut EP)

Album Title: Dead End Town
Release Date: January 23, 2020
Label: No List Records
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:

1. Over Analytical (1:26)

2. The Inconvenient Truth (2:49)

3. Dead End Town (2:24)

4. Defeatist (3:25)

5. Responsible Adult (3:10)

6. Thank You May I Have Another (3:05)

7. Burdened By Regrets (2:25)

8. Resting Bitch Face (1:59)

9. Deadlock (3:20)

10. The Definition Of Asshole Is A Picture Of You (4:15)

11. Let’s Take This Outside (2:22)

Album Length: 30:45

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Josh Stever
• All songs written by: Josh Stever
• Produced by: Josh Stever
• Mixed by: Adam Tucker of Signaturetone Recording
• Mastered by: Adam Tucker of Sigaturetone Recording
• Album Artwork by: Artwork made and hand screen printed by Adam Hile

Asbestos Worker Recording Line Up:
Josh Stever on guitar
Josh Stever on bass
Josh Stever on drums
Josh Stever on vocals

Live Band Line Up:
Josh Stever – Guitar and Vocals
Adam Hile – Guitar
Brandon Hile – Drums
Luke Gutting – Bass

Discography:
2020 – Dead End Town
2019 – My New Vision-A manifesto on how to forcibly seize power and eradicate sadness across the globe

0 EPK – Lakeman – Progenitor (2020) (EP)

February 16, 2020
by Asher
· EPKs · Lakeman

Lakeman – Progenitor (2020) (EP)

For fans of Russian Circles, Mogwai, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, And So I Watch You from Afar

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

Album Title: Progenitor
Release Date: January 10, 2020
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/lakemanband | Youtube | Instagram.com/lakemanband | Lakeman.bandcamp.com

“Experimenting with unique atmospherics, delving deep into concepts that feature tidbits of Okanagan history and relying heavily on intuition, LAKEMAN goes beyond catchy riffs and infectious hooks to create living and breathing art that resonates.” – Kelowna Now

Album Title: Progenitor
Release Date: January 10, 2020
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Powers Creek (8:08)
2. 25,000 + Hectares (7:12)
3. Pandosy (10:38)
EP Length: 25:59

EP Credits
All song written and performed by: LAKEMAN
Produced by LAKEMAN
Mixed by Andy Ashley
Mastered by Andy Ashley
Album Artwork by Chelsea Terry
Warryn Berry and Robert McLaren Socan Members

Band Line up:
Josh Bissonette: guitar, bass, keys/synth, drums
Josh Pym: guitar, bass, keys/synth, vocals
Warryn Berry: guitar, keys/synth, drums
Robert McLaren: guitar, bass, keys/synths, drums, vocals, fiddle, banjo

Discography:
Self-Titled (formerly: N’ha-a-a-itk) (2016)
Progenitor (2020)

List of festivals:
2016 – Hi Society
2017 – Hi Society
2017 – Arts Raising
2017 – Artswells
2018 – Tune It Down Turn It Up

Lakeman has a devoted cult-like following throughout the Okanagan Valley and British Columbia. The band’s long-form instrumental and genre-bending approach beckons audiences of various musical forms. They revel in the band’s ability to exchange instruments everything from drums to guitars, bass, keyboards, synthesizers and lately even the fiddle and banjo. All this happens while the music continues seamlessly through ambient soundscapes.

The overall theme of the band is a sonic meditation of the veiled and macabre history of the Okanagan valley. The group finds their sound in a deeply collaborative approach, very little composition is done apart, and there is no “songwriter”. The band starts the compositions by first improvising together, the feel of each improvisation can be vastly different based on who is playing which instrument. As mentioned earlier the band does not have assigned instrument roles as most other bands traditionally do. You can find any one of the members doing anything from turning knobs on a synthesizer to singing into a violin before they started bowing it. After finding the improvisation the band likes, they then begin the long process of composing around this initial improvisation. Once a Lakeman piece of music starts to take form the band will start considering a local myth or legend to devote the theme to, this deepens the band’s thematic composition. This is when the piece will usually take its final or close to its final form.

In the fall of 2015 the band filmed their first and only song at the time, clocking in at over 35 minutes long, they named it “N’ha-a-itk”. It was filmed and edited by Chelsea Mcevoy. Audio engineering, mixing, and mastering of the song was recorded by Mike Pederson at the much-praised music city studio. The band wanted to name their first release after the mythical serpent creature of Lake Okanagan. Locals refer to the mysterious animal as the “ogopogo”, but the members of Lakeman wanted to honour its true name of the Sylix first nations people “N’ha-a-itk”. While no members of the Sylix people spoke out about the band using the traditional name some well-meaning community members claimed Lakeman was unjustly culturally appropriating the traditional name. After a long amount of consideration, the band dropped the name “N’ha-a-itk” and renamed the piece “Self-Titled”.

Sections of “Self-Titled” were featured by peach city radio, Kootenay Co-op Radio, and dozens of online blogs across the province. The band was quickly noticed by music festivals across the province and revered as a premier live performance. Word quickly spread and the band grew popular with regional music supporters.

Lakeman has graced stages around the province since 2015. The band has been a part of a wide variety of festival since that time: Turn it up/Tune it down(2018), Artsrising (2017), Artswells(2017), Hi-Society(2017 & 2016).

Lakeman’s 2nd audio-visual release “Progenitor” was released on November 29th, 2019. The EP’s title “Progenitor” suggests a theme of fatherhood. The first single is titled “Powers Creek” is based off a local legend of an apparition of a father who died trying to find his missing daughter in the Powers Creek area. “+25,000 Hectares” and is an auditory interpretation of the devastating fires that sweep through the Okanagan Valley on an annual basis. The final track is simply titled “Pandosy”, this track is a musical contemplation of a darker side of Kelowna’s founding father: Father Jean-Charles Pandosy.

During the writing and release of this “Progenitor” EP, 3 of the 4 members of Lakeman have become new fathers.

Robert McLaren states:

“In a time when masculinity is deeply culturally examined, we too find ourselves asking what kind of fathers will we be? As we examine the themes of the valley’s symbolic masculinity and paternity, we are able to question ourselves subjectively through the art we intuitively create.”

“Progenitor” was recorded/engineered by Kaylub Burke at the Center for Arts and Technology with mixing and mastering by Andy Ashley. Visual elements were filmed and edited by Jonathan Robinson, and lighting was operated by Joshua Goodwin.

The album art for this release is individual, one of a kind acrylic pours for both CDs and Vinyl.

Last year the band recorded what will most likely be the last of their pieces of work. No official date has been set for this last currently untitled release. The band does not wish to comment on the reasons for this end, but are forever grateful for the love and support of their friends, family, and fans.

0 EPK – Maudiir – Le Temps Peste (2020) (EP)

February 12, 2020
by Asher
· EPKs · Maudiir

Maudiir – Le Temps Peste (2020) (EP)

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

For fans of Skeletonwitch, Darkthrone

Release Date: February 7, 2020
Label: Self Release

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.

The debut EP “Le Temps Peste” released on February 7, 2020 is intense dark music. Another release is currently in the works.

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

Maudiir is F.

Photo Credit – bergZ. Member in the pic: F.

““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

“Metal through and through, this project is one of those whose sounds are perfectly heavy, but oh so unclassifiable, where the most diverse influences and flavors are skillfully mixed. With Maudiir, black, thrash and melodic death are brilliantly merged, with a touch of classic metal and NWOBHM in the sharp riffs. Le Temps Peste is full of corrosive and galloping riffs, which would make proud a traitor priest or an iron virgin, most likely to leave you with a bad neckache.” – 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

Download EP Cover | Download EP Cover

Album Title: Le Temps Peste
Release Date: February 7th, 2020
Label: Self Release

Track Listing:
1. Product (5:14)
2. Abuse The Used (4:30)
3. Wasteland (5:15)
4. Surge of Fire (4:39)
5. Snakes of Creation (6:43)
EP Length: 26:23

Album 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
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

0 EPK – Benevolent Like Quietus – Kill The Bliss (2020)

January 27, 2020
by Asher
· Benevolent Like Quietus · EPKs

Benevolent Like Quietus – Kill The Bliss (2020)

For fans of Type O Negative, Moonspell, Lacrimas Profundere, Sentenced, The 69 Eyes

Release Date: March 13, 2020
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

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

Booking – benevolentlikequietus[@]gmail.com

BLQband.com | Facebook | Youtube | Instagram

Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon | Google Play

“For fans of Type O Negative, Moonspell, and The 69 Eyes, you will want to listen to this record filled with sorrow, strife, touching subjects of love and death.” – Metal Insider

“it is simply impossible not to walk away from Kill The Bliss without a huge smile on your usually stern-faced dial after close exposure to this album. It’s hard to imagine a better album of its type emerging from the gloaming this year, so why not leave me to my reveries and just hurry on and secure a copy as soon as you can. Satisfaction’s guaranteed, I promise.” – Sentinel Daily

“They dwell somewhere between the worlds of Goth and Metal and should appeal to both camps.” – Headshot Music UK

Hailing from the cold, dark winter nights of Calgary, Canada; Benevolent Like Quietus brings forth a bounty of brooding, goth rock-influenced melodic metal. Laden with heavy riffs, catchy melodies and crushing breakdowns, the 5-piece metal act lyrically exploits the joy in sorrow and strife within life, love and death.

Dabbling in gloom, BLQ is a dark, musical metaphor for the sweet kiss of death. Collectively drawing influences from far and wide across the metal and rock spectrum BLQ has worked tirelessly to craft their own unique sound within the Canadian music scene.

Keen to revisit the era of 90s European goth/melancholic rock, BLQ is a heavy and brooding whirlwind of emotion and melody. Each song starts with Ryan Spencer (drums) who writes the music on guitar and together with Daniel Louden (vocals) put together the basic guitar and vocal structures before being worked through by the rest of the band, Ty Frederick (guitar), Killian Murphy (bass), and Matt Springer for the final breath of life.

Despite the melancholic lyrics and themes, Benevolent Like Quietus is straightforward and energetic music. No gimmicks, no BS, just 5 guys playing their hearts out and creating a moment.

Having the pleasure of sharing the stage with touring acts such as Katatonia, Wednesday 13, All Hail The Yeti, Final Drive, Caspian and Invidia along with being nominated in 2018 for Metal Recording of The Year by Calgary’s YYC Music Awards, BLQ continues to build on their live performances delivering a healthy dose of heavy, gloomy tunes to their audiences with no foreseeable end in sight. Their debut album “Kill The Bliss” is slated for release on March 13th, 2020.

L-R: Ty Frederick (Guitar), Ryan Spencer (Drums), Daniel Louden (Vocals), Killian Murphy (Bass), Matt Springer (Guitar)
Photo Credit: Ty Frederick
Editing/Design: Daniel Louden

Album Title: Kill the Bliss
Release Date: March 13, 2020
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:
1. The Beginning of An End (4:04)
2. My Favourite Enemy (4:24)
3. The Great Divide (3:42)
4. Soil of The Grave (4:42)
5. The Rise and The Fall (4:21)
6. Mad World (Tears For Fears cover) (4:49)
7. Where Dead Hearts Reside (3:40)
8. Love’s Inferno (4:38)
9. Dawn of Rust (4:42)
10. Darkness Collides (3:31)
11. A Voluntary Disease (3:27)
Album Length: 46:09

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Benevolent Like Quietus (Ryan Spencer, Daniel Louden, Matt Springer, Killian Murphy and Ty Frederick)
• All songs written by: Ryan Spencer & Daniel Louden
• Lyrics by Daniel Louden, and music & arrangement by Ty Frederick, Matt Springer, Killian Murphy, Ryan Spencer, Daniel Louden and Montanna Clark
• Self-Produced by: Benevolent Like Quietus
• Mixed by: Ty Frederick
• Mastered by: Ty Frederick
• Album Artwork by: Hans Trasid, disartdesign@gmail.com
• Logos by: Daniel Louden
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
• Album and Live Band Line Up:
Ty Frederick (Guitar)
Ryan Spencer (Drums)
Daniel Louden (Vocals)
Killian Murphy (Bass)
Matt Springer (Guitar)

Discography:
2020 – Kill The Bliss (LP)
2017 – Where Dead Hearts Reside – Single

Shared Stage With:
Katatonia, Wednesday 13, All Hail the Yeti, Final Drive, Caspian, , Invidia, tons of other local bands

Tours & Festivals:
2019 – Loud as Hell – Drumheller, AB
2018 – Loud as Hell – Drumheller, AB

0 EPK – ITUS – Primordial (2020) (EP)

January 27, 2020
by Asher
· EPKs · ITUS

ITUS – Primordial (2020) (EP)

For fans of Conan, Sleep, Electric Wizard, Windhand, Black Sabbath

Release Date: March 13, 2020
Label: Self-Release
Distribution:

Facebook | Youtube | Instagram | Bandcamp

“Blending their love of doom, stoner rock and its attendant psychedelia, Ontario trio Itus have created a colossal debut in Primordial.” 9/10 – Exclaim!

“Love doom and sludge metal, but find yourself frustrated that those bands that would monolithically crush the listener fail to pay nearly as much attention to injecting some measure of melody into their music? Ontario duo ITUS may be the cure to what ails ya. Starting with downcast sludgy stoner doom, the pair of guitarist Brandon Lucking and vocalist Reiner Vandenbosch also aren’t shy about making use of psychedelic rock and good ol’ fashioned heavy metal to get their point across. Think of it like Graves at Sea and Conan discovering the magic power of Tony Iommi’s fake fingertips and the blinding quality of a vintage Hawkwind live show.” – Decibel Magazine

“Primordial is a great release as it treats you to five unique tracks. Never once do you hear the same thing as ITUS truly does a great job of keeping you on your toes and guessing as to what you are about to hear next. Through and through this is a well crafted and cohesive effort that you would be unwise to skip over.” – Cadaver Garden

““This Can’t Be” is a change of pace from the record’s ravenous namesake single which came out earlier in the month. It’s a moving window into their world, with clean vocals this time reminiscent of Woods of Ypres and a vibe that fans of Pallbearer should have no trouble at all falling in love with.” – Doomed And Stoned

““The Chaplain” sounds like the languid expansion of the universe; the impassive serenity of planetary movement; the inexorable eroding of rock by wind and water; the absurd “progress” of humanity set against a backdrop of endless time. It’s achingly heavy and crushingly slow, just like epic doom should be… ITUS drive all thought from your mind and leave only doom behind… ” – CVLT Nation

“This EP is shrouded in a dark and eerie atmosphere from the instant you put it on, but despite that very consistent vibe, there is a lot of variation going on in the lyrics and sound. The production on here is immaculate, these riffs are just enormous, they swallow you whole… Just how I like my doom!… Seriously, the riffs alone are worth listening for! Definitely going to be the EP to beat this year.” 8/10 – Noob Heavy

“… an EP that packs a punch and holds its ground that’s for sure… The intensity really shines and each song generates it more and more. You have the rhythmic highs and lows of the genre and all your senses are overwhelmed. It really makes the listener want even more and you kinda feel depressed when it’s all over so you decide to listen to it all over again! This is the type of EP that you just place inside your CD Player or on your MP3 player and just let all that negative vibes leave your body. You just listen to it and forget about everything all around you especially in this world of sickness, chaos and crisis. A modern twist to an overcharged genre!” 8/10 – Metal-Temple

“Massive crushing riffs heave themselves out of the primeval sludge that provides the sonic backdrop for this crushing aural assault, which seethes and broils around you like a pungent stew sucking you deep into the bowels of the cauldron in which it is simmering. There is superb use of sound effects to create ever denser layers of atmosphere, which in turn add to the hypnotic quality of the five tracks, which themselves flow with an natural ease and sense of purposeful progression, which makes this release all the more intimidating and impressive in equal measure.” – Uber Rock

“A very strong first release, and well worth checking out for doom fans looking for something with some brains behind the fuzz.” – The Burning Beard

“dark and brooding doom “Primordial is a powerful and unforgiving EP that is certainly worthy of your time.” – Astral Noize

“crisp, and aggressive guitar tones” – Permafrost Today

“ITUS, from Toronto, Canada, provide a good blend of doom, heavy and psych vibes… Five songs in this Ep where blackened vocals enrich the doom sound carpet, trademark of the band.” – Hard Rock Heavy Metal

Early in 2019, ITUS was formed by Brandon Lucking (guitars) and Reinier Vandenbosch (vocals), who, at the time were in another band with a different style but wanted to try something new, resulting in these Ontario boys blending doom and stoner rock with crushing heavy metal passages, in a psychedelic atmosphere of horror influenced sounds.

They began with a handful of demos that Lucking recorded in his apartment, in the autumn of 2018. Shortly after they began recording the demos as an EP with Luc Chiasson at his studio. At that time, they had opted for a studio drummer and thus hired Jackson Ward from Strata Recordings to perform/record the drums on the EP. The vibe of the EP is very “off the cuff” so to speak, which comes through naturally since a lot of the songwriting was experimentation that was finalized in the studio.

The writing process is fairly simple for ITUS, Lucking writes the melodies as they come to him, and Vandenbosch writes the vocals and lyrics. When Lucking has a song idea, he records a demo for it with guitars and bass and programmed drums at home. A lot of time is spent figuring out the right tones for the guitars and bass. With a near-complete song in a demo, Lucking sends that to Vandenbosch who works on lyrics, vocal phrasing, and vocal harmonies. The foundation of the lyrics always starts from personal experience, traumas, and how events in life unfold which are further imbued with influence from science fiction and horror fiction, mythology, dark philosophy, and political angst.

The soundscape of horrors that ITUS paints is enthralling already as a two-piece online project, and there are plans on the horizon to build it into a full-on touring 3 piece band delivering an energetic and abrasive live experience with a heavy, brooding ambiance.

ITUS’ debut EP “Primordial” is due out March 13, 2020

(L-R) Reinier Vandenbosch – Vocals, Brandon Lucking – Guitar and Bass

Photographer Credit: Justin Ryan Lawrence

EP Title: Primordial
Release Date: March 13, 2020
Label: Self-Release
Distribution:

Track Listing:
1. Cloud Reader (3:17)
2. Question Everything (4:16)
3. Primordial (4:13)
4. This Can’t Be (4:19)
5. The Chaplain (5:43)
EP Length: 21:50

EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: Itus
• All songs written by: Itus
• Produced by: Luc Chiasson
• Mixed by: Luc Chiasson
• Mastered by: Luc Chiasson
• Album Artwork by: Paul Callaghan
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
• Album Artwork – Paul Callaghan – Artist (originally painted in 1978)
Photography and editing – Brandon Lucking

EP Band Line Up:
Reinier Vandenbosch – Vocals
Brandon Lucking – Guitars and Bass
Jackson Ward – Drums

Live Band Line Up:
Reinier Vandenbosch – Vocals
Brandon Lucking – Guitars and Bass
TBA – Drums

Discography:
2020 – Primordial (EP)

0 EPK – Special Ops – Blood And Tears (2019)

January 21, 2020
by Asher
· EPKs · Special Ops

Special Ops – Blood And Tears

For fans of Therapy?, Five Finger Death Punch, Monster Magnet, Eagles of Death Metal, System Of A Down

Release Date: November 24, 2019
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby

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

SpecialOpsband.com | Facebook | Twittter | Youtube | Instagram

Special Ops returned with a fresh new album dubbed “Blood And Tears” in 2019. In this self-produced 8th release to be followed by the second single ‘Dead Are Calling’ before the full-length album and last single ‘I Put A Spell On You’, along with Grammy award-winning Producer Steve Pageot, Mixing engineer Darius Szezepaniak and Mastering engineer Kevin Jardine, Special Ops capture jaw-dropping tracks that display a fusion of the members’ diverse cultures.

From Ak Johnson’s Fierce Melodic Vocals and backed by a well-armed rhythm section of Chris Groulx’s intricate Jazz, blues and metal influences of guitar and strumming and Waldo Thornhill’s thumping Bass, and drummer Manuel Bessette’s pounding fury. Special Ops have, in less than 6 months, unleashed 2 direct hits to follow up to their award-winning “Through The Heart Of The Infidel” and successful single “Pressure” as well as older success’s like “Anger” chosen as the theme song for “The Sid Cycle Show” (Global/Spike/Men TV).

“BLOOD AND TEARS” captures the hearts and minds of those who have struggled in protest and demonstrates the trial and tribulations they as a band have seen. Everything from one member’s cancer ordeal through tour to lost loves to industry drama that the everyday artist struggles with. Special Ops bring forward in their international collective an explosive return to their unique brand of rock.

L-R – Wally Thornhill (Bass), Ak. Johnson (Vocals, Guitar) , Mana Manu Bassette (Drums), Gandalf Christoph (Guitar)

“As seen by the music video above, these guys bring the timeless heavy rock groove of bands like Monster Magnet, and Eagles of Death Metal, so you know you’re in for a good time.” – Metal Injection

“These dudes use a mix of vintage and modern gear, from classic Charvel guitars to custom Warwick fretless basses. As their guitarist and singer AK Johnson says, “We’re somewhat of gearholics”. Sounds like they’ll be right at home here.” – Gear Gods

“The new release is a sweet mix of thumping rhythmic, catchy vibrations and unparalleled musical talent thought lost to the world of synthetic beats.” – Buzzfeed

“Special Ops has my attention, and they should have yours, too. They’ve got it going on! We can only hope they get down to the U.S. for a tour soon and, hopefully, to the Left Coast. Excellent stuff!” – Huffington Post

“Like Special Ops, the video kicks ass, gives no quarter and takes no prisoners… Special Ops has it going on! “Baby Take It All” is real rock and roll: raw, arrogant and in your face. This is a great song and an excellent video. I like it!” – Huffington Post

“Blood and Tears is a pure Metal outside the box gem. You won’t come across something this unique and different everyday” – CKUT 90.3 FM

” you need to catch them live to hear any of their new material, and being fuelled by their want to succeed, their music sounds better than ever.” – Montreal Rocks

“Their creative impulse is one part measured criticism, one part unadulterated rage… Their albums reflect as much, reveling in social critiques that relent only when A.K.’s singing dissolves into frustrated screams. The single is their first step towards a brighter, more radio-friendly sound, yet still maintains their throaty, hard rock edge.” – Alternative Addiction

“SPECIAL OPS, QUEBEC’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE ROCK WORLD IS BEYOND EXCEPTIONAL! …Not only was the sound stunningly amazing, but it went a good distance to show the band’s fun-loving attitude they have towards each other, and their fans. These guys are the true definition of what it means to be music artists and performers.”- Popit Records

Album Title: Blood And Tears

Release Date: November 24, 2019
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby

Track Listing:
1. Blood And Tears (4:07)
2. Mr. Big Shot (2:47)
3. I Put A Spell On You (2:35)
4. Dead Are Calling (3:38)
5. Ship Has Sunken (3:02)
6. Baby Take It All (3:10)
7. Lie To Me (3:10)
8. Bloody Mary (2:55)
9. Salt (2:53)
10. Standing Hollow (3:03)
11. What You Call Man (4:32)
Album Length: 35:53

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Special Ops
• All songs written by:Special Ops
• Produced by: Special Ops (except I Put A Spell On You – Produced by Steve Pageot)
• Mixed by: Darius Szezepaniak
• Mastered by: Kevin Jardine
• Album Artwork by: Wally Thornhill
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album Band Line Up:
AK Johnson – Vocals & Guitar
Wally Thornhill – Bass
Pat Kadaver – Drums
Weka Soliman – Guitar

Live Band Line Up:
AK Johnson – Vocals & Guitar
Wally Thornhill – Bass
Gandalf Groulx – Guitar
ManaManu Bessette – Drums

Discography:
2019 – Blood And Tears
2017 – Baby Take It All (single)
2016 – Tangents EP
2012 – Live and Kicking
2009 – Through The Heart Of The Infidel
2009 – Pressure (single)
2007 – Phase 2: Amidst The Madness
2005 – Phase 1: In Search of Madness
2003 – Emily EP

Tours:
•2018 – Take it All Tour
• 2017 – Tangents Qc Tour
• 2010 – Through The Heart US/CAN Tour
• 2007-2008 – Amidst The Madness Tour Cross Canada Tour
• 2005 – 2006 – In Search Of Madness Cross Canada Tour
• 2003-2009 – CANADA DAY (Two Mountains),
• 2005 – Bryce Fest – Winnipeg
• 2004-2005 – M.O.M. Fest –
• 2003 – Montreal Music Fest

Music Placements
• Viral Phase Video – Dead Are Calling playlist placement including – gyms, cinemas, restaurants, bars etc… 2018
• Gravity One Music Video Network – Dead Are Calling playlist placement 2018
• Pressure Video Hawaii Airlines, H&M U.S. retail chain and many more over 3 million hits in total 2010
• Annabelle Cosmetics Promotional Video 2009 – How to Create Custom QUAD FOXY Browns Look
• “Sid’s Cycle Show” 2007-08
Season 1&2, Global, Men TV, Showcase Action, Spike (+2 million viewers)- Anger Is Creeping – Theme Song – Phase 2: Amidst The Madness – used as TV

Soundtrack
• CTV – Whistler (2006)
• MTV – The N (2006)
• CBC – “Rock Your World” 2006

Past Radio Charts:
• I Put A Spell On You #16 on DRT GLOBAL TOP 50 ROCK AIRPLAY CHART 01-11-2020
https://digitalradiotracker.com/drt-dev/drt-national-airplay-charts.php?prevWeek=01-11-2020
• I Put A Spell On You #104 on DRT GLOBAL TOP 150 INDEPENDENT AIRPLAY CHART 01-06-2020
https://digitalradiotracker.com/drt-dev/drt-national-airplay-charts.php?prevWeek=01-04-2020

Past Features:
• In Vivo Media – Feature Cover Story 2019
• Phenom Studios – Placement caters to the Western Europe region
• 360 Degree TV – Dead Are Calling playlist placement 2019
• ww.safari-video.com – an avant garde video channel targeting Australia & New Zealand
• Now Entertainment – Feature story 2019
• Focal Point – Feature story 2018
• Marquix Global Network – Feature Cover Story 2018
• 247inkmag.com – 6 page exclusive, full page add, banners on rotation 2017
• Alternative Addiction – 6 week feature and banner on rotation 2017
• Metal Injection – Baby Take it All one week placement on home page as well as side banners 2017
• “Gear Gods Show” Special Ops show off the goods! 2017

Corporate sponsors / artist endorsements:
Surine bass, MeMerch.ca

0 EPK – Lutharo – Wings of Agony (2020) (EP)

January 18, 2020
by Asher
· EPKs · Lutharo

Lutharo – Wings of Agony (2020) (EP)

For fans of Arch Enemy, Unleash The Archers, The Agonist, Amon Amarth

Release Date: March 27, 2020
Label: Self-Release
Distribution:

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

Lutharo.com | Facebook | Twitter @LutharoBand | Youtube | Instagram @LutharoOfficial

Bandcamp | Spotify | iTunes | Amazon | CD Baby

“Extreme Of The Extreme: LUTHARÖ Take Flight On Melodeath Masterpiece, Wings Of Agony… “Wings of Agony” is a great representation of what Lutharö have to offer with the new EP and the band clearly intended to come out of the gates swinging.” – Metal Injection

“Along comes Canada, showing the world that independent unsigned metal bands can kick just as much ass, if not more, than any act on the Nuclear Blasts or Metal Blades or Roadrunners out there. Now on their third EP since 2015, Ontario’s Lutharö keep going from strength to strength as their sound expands… pick up Wings Of Agony – digitally or physically – and support independent artists who are as good as this. If the sheer impact behind Lutharö can’t convince you that the metal community continues to go from strength to strength, then I do not want to be your friend. 9/10. Fantastic.” – Metal Observer

“Wings of Agony is a thrill-ride. You’ll grin at the near-constant guitar heroics and sing/scream along with it with glee. This is exactly the type of melodic death/power metal combination that works in the best interest of both parties, and Lutharo take it for all it’s worth. Scorching stuff!” – 9/10 – Dead Rhetoric

“Bringing a fresh take on Heavy Metal to listeners around the world, this up-and-coming Canadian band returns with a darker yet still very melodic sound in their brand new (and excellent) EP… Krista and her henchmen are undeniably talented, crazy for metal music and extremely focused on what they do, spreading their wings all over Canada and soon the world with their breathtaking music for our total delight.” – The Headbanging Moose

“The onslaught continues on “Diamond Back” which is even more aggressive than the opener. It’s like listening to Arch Enemy and Unleash the Archers in a knuckleduster brawl. The EP’s midpoint, “Blood Lightening” has more of a grandiose and dramatic power metal charge to it. Muscular riffs and some of the best solo assaults on the EP are captured here. Shipperbottom continues to maneuver deftly between her caustic growls and her biting and soaring cleans.” – Metal Nation

“Lutharo is a band that was unknown to me until I received this package with their album to make a review of. I must say that I am impressed and it’s probably one of the best things I heard in Metal lately… They have so much power, energy and the musicians are incredible. Each song here impressed me in a good way. One of the best releases coming from Canada this year.” – Metal Temple

“heavy and menacing, terrifying and frightening, Lutharo deliver a five song extravaganza of blistering savagery, that may scare you just a little bit.” – Metal Gods TV

““Wings Of Agony,” the title track of the album, is a slow moving beast. A song that is composed of a great many elements, some melodic, others harsher and more febrile. The vocals as always produce some fascinating twists and turns and ensure the listener is hooked.” – The Median Man

“Should you feel the need for either power metal or melodic death metal that’s just a little bit different, “Wings of Agony” is definitely for you.” – Skull Fracturing Metal

“Check out the power metal style on “Blood Lightning” with its anthemic phenomenal riffs and I cannot stress enough the superb talent of drummer Duval. “Will To Survive” with its thrash tinged and speed metal pace is as furious as a train racing unbounded on its tracks. We have Krista’s beautiful mixture of vocals that beautifully showcases her range. The churning riffs and deep bass spin around you like an angry tumultuous tornado. Again, this song highlights Duval’s percussive savagery.” – Boston Rock Radio

“Epic in its ambition, scope and delivery, it is a powerhouse of a release, combining elements of power metal and thrash with accurate alactrity. With each of the five songs linked by a theme of following your dreams and passions, it has a consistency of approach that permeates every pore of its being. The songs are superbly written and constructed, with plenty of thought put into them, and this is aided by the hugely complementary performances from each of the five band members, and especially the wonderful use of clean and growled vocals… sort of like Lacuna Coil but without the symphonic elements. This is a magnificent slice of powerful heavy metal from a band that deserve every accolade that will undoubtedly come their way when this hits the shelves at the end of the month. Glorious in extremis.” – Uber Rock

“This is such a bloody good band. Mixing the old good Heavy Metal tunes, Thrash Metal attacks and power with the Death Metal growls with fast riffs… Impressive vocals, from high pitch Heavy Metal melodies to Growls blowing your mind, Krista is astonishing singer. The two guitarists, Victor Bucur and John Raposo are so awesome leading both excellent parts. Thrashing like maniacs they brave the fast tempos as the heavy moshing moments with great vibe. Pounding drums from Duval Gabraiel , and groove on bass from Chris Pacey. This formation is a top notch one!’ – The Metal Mag

“What Lutharö offer is a melodic strain of thrash metal with melo-death overtones and light progressive tinges. Think of Unleash The Archers buying shots of Jagermeister for Iron Maiden and Arch Enemy.” – Metal Observer

“One thing is for sure and that’s Lutharo are larger than life on stage.” – Decibel Geek

“…you will experience non-stop excellent, energetic, forward looking mix of speed, thrash and melodic death metal…Lutharo deserves to be noticed…” – Metal Reviews

“an extremely fun, crisp and pleasant fusion of 80’s Heavy Metal with modern-day Melodic Death Metal the likes of The Agonist and Arch Enemy. Spearheaded by the talented she-wolf Krista Shipperbottom, whose vocal style, hair and looks remind me of The Agonist’s stunning frontwoman Vicky Psarakis, the band delivered a solid performance for the fans.” – The Headbanging Moose (Live Review – Toronto – 2018)

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

Track by track explanation by the band:

1. Barren is a song about someone who has no passion or drive in their life so they end up physically dissecting other humans that are super motivated to see what the secret to their happiness is.

2. Diamond Back is about doing whatever it takes to pursue your passion and growing a thicker skin in the process of doing so.

3. Blood Lightning is about spilling your heart and soul into your passion and begging to finally see some success from it after its been mentally and physically draining you.

4. Will To Survive is about people making you pay for your success while also belittling you and doubting your ability to succeed.

5. Wings of Agony is a song about the never-ending struggle to pursue a passion. In one moment you are feeling like you are soaring on cloud nine, things are going your way and you exude confidence. Then by the flip of a switch, you enter a moment of darkness where you feel lost and hopeless never knowing when the light at the end of the tunnel will return. This is the never-ending cycle we embrace because we would rather be tortured in the process of pursuing our dreams than to give up on them.

EP Title: Wings of Agony
Release Date: March 27, 2020
Label: Self-Release
Distribution:

Track Listing:
1 – Barren (5:21)
2 – Diamond Back (4:31)
3 – Blood Lightning (4:41)
4 – Will to Survive (5:09)
5 – Wings of Agony (6:02)
EP Length: 25:45

EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: Lutharo
• All songs written by: Lutharo
• Produced by: Lutharo
• Mixed by: Tyler Williams (Monolithic Productions )
• Mastered by: Lasse Lammert
• Album Artwork by: Costin Chioreanu
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album Band Line Up:
Krista Shipperbottom – Vocals
Victor Bucur – Guitar/Backup Vocals
John Raposo – Guitar
Chris Pacey – Bass
Cale Costello – Drums (album only)

Live Band Line Up:
Krista Shipperbottom – Vocals
Victor Bucur – Guitar/Backup Vocals
John Raposo – Guitar
Chris Pacey – Bass
Duval Gabraiel – Drums (current full time drummer)

Discography:
2020 – Wings of Agony (EP)
2018 – Unleash the Beast (EP)

Videos:
Unleash the Beast Official Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJgv_1SnxxI
Unleash the Beast live – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RrWJgopFio

Shared stage with:
Unleash the Archers, Alestorm, The Agonist, Exmortus, Nervosa, Battlecross, Threat Signal, Anvil, Skullfist, Striker

L-R: Duval Gabraiel – Drums, Victor Bucur – Guitar/Backup Vocals, Krista Shipperbottom – Vocals, Chris Pacey – Bass, John Raposo – Guitar
Photo by Joe Lyko – Dark Moon Production

SHORT BIO

Lutharö hails from Hamilton, Canada and this group of motivated musicians is bringing a fresh take on heavy metal to listeners around the world.

Meticulously blending a range of sounds from death metal to power metal, Lutharö is quality extreme music for all audiences. Over the years, Lutharö has grown into its distinctive sound, emerging with a heavy and dark formula that gets fans moving.

Catchy riffs, blazing solos and vocals ranging from vicious growls to cleans that will send a chill down your spine, make Lutharo a well-rounded powerhouse of a band that brings beauty, aggression and skill to the genre. Even with an already impressive resume, Lutharö is just getting started.

Their sophomore EP “Wings of Agony” is due out March 27, 2020.

LONG BIO

Lutharö hails from Hamilton, Canada and this group of motivated musicians is bringing a fresh take on heavy metal to listeners around the world.

Meticulously blending a range of sounds from death metal to power metal, Lutharö is quality extreme music for all audiences. They formed in 2013 and with furious passion and drive, quickly established themselves at the forefront of the local metal scene.

Vocalist Krista Shipperbottom takes inspiration from everyday life events to create the powerful lyrics which she then belts out to the energetic guitar work performed by Victor Bucur and John Raposo. The powerful low end comes from bassist Chris Pacey and keeping everything together is Duval Gabraiel on drums. The highly streamlined group works collaboratively on each track to ensure a unique and diverse final product.

Over the years, Lutharö has grown into their distinctive sound, emerging with a heavy and dark formula that gets fans moving. In 2018, they released their debut EP “Unleash The Beast” to great reception and are set to follow it up in 2020 with their sophomore release “Wings of Agony”.Catchy riffs, blazing solos and vocals ranging from vicious growls to cleans that will send a chill down your spine, make Lutharö a well-rounded powerhouse of a band that brings beauty, aggression and skill to the genre.

Their unbridled stage domination has been apparent with live gigs alongside Unleash the Archers, Alestorm, and The Agonist. Even with an already impressive resume, Lutharö is just getting started.

“Wings of Agony” is due out March 27, 2020.

0 EPK – Imonolith – State of Being (2020)

January 13, 2020
by Asher
· EPKs · Imonolith

Imonolith – State of Being (2020)

Imonolithband.com | Facebook.com/imonolithband | Twitter.com/imonolithband | Instagram.com/imonolithband

Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon | Google Play

Tour Dates (More Dates TBA):
Mar 27: Sheffield, UK – Corporation
Mar 28: Newcastle, UK – Think Tank?
Mar 29: Manchester, UK – Rebellion
Mar 30: Glasgow, UK – Broadcast
Mar 31: Bristol, UK – Exchange
Apr 1: London, UK – Underworld
Apr 2: Bree, BE – Ragnarok
Apr 4: Copenhagen, DK – High Voltage
Apr 5: Stockholm, SE – Slaktkyrkan
Apr 6: Oslo, NO – John Dee
Apr 8: Mainz, DE – Schon Schon
Apr 9: Turin, IT – Blah-Blah
Apr 10: Como, IT – Centrale Rock Pub
Apr 11: Verona, IT – The Factory
Apr 12: Salzburg, AT – Rockhouse Bar
Apr 13: Ljubljana, SL – Orto Bar
Apr 14: Zagreb, HR – Hard Place
Apr 15: Sofia, BG – Live & Loud
Apr 16: Bucharest, RO – Quantic Club
Apr 17: Budapest, HU – ROBOT
Apr 18: Geislingen, DE – MieV
Apr 21: Prague, CZ – Rock Cafe
Apr 23: Bochum, DE – Die Trompete
Apr 24: Cham, DE – L.A. Live Club Cafe
Apr 25: Dobeln, DE – KL17
Apr 27: Nijverdal, NL – Cult Art Shop

Release Date: March 27, 2020
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
01 State of Being (1:17) (intro)
02 Becoming The Enemy (3:44) (feat. Johannes Eckerstrom)
03 Instinct (3:43)
04 Dig (4:12)
05 The Mourning (3:13)
06 Forgone (4:37)
07 Breathe (3:49)
08 The Reign (3:41) (feat. Jens Kidman)
09 We Never Forget (4:06)
10 Hollow (3:39)
11 Persevere (4:06)
Album Length: 40:12

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Imonolith
• All songs written by: All music written by Ryan Van Poederooyen and Brian Waddell
except: ‘State of Being’ – written by Jon Howard,
except: ‘We Never Forget’ – Written by Jon Howard, Ryan Van Poederooyen and Brian Waddell
• Produced by: Jason ‘JVP’ Van Poederooyen
• Mixed by: Jason ‘JVP’ Van Poederooyen
• Mastered by: Jason ‘JVP’ Van Poederooyen
• Album Artwork by: Dane Hallett
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
• Album Recording & Live Band Line Up:
Jon Howard (Vocals)
Brian Waddell (Guitars)
Kai Huppunen (Guitars)
Scott Whalen (Bass)
Ryan Van Poederooyen (Drums)

Discography:
2020 – State of Being (LP)
2019 – Hollow (single)

Tours & Festivals:
2020 – Euro Tour
2019 – Western Canada Tour

L-R: Kai Huppunen (Guitars), Brian Waddell (Guitars), Jon Howard (Vocals), Scott Whalen (Bass), Ryan Van Poederooyen (Drums)

Photo by Erich Saide

For as much as its inflexible form resembles a blank canvas, the existence of a monolith suggests a deeper meaning. Such obelisks appear throughout mythology, literature, and film, implying a curious level of ambiguity and inviting discourse…

IMONOLITH marks the convergence point of five career musicians whose experience and acumen align seamlessly, almost as if by destiny. These five pieces fit into place within a hypnotic hybrid of hard rock melodies and metallic proficiency. The quintet— Ryan “RVP” Van Poederooyen [drums], Brian ‘Beav’ Waddell [guitar], Jon Howard [vocals], Kai Huppunen [guitar], and Scott Whalen [bass]—introduce this signature sound on their 2020 independent full-length debut, State of Being.

“We’ve all had professional careers and played in different groups for a long time,” says Ryan. “We’re drawing on all of that experience to do something new. When you think of a monolith, you think of a grand and solid structure. It resembles what we want the band to be, while making it an intriguing experience.”

“I feel very fortunate to be in a band with such talented musicians and great guys,” adds Scott. “Being able to join a band of this caliber is very humbling. Everything has worked out rad so far. It’s really meant to be.”

Ryan and Brian logged nearly ten years recording and touring in Devin Townsend Project. As early as 2015, they started writing together and tracking demos for a possible collaboration. In late 2018, they sought out a singer. Heeding the call, Threat Signal and Arkaea co-founder Jon Howard submitted a demo within a day and left Ryan and Brian, “Floored and blown away.” Welcoming the vocalist in the fold, the musicians rounded out the lineup with guitarist Kai, previously of Methods of Mayhem and Noise Therapy, and ex-Econoline Crush bassist Scott. IMONOLITH recorded their debut album State of Being between March and July 2019. Produced, mixed and engineered by Ryan’s brother Jay Van Poederooyen [Nickelback, Chris Cornell, Daughtry], the guys collectively “decided to go old school with the recording.”

“This album went back to the basics with the drums being recorded to two-inch tape and no samples,” reveals Kai. “All of the vocals were raw takes with no auto-tuning. All of the bass and guitars were recorded through amps. What you hear on the album is what we heard when we recorded. It felt great to record like that as a band.”

“We come from different backgrounds and styles,” Brian adds. “However, the focus is to just write the best songs possible built on riffs, first and foremost.”

Right out of the gate, IMONOLITH made waves with the debut single “Hollow,” racking up 216K Spotify streams in 2019 and receiving looks from Loudwire, Brave Words, The PRP, and more within a few months’ time. Maintaining this momentum, the 2020 follow-up single “Instinct” hinges on guttural guitar riffs before slamming into a jackhammer refrain uplifted by Jon’s clean vocals.

“It’s a battle of self,” explains the singer. “You’re trying to figure out who you are. You’re following a path, but you’re not sure of it. That’s what the song is about.”

Meanwhile, “Dig” drives forward with a chugging groove as it builds towards a bludgeoning and bold hook. Ryan explains, “It’s about burning bridges. Some people dig their own graves as a result. The music and the lyrics match in terms of heaviness. Somebody may screw you over and burn a bridge with you, but it doesn’t mean you can’t just move on. The meaning flips. Learn from the experience and move on.”

Elsewhere, Swedish vocalist, Johannes Eckerström guests on the caustic and catchy “Becoming the Enemy,” while legendary Meshuggah mainman Jens Kidman makes a rare vocal cameo on “The Reign,” which eviscerates everything in its path.

“It really is an honour to record a song with Jens,” Jon goes on. “We’re singing together on a track, and I couldn’t be happier.”

In the end, IMONOLITH encodes a provocative transmission inside of the music.
“There’s an underlying message,” Ryan leaves off. “On one end of the spectrum, you can take away a personal meaning to live your life the way you want—or you can just crank the music and enjoy it.”

Jon agrees, “Everyone will receive this differently, but I hope there’s something positive that may help you in your life or situation.”

IMONOLITH’s debut album “State of Being” is due out March 27, 2020

0 EPK – Krvsade – Judgement Day (2020)

December 30, 2019
by Asher
· EPKs · Krvsade

Krvsade – Judgement Day (2020)

For fans of Sepultura, Death, Morbid Angel, Vader, Slayer, Kreator

Release Date: January 31, 2020
Label: Independent
Distribution: Independent

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

Facebook | Youtube | Bandcamp | iTunes

“I can highly recommend this to anyone who yearns for that ‘old school’ vibe that seems to be so highly sought after. Krvsade nail what it takes to be an old school blackened thrash act in the 21st century by sticking true to tried and tested traits, but by expanding their sound into more sludgy territory at the same time…damn good, solid, thrashing fun time.” – Metal Observer

“The opening title track is a fine example of what the Krvsade are about, old school Sepultura, Death or even Morbid Angel style guitar work and recording esthetics, pulverising kit work from Dennis and demonic vocals from Evans. You can just picture Evans eyes lit up electric blue as he spits fire from his mouth and shoots lighting bolts from his palms.” – Metal Noise

“Krvsade stand poised to seize the rusty metal crown of the Queen City, as there is a conscious malignancy lurking in the depths of their songwriting, waiting to rear its hideous head.” – Exclaim!

“full of bangers!” – Ghost Cult Magazine

“Listen to it until your ears bleed, and then listen to it again.” – Roxx100

“A giant dose of talent in this Ep; a sinister environment enhanced by a well balanced rhythm section, a great structure and an inspired solo in JUDGEMENT DAY.
KEEP IN THE CHURCH is more squared with deep vocals and great changes of time.
Not least next THE KEY AND THE GATE. A band to keep an eye on! Interesting!” – HardRockHeavyMetal

“Made up of only 3 songs, the EP starts off with a bang, combining thrash and death metal in a powerful title track that can be easily pictured as the soundtrack for a savage moshpit.” – Metal Blast

“Krvsade from North Carolina, USA, drop this brutal 3 x track EP and my lord does it pack a punch, and for £2.97 from Amazon, it’s worth every penny… very imaginative riffing going on and plenty to remember.” 5/5 – Planet Mosh

“Krvsade slam out some awesome old school death/thrash metal on their new EP Judgment Day. These three songs are what just what the metal doctor ordered full of anger, aggression and powerful lyrics. Great evil vocals that slash through awesome guitar riffs that are both fast and heavy.” – The Dirty Room

“If you like it heavy and dark, I believe you will like this one. This slashin’ thrashin’ journey is built on a foundation of some very powerful drum work with amazing guitar accents sprinkled throughout. The vocals are what nightmares are made of, and I mean that in a complimentary manner… I strongly recommend checking out this Death/Thrash Metal combo, it works for me.” Boston Rock Radio

“For my money, thrash with a heavy dose of death metal has always been more fertile ground for bands looking to make their mark after the genre’s 80s heyday. Charlotte’s Krvsade is clearly of the same opinion. Their second EP, Judgement [sic] Day is a promising, if overly brief, show of force from a band still finding their footing in today’s metal scene.” – Toilet Ov Hell

“Strewn between the avenues of Thrash and Death Metal, KRVSADE, does well to carve their own path in the niche compartmentalization of each and has a special place on my playlist for their eldritch track on seeking Yog-Sothoth, whose song title comes from the Lovecraft short story Through The Gates Of The Silver Key… cold, boisterous, and energetic each track serves as a prelude to a much more grand machination, and “Judgement Day” as a whole serves as proof of what’s to come.” – Metal Temple

“There are plenty of tasty riffs to come your way in this new EP from North Carolina thrash metallers Krvsade.” – Noizze

“Krvsade is firing on all cylinders and boasting some changes, they really have developed an impressive sound.” – Crannk

EP Title: Judgement Day
Release Date: January 31, 2020
Label: Independent
Distribution: Independent

Track Listing:
1. Judgement Day (3:22)
2. Keep it in the Church (7:46)
3. The Key and The Gate (6:41)
EP Length: 17:50

EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: Krvsade
• All songs written by: Krvsade
• Produced by: Krvsade
• Mixed by: Barry Sams
• Mastered by: Barry Sams
• EP Artwork by: Stefan lochner “Last Judgement”

EP and Live Band Line Up:
Andre Evans – Guitar/Vocals
Keegan Dennis – Drums
Arthur Reid – Guitar
Jeb Laird – Bass

Discography:
2019 – Judgement Day (EP)
2017 – Militum Infernum (EP)

Shared Stage with:
Nervosa, Suspended, Inquisition, Tyranny Enthroned, Lecherous Nocturne, Vesterian, Aether Realm, All Hell, Suppressive Fire, UADA, Sadistic Ritual

Festivals:
2017 – Rapid Fire Fest – Charlotte NC

L-R : Keegan Dennis (Drums), Arthur Reid (Guitar), Jeb Laird (Bass), Andre Evans (Guitar,Vocals)

Photo Credit: Olive

SHORT BIO

Released from the depths in 2015, Krvsade is a mind-shattering thrash assault destined to conquer stages across the nation and the world. A new blend of extreme metal from Charlotte, USA, Krvsade incorporates death and black metal into the thrash equation, resulting in an original, brutal sound.

With seasoned musicians comprising the line-up, a live gig from Krvsade is intense and interactive. Raw and in the moment, it’s not a numb over choreographed school play. This is real, in your face, fast and angry metal; a full set of four dudes losing their minds. The way it should be.

Growth and evolution are apparent in the newest recording, ‘Judgment Day’ EP arriving in January 2020. According to the band, this latest 3 track record is only an appetizer for the full course that is coming soon.

LONG BIO

The four members of Krvsade work together to refine each melodic track, starting with Andre Evans (guitar/vocals) defining the skeleton of the song with riff ideas and the occasional chorus. The framework is sent to Keegan Dennis (drums) to flesh out a solid foundation and once that is done, it passes to Arthur Reid (guitar) and Jeb Laird (bass) for final attunement. Lyrical themes encompass anything from the end of days to religion and real-life events.

Having shared the stage with the likes of Inquisition, Nervosa, and Uada, Krvsade is first and foremost a live band. With seasoned musicians comprising the line-up, a live gig from Krvsade is intense and interactive. Raw and in the moment, it’s not a numb, over choreographed school play. This is real, in your face, fast and angry metal; a full set of four dudes losing their minds. The way it should be.

Krvsade released their debut offering ‘Militum Infernum’ in 2017, featuring the first three songs they ever wrote as a band. Growth and evolution are apparent in the newest recording, ‘Judgment Day’ EP arriving in January 2020. According to the band, this latest 3 track record is only an appetizer for the full course that is coming soon.

0 EPK – Hellevate – Krampusnacht (2019)

December 23, 2019
by Asher
· EPKs · Hellevate

Hellevate – Krampusnacht

For fans of Exodus, Heathen, Iced Earth,Sanctuary, Forbidden

Release Date: Dec 23, 2019
Label: Independent
Distribution: Digital

Facebook.com/hellevate | Instagram.com/hellevateband | YouTube

Hellevate.bandcamp.com | Amazon

“Sometimes Traditional Christmas music can simply be something we are forced to endure. Fortunately there are a few choice Metal offerings out there and in “Krampusnacht“, Hellevate have given us a fine addition to those offerings. They’ve managed to escape the trappings of over indulging in cheese or producing a beefed up version of a Traditional Christmas Carol and instead have created a Thrash gem that is straight out of the Exodus playbook.” – Metal Noise

“Ebenso wie etwa TANKARD oder ANTHRAX verwechselt HELLEVATE nicht Humor mit Albernheit, sondern serviert das Titelstück als gut gemachte Thrashnummer mit satten Riffs, dichtem Getrommel und energischem Gesang, das von zwei starken Leadbreaks, in dem die Gitarren einzeln oder auch kurz im Doppel solieren, gekrönt wird.” – Powermetal.de

“La producción es potente y cristalina.” – Broken Tomb Magazine

“Hellevate decide quien fue bueno o malo en ‘Krampusnacht’ – RTMB “Es una buena racha de thrash para complementar sus vacaciones. Entonces, mientras desenvuelve los regalos y se llena la cara con productos horneados, agregue un poco de Hellevate a sus tradiciones y descubra Krampusnacht.” – RTMB Music

“Kansas City-based Hellevate fully meets the standards of this great gem, therefore I’d like to recommend their brand new effort to each and everyone hooked on the forces Bay Area Thrash Metal mainly.” – Metal To Infinity

“These sons a bitches are a playing a brand of Metal that so many others don’t have the wit or balls to play.” – The Gauntlet

“This is impressive, first rate songwriting – incorporating a modern fusion of thrash, power, and traditional/classic metal that whips up a frenzy of interest and should be a part of your world if any of these styles receive airplay in your world.” – Dead Rhetoric

“A great amalgamation of power, speed, thrash and death all come siphoning through a traditional metal template.” – Dead Rhetoric

Download EP Lyrics | Download EP Cover

EP Title: Krampusnacht
Release Date: Dec 23, 2019
Label: Independent
Distribution: Digital

Track Listing:
1. Krampusnacht (6:58)
2. If You Want Peace… (0:43)
3. Prepare for War (4:25)
EP Length: 12:07

EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: Hellevate
• All songs written by: Hellevate
• Produced by: Joshua Cole and Dan Whitmer
• Mixed by: Joshua Cole
• Mastered by: Joshua Cole
• EP Artwork by: Karl Dahmer

EP & Live Band Line Up:
Erik “Jager” Schmutzler – Vocals
Dan “Danöwar” Whitmer – Guitar
Josh “The Boss” Cole – Guitar
Zack “The Ripper” Burke – Bass
RJ “Machine Gun” Whitmer – Drums

Discography:
2019 – Krampusnacht (EP)
2018 – Last of the Hell (single)
2016 – Weapons Against Their Will (LP)
2014 – Kill Confirmed EP
2012 – Hellevate (LP)

Shared Stage with:
Danzig, Exodus, Primal Fear, Overkill, Destruction, Tyr, Morbid Saint, Unleash the Archers, Exmortus, Jag Panzer, Kreator, Accept, Venom, Inc.

Tours and Festivals:
2014 – West Texas Death Fest – Amarillo, TX
2015 – Summer Stench – Kansas City, MO
2016 – Weapons Against Their Will tour
2018 – Swordmetal Festival – Savage, MN

Past Features such as Artist of the Month or Single of the Week, etc if any
2016 & 2019 – Friday Guest DJ, Metal Express Radio
08/06/2016 – Band of the Week, Breath Fresher Magazine
(http://www.breath-fresher.com/2016/08/06/hellevate/)
2014 – Metal Band of the Year, Project Backstage Midwest Music Awards

L-R: Dan “Danowar” Whitmer (Guitar), Erik “Jager” Schmutzler (Vocals), RJ “Machine Gun” Whitmer (Drums), Zack “The Ripper” Burke (Bass), Josh “The Boss” Cole (Guitar)

Photo by Jeffery Ulfhednar Allee

Tis the season for mistletoe, Christmas pudding, Auntie Martha’s awful sweaters and of course, Krampus. Krampus the goat demon comes to take away all the children who have misbehaved during the year and this traditional central European folktale gets revisited with the seasonally appropriate track “Krampusnacht” from Kansas City’s HELLEVATE.

Fortunately, it seems we’ve mostly been good this year as we get this new single to bang our heads to instead of getting eaten by a monster. The speed/thrash act revisions the classic tale with a choice blend of hard-hitting riffs and quick drum work that is a welcome respite from the monotony of traditional Christmas music we’ve been forced to endure.

“Krampusnacht” comes from the three-track EP of the same name, which also includes “If You Want Peace…” and “Prepare For War”. It’s a hearty dash of thrash to complement your holidays. So while you’re unwrapping presents and stuffing your face with baked goods, add some Hellevate to your traditions and turn up Krampusnacht.

About:

HELLEVATE is an up and coming speed/thrash metal band based out of Kansas City, Missouri.

The band was originally founded by Danöwar in Kansas City in the mid-2000s with the intention of being the most Metal of Heavy Metal bands. Like all bands, the up-and-coming HELLEVATE endured several fluctuating lineups and styles for several years. The band came together in late 2009 with drummer RJ “The Machine Gun” Whitmer (brother of Danöwar), and Zack “The Ripper” Burke on bass guitar. Current vocalist Erik “Jager” Schmutzler and guitarist Josh “The Boss” Cole joined the band in early 2013.

HELLEVATE released the first EP in 2010 and a self-titled full-length album in late 2012. The band released a second EP “Kill Confirmed” in 2014 with the new band lineup along with the full-length album, “Weapons Against Their Will” released in July of 2016.

The band has established itself by sharing the bill with many nationally touring bands, including Exodus, Kreator, Accept, Overkill, Ghoul, Venom Inc., and Danzig, just to name a few. With a great lineup and a bright future ahead of them, HELLEVATE continues to grow as a musical force in the metal world and intends to dominate and annihilate for many years to come.

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