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Category: Music News

0 Drumming In BC Rockies – Param-Nesia Drummer Showcases New Playthrough, New EP “Aspect of Creation” Out Now!

  • September 16, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Param-Nesia

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 16, 2021

Drumming In BC Rockies – Param-Nesia Drummer Showcases New Playthrough

New EP “Aspect of Creation” Out Now!

Vancouver’s Param-Nesia unleashed their new EP “Aspect of Creation” upon the world earlier this June. The five-track EP is groovy and captivating with each song flowing from one to the next. Compared to the first EP “The Beginning” (2019), this new offering is a big step up in production and quality and will definitely get listeners rowdy. Meshing melody and brutality, they tell wild tales intended to take the listener on a journey. The band explains in more detail:

“It is more focused and balanced in its direction. The overall sound isn’t one specific thing. Some songs have a more melodic, triumphant vibe, while others are more somber, slower groove. But that’s the fun part, each one is a testament to the moment it was conceived, and a reflection of the evolving musical inspirations of each band member at that time.”

One of the lead singles off “Aspect of Creation” is the track “Forsaken” and today, drummer Derek Hill is showcasing his pounding fury with his latest playthrough along with British Columbia’s monstrous Rockies as the backdrop.

“This playthrough was filmed off the Squamish Valley Logging Road, in Squamish, BC. I had this location in my mind for a long time because I spend a lot of time in Squamish Kiteboarding around all the glacier mountains. I’ve always wanted to play drums in a place where I felt very connected with nature, so I told my friend and videographer Darren Potts, along with longtime friend and bandmate Matt Burnham about the plan and they helped turn it into reality.” adds Hill.

The drum playthrough for “Forsaken” can be viewed via TheCirclePit’s YouTube channel – https://youtu.be/JoMRBKtXsgo

The five tracks on the “Aspect of Creation” cross subgenre boundaries making this brutal assault of tech death and melody applicable for most metalheads, especially fans of Revocation, The Black Dahlia Murder, Arch Enemy, Allegaeon, and At the Gates.

“Aspect of Creation” is available on Param-nesia.bandcamp.com, Spotify

Music Video “Pestilence of Man” – https://youtu.be/1jbpbQiwBt0


Track Listing:
1. Pestilence of Man (4:44)
2. Forsaken (4:44)
3. Lethocerus (5:29)
4. Home (5:47)
5. Journey to Nothing (7:09)
EP Length: 27:54

EP Band Line Up:
Andy Cahalin – Lead Guitar/Bass
Matthew Burnham – Rhythm Guitar/Bass
Cayle Charlton – Vocals
Derek Hill – Drums

Live Band Line Up:
Andy Cahalin – Lead Guitar
Matthew Burnham – Rhythm Guitar
Cayle Charlton – Vocals
Colton Hession – Bass
Derek Hill – Drums

For more info:
Facebook.com/ParamnesiaVan
Instagram.com/paramnesiavan
EPK

About:
Param-Nesia is a five-piece metal band hailing from Vancouver BC. Their visceral sound combines melodic death, thrash, and hints of prog to create music that takes you on a journey from beginning to end. Originally founded in 2016 by guitarist Andy Cahalin, and drummer Derek Hill, followed shortly by vocalist Cayle Charlton, the lineup is now complete with the addition of Matt Burnham on guitar and Colton Hession on bass. Param-Nesia released their debut EP “The Beginning” in Feb 2019, and are set to unleash their follow-up EP “Aspect of Creation” on June 25th, 2021. They are committed to their craft, striving to create music that is heavy, emotionally charged and engaging. With a hard work ethic, Param-Nesia is actively seeking shows/tours (post covid) and building an online presence to add to their repertoire.

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“”Param-Nesia- Aspect of Creation  – Great White North Metal – TOP NEW RELEASES for June 2021″

“Blending technical chips with some surprisingly memorable hooks — just check out the opening song Pestilence of Man — and plain old heavy riffage, the 5 tracks are relentless.” – Vancouver Sun

“Aspect of Creation” is exactly that Death Metal that Chuck Schuldiner would have wished for in 2021.” – Stormbringer

“Brutal Technical Death Metal from Vancouver, “Aspect of Creation” is a five track delve into blisteringly fast blasts, melodic guitar rhythms, an unwavering vocal performance from Cayle Charlton, “Aspect of Creation” attests to a band with brilliant capability and creativity.” – Metal Temple

“Aspect of Creation is a powerful slab of melodeath that takes listeners on a sonic journey.” – Noob Heavy

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
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0 Montreal’s CroMagnum Are Now Streaming Aggressively Melodic EP “Born Free”, Album Stream Premiere via Metal-Rules

  • September 16, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · CroMagnum · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 16, 2021

Montreal’s CroMagnum Are Now Streaming Aggressively Melodic EP “Born Free”

Album Stream Premiere via Metal-Rules

New EP “Born Free” Out Sept 17th, 2021 via King Metal Records


CroMagnum Current Line Up: L-R – Maximus Rex: Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards – Gino LaPosta: Bass

“Born Free” is the second EP from CroMagnum, hailing from Montreal, Canada. Leading up to this release they have given us two singles that show two different angles of the band that has only been improving since their last album in 2014.

The five tracks on the EP take the listener on a range of musical journeys, from “End Your Slavery” encouraging you to get out of the doldrums and the despair of the prison you’ve let society put you in; to the true origin story as told in “Waterval Boven”; to the reflection of trust presented in “Congregation” with its fast and furious riffs that open up into an epic chorus. There is something for everyone on this release, as the creativity is endless, as shown in the music videos and the comic book. Maximus Rex explains his process in more detail:

“I come up with the basic structure of a song, usually 2-3 riffs, and then we start building it up and jamming it, making decisions about song structure along the way. Once we have a solid base, we’ll work out finer details like solos and harmonies. During that whole process, I start getting ideas for lyrics and melodies, which usually coalesce right around when the music is done. Any subject can make for good lyrics, so I don’t ever judge a theme, because if it inspires you to write, I think it will at least come off as authentic, no matter what you’re talking about.”

Fans who are left wanting more shouldn’t have to wait too long, CroMagnum was originally going to record a full album, but after a slight bit of turbulence among the ranks, it was decided to focus on fewer songs. The next EP, targeted for 2022, is pretty much completely written and waiting to be recorded.

Power, thunder, blood, sweat and tears, CroMagnum offers nothing less than in your face balls-out metal.

The full EP “Born Free” is out on September 17th, 2021 via the band’s own label King Metal Records and can be heard in full before its official release at the following link on Metal-Rules HERE.

EP pre-order – CroMagnum1.Bandcamp.com

Videos:
Tunguska – https://youtu.be/e3hnTgjnmRQ
Born Free – https://youtu.be/FJVLL-D7LSE

In addition to the band’s upcoming EP, vocalist and guitarist Maximus Rex has written a comic book entitled “Bigg Baby: Tales From The Id” in support of the EP, which is available for order at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/ThisSearchForAUserNameIsInfuriating/

Track Listing:
1. End Your Slavery (0:53)
2. Born Free (4:14)
3. Waterval Boven (3:41)
4. Tunguska (2:31)
5. Congregation (5:26)
EP Length: 16:47

EP Band Line Up:
Maximus Rex: Guitar, vocals & keyboards
Gino LaPosta: Bass
M.A.D.: Drums

Live Band Line Up:
Maximus Rex: Guitar and vocals
Gino LaPosta: Bass
Drums (TBA)

For more info:
CroMagnum.ca
Facebook.com/cromagnum
Instagram.com/CroMagnum_MTL
Twitter.com/CroMagMetal
EPK

About:

Born of the frosty bowels of Montreal, Quebec, Canada comes CroMagnum, heavy metal from a simpler time. Brutal and unforgiving. Thoughtful and visionary. A forced juxtaposition that leads to an intense listening experience.

CroMagnum started when Maximus Rex and the original drummer parted ways with their previous band with an aim to keep it simple, heavy as fuck and stay as a three-piece. Since then, CroMagnum has evolved into its current form as the main duo of Maximus Rex on guitar and vocals, Gino LaPosta on bass.

With two EPs under their belts, 2014’s self-titled initial release and now 2021’s “Born Free”, CroMagnum embodies the human race’s struggle to climb out of the primordial ooze toward its future ascension to godhood. Lyrical content flows from anger, frustration, history, politics, government corruption, legends, and philosophy, complete with soaring melodies and punishing riffs.

Mythology. Tradition. Evolution. The beginning. The end. CroMagnum.

– 30 –

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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0 Thrashers Infrared Focus In On Human Nature Through “Evil Ascent” Off “From The Black Swamp” Out Sept 30th via Inframental Records

  • September 16, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Infrared · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 16, 2021

Thrashers Infrared Focus In On Human Nature Through “Evil Ascent” Off “From The Black Swamp”

New Album “From The Black Swamp” Out September 30th via Inframental Records

L-R: Mike Forbes (Bass, Backing Vocals), Armin Kamal (Guitar, Vocals), Alain Groulx (Drums, Backing Vocals), Kirk Gidley (Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Photo Credit by : Carissa Broeren

Infrared is true Canadian thrash metal, which initially started in 1986. After a hiatus, they emerged in 2014 and have put out a handful of albums since then. Their latest offering is the full-length “From the Black Swamp”, which will be released at the end of September. Ahead of this, they are unleashing their second single, “Evil Ascent” with a lyric video.

Watch and listen at https://youtu.be/muZc3HXfFhw

The single “Evil Ascent” is about evildoers trying to brutalize people they feel superior to, again, both at a societal and an interpersonal level. This fast-paced song boasts a tense middle section and a catchy sing-along chorus. The band explains it in their own words:

“On the heels of the title track, “From the Black Swamp”, “Evil Ascent” highlights evildoers and the great lengths they go to wreak havoc on those they feel superior to. It is a creepy ride into the state of human nature in which narcissism reigns supreme. It is a focus on people with evil intent, where they will try to exploit, humiliate, and ultimately crush those around them all for their own selfish gain.”

The cohesiveness of the band is evident, they work together collaboratively bouncing ideas off each other and formulating their recognizable thrash. They start with a riff and with everyone’s input eventually cultivate a full song with lyrical themes about what they know and what they see happening around them and around the world.

Heavily influenced by the Big Four, Infrared plays classic 80s thrash with full-bodied, modern production. They have shared the stage with the likes of Anvil, Sacrifice, Razor, Venom Inc., and Dirkschneider and look forward to melting faces for their first show in over a year and a half in their hometown of Ottawa on November 27th at Mavericks.

Fast, and rowdy, Infrared brings back classic thrash suitable for fans of Metallica, Testament, and Megadeth.

“From the Black Swamp” will be released on September 30, 2021.

Album pre-order – https://infraredmetal.bandcamp.com/album/from-the-black-swamp

Music Video – From the Black Swamp- https://youtu.be/Crxh_Fwyb7E

Show Dates:
Nov 27 – Mavericks – Ottawa, ON w/ Enforcer, Thunderdome – info


Track Listing:
1. Tribal Junction – 4:49
2. No Master, No Gods – 4:39
3. Lockdown – 4:02
4. Left Lane F√₵K! – 4:19
5. Eat Your Own – 4:58
6. From the Black Swamp – 6:11
7. Evil Ascent – 5:22
8. Blood & Sweat – 5:04
9. Eternal Exile – 5:09
10. Tradimento – 4:31
11. Beautiful Death – 4:31
12. SemitaDomum – 6:32
Album Length: 1:00:13

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Kirk Gidley – Guitar
Alain Groulx – Drums
Mike Forbes – Bass
Armin Kamal – Vocals, Guitar

For more info:
Infraredmetal.ca
Facebook.com/infraredmetal
Twitter.com/infraredmetal
Instagram.com/theofficialinfrared
EPK

About:
If Infrared sounds like classic thrash metal, that’s because they are! And rightfully so since they were making music as teenagers in the mid to late 80s back when the Big 4 (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax) were just becoming famous. They literally lived and breathed that scene as it was happening and garnered national attention in Canada through their song and video for Thoughts Caught (in Between).

Then….life happened and members took different paths and the music, that was hot in the underground metal scene and loved by demo tape traders near and far, went dormant for 27 years! In 2014 Infrared reunited with 3 of the original 4 members (Kirk, Armin, and Alain), and since original bassist Shawn Thompson had moved to Miami, they recruited Mike Forbes. They worked hard to release their first full-length album, No Peace (2016), featuring songs written all those years ago. 2018 saw Infrared release their sophomore album, Saviours, featuring 8 new songs coming in at just over 50 minutes of music! That was followed up by their 2019 EP, Back to the Warehouse featuring the last of their 80’s written songs and released as a bridge to their next full-length album. Now, in 2021, Infrared release their most mature album yet, From the Black Swamp. The album features 12 songs for one hour of hard-hitting and emotionally charged songs steeped in the themes of betrayal and malicious sabotage in all walks of life, from societal to interpersonal. With several high-profile concerts under their belts including opening for Anvil, Sacrifice, Razor, Venom Inc., Dirkschneider, Flotsam and Jetsam, DBC, E-Force, and Atrophy, Infrared raises their horns and looks forward to getting out there to meet and befriend metal lovers everywhere!

Discography:
2021 – From the Black Swamp – LP
2019 – Back to the Warehouse – EP
2018 – Saviours – LP
2016 – No Peace – LP
1986 – R.I.P. Demo

Shared Stage With:
Anvil, Flotsam and Jetsam, Udo Dirkshneider, Sacrifice, Varathron, DBC, E-Force, Vortex, Atrophy, Venom Inc.

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
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0 #1 White Cowbell Oklahoma Huge Hails Horns! \m/\m/ Much love Canadian MDs and DJs for your airplay support! !earshot – The National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, September 14, 2021

  • September 15, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · White Cowbell Oklahoma
#1 White Cowbell Oklahoma
Huge Hails Horns! \m/\m/
Much love Canadian MDs and DJs for your airplay support!
!earshot – The National Loud Chart
For the Week Ending: Tuesday, September 14, 2021
https://www.earshot-online.com/charts/index.cfm?intChartTypeID=106&dWeekOfID=2021-09-14

0 Canada’s Deformatory Release New Video For “Deciphering The Archetype” Off “Inversion of the Unseen Horizon”

  • September 15, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Deformatory · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 15, 2021

 

Canada’s Deformatory Release New Video For “Deciphering The Archetype” Off “Inversion of the Unseen Horizon”

 

Deformatory originally started in 2009, but over time new members joined the ranks, and the original idea and songwriting evolved into what it is today helmed by Charlie Leduc (Guitars & Vocals) and Neil Grandy (Drums). This was the fertile soil to create a blend of death metal that was atypical and so it has continued to be. The new album, the band’s third full-length, “Inversion of the Unseen Horizon” explores the origins of an alien race The Ce’naxors.

This concept album is nine, blistering, brutal tracks that continue where Deformatory’s 2016 album “Malediction” left off. The band explains the album and the single “Deciphering The Archetype” in their own words:

“The album tells us of how the Ce’naxors began and the ominous landscape of their home planet, Cyru’xil, revealing their Arkitekt’s grand scheme for multiversal decimation and atomical Consumption. The Unseen Horizon is their planet, their beings and their plan. The Inversion intimates it coming into view, from an otherwise hidden perspective. Through the single, witness the first glimpses of Xuul ‘Ka as it breaches the atmosphere, causing a whirlwind of meteorological events. Through the portal, the clouds dissipate, and Cyru’xil comes into view, along with the Grand Arkitekt, and the Cenaxors.”

Fans that are itching for more after this full-length won’t have too long to wait. Deformatory says they are already four songs deep into the new album, so listeners can expect more brutality sooner than they would hope for.

The lyric video for “Deciphering The Archetype” can be viewed and heard on SlamWorldWide – https://youtu.be/lY0qvjL7Hkc

Recommended for fans of Hate Eternal, Cryptopsy, and Morbid Angel, “Inversion of the Unseen Horizon” was released on September 3rd and can be enjoyed on CD, Vinyl, Cassette and digital download at http://deformatory.bandcamp.com


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

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

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

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

For more info:
Deformatory.ca
Facebook.com/deformatory
Instagram.com/deformatory
EPK

About:
Deformatory is a death metal band from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Forming in 2010, they set out to create an extreme sound, fusing together classic influences (Cryptopsy, Morbid Angel, Suffocation, etc.) and their love for modern tech death. The result is a uniquely relentless blend of death metal that can only hail from the Northern hemisphere.

Deformatory independently released their full-length debut, “In The Wake of Pestilence”, in December of 2013. This pummeling 9-track debut has been exceptionally well-received by fans worldwide, and has been cited as being an “outstanding and monstrous debut album. Essential.” (Frank Rini – AllAboutTheRock, ex: Internal Bleeding), and “flawless in every way” (TheBloodShed).

Having shared the stage with bands like Cryptopsy, Napalm Death, Obscura, Beyond Creation, Gorod, Archspire, and Fuck The Facts, Deformatory is more than comfortable delivering their crushing brand of extreme metal to live, screaming, and sweaty audiences.

The band’s sophomore release, “Malediction”, was released worldwide via CDN Records in 2016, with additional singles “Once Upon the Cross” (Deicide cover), and “Myiasis” both in 2018. Since then, DEFORMATORY has been developing their 3rd full-length album entitled “Inversion of the Unseen Horizon”, which they plan to unveil in the Fall of 2021 as an independent release.

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“A maniacal riff-fest colliding with pulverizing drumming and grotesquely executed vocals, Impaled Upon The Carrionspire is a memorable journey into a modern death metal portal of chaos. This is beyond a brutal wall of sound; it’s an experience that hooks you in, and guides you through everything you can expect to hear on the new album.” – Metal Injection

“Let’s cut to the chase: Imagine filling a syringe with unadulterated adrenaline, sticking it straight into your carotid artery, and jamming the plunger down with as much force as you can muster. That’s the effect of listening to Deformatory’s “Beyond the Abhorrence“. Driven by the mad weaponry of drummer Neil Grandy‘s almost relentless double-kick barrage and the rabid monstrosity of Charlie Leduc‘s cavernous bellowing, the song is a non-stop attack of mind-mutilating, pulse-pumping savagery. Leduc unleashes a plethora of macabre riffs and mutated leads, creating a multitude of frightening yet electrifying sensations, none of which are connected to a sane mind.” – No Clean Singing

“”Summoning the Cosmic Devourer,” being almost seven minutes long and just jam-packed with insanity, feels like it devoured other, lesser songs to become a terrifying megalith of riff after riff after riff. Dashing from one tempo to another with no warning, the song’s askew progressions illustrate sneering triumph and cosmic indifference with punishingly clear double-bass work to keep the tempo firmly in the mortal plane. This vile ceremony of riffs is intense and immediate enough to warrant constant attention, but it also seems to ooze with discordant mystery—each jarring and jagged chord hints at a terror outside our understanding. ” – Invisible Oranges

“those seeking the most brutal and battery ram-like extremity, Deformatory checks off all of the boxes that you’d like it to: strong musicianship and soloing, intense riffs and vocals, and just enough melody to keep it from going completely unhinged.” – Dead Rhetoric

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

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

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0 Canada’s VARIUS Tease Upcoming Melodic Death Metal EP “Concordance” With Trailer, New EP “Concordance” Out November 5th

  • September 15, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Varius

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 15, 2021

Canada’s VARIUS Tease Upcoming Melodic Death Metal EP “Concordance” With Trailer 

New EP “Concordance” Out November 5th


L-R: Joel Tassillo (Bass) / Joey Scaringi (Vocals) / Vladimir Prokhorov (Drums) / Patrick Forlin (Guitar)
Photo Credit: Britney Goertz

Canada’s Varius are releasing a new EP “Concordance” later this year and the first glimpse into the mayhem within is the EP trailer, teasing at what is in store.

Watch the EP trailer at the following link: https://youtu.be/z8o8HaRX0Gg

Although melodic death metal and thrash elements are the “core” of their sound, they always want to emphasize that their influences are a lot more diverse than just those styles. They take an experimental approach to their music and often try to marry heavy metal elements together with elements from other genres.

The band says they are extremely proud of this release as they explain further:

“We think our excitement for it is going to translate to our fans. People who are already familiar with us will probably catch on to songs like “Concordance of the Legionfall” and “Gut Shoveler” right away, and new fans who are into the more extreme end of the metal spectrum will probably be attracted to those. We covered some new ground with songs like “Golden Crown” and “Lament of Dissonance”, so we think our fans will be turned on to a new (but just as heavy) aspect of our sound. With any luck, those songs might attract some new types of listeners as well.”

Varius covers several different lyrical themes through their music, so people who are into fantasy, science fiction, post-apocalyptic or psychological kinds of themes can find plenty of intriguing lyrics in those.

“Concordance” was engineered, mixed, and mastered by Eddie Lucciola of 414 Recordings. Eddie is a talented up-and-coming engineer and producer who also develops digital plugins with Kiive Audio. Eddie’s expertise in engineering contributed massively to putting “Concordance” together.

The diversity of the riffs and the lyrics will connect with all kinds of heavy metal fans making this well-rounded release suitable for all types, especially those who enjoy Dethklok, Death and Children of Bodom.

“Concordance” comes out on November 5, 2021


Track Listing:
1. Golden Crown (6:03)
2. Concordance of the Legionfall (4:59)
3. Lament of Dissonance (4:43)
4. Gut Shoveler (5:28)
Digital EP Length: 21:14
Note: Physical CD copies of Concordance will feature a bonus track (previously released digitally – 2019)
5. P.I.S.S. (3:22) (CD Bonus Track)
EP Length (CD version): 24:40

For more info:
Facebook.com/Varius.band
Instagram.com/varius.official
EPK

– 30 –

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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0 Rockshots Records – HOLLOW Announce New Album “Tower” Out November 26th + Streaming Title Track

  • September 15, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · HOLLOW - ROCKSHOTS RECORDS · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 15, 2021



Rockshots Records – HOLLOW Announce New Album “Tower” + Streaming Title Track

New Album “Tower” Out November 26th

Rockshots Records is proud to announce they will once again be releasing the next recording from Swedish power prog band HOLLOW, lead by Andreas Stoltz (ex-Binary Creed). Entitled “Tower”, the fourth album follows 2019’s “Between Eternities of Darkness”, which marked the band’s return after a 20-year hiatus since unleashing the 1999 album “Architects of The Mind” via Nuclear Blast Records.

Featuring 10 tracks, “Tower” is a story album best listened to as a whole, which tells a tale of transformation with its blend of progressive metal/rock, power, melodic death and thrash elements. Andreas Stoltz is accompanied by drummer Stalder Zantos who also appeared on “Between Eternities of Darkness”.

“Working with Stalder Zantos has been a more continuous element in writing the material for Tower than on Between Eternities of Darkness and this has definitely influenced the outcome as has contributed more on this album than on the previous one,“ adds Stoltz.

On HOLLOW‘s “Architect of the Mind” artificial intelligence and creation was the topic, on “Between Eternities of Darkness” parenthood and tragedy and for “Tower” the concept of inner and outer freedom is explored. It’s also about belonging and transcendence and Stoltz hopes these are things that most people can relate to.

“The relating bit is important, since art – regardless of form – is a meeting of emotions and ideas. It needs to find something to resonate within the person who takes part in it. When asked, I find it hard to describe the music, but it’s metal. It has distorted guitars, double bass drums and harks back to bands like Judas Priest and Queensryche. But there is also quite a bit of contemporary metal on Tower. Since this is a concept album with the ambition of conveying a story, listening to it as a whole is encouraged. I hope you can find something that resonates with you on it. Hopefully, HOLLOW’s fans will be able to trace today’s music back to Modern Cathedral and Architect of the Mind. I’ve made an effort to keep it as straightforward and simple as possible. I think most fans will have no trouble recognizing it as HOLLOW.” comments Stoltz.

In preview to the “Tower” release on November 26th, HOLLOW is revealing the album’s title track as the first single. It’s a traditional metal song with some nice riffing and a catchy chorus. The song’s tale is about the protagonist who grows up in seclusion and their contact with the world outside the Tower is limited to their guardian/teacher.

Stoltz explains the title track in further detail:

“Tower (the title track of the album) was one of the first songs to be completed and it’s also a great representation of the album as well as HOLLOW’s music. I wanted to write a record that was a bit more uplifting than the previous one and it all fell into place when I realized that Tower (the album) was going to be a kind of fantasy story. But also about inner change. In a sense, we’re all trapped in our towers, ie our minds. This song started the writing process of the whole album.”

Listen to “The Tower” at https://youtu.be/dlExXc_b0wc

Album Pre-save – https://bfan.link/the-tower
CD pre-order – https://bit.ly/hollow_cd

“Tower” is due out November 26th, 2021 via Rockshots Records.


Track Listing:
1. Birth (3:45)
2. The Tower (3:25)
3. Guardian (3:49)
4. The Waiting Is Over (3:26)
5. Destroyer of Worlds (3:38)
6. Every Drop of My Blood (3:58)
7. Sunrise (3:29)
8. A Home Forgotten (3:30)
9. Nation of Man (3:42)
10. Wander On (3:39)
Album Length: 36:24

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Facebook.com/hollowsweden
Instagram.com/hollowsweden
Twitter.com/hollowsweden

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Snakeblade Entices Extreme Metal Fans With Game of Thrones Inspired “The Red Mage’s Seduction”, Track Premiere via NoCleanSinging, New Album “The Curse” Out October 13, 2021

  • September 14, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Snakeblade

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 14, 2021

 

Snakeblade Entices Extreme Metal Fans With Game of Thrones Inspired “The Red Mage’s Seduction”

Track Premiere via NoCleanSinging

New Album “The Curse” Out October 13, 2021

Snakeblade is a relatively new one-man solo project that was spawned out of pandemic isolation. Over the past year and a half, the ever intrepid Mike Redston has written, performed and recorded two albums, “The Kingdom” in 2020 and “The Curse” in 2021. The first single off the latter is “The Red Mage’s Seduction”, which, like the rest of the album, is themed around Game of Thrones.

Even though both albums were released in relatively quick succession, Redston cites that the difference between the two albums is very clear. While the first album started out as a ‘fun’ project bordering on power / black metal, he has since taken a deep dive into a darker blackened thrash sound and introduced new symphonic elements. The project is still young, he explains further:

“The music has grown immensely in complexity and scale. A session drummer was hired to handle blasting the kit. There are new orchestral elements of strings, pianos, and choirs. Atmospheric synth interludes. Holy hell, there’s even a sexy saxophone solo! Lyrically, “The Curse” is somewhat of a concept album revolving around Game of Thrones. I say “somewhat” because as I began writing, the initial inspiration from GOT started mixing with my own experiences. What came out is a melting pot of nerdy fantasy shit plus my own personal shit. GOT plotlines of The Red Woman, Stannis Baratheon, and the Lord of Light religion meet my own personal plot lines of betrayal, failure, and rage. Overall, these songs are both deeply emotional and deeply nerdy.”

The single “The Red Mage’s Seduction” is Redston’s favourite track off the album. It has the best of both worlds: a thrashy chaotic feel plus an atmospheric orchestral twist in the middle. Like the other songs on the album, it was written and performed by Redston with the exception of drums, which are performed by Dennis Kraakman. The album artwork was done by Elizabeth Holmes.

According to Redston, it has been a long, pain-staking process making this album and he looks forward to seeing how it is received by black, death and thrash metal fans. It is especially recommended for fans of Slayer, Dissection and Skeletonwitch.

“The Red Mage’s Seduction” can be heard via its premiere on NoCleanSinging HERE. 

The album “The Curse” will be available on October 13, 2021.

Album pre-order – https://snakeblade.bandcamp.com/album/the-curse


Track Listing:
1. Destiny (Intro) (1:42)
2. Rotten Souls (6:48)
3. Harvester (3:35)
4. Dreams of Aida (1:53)
5. The Red Mage’s Seduction (6:01)
6. Foul Sorcery of Flame and Shadow (5:04)
7. Godswood (2:28)
8. Born Among Salt and Smoke (5:46)
9. Archways (3:05)
10. Exile, Outlaw… The Essence (6:34)
Album Length: 42:56

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Mike Redston
Drums performed by Dennis Kraakman
Artwork by Elizabeth Holmes
‘Dreams of Aida’ co-produced with Macca Grills
‘Godswood’ co-produced with Logan Macdonald
• All songs written by: Mike Redston
• Produced by: Mike Redston
• Album Artwork by: Elizabeth Holmes
• Member of SOCAN
• Music is Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album Band Line Up:
Mike Redston – Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar,
Dennis Kraakman – Drums

For more info:
Facebook.com/snakebladeofficial
Instagram.com/snakebladeofficial
EPK

About:
Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, Snakeblade was formed by Mike Redston as an escapist project while the entire world was quarantined. What came out of this anxious time may surprise you though, as Snakeblade refuses to follow typical one-man black metal trends. Every song on their debut album The Kingdom explodes with energy and youthful rage, delivering a pummelling of riffs, blastbeats, and shrieking vocals. With lyrical topics of fantasy, medieval battles, lord of the rings, and video games, Snakeblade is a headbanging nerd’s wet dream. Now on their second effort, the one-man project delves into bold new territory adding orchestral and electro elements to the blackened thrashy chaos that is: The Curse.

Discography:
2020 – The Kingdom
2021 – The Curse

– 30 –

“This one man black metal project from Canada, spearheaded by Mike Redston, wastes no time in pushing the pedal to the metal and letting it all go. No, seriously; the very first track on his new album, The Kingdom, has an insanely flamboyant and satisfying guitar solo, breakneck drums, and vocal shrieks aplenty.” – Heavy Blog Is Heavy

“Snakeblade Goes Beyond Black Metal Trappings on ‘The Kingdom'” – Exclaim!

“It’s safe to say that Snakeblade’s musical genius will quickly outgrow Redston’s one-man credo, for other musicians will surely seek out his vision. That he has crafted such venomous metal that is still wildly entertaining during this pandemic is a huge accomplishment, and The Kingdom will appeal to fans of this black metal style, particularly followers of Mayhem, Borknagar and classic Slayer.” – Exclaim!

“This is absolutely my jam, and The Kingdom is one of my favorite albums of the year so far.” – Toilet ov Hell

“I am compelled to say that SNAKEBLADE most definitely delivered an utmost maddening, but enjoyably entertaining discovery that made me replay this …pretty much all day long. “The Kingdom” is an addicting spin that will blow brains & shatter windows with explosive clarity. Full of density, technical prowess & engaging captivation. This is an incredibly amazing debut album, and I will most look forward to their upcoming projects. And for a singular writing attempt, bravo! I couldn’t help but score this as a masterful piece of other-worldly malevolence which most certainly deserves a slot in your collection for sure. Check it out!” – Metal Temple

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 The Design Abstract Continue Their Melodeath SciFi Saga With “Born of Machines” Off “Metemtechnosis” Out Oct 29th

  • September 14, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · The Design Abstract

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 14, 2021

 

The Design Abstract Continue Their Melodeath SciFi Saga With “Born of Machines” Off “Metemtechnosis”

New Album “Metemtechnosis” Out October 29th via Abstrakted Records

L-R – Matt Ngo (Guitar) | Voiicide (Vocals, Bass, Synth) | Logan Mayhem (Guitar, Synth)
Photo Credit: Tami Martin

 

Canada’s The Design Abstract have a new album coming out that will continue their sci-fi narrative that is accompanied by a flurry of growls, epic riffs and harsh blastbeats. The single “Born of Machines” is heavily influenced by Gothenburg Melodeath, as it features a fairly traditional song structure, and sports several catchy riffs and solos. The lyrics tell of a great technological rebirth taking place. The band explains the track further:

“It is the first track fully written and recorded by Matt on guitar! We thought it was a fitting welcome to the band to make sure the first thing to come out after Technotheism had him prominently featured. Born of Machines is a catchy track in the style of (our take on the) old Gothenburg Melodeath, meaning in many ways it’s what you’d expect: mixed vocals, awesome riffs, some flashy solos, and a general feeling of anticipation and excitement. In that way, it’s a perfect first single for the album, even if it’s not entirely indicative of the sound of the album.” 

The album “Metemtechnosis” is a sci-fi melodic death metal album that uses orchestral and electronic elements to tell the story of humanity being reborn as a creation of hyper-intelligent technology. Themes that deconstruct the ideas of technology, humanity, and utopia are explored to the sound of huge, riffy, and comprehensive songs. It is the fifth release from The Design Abstract and according to them, a massive improvement on the last one “Technotheism” in writing, recording and production. The concept album spans nine tracks that are intended to be listened to in order to fully experience the story.

The Design Abstract formed with the singular goal of making symphonic death metal that was forward-thinking and played heavily on Sci-Fi tropes. The thesis of the project has always been to blend orchestra, death metal, electronic/industrial, as well as traces of post or prog metal.

The science-fiction infused melodic death metal is suitable for fans of Scar Symmetry, Fleshgod Apocalypse and Soilwork.

“Born of Machines” can be heard via TheCirclePit – https://youtu.be/1LgkZKwNFT4

The album “Metemtechnosis” drops on October 29, 2021 via Abstrakted Records.

Album pre-order – https://design.bandcamp.com


Track Listing:
1. Digital Dawn (8:03)
2. Born of Machines (4:35)
3. The Hybrid Awakening (7:07)
4. Organic Data Fusion (5:45)
5. Metropolis II (4:42)
6. Aberration Omega (3:33)
7. Upheaval (Instrumental) (2:00)
8. Sentinels (3:10)
9. Decryptor (6:32)
Album Length: 45:31

Album Band Line Up:
Voiicide – Vocals, Bass, Scoring/Sampling/Programming
Logan Mayhem – Guitars, Modular synthesis
Matt Ngo – Guitars

For more info:
Facebook.com/thedesignabstract
Instagram.com/thedesignabstract
EPK

About:
The Design Abstract is a 3-piece Symphonic Melodic Death Metal band from Kitchener-Waterloo, ON, Canada. The band focuses heavily on storytelling and worldbuilding with a futuristic and sci-fi narrative to each album they create. The Design Abstract formed in 2011 as a solo project under the name Design, and after many lineup changes, grew into a musical entity that presents a bold, epic, and even monolithic fusion of orchestra, synth, and melodic death metal. Sweeping symphonic passages, harsh industrial elements, highly proficient and memorable guitar work, and brutal guttural vocals mixed with soaring cleans are all blended in many ways to put forth a truly unique and powerful musical experience.

– 30 –

“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 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 

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
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0 Rockshots Records – Signum Draconis Shares Video “Gate of Hell (Arrival of Charon)”, Out Nov 12th – The Divine Comedy: Inferno

  • September 14, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Signum Draconis (Rockshots Records)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 14, 2021

Rockshots Records – Signum Draconis Shares Video “Gate of Hell (Arrival of Charon)”

Out Nov 12th – The Divine Comedy: Inferno


Rockshots Records announces they will be releasing on November 12th, 2021, Signum Draconis‘ heavy metal opera of Inferno, from The Divine Comedy written by Dante Alighieri.

Featuring 17 songs by the band all sung in English, the double CD album is the first in a triptych of the complete work of Dante’s magnum opus with Purgatory and Paradise to follow, and will also feature duets with selected special guest vocalists, narrations of selected chants, and an orchestral accompaniment by the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra and Choir.

In preview to the upcoming album, the band is sharing the lyric video for the first single “Gate of Hell (Arrival of Charon)”, which can be viewed at https://youtu.be/KmMkvFwr1QQ 



“Chant III of Inferno, one of the best-known chants in the entire Divine Comedy, reflects the moment in which Dante and Virgilio arrive at the gate of Hell and read those famous words as a warning written on the door. These verses were treated with special interest, the weight falling and leaving the absolute prominence to the classical orchestra. As a curiosity, the inspiration for the creation of the melody for the intro, I have to say that it caught me by surprise in my free time and since it seemed perfect I was forced to write it on a napkin. During the song we will be able to listen to another duet, this time carried out by our singer Max Morelli in the character of ‘Dante’ and Mr. Mark Boals as ‘Virgil’. At the end of the song, ‘Charon’ the ferryman enters the scene, played by our guest star Mr. Ben Jackson, who everyone will surely remember as the guitarist of the mythical band Crimson Glory.” adds guitarist Oscar Grace.

Single stream links:
Spotify – https://spoti.fi/3nIvJZh 

Album Teaser – https://youtu.be/8Pm1JxewMNs

Album pre-order – https://bit.ly/SignumDraconis_CD 

Signum Draconis takes their name from the medieval knights’ Order of the Dragon, and has opted for a classic 80s-influenced metal sound in homage to the rock and metal icons that inspired them to be musicians, and aim to produce a truly musical, timeless and epic recording that will absorb and reward from repeated and dedicated listening.

Guitarist and composer Oscar Grace reflects on the history of the project:

“The story of Signum Draconis can be said to begin in 2010, after two years crossing what felt like a personal hell, I was sitting in my car gazing at the sky when a message came to me as it were, a vision clear as day: ‘Put The Divine Comedy to music!’ At that moment Signum Draconis was born. I returned home immediately and hunted out an old copy of Dante’s masterpiece I had owned for years and began furiously reading. Two full years of study and research followed, reading and re-reading all three books many times and even traveling to Florence to visit the 13th Century poet’s own house, trying to envisage what it would have been like to be him and the world in which he lived his story.”

It took two years to extract the parts that would form the material for the songs, and a further year working with my good friend Frederick Pollock to compose the lyrics, bringing to each song its own meaning whilst maintaining the thread that binds all the songs together, at all times remaining faithful to the source and paying the utmost respect to the poet Dante with regards to the correct register with perfect meter and rhyme in English. 

I believe Dante’s Inferno perfectly suits the musical style of Heavy Metal, but given the epic scale and cultural importance of Dante’s books, I wanted to bring something else to the music, something that lent grandeur and elegance, and to that end, I began to write parts for a symphony orchestra, in an old-fashioned way, with a fountain pen and sheet music and no new technology to guide my hand.”

Overall, this project took four years to compose the music for the band as well as the orchestra and along the way Oscar Grace searched for the companions who would join him on this voyage of grand musical ambitions. The first was Francesco Micieli, the drummer with whom he had already worked on other projects, then Max Morelli to be the voice of the band, and later on, after an arduous search, Oscar Grace found Filippo Martignano for keyboards and Stefano Antonelli on bass.

Once all the compositions were finished the band set about recording in the Domination Studio of San Marino, taking advantage of the experience and professionalism of Simone Mularoni as a sound technician. For the recording of the orchestral parts, Signum Draconis chose to work with the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra, having spoken with the director, David Hernando Rico, who helped them enormously and who showed such enthusiasm for the music and the project overall.

Track Listing:
CD 1:
1. In the Midway of Life’s Journey (5:14)
2. The Mission of Virgil (3:44)
3. Gate of Hell (Arrival of Charon) (5:58)
4. The Borderland (4:48)
5. Whirlwind of Lovers (5:11)
6. Under Eternal Rain (4:50)
7. To the Edge of Stygian Lagoon (4:45)
8. Regnum Dite (2:36)
9. Burning Graves (5:50)
10. Phlegethon (The Bloody River) (6:00)
11. Forest of Suicides (5:48)
12. Firestorm (6:11)

CD 2:
13. On Geryon’s Back (1:10)
14. Ten Moats of Damnation (Interlude: The Ulysses’ Chant) (11:31)
15. In Hands of Titans (5:28)
16. Cocytus (The Ice Terror) (8:28)
17. Lucifer (7:46)

Special guests include:
RENATO CARROZZO as Storyteller
CHIARA MANESE as Beatrice
MARK BOALS as Virgil
BEN JACKSON as Charon
KSENIA GLONTY as Francesca
LUCA PAOLINI as Pluto
ANDREA RANFA as Brunetto Latini
FREDERICK POLLOCK as Ulysses
SIMONE MULARONI as Nimrod ‘The Titan’
OLEG SMIRNOFF as Count Ugolino

Band line up:
Max Morelli (Vocals)
Oscar Grace (Guitars)
Filippo Martignano (Keyboards)
Stefano Antonelli (Bass)
Francesco Micieli (Drums)

More info:
Rockshots.eu
https://www.facebook.com/signumdraconis
https://www.instagram.com/signumdraconis

– 30 –

 

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
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