Category: Music News

0 Get Whisked Away With “Abductions” From Illuminated Minerva’s “Enigma Adamantine”, Premiere Single “Abductions” via TheProgSpace, New Album “Enigma Adamantine” Out Sept 25th; Launch Pre-Order

September 1, 2020
by Asher
· Illuminated Minerva · Music News

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 1, 2020

Interview Request at asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

For fans of Tool, Scale The Summit, Intronaut, Mastodon, Sikth

Get Whisked Away With “Abductions” From Illuminated Minerva’s “Enigma Adamantine”

Premiere Single “Abductions” via TheProgSpace

New Album “Enigma Adamantine” Out Sept 25th; Launch Pre-Order

L-R: Pat Lawtey (Guitar) | Matt Petti (Bass) | Nathan Bourgeault (Guitar) | Jordon Bourgeault (Drums)
Photo Credit – Chris Aune

Calgary, Canada’s Illuminated Minerva is putting out their emotional, turbulent full-length album “Enigma Adamantine” on September 25, 2020. Ahead of the release, they are thrilled to entice the world with their second single “Abductions”.

The band blends together heavy riffs, groovy bass, and psychedelic melodies, and in lieu of vocals, archived audio clips resulting in oratory artistic storytelling. The concept album is five long songs, each one uniquely contributing to the overall theme of the album. Fans of the first album will notice a divergence from the ambient and electronic focus towards heavier and more technical songwriting.

Always in a state of growth, Illuminated Minerva shares the story behind “Abductions”:

“Two bros, one alien abduction. A musical retelling of Charles Hickson’s account of his abduction on the Pascagoula River. Progressive movements mixed technical riffs recount the mind-blowing tale of these two friends.”

Being instrumental sets the band apart from most other bands as it makes it easier to appeal to a broader spectrum of people and those with an interest in Tool, Mastodon and Sikth will find Illuminated Minerva especially enjoyable.

“Abductions” is available via its premiere on TheProgSpace HERE.

The full album will be released on September 25, 2020.

Album pre-order on Bandcamp, Apple Music.

Music Video “Sightings” HERE.
Spotify

Track Listing:
1. Heart Beat of Creation (9:48)
2. Sightings (5:08)
3. Abductions (7:05)
4. Wilder (Mother Goddess) (8:37)
5. Illuminatus Majoris (13:03)
Album Length: 43:44

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

About:

Illuminated Minerva is a technical, progressive metal band, from Calgary, Canada. Brothers Nathan Bourgeault (guitar) and Jordon Bourgeault (drums) were both musicians growing up and eventually started their first project Sequoia, the beginning of their musical collaboration. Eventually, they moved on to form Illuminated Minerva, with a goal to push the musical boundaries further.

Rounding the lineup out is local scene veteran Matt Petti (bass) who played with drummer Jordon Bourgeault in Verbal Deception; and Pat Lawtey (guitar) who played with the international act Kobra and the Lotus.

The bond between brothers and former bandmates results in a very natural writing process for the progressive metal quartet. Knowing what works and what doesn’t comes easily and allows the band to intertwine astral riffs, and technical harmonies highlighted by the absence of vocals. Combined with archived audio clips the result is oratory artistic storytelling taking the listener through space and time, exploring conspiracies and unanswered questions.

With a captivating and visceral live show, the seasoned musicians of Illuminated Minerva have played with a host of bands locally including Tesseract, Intronaut, and Cloudkicker. In 2014, the band released their debut EP “The Immaculate Deception” and are following it up in 2020 with a full length “Enigma Adamantine” due out Sept 25th.

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“The drums provide an off-kilter atomic clock, complete with jazzy accents and jackhammer snare, the guitars shred and squeal. It’s thought-provoking, musically captivating, and will inspire the curious among you to do some research.” – Beatroute

“There is an almost feral quality to their work, and when they all hit it hard, it is intense.” – The Western Front

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0 LUFEH’s New Video “Trial of Escapade” Off Latest Album “Luggage Falling Down”

August 31, 2020
by Asher
· Lufeh · Music News

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 31, 2020

For fans of Rush, Dream Theater, Haken

LUFEH’s New Video “Trial of Escapade” Off Latest Album “Luggage Falling Down”

Gera Penna– Keys, Duca Tambasco – Bass, Dennis Atlas – Vocals, Teo Dornellas – Guitar, Lufeh Batera – Drums

Releasing their debut album “Luggage Falling Down” this past April, Los Angeles’ Lufeh (a band of both Brazilian and American musicians) have been sharing their blend of progressive rock injected with jazz styles, heavy metal foundations, and rhythmic Brazilian influences with a series of music videos for each individual track from the full length.

Today, the band shares the last video from the series that they have been sharing over these past few months. The video, “Trial of Escapade” showcases their high energy and knack for performing, which can be seen on YouTube HERE.

The band explains the song:

“Trial of Escapade has a special mix of a funky groove with very dramatic vocals. Though much of the main riff and verse relies on a repeating 4-chord structure, you wouldn’t notice it on first listen due to the creative voicings of each of the chords and the variations they go through. This song’s chorus is one of the most memorable features of the whole album, and beautifully contrasts its moving bass lines and iconic guitar-bass unisons.”

Lufeh‘s debut album was a trying, yet successful first recording for these recently banded musicians who lived together for two weeks throughout the process. Having lost the original singer a month before recording began, the intrepid bunch found hope with Dennis Atlas who fell in step with the rest of the band immediately. This bond between the members can be heard on the new record along with the series of videos that the band has been releasing in support of it.

For fans of Dream Theater, Incubus, and Haken, Lufeh is smooth and rhythmic progressive metal; heavy chords followed by light melodies and the occasional crazy guitar solo.

Their debut full length “Luggage Falling Down” is available for stream and download on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music.

Previous Videos:
‘End of The Road’ here.
‘Doors’ here.
‘Escape’ here.
‘My World’ here.
‘The Unknown’ here.
‘Find My Way’ here.
‘The Edge’ here.

Track Listing:
1. Find My Way (4:25)
2. The Unknown (3:36)
3. Doors (4:06)
4. Trial of Escapade (4:24)
5. My World (4:52)
6. End of The Road (4:05)
7. Escape (4:03)
8. The Edge (4:04)
Album Length: 33:39

Album Credits:
All songs performed by:
Gera Penna – Keys;
Duca Tambasco – Bass
Dennis Atlas – Vocals
Teo Dornellas – Guitar
Lufeh Batera – Drums
All songs lyrics written by: Josh Kim
Produced by: Gera Penna
Mixed by: Adair Daumfebach
Mastered by: Adair Daumfebach
Album Artwork by: Gera Penna

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Gera Penna – Keys;
Duca Tambasco – Bass
Dennis Atlas – Vocals
Teo Dornellas – Guitar
Lufeh Batera – Drums

For more info:
LufehBand.com
Facebook.com/lufehband
Instagram @lufehband
EPKAbout:
Lufeh is a musical collaboration of excellent Brazilian and American musicians brought together by drummer Batera Lufeh. Lufeh himself has had a successful career performing with many famous Brazilian bands and artists, including one of the most well known Christian rock bands of its style, Oficina G3, among others. In 2008, he recorded his first solo album “Drummed On Classics”, which uniquely combined a mix of classical pieces with progressive rock drumming.

Since moving to the U.S. in 2014, Lufeh has continued his career as a musician, starting in Florida, where he performed with Kristo Reggae and Big Pine Band. Lufeh participated in the Blue Man Group Drum-Off in 2016, where he was awarded the privilege to take part in its grand finale in Las Vegas, and chosen as one of the top five drummers in the contest. He then moved to Los Angeles, CA, where he became the official drummer of Kenny Shipman.

Now, in 2020, Lufeh is an entire unit moving forward with the addition of Gera Penna (keyboard); Duca Tambasco (bass); Dennis Atlas (vocals); and Teo Dornellas (guitar) who have proven to be a great match. The band recently released the highly-anticipated second album “Luggage Falling Down”, a solid record of Brazilian influenced groovy progressive metal, which has received great praise from reviewers, calling it a mix between Brazilian music, Rush, and Dream Theater.

The album is both melodic and highly energetic and aggressive. With a strong foundation in jazz and classical musicality, the band brings a metal edge to a unique melodic story. These progressive metal warriors have become tycoons of song structure and, throughout the album, display highly refined expertise in making music that is captivating to listen to, addictively technical, and uplifting.

“Luggage Falling Down” was released on April 17, 2020 and is available on all major digital platforms.

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0 Calgary’s Lost In Static Are Full Steam Ahead With New Single “Train Wreck”; Premiere Single via GhostCultMag

August 28, 2020
by Asher
· Lost In Static · Music News

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 28, 2020

Interview request at asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

For fans of Volumes, After the Burial, Veil of Maya, Born of Osiris, Periphery

Calgary’s Lost In Static Are Full Steam Ahead With New Single “Train Wreck”

Premiere Single via GhostCultMag

L-R – Lance MacBain (Guitar), Centre Left – Tyler Johansen (Drums), Centre Right – Noureen Amin (Vocals), Far Right – Jared Boyd (Bass)
Photographer: Joe Miles – Instagram: @shotbyjoe_photography

Calgary’s Lost In Static has been pushing forward to make a name for themselves on their local scene and beyond while they sit tight and wait for live concerts to resurrect during these COVID days. Having already unleashed two singles “Feel Alive” and their tribute to their lost friend “Jordan”. Today, the band is unveiling their next song “Train Wreck”, that will be showcased along with previously released singles on the metalcore quartet’s debut album, which is planned for release later this year.

The band adds about sharing their next track:

“Our song ‘Train Wreck’ is our third and last single to come out before our album drops. This song is about confronting the issue of people exploding while suffering from mental illness and using it as a shield from the consequences.”

Watch and listen to the lyric video via its premiere on GhostCultMag HERE.

Spotify

Comprised of seasoned musicians Lance MacBain, Noureen Amin, Jared Boyd, Tyler Johansen the metal band has just started their musical journey fusing the djent elements of progressive metal with metalcore.

The group works together to create music that is both aggressive and fun, with MacBain generally writing the music and MacBain, Johansen, and Boyd collectively writing the lyrics. Relating to their band name, the messages they send through their lyrics convey relation to the feeling of getting lost in the “static” of the world, and all the events that take place; an almost overwhelming feeling of white noise.

With an emphasis on producing a tight live show full of headbanging, energy, and moshing when concerts return after the COVID pandemic, Lost In Static will hitting the ground running and eager to tour.

Lost in Static is recommended for fans of After the Burial, Veil of Maya, and Born of Osiris.

Previous singles:
“Feel Alive” – YouTube (Lyric Video)
“Jordan” – YouTube (Lyric Video)
“All I Want For Christmas Is You” (Mariah Carey Cover) – YouTube
Spotify
Apple Music

More info:
Facebook.com/lostinstatic.band
Instagram.com/lostinstatic.official
EPK

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0 Beat The Heat With The Dead Centuries’ New Summer Single “Crystal Summer” Featuring Jacob Umansky (Intervals); Premiere Video via TheCirclePit

August 28, 2020
by Asher
· Music News · The Dead Centuries

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 28, 2020

For fans of Intervals, Plini, Polyphia, Periphery, CHON

Beat The Heat With The Dead Centuries’ New Summer Single “Crystal Summer” Featuring Jacob Umansky (Intervals)

Premiere Video via TheCirclePit

Back in June, The Dead Centuries released their catchy sun-baked song “Pop a Soda”, and their second summer single “Crystal Summer” is ready for ears as of August 28, 2020.

Energetic, and uplifting, The Dead Centuries continue to provide the soundtrack for an awesome summer with hook oriented, melody-driven songs. They agree that this is the best material that they have released to date and they explain their musical journey in their own words:

“The idea behind ‘Crystal Summer’ was to release a track that has an upbeat, summer vibe (hence the name) that is in line with what we’ve done with our previous single “Pop A Soda”. We also shot a guitar playthrough video to add a visual element to the song, and our goal was to invoke feelings of fun, relaxation, and summertime.”

“Crystal Summer” features a solo piano introduction that establishes one of the main melodies of the song. This song builds on the foundation that they’ve laid down with “Pop A Soda”. Once again the inclusion of Jacob Umansky (Intervals/JIA) on bass brings another element to the track that helped them get closer to their vision.

With plans to keep releasing singles, The Dead Centuries is a band to keep an ear out for. They are recommended for fans of Intervals, Plini and Polyphia, and anyone else who likes melodic and technical tunes.

“Crystal Summer” can be heard via TheCirclePit‘s YouTube channel HERE.

Previous single:

“Pop A Soda” is on YouTube – YouTube, Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music

Bass clip of Jacob Umansky (INTERVALS) – HERE.

For more info:
Facebook.com/thedeadcenturies
Instagram.com/thedeadcenturiesband
Twitter.com/deadcenturies
EPK

About:

Visionary and highly influential writer Michael Moorcock, who worked with the bands Hawkwind and Blue Oyster Cult, memorably stated that ‘it is the business of the future to be dangerous.’

Ottawa three-piece The Dead Centuries are both futuristic and dangerous…which is as it should be. Influenced by Protest The Hero, Periphery, Paul Gilbert, Sithu Aye and Intervals, The Dead Centuries can easily hold their heads up in such exalted company. In their current form, The Dead Centuries compose and perform technically precise instrumental music, rich in virtuosity, melody, compositional skills, and most importantly…they create superb music to listen to. This isn’t the sound of three musicians showing off their undoubted skills, rather they are serving their songs above all else, with every fiber of their beings, every neuron firing in their minds, every tendon in their bodies.

In a sense, it is as if the three musicians that make up The Dead Centuries have become one mind in their own music! Adam Tremblett describes the sound of The Dead Centuries as “technical, melodic, energetic, heavy, precise.” Indeed The Dead Centuries are so precise, they are like some kind of cosmic clock; they are always on time.

The Dead Centuries had a natural evolution into the special band they are now, originally consisting of two guitarists, a bassist, female vocalist, and drummer; as members leftover time, those that remained rose to the occasion and created more technical and original music.

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0 Rockshots Records: Out Now! Finland’s Sinisthra (ft. Tomi Joutsen of Amorphis) Reissue “Last Of The Stories of Long Past Glories”+ New Lyric Video of Unreleased Track ”Not For You”

August 28, 2020
by Asher
· Music News · Sinisthra

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 28, 2020

For fans of Katatonia, Anathema, Amorphis

Rockshots Records: Out Now! Finland’s Sinisthra (ft. Tomi Joutsen of Amorphis)
Reissue “Last Of The Stories of Long Past Glories”

+ New Lyric Video of Unreleased Track ”Not For You”

After the recent release of the new album ‘The Broad and Beaten Way’, Finland’s Sinisthra featuring Amorphis vocalist Tomi Joutsen and Italian label Rockshots Records have joined forces for a reissue edition of the band’s debut album ‘Last of The Stories of Long Past Glories‘, out today August 28th, 2020.

Originally released in 2005, the new physical version of the album includes four bonus tracks: ‘Ice Cube Sun” (demo version), ‘Unrevealed’ (demo version), ‘Not For You’ (unreleased track), ‘To Have And To Hold’ (unreleased track).

Today the band is releasing the lyric video of the unreleased track ‘Not For You’.
Listen to it on YouTube.

Drummer Erkki Virta comments about the new release:

“Our debut album was released 15 years ago and now gets a reissue, with four bonus songs: “Not For You” was originally intended to be a bonus for a Japan release that never happened. Also included is our full “Empty Banalities Adorned With Dashing Eloquence”- demo from 2004, as well as the opening track of our first demo from 2001, called “To Have And To Hold”. Revisiting these songs now, I think the album has aged rather well and only occasionally makes me cringe. The band was still finding its’ feet but all the basic elements of Sinisthra were already in place. I’m happy that it’s available again.”

Orders of ‘Last of the Stories of Long Past Glories” (reissue CD version) – including 4 bonus tracks – are available on Rockshots Records‘ official store: https://bit.ly/Lastofthestories_CD

“Last of the Stories of Long Past Glories” (standard version) is already available on digital stores:
Spotify
Apple Music

Reissue Track Listing:
1. Coming Up Roses
2. Ice Cube Sun
3. Fearless Under The Falling Sky
4. To The One Far Away
5. Unrevealed
6. My Sweet Nothing
7. Fucking Fragile
8. Innocence…In A Sense
9. Completely Incomplete
10. Ice Cube Sun (demo version)CD version only
11. Unrevealed (demo version) CD version only
12. Not For You (unreleased track) CD version only
13. To Have And To Hold (unreleased track) CD version only

Sinisthra is:
Tomi Joutsen – Vocals
Markku Mäkinen – Guitar
Erkki Virta -Drums
Timo Vainio – Keyboards
Marko Välimäki – Guitar
Janne Telen – Bass

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Facebook.com/Sinisthra

About:

SINISTHRA comes from Finland and has been in various stages of existence since 1999. Their style of music is basically metal, drawing from a wide source of different influences and blending them to a sound that can’t really be compared to any one single band. Always quite melancholic, most of the time quite heavy, and often with strong shades of 70’s prog with lesser shades of 90’s grunge.

The name SINISTHRA derives from the Italian word sinistra, meaning “the left side” and representing the allegory of creativity, femininity, individuality and general free-thinking pathways of the Left Hand, without the hollow “satanic” or any other religious connotations. The lyrics veer away from most commonly used themes and focus heavily on more personal and intimate subjects. Sinisthra is all about contrasts, frail yet crushing, sad yet content, silent but roaring. Melancholy without utter despair. Darkness tinged with light. Gravel covered with honey. The only dogma is never to acknowledge musical boundaries, and never to use the words “love” and “death” in the lyrics.

The band released one album in 2005, called “Last Of The Stories Of Long Past Glories” to favourable reviews and got labeled “gothic metal”, somewhat misleadingly, but as the singer Tomi Joutsen joined Amorphis, his career skyrocketed and Sinisthra’s didn’t, so due to lack of time from his part, things slowed down.

Now Sinisthra has completed their second album “The Broad And Beaten Way” and are ready to finally release it. The road has been long, winding and mostly uphill, and promises to remain so in the future as well.

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0 Out Now! Canada’s Entropy Unleash New Album “Force Convergence” + New Lyric Video “Ripzone”

August 28, 2020
by Asher
· entropy · Music News

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 28, 2020

For fans of Slayer, Pantera, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Metallica

Out Now! Canada’s Entropy Unleash New Album “Force Convergence”

New Lyric Video “Ripzone”

L-R: Oscar Rangel (Bass), Ger Schreinert (Vocals), Dan Lauzon (Guitar), Blake Lemieux (Drums)
Photo Credit – Pamela Ashton – Lauzon

Canadian legends Entropy first hit the metal scene in the late 80s and 30 years later they are still melting faces, this time with the new full length “Force Convergence”.

This is the band’s fourth album, and they describe it as their best yet and it’s a cinematic type experience. Entropy shares the premise being the concept album:

“We wanted to bring metal fans a sci-fi horror experience with the album story. The lyrical inspiration is from bands like Rush, Queensryche, Voivod, Iron Maiden, and also from films like Aliens, Predator, War Of The World’s, Independence Day, Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. There is also a sprinkle of war scene themes throughout the story, like Apocalypse Now, Platoon, and Starship Troopers, mixed in for fun.”

The story-driven, progressive thrash metal album has been getting excellent reviews from the people who have had a chance to listen to it early; this is the release that everyone wants!

So far, all the Entropy albums have a different feel to them, and this new one is also forging its own path. “Force Convergence” is a 30-minute metal rip-ride! It is a creative and fun album that flows with power, melody, aggressiveness, and meaning.

With an original and eclectic sound that is 30 years in the making, Entropy is suitable for all metalheads especially those who enjoy Slayer, Pantera, and Iron Maiden.

In celebration of its release today on August 28th, the band is sharing their new lyric video for the track “Ripzone” HERE.

The band adds about the song:

“Ripzone is just a ripper, simple as that. We wanted a less is more approach on it for leads. We wanted to shred all over that middle part…but knowing this was likely the lead-off track we wanted to melt faces with the crush. When the lead does finally come in, we feel it has more of an impact.”

“Force Convergence” is now out and available on Entropymetal.com (CD) plus Spotify, Apple Music, and all major digital platforms HERE.

Album Stream on YouTube.

Track Listing:
1. Everything Falls (1:03)
2. Ripzone (4:10)
3. Planetary Impact Extinction (6:30)
4. Threshold of Decimation (4:44)
5.Weaponized Storm System (4:52)
6. Transmigration (2:41)
7. Force Convergence (5:11)
Album Length: 29:15

Entropy is:
Album / Live Band Line Up:
Ger Schreinert (Vocals)
Dan Lauzon (Guitar)
Oscar Rangel (Bass)
Blake Lemieux (Drums)

For more info:
EntropyMetal.com
Facebook
EPK

About:

Formed in Toronto in the late 80s, Canadian metal band Entropy has released 3 albums on their own independent label, Ashen Existence (1992), Transcendence (1995), and E3 (2012).

The quartet of Oscar Rangel (bass), Ger Schreinert (vocals), Dan Lauzon (guitar), and Blake Lemieux (drums) mark their own eclectic style of metal. Lauzon writes the songs as guitar music structures. Schreinert gets down the lyrics and vocal lines. Rangel contributes with beautiful classical guitar and creative bass lines throughout the songs. Lemieux composes the drum parts, and the result is brutal and elegant at the same time.

The unique sound of Entropy comes from a blend of thrash, death, prog, groove, speed, and power metal stylings. The original sound coupled with strong reviews in print and web media for their independent CD releases, Entropy has performed extensive shows for their fans, playing live with such legendary acts as Annihilator, Piledriver, Fear Factory, Razor, Obituary, and Anvil and countless local Canadian bands.

Entropy’s independent album releases have become somewhat of an underground metal collector’s item, with on-line reports of eBay bids going up to $500 USD for an original copy of Ashen Existence!

As of August 2020, Entropy will release the fourth album Force Convergence, with even more music planned after that. Entropy thanks their fans, and metal album collectors from around the world, for the continued interest and support of their unique brand of metal.

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0 The Reticent’s Next Concept Album “The Oubliette” Is A Tale of Man’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Disease; Music Video Premiere “The Captive” via MetalInjection; New Album “The Oubliette” Out September 25th via Heaven & Hell Records

August 27, 2020
by Asher
· Music News · The Reticent

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 27, 2020

For fans of Opeth, Porcupine Tree, Katatonia, The Contortionist, King Crimson

The Reticent’s Next Concept Album “The Oubliette” Is A Tale of Man’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Disease

Music Video Premiere “The Captive” via MetalInjection

New Album “The Oubliette” Out September 25th via Heaven & Hell Records

NC’s The Reticent return in 2020 with a new album entitled “The Oubliette” set for release on Heaven & Hell Records on September 18th. The full length is produced again by Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist, Scale The Summit) to follow the band’s critically acclaimed 2016 release “On The Eve Of A Goodbye”, which was an autobiographical concept record that chronicled the day before, day of, and the day after the suicide of band founder Chris Hathcock’s childhood friend Eve. Critics and fans of the record alike were moved by the compelling narrative and heartrending performances along with the band’s award-winning live performances that are both an audiovisual and emotional experience that utilizes film, story-telling, and the sheer intensity of the music.

Even though the recording of “The Oubliette” was delayed four times due to a severe injury to Hathcock’s right arm (the deltoid bursa to be exact), he was able to perform all instruments on the full length, he actually began lining up players to fill in for him as doctors told him he may be endangering his arm’s functionality if he didn’t take an extended break from playing. Luckily, rest allowed him to recuperate enough to complete the record. Although, the process was slowed because he was in pain the entire time. Every recording session began with him taking at least 800 mg of Ibuprofen to make it through.

Finally completing “The Oubliette”, The Reticent shares another stirring autobiographical tale, this time about the tragedy of Alzheimer’s disease. The album follows the journey of an old man named Henry, which is based upon a relative of songwriter Chris Hathcock who’s real name was Cyrus. The name Henry was chosen as a somewhat more universal name, but also because Henry was one of the Alzheimer’s patients featured prominently in the documentary “Alive Inside”. The concept of the album is to demonstrate Henry’s descent through the seven stages of Alzheimer’s. He doesn’t know where he is or why he’s there. He doesn’t remember his wife is dead. He doesn’t recognize his son. Step by step the disease takes his memories, his ability to speak, his ability to walk, his ability to breathe. The music of “The Oubliette” traverses styles as divergent as jazz and black metal all within the framework of emotionally driven progressive metal. With each track sonically independent from its predecessor, the album moves the listener from experience to experience, vague memories to dreams and nightmares all toward its heartbreaking finale. Fans and critics alike will be very eager to sink their teeth into another intense emotional outpouring of progressive metal.

Chris Hathcock adds:

“As with my previous album, I hope that ‘The Oubliette’ will provide listeners with a rich and emotionally challenging audio experience. This is undoubtedly the most ambitious record The Reticent has attempted to date. The hope is that listeners will be personally affected by the music on a deep level and that it may draw some attention to a disease that is frighteningly prominent but frequently poorly understood. There will be moments that are soothing and there will be moments that are overwhelming. The story I have to tell is not a happy one but it is an important one – and it is often through the pain that we find the most profound reflection and calls to action.”

Today, the band shares the first tale and the second track on the emotionally gripping release “The Captive”.

Hathcock explains:

“The song starts with Henry hearing the orderly instructs him to return to his room as marching drums cadence him to get moving Now convinced that he is being wrongly imprisoned and believing his wife is being kept from him, Henry begins to oscillate between anger and despair made all the worse by the fact that he still doesn’t understand what’s happening to him. Decidedly aggressive death metal spearheads the track before Henry’s anger falls into a defeated frustration represented by the pensive midsection.”

Watch and listen to the video for “The Captive” via its premiere on MetalInjection HERE.

“The Oubliette” is due out via Heaven & Hell Records on September 25, 2020.

Album Pre-Order HERE.

Track Listing:
1. Stage 1 – His Name Is Henry (9:46)
2. Stage 2 – The Captive (6:00)
3. Stage 3 – The Palliative Breath (7:13)
4. Stage 4 – The Dream (11:47)
5. Stage 5 – The Nightmare (12:14)
6. Stage 6 – The Oubliette (10:38)
7. Stage 7 – ________ (6:10)
Album Length: 1:03:50

Album Band Line Up:
Chris Hathcock – Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drums, Vocals, Additional Percussion
James Nelson – Lead Guitars

Live Band Line Up:
Chris Hathcock – Vocals, Guitar
James Nelson – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Cliff Stankiewicz – Bass
Mitch Moore – Drums

For more info:
HeavenandHellRecords.com
TheReticent.net
EPK

– 30 –

“First-rate Progressive Metal, technically high-standing and delivered with a very high level of genuine emotion and passion.” – Rock Music Raider, review of “On the Eve of a Goodbye”

“…The fact is On the Eve of a Goodbye is one of the best concept albums of recent memory” – Angry Metal Guy, review of “On the Eve of a Goodbye”

“This record is why I listen to music.” – The Gauntlet, review of “On the Eve of a Goodbye”

“The Reticent is progressive in the truest sense of the term, and remains one of the best-kept secrets in metal…Once again, The Reticent delivers a stirring and unforgettable album that will absolutely appeal to fans of Opeth (especially Damnation and Heritage-era Opeth), Porcupine Tree, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Katatonia and Anathema.” – Hard Rock Haven, review of “Le Temps Detruit Tout”

“The Reticent’s On the Eve of a Goodbye took me by surprise and proceeded to floor me in all its heartbreaking, sophisticated glory” – Teeth of the Divine, review of “On the Eve of a Goodbye”

“I can safely say that this album stands with any classic concept album that people will try and compare it with” – Power of Metal, review of “On the Eve of a Goodbye”

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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0 WoR Break Out of Being “Caged” With New Music Video In Support of Debut Album “Prisoners”; Video Premiere via MetalInjection

August 26, 2020
by Asher
· Music News · WoR (Bungalo Records)

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 26, 2020

Interview Request at asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

For fans of Pantera, Lamb of God, Machine Head, Sepultura, Gojira

WoR Break Out of Being “Caged” With New Music Video In Support of Debut Album “Prisoners”

Video Premiere via MetalInjection

Debut Album “Prisoners” Out Now!

L-R – Phillip Funderburk – Bass, David Nisoff – Guitar, Bobby Demoss – Vocals, Hunter Crews – Drums, Ben Kaiser – Guitar

Photo Credit – Matthew Wonderly

Unleashing their debut album “Prisoners” earlier this month on August 7th via Bungalo Records/Universal, Raleigh, USA’s groove metal brigade WoR are sharing their next music video “Caged”. With their music focusing on various current events. The theme of the debut full length speaks to the idea that people are prisoners in a system that is failing them. The song “Caged” specifically engages on this issue in a variety of literal and figurative ways.

The band adds:

“This is the last song we wrote and it almost didn’t make it onto the album, because it was written so late in the pre-production process. ‘Caged’ was our second single released. This track is straight-up groovy, heavy, and even just plain nasty at points.”

The music video for “Caged” can be viewed via its premiere on MetalInjection HERE.

Throwing in elements of thrash, metalcore, and even hardcore punk, everyone in WoR has taken a different musical path and the variety of influences shows through in the unique and original sound. “Prisoners” is a little bit melodic and a little bit old school, and completely energetic.

The record is an extreme journey from start to finish, a metal album through and through. There are no clean guitars on the whole album, just heavy and groovy riffs. WoR shares their excitement for the release:

“This album has been in the works for several years and we finally get to show you what we have been working on nonstop for the last year. From front to back, this album is meant to take you on a heavy metal journey. It features groovy tracks such as Predator, brutal songs such as Caged, and melodic anthems such as VI Kings. While the songs are groovy and meant to give your neck whiplash, the lyrics are deep and thought out. The messages behind these songs are ones of resilience and overcoming. If you enjoy heavy riffs, melodic overtones, and just straight-up angry and in your face METAL, this album is for you!”

Groovy, raw, and old school, WoR is suitable for all fans of metal especially those with an interest in Machine Head, Sepultura, and Gojira.

“Prisoners” is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Google Play, Bandcamp.

Previous Music Videos:
“VI Kings” – YouTube, Facebook, IGTV
“Predator” – YouTube, Facebook, IGTV

Track Listing:
1. Kill You (2:44)
2. Caged (5:13)
3. VI Kings (4:37)
4. Sirens (4:20)
5. A Place To Die (3:07)
6. Predator (3:46)
7. T.G.S.O.A.T (1:35)
8. Come Out and Play (3:12)
9. Hiraeth (4:36)
10. Freedom Suicide (3:57)
Album Length: 37:12

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: WoR
• All songs written by: WoR
• Produced by: Joe Alonzo Potts
• Mixed by: Shaun Singerling
• Mastered by: Shaun Singerling
• Album Artwork by: Mark De Gruchy and Dan Gore
• Member BMI

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Bobby Demoss – Vocals
Ben Kaiser – Guitar
David Nisoff – Guitar
Phillip Funderburk – Guitar
Hunter Crews – Drums

For more info:
WoRband.com
Facebook.com/WoRBandOfficial
Instagram.com/w.o.r.official
Twitter.com/WoRbandofficial
EPK

“a highly impressive slice of groove metal that will most definitely appeal to fans of Lamb Of God, Pantera and MachineHead. Hailing from the febrile breeding ground of North Carolina, WoR lay it down with intent on ‘Predator’, stalking the deepest reaches of your aural cortexes with the declarative lead single from their forthcoming debut album, ‘Prisoners’: on the evidence of this, they won’t be taking any when it impacts on 7 August.” – Uber Rock

“The songs pack a nasty punch, leaving your body bruised and your nose bloodied. Chuggy riffs, ferocious vocals and some nods to thrash metal propel this album to excellence.” – Abrasive Noise

“…chunky riffs always have a place if they are handled as well as WoR does it.
They work their way through anthemic tunes with heavy subject matters, like “Freedom Suicide” and “Sirens,” with the latter bluntly calling out police brutality.” – Heavy Music Headquarters

“Thrashy hardcore pushing into some good grooves cool stuff.” – WORT 89.9FM – The Moshpit (Madison, WI)

“Their music combines aggressive riffs, harmonic leads, and tasteful breakdowns with the infectious anti-authoritarian lyrics of vocalist Bobby DeMoss.” – Antichrist Magazine

“Raleigh North Carolina Groove Metal is what “Prisoners” is all about with the raw drum sound during “Kill You” adding an air of “New American Gospel” era Lamb Of God. Crews has the time keeping if the metronomic Chris Adler down to a fine art and his rapid fire, power house performance on this cut gives the Pantera groove riffs and Southern Hostility style breakdowns the underpinning that they need. “Caged” is the longest cut on the album at just over five minutes but is no less ferocious, with DeMoss being a vocal force to be reckoned with, the roars of “don’t waste my time on idol ideas” cutting even the broadest shouldered lumberjack down to size.” – Metal Noise

About:

WoR is a groove metal quintet from Raleigh, North Carolina. Their music combines aggressive riffs, harmonic leads, and tasteful breakdowns with the infectious anti-authoritarian lyrics of vocalist Bobby DeMoss.

WoR was founded in 2018 by guitarist Ben Kaiser who at the time was finishing up his college football career playing offensive line at NC State. The band was initially an escape from the rigors of the sport, and at the end of his career, he decided to give the band a legitimate go.

After cycling through a variety of members early on, WoR was joined by Bobby Demoss, the charismatic frontman who has the ability to draw in even the toughest crowd; his unique screaming style and passionate lyrics helped shape WoR’s groundbreaking identity from the get-go. In 2019, Phil Funderburk, the glue who keeps the band and the music together, joined on bass; David Nisoff, in charge of mind-blowing solos that capture everyone’s attention, joined as the second guitarist, and Hunter Crews, a consistent timekeeper and a seasoned veteran in the music business solidified the lineup as the bands’ drummer.

By the spring of 2019, WoR had begun to debut their music at live shows throughout the southeast region of the United States and played with the likes of Upon A Burning Body, Atilla, and Warbringer just to name a few.

Working collaboratively, WoR’s music focuses on various different current events using powerful lyrics to offer a unique insight into the things going on in our lives and in the world. After working closely with producer Joe Alonzo Potts and audio engineer Shaun Singerling, they plan to release their debut album “Prisoners” on August 7th, 2020, which features brutal tracks such as ‘Caged’ and ‘Predator’ in addition to melodic anthems such as ‘VI King’s.

In 2020 and 2021, WoR has extensive tours scheduled to support the release of their debut album “Prisoners”. WoR’s live shows are extremely energetic with fan involvement being a common theme. Demoss does a phenomenal job of breaking down the fourth wall and getting the crowd involved at their shows making way for insane mosh pits. It is the band’s credo that they give it their all for whatever time they are on stage whether they are playing to 2,000 people or 200 people.

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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0 Progressive Power Metallers Red Cain Next Single “Kindred” Off Upcoming Album “Kindred: Act II”

August 26, 2020
by Asher
· Music News · Red Cain

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 26, 2020

For fans of Kamelot, Symphony X, Amaranthe, Powerwolf

Progressive Power Metallers Red Cain Next Single “Kindred” Off Upcoming Album “Kindred: Act II”

Premiere Single via TheProgSpace

New Album “Kindred: Act II” Coming Fall 2020

L-R – Tyler Corbett – Guitar, Evgeniy Zayarny – Vocals, Taylor Gibson – Drums – Photo Credit Ravenkin Photography

Canada’s Red Cain is finishing their “Kindred” saga with the release of “Kindred: Act II” this coming October. So far the band has unleashed two singles off the forthcoming full length “Sunshine (Blood Sun Empire)” and “Demons”. Today, they are excited to give a deeper glimpse into the world of their sophomore album with their third single “Kindred”.

Vocalist Evgeniy Zayarny explains the story behind the song in further detail:

“‘Kindred’, the title track of our saga, is a song we have spent 3 long years waiting to release. Written before the songs on “Kindred: Act I”, and debuted live in subsequent shows, this song in many ways defined and created the concept for the tracks that followed. Haunting, powerful, challenging, and lyrically intense – it is still one of the songs we are most proud of. And it is time for it to be revealed.

“Kindred” places us behind the burning eyes of the secondary antagonist of the saga, the Nameless Exarch – the high priest of the malign entity seeking to remake the world in its image. His past forgotten and irrelevant, the Nameless Exarch rises as the herald and prophet of this Lovecraftian force and rallies the disenfranchised, disillusioned, and discontent under his aberrant banner – triggering a tidal wave of chaos engulfing the globe.

The composition of the track follows the path of the Exarch, starting with his call: “something reached and woke me up – and all is crumbling”, and is meant to oscillate between the last moments of introspection of the man who will become the entity’s vessel – “another lonely pilgrim to watch the world burn”, and his capture and dissolution in the maelstrom of fanaticism and madness. The soft vocal interludes play on the pervasive cult mentality of reality being but a dream, with the man that will be the Exarch begging his newfound master to “bring me awake…I need it”. The introspective sections quickly give way to the massive, heavy, and djenty main riff with spiraling leads – his transformation – toward an elevated, haunting chorus that shows the Nameless Exarch finally assuming his mantle with the anthemic “I dream of Kindred mine – across the world, we are the night.”

So don your robe, find a secluded, gothic cavern, light one red candle – and listen to the Exarch’s call with us. This is “Kindred”.

Recommended for fans of Kamelot, Mastodon, and Amaranthe, “Kindred” can be heard via its premiere on TheProgSpace HERE.

More singles are planned to be unleashed leading up to the expected release of “Kindred: Act II” this coming October 2020.

Previous Singles:
“Sunshine (Blood Sun Empire)” HERE.
“Demons” HERE.

“Kindred: Act I” is available on Shop Sliptrick, Apple Music, Spotify, Bandcamp.

For more info:
Facebook.com/redcainofficial
Twitter.com/RedCainArmy
Instagram.com/RedCainArmy
EPK

About:

Described as a vehicle of “Melancholy and Rage” and born out of the emerging music scene of Alberta, Canada, 2017 YYC Awards Metal Recording of the Year winner Red Cain is a power/progressive metal project with Russian roots. With intricate songwriting, a heavy yet melodic feel reminiscent of progressive acts, and elements of Slavic myth and Russian paganism in the storytelling tradition of the cult of Veles, Red Cain champion a fluid, dynamic, and unique musical style centered around telling dark, conceptual Faustian sagas and constructing those into an unforgettable live experience.

Stated by frontman Evgeniy Zayarny as wanting to bring back the “Devil’s music” mysticism all too often missing in modern metal acts, Red Cain delivers flair, groove, and an intricate, lethal edge in their music. Listeners might well pick out elements reminiscent of such luminary acts as Kamelot, Symphony X, Tesseract, Amaranthe, Alter Bridge – whipped into a venomous new shape. The current incarnation of the band is all of these influences mixed with a lot of vodka and Eastern European melancholy, shaken and stirred.

Red Cain released its debut self-titled EP in November 2016 to rave reviews from a variety of publications such as Dead Rhetoric, MetalUnderground, and Firewind magazine, among many others. Red Cain’s EP had the honour of winning Metal Recording of the Year at the 2017 YYC Music Awards. The band has a strong emerging fanbase around the world, being named one of the top 200 bands of 2016 by Headbangers Latinoamerica and the EP’s cover art selected as one of 2016’s 15 best by Metal Underground.

Red Cain’s first full-length album “Kindred: Act I” was released March 2019 to a variety of excellent reviews internationally, reaching #1 on Canadian Earshot Loud charts and establishing the band as a force in the Canadian metal scene, and landing the band a distribution deal with European label Sliptrick Records. A variety of festival appearances at Loud As Hell Metal Festival, Hyperspace Metal Festival, and Canada Wacken Competition have served to cement that status. Red Cain’s music videos for “JULIET” and “ZERO” have to date garnered 11 international film festival awards, including the Music Video Award at the Accolade Global Film Competition (LA). The band aims to deliver its follow-up to “Kindred: Act I” in 2020.

– 30 –

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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0 Helion Prime Pays Tribute To Mathematician Katherine Johnson With Single “Madame Mercury”; New Album “Question Everything” Out October 5th, 2020

August 26, 2020
by Asher
· Helion Prime · Music News

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 26, 2020

For fans of Unleash the Archers, Iron Maiden, Helloween

Helion Prime Pays Tribute To Mathematician Katherine Johnson With Single “Madame Mercury”

New Album “Question Everything” Out October 5th, 2020

L-R – Alex Bosson – Drums, Mary Zimmer – Vocals, Jason Ashcraft – Guitar, Chad Anderson – Guitar, Jeremy Steinhouse – Bass
Photo Credit: Casey Frederick

Today Helion Prime releases the second single for their upcoming album “Question Everything” out October 5th, 2020.

The single “Madame Mercury” is based on NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson. Johnson studied how to use geometry for space travel. She figured out the paths for the spacecraft to orbit (go around) Earth and to land on the Moon. NASA used Johnson’s math, and it worked! NASA sent astronauts into orbit around Earth. Later, her math helped send astronauts to the Moon and back. NASA could not have done these things without Katherine Johnson and her love for math!

Today would have been Johnson’s 102nd birthday had she not passed away earlier this year. There was no better way to release this song than with a video honoring her life’s achievements on her birthday!

Guitarist Jason Ashcraft adds:

“When researching everyone for this album each story was inspiring in their own way, but Katherine’s was one that really spoke to me. I admit I didn’t know much about her before starting this album, but I can confidently say after learning all I did about her she’s definitely a hero of mine. She was an amazing person and I hope this song can in some small way honor everything she’s done.”

Listen to “Madame Mercury” via Youtube (Lyric Video).
The video was created by John W. Yelland (Vocalist of Judicator, Dire Peril, & Principium)

It’s been about two years since the band’s sophomore release “Terror of the Cybernetic Space Monster” and Sacramento sci-fi power metallers Helion Prime returns with their third effort and the much shorter title “Question Everything” set for release on Monday, October 5th, 2020 via their label Saibot Reigns. This is Helion Prime‘s first album with new vocalist Mary Zimmer, who has also accompanied the band on two separate tours of the United States. It also sees the band’s original singer, Heather Michele, returning in a writing capacity and contributing all lyrics and melodies. Heather Michele also along with other former Helion Prime vocalist Sozos Michael and with John Yelland (Judicator/Dire Peril) add their guest vocals on the full length.

The highly anticipated third record is a concept album, with each song revolving around different figures throughout human history that had the courage to question the status quo of their respective worlds/societies, in some cases even dealing with harsh persecution as a result. Those Helion Prime chose to write about-faced prejudice, mockery, ex-communication, and persecution – yet through it all, they held true to their beliefs and ideas. Time would be their greatest ally as their ideas and identities were eventually validated, oftentimes not until after their passing. They serve as an inspiration for all minds to continue thinking outside the box and staying true to themselves.

Jason speaks on the album itself:

“This album has truly been amazing to work on. The idea behind it is something I’ve been holding on to since around the time I started the band. Aside from writing some of what I consider to be Prime’s best work it was a great experience getting to work with Heather again on an album as she once again contributed her talents for the lyrics.”

“Question Everything” was produced by Jason Ashcraft and Alex Nasla. Mixing was done by Chris Collier and mastered by Brett Caldas-Lima along with additional mixing/drum edits/reamping plus writing and performance of keyboard arrangements by Alex Nasla of Gear Gods Studio. Guitar/Bass edits by Michael Goodrich and cover art by Marc Whisnant.

“Question Everything” is out worldwide on October 5th, 2020 via Saibot Reigns. Album pre-order at Helionprimemetal.com.

First single “The Forbidden Zone” YouTube (Lyric Video), Spotify.

Track Listing:
1. The Final Theory (4:20)
2. Madame Mercury (4:19)
3. Prof (3:55)
4. The Gadfly (6:35)
5. Photo 51 (5:13)
6. E Pur Si Muove (5:48)
7. Words of The Abbot (4:55) ft. guest vocals John Yelland (Judicator, Dire Peril)
8. The Forbidden Zone (4:32)
9. Question Everything (5:56) ft. Heather Michele (ex-Graveshadow, ex-Helion Prime) and Sozos Michael (ex-Helion Prime, Planeswalker)
10. Reawakening (6:54)
11. Kong at the Gates (Misfits Cover)
Album Length: 56:12

Helion Prime is:
Mary Zimmer – Vocals
Jason Ashcraft – Rhythm Guitars
Chad Anderson – Lead Guitars
Jeremy Steinhouse – Bass
Alex Bosson – Drums

For more info:
Helionprimemetal.com
Facebook.com/helionprimemetal
Instagram.com/helionprimemetal
EPK

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

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

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