Category: Music News

Hamilton, ON based PYRAMIDS ON MARS guitarist Kevin Estrella has teamed up with Neck Illusions for his custom Double Helix DNA guitar neck design, which can be viewed at the following pic below and at this link: http://www.neckillusions.com/products/double-helix-alien-dna?variant=6458861891.

Estrella comments:

“The idea for the Double Helix Alien DNA design came to me in a dream. My dream custom guitar is being handed to me by these Greys (aliens). The neck design is what captured my attention. It is based on a Double Helix Crop Circle formation from 1996 in Wilts, UK. Images here.

“I am an ‘Experiencer’. By this I mean that Aliens have been in direct contact with me. I am now in close communication with world respected UFO researcher Grant Cameron. He is helping me understand the UFO phenomenon on a deeper level, and why these beings are having direct relations with me. In his research, Grant has discovered that extraterrestrials are in communion with many musicians. Additionally, important information is being downloaded to people through dreams.

I don’t know exactly what the ‘Double Helix” symbolizes, but I know I had to make it reality. So I came to Neck Illusions with the concept. They said absolutely they could create it and they did an amazing job. I am very happy to be part of this and to share the design with the world.”

These graphic decals are designed to fit standard electric and acoustic steel string guitars up to 24 frets (6 strings) from 24″ to 25.625″ scale scale lengths. Nut widths starting from 1.55″ (39mm) and wider.

In additional news, POM is offering fans a FREE download of the track ‘Battle For Rome’from the upcoming ten track thriller ‘Echo Cosmic’ due out on September 8th to follow 2013’s full length self-titled debut. The album is inspired by Estrella’s fascination of UFO’s including his own encounter, plus compositions that have come to him in dreams and allow him to offer an aural palette of intense, emotional, 3-dimensional, heavy and melodic progressive rock/ metal that includes a range of influences from Baroque classical guitar, classical composers J.S Bach and Antonio Vivaldi along with today’s guitar virtuosos Yngwie Malmsteen and Joe Satriani.

To hear what’s to come from the release, head on over to PureGraunAudio.com at the following link and get your free download

FREE DOWNLOAD – http://puregrainaudio.com/audio/pyramids-on-mars-battle-for-rome-free-song-download

Watch Estrella’s two guitar playthroughs have been released in support of the album.

Battle For Rome – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSJz_TKo5lI

Death Valley Driver – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpEyBfliGaI

Track Listing: Pyramids On Mars – Echo Cosmic
1. Dream Division (5:14)
2. Battle for Rome (5:48)
3. Death Valley Driver (5:25)
4. Tribute (2:54)
5. Heaven’s Gate (6:04)
6. Sailing the Oceans of Neptune (5:05)
7. Spectre of Orion (5:36)
8. Order of the Freemasons (8:09)
9. Occam’s Razor (6:08)
10. Echo Cosmic (4:56)
Album Length: 55:24

About:

Inspired the by the studies of UFOs, aliens and the artifacts of in our solar system plus being witness to UFO activity (full details below), PYRAMIDS ON MARS is an embodiment of spacey music that brings both worlds together as both a musical concept, and message to the world of the alien presence. Formed in 2011, PYRAMIDS ON MARS is the solo creation of guitarist Kevin Estrella who offers an aural palette of intense, emotional, 3-dimensional, heavy and melodic progressive rock/ metal that includes a range of influences such as Baroque classical guitar, classical composers J.S Bach and Antonio Vivaldi along with today’s guitar virtuosos Yngwie Malmsteen and Joe Satriani.

‘Echo Cosmic’ Album trailer : https://youtu.be/UTJw6alDZ3A

For more info, please visit http://www.pyramidsonmars.com

Track by Track Breakdown of Echo Cosmic explained by PYRAMIDS ON MARS’ Kevin Estrella:

“To summarize, the overall story line of ‘Echo Cosmic’ is about mankind’s history of broadcasting radio and tv signals for over 100 years from earth to space. Theoretically, some of these signals should be picked up by alien civilizations. We are announcing our existence through this cosmic echo we are sending out. We may be an insignificant species in a vast universe, but we are leaving a footprint that has infinite infuence.” comments Estrella.

1. Dream Division: The whole introduction I heard in a dream. Started off simply with guitar, but got more interesting when the bass and drums join in and are all doing something different from each other. But it all worked. Almost like division. Thus the name.

2.Battle for Rome: Influenced by the X-Box One game trailer Ryse Son of Rome. Watch the trailer, and you can imagine this song playing in it.

3. Death Valley Driver: The main rhythm guitar and drums were bedtracks for this song. Reminded me of driving fast on a desert road.

4. Tribute: I was experimenting with some ’80’s guitar tone presets. Improvising, I played the main rhythm part. It sounded like something Randy Rhoads would play. Decided to write a song dedicated to him.

5. Heaven’s Gate: Influenced by a band who has a a dead guy with leather skin for a mascot.

6. Sailing the Ocean’s of Neptune: Heard the main riff in my head for weeks. Finally wrote the song. Had a real Hendrix feel to it, with a large Extreme influence.

7. Spectre of Orion: A song originally written in a band I used to be in called Omega Factor which consisted of just me and a drummer

8. Order of the Freemasons: Song written back in 2011. A very dark song about a dark subject. It is more a work of art rather than being a radio friendly song. A song I am very proud of.

9. Occam’s Razor: A fast, thrash metal song with sharp, jagged teeth. You will hear at least three metal band influences in this one!

10. Echo Cosmic: The flagship of the CD. A song that creates a feeling of loneliness and isolation. That which we are in this vast universe.

Kevin Estrella UFO experience:

The facts are as follows:
– August 21, 2014 @ 10:30pm, a 2 dimensional disc approx. 40 ft in diameter, surrounded in orange/red plasma appears over the City of Hamilton. He immediately files a full report with MUFON. (full report here)- 2015 Kevin Estrella attends the Alien Cosmic Exhibition (ACE) in Brantford, Ontario. He meets with MUFON investigator Stu Bundy who took his report. They are very excited to see him. They are doing a presentation at ACE that includes his sighting. They deem it to be AUTHENTIC.- What is drawing attention, is from official UFO database reports, there is no record of any UFO sighting in the city of Hamilton the night of August 21, 2014.HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO WITNESSED IT.

– He personally meets with world respected Ufologist, Grant Cameron to discuss the matter. He says this phenomenon is not uncommon; where one person is witness to a sighting and others around do not see it. He went on to explain how the same thing happened to John Lennon, in New York City.

– Grant has done extensive research into the subject of the UFO/alien phenomenon and its particular interest with musicians. Many musicians have come forward and have had personal alien/UFO encounters, and are getting musical ideas through downloads. Estrella discussed with Grant how he too, gets songs from dreams and nearly all his music seems to come from channeling into an energy source from elsewhere. The alien rock stories Grant talks about in his presentation sounds much like Estrella’s own personal experiences. That is what drew him to attend ACE in the first place.

– Grant is under the notion that the fact that no-one else saw it, this UFO sighting was meant for Estrella to see.

– Estrella is lead to believe the UFO/Musician connection Grant speaks of, He is a part of this group.

– 30 –

“With the new release “Echo Cosmic” coming out on September 8th, 2015 they continue to blow minds and bend genre. The last I can explain by using two completely different bands in one sentence. This band accelerates from Iron maiden to Meshuggah in about 2 seconds….Overall this record is mind bending and goes beyond what is being made nowadays. Pyramids on Mars blows borders of metal and rock away and leaves you with a satisfied feeling.” Rating 9/10. – Dutch Metal Maniac

“If anything, it is taking the road less travelled – in this case, guitar-driven, instrumental music- that helps Pyramids on Mars stand out from the plethora of other groups vying for a piece of the prog rock pie.” – Canadian Musician Magazine

“Kevin Estrella, much like Vai, much like Satriani, can make his guitar truly communicate and display emotion. There’s a real passion that Kevin plays with that only comes along every so often…a real magic. There could be a complete saturation with this type of instrumentally-driven music one day. I have the feeling that even IF this was to happen, Pyramids on Mars would STILL stand out miles from the rest.” – Sleeping Bag Studios

“The music scene is very saturated with artists and bands pretty much doing the same thing (stylistically speaking). With the current popularity of instrumental guitarists like Joe Satriani, there is a good possibility of instrumental rock coming back. Pyramids on Mars have a niche market with very little competition that they can control the market share in that music genre.” Coalition Entertainment Management Jesse Mitchell |Coalition Music

“And with influences like Metallica (probably post-black album), Jimi Hendrix, and Joe Satriani it is clear that Pyramids on Mars knows the kind of music they love, how to create their own version, and make us listeners enjoy it as much as they do.” Metal Addicts

“The guitarist member is impressively high-quality. His constant and non-stop lead work is where he shines. Smooth, melodic, adapt and soaring lead after lead on song after song speaks of good soloing. Kevin Estrella is in the same ballpark as David Gilmour.” – Metallian

“Pyramids on Mars is a musical journey. Dizzying guitar work swiftly flying between genres and showing skill that few acts are capable of achieving in the country right now.” Two Way Monologues

0 Just Announced: Cross-Canadian Tour and ‘ContraVirtual’ EP From Calgary Noise Outfit DRI HIEV

August 28, 2015
by Asher
· DRI HIEV · Music News

For Interview, Album Requests, Media List contact

Cara Ashbey – Music Publicist – caraashbey[@]gmail.com

Radio Promotions – radiotrackingashermedia [AT] gmail.com

#514.581.5780 – www.ashermediarelations.com

NEWS RELEASE

Edmonton, AB – August 28, 2015

For Album Promo, please send request to caraashbey[at]gmail.com

For fans of White Lung, Metz, Sonic Youth, Nine Inch Nails, My Bloody Valentine

Facebook | Twitter | Bandcamp | Soundcloud

Sales links: Shake! Records | Bunghole Records

Download Album Art | Download High Resolution Photo

They played short, wild bursts of noise punctuated by frontman Carter Crough, dressed in white overalls and a gold lamée mask, weaving, bobbing and rolling around on the stage while howling like the tormented ghost of a tortured serial killer.” – Richard Amery, L.a. Beat

Gritty noise punk with a catchy backbeat. Highly aggressive, highly distorted, very good. – Dave host of Contramandatumon CJSW 90.9 FM

#6 Year end list – Sonikraf

Just Announced: Cross-Canadian Tour and ‘ContraVirtual’ EP From Calgary Noise Outfit DRI HIEV

Top (left to right): Kyle Crough (Bass), Igor Gvozdenovic (Synth and Samples), Carter Crough (Vocals), and Daniel Auger (Guitar and Drum Machine) (Photo credit: Heather Ross)

Calgary, AB’s blasphemous noise quartet DRI HIEV are releasing their EP ‘CONTRAVIRTUAL’ and touring across Canada starting in September. The EP ‘ContraVirtual’ is slated to be released the same day as their kickoff to their cross Canadian tour in their hometown of Calgary, Wed, Sept. 23 at Bamboo Tiki Room (1201 1 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0V3).

The band is streaming ‘Good Shirt’ from their EP through Crown of Viserys at the following link:

Guitarist and drum machine musician Dan Auger had this to say about the album’s release, “Last year we lost our drummer and released an EP. By the time that EP was released we had become a different band and that music became irrelevant. We spent the next eight months writing and trying to re-evaluate what we wanted to do as a band. ‘CONTRAVIRTUAL’ is the result of those eight months. It represents where we are and where we’re going.”

Track Listing

1. Good Shirt (3:19)

2. Felix Down (2:48)

3. OHMz (3:19)

4. Amberman (2:31)

5. ContraVirtual (3:34)

Album Length: 14:51

The band is heading out on a 9 day tour that stretches from Calgary to Sudbury and then back to Edmonton. The tour features Feverfew an Edmonton addition who varies in sound but provides an excellent compliment to the tour (dates below).

Tour Dates:

Sept 23 Calgary, Alberta – Bamboo

Sept 24 Lethbridge, Alberta – Electric Manor

Sept 25 Regina, Saskatchewan- The German Club

Sept 26 Winnipeg, Manitoba- UMFM

Sept 29 Sudbury, Ontario- TBA

October 7 Winnipeg, Manitoba – Big Fun HQ

October 8 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Horse Club

October 9 Calgary, Alberta – Tubby Dog

October 10 Edmonton, Alberta – Acid Church

About:

DRI HIEV is a Calgary noise quartet specializing in creating disorienting music with one foot in modern electronic music and the other in aggressive punk rock.

Three out of four members (Dan Auger, Carter Crough, and Kyle Crough) originally played in Bloody Circuits from Grande Prairie, Alberta, but upon relocating to Calgary they recruited Igor Gvozdenovic and became DRI HIEV. Their live show demands your attention with all members creating a wall of noise while maintaining a steady driving electronic sample to get people moving.

They are going to be touring across Canada with fellow noise enthusiasts Feverfew. DRI HIEV are also releasing their EP CONTRAVIRTUAL on cassette through Shake! Records and Bunghole Records on September 23, 2015.

– 30 –

0 NEWS: Vancouver’s Double Bassist Attack SAINTS OF DEATH Unleash New Lyric Video ‘Revolution’; Debut Self-Titled EP Out Sept 25th

August 28, 2015
by Asher
· Music News · Saints of Death

For Interview, Album Requests, Media List contact

Jon Asher – Music Publicist – ashermedia [AT] gmail.com

Radio Promotions – radiotrackingashermedia [AT] gmail.com

#514.581.5780 – www.ashermediarelations.com

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 28, 2015

For Album Promo, please send request to ashermedia[at]gmail.com

For fans of Black Sabbath, Lamb of God, Overkill, Motorhead, Pantera

Vancouver’s Double Bassist Attack SAINTS OF DEATH Unleash New Lyric Video ‘Revolution’; Debut Self-Titled EP Out Sept 25th

Line Up – L-R – Stony Gingras – 5 String Bass / BU Vocals, Twan Holliday – 8 String Bass/Lead Vocals, Christopher James – Drums, Phil Henri – 6 String Guitar / BU Vocals (Photo Credit – Dean Mclean)

Vancouver, BC’s SAINTS of DEATH (a name inspired by the Mexican folklore of Santa Muerte (Spanish for Holy Death)) is a four piece that originally began as a Motorhead tribute band that has now taken the reins to write original material with a double bassist attack and set themselves apart from the pack with their unique heavy sound of thrash, doom and hardcore metal.

Fronted by vocalist and eight string bassist Twan Holliday, a giant standing nearly 7’ foot tall who can also be recognized for his acting credits in some well-known Hollywood movies and pro wrestling (credits below) is joined by four string bassist Darren Morris, guitarist Phil Henri and Christopher James on drums to complete a ferocious line up that will be unleashing their self-titled debut EP on September 25th.

Leading up to its release, the band has posted a new lyric video for their track ‘Revolution’ at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLweyS3Zt7o plus will be supporting it with a small tour across Alberta and British Columbia (dates listed below).

“This song is about unity and standing up for what is right! It’s a call to people everywhere to join together and fight for their rights and what’s right through Revolution.” comments drummer Christopher James.

Track Listing: Saints of Death – Self-Titled EP

1. Army of Dead (4:22)

2. Doom 5.1 (4:43)

3. Blood Vendetta (3:12)

4. Revolution (4:30)

5. Angels & Demons (4:26)

EP Length: 21:15

Show Dates:

Sept 11 – Funky Winker Beans – Vancouver, BC w/ Crackwore + guests – Event info here.

Sept 19 – Brother’s Bowling & Billiards – Abbotsford, BC w/ Obsidian, The Darker Days + guests – Event info here.

Sept 24 – The Vat – Red Deer, AB w/ Leave The Living – Event info here.

Sept 25 – Distortion – Calgary, AB w/ Golers + guests – Event info here.

Sept 26 – DV8 – Edmonton , AB w/ Golers + guests – Event info here.

Sept 28 – The Green – Vernon, BC w/ XUL, Drop Dead Fred + guests – Event info here.

Oct 17 – The Wolf Bar – Mission, BC

About:

Taking their experiences from past bands (Snaggletooth, Scissortooth, Dead End Ascension, Skookum, My Own Chaos, Luciferian Conquest, Torrential Pain, Tides of Honor and Annora), SAINTS OF DEATH are veteran musicians of the Vancouver scene ready to debut their self-titled EP this September 25, 2015 to introduce metal fans to a new sound coming from the Canadian West coast.

“We think this EP should be listened to with open ears. Breaking the mold of typical sub-genre based metal, we try to cover all types of metal with lyrical content aimed at the problems with today’s government, moral value, and the supernatural occult. We think it should be received as another solid attempt to raise awareness of the wrongs of society and another conscience effort to make change along with wanting new fans to listen to our music and enjoy the quality of musicianship, engineering and lyrical content. We chose our favorite 5 tracks out of the first 7 we wrote to put on this self-titled EP.” comments vocalist/ bassist Twan Holliday.

Even with their debut being released, fans can expect a lot more from Saints of Death in the near future.

“We have a bunch of un-recorded material. We plan on taking a break from live shows, shortly after our EP release tour in Sept/Oct to finish writing enough material to record our first full length.”

Aiming to set the bar high with a live behemoth of ampage, backed by a custom light show, SAINTS of DEATH are pushing forward to take on the biggest stages and crowds and win over fans who enjoy headbanging to such bands as Black Sabbath, Lamb of God, Overkill, Motorhead, and Pantera.

Track by track of Saints of Death EP explained by Twan Holliday:

1. Army of the Dead: This song is written from the perspective of a Viking in battle. Its underlying message is about the battle of life. “Everyone’s born, everyone dies”, we fight hard and strong, live, laugh, love and when it’s our time to die, we die!

2. Doom 5.1: This song is about organized religion and greed.

3. Blood Vendetta: This song is written about blood vendettas around the world. It’s about people being born into war, and fighting wars started by generations before them in order of gaining redemption for their lost family.

4. Revolution: This song is about unity and standing up for what is right! It’s a call to people everywhere to join together and fight for their rights and what’s right through Revolution.

5. Angels and Demons: This song is written about an old man on his deathbed. Not happy with his life he struggles though a battle between the right and wrong he has done and who will take possession of his soul; angels or demons.

Fun Fact: Besides being a musician vocalist / bassist Twan Holliday has acting credits for movies American Mary (2012), The Devils Ground (2009) w/ Darryl Hanna, Stan Helsing (2009) (Leslie Neielson’s last movie), Catwoman (2004) w/ Halle Barry, Psych (TV Show) plus has done stunts on Super Natural (TV Show) and Pathfinder (2007). Twan was also a pro hard-core wrestler of 10 years and was on TV every Saturday at 1pm on KVOS TV12 (Bellingham, WA) plus was asked to train for WWE.

For more info, please visit www.SaintsofDeath.com

– 30 –

0 NEWS: One Man Instrumental Prog Rock/Metal PYRAMIDS ON MARS Offers Free Download ‘Battle For Rome’

August 27, 2015
by Asher
· Music News · Pyramids On Mars

For Interview, Album Requests, Media List contact

Jon Asher – Music Publicist – ashermedia [AT] gmail.com

Radio Promotions – radiotrackingashermedia [AT] gmail.com

#514.581.5780 – www.ashermediarelations.com

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 27, 2015

For Album Promo, please send request to ashermedia[at]gmail.com

For fans of Joe Satriani, Metallica, Meshuggah, Iron Maiden, Rush, Yngwie J Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Megadeth, Pink Floyd, David Gilmour

PyramidsOnMars.com | Videos | Facebook | Twitter @PyramidsOnMars_ | Reverbnation

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Sales Links: Bandcamp | iTunes | Amazon | Google Play | Indie Pool

EPK | Download Press Photo | Download Album Cover

One Man Instrumental Prog Rock/Metal PYRAMIDS ON MARS Offers Free Download ‘Battle For Rome’

New Album ‘Echo Cosmic’ Due Out Sept 8th

Hamilton, ON based PYRAMIDS ON MARS (the solo creation of guitarist Kevin Estrella) has teamed up with PureGrainAudio.com to offer fans a FREE download of the track ‘Battle For Rome’ from the upcoming ten track thriller ‘Echo Cosmic’, which is due out on September 8th to follow 2013’s full length self-titled debut. The album is inspired byEstrella’s fascination of UFO’s including his own encounter, plus compositions that have come to him in dreams and allow him to offer an aural palette of intense, emotional, 3-dimensional, heavy and melodic progressive rock/ metal that includes a range of influences from Baroque classical guitar, classical composers J.S Bach and Antonio Vivaldi along with today’s guitar virtuosos Yngwie Malmsteen and Joe Satriani.