\m/ Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay love \m/
For the Week Ending: Tuesday, May 21, 2024
!earshot – The National Loud Chart
#8 Ivy Gardens
https://earshot-online.com/charts/index.cfm?intChartTypeID=106&dWeekOfID=2024-05-21
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#1 Ivy Gardens – CJLO – 1690AM – Montreal – Loud
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjlo.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2024-05-21
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#5 Striker – CFUV 101.9 FM – Victoria – Loud
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfuv.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2024-05-21
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#18 NATE SILVA – CFUR 88.7fm – Prince George – Top 30
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfur.cfm?dWeekOfID=2024-05-21
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#13 Cell Press – CICK 93.9 – Smithers – Top 30
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cick.cfm?dWeekOfID=2024-05-21
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#2 Ivy Gardens – CJLO – 1690AM – Montreal – Top 30
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjlo.cfm?dWeekOfID=2024-05-21
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#28 NOTSM – CJSF 90.1 – Burnaby – Top 30
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjsf.cfm?dWeekOfID=2024-05-21
Category: NOTSM
0 \m/ Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay love \m/ For the Week Ending: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 !earshot – The National Loud Chart #8 Ivy Gardens
0 Out Now! NOTSM’s Debut “Only Death Brings Silence” Is An Aggressive, Introspective Look At Society
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – May 3, 2024
Out Now! NOTSM’s Debut “Only Death Brings Silence” Is An Aggressive, Introspective Look At Society
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The wait is over as NOTSM‘s anticipated debut album “Only Death Brings Silence” is officially released today. Balancing between progressive, melodic, and groove metal, there are also breakdowns, thought-provoking lyrics, and a barrage of technical tidbits for discerning metalheads around the world. A solo project from the mind of Matt Barkley, the album invites listeners on a dark and reflective journey through the depths of the human psyche. Barkley shares his excitement:
“I’m super excited to announce the release of my debut album “Only Death Brings Silence”- it is a relentless exploration of the human condition through the lens of heavy metal. With an intense blend of crushing riffs and powerful vocals, this album dives deep into themes of existentialism, mortality, and the human struggle against self-destructive tendencies.”
The tracklist unfolds like a journey through the darkest corners of the human psyche, from the confrontational indictment of “Humans” to the introspective musings of “Terminal” and the relentless pursuit depicted in “The Hedonic Treadmill” and its sequel “You Make Your Own Luck” which offers a glimmer of hope, encouraging listeners to take control of their destiny, while the titular track, “Only Death Brings Silence” serves as a haunting instrumental conclusion.
Through its raw intensity and uncompromising lyrical honesty “Only Death Brings Silence” emerges as a visceral and aggressive testament to the power of heavy metal as both a sonic force and a medium for exploring the depths of the human experience. Each song offers a unique exploration of themes ranging from existentialism to societal noise. With meticulous attention to detail in both composition and production, NOTSM delivers a debut album that is sure to leave a lasting impression on fans of heavy metal and introspective music alike. “Only Death Brings Silence” is recommended for fans of The Halo Effect, Rivers of Nihil, and Nightrage.
“Only Death Brings Silence” is available as of May 3, 2024, at https://notsm.bandcamp.com and Spotify.
Lyric Video – “The Hedonic Treadmill” – https://youtu.be/VS5THa8Eqc4
Music Video – “Humans” – https://youtu.be/f0WBiBxPW5w
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Track Listing:
1. Humans (3:34)
2. Terminal (5:00)
3. The Hedonic Treadmill (4:50)
4. The Hedonic Treadmill 2 (4:40)
5. You Make Your Own Luck (4:21)
6. Only Death Brings Silence (11:51)
Total Length: 34:16
More info: Instagram.com/notsm.music | Facebook.com/notsm.music
-30-
““Only Death Brings Silence” is not just an album; it’s an introspective journey into the soul of its creator. It’s an invitation to explore profound themes through the lens of progressive metal music, promising to resonate with fans and newcomers alike. With its intricate compositions and thoughtful lyrics, this album should make a significant impact on its release, urging listeners to both enjoy the primordial headbanging and obligatory “onion-face” of musical acceptance and reflect deeply on the existential themes it wrestles with, which is very relevant today and good to see, as well as hear, that the need to craft a message that resonates with everyone in the vehicle of art that can still be enjoyed in blissful ignorance. 5/5” – Metal Epidemic
“Only Death Brings Silence is an intoxicating and powerful exploration of not only the human condition but of sound. MUST LISTEN TRACKS: “Terminal”, “You Make Your Own Luck”, “One Death Brings Silence”” – Amplify The Noise
“I loved it, powerfull Metalcore energy with big guitar riffs, vocals are solid too (The Hedonic Treadmill). The production side is really good ! Bravo” – MANAGRAM Productions
“The song (The Hedonic Treadmill) is interesting, the vocals and guitar lines really hit hard, congrats. The production is good too.” Dreamfuss – Alt-rock
“We really dig this track (The Hedonic Treadmill), you can definitely feel the emotion and the passion in every aspects, we love how it moves from Metal, to Metal Core so effortlessly, as well as being very melodic.” – The Metal Asylum
“Brutal and precise! Love the metal!” – Buzz Slayers
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
0 New Issue of Absolute Underground TV / Magazine is out! Interviews with Supermodel Taxidermy, Ivy Gardens, Lÿnx, NATE SILVA, NOTSM, The Order of The Precious Blood, Hyperspace Metal Festival
New Issue of Absolute Underground TV / Magazine is out!
Check it out! https://absoluteunderground.tv/absolute-underground-magazine-issue-117
Interviews with Supermodel Taxidermy, Ivy Gardens, Lÿnx, NATE SILVA, NOTSM, The Order of The Precious Blood, Hyperspace Metal Festival
0 Lose Yourself In Societal Noise In NOTSM’s Music Video For “Humans” Off Upcoming Album “Only Death Brings Silence” Out May 2024
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – April 17, 2024
Lose Yourself In Societal Noise In NOTSM’s Music Video For “Humans”
Debut Album “Only Death Brings Silence” Out May 2024
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On man project NOTSM continues to build anticipation for their debut album “Only Death Brings Silence”, slated for a May 3rd release, with the unveiling of the second single, “Humans”. Accompanied by an AI-generated video, the track offers listeners a glimpse into the band’s exploration of the human experience. With thought-provoking lyrics and dynamic instrumentation, “Humans” delves into the complexities of human nature, inviting listeners to contemplate their place in the world. Matt Barkley comments on the single:
““Humans” is a relentless barrage of heavy metal fury, confronting the harsh realities of human existence and our destructive impact on the world around us. With blistering riffs and pounding rhythms, the song pulls no punches in its indictment of human nature. The lyrics paint a bleak picture of our tendency to exploit and destroy, questioning how we arrived at this point of environmental and moral decay. As the song progresses, it becomes a scathing commentary on our insatiable appetite for consumption and our failure to confront the consequences of our actions.”
According to Barkley, “Humans” is fast-paced and is more or less based on the same musical motif throughout its entirety. He is not a big fan of guitar solos, but decided to do something different and thought a solo would fit nicely in the middle of this song. Written with a live setting in mind it is meant to pump up the crowd before the last verse comes in with a bang.
As symbolized in the blurry cover art, NOTSM channels the sense of being unrecognizable and adrift in the sea of societal noise. They are recommended for fans of Rivers of Nihil, Sylosis, and Nightrage.
Watch and listen to “Humans” via its premiere on The Circle Pit – https://youtu.be/f0WBiBxPW5w
“Only Death Brings Silence” is due out on May 3, 2024, and available for pre-order at https://notsm.bandcamp.com.
Lyric Video – “The Hedonic Treadmill” – https://youtu.be/VS5THa8Eqc4
Spotify – https://spoti.fi/3PoeVni
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Track Listing:
1. Humans (3:34)
2. Terminal (5:00)
3. The Hedonic Treadmill (4:50)
4. The Hedonic Treadmill 2 (4:40)
5. You Make Your Own Luck (4:21)
6. Only Death Brings Silence (11:51)
Total Length: 34:16
More info: Instagram.com/notsm.music | Facebook.com/notsm.music
-30-
“I loved it, powerfull Metalcore energy with big guitar riffs, vocals are solid too (The Hedonic Treadmill). The production side is really good ! Bravo” – MANAGRAM Productions
“The song (The Hedonic Treadmill) is interesting, the vocals and guitar lines really hit hard, congrats. The production is good too.” Dreamfuss – Alt-rock
“We really dig this track (The Hedonic Treadmill), you can definitely feel the emotion and the passion in every aspects, we love how it moves from Metal, to Metal Core so effortlessly, as well as being very melodic.” – The Metal Asylum
“Brutal and precise! Love the metal!” – Buzz Slayers
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
0 EPK – NOTSM – Only Death Brings Silence (2024)
EPK – NOTSM – Only Death Brings Silence (2024)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“The aim of this album and its singles is to provide listeners with a multifaceted listening experience. Through the lyrics, I aspire for listeners to connect with the themes and find personal resonance, all while delivering plenty of opportunities for headbanging from the heavier moments of the album. During softer moments, I hope listeners will appreciate and be moved by the melodies, while during more experimental segments, I hope they’ll find intrigue and curiosity, urging them to explore the full breadth of the musical ideas presented. The meticulously crafted tracklist is designed to captivate listeners from start to finish, ensuring an engaging and immersive experience throughout the entirety of the album.” – NOTSM
For fans of Mors Principium Est, The Halo Effect, Rivers of Nihil, Sylosis, Nightrage
Linktree – https://linktr.ee/notsm | Instagram.com/notsm.music | Facebook.com/notsm.music | Youtube.com/@notsm_music
“I loved it, powerfull Metalcore energy with big guitar riffs, vocals are solid too (The Hedonic Treadmill). The production side is really good ! Bravo” – MANAGRAM Productions
“The song (The Hedonic Treadmill) is interesting, the vocals and guitar lines really hit hard, congrats. The production is good too.” Dreamfuss – Alt-rock
“We really dig this track (The Hedonic Treadmill), you can definitely feel the emotion and the passion in every aspects, we love how it moves from Metal, to Metal Core so effortlessly, as well as being very melodic.” – The Metal Asylum
“Brutal and precise! Love the metal!” – Buzz Slayers
“Big big track (Humans) here, the riffs are devastating with a good groove and the vocals powerful and melodic, it’s a good job well HEAVY ! Bravo \m/ !” – MANAGRAM Productions
“Great structures and riffs, the song (Humans) is heavy and well constructed, you’ve created something powerful!” – Roadie Metal
“(Humans) Fast, distorted and heavy! That’s what I enjoy in this genre! The riffs kept me at the edge of my seat and then the vocals came in with some amazing screams that really sound good! That bassy mixed voice sounds absolutely great. The chorus is really melodic and I enjoyed it! I would not change anything here, it’s really fast and gives out a unique kind of energy. I would not consider this simply metal, we have such great music that should not be overlooked because it’s produced in a metal song! The break was done pretty good as well and would create an amazing mosh pit!” – Indiefferential Magazine
“(Humans) The first thing I want to say is that the production quality is top notch! Every instrument sounds at its best! The grooves are so rhythmically fun! The kick drum sounds like a machine gun! It’s so fast! Unbelievable! The leads are epic!” – FFeel Music
“(Humans) Loved the performance! Beautiful songwriting and tasty riffing & vocal performance. Straight up brutal and relentless heaviness. It just screams aggression and power! Has a bit of a groovy death metal touch to it. very solid release.” – Dejected
[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Band: NOTSM
Album Title: Only Death Brings Silence
Release Date: May 3, 2024
Label: Self-Release
Track Listing:
1. Humans (3:34)
2. Terminal (5:00)
3. The Hedonic Treadmill (4:50)
4. The Hedonic Treadmill 2 (4:40)
5. You Make Your Own Luck (4:21)
6. Only Death Brings Silence (11:51)
Total Length: 34:16
Album Credits:
All songs performed by: NOTSM
All songs written by: Matt Barkley
All lyrics written by: Matt Barkley
All vocals performed by: Alex Hamilton
Mixed by: Marc Peiron
Mastered by: Marc Peiron
Album Artwork by: Cutting Edge Metal
Canadian Content – MAPL
Member of SOCAN
Member of ASCAP
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About The Album Artwork
The concept behind “Only Death Brings Silence” delves into the noise of our modern world, where the constant need to voice opinions, the onslaught of distressing news, and online discord create a metaphorical “loud” environment, and the album suggests that the only respite from this overwhelming clamor is found in death.
The album artwork encapsulates this theme through a deliberately blurred image, symbolizing the sense of being unrecognizable and adrift in the sea of societal “noise”.
About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
“Only Death Brings Silence” takes listeners on a musical and lyrical adventure that explores some dark aspects of the human experience. The heavy and dynamic musical compositions enhance the emotional impact of the lyrical themes, creating a cohesive and immersive experience for fans of heavy metal.
Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
1. Humans:
Lyrically – This song is about the profound negative impact that humans have made on the planet.
Musically – This song has a basic song structure and was written primarily to accommodate the lyrics. The song is fast-paced and is more or less based on the same musical motif throughout its entirety. I’m not a big fan of guitar solos, but I thought a solo would fit nicely in the middle of this song. The section from 2:31-2:41 was written with a live setting in mind and is meant to pump up the crowd before the last verse comes in with a bang.
2. Terminal:
Lyrically – This song is about mortality and how, no matter what we do in our lives, we’re all going to eventually die.
Musically – This is a slower-paced song that has a kind of “doomy” vibe to it. The first part of the song follows a pretty common format, but the second half veers off in a completely different direction ending with a mind-bending drum part.
3. The Hedonic Treadmill:
Lyrically – This song is about how we’re always chasing the next high, even though it rarely leads us to the happiness and fulfillment we are hoping it will.
Musically – This song starts with a headbanger of a riff that is clearly inspired by Meshuggah. The vocals come in pretty heavy during the second riff of the song, and then there’s a weird (what I like to call) “guitar trade-off”. A “guitar trade-off” is a technique I use often in my songwriting where each guitar will play a different riff and then, on the repeat, they will swap and play the other guitar’s riff. After this section, the song is pretty simple from a structural point-of-view until it gets to the fast riff around 3:18. Right before the fast riff though, there’s some neat rhythmic ideas happening: if you listen closely, the guitar chug pattern is in 7/8 time and never changes, but the drums change three different times throughout the course of the riff. The outro starts with a neat guitar melody that’s played on its own, and then the rest of the music comes in with a cool rhythmic pattern that eventually fades out.
4. The Hedonic Treadmill 2:
Lyrically – This song is about how we’re always chasing the next high, even though it rarely leads us to the happiness and fulfillment we are hoping it will.
Musically – This is the second part of a two-part song, and it starts with the same rhythmic pattern that part 1 ends on, but without the melody overtop. The vocals of the song immediately come in and feel like a punch in the face. The rest of the song has a more basic structure than the first part and has a lot of clean guitar and vocal sections, which is meant to contrast Part 1 of the song. After the punchy riff from 3:31 to 3:44, the outro of the song is really chill, ending on a big crescendo that stops dead right at the top.
5. You Make Your Own Luck:
Lyrically – This song is about the role that luck plays in the successes and failures of our lives.
Musically – This song has a basic song structure and was written primarily to accommodate the lyrics. This is another fast-paced song that has a pretty typical structure. When writing the vocals for this one, I wanted to keep them harsh the whole time because of the aggressive nature of where the lyrical content came from. I ultimately decided to let the guitars carry the melody during the choruses.
6. Only Death Brings Silence:
Lyrically – N/A
Musically – This is a long instrumental song that is a rollercoaster ride through many different musical ideas. If you listen closely though, some of the ideas do come back again, either rhythmically or melodically. The original idea I had for this song when I wrote it was to split it up into about 10 different tracks, but I ultimately decided to keep it together as one song because that’s how I always intended it to be listened to.
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Story Angles – Fun Facts:
1. NOTSM is an acronym for “none of this shit matters” and this is a mantra I’ve been using for years to remind me to focus on the things that are important in my life.
2. The lyrics for “The Hedonic Treadmill” and “The Hedonic Treadmill 2” come from my own experience of dealing with burnout.
3. The vocalist on this album, Alex Hamilton, was hired off of Fiverr.
4. All instruments on this album are programmed. All guitars and vocals are recorded.
5. The working title for the song “Only Death Brings Silence” was “Zippicamknicks”, an undergarment from Aldous Huxley’s novel “Brave New World”.
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Excitement builds for the release of NOTSM’s debut album “Only Death Brings Silence” on May 3, 2024. A solo project from Matt Barkley, the album delivers a unique blend of heavy metal, proggy riffs, and breakdowns wrapped up with introspective lyrical themes. Barkley’s primary instrument is the guitar, thus the songwriting process typically begins with guitar-based riffs or concepts. He has a deep fascination with rhythm guitar playing, often experimenting with intricate rhythmic patterns, and using odd time signatures, polyrhythms, and polymeters to create engaging compositions. He comments on the album:
“The aim of this album and its singles is to provide listeners with a multifaceted listening experience. Through the lyrics, I aspire for listeners to connect with the themes and find personal resonance, all while delivering plenty of opportunities for headbanging from the heavier moments of the album. During softer moments, I hope listeners will appreciate and be moved by the melodies, while during more experimental segments, I hope they’ll find intrigue and curiosity, urging them to explore the full breadth of the musical ideas presented.”
Over the years, Barkley has maintained a riff bank—a repository of ideas that he frequently revisits and refines for use in his music. In his approach, music precedes lyrics, though he’s recently delved more into lyric writing. This album sees a blend of both processes, with two songs crafted around pre-existing lyrical concepts. While his methods may evolve in the future, this amalgamation of guitar-driven creativity and evolving lyrical exploration defines my current writing ethos.
NOTSM is defined by Barkley’s willingness to adapt and refine his sound while retaining the spirit of experimentation and innovation that is evident in the music. “Only Death Brings Silence” is recommended for fans of The Halo Effect, Rivers of Nihil, and Sylosis.
0 NOTSM Announces New Proggy, Groove Single “The Hedonic Treadmill” Off Upcoming Album “Only Death Brings Silence” Out May 2024
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – March 19, 2024
NOTSM Announces New Proggy, Groove Single “The Hedonic Treadmill”
Debut Album “Only Death Brings Silence” Out May 2024
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NOTSM, the brainchild of guitarist Matt Barkley, is proud to announce the release of their debut album “Only Death Brings Silence”. Set to unveil its haunting melodies and powerful riffs to the world this coming May 2024, the album is a testament to Barkley’s journey through the metal world. Accompanying this exciting news is the release of the record’s first single “The Hedonic Treadmill”. Barkley explains what’s in store:
“The Hedonic Treadmill” is a relentless onslaught of heavy metal energy, delving into the depths of human desire and the futile pursuit of satisfaction. With thunderous riffs and pounding drums, the song encapsulates the never-ending cycle of craving and disappointment. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the hedonic treadmill, where every attempt to find fulfillment leads only to emptiness and disillusionment. Despite moments of pleasure, the song warns of the inevitable descent back to dissatisfaction, echoing the struggles of those trapped in an endless pursuit of gratification.”
“The Hedonic Treadmill” is a captivating track that showcases NOTSM‘s signature blend of heavy metal, progressive and melodic elements. The accompanying lyric video, available on YouTube, provides a visual representation of the band’s dark and introspective sound.
This song starts with a headbanger of a riff that is clearly inspired by Meshuggah and the grooves don’t let go for the duration. It finishes off with a neat guitar melody that’s played on its own, and then the rest of the music comes in with a cool rhythmic pattern that eventually fades out. “The Hedonic Treadmill” is recommended for fans of Mors Principium Est, The Halo Effect, and Rivers of Nihil and can be heard at the following links:
Lyric Video – https://youtu.be/VS5THa8Eqc4
Spotify – https://spoti.fi/3PoeVni
“Only Death Brings Silence” is due out on May 3, 2024, and available for pre-order at https://notsm.bandcamp.com/
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Track Listing:
1. Humans (3:34)
2. Terminal (5:00)
3. The Hedonic Treadmill (4:50)
4. The Hedonic Treadmill 2 (4:40)
5. You Make Your Own Luck (4:21)
6. Only Death Brings Silence (11:51)
Total Length: 34:16
More info: Instagram.com/notsm.music | Facebook.com/notsm.music
-30-
“I loved it, powerfull Metalcore energy with big guitar riffs, vocals are solid too (The Hedonic Treadmill). The production side is really good ! Bravo” – MANAGRAM Productions
“The song (The Hedonic Treadmill) is interesting, the vocals and guitar lines really hit hard, congrats. The production is good too.” Dreamfuss – Alt-rock
“We really dig this track (The Hedonic Treadmill), you can definitely feel the emotion and the passion in every aspects, we love how it moves from Metal, to Metal Core so effortlessly, as well as being very melodic.” – The Metal Asylum
“Brutal and precise! Love the metal!” – Buzz Slayers
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
ashermediarelations.com 