EPK – Sovereign Council – World On Fire (2023)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“This is the first release for us since we decided to alter our lineup and adjust our musical trajectory. We feel that the sound we have created here is still at its core very “Sovereign Council” but has matured and developed into something greater. We are extremely proud of this new sound and cannot wait to see how people respond to it. We have another set of songs nearly completed as well; these new songs continue our new direction and add another new edge as well as a heavier feel. You’ll have to stick around for the next release to find out what that edge is.” – Sovereign Council
For fans of Delain, Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil, Evergrey, Evanescence
EP: World On Fire
Release Date: May 5, 2023
Label: Independent
Facebook.com/SovereignCouncilpage | Twitter.com/sovcouncil | Youtube.com/@SovereignCouncil | Instagram.com/sovereigncouncil
Sovereigncouncil.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music
“To me it’s shocking that most prominent labels into a powerful style of symphonic, progressive metal have not reached out to sign Sovereign Council. World on Fire contains all the ideal components in sound, songwriting, tones, and natural talent to be a great addition to any roster. 9/10” – Dead Rhetoric
““World On Fire” is simply an excellent EP all around. Every track has something unique to offer and it is easy to imagine any of the five songs becoming a favourite depending on the listener. The melodies are catchy, the production is clean and the talent is immense. In particular, I would recommend this release to fans of bands with a more modern take on symphonic metal, such as recent Within Temptation, Beyond The Black, Dark Horse | White Horse and Phantom Elite to name a few. I’m excited to see what comes next for SOVEREIGN COUNCIL. They have certainly made a fan out of me.” – Female Fronted Power
“you should definitely take a listen at the new album by Sovereign Council, a band that proudly carries the flag of heavy music wherever they go and that’s moving towards a very interesting direction with their new release.” – The Headbanging Moose
“World on Fire marks a welcome return for Sovereign Council, showing a band with a will to break genre boundaries” – Metal Observer
“Comeback has succeeded. Now Sovereign Council should follow up with a full-length album. 8/10” – Metalheads Forever Mag
“Female fronted metal, a little goth, a bit of a Lacuna Coil vibe” – The Mosh Pit – WORT FM 89.9 (Madison, WI)
“Dynamic solos and incredible vocal range come together in the impressive display of melodic metal that is “World On Fire” ” – Darkzen Dragon Metal Angles
“Sovereign Council can do it with atmosphere and especially with melodies… “World On Fire” is a very pleasant melodic metal record that feels honest. The EP is very good” – Metal Forever
“A new opus is born” – Soil Chronicles
“you should keep an eye on the band for the future, because the opener and the closing ‘Of The Ashes’ in particular clearly show that there is a lot of potential here” – PowerMetal.de
“Comeback succeeded. Now, however, Sovereign Council should follow up with a full-length album.” – Keep On Rocking
“Upon first listening to World On Fire, the title of this mini, one can appreciate affinity with world-class bands such as Delain. The mood is halfway in an ideal point of contact between power prog, gothic metal and symphonic manner. Heavy guitars, dreamy keyboards and sophisticated drumming. We note a more than discreet production and the voice of Lisa Thompson who stands out for her good technique and beautiful timbre” – MetalShock.it
“Here’s living proof that shows that Female-Fronted Symphonic Rock/Metal isn’t an exclusive domain and does reach beyond the boundaries of the Netherlands and mainland Europe…The Euro Symphonic Rock connection is strengthened with Delain’s Timo Somers pitching in with a trademark solo on the single ‘The Human Condition’, while the album also features Brazilian-based violinist Marina Andrade…An album with a title which offers up the suggestion that, like the galaxy it describes, is vast and with limitless boundaries, ‘Laniakea’ is a collection which is more epic and melodic rather than Symphonic and orchestral. It’s going to be a record which has fans of Nightwish and Delain pricking up their ears as this is something along the same lines yet a little bit different.” – Mike Ainscoe – Rocktopia (Laniakea – 2015)
“There are not many Symphonic Metal bands coming out of Canada at the moment, but Sovereign Council is certainly one band from that country to watch out for! This is a grower and well recommended..8.5/10” – Ravenheart Music (Laniakea – 2015)
“Here is another great work of this great band that will surely please the most demanding heavy metal fans as well as fans of good music in general.” – Cássio Pagliarini – Heavy Metal Brasil (Laniakea – 2015)
“Progressive Symphonic Metal (new Canadian symphonic metal band that has a strong orchestral sound with some wonderful violin and piano along with the beautiful, theatrical vocals of Lisa Thompson contrasted against very harsh male vocals.” – Prog Metal Zone – Prog Metal Zone (Laniakea – 2015)
“There is something hidden within Canada…I think this band will be hot in 2015.” – Odie – Rock Fanatic Rockcast (Laniakea – 2015)
“The CD is well-presented with a simple, but elegant album cover reminiscent of something House Of Lords might do, with a regal-looking logo that visually matches the image of the bands name. The back cover photo and layout messed up my brain. The band put a bit of time and energy into the 10-page booklet with nice photos, (the band look slightly gothic), lyrics and liner notes. It was self-produced and sounds quite good for a homemade recording…. This is a pretty impressive debut. The band has it together with good songwriting, production, performances and presentation. I could see a European label like Napalm or Massacre showing some interest in Sovereign Council, based on the strength of NEW REIGN.” – JP – Metal-Rules.com (New Reign 2013)
“You may not necessarily think of symphonic metal bands when you think of Canada, but that’s about to change… Sovereign Council that’s on a mission to bring their musical dream to the masses. Their debut album New Reign fuses together elements of rock, heavy metal and classical music while blending in a compelling mix of male and female vocals. All of these ingredients combine together to elevate what you think symphonic metal is supposed to sound like to a whole new level.” – Rock Revolt Magazine (New Reign 2013)
[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]
EP: World On Fire
Release Date: May 5, 2023
Label: Independent
Track Listing:
1. World On Fire – 4:43
2. The Wait – 4:24
3. Aberration – 4:00
4. Breathe You In – 3:34
5. Of The Ashes – 4:13
EP Length: 20:52
EP Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Sovereign Council
• All songs written by: Sovereign Council
• Produced by: Joe Moon
• Mixed by: Silver Wings Studios
• Mastered by: Silver Wings Studios
• EP Artwork by: Martin Trottier
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
EP and Live Band Lineup:
Lisa Thompson – Lead Vocalist
Joe Moon – Lead Guitarist & Backup vocalist
Chris Thompson – Rhythm Guitarist
Shaun Vanhooser – Bassist
Brandon Schneider – Drummer
==============================================================
The EP as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)
“World On Fire” was written and composed from a place of love and vulnerability. We don’t want to tell people how to interpret the songs however, we would rather you listen and make your own judgments and derive your own meaning. The beauty of music is in its ability to mean so many different things to so many different people.
Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)
1. World On Fire: The lyrics are about making tough life-altering decisions and having to leave everything behind. Musically, it hits hard with heavy dynamics but is also very melodic.
2. The Wait: These lyrics are about recovering from heartbreak and waiting to be saved by a knight in shining armor.
Musically there are hints of power metal with driving guitars and drums.
3. Aberration: This is a song about dealing with inner demons and feeling as if you are lost in a dark world of your own. Musically it has dark synth throughout and heavy-hitting guitars and drums.
4. Breathe: This is a sexy song about being consumed by the longing for someone. Musically it is a slower-paced melodic song but still delivers heavy elements.
5. Of The Ashes: This song is a lyrical analogy for fighting for yourself, talking yourself through an internal war, and having the courage to fight for what you deserve. Musically it is one of our more technical songs. Utilizing double kick and down-picked guitars.
==============================================================
BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. Chris and Lisa are cousins. Chris invited Lisa to record some guest vocals on SC’s first album “New Reign” which she did from her home studio. The band then invited her to the album photoshoot and the rest is history. If we had told her in 2013 that she would be at the front of a metal band and absolutely in love with it in 2023, she would have laughed us out of the room.
2. In 2015 we went on our first tour through western Canada in a cramped 10 passenger van and no trailer. Sleeping in the van with 5 members and all our gear was a challenge so our drummer Brandon slept one night in a TD bank entrance, and another night on a parking lot sidewalk beside our van in a sleeping bag. He’s a trooper.
3. Lisa and Joe are spouses. While writing material for our “World On Fire” EP, they didn’t realize they were writing about each other in some of the songs. You can get a sense of their journey by listening to the lyrics.
4. Our band is so much more than a band. We are a family. We have been through so much together and always came out stronger and closer. When we get together we work of course, but we also spend personal time together. The laughter when we’re all in the same room is contagious and I think we all appreciate the value of our friendship.
5. We have some of the most supportive close friends and family who have followed this project and believed 100% in its success from day one. These people all know who they are. We thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts. This project would not be the same without you.
L-R – Joe Moon – Lead Guitarist & Backup Vocals, Brandon Schneider – Drummer, Lisa Thompson – Lead Vocals, Shaun Vanhooser – Bassist, Chris Thompson – Rhythm Guitarist
Photo Credit: Dark Moon Productions
From headlining performances as well as supporting slots for some of the biggest bands in metal, Ottawa, Canada’s Sovereign Council have hit the ground running and haven’t stopped since they formed in 2012 originally in Kingston, ON. They have released two full-length albums to date “New Reign” (2013) and “Laniakea” (2015) and now they have a fresh new EP “World On Fire”. The majority of the EP comes from vocalist Lisa Thompson’s personal experiences and this five-song progressive, symphonic, and power metal-influenced record will take listeners through a range of emotions and imagery ranging from inspiring,
Sovereign Council is comprised of five members: Alexander MacWilliam (vocals), Lisa Thompson (vocals), Chris Thompson (guitar), Shaun Vanhooser (bass guitar), and Brandon Schneider (drums). This band lineup lends a noteworthy blend of male and female vocals, which is particularly unique to the metal scene.
The group’s blend of vocals has earned them comparisons to Lacuna Coil, Evanescence, Delain, Nightwish, and Kamelot. Like these bands, Sovereign Council embraces metal head-on, with all of its throttling guitar riffs, intense bass lines, driving drums, and fluctuating vocals that are at times guttural and at others more mellow and introspective.
Their new EP “World On Fire” is due out on May 5, 2023.
Sovereign Council is:
Lisa Thompson – Lead Vocalist
Joe Moon – Lead Guitarist & Backup vocalist
Chris Thompson – Rhythm Guitarist
Shaun Vanhooser – Bassist
Brandon Schneider – Drummer
Discography:
2023 – World On Fire EP
2015 – Laniakea LP
2013 – New Reign LP
Shared Stage with:
Powerglove, Immortal Guardian, Unleash The Archers, Stryker, Alestorm, Aephanemer, Amorphis, Anneke Van Giesbergen, The Agonist, Sevenspires, Red Handed Denial, Sonata Arctica, Primal Fear
Tours and Festivals:
2017 – The Exchange (Regina, SK)
2017 – Rendezvous Pub ( Edmonton, AB)
2017 – Distortion (Calgary, AB)
2017 – Metalocalypstic Fest (Lone Boote, BC)
2018 – Music Fest 4 Vets (Low, QC)
ashermediarelations.com 