• About AMR
  • Festivals & Associations
    • 420 Music & Arts Festival (Calgary, AB)
    • Armstrong Metal Fest (Armstrong, BC)
    • Calgary Metalfest
    • Calgary’s YYC Music Awards
    • Days of The Dead Festival (Red Deer, AB)
    • Loud As Hell Metal Fest (Drumheller, AB)
    • Metalocalypstick Fest (Lone Butte, BC) – Mountains, Camping and the Women of Metal!
    • ShrEdmonton Metal Fest & Conference
    • WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA
    • WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA
  • Services (Hire Us!)
  • Subscribe To AMR Artist News & Album Promo

Category: Wacken Metal Battle Canada

0 Wacken Metal Battle Canada Champions Proggers THE SLYDE New Music Video ‘These Wars’

  • July 30, 2019
  • by Asher
  • · The Slyde · Wacken Metal Battle Canada

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 30, 2019


For fans of Rush, Dream Theater, Coheed and Cambria, Haken

Wacken Metal Battle Canada Champions Proggers THE SLYDE New Music Video ‘These Wars’

L-R: Nathan Da Silva (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Sarah Westbrook (Keyboards, Samples), Andrew Suarez (Drums), Alberto Campuzano (Bass, Backup Vocals)

Winners of the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle Canada competition, Toronto’s melodic proggers THE SLYDE have released a video for the track ‘These Wars’, one of the highlights from their latest album ‘Awakening’.

The ‘no-budget video’ was filmed in the Toronto region and is a no-frills visual accompaniment to the first single off the band’s second full-length album that was released at the end of 2018. The band shares the video’s concept:

“We had a lot of fun shooting the video for These Wars. We went mostly for a straight-up, rockin’ out, daytime shoot, as we wanted to show what it’s like to see us live in concert.  The song comments on the impact that cell phones have made on society, and I think the silly shots convey that nicely and compliment the performance shots.

‘Awakening’ is an audio masterpiece harnessing the intricate, contrapuntal prog metal they’ve honed over the last decade. Described by critics as “a highly impressive, thunderously powerful, thought-provoking collection of songs” and “vigorous and passionate”, THE SLYDE carve their own path and take no prisoners.

Watch ‘These Wars’ here.

In additional news, THE SLYDE will be performing on August 2nd at Wacken Open Air in Germany, a festival with an attendance of over 80,000. The band is performing at the festival after winning the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle Canada competition and being selected to represent their home country at the Wacken Metal Battle international final.

After their Wacken Open Air performance the band will be returning to Canada for their ’10 Years And Counting Tour’ to celebrate their 10 years of performing and recording their melodic prog rock since first forming in Ottawa, ON in 2009 to later re-locate permanently to Toronto, ON (dates listed below). During their 10 year career, THE SLYDE has recorded and released two albums ‘Awakening’ (2018) and ‘Feed The Machine’ (2011) along with four EPS, ‘Back Again’ (2017), ‘New World Sympathy’ (2012), ‘The Slyde II’ (2010) and ‘The Slyde I’ (2009). The band has also played nearly 200 shows on the Eastern Canadian circuit, sharing the stage with such bands as Protest The Hero, Down With Webster, Angra, Pain of Salvation, F*ck The Facts, Dana Fuchs, and Timber Timbre among others, and have made past appearances at Ottawa Bluesfest, Canadian Music Week, IndieWeek, and Cornwall Lift-Off.

The band adds:

“We are pleased that we made it 10 years doing what we love to do.  And it couldn’t be better, in terms of timing, that we are chosen as the Canadian reps for the Wacken Metal Battle international final – which we are beyond stoked for.  For the tour, we’ll be doing some songs we haven’t played in years, and we hope to see some longtime fans in attendance.  And after the tour, we’ll be hitting the studio to release something special for our 10 year anniversary, so look out for that come Christmas time.  Here’s to another 10 years!”

THE SLYDE is driven by Nathan Da Silva’s elegant vocals and passionate guitar work, Sarah Westbrook’s powering keyboard skills, and the powerful rhythm section of bassist Alberto Campuzano and drummer Andrew Suarez (with long-time drummer/songwriter Brendan Soares), the band are to catch the ears of any technically minded melodic prog rock and metal fans of bands such as Rush, Dream Theater, Haken, Coheed and Cambria, and Megadeth.

The band latest album ‘Awakening’ is available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and Distrokid here.

Album stream here.
‘Back Again’ – Music Video here.
‘Divide’ – Music Video here.
‘Fading’ – Lyric Video here.

THE SLYDE – ’10 Years And Counting Tour’:
Sept 6 – Hamilton, ON – Corktown – info
Sept 7 – Cornwall, ON – Lola’s – info
Sept 13 – Ottawa, ON – Mavericks – info
Sept 27 – London, ON – Call The Office – info
Sept 28 – Peterborough, ON – Red Dog – info
Oct 3 – Barrie, ON – Foxx Lounge – info
Oct 4 – Toronto, ON – Rivoli – info
Oct 5 – Kingston, ON – The Mansion – info

THE SLYDE Live Line Up:
Nathan Da Silva (Vocals, Guitar)
Sarah Westbrook (Keyboards, Samples)
Alberto Campuzano (Bass, Vocals)
Andrew Suarez (Drums)

For more info:
TheSlyde.ca
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
EPK

– 30 –

“Vigorous and passionate, these players shine brightly, each contributing dynamic passages as witnessed in “Walk With Me”, “Fading”, and “Divide”. ” – Bravewords.com

“The Slyde have written a full-length rock record that is retro yet contemporary, edgy yet smooth.  There are plenty of dynamics while staying high-energy and never boring or overwrought.  Well-balanced and entertaining, these songs are progressive but not pretentious.  Have a listen then tell your friends! ” – Progressive Music Planet

“If you’re looking for a familiar prog-rock band in the stylings of Rush, Dream Theater, Coheed and Cambria, and even a bit of Protest the Hero with a new-age twist, look no further and grab the album today   ” – Canadian Beats

“…an impressive step forward/return to form for these Canadian bright-eyed musicians and stands to solidify their name as one of the more promising ventures in the increasingly prolific progressive metal scene.” – Heavy Blog is Heavy, on the ‘Back Again’ EP

“Not just an epic heavy prog-fest, The Slyde have delivered an intelligent and compelling 4-track EP that hints at much promise to come from this Canadian four piece.” – ProgRadar, on the ‘Back Again’ EP

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | asher@ashermediarelations.com
Facebook | @AsherMedia
AsherMediaRelations.com

0 PureGrainAudio – Toronto Proggers THE SLYDE, Winners of the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle Canada, Chat with U.S. Victors MONARCH

  • June 25, 2019
  • by Asher
  • · The Slyde · Wacken Metal Battle Canada · Wacken Metal Battle USA

https://puregrainaudio.com/interviews/wacken-usa-winner-monarch-bassist-alex-pickard-chats-with-wacken-canada-winner-the-slyde-s-nathan-da-silva-about-wacken-open-air?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+puregrainaudio+%28PureGrainAudio.com%29

0 PureGrainAudio – San Diego Thrashers MONARCH, Winners of the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle USA, Chat with Canadian Victors THE SLYDE

  • June 12, 2019
  • by Asher
  • · Wacken Metal Battle Canada · Wacken Metal Battle USA

https://puregrainaudio.com/interviews/san-diego-thrashers-monarch-winners-of-the-2019-wacken-metal-battle-usa-chat-with-canadian-victors-the-slyde?fbclid=IwAR2OWbr-lA0JUjfK4YVrQgHUcvSTDRK1RuxgcpRkglAvpogkYPLa2EXKRLc

0 Toronto’s THE SLYDE Crowned 2019 Champions of Wacken Metal Battle Canada & To Play Wacken Open Air

  • May 28, 2019
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · The Slyde · Wacken Metal Battle Canada

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – May 28, 2019

MetalBattle.ca | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube

Toronto’s THE SLYDE Crowned 2019 Champions of Wacken Metal Battle Canada & To Play Wacken Open Air


Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019 – Spotify Battle Bands Playlist here. (more to be added)
Wacken Metal Battle Canada Promo Video here.

Video of 2018 Champion Centuries of Decay at Wacken Open Air here.


Photo Credit: Xavier Cattarinich – RavenKin Photography

One band to rule them all! This past Saturday, May 25th in Calgary, AB at Dickens, Canada’s top four unsigned bands from across the country shared the stage for the 2019 national final of Wacken Metal Battle Canada. The night was filled with an eclectic mix of metal, from prog to death to black. Battling the night away, the final featured The Slyde (Toronto, ON – Eastern Final Winner), The Myopia Condition (Red Deer, AB – Western Final Winner), Blackwater Burial (Vancouver, BC – BC Final Winner), Fjell Thyngor (Calgary, AB – Calgary Final Winner) whom were selected from qualifying rounds held between the months of January and April in Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City and Halifax.

Judged by a panel of metal industry that consisted of JJ Tartaglia (Head Organizer of Wacken Metal Battle Canada, Owner of Boonsdale Records), Teitur Fossaberg (Head Organizer of Wacken Metal Battle Faroe Islands), Wally Laurier (DJ and Programmer on Rock Bottom – CJSW 90.9FM), Laura Vezer (DJ and Programmer on Rock Bottom – CJSW 90.9FM), CC Getty (Founder of METALHEADS UNITED, Founder of 420 Music & Arts Festival), Celestia Scarlett (Founder of METALHEADS UNITED, Manager of The Celestial Agency), Graham Harris (Vocalist of Hammerdrone, 2018 Wacken Metal Battle Canada Western Finalist) and Nate Reno (Owner of Big Nate Productions, Founder of Calgary Metalfest), only one band could be selected to represent the nation at this year’s international Wacken Battle at the 30th edition of Wacken Open Air. The battle has been part of the festival since 2004 and has had over 40 countries participate since its inception. This year’s Canadian champion crowned to represent the nation is Toronto’s THE SLYDE. They will be joining metal bands from 29 other countries battling it out from July 31st to August 2nd for one to conquer them all. The top 5 bands will be rewarded with material and cash prizes.

THE SLYDE comments:

“We are extremely honoured and humbled to be chosen as the 2019 winners of the Wacken Metal Battle Canada, and the Canadian ambassadors for the W:O:A Metal Battle international final round at Wacken Open Air in Germany. We gave it our all and battled against some stiff competition since the very first round, and want to send our kudos to all the amazing bands we shared the stage with: Superchucker, Hounskull, Chainfall, Northshroud, Dumpster Mummy, BornBroken, Fjell Thyngor, The Myopia Condition, and Blackwater Burial (as well as Operus, Mokomokai, Villain and Planet Eater as guest headliners) – and to all other bands who participated in the competition. Thanks to JJ Tartaglia, Jon Asher, Nate Reno and Nancy Barnes at Big Nate Productions, all the sponsors behind WMBC, all our fans for your continued support, and to all the judges for believing in us, and giving us this opportunity to represent Canada at the world’s largest heavy metal festival. After a decade of rockin’ hard in Canada, we finally get a chance to play our melodic prog metal in Europe. We are beyond stoked. We love you all! – Nate, Sarah, Al, Andrew.”

Head Organizer of Wacken Metal Battle Canada adds:

“Was an absolute pleasure to attend the finals in Calgary and see firsthand the metal talent from across our country. Such great potential from all of the bands. Big congrats to The Slyde as they continue their journey to the holy fields of Wacken!”

Wacken Open Air features Slayer, Sabaton, Parkway Drive, Demons & Wizards, Powerwolf, Airbourne, Rose Tattoo, Within Temptation, Meshuggah and many more. Full details here.

Winner of this year’s Wacken Metal Battle Canada national final will receive $2,000 CAD along with a donation of $600 from Big Nate Productions and $400 from the donated raffle of items from CJSW 90.9 FM towards their airfare to travel and perform at Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany.

This was Wacken Metal Battle Canada‘s first year expanding into the Maritimes with an event in Halifax, NS along with the national final being hosted for the first time in Western Canada in Calgary, AB. All previous national finals have been held in Toronto, ON.

List of 
previous Canadian winners:
Centuries of Decay (2018)
Profaner (2016)
Vesperia (2015)
Mutank (2014)
Crimson Shadows (2013)

For more info:

Official Website: http://www.metalbattle.ca

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MetalBattleCanada

Twitter: @MetalBattleCAN

Instagram: @MetalBattleCan

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/WackenMetalBattleCAN

For more info on international Wacken Metal Battle, please visit https://www.metal-battle.com/about/

For more info on Wacken Open Air, please visit http://www.wacken.com

About:

 

Wacken Metal Battle Canada is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance of winning their spot among 29 other countries’ champions, and representing Canada in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air, which has been taking place in Wacken , Germany for the last 29 years. The winner of Wacken Metal Battle Canada will perform at the 2019 festival taking place from August 1st – 3rd.

– 30 –

Battles Partners:
Rehearsal Factory
Pearl Drums
Boonsdale Records
Ticketfly
Los Cabos Drumsticks
Dungeon Works Productions
The Invisible Orange
ConcertWorks
Big Nate Productions
ROSE Management
Indie Week
Sunrise Records
Rock Longueuil Inc.
ICS-INT.com

Battles Media Partners:
Absolute Underground TV / Mag 
Asher Media Relations
Bravewords.com
Broken Neck Radio
Bucketlist Music Reviews
CJLO 1690AM
Hellbound.ca
LoudTrax
Metal Master Kingdom
Metal Nation
Metal-Rules.com
Ondes Chocs
PureGrainAudio.com
Pure Rock Radio
Québec-Métal
Zombitrol Productions
The Koven
The Butcher Shop


— 

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

0 And the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle Canada National Final Winner is… Toronto’s The Slyde

  • May 26, 2019
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Wacken Metal Battle Canada

And the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle Canada National Final Winner is…

Toronto’s The Slyde – www.facebook.com/theslydecanada

They will now go on to perform at this year’s International W:O:A Metal Battleat Wacken Open Air

A huge thank you to Nancy Barnes and Nate Reno – Organizers and promoters of Wacken Metal Battle CALGARY and Big Nate Productions

A Special Thanks to the judging panel:
JJ Tartaglia – Head Organizer of Wacken Metal Battle Canada, Owner of Boonsdale Records
Teitur Fossaberg – Head Organizer of Wacken Metal Battle Føroyar
Wally Laurier – DJ and Programmer on Rock Bottom – Cjsw 90.9FM
Laura Vezer – DJ and Programmer on Rock Bottom – Cjsw 90.9FM
Cameron Dalgetty – Founder of METALHEADS UNITED, Founder of 420 Music & Arts Festival
Celestia Scarlett – Founder of METALHEADS UNITED, Manager of The Celestial Agency
Graham Harris – Vocalist of Hammerdrone, 2018 Wacken Metal Battle Canada Western Finalist
Nate Reno – Owner of Big Nate Productions, Founder of Calgary Metalfest

and huge hails horns to Wacken Metal Battle Canada Publicist Jon Asher of Asher Media Relations for being the messenger and spreading the word about the battles.

Thank you to all our partners for making 2019 another great year of battles! \m/\m/

Thank you for helping us support Canadian metal to an international platform.

Battles Partners:
Rehearsal Factory
Pearl Drums
Boonsdale Records
Ticketfly
Los Cabos Drumsticks
Dungeon Works Productions
The Invisible Orange
ConcertWorks
Big Nate Productions
ROSE management
Indie Week
Sunrise Records
Rock Longueuil Inc.
ICS-INT.com

Battles Media Partners:
Absolute Underground TV/ Mag
Asher Media Relations
Bravewords.com
Broken Neck Radio
Bucketlist Music Reviews
CJLO – 1690AM
Hellbound.ca
LoudTrax
Metal Master Kingdom
Metal Nation
Metal-Rules.com
Ondes Chocs
PureGrainAudio.com
Québec-Métal
Zombitrol Productions
The Koven
The Butcher Shop

0 Wacken Metal Battle Canada – 2019 National Final – May 25 In Calgary! w/ The Slyde (Toronto), The Myopia Condition (Red Deer), Blackwater Burial (Vancouver), Fjell Thyngor (Calgary); One Unsigned Canadian Band To Play Wacken Open Air 2019

  • May 1, 2019
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Wacken Metal Battle Canada

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – May 1, 2019

MetalBattle.ca | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube

Wacken Metal Battle Canada – 2019 National Final – May 25 In Calgary!

w/ The Slyde (Toronto), The Myopia Condition (Red Deer), Blackwater Burial (Vancouver), Fjell Thyngor (Calgary)

One Unsigned Canadian Band To Play Wacken Open Air 2019

Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019 – Spotify Battle Bands Playlist here. (more to be added)

Wacken Metal Battle Canada Promo Video here.

Video of 2018 Champion Centuries of Decay at Wacken Open Air here.

Wacken Metal Battle Canada is proud to announce the 2019 national final on May 25th in Calgary, AB at Dickens. The event will send one independent unsigned Canadian band to perform at the world’s largest metal festival, Wacken Open Air, which features Sabaton, Parkway Drive, Demons & Wizards, Powerwolf, Airbourne, Rose Tattoo, Within Temptation, Meshuggah and many more. Full details here.

After multiple battles between the months of January and April across the country in Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, and Halifax, only one band will rule them all. Demonstrating their crushing blasting moshing sounds of metal, four bands have been selected by respected industry judges to represent their areas for the Wacken Metal Battle Canada national final.

These following bands will be competing for one to be crowned the 2019 champion of Wacken Metal Battle Canada.

Eastern Final Winner – The Slyde (Toronto, ON) – www.facebook.com/theslydecanada
Western Final Winner – The Myopia Condition (Red Deer, AB) – https://www.facebook.com/The-Myopia-Condition-1394941280540493/
BC Final Winner – Blackwater Burial (Vancouver, BC) – www.facebook.com/blackwaterburialofficial
Calgary Final Winner – Fjell Thyngor (Calgary) https://www.facebook.com/fjellthyngor/

National Final Judging Panel:
JJ Tartaglia – Head Organizer of Wacken Metal Battle Canada, Owner Boonsdale Records, Drummer of Skull Fist
Teitur Fossaberg – Head Organizer of Wacken Metal Battle Faroe Islands
Jesse Valstar – Co-Founder at Armstrong MetalFest – AMF
Wally Laurier – DJ and programmer on Rock Bottom – Cjsw 90.9FM
Laura Vezer – DJ and programmer on Rock Bottom at CJSW 90.9FM
Chad Persley – Business Development Executive at Absolute Underground TV Magazine
Celestia Scarlett  – Founder of METALHEADS UNITED Manager of The Celestial Agency
Graham Harris – Vocalist of Hammerdrone, 2018 Wacken Metal Battle Canada National Finalist

National Final event details can be found here.

Canadian organizer JJ Tartaglia adds:

“Really stoked about having such a strong lineup and representation of different sub-genres for the Final. I will be making the trip out to Calgary to witness this epic show firsthand!”

Winner of this year’s Wacken Metal Battle Canada national final will receive $2,000 CAD towards airfare to travel and perform at the 30th edition of Wacken Open Air taking place from August 1st – 3rd, 2019 in Wacken, Germany. The Canadian champion will also have the opportunity to win monetary and gear prizes from the international Wacken Metal Battle. Info on international prizes can be found here.

This was Wacken Metal Battle Canada‘s first year expanding into the Maritimes with an event in Halifax, NS along with the national final being hosted for the first time in Western Canada in Calgary, AB. All previous national finals have been held in Toronto, ON.

List of previous Canadian winners:
Centuries of Decay (2018)
Profaner (2016)
Vesperia (2015)
Mutank (2014)
Crimson Shadows (2013)

About:

Wacken Metal Battle Canada is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance of winning their spot among 29 other countries’ champions, and representing Canada in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air, which has been taking place in Wacken , Germany for the last 29 years. The winner of Wacken Metal Battle Canada will perform at the 2019 festival taking place from August 1st – 3rd.

For more info:

Official Website: http://www.metalbattle.ca

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MetalBattleCanada

Twitter: @MetalBattleCAN

Instagram: @MetalBattleCan

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/WackenMetalBattleCAN

For more info on Wacken Open Air, please visit http://www.wacken.com

– 30 –

Battles Partners:
Rehearsal Factory
Pearl Drums
Boonsdale Records
Ticketfly
Los Cabos Drumsticks
Dungeon Works Productions
The Invisible Orange
ConcertWorks
Big Nate Productions
ROSE Management
Indie Week
Sunrise Records
Rock Longueuil Inc.
ICS-INT.com

Battles Media Partners:
Absolute Underground TV / Mag
Asher Media Relations
Bravewords.com
Broken Neck Radio
Bucketlist Music Reviews
CJLO 1690AM
Hellbound.ca
LoudTrax
Metal Master Kingdom
Metal Nation
Metal-Rules.com
Ondes Chocs
PureGrainAudio.com
Pure Rock Radio
Québec-Métal
Zombitrol Productions
The Koven
The Butcher Shop

—

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

0 Ondes Chocs – Photos Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019 – Quebec Final – Montreal 15 mars 2019

  • March 19, 2019
  • by Asher
  • · Wacken Metal Battle Canada

https://ondeschocs.com/photos-wacken-metal-battle-canada-2019-montreal-15-mars-2019/

0 Decibel Magazine – Wacken Metal Battle: the Biggest Battle of the Bands. Ever.

  • March 14, 2019
  • by Asher
  • · Wacken Metal Battle Canada

https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2019/03/14/wacken-metal-battle-the-biggest-battle-of-the-bands-ever/

0 Canadian Beats – IN PHOTOS – Wacken Metal Battle in Halifax, NS

  • March 3, 2019
  • by Asher
  • · Wacken Metal Battle Canada

https://canadianbeats.ca/2019/03/03/in-photos-wacken-metal-battle-in-halifax-ns/

0 Check out Spotlight Ottawa’s Live pics and review of Wacken Metal Battle Canada’s Ottawa Round 2

  • March 1, 2019
  • by Asher
  • · Wacken Metal Battle Canada

Check out Spotlight Ottawa’s Live pics and review of Wacken Metal Battle Canada’s Ottawa Round 2 http://www.spotlightottawa.com/wacken-metal-battle-round-2-targ/

Page 4 of 43
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • …
  • 43

Asher Media Relations Tweets

Tweets by AsherMedia

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 2,164 other subscribers

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Bandcamp
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • ashermediarelations.com
    • Join 643 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • ashermediarelations.com
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar

Loading Comments...