Tag: Canada

0 NEWS: ANION To Perform At Sled Island June 24th; New EP ‘Fractions of Failure’ (No List Records) Out Now!

June 6, 2016
by Asher
· Anion (No List Records)

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 6, 2016

Album Promo Request here.

For fans of Converge, Cult Leader, Playing Enemy, Botch, Kittens, The Jesus Lizard

ANION To Perform At Sled Island June 24th; New EP ‘Fractions of Failure’ (No List Records) Out Now!

(Photo Credit: Ryan Walter Wagner)

L-R: Steve Sepanzyk – Guitar, Tristan Helgason – Drums, Cole Benoit – Bass, Sean Bouchard – Vocals

Creating an intense hardcore sound with healthy doses of abrasive noise rock and heavy sludge, Vancouver, BC’s ANION are proud to announce they will be performing at this year’s Sled Island Music Festival in Calgary, AB on Friday, June 24th alongside Chieftain, Vaalt, Witchstone and Bell Witch. Full details can be found here and at www.sledisland.com. (other No List Records artists performing Adolyne June 24 & 25 info here, Moth & Locusts June 25th infohere.)

The band is performing in support of their new EP ‘Fractions of Failure’unleashed this past May via No List Records with a fresh new line up featuring new vocalist Sean Bouchard and new drummer Tristan Helgason (ex-Ghost of Modern Man, Molten Lava) to join guitarist Steve Speanzyk and bassist Cole Benoit. The EP was recorded by Jesse Gander at Rain City Studios with artwork done by Demian Johnston (Great Falls/Playing Enemy) to follow ANION‘s 2013 full length‘Without Solace’.

‘Fractions of Failure’ is available digitally on all major online retailers plus limited edition 7″ vinyl from No List Records here.

Full EP Stream – http://anion.bandcamp.com/album/fractions-of-failure

1. God’s Day Off (4:30)

2. Old Wounds (1:56)

3. The Widower (3:45)

4. Work Ethic (2:49)

About:
Anion was formed in early 2010 in a diesel soaked rehearsal space with one purpose – to create the music that its members wanted to hear. No scene points, no genre devotion – just a desire to create devastatingly heavy and ultimately ugly music. Riff driven and intense, the music stands apart with an underlying foundation of ugly and intense hardcore, healthy doses of abrasive noise rock and heavy sludge mixed in to create a unique sound that Anion are known for.

Their new EP/7” record entitled “Fractions of Failure” was released on May 20, 2016 via No List Records and features artwork by Demian Johnston (Great Falls/Playing Enemy). This EP, recorded by Jesse Gander at Rain City Studios, sees the recorded debut of new vocalist Sean Bouchard and new drummer Tristan Helgason (ex-Ghost of Modern Man, Molten Lava), elevating the band to a new level.

Anion’s last full length LP, entitled “Without Solace”, was released in September 2013 via No List Records on gatefold vinyl and digital formats. This album, recorded with legendary producer Matt Bayles (Botch, Mastodon, Isis) at Red Room studios in Seattle, WA, “Without Solace”.

Having played with bands such as Indian (Relapse), Helm’s Alee (HydraHead), Thrones (Southern Lord), Black Elk (Crucial Blast), KENmode (Profound Lore), and Ghostlimb (Vitriol), among many other well-known acts, Anion’s live shows are intense and abrasive. Not soon forgotten, they have gained notoriety for these live performances in various publications and websites such as Exclaim! and Beatroute.

With the digital Manolete EP, the Carrion King 7″ and the handcrafted Corpseflower cassette among their releases, Anion has had extremely favorable reviews in publications/sites such as Terrorizer, Maximum Rock and Roll, Exclaim!, Hellbound and more.

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0 NEWS: VOW OF THORNS Streaming New Track ‘Meeting On The Astral Plane’ New Album ‘Farewell To The Sun’ Out July 15th

June 1, 2016
by Asher
· Music News · Vow of Thorns

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 1, 2016

Album Promo Request here.

For fans of Agalloch, Fen, Woods of Ypres (older), Krallice, Woods of Desolation

VOW OF THORNS Streaming New Track ‘Meeting On The Astral Plane’
New Album ‘Farewell To The Sun’ Out July 15th

Upcoming Show Dates:

July 12 – Montreal, QC – Casa Del Popolo – info

July 13 – TBA

July 14 – Toronto, ON – Coalition T.O. – info

July 15 – Hamilton, ON – The Doors Pub

July 16 – London, ON – Old East Bar & Grill

For the past 6 years, Ontario-dwelling black metal doom fusionists VOW OF THORNS have been conceptualizing albums and pushing the boundary between aggressive and emotional. What once served as an anagram for Kevin Hawthorne’s solo work is now a joint effort with Dustin Richards, where the duo has quickly become one of the most intimidating musical ventures to date. The duo have been constructing songs unanimously and without interruption in a seamless writing process to craft work fueled by their musical and environmental influences. Their new album ‘Farewell To The Sun’ is set for release on July 15, 2016 to follow the 2013 debut EP ‘Forest Dweller’. Constantly shifting between disparaging black metal vocals and triumphant guitar hooks dripping with doom-encrusted bass riffs and theatrical drums. The band pairs the forces of black metal and doom, blending the two styles with ease while maintaining a certain sense of tension and uncertainty in the air.

To hear their first single and the album’s opening track ‘Meeting On The Astral Plane’, please visit the following link: link: http://vowofthorns.bandcamp.com/track/meeting-on-the-astral-plane-2

“‘Meeting on the Astral Plane’ tells the story of one man’s escape from physical reality to a place of infinite possibilities; an existence free of mortal boundaries. The escape, however, is only temporary and he must return to his lowly existence and face himself, which he does in the following track ‘Great Abomination’. His experience on the astral plane leads him to believe that death may be the ultimate escape. As our protagonist’s experience progresses so does the music. From the triumphant march of the opening riff to the crushing doom encased ending.” comments guitarist D. Richards.

1. Meeting On The Astral Plane (10:30)

2. Great Abomination (5:07)

3. Farewell To The Sun Part I (4:28)

4. Farewell To The Sun Part II (10:32)

5. Farewell To The Sun Part III (7:51)

6. Doomed Woods (12:39)

Album Length: 51:10

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

About:

Ontario-dwelling black metal doom fusionists Vow of Thorns once served as an anagram for Kevin Hawthorne’s solo work, now a joint effort with Dustin Richards, the duo has quickly become one of the most intimidating musical ventures to date. The band is constantly shifting between disparaging black metal vocals and triumphant guitar hooks dripping with doom-encrusted bass riffs and theatrical drums. The band pairs the forces of black metal and doom, blending the two styles with ease while maintaining a certain sense of tension and uncertainty in the air. Lyrically, the vocals act like a lone wolf trailing off into a forest unwilling to look back and focusing only on what despair lay ahead. With titles like ‘To The Unknown’ and ‘Wood Etched Epitaph’ on their 2013 debut EP ‘Forest Dweller’ the band accurately absorbs elements of the Canadian northern climate and transcribes it into works of musical art.

One is able to catch a glimpse of each influence in Vow of Thorns songwriting and their influences including Woods of Ypres, Agalloch, Drudkh, Opeth, Daylight Dies, and Wolves in the Throne Room. The band is on a journey that slowly takes on darker, lucid, and more despairing elements as they play more shows and write more records. Vow of Thorns is always developing sinister and near-unstable black metal blanketed by an entrancing shroud. The band is currently gearing up to release their next album and first full-length ‘Farewell To The Sun’ slated for July 15, 2016.

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | ashermedia@gmail.com
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0 NEWS: SLUDGEHAMMER Post New Music Video ‘Carrion Eater’; New Album ‘The Fallen Sun’ Out June 10th

May 16, 2016
by Asher
· Music News · Sludgehammer

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – May 16, 2016

Album Promo Request here.

For fans of Revocation, Mastodon, Lamb Of God, Pantera, Opeth

Facebook | Twittter | Reverbnation | Soundcloud

Youtube | Instagram | Bandcamp | iTunes

Press Photo | Album Cover | Album Lyrics

SLUDGEHAMMER Post New Music Video ‘ Carrion Eater’; New Album ‘The Fallen Sun’ Due Out June 10th

Upcoming Show Dates:

May 28 – Peterborough, ON – w/ Cryptelisk, Sacrificed Alliance, Anthropophagy – info

L-R – Chris Szarota – Vocals, Jeff Wilson – Guitars, Tyler Williams – Guitars, Dan Ayers – Bass/Vocals, Fernando Villalobos- Drums
Credit: Hayden John Wolf

Set to unleash their debut full length album ‘The Fallen Sun’ officially on June 10th, Toronto, ON’s SLUDGEHAMMER have posted a new music video for their track ‘Carrion Eater’, which is one of eleven fist pounding tracks that features the dynamic vocal performances from lead vocalist Chris Szarota and bassist Dan Ayers, along with a showcase of mind bending guitar solos, heavy riffs and blistering drumming fury to follow up their 2014 EP ‘Organ Harvester’.

“Sludgehammer is proud to present ”Carrion Eater” as our first music video from ”The Fallen Sun”. This is one of the first songs we wrote for the record and it has become one of our favorites. It was an ambitious track to create as we were trying to combine a lot of different musical elements into a cohesive song. We eventually got it to the point where it is now, an energetic, venom spittin’ ,leg stompin’, headcrusher! It was a lot of hard work creating this record, but also a lot of fun. We’re hoping everyone can enjoy it like we do.” comments guitarist Jeff Wilson.The album was self-produced by the band and mixed by guitarist Tyler Williams and mastered by world renowned producer & engineer Lasse Lammert (Gloryhammer, Alestorm, Teramaze) at LSD Studio in Germany.

To watch ‘Carrion Eater’, please visit the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAbgAUBrzvo

Sludge photo 2

1. Demons From The Woodwork (4:02)

2. Intestines Entwined (5:02)

3. The Black Abyss (6:29)

4. Ectogenesis (4:34)

5. Carrion Eater (5:56)

6. Consuming Afterbirth (4:34)

7. Carnivorous Forest (5:08)

8. Utopian (5:45)

9. Revolting (4:46)

10. Organ Harvester (4:51)

11. Casualties (4:34)

Album Length: 55:48

About:
Sludgehammer is a five piece Canadian metal band formed in 2013. The band began with guitarist Jeff Wilson and drummer Fernando Villalobos jamming together, which quickly resulted in writing songs and searching for a full line up. Their search led to vocalist Chris Szarota, who possessed an astonishing vocal ferocity and bassist and vocalist Dan Ayers, who passed the audition as a bassist and also revealed a golden voice. Thus, the first incarnation of Sludgehammer was formed.

The four members worked hard over the next few months to put together a demo, which was released at the band’s first gig on November 22nd, 2013. The demo was well received even though it was completely self-recorded and the gig offers kept on coming, along with new fans.

With the success of the demo, the band knew that it was time to step things up and hired producer Christian Anderson for their 2014 release, ‘Organ Harvester’. During the writing sessions, the band decided that Chris and Dan should share vocal duties for this record, as Dan’s voice had been absent from the demo. The dual vocals proved to be a force to be reckoned with and on August 11th, 2014 ‘Organ Harvester’ was released to rave reviews.

‘Organ Harvester’ gained both new fans and better shows, gathering serious momentum and solid name among the metal community. However by 2015, after playing many gigs with the ‘Organ Harvester’ material it became very obvious that the fans were hungry for more. The band began writing more songs for the next release and kept playing gigs, which led them to guitarist Tyler Williams. Tyler was working as a sound man at the Atria in Oshawa, ON where Sludgehammer was playing, and after their performance, Tyler approached the band. They set up a jam and in July 2015, Tyler Williams joined Sludgehammer.

The new five piece line up produced a much fuller sound as Jeff and Tyler began working together. The old songs were given new life and badass new material was being written for their next release, titled ‘The Fallen Sun’. The new songs featured dynamic vocal performances from Dan and Chris, mind bending guitar solos, heavy riffs and blistering drumming. As the songs started to pile up, Sludgehammer discussed recording a full length album. Tyler suggested that they record at his studio, Monolithic Productions. The band set up shop there and are now ready to unleash ‘The Fallen Sun’ for release on June 10, 2016.

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
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#.514.581.5780 | ashermedia@gmail.com
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0 NEWS: HOPELESS YOUTH On Cross Canada Tour Now! Streaming New EP ‘Devil, Walk With Me’ (Rainville Records)

May 2, 2016
by Asher
· Hopeless Youth · Music News

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – May 2, 2016

EP Promo Request here. EP Download here.

For fans of Converge, Trap Them, Cursed, EyeHateGod

Facebook | Twitter @ HopelessMTL | Bandcamp | Soundcloud | iTunes

HOPELESS YOUTH On Cross Canada Tour Now! Streaming New EP ‘Devil, Walk With Me’ (Rainville Records)

Montreal, QC’s chaotic hardcore force HOPELESS YOUTH are hitting the road across Canada in support of their latest EP ‘Devil, Walk With Me’ released on April 15th via their indie label Rainville Records for physical CD plus digitally via Pluto Records to follow their 2014 debut album ‘Disgust’ released on Candlelight Records.

“We’re stoked to be hitting the road across Canada, in support of the new EP. Excited to see familiar faces and hopefully new ones. We’ll have a silk screen version of the record, available on this tour only, limited to 5 copies per show. ” comments the band.

To hear the full stream of ‘Devil, Walk With Me’, please visit the following link: http://rainvillerecords.bandcamp.com/album/devil-walk-with-me

The band will be performing the following cities:

May 2 – Winnipeg, Manitoba – The Handsome Daughter

May 3 – Regina, Saskatchewan – The Club

May 4 – Calgary, Alberta – Trvp House

May 6 – Vancouver, British Columbia – The Matador
May 8 – Edmonton, Alberta – Local Omnivore

1 – The Garden (3:31)

2 – Devil, Walk With Me (2:41)

3 – Moon Child (4:34)

4 – Light Bearer (1:51)

5 – The Price To Pay (4:46)

EP Length: 17:15

For more info, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/hopelessyouthband.

About:
What started in the summer of 2012 has managed to grow into a blend of chaotic and dissonant hardcore. Hopeless Youth takes influence of everything from thrash metal, crust punk to even black metal and doom. They manage to keep it rough and in your face, while having you sing along at the same time. The four piece from Montreal, QC manages to make every show as loud, unpredictable, and entertaining as a train wreck. Not to say they fall apart on stage, but rather put themselves in a position to achieve a certain catharsis through violently pouring themselves into every performance. After releasing their debut record ‘Disgust’ in 2014 on Candlelight Records, they’ve returned in 2016 with a new E.P. ‘Devil, Walk With Me’, which has been released on their own label Rainville Records, as well as digitally via Pluto Records. This new set of songs is sure to turn heads and blow speakers. Enjoy it at your own risk.

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | ashermedia@gmail.com
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0 The Mountain Man Vs. CanadianBeats

April 14, 2016
by Asher
· The Mountain Man

http://canadianbeats.ca/2016/04/14/review-the-mountain-man/

0 NEWS: BLACK ABSINTHE Announce Ontario Show Dates (May 13/14), Streaming New Track ‘The Wild’; Debut Album ‘Early Signs of Denial’ Due Out May 13th

April 8, 2016
by Asher
· Uncategorized

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – April 8, 2016

EP Promo Request here.

For fans of Black Sabbath, Killswitch Engage, Motorhead, Mastodon, High On Fire, Coheed and Cambria

Facebook | Twitter @ blackabsintheto | Instagram | YouTube | Bandcamp

BLACK ABSINTHE Announce Ontario Show Dates (May 13/14), Streaming New Track ‘The Wild’

Debut Album ‘Early Signs of Denial’ Due Out May 13th

Upcoming Show Dates:

May 13 – Oshawa, ON @ The Atria – Event info
May 14 – Toronto, ON @ Coalition T.O. (CD Release Show) – Event info

Toronto, ON heavy metal trio BLACK ABSINTHE are surfacing from the basement to unleash new tunes from their debut album ‘Early Signs of Denial’produced by Dave Baksh (Cross Dog, The Mahones) plus mixed and mastered by Frank Gryner (Rob Zombie- Hillbilly Deluxe). Set for release on May 13th, 2016, the album is the band’s first professional recording to follow their three self recorded EPs Live At Coalition (2014), Noise Complaint (2014) and Augusta (2012).

In support of the release, BLACK ABSINTHE will be performing in Oshawa on May 13th at The Atria and Toronto May 14th at Coalition TO for their local CD launch event. Both dates will also be supported by their Montreal brothers in arms, thrashers and Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2014 champions MUTANK.

BLACK ABSINTHE’s powerful heavy riffs and bass lines are reminiscent of classic thrash and new wave British heavy metal with a range of progressive to classic rock influence ready to be shared with fans new and old alike. The band recently teamed up with MetalNationRadio.com to premiere their first single ‘The Wild’.

“The Wild is the first song from a culmination of two years of work, our blasting out of the gate declaration of freedom. Don’t overthink it, ROCK OUT! It’s about taking your life into the heat of the fire, crashing and burning at the feet of desire.” comments vocalist / guitarist Jack Cerre.

To listen to ‘The Wild’, please visit the following link: http://metalnationradio.ca/song-premiere-black-absinthe/

The title “Early Signs of Denial” is a conceptual connection to the themes of fear, corruption, and overcoming disparity, which is explored in the album’s songs. The record has emphasis of crushing modern tone, polished instrumental sections, soaring vocals and a blending of contemporary and classic metal. With each track, this unique record represents different aspects of BLACK ABSINTHE’s diversity in song writing. The band does not tread lightly over their new wave of British heavy metal song style or their technical and progressive metal influences.

Album Pre-order – https://blackabsinthe.bandcamp.com/

1. The Wild (3:50)

2. Is This Life (4:42)

3. Berj Khalifa (3:19)

4. Pigs (4:03)

5. NOW (3:58)

6. Winter (6:23)

Album Length: 26:18

For more info, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/blackabsintheband.

About:

Formed in 2011 by vocalist and guitarist Jack Cerre, bassist Kyle Scarlett and drummer Austin Henderson, the trio continue to rip through the underground Toronto metal scene without pause.

Compounding heavy riffs and bass lines reminiscent of classic thrash and new wave British heavy metal with a range of progressive to classic rock influence, Black Absinthe presents a solid example of a Canadian metal band. They’re road hungry, influenced plus supported by other driven Canadian musicians and most of all, ready to innovate and grow the traditions of a genre they venerate and respect. As leaders in the scene, Black Absinthe were headlining Toronto semi-finalists in the Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2015.

With a new year ahead, Black Absinthe pushes on with their desire to provide their fans in Canada and online with a cleaner and heavier presentation of their sound. The years incubating in Toronto’s metal underground have served the band well. From their 2012 debut EP Augusta to their 2014 EP Noise Complaint, both releases have established the band’s sound as well as their stage presence, leading to their driven heavy metal machine. Now in 2016, Black Absinthe are ready to release their debut studio album Early Signs Of Denial (May 13, 2016). The album was produced by Dave Baksh (Cross Dog, The Mahones) out of the Gentleman’s Den studio in Pickering, ON who’s experience proved to be the final touch; aiding in refining drum dynamics, smoothing the transitions and layering harmonic guitar lines. Black Absinthe’s Early Signs Of Denial sound is a leading example of the contemporary Canadian metal scene serving to showcase how the band sounds in a crisp, powerful, and ultimately more professional recording environment.

The title “Early Signs of Denial” is a conceptual connection to the themes of fear, corruption, and overcoming disparity, which is explored in the songs. The record has emphasis of crushing modern tone, polished instrumental sections, soaring vocals and a blending of contemporary and classic metal. With each track, this unique record represents different aspects of Black Absinthe’s diversity in song writing. The band does not tread lightly over their new wave of British heavy metal song style or their technical and progressive metal influences.

Through the bands expanding network cultivated through Coalition Music’s “Artist Entrepreneur Program”, they chose Frank Gryner (Rob Zombie- Hillbilly Deluxe) to mix and master the album in the Winter of 2015. His strong ability to work with a diversity of sounds was the appeal to the band. His mixing took the album into the sonic spheres of a classic 80’s sound providing, grandeur, psychedelia, and an arena rock feel that could properly represent the textures put down in tracking. There was an immediate trust formed with the stylistic choices Gryner made throughout mixing.

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