NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – January 3, 2025
Exitus Stratagem Records – The Metal World Lost A Pinnacle Brother – VORAATH Drummer Joshua Ward Passes Away At 37
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The metal community is mourning the sad news of drummer, composer, and storyteller Joshua Nassaru Ward (age 37) who passed away on New Year’s Eve night December 31st after his car with him, his fiance Amanda Lynn Leroux, and two friends, Audrey Ross and Jade Burton were struck by a drunk driver on Cooley Bridge Road in Belton, South Carolina. Ward leaves behind a young son Kai. A GoFundMe has been created to aid in funeral costs, please donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/remembering-josh-ward-music-and-martial-arts
Ward was a pinnacle force in the Carolina metal scene known for his musical adventures in Enthean, Rapheumets Well, Xael, Olkoth, and Voraath (Exitus Stratagem Records) along with being a drum tech for bands NILE, and Terrorizer plus being endorsed by Los Cabos Drumsticks and Saluda Cymbals. He had a strong passion for drumming, sci-fi lore, directing videos, martial arts, and giving back to the community with his recent humanitarian efforts delivering aid during recent floods. His memory will be forever cherished by his family and extended metal family across the United States and beyond. He was a beloved friend to all. His genuine generosity and to lead with kindness to all were one of his most beloved characteristics. Rest In Power \m/\m/ Drum Eternally On The Other Side!
Jason Fisher of Exitus Stratagem Records comments:
“It is with a heavy heart that the ExSR family reports that we have lost one of our own. Joshua Ward, the drummer and creative genius behind the band, Voraath passed away in an automobile accident on December 31st. This news comes as a harsh blow to everyone who knew him professionally and personally. Besides his stellar work with Voraath, he had also been spending time with us, putting in extra work at the label. We will miss Joshua for many reasons, from his inexhaustible imagination and passion for Voraath and its universe to his kindness and his infectious laugh. Voraath was in the process of recording new music and was about to unleash an entirely new webpage of lore for their universe. We will work with the band as they decide their next steps. A friend of Joshua’s has set up a GoFundMe page to help defray the expenses of Joshua’s funeral. We at ExSR will miss our friend and colleague.”
Please donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/remembering-josh-ward-music-and-martial-arts
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Transporting you through a portal of sci-fi storytelling and extreme music, VORAATH unleashed their first full-length “Vol 1: The Hymn of the Hunters” in June 2024 on Exitus Stratagem Records (EXSR). Brutal yet epic metal, the level of detail that VORAATH has emphasized on this record exposes a grand story of interdimensional worlds and cosmic entities warring while paying homage to their culture in the Appalachian Mountains of the Carolinas.
“This album is an investment of thought and emotion. We want to immerse the listener in another world. It’s heavy yet sad, brutal yet immersive, so we hope to take everyone on a journey. That journey is scored with metal! We think this album will be something unique, a whirlwind of emotions and an auditory odyssey. We capsulated real events in our lives and laced them through our complex musical universe. We want the fans to feel the music, and ride along with us on this musical journey through our dystopian planet.” adds the band.
An odyssey of hardship, betrayal, survival, and cosmic tales, “Vol 1: The Hymn of the Hunters” is recommended for fans of Septic Flesh, Gojira, and Fleshgod Apocalypse, and is available at the following links:
Digital – https://hypeddit.com/voraath/volume1hymnofthehunters
CD – https://www.exsrmusic.com/store/p/pre-sale-voraath-vol-i-hymn-of-the-hunter-available-june-17-2024
Music Video – The Road To Samm Hill – https://youtu.be/n0mW2hxhOLE
Music Video – The Barrens – https://youtu.be/EIh9ZY779jA
Music Video – The Leviathan’s Keep – https://youtu.be/l6cGehNyqko
More info: Exsrmusic.com | https://linktr.ee/voraath
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“Crushing Sci-Fi Death Metal” – Metal Injection
“Celebrating Sci-Fi Dystopia, and a Debut Album, with Voraath… We’ve made mention of Carolina’s cinematic sci-fi proggy death metal aliens Voraath in this space before… Well, they’re back with yet another Shudder/SyFy worthy, seemingly budget-busting work of dystopian video art. “The Leviathan’s Keep”” – Decibel Magazine
“Voraath‘s aim is to do more than record and release music. The music is part of a universe they’re creating, drawing upon elements of horror and science-fantasy, which includes significant visual as well as audio portrayals, including the band’s own presentation of themselves on stage — each member appears as a character in the lore of the music” – No Clean Singing
“The fact that the troupe is already so mature and professional on their debut, but also so passionate about it, may be due to the fact, that all musicians were previously employed in other projects. But it wasn’t until VORAATH that they obviously found the repository of their creativity and, completely surprisingly, created a small milestone with “Volume 1: Hymn Of The Hunters!” 9/10″ – PowerMetal.de
“Voraath’s “Vol 1: The Hymn of the Hunters” isn’t just an album; it’s a meticulously crafted portal into a nightmarish realm where each track unfolds a new chapter of struggle and revelation. With their blend of brutal aggression and melodic nuance, Voraath sets a new standard in storytelling, promising listeners an immersive experience that transcends genres and challenges the boundaries of a musical literary experience. Embrace the darkness and join the hunt—Voraath awaits, ready to lead you through their extreme metal multiverse with unparalleled intensity and imagination.” – Metal Lair
“Voraath‘s Vol 1: The Hymn of the Hunters is a meticulously crafted journey through a rich, dystopian world. The band’s ability to blend metal with intricate storytelling sets them apart, creating an immersive experience that is both brutal and thought-provoking. Voraath has set a high bar with their debut, promising even greater adventures in the metal multiverse they are meticulously crafting.” – Amplify The Noise
“this first Voraath album sends us into a cosmic epic” – Eklektik Rock
“The Barrens offers a blend of crushing riffs and distinctive soundscapes, delivering a unique cinematic soundtrack.” – Metal Insider
“US band Voraath are out with the album “Vol 1. The Hymn of the Hunters”, and this is a production that might well be of interest for fans of progressive metal. And a case could be argued for this album to be defined as extreme progressive metal too. Tight, form and hectic extreme metal is at the core of this album, with a handful or so of distorted lead vocals combining with hard and tight guitar and rhythm combinations as the core elements throughout…. An album for those who tend to enjoy a more sophisticated and dynamic variety of extreme metal that may possibly also be defined to reside inside of the extreme progressive metal tradition.” – Progressor
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