• 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

Tag: metal

0 STRIKER Unveil New Music Video “Deathwish”

  • November 17, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Striker

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – November 17, 2021

STRIKER Unveil New Music Video “Deathwish”

If ya haven’t heard yet, Canadian heavy metal powerhouse STRIKER is back from the grave!

Last month with rumours spreading of the band calling it quits after they posted an image that was titled “RIP Striker 2007-2021” on their social media, fans began speculating on their future. In the end, it was all made to prepare them for Striker‘s new single “Deathwish”, a track that has their signature sound of putting a modern twist on classic heavy metal mixed with 1980s AOR.

The single is also the band’s introductory track with new drummer Jonathan Webster and bassist Pete Klassen who joined the lineup in 2019 along with it being their first of many new recordings to come since releasing their Juno award-winning album 2018’s “Play To Win”.

Today, Striker unveils their music video for “Deathwish”, which can be viewed at https://youtu.be/98V8CchlEVM

“The world’s already on fire, you might as well light a smoke on it and kick back and watch. While you’re at it, feast your eyes on our new music video for Deathwish.” adds the band.

“Deathwish” can be streamed and downloaded on Spotify and Apple Music.

In additional news, Striker will be performing their first and only hometown show of 2021 in Edmonton, AB on November 27th at The Starlite Room with support from Riot City, Tymo and Tower Hill. Event Details can be found here.

Upcoming Show Dates:
Nov 27 – The Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB
April 17 – Rickshaw Theatre – Vancouver, BC (Hyperspace Metal Festival)

Champions in blending classic heavy metal, hard rock, and 80’s hair metal, Striker have been making shredtacular anthems since 2007. The band has toured multiple times across Europe and North America along with festival appearances at 70,000 Tons of Metal, Bang Your Head Festival (Germany), and more to add to their almost 1000 shows performed in their decade-plus career. The band has been honoured with multiple Best Album awards in their home country of Canada from the JUNO Awards, Western Canadian Music Awards, and the Edmonton Music Awards. Since their inception, Striker has released six studio albums Eyes in the Night (2010, Iron Kodex), Armed to The Teeth (2012, Napalm), City of Gold (2014, Napalm), Stand in the Fire (2016, Record Breaking), Striker (2017, Record Breaking), and Play to Win (2018, Record Breaking).

For more info:
Striker-metal.com
Facebook.com/strikermetal
Twitter.com/StrikerMetal
Instagram.com/strikermetal

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Rockshots Records – Out Now! Heavy Metal Opera Signum Draconis “The Divine Comedy: Inferno”, New Lyric Video “Firestorm”

  • November 17, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Signum Draconis (Rockshots Records)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – November 17, 2021

Rockshots Records – Out Now! Heavy Metal Opera Signum Draconis “The Divine Comedy: Inferno”

New Lyric Video “Firestorm”


Out now via Rockshots Records, Signum Draconis‘ unleashed the heavy metal opera of Inferno, from The Divine Comedy written by Dante Alighieri.

Featuring 17 songs by the band all sung in English, the double CD album is the first in a triptych of the complete work of Dante’s magnum opus with Purgatory and Paradise to follow, and also feature duets with selected special guest vocalists, narrations of selected chants, and an orchestral accompaniment by the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra and Choir.

For the full-length’s third single and first CD’s closing track “Firestorm”, Signum Draconis is sharing their new lyric video and explain the song in further detail:

“It is the theme that closes the first cd and includes three chants of the Inferno (XIV – XV – XVI), it is also the last theme with the guitar in the tuning of Eb and one of my favorites of the entire album since its composition was fast, funny and direct, practically every part of the song seemed to be running in the composition works as by inertia.

It’s a song with a very classic Power Metal style and sound, where another of our guest stars Mr. Andrea Ranfa appears playing the role of ‘Brunetto Latini’.”

Watch “Firestorm” – https://youtu.be/8mnESxrHzsY 

Album pre-order – https://bit.ly/SignumDraconis_CD

Previous Videos:
Gate of Hell – https://youtu.be/KmMkvFwr1QQ
Whirlwind of Lovers – https://youtu.be/SC5Z9fPEGyA

Signum Draconis takes their name from the medieval knights’ Order of the Dragon, and has opted for a classic 80s-influenced metal sound in homage to the rock and metal icons that inspired them to be musicians, and aim to produce a truly musical, timeless and epic recording that will absorb and reward from repeated and dedicated listening.

Guitarist and composer Oscar Grace reflects on the history of the project:

“The story of Signum Draconis can be said to begin in 2010, after two years crossing what felt like a personal hell, I was sitting in my car gazing at the sky when a message came to me as it were, a vision clear as day: ‘Put The Divine Comedy to music!’ At that moment Signum Draconis was born. I returned home immediately and hunted out an old copy of Dante’s masterpiece I had owned for years and began furiously reading. Two full years of study and research followed, reading and re-reading all three books many times and even traveling to Florence to visit the 13th Century poet’s own house, trying to envisage what it would have been like to be him and the world in which he lived his story.”

It took two years to extract the parts that would form the material for the songs, and a further year working with my good friend Frederick Pollock to compose the lyrics, bringing to each song its own meaning whilst maintaining the thread that binds all the songs together, at all times remaining faithful to the source and paying the utmost respect to the poet Dante with regards to the correct register with perfect meter and rhyme in English. 

I believe Dante’s Inferno perfectly suits the musical style of Heavy Metal, but given the epic scale and cultural importance of Dante’s books, I wanted to bring something else to the music, something that lent grandeur and elegance, and to that end, I began to write parts for a symphony orchestra, in an old-fashioned way, with a fountain pen and sheet music and no new technology to guide my hand.”

Overall, this project took four years to compose the music for the band as well as the orchestra and along the way Oscar Grace searched for the companions who would join him on this voyage of grand musical ambitions. The first was Francesco Micieli, the drummer with whom he had already worked on other projects, then Max Morelli to be the voice of the band, and later on, after an arduous search, Oscar Grace found Filippo Martignano for keyboards and Stefano Antonelli on bass.

Once all the compositions were finished the band set about recording in the Domination Studio of San Marino, taking advantage of the experience and professionalism of Simone Mularoni as a sound technician. For the recording of the orchestral parts, Signum Draconis chose to work with the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra, having spoken with the director, David Hernando Rico, who helped them enormously and who showed such enthusiasm for the music and the project overall.

Track Listing:
CD 1:
1. In the Midway of Life’s Journey (5:14)
2. The Mission of Virgil (3:44)
3. Gate of Hell (Arrival of Charon) (5:58)
4. The Borderland (4:48)
5. Whirlwind of Lovers (5:11)
6. Under Eternal Rain (4:50)
7. To the Edge of Stygian Lagoon (4:45)
8. Regnum Dite (2:36)
9. Burning Graves (5:50)
10. Phlegethon (The Bloody River) (6:00)
11. Forest of Suicides (5:48)
12. Firestorm (6:11)

CD 2:
13. On Geryon’s Back (1:10)
14. Ten Moats of Damnation (Interlude: The Ulysses’ Chant) (11:31)
15. In Hands of Titans (5:28)
16. Cocytus (The Ice Terror) (8:28)
17. Lucifer (7:46)

Special guests include:
RENATO CARROZZO as Storyteller
CHIARA MANESE as Beatrice
MARK BOALS as Virgil
BEN JACKSON as Charon
KSENIA GLONTY as Francesca
LUCA PAOLINI as Pluto
ANDREA RANFA as Brunetto Latini
FREDERICK POLLOCK as Ulysses
SIMONE MULARONI as Nimrod ‘The Titan’
OLEG SMIRNOFF as Count Ugolino

Band line up:
Max Morelli (Vocals)
Oscar Grace (Guitars)
Filippo Martignano (Keyboards)
Stefano Antonelli (Bass)
Francesco Micieli (Drums)

More info:
Rockshots.eu
https://www.facebook.com/signumdraconis
https://www.instagram.com/signumdraconis

– 30 –

 

—

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

0 Ottawa’s SINFUL WAYS’ Music Video Tries To “Bury the Hatchet” From The World’s “Darkest Days”; New EP Out Dec 10th

  • November 16, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Sinful Ways

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – November 16, 2021

Ottawa’s SINFUL WAYS’ Music Video Tries To “Bury the Hatchet” From The World’s “Darkest Days”

EP “Darkest Days” Out December 10th


L-R: Frank Lahache – Guitar/Vocals | Brad Lake – Bass, Vocals | Dave Matlak – Drums, Backing Vocals | Georgio Karapanos – Guitar
Photo Credit: Jessy Dwyer, Beyond the Pit

Embracing thrash, groove, and metalcore, Ottawa, Canada’s Sinful Ways return in 2021 to unleash their sophomore EP “Darkest Days” on December 10th. The EP follows their debut 2019 EP “To Hell Tonight”, and 2020 stand-alone singles “Burst into Flames” plus “No Escape”.

A solid blend of melodic and thrashy elements, on this new recording, Sinful Ways creates a mix that sits beautifully between the two. Lyrically, you will read the anger they share towards faulty governments and the treatment of people in other areas of the world.

“Over the pandemic, we all really worked at our instruments and really wanted to push ourselves into a more mature yet still energetic and raw sound, which we think we captured on this EP. From front to back, this EP holds a lot of musical value.” adds the band.

In preview to its release, the band is sharing their music video for the EP’s lead single “Bury the Hatchet”, a fast, heavy track where the clean vocals shine. It has a very catchy chorus that fans can sing along to and are sure to enjoy plus a breakdown that’s aggressive and assaulting along with leads that are technical to join the talented drumming, and larger-than-life screaming.

The band adds:

“Bury the Hatchet was the first song we finished for this EP, and we knew right away it was going to be the single. It blends everything we want to showcase in one song. During the time of writing, we were all very intrigued and angered by all the hatred and stuff going on in the world. This was our song to say we need to stand together, not to give up or give in, if you have something worth fighting for. You must fight for it. During the time of writing, we also switched guitar members and Frank Lahache joined us. This added the insane shredding solo section you can find and the great high scream at the end of the song!”

Filmed by Jessy Dwyer at Beyond The Pit, the music video can be viewed via its premiere on SpaceUntravel’s YouTube channel – https://youtu.be/N8gn9jR47y8 

Spotify

“Darkest Days” was produced and mixed by Cameron Dunn and mastered by Scott Middleton at Hillside Audio in Toronto. EP Artwork by Nik Paquin.

Recommended for fans of Trivium, Parkway Drive, Avenged Sevenfold, and Slipknot, “Darkest Days” is available for pre-save at https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sinfulways/darkest-days-ep


Track Listing:
1. Welcome/Vow of the Devil (4:46)
2. Bury the Hatchet (3:40)
3. Manhattan (3:20)
4. Pursuit (6:18)
EP Length: 18:05

EP Recording and Live Band Line Up:
Brad Lake – Clean Vocals/Bass
Dave Matlak – Drums/ Harsh Vocals – Main Screams
Georgio Karapanos – Guitar/Programming
Frank Lahache – Guitar/ Harsh Vocals – Backing Screams

More Info:
Facebook.com/SinfulWaysBAND
Instagram.com/_sinfulways
EPK

– 30-

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Chicago’s BURNED IN EFFIGY Unleash “Nightfall” Off Upcoming Album “Rex Mortem” Out Jan 2022

  • November 15, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Burned In Effigy · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – November 15, 2021

Chicago’s BURNED IN EFFIGY Unleash “Nightfall” Off Upcoming Album “Rex Mortem” Out Jan 2022


L-R – Mark “Smedy” Smedbron (Vocals) | Matt Watkins (Bass) | Eddie Dec (Drums) | Steve Bacakos (Guitar) | Mike Hisson (Guitar)
Photo Credit – Emily Fuschen – Dark Trix Photography

 

Chicago’s BURNED IN EFFIGY announces they will be unleashing their new album “Rex Mortem” on January 28, 2022 to follow their debut EP “Terrestrial”. Unlike their debut recording, which was all instrumental, this first full-length from the band will see not only new guitarists Mike Hisson and Steve Bacakos on the lineup, but also witness vocalist Mark “Smedy” Smedbron (Vocals) unleash his earworm fury unto the masses. The three new members join co-founding members Eddie Dec (drums), Matt Watkins (bass)

Fans can expect diverse high energy on “Rex Mortem”. The album takes elements from multiple subgenres within metal, mainly melodic death and progressive metal while infusing neoclassical elements into each track. No two tracks sound the same. The quintet skillfully and tastefully changes keys and time signatures throughout, so the feel of the music is constantly shifting, but also smoothly flowing between each section.

“We are psyched to present our debut album, Rex Mortem, a catalog of the first chapter of the band. This has been in the works for a long time and we couldn’t be more pleased with how it has turned out. The songs vary in complexity and intensity and demonstrate our growth as a band since its inception. Listeners will hear influences such as The Black Dahlia Murder and The Human Abstract, combining our love for death metal and progressive/neo-classical metal. The vocals are gritty and tense and the lyrics emphasize this with dark tales inspired by mythology, history, and classic literature. Many of the songs follow the story of a tyrannical king aiming to expand his power and influence, who ends up being brought down by his closest allies. We believe our album has something for all metal fans, regardless of preferred subgenre.” adds the band.

In lead up to the release of “Rex Mortem”, Burned In Effigy is unveiling their lead single “Nightfall”, a track that incorporates multiple clean sections to outline the main musical themes that then appear in the riffs, including fast-paced tremolo picking sections with blast beats. Bassist Matt Watkins explains further:

“Nightfall is a song we’ve been playing since the inception of the band and we felt it needed to be re-recorded for this album with vocals. Though we’ve progressed our songwriting and technicality since writing it and first recording it in 2017, this song has been a cornerstone of our sound. We experimented with multiple different styles with some songs that were written after Nightfall, but kept coming back to that neo-classical, dark sound. The lyrical themes of Dracula along with Smedy’s vocals fit right in with the mood of the song and inspired us to do a lyric video incorporating scenes from Nosferatu.”

Watch and listen to “Nightfall” via its lyric video at https://youtu.be/gqe2919mDJ4

Spotify

Album pre-order available at Burnedineffigy.bandcamp.com


Track Listing:
1. Doomsayer (3:28)
2. Artorias (5:08)
3. Nightfall (3:20)
4. The Empiricist (4:05)
5. Hades (4:26)
6. Atlas (4:23)
7. Treachery (3:25)
8. Vendetta (3:55)
Album Length: 32:12

Album Recording Lineup:
– Mark “Smedy” Smedbron – Vocals
– Matt Watkins – Bass
– Eddie Dec – Drums
– Vito Bellino – Guitar
– Brad Dose – Guitar

Live Band Line Up:
– Mark “Smedy” Smedbron – Vocals
– Matt Watkins – Bass
– Eddie Dec – Drums
– Steve Bacakos – Guitar
– Mike Hisson – Guitar

About:
Burned in Effigy is a neoclassical melodic death metal band from Chicago, IL. Formed in late 2016 by founding members Brad Dose (guitar), Vito Belino (guitar), Eddie Dec (drums), and Matt Watkins (bass). Starting as an instrumental melodic metal band, the four were brought together by their love of complex, melodic, and heavy music and sought to bring more of that to the Chicago extreme music scene.

Burned in Effigy released their debut EP, Terrestrial, in April 2017. The band focused on playing shows after and building an audience through top-notch live performances while opening for prominent bands such as Scale the Summit, Angel Vivaldi, Oh, Sleeper, and Mushroomhead. While supporting this EP, Burned in Effigy worked with a couple of different vocalists and eventually recruited vocalist Mark “Smedy” Smedbron in December 2019 while in the early demo stages for their first full length.

Instrumental recordings for the band’s masterpiece, Rex Mortem, were finished in early 2020. Shortly after, the band parted ways with guitarist Brad Dose. Vocal recording, mixing, and mastering was finished in mid 2021, after which guitarist Vito Bellino left in order to focus on music school. Shortly after, the remaining three members Eddie Dec (drums), Matt Watkins (bass), and Mark “Smedy” Smedbron (vocals) rallied and recruited guitarists Mike Hisson and Steve Bacakos, who naturally fit with and complemented the band’s signature sound.

For more info:
Facebook.com/burnedineffigyofficial
Instagram.com/burnedineffigyil
EPK

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 VARIUS’ Presents Reflective Stories Of Battle Through New Video “Golden Crown”; Video Premiere via TheCirclePit; New EP “Concordance” Out Now!

  • November 15, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Varius

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – November 15, 2021

VARIUS’ Presents Reflective Stories Of Battle Through New Video “Golden Crown”

Video Premiere via TheCirclePit

New EP “Concordance” Out Now!


L-R: Joel Tassillo (Bass) / Joey Scaringi (Vocals) / Vladimir Prokhorov (Drums) / Patrick Forlin (Guitar)
Photo Credit: Britney Goertz

Varius has recently released their heaviest record to date and one they describe as their most diverse and collaborative. Each of the four songs was written by a different band member allowing individual influences and styles to shine through. This method of writing allowed each person to play producer for their own track, bringing in ideas from the rest of the band to really bring their visions to life. “Golden Crown” is the first track on the EP and the longest, it touches on themes of battle, loyalty, and brotherhood. Varius explains further:

“This song represents something completely different as far as what our audience would expect of us. It is the EP’s most straightforward track and is a mid-tempo wall of sound. It has a more classic-metal kind of sound, but with almost Amon Amarth-style vocals. The calmer intro gives way to a massive chord-based riff, and the song progresses into an epic guitar solo and dynamic build through the outro. Lyrically, the song touches on themes of battle, loyalty, and brotherhood. The lyrics were influenced by the concept of ancient warriors who lived and died by the sword and battled for their brothers in arms rather than glory and wealth.”

Although fans will likely notice the prominent thrash and death metal elements that are the core of Varius’ sound, they want to emphasize that their influences are a lot more diverse than just those styles. Throughout the EP they play around with many styles as well as lyrical themes like fantasy, science fiction, and horror while reflecting real-life issues through them.

The progressive and melodic death metal that Varius creates is suggested for fans of Children of Bodom, Dethklok and Death.

Watch and listen to “Golden Crown” via TheCirclePit – https://youtu.be/sxMZYav2Z_Q 

“Concordance” is available on digital music platforms at https://linktr.ee/varius


Track Listing:
1. Golden Crown (6:03)
2. Concordance of the Legionfall (4:59)
3. Lament of Dissonance (4:43)
4. Gut Shoveler (5:28)
Digital EP Length: 21:14
Note: Physical CD copies of Concordance will feature a bonus track (previously released digitally – 2019)
5. P.I.S.S. (3:22) (CD Bonus Track)
EP Length (CD version): 24:40

For more info:
Facebook.com/Varius.band
Instagram.com/varius.official
EPK

– 30 –

“it’s full of dynamic surprises — a song that’s bombastic and brazen, savage and scintillating, mysterious and magnificent — and its name is “Concordance of the Legionfall“.” – No Clean Singing 

“For their second EP Concordance, Varius decided to let each band member bring their own song in. This move lets the band step away from the rigid melodic death metal of their first EP, The Great Tribulation, and try out other genre types. Opener “Golden Crown” keeps its deathly roots in the ruinous vocals, as the song is otherwise traditional heavy metal that wouldn’t have been out of place for Manowar or Accept. Each of the four tunes on Concordance avoid hinting at any ideas of what Varius will do next, like the forceful doom in the second half of closer “Gut Shoveler.” Hearing their two EPs back-to-back is listening to a band actively transforming themselves over the course of 40 minutes. With Concordance, Varius have made a point to keep their sonic options open moving forward, as they could go anywhere from here. 4/5” – Heavy Music Headquarters
—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Calgary’s HAMMERDRONE Seek Bloody Vengeance With “Part I – Rage, Corporeal” Off “A Trinity Of Rage” 

  • November 10, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Hammerdrone · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – November 10, 2021

 

Calgary’s HAMMERDRONE Seek Bloody Vengeance With “Part I – Rage, Corporeal” Off “A Trinity Of Rage”


L-R: Teran Wyer (Bass) | Rick Cardellini (Lead Guitar) | Curtis Beardy (Rhythm Guitar) | Graham Harris (Vocals) | Vinnie Cardellini (Drums)
Photo Credit – Suzie Cardellini

Canada’s Hammerdrone is releasing a new EP this year, “A Trinity Of Rage”, which contains three concise, pummeling melodic death metal tracks that take a deep dive into the passion of anger. This is a concept EP – the intent is that listeners first read the short story, Eversor (available as a download from Bandcamp when you purchase the EP), and then listen to the EP with the lyrics in hand.  Eversor is basically the prequel to the EP – or the EP is the sequel to the story, however, you prefer to look at it.

The first look of the journey that is set out through “A Trinity Of Rage” is the first track “Part I – Rage, Corporeal”, which opens with brutal intent diving straight into some Obituary-esque riffage, before opening into a more melodious mid-section, complete with ripping solo, and then ending with a briefly restrained interlude that climbs into a monstrous, vocal-led crescendo. Vocalist and lyricist Graham, who also penned the original short story, Eversor, that accompanies the EP, comments:

“This song came together so easily and is musically full of intense, blistering rage, perfectly representing the intent of the song as the opening track to our concept EP, ‘A Trinity Of Rage’.  The protagonist in our story has dedicated most of his life to an insane and heretical idea, suppressing his anger and grief for decades, and finally finds himself where he wants to be; in the afterlife and armed with the weapons to wreak bloody vengeance upon God.  Imagine the explosion of pure hatred and wrath that results – that’s this song. This is one of the shortest songs we’ve written, clocking in at only 3.5 minutes, but we packed a lot into this slab of death metal and it sets up the musical and lyrical journey of the rest of the EP.”

Hammerdrone has concreted their position in the Canadian metal scene with steady releases since 2012, appearances at festivals including Calgary Metalfest and Loud As Hell, and making it to second place in the Canadian Wacken Metal Battle and winning Metal Recording of the Year through the YYC Music Awards. Witnesses to their live shows can expect to be pummelled into the dirt by a blistering and professional performance. They have worked hard to craft a memorable show without relying on gimmicks or costumes to do so, so they are always in motion and always trying to play to the crowd.

Epic, and aggressive, Hammerdrone is recommended for fans of Be’lakor, Carcass and Amon Amarth.

“Part I – Rage, Corporeal” can be heard via its premiere on TheCirclePit – https://youtu.be/sCH57pCx4Ww

“A Trinity Of Rage” will be released in full on December 10, 2021.

EP pre-order – Hammerdrone.bandcamp.com


Track Listing:
1. Part I – Rage, Corporeal (03:28)
2. Part II – Rage, Besieged (10:54)
3. Part III – Rage, Consummated (06:00)
EP Length: 20:23

For more info:
Hammerdronemetal.com
Facebook.com/hammerdronemetal
Twitter.com/hammerdrone
EPK

About:
Hammerdrone hail from Calgary, Canada. For 9 years they have been honing their trademark sound that mixes intense aggression, dark atmosphere, and elegant melodies to deliver a style of death metal that is both epic and catchy.  No clean singing, no symphonics. Their style has drawn comparisons to Amon Amarth, early Soilwork, Behemoth, and Bolt Thrower, among others.

Discography:
2021 – A Trinity Of Rage (EP)
2019 – An Ever Increasing Wave (Single)
2018 – Rituals Of Battle (Live) (EP)
2017 – Dark Harvest (Album)
2017 – Dark Harvest (Single)
2014 – Clone of Europa (Album)
2013 – Wraiths On The Horizon (Single)
2012 – A Demon Rising (EP)

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Streaming Now! Niagara Falls’ VARIUS’ Wildly Diverse EP “Concordance”, EP Stream Premiere via MetalInsider

  • November 3, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Varius

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – November 3, 2021

Streaming Now! Niagara Falls’ VARIUS’ Wildly Diverse EP “Concordance”

EP Stream Premiere via MetalInsider

New EP “Concordance” Out November 5th


L-R: Joel Tassillo (Bass) / Joey Scaringi (Vocals) / Vladimir Prokhorov (Drums) / Patrick Forlin (Guitar)
Photo Credit: Britney Goertz

Never one to stay within the constraints of genre definition, Varius have a new EP coming November 5th, and before it officially drops, its full stream is being premiered over on MetalInsider HERE.

“Concordance” is all about both diversity and consistency. Varius was motivated to include four distinct tracks with each one primarily written by a different band member. The result was a naturally diverse EP that can still be considered their most collaborative release to date. They share their thoughts on the record:

“We are very excited to present our new EP, the strongest Varius release to date. The result is an EP defined by both its diversity and its consistency in spirit. We were all very motivated to bring each others’ visions to life, and the tracks came together as some of our heaviest and grooviest to date. Each of the four songs are rooted firmly in their own area of the metal spectrum, and they are as varied lyrically as they are musically. “Concordance” explores themes of battle, demonic magics, psychological challenges, and a bleak look at the future of death. We believe that all types of metal fans, and fans of fantasy and science fiction alike, are sure to find something they like about it.”

“Concordance” is a heavy recording throughout, but the four distinct songs approach the heaviness in different ways. Across the four tracks, the listener can expect to hear the influence of death metal, thrash, progressive, doom, and classic metal with experimental dynamic twists. The EP is as diverse lyrically as it is musically; fans of fiction, fantasy, horror, and humanity will find something that they like in “Concordance”. From the apocalyptic themes you’d expect from Varius in “Gut Shoveler” and “Concordance of the Legionfall” to the more reflective stories of battle in “Golden Crown” and personal struggle through “Lament of Dissonance”, the EP covers a variety of heavy lyric themes that listeners can connect to.

The experimental groove of Varius is recommended for fans of Hypocrisy, Lamb of God, and Dethklok.

“Concordance” will be available on digital music platforms on November 5th.

EP pre-order – https://varius.bandcamp.com


Track Listing:
1. Golden Crown (6:03)
2. Concordance of the Legionfall (4:59)
3. Lament of Dissonance (4:43)
4. Gut Shoveler (5:28)
Digital EP Length: 21:14
Note: Physical CD copies of Concordance will feature a bonus track (previously released digitally – 2019)
5. P.I.S.S. (3:22) (CD Bonus Track)
EP Length (CD version): 24:40

For more info:
Facebook.com/Varius.band
Instagram.com/varius.official
EPK

– 30 –

“it’s full of dynamic surprises — a song that’s bombastic and brazen, savage and scintillating, mysterious and magnificent — and its name is “Concordance of the Legionfall“.” – No Clean Singing
—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Prog Duo ATHEMON (ft. ex-Haken) Offer Free Download of Debut Self-Titled Album

  • October 28, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Athemon · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – October 28, 2021

Prog Duo ATHEMON (ft. ex-Haken) Offer Free Download of Debut Self-Titled Album


L-R – Athemon Current Line Up | Adriano Ribeiro (Guitar, Vocals) | Tom MacLean (Bass, Production)
Photo Credits: Adriano’s picture: José Simonetti, Tom’s picture: Sunny Dhaliwal

Athemon, a duo featuring Tom MacLean (bassist/producer, To-Mera, ex-Haken) and Adriano Ribeiro (vocalist and guitarist) are offering up to progressive metal fans a FREE download of their debut self-titled album released recently on October 11th.

“Full of dark and enigmatic atmospheres, this is a concept record that is meant to be heard as one long 50-minute track divided into nine parts, which tells a story about self-awareness. This is a creative release that seeks to forge the perfect alloy of darkness and beauty,” adds the band.

The full length can be downloaded for FREE at the following link: Flyathemon.bandcamp.com

The story of Athemon comes together while many musicians were in lockdown during the Covid pandemic and unable to congregate for simple jams or have outlets to perform their music. Using this global pause, two musicians Tom MacLean based in the UK, and Adriano Ribeiro based in Brazil crossed paths online and used the digital world to their advantage to give rise to their new band Athemon.

“Adriano sent me his demo and it gave me goosebumps, so I was keen to get involved,” says MacLean.

From a significant evolution between demos to their final introductory recordings, MacLean and Ribeiro created a bonding friendship over musical interests that created the perfect environment to allow them to evolve and conceive their debut album.

Formed as a gateway to express their art using progressive metal music, the duo invited a special guest drummer from Brazil; Gledson Gonçalves who added his percussionist touch to compliment each one of the nine tracks.

“As nobody goes alone in this world (even being totally alone inside one’s own mind), the songwriting process had a lonely beginning, but a very collaborative end. The beginning of this project was driven by Adriano, but nothing would fit so well if it wasn’t for the amazing connection the three of us have (Adriano, Tom, and our special guest on drums, Gledson),” says MacLean.

The lyrics for the album were written by vocalist/guitarist Adriano Ribeiro and were inspired by thoughts of how confusing reality can be if you are not taking care of your emotional side. “The thin line between what’s real and what’s not is an endless world,” adds Ribeiro.

New fans of Athemon, can expect much more to come from the pair as they already have plans to launch their second album by the end of 2022, which they are currently composing with promising results.

As for the live spectacle of Athemon, for now, the band will let the music flow until the duo can connect from across the Atlantic for their first in-person jam session.

Recommended for fans of Nevermore, Pain of Salvation, Opeth, Gojira, and Mastodon, Athemon‘s self-titled debut is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other major digital music platforms.


Track Listing:
1. Perception (3:16)
2. Whispers (5:29)
3. The Glass Hindered Us (3:57)
4. Different From What Was Missing (5:23)
5. Seed of Change (7:25)
6. I Voice of Mine (8:12)
7. Reaching Deepness (6:42)
8. Greatest Understanding (5:54)
9. Birth (4:01)
Album Length: 50:20

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Athemon
• All songs written by: Athemon
• Produced by: Tom MacLean
• Mixed by: Tom MacLean @ Twelve Tone Studio
• Mastered by: Tony Lindgren @ Fascination Street Studios
• Album Artwork by: Luigi Quarta

Album Band Line Up:
Adriano Ribeiro (Guitars, Vocals)
Tom MacLean (Bass)
Gledson Gonçalves (session Drums)

More Info:
Athemon.com
Facebook.com/fly.athemon
Instagram.com/fly.athemon
EPK

– 30-

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 The Design Abstract Is Now Streaming Their Melodic Death Sci-Fi Epic “Metemtechnosis”, Album Stream Premiere via Bravewords

  • October 27, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · The Design Abstract

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – October 27, 2021

 

The Design Abstract Is Now Streaming Their Melodic Death Sci-Fi Epic “Metemtechnosis”

Album Stream Premiere via Bravewords

New Album “Metemtechnosis” Out October 29th via Abstrakted Records


L-R – Matt Ngo (Guitar) | Voiicide (Vocals, Bass, Synth) | Logan Mayhem (Guitar, Synth)
Photo Credit: Tami Martin

 

The Design Abstract melds together narrative sci-fi with Gothenburg-esque melodic death metal, resulting in ambiguous concept albums that sound completely different from other artists in the genre. Their latest album “Metemtechnosis” continues the “Technotheism” (2021) storyline after an indeterminate amount of time in the universe. The band compares this new album to the last, and lets us know what’s coming next:

“Many people had many positive things to say about “Technotheism” upon its release, and we feel that “Metemtechnosis” is a worthy successor to it. Compositionally, we have refined many elements and parts of the processes, and from a technical standpoint, we have really stepped up a lot. Those who wanted to hear more of the killer guitar work will assuredly not be disappointed. “Metemtechnosis” also carries on the story of “Technotheism” in part two of what will be a trilogy. Everything that was present in “Technotheism” has been brought back in more compelling ways, and the performances are more on-point than ever before.”

Similar to “Technotheism”, the tracks were written as necessary to touch on the major story beats of the album; an overarching science-fiction story about a far future where technological advancement puts into question a lot of things taken for granted, like the definition of humanity, individuality, progress, and the line between all of these things. After the third album in the trilogy is released, The Design Abstract will move to a different fictional setting, but the music will continue to experiment with the elements they use in new and innovative ways.

All songs on “Metemtechnosis” were written and performed by Voiicide (vocals/bass/programming), Logan Mayhem (guitars/modular synthesis), and Matt Ngo (guitars). It was produced, mixed, and mastered by Voiicide at Abstrakted Records and the album artwork was done by Yuta Shimpo.

The Design Abstract has a sound that is distinctively theirs and is recommended for fans of Soilwork, Septicflesh, and Divine Disorder.

“Metemtechnosis” is streaming now in full via its exclusive premiere on Bravewords HERE.

The album “Metemtechnosis” drops on October 29, 2021 via Abstrakted Records.

Album pre-order – https://design.bandcamp.com

Lyric Video – Born of Machines


Track Listing:
1. Digital Dawn (8:03)
2. Born of Machines (4:35)
3. The Hybrid Awakening (7:07)
4. Organic Data Fusion (5:45)
5. Metropolis II (4:42)
6. Aberration Omega (3:33)
7. Upheaval (Instrumental) (2:00)
8. Sentinels (3:10)
9. Decryptor (6:32)
Album Length: 45:31

Album Band Line Up:
Voiicide – Vocals, Bass, Scoring/Sampling/Programming
Logan Mayhem – Guitars, Modular synthesis
Matt Ngo – Guitars

For more info:
Facebook.com/thedesignabstract
Instagram.com/thedesignabstract
EPK

About:
The Design Abstract is a 3-piece Symphonic Melodic Death Metal band from Kitchener-Waterloo, ON, Canada. The band focuses heavily on storytelling and worldbuilding with a futuristic and sci-fi narrative to each album they create. The Design Abstract formed in 2011 as a solo project under the name Design, and after many lineup changes, grew into a musical entity that presents a bold, epic, and even monolithic fusion of orchestra, synth, and melodic death metal. Sweeping symphonic passages, harsh industrial elements, highly proficient and memorable guitar work, and brutal guttural vocals mixed with soaring cleans are all blended in many ways to put forth a truly unique and powerful musical experience.

– 30 –

“Incorporating old school sci-fi visual elements with choppy electronics, catchy guitar parts and perfectly timed kick drums, this track (Parallel Projection) is a synth metal blast!” – Metal Injection

“A symphonic technical death metal masterpiece with an amazing concept to keep you engaged from start to finish \m/” – Heavy New York 

“Now for some nerd shit. Technotheism is a concept record about the future that at it’s core is a melodic death metal record, but the band dabbles with electronic elements, technicality, and grand orchestrations throughout. Fans of Last Chance To Reason and really any band Mike Semesky (Ordinance, Raunchy, etc) has been a part of will probably dig this.” – Metal Injection

“This is a grandiose affair, full of musicality, technicality, and narrative. Thirteen tracks of symphonic melodic death metal that tells a cyberpunk story of a group of rebels fighting to regain control of Earth. It ranges from technical guitar work to atmospheric electronic passages, and just about everything in between.” – The Prog Space

“I love hearing something ambitious and genre-bending when a band can follow through on their vision.  The Design Abstract is one such band, one that had an idea and put it together almost flawlessly… This album is every bit as diverse, colorful, and epic as I had hoped, and there are jaw-dropping moments galore.  I absolutely love this record.” – The Prog Mind

“The Design Abstract goes for a big symphonic style in extreme metal, with a few twists and surprises along the way. Fans of the dystopian and/or futuristic sounds may find the album especially interesting. The Design Abstract is the symphony that remains after the alien zombies have taken over and this is the music that they want the world to hear to remind everyone that the zombies are horrible beings that enjoy tormenting the population with grandiose cacophony. When can the party begin, right?” – Metal Bulletin Zine 

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Atlantic Canada’s Bone Tower Present Abusive and Abrasive “Under A Veil” Off ‘We All Will Die One Day’, Track Premiere via Metal-Rules

  • October 27, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Bone Tower (No Funeral Records / Fresh Outbreak Records) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – October 27, 2021

Atlantic Canada’s Bone Tower Present Abusive and Abrasive “Under A Veil” Off ‘We All Will Die One Day’

Track Premiere via Metal-Rules

“We All Will Die One Day” Out November 5th via No Funeral Records & Fresh Outbreak Records


L-R – Bone Tower – Sean Carroll (guitars, bass), Jonas DeViller (electronics, vocals), Michael Bowers (guitars, bass, vocals)
Photo Credit: Hayley Frail

Atlantic Canada’s Bone Tower is a fresh band, birthed this year in February, and they came together with one aim, to put the emotions from the surging global crisis into a tight, aggressive EP. The second single is “Under A Veil”, which is the angriest track on the EP. The band explains it in further detail:

“This song is pissed. There is more than one meaning, but it’s really written about the perception that you are always in the wrong, that who you are is a made-up persona, you aren’t good enough, and you should be exiled from everything positive in your life. This feeling couldn’t be further from the truth, and it is simply anxiety creeping in to say hello; A flurry of notes and blast beats being thrown at you really like to drive that idea deep into your head, though. Cower away under a veil of delusion.”

According to them, if this record doesn’t disorient you, stress you out, or give you a headache then they fucked up. The eight tracks span just over nine minutes but each one is full of chaos that pummels the listener straight away. There is no filler, no breaks, just a relentless barrage of blast beats, coarse vocals, and punishing riffs. It’s what whiplash sounds like.

This is the first project where Jonas DeViller (vocals/electronics/lyrics) writes lyrics and he says that the lyrics are mostly inspired by the irrational, negative thoughts that tend to get stuck in the back of his mind, disregarding what reality really looks like. He tried to be blunt and straight-to-the-point while presenting multiple meanings and several different ways of interpretation.

This is just the beginning for Bone Tower as they already are working on a follow-up record. Loud and noisy, they are recommended for fans of Pig Destroyer, Cryptopsy, and Atka.

“Under A Veil” can be heard via its premiere on Metal-Rules HERE.

The EP “We All Will Die One Day” will drop on November 5, 2021 via No Funeral Records & Fresh Outbreak Records.

EP pre-order – https://bonetower.bandcamp.com

Lyric Video “Mangled Wounds” – https://youtu.be/5oGUNz8srqE


Track Listing:
1. Dislodging Splinters (01:13)
2. Am I Conscious (01:16)
3. Mangled Wounds (01:15)
4. Cower Away (0:38)
5. Under A Veil (01:06)
6. Empty Cave (01:59)
7. The Sun (0:48)
8. We All Will Die One Day (0:50)
EP Length (9:09)

For more info:
Facebook.com/bonetower.hfx
Instagram.com/bonetower
EPK

About:
Bone Tower got its start early in 2021, with the sole purpose of channeling built-up negative energy and creating a hectic, pissed-off sounding record. Hailing from Atlantic Canada they got straight to the point through pummeling angry death metal.

Bone Tower is the musical equivalent of the chaos ensuing globally since last year. An angry jab back at the universe for anyone who was angry and watched the world unfold with racial upheaval, conservatives and conspiracists coming out of the woodwork against Covid, economic regression with millions losing jobs, the entire world changing beneath our feet, and for the politicians who claimed to be on our side but continue to fight against the truth.

The trio of Jonas DeViller (vocals/electronics/lyrics), Sean Carroll (guitar/bass), and Michael Bowers (guitar/bass/vocals) is a seasoned one at that and they were able to quickly write and produce their debut EP ‘We All Will Die One Day’ in two weeks. It came together as a whole very quickly and organically.

This is just the start for Bone Tower, they already have a follow-up record in the works. As of now, they are mostly a recording project but they intend on eventually playing shows. When they do finally play live, it’s bound to be just as fucked up as the recording.

EP ‘We All Will Die One Day’ is due out November 5, 2021.

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

Page 36 of 123
  • 1
  • …
  • 34
  • 35
  • 36
  • 37
  • 38
  • …
  • 123

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