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Tag: scale the summit

0 Out Now! Israel’s NEOLIA Self-Titled Debut Progressive Metal Album + New Music Video “A Better Version of You” (Live at Barby)

  • May 5, 2023
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Neolia

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – May 5, 2023

​

Out Now! Israel’s NEOLIA Self-Titled Debut Progressive Metal Album

New Music Video “A Better Version of You” (Live at Barby)

Album Mastered by Howie Weinberg (Metallica, Pantera, Nirvana)

L-R: Neolia Current Line Up – Tomer Mash (Bass), Yair Ben Shalom (Drums), Ben Reiss (Vocals), Guy Greenberg (Guitar), Inbar Davish (Guitar)

Photo Credit – Avi Veldman

Photo Edit by: Rana Sneider

Israel’s Neolia is a force to be reckoned with in the world of progressive metal, and their self-titled debut album is proof of that. With intricate instrumentation, soaring vocals, and unrelenting energy, this album is a must-listen for any fan of progressive music. According to the band, this album has traveled a lifetime with them already, and they are excited to be releasing it to the world. They share their thoughts:

“Being able to shine a light and allowing others to see, hear, and feel what we feel this elaborate vision is in itself a blessing and it is what keeps us going. We wanted to allow new emotions and new subjects that we had felt were not given the proper attention, such as child neglection, mental illnesses, personal family issues, torture and more to be given the option to be approached from a perspective of a fictional story in order for people to be able to connect to the complexity of the lyrics more easily.”

They continue to explain that although this is a concept album, each track presents its own unique characteristics and expresses a variety of styles and musical ideas that are derived from world music, jazz, and electronic at times. The album also incorporates different interludes some atmospheric and some piano based adding more emotional layers and subcontext to the mood changes in the album. It is intended to feel artistic in its nature and to convey a message of freedom.

Neolia was formed to give to others and to encourage people to come together. They give in a few dimensions — one is personal and spiritual, and the other is musical and expressive.

The self-titled album was mastered by Howie Weinberg (Metallica, Pantera, Nirvana) and is available as of May 5th, 2023.

In addition to the album’s release, the band is sharing their latest live video for the track “A Better Version of You”, which was captured during a recent performance at the legendary Tel-Aviv venue Barby.

Watch the video at https://youtu.be/pI_qa14kZ-k

​

Album order is available at https://neolia.bandcamp.com/album/neolia​

Previous Videos:

 

 

 

 

Track Listing:​
1. The Shed – 3:44
2. The Shed Outro – 0:52
3. Your Prophecy – 7:44
4. Dance of Violence – 7:10
5. Carried Away – 5:49
6. Carried Away Outro – 1:24
7. Karma – 4:09 ft. guest vocals Ran Yerushalmi
8. Karma Outro – 0:44
9. Day In Day Out – 11:06
10. Anchors – 7:14
11. Rise and Fall – 5:06
12. Blow the Leaves – 7:02
13. A Better Version of You – 4:53
14. Refahim – 8:00
Album Length: 74:57

For more info: Neoliaband.com | Facebook.com/neoliaband | Instagram.com/neoliaband​

– 30 –

“This band is going to be huge. You know how Tool and the Mars Volta developed into their own sound and how they have a legion of devoted fans? That’s what Israel’s Neolia is about to do with this self titled debut album.” – Transcending the Mundane​
​
​“Karma”, (the video) accompanied by a beautiful shot somewhere in the deserts of Israel, has that fantastic balance of aggression and melody that I love about alternative metal. At its more frenetic moments, like the excellent transitions from the heavier moments near the end of the track and the more melodic chorus, it reminds me of The Mars Volta, and that is one big compliment. Elsewhere, Yerushalmi’s guest vocals are expertly utilized to balance the rawer, more harried vocals of the band’s own singer, Ben Reiss. Together, they present the major melodic force on the track, while the instruments deliver well written, complex, and undeniable groove. This mix is exactly what alternative metal is so good for, hitting on both the emotional and the visceral level of enjoyment. The track ends up being both interesting to dissect and take apart but also something you can move and sing to. If the band’s self-titled is as good as this, and the other tracks released so far seem to indicate that that is indeed the case, then we’re in for a treat. Make sure you head on over to the band’s Bandcamp to pre-order it; I think it’s going to be a lot of fun!” – Heavy Blog Is Heavy​
​
​“Neolia’s Self titled debut album is a reflection of years of soaking up music of different genres from rock to pop to world music and whatnot. It’s a fusion of bits upon bits of pieces absorbed and processed and then spat out from a personal perspective. In its musical aspect, its rock and metal based, but with a twist of African, Latin, Jazz, and ambient that reaches the spectrum of high and low, tender, extreme, and crazy.” – New Prog Releases​
​
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations | Instagram @AsherMedia | Tweet @AsherMedia
(Rockshots Records, Extreme Metal Music, Armstrong MF, Loud As Hell, Metalocalypstick, Decimate MF, Electric Highway Fest, Wacken Metal Battle Canada/USA, Hyperspace MF, Le FestEvil)

0 INHALE EXISTENCE Blasting Down The Doors w/ Their Most Technically Aggressive Track “Facade Breaker”

  • August 19, 2022
  • by Asher
  • · Inhale Existence · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 19, 2022

 

INHALE EXISTENCE Blasting Down The Doors w/ Their Most Technically Aggressive Track “Facade Breaker”

Debut Album “The Spiral” Coming 2023

Mixed and Mastered by Jamie King (Between the Buried and Me, The Contortionist, Scale The Summit)

​

Creating extremely heavy and catchy prog metal, Detroit, MI founded Inhale Existence is offering up another taster from their forthcoming debut album “The Spiral”, which was recorded, mixed, and mastered by audio engineer guru Jamie King (Between the Buried and Me, The Contortionist, Scale The Summit). Entitled “Facade Breaker”, it is the band’s third single to follow previously unleashed tracks “The Spiral” and “Absolve”. Compared to the first two songs of the eleven that will be featured on their first full-length, “Facade Breaker” serves as the band’s most “technical” song.

“I think fans of technical music who also enjoy catchy riffs and melodies will really enjoy it. I drew inspiration from bands like Necrophagist and Archspire to write the song; I even wrote the final riff and outro of the song purely as an homage to Necrophagist. Nikhil wrote about his love for music and being a part of the music scene, which is something I think we all identify with. As an aside, I like that our most technical track to date is about a love for something, in contrast to much of the lyrical themes found in tech death.” adds guitarist Sam Mooradian.

Bludgeoning, and chaotically heavy, all the tracks were written remotely during the pandemic. The band was founded just before Covid impacted the US; the pandemic was officially declared days later. They each individually worked from home during those rough months to write and shape the music for their debut.

The forthcoming record has been arranged to be heard as a full album from start to end. The album will have a lot of weird and interesting twists, musically speaking, but they all feel natural and help contribute to the listening experience. The band made “The Spiral” to play like a concept album, but only musically – the lyrics are all thematically linked and exist in the same universe, but there’s no single story being told.

“Our first album “The Spiral” is a work that we’re all exceptionally proud of. It’s a landscape of melodies portrayed angrily, with tinges of extreme melancholy. It’s brutal, heavy, and infectious. We can’t wait to share the rest of it with you.”

All band members are seasoned touring musicians. Nikhil Rao (vocals) toured with A War Within, Sam Mooradian tours with Fallujah, James Knoerl (drums) has toured with The Faceless and plays in Aviations and Gargoyl, and Brian Krahe (bass) has toured with Abiotic and is a member of Krosis.

All together the quartet brings forth tight playing and a huge stage presence. They have evolved since their inception, with Nikhil digging deeper on lyrical content, inspiring Sam to push the music to heavier and darker places. The band is currently writing their follow-up to “The Spiral”.

Fans of progressive metal and tech-death, along with bands like Periphery, Necrophagist, Archspire, Meshuggah, and The Dillinger Escape Plan, will enjoy having their auditory senses assaulted.

“Facade Breaker” can be heard at https://youtu.be/bw5jAF7gteQ

​

Their debut album “The Spiral” is being planned for release in 2023.

Previous singles:

Music Video – Spiral – https://youtu.be/wVs2Nd64WQ4

​

Music Video – Absolve – https://youtu.be/kZ1h6zep9gw

​

Band Line Up:​
Nikhil Rao – Vocals
Sam Mooradian – Guitar
Brian Krahe – Bass
James Knoerl – Drums

For more info:​
​https://www.inhaleexistence.com​
​https://www.facebook.com/InhaleExistence​
​http://instagram.com/inhaleexistence​
​https://inhaleexistence.bandcamp.com​
​https://spoti.fi/3dytBQM​

About:​
Inhale Existence strives to be the most unabashedly heavy band they can be. Born of a combination of Nikhil Rao’s catchy vocals and Sam Mooradian’s crushing guitar riffs, and paired with Brian Krahe’s aggressive bass playing, and James Knoerl’s improvised grooves, Inhale creates something wholly unique in a saturated modern progressive metal scene. The band brings substantial experience with them, with all members having done major US tours with bands such as Fallujah (Sam), The Faceless (James), Krosis (Brian), and A War Within (Nikhil). With their sound inspired by bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan and Meshuggah – and colored with synthesizers – when Inhale Existence comes together, brace yourself.

 

In the summer of 2021, Inhale Existence entered the studio with renowned producer Jamie King (Between the Buried and Me, The Contortionist) to record their debut album. The resulting record traverses a vast sonic landscape packaged in irreverent and interesting song structures. Its expected release in late 2022 promises to be both memorable and upsetting to the prog metal scene.

– 30 –

—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations | Instagram @AsherMedia | Tweet @AsherMedia
(Rockshots Records, Extreme Metal Music, Armstrong MF, Loud As Hell, Metalocalypstick, Decimate MF, Electric Highway Fest, Wacken Metal Battle Canada/USA, Hyperspace MF, Le FestEvil)

 

0 Canada’s Matt Chanway Breathes New Life Into Progressive Metal With “Unrelenting”, Guitar Playthrough Premiere via GearGods

  • February 17, 2021
  • by Asher
  • · Matt Chanway (Guitar Shredder) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – February 17, 2021

 

For fans of Plini, Scale The Summit, Animals As Leaders, CHON

Canada’s Matt Chanway Breathes New Life Into Progressive Metal With “Unrelenting”

Guitar Playthrough Premiere via GearGods

Vancouver’s talented Matt Chanway returns in 2021 with a new single “Unrelenting”, for which he has done a playthrough video being premiered today on GearGods HERE.

Chanway was a finalist in Guitar Idol, the world-renowned guitar competition that features the top up and coming musicians from around the globe, as well as holding a fellowship from The University of West London in music performance. His skills are on full display for the new playthrough video for his single “Unrelenting”. Chanway quotes on the track:

“This tune was a lot of fun to write, and I feel it flows a lot better than songs I’ve released in the past. One big difference is the use of live drums, played by the amazing Mike ‘Machine’ Mallais.  Previous music I’ve released has used programmed drums, and while my programmer did a great job, there is just something about live drums and Mike slayed it on this track. This is the first of several new songs I’ve got lined up this year, and I am very excited to play these live when it is safe to do so!”

Chanway’s progressive, instrumental metal is sure to tantalize listeners around the world who are looking for a mind-expanding sonic experience. His music is highly recommended for fans of Plini, Scale The Summit, and Animals As Leaders.

“Unrelenting” is will be available on all digital platforms on February 19, 2021.
Spotify
Bandcamp
Apple Music

For more info:
Facebook.com/MattChanway
Instagram.com/MattChanway

About:

Matt Chanway is a Canadian guitarist, instructor, and session musician from Vancouver BC. His debut album was released in 2016 to critical acclaim, and not long after finished as a finalist in Guitar Idol, the world’s foremost guitar competition showcasing the top emerging players on the planet. In 2019, Chanway released the follow-up single “The Beyond”, once again to high praise. Holding a Fellowship in music performance from the University of West London, Matt teaches guitar and theory full-time in his hometown Vancouver BC.

Matt’s playing is inspired by a combination of the old and new school, with rock guitar players from the ’80s, modern progressive “shredders” such as Dan Mongrain and Jeff Loomis, as well as 70’s jazz-rock musicians John Mahavishnu and Al Di Meola. Fans of challenging, progressive, intense instrumental music – artists such as Plini, Alluvial, Tony Macalpine, Animals As Leader – will enjoy Chanway’s music.

Now in 2021, Chanway returns with a fresh new single entitled “Unrelenting”, an upbeat, shredtacular track to take listeners on a wonderful sonic adventure of instrumental progressive metal showcasing his authentic guitar themes, and addictive riffs. Plans for more music in 2021 is already in the works, and Chanway looks forward to sharing his razor-sharp passages meld with soaring solos.

– 30 –

“Solo artist Matt Chanway is a shredder whose instrumental compositions elicit comparisons to Conquering Dystopia, Alluvial, and the like. It becomes immediately evident that the dude knows his way around a fretboard (having studied guitar performance at the University of West London), but his widdely-woo is tasteful enough so as to not become tiresome, with care taken to first craft a sick riff to wail over.” – Geargods

“Matt’s self-titled solo debut is proof of his versatility and prowess as a musician… quite impressed by his new material” – Progzilla (Album Review – Self-Titled 2016)

“if you find bands like Megadeth, Revocation and guitarists such as Jeff Loomis to be up your alley, Matt Chanway’s debut effort is absolutely your cup of tea and you would be well-advised to give it a spin. A compelling debut in every aspect.” – Metal Assault (Album Review – Self-Titled 2016)

“This is not an album just for shredders, it’s for anyone who wants an album of great metal that will get your head banging and wear your air guitar out.” – The Ripple  Effect (Album Review – Self-Titled 2016)

“Burstfire solos, frantic time signatures, complicated riffing and the like are all signposts of an artist who wants to see how far he can go. Unsurprisingly, this ambition pays off. The release could stand on its own as proof that Matt could play alongside the world’s greatest in shred guitar.” – Prog Sphere Magazine (Album Review – Self-Titled 2016)

“The progressive metal genre never ceases to provide scores of insanely skilled guitar-slingers, and Vancouver’s Matt Chanway can now be recognized as another mind-blowing practitioner of the style.” – Guitar.com

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

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

0 NewFuryMedia Video Premiere: Calgary Instrumental Prog Metal Illuminated Minerva New Music Video “Wilder (Mother Goddess)”

  • October 22, 2020
  • by Asher
  • · Illuminated Minerva · Music News

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – October 22, 2020

Interview Request at asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

For fans of Tool, Scale The Summit, Intronaut, Mastodon, Sikth

Calgary Instrumental Prog Metal Illuminated Minerva New Music Video “Wilder (Mother Goddess)”

Video Premiere via NewFuryMedia

New Album “Enigma Adamantine” Out Now!

L-R: Pat Lawtey (Guitar) | Matt Petti (Bass) | Nathan Bourgeault (Guitar) | Jordon Bourgeault (Drums)
Photo Credit – Chris Aune

Calgary, Canada’s Illuminated Minerva released their emotional, turbulent full-length “Enigma Adamantine” on September 25th. The album is a showcase of the band’s amalgamation of heavy riffs, groovy bass, and psychedelic melodies, and in lieu of vocals, archived audio clips resulting in oratory artistic storytelling. The concept album is five long songs and is an instrumental progressive metal record based around conspiracy, UFOs, and abductions. An album experience as unique as the stories within. Fans of the band’s 2014 debut EP “The Immaculate Deception” will notice a divergence from the ambient and electronic focus towards heavier and more technical songwriting.

Today, as the album blazes through speakers of fans, the band is sharing their new music video for the track “Wilder (Mother Goddess)”. The song is an onslaught of technical brutality set to a narrative of biology, reptilian beings, and ritual. Slithering guitar, ancient rhythms, and ripping bass cut deep in the track.

Teaming up with NewFuryMedia, the music video can be viewed and heard via its premiere HERE.

“Enigma Adamantine” is available on Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify and is for fans of Tool, Mastodon, and Sikth.

Music Video “Sightings” HERE.

Track Listing:
1. Heart Beat of Creation (9:48)
2. Sightings (5:08)
3. Abductions (7:05)
4. Wilder (Mother Goddess) (8:37)
5. Illuminatus Majoris (13:03)
Album Length: 43:44

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

About:

Illuminated Minerva is a technical, progressive metal band, from Calgary, Canada. Brothers Nathan Bourgeault (guitar) and Jordon Bourgeault (drums) were both musicians growing up and eventually started their first project Sequoia, the beginning of their musical collaboration. Eventually, they moved on to form Illuminated Minerva, with a goal to push the musical boundaries further.

Rounding the lineup out is local scene veteran Matt Petti (bass) who played with drummer Jordon Bourgeault in Verbal Deception; and Pat Lawtey (guitar) who played with the international act Kobra and the Lotus.

The bond between brothers and former bandmates results in a very natural writing process for the progressive metal quartet. Knowing what works and what doesn’t comes easily and allows the band to intertwine astral riffs, and technical harmonies highlighted by the absence of vocals. Combined with archived audio clips the result is oratory artistic storytelling taking the listener through space and time, exploring conspiracies and unanswered questions.

With a captivating and visceral live show, the seasoned musicians of Illuminated Minerva have played with a host of bands locally including Tesseract, Intronaut, and Cloudkicker. In 2014, the band released their debut EP “The Immaculate Deception” and are following it up in 2020 with a full length “Enigma Adamantine” due out Sept 25th.

– 30 –

“Canadian Prog-Metallers ILLUMINATED MINERVA Question the Existence of Extraterrestrial Life In New Single “Sightings”” – Sonic Perspectives

” Enigma Adamantine is amazingly good and entertaining. Tech Metal fans should definitely listen.” – Sound Magnet

“give this beast a listen” – The Circle Pit

“The drums provide an off-kilter atomic clock, complete with jazzy accents and jackhammer snare, the guitars shred and squeal. It’s thought provoking, musically captivating, and will inspire the curious among you to do some research.” – Beatroute

“There is an almost feral quality to their work, and when they all hit it hard, it is intense.” – The Western Front

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

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

0 Calgary Prog Metal Illuminated Minerva Streaming New Album “Enigma Adamantine”; Album Stream Premiere via TheCirclePit

  • September 23, 2020
  • by Asher
  • · Illuminated Minerva · Music News

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 23, 2020

Interview Request at asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

For fans of Tool, Scale The Summit, Intronaut, Mastodon, Sikth

Calgary Prog Metal Illuminated Minerva Streaming New Album “Enigma Adamantine”

Album Stream Premiere via TheCirclePit

L-R: Pat Lawtey (Guitar) | Matt Petti (Bass) | Nathan Bourgeault (Guitar) | Jordon Bourgeault (Drums)
Photo Credit – Chris Aune

Calgary, Canada’s Illuminated Minerva is unleashing their emotional, turbulent full-length “Enigma Adamantine” on Friday, September 25, 2020. Ahead of the release, they are thrilled to entice the world with the album’s full stream premiere via TheCirclePit HERE.

The band blends together heavy riffs, groovy bass and psychedelic melodies, and in lieu of vocals, archived audio clips resulting in oratory artistic storytelling. The concept album is five long songs, each one uniquely contributing to the overall theme of the album. Fans of the band’s 2014 debut EP “The Immaculate Deception” will notice a divergence from the ambient and electronic focus towards heavier and more technical songwriting.

Illuminated Minerva shares their thoughts on the new offering:

“‘Enigma Adamantine’ is an instrumental progressive metal album based around conspiracy, UFOs, and abductions. A musical examination of modern mythology laid out with hard-hitting bass grooves, technical guitar lines, soaring leads, and complex drumming matched with audio from years past to present an auditory mirror reflecting our deepest fears and questions yet to be answered. An album experience as unique as the stories within. We hope all that explore it, will enjoy it.”

Being instrumental sets the band apart from most other bands as it makes it easier to appeal to a broader spectrum of people and those with an interest in Tool, Mastodon and Sikth will find Illuminated Minerva especially enjoyable.

Album pre-order / pre-save on Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify.

Music Video “Sightings” HERE.

Track Listing:
1. Heart Beat of Creation (9:48)
2. Sightings (5:08)
3. Abductions (7:05)
4. Wilder (Mother Goddess) (8:37)
5. Illuminatus Majoris (13:03)
Album Length: 43:44

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

About:

Illuminated Minerva is a technical, progressive metal band, from Calgary, Canada. Brothers Nathan Bourgeault (guitar) and Jordon Bourgeault (drums) were both musicians growing up and eventually started their first project Sequoia, the beginning of their musical collaboration. Eventually, they moved on to form Illuminated Minerva, with a goal to push the musical boundaries further.

Rounding the lineup out is local scene veteran Matt Petti (bass) who played with drummer Jordon Bourgeault in Verbal Deception; and Pat Lawtey (guitar) who played with the international act Kobra and the Lotus.

The bond between brothers and former bandmates results in a very natural writing process for the progressive metal quartet. Knowing what works and what doesn’t comes easily and allows the band to intertwine astral riffs, and technical harmonies highlighted by the absence of vocals. Combined with archived audio clips the result is oratory artistic storytelling taking the listener through space and time, exploring conspiracies and unanswered questions.

With a captivating and visceral live show, the seasoned musicians of Illuminated Minerva have played with a host of bands locally including Tesseract, Intronaut, and Cloudkicker. In 2014, the band released their debut EP “The Immaculate Deception” and are following it up in 2020 with a full length “Enigma Adamantine” due out Sept 25th.

– 30 –

“Canadian Prog-Metallers ILLUMINATED MINERVA Question the Existence of Extraterrestrial Life In New Single “Sightings”” – Sonic Perspectives

“The drums provide an off-kilter atomic clock, complete with jazzy accents and jackhammer snare, the guitars shred and squeal. It’s thought-provoking, musically captivating, and will inspire the curious among you to do some research.” – Beatroute

“There is an almost feral quality to their work, and when they all hit it hard, it is intense.” – The Western Front

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

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

0 Get Whisked Away With “Abductions” From Illuminated Minerva’s “Enigma Adamantine”, Premiere Single “Abductions” via TheProgSpace, New Album “Enigma Adamantine” Out Sept 25th; Launch Pre-Order

  • September 1, 2020
  • by Asher
  • · Illuminated Minerva · Music News

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 1, 2020

Interview Request at asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

For fans of Tool, Scale The Summit, Intronaut, Mastodon, Sikth

Get Whisked Away With “Abductions” From Illuminated Minerva’s “Enigma Adamantine”

Premiere Single “Abductions” via TheProgSpace

New Album “Enigma Adamantine” Out Sept 25th; Launch Pre-Order

L-R: Pat Lawtey (Guitar) | Matt Petti (Bass) | Nathan Bourgeault (Guitar) | Jordon Bourgeault (Drums)
Photo Credit – Chris Aune

Calgary, Canada’s Illuminated Minerva is putting out their emotional, turbulent full-length album “Enigma Adamantine” on September 25, 2020. Ahead of the release, they are thrilled to entice the world with their second single “Abductions”.

The band blends together heavy riffs, groovy bass, and psychedelic melodies, and in lieu of vocals, archived audio clips resulting in oratory artistic storytelling. The concept album is five long songs, each one uniquely contributing to the overall theme of the album. Fans of the first album will notice a divergence from the ambient and electronic focus towards heavier and more technical songwriting.

Always in a state of growth, Illuminated Minerva shares the story behind “Abductions”:

“Two bros, one alien abduction. A musical retelling of Charles Hickson’s account of his abduction on the Pascagoula River. Progressive movements mixed technical riffs recount the mind-blowing tale of these two friends.”

Being instrumental sets the band apart from most other bands as it makes it easier to appeal to a broader spectrum of people and those with an interest in Tool, Mastodon and Sikth will find Illuminated Minerva especially enjoyable.

“Abductions” is available via its premiere on TheProgSpace HERE.

The full album will be released on September 25, 2020.

Album pre-order on Bandcamp, Apple Music.

Music Video “Sightings” HERE.
Spotify

Track Listing:
1. Heart Beat of Creation (9:48)
2. Sightings (5:08)
3. Abductions (7:05)
4. Wilder (Mother Goddess) (8:37)
5. Illuminatus Majoris (13:03)
Album Length: 43:44

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

About:

Illuminated Minerva is a technical, progressive metal band, from Calgary, Canada. Brothers Nathan Bourgeault (guitar) and Jordon Bourgeault (drums) were both musicians growing up and eventually started their first project Sequoia, the beginning of their musical collaboration. Eventually, they moved on to form Illuminated Minerva, with a goal to push the musical boundaries further.

Rounding the lineup out is local scene veteran Matt Petti (bass) who played with drummer Jordon Bourgeault in Verbal Deception; and Pat Lawtey (guitar) who played with the international act Kobra and the Lotus.

The bond between brothers and former bandmates results in a very natural writing process for the progressive metal quartet. Knowing what works and what doesn’t comes easily and allows the band to intertwine astral riffs, and technical harmonies highlighted by the absence of vocals. Combined with archived audio clips the result is oratory artistic storytelling taking the listener through space and time, exploring conspiracies and unanswered questions.

With a captivating and visceral live show, the seasoned musicians of Illuminated Minerva have played with a host of bands locally including Tesseract, Intronaut, and Cloudkicker. In 2014, the band released their debut EP “The Immaculate Deception” and are following it up in 2020 with a full length “Enigma Adamantine” due out Sept 25th.

– 30 –

“The drums provide an off-kilter atomic clock, complete with jazzy accents and jackhammer snare, the guitars shred and squeal. It’s thought-provoking, musically captivating, and will inspire the curious among you to do some research.” – Beatroute

“There is an almost feral quality to their work, and when they all hit it hard, it is intense.” – The Western Front

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
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0 The Reticent’s Next Concept Album “The Oubliette” Is A Tale of Man’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Disease; Music Video Premiere “The Captive” via MetalInjection; New Album “The Oubliette” Out September 25th via Heaven & Hell Records

  • August 27, 2020
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · The Reticent

(contact info below)

 

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 27, 2020


For fans of Opeth, Porcupine Tree, Katatonia, The Contortionist, King Crimson

The Reticent’s Next Concept Album “The Oubliette” Is A Tale of Man’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Disease

Music Video Premiere “The Captive” via MetalInjection

New Album “The Oubliette” Out September 25th via Heaven & Hell Records

NC’s The Reticent return in 2020 with a new album entitled “The Oubliette” set for release on Heaven & Hell Records on September 18th. The full length is produced again by Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist, Scale The Summit) to follow the band’s critically acclaimed 2016 release “On The Eve Of A Goodbye”, which was an autobiographical concept record that chronicled the day before, day of, and the day after the suicide of band founder Chris Hathcock’s childhood friend Eve. Critics and fans of the record alike were moved by the compelling narrative and heartrending performances along with the band’s award-winning live performances that are both an audiovisual and emotional experience that utilizes film, story-telling, and the sheer intensity of the music.

Even though the recording of “The Oubliette” was delayed four times due to a severe injury to Hathcock’s right arm (the deltoid bursa to be exact), he was able to perform all instruments on the full length, he actually began lining up players to fill in for him as doctors told him he may be endangering his arm’s functionality if he didn’t take an extended break from playing. Luckily, rest allowed him to recuperate enough to complete the record. Although, the process was slowed because he was in pain the entire time. Every recording session began with him taking at least 800 mg of Ibuprofen to make it through.

Finally completing “The Oubliette”, The Reticent shares another stirring autobiographical tale, this time about the tragedy of Alzheimer’s disease. The album follows the journey of an old man named Henry, which is based upon a relative of songwriter Chris Hathcock who’s real name was Cyrus. The name Henry was chosen as a somewhat more universal name, but also because Henry was one of the Alzheimer’s patients featured prominently in the documentary “Alive Inside”. The concept of the album is to demonstrate Henry’s descent through the seven stages of Alzheimer’s.  He doesn’t know where he is or why he’s there.  He doesn’t remember his wife is dead.  He doesn’t recognize his son.  Step by step the disease takes his memories, his ability to speak, his ability to walk, his ability to breathe.  The music of “The Oubliette” traverses styles as divergent as jazz and black metal all within the framework of emotionally driven progressive metal.  With each track sonically independent from its predecessor, the album moves the listener from experience to experience, vague memories to dreams and nightmares all toward its heartbreaking finale. Fans and critics alike will be very eager to sink their teeth into another intense emotional outpouring of progressive metal.

Chris Hathcock adds:

“As with my previous album, I hope that ‘The Oubliette’ will provide listeners with a rich and emotionally challenging audio experience.  This is undoubtedly the most ambitious record The Reticent has attempted to date.  The hope is that listeners will be personally affected by the music on a deep level and that it may draw some attention to a disease that is frighteningly prominent but frequently poorly understood.  There will be moments that are soothing and there will be moments that are overwhelming.  The story I have to tell is not a happy one but it is an important one – and it is often through the pain that we find the most profound reflection and calls to action.”  

Today, the band shares the first tale and the second track on the emotionally gripping release “The Captive”.

Hathcock explains:

“The song starts with Henry hearing the orderly instructs him to return to his room as marching drums cadence him to get moving  Now convinced that he is being wrongly imprisoned and believing his wife is being kept from him, Henry begins to oscillate between anger and despair made all the worse by the fact that he still doesn’t understand what’s happening to him. Decidedly aggressive death metal spearheads the track before Henry’s anger falls into a defeated frustration represented by the pensive midsection.”

Watch and listen to the video for “The Captive” via its premiere on MetalInjection HERE.

“The Oubliette” is due out via Heaven & Hell Records on September 25, 2020.

Album Pre-Order HERE.


Track Listing:
1. Stage 1 – His Name Is Henry (9:46)
2. Stage 2 – The Captive (6:00)
3. Stage 3 – The Palliative Breath (7:13)
4. Stage 4 – The Dream (11:47)
5. Stage 5 – The Nightmare (12:14)
6. Stage 6 – The Oubliette (10:38)
7. Stage 7 – ________ (6:10)
Album Length: 1:03:50

Album Band Line Up:
Chris Hathcock – Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Drums, Vocals, Additional Percussion
James Nelson – Lead Guitars

Live Band Line Up:
Chris Hathcock – Vocals, Guitar
James Nelson – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Cliff Stankiewicz – Bass
Mitch Moore – Drums

For more info:
HeavenandHellRecords.com
TheReticent.net
EPK

– 30 –

“First-rate Progressive Metal, technically high-standing and delivered with a very high level of genuine emotion and passion.” – Rock Music Raider, review of “On the Eve of a Goodbye”

“…The fact is On the Eve of a Goodbye is one of the best concept albums of recent memory” – Angry Metal Guy, review of “On the Eve of a Goodbye”

“This record is why I listen to music.” – The Gauntlet, review of “On the Eve of a Goodbye”

“The Reticent is progressive in the truest sense of the term, and remains one of the best-kept secrets in metal…Once again, The Reticent delivers a stirring and unforgettable album that will absolutely appeal to fans of Opeth (especially Damnation and Heritage-era Opeth), Porcupine Tree, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Katatonia and Anathema.” – Hard Rock Haven, review of “Le Temps Detruit Tout”

“The Reticent’s On the Eve of a Goodbye took me by surprise and proceeded to floor me in all its heartbreaking, sophisticated glory” – Teeth of the Divine, review of “On the Eve of a Goodbye”

“I can safely say that this album stands with any classic concept album that people will try and compare it with” – Power of Metal, review of “On the Eve of a Goodbye”

—

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

0 Cruise Through Space With Illuminated Minerva’s “Sightings” off Upcoming “Enigma Adamantine”; Premiere Music Video “Sightings” via SonicPerspectives; New Album “Enigma Adamantine” Out Sept 25th; Launch Pre-Order

  • August 4, 2020
  • by Asher
  • · Illuminated Minerva · Music News

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 4, 2020

Interview Request at asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

For fans of Tool, Scale The Summit, Intronaut, Mastodon, Sikth

Cruise Through Space With Illuminated Minerva’s “Sightings” off Upcoming “Enigma Adamantine”

Premiere Music Video “Sightings” via SonicPerspectives

New Album “Enigma Adamantine” Out Sept 25th; Launch Pre-Order

L-R: Pat Lawtey (Guitar) | Matt Petti (Bass) | Nathan Bourgeault (Guitar) | Jordon Bourgeault (Drums)
Photo Credit – Chris Aune

Canada’s Illuminated Minerva have a spacey full-length album “Enigma Adamantine” dropping on September 25, 2020, and a music video for the first single “Sightings”.

The band released an EP “The Immaculate Deception” in 2014 and this new album, while touching on similar concepts, embraces longer songs, a more technical edge, and a higher production value. With a little bit of everything genre-wise, except vocals, Illuminated Minerva takes the listener on a ride through space and conspiracies theories guided by archived audio clips. Illuminate Minerva shares their take on the album:

“’Enigma Adamantine’ is an instrumental progressive metal album based around conspiracy, UFOs, and abductions. A musical examination of modern mythology laid out with hard-hitting bass grooves, technical guitar lines, soaring leads, and complex drumming matched with audio from years past present an auditory mirror reflecting our deepest fears and questions yet to be answered. An album experience as unique as the stories within.”

The album, as a concept album, is written to be listened to as a whole in chronological order where the themes can flow from one song to another. Each track does carry its own weight, the first single “Sightings” being no exception. The second track on the album is the song for those who ‘want to believe’! Odd time signatures, throbbing bass, and first-hand accounts of unknown aircraft frame the question of ‘are we alone?’.

The progressive and melodic instrumental quartet suits a wide variety of people, especially fans of Tool, Scale the Summit, and Intronaut.

The music video for “Sightings” is available via its premiere on SonicPerspectives HERE.

The full album will be released on September 25, 2020.

Album pre-order on Bandcamp.

Stream and download for single “Sightings” on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play here.

Track Listing:
1. Heart Beat of Creation (9:48)
2. Sightings (5:08)
3. Abductions (7:05)
4. Wilder (Mother Goddess) (8:37)
5. Illuminatus Majoris (13:03)
Album Length: 43:44

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

About:

Illuminated Minerva is a technical, progressive metal band, from Calgary, Canada. Brothers Nathan Bourgeault (guitar) and Jordon Bourgeault (drums) were both musicians growing up and eventually started their first project Sequoia, the beginning of their musical collaboration. Eventually, they moved on to form Illuminated Minerva, with a goal to push the musical boundaries further.

Rounding the lineup out is local scene veteran Matt Petti (bass) who played with drummer Jordon Bourgeault in Verbal Deception; and Pat Lawtey (guitar) who played with the international act Kobra and the Lotus.

The bond between brothers and former bandmates results in a very natural writing process for the progressive metal quartet. Knowing what works and what doesn’t comes easily and allows the band to intertwine astral riffs, and technical harmonies highlighted by the absence of vocals. Combined with archived audio clips the result is oratory artistic storytelling taking the listener through space and time, exploring conspiracies and unanswered questions.

With a captivating and visceral live show, the seasoned musicians of Illuminated Minerva have played with a host of bands locally including Tesseract, Intronaut, and Cloudkicker. In 2014, the band released their debut EP “The Immaculate Deception” and are following it up in 2020 with a full length “Enigma Adamantine” due out Sept 25th.

– 30 –

“The drums provide an off-kilter atomic clock, complete with jazzy accents and jackhammer snare, the guitars shred and squeal. It’s thought provoking, musically captivating, and will inspire the curious among you to do some research.” – Beatroute

“There is an almost feral quality to their work, and when they all hit it hard, it is intense.” – The Western Front

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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Instagram @AsherMedia
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0 One Man Prog Shred-A-Thon INFINITEE Premieres New Playthrough Medley “Xenocybin + Lost” via Idobi Radio; Debut Album “The Possibilities Are Endless” Out Now!

  • June 12, 2018
  • by Asher
  • · Infinitee · Music News

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 12, 2018

 

For fans of Meshuggah, Scale The Summit, Animals As Leaders, Glass Cloud, The Algorithm, Modern Day Babylon, Plini

One Man Prog Shred-A-Thon INFINITEE Premieres New Playthrough Medley “Xenocybin + Lost” via Idobi Radio

Debut Album 
“The Possibilities Are Endless” Out Now!



Tres Thomas – Photo Credit: Kirsten Robinson

Forming his one man shred-a-thon INFINITEE in 2016, Tres Thomas, guitarist of death metal band Tales Of The Tomb created the iconoclastic beast to forge his own musical path different from the extremes he usually performs. Inspired by My Chemical Romance, Dance Gavin Dance, Plini, Modern Day Babylon, The Contortionist, INFINITEE’s sound is a mix of djenty, heavy, dynamic, melodic and progressive influences as showcased on his recently released debut album “The Possibilities Are Endless”.

Teaming up with Idobi Radio, INFINITEE is sharing with fans a new guitar playthrough medley for “Xenocybin” and “Lost” at the following link: http://ido.bi/5qy 

Thomas comments:

“I’m so stoked to premiere the new play through to everyone! It’s been a lot of hard work making the video, so I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did making it! It’s a double feature of both songs Xenocybin and Lost. Both songs tell a story about taking alien mushrooms and getting lost in your own mind during the trip. Xenocybin is more groove based and influenced by bands more like Modern Day Babylon, Meshuggah and Car Bomb. Lost is more technical and features more flare like The Faceless, Miseration and Born Of Osiris. The video is shot on the Edmonton Legislative grounds. Special thanks to Kirsten Robinson for filming! Thanks everyone for checking it out.”

INFINITEE’s debut album “The Possibilities Are Endless” is now available on Bandcamp, iTunes and Spotify.

Videos:
Robots vs. The Wooden Chairs Pt.1 – https://youtu.be/YM1F0QE7zaQ
Free – https://youtu.be/tpfSPOfy6B4

Track Listing:
1. Xenocybin (3:24)
2, Lost (3:23)
3. Robots vs. The Wooden Chairs Pt.1 (3:39)
4. Robots vs. The Wooden Chairs Pt.2 (5:00)
5. The Possibilities Are Endless (3:59)
6. Free (4:41)
Album Length: 24:09

For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/InfiniteeBand
http://www.infiniteeband
https://www.instagram.com/infiniteeband
EPK – https://wp.me/pciNW-bxJ
(Bio written by Steve Earles)

– 30 –

“What makes Thomas’ debut solo album a great offering is his combination of a wide range of influence……lots of ambience and electronics that again break up an ocassionally repetitive genre at times.” – Technical Music Review

“Thomas combines a number of genres to great effect, including progressive metal, djent, and EDM.” – Heavy Music Headquarters

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
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0 Out Now! One Man Prog Shred-A-Thon INFINITEE Streaming Debut Album “The Possibilities Are Endless” via TechnicalMusicReview

  • April 20, 2018
  • by Asher
  • · Infinitee · Music News

(contact info below)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – April 20, 2018

 

For fans of Meshuggah, Scale The Summit, Animals As Leaders, Glass Cloud, The Algorithm, Modern Day Babylon, Plini

Out Now! One Man Prog Shred-A-Thon
INFINITEE Streaming 
Debut Album “The Possibilities Are Endless” via TechnicalMusicReview



Tres Thomas – Photo Credit: Kirsten Robinson

Forming his one man shred-a-thon INFINITEE in 2016, Tres Thomas, guitarist of death metal band Tales Of The Tomb created the iconoclastic beast to forge his own musical path different from the extremes he usually performs. Inspired by My Chemical Romance, Dance Gavin Dance, Plini, Modern Day Babylon, The Contortionist, INFINITEE’s sound is a mix of djenty, heavy, dynamic, melodic and progressive influences as showcased on the debut album “The Possibilities Are Endless” just released as of April 20th.

Teaming up with Technical Music Review, INFINITEE is streaming the full album at the following link: https://technicalmusicreview.com/2018/04/20/infinitee-the-possibilities-are-endless-album-stream/ 

Thomas comments:

“It will definitely be different! However, the title track ‘The Possibilities Are Endless’ leaves all sorts of possibilities open…no pun intended! Tracks like ‘Xenocybin’, ‘Lost’ and the title track are more metal and conventional with their instrumentation. Tracks like ‘Robots Vs The Wooden Chairs Part 1 and 2 are more influenced by EDM, which has sparked the interest of people who aren’t really a fan of metal or djent, but appreciate the more electronic elements of music. This is basically a battle of robots (electronic made sounds) and the wooden chairs (guitars, bass, drums) that are wooden and made and played by humans!”

Fans that will enjoy “The Possibilities Are Endless” will also be delighted to know that the possibilities of new music from INFINITEE are also endless as Tres says he has more music to come!

“I have another album ready to record, and I am working on my third. Anything is possible…expect anything!”

INFINITEE’s debut album “The Possibilities Are Endless” is now available on Bandcamp, iTunes.

Videos:
Robots vs. The Wooden Chairs Pt.1 – https://youtu.be/YM1F0QE7zaQ
Free – https://youtu.be/tpfSPOfy6B4

Track Listing:
1. Xenocybin (3:24)
2, Lost (3:23)
3. Robots vs. The Wooden Chairs Pt.1 (3:39)
4. Robots vs. The Wooden Chairs Pt.2 (5:00)
5. The Possibilities Are Endless (3:59)
6. Free (4:41)
Album Length: 24:09

For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/InfiniteeBand
http://www.infiniteeband
https://www.instagram.com/infiniteeband
EPK – https://wp.me/pciNW-bxJ
(Bio written by Steve Earles)

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
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#.514.581.5780 | ashermedia@gmail.com
Facebook | @AsherMedia | Hire Us
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