A New Local Band, New Solo Videos, And More Updates!!

After a two day spell based on Queensryche videos and other Sault Michigan updates, today's post is 100% Sault Ontario focused, so what's on tap? We have new solo videos from a pair of local musicians and a bunch of other assorted stories, but first, here's a brand new local band to add to our links on the site!

New local metal band Unbound have finally created a Facebook page, so we officially have a new band to add to our Sault Ontario metal band links! As you may remember, Unbound is the band featuring State of Misery alumni Ray Cowan on guitar, Kevin D'Orazio on bass, and Nick Kainula on drums, alongside the late Justin Fratpietro on vocals, who suddenly passed away on January 3rd. Little is on their Facebook page so far, but here's what we know so far on Unbound: Though heavy, they're far removed from the surviving members' prior death metal work, as indicated in their lone current video for their song "Deep Waters". While yet to be posted on their Facebook page, conversations that I've had with Nick Kainula indicate that he wants to keep Unbound going and honour Justin's memory, with tentative plans and ideas that include song/video postings and potentially a live debut, although nothing's concrete at present. Also, I'm not sure if Unbound's existence means anything negative for Ray Cowan's death metal projects March Into Regression and With Blood Builds Character, neither of which has made a public update since the summer. If I hear anything on either, I'll let you guys know!

I hope the guys keep Unbound alive and do everything they can to make it locally and remember Justin! I didn't know him, but I'd assume he'd want the band to continue. Nick sounded very proud of the Unbound originals they wrote, and the "Deep Waters" video has some metal/hard rock promise, so hopefully we'll hear more from them as 2013 rolls along! Become a fan above, and Unbound are now in our active metal band links on your left!

Next up, here's a few new videos from some local musicians, starting with the latest solo video from Valentine's Day Massacre frontman Steve Rhodes! Yesterday, he uploaded this vocal cover of Suicide Silence's "Unanswered" onto his YouTube channel from his current London homebase, and this is his first video of this type in 3 months, but how does he sound? It's a solid cover, and you can tell he's a big fan of Suicide Silence, but I'd say you'd have to be a huge fan of theirs or this style of hardcore to appreciate it the most. His vocal devastation's on full display though, so check out Steve's newest solo video below!



Also in new videos are the latest two solo originals from AlterWhite's Mike Matthews, who uploaded new songs named "Enough" and (as embedded below) "Something Left Inside" on his/the band's YouTube channel last week! These are reportedly planned to be on an "album" named "Something Left Inside", though I'll note that his announced first two albums still aren't on sale. The evolution from the early AlterWhite tracks is very clear, and there's some catchy and very heavy music here, but I'd like to see Mike diversify the singing more (though there's good steps that direction here, including some harsher yelling.) Check out "Something Left Inside" below, and hear more of Mike's solo songs above!



Finally for today, here's three assorted shorter stories from the last little while, and as always, these are in alphabetical order by band or event name:

• According to a post on The Rockstar Bar's Facebook group on Saturday, local concert promoter/singer J.D. Pearce is planning a month long battle of the bands to take place there every Wednesday in March. Public details are forthcoming, aside from confirmation that bands who play covers & originals will be welcome. This sounds very intriguing, so keep an eye out for updates as they come in!
• Local old school hardcore/punk quintet Destroilet have launched their own Twitter page! Little is there so far beyond plugs for existing pages and their new album, but follow them on Twitter to stay in the loop on new band updates!
• Sault Ontario hard rock supergroup Skeyes of Seven posted a new update on their Facebook page on Sunday, confirming that they've been busy writing originals and will soon be back on stage, hopefully within a few months. The band memorably debuted at the Anvil show in July, but have offered few updates since, so hopefully 2013 has a lot of activity in store for them! Check the above links for more on Skeyes of Seven!

That's all for today, but stay tuned for weekend concert previews a, this month's new "Favourite _____ of 2012" poll, andlast month's poll results over the next few days! Thanks everyone!