Saturday, January 3, 2015

Where Are The New Albums? January 2015 Update

This is our first "Where Are The New Albums?" post of 2015, as we're once again looking at upcoming and (at least partially) recorded new albums from Sault Ontario metal, hard rock, and punk bands, in order to keep you guys notified of their progress, whereabouts, and when you might see them out! We've removed Mike Haggith's new compilation album due to it's release last month, and also removed one due to it's unlikely release status (more at the bottom of the post), but we have added 3 new albums below, one from a band with one already in the works! As usual, updated entires have the album's name in italics. Also, for the sake of clarity, Sykotyk Rampage's albums in recent years have been posted as free copies only, hence why they're not featured below. So, where are the new albums? Read on to hopefully find out!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Apocalypse Afterparty's debut EP

Rumoured Songs: "The Crowd" (The Fury cover), "Glory & Gore" (Lorde cover), "Rebel Scum" (The Fury cover)

Background: Before ever playing a public concert , new local rap/metal duo The Apocalypse Afterparty (featuring 2/3rds of Smeltzer as "songwriters") announced on their Facebook page on August 21st that they had begun working on their 3 song debut EP with producer Jamie Vincent (AlgomA), though they also alluded to recording the remaining songs with different producers. The song that they recorded with Jamie is "The Crowd", which you can hear in full at this link, though other details have yet to follow.

Current Release Status: No idea, especially given "songwriter" Steve Mozarowski's return to the Toronto area in the fall fall and the band's announced plans to expand their lineup with female members, but things seemed to be progressing well despite the band's short existence. It should be noted that The Apocalypse Afterparty 's version of "The Crowd" will be featured on Blood Shed Productions' upcoming 11-way split album, but at last word, the EP is still in the works. Hopefully more comes out soon on it!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beaumont Avenue - King of the World

Rumoured Songs: "Into the Fray", "Red Rover", "King of the World", "Way Out Of Hell", "Take Me Away", "Beaten Down", "Two More Jag", "Jesus Concubines"

Background: Already off to a quick launch with numerous concerts since their fall 2012 debut, local hard rock quartet The Suicide Kings (who changed their name to Beaumont Avenue last summer) surprisingly announced that they were officially working on their first EP on their Facebook page in February 2013. Three weeks later, the band revealed in another Facebook posting that they were busy working on their own material, and they had plans to complete an EP by the end of the spring featuring 5-7 songs, which was recorded over the past month at The Smoke & Oak Room Studio with producer Dave Pihlaja. Though info on the sessions and release was sporadic for much of 2013, the band unveiled studio versions of their originals "Into the Fray" & "Jesus Concubines" last year on Facebook, presumably as a preview for the full release, though nothing has followed since, and the band is currently taking a break due to drummer Ben Boudreau's out of town college commitments.

Current Release Status:
As of their Facebook page in September, Beaumont Avenue are planning to record 2 EPs of 4 original songs each (grouped by how they feel) before writing a debut album from scratch when Ben returns home, which may or may not mean that they're scrapping their Smoke & Oak Room session tracks for their pending debut CD. The band was working on studio work and songwriting over the holidays while Ben was back home, but it's unclear how much was done. We'll let you know when we hear more!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gates of Winter - Perihelion

Rumoured Songs: "The Stars Call My True Name", "Edin Na Zu", "Dimensions", "Time Warp", "Wormhole Mechanics", "Prometheus"

Background: Despite a hiatus from live concerts lasting over 5 years, Gates of Winter never broke up, and are slowly working on their follow-up to 2008's "Lux Aeterna". The first glimpse of the new album was unveiled in February 2010, when frontman/producer Lee Maines uploaded a snippet of their new song "The Stars Call My True Name" onto his YouTube channel, and he followed that up with more demo & rehearsal clips sporadically over the last couple of years, though all were later taken down. The band launched a new Facebook page in August 2010 to keep fans updated on the sessions, including the unveiling of a new song title, "Time Warp", and while Sault native Jon Morrison was announced as the album's drummer that fall, the album will feature programmed drums. In November 2011, bassist Steve Furgiuele confirmed in a YouTube video that the album, now titled "Perihelion", was planned for release in December 2012, with some older re-recordings likely for the summer, but Lee confirmed last month that the album would be delayed further, be retracted to EP length, and possibly be renamed. Other new songs, tentatively called "Wormhole Mechanics" & "Prometheus", was previewed in this video & this video that were uploaded last year & this April respectively. Whether ex-keyboardist Brian Holmes will be included on the EP is currently unknown.

Current Release Status: Personal commitments and the like have slowed things down incredibly, but in the band's most recent preview video (featuring audio samples), Gates of Winter hinted that work was winding down on "Perihelion", including noting that "the silence ends soon", with this year now targeted for a release. Good art takes time, and knowing Gates of Winter's talent and attention to detail, they won't wanna release this until everything's perfect. I'll admit that I know a bit more on "Perihelion" than what I've posted here, but I'll wait until more public word comes out before elaborating, so keep an eye out for updates!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Haggith - "XIV", "Apocalypse II", and "Time Machine: Live"

Rumoured Songs (X): "Public Enemy", "These Four Walls", "Wasted", "Red", "By The Hand", "Runnin' From Love", "Metal Cage", "Road Rash", "Punch", "Anthem"

Rumoured Songs (A): "Apocalypse", "Spreading The Disease", "Hands of Death", "Tribute to Mike Haggith"

Rumoured Songs (T): Unknown

Background: After being broken up throughout early 2014, local grunge/alternative rock quartet Haggith came back at the fourth annual Sewer Swampstravaganza at The Oddfellows Hall on May 10th, where the band announced that they would be recording a new studio album, but their Facebook page later indicated that Haggith are now releasing two new CDs! These include a new original album named "XIV" (featuring unreleased songs, new tracks, and previous Punch originals) and a resumption of their "Apocalypse II" concept sequel CD, which has been sampled via song postings on their YouTube channel. Recording sessions are ongoing at Paperclip Productions, though it's yet unclear whether new bassist Jordan Leach will factor into the recordings, or if old bassist tracks will be used, given their recent unstability in that position. On November 24th, the band also revealed plans for a live album named "Time Machine: Live", though little else is known on it or if it will get a paid release.

Current Release Status: As of November 24th, Haggith were aiming for releases of "Apocalypse II", "Time Machine: Live", and "XIV" in January, February, and March respectively, though those can change. "XIV" in particular has been delayed due to the band's split with bassist James White and his White Wreckords studio, which once had a hand in the recording sessions. Stay tuned for updates on all three as we hear them!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Haggith - "The Warinside"

Rumoured Songs: "We Met As Surrogates", "The Snake", "Candy Is A Hooker's Name", "Someday", "Lay My Body To Rest", "Of Cars & Criminals", "September", "Out Of My League", "A Drive Through The Peninsula", "30"

Background:This fall, prolific local solo musician (and Haggith drummer) Mike Haggith revealed on his Facebook page that he was working on his 49th studio album entitled "The Warinside" (lack of a space intentional), which also has a tentative tracklist and will reflect his recent personal life. The instrumental "September" and two versions of "The Snake" can now be streamed on his YouTube channel, but little else has came out on the CD, which is likely being recorded at Galactic Records again.

Current Release Status: We're a ways off from a release yet, but instrumental tracking is complete, and given how fast and honest he tends to be, any updates should be good as to it's progress. Stay tuned as more comes in!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Pixo Control's debut CD

Rumoured Songs: "Land of the Moles", "Reasons", "Sixty Extra Chances Called Minutes", "The Great Salute To Radio Edits", "Tall Ships", "No", "Quick Little Quarter", "Call Me A Liar", "Scratch"

Background: After earlier teases of recording sessions, young local grunge/alternative trio The Pixo Control revealed on their online pages (including on Instagram in November) that they were indeed working on their first album, with veteran local musician Keith Conway having a hand in the album's production. An Instagram video was also posted that featured bassist Steve Edwards working on a studio track, but little has followed since regarding public updates on the sessions.

Current Release Status: No idea, but the guys sound like they've gotten a fair amount done already, and they've been turning a lot of heads so far, so don't bypass them, and stay tuned for more on their first album this year!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Redundant's debut CD

Rumoured Songs: "Miles Apart", "That December", "What You'll Do"

Background: Over two and a half years after their last documented studio sessions in the spring of 2012, local punk trio Redundant revealed on their Facebook page on November 16th that they're finally working on finishing their debut CD, and will look to hold a CD release party for it upon it's completion. Details are otherwise minimal, including on if the guys will just package their older studio work for the release, or include new recordings, perhaps at bassist James White's new studio White Wreckords. We'll keep you posted when we hear more!

Current Release Status: Though we don't know much on the new/revived album plans, Redundant do sound serious about completing their CD, and an early 2015 timeframe is likely being targeted. We'll be sure to let you know when updates roll in though!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Revolution's debut EP

Rumoured Songs: "Murder For Sport", "We Are The Gladiators", "Monsters", "Prisoner of Hate", "Mercury", "Get High With Me"

Background: New local doom/punk trio The Revolution (originally the second version of Brutaly Fatal) surprisingly announced on their Facebook page this summer that they were heading into the studio to begin recording their debut EP on July 26th. The sessions were being done at their new label PaperClip Productions, who signed the band in May. Details on the title, artwork, song list, and cover art are to be revealed, but the band revealed on November 24th that songwriting was still ongoing, and they wouldn't be back in the studio until they found a new bassist to replace the departed Rainey Vincent. However, Austin & Brandan did preview a new original song via this Facebook video on Christmas, which is expected to be on the EP as well.

Current Release Status: Though The Revolution is hoping to have the EP out "in the new year", we don't have past albums from the guys to compare in terms of making a specific guess (aside from Austin's early Brutaly Fatal demos.) PaperClip Productions tend to be fairly quick and honest with release dates, so we'll have to see how things flesh out in the coming months!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rotopsy - Sexual Assault Rifle

Rumoured Songs: "Mold Induced Hypersensitivity", "Cops 'N Moms", "Swamp Donkey"

Background: Planned to be the polarizing but lively goregrind duo's first full length release (after an EP-length demo last year), Rotopsy originally announced this disc late last year, and also revealed that three new studio recordings (that will presumably also be on this album) would be put out on their label Blood Shed Productions' 11-way split release, and can be heard at this link. The album cover and title were revealed on their Facebook page on New Year's Day, though further updates are sure to come.

Current Release Status: When the album cover was revealed, Rotopsy confirmed a planned release date of April 20th, so we'll have to see if that holds true. At least a few songs are already recorded and complete, so keep an eye out for more on Rotopsy's next disc!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Sorrow Fields - Let Go

Rumoured Songs: "Godlessness"

Background: Previously known as Animas, April Eyes, and By The Gods, The Sorrow Fields is the long gestating black/death metal solo metal project from Bear Hunters/Suicide Kings guitarist Mitch Sirie. He resurrected the project under it's new name in 2012, complete with an atmospheric & dark sound, and he has sporadically updated fans as to his newest planned debut album via their YouTube channel and deleted Facebook page. As of June 2013, he'd titled the album "Godlessness" (though it was changed to "Let Go" this spring), and a preview of the title track and another unnamed song were uploaded there to check out before being privatized for unannounced reasons. Mitch is still working on the album though, and has aims to finish it after 6 years of off & on work, as per a personal Facebook posting earlier this year.

Current Release Status: Mitch's most recent release timeframe for The Sorrow Fields' album was this coming winter, though he added on Facebook that he didn't plan to speak about it further until completion, so our next word or previews on it might not be for a while. Knowing how delayed his past solo album "Hollow Hope" was prior to it's cancellation, this could be a long road, especially as he's a workhorse with his two bands. It should also be noted that Mitch hinted on personal Facebook posts this fall that a studio version of his fan favourite "Squirrel Buddy" is in the works, but whether it's a single or a renamed full album isn't clear. In case new "Let Go" or Sorrow Fields news rolls in, we'll have it here!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone & Address - Rust Orchid & The Early Tapes

Rumoured Songs (R): "Sunrise", "Like An Abstract Poem"

Rumoured Songs (E): "The Plumbers"

Background: Telephone & Address mainman Chris Shoust revealed on their Facebook page on October 25th that the solo grunge/punk project has already laid down studio tracks for another CD named "Rust Orchid", but he's waiting for funds to press physical copies before release. He says that the album will be "much different than the last", with sample tracks on the band's Soundcloud page hinting towards an experimental rock sound. Chris also announced yesterday that he's also working on releasing "The Early Tapes", a compilation of songs from the first 4 Telephone & Address albums (2011's self titled album, and 2012's "Live", "No. 3", and "Broken Head") this year as well. When released, both are likely to turn up on Telephone & Address' Bandcamp page and on Interpunk, which Chris is also using to distribute physical copies of his recent albums.

Current Release Status: It's all up to when Chris can fund the physical copies, but given the lo-fi nature of his recordings, things could roll along very quickly. Stay tuned for updates!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With all of that said, one album was removed due to it's unlikely release status, so here's what you should know on it:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RedD Monkey - Opus 2

Rumoured Songs:
"Broken Parts", "Losing Friends", "The Jock Song"

Background: The planned third CD from this popular local hardcore punk/classical trio, RedD Monkey have hyped "Opus 2" (a follow-up to 2012's "All Baroque")  in online posts through the spring of 2013, along with previewing the disc at a Toronto concert that June, though further updates on it's release status were never made before the band announced their ongoing hiatus early last year. I assume that "Opus 2" was recorded in a similar method to "All Baroque", but that's just speculation given that both CDs were labelled as opuses.

Current Release Status: At present, a planned release of "Opus 2" is (at the very least) on hold due to their hiatus, which has been ongoing since shortly after their local concert on Boxing Day in 2013. Given that the CD was recorded and previewed at the aforementioned Toronto show, it's entirely possible that RedD Monkey could put it out when/if they reunite (and we have seen posthumous CD releases on occasion), but for now, I don't forecast an imminent 2015 release for "Opus 2". Hopefully we haven't seen the last of RedD Monkey though!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hope you guys liked this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post! The series will of course return on February 2nd, while our next monthly feature post will be our Defunct Local Band Profiles on Intrepid & The Joe Falco Experience next week, so look out for all of that and more to come in early 2015! Thanks everyone, and stay tuned for more news tomorrow!

No comments: