Thursday, December 3, 2015

Where Are The New Albums? December 2015 Update

Apologies for the day's delay, but here's our last "Where Are The New Albums?" post of the month, as we once again look at the current release statuses of Sault Ontario metal, hard rock, and/or punk albums that have had announced album recording sessions begin, so readers can get the latest word on them and when to expect them on sale! This is largely a holding pattern installment, as aside from some nominal timeframe edits and picture restorations, we only have one updated entry and one new addition (as always, both are noted with the album title in italics.) So, where are the new albums? Read on below to hopefully find out, and check out our Toystock video showcase in the post below this one!
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AlgomA's untitled split CD with Chronobot

Rumoured Songs (A): "The Electric Fence", "Phthisis", "Failed Stunt Fatality", "Rabidus"

Rumoured Songs (C): Unknown

Background: In an interview with Vancouver webzine Not Your Scene on July 28th, Chronobot guitarist Dafe Landry revealed that the Saskatchewan space/doom quartet will be releasing a split album later this year with local doom metal trio AlgomA, which would be their second official release. Little was said about the album, but Dafe indicated a cassette release and a possible vinyl pressing might follow, and fans may remember seeing both bands together at past local concerts.

Current Release Status: No idea, especially given that AlgomA's only public acknowledgement of the split so far was a re-post of the interview on their Facebook page, so things may be a ways off yet, but stay tuned as more comes in from either side of this planned split!
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The Apocalypse Afterparty's debut EP

Rumoured Songs: "The Crowd" (The Fury cover), "Rebel Scum" (The Fury cover), "Sweet F*ck"

Background: Before ever playing a public concert, new local rap/metal band The Apocalypse Afterparty announced on their Facebook page last August 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 recent postings have hinted at recording said EP this year for a release and recording sessions at Tidal Records' own Mission Control Studios, albeit with a new lineup in tow.

Current Release Status: As per the band's Facebook page on July 19th, they're "crushing the arrangements & compositions" for a planned 3 song EP of "entirely fresh material" with planned releases on mp3, USB sticks, and vinyl (no CDs?) This was all preceded by "songwriter" Steve Mozarowski's departure from the band and related lineup changes, but how that will impact things is unclear. It should be noted that The Apocalypse Afterparty's version of "The Crowd" is featured on Blood Shed Productions' recent 11-way split album, but at last word, the EP itself is still in the works. Hopefully more comes out soon on it!
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The Bear Hunters - The Dead Testament
 
Rumoured Songs: "The Void", "The Omen", "Neckbreaker", "I Fear No God", "Servitude", "Transcend Judgement", "For Glory", "The Wrath Of Angmar", "The Dying Den", "The Dead Testament", "Deception" (bonus rerecording), "The Forest of Forests" (bonus track)

Background: In tentative planning since last year under this title, local death metal quintet The Bear Hunters have been playing songs intended for their second full length CD for a few years now, but only fully began recording sessions for "The Dead Testament" on October 2nd. Following a brief fundraising campaign and the gradual unveiling of song titles, the band have been working with producer Dustin Jones at Mission Control Studios, and have shared updates on their Instagram page, but further details are to be announced. Like on last year's "Eternal Hibernation", rhythm guitarist Josh Stephney is likely to record parts for the album despite living in Southern Ontario, but it's not yet clear on how bonus tracks will be handled.

Current Release Status: The band hasn't given any firm timetables for when to expect "The Dead Testament" in stores, but given that recording sessions only began in October, and that the band is aiming for a more professional sound and release for their sophomore effort, we might not see the full release until next year. Keep an eye out for updates though!
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Caroline Divine's debut album

Rumoured Songs: "Caroline Divine", "Looking For A Fight"

Background: After prior teases of recording sessions and the search for a spot to record, personal Facebook pages from members of newer local glam/power pop trio Caroline Divine have confirmed that they are indeed working on their debut album. The guys took the fall off from concerts presumably due to studio work, but greater details on the track listing, release formats, and so forth have yet to be made. Stay tuned to their Facebook page for more!

Current Release Status: No idea yet, especially as the band hasn't shown their cards yet concerning album progress, but follow the band to see when/if they announce anything!
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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 in 2013 & last 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". Good art takes time, and knowing Gates of Winter's talent and attention to detail, they won't want to 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!
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Gnaeus - Loomings

Rumoured Songs: "An Exercise In Self-Awareness", "Lovers", "Fire", "When You're Gone", "Circles", "The Edge", "The Sound", "Mountains", "Crave", "Calling Out"

Background: Amidst various teases of recording sessions, local post-punk/garage rock quartet Gnaeus have confirmed in recent concerts that they are in fact recording their debut CD "Loomings" at Tidal Records' own Mission Control Studios, possibly stemming from their "Best Song" win at March's VM Radio Battle of the Bands. Though online materials remain quiet otherwise for progress on the album, the planned album cover and online sales location of "Loomings" can be found at this link, and details are sure to follow.

Current Release Status: Recent indications on Gnaeus' Facebook page mention that they hope "Loomings" will be out for Christmas, and tracking was winding down as of October 20th. That said, Gnaeus have been reasonably quiet online regarding album progress, but with cover art and various hints in recent months, hopefully we hear more soon!
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The Pixo Control - Probably Not

Rumoured Songs: "Quick Little Quarter", "Call Me A Liar", "This Is Momentary, Forever", "Land of the Moles", "Reasons", "Vicinity", "Sixty Extra Chances Called Minutes", "Tall Ships", "Congratulations On Your Decision To Become A Pilot", "Scratch", "No", "Potpourri"

Background: After earlier teases of recording sessions, young local grunge/alternative trio The Pixo Control revealed this fall that they were indeed working on their first album "Probably Not", with veteran local musician Keith Conway having a hand in the album's production. Updates have steadily followed to tease fans on the album's progress, with the album to be released through Tidal Records. A fundraiser concert was held at The Rankin Arena this summer to raise funds for the album and upcoming tour plans, and while the original cover art was revealed on Facebook in August, recent indications are that it has changed, though their mushroom picture is likely to factor in regardless. The band is posting one song a day from the CD onto their YouTube channel until December 11th, which confirm that new bassist Dustin Goodall is mixing and mastering it, and that the recently returned Keeghan Rosso handles drums, but frontman Michael Mikus is credited on bass in place of the departed Steve Edwards (it's unclear if Michael re-recorded the parts though.)
 
Current Release Status: Unless there's an unforeseen delay, The Pixo Control will release "Probably Not" at their CD release parties (two of them, one all ages & one 19+) at LopLops Lounge on December 12th, where copies will be on sale for $10, but in-store and online availability (YouTube postings aside) is to be confirmed. Be at LopLops in 9 days time to be the first to get a copy!
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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 studio White Wreckords. We'll keep you posted if we hear more!

Current Release Status: Though we don't know much on the new/revived album plans, Redundant did sound serious about completing their CD. That said, Redundant have only played once in 2015 and haven't made any public statements regarding the album this year. Note that James had indicated in personal postings that he was moving to Toronto for college this fall, but he is still here and playing live with other bands. If we hear any updates from their camp, we'll be sure to let you know!
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Telephone & Address - "Monster" and "The Early Tapes"

Rumoured Songs (M): "Unknown"

Rumoured Songs (E): "The Plumbers"

Background: Telephone & Address mainman Chris Shoust announced on their Facebook page in January that he's 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"), all of which being released before their recent full integration into the local scene. Since then however, he quietly revealed on Facebook that a separate new album named "Monster" is done, with an advanced copy leaked to him by AlgomA drummer Jamie Vincent, which likely hints that Jamie helped produce it. No other details have been revealed yet, but some songs may be on their Soundcloud page, and when both are released, they're likely to turn up on Telephone & Address' Bandcamp page and on Interpunk, which Chris is also using to distribute physical copies.

Current Release Status: Chris indicated on the project's Facebook page that "Monster" would be pressed this fall, but if a release is coming soon or not isn't clear yet. As for "The Early Tapes", Chris revealed in March that it "will be delayed for some time", though he didn't elaborate on why specifically. It's also worth noting that Chris briefly announced collaborating with Boxes of Boom's Sam Decter as a drummer with Telephone & Address and under a new project name (Are You Now? or Have You Ever?), but references to Chris & Sam's work have quietly been removed from Facebook, and it's not known if this means anything for the "Monster" release. We'll keep you posted!
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I hope you guys liked this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post! This series will return on January 2nd if all goes well, and our next feature post will be this month's Defunct Local Band Profile one week from today, so keep an eye out for those, and for this weekend's concert previews next! Thanks everyone!

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