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AlgomA & Shit Liver - Trading FacesRumoured Songs (A): "Canis Rabidus", "Brazen Bull", "The Longest Swim"
Rumoured Songs (S): "Hitting the Fan", "Matt Got Beat Up By Cops", "Sir-Osis", "Unabomber", "Liverated", "It Won't Change"
Background: No strangers to releasing split albums with out-of-town based bands on old school formats after sharing vinyl records with Chronobot & Hooded Menace, local doom metal trio AlgomA surprisingly announced in May that their fourth release and third split would be a cassette tape shared with local/St. Catharine's grindcore trio Shit Liver, to be released through AlgomA's old label Deadbeat Media. The split's title and cover artwork (again done by Adam Geyer) were unveiled on AlgomA's Facebook page yesterday, and while remaining details are minimal, this isn't the first time that a local metal band dabbled in a cassette release after that format fell out of favour, as Woods of Ypres re-released their debut EP on tapes. This will be Shit Liver's second release following their 2014 self-titled CD, not counting the Gnarwhal/Gizzard split from 2016, which isn't officially under their name.
Current Release Status: AlgomA had teased a "summer/fall" release for the tape, and given how soon that could be taken as, I'd have to assume that at least one band has at least partially recorded material for it. That said, "summer/fall" could mean any time from July-November, if things don't get delayed, and AlgomA indicated that the split will see "an early release" on Bandcamp before the tape comes out. After the questions many had over AlgomA's vinyl splits and the unfamiliarity surrounding them were all answered with two successful releases, here's to a trilogy in the making! Stay tuned as updates come in!
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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 re-recording), "The Forest of Forests" (bonus track)
Background: In tentative planning since 2014 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, 2015. 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 sporadic updates on their Instagram page. Like on 2014's "Eternal Hibernation", rhythm guitarist Josh Stephney has recorded 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 Bear Hunters haven't given any firm timetables for when to expect "The Dead Testament" in stores, but as of November 5th, the band had finished all recording sessions except vocals & lead guitar for 4 tracks, and "finishing touches" were to blame for the delays in finishing the CD. The band is aiming for a more professional sound and release for their sophomore effort, but an optimistic late-summer release has came and gone, and while there have been private online updates since, the band has not issued a public update on the album yet this year. Keep an eye out for updates when and if they come in!
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Electric Church's debut album Rumoured Songs: "Muddy Waters", "Ain't Got None", "Carey Baby", "Take Me Away", "Cross the Line"
Background: Fast rising young blues/hard rock trio Electric Church evolved from Jimi Hendrix covers in 2016 to primarily original material in 2017, and punctuated that on May 12th when they announced on their Facebook page that they were "working up some new songs... for the album!!!" It was confirmed around that time that they were recording material at Mission Control Studios with producer Dustin Jones, who shared a picture on their Facebook page confirming Electric Church's presence. However, direct updates have not followed publically, and the band has not posted an online update in over a month.
Current Release Status: No clue, but Electric Church are a very talented band who play beyond their years, and no matter how long this takes, the album should be of solid quality when it finally comes out! Stay tuned for updates!
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The Elements' debut EP Rumoured Songs: "Liar", "G20", "Triple H", "The Rut", "I Need A Friend"
Background: Arguably better known for their funk, ska, and hard rock covers, local quartet The Elements have been adding original material to their sets since last year, and have since publically confirmed earlier teases that they are working on a debut EP. Frontman Rob Speers has confirmed in personal conversations last spring that they have been working in studio on the release, which will have at least 5 tracks, and I believe it's being self-recorded, but further public updates are minimal at best. It's also not known if they'll employ any guest performers, such as Jonas Gasperas (who may be their permanent drummer now) and saxophonist Josh Norling, a frequent presence in recent months.
Current Release Status: At this stage, I have no idea, but Rob sounded like things were going well in studio. That said, these were largely personal conversations a year ago, and the band hasn't acknowledged album recording sessions publically in recent months, so we'll have to see if updates come out on it in 2017!
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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", "Eta Carinae"
Background: Despite a hiatus from live concerts lasting almost 9 years, Gates of Winter never broke up, and are slowly working on their follow-up to 2008's "Lux Aeterna". Updates have sporadically been made since early 2010, via numerous uploads, teaser postings, and general hype for the recording sessions, though prior release forecasts haven't been realized, it was retracted from CD to EP length, and most preview media has since been taken down as the band perfected the CD's final content. While Sault native Jon Morrison was announced as the album's drummer in late 2010, it has since been confirmed that "Perihelion" will feature programmed drums. After taking a over a year's hiatus from public activity, Gates of Winter resurfaced last month with new band artwork and hints that they have "been making incredible strides, and are very excited to pull back the curtain."
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 courtesy of e-mail conversations and private postings, but I'll wait until more public word comes out. Keep an eye out for updates!
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Id Iota's full length second CDRumoured Songs: "Happy Sailor", "Intro To American Literature", "Seas Envy Skies", "Long D", "Cop Drama", "Deep Empty", "Blind Spots"
Background: Not long after their successful Ontario tour with Mike Mikus last fall, Id Iota began recording sessions for their second album, though public confirmation that a full length CD was currently in progress didn't occur until guitarist Dustin Goodall announced it on his studio Unsalted Audio's website earlier this year. Scattered postings and hints have followed, but nothing else has came out beyond performances of newer originals in concert. For reference, this photo got shared a few times on Id Iota's Facebook page last year, but it's unclear if it's intended to be the album's cover artwork or not. As well, recent collaborations with ex-RedD Monkey cellist Pete Mozarowski could be present on the CD, but that's unconfirmed.
Current Release Status: No idea, especially with the alternative/hard rock quartet keeping fairly mum on it's progress, but if there was ever a plan to release it in time for their dissolved May tour run, that's obviously came and went. Keep watch for updates as they roll in!
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Kraken Mara's self-titled debut EPRumoured Songs: "Chimera", "Ishka", "Grand Machinations", "Straus"
Background: The current progressive metal project from Late & Loud guitarist Brendan Christie & Wawa band veteran Jake Valois, Kraken Mara immediately commenced work on studio material upon their April 2016 launch, though they have yet to assemble a full lineup, let alone play live. In sporadic updates since on their Facebook page & their website, the band has indicated ongoing recording sessions towards a self-titled EP, posting and reworking original demos to their website and Reverbnation page over recent months, with Reese Wolf working as sound engineer for the tracks. As well, the cover artwork for the EP was revealed on Facebook at the end of March, and the band has since confirmed plans to record music videos for all of the planned tracks, starting with one for "Straus" last month.
Current Release Status: Your guess is as good as mine. Brendan and Jake are keeping things very professional and technical so far, but updates don't come all that frequently regarding Kraken Mara, be they for the EP or not. That said, the instrumental material sounds very good and complex so far, and should please fans of progressive and djent metal, so things could be further along than you may guess. Keep tabs above for updates!
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Mike Vincent's debut EP & "We're of Nothing"Rumoured Songs (1): "Shoah" (retitled Skull After Betrayl cover), "Sacred Sins", "Six, Six, Six", "Systematical Satan", "Soulless Sanctuary", "Screaming Serenity"
Rumoured Songs (W): "Times Of The Unforgotten", "Chapters of No Light", "We're of Nothing", "Phases of Pain"
Background: After briefly manning his own solo project in 2011 (which featured original songs named after food), ex-Skull After Betrayl frontman Mike Vincent resurrected his dormant solo project this past summer via his new Bandcamp page. Mike soon posted a series of six instrumentals there, all with titles starting with the letter S, which are planned to constitute his debut EP when finished with vocals. Mike followed up later with four unrelated songs that are planned for his second solo release, which would be a double CD album in length, with "Times of the Unforgotten" notably featuring his uncle Jason Ladouceur (ex-Winkstinger) in a guest spot. Some of the above information comes from personal Facebook page postings, as Mike hasn't made a new music page for his solo project yet.
Current Release Status: No idea, but given that he's posting songs on Bandcamp, a digital release through there seems likely when the songs are 100% completed and packaged as an album, at least in that form. Mike's past local bands haven't quite gotten off the ground in terms of putting out albums, but for fans of Skull After Betrayl, D.O.T.H., and so on, Mike's solo project should be very intriguing, and he's putting in some solid work in the process! Keep tabs on his Bandcamp page for further material!
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Northwest's second EPRumoured Songs: "Hangover Habits", "Drinking Games"
Background: Following the release of their debut self-titled digital EP in September 2014, and a lengthy stage hiatus from late last year through this winter, local indie/punk quintet Northwest resumed major activity in April 2017 with teaser photos of recording sessions at Mission Control Studios with producer Dustin Jones (as they had done for their debut) being posted over the spring to their Facebook page. Confirmation that this was for a new EP, their first with current drummer Marc Santos, only came last month via their write-up in this year's Rotaryfest program, prior to their first appearance on the Second Stage..
Current Release Status: It's hard to say, especially given their quiet postings aside from the teaser photos, and the fact that their debut EP was only released online, but things sound like they're progressing well at a reliable local studio, and hopefully Northwest's second album sees it's way onto online or physical storefronts in the coming months!
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Redundant's debut CDRumoured 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 in November 2014 that they were 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 a handful of times in the last couple of years, and haven't made any public statements regarding the album since 2014. The band did resume public activity in March 2016, announcing that they were writing new songs and working on "new studio shit", but it's not clear how earlier album sessions would play in. If we hear any updates, we'll be sure to let you know!
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Skeyes of Seven - Stare at the SkyRumoured Songs: "Enough", "See The Truth", "Fallen Faith", "Pretend", "Cognitive Dissonance", "Crawling Back From Reality"
Background: Already no strangers to the studio after recording two songs as singles in the mid-2010s, local modern hard rock quartet Skeyes of Seven hit the studio to record their debut EP in 2015, though they only publically confirmed that an EP was in the works in January 2016. Sessions took place at Deluca Sound Productions, who have shared videos of band members tracking material for the EP, and ex-drummer John Mignacca did record tracks for the release before moving to Sudbury. The EP title was unveiled last fall, and then in January, all six songs were posted to their YouTube channel, including the new instrumental "Crawling Back From Reality", while also excluding their older originals "Destination Unknown" & "No One Cares". New guitarist Kyle Sweet is not visibly on the EP, having joined Skeyes of Seven after sessions concluded.
Current Release Status: Given that the whole EP is online for free streaming, then conventional wisdom would say that "Stare at the Sky" would be released imminently, but the band has yet to confirm a paid release date. Hopefully it doesn't stall at being a free posting, as Skeyes of Seven are a talented and experienced band, and having been active in studio more than on stage since launching in 2012, it'd be great to see them culminate this process with a release concert (for what it's worth, they are returning to the stage later this month.) Follow along to see where things go!
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Telephone & Address - "Monster" & "The Early Tapes" Rumoured Songs (M): "I Can Bleed"
Rumoured Songs (E): "The Plumbers"
Background: Telephone & Address mainman Chris Shoust announced on their Facebook page in 2015 that he was 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"). Since then however, he revealed 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. However, a later-recorded album, "Are You Now or Have You Ever", was officially released in October, despite "Monster" being announced a year previously. Songs from both of these unreleased albums can be streamed on their Soundcloud page, and they're likely to turn up on Telephone & Address' Bandcamp page and on Interpunk down the road.
Current Release Status: Chris has indicated online that "Monster" was planned to be pressed in the fall of 2015, blaming money issues for the delays in it being released, and while a November 2016 release date was teased last fall, that has came & went too. We're likely nearing it's release at some point in 2017 though! Regarding the "The Early Tapes", Chris revealed in March 2015 that it "will be delayed for some time", though he didn't elaborate on why specifically. Assuming things go according to plan, Telephone & Address should have some big albums in the works, so we'll keep you posted when more on any of these comes out!
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I hope you guys liked this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post! This series will return on or around September 2nd, and our next feature post (barring a sudden CD review) will be this month's Defunct Local Band Profile in just over a week! That's all for today, but stay tuned for more news & notes soon! Thanks everyone!
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