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A Dire Setback's debut albumRumoured Songs: "Wasting Away", "Kicking & Screaming", "Faded", "Catastrophe", "Forget This Memory", "Everlasting Despair", "A Dire Setback"
Background: Though discussion of a debut album had been ongoing throughout 2017, local alt-punk trio A Dire Setback only announced that their first CD was in the works in March of this year, despite having played just one public concert with their current lineup at that point. To help fund the recording sessions, A Dire Setback launched a Patreon page to allow fans to help financially back them and the album, with exclusive content and perks promised for backers on there, though public content on their Facebook page has also been released. Around that same time, the guys began setting tempos and recording click tracks for the album, with Pointless bandmates Bill Priddle and Dustin Goodall handling production and mastering, at least partially at Dustin's own Unsalted Audio. Full recording sessions began with drum tracking late last month, as noted on Facebook.
Current Release Status: I couldn't begin to guess, but A Dire Setback are doing all the right things to get buzz online for the recording sessions, and it'll be interesting to see how influential the Patreon campaign is towards it's completion, especially considering the limited success of past crowdfunding campaigns from local musicians. Keep posted for updates as they roll 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 has 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 recording sessions are reportedly complete, with "finishing touches" to blame for the delays in finishing the CD, and mixing reportedly ongoing as of April 21st (source here.) The band is aiming for a more professional sound and release for their sophomore effort, and while there have been private online updates in the interim, the band only broke their silence on it in October on their Facebook page, where they implied that it was "officially moving onto the mixing and mastering phase." Keep an eye out for updates on "The Dead Testament" 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, few direct updates have followed publically, aside from scattered reminders that they are still working in studio, and that they "are really excited about all the new projects we have planned."
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! At last word, the band noted on New Year's Day that they were "looking forward to finishing up in the studio this year", so 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 in early 2016 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 2018!
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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 over 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 in July 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 in late 2016, 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 early last year. Scattered postings and hints have followed, but nothing else has came out beyond performances of newer originals in concert through this spring. 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. It is not clear whether new bassist Robert Sartini and/or his predecessor Dan Linklater will be on the final product, or if any collaborations with RedD Monkey alum Pete Mozarowski will make the cut.
Current Release Status: No idea, especially with the alternative/hard rock quartet keeping fairly mum on it's progress (not to mention their recent bassist change), but with the guys back on the local stage after a lengthy hiatus, hopefully things are winding closer, so stay tuned for updates!
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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 2017, and the band has since confirmed plans to record music videos for all of the planned tracks, starting with one for "Straus" in July.
Current Release Status: Your guess is as good as mine, but last fall, Kraken Mara announced on their website that "the last of our tracks are being mastered as we speak", while a new playthrough video is also in the works. Brendan and Jake are keeping things very professional and technical so far, but while updates don't come all that frequently, the instrumental material sounds very good and complex so far! These should please fans of progressive and djent metal, so keep tabs above for updates!
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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 2016 through early 2017, local indie/punk quintet Northwest resumed major activity that April with teaser photos of recording sessions at Mission Control Studios with producer Dustin Jones (as they had done for their debut) being sporadically posted over ever since then to their Facebook page. Confirmation that this was for a new EP, their first with current drummer Marc Santos, only came in July via their write-up in this year's Rotaryfest program, prior to their Second Stage debut.
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 wee progressing well at a reliable local studio. As of March 5th, Northwest were "almost done", aside from some backing vocal recordings, while their New Year's Day post on Facebook noted that "we will have new music to share with everyone in 2018", so hopefully Northwest's second album sees it's way onto online or physical storefronts in the coming months!
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Pillory's second CDRumoured Songs: "Angst of Existence", "Sculptor of Cadavers", "Wasting", "Abhorred Apprehension", "The Passing", "Exhaustive Incarnation"
Background: After previously breaking up in mid-2014, local metal band Pillory returned as a trio in the fall of 2015, trading their thrash metal roots for a heavier death metal sound, complete with a completely overhauled setlist with no carried-over originals from their 2013 EP "Cringe At The Cross". In March 2017, Id Iota guitarist Dustin Goodall's recording studio Unsalted Audio revealed that they were in pre-production for Pillory's second album, with the band indicating that recording sessions were underway a couple of months later. As of last July, drum tracks were complete, with editing to follow before recording other instruments, though no updates have followed.
Current Release Status: I have no idea, and it doesn't help that Pillory have not posted a public update since July 2017, with bassist Jordan Leach's international travel a possible factor (if he left the band, they haven't announced a replacement.) That said, Pillory are no strangers to releasing an album amidst lineup uncertainty, and with their increasingly brutal and technical sound, hopefully they can get this album complete down the line!
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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 band 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. However, whatever became of those sessions (and planned "new studio shit" in 2016) appear to have been discarded, as Redundant announced in January that they will begin recording their debut album at Mission Control Studios with producer Dustin Jones, with later public updates and photo uploads indicating that bass and drum tracking has completed. Details are otherwise minimal, including whether recent second guitarist Yannick Casavant will be present.
Current Release Status: Redundant have noted on Facebook that they were "finishing up our EP", with vocal tracks done as of January 17th, and they have a stated goal of having copies on hand when they play the Toronto stop of the final Vans Warped Tour on July 17th. Assuming all goes according to plan, a summer release is looking likely as their target, but with their local shows not being all that frequent as it is, time will tell when we see it in local and online storefronts. Stay tuned for more!
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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, the title of which being unveiled later that year. In January 2017, 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, especially with their return to the stage in September. Follow along to see where things go!
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Telephone & Address - "The Early Tapes" Rumoured Songs: "The Plumbers"
Background: Telephone & Address frontman 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"). However, he has since released two separate new studio albums (2016's "Are You Now or Have You Ever" and February's "Monster"), with no updates on the "Early Tapes" album publically stated in over three years. The sole publically confirmed track "The Plumbers" can be streamed on their Soundcloud page, and albums are likely to turn up on Telephone & Address' Bandcamp page and on Interpunk down the road, assuming this gets released. Unless the tracks are reworked, new drummer Jackson Reed will not feature on this album.
Current Release Status: Chris revealed in March 2015 that this album "will be delayed for some time", and though he didn't elaborate on why specifically, work on both of his last two albums (particularly the very delayed "Monster") could be partially to blame. That said, with an expanded lineup now, "The Early Tapes" may have fallen further in priority, but you never know what could come next from Telephone & Address!
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I hope you guys liked this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post! This series should return on or around July 2nd, while our next monthly feature post will likely be this month's Defunct Local Band Profile, scheduled for Sunday, and look for more news on the site this week! Thanks everyone!
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