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A Dire Setback's self-titled debut albumRumoured Songs: "Wasting Away", "Kicking & Screaming", "Faded", "Catastrophe", "Forget This Memory", "Everlasting Despair", "A Dire Setback", "Nightmares", "Endless Dream", "Drop Dead"
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 last year. 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. Pointless bandmates Bill Priddle & Dustin Goodall handled production and mastering, at least partially at Dustin's own Unsalted Audio, with full recording sessions taking place between May 2018 & May 2019. The band posted this photo on Facebook in that could be the possible cover art, while this Rotaryfest teaser features a drum-heavy track that may be included. The first single "Kicking & Screaming" was released online in September, complete with official music video, while the album was confirmed to be self-titled at live concerts.
Current Release Status: Earlier teasers pointed to an "end of 2019" release date, but the band has since revised that to 2020 as per a Facebook posting on November 28th hinting at their upcoming plans for the new year. Will that hold up? Stay tuned for updates, but with momentum building for A.D.S., hopefully we have copies out there in the coming months!
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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. The music video for "I Fear No God" was posted on YouTube on December 1st, marking the first public release of a song from the CD, while the final cover artwork and full track listing order were posted on their Facebook page on February 17th.
Current Release Status: The Bear Hunters haven't given any firm timetables for when to expect "The Dead Testament" in stores, and they have not posted on their Facebook page since the track listing reveal, but recording sessions are reportedly complete, and they have played live since then. The band is aiming for a more professional sound and release for their sophomore effort, and to go along with that, artwork and physical distribution plans are ongoing, as are "a ton of cool ideas for stepping our media game up." Keep an eye out for updates on "The Dead Testament" when and if they come in!
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Dustin Jones & The Rising Tide's fourth album
Rumoured Songs: "Lost & Found"
Background: After a lengthy hiatus dating back to the summer of 2016, local Celtic punk veterans Dustin Jones & The Rising Tide resumed public activity last spring, later beginning recording sessions by October 2018 at Dustin's own Mission Control Studios, as per their Facebook page. The band confirmed that they were indeed recording a fourth studio album (and first in 7 years) in January, which will presumably be released through Tidal Records, and will also be their first album with second guitarist Liam Seymour and drummer Chris Johns. A 22 second teaser of the first single "Lost & Found" was posted on Facebook, and it's official music video was released in March.
Current Release Status: When The Tide shared the above teaser clip, they mentioned that the album was "coming soon", which doesn't tell us much. With recording sessions a few months in, and it's intended song now out via the music video, it's likely that Dustin and company aren't early in the process, but we'll let you know when more comes out on their highly anticipated fourth album as we enter the new year!
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The Elements' debut EP Rumoured Songs: "Liar", "G20", "Triple H", "The Rut", "I Need A Friend", "Riptide"
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 2015, 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 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 over 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 2020!
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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 in early 2017. Scattered postings and hints have followed, but nothing else has came out beyond performances of newer originals in concert through last summer. 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. 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 as of late. Aside from a video cover of Pup's "Free At Last" in February with an altered lineup, we haven't heard anything from Id Iota since last summer, which doesn't bode well in theory. Hopefully things are progressing behind the scenes, so stay tuned!
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Mike Haggith - If Ever Comes The Day & BridgesRumoured Songs (A): "The Best You Never Had", "Communique", "If Only You Could Hear Me", "MorningStar, "2145"
Rumoured Songs (B): "From The 55th Parallel", "Over Indecision", "The Nature of The Times","An Act of Strength","The Catalyst", "Dangerous Town", "Come on Home", "Blue Highway", "Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost", "Bridges"
Background: After moving to Thompson, Manitoba in November 2017 for work reasons, prolific local/Windsor hard/alternative rock musician Mike Haggith relaunched his dormant solo project, and soon commenced songwriting for a new CD named "Bridges", with updates taking place across 2018 and into early 2019. His Facebook page documented songwriting sessions and acoustic "home demo" videos of new original songs, plus solo concerts in Thompson largely featuring new tracks. Despite the unveiling of the cover artwork, three singles, and even a music video for "The Nature of The Times", Mike indefinitely postponed the release of "Bridges" last month due to mixing delays, personal life concerns, and the quick development of a new album named "If Ever Comes The Day", which he now plans to release first. With that, he unveiled it's first single "Communique" on September 24th, with "The Best You Never Had" following last month, and other hints towards songs also showing up on social media.
Current Release Status: Regarding "If Ever Comes The Day", it's not clear yet when we might see it on sale, but Mike sounded very optimistic about the material and recording process, so this could be quick. Mike has confirmed that "Bridges" will still be released, and for an album with completed recording sessions, artwork, and single releases, you'd hope so, but it's clear that he is prioritizing the new CD at this time. With Mike's candor & honesty, you know he won't hide anything regarding these albums, so keep tabs for updates as they roll in!
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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 debut EP. 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 confirming that sessions were underway that summer. As of July 2017, drum tracks were complete, though it took until November 2018 for the band to confirm that guitar tracking was underway, with vocals & mixing to follow. It's not clear who will provide bass tracks on the final product, between ex-bassist Jordan Leach, his replacement Blair St. John, frontman Robert Sartini (who played bass on their first EP), or a combination therein.
Current Release Status: I have no idea, and it doesn't help that Pillory have only posted once on Facebook in the past two years, though their new lineup returned from year-long hiatuses twice in thst span for opening sets at Live705 death metal shows at The Rockstar Bar. That said, with their increasingly brutal and technical sound, hopefully they can get this album complete down the line!
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The Sorrow Fields' debut albumRumoured Songs: Unknown
Background: After a two year hiatus for his solo project (previously known as Animas, April Eyes, and By The Gods), local guitarist Mitch Sirie's solo project The Sorrow Fields resumed public activity last February via recording sessions at Mission Control Studios with producer Dustin Jones, where his band The Bear Hunters also recorded their new CD. An actively maintained social media page for The Sorrow Fields has not followed suit, but Dustin did say that he was "stoked" by the guide tracks, and tracking was reportedly underway in January. Posts on Mitch's personal Facebook page have implied that the project's current form will be much softer than his death metal band work.
Current Release Status: With tracking reportedly underway, this year had to have been targeted once, but given that Mitch has kept all of his own promotion for this album on personal accounts, it's anyone's guess how fast this will come out (also, remember how Mitch's prior attempts at solo albums never saw their intended completion.) It'd be great to see both The Sorrow Fields' debut and "The Dead Testament" on sale this year, and hopefully things progress the right way for both in the coming months!
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I hope you guys liked this month's "Where Are The New Albums? post! This series will kick off the new year on or around January 2nd, while our next monthly feature post will likely be this month's Defunct Local Band Profile next week. That's all for today, but stay tuned for a new news post on the site tomorrow! Thanks everyone!
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