After a slower than expected year for metal and hard rock album releases in 2010, we have loads of stuff to look out for in 2011! No new albums from last month's "Where Are The New Albums?" update have been released, though two unlisted albums from Mike Haggith did see quiet releases. This month, the same albums from the last post in this series are back for us to examine their statuses, with one addition. and before anyone asks, the planned "Woods IV" rerelease won't be included unless new material is added to the package. I'll keep you posted on that! Many of the albums below will have edited entries either for new information or to date things correctly, given that it's a new year and all, and if things are changed, the album title will be in
italics. So, where are the new albums? Let's find out!
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April Eyes - Hollow HopeRumoured Songs: "Goodbye", "Left Behind", "The Only Road I've Ever Known", "Fall", "Reflections", "Obsession", Escape", "I Can't Let Go", "Absolution", "Hollow Hope"
Background: The oft-renamed April Eyes (previously known as By The Gods & Animas) is the solo project masterminded by Bear Hunters guitarist and Stillbroke guitarist Mitch Sirie. He's been working on solo material for some time now, featuring him on all instruments, including vocals and bass along with the guitar tracks. Over time, Mitch has deleted older audio tracks and blog entries from
this project's MySpace page, but continually replaces them with newer material, although some aren't planned for an imminent album release. Recent blog entries have alluded to Mitch recording and releasing a solo concept album named "Hollow Hope", which he claims will be a "shocking" full length album, though it's been set back due to "circumstances". Featuring a mix of progressive & death metal with acoustic folk and indie rock, check out the newest samples of April Eyes/Mitch's solo material at
his official MySpace page!
Current Release Status: I have no real idea. Honestly, this might not even get a release where it'd be on sale anywhere, but who knows! Mitch told me in e-mail conversations that he hopes to have a physical release of "Hollow Hope" next year, for what that's worth. The musical quality and songwriting on his material is very underrated, so I imagine that a release of "Hollow Hope" would get a good reception! Mitch was hoping for a release in 2010 on a past MySpace status, but with a new year having begun, who knows when it will come out. I'll keep you all posted!
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Bring The Fallen's debut EPRumoured Songs: "Defiling Despondence", "Exposed Embankment", "Stand Before", "Night Riders", "Nostalgia"
Background: Possibly from the studio time earned at some of the battles of the bands they won, Bring The Fallen had announced plans for a debut EP in 2009, recording it in September of that year with producer (and
SBD bassist) Brad Griffith. The band posted unmastered mixes of three original songs onto
their MySpace page, and had publicly announced that it would be out in "Winter 2010". However, since then, all traces of an imminent EP release have disappeared from their internet pages, and nothing has came of it in a few months.
Current Release Status: Unknown, but the band haven't shut the door on releasing it, as they confirmed that it was waiting to be mastered in their interview from the fall 2010 issue of
The Fresh Magazine. However, I can't verify if it ever will be, as discussion of releasing these recordings did vanish from their pages for a reason. Hopefully it comes out, but you can check out three of the unmastered studio recordings at
this location! Very promising stuff, nice and brutal, though it does need to be refined.
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Garden of Bedlam - "Everything Will Die"Rumoured Songs: "New Rain", "Against The Grain", "Everything Will Die", "Torment", "Your Disgrace", "Three Days", "Around The Bend", "With A Spark"
Background: Sessions for Garden of Bedlam's debut full length album began in early June at
Stereo Soul Studios with producer Miguel Gauthier, who kept fans up to date on the recording sessions at
his Facebook page. Only stepping out from the studio to headline The
Rotaryfest Second Stage and to open for
Kiss, recording for the album wrapped up on September 9th, though the band were still working on extra tweaks and changes as of October 6th. Miguel's page and
Garden of Bedlam's Facebook group did a good job of keeping fans posted on the sessions, head there to check out updates! Select fans heard their first taste of unmixed tracks from the CD at Garden of Bedlam's
Kiss afterparty on August 10th at
The Rockstar Bar. The album was said to be sent away for mastering and duplication "very shortly" as of October 21st, so be on the look out!
Current Release Status: Past claims had suggested a 2010 release during varying points of the year, but we're obviously past that point. Drummer Derek Turner confirmed on their Facebook group that the album will be released "in the new year" (2011), although a general timeframe wasn't added. I'll put my current cards on a February release, but I have been wrong in the past when guessing. In the meantime, search for Garden of Bedlam
on YouTube to hear live versions of their newest originals, while we wait for more sneak peeks at the finished studio material!
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Gates of Winter's second full length albumRumoured Songs: "The Stars Call My True Name", "Edin Na Zu", "Dimensions", "Time Warp", "From Nothingness" (leftover song from 2008 sessions)
Background: Despite a hiatus from live performances lasting over two 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, when frontman and 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 two more demo clips in June. The band launched
a new Facebook page in August to keep fans updated on the sessions, including the unveiling of a new song title, "Time Warp". Aside from Lee's announcement in November that Sault native
Jon Morrison will provide the drum tracks for the album, not much else has surfaced. Work on the album is ongoing, and it sure sounds like their heaviest and darkest yet, which should get any Gates of Winter fan excited!
Current Release Status: I have absolutely no idea. The band have openly admitted that the recording sessions for this album have been a slow and steady process due to ongoing work and education, as stated on their Facebook page. Plus, with Jon and bassist Steve Furgiuele living out of town, that can't make things any quicker. But don't worry, the album is still in progress, and when updates come out, we'll know! If you asked me to guess on a release timeframe, I'd say the spring, but it'd be a complete and utter guess. For now though, check out Gates of Winter's posted demos by
clicking here!
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Half Past's self-titled debut albumRumoured Songs: "Dead Again", "War Inside My Head", "One More Day"
Background: The local hard rock quartet officially announced that they were working on their debut album on
their Facebook page on November 13th! The first snippet of their studio material, recorded at their own Half Past Studio Productions, was posted in
a Facebook video that same day, with
a following note confirming the news. The aim is to release the album in the spring and return to the stage before it's release. The recent return of Arthur Lacasse likely means that any prior recordings done with former bassist Ryan Disano won't be used. Little has been posted since, but we'll have it for you once we hear it!
Current Release Status: I don't have a real guess, but I'm gonna put my early cards on the spring, as the band have hinted towards in the past. Still, I imagine this won't be a quick process, as it is being self-recorded and all that, but they know what they're doing, and when the album comes out, it will be definitely worth picking up!
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Lion Ride's first full length albumRumoured Songs: "Stick It In", "Snail Trail", "Bang Bang"
Background: Lion Ride entered the studio for the first sessions of their upcoming full length CD in late April at Toronto's
BWC Studios with producer Greg Dawson, same as when current and ex-members of the band recorded
Detroit's newest album last year. The band recorded four songs at those sessions, including "Stick It In", which was uploaded onto
their MySpace page in early May as a preview. The studio version of another original "Snail Trail" was later posted on
BWC Studios' MySpace page, with another new song "Bang Bang" also being played at live concerts. Delays did take place over the summer while drummer Iron Mike Bison acted as tour manager for
The Envy on their tour dates with Kiss (including their Sault Ontario show in August), but the band are back in action now! Lion Ride finally acknowledged and apologized for the sparse album updates on
their Facebook page on November 27th with
this video featuring studio session clips set to "Snail Trail", but new updates specifically pertaining to their new album haven't came since.
Current Release Status: Before their MySpace page's customization was crippled following the new layout changeover, Lion Ride said this album was "coming soon" on graphics there, following past hopes for a fall release. They're past their projected release timeframe, but when will we see this album? I don't know, what with the lack of new album updates. I'm thinking maybe the late spring, unless recording sessions we don't know about happened. However, you can get a preview of the CD by checking out the studio versions of "Stick It In" at
this location and "Snail Trail" by
clicking here!
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Mike Haggith - "Suspended Animation" and "The Blue Album"Rumoured Songs (SA): "Sun Perfume", "The Institution", "The Ledge/I Love You Anyways", "Trinity", "The Day They Killed Small", "1980"
Rumoured Songs (BA): "The Curse of [13]"
Background: Since last month, a lot changed with the planned release of "Suspended Animation", including the removal of eight tracks from the album following a decision on many songs lacking "drive". Six new songs (three unrevealed) were added to the track listing for his
43rd album, which has been in the process of recording since October at his main studios in Windsor. Described as an upbeat and heavy rock album, this will be the first Mike Haggith solo album recorded using digital recording equipment.
The cover art (which has also changed since last month) and most of the tracks are completed for the album. It will be released through his independent label Rotten Records, with a new expected release date of...tomorrow, actually! Like his past few albums, "Suspended Animation" will likely only be available by paid mp3 download on his internet pages, notably
on Reverbnation, which currently features a couple of the planned songs that you can stream there for free! A second new album, a self-described "cut and paste project" titled "The Blue Album", has also been announced for a projected April release.
Click here for full current details on both albums!
Current Release Status: Well, if Mike says "Suspended Animation" comes out tomorrow, I'll believe him! He takes his music very seriously, he wants his songs and material to be as good as possible, and he publically tells us when he plans to do things ahead of time, so I'm inclined to think that tomorrow will stand. I can't say for certain if his past albums stuck to the announced release date, but I'll assume the best going forward, especially when he was forthcoming and honest about the delay! "The Blue Album" should see an April release as well, but who knows what could happen by then. No matter what, there's a lot of exciting stuff coming from Mike Haggith, and I'll share it with you whenever I find out more!
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No Arrow - "Souls For Sale"Rumoured Songs: "Genocyde Revealing Pt. 1", "Sikkha", "Lighter", "Delayed Reaction", "Souls For Sale", "One On The Line", "Most Of All", "Substitute Victim", "The Pissing Song", "Genocyde Revealing Pt. 2", "Colderside Of The Sun", "Cuts"
Background: Self produced, recorded, and mixed at Organized Rhyme Records from 2007-2009 and mastered by Chris Daniels at Brighton Recording/Mastering House in
the United Kingdom, "Souls For Sale" is completely finished with album artwork and liner notes completed as well. So why hasn't it been released? Well, from conversations I've had with frontman Dann Pichette, the gist of it is that he wants to wait to book a CD release show before sending it to press, but hasn't been able to wrangle together the members of the band to reunite yet. Dann has kept fans posted here and there with commercials for the album and some new jam videos on
his YouTube channel, but nothing finite about a "Souls For Sale" CD release has came up at all, even though it's been over THREE YEARS since recording began.
Current Release Status: I have no idea. We've heard rumours of it coming out soon for a few years now, and each time we got excited, nothing came of it. However, you CAN hear the entire album for free, all you have to do is ask the band to send you the mp3s and artwork by e-mailing
their MySpace page! Also, I have uploaded (with Dann's blessing) the entire album onto
the SMS YouTube channel, so check it out there too! The hopes of an official "Souls For Sale" release are NOT dead, so stay tuned in case something pops up!
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Riverin's self-titled debut EPRumoured Songs: "Attitude", "They Lost You", "A Cold Wind", "Deflower", "Valentine", "Raining In December"
Background: The new industrial hard rock project from former
Dirty Virgin and Silver Dream bandmates Matt Hicks and Matt Clement, Riverin have slowly worked on their debut EP for much of 2010 at Matt Hicks' Quartertone Studios. The recording sessions for this self-produced EP have finished, and it was said to be released "soon" as of July. All six songs to be included on the EP are now featured on
their MySpace page to stream for free! E-mail correspondence with Matt Clement in the fall detailed how the band were looking into the CD development process to release the album in time for a planned CD release show in the future featuring guest musicians, but there hasn't been any album-specific updates in a few weeks.
Current Release Status: Not sure, but things appear to be on the right track, given that the EP's tracks are all recorded. The way it's sounding to me, the release of the EP will likely tie in to their debut concert as a CD release show, but we haven't heard anything on a date range for it, so a concrete release date is up in the air. I'll keep you posted as I hear more!
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Sense of Truth's debut EPRumoured Songs: "Push & Pull", "Crawling", "Land of Greed", "Pieces of a Mirror"
Background: Sense of Truth began work on their debut EP in early February with Miguel Gauthier at Stereo Soul Studios, wrapping up the recording sessions in March. Again, Miguel kept fans up to date on the sessions at
his Facebook page, with some updates on
Sense of Truth's Facebook group as well. The songs were sent off to be mastered in late March, and it was announced that the EP would be sent off to print "very shortly" as of June 30th. The band originally hyped an "early summer 2010" release for the album, but we're obviously past that point. Songs from the EP are on rotation on
Energy Rock Radio, numerous originals have been played at their concerts, and samples of three songs are posted on
their MySpace page, but we haven't heard much from the band since their last concert on May 22nd, partly due to drummer Ryan Haryett's out of town work commitments. Miguel confirmed on September 9th that the artwork needed to be finished before sending it to press, though we've heard little publically since. Bassist Curtis Beauchamp has shared some cool release details about the EP with me before, but I won't post any of that here without online sourcing.
Current Release Status: I'd originally guessed that we would see this before Garden of Bedlam's album as it was recorded earlier and was shorter as a whole, but I'm second guessing that a bit. Honestly, with all the artwork issues and delays, I would not be surprised if this EP didn't come out for yet another few months, and at this point, guessing a date wouldn't help much. No matter what, when it comes out, it will deliver lots of great hard rock, and will be well worth the wait! Remember to hear previews of three songs at
their MySpace page, and listen to Energy Rock Radio for your first taste of full songs from the EP!
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Silver Dream's debut albumRumoured Songs: "My Heart Stops", "Evangeline", "Sunshine", "Every Minute", "Baby I Love", "Talk To Me"
Background: Not a lot was known about the recording sessions and progress of Silver Dream's debut album, but what we did know was that they wanted to record the majority of their first album before playing live, instead of typically doing it the other way around. Former frontman Matthew Silver kept fans updated on his now-deactivated Facebook page through image files as to progress of recording. We did see one taste of their sessions, a YouTube upload of "My Heart Stops", in June. The quality of the recording wasn't bad either, so they knew what they were doing! Other songs were confirmed through image files and some solo performance videos on YouTube. However, since Matthew left the band in July to follow a religious path, most traces of Silver Dream vanished from the internet, and their debut show was cancelled, leaving their future in doubt.
Current Release Status: Personally, it doesn't look good. With Silver Dream's frontman, namesake, and driving force gone, I can't see the remaining members doing much with what was recorded. Matthew did announce that the band would still be active, with bassist Mike LaRue looking for a new singer, but what that means for the recordings is unknown at best. I'd like to see what was finished come out at some point, but if I were you, I wouldn't hold your breath for an official CD release, at least not in the form we heard earlier in the summer.
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Sykotyk Rampage - "Genius Mushrooms With Thoughts Of Intellect" and "Genius Mushrooms With Thoughts Of Stupidity"Rumoured Songs (for 1st album): "Parked", "Fear", "Sicked", "Text", "Sky", "Underhead", "Bubblie", "GDS", "Twisted", "Manure", "NT22PSDB", "Nobody"
Rumoured Songs (for 2nd album): "Running", "Legend, "Garden", "Metal", "Rain", "Parley", "Wait", "Shrooms", "Dynamite", "Acreage", "McDonalds", "Alright"
Background: Originally announced in
their "Attack Of The Garage Bands" profile on The Barking Eye in June, "Genius Mushrooms With Thoughts Of Intellect" will be Sykotyk Rampage's 24th album. It was later announced in August that the album, originally a double release with 25 songs, would be split into two 12 song albums, with one song, "Silence", removed from the track listing that makes up the second album, "Genius Mushrooms With Thoughts Of Stupidity". Details on both albums, including songs and album covers, can be viewed at
this location. Once again, Sykotyk Rampage recorded these new albums at River Front Recreation Studios, with sessions taking place at varying points over the latter half of 2010. These albums are part of the conceptual "Genius Mushroom" series which delves "into the realm of hallucinogenic musical brainscans." Despite Brian Cattapan's move to Sudbury, he will be a part of both albums, having recorded parts for both at recent trips back to town.
Current Release Status: The original announced release date for both was in December, and with no crash music in our hands, the release has obviously been pushed back. I figured there would be a delay to begin with, as the last few Sykotyk Rampage albums came out after the announced release dates. Their albums are known for being recorded and released pretty quickly compared to other local bands though. If I was gonna bet, I'd bet on a spring release for both, but who knows, maybe things will line up so they do get a release in the winter. You never know!
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Tym Morrison's second solo albumRumoured Songs: "Moon Patrol", "Dungeons & Dragons", "Nag Hamedi", "The Reason Why", "The Dark Shred", "Song For Jen", "No Name", "Amy", "Lay It On The Line"
Background: I honestly don't know a lot about the background for Tym Morrison's second album, but he has posted samples of nine songs for his "next album" onto
the music player on his official website! The songs are all of good quality, and feature Tym in familiarly good form! Information about recording sessions for his solo album are either very sparse or were made quite a while ago, so I don't know a lot about it, but the songs were likely self-recorded at Morrison Studio Productions with Tym on all instruments save for the programmed drums. That being said, concrete details about a release for this album haven't been made to my knowledge, but if something is said, you have my word that it will be on the SMS!
Current Release Status: I have absolutely no idea. I don't believe these songs were recently posted, so a release for this second solo album must be waiting for something to open up or happen before they can be pressed and sold. Hopefully Tym does release these songs on CD in the near future, cause the samples sound very promising! For now though, check out the above links to hear the posted samples!
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Woods of Ypres - "Woods V: You Were The LightRumoured Songs: "You Were The Light", "Falling Apart"
Background: Recording for Woods of Ypres' fifth album took place from August 8th-22nd. The band's second album featuring the Madden brothers and first with Joel Violette, it was recorded with Miguel Gauthier at Stereo Soul Studios once again, and will feature just five tracks.
Miguel's Facebook page kept fans updated on the sessions, along with
Woods of Ypres' Facebook page, and
a topic on Woods of Ypres' official forum. The full title, "Woods V: You Were The Light", was announced last fall, though a seasonal theme a'la their past releases isn't known yet. Initial release plans from during Woods' fake breakup suggested just a limited vinyl & online release of the album, but this should change with last fall's news that Woods of Ypres has signed a label deal with
Earache Records! Two songs were later premiered on a December episode of the metal podcast
The Governor's Ball for the first time. This album was originally scheduled for an early 2011 release on Earache Records, but it was recently announced that Earache will first reissue "Woods IV: The Green Album" in March, with "Woods V" to follow later in the year, so it could be a while yet before "Woods V" is in our hands. For now, check out the two unveiled full songs at
this location! (between 20 and 34 minutes of the file)
Current Release Status: Well, if the plans are to hold off on "Woods V" until "The Green Album" hits stores again, then I wouldn't expect a release in the first half of the year, lest one of the two albums gets lost in the shuffle. I'd put my money on a release in the late summer or early fall for "Woods V". Time will tell though, as this is shaping up to be a huge year for Woods of Ypres, with no shortage of news in sight!
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And so concludes our latest "Where Are The New Albums?" post! We could have a release tomorrow, and who knows when other albums above could be released, so be sure to keep an eye out! We'll likely have a new news post tonight at some point as well, so stay tuned for that, and much more! Thanks everyone!
Tym Morrison has updated the schedule on his official website to reflect his January AND February concert dates, and now we have confirmation of his planned shows on his weekly arrangements at Foggy Notions and The Big Cheese in Heyden for the next two months! As previously assumed, Tym will be back at Foggy's every Sunday this month, including THIS SUNDAY, January 16th, January 23rd, January 30th, February 6th, February 13th, February 20th, and February 27th! As well, his weekly arrangement as The Big Cheese kicks off THIS FRIDAY and continues on January 14th, January 21st, January 28th, February 4th, February 11th, February 18th, and February 25th! I assume all SIXTEEN of these new dates will have the same general structure, that being a 10:00 PM start time with no cover charge and 19+ age limits at both venues. Nice to see Tym booking so many dates, here's hoping the Big Cheese deal goes as well as the Foggy's arrangement has been! If you want some acoustic hard rock for your weekend concert going, you now have two options, so head on out if you want to! Check the above links for more, and for more on FRIDAY'S Big Cheese show, click here!
Next up, consider these new shows a cancellation as well, but we'll get to that in a second. According to this new Facebook event page, local classic hard rockers That's Chester will be rocking Docks Riverfront Grill THIS WEEKEND for a pair of concerts! But wait, weren't Turner Up confirmed for this weekend at Docks? Guitarist Robert Brown listed dates for this weekend at Docks on the band's Facebook group, so what happened there? I'm not sure, but according to his personal Facebook page, guitarist Len Ward is currently battling an illness, so that could be related. Nonetheless, Turner Up are scheduled for a Docks weekend next month, so keep that in mind! With that said, it is definitely That's Chester on Friday and Saturday night at Docks! Both shows have start times of around 11:00 PM, there's no announced cover charge, and you must be 19 to enter. For more information, visit the official Facebook event page! That's Chester always deliver with their classic rock sound, including a healthy dose of metal and hard rock covers, so they'd be worth checking out this weekend! Stay tuned for more either tonight or tomorrow morning during our weekend concert previews!
Finally, this isn't a metal concert per say, but one of the opening bands is a local metal band, so we'll of course mention it here! On February 19th, local hardcore quintet As It Stands will return to The Oddfellows Hall for the first time in 2011 as openers for two out of town pop rock bands! The headlining band is London, Ontario power-pop band Right From The Start, and another London pop punk band, Calling Ocala! I wouldn't say either are my thing or metal at all, but both are talented bands who are sure to find a good crowd next month! Honestly, As It Stands' original emo incarnation would be a better fit at this show than their current very heavy style, but hey, they'll really add to this show and get things going at a fast and relentless rate! Another opener is being sought but hasn't been announced yet. Tickets will be $8 in advance (or $10 at the door) for this ALL AGES show, which begins at 7:00 PM on February 19th at The Oddfellows Hall. For more details, visit the official Facebook event page, and as I hear more on this show, I'll have it here!
And finally, I'd like to announce a brand new feature on the SMS: A weekly classic video! Over the years, I've seen many videos of local metal and hard rock bands, live or otherwise, that don't get the recognition they deserve. Be they on Facebook, Photobucket, MySpace, or other external sites, there are many that are not readily available to share, watch, and/or embed that should be brought to people's attention on YouTube and on the SMS. What's the point in recording video of a band in action when people can't see it? So every week, I hope to upload one video of or featuring a local metal/hard rock band from a non-YouTube site to The Sault Metal Scene's YouTube channel! In most cases, I'll rip the video using Freecorder (a great tool for the SMS) and in EVERY SINGLE CASE, I WILL CREDIT THE ORIGINAL UPLOADER!! After all, they did the work to film the footage and/or upload it online originally, and I'll NEVER pretend like I filmed it. I hope not to repeat bands too closely together, and like I often do with our CD reviews, I want to tie in these videos with upcoming concerts or events, as is the case with our first weekly classic video below!
This comes from the first ever 19+ concert that I ever attended, on June 22nd, 2008, which was headlined by Sandman: A Musical Salute To Metallica. But this video wasn't of their set, it was of the openers, As It Stands! This was during the latter stages of their first run as a band, and it's of them playing an older original song that I don't remember the name for. This video was shot by Dave Pipoli and uploaded onto Facebook not long after the concert at http://facebook.com/video/video.php?v=18516826644. Dave deserves ALL CREDIT for this video and I mean absolutely no harm with this upload! No copyright infringement is intended!! Dave's camera work is slightly jittery, but the audio and video quality are pretty good, and this brings back memories for me as well! I find it interesting to note as well that in the description of the video, Dave mentioned that As It Stands were auditioning to open for Skid Row with this set, referring to the aborted Skid Row concert at Runway Park on June 28th, 2008. I never knew that a slot on that show was on the line for As It Stands during this concert, but I'd say they would have deserved to make it on! Though I think As It Stands have gotten heavier since their return, this was still good stuff! So, check out our first weekly classic video below!
