Our second post of the day is our first monthly feature of August 2013, and as usual, it's this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" installment! There always seems to be local metal & hard rock albums in the works, and this series looks at many of their current statuses, whereabouts, information, and expectations, just to keep fans abreast of changes, or lack thereof! This month's installment features one new album addition (conveniently first alphabetically) and 6 with new information, as noted with the title in
italics, so read on below to find out where the new albums are, and check out our second (mostly late notice) weekend concert preview post below this one!
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AlgomA's first EP
Rumoured Songs:
"Fell Down A Well", "Reclaimed By The Forest", "Tertiary Syphillis", "Go On, Git!!", "Extinct Volcanoes", "Bedsores"
Background: After just two live concerts, new local stoner metal trio AlgomA (featuring BeeFMouTH and Fuller alumni) began work on studio recordings early last month as per
their Facebook page, and though the end goal is vague through that source, singer/guitarist Boyd "Darby Wigwaus" Rendell's film production company
62nd Chamber Productions' website confirms that they are in fact working on a debut demo EP. Vocal recordings were just completed on Monday, and they're apparently sending off the tracks to be post-produced somewhere in Southern Ontario. You can see pictures from the sessions in
this Facebook album, but stay tuned for more info as it rolls in!
Current Release Status: No reasonable idea yet, but for a band launching recording sessions so suddenly after launch, this isn't unheard of. The guys have a lot of experience in music and production, and hopefully we see the final product of these recording sessions sooner or later, so keep an eye out!
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As It Stands' third EP
Rumoured Songs:
"Conception", "Big Problem, Little Lock City", "Rise Above",
"One Last Chance", "One Less Than Wayne Gretzky", "Big Bucks, No
Whammy", "Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Ho", "Embay the Terrible", "Oh
Herm, Herm Delish", "David & Goliath", "Stay Together
For The Kids" (Blink-182 cover)
Background: Continuing
their high success levels since their local re-emergence in
2010, hardcore quintet As It Stands started recording sessions
for their third EP with
Metalworks Studios in Mississauga in July 2011 with producer
Kevin Dietz.
The sessions lasted just a few days, but a
lot got accomplished, and you can see some of the happenings from
the sessions on
their official studio vlog,
which features some audio samples and video of some members
recording their parts. The vlog also confirmed that their cover of
Blink-182's "Stay Together For The Kids" was recorded in
Mississauga, and that the songs will be part of an EP, not a full
length album as was previously believed. It's currently unclear
whether the songs they recorded at
Stereo Soul Studios
in 2010 and/or in Stoney Creek in 2011 will be featured on the
EP in some form. A new track named "Oh Herm, Herm Delish"
was posted
onto SoundCloud in early 2012, with studio copies of "Conception" & "Big Problem, Little Lock City" also being uploaded to
their Facebook page this year, both of which you can stream at
this location.
Mixing was underway locally with Brendan Clace at the former Dimension
Studios, so stay tuned for more news on this EP hopefully soon!
Current Release Status: I have no
idea if As It Stands are even still an active band, given their 11
month hiatus since their last show (during which time Dimensions Studios
closed), but they did seem to have everything under control and well
planned for the sessions and their studio work. At this point, I
think fans would be excited to just see As It Stands live again, but
just in case, keep an eye out for
any possible updates!
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The Bear Hunters' full length demo
Rumoured Songs:
"Bloodthirst", "Succumb To Eternity", "Dominate",
"Overthrown", "Casualties Of War", "Collapse The Sun", "Render
This Void", "Karma", "Deception", "Servitude"
Background: Local
death metal quintet The Bear Hunters formally announced that
they'd begun recording for their debut EP "Bloodthirst" in May 2011,
just days after adding guitarist Josh Stephney to the band. The
news was broken on
their Facebook page,
but details were extremely scant following that news, and the
recording plans fell dormant until January 2012, when the band
announced
plans to record material towards a full length demo release. This
appears to be an independent
production towards future better quality recordings, and plans are in
place to release official band t-shirts along with the demos when
completed. Plans are
for this demo (which won't be "slapped together") to feature at least
10 songs, and though progress has been made towards completions,
setbacks (including a dead computer) have pushed back a planned release,
including their non-album cover of Woods of Ypres' "Kiss My Ashes
(Goodbye)". As of July 2013, guitar recording had begun for the
album, and stay tuned to the band's Facebook page for continued
updates!
Current Release Status:
Though things seem to have been delayed from original expectations,
recordings for the demo are ongoing as per their Facebook page. Note
that concert dates have picked up, and no new timeline is out for the
release of it beyond before "the end of the world", but they seem to
have things in
good order, so keep an eye out for updates on official Bear Hunters
media as it comes in!
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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 4 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 last year & this April respectively. Whether
ex-keyboardist Brian Holmes will be included on the EP is currently unknown.
Current Release Status: According to Lee's posting on
the Musicians Wanted Facebook group
relating to their session drummer search, he's hoping for the work to
be done "within the next 4-12 months", which lines up with postings
about delays for the EP. Personal commitments and the like have slowed
things down incredibly, and there's been no public band postings in 4
months, but good art takes time, and knowing Gates of
Winter's
talent and attention to detail, they won't wanna 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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Mike Haggith - Where It Ends
Rumoured Songs:
"Grace", "The Man In Green" (Black Hole Suns cover), "The Curse (of 13)", "All Alone", "Silent Pleasure", "The Trip" (S.C.A.R. cover), "Fourth Floor, Centre", "She Wanted To Be A Vegetarian", "Wicked Midnight Ride", "Fading", "When The Rope Breaks"
Background: In late June,
prolific local musician Mike Haggith announced that "Where It Ends" will
be the name of his 47th solo album, pushing his previously announced
"The Tower" back perhaps to next year. To be recorded & released
through Galactic Records like his past releases, an instrumental mix of the opening track "Grace" was posted onto
his Facebook page
on June 22nd, taking on an orchestral rock feel, though it's not known
yet if this will be the album's general theme.
The cover art has since been released, along with a tentative song list (including two covers and a few songs dropped from "Neighbourhood Watch"), and recording sessions and tracking have begun. Keep an eye out for ongoing updates!
Current Release Status: According
to Mike, this album is lined up for a release in the fall of this year,
which I tend to believe, as Mike's always been forthcoming and honest
for release dates and changes to them. That said, there's a lot of extra
info and material to be recorded and publicized in the meantime, so
stay tuned to Mike's solo project's pages for all current updates!
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Pillory - Cringe At The Cross
Rumoured Songs:
"Onward to Death", "Fatal Woods", "Shattered By War", "No One Answers", "Cringe At The Cross", "Dethrone The Dictator"
Background: On
January 10th, new local thrash band Pillory surprisingly announced that
they would begin recording tracks towards their debut EP this weekend,
despite only making their live debut in November. Since then, updates
have been posted on
their Facebook page
confirming the EP's title, the completion of recording sessions, and EP
artwork concepts by ex-bassist Jonathan Tiberi, though there has been some more recent recording done. It's currently unclear
how late
guitarist Andres Duchesne's parts were handled on the recordings, but
while the band has been searching for a replacement in recent months,
the concept artwork does
credit him with the surviving members, so take that for what you will.
Keep an eye out for further updates!
Current Release Status: As per
their Facebook page on May 16th, Pillory are currently aiming for the
release to occur "sometime this summer", which coincided with the reveal
of Cole Royal as their new bassist, though it's not clear whether he and/or Jon will be featured on the final product. Early date projections have likely been delayed given the more recent sessions, but the
quick launch into recording after their debut does mirror Jon's early
tenure with
Late & Loud,
who announced recording plans & held photo shoots to that end shortly
after their own 2010 debut. The guys definitely seemed deep into the
process though, so keep an eye out for word on a new release timeframe!
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Shit Liver's debut EP
Rumoured Songs:
"Or What?",
"Hateroleum", "(Friendly Old) Uncle Joe", "Shit Liver", "Fabricated
Nonsense", "Helen Kellers", "Shift Liver", "You're Scared", "Contribute
or Perish", "Pennotration", "Soo'er Living", "Drowning In Shit",
"Survival of the Shittest", "It's Not My Problem", "Shit Will Prevail", "Liverated"
Background: Curiously
not plugged at all on their online pages until January 2013, I have
heard from those close
to the band that local grimecore trio Shit Liver have independently
working on a debut EP since at least mid-2012 which is supposed to have
14 songs, 13 of which were posted onto
their new Reverbnation page in March 2013. A demo disc with 5 planned tracks was visible at
their local return on February 21st, but as they've only minimally
acknowledged EP plans
online, it's not clear how far along they are in terms of actually releasing these on disc. I'll keep you guys
updated if they say anything!
Current Release Status: On
their Facebook page in March, Shit Liver implied that this album could be done by their local concert return in February at
The Roosevelt Hotel,
but that has since came & went. Given how quiet they've been on
the recording sessions, I have no idea how close to a physical release
they are, but from what I understand, the sessions are done or close to
it. Hopefully we hear some
big news on this front soon, possibly in conjunction with future concerts!
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The Suicide Kings - King of the World
Rumoured Songs: "Into the Fray", "Red Rover", "King of the World", "Way Out Of Hell", "Take Me Away", "Beaten Down"
Background: Already off to a quick
launch with numerous concerts since their fall 2012 debut, local hard
rock quartet The Suicide Kings surprisingly announced that they were
officially working on their first EP on
their Facebook page
on February 1st. Three weeks later, the band revealed in another
Facebook posting that they were busy working on their own material, and
they had plans to complete an EP by the end of the spring featuring 5-7
songs, which was recorded over the past month at
The Smoke & Oak Room Studio with producer Dave Pihlaja. As of March 28th, the tracks
were in the final stages of mixing, though recent updates have been
limited to in-concert teasers of the EP, where the reveal of the title
came from. Stay tuned for more!
Current Release Status: With the
EP likely done it's recording phase, it's now likely a waiting game for
the release of "King of the World". I know that a brief band member
posting on
Facebook suggested a free distribution of the EP, but that was either
premature or incorrect. I just hope this doesn't encounter the same
delays that have hampered bassist Mitch Sirie's other band The Bear
Hunters' demo recording plans. Things seem in good hands so far, so
watch out for updates as they come in!
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Sykotyk Rampage - "Eye For An Eye", "Sykotyk Rampage", and "Wonder About Baby"
Rumoured Songs: Unknown
Background: Just days after posting streaming copies of their six albums from 2012 onto
their Reverbnation page, Sykotyk Rampage unveiled
the album covers
towards at least three new albums scheduled for a release in 2013,
although when they'll actually be available for streaming and/or
purchase isn't clear. Expected to be their first recorded material with
new bassist Tony Briglio, the three credited albums are listed as
Sykotyk Rampage's 38th to 40th albums, implying that they have at least 2
other unannounced albums in the works (as they've only released 35 to
date.) Recording sessions have started this spring at River Front
Recreation Studios, but keep an eye out for updates!
Current Release Status:
Initial indications are that the band will release these this summer,
but take that with a huge grain of salt, as publically available copies
of Sykotyk Rampage's early 2010s albums have been posted months later
than the given release dates. As well, the band's last 8 albums have
only been made available in free streaming copies, with no full album
purchasing or packaging options, so make note of that as well. Still,
Sykotyk Rampage's prolific and creative blend of alternative, blues, and
hard rock will be hard to ignore, so stay tuned for their next
releases!
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Tym Morrison's second solo album
Rumoured Songs: "Moon
Patrol", "Dungeons & Dragons", "Nag Hamedi", "The
Reason Why", "The Dark Shred", "Song For Jen", "No Name",
"Amy", "Lay It On The Line", "Someday", "How I'm Wanting You
More", "The After Life", "9/11", "His Sacrifice", "Termination of
Exystence", "Classical D", "We Will Decide", "The Evil In Disguise", "Key To Reality"
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! Original 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. He's
worked on the album sporadically since, including scattered song
postings (with some of a comedic or acoustic nature) onto
his YouTube channel, and Facebook
postings have hinted at a double album release. It's unknown how close we are to
seeing a second Tym Morrison album release, or if all of the originally
announced songs will make the cut, but keep an eye out!
Current Release Status:
I don't have any real idea, but his recent song postings hint
towards good things! Hopefully Tym does release
these songs in the near future, as his older samples and newer
material deserve an audience, but for now, check out the above
links to hear what he has to share that could make the cut!
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I hope you guys liked this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post! Our next monthly feature post (barring an early review of Crimson Crusade's EP?) will be our Defunct Local Band Profile on Infrastrate one week from tomorrow, and stay tuned for a video-heavy new news post tomorrow! Thanks everyone!
Next up, let's cover the last of the hard rock/metal videos on Brenda "Leather" Roy's YouTube channel, as her other hard rock concert footage comes from shows played by local classic/hard rock quartet Griphook!
No less than 10 videos are featured from various shows that they've
played at four different local venues this year, all of which were
uploaded in May and June. Only partially labelled by song in the title (with one credited as frontman Jim O'Leary alone), the videos include covers of Alice In Chains' "Would" and Deep Purple's "My Woman From Tokyo" at The Rockstar Bar, Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down", The Tragically Hip's "Locked in the Trunk of a Car", Incubus' "Drive", and AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" at Docks Riverfront Grill, Finger Eleven's "One Thing" and another "Drive" cover at The Nicolet Tavern, and Seether's "Country Song" & Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man" at The Roosevelt Hotel,
so click each link to check them out! (Note as well that the "Drive"
covers are mislabelled as "Maybe Tomorrow", and the Hip cover is wrongly identified as "I Won't Back Down") So, how do these 10 videos
look and sound overall?
