Rabid Whole Concert Preview, A New Album Release, J.P. Fecteau Updates, And A New Video!!

Hey guys, while I'm at The Rockstar Bar for the next night of the battle of the bands, we have a second post today that should have been auto-posted at 10:00 PM sharp, and if you can read this, we have a varied array of notable news, so what's on tap? Along with a new video from a prominent local metal drummer, we have news on a new album release and a preview of a big concert going down TOMORROW NIGHT, but first, here's some notes on a recently passed local metal musician's final arrangements (and check out our Defunct Local Band Profile on Devastation of the Heavens in the post below this one!)

The obituary for late J.A.B. guitarist Jean-Paul Fecteau was posted on SooToday yesterday, and through there, it's been confirmed that his services will be held privately at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre tomorrow, in accordance with his family's wishes. Nothing was included about where/if to send donations or flowers, but you can express sympathy online at the funeral home's website. For reference, Jean-Paul had just turned 38 years old in November, and that's far too young for someone to pass away. I imagine it will be disappointing for some of his friends that the services aren't publically open, but in this time of grief, I can see why things might be private for family only. I have also heard rumblings online of a tribute event/concert to raise money for his family and his young daughter, and though nothing's concrete on it yet, it would be great to see some of his former bandmates and friends band together in his memory!

We've had a rough few months for metal musician deaths since December, especially given the sudden nature of each, but like with Andres & Justin, I know J.P. will be fondly remembered in similar ways, and I wish the entire Fecteau & Verdon family the best during this difficult time. R.I.P. Jean-Paul!

Next up, we have a new paid album release from a local hard rock artist, that being Haggith singer/drummer Mike Haggith's newest solo album "The Present Din"! Originally posted in full as a streaming YouTube video almost two weeks ago, Mike announced on his solo project's Facebook page yesterday that his 46th solo album can now be purchased by request through Facebook, or digitally through Mike's Reverbnation store for just $4.50 (or 69¢ a song), and it's great to see the album on sale finally! Recorded at Galactic Records with vocal tracks recorded locally at PaperClip Productions,the 9 track album (including one cover) is softer & more upbeat than his last two releases, but still has some heavier elements. For fans of Mike's solo work and the Haggith band, this has to be a must-buy (especially at this low price), so click here to pick it up A.S.A.P.! That said, when will we review "The Present Din" on the site? I have it roughly pencilled in for June (past our 6 month buffer from our "Neighbourhood Watch" review), but that could change depending on if he releases anything else, or if any other new metal/hard rock albums fall in the queue by then.

No matter what, look out for a new Mike Haggith solo album review likely this summer, and pick up "The Present Din" either digitally or physically A.S.A.P.! (Also, Mike's Facebook page was recently renamed to remove references to his former Windsor-based bands The Thorns & Equilibrium, likely as both are defunct, but the page as we know it is the same.)

And now, here's a notable concert preview for TOMORROW NIGHT in Sault Ontario, as a package of 4 notable & diverse bands will take to The Roosevelt Hotel's stage, including headliners The Rabid Whole! This fast rising electronic/industrial hard rock quintet from Toronto are quite different from out of town headlining metal bands that we tend to hear locally, but their futuristic and catchy sounds should be entertaining and worth checking out in the midst of their Short Circuit Tour! The local openers also spread across a wide array of sounds, even with the dropout of progressive rock locals Machines Dream, but fans of this month's Rockstar Bar Battle of the Bands should be very curious, as all three local bands tomorrow either have or will be competing in the battle! The openers include Sarah's Valley (the former Free Beer) from last week's opening night, and their ska/funk rock sounds should serve them well on this diverse lineup, while 2/3rds of next week's lineup will join them, including debuting stoner/death metal quartet Giwakwa (featuring Bring The Fallen, Frightlight, and Lead The Dead alumni) and alternative hard rock/blues veterans Sykotyk Rampage! I'll hold comments or predictions on them given that I'm judging them next week at the battle, but death metal & crash music lovers should enjoy their sets tomorrow!

This show is the fifth Thursday night show at The Rosie to be promoted by J.D. "Johnny Pints" Pearce since last year, so if you miss the regular Rosie metal nights, why not head out tomorrow? There is a 10:00 PM start time, you must be 19 to attend, and there's a $5 cover charge. For more details, visit the official Facebook event page! I likely won't be there tomorrow, as I don't want to show a bias for/against the battle competitors, but Giwakwa's long awaited concert debut should be huge, and Sykotyk Rampage & Sarah's Valley are bound to be crowd favourites, so don't miss out TOMORROW NIGHT! For a preview, here's The Rabid Whole's music video for their song "Future"!



Finally for today, here's a new video from As It Stands' drummer John Mignacca, who posted this clip of him covering the Skrillex remix of Avicii's "Levels" onto As It Stands' YouTube channel on Monday! John's using an electric drumkit (not unlike The Valentine's Day Massacre's Kyle Umgeher) in the video, and it's the first video on the channel of John drumming in over a year, with or without the band. He does a good job on this song (though it's a dubstep/electronic mix, not metal), and while I have no clue when As It Stands will end their 8 month concert hiatus, hopefully this can tide you guys over somewhat, so check out John's new drum cover below!



That's all for today, but stay tuned for our recap of tonight's second night of the Rockstar Bar Battle of the Bands that is currently in progress! Who will win, and what went down? Find out tomorrow! Thanks everyone!