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As It Stands' third EPRumoured 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 from what I hear, a lot got accomplished! 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: As It Stands seemed to have everything under control and well planned for the sessions and their studio work, and though nothing concrete has been explicitly said about it's release, things did seem on track, despite recent delays and absences of updates, including just one live concert in the past 10 months. When might we see this EP? I don't know, especially with the closure of Dimension Studios, but keep an eye out for any possible updates!
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The Bear Hunters' full length demoRumoured 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, 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)". 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. Recent band news (aside from scattered live dates) has been slow at best, 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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Rumoured Songs: "Left For Dead", "Vanquish the Tyrant", "Lost Memories"
Background: Sault Ontario/North Shore death metal quartet Crimson Crusade haven't been the most frequently visible band in recent months, but maybe it's partly because of recording sessions for their debut EP, which began on February 9th at The Smoke & Oak Room Studio with producer Dave Pihlaja, similarly to Late & Loud's debut EP. Both the band and studio have offered sporadic updates on it's progress, including that the sessions were finished as of March 6th. Other details are forthcoming, so be on the lookout!
Current Release Status: No idea, but an initially hyped release timeframe of "later this month" has since passed into a new month. The news that they were working with Dave is a good sign for how serious and into the process the guys are, though given how few shows they've played in the past year, a Crimson Crusade EP does sort of come under the radar compared to more often seen bands. If this is as far along (or further) than guitarist Robert Sartini's other band Pillory's recording sessions, this could be out sooner than you think, so stay tuned for more updates as they come 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"
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, they are currently looking for a new session drummer. 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 likely be renamed. Another new song, tentatively called "Wormhole Mechanics", was previewed in this video that Lee uploaded as well last year. Whether Jon or ex-keyboardist Brian Holmes will be included in some capacity 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. Keep an eye out for updates!
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Haggith - "Deuce"Rumoured Songs: "Leon The Janitor", "To Whom This May Concern", "Loverbeam", "Safe On The Outside", "That Cold Winter Breeze", "Untitled", "To Stay Alive", "Clifton Hill", "75"
Background: A new local grunge act formed last May, this band featuring 20 Pack of Marshmallows & Acention alumni alongside local solo artist Mike Haggith have quickly began work on album releases, already putting out three since the fall. Announcements, previews, and photos from the studio and sessions have made it to their Facebook page over the last couple months for both older releases and upcoming albums, including their planned third studio album "Deuce", which will likely be their first to feature bassist Caleb Cachagee on most tracks. Though details are minimal beyond song & video postings on Facebook & YouTube, a full track listing was posted at this location (notably sans their live original "Public Enemy"), and it will be released through the band's independent label PaperClip Productions, like their first three albums. Five tracks were also issued in a limited edition EP named "For The Cause" at their Relay For Life set last month, though it's not expected to see further pressings. Keep tuned in to Haggith's online pages for further updates!
Current Release Status: Facebook postings are indicating a likely release for this spring, but nothing's been nailed down beyond that. The "For The Cause" EP gives hope that things are done or close to it, and if Haggith keep operating on a similar prolific schedule as Mike Haggith does solo, a quick release is more than possible, so keep an eye out for updates!
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Mike Haggith - "The Present Din"Rumoured Songs: "Her Song", "Lost Time", "The Issue", "Drown", "November Love Song", "Door To My Mind", "The Issue (Resurfaced)", "It Takes Time" (Black Hole Suns cover), "Careless Space"
Background: The 46th solo album from Haggith drummer/namesake Mike Haggith, the oddly titled "Present Din" was announced on Mike's solo Facebook page on December 19th, where he revealed that the album would be lighter than his then-latest release "Neighbourhood Watch, though with slower piano based jams and occasional heaviness. Planned to be released through Galactic Records with vocal tracking done with the Haggith band's label PaperClip Productions, the album's artwork and various instrumental demos were revealed via Facebook in the past three months. Mike uploaded the full album onto his YouTube channel this past Saturday, but details on a for-sale release are likely forthcoming.
Current Release Status: I'd assume the pay release of "The Present Din" would be any day now, given that Mike's completed the album and posted it for free on YouTube, but is that a guarantee? Another similarly prolific local band (Sykotyk Rampage) have posted their last 8 albums only as free streams, so is this a shift in business model for Mike, or will fans be able to buy it and support his work? Time will tell!
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Pillory - Cringe At The CrossRumoured Songs: "Onward to Death", "Fatal Woods", "Shattered By War", "No One Answers", "Cringe At The Cross"
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. 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: No idea. Pillory's quick launch into recording hasn't given us a lot of time to speculate, but it does mirror Jon's early tenure with Late & Loud, who announced recording plans and held photo shoots to that end shortly after their own 2010 debut. That said, with Jon's departure today due to his impending move to Southern Ontario, and the band's persistent lead guitarist opening, it's unclear what the status of the EP's release is. The guys definitely seemed deep into the process though, and serious about completing it, but fingers crossed everything works out!
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Shit Liver's debut EPRumoured 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", "Unabomber"
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 disk 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 last month, 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 to go along with hopefully a lot more band activity in 2013!
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The Suicide Kings' debut EPRumoured Songs: "Into the Fray", "Red Rover", "King of the World"
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, so keep an eye out for updates as they roll in!
Current Release Status: Seeing at they said it won't be done until the end of the spring, the earliest we'd be likely to see The Suicide Kings' EP would be in June, but nothing's official yet. 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 in the past month 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 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", "Someday", "How I'm Wanting You More", "The After Life", "9/11", "His Sacrifice", "Termination of Exystence", "Classical D", "We Will Survive"
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) and Facebook hints at a double album release, but 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 the song postings from this summer 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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Winkstinger's debut EPRumoured Songs: "Sadist", "Fuck The Rest", "Cheese Grater Face", "Chudnugget", "From Bullshit To Buzz (Lies = Weed)", "Where'd We Go Wrong", "Poop", "In Other Words", "Stop! You Can't Interrogate Someone With Brain Damage!", "The Devil's Hand", "Feel All My Hate", "Move It, Peenie-Weenies, My Hands Are On Fire!", "Jimmy Got His New Legs (Derp.)", "Bidniz", "Nunya", "Of Steed & Steel"
Background: Little is publically known about this EP, but Winkstinger initially confirmed on March 15th on their Facebook page that recording had begun. Anything else from official band pages is open-ended or minimal, but guitarist Jesse Cook has also kept fans posted on the recording sessions for the band's first EP on his personal Facebook page, noting that recording took place from the 15th through the 27th, with mixing done and some lyric finalization left. I assume this EP is being self-produced and recorded, but again, the band hasn't said much publically about it or it's possible track listing, length, release formats, or anything else. In May, the band posted 5 demos from the sessions onto their new SoundCloud page, so stream them there in advance of the full release! It's also unclear whether Jason Ladouceur and/or Anthony Orazietti provided rhythm guitar tracks at the sessions, or if Ryan Sherman's bass tracks will remain following his departure from the band.
Current Release Status: I'm not sure, especially with the limited public information as of yet. A fall release made sense once, but band updates have been slow in recent months, with Winkstinger not playing a public live concert since July (plus, their lineup issues can't help.) No matter what though, I'm curious to hear more of Winkstinger's creative and often amusing material in studio form, so hopefully this does come out relatively soon! Stay tuned for updates!
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I hope you guys liked this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post! We'll return to monthly feature posts a week from tomorrow when we profile Devastation of the Heavens in our next Defunct Local Band Profile, but stay tuned either tonight or tomorrow for our preview of TOMORROW'S first night of the Rockstar Bar Battle of the Bands, and perhaps more! Thanks everyone!
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