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AlgomA's first EPRumoured 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 this summer as per their Facebook page, and though the end goal is vague through that source, singer/guitarist Darby Wigwaus's film production company 62nd Chamber Productions' website confirmed that they are in fact working on a debut demo EP. Vocal recordings were completed in August, and they were apparently sending off the tracks to be post-produced in Southern Ontario, with mixing being taken care of by veteran local musician Mark Rand (source here.) 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 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 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 was 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 last 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: Though the band has finally returned to activity in recent weeks, I have no idea if a full EP release is still in the cards. Dimension Studios closed in the interim, and recent posts have indicated that As It Stands are mostly starting fresh with new material for their next live dates, with only a few 2010-2012 originals returning, so a release of the older EP sessions may not be a current priority. They did seem to have everything under control and well planned for the sessions and their studio work., but at this point, I think fans would be excited to just see As It Stands live again. Just in case, keep an eye out for any possible updates!
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The Bear Hunters - Eternal HibernationRumoured Songs: "Dominate", "Collapse The Sun", "Karma", "Deception", "Bloodthirst", "Casualties Of War", "Overthrown", "Condemned", "Succumb To Eternity", "Render This Void"
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 then-guitarist Josh Stephney to the band, 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. Setbacks (including a dead computer) have pushed back a planned release, including their non-album cover of Woods of Ypres' "Kiss My Ashes (Goodbye)", but 2013 sessions with producer James White at White Wreckords have been far more fruitful. To be entitled "Eternal Hibernation", only guitar solos and vocals were remaining to record as of last month. Guitarist Mitch Sirie confirmed in a recent Facebook e-maul that all of the band's current originals (save for "Servitude", "Transcend Judgement", and "I Fear No God") will be on the album, with those three planned to be on their second release. The album will feature guitar tracks from Josh Stephney, who recorded his parts before moving to Brampton.
Current Release Status: Current indications have "Eternal Hibernation" coming out this coming winter, possibly as early as Christmas, but nothing final has been confirmed beyond optimistic online postings. This is by far the closest they've been to completing recording sessions towards an album release, so fingers crossed things stay on track!
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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 almost 5 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: Personal commitments and the like have slowed things down incredibly, but in the band's most recent preview video (featuring audio samples), Gates of Winter hinted that work was winding down on "Perihelion", including noting that "the silence ends soon." I'm thinking a 2014 release is now targeted, 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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Haggith - Apocalypse IIRumoured Songs: Unknown
Background: Last month, local grunge/alternative hard rock quartet Haggith announced on their Facebook page that a sequel to their October 2012 zombie concept album "Apocalypse" will likely come out on Satuday, in honour of their reported final concert that night at The Algonquin Pub. Though band members had teased other big album projects in preceding months (including one themed for their song "Public Enemy"), this will apparently be their last studio album as Haggith. Aside from a post of the album cover in May, posts relating to the progress of the recording sessions haven't been made, but it's likely being/has already been recorded at PaperClip Productions with their current/final lineup. Stay tuned in case more word on the album comes out!
Current Release Status: I'd hold them to the December 7th date given the impending finality of their status as a band, but the lack of public posts about the sessions and tracks does have me wondering how much is done, or if things are secretive on purpose. Regardless, "Apocalypse II" would be fitting to see released on the date of the band's own apocalypse, so hopefully things don't get delayed!
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Mike Haggith - A Place Of Our OwnRumoured Songs: "Let Me In", "Cowardly Hearts Beneath The Stars", "Long Talk", "To Kansas: The Ballad of K4/K5", "This Potato May Be Used As A Flotation Device", "A Place Of Our Own"
Background: The planned 48th solo album from prolific local solo musician and hard rock drummer Mike Haggith, "A Place Of Our Own" is a planned concept album similar to other recent solo albums of his, though themes and overall genres aren't known yet. Announced on his Facebook page on November 25th (complete with an early track listing and album cover), this album features no songs dropped from recent albums at present, and it is replacing the indefinitely delayed "The Tower" in it's release order. Tracking and mixing is currently underway for the album, likely at Galactic Records, though it's unknown whether Mike will do any work locally at Paperclip Productions again for it. Stay tuned for updates!
Current Release Status: Mike is currently projecting a February release for "A Place Of Our Own", which should be a reliable date, as Mike's always been forthcoming and honest about the release dates of his solo albums and any delays on them! Keep an eye out for "A Place Of Our Own" early next year for his latested entertaining solo effort!
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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, though there has been some more recent recording done, and artwork will apparently be done by San Diego artist Anthony Sanchez. A Facebook posting last month indicated that "Cringe At The Cross" will only feature the 5 songs recorded with late guitarist Andres Duchesne last year (with new song "Dethrone The Dictator" not included), and singer/guitarist Robert Sartini will play all guitar and bass parts, with Andres, Jon, and later bassists Cole Royal & Tyler St. Amour not featured. The most recent sessions were done with producer Chris "Mullet Studborne" Shelbourne at Shez Studios.
Current Release Status: The above posting (by drummer Bret Shuttleworth) indicated that "Cringe At The Cross" would come out on December 19th (the one year anniversary of Andres' passing), but details on formats, artwork, price, and availability are not known as yet. Things do sound close to being finished, and given the significance of the target date, I would expect at least something to make it's way to the public in two weeks, so keep an eye out for word as we approach the 19th! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RedD Monkey - Opus 2Rumoured Songs: "Broken Parts", "Losing Friends", "The Jock Song"
Background: The planned third CD from this popular local hardcore punk/classical trio, RedD Monkey have hyped "Opus 2" (a follow-up to last year's "All Baroque") in online posts through this spring, along with previewing the disc at a Toronto concert on June 1st, though further updates on it's release status have yet to be made, nor has a release schedule been announced. I'd assume that "Opus 2" was recorded in a similar method to "All Baroque", but that's just speculation given that both CDs were labelled as opuses in a series. Keep an eye in case something's announced!
Current Release Status: I'm not really sure, but given that the sessions appear to be complete, and a preview of it was held in June, a release can't be terribly far off. I imagine it could be on hold until their next tour cycle to have a proper CD release show, but stay tuned for updates!
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Sailor's Tongue's debut albumRumoured Songs: "Float, "Out of the Woodwork", "Wired For No Sound", "Shadow", "Doctor John", "BootScattered", "Beauty's Limousine", "Don't Shoot The Messenger", "Horses & Trains", "Navy"
Background: Despite only playing two gigs (both at the Rotaryfest Second Stage) since returning from their three year breakup in 2012, local hard rock notables Sailor's Tongue have hit the studio to record what I believe is their first full length album, which will feature their current quintet lineup. Drummer Dean McKey uploaded four tracks (some labelled as demos) to his Soundcloud page earlier this year that are likely towards the album, while there are existing songs on their Reverbnation page from earlier sessions that will likely be featured in some form. Though info on the album is as sporadic as their live dates, a preview demo CD named "Pierced" was sold at their Rotaryfest set in July featuring 7 tracks, though Dean later told me on Facebook that the album was just a sampler for attendees and was not the final product. Keep an eye out for updates!
Current Release Status: No finite idea as of right now, but given their long breaks between live concerts & page postings, there hasn't been many outlets to give updates either. Personally, I wouldn't be surprised to see the final CD released at next year's Rotaryfest, but maybe they'll play more live dates in the interim to shake up that guess. In any event, keep posted to hear more!
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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", "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. 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. Keep posted for updates!
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. Potentially complicating things is the band's recent relocation to Toronto, which has unknown implications on the release of the sessions in an EP format. Hopefully we hear some big news on this front soon, possibly in conjunction with future concerts!
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The Sorrow Fields - GodlessnessRumoured Songs: "Godlessness"
Background: Previously known as Animas, April Eyes, and By The Gods, The Sorrow Fields is the long gestating black/death metal solo metal project from Bear Hunters/Suicide Kings guitarist Mitch Sirie. He resurrected the project under it's new name last year, complete with an atmospheric & dark sound, and he has sporadically updated fans as to his newest planned debut album via their YouTube channel and deleted Facebook page. As of June, he'd titled the album "Godlessness", with a preview of the title track and another unnamed song uploaded there to check out, but news since has been slow to absent.
Current Release Status: I have no clue, but knowing how delayed his past solo album "Hollow Hope" was prior to it's cancellation, this could be a long road. Mitch is a workhorse with his two bands also, so that likely plays a part in any delays for his solo material, but I've heard nothing concerning the project's end as of today, so take that for what it's worth. In case new "Godlessness" or Sorrow Fields news rolls in, we'll have it here!
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The Suicide Kings - King of the WorldRumoured 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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Also, I've reluctantly opted to remove an album from this series due to the unlikelihood of an imminent release, so read on below for details!
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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 planned 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 worked on the album sporadically since, including Facebook postings hinting at a double album release, but recent original song postings onto his YouTube channel have just been general uploads with no blatant ties to a new album (at least publically.)
Reason For Removal: Mainly because it has been an extended period since I've heard anything relating to a second solo album release, and with an album's worth of original songs given individual free postings without a direct plug as being part of a new CD, I don't believe Tym has immediate plans to put out his second album (at least not in the form sampled on his website.) I hope he revisits the idea though, as I liked what he was doing for the next album, and hopefully said material gets to see the light of day in full!
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I hope you guys liked this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post! It will of course return on the day after New Year's, but stay tuned for our likely next monthly feature post (this month's Defunct Local Band Profiles) one week from tomorrow, and for more news this week! Thanks everyone!
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