Saturday, August 2, 2014

Where Are The New Albums? August 2014 Update

It's the second of the month, so now it's time for our first monthly feature post of August, that being this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post! This monthly series looks at upcoming and partially recorded albums from local metal, hard rock, and punk bands, in order to let fans know where things stand at last public word! We have three new album additions this month from two bands, along with one removal due to a band's likely active status, and for the sake of clarification, one of the new additions is courtesy of last month's full punk band integration into our coverage, so this series is getting up to speed! Like before, entries with new information (6 this month) have the album name in italics. Now, where are the new albums? Read on below to hopefully find out!
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AlgomA - Reclaimed By The Forest

Rumoured Songs: "Fell Down A Well", "Reclaimed By The Forest", "Tertiary Syphillis", "Go On, Git!!", "Extinct Volcanoes", "Bedsores", "The Electric Fence"

Background: After just two live concerts, new local stoner metal trio AlgomA (featuring BeeFMouTH and Fuller alumni) began work on studio recordings last summer as per their Facebook page, with singer/guitarist Darby Wigwaus's film production company 62nd Chamber Productions' website confirmning that they are in fact working on a debut demo EP.  Vocal recordings were completed in August, and they sentoff the tracks to be post-produced in Peterborough, with mixing being taken care of by veteran local musician Mark Rand (source here.) Facebook postings in February revealed the EP's name ("Reclaimed By The Forest") and that it would be released via Malaysian metal label Deadbeat Media later this year. You can see pictures from the sessions in this Facebook album (and the full cover art by Adam Geyer here), while the first song "Fell Down A Well" can be streamed at their Bandcamp page. Stay tuned for more info!

Current Release Status: Given the label deal and recent announcements, a mid-late 2014 release wouldn't shock me for "Reclaimed By The Forest", but a proper timeframe for the release is not public yet. 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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The Bear Hunters - Eternal Hibernation
 
Rumoured 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", guitarist Mitch Sirie confirmed in a Facebook e-mail that all of the band's pre-"Servitude" originals will be on the album, with anything newer planned to be on their second release. The album will feature tracks from Josh Stephney, who recorded his parts before moving to Brampton. At most recent word, mixing & mastering by Mitch was underway for the completed tracks, with preview clips and the artwork to come in the near future, while a CD release party is in the early planning stages.

Current Release Status: As per their Facebook page in June, the goal was to finally release "Eternal Hibernation" last month, but that has obviously since passed. Until a specific release date comes out, proceed with caution before getting your hopes up just in case things are delayed again. Still, this is by far the closest they've been to completing recording sessions towards an album release, and recent announcements are looking good, so fingers crossed things stay on track!
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Beaumont Avenue - King of the World

Rumoured Songs: "Into the Fray", "Red Rover", "King of the World", "Way Out Of Hell", "Take Me Away", "Beaten Down", "Two More Jag", "Jesus Concubines"

Background: Already off to a quick launch with numerous concerts since their fall 2012 debut, local hard rock quartet The Suicide Kings (who changed their name to Beaumont Avenue last month) surprisingly announced that they were officially working on their first EP on their Facebook page last February. 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 last spring, the tracks were in the final stages of mixing, and though info on the sessions and release was sporadic for much of last year, the band unveiled studio versions of their originals "Into the Fray" & "Jesus Concubines" in January on Facebook, presumably as a preview for the full release. 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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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 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", with this year now targeted for a release. 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 - "XIV" & "Apocalypse II"

Rumoured Songs (X): "Public Enemy", "These Four Walls", "Wasted", "Red", "By The Hand", "Runnin' From Love", "Metal Cage", "Road Rash", "Punch", "Anthem"

Rumoured Songs (A): "Apocalypse"

Background: After being broken up throughout early 2014, local grunge/alternative rock quartet Haggith came back at the fourth annual Sewer Swampstravaganza at The Oddfellows Hall on May 10th, where the band announced that they would be recording a new studio album, but with an ultimatum: If it didn't sell well, the band would break up again. The potential finality may have been shelved though, as recent posts on their Facebook page indicate that Haggith are now releasing two new CDs, including a new original album named "XIV" (featuring unreleased songs, new tracks, and previous Punch originals) and a resumption of their "Apocalypse II" concept sequel CD, which was sampled via a song posting on YouTube last month. Recording sessions are likely ongoing at Paperclip Productions, so keep an eye out for updates!

Current Release Status: Your guess is as good as mine, but Haggith's first three albums were all released on honest and fairly quick schedules once sessions wrapped up! It will be interesting to see how these albums do upon release, especially "XIV" (though no word on what they're counting 14 of), so stay tuned as more comes in! I will note however that Haggith teased "a big surprise" during last night's set at the Late & Loud farewell show at The Rockstar Bar, so was that tied to a surprise CD release, or something else entirely? We'll let you know when/if it's announced online!
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Mike Haggith's third compilation album

Rumoured Songs: "1980", "Wicked Midnight Ride", "To Whom This May Concern", "Fourth Floor Centre/She Wanted To Be A Veterinarian", "Sun Perfume", "Grace", "Limb Coast","Miss 76", "Room 822", "Trinity", "Solitude", "Resurfaced", "The Day The Lights Went Out", "Lost Time"

Background: Amidst postings towards last month's release of his newest studio album "A Place Of Our Own", Haggith drummer Mike Haggith also recently announced is his third best-of compilation album (possibly "The Best of Mike Haggith: Volume 3"?), which was revealed on Facebook in April. Compiling 14 top songs from his previous 4 studio releases ("Suspended Animation", "The Present Din", and both "Neighbourhood Watch" CDs), Mike didn't close the door on re-recorded some vocal tracks. You can view the artwork at this link, though further updates aren't out yet.

Current Release Status: Originally, Mike was hoping for it's digital release in the next few weeks after the reveal of the disc, but that's came and went, so it's unclear where this will fall. In any event, physical pressings are possible, pending customer demand. Stay tuned as more comes in!
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Northwest's debut EP

Rumoured Songs: "All We Have Is Time", "We Want It All", "Phone Calls", "I Got You"

Background: A newer (and still online page-less) indie/punk quintet featuring Small Town Rivals and Terminal alumni, Northwest have quietly been working on their debut EP this year with producer Dustin Jones at Tidal Records. Details are minimal, which may be partly due to no online page to promote updates, but frontman Wayne Watkins has kept friends updated on the sessions via his personal Facebook page, which were ongoing as early as January, and posts there included an audio sample from the sessions. Indications are for this to be a digital EP, but it remains to be seen whether there will be CDs available. Keep an eye out for updates!

Current Release Status: Not sure yet, but given the Tidal Records ties, I have to assume Northwest are fully committed to completing and putting out this EP at some point! There's been a lot of intriguing progress and hints, so fingers crossed we see Northwest's first EP out sooner rather than later!
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RedD Monkey - Opus 2

Rumoured 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 2012's "All Baroque")  in online posts through last spring, along with previewing the disc at a Toronto concert last June, 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, especially following the band's confirmation that they're currently on a hiatus. That said, the sessions appear to be complete, and a preview of it was held last year, so a release can't be terribly far off for when/if they return to activity. In case they do come back, keep an eye out!
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The Revolution's debut EP

Rumoured Songs: "Murder For Sport", "We Are The Gladiators", "Monsters"

Background: New local doom/punk trio The Revolution (originally the second version of Brutaly Fatal) surprisingly announced on their Facebook page last month that they were heading into the studio to begin recording their debut EP on July 26th. The sessions are being done at their new label PaperClip Productions, who signed the band in May. Details on the title, artwork, song list, and cover art are to be revealed.

Current Release Status: No idea, as we don't have past albums from Austin, Rainey, and Brandan to compare in terms of making a guess (aside from Austin's early Brutaly Fatal demos), but PaperClip Productions tend to be fairly quick and honest with release dates, so we'll have to see how things flesh out in the coming months!
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Sailor's Tongue's debut album

Rumoured 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 last 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. I wouldn't have been surprised to see the final CD released at this year's Rotaryfest, but the Second Stage was put on hiatus for 2014, and a Sailor's Tongue return show didn't take place to coincide with anything relating to Rotaryfest. In any event, stay tuned for possible info!
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The Sorrow Fields - Let Go

Rumoured 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 in 2012, 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 2013, he'd titled the album "Godlessness" (though it was changed to "Let Go" this spring), and a preview of the title track and another unnamed song were uploaded there to check out before being privatized for unannounced reasons. Mitch is still working on the album though, and has aims to finish it after 6 years of off & on work, as per a recent personal Facebook posting.

Current Release Status: Mitch's most recent release timeframe for The Sorrow Fields' album was this coming winter, though he added on Facebook that he didn't plan to speak about it further until completion, so our next word or previews on it might not be for a while. Knowing how delayed his past solo album "Hollow Hope" was prior to it's cancellation, this could be a long road, especially as he's a workhorse with his two bands. In case new "Let Go" or Sorrow Fields news rolls in, we'll have it here!
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Sykotyk Rampage -"Wyrd Radio", "Padre Pwj with Ready for Revival", "Environ-Mental Suits 2: Anvil of Antioch", "Kitty Farts & Other Playful Noises", "Adventures of Captain Awesome Sex & Chastity Boy, Episode #3: Who's Driving Spaceship Earth?", "Santa's Night Out", and "Double LIVE"

Rumoured Songs: "Came Like A Storm"

Background: Continuing their extremely prolific recording nature, local "blue Chinese metal crash punk" quartet Sykotyk Rampage began recording sessions at River Front Recreation Studios for their next seven "albums" on February 6th, which will bring their total album amount to 50 if all goes according to plan. Their second batch of albums with current bassist Tony "Chastity Boy" Briglio, the band's Facebook page elaborated on themes for some of them, with the first two hinting towards covers, "Anvil of Antioch" & "Who's Driving Spaceship Earth?" continuing series started the previous year, "Santa's Night Out" possibly being the long hinted at Christmas album, and "Double LIVE" being their first live album from one of their concerts, with the first and last being double CD length. Nothing else is out besides two of the albums' cover artwork (seen here) and a new song named "Came Like A Storm" on their Reverbnation page, but keep an eye out for updates!

Current Release Status: The band hasn't indicated a rough timeframe for the releases, but mid-late 2014 would make sense, especially if "Santa's Night Out" is seasonal. Keep in mind however that Sykotyk Rampage's albums have all been posted online strictly as free postings since 2012, but in the event that these get a paid release, we'll have them here. Also, a personal Facebook post by guitarist Dirk Becker suggested that only 4 albums (the two sequels, "Kitty Farts...", and the previously unlisted "Bring The Heavy") will be out this year, but the band itself hasn't confirmed that. Watch out for updates and hints throughout the year!
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And finally, here's a note on a removed album, with the reasons for it's removal, so here's what you should know on it:
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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 would be part of an EP, not a full length album as was previously believed. It was unclear whether the songs they recorded at Stereo Soul Studios in 2010 and/or in Stoney Creek in 2011 would 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 that year, both of which you can stream at this location. Mixing was underway locally with Brendan Clace at the former Dimension Studios, but little followed, and the band issued no EP updates after their last show in August 2012, quietly disbanding in recent months.

Reason For Removal: With the recent confirmation from drummer John Mignacca that A.I.S. are done, it basically ends the slim chances of an imminent release for their long gestating EP. Adding to that, Dimension Studios closed in the interim, and their last public posts in late 2013 implied that they'd mostly start fresh with new material (a'la after their 2010 reunion), but we never saw where that would have led. Some songs from their assorted recent recording sessions are currently streamable online, so we can see what could have been, but it would have been awesome to see a fully completed new As It Stands album (or at least, an online posting of their older discs.) Hopefully everyone stays active in music, and maybe we'll see another reunion down the road!
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I hope you guys liked this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post, and stay tuned for our next Defunct Local Band Profile on Elipzis one week from tomorrow, and for more news soon! Thanks everyone!

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