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AlgomA - Reclaimed By The ForestRumoured 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 confirming 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 Apocalypse Afterparty's debut EP
Rumoured Songs: "The Crowd", "Glory & Gore"
Background: Before ever playing a public concert (though they have rocked private stages), new local rap/metal duo The Apocalypse Afterparty (featuring 2/3rds of Smeltzer as "songwriters") announced on their Facebook page on August 21st that they had begun working on their 3 song debut EP with producer Jamie Vincent (AlgomA), though they also alluded to recording the remaining songs with different producers. The song that they're recording with Jamie is "The Crowd", which you can preview at this link, though other details have yet to follow.
Current Release Status: No idea, but fans may be curious to see X & Z's first public concert appearance this Saturday when they open for IDNS at The Oddfellows Hall, which should see the songs that will be recorded for the EP, among others. We'll let you guys know when & if new updates follow!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rumoured Songs: "The Crowd", "Glory & Gore"
Background: Before ever playing a public concert (though they have rocked private stages), new local rap/metal duo The Apocalypse Afterparty (featuring 2/3rds of Smeltzer as "songwriters") announced on their Facebook page on August 21st that they had begun working on their 3 song debut EP with producer Jamie Vincent (AlgomA), though they also alluded to recording the remaining songs with different producers. The song that they're recording with Jamie is "The Crowd", which you can preview at this link, though other details have yet to follow.
Current Release Status: No idea, but fans may be curious to see X & Z's first public concert appearance this Saturday when they open for IDNS at The Oddfellows Hall, which should see the songs that will be recorded for the EP, among others. We'll let you guys know when & if new updates follow!
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", 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. An unmixed demo of their song "Bloodthirst" was posted on YouTube on August 22nd to commemorate what would have been original rhythm guitarist Andres Duchesne's birthday (he co-wrote that song), and 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" in June, 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 WorldRumoured 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 in June) 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 previous 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., though nothing has followed since, and the band is currently taking a break due to drummer Ben Boudreau's out of town college commitments.
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. Given that Ben Boudreau's move will put Beaumont Avenue on hold, it's anyone's guess when/if we'll see this EP released in the near future, but it would be cool to see timed with one of Ben's trips home! Watch out for any updates if 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 almost 6 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, though it's yet unclear who the featured bassist(s) will be on the albums, given the recent switch from Caleb Cachagee to James White, and that most of the band's prior studio originals featured another band member on the bass track. 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!
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Mike Haggith's third compilation albumRumoured 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 this spring'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 EPRumoured 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 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 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 EPRumoured 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 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 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 GoRumoured 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 - "Bring The Heavy"Rumoured Songs: N/A
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 what was announced to be their next seven "albums" on February 6th, but the band later retracted that to three for unannounced reasons upon their release earlier this month. "Kitty Farts & Other Play Full Noises", "Environ-Mental Suits 2: Anvil of Antioch", and "Captain Awesome Sex & Chastity Boy Episode 3: Who's Driving Spaceship Earth?" all came out as scheduled, but "Wyrd Radio", "Padre Pwj with Ready for Revival", "Santa's Night Out", and "Double LIVE" were all quietly dropped or postponed. However, their Reverbnation page lists a separate fourth album named "Bring The Heavy" for a release this month, that wasn't a part of the earlier album title announcements, and given that, it's very likely that it's at least partially recorded, and may feature tracks from the dropped albums.
Current Release Status: Watch later this month, as "Bring The Heavy" may indeed be as imminent as the date suggests! That said, Sykotyk Rampage hasn't released a formal paid album since 2012, and while we assume "Bring The Heavy" will follow a similar template, it's always possible it will be posted as a full paid album at some point too. In any event, keep an eye out for new crash music, and hear their other new songs above!
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Telephone & Address - "Need Not Apply"Rumoured Songs: "Army of Losers", "Perfect Circle", "Anthem to the Queen"
Background: Prolific local artist and former area punk band frontman Chris Shoust announced on his Telephone & Address solo project's Facebook page in April that he had a new album in the works, though aside from new song postings on Soundcloud, updates didn't follow until last month. In recent weeks, Chris has revealed that the new T&A album (titled "Need Not Apply", cover art here) will have 15 songs and will cost $15 dollars, and it has recently been sent off to be registered with SOCAN, similarly to his most recent album, the "Rotten EP". Like on that disc, it's likely that "Need Not Apply" will be released independently through Harmisntus Productions, though finite details on it's release have yet to be made.
Current Release Status: I'm not sure, but given that Chris will bring Telephone & Address back to the stage on Saturday to open for IDNS at The Oddfellows Hall, is there a chance that he'll have physical copies on sale this weekend? Be there to find out, and stay tuned either way!
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That's all for now, but stay tuned for news, weekend concert previews, and yes, our Soo Band Roulette review in the coming days! Thanks everyone!
take your time, figs! you're on vacation! :)
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