LOCAL CONCERT ALERT (Tantrym Tyme), The Newest Tuned Episode, Haggith's Next CD, And More!!

After a few days of just battle of the bands recaps and concert previews, we still have a little of each for today's post, including a SHORT NOTICE LOCAL CONCERT ALERT for TOMORROW, but this is more of a regular news post, with an upcoming local album and some assorted updates rounding things out. Now, here's what you should know!

Young Sault Michigan metal trio Tantrym Tyme are apparently playing at The Elks Lodge in Sault Michigan TOMORROW AFTERNOON! Apologies for the short notice, the band only announced the show on their Facebook page yesterday, and only clarified the Sunday scheduling today. Barring possible unannounced gigs, Tantrym Tyme were last seen playing at a Soo Eagles hockey game last month (which completely slipped us by, our apologies!), and while a Sunday afternoon show at The Elks Lodge may seem atypical for a local metal band, remember that the former Abstract often play unique all ages venues, and they rocked this lodge on a Sunday in January too. Tantrym Tyme's skill and sound have steadily improved over the years, and though the hair is shorter, they'll be sure to deliver some solid music this weekend!

This show (at 1111 East Portage Avenue) will start at 3:00 PM, and there's neither an announced cover charge or age limit. See above for more details, and here's Tantrym Time live in 2012!



Next up, here's our latest look at Local2's video coverage of the VM Radio Battle of the Bands at The Canadian Nightclub, via their newest episode of the popular webseries Tuned with Donna Hopper! Following the format of last week's episode, the first segment features a recap of week #2's action and forecasts of what's to come via judges Rob Speers and myself (Dustin Jones was absent again due to Rising Tide tour commitments), and this judges segment will be featured in next week's Tuned episode as well, so keep an eye out then for them! The second half switches to Wednesday's last semifinal in the month-long battle, and it features performance footage and introductions from all four of this week's bands (Mike Haggith & The Din, Project 421, winners The Apocalype Afterparty, and wild card finalists Gnaeus), though X is missing from The Apocalypse Afterparty's introduction.

More performance footage of them caps off the episode, and it's another strong, entertaining look back at week #3! The finals this coming Wednesday (also featuring The Bear Hunters & Mannapool) should be excellent, so be sure to join us then for all of the action as all of the prizes are handed out! Check out the newest Tuned episode above, and remember, their video host doesn't allow external embedding, hence why we can't feature it here.

Also today, here's the latest from one of this battle's competing bands, night #2 runners-up Haggith, who have recently completed work on their new album "Apocalypse II"! The long awaited sequel to 2012's "Apocalypse", it took two years, a band breakup, and two bassist departures for this to be completed, and in advance of the official paid release of the album, you can stream the whole thing on their YouTube channel! The last songs from the planned album went up there yesterday, including the linked "Home (Parts 5, 6, and 7)" as one upload, the album's own title track "Apocalypse II", and the metal track "Hands of Death" that has been a mainstay at recent concerts. In terms of lineup variances, bassist Jordan Leach plays on all of these songs (and co-wrote "Apocalypse II"), synthesizer & keyboard parts are included on all but "Hands of Death", Curtis McKenzie is not featured at all on "Apocalypse II", and Daniel Horton's Project 421 bandmate Frank McGillivray guests on the "Home" songs.

As we haven't even reviewed the first "Apocalypse" yet, and with our review of Telephone & Address' "Rust Orchid" likely coming in the next week or so, I can't say yet when we'll look at this album, but there's lots of varied material from this talented hard rock quartet to check out, so definitely do so above! We'll let you know when CDs and sale copies are released, so stay tuned for updates, and here's "Hands of Death"!



Finally for today, here's three assorted shorter items from the last while, and as usual, these are in alphabetical order by artist name:

• If you were wondering who was drumming for Dustin Jones & The Rising Tide during their local shows this weekend, then we can confirm via personal Facebook posts that Late Shift bassist Clint Wilson filled in with The Tide for their Sault-area shows at LopLops and Searchmont, like he did at some dates last year. No word yet on if Mikey Hawdon is still their official drummer or not though. Hopefully this weekend's gigs went well!
• This is honestly very overdue, but we've added local event planners & organizers Maxx Entertainment to our "Other Sault Ontario Metal Links" on the site! Ran by That's Chester & Stiffler's Mom frontman Greg Simpson, Maxx Entertainment have been instrumental in local concert events like Toystock along with helping out at the annual Ride For Sight, this month's VM Radio Battle of the Bands, and more, so check them out above for info on them!
• Local singer Michaila Ward is looking to start a band (preferably with all female members), and while she didn't specify intended genres, she does like some heavy/alternative bands on Facebook. If you're interested in trying out, message her at this link or via her Musicians Wanted Facebook group post on March 6th!

That's all for today, but stay tuned for this month's YouTube Channel Profiles tomorrow! Thanks everyone!