It's now time for this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post on the SMS, where we continue our monthly look at the current whereabouts and updates of upcoming albums, CDs, and EPs from Sault Ontario metal, hard rock, and punk acts, in order to see what is currently known about them and their releases! This month, we have 8 entries, two with updated entries, as noted with the album name in
italics, while I have also removed one album due to it's now unlikely release status, which is at the end. So, where are the new albums? Read on below to hopefully find out!
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A Dire Setback's self-titled debut album
Rumoured Songs: "Everlasting
Despair", "Kicking & Screaming", "Drop Dead", "Catastrophe", "Faded", "Forget This
Memory", "Endless Dream", "Nightmares"
Background: Though discussion of a
debut album had been ongoing throughout 2017, local alt-punk trio A Dire
Setback only announced that their first CD was in the works in March of 2018. To help fund the recording sessions, A
Dire Setback launched
a Patreon page
to allow fans to help financially back them and the album, with
exclusive content and perks promised for backers on there, though public
content on
their Facebook page
has also been released. Pointless
bandmates Bill Priddle & Dustin Goodall handled production and
mastering, at least partially at Dustin's own Unsalted Audio, with full
recording sessions taking place between May 2018 & May 2019. The first single
"Kicking & Screaming" was released online in September, complete with
official music video, with full release details following in January on Facebook &
CDBaby, including
the cover artwork,
track listing (notably omitting their early song "Wasting Away"),
samples of each song, and the full version of their newer original
"Drop Dead".
Current Release Status: A Dire Setback confirmed in January that their album will be formally launched at
a CD release party at
LopLops Lounge
on Saturday, March 28th, with albums running for $15 on disc or $9.99
digitally on CDBaby. This all sounds definitive and will be highly
anticipated for fans of A.D.S., but stay tuned to the above links for
continued details on the release over the next month!
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The Bear Hunters - The Dead Testament
Rumoured Songs: "The
Void", "The Omen", "Neckbreaker", "I Fear No God", "Servitude",
"Transcend Judgement", "For Glory", "The Wrath Of Angmar", "The Dying
Den", "The Dead Testament", "Deception" (bonus re-recording),
"The Forest of Forests" (bonus track)
Background: In tentative planning
since 2014 under this title, local death metal quintet The Bear
Hunters have been playing songs intended for their second full length CD
for a few years now, but only fully began recording sessions for "The
Dead Testament" on October 2nd, 2015. Following a brief fundraising campaign
and the gradual unveiling of song titles, the band has been working
with producer Dustin Jones at
Mission Control Studios, and have shared
sporadic updates on
their Instagram page. Like on 2014's "Eternal
Hibernation", rhythm guitarist Josh Stephney has recorded parts
for the album despite living in Southern Ontario. The music video for
"I Fear No God" was posted on YouTube in December 2018, marking the first public release of a song from the CD, while
the final cover artwork and full track listing order were posted on
their Facebook page in February 2019.
Current Release Status: The Bear
Hunters haven't given any firm timetables for when to expect "The Dead
Testament"
in stores, and they have not publically referenced the album on social media in over a year, but recording sessions are reportedly complete,
and they have played live since then.
The band is
aiming for a more professional sound and release for
their sophomore effort, and to go along with that, artwork and physical
distribution plans are ongoing, as are "a ton of cool ideas for stepping
our media game up." Keep an eye out for updates on "The Dead Testament"
when
and if they come in!
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Dustin Jones & The Rising Tide's fourth album
Rumoured Songs: "Lost & Found", "All Broke Down"
Background: After a lengthy hiatus
dating back to the summer of 2016, local Celtic punk veterans Dustin
Jones & The Rising Tide resumed public activity in early 2018, later
beginning recording sessions by that October at Dustin's own Mission Control
Studios, as per
their Facebook page.
The band confirmed that they were indeed recording a fourth studio
album (and first in 7 years) in January 2019, which will presumably be
released through
Tidal Records, and will also be their first album with second guitarist Liam Seymour and drummer Chris Johns.
A 22 second teaser
of the first single
"Lost & Found"
was posted on Facebook,
and it's official music video was released in March, while "All Broke
Down" was initially cited as the first single in December 2018
(source here.)
Current Release Status: When The
Tide shared the above teaser clip, they mentioned that the album was
"coming soon", which doesn't tell us much. With recording sessions a few
months in, and it's intended song now out via the music video, it's
likely that Dustin and company aren't early in the process,
but we'll let you know when more comes out on their highly anticipated
fourth album as we proceed in the new year!
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The Elements' debut EP
Rumoured Songs: "Liar", "G20", "Triple H", "The Rut", "I Need A Friend", "Riptide"
Background: Arguably better known
for their funk, ska, and hard rock covers, local quartet The Elements
have been adding original material to their sets since 2015, and
have since publically confirmed earlier teases that they are working on a
debut EP. Frontman Rob Speers has confirmed in personal conversations
in early 2016 that they have been working in studio on the release,
which will have at
least 5 tracks, and I believe it's being self-recorded, but further
public updates are minimal at best. A studio recording of
"I Need A Friend" was quietly posted onto
their Facebook page last month, following personal Facebook postings that revealed that EP sessions were further along than public statements indicated, though they have not elaborated since.
Current Release Status: At this
stage, I have no idea, but Rob sounded like things were going well in
studio. That said, these were largely personal conversations over a year ago,
and it's anyone's guess when The Elements will provide a public statement corroborating the private teasers. I won't go into detail on that front unless the band does or gives permission, so we'll have to see if updates come out on it soon!
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Mike Haggith - If Ever Comes The Day & Bridges
Rumoured Songs (A): "The Best You Never Had", "Communique", "If Only You
Could Hear Me", "MorningStar, "2145"
Rumoured Songs (B): "From The 55th Parallel", "Over Indecision", "The Nature of The Times","An
Act of Strength","The Catalyst", "Dangerous
Town", "Come on Home", "Blue Highway", "Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost", "Bridges"
Background: After moving to
Thompson, Manitoba in November 2017 for work reasons, prolific
local/Windsor hard/alternative rock musician Mike Haggith relaunched his
dormant solo project, and soon commenced songwriting for a new CD named
"Bridges", with updates taking place across 2018 and into early 2019.
His Facebook page
documented songwriting sessions and acoustic "home demo" videos of new
original songs, plus solo concerts in Thompson largely
featuring new tracks. Despite the unveiling of the cover artwork, three
singles, and even a music video for "The Nature of The Times", Mike
indefinitely postponed the release of "Bridges" late last year due to mixing
delays, personal life concerns, and the quick development of a new
album named "If Ever Comes The Day", which he now plans to release
first. With that, he unveiled it's first single
"Communique" on September 24th, with
"The Best You Never Had" following afterward, and other hints towards songs also showing up on social media. Mike confirmed on Facebook yesterday that this album is finished recording.
Current Release Status: Regarding
"If Ever Comes The Day", it's not clear yet when we might see it on
sale, but Mike sounded very optimistic about the material and recording
process, so this could be quick, especially with sessions completed. Mike has confirmed that "Bridges" will
still be released, and for an album with completed recording sessions,
artwork, and single releases, you'd hope so, but it's clear that he is
prioritizing the new CD at this time. With Mike's candor & honesty, you know he
won't hide anything
regarding these albums, so keep tabs for updates as they roll in!
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Pillory's second CD
Rumoured Songs: "Angst of Existence", "Sculptor of Cadavers", "Wasting", "Abhorred Apprehension", "The Passing",
"Exhaustive Incarnation"
Background: After previously
breaking up in mid-2014, local metal band Pillory returned as a trio in
the fall of 2015, trading their thrash metal roots for a heavier death
metal sound, complete with a completely overhauled setlist with no
carried-over originals from their 2013 debut EP. In
March 2017, Id Iota guitarist Dustin Goodall's recording studio
Unsalted Audio
revealed that they were in pre-production for Pillory's second album,
with the band confirming that sessions were underway that summer. As of
July 2017, drum tracks were complete, though it took until November 2018
for the band to confirm that guitar tracking was underway, with vocals
& mixing to follow. It's not clear who will provide bass tracks on
the final
product, between ex-bassist Jordan Leach, his replacement Blair St.
John, frontman Robert Sartini (who played bass on their first EP), or a
combination therein.
Current Release Status: I have no
idea, and it doesn't help that Pillory have only posted once on Facebook
in the past 2½ years, though their new lineup returned from year-long
hiatuses twice in that span for opening sets at Live705 death metal
shows at The Rockstar Bar. That said, with their increasingly
brutal and
technical sound, hopefully they can get this album complete down the
line!
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The Sorrow Fields' debut album
Rumoured Songs: Unknown
Background: After a two year hiatus
for his solo project (previously known as Animas, April Eyes, and By
The Gods), local guitarist Mitch Sirie's solo project The Sorrow Fields
resumed public activity in February 2018 via recording sessions at Mission
Control Studios with producer Dustin Jones, where his band The Bear
Hunters also recorded their new CD. An actively maintained social media
page for The Sorrow Fields has not followed suit, but Dustin did say
that he was "stoked" by the guide tracks, and tracking was reportedly
underway last January. Posts on Mitch's personal Facebook page have
implied that the project's current form will be much softer than his
death metal band work.
Current Release Status: With
tracking reportedly underway, last year had to have been targeted once, but
given that Mitch has kept all of his own promotion for this album on
personal accounts, it's anyone's guess how fast this will come out
(also, remember how Mitch's prior attempts at solo albums never saw
their intended completion.) It'd be great to see both The Sorrow Fields'
debut and "The Dead Testament" on sale this year, and hopefully things
progress the right way for both in the coming months!
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Treble Charger's sixth album
Rumoured Songs: Unknown
Background: While recording a brand
new album was a common teaser in Treble Charger's post-reunion concerts
in the mid-late 2010s, the local/Toronto indie punk icons only gave a
firm public confirmation that they were indeed working on their sixth CD
in
this Sault Star
article in September. The recording sessions reportedly began last
spring, and as of the interview, four or five demos were recorded,
though things were on hold at the time while they waited for studio at
the Algoma Conservatory of Music
(that frontman Greig Nori is managing) to finish construction before
final recordings take place there. Guitarist Bill Priddle's Pointless
bandmate Dustin Goodall will record bass tracks for the album, though
it's not clear who will handle drums.
Current Release Status: I am not
sure, but when the announcement is made regarding completion of the
Algoma Conservatory studio, that may give a hint as to a timeline. Also,
remember that Treble Charger do not have a regularly maintained social
media account, so things may progress faster than public statements come
out. In any event, Treble Charger will want to ensure that everything
goes perfect for the album, so stay tuned!
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Also, I have removed one album from this series due to it's now-unlikely release status, so here's what you should know on that front:
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Id Iota's full length second CD
Rumoured Songs: "Happy Sailor", "Intro To American Literature", "Seas Envy Skies", "Long D", "Cop Drama", "Deep Empty", "Blind Spots"
Background: Not long after their
successful Ontario tour with Mike Mikus in late 2016, Id Iota began
recording sessions for their second album, though public confirmation
that a full length CD was currently in progress didn't occur until
guitarist Dustin Goodall announced it on his studio
Unsalted Audio's website in early 2017. Scattered postings and hints followed in the ensuing months, but
nothing else has came out beyond performances of newer originals in
concert through mid-2018.
This photo got shared a few times on
Id Iota's Facebook page that year, but it's unclear if it's intended to be the album's cover
artwork. It is not clear whether final bassist Robert Sartini
and/or his predecessor Dan Linklater would have been on the final product.
Reason For Removal: As Id Iota were moved to our inactive band links last week, so has their planned sophomore album been taken out of this monthly feature, barring the band resuming public activity and confirming that the album is back in progress. After all, it has been over a year and a half since we last heard anything from Id Iota on stage or in studio, aside from
their video cover of Pup's "Free At Last" last February, which didn't even feature Christian on vocals. Hopefully Id Iota resurface down the road, they're a talented group, and their "Maudlin Fair" EP seemed like a promising harbinger of studio work to come!
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I hope you guys liked this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post! This series will return on or around April 2nd, while our next monthly feature post will likely be this month's Defunct Local Band Profile one week from tomorrow. That's all for today, but stay tuned for more news and notes on the site this week! Thanks everyone!
Specifically, this means that tribal casinos (like the Kewadin Casino branches and Bay Mills in Brimley) could begin re-opening this past weekend, but both appear to be exercising caution, as both have clearly announced on social media that they will also remain closed until June 12th. The short term future of concerts at these casinos still doesn't look good, and they took another hit on Friday, when Kewadin formally cancelled the Tripp 'N' Dixie show at The Rapids Lounge in the Soo on June 13th, as per that show's Facebook event page. Also, Kewadin's website's entertainment page has announced that "all events are temporarily postponed until further notice", which covers any concerts booked through at least the Fourth of July. As such, I have removed Tarnished's Signatures Lounge dates in the Soo on June 18th & 24th from our calendar, as well as Highway 63's Northern Pines Lounge shows in St. Ignace on July 3rd & 4th.
Next up, let's move to Sault Ontario, where Rotaryfest music director Shaun Antler is working on a big project, specifically to catalogue and archive a list of as many local bands as possible. The project was covered in this Sault Star article by Brian Kelly on May 28th, and began in conjunction with Rotaryfest's Rewind anniversary stages two years ago, but recently resumed work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shaun plans to wrap up things by the end of the month and share her results with the Sault Ste. Marie Museum, with plans to create a music exhibit at the museum in the future using her data. This is definitely a daunting project, especially when trying to catalogue and cite information on local bands before social media. I've given 2005 as my cutoff for reasonable online materials before, but as websites close and overhaul their layouts, that gets harder too. If you can help Shaun add bands or musicians to her database, message her at santler@shaw.ca!
