With another month upon us, it's time for our first feature post of September 2013, and as usual, it's this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post! As usual, we're looking at the current release statuses and most recent news from announced and (at least) partially recorded albums from Sault Ontario metal/hard rock bands, so hopefully readers can be filled in on the latest on each! We're touching on albums from 12 acts today, including two new (and arguably late) additions to the series, and as usual, new or updated entries (6 in all) have their titles in
italics to note new information. With all that said, where are the new albums? Read on below to hopefully find out!
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AlgomA's first EP
Rumoured 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 early last
month 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
confirms that they are in fact working on a debut demo EP. Vocal
recordings were completed last month, and they were apparently sending
off the tracks to be post-produced somewhere in Southern Ontario. 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 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 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: I have no
idea if As It Stands are even still an active band, given their year long hiatus since their last show (during which time Dimensions Studios
closed), but they did seem to have everything under control and well
planned for the sessions and their studio work. At this point, I
think fans would be excited to just see As It Stands live again, but
just in case, keep an eye out for
any possible updates!
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The Bear Hunters - Eternal Hibernation
Rumoured Songs:
"Bloodthirst", "Succumb To Eternity", "Dominate",
"Overthrown", "Casualties Of War", "Collapse The Sun", "Render
This Void", "Karma", "Deception", "Servitude"
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. The
news was broken on
their Facebook page,
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. This
appears to be an independent
production towards future better quality recordings, and plans are in
place to release official band t-shirts along with the demos when
completed. Plans are
for this demo (which won't be "slapped together") to feature at least
10 songs, and though progress has been made towards completions,
setbacks (including a dead computer) have pushed back a planned release,
including their non-album cover of Woods of Ypres' "Kiss My Ashes
(Goodbye)". As of July 2013, guitar recording had begun for the
album, with the title "Eternal Hibernation" revealed live last month as well, and stay tuned to the band's Facebook page for continued
updates!
Current Release Status:
Though things seem to have been delayed from original expectations,
recordings for the demo are ongoing as per their Facebook page. Note
that concert dates have picked up, and no new timeline is out for the
release of it beyond before "the end of the world", but they seem to
have things in
good order, so keep an eye out for updates on official Bear Hunters
media as it comes in! (Also, saying the newest recordings aren't scrapped, Josh Stephney will be on the album despite his exit from the band last month.)
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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: According to Lee's posting on
the Musicians Wanted Facebook group
relating to their session drummer search, he's hoping for the work to
be done "within the next 4-12 months", which lines up with postings
about delays for the EP. Personal commitments and the like have slowed
things down incredibly, and there's been no public band postings in 4
months, 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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Mike Haggith - Where It Ends(?)
Rumoured Songs:
"Grace", "The Man In Green" (Black Hole Suns cover), "The Curse (of
13)", "All Alone", "Silent Pleasure", "The Trip" (S.C.A.R. cover),
"Fourth Floor, Centre", "She Wanted To Be A Vegetarian", "Wicked
Midnight Ride", "Fading", "When The Rope Breaks"
Background: In late June,
prolific local musician Mike Haggith announced that "Where It Ends" will
be the name of his 47th solo album, pushing his previously announced
"The Tower" back perhaps to next year. To be recorded & released
through Galactic Records like his past releases, an instrumental mix of the opening track "Grace" was posted onto
his Facebook page
on June 22nd, taking on an orchestral rock feel, though it's not known
yet if this will be the album's general theme.
The cover art
has since been released, along with a tentative song list (including
two covers and a few songs dropped from "Neighbourhood Watch"), and
recording sessions and tracking have begun. The most recent update on Facebook implied that the album's name would be changed, but over a month has passed by without any follow-up on that front. Keep an eye out for ongoing
updates!
Current Release Status: According
to Mike, this album is lined up for a release in the fall of this year,
which I tend to believe, as Mike's always been forthcoming and honest
for release dates and changes to them. That said, there's a lot of extra
info and material to be recorded and publicized in the meantime (along with that apparent name change), so
stay tuned to Mike's solo project's pages for all current updates!
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Pillory - Cringe At The Cross
Rumoured Songs:
"Onward to Death", "Fatal Woods", "Shattered By War", "No One Answers", "Cringe At The Cross", "Dethrone The Dictator"
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. It's currently unclear
how late
guitarist Andres Duchesne's parts were handled on the recordings, but
while the band has been searching for a replacement in recent months,
the concept artwork does
credit him with the surviving members, so take that for what you will.
Keep an eye out for further updates!
Current Release Status: As per
their Facebook page on May 16th, Pillory are currently aiming for the
release to occur "sometime this summer", which coincided with the reveal
of Cole Royal as their new bassist, though it's not clear whether he
and/or Jon will be featured on the final product. Early date projections
have likely been delayed given the more recent sessions, but the
quick launch into recording after their debut does mirror Jon's early
tenure with
Late & Loud,
who announced recording plans & held photo shoots to that end shortly
after their own 2010 debut. The guys definitely seemed deep into the
process though, so keep an eye out for word on a new release timeframe!
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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 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 EP
Rumoured 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 2013. 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. I'll keep you guys
updated if they say anything!
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. Hopefully we hear some
big news on this front soon, possibly in conjunction with future concerts!
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The Sorrow Fields - Godlessness
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 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 nonexistent.
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 World
Rumoured 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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Sykotyk Rampage - "The Adventures of Captain Awesome Sex & Chastity Boy", "Revenge of Professor Perv & The Crimson Nipple, "Eye For An Eye", "Wonder About Baby", "Environ-Mental Suits", and "Sykotyk Rampage"
Rumoured Songs: Unknown
Background: Just days after posting streaming copies of their six albums from 2012 onto
their Reverbnation page, Sykotyk Rampage unveiled
the album covers
towards at least three new albums scheduled for a release in 2013, which were recorded this year at River Front Recreation Studios. Their first recorded material with
new bassist Tony Briglio, Reverbnation now hints at no less than
8 albums this year to add to their 35 existing ones, with last chronological albums (
"Beat Your Ox With A Bag Of Kittens" and
"Yamaraja") being uploaded to Reverbnation on Friday, albeit with no packaged sale options. At least 3 more albums (likely the ones listed above) are yet to be posted, but stay tuned for updates!
Current Release Status: Given that two of the eight announced albums are now online, I have to imagine we'll see the rest this month, but they have not been averse to lengthy delays from the public postings of their albums. Also, they haven't posted formal "for sale" copies of their albums since 2011, with everything since only seeing a free online stream, but the jury's still out on if any of their 2013 releases can be bought. Be they free postings or full paid digital albums, keep an eye out for the remaining new Sykotyk Rampage material!
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Tym Morrison's second solo album
Rumoured Songs: "Moon
Patrol", "Dungeons & Dragons", "Nag Hamedi", "The
Reason Why", "The Dark Shred", "Song For Jen", "No Name",
"Amy", "Lay It On The Line", "Someday", "How I'm Wanting You
More", "The After Life", "9/11", "His Sacrifice", "Termination of
Exystence", "Classical D", "We Will Decide", "The Evil In Disguise", "Key To Reality", "Into the Light of Darkness"
Background: I
honestly don't know a lot about the background for Tym
Morrison's 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's
worked on the album sporadically since, including scattered song
postings (with some of a comedic or acoustic nature) onto
his YouTube channel, and Facebook
postings have hinted at a double album release. It's unknown how close we are to
seeing a second Tym Morrison album release, or if all of the originally
announced songs will make the cut, but keep an eye out!
Current Release Status:
I don't have any real idea, but his recent song postings hint
towards good things! Hopefully Tym does release
these songs in the near future, as his older samples and newer
material deserve an audience, but for now, check out the above
links to hear what he has to share that could make the cut!
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I hope you guys like this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post, and we'll be back with a new news post tomorrow, so stay tuned for that! Thanks everyone!
That's followed by "Night Riders", which fittlingly includes galloping guitar riffs that go well with a song of this name! A bit slower than it's predecessor, Josh's vocals come in really loud, but we get a nice showcase of Travis & Nolan's drum & bass talents early on, and Andrew gets a pair of guitar solos that impress well, especially the longer & more intricate first one! While this song definitely has more structural variance, and the guys show more of their collective talents, "Stand Before" was catchier and a bit heavier, so it's hard for me to pick a favourite. This is a quality song though, and well worth giving a listen! Third on the EP is "Kill Your Life", a song that I don't believe survived into concerts in the early 2010s. The track itself is a lower pitched and more straightforward death metal original that's vocal heavy with assaulting instrumental backing that only relents for a guitar solo. Really solid showcase of Nolan's bass work & Josh's vocals to me, but compared to it's predecessors, it's not as complex or varied. Still, it's definitely a moshable and brutal track, and I wonder why it didn't get a lot of live attention after 2009?
So, what's the final word on Bring The Fallen's long overdue EP? I'd say it's a very solid and heavy glimpse of their early run, and it shows exactly why they won three battles of the bands in their heyday! Talent-wise, B.T.F. were a great fit, with Josh Stephney's clear growling, Dan Souliere's riffing, Nolan Rainville's skilled bass work, and Travis St. Amour's fast and varied drumming fitting this puzzle nicely, but Andrew Chiarello's awesome guitar solos and lead work helps put the material just that extra step higher, and I wish he'd get back into live music! Brad Griffith's production was pretty good too, I wonder why we don't hear as much from him in terms of producing? That said, I think "Stand Before" would have turned out better had Bring The Fallen recorded it in late 2009 or early 2010, as they arguably peaked as a band and had their sound fleshed out by then ("Nostalgia" would have been nice to hear, for example), so why not use the later recording time they won at their other battles to add to the 2009 sessions?
So, what album are we reviewing on the site next month? After five straight months of new releases, I admit not being sure as of today. We have no new local metal/hard rock albums with a verified release date coming out until SweetKenny's "Cracks In The Wall" on Halloween, and I'm not gonna rush that for next month as I'm still unsure whether to review that or "Perception" next of his. A new Mike Haggith album is possible too (either "The Present Din or "Where It Ends"), but that's pending the release of the latter, and the Haggith band's "Apocalypse" is on hold until at least the winter, as it's too soon from our review of "Deuce". Sykotyk Rampage is also an idea, but they haven't released any of their albums for sale since 2011. If none of them releases an album for sale by late October, we'll review an archive album, and I'm eyeing Facedown's 1997 demo cassette "Self Murder", as they shared at least one member with Destroilet, so we can tie it in with shows they're playing next month, but that's assuming no new heavier albums come out. Regardless, stay tuned for updates as they come in, and for more news (including our Dayglo Abortions concert preview) tomorrow! Thanks everyone!
