After a travel and late notice concert-related delay, here's this month's "Where Are The New Albums?" post! This monthly feature looks at the current release statuses of upcoming albums from local metal, hard rock, and/or punk bands, in order to spotlight their whereabouts and most recent public progress, with albums with updates noted with their title in
italics. This month's installment features three album removals (Shit Liver's new record and Mike Vincent's two solo albums) due to their successful release last month, but we still have entries from 10 acts, three with new content, so here's what you should know!
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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 have 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, but it's not yet clear
on how bonus tracks will be handled.
Current Release Status: The Bear
Hunters haven't given any firm timetables for when to expect "The Dead
Testament"
in stores, but recording sessions are reportedly complete, with
"finishing
touches" to blame for the delays in finishing the CD. The band is
aiming for a more professional sound and release for
their sophomore effort, and while there have been private online updates
in the interim, the band only broke their silence on it in October on
their Facebook page, where they implied that it was "officially moving
onto the mixing and mastering phase." Keep an eye out for updates on "The Dead Testament" when
and if they come in!
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Electric Church's debut album
Rumoured Songs: "Muddy Waters", "Ain't Got None", "Carey Baby", "Take Me Away", "Cross the Line"
Background: Fast rising young
blues/hard rock trio Electric Church evolved from Jimi Hendrix covers in
2016 to primarily original material in 2017, and punctuated that on May
12th when they announced on
their Facebook page
that they were "working up some new songs... for the album!!!" It was
confirmed around that time that they were recording material at Mission
Control Studios with producer Dustin Jones, who shared a picture on
their Facebook page
confirming Electric Church's presence. However, few direct updates have
followed publically, aside from scattered reminders that they are still
working in studio, and that they "are really excited about all the new
projects we have planned."
Current Release Status: No clue,
but Electric Church are a very talented band who play beyond their
years, and no matter how long this takes, the album should be of solid
quality when it finally comes out! At last word, the band noted on New
Year's Day that they were "looking forward to finishing up in the studio
this year", so stay tuned for updates!
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The Elements'
debut EP
Rumoured Songs: "Liar", "G20", "Triple H", "The Rut", "I Need A Friend"
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 last year, 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. It's also not known if they'll
employ any guest performers, such as Jonas Gasperas (who may be their permanent drummer now) and
saxophonist Josh Norling, a frequent presence in recent
months.
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 a year ago,
and the band hasn't acknowledged album recording sessions publically in
recent months, so we'll have to see if updates come out on it in 2017!
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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", "Eta Carinae"
Background: Despite
a hiatus from live concerts lasting over 9 years, Gates of
Winter never broke up, and are slowly working on their follow-up
to 2008's "Lux Aeterna". Updates have sporadically been made
since early 2010, via numerous uploads, teaser postings, and general
hype for the recording sessions, though prior release forecasts haven't
been realized, it was retracted from CD to EP length, and most preview
media has since been taken down as the band perfected the CD's final
content. While Sault
native Jon Morrison
was announced as the album's drummer in late 2010, it has since been
confirmed that "Perihelion" will feature programmed drums. After taking a
over a year's hiatus from public activity, Gates of Winter resurfaced
in July with new band artwork and hints that they have "been making
incredible strides, and are very excited to pull back the curtain."
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".
Good art takes time, and
knowing Gates of
Winter's
talent and attention to detail, they won't want to release this until
everything's perfect. I'll admit that I know a bit more on "Perihelion"
than what I've posted here courtesy of e-mail conversations and private postings, but I'll wait until more public word comes
out. Keep an eye out for updates!
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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 last fall, 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
earlier this year. Scattered postings and hints have followed, but
nothing else has came out beyond performances of newer originals in
concert through this spring. For reference,
this photo got shared a few times on
Id Iota's Facebook page
last year, but it's unclear if it's intended to be the album's cover
artwork or not. It is not clear whether new bassist Robert Sartini and/or his predecessor Dan Linklater will be on the final product, or if any collaborations with RedD Monkey alum Pete Mozarowski will make the cut.
Current Release Status: No idea,
especially with the alternative/hard rock quartet keeping fairly mum on
it's progress (not to mention their recent bassist change), but with the guys back on the local stage after a lengthy hiatus, hopefully things are winding closer, so stay tuned for updates!
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Kraken Mara's self-titled debut EP
Rumoured Songs: "Chimera", "Ishka", "Grand Machinations", "Straus"
Background:
The current progressive metal project from Late & Loud guitarist
Brendan Christie & Wawa band veteran Jake Valois, Kraken Mara
immediately commenced work on studio material upon their April 2016
launch, though they have yet to assemble a full lineup, let alone play
live. In sporadic updates since on
their Facebook page &
their website,
the band has indicated ongoing recording sessions towards a self-titled
EP, posting and reworking original demos to their website and
Reverbnation page
over recent months, with Reese Wolf working as sound engineer for the
tracks. As well, the cover artwork for the EP was revealed on Facebook
at the end of March 2017, and the band has since confirmed plans to record
music videos for all of the planned tracks, starting with one for
"Straus" in July.
Current Release Status: Your guess
is as good as mine, but last fall, Kraken Mara announced on their
website that "the last of our tracks are being mastered as we speak",
while a new playthrough video is also in the works. Brendan and Jake are
keeping things very
professional and technical so far, but while updates don't come all that
frequently, the instrumental material sounds very good and complex so
far! These
should please fans of progressive and djent metal, so keep tabs above
for updates!
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Northwest's second EP
Rumoured Songs: "Hangover Habits", "Drinking Games"
Background: Following the release
of their debut self-titled digital EP in September 2014, and a lengthy
stage hiatus from late 2016 through early 2017, local indie/punk
quintet Northwest resumed major activity that April with teaser
photos of recording sessions at Mission Control Studios with producer
Dustin Jones (as they had done for their debut) being sporadically posted over ever since then to
their Facebook page.
Confirmation that this was for a new EP, their first with current
drummer Marc Santos, only came in July via their write-up in
this year's Rotaryfest program, prior to their Second Stage debut.
Current Release Status: It's hard
to say, especially given their quiet postings aside from the teaser
photos, and the fact that their debut EP was only released online, but
things sound like they wee progressing well at a reliable local
studio. As of March 5th, Northwest were "almost done", aside from some backing vocal recordings, while their New Year's Day post on Facebook noted that "we will have new music to share with everyone in 2018", so hopefully
Northwest's second album sees it's way onto online or
physical storefronts in the coming months!
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Redundant's debut CD
Rumoured Songs:
"Miles Apart", "That December", "What You'll Do"
Background: Over two and a half
years after their last documented studio sessions in the spring of 2012,
local punk band Redundant revealed on
their Facebook page
in November 2014 that they were finally working on finishing their
debut
CD, and will look to hold a CD release party for it upon it's
completion. However, whatever became of those sessions (and planned "new
studio shit" in 2016) appear to have been discarded, as Redundant
announced in January that they will begin recording their debut
album at
Mission Control Studios with producer Dustin Jones, with later public
updates and photo uploads indicating that bass and drum tracking has
completed. Details are otherwise minimal, including whether recent
second
guitarist Yannick Casavant will be present.
Current Release Status: As of yesterday, Redundant noted on Facebook that they were "finishing up our EP", with a stated goal of having copies on hand when they play the Toronto stop of the final Vans Warped Tour on July 17th. Assuming all goes according to plan, a summer release is looking likely as their target, but with their local shows not being all that frequent as it is, time will tell when we see it in local and online storefronts. Stay tuned for more!
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Skeyes of Seven - Stare at the Sky
Rumoured Songs: "Enough", "See The Truth", "Fallen Faith", "Pretend", "Cognitive Dissonance", "Crawling Back From Reality"
Background: Already no strangers to
the studio after recording two songs as
singles in the mid-2010s, local modern hard rock quartet
Skeyes of Seven hit the studio to record their debut EP in 2015,
though they only publically confirmed that an EP was in the works in January 2016. Sessions took place at
Deluca Sound Productions,
who have shared videos of band members tracking material for the EP,
the title of which being unveiled later that year. In January 2017, all six songs
were posted to
their YouTube channel,
including the new instrumental "Crawling Back From Reality", while also
excluding their older originals "Destination Unknown" & "No One
Cares". New guitarist Kyle Sweet is not visibly on the EP, having joined
Skeyes of Seven after sessions concluded.
Current Release Status: Given that
the whole EP is online for free streaming, then conventional wisdom
would say that "Stare at the Sky" would be released imminently, but the
band has yet to confirm a paid release date. Hopefully it doesn't stall
at being a free posting, as Skeyes of
Seven are a talented and experienced band, and having been active in
studio more than on stage since launching in 2012, it'd be great to see
them culminate this process with a release concert, especially with their return to the stage in September. Follow along
to see where things go!
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Telephone & Address - "The Early Tapes"
Rumoured Songs: "The Plumbers"
Background: Telephone &
Address frontman Chris Shoust announced on
their Facebook page
in 2015 that he was working on releasing "The Early Tapes", a
compilation of songs from the first 4 Telephone & Address albums
(2011's self titled album, and 2012's "Live", "No. 3", and "Broken
Head"). However, he has
since released
two separate new
studio albums (2016's "Are You Now
or Have You Ever" and February's "Monster"), with no updates on the
"Early Tapes" album publically stated in almost three years. The sole
publically confirmed track "The Plumbers" can be streamed on
their Soundcloud page, and they're likely to turn up on
Telephone & Address' Bandcamp page and on
Interpunk
down the road, assuming this gets released. Unless the tracks are
reworked, new drummer Jackson Reed will not feature on this album.
Current Release Status: Chris
revealed in March
2015 that this album "will be delayed for some time", and though he
didn't elaborate
on
why specifically, work on both of his last two albums (particularly the
very delayed "Monster") could be partially to blame. That said, with an
expanded lineup now, "The Early Tapes" may have fallen further in
priority, but you never know what could come next from Telephone &
Address!
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I hope you guys liked this month's YouTube Channel Profile! Next month's installment should be on May 2nd as usual, while our next monthly feature will either be our Shit Liver album review (to coincide with their local release show this weekend) or this month's Defunct Local Band Profile on Tuesday, but look for weekend concert previews next! Thanks everyone!
