FOR THOSE ABOOT TO ROCK: Riffs of Canada with Tunguska Mammoth (Montreal, Québec)

By: Mark Tremblay

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 11/05/2018

Label: Deathbound Records

If you dig riff-centric music interspersed with triumphant vocal harmonies, this record is for you.

“Breathless” CD//DD track listing:

1. Breathless

2. Kings And Queens

3. Phénix

4. The Yellow Sign

5. New Sun

6. Le Vent

7. Lily (feat. Jared Collins)

8. We are the Night

The Review:

Tunguska Mammoth return with their new full length “Breathless”. The album is a riff-heavy nod to bands such as Beastwars and Mastodon. If you dig riff-centric metal music interspersed with triumphant vocal harmonies, this record is for you. 

The album opens with a trio of bangers in “Breathless”, “Kings and Queens” and “Phénix”. All the songs are riff-focused, but not over the top to the point of self-indulgent.  The amount of restraint witnessed showcases the band’s collective ability of performing as a unit, and serving what is best for the song.  It is nice to see the band’s French Canadian roots showcased on the record.  Songs like “Le Vent” that are sung in both French and add subtle nuance that few Canadian bands are able to utilize.

The album’s apex comes on “New Sun”. The song is a demolition of riffs and incorporates a melody that would feel right at home on a Torche record.  Overall, if you’re looking for a record that is tasteful and well-balanced, Tunguska Mammoth’snew record “Breathless” is ground zero.

“Breathless” is available here

Band info: Facebook| Bandcamp

FOR THOSE ABOOT TO ROCK: Riffs of Canada with Hashteroid [Vancouver, British Columbia]

By: Mark Tremblay

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 20/04/2018

Label: Independent

Hashteroid’s self titled album is truly one of the most enjoyable experiences one can have from heavy music in 2018.

“Hashteroid” DD track listing:

1). Freak Power

2). Black Tide

3). Stan the Wolfman

4). Green Caramel

5). Godspeed Below

6). Cool Ghost

7). ...Return to Hash Planet

The Review:

From the outset, Hashteroid’s self titled record seems like an average stoner metal experience. From the album’s artwork aesthetic, to the band’s implied interests in psychedelics, the listener gears themselves for another exercise in Sleep worship. Once the music starts however, all of these pre-conceived notions are gone. From the sheer speed, guitar solos, and focus on song melody, “Hashteroid” is an experience impossible to pin down to one genre. “Hashteroid” is an album that is forward thinking, but packs enough nostalgia to speak to die hard Mötorhead fans. If you’re looking for a truly unique experience in heavy music, look no further than “Hashteroid”, it is abundantly filled with riffs of all kinds. From the thundering rock and roll of “Freak Power” and “Godspeed Below”, to the doomier “Stan the Wolfman” and “Cool Ghost”, there is something for everyone. Each track transitions between multiple riffs, constantly keeping the listener on its toes.

None of this would be work, however, if it weren’t for great song writing by the band as a whole. The band has a great understanding of how to utilize pace, and how to properly incorporate guitar effects. Songs like “Godspeed Below” are elevated with the bands ability to incorporate small subtleties throughout.  Hashteroid’s debut record breathes new life into heavy music, while at the same time striking the right amount of nostalgia listeners love from retro metal. Hashteroid’s self titled album is truly one of the most enjoyable experiences one can have from heavy music in 2018.

“Hashteroid”is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

FOR THOSE ABOOT TO ROCK: Riff of Canada with Holy Grinder (Toronto, Ontario)

By: Mark Tremblay

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 02/03/2018

Label: Independent

 This is a modern grind record that doesn’t overstay its welcome, and is a step forward in an often stagnant metal subgenre.

“Cult of Extermination” DD track listing:

1). Bootlicker (1:03)

2). Tomb of Disgust (1:56)

3). Bile Overdose (0:34)

4). End Terror (0:45)

5). Infinite Knife (0:26)

6). Secret Scum (1:14)

7). Violent Death (0:39)

8). Grave Dog (0:29)

9). Noise V (0:42)

10). Cult of Extermination (2:52)

11). False Grinder (2:26)

The Review:

Holy Grinder’s debut record, “Cult of Extermination”, is a welcome addition into the world of grindcore. With its incorporation of death metal, industrial music and noise, “Cult of Extermination” is a new classic in the canon of grindcore.

The album wastes no time in getting into the blasts beats with “Tomb of Disgust” and “Bile Overdose”. From there, the record jumps element to element, and employs something new once the listener gets comfortable in a particular sound. Whether it is the technical bass leads of “Infinite Knife”and “Grave Dog”, to the strangled noise of “Noise V” and “Secret Scum”, or the industrial hardcore vibes on “Cult of Extermination”, the listener is never quite sure what to expect from Holy Grinder.

On the surface, this is a raw as hell grindcore record that references many of the genre’s forefathers, but has so many nuances to it after multiple listens. This is a modern grind record that doesn’t overstay its welcome, and is a step forward in an often stagnant metal subgenre.

“Cult of Extermination”is available here

Band info: Bandcamp || facebook

FOR THOSE ABOOT TO ROCK: Riffs of Canada with Wake [Calgary, Alberta]

By: Mark Tremblay

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 23/02/2018

Label: Translation Loss

“Misery Rites” is a standout contemporary extreme metal record one of the most punishing heavy music albums of the year so far.

“Misery Rites” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Exhumation

2). Misery Rites

3). Embers

4). Rot

5). Paradigm Rot

6). Exile

7). Rumination

8). Bitter Winter

9). Burial Ground

The Review:

Canada’s most complex grindcore band returns with “Misery Rites”. Taking a lot of what the band had previously done on “Sowing the Seeds of a Worthless Tomorrow”, and further pushing elements of black and death metal. The album is one of the most punishing heavy music albums of the year so far.

From the very start, the record opens on a different path. The sludge riffs on “Exhumation” would make Primitive Man proud. In true grind fashion, however, the album is still full of blast-beats. They are interspersed with moments of dissonant death metal riffage; “Paradigm Lost” and “Exile” utilize this structure in a way that make the heaviest moments stand out. This band really excels at building peaks and valleys in its music for the listener.

Drummer Josh Bueckert really stands out on this record. The drum patterns create a lot of surprising twists and turns. The continual motion on tracks like “Burial Ground” showcase a variety in drum patterns rarely heard in heavy music. “Misery Rites” is a standout contemporary extreme metal record that sees this band moving further into other forms of heavy music, and finding their unique sound

“Misery Rites”is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

TRACK PREMIERE: Progressive sludgers Astrakhan unleash "A Change Begins"

Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, progressive sludge band Astrakhan are set to release their sophomore album this month, entitled ​"Without ​New ​Growth ​Process ​is ​Bloodshed" the album’s theme according to the band ​is ​the ​idea ​that, ​from ​birth, a ​child ​is ​told ​what ​is ​right ​and ​wrong, ​what ​is ​good ​and ​bad, ​based ​on ​the ​opinions ​of ​the narrow ​minded ​individuals ​who ​influence ​them ​through ​their ​upbringing. ​This ​inevitably ​leads ​a curious ​mind ​to ​question ​why ​things ​are ​as ​they ​are. ​This ​preparational ​approach ​to ​education teaches ​children ​to ​grow ​up ​and ​be ​like ​an ​adult ​as ​soon ​as ​possible. ​There ​is ​little ​time ​to ​bask in ​the ​serene ​innocence ​of ​ignorance.

“Without New Growth Process is Bloodshed” comes two years after their highly praised debut album “Reward in Purpose” and is further evidence of the bands continued growth as a band, channelling a number of different sounds and genres throwing them into a melting pot, with the resultant brew being one of originality and a record executed with flair  and little something extra, making the album a compulsive listen.  Today ahead of the record’s official release you can check out the track “A Change Begins” below

Band info: facebook|| bandcamp

FOR THOSE ABOOT TO ROCK: Riffs of Canada with Greber [Cambridge, Ontario]

By: Mark Tremblay

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 20/02/2018

Label: Pink Lemonade Records (CD) |

Hibernation Release (CS) |

Ancient Temple Recordings  |

D7I Records | No Way Records (LP)

Greber’s pursuit of intricate heavy music pays off immensely, creating a consuming sonic experience. “Cemetery Preston” will be one of the most unique and layered experiences of this year.

“Cemetery Preston” CS//CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Backhanded Interest
2. The Wreckers
3. Prophetic
4. By Any Other Way
5. Overdraft
6. Our Burnt Treasures
7. Grave Plot
8. No One But You
9. The Closer We Got

The Review:

The sludge/grind two-piece Greber return with their new record “Cemetery Preston” and the long awaited follow up to “Kiln Hardened Psalms” showcases that the band has not lost any of its aggression with heavy music. Bassist Marc Bourgon’s tone has a chainsaw like quality to it. This tone, when mixed with drummer Steve Vargas’s unorthodox style of drumming, creates a consuming sonic experience not easily replicated.

This album flexes its efficiency through a variety of dynamics and stylistic elements; never relying on the same methods to get their point across. From the isolated bass tracks on “Prophetic” and “Overdraft”, to sequences where the drums carry the melody in “Grave Plot” and “Wreckers”, Greber have a variety of tools at their disposal. This keeps the listener engaged as the album goes through these continual peaks and valleys of emotion. It would be very easy for the band to become a plodding doom band, but have instead chosen a more nuanced approach regardless of the few elements at their disposal.

Greber’s pursuit of intricate heavy music pays off immensely. “Cemetery Preston” will be one of the most unique and layered experiences of this year.

“Cemetery Preston” is available here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Minors - "Atrophy"

By: Ernesto Aguilar

Album Type: Full length

Date Released: 15/12/2017

Label: Holy Roar Records

 

Minors manages to make a big splash with its debut album "Atrophy," a confrontational collection of nihilistic but unassailably captivating songs and is one of the more enjoyable hardcore debuts listeners got with the wrap of 2017. The possibilities for a group like Minors seem limitless. May 2018 see a lot more from this promising young band.

“Atrophy”CD//DD//LP track listing

1. Somnolence

2. Bone Pointer

3. Leper               

4. Dark Clouds

5. Void

6. Miseranaut

7. Soothsayer

The Review:

As much as one can make an impression in seven tracks over about 18 minutes, the Windsor, Ontariosludge/hardcore band Minors manages to make a big splash with its debut album "Atrophy," a confrontational collection of nihilistic but unassailably captivating songs.

You will discover some gems on "Atrophy." "Miseranaut" rains down monster chords and distortion in one of the long-player's most sustained cuts. By the time it settles into a hard charging rhythm, you're exhausted from its thrashing, dense composition.  It peaks at the end with unforgettable feedback and a nod to the sort of hardcore you love. Hat tip thereafter to post-production, which flows "Soothsayer" exceptionally well into it. By now, Minorsgrind into a depressive, cold groove. Although the rhythm almost teases you for a second with a hint of "Miseranaut," the band shocks you with a clubbing riff and unrelenting drum sequences. It too wraps with just a hint of feedback that makes the cut feel like a perfect pairing with its predecessor.

Some critics have noted a bit of unclassifiability to Minors' sound. However, there is a good chunk of post-hardcore in the All Pigs Must Die vein that you might find common lineage with. The quartet are able capable of bringing both frenetic energy to its tightest selections, such as "Dark Clouds" and "Bone Pointer," while offering a deliberate attack on music like "Somnolence" – here, with a dash of punk/noise in its open. The result is a perfectly executed first album, one that gives listeners a sense of what this group is capable of creating, while providing room for the imagination to consider more.

If fans will have any complaints with Minors, it is that "Atrophy" is almost unforgivably short. Granted, there is a lot provided. A debut album of seven songs of impeccably rugged quality is something to appreciate.  The fact they clock in at just less than 20 minutes may be understandable, but that just does not make the pain go away. You may walk away wanting to hear much more from these Canadian bombers, but one has to guess that's what the new year is for.

"Atrophy" is one of the more enjoyable hardcore debuts listeners got with the wrap of 2017. The possibilities for a group like Minors seem limitless. May 2018 see a lot more from this promising young band.

"Atrophy" is available here

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

FOR THOSE ABOOT TO ROCK: Riffs of Canada with The Weir (Calgary, Alberta)

By: Mark Tremblay

Album Type: EP

Date Released: 03/12/2017

Label: Sunmask Records

Even though the band's sound is slowly changing, riffs remain as important as they ever have and patience will eventually be rewarded, as the listener is pummelled by a leviathan sized riffs that only The Weir can deliver. 

“Detached” CS//DD track listing:

1). Weak with Rage

2). Below the Surface

The Review:

Calgary’s doom/post-metal giants The Weir return with an extremely bleak EP “Detached”. The Weir have taken away the delay guitar effects for a more raw focus that primarily features noise and plodding riffs. This EP is a welcomed introduction to what is likely to be a shift in sound for the band.

The EP opens with “Weak with Rage”; a slow burn of raw emotion that bludgeons the listener with dissonant riffs. The song is purposely slow to an effect; so slow and heavy that it creates this uniquely painful suspension for the listener. Patience will eventually pay off, however, as the listener is pummelled by a leviathan sized riff that only The Weir can deliver. Even though the sound is slowly changing, riffs remain as important as they ever have for this band.  

“Below the Surface” is by far the eeriest track ever produced by the band. The track is a variation on a theme that quickly develops into black metal. The bands mantra of playing slow and low is thrown out on this track. The Weir have taken this opportunity with “Detached” to experiment with other forms of heavy music. It’ll be exciting to hear where these elements are fleshed out on their next release.

“Detached”is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook