CBC Searchlight - Mermaids Exist

You don't have to go searching lakes or the ocean depths to find some mermaids, you just need to go to a music venue in Toronto! We chatted with Mermaids Exist about their entry in the CBC Spotlight Contest.

Hammer Records: Is this the first time you've entered into the CBC Spotlight Contest?
Mermaids Exist: No this is not the first time we’ve entered the competition, we entered it two years ago while we were living and going to school in London, ON.

Hammer Records: Which of the prizes are you most excited about?
Mermaids Exist: The prize that we are most excited about is the 10 day residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, because the opportunity to write a song under the mentorship of someone big in the industry in such a nice facility will be an amazing way for us to further our craft while having a great time.

Hammer Records: How would you describe your music to a brand new listener?
Mermaids Exist: Our music is as if Jack Johnson, John Mayer and James Bay had a musical baby. We put a big focus on lyrics and songwriting (as we have four primary songwriters),  but we also have several guitar-centric groove songs to get people moving.

Hammer Records: What made you pick the piece of music/video to enter?
Mermaids Exist: "Little Man” is a song about passing your knowledge on to the next generation, offering the hope and forgiveness that we all need at various points in our lives, and sometimes it’s the darkest points of your life that lead you to the brightest. We think it’s an important message and we wanted to share it!

Hammer Records: If you could send a message to the judges, what would it be?
Mermaids Exist: I’d like to thank the judges for their time in listening to our song, and contributing to the discovery of new Canadian artists.

Check out more about Mermaids Exist on their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/MermaidsExistBand/

Orwellian - Visions Of The Future

In these bleak times, we need metal more than ever to inspire us, allow us to vent our anger and raise our fists at authority. Their name derives from George Orwell "Orwellian" is an adjective describing the situation, idea, or societal condition that George Orwell identified as being destructive to the welfare of a free and open society. It connotes an attitude and a brutal policy of draconian control by propaganda, surveillance, misinformation, denial of truth, and manipulation of the past.

The band has had great success early in their career and continues to push forward. Their unrelenting metal being a rally point for metal heads all over the world. 

Their latest album "Visions Of The Future" just dives right into a blistering drum beat, catchy guitar hook and low guttural growl that will set the stage for the whole album. The opening track "Abandoned" reminds me of a mix of Mastadon and Pantera. The passion and ferocity of Pantera mixed with the melodic but driving riffs of Mastadon. The guitar solo mid track adds a perfect little feature for any guitar lover to really hear some epic shredding. This track would have anyone headbanging right away as its catchy riffs are just so infectious.

"The Gift" is almost straight up early Trivium and Lamb Of God. This track just speeds along with some hard hitting riffs. The bass and drums are locked together perfectly to allow each little guitar riff to really hit home. Vocally, this track has some epic moments but it seems to be more of a guitar driven track for sure. Once again, mid song guitar melody just takes the reign and just gets stuck in your head. The resulting breakdown after, would be epic to witness live on stage. Leading towards a ear ripping guitar solo that is front and center in the mix. The delay effects at the end of the tracks before the final breakdown was fantastic and I hope to see more of that later on in the album.

"Relapse" just like it's name is dark a brutal. Like a shot of heroin, its darkness straight to your heart. The reverb on the vocals give the audience the illusion of a bad trip and it only gets worse. Gone are the melodic guitar hooks. An almost Spanish, middle eastern feel comes to play with an abrasive screeching guitar solo. The drums remind me of every expert level drum track in the video game Rock Band. Endless blast beats and enough double kick to put you in the hospital. The track ends with eerie creaking and scraping sounds like the audience is finally driven insane and taken to an old abandoned insane asylum.

The Fourth Track "Novel Of Despair" keeps in the darker vein but this time adding more synchronized hits. The band goes from stopping on a dime hits, to breakneck galloping speed riffs. The doubled heavy vocals adding emphasis on different words really adds to the feel of the track. Fantastic delay on the vocals allows a sense of space that was lacking on previous tracks. The time changes in this song are fantastic, giving each section a unique vibe and keeps the whole track feeling fresh.

Perhaps the fastest track on the album "Guided By Fear" just takes the audience straight into the fiery depths of hell. The drums stand out particularly well on this track by their sheer impressive ability to keep going with such ferocity and drive. The vocals seem like at any moment the singer's heart could just give out. His screams are so intense that they easily cut through the track and the urgency in the tone gets your heart rate sky rocketing at sections. Finally the tracks ends, and your heart might have exploded because you hear the angels sing, taking you to the great light in the sky with a fantastical masterpiece of composing.

"Tyrant" keeps the strings and choir in the track as they bring you into the kingdom of fire. A lot of galloping riffs make you think of horses returning to the castle of this Tyrant. The vocals remind me of Murmaider from Dethklok and the whole track started to remind me of one of their tracks at times. Having heard the rest of the album, this song stuck out as not as polished as the others. Near the end of the track it picks up with an awesome vocal effect and bringing in the orchestral feeling again, but for a long stretch of song I was left with my mind starting to wander.

The final track "Kodiak" wraps everything together and pushes a more progressive feel. This track has more stops and starts than any previous tracks and they really work in bringing in the audience and keeping my ears interested. The bass takes center stage at a couple moments putting some fantastic epic bass fills in between hits. The slower part of the track really allows the band to show some great clean tones and allowing the vocalist to show a whole new light of himself as they build back up to this epic doom inspired riff. Cranking things back up to 11, the band closes the album with an insane double kick driven madness. This is where the circle pit would emerge and everyone give it all they had for one final push. Ending the album with distinctive end really makes me appreciate what I've just listened to as a whole. I quickly que up the first track again and am ready to dive back into 1984.

Check out the album yourselves here:
http://www.orwellian.bandcamp.com/
Find more about the band at:
https://www.facebook.com/orwellianband/
Instagram:  http://instagram.com/orwellianband
Twitter: www.twitter.com/orwellianband

Leon Of Athens reveals new song 'Xenos'

‘XENOS’
BRAND NEW SONG
LISTEN HERE
 

Highly acclaimed Greek indie-pop experimentalist Leon Of Athens has unveiled his brand new song ‘Xenos’. Leading with dark creeping electronics and stark guitars, the song is the first taste of new music since the release of the Leon Of Athens’ debut UK album, Global in 2014.

The original Greek meaning of ‘Xenos’ translates to stranger, and according to context is also interpreted as alien, guest, foreigner or enemy. Currently living in London, the Athens native delivers a powerful song with an important message for these turbulent times.

Speaking of the track Leon says, “’Xenos’ was initially inspired by the genocide of indigenous peoples. The song refers to any oppressed group of people who are forced to leave their land. On a personal note, it also refers to the feeling of being a stranger to your own self.”
 

LISTEN TO ‘XENOS’ HERE

Leon has been inspired by life within a country that has been facing many challenges during recent years.  His music has become a huge draw in his home country where he has played to audiences of thousands, and has become highly championed overseas gaining praise from the likes of The Guardian, NME, Q, New York Times and more.

‘Xenos’ is the first taste of Leon Of Athens new album, which is being produced by David Kosten (Bat For Lashes, Everything Everything) and will be released later this year. An intriguing, exciting and vibrant work, it is set to see him become an even more captivating force with his beautiful music, gorgeous voice and intelligent songwriting.
 

PRAISE FOR LEON OF ATHENS

“Brainy pop inspired by Bernardo Bertolucci, inflected with electronic, folk and other flavours” – The Guardian

“Leon of Athens has mastered the art of electronica-tickled, horn-smattered, melodic pop.”– NME
 

‘XENOS’ OUT NOW ON ITUNES & SPOTIFY

FIND LEON OF ATHENS ON
Official Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Alt-pop artist MALKA reveals new single 'Breakout'

‘BREAKOUT’
NEW SINGLE 
RELEASED JAN 20^th

HEADLINE LONDON SHOW
SERVANT JAZZ QUARTERS, DALSTON – FEB 7^th
 

Scottish experimental alt-pop songstress MALKA has unveiled her new single ‘Breakout’, due for release on January 20^th through Tantrum Records. ‘Breakout’ is the first single to be taken from MALKA’s forthcoming second album.

The single premiered with The Line Of Best Fit who said, “’Breakout’, the new single from Scottish musician MALKA, combines the effervescent eclecticism of tUnE-yArDs with her own radio-friendly pop sensibilities.”

A triumphant worldly anthem, ‘Breakout’ finds MALKA enlisting hypnotic handclaps and warped guitars to lead by example with her social commentary. It’s a message that resonates and delivers a glimmer of hope among these unsettled times.

Of the single MALKA reveals, “The new album has a lot of political references - it is impossible to sit back and see what is happening with the plight of refugees, the dismantling of the NHS and the political changes in the UK and US and not feel affected. This single is about hope, striving for a better life and believing/dreaming that things might change.”
 
‘Breakout’ and the upcoming new album follows the release of her acclaimed 2015 debutMarching To Another Beat. Since then she’s become a BBC 6Music favourite and has clocked up big support from Lauren Laverne, who recently featured MALKA’s previous single ‘Wonder Why’ in her ‘Best Of 2016’ playlist, alongside Steve Lamacq, Nemone and Chris Hawkins at the station, while Huw Stephens is a big fan of MALKA at Radio 1.
 
A powerful natural-born leader, and living mantra of goodwill, MALKA is pouring her musical energy into the ever-changing physical and mental landscape around us. As she approaches the release of her latest record, the Glasgow singer is set to lift spirits with her thoughtful new music.

The Belief Experiment - The Walls Inside My Head [Official Video]

Check out The Belief Experiment's website for more information about the band!
www.thebeliefexperiment.com

Band Spotlight - Dark Originn

A mix between Megadeth and Motorhead with a little Judas Priest thrown in, Dark Originn breathes new life into this classic sound. 

Their frontman is the embodiment of every metal frontman. His dark growly voice just sends shivers down your spine. His theatrical performances make you unable to take your eyes off him. The guitarist shreds these technical riffs with such ease and his leads and solos are fantastic. The bass lines are super thick but have a nice level of bite in them to make them stand out. Between the bass and the drums they really make such a strong backline that the guitar and vocals have room to really shine. 

The songs always have that taste of classic metal, Sabbath, Deep Purple, but have some of the modern metal song structuring that makes them unique. I could see them on a large stage with fans chanting along with the band at any metal festival. I can't wait to see the band get into the studio and lay down a solid 3 song EP and start growing beyond just Vancouver. I could see this band doing some huge things in Europe and Russia. 

Check out their Facebook page HERE. 

Their Reverbnation page HERE.

No Storm Can Stop These Bands!

Vancouver's BIGGEST storm in years rolled up this weekend, besides seeing devastation on the internet, and hearing a story about a poor boy who lost his life, I didn't know what to expect when I took to the streets to go to the Media Club. Apparently... nothing. There was barely any wind, no rain and it was actually fairly warm out. After a pleasant trip to the venue I was excited about hearing the acts that were performing that night!

Rocket To Venus was on the stage as I walked in. I was very happy to have caught almost all of their set. Their sound is fantastic. Their stage presence so theatrical that its just sheer entertaining to watch them perform. The use of vocal effects just added the icing on the cake. Having different vocal effects really helps add dynamics and separate different parts of the songs from each other. Their guitarist was just a rock star that night, covered in sweat, playing that guitar like his life depended on it. Their lead singer throwing his entire body into the performance. Using all of the stage and even the dance floor to perform in. Their bassist played a great set, really being the backbone of the band and making sure everything went smoothly. Their drummer had a few mistakes but upon hearing that he's only been with the band for two weeks, it makes sense. I want to see this band in front of a full audience and see them just rock that stage again!

Bone State Rebellion was up next, having had a rough time with sickness within the band and a busy work schedule they really just let this set be a lot of fun. Sadly it took the sound guy about three songs in order to add some reverb and delay to the vocals but overall the band sounded great. No one would have even know that the lead vocalist was sick. They added two covers into this set and just rocked the socks off both. It was great seeing the crowds reaction to some well known covers that were played perfectly. If you haven't seen this band then you are definitely missing out!

My Mother The Carjacker is a mouthful to say and they were definitely, a mouthful this night! Broken strings, bass problems, broken drum sticks and bananas were just a few things that happened during their set. The band just powered through all the problems with such enthusiasm you almost didn't mind it. Their onstage banter really just had you laughing the whole night. Their sound was nice and tight. I had wished the sound guy had turned up the guitar a bit as it was lost in the mix at points. Their antics on stage are like watching a comedy show as well as hearing some epic music. During what turned out to be their last song a banana swallowing contest erupted between the bassist and drummer while the guitarist/vocalist played the track to their new music video! Obviously hilarity ensued and videos will be posted shortly. The sound guy then cut them off and they couldn't finish their set which caused the outcry from the crowd "we can't end on a ballad!!???" But it was meant to be. If you have not witnessed the amazingness this band has to offer, then go and check out their newest music video! But also.. check out all of their music videos because all of them are top notch!