Yeah, I’ll admit that at about 10:30AM on a Friday morning I had one foot out the door to the weekend. Then this new Sons of Arrakis single showed up and a four-post day became a fiver. Fair enough. The hotly-tipped Canadian heavy rockers offer “Scattering” as a first glimpse of the second album they recorded late last summer, Volume II, for which they’ve announced a June 7 release through Black Throne Productions. In addition to a general uptick in the production sounds on what I’m guessing is the version that will appear on the actual album, the band also have a live video up for the track that’s probably the best argument I could make for seeing them live if their upcoming Canadian run with Salem’s Bend (they’ll play all but three of the shows below, which it feels weird to list since they don’t involve the group this post is otherwise about, but they’re still part of the tour? I don’t know, life is complicated sometimes in unexpected ways), but I also sincerely doubt that for those who heard 2022’s Volume I (review here) much argument is needed in the first place.

I’m intrigued to hear where other songs on the record might go, but “Scattering” contradicts its title in being nothing if not tightly cohesive. Around a twisting riff and melody that build momentum as they go, the band deliver an uptempo shove that should please, among others, those who caught on to the charge Howling Giant‘s latest LP gave this past Fall.

Info, dates, video, audio, all from the PR wire:

SONS OF ARRAKIS Unveil “Scattering”

SONS OF ARRAKIS have released their new single “Scattering”. The track lands ahead of their forthcoming album Volume II due to be released on June 7th, 2024, via Black Throne Productions. Check out an exciting live video shot for the track HERE.

The track can also be streamed HERE: https://open.spotify.com/track/01bSwLzhRwM1FSNAZE2ooM

The band comments:

“SONS OF ARRAKIS introduces ‘Scattering,’ the inaugural single from our upcoming album, Volume II, slated for release on June 7th. Coinciding with ‘The Great Scattering Tour’ alongside LA’s SALEM’S BEND, this track signifies a culmination of years of dedicated effort and a significant evolution in our musical approach.

‘Scattering’ is a departure from the intricate compositions of Volume I, presenting a more straightforward yet captivating musical expression. Rooted in our sci-fi desert rock tradition, reminiscent of The Black Mirror, this single serves as a bridge to Volume II, where we venture into progressive territories with syncopated signature riffs, more complex bridges, well thought transitions and harmonized guitar elements.”

Presented by Black Throne Productions, SALEM’S BEND and SONS OF ARRAKIS are set to embark around the Eastern Provinces in Canada for “The Great Scattering Tour” beginning on February 28th, 2024.

Tour Dates:
Feb 28 – Minotaure, Gatineau WITH SUBSUN, RITUAL and IN BETWEEN THE MASSES **
Feb 29 – Esco, Montreal with DESTRUCTION DERBY
Mar 1 – L’Anti, QC City with TRUSH & DESTRUCTION DERBY
Mar 2 – La Petite Boite Noire , Sherbrooke with OCCULT WITCHES
Mar 3 – Cafe Zenob, Trois Rivieres with DESTRUCTION DERBY
Mar 6 – The Atria, Oshawa with VEINDUZE and VS THE BORG **
Mar 7 – The Lion Pub & Grill, Newmarket with ON THE VERGE, AAWKS, DAD SABBATH **
Mar 8 – Vertagogo, Hamilton with THE ELECTRIC CACTUS
Mar 9 – Bovine Sex Club, Toronto with TUMBLE and AAWKS
** – SONS OF ARRAKIS not playing

https://www.facebook.com/sonsofarrakisband
https://www.instagram.com/sonsofarrakis/
https://www.sonsofarrakis.com/merch
https://sonsofarrakis.bandcamp.com/
https://www.sonsofarrakis.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Black-Throne-Productions-101840285724006
https://blackthroneproductions.com/
https://linktr.ee/BlackThroneProductions

Sons of Arrakis, “Scattering” live video

Sons of Arrakis, “Scattering”

Montreal extreme sludgers Dopethrone — they call it ‘slutch’, presumably because the harder consonant sound makes it nastier, which it kind of does — have a Western Canadian tour coming up with Severed Arm that will take them from British Columbia through Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba before it’s done, and apparently a new album for Totem Cat Records. The latter will be the three-piece’s first since 2018’s Transcanadian Anger (review here), and for proof of life, the band have posted “Life Kills You” — also the name of the tour, either will or won’t be the name of the LP — to sate the disaffected masses yearning for their particular brand of fuckall.

When’s the album coming? I don’t know. They make a point of not saying. Maybe tomorrow, maybe yesterday, as Ben Sisko once put it. But knowing such a thing is in their pocket is a comforting discomfort, and one imagines they might want to take a few records to the UK with them when they go to headline Masters of the Riff III (info here) as an exclusive appearance, so it could be that the pressing is in the works for March, could be April for the tour dates listed below, or could be never because fuck you anyway it’s Dopethrone and that’s just how it is. I won’t pretend to know the future, but if I see a definite date or more details, I’ll post accordingly.

Till then, the track’s at the bottom of the post, just under the tour dates and album-existence announcement:

“LIFE KILLS YOU” by DOPETHRONE

Our slutchiest album is ready to shart blood in your eardrums.

No, we’re not telling you when.

Recorded and mixed by Jean-Baptiste Joubeaud
Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege

Videoclip by Vincent Houde, Marianne Martinez and Rodolphe Tremblay

Music by Dopethrone, Lyrics by Vincent Houde

New album coming out 2024 on Totem Cat Records: https://totemcatrecords.bigcartel.com

NAME YOUR PRICE DL: https://dopethrone.bandcamp.com/

DOPETHRONE “LIFE KILLS YOU” – WEST COAST 🍁 TOUR
HOP ON THE NIGHT TRAIN – 100% HELL – ZERO SHAME.

19/04/24 Victoria, BC – Wicket Hall
20/04/24 Vancouver, BC – Green Auto
21/04/24 Kelowna, BC – Jackknife Brewery
22/04/24 Nelson, BC – The Royal
24/04/24 Edmonton, AB – The Buckingham
25/04/24 Calgary, AB – Modern Love
26/04/24 Regina, SK – The Exchange
27/04/24 Winnipeg, MB – Handsome Daughter

Artwork by Max from The Death Wheelers

Dopethrone is :
Vince : Guitar / Vocals
Vyk : Bass
Shawn : Drums

https://www.facebook.com/dopethrone.mthell
https://www.instagram.com/dopethroneband/
https://dopethrone.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/totemcatrecords/
https://www.instagram.com/totemcatrecords/
http://totemcatrecords.bigcartel.com/

Dopethrone, “Life Kills You”

Evocative and emotive Montreal-based ambient outfit Vision Eternel will mark 10 years since first laying forth the original soundscapes of Echoes From Forgotten Hearts (discussed here) by releasing what had been an EP has a 23-song limited deluxe version including an 80-page booklet/novella, new cover art, and two tapes. Ha, I bet you were expecting me to say vinyl, but the accompanying hiss of a cassette is an asset to Vision Eternel, as is the nuance of a package like this, since the solo-project of Alexander Julien has similar intricacies and quirks of sound to match the presentation, even unto its art-deco design look and entrancing film-noir engagement. Quiet on the surface. You know how it goes.

Geertruida has it set for Feb. 14, which continues a string of Valentine’s Day offerings for the romantic-in-its-wistful-way outfit. I do, however, think this might be the most expansive version of a release Vision Eternel has had, however. Even with tapes, it doesn’t seem like a minor production to put it all together — 80-page book, postcard, whatnot — but life doesn’t often give you a chance to do something like this with your work, whatever you do, so when you get one I think you probably take it.

Info follows from both the PR wire and the label’s page:

Vision Eternel’s Echoes From Forgotten Hearts To Receive Deluxe Reissue For Valentine’s Day 2024

Vision Eternel’s never-properly released 2014 soundtrack/EP, Echoes From Forgotten Hearts, will see a Deluxe Edition reissue on Valentine’s Day (February 14, 2024). The 23-song Deluxe Edition will be released as a double-tape box set and digitally through Dutch label Geertruida: https://geertruida.net/releases-vision-eternel-effh.php

Echoes From Forgotten Hearts was originally composed and recorded by Vision Eternel in 2014 as the soundtrack to a short film. After three months of work, from August to November 2014, news was received that the short film had been abandoned. Not wanting to leave the material unreleased, the band returned to the studio to partly re-record and fully re-mix the material, composing and recording a couple of new songs in the process, revamping the soundtrack into an EP. By the end of December 2014, Echoes From Forgotten Hearts was completed.

The EP received discreet limited releases over the years without any promotion as the band hoped to secure a proper record deal for the material. Several offers came and went, but issues with artwork continually delayed the release. A music video for the song “Pièce No. Trois” was eventually produced in 2017, edited from footage of the band shot in 2012.

Finally, Dutch record label Geertruida (which had previously released the band’s 2020 EP, For Farewell Of Nostalgia) offered to issue an expanded edition of Echoes From Forgotten Hearts to celebrate the material’s tenth anniversary in 2024. Although packaged and promoted as a Deluxe Edition, this marks the first time the material is available properly.

The Deluxe Edition contains 23 songs. In addition to the 7-song EP Version, the release also includes the unheard 6-song Soundtrack Version, along with 10 rare studio demos, outtakes, and alternate mixes. All of the material was remastered by Carl Saff at Saff Mastering. A new cover artwork was painted by Michael Koelsch at Koelsch Studios, and the release features additional paintings and photography by Rain Frances at Rain Frances Art. Saff, Koelsch, and Frances all previously contributed to For Farewell Of Nostalgia.

The Deluxe Compact Cassette Edition is split over two colored tapes in a factory-numbered boxed set. It comes with an exclusive postcard and 80-page booklet containing rare pictures and a novella recounting in detail the extended play’s making, from its origin as a soundtrack through its delays, cancellations, and limited releases over the years. The Deluxe Edition of Echoes From Forgotten Hearts is available on tape and digitally on February 14, 2024.

Pre-orders will be announced soon, along with an exclusive premiere of an unreleased song and a giveaway contest for a free box set.

https://www.visioneternel.com
https://facebook.com/visioneternel
https://instagram.com/visioneternel
https://soundcloud.com/visioneternel
https://play.spotify.com/artist/52WyoEAtuPS2QJ2qYOmb6u
https://visioneternel.bandcamp.com

http://www.facebook.com/GeertruidaLabel
https://www.instagram.com/geertruida_label/
http://geertruida.bandcamp.com/
https://geertruida.net/

Vision Eternel, “Pièce No. Trois” official video

Groovy single from the new Mooch record, which as I understand it will have its details announced probably 37 seconds after this post goes live — train’s never late! — and those who miss the likes of Stubb or Asteroid will want to dig into that hook on “Crimson,” which is streaming below. The verse is more about space and the chorus fills that, which is familiar enough as formulas go, but the prevailing vibe is mellow heavy and the song has kind of an oldschool vibe. No complaints from me, in any case.

The Montreal three-piece will head out the week after release in order to hand deliver riffs to audiences across Canada. There are a couple weekenders and one-offs they’ll undertake, and I would assume that there’s more to come. On the chance that the album announce does happen right as this is getting posted, I’ll update it accordingly and probably add some side parenthetical here about timing. You know, the standard procedure.

The band posted their dates on social media, as will happen. Couple TBDs in there. Look for this and more exciting content, courtesy of your favorite provider.

Blargh:

We present to you a Fall 2023 Tour of Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick to celebrate the release of their upcoming full length record due October 6th 2023.

Tickets: https://thepointofsale.com/tickets/mooch2023

Oct.12 – Ottawa – Live on Elgin
Oct.13 – Montreal – The Purple Room
Oct.14 – Oshawa – The Atria
Oct.19 – Rimouski – L’Underground
Oct.20 – Québec City – Scanner Bistro
Oct.21 – Trois-Rivières – Taverne Royale
Oct.26 – Hamilton – Doors Taco Joint
Oct.27 – London – Palasad

Nov.2 – Guelph – Silence
Nov.3 – Niagara Falls – Camp Cataract
Nov.4 – Brampton – Tracks Pub
Nov.9 – Fredericton – TBD
Nov.10 – St.John – TBD
Nov.11 – Moncton – Tide and Boar
Nov.17 – Sherbrooke – Le Murdoch

*More dates to come*

MOOCH are:
Ben Cornel – Guitar, Vocals
Alex Segreti – Drums, Backing Vocals
Julian Iac – Bass, Backing Vocals

https://www.facebook.com/moochmusicofficial/
https://www.instagram.com/moochmusicofficial/
https://moochmusicofficial.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1mVwVHtrvo6V2letIqRV7X

Mooch, Hounds (2020)

Mooch, “Crimson” official video

According to the below, Dune-themed Canadian heavy rockers Sons of Arrakis should already have begun recording their second album, tentatively and likely titled Volume II, and a quick glance at their social media confirms at least that the process has begun, if not finished. The Montreal-based four-piece have kept busy since they released last year’s debut, Volume I (review here), up to and including figuring out how to navigate through the plaudits heaped upon them from multiple directions at once, playing shows in Canada, apparently writing. They’ve got a new video for “The Black Mirror” from the first record due out this Friday. As I say, busy. ‘Big things,’ and all that.

They’ve assured that 2024 will be more of the same in terms of the activity level, and with the new record impending, that’s legit. Before any of it, next month, they’ll do a quick run of dates in Ontario and then head south to Mexico for their first international dates, playing three nights in Mexico City and doing a radio interview (sounds like the work of a Tamayo), and joining Blue Cheese and others in Tabacalera. The PR wire bought show posters, all the details and ticket links.

And gadzooks, here they are:

SONS OF ARRAKIS Announce October Tour Dates For Ontario, Canada, & Mexico

Purchase Tickets Here: https://linktr.ee/PaleHorsePromotions

Montreal-based SONS OF ARRAKIS are to embark on the first international tour with Pale Horse / Black Throne Productions & Morro-Carnal Prodzsz. Describing themselves as Melange Rock and Cinematographic Sci-Fi Rock, the quartet captivate audiences with their electrifying live performances. In Mexico, their tour coincides with the renowned La Dia de Los Muertos festivities.

The band comments:

‘’SOA strikes again with a first international tour! A lot is in the oven for the next few months and we can’t wait to show you Volume II’’

Tickets: https://linktr.ee/PaleHorsePromotions

Tour Dates:
Ontario:
Oct 5 – Ottawa | with Hempress & Subsun | at Live on Elgin
Oct 6 – Toronto | with Low Orbit, AAWKS & Tumble | at Hard Luck
Oct 7 – Hamilton | with Astral Witch, The Electric Cactus and Cannabusv| at Doors Pub
Oct 8 – London | with Yeti on Horseback and Snakes | at Richmond Tavern
Mexico:
Oct 25 – Mexico City | Local Radio Station Interview at Radio Reaktor
Oct 26 – Tabacalera | with Blue Cheese, Powertrip & Criaturas de la Noches | at Denso Rock Ponciano Arriaga
Oct 27 – Mexico City | with Compadra, Ugly Miss Piggy, and Pis | at LXS Cavaleras: Espacio Cultural
Oct 28 – Mexico City | Chido Carnal Fest
Oct 29 – Mexico City | Georgetown Records

Amidst their busy schedule, SONS OF ARRAKIS will also begin recording their highly anticipated new album in August 2023, with the first single from Volume II scheduled for an early 2024 release.

https://www.facebook.com/sonsofarrakisband
https://www.instagram.com/sonsofarrakis/
https://www.sonsofarrakis.com/merch
https://sonsofarrakis.bandcamp.com/
https://www.sonsofarrakis.com/

Sons of Arrakis, “The Black Mirror” video teaser

Sons of Arrakis, Volume 1 (2022)

There isn’t going to be a digital release for this one. I don’t think there’s any plan for putting it out on anything other than the 10 tapes that Montréal sludge metallers Seum will have for sale at the show they’re playing on Friday. So maybe it’s a little more like the band made a few DIY tapes for themselves and the merch table, but whatever, I dig this band and think that’s kind of cool. They released their second album, Double Double (review here), earlier this year, and that’s got enough disgust packed into it to go around, so if you can’t make it to l’Hémisphère Gauche at the end of this week, there’s still plenty to dive into should you be so inclined.

And considering the one-off nature of the June show that’s become the Ratseum cassette, that they’d want to preserve it, performing as two-thirds of the band did with Ratpiss vocalist Erin Faeth sitting in as singer. Well, I say one-off, but can’t help notice that Ratpiss are playing the gig Friday too, so there’s nothing to say an onstage guest spot can’t happen again with the full band. Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but it’s nice to have friends. And as as one who came of age in the 1990s, I’ll say as well that it’s also nice to make your friends tapes. Still cooler than CDRs.

From their socials:

Surprise: RATSEUM – Live Tape – Dropping on September 8th

On June 10th 2023, as Gaspard could not make it to our show at l’Hémisphère Gauche, he was replaced on Vocal by Erin, singer of the Montreal Power violence band Ratpiss.

For one night SEUM became… RATSEUM!

As the show ended up being recorded we decided to release it on tape as a memory.

Our friend Gorka made a logo, we fixed a quick cover and made 10 DIY copies.

Each copy is hand numbered, and that recording will only be available on tape.

The tape will be released on Friday September 8th on Bandcamp and during our show at The TraXide with Kapitur, Twin Banshee and #ratpiss.

SEUM / TWIN BANSHEE / RATPISS / KAPITUR: https://www.facebook.com/events/261976166562134/

Be there!

Be there!

Seum is:
Fred – Drums
Gaspard – Vocals
Piotr – Bass

https://www.facebook.com/Seumtheband
https://open.spotify.com/album/6ukhuyolnXMYY6MpODgZ37
https://seumtheband.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/seumtheband/

https://www.facebook.com/ElectricSparkRecords/
https://www.instagram.com/electricsparkrecords/
https://www.electricsparkrecords.com/

Seum, Double Double (2023)

Heralding their follow-up to 2020’s full-length Hounds (discussed here), yet untitled, Montreal heavy rock trio Mooch unveil “The Start” as a first of three singles from their sophomore LP. When that’s out, what it’s called, and various other details about its making and release — well, I just don’t know. But I’ve heard the track and it’s under three minutes, has an easy roll like earliest Queens of the Stone Age with a bit of the swagger necessary to pull that off, reminding a bit of Heavy Glow in the process, but en route to having their own spin. As regards beginnings, “The Start” is an auspicious one.

You might recall Hounds was recorded by Brant Bjork in the California desert. “The Start” and presumably the album from whence it comes were tracked under different circumstances, but Mooch clearly learned some lessons on how to be heavy and laid back at the same time from the experience. You can hear that in “The Start” for sure. As soon as I find out more about the LP, I’ll let you know. In the meantime, the single releases Aug. 25, which is this Friday.

Info from the PR wire:

MOOCH – THE START

‘The Start’ is a song inspired by the effort it takes to continuously grow in a relationship. It is a song about MOOCH finding a way to pave a new path forward. Running at 2:57 minutes long, ‘The Start’ lays down a heavy rock groove complete with hand-perc accented sections, stacked vocal harmonies and an eccentric solo section.

The song’s release will be the first of 3 singles, set to come out August 25th, 2023, on all streaming platforms. Promotion will follow the narrative of their latest trip to Yellowknife, Canada. Promo will include professional images and video content for paid ads on socials, a music video shot at the YK Airport, footage from their performance at Folk on the Rocks Festival and a vinyl release for the upcoming record. Lastly, an Eastern Canadian Fall Tour is set to follow the release of the full album.

Recorded by Jordan Barillaro @ Tonebender, Jared Matthews @ Soundbagger Studio, and Julian Iac @ Icebox Studios
Mixed by Julian Iac
Mastered by Richard Addison @ Trillium Sound Mastering Studio

MOOCH are:
Ben Cornel – Guitar, Vocals
Alex Segreti – Drums, Backing Vocals
Julian Iac – Bass, Backing Vocals

https://www.facebook.com/moochmusicofficial/
https://www.instagram.com/moochmusicofficial/
https://moochmusicofficial.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1mVwVHtrvo6V2letIqRV7X

Mooch, Hounds (2020)

The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.

Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.

Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.

The Obelisk Questionnaire: Kapnathios from Kapnas

—

How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?

I play the guitar and sing and write for kapnas. I came to this point by way of my past experiences in music and it has led me here to this project.

Describe your first musical memory.

I must have been 5 or 6 years old with a toy drum set, and was just jamming (badly) to The Beatles hard days night. Good times

Describe your best musical memory to date.

Going on tour and seeing and experiencing the crowds in different cities and meeting a lot of cool people. It felt validating to be able to share our music like that.

When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?

Realizing that music has no rules or boundaries so just make what you like and don’t take it too seriously.

Where do you feel artistic progression leads?

I think it leads to a place where the artist comes to a place in their own mind that is like a fork in the road. The decisions we make in the creation process can reveal a lot about our own character, whether we play it safe or are being complacent, or dare to try different things.

How do you define success?

This is a very abstract concept, I think. I think if you’re happy, you’re successful. Tough to think of success and not think of money in this world, but that can be all relative to the individual. For me, if I have enough to support myself and my family, and I have the ability and time to create music I enjoy and want to share with the world, that’s success for me

What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?

2 girls, 1 cup.

Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.

I would like to create a 30 to 60 min track that builds on itself throughout. I don’t know why I haven’t done that yet to be honest.

What do you believe is the most essential function of art?

To challenge the artist as their making it and the person consuming it. Not every piece of art needs to be monumental or life changing, but I find it a little hollow to just be super easy to digest

Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?

Going on a family vacation in August, it’s the first one with my son. Can’t wait!

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091824637164
https://www.instagram.com/kapnasband/
https://kapnas.bandcamp.com/
https://linktr.ee/kapnas

Kapnas, Kapnas (2023)