Since the release of their debut full-length album, The Aura, in June 2011, Montreal progressive death metallers Beyond Creation have become known for taking the innovative and exciting metal sound of their Quebec homeland and launching it into uncharted territory. Guitarists Simon Girard and Kevin Charté blend top-notch technical death metal playing, at times reminiscent of Gorod and The Faceless, with uid and progressive slides and taps, inspired by everything from
Guthrie Govan to Animals As Leaders. They are joined by arguably one of the most
forward-thinking players in metal, Dominic ‘Forest’ Lapointe, on six-string fretless bass, known for his work with Augury, Quo Vadis, Teramobil, Atheretic and others. Backed by the relentless assault of hyperactive drummer Philippe Boucher (Other bands: Incandescence, First Fragment, Chthe’ilist, Décombres) and led by Girard’s blend of guttural growls and inhaled/pitched screams, Beyond Creation are blazing their own trail through hard work, originality and a fresh perspective on the metal genre.

Brody Uttley: Guitar / Keyboards
Adam Biggs: Vocals / Bass
Jared Klein: Drums / Vocals
Andy Thomas: Rhythm Guitar / Vocals

Rivers of Nihil have never fit neatly into a box, but with 2018’s Where Owls Know My Name, they transcended all labels applied to them. Returning in 2021 with The Work, they forged further into new territory, once again upending any expectations fans had placed on them. And now, with a new series of singles recorded in early 2023 that will be released in the coming months and eventually appear together on an album, the band has once again shattered the ceiling of how far they are willing to go in search of new sonic terrain.

The Reading, Pennsylvania-based progressive death metalers spent 2021 and 2022 burning the candle at both ends with a frenzied tour schedule including headline runs of the U.S. and Europe, a jaunt on the European festival circuit and two runs in support of The Black Dahlia Murder and The Contortionist in North America. But once the latter tour wrapped up, they were short a band member.

For personal reasons, founding member and lead vocalist Jake Dieffenbach and the band went their separate ways. The split took place just three days after the recording of a live video and audio session for Audiotree‘s new ‘From Nothing‘ series, which was released on April 20, 2023. And while initially the band wasn’t sure how to approach the release with the departure of a founding member and lead singer – or whether to release it at all – they decided to move forward with it to honor Dieffenbach’s contributions to the group over the years and mark the beginning of a new chapter.

In March 2023, Rivers of Nihil wrapped up a recording session that saw the now four-piece band birth a considerable amount of new music featuring their previous bassist/backup vocalist Adam Biggs as the new lead vocalist/bassist. This recording session also marked the first appearance of new guitarist Andy Thomas (ex-Black Crown Initiate), whose vocals also play prominently in the music, as a member of Rivers of Nihil. These new singles are the first to showcase the band’s new lineup in full-on collaboration, and demonstrates that while this is a new, brave sound with tons of potential, it also carries the band’s classic energy.

While far too many progressive and technical death metal bands are happy to walk the same path and stick to a tried-and-true sound, on their second full-length The Zenith Passage forge new and exhilarating territory. From start to finish, Datalysium is driven by imagination, and played by artists who have full command of their instruments, creating something that stands out of any pack while maintaining what made them such a riveting proposition in the first place.

When asked to describe the record, the band do so vividly: “Imagine if Necrophagist and Meshuggah were married, and Cynic and Extol got married, then years later they went to a swingers party to spice up their relationships, which then became a regular thing. From this, they all had a kid together, no one knows who the biological father is, but that’s cool because they’re co-parenting. That kid then grows up, idolizing David Lynch, Ridley Scott and film noir. He then goes to film school for a couple of years, but drops out because he’d rather play synth music, but ends up broke and homeless. Then Datalysium would be that kid.”

The album was recorded between McKinney’s home studio and Rydquist’s apartment, with some vocals tracked at Flatline Audio with Dave Otero (Cattle Decapitation, WAKE), who also mixed the album. McKinney handled the tracking, while they brought in Ryan Williams (The Black Dahlia Murder, John Frum) to produce some of the bass and vocals. Having been friends with Williams for years, it felt natural to have him be a part of the recording process, while Otero also contributed profoundly. A longtime friend of McKinney, this is the first time they have actually collaborated on a record. “Dave is the kind of dude that just gets it, when going for the sound or idea we have in mind, even bringing an idea to light that we never even thought to do and collaborating and expanding on these ideas further. We were expecting some really epic stuff from Dave, but the end result of that has proved to be way more than those expectations.”

ROMAN RING was formed by members of Small Town Murder as the next step in an evolutionary process. An anomaly amongst the Chicago metal scene, Roman Ring fuses together elements rarely heard from their local peers. Combining blistering speed and technicality with passages of polyrhythmic grooves along with other-worldy influences. Their music will take you on a journey to another dimension before bringing you back to this earth as an evolved being.

Purge was formed in Chicago in late 2006. It all began when guitarist/ vocalist Bernardo “Burns” Mendia crossed paths with drummer Rob Martin. The two were very ambitious and determined to create a buzz in the local area. Just a few months later, at only age 16, they quickly released a 5 song demo “Simply Gorgastic”. The released was a huge success and they soon became known by locals and all over Myspace for their sheer brutality at such a young age! In early 2007 the lineup was complete acquiring Bill Russell on bass and Josh Wheelock on rhythm guitar. Now, establishing their sound with brutal speeds and bone crushing breakdowns, the band was ready to take it to the next level.

They immediately began performing live all over northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin playing with big names such as Cannibal Corpse, Satyricon, The Faceless, Cradle of Filth, Obscura and many more. Purge was also featured in 2009 Blasphemer Festival. Soon after they released another demo featuring they’re hit song “The Urge to Purge” as well as “Artistic Torture”. Purge was really beginning to create a name for themselves in Chicago land catching the attention of Pit Magazine and Rebel Access TV. Unfortunately, in early 2009 the band decided to take a break for personal and financial reasons.

In early 2012 Purge reformed, re-releasing their hit single “The Urge to Purge”, determined to move up. The band quickly began playing shows all over Chicago land to re-establish their name, performing with reputable bands like Deicide, Nile, Cannibal Corpse, Decrepit Birth, Job for a Cowboy, Between the Buried and Me and many more, not to mention being a part of Summer Slaughter Fest 2012 in Milwaukee, WI. Purge is also regularly played on Rebel Radio, The Kat 105.5 WKAN and Max Ink Radio! Having just released their new EP “Beyond The Unknown”, Purge is determined to crush the metal scene with technical guitar passages racing across the fret board and rumbling break downs sure to melt off anyone’s face. PURGE is now stronger than ever, stunning audiences with their raw energy, insane riffs and professional musicianship. This band is guaranteed blow you away!