The Healing - Elevate

1. First Light

2. Aether Eyes

3. Descend

4. Embers

5. Afterglow

6. Revenent

7. Esoteric

The Healing have released their second album titled "Elevate." This album follows along with the same sound and style the band debuted with on their previous album. These guys have a very progressive metalcore feel on this album and its solid right at the start. These guys have a sound that is closely related to bands like Northlane, Born Of Osiris or Within The Ruins, so if you are into that sort of landscape feeling metalcore, than you could really like this album. They have done a solid job here. When looking at the recording quality of the album, this album has a really top notch sound and quality to it. The album is quite crisp and the tones just grab you. This album also has really decent instrumentation on it. These guys have made sure that the band is doing what the can musically to hit it top notch.  These guys can certainly play. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are not bad either, the singer can for sure scream, and it doesn't sound strained or anything. He can scream while still being pretty clear for the most part, and the backing vocals really nice cleans. With the lyrics, the band is singing about finding the good in things, maximizing every moment, relationships, and many ocean/stars/skies references. A lot of bands use the stars and ocean references in their music, which isn't anything new, but at least the band is trying, and everything else have more of a solid, real feel to it, so we can't really fault them. Not everything can be perfect. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so we suggest listening to "Descend" as that is our favourite song on the album, and gives you a good idea of the rest of the album. The Healing have made a solid album here and it really gives the band a more legit, cementing feel to them as it shows they can pull it off more than just the once. We just hope the band gets out there and tours more, as people need to hear this. Solid effort from the guys and we can't wait to see what is next. Give this album a listen to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Metalcore/Progressive/Deathcore

Release Date: May 15th, 2016

Location: London, Ontario

Label: None

Horcrux - The Dark Mark

1. Resilient

2. Wormtail

3. The Dark Mark

4. Home

5. The Outsider

6. Live Through Me

Horcrux have released their debut album titled "The Dark Mark." What is first off pretty apparent, and anyone that followed the craze, that someone in the band is a Harry Potter fan. Being the band name and album title are references to Harry Potter, it's logical to assume. After giving the album a listen, you can hear that this is dark, heavy music, which seems to be the theme for this band. Another thing that gets this album and band a bit of notice is their singer was the screamer/guitarist in the last incarnation of A Skylit Drive, so if you were a fan of those guys, you may want to give this album a chance just based on that. They have a fast paced aggressive, and polished sound that gives a head turn right from the start. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded to a pretty decent effort, especially for a debut. Being that the members of this band have been around, making solidly recorded albums before, it is no surprise that we get this quality right off the bat. The instrumentation is pretty solid. Nothing here will make you go crazy, but the band does have a great, solid, straightforward playing and that is just what they need. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are not bad, they are mostly screamed but you can still make out most of the lyrics. He can certainly scream and he does it well. We just wish the vocals were just a little louder and on par with the music. With the lyrics, the band goes for songs about rising up, being confident, fighting against oppression, and just not letting the darkness consume you. These are actually really positive and uplifting lyrics. Although they are a little hard to get as the lyrics aren't quite direct, it's that which makes us really like the lyrical content, making it dark but uplifting if you really listen. If you are looking for a single to this album, the band has made almost every song a single here. We suggest giving the song "The Outsider" your attention as that is our favourite song and first song we heard. Horcrux have made a nice solid debut here. We like the more professional recording on a first album and we like how the lyrics aren't so direct. Hopefully the band can get together more and tour, Ottawa and Montreal are the bands towns, it would be nice to see them venture out, even just within their own province. Pretty solid all in an and we can't wait to see what is next. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Metalcore/Post-Hardcore/Progressive

Release Date: February 16th, 2018

Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Label: None

Elos Arma - T.I.T.S.

1. Super Diamonds

2. Oh The Light

3. You Shut Your Mouth When You're Talking To Me

4. PS

5. Walker

Elos Arma have released their second album titled "This Is The Sh*t" This album follows along the same principals as their previous album in terms of style and sound. This has a very ambient indie sound here which is quite popular at this time. They have a similar sound to bands like Alvvays or even someone like KID, so if you are into either of those artists, you could like this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been made quite well actually. The instrumentation is nothing special, but they can play and the music sounds pretty good. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are very soft and light. They give you that airy feeling and can appeal to a wide range of people. He can certainly sing and it is nice and clear so you can hear all the lyrics. With the lyrics, the band has decided to go for messages of not changing people, relationships, not being able to be happy with what you have or can get and more. These are things that a lot of younger people face, so I think these could really hit with that base. Good job overall on the lyrics. If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Oh The Light" your attention as it is the best song on the album and gives you the best overall perception of the album. Elos Arma have made a different sort of album that seems to work well with what is popular right now in the rock scene. Hopefully we will see this band continue and get more people into them. Pretty good job overall on this album. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Progressive/Ambient/Indie

Release Date: July 1st, 2011

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Website: http://www.elosarma.com/

Label: None

The Luminary - Flow State

1. Isolated

2. Silent Sentry

3. Flow State

4. Envisioned

5. Control

The Luminary have released their second album titled "Flow State." This album is one that follows the same sound and style the band went with on their debut. The band has a very technical and progressive sound that seems to have a bit of a landscape to it. They have a similar sound to that of Erra, or Periphery, so if you are into those bands, you could really like this album. These guys have done a pretty solid job on this album. When looking at the quality of this album, the album has been recorded and produced very solidly. The instrumentation is done very well on this album as well. This band can certainly play and it is quite refreshing to see a band that is the young and has the talent. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals on this album are probably the weak point of this album. Not to say that they aren't still done well, but the music seems to grab your attention first. We think the screamed vocals are done fairly nice as well, he can certainly scream while the sung vocals have a high pitch to them that just doesn't quite grab you as well. With the lyrics, the band goes for topics on being alone and walking the earth by yourself, and just very dark, being alone and sad lyrics. They also go for the now we are getting over it and finally being set free. The band goes through a range of good and bad throughout the album and it seems odd to have a lyrically happy song right in the middle. overall the band has done a really good job on the lyrics. If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Isolated" your attention as it is the best song on the album and gives you the best feel for how the rest of the album is. The Luminary have made a step up from their debut album, while making sure that the stayed to their form. This album shows the potential this band has and has you wondering whats next here. This band has done a great job here. Now it's time to just get out more so people can hear it. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Progressive/Metalcore/Djent

Release Date: July 15th, 2017

Location: London, Ontario

Label: None

Pomegranate Tiger - Entities

1. Gift Of Tongues
2. Maxims
3. Stars
4. Drifting
5. New Breed
6. Mountains In The Sky
7. Not To See The Sun
8. Ocean - I. White Ship
9. Ocean - II. Maelstrom
10. Ocean - III. The Golden Portal
11. Sign Of Ruin
12. Regenesis

Pomegranate Tiger have released their debut album titled "Entities." This album first off, has no vocals so it is an instrumental album. The band definitely shows off their talent on their debut and as an instrumental album, the band has that progressive vibe to them. These guys have a similar sound and feel to that of Intervals and Animals As Leaders, so if you are into that music, you could really like this album. The guys have done a pretty solid job here. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded  fairly well, it just needs to be a little louder and have the guitars a little more upfront. The instrumentation is quite good here. The band shows off their skills and makes you pay attention. Now as this band is an instrumental band, there is no vocals or lyrics on this album. Although this album has no vocals, it doesn't feel like it needs it, as the guitars seem to speak in their own way. If you are looking for a single to this album, there unfortunately isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the idea of the album. Pomegranate Tiger have released a debut, sort of welcome to album that really shows the talent of these guys, as well as showing that you don't need the lyrics to be the star of the music. Really good job here. Now all that is left is to get out and tour more. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Instumental/Progressive Metal/Metal

Release Date: January 31st, 2013

Location: Windsor, Ontario
Website: http://www.pomegranatetiger.com/

Label: None

Mandroid Echostar - Coral Throne

1. Hypnos
2. The Lotus
3. Matoax
4. Sacred Fire
5. Metatron
6. Violet Skies
7. Paladin
8. Midnight Sun
9. Iron Hands
10. Zelos

Mandroid Echostar have released their third album and indie label debut"Coral Throne." This album follows the same style and feel that they created with their previous two albums. This album has a similar sound to that of Coheed And Cambria as well as a Tesseract, so if you like those bands, you could really like this album. These guys have done a really good job on another album. When looking at the quality of this album, the album has been recorded very well and sounds great. The instrumentation is done well here also, it will definitely make you take notice. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals are really nice, the singer can certainly hit those high notes. Although he has a similar voice to Cladio Sanchez, he has a bit of his own style that add more to the music. He can sing well and we dig it. With the lyrics, they seem to have more of a story behind them that you kind of have to get in there and pull the message out of it, as the message isn't so clear. Nice well written songs overall on this album. If you are looking for a single to this album, give the song "Paladin" your attention as it is the best song on the album and gives you a great intro to how the album will sound. Mandroid have made their third album stand out and it is nice to see a label take notice. These guys really have something here and hopefully it goes out and reaches the masses. We love this album. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Progressive/Metal/Rock

Release Date: January 15th, 2016

Location: Guelph, Ontario
Website: http://www.mandroidechostar.com/

Label: Distort Entertainment

Through Lucid Eyes - Transient

1. Fleeting Moments

2. Transient

3. Lotus

4. Introspection

5. Set In Stone

Through Lucid Eyes have released their second EP titled "Transient." This is their indie label debut. The latest album seems to have shifted from the brutality to a more melodic and more focus on the playing than the heaviness. This album has a similar sound to that of a Born of Osiris or a Periphery, so if you are into those bands, you could really like this album. They have done a pretty decent job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded fairly decently. The instrumentation on this album has improved from the first album and it has a nice progressive sound to it. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the screams are not bad, they have a nice sound and go well with the music. The background vocals are not bad either, just cant decide if at times he is a great singer or killing the ears. All in all the vocals on this album are solid. With the lyrics, they seem to have the standard, don't trust everyone or everything and and overall this sucks kind of feel to them. They do however say that message in an interesting way that doesn't come right out and say it, so they have done a good job on the lyrics. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel of the album. Through Lucid Eyes have stepped up their game on this album and brought one that you need to listen to. This is really something that could go somewhere with the right push behind it. Good job guys. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Metalcore/Post-Hardcore/Progressive

Release Date: December 9th, 2016

Location: Cornwall, Ontario

Label: Famined Records

The Northern - Imperium

1. Alpha
2. Purgatory
3. Imperium
4. Circadian Effect
5. Midori

The Northern have released their debut album titled "Imperium." This album is one that really shows the band and their progressive style. These guys are really going for the professional, lots of guitar work style of metal with this one. They have a similar sound to that of Periphery and After The Burial, so if you are into those bands, you could really like this album. They have done a pretty good job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of the album, it has been recorded on a fairly decent level. With the instrumentation the band has done really well here, very talented guitar work that impresses, as it should in this genre. Now onto the vocals and lyrics,the singer has a pretty nice  voice for that deep growls that are done in the deathcore genre. He really fits well with what the band is going for. On the lyrical side of this album, the band has those brutal lyrics about hate and despair. The lyrics are not the main focus of the band, the guitar is, but they still seem to sing about what people want to hear, so it works well. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so we suggest listening to the title track "Imperium" as it is the best song on the album and it gives you the best feel for it. The Northern have done a pretty good job on their debut sort of welcome to album. If a little more focus was put on the lyrics and the recording was just a tiny bit better, this would be a perfect progressive metal album. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Progressive/Metal/Deathcore

Release Date: April 2nd, 2013
Location: Toronto, Ontario

Label: None

The Healing - Transcendence

1. Observers
2. Continuance
3. Transcendence
4. Presage
5. Tetrahedra

The Healing have released their debut album titled "Transcendence." This album is one that comes from exploration and the passion the band has to be better at their craft. These guys have the same sort of sound as Born Of Osiris or a lot of the bands that Sumerian sign feel to it, so if you are into those kind of bands, then you should like this album. The band has done a pretty solid job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded fairly well and it has a nice heavy feel to it. The bands instrumentation on the album is decent as well, they can certainly play. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the screamed vocals are pretty decent, he can scream while still be clear and able to understand. The background vocals need a little work, as if to pick one thing out, it would be those to work on. With the lyrics, they are pretty decent here. They have that sort of expansion, metal like, progression touch to them and it really makes you understand just what they are saying. If you are looking for a single to this album, give the title song :Transcendence" your attention as it is the best song on the album and it really gives you the feel of what the band is going for here. The Healing have made a debut sort of welcome to album that is very strong. Most bands don't come straight out of the gate with an album like this. A very solid effort that will really set the band off well. Hopefully the band just keeps doing what they are doing and gets  out there touring so people know them more. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Metalcore/Progressive/Deathcore

Release Date: March 31st, 2014

Location: London, Ontario

Label: None

Ambisonic - Ambisonic

1.Tonne
2. Exducer
3. Steady State Frequency
4. Luminaire I
5. Antax IV Redux
6. Lux
7. Megohm
8. Voltaic
9. Luminaire III

Ambisonic is a two piece band that melds electronic music with a rocky sort of indie feel that have decided they don't need to have a singer, this is prominent on their debut self titled album. The band has quite a different feel, but would be closer to a Holy F*** or a Solids, so if you like those guys, you could like Ambisonic. They have done an alright job on this album. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded fairly decently since it is only two members in the band. The instrumentation is pretty decent for the same reason as well. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, since there are none, just a few clips of people speaking, there isn't anything really to comment on. It doesn't take away from the album not having vocals here. If you are looking for a single to this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel of the whole album. Ambisonic have released a pretty decent album, especially for the debut, welcome to album. This band is doing something a little bit different and it is nice to see the experimentation. We do hope the band gets out and plays more so there is more buzz on the guys. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Rock/Progressive/Instrumental

Release Date: March 10th, 2009

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Website: http://www.ambisonic.ca/

Label: None

Speak Of The Devil - Speak Of The Devil

1. My Name Is Fire

2. Formaldehyde & Seek

3. Napalm Reader

4. Monkey See, Monkey Doomsday

Speak Of The Devil have released their second album titled "Speak Of The Devil." This album is quite comparable to their debut album, with the kooky metal going on here and that Arsonists vibe still very much in play. The band has expanded on their catalog with this album and now has more songs to pull from for a set. When looking at the recording quality of this album, the album has been recorded pretty well, and has a nice clear sound, along with nice electronic touches. The instrumentation on this album is a little above average here as well, since they do some nice landscaping with the solos. Now onto the vocals and lyrics, the vocals are decent, they work quite well with the style of metal and the screams are nice, you just can't fully get the lyrics. These lyrics however are in need of just a little touch up to get a better grasp and more meaning to the story they are tell, but otherwise, pretty good. If you are looking for a single for this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel of the album. Speak Of The Devil have done a pretty good job continuing on the sound they built with their debut album, and have given a more overall base for what this band wants to be. We feel the band is doing a good job, just need to get out there more. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it. They have since called it quits (R.I.P.)

Genre: Metal/Hardcore/Progressive

Release Date: December 4th, 2009

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Website: http://www.sotdmusic.com/

Label: None

Sky Written - Thrive

1. Polaris

2. Oneiric

3. Nescience

4. Passage

5. Athanasia

6. Viatori

Sky Written have released their debut album titled "Thrive." Thrive shows the band in a very progressive deathcore feel where its nothing too different from the hordes of other bands all trying to do the exact same thing. The band has the same sort of sound as a Volumes or a Texas In July or Periphery. If you like those bands, you could like these guys. When looking at the recording quality of the album, the album has been recorded fairly well and the instrumentation is a bit better than the average band. Now onto the vocals and the lyrics, the vocals are done fairly well along with the sound and clarity of the vocals but the lyrics could use a touch here or there in bringing out the meaning of the songs more. If you are looking for a single for this album, there isn't one, so just pick a song and give it a listen to get the feel of the album. Sky Written have done a pretty good job on their debut album and we hope that as the band progresses, they can get a little more into their own sound while playing more shows to get the name out. We think this band has potential and we can't wait to see what they come up with next. Listen to this album to decide for yourself what you think of it.

Genre: Metalcore/Deathcore/Progressive

Release Date: September 13th, 2013

Location: Waterloo, Ontario

Label: None