Showing posts with label Auras. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Auras. Show all posts

Thursday, September 5, 2013

AURAS CONTEST / INTERVIEW!

We're holding an bigass promotion with our friends in Auras. They were our Artist of the Week not too long ago, and for good reason. This Canadian four-piece pulls off some razor tight playing, showing off technical skill and musicianship on all fronts. Most definitely a band to watch out for.

Onto the bigass promotion... We have a contest live via our Facebook App, giving you a chance to win some very cool stuff. Check the picture just below and you'll see what I'm talking about.

We also conducted an in-depth interview with the guys! Read up and learn.

ENTER HERE.

We launched a brand new contest App.

*We will contact the winners
*By participating, you acknowledge that you completely release Facebook of all responsibility. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook.

__________________________________________________________________________________

AH = Aaron Hallman
MT = Mike Thall

MT - How did the band get started up?

AH - Josh originally started the band back in 2008. It began as more of a basement project and then slowly grew into a more serious project as lineup changes occurred. Our current lineup was established in mid-2011.

MT - What went into making "Panacea"?

AH - Our EP Panacea took us a fairly long time to compile. We spent a lot of time writing and revising our ideas. We also had a fairly flexible producer in Chris Cosentino, which allowed us to experiment with ideas in the studio and spend time editing previously recorded sections. In general, our EP took a considerable amount of time and effort from every member of our band.

MT - How was the response?

AH - We didn’t really know what to expect leading up to the release, but we were really happy with how the EP was received. There was a fair amount of positive feedback and some very useful constructive criticism as well. We are always open to feedback and really appreciated when people shared their ideas with us.

MT - Is there a concept behind the Panacea artwork?

AH - When it came to the album art, we wanted to have something that symbolized the concept behind the album. The complex and colorful “floating piece of land” centered in the artwork is intended to symbolize the complexity and diversity associated with developing solutions for the major problems we face in this world. The artist, Daniel Wagner (D-Dub Designs) did an incredible job illustrating the general meaning behind our EP.

MT - You just dropped a single called "Adverse Condition". Can you tell us a bit about that?

AH - Adverse Condition was our first attempt at song writing on 7 string guitars. We wanted to push the boundaries of our song writing and really focus on our strengths. With this track, we really put a lot of time into the pre-production process so that we were able to perform the song in the studio and capture a more natural sound overall.

MT - Any more new music in the works?

AH - We are currently working on compiling a full-length album; the release will take place sometime in mid-2014 if all goes as planned. There is also the possibility of a single or two being released in the mean time. We are always writing and working on new material.

MT - What inspires your music?

AH - Each member of the band listens to a fairly diverse collection of artists that we definitely draw some influence from. Ultimately, we care about making music that we are passionate about and that we love to play.

MT - How was that Ever Forthright tour?

AH - Our tour with Ever Forthright was honestly one of the most incredible experiences in each of our lives. It was an absolute honor sharing the stage with such a talented and inspirational group of musicians. It was also an essential experience for our band, as it was our first tour. At this point, we are all very excited to get out on the road again.

MT - Favorite songs to play live?

AH - We really enjoyed playing our newest track Adverse Condition this past tour, as it is fresh to us. However, we also love playing our song Cascade as it usually generates the most crowd reaction and is the first song we wrote as a band.

MT - If you could play with any bands in the world, what would the lineup be?

AH - Our ideal tour lineup would probably include: Disperse, The Contortionist, Tesseract and Meshuggah. These are bands that we have a massive amount of respect for and would love watching live day after day.

MT - Plans for rest of 2013 and 2014?

AH - At this point, we are mainly focused on developing material for our full-length album that we hope to have out in mid-2014. We also have initial plans to record another single fairly soon and potentially shoot a music video for that track. Once we have the full-length ready, we hope to tour in support of its release and travel as far as it can take us.

MT - If you were stuck eating one kind of food on tour, what would it be?

AH - We would have to make the relatively healthy choice and go with sandwiches/wraps.

MT - Aaand that's all folks.



Links: Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp // Merch

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

AURAS "ADVERSE CONDITION" SINGLE

Auras are back with a new track! The "Panacea" EP carved the rolling hills of disarray on which the Canadian tech-groovers now stand strong. With an elevated platform from the top of the world's "fastest-forming-figurative mountain range," Auras new song "Adverse Condition" plows from top to bottom like thunder through a valley.

"Adverse Condition" reassures lovely patterns and playful face smashing, but in a seemingly darker manner. I sense a boosted brutal factor here, an improvement brought on through slight changes in production, but accentuated by Eric Almeida's vocals. But for those uninterested in vox, or feel like free-flow screaming to Auras, there is an also an instrumental version provided on Bandcamp.

Check out Auras and absorb all the groove you can. Coming up is a brief Canadian tour alongside Ever Forthright. Exciting stuff eh?

- T.D.


Links: Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp

Friday, April 5, 2013

GUITAR PORN - PLAY THROUGH BUFFET

Word up to our guitarists out there! If you play guitar and are visiting thecirclepit.com, chances are you are already aware that you are very very cool, but mad props to you anyway! Here is a gift package for you. And even if you have hobbies that aren’t playing guitar but have found yourself wondering how Within The Ruins is even possible…well this is for you too. Enjoy!

- Tyler Dermitt


Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes // Official Store


Links: Facebook // Bandcamp // Subliminal Groove Records 


Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes


Links: Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp


Links: Facebook // Twitter // iTunes


Links: Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

AURAS "PANACEA" EP REVIEW











I'm fortunate enough to review the Auras debut before it's official release. Ohhhh yeeeaaah. Hailing from Ontario, Auras are a Progressive Metal / "Djent" group with a ton of talent and potential. This band has been playing their cards right over the past couple years, releasing amazing singles, and building up a good size fan base leading up to this - The official release of "Panacea", the Auras debut EP, this coming Saturday. Will this rising Canadian beast stand up or fall down? Keep on reading and find out.


After listening to "Panacea" all week, it's safe to say Auras are standing tall. This is one helluva release. If you're looking to groove, look no further. Packing in everything from extreme technicality and heaviness to beautifully composed melody and ambiance, this EP is the total package balled up into 23 minutes of metal, mosh-worthy goodness. Every member of this group brings a next level performance on "Panacea". They excel from Aaron Hallman and Josh Ligaya's tight guitar work to Eric Almeida's beastly vocal skills. And I have to say Nathan Bulla stands out as an absolute TANK behind the kit. Altogether, they make a phenomenal musical unit. Record labels will probably be scrambling to sign these guys after this EP drops.

Onto the content. Every track on "Panacea" has something awesome happening for your brains to feast on. "Emerge" kicks things off with underlying ambiance before smashing your ear drums with a heavy edge. Clocking in at just under a minute, it serves as a strong intro. "Sciolist" is the first full track on the release. It was dropped a couple weeks back as the first official, fully-produced single from "Panacea". This track features some massive rhythmic segments and a big vocal cameo from The Afterimage's Kyle Anderson. Great stuff. "Aporia" packs one of the nastiest punches on the entire release. It also demonstrates this bands ability to transition seamlessly from extreme heaviness to melodic beauty about halfway through with a tasty segment and a stand out guitar solo provided by Aaron Marshall from Intervals. "Chimerical" is easily one of the best tracks on the EP. A single version was released exactly a year ago. There have been a few changes since then but it still stands as an awe-inspiring track with my favorite groove of 2013 so far. "Susurrus" is a great interlude, providing well composed, clean guitar work and a driving groove on the drums. It transitions nicely into "Cascade" which was also released as a single back in 2011. Yet again, there have been changes but it shines bright as ever. It includes possibly the tastiest section on "Panacea" in between it's ruthless rhythmic complexity. And that leads us to the title track closing out the EP. "Panacea" is among the heaviest, most mosh-worthy tracks on the release. It also weaves in excellent melodic composition, especially towards the end. All in all, it closes out things nicely.


My criticisms are few and far between. Being a "djent" influenced band, Auras have the tendency to fall into a few stereotypes which come with that label. This means they don't always always come off as original. Objectively, this may not thrill some of you. But for the most part, Auras does a good job of making their own sound within that niche. I would say they are easily in the upper echelon of bands going for a similar, djenty sound. Also, "Panacea" leaves you wanting more, but that's really a good thing. Gives the listener more to look forward to.

To sum things up, the Auras debut is a solid effort. Great for grooving and moshing alike, this is highly recommended to prog heads, tech heads, and metal heads in general. I have a feeling these guys are just scratching the surface of their full musical potential. Auras have a very bright future ahead of them. In the mean time, sample "Sciolist" along with the official EP teaser above and get stoked for Saturday! The band also has some awesome pre-orders on deck. If you're interested in grabbing one, click here.


Links: Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp // Pre-Orders

Sunday, December 30, 2012

AURAS EP TEASER / PRE-ORDERS


In the weeks leading up to the official release of the Auras EP, "Panacea", the band has released a full teaser for their debut. Packing in everything from extreme technicality and heaviness to beautifully composed melody, it sounds like a ridiculously great way to kick off the new year! Give the teaser a good listen below along with a couple singles they've released so far. And if you like what you're hearing, pre-orders are now available here. Also be sure to read up on our full preview for "Panacea" right here! Stay tuned for more greatness from Auras.




Links: Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp // Pre-Orders

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

AURAS "SCIOLIST" NEW TRACK!


Ontario based Auras just dropped a new single off their upcoming EP "Panacea"! After giving it a couple listens, it's safe to say the new track is awesome. It features some massive rhythmic segments and a big vocal cameo from The Afterimage's Kyle Anderson. And the video itself also packs a lot of info on the upcoming EP. Go ahead and listen to "Sciolist" along with some more goods from Auras below. Also be sure to read up on our full EP preview for "Panacea" right here and get ready for January 12th. Stay tuned for more!




Links: Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp

Thursday, October 11, 2012

AURAS "PANACEA" EP PREVIEW

Hailing from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, AURAS is comprised of four friends bound by groove, and centred by a constant pulse. Specializing in adrenaline-clenching polymeric melodies and breakdowns heavier than your average cement truck. Record labels will probably be scrambling to sign these guys after their debut EP "Panacea" drops. You can check out the artwork and the two songs they've released so far below. MOSH! The following statement from drummer Nathan Bulla describes where they are in the recording process with some extra announcements:

"Hey peeps! Just letting you guys know that today I'm OFFICIALLY tracking the drums for our upcoming EP!! This is the FINAL installment of our tracking process (yes, we did it kinda backwards) and that means that she'll be shipped out for mastering by the end of this month :)

Just a little reminder that our good friend Aaron Marshall from the band Intervals will melt your pants with a guest solo, and the legendary Kyle Anderson of The Afterimage will be featured on a track as well! We're honoured to have these guys help us out! I hope you're all as psyched about this release as we are!!! Thanks for sticking it out with us this far."


12/12/12 Update:

Auras just dropped a new single! After giving it a couple listens, it's safe to say the new track is awesome. It features some massive rhythmic segments and a big vocal cameo from The Afterimage's Kyle Anderson. The video itself also packs a lot of info on the upcoming EP. Give it a listen and get informed!






Links: Facebook // Twitter // Bandcamp

Sunday, July 22, 2012

BANDS TO WATCH OUT FOR - AURAS



This band is okay...... Actually if Auras doesn't get signed soon the world might implode. With only two songs released so far, this Canadian progressive act has already shown ridiculous potential. Check it.


Link: Facebook