CD Review: Van Halst - World of Make Believe (2016)

A album showing how it sounds if you put your whole heartblood, feelings and musical abilities on one disc.The female voice of Kami van Halst is going through all the various regions you could imagine. A symphonic metal album showing how different songs can be if you want them to be this way. Don't miss out this wonderfull recording.

Short Introduction

Edmonton, AB's Van Halst is a fierce, empowering force of hard rock fused with metal.  A project, which began as a solo artist for whom the band is named after -- Kami Van Halst, has since become a full group producing socially conscious, lyrical tracks that focus on disenfranchised and marginalized populations.

The band’s influences stay true to goth rock with Kami Van Halst demonstrating an agile vocal delivery in combination with pummeling growls. Lyrically, the band draws from black metal due to its focus on people suffering from isolation and rising to overcome the preconceptions of a judgmental society. In This Moment’s industrial fusion remains a primary influence for Van Halst, employing a sampler, synthesizer, and distorted vocals.

Their debut album 'World of Make Believe' is available as of March 4th 2016.

The front cover of "World of Make Believe", (c) by Van Halst, used with kind permission

Summary

This album is on my mind for some time now. Why? It's simply because you can feel so deep that it comes from musicians expressing their pure emotions and views of the world in such compositions that it's practically impossible to get them out of your heart. The album has this special something that only few recordings come with. It's symphonic metal in all it's variations and all it's beauty it can be.

It's like a ocean. Sometimes it's fast and wild like on the tracks "The End". On other times it's going up and down in itself just like on "Save Me" with it's variations between rougher and softer parts changing all the way through the track but never missing redemptive elements in them. It has epic, slower moments like with "Ryan's Song" as well as straight rockers like the title track that comes with a lot of pumping energy.

Finally there are also great balladesque songs on "World of Make Believe". "Questions" and "Denying eyes" are good example but "Plastic Smile" tops them all. A riffed melody that slowly builds up all the way through the song just to explode at the very end. What a outstanding song - it made me speechless.

Player / Purchase Link

The album is available as a digital download from Bandcamp and iTunes. It's priced at 10 Canadian Dollars on Bandcamp which is a bit more than 6 Euro. A download on iTunes comes around for 9,90 Dollar. Please take the time to prelisten to the album from the player below. I think you'll quickly re-feel what I've described in my summary.

I've seldomely heard a more diverse and intense album ever before. Since this is a self release you'll support the artist directly with your purchase. You have a mighty vote with what you buy - every time you open your pockets you'll set a sign that you want more of this. Artists will reward you with beautifull music taking you far away from your everyday worries and often help your to find the strength to overcome them. That's worth a lot in these troubled times in my eyes.


Upcoming gigs and Contact Data

Van Halst has two shows coming up on

Apr 29     Overtime Sports Bar     Calgary, Canada             
May 28    Hard Rock Cafe     Toronto, Canada

Keep in contact with the and using social tools such as Facebook, Twitter or make use of the good old traditional way visiting them on their own website. 

ShrEdmonton Metal Festival and Conference provides info about recording & band promotion alongside gigs

Many bands out there surely often think of how to make progress. Where can I learn to record music properly? My budget is small but I want a good sounding recording. And once the stuff is done - what can I do to get the word out about our music? Questions that many may have come along on their way.

For fans in Canada's capitol Edmonton and the area around it there's a festival coming up that gives the chance to get information on some of the important topics. Besides that clinics will be offered to improve your musical abilities.
If you're not into making music don't skip this info too fast - there's a large number of gigs going on while the festival takes place so you may be pleased to check out some new bands. Here's what coming up:

SHREDMONTON Metal Festival and Conference taking place from Friday, May 6th to Sunday, May 8th.

Featuring over 20 bands over the course of 3 days at The Starlite Room and The Brixx Bar and Grill (same building), as well as a multi-room industry based conference located at the Shaw Conference Center.

The full line up consists of an ultra heavy hitting bill that includes headliners Dying Fetus, Acacia Strain, Jungle Rot, Black Crown Initiate,  Goatwhore, Finnish power metallers Thunderstone along with some of Western Canada's best including Disciples of Power, Planet Eater, Scythia, Tylor Dory Trio, Every Hour Kills among many more!

Plus clinics by Tylor Dory (Tylor Dory Trio), Tim Waterson and panels at the Shaw Conference Center on recording, photography, video production, publicity, media relations, journalism, and concert promotion / talent buying for festivals / venues with music industry professionals from across Canada (full conference schedule and list of industry reps here.)

ShrEdmonton Festival Poster 2016, (c) by ShrEdmonton Metal Festival, used with kind permission

The complete access pass for all events comes around for 120 CAD$ but there's the chance of attending single events for a small amount, see the list below for details.

Single Event Tickets:

Shredmonton Conference @ The Shaw Conference Center (Salon 4) - $30.00 (details below)

Seminars, discussions, and Q+A sessions with over 20+ industry professionals.

ShrEdmonton Conference and Line Up 2016: http://shredmonton.com/bands/

Venue: Brixx and Starlite Room (same building) (10030 102 St. NW.) 

Friday, May 6, 2016 @ The Brixx Bar and Grill - $20.00

5:30pm - Guitar Clinic (Tylor Dory)

6:30pm - Drum Clinic (Tim Waterson)

8pm - Spruce Moose

9pm - Armifera

10pm - The Dead Cold

11pm - Every Hour Kills

Friday, May 6, 2016 @ The Starlite Room - $30.00

8:15pm - Tylor Dory Trio

9:15pm - Trollband

10:15pm - With Malice

11:15pm - Quietus

12:15am - Disciples Of Power

Saturday, May 7, 2016 @ The Brixx Bar and Grill - $20.00

7pm - Juliet Ruin

8pm - Mongol

9pm - Shocker

10pm - Noire

11pm - Planet Eater

Saturday, May 7, 2016 @ The Starlite Room - $35.00

7:15pm - WMD

8:15pm - Mortillery

9:15pm - Sleeping In Traffic

10:15pm - Scythia

11:15pm - Thunderstone

12:30am - Goatwhore

-----Sunday, May 8, 2016 @ The Starlite Room - $35.00 

**TIMES APPROXIMATE** (Final times TBA)

5:00 pm - Exit Strategy

6:00 pm - Nylithia

7:00 pm - Black Crown Initiate

8:00 pm - Jungle Rot

9:00 pm - The Acacia Strain10:00 pm - Dying Fetus

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Conference Schedule: http://shredmonton.com/conference/ 

Saturday, May 7, 2016 @ Shaw Conference Center – Salon 4 (9797 Jasper Ave NW.)

Panelists and seminars will cover a wide range of skills, markets, and issues in the music industry and topics/agendas will be geared towards further educating the Canadian heavy metal scene about its inner workings. The main panel will feature an eye opening discussion on how the Alberta metal community can break down barriers, grow relationships, and become an internationally known destination where heavy metal thrives.

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10:30 AM Introduction

Tyson Travnik (President) and Robert Kreed (Vice President) of Prairie Fire Events, will be greeting you with a warm welcome to the conference and a summary of what is to be expected during the conference. You will also be introduced to the Master of Ceremonies for the conference, the one and only, Cory Bosse.

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11:00 AM  Recording and Live Production

Want to learn how to save money to record your next album? Still on that hunt for the “perfect” guitar tone? Want to get into recording or doing live sound professionally, but don't know where to start? Here's a chance to hear from professionals from around the globe, who will address these questions, and many more!

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12:00 PM  -  Photography and Videography

What makes a promo shoot, a GOOD promo shoot? What do you need to look for when shopping around for a photographer or cinematographer? What is the importance of the music video in today's industry, and what does it REALLY entail? Recognizable Alberta based professionals are here to help you find out.

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1:00 PM – Publicity/Media/Journalism  

What does it take to get “big and famous”? How do you grow your fan base? Is it really worth it to spend money on good publicity? These are key points (and more) which will be covered in this seminar.

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2:00 PM -  – Promotion/Talent Buying/Festivals/Venues

The “big granddaddy” of seminars that you won't want to miss. Addressing the current state of the western Canadian metal scene, and brainstorming what needs to be done as a community to improve it. Anything you've ever wanted to know about promoting events, metal festivals, promoters, or venues will be talked about. This segment will prove to be a huge eye opener for many, and will prove to inspire!

Instrumental Clinics

Brixx Bar and Grill (Included with Conference ticket and Shredpass)

5:30 PM – Guitar Clinic with Tylor Dory and Guests

Learn some of the wizardry behind some of Alberta's most iconic metal guitarists, and how to incorporate it into your own playing. Entertainment and education guaranteed!

6:30 PM – Drum Clinic with Tim Waterson

As one of the fastest double bass drum players in the world, watching Tim Waterson play is something that cannot be described, but has to be witnessed to be appreciated. Noting key points from his instructional DVD “Techniques, Motions and Applications for Bass Drum Playing", Tim will demonstrate how to improve a skill that has proven to be a notable backbone of heavy metal music.

For more detailed info on this event visit www.ShrEdmonton.com 
or add the Facebook page to your watch list to keep track for further updates.

Album preview: Van Halst shows diversity of female voice

After a longer period you can find more bands out there that are centered around a female voice these days. While I like these bands a lot I missed one little element: the use of the whole spectrum that women are able to sing. Edmonton based Goth Rock Metallers Van Halst seem to be of a similar opinion.

It's cool to hear that Kami Van Halst dominates as the vocalist performing both growls and soaring vocals in their sound. It's also great to hear that the music shows a bit more of ups and downs which makes listening to their music much more exciting. The first single of the upcoming album "Save Me" is a good way to start discovering this great band.

The second single "World Of Make Believe" continues where "Save me" left off and gives even more room for the voice and puts the musical elements in bit a softer spotlight so the voice can breathe through clearer.

I'm looking forward to this release which will see the light of day on March 4th. The album can be pre-ordered via Van Halst's Bandcamp page.The album cover looks already promising. Who know's what lies beyond the portal the person is about to enter? Well, I think we'll find out on another day...

(c) Van Halst, used with kind permission

If you want to follow the band on the journey to the album release don't hesitate to check in at their social plattforms such as Facebook or Twitter.

Silent Line release concept album talking about being lost on a island that fades away

Some bands these days really have a idea of how they can capture one's attention. This thought came to my mind when I head about Silent Line's new album "Shattered Shores". Not only was I curious to get to know more about the band after I read that they make Melodic Death Metal in the style of old In Flames (and old Amorphis also comes to my mind when listening to them) but moreover the album concept got me quite quickly.

Having read about the concept I ended up listening to the album teaser numerous times. Please don't blame me if the same thing will happen to you yearning for the full record at the end of the day. ;-)

It is the band's first attempt on a concept record that depicts a tortured island stuck in time being slowly worn away by an endless ocean. A single person is referred to throughout the album and everything is told from their point of view as they wander, stuck on the island -- unsure of how they got there, and unsure if they will ever leave.

The cover expresses the concept perfectly in my eyes. Just look at the rocks. They show the signs of time and one can easily say that they will break away soon. (c) by Silent Line, used with kind permission

The lyrics revolve around the themes of overcoming hardships, anxiety, and “weathering the storm” in order to persevere. The title track is split into two parts, and throughout the album several thematic riffs and lyrics are repeated, creating a motif for listeners. The title references being stranded and trapped forever as the shores become more eroded and the reality of isolation sets in.

Themes of frost, snow, fire, night, and stars are used to illustrate feelings of hopelessness, fear, and loss. Another recurring theme is the storm, which brings change and renewal; it is – for lack of a better term – the symbol of hope and of a brighter future.

The band had the aim to create a album that leaves hope at the end of the day. Silent Line said about the record in their own words:
"(...) It’s not meant to be depressing, but it deals with real issues and lots of the time those are not pretty. While it is a darker album, the message is not. Overcoming internal issues and feelings is the prime focus, and to describe how important that is, it is necessary to spend time describing the more pessimistic side of things and what makes it so crippling.(...)"

Just check out the trailer to get a idea of the sound of the band and record. You can buy the full album as a physical CD over at CD Baby or digitally through stores such as iTunes, Amazon or Google Play.

For more info about the band and to stay in touch with them make sure to see the Facebook page of Silent Line.