Tour News: ZAUM Announce Roadburn Showcase and European Tour (Selected Dates with TELEPATHY)

One of Canada’s top musical exports ZAUM have just released dates for their second European Tour in support of their sophomore album “Eidolon”. The two track 40+ minute full length was released worldwide in October via Swedish based experimental metal label I HATE, garnering 60+ fantastic reviews to date.

The bands fifth trek overseas is comprised by a 16 date tour with instrumental post-doom English quartet Telepathy, spanning mostly the UK and France wrapping up with a showcase at Roadburn -- Europe’s leading underground festival for psychedelic, avant-garde, doom or any other variation of leftfield sonic pleasures that push the boundaries of music.

In their few years as an active band, they’ve unleashed old world inspired “Mantra Doom” throughout 200 tour dates spanning 19 countries, with cities ranging from Vancouver to Moscow. The duo also recently won a Music New Brunswick Award for “Loud Artist Of 2016”, garnered a 2015 ECMA Nomination, and aligned some impressive support stints for heavyweights such as Voivod, Pentagram and Cauldron.

Previous releases include split LP Himalaya To Mesopotamia with Polaris & Juno nominated psychedelic prairie sweethearts Shooting Guns, as well as their debut full length Oracles which has been reviewed 100+ times worldwide to mass critical acclaim.

Watch and listen to “The Enlightenment” here - https://youtu.be/POe486_oUs4

BIO

ZAUM is a passage toward the dark realizations of the old world; a monolithic doomy mantra based meditative experience forged by bass and drums interwoven with sitar, woodwind, string and synth textures. Based in Moncton, New Brunswick – observers experience a calming process whereby the astral and physical planes can co-exist and be understood from a natural perspective.

ZAUM EU SPRING TOUR DATES

01/04 - Manchester, UK @ Rebellion
02/04 - Sheffield, UK @ Mulberry Tavern
05/04 - Leeds, UK @ Temple Of Boom
06/04 - London, UK @ The Black Heart
07/04 - Birmingham, UK @ Scruffy Murphys
08/04 - Bristol, UK @ The Louisiana
09/04 - Newcastle, UK @ The Cluny
11/04 - Lille, FR @ The DIY Cafe
12/04 - Rennes, FR @ Bar Hic
14/04 - Chalon-sur-Saône, FR @ Studio Kruger
15/04 - Clermont-Ferrand, FR @ The Raymond
16/04 - Le Havre, FR @ Mc'Daids
17/04 - Nantes, FR @ La Scene
19/04 - Hamburg, DE @ Astra Stube
21/04 - Tilburg, NL @ Roadburn Festival

Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

ZAUM - Eidolon (Album Review)

Release date: October 24th 2016. Label: I Hate Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Eidolon – Tracklisting

Influence Of The Magi

The Enlightenment

Band Members:

Kyle Alexander : Vocals, Basses, Sitar, Synth.

Lewis : Drums, Lights

Review:

ZAUM made quite an impression when they released their debut album Oracles. Two years have passed and ZAUM are back with their new album, Eidolon. ZAUM established themselves as one of the most exciting Doom/Drone Metal bands to emerge from the scene. Their blend of Eastern sounds merged with ambient noises and heavy Doom/Drone Metal sounds made Oracles a standout album.

Now Eidolon sees the band drift further away from the sounds they created on Oracles. As the band create a heavier and more droned out affair. The familiar Eastern based sounds are still there lurking in the background but ZAUM have decided to focus more on the drone aspect of their music whilst creating a heavier Doom/Sludge based sound. The album contains two epic tracks that both run for twenty minutes each.

First track – Influence Of The Magi - opens with ZAUM exchanging their Eastern sounds for a more direct Oriental style sound. Vocals appear at different parts of the song with a mixture of heavy distorted and clean based vocals. The drone/doom aspect is expertly matched with a more forgiving highly atmospheric nature than Oracles. It may take a few listens of the album to fully understand and appreciate the madness happening around you. The last part of the song sees ZAUM move into Sludge Metal territory and it’s perhaps the most exciting part of the album especially with the superb vocals. Though I think these vocals are from their good friend Mattias Nööjd (formely of GALVANO and now Firebreather) who apparently makes an appearance on this record. I could be wrong but the vocals sound very familiar to Mattias's.

Second track – The Enlightenment – starts very slowly with a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere being created before different instruments and noises are brought in at different times. It’s a quieter affair compared to the opening track. ZAUM take their time in bringing the heavy doom/drone based moments to this song. The Enlightenment is the more calmer and peaceful of the two songs on the album but it still offers moments of pure heaviness to unsettle you with.

ZAUM feel that they were influenced by OM and Sleep at times but this album still sees ZAUM creating their own individual sound. Eidolon is a very different album to Oracles and it shows that ZAUM are very much a forward thinking band who are willing to take risks with their music. Eidolon is an outstanding record and it proves that ZAUM have the talent and vision to truly standout from the Doom/Drone metal crowd.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Wolf at Sure Shot Worx for the promo. Eidolon will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via I Hate Records from October 24th 2016.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Shooting Guns/ZAUM - Himalaya To Mesopotamia (Album Review)

Release date: November 6th 2015. Label: Sunmask Records/Pre-Rock Records/Superbob Records. Format: Cassette/DD/Vinyl

Himalaya To Mesopotamia – Tracklisting

1.Shooting Guns - Super Himalaya

2.Shooting Guns - Dirty Needle

3.Shooting Guns - Ultimate Nullifier

4. ZAUM - The Serpentshrine

Shooting Guns Band Members:

Keef

Laramee

Jay Loos

Jim Ginther

Toby Bond

Zach Low

Brennan Barclay

Zaum Band Members:

Kyle Alexander McDonald : Vocals, Bass, Sitar, Synth

Christopher Lewis : Drums

Review:

Two of Canada’s finest upcoming Doom Metal bands Zaum and Shooting Guns have teamed up for a split record – Himalaya to Mesopotamia. Four songs lasting 39 minutes with ZAUM offering one epic 19 minute song and Shooting Guns offering 3 songs lasting around 6 to 7 minutes each.

If you’re not familiar with either band then this is the best place to start. Zaum’s music is described as Eastern based Doom/Stoner Metal. Imagine OM and Sleep given a Middle Eastern twist as the sounds are shrouded in heavy drone based Eastern Mysticisms. Shooting Guns on the other hand are an Instrumental Doom Metal band with shades of Ambient Noise, Post-Rock and Stoner Metal. They’ve already released a split record earlier this year with Hawkeyes. So I was curious to hear what they’ve conjured up for this split record.

First up is Shooting Guns and I’m excited to hear what they have in store with us as they have quite a different sound compared to Zaum. One more of Instrumental Psych/Doom/Stoner Metal compared to the Eastern based sounds of Zaum. The first song is Super Himalaya. A Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal ride with Shooting Guns opting for a more stripped back feel compared to their earlier releases. It’s very lo-fi at times but it still sounds superb from start to finish. The riffs are played at a fast pace with distorted ambient noises being the main driving force on the track.

Dirty Needle is the next song to follow and it’s another spaced out trippy doom and gloom based musical odyssey with the band creating some heavy out there moments. Shooting Guns even manage to follow Zaum’s lead and inject some Eastern based vibes. This is perhaps the best song from Shooting Guns on the album as it features the bands trademark riffs but given a Zaum makeover. Long drawn out psych doomy riffs await to take you to another world or dimension.

The final track from Shooting Guns is – Ultimate Nullifier – which is classic Shooting Guns from start to finish. This is a song that could have came from their critically acclaimed album – Brotherhood Of The Ram. It’s a fast-paced Doom/Stoner Metal song packed with intricate psych vibes and spaced out noises to show you why these guys are so highly thought of. In my opinion, Shooting Guns are perhaps one of the finest Instrumental Doom/Stoner Metal bands currently out there. They’ve released 3 great records in the last 12 months.

Finally we have Zaum’s contribution – The Serpentshrine. If you’re a fan of Zaum’s debut album – Oracles – you’ll find much to admire here as Zaum continue with the Eastern epic based drone sounds merged with slow-paced Doom/Ambient/Stoner Metal sounds. The vocals and chants drift in and out to add a world eerie atmosphere that also brings a sense of mystery. It does take time for Zaum to unleash the heavy thunderous riffs. Though it’s worth the wait as you know a violent storm is coming towards you.

The vocals move up a gear when the heavy riffs appear as the song becomes more exciting as a result. Zaum crank up the tension as the guitars merge with a murkier psychedelic sound. The drumming becomes more powerful as a result. Psychedelic Noises and Eastern Mantra sounds collide for one of the most spaced out trips of the year. Take a journey with ZAUM as The Serpentshirne features some of ZAUM’s most creative work to date.

I hope a new album from both bands isn’t too far away. Until then, Zaum and Shooting Guns have created a stunning record here. Himalaya to Mesopotamia is a must-have record for all you spaced out astronauts to admire and fully experience.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Zaum, Shooting Guns and Sunmask Records for the promo. Himalaya to Mesopotamia will be available to buy on Cassette/DD/Vinyl via SunmaskRecords/Pre-Rock Records/Superbob Records from November 6th 2015.

Shooting Guns Links:

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Zaum Links:

Facebook | BandCamp

Shooting Guns / ZAUM - Himalaya To Mesopotamia (Vinyl Details)

Sunmask Records, Pre-Rock Records and Superbob Records are proud to tri-release the forthcoming split from Canada’s Shooting Guns and ZAUM titled Himalaya To Mesopotamia on November 6, 2015.

Hailing from Saskatoon, SK, in the heart of the Canadian prairies, JUNO and Polaris Prize award nominees Shooting Guns are hard at work fortifying the heavy end of the psychedelic spectrum, haunting the foggy moor between Sabbath-styled doom riffery and heavy pulse-riding kraut-rock. Shooting Guns recently created the score for the movie WolfCop and won the 2015 Western Canadian Music Award for Metal/Hard Music Recording of the Year with the WolfCop Soundtrack, which was released in 2014 through One Way Static Records, RidingEasy Records and Cinecoup. Their sophomore LP, Brotherhood of the Ram released in 2013 via Riding Easy Records, was nominated for the 2015 JUNO Metal/Hard Album of the Year as well as the Polaris Music Prize. Their debut LP, Born To Deal in Magic: 1952-1976 was also nominated for the Polaris Music Prize in 2012.

ZAUM is a passage toward the dark realizations of the ancient middle east; in the form of a monolithic doomy mantra based meditative experience forged by bass and drums interwoven with sitar and synth textures. Based in New Brunswick – their live presence is very true to its recorded form both melodic and dark vocal styles met with elements of sectional Mongolian throat singing. Observers experience a calming process of reality whereby the astral and physical planes can co-exist and be understood from a natural perspective. Their debut album Oracles released in June 2014 was nominated for an ECMA Award for Best Loud Recording and reviewed nearly 100 times - subject to much critical acclaim primarily throughout Europe. In their 1.5 years as an active touring band ZAUM have amassed over 125 shows (mainly international) under their belts including support stints for Voivod – also Pentagram and Graveyard this November 2015.

Himalaya To Mesopotamia

Shooting Guns/ZAUM Split LP/Cassette

Release date: November 6, 2015

A1 - Shooting Guns – Super Himalaya

A2 - Shooting Guns – Dirty Needle

A3 - Shooting Guns – Ultimate Nullifier

B1 - ZAUM – The Serpentshrine

Pre-Order via Superbob at superbob.ca     

US Distribution -  Cobraside

EU Distribution – Kozmik Artifactz

UK Distribution – Cardinal Fuzz

Sunmask Records:

Sunmask Official Facebook Page

Pre-Rock Records:

prerockrecords.com

facebook.com/prerockrecords

Superbob Records:

superbob.ca

facebook.com/superbobrecords

Shooting Guns:

shootingguns.ca

facebook.com/shootinggunsband

IG/Twitter: @shootingguns

ZAUM:

zaum.ca

facebook.com/zaumn