Multiple JUNO-nominated Canadian metal heavyweights, Cancer Bats, have released the official music video for lead single “Deathsmarch To A New Acoustic Beat”.
Shot entirely on cellphones, the video, which is a collaborative effort from the band, gives fans a glimpse into the band’s recording process when not in the studio together and highlights the unique qualities of each members separate life when not on tour; drummer Mike Peters in Winnipeg with his sons, bassist/guitarist Jaye Schwarzer in his Wood shop in Toronto, guitarist Scott Middleton with his son in his studio in Dundas, lead vocalist Liam Cormier hanging in the woods ripping dirt bikes in Nova Scotia and guest vocalist and long-time friend Nick Sherman out in Thunder Bay.
“I really love how the footage balances out the heavier tone of the song and everything that’s happening in the world right now, shares Cormier. “On one hand we can’t be together making music, but on the other we get to also spend this time doing the things we love and being with our families we love the most. To me it really takes on a whole other element of the song and the statement Hey World You’ll Never Break Us.”
“Deathsmarch To A New Acoustic Beat” appears on the band’s recently announced 6-song acoustic EP You’ll Never Break Us: Separation Sessions Vol. 1. The track, which features Cormier’s signature snarling growl replaced with a steady croon, Middleton and Schwarzer both setting the right mood on guitar and Peters’ percussion carrying the whole track effortlessly, is available via all DSP’s HERE.
From start to finish, You’ll Never Break Us: Separation Sessions Vol. 1 sees the band moving in a brave new direction; experimenting with different vocal melodies, guitar variations and new rhythms that breathe new life into these classic Bats songs. Along with a different approach musically, the artwork itself takes another twist, where the album art is a t-shirt. As this EP will only exist digitally, it gives fans a chance to still have a physical representation of the album, with the whole concept masterfully put together by the Mi’kmaq design team Born In The North.
All prints in North America will be made by The Rezonance Screen Printing Studio a group that supports Indigenous youth through their paid apprenticeship programs. You’ll Never Break Us: Separation Sessions Vol. 1 will be released exclusively via the band’s Bandcamp on December 16th with all proceeds raised to be donated to Water First NGO, an organization that helps to train interns in water purification in order to help their communities have access to clean drinking water. “While we are excited for fans to hear and enjoy these new renditions, the other goal for this project is to raise funds and awareness for the clean water crisis that still exists within Canada for many Indigenous communities,” shares Cormier. Fans that purchase the record via Bandcamp will also receive bonus track “Bastards Waltz Recorded Live From TV”. Pre-order the new EP via Bandcamp HERE.
After having our road dog existence of constant touring over the past 15 years halted due to the pandemic, and with all four band members, now spread across Canada in separate cities, towns and Provinces, we haven’t been in the same room since March. While separated from each other, we thought what better time to re-examine and record new versions of 6 classic Bats tracks. With the end of 2020 just around the corner, the optimistic lyrics to “Deathsmarch” seem to ring truer now than when first shouted in 2008, “Hey World You’ll Never Break Us, try your hardest, try your hardest.”
On releasing the EP, Cormier had this to say, You’ll Never Break Us: Separation Sessions Vol. 1 will be available on all DSP’s on December 18th through Bat Skull Records in collaboration with New Damage Records. Pre-save HERE. You’ll Never Break Us: Separation Sessions Vol. 1Track listing01. Deathsmarch To A New Acoustic Beat – LISTEN02. Road Sick Sick Sick So Stay Home03. Black Metal Bicycle My Blues Riffs Away04. Darkness Lite05. Bed of Nails Dreams of Tambourines06. Lucifer’s Slightly Less Rocking Chair07. Bastards Waltz Recorded Live From TV (Bonus track exclusive to Bandcamp) **
