“People just want music they can get up and shake their ass to”. It’s maybe a subjective but non the less fitting description from guitarist Mike Allen, of the musical drive that fuels Southern Ontario’s heavy groove kings HARM.
Everyone who has seen HARM live has been churned back through the venue doors hooked, and ready for more. Their musical innovation and intensity translates strongly through mics and amps, hitting the crowds right in their core. They’ve played to packed houses around the region and back, including Lee’s Palace and the Absinthe, and are quickly becoming one of Canada’s “must see” phenomena.
Formed in 2003, in Hamilton, Ontario by Mike Allen (guitar) and originally featuring Enrique Changanaqui (drums), and Ania Fritch (bass, vocals), the following years would see the key additions of Steve Sharpen (taking over the vocals) and Nick Smyth and Joe Schacher who would progress the band forward from the original line up, but their original material remains extensive, hashing loudly the finer points of political prowess and emotional landscapes, combining easily with addictive melodies and empowering hooks that has seen them described in the same glowing terms as bands such as Tool, Kyuss and Clutch. To coin them ‘metal’ in fact would be a sore understatement; their sound is teeming with edgy grunge and an ever–reaching boldness that’s instantly appealing to the inner rocker in us all.
Their self-titled debut album, released on October 24th 2008, was accompanied by a cover feature in View Magazine and interviews on CFMU 93.3. But, the fall would see the premiere of Harm’s singles “Suffer Again”, “The Green” and “Uncivil Protest” on the US’ extensive radio network, as well as on the Kill City “12 Compilation”, distributed by California based label 272 Records.
In May 2009, HARM began work on their highly anticipated follow up album, “The Nine”, with noted producer Tom Treumuth. Early on, the material for the new album showed a marked increase in intensity, performance and direction, which coupled with a truly compelling set of songs, promised to deliver a smashing sophomore album. But no one was quite prepared for the enthralling mix of ripping chords like “The Salem Parade”, and the track “Argue And Grin”, now being premiered on Frostbyte Media Inc.’s video home page www.frostbytemedia.net.
Recorded, mixed and mastered in only three months, the album has already lived up to all the promise it initially held and beyond and songs such as “Little Pariah” and “Stuck In Time” are set to be the vanguard of something really special.
“The Nine” was first released through Greyskull/eOne Records in Europe during the fall of 2009 to glowing reviews and solid airplay. But as stellar reviews have followed, accompanied by the strong sales, and regular airplay of the singles “Little Pariah” and “Another Conspiracy”, in the clubs and radio stations of Europe at least, the music has embraced many fields, with all expectations for the forthcoming international release bettered.
HARM now truly stand poised to bring “The Nine” to the international arena with the news that the new album was voted ‘Album Of The Week’ at Revolver Magazine last week.
http://www.revolvermag.com/news/album-of-the-week-harm-the-nine.html
The Full Track Listing For “The Nine” is;
The Salem Parade
Little Pariah
Philistine
Another Conspiracy
Stuck In Time
Argue And Grin
The Chelsea Smile
Hand Me Down Virtue
Pretentious
Sentimental Enterprise
HARM is;
Steve Sharpen – Vocals
Mike Allen – Guitars
Joe Schacher – Bass
Nick Smyth – Drums
Check out the band’s new video – “Argue And Grin”
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