Ottawaโs AS WE SUFFER are releasing their debut album โThe Fallen Pillarsโ in April of 2021. So far, the band has shared with fans the first single and title track just this past January. Today they present their next single “Invade The Host” via its premiere, right here on IDIOTEQ. To spice it up a bit, we have teamed up with the band to give you their special commentary on local music scene and their “Top 5 Metal bands that are HARDCORE AS FUCK!,” “Top 5 Metal/Hardcore bands in Ottawa”, and “Top 5 Live Metal Performances” lists.
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“It’s a heavy and briskly paced track with a melodic chorus.” – says the band. “It also features one of the best breakdowns on the album that hits right in the feels. Lyrically, itโs about the tendency for societies to take over others through tyranny, then the uprising of the disenfranchised takes over and they themselves become tyrannical. All the while, God is pulling the strings.”
As We Suffer‘s forthcoming album “The Fallen Pillars” is an amalgamation of several heavy subgenres rolled into one. Hovering between metal-infused punk, hardcore, groove metal, and even a little hard rock, listeners go on a journey through each track. The track listing for the album was picked with diversity in mind. Each song stands out in contrast to the last.
The concept albumโs theme revolves around the pillars of truth. Each song deals with destructive concepts and beliefs that we, as a society/people, should not prop up as truths. It is a journey of unhealthy and damaging thoughts/emotions that explore existentialism, politics, religious fanaticism, and truth through different styles of heavy music.
Recommended for fans of Machine Head Propagandhi and Death by Stereo, As We Suffer’s debut album “The Fallen Pillars” is due out April 30, 2021.
Ottawa, Canadaโs As We Suffer started out as a cover band, but quickly delved into writing original material. In the early days they focused on a more metal-infused skate punk vibe with major influence stemming from Pennywise, Strung Out, and NOFX but it very quickly took on a more metal feel. Since 2020, the sound has further morphed into a more metalcore vibe along the lines of early Killswitch Engage and Bullet for my Valentine, while still maintaining a distinct hardcore style.
Four of the original band members have known each other for a long time, with two of the members, vocalist Matt Caldwell and bassist Ryan Caldwell being cousins; together with their long-time friends drummer Chris Nunn and Jason Yocom. The band officially established in 2018 picking a name that represents unity in the existential suffering we all experience. Eventually, they were joined by guitarist Derik Roblin.
The long time comradery between the members enables them to write music organically, trading off who is the primary songwriter for each track. All lyrics are written by M. Caldwell, who aims to tell a story and deliver a message without being too literal or specific, allowing the audience to interpret on their own. Themes are largely infused with existentialism, civil and political unrest.
This organic flow continues to benefit the band when they play, the passionate stage presence is heightened by M. Caldwellโs intensity, R. Caldwell’s slick bass licks, Roblinโs powerful energy, and Nunnโs technical prowess. They bring a unique back-to-basics flavor to each performance, especially through the dynamic nature of each of the band members.
As We Suffer released a demo in 2018 and will follow it up with โThe Fallen Pillarsโ in April 2021.
Scroll down to see AS WE SUFFER’s “Top 5 Metal bands that are HARDCORE AS FUCK!,” “Top 5 Metal/Hardcore bands in Ottawa”, and “Top 5 Live Metal Performances”!
Asked about their local music community, the band admits that Ottawa has quite the local metal scene.
“They’re a great many intense and talented local acts that deserve attention.” – they say. “A Scar for the Wicked has been doing their thing now for many years and continue to kick serious ass. They do some of the most brain bursting Technical Death Metal in the local scene.
Weโve got insane talents like Sovereign Council, Triplemurder, Rockinโ Engine, Ominous Eclipse, Harvested, Misshapen, Killiterous, Lutharo, Gland, Lycanthro and so many more. We also have punk and hard rock scene thatโs absolutely ripe for the picking with bands like Aarsen, Sinful Ways, Eve of Uprise, Pop Culture Icons and many more.
Top 5 Metal bands that are HARDCORE AS FUCK!
1. Machine Head
I dare you to listen to โThe More Things Changeโ and not wanna break shit. Machine Head are polarizing (to say the least) but they are one of the most badass bands still killing it after 30 years.
2. Devildriver
While Devildriver would be considered Groove Metal, the absolute crushing nature of their albums will often blend elements of hardcore. Looking back on The Fury of Our Makerโs Hand, that album is groovy while still relishing in hardcore insanity.
3. Killswitch Engage
While Howard Jones could deliver operatic perfection on every album he was on, Killswitch Engage was also hardcore AF. While many might remember their track My Curse and The Arms of Sorrow, delving into a full album delivers hardcore delights all the way through. Every album amazing (including those with Jesse Leach), their sound is one of the defining entries in Metalcore history.
4. Hatebreed
Hatebreed is a highly brutal band. Period. They wear their metal influence on their sleeves but keep their music hardcore with every album they release. โNow is the time for me to rise to my feet! Wipe this spit from my face, wipe these tears from my eyes!โ Impossible to hear that and not want to knock a motherfucker in the teeth.
5. Infected Rain
From Moldova, Infected Rain has taken the metal world by storm, and rightfully so. In the foreground is Lena Scissorhands (Elena Cataraga) whoโs presence is one of beauty and ferocity. Her vocals are awe-inspiring and versatile. Musically they bring a hardcore vibe to their metal that is unique and really sets them apart from the herd.
Top 5 Metal/Hardcore bands in Ottawa
1. A Scar for the Wicked
2. Ghostblade
3. Lutharo
4. Harvested
5. Sovereign Council
Top 5 Live Metal Performances, by AS WE SUFFER:
1. Machine Head – An Evening with Machine Head
Supporting their Bloodstone and Diamonds album, Machine Head took on the insane task of doing a tour where they were the only band of the evening. I was fortunate enough to see this show in my hometown (their first appearance here), and it was 2 hours and 45 mins of them playing. It was absolutely insane. While the stage setup was pleasing, it was minimalist. This night was all about the music. They played songs from every album and created a one-of-a-kind show. The stamina on these guys is insane.
2. Ghost – The Ultimate Tour Named Death
This was the epitome of a perfect show. The sheer grandiosity of this performance was unmatched. The pyrotechnics were on point, the production absolutely spellbinding and the showmanship from Tobias Forge was captivating. Truly one of the greatest shows Iโve ever seen.
3. Slayer – Farewell Tour
This show blew my mind. Cannibal Corpse, Amon Amarth, Lamb of God and Slayer on their last tour. I am so blessed to have been able to witness this last time they would grace my hometown. Every band was amazing with Lamb of God and Slayer just owning the night. The circle pit that erupted when Redneck by LOG came on was absolutely epic. Slayer had
4. Dream Theatre – An Evening with Dream Theatre
As much as I love an evening with a packed bill, โAn Evening with…โ has become a new favourite of mine. Having witnessed Dream Theatre perform the entirety of Scenes from a Memory at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, I can say that my love of this band has grown exponentially. It felt like a night out at the Opera and allowed me to appreciate Metal music in a very unique way. No mosh pit, no screaming, no insanity. Just sitting with a packed house of metalheads appreciating heavy music in a very sophisticated way. Usually, I would say โfuck that shitโ but in this case, it was a spectacular night out that felt one hundred percent apropos.
5. Deicide- Mavericks 2019
As the polar opposite to Dream Theatre, this was a nitty gritty, booze fueled, dirty and wholly blasphemous evening. Promoting their Overtures of Blasphemy album, Deicide went on the road with Origin, Jungle Rot, and The Absence, with local talent Ominous Eclipse absolutely crushing as the opener. This was a beer-drenched, vulgar, and disgusting night of pure awesome. The highlight of the evening for me was when they broke into Serpents of the Light, a favourite of mine in my early teens.
Honorable mention:
Black Dahlia Murder 2018
This show was absolutely batshit with some of my favourite bands. Black Dahlia, Suffocation (with local beast Eric Morotti on drums), Decrepit Birth, Necrot (who absolutely blew the audience away), and Wormwitch (who I immediately became a fan of that night). This evening was fucking relentless.
