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Album Review – Spades GT / United (2025)

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This Canadian brigade is ready to save rock music with the incendiary fusion of Crossover Thrash, Hardcore and Punk Rock found in their sophomore album.

Hailing from the charming Barrie, a city in Central Ontario, Canada, about 90 kilometers north of Toronto, the up-and-coming sonic brigade known as Spades GT is ready to save rock music with the incendiary fusion of Crossover Thrash, Hardcore and Punk Rock found in their new album, titled United. Produced by Kyle Marchant at Room 21 Sound in Toronto, the follow-up to their 2024 debut Sewer City Radio sees the band currently formed of John Pierce on vocals, Matt Voros and Dan Horton on the guitars, Sean Macnab on bass, and Tyler Reiner on drums on absolute fire, inspiring us all to slam into the pit to its eight hard-hitting compositions in a resonant exploration of connection and unity, examining diverse perspectives and scenarios from the deeply interpersonal to broader political landscapes.

The quintet wastes no time and kicks off their Rock N’ Roll party with Anthem, led by the pounding drums by Tyler and the classic, soaring vocals by John, not to mention how incendiary the riffs by Matt and Dan sound, followed by the electrifying title-track United, where the band unites the heaviness of metal music with the rebelliousness of Hardcore and Punk Rock, and the final result is perfect for some crazy mosh pit action. Tyler keeps hammering his drums in Demons, while Matt and Dan deliver an overdose of adrenaline through their stringed axes, and Filthy Lie is a song that’s more than perfect for hitting the road with your loved ones, for enjoying it while going skateboarding, and of course for showing the band your horns during their live concerts.

Game for Two then blends the sounds blasted by giants like Motörhead, The Exploited and Rancid, with Tyler taking the lead behind his drums in a frantic rock and punk extravaganza; whereas the last batch of songs features some very special guest musicians, starting with guest vocals by Andrew Moorehouse of The Fast Life in Wrecked, even faster than its predecessors. Needless to say, it should sound amazing if played live. Strong, featuring a rap verse by guest Julien “Mersinary” Santos of Reel Wolf, is another furious, heavy-as-hell tune by Spades GT, with the vocals by John exhaling sheer adrenaline, and lastly, featuring former second guitarist Jay Sarrazin, we have the flammable Die on Our Feet, closing the album on a high and vibrant Rock N’ Roll note.

John, Matt, Dan, Sean and Tyler are among us to save Rock N’ Roll, and the music found in their new album United proves they’re in the right path to reach their undisputed goal, combining hard-hitting riffs, driving rhythms, and compelling vocals to create a sound that’s both familiar and refreshingly contemporary. Hence, you should give those hardworking Canadians a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, keeping an eye on their live performances, subscribe to their official YouTube channel, stream their new album in full on Spotify or on other major streaming platforms, or simply click HERE for all things Spades GT. Those five talented musicians are united in the name of Rock N’ Roll throughout the 27 minutes of music found in their new album, and you won’t regret joining them and headbanging to their melodic and very aggressive sounds.

Best moments of the album: United, Filthy Lie and Wrecked.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Sewer City Records

Track listing
1. Anthem 2:39
2. United 3:49
3. Demons 3:03
4. Filthy Lie 3:25
5. Game for Two 3:39
6. Wrecked 3:14
7. Strong 3:33
8. Die on Our Feet 3:29

Band members
John Pierce – lead vocals
Matt Voros – guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on “Filthy Lie”
Dan Horton – guitar
Sean Macnab – bass
Tyler Reiner – drums

Guest musicians
Andrew Moorehouse – vocals on “Wrecked”
Julien “Mersinary” Santos – vocals on “Strong”
Jay Sarrasin – guitars on “Die on Our Feet”

Album Review – Jupiter Hollow / Odyssey EP (2017)

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A young Canadian duo ready to bring fans of complex music a spacey, experimental and refreshing experience with their excellent debut EP, bursting with high-quality heaviness and progressiveness.

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ep-cover-odyssey-jupiter-hollowWhen two very young and promising Canadian musicians unite in the name of Heavy Metal and Rock N’ Roll, focusing all their developing talent and crescent passion for heavy music into their compositions, the result is always interesting to say the least. That’s the case with Progressive Rock/Metal duo Jupiter Hollow who, since their inception in the summer of 2015 in the city of Barrie, in the province of Ontario, Canada, are ready to bring fans of complex music a spacey, experimental and refreshing experience, reminding listeners of bands like Tool, Pink Floyd, A Perfect Circle and Rush. And if you enjoy that fusion of heaviness and progressiveness, you definitely should take a shot at their excellent debut EP, entitled Odyssey.

Jupiter Hollow are Grant MacKenzie (21), who plays guitar, bass and synth for the band and started his music career over 8 years ago at the age of 12, sitting in his basement watching the 2009 movie Rock Prophecies, and Kenny Parry (18), who started in music at the young age of 2, setting up pots and pans like a drum set and banging away. Now as Jupiter Hollow the two musicians use technology to their advantage, allowing them to perform with a dominating stage presence while captivated their audiences with their unique sonic journey, consequently catching the attention of the music industry in Toronto. The band then plans on releasing a full-length album titled AHDOMN, giving a short and sweet taste of what they’re capable of delivering in their debut EP, which I’m sure will please your ears avid for high-quality heavy music.

In the first of the five tracks of the EP, named Deep In Space, classic Rock N’ Roll lines are blended with modern Progressive Metal, with Kenny sounding a lot like the iconic Geddy Lee in his prime time (all fans of Rush need to listen to this awesome tune). This song has a beautiful melody with an impactful instrumental, especially the bass lines by Grant and the complex drumming by Kenny. Psychedelic and atmospheric, Ascending is a smooth and passionate ballad that will touch your soul before Hades Heart brings more of the band progressiveness in the form of a classic Rock N’ Roll power ballad. This dynamic Canadian duo knows how to add poetry to their music (“Piece by piece we sit in the sand / On separate beaches / Staring at the same star we fell in love beneath / Travelled once around in each other’s touch / Once alive on an honest trip / My psyche lies and kills your grip / Just give me gas and I’ll light it up”), with a soulful guitar solo by Grant inserted in the music to add more electricity to such inspiring composition.

grant-_-kenny-sandra-beattyOver 50 Years is where they let their Dream Theater vein take the lead, blasting more metallic and thunderous lines through their guitar and bass, again with those eccentric lyrics we always expect in progressive music (“It’s been too long / Since anyone’s tasted sweet sugar on that beach / With everyone facing death / Sinfully stricken poison pet / You say: “These are our people you prick” / These are our fucking people”, I don’t care. / I can’t be associated with you”). The heavier and more intricate riffs by Grant set the stage for Kenny to fire some harsher vocals, turning this into the most exciting composition of the EP in my humble opinion. And the title-track Odyssey, the fifth and final act of this solid album, provides the listener a futuristic voyage through the realms of Progressive Rock and Metal, with the clean vocals by Kenny emanating strong emotions in a James LaBrie-style, while Grant does an amazing job with his minimalist but powerful guitar and bass until the song’s eerie ending.

For every Justin Bieber that’s born in our home and native land Canada, heavy music fights back with a Kenny Parry and a Grant MacKenzie, keeping a necessary balance in our multicultural ecosystem. With that said, if you want to avoid any disruptions in our beautiful Canadian environment, I suggest you go support Jupiter Hollow through their official Facebook page, listen to their fine music and more at their YouTube channel (where you can also stream the full EP), and obviously purchase Odyssey through their official website or BandCamp, on iTunes or on Amazon. If these two young musicians can deliver such excellence in music at a very young stage of their careers, imagine what they will be able to provide with the proper support from fans like you in the coming years?

Best moments of the album: Deep In Space and Over 50 Years.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2017 Independent

Track listing
1. Deep In Space 5:06
2. Ascending 2:52
3. Hades Heart 4:30
4. Over 50 Years 5:05
5. Odyssey 5:50

Band members
Kenny Parry – vocals, drums, synth/keys
Grant MacKenzie – guitar, bass, synth