CATALOG

Carmen Santillan

December 2, 2021

In late November 2018, I traveled to an Ayahuasca retreat on the outskirts of Pisac, Peru, near the Vilcanota River in the Sacred Valley of the Andes. Spiritual work was needed. I knew it was going to be difficult, but it was the end of the road for me and I needed help.

The Shaman was a woman named Carmen Santillán. My first experience was a beautiful Saturday morning in which I had to purify my body through a “tobacco purge”. This was without a doubt one of the most difficult physical tasks that I have encountered in my life. We spent a week together and although my soul was quite "clean" at the end of the experience, I knew I had to dig deeper.

It was then that Carmen and I reached an agreement. She would take me much deeper into the realms of my unconscious mind, the underworlds, and all points beyond. In exchange, the recording and production of Carmen's first musical album. Seven months later I returned and we accomplished our tasks. This single (The Four Elements) is one of my favorite songs and I can't listen to it without being transported back to the Sacred Valley on the night of Peru's winter solstice in 2019.

I consider Carmen a powerful healer and shaman, a beautiful woman and mother, and a great friend. I feel, like many others, that her presence and her work are sorely needed at this time.

For the complete download of "Carmen and her friends" go to https://whitechoker.com/shop

The Haunted North

October 31, 2021

Gritty nostalgic rock energy injects a catchy rhythm and vibe from the outset as The Haunted North take on sultry story-telling with their brand new single Fairytail.

Stylishly crisp and authentically organic from the guitar sound to the crash of the drums and the rising roar of the vocals, Fairytail blends the attitude of hard-rock with a melodically infectious backbone and concept that consistently lure the listener in closer.

From the opening verse we’re in a first-person realm of progressive rock tendencies. Then after the initial drop to the hook, where the vocal peaks impressively for a true resolve, the second verse proves all the more revealing and intriguing.

Emerging complete with a cascading guitar solo to contrast the distorted descending pattern underneath, Fairytail brings together poetic short lines for further impact – ‘a rolling sea… a perfect dream…’ Everything is faultlessly in tune with the very idea of the Fairytail.

Furthermore, the band make fine use of simple, structural and stylistic details, to hit with the weight of a mainstream classic whilst maintaining that inherent alternative sound and identity that runs throughout their catalogue.

Brilliant, an addictive new release with the ideal theme-portrayal, imagery and energy for Halloween.

The Haunted North

August 13,  2021

Groove rock creatives The Haunted North have taken their one-of-a-kind sound to explosive new levels with the finely-crafted new single Phoenix.​

Presenting a genre-fusing yet heavy classic, the conceptually intriguing, poetically detailed release marks a bold step outward into arena-style alt-rock and further secures the band's role within the new music scene.

Ever the artistic act, The Haunted North pour no less than everything into this addictively rhythmic and passionately delivered story and song. From the intricate, ambient beginning, through a distorted blues-led soundscape with gritty, raspy, expressive vocals at their peak emotionally and energetically, Phoenix shines light on the natural talent and depth of the band in an unforgettable way.​

Quite easily their most immersive track to date, somewhat minimalist in layers but making full use of each sound and moment for immense impact regardless, Phoenix offers powerfully insane solos and harsh, havoc-imparting lyrics that follow a brilliantly catchy melodic anthem of a tune.

Featuring impeccable vocals from the band's unmistakable front-man Randy, Phoenix gifts the world a mighty new dose of theatrics and hypnotic musicianship alike. With gigs opening up once again across the globe, The Haunted North promise an unmissable stage show in the coming months.​

Made up of vocalist Randy V, lead-guitarist Sean Francis, drummer Andrew Aubut, and bassist Marty Rubin, the US / Canadian four-piece makes light work of raising the roof with original music.​

As a follow up to the singles 21 Grams and Medusa, Phoenix makes for the perfect hit of sheer rock escapism - elevating the band's sound, extending their reach, and enveloping their growing audience with precisely the right fusion of passion, energy, and skill.

The Haunted North

October 10, 2020

 Always a band worth stopping for – The Haunted North launch perhaps their most striking, creatively hard-hitting single yet, and it proves to be a mighty anthem of a modern rock hit.

Pouring through with a tribal rhythm that soon progresses into the full-throttle live-drum sound of hard-rock, MEDUSA goes on to bring in sublime musicianship from all involved. The track also welcomes through the unmistakable roar of a rock vocal that tips its hat to the progressive legends of yesteryear; whilst making sure to inject more than a few modern traits of identity.

Featuring some well-placed and enjoyably mellow, reflective solos to break up the lyrics, the song tells a story that intrigues from the offset. The infamous title alone draws you in, and the verse details, the personal touch, the melody, all further that engagement and interest right the way through.

As always, The Haunted North make fine use of contrast, pairing power-chords and the heavy crash of the drums with a chorus of vocals that passionately call out, and elsewhere pairing gentler moments of reflective, poetic thought, for the ultimate juxtaposition.

The latter half brings back those tribal drums from the intro, a tumbling middle-eight with aptly haunting, cinematic vocal calls and a beautifully hypnotic aura in general. The intensity rises just subtly, slowly but surely enveloping listeners in this new chapter of the story.

The band make fine use of their musical abilities and passionate unity as a group, clearly dedicated whole-heartedly to the progression and expression of the song.

The entire six-minute arrangement begs for you to witness it in a live setting. Defiantly one to watch out for. Listen loud.

Tha Haunted North

March 20, 2020

Following on from a superb live project, The Haunted North launch a brand new original single this summer, and it’s one that effectively highlights yet another side to the versatile rock band.​

Leading with emotive acoustic finger-picking and dashes of reverb-kissed electric guitar, 21 Grams quickly sets a nostalgic, nineties unplugged sort of mood, with breathy vocals and poetic yet personal lyrics that work hard to draw you in.​

Soon enough, things progress from a pick to a strum, still, the set-up is simple, upfront, and honest, and the melody and questioning nature of the lyrics actually lean briefly in something of a Pink Floyd-like direction. Then comes the rhythm, raw yet energizing in itself, drawing up images of a Cajon-assisted performance – still intimate for a moment.​

One thing that stood out on the last release was The Haunted North’s fine use of contrast and their united ability to shift effortlessly from softness to absolute weight and intensity. Nowhere does this ability shine more brightly than on 21 Grams.​

Suddenly we’re thrust into this progressive rock soundscape, with raspy, mighty vocals, and powerful drum hits that bring together every layer in a moment of intense energy and vibrancy. Here is where the lyrics really reach out, too – resolving the story-line, offering clarity and overcoming, acceptance. It makes you want to head back and re-listen to the whole experience with a little more foresight.

Afterward, an ocean of solos and raw instrumental chaos hits with a beautifully organized, hypnotic precision about it. Clarity and intimacy are replaced by this wall of fuzz-soaked power and volume. It’s a stunning way to develop the track, and it highlights yet again how much attention and care the band pays to the structuring and crafting of their songs. This kind of artistic, meaningful arrangement is sadly quite rare these days, but 21 Grams reignites those memories and their lasting impact with brilliant poignancy.

Fantastic – one to catch at a live show, and a really well-recorded single that’s a joy to turn up loud if you’re a classic, real rock fan. The unusual, seven-minute life-span is even something of an afterthought for the listener – somehow still an experience cut short. Well played.

The Haunted North

March 20, 2019

 Taking live music fans about as close as can be this summer, The Haunted North offer up an energizing live rock set – four original tracks, brought to you straight from the stage; complete with raw energy, passion, and that subtle crowd sound to remind you of the better days.

As an introduction to the band, sometimes the live performance is the best way to go. In this case, the heavy guitar sound and the crash of the drums, meeting with this partly prog-rock vocal that meanders occasionally into Dave Grohl-like territory, meets with notably impressive, engaging songwriting, to win you over on both counts.​

Mojave Moon is the opener, a roaring track with brilliant contrast between effective melodies, instrumental weight, and emotional, personal lyricism. There’s even a false finish halfway through, or rather – a sudden switch to an instrumental that begs for a head-banger mosh pit.​

One Foot Stuck follows, bass-led with a quirky, intriguing vocal whisper and a direct questioning – Do you talk to your God? Stylish and seductive, a great way to start things up, and another clever contrast with what came before. The Haunted North keep things honest lyrically, and the passion and grit in their performances back this up – a band unafraid to lay bare vulnerabilities in a bold, uninhibited way. Enter the power-chord back and forth, and we’ve swept away on the full-throttle intensity and rhythm of the completed piece.​

Next, we get a song called Monster a marching drum paves the way, quick guitar work, and a strange meeting between melancholy and outright terror. Dark and mysterious, the track again showcases another side to the band’s writing. It’s melodic yet heavy, intimate yet raspy and loud, and that balance works well.

The final song on the live EP LiT is unforgettable How Will You Die? Here come those prog-rock qualities, a touch of the simpler decades, a screaming soundtrack with lashings of style and intention. The vocal peaks and strains its way through these outpourings, before resolving with the simple repeat of that question; How will you die – on your feet, or on your knees?​

Always a treat to listen to a live project during these times of isolation, better still something so raw and authentic on the hard-rock front. The Haunted North prove themselves to be a conceptually appealing, musically captivating band. Hopefully, we get to check out the real thing sometime soon.

The Haunted North

January 2, 2019 

 Real talk time, kids: if you live and breathe true metal music, you have got to discover The Haunted North. The band’s debut record, Monster, is a work of brutal genius that mixes modern rage and lyrical themes with the power metal sensibilities of iconic riff wizards like Judas Priest and Black Sabbath. 

Monster isn’t an homage to the old days so much as it is an updated take on the kind of stadium-exploding rock that spread heavy metal around the world in the 20th Century. The sound is hard-edged with powerful vocals and the kind of hooks that could elevate The Haunted North to global Metal God status in its own right. ​

The tracks on Monster aren’t the atonal modern machine metal heard so often now but are built on actual singing, fierce riffing, dynamics, and ripping pentatonic lead guitar. The lineup of vocalist Randy V, guitarist Sean Francis, bassist ‘JD’ DeServio, and drummer Jeff Fabb is an impressive unit with a vibe that bleeds authenticity and lets each musician’s personality and style be heard. 

The result is a supremely listenable record that will put your head through a wall. Tracks like “Mojave Moon,” “How Will You Die,” and “Burnin’ Whiskey” hit like a fist to the face made of high-level skills, musicality, and perfect riffs. 

2016 Grammy nominee Justin Shturz (Shinedown & Slipknot) put the final mastering sheen on the songs but what will grab you is the raw and physical nature of this band and this record. The Haunted North taps directly into the things that make heavy music great and its kick-ass American-style blues-influenced metal attack will make a lot of fans very happy. Give this record a chance and it will change your life. It’s changed mine, already.