Founded in 2017 by guitarist Jeremy Perkins, Montreal’s WYKAN plays a blend of psychedelic doom, heavy blues, stoner rock and black metal in the classic format of bass, drums, and guitar. Their experimental and massive sounding music is best described as Pink Floyd meeting Black Sabbath meeting Mayhem for those who have never heard the band.
Set to release their sophomore EP “Brigid: Of The Night” on June 7, 2019, to follow their 2018 debut EP “Solace”, WYKAN is premiering the EP’s full stream via TheObelisk.net at the following link here.
The band’s line up for the EP features guest drummer Simon McKay of The Agonist rattling his talents on track #3 Reul-Iuil Bride (Star of Brigid) along WYKAN and EOHUM founder Jeremy Perkins on guitar, vocalist Barrie Butler (Eohum, ex-Tard), bassist Corey Thomas, best known for his own Jazz ensemble Backwater Township and drummer Dug Kawliss (ex-Tempete) who is on tracks #1 Imbolc (The Cleansing) and #2 Breo-Saighead (Triple Goddess).
“Brigid: Of The Night” also follows the band’s plan of releasing an EP every six to ten months and keep fans on a ceremonial run of emotion and space.
The EP will be available on Bandcamp as a $1 EP or more Pay-What-You-Want download.
Band founder Jeremy Perkins adds about the release:
“To add a little bit more detail about the inspiration for this EP; it’s based on the thematic for Wykan originally – a ceremonial get together – keeping in mind and heart, an atmospheric take on those three major genres I write with. Being Doom, Blackened whatever you wanna call it death or doom and Rock. This EP has a deep representation in regards to my roots personally and musically touches various genres, which are my inspirations. Being older Sabbath, Floyd, Hendrix, and bands like Immortal and Mayhem.
To expand on my writing for this EP I used an older Ovation acoustic for the intro, a 1992 Fender Stratocaster Ultra I’ve had for 23 yrs for the intro for track 2. ‘Breo-Saighead (Triple Goddess)’ and all solos and a 2018 Ibanez Prestige with high-end Dimarzio pickups for all the rest, cranked through my 15 pedals-pedalboard into a newer 5150’s head.
The transitions from the darker heavier blackened doom into soft rock and vice versa were done smoothly. I wrote most on acoustic beforehand and build. The progressiveness of Wykan continuously evolves and it feels together, feels even though you’re going from like some really soft atmospheric 70s rock beginning with an acoustic then transitioning to the black and death metalesque parts came out amazing to me on this EP and edible for the soul.
Anyone will notice, especially those reviewing this EP, that it’s kind of a trip in itself, which is what I want to do with Wykan and which is the idea, a story, an atmosphere, a soundscape for a ceremony, in this case summoning Brigíd. I was pleased with the overall outcome and look forward to another EP this fall.”
Show Dates:
Aug 6 – Montreal, QC – Casa del Popolo
Track Listing:
1. Imbolc (The Cleansing) (7:30)
2. Breo-Saighead (Triple Goddess) (7:08)
3. Reul-Iuil Bride (Star of Brigid) (5:20)
EP Length: 20:00
EP Line-Up:
Guitars: Jeremy Perkins
Vocals: Barrie Butler
Drums: Dug Kawliss
Bass: Corey Thomas
Featuring guest drummer :
Simon McKay (The Agonist ) on Track 3
Music & Lyrics WYKAN / S O W I L O A R T S 2019 ©
Live Line-Up:
Drums: Dug Kawliss
Vocals: Barrie Butler
Guitars: J Harley Perkins
Bass: Corey Thomas
For more info:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WYKANBAND