About PROTOKULT

Progressive Folk Metal PROTOKULT Reveal Artwork and Track Listing From Upcoming Album 'No Beer In Heaven' Out On August 8th

Toronto, ON's fun loving, beer drinking progressive folk metal band PROTOKULT are proud to share with fans artwork and the track listing for their upcoming album 'No Beer In Heaven' set for official release on August 8th, 2014 to follow up 2011 EP 'Marzena' and 2009 debut 'Ancestral Anthems'.

“We are anxious and excited to finally unleash the first PROTOKULT full-length album with our current and talented lineup. Expect nothing short of pure, heathen prog-folk with a healthy traditional metal dosage in the mix. Our first single, Get Me A Beer will be released early this July and expect the official video shortly thereafter! The video follows a story line which can be best described as “Spinal Tap meets folk-metal” and captures the band in an unpleasant, humorous yet all-too-realistic situation in which artists may find themselves in (we certainly have!)” – Martin Drozd

Years in the making and a few line up changes in the PROTOKULT camp, the Eastern European transplants have transformed progressive, folk and heavy metal influences into a twelve track adventurous trek, diving into themes of drinking, history and human endeavor. Mixing a duo vocal attack of melodic operatics plus woodwinds from Ekaterina Pyatkova and high spirited chanting growls from guitarist Martin Drozd, Protokult showcase a diversified and powerful engagement that includes shredding with guitarist Vodnik, the pounding force of Mike Matveev on drums and the grooves of bassist Dawid Slowiak.

In additional news, PROTOKULT will be performing a Toronto CD release show on July 26th for hometown fans at Bovine Sex Club with support from locals Primalfrost, Tsargrad and Montreal's Karkaos.

About:

An ever-evolving band, PROTOKULT is now better than ever.

Starting as the trio of Martin Drozd (Vocals, Guitar, Synthesizer), Mike Matveev (Drums) and Dawid Slowiak (Bass), the band developed itself through numerous changes in sound and line-up. The addition of former keyboardist Gregor Darwin came when new, more mature interests in history, paganism and folklore took hold — followed by the unleashing of their debut album, Ancestral Anthems. With the first two pressings selling out in months, the group took things to the next level. Ekaterina Pyatkova (Vocals, Woodwinds, Synthesizer) and Jeremy Jackson aka Vodnik (Guitar) both joined in 2010, giving PROTOKULT the visionary, unique folk-metal sound it has today.

Although PROTOKULT is a Canadian-based group, the members come from various backgrounds (Polish, Irish, Russian, Czech) and the result is a marvelous mix of Canadian and international forces. The goal is to unite these cultures into one sound, balancing tradition and folklore with heavy, thrash and black metal for head-bangers everywhere.

With a beauty and the beast-like contrast between Ekaterina’s haunting vocals and the band’s metal onslaught, whether they are reinventing the wheel or carrying down the torch high, PROTOKULT has an exhilarating, fresh sound for the 21st century.

From the studio to the stage, PROTOKULT puts on a live show that can be best described as engaging, energetic and in essence, a live ritual — ‘A must-see act’, according to the Emergenza festival.

Over the past few years, PROTOKULT has graced the stage with ARKONA, TURISAS, ALESTORM, BLACKGUARD (formerly Profugus Mortis), RAZOR and WILL OF THE ANCIENTS to name a few.

Their 2011 EP, ‘Marzena’ featured the six-piece line-up at its prime at the time, with energetic compositions that sweep you up from the first note and carry you right to the last. Following the release, the group played constantly across central-eastern Ontario, further establishing its name.

During a brief hiatus and writing period, the group underwent another loss, with keyboardist Gregor Darwin going off to Harvard for Celtic Studies. After a few personal struggles, in mid-2013, the members focused intensively on hammering out new material, and what could have been another demo/EP (consisting of 4 tracks previously recorded in 2012) had turned into plans for a full-length album. Clocking in at just under an hour, ‘No Beer In Heaven‘, captures the reformed quintet at an all-time high, showcasing an impressive palette of entirely new compositions, and straps the listener on an adventurous, heavy and experimental trek, diving into themes of drinking, history and human endeavor.

‘No Beer In Heaven’ was recorded at Spectre Sound Studios (Bloodshoteye feat. Randy of Lamb of God; and Woods of Ypres, one of the BWBK Top 30 Canadian albums) and will be released August 8, 2014.

“They belong amongst the ranks of bands like Moonsorrow and Skyforger…Almost every song twists and turns through several folk metal transformations, without ever tapping into cheesy or overly tired clichés.”- Metal Observer (2010 review for Ancestral Anthems)

“Their songs pulse and writhe like a sinuous living thing.” – Exclaim (2012 review of Marzena)

Track Listing: Protokult – No Beer In Heaven

1. Get Me A Beer! (3:04)
2. Heaven Cast Me Out (4:04)
3. My Father’s Word (5:49)
4. Flight of The Winged Hussar (5:52)
5. Sol Intention (4:39)
6. Edge of Time (5:28)
7. Sanctuaries (2:04)
8. Desert Scourge (4:31)
9. Gorale (4:15)
10. Summer’s Ode (6:07)
11. Razbival Okovi Perun (1:26)
(translation from Slovenian = Perun Has Shattered The Shackles)
12. Water of Life (8:46)

Total Length: (56:12)

Hidden Tracks:
13. Brotokult (3:03)
14. We Smoke The Ganga (3:33)

Release Date: August 8, 2014
Label: Self Release
Distribution: Bandcamp, iTunes, CD Baby, Friendly Fire Distro

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Protokult
• All songs written by: Martin Drozd, Ekaterina
• Produced by: Protokult &Glenn Fricker
• Mixed by: Glenn Fricker at Spectre Sound Studios
• Mastered by: Glenn Fricker at Spectre Sound Studios

Album Band Line Up:
Martin Drozd- Vocals, guitars, darbuka, jaw harp, synthesizer
Ekaterina – Soprano and traditional vocals, recorders, psaltery, zhaleika & sopilka.
Dawid Slowiak- Bass, group chants
Jeremy Jackson (Vodnik) – Guitars, group chants
Mike Matveev- Drums

Live Band Line Up:
Martin Drozd- Vocals, guitars, synthesizer
Ekaterina –Vocals, recorders, synthesizer
Dawid Slowiak- Bass, group chants
Jeremy Jackson (Vodnik) – Guitars, group chants
Mike Matveev- Drums

Discography
2014- No Beer In Heaven-full length
2011- Marzena- EP
2009- Ancestral Anthems- LP

Shared Stage w/:
Turisas, Alestorm, Arkona, Huntress, Razor

Tours and Festivals:
2014 – Vikingfest (Montreal)
2014 – Headbanging For a Cure (Toronto)
2012 – Paganfest (Toronto)
2012 – Headbanging For a Cure (Toronto)