The Cancer Bats have come to destroy. Fueled by a burning desire to rage harder, play louder and have more fun than any
other band, Cancer Bats mix hardcore, southern metal, and punk rock into a lethal rock and roll explosion.
The band originated in May of 2004 with singer Liam Cormier and guitarist Scott Middleton, former member of Toronto
metal band At The Mercy Of Inspiration. The two wanted to form a project that combined their favorite parts of bands like
Refused, Black Flag, Led Zeppelin and Down, among others. The line-up was rounded out with the addition of Andrew
McCracken on bass and Mike Peters on drums.
The four-piece wasted no time writing and recording songs for a self-released demo that saw light in January of 2005 (later
reissued on Oct 31 2005 on vinyl by Tragicomedy Records). Determined to spread the gospel of rage and get its music
heard, the Cancer Bats spent the next year touring extensively all over North America with bands such as Every Time I Die,
Nora, Alexisonfire, Haste the Day, It Dies Today, Comeback Kid, A Life Once Lost, The Bled, Misery Signals and This Is
Hell. Show after show, from coast to coast, the Cancer Bats, whose explosive live shows inspire floor punching, windmills,
and arm spinning, had begun to establish their own devoted legion of fans.
With the hellacious buzz about the Cancer Bats fuelling across North America, the band unleashed its highly anticipated
debut album ‘Birthing the Giant’ on the most evil day in history 06/06/06, on Distort Inc. (home to Alexisonfire). Produced
by award winning Canadian producer Gavin Brown (Three Days Grace, Billy Talent) the album featured bold, infectious
riffage that peaked the interest of audiences and press across the globe. With critical acclaim resonating from all sides of the
planet, the year following the debut release saw the Cancer Bats fly to the top of the Hardcore Punk scene. From signing
licensing deals with Hassle in the UK and Shock in Australia, to winning the Favourite Hardcore/Metal Group of the year at
the 2007 Indie Awards and Best Independent Video at the 2007 MuchMusic Video Awards, the world had started to take
notice of Canada’s favourite flying mammals.
‘Hail Destroyer’ is the Cancer Bats sophomore studio release. Co-produced by Eric Ratz (Big Sugar, Theory Of A Dead
Man, Billy Talent), Kenny Luong (Billy Talent), and Greg Below (Alexisonfire) and recorded at Vespa Studios, the album
features an edgier, much heavier, and finely tuned collection of songs. From the punchy opening riff of the title track “Hail
Destroyer” right to the melodic outro of “Zed’s Dead, Baby,” the Cancer Bats do not disappoint. Integrating more Punk,
Stoner Rock, Metal, and Hardcore into the mix and taking a much more introspective approach than its predecessor, ‘Hail
Destroyer’ sees the Cancer Bats taking their musicianship to a whole new level. Lead singer Liam Cormier’s heated vocals
and heavily personal lyrics keep the energy high throughout the album, while axe-wielding Scott Middleton’s electrifying
solos and shredding riffs make you want to rock out like never before. Throw in Mike Peter’s rhythmic ferocity and you
have an album that will leave you salivating for more. Featuring guest vocals by Cancer Bat bro’s Ben Kowalewicz (Billy
Talent), Wade MacNeil (Alexisonfire), and Tim McIlrath, ‘Hail Destroyer’ will be in stores and online April 22nd 2008.