Neil James - Lead Guitars
Harry Rostovtsev - Lead Guitars
Julie Schultz - Lead Vocals
Jake Stone - Lead Drums
Mike Strohkirch - Lead Bass
Influences
Iron Maiden, In Flames, Megadeth, Anthrax, The Haunted, Bad Religion, Tori Amos, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Primus, At The Gates, Dream Theater, Morbid Angel
"You'll never go anywhere playing that type of music with a band name like that..."
....was a common refrain heard by the members of St. Paul based metal band, Cwn Annwn (pronounced, Coon-uh-NOON, loosely translating as The Hounds of Hell in Welsh mythos.) Their music was outdated. It didn't sound like what was popular. But deaf to the criticism, Cwn Annwn diligently and painstakingly honed their craft. Naysayers slowly but surely became supporters as Cwn Annwn's intense live performances led to capacity crowds at First Avenue, Triple Rock Social Club, Station 4, and other venues throughout the region. Their vision of metal was validated through direct support for established national acts, including Trivium, All That Remains, Exodus, Gojira, Iced Earth, 3 Inches of Blood, Skeletonwitch, Chimaira, Prong, Testament, Divine Heresy, Early Man, Crisis, Five Finger Death Punch, Watch Them Die and others.
Cwn Annwn's music, while decidedly metal, combines a wide array of musical influences to form a sound that is familiar, yet unique. Guitarist and original frontman Neil James' solos and harmonies evoke classic Maiden and Metallica, while bassist Mike Strohkirch's quirky Primus influenced basslines give Cwn Annwn's riffs their distnctive quality. Guitar player Harry Rostovtsev brings a technical aspect derived from Dream Theater prog and Gothenburg pioneers At the Gates. In 2005, drummer Jake Stone joined the group, replacing longtime drummer Marty Allison, incorporating his passion for the complex arrangements of Rush and Tool.
Then, in 2007, shortly after the release of their critically acclaimed debut full length "The Method of Murder," Cwn Annwn shocked their fanbase by announcing that ex-Vile Red singer Julie Schultz would be taking over primary vocal duties, with original frontman Neil James stepping back to focus solely on guitars. Schultz' dynamic voice integrated seamlessly into the band's material, introducing a power and intensity unknown from the band's previous offerings. In 2008, Cwn Annwn released the EP "Blood of the Djinn" - the first official recording with Schultz's vocals. Title track "The Djinn" achieved Garageband Track of the Day status, has received airplay on local, regional, and international radio, and has been featured on several compilation CDs.
With plans to expand their presence in the Midwest and record a full length al bum, Cwn Annwn is more determined than ever to bring their metal to the masses!
THIS FRIDAY, NOV 13, SLASHER FEST!!! 11 OF HARDCORE BANDS, $8. ALL AGES, MUSIC AT 5 SHARP @ THE BEAT (1414 W. 28th St, Minneapolis, MN - (612) 710-3992)
DON'T MISS ONE OF THE BIGGEST DIY HARDCORE SHOWS OF THE YEAR!!!
(this is not the lineup, be there early so you can see every band) NOTHING TO NOTHING http://www.myspace.com/nothingtonothing EXPIRE http://www.myspace.com/expirehc RELENTLESS http://www.myspace.com/relentlessmn ICEBERG http://www.myspace.com/iceberghardcore SHUT THE FUCK UP http://www.myspace.com/stfustandthefuckup DOOMHAMMER http://www.myspace.com/doomhammer420 ALL TO HELL http://www.myspace.com/alltohell HUNTER NO END IN SIGHT http://www.myspace.com/noendinsight666 CHOKING ON REALITY http://www.myspace.com/chokingonreality NOEXIST http://www.myspace.com/nonexistanthc
LIMITED COLLECTOR SCREEN PRINTS OF THE FLIER WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE SHOW!
Hey all just takin' a second to show love on all my music friends' page. Much love to all the great artists I've supported! Keep up the great work and stay in hustle mode whether it's music or LIFE! One love all :) D. Ep!d3MiC P.S. New Trax soon just encase anybody's been wonderin' where I've been.
MAULER'S METAL FORCE AND ANNIE FRANNIE'S ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! AT THE CHALET LOUNGE (AS ALWAYS NO COVER)
LADIES DRINK FREE TAPS AND RAILS FROM 8-10!! GLAM METAL 8-9!!
HUGE FREE DRAWING FOR 2 PAIR OF KISS TICKETS, THE NEW MEGADETH C.D., IRON MAIDEN FLIGHT 666 DVD, SLIPKNOT AND MOTLEY CRUE T-SHIRTS, HALLOWEEN SKULL BEER BONG, AND MORE!! (I WILL PASS OUT ONE DRAWING TICKET AT 9, AND ANOTHER RIGHT BEFORE BINGO. THE DRAWING WILL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW BINGO)
A HALLOWEEN THEME STYLE METAL BINGO STARTING AT 10!!
THE BIGGEST HALLOWEEN-LIGHTER VIGIL IN THE WORLD!! (WELL MAYBE MAPLEWOOD)
MAULER'S METAL FORCE'S 1ST METAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS AFTER THE DRAWING IS OVER!!
THE FIRST 20 FEMALES WILL GET "LEI"'D BY THE MAULER!!
$3 JAG-CHERRY BOMBS FROM 8-10 //$1.50 KEYSTONE LIGHT 16OZ CANS \\DOUBLE UP FOR $1 ALL DAY AND NIGHT!!//
BREAK IN THAT HALLOWEEN COSTUME IF YOU WANT, SURE TO BE A HALLOWEEN ATMOSPHERE!!
MAULER'S METAL FORCE (HEAVY METAL D.J.) ANN MAROLT (HEAVY METAL BARTENDER)
THE CHALET LOUNGE (HEAVY METAL HEADQUARTERS) 1820 RICE STREET
Saturday, October 24th @ The Alamo House - TONNAGE, The Atlas Moth (from Chicago), Dark Castle (from Florida) & Empires / 1101 26th Ave. SE Minneapolis. $6.00 All ages
Algren's debut album and its accompanying graphic novel are available now on iTunes, CD Baby, and others. Visit www.waywardsound.com for songs and images from the project!
You should put our new band up on your top friends instead of Less Than Nothing. You should also listen to our new tracks and come to the Triple Rock on October 3rd @ 5pm. FUCK YEAH!!!
Hey dudes, just a heads up that we're currently booking shows after October 23. We scratch your back, you scratch ours, it'll feel nice. Haha, okay that's weird, but forreal, hit us up if you need anybody, and we'll keep you in mind for any gigs we're booking! Sound cool?
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