PRESS RELEASE: Rocking out of the barracks, SPECIAL OPS are returning to the frontline after a small hiatus and battle by one of their original founder’s fight against cancer along with a lineup change that sees guitarist Weka BW joining the platoon. The band will be embarking on their first cross Canada tour in 10 years in support of their two new EPs Baby Take It All and Tangents both released six months apart from each other. The tour will be kicking off in their hometown of Montreal on September 23rd and wrap up in Ottawa on November 5th (dates listed below).
Vocalist/guitarist Akbar Johnson comments: “Can’t wait to hit the road after all this time. It’s been great playing lots of shows around Quebec and Ontario, but it’s time to head out to the rest of Canada and where the real party is at!”
Capturing three jaw dropping tracks that display a fusion of its members’ diverse cultures, Baby Take It All is SPECIAL OPS‘ eighth self-produced release with mixing done by Darius Szezepaniak (Sum 41, Big Sugar, Sacrifice) and mastering by Kevin Jardine (Slaves On Dope).
From Akbar Johnson’s fierce melodic vocals backed by a well-armed rhythm section of Weka BW’s intricate native Middle Eastern influence of guitar finger picking and strumming to Waldo Thornhill’s thumping bass and drummer Pat Kadaver’s (ex-The Brains) pounding fury, SPECIAL OPS in less than 6 months have unleashed two direct hits with their latest EPs Baby Take It All and Tangents. The EPs follow their award winning album Through The Heart Of The Infidel and older successful singles “Pressure” and “Anger” that was chosen as the theme song for The Sid Cycle Show (Global/Spike/Men TV).
Baby Take It All as well as Tangents capture the hearts and minds of those who have struggled in protest and demonstrates the trial and tribulations they as a band have seen. Everything from one member’s cancer ordeal through tour to lost loves to industry bullshit that the everyday artist struggles with. SPECIAL OPS bring forward in their international collective, an explosive return to their brand of punk metal sniper rock.
SPECIAL OPS’ new EP “Baby Take It All” was released in May 16th and is now available on Bandcamp, Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby.
Special Ops “Take It All Tour” (more dates to be announced)
Sep 23 – Piranha Bar – Montreal, QC
Oct 14 – La Sainte Paix – Drummondville, QC
Oct 21 – The Flixx – Aylmer, QC
Oct 22 – The Asylum – Sudbury, ON
Oct 24 – Pyramid Cabaret – Winnipeg, MB
Oct 25 – The Exchange – Regina, SK
Oct 26 – Distortion – Calgary, AB
Oct 27 – Liquid Night Club – Medicine Hat, AB
Oct 28 – Amigos – Saskatoon, SK
Oct 31 – Rendezvous Pub – Edmonton, AB
Nov 1 – City Centre – Brandon, MB
Nov 3 – RockStar Bar – Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Nov 4 – Duffy’s – Toronto, ON
Nov 5 – Cafe Dekcuf – Ottawa, ON
Track Listing:
1. Baby Take It All (3:09)
2. Salt (2:52)
3. Dead Are Calling (3:37)
EP Length: 9:39
Album and Live Band Line Up:
Waldo Thornhill – Bass
Pat Kadaver – Drums
Weka BW – Lead Guitar
Akbar Johnson – Guitar & Vocals
