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Threat Signal has been on the metal scene for almost 20 years now. Formed in 2003 in Hamilton, Ontario the band quickly gained accolade of the metal community.
They have been signed up to Nuclear Blast and in 2006 they have released their first album, Under Reprisal. Soon after they started touring with the likes of Soilwork and Mnemic and their debut album won Canadian Recording of the Year award.
The band released their second album, Vigilance in 2009. The period between the first and second albums was full of turmoil - with members joining and leaving the band. By the time the album was released Jon Howard, Threat Signal’s lead singer, was the only original band member left.
Two years later, in 2011 self-tiled album was born, and the reviewers were singing their praises for Threat Signal. The band went on tour across USA and Canada to promote the album (they’ve toured with Children of Bodom, among others).
Threat Signal’s fourth album, Disconnect, was released in 2017, after a lengthy period of hiatus, and was followed up in 2021 by the EP, Face the Day. Despite lineup changes and the challenges of the music industry, the band has managed to maintain their sound and grow as musicians over the years.
Their music is often described as a mix of melodic death metal and metalcore with a touch of progressive metal, and they are known for their complex guitar riffs and Jon Howard's powerful vocals. The lyrics of their songs often deal with personal struggles and societal issues.
Threat Signal has also made a name for themselves as a live band, delivering high-energy performances and captivating their audiences. They have played at various festivals including the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival and the Heavy Montreal Festival.
As they continue to evolve and grow as a band, fans eagerly await their next release and live shows. Threat Signal is a testament to the resilience and longevity of the metal genre, and they continue to inspire and influence metal fans and musicians around the world.
So, what can you expect from Jon Howard and co.? I would put them on a shelf labelled melodic death metal. Some call them melodic metalcore, but I just don’t see that. Especially that they’d been around way before this metalcore thing became a thing. The band mixes complexity of death and thrash metal, but with some groove metal riffs added for a good measure. So, what you receive is some fast death metal flowing seamlessly into pumping groove and changing again into something more melodic and mellow. All that is accompanied by growling and screaming vocals, until… Jon starts to sing his melodic parts. And believe you me, the guy can sing. If you have a spare minute, go to YouTube and watch him cover Linkin’ Park’s Crawling. If Linkin’ Park ever wanted to find a new singer, they should look behind their Northern border.
All in all Threat Signal should appeal to all metalheads who like to mix their brutal with their mellow.
Members:
Jon Howard – vocals
Travis Montgomery – lead guitar
Oswin Wong – rhythm guitar
Ryan Miller – bass
Joey Muha – drums
