“As part of the Auburn Records family, Bill Peters (Auburn Records president) has consistently asked us to participate in his annual “Cleveland Metal Holiday Food Drive” concert,” said George Mihalovich, guitarist for AFTERSHOK. “Since circumstances aren’t favorable for the band to play live at this time, we created a ‘Metal Xmas’ anthem to show our support for this great event and the charities that it benefits.”
“Sincere thanks to Alex Yarborough for the killer artwork and to Jim Dofka (of DOFKA fame) for engineering, mixing and mastering services. We hope that everyone enjoys ‘Metal Xmas’ and Happy Holidays from AFTERSHOK!”
All net proceeds from the single will be donated to the Cleveland Foodbank, Friends of The City of Cleveland Kennel and Lake Humane Society. The fifth annual Cleveland Metal Holiday Food Drive benefit concert was recently held on December 6 and 7 at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland. The event once again brought in record food and cash donations from the Cleveland metal community for the three charity organizations. Sales from AFTERSHOK’s ‘Metal Xmas’ single will be added to these totals.
Adds Mihalovich, “Drummer George Borden and I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce our new vocalist – and Canada’s best-kept metal secret – Gord Sheffroth!”
Sheffroth replaces original AFTERSHOK vocalist Vic Hix, who has returned to full-time duties with SHOK PARIS. AFTERSHOK previously released two albums with Hix on vocals – “Unfinished Business” (2002) and “Burning Chrome” (2005). The band is currently in the studio working on a new full-length album with Sheffroth that is scheduled for release in 2014.
“I can’t thank the AFTERSHOK guys enough for putting this single together for us,” says Peters. “It was an incredibly kind gesture on their part. They really wanted to play our food drive benefit concert this year but were not able to and offered this instead. I am happy the song was finished in time for the holidays. The band worked very hard to get it done. The single sounds great and their new vocalist is nothing short of amazing! Just wait until you hear the new album. AFTERSHOK fans will not be disappointed."