FORESHADOW Resurrects Early Material on Here Down On Earth EP

Canadian metal veteran FORESHADOW has reached more than three decades into its past for Here Down On Earth, a five-track EP that completely re-records material originally written in the late 1980s and first committed to demo in 1991.

Released Oct. 2, the EP isn't a remaster or restoration of those early recordings. FORESHADOW returned to the songs and recorded them again from the ground up, applying decades of additional experience and a considerably heavier modern production to material dating to the band's formative years.

“These songs were written in the late ’80s and first recorded in the early ’90s,” guitarist and vocalist Patrick Loisel said. “We were already aiming for a heavier sound relative to that era’s standards.”

One of the most substantial changes is literally how low the band goes. The original demo was recorded in E-flat tuning; the new versions are tuned down to B, giving the material a much heavier foundation.

FORESHADOW moves among thrash, death metal and groove metal across the 30-minute EP while retaining songs written before many of those styles had reached their later forms.

The lyrics have also survived the intervening decades remarkably intact. Nuclear destruction, warfare, political oppression, environmental damage and recurring social conflict are among the subjects addressed on Here Down On Earth.

“The lyrics were initially written in the late 1980s and address a lot of social tensions and environmental concerns,” Loisel said. “The current moral panics we see now are, to me, the continuation of what had me blow a fuse in the 1980s, so these songs re-emerging is like the best timing ever.”

FORESHADOW traces its roots to friendships among its members during the 1980s before formally launching in 1990. Guitarist Patrick Knup joined in 1992, completing the four-piece lineup.

The musicians subsequently became involved with acts including AUGURY, VANTABLACK WARSHIP, ARSENIQ33 and CLEARWATER DEATHBLOW before returning to FORESHADOW’s early catalog for the new release.

The current lineup consists of Loisel on vocals and guitar, Knup on guitar, Kurtis Clifford on bass and Pierre Pitre on drums.

FORESHADOW will support the EP with Quebec shows Oct. 17 at O’Sim Irish Pub in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and Oct. 24 at Turbo Haus in Montreal.

Here Down On Earth Track List

1. “Y?”

2. “Decretei”

3. “This Harvest That You’ve Sown”

4. “As Heroes Die”

5. “Here Down To Earth”

Here Down On Earth is available now on digital platforms.