Biography
Representation: NDG Entertainment - manager@opsmission.com
Music Publicist - Asher Media Relations
Jon Asher - 514-581-5780 - ashermedia(@)gmail.com
www.ashermediarelations.com
Management – K&B Artist Management – Kimberley Bjorklund – 510-659-1712 - kimberly@kbartistmgnt.biz - www.kbartistmgnt.biz
LIVE VIDEO -
Special Ops - "Pressure" Video Teaser - Through The Heart Of The Infidel - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyjpNifmJdQ
- Special Ops Interview on Overdose TV
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwCbC4tOrVc
- Special Ops Performing Pick Up The Pieces
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwCbC4tOrVc
REVIEWS
"“Multi-faceted” is the best term to define Special Ops, because they can do damn near anything they want, and do it well...expert drumming from Clarence Mcgillacutty....“Amber” allows bassist Waldo Thornhill to steal the show during the opening, with his pumping lead." - HardRock Haven
"Incredible album! It's a dynamic audio attack that is fueled by the deep tones of a solid rhythm unit coupled with a dazzling display of musicality from a number of genres, such as the jazzy interlude within the song "Amber". Special Ops "Through the Heart of an Infidel" is a vibrant and vital album to be added to everyone's playlist, ya gotta check them out live when they storm through your area!- CHUO 89.1 FM – Metal Canvas
“All in all ‘Through The Heart of the Infidel’ is a solid album, one that deserves attention from fans of Rock, Metal and all their various subgenres." 8/ 10 –
Confront Magazine
"If straight up rock is your thing then Special Ops is a band you should keep in mind. The band's third release is a lesson for any rock band thinking of changing style - rock still reigns supreme." Skunk Magazine
"A band making metal music with all the best elements of contagious rhythm, heavy beats and distorted guitars." - Glasswerk (UK)
"The sonic assault begins right from the first track ‘H.M.’, a driving piece of metal mayhem that gets your head bangin’ and feet stompin." - Fazer Magazine
“Montreal’s Special Ops incorporate a sizeable dose of nu metal into their sonic identity.” - Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles -
“Highlights from the album would include “Better Off”, as well as the symphonic and catchy “Feel For You”. –Metal Observer -
"The Special Ops squad hits heavy with bone crushing bass end sounds as the clear vocals and shrapnel of the guitars arc from the area of impact, ya gotta go see 'em live!" -Metal Canvas CHUO 89.1 FM, Al "Carnage" Carnival
“Special Ops toe the company line through 10 tracks of slickly produced, chorus-heavy, radio-ready metal that oozes youth rebellion, angst and tormented urban decadence at every turn… Special Ops will appeal to many.”- Steve Lalla, Hour
“One of the best I’ve heard come out of Montreal to date, these guys really stand out with everything from musical hooks, to mind-blowing, jaw dropping live performances. An absolute must see…” - Citizen Steve, CFMB
“Pushing the envelope may result in critical acclaim….This diverse sound easily sets the band apart from others playing and has earned them a considerable following in Montreal…” - Chris Bumbray, The Link
“A Montreal based band of four guys with styles so different, yet so tight, you’d think they were out of a movie about commitment…..Maybe this sounds a bit eclectic but the music is first class and original.” - Noah Sager, McGill Daily
“Special Ops stands out as one that transcends the musical boundaries, continuously redefining an innovative, thought provoking and dangerously pleasurable sound to listen to.” - Croydon DeMello, The Concordian
“This four man killing team has flourished into professional hit men of the rock scene. Loaded to the teeth with an arsenal of songs from their debut album, this group is ready to blow up.” - Da Miss, Montreal Music Scene
”Special Ops will make a lasting impression... -Brad Frenwik, Antigravity Project
“This band is rocking this town and then some… the madness has been found and must be unleashed. This is the one time you can go out and sweat your self silly, some real ear candy ladies and gentlemen.” - Linda Sckulic, CINQ FM
BIO:
Rocking out of the barracks, Special Ops return to the battlefront with a fresh new release dubbed “Through The Heart of The Infidel”. In this third album, produced by award winning producer/engineer/mixer Glen Robinson (Voivod, The Ramones, ACDC, Gwar, Queensryche, Nashville Pussy). Special Ops capture 10 jaw dropping tracks that display the creative sound of Akbar Johnson’s intricate native Middle Eastern guitar work of finger picking and strumming in monumental riff’s and solo’s. Complemented with a unique blend of Abe Froman’s North American street style lyrics and backed with a well-armed rhythm section of bassist’s Waldo Thornhill’s thumping acid jazz and drummer Clarence McGillacutty’s pounding fury. Special Ops have unleashed a direct hit to follow up to their award nominated “Phase 2: Amidst The Madness” and successful single “Anger Is Creeping”, which was chosen as the TV theme song for “The Sid Cycle Show” (Global/Spike/Men TV)
“Through The Heart of The Infidel” captures 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 bull shit that the everyday artist struggles with. Special Ops bring forward in their international collective an explosive return to hard chaotic sniper rock.
AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• New Music Awards 2009- Winner- Best Metal Group
• Charts # 14 on CSCR Chart - Top 200 - December 2008
• Charts # 2 on CSCR Loud Chart - December 1, 2008
• Charts # 6 on CSCR Loud Chart - November 10, 2008
• Nominated at Toronto Exclusive Magazine Awards 2008 - Best Rock Song - "Anger is Creeping"
• Annabelle Cosmetics Promotional Video 2009 - How to create Custom QUAD FOXY Browns Look
• A 15-20 min spotlight in and composition of the complete soundtrack for “Sid’s Cycle Show” season 1 and 2, aired on Global, Men TV, Showcase Action, Spike (+2 million viewers).
• North American Tour, Print & Radio Promo for “Anger Is Creeping” & “Phase 2” by War By Choice Booking agency Summer 2007.
• The soundtrack of and display of the Bands Logo and sweater by one of the actors of Whistler airing on CTV and on “The N” (Owned by MTV)
• Approached by CBC to use “Pick Up The Pieces” and Breath I Breathe” for the soundtrack of “Rock Your World”.
• The Search Of Madness Cross Canada Tour 2005 - 2006, over 100 shows from Montague PEI to Victoria Island BC, with an average attendance of 150-300 by the time they reached Victoria Island.
• CANADA DAY 2003-2007 (Two Mountains), Montreal Music Fest 2003, M.O.M. Fest 2004-2005 & Bryce Fest 2005 (Winnipeg).
• “Pick Up The Pieces” is on the Lollipop Magazine Compilation, 30 000+ free copies distributed with magazine issues.
• “Pick Up The Pieces” is on the In Doom We Trust Compilation CD, 10 000+ distributed across Canada and northern US.
SHARED STAGE w/
• The Agonist (Century Media)
• 3 Mile Scream (Corporate Punishment)
• Better Than Ezra (V2/Artemis Records)
• My American Heart (Warcon Records / Bodog Music UK & EU)
• Kiros (Torque Records)
• Scarlet Sins
Instrumentation
Vocals- Abe Froman
Guitar & Vocal- Akbar Johnson
Bass- Waldo Thornhill
Drums- Clarence Mcgillacutty
Discography
Through The Heart of The Infidel
• All songs written by Special Ops
• Produced by Glen Robinson
(Voivod, The Ramones, ACDC, Gwar, Queensryche)
• Recorded at Uplift Studios by Kevin Jardine (Slaves on Dope, Monarchy)
– Engineered and Additional Production – (Drum editing, Bass and Guitar tracking)
• Supported by North American Tour (Summer 2009)
• Single released “PRESSURE”
Phase 2: Amidst the Madness"
• Produced by Murray Daigle (Not By Choice, Emerald Rain, Pain, Exit 57 Records…),
• Drummer Liam Killeen of (Not By Choice) was hired by the band for the recording of the single “Anger is Creeping”
• Music video for the 1st single “Anger Is Creeping” by NDG Ent. to be completed by mid 2008.
• Supported by The Amidst The Madness Cross Canada Tour (Summer 2008).
“Phase 1: In Search of Madness"
• Produced by Jeff Nystrom (April Wine, Adam Gregory, Mercury, Mensa Records…), released March 25th 2005
across Canada.
• Supported by The Search for Madness Cross Canada Tour (April-Nov 2005).
E.P “Emily” 2004
• Engineered by Tim Doyle (Mikey Dangerous (2008 Juno Nominee), Planet Smashers, Trevor Reid, Skill Man),
• Produced by Special Ops and Tim Doyle. A 5 song E.P. featuring the first single “Emily,” released 2004.
• Music video for “Emily” by Melanie Vachon.