Psychothermia

I am not going to waste time explaining the back story to Psychothermia as I already did that when reviewing their ‘Slash & Burn’ EP last year. I did say, though, that I would follow them with interest and am very grateful to the band and my webmaster for making sure that I have been sent a copy of their full length debut, ‘Fall To The Rising Sun’, so that I can do just that. This album kicks off exactly where the EP finished. In fact, four of its six tracks - ‘Anarchy’, ‘Crazy X’, ‘Slash & Burn’ and ‘The Fight’ - appear here as well. They have been added to by a further eight slabs of modern metal with a twisted edge which take Psychothermia’s uniqueness even further than was apparent before. Kicking off with the title track and its very strange guitar riff and sounds, immediately grabs your attention, as do the VERY Dee Snider sounding, but excellent, vocals of Johan Maldonado. By the time this song had finished I was trying desperately to scrape myself off the wall where I had been pummelled into oblivion, before the even stranger melodies of ‘Warbly’ hit the speakers. With power aplenty, but including a bridge section that could have been on a latter day Marillion album, proving that Psychothermia are a very intriguing listen and not an easy band to pigeonhole!

Disturbed, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Anthrax, Twisted Sister and Clawfinger are all bands that come to mind when listening to this but I’m not going to try and compare Psychothermia to anyone in particular because I really do think they have found their own fresh and exciting sound and, in this day and age, that is an extremely gratifying prospect. All four members (Maldonado is joined by guitarist Jon Russo, drummer Mike Russo and bassist Chenzo Vidalez) are excellent musicians, creating some fantastic soundscapes and rhythms as well as some great guitar solos. Lyrically too the band are very strong, dealing with some very personal experiences as well as the devastating effects of warfare. I will also add that for every copy of the album sold Psychothermia will donate another copy to the U.S. Armed Forces stationed overseas; such is their respect for these very brave men and women. Production is handled by the band themselves (apart from ‘Anarchy’ which is mixed by Fred Archambault of Avenged Sevenfold fame) and it is as clear as a bell. I also love the cover art which has an almost ‘Wickerman’ (the film) feel to it with the foreboding and menacing colours used somewhat capturing the essence of Psychothermia’s sound.

Put all of this together and you have something very special which makes it all the more criminal that Psychothermia are not signed to a label. Of course, I wouldn’t want their creativity stifled by a label’s demands, but it does make a mockery of the current industry that a band this good haven’t been picked up by somebody! As you might have noticed, I really love this band and I genuinely hope they get the breaks they deserve because I want to be able to say the same thing in ten years time!

9/10 - Metal-Discovery.com

“A haunting sound that would be perfect for post-apocalyptic iPod
playlists; survive to this music.” - Deeps Gera, WSOU

This is not the first time recently I have had to read about a band having to change their name because of an ex-member making things difficult legally, although after a little bit of digging there do appear to be valid arguments on either side as to what happened in this case. However, as I have never had the pleasure or misfortune to hear this band under their previous name ‘Canobliss’, I can approach the ‘debut’ EP from Psychothermia hopefully with a fresh and unbiased set of ears.

Based in San Diego, California, Psychothermia are now a four piece comprising of Johan Maldonado (vocals), John Russo (guitar), Mike Russo (drums) and Chenzo Vidalez (bass) and, under both guises, have obtained a healthy reputation without ever having the backing of a record label, manager or booking agent. They play what I would call Modern American Metal, but they certainly aren’t your usual fare and, by all accounts, have altered their approach slightly along with the name change. All six songs on the EP are medium pacers and, although I wouldn’t call them progressive in the usual sense, the songs do not always follow the path you would expect (which is actually very refreshing). They do not rely on huge cheesy choruses but the songs start to burrow into your brain the more you listen to them. Their direction hints at a more thoughtful or intelligent approach than you would normally expect and they certainly seem to have found a sound that distinguishes them from the pack. What did strike me were the vocals of Maldonado but only because they very much reminded me of Dee Snider at times (which is a good thing even if you do think I’ve lost the plot!). If you can imagine Snider fronting a Modern Metal band then this pretty much what you would get.

For this release, they worked with producer Fred Archambault (Avenged Sevenfold) who has done a grand job with the mixing. They all appear to be very capable at their respective instruments (supporting bands such as Disturbed, Stone Sour, Hell Yeah and Biohazard under their previous name suggest they are no slouches), and now that they are working with a decent promoter, are currently in the midst of a large campaign to fund their first full length album which will be released in the first half of 2013. Psychothermia are not the most immediate of listens, but the fact that they have come through a situation that might have finished a lot of bands off for good with a release as interesting as this one deserves plenty of respect. They really do need to be signed by a decent label which would help them reach a wider audience. I will follow with interest. - Metal-Discovery.com

This is not the first time recently I have had to read about a band having to change their name because of an ex-member making things difficult legally, although after a little bit of digging there do appear to be valid arguments on either side as to what happened in this case. However, as I have never had the pleasure or misfortune to hear this band under their previous name ‘Canobliss’, I can approach the ‘debut’ EP from Psychothermia hopefully with a fresh and unbiased set of ears.

Based in San Diego, California, Psychothermia are now a four piece comprising of Johan Maldonado (vocals), John Russo (guitar), Mike Russo (drums) and Chenzo Vidalez (bass) and, under both guises, have obtained a healthy reputation without ever having the backing of a record label, manager or booking agent. They play what I would call Modern American Metal, but they certainly aren’t your usual fare and, by all accounts, have altered their approach slightly along with the name change. All six songs on the EP are medium pacers and, although I wouldn’t call them progressive in the usual sense, the songs do not always follow the path you would expect (which is actually very refreshing). They do not rely on huge cheesy choruses but the songs start to burrow into your brain the more you listen to them. Their direction hints at a more thoughtful or intelligent approach than you would normally expect and they certainly seem to have found a sound that distinguishes them from the pack. What did strike me were the vocals of Maldonado but only because they very much reminded me of Dee Snider at times (which is a good thing even if you do think I’ve lost the plot!). If you can imagine Snider fronting a Modern Metal band then this pretty much what you would get.

For this release, they worked with producer Fred Archambault (Avenged Sevenfold) who has done a grand job with the mixing. They all appear to be very capable at their respective instruments (supporting bands such as Disturbed, Stone Sour, Hell Yeah and Biohazard under their previous name suggest they are no slouches), and now that they are working with a decent promoter, are currently in the midst of a large campaign to fund their first full length album which will be released in the first half of 2013. Psychothermia are not the most immediate of listens, but the fact that they have come through a situation that might have finished a lot of bands off for good with a release as interesting as this one deserves plenty of respect. They really do need to be signed by a decent label which would help them reach a wider audience. I will follow with interest. - Metal-Discovery.com

Psychothermia is a unique four-piece hard rock combo from San Diego (California) going under this moniker for only a year now. Prior to 2012 the band was known as Canobliss, however some legal issues led to a name change. In other words; this is not completely new and inexperienced band, as they’ve already released three releases prior to the release of this new EP entitled Slash & Burn.

The music on Slash & Burn is impressive, powerful and catchy. It contains six mesmerizing and addictive tracks that will please any true fan of the genre. The overall sound is powerful yet clear, being the result of their collaboration with Fred Archambault, known from his work with e.g. Avenged Sevenfold.

Slash & Burn kicks off with “Anarchy” which is a quite nice intro track where clean verses connect with more powerful choruses. The vocals are mostly melodic, but also emotional and fierce. Remaining tracks are not much different, as they all have some things in common; powerful, melodic, psychedelic and catchy. Furthermore, one can hear some additional guitar solos which works fine for a band of this calibre, nurturing the good old-school rock sound. Apart from that one can also hear minor acoustic guitar parts, intense and tight drums and mature song-writing with vivid lyrics.

Usually with a name change comes a style change, but this was fortunately not the case with Psychothermia. Their sound remains the same and I see a lot of quality in their music, as they’ve sound this unique blend of power, intensity and high-energy wound. With Slash & Burn they hope to get some attention from a decent label in order to get signed.

Until then you can always visit their website at https://www.facebook.com/Psychothermia and let your musical journey begin there.
- Metal-Revolution.com

PSYCHOTHERMIA is the new CANOBLISS. Or rather, it’s the same band, but due to legal issues they had to drop the CANOBLISS monniker. Taking then the easiest road, the band chose as their new name the title of one of their releases: PSYCHOTHERMIA. This was also how I got to know about their music, back in 2008: see here. Two years later, another full-length came out, “Man Is The Enemy”. This was one of my favourite releases of that year. See my review here. Of course these guys have been working hard, gigging all over the place (by manner of speech) and it’s no doubt that under the new name the passion and drive still exists, if not more than before.
Two videos (“Crazy X” and “Anarchy“) have been shot for the first release, the EP “Slash & Burn”, which came out in July 2012. It contains six tracks and a total playtime of almost half an hour. The guys worked with Fred Archambault, known from his work with e.g. AVENGED SEVENFOLD, for the production of this EP. This lead to a power and clear sound.
The EP kicks off with “Anarchy”. Clean verses connect with a more powerful bridge and chorus. I like how the heavy music contrasts with John’s melodic vocals. Speaking of which, on this entire EP the singing is done with an emotional touch, which is logical, considering the song titles and lyrics. To put this title extra in the spotlight, there’s a short protest in the middle of the track before the guitar solo is let loose. In any case, a very good starting track. “Crazy X” is another highlight. This one has ambiguous (if that words fits here) verses, powerful at first, more psychedelic the next instant. It’s another heavy song, but with a melodic and catchy chorus. And obviously the guitar solo is present too. I also like how Mike (drums) added a bit of cowbell as extra spice.
“Slash & Burn” introduces the acoustic guitar, followed by drums and so growing in volume. Strings take a leading role, though don’t sound too happy about it. In other words, the melody isn’t happy-happy-joy-joy. The singing, too, is not like before, but softer. The music does become more Metal in the bridge, where John adds a touch of madness in his voice. This links up with a slow, emotional chorus, after which it’s back to acoustic instrumentation. Another good job on creating contrast in a song. After the solo, a powerful piece/bridge follows before the chorus is done again and so the band heads towards the end of the song. All in all, a good track, but to me not as attractive as the previous two. Still, kudos to John’s vocal input, from soft to powerful… the man can sing, indeed.
The second half of the tracklist is begun with “The Fight”. One would expect powerful, groovy Metal. And it is, though again with a load of melody. Again the vocals are a key element in the process: tough on one hand, vulnerable and clean on the other hand. The music follows suit. Or is it the other way around? You could somehow compare this track to RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE. Best part here for me was the groovy stuff in the middle, that breaks the song in two.
“All The Diamonds” also takes a direct start, here with a heavily grooving guitar. The verses are midtempo and Proggy, so to speak, with John’s typical clean vocals. Everything grows in power towards the chorus, which, like before, is rather slow and melodic. The focus also lies on feel and atmosphere. There is more room here for solos, as one does come in early on, another one later. Still, don’t expect any happy flower power Metal, the song is still dark. Last but certainly not least there is “Danger Sign”. No guitar input here, it’s the bass and drums that begin the track with a nice groove. And these two elements are key for the entirety of the song. The verses are a little slow, sound a little pyscho (by lack of a better word). More musical power lies in the bridge and all comes out, of course, in the chorus. After the obligatory solo, a powerful, groovy piece forms the bridge towards a calmer and sad, but Jazzy piece. Nice changes here, in other words. The song ends like it started.
Long story short: I was a little worried when I read about the name change, from CANOBLISS to PSYCHOTHERMIA. Usually with a name change comes a style change. But not here, the guys continue to provide qualitative groovy Metal that remains its catchy touch. This first EP under the new name offers six very qualitative tracks that are everything you expect from these guys, even if would be released under the old name. Get your copy via the band’s website. And why are these guys still unsigned? Either way, bring on that full-length (more info here). Then come play some gigs in Europe (especially in Belgium, of course).
- ThoughtsOfMetal.com

Psychothermia is not new to music or to touring and making a name for themselves but therein lies a problem. A name. They were know as Canobliss until earlier this year and sometimes a name change makes you look at your music differently too. They did and ramped it up to a few notches better than previous EP’s. “Slash & Burn” is six tunes that are filled with music that will melt your face off as they promise! They are the real deal and with this new name have come together to make the music even better.
Their hard rock is just that, pure hard rock with melodic songs that that have the best riffs and pounding drums and a bassline that will make your ears burn and vocals that clearly and adroitly get across complex lyrics in a perfect match to the instruments.

Such is the case with “Anarchy” that is some of the best hard rock to come out in a while and yet is commercial enough to appeal to outlets that want a signature rockin’ song to brand recognize their products. “Anarchy” is not the only song to accomplish that feat and do not be surprised to hear more songs associated with cool products and projects. The title track stands out for mixing their signature hard rock with a slower tempo that emphasizes their outstanding talents individually. The slower song gives the listener the chance to hear how well the vocals play off the percussion and also how impeccable their guitar work is. “All The Diamonds” does the same thing and really highlights great old skool shredding and hard rock sounds in every note. Do not think that these slower songs are their only strength. Their strength lies in the ability to take a song and no matter the tempo or subject matter the lyrics they make it a great tune to listen and rock out to.

You may not recognize the name but you will recognize the sound. This EP is front to back stellar and complete. It shows what the band’s range of talent is exceptionally well. You will be hearing a lot more from them so keep up by getting this EP and watching for their next offering and touring. You won’t forget their sound once you have heard it! - MuenMagazine.net

PSYCHOTHERMIA (used to be called Canobliss), and by 2010 had already three regular crossover / NuMetal submitted publications. The current EP 'Slash & Burn' is again a significant increase on the previous work of the troops!

Their own style was modified and it's not quite as aggressively works, as was the case until 2010. The six tracks on all gutklassigen 'Slash & Burn' but are presented with quite a powerful sound. The songs are somewhere between alternative and modern metal sounds a la PAPA ROACH, TRIVIUM and FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, without having to be quite so brutal, such as TRIVIUM. That does not at all! The power that the quartet from San Diego here unleashed, is appropriate perfectly for sore neck muscles. There are plenty fine melodies and hooks.

"Anarchy", "Crazy X" and the title song are just awesome - the remaining material takes a little longer, until it settles falls, but qualitatively from barely. The EP is a pretty exclusive Publication: Only 350 pieces will be delivered as a CD. Of which one can get a here - a foretaste of the 2013 upcoming new album, which should be the default shown here are maintained, can only be a killer!

11/12 points.

[Originally in German, this is a translation] - AncientSpirit.de

The band previously known as Canobliss has had a recent name change – due to legal reasons – and is now known as Psychothermia. "Slash & Burn" is the first EP released under the new name, and although the band remains the same – apart from the departure of one member – a distinct sound difference is heard from their last record Man is the Enemy.

The opening track “Anarchy” sets the stage for the record, and immediately we know these guys aren’t playing around. They aren’t just singing about black Cadillacs anymore. It’s about truth, freedom, and strength. Rock n roll can generally be put into two categories: the serious music that makes you think and the good time party rock n roll. Both have their place and merits, and while the records under Canobliss maintained that good time rock vibe, "Slash & Burn" has matured into a serious, hard as nails rock n roll record.

The first single “Crazy X” was released with a video of the band literally setting themselves alight. As far as the track goes, it isn’t the best representation of the EP as whole. It's not that it's weak, but it upholds that party rock feel of their past, which the rest of the record seems to indicate the band is stepping away from.

Psychothermia couldn’t have created a better record to mark their new beginning. As a band they sound tighter, in more control of their sound and this truly sounds like the CD they have wanted to make all along. The track “The Fight” sums up the record in one simple line: “new direction, glory days.” Psychothermia is one of the best independent bands to come out of America in a long time, and it really is a mystery why these guys haven’t been picked up by a label, or just better recognised around the globe. The wild ride that is "Slash & Burn" may only last 25 minutes, but the catchy hooks, killer solos and pounding drums remain long after the disc has stopped spinning.

There are only 350 copies of this being pressed ever, so get in quick before they’re all sold out.

Rating: 85%

-Christine Caruana, LoudMag.com.au - LoudMag.com.au

For some hard rock aficionados, the thought of another corporate, cookie-cutter modern rock band is enough to make them grab the nearest axe and go on a murderous rampage that starts at the nearest Hot Topic and ends in a sea of soccer moms softly singing Nickelback.

Well, good news for those slaughter-prone aficionados—Psychothermia sound nothing like Nickelback and are unlikely to generate spontaneous axe-slinging urges. Instead, this indie band (formally known as Canobliss) exhibit the kind of intense intelligence and intricacy that is so often ignored in today’s rock music climate. This is a different breed of modern hard rock that refuses to follow the mass market manual while still remaining accessible. No easy feat, that. Then again, it has been said that in order to break the rules, you must first follow them. Psychothermia stick to the playbook just enough to appease the modern rock market, yet refuse to dumb things down—musically or lyrically—to the brain cell deficient levels that popular music seems to embrace, proving it is possible to be both mainstream and different.

Time and time again you will think you know what a song is about to do…and then it does something else. Call it progressive if you will, but do not conjure up images of dull, boring, insomnia-curing epics. Psychothermia are most certainly a modern hard rock band; they just march to their own rhythm, head-bang to their own beat. And really, isn’t that what rock ‘n’ roll should be about? The scene is bloated with a bazillion conformist bands perfectly willing to suck the cylindrical meat of the popular music gatekeepers in order to climb the ladder, but Psychothermia doesn’t conform and doesn’t suck.

It’s not that corporate rock doesn’t have a place in the pantheon; with its simple, catchy hooks and instant gratification, the genre lends itself to easy enjoyment, but that enjoyment is typically of the fast food variety. Psychothermia are not interested in being just another Big Mac. Yet, neither are they interested in being some pretentious, highbrow gourmet concoction that nobody will eat except upper crust snobs. Again we see the dual personalities at play, the Jekyll & Hyde syndrome, yin and yang.

Take the guitars, for example. They pack all the beefy crunch the modern rock genre demands, with plenty of punch and power in the riffs, but they are nuanced differently than a band like Saving Abel. Same for the choruses; those seeking huge hooks and soaring anthems should look elsewhere. Yes, there are choruses and they are solid, but they are not the primary focus, as the band is determined to avoid any semblance of pop music predictability. Simply put, Psychothermia doesn’t do what other bands would do. For some, that will be as off-putting as a cow patty in a hot tub…for others, it will be the kind of blessing that makes them shout, “Hallelujah!”

If the clone-on-clone inbreeding running rampant through modern rock has you so despondent that you are thinking about slitting your wrists, hold off until you give Psychothermia a listen. With their nimble balance of rock edginess and modern slickness, they just may restore your faith. By offering something familiar and yet something fresh in the same package, these guys deserve to heat up the charts. Then again, as Clint Eastwood once said, deserve has got nothing to do with it. But hey, the fickleness of the rock gods aside, Psychothermia are the real deal in a world full of fakes. Only 350 copies of this EP are being pressed, so grab yours today and prepare to feel the Slash & Burn. - HardRockHaven.net

When Slash & Burn, the debut EP from [San Diego]'s Psychothermia, arrived at my doorstep there was something about the band's name that poked at my ever-shrinking memory. A little research confirmed that Psychothermia was the name of an album that I reviewed in 2008 from another [San Diego] outfit called Canobliss. As it turns out, Psychothermia (the band) is essentially Canobliss minus a disgruntled former guitarist. Legal issues forced the band to rebrand themselves, but much more than just the name has changed since I last heard from these guys. Whereas Psychothermia (the album) was an intricate, thrashy affair, Slash & Burn firmly establishes itself in the modern rock arena. The intricacies remain, but they are delivered in a much more measured and accessible way.

Slash & Burn is comprised of mid-tempo songs that are constructed of approachable riff patterns, a well-defined sense of rhythm, and compelling vocals. Guitarist Jon Russo's simmering contributions occasionally boil over with a grand solo, such as the tastefully extensive effort on "Danger Sign", but most often he spices up his riffs with warm atmospheres or modern rock pinches. On songs such as "All The Diamonds" and the title track, Russo joins with Chenzo Vidalez (who does a fine job emulating the style and theatrics of Robert Trujillo) to add an almost overwhelmingly downtuned, bass-heavy heft to the band's sound. Even with a generous amount of riff variation, Slash & Burn remains a very melodic effort that would fit comfortably on rock radio.

Such conformity, for lack of a better word, is also Psychothermia's Achilles' heel. Frontman Johan Maldonado possesses a familiar vocal style which he often uses to flirt with imitation, such as his David Draiman-like cadence on "Crazy X" and his spot-on impression of Rage Against The Machine's Zack de la Rocha on "The Fight". In fact, Maldonado sounded so much like RATM's iconic frontman that I was searching through the band's catalog to see if Psychothermia had slipped a cover track onto the EP. For what it's worth, Maldonado (and Psychothermia) would be better served by continuing to refine his own style, which is perfectly suited to the band's target sound. The fact remains, though, that these are just minor scuffs on an otherwise well-polished debut release.

I like how Psychothermia has evolved from where I last heard them. The progressive touches are still present, though now expressed through interesting songwriting and accessible melodies. The overall pacing has slowed, but Slash & Burn is still an EP that rock fans will want to get their hands on. - HarvestMoonMusic.com

If you've read my reviews before, you'll remember me looking at a cool more modern oriented band named Canobliss. Well, Psychothermia is that band. With a recent name change and that same great sound, it feels like the band has their sights set higher than ever. There is alot of intensity here in a variety of ways. From the video for 'Crazy X' complete with band members lit on fire to the music itself. Good heavy riffs and overall presentation hook you in and with the length, make you want more. I find this band to be ambitious with definite goals as they are putting in the necessary hard work up front. Nice work again! - HeavyMetalResource.com

When Samson Pedroza decided to quit San Diego's Canobliss mid-tour, he still possessed partial ownership of the name. Pedroza took control of the band’s website, and threatened legal action against the use of the band name and logo. The four remaining members, Johan Maldonado (vocals), Mike Russo (drummer), Jon Russo (guitar) and Chenzo Vidalez (bass), decided it would be easier to take a new name, leave the mess behind and continue making the music they love. Now known as Psychothermia, they have released their debut EP ‘Slash and Burn’ and will be dropping a full length album in January or February next year. Loud caught up with the guys to talk about the EP, how fans have reacted to the name change, their influences and the future of the band now known as Psychothermia.

It’s common knowledge that Canobliss had to change its name due to legal reasons, which is why you are now known as Psychothermia. How has everything for the band been since the name change?
Johan: A lot of positives… we finally got our EP done, and new doors have been opened for us that we weren’t able to open as Canobliss.
Mike: It’s been rejuvenating. The Canobliss project meant (and still means) a lot to us, but it’s kind of fun starting fresh… coming up with a new logo, getting a new banner, designing new shirts, trying new ideas, and of course writing new music. This is what it’s all about!
Jon: Difficult in some ways because we’re essentially starting from scratch, but at the same time we have a lot more freedom, and I’m definitely happy with our decision.
Chenzo: it’s been a sideways battle…

Have you received a positive response from fans regarding the new name?
C: Absolutely, it has been a very positive response.
Jon: Yes, our fans have always told us they’d support us no matter what… but they really like the new name too and say it suits our kind of music.
M: I don’t think the response could have been any better. All our true fans are still behind us, and the feedback has been great. And besides, anyone who stops liking a band just because of a name change has lost sight that this is all about the music.
Johan: The MOST negative comment I’ve heard about the name change is that it just took a second to grow on them…

Is there a reason you chose Psychothermia as the band name – the same title as one of your early records?
Johan: Yeah, because it still had the connection to Canobliss…We didn’t really want to change the name, and after disagreeing over a year and a half over different ideas we finally realized the name was right under our noses. Going with “Psychothermia” made the change easier.
Jon: It was badass, and it was available!
C: It was the only one we could agree upon!
Mike: The album Psychothermia was always a fan favorite, and the title track is all about staying strong in the face of adversity. With everything we had been through it just seemed to make perfect sense.

When I listened to the debut EP 'Slash & Burn', I felt that as a band the sound had matured, and all the work under Canobliss lead up to this point. Is that how you guys felt recording the album?
Mike: While the name has changed, we are still four of the same guys… So it is really a continuation of the same musical journey. We are all very proud of “Slash & Burn” and what it has taken to get here, but at the same time it still feels like we are just getting started.
Jon: Yes, we had something to prove. And for the first time ever we worked with a real pro Fred Archambault (Avenged Sevenfold) who helped us in pre-production to achieve the sound we had been striving for.
Chenzo: We already had the sound in us, but Fred helped us communicate better as a band to realize our potential and pull it out of us.
Johan: We had dozens of songs in the works, and what you hear on the EP is just a sampling of some of the strongest. More to come!

Your past records had a good time party rock n’ roll vibe – akin to Hellyeah, and this new EP feels to be stepping away from that, and getting a bit more serious. Is this new direction intended to separate you from your past as Canobliss?
Johan: No, we just feel like before we were in the habit of taking something from music, and this time we gave something to music. It was not compromised; it was the music we wanted to hear. It may sound a little cliché, but right now my favorite band is our band…
Jon: We always strive to make our new music the best. Sometimes it doesn’t work out that way, this time it did. For me, going from two guitarists to being the only guitarist and picking up all the leads, I had to step up a notch. I still sing like crap, but I’ve become a much better guitar player.
C: No, it doesn’t separate us from our past. We’re still performing Canobliss music live along with the new tunes, and they’re great compliments to each other.
M: We don’t really make conscious decisions to go one way or the other. The music is a reflection of ourselves and everything we’ve been through…
- LoudMag.com.au

“Samson Pedroza packed his bags in the middle of a tour and decided to leave the band,” recalls Canobliss drummer Mike Russo, who says he and three other members of the O.B.-based hard-rock band have been forced by their former guitarist to change their name. “Samson claimed that...since he was a founder, he still owned a portion of the name, despite no longer performing with the group. He took control of the band’s website, threatened copyright violations over our emblem and logo, and even filed a personal lawsuit.”

Canobliss was cofounded in the late ’90s by UCSD alumni Samson Pedroza and bassist Chenzo Vidalez. The new band, Psychothermia, includes four former Canobliss members: Vidalez, guitarist Jon Russo, drummer Mike Russo (both joined in 2004), and singer Johan Maldonado (since 2006). “Rather than continue on with the old name and risk never-ending disputes and probable income-sharing,” says Mike Russo, “we decided our best move was to start fresh.”

“Fresh” doesn’t discount leftovers: “Psychothermia” is the title track of a 2008 Canobliss album. “That song is about controlling your mental temperature and responding firmly in the face of adversity,” says Russo. “Well, with months of legal battles over the band name, our mental temperature and dedication was tested to the max. Plus, [the new name] helps connect the dots from the old project.”

Samson Pedroza did not respond to requests for comment. His Canobliss.com website offers recording and media services as well as a new Canobliss compilation, Evolutions: The Collective 1998–2010.

“Negotiations to reach a settlement went nowhere, and it became clear that, as long as we remained Canobliss, these disputes weren’t going to end,” says Russo. “It was an extremely difficult decision. Chenzo was a founder as well, and we worked so hard for so long to get our name out there. But that kind of negative environment is a huge distraction and terrible for making music.”

The foursome now called Psychothermia played their final show as Canobliss (minus Pedroza) March 24 at House of Blues. They just released their debut six-song EP, Slash & Burn, coproduced by Fred Archambault (Avenged Sevenfold). A video for its first single, “Crazy X,” features the band being set on fire, as coordinated by Hollywood stuntman Lane Leavitt (Terminator 2, Fright Night, etc.).

Says Russo, “Legal expenses were taking away from the money we needed to create our art.” - San Diego Reader

"This band has found a unique way to blend power, intensity, and a high energy sound with melodic and catchy hooks. ‘Anarchy’ is a powerful song about a universal issue. The energy keeps you bangin' your head and the hook keeps it stuck there. These boys are definitely NOT Nickelback!"

- Don Grierson, worked with Megadeth & Iron Maiden at Capitol and Epic Records.
- Don Grierson, worked with Megadeth & Iron Maiden at Capitol and Epic Records.

At first glance the band seems like quite a young one given that its first show was from 2012, but a second look reveals the Californians have been around longer as Canobliss.
The shorthaired three mix some modern influences with mall sounds with more traditional hard rock. This girl likes the hard rock more of course, but whether it is traditional heaviness, Avenged Sevenfold or Tool a listener could find something here. At first things got confusing on the lyrical side of things since the band is sending free music and CDs to US soldiers and fighters. This clashes with lyrics against slavery and tyranny. US army and marine are slaves to big power and tyrants. Then it all makes sense. By sending music like this to those same troops Psychothermia seek to open their eyes to the truth of the situation. The band is at www.psychothermia.com and can be reached at mike@psychothermia.com. - Sheila Wes Det - Metallian.com

"For fans of hard rock, Psychothermia delivers vivid lyrics coupled with fierce vocals and backed by powerful beats."
- Jen Van Tieghem, SoundsInSanDiego.com
- Jen Van Tieghem, SoundsInSanDiego.com

"For fans of hard rock, Psychothermia delivers vivid lyrics coupled with fierce vocals and backed by powerful beats."
- Jen Van Tieghem, SoundsInSanDiego.com
- Jen Van Tieghem, SoundsInSanDiego.com

"‘Crazy X’ has one of the most memorable bridges I’ve heard in a long time.”
- Fred Archambault, Producer/Mixing Engineer (Avenged Sevenfold) - Fred Archambault, Producer/Mixing Engineer (Avenged Sevenfold)

"Psychothermia will melt your face off!"
- Rob "The Rob" Bleetstein, Director & Host, Sirius XM Radio
- Rob "The Rob" Bleetstein, Director & Host, Sirius XM Radio