Unleash the Archers

Unleash the Archers was formed in late 2007 by vocalist Brittney Hayes (a.k.a. Brittney Slayes) and drummer Scott Buchanan with former member Brayden Dyczkowski on guitar, with whom Scott had previously played in an independent death metal project.{{cite web|url=http://www.metalmasterkingdom.com/unleash-the-archers.html|title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS Interview with Brittney Hayes of Unleash The Archers|date=September 9, 2013|work=metalmasterkingdom.com}} Former member Mike Selman was brought on after he departed from Canadian death metal band Meatlocker Seven. The position of bass player was unfilled for the first few months of Unleash the Archers' career until Zahk Hedstrom joined in October 2007 to complete the lineup. In late 2008, the band recorded a self-titled four-song demo, which featured two songs they would end up re-recording for their first studio album.

Their debut studio album, Behold the Devastation, was recorded with Jason Hywell Martin at Omega Mediacore Studios in Richmond, British Columbia, and released independently in August 2009. This album was the only one to feature the band's original lineup.{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.ca/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://vampster.com/artikel.php%3Fid%3D33302&prev=search|title=Vampster Album Review 2009|work=vampster.com|date=November 17, 2009 }}{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/Metal/Unleash_Archers_-_Behold_Devastation|title=Unleash the Archers Behold the Devastation|work=exclaim.ca|last=Dawes|first=Laina|date=May 11, 2010}}

The band's second album, Demons of the AstroWaste, was recorded with Nick Engwer and Stu McKillop at the Hive Soundlab in Burnaby, British Columbia, and released independently in May 2011. This album included the first appearance of guitarist Grant Truesdell, who provided solos for their songs "Battle in the Shadow (of the Mountain)" and "The Outlander". He would step in as the new guitar player later that same year after the departure of Mike Selman before the recording. The album was a concept album based on the exploits of a mercenary in space{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/Metal/unleash_archers-demons_of_astrowaste|title=Unleash the Archers: Demons of the Astrowaste|work=exclaim.ca|last=Walschots|first=Natalie Zina|date= May 18, 2011}} and was set far into the future.{{cite web|url=http://www.mondaymag.com/lifestyles/135772083.html|title=BC Death metal band launches concept album (interview)|work=mondaymag.com|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105145810/http://www.mondaymag.com/lifestyles/135772083.html|url-status=dead}}[http://www.hellbound.ca/2011/05/unleash-the-archers-demons-of-the-astrowaste/ "Unleash The Archers – Demons of the AstroWaste"], Hellbound.ca

In 2012, the band released Defy the Skies. This album was a three-song EP released solely on 7-inch vinyl. A bonus fourth track titled "Arise" was given to those who pre-ordered; it was later released on the band's Bandcamp page in digital format only. This record also marked the departure of original bassist Zahk Hedstrom.{{cite web|url=http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=761&Itemid=35|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115043335/http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=761&Itemid=35|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 15, 2012|title=Sonic Cathedral WebZine - Unleash the Archers - Defy the Skies|work=soniccathedral.com}}

In February 2015, the band announced their signing with Napalm Records.{{cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/canadas-unleash-the-archers-sign-with-napalm-records|title=Canada's UNLEASH THE ARCHERS Sign With Napalm Records|work=bravewords.com}} Soon after, the title, track listing and release date for their upcoming studio album Time Stands Still were revealed. The album was released in Europe on June 26 and in North America on July 10. It was originally slated for a late-summer or early-fall 2014 release but was pushed back after Napalm Records signed the band.{{Cite web|title = Sonic Cathedral WebZine - Face-Off Challenge: Cradle of Filth & Unleash The Archers|url = http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1233|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924103817/http://www.soniccathedral.com/webzine/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1233|url-status = dead|archive-date = September 24, 2015|website = www.soniccathedral.com|access-date = July 16, 2015}} It was the first album without Brayden Dyczkowski, who had been one of the main songwriters up until he parted with the band in late 2013; this lineup change had affected the band's sound and driven it towards a more traditional heavy metal direction with the addition of Andrew Kingsley, who is also trained in jazz, on guitar.{{cite web|url=http://beatroute.ca/2014/11/24/vancouver-power-metallers-unleash-the-archers-woman-the-ramparts/|title=Unleash The Archers (Wo)man the Ramparts (Interview)|work=beatroute.ca|access-date=April 15, 2015|archive-date=May 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527043238/http://beatroute.ca/2014/11/24/vancouver-power-metallers-unleash-the-archers-woman-the-ramparts/|url-status=dead}}

On May 26, 2015, the band released the "Tonight We Ride" video, inspired by Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.{{cite web|title=Singled Out: Unleash The Archers' Tonight We Ride|url=http://www.antimusic.com/news/15/July/09Singled_Out-_Unleash_The_Archers_Tonight_We_Ride.shtml|website=antiMusic|access-date=July 20, 2015|date=July 9, 2015}} The video was filmed in the Nevada desert, using props from the Death Guild Thunderdome camp at Burning Man.

Since leaving for a tour of Europe in November 2016,{{cite web|url=http://themetalpit.org/brittney2016/|title=Interview With Brittney Slayes|work=metalpit.ca|access-date=December 28, 2018|archive-date=April 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410202306/http://themetalpit.org/brittney2016/|url-status=dead}} Unleash the Archers mentioned they would be recording a new album at the end of 2016. This album would be the first to include then-bassist Nikko Whitworth. The first single, "Cleanse the Bloodlines," was released on April 8, 2017. Apex was released on June 2, 2017, through Napalm Records. The album debuted at No. 3 on the iTunes metal charts, and became the first to make the Billboard charts. The album debuted at No. 9 Heatseeker, No. 29 Top Hard Music Albums, No. 29 Record Label Independent Current Albums, No. 34 Top Current Rock Albums, No. 116 Overall Digital Albums, No. 119 Top Current Albums, and No. 197 Top Albums by Strata. It also debuted at No. 12 on the Canadian Top Hard Music chart. The band announced they would be touring Europe, accompanying Orden Ogan, to promote the album in the fall of 2017, with a US tour to be announced. At the end of January, it was announced that bassist Nikko Whitworth had decided to leave the band.[http://www.truemetal.it/news/unleash-the-archers-nikko-whitworth-lascia-la-band-96110 Unleash the Archers: Nikko Whitworth lascia la band].

Brittney Hayes gave interviews and tweeted, saying they are currently working on an EP of covers with a "bit of a UTA spin" on them. {{Cite web|url=https://metaltotheboneccmr.wordpress.com/2019/03/21/we-are-writing-and-recording-a-new-full-length-album-this-year-and-will-hopefully-be-releasing-it-early-2020-brittney-slayes-metal-to-the-bone/|title="We are writing and recording a new full-length album this year, and will hopefully be releasing it early 2020": Brittney Slayes|last=chuchocrdoba|date=March 21, 2019|website=Metal to the Bone|language=es-ES|access-date=May 31, 2019}}

On August 30, 2019, the band released the first single off of the EP Explorers, a cover of Stan Rogers' "Northwest Passage". The full EP was released on October 11, 2019.{{Cite web |date=2019-08-07 |title=Unleash the Archers - Explorers |url=https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Unleash_the_Archers/Explorers/794271 |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives}}

In August 2020, they released their fifth full-length album, Abyss, continuing the story of Apex. They also revealed they have plans to release a graphic novel with the story told on both albums.{{cite web |last1=Balazs |first1=Nick |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS – Seasons In The Abyss |url=http://bravewords.com/features/unleash-the-archers-seasons-in-the-abyss |website=Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles |access-date=12 September 2020 |date=17 August 2020}}

On December 6, 2021, they announced via social media posts that bassist Nick Miller had become a full-time member of the band.{{cite web| url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=457795459046366&set=pb.100044477467618.-2207520000.. |website=Facebook |access-date=6 December 2021 | date=6 December 2021 |title=Unleash The Archers}} On May 3, 2022, the band announced via an Instagram post that they are in the writing phase of their next album.{{cite web| url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CdHhNTrlC9s/ |website=Instagram |access-date=8 May 2022 | date=3 May 2022 |title=Unleash The Archers on Instagram}} On November 11, 2022, Brittney Slayes commented during an Instagram livestream that their next album was also a concept album, this time with a post-apocalyptic setting and that they were aiming for a fall 2023 release.{{cite web| url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CkzaaqRJtqH/ |website=Instagram |access-date=19 February 2023 | date=11 November 2022 |title=Unleash The Archers on Instagram}} The sixth studio album, Phantoma was later released on May 10, 2024.{{cite web |title=Unleash the Archers Announces New AI-Inspired Album "Phantoma" |url=https://folknrock.com/news/unleash-the-archers-announces-new-ai-inspired-album-phantoma |website=Folk N Rock |access-date=February 13, 2024 |date=February 13, 2024}}

Current members

• Brittney Hayes (a.k.a. Brittney Slayes) – clean vocals (2007–present)[http://vandalamagazine.com/2013/07/04/show-review-unleashing-the-omega-kingdom-of-scythia/ "Show Review – "Unleashing the Omega Kingdom of Scythia" Vandala Magazine. July 4, 2013]
• Scott Buchanan – drums (2007–present)
• Grant Truesdell – guitars, unclean vocals (2011–present)
• Andrew Kingsley Saunders – guitars, clean vocals (2014–present)
• Nick Miller – bass (2021–present, 2018–2021 touring musician)

Former members

• Mike Selman – guitars (2007–2011)
• Zahk Hedstrom – bass (2007–2012)
• Brad Kennedy – bass (2012–2014)
• Brayden Dyczkowski – guitars, unclean vocals (2007–2014)
• Kyle Sheppard – bass (2014–2016)
• Nikko Whitworth – bass (2016–2018)

Timeline

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bar:Zahk text:"Zahk Hedstrom"

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• Behold the Devastation (2009)
• Demons of the AstroWaste (2011)
• Time Stands Still (2015)
• Apex (2017)
• Abyss (2020)
• Phantoma (2024)

• Defy the Skies (2012)
• Explorers (2019)
• Abysswave (2020)
• Acoustipex (2022)

• 2011: "Dawn of Ages", taken from Demons of the AstroWaste{{Citation |title=Unleash The Archers - Dawn Of Ages [OFFICIAL VIDEO] |date=2011-05-20 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK61le0_oEo |work=Youtube |language=en |access-date=2023-02-21}}
• 2012: "General of the Dark Army" taken from Demons of the AstroWaste{{Citation |title=Unleash The Archers - General Of The Dark Army (OFFICIAL VIDEO) |date=2012-05-17 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVi0d7oqDvs |work=Youtube |language=en |access-date=2023-02-21}}
• 2015: "Tonight We Ride", taken from Time Stands Still{{Citation |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Tonight We Ride (Official Video) {{pipe}} Napalm Records |date=2015-05-27 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvZKJlrtk8 |work=Youtube |language=en |access-date=2023-02-21}}
• 2015: "Test Your Metal", taken from Time Stands Still{{Citation |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Test Your Metal (Official Video) {{pipe}} Napalm Records |date=2015-07-15 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yctXV3uHBs |work=Youtube |language=en |access-date=2023-02-21}}
• 2016: "Time Stands Still", taken from Time Stands Still{{Citation |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Time Stands Still (Official Video) {{pipe}} Napalm Records |date=2016-12-01 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liOpF1oHhu4 |work=Youtube |language=en |access-date=2023-02-21}}
• 2017: "Cleanse the Bloodlines", taken from Apex{{Citation |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Cleanse The Bloodlines (Official Video) {{pipe}} Napalm Records |date=2017-04-08 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfSL-6YExzk |work=Youtube |language=en |access-date=2023-02-21}}
• 2017: "Awakening", taken from Apex{{Citation |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Awakening (Full Band Playthrough Video) {{pipe}} Napalm Records |date=2017-08-25 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqUPGa15Oto |work=Youtube |language=en |access-date=2023-02-21}}
• 2019: "Northwest Passage", taken from Explorers{{Citation |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Northwest Passage (Official Video) {{pipe}} Napalm Records |date=2019-08-30 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRD3vrSLPaw |work=Youtube |language=en |access-date=2023-02-21}}
• 2019: "Heartless World", taken from Explorers{{Citation |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Heartless World (Official Lyric Video) {{pipe}} Napalm Records |date=2019-10-21 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUSjIrPs3bQ |work=Youtube |language=en |access-date=2023-02-21}}
• 2020: "Abyss", taken from Abyss{{Citation |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Abyss (Official Video) {{pipe}} Napalm Records |date=2020-06-18 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bGmjnkDTTI |work=Youtube |language=en |access-date=2023-02-21}}
• 2020: "Soulbound", taken from Abyss{{Citation |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Soulbound (Official Video) {{pipe}} Napalm Records |date=2020-07-15 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yFH-O05uS0 |work=Youtube |language=en |access-date=2023-02-21}}
• 2020: "Faster Than Light", taken from Abyss{{Citation |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Faster Than Light (Official Video) {{pipe}} Napalm Records |date=2020-08-24 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JpOcvvnX_s |work=Youtube |language=en |access-date=2023-02-21}}
• 2020: "Legacy", taken from Abyss{{Citation |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Legacy (Official Lyric Video) {{pipe}} Napalm Records |date=2020-10-09 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWuM9CkY3U8 |work=Youtube |language=en |access-date=2023-02-21}}
• 2022: "Falsewave", taken from Apex (Deluxe Version){{Citation |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Falsewave (Official Lyric Video) {{pipe}} Napalm Records |date=2022-09-13 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh7RbbeBMa4 |work=Youtube |language=en |access-date=2023-02-21}}
• 2022: "Acoustipex", taken from Apex (Deluxe Version){{Citation |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Acoustipex (Official Playthrough Video) {{pipe}} Napalm Records |date=2022-11-03 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGzu5QTbz1U |work=Youtube |language=en |access-date=2023-02-21}}
• 2023: "Night of the Werewolves",{{Citation |title=Night of the Werewolves | date=April 6, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ooBAey1gTA |access-date=2023-09-14 |language=en}} taken from Interludium{{cite web | url=https://www.napalmrecordsamerica.com/powerwolf-interludium-earbook.html | title=POWERWOLF - Interludium / Earbook 3CD }}
• 2024: "Green & Glass", taken from Phantoma{{Citation|title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Green & Glass (Official Video) | date=February 13, 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLPMBD7i0IU |access-date=2024-02-13 |language=en}}
• 2024: "Ghosts In The Mist", taken from Phantoma{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYSHuCUegm0 |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Ghosts In The Mist (Official Performance Video) {{!}} Napalm Records |language=en |access-date=2024-04-25 |via=www.youtube.com}}
• 2024: "Seeking Vengeance", taken from Phantoma{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73UDuifWPvg |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Seeking Vengeance (Official Video) {{!}} Napalm Records |language=en |access-date=2024-04-25 |via=www.youtube.com}}
• 2024: "Blood Empress", taken from Phantoma{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx5Le0L7rOs |title=UNLEASH THE ARCHERS - Blood Empress (Official Video) {{!}} Napalm Records |language=en |access-date=2024-05-09 |via=www.youtube.com}}

• Behold the Devastation voted No. 6 in Exclaim Magazine{{'}}s Readers Choice Awards for Best Metal Albums 2009.{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/Music/article/mastodon_converge_slayer_rule_top_metal_albums_in_exclaims_2009_readers_poll|title=Exclaim Magazine Readers Choice 2009|work=exclaim.ca}}
• Voted Best Metal Band at the Whammy Awards in Vancouver for 2015.{{cite web|url=http://whammys.ca/2015-awards-nominees/|title=Whammy Awards Vancouver 2015|work=whammys.ca|access-date=December 18, 2016|archive-date=August 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813180131/http://whammys.ca/2015-awards-nominees/|url-status=dead}}
• Winners in the category of Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year in the 2021 Juno Awards.{{Cite web|title=JUNO Award Nominees|url=https://junoawards.ca/nominees/|access-date=2021-03-15|website=The JUNO Awards|language=en-US}}

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{{Unleash the Archers}}

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