Project Mars - (2012) Don't Hold Back

Hailing from Ottawa, ON, alt rockers Project Mars are back with a vengeance to unleash their most powerful material to date into the musical landscape while simultaneously lending their talents to help a worthy cause.

What began as some plain good ol’ banter on the job between three coworkers at a restaurant, soon became prog rock band Sound Addiction, morphed into a power trio and eventually evolved into alt rock band Project Mars.

After purchasing all the necessary gear to record a debut album, tackling the learning curve that followed and playing a number of successful shows, a mix of unforeseen factors led to the dissolution of Project Mars a year later. But not too long after that is when, in 2010, a reunion between high school friends Jason Connolly (Guitars/Vocals) and Ron Henry (Vocals/Guitars) resulted in the beginning of the resurrection of Project Mars.

Now, Project Mars is gearing up to release its debut full-length album, Don’t Hold Back, in September 2012. With the title track an ode to the band’s former bassist who left to join the army, the record deals with everything from war and politics to more personal struggles.

Packed with in-your-face rock and tons of attitude from track to track, Don’t Hold Back’s first mission is to kick listeners’ asses and its second is to help raise awareness and funds for multiple sclerosis research, following a recent diagnosis that hit close to home. ~Press Release

Review:

Project Mars has some infectious melodies and ready-for-the-radio grooves that could hold their own with any of the more popular bands heard over the airwaves, and even leave most em in their dust. Tons of attitude and swagger, some cool riffs here and there, soulful vocals and lots-o-cowbell (never enough cowbell). I'm hearing influences by bands like Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden and even a bit of Life of Agony, pretty cool stuff. I think we'll be hearing more from these guys in the future.

~adamW