Crowds show their appreciation at Untimely Demise shows with raised pint glasses, head-banging, fist pumping, moshing, and ardent cheering. "It is a regular part of our shows, and it really reinforces that we are doing our job as a metal band," says Matt Cuthbertson (lead, rhythm guitar, and vocals). "We have heard comments from the audience like, 'I don't like metal, but these guys are good!' We have been lucky enough to have a lot of non-metalheads check us out, and actually appreciate the musicianship."

The Saskatoon band often plays to sold-out crowds in the province and is quickly gaining fans across Canada, and in Europe and Japan. Cuthbertson, his brother Murray (bass guitar), and Scott Cross (drums) have one main goal: to make fast, technical, greasy metal music that explores complex rhythmic themes.

"We like to incorporate a strong lead guitar influence in our songwriting which draws from all eras of metal, and is also influenced by the jazz and classical genres," Cuthbertson says.

Untimely Demise received an ArtVenture grant to record its debut full-length album, City of Steel, released in December 2010. The Arts Board grant allowed the group to record with a producer who "understands and breathes thrash metal," but most critically, Cuthbertson says, "it has added legitimacy to the independent metal scene in Saskatchewan as a true art form and not misguided rage. Hopefully this paves the way for more great metal acts in Saskatchewan."

In June 2011, Untimely Demise signed a worldwide multi-album deal with Sonic Unyon Metal. The band says in a news release, "We are extremely excited and honored to be on the Sonic Unyon Metal roster! We had been in talks with about half a dozen labels that had expressed interest in our band, but none of them hit the nail on the head like the one we signed with."

Sonic Unyon is excited to be working with Untimely Demise as well. "We feel they are one of the best new metal bands in Canada," says label owner Tim Potocic. "The band is dedicated and diligent towards their craft, they have a work ethic not seen in most bands and is a great fit on our roster."

Sonic Unyon Metal will re-release City Of Steel in North America on September 13, 2011, with European release dates to be announced shortly.

You can listen to the City of Steel album on MySpace and also find Untimely Demise on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo: (left to right) Untimely Demise members Scott Cross, Matt Cuthbertson, and Murray Cuthbertson. Photo credit: Anika Evans