Contact information for management, press, and booking requests:
Neil James
Nightshade Music
651-247-4249
neil@cwnannwn.com
Neil also administers the Cwn Annwn Myspace page, so feel free to send a Myspace message as well.
BE A FAN OF CWN ANNWN ON FACEBOOK! CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN DIRECTLY TO THE CWN ANNWN FACEBOOK PAGE AND STREAM THE ENTIRE "BLOOD OF THE DJINN" EP!
"You'll never go anywhere playing that type of music with a band name like that."
was a common refrain heard by the members of St. Paul based metal band, Cwn Annwn (pronounced, Coon-uh-NOON, loosely translating as The Hounds of Hell in Welsh mythos.) Their music was outdated. It didn't sound like what was popular. But deaf to the criticism, Cwn Annwn diligently and painstakingly honed their craft. Naysayers slowly but surely became supporters as Cwn Annwn's intense live performances led to capacity crowds at First Avenue, Triple Rock Social Club, Station 4, and other venues throughout the region. Their vision of metal was validated through direct support for established national acts, including Trivium, All That Remains, Exodus, Gojira, Iced Earth, 3 Inches of Blood, Skeletonwitch, Chimaira, Prong, Testament, Divine Heresy, Early Man, Crisis, Five Finger Death Punch, Watch Them Die and others.
Cwn Annwn's music, while decidedly metal, combines a wide array of musical influences to form a sound that is familiar, yet unique. Guitarist and original frontman Neil James' solos and harmonies evoke classic Maiden and Metallica, while bassist Mike Strohkirch's quirky Primus influenced basslines give Cwn Annwn's riffs their distnctive quality. Guitar player Harry Rostovtsev brings a technical aspect derived from Dream Theater prog and Gothenburg pioneers At the Gates. In 2005, drummer Jake Stone joined the group, replacing longtime drummer Marty Allison, incorporating his passion for the complex arrangements of Rush and Tool.
Then, in 2007, shortly after the release of their critically acclaimed debut full length "The Method of Murder," Cwn Annwn shocked their fanbase by announcing that ex-Vile Red singer Julie Schultz would be taking over primary vocal duties, with original frontman Neil James stepping back to focus solely on guitars. Schultz' dynamic voice integrated seamlessly into the band's material, introducing a power and intensity unknown from the band's previous offerings. In 2008, Cwn Annwn released the EP "Blood of the Djinn" - the first official recording with Schultz's vocals. Title track "The Djinn" achieved Garageband Track of the Day status, has received airplay on local, regional, and international radio, and has been featured on several compilation CDs.
With plans to expand their presence in the Midwest and record a full length al bum, Cwn Annwn is more determined than ever to bring their metal to the masses!
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