Out May 3rd - Ottawa's NOTSM - Only Death Brings Silence!

1. NOTSM is an acronym for “none of this shit matters” and this is a mantra I’ve been using for years to remind me to focus on the things that are important in my life.

2. The lyrics for “The Hedonic Treadmill” and “The Hedonic Treadmill 2” come from my own experience of dealing with burnout.

3. The vocalist on this album, Alex Hamilton, was hired off of Fiverr.

4. All instruments on this album are programmed. All guitars and vocals are recorded.

5. The working title for the song “Only Death Brings Silence” was “Zippicamknicks”, an undergarment from Aldous Huxley’s novel “Brave New World”.

Excitement builds for the release of NOTSM's debut album “Only Death Brings Silence” on May 3, 2024. A solo project from Matt Barkley, the album delivers a unique blend of heavy metal, proggy riffs, and breakdowns wrapped up with introspective lyrical themes. Barkley’s primary instrument is the guitar, thus the songwriting process typically begins with guitar-based riffs or concepts. He has a deep fascination with rhythm guitar playing, often experimenting with intricate rhythmic patterns, and using odd time signatures, polyrhythms, and polymeters to create engaging compositions. He comments on the album:

“The aim of this album and its singles is to provide listeners with a multifaceted listening experience. Through the lyrics, I aspire for listeners to connect with the themes and find personal resonance, all while delivering plenty of opportunities for headbanging from the heavier moments of the album. During softer moments, I hope listeners will appreciate and be moved by the melodies, while during more experimental segments, I hope they’ll find intrigue and curiosity, urging them to explore the full breadth of the musical ideas presented.”

Over the years, Barkley has maintained a riff bank—a repository of ideas that he frequently revisits and refines for use in his music. In his approach, music precedes lyrics, though he’s recently delved more into lyric writing. This album sees a blend of both processes, with two songs crafted around pre-existing lyrical concepts. While his methods may evolve in the future, this amalgamation of guitar-driven creativity and evolving lyrical exploration defines my current writing ethos.

NOTSM is defined by Barkley’s willingness to adapt and refine his sound while retaining the spirit of experimentation and innovation that is evident in the music. “Only Death Brings Silence” is recommended for fans of The Halo Effect, Rivers of Nihil, and Sylosis.