Local metal band Mandroid Echostar went to the Juno Awards in Ottawa this weekend with the expectation to go to a few parties and schmooze with a few Canadian music icons.
Instead, the band members found themselves returning to Guelph with the trophy for Metal Album of the Year.For singer Michael Ciccia, the moment the band’s name was announced during the non-televised ceremony on Saturday was a complete blur.
“It was mind boggling. It still hasn’t sunk in yet, but it was one of the craziest experiences,” said Ciccia over the phone—a little hungover after the weekend’s festivities. “I had to recheck with everyone that they actually called our name.”
Mandroid Echostar’s latest full-length album Coral Throne was up against 2016 releases from Protest the Hero, the Devin Townsend Project, Despised Icon, and Annihilator.According to Ciccia, what set Mandroid’s album apart from the other nominees was their more melodic and accessible approach.
“It’s a little different from the normal metal album. It’s got [something] people can hold onto, as opposed to classic metal that’s just driving and takes you on this crazy journey,” he explained. “Ours lets you kind of settle in for a minute.”
The band, consisting of Ciccia, Matt Huber-Kidby, James Krul, Sam Pattison, Adam Richards, and Stephen Richards, is currently back in the writing process and hopes to release another album towards the end of this year.
Photo courtesy.