Ivy Gardens Unveils “Death of Don Valley”
Overview
Niagara Falls, Canada’s Ivy Gardens is set to release their latest album, the live off the floor sludge rock storytelling experience titled “Death of Don Valley”. The album will be available on August 29th, 2025, through Paper Cut Recordings. To celebrate, the band has partnered with Bravewords for a full stream premiere, which can be accessed here.
Album Insights
The band shares their thoughts on the new album:
“Death of Don Valley is the record we had inside us, but couldn’t quite articulate for several years. Musically, it’s a huge leap in a more experimental direction. It’s about death, decay, and the ultimate destruction of the world around you. Everybody knows of some sort of small natural space that gets slowly encroached upon until only a shell remains. The pond beside the highway, the wetlands behind the factory. The Don Valley in Toronto is one such natural feature, slowly tainted by industrialization until it can’t support any of the life that it used to. After touring for several years, we grew a lot as musicians, and only after really honing all of this material live for about a year, we felt we were ready to get it tracked and send it into the world. We recorded everything live off the floor, and Frank, our engineer, had heard nothing beforehand and had no idea what we actually sounded like going into it. Eventually, he asked us, ‘How do you determine what becomes a 2-minute song, and what becomes a 9-minute song?’ Pure instinct, Frank. Here it is.”
Band History
Ivy Gardens emerged from the unassuming setting of a Princess Auto parking lot, driven by a passion for shredding through Rush instrumentals and exploring the depths of heavy music. Following their acclaimed debut album “Goon”, released in 2024, the band has delved into a more experimental and somber direction with “Death of Don Valley”. This concept album poignantly captures the themes of decay, illustrating the gradual demise of natural spaces, notably the Don River in Toronto, swallowed by industrial development and the passage of time.
Musical Influences and Style
Ivy Gardens draws inspiration from a wide array of artists, ranging from progressive legends like Rush, Yes, and King Crimson, to sludge metal pioneers such as EYEHATEGOD and Iron Monkey. Their sound is a unique amalgamation of stoner metal, sludge, math rock, and progressive rock, offering listeners an unpredictable journey through diverse emotional and sonic landscapes.
Upcoming Tour
Fans can look forward to an unparalleled live experience as Ivy Gardens embarks on a cross-Canada tour starting on August 29th in St. Catharines, ON, and concluding in Victoria, BC on October 25th. The tour will feature a range of dates across various cities, promising a compelling showcase of their new material.
Pre-Order Information
“Death of Don Valley” will be available for pre-order at ivygardens.bandcamp.com.
Track Listing
- 1. Burn For Murder – 2:02
- 2. Eye Witness – 2:50
- 3. Burden – 3:08
- 4. Guiding Hand – 6:18
- 5. Frozen Limbs – 5:15
- 6. Gearth – 2:29
- 7. Astray – 4:56
- 8. Bliss – 8:59
- 9. Golden – 7:07
Album Length: 43:08
Credits
Album Credits:
- All songs written and performed by Ivy Gardens
- Produced by Ivy Gardens
- Recorded and mixed by Frank Ditillio
- Mastered by Cameron Lee
- Album Artwork by Ivy Gardens
- Death of Don Valley is Canadian Content (MAPL)
Recording Lineup
- Joe Zandwyk: Drums, Vocals, Samples
- Sebastian Hogg: Organ, Piano, Synth, Samples
- Andrew Blackborow: Guitar, Vocals
Conclusion
Ivy Gardens is poised to make a significant impact with their upcoming album, “Death of Don Valley”. The combination of powerful themes, experimental soundscapes, and a commitment to live performance sets the stage for a remarkable journey through the band’s artistic evolution.
FAQs
When will “Death of Don Valley” be released?
The album is set to be released on August 29th, 2025.
Where can I listen to the album before its release?
The full stream premiere is available through Bravewords and can be accessed here.
What cities will Ivy Gardens be touring?
The band will tour across Canada, starting in St. Catharines, ON, and ending in Victoria, BC, with various stops in between.
How can I pre-order the album?
Pre-orders for “Death of Don Valley” can be made at ivygardens.bandcamp.com.
