Heavy Mag Premiere: VAN HALST’s New Video Asks The ‘Questions’ About Victim Blaming
+
PureGrainAudio Presents Western Canadian Tour
Out Now! New Album ‘World of Make Believe’

Photo Credit: Renee Robyn
Music Video – Save Me – Watch here.
Album Stream – Bandcamp | Soundcloud | Idobi
One of the most important efforts vocalist / lyricist Kami Van Halst of Canada’s VAN HALSTemphasizes through their music are strong messages from her socially conscious lyrics. Pushing to inspire listeners and fans to be aware, informed and encouraged to take action on various topics ranging from female empowerment, body image, education, rape culture, poverty, domestic violence among many other issues, the goth rockers have teamed up with Heavy Mag to premiere their latest video ‘Questions’ in support of their new album ‘World of Make Believe’.
“I wrote Questions with my sister Brittney Grabill. This song deals with victim blaming and how the victims of sexual assault are often criticized and blamed for putting themselves in a vulnerable position, which allowed them to be abused or exploited.” Kami Van Halst, “This is wrong, we should not be blaming or scrutinizing the victims of abuse. We need to remove the stigma and put the blame where it rightly belongs- on the abuser.”To watch ‘Questions’, please visit the following link on Heavy Mag: http://heavymag.com.au/premiere-van-halst-questions-video-clip/
In additional news, VAN HALST will be hitting the road for a Western Canadian tour presented byPureGrainAudio.com. The tour will kick of at OurFest in Nevis, AB on August 20th and wrap up with a hometown show in Edmonton, AB on September 4th.

Aug 20 – Nevis, AB – Ourfest –
info
Aug 27 – Valemount, BC – Metalocolypstick Fest –
info
Aug 31 – Kelowna, BC – Fernando’s Pub
Sept 2 – Victoria, BC – Logan’s Pub
Sept 3 – Vancouver, BC – Red Room
Sept 4 – Edmonton, BC – Mercury Room
About:
A fierce, empowering force of hard rock fused with metal with strong socially conscious lyrics and advocacy for female rights, VAN HALST recently released their debut album ‘World of Make Believe’ on March 4th, 2016, which is now available on iTunes and Bandcamp.
VAN HALST, a project that first began as a solo endeavour for whom the band is named after — Kami Van Halst, has since become a full group producing socially conscious, lyrical tracks that focus on disenfranchised and marginalized populations. The band’s influences stay true to goth rock with Kami Van Halst demonstrating an agile vocal delivery in combination with pummeling growls. Lyrically, the band draws from black metal due to its focus on people suffering from isolation and rising to overcome the preconceptions of a judgmental society. In This Moment’s industrial fusion remains a primary influence for Van Halst, employing a sampler, synthesizer, and distorted vocals.
Kami Van Halst dominates as the vocalist performing both growls and soaring vocals (Surviving Suzanne), Scott Greene (Derina Harvey Band/Dirty Pool) and Strathon J. Bajowsky (Havok Way) craft the guitar work while Brendan McMillan (bass) (My Darkest Days) and Brett Seaton (drums) (Cultured by Fire) drive the rhythm section of the band. Kami’s range and virtuosic vocal ability always captivates an audience and her attitude on stage truly delivers the meaning behind the songs. The main writing forces for the band are Kami and Scott working together to give listeners a vivid image of social injustices. The band’s live performance is a theatric experience as the utilize full-costumes, make-up and stage props.

1. The End (4:31)
2. Save Me (4:12)
3. Ryan’s Song (4:11)
4. World of Make Believe (3:46)
5. Questions (3:23)
6. Denying Eyes (4:08)
7. Monster (3:29)
8. Plastic Smile (5:11)
9. Put Him Down (4:33)
10. Perfect Storm (4:44)
Album Length: 42:14