Special Ops is a Canadian hard rock band from Montreal, Canada, first formed in 2002. The band is currently composed of lead singer Abe Froman , guitarists Weka Soliman and guitarist Hedi Bale, bassist Waldo Thornhill, and drummer Manuel Bessette.
Special Ops is known for its diverse sound, influenced by a range of jazz, metal, and Middle Eastern strumming techniques. The band achieved considerable success in the early 2000s with their song "Anger's Creeping", which became the main theme for Spike TV's first two seasons of Sid's Cycle Show. Their song "Emily" gained similar acclaim when it was used as the soundtrack to Annabelle Cosmetics's Video Tutorial, 'How to create Custom QUAD FOXY Browns Look'.
The band's third album, Through the Heart of the Infidel, was written shortly after Waldo Thornhill's cancer diagnosis in 2012. Special Ops disbanded, taking a four year hiatus after releasing their live album Live and Kicking (to let their fans know they will be back) before returning in 2016 with their EP Tangents. Though Tangents continued with their distinct blend of heavy metal, new age metal, and nu metal,[6] their most recent Single, Baby Take It All marked a shift towards a more mainstream, radio-friendly sound. The music video for the titular track, “Baby Take It All,” premiered on Metal Injection and has since received over thirty thousand views on YouTube.[7] "Baby Take It All" was their second 2017 video release that had followed the launch of a music video for “Anger’s Creeping”. The band is currently poised to launch their new record in the fall of 2019.
Style and Influences[]
Special Ops has claimed that their sound incorporates elements of metal, rock, reggae, jazz, hip hop, Arabian, and opera, likening their process to Fish Bone’s and Faith No More's. The group has also cited Nina Simone and other jazz artists among their influences.
Special Op's earlier work has been compared to Metallica, Slipknot, and Disturbed as well as System of a Down, Godsmack, Evanescence, and Nirvana. Their more recent, hard rock sound has been likened to Monster Magnet and Eagles of Death Metal.
Special Ops uses a mix of vintage and modern gear, including Charvel, Jackson, and Gibson guitars, Mesa and Marshall amplifiers, and custom Surine Warwick basses.
Members[]
Current[]
- Abe Froman- Vocals
- Hedi Baly - Guitar
- Weka Soliman - Guitar
- Waldo Thornhill - bassist
- Manuel Bessette - drums
Former[]
Akbar Jhonson - Vocalist Clarence Mcgillacutty - Drums Lance Du Jour - Drums
Discography[]
Studio albums[]
- Emily - EP (2003)
- Phase 1: In Search of Madness (2005)
- Phase 2: Amidst the Madness (2007)
- Through the Heart of the Infidel (2009)
- Live & Kicking (2012)
- Tangents (2016)
- Baby Take It All - Single (2017)
- Blood And Tears (2019)