LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT - The Divine Project
- jaybroderick
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
By: Jay Broderick - There is no denying that the 1980s was the golden age of heavy metal. With it brought an endless list of subgenres like thrash, death, black, and speed (not to mention the vastly inferior, yet much more popular glam and hair). If you were fortunate enough to live in and around Toronto during these times, you will fondly remember the explosion of the heavy metal lifestyle. The so-called "Headshop" popped up all over Yonge Street, where you could buy flags featuring your favourite bands to hang on your bedroom walls, rock t-shirts with their 3/4 length white sleeves, and other specific types of "paraphernalia" if you chose to dabble during your teenaged angst. And of course, local bands sprang up onto the music scene. Anvil, Lee Aaron, and Killer Dwarfs ruled the more mainstream, while heavier brands like Sacrifice, Slaughter and Infernal Majesty ruled the underworld.
While the 1990s didn't have the same hold as the 80s, and the 2000s did churn out bands like Alexisonfire and Cancer Bats, there had been a significant drop in heavier music coming out of this once great heavy music city. That is until the last 10 years or so. Modern day bands like Korrosive, Blood Opera, ITUS, and Black Absinthe are stamping their names in the annals of Toronto heavy metal.
Now, with already a quarter century past us by into the millennium, another band from Greater Toronto is looking to amp up the competition both with their style and energy. The band is called The Divine Project, founded by guitarist Eric Divine. Albeit, The Divine Project has been kicking the live circuit in the GTA for some time now, actually having been originally formed in 2009. But the band's founder is hellbent on bringing his love of melodic heavy music to a higher level, with an all new, revamped lineup in 2025.
Vocalist Ro Stevens, guitarist David T. Anselmo, bassist Derek "DRock" Boshkov and drummer Mitch Greenham round out the 5 piece. Adding to each respective member's impressive resume, The Divine Project has toured in support of bands like Eyes Set to Kill, Awake at Last among many others including the 2025 Wacken Metal Battle Canada winners Killotine.
As a promise to prove their intentions of bringing the band's music to the masses, they released their EP The Rebirth on November 28th, 2025, with an official launch show on November 29th at The Bovine. Sadly, we weren't able to attend the club that night to cover the band's release show, but the EP is so deadly, it easily warrants a deeper listen, and share of our thoughts here.
The 4 track EP kicks off with a rhythmic, pounding drum intro connecting us immediately with the living spirit of the band's music on the first track "The Revolt". The tempo quickly builds with the addition of guitars and then more added bass thanks to DRock's bottom end. The guitar riff is a quick hook, and then 30 seconds in, we get a taste of Ro Stevens' throaty, guttural singing style... until a new layer of melodic lyrics add to his vocal prowess. With the rest of the band sharing the backing vocal duties in an almost anthemic punch, the band doesn't waste any time if showing their abilities both in musicianship and writing style.
A much different, industrial sounding guitar rings in the EP's 2nd track "Ruins of Truth". Old school radio station seeking sound bites and chiming guitar notes add a 1990s Rob Zombie/Queens of the Stoneage-esque element, until a new layer of Stevens' vocal range, and adaptability is showcased. It adds a screamier, angrier element that heavy music fans of the 21st century will love.
"Don't Startle the Murder" is the 3rd track on The Rebirth EP, and subsequently, was the first officially released single from the recording. Again, multi-layered with tempo changes, vocals that range from deep and monstrous to melodic and powerful, and rhythm and bass that'll beat you into submission, you simply won't get much heavier than this offering! As the cool kids say... "SICK"!!!
The Rebirth closes out with the longest track on the EP at just under 6 minutes in length, the aptly titled "The Longest Night". Musically, this track builds itself like any great song of the heavy metal genre. Think of the progression of any Iron Maiden or Judas Priest track, and you'll have an idea of how this song is textured. At the midway point, the beat breaks down to an extremely melodic bridge, yet again building to a crescendo of thunderous closure. As the last note fades out, and the synthetic music box chimes takes us through the outro, I'm simply left wanting more. Not from the track itself, but from an EP whose tracks each bring their own texturally layered elements, all melded together in an extraordinary Extended Play recording.
The Divine Project Online
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