Alpha Galates

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Alpha Galates, formerly The Hollow, is a Canadian progressive metal band that originated in Medicine Hat, Alberta and is now based in Toronto, Ontario.

Matthew Wagner, Karen Wagner and Todd Lefever formed The Hollow in 2001. The band released three independently-produced albums through the Swarm Theory Music label: Natio in 2002, and Vita and ab Gehenna in 2004. ab Gehenna was a digital-only release. Another album, Obitus, was due out in 2006, but was released on iTunes only. All of these albums were produced and mixed by singer/drummer Matthew von Wagner (U.S.S., Crystal Castles, the dunes).

Original live drummer Colin Snortland (aka Nilock Lang) left, and singer Matthew von Wagner, (former drummer for pop punk band Racer 10), moved to drums. Guitar duties were filled out by Rowan MacPhail, and in 2006 Harmony was added on keys.

After EMI Music Canada president Deane Cameron came and saw the band at the bovine sex club in Toronto,the band signed to EMI in December, 2006 and began recording new 2 new songs to be added to the album originally called Obitus. In February 2007, a 5th album was remixed at Bay 7 Studios by Joe Barresi (Tool, Tomahawk, Bad Religion), and mastered by Bob Ludwig. This album, A Stimulus for Reason, was released February 19th, 2008 through EMI Music Canada under the band's new name, Alpha Galates.

The album was released in 2 forms, a digipak album, and a deluxe version packaged in a metal tin, that contains 3 bonus tracks that were recorded and mixed by Matthew von Wagner at Rainbow Trout Studios in Toronto. It also contains a cgi video for the track "natio".

In January 2008, Alpha Galates filmed their first video for "standing", with director Margaret Malandrucollo. It was based on the film "they live" by John Carpenter. The video was added to MUCHLOUD station, getting heavy rotation, and also was LOUDTESTED on Muchmusic.

The band completed a Canadian tour with Grimskunk in March/April 2008, and are currently opening for Threat Signal. They are booked to play Rock am Ring and Rock im Park 2008, Nova Rock and are playing Edgefest 2008.

[edit] Discography

As The Hollow:
- 2002: Natio (Swarm Theory)
- 2004: Vita (Swarm Theory)
- 2004: ab Gehenna (digital release)
- 2006: Obitus (iTunes-only)
As Alpha Galates:
- February 19, 2008: A Stimulus for Reason (EMI Canada)