Canadian Prog CANDOR ZEALOT (ft. ex-members of Annihilator, The Slyde) Make Their Debut w/ Single “Lie For Country”
Canadian (Ottawa, ON) progressive metal newcomers Candor Zealot are set to make their explosive debut with “Lie For Country”, the first in a series of singles to be released throughout 2026. With a sound that fuses the melodic intricacy of Rush and Dream Theater with the raw energy of Megadeth, Billy Talent, and Killswitch Engage, Candor Zealot are poised to deliver a fresh yet nostalgic take on modern progressive rock and heavy metal.
Formed by frontman Nate Silva after the disbandment of his previous project, The Slyde, in 2019, Candor Zealot emerged from years of creative exploration, pandemic delays, and solo ventures. Recruiting many of the same musicians from The Slyde, Silva describes the band as a “spiritual successor” to his earlier work, only this time with a sharper name and a renewed focus on honesty and intensity.
“‘Lie For Country’ is our debut single, and we wanted to introduce ourselves with breakneck speed, musical intensity, and a poignant political message. There are influences of Megadeth, Killswitch Engage, Billy Talent, and even System of a Down in this track, and it’s a song about being manipulated and politically indoctrinated without thinking critically. We are proud of this track, and we are pumped to release it!” – Nate Silva, Candor Zealot
Rather than releasing a traditional full-length album, Candor Zealot will roll out six singles across 2026, each designed to capture attention in today’s fast-paced listening culture. Fans can expect melodic hooks, technical proficiency, and thought-provoking lyrics that tackle both politics and relationships, two universal themes that resonate deeply.
Candor Zealot is comprised of seasoned musicians with deep roots in Canada’s metal scene, including ex-members of Annihilator and The Slyde. Frontman Nate Silva (vocals/guitar), formerly of The Slyde, is an international touring artist and academic researcher on chiptune music. Guitarist Chris Gagnon, based in Ottawa, is a versatile performer active in eight tribute bands covering acts from Queen to Rage Against the Machine. Drummer Dino Soares, a longtime collaborator with Silva since their teenage years, continues to freelance in Kingston’s music scene. On bass, Alberto Campuzano, formerly of Annihilator, also performs with Toronto’s Metallica tribute act Sandman. Collectively, the band brings decades of experience and a proven pedigree, highlighted by Silva, Soares, and Campuzano’s performance at Wacken Open Air in Germany after winning the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle Canada with The Slyde.
With “Lie For Country” as their fiery introduction, Candor Zealot plans to release five more singles throughout 2026, followed by additional recordings in 2027.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Nate: We are CANDOR ZEALOT, a collective of seasoned rockers hailing from Canada to give a nostalgic, but fresh, take on modern progressive rock and heavy metal.
Tell us a bit about your recent release.
Nate: We just recently dropped our debut single (and accompanying music video) titled LIE FOR COUNTRY. It’s a thrashy, intense metal-inspired bulldozer of a track. Some influences that we drew from for this track are Megadeth, Billy Talent, System of a Down, and Killswitch Engage. It’s about being manipulated and politically indoctrinated, and trying to fight back against it.
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
Nate: As the main songwriter for this first batch of six singles, I solely wrote the majority of the arrangements – guitars, drums, vocals, etc – and demoed the tunes in my home studio. Then, I send the demos to the bandmates, but *without* their respective instruments in the mix. Then, I let them come up with their own arrangements, and do a second round of demoing. Then we discuss the final arrangements collectively, and then hit the studio for production, where more revisions likely tend to happen.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
Nate: Our focus is mainly on building an online presence through digital marketing. So, a lot of short-form content on socials, more music videos with every single release, and just trying to engage our audience online.
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
Nate: This project is a spiritual successor to my previous creative project, The Slyde, and that previous project won the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle Canada competition, which led us to perform at Wacken Open Air in Germany. So, that was a big deal, I guess [laughs].
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward. What upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
Nate: There’s a great rock band from Ottawa, Canada called The Escape Society. Check them out!