Special Ops (band)

Special Ops is a Canadian hard rock band from Montreal, Canada, first formed in 2002. The band is currently composed of lead singer/guitarist A.K. Johnson (Sam Odeh), guitarist Weka Soliman “BW”, bassist Waldo Thornhill, and drummer Mana-Manu Bessette.


Special Ops is known for its diverse sound, influenced by a range of jazz, 80s metal, and Middle Eastern strumming techniques.[1][2] 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.[3] 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'.[4]


The band's third album, Through the Heart of the Infidel, was written shortly after Waldo Thornhill's cancer diagnosis in 2012.[5] 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.[1] 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”. Special Ops returned on November 24th 2019 with a fresh new album dubbed “Blood And Tears”. In this self-produced 9th release to be followed by the second single "Dead Are Calling" before the full length album and last single "I Put A Spell On You", along with Grammy & Multi Platinum award winning Producer Steve Pageot, Mixing engineer Darius Szezepaniak and Mastered by Kevin Jardine Slaves on Dope guitarist.


After their bass player “Waldo Thornhill” has beaten cancer twice, and their guitar player “Weka” barely made a getaway out of Egypt to escape political detention due to his previous work and affiliation with political singer Ramy Essam [8]. Special Ops have managed in less than 6 months to release 2 successful singles to follow up on their award winning album “Through The Heart Of The Infidel”.


According to the band Their latest record “Blood And Tears” captures the hearts and minds of those who have struggled in protest and demonstrates the trial and tribulations they as a band have seen.

Charts & Accomplishments
  • I Put A Spell On You #12 on World Indie Music Charts 04-12-2020
  • I Put A Spell On You #46 on Euro Indie Music Charts 04-12-2020
  • Blood And Tears #06 on CJLO 03-06-2020
  • Blood And Tears #08 on CHSR 02-18-2020
  • I Put A Spell On You #13 on DRT GLOBAL TOP 50 ROCK AIRPLAY CHART 03-04-2020
  • I Put A Spell On You #104 on DRT GLOBAL TOP 150 INDEPENDENT AIRPLAY CHART 01-06-2020
  • Rotation on 150+ Radio stations world wide (Satellite, FM, AM and Digital) 2020
  • Dead Are Calling #1 Rock / Pop Rock Charts Berkshire Media Group (KMIX LA & affiliates) 2018
  • Dead Are Calling#1 Rock / Pop Rock Charts WNYR Newyork 2018
  • Winner – Best Alt Rock song - Dead Are Calling 2018
  • Take It All Tour Endorsements by Godin, Serin Bass, Autopsy Report radio show, 247 Inkmag, ++
  • Winner – Best Provincial Rock Video – Pressure
  • Through The Heart of The Infidel #16 on CFBX 92.5FM 06-06-2010
  • Toronto Exclusive Magazine Awards 2009
  • Independent Music Awards winner Through The Heart 2009
  • Winner – Best Metal Group – New Music Awards 2009
  • Nominated at Toronto Exclusive Magazine Awards 2008 (Best Rock song, Best Rock Album, Best Rock Group)
  • Anger is Creeping- # 2 on CSCR 12-01-2008

Style and Influences

A.K Johnson has claimed that their sound incorporates elements of metal, rock, reggae, jazz, hip hop, Middle Eastern, and Classical, likening their process to Fish Bone's and Faith No More's.[9] The group has also cited Nina Simone and other jazz artists among their influences.[10]

Special Op's earlier work has been compared to Metallica, Slipknot, and Disturbed[6] as well as System of a Down, Godsmack, Evanescence, and Nirvana.[5] Their more recent, hard rock sound has been likened to Therapy?, Monster Magnet and Eagles of Death Metal.[7]

Special Ops uses a mix of vintage and modern gear, including Dean, Charvel, Amiral, Jackson, and Gibson guitars, Ibanez amplifiers, and custom Warwick fretless basses.[11]

Members

Current
  • A.K. Johnson (Sam Odeh) - Vocals
  • Weka Soliman “BW” - Guitar
  • Waldo Thornhill - Bass
  • Mana-manu Bessette - Drums

Former
  • Abe Froman - Vocalist
  • Pat Kadaver - Drums
  • Mike Rien - Drums
  • Dante Sanchez - Drums

Discography
  • Emily - EP (2003)
  • Phase 1: In Search of Madness (2005)
  • Phase 2: Amidst the Madness (2007)
  • Pressure - Single (2009)
  • Through the Heart of the Infidel (2009)
  • Live & Kicking (2012)
  • Tangents (2016)
  • Baby Take It All - Single (2017)
  • Blood And Tears (2019)
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References
  1. Robin, M. T. "Special Ops: Changing The Face Of Rock Music With Their New Release". BuzzFeed Community. Retrieved 2017-06-27.
  2. "Special Ops". specialops. Retrieved 2017-06-27.
  3. "Montreal's Special Ops Deploy On A Mission Of Rock | Chart Attack". Chart Attack. 2007-12-10. Retrieved 2017-06-27.
  4. AnnabelleCosmetics (2009-09-17), Annabelle Cosmetics - How to create Custom QUAD FOXY Browns Look, retrieved 2017-06-27
  5. "Special Ops working through cancer scare". Daily Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  6. Radic, Randy (2017-03-30). "Single Review: "Anger's Creeping," Special Ops". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  7. Ops Mission (2017-06-01), Special Ops - Baby Take It All (Metal Injection Exclusive Premiere), retrieved 2017-06-28
  8. rebelbeatckut. "Weka Soliman". Rebel Beat Radio. Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  9. Melanson, Jenna (2017-04-06). "Five Questions With Special Ops". Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  10. "AA Indie Song of the Day - Special Ops - "Baby Take It All" | Alternative Addiction". www.alternativeaddiction.com. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  11. "RIGGED - Members of SPECIAL OPS Show Us the Goods - GearGods". GearGods. 2017-04-20. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
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