Canadian band The Velvet Supersloths blend heavy rock and groove metal in a hard-hitting sound that they describe as “heavy, groovy and uplifting.”
Hailing from Sherbrooke, in Québec, the quintet of Johnny Maximum, Eric Provencher, David Boissé, Yanick Brouillaird and Jean-François St-Cyr came together through a shared obsession with riffs in 2014, building their reputation “one sweaty show at a time” across Québec and Ontario. The band members shared the same energy and chaotic sense of fun, allowing them to shape an identity around heavy grooves, big hooks, a party atmosphere, and a mascot named Slothy Bowman, “who may or may not cause trouble on stage.”
On the sound they’ve crafted since, frontman Johnny told us: “We’re a heavy rock band with groove metal bones and a big sense of fun. Think the riff power of Metallica and Pantera, the swagger of Clutch and ZZ Top, and the crowd-pleasing energy of AC/DC – wrapped in a modern, upbeat, party-friendly vibe. Our music is meant to make you move, shout, and have a good time.”
Our latest taste of this is their party anthem Set the World on Fire, which was released at the end of last month. It opens up with heavy guitar chords under engaging vocals, which drop into lively guitars under crooning vocals. Heavy guitars kick in under a cry of “Are you ready? Let’s get started,” which feeds into another verse with dual vocals. A little guitar lick feeds into a big singalong chorus: “We’re here to set the world on fire, To light up even the smallest crowds, We’re here cause we want it and have the power.”
That ends with heavy guitars and big shouty vocals: “We don’t care if you’re a poser, We don’t care if you wear drainpipes, All we want is to get on stage, We don’t care if you’re a nerd, We don’t care if you wear a skirt, All we want is to get on stage, Play for you and to release all this rage.” The pace slows momentarily, before flying into a lively final blast of the chorus.
On the track, Johnny told us: “The reception has been incredible so far – people are responding to the mix of intensity and positivity in the track. Set the World on Fire is energetic, fierce, and joyful all at once. Anyone hearing it for the first time can expect a punchy riff-driven anthem built for live shows: big drums, big vocals, a lot of attitude, and that ‘let’s light up the room together’ spirit that defines us.”
That’s the latest in a series of singles over the last couple of years, following on from their self-titled album released in 2021. There’s more of the same intensity on the hard-riffing Between Lines & Lights, the dark and intense Echoes of Redemption, and the super funky Hot Sloth Boogie.
The Velvet Supersloths sound draws influence from bands like Metallica, Pantera, White Zombie, Clutch, Nickelback, and System of a Down, who contribute to the band’s live of massive riffs, groove, grit, melody, atmosphere and live-show charisma.
And on what inspires them to write music, Johnny explains: “We write music to create moments – those explosive, communal, sweaty, electric moments that only live rock can deliver. Our themes range from empowerment and resilience to humor, chaos, and pure celebration. Sometimes we get serious, sometimes we get ridiculous, but the goal is always the same: songs that hit hard and bring people together.”
The Velvet Supersloths are already hard at work on new material, with a new EP slated for around April 2026. They’ll also be busy playing gigs across Québec and Ontario and, intriguingly, expanding their privae party offering. They also have an interesting merch line, which includes their VSS&CO signature hot sauces and spice mix that’s become an integral part of the band’s storytelling.
And Johnny added: “Our shows are like our music: loud, fun, and unforgettable – we bring a full rock-party experience with humor, crowd interaction, a mascot, and moments you won’t see anywhere else. Whether you’re a die-hard metal fan or just someone who loves big riffs and a good time, we’re the breath of fresh air to light up any room we walk into.”
You can follow The Velvet Supersloths on Facebook and Instagram, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music and YouTube.
Listen to The Velvet Supersloths and more new bands on our Spotify playlists GigRadar Rock and GigRadar Metal
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