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, 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. 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. 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'.
The band's third album, Through the Heart of the Infidel, was written shortly after Waldo Thornhill's cancer diagnosis in 2012. Special Ops disbanded, taking a four year hiatus after releasing their live album Live and Kicking before returning in 2016 with their EP Tangents. Though Tangents continued with their distinct blend of heavy metal, new age metal, and nu metal, 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. "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. 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

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. The group has also cited Nina Simone and other jazz artists among their influences.
Special Op's earlier work has been compared to Metallica, Slipknot, and Disturbed as well as System of a Down, Godsmack, Evanescence, and Nirvana. Their more recent, hard rock sound has been likened to Therapy?, Monster Magnet and Eagles of Death Metal.
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.

Members

Current