Third Ion is the product of a mutual love of prog, video games, science and sci-fi. Formed in 2014 and spread across Canada, the band finished their first full length record by the end of the year – “13/8Bit” was release worldwide on Glasstone Records, May 25 2015.THIRD ION
Peaking at #14 on iTunes Metal Charts, “13/8Bit” was fully embraced by press across the globe, receiving 9/10 at metal.de, 8.5/10 in Aardshock Magazine, as well as featured streams at Bravewords.com, and Metal Hammer Norway. Unfortunately, shortly after the release of “13/8Bit”, Tyler Gilbert decided to leave the band to continue focusing on his own original music.
In January of 2016, Third Ion announced that the mighty Dave Padden had stepped in, and has recorded all the vocals for their sophomore album “Biolith”, which released July 8 2016 on Glasstone Records. Dave’s years of experience with Annihilator and the many records he has recorded on has already proven to be a major asset, and has brought the band to new level of space-time supremacy.
Member Background
Justin is a guitar player, producer/engineer, song-writer, and game developer most known for playing with and producing the Canadian heavy metal veterans Into Eternity. With over two decades of live playing, live sound and studio experience, he has toured the U.S., Canada, Mexico and southeast Asia. The main focus of his career had been studio production, which has now move part time to make way for a full time career as a game and interactive software developer.
Mike has been a professional session bassist for the past 20+ years. He is well versed in all styles of music, and has played everything from metal (Devin Townsend Band, Terror Syndrome) to rock (Jet Black Stare, Ten Ways, the Matinee), to funk, pop, country and jazz. He currently resides in Vancouver, where he gigs, plays sessions and occasionally teaches – and as of 2016 Mike has been a member of one of the biggest rock bands from Canada – Mother Mother. Mike also loves coffee, cartoons and all things nerdy.
Aaron lives drums. He teaches, records, gigs, does clinics, and is a published author (drum related – of course). On top of all that he has contributed nearly 100 poly-rhythm columns for Modern Drummer, and is a full time member of the Drumeo team. His educational material on Youtube has over 2 million views, and more than 13,000 subscribers to his channel.
Dave is known best as the frontman and guitarist for Canadian thrash legends Annihilator, from 2003 to 2014 with whom he toured the world, played major festivals such as Wacken, 70000 Tons of Metal and more. Also served as front man for Silent Strain, and Terror Syndrome in the late 2000’s and is currently singing and playing guitar in a house band in Vancouver BC. Dave joined Third Ion in January 2016, and first appears on the record “Biolith”.