by Scott Roos
photo by Aaron Brown
award graphic by Brian Snell
Saskatoon’s very own Fake Paradise has claimed NSMZ's prestigious “Heavy” Award. The award is intended to highlights artists who lean in a more heavy direction in genres like punk, alternative rock, metal and heavy rock. The duo, consisting of guitarist Jace Irvine and drummer Oishik Khan, has been making waves in the local scene and beyond with their signature blend of doom-infused, sludgy stoner rock, inspired by legends like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. Their debut double single Fire and Frost, featuring the tracks “Into the Fire” and “Frost,” has clearly resonated with our zine, earning them this recognition.
The journey of Fake Paradise started in the halls of Walter Murray Collegiate, where a young, determined Irvine would often practice his guitar, unaware that a future musical partnership was just around the corner. “He used to always bug me when I played,” Irvine recalls of Khan, who was eager to jam but knew little about the world of heavy rock beyond a few Nu Metal bands at the time. After some persistence, Khan eventually got the guitarist to agree to a jam session, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Their shared love for classic rock eventually led to a deep connection, with Irvine introducing Khan to the sounds of Black Sabbath—a band that would become a major influence on their music. Sabbath sort of stuck as a starting off point and has carried Fake Paradise through to the here and now.
“Oishik (Khan) didn't even know who Black Sabbath was. I got him into it and he was like 'oh this is a cool band. What is that?'. I said 'It's Black Sabbath. You've never heard of them?' and he said 'that guy sounds like Ozzy'. I told him 'that is ozzy',” laughs Irvine.
“There's definitely Sabbath influence there. Generally speaking, there's a lot of 70's rock and metal in general (in our sound). But Sabbath is definitely one of the key components,” Khan chimes in.
The creative process behind Fire and Frost showcases the duo’s authentic approach to songwriting. Into the Fire was born out of a basement jam session, fueled by a cheap smoke machine that set off the fire alarm—“It definitely influenced the song,” Irvine laughs. “I came up with the riff, and all I could sing was ‘into the fire.’” The song remained largely unchanged during the recording process, with Khan later stepping in to write the lyrics.
Frost had a more personal origin, with Irvine drawing from a song he wrote at just twelve years old. The track’s slow, chugging riff and dynamic tempo changes appealed to Khan, who then contributed his own lyrics to round out the song. Together, the two tracks present a powerful contrast, capturing the duality of Fake Paradise’s sound: intense and gritty yet deeply emotive.
NSMZ’s 2024 “Heavy” Award is a testament to the duo’s unwavering commitment to their craft. It’s clear that Fake Paradise’s evolution has only just begun, with both musicians hinting at new material in the works. Their powerful, riff-heavy sound, coupled with their undeniable chemistry, makes them one of Saskatoon’s most exciting emerging acts.
Though currently a duo, the pair has considered bringing in a permanent bass player to expand their live performances. For now, however, they’re perfectly content with their current setup, emphasizing that Fake Paradise is about the bond they share when they play music together. “It’s not about genre or type of music,” Khan says. “Any time Jace and I play, that’s Fake Paradise.”
As they continue to carve their own path, it’s safe to say that Fake Paradise’s Fire and Frost marks just the beginning of their rise in the heavy rock world. With their honest, unrelenting sound and a growing fanbase, the future looks bright for this dynamic duo.
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