Biography
Although Montreal's reputation centers on its vibrant rave culture, the city's native Pulse Ultra pursued a heavier direction. Formed by longtime friends Dominic Cifarelli on guitar and Jeff Feldman on bass, the group drew from the post-grunge dominance of acts such as Limp Bizkit and the Deftones to craft their own similar style. Throughout the late 1990s, they performed at neighborhood gatherings and entered multiple competitions, yet their path shifted in 1997 upon meeting drummer Maxx Zinno. This encounter provided Pulse Ultra with renewed perspective and direction. In 1999, the addition of singer Zo Vizza helped shape an aggressive, unpolished rock aesthetic. A pivotal encounter during the summer of 2000 with Taproot proved transformative when Cifarelli connected instantly and shared a demo tape. Taproot's manager soon secured an agreement with Velvet Hammer/Atlantic, prompting the band's relocation to Los Angeles. Over the following twelve months, they composed material and refined their approach, culminating in the release of their first album, Headspace, during the summer of 2002.
Albums