# Altruistic — Royal Tusk

- **Artist:** [Royal Tusk](https://musiclist.ca/artist/royal-tusk)
- **Format:** ALBUM
- **Release Date:** 2024-02-23
- **Record Label:** MNRK Heavy
- **Total Tracks:** 10
- **MusicList Registry URL:** https://musiclist.ca/releases/altruistic
- **Spotify:** https://open.spotify.com/album/0WTxum1YcK1H1nsboDdwrc
- **Apple Music:** https://music.apple.com/ca/album/altruistic/1715027574

## The Story of the Release

Altruistic is the third full-length studio album by Edmonton rock trio Royal Tusk, released on February 23, 2024 through MNRK Heavy / MNRK Music Group. Written over nearly a year and entirely self-produced by the band at Audio Department in Alberta, the record was forged through profound adversity after lead vocalist Daniel Carriere suffered a life-threatening blood clot in his lung following long-COVID, requiring more than a year of recovery. Engineered by guitarist Quinn Cyrankiewicz, mixed by Toronto's Sam Guaiana, and mastered by Mike Kalijian, Altruistic marries ferocious hard-rock riffage with introspective melodic vulnerability. Its striking visual packaging, created by Edmonton designer Keenan Gregory of Kidpixel, won the 2025 JUNO Award for Album Artwork of the Year.

## Canadian Press & Critical Reception

> "Altruistic is a very well done, powerful rock album born from resilience... The flow from the heavy guitar-driven opener 'Fire In Your Veins' to the acoustic-leaning closer 'Something Like The Truth' proves the band has perfected their hard rock craft."
> — **The Spill Magazine** (2024-02-23) [Read Article](https://spillmagazine.com/spill-album-review-royal-tusk-altruistic/)

> "Altruistic feels consistent and cohesive, loaded with arena-ready choruses, high-octane delivery, and colossal grooves that showcase Royal Tusk sounding more confident than ever."
> — **Distorted Sound** (2024-02-22) [Read Article](https://distortedsoundmag.com/album-review-altruistic-royal-tusk/)

> "A digestible collection of high points fronted by vocalist Daniel Carriere, blending heavy distortion and massive hooks with thoughtful lyrical resilience."
> — **MetalTalk** (2024-02-23) [Read Article](https://www.metaltalk.net/royal-tusk-altruistic-album-review.php)

## Complete Track-by-Track Liner Notes & Credits

### 01. Fire in Your Veins (3:02)
- **Story:** "The hard-driving album opener setting a relentless tempo with 80s-influenced heavy guitar riffs and soaring vocals." — *Distorted Sound*
- **Production:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Songwriter, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
- **Engineering & Mixing:**
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars, Recording Engineer, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sam Guaiana**: Mix Engineer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sam-guaiana)
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

### 02. Hated (3:10)
- **Production:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Songwriter, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
- **Engineering & Mixing:**
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars, Recording Engineer, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sam Guaiana**: Mix Engineer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sam-guaiana)
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

### 03. Head Up (2:45)
- **Production:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Songwriter, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
- **Engineering & Mixing:**
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars, Recording Engineer, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sam Guaiana**: Mix Engineer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sam-guaiana)
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

### 04. Relegate (3:27)
- **Production:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Songwriter, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
- **Engineering & Mixing:**
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars, Recording Engineer, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sam Guaiana**: Mix Engineer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sam-guaiana)
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

### 05. All My Life (3:23)
- **Story:** "Lead single showcasing punchier, heavier sonic territory and raw lyrical grit." — *The Spill Magazine*
- **Production:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Songwriter, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
- **Engineering & Mixing:**
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars, Recording Engineer, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sam Guaiana**: Mix Engineer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sam-guaiana)
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

### 06. The Death of Common Sense (3:21)
- **Production:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Songwriter, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
- **Engineering & Mixing:**
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars, Recording Engineer, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sam Guaiana**: Mix Engineer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sam-guaiana)
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

### 07. Here on Out (3:14)
- **Story:** "Demonstrates wide radio appeal with anthemic chorus dynamics while retaining rock authenticity." — *The Spill Magazine*
- **Production:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Songwriter, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
- **Engineering & Mixing:**
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars, Recording Engineer, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sam Guaiana**: Mix Engineer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sam-guaiana)
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

### 08. Altruistic (3:26)
- **Production:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Songwriter, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
- **Engineering & Mixing:**
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars, Recording Engineer, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sam Guaiana**: Mix Engineer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sam-guaiana)
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

### 09. Breathe (4:00)
- **Production:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Songwriter, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
- **Engineering & Mixing:**
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars, Recording Engineer, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sam Guaiana**: Mix Engineer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sam-guaiana)
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

### 10. Something Like the Truth (4:12)
- **Story:** "The slower, reflective acoustic-leaning album closer showcasing intimate vocal delivery and emotional resonance." — *The Spill Magazine*
- **Production:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Songwriter, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
- **Engineering & Mixing:**
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars, Recording Engineer, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sam Guaiana**: Mix Engineer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sam-guaiana)
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass, Producer [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

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*Documented and verified via MusicList.ca — Canada's Independent Music Registry.*