Formed in late 2020, Suicide Star is a hard rock band built on experience, grit, and reinvention. Comprised of veteran musicians Rob Barton, Dakota Prince, Aki Maris, Gary Borden, and Brian Hamilton, the band delivers a dynamic, cutting-edge sound that blends classic hard rock familiarity with a modern, aggressive edge—heavy riffs, sharp hooks, and ear-splitting melodies.

No strangers to success, the members of Suicide Star bring decades of combined experience from touring, recording, and performing across Canada and the U.S. Bass player Aki Maris and drummer Brian Hamilton are former members of long-standing recording act Step Echo, whose two studio albums earned significant traction in Canada and overseas. Guitar player Gary Borden has enjoyed a prolific career performing with iconic artists such as Sass Jordan, Helix, and Gowan, and also fronts his own project, Blood of Van Gogh—an artistic nod to his direct lineage to painter Vincent van Gogh.

Guitarist Dakota Prince is equally seasoned, having shared stages with George Canyon, Big Sugar, and Hedley, while earning national radio airplay on stations including 97.7 HTZ FM and 91.3 FM.

Following the breakup of Step Echo in late 2018, Hamilton and Maris felt there was still more music to be written. After a brief hiatus, the idea for a new project began to take shape. In early 2020, Hamilton reached out to longtime friend  and singer Rob Barton—an Ontario music scene veteran who had previously performed alongside acts such as Collective Soul, Lee Aaron, and Killer Dwarfs—to step in as lead vocalist. A few drinks, a shared creative vision, and undeniable chemistry later, Suicide Star was born.

Recorded individually from their home studios over the course of a year, the band’s debut album Isolation is a true labor of love. The record defies easy categorization while delivering a bombastic, high-energy thrill ride that feels both fresh and instantly recognizable.

Since its release, Isolation has received airplay on AM and FM stations locally and internationally, accumulating hundreds of thousands of streams across Spotify and other major platforms. Supporting music videos have also drawn thousands of views, helping solidify the band’s growing presence.

While continuing to write and record, Suicide Star has brought its high-octane sound to the stage, performing at festivals and supporting prominent Canadian and international acts. With the release of their latest single, “Auntie Anxiety,” the first taste of their forthcoming sophomore album Generation Doom, Suicide Star is poised to continue delivering hard-hitting rock to stages across Ontario and beyond.