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• DEVOLVER's New Music Video “Wraiths” Captures The Camaraderie of Fans Under The Alberta Sky

  Nov 14, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  L-R: Jayde Penner (guitar), Bevin Booth (drums), Jaylen Elias (bass), Devin Babcock (guitar), Chris Brown (vocals)

  Photo Credit - Heidi Robertson

  Grande Prairie, Canada’s own metal force, Devolver, has dropped a powerful new music video for “Wraiths,” a standout track from their latest album "Non Compos Mentis." Filmed during an intimate album release show at Grain Bin Brewing, the video captures the raw energy and camaraderie of a night that brought 150 fans together under the Alberta sky, immortalizing a night of celebration, community, and crushing riffs.
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  ​“We knew we wanted to do something special. So we had our friend Mike Evans film the show. This music video is for all the people who were there celebrating with us, making it such a special night,” adds the band.
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  ​“Wraiths” is a groove-driven, straight-ahead metal track with thrash undertones and a nod to classic rock and metal. Lyrically, it explores themes of mysticism as a bridge to connect with lost loved ones, an emotional depth that complements its sonic punch.

  Formed in 2015 by guitarist Devin Babcock and drummer/producer Bevin Booth, Devolver has grown from a side project into a full-fledged metal powerhouse. With the addition of Jayde Penner (guitar), Chris Brown (vocals), and Jaylen Elias (bass), the band’s sound has matured into a collaborative blend of Gothenburg-style melodic death metal and early 2000s metalcore.
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  Their new album, produced by metal heavyweight Mark Lewis (Trivium, Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder), marks a seismic shift in their sound.

  “This is what the five of us sound like collaborating as a unit. Mark helped us push this thing over the edge,” adds the band.

  
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  The album’s artwork, created by legendary artist Travis Smith (Opeth, Megadeth), is a chilling visual interpretation of the true story behind the title track. It depicts Devin Babcock’s ancestor, Amos Babcock, who in 1805 committed a gruesome murder in Shediac, New Brunswick, during a religious frenzy. The haunting image of Amos in the snow, surrounded by the eyes of his nine children, adds a historical and emotional weight to the album’s narrative.
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  ​Devolver’s connection to their hometown runs deep. They partnered with Grain Bin Brewing to create “Brews of the Maw,” a blackberry and blood orange pale ale named after their track “Jewels of the Maw.” And for fans of Magic: The Gathering, the band has hidden lyrical nods throughout the album, including a track titled “Deathtouch.”

  Recommended for fans of In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, Killswitch Engage, and As I Lay Dying, "Non Compos Mentis" is a bold leap forward, each track a chapter in a larger emotional and sonic narrative.

  "Non Compos Mentis" (released Aug 22nd) is available at the following links:

  Bandcamp - https://devolvermusic.bandcamp.com/​

  Spotify for Playlist Add - https://open.spotify.com/album/3eeLxBrxx55QvIm3EnahLm​​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Deathtouch – 3:55
  2. New Blood – 3:14
  3. Jewels of the Maw – 3:30
  4. Wraiths – 3:20
  5. At Any Cost – 3:40
  6. Non Compos Mentis – 3:53
  7. Merciless Storm – 3:56
  8. Suffocating Syndrome – 3:36
  9. Dehumanize – 3:47
  Album Length: 32:55

  Band Lineup:​
  Chris Brown - Vocals
  Devin Babcock - Guitar (lead)
  Jayde Penner - Guitar (rhythm)
  Bevin Booth - Drums
  Jaylen Elias - Bass

  More info: https://linktr.ee/devolverab​

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• MELLOWDEATH Interview

  Nov 14, 2025 ArmyOfOneTV 0 Comments

  

  Berlin-based duo MELLOWDEATH, formed by drummer Sara Neidorf (Sarattma, Mad Kate | The Tide, Hypnodrone Ensemble, ex-Brian Jonestown Massacre) and bassist Isabel Merten (No Chronicles), has been crafting their own sonic universe since 2017. Their distinctive blend of nightmare jazz - part cinematic unease, part haunted groove - has taken them across Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, Poland, and Czechia. Now in 2025, MELLOWDEATH is set to release their long-awaited debut full-length, Mellowdeath, a mesmerizing album filled with ghost surf tones, doom-twang dirges, and hypnotic cinematic moods. Featuring an ensemble of guest musicians and recorded between Berlin and Philadelphia, the record is an otherworldly experience that challenges conventions and rewards repeat listens.

  We caught up with Sara and Isabel to discuss the origins of their sound, the making of their new album, and what’s next for the duo.

   

  
  
  

  1. MELLOWDEATH formed back in 2017 as a duo between Sara Neidorf and Isabel Merten. How did the two of you first connect, and what sparked the creation of this project?

  
  Sara Neidorf: We met when I saw Isabel performing with her other duo, No Chronicles, in like 2015. I was really seduced by the wonky, humorous, groove-heavy style of her playing and songwriting. I basically “courted” her musically, and she was reluctant/ reticent, but after running into each other again and urging her to jam, she eventually agreed, and the magic started there. It was really a singular kind of alchemy flowing between us from the get-go.

   

  2. Your sound has been described as “nightmare jazz” - a mix of cinematic, eerie, and playful moods. How did that style evolve, and what does that term mean to you personally?

  
  SN: It’s really hard to say. I think it had a lot to do with our playing styles, and the way we came together. I remember responding to the tone of her bass, her array of pedals and the jarring pace with which she’d switch between sounds and dynamics. It inspired a lot of spontaneity in my own playing, and I think a sort of trickster style became our home base.

   

  3. Your debut EP Deadly Stares received great acclaim for its originality. Looking back, how do you feel that release shaped the band’s identity moving into your full-length debut?

   

  SN: I think the EP laid the groundwork for a mixture of sinister, sneaky, and energetic.

   

  4. The upcoming album Mellowdeath seems to expand your sonic world even further - from ghost surf to doom-twang and beyond. What inspired this broader palette and the album’s overall atmosphere?

   

  SN: All the guest musicians who joined us for this release definitely contributed to the diversity of the album’s palette. I think it’s also true that as the two of us have grown, playing with other

  kinds of projects in different genres, it’s brought new elements into the Mellowdeath sound. 

  
  5. You brought in several guest musicians - including cello, trombone, synths, and theremin - to help shape this record. How did these collaborations influence the final sound of

  Mellowdeath?
  
  SN: I’m really excited by the ways that the guests have shaped the sound and tone. You can really hear their influence in the ways the songs differ from each other. They add a lot of shape and character, adding something but also accentuating the original sonic identities of the pieces. I was worried the songs would sound too disparate, but then in the end I think they’re quite cohesive and the differences are actually part of the album’s eclectic identity.

   

   

  

   

  6. The record was tracked in Berlin and mixed/mastered in Philadelphia. How did working across continents affect the creative or production process?

  
  SN: It wasn’t always easy, honestly. Sometimes communication took a while and schedules were hard to align. In the end, we managed and I’m pleased with the results. But I think in the future we might try a more condensed approach, working in person with (hopefully) the same engineer over a couple of weeks (instead of four years), really tying things together and wrapping up the project more efficiently. In any casen, Jan Oberg did a great job recording us, and Steve Roche was great at listening to our needs and adding grit and grime to our sound.

   

  7. You’ve mentioned that a stripped-down version of the album will also be released later, highlighting just the duo setup. What made you want to showcase both versions of the same material?

  
  SN: It’s hard to say when that version will be ready, because Isabel is handling the final mix and master of that version. We’d like to have the material out in this enhanced version (the main release), and in the duo version that will reflect our original lineup and be more representative of the live sound we usually deliver. I think some pieces are also very strong in their stripped-down form. It inspires a different modus of listening, paints a different kind of picture.

   

  8. The cover art by Chloe Grove is striking and mysterious. How does it connect with the themes or moods of the album?
  
  

  SN: Chloe Grove is an awesome artist who works in so many different styles. Very imaginative. These demon creatures are a motif that she explores in a lot of her screenprinted work, and when I saw them, I felt like– okay, she and Mellowdeath are both residents of the same psychic phantasmagoria. It just felt super aligned with the sinister, playful, nightmarish, funhouse vibe of our music. It was a really natural fit.

   

  9. You have a release show booked in Berlin and are planning more tour dates soon. What can fans expect from MELLOWDEATH’s live performances this time around?
  
  

  SN: Yes, we’ll play a release show (or possibly two) in Berlin in mid-December (currently shows are planned on the 11th and 13th. Write to us directly to find out details!). Marco Bianciardi will join us on guitar for a few tracks. In late January, we will also perform an original live score for the silent German expressionist classic, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. This is a new direction for us that I find really exciting. So, it could be that we’re getting more into the world of live scoring soon. And we also have enough material for a third album ready, so I hope we will plan the recording for that in early-mid 2026. In any case, more moody and adventurous sonic surprises are coming soon. Thanks for checking out our music and for the questions.
  
  
  

  Upcoming Release & Live Dates

   

  Mellowdeath will be released digitally on November 14th, 2025, with a cassette edition via Cruel Nature Records to follow.
  A stripped-down duo version of the album will arrive later, offering a raw, intimate look at the band’s core sound.

  
  Live: 12/11/2025 – 3xter, Berlin, DE (Album Release Show)

  https://www.facebook.com/letsdieaMellowdeath
  

   

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• Brass Metal FALLSTAF Returns w/ New Album "Ode To The Dead"

  Nov 13, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  After nearly ten years away from the spotlight, Montreal’s groundbreaking brass-metal band Fallstaf makes a powerful return with their highly anticipated second album, "Ode to The Dead." Produced by Kevin Jardine (Slaves on Dope), the full album will be available to stream ahead of its official release on November 14th, premiering exclusively on Hardcore Worldwide’s YouTube channel.

  Known for pioneering the genre of brass-infused experimental metal, Fallstaf first made waves in 2011 with their debut album, "Bastard Son of a Pure Breed," also produced by Jardine. Their signature sound, heavy riffs, progressive structures, and a masked trombonist in full suit and tie, earned them cult status in the Montreal metal scene.
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  But tragedy struck in 2016 when frontman IANN suffered a near-fatal accident, resulting in a coma, multiple injuries, and the loss of his leg. The band dissolved. Now, nearly ten years later, Fallstaf reunites with Jardine to deliver a powerful, deeply personal new record that channels pain, survival, and rebirth.

  
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  ​"Ode to The Dead" is a seven-track exploration of mortality, from personal tragedy and mental anguish to crime, conflict, and loss. Drawing from frontman IANN’s near-death experience and the band’s shared grief, the album is both a tribute and a release.

  It opens with “Sunless Friday,” a chilling retelling of IANN’s accident, where cold riffs and screaming trombone set the tone. The title track, “Ode to The Dead,” honors those we’ve lost, echoing the idea that “they walk among us.” “Battered Soul” dives into depression and suicide with sludge-heavy weight and a fading finale. “Kings of the West Side” recounts Montreal’s mafia history with gangland grit and resurrected riffs. “Under the Same Sky” reflects on global unrest and shared humanity, while “Bastard Son” tells a hitman’s legacy through galloping riffs and thrash choruses. The closer, “The Burden,” mourns the toll of cancer with crushing heaviness and a melodic, mournful release. Each track is a raw, brass-laced chapter in Fallstaf’s powerful return.

  “We didn’t make this album to impress anyone. We made it out of friendship. Music is therapeutic. Metal brings people together, and we missed that energy,” adds the band.

  The album artwork, featuring a layered skull photo taken by IANN, reflects the lyrical darkness without veering into the macabre. It’s a visual metaphor for the band’s rebirth: haunting, honest, and human.

  
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  Musically, the band has evolved, embracing groove metal, prog metal, metalcore, and hardcore influences while incorporating melodic choruses and complex arrangements. Fans of Pantera, Shining, Hatebreed, and Mighty Mighty Bosstones will find familiar fire in Fallstaf’s brass-laced fury.

  Stay tuned for upcoming live dates and new music. The resurrection has begun as Fallstaf’s live performances are legendary, and the band plans to return to the stage in 2026. Expect suits, ties, a masked brass player, and a frontman with a robotic leg, all delivering a high-energy spectacle that defies expectations.
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  ​“People think we’re a ska band until the first chord hits. Then they know we kick ass,” says the band.

  "Ode to the Dead" will be available on November 14th, 2025, on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, and more. For collectors, grab the exclusive coffin-shaped USB drive packed with interactive content and bonus material.
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  ​Album pre-order - https://fallstaf1.bandcamp.com/album/ode-to-the-dead

  Add to your Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3yaTJY58SzbbDJ3RsnTlZU​​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Sunless Friday - 2:57
  2. Ode to the Dead - 3:27
  3. Battered Soul - 3:40
  4. Kings of the West Side - 3:31
  5. Under the Same Sky - 3:31
  6. Bastard Son - 3:45
  7. The Burden - 4:41
  Album length: 25:37

  More info: https://www.facebook.com/fallstafmontrealbrassmetal | https://www.instagram.com/fallstafmontreal/​

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• HOPELESS NATION Ends Decade-Long Hiatus with Explosive New Video “Silverspoon”

  Nov 13, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  After nearly a decade of silence, Trois-Rivières, QC's Hopeless Nation roars back into the spotlight with their new single “Silverspoon,” a blistering fusion of hardcore grit and modern metal precision. The track marks the band’s official return and is accompanied by a surreal, AI-generated music video that can be viewed below.
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  Formed in 1998, Hopeless Nation built its legacy on raw energy, socially charged lyrics, and sweat-soaked live shows. Their 2009 album "Built from Scratch" became a cornerstone of Quebec’s underground scene, backed by over 200 performances alongside acts like 100 Demons, Bane, Lofofora, and Despised Icon.
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  In summer 2024, the band reunited for a high-energy show that reignited their creative fire. Revisiting unrecorded material from 2014, they began a new cycle, grinding back up from the roots while staying true to their hardcore and metal ethos. That journey culminates in “Silverspoon,” a track that hits hard from the first note and refuses to let go.
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  ​“Silverspoon” is immediate, layered, and aggressive, with clean vocal hooks that broaden its reach. Mixed and mastered by Francis Perron (Voïvod, Decayed Remains) at RadicArt, it’s built to dominate playlists and ignite live crowds. Lyrically, it critiques entitlement while celebrating earned effort, themes reflected in its cinematic music video.
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  The video, created entirely with AI technology, fuses 1960s suburban nostalgia with cosmic adventure. A young boy carrying a silver spoon becomes a cult leader, confronting human space invaders and his own inner darkness, symbolized by a red snake. It’s a bold artistic leap that blends innovation with authentic musical expression.
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  The single artwork mirrors this tension: a red serpent coiled around a silver spoon, rendered in a haunting, old painting style. It visually ties to the song’s themes and the surreal narrative of the video.
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  ​Hopeless Nation’s return is more than a comeback; it’s a tribute. The new planned singles to be released in the coming months honour past members Jonathan Houle (bass/guitar, 2012–2014, 2024) and Maxime Dupont (rhythm guitar, 1998–2014), whose talent and spirit helped define the band’s sound. Their legacy echoes through every riff and lyric.
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  The band’s lineup remains deeply rooted in the Quebec scene, and Louis-Simon Bellerose leads punk hardcore legends Genetic Error. Steve DC and Guy Provencher represented Canada at Wacken Open Air 2023 with Strigampire, winners of the Wacken Metal Battle Canada.

  Known for their no-backing-tracks, lamp-amp sound, and full crowd interaction, their live shows are legendary, often featuring headbanging, chair-throwing, and immersive visual projections that leave fans breathless.
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  ​“Silverspoon” is just the beginning. Four more singles, "Disaster," "My Curse," "1000 Miles," and "Predators," will follow, leading to a full EP. Each track bridges the band’s hardcore roots with a modern metal sheen, offering pit-friendly intensity and emotional depth.
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  For fans of Gojira, Darkest Hour, At the Gates, Lamb of God, and Zao, Hopeless Nation delivers a sound that’s explosive, raw, and relentlessly honest.

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/track/0XXWDbK2CcqkMpeOo80uIL

  More info: https://www.instagram.com/hopelessnation_official | https://www.facebook.com/hopelessnation​

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• MOONSHADE Unleashes Epic Metal Rendition of STROMAE’s “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” Ahead of 2026 Cover EP "Angels, Blood And Enemies"

  Nov 12, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  ​Portuguese melodic death metal force Moonshade has unveiled their latest single, a thunderous, emotionally charged cover of Stromae & Pomme’s “Ma Meilleure Ennemie.” Accompanied by a lyric video, the track will be featured on their upcoming three-song EP, "Angels, Blood And Enemies," set for release in February 2026.
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  Inspired by an unforgettable scene from the Netflix series Arcane, Moonshade’s cover strips away the original’s trip-hop shell and rebuilds it with their signature blend of epic, brutal, and atmospheric metal. The band’s connection to Arcane and League of Legends runs deep, with members Pedro and Ricardo being longtime Stromae fans.

  “We annoyed the rest of the band to exhaustion to make this cover happen. But they’re always tolerant of our eccentricities, and now we have a metal version of this brilliant Belgian trip-hop artist. We wanted to highlight the song’s emotional intensity using our own sonic palette. We’ve never done covers before, and there’s probably not much overlap between our fanbase and Stromae’s. But we had fun, we’re proud of it, and that’s what matters. Moonshade’s fans are open-minded and adventurous, traits that make this cover EP a natural fit,” says vocalist Ricardo Pereira, who also performs clean vocals alongside drummer Daniel, adding layers to the song’s theme of love-hate duality.

  If you love Insomnium, Heaven Shall Burn, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, or Omnium Gatherum, Moonshade’s sound will feel like home.
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  With "Angels, Blood And Enemies," Moonshade invites fans into a new chapter, one of fearless reinterpretation, emotional depth, and genre-defying creativity.

  The single’s artwork, designed by Rui Carneiro (Lorna Shore, Polaris, Chelsea Grin), draws from Guido Reni’s Archangel Michael Defeating Satan, visually anchoring the EP’s title, "Angels, Blood And Enemies." Carneiro also created the remaining two artworks for the EP, whose tracklist remains a mystery for now.

  Watch the lyric video for "Ma Meilleure Ennemie" created by Jöel Martins from Titanforged Productions (Wolfheart, Analepsy, Dark Oath).

  ​Add to your Spotify playlist - https://mme-out-now.sbmt.to/

  More Info: https://moonshadeofficial.com/​

   

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