Latest Articles

• SHROUD Announces Canadian Tour Dates w/ HELLRIPPER "Goatkraft & Granite Canada 2026"

  Sep 9, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  L-R - Justin Cournoyer - Bass, Matteo Conti - Guitar and Vocals, Zack Osiris - Drums, Jordan Barillaro - Guitar

  Rising from the shadows of Montreal's extreme‑metal underground, SHROUD proudly announces a run of Canadian tour dates supporting Scotland’s speed‑metal powerhouse HELLRIPPER this November (dates listed below). The announcement follows the release of SHROUD’s debut full‑length album "Pax Nocturna".​
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  A blistering fusion of blackened thrash sharpened by death‑metal aggression and melodic‑metal atmosphere, "Pax Nocturna" marks a defining first chapter for one of Montreal’s most intense and uncompromising new acts. Lyrically, "Pax Nocturna" explores philosophy, anti‑religion, the abyss, and the darkest corners of human existence. Its overarching concept, Satanic Gnosticism, rejects imposed order and corrupt leadership in favour of embracing the chaos from which humanity originates.

  “It’s the acknowledgement that we are our own gods and masters. It is peace within the night. It is Pax Nocturna,” says Conti.

  The album’s artwork draws from the dark fantasy of Yoshitaka Amano, the surreal horror of Zdzisław Beksiński, and the mythic grandeur of The Lord of the Rings, depicting the four members in ritualistic worship of Murmur, Archduke and Lord of Hell.
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  ​SHROUD began when guitarist/vocalist Matteo Conti approached drummer Zack Osiris (Warsenal) during the height of the COVID‑19 lockdowns. With their previous projects stalled and the music scene frozen, the pair began writing in secret, week after week; riffs and ideas evolved into the earliest form of what would become "Pax Nocturna". As the world reopened in 2022, the lineup solidified with Justin Cournoyer on bass and Jordan Barillaro joining after filling in for the band’s first show in November 2022. The chemistry was immediate. SHROUD was born, united, focused, and driven.

  
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  On stage, SHROUD delivers intensity, tightness, and emotional ferocity, already earning them slots alongside Exciter, Midnight, Wraith, Goatwhore, Vitriol, Necrofier, Wormwitch, Spiter, Gudsforladt, Tomarumvoid, Angelus Apatrida, Sorguinazia, and more.

  Recommended for fans of Watain, Dissection, Hellripper, Skeletonwitch, and Necrophobic, "Pax Nocturna", released on June 4th, 2026, is available now on all digital platforms, CD, and vinyl.

  CD / Vinyl - https://shroudmtl.bandcamp.com/album/pax-nocturna​

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/5dfAWpVKaWlsdSBYNZ8L1H​​

  Tour Dates: Hellripper w/ Shroud​
  Nov 25 - Montreal, QC - Piranha Bar
  Nov 26 - Quebec City, QC - La Source De La Martiniere
  Nov 27 - Ottawa, ON - Dominion Tavern (Capital Punishment Festival)
  Nov 28 - Toronto, ON - Supermarket Bar & Variety

  Track Listing:​
  1. Pax Nocturna (0:43)
  2. The Eternal Void (5:09)
  3. The Zealot (5:15)
  4. Merciless Tyrants (5:59)
  5. Darkest Night (4:45)
  6. Diablivion (5:28)
  7. Death Blows Over (4:18)
  8. All Creation (5:29)
  9. Abaddon (7:55)
  Album Length: 45:05

  Album and Live Band lineup:​
  Matteo Conti - Guitar and Vocals
  Jordan Barillaro - Guitar
  Zack Osiris - Drums
  Justin Cournoyer - Bass

  More info:

  ​https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086688022343​

  ​https://www.instagram.com/shroud.mtl

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• Ottawa's CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Festival Announces First Wave of Bands for 2026 Lineup! w/ The Creepshow, The Damn Truth, Beyond Creation and lots more!

  Sep 9, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Capital Punishment Festival unleashes its first wave of Canadian bands for the 2026 edition, returning to Ottawa, ON, November 26th to 29th across four cornerstone ByWard Market venues: 27 Club, Dominion Tavern, Rainbow Bistro, and Avant‑Garde Bar. Presented by Chord Productions and supported by Ottawa Tourism, the festival continues its mission to amplify Canada’s underground heavy‑music community with four nights of multi‑genre chaos.
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  This year’s edition marks the festival’s biggest expansion yet, with more venues, more artists, and more Canadian talent from across the country. Full festival passes are only $50, granting access to every show across all participating venues.

  “Events such as Capital Punishment play an important role in strengthening Ottawa’s profile as a dynamic cultural destination,” says Michael Crockatt, President & CEO of Ottawa Tourism.

  “Ottawa Tourism supports this unique music experience through its Nightlife Tourism Development Fund for its efforts in attracting visitors, animating our ACE District, and drawing music enthusiasts from across the region and beyond to enjoy our diverse music ecosystem. By bringing together acclaimed underground artists and local talent, the festival creates opportunities for visitors to explore the city, discover local businesses and venues, and contribute to the economic activity that helps sustain a vibrant and welcoming downtown experience,” adds festival organizer Christina Kasper of Chord Productions.

  The 2026 lineup launches with a massive cross‑country roster spanning metal, punk, hardcore, rock, rap, and extreme underground acts with The Creepshow, Lost, The Damn Truth, Beyond Creation, Hellripper, Insurrection, DBC, Barf, Ghoulunatics, Global Holocaust, Entropy, Reanimator, Thunderkok, Guhn Twei, Gland, Scaffold, Peer Pressure, A Scar for the Wicked, Catastrophic Hemorrhage, Soulthief, Northwalk, This Hell With You, This Disaster, Dissentient, Last Retch, Hatred Reigns, Raider, Bitter, Stregoneria, Noor, Human Compost, Mortuary Slab, Duskwalker, Dr. Bob Wrestling, The Divetones, Drowning in Blood, Feral Union, Rising Flame, Refuse, The Space Between, Ratpiss, Jetsam, The Vanishing Act, Acid Rot, Mindreader, Shroud, Warsenal, The Scepter, Dismal Aura, Touched Fables, Sociably High, Glom, BornBroken, Pop Culture Icons, Goat!, Insanity of Sorrow, Bury the Past, Rotual, Hempress, Drofnosura, Backyard Witchcraft, Nature Pleads Revenge, Ghost of a King and Dethrone.

  More bands will be announced as the festival approaches.

  Festival Passes are available as of September 9th at https://ottawacapitalpunishment.eventbrite.ca​

  Facebook Event - https://www.facebook.com/events/2032256174123331​

  Capital Punishment Festival 2026​
  Presented by Chord Productions
  Supported by Ottawa Tourism
  November 26–29, 2026
  Ottawa, ON - ByWard Market
  Venues:
  Rainbow Bistro (76 Murray St.)
  Dominion Tavern (33 York St.)
  27 Club (27 York St.)
  Avant‑Garde Bar (135 Besserer St.)

  More info: https://ottawacapitalpunishment.com

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• HIGHWAY Shares Music Video For Electrifying Anthem "Last Call for Rock’N’Roll"

  Sep 4, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  L-R - Ben Chambert - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals, Florian Arnaud - Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals, Benjamin Folch - Lead Vocals, Cerise Pouillart - Bass, Backing Vocals, Romain Chambert - Drums

  Photo Credit - Mr. Cana Photography

  ​France's electrifying hard rockers HighWay have raised the stakes and unveiled their latest music video for “Last Call for Rock N Roll,” the explosive title track from their new album released this past April.
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  Filmed live during their packed release party at the Rockstore in Montpellier, France, the video, shot by Cana Prod (Loudblast, Heart Attack, Akiavel, Les Tambours du Bronx), throws fans straight into the sweat, electricity, and chaos of a HighWay show. It’s raw, loud, unfiltered, and the perfect showcase for the band’s revitalized line‑up and their massive new twin‑guitar attack.
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  The title track, “Last Call for Rock N Roll,” is a fast, melodic, high‑voltage anthem built for the stage. The lyrics draw a parallel between the love of Rock ’N’ Roll and the love of a woman. Tested live long before recording, the track instantly became a fan favourite and the obvious opener for the album.
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  After the acoustic detour of "The Journey" (2022), HighWay returned in 2026 louder, bolder, and fully electric with their sixth studio album. Produced and mixed by Brett Caldas‑Lima (Ayreon, Devin Townsend, Megadeth), “Last Call for Rock N Roll” delivers 12 brand‑new tracks blending power, melody, emotion, and timeless hard‑rock spirit that explore themes of love, loss, resilience, nostalgia, and self‑determination.
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  ​The album also marks a turning point for HIGHWAY with the arrival of two new members, Cerise Pouillard (bass), known from the acclaimed AC/DC tribute Ladies Ballbreaker, and Florian Arnaud (guitar), a powerhouse musician who completes the long‑awaited return of twin guitars. Both contribute backing vocals, elevating the band’s signature harmonies to new heights.
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  Formed in 1999 by brothers Ben and Romain Chambert after being “thunderstruck” by AC/DC’s Live at Donington, HIGHWAY have spent more than two decades refining their craft. With over 500 shows across Europe, support slots for Michael Schenker Group, Gotthard, Jeff Scott Soto, Kissin’ Dynamite, Nashville Pussy, and more, and a growing reputation, the band has become a defining force in Europe’s modern classic hard rock revival.
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  ​“This is our most personal, emotional, and mature record. We took the time we never had before, and we’re incredibly proud of every detail,” adds guitarist Ben Chambert.
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  Recommended for fans of AC/DC, Queen, Aerosmith, and Guns N’ Roses, "Last Call for Rock’N’Roll" (released April 24, 2026) is now available via the label Rock City Music, with physical distribution by FTF-Music and digitally from Virgin Music.

  CD Digipack and exclusive collector Vinyl at https://highwayshop.sumupstore.com/​

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/1njIM62jUDeg4Td3iGSBHq​​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Last Call (For Rock N' Roll) - 5:13
  2. Hi-Way - 4:40
  3. ¡Bang Bang! - 3:47
  4. Nineties Action Movie - 5:16
  5. Peace Out - 5:44
  6. Mayday - 4:25
  7. Go! Go! Go! - 5:48
  8. Let Me - 4:54
  9. D.K/D.C - 3:16
  10. Rat Race - 6:00
  11. Action - 4:32
  12. (Don't) Look Back - 5:09
  Album Length: 58:48

  Album Band Line Up:​
  Ben Chambert: Lead guitar, Backing vocals
  Benjamin Folch: Vocals
  Sam Marshal: Bass Guitar, Backing vocals
  Romain Chambert: Drums

  Live Band Line Up:​
  Ben Chambert: Lead guitar, Backing vocals
  Florian Arnaud: Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals
  Benjamin Folch: Vocals
  Cerise Pouillart: Bass Guitar, Backing vocals
  Romain Chambert: Drums

  More info: https://linktr.ee/highway_the_band

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• KINGCROWN New Album "Moonfall" + Music Video "We Are Kingcrown"

  Sep 4, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  French melodic heavy/power metal band KINGCROWN releases their new album “Moonfall” today, September 4th, 2026, via Rockshots Records, accompanied by the official video for “We Are Kingcrown”.

  For fans of Iron Maiden, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Masterplan, Symphony X and Powerwolf, “Moonfall” follows 2024’s “Nova Atlantis” and develops the band’s melodic heavy/power metal sound across ten tracks exploring technological evolution, artificial intelligence, temporal displacement, apocalypse and the uncertain future of humanity.

  While these themes shape much of the album, “We Are Kingcrown” shifts the focus directly onto the band. Driven by a straightforward heavy/power metal approach, melodic guitars, and an immediate chorus, the song reflects KINGCROWN’s identity and their connection with the audience.

  As the band explains:

  “It’s simply about us, who we are, what we exude, what we want to give you. We are Kingcrown!”

  “Moonfall” expands on the conceptual direction established in “Nova Atlantis”, using science fiction and dystopian scenarios to examine possible futures. The title track imagines a final encounter between the Moon and Earth as a lunar apocalypse approaches.

  The technological theme takes a darker turn on “Rise Of Machines”, where artificial intelligence turns against humanity, while “All United” focuses on resistance and collective survival. Elsewhere, “A Thousand Years” draws on relativity and space travel, and “Lost Horizon” follows a World War II B-17 pilot caught in a temporal vortex and transported from 1945 to 2045.

  The album also reconnects with the musical roots behind KINGCROWN through “Back To The 80’s”, a tribute to a decade that left a defining mark on heavy metal. The closing track, “Beyond The Stars,” brings the record’s futuristic narrative to its conclusion, looking beyond Earth's destruction towards what might exist elsewhere in the universe.

  Produced by KINGCROWN, “Moonfall” was mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio, bringing together the band’s European melodic heavy and power metal roots with a contemporary production.

  Watch the official video for “We Are Kingcrown”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSo7JncnKCQ​

  Listen to the album "Moonfall": https://lnk.to/ymQgrYYE​
  ​
  ​Order “Moonfall” CD:
  ​https://rockshots.eu/products/kingcrown-moonfall-cd​

  ​​

  Kingcrown Line-up:

  Joe Amore: Vocals
  ​Ced Legger: Guitars
  ​Bob Saliba: Guitars
  ​Seb Chabot: Bass, Guitars

  ​David Amore: Drums​
  ​More info:

  ​https://rockshots.eu/​

  ​https://linktr.ee/kingcrown_off

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• Northern Irish Pagan Metal Pioneers WAYLANDER Unveils Video "Macha" From New Album "Mac Tíre - Son of the Land" Out Nov 2026

  Sep 3, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Northern Irish Pagan Metal pioneers WAYLANDER will release their new album, "Mac Tíre - Son of the Land", on November 6th, 2026 via Rockshots Records. The band introduces the record with its first single, “Macha”, accompanied by an official music video. For fans of Skyclad, Eluveitie and Korpiklaani.

  More than three decades after their formation in Northern Ireland, WAYLANDER return with "Mac Tíre - Son of the Land", a nine-track album rooted in the landscapes, mythology and cultural heritage of Ireland. The record continues the path the band has followed since the early 1990s, combining extreme metal with traditional Irish instrumentation and Pagan themes.

  While "Mac Tíre - Son of the Land" is not a concept album in the same way as its predecessor, "Ériú’s Wheel", its songs share a strong connection with the land and the stories embedded within it. The title itself reflects this relationship: Mac Tíre, literally “son of the land”, is the Irish term for the wolf, an animal closely connected with Ireland’s natural past.

  Musically, the album represents a natural evolution of WAYLANDER’s established sound, retaining the balance between metal aggression and traditional Irish elements that has defined the band throughout its career.

  The first single, “Macha”, is dedicated to the ancient Goddess whose connection to WAYLANDER is both mythological and deeply personal. “Macha” is associated with the area the band calls home: both Ard Chieftain O’Hagan’s hometown and the county from which WAYLANDER originates bear her name.

  “Macha is the Goddess of the area where we live. My hometown and the county where we're from are both named after Macha. The time felt right to celebrate her in song, and we believe we have written a song worthy of her,” says Ard Chieftain O’Hagan

  For WAYLANDER, mythology is not simply material drawn from a distant past but something that remains present in the landscapes, place names, and traditions surrounding them. “Macha” reflects that relationship while providing the first introduction to the themes running through "Mac Tíre - Son of the Land".

  Listen to "Matcha" here: https://lnk.to/mxjegEpC​
  ​

  Formed in Northern Ireland in 1993, WAYLANDER were among the early bands to combine extreme metal with traditional Irish music and Pagan themes, developing their approach before Folk and Pagan Metal became established movements within the international metal scene. Whistles, Irish bouzouki, bodhrán, and Uilleann pipes remain integral elements of the band’s musical identity.

  Pre-order "Mac Tíre - Son of the Land" (release date Nov 6th, 2026):
  ​https://rockshots.eu/products/waylander-mac-tire-son-of-the-land-cd​

  Track Listing:​
  1. When The Land Speaks - 4:12
  2. Macha - 5:28
  3. Ages of Éireann - 5:50
  4. Hy Brasil (Isle of Mists) - 5:47
  5. Sliabh Gullion - 6:16
  6. Our Once Wooded Isle - 6:44
  7. Mallachtaí - 4:52
  8. Signs and Symbols - 6:22
  9. She of the Sorrows - 7:58
  Album Length: 51:29

  WAYLANDER is:
  Ard Chieftain O’Hagan: Vocals
  Tor Dennison: Electric Guitars
  Connor Murray: Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
  Lee McCartney: Drums and Percussion
  Dave Briggs: Whistles, Irish Bouzouki, Bodhran, Uilleann Pipes, Backing Vocals
  Saul McMichael: Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Backing Vocals
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  Guest Musicians​
  John Ryan: Fiddle, Cello
  Lily Maria: Voice of Deirdre
  Nicole Quinn: Additional Voicing

  For more info:

  ​https://rockshots.eu/​

  ​https://www.instagram.com/waylander.official/​

  ​https://www.facebook.com/clanwaylander/​

  About:

  Northern Irish Pagan Metal pioneers Waylander have spent more than three decades forging their own path through the worlds of Celtic, Folk and Extreme Metal. Since forming in 1993, the band has become renowned for blending crushing metal aggression with authentic Irish folk instrumentation, mythology and pagan themes, helping shape the foundations of the modern Pagan Metal movement.

  With acclaimed releases including "Reawakening Pride Once Lost", "The Light, the Dark and the Endless Knot", "Honour Amongst Chaos", "Kindred Spirits" and the epic concept album "Ériú’s Wheel", Waylander have earned a loyal international following and shared stages with some of the biggest names in Folk and Pagan Metal.

  Now the band returns with their forthcoming album "Mac Tíre - Son of the Land" - a powerful new chapter that captures the spirit of Waylander at its most fierce, atmospheric and authentic. Combining savage riffs, soaring Irish melodies, ancient mythology and cinematic storytelling, the album stands as both a tribute to their roots and a bold evolution of their sound.

  After more than 30 years, Waylander continues to fly the banner for Pagan Celtic Metal with the same fire and conviction that started it all.

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