News

• ANCIENT THRONES' New Concept Album "Melancholia" Plunges Listeners Into A Surreal Narrative

  Sep 18, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Ancient Thrones, the Canadian progressive blackened death metal force known for their visceral storytelling and relentless sonic assault, is set to officially release their long-awaited sophomore album, "Melancholia," on September 19th (Vinyl and Digital), and can be heard in full before its unleashed via its album stream premiere on Decibel Magazine HERE.
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  Described by the band as “the sound of existential exhaustion,” "Melancholia" is a 42-minute concept album that plunges listeners into a surreal narrative: a colourblind protagonist takes hallucinogens in a desperate attempt to see colour, only to spiral into a kaleidoscopic nightmare. From the explosive opening of “A Moon Fused Key” to the haunting decay of “Vacant,” the album is a relentless barrage of speed, aggression, and cinematic atmosphere.
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  ​“This is truly an unapologetic extreme metal concept album. It’s a bad trip you can’t escape, jagged, abstract, and emotionally devastating,” says the band.

  
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  Formed in 2011 and rebranded in 2018, Ancient Thrones has evolved into a fully realized extreme metal entity, thanks in part to the addition of multi-band virtuoso Dylan Wallace. The writing process began in early 2020, just as the world was descending into pandemic-induced uncertainty. Rather than reflect the global crisis directly, the band channeled their energy into crafting a deeply personal and psychologically intense record.
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  ​“We’re proud to share this album with our fans, old and new. We hope it moves you in unnatural ways. Enjoy the trip while it lasts,” adds the band.

  
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  ​"Melancholia" is not just an album; it’s an immersive experience. The band’s signature blend of fast, extreme, progressive, cinematic, and existential metal is on full display, with every track contributing to the overarching narrative. Lyrically, the album explores themes of trauma, hallucination, and the dangers of idealism, all inspired by real-life experiences and a harrowing psychedelic episode.
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  Drawing inspiration from bands like The Red Chord, The Faceless, Archspire, and Deafheaven, Ancient Thrones pushes the boundaries of extreme music. Their sound is rooted in black metal, 2000s death metal, and modern tech death, but their cinematic approach and lyrical depth set them apart.

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  With "Melancholia" out on September 19, 2025, the band is already writing new material for the follow-up. Fans can expect more crushing, emotionally charged music in the near future.​
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  ​Album pre-order (Vinyl, Digital) - https://ancientthrones.bandcamp.com​

  Track Listing:​
  1. A Moon Fused Key (5:12)
  2. Achromatopsia (1:19)
  3. Melancholia (6:17)
  4. A Turning Point (5:46)
  5. A Pellucid Prism (4:26)
  6. Sacred Swollen Glass (6:16)
  7. Blight (2:18)
  8. A Pale Palace (4:55)
  9. Vacant (5:31)
  Album Length: 42:00

  Band Lineup:​
  Dylan Wallace - Guitar
  Nick Leslie - Guitar
  Matt LeBlanc - Bass
  Sean Hickey - Drums & Vocals

  More info: Facebook.com/Ancientthrones | Instagram.com/ancientthrones

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• Space Metal Opera AEDAN SKY's Debut Album “The Universal Realm”

  Sep 12, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  AEDAN SKY is the brand-new solo project from Sébastien Chabot, best known as the guitarist & singer of French power metal band Galderia and bassist/composer in Kingcrown alongside ex-Nightmare frontman Joe Amore. After years of touring across Europe, racking up millions of streams and shaping a solid discography, Seb launches a new creative journey, a return to his roots in speed-driven, uplifting melodic power metal.

  "The Universal Realm" is far more than a debut album; it’s a fully realized space opera metal saga telling the story of a cosmic journey toward spiritual awakening and universal consciousness. Written, arranged, and produced entirely by Sébastien, the album reflects his personal vision supported by long-time collaborators from the Galderia circle. To bring the story to life, the album features three lead vocalists performing as the main characters: Sébastien Chabot as SKY / Bob Saliba (Kingcrown, ex-Galderia) as AEDAN / Thomas Schmitt (Galderia) as SKY's Soul. Their voices weave together across the songs, creating a rich, theatrical dynamic reminiscent of the classic metal opera format.

  The album's mix and master were handled by Simone Mularoni (Rhapsody, DGM, Secret Sphere) at Domination Studio, ensuring top-tier sound quality. The stunning cover artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco, known for his work with some of the most iconic bands in the genre. Musically, "The Universal Realm" pays homage to the golden era of late '90s and early 2000s European power metal, blending fast riffs, anthemic choruses, massive choir harmonies, and spiritually charged lyrics. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the genre’s greats, while carving out a distinct space through its narrative ambition and cohesive artistic direction.

  Following the digital success of singles "Beyond The Vortex Of Time" and "A Kingdom To The Stars", the album now arrives to offer fans the full epic journey. This record also marks the first chapter in an ongoing saga.

  Fans of melodic and conceptual power metal will find in AEDAN SKY a fresh, passionate, and authentic voice.

  LISTEN TO "A Kingdom To The Stars"

  
  ​LISTEN TO "Beyond The Vortex Of Time"​

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  ​BUY A COPY at the following link: https://rockshots.eu/products/aedan-sky-the-universal-realm-cd​
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  To celebrate the album release, AEDAN SKY also presents the official lyric video for the song “Gate Of Skies,” offering fans an additional glimpse into the cosmic journey of "The Universal Realm".

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  Track Listing:​
  1. Opening
  2. Call of the Universe
  3. A Kingdom to the Stars
  4. Gate of Skies
  5. Beyond the Vortex of Time
  6. From the Ashes to the Light
  7. Land of Paradise
  8. Interlude
  9. Illumination
  10. The Universal Realm
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  ​Aedan Sky Line Up:​
  Vocal Cast / Characters
  Sébastien Chabot: Lead Vocals as SKY
  Bob Saliba: Lead Vocals as AEDAN
  Thomas Schmitt: Lead Vocals as SKY's Soul Musicians
  Sébastien Chabot: Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Bass Guitar, Keyboards
  Thomas Schmitt: Lead Guitar on track 4
  Bob Saliba: Lead Guitar on track 9
  Julien Digne: Piano on tracks 4 & 10
  S.D.: Drums

  ​More Info:

  ​https://rockshots.eu/​

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578169109523​
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aedansky

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• Prog Collective LUNAR Reimagines Marilyn Manson with Progressive Metal Cover "Mechanical Animals"

  Sep 11, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Progressive metal collective LUNAR returns with a powerful new standalone single, “Mechanical Animals,” a bold reinterpretation of the iconic Marilyn Manson track. Following the critical acclaim of their 2025 concept album "Tempora Mutantur," LUNAR continues to evolve, this time stepping into the world of covers for the first time in their career.
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  ​“We’re really excited to release our new single ‘Mechanical Animals'. This is a cover of an old Marilyn Manson song that we’ve been wanting to do for quite some time now. I’ve listened to this song many times over the years, and there were certain parts that I always thought, ‘ooh, that would be cool to do there.’ Having these different ideas in my head to make it a bit more proggy, I figured it was a perfect track for LUNAR to cover. It’s also the first recorded LUNAR track with our new guitarists, Jordan Price and Jason Ashcraft, on it. We hope you all enjoy it!” shares drummer and founding member Alex Bosson.
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  ​“Mechanical Animals” bridges the gap between "Tempora Mutantur" and the band’s forthcoming fifth album, offering fans a taste of LUNAR’s evolving sonic palette. The track blends the haunting industrial tones of Marilyn Manson's original with LUNAR’s signature progressive flair, layered instrumentation, dynamic vocal interplay, and atmospheric depth. This release also marks the debut of new guitarists Jordan Price and Jason Ashcraft, whose contributions bring fresh energy and complexity to the band’s sound.

  With “Mechanical Animals,” LUNAR not only pays homage to a formative influence but also showcases their ability to transform familiar material into something uniquely their own. The single will be available now on all major streaming platforms on September 12, 2025.

  Listen to “Mechanical Animals” via its premiere on Metal Addicts HERE.

  Digital pre-save - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/lunar231/mechanical-animals​

  LUNAR was formed in 2013 by Bosson and the late Ryan Erwin and has grown from a studio passion project into a full-fledged progressive force, with a lineup now featuring Jason Ashcraft (Rhythm Guitar), Alex Bosson (Drums), Brian Lewis (Growl Vocals), Chandler Mogel (Lead Vocals), Jordan Price (Lead Guitar), Ryan Price (Bass), and Anthony Stahl (Keyboards).
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  Making their live debut at the 2025 Hyperspace Metal Festival in Vancouver, they are already booking festival appearances for 2026 to be revealed at a later date.

  LINEUP:
  RHYTHM GUITAR: Jason Ashcraft
  DRUMS: Alex Bosson
  GROWL VOCALS: Brian Lewis
  LEAD VOCALS: Chandler Mogel
  LEAD GUITAR: Jordan Price
  BASS: Ryan Price
  KEYBOARDS: Anthony Stahl

  For more info: Facebook.com/lunarbandofficial | Instagram.com/lunarbandofficial | X.com/LunarBandOffcl

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• MATT MILLER Unleashes Sci-Fi Infused Tech-Death Odyssey W/ Seventh Studio Album “Fiber Tormentum”

  Sep 11, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  ​Technical death metal virtuoso Matt Miller will be officially releasing his seventh studio album, "Fiber Tormentum," via Exitus Stratagem Records on September 12th, 2025. Born from the isolation of the 2020 pandemic, Miller’s solo project grew into a collaborative force after touring with Rings of Saturn and supporting Possessed across Europe. Miller assembled a powerhouse lineup of genre-spanning musicians featuring Jordan Kelso (drums/synth), Justice Robinett (bass), and Biko Wright (vocals). The result is "Fiber Tormentum", a concept-driven album that fuses crushing technicality with soaring clean vocals to whisk you away on a genre-defying journey and musical evolution.

  Lyrically, the album imagines a world where alien forces manipulate human DNA to enslave the planet. Each track tells a chapter of this dystopian saga. “Descent into Violence” opens with raw desperation and emotive intensity. “Summoned” details the invaders’ plans, its music mimicking alien algorithms. “Effectively Neutralized” enacts the invasion with unpredictable twists, while “Blight and Disfigurement” marches through environmental collapse. “Maimed Paralyzed Dead” evokes horror-movie dread, and “Horror Beyond Comprehension” captures humanity’s plea for mercy in overwhelming sonic waves. The instrumental title track, “Fiber Tormentum,” serves as a musical snapshot of the entire album, and “Abiotic Origin” closes with a powerful realization: humanity invited its own destruction, but hope lingers.

  “This album is the most ambitious project I’ve ever worked on. We pushed ourselves to our limits, never settled, and created something that’s both technically brutal and emotionally resonant. It’s a glimpse into our lives, our evolution, and our vision for what metal can be,” says Miller.
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  The album artwork, created by the late Joshua Nassaru Ward (Voraath), reflects the album’s core theme: a tormented face mid-transformation, symbolizing the manipulation of human DNA. The title "Fiber Tormentum" is inspired by Roman history, the sound of a ballista’s ropes tightening before release, a metaphor for the tension and release found throughout the album.

  Recommended for fans of Necrophagist, Symphony X, Wintersun, The Faceless, and Death, "Fiber Momentum" can be heard in full via album stream premiere on Decibel Magazine HERE.​
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  ​"Fiber Tormentum" will be available on all major platforms through Exitus Stratagem Records.

  Digital Pre-Save (Out Sept 12th) - https://hypeddit.com/mattmiller/fibertormentum​

  CD pre-order (Out Sept 12th) https://www.exsrmusic.com/store/p/wnn3m10s6beq0pbmnot0e17ghvj629​

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  Track Listing:​
  1. Descent into Violence (5:04)
  2. Summoned (3:33)
  3. Effectively Neutralized (4:53)
  4. Blight and Disfigurement (3:23)
  5. Maimed Paralyzed Dead (3:12)
  6. Horror Beyond Comprehension (3:15)
  7. Fiber Tormentum (Instrumental) (3:31)
  8. Abiotic Origin (3:14)
  Album Length: 30:08

  Album Lineup:​
  Matt Miller (Guitars, Synth)
  Jordan Kelso (Drums, Synth)
  Justice Robinett (Bass)
  Biko Wright (Vocals)

  For more info:

  ​Exsrmusic.com | Shreded1.com | Facebook.com/matt.miller.96995238 | Instagram.com/mattmiller630

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• THE FIXER's New Single Is An Anthem To Break Free “It Will End Tonight” + "Ugly Knots Tour" with TEKNOSIS Across Central Canada (QC/ON/MB/SK/AB)

  Sep 11, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Following the raw emotional power of their 2023 debut album "Your Lie," released via Worm Hole Death Records, genre-defying metal outfit The Fixer returns with a new single, “It Will End Tonight”, as they gear up for a tour across five Canadian provinces, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta with fellow Thunder Bay comrades TEKNOSIS this coming October (dates listed below).

  Performed live as a set closer, the single has already become a fan-favourite and now finally gets its official release. Written with live performance in mind, “It Will End Tonight” channels the band’s roots in hardcore, screamo, and punk, while weaving in their signature industrial and gothic textures. Drawing sonic inspiration from acts like Alexisonfire, Holly Springs Disaster, Rammstein, and Type O Negative, the single delivers a raw, melodic intensity that captures the cathartic energy of The Fixer’s live shows.
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  Lyrically, the song explores the painful clarity of realizing a situation won’t change, no matter how tightly you hold on. It’s about the strength it takes to walk away when staying only causes more harm.

  “We’ve always written from a heartfelt lens. This track is no exception. It’s about fighting through darkness with love, and we think fans who connect with our emotional honesty will resonate deeply with it,” says the band.
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  The single’s artwork, created by Vicki Nerino, reflects this fiery emotional core, an elemental reinterpretation of The Fixer’s logo, inspired directly by the song’s intensity.

  For fans of emotionally driven metal with theatrical flair, this tour is not to be missed. “It Will End Tonight” is just the beginning of what promises to be a transformative new chapter for The Fixer.
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  Listen to “It Will End Tonight” via its premiere on Bravewords HERE.

  The Fixer hits the road with fellow Thunder Bay heavyweights Teknosis for the Ugly Knots Tour, a cross-Canada metal blitz that promises to be nothing short of explosive. Fans can expect new material, revived deep cuts, and the kind of emotionally charged performances that have become The Fixer’s trademark.

  "Touring is something we all look forward to in The Fixer. The most rewarding part of being in a band is seeing people connect with something you’ve created, and our favourite way to do that is in the live setting. We will be heading out with fresh songs, as well as bringing a couple of songs back into the set that we haven’t played in some time. Similarly, we are excited to be playing some places we haven’t played before and some of the first places we ever played outside of our hometown," says Vic Sin, Guitar - The Fixer

  “We are incredibly pleased with our first EP, ‘Return to Civilization’. These 5 songs are the perfect introduction to the sound of Teknosis. Fans of all genres of metal will enjoy our hybrid of metal genres. We are now beyond thrilled to be bringing these songs and more on tour this October with The Fixer,” adds bassist Travis Doggett - Teknosis.

  Ugly Knots Tour 2025 - The Fixer, Teknosis
  ​Oct 2 - La Sarre, QC - La Brute du Coin *
  Oct 3 - Montreal, QC - Piranha Bar *
  Oct 4 - Espanola, ON - Shorty's *
  Oct 9 - Fort Frances, ON - Pink Parasol Tea Room
  Oct 10 - Brandon, MB - The 40
  Oct 11 - Prince Albert, SK - Studio Q
  Oct 12 - Edmonton, AB - The Rendezvous
  Oct 13 - Calgary, AB - Pin Bar
  Oct 14 - Lethbridge, AB - The Slice
  Oct 15 - Moose Jaw, SK - Chillers
  Oct 16 - Saskatoon, SK - Green Room
  Oct 17 - Regina, SK - The Exchange
  Oct 18 - The Pas, MB - The Wescana Inn
  Oct 19 - Winnipeg, MB - Osborne Taphouse
  Oct 31 - Thunder Bay, ON - The Hunger 18 (Downtown-wide Hallowe'en Festival)
  * = without Teknosis

  About Teknosis:

  Formed out of pure love for metal. Teknosis has quickly evolved into a tight, aggressive unit with a shared vision: to make heavy music that hits hard and leaves no room to breathe. Set to ignite stages across the country this October, Teknosis is bringing their relentless live energy to fans in support of their acclaimed 2024 EP "Return to Civilization", a five-track barrage of groove-laced hardcore and death metal influences. It's a compact, violent sonic explosion that lyrically channels frustration and isolation from lockdowns, with themes ranging from societal collapse to personal survival.

  With ambient samples bridging each track, Teknosis will be a visceral live experience as they deliver a seamless, high-impact set that’s organic, heavy, and hypnotic.

  “We still believe in live amps and drums straight to the cochlea. It’s all about maximum intensity. A sonic experience that’s as brutal as it is addictive," says bassist Travis Doggett.

  Fans can expect new singles starting in Fall 2025, leading up to a full-length album in late 2025 or early 2026. The October tour will feature tracks from "Return to Civilization" alongside unreleased material, giving audiences a taste of what’s to come.

  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Cu2jRvDUKvEZdqJd5QjwJ​

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  ​More Info:

  ​https://www.facebook.com/TheFixerBand | https://www.instagram.com/thefixercanada | https://www.tiktok.com/@thefixercanada​

  ​https://www.facebook.com/teknosismetal | https://www.instagram.com/teknosis.metal/

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