News

• Manuel Barbará Releases Blade Runner Themed Metal EP “Whisper in a Storm”

  Sep 13, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  Metal guitarist and composer Manuel Barbará is proud to announce the release of his new EP “Whisper in a Storm”. The EP combines the aggression and technical mastery of heavy metal with the formal and harmonic concepts learned from the great composers of the 19th and 20th centuries. Barbará shares what listeners can expect:

  “‘Whisper in a Storm’ had a very “cyberspace and neon” sort of feel to it, which helped steer our decision to make it about Blade Runner. It’s mainly djent and prog, but I’m finding small touches of death metal creeping into my ideas the longer I play in Necro. It features four very distinct songs, each featuring one of my favorite musicians, that all live in the same sonic world. I hope the listeners like it as much as I do.”

  The EP boasts an impressive lineup of guest musicians, including violinist Jody Miller, guitarist Jake Howsam Lowe of Plini and The Helix Nebula, Michael Nystrom Bala of Necronomicon Ex Mortis, vocalist Thalia Tymowski of Among the Stars, and guitarist Millisa Henderson. These collaborations add depth and variety to Barbará's already rich sonic palette.

  Barbará’s compositions aim to unify the spheres of metal and classical music, creating carefully constructed pieces full of ambiance and color. This EP is designed to be a strange, adventurous, expertly crafted punch to the face with just enough spacey ambiance to make it punch even harder and just enough big synths to make it feel like you might be stabbed with a katana under a neon sign. It is recommended for fans of Periphery, Meshuggah, and Keith Merrow.

  Due out September 13, 2024, “Whisper in a Storm” is available for digital pre-save at https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/manuelbarbar/whisper-in-a-storm​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Dead Hand (feat. Jody Miller) – 5:43
  2. A Different Horizon (feat. Jake Howsam Lowe) – 5:49
  3. Aphelion (feat. Michael Nystrom Bala) – 4:13
  4. Whisper in a Storm (feat. Thalia Tymowski & Millisa Henderson) – 4:51
  5. Whisper in a Storm (instrumental) – 4:51
  EP Length: 24:42

  More info: Manuelbarbara.com | Facebook.com/8stringalchemy | Instagram.com/8stringalchemy | Tiktok.com/@8stringalchemy

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• Groovy Death INSURRECTION Presents New Album “Obsolescence”

  Sep 13, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  With over 20 years of annihilating fans across Canada and beyond, Gatineau, QC groovy and heavy-hitting death metal outfit INSURRECTION returns with their latest album "Obsolescence" on label Bam & Co. Heavy. Their first full-length in seven years, this fifth studio album represents a culmination of everything they’ve worked on over 2 decades, with both familiar (original) faces, as well as fresh blood in the lineup. Their music often addresses social and political themes through bilingual lyrics in both English and French.

  Throughout their existence, INSURRECTION has gained a notable reputation on stage throughout Canada with tours covering coast to coast, including performances at festivals such as Montebello Rockfest, Trois-Rivières Metalfest, and Decimate Metalfest along with sharing the stage with bands like Cannibal Corpse and the Black Dahlia Murder.

  The concept of “Obsolescence” is reflected throughout the album, and the band took things a step further by ending the record with a 3-song trilogy called The New Uprising. The trilogy which includes sub-themes of demagogy and elitism, as well as reflections on the death penalty, tells the cryptic story of a robotic uprising that is actually a metaphor for the rise of political extremism in the world.

  One easter egg that long-time INSURRECTION fans may notice is that, like many of their other albums, The Obsolescence starts with the final notes from their previous 2017 album, "Extraction".

  The band comments on "Obsolescence":

  "We think people are going to really enjoy the mix of the sound they’ve come to know and love alongside some new ingredients. 'Obsolescence' brings together both people who have been in the band for 20+ years, and people who have only recently joined. It gives the music both a familiar and a fresh sound that we’re really excited to share. Some songs are going to be immediate fan-favourites, and others we think are really going to grow on people. Ultimately, we want people to have fun. The band is sort of like an onion, in that there’s something immediate there that’s fun, catchy, and of course, heavy. But for people who want to keep peeling the layers back, they’ll find some unexpected harmonies, some lyrics with a deeper meaning to them. Admittedly a lot of people may also need to learn a second language (French or English) to actually understand all the lyrics. Ultimately, there’s something there for everyone. If you want to just rock out and have fun, you’ll enjoy our music. And if you want something that goes a bit deeper, you’ll also find that. "

  Recommended for fans of Misery Index, Testament, and Nevermore, "Obsolescence" will be available at the following links as of September 13th, 2024.

  CD and Vinyl album pre-order for “Obsolescence” is available at https://boutique.boiteamusique.ca/en/448-insurrection

   

  ​Show Dates:​
  Sept 28 - Gatineau, QC - Le Minotaure
  Oct 11 - Sainte-Thérèse, Qc - Le Montecristo
  Oct 12- St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC - La Boite (Festival Communion)
  Dec 6 - Drummondville, QC- Pub La Sainte-Paix

  Track Listing:​
  1. Preprogrammed – (1:04)
  2. The Gathering – (4:47)
  3. Failures of the Flesh – (3:47)
  4. Le secret des dieux – (3:33)
  5. Némésis – (3:48)
  6. Hostile Takeover – (4:14)
  7. Obsession – (1:57)
  8. Charogne – (4:24)
  9. Initiate the End – (4:12)
  10. Obsolete – (5:30)
  11. Bless the Machine – (4:46)
  Album Length: 42:07

  More info: Facebook.com/BamAndCoHeavy | Insurrectionmetal.com

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• NIGHTWRAITH Unleases Progressive MeloDeath Epic Album “Divergence”

  Sep 13, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  NightWraith, the progressive melodic death metal band from Denver, USA presents their latest and new offering "Divergence". An album featuring eight original tracks and a cover version of Pink Floyd's "Us and Them", the full-length has a lot of depth to it and is not a traditional metal record.

  Vocalist guitarist Benjamin Explains further:

  "We hope people can appreciate the risks we took on this record. We wanted to really kick it up a notch for anyone who already knows our music since they might be expecting that from us. We also don’t want to turn off any potential new listeners, so it was kind of a fine line between what current fans expect from us, and what brand-new listeners are willing to keep an open mind for. There’s really something for everyone on this album, whether it's 80’s style guitar riffs, blast beats, electric piano, or guttural vocals."

  "Divergence" takes listeners on a sonic journey. There are many layers to it and the band's idea was for people to hear something new with each listen. The album is intended to lift you up with major melodies, evoke emotion with harmonic minors, and harken overall feelings of nostalgia and hope. ‘Divergence’ often utilizes classic songwriting structures (verse/chorus/bridge/lead). Each instrument is not overly complicated, but when layered on top of each other, the music has a lot of depth. The drums are fast with lots of big rock fills and the choice to use fast double bass and blast beats was meant to give the album a driving, more ‘classic’ metal sound. The keyboards/synthesizer tones are the icing on the cake and are what truly color the album in a nostalgic-sounding way. The melodies that were written to lay on top of the guitars are what give the songs the musical complexity that can be rare within the heavy metal genre. There are also a lot of solos on this album, but none of them are overly ‘shreddy’ and are meant to serve the song, not the player.

  The band also stepped up the production on this album by recruiting some talented guest musicians to contribute and added extra rhythmic layers using acoustic guitar and percussive instruments like cowbells and shakers. Then stepped up the production again by involving producer Zack Ohren (Machine Head, Immolation) to mix and master the record, which gave it a top-shelf-sounding production quality.

  Due out on September 13, 2024, from What’s Left Records, “Divergence” is available for album pre-order at https://nightwraith.bandcamp.com/​

  Vinyl pre-order - https://whatsleftrecords.bigcartel.com/product/nightwraith-divergence-lp-clear-red-vinyl ​

  ​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Fruitless (5:15)
  2. Perpetual Night (5:13) ft. guest Cole Rudy - Pedal Steel Guitar
  3. One Flower (5:14) ft. guest Andreas Wild - Baritone Saxophone
  4. Whispers of Dragonflies (5:27) ft. guest Kelly Schilling - Concert Flute
  5. Invocation (2:19) ft. guest Joey Truscelli - Guitar Solo
  6. Fallen Kings and Queens (4:20) ft. guests Dan Phelps & Chuck French - Backup Vocals
  7. Nothing Left to Lose (3:24)
  8. Divergence (5:20) ft. guests Jeremy Portz & Xander Galvin-Soto - Auxiliary Percussion
  9. Us and Them (bonus Pink Floyd cover) (5:18)
  Album Length: 42:08

  More info: Nightwraithband.com | Facebook.com/nightwraithband | Instagram.com/nightwraithband | Twitter.com/nightwraithband

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• TONIC BREED Unleashes 10th Anniversary Release of Album “Outsold”

  Sep 12, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Set to unleash the 10th-anniversary re-release of their highly praised 2014 thrash album “Outsold” on September 13th, Norway’s Tonic Breed is sharing the last revamped song and the title track for new and old fans alike. One of their more proggier songs on the album, the title track will transport listeners through a journey, of both headbanging thrash and melody.

  ​“Outsold” was a significant achievement for Tonic Breed, earning the title of “Album of the Year” by The Metal Reviews in 2014. The album's unique blend of Old Bay era thrash, groove, melodic, and heavy elements captivated metal enthusiasts worldwide. Dark and energic, with surprising turns, but at the same time sticking to good old thrash recipe, the themes on "Outsold" touch the political spectrum and some of the darkest thoughts humans can have. Recommended for fans of Slayer, Pantera, and Metallica, the album "Outsold" will be available on all digital platforms on September 13th, 2024.

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3XoeaNY​

  Apple Music - https://apple.co/3z1FCt6​

  While Tonic Breed's original lineup is no more, sole remaining member Patrik Svendsen has poured his passion into this remixed and remastered anniversary re-release. The band is not reuniting, but Svendsen, the composer of all songs, expresses his love for the album and over this year he's been introducing it to a new audience, one single at a time.

  Track Listing​
  1. Strife (4:17)
  2. Fifth Estate (6:25)
  3. Bad Company (6:41)
  4. Blackened Mind (7:38)
  5. Outsold (7:09)
  6. Rebellious Tendencies (6:41)
  7. Borregaard (8:11)
  8. There’s Just One Escape (5:54)

  2024 - 10th Anniversary Album Recording Credits:
  • All songs performed by: Tonic Breed
  • All songs written by: Patrik K. Svendsen, Mats Johansen
  • Produced by: Patrik K. Svendsen
  • Mixed by: Patrik K. Svendsen and Toproom Studio
  • Mastered by: Toproom Studio

  Album Band Line Up:
  Patrik K. Svendsen: Vocals, Guitar
  Rudi Golimo: Bass
  Thomas Koksvik: Lead guitar
  Mats Johansen: Drums

  For more info:​
  ​https://tonicbreed.com​
  ​https://facebook.com/tonicbreed​
  ​https://instagram.com/tonicbreed

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• FEN Returns With New Album “Dear Mouse”

  Sep 12, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  After a twelve-year hiatus, progressive rock band FEN is set to release their sixth studio album, “Dear Mouse”, on September 12, 2024. Emerging from the mountain shadows of Nelson, Canada in 1998, FEN has consistently impressed critics and fans alike with their unique blend of technical proficiency and purposeful songwriting. The band comments:

  “‘Dear Mouse’ is less a comeback album than a tying up of loose ends. The ten songs were all started in 2014 or earlier. They sat as fragments for a long time, but as life pulled the band apart, we couldn’t ignore these unfinished gems—or so we thought of them. We chipped away at them on and off. They dragged us along almost painfully at times. For the final three years, we pushed as hard as our lives would allow. Ultimately, Dear Mouse was a test of our perseverance and of getting out what needed to be said. We can rest now. And we will. We hope you find something in the music to appreciate.”

  “Dear Mouse” marks a significant milestone for the band, breaking their decade-long silence. The album stands at a crossroads of genres, incorporating elements from throughout FEN's discography. Fans can expect a diverse listening experience, with tracks ranging from the multi-movement composition “Seam of the Heart”, which echoes the eerie concept of their earlier work “Heron Leg”, to the infectiously melodic “Ritual Lite”, competing for the title of poppiest tune in their repertoire.

  The album's guitar work is a particular highlight, seamlessly transitioning from jagged riffs to ethereal textures, offering a comprehensive summary of the band's decades-long refinement of their craft. Lyrically, many of the songs on "Dear Mouse" explore themes of endings, touching on subjects such as the conclusion of long-term relationships, employment, and even one's physical home. Despite these potentially heavy themes, the band aims to provide an overall uplifting and energetic listening experience, with a couple of slower tracks for balance. It is recommended for fans of Tool, Porcupine Tree, and Opeth.

  Album Order - https://fencanada.bandcamp.com/album/dear-mouse​

  ​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Ritual Lite - 4:28
  2. Recall - 4:29
  3. Season to Live - 4:57
  4. The Password is I Believe - 2:48
  5. Dying on a Hill (of Cubicle, Window, Steel, and Concrete) - 4:19
  6. The Seam of the Heart - 6:52
  7. Our Latest Quarry - 3:56
  8. E.D.B.D. - 2:37
  9. Dear Mouse - 4:56
  10. Into the Blaze - 5:18
  Album Length: 44:40

  Album Credits:​
  Produced by Fen
  Sheldon Zaharko of Zed Productions: tracked drums and bass, and mixed all songs
  Album mastered by Andy Vandette at Evolve Mastering
  All songs written by Fen
  Oil paintings by Jason Froese
  Band:
  Randall Stoll: drums
  Jeff Caron: bass on tracks 1-9
  Sam Levin: guitar, piano, programming, bass on track 10
  Doug Harrison: vocals, lyrics

  More Info: https://www.facebook.com/fenmusic

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