News

• Prog Innovator FERNANDO MOLINARI Unveils New Video “Minerva” ft. Marco Minnemann, Andre Nieri & Herbert Medeiros; New EP "NUMEN" Out Now!

  Jul 2, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

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  Brazilian prog‑fusion composer and bassist Fernando Molinari has released the stunning new performance video for “Minerva”, featuring an elite trio of world‑class musicians: drummer Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Joe Satriani, Steven Wilson), guitarist Andre Nieri (Virgil Donati Band), and keyboardist Herbert Medeiros in support of his newly released EP "NUMEN."

  “Minerva” opens the EP with explosive energy, built on 5/4 time, five simultaneous layers, and a commanding melodic theme. The track blends prog, fusion, and heavy elements into a dense, immersive soundscape, brought vividly to life in the new video.
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  ​Minnemann’s virtuosic drumming, Nieri’s razor‑sharp guitar work, and Medeiros’ atmospheric keyboard textures elevate Molinari’s composition into a cinematic, high‑intensity performance that captures the EP’s core identity: deep, energetic, prog, fusion, and heavy.
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  Out now on all streaming platforms, "NUMEN, mixed and mastered by Grammy Award winner Paulo Anhaia, is an instrumental EP inspired by Roman mythology. The term numen refers to a “divine presence” or manifestation of something sacred, an idea that became central to Molinari during one of the most challenging periods of his life.
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  ​“Music is a NUMEN in my life. A place where I find peace, joy, and a cure for my darkest moments,” adds Molinari.
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  The EP delivers a dense, atmospheric listening experience filled with layers, riffs, melodies, and emotional depth. Fans of progressive music and fusion will find a rich, immersive journey across all five tracks.
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  ​"NUMEN" features an exceptional roster of musicians from across the global prog and fusion scenes, including Marco Minnemann – Drums (The Aristocrats, Joe Satriani, Steven Wilson), Andre Nieri – Guitar (Virgil Donati Band), Mariko Muranaka – Piano (Hans Zimmer, Madonna), Joao Hanysz – Guitar (Casagrande & Hanysz), Luigi Paraventi – Guitar (Paleface Swiss), Chris Clark – Piano (Virgil Donati / Jon Anderson Band), and Daniel Felix – Keyboards (Caravellus).​
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  Molinari’s writing approach is unconventional; he never begins with an instrument. Instead, he records vocal ideas on his phone and later transcribes them into full arrangements.
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  ​“I don’t want technique to box me in. I write for every instrument, and I want the tracks to stand as full band compositions, not just bass features,” adds Molinari.
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  This method results in compositions rich with simultaneous layers, harmonic depth, odd time signatures, recurring motifs, and intricate textures. From the opening track "Minerva", a 5/4 prog‑fusion with five simultaneous layers and strong melodic themes, to "Netuno" and its heavy riffs, odd time signatures, and rich harmonies to "Mitra" a track with Flamenco‑influenced acoustic guitar, percussion, and piano to "Gemina" a fusion of prog metal, Middle Eastern textures, jazz fusion, cello, and piano to EP closer "Marte" a heavy, groovy trio performance with massive breakdowns. Fernando Molinari delivers his most ambitious and emotionally resonant work to date, an EP full of textures, strong melodies, killer riffs, and deep personality.

  Recommended for fans of Al Di Meola, Egberto Gismonti, Avishai Cohen, The Aristocrats, Virgil Donati, Plini, and Mahavishnu Orchestra, "NUMEN" is available at the following links:

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/1Ck6C4OH6pIFpD15Xkl62F

  ​EP Stream - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMtSchHQL6o

  Bandcamp - https://fernandomolinari.bandcamp.com/album/numen​

  More Info:

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

  ​https://www.instagram.com/molinarifernando​

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• TALES AND LEGENDS Launch Crowdfunding Campaign For New Album! The Italian symphonic power metal band invites fans to become part of the next chapter of their story!

  Jun 28, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Italian symphonic power metal band Tales and Legends has launched a crowdfunding campaign dedicated to the creation of their second album.

  Following the release of their debut album Struggle of the Gods, the band is now ready to open a new chapter: a darker, deeper, and more cinematic concept-driven journey, where music, orchestral elements, and storytelling come together to create a fully immersive experience.

  The upcoming album expands the creative world of Tales and Legends through songs conceived as pieces of a larger narrative, inspired by myth, destiny, and inner conflict. More than just a collection of tracks, the project is designed as a universe unfolding through sound.

  The campaign accompanies the band’s new chapter with Rockshots Records, which will support the international release of the album. Through this initiative, Tales and Legends want to give fans the opportunity to enter the project from its early stages and become part of the journey behind the new record.

  The crowdfunding campaign will help the band bring the project to life at its full potential, supporting recording and production, mixing and mastering, artwork, video and visual concept, and merchandise.

  Supporters will gain access to exclusive rewards depending on their contribution, including the digital album and booklet, a signed CD digipack, exclusive extra content such as artworks, full concept material, and behind-the-scenes content, as well as the chance to have their name included in the official supporter list.

  To introduce the campaign and present the vision behind the project, Tales and Legends have also released an official presentation video, available here:

  Founded by songwriter Andrea Atzori, Tales and Legends were created with the aim of blending epic orchestral elements, powerful riffs, and memorable melodies, drawing inspiration from bands such as Rhapsody of Fire, Avantasia, and Stratovarius.

  With their new album, the band continues to refine its epic, narrative, and cinematic identity, taking another step forward in its artistic journey.

  The crowdfunding campaign is now live and will run until August 25th.

  Become part of the legend.

  Crowdfunding campaign: https://talesandlegends.vercel.app/​

  BAND LINE-UP:​
  Patrik J. Selleby – Vocals
  Andrea Atzori – Keyboards
  Carlo Figus – Guitars
  Nicola Piras – Bass
  Brantley Rogers – Drums

  More info:​
  ​https://rockshots.eu​
  ​Tales and Legends online:​
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talesandlegends.metal​
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talesandlegends/​
  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TalesandLegends​
  X / Twitter: https://x.com/tales_legends​
  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-it/artist/6MstzoqIL79ktFbeWZM9ZK​
  Bandcamp: https://talesandlegends.bandcamp.com​
  
  

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• TRISKELYON Forge Classics Into Steel w/ New Cover Album "Metalmorphosis" Out Aug 2026; Streaming First Single "Heartbreaker"

  Jun 26, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

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  Canada’s unstoppable metal force Triskelyon is set to unleash “Metalmorphosis,” a digital‑only onslaught that reimagines iconic rock and pop classics as a fierce storm of heavy‑metal intensity. The release arrives on all major digital platforms on August 21, 2026, via Moribund Records.

  Founded in 2021 by guitarist and mastermind Geoff Waye (Category VI), Triskelyon has rapidly risen through the ranks of the underground with the acclaimed releases “Downfall,” “Artificial Insanity,” “Shattered Elysium,” and “Maelstrom of Chaos.” Now, the band unleashes its boldest concept yet, a full album dedicated entirely to crushing cover versions, forged in the fires of thrash, speed, power, and traditional metal.

  Aptly titled “Metalmorphosis,” this release represents the complete metalization and transformation of timeless classics into high-octane metallic weapons. From the arena-sized power of Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69,” to the dark intensity of Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” Triskelyon reinvents each track with razor-sharp riffs, thunderous rhythms, soaring vocals, and explosive solo work. Fan favorites from previous albums also return, including the band’s acclaimed renditions of “Hungry Like the Wolf,” “Major Tom (Coming Home),” “It Doesn’t Really Matter,” and “Nobody’s Business.”

  Covering icons such as Tears for Fears, Pat Benatar, Duran Duran, Billy Idol, Men Without Hats, Men at Work, Platinum Blonde, Peter Schilling, and Bryan Adams, “Metalmorphosis” stands as both a tribute to the golden age of rock and pop and a declaration of Triskelyon’s limitless creativity. Each song is reborn heavier, faster, darker, and more powerful than ever before, while still preserving the unforgettable hooks and melodies that made them legendary.

  “Metalmorphosis” is more than a covers album; it is a celebration of transformation through metal. A relentless collision of nostalgia and aggression, this digital-only release proves once again that Triskelyon can take any musical form and forge it into molten steel. As before, all songs were mixed and mastered by Michael Small. Album art by Ellim.

  Today, Triskelyon shares the first single, their cover of Pat Benatar's "Heartbreaker," featuring vocals from Amanda Jackman from Category VI.

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  Track Listing:​
  1. Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears for Fears cover)
  2. Summer of 69 (Bryan Adams cover)
  3. The Safety Dance (Men Without Hats cover)
  4. Overkill (Men at Work cover)
  5. Heartbreaker (Pat Benatar cover)
  6. Nobody's Business (Billy Idol cover) <Downfall album>
  7. It Doesn't Really Matter (Platinum Blonde Cover) <Artificial Insanity album>
  8. Hungry Like The Wolf (Duran Duran Cover) <Shattered Elysium album>
  9. Major Tom (Coming Home) (Peter Schilling Cover) <Maelstrom of Chaos album>

  Note: ALL Album Released covers are the same except “Major Tom,” which is a remaster (not a remix).

  Note: 5 brand new covers packaged with the 4 covers already done into one compilation album!

  Follow TRISKELYON:
  ​Facebook | Bandcamp​
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  Follow Moribund Records:
  ​Moribund Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp​

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• DIRTY SHIRT's New Album "Dirty Thirty (The Best Of)" - 30 Years of Folkcore! + Full Live Video at Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2025

  Jun 26, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Romanian folkcore metal innovators Dirty Shirt proudly announce the release of their new album "Dirty Thirty (The Best Of)," arriving June 26th, 2026, on digital platforms, limited double‑CD digipak, and vinyl. The career‑spanning collection celebrates more than 30 years of one of Eastern Europe’s most distinctive and genre‑defying metal bands.
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  Featuring 30 tracks that chart Dirty Shirt’s evolution from their earliest recordings to their most recent material, and two new singles, “FOMO” and “Büntető” from the band’s upcoming studio album.

  The anthology draws from every era of the band’s discography, including:
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  Very Dirty (2000) – 1 track (newly re‑recorded version from Pandemic Special)
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  Same Shirt Different Day (2010) – 2 tracks
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  Freak Show (2013) – 4 tracks + orchestral “Away”
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  Dirtylicious (2015) – 7 tracks
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  Letchology (2019) – 7 tracks
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  Get Your Dose Now & Pandemic Special (2022) – 7 tracks
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  Several early‑era songs have been newly remastered by longtime sound engineer Adrian “Bila” Urițescu. At the same time, the album’s artwork, created by internationally acclaimed artist Costin Chioreanu, continues a creative partnership now spanning more than 13 years. The project was partially funded through a successful 2025 crowdfunding campaign and features contributions from over 40 musicians.
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  ​Keyboardist/guitarist Mihai Tivadar reflects on the milestone:
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  “Dirty Shirt became much more than a band. It became a family… This album is a celebration of everyone who has been part of these thirty years.”

  CD and Vinyl order available at the following links:

  ​https://www.dirty-merch.com/​

  ​https://dirtyshirt.bandcamp.com/​

  Digital - https://linktr.ee/dirtyshirtband​

  Alongside the new album announcement, Dirty Shirt has released their full live performance from Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2025, one of the most important concerts in the band’s history.
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  This marked the band’s third appearance at Romania’s premier metal festival, and their first time as co‑headliners, performing on a main stage during a prime‑time slot before 10,000+ fans. The closing‑night lineup also featured Static‑X and Sepultura, with a standout moment occurring when drummer Sergio Ponti joined Sepultura on stage for a special performance of “Kaiowas.”
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  The 2025 edition was especially emotional, serving as the final Rockstadt Extreme Fest held in Râșnov, the festival’s home for more than a decade. Dirty Shirt’s full set captures both a defining moment in their career and the atmosphere of a festival that has become a landmark of the European metal scene.

   

  Dirty Shirt will also be back on the road for the summer season and a series of fantastic open-air festivals in Romania, Germany, and Slovakia (dates listed below).

  Tour Dates:​
  ​5 JUN - Nocturnal - Alexandria
  18 JUN - Bikers for Humanity - Brezoi
  26 JUN - Rock pod kameňom - Snina (Sk)
  28 JUN - Zilele Resitei - Resita (Ro)
  4 JUL - Praetorian Gates - Alba lulia
  11 JUL - Guitar Day - Cluj Napoca
  17 JUL - Bucharest Town Charity Run
  29 JUL - Wacken Open Air (De)
  1 AUG - Bucovina Motor Fest - Suceava
  8 AUG - CityFest - Ziar Nad Hronom (Sk)
  22 AUG - Rock Revolution - Bobâlna
  3 SEP - Guitar Meeting - Sibiu
  More Shows T.B.A.

  For more info: https://dirty-shirt.com/​
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• TRUENT Unleashes New Music Video For Single “Vilemaker”

  Jun 26, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian death juggernaut Truent returns with a vengeance as they release their crushing new single and music video “Vilemaker,” marking the official debut of new vocalist Darian Mazloomi (also of Cryptic Enslavement, Argent Strand) and new bassist Jason Whitewick-Bonenfant (also of Sideon).

  “Vilemaker” is a ferocious statement of intent, fast, technical, groove‑laden, and lyrically dense. Inspired by the Berserk “Golden Age” arc, the song explores the rise of a tyrant who climbs toward absolute power through manipulation, deceit, and the bodies of those he destroys along the way. Musically, it’s one of the band’s most crushing offerings to date, packed with razor‑sharp riffing, relentless momentum, and the unmistakable chemistry of Truent’s newly energized lineup.
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  The single also marks the first lyrical contribution from Mazloomi, whose arrival injects a new level of intensity into the band’s sound.
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  ​“‘Vilemaker’ is the most recent song we’ve written. There was a lot of deliberation on the structure and placement of certain parts, but it came together in a very satisfying way. It’s also the first song Darian has written lyrics for,” adds drummer Nicolas Landry.
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  According to drummer Nicolas Landry, fans can expect a noticeable evolution in the band’s songwriting and sonic identity. The new material is raw, dynamic, and intentionally less polished than much of today’s hyper‑produced metal, without sacrificing clarity or tone.
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  ​“We’ve really strived for a rawer sound this time around… This is some of our most dynamic music thus far, and we wanted the production to reflect that.”
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  Lyrically, the upcoming releases lean heavily into nihilism, frustration, and societal disillusionment, each song telling its own story through vivid imagery and shifting points of view.
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  ​Truent will release a limited but steady stream of singles throughout 2026, each showcasing the band’s sharpened songwriting, expanded influences, and collaborative creative process. The new material continues to blend tech‑death, groove, and metalcore elements.
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  ​Truent has spent the last several years carving out a reputation as one of Canada’s most exciting rising metal bands. Their technical, groove‑driven approach has earned them stage time alongside Archspire, Decapitated, Voivod, Revocation, Signs of the Swarm, and more. With a refreshed lineup and a wave of new music on the horizon, Truent enters 2026 with renewed force and a rapidly growing audience.

  Add to your Spotify Playlist - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/truent/vilemaker

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  Band Lineup:​
  Nicolas Landry – Drums
  Matthew Pancoust – Guitar
  Eli Slamang - Guitar (also of Terrifier)
  Jason Whitewick-Bonenfant – Bass (also of Sideon)
  Darian Mazloomi – Vocals (also of Cryptic Enslavement, Argent Strand)

  More info: https://ffm.bio/truentmetal​

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