News

• APE VERMIN Embark On "The Riders of The Damned Tour Part 2" w/ MEAN GREEN

  Apr 2, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

   

  North Carolina progressive sludge metal trio Ape Vermin will hit the road this spring for “The Riders of the Damned Tour Part 2,” across the U.S. alongside stoner metal trio Mean Green. The run supports Ape Vermin’s crushing full‑length "Andromedas Colossus," the band’s most dynamic, melodic, and brutally expansive release to date.
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  The tour launches May 16 at Bull City Metal Fest in Durham, NC, and storms across the Southeast, Texas, the Southwest, and the Mountain states before closing June 12 in Chattanooga, TN (dates listed below).
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  The announcement arrives alongside the release of the band’s new lyric video for “Awakened,” created by filmmaker Kenji Tsunami of Tsunami Films (also bassist for Narcotic Wasteland). The track, an explosive fusion of sludge, thrash, and cosmic devastation, showcases the album’s apocalyptic themes and the band’s sharpened, evolved sound.
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  ​“‘Awakened’ is my personal favorite. Hell has come back to life. The Colossus is awake. Prepare for your imminent obliteration,” says guitarist/vocalist Brett Lee.

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  Formed in 2017 by Brett Lee, drummer Seth Lynn, and bassist Jared Edge, Ape Vermin has carved out a reputation for no‑frills, high‑volume, amplifier‑worshipping heaviness. Their sound, described by the band as Colossal, Epic, Unique, Exciting, Heavy, pulls from sludge, doom, thrash, groove metal, death metal, and progressive rock.
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  With "Andromedas Colossus," Ape Vermin pushes further into a dark, prophetic sonic realm built over a decade of writing. The album’s ten tracks range from the obliterating opener “Obliteration Imminent” to the tribal‑tinged instrumental “Pulse Driver,” the environmentally charged “Mining the Colossus,” and the epic closer “Return to Andromeda.” Lyrically, the record explores outer‑space phenomena, extraterrestrial mythos, prehistoric terror, psychedelic visions, and sci‑fi horror, an entire universe crafted in Lee’s mind.
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  “We want to take listeners on an epic sonic journey. This record is extremely dynamic, melodic, visceral, and dark. Fans can expect even more crushing material. We’re already working on the next LP,” adds Lee.

  Recommended for fans of High on Fire, Crowbar, Mastodon, Yob, and Conan, check out “Andromedas Colossus” (released May 17th, 2024) at the following links:

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

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/1Y5DAyV5AP3hLNSMDfuQkh​

  

  "The Riders of The Damned Tour Part 2" w/ Ape Vermin, Mean Green​
  5/16 - Durham, N.C - Bull City Metal Fest
  5/17 - Winston-Salem, N.C - The Den
  5/18 - Atlanta, GA - Boggs Social
  5/19 - Savannah, GA - TBA
  5/20 - Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits
  5/21 - Orlando, FL - TBA
  5/22 - Tampa, FL - Brass Mug
  5/23 - Lafayette, LA - Freetown Boom Room
  5/24 - Dallas, TX - Reno's Chop Shop
  5/25 - Corpus Christi, TX - Boozers
  5/26 - San Antonio, TX - TBA
  5/27 - Austin, TX - TBA
  5/28 - Houston, TX - Black Magic
  5/29 - El Paso, TX - The Rockhouse
  5/30 - Albuquerque, NM - TBA
  5/31 - Scottsdale, AZ - Pho Cao
  6/2 - Palmdale, CA - Transplants Brewery
  6/3 - Las Vegas, NV - The Griffin
  6/4 - Salt Lake City, UT - TBA
  6/5 - Cheyenne, WY - TBA
  6/6 - Denver, CO - TBA
  6/7 - Colorado Springs, CO - Whats Left Records
  6/8 - Kansas City, MO - The Warehouse
  6/9 - Chicago, IL - Reggies
  6/10 - Lexington, KY - Als Bar
  6/11 - Nashville, TN - TBA
  6/12 - Chattanooga, TN - JJs Bohemia

  More info: Facebook.com/ProgressiveDoom | Instagram.com/ape_vermin_official​

   

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• PHAETON Announces "The Cosmic Dissonance Tour" Across British Columbia in Support of New Album "Neurogenesis"

  Mar 31, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  British Columbia’s all‑instrumental progressive metal force PHAETON is gearing up to hit the road for their 2026 Canadian West Coast "The Cosmic Dissonance Tour," supporting their latest third full‑length album, "Neurogenesis," released this past October 2025. The tour marks the band’s first extended run across the province of British Columbia since the release of their 2020 sophomore album "Between Two Worlds." It promises a blistering showcase of their evolving, hyper‑melodic, and technically ferocious sound.

  
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  Formed in 2017 in the mountain city of Kimberley, BC, Phaeton, Kevin Thiessen (guitars, keyboards), Daniel Airth (guitars), Ferdy Belland (bass), and Colin Righton (drums) have carved out a unique place in Canada’s metal landscape. Their fusion of neoclassical melodicism, crushing riff architecture, and cosmic prog-metal atmospherics has earned them a growing international following and stages alongside Beyond Creation, Anciients, and Bison.
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  ​“We’re beyond stoked to finally pull off a tour like this. We impress many people through our recordings, but live it’s a souped‑up, heavy‑hitting experience that gets in your face right before it’s melted down to the skull. We’re playing selections from all three of our albums and bringing our A‑Game. This won’t be the last time we rock across British Columbia, but we plan to make this first stint something special for everybody to remember,” says bassist Ferdy Belland.

  Phaeton 2026 Canadian West Coast Tour:​
  April 4 - Cranbrook, BC - Shotties Nightclub w/ The Honeymans, Brotherhood of Lost Souls, and Garuda (Ferdy's 55th Birthday Party) - info​
  April 8 - Kamloops, BC - Blue Grotto Nightclub w/ Tortion - info​
  April 9 - Kelowna, BC - Dunnenzie's Downtown w/ Tortion - info​
  April 10 - Vancouver, BC - Cobalt w/ Vaegon, Quasicosm, No Faith in Fortune (Hyperspace Metal Festival VII Pre-Party) - info​
  April 11 - Mission, BC - Captain's Cabin Pub w/ Anthem (Rush tribute), The Bifurcated - info​
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  Following their acclaimed releases, self-titled (2018) and "Between Two Worlds" (2020), the band’s new and third album, "Neurogenesis," sharpens their signature sound into something more concise, more dynamic, and more thematically unified. Inspired by concepts surrounding the technological singularity, cybernetic evolution, and the future of human identity, the album blends jazz‑fusion sensibilities with prog‑metal precision, djent‑infused heaviness, and neo‑classical melodic architecture.
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  Tracks such as “Tethys Rising,” “Isochron,” “Synesthesia,” “Arachnid,” and the expansive title track “Neurogenesis” explore everything from cosmic awe to psychological phenomena to dystopian futurism, without a single lyric. Phaeton’s instrumental approach allows listeners to project their own narratives, guided only by the band’s kaleidoscopic riffs, soaring leads, and tectonic rhythmic shifts.
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  Named after the mythical proto‑planet believed to have collided with primordial Earth, Phaeton channels cosmic chaos into meticulously crafted instrumental soundscapes. Their music draws from Dream Theater, Rush, Devin Townsend, Meshuggah, Mastodon, Gojira, and the jazz‑fusion giants of the 1970s, while maintaining a distinct identity rooted in technical virtuosity and interstellar imagination.
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  The band’s writing process is a fluid, collaborative effort, with each member contributing compositions and refining arrangements as a unit. Their live performances are heavier, crunchier, and more visceral than their polished studio recordings, an unexpected duality that has become a hallmark of their reputation.

  "Neurogenesis" (released Oct 24th, 2025) is available now on digital platforms via INB Music. Vinyl editions arrive later this year.

  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/46CVWFcd3u2pSRt0D9pSrV​

  Bandcamp - https://phaetonband.bandcamp.com/

  For more info: https://linktr.ee/phaetonofficial​

   

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• REIGN OF ECHOS' New Single “Static Vein” Dives Deep In The Struggle of Our Inner Demons

  Mar 31, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Southern California’s rising modern‑metal force Reign of Echos has released their highly anticipated second single and lyric video, “Static Vein,” recently released on March 13, 2026. The track follows the band’s January debut, “Blindside,” which introduced their signature blend of crushing heaviness, cinematic atmosphere, and emotionally charged storytelling.
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  Formed in 2025, Reign of Echos, featuring Randy Lee (guitar/lead vocals), Rob (bass/backing vocals), and Dustin (drums/backing vocals), has rapidly emerged as one of the most focused and creatively driven new metal acts to come out of Apple Valley in Southern California. Their chemistry was immediate, their writing process naturally seamless, and their shared vision unmistakable: to craft music that is creative, unique, powerful, driven, and relentlessly hard‑hitting.

  The band aims to deliver a listening experience that feels deeply relatable, intensely energetic, and adrenaline‑charged, building not just songs but a full‑scale sonic experience. This project also marks the first time Randy has written using a 7‑string guitar, expanding the band’s tonal range and adding new depth to their evolving sound.
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  ​“Static Vein” dives deep into the universal struggle against inner demons and the lingering darkness that exists within all of us. The band describes the track as a collision of madness, tension, and hope, with the music mirroring the internal battle portrayed in the lyrics.
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  ​“Static Vein was exciting for us to release as it is more of a presentation of our style of music. The song will be relatable to a wide audience while we all have struggled with some type of inner demon,” says Lee.
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  Musically, the track pushes the trio into more intricate territory while maintaining the raw intensity that defines their sound. The accompanying music video amplifies the song’s themes with powerful, eye‑catching visuals that tell the story in a single, striking image.
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  The band’s debut single, “Blindside,” set the tone for their arrival, an explosive track born from real‑life betrayal and emotional upheaval.
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  ​“Blindside was our first song written together. The song came out so effortlessly since one of us had just encountered a betrayal that was perfect for a song lyrically and musically,” adds Lee.
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  With both singles now out, fans are getting their first real look into the band’s upcoming EP, featuring six of their most powerful and cohesive tracks to date, with a full album to follow. Listeners can expect raw emotion, crushing grooves, modern creative edge, and a relentless commitment to pushing their sound even further.

  Recommended for fans of Lamb of God, Gojira, Korn, Mudvayne, and Trivium, listen to both singles at the following links:

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  Add to your Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ucAi70jllo0wXWmXnlO7H​

  More info: https://www.linktr.ee/reignofechos​

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• SONS OF BUTCHER New EP "Skids" + Video 'Denim Dreamin'" + Tour Dates

  Mar 27, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  After a decade‑long hiatus, the band behind Teletoon’s cult animated series is officially back in the butcher shop with their most polished, unhinged, and radio‑ready material to date. Canada’s raunchiest rock‑and‑roll carnivores, Sons of Butcher, have unleashed "Skids, a brand‑new four‑song EP and their first batch of fresh cuts since 2020. Released today, March 27th, 2026, the EP arrives alongside the new music video for “Denim Dreamin’,” the follow‑up to their first single “Makin’ Bacon.”

  Known for fusing vulgar absurdist comedy with heavy riffs and chaotic live antics, Sons of Butcher first carved out their legacy as the real‑world extension of their Teletoon animated series, building a cult following through spandex‑clad performances, pepperette‑throwing, and unapologetically ridiculous rock theatre. Forged in the grease‑splattered heart of Hamilton’s mock‑rock scene, "Skids" marks a new chapter, one that slices away from their animated origins and dives headfirst into a raw, unfiltered batch of comedy‑rock anthems.

  “This EP marks the first time we’ve written songs that don’t have a direct connection to the cartoon storyline, except for Peppercorn Steak. Instead, this EP is an honest batch of comedy songs from the grease‑clogged hearts of a band of has‑been butchers,” adds frontman Ricky Butcher.
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  Produced by longtime collaborator Jordon Zadorozny (Meatlantis, Rise & Fall of the Steaks) at Skylark Park in Pembroke, ON, "Skids" is a loud, unapologetic love letter to skid‑life: cheap meat, denim devotion, and the gritty charm of back‑alley ambition. The EP also features drumming by Kellii Scott of the acclaimed band Failure, a full‑circle moment for Ricky Butcher, who first discovered Zadorozny’s work through Scott’s playing.
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  Musically, "Skids" pushes Sons of Butcher into their most radio‑ready territory yet, without losing the filthy heart that made them cult icons. Opening track "Denim Dreamin’" is a surprisingly wholesome, socially acceptable anthem celebrating denim as a lifestyle. Catchy, bouncy, and tailor‑made for anyone who’s ever bought a patch or band tee. "Makin’ Bacon" is a metal‑forward, riff‑heavy ode to the universal love of bacon. Chaotic, catchy, and dangerously addictive. "Steeltown Handy" is a pop‑rock earworm exposing the underbelly of Hamilton’s gritty streets, raunchy, melodic, and impossible to forget. And EP closer, "Peppercorn Steak," is a return to classic SOB absurdity. Originally featured in an independently created third‑season pilot of the cartoon, now fully realized with soaring vocals and chunky riffage.

  The EP's cover features a live photo from the band’s first show after their ten‑year hiatus, Ricky Butcher and Doug Borski locked in a triumphant rock pose. The image has become symbolic of the band’s rebirth and renewed momentum.
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  To celebrate the release of the new EP, SOB's newest music video brings “Denim Dreamin’” to life with a tongue‑in‑cheek celebration of denim culture, matching the track’s upbeat swagger and infectious chorus. It follows the success of the EP’s first single, “Makin’ Bacon,” which kicked off the new era of Sons of Butcher with a blast of high‑energy mock‑metal.

  "This is the first clean‑cut Sons of Butcher track we have ever written! With a catchy refrain and bouncy riff, the song proudly declares that denim isn’t just a fashion choice, it’s a full‑blown way of life. Anyone who’s ever bought a patch or a band tee will feel this one in their soul," says Ricky Butcher.
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  ​With "Skids," the band isn’t just back, they’re carving out a new chapter in their meaty legacy.

  Recommended for fans of Tenacious D, Spinal Tap, Psychostick, and Steel Panther, "Skids" is available now as of March 27th, 2026, at the following links:

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/7M0suHkgLiADLzbMXegRjV

  ​Bandcamp (CD and Digital) - https://sonsofbutcher.bandcamp.com/album/skids​

  In additional news, Sons of Butcher are gearing up for a handful of Spring 2026 tour dates, including five shows with Hamilton’s beloved skid‑icon B.A. Johnston.

  Show Dates:​
  April 2 - Honey Dip - London, ON - opening for B. A. Johnston
  April 3 - L’Hemisphere Gauche - Montreal, QC - opening for B. A. Johnston
  April 4 - House of Targ - Ottawa, ON - opening for B. A. Johnston
  April 17 - The Corktown - Hamilton, ON - opening for B. A. Johnston
  April 18 - Baby G - Toronto, ON - opening for B. A. Johnston

  Track Listing:​
  1. Denim Dreamin’ – (3:05)
  2. Makin’ Bacon – (2:37)
  3. Steeltown Handy – (2:21)
  4. Peppercorn Steak – (1:42)

  EP Line Up:​
  Ricky Butcher – Lead Vocals, Guitar
  Doug Borski – Vocals, Bass
  Kellii Scott – Drums
  Jordon Zadorozny – Lead Guitar
  Brandon Wars – Lead Guitar

  Live Band Line Up:​
  Ricky Butcher – Vocals, Guitar
  Doug Borski – Vocals, Bass
  Crissy Stixx – Drums
  Joey Salami – Lead Guitar

  More Info:

  ​https://www.sonsofbutcher.ca/​

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

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

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• Streaming Now! SIEGE PERILOUS' New Album "Becoming The Dragon" ft. Guests Fabio Lione (Rhapsody, Angra) and Kristin Starkey (Twilight Force, Temperance) + Music Video "Echoes of Home"

  Mar 27, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Denver, CO power-metal storytellers Siege Perilous have unveiled their long‑awaited debut full‑length concept album, officially out now as of Friday, March 27th, via Crunchtronic Records. Along with the concept records release, the band is sharing the new music video for the emotional power ballad “Echoes of Home” ft. Kristin Starkey. The release follows months of anticipation fueled by the band’s earlier singles, including the title track and the Fabio Lione-fronted “As the Dragon Falls."

  "Becoming the Dragon" is a cinematic, story‑driven concept album chronicling the rise, fall, and transformation of the “Child of Prophecy,” a hero who ultimately embraces destiny by becoming the very dragon he was sworn to slay. Across ten tracks, Siege Perilous blends epic riffing, soaring vocals, and symphonic arrangements into a cohesive narrative arc that stands tall among modern power metal concept records. The album features two major guest vocalists who helped shape the band’s identity: Fabio Lione (Rhapsody, Angra) as the voice of the dragon in “As the Dragon Falls”, Kristin Starkey (Twilight Force, Temperance) as the Mystic in “Echoes of Home”.
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  For vocalist Shaughnessy McDaniel, these collaborations are deeply personal:
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  ​“Getting to sing alongside one of the voices that got me into metal as a teenager is an indescribable blessing, and having Kristin Starkey rip a power ballad with us is far beyond anything we could have hoped for.”​
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  The newly released video "Echoes of Home" highlights one of the album’s most emotional moments, the “all is lost” chapter of the story. Written during a difficult period when McDaniel’s newborn son was in the NICU, the song channels grief, fear, and hope into a sweeping Jim Steinman-inspired power ballad.
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  ​“Those nights going home alone while my wife stayed with our son really fueled the sadness and sense of loss that became the core of ‘Echoes of Home.’ Thankfully, he’s now happy, healthy, and just celebrated his second birthday in February.”

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  Formed in Colorado by longtime friends and LARP companions Shaughnessy McDaniel (vocals), Scott Hancock (guitar), and Mark Girard (drums), Siege Perilous grew from a shared passion for fantasy storytelling and the electrifying inspiration of seeing Unleash the Archers live in 2021. Joined by Eric Fischer (bass) and later Ryan Flanagan, the band has evolved into a fully collaborative creative unit. Every track on "Becoming the Dragon: was shaped collectively, with each member contributing to the story beats, arrangements, and narrative flow. The result is a unified musical saga with each chapter standing strong as an individual song.

  
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  Epic, melodic, powerful, cinematic, and story‑driven, Siege Perilous is recommended for fans of Manowar, Battle Beast, Iron Maiden, Hammerfall, Sabaton, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody, Helloween, and Avantasia.

  "Becoming the Dragon" is available via Crunchtronic Records on all digital platforms, along with physical CD and Vinyl, plus merch at the following links:

  CD + Vinyl (Limited Edition 12" Vinyl in Draconic Red) - https://siegemetal.bandcamp.com/album/becoming-the-dragon​

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7LbZQwXnTZE0nv3s8aDaSQ

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  In additional news, Siege Perilous will also mark the launch of their debut concept album, "Becoming The Dragon," with a release show in Greeley, CO on April 4th at the Moxi Theater, joined by Starwraith and Wicked Vixen. Full details are available at https://siegemetal.com/album-release-show-april-4-moxi-theater.

  Track Listing:​
  1. Overture (Instrumental) - (2:37)
  2. Ancient Rite - (4:37)
  3. As the Dragon Falls (feat. Fabio Lione) - (4:33)
  4. Child of Prophecy - (4:05)
  5. Shattered Mirage - (4:07)
  6. Chieftain - (4:03)
  7. Cut Down - (3:01)
  8. Echoes of Home (feat. Kristin Starkey) - (4:48)
  9. Becoming the Dragon - (5:09)
  10. Eschaton - (7:50)
  Album Length: 44:54

  More info: Siegemetal.com | Facebook.com/siegeband | Instagram.com/siegeperilousmetal | Tiktok.com/@siegemetal

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