News

• VICTORIA LIES Unveils First Single "Red" From Debut Concept Record "Vendetta" Out October 2026

  Jul 21, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Calgary, Canada metalcore storytellers Victoria Lies have announced the first single from their long‑awaited forthcoming debut full‑length, "Vendetta." The track, “Red,” arrives today alongside a cinematic music video that plunges listeners directly into the dark, lore‑rich universe the band has spent years constructing.
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  ​“Red” marks the moment where the album’s central character, Victoria, transforms emotionally, psychologically, and violently. The song’s explosive contrast between chaotic verses and a soaring, cathartic chorus mirrors the character’s unraveling and rebirth, and it stands as one of the band’s most visceral, immediate compositions.

  “The defining moment when Victoria becomes Victoria… heavy, disorienting, and urgent,” adds vocalist Brett Hetherington.
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  The video for “Red” brings Victoria’s world to life with the band’s signature theatricality. Their dancer and on‑stage embodiment of Victoria, Sadie Rieb, appears throughout, adding movement, narrative weight, and emotional intensity to the visual storytelling.
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  A memorable moment from the recording sessions made its way into the energy of the performance. During vocal tracking, the studio was overtaken by the Euro football finals. Producer Scott Bennett hauled in a TV, guitarist Rory Fitzsimmons spent 90 minutes yelling at the screen, and the chaos fueled Brett’s most ferocious screams.

  “All this yelling really helped Brett get in the mindset for laying down his screams on one of our angriest songs,” adds the band.

  The single and music video for “Red” are available at the following links:

  Digital Single - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/victorialies/red​

  "Vendetta" is a 10‑track concept album that blends melodic metalcore, groove metal, and genre‑bending experimentation. The band describes it as a “constantly evolving universe” filled with narrative twists, emotional depth, and unexpected musical turns, from trap beats to saxophone lines.
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  The album explores themes of power abuse, violence against women, personal grief, societal collapse, and moral ambiguity, all woven through the story of Victoria, a character who appears in choreography, prose, and live performance.
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  “We wanted to give listeners a journey. Not just ten heavy songs, something with twists, turns, and storytelling,” says bassist Jay Powell.

  “When you hear it, you know you’re in Victoria’s universe,” adds Fitzsimmons.
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  Formed in 2023, Victoria Lies is a Canadian metalcore band known for blending heavy grooves with theatrical storytelling. Their lineup includes vocalist Brett Hetherington, drummer James Cuncannon, guitarists Chris Koehler and Rory Fitzsimmons, and bassist Jay Powell. The band has previously released singles “Trial By Fire,” “…Ready for it?” and “Zerotonin,” earning thousands of streams and building anticipation for their debut album.
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  They’ve performed across Alberta, including Calgary, Drumheller, Lethbridge, and Edmonton, and appeared at Gatorfest II and Decimate Metalfest.

  Recommended for fans of Bad Omens, Atreyu, AFI, and Killswitch Engage, "Vendetta" is due out on October 30th, 2026 via Black Cat Records.

  Album pre-save - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/victorialies/vendetta​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Victoria - 1:40
  2. We Ignite - 3:25
  3. Terra Critical - 4:00
  4. Laced With Hate - 6:30
  5. Red - 2:44
  6. Weaving Webs - 4:18
  7. Trial by Fire - 3:33
  8. Absurd - 4:21
  9. Red Lips, Loaded Gun - 5:52
  10. Ravens - 3:41
  11. Truth and Sugar - 4:15
  Album Length: 44:23

  Album and Live Band Line-up:​
  Jay Powell (Bass)
  Brett Hetherington (Vocals)
  James Cuncanon (Drums)
  Chris Koehler (Guitars)
  Rory Fitzsimmons (Guitars)

  More info: Victorialies.com | Facebook.com/victorialiesband | Instagram.com/victorialiesband | Tiktok.com/@victoria.lies

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• ETERNAL DRAK Opens The Gates To The Sixth Album "The Violence of Time"

  Jul 16, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Eternal Drak have opened the gates early. Their sixth full‑length album, "The Violence of Time," is now streaming in full through an exclusive premiere on BraveWords, giving fans a complete first immersion into the band’s most aggressive, conceptual, and philosophically charged work to date, ahead of its official July 17th release.
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  The full‑album stream invites listeners directly into the hostile universe Eternal Drak have constructed. A place where time is not a neutral measure but an adversary, a force that erodes meaning, distorts memory, and crushes identity. The band describes the record as a confrontation with time itself, not as humans imagine it, but as it behaves.
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  “Time does not accompany human beings; it subdues them. It does not flow; it imposes. It does not reveal meaning; it destroys it,” adds the band.​
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  Across ten tracks, "The Violence of Time" dismantles the human understanding of past, present, and future. Each song is a violent thesis, a sonic and lyrical strike against the idea that time can be explained, contained, or understood. Instead of offering conclusions, the album explores fragments of realization, exposing how time pressures identity, warps memory, and rewrites causality.
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  Musically, the album is built for true old‑school metal devotees: those drawn to the raw spirit of thrash, the darkness of black metal, and the severity of death metal. Eternal Drak merge analog aggression with digital density, resulting in a sound that is varied in rhythm and catchy in impact, sharpened into their most cohesive identity yet.
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  Every track begins with a central written idea. Once the concept is defined, Eternal Drak builds the music to reflect the emotion and message of the text. Riffs, rhythms, and structures are crafted to echo the same intention, ensuring that even listeners who perceive the voice as an instrument still feel the weight of the lyrics.
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  Each element undergoes multiple stages of revision and refinement until the final version fully expresses the intended emotion and message.
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  Over the years, Eternal Drak have evolved from raw thrash‑and‑black foundations into a dynamic force shaped by death metal, groove, and even Latin folk influences. Their sound has grown alongside the metal scene itself, adapting to new tools and technologies while preserving the intensity and character that define the band.
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  Recommended for fans of Dimmu Borgir, Watain, Kreator, Motorhead, and Desaster, experience "The Violence of Time" in its entirety through BraveWords’ exclusive premiere HERE.

  "The Violence of Time" is available for album pre-order (out July 17th, 2026) at the following links:

  Band website - https://eternaldrak.com/the-violence-of-time​

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

  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0zTmYsd42dDsE5yU8lDhXe​

  Track Listing:​
  1. We Force It To Speak - 5:15
  2. The Unborn Paths Rot - 3:51
  3. Me Hice Simultaneo - 3:30
  4. The Blasphemy of Time - 3:35
  5. Chaos Is the Law - 3:34
  6. Where Cause Is Buried - 3:55
  7. Across the Watching Veils - 3:53
  8. Breathing Once Again - 3:45
  9. The Cosmos Rejects You - 4:09
  10. No Direction Total War - 2:57
  Album Length: 38:24

  Album Band Line-up:​
  Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar) – Voices, Lead Guitar, Bass
  Michel Amyot – Rhythm Guitar

  More info: https://www.eternaldrak.com | https://www.facebook.com/EternalDrak | https://www.instagram.com/eternaldrak​

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• ALETHEYA New Single “Chasing The Sun” From Debut Album "Chance To Reborn" Out Sept 2026

  Jul 15, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Following the release of their debut single "Shame", Italian melodic power metal band Aletheya unveil "Chasing The Sun", the second single taken from their upcoming debut album "Chance To Reborn", due out on September 18th, 2026.
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  Supported by an official music video, produced by Kinorama Studio, "Chasing The Sun" reflects Aletheya's own definition of power metal: speed, power, and melody brought together through dynamic songwriting and carefully crafted arrangements.

  While "Shame" introduced the album's darker and more introspective side, "Chasing The Sun" highlights its brighter counterpart. Built around driving rhythms, soaring melodies, powerful guitar work, and cinematic orchestral arrangements, the song demonstrates how those elements come together in a composition that prioritizes memorable songwriting over technical virtuosity alone.

  Lyrically, "Chasing The Sun" explores resilience, determination, and the constant pursuit of hope even when the destination seems uncertain. Rather than offering escapism, the song reflects the band's recurring focus on personal growth and inner strength, transforming moments of struggle into the motivation to move forward. It represents another chapter in "Chance To Reborn", an album that explores change, self-awareness, and rebirth through songs inspired by real human experiences.

  The official music video presents Aletheya in their natural environment: performing together with the same intensity and chemistry that shaped the album throughout its writing and recording process. Alternating energetic band performances with atmospheric lighting and dynamic editing, the video translates the song's energy into a compelling visual performance while highlighting the musicianship at the core of Aletheya's sound.

  Speaking about the new single, the band comments:

  "For us, 'Chasing The Sun' is our definition of power metal: speed, power and melody. Beyond the energy, it's a song about refusing to surrender, continuing to move forward and searching for hope even during life's most difficult moments. It's one of the tracks that best defines who we are as a band."

  The line-up features musicians with extensive experience across the Italian and international metal scene, including David Folchitto (Stormlord, Kaledon, Embryo, Neurasty), Francesco Menale (Risen Crow, Last Prototype) and Gianni Carcione (A.T.T., Concept), bringing together technical expertise, songwriting depth and a clear artistic vision. Rounding out the line-up is bass player Fabrizio Sclano (Ivory Moon). At the same time, the album also features acclaimed keyboard player Alessio Lucatti (Deathless Legacy, ex-Vision Divine), who performs additional keyboards throughout the entire record.
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  Recorded and produced by Stefano Morabito at 16th Cellar Studio, "Chance To Reborn" combines melodic power metal foundations with symphonic textures, progressive influences and contemporary production, creating a sound that balances the genre's classic roots with a modern musical approach. With each new single, the album continues to reveal the different themes and musical directions explored throughout the record.

  For fans of: Helloween, Gamma Ray, Angra, Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica

  Listen: https://lnk.to/s2ezTR

  
  ​Chance To Reborn will be released on September 18th, 2026, on Digital and CD digipak versions.
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  ​PRE-ORDER: https://rockshots.eu/products/aletheya-chance-to-reborn​

  ALETHEYA lineup:

  • David Folchitto: Drums
  • Francesco Menale: Guitars
  • Gianni Carcione: Vocals
  • Fabrizio Sclano: Bass

  More info:

  ​https://rockshots.eu/​

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

  ​https://www.facebook.com/people/Aletheya/61578108544801/​

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• MUTUAL TRAUMA Reveal New Single "Left Inside" In Lead Up To MOSH THE ROCK 2026 (Victoria, BC)

  Jul 15, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

   

  Victoria, BC modern‑metal upstarts Mutual Trauma have unveiled their powerful new single “Left Inside” as momentum builds toward their upcoming appearance at MOSH THE ROCK 2026 featuring Anciients, Arrow in The Quiver, The Rising Fall, Squidhammer and more. The track marks the band’s most ambitious and emotionally charged release yet, showcasing their signature blend of crushing heaviness, soaring melody, and cyberpunk‑infused atmosphere.
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  Lyrically, “Left Inside” confronts the lingering effects of abuse and betrayal while emphasizing resilience and the refusal to be defined by past trauma.

  “The song is about the lasting effects of abuse, but also about choosing to move forward instead of being consumed by the past,” says lead vocalist Brandon Reynolds, who wrote the lyrics.
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  Musically, the single represents a major leap forward in songwriting and production. Bassist Michael Gignac, who re‑imagined the track from its original form, describes it as “energetic despite the darker subject matter… a feeling of resilience and defiance.” The song features a head‑bang‑ready main riff, pummeling verses, melodic choruses delivered by drummer/clean vocalist Chris Heretic, and a climactic final section where screams, clean vocals, relentless drums, and fast chord strumming collide.
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  ​“It’s a massive step forward from our previous releases, and a standard we aim to uphold with future material,” adds rhythm guitarist Damian Donald,
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  Formed by former members of Reaver and Lucid Karma, Mutual Trauma blends metalcore, melodic death metal, djent, and electronic elements into a modern, emotionally driven sound influenced by Invent Animate, Soilwork, In Flames, Periphery, and Killswitch Engage. Their cyberpunk‑inspired aesthetic and high‑energy stage presence have quickly set them apart in the local scene.
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  ​“Left Inside” follows earlier singles “Dead Dreams” and “Die Alone,” expanding the band’s sonic palette and offering a preview of their upcoming EP currently in development.
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  ​“We put a lot of time and effort into this track, and I think it shows,” adds Gignac.
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  With MOSH THE ROCK 2026 on the horizon on August 9th in Victoria, BC, and new music underway, Mutual Trauma are poised to make a major impact within Canada’s modern metal landscape.

  Recommended for fans of Spiritbox, Counterparts, Knocked Loose, Polaris, and Soilwork, "Left Inside" can be heard at the following links:

  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/5yOk6vEtJAuiVPwaUko6oi

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  Band Lineup:​
  Michael Gignac - Bass Guitar
  Chris Heretic - Drums, Clean Vocals
  Brandon Reynolds - Screams / Lead Vocals
  Trustin Bruyere - Lead Guitar
  Damian Donald - Rhythm Guitar

  For more info: https://linktr.ee/mutualtraumaband

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• India's SHIVERWOOD SHADE Releases New Video “Lost" From Debut Album "Escaping Darkness"

  Jul 15, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  India’s rising cinematic‑metal force Shiverwood Shade has unveiled their video for “Lost,” one of the most emotionally charged and high‑tempo tracks from their debut album Escaping Darkness. The single captures the band’s signature fusion of heavy nu‑metal riffing, dark electronic textures, and atmospheric storytelling, an approach they describe as “a heavy, electronic collision designed to feel like a movie soundtrack for your darkest thoughts.”​
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  Clocking in at 3:50, “Lost” is a high‑energy eruption of down‑tuned guitars, industrial electronics, and emotionally raw vocals. Lyrically, the track explores the disorienting feeling of losing one’s identity and direction, one of the central themes of Escaping Darkness.
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  ​“Lost” represents a pivotal moment in the album’s emotional arc, where confusion and inner conflict collide with the first spark of self‑realization," adds the band.

  Shiverwood Shade’s debut album is built around a journey through struggle, self‑discovery, and eventual liberation.
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  ​“We wanted listeners to experience this album from beginning to end, a journey through darkness, doubt, resilience, and ultimately hope,” says the band.​
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  The record blends crushing riffs, atmospheric layers, cinematic electronics, soaring melodies, and emotionally charged performances. It reflects the band’s evolution from their early sci‑fi‑inspired progressive roots into a mature, layered, and deeply personal sound.
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  Formed in Gwalior, India, in 2013, Shiverwood Shade quickly gained recognition across India’s independent circuit, performing at major college festivals including Spring Fest at IIT Kharagpur. Originally inspired by science fiction and progressive metal, the band’s sound has since transformed into a hybrid of nu‑metal, post‑hardcore, industrial, synthwave, EDM, and cinematic metal.
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  The idea for the band began with a shared desire to bridge the gap between heavy rock and dark electronic music, two worlds often treated as separate. Their goal was to create a sound where down‑tuned guitars coexist seamlessly with industrial glitches, retro synthwave basslines, and EDM‑style drops.
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  In 2022, the band underwent a dramatic rebirth, relocating 1,500 kilometres to Kolkata and rebuilding their lineup from scratch. This geographical shift mirrors the emotional transformation behind "Escaping Darkness".
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  Shiverwood Shade’s songwriting is fully collaborative. Songs typically begin with a riff, melody, atmosphere, or lyrical idea, then evolve through collective input. The band emphasizes emotional storytelling, structuring each track to reflect the message and psychological journey behind it. Their goal is to write honestly so listeners can find their own meaning within the songs.
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  ​“Every member contributes creatively. The strength of Shiverwood Shade comes from combining different perspectives into a unified vision,” adds the band.

  Recommended for fans of Linkin Park, Bring Me the Horizon, Story of the Year, Breaking Benjamin, and Architects, Shiverwood Shade's "Escaping Darkness" (released Dec 26, 2025) is available at the following links:

  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/5Htt6Dl6p54M4bVfx2rUKl

  Bandcamp - https://shiverwood.bandcamp.com/album/escaping-darkness-album​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Intro - 1:02
  2. Pulling Away - 4:14
  3. Facing Darkness - 3:53
  4. Holding On - 3:37
  5. Crawling Back - 3:54
  6. Walking In Circles - 4:50
  7. Alone - 3:12
  8. Lost - 3:50
  9. Haunted - 3:39
  10. Divided By Hate - 4:06
  11. Break Free - 3:21

  Album Band Line-up:​
  Gaurav Ghosh - Vocal
  Anupam Ghosh-Guitar
  Saptarshi Basu-Bass
  Manav Kundu-Keys
  Sayan Pal-Drums
  Monish Mallick-Guitar

  Live Band Line-up:​
  Gaurav Ghosh - Vocal
  Anirban Bhattacharya-Vocal
  Anupam Ghosh-Guitar
  Saptarshi Basu-Bass
  Manav Kundu-Keys
  Sayan Pal-Drums
  Monish Mallick-Guitar

  For more info:

  ​https://www.shiverwoodshade.com/​

  ​https://www.facebook.com/swsprod20​

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

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