News

• SANAGA Unleashes Debut Single "The Godslayer's Oath"; Mixed and Mastered by KATAKLYSM's Jeff Dagenais

  Feb 25, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Rising death metal force Sanaga has officially released their debut single, “The Godslayer’s Oath” (mixed and mastered by Jeff Dagenais of Kataklysm), marking the band’s first step onto the Canadian metal scene. Formed in the fall of 2026, Sanaga brings together long‑time friends and seasoned musicians with a shared passion for creating fast, melodic, aggressive, and evocative metal inspired by Death, Slayer, Amon Amarth, and Dark Tranquillity.

  “The Godslayer’s Oath” was the natural choice for Sanaga’s debut. As the first song the band fully rehearsed together, it quickly became their most polished and complete track. Musically, it showcases the full spectrum of Sanaga’s sound, death metal fused with thrash energy and sharpened by touches of black metal.
  ​
  Lyrically, the single introduces listeners to the band’s myth‑driven universe. The song tells the story of a void‑born entity created for one purpose: to slay gods and destroy their realms. Whether interpreted as an anti‑religious statement or simply a brutal fantasy narrative, the track sets the tone for Sanaga’s bold, storytelling‑focused approach.
  ​
  Though new as a unit, Sanaga’s members are no strangers to the Quebec metal scene. They are active in projects such as Meet The Mailman, Foxy Queen, Devil’s Trill, and Warriors of the North. Their combined experience fuels a tight, high‑energy sound and a no‑nonsense approach to songwriting.
  ​
  Guitarist Patrick Plourde drafts full song structures, vocalist Marc Verreault crafts the lyrics, and every member reshapes the material with their own style, resulting in songs that are cohesive, energetic, and unmistakably theirs.
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  The single’s artwork reflects the band’s name, inspired by the Sanaga River in Cameroon, a symbol of life, death, and myth. The dark, foreboding landscape and towering god‑slaying figure visually echo the themes explored in the music.
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  Sanaga is currently preparing for their first live performances, scheduled for this spring. After their live debut, the band will return to the studio to record their second release.
  ​
  With a defined sound and a clear creative vision, Sanaga is poised to make a strong impact on the death metal landscape.

  Listen to “The Godslayer’s Oath” at the following links:

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/track/1rzjY98YzjOizn5gLwmpxO​

  More info:

  ​https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585662054767​

  ​https://www.instagram.com/sanaga666/​

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• DYING AWKWARD ANGEL Returns with “The Fallen,” A Powerful Glimpse Into New Album "The Missing Frame"

  Feb 24, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Italian melodic death metallers Dying Awkward Angel unveil their new single “The Fallen”, a track that fully embodies the band’s identity and sonic direction.

  Taken from the album “The Missing Frame”, released via Rockshots Records, “The Fallen” represents the essence of Dying Awkward Angel’s sound: the cold precision of Swedish melodic death metal fused with the raw aggression of American thrash and death metal, delivered with a modern and uncompromising approach.

  Formed in 1998 in Turin by guitarist and main composer Edoardo Demuro, the band has built a solid reputation within the underground metal scene, sharing the stage with acts such as Decapitated, Impaled Nazarene, Necronomicon, Forgotten Tomb, and Node. Over the years, they have developed a distinctive style rooted in the Gothenburg tradition while maintaining a strong and personal identity.

  With “The Missing Frame”, the band pushed their sound further than ever before, faster, heavier, and more direct, described by the band themselves as “a brutal and honest cooperation between us all.”

  “The Fallen” captures the album’s core themes of duality, control, and inner conflict, translating them into a track that is both melodic and relentless.

  "Imagine an old and charismatic boss who says: I spoiled my children...but they talk instead of listening," adds the band.

  A reflection on authority, legacy, and the moment when control slips away.

  Recorded at Bottleneck Studios in Turin and produced by the band, “The Missing Frame” stands as a powerful statement of intent, balancing tradition and evolution within the melodic death metal genre.

  Recommended for fans of At The Gates, Carcass, and Dark Tranquillity.

  ​Add to your Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/5SpG2i3qgkqlAIZnbP1pWJ

  ​CD ORDER "The Missing Frame" - https://rockshots.eu/TheMissingFrameCD​

  More info: https://www.rockshots.eu | http://www.dyingawkwardangel.com ​

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• LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR FESTIVAL Announces 2026 Line Up w/ FALLUJAH, ALLEGAEON, SUMMONING THE LICH, GRAVEMASS, CRIMSON SHADOWS, EDGE OF PARADISE and more!

  Feb 23, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Renowned for unleashing one of Western Canada’s most punishing festival experiences, Loud As Hell Open Air Festival returns with another year of crushing performances, freak shows, burlesque acts, clinics, vendors, and, naturally, dinosaurs.

  Loud As Hell isn’t just a festival; it’s a full‑throttle celebration of metal chaos. Set against the rugged expanse of Alberta’s badlands, where carved sandstone, towering hoodoos, and sweeping canyons dominate the horizon, Canada’s loudest extreme‑music gathering unveils its 2026 lineup featuring FALLUJAH, ALLEGAEON, SUMMONING THE LICH, GRAVEMASS, CRIMSON SHADOWS, STARKILL, SUPER MONSTER PARTY, MOURNING HIGH, EDGE OF PARADISE, HOG MEETS FROG, and many more.

  Hosted in Drumheller, AB, from July 31st to August 2nd at the Dinosaurs Down Stampede, the festival’s 14th edition erupts with the ferocity of rising Canadian and international metal acts. This year’s roar echoes through the heart of the country’s largest dinosaur fossil beds, promising an unforgettable weekend of pure sonic devastation.

  Weekend Passes (July 31 - Aug 2) are available at https://loudashell.ca/shop/​

  This weekend pass grants you full access to all the headbanging, moshing, and metal mayhem that Loud As Hell Open Air offers.

  Headlining the closing night of the festival are progressive death‑metal titans Fallujah, who released their sixth studio album, "Xenotaph," on June 13, 2025, through Nuclear Blast Records. The band describes it as their most technical, dynamic, and progressive work to date, expanding on the direction set by "Empyrean" while exploring a sci‑fi conceptual landscape.

  ​

  Headlining night two of the festival, Allegaeon brings a razor‑sharp fusion of technical mastery and soaring melody to the stage. Their sound balances blistering precision with sweeping, emotionally charged songwriting. With the return of original vocalist Ezra Haynes, the band has entered one of its strongest eras yet. Their performances are known for being both surgically tight and explosively energetic. On any festival bill, Allegaeon stand out as a powerhouse of modern melodic death metal.

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  Headlining opening night, Summoning the Lich is a fantasy‑driven technical death‑metal band from St. Louis, known for blending high‑speed precision with rich, lore‑heavy storytelling. Their latest album, "Under the Reviled Throne," was released in July 2024 via Prosthetic Records. The record expands their ongoing dark‑fantasy universe, raising the stakes with a more focused, streamlined approach to songwriting. They’ve spent the past three years touring extensively across the U.S., sharing stages with Allegaeon, Gorod, Inferi, Vale of Pnath, and Abigail Williams. With their explosive live energy and cinematic world‑building, Summoning the Lich brings a uniquely immersive, high‑intensity presence to the festival lineup.

  ​

  Other band highlights on this year's lineup are Gravemass, channeling a bleak, ritual‑driven strain of black metal that feels carved straight from the void. Their sound fuses suffocating atmosphere with an unrelenting, punishing intensity. With their debut album "This Is the Way" on the horizon this coming March 2026, the band is poised to push their occult‑laden vision into a new chapter. Onstage, they deliver a hypnotic and overwhelming presence that pulls crowds deep into their darkness. On any festival lineup, Gravemass stands out as a grim, commanding force built for total sonic devastation.

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  Crimson Shadows return with their signature blend of high‑velocity melodic death metal and triumphant, power‑metal‑infused storytelling. Their newest chapter is fueled by fresh material and renewed momentum after years of silence. The band continues to sharpen their heroic, battle‑driven sound with soaring melodies and relentless speed. Their live performances erupt with anthemic energy built for massive festival crowds. Crimson Shadows stand out as a blazing force of epic, melodic fury.

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  Starkill continues to refine their blend of melodic death metal and symphonic power metal with renewed force. Their most recent release is the 2025 re‑recorded edition of “Be Dead or Die,” highlighting their updated sound and lineup. The band has remained active onstage, including late‑2025 U.S. shows and appearances at events like Mad With Power Fest. They’ve also teased new music in development, signaling more to come.

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  Super Monster Party explodes onto the stage with a high‑energy fusion of metal, punk, and chaotic party‑themed theatrics. Their sound is fast, fun, and unapologetically wild, built for crowds that want to move. The band’s over‑the‑top performances turn every set into a full‑blown spectacle. They’ve been gaining momentum across the underground scene with their tongue‑in‑cheek intensity and infectious hooks.

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  Mourning High is a rising force from Arizona/ California, blending crushing heaviness with emotional, melodic intensity. Their sound moves between atmospheric tension and hard‑hitting riffs, driven by powerful vocal dynamics. In 2025, they won the Wacken Metal Battle USA, earning a coveted performance slot at Wacken Open Air and making a strong international debut. Their live shows hit with raw energy and vulnerability, pulling crowds in immediately.

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  Edge of Paradise is a cinematic hard‑rock/metal force from Los Angeles, known for their fusion of electronic textures, industrial edge, and soaring melodic hooks. Their newest album, "Prophecy," was released in March 2025 via Napalm Records. The record marks their sixth studio release and explores themes of AI, humanity, and the looming “Singularity.” The band remains active on the road, including 2026 festival appearances such as Hyperspace Metal Festival in Vancouver and Rock in Rautheim in Germany. With their cinematic soundscapes and high‑energy performances, Edge of Paradise bring a futuristic, electrifying presence to the festival lineup.

  ​

  Hog Meets Frog is an Austrian avant‑garde groove‑metal trio known for their wild fusion of funk, prog, jazz, and heavy riff‑driven chaos. Their self‑described “Frogcore” sound blends technical musicianship with eccentric humor and high‑energy theatrics. The band continues to build momentum across Europe with recent singles, new live sessions, and steady festival appearances. Their shows are unpredictable, explosive, and packed with quirky character work that turns every performance into a spectacle. Hog Meets Frog brings a vibrant, genre‑bending jolt of fun and ferocity to LAH this year.

  ​LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR 2026​

  LAH 2026 Lineup Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Nbkvo4kG0ePTcsCVl2V2T

  ​Thursday, July 30 – Kick-Off Party
  ​Art Of Attrition (Red Deer, AB)
  Fall Of Earth (Edmonton, AB)
  All Was Lost (Edmonton, AB)
  The Judge The Juror (Edmonton, AB)
  ​
  ​Friday, July 31
  ​Summoning The Lich (St. Louis, MO)
  Circus Of Hell – Freak Show (Peace River, AB)
  Starkill (Chicago, IL)
  Iron Kingdom (Vancouver, BC)
  Hazzardous Material. - Burlesque (Alberta)
  Edge Of Paradise (Los Angeles, CA)
  W.M.D. (Vancouver, BC)
  Selias (Toronto, ON)
  Citizen Rage (Calgary, AB)
  Supermodel Taxidermy (Fort McMurray, AB)
  ​
  ​Saturday, August 1
  ​Allegaeon (Fort Collins, CO)
  Gravemass (Vancouver, BC)
  Hazzardous Material - Burlesque (Alberta)
  Super Monster Party (South Florida)
  Death Toll Rising (Edmonton, AB)
  Autumn Lies Buried (Clarksville, TN)
  The Behest Of Serpents (Canton, OH)
  Cyanate (Reno, NV)
  Arrow In The Quiver (Vancouver, BC)
  Brain Stem (Edmonton, AB)
  Savage Blade (Nelson, BC)
  Shackled To The Throne (Edmonton, AB)
  Hog Meets Frog (Vienna, Austria)
  Decrepitation (Edmonton, AB)
  ​
  ​Sunday, August 2
  ​Fallujah (San Francisco, CA)
  Circus Of Hell - Freak Show (Peace River, AB)
  Crimson Shadows (Toronto, ON)
  Hazzardous Material - Burlesque (Alberta)
  Mourning High (Arizona/California)
  Scream At The Sky (Pueblo, CO)
  Dawn Vally (Toronto, ON)
  Red Raven Chaos (Montreal, QC)
  Spectre (Winnipeg, MB)
  Die Another Day (Calgary, AB)
  Unsilenced (Winnipeg, MB)
  Devolver (Grande Prairie, AB)
  Ditch Pisser (Alberta/BC)
  Hellrager (Cornwall, ON)
  Reject (Reject, SK)

  Since launching in 2012, Loud As Hell Open Air Festival has cemented its place as a cornerstone of Canada’s extreme music scene, showcasing hundreds of bands from across the country and around the world, save for a brief pause in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years, the festival has hosted heavyweights like Revocation, First Fragment, Beyond Creation, Striker, Green Jelly, The Convalescence, Jungle Rot, Narcotic Wasteland, Into Eternity, Goatwhore, Fit for An Autopsy, Archspire, Unleash The Archers, Protest the Hero, AngelMaker, and many more, drawing metalheads from coast to coast for a weekend of sonic devastation.

  More info:
  ​LoudAsHell.ca​
  ​Facebook.com/LoudAsHellFestival​
  X: @LoudAsHellFest
  Instagram: @LoudAsHellFestival
  ​Social Media Hashtags #LAHXIV, #LAHOA, #LAHOA2026

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• DISORIENTATION Unveils New Single “The Pact” To Welcome New Members

  Feb 20, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Montreal dark experimental metal band Disorientation returns with “The Pact,” a new standalone single that signals the beginning of the group’s next chapter. Following the acclaim surrounding their 2023 EP "Survival Mode," the band now emerges as a fully formed lineup, an evolution that is both sonic and symbolic.
  ​
  Formed in 2020 by Marie‑Claude Fleury and Daniel Daris, Disorientation quickly carved out a niche with their unsettling blend of harsh vocals, dissonant woodwind arrangements, and structures that defy conventional metal boundaries. Their 2021 self‑titled EP earned early praise from local fans and media outlets such as Metal Trenches and Metalperver, while "Survival Mode" pushed their sound further into unorthodox territory, drawing accolades like “oddly fascinating” (Real Gone Rocks) and “madness bottled into just wonderfulness” (The Doorway to Zine).
  ​
  Now joined by guitarist Samuel Arseneau‑Roy (Spectral Wound, Basalte) and drummer Laurent Bellemare (Chthe’ilist (live), Basalte, Sutrah), Disorientation is stepping into a fuller, more organic incarnation of itself.
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  ​“The Pact” was intentionally crafted as a standalone release, an opportunity to integrate the new members quickly and establish the band’s updated identity.
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  ​“We decided to limit ourselves to a single track so we could bring our two new members into the band quickly. We had to take some extra steps to bring the music to life, but it was worth it. This is our best‑sounding effort to date,” says vocalist/oboist Marie‑Claude Fleury.
  ​
  Musically, “The Pact” is a journey through tension, revelation, and unease. It opens with a distant, noisy oboe motif before erupting into a fast, jagged pace. The track shifts through abrupt stops, whispered exchanges, mid‑tempo introspection, and acoustic glimmers of light, only to be swallowed again by the return of its initial riff. The final section, driven by palm‑muted guitars and unsettling vocal textures, places the listener at a crossroads.
  ​
  ​“Which way do you go? This is the moment where choices must be made,” adds Fleury.
  ​
  Lyrically, “The Pact” explores the rapid formation of intense connections and the darker undercurrents that can accompany them.
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  ​“It’s about those people you meet and get close to very quickly. As the attachment forms, a dark side appears. Is the bond as positive as it first seemed? And where can it lead?” says Fleury.
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  The single’s artwork reflects this duality: two hands clasped willingly, yet bound by shackles, an alliance that is both chosen and constrained.
  ​
  With the addition of Samuel Arseneau‑Roy and Laurent Bellemare, who, along with Fleury, also perform in Montreal’s Growlers Choir, Disorientation’s sound has expanded in depth and physicality.
  ​
  ​“Having a real drum and an extra guitar player definitely improved our sound. We now sound fuller and thicker. We’re looking forward to creating more music together,” comments Fleury.
  ​
  Although Disorientation has yet to make its official live debut, the newly completed lineup has already explored its chemistry through private semi‑acoustic performances, an early glimpse of the versatility and intensity they intend to bring to the stage. Their unsettling atmospheres, atypical structures, and the uncommon presence of the oboe within extreme music remain central to their identity. The band fully embraces its odd, miserable, in‑your‑face, and troubling sonic character, and with "The Pact," they push those traits even further while solidifying themselves as a unified creative force.

  Recommended for fans of Celtic Frost, Imperial Triumphant, Sear Bliss, Fear of God, and Show of Bedlam, listen to "The Pact" at the following links:

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/track/3xThE92nJKTHkPTGPbUAbj​

  Bandcamp - https://disorientationmetal.bandcamp.com/album/the-pact​

  More Info:

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

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

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• SONS OF BUTCHER Fire Up The Grill w/ Video “Makin’ Bacon”

  Feb 20, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canada’s filthiest, funniest, and most fearlessly unwashed rock band, Sons of Butcher, return with "Skids", a brand‑new four‑song EP due out in March 2026 to mark a fresh chapter in the band’s long, greasy legacy. 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.
  ​
  ​“This EP is an honest batch of comedy songs from the grease‑clogged hearts of a band of has‑been butchers,” says Ricky Butcher, lead vocals/guitar.

  After releasing five full‑length albums and becoming infamous for spandex, pepperette‑throwing, and the roaming meat tray, the band stepped away until a reunion show reignited the flame. A photo from that night now serves as the EP’s cover art, capturing Ricky and Doug in a triumphant, full‑body rock pose that symbolized their return.

  "Skids" is a raw, four‑track eruption of cheap‑meat swagger and skid‑life grit, marking Sons of Butcher’s first batch of songs not tied to their Teletoon storyline, aside from the fully overhauled “Peppercorn Steak,” revived from an indie pilot episode. Reuniting with longtime producer Jordon Zadorozny at Skylark Park and featuring drumming from Kellii Scott of Failure, the band carves out a sound that pushes their legacy forward while staying true to their cult‑favourite chaos. Across the EP, Sons of Butcher swing from the denim‑soaked bounce of “Denim Dreamin’” to the metal‑fired frenzy of lead single “Makin’ Bacon,” slide into the gritty pop‑rock swagger of “Steeltown Handy,” and land squarely back in classic SOB absurdity with the 80s‑riffed peppercorn‑obsessed anthem “Peppercorn Steak” (planned for release to be the band's official anthem for National Steak Day on April 25th).

  The EP’s lead single, “Makin’ Bacon,” is a high‑speed, metal‑tinged celebration of bacon worship. It’s chaotic, catchy, and quintessentially Sons of Butcher, shot out of a cannon and straight into your frontal lobe. The accompanying music video is a meaty, maximalist feast of absurdity, riff‑fueled energy, and pure mock‑rock spirit.

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/track/2xlPHi4gvvJ9BRnpZDQb7k 

  ​Sons of Butcher began as the real‑life incarnation of their animated Teletoon alter‑egos, blending absurdist comedy and heavy riffs into the proudly self‑made genre of mock rock. The band quickly grew beyond the cartoon, releasing five albums, one live album, and an EP, and has built a cult following through chaotic, spandex‑clad live shows and meat‑soaked theatrics. "Skids" marks their first major release since 2020’s "Lockdown In Steeltown" and their first collection of songs not directly tied to the original series’ storyline.

  Recommended for fans of Tenacious D, Spinal Tap, Psychostick, and Steel Panther, "Skids" will be released on March 27th, 2026, and is available for CD pre-order at: https://sonsofbutcher.bandcamp.com/album/skids
  ​
  ​Sons of Butcher will support the EP with a run of Spring 2026 tour dates, including five shows with Hamilton’s beloved skid‑icon B.A. Johnston.

  Show Dates:​
  Feb 28 - The Parlour @ Ridiculous - Hamilton, ON - ‘Makin Bacon’ single release w/ Marty Topps
  March 14 - The Bank Arthouse - Welland, ON w/ Monsters of Schlock
  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)

  More Info:

  ​https://www.sonsofbutcher.ca/​

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

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

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