News

• DAWN VALLY Unleash Punishing "Kneecapper" Video For New EP "Near Death Experience" Out Now!

  Aug 5, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Recently coming off a crushing performance at Loud As Hell Open Air Festival in Drumheller, AB, where they tore through the stage alongside Fallujah, Crimson Shadows, Divinity, and more, Toronto's Dawn Vally has dropped a ferocious new lyric video for “Kneecapper”, in support of the band’s brand‑new and third EP "Near Death Experience," released July 31st, 2026, a milestone marking the rebirth of one of Canada’s most relentless metalcore acts.
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  Formed in 2007 by brothers Jeff and Joe Bartolo, Dawn Vally has spent nearly two decades forging a sound that’s raw, ferocious, intense, heavy, and brutal. What began as a DIY project burning CDs in their early days has evolved into a fully realized force, now rounded out by guitarist Antonio and new vocalist Zac Emmons, formerly of Pound Of Flesh.
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  ​“Kneecapper” is a blistering statement of betrayal, an explosive track aimed at a once‑trusted friend whose indecision and backstabbing cost everything. Musically, it’s one of Dawn Vally’s most punishing offerings to date, with high‑octane riffs, savage breakdowns, and Zac’s emotionally charged vocal delivery.
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  The lyric video amplifies the intensity, pairing the band’s signature brutality with stark, confrontational visuals that mirror the song’s themes of anger, loss, and retaliation.
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  The EP’s title reflects the band’s turbulent years from 2022–2024, an era of internal turmoil that nearly ended Dawn Vally entirely. Instead, the band emerged stronger, channeling the chaos into a record that blends every era of their sound, from the early "Just Please Her" EP's hard‑rock roots to the ferocious metalcore/hardcore hybrid they’re known for today.
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  Lyrically, "Near Death Experience" is drenched in betrayal, emotional pain, and the psychological fallout of broken trust. Musically, it’s a full‑throttle assault, high‑octane intensity from start to finish.

  "This EP is to signify that it was only a near-death experience and not a full-on death of the band," adds vocalist Zac Emmons.
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  The band has already begun writing the follow‑up to "Near Death Experience". Fans can expect even more music, more intensity, and more emotional depth as Dawn Vally continues to evolve.

  Recommended for fans of Parkway Drive, Lamb Of God, Cancer Bats, and Suicide Silence, "Near Death Experience" is available at the following links:

  Bandcamp - https://dawnvallyto.bandcamp.com/album/near-death-experience​

  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/7r4Y6txMc7q2IFCFouMKWR

  [embed]https://open.spotify.com/album/7r4Y6txMc7q2IFCFouMKWR[/embed]

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  Track Listing:​
  1. Orange – (2:30)
  2. Pray For Me (2:39)
  3. Kneecapper (2:50)
  4. Second Hand Smoke (2:41)
  5. Graves (2:44)

  Band Lineup:​
  Vocals - Zac Emmons
  Bass - Jeff Bartolo
  Guitar - Antonio Bratta
  Drums - Joe Bartolo

  More info: https://linktr.ee/Dawn_Vally

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• OMBRA Detonate Cinematic Thrash Fury w/ "Hysteria" Off Debut EP "Night Terror" Out Sept 2026

  Aug 5, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Rising metal trio OMBRA will release their debut EP, "Night Terror," on September 14th, 2026, delivering a raw, conceptual, front‑to‑back exploration of fear, control, and the darker corners of the human psyche. The band has also unveiled the EP’s first single, “Hysteria,” which features explosive energy, fusing cinematic atmosphere, thrash‑driven aggression, and unapologetic lyrical honesty. The track confronts themes of government control, media influence, and societal panic, setting the stage for the EP’s descent into obsession, chemical collapse, and full mental freefall.
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  ​“Hysteria” was initially mixed by JF Dagenais (Kataklysm), adding an extra layer of intensity to the band’s already powerful sound.

  Listen to “Hysteria” at the following links:

  ​Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/408K5TQAOB9ZRHnJKzxC4t

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  Formed by lifelong friends Giuseppe “G” Criniti (vocals/guitar), Marco Sisti (guitar/bass), and Nico‑Angelo Sisti (drums), OMBRA emerged in late 2020 after G and Marco departed their previous hard‑rock/progressive project NRTH to pursue a heavier, more aggressive sound. Nico, Marco’s cousin and a well‑known drummer in the Montreal scene, joined shortly after leaving Hidden Pride. With all three members having grown up together in Lachine, the band’s formation felt natural, inevitable, and rooted in decades of shared history.
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  Written between 2021 and 2026, OMBRA’s debut record "Night Terror" channels the band’s lived experiences and observations of a world defined by upheaval, media distortion, obsession, chemical escape, and psychological unraveling. Designed as a continuous front‑to‑back journey, the EP builds toward the intense emotional peak of its title track. Across its five songs, "Night Terror" traces a rising arc of mental tension. Opening track “Hysteria” confronts societal panic and media‑driven chaos; “Stitches” plunges into obsession and the painful pursuit of transformation; “Blue Dream” captures chemical escapism collapsing into paranoia and possession; “Night Terror” delivers a visceral mental freefall where everything goes wrong; and “So It Goes” closes the experience with an instrumental moment of acceptance, peace, and forward motion.
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  “Our goal was to create something honest. The world has gone through so much turmoil in the last decade. Night Terror is our commentary on fear, control, and the human condition. We want listeners to explore their own minds, think for themselves, and express freely,” says the band.

  The band’s writing process begins with the rhythm section, the “heartbeat”, before expanding through long jam sessions, layered melodies, and extended solos. Every member contributes to the songwriting, though G and Marco handle the majority of the core composition.

  Loud, energetic, groovy, and exciting, OMBRA blends old‑school thrash and sludge with modern groove and a touch of psychedelic rock/ They are recommended for fans of Power Trip, High On Fire, Motörhead, Mastodon, Testament, and Rammstein.

  "Night Terror" will be available on all digital platforms on September 14, 2026.

  Track Listing:​
  1. Hysteria (4:15)
  2. Stitches (4:43)
  3. Blue Dream (3:46)
  4. Night Terror (5:44)
  5. So It Goes (3:06)
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  ​Album and Live Band Lineup:​
  Giuseppe Criniti - Vocals / Lead Guitar
  Marco Sisti - Rhythm Guitar / Bass
  Nico-Angelo Sisti - Drums

  More info:

  ​https://ombra.band/​

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

  ​https://www.facebook.com/people/OMBRA/61582909783052/​

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• AFTER INFINITY Unveils Single “Everlasting Mark” ft. Guest Vocals Sara Strömmer (Shereign) From New Album "Beyond Eternity" Out Oct 2026

  Aug 4, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Finnish melodic metal act After Infinity release their new single “Everlasting Mark”, featuring guest vocalist Sara Strömmer of Shereign.

  The track offers a heavier, more intense perspective on the band's upcoming sophomore album, "Beyond Eternity," due for release on October 23rd, 2026, via Rockshots Records.

  Following the bright, synth-driven energy of previous single “Infinite Feeling”, “Everlasting Mark” balances driving melodies with a heavier edge, further expanding the musical spectrum explored across "Beyond Eternity".

  Sara Strömmer's performance plays a central role in shaping the track's character. Her vocals shift from soft and clean passages to aggressive and brutal delivery, emphasizing the contrasts within the composition and reinforcing its balance between melodic accessibility and heavier expression.

  Guitarist and songwriter Zsolt Szilagyi comments:

  "This song has a lot of cool musical elements: the interplay of synth & guitar in the main riff, some nice bass lines in the verses, and the extraordinary vocals of Sara Strömmer, who showcases her wide range of styles from soft and clean to aggressive and brutal."

  Founded in 2022 by Dreamtale and Frozen Factory guitarist Zsolt Szilagyi, After Infinity blend melodic power metal, heavy metal and progressive influences with layered orchestration, rich synthesizers and dynamic songwriting.

  "Beyond Eternity" builds upon the foundations established by the band's 2024 self-titled debut, moving between fast-paced power metal, heavier progressive compositions, atmospheric interludes and piano-led ballads with each song fulfilling a distinct role within the album.

  The record brings together an extensive cast of guest vocalists, including Paolo Ribaldini, Aitor Arrastia, Nitte Valo, Mika Tauriainen, Leonard F. Guillan and Sara Strömmer, while maintaining a cohesive musical identity anchored by Szilagyi's songwriting.

  Produced by Zsolt Szilagyi, "Beyond Eternity" features orchestrations and synthesizers by Gideon Ricardo and bass performances by Ville Koskinen. Most of the album, including “Everlasting Mark”, was mixed by Benjamin Connelly for Duskswitch Production, while mastering was handled by Jasse Kesti at Kesthouse.
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  ​For fans of: Europe, H.E.A.T, Van Halen

  Listen / Stream: https://lnk.to/RwRZyK​

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  "Beyond Eternity" will be released on October 23rd, 2026 via Rockshots Records.
  ​Pre-Order:
  ​https://rockshots.eu/products/after-infinity-beyond-infinity-cd​

  Previous Singles:

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  Track Listing:
  ​1. Crooked Carnival feat. Aitor Arrastia (6:52)
  2. Infinite Feeling feat. Leonard F. Guillan & Nitte Valo (5:02)
  3. King with no Crown feat. Paolo Ribaldini (6:21)
  4. Maybe She's Crying feat. Paolo Ribaldini (5:21)
  5. Mortal Vessel (1:58)
  6. Everlasting Mark feat. Sara Strömmer (4:58)
  7. Eternal Resentment feat. Nitte Valo (3:43)
  8. Whisper in the Air feat. Mika Tauriainen (4:03)
  9. Hands of Time feat. Aitor Arrastia (11:53)
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  ​After Infinity Line-up:​
  Zsolt Szilagyi: Guitars, Synths, Drum Programming, Backing Vocals
  Gideon Ricardo: Orchestrations, Synths
  Ville Koskinen: Bass
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  ​Guest Vocalists:​
  Paolo Ribaldini (Delain, Leverage, Seraphiel)
  Aitor Arrastia (Metal de Facto)
  Nitte Valo (Dreamtale, ex-Battle Beast)
  Mika Tauriainen (Entwine, Shamrain)
  Sara Strömmer (Shereign, ex-Fear of Domination)
  Leonard F. Guillan (ex-King Company)

  More info:

  ​https://www.rockshots.eu

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

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

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• WOODEN Takes A Bold Progressive Leap Forward w/ New Single "Veil of Mankind"

  Aug 2, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Montreal heavy metal force Wooden returns this summer with “Veil of Mankind,” the first single from the band’s forthcoming EP, to be released at a later date. Being unleashed August 1st, the track marks the most ambitious and extreme chapter in the band’s evolution, a fast, melodic, progressive metal journey inspired by Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and shaped by the band’s sharpened, collaborative songwriting.
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  Fans can expect a familiar Wooden identity, but pushed into new territory that is heavier, faster, and more musically mature as “Veil of Mankind” delivers a 7‑minute narrative of blistering riffs, soaring melodies, and atmospheric interludes.
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  ​“This is by far our most ambitious song. It's very fast and has a lot more progressive metal influence than the songs on our previous album. It's heavy, but it has melodic moments where it makes the listener feel like they are floating into another universe, similar to the classics from Pink Floyd,” says guitarist Bilal El‑Khatib.
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  Vocalist Youssef El‑Khatib adds:
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  ​"This single feels like a familiar breath of fresh air; it anchors our signature style while expanding on emotional and conceptual reach."​
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  Originally built around a long acoustic intro, the song sat untouched for months until inspiration struck.
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  ​“At first, the song didn’t have a chorus. Eventually the ideas just flew naturally, and the song was finished in two weeks,” says Bilal.
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  The band’s collaborative writing process remains central: Bilal lays the foundation, Youssef pushes vocal and lyrical direction, and the rest of the band shapes the final structure with riffs, drum patterns, and melodic details.
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  The single’s artwork mirrors its conceptual depth, drawing from multiple depictions of Plato’s cave. Wooden requested something “sinister, organic and not overproduced,” ensuring the visual identity reflects the song’s atmosphere.
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  The upcoming EP promises a more progressive‑leaning direction, with intricate compositions and refined musical maturity.
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  Since forming in 2020, Wooden has forged a sound that merges traditional heavy metal with modern intensity, earning them the reputation of a “heavier version of Iron Maiden.” Their debut self-titled album drew international attention and radio support, while their high‑energy, crowd‑driven performances continue to elevate their profile. With earworm riffs, face‑melting solos, groovy bass lines, soaring vocals, and unforgettable audience interaction, Wooden has become a standout presence on the live circuit, including appearances at Wacken Metal Battle Canada, Montreal Power Fest, Sounds From Hell Metal Fest, and a support slot for U.S. touring act The Anchor.
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  Listen to "Veil of Mankind" at the following links:

  Spotify - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/wooden/veil-of-mankind​

  ​

  More info: https://linktr.ee/woodenmetalband

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• Ottawa's CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Opens Band Submissions For 2026 Festival Dates!

  Jul 30, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Capital Punishment Festival is now officially opening band submissions for the 2026 edition, taking place November 27–29 across Ottawa’s ByWard Market. Presented by Chord Productions, the third edition expands once again with more venues, more artists, and even more chaos throughout downtown Ottawa.

  Supported by Ottawa Tourism, Capital Punishment Fest continues its mission to amplify Canada’s underground heavy‑music community, uniting national acts and rising local talent for three nights of relentless, high‑energy performances. Previous editions have featured Blackguard, First Fragment, Lutharo, Spectral Wound, Martyr, Dopethrone, and many more.

  Canadian bands interested in performing at this year’s festival are invited to submit materials for consideration. Capital Punishment Fest is seeking opening‑slot applicants from across the country, from emerging acts to seasoned underground performers ready to level Ottawa. All genres will be considered, including Metal, Punk, Hip Hop, EDM/Goth, Hardcore and Rock.

  Band submissions are now open. Artists can apply HERE.

  Festival Details:​
  Capital Punishment Festival
  November 27–28–29, 2026
  Ottawa, ON - ByWard Market
  Multiple Venues
  Presented by Chord Productions
  Supported by Ottawa Tourism
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  ​More info: https://www.chordproductions.com/capital-punishment.html​

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