News

• THE DIVINE PROJECT Unleash Video "Don't Startle The Murder" Off New "Rebirth" EP + Ontario March Mayhem 2026 Tour w/ SELIAS

  Feb 17, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian metal act The Divine Project has officially re‑emerged with "Rebirth," a ferocious and emotionally charged EP that marks the beginning of a new chapter for the band. Faster, heavier, and more complex than anything in their catalogue, "Rebirth" is a declaration of intent, a sharpened, revitalized version of The Divine Project that refuses to be ignored.
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  The band is sharing their latest music video for “Don’t Startle The Murder”, as well as a run of March tour dates across Ontario with SELIAS, bringing their high‑energy, pit‑starting live show to fans new and old (dates listed below).
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  ​"Rebirth" is a four‑track journey through resistance, collapse, danger, and endurance. Written as the band’s official relaunch, the EP blends modern metal, groove, djent, metalcore, and cinematic aggression into a sound that fans struggle to categorize, but instantly recognize.
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  The EP was built on a strict philosophy: If the five of them can’t play it live, it doesn’t go on the record. Every sound on "Rebirth" is performed live without essential backing tracks.
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  Pre‑production was done entirely in‑house, with demos so polished that Eardrum Valley Records used the original guitar and bass tracks in the final mix. Only drums and vocals were re‑recorded in the studio.
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  The band has released a new music video for “Don’t Startle The Murder”, the EP’s most volatile and cinematic track. The song’s title is intentional wordplay; a “murder” is a group of crows, and the lyrics explore the predatory nature of self‑righteous authority figures. A fun fact about the track is that the Latin‑inspired bridge features percussion recorded using children’s toys, a plastic maraca, and a clapper, after the band realized they had no Latin instruments on hand during vocal tracking.
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  The video amplifies the song’s tension, psychological pressure, and explosive energy, capturing the essence of The Divine Project’s new era.

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  Hailing from the Greater Toronto Area, The Divine Project blends hard rock and metal into a sound that is raw, emotive, and aggressively modern. Their electrifying live performances have earned them direct support slots for Eyes Set To Kill, Black Satellite, Awake At Last, Sumo Cyco, and Escape The Fate.
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  Each member brings a distinct musical background, from djent and deathcore to nu‑metal, funk, prog, and 80s metal, creating a signature sound that fans say reminds them of Trivium, Linkin Park, Killswitch Engage, Static‑X, and All That Remains, while still being unmistakably TDP.​
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  The band is already deep into their next EP, heading into the studio this April. While "Rebirth" is fueled by anger, speed, and defiance, the next release explores darker emotional territory, a lonesome story with a faint glimmer of light.
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  ​"Rebirth," released November 28, 2025, is available at the following links:

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/1ROxx7e7BhrPDtZizNhsNk​

  Bandcamp - https://thedivineproject.bandcamp.com/album/rebirth​

  Track Listing:​
  1. The Revolt (3:46)
  2. Ruins Of Truth (3:27)
  3. Don’t Startle The Murder (4:18)
  4. The Longest Night (5:53)
  EP Length: 17:24

  The Divine Project will bring "Rebirth" to the stage this March with a series of Ontario shows featuring their signature high‑energy, crowd‑driven performance. Known for jumping into the pit, starting mosh circles, and feeding off fan energy, the band promises a live experience that is intense, immersive, and unforgettable.

  March Mayhem 2026 Tour w/ Selias, The Divine Project​
  Ticket info - https://www.tdp-official.com/event-list​
  March 13 - The Richmond Tavern - London, ON
  March 14 - The Atria - Oshawa, ON
  March 27 - See Scape - Toronto, ON

  More info:

  https://www.tdp-official.com/​

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

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

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• THUNDEROR Shares New Video “One Chance” From Rock‑Opera Album "Bleed For It" Out April 2026 + Canada Tour w/ BURNING WITCHES + EU Tour w/ CHRIS HOLMES (W.A.S.P.)

  Feb 17, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian arena‑rock heavy metal power trio THUNDEROR ignites the next chapter of their high‑flying saga with the release of their brand‑new single “One Chance”, accompanied by an official music video. The track serves as the next glimpse into their upcoming concept album, "Bleed For It," arriving April 17, 2026, via Boonsdale Records.

  The band will support the release with a full Canadian tour alongside Swiss heavy metal titans Burning Witches, followed by a European run with Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.), bringing THUNDEROR’s arena‑sized energy and rock‑opera theatrics to stages across two continents (dates listed below).
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  ​“One Chance” leans into the band’s heavier roots while keeping their unmistakable melodic punch. Frontman JJ Tartaglia explains:
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  ​“Feeling good about announcing the album with this track. It’s showing a little more of our Skull Fist roots, leaning more on the heavy metal side, while still having that big hook chorus. This one’s about romance, wanting that one chance with the one you want.”
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  The single’s video ties directly into the album’s overarching narrative, expanding the world of THUNDEROR’s rock‑opera universe.
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  Watch and listen to the music video for "One Chance" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnajB7jTY_Q​

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/track/0WGK25nDTYwLRd6ZKvfNrH​
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  ​"Bleed For It" serves as the official soundtrack to Thunderor The Musical, the band’s ambitious rock‑opera production that debuted at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2025. Its artwork captures scenes from the stage show, setting the mood for a sweeping tale of adventure, danger, and heart. Set in an alternate 1992, the story follows Bowen, a washed‑up musician and biker, who finds renewed purpose through romance and one last grasp at glory. Joined by best friends Kenzie and Sheenah, along with a local friar, he’s pulled into a whirlwind of rival biker gangs, love triangles, and life‑or‑death choices, all told with the wild, youthful spirit of classic arena rock. Across its nine tracks, the album blends heavy metal, hair metal, and rock‑opera flair, from the explosive opener “Pump Up The Volume” and the anthemic title track “Bleed For It,” to the road‑trip escapades of “Take Me To The Show” and the pro‑wrestling‑fueled “Get ’Em Counted.” Emotional depth comes through in the heartfelt tribute “Cape Breton Home” and the Springsteen‑inspired “Streets of Fire,” while the heavy‑metal romance single “One Chance” adds longing to the journey. The instrumental “DreamQuest” builds toward the dramatic finale, “In The Fire O’ The Heat,” a powerful closer exploring heartbreak, betrayal, and resilience.

  Tartaglia adds:
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  ​“The vocals are a vast improvement from the first album, and the songwriting has matured with more big anthem choruses. I hope this album inspires listeners to follow their dreams, let it be a soundtrack to your unbridled life adventures.”​
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  ​THUNDEROR was formed in 2020 by multi‑JUNO‑nominated musicians JJ Tartaglia and Jonny Nesta (both known for their work in Skull Fist) to deliver hook‑driven anthems inspired by the golden age of arena rock. Their debut album, "Fire It Up" (2022), hit #1 on Earshot’s National Loud Chart, propelling the band onto international tours across Europe, Canada, Mexico, and South America alongside acts such as Airbourne, U.D.O., Enforcer, and Night Demon.
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  Their 2024 single “Get ’Em Counted” surpassed 230K YouTube views, building momentum toward their next evolution: a full‑scale rock opera. The 2025 debut of Thunderor The Musical introduced fans to a new narrative universe, one now fully realized on "Bleed For It."​
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  With improved vocals, bigger choruses, and a cinematic concept, "Bleed For It" promises to be THUNDEROR’s most ambitious and emotionally charged release yet. If you crave escape, adventure, romance, and danger, the band invites you to ride with them into the storm.

  Recommended for fans of The Darkness, Skull Fist, Ghost, and Night Flight Orchestra.

  Due out on April 17th, 2026, via Boonsdale Records, "Bleed For It" is available for Vinyl pre-order and digital pre-save at the following links:

  CAN/ Worldwide - https://boonsdale.bigcartel.com/​

  Europe - LP/CD - https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Pump Up The Volume (3:42)
  2. Bleed For It (4:06)
  3. Take Me To The Show (4:09)
  4. Get ‘Em Counted (3:19)
  5. Cape Breton Home (3:33)
  6. Streets Of Fire (4:16)
  7. One Chance (3:40)
  8. DreamQuest (1:29)
  9. In The Fire O’ The Heat (4:19)
  Total: 33:11

  Album and Live Band Line Up:​
  JJ Tartaglia – Vocals, Drums, Keys
  Jonny Nesta – Guitar
  Brycen Gunn – Bass

  Canada Tour 2026 with Burning Witches​
  ​April 20 - Piranha Bar - Montreal, QC
  April 21 - La Source De La Martiniere - Quebec City, QC
  April 22 - Rainbow Bistro - Ottawa, ON
  April 23 - The Garrison - Toronto, ON

  Scandinavia Tour 2026 with HOLMES (The Sound of WASP)​
  May 15 - Nordic Noise - Copenhagen, Denmark
  May 16 - Godset - Kolding, Denmark
  May 21 – Willemeen – Arnhem, Netherlands
  May 22 – Iduna – Drachten, Netherlands
  May 23 – South of Heaven – Bilzen, Belgium
  May 27 - The Abyss - Gothenburg, Sweden
  May 28 - Muskelrock - Blädinge, Sweden
  May 29 - Lokstallet - Skövde, Sweden
  May 30 - Gjerdrum Rock Club - Gjerdrum, Norway
  May 31 - Sjøboden Live Scene - Mandal, Norway

  For more info:

  ​https://boonsdalerecords.com/thunderor/​

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

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

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• GRAVEMASS (ft. members of Zimmers Hole, 3 Inches of Blood, Revocation) Drops “This Is the Way” Video ft. Armstrong Metal Fest 2025 Footage + Debut Album Out March 2026

  Feb 13, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  West Coast death metal juggernaut Gravemass has officially announced the release of their highly anticipated debut album, "This Is the Way," arriving March 6, 2026, via End Game Records. To mark the occasion, the band has unleashed the album’s crushing title track alongside a brand‑new music video featuring explosive live footage captured during their 2025 performance at Armstrong Metal Fest.
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  ​“This is the title track of our debut album!! THIS IS THE WAY!!!! Footage from our Armstrong Metal Fest 2025 performance! Hails to our Gravemass Family!!! ,,/,,/” the band shared in their announcement.
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  Formed by long‑time veterans of the Vancouver metal scene, Gravemass is a supergroup built from decades of collective experience. Its members have performed in some of the most influential and notorious bands on the West Coast, including Zimmers Hole, Punch Drunk, 3 Inches of Blood, Revocation, Just Cause, West of Hell, Savannah, Process, Subversion, and The Golers.
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  The lineup includes Lord Heathen – Vocals (Zimmers Hole, Mechanism), Mayan Hate – Guitar (Savannah, Just Cause, Dialed), Murderer of Colonizers – Guitar (Process, Punch Drunk, Savannah), Bowels of Hell – Bass (Subversion, The Golers, Zucckuss), Destroyer of Souls – Drums (Zimmers Hole, 3 Inches of Blood, Revocation). Together, they channel a sound described by the band as “brutal, angry, fast, dark and evil.”

  Gravemass’ formation, as guitarist Mayan Hate explains, was a natural extension of decades‑long friendships within the Vancouver metal scene. He wrote the foundation of the debut album over two months between other projects and shared it with vocalist Lorde Heathen, who immediately signed on. From there, the rest of the lineup, fellow West Coast metal veterans they had all known for years, fell into place. The writing process remained intentionally raw and instinctive: riffs first, lyrics second, and only the material that felt right survived. True to their no‑nonsense ethos, Mayan Hate believes fans of extreme music will embrace the new material, stating simply that “if you like brutal, you will dig it.”

  Lyrically, Lorde Heathen draws from the chaos and decay of the modern world, channeling that bleakness into the band’s sinister sound. Musically, Gravemass pulls from the lineage of extreme metal’s greats, Slayer, Venom, Morbid Angel, Watain, and Napalm Death, while shaping their identity through decades immersed in death, black, and speed metal. With their second album already in early writing stages and set to be a more collaborative effort, the band emphasizes that their true power is unleashed onstage, where their live performance brings every element of Gravemass together in a full‑force assault meant for the masses.

  Watch the newly released music video for "This Is the Way" as it captures that ferocity firsthand, showcasing the band’s commanding presence at Armstrong Metal Fest 2025.

  Music Video - This Is The Way - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR9gy-AD8-E

  [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR9gy-AD8-E[/embed]

  ​

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/track/0JPFvvKR06w1ofDskaoeE4​

  Previous Singles:

  Music Video - Fallen - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ4ws87xOJs​

  Music Video - Spitting Hell - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r477FZl1VFo​

  Music Video - Slaves to Pain - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cW-Rk9koq0​

  Digital singles available at https://gravemass.bandcamp.com/​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Slaves To Pain - 2:38
  2. This Is The Way - 3:45
  3. Horned King - 2:54
  4. Harvest of Souls - 2:53
  5. Spitting Hell - 2:07
  6. Black Bell - 2:50
  7. Fallen - 3:27
  8. Gravemass - 3:51
  9. Abandon - 2:01
  10. Poison Temple - 3:11
  Album Length: 29:41

  Album Band Line Up:​
  Lorde Heathen – Vocals
  Mayan Hate – Guitar
  Murderer of Colonizers – Guitar
  Bowels of Hell – Bass
  Destroyer of Souls - Drums

  Album Recording Credits:​
  • All songs performed by: Gravemass
  • All songs written by: Mayan Hate and Lorde Heathen
  • Produced by: Tim Creviston
  • Mixed by: Tim Creviston
  • Mastered by: Tim Creviston
  • Album Artwork by: Gravemass
  • Member of SOCAN
  • Canadian Content (MAPL)

  More info:

  ​https://endgamerecords.com/​

  ​http://www.gravemass.com/​

  ​https://www.facebook.com/people/Grave-Mass/61556695854887/​

  ​https://www.instagram.com/gravemass1/​

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• HIGHLORD Welcomes New Vocalist Andrea Racco (Soundstorm) w/ Video "Resurrection"

  Feb 13, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Rockshots Records proudly presents “Resurrection”, the new single from Italian power metal veterans Highlord, a track that signals a decisive new compositional chapter in the band’s long-standing career.

  “Resurrection” introduces the renewed lineup featuring Andrea Racco (also known for his work with Sound Storm) as the new frontman and immediately establishes a sharper, heavier sonic direction while preserving the unmistakable epic DNA that has defined Highlord for decades.

  Thematically, the song captures the fragile equilibrium of modern society, a world suspended between tension and transformation, and translates the urgent need for change into the metaphor of rebirth. “Resurrection” is conceived as a surge of energy breaking through instability: not escapism, but reaction; not nostalgia, but renewal.

  Musically, the band embraces a more aggressive and compact approach. The guitar work is tighter and more percussive, built around driving riff structures and dynamic harmonic layering that reinforce the song’s sense of forward momentum. The rhythm section delivers a precise, explosive backbone balancing double-kick propulsion with controlled groove passages that heighten the track’s impact without sacrificing clarity.

  Andrea Racco’s performance stands at the center of this evolution. His gritty, powerful vocal delivery, recalling the dramatic intensity associated with classic European power metal, injects a raw, assertive edge into the band’s sound. Yet despite the increased weight and attack, Highlord retain their hallmark melodic sensibility: expansive, emotionally charged choruses open the arrangement into wide harmonic landscapes, ensuring that the song’s epic character remains intact.

  Production once again plays a crucial role. “Resurrection” was produced by bassist Massimiliano Flak at Evolution Recording Studios in Turin, resulting in a massive, modern mix that emphasizes punch and definition. The guitars cut with sharp articulation, the low end remains firm and controlled, and the vocal layers sit prominently without overpowering the instrumental interplay. The overall sonic architecture is polished yet forceful - contemporary in impact while rooted in traditional power metal aesthetics.

  With “Resurrection”, Highlord does not simply introduce a new lineup; they redefine their expressive coordinates. Heavier, more immediate and rhythmically explosive, yet still melodic and anthemic at heart, the single represents a statement of intent, a rebirth forged in steel, melody and conviction.

  DIGITAL: https://lnk.to/rSuR3c​

  For more info:​
  ​https://www.rockshots.eu​

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

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

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• NOVA SPEI Unveils “Renaissance,” Introducing New Vocalist and Marking the Beginning of Their 2026 Era

  Feb 13, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Trois-Rivières, Quebec modern‑metal force Nova Spei launches a bold new chapter with the release of their explosive new single and video, “Renaissance,” the first glimpse into their upcoming 2026 album "TRINITAS," due this fall. The track marks the official debut of vocalist Emmanuelle Desbiens‑Dubois, whose arrival signals a powerful rebirth for the band both sonically and creatively.
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  Formed in 2012 by guitarist Dany Soucy (Dook, Legion, Trois-Rivières MetalFest), Nova Spei has carved out a unique place in the francophone metal landscape with their djent‑infused, modern, and melodic approach. After more than 100 shows across Quebec and Ontario, two albums, and a series of lineup evolutions, 2026 represents a full resurgence, one that “Renaissance” captures with visceral clarity.
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  Musically and lyrically, “Renaissance” embodies the band’s renewed fire. The track channels the obstacles Nova Spei has faced, the rebuilding that followed, and the determination to return stronger than ever.
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  ​“We’re confident listeners will connect with this new chapter of the band, a rebirth shaped by the shift to a more powerful, feminine vocal presence, yet still carrying even greater intensity. The sound feels more organic than our previous album, and we want people to feel the passion and pure joy we pour into creating this music. Releasing Renaissance first made perfect sense. It’s the song that speaks to our fall and our return, so what could be more logical than starting with the track that tells that story?” says the band.

  The single’s artwork, created by Filip Ivanovic, visually captures this rebirth, an emergence from a world full of pitfalls, transformed and unbroken.
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  The addition of Emmanuelle Desbiens‑Dubois in 2025 marks one of the most significant shifts in Nova Spei’s history. Her vocal presence brings a fresh intensity and emotional range, redefining the band’s identity while staying true to their modern metal roots.
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  Her arrival completes the current lineup with Dany Soucy (Guitar), Nicolas Dumais-Brouillette (Bass), Julien De Carufel (Drums), and Cédrick Charland (Lead Guitar). Together, they’ve forged a sound that is heavier, more organic, and more dynamic than ever.
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  While Nova Spei’s previous albums were recorded in their own studio, "TRINITAS" marks their first time entering a professional recording environment, an experience that reshaped their entire sonic direction. Producer Francis Perron (Voivod, Martyr) pushed the band toward a more raw, organic sound, shifting their initial modern‑sequenced approach into something more alive and human. Mastering legend Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More, Halford, Yes) unexpectedly joined the project, an opportunity the band describes as surreal and humbling. The result is a sound that blends djent, modern metal, prog, and industrial influences, yet feels more authentic and emotionally charged than anything they’ve released before.

  Recommended for fans of Gojira, Tesseract, Killswitch Engage, Spiritbox, and Architects, the music video for “Renaissance” can be seen and heard via its premiere on TheCirclePit YouTube channel.

  ​Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/track/65AqzF6nYrkUrzhx32udbl

  For more info:

  ​https://www.novaspei.com/​

  ​https://www.facebook.com/NovaSpei​

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

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