News

• THE FIXER Unleashes New Single "Ugly Knots" For "The Ugly Knots Tour" Across Canada w/ TEKNOSIS

  Oct 7, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

   

  Thunder Bay, Canada's The Fixer has dropped their new single “Ugly Knots”, a sonic and emotional powerhouse that sets the tone as they kick off their “The Ugly Knots Tour” this October with fellow hometown band Teknosis.
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  ​“Ugly Knots” is a raw, genre-defying track that fuses industrial metal with hardcore grit and ambient textures. It opens with abrasive riffs and harsh electronics before evolving into a sweeping, melodic climax, mirroring the emotional journey the band intends for listeners.
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  ​“This song is for the kind people we’ve seen be hated, harassed, and threatened. It’s written from the first-person perspective, but the spoken word section—contributed by our friend John Forget—comes directly from someone who lived that experience. It’s a message of strength in the face of cruelty,” says the band.
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  Lyrically and musically, “Ugly Knots” is one of The Fixer’s heaviest and most artful releases to date. Eschewing formulaic conventions, the band leans hard into their industrial roots while exploring themes of anger, sadness, and resilience. Fans of their heavier material will find plenty to latch onto, while new listeners will be drawn into its emotional depth.
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  The single marks the beginning of a new chapter for The Fixer, as they prepare to hit the road with Teknosis for a tour of Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta (dates listed below) that promises catharsis, chaos, and connection. “Ugly Knots” is more than a song; it’s a statement.

  Listen to "Ugly Knots" at the following links:

  ​Add to your Spotify playlist - ​https://open.spotify.com/track/3hvFHi6mVgqRlmDWHlAo8f

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  Formed out of pure love for metal. Teknosis has quickly evolved into a tight, aggressive unit with a shared vision: to make heavy music that hits hard and leaves no room to breathe. Set to ignite stages across the country this October, Teknosis is bringing their relentless live energy to fans in support of their acclaimed 2024 EP "Return to Civilization", a five-track barrage of groove-laced hardcore and death metal influences. It's a compact, violent sonic explosion that lyrically channels frustration and isolation from lockdowns, with themes ranging from societal collapse to personal survival.

  With ambient samples bridging each track, Teknosis will be a visceral live experience as they deliver a seamless, high-impact set that’s organic, heavy, and hypnotic.

  “We still believe in live amps and drums straight to the cochlea. It’s all about maximum intensity. A sonic experience that’s as brutal as it is addictive," says bassist Travis Doggett.
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  Fans can expect new singles starting in Fall 2025, leading up to a full-length album in late 2025 or early 2026. The October tour will feature tracks from "Return to Civilization" alongside unreleased material, giving audiences a taste of what’s to come.

  ​Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Cu2jRvDUKvEZdqJd5QjwJ

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  Ugly Knots Tour 2025 - The Fixer, Teknosis
  ​Oct 2 - La Sarre, QC - La Brute du Coin *
  Oct 3 - Montreal, QC - Piranha Bar *
  Oct 4 - Levis, QC - Taverne La Barricade *
  Oct 9 - Fort Frances, ON - Pink Parasol Tea Room
  Oct 10 - Brandon, MB - The 40
  Oct 11 - Prince Albert, SK - Studio Q
  Oct 12 - Edmonton, AB - The Rendezvous
  Oct 13 - Calgary, AB - Pin Bar
  Oct 14 - Lethbridge, AB - The Slice
  Oct 15 - Moose Jaw, SK - Chillers
  Oct 16 - Saskatoon, SK - Green Room
  Oct 17 - Regina, SK - The Exchange
  Oct 18 - The Pas, MB - The Wescana Inn
  Oct 19 - Winnipeg, MB - Osborne Taphouse
  Oct 31 - Thunder Bay, ON - The Hunger 18 (Downtown-wide Hallowe'en Festival)
  * = without Teknosis
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  ​More Info:

  ​https://www.facebook.com/TheFixerBand | https://www.instagram.com/thefixercanada | https://www.tiktok.com/@thefixercanada​

  ​https://www.facebook.com/teknosismetal | https://www.instagram.com/teknosis.metal/

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• Fiddle Meets Fire THUNDEROR’s Celtic Rock Anthem “Cape Breton Home” Celebrates Maritime Heritage

  Oct 6, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

   

  Canadian rock powerhouse THUNDEROR returns with a stirring new single and music video, "Cape Breton Home," a Celtic Rock anthem that pays homage to the island roots of frontman JJ Tartaglia. Known for their electrifying blend of heavy metal, pop punk, and rock opera, the band takes a reflective turn with this release, weaving nostalgia and tradition into their signature sound.

  “I wanted to write a song inspired by back home, maybe it’s the time passing by, I felt a bit nostalgic and needed something to reconnect me to the island. What better way than with music! And I think in return, Cape Breton also needs a song like this,” says Tartaglia.

  The track features a guest performance by acclaimed fiddler Colin Grant, whose work with Rum Ragged earned a 2021 JUNO nomination for Traditional Roots Album of the Year. Grant’s authentic Cape Breton fiddle style adds a rich layer of heritage to the song, grounding it in the island’s musical legacy.

  The accompanying video, filmed on location in Cape Breton, captures the rugged beauty and emotional resonance of the place that inspired the song.

  “I had a great trip back to shoot the video. It was a full-circle moment,” Tartaglia adds.

  Formed in 2020 by multi-JUNO-nominated musicians JJ Tartaglia and Jonny Nesta (Skull Fist), THUNDEROR has quickly carved out a global following. Their debut album "Fire It Up" topped Earshot’s National Loud Chart, and their theatrical rock opera "Thunderor the Musical" premiered at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2025 to rave reviews.

  With "Cape Breton Home," THUNDEROR continues to evolve, proving that even the loudest bands have a quiet place in their hearts.

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/3UTjzJzo4teUElvWLgEyjY​

  Appreciated by fans of Judas Priest, Van Halen, and Saxon, Thunderor's releases are available via Boonsdale Records.

  CD – https://thunderor.bigcartel.com​

  For more info: Boonsdalerecords.com/thunderor | Facebook.com/ThunderorOfficial | Instagram.com/thunderor_official | Musicnovascotia.ca/artist/thunderor/

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• HARVESTED Earworm Ferocious "Voices of the Void" Band Playthrough From New Album “Dysthymia”

  Oct 3, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian death metal outfit Harvested has dropped a ferocious, earworming band playthrough video for “Voices of the Void,” a standout track from their latest full-length album, "Dysthymia." The video showcases the band’s technical prowess, raw aggression, and unrelenting energy, hallmarks of a sound they describe as “Heavy, Brutal, Fast, Aggressive and Violent.”
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  Formed in 2019 as a creative outlet for members of other local projects, Harvested has evolved into a powerhouse of modern death metal. With roots in bands like A Scar For The Wicked, Sons Of The Nether, Thalassophobia, and Fumigation, the group brings together a wealth of experience and a shared passion for pushing sonic boundaries.
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  ​“Voices of the Void” is a dynamic track that blends chaotic tempo shifts with crushing grooves, embodying the band’s signature fusion of old-school death metal and deathcore. Lyrically, it delves into themes of dissociation and psychological turmoil, part of the album’s overarching exploration of mental illness.
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  ​“This album is the evolution of our sound. We’ve taken influences from technical death metal giants like The Zenith Passage and Cattle Decapitation, but stayed true to our roots. Dysthymia is a level-up in every way—production, songwriting, and performance,” says guitarist Mitchi Dimitriadis.
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  The playthrough video offers fans an intimate look at the band’s musicianship, with each member delivering a tight, high-speed performance that reflects their commitment to precision and intensity.

  “We pride ourselves on being athletes with our instruments. It’s not just about brutality, it’s about groove, cohesion, and constantly challenging ourselves,” adds Dimitriadis.
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  ​"Voices of the Void" is one of nine tracks on "Dysthymia," each confronting different facets of psychological distress, from cult mentality and shadow selves to global political psychosis. The album’s artwork, a psychedelic depiction of mental chaos, complements its lyrical depth and sonic ferocity.

  
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  With "Dysthymia" now unleashed and the band’s live shows gaining momentum, Harvested is poised to make a lasting impact on the Canadian metal scene.

  Recommended for fans of Cattle Decapitation, Decapitated, and Cannibal Corpse, Harvested's “Dysthymia” is available at the following links:

  Spotify - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/harvested1/dysthymia​

  More info: Facebook.com/harvested666 | Instagram.com/harvestedband

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• Montreal Brass Metal Pioneers FALLSTAF Returns 15 Years After Debut With New Album "Ode To The Dead" Out Nov 2025

  Oct 3, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  After nearly a decade of silence, Montreal’s genre-defying metal band Fallstaf is back with a vengeance. Their long-awaited sophomore album, "Ode to The Dead", is set for release this Fall 2025, and its first single, the title track, is streaming everywhere alongside a gripping lyric video.
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  Known as the pioneers of “brass metal,” Fallstaf made waves in 2011 with their debut 'Bastard Son of a Pure Breed,' produced by Kevin Jardine (Slaves On Dope). Their signature sound—groove-heavy, progressive metal laced with trombone earned them cult status in the Quebec metal scene. But in 2016, tragedy struck when frontman IANN suffered a near-fatal accident, leading to the band’s dissolution.
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  Now, after years of recovery and reflection, Fallstaf has reunited, reignited, and reimagined their sound. "Ode to The Dead" is a powerful, autobiographical journey through survival, grief, and rebirth. Produced once again by Jardine, the album features seven new tracks that blend sludge, thrash, and hardcore influences with melodic hooks and brass-driven chaos.
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  ​“This album wasn’t made to impress; it was made out of friendship. Music is therapeutic. Metal brings people together, and we missed that energy,” says the band.
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  The first single and title track is a tribute to the deceased.

  "They are no longer physically here, but they are always in our thoughts; that is the reason for the phrase “they walk among us”. The riff of the chorus gave rise to the rest of the song," adds the band.

  Watch the lyric video for “Ode To The Dead” and experience the rebirth of one of Montreal’s most original metal acts.

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  ​Fallstaf’s live shows remain unforgettable: suits and ties, a masked brass player, and a frontman with a robotic leg. “People think we’re a ska band—until the first chord hits,” they laugh. Stay tuned. Fallstaf will be kicking ass live soon!
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  ​"Ode to the Dead" will be available on all major streaming platforms on November 14th, 2025, along with an exclusive interactive collectible coffin USB drive.

  Album pre-order - https://fallstaf.bandcamp.com/​

  More info: https://www.facebook.com/fallstafmontrealbrassmetal

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• MERFOLK (One Man Band From Patrick Loisel of AUGURY) Unleashes Video “Sundaland” - A Psychedelic Metal Odyssey Rooted in Myth, Madness, and Mastery

  Oct 3, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  The mysterious solo endeavor known as Merfolk resurfaces with "Sundaland," a boundary-pushing album that fuses emotional intensity with mythic storytelling and sonic experimentation. Spearheaded by Patrick Loisel of AUGURY, a multi-instrumentalist, Native-descended artist, and former physics teacher, Merfolk is far more than a band. It’s a singular vision brought to life by one mind and many hands. Every step of the creative process, from composing and crafting instruments to engineering the sound and directing the visuals, is handled entirely by Loisel himself. No session players. No pre-recorded crutches. Just pure, unfiltered artistry.

  Merfolk channels the spirit of Emperor, Mayhem, Hollenthon, Mercyful Fate, and a trove of obscure '70s experimental sounds, forging a unique blend of post-black metal, classical instrumentation, and narrative-rich, sociological lyricism. The songwriting draws from ancient migratory myths and uncanny architectural echoes across the Pacific, all filtered through the artist’s wildly eclectic life, one that began with a childhood literature award and later included the care of over 300 tarantulas.
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  The newest offering, "Sundaland," is named after a submerged continent in Southeast Asia and explores the mythic aftermath of a prehistoric flood. From the haunting warnings of floating entrail-ghosts (Krasue) to the desperate offerings to misunderstood sea monsters, the album weaves a narrative that’s as unsettling as it is cinematic.
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  Musically, "Sundaland" is a leap from Merfolk’s earlier work "Demersal," trading whistling and early synths for miked classical instruments, violin, cello, double bass, and piano, played by the artist himself. The fretless bass was custom-built, and electronic drums were introduced for a cleaner yet still furious sound. The result? A sound described in five words: eclectic, psychedelic, spooky, unusual, furious.
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  The album’s flagship single, "Castaways," is a melancholic, ambient piece born from emotional turmoil. Its music video is a surreal spectacle of psychedelic practical effects, reminiscent of Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Filmed in near-total darkness with handmade puppets and props, some collapsing mid-shoot, the video captures the eerie beauty of survivors scavenging sunken ruins and encountering a newly revealed civilization.
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  Watch the full visual experience in "Castaways", where Merfolk’s DIY ethos and cinematic ambition collide.

  
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  Unveiled on May 26th, 2025, "Sundaland" by Merfolk transcends the boundaries of a traditional album; it's a plunge into a myth-soaked realm where metal meets mysticism. This sonic excavation unearths ancient lore and raw emotional terrain, offering a listening experience that’s as intense as it is unpredictable. For those drawn to the arcane and the avant-garde, Sundaland is a must. And for the fearless few ready to descend deeper, the abyss awaits.
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  ​"Sundaland" is available at https://artists.landr.com/990591564626​

  More info: https://www.melogy.ca/merfolk | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553443841461

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