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• VOLUBILIS Announce Debut Album "Theasterion" Out July 2026; Streaming Single "Ashes & Embers"

  May 27, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Montréal technical death metal force Volubilis officially announce their highly anticipated debut album "Theasterion," set for release on July 10, 2026. The announcement arrives alongside the band’s first single, “Ashes & Embers,” now streaming on all major platforms.
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  Founded in 2020 by Afro‑Canadian multi‑instrumentalist and world‑builder Miguel Marcheterre‑Pina, Volubilis first emerged as a pandemic‑era solo project before expanding into a full lineup featuring some of Canada’s most promising extreme‑metal musicians: André Dubien (vocals), Jacob Collins (drums), Alexis Rioux (guitar), and Shawn Hillman (fretless bass). What began in a bedroom has since evolved into a multidisciplinary, lore‑driven creative universe, one that fuses technical death metal, visual storytelling, and ambitious conceptual worldbuilding.

  Volubilis shape their identity through an intricate, hyper‑speed, melodic, modern, and fully immersive approach to extreme metal. Drawing from progressive and technical death metal, neoclassical and black metal, metalcore, and even classical and hip‑hop influences, the band pushes the genre into bold new conceptual territory. Powered by colossal blast beats, monstrous vocals, and soaring harmonies, "Theasterion" positions Volubilis as one of the most compelling new forces in the progressive and technical metal landscape. Their meticulous songwriting and expansive self‑built sci‑fi universe reveal a level of ambition rarely seen in a debut release.
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  ​“This album represents a significant milestone, not just for us, but for the visibility of Afro‑Canadian and BIPOC artists in extreme metal. Theasterion is a legacy project. It’s meant to inspire others to pursue their creative visions, even with limited resources,” says Miguel.

  "Theasterion" is a fully conceptual record that follows a sweeping science‑fiction narrative. Humanity, no longer able to survive on Earth, colonizes a satellite orbiting the planet Theasterion. When a mysterious monument, the Prism, appears, its glyphs reveal a prophecy foretelling the supernova of the nearest star, Unukhalai. The revelation fractures the colony, igniting political upheaval, a coup d’état, and a desperate expedition to the hostile planet below. There, the explorers encounter the Homo Cumulus, a non‑linear anthropoid species evolved beyond human comprehension. As tensions rise and resources collapse, humanity faces extinction long before the cataclysm arrives.
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  The album’s first single, “Ashes & Embers,” showcases the band’s signature blend of technical precision and cinematic intensity. Opening with a triplet‑driven riff inspired by Beyond Creation and Ne Obliviscaris, the track erupts into high‑velocity phrygian runs, a Necrophagist‑esque solo, and a dramatic tapping section that highlights the band’s world‑class musicianship.
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  Streaming now, “Ashes & Embers” offers listeners their first step into the vast universe of "Theasterion."

  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/2jL5Lvva0VYWoKfyvdcIec

  Bandcamp - ​https://volubilisband.bandcamp.com/track/ashes-embers​
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  Recommended for fans of Beyond Creation, Vale of Pnath, Obscura, First Fragment and Ne Obliviscaris.

  Album pre-order / pre-save available at the following links

  Digital pre-save - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/volubilis1/theasterion​

  Bandcamp - https://volubilisband.bandcamp.com/album/theasterion​

  More info:

  ​https://bio.site/volubilis​

  ​https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093419962099​

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

   

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• SHROUD Unveils The Darkness w/ Debut Album "Pax Nocturna" Out June 2026; Streaming Singles "All Creation" and "The Eternal Void"

  May 26, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Montreal’s rising Blackened Thrash force SHROUD will release their long‑awaited debut album, "Pax Nocturna," on June 4th, 2026, delivering a ferocious first statement forged in chaos, philosophy, and pure extreme‑metal intensity. The band has already begun their ascent with two singles, “All Creation” and “The Eternal Void”, both now streaming and showcasing the band’s blistering blend of Black, Thrash, Death, and Melodic metal.
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  Formed during the isolation of the COVID‑19 pandemic, SHROUD began when guitarist/vocalist Matteo Conti approached drummer Zack Osiris with the idea of starting a new project while the world was locked down. Despite restrictions and the stigma of even leaving the house, the pair began writing in Montreal, crafting songs week by week and discovering a shared foundation of influences and vision. By 2022, as the world reopened, the lineup solidified with Justin Cournoyer on bass and Jordan Barillaro on guitar, a chemistry that immediately felt inevitable.
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  ​“Once Jordan joined after our first show, it was clear this was the real beginning of Shroud. Everything since has been a train of reckoning, writing, performing, and bonding. The four of us feel truly united in what Shroud has become,” adds Conti.

  
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  ​SHROUD describes their sound in five words: Blackened Thrash Metal, but "Pax Nocturna" expands that foundation with elements of Death Metal, Melodic Metal, and atmospheric extremity. Fans of Watain, Dissection, Hellripper, Skeletonwitch, and Necrophobic will find themselves right at home.
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  The band expects the album to resonate strongly with extreme‑metal listeners:

  “Black and Thrash are the driving forces, but we pull from Death and Melodic Metal too. It’s meant to be a ride, fast, punishing, sometimes slowing down, but always taking you somewhere while staying true to the sound of Shroud,” says Conti.
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  Lyrically, "Pax Nocturna" explores Satanic Gnosticism, existential dread, anti‑religious critique, and the darker corners of human nature. Each track dives into a different facet of the void.
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  ​“It’s the rejection of imposed order and the corruption of organized religion. It’s embracing the chaos we come from, acknowledging we are our own gods and masters. It is peace within the night. It is Pax Nocturna,” adds Conti.

  
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  The album was primarily written by Conti and Osiris, with Cournoyer and Barillaro shaping and refining the final structures. Newer material has become fully collaborative as the band continues to evolve.
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  The album artwork reflects SHROUD’s fascination with the occult and surrealism, drawing inspiration from Yoshitaka Amano, Zdzisław Beksiński, and dark fantasy imagery. Depicting the four band members in ritualistic worship of the demonic Archduke Murmur, the piece symbolizes philosophy, music, and the band’s unified creative force.
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  ​SHROUD has already carved a reputation in the Quebec metal scene for their tightness, intensity, and unrelenting stage presence, sharing stages with Exciter, Midnight, Wraith, Goatwhore, Vitriol, Necrofier, Wormwitch, Spiter, Tomarumvoid, Angelus Apatrida, and Sorguinazia.
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  ​“We play with vigour and hate, but also love and determination. Our presence and delivery stand out. It’s all or nothing.”

  The band is set to support Atlanta's Tómarúm and LA's Gudsforladt alongside locals Black Market Fossil on May 28th at Piranha Bar in Montreal. Info at https://www.facebook.com/events/2763370517331518/​
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  Recommended for fans of Watain, Dissection, Hellripper, Skeletonwitch, and Necrophobic.

  Listen to singles "All Creation" and "The Eternal Void" at the following links:

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/artist/60dzfqRWshGC9cqd0TbFIE​

  "Pax Nocturna" is due out June 4th, 2026.

  CD / Vinyl - https://shroudmtl.bandcamp.com/​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Pax Nocturna (0:43)
  2. The Eternal Void (5:09)
  3. The Zealot (5:15)
  4. Merciless Tyrants (5:59)
  5. Darkest Night (4:45)
  6. Diablivion (5:28)
  7. Death Blows Over (4:18)
  8. All Creation (5:29)
  9. Abaddon (7:55)
  Album Length: 45:05

  Album and Live Band lineup:​
  Matteo Conti - Guitar and Vocals
  Jordan Barillaro - Guitar
  Zack Osiris - Drums
  Justin Cournoyer - Bass

  More info:

  ​https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086688022343​

  ​https://www.instagram.com/shroud.mtl​

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• GREYSTONE CANYON Shares Claymation Cover Video of LED ZEPPELIN Classic “Immigrant Song”

  May 22, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Australian hard rockers Greystone Canyon unleash their explosive take on the legendary Led Zeppelin classic “Immigrant Song”, delivering the iconic anthem with raw power, grit, and unapologetic attitude.

  The track is taken from the band’s third full-length album “Something Borrowed…Something New”, a record that perfectly captures the authentic spirit of Greystone Canyon: loud, direct, and fiercely organic. Recorded live in a single room without click tracks, heavy editing, or digital manipulation, the album embraces the timeless energy of classic rock records where feel and performance mattered more than sterile perfection.

  Rather than reinventing the song, Greystone Canyon chose to honor its primal energy while injecting its own hard-hitting approach into the performance. The result is a version that feels immediate, visceral, and alive, staying true to the essence of the original while carrying the band’s unmistakable personality.

  Accompanying the release is a completely handcrafted official video built around a striking claymation concept. Staying true to the album’s old-school philosophy, the animation features plasticine characters and construction-paper backgrounds, with every frame individually photographed to recreate an epic, Viking-inspired journey that perfectly matches the relentless drive of the track.

  Claymation characters & animation: Dumindu
  ​Mixed & mastered by: Joel Taylor

  “Something Borrowed…Something New” combines reimagined classics with brand new original material, creating a record that balances nostalgia, personality, and pure rock energy. It’s an album built on honesty, instinct, and the kind of human performance that modern productions often forget.

  For fans of Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, and Thin Lizzy.

  "Something Borrowed… Something New" was released on December 5th, 2025, from Rockshots Records and is available on all major streaming platforms and physical formats.

  CD - https://rockshots.eu/products/greystone-canyon-something-borrowed-something-new-cd​

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/1ZyEq4kWkhDg6RnzCbGKJj

  [embed]https://open.spotify.com/album/1ZyEq4kWkhDg6RnzCbGKJj[/embed]

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  Track Listing:
  ​1. Doctor, Doctor (UFO cover) - 04:16
  2. Just Got Paid (ZZ Top cover) - 03:35
  3. Drives Us - 05:06
  4. Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin cover) - 02:21
  5. Friend of the Fox - 03:57
  6. Suicide (Thin Lizzy cover) - 05:14
  7. Hey, Hey, My, My (Into the Black) (Neil Young cover) - 03:22
  8. AAF - 1:47
  9. Stealing Our Freedom - 04:26
  Album Length: 33:54

  More info: Rockshots.eu | Facebook.com/greystonecanyon | Instagram.com/greystonecanyon_official​

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• EMBRACE OF SOULS' New Concept Album "Battle of the Dead"

  May 22, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Embrace Of Souls proudly unveil "The Battle Of The Dead", the band’s new full-length album and most ambitious work to date, together with the release of the new focus track “Eversun,” further supported by a brand new Official Visualizer. Following the momentum generated by the previously released singles “Desolate Lands” and the album’s title track “The Battle Of The Dead”, the Italian power metal force pushes its artistic vision even further, delivering a record where epic storytelling, symphonic grandeur, and classic European power metal converge into a cohesive and emotionally charged listening experience.

  Conceived as an 11-track fantasy concept, "The Battle Of The Dead" unfolds across a medieval world fractured into rival kingdoms where a mysterious plague begins corrupting human souls and slowly drags the continent toward an inevitable war between the living and the dead. Rather than unveiling every detail of the storyline, the band deliberately preserves the narrative’s mystery, inviting listeners to discover its deeper meaning through the interplay between music and lyrics. Themes of power, betrayal, sacrifice, and hope permeate the album, shaping a journey designed to be experienced in its entirety.

  Musically, "The Battle Of The Dead" marks a decisive step forward for Embrace Of Souls. Firmly rooted in the legacy of ‘80s and ‘90s heavy and power metal while embracing the epic and symphonic scope of early-2000s European metal, the album delivers a sound that is both commanding and emotionally resonant. Driving guitar work, relentless double-kick rhythms, layered keyboards, and expansive choral arrangements form the backbone of the record, while the dynamic interplay between Giacomo Rossi’s powerful lead vocals and Martina Mazzeo’s operatic performances elevates the material with additional depth, contrast, and theatrical intensity.

  Among the album’s standout moments is “Eversun”, the new focus track released alongside the album. Perfectly encapsulating the duality that permeates the entire record, the song balances darkness and melody through a powerful blend of energetic power metal, symphonic textures, and emotionally driven vocal arrangements. Defined by its dynamic pacing, triumphant melodic direction, and dramatic atmosphere, “Eversun” highlights the band’s increasingly mature songwriting approach while preserving the epic spirit that has characterized Embrace Of Souls since its inception.

  Founded by drummer and composer Michele Olmi, Embrace Of Souls originally emerged as a studio project created to unite talented Italian musicians under a shared passion for classic heavy and power metal. Over time, the project evolved into a fully established live band, steadily refining its artistic identity while sharing the stage with renowned acts such as Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, and Rhapsody of Fire.

  The album also features a special guest appearance by Morby (Domine), further strengthening the connection with the most authentic tradition of Italian power metal.

  The record showcases a particularly refined production, enhanced by the mix and mastering handled by Alessio Garavello at Rogue Studios in London, bringing out both the album’s powerful rhythmic impact and its rich melodic and symphonic atmosphere.

  With "The Battle Of The Dead", Embrace Of Souls deliver their strongest and most complete statement to date: a record conceived not merely as a collection of songs but as a fully interconnected musical and narrative experience where epic power metal, symphonic atmospheres, and emotionally charged storytelling merge into a world waiting to be discovered.

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  "The Battle Of The Dead" releases today, on May 22nd, 2026, in digital format and digipak CD edition, and will be available to be ordered at the following links:
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  CD DIGIPAK: https://rockshots.eu/products/embrace-of-souls-the-battle-of-the-dead-cd​
  ​DIGITAL: https://lnk.to/kwCVof​
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  ​OFFICIAL MERCH: https://embraceofsoulsband.bigcartel.com/

  For fans of: Rhapsody Of Fire, Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, Nightwish.
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  ​RELEASE PARTY: MAY 30th, 2026​
  Embrace Of Souls will present The Battle Of The Dead live at La Cripta Club (Cusano Milanino, Italy), alongside Derdian, Drakkar and Axe Blade.

  Track Listing:​
  1. The Battle Of The Dead
  2. Eversun
  3. The Plague
  4. The Gathering
  5. Spine
  6. Who Can Save Us
  7. Betrayal
  8. The Dark Lord
  9. The War (feat. Morby)
  10. Sacrifice
  11. Desolate Lands
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  ​Line-up:​
  Giacomo Rossi – Vocals
  Martina Mazzeo – Vocals
  Edward De Rosa – Guitars
  Xavier Rota – Bass
  Davide Baldelli – Keyboards
  Michele Olmi – Drums

  More info: ​
  ​​https://www.rockshots.eu​

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

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

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• AITTALA Unleash New Performance Video “Blacklisted,” the First to Feature New Bassist Dane Taylor + Tour Dates (WV, VA, TN, NC)

  May 19, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  AITTALA (pronounced EYE‑tah‑la) has released the official performance video for “Blacklisted,” the third track from their second EP of 2025, "Ill‑Gotten Gains," out now on Exitus Stratagem Records.
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  The clip marks a milestone for the long‑running metal project; it is the first video to feature new bassist Dane Taylor, joining Eric Aittala (guitars/vocals) and Gary “Zeus” Smith (drums). The trio’s chemistry is on full display, delivering a tight, groove‑driven performance that captures the grit and weight of the track.
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  A groove‑ and sludge‑inspired standout, “Blacklisted” serves as the thematic counterpoint to the EP’s opening tracks “Isolation” and “Ill‑Gotten Gains.” Where those songs explore the chaos created by self‑serving actions, “Blacklisted” flips the perspective, calling out the people who manipulate, exploit, and leave destruction in their wake.
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  Musically, the song leans into thick riffs, a grinding mid‑tempo pulse, and the band’s signature blend of heaviness and melody. It’s a concise, punishing statement that reinforces why AITTALA’s sound remains difficult to categorize, and impossible to ignore.
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  Watch the video via its premiere on Metal Addicts HERE.

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  Released this past November, "Ill‑Gotten Gains" continues AITTALA’s tradition of blurring metal subgenres, pulling from traditional metal, doom, groove, progressive elements, and more to create a cohesive, emotionally charged experience.
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  The EP’s lyrics trace a path from chaos to consequence to the search for redemption, examining how people create disorder for personal gain, face the fallout of those choices, and grapple with whether forgiveness is still possible. Each track sharpens that arc: “Isolation” delivers doomy heaviness and shifting time signatures as it confronts consequences; “Ill‑Gotten Gains” rides a bouncing 8‑string riff into the mindset of exploiting chaos; “Blacklisted” uses groove‑sludge grit to call out manipulative behavior; “Ever After” offers a modern metal ballad of internal struggle and uncertain redemption; and “Ashes” leans into traditional heavy metal as it follows someone spiraling downward and pulling others with them.
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  The EP cover features an updated version of Frank, AITTALA’s long‑running mascot, a cartoon pig head inside a pentagram, created in 2014 for the album "Effigy." Frank represents the shady figure who helps acquire “ill‑gotten gains”…for the right price. His return on the cover ties directly into the EP’s themes of corruption, consequence, and moral decay.
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  ​AITTALA’s sound resists simple labels, blending classic heavy metal, doom, groove, progressive and power metal, thrash, and hard rock into a style that’s distinctly their own. Lyrically, Eric Aittala pulls from the darker edges of human experience, crafting songs that balance heaviness with introspection.
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  Founded in 1991 in the Netherlands, AITTALA quickly became a staple of the Dutch metal scene, even opening for The Gathering and Sadist after releasing their 1993 EP "Selling Heaven."
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  After disbanding and later resurrecting the project in 2008, AITTALA released six full‑length albums between 2009 and 2022, followed by the "Machines" EP (2025). Each release showcases the band’s evolution while preserving their unmistakable core sound.

  Recommended for fans of Mastodon, Eyehate God, Baroness, Crowbar, Katatonia, live music enthusiasts can catch AITTALA at the following show dates below.

  Aittala Tour Dates (WV, VA, TN, NC)​
  May 21 - Tilty McFlipperz - Martinsburg, WV
  May 22 - The Spot on Kirk - Roanoke, VA
  May 23 - Capones - Johnson City, TN
  Jun 19 - Cannonball Music Hall - Raleigh, NC
  Jul 31 - The Den | Winston - Salem, NC
  Aug 7- White Rabbit Pub - Fayetteville, NC
  Aug 29 - Scandals Live - Virginia Beach, VA

  "Ill-Gotten Gains" (released Nov 21, 2025) is available from Exitus Stratagem Records - https://hypeddit.com/aittala/illgottengains

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  Track Listing:​
  1. Isolation - 4:22
  2. Ill Gotten Gains - 4:20
  3. Black Listed - 3:35
  4. Ever After - 4:29
  5. Ashes - 3:50
  EP Length: 20:37

  Live lineup:
  Eric Aittala - Guitars/Vocals
  Gary “Zeus” Smith - Drums
  Dane Taylor - Bass

  For more info: Exsrmusic.com | Aittala.com | Facebook.com/aittalamusic | Instagram.com/aittalamusic

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