News

• RED CAIN's New Scorching Single "Firestarter" Takes Inspiration From Roleplaying Game "Elden Ring"

  Aug 30, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  A year after their break-out third album, 2023's “NÄE'BLISS”, which had its single "Fisher King" nominated by Calgary's YYC Music Awards for "Metal Recording of The Year", power prog storytellers RED CAIN return in 2024 with their first taste of new music.

  Entitled "Firestarter", this first single of 2024 is loosely based on the lore of the action role-playing game "Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree". The band spent a lot of their time this year playing this fantastic release. Elden Ring is not only a brilliant game and a visual masterpiece, but also a storytelling phenomenon that deliberately has lore gaps to let fans and players create their own stories and interpretations of the lore. This strongly resonates with Red Cain's approach as musicians, as they always write music for their fans to read in unique ways and weave into their mythology.

  "Firestarter" is also a new statement for Red Cain, as they continue to embrace a modern sound and reinvent their songwriting. You will hear a lot more groove and synth backing on this one, along with the same anthemic hooks, technical riffs, and vocal layering they are known for.

  Listen to "Firestarter" at the following links:

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/4e4bFap

  Bandcamp - https://redcain.bandcamp.com​

  Red Cain, from Calgary, Canada is a modern progressive metal project with Eastern European roots. They have been making waves since their first release in 2016, with award-winning music videos and concept albums “Kindred: Act I”, “Kindred: Act II” and "NÄE'BLISS". The albums contained a ton of genre inspirations, from gothic rock to ambient electronica, power, black, and death metal, and were universally lauded for their inventiveness, variety, and strong conceptual content. They continue this momentum with forthcoming releases.

  Red Cain is:​
  Evgeniy Zayarny – Vocals
  Samuel Ridout – Guitar
  Oman Costa – Guitar
  Taylor Gibson - Drums

  For more info: Redcain.ca | Facebook.com/redcainofficial | Instagram.com/redcainarmy

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• SANDVEISS Introduces New Album "Standing in the Fire" With Two Powerful Singles “I'll Be Rising” And “No Love Here”

  Aug 29, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Sandveiss is a heavy rock band from Quebec City that came to life in 2011. Their music is heavy yet also melodic. On a songwriting level, they like to go to “different places” on the same album, and each time pushing things a little further towards new directions while staying true to what they really are. This is exemplified on the first two singles off their upcoming album “Standing in the Fire”, which comes out on October 11, 2024, from Folivora Records. The singles “I'll Be Rising” and “No Love Here” paint a juxtaposed image of the band, Vocalist/guitarist Luc Bourgeois comments on the latter:

  “I guess that the song "No Love Here" isn’t a typical single due to its longer and unconventional structure, but we wanted to release singles that represent different moods of the album. This track clearly demonstrates the band’s prog-rock influences, both in its musical arrangements and in its sounds and textures. Regarding the lyrics, I rarely write about light subjects, and this one is no exception: I wrote it as a reaction to the alarming and horrific rise in domestic violence and femicide, especially during the pandemic. Not one more.”

  “No Love Here” is the most prog-rock song on the record. The longest one, the more "developed" and unpredictable in terms of structure and sound. “I'll Be Rising” uses a blend of heavy riffing, melodic parts, and somewhat unusual time signatures for the band. It gives the song a proggier feel but still has a lot of their more "usual elements". A good balance between what they've always been and what's new. Lyrically, it's a song about resilience, justice, and empowerment from the perspective of a survivor of rape and abuse. Anxiety, shame, depression, and the fear of not being believed.

  Sandveiss likes to guide the listener through different kinds of emotions on the same album while of course trying to maintain a certain level of coherence and continuity. A bit like different chapters of the same book. Even the singles were chosen to demonstrate different sides of the album and different moods. It is recommended for fans of Black Sabbath, Mastodon, and The Sword.

  Listen to the singles at the following links:

  ​Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3XnzDIq

  Album pre-order - https://sandveiss.bandcamp.com/album/standing-in-the-fire​

  Track Listing:​
  1. I'll Be Rising - 5:03
  2. Standing In The Fire - 3:51
  3. Wait And See - 3:26
  4. No Love Here - 7:26
  5. Fade (Into The Night) - 3:48
  6. Gone Away - 4:53
  7. These Cold Hands - 4:57
  8. Bleed Me Dry - 5:42

  More info: https://folivora.ca | https://www.facebook.com/Sandveiss | https://www.instagram.com/sandveissband

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• HYPERSPACE METALFEST Announces 2025 Lineup w/ ENFORCER, PLANESWALKER, GLYPH, LUNAR, SOLARUS, TYLOR DORY TRIO and More!

  Aug 27, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  HMF 2025 Lineup Spotify Playlist - https://spoti.fi/3T4kU2p​

  Canada's premier melodic and power metal festival HYPERSPACE Metal Fest returns for its 6th edition after another year of crowd-pleasing epic fun in Vancouver, BC. Being hosted at The Cobalt (April 10 &11th) and The Rickshaw Theatre (April 12th), the 2025 lineup will feature headliners ENFORCER, PLANESWALKER, GLYPH along with Lunar, Solarus, Tower Hill, Luminator, Tylor Dory Trio, Heyoka's Mirror with more to be announced.

  Festival organizer Joey Hockin of Journeyman Productions adds:

  "It's finally time to reveal Hyperspace Metal Festival VI! We were a little later announcing this year because we want to make sure we're bringing you the same quality you've come to expect. And on that, I think we've delivered! The full lineup will be announced in the fall. Hope to see you next April!"

  Headlining Saturday, April 12th at The Rickshaw Theatre, Sweden's ENFORCER have proved themselves both live and on record, they stake their place amongst the world’s most renowned heavy metal bands since first forming in 2005. They have toured the world over, playing the biggest festivals and garnering a global fanbase. Their latest sixth studio album Nostalgia (released May 2023 - Nuclear Blast), features 13 heavy metal anthems and throws ENFORCER back to their speed metal roots. Fusing extreme guitar riffing with catchy stadium choruses, ENFORCER is out to conquer the world.

  ​

  Headlining Friday, April 11th, and returning for their second time at HMF, the duo known as PLANESWALKER features Jason Ashcraft (Helion Prime) and Sozos Michael (Gloryhammer, ex-Helion Prime) present Magic the Gathering-inspired Power Metal. They recently released their latest single "Compleated" and were joined by Carlos Alvarez (ex-Power Theory, Behölder, Shadowdance) on bass and Stefanos Meletiou (The Zilla Project, Private Garden).

  ​

  Headlining Thursday, April 10th, the Pacific Northwest's Glyph, is not just a heavy metal band, they are a crew of intergalactic mercenaries escaping a dying planet in their spaceship, the VSS Dragonlord. Clearly, Glyph isn’t just writing songs, they’re building worlds and they bring it forth in their latest album "Honor, Power, Glory" released this past March.

  ​

  Also featured on this year's 2025 lineup and making their first HMF appearance and performing for the first time ever, Lunar is a progressive metal project from California that features members from Witherfall, Helion Prime, Planeswalker, Novareign, Mokili Wa, Nordic Frost, Outloud, Double Vision. Their fourth and latest album “The Illusionist” features guests Jørgen Munkeby (Shining), Christian Münzner (Obscura), Andy Gillion (Mors Principium Est), Taylor Washington (Paladin), Sam Vallen (Caligula's Horse), Ben Karas (Thank You Scientist), Gleb Kanasevich, and Patrick Corona.

  Meant to perform on the 2024 lineup, but forced to cancel, Tylor Dory Trio returns for 2025, they are a monstrous progressive metal unit and beloved by many in Western Canada. This live performance will be their first following a nearly seven-year layoff.

  Hailing from London, ON, Solarus, simply put, is a musical vision and ambition to bring musicians together through their shared love for music. They bring forth impressive female-fronted melodic power metal.

  Traveling from Edmonton, AB, Tower Hill delivers premium old-school heavy metal inspired by bands like Running Wild, Riot, Judas Priest, early Blind Guardian, and Helloween. Forging the best of the late 80s and early 90s German, British, and US metal scenes into a new blend of shimmering steel, Tower Hill’s riff-driven, hook-laden traditional metal will have you banging your head and singing along.

  Luminator is a fantasy power metal band from the Pacific Northwest (Tacoma, WA) and will be supporting their latest EP "On The Clouds".

  From Calgary, AB, Heyoka's Mirror is a progressive rock/metal band with international roots that was brought to life in the summer of 2015 by founding members Andrew Balboa and Omar Sultan. Their first music video “Asylum” (directed by Seth Williams), was nominated as Best Music Video by the 2020 YYC Music Awards and was released in support of their debut full-length "The Uninvited King".

  Hyperspace Metal Festival VI - April 10th - 12th.​
  One-day passes and three-day passes are available at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/hyperspace-metal-festival-vi-tickets-1000996957847​

  Facebook Event - https://www.facebook.com/events/1637280440385808​

  To follow updates for Hyperspace Metal Festival 2024, please visit the following links:
  ​Facebook.com/HyperspaceMetalFestival​
  ​Instagram.com/HyperspaceMetalFestival​

  Over the five editions of Hyperspace Metal Festival, bands from all over the world have come to play power, prog, melodic death, and speed metal on the Canadian West Coast. The festival has presented lineups that have included performances by Týr, Flotsam and Jetsam, Skelator, Trollfest, Aether Realm, Exmortus, Striker, Riot City, Into Eternity, Witherfall, Planeswalker, Iron Kingdom, Helion Prime, Ravenous, Crimson Shadows, West of Hell, Judicator, Odinfist, Tanagra, Scythia, Greyhawk, The Order of Chaos, Red Cain, and many more.

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• THE CONVALESCENCE Announces "No Survivors Tour Part 2" w/ Casket Robbery, Ignominious, Voraath, Green Jelly, The Bunny The Bear On Select Dates

  Aug 27, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Blending black metal/horror theatrics with intense death metal style blast beats and shredding guitar along with brutal slamming breakdowns and catchy melodies, Toledo, OH symphonic deathcore band The Convalescence unleashed their latest album entitled "Harvesters Of Flesh And Bone" this past November on Cleopatra Records.

  Featuring 11 tracks of relentless brutality, each song is its own short horror story. For this record, The Convalescence really wanted to continue down the path of what they've done on past releases "This Is Hell" and "Monument Of Misery" but also experiment with some new ideas while still bringing everyone the gore-filled lyrics and bloodthirsty riffs that their fans expect. After 2 years of work on the full-length, The Convalescence expects "Harvesters Of Flesh And Bone" will be received well by the fans. The album features guests Scott Ian Lewis (Carnifex) and Ricky Myers (Suffocation) and was produced and mixed by Jason Suecof (The Black Dahlia Murder, Carnifex, Deicide, Job For A Cowboy) plus mastered by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy).

  In support of the full-length, the band toured across the USA and Canada with dates with Obituary, King 810, Green Jelly, Monochromatic Black, Sea of Trechery, and more, earlier this summer. They now continue this Fall, with"No Survivors Tour Part 2" with support on select dates from Casket Robbery, Ignominious, and Voraath. The tour will also be supporting Green Jelly & The Bunny The Bear on select dates. (dates listed below).

  Filthy, brutal, and symphonic, The Convalescence is not to be missed! All tickets are available at tconband.com.

  "Harvesters Of Flesh And Bone" is available from Cleopatra Records at the following links:

  CD / Vinyl - https://www.indiemerchstore.com/collections/the-convalescence​

  Digital - https://orcd.co/theconvalescence_harvesters

  The Convalescence "No Survivors Tour Part 2"​

  Tickets are available at https://tconband.com​

  Oct. 5 - Toledo, OH @ The Ottawa Tavern w/Green Jelly
  Oct. 6 - Lakewood, OH @ The Foundry Concert Club w/Green Jelly
  Oct. 7 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Hard Rock Cafe
  Oct. 8 - Hartford, CT @ The Webster Underground
  Oct. 10 - Clifton, NJ @ Dingbatz
  Oct. 11 - Mechanicsburg, PA @ Lovedraft's Brewing Co.
  Oct. 12 - Raleigh, NC @ Chapel Of Bones
  Oct. 13 - Charlotte, NC @ The Neighborhood Theatre
  Oct. 14 - Nashville, TN @ The End
  Oct. 15 - Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar
  Oct. 16 - Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle
  Oct. 17 - New Haven, IN @ Carl's Tavern
  Oct. 18 - Detroit, MI @ Harpo's Concert Theatre
  Oct. 19 - Madison, WI @ The Annex
  Oct. 20 - Sioux Falls, SD @ Bigs Bar
  Oct. 22 - Saint Paul, MN @ Turf Club
  Oct. 23 - Des Moines, IA @ Lefty's Live Music
  Oct. 24 - Bloomington, IL @ Nightshop
  Oct. 25 - Battle Creek, MI @ The Music Factory
  Oct. 26 - Bedford Park, IL @ Hell Over Midway w/The Bunny The Bear

  For more info:​
  ​http://tconband.com​
  ​https://www.facebook.com/theconvalescence​
  ​https://www.instagram.com/theconvalescenceofficial​
  ​https://twitter.com/tconband

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• FREYA’s Intoxicating Blend Of Hardcore And Thrash Bubbles Over In “Blood Thirst”

  Aug 23, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Freya, the veteran hardcore/metal band hailing from Syracuse, USA, is set to drop their newest single “Blood Thirst”. This powerful track showcases the band's unique blend of hardcore intensity and thrash metal fury that they have been perfecting for over two decades. The single is a straightforward banger, drummer Ethan D. Henry comments on the track:

  “I’m not vegan or anything but I was just thinking of this concept of some trophy hunters entering the forest killing and taking what they wanted and leaving the corpses of their victims to rot. I imagined a grizzly bear being fed up finding rotten deer, turkey, and whatever else on his daily trek. Full of rage, he is forced to fight back and chase the men out of the forest. Like Batman haha. But a pissed-off grizzly bear.”

  Drawing inspiration from the hard-hitting, old-school hardcore vibe of bands like Biohazard, the song opens with a memorable riff that immediately grabs the listener's attention. As the track progresses, Freya seamlessly shifts into a thrash metal assault reminiscent of Slayer, showcasing the band's ability to blend genres with precision and intensity.

  Henry also comments that he wanted this track to crank and hit hard, “it's about capturing that raw energy that makes hardcore and thrash so powerful”. “Blood Thirst” will appeal to both hardcore and metal fans alike, especially those with an interest in Earth Crisis, Terror, and Hatebreed.

  Listen to “Blood Thirst” below.​

  “Blood Thirst” is available for pre-save at https://bfan.link/blood-thirst and will be on all digital platforms as of August 23rd, 2024 via Upstate Records.

  More Info: Upstaterecordsny.com/freya | https://linktr.ee/freyaband315

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