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• THE RETICENT Unveils Harrowing New Video “The Bed of Wasps (Those Consumed With Panic)” From Acclaimed Album "Please" Out Now!

  Dec 16, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  The Reticent, the emotionally charged progressive metal project led by Grammy‑nominated music educator and multi‑instrumentalist Chris Hathcock, has released the official video for “The Bed of Wasps (Those Consumed with Panic)”, one of the most visceral and punishing tracks from the band’s latest album, "please," out now on Generation Prog Records.

  “The Bed of Wasps” is the album’s most aggressive and technically demanding moment, a sonic embodiment of panic disorder. Written immediately after Hathcock suffered a real panic attack, the track’s jagged rhythms, dissonant harmonies, and relentless shifts in meter are designed to keep the listener off balance, mirroring the terror and disorientation of the condition itself.
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  Lyrically, the song is constructed from real statements made by panic‑disorder patients, culminating in the desperate refrain “please stop”, a plea familiar to anyone who has lived through such episodes.
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  The video amplifies this intensity, plunging viewers into a claustrophobic, escalating psychological spiral. True to The Reticent’s reputation for emotionally devastating performance art, the visuals aim not merely to depict panic, but to induce its sensation.

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  ​The Reticent’s new album "please" is a concept record chronicling the many battlefields of mental illness, insomnia, concealment, panic, depression, dismissal, and the brink of suicide. Hathcock’s writing is deeply autobiographical, each track drawn from lived experience and crafted to immerse listeners in the emotional reality of these struggles.
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  The album was written in just six months. Drums were recorded in one day, all other instruments in two, but vocals took two weeks, leaving Hathcock with a vocal injury that required six weeks of silence. This is the first Reticent album, almost entirely engineered by Hathcock himself at Silent Muse Studio. Drums were tracked by Jamie King (Between the Buried and Me, The Contortionist) at The Basement Studios, who also mixed and mastered the album. All songs (except “The Bed of Wasps”) were recorded using 6-string guitars, the first time since 2016’s "On The Eve Of A Goodbye."

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  Known for its devastatingly emotional live performances, described by Metal Injection as “one of the most heart‑wrenching performances in ProgPower USA history”, The Reticent blends progressive metal, post‑metal, and cinematic storytelling into something wholly its own. The band is slated to appear at the 2026 editions of ProgPower USA in September and ProgPower Europe in October, marking another major milestone for the band’s growing international presence.

  Formed as an outlet for Chris Hathcock’s most painful experiences, The Reticent has evolved into a critically acclaimed progressive metal project known for its tragic concept albums and emotionally immersive performances. Previous releases such as "On the Eve of a Goodbye" and "The Oubliette" earned widespread praise, with "The Oubliette" named the #1 essential prog metal album of 2020.

  Fans of Opeth, Cynic, The Contortionist, Wilderun, and Devin Townsend will find much to resonate with in "please," released on November 13, 2025, via Generation Prog Records. A follow-up album is already underway, shaped by the profound loss of Chris Hathcock’s father during the creation of "please."

  CD Order:

  North America - https://thereticent.net/please-pre-order​

  EU - http://www.generation-prog.com/shop/​

  Digital Album - https://show.co/MoPdl8W​​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Intake – 1:45
  2. The Concealment (Those Who Don’t Want To Wake) – 6:06
  3. The Night River (Those Who Can’t Rest) – 6:55
  4. Diagnosis 1 – 2:18
  5. The Bed of Wasps (Those Consumed With Panic) – 5:47
  6. The Scorn (Those Who Don’t Understand) – 8:12
  7. Diagnosis 2 – 2:39
  8. The Riptide (Those Without Hope) – 6:09
  9. The Chance (Those Who Let Go) – 6:52
  10. Discharge – 2:56
  Album Length: 49:45

  Band Line Up:​
  Chris Hathcock - Vocals, Guitar
  James Nelson - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
  Paul McBride - Bass, Backing Vocals

  For more info: Thereticent.net | Facebook.com/thereticentmusic | Instagram.com/The.reticent.band​

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• Metal From Reunion Island - LOMOR Unveils Single “Tantine Lo Clou” From New Album "Sabouk Rouge" Out Feb 2026

  Dec 12, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  After the intensity of their latest single “Panzram”, Reunion Island’s thrash metal power trio Lomor return with the official music video for “Tantine Lo Clou”, a new track taken from their upcoming album "Sabouk Rouge", out February 2026 via Rockshots Records.

  Based on a bizarre real-life episode during the band’s French tour in 2023, “Tantine Lo Clou” turns an awkward and hilarious backstage encounter into a wild burst of energy, carried by razor-sharp riffs, frantic rhythms and Lomor’s trademark blend of old-school thrash, punk aggression and Creole attitude. The track showcases the band’s ability to shift seamlessly from dark, violent themes to irreverent storytelling without ever losing momentum.

  Musically, the song embodies the raw, unfiltered nature of Lomor’s sound: fast, abrasive guitar work from Eric Castelnau, the pounding precision of Gurvan Cambrai on drums and the tight, overdriven low end of Mathieu “Micha” Michalina on bass guitar. Lyrically, it stands as one of the most humorous and off-beat moments on "Sabouk Rouge" offering listeners a brief escape before the album dives back into heavier topics such as hatred, madness, slavery and human cruelty.

  Like the rest of the album, “Tantine Lo Clou” was produced by Lomor, recorded and mixed by Sébastien Camhi at Art Music Studio in France and mastered by Kai Stahlenberg at Kohlekeller Studio in Germany. "Sabouk Rouge" marks the band’s most cohesive and dynamic work to date, pushing their Reunion-born thrash identity into new and sharper territories.

  With their authentic old-school spirit, no-click live philosophy and explosive stage presence, Lomor continue to stand out as one of the most unique voices rising from the Indian Ocean’s metal scene.

  DIGITAL - http://lnk.to/E9IymE​

  To celebrate the release, Lomor have unveiled an official music video for “Tantine Lo Clou”, available now on the Rockshots Records YouTube Channel.
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  New album “Sabouk Rouge” out February 6th, 2026.

  PRE ORDER - https://rockshots.eu/SaboukRougeCD​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Sabouk Rouge – 5:13
  2. Tantine Lo Clou – 3:40
  3. Meet Your Meat – 3:16
  4. Sanctuary – 5:17
  5. A Shiny Day For A Vampire – 5:14
  6. La Haine – 5:06
  7. La Pouss’ – 3:07
  8. Panzram – 4:29
  9. The Ugly, The Bad & The Bastard – 3:02
  10. Kit’ Ta Mère – 4:24
  11. Nevroz (feat. S. Camhi) – 2:34
  Album Length: 45:22
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  More info: Rockshots.eu | Instagram.com/lomor.music | Facebook.com/lomormusic​

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• HighWay Announce New Album "Last Call for Rock’N’Roll" Out April 2026; Unveil First Single “Hi-Way” Out Now!

  Dec 12, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

   

  French hard rock powerhouse HighWay is back with a vengeance. After the acoustic detour of The Journey (2022), the band returns louder, bolder, and more electric than ever with their sixth studio album, Last Call for Rock’N’Roll, set for release on April 24th, 2026.

  The first single, “Hi-Way”, is now streaming and immediately sets the tone for what fans can expect: unstoppable riffs, soaring vocals, and the kind of raw energy that has defined HighWay’s sound for over two decades.

  "We realized we’d never written a song called HighWay! All the greats, Motorhead, Iron Maiden, and Black Sabbath, have their eponymous track. So why not us? Musically, it’s a return to the big rock song with a groovy verse, a spooky orchestral bridge, and a riff that fans will love,” explains frontman Ben Chambert.

  The single’s accompanying video introduces HighWay’s new line-up, showcasing the band’s explosive live energy. Joining founding brothers Ben and Romain are bassist Cerise Pouillard (formerly of AC/DC tribute Ladies Ballbreaker) and guitarist Florian Arnaud, whose addition brings twin-guitar firepower and massive backing vocals to the band’s stage sound.

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://kuronekomedia.lnk.to/LCFRnR​

  Produced, mixed and mastered by Brett Caldas-Lima (Ayreon, Devin Townsend, Megadeth), the album features 12 brand-new tracks that blend power, melody, and emotion in a timeless hard rock spirit. From high-octane anthems like “Bang Bang!” and “Go! Go! Go!” to intimate ballads like “Mayday”, the record explores life’s highs and lows with authenticity and passion.

  “Fans will be blown away by this record. After the acoustic break of The Journey (2022), we’re back to pure rock—100% electric, high voltage, but still full of melody, vocals, and surprises. Writing and recording these songs was a passionate process, and with producer Brett Caldas-Lima, we refined every detail. The lyrics are more personal and intimate than ever, reflecting real-life experiences we wanted to share. We feel more mature as songwriters, and we’re proud of this album on every level, songwriting, sound, and production.” – HighWay

  Formed in 1999 after being inspired by AC/DC’s "Live at Donington," HighWay has played over 500 European shows, sharing stages with legends like Michael Schenker Group, Gotthard, Jeff Scott Soto, and Nashville Pussy. With influences ranging from AC/DC and Queen to Aerosmith and Guns N’ Roses, the band has carved out its place in the “new wave of European Classic Hard Rock.”

  Now, with "Last Call for Rock’N’Roll," HighWay is ready to take things to the next level, delivering a massive live sound, unforgettable hooks, and a renewed sense of purpose. Don’t miss the Last Call. HighWay is back and louder than ever.

  Due out on April 24, 2026, "Last Call for Rock’N’Roll" is available for album pre-order at https://highwayshop.sumupstore.com/​

  Track Listing:​
  1. LAST CALL (FOR ROCK N' ROLL) - 5:13
  2. HI-WAY - 4:40
  3. ¡ BANG BANG! - 3:47
  4. NINETIES ACTION MOVIE - 5:16
  5. PEACE OUT - 5:44
  6. MAYDAY - 4:25
  7. GO! GO! GO! - 5:48
  8. LET ME - 4:54
  9. D.K/D.C - 3:16
  10. RAT RACE - 6:00
  11. ACTION - 4:32
  12. (DON’T) LOOK BACK - 5:09
  Album Length: 58:48

  More info: https://linktr.ee/highway_the_band​

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• SILAS FERNANDES Unveils New Videos "Earth Was Boring" and "Escape The Reality Room" from Latest Album "Carbon Purge Acceleration"

  Dec 10, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Photo Credit - Marisa Terra Fernandes

  Acclaimed guitarist, producer, and content creator Silas Fernandes (founder of Electric Eye Audio, producer of guitar pedals and digital tools for metal guitarists and creator of the popular YouTube show Rig on Fire) has released two new videos, "Earth was Boring" and "Escape The Reality Room," from his latest album "Carbon Purge Acceleration," which dropped this past September. Known for his fusion of industrial metal, shred guitar, and progressive influences, Fernandes continues to push boundaries with instrumental music that blends aggression, melody, and thought-provoking themes.

  
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  Formed out of Fernandes’ departure from a cover band with Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) in the 1980s, his solo career has been defined by innovation and independence. Inspired by legends like Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Tony McAlpine, Fernandes has carved out a unique sound described in five words: industrial, shred, instrumental, melodic, metal.

  His latest videos reflect Fernandes’ vision of instrumental music as more than just a technical display. "Earth was Boring" is a heavy, aggressive track that fuses modern metal with metalcore elements, climaxing in a melodic shred solo. The video for that track features robotic vocal samples sourced from the Killer Instinct character Fulgor, reversed to create a distinct tone. The video for "Escape The Reality Room" alternates between thrashy modern riffs and calm, melodic passages reminiscent of Joe Satriani, offering listeners a dynamic journey through sound and imagery.

  “I hope fans take the titles of each song seriously. Each track was written based on visuals and contemporary matters,” says Fernandes.
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  Fernandes’ new six-track album "Carbon Purge Acceleration" unfolds as a sonic journey that shifts fluidly from aggressive intensity to ethereal soundscapes. He describes the work as “a true creative cauldron,” blending fusion, modern progressive metal, and nostalgic eighties influences without being confined to genre labels. The album’s artwork reinforces its thematic depth, portraying a divine digital entity revered by worshippers blind to its destructive force, an allegory for the entanglement of technology and chaos in contemporary life. Each track contributes to this layered narrative, "John Hughes Didn’t Direct My Life" channels a nostalgic, 80s-inspired shred; "Flight of the Navigator", surges forward with fast-paced prog metal, fusion harmonies, and daring time signatures; "Heavy Droids" explores the complexity of 7/4 prog metal, weaving in melodic, slow-tempo passages; and "The Death of Synthetic Curation" closes with a haunting solo guitar piece, drenched in ambient effects that linger like echoes of dissolution. Together, these compositions form a bold, genre-defying statement that is both visceral and thought-provoking.

  Recommended for fans of Steve Vai, Fear Factory, Meshuggah, Devin Townsend, and Periphery, "Carbon Purge Acceleration" (released Sept 21st, 2025) is available at the following links:

  All Digital Platforms - https://silasfernandes.hearnow.com/​

  Online Store - CD / Merch - https://www.silascf.com.br/en/services-5​

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

  Track Listing:​
  1. Earth Was Boring - 4:21
  2. Escape the Reality Room - 3:47
  3. Heavy Droids - 4:09
  4. Flight Of The Navigator - 3:39
  5. John Hughes Didn't Direct My Life - 5:19
  6. The Death of Synthetic Curation - 5:05
  Album Length: 26:20

  For more info: Silascf.com.br | Facebook.com/silas.fernandes.165 | Instagram.com/silasfernandesguitar​

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• THUNDEROR "Pump Up The Volume" w/ First Single Off New Album "Bleed For It" Out March 2026 + Canadian Tour w/ Burning Witches + EU Tour w/ Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.)

  Dec 9, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian heavy metal force Thunderor, fronted by JJ Tartaglia (vocals, drums, Skull Fist) and Jonny Nesta (guitar, ex-Skull Fist), alongside Brycen Gunn on bass, are igniting excitement with their high-octane new single “Pump Up The Volume.” The track offers the first glimpse of their forthcoming sophomore album, "Bleed For It," slated for release at the end of March 2026. With their trademark fusion of Arena Rock Opera Heavy Metal, Thunderor deliver soaring vocals, massive choruses, and uplifting energy designed to inspire fans to live boldly and chase their dreams.

  The single also doubles as the opening number from Thunderor The Musical, the band’s ambitious rock opera, which premiered at the Toronto Fringe Festival 2025. Featuring a cameo from Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow in the promotional clip, the track sets the tone for an album that promises both fun and depth.
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  ​“This one is a lot of fun. Turn up the music, pump up your life, Pump Up The Volume! It’s also the opening number for the Musical, and it sets the mood nicely. Although the rest of the album ventures to many different places. Special thanks to Olivia Chow and the City of Toronto for her cameo in the promo clip, super cool.” – JJ Tartaglia.

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/4FzxOaCZO4Vk9o7bnFntHK​

  Following their acclaimed debut, Thunderor’s second album "Bleed For It" showcases significant growth in both songwriting and performance. The band highlights improved vocals and more expansive anthem-driven choruses, delivering a soundtrack that balances raw heavy metal energy with theatrical flair. The upcoming album is a concept record, serving as the official soundtrack to Thunderor The Musical. Fans can expect a journey through uplifting themes of love, struggle, and perseverance, all wrapped in the band’s trademark high-energy sound.
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  Drawing inspiration from legends like Meat Loaf, Van Halen, Bruce Springsteen, The Darkness, H.E.A.T., Night Flight Orchestra, and their own roots in Skull Fist, Thunderor’s sound is a modern twist on classic heavy and hair metal.
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  Due out on March 27, 2026, the "Bleed For It" Vinyl Bundle Pre-Order is available at https://thunderor.bigcartel.com/product/bleed-for-it-lp-limited-bundle-pre-order

  In additional news, Thunderor will be hitting the road in 2026, supporting Burning Witches on their first Canadian Tour in April, followed by a Scandinavian Tour supporting Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.) in May (dates listed below).

  Canada Tour 2026 with Burning Witches
  ​April 20 - Piranha Bar - Montreal, QC
  April 21 - La Source De La Martiniere - Quebec City, QC
  April 22 - The Brass Monkey - 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 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: Boonsdalerecords.com/thunderor | Facebook.com/ThunderorOfficial | Instagram.com/thunderor_official 

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