News

• 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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• MASSIVE SCAR ERA Collaborates w/ ENTHEOS' Chaney Crabb To Give A Voice To Recent Egyptian History w/ Single “School Girls”; New EP “Assyad” Out Oct 2024

  Aug 23, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  ft. guest musicians Simon McKay (The Agonist), Frédérick Filiatrault (Unexpect, Vvon Dogma I), Salem Atallah, Muhammed Abouzeid, Chaney Crabb (Entheos)

  L-R - Cherine Amr | Chaney Crabb

  Massive Scar Era, the visionary Egyptian/Canadian metal project led by Cherine Amr, is thrilled to announce the release of their new single “School Girls | بنات المدرسة”. This track, featuring the dynamic vocals of Chaney Crabb from Entheos, is the lead single from their upcoming EP, “Assyad”, set to drop in October 2024. With “School Girls”, Massive Scar Era breaks genre boundaries again, blending progressive rock, post-grunge, Egyptian music, and metal into a captivating sound that resonates deeply with fans worldwide. Amr comments on the unique track:

  “‘School Girls’ represents a dialogue between the Mu’allima (teacher) spirit, brought to life by Chaney’s voice, and the outside world. The chorus is adapted from the traditional Zar song “Banat el Madrassa," reflecting a significant era in Egyptian society and feminism. It highlights the pursuit of higher education by middle and upper-class women in the 1950s, symbolizing their aspirations and empowerment. The Mu’allima serves as both a guide within the female Zar realm and a social archetype.”

  Amr, the creative force behind Massive Scar Era, has dedicated years to studying Egyptian Zār traditions, weaving this deep cultural understanding into her music. Zār is a cult of possession in which ritual incorporates music and dance. Zar aims to establish a state of reconciliation between the individuals and the possessing spirits (Asyad) that inhabit their bodies and are believed to be the cause of illness.

  For this EP, Amr received invaluable support from the community and cultural consultant, Dr. Kawkab Tawfik, who introduced her to Zar Abou El-Gheit, led by the master Zar musician, Muhammed AbouZeid. Muhammed invited Amr to attend one of their ceremonies held for a patient at his home in the village of Abou El-Gheit, a couple of hours outside Cairo, Egypt. They formed an immediate connection there, and Muhammed was instrumental in deepening Amr's understanding of Zar songs.

  Amr later invited Muhammed and his bandmate Salem to Montreal, where we engaged in daily songwriting workshops. Joining them were metal musicians Simon Mckay (the drummer of The Agonist) and Frédérick Filiatrault (bassist of Vvon Dogma I, Unexpect) for a month-long residency. Amr worked closely with Simon, recording the Zar songs played by Muhammed and Salem on a DR-70 Tascam. Amr would then take these recordings home to develop the songs further, sometimes sending Simon rough versions with unquantized drumlines or even without any drumlines. Simon would then rewrite the drumlines and occasionally assist with the guitar arrangements. The next day, they would reunite in the studio to share and refine their ideas. This process, which they repeated five days a week, was truly collaborative.

  As Massive Scar Era continues to evolve, the release of the single “School Girls” marks a new chapter in the band’s journey, offering fans a glimpse into the rich, progressive musical experience that awaits in “Assyad”, which will be a concept record that blends Egyptian Zār songs with prog rock and metal.

  "I believe this EP will be a journey that and I think it will resonate with those who appreciate concept albums and are drawn to non-mainstream metal music. In the world of Zar, what you are curious about also becomes curious about you. Each song on this EP is inspired by a specific Zar spirit, and I’m eager to see how each listener connects with the EP, as I’m sure everyone will be drawn to different songs in their own unique way." adds Amr.

  This single “School Girls” is a testament to Amr's commitment to exploring and honoring these traditions while pushing the boundaries of modern metal music along with it being a bold statement, blending traditional Zār songs and rhythms with the raw power of metal into a unique and distinctive sound.

  Recommended for fans of Merfolk, Nawather, and Zaeer, listen to “School Girls” ft. Chaney Crabb (Entheos) at the following links:

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/4716lSP

  ​

  Due on October 25th, 2024, "Assyad" is available for pre-order at https://massivescarera.bandcamp.com/​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Muluk al-Ardiyya | The Kings of the Earth - 4:54
  2. Abdel Salam Lasmar - 3:17
  3. Genie, Lambo - 3:17
  4. Inner Dialogue - 3:33
  5. El-Leil | The Night - 4:24
  6. Pretend - 3:43
  7. School Girls ft. Chaney Crabb (Entheos) - 3:26
  EP Length: 26:38

  More info: Facebook.com/massivescarera | Instagram.com/massivescarera

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• Canada's PRISONER Get Back To Their Heavy Rock Roots In New EP “House Of Cards” And Video “Skies are Blackened”

  Aug 21, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Prisoner is a high-energy Canadian rock band bringing you hard-hitting riffs and unmistakably tight grooves. They have their new EP “House Of Cards” out now, complemented with a video for their first single “Skies are Blackened”. The EP is a conglomeration of music with multiple elements from varying sub-genres. It bridges the gap between emotion and life experience to truly connect music to the individual. The band comments further:

  “We think the EP will be received quite well from music fans. There is something for everyone in regard to genre and song range. We have songs that we believe did not fit in an LP structure but were all great together in their own way, Thus the House of Cards EP. With anthemic themes, fast riffs, and glassy acoustic guitar, each song offers something different for your casual rock fan to die-hard thrash headbanger.”

  The band's journey began in 2016 under the name "Bad Omen," evolving into "Prisoner" with the release of the song "Prisoner of Time." The name reflects the universal experience of being constrained by various aspects of life. Frontman Murray Emery, who started the band, formed the original lineup in London, Ontario, after attending OIART for audio engineering. Following several lineup changes and a move to Los Angeles, Emery returned to Calgary and solidified the current lineup with guitarist Jeremy Hartmann, bassist Trevor Macdonald, and drummer Karl Pflug.

  Prisoner's dedication to their craft is evident in their unparalleled stage presence and their commitment to engaging with their audience. The band thrives on crowd interaction and creating an electric atmosphere at their shows. Off stage, they value connecting with fans and being part of the rock community. They are recommended for fans of AC/DC, Judas Priest, and Metallica.

  Watch and listen to the music video for “Skies are Blackened” below.

  ​

  “House Of Cards” is now available as of August 21, 2024, on all digital platforms at the following links:

  [embed]https://open.spotify.com/album/7aH1GTnydeVOBPLcRfjW55?si=rZnNGY19QROfSvj14hO3IA[/embed]

  ​Spotify​

  Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/prisoner/1617269145​

  Youtube: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCma5RX_ENik_slc_nw5HP8A​

  Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B0019BL0QC/prisoner​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Skies are Blackened (2:42)
  2. On a Sunday (4:26)
  3. House of Cards (The Game Pt.2) (3:38)
  EP Length: 10:46

  EP Band Lineup:
  Murray Emery (Vocals/Guitar)
  Jeremy Hartmann (Guitar)
  Trevor MacDonald(Bass)
  Wes Bartram (Drums)
  Karl Pflug (Drums)

  More info: https://prisonerband.ca

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• STRIKER Unveils Music Video "Live To Fight Another Day" + Shredding North America Tour w/ Seven Kingdoms, Lutharo, Osyron

  Aug 20, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Every day is a new day! And STRIKER has a new music video "Live To Fight Another Day" to announce their upcoming USA and Canada tour dates with Floridian power metallers SEVEN KINGDOMS, Hamilton, ON's melodic metallers LUTHARO and Calgary, AB's thunderous progressive symphonic metallers OSYRON whom will support select dates.

  Striker will kick off preliminary dates with a performance at ProgPower USA in Atlanta, GA on September 4th followed by Canadian shows with Lutharo in September, and then push things into full gear in November to start the "Shredding North America Tour" in Corpus Christi, TX on November 9th and wrap up the month-long tour in Orlando, FL on December 8th (dates listed below).

  "Live To Fight Another Day" is off the shred master's new album "ULTRAPOWER" produced with Josh Schroeder (Lorna Shore, Tallah, King 810) released this past February. The band explains the track:

  "Originally this was just a regular Striker song. Tim had the idea that we should just try turning it into a synth-wave track. It fits like a glove. We’ve always been into Synthwave but never had the guts to do it ourselves. Until now! This is our first attempt at it and we are stoked about how it turned out. This one is another track about keeping it together and taking on life one day at a time."

  Watch the video for "Live To Fight Another Day" below.

  ​

  "ULTRAPOWER" is the seventh full-length from Striker and follows their Juno Award-winning self-released record "Play to Win" (2018) unleashed on their label Record Breaking Records.

  With the band writing material since 2018, "ULTRAPOWER" is a collection of Striker tinkering and exploring new avenues. From the album's opening track "Circle of Evil", a Malmsteen-esque metal banger about secret societies and the evil dealings behind closed doors to their previously released single "BEST of the BEST of the BEST" serving up some big riffs and hockey arena vocals to "Blood Magic", which might be one of Striker's most progressive songs, taking cues from bands like King Diamond, with its unconventional structure and punctuated guitar solos. From the band delving into their obsession for late 80s AOR and pop rock with "City Calling", an ode to 1987, and bands like Toto and Kenny Loggins with their hook-powered albums. To fans experiencing the band's first attempt at a synth-wave track with "Live To Fight Another Day", this new offering sees Striker making a shredding love letter to the hard-rocking era of guilty pleasures.

  The band comments on the album:

  "Starting with the album cover, we wanted the artwork to represent how we feel as a band right now. We are an engine that is fired up and ready to roll. We’re made of metal and our circuits gleam! The album itself is an amalgamation of 5 years of writing and exploring music. With influences from AOR to Speed Metal, Hardcore to Hair Metal, Steely Dan to Deathcore, you name it, it made its way into the album. In the end with the help of Josh Schroeder’s guiding hand, we melted it all together to present something uniquely Striker. Lyrically we’ve stuck to the Striker tradition of writing montage songs for movies that don’t exist, songs about our spiraling serfdom, and lyrics about the evils that lurk in the shadows."

  "ULTRAPOWER" is available at https://www.striker-metal.com/shop/ (CD, Vinyl, Digital)

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3SnIshu​

  

  Tour Dates:​
  Sept 4 - Center Stage - ProgPower USA - Atlanta, GA
  ​
  ​Striker, Lutharo​
  Sept 11 - La Source de la Martinière - Quebec City, QC
  Sept 12 - Piranha Bar - Montreal, QC
  Sept 13 - Overflow Brewing Company - Ottawa, ON
  Sept 14 - Lee's Palace - Toronto, ON
  ​
  ​Shredding North America - Seven Kingdoms, Striker, Lutharo, Osyron ​
  # = w/ Osyron
  Nov 9 – Boozers Rock Bar – Corpus Christi, TX
  Nov 10 – Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX
  Nov 11 – Haltom Theater – Haltom, TX
  Nov 12 – 89th Street – Oklahoma City, OK
  Nov 13 – Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM
  Nov 14 – Vultures – Colorado Springs, CO
  Nov 16 – Last Exit Live – Mesa, AZ
  Nov 17 – Sinwave – Las Vegas, NV
  Nov 18 – Brick by Brick – San Diego, CA
  Nov 19 – Knucklehead – Los Angeles, CA
  Nov 20 – DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA
  Nov 21 – Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR
  Nov 22 – El Corazon – Seattle, WA
  Nov 24 – Jackknife – Kelowna, BC
  Nov 25 – Dicken’s – Calgary, AB #
  Nov 26 – The Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB #
  Nov 27 – The Black Cat – Saskatoon, SK #
  Nov 28 – Sidestage – Winnipeg, MB #
  Nov 29 – TBA – St. Paul, MN
  Nov 30 – Reggie’s – Chicago, IL
  Dec 1 – Sanctuary – Detroit, MI
  Dec 3 – Meadows – Brooklyn, NY
  Dec 4 – Metro – Baltimore, MD
  Dec 5 – Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC
  Dec 6 – The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
  Dec 7 – The Orpheum – Tampa, FL
  Dec 8 – Conduit – Orlando, FL

  More info: Striker-metal.com

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