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• AFTER INFINITY Shares New Single “King With No Crown” ft. Guest Vocals Paolo Ribaldini (Delain, Leverage, Seraphiel)

  Apr 21, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Finnish melodic metal act After Infinity return with "Beyond Eternity", a sophomore release that consolidates and expands the project’s identity with a sharper focus on compositional depth, vocal diversity, and emotional range. Conceived and led by guitarist and songwriter Zsolt Szilagyi, the album builds on the foundation of the band’s 2024 debut, pushing further into progressive structures while retaining a strong melodic core.

  The album campaign kicks off with “King With No Crown”, featuring Paolo Ribaldini on vocals and accompanied by an official lyric video. Built on heavy guitar work and dramatic orchestrations, the track channels themes of rebellion against illegitimate power. Alongside it, the band will also unveil “Hands of Time” as a standalone single, featuring Aitor Arrastia (Metal De Facto) on vocals - a 12-minute progressive composition that represents the most ambitious and conceptually expansive piece of the entire record.

  Rather than relying on a fixed vocalist, "Beyond Eternity" embraces a rotating cast of performers, transforming each track into a distinct narrative space. The album features six different guest singers, each contributing a specific tonal identity while remaining anchored to a cohesive sonic framework defined by layered orchestrations, dynamic guitar work, and carefully structured arrangements.

  Musically, the record operates at the intersection of power metal, heavy metal, and progressive metal, balancing immediacy and complexity. High-impact compositions driven by tight riffing and symphonic textures coexist with more restrained moments, including piano-led passages and atmospheric interludes. This contrast is structural: each track is designed to fulfill a precise role within the album’s flow, avoiding redundancy and reinforcing a continuous sense of variation.

  Lyrically, "Beyond Eternity" explores a wide emotional spectrum, moving between anger, resistance, introspection, and hope. While “King With No Crown” embodies collective uprising, other tracks shift toward personal reflection and existential questioning. The closing “Hands of Time” expands this vision into a philosophical exploration of time, the origins of the universe, and the meaning of existence itself, reinforcing the album’s progressive dimension.

  From a production standpoint, the album maintains a consistent sonic identity while allowing individual performances to retain their character. Produced by Zsolt Szilagyi, the record features mixing handled primarily by Benjamin Connelly with mastering by Jasse Kesti, ensuring clarity across its dense arrangements and multi-layered instrumentation.

  The collaborative dimension is central to the project’s evolution. Alongside Szilagyi, the album features orchestrations by Gideon Ricardo and bass performances by Ville Koskinen, while an extensive list of guest vocalists - including Paolo Ribaldini, Mika Tauriainen, Sara Strömmer, and Aitor Arrastia - reinforces the album’s multi-faceted identity without compromising its coherence.

  Following a well-received debut praised for its songwriting and musicianship, After Infinity refine their approach with "Beyond Eternity", delivering a record that prioritizes compositional intent, variation, and emotional impact over formula. The result is a work that moves fluidly between melodic accessibility and progressive ambition, positioning the band within the contemporary European metal landscape with a clearly defined artistic direction.

  Listen: https://lnk.to/LktetC​

  ​

  "Beyond Eternity" will be released this Fall 2026 via Rockshots Records.

  For fans of: Sonata Arctica, Symphony X, Helloween

  After Infinity Line-up:

  Zsolt Szilagyi: Guitars, Synths, Drum Programming, Backing Vocals
  ​Gideon Ricardo: Orchestrations, Synths
  ​Ville Koskinen: Bass

  Guest Vocalists:

  • Paolo Ribaldini (Delain, Leverage, Seraphiel)
  • Aitor Arrastia (Metal de Facto)
  • Nitte Valo (Dreamtale, ex-Battle Beast)
  • Mika Tauriainen (Entwine, Shamrain)
  • Sara Strömmer (Shereign, ex-Fear of Domination)
  • Leonard F. Guillan (ex-King Company)

  More info: https://www.rockshots.eu | https://www.instagram.com/afterinfinityofficial | https://www.facebook.com/afterinfinityofficial

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• HELLOWEEN at Palladium Times Square 04/17/26

  Apr 21, 2026 ArmyOfOneTV 0 Comments

  Four decades in, and still pushing louder, sharper, and heavier than ever.
  All photos by Rodrigo Fredes( @phototerco).
  
  HELLOWEEN at Palladium Times Square 04/17/26

   

  Helloween hit North America with a show that blends history and firepower; iconic tracks, fresh material from Giants & Monsters, and moments that remind you exactly why they shaped an entire genre. Precision, power, and the kind of energy only time can refine.
  
  

  From sold-out arenas in Europe to stages across the U.S. and Canada, the Pumpkinheads prove why they’ve remained untouchable in melodic speed metal.

   

  With Beast in Black setting the tone, the night builds into a full-scale celebration of melodic speed metal at its highest level. No nostalgia act; this is a band still operating at full capacity.

  
  A tour that doesn’t just look back; it reinforces the legacy in real time.

   

  This is what 40 years sounds like.

  
  
  
  
  

  

   

  

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• VANDERLUST's New Sci-Fi Metal Opera "The Human Farm" + Video “Viral Escape”

  Apr 17, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Following the release of their new concept album "The Human Farm", Italian metal band Vanderlust presents the official music video for “Viral Escape”, one of the record’s most intense and representative tracks.

  Built on high-speed momentum and sharp, dynamic arrangements, “Viral Escape” captures a crucial turning point within the album’s narrative. As the rebellion against the Coelacanth spreads across multiple planets, the track mirrors the urgency and scale of a coordinated uprising, where communication becomes the catalyst for collective action. The escape plan, encoded under the name “The Cave”, propagates across worlds, transforming isolated resistance into a unified movement toward freedom.

  Musically, the track stands as one of the album’s most powerful statements, blending the band’s melodic metal foundation with intricate structures, progressive nuances, and a strong sense of forward drive. It is a defining example of Vanderlust’s evolving identity: energetic yet controlled, refined yet aggressive, always serving the narrative arc of the concept.

  Taken from "The Human Farm", a sci-fi concept album exploring the tension between protection and freedom, “Viral Escape” highlights the band’s ability to merge storytelling and composition into a cohesive listening experience. The album unfolds as a continuous journey, where each track contributes to a broader narrative shaped by philosophical questions and dystopian scenarios.

  With the release of the official music video, Vanderlust offers listeners a deeper insight into the storyline behind the track, emphasizing the thematic core of the album while reinforcing the connection between music and narrative.

  ​

  "The Human Farm" is out now as of April 17, 2026, via Rockshots Records.

  CD - https://rockshots.eu/products/vanderlust-the-human-farm​

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/1egDAUCkQQNRBm8kh0rx8D​

  Track Listing:
  ​1. Humanity 2.0 - The Human Farm
  2. Golden Shackles
  3. The Turning Point
  4. Connection Failed
  5. Viral Escape
  6. … Find Them!
  7. Battlefield
  8. From The Cave - Fuga
  9. Drive
  10. Reborn … Again
  11. Humanity 3.0: The New Canaan
  ​
  ​Line-up:​
  Ricca "ZP" Morello: Vocals
  Francesco "Franz" Romeggini: Guitars, Backing Vocals
  David Cantina: Bass
  Giacomo Mezzetti: Drums, Backing Vocals

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

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

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• Out Now! LA Symphonic Metal ANTHEA's New Album "Beyond The Dawn" + Video “Wanderer's Quell”

  Apr 17, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Los Angeles symphonic metal act Anthea celebrates the release of their highly anticipated third studio album “Beyond The Dawn” via Rockshots Records with the unveiling of the lyric video for “Wanderer’s Quell”, one of the record’s most intense and emotionally charged tracks.

  Positioned as the eighth track on the album, “Wanderer’s Quell” represents a darker and more aggressive facet of Anthea’s evolving sound, introducing more extreme-leaning dynamics and heightened rhythmic intensity while preserving the band’s trademark orchestral depth and layered songwriting. The track stands out for its dynamic structure, combining rapid-fire riffing, intricate melodic interplay and a striking contrast between clean vocal passages and powerful, harsh vocals, reinforcing the song’s emotional weight and narrative drive.

  Lyrically, “Wanderer’s Quell” explores themes of liberation, self-reconstruction and emotional resilience. The song captures the moment of breaking free from toxic bonds and confronting personal truths, ultimately leading to renewal and inner strength. As the band explains, the track embodies “that moment when you finally break free from something that’s been holding you down… escaping, healing, and moving forward”.

  The release of the lyric video coincides with the full unveiling of “Beyond The Dawn”, a record that marks a significant step forward in Anthea’s artistic trajectory. Expanding on the foundations of their previous works, the album delivers a broad and cohesive listening experience, shifting between high-energy compositions, heavier passages, melodic highlights and atmospheric arrangements, all tied together by a strong sense of flow and identity.

  Entirely produced, mixed, and mastered by Diego Valadez at DreamVale Studios, the album showcases a refined and confident approach to songwriting and production, with enhanced attention to dynamics, orchestration, and vocal layering. The introduction of “The Sirens” further enriches the sonic palette, adding depth and texture to the band’s already distinctive sound.

  With “Wanderer’s Quell”, Anthea delivers one of the most compelling moments of “Beyond The Dawn”, highlighting their ability to balance intensity and melody while reinforcing the thematic core of the album: growth, transformation and the relentless pursuit of a new beginning.

  For fans of: Dynazty, Kamelot, Powerwolf.

  ​

  “Beyond The Dawn” is out now via Rockshots Records on CD / VINYL / DIGITAL

  "Beyond The Dawn": https://rockshots.eu/products/anthea-beyond-the-dawn​

  Add your tour Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/4NggqAJBzEmINZNPKPcDCN

  ​​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Beyond The Dawn – 4:13
  2. Phantom in the Masquerade – 3:32
  3. The Lost Soul – 3:44
  4. Awakening (Song for Spring) – 4:16
  5. Bygone Age (Chicxulub) – 4:03
  6. From Shadows to Light – 4:40
  7. Crystal Moon – 4:11
  8. Wanderer’s Quell – 3:53
  9. Whispers of the Heart – 4:46
  10. Duality of Gaia – 4:12
  11. Burnin’ in the Third Degree (Tahnee Caine and Tryanglz cover) – 3:38
  Album Length: 45:08
  ​
  ​Anthea Line-Up:​
  Diego Valadez: Lead Vocals, Keyboards
  Juan Pina: Rhythm Guitars, Harsh Vocals
  Marcos Mejia: Lead Guitars
  Gabby Hawk: Bass
  Peter Vasquez: Drums
  ​
  The Sirens (Backing Vocals)
  Mel Del Real: Backing Vocals
  Astrid Anaya: Backing Vocals

  More info:​
  ​https://rockshots.eu​
  ​https://www.facebook.com/antheametal​
  ​https://www.instagram.com/antheametal

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• Get Ready To "Bleed For It" w/ THUNDEROR's New Rock‑Opera Album! + Canada Tour w/ BURNING WITCHES

  Apr 17, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian heavy metal force THUNDEROR proudly announces the release of their highly anticipated sophomore album, "Bleed For It," available now on April 17, 2026, through Boonsdale Records. The album marks a major creative leap for the band, expanding their signature blend of heavy metal, hair metal, and rock‑opera theatrics into a full‑scale concept experience.
  ​
  Formed in 2020 by multi‑JUNO‑nominated musicians JJ Tartaglia and Jonny Nesta (both known for their work in Skull Fist), THUNDEROR quickly rose to prominence with their debut "Fire It Up" (2022), which hit #1 on Earshot’s National Loud Chart. Extensive touring across Europe, Canada, Mexico, and South America followed, with the band sharing stages with Airbourne, U.D.O., Enforcer, Night Demon, and more.

  
  ​
  The release of "Bleed For It" arrives during a busy year for THUNDEROR. The band will be hitting the road this April for an Eastern Canadian tour supporting Switzerland's Burning Witches (Napalm Records). They were also scheduled for a European tour with Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.), which was unfortunately cancelled recently due to Holmes’ health issues, but the band notes that more EU dates will be announced when possible.

  Canada Tour 2026 with Burning Witches​
  ​April 20 - Piranha Bar - Montreal, QC
  April 21 - La Source De La Martiniere - Quebec City, QC
  April 22 - Rainbow Bistro - Ottawa, ON
  April 23 - The Garrison - Toronto, ON
  ​
  ​"Bleed For It" serves as the official soundtrack to "Thunderor The Musical," which first premiered at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2025. The album tells a sweeping story set in an alternate 1992, where adventure, danger, and romance collide.

  
  ​
  The narrative follows Bowen, a washed‑up musician and biker who takes one last shot at glory, joined by his best friends Kenzie and Sheenah, and a local friar. Their journey pits them against a rival biker leader and thrusts them into a whirlwind of love triangles, rebellion, and self‑discovery.
  ​
  ​“I hope this album inspires listeners to follow their dreams. Let it be the soundtrack to your unbridled life adventures,” says drummer, vocalist, and primary songwriter JJ Tartaglia.

  Musically, "Bleed For It" dives deeper into Thunderor’s arena rock‑opera heavy metal identity, anthemic, melodic, emotional, and built for big stages.

  “The vocals have improved drastically, and the songwriting has matured. There’s more emotion in the music, and the choruses are bigger than ever,” says Tartaglia.

  That energy fuels a narrative‑driven tracklist that mirrors the spirit of "Thunderor The Musical," from the adrenaline‑charged opener “Pump Up The Volume” and the anthemic title track, to the road‑trip camaraderie of “Take Me To The Show” and the wrestling‑inspired punch of “Get ’Em Counted.” The album shifts into heartfelt territory with “Cape Breton Home,” erupts into revolution on “Streets Of Fire,” and leans into romance on the heavier “One Chance.” The cinematic “DreamQuest” sets the stage for the finale, “In The Fire O’ The Heat,” a powerful closer about heartbreak, betrayal, resilience, and hope.

  The release of "Bleed For It" also follows a wave of momentum for the band. Their 2024 single “Get ’Em Counted” surpassed 230K YouTube views, and the debut of Thunderor The Musical in 2025 introduced fans to a new theatrical dimension of the band’s identity.
  ​​
  “Many of these songs began with vocal melodies. I handled the melodies, arrangements, and drums, while Jonny Nesta wrote the guitar parts. It’s a true collaboration, but the story and emotion drive everything,” adds Tartaglia.
  ​
  With influences ranging from Meat Loaf, Van Halen, Night Flight Orchestra, Skull Fist, Ghost, and The Darkness, Thunderor’s sound is a modern revival of the arena‑rock spirit, uplifting, dramatic, and built for escape.

  Now available as of April 17th, 2026, from Boonsdale Records, "Bleed For It" is available at the following links:

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

  Vinyl - CAN/ Worldwide - https://boonsdale.bigcartel.com/​

  Europe - LP/CD - https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/​​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Pump Up The Volume (3:42)
  2. Bleed For It (4:06)
  3. Take Me To The Show (4:09)
  4. Get ‘Em Counted (3:19)
  5. Cape Breton Home (3:33)
  6. Streets Of Fire (4:16)
  7. One Chance (3:40)
  8. DreamQuest (1:29)
  9. In The Fire O’ The Heat (4:19)
  Total: 33:11

  Album and Live Band Line Up:​
  JJ Tartaglia – Vocals, Drums, Keys
  Jonny Nesta – Guitar
  Brycen Gunn – Bass

  For more info:

  ​https://boonsdalerecords.com/thunderor/​

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

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

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