Latest Articles

• ENSIFERUM at Irving Plaza 11/25/25

  Nov 28, 2025 ArmyOfOneTV 0 Comments

   

  

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• BLIND GUARDIAN at Irving Plaza 11/25/25

  Nov 27, 2025 ArmyOfOneTV 0 Comments

   

  

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• AITTALA Unveils Second EP of 2025 "Ill-Gotten Gains" + Welcome New Bassist Dane Taylor

  Nov 21, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Metal visionaries AITTALA (pronounced EYE-tah-la) are returning with their second EP of 2025 via Exitus Stratagem Records, "Ill-Gotten Gains," along with introducing their newest member, bassist Dane Taylor, marking a bold new chapter in the band’s evolution.

  True to their reputation for defying genre boundaries, AITTALA weave together threads of traditional heavy metal, doom, groove, and progressive elements to create a cohesive yet unpredictable sonic journey. Lyrically, "Ill-Gotten Gains" explores the darker corners of human ambition, chaos created for personal gain, the inevitable consequences, and the fragile hope of redemption.

  The EP opens with “Isolation,” a doomy, heavy piece that confronts the fallout of past decisions, setting a dark and reflective tone. The title track, “Ill-Gotten Gains,” follows with a riff-driven intensity that shifts into a crushing interlude, lyrically exploring the exploitation of chaos for personal benefit. “Blacklisted” brings groove and sludge to the forefront, exposing manipulators and serving as a counterpoint to the themes of the earlier songs. The mood softens with “Ever After,” a modern metal ballad that wrestles with internal conflict and the elusive promise of redemption. Closing the EP, “Ashes” channels classic heavy metal energy, telling the story of someone in over their head, dragging others down in their descent.
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  The EP’s artwork resurrects AITTALA’s infamous mascot Frank, a cartoon pig head in a pentagram, first conceived in 2014 for the album "Effigy". This updated interpretation of Frank embodies the record’s central theme: the shady figure who thrives in chaos, ready to deliver “ill-gotten gains” for the right price. It’s a fitting visual for a release steeped in stories of exploitation, downfall, and the elusive search for redemption.
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  With the addition of bassist Dane Taylor, AITTALA’s lineup now features founding member Eric Aittala (guitars/vocals) and drummer Gary “Zeus” Smith (THE FIFTH, ex-MR BLACKWELL). Taylor’s arrival injects fresh energy into the band’s dynamic, reinforcing their commitment to pushing boundaries while staying true to their unique sound.

  Formed in 1991 in the Netherlands, AITTALA quickly became a fixture of the Dutch metal scene, sharing stages with The Gathering and Sadist before disbanding in 1993. Resurrected in 2008, the band has since released six full-length albums and multiple EPs, each showcasing growth while retaining their distinctive voice. With "Ill-Gotten Gains," AITTALA continues their journey of evolution, proving once again that their sound is impossible to confine to a single genre.

  EP pre-save (out Nov 21) via Exitus Stratagem Records - https://hypeddit.com/aittala/illgottengains​​

  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

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

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• IN VIRTUE Unveils Music Video “Karma Loop” ft. Charlotte Wessels (ex-Delain) For Release of New Album "Age of Legends" ft. Guests Dave Davidson of Revocation, Chaney Crabb of Entheos, Charlotte Wessels)

  Nov 21, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Rising Los Angeles progressive power metal band In Virtue has unveiled their brand-new music video for “Karma Loop”, the latest single from their highly anticipated album "Age of Legends," out now as of November 21st. The video marks a powerful introduction to the record’s sweeping concept and emotional depth, while showcasing the band’s unique sound that blends heavy riffs, melodic hooks, and cinematic textures.

  The new single “Karma Loop” was the final track written for the album and quickly became a favorite. Featuring guest vocals from Charlotte Wessels (ex-Delain), the song is a dialogue between Sisyphus and a guiding figure known as The Catalyst. Together, they explore the idea that punishment is often self-inflicted and that redemption begins with self-worth. Built around a guitar lick Trey originally wrote for a demo years ago, the track evolved through collaboration with former drummer Mazen Ayoub, guitarist Rami Khalaf, and keyboardist Alex Nasla, resulting in one of the album’s most dynamic and emotionally resonant pieces.
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  The lyrics even weave in cultural references from the Kingston Trio’s “M.T.A.” to Hunter S. Thompson’s famous line, “Buy the ticket, take the ride”, adding layers of meaning to the song’s exploration of cycles, consequences, and liberation.

  ​Digital Single - https://www.submithub.com/link/karma-loop

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  "Age of Legends" is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a fully realized concept album that tells the story of a flawed protagonist inspired by the myth of Sisyphus. Through themes of guilt, redemption, and self-forgiveness, the album mirrors frontman Trey’s own journey of catharsis and transformation.

  “This is a day 10+ years in the making, the album that almost wasn’t. Born from pure force of will against all odds, it’s a testament to rebirth and an iron vision. What you’ll hear is a direct feed from my soul,” Trey explains.

  
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  Musically, the album balances heavy, groove-driven foundations with orchestration and synths that elevate the songs without overshadowing them. Vocals range from soaring cleans to guttural growls, while guitar and keyboard solos punctuate the narrative without overstaying their welcome. It’s a record designed to be experienced in full, an immersive journey best heard start to finish.

  The cover art for "Age of Legends" was created by Niklas Sundin (ex-Dark Tranquillity), depicting Sisyphus breaking free from his eternal punishment. The imagery perfectly complements the album’s lyrical themes of release, redemption, and transformation.

  
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  Formed out of a love for power metal but a distaste for its escapist clichés, In Virtue set out to create music that was heavy, fast, catchy, melodic, and groovy, yet grounded in real human experiences. Their sound draws influence from bands like Soilwork, Amaranthe, Shinedown, Symphony X, and Sonata Arctica, while carving out a distinct identity that avoids prefabricated genre formulas.
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  Known for their engaging live performances, In Virtue brings audiences into the experience with big harmonies, sing-alongs, and an energy that defies the “arms-crossed” stereotype of metal shows. With members connected to acts like Witherfall and The Mourning, the band continues to evolve, refining their vision into a cohesive and powerful voice in modern metal.
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  Fans can expect an emotional deep dive, a rollercoaster of textures and colors, but ultimately a cohesive journey that rewards both casual listeners and those willing to explore its deeper narrative.

  "Age of Legends" is available worldwide as of November 21st, 2025, at https://orcd.co/agofle​​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Ascent Glorious (00:36)
  2. Sisyphus Awakening (4:55)
  3. Karma Loop (ft. Charlotte Wessels) (3:35)
  4. Push That Rock (2:46)
  5. Purgatory (4:39)
  6. Exposed (3:27)
  7. Scream (3:40)
  8. Where The Edges Meet (3:16)
  9. Gunslingers of the New American Desert (4:42)
  10. Desolation Throne (3:03)
  11. Thoughts in Freefall (ft. Dave Davidson of Revocation) (4:10)
  12. The River (2:24)
  13. Tempus Fugue (ft. Chaney Crabb of Entheos) (8:05)
  14. Descent Limitless (1:22)
  Album Length: 50:40

  More info: Facebook.com/invirtue | Instagram.com/invirtue​

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• SHORES OF NULL Teams Up with CONVOCATION To Unleash "Latitudes of Sorrow" Split Album

  Nov 21, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Two of doom metal’s most uncompromising forces, Italy's Shores of Null and Finland's Convocation, have joined together to unleash one of the heaviest and most emotionally devastating split albums in recent memory. Their new release, "Latitudes of Sorrow," premieres in full today via Doomed & Stoned, offering listeners an exclusive first encounter with this monumental collaboration before it is officially released from Everlasting Spew Records on Friday, November 21st.

  "Latitudes of Sorrow" transcends the idea of a traditional split release, standing instead as a profound conversation between two unique visions of doom. Shores of Null’s melodic yet crushing sound collides with Convocation’s suffocating atmospheres, opening vast, introspective landscapes where grief, mortality, and inner turmoil reverberate. The outcome is a work of staggering weight and resonance, an album destined to haunt listeners long after its final echoes fade.

  Hailed as “a union of all the many shades of doom, forging one of the most grievous and heavy splits you’ll encounter for years to come,” the record presents exclusive new material from both bands. Each track delves into themes of absence, loss, and existential struggle, offering two distinct but complementary approaches to the genre’s darkest depths.

  Shores of Null open the split with three tracks that balance catchiness with crushing despair. 'An Easy Way' reflects on depression and human frailty, pairing memorable hooks with unrelenting darkness. 'The White Wound' draws inspiration from the tragic 2017 Hotel Rigopiano avalanche in Italy, weaving grief and anger into a soundscape of doom passages and blackened blastbeats. "The Year Without Summer" meditates on the catastrophic events that occurred globally in 1816 after the volcanic eruption of Mount Tambora, located in modern-day Indonesia. It features guest growls from MN of Convocation to heighten its apocalyptic atmosphere.
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  ​Convocation contributes two tracks steeped in suffocating heaviness and spectral atmospheres. 'Abaddon’s Shadow' and 'Empty Room' expand the split’s themes of absence and mortality, recorded at The Desolate Dungeon and mastered at Trollhouse Audio. Together, the five tracks form a cohesive journey through grief, devastation, and the haunting beauty of doom metal.

  The Shores of Null side of "Latitudes of Sorrow" was written by Raffaele Colace, Gabriele Giaccari, and Davide Straccione, and produced in collaboration with Marco “Cinghio” Mastrobuono, who also handled mixing and mastering at Bloom Recording Studios in Rome, Italy. Convocation’s contribution was recorded and mixed at The Desolate Dungeon, with mastering completed at Trollhouse Audio. Final split and vinyl mastering duties were carried out by Carlo Altobelli at Toxic Basement, ensuring a unified sonic weight across both sides of the release.

  The album’s artwork, created by LL of Convocation, depicts a spectral figure and an empty chair—an evocative image symbolizing presence in absence. This visual perfectly mirrors the record’s themes, as "Latitudes of Sorrow" unfolds musically and lyrically into a harrowing journey through grief, solitude, and the crushing inevitability of mortality.

  "Latitudes of Sorrow" drops digitally and on CD and Cassette physical format on November 21st via Everlasting Spew Records. The vinyl edition of the split will be issued in Spring 2026.

  Album countdown and pre-save: https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/79oGZH6MpwHGsTTmnLKo8D​

  Pre-Order:

  Physical: https://bit.ly/42PbNY8​

  Digital: https://everlastingspew.bandcamp.com/album/latitudes-of-sorrow​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Shores Of Null - An Easy Way - 5:56
  2. Shores Of Null - The White Wound - 6:00
  3. Shores Of Null - The Year Without Summer - 5:53
  4. Convocation - Abaddon's Shadow - 10:31
  5. Convocation - Empty Room - 8:55
  Split Album Length: 37:17

  For more info: Shoresofnull.com | Facebook.com/shoresofnull | Instagram.com/shoresofnull​

   

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