Latest Articles

• 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​

  Read more

• RAW BRIGADE at Irving Plaza 12/06/25

  Dec 11, 2025 ArmyOfOneTV 0 Comments

   

  

  Read more

• 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.

  
  ​
  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.
  ​
  ​

  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​

  Read more

• BLACKSTARTS Interview

  Dec 9, 2025 ArmyOfOneTV 0 Comments

  The Italian supergroup Blackstars has officially arrived, introducing a Heavy/Hard Rock project built to reignite the golden sound of the 1980s and 1990s. Formed in Milan in June 2022 by guitarist Max Adams, who stepped away from his longtime role in Love Machine after nearly three decades, the band quickly evolved into a powerhouse lineup of seasoned musicians. Joined by Tony Pecere (Crimson Dawn, Betoken), Alberto “Wolfie” Presotto (Opera Noire, Sakem), Walter Soresina (Crossbones, Fuckin’ Jam), and Folkert Beukers (Adam Bomb, Chris Holmes), Blackstars began crafting original material deeply rooted in the classic Heavy and Hard Rock tradition. Their debut self-titled EP, released through Underground Symphony Records, captures the raw energy, melodic strength, and unapologetic attitude of the genre’s golden era, with drummer Sergio Masperi contributing to the recording to help shape the EP’s powerful sound.

   

  
  
  

  1. Blackstars formed in 2022 with members who each bring decades of experience from different corners of the rock and metal scene. What was the spark that convinced you this group of musicians was the right combination for a brand-new project?

   

  BST: Well, this is a real solid band, it’s a team 100% and a family, i am very lucky and proud to have found these guys.

   

  2. Max, after thirty years with Love Machine, what creative or personal motivations led you to start Blackstars, and how does this new project differ from your previous musical journey?

  
  BST: A very sweet revenge hahahaha, because when i left for the second time my old band, i hold inside my heat the same passion, the same vibes, personal never lost, from 1992 the year when i joined my ex band, also my wife Tizy help me so much, in fact she designed the logo band that you see and also she recorded my demos. Inside BS you find all the music that we love.

   

  3. The EP intentionally channels the golden sound of 80s and 90s Heavy/Hard Rock. What specific elements from those eras did you feel were essential to capture in the songwriting and production?

  
  BST: Well this is our musical background, you know, we came from Kiss, Dokken, Bon Jovi, Judas Priest, Loudness, Scorpions, Ozzy as well, from the golden era 80s/90. We grew up with these bands inside because this is our DNA. We are an RNR Band not a depressed band.

   

   

  
  
  

  4. Blackstars is made up of musicians from very diverse backgrounds—Crimson Dawn, Crossbones, Adam Bomb, Opera Noire, and more. How did these varied influences shape the creative chemistry when writing the EP?

  
  BST: Yes diverse backgrounds but the real DNA comes from 80’s and 90’s at 100% hahahahaha.

   

  5. The collaboration with drummer Sergio Masperi was key in defining the EP’s sound. How did his involvement influence the final direction or energy of the recording?

   

  BST: Well Sergio Masperi was a session man that we used just only for the 1st video, because Folkert Beukers (ex WASP Chris Holmes and Adams Bomb) came a few weeks later  and you can hear his drumming on the EP, he is our official drummer.

   

  6. Your debut single “Dead Shots” introduces audiences to the band’s identity. Why was this track selected as the first official video, and what message or feeling were you hoping it would convey?

   

  BST: Dead Shots is the right 1st single for us because inside you can feel and bear the right punch and energy and power, also the lyrics are very very 80’s hahahahahahah.

   

  7. Recreating the spirit of 80s/90s Hard Rock while still sounding fresh can be challenging. What steps did you take to balance nostalgia with a modern edge?

   

  BST: We follow our hearts, our dreams, we used also in studio a lots of equipments from the past, both digital and analogic 

   

  8. Underground Symphony Records is releasing the EP. How did this partnership come about, and what made them the right label for Blackstars’ debut?

   

  BST: Yeah absolutely, I called 2 Times Maurizio Chiarello the boss from Underground Symphony, he knew me and after seeing the video clip Dead shots he decided immediately without any doubts or compromises that our music was very very interesting, he gave us this chance. We thank him but also we wanna thank our fantastic manager Valeria Campagnale.

   

  9. Now that the EP is out, what can fans expect next (live performances), a full-length album, or additional videos? Where is Blackstars heading in 2026?

   

  BST: Yeah absolutely, we are planny live shows, also we have just almost ready new songs, new music as soon as possible, and release the second video clip. 

  We really thank you so much ! Don’t forget us because we don’t forget you and Keep us rocking. All the best 
  
  

   

  
  
  

  Blackstars stands as a compelling reminder that the spirit of Heavy and Hard Rock not only endures, but thrives when placed in the hands of musicians who understand its roots and its power. Their debut EP channels the grit, melody, and unmistakable charisma of the genre’s most iconic era while pushing forward with a modern, energetic edge. As they continue shaping the next chapter of their musical journey, Blackstars is poised to make a significant impact on fans of classic and contemporary heavy music alike.
  
  For more information, visit:
  https://www.facebook.com/BlackStars80s 

  Read more

• 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.
  ​
  ​“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.
  ​
  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.
  ​
  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 

  Read more