Latest Articles

• FAMOUS STRANGERS' New Single "L.S.C." Digs Deep Into Power, Obsession, and Emotional Survival + Festival Dates - Decimate Metal Fest, Armstrong MetalFest, Loud As Hell Open Air

  Jun 3, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  L-R - Jeff Kittlitz (Guitar, Vocals) | Braden Sustrik (Bass) | Brian “Beej” Jolly (Drums) | Amanda Keirnan (Lead Vocals, Lyrics)

  Edmonton, Canada's Famous Strangers, is proud to unveil their fourth single entitled "L.S.C." as they gear up for perfmances at this year's festival appearances at Decimate Metalfest (Millet, AB - June 13-14), Armstrong Metal Fest (Armstrong, BC - July 11-12) and Loud As Hell Open Air (Drumheller, AB - Aug 1-3) along with upcoming tour dates to be announced.

  "L.S.C.." is meant to take you on a ride. It starts soft, like it is letting you in slowly, and then it flips the switch. The heaviness hits out of nowhere. It grabs you, shakes you, and then drags you through the rest of the track without letting go. It eases you in, then completely takes over, and by the time it is done, it feels like it has drained the life out of you in the best way.

  "LSC is one of the most intense and personal songs we’ve released. It digs deep into power, obsession, and emotional survival, all wrapped in a sound that’s meant to hit you hard and stay with you. It is heavy, emotional, and completely unhinged in the best way. Come get some," adds guitarist Jeff Kittilitz.

  Famous Strangers wants fans' listening experience to be unpredictable, emotional, and honest. This single, and everything they have been working on, doesn’t stick to one lane. They jump from the heaviest riffs they can come up with to slow, bluesy, chilled-out moments. It’s all over the place, and they know not everyone is going to be into that…and that’s okay.

  What they hope is that it opens people up a little, even if it’s not what they usually listen to. There’s so much music out there that people miss out on because they’re stuck in one genre or one mindset. Famous Strangers are trying to break through that and just write what feels real, no matter what it sounds like. They are about being fearless in their songwriting. Put everything on the table, be yourself, and don’t hold back. That’s the energy they’re trying to give people when they press play.

  Famous Strangers has had a healthy and steady evolution. Since their earlier singles in 2024, Famous Strangers have started to lock in with each other creatively and naturally found a sound that they can all stand behind. It flows and feels more cohesive, and everyone in the band feeds off each other in a way that keeps pushing the songs to a new level.

  Listen to "L.S.C." at the following links:

  ​Spotify - https://spoti.fi/4kNbe7F

  [embed]https://open.spotify.com/album/39G3IRfkkPcQDYSPnFAUPh?si=ZFoBN8nnQUSt9JencN7NSg[/embed]

  Previous Singles:

  Music Video - I'll See You In The Stars" - https://youtu.be/OtdfaMp4Hec​

  George - https://youtu.be/fz85ChqELO4​

  Deepstar - https://youtu.be/00jujvck9sM​

  More info:

  ​Famousstrangersband.com

  ​Facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559110131774

  ​Instagram.com/famousstrangersband

  ​Tiktok.com/@famousstrangersband

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• TANGENTS Announces Eastern Canadian Tour (QC, ON, NB, NS) - "No Dragons, No Lasers, Just LobsTour" In Support of New EP "Molt"

  Jun 3, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  TANGENTS Announces Eastern Canadian Tour (QC, ON, NB, NS) - "No Dragons, No Lasers, Just LobsTour"

  New EP "Molt" Out Now!

  L-R - Will Tennant - Guitars/Backing vocals, Nathan Chechock- Guitars/Backing Vocals, Rob Barnes- Bass, Matt Williams - Vocals/effects/samples, Simon Oliver- Drums/Backing Vocals

  Photo Credit - Rory P​

  Formed simply as a creative outlet in which there are no rules, Orillia, ON's TANGENTS plays music with the idea of no constraints, no guidelines, and producing what they would want to hear. Releasing their fourth EP entitled "Molt" this past April, Tangents announces they will be hitting the road this coming July for tour dates across Eastern Canada in Ontario, Quebec, New Brwunwick, and Nova Scotia. (dates listed below).

  With elements of mathcore, prog, and post-hardcore, Tangents take you on a brutally honest journey with nothing to hide during an emotional and heavy 10 minutes on their latest EP's three tracks. The band's goal is to keep the listener on their toes, along with themselves as musicians. Keeping things fresh and ever evolving.

  "For this EP, we decided on the 3 songs simply to capture that specific moment in time. I feel that there’s always room for growth, so we constantly keep evolving, we're stoked and proud to release Molt. With our most focused effort, we present to fans a multitude of experiences in a compact timeframe. This offering allowed us to open and embrace challenges and overcome the obstacles that come with growth," adds guitarist Will Tennant.

  Taking pride that each member of the band is a multi-instrumentalist, Tangents are a bare bones heavy band, and at the end of the day, they get up there and rock out live to showcase very visceral songs. It's a roller coaster of emotions throughout each track.

  Recommended for fans of avant-garde mathy metal and bands such as The Dillinger Escape Plan, Mr Bungle, Every Time I Die, Dog Fashion Disco, and Better Lovers, Tangents' new EP "Molt" is available at the following links:

  Bandcamp - https://tangents1.bandcamp.com​

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/4knPCPM​

  YouTube - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lbqCZ2QJmSbse8S6jgMo8AsgHKm7Gx-H0

  ​

  Tangents live by the motto “No dragons, no Lasers,” which basically means nothing fancy, just give them electricity and they can play their tunes! No relying on gizmos and gadgets. Check them out live on the "No Dragons, No Lasers, Just LobsTour".

  Tangents - "No Dragons, No Lasers, Just LobsTour"​
  July 16 - Montreal, QC - Bar L'Hemisphere Gauche
  July 18 - Windsor, NS - (Gutterfest) - Avon Valley Lanes
  July 19 - Yarmouth, NS - The Red Knight
  July 20 - Halifax, NS - Gus' Pub
  July 22 - Woodstock, NB - Monteith Manor
  July 23 - Bathurst, NB - Bathurst Southside Lounge
  July 24 - One Star Studio (secret location)
  July 25 - Edmundston, NB - Microbrasserie Ateepic
  July 26 - Lachute, QC - Royal Canadian Legion

  Track Listing:​
  1. Assimilate (3:01)
  2. Mass Delusion (3:33)
  3. Forge (3:59)
  EP Length: 10:34

  More info: https://linktr.ee/Tangents705

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• KILLOTINE Wins WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA 2025 To Play Wacken Open Air!

  Jun 2, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Photo Credit - Derek Carr - Visions In Pixels​

  WMBC 2025 Final Spotify Playlist - https://spoti.fi/3Z55AFy​

  One band to rule them all! The final four bands from this year's 2025 battles for Wacken Metal Battle Canada gathered in Vancouver, BC, for the national final on May 31st at the Rickshaw Theatre. Only one unsigned Canadian band can walk away and be crowned champion to move on to perform at one of the world's most prestigious and largest already sold-out metal festivals, Wacken Open Air (July 30th – August 2nd) (Attendance of over 80,000 people in Wacken, Germany for over 30 years).

  Crowning this year's 2025 winner is Hamilton, ON's KILLOTINE (Ontario Winner), who, after their performance, a panel of industry judges voted as Canada's top band to play at the International Wacken Battle at Wacken Open Air. They performed alongside SOULTHIEF (Ottawa, ON - Eastern Canada Winner), BEYOND SUFFERING (Calgary, AB - Alberta Winner), and YEGG (Nanaimo, BC - British Columbia Winner). The special guest headliner was 2024 BC final winner, Vancouver's Arrow In The Quiver​.

  “What a finals we’ve just had in Vancouver. It's so nice to see the level of the bands and the great performances from all of them. The result is that we’ve got something special this year: Killotine is the chosen one. This band has a career waiting for them, and the real beginning of that journey will be at Wacken Open Air. This really enforces what the Metal Battle is all about and how we are nurturing the next generation, the future of metal,” comments Canadian Organizer of Wacken Metal Battle Canada, JJ Tartaglia.

  This year's panel of national final judges consisted of BRITTNEY SLAYES (Unleash The Archers), JJ TARTAGLIA (Canadian Organizer of Wacken Metal Battle Canada), JJ CAITHCART (Founder of SCRAPE Records and Host of Different Stages Radio), KRIS SCHULZ (Founder of Empower Through Music and Owner of Horizon School of Music), ABELARDO MAYORAL (Founder, Owner, and Operator of The Invisible Orange and OrangeTickets), STAN SCHINNERS (Owner of Broken Neck Radio), JUSTIN DOBBIN (Owner and President of Main Stage Rehearsal Studios).

  About The Final Four:

  Hamilton, ON's KILLOTINE is the hammer that falls without warning—relentless, unforgiving, and all-consuming. Their riffs shred through the air like jagged steel, solos burn with a fury that can’t be tamed, and blasts hit like an explosion in your chest. They don’t care about trends or softening the blow. Every note is a direct attack, every show a brutal assault. Headbanging is inevitable, the adrenaline is relentless, and the chaos is total. This is metal in its rawest, most savage form. With their “take everything, leave only metal” mentality, Killotine isn’t here to play nice. They deliver exactly what the maniacs demand—pure, unfiltered aggression. No filler, no fake. Just a full-throttle, all-out assault that doesn’t let up, leaving you wrecked and addicted to the chaos. KILLOTINE IS COMING. STAY OUT OF THE WAY OR GET DESTROYED.

  
  

  https://linktr.ee/killotinemetal

  ==========

  Ottawa, ON's SOULTHIEF is a crossover band known for their powerful and fun sound that combines elements of melodic hardcore, thrash metal, beatdown, slam, and punk. Formed in early 2021, the band has garnered a reputation for its intense live performances and dynamic songwriting.

  Their discography includes several notable releases, with their albums “Citadel” and "The Bad Kind of Wet” receiving praise for their energy and musical depth. Tracks like "You Could be my Gwen Stacy" and "Rupture" are often highlighted as fan favorites, showcasing the band's ability to craft memorable hooks and crowd-engaging lyrics.

  Soulthief has built a loyal following through their extensive touring and energetic live shows. They have performed at various venues and festivals, earning a reputation for delivering high-impact performances that resonate with audiences. Playing with bands like Stick to Your Guns, Within Destruction, MadBall, Get the Shot, Left to Suffer, Guilt Trip, Sworn Enemy, Hoods, Vctms, Teeth, and many more

  Soulthief has continued to evolve and push the boundaries of their craft. Their dedication to their musical performance and their passionate fanbase have cemented their place in any music scene they show up in.

  
  

  https://www.soulthief.ca

  ==========

  Calgary, AB's BEYOND SUFFERING is a five-piece melodic metal band with roots in thrash and metalcore. With founding member and lead guitarist Rob Vargo, they blend intense riffs and rhythmic complexities of deathcore with melodic hooks and emotional depth of hardcore. Their recent pre-release demo, “Buddha,” is a great buildup to the upcoming “Darkness” and subsequent response “Light” EPs later this year.

  
  

  https://www.facebook.com/BeyondSuffering

  =========

  Nanaimo, BC's old school death metal YEGG is a band that stays true to their roots. Drawing inspiration from iconic bands like Death, Obituary, Morbid Angel, and Cannibal Corpse, YEGG delivers a relentless assault of pure, unadulterated old school Death Metal. Their live shows are a sight to behold with intense energy and a ferocious wall of pure aggression that will.

  
  

  https://linktr.ee/yeggmetal

  ================

  About The Battle:

  Wacken Metal Battle Canada is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance to win their spot among 30 different countries’ champions, and represent Canada in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air. The battles have been hosted at the festival for over a decade, allowing independent bands to showcase their talents to an international audience, along with the chance to win multiple prizes.

  How it works:
  ​Participating cities will host qualifying rounds plus a city final organized by a local city concert promoter, where one band will move forward to the Canadian national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will move on to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2025 and compete against the winners of 29 other countries in a final global battle. All battle rounds are judged by respected local music industry representatives.

  Rules for participation: https://www.metal-battle.com/rules/​

  Links:​
  ​Metal-Battle.com​​
  ​Facebook.com/WMBCanada.official​
  ​Twitter.com/MetalBattleCan​
  ​Instagram.com/MetalBattleCanada.Official

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• Z-COCOON Unveils "Dr. Crane" Off New EP "Angels" Out June 2025

  May 30, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Montreal, Canada's Z-Cocoon announces the release of their new EP "Angels" out on June 6th, 2025, via Earache Digital Distro. This third EP is the first full band release from Z-Cocoon, which was founded by Marc Zolla as a solo endeavour in 2017 under the previous moniker Pink Cocoon. Now a power trio with Michel Paradis (Drums) and John Burton (Bass), are prepared to offer electrically-charged heavy music with savage guitar jabs, rockin' blues, and hot solos.

  Fans can expect a three-track EP that is very energetic and sounds exactly like what’s recorded. The guitar solos are very bluesy yet metal-sounding, and are contrasted with catchy melodic vocals, reminiscent of DIO or Pentagram.

  "I’m a big fan of songs that have clear and loud vocals where you can sing along and understand and interpret what the song is about, not just noise and a riff," adds Zolla.

  Today, Z-Cocoon unveils the opening track and heavy bluesy single "Dr. Crane", inspired by the villain in the Batman Universe, Dr.Crane, aka The Scarecrow.

  “Dr. Crane is exactly what Z-Cocoon is all about! Heavy riffs, clean vocals, and lots of blues power! If you like poisoning people’s minds with fear, such as The Scarecrow in Batman, then here you have it. Or if you’re looking for a good heavy song to listen to while working out or doing physical work, or you wanna let loose in your speakers and relax, this is the song for you! Make sure to play it loud for the ultimate listening experience, preferably with good speakers to feel that sound and panning!” adds Zolla.

  Loud and dynamic, listen to "Dr. Crane".

  Following the "Angels" EP, Z-Cocoon will have an album worth of music and more that will be recorded and released. If you’re into the classics such as Dio, Sabbath, Deep Purple, or blues guys such as Hendrix, Trower, Stevie Ray, or just dig stoner rock/ doom metal, but looking for something a little different, then take a listen and put Z-Cocoon on LOUD!

  EP pre-save - https://earache.lnk.to/Angels​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Dr. Crane - 4:17
  2. Truth Don’t Matter - 3:42
  3. For My Life - 6:37
  Album Length: 14:36

  Band Lineup:​
  Guitar/Vocals: Marc Zolla
  Bass: John Burton
  Drums: Michel Paradis

  More info: https://linktr.ee/zcocoon

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• TIGGUO COBAUC Unleashes New Music Video "Ascended Deliverance" ft. Guest Vocals Chelsea Marrow (Voraath, Visitant)

  May 29, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  UK-blackened doom trio Tigguo Cobauc are unleashing their latest music video "Ascended Deliverance" featuring guest vocals from Chelsea Marrow (Voraath, Visitant). The song itself is a reworked version of the album track from 2024's "Fountains of Anguish," released via Exitus Stratagem Records.

  With a focus on always giving the listener the most intense and emotional experience, no more so than on the live stage. Tigguo Cobauc is the soundtrack to your darkest desires, as they explain the concept of the song and video:

  "The track opens with the haunting pulse of a heartbeat, accompanied by the creeping distortion of industrial noise, drawing the listener into a space of tension and unease. As the first notes of the story unfold, the listener is already submerged in a melodic nightmare—a dreamscape that’s as surreal as it is sinister. The narrative follows a man, lost in his disillusionment with the world, burdened by the weight of life’s cruelty and suffering. Desperate for answers, he becomes obsessed with confronting God directly, seeking retribution for the pain he’s endured. When the conventional means of prayer, the church, and the promises of faith offer no solace, he grows increasingly frustrated and turns to darker paths.

  His search leads him to a witch, a figure said to possess the ability to commune with angels, beings who might offer the answers he seeks. The witch, aware of the risks, warns him that the power to speak with such celestial beings is not to be taken lightly; without proper guidance, the consequences could be catastrophic. But driven by desperation and a growing sense of arrogance, the man dismisses the warning. He murders the witch in cold blood, seizing the book of forbidden spells she possessed. With reckless abandon, he chants the incantation, his voice trembling with anticipation and fear.

  In that moment, an angel appears—not a being of divine grace, but one of wrath and inevitability. The angel, sensing the man’s hubris and defiance, consumes him entirely. The track climaxes with a surge of chaos and intensity as the angel's judgment is carried out. The heartbeat, which has been a steady rhythm throughout, begins to slow, fading as the man succumbs to his fate.

  The track closes with the silence that follows his death—a chilling, final echo that serves as both a literal and metaphorical end. This tale, woven into the fabric of the music, is a cautionary one—a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the folly of trying to command forces beyond one's understanding. It is a warning against acting without caution, against chasing something that may not be meant for you. And, above all, it underscores the truth that sometimes, when you wish for something too fervently, you may just get it—and the consequences may be far worse than you ever imagined."

  The music video for "Ascended Deliverance" can be seen and heard via its premiere on Decibel Magazine HERE.

  Digital - https://hypeddit.com/tigguocobauc/ascendeddeliverance​

  Single Band Line Up:​
  Luca Martello - Guitars
  Antoine Mouquod - Drums
  Wayne Turton - Bass, Synth, Keyboards
  Craig Phillips - Vocals
  *guest vocalists - Chelsea Marrow (Voraath, Visitant)

  Forged by ancient magic deep in the sandstone depths of Nottingham, UK, Tigguo Cobauc's spellbinding guitar riffs over primal rhythm are the sound of your darkest desires. The band's birth into the constellations has been steeped in the murky depths of Death/Doom, cloaked in a sludgy resonance. They have evolved from these beginnings, transcending into realms infused with black metal's ethereal atmospheres, where shadows and intensity intertwine.

  Their sophomore record, "Fountains of Anguish," is an amalgamation of classic black metal, reinterpreted with a modern sensibility, and infused with doomy elements that evoke a sense of atmospheric weight. Tigguo Cobauc has seamlessly integrated keyboards into their compositions, adding depth and texture to enhance the listening experience. Through this unique blend, they aspire to infuse their music with a distinctive touch of originality, creating a soundscape that resonates with the genre's traditions and contemporary influences.

  Recommended for fans of Celtic Frost, Bathory, and Venom, "Fountains of Anguish" is available at the following links:

  Album order (CD) at https://www.exsrmusic.com/store/p/pre-sale-tigguo-cobauc-fountains-of-anguish-lp-cd​

  Digital - https://hypeddit.com/tigguocobauc/fountainsofanguish​

  More info:

  ​Exsrmusic.com | Facebook.com/ExSRecords | Instagram.com/exsrmusic​

  ​Tigguocobauc.mystrikingly.com | Instagram.com/tigguocobauc | Facebook.com/tigguocobaucband | Tiktok.com/@tigguocobauc

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