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• WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA Announces 2026 National Final! w/ BORNBROKEN (QC), GRAVEARTH (ON), ASHES OF YGGDRASIL (AB), EMPALEMENT (BC)

  Apr 28, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Let's get ready to rumble! One band will rule them all as WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA announces this year's 2026 national finalists.

  After battles hosted across the country, the final four have emerged to represent the best of the best underground metal bands in Canada and compete at the national final on May 9th in Montreal, QC, at Piranha Bar (680 Ste-Catherine Ouest), where they will perform in front of metal-hungry fans and be judged by a panel of music industry veterans that includes Luc Laine (CFLX 95.5 FM - Alerte Metallique), Pierre Beaubien (CIBL 101.5 FM - Décibel Métal), Andrew Wieler (CJLO 1690 AM - Metal Director), Kaje Jenkinson (Promoter, Freelance Metal Writer, Asher Media), Dany Soucy (Nova Spei, Bam&Co-Heavy Label and Trois-Rivieres Metalfest), Patrick Loisel (Augury), and JJ Tartaglia (Wacken Metal Battle Canada, Thunderor, Skull Fist).

  Only one will be crowned champion and move on to perform at this year's 35th anniversary of Wacken Open Air and the international Wacken Metal Battle, which hosts bands from 30 countries. The final four meeting at the Wacken Metal Battle Canada National final are the following:

  WMBC 2026 National Final Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Yizi851LwbShAduRaqHf3​

  Staples of Montreal, QC’s underground metal scene, BORNBROKEN, unleash an aggressive sound, socially conscious themes, and high‑energy performances that have won over legions. The band recently welcomed new drummer, Peter Tzaferis, who some may recognize from his days in Slaves On Dope. They released their third album, "Am I Invisible" in 2024, which Decibel Magazine commented as "a sonic soiree in waiting for those who like their metal in the neighbourhood of early Machine Head, post-Roots Sepultura, Lamb of God and Fear Factory, resplendent with big guitars, bigger grooves and the biggest choruses.”

  ​https://linktr.ee/bornbroken​

  Oshawa, ON's GRAVEARTH is a death/groove metal band known for blending brutal heaviness with melodic groove, emotional intensity, and complex arrangements. Their songwriting emphasizes heart, intensity, and memorable hooks, aiming to leave a lasting impression on listeners. Critics and reviewers highlight their unique blend of math, djent, groove, death, prog, and extreme tech metal, noting that the band manages to balance these complex elements into cohesive, powerful compositions. Their music often features layered guitars, dynamic rhythms, and intricate production choices that reward repeated listening.

  ​https://linktr.ee/Gravearth​

  ASHES OF YGGDRASIL is a 5-piece melodic death metal band from the barren prairies of Lloydminster, AB/SK. Formed in 2017, our sound has continually evolved across our three albums: The Path (2019), Bearing the Pelt of the Wolf King (2021), and our newest, Crossing of the Realms (2025). While we are melodic death metal, we have hints of thrash, black metal, and even the odd prog sprinkle to shake things up! If you like war drums, melodic guitars, thundering bass, and vicious war cries, we are your raiding party!​

  ​https://ashesofyggdrasilba.wixsite.com/ashesofyggdrasil

  ​

  EMPALEMENT is an extreme metal act from Victoria, BC, channeling a sound they describe as “Black Metal of Death,” shaped by the crashing coastal waves and dense forests of Vancouver Island. The band blends elements of melodic black metal and death metal, creating a style often referred to as deathened black metal. Their thematic focus spans nihilism, misanthropy, religious hypocrisy, blasphemy, love, heartbreak, depression, fury, war, and hedonistic freedom, giving their music a visceral emotional core. Empalement’s sound is marked by feral black‑metal atmosphere, death‑metal weight, and a strong emphasis on visual and conceptual storytelling. Their releases often pair music with cinematic or ritualistic imagery, reinforcing the band’s dark aesthetic.

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

  Event Details:

  Date: May 9, 2026

  Venue: Piranha Bar (680 Ste. Catherine Ouest)

  Time: 8 pm

  Cost: FREE ADMISSION

  Bands: BornBroken, Gravearth, Ashes of Yggdrasil, Empalement

  Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/889250847462376/​

  About Metal Battle:

  The Wacken Metal Battle is an international metal music contest that culminates at the famous Wacken Open Air festival. It features the top bands from each nation, showcasing fresh and young metal music directly from the underground. The contest is open to unsigned metal bands and has become a significant platform for breaking through the local circuit. The 2026 edition of Wacken Metal Battle Canada is currently underway. The winner will have the opportunity to perform at Wacken Open Air, one of the world's largest metal festivals, attracting tens of thousands of metal fans from around the globe. For more information and updates, you can visit the official Wacken Metal Battle website - https://www.metal-battle.com/​

  About Wacken Open Air:​
  Wacken Open Air is the largest heavy metal festival in the world. Starting with 800 visitors in 1990, nowadays 85,000 fans from all over the world travel to Wacken every year, turning the small village in Schleswig-Holstein into the center of the festival scene for several days. The organizing WOA Festival GmbH is connected to a broad network, including band management, the Wacken Foundation, tour booking, music publishing, Travel & Stay, merchandising distribution, and ticketing. In cooperation with partners, these results in creative solutions and ideas that revolutionize the festival experience, enable technical innovations, and produce extraordinary event concepts. Wacken Open Air 2026 will take place from July 29 to August 1, 2026.

  More info:

  ​https://www.facebook.com/WMBCanada.official​

  ​https://www.instagram.com/wmbcanada.official/

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• PARADISE Erupts Back In 2026 w/ "Queen of Mars", A First Taste of New Music Since 2020

  Apr 28, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  After years of silence, speculation, and simmering creative energy, Montreal’s cult heavy‑rock outfit Paradise erupts back onto the scene with their first new music since their 2020 self‑titled album. The band announces their long‑awaited return with the upcoming single and music video “Queen of Mars,” marking the beginning of a bold new chapter in their cosmic, riff‑driven mythology.
  ​
  Formed in 2002 during a lightning‑strike moment of inspiration, Paradise built their identity on what they call “volcanic rock”, a molten blend of heavy rock, classic metal, and stoner‑rock undertones. Their early albums "Rock Anthropologists on the Kon‑Tiki Voyage" (2002) and "Hotel" (2005) became underground favorites, fueled by wild creativity, tongue‑in‑cheek concept worlds, and collaborations with icons like Voivod’s Michel “Away” Langevin and the late Denis “Piggy” D’Amour.​
  ​
  Their 2020 self‑titled comeback album re‑established the band with a harder, sharper edge. Now, in 2026, Paradise resurfaces once more, this time with a fully realized retro‑futuristic vision inspired by the sci‑fi imagery of the ’60s and ’70s.
  ​
  The band’s new single, “Queen of Mars,” introduces listeners to a cinematic, hypnotic space‑rock sound that expands Paradise’s sonic universe while staying rooted in their heavy‑rock DNA.
  ​
  The track paints a vivid portrait of a timeless, wandering figure, the Queen of Mars, who embodies freedom, resilience, and cosmic sovereignty. Moving through a desert of memory and isolation, she becomes a mythic symbol of transformation and inner power. Musically, the song blends atmospheric guitars, ritualistic rhythms, and poetic, controlled vocals, landing somewhere between Hawkwind’s cosmic rock, Dozer’s desert‑space textures, and the dramatic sweep of Muse.
  ​
  ​“It’s been a while since we’ve put something out, so I know some fans have been waiting. We’re close to the sound of our last record, but there are surprises. We used ’60s and ’70s sci‑fi imagery to inspire us, sounds and moods from far beyond,” says guitarist Frank Kelly.
  ​
  Kelly remains the band’s primary music writer, working closely with vocalist R.L. Black on lyrics and melodies. For this new material, they also brought in Luc Bourgeois (Sandveiss) to elevate the songwriting even further.
  ​
  ​“We just let it go, whichever song was ready first. We’re doing this for fun and to keep the creativity going. We hope people get it, but honestly, we’re having a blast,” adds Kelly.
  ​
  ​Paradise has 8–9 new songs in the pipeline, all shaped by their signature approach: naming tracks early in the writing process to set the tone and guide the lyrical world. This time, that world is drenched in analog futures, cosmic psychedelia, and B‑movie sci‑fi charm, a natural evolution of the band’s long‑standing love for heavy music, from Judas Priest and Dio to Kyuss and Fu Manchu.
  ​
  ​Paradise’s live reputation remains intact: high‑energy, high‑intensity, and unapologetically fun.
  ​​
  “We’re a party band. Just five guys having a blast. So many bands take this too seriously; it takes the fun out of it,” comments Kelly.
  ​
  With their return, fans can expect a renewed sense of adventure, a deeper dive into their cosmic aesthetic, and a sound that continues to evolve without losing the volcanic spark that defined them from day one.​

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/track/6aF3AuOrjBMl4vcs6xDoV4​

  More info:

  ​https://paradiserockband.com/​

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

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

   

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• SOEN at The Gramercy Theatre 04/21/26

  Apr 25, 2026 ArmyOfOneTV 0 Comments

   

  

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• NOVA SPEI Confronts Cultural Uprooting of First Nations w/ New Single “Déraciné” From Forthcoming Album "Trinitas"

  Apr 24, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Quebec modern‑metal force Nova Spei continue their bold new chapter with the release of “Déraciné,” the second single from their forthcoming 2026 album "TRINITAS," arriving this Fall 2026. Following the explosive reception of their previous single “Renaissance,” which introduced new vocalist Emmanuelle Desbiens‑Dubois, “Déraciné” pushes the band’s evolution even further, musically, emotionally, and thematically.

  “Déraciné” confronts the painful legacy of First Nations communities, specifically the uprooting of culture, identity, and values through state‑driven abuses. For Desbiens‑Dubois, whose own family heritage is tied to First Nations, the subject matter is deeply personal.
  ​
  ​“The subject was important to Emmanuelle, given her background. It's a topic that is still often silenced by governments, and she wanted to denounce it,” the band explains.
  ​
  Lyrically, the track stands as one of Nova Spei’s most direct and socially conscious works to date. Musically, it blends the band’s signature djent‑infused modern metal with a newly embraced rawness, an intentional shift for the upcoming album.
  ​
  After years of crafting their sound in their own studio, Nova Spei entered a professional recording environment for the first time in their career. Working with producer Francis Perron (Voivod, Martyr), the band discovered a more organic, unfiltered approach that reshaped the entire direction of "TRINITAS."​
  ​
  ​“We started imagining the next album with a modern approach like Sequentis, but Francis showed us how it could sound more raw and alive. When we heard his first rough mix, everything changed.”​
  ​
  The single was mastered by world‑renowned engineer Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More, Halford, Yes), a collaboration the band still describes with disbelief and excitement.
  ​
  The single’s artwork, created by Filip Ivanovic, visually represents the band’s rebirth and the obstacles that shaped this new era. It mirrors the themes of identity, struggle, and renewal that run through “Déraciné” and the upcoming album.

  Nova Spei was founded in 2012 by guitarist Dany Soucy (Dook, Legion), and the band has spent over a decade carving its place in Quebec’s metal landscape. With more than 100 shows across Quebec and Ontario, radio rotation on major stations, and music featured during Montreal Canadiens games, the band has built a reputation for intensity both on and off stage.
  ​
  The 2025 arrival of Desbiens‑Dubois (vocals) and Cédrick Charland (lead guitar) marked a turning point, one that their forthcoming album "TRINITAS" fully embraces.
  ​​
  “Fans will feel the rebirth of the band. The feminine vocal shift brings intensity, emotion, and a new perspective. This album is more organic, more passionate, and more honest than anything we’ve done,” says Soucy.
  ​
  ​"TRINITAS" will represent the third era of Nova Spei, an album built on rebirth, unity, and the rediscovery of the band’s core identity. Recommended for fans of Gojira, Tesseract, Killswitch Engage, Spiritbox, and Architects.

  Add yo your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/track/5Qr13FuLfLMT4LNHm3rNAs​

  For more info:

  ​https://www.novaspei.com/​

  ​https://www.facebook.com/NovaSpei​

  ​https://www.instagram.com/novaspei

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• HIGHWAY's Return Louder Than Ever w/ New Album "Last Call for Rock’N’Roll" and Heart‑Wrenching Video “Mayday”

  Apr 24, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  France’s high‑voltage hard rockers HIGHWAY proudly announce that their long‑awaited sixth studio album, "Last Call for Rock N Roll," is officially out now as of April 24th 2026, via label Rock City Music, and its release is accompanied by their brand‑new video for the deeply emotional single “Mayday.”​
  ​
  After the acoustic detour of The Journey (2022), HIGHWAY are back in full electric force, revved up, re-energised, and ready to reclaim their place among Europe’s new wave of classic hard rock.

  In stark contrast to the album’s high‑octane anthems, “Mayday” strips everything down to voice and guitar, echoing the intimacy of Simon & Garfunkel. The track is a raw, vulnerable tribute to the passing of a loved one, written as a cathartic scream of pain, love, and memory. It’s not a power ballad. It’s a moment of truth.
  ​
  The accompanying video amplifies the song’s emotional weight, offering fans a rare glimpse into the personal experiences that shaped the album’s lyrical core.
  ​

  "Last Call for Rock N Roll" is a rallying cry for a world in chaos, twelve brand‑new tracks that fuse power, melody, and emotion with the timeless spirit of classic hard rock. Produced and mixed by Brett Caldas‑Lima (Ayreon, Devin Townsend, Megadeth), the album was meticulously crafted over four months at Tower Studio to achieve a sound that is rich, organic, and explosively dynamic.
  ​
  From the electrifying opener “Last Call (For Rock N’ Roll)” to the arena‑ready “Hi‑Way,” the swagger of “¡Bang Bang!”, and the AC/DC‑inspired punch of “D.K/D.C”, the album showcases the full spectrum of HIGHWAY’s identity, authentic, melodic, passionate, and fiercely alive.

  
  ​
  The album also marks a turning point for HIGHWAY with the arrival of two new members, Cerise Pouillard (bass), known from the acclaimed AC/DC tribute Ladies Ballbreaker and Florian Arnaud (guitar), a powerhouse musician who completes the long‑awaited return of twin guitars. Both contribute backing vocals, elevating the band’s signature harmonies to new heights.
  ​
  ​“With this lineup, the live sound is going to be massive. Big vocals, big energy, big production. You’re not ready,” adds guitarist Ben Chambert.

  
  ​
  Formed in 1999 by brothers Ben and Romain Chambert after being “thunderstruck” by AC/DC’s Live at Donington, HIGHWAY have spent more than two decades refining its craft. With over 500 shows across Europe, support slots for Michael Schenker Group, Gotthard, Jeff Scott Soto, Kissin’ Dynamite, Nashville Pussy, and more, and a growing reputation, the band has become a defining force in Europe’s modern classic hard rock revival.
  ​
  ​“This is our most personal, emotional, and mature record. We took the time we never had before, and we’re incredibly proud of every detail,” adds Ben.

  
  ​
  Exploring themes of love, loss, resilience, nostalgia, and the pursuit of freedom. "Last Call for Rock’N’Roll" blends the band’s roots, AC/DC, Queen, Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses, with their own melodic identity and modern production.
  ​
  ​"Last Call for Rock’N’Roll" is now available via the label Rock City Music, with physical distribution
  by FTF-Music and digitally from Virgin Music.

  CD Digipack and exclusive collector LP at https://highwayshop.sumupstore.com/​

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/1njIM62jUDeg4Td3iGSBHq​

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

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