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• CONFLUX COLLECTIVE Announces Its "Reincarnation" w/ New Album "In the Wake of Saturn" Out June 2026

  May 15, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

   

  After years of dormancy, reinvention, and sheer force of will, The Conflux Collective erupts back into the extreme‑metal landscape with the announcement of their long‑awaited debut LP, "In the Wake of Saturn," arriving June 19th, 2026. Alongside the album announcement, the band has released the first single and lyric video, “Reincarnation,” a ferocious statement of rebirth that sets the tone for the album’s uncompromising vision.

  Born from a chance reunion between guitarist Chase Fraser (Continuum, ex‑Decrepit Birth, ex‑Animosity) and drummer Tommy McKinnon (Derelict, Akurion, ex‑Neuraxis, ex‑Augury), The Conflux Collective began as a spontaneous spark, one that quickly ignited into a creative explosion. Within their first hour of jamming, a full song had formed; within six weeks, their debut EP, "The Inception," was complete. But the band’s evolution was far from linear.

  After life circumstances forced the project into years of silence, McKinnon resurrected The Conflux Collective with a renewed sense of purpose. Armed with unreleased material from Fraser and a determination to finish what they started, he rebuilt the album from the ground up, writing new songs, reconstructing arrangements, recording all bass tracks by ear, and crafting lyrics drawn from deeply personal turmoil, transformation, and catharsis.

  To bring the record fully to life, McKinnon assembled a powerhouse roster of extreme‑metal vocalists whose performances became the album’s emotional core: Jesse Brint (Gross Misconduct), Mallika Sundaramurthy (Emasculator, ex‑Abnormality), Jeffrey Mott (The Monster Factory, Growlers Choir, Hollow), Eric Burnet (Derelict, Samskaras), and Max Lusier (Derelict), who also contributes a blistering guitar solo.

  The result is "In the Wake of Saturn," a progressive, brutal, melodic, and deeply human exploration of loss, survival, and rebirth. Across eight tracks, the album bridges the raw ferocity of ’90s death metal with the precision and ambition of modern tech‑death, unfolding like a narrative guided by shifting voices and emotional intensity.

  “In the Wake of Saturn is a journey through pain, fear, defeat, survival, and finally rebirth. It’s a transformative experience that was created out of the necessity for change… a true underground monster made for those who seek the unusual,” says Tommy McKinnon.

  The album’s first single, “Reincarnation,” was originally written by Fraser during the project’s early years. The track embodies the album’s themes of resilience and renewal.

  “The Conflux Collective lives again, and this song tells the story of rebirth and resilience… It gives an impression of how the album sounds as a whole, with all the elements explored in depth in the other songs,” adds McKinnon

  Featuring a commanding vocal performance by Jeffrey Mott, “Reincarnation” delivers intricate drum work, uncompromising guitar lines, and the unmistakable intensity that defines The Conflux Collective's sound.

  ​

  Though the project has no plans for live performances, The Conflux Collective stands as a testament to collaboration without boundaries, a convergence of some of extreme music’s most creative voices.

  Recommended for fans of Cryptopsy, Necrophagist, Decrepit Birth, Augury, and Beyond Creation, "In the Wake of Saturn" will be available on all digital platforms as of June 19th, 2026.

  Album pre-save - http://confluxcollective.bandcamp.com/​

  Vinyl and CD pre-order - https://elasticstage.com/confluxcollective​

  Track Listing:​
  1. The Antidote - 3:02
  2. Devoid of True Form - 2:39
  3. Ethereal Executioner - 4:45
  4. Devouring Light - 4:59
  5. Blood from a Rock 4:18
  6. Reincarnation - 3:20
  7. In the Wake of Saturn - 2:29
  8. Desperate Post-Humanist - 5:18
  Album Length: 30:53

  Album Band Line Up:​
  Guitar: Chase Fraser (Continuum)
  Vocals: Eric Burnet (Derelict), Max Lussier (Derelict), Jesse Brint (Gross Misconduct), Mallika Sundaramurthy (Emasculator), Jeff Mott (Hollow, Monster Factory)
  Additional guitar, bass, and drums: Tommy McKinnon
  Track 1,2, 3, 6. Music: Chase Fraser. Lyrics: Tommy McKinnon
  Track 4. Music: Chase Fraser. Lyrics: Jesse Brint
  Track 5, 7. Music & Lyrics: Tommy McKinnon
  Track 8. Music: Tommy McKinnon. Lyrics: Eric Burnet

  Album Band Line Up:
  Guitar: Chase Fraser (Continuum)
  Vocals; Eric Burnet (Derelict), Max Lussier (Derelict), Jesse Brint (Gross Misconduct), Mallika Sundaramurthy (Emasculator), Jeff Mott (Hollow, Monster Factory)
  Additional guitar, bass and drums: Tommy McKinnon
  Track 1,2, 3, 6. Music: Chase Fraser. Lyrics: Tommy McKinnon
  Track 4. Music: Chase Fraser. Lyrics: Jesse Brint
  Track 5, 7. Music & Lyrics: Tommy McKinnon
  Track 8. Music: Tommy McKinnon. Lyrics: Eric Burnet

  More info:

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

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

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• ETERNAL DRAK Unleashed "We Force It To Speak" From Sixth Album "The Violence of Time" Out July 2026

  May 15, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Eternal Drak, the long‑running extreme metal force originally from Latin America and now based in Quebec City, Canada, known for its evolving blend of black, thrash, and death metal, announces the arrival of its sixth full‑length album, "The Violence of Time," a work that reframes time itself as the enemy of human meaning and will be released on out July 17th, 2026, on Canadian label FirstWave. Alongside the announcement, the band unveils the album’s first single, “We Force It To Speak.”​
  ​
  Born, as the band puts it, “in the middle of a drunk among friends,” Eternal Drak has spent years forging a sound defined by varied rhythm and catchy aggression, shaped by decades within the metal underground. With this new album, the band reaches its most cohesive and intense expression to date.
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  ​"The Violence of Time" is not a concept album in the traditional sense; it is a philosophical assault. Lyrically and musically, the record presents time as a hostile, eroding force that distorts memory, identity, and causality. The songs function as “violent theses,” each dismantling a human assumption about how time works.
  ​
  The band explains:
  ​
  ​“Time does not accompany human beings; it subdues them. It does not flow; it imposes. It does not advance; it erodes.”​
  ​
  Every track reflects fragments of a larger narrative inspired by a short story written for the album, an exploration of how attempts to understand time only warp it further.
  ​
  Serving as the album’s opening strike, “We Force It To Speak” captures the essence of Eternal Drak’s new era. Rooted in black metal yet enriched with acoustic textures and dense atmospheric layering, the track establishes the album’s emotional and conceptual tone. Lyrically, it confronts the human obsession with explanation, how the act of observing or defining reality alters it beyond recognition. The band describes it as a reflection on “how the more we search for answers, the more certainty slips away.”

  Eternal Drak’s evolution has been shaped by decades of experimentation, from analog distortion and classic pedals to modern digital textures. With "The Violence of Time," the band believes it has finally crystallized its definitive sound: aggressive, cohesive, and uncompromising.
  ​
  Influences such as Dimmu Borgir, Watain, Kreator, Motörhead, and Desaster echo throughout the record, yet the album stands firmly in its own identity, extreme metal sharpened by introspection and conceptual depth.

  Listen to “We Force It To Speak” at the following links:

  Spotify - https://hypeddit.com/eternaldrak/weforceittospeak

  ​
  ​
  Album pre-order (out July 17th, 2026) - https://eternaldrak.bandcamp.com/​

  Track Listing:​
  1. We Force It To Speak - 5:15
  2. The Unborn Paths Rot - 3:51
  3. Me Hice Simultaneo - 3:30
  4. The Blasphemy of Time - 3:35
  5. Chaos Is the Law - 3:34
  6. Where Cause Is Buried - 3:55
  7. Across the Watching Veils - 3:53
  8. Breathing Once Again - 3:45
  9. The Cosmos Rejects You - 4:09
  10. No Direction Total War - 2:57
  Album Length: 38:24

  Album Band Line Up:​
  Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar) – Voices, Lead Guitar, Bass
  Michel Amyot – Rhythm Guitar

  More info: http://www.eternaldrak.com | https://www.facebook.com/EternalDrak | https://www.instagram.com/eternaldrak​

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• LEVINIA Unleashes “Silver Tongues” Exploring Dark Grooves Against Modern Idols

  May 15, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

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  Los Angeles symphonic‑metal hybrid Levinia has announced the release of their second single and music video of 2026, “Silver Tongues,” the next chapter in a four‑single rollout that marks the band’s most ambitious era yet. The track follows the success of their first 2026 release, “The Thorn.” It continues their collaboration with acclaimed producer Brandon Friesen, known for his work with Halestorm, Nickelback, The Hu, and Papa Roach.​
  ​
  ​“Silver Tongues” showcases a new facet of Levinia’s evolving identity, groovier, more rhythm‑driven, and deceptively restrained on the surface, while lyrically cutting deep. The band describes the track as a warning against the seductive pull of modern celebrity culture, where public figures are elevated to near‑religious status.

  "We think fans are going to have a strong reaction to these upcoming releases because each song reveals a very different side of Levinia. “Silver Tongues” will likely catch listeners by surprise with its groovier, more rhythm-driven feel. It is a bit more restrained melodically on the surface, but the lyrical message is sharp and unsettling, which we think fans will connect with once they sit with the song. It’s about the danger of surrendering your identity to someone else’s narrative. It’s a rebellion against polished voices that promise certainty while quietly demanding conformity. Overall, we believe fans will appreciate not only the heaviness but the versatility. This is Levinia pushing into new territory while still maintaining the cinematic drama and emotional weight that listeners know us for," says vocalist Kourt Henson.
  ​
  The single’s artwork reflects this theme with a commanding, mysterious figure pressing a finger to her lips, an homage to a striking behind‑the‑scenes photograph of Henson that inspired the visual direction.
  ​
  ​Levenia was formed in 2017 by drummer Dylan Suierveld and guitarist John Pinon Martinez, and has steadily transformed from a symphonic‑leaning project into a dark, modern, hybrid metal force. With the addition of lead guitarist Alon Mei‑Tal in 2020 and new bassist Liam Buckley in 2026, the band has sharpened its sound into something heavier, more deliberate, and more emotionally immersive.
  ​
  Their 2026 singles represent the most refined version of Levinia that is aggressive, thought‑provoking, cinematic, melodic, and emotionally charged. Teaming up with producer Brandon Friesen has played a pivotal role in shaping the band's new chapter, helping them refine a pool of developing tracks into the four‑song arc planned for release throughout the year.
  ​
  ​“Silver Tongues” is only the second step in a four‑part journey. Each planned single to be released will reveal a different side of Levinia’s identity, pushing them into new creative territory while preserving the cinematic drama and emotional weight fans have come to expect.
  ​
  ​Levinia’s writing process has grown increasingly collaborative, with Alon and Kourt shaping the melodic and lyrical core before the rest of the band builds the dynamic foundation around it. This approach has led to music that feels more cohesive, more vocal‑driven, and more emotionally impactful.
  ​
  Kourt’s lyrics draw heavily from personal experience, classical literature, and folklore, blending confession with gothic storytelling. The new singles embrace darker romanticism, haunting imagery, and a more mature narrative voice, marking a significant evolution from their earlier work.

  Recommended for fans of Within Temptation, Amaranthe, Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, and Delain, listen to “Silver Tongues” at the following links:

  Spotify - https://hypeddit.com/levinia/silvertongues

  First Single - Music Video - The Thorn

  ​

  Levinia:​
  Vocals - Kourt Henson
  Guitar - Alon Mei-Tal
  Bass - Liam Buckley
  Drums- Dylan Suierveld

  More info:

  ​https://www.leviniaofficial.com/​

  ​https://instagram.com/leviniaofficial​

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

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• WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA Crowns BORNBROKEN 2026 National Final Champion! Band To Play Wacken Open Air!

  May 13, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Photo Credit - Ryan Rumpel - @rumpelstillcam ​

  Let’s get ready to rumble! Canada has spoken. After months of fierce battles from coast to coast, WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA has revealed the 2026 national finalist, showcasing the strongest underground metal emerging from the scene today.
  ​
  Following intense regional clashes, four bands rose above the rest to earn their place at the national final on May 9th in Montreal, QC, taking over Piranha Bar (680 Ste‑Catherine Ouest). There, they unleashed their might before a crowd of die‑hard metal fans and a judging panel of industry veterans, including Luc Laine (CFLX 95.5 FM – Alerte Metallique), Pierre Beaubien (CIBL 101.5 FM – Décibel Métal), Andrew Wieler (CJLO 1690 AM – Metal Director), Kaje Annihilatrix (Promoter, Freelance Metal Writer, Asher Media), Dany Soucy (Nova Spei, Bam&Co‑Heavy Label, Trois‑Rivières Metalfest), and Patrick Loisel (Augury).
  ​
  Only one band could claim the crown, and BornBroken emerged victorious as Canada’s 2026 national champion, earning the honour of representing the nation at the 35th anniversary of Wacken Open Air and competing in the international Wacken Metal Battle, where bands from over 30 countries collide in a global showdown.

  WMBC organizer JJ Tartaglia comments:

  "Congrats to BornBroken, they are sure to tear it up at Wacken this summer and do Canada proud!"

  BornBroken's guitarist and vocalist, Mike Decker, comments on their crowning:

  "Winning the Canadian Wacken Metal Battle still hasn’t fully sunk in. We’ve spent years grinding through clubs, hauling gear through snowstorms, playing to half-empty rooms, and fighting for every inch as a band, so this means more to us than we can really put into words. To now represent Canada at Wacken Open Air is something we will never take for granted.

  This win belongs to everyone who’s supported BornBroken over the years. Our families, our friends, the promoters who gave us chances, the people who bought merch when we were struggling to keep moving, and every single person who ever stood in front of the stage and gave us their energy. You carried us here as much as we carried ourselves.

  We also want to give respect to every band that was part of this year’s battle. The level of talent, passion, and heart we saw was incredible. We may be the band getting on the plane, but we honestly feel like we’re carrying a piece of every one of those bands with us onto that stage in Germany. In our eyes, everyone who stepped into this battle and gave it everything they had is a winner.

  We’re proud, we’re grateful, and we’re ready to give Wacken everything we’ve got..."

  The final four who clashed at this year’s national final were:

  BORNBROKEN (Montreal, QC) - 2026 National Winner

  ​https://linktr.ee/bornbroken​
  ​
  ​ASHES OF YGGDRASIL (Lloydminster, AB/SK)

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

  EMPALEMENT (Victoria, BC)

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

  GRAVEARTH (Oshawa, ON)

  ​https://linktr.ee/Gravearth​

  ======

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

  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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• Thrash Metal From Reunion Island LOMOR Announces EU Tour Dates + Hellfest; New Album "Sabouk Rouge" Out Now!

  May 13, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Reunion Island thrash metal trio LOMOR is heading to Europe, launching a run of France and Belgium tour dates in support of their new album "Sabouk Rouge," with the trek kicking off at Hellfest. This band will be bringing their raw, creole‑infused thrash to some of the region’s most respected stages (dates listed below).

  
  ​
  The tour supports their latest album "Sabouk Rouge," released this past February 2026 via Rockshots Records. Produced by the band, recorded and mixed by Sébastien Camhi at Art Music Studio in France, and mastered by Kai Stahlenberg at Kohlekeller Studio in Germany, "Sabouk Rouge" expands LOMOR’s sonic palette while staying true to their primal thrash roots. With more Creole lyrics woven in at fans’ request, the album strengthens its cultural identity as it shifts through a wide range of moods.

  “The tracks are all different, each bringing its own atmosphere. It’s still trash, but with a variety of flavors,” says Eric.
  ​
  That diversity fuels a record that moves from the title track’s sharp satire of Réunion’s slavery legacy to the grotesque obsession of “Meet Your Meat,” the ritualistic mysticism of “Sanctuary,” and the blistering critique of religion in “La Haine.” The tone lightens with the street‑racing humor of “La Pouss’,” then darkens again with “Panzram,” exploring the roots of a killer’s hatred. The album revisits Eric’s past with a reimagined “Kit Ta Mère” before closing on “Nevroz,” a reversed, tongue‑in‑cheek remake born from a studio joke.

  LOMOR has carved its identity as one of the most distinctive metal acts emerging from the Indian Ocean. Their sound, described by guitarist/vocalist Eric Castelnau (Babouk) as “creole thrash old‑school stuff”, fuses classic 80s thrash aggression with the cultural grit and linguistic identity of Réunion Island.

  LOMOR began as a deeply personal project for Eric, who formed the band in 2018 after the passing of his cousin and brother, both former bandmates in his earlier project Black Babouk. The name Lomor, meaning “The Deads” in Réunion Creole, stands as a tribute to the people and memories that shaped his musical path.
  ​
  Joined by drummer Gurvan Cambrai (Typhvs) (also of grind outfit Brvtal trve d'baal) and bassist Micha (member of a local Rage Against the Machine tribute band), the trio has forged a sound rooted in old‑school thrash but sharpened by modern production and raw island energy.

  New album “Sabouk Rouge” is now available from Rockshots Records at the following links:

  DIGITAL - https://lnk.to/th31Lt

  CD ORDER - https://rockshots.eu/SaboukRougeCD​​

  Lomor - Sabouk Tour​
  17/06 — Hellfest - Clisson (FR)​
  19/06 — B52 Music Club, Icheteghem (BE)
  20/06 — Le Brewpeppes, Lille (FR)
  21/06 — Carolo Culture, Charleroi (BE)
  25/06 — Axis Musique, Toulouse (FR)
  26/06 — Bulle de Son, Lyon (FR)
  27/06 — TBA
  18/07 — Studiotic, Sainte‑Clotilde (RE)​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Sabouk Rouge – 5:13
  2. Tantine Lo Clou – 3:40
  3. Meet Your Meat – 3:16
  4. Sanctuary – 5:17
  5. A Shiny Day For A Vampire – 5:14
  6. La Haine – 5:06
  7. La Pouss’ – 3:07
  8. Panzram – 4:29
  9. The Ugly, The Bad & The Bastard – 3:02
  10. Kit’ Ta Mère – 4:24
  11. Nevroz (feat. S. Camhi) – 2:34
  Album Length: 45:22
  ​
  ​Lomor Line Up:
  - Eric Castelnau (aka Babouk) – Vocals & Guitars
  - Gurvan Cambrai (aka Typhvs) – Drums
  - Mathieu Michalina (aka Micha) – Bass Guitar

  More info:

  ​https://rockshots.eu/​

  ​https://www.instagram.com/lomor.music​

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

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