Latest Articles

• HIGHLORD Welcomes New Vocalist Andrea Racco (Soundstorm) w/ Video "Resurrection"

  Feb 13, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Rockshots Records proudly presents “Resurrection”, the new single from Italian power metal veterans Highlord, a track that signals a decisive new compositional chapter in the band’s long-standing career.

  “Resurrection” introduces the renewed lineup featuring Andrea Racco (also known for his work with Sound Storm) as the new frontman and immediately establishes a sharper, heavier sonic direction while preserving the unmistakable epic DNA that has defined Highlord for decades.

  Thematically, the song captures the fragile equilibrium of modern society, a world suspended between tension and transformation, and translates the urgent need for change into the metaphor of rebirth. “Resurrection” is conceived as a surge of energy breaking through instability: not escapism, but reaction; not nostalgia, but renewal.

  Musically, the band embraces a more aggressive and compact approach. The guitar work is tighter and more percussive, built around driving riff structures and dynamic harmonic layering that reinforce the song’s sense of forward momentum. The rhythm section delivers a precise, explosive backbone balancing double-kick propulsion with controlled groove passages that heighten the track’s impact without sacrificing clarity.

  Andrea Racco’s performance stands at the center of this evolution. His gritty, powerful vocal delivery, recalling the dramatic intensity associated with classic European power metal, injects a raw, assertive edge into the band’s sound. Yet despite the increased weight and attack, Highlord retain their hallmark melodic sensibility: expansive, emotionally charged choruses open the arrangement into wide harmonic landscapes, ensuring that the song’s epic character remains intact.

  Production once again plays a crucial role. “Resurrection” was produced by bassist Massimiliano Flak at Evolution Recording Studios in Turin, resulting in a massive, modern mix that emphasizes punch and definition. The guitars cut with sharp articulation, the low end remains firm and controlled, and the vocal layers sit prominently without overpowering the instrumental interplay. The overall sonic architecture is polished yet forceful - contemporary in impact while rooted in traditional power metal aesthetics.

  With “Resurrection”, Highlord does not simply introduce a new lineup; they redefine their expressive coordinates. Heavier, more immediate and rhythmically explosive, yet still melodic and anthemic at heart, the single represents a statement of intent, a rebirth forged in steel, melody and conviction.

  DIGITAL: https://lnk.to/rSuR3c​

  For more info:​
  ​https://www.rockshots.eu​

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

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

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• NOVA SPEI Unveils “Renaissance,” Introducing New Vocalist and Marking the Beginning of Their 2026 Era

  Feb 13, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Trois-Rivières, Quebec modern‑metal force Nova Spei launches a bold new chapter with the release of their explosive new single and video, “Renaissance,” the first glimpse into their upcoming 2026 album "TRINITAS," due this fall. The track marks the official debut of vocalist Emmanuelle Desbiens‑Dubois, whose arrival signals a powerful rebirth for the band both sonically and creatively.
  ​
  Formed in 2012 by guitarist Dany Soucy (Dook, Legion, Trois-Rivières MetalFest), Nova Spei has carved out a unique place in the francophone metal landscape with their djent‑infused, modern, and melodic approach. After more than 100 shows across Quebec and Ontario, two albums, and a series of lineup evolutions, 2026 represents a full resurgence, one that “Renaissance” captures with visceral clarity.
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  Musically and lyrically, “Renaissance” embodies the band’s renewed fire. The track channels the obstacles Nova Spei has faced, the rebuilding that followed, and the determination to return stronger than ever.
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  ​“We’re confident listeners will connect with this new chapter of the band, a rebirth shaped by the shift to a more powerful, feminine vocal presence, yet still carrying even greater intensity. The sound feels more organic than our previous album, and we want people to feel the passion and pure joy we pour into creating this music. Releasing Renaissance first made perfect sense. It’s the song that speaks to our fall and our return, so what could be more logical than starting with the track that tells that story?” says the band.

  The single’s artwork, created by Filip Ivanovic, visually captures this rebirth, an emergence from a world full of pitfalls, transformed and unbroken.
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  The addition of Emmanuelle Desbiens‑Dubois in 2025 marks one of the most significant shifts in Nova Spei’s history. Her vocal presence brings a fresh intensity and emotional range, redefining the band’s identity while staying true to their modern metal roots.
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  Her arrival completes the current lineup with Dany Soucy (Guitar), Nicolas Dumais-Brouillette (Bass), Julien De Carufel (Drums), and Cédrick Charland (Lead Guitar). Together, they’ve forged a sound that is heavier, more organic, and more dynamic than ever.
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  While Nova Spei’s previous albums were recorded in their own studio, "TRINITAS" marks their first time entering a professional recording environment, an experience that reshaped their entire sonic direction. Producer Francis Perron (Voivod, Martyr) pushed the band toward a more raw, organic sound, shifting their initial modern‑sequenced approach into something more alive and human. Mastering legend Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More, Halford, Yes) unexpectedly joined the project, an opportunity the band describes as surreal and humbling. The result is a sound that blends djent, modern metal, prog, and industrial influences, yet feels more authentic and emotionally charged than anything they’ve released before.

  Recommended for fans of Gojira, Tesseract, Killswitch Engage, Spiritbox, and Architects, the music video for “Renaissance” can be seen and heard via its premiere on TheCirclePit YouTube channel.

  ​Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/track/65AqzF6nYrkUrzhx32udbl

  For more info:

  ​https://www.novaspei.com/​

  ​https://www.facebook.com/NovaSpei​

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

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• APE VERMIN Push Their Cosmic Sludge Saga Forward w/ New Video "Awakened"

  Feb 12, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  North Carolina’s progressive sludge metal juggernaut Ape Vermin has released a brand‑new lyric video for “Awakened,” the eighth and most explosive track from their latest album, "Andromedas Colossus." The video was crafted by Kenji Tsunami of Tsunami Films, known for his visual work as well as his role as bassist for Narcotic Wasteland.
  ​
  ​“Awakened” stands as the album’s most ferocious statement, a collision of sludge, thrash, and apocalyptic storytelling delivered with the band’s signature weight and intensity. According to guitarist/vocalist Brett Lee, the track represents a pivotal moment in the album’s narrative:

  “We’re back, and we’re making up for lost time. Hell has come back to life. The Colossus is awake.”
  ​​
  Kenji Tsunami’s visual interpretation amplifies the track’s themes of cosmic destruction, ancient forces, and the return of something colossal and malevolent. The lyric video mirrors the album’s overarching atmosphere, dark, prophetic, and unrelenting, while giving fans a deeper look into the world Ape Vermin has constructed across the record.
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  The band describes "Andromedas Colossus" as dynamic, melodic, visceral, and brutally dark, both musically and lyrically. “Awakened” embodies all of these traits, merging machine‑gun double bass, razor‑sharp guitar leads reminiscent of Dimebag Darrell and Kerry King, and enough low‑end force to “destroy planets,” as Lee puts it.
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  Formed in 2017, Ape Vermin has evolved into a three‑piece force of colossal riffs and amplifier worship. The lineup, Brett Lee (guitar/vocals), Seth Lynn (drums), and Jared Edge (bass), has built a reputation across North America for a no‑frills, high‑volume live show rooted in heaviness and precision.
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  Tracks on "Andromedas Colossus" were in development for nearly five years, some written immediately after the band’s previous release, "Sonic Monolith." The album takes listeners on what the band calls an “epic sonic journey,” moving from the crushing opener “Obliteration Imminent” to the atmospheric “Colony,” the prophetic “Solaruss,” the hypnotic instrumental “Pulse Driver,” and the environmentally charged “Mining the Colossus.” The record’s closing tracks, “Unearthing the Artifact” and “Return to Andromeda,” complete a narrative steeped in cosmic horror, mysticism, and the darker corners of the human psyche.
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  As the band’s personal favorite, “Awakened” represents the album’s thematic eruption. Its lyrics, invoking ten thousand years of slumber, portals of time, and the rebirth of hell, reflect the dark realm Lee has been building in his writing for over a decade. Influenced by outer‑space phenomena, extraterrestrial lore, prehistoric myth, murder, psychedelics, and sci‑fi horror, Ape Vermin’s lyrical world is as expansive as it is sinister.
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  With influences ranging from High on Fire, Crowbar, Mastodon, Yob, and Conan, the band continues to push sludge metal into new territory, blending doom, thrash, groove, progressive elements, and death‑tinged aggression. Fans can expect even more crushing material on the next LP, which the band confirms is already in motion.

  Watch the “Awakened” lyric video via its premiere on Decibel Magazine HERE.

  Released on May 17th, 2024, “Andromedas Colossus” can be heard at the following links:

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

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/1Y5DAyV5AP3hLNSMDfuQkh​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Obliteration Imminent - 5:12
  2. Colony - 7:00
  3. Solaruss - 5:30
  4. Pulse Driver - 3:47
  5. Mining The Colossus - 8:06
  6. Signal Transmissions - 2:45
  7. Motherlode - 8:32
  8. Awakened - 3:17
  9. Unearthing the Artifact - 7:43
  10. Return to Andromeda - 7:57

  Album/Live Band Line Up:​
  Guitarist/Vocalist - Brett Lee
  Drummer - Seth Lynn
  Bassist - Jared Edge

  More info: Facebook.com/ProgressiveDoom | Instagram.com/ape_vermin_official​

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• AEXYLIUM Shares New Lyric Video “Eclissi” From Album “Myth of Mankind”

  Feb 11, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Rockshots Records is proud to announce the release of the new lyric video for “Eclissi”, taken from "Myth of Mankind", the third full-length album by Italian folk metal act Aexylium.

  “Eclissi” marks a defining moment in Aexylium’s artistic journey. Musically rooted in the band’s unmistakable fusion of modern metal intensity and traditional folk instrumentation, the track stands out as the first song in the band’s career written entirely in Italian, a deliberate and meaningful choice that reinforces its emotional impact and narrative depth. Layered choirs, wide melodic lines, and a carefully balanced orchestral framework make “Eclissi” one of the most evocative compositions on "Myth of Mankind," while also enhancing its strong potential in a live setting where audience interaction becomes an integral part of the song’s identity.
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  Commenting on the track, the band explains that “Eclissi fits perfectly with the musical lines of the album and represents a new expressive space for us. Writing in Italian allowed the lyrics to flow more naturally, strengthening the emotional connection between words and music while the choirs make it especially powerful during live performances.”

  The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Davide Tavecchia at Twilight Studio, ensuring a powerful yet detailed production that highlights both the band’s metallic core and its rich instrumental textures. The front cover was designed by Gustavo Sazes (Arch Enemy, Machine Head, Amaranthe)."Myth of Mankind" represents the most mature and personal chapter in Aexylium’s discography, addressing introspective and abstract themes while consciously stepping beyond genre stereotypes without losing sight of the band’s roots.

  Formed in Italy in 2014, Aexylium have steadily built a strong reputation within the European folk metal scene, performing at major festivals such as Dong Open Air, Tanzt!, and Montelago Celtic Festival and sharing the stage with acts including Blind Guardian, Elvenking, Wind Rose, and TÝR. Following the releases of "Tales From This Land" (2018) and "The Fifth Season" (2021), the band returns with "Myth of Mankind", an album that fully encapsulates their growth in terms of songwriting, production, and artistic vision.

  The lyric video for “Eclissi” offers listeners and media partners a focused insight into one of the album’s most distinctive tracks, highlighting both its linguistic uniqueness and its role within the conceptual and musical framework of "Myth of Mankind".

  For fans of Eluveitie, Korpiklaani, Amorphis, Folkstone, Alestorm, and Mago de Oz, "Myth of Mankind" (released May 23, 2025) is available digitally and on CD at https://lnk.to/koGz58.

  More info: ​
  ​https://www.rockshots.eu​
  ​
  ​FOLLOW:​
  ​https://www.instagram.com/aexylium_official​
  ​https://www.facebook.com/aexylium

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• LITTLE KING Celebrates 30 Years and Eight Albums with "Lente Viviente" Tour (NM, TX, AZ, MX)

  Feb 9, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Little King is hitting the road, bringing three decades of songwriting, storytelling, and sonic exploration to the stage. Formed in 1997, the band’s current tour draws from a deep catalog spanning 8 albums and over 30 years of music, blending thoughtful lyrics, dynamic arrangements, and an unmistakable emotional core that has resonated with audiences across generations.

  Released this past September 2025, their most recent album, “Lente Viviente,” has become their most critically acclaimed work in their long history!

  Rooted in the American Southwest yet shaped by wide-ranging influences, Little King’s sound reflects long friendships, lived experience, and a refusal to stand still creatively. Their songs move comfortably between intimate reflection and expansive, cinematic moments, music built not for trends, but for connection.

  Over the years, Little King has earned international acclaim, with music reaching listeners well beyond regional borders. Their work has been praised for its honesty, depth, and craftsmanship, appealing to fans of art-driven rock who value substance as much as sound.

  The band’s full catalog, tour updates, and additional information can be found at www.littlekingtunes.com, with ongoing updates and media available via social media at @littlekingtunes.

  Tour Dates - Little King - Lente Viviente​
  March 6 - Las Cruces, NM - Picacho Peak Brewery
  March 7 - Ruidoso, NM - Downshift Brewery
  March 8 - El Paso, TX - B-29 Bombers
  March 11 - Tempe, AZ - Yucca Tap Room
  March 14 - San Carlos, MX (Secret Show...hit @littlekingtunes on social media for details!)

  The band's latest album, "Lente Viviente" (Spanish for “Living Lens”), stands as Little King’s most ambitious project to date. Featuring new members Dave Hamilton on bass and Tony Bojorquez on drums, the record delves into themes of memory, identity, aging, addiction, and resilience. Each song unfolds as a “micro-epic,” blending intricate arrangements with concise, emotionally charged storytelling.

  “I want people to take a short, mind-blowing journey…like Musical DMT. The dynamic range of this record will push and pull from the first note to the last,” says frontman Ryan Rosoff.

  Across its tracks, "Lente Viviente" reveals a sweeping emotional and musical spectrum. “Catch and Release” and “Dawn Villa” revisit childhood and enduring friendship, while “Pass Through Filters” meditates on aging and addiction. “Kindness for Weakness” explores the fragile balance between vulnerability and strength, and “Who’s Illegal?” confronts immigration and identity with bold conviction. Together, these songs create a cohesive journey, complex yet melodic, that invites listeners to think deeply, feel fully, and return again and again for the complete experience.
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  Since forming in 1997, Little King has steadily evolved through confidence, technical growth, and relentless creativity. Rosoff, a former Creative Writing major and English teacher, has penned over 65 songs, blending literary depth with progressive rock intensity. With influences ranging from Rush, Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd, Muse, Led Zeppelin, and Night Verses, Little King’s music resonates with fans of both classic and modern rock.

  ​
  "Lente Viviente" (released Sept 26th, 2025) is available on digital platforms.

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/3a3zhTxNkC6u9xaD5gytJe​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Catch and Release - 3:22
  2. Dawn Villa - 3:42
  3. Who’s Illegal? - 3:56
  4. Kindness for Weakness - 3:21
  5. Sweet Jessie James - 2:42
  6. Pass Through Filters - 4:50
  7. The Living Lens - 3:37
  Album Length: 25:34

  For more info: https://littlekingtunes.com/​

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