Southern California’s newest force in melodic death metal, Ravenmocker, has released their debut single, “Infallible”, accompanied by a music video to mark the band’s official arrival and the first of several tracks set to drop throughout the year. Formed in 2025 by guitarist/vocalist Tom Tierney, the band emerges from a period of personal upheaval, creative rebirth, and a desire to carve out a culturally rooted identity inspired by Native American lore.
Joined by guitarist George Patmas (ex‑Dianthus), drummer Dylan Suierveld (Levinia), and bassist Will Buckley (Levinia, Anubis), the band quickly developed a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. Their influences span Children of Bodom, Insomnium, Amon Amarth, Kalmah, and Dark Tranquillity, while each member brings unexpected flavors, country, jazz fusion, blues, funk, and classical choral music into the mix.
Ravenmocker’s writing process is collaborative, dynamic, and rooted in emotional honesty. While Tierney currently leads much of the songwriting, every member contributes ideas, arrangements, and refinements. “We want to write good songs, not just content. These songs were years in the making. The melodies should stick with you. We want people singing with us at shows. We want to give fans something they can feel together,” adds Tierney.
The band's first single, “Infallible,” represents the moment everything changed for Tierney, the song that pushed him to leave behind a project he’d been part of for five years and fully commit to forging Ravenmocker’s path.
“‘Infallible’ was the turning point. It came from a place in my life that was harming me more than helping me. The guys immediately heard the potential, and it became the first song we worked on. A small clip online hit over 75,000 views, and that connection really showed us this was the right direction. This song started it all,” explains Tierney. “Infallible” tells the story of a man who has spent too long in darkness, giving everything to an entity that never gave anything back. The track captures the moment he finally walks away, choosing growth, clarity, and self‑determination over turmoil. Musically, the song is energetic and uplifting, while lyrically, it remains cold, rigid, and emotionally raw. This contrast reflects the duality of stepping into a new future while still carrying the weight of resentment, anger, and frustration. The single artwork mirrors this theme: A lone figure stands in the ruins of a devastated city, surrounded by collapsed towers and shattered structures. Amid the destruction, a statue of a raven remains standing, wings spread, defiant, symbolizing resilience, rebirth, and the courage to rise from ruin.
Watch and listen to the music video for “Infallible” via its premiere on NoCleanSinging HERE.
Rockshots Records is proud to announce the release of “The Great Unknown”, the new official video by Finnish progressive metal act Canvas Of Silence. Featured on the band’s debut full-length album "As The World Tree Fell," the song is now presented in a new version introducing Aino Vuorenmaa as the new lead singer of the band, marking an important step in Canvas Of Silence’s ongoing evolution.
Following the previously released singles “Drown”, “One With The Wind” and “Humanimal”, the latter having been featured in Spotify’s editorial playlist Metallia Suomesta, alongside the album focus track “Wayfarer”, this new version of “The Great Unknown” represents a pivotal moment within the record’s conceptual and emotional journey, while also signaling a renewed artistic direction.
Musically, “The Great Unknown” stands as one of the album’s most direct and immediate compositions, while remaining unmistakably true to the band’s sonic identity. Progressive metal foundations are enriched by expansive melodic lines, atmospheric textures, and dynamic arrangements that balance intensity and accessibility. With the introduction of the new vocal line, the song unfolds with renewed momentum, allowing its emotional weight to emerge with even greater clarity and purpose.
With "As The World Tree Fell," Canvas Of Silence delivered a cohesive and emotionally charged debut album exploring themes of collapse, transformation, and renewal. Within this broader arc, the new version of “The Great Unknown” functions both as a moment of focus and as a statement of renewal, reflecting the band’s evolving identity and the beginning of a new chapter.
For fans of Pain of Salvation, Nightwish, In Flames, and all those drawn to music that challenges, moves, and transforms, will find much to explore in the world of Canvas Of Silence's debut album, "As The World Tree Fell," released on October 31, 2025.
Track Listing: 1. Watching the World Tree Fall - 6:20 2. Humanimal - 4:02 3. Anthem for Ashes - 4:54 4. Drown - 5:41 5. One With the Wind - 4:33 6. Wayfarer - 8:32 7. The Great Unknown - 4:38 8. Garden of the Fallen - 4:46
ALBUM LINE UP:
Hanna Uimonen: Vocals Tatu Hanhikoski: Guitars, programming Jaakko Puusaari: Guitars, backing vocals Mikael Minkkinen: Bass Iiro Vuori: Drums
Québec City melodic death metal force Born Divided continue the momentum of their acclaimed sophomore album "Chronicle of a Shipwreck" with the release of a brand‑new lyric video for one of the record’s most visceral tracks, “The Dead Inside Ourselves.”
A standout moment on the album, "The Dead Inside Ourselves," captures the band at their most raw and unfiltered. The track erupts with stripped‑down, hard‑hitting guitar riffs, no ornamentation, no restraint, just pure, unrelenting aggression. As the song unfolds, it plunges into a brooding, symphonic bridge that channels the dark theatricality of Cradle of Filth before launching into a climactic finale. Vocalist Maxim Levesque delivers one of his most striking performances to date, with clean vocals that rise above the chaos in a haunting, unforgettable close. “The Dead Inside Ourselves is one of the most cathartic pieces on the album. It’s raw emotion without a filter, anger, despair, resilience, all colliding in one place. The lyric video gives fans a deeper look into that emotional core,” says the band.
Released this past October, "Chronicle of a Shipwreck" marked a major creative milestone for Born Divided. Mixed and mastered by Chris Donaldson (Cryptopsy), the album pushes further into the band’s signature blend of orchestral intensity, progressive ambition, and melodic ferocity. Since forming in 2020, following the end of Blinded by Faith, founding members Tommy Demers and Michael Beaudoin have built Born Divided into a powerhouse alongside Levesque, drummer Lucas Biron, and guitarist Fred Bedard, all veterans of Québec’s metal scene. With "Chronicle of a Shipwreck," the band adopted a more personal and emotionally charged direction. Fast, intricate riffs collide with soaring melodies, brutal screams, and cinematic arrangements, exploring themes of collapse, inner conflict, and the fight toward redemption. The album has been praised for its dynamic songwriting and its ability to balance heaviness with haunting atmosphere. The new lyric video for "The Dead Inside Ourselves" provides fans with another glimpse into the album’s emotional landscape, one characterized by intensity, vulnerability, and the band’s unmistakable blend of melodic death metal and symphonic drama.
Recommended for fans of Ne Obliviscaris, Symphony X, Scar Symmetry, Persefone, and Dimmu Borgir, Born Divided continue to carve out a distinct identity in the modern metal scene, delivering music that is as technically sharp as it is emotionally resonant.
"Chronicle of a Shipwreck", released October 24th, 2025, is available at the following links:
Rockshots Records is proud to announce the release of “Shadow Spell”, the brand new single by Italian symphonic death metal act NEFASTIS.
“Shadow Spell” marks the opening chapter of "Shadows At The Light Of Dawn", an ambitious four-act concept album conceived as a continuous and engaging listening experience. The track follows an instrumental introduction and immediately sets the emotional and narrative tone of the record, plunging the listener into a post-apocalyptic scenario shaped by loss, anguish, and spiritual disorientation.
Musically, “Shadow Spell” showcases NEFASTIS evolved identity, blending aggressive death metal foundations with layered orchestral arrangements, progressive structures, and haunting melodic themes. Intense piano passages and sweeping symphonic textures coexist with sharp riffs, dynamic drumming, and commanding vocals, creating a dark yet story-driven atmosphere that unfolds with dramatic tension and depth.
Lyrically, the song portrays the journey of survivors in the aftermath of a nuclear catastrophe, accompanied by restless spirits that haunt the devastated world around them. This dual presence - physical and spectral - becomes a key narrative element, reinforcing the album’s overarching theme of humanity facing extinction, memory, and decay.
Founded in 2008, NEFASTIS debuted in 2014 with the concept album "De Diebus Fastis, Nefastis, Infaustis", before reshaping their sound into a more expansive and orchestral form of symphonic death metal. With “Shadow Spell”, the band opens a new and decisive chapter, setting the foundations for their most ambitious work to date.
Recommended for fans of Wintersun, Hypocrisy, Fleshgod Apocalypse, “Shadow Spell”, can be heard at the following links:
Track Listing: 1. Cosmic Silence at the Edge of the New World – 2:50 2. Shadow Spell – 4:30 3. Seduced by the Beauty of the Darkness – 5:05 4. Absence of Illumination – 2:52 5. Tears of the Past – 4:29 6. Vortex of Light – 5:09 7. Lights of Dawn – 3:43 8. Alone Again – 5:57 9. Stardust – 5:05 10. Blackened Vision – 2:45 11. Collapsing Dream – 8:01 12. Flowers Swept Away by the Autumn – 5:33 Album Length: 55:58 Nefastis Line-Up: Simone Colombo: Lead Vocals, Lead & Rhythm Guitars Andrea Lenzi: Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Acoustic Guitars, Backing Vocals, Orchestrations Fulvio Manganini: Bass Claudio Invidia: Drums More info:
Vancouver, B.C.’s leading melodic and power metal festival, HYPERSPACE METAL FEST, is gearing up for its 7th edition after another year packed with unforgettable, high‑energy performances. Taking place at The Cobalt on April 16 and 17, and at the Rickshaw Theatre on April 18, the festival has unveiled its first wave of 2026 performers, including SANCTUARY, OWLBEAR, ATAVISTIA, VOIDCHASER, ARTIFICIAL LANGUAGE, WITCH KILLER, OPHELIA FALLING, LYCANTHRO, THORSGUARD, VALLEY OF DESPAIR, with more bands to be announced soon.
"We are beyond stoked to finally announce the first wave of bands for Hyperspace Metal Festival VII! Sanctuary will be performing a Canadian exclusive performance of Into The Mirror Black in its entirety! Atavistia will be headlining night 1, which will have a heavy emphasis on melodic death metal. After this year, the festival will be going on indefinite hiatus, so if you've been wanting to make it to Hyperspace, this could be your last chance. Let's rage together at the Rickshaw and the Cobalt one last time!" adds festival organizer Joey Hockin of Journeyman Productions.
This year's headliner, Sanctuary, is making their exclusive Canadian HMF appearance a very special one as they will be performing their highly praised 1990 album "Into The Mirror Black" in its entirety.
The American heavy metal band Sanctuary was founded in Seattle, Washington, in 1985, and quickly became a key part of the city's influential heavy metal scene. The band’s sound, centered on the distinctive high-pitched vocals of the late Warrel Dane and established them as a prominent force. Their debut album, Refuge Denied (1988), was notably produced by Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine, helping to launch the band into the global metal consciousness. Sanctuary gathered supporters all around the globe, upping the ante considerably when unleashing the darker, more refined masterpiece that is “Into the Mirror Black” in 1990. While the grunge style brought the band’s commercial career to an unfortunate halt, the end of the band’s first phase meant the rise of Nevermore, who released several much-acclaimed albums via Century Media Records between 1995 and 2010. In 2011, Sanctuary reformed and celebrated their live comeback, performing at high-profile festivals such as Wacken, Metalcamp, Bloodstock, and 70K Tons Of Metal cruise. In 2014, they released “The Year The Sun Died” and landed at #39 in the German charts. In 2017, the restored and remixed 1986 demo recordings were released as the historical “Inception” release, which charted at #53 in Germany. On December 13th, 2017, vocalist Warrel Dane tragically passed away. The band initially embarked on a tribute tour, recruiting Witherfall singer Joseph Michael to fill the vocal spot. The reaction to Michael's performances was very positive, and the band chose to continue with the focus shifting to new material. The band is aiming to deliver a unique sound that remains familiar to die-hard fans. The current lineup of Sanctuary includes Joseph Michael on vocals, alongside original members Lenny Rutledge (guitars) and Dave Budbill (drums), and George Hernandez on bass. Sanctuary has, and always will be, a two-guitar band and will have a second guitar player for all upcoming live shows. You can catch the band performing special sets of Refuge Denied or Into The Mirror Black at festivals in 2026.
The band is actively working on a new full-length album, tentatively titled Transmutation.Sanctuary is eager to bring a new show and new music to Europe and the rest of the globe once again! See you on the road!
Forced to cancel their 2025 performance at HMF, Owlbear has its sights set to take the stage at the 2026 edition. Formed in 2020 during a time in which plague stalked the land and time lost all meaning, the core of Owlbear is comprised of North American scene veterans Katheryn Scary (vocals), Jeff Taft (guitars), and Leona Hayward (bass), all of whom hail from different corners of the continent. A rapid exchange of demos led to the creation of their debut album Chaos to the Realm, and the runaway success of that release in 2023 transformed the band from a remote project to a full-fledged outfit, with their debut live performance occurring at the sold-out Legions of Metal festival in Chicago in 2024. Musically, Owlbear draws influence from classic heavy and speed metal and roots their lyrics in the media its members love, from the famous role-playing game that inspired the band’s namesake to the Final Fantasy franchise. Dynamic vocals, frenetic riffing, and bass that is equal parts pummeling and acrobatic drive the band’s relentless approach, and with the release of their widely praised sophomore album Feather & Claw, Owlbear aims to continue to carve out its niche within the heavy metal community with a savage swipe of a plumed talon.
Atavistia (HMF Alumni) is a Canadian symphonic melodic death metal band that blends aggressive riffs, cinematic orchestrations, and melancholic atmospheres. The band has built a strong international following, particularly across Europe, through consistent releases and extensive touring alongside established acts. Known for their powerful live performances and polished production, Atavistia continues to push their sound forward while remaining rooted in melodic death metal.
From Montreal and Stockholm, Voidchaser is a progressive metal band. Since their inception in 2023, the band has quickly gained momentum with standout, high-caliber singles that have resonated across North America, South America, and Europe, earning widespread attention from influential outlets such as Prog Magazine, Decibel Magazine, The Progspace, Prog-Sphere, Metal Universe, and others. In 2024, they released Solace, their 30-minute debut concept album written as a single continuous piece. Fusing crushing riffs, intricate arrangements, and evocative storytelling, the record ranges from the explosive Only Human (featuring Ashbreather) to the haunting acoustic ballad Alien. The album quickly amassed over 250,000 streams on Spotify, charted on Apple Music and iTunes top metal albums in multiple countries across Europe, North America, and South America, and solidified their status as one of prog metal’s most promising new voices. Their follow-up EP, Trust (2025), features collaborations with Jim Grey (Caligula’s Horse), members of The Anchoret and Universe Effects, and over 10 contributors from around the world. Voidchaser will embark on their debut international tour in summer and fall 2025, including performances at ProgPower Europe (25th Anniversary), the inaugural ProgStorm Festival in Montreal, and shows alongside Threshold, Kingcrow, Vulkan, Nospūn, Omnivide, Ok Goodnight, and Lux Terminus.
Artificial Language is a progressive rock/metal band from Fresno, California, crafting music that blends technical precision with cinematic atmosphere. Since emerging in 2017, the group has built a reputation for intricate songwriting, dynamic arrangements, and emotionally charged performances that push the boundaries of modern prog. Their sound fuses soaring melodies with complex rhythmic interplay, creating immersive sonic landscapes that reward both casual listeners and devoted prog fans. With a style that bridges the intensity of metal and the expansiveness of progressive rock, Artificial Language has carved out a distinct identity in the genre. The band continues to evolve through ambitious studio work and compelling visual storytelling, including striking releases like their “Skinwalker” music video.
Forged in Ottawa’s early‑’80s metal underground, Witchkiller emerged as one of Canada’s most compelling contributions to the era’s heavy metal surge. Blending the power and theatricality of classic heavy metal with the melodic intensity of the NWOBHM movement, the band quickly carved out a cult following with their commanding musicianship and dramatic songwriting. Formed in 1981 by drummer Steve Batky and guitarist Kurt Phillips, Witchkiller solidified their place in metal history with their iconic 1984 EP Day of the Saxons, released through Metal Blade Records. The record’s soaring vocals, galloping riffs, and apocalyptic themes cemented its status as a collector’s favourite and a defining release of Canadian metal’s formative years. Despite lineup changes and an initial split in 1985, the band’s legacy only grew. Witchkiller re‑emerged in 2012 with renewed fire, reuniting key members and introducing their sound to a new generation of fans. Their return has been marked by a resurgence of interest in their early work, new recordings, and a revitalized presence in the metal underground. Today, Witchkiller stands as a testament to the enduring power of true heavy metal spirit, a band whose influence continues to echo through collectors, die‑hard fans, and the modern revival of traditional metal.
Emerging from Vancouver’s rain‑soaked streets, Ophelia Falling (HMF Alumni) delivers symphonic metal at its most powerful, soaring vocals layered over driving power metal, orchestra, and choir. Formed in 2013 by guitarist Mark Anthony Richardson, the band found its voice when powerhouse singer Chelsea Rose joined in 2015, leading to the creation of early fan favourites like “Savage Love” and “Anybody’s Daughter.” With James Meyer on board, their explosive 2018 debut made them one of Vancouver’s most talked‑about metal acts, quickly landing them on the stage of the Rickshaw Theatre for Hyperspace Metal Festival.
Bassist Sylvain Maltais joined in 2018, helping propel the band through a breakout period that included their 2019 EP Savage Love, soundtrack placements in Karen Lam’s The Curse of Willow Song and Kevin Schultz’s Guiltless, and performances at Wacken Battle Canada (BC Finals) and Calgary’s Decimate 2.0 Festival. Drummer Chris Pallot completed the lineup in 2020.
Their debut album, "Destroyed in Delight," arrived in October 2020, featuring the single “Tangled” and the track “Save Me,” selected for gameplay by Hipsterbait. Songs from the album continue to receive college and internet radio play worldwide. With multiple music videos released and more in production, Ophelia Falling is now writing new material and gearing up for their return to the stage.
Lycanthro(HMF Alumni) is an enigmatic power metal band hailing from Ottawa, Canada. Their unique fusion of power, thrash, and traditional metal delivers an epic soundscape that’s as bold as it is unforgettable. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Savatage, W.A.S.P., Blind Guardian, and more, Lycanthro proudly hunts in the world of true metal. Calling out to the realms of classic horror, pop culture, and mythology, their music is a journey through the imagination via tales of personal struggle and howling victory. After an early demo and EP, their critically acclaimed full-length album, Mark of the Wolf (2021), showcased powerful storytelling, dynamic arrangements, and even collaborations with a chamber choir. Lycanthro has hunted on stages such as Power Metal Quest Fest in the UK, Legions of Metal in Chicago, and is fast inviting a worldwide audience to join the pack. Now, after joining US-based metal label Psychomanteum Records, the wolven-metal outlanders are hard at work crafting their highly anticipated second album for release in 2025. With every note, Lycanthro proves that the howl never dies, the hunt never ends, and the night is never quiet. IN METAL WE TRUST!
Thorsguard is an epic Viking metal project forged in the cold winds of Alberta, Canada. Founded in early 2022 by multi‑instrumentalist and vocalist Damien Hicks, known artistically as The Skald, the band was created with a singular purpose: to revive the ancient sagas through thunderous riffs, sweeping melodies, and battle‑hardened storytelling. According to public listings, Thorsguard is based in the Edmonton/Sherwood Park region and is driven by a passion for Norse myth, warrior culture, and cinematic metal soundscapes. Drawing inspiration from genre giants such as Amon Amarth, Sabaton, Ensiferum, Equilibrium, and Brothers of Metal, Thorsguard blends melodic death metal, folk elements, and symphonic textures into a sound that feels both mythic and modern. The project’s lyrical themes revolve around Viking exploits, legendary battles, and the enduring spirit of the North, all delivered with the dramatic flair of a wandering skald recounting heroic deeds by firelight. With its roots planted firmly in epic metal tradition and its eyes set on the horizon, Thorsguard stands ready to carve its name into the modern Viking metal landscape one saga at a time.
Valley of Despair is an independent Canadian metal band blending together elements of modern rock, power metal, and thrash. The Edmonton, AB-based group released their debut EP "Burn At The Stake" on November 29th, 2024. The EP charted #1 at college radio stations across Canada and landed a spot on the Earshot National Loud Chart.
Valley of Despair toured with their EP across Western Canada in 2025 with festival stops in Armstrong, BC, and Yellowknife, NT. VoD is preparing to write their full-length debut with plans to release new music in 2026.
The band consists of Cheryl Leia (vocals & rhythm guitar), TJ Buggins (lead guitar), Joel Croft (Bass), and Preston Lehoux (drums).
