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• DIRTY SHIRT's New Album "Dirty Thirty (The Best Of)" - 30 Years of Folkcore! + Full Live Video at Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2025

  Jun 26, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Romanian folkcore metal innovators Dirty Shirt proudly announce the release of their new album "Dirty Thirty (The Best Of)," arriving June 26th, 2026, on digital platforms, limited double‑CD digipak, and vinyl. The career‑spanning collection celebrates more than 30 years of one of Eastern Europe’s most distinctive and genre‑defying metal bands.
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  Featuring 30 tracks that chart Dirty Shirt’s evolution from their earliest recordings to their most recent material, and two new singles, “FOMO” and “Büntető” from the band’s upcoming studio album.

  The anthology draws from every era of the band’s discography, including:
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  Very Dirty (2000) – 1 track (newly re‑recorded version from Pandemic Special)
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  Same Shirt Different Day (2010) – 2 tracks
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  Freak Show (2013) – 4 tracks + orchestral “Away”
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  Dirtylicious (2015) – 7 tracks
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  Letchology (2019) – 7 tracks
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  Get Your Dose Now & Pandemic Special (2022) – 7 tracks
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  Several early‑era songs have been newly remastered by longtime sound engineer Adrian “Bila” Urițescu. At the same time, the album’s artwork, created by internationally acclaimed artist Costin Chioreanu, continues a creative partnership now spanning more than 13 years. The project was partially funded through a successful 2025 crowdfunding campaign and features contributions from over 40 musicians.
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  ​Keyboardist/guitarist Mihai Tivadar reflects on the milestone:
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  “Dirty Shirt became much more than a band. It became a family… This album is a celebration of everyone who has been part of these thirty years.”

  CD and Vinyl order available at the following links:

  ​https://www.dirty-merch.com/​

  ​https://dirtyshirt.bandcamp.com/​

  Digital - https://linktr.ee/dirtyshirtband​

  Alongside the new album announcement, Dirty Shirt has released their full live performance from Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2025, one of the most important concerts in the band’s history.
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  This marked the band’s third appearance at Romania’s premier metal festival, and their first time as co‑headliners, performing on a main stage during a prime‑time slot before 10,000+ fans. The closing‑night lineup also featured Static‑X and Sepultura, with a standout moment occurring when drummer Sergio Ponti joined Sepultura on stage for a special performance of “Kaiowas.”
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  The 2025 edition was especially emotional, serving as the final Rockstadt Extreme Fest held in Râșnov, the festival’s home for more than a decade. Dirty Shirt’s full set captures both a defining moment in their career and the atmosphere of a festival that has become a landmark of the European metal scene.

   

  Dirty Shirt will also be back on the road for the summer season and a series of fantastic open-air festivals in Romania, Germany, and Slovakia (dates listed below).

  Tour Dates:​
  ​5 JUN - Nocturnal - Alexandria
  18 JUN - Bikers for Humanity - Brezoi
  26 JUN - Rock pod kameňom - Snina (Sk)
  28 JUN - Zilele Resitei - Resita (Ro)
  4 JUL - Praetorian Gates - Alba lulia
  11 JUL - Guitar Day - Cluj Napoca
  17 JUL - Bucharest Town Charity Run
  29 JUL - Wacken Open Air (De)
  1 AUG - Bucovina Motor Fest - Suceava
  8 AUG - CityFest - Ziar Nad Hronom (Sk)
  22 AUG - Rock Revolution - Bobâlna
  3 SEP - Guitar Meeting - Sibiu
  More Shows T.B.A.

  For more info: https://dirty-shirt.com/​
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• TRUENT Unleashes New Music Video For Single “Vilemaker”

  Jun 26, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian death juggernaut Truent returns with a vengeance as they release their crushing new single and music video “Vilemaker,” marking the official debut of new vocalist Darian Mazloomi (also of Cryptic Enslavement, Argent Strand) and new bassist Jason Whitewick-Bonenfant (also of Sideon).

  “Vilemaker” is a ferocious statement of intent, fast, technical, groove‑laden, and lyrically dense. Inspired by the Berserk “Golden Age” arc, the song explores the rise of a tyrant who climbs toward absolute power through manipulation, deceit, and the bodies of those he destroys along the way. Musically, it’s one of the band’s most crushing offerings to date, packed with razor‑sharp riffing, relentless momentum, and the unmistakable chemistry of Truent’s newly energized lineup.
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  The single also marks the first lyrical contribution from Mazloomi, whose arrival injects a new level of intensity into the band’s sound.
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  ​“‘Vilemaker’ is the most recent song we’ve written. There was a lot of deliberation on the structure and placement of certain parts, but it came together in a very satisfying way. It’s also the first song Darian has written lyrics for,” adds drummer Nicolas Landry.
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  According to drummer Nicolas Landry, fans can expect a noticeable evolution in the band’s songwriting and sonic identity. The new material is raw, dynamic, and intentionally less polished than much of today’s hyper‑produced metal, without sacrificing clarity or tone.
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  ​“We’ve really strived for a rawer sound this time around… This is some of our most dynamic music thus far, and we wanted the production to reflect that.”
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  Lyrically, the upcoming releases lean heavily into nihilism, frustration, and societal disillusionment, each song telling its own story through vivid imagery and shifting points of view.
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  ​Truent will release a limited but steady stream of singles throughout 2026, each showcasing the band’s sharpened songwriting, expanded influences, and collaborative creative process. The new material continues to blend tech‑death, groove, and metalcore elements.
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  ​Truent has spent the last several years carving out a reputation as one of Canada’s most exciting rising metal bands. Their technical, groove‑driven approach has earned them stage time alongside Archspire, Decapitated, Voivod, Revocation, Signs of the Swarm, and more. With a refreshed lineup and a wave of new music on the horizon, Truent enters 2026 with renewed force and a rapidly growing audience.

  Add to your Spotify Playlist - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/truent/vilemaker

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  Band Lineup:​
  Nicolas Landry – Drums
  Matthew Pancoust – Guitar
  Eli Slamang - Guitar (also of Terrifier)
  Jason Whitewick-Bonenfant – Bass (also of Sideon)
  Darian Mazloomi – Vocals (also of Cryptic Enslavement, Argent Strand)

  More info: https://ffm.bio/truentmetal​

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• Streaming Now! ENTROPIST Debut Concept Album "The Vision" Produced by Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist)

  Jun 25, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Denver, Colorado’s Entropist has rapidly emerged as one of progressive metal’s most compelling new voices, crafting a sound vocalist Parker Kitching calls “a love letter to metal.” Their music fuses the ambition of progressive metal, the weight of deathcore, the precision of djent, and the emotional depth of post‑hardcore into a sweeping, cinematic style defined by technical mastery and immersive storytelling.
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  Formed from a decade‑long bond between Solomon Smith (guitar/vocals), Parker Kitching (vocals), Jeremy Smith (bass), and Matt Gleason (drums), Entropist’s origins trace back to 2013 in Greeley, Colorado, where the members first connected as college roommates and neighbors. United by a shared obsession with prog metal and djent, the group spent their early years carpooling to Denver shows, dissecting new releases together, and eventually jamming in their living room with Matt’s drum kit set up beside the couch.
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  Life pulled the members in different directions after college, but the spark reignited during the COVID era when Solomon began revisiting old material and reconnecting with the band through long Discord calls, shared Guitar Pro files, and late‑night idea exchanges. The lineup solidified with the addition of guitarist Will Vinson, whose creativity and technical approach elevated the band’s sound into its fully realized form.
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  Their debut album, “The Vision,” is being released on June 26, 2026, and marks a bold and ambitious entrance. A dual‑layered concept record, the album intertwines a fantastical narrative of demons, celestial beings, and the void with a grounded exploration of mental struggle, nihilism, and the search for meaning. Written largely from the perspectives of the story's characters, the album is designed as a front‑to‑back experience filled with recurring motifs, callbacks, and evolving themes.

  
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  Musically, Entropist draws from Between the Buried and Me, Meshuggah, Opeth, and The Contortionist, yet their sound remains unmistakably their own. Solomon’s intricate compositions form the backbone of the record, while the rest of the band shaped the material through relentless collaboration and experimentation. The result is a dynamic, through‑composed progressive metal odyssey that spans everything from crushing downtuned heaviness to atmospheric passages, soaring vocal harmonies, and genre‑bending rhythmic exploration.
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  To bring the album’s massive sound to life, Entropist enlisted renowned producer Jamie King, whose work with BTBAM and The Contortionist helped define modern progressive metal. His mixing and mastering elevated the band’s wide‑ranging ideas into a cohesive, powerful whole. The album’s visual identity comes from a hand‑painted canvas by Solomon’s wife, Shannon Bortfeldt, whose impressionist artwork captures the emotional and narrative weight of the story’s opening moments.

  
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  On stage, Entropist has already shared the bill with Nightwraith, So This Is Suffering, Eternal Bloom, The Dawn Chose Orion, WOR, and Fused by Defiance, bringing their intense, immersive sound to audiences across Colorado.
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  With a debut album that spans genres, tells a sweeping story, and showcases the band’s technical and emotional range, Entropist is poised to become a defining voice in modern progressive metal. Their music is ambitious, meticulously crafted, and driven by a genuine passion for the genre, and “The Vision” is only the beginning.

  Listen to the album's full stream premiere on NoCleanSinging HERE.

  "The Vision" will be available on all digital platforms as of June 26, 2026.

  Album pre-order - https://entropistcolorado.bandcamp.com/​
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  ​Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZHLaSydJSPqval3Cd0cjs​

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  Track Listing:​
  1. Intense Warmth (4:00)
  2. Devour Us (6:34)
  3. I Hunger (5:34)
  4. The Ritual (8:36)
  5. Desert of Limbo (6:04)
  6. The Wandering (6:47)
  7. Creation (8:49)
  8. Revelation (14:12)
  Album Length: 1:00:40

  Album Band Line Up:​
  Solomon Smith - Guitar
  Will Vinson - Guitar
  Jeremy Smith - Bass
  Matt Gleason - Drums
  Parker Kitching - Vocals
  Cecily Meade - Violin

  Live Band Line Up:​
  Solomon Smith - Guitar
  Will Vinson - Guitar
  Jeremy Smith - Bass
  Matt Gleason - Drums
  Parker Kitching - Vocals

  More info:

  ​https://entropistband.com/​

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

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

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• CANDOR ZEALOT (ft. ex-members of Annihilator, The Slyde) Unveils Second Video of 2026 "All For You"

  Jun 23, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Progressive metal upstarts Candor Zealot continue their ambitious 2026 singles campaign with the release of their second track, “All For You”.​
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  A sharp contrast to their politically charged debut single “Lie For Country”, the new track dives into deeply personal territory. “All For You” channels raw emotional fallout, catharsis, and the process of reclaiming one’s power after surviving emotional manipulation or abuse. Musically, it blends angst‑driven modern rock with the band’s signature progressive edge, balancing accessibility with technical bite.
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  ​“‘All For You’ is the second single for us, showcasing a more radio‑friendly side of the band, and channeling more angst‑ridden inspiration this time around. It’s for everyone who has experienced emotional or other forms of abuse in a previous relationship and is making peace with it,” says Nate Silva, Candor Zealot
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  Drawing influence from Linkin Park and Bring Me The Horizon, the track’s soaring chorus and heavy mid‑section nod to Gojira and Dream Theater, a fusion that positions “All For You” as one of the band’s most musically ambitious offerings.

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  Spotify - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/candorzealot/all-for-you​

  Bandcamp - https://candorzealot.bandcamp.com/track/all-for-you​

  Rather than releasing a traditional album, Candor Zealot is unveiling six singles throughout 2026, each spotlighting a different facet of their melodic, progressive, and socially aware sound. The band aims to build momentum one track at a time, embracing modern listening habits while maintaining the depth and musicianship of classic prog and metal.
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  Formed in Ottawa by vocalist/guitarist Nate Silva, Candor Zealot emerged from the dissolution of his previous project, The Slyde, whose members won Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019 and performed at Wacken Open Air. After years of pandemic delays, academic pursuits, and a brief detour into alternative rock, Silva returned to his progressive roots, reuniting with drummer Dino Soares and bassist Alberto Campuzano, formerly of Annihilator, who also performs with Toronto’s Metallica tribute act Sandman, and recruiting Ottawa multi‑band guitarist Chris Gagnon.​
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  ​Candoz Zealot's influences span Rush, Billy Talent, Megadeth, Dream Theater, Coheed & Cambria, European metal, pop‑punk, video‑game music, J‑rock, and even K‑pop.

  For more info:

  ​https://candorzealot.com/​

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

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

  ​https://www.tiktok.com/@candorzealot​

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• DOLL Drops “Snakes and Ladders” Lyric Video As The Final Chapter In Their “Animal Crackers” Trilogy

  Jun 22, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Ottawa alternative rock band DOLL has released the new lyric video for their latest single “Snakes and Ladders,” the newest chapter in their evolving Animal Crackers trilogy. Following January’s standalone track “Bear Claw” and the fan‑favourite “Shark Bait” from their 2025 album "Better Days, Better Times," the single continues the band’s creative resurgence, now brought to life visually with a gritty, high‑energy lyric video that amplifies the song’s message and mood.
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  After re‑emerging from a long hiatus with a renewed sense of purpose, DOLL, the wife‑and‑husband duo of Christina and Pete Kasper, have embraced a period of sonic exploration, pushing their sound into new territory while staying true to the raw emotion and honesty that defined their early work.
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  With “Snakes and Ladders,” the band lean into a D‑standard, grunge‑inspired throwback while weaving in the darker tones and textures that have shaped their recent evolution. Packed with harmonics, punchy riffs, and Christina’s unmistakable vocal rasp, the track captures DOLL’s signature blend of tension, drive, and cathartic release.

  “Our fans expect the unexpected at this point. ‘Snakes and Ladders’ feels like the perfect final piece, gritty, energetic, and a real reflection of where DOLL is headed,” shares the duo.
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  The single channels the feral energy defining their latest era, a full‑throttle return to old‑school DOLL with raw vocals, jagged guitars, and drums that hit like a runaway car with no brakes. Carrying the emotional weight of Better Days, Better Times, the track confronts uncomfortable truths with a mix of vulnerability and defiance.
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  Lyrically, “Snakes and Ladders” stands as an anthem of resistance, calling out the “snakes in suits” who pretend to help but only serve themselves. It urges listeners to stay grounded, ask questions, and refuse to play someone else’s game. Musically, it’s one of the band’s most exhilarating songs to perform, built for movement, release, and shaking off whatever’s weighing you down. “As the song says, ‘I refuse to play your game.’ Always ask questions. Keep perspective. Don’t drink the Kool‑Aid blindly.”
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  The single’s artwork came together through a moment of pure serendipity. While wandering through a thrift store, the duo stumbled upon a vintage Snakes and Ladders board game, complete with classic packaging that felt uncannily perfect for the song’s theme.

  “It was like the universe dropped it in front of us. Once we saw it, we knew this was the cover. It was meant to be,” they add.
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  The artwork mirrors the song’s message, life’s unpredictable climbs and falls, and the importance of staying true to yourself no matter where the board leads.

  Listen to “Snakes and Ladders” at the following links:

  Add to your Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/track/2jaDZUp5fZoRJDu7wXTEU7​

  All digital platforms - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/doll14/snakes-and-ladders

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  More info: https://www.facebook.com/dollband | https://www.instagram.com/dollbandmusic/​

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