Latest Articles

• Texas Metal Veterans STATE OF MIND Return With Sophomore EP “Sanity Of Madness”

  Feb 14, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  State of Mind, the Texas-based heavy metal outfit known for its powerful blend of classic metal and raw emotion, has recently released its second EP “Sanity of Madness” on February 7, 2025, via Self-Made Records with distribution from Earache Records. The six-track collection arrives as a testament to the band's evolution since their formation in 1994, showcasing their signature combination of thunderous anthems and introspective songwriting. They comment on their expectation for the reception of the album:

  “We think it will be received well. It’s got a raw human unpolished sound to it that you don’t get anymore. We decided not to put too much polish on it and leave it raw and authentic. We wanted that human, dirty sound. Like the good ole days of hella concerts. It's like all of our influences came together and showed us the path we needed to take. There are so many storylines in this EP; it's epic how they all fit together”

  “Sanity of Madness” builds on the momentum of their 2022 singles “Shattered" and "Fall Away," and their self-titled 2019 debut. The new release includes standout tracks like “The Masters Coming”, a groove-heavy odyssey that tells the tale of Renefield's supernatural struggles, and “Dead”, a hard-driving anthem that captures the universal feeling of modern-day alienation. “Wizard”, inspired by a mystical poster that once adorned their practice space, demonstrates the band's ability to transform visual art into crushing metal compositions.

  State of Mind continues to deliver what they call “New Classic Metal” combining the timeless appeal of traditional heavy metal with contemporary themes and production. The EP weaves together tales of mythical beings, personal demons, and spiritual warfare, all delivered with the intensity that State of Mind fans have come to expect. It is recommended for fans of Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, and Dio.

  “Sanity of Madness” is available at the following links:

  Bandcamp - https://sttefmnd.bandcamp.com

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/4hBestQ​

  Youtube Stream - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kQqlrjSlxBdocyxCjG8JIfnIWTTgfxBQA

  ​

  Track Listing:​
  1. The Masters Coming (3:00)
  2. Dead (3:50)
  3. Mourning Star (4:59)
  4. Shine (3:34)
  5. Wizard (2:39)
  6. Sail Across The Ocean (3:52)
  EP Length: 21:51

  More info: Facebook.com/AstateofmindJohnFerris | X.com/JohnFerris_SOM

  Read more

• The Electric Highway Festival (Calgary, AB) Announces 2025 Lineup w/ BISON, CASTLE, LA CHINGA, BUFFALO BUD BUSTER and more!

  Feb 13, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  The Electric Highway 2025 Lineup Spotify Playlist - https://spotf.fi/ZQXtQay​

  The Electric Highway Festival is excited to announce the full lineup for the 2025 edition of the Festival being held in Calgary, AB on April 4 & 5 at Dickens (1000 9 Ave SW).

  Canadian veteran sludge metal band BISON headlines the whole festival while doom metal band CASTLE headlines Friday night. They will be joined by Southern California band FEVER DOG, and various Western Canadian bands including LA CHINGA, BUFFALO BUD BUSTER, THE GETMINES, 88 MILE TRIP, and more.
  ​
  ​The Final Full Line Up by Day:​
  ​
  ​Friday, April 4, 2025​
  Castle (San Francisco/ Vancouver)
  Buffalo Bud Buster (Calgary)
  Blacksmith and Brewer (Vancouver))
  CHÛNK (Vancouver)
  Hydracat (Edmonton)
  The Astral Prophets (Calgary)
  BUNS (Calgary)
  Doors 5pm - Show 6pm
  ​
  ​Saturday, April 5, 2025​
  Bison (Vancouver)
  La Chinga (Vancouver)
  Fever Dog (Southern California)
  The Getmines (Vancouver)
  88 Mile Trip (Vancouver)
  Lover (Calgary)
  GEOFF (Calgary)
  Doors 5pm - Show 6pm

  Advance 2-day passes are available for $75. Advance single-day tickets are $40 for Friday and $45 for Saturday

  Festival passes and single-day tickets are available at www.theelectrichighway.ca/festivalstore/​

  Event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1149647296782460/​

  ​The Electric Highway Festival hosts various genres that range from Desert Rock, Stoner Metal, Doom, Sludge, Trippy Psychedelic, Surf Rock, Acid Rock, Noise Rock, Fuzz Rock, Space Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Psych, Heavy Blues, Southern Rock, Fuzzy Punk, Sludgy Hardcore bands and variations of any of the previously mentioned styles. The festival includes a vendor area with interesting goods for attendees to take home with them.

  Previous editions of the festival featured one of the event's past favorites Californian headliners Sasquatch, Juno Award-winning Canadian band ANCIIENTS, Vancouver’s La Chinga, Space Queen, Dead Quiet, and more, Gnarwhal from Yellowknife, NWT, Calgary’s Gone Cosmic, Hombre, Flashback among many more, and a whole host of other great bands.

  ​​
  ​
  ​For more info:

  Website: TheElectricHighway.ca​

  Facebook: Facebook.com/ElectricHighwayFestival​

  Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1149647296782460/​

  Instagram: Instagram.com/TheElectricHighway​

  X: X.com/TheElectricHwy​
  ​​
  Hashtag #BuckleUp #EHF2025

  Read more

• Canadian Power Thrash PHEAR's Heaviest Sound To Date On New Album "Save Our Souls" (Produced by Jon Howard (Threat Signal))

  Feb 13, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian metal contingent PHEAR has unleashed their second full-length album "Save Our Souls", now available as of February 13th, 2025 with digital distribution from Golden Robot Records. The new record follows the band's award-winning album “Instanitarium” (2019), and their critically acclaimed EP “The Curse Lives On” (2020).

  With their arena-caliber sound, "Save Our Souls" was produced, mixed, and mastered by Jon Howard (Threat Signal), and can be best described as the heaviest offering from PHEAR to date. Most of the album was written during the dark times of Covid. "Not a lot to be happy about during that time," adds vocalist Patrick Mulock.

  Extremely passionate and driven, PHEAR is always thinking of new ways to entertain its fans, and "Save Our Souls" is no exception. It has taken four years to complete (mostly due to covid). Led by Patrick Mulock and producer Jon Howard in the studio, each musician was pushed hard to get the best out of each of them and they delivered.

  "We had a lot of time to craft these songs. We didn’t have any time restraints. We would go into the studio and do three songs at a time. We were very excited to work with Jon Howard (Threat Signal) again. Jon is the sixth member of Phear. The studio experience was great as we fed off each other's ideas. We pushed each other to get the best performances we could. There are NO FILLERS here. Seven String guitars have played a big part in this. Our sound has grown. The bass guitar on this album is HUGE! The drumming from Mike Harshaw was also very aggressive. If you were to ask me now…This is the heaviest Phear has ever been……….for now lol!" says Mulock.

  A listening experience of thrash, prog, and classic metal elements, PHEAR offers a strong balance from infectious choruses to melodic and growling vocals for true heavy metal nostalgia. Their two lead singles, the album's title track and "Snake" are sure to make you throw up your hail horns and rock out with a sore neck from the headbanging. Plus the band offers up their cover version of Nevermore's "Narcosynthesis".

  "We feel that Phear fans will LOVE this album. We have played some of these songs live and they have gone over amazingly. The first time we played the title track “Save Our Souls”, the entire club was singing the chorus. And it has happened everywhere we have played since…….. No better feeling in the world!" adds Mulock.

  PHEAR features Patrick Mulock (Lead Vocals) (Eidolon, Rampage), Pat Rogers (Lead & Rhythm Guitars) (Profaner- 2016 Wacken Metal Battle Canada Champions), Alex Zubair (Lead & Rhythm Guitars) (Burn to Black, Nadar Sadek, Iomair, Nephelium), Andrew Suarez (Drums) (Fatality, The Slyde - 2023 Wacken Metal Battle Canada Champions) and Chris Boshis (Bass) (Conflicted).

  Throughout their existence, PHEAR has had the honour of opening for German metal legend UDO DIRSCHNEIFER, THE DEAD DAISIES, and STRYPER, along with performing on a pre-show for icons and heroes IRON MAIDEN in 2019 in Toronto at Budweiser Stage.

  Recommended for fans of Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Judas Priest, Dream Theater (prog elements), and Metallica, PHEAR's sophomore album "Save Our Souls" is available from Golden Robot Records at the following link (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon) - https://orcd.co/save-our-souls​

  Track Listing​
  1. Aftershock (5:11)
  2. Save Our Souls (6:39)
  3. Snake (5:26)
  4. Narcosynthesis* (5:29) (*Nevermore Cover)
  5. New World Error (5:11)
  6. Lease on Life (7:02)
  7. Bleed (7:57)
  8. On Thin Ice (8:20)
  9. Delusions (Live) 6:45)
  Album Length: 58:03

  Album Credits:​
  All songs performed by: Phear
  All songs written by: Phear
  *excluding “Narcosynthesis” Written by Nevermore
  Produced by: Jon Howard and Phear
  Mixed by: Jon Howard and Phear
  Mastered by: Jon Howard (Woodward Avenue Studios)
  Album Artwork for “Save Our Souls”: Drake Mefestta
  ​

  Recording Band Line Up:​
  Patrick Mulock - Lead Vocals
  Chris Boshis - Bass Guitars, Backing Vocals
  Alex Zubair - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar
  Pat Rogers - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar
  Mike Harshaw - Drums

  Live Band Line Up​
  Patrick Mulock - Lead Vocals
  Chris Boshis - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
  Alex Zubair - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar
  Pat Rogers - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar
  Andrew Suarez - Drums

  More info:​
  ​https://phearofficial.com​
  ​https://www.facebook.com/phearband​
  ​https://www.instagram.com/spreadthephear

  Read more

• STRIKER's "ULTRAPOWER" Nominated For JUNO Award for Metal / Hard Music Album of The Year + EU Tour w/ Unleash The Archers, Seven Kingdoms

  Feb 12, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Edmonton, AB heavy metal masters STRIKER have been nominated for their third Juno Award for "Metal/Hard Music Album of The Year" for their 2024 album "ULTRAPOWER" released via their indie label Record Breaking Records.

  "Honoured to be among the best of the best of the best along with our fellow JUNO nominees this year for our 3rd consecutive nomination! This means a lot to us, we always give it all and are ready for anything. Tough competition this year, it's a brawl at the pub, but no matter what, we will live to fight another day." adds the band.

  STRIKER has been nominated alongside Anciients, Devin Townsend, Kittie, and Spiritbox.

  2025 - JUNO Awards - METAL/HARD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR / ALBUM DE MUSIQUE MÉTAL/HARD DE L’ANNÉE​
  ​
  Anciients - Beyond the Reach of the Sun - Season of Mist / The Orchard
  Devbin Townsend - PowerNerd - InsideOut Music / Sony
  Kittie - Fire - Sumerian / Virgin
  Spiritbox - The Fear of Fear - BMG / Universal
  Striker - ULTRAPOWER - Independent

  Full list of 2025 Nominees and Categories can be found at https://junoawards.ca/2025-juno-awards-nominees/

  STRIKER's latest album "ULTRAPOWER" was produced by Josh Schroeder (Lorna Shore, Tallah, King 810). The seventh full-length from STRIKER follows their Juno Award-winning self-released record "Play to Win" (2018) unleashed on their label Record Breaking Records.

  With the band writing material since 2018, "ULTRAPOWER" is a collection of Striker tinkering and exploring new avenues. From the album's opening track "Circle of Evil", a Malmsteen-esque metal banger about secret societies and the evil dealings behind closed doors to their previously released single "BEST of the BEST of the BEST" serving up some big riffs and hockey arena vocals to "Blood Magic", which might be one of Striker's most progressive songs, taking cues from bands like King Diamond, with its unconventional structure and punctuated guitar solos. From the band delving into their obsession for late 80s AOR and pop rock with "City Calling", an ode to 1987, and bands like Toto and Kenny Loggins with their hook-powered albums. To fans experiencing the band's first attempt at a synth-wave track with "Live To Fight Another Day", this new offering sees Striker making a shredding love letter to the hard-rocking era of guilty pleasures.

  "ULTRAPOWER" was released on February 2nd, 2024, and is available at https://www.striker-metal.com/shop/ (CD, Vinyl, Digital)

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3SnIshu​

  ​

  In additional news, STRIKER is kicking off their EU tour with Unleash The Archers and Seven Kingdoms (dates listed below).

  EU Tour 2025 - Unleash The Archers, Striker, Seven Kingdoms​
  Tickets: https://linktr.ee/UnleashTheArchersTour2025​
  12.02 (DE) KARLSRUHE @ Substage
  13.02 (DE) ASCHAFFENBURG @ Colos-Saal
  14.02 (DE) COLOGNE @ Live Music Hall
  15.02 (BE) KORTRIJK @ De Kreun
  16.02 (GB) LONDON @ The Underworld
  17.02 (FR) PARIS @ La Machine
  19.02 (CH) ZURICH @ Dynamo
  20.02 (IT) MILAN @ Legend Club
  21.02 (DE) MUNICH @ Backstage Halle
  22.02 (CZ) ZLIN @ Masters of Rock Cafe
  23.02 (HU) BUDAPEST @ Barba Negra
  25.02 (AT) VIENNA @ Szene
  26.02 (PL) CRACOW @ Kwadrat
  27.02 (DE) LEIPZIG @ Hellraiser
  28.02 (LU) ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE @ Rockhal
  01.03 (DE) HAMBURG @ Kronensaal
  02.03 (NL) HAARLEM @ Patronaat

  More info: Striker-metal.com​

  Read more

• WARBRINGER Unleashes Explosive Second Single "The Sword And The Cross" | New Album "Wrath And Ruin" Out March 14

  Feb 11, 2025 Al Feliciano 0 Comments

  Modern thrash titans WARBRINGER recently set the world ablaze with the announcement of their highly anticipated new album, Wrath And Ruin, out March 14, 2025 via Napalm Records. Today, they return to unleash the furiously charged second single "The Sword And The Cross," alongside an official lyric video. 
  
  "The Sword And The Cross" continues the band's righteous crusade for justice and riffs, lambasting listeners with unrelenting blasts, and unsettling, gothic guitar duels. Frontman John Kevill remains steadfast in his convictions, lyrically exploring the dismay of modern conditions through the voice of a medieval lord cruelly mocking the listener.
  
  About the single, frontman Kevill says: "'The Sword and the Cross' was the first song we wrote for Wrath and Ruin and sets the tone for the album. We have a dark, epic thrashing number where a callous lord tells the audience how and why he owns them. First, establishing himself with brute violence (the Sword). Second, legitimating himself with ideology (the Cross). The end of the song was written first, where this lord says that he is still present, and reigns in skyscrapers rather than castles, that his sons will own your sons, and he will own you long after he dies. I love this section and it feels absolutely maniacal and evil to sing.

  "One of the chief themes on the record is 'techno-feudalism.' Though our rulers may have given up their crowns and titles, they never relinquished their power. The modern lords are no less our masters than the medieval ones were. 

  "Bend the knee, peasants, for we bring to you Wrath and Ruin. We bring the sword!"

  Check Out "The Sword And The Cross" HERE.

  Pre-Order New Album Wrath And Ruin HERE.

  Wrath And Ruin's destructive opening duo of "The Sword And The Cross" and "A Better World" quickly kick the gates of cataclysm open with broodingly dark guitar work and virtuosic precision. Frontman John Kevill's passionate proclamations are as potent as ever, mocking those who scoffed at clear harbingers of societal collapse with their misguided optimism. "Neuromancer" rides low and steady with blast master Carlos Cruz putting some serious stank on an irresistible battle vest fist pumper. "The Jackhammer" sees the band explode into a frenzy with chaotic riffage and ear splitting pinch dives. "Through A Glass, Darkly" indulges in deliciously gothic chord work and melodic leads embellishing Kevill’s already hellish vocal fry. "Strike From The Sky" is trademark thrash excellence quickly followed by the atmospheric, true cult epic "Cage Of Air," with its tensely ornate dueling guitars on full display. Album closer "The Last Of My Kind" continues this dark gothic path with syncopated octave runs dancing around tightly dueling melodeath riffage.Wrath And Ruin sees WARBRINGER indulging in the darker elements of their sound, for an uncompromising and unflinching exploration of life’s most bitter pills.

  WARBRINGER are currently gearing up to embark on the massive “Infernal Bleeding Over Europe 2025” tour in support of death metal legends Decapitated alongside Cryptopsy, and Carnation kicking off May 3, 2025 at London’s Incineration fest.

  See the complete list of dates below.

  WARBRINGER ON TOUR:
  North American Co-headline w/ Allegaeon
  The Vortex of Violence
  3/18 — San Diego, CA — Brick by Brick
  3/19 — Phoenix, AZ — Last Exit Live
  3/20 — Albuquerque, NM — Launchpad
  3/21 — Oklahoma City, OK — 89th Street Collective
  3/22 — Haltom City, TX — Haltom Theater
  3/23 — Austin, TX — Come and Take it Live
  3/24 — Corpus Christi, TX — House of Rock
  3/26 — Orlando, FL — Conduit
  3/27 — Jacksonville, NC — Hooligan's
  3/28 — Bensalem, PA — Broken Goblet
  3/29 — Brooklyn, NY — Woodshop
  3/30 — Montreal, QC — Foufounes Electriques
  3/31 — Toronto, ON — The Garrison
  4/1 — Detroit, MI — The Sanctuary
  4/2 — Chicago, IL — Reggies
  4/3 — Lawrence, KS — The Bottleneck
  4/4 — Lincoln, NE — Bourbon Theater
  4/5 — Denver, CO — HQ
  4/6 — Salt Lake City, UT — Metro Music Hall
  4/8 — Seattle, WA — El Corazon
  4/9 — Vancouver, BC — Rickshaw Theatre
  4/10 — Portland, OR — Hawthorne Theater
  4/11 — San Francisco, CA — DNA Lounge
  4/12 — Los Angeles, CA — Teragram Ballroom

  WARBRINGER IS:
  John Kevill — Vocals
  Adam Carroll — Guitar
  Carlos Cruz — Drums
  Chase Becker — Guitar
  Chase Bryant — Bass

  Read more