Search Results: alternative

• DOLL “Better Days, Different Times” EP Completes Their Triumphant Return

  Jul 17, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian alt-rock powerhouse Doll is now streaming “Better Days, Different Times”, their first new collection of material since 2011's “The Ragdoll Diaries”. The EP represents not just a return to form but a significant evolution for the Ottawa-based band that has expanded their sonic palette while maintaining their core identity. They share their excitement:

  “With this album, we wanted to pull listeners in closer to what’s top of mind to us, our values, our experiences. It’s not just something to hear; it’s something to sit and listen to. It’s less about the volume this time, more about the weight behind the lyrics.”

  Every track on this record was handpicked because it struck something deep in Doll. Some songs come in softer, quieter moments. But don’t let that fool you, the weight is still there. The message is still dark, still heavy.

  The EP maintains the band’s commitment to authentic expression and therapeutic songwriting. Each track emerges from genuine experience and emotion, continuing the band’s tradition of using music as both personal processing and connection with listeners who share similar struggles.

  “Better Days, Different Times” marks not just Doll’s return from the dead, but their emergence as a more complete artistic entity. The EP proves that time away has served to deepen rather than diminish their creative impact, offering both longtime fans and new listeners a compelling entry point into the band's evolved sound. They are recommended for fans of Nobro, SoftCult, Amyl and the Sniffers, and The Pretty Reckless.

  Listen to the EP's full stream premiere on GhostCultMagazine HERE.

  EP-pre-order (out July 18th) - https://doll.bandcamp.com/​

  ​

  More info: https://www.facebook.com/dollband

  Read more

• DOLL Returns From The Dead with Single Cover “Smoke on The Water” and New EP “Better Days, Different Times” Out July 2025

  Jun 11, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  After a lengthy hiatus, Canadian alternative rock band Doll announces their return with “Better Days, Different Times”, a new EP set for release on July 18th, 2025. The announcement comes alongside the premiere of their first single, a unique take on Deep Purple's “Smoke on the Water”, marking the band's first new material in over a decade. They comment on the single:

  “After seeing all the fires and the destruction that happened in 2024, there was this need to bring forward our version of the song. We updated the lyrics to match how the disasters have made us feel, and musically, we have always wanted to try a more doom-inspired vibe, and this song let us express ourselves in a raw and emotional way.”

  The Ottawa-based quartet, known for their gritty, unfiltered indie sound, last released “The Ragdoll Diaries” in 2011, following their 2009 debut “Inside The Dollhouse”. Their return represents a significant evolution in both sound and approach, incorporating new collaborators and instruments while maintaining the raw, honest edge that has defined Doll since their inception.

  The new material showcases a more mature sound while retaining the band's signature intensity. Core songwriting duo Christina and Pete have expanded their creative process, bringing in local Ottawa musicians and even a cellist to add depth and new textures to their established sound. Doll is recommended for fans of Nobro, SoftCult, Amyl and the Sniffers, and The Pretty Reckless.

  Watch and listen to the music video for Doll's cover of Deep Purple's “Smoke on the Water” below.

  ​

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3FPB3oZ​

  EP-pre-order (out July 18th) - https://doll.bandcamp.com/​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Bleeding - 4:32
  2. Shark Bait - 3:07
  3. Smoke on the Water - 4:26
  4. Scene Dream - 4:28
  5. Ends Like This - 3:24
  6. Goodbye - 3:27
  Album Length: 23:29

  More info: https://www.facebook.com/dollband

  Read more

• FEN's Doug Harrison' Releases Solo Project SLUG COMPARISON's Third Album "A Battle to the End Fought on the Edge of a Knife"

  May 9, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Doug Harrison (Slug Comparison) - Photo Credit: Bailey Ennig

  Canadian vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Doug Harrison, known for his progressive rock outfit FEN, is excited to share his solo project SLUG COMPARISON's third album, "A Battle to the End Fought on the Edge of a Knife," out now, as of May 9th, 2025.

  Recorded over the same period as Fen's Dear Mouse (Sept 2024). Both recordings had been a long time coming, and then by chance, they converged to completion at the same time.

  "It became a bit of a competition to see which one would be mastered first. In the end, it was pretty much a tie, because I had a couple of recalls for the Slug Comparison master, but I wanted to put out Dear Mouse first, because it had been so bloody long in the making, and we were desperate to wash our hands of it," adds Harrison.

  Slug Comparison's previous records were built on the layering of electric and acoustic guitars, and earnest, melodic vocals. This latest 11-song album has abandoned the acoustics and is more riff-heavy to lean into his early influence of grunge.

  Harrison comments:

  "For past albums, it was tricky keeping the momentum going with half the songs being acoustic and light and the other half being heavy-ish. This time around, electric guitars carry the listener from beginning to end. A straight-up rock album. That was the goal. And lyrically, it follows in the tradition of songs like AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top,” the difference being that Slug Comparison hasn’t left the house yet. A Battle to the End Fought on the Edge of a Knife is a grief statement about the abandonment of rockstar dreams. It’s also a collection of yearnings, regrets, and celebrations along the way."

  "A Battle to the End Fought on the Edge of a Knife" was written by Harrison along with vocals, guitar, bass, and programming. He is joined by drummer Flavio Cirillo (Art of Dying, Puddle of Mudd), along with a collaboration on the song “Wish to Adapt” with Matt McCallum. Mixing was done by Ben Kaplan (Biffy Clyro, Bend Sinister, Ninjaspy, Mother Mother, Corb Lund) and mastering by Brock McFarlane at CPS Mastering (Mother Mother, Corb Lund).

  Harrison does assure fans that future releases will continue to explore the moody, acoustic-based territories that defined his earlier work. After this album, fans can expect a new EP from Slug Comparison in 2026. Recommended for fans of Mother Mother, The Killers, and Porcupine Tree, "A Battle to the End Fought on the Edge of a Knife" is available at the following links:

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/452Fk2t​

  Bandcamp - https://slugcomparison.bandcamp.com/album/a-battle-to-the-end-fought-on-the-edge-of-a-knife

  ​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Wish to Adapt (3:46)
  2. March through the Forest (3:54)
  3. Game of Repression (3:57)
  4. Undead Plots (4:06)
  5. Outta the Jam (4:51)
  6. A Battle to the End Fought on the Edge of a Knife (4:13)
  7. Too Much Love (5:04)
  8. Metal Roots Came Twisting (6:45)
  9. Played for a Centipede (2:36)
  10. Of Being Apart (5:19)
  11. Hamsters in a Tub (3:02)
  Album Length: 47:33

  More info: Slugcomparison.com | Instagram.com/slugcomparison | Facebook.com/slugcomparison

  Read more

• Halifax Grunge Trio SIGSOUR Shares First Single "And It Goes" Off Upcoming Album "Apathetic Generation"

  Mar 28, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  L-R - Quenny Stevens (Drums), Evan Jodrey (Guitars/Vocals), Trey Gabriel (Bass/Vocals)

  Photographer Credit - Ethan Quigley

  Flourishing from a solo project shared on Soundcloud by Evan Jodrey (Guitar/Vocals), Halifax, Canada's SigSour has become a solid powerhouse trio bonded by Trey Gabriel (Bass/Vocals) and Quenny Stevens (Drums). The band is excited to announce the release of their first studio album entitled "Apathetic Generation," produced and mixed by Don Levandier (The Motorleague), due out later in 2025. The full-length follows their debut EP "Static" and Live Album "SigSour Live at Radstorm," both released in 2024.

  “Apathetic Generation” is a break the band needed to showcase all of what we are and can do. With each song telling a different story and having its unique vibe, we hope there's at least one song in the entire album that someone can relate to and head-bang to. We are super excited for our fans and people who have never heard of us to get the chance to hear something that we are very pleased to share," adds Jodrey.

  Melodic and catchy, with the music changing between punk, metal, and grunge, SigSour has become known in Canada's Maritimes as the band that keeps the energy crazy high, the crowd moving, and the eardrums bleeding. To preview what's to come from "Apathetic Generation", they are sharing the single "And It Goes", which was the first song tracked on the album. The song lyrically riffs between addiction and disingenuous people.

  Jodrey explains further:

  “The lyrics portray one’s life being mastered by addiction and constantly finding yourself in an endless cycle of pain and confusion. The release from all the pain is in the chorus, searching for answers amidst the struggle.”

  Recommended for fans of Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, and Alice in Chains, listen to "And It Goes" at the following links:

  ​Spotify - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sigsour/and-it-goes

  The track listing and album release for "Apathetic Generation" are to be revealed at a later date.

  More info: Instagram.com/sigsour__/

  Read more

• Streaming Now! Marko Bojkovic's New Album "Powercore" Speaks of Empowerment And Positive Accomplishments

  Jan 23, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  

  Inspired by his youthful years of playing Sonic Adventure on his Sega Dreamcast and being wondered but its luring soundtrack, Marko Bojkovic has been exploring instrumental guitar sounds for many years and is preparing to release his eighth studio album "Powercore" on January 24th, 2025 on Forerunner Recordings. With nothing but positive messaging in mind, Bojkovic encourages listeners during its seven tracks that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to and believe in themselves. In addition to the guitar work, Bojkovic played all the bass lines on "Powercore" along with recruiting guest vocals from Chris Thomas (growling vocals, clean vocals) and Gabe Vermund (clean vocals).

  "This album is me finally channeling my personality in my music! Powercore is meant to be accessible to metal fans and non-metal fans alike. It's a positive listening experience that motivates the listener to go out and accomplish a task and not want to give up. Also a bit of self-reflection such as wanting a better life but having to deal with a lot of bullshit or if a best friend was a real one. A lot of metal songs seem to be about sadness and negativity, and while those songs are very cool and heartfelt, metal songs can be positive and inspire the listener to go out and achieve a set goal!" adds Marko Bojkovic.

  Packing the most punch with perfectly combined progressive metal, power metal, metalcore, and djent along with influences from jazz fusion to classical music, Bojkovic's new album "Powercore" is named after his own dubbed genre of metal called Progressive PowerCore. Musically, the album's guitar solos are among the best he's ever written. As a small content creator on YouTube and Patreon, Bojkovic has become known on the internet for his economy-picking prowess, which he showcases to excellent use on the songs featured in this full-length.

  Before the album officially drops, Bojkovic has teamed up with Ghost Cult Magazine for its full stream premiere, which can be heard HERE.

  Recommended for fans of Trivium, Avenged Sevenfold, Periphery, Dream Theater, and Firewind, Marko Bojkovic's new album "Powercore" is available for pre-save at the following link - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/markobojkovic/powercore​

  Fans interested in Bojkovic's Patreon Page to get exclusive content about his guitar playing and techniques, please subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/MarkoBojkovic​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Anesthesia (No Easy Way Out) - 3:58
  2. From Within - 5:29
  3. Sacrifice For Sanity - 3:50
  4. What We Accomplished ft. Chris Thomas - 3:17
  5. Find Your Flame ft. Johnny Ray (The Mourning) - 4:00
  6. Thrown - 5:41
  7. To Reminisce - 4:54
  Album Length: 31:11

  More info: Facebook.com/markobojkovicmusic | Instagram.com/markobojkovicshredsguitar

  Read more