Search Results: band

• ​WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA Opens Band Submissions For 2026 - One Band To Rule Them All! and Play Wacken Open Air!

  Oct 23, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  One band to rule them all! Wacken Metal Battle Canada returns for 2026 battles across the country to send one independent metal band to play at Wacken Open Air, one of the world's most prestigious and largest metal festivals.

  Band submissions for Canada are now open until November 30th.

  "Canadian metal bands, this is your chance once again. This is the first step to a world of opportunity waiting for you. We invite you to play some great shows, expand your audience, and ultimately have your shot at playing Wacken Open Air," adds WMBC organizer JJ Tartaglia.

  Canadian bands interested in participating can apply at https://www.metal-battle.com/countries/ (please select Canada as your country)

  The national final for 2026 battles will be held in Montreal, QC.

  Canadian Battle Cities:​
  Vancouver, BC
  Vancouver Island, BC
  BC Interior
  Edmonton, AB
  Toronto, ON
  Hamilton, ON
  Ottawa, ON
  Montreal, QC
  Quebec City, QC

  Watch - Wacken Metal Battle 2025 - Aftermovie | Have You Heard the Future of Metal? - https://youtu.be/nCulXiLlaSw

  The 2026 WMBC champion will receive the following:
  - A slot at the 2026 Wacken Open Air Festival.
  - Full professional backline provided.
  - $1,000 CAD towards flights to Germany.
  - VIP camping at the festival.

  List of previous WMBC national winners: Killotine (Hamilton, ON - 2025), Beguiler (Toronto, ON – 2024), Strigampire (Trois-Rivières, QC – 2023), The Slyde (Toronto, ON – 2019), Centuries of Decay (Toronto, ON – 2018), Profaner (Hamilton, ON – 2016), Vesperia (Toronto, ON – 2015), Mutank (Montreal, QC – 2014), Crimson Shadows (Toronto, ON – 2013).

  The 2025 Canadian Battle Final took place on May 31st at Vancouver’s Rickshaw Theatre, where Hamilton, Ontario’s KILLOTINE, the Ontario regional winner, delivered a standout performance that earned them the top national title. A panel of industry judges selected KILLOTINE to represent Canada at the prestigious International Wacken Battle, held during Wacken Open Air from July 30th to August 2nd in Wacken, Germany, where over 85,000 metal fans from around the globe gathered.
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  Joining KILLOTINE on stage at the Canadian final were fellow regional champions: SOULTHIEF (Eastern Canada Winner – Ottawa, ON), BEYOND SUFFERING (Alberta Winner – Calgary, AB), and YEGG (British Columbia Winner – Nanaimo, BC). The event also featured a special guest headliner: Vancouver’s Arrow In The Quiver, the 2024 BC Final winner.
  ​
  The national judging panel included a lineup of respected figures from the Canadian metal and music industry: Brittney Slayes (Unleash The Archers), JJ Tartaglia (Canadian Organizer of Wacken Metal Battle Canada), JJ Caithcart (Founder of SCRAPE Records and Host of Different Stages Radio), Kris Schulz (Founder of Empower Through Music and Owner of Horizon School of Music), Abelardo Mayoral (Founder and Operator of The Invisible Orange and OrangeTickets), Stan Schinners (Owner of Broken Neck Radio), Justin Dobbin (Owner and President of Main Stage Rehearsal Studios).

  For the last 9 years of battles (2013-2016, 2018-2019, 2023-2025), Wacken Metal Battle Canada has hosted battles across the country to send one independent metal band to perform at the world’s largest metal festival, Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. 2019 saw the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, but due to COVID, the 2020 and 2021 editions were both canceled. As the metal community regains its strength, Wacken Open Air 2026 will be the 35th edition of the festival and will be held from July 29th to August 1st. The 2026 event is nearly sold out with a line-up that includes Def Leppard, Lamb Of God, In Flames, Savatage, Powerwolf, Emperor, Sepultura, and Running Wild, among others. Details here.

  Wacken Metal Battle Canada is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance to win their spot among over 55 other countries’ champions, and represent Canada in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air. The battles have been hosted at the festival for over a decade and give independent bands the opportunity to showcase their talents to an international audience, along with the chance to win multiple prizes.

  How it works:​
  ​Participating cities will host qualifying rounds plus a city final organized by a local city concert promoter, where one band will move forward to the Canadian national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will move on to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2026 and compete against the winners of other participating countries in a final global battle. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives.

  Rules for participation: https://www.metal-battle.com/rules/

  Links:​
  ​Metal-Battle.com​​
  ​Facebook.com/WMBCanada.official​
  ​X.com/MetalBattleCan​
  ​Instagram.com/wmbcanada.official

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• SHORES OF NULL “An Easy Way” Prelude to Upcoming Split "Latitudes of Sorrow" w/ CONVOCATION Out Nov 2025

  Oct 22, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Italian doom metal outfit Shores of Null have released their new single “An Easy Way,” a devastatingly poignant track that opens their upcoming split album "Latitudes of Sorrow" with Finnish funeral doom masters Convocation. The split arrives on November 21st via Everlasting Spew Records.
  ​
  ​“An Easy Way” was chosen for its immediacy and emotional impact, a rare blend of haunting darkness and melodic catchiness. Lyrically, it confronts depression, inner struggle, and the fragile line between perseverance and surrender. It’s a reflection on human frailty, wrapped in a soundscape that’s both oppressive and unforgettable.
  ​
  ​“It’s the most straightforward track on the split. Catchy, yes, but it leaves very little room for hope,” says the band.
  ​
  The split album "Latitudes of Sorrow" is a collaboration born from shared artistic vision. When Everlasting Spew Records approached Shores of Null mid-way through writing their next full-length, the band seized the opportunity to finish and record three exclusive tracks that might have otherwise remained in the shadows. The result is a darker, more hopeless sonic offering, a perfect complement to Convocation’s funeral doom intensity.
  ​
  ​“Two sides of the same coin. Opposite latitudes, but a shared desire to explore sorrow in all its forms,” the band explains.
  ​
  The album’s artwork, created by LL of Convocation, features a spectral figure and an empty chair, a haunting symbol of presence in absence. Musically and lyrically, Latitudes of Sorrow is a journey through grief, solitude, and the inescapable weight of mortality.
  ​
  For fans of Katatonia, Paradise Lost, Evoken, and Esoteric, "Latitudes of Sorrow" offers one of the most grievous and heavy splits in recent memory, a sonic reckoning that will finally make all your summers end.
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  ​“An Easy Way” is streaming now on all major platforms. "Latitudes of Sorrow" drops digitally and on CD and Cassette physical format on November 21st via Everlasting Spew Records. The vinyl edition of the split will be issued in Spring 2026.

  Digital single (Spotify) - https://ps.tribly.fm/86aq6de

  Album countdown and pre-save: https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/79oGZH6MpwHGsTTmnLKo8D

  Pre-Order:

  Physical: https://bit.ly/42PbNY8

  Digital: https://everlastingspew.bandcamp.com/album/latitudes-of-sorrow

  Track Listing:​
  1. Shores Of Null - An Easy Way
  2. Shores Of Null - The White Wound
  3. Shores Of Null - The Year Without Summer
  4. Convocation - Abaddon's Shadow
  5. Convocation - Empty Room
  Split Album Length:

  For more info: Shoresofnull.com | Facebook.com/shoresofnull | Instagram.com/shoresofnull

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• AITTALA Announces Second EP of 2025 "Ill-Gotten Gains"; Unveils Music Video "Isolation"

  Oct 14, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Genre-blurring metal duo AITTALA (pronounced “EYE-tah-la”) returns with their latest and second EP of 2025, "Ill-Gotten Gains," dropping November 21, 2025, via Exitus Stratagem Records. The EP’s lead single, “Isolation,” is accompanied by a gripping music video that captures the emotional weight and sonic depth of the track.

  “Isolation” sets the tone for the EP with its doomy atmosphere, heavy guitars, and unexpected time signature shifts. Lyrically, it explores the consequences of past decisions, a theme that runs throughout the entire release.

  Watch and listen to the music video via its premiere on Doom & Stoned HERE.

  Single pre-save - https://hypeddit.com/aittala/isolation

  "Ill-Gotten Gains," AITTALA’s second EP of 2025 following Machines, marks a bold step forward in the band’s evolution. Retaining their core sound while pushing deeper into lyrical vulnerability and songwriting complexity, the EP continues their tradition of defying genre boundaries — weaving together elements of traditional metal, doom, groove, and progressive styles into a cohesive and immersive experience. Thematically, it explores the darker side of the human psyche, from chaos and exploitation to the consequences of those actions and the search for redemption, offering a cathartic journey for fans of genre-fluid metal.
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  The EP cover features an updated rendering of AITTALA’s long-standing mascot Frank, a cartoon pig head in a pentagram, first introduced in 2014’s "Effigy" album. Frank is the kind of character who’ll help you acquire "Ill-Gotten Gains" no questions asked, as long as you’ve got the cash.
  ​
  Formed in 1991 in the Netherlands by guitarist/vocalist Eric Aittala, the band quickly became a fixture in the Dutch metal scene, sharing stages with acts like The Gathering and Sadist. After a long hiatus, AITTALA was resurrected in 2008 and has since released six full-length albums and multiple EPs, each showcasing a unique blend of classic heavy metal, doom, progressive, power, thrash, and hard rock. Now based in the U.S., AITTALA’s current lineup features Eric Aittala and powerhouse drummer Gary “Zeus” Smith (THE FIFTH, ex-MR BLACKWELL). Together, they continue to push boundaries with music that’s as technically sharp as it is emotionally resonant.

  EP pre-save (out Nov 21) - https://hypeddit.com/aittala/illgottengains

  Track Listing:​
  1. Isolation - 4:22
  2. Ill Gotten Gains - 4:20
  3. Black Listed - 3:35
  4. Ever After - 4:29
  5. Ashes - 3:50
  EP Length: 20:37

  For more info: Exsrmusic.com | Aittala.com | Facebook.com/aittalamusic | Instagram.com/aittalamusic

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• HARVESTED Earworm Ferocious "Voices of the Void" Band Playthrough From New Album “Dysthymia”

  Oct 3, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian death metal outfit Harvested has dropped a ferocious, earworming band playthrough video for “Voices of the Void,” a standout track from their latest full-length album, "Dysthymia." The video showcases the band’s technical prowess, raw aggression, and unrelenting energy, hallmarks of a sound they describe as “Heavy, Brutal, Fast, Aggressive and Violent.”
  ​
  Formed in 2019 as a creative outlet for members of other local projects, Harvested has evolved into a powerhouse of modern death metal. With roots in bands like A Scar For The Wicked, Sons Of The Nether, Thalassophobia, and Fumigation, the group brings together a wealth of experience and a shared passion for pushing sonic boundaries.
  ​
  ​“Voices of the Void” is a dynamic track that blends chaotic tempo shifts with crushing grooves, embodying the band’s signature fusion of old-school death metal and deathcore. Lyrically, it delves into themes of dissociation and psychological turmoil, part of the album’s overarching exploration of mental illness.
  ​
  ​“This album is the evolution of our sound. We’ve taken influences from technical death metal giants like The Zenith Passage and Cattle Decapitation, but stayed true to our roots. Dysthymia is a level-up in every way—production, songwriting, and performance,” says guitarist Mitchi Dimitriadis.
  ​
  The playthrough video offers fans an intimate look at the band’s musicianship, with each member delivering a tight, high-speed performance that reflects their commitment to precision and intensity.

  “We pride ourselves on being athletes with our instruments. It’s not just about brutality, it’s about groove, cohesion, and constantly challenging ourselves,” adds Dimitriadis.
  ​
  ​"Voices of the Void" is one of nine tracks on "Dysthymia," each confronting different facets of psychological distress, from cult mentality and shadow selves to global political psychosis. The album’s artwork, a psychedelic depiction of mental chaos, complements its lyrical depth and sonic ferocity.

  
  ​
  With "Dysthymia" now unleashed and the band’s live shows gaining momentum, Harvested is poised to make a lasting impact on the Canadian metal scene.

  Recommended for fans of Cattle Decapitation, Decapitated, and Cannibal Corpse, Harvested's “Dysthymia” is available at the following links:

  Spotify - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/harvested1/dysthymia​

  More info: Facebook.com/harvested666 | Instagram.com/harvestedband

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• Chilean Prog ENGRUPID PIPOL Unleashes Music Video “Tripel Ultimatum” Off New Apocalyptic Concept Album "Quadragenta At Finem Mundi" Out Nov 2025

  Sep 8, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Chilean progressive metal power trio Engrupid Pipol has released their explosive new single “Tripel Ultimatum,” the opening act of their upcoming conceptual album "Quadragenta At Finem Mundi", arriving November 7, 2025. Accompanied by a cinematic music video, the track sets the tone for a dark, prophetic journey through the collapse of civilization.

  “Tripel Ultimatum” is a high-octane burst of groove and adrenaline, described by guitarist Kaztrol as “a banger to kick off the album, full of heavy riffs and melodies that stick in your head, especially when you’re driving at high speed.”

  The music video, inspired by Mad Max, features the band as masked survivors of a nuclear disaster, performing one last time before scattering into the wasteland. The single’s artwork comes directly from the video shoot.

  “We’re some of the last humans alive in a desolate world. I designed a mask for each member to reflect our personalities, and we each created our own wardrobe, very Mad Max-inspired,” explains Kaztrol.

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/engrupidpipol/tripel-ultimatum​

  "Quadragenta At Finem Mundi" is Engrupid Pipol’s most ambitious work to date, a seven-act instrumental prog-metal album that metaphorically chronicles the downfall of humanity. With themes ranging from nuclear catastrophe and AI overreach to narcissism and societal collapse, the album offers a gripping sonic prophecy. Each track is a symptom, a warning, delivered by the trio’s explosive riffs and intricate compositions. “Voragine” captures the whirlwind of consumerism and chaos. “Animal Inteligenz” offers a sarcastic reflection on AI as a new god, questioning whether it will be benevolent or sadistic. “Inspireichon Burn” tells the story of thermonuclear war driven by greed, while “Vairal Madnez” critiques the viral madness of social media, fake news, and digital surveillance. “Aztral Configureited” imagines cosmic alignment as the final apocalypse, and “Ameba Emenens,” a fully acoustic track, closes the album with a note of introspective hope, life beginning anew from a single surviving Amoeba.

  “We want listeners to disconnect and let the music carry them to an altered level of consciousness. It’s a journey through soundscapes that reflect the chaos of our times,” says drummer Nacho García.

  Founded in Santiago, Chile, in October 2000, Engrupid Pipol began as SíFiLiS, releasing two experimental albums: SiFiLiSaCioN (2005) and Paranoia en Paragua (2009). Known for accelerated riffs and abrupt time changes, the band evolved into a more mature and cohesive unit, rebranding as Engrupid Pipol in 2009. Their sound is groovy, powerful, and melodically rich, which has earned them critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase. Their discography includes Essenchial Engrupid Element (2016), praised for its originality and technical prowess, and Engrupid Divais (2022), which earned a nomination for Best Metal Artist at the 2023 Pulsar Awards.

  Their song titles are often written in deliberately misspelled Spanglish, including the band’s name itself. “Engrupid” comes from the Chilean verb engrupir—to charm or deceive.

  “If you’re an engrupid person. You believe in yourself and your art no matter what anyone says,” comments Kaztrol.

  The new album "Quadragenta At Finem Mundi" was made possible thanks to a grant from the Chilean Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Heritage, awarded in February 2025.

  Album Track Listing:
  ​1. Tripel Ultimatum - 5:48
  2. Voragine - 6:53
  3. Animal Inteligenz - 7:34
  4. Inspireichon Burn
  5. Vairal Madness 5:01
  6. Aztral Configureited 8:24
  7. Ameba Emenens 4.20
  Album Length 45:20

  For more info: Engrupidpipol.cl | Instagram.com/engrupid_pipol | Facebook.com/engrupid

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