Search Results: black-sabbath

• AITTALA Unveils Second EP of 2025 "Ill-Gotten Gains" + Welcome New Bassist Dane Taylor

  Nov 21, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Metal visionaries AITTALA (pronounced EYE-tah-la) are returning with their second EP of 2025 via Exitus Stratagem Records, "Ill-Gotten Gains," along with introducing their newest member, bassist Dane Taylor, marking a bold new chapter in the band’s evolution.

  True to their reputation for defying genre boundaries, AITTALA weave together threads of traditional heavy metal, doom, groove, and progressive elements to create a cohesive yet unpredictable sonic journey. Lyrically, "Ill-Gotten Gains" explores the darker corners of human ambition, chaos created for personal gain, the inevitable consequences, and the fragile hope of redemption.

  The EP opens with “Isolation,” a doomy, heavy piece that confronts the fallout of past decisions, setting a dark and reflective tone. The title track, “Ill-Gotten Gains,” follows with a riff-driven intensity that shifts into a crushing interlude, lyrically exploring the exploitation of chaos for personal benefit. “Blacklisted” brings groove and sludge to the forefront, exposing manipulators and serving as a counterpoint to the themes of the earlier songs. The mood softens with “Ever After,” a modern metal ballad that wrestles with internal conflict and the elusive promise of redemption. Closing the EP, “Ashes” channels classic heavy metal energy, telling the story of someone in over their head, dragging others down in their descent.
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  The EP’s artwork resurrects AITTALA’s infamous mascot Frank, a cartoon pig head in a pentagram, first conceived in 2014 for the album "Effigy". This updated interpretation of Frank embodies the record’s central theme: the shady figure who thrives in chaos, ready to deliver “ill-gotten gains” for the right price. It’s a fitting visual for a release steeped in stories of exploitation, downfall, and the elusive search for redemption.
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  With the addition of bassist Dane Taylor, AITTALA’s lineup now features founding member Eric Aittala (guitars/vocals) and drummer Gary “Zeus” Smith (THE FIFTH, ex-MR BLACKWELL). Taylor’s arrival injects fresh energy into the band’s dynamic, reinforcing their commitment to pushing boundaries while staying true to their unique sound.

  Formed in 1991 in the Netherlands, AITTALA quickly became a fixture of the Dutch metal scene, sharing stages with The Gathering and Sadist before disbanding in 1993. Resurrected in 2008, the band has since released six full-length albums and multiple EPs, each showcasing growth while retaining their distinctive voice. With "Ill-Gotten Gains," AITTALA continues their journey of evolution, proving once again that their sound is impossible to confine to a single genre.

  EP pre-save (out Nov 21) via Exitus Stratagem Records - 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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• NYC's CHAKA Unleashes Ferocious Music Video “It’s Not Human” Ahead of First Full-Length Album "Amplifying the Past"

  Jul 9, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  NYC heavy trio CHAKA has dropped their thunderous new single “It’s Not Human”, a primal assault of groove and aggression that marks the first release from their upcoming debut full-length album, "Amplifying the Past", due out later this year.

  Formed as a studio project and now evolved into a live sonic force, CHAKA has deep roots in Queens' metal and hardcore scene. Founding bassist and vocalist Mark Sokoll, a veteran of bands like Darkside NYC and Terminal Confusion, is joined by longtime friends Mike C. (ex-White Trash) on drums and Frank P. (Lost Cause) on guitar. The band also collaborates remotely with Ireland-based guitarist Ty Canon, a childhood friend whose riffs continue to shape their recordings.

  Lyrically, “It’s Not Human” presents a sonic excavation. The song delves into the real-life discovery of a Neanderthal tooth, a pivotal moment in tracing the human genome.

  “It’s about evolution, science, and ancient ancestry,” says Sokoll. “We’ve always drawn inspiration from human origins, military history, and authors like Arthur C. Clarke and Carl Sagan.”

  Musically, the track is a relentless juggernaut—starting abruptly, rushing forward with thrash intensity, then shifting to a dreamy tone before returning to a pummeling close.

  The single’s artwork visually echoes this evolutionary theme, featuring crossed primitive weapons behind a grotesque DNA helix, flanked by dueling skulls—one ancient, one modern.

  Listen to “It’s Not Human” now on all major streaming platforms.

  Spotify - https://bit.ly/46AwqtL

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  Set for release later this year, "Amplifying the Past" represents CHAKA's most dynamic and collaborative work to date.

  “This record expands on our earlier sound but lets the songs breathe more. We want listeners to feel like they’ve been on a cathartic, headbanging ride,” adds Sokoll.

  The band’s style is best described in five words: Primal. Loud. Heavy. Aggressive. Groovy. Drawing on influences like Black Sabbath, Carnivore, Motorhead, and Celtic Frost, CHAKA delivers raw, no-frills metal with a scientific twist.

  On stage, CHAKA amplifies their sound even further. Fans can expect not just volume, but presence.

  “We’re a loud trio—maybe even louder than four or five-piece bands. We’re all in our 50s, but we don’t hold back.”

  Despite geographical distance—band members live in New York, New Jersey, and Ireland—CHAKA thrives on modern file-sharing and old-school chemistry as the trio has known each other for over 40 years. That connection fuels their sound.

  More singles and videos will follow as the band finalizes the LP. CHAKA also promises future EPs and extended releases, all staying true to their mission: creating music that’s as thoughtful as it's heavy.

  More Info: Chakametalband.com | Facebook.com/NEANDERTHALTALES | Instagram.com/chakametalband | X.com/ChakaMetalBand

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• VULTURES AT DAWN Debut Single “Outlaws” (Texas Chainsaw Marigold)

  Apr 22, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Under the scorching sun of the sonic badlands, queer-fronted desert rock outfit Vultures At Dawn emerge from the shimmer with their debut single “Outlaws” (Texas Chainsaw Marigold); it isn't just music, it's the campfire confession of vagabonds with one eye on the horizon and one hand on their weapon. It's the sound of survival on society's edges, where victory isn't measured in gold but in living to see another blood-red sunset. The band shares their excitement:

  “‘Outlaws’ was the 2nd song that we wrote. Buck wrote the lyrics after escaping from the cops while on horseback, barely making it out alive. They wrote the song the night they got back, and turned the exhilaration of surviving into a song. It's our first publicly available song, and we have at least 5 other songs we play live, and a couple others in the process of being written.”

  Recorded within the hallowed walls of a historic church, the band infiltrated under the cover of night, “Outlaws” (Texas Chainsaw Marigold) captures the raw, untamed spirit that has made Vultures At Dawn the soundtrack for modern-day desperados. The single sears with soulful vocals from Buck Summers, backed by the thunderous heartbeat of Raven Steel's guitar work, Sebastian Black's rumbling basslines, Dallas McCoy's haunting oboe, and the relentless percussion of Doc.

  The band, notorious for their theatrical live shows that incorporate sounds from life on the lam, continues to build their loyal following of self-described outcasts, their ‘volt’ of vultures who flock to experience the band's mystical, witchy energy and bone-rattling riffs. “Outlaws” (Texas Chainsaw Marigold) offers passage into a world where the rules are written in sand and washed away with whiskey. It is recommended for fans of Kyuss, Black Sabbath, and Queen.

  Listen to "Outlaws" (Texas Chainsaw Marigold) at the following links:

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3EtBwfQ​

  More Info: https://www.facebook.com/VulturesAtDawn | https://www.instagram.com/vulturesatdawn

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• WOODHAWK Reveals First Single “Strangers Ever After” From New Album “Love Finds A Way” Out June 2025

  Apr 11, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian stoner rock powerhouse Woodhawk returns with the announcement of their highly anticipated third studio album, “Love Finds A Way,” set for release on June 6, 2025, via Grand Hand Records. The Calgary trio of Turner Midzain (guitar/vocals), Mike Badmington (bass), and Kevin Nelson (drums) are also dropping the record's first single, “Strangers Ever After,” toda,y giving fans their first taste of new Woodhawk material since 2019's acclaimed “Violent Nature”. The band comments on the new single:

  “This was the first song we wrote for this album. And I think we reworked it more than any song. It started out with a completely different feel and timing than what we ended up with. It was way darker. But we kept coming back to it and really loved the result. Strangers Ever After is a kind of demise of a relationship. The farewell to someone that maybe…you were better off never knowing. This is dark and honest.”

  “Love Finds A Way” marks an evolution in the band's creative journey. Their earlier work was very much influenced by bands like The Sword and Black Sabbath, with lyrics about wizards and goblins, but they've worked hard on bringing more emotion to their writing. The nine-track album promises to deliver the dynamic range fans have come to expect from Woodhawk, featuring what Midzain describes as ‘some really riff-rocking songs, but also a lot of hardship and honesty'.

  “Strangers Ever After” showcases the band's signature blend of classic hard rock sensibilities and modern stoner metal influences, delivering the infectious grooves and memorable hooks that have earned Woodhawk a devoted following since their formation in 2014. They are recommended for fans of The Sword, Red Fang, and Thin Lizzy.

  Listen to “Strangers Ever After”:​

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/4jmbEkW

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  Album pre-order: https://woodhawk.bandcamp.com​

  Track Listing
  1. Grave Shaker – 4:41
  2. Strangers Ever After – 4:24
  3. Truth Be Told – 7:21
  4. White Crosses – 6:10
  5. The Unholy Hand – 5:21
  6. No Place For Hate – 5:18
  7. Love Finds a Way – 6:16
  8. Relapser – 4:52
  9. Killing Time – 8:37

  Woodhawk is:
  Turner Midzain – Guitar & Vocals
  Mike Badmington – Bass & Vocals
  Kevin Nelson - Drums

  More info:​
  https://www.woodhawk.ca
  ​https://www.instagram.com/woodhawkriffs​
  ​https://www.facebook.com/woodhawkriffs

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• 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

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  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

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