Search Results: canada

• ARMSTRONG METALFEST Opens Band Submissions For 2026 Lineup - The Okanagan’s Ultimate Mountain Mosh Pit Returns

  Sep 29, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Following a landmark celebration of 15 years of extreme metal in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, marked by record-breaking attendance and its most triumphant edition yet, ARMSTRONG METALFEST is officially set to return in 2026 on July 17th and 18th at the Hassen Arena, for two days of moshing, headbanging, and camping.

  Armstrong MetalFest’s 15th year of mountain moshing roared to life with a powerhouse 2025 lineup featuring BORN OF OSIRIS, HAVOK, GLYPH, RIOT CITY, THE BROWNING, VIRVUM, and many more heavy hitters from across Canada and beyond. On July 11th and 12th, the town of Armstrong, BC, was transformed into a metal haven, complete with Yeti Games, the Metal Madness Market, and the chaos of Thrash Wrestling.

  Check out the Armstrong MetalFest 2025 Spotify playlist - https://spoti.fi/4i4u2OV​

  Armstrong MetalFest has also released a promotional video that traces its journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of Canada’s premier metal festivals in British Columbia. Watch the full recap below.

  Band submissions for the 2026 edition of Armstrong MetalFest will be open from October 1st to 15th, inviting artists to become part of the next chapter in the festival’s legendary legacy.

  Interested bands can apply through the official portal: https://armstrongmetalfest.ca/band-submissions/

  "To close the night and the weekend, Born of Osiris delivered a high-octane headline set that tore the roof off. It was the perfect finale to an unforgettable weekend. When the last note rang out, it hit us — AMF 2025 was coming to a close. There's always that bittersweet feeling as you start packing up. But that's the beauty of this festival: it stays with you long after the amps cool down. Every year, Armstrong Metalfest brings together a community that truly loves heavy music. It's not just about bands and beer — it's about belonging. The friends you make, the moments you live, the memories that stick — they're why we keep coming back. If you've never been to AMF, consider this your sign. It's more than a music festival—it's a metal rite of passage. Once you go, it gets into your blood. We're already counting the days until the next one." - Stan Schinners of Broken Neck Radio / Absolute Underground Magazine (Live Review AMF 2025)

  Tickets for AMF 2026 will be announced at a later date, granting general admission and access to the festival grounds, camping area, and arena from 9:00 AM on Friday, July 17, 2026, until 10:00 AM on Sunday, July 18, 2026. Free camping is included.

  Please Note: Camping - RV / Non-Hookup RV / Vehicle Passes: Make sure to reserve your vehicle spot to get the best location on the grounds. A fee is required for a weekend pass per vehicle in addition to your day or weekend pass. RV hookups include water and power. If you choose to park your vehicle outside the camping area in the main parking lot, then a vehicle pass is not required.

  About:

  Since its inception in 2009 (with a brief hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), West Metal Entertainment and Armstrong MetalFest have championed hundreds of local bands while welcoming renowned international acts to the quiet town of Armstrong, British Columbia.
  ​
  Every year, metalheads from across Canada and the U.S. converge on the scenic Okanagan Valley for three days of camping and two days packed with heavy metal mayhem. Under the blazing summer sun, fans revel in live performances, wrestling spectacles, scavenger hunts, and reconnecting with their extended metal family.
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  Armstrong MetalFest has hosted legendary headliners like Kataklysm, Cattle Decapitation, Archspire, Nekrogoblikon, Origin, Rivers of Nihil, Warbringer, Fallujah, Striker, and Beyond Creation, alongside rising stars from across North America. And when the final riff fades, the festival vanishes without a trace, leaving the landscape as untouched as it was before.
  ​
  West Metal Entertainment, a non-profit society, not only produces Armstrong MetalFest annually but also supports the regional music scene by organizing performances at various venues, including all-ages shows, to inspire musical passion in both youth and adults.

  For more info:​
  ​http://www.armstrongmetalfest.ca/​

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

  ​https://www.instagram.com/armstrongmetalfest/​
  ​
  ​https://x.com/amfcanada

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• THE INTERROGATION Returns with “Wicked Happy” - A High-Energy Anthem of Awkwardness, Hope, and Defiance

  Sep 19, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

   

  After five years of silence, Canadian pop punk outfit The Interrogation roars back with their electrifying new single “Wicked Happy”, marking the band’s first release since their 2020 debut EP "Posters On My Wall." Accompanied by a dynamic music video, the track is a bold declaration of phase two for the band, now a full lineup, playing live across British Columbia and gearing up for a wider Western Canadian tour.
  ​
  ​“Wicked Happy is the first song we’ve released since the band turned from my solo project into a full band. It’s a springboard into everything we’ve become, high-energy, uplifting, and unapologetically real,” says frontman Thom Turner (ex-Freya, ex-Hawthorne Heights touring guitarist).
  ​
  Originally conceived in the wake of personal tragedy, The Interrogation began as Turner’s solo project following the loss of his mother in 2018. What started as a cathartic songwriting outlet evolved into a full band with a mission: to turn awkwardness, grief, and isolation into connection, community, and catharsis.
  ​
  ​“Wicked Happy” delivers exactly that. With punchy guitar riffs, call-and-response vocals between Turner and bassist Joel French (Vultures At Dawn), and a chorus built for gang vocals and mosh pits, the track channels the raw energy of the band’s live shows. Lyrically, it’s a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t fit, a message of defiance and self-discovery wrapped in a melodic, riff-driven package.

  Turner explains further:

  “It’s about never quite fitting in. About reaching beyond what others expect and growing into something stronger than anyone said you could be.”​
  ​
  The single also marks French’s debut as a lead vocalist, a role he’s held since 2022. The accompanying music video captures the band’s signature live intensity, no backing tracks, no polish, just pure pop punk sincerity.
  ​
  The artwork, created by drummer Sebastian Valdivia, sets the tone: a sun just out of focus, daring you to squint, stretch, and reach for the sky.
  ​
  Fans of New Found Glory, Four Year Strong, Coheed and Cambria, and A Day To Remember will find plenty to love in The Interrogation’s sound, described as energetic, catchy, heavy riffs, guitar-driven, and even more in their story. With members hailing from New York, Saskatchewan, Vancouver, and Colombia, the band brings a rich tapestry of backgrounds and influences to their music.
  ​
  With more singles planned for early 2026, "Wicked Happy" is just the beginning. For The Interrogation, the message is clear: awkwardness is power, and punk is for everyone.

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/theinterrogation/wicked-happy​

  More info:

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

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

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• ANCIENT THRONES' New Concept Album "Melancholia" Plunges Listeners Into A Surreal Narrative

  Sep 18, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Ancient Thrones, the Canadian progressive blackened death metal force known for their visceral storytelling and relentless sonic assault, is set to officially release their long-awaited sophomore album, "Melancholia," on September 19th (Vinyl and Digital), and can be heard in full before its unleashed via its album stream premiere on Decibel Magazine HERE.
  ​
  Described by the band as “the sound of existential exhaustion,” "Melancholia" is a 42-minute concept album that plunges listeners into a surreal narrative: a colourblind protagonist takes hallucinogens in a desperate attempt to see colour, only to spiral into a kaleidoscopic nightmare. From the explosive opening of “A Moon Fused Key” to the haunting decay of “Vacant,” the album is a relentless barrage of speed, aggression, and cinematic atmosphere.
  ​
  ​“This is truly an unapologetic extreme metal concept album. It’s a bad trip you can’t escape, jagged, abstract, and emotionally devastating,” says the band.

  
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  Formed in 2011 and rebranded in 2018, Ancient Thrones has evolved into a fully realized extreme metal entity, thanks in part to the addition of multi-band virtuoso Dylan Wallace. The writing process began in early 2020, just as the world was descending into pandemic-induced uncertainty. Rather than reflect the global crisis directly, the band channeled their energy into crafting a deeply personal and psychologically intense record.
  ​
  ​“We’re proud to share this album with our fans, old and new. We hope it moves you in unnatural ways. Enjoy the trip while it lasts,” adds the band.

  
  ​
  ​"Melancholia" is not just an album; it’s an immersive experience. The band’s signature blend of fast, extreme, progressive, cinematic, and existential metal is on full display, with every track contributing to the overarching narrative. Lyrically, the album explores themes of trauma, hallucination, and the dangers of idealism, all inspired by real-life experiences and a harrowing psychedelic episode.
  ​
  Drawing inspiration from bands like The Red Chord, The Faceless, Archspire, and Deafheaven, Ancient Thrones pushes the boundaries of extreme music. Their sound is rooted in black metal, 2000s death metal, and modern tech death, but their cinematic approach and lyrical depth set them apart.

  ​
  With "Melancholia" out on September 19, 2025, the band is already writing new material for the follow-up. Fans can expect more crushing, emotionally charged music in the near future.​
  ​
  ​Album pre-order (Vinyl, Digital) - https://ancientthrones.bandcamp.com​

  Track Listing:​
  1. A Moon Fused Key (5:12)
  2. Achromatopsia (1:19)
  3. Melancholia (6:17)
  4. A Turning Point (5:46)
  5. A Pellucid Prism (4:26)
  6. Sacred Swollen Glass (6:16)
  7. Blight (2:18)
  8. A Pale Palace (4:55)
  9. Vacant (5:31)
  Album Length: 42:00

  Band Lineup:​
  Dylan Wallace - Guitar
  Nick Leslie - Guitar
  Matt LeBlanc - Bass
  Sean Hickey - Drums & Vocals

  More info: Facebook.com/Ancientthrones | Instagram.com/ancientthrones

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• IVY GARDENS Live Off The Floor Sludge Rock Album "Death of Don Valley" + Canadian Tour Dates

  Aug 28, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Niagara Falls, Canada's Ivy Gardens is unveiling their lush-sounding, raw and live off the floor sludge rock storytelling album "Death of Don Valley" as they prepare to hit the road across Canada in support of its release on August 29th, 2025 via Paper Cut Recordings.

  Before it officially drops, the trio has teamed up with Bravewords for its full stream premiere, which can be heard HERE.

  The band comments on their sophomore album:

  "Death of Don Valley is the record we had inside us, but couldn’t quite articulate for several years. Musically, it’s a huge leap in a more experimental direction. It’s about death, decay, and the ultimate destruction of the world around you. Everybody knows of some sort of small natural space that gets slowly encroached upon until only a shell remains. The pond beside the highway, the wetlands behind the factory. The Don Valley in Toronto is one such natural feature, slowly tainted by industrialization until it can’t support any of the life that it used to. After touring for several years, we grew a lot as musicians, and only after really honing all of this material live for about a year, we felt we were ready to get it tracked and send it into the world. We recorded everything live off the floor, and Frank, our engineer, had heard nothing beforehand and had no idea what we actually sounded like going into it. Eventually, he asked us, 'How do you determine what becomes a 2-minute song, and what becomes a 9-minute song?' Pure instinct, Frank. Here it is."

  Formed in the unlikely crucible of a Princess Auto parking lot, Ivy Gardens began with a simple desire to shred through Rush instrumentals and explore the outer reaches of heavy music. Now, following their acclaimed first full-length "Goon" released in 2024, the band takes a daring leap into more dour, experimental terrain. "Death of Don Valley" presents a concept album steeped in decay, lyrically and sonically portraying the slow death of natural spaces like Toronto’s Don River, drowned by industry and time.

  Ivy Gardens' influences are vast, ranging from progressive icons like Rush, Yes, and King Crimson to sludge pioneers like EYEHATEGOD and Iron Monkey. Their sound blends elements of stoner metal, sludge, math rock, and progressive rock, creating an unpredictable listening experience that takes the listener through a series of emotional and sonic landscapes.
  ​
  Fans can expect a live experience unlike any other as Ivy Gardens is hitting the road for a cross-Canada tour in kicking off on August 29th in St. Catharines, ON, and will wrap up in Victoria, BC on October 25th (dates listed below).

  "Death of Don Valley" (out August 29th) is available for pre-order at https://ivygardens.bandcamp.com/​

  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1TBuI2vFSltCNhiHdHnz01​

  ​

  Ivy Gardens - Live or Die Tour:​
  Aug 29 - St. Catharines, ON - Warehouse Concert Hall
  Aug 30 - Toronto, ON - Monarch Tavern
  Sept 5 - Kitchener, ON - The Golden Apple
  Sept 12 - Windsor, ON - Phog Lounge
  Sept 13 - Sarnia, ON - AJs Bar
  Sept 14 - London, ON - Grogettes Living Room
  Sept 18 - Halifax, NS - Radstorm
  Sept 19 - Sydney, NS - Daniels Ale House
  Sept 20 - Charlottetown, PEI - Babas Lounge
  Sept 21 - Moncton, NB - Generator Show
  Sept 25 - Woodstock, NB - Montieth Manor
  Sept 26 - Montreal, QC - Turbo Haus
  Sept 27 - Quebec City, QC - Sonum
  Oct 9 - Barrie, ON - CW Coops
  Oct 10 - Sudbury, ON - Townhouse Tavern
  Oct 11 - Thunder Bay, ON - Black Pirates Pub
  Oct 12 - Winnipeg, MB - Bulldog Event Center
  Oct 16 - Regina, SK - The Cure Kitchen and Bar
  Oct 17 - Saskatoon, SK - The Black Cat
  Oct 18 - Calgary, AB - Palomino
  Oct 19 - Edmonton, AB - Blak Bar
  Oct 23 - Kelowna, BC - Dunnenzies
  Oct 24 - Vancouver, BC - Black Alley
  Oct 25 - Victoria, BC - Fernwood Community Center

  More info: Facebook.com/ivygardensband | Instagram.com/ivygardensofficial

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• DEVOLVER Unveils New Album "Non Compos Mentis" Produced by Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, Trivium, DevilDriver, Black Dahlia Murder)

  Aug 22, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Grande Prairie, Canada's rising metal outfit Devolver, returns with a vengeance, announcing the release of their sophomore album, "Non Compos Mentis", out August 22nd, 2025. Produced by genre heavyweight Mark Lewis, whose credits include Whitechapel, Trivium, and DevilDriver, the album marks a seismic evolution in Devolver’s sound, melding Gothenburg-style melodic death metal with the raw intensity of early 2000s metalcore.

  Formed in 2015 by guitarist Devin Babcock as a creative outlet for material that didn’t fit his previous band, Devolver has grown into a five-piece force of nature. With members also active in the local project Dog Poison, the band’s roots run deep in the underground scene.

  "Non Compos Mentis" is more than an album; it’s a visceral listening experience. The album features a refined tracklist culled from over 20 demos, each song built collaboratively from riffs and skeletons crafted by guitarists Devin Babcock and Jayde Penner, resulting in a relentless, emotionally charged journey that’s both technically precise and soulfully raw.

  The album’s haunting title track, "Non Compos Mentis", draws from a chilling true story: the 1805 murder of Amos Babcock’s sister in a religious frenzy, an ancestor of Devin Babcock. The artwork was created by legendary metal illustrator Travis Smith (Opeth, Avenged Sevenfold, Soilwork), depicting Amos bloodied in the snow, surrounded by the ghostly eyes of his nine children. It’s a visual as disturbing as the story it tells, and a testament to the band’s commitment to storytelling through music and art.

  The band comments on the album's release:

  “We think Non Compos Mentis will be embraced by fans of our first album; it’s a huge evolution of our sound. Our first album was a passion project for Devin, but this record is what the five of us sound like collaborating as a unit. The razor-sharp production from Mark Lewis helped us push this thing over the edge, into something we think people will grab onto. We want to give people the feeling we felt when we first heard our favourite bands, and the albums that made us fall in love with music."

  With each track on the album as a chapter in a larger emotional and sonic narrative, Devolver's "Non Compos Mentis" represents a bold leap forward and is recommended for fans of Swedish melodic death metal and classic metalcore. Think the melodic brutality of In Flames and Dark Tranquillity, fused with the punch of Killswitch Engage and As I Lay Dying.

  "Non Compos Mentis" is available at the following links:

  Album order (out Aug 22nd) - https://devolvermusic.bandcamp.com/​

  Spotify for Playlist Add - https://open.spotify.com/album/3eeLxBrxx55QvIm3EnahLm​​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Deathtouch – 3:55
  2. New Blood – 3:14
  3. Jewels of the Maw – 3:30
  4. Wraiths – 3:20
  5. At Any Cost – 3:40
  6. Non Compos Mentis – 3:53
  7. Merciless Storm – 3:56
  8. Suffocating Syndrome – 3:36
  9. Dehumanize – 3:47
  Album Length: 32:55

  Band Lineup:​
  Chris Brown - Vocals
  Devin Babcock - Guitar (lead)
  Jayde Penner - Guitar (rhythm)
  Bevin Booth - Drums
  Jaylen Elias - Bass

  More info: https://linktr.ee/devolverab

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