Search Results: guitar

• Fantasy Meets Prog - CEPHEIDAE VARIABLE “Carving a Dragon” Opens The Gates To Debut "Primordial Reverie" Out Nov 2025

  Sep 30, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Cepheidae Variable, the one-man progressive metal project helmed by Kelowna, Canada, guitarist and composer Ryan Koepke, has officially unveiled its debut single, “Carving a Dragon,” accompanied by a playthrough video. The track serves as the first glimpse into Cepheidae Variable’s upcoming debut full-length instrumental album, "Primordial Reverie," set for release on November 7th, 2025.

  Originally conceived as a personal exploration of musical growth, Cepheidae Variable evolved into a deeply emotional and ambitious endeavour following Koepke’s father’s cancer diagnosis and the news of his own impending fatherhood.

  “I stopped waiting around and created something I’d be proud of. This album became a reflection of emotional turbulence, hope, and transformation,” shares Koepke.

  “Carving a Dragon” was the first track written for the album, and one of the most challenging. Inspired by Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Quest, the song symbolizes pouring one’s soul into creation and marks the beginning of Koepke’s journey as a solo recording artist. With its energetic, uplifting fantasy feel, it stands in contrast to the moodier, sci-fi-themed tracks that follow.

  “There were many times during the writing process I considered scrapping this song. The result is something that has stuck with me and has a lot of meaning to not only myself, but also friends and family who supported me,” says Koepke.

  The album itself is a genre-defying instrumental narrative, weaving through symphonic fantasy, sci-fi textures, and progressive complexity. Koepke describes the sound as “spacey, weird, melodic, melancholic, happy,” and cites influences ranging from Dream Theater and Haken to Wintersun and Caligula’s Horse. Divided into three distinct acts, "Primordial Reverie" challenges listeners to experience the full arc of its story, with recurring motifs and evolving themes that reward repeat listens.

  The album artwork, created by renowned collage artist Alex Eckman-Lawn, evokes feelings of loneliness, wonder, and cosmic mystery, mirroring the tonal shift that occurs midway through the album.

  "I especially enjoyed this artwork because of the amount of interpretation it allows from the viewer. It was a heavy influence on the tonal shift this album undergoes." Koepke notes.

  With "Primordial Reverie," Koepke aims to release a new album every 2–4 years, continuing to push the boundaries of solo composition and progressive storytelling. Though currently instrumental, Cepheidae Variable may evolve into a collaborative or vocal project in the future.

  Recommended for listeners of Dream Theater, Haken, Intervals, Wintersun, and Caligula’s Horse, “Carving a Dragon” can be heard and watched via its playthrough premiere on TheProgSpace HERE.

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/track/50cqqMHKWKJl9ahcdXY5xD​

  Digital Album pre-save (out Nov 7th) "Primordial Reverie" - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/cepheidaevariable/primordial-reverie​

  CD Album pre-order - https://cepheidaevariable.bandcamp.com/album/primordial-reverie​​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Overture (3:11)
  2. Carving a Dragon (4:04)
  3. The Waiting Storm (3:13)
  4. Zephyr of Ouroboros (9:15)
  5. Encounter (5:53)
  6. The Conduit (6:03)
  7. Chromatic Haven (5:11)
  8. Entropic Harvester (10:27)
  9. Singularity (11:32)
  Album Length: 58:53

  For more info: https://cepheidaevariable.com/

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• Fusing Brazilian Soul and Heavy Metal Guitar Virtuoso GLAUBER OLIVEIRA (Caravellus, Dark Avenger) Unveils Debut Solo Single “LORE”

  Aug 29, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Renowned Brazilian guitarist and producer Glauber Oliveira steps into the spotlight with the release of his long-awaited solo instrumental single, "LORE," available worldwide on August 29th, 2025. Known for his groundbreaking work with progressive metal bands Caravellus and Dark Avenger, Oliveira now channels decades of musical exploration into a bold new chapter, one that blends the ancestral rhythms of Brazil with the intensity and precision of modern metal.

  
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  ​"LORE" is more than a song; it’s a statement. Drawing from the Maracatu rhythm of northeastern Brazil, Oliveira crafts a track that pulses with melodic complexity, emotional depth, and technical brilliance. The single’s artwork, featuring a raven with glowing red eyes emerging from a twilight blaze, mirrors the music’s mystical and introspective tone, a union of ancient wisdom and contemporary fire.
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  ​“This is a chance to bring what I carry in my soul to life. LORE is a song with beautiful melodies and a lot of feeling, combined with technique. It’s the beginning of a journey I’ve dreamed of for years,” says Oliveira.
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  Breaking from traditional album release formats, Oliveira is launching his solo career with a unique audiovisual strategy: one single every six months, each paired with an official music video, playthroughs, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive merchandise. This immersive approach reflects his deep commitment to craft and connection.

  With international releases under his belt and a reputation for musical excellence, Oliveira’s solo work marks a return to his roots and a leap forward. Influenced by legends like Kiko Loureiro, John Petrucci, and Steve Vai, Oliveira’s music defies genre boundaries while remaining deeply personal. His sound can be described in six words as “Brazilian essence, Heaviness, Virtuosity, Technique, Feeling, Melody”, which is a reflection of this dual heritage.
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  ​"LORE" is available on all major streaming platforms starting August 29th, 2025, and can be found at the following link: https://found.ee/GlauberOliveiraLORE​

   

  More info: https://www.glauberoliveira.net/

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• TONIC BREED Teams Up w/ FLOTSAM and JETSAM's Michael Gilbert For New Single "The Die Is Cast"

  Apr 24, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Norway's Tonic Breed, led by one man thrash machine Patrik K. Svendsen, has teamed up with Flotsam and Jetsam guitarist Michael Gilbert for a guest solo on the new single "The Die Is Cast". This is the second collaboration of 2025 by Tonic Breed and follows the previously released track "The Charge" with Darkroot.

  Straight to the point. No fluff, no filler, "The Die Is Cast" is pure, hard-hitting thrash from start to finish, with a touch of melody woven in. The song is about a powerful war machine that lies broken and abandoned, surrounded by the wreckage of others like it. Its silence feels heavy, as if it's aware of the destruction it once brought and the emptiness that followed.

  Svendsen adds about the track:

  "I think the fans are gonna dig this one. Tonic Breed never releases a song that sounds too much like the previous one. Also, with guest appearances, the unique touch on each song is there all the time. I’m super excited about the response from the fans! I went for an ’80s thrash composition on this one! Having Michael on board is an absolute honor, as he was a part of that era and genre of music."

  Gilbert comments:

  "It was an honor to be asked to do a guest solo appearance with Patrik and Tonic Breed. Some killer heavy music and a pleasure to be a part of. Cheers!"

  "The Die Is Cast" was performed, written, and produced by Patrik K. Svendsen with mixing by Adrian Bjerketvedt in Sarpsborg, Norway, and mastered by Steve Kitch.

  Recommended for fans of Flotsam and Jetsam, Slayer, and Metallica, listen to "The Die Is Cast" at the following links:

  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/2AM7LfoyoTUL0VlZLYpXyE​

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  For more info:​
  ​https://tonicbreed.com​
  https://facebook.com/tonicbreed
  ​https://instagram.com/tonicbreed

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• 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

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• Poland’s KINGSPHERE Unveils Powerful Music Video for “Archetype” Off Forthcoming Third Album in 2025

  Jan 10, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Modern metal outfit Kingsphere, from Rybnik, Poland, is set to release the music video for their latest single “Archetype”, delivering a memorable metalcore experience that is both aggressive and emotionally vulnerable. The band comments on what listeners can expect:

  “It is an intense and dynamic track that captures the essence of our sound. It combines heavy, hard-hitting verses with melodic and emotionally charged choruses, creating a powerful contrast. The energy is elevated by intricate guitar solos that add an electrifying edge and depth to the song. The track also features a mystical bridge, offering a moment of atmosphere and intrigue before diving back into its relentless energy.”

  With two albums under their belts, 2012’s Self-Titled and 2022’s “Enigmatic”, Kingsphere’s sound has evolved naturally as they’ve grown as musicians and as a band. In the beginning, they focused on raw energy and heavy riffs, inspired by their love for modern metal. Over time, they’ve started experimenting with more dynamic elements—adding catchier melodies, atmospheric layers, and intricate rhythms—to create a more diverse and unique sound.

  “Archetype” is a journey through aggression, melody, and emotion, reflecting both the raw power and the introspective side of the band. It is recommended for anyone who enjoys powerful clean vocals and heavy breakdowns, especially those with an interest in All That Remains, Born Of Osiris, and The Browning.

  Watch and listen to the music video for “Archetype” at https://youtu.be/pTfJXcq3DjQ

  [embed]https://youtu.be/pTfJXcq3DjQ[/embed]

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  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/408zE2R

  [embed]https://open.spotify.com/track/1tUHzKPZSbgSzF754I076l[/embed]

  Kingsphere is:
  Piotr Miliczek - Vocals
  Marek Kula - Guitar
  Kamil Sikorski - Guitar / Vocals
  Paweł Kawalec - Bass
  Maciej Sobieski - Drums

  For more info:

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

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

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