Search Results: hard-rock

• Famous Strangers Unveil Haunting New Single “I'll See You In The Stars”

  Mar 7, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Edmonton-based band Famous Strangers continues their journey of atmospheric storytelling with the release of their latest single “I'll See You In The Stars”, dropping March 7th, 2025. The track showcases the band's signature blend of haunting melodies, powerful vocals, and immersive soundscapes that have been captivating listeners since their formation in 2023.

  “I'll See You In The Stars” draws listeners into a celestial dreamscape where emotional intensity meets cosmic wonder. The single represents another compelling chapter in Famous Strangers' evolving musical narrative, highlighting their ability to create dark, moody compositions that resonate on a deeply emotional level.

  The band comments:

  “We are incredibly grateful to be able to release this single and share it with audiences. This track is more than just a song—it’s an artistic expression of who we are as a band and the depths we are willing to explore. It represents a space where emotion meets intensity, where the atmosphere blends with raw power. Sonically, it carries a weight and texture that draws comparisons to bands like Deftones or Ocean Machine, capturing that balance of heaviness and haunting melody. This is just one side of what we do, but it’s a side we fully embrace.”

  Famous Strangers brings together accomplished musicians whose past experiences in various musical projects have shaped their collective sound. Their diverse influences converge in a unique sonic experience characterized by atmospheric instrumentals and a dynamic vocal approach that seamlessly shifts between melodic and aggressive. They are recommended for fans of Halestorm, Judas Priest, Dio, and Arch Enemy.

  Listen to "I'll See You In The Stars" at the following links:

  ​Spotify - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/famousstrangers/ill-see-you-in-the-stars

  ​

  More info:

  ​Famousstrangersband.com

  ​Facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559110131774

  ​Instagram.com/famousstrangersband

  ​Tiktok.com/@famousstrangersband

   

  Read more

• DOUBLE EXPERIENCE Nominated for Ottawa Capital Music Award for Album of the Year "Undefeated" + Ontario Tour Dates + Toronto Comicon

  Mar 5, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  NEWS RELEASE

  Montreal, QC - March 5, 2025

  DOUBLE EXPERIENCE Nominated for Ottawa Capital Music Award for Album of the Year "Undefeated"

  + Ontario Tour Dates

  Double Experience (L-R - Ian Nichols - Vocals and Bass, Brock Tinsley - Guitar) - Photo by Curtis Perry

  In 2020, the Ottawa rock duo Double Experience took everything they knew about music - thousands of international concerts, presenting at industry conferences, and writing songs inspired by video games and film - and channeled their process into a series of livestreams. The result? A crowdfunded album - consisting largely of spontaneous suggestions from Twitch users - called “Undefeated” released in May 2024 via their indie label Colfax Music Ltd.. Nearly a year after its release, Double Experience’s modern rock opus is now nominated for a 2025 Ottawa Capital Music Award for Album of the Year.

  "WE’RE NOMINATED: “Undefeated” is up for “Album of the Year”. This is a huge honour, especially considering the nature in which this album was created via our Twitch channel." adds the band.

  Double Experience are nominated alongside the following artists listed below. More info on 2025 nominees can be found at at https://ottawamic.com/cma​

  Album of the Year | Album de l'année *Public vote | Vote du public​
  Show Love - Kellylee Evans
  Undefeated - Double Experience
  To Be Clear - Mia Kelly
  Love & Patience - Country Club Pool Boy
  Hugging the Cactus - Twin Flames

  The Capital Music Awards will be held on May 22nd, 2025 at Southham Hall at the National Arts Centre (1 Elgin Street) in Ottawa, ON. Details at https://ottawamic.com/​

  By taking influence from Coheed and Cambria, Weezer and Palaye Royale, Double Experience bounce between sounds in a quest to compose music as diverse as an arcade gallery. In doing so, Double Experience have bonded with a passionate global fan-base with their undeniable live prowess amounting to nearly 1000 concerts across 18 countries, opening for all manner of acts, from Badflower to Danko Jones, from JJ Wilde to Galactic Empire.

  By day, mild-mannered band members Ian Nichols (vocals, bass) and Brock Tinsley (guitar) deliver band-oriented workshops and panels at conferences, conventions and festivals (IndieWeek, MAGFest, Ottawa ComicCon), teaching up-and-coming creatives how to take control of their own destiny in a similar way as the duo’s musical alter-ego. The band have cowritten songs with Jayson DeZuzio (Imagine Dragons) and in 2016, their Destiny-themed anthem “The Glimmer Shot” caught the attention of the game's developers at Bungie.

  Their fourth studio album "Underneath" (released May 2024 via Colfax Music Ltd.) was inspired by the fans for the fans all through live streaming on Twitch and has all things nerdy and is all about perseverance.

  "Ever since writing songs on Twitch, our fans have a day-one connection with the music. No matter how weird or strange the goal might seem, our band is living proof that you can really make a breakthrough if you celebrate what makes you weird or strange, not shy away from it." comments Double Experience.

  "Undefeated" is available on all digital platforms - https://linktr.ee/2xxp​

  ​

  In additional news, Double Experience are a never stopping tour de force and will be hitting the road for dates in March across Southern Ontario (dates listed below).

  Tour Dates:​
  March 12 - St. Catharines, ON - Warehouse
  March 13 - Hamilton, ON - Mills Hardware
  March 14 - Tillsonburg, ON - Paddy’s Underground Gastropub
  March 15 - Toronto, ON - Toronto Comicon (Theatre 3 at 1:15 PM for a live songwriting workshop / performance)
  March 18 - Toronto, ON - Rivoli

  Track Listing:​
  1. Undefeated (3:36)
  2. Goddess (3:43)
  3. Figured You Out (3:23)
  4. Dancing on the Moon (2:58)
  5. Bill Murray (3:02)
  6. Stranger (2:48)
  7. This is War (3:04)
  8. Alter Ego (3:18)
  9. Drive Away (3:06)
  10. Top of the World (3:04)
  ​
  ​Album Credits:​
  Music and Lyrics by Double Experience
  Steve Foley - additional engineering, instrumentation
  Al Jacob - production, mixing, engineering Ian Nichols - vocals, bass
  El Stich - artwork Brock Tinsley - guitar Matt Tuttle - mastering
  Member of SOCAN
  MAPL - Canadian Content

  More info:​
  ​https://www.2xExperience.com​
  ​https://www.facebook.com/DoubleExperience​
  ​https://www.youtube.com/DoubleExperience​
  ​https://www.instagram.com/DoubleExperience​
  ​https://www.twitch.tv/DoubleExperience​​

  Read more

• SUPER MONSTER PARTY New Single "Nights Into Dreams" - 80's Synthwave Meets Metal Inspired By The Popular Sega Video Game

  Feb 24, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Coming off their exciting performance at 70 Tons of Metal this past January, SUPER MONSTER PARTY (SMP) has a new single and video entitled "Night Into Dreams". The track is an 80's synth wave meets metal and is inspired by the popular Sega video game of the same name. It features guest artists, Lacey Johnson, a popular VGM artist, and the members of Lame Genie on drums, bass, and guitar.

  "I wrote this song to capture the essence of the game, Nights Into Dreams — a realm where the magic of flight, matches the pulse of the joystick, and every riff powers you through a level of chaos and triumph." adds vocalist Rei Sega.

  The single is also their first taste of new music since releasing their latest album "Rage Quit" this past November.

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/41fdbSd​

  SUPER MONSTER PARTY is a band for all video game nerds, jump’n’run enthusiasts, metalheads, 90s kids, weirdos, and everyone in between – a metal band that’s all about video games, singing from the heroes or villains introspective point of view. Rocking together since 2020, SUPER MONSTER PARTY have already gathered a lot of XP, having a bunch of achievements under their belt, with 4 albums: Rage Quit (2024), Game Genie (2023), Side Quest (2020), Permadeath (2020) and an EP Up Up Down Die (2022). The band is the concept of Singer/Songwriter Rei Sega and features notable members Emilio Martinez (Yngwie Malmsteen) on bass, Fern Lemus (Lions at the Gate) on the drums, Andy Alvarez (Irras One) on rhythm guitar, and Oleh Andrievsky as lead guitarist.

  Their intense, melodic, catchy, and heavy sound shows influences of The Misfits, Rhapsody, Slipknot, NOFX, and Van Halen. The variety of different influences and genres, worshiped by the band, means that they can find the right metal sound for all game themes – each video game universe is authentically set to music, while the skills of the masterful musical chameleon that is SUPER MONSTER PARTY cannot be pinned down to one genre. No two songs sound the same, but one thing is for sure – they all rock hard.

  More Info:

  ​http://www.supermonsterparty.com

  ​https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561209445950​

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

  Read more

• Romanian Folkcore DIRTY SHIRT Celebrates 30 Years w/ New Video "FOMO" and 2025 EU Tour Dates

  Feb 24, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Widely regarded as one of the most original and successful rock bands in Eastern Europe, Romania's Dirty Shirt is celebrating 30 years of creating and performing music with the release of their first single of 2025 "FOMO" accompanied by a music video along with announcing 2025 EU tout dates (listed below).

  "FOMO" is the first single from Dirty Shirt's upcoming seventh album (titled to be revealed at a later date) to follow “Get Your Dose Now!” (2022). Musically, it is a journey through different moments and places, blending various genres: from 80s disco to Balkan music, all built on a metal foundation. It’s a catchy song, with a chorus that sticks in your mind, radiating big positive energy. Lyrically, the song addresses one of the issues of modern society—the fear of missing out (FOMO). This phenomenon has become widespread with the rise of social media, where people constantly compare themselves to others and feel pressured to be part of every trend or experience.

  Digital (Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music) - https://ffm.to/qbjlkrb

  ​

  Over their 30 years, Dirty Shirt has embarked on several successful international tours, both as supporting artists and headliners, amassing over 700 shows in 17 countries. The band's signature style blends modern rock/metal heaviness with the vibrant energy of East-European traditional music, drawing from influences including world music, industrial electro, hardcore, and funk to create a dynamic sound that resonates with audiences globally. With catchy and danceable songs, Dirty Shirt's music appeals to a broader audience beyond just metal fans. Their albums have received widespread acclaim, featured in well-respected magazines such as Metal Hammer (DE, HU), Rock Hard (DE, FR, IT, SLK), Metalsucks (USA), Angry Metal Guy (USA), Hard Rock Mag (FR), Terrorizer (UK), Metalized (DK), and more.

  In recent years, the band has enjoyed international recognition through their participation in several major European festivals such as Electric Castle (Ro), Hellfest Open Air (Fr), Pol'And'Rock (Pl), Dong Open Air (De), Maximum Rock Festival (Ro), Wacken Open Air (De) among many more!

  Recommended for anyone looking for something interesting and lively, Dirty Shirt is for fans of Skindred, Bloodywood, Alestorm and The Hu.

  DIRTY SHIRT - 30 YEARS ANNIVERSARY TOUR:​
  Feb 28 - Bucharest (RO) - EERA Tour - Quantic
  March 1 - Brasov (RO) - EERA Tour - Centrul Reduta
  March 2 - Cluj Napoca (RO) - EERA Tour - Form Space
  March 13 - Prague (CZ) - EERA Tour - Rock Café
  March 14 - Bratislava (SK) - EERA Tour - Majestic Music Club
  March 15 - Trenčín (SK) - EERA Tour - Piano Club
  March 16 - Budapest (HU) - Dürer Kert
  March 22 - Grenoble (FR) - L'Ampérage
  March 23 - 2 Alpes (FR) - Snow Fest
  April 4 - Wrocław (PL) - EERA Tour - Stary Klasztor
  April 5 - Krakow (PL) - EERA Tour - Kwadrat Klub
  April 6 - Warsaw (PL) - EERA Tour - Proxima
  April 18 - Bistrita (RO) - Soho Music Hall
  April 25 - Bacau (RO) - Valhalla Pub
  April 26 - Iasi (RO) - Underground Pub
  April 27 - Suceava (RO) - Art Rock Cafe
  June 7 - Arad (RO) - Flex
  June 8 - Timisoara (RO) - În Spatele Casei
  June 26-28 - Mangalia (RO) - Odyssea Festival (26-28.06)
  June 26-28 - Snina - (SK) - Rock Pod Kameňom (26-28.06)
  July 17 - Bontida (RO) - Electric Castle (17-20.07)
  July 18 - Neukirchen-Vluyn (DE) - Dong Open Air (17-19.07)
  Aug 3 - Rasnov (RO) - Rockstadt Extreme Fest
  Aug 7 - Corbu (RO) - Wild Experience Fest (7-10.08)
  Aug 14 - Domeniul Cantacuzino (RO) - LaRock 2025 (14-17.08)
  Aug 22 - Prešov (SK) - Hel'fest
  Oct 10 - Angers (FR) - Omega Sound Fest (10-11.10)

  For more info:​
  ​Dirty-Shirt.com​
  ​Facebook.com/DirtyShirtRomania​
  ​X.com/dirtyshirtband​
  ​Instagram.com/dirtyshirtband​
  ​Tiktok.com/@dirtyshirtband​

  Read more

• STRIKER's "ULTRAPOWER" Nominated For JUNO Award for Metal / Hard Music Album of The Year + EU Tour w/ Unleash The Archers, Seven Kingdoms

  Feb 12, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Edmonton, AB heavy metal masters STRIKER have been nominated for their third Juno Award for "Metal/Hard Music Album of The Year" for their 2024 album "ULTRAPOWER" released via their indie label Record Breaking Records.

  "Honoured to be among the best of the best of the best along with our fellow JUNO nominees this year for our 3rd consecutive nomination! This means a lot to us, we always give it all and are ready for anything. Tough competition this year, it's a brawl at the pub, but no matter what, we will live to fight another day." adds the band.

  STRIKER has been nominated alongside Anciients, Devin Townsend, Kittie, and Spiritbox.

  2025 - JUNO Awards - METAL/HARD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR / ALBUM DE MUSIQUE MÉTAL/HARD DE L’ANNÉE​
  ​
  Anciients - Beyond the Reach of the Sun - Season of Mist / The Orchard
  Devbin Townsend - PowerNerd - InsideOut Music / Sony
  Kittie - Fire - Sumerian / Virgin
  Spiritbox - The Fear of Fear - BMG / Universal
  Striker - ULTRAPOWER - Independent

  Full list of 2025 Nominees and Categories can be found at https://junoawards.ca/2025-juno-awards-nominees/

  STRIKER's latest album "ULTRAPOWER" was produced by Josh Schroeder (Lorna Shore, Tallah, King 810). The seventh full-length from STRIKER follows their Juno Award-winning self-released record "Play to Win" (2018) unleashed on their label Record Breaking Records.

  With the band writing material since 2018, "ULTRAPOWER" is a collection of Striker tinkering and exploring new avenues. From the album's opening track "Circle of Evil", a Malmsteen-esque metal banger about secret societies and the evil dealings behind closed doors to their previously released single "BEST of the BEST of the BEST" serving up some big riffs and hockey arena vocals to "Blood Magic", which might be one of Striker's most progressive songs, taking cues from bands like King Diamond, with its unconventional structure and punctuated guitar solos. From the band delving into their obsession for late 80s AOR and pop rock with "City Calling", an ode to 1987, and bands like Toto and Kenny Loggins with their hook-powered albums. To fans experiencing the band's first attempt at a synth-wave track with "Live To Fight Another Day", this new offering sees Striker making a shredding love letter to the hard-rocking era of guilty pleasures.

  "ULTRAPOWER" was released on February 2nd, 2024, and is available at https://www.striker-metal.com/shop/ (CD, Vinyl, Digital)

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3SnIshu​

  ​

  In additional news, STRIKER is kicking off their EU tour with Unleash The Archers and Seven Kingdoms (dates listed below).

  EU Tour 2025 - Unleash The Archers, Striker, Seven Kingdoms​
  Tickets: https://linktr.ee/UnleashTheArchersTour2025​
  12.02 (DE) KARLSRUHE @ Substage
  13.02 (DE) ASCHAFFENBURG @ Colos-Saal
  14.02 (DE) COLOGNE @ Live Music Hall
  15.02 (BE) KORTRIJK @ De Kreun
  16.02 (GB) LONDON @ The Underworld
  17.02 (FR) PARIS @ La Machine
  19.02 (CH) ZURICH @ Dynamo
  20.02 (IT) MILAN @ Legend Club
  21.02 (DE) MUNICH @ Backstage Halle
  22.02 (CZ) ZLIN @ Masters of Rock Cafe
  23.02 (HU) BUDAPEST @ Barba Negra
  25.02 (AT) VIENNA @ Szene
  26.02 (PL) CRACOW @ Kwadrat
  27.02 (DE) LEIPZIG @ Hellraiser
  28.02 (LU) ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE @ Rockhal
  01.03 (DE) HAMBURG @ Kronensaal
  02.03 (NL) HAARLEM @ Patronaat

  More info: Striker-metal.com​

  Read more