Search Results: hardcore

• KILLOTINE Wins WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA 2025 To Play Wacken Open Air!

  Jun 2, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Photo Credit - Derek Carr - Visions In Pixels​

  WMBC 2025 Final Spotify Playlist - https://spoti.fi/3Z55AFy​

  One band to rule them all! The final four bands from this year's 2025 battles for Wacken Metal Battle Canada gathered in Vancouver, BC, for the national final on May 31st at the Rickshaw Theatre. Only one unsigned Canadian band can walk away and be crowned champion to move on to perform at one of the world's most prestigious and largest already sold-out metal festivals, Wacken Open Air (July 30th – August 2nd) (Attendance of over 80,000 people in Wacken, Germany for over 30 years).

  Crowning this year's 2025 winner is Hamilton, ON's KILLOTINE (Ontario Winner), who, after their performance, a panel of industry judges voted as Canada's top band to play at the International Wacken Battle at Wacken Open Air. They performed alongside SOULTHIEF (Ottawa, ON - Eastern Canada Winner), BEYOND SUFFERING (Calgary, AB - Alberta Winner), and YEGG (Nanaimo, BC - British Columbia Winner). The special guest headliner was 2024 BC final winner, Vancouver's Arrow In The Quiver​.

  “What a finals we’ve just had in Vancouver. It's so nice to see the level of the bands and the great performances from all of them. The result is that we’ve got something special this year: Killotine is the chosen one. This band has a career waiting for them, and the real beginning of that journey will be at Wacken Open Air. This really enforces what the Metal Battle is all about and how we are nurturing the next generation, the future of metal,” comments Canadian Organizer of Wacken Metal Battle Canada, JJ Tartaglia.

  This year's panel of national final judges consisted of 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, Owner, 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).

  About The Final Four:

  Hamilton, ON's KILLOTINE is the hammer that falls without warning—relentless, unforgiving, and all-consuming. Their riffs shred through the air like jagged steel, solos burn with a fury that can’t be tamed, and blasts hit like an explosion in your chest. They don’t care about trends or softening the blow. Every note is a direct attack, every show a brutal assault. Headbanging is inevitable, the adrenaline is relentless, and the chaos is total. This is metal in its rawest, most savage form. With their “take everything, leave only metal” mentality, Killotine isn’t here to play nice. They deliver exactly what the maniacs demand—pure, unfiltered aggression. No filler, no fake. Just a full-throttle, all-out assault that doesn’t let up, leaving you wrecked and addicted to the chaos. KILLOTINE IS COMING. STAY OUT OF THE WAY OR GET DESTROYED.

  
  

  https://linktr.ee/killotinemetal

  ==========

  Ottawa, ON's SOULTHIEF is a crossover band known for their powerful and fun sound that combines elements of melodic hardcore, thrash metal, beatdown, slam, and punk. Formed in early 2021, the band has garnered a reputation for its intense live performances and dynamic songwriting.

  Their discography includes several notable releases, with their albums “Citadel” and "The Bad Kind of Wet” receiving praise for their energy and musical depth. Tracks like "You Could be my Gwen Stacy" and "Rupture" are often highlighted as fan favorites, showcasing the band's ability to craft memorable hooks and crowd-engaging lyrics.

  Soulthief has built a loyal following through their extensive touring and energetic live shows. They have performed at various venues and festivals, earning a reputation for delivering high-impact performances that resonate with audiences. Playing with bands like Stick to Your Guns, Within Destruction, MadBall, Get the Shot, Left to Suffer, Guilt Trip, Sworn Enemy, Hoods, Vctms, Teeth, and many more

  Soulthief has continued to evolve and push the boundaries of their craft. Their dedication to their musical performance and their passionate fanbase have cemented their place in any music scene they show up in.

  
  

  https://www.soulthief.ca

  ==========

  Calgary, AB's BEYOND SUFFERING is a five-piece melodic metal band with roots in thrash and metalcore. With founding member and lead guitarist Rob Vargo, they blend intense riffs and rhythmic complexities of deathcore with melodic hooks and emotional depth of hardcore. Their recent pre-release demo, “Buddha,” is a great buildup to the upcoming “Darkness” and subsequent response “Light” EPs later this year.

  
  

  https://www.facebook.com/BeyondSuffering

  =========

  Nanaimo, BC's old school death metal YEGG is a band that stays true to their roots. Drawing inspiration from iconic bands like Death, Obituary, Morbid Angel, and Cannibal Corpse, YEGG delivers a relentless assault of pure, unadulterated old school Death Metal. Their live shows are a sight to behold with intense energy and a ferocious wall of pure aggression that will.

  
  

  https://linktr.ee/yeggmetal

  ================

  About The Battle:

  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 30 different 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, allowing independent bands 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 2025 and compete against the winners of 29 other countries in a final global battle. All battle rounds are judged by respected local music industry representatives.

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

  Links:​
  ​Metal-Battle.com​​
  ​Facebook.com/WMBCanada.official​
  ​Twitter.com/MetalBattleCan​
  ​Instagram.com/MetalBattleCanada.Official

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• WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA Announces 2025 National Finalists w/ KILLOTINE (Ontario), SOULTHIEF (Eastern Canada), BEYOND SUFFERING (Alberta), YEGG (BC)

  May 8, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

   

  There can only be one! Wacken Metal Battle Canada is proud to announce this year's 2025 national finalists for one unsigned Canadian band to be crowned champion and perform at one of the world's most prestigious and largest already sold-out metal festivals Wacken Open Air (July 30th – August 2nd) (Attendance of over 80,000 people in Wacken, Germany for over 30 years).

  After multiple battles across the country that began in January of this year, the final four Canadian bands will be making their way to the national final in Vancouver, BC, on May 31st, 2025, at the Rickshaw Theatre (254 East Hastings Street), where they will be judged by a panel of music industry judges that include BRITTNEY SLAYES (Unleash The Archers), CLAINE GORGOTH LAMB (The Hallowed Catharsis, Misyrion), 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, Owner, and Operator of The Invisible Orange and OrangeTickets), STAN SCHINNERS (Owner of Broken Neck Radio). Door Time at 6 pm PST. Tickets available at https://orangetickets.ca/detalles_evento.php?id_evento=1914​

  "Once again, we are at our Finals for the Metal Battle, and it's a very special one this year, as we host them in Vancouver for the first time! What a testament to Canadian talent we have, showcasing some of the top metal acts from across our great country, all leading to this final showdown in VanCity. Stoked to make the trek to attend and can't wait to see who will be our champions bound for Wacken Open Air," comments WMBC national organizer JJ Tartaglia.

  British Columbia WMBC promoter Abelardo Mayoral adds:

  "There has been a lot of excitement about the Metal Battle Canada taking place in Vancouver throughout the different elimination rounds. The response and attendance to each round have been outstanding. I know Vancouver is ready to welcome bands and fans from all over the country, and of course, to showcase the talent, strength, and unity that the metal scene in all of BC has."

  WMBC 2025 Final Spotify Playlist - https://spoti.fi/3Z55AFy

  Winning their territorial battles respectively, the final four are the following:

  Hamilton, ON's KILLOTINE is the hammer that falls without warning—relentless, unforgiving, and all-consuming. Their riffs shred through the air like jagged steel, solos burn with a fury that can’t be tamed, and blasts hit like an explosion in your chest. They don’t care about trends or softening the blow. Every note is a direct attack, every show a brutal assault. Headbanging is inevitable, the adrenaline is relentless, and the chaos is total. This is metal in its rawest, most savage form. With their “take everything, leave only metal” mentality, Killotine isn’t here to play nice. They deliver exactly what the maniacs demand—pure, unfiltered aggression. No filler, no fake. Just a full-throttle, all-out assault that doesn’t let up, leaving you wrecked and addicted to the chaos. KILLOTINE IS COMING. STAY OUT OF THE WAY OR GET DESTROYED.

  Video - Epic Live Set at the Whiskey Pit: Killotine Shreds Like Never Before! - https://youtu.be/AkuL8nbk8XE​

  ​https://linktr.ee/killotinemetal​

  ==========

  Ottawa, ON's SOULTHIEF is a crossover band known for their powerful and fun sound that combines elements of melodic hardcore, thrash metal, beatdown, slam, and punk. Formed in early 2021, the band has garnered a reputation for its intense live performances and dynamic songwriting.

  Their discography includes several notable releases, with their albums “Citadel” and "The Bad Kind of Wet” receiving praise for their energy and musical depth. Tracks like "You Could be my Gwen Stacy" and "Rupture" are often highlighted as fan favorites, showcasing the band's ability to craft memorable hooks and crowd-engaging lyrics.

  Soulthief has built a loyal following through their extensive touring and energetic live shows. They have performed at various venues and festivals, earning a reputation for delivering high-impact performances that resonate with audiences. Playing with bands like Stick to Your Guns, Within Destruction, MadBall, Get the Shot, Left to Suffer, Guilt Trip, Sworn Enemy, Hoods, Vctms, Teeth, and many more

  Soulthief has continued to evolve and push the boundaries of their craft. Their dedication to their musical performance and their passionate fanbase have cemented their place in any music scene they show up in.

  Music Video - You Could Be My Gwen Stacy - https://youtu.be/eRnfHx-FvGY​

  ​https://www.soulthief.ca​

  ==========

  Calgary, AB's BEYOND SUFFERING is a five-piece melodic metal band with roots in thrash and metalcore. With founding member and lead guitarist Rob Vargo, they blend intense riffs and rhythmic complexities of deathcore with melodic hooks and emotional depth of hardcore. Their recent pre-release demo, “Buddha,” is a great buildup to the upcoming “Darkness” and subsequent response “Light” EPs later this year.

  Song Stream - Buddha (Demo) - https://youtu.be/Menz1YSu_pI​

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

  =========

  Nanaimo, BC's old school death metal YEGG is a band that stays true to their roots. Drawing inspiration from iconic bands like Death, Obituary, Morbid Angel, and Cannibal Corpse, YEGG delivers a relentless assault of pure, unadulterated old school Death Metal. Their live shows are a sight to behold with intense energy and a ferocious wall of pure aggression that will.

  Song Stream - Offal Offering - https://youtu.be/7s0WVh-JXd4​

  ​https://linktr.ee/yeggmetal​

  =========

  WACKEN METAL BATTLE 2025: CANADA FINAL

  Event Info - https://www.facebook.com/events/2015740435614140​
  Sat, May 31, 2025 - 6:00 PM PST
  Rickshaw Theatre
  254 East Hastings Street
  Vancouver, BC, V6A 1P1

  About:

  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 30 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 giving 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 2025 and compete against the winners of 29 other countries in a final global battle. All battle rounds are judged by respected local music industry representatives.

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

  Links:​
  ​Metal-Battle.com​​
  ​Facebook.com/WMBCanada.official​
  ​Twitter.com/MetalBattleCan​
  ​Instagram.com/MetalBattleCanada.Official

  Read more

• JAWFANE Announces Debut EP “Me And All My Demons” With Lead Single “Cataclysm (Nightmare)”

  Apr 23, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  L-R - Cory Pack (guitar), Jesse Marquez (keyboard), Austin Heipp (vocals), AJ Chacon (drums), Chase Shumann (bass)

  Photo Credit - Megan Rose // Instagram @mrosedesigner

  USA’s post-hardcore outfit Jawfane is proud to announce their debut EP “Me and All My Demons” set for release on June 26th through Exitus Stratagem Records. Alongside this announcement, the band has released their first single, “Cataclysm (Nightmare),” which is the first look at the aggressive, emotional, and immersive music Jawfane prides themselves on. Cory comments on the single:

  “I am of the 00’ hardcore scene with a deep love for Norma Jean, the opening riff is an call back to that era, Chase did a great job writing us out of it into a more modern metal riff that's the hard part of those moments, coming out of the familiar into something not so normal for me at least. We tried to be as aggressive as we could with the breakdown and chorus, but still keep it a song with a structure, which is not the instinct when playing giant breakdowns. I never want those parts to end.”

  Born from a desire to create without judgment or barriers, Jawfane has spent the last four years building their sound from the ground up. What began as a group of friends secretly writing together has evolved into an immersive musical force that defies easy categorization. Though rooted in metal-core and hardcore sensibilities, the band refuses to be pigeonhole into a single genre.

  “Me and All My Demons” represents a collection of real-life experiences transformed into raw, cathartic expressions. All Jawfane songs are based in reality for at least one of the members, someone they know personally, or something they needed to say that they couldn't say any other way”. This authenticity runs through lead single “Cataclysm (Nightmare),” which showcases the band's ability to channel personal struggles into powerful sonic landscapes.

  The EP was initially self-produced before catching the attention of Exitus Stratagem Records, who worked with the band to rework and re-record the entire collection. Jawfane will be supporting the release with shows throughout the summer. They are recommended for fans of Misery Signals, Cane Hill, and King 810.

  Listen to “Cataclysm (Nightmare)” at the following links:

  Spotify (all digital platforms) - https://hypeddit.com/jawfane/cataclysmnightmare​

  ​

  EP pre-save - https://hypeddit.com/jawfane/meandallmydemons​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Damaged Goods - 3:48
  2. Cataclysm (Nightmare) - 2:42
  3. Me and All My Demons - 3:46
  4. Friends and Enemies - 3:20
  5. Time Hunts Us All - 4:01
  EP Length: 17:39

  More info:

  ​Exsrmusic.com | Facebook.com/ExSRecords | Instagram.com/exsrmusic | X.com/exsrmusic​

  ​Facebook.com/Jawfane | Instagram.com/jawfane

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• SVNTH Unleashes Unconventional Metal Versatility with New Album “Pink Noise Youth” + EU Tour Dates

  Apr 17, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Meshing styles like post-metal, gothic/doom, punk, post-hardcore/screamo, post-rock, shoegaze, black/death metal, and alternative rock, Italian experimental metal outfit SVNTH's fourth studio album, “Pink Noise Youth,” is ready for its coronation on April 18th, 2025, via These Hands Melt Records.

  Before it officially unleashes digitally and physically (CD / Vinyl), SVNTH has teamed up with Decibel Magazine for the album's full-stream premiere, which can be heard HERE.

  The band comments on the release of "Pink Noise Youth":

  "If the previous record Spring in Blue was about facing life’s struggles from a childhood perspective, Pink Noise Youth is based on exploring awareness as an adult in late youth, trying to give a voice to a generation emotionally unstable and chaotic as pink noise. It is the second part of the band’s own “trilogy of colors”. Musically, we intended to stay outside of genres and labels where elements of hardcore, metal, shoegaze, post-rock, and unconventional instrumentation such as electric indian sitar, classical, and 12-string guitars are blended in the same pot. People will surely welcome it with curiosity."

  Vocalist and bassist Rodolfo Ciuffo adds:

  "Lyrically, most of the inspiration comes from personal life events, relationships, and conversations with people and reflections about existential topics; in several cases, it also comes from movies and books."

  Following SVNTH's 2020 "Spring in Blue", “Pink Noise Youth” demonstrates the band's continued evolution, deliberately transcending genre boundaries. The album promises to take listeners on a cohesive journey through its carefully crafted track sequence, maintaining the band's tradition of creating conceptually unified works. The music from SVNTH has always aimed to give the listener emotional vibes. This record, in particular, is conceptually based on exploring late youth emotions, and the music created reflects such instability.

  Recommended for fans of Deafheaven, Alcest, and Agalloch, “Pink Noise Youth” is due out on April 18, 2025, on Vinyl, CD, and Digital via These Hands Melt Records and is available for pre-order / pre-save at https://lnk.to/SVNTH​

  The musical versatility of SVNTH’s sound can be witnessed live in April and May with tour dates in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, and Switzerland (dates listed below).

  SVNTH - Pink Noise Youth EU Tour:​
  April 17 - Bologna, Italy - Alchemica
  April 18 - Milan, Italy - Legend Club
  April 19 - Rome, Italy - Traffic Live
  May 7 - Pfaffenhofen am der lim, Germany - Stockerhof
  May 8 - Bamberg, Germany - UpYours
  May 9 - Cologne, Germany - Valhalla
  May 10 - Delft, Netherlands - OJV de Koornbeurs
  May 11 - Ypres, Belgium - Art Vort'n Vis
  May 12 - London, UK - Moor Beer Co
  May 14 - Zurich, Switzerland - Ebrietas

  Track Listing:​
  1. Inhale - 1:31
  2. Cinnamon Moon - 5:18
  3. Perfume - 4:19
  4. Elephant - 6:49
  5. Narrow, Narrow - 5:35
  6. Exhale - 4:33
  7. Winter Blues - 4:32
  8. Nairobi Lullaby - 4:37
  Album Length: 37:18

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

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• 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​

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