Search Results: havok

• Prepare For A Cosmic Thrash Alien Invasion with Crüzer's New Lyric Video "Look to the Skies"

  Jun 20, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

   

  Unleashing their debut EP "Look to the Skies" this past April, Crüzer is not just a band—they are a cosmic metal assault from the Great White North. Hailing from Vancouver, BC, Canada, their sound is as unstoppable as an alien invasion force, tearing through the atmosphere with electrifying solos and unforgettable hooks.

  In the lead up to their upcoming local show dates on June 27th at The Astoria and July 26th at The Kingsway (details below), Crüzer is unveiling the lyric video for their EP's title track.

  "The title track, Look to the Skies, deals with the threat of an extraterrestrial invasion force, and the attempts of the world powers to stop it (or maybe they know more than they’re letting on…). The chorus hook on this song might be my favourite of the whole album, love how it just comes in out of nowhere after a whole verse and pre-chorus of harsh blackened thrash vocals," adds vocalist Eric Wilmott.

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  Featuring five tracks of raging, rip-roaring, intergalactic speed metal, with a multitude of different flavours catered to the tastes of every thrasher, but with a melodic and humorous twist. Crüzer's latest EP, "Look to the Skies", will have metalheads headbanging to the power of the riff and celebrating the bizarre and otherworldly wonders of the universe.

  "I believe this EP will be well received by any thrasher who enjoys a touch of melody with their mosh fodder. While in the studio, we ensured that these songs were polished and perfected, with a good dose of melody and catchiness infused into the madness. We aim to provide a thrash buffet of sorts, a smorgasbord filled with various flavours of speed, melody, and attitude. Tracks like 'Pit Vyper' have some serious hair metal vibes, and it is preceded on the record by '(I Need) Thrash', a Slayer-esque song! EARTHLINGS!!! Crank it to 11, and prepare for an out-of-this-world heavy metal experience. Your alien overlords are excited to unveil our latest slice of interplanetary propaganda, LOOK TO THE SKIES!" says Willmott.

  "Look to the Skies" is recommended for fans of all things thrash, such as Havok, Exodus (Zetro era), Destruction, Metallica (Ride the Lightning era), Exciter, and 80s Judas Priest.

  The EP is streaming on all digital platforms as of April 4, 2025. Crüzer plans to unleash the 5-track record on CD, with the release date to be determined. CD pre-order will be available from the band via their Bandcamp at https://cruzermuzik.bandcamp.com.

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3GKuG6C​

  Show Dates:​
  June 27 - Vancouver, BC - The Astoria w/ Gorgonum Chaos, The Bifurcated, Nobody, DJ HAMMER - info​

  July 26 - Vancouver, BC - The Kingsway w/ Terrifier, W.M.D., and The Unending - info​

  More info: Cruzermuzik.carrd.co | Facebook.com/cruzermuzik | Instagram.com/cruzermuzik

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• Cosmic Thrashers Crüzer Unleash New EP "Look to the Skies" + Show Dates + CD Pre-Order

  May 16, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  L-R: Nico Miraftab (guitar), Eric Willmott (lead vocals), Alex Gain (drums), Ben Higgins (guitar, bass), New member: Esteban Lleuful (bass; not pictured)

  Photos: Caitlin R.D.

  Unleashing their debut EP "Look to the Skies" this past April, Crüzer is not just a band—they are a cosmic metal assault from the Great White North. Hailing from Vancouver, BC, Canada, their sound is as unstoppable as an alien invasion force, tearing through the atmosphere with electrifying solos and unforgettable hooks.

  With their undeniable stage presence (recently performing at this year's Hyperspace Metal Festival) and the power of the riff, these melodic cosmic thrashers celebrate the bizarre and otherworldly wonders of the universe. Metalheads can expect a raging, thrashing good time, but with a melodic and humorous twist. Crüzer isn’t afraid to turn trash on its head and infuse the flavour with all kinds of spices and secret sauces.

  "EARTHLINGS!!! Crank it to 11, and prepare for an out-of-this-world heavy metal experience. Your alien overlords are pleased to unveil our newest slice of interplanetary propaganda, LOOK TO THE SKIES!

  Five tracks of raging, rip-roaring, intergalactic speed metal, with a multitude of different flavours catered to the tastes of every thrasher, from the melodic Metallica nerds to the greasy Slaytanic Wehrmacht. Perfect for cruzing down the interstellar highway or around Saturn’s rings.

  CONSUME, EARTHLINGS! LISTEN AND REJOICE!!! BASK IN THE GLORY OF YOUR ALIEN OVERLORDS AND CELEBRATE OUR ARRIVAL!!!" adds the band.

  With the EP streaming on all digital platforms as of April 4, 2025, Crüzer plans to release the 5-track record on CD, with the release date to be determined. CD pre-order will be available from the band via their Bandcamp at https://cruzermuzik.bandcamp.com.

  "Look to the Skies" is recommended for fans of all things thrash, such as Havok, Exodus (Zetro era), Destruction, Metallica (Ride the Lightning era), Exciter, and 80s Judas Priest.

  EP Stream Links:

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3GKuG6C

  [embed]https://open.spotify.com/album/67l6zwfBCW3YAweemQaTWu[/embed]

  ​

  Show Dates:​
  June 27 - Vancouver, BC - The Astoria w/ Gorgonum Chaos, The Bifurcated, Nobody, DJ HAMMER - info​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Look to the Skies (4:18)
  2. Born to Rise (4:06)
  3. Raging Fire (3:51)
  4. (I Need) Thrash (2:14)
  5. Pit Vyper (4:44)
  Length: 19:13

  More info: Cruzermuzik.carrd.co | Facebook.com/cruzermuzik | Instagram.com/cruzermuzik

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• 15 Years of Mountain Moshing! ARMSTRONG METALFEST Unveils 2025 Lineup w/ BORN OF OSIRIS, HAVOK, GLYPH, RIOT CITY, THE BROWNING, VIRVUM and more!

  Mar 4, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Celebrating 15 Years of mountain moshing in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley, Armstrong MetalFest unveils its conquering 2025 lineup with BORN OF OSIRIS, HAVOK, GLYPH, RIOT CITY, THE BROWNING, VIRVUM and lots more from across Canada and beyond.

  Hosted on July 11th and 12th in Armstrong, BC at the Hassen Arena, this year's two days of moshing, headbanging, and camping is a very special one as festival council members comment:

  "The band council worked hard on this year's lineup. I am so excited to have the Browning back. They were amazing on stage. I have been wanting to see Born of Osiris play live for years. I love them, and now I get to see them in my own little town." - Heather Valstar, Vice President of West Metal Entertainment Society

  "I'm really excited about the diversity of this year's line-up. The selection team has really put in the work. There's sure to be something for everyone: a great mix of trusted favorites and new additions to your playlist for the rest of the year!" - Kate Kutzner, President of West Metal Entertainment Society

  "This year's festival is a work of art! I can't believe we are on the 15th year already. Time flies when you're setting up a festival full of crushing riffs, soaring vocals and down right nasty beats. Life rules, bring on the summer!" - Festival Co-Founder / General Manager - Jessie Valstar.

  AMF Weekend Passes are available at https://armstrongmetalfest.ca/tickets​

  All tickets provide general admission and grant access to the festival grounds, camping area, and arena from 9:00 AM on Friday, July 11, 2025, until 10:00 AM on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Free camping is included.

  ​(Tickets will be mailed starting after March 1st if you have chosen the "Ticket Mailed" option.)

  Headlining opening night, Friday, July 11th, Denver thrashers HAVOK are no strangers to the mosh pits, these veterans have unleashed five studio albums – Burn (2009), Time Is Up (2011), Unnatural Selection (2013), Conformicide (2017), V (2020) – and recently surprised fans this past November with the EP "New Eyes".

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  Also supporting the Friday night stage, the Pacific Northwest's Glyph (ft. members from Gatekeeper, Greyhawk, Hjelvik), which is not just a heavy metal band, they are a crew of intergalactic mercenaries escaping a dying planet in their spaceship, the VSS Dragonlord. Clearly, Glyph isn’t just writing songs, they’re building worlds and they bring it forth in their latest album "Honor, Power, Glory" released in March 2024.

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  Another highlight for Friday is the screaming heavy metal from Calgary's speed demons Riot City, who bring forth their steel, spikes and leather! A youthful band that represent the new face of Canadian metal. An amalgam of ripping and hot heavy metal, created in pure and youthful madness, they're bullet belts feature two full lengths "Electric Elite" (2022), "Burn The Night" (2019) and their latest live album "Live in Newcastle" (2023).

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  Saturday, July 12th will be headlined by international tour de force, progressive deathcore titans, Chicago's BORN OF OSIRIS. The group is signed to Sumerian Records and has released seven full lengths and two EPs. Their album, A Higher Place, reached number 73 on the Billboard 200. Their second full-length album, The Discovery, debuted at 87 on the Billboard 200. The band unveiled their latest single "In Desolation" this past August.

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  Also featured on Saturday is AMF alumni Kansas City's THE BROWNING who will be unleashing their unique eclectic blend of electronicore and deathcore. This past November, they released their sixth album "OMNI" that features 10 powerful tracks, including collaborations with Nik Nocturnal and the eponymous song with THE DEFECT.

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  Performing for the first time at AMF and adding to the nostalgia of Saturday night, VIRVUM, progressive / technical death metal all the way from Zürich, Switzerland that many in Canada have been waiting a long time to witness. There's no better place to see them along with the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies than at AMF 2025. 

  Other to be treasured highlights of this year's fest not to miss is Montreal, QC up and coming thrashers DROWNING IN BLOOD, who are notorious pit mongrels and have made quite a name for themselves in Eastern Canada. Vancouver's GRAVEMASS, they might be a new band, but they feature some serious experienced metalheads from Zimmers Hole, West of Hell, The Golers, Punch Drunk, 3 Inches of Blood and Revocation. Switzerland's technical death/black metal Stortregn, they deliver a mix of charging riffs, blast beats and brutality that leaves the listener begging for more. The Defect is an electronic rock/metal project created by husband and wife duo – Jonny McBee (The Browning) and Moon McBee. Their debut album "Death X Destiny" was recently released on Feb 7th, 2025 under record label FiXT. From the Salish lands of Spokane, WA, Hísemtuks Hími•n introduce their Indigenous melodic black metal of hard hitting riffs, fast paced drumming and a lot of melody. This project has strong roots in the Spokane Tribe/Nez Perce. Most songs are about Native American mythology, history, and folklore.

  AMF 2025 Lineup:​
  Havok (Denver, CO)
  Born of Osiris (Chicago, IL)
  Glyph (Seattle, WA)
  Riot City (Calgary, AB)
  The Browning (Kansas City, KS)
  Virvum (Zürich, Switzerland)
  Atavistia (Vancouver, BC)
  Drowning In Blood (Montreal, QC)
  Convictions (Fremont, OH)
  Scalding (Vancouver, BC)
  Syryn (Calgary, AB)
  Stortregn (Geneva, Switzerland)
  The Defect (Kansas City, KS)
  Gravemass (Vancouver, BC)
  Lover (Calgary, AB)
  Yegg (Vancouver Island, BC)
  Hísemtuks Hími•n (Spokane, WA)
  The Spruce Moose (Edmonton, AB)
  Volt (Fort McMurray, AB)
  Jisei (Vancouver, BC)
  Nomad (Okanagan Valley, BC)
  Planetkiller (Kelowna, BC)
  Shackled To The Throne (Edmonton, AB)
  The Cadavor Dog (High River, AB)
  Famous Strangers (Edmonton, AB)
  Valley of Despair (Edmonton, AB)
  Naitaka (Kelowna, BC)
  FloodGate (Kelowna, BC)

  In addition to the performing bands, Armstrong Metal Fest will be bringing back the following on-site activities: Yeti Games, Metal Madness Market, and Thrash Wrestling.

  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.

  For more info:​
  ​Armstrongmetalfest.ca
  ​​Facebook​
  ​Instagram​
  ​Twitter

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• QUIESCENT MANTIS To Perform On Cancer Benefit MOSHIGAN Presented By Michigan Metal Fest & Q106FM

  Feb 5, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  NEWS RELEASE

  Montreal, QC - February 5, 2025

  QUIESCENT MANTIS To Perform On Cancer Benefit MOSHIGAN Presented By Michigan Metal Fest & Q106FM

  New Album “Here Comes the Swarm” Out Now! via Exitus Stratagem Records

  L-R - Jordan Mckenzie (Vocals/Bass), Johnny Mejia (Drums), Chris Trainor (Guitar)

  Photo Credits: Josh Martin (ProMotion LLC)

  Exitus Stratagem Records is proud to announce that Tennessee thrashers Quiescent Mantis will perform on MOSHIGAN 2025, the first annual cancer benefit event presented by Michigan Metal Fest and Q106 FM and hosted at The Music Factory in Battle Creek, Michigan, on Saturday, May 3rd.

  All of the proceeds from this event will go directly to a selected 2025 beneficiary. This inaugural Moshigan begins a planned annual event to benefit cancer patients in the surrounding areas.

  Tickets - https://shop.michiganmetalfest.net/michiganmetalfest/moshigan2025/​

  DONATIONS CAN BE MADE HERE https://tinyurl.com/2vsuue44 THAT GO DIRECTLY TO THE RECIPIENT!

  More info - https://www.facebook.com/events/667082205645888/​

  Moshigan 2025 Lineup:

  BANDS:
  Nailbite
  Traverse the Abyss
  Quiescent Mantis
  Demsfightinwords
  Killcrown

  ​
  ​SPONSORS:​
  Q106
  Exitus Stratagem Records
  Wayward Tattoo
  Solve Design Create
  Bloodlust Media
  Pixel Paige Photography
  Territorial Brewing Company
  American Mosh Pits
  My Merch Guy

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

  Quiescent Mantis' debut album “Here Comes The Swarm” was produced by Yanic Bercier (Quo Vadis, Gone In April) at WaveTransform Recording Studio and unleashed in July 2024 on Exitus Stratagem Records. The genre-defying release blends elements of hardcore, thrash, death, and metalcore into a whirlwind of relentless aggression.

  Formed during the tumultuous COVID-19 lockdown, Quiescent Mantis emerged from the fusion of former scientists Chris Trainor, Jordan McKenzie, and Johnny Mejia. Previously employed by the enigmatic Sub-atomic Weight Of Acceleration Research Mechanics (S.W.A.R.M.), the trio embarked on a musical journey after inadvertently opening a doorway to the mantis homeworld during a particle collision experiment, exposing themselves to a mind-altering pheromone. Thus, the Chapter 1 demo was born in 2021.

  Inspired by a love for old science fiction movies and thrash metal, Quiescent Mantis presents a unique, aggressive, groovy, heavy, and relentless sound that blends old-school metal techniques with new-school innovations. The band aims to provide listeners with a groundbreaking experience, combining elements of classic and contemporary metal in a manner never before heard. They are recommended for fans of Orbit Culture, Havok, and Power Trip.

  “With this album, it truly shows not only how we come together as musicians but as storytellers. This album is all the best elements of thrash metal and science fiction horror movies put into one single package. ‘Here Comes The Swarm’ is the sound we created to release the swarm to the world.”

  Album order for “Here Comes The Swarm” are available at https://www.exsrmusic.com/store/p/pre-sale-quiescent-mantis-here-come-the-swarm​

  ​Digital (Spotify) - https://linktr.ee/QuiescentMantis

  Quiescent Mantis is:
  Chris Trainor - Guitarist / Backup Vocals
  Jordan Mckenzie - Bass and Vocals
  Johnny Mejia - Drums

  More info: Exsrmusic.com | Facebook.com/QuiescentMantis | Instagram.com/quiescent_mantis

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• HAVOK at Warsaw Concerts 11/22/24

  Nov 27, 2024 ArmyOfOneTV 0 Comments

  This was not my first time in front of thrash metal band Havok… in fact in 2012 i video interviewed drummer Pete (in Albany supporting Sepultura) and then 2016 we did a photoshoot by Terminal 5 (supporting Megadeth) and later a year after they came back to NYC to the Irving Plaza.

   

  After that the bassist left the band ( the second one i knew), and two original  members when to play to another bands and then pandemic hit us so i wasn’t sure what i was getting this time around… don’t get me wrong, Havok is one of the top contenders among all of the newer bands in this style of music above everyone else… but two original members missing.. i was like wow…. can guitarist/vocalist pull it off?!?… 

   

  To my surprise… original drummer was there waiting to start the show along with the bassist that we have had the photoshoot was there too, and new lead guitar was the only new face … the music started and there it was, the Havok machine was pounding hard as it was before.

   

  I was 100% in awe… i knew all of their songs… and they were delivering them flawlessly it was a great time until we all were asked to leave the pit by the second song… :(  resulting and less opportunities for close ups photos, etc etc. In the end, people was responding accordingly, crowd surfing and mosh pit were part of the ritual as it should be.

   

  Havok always delivers a solid and powerful set and they should be doing more shows around NY no doubt.

   

   

  

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