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• Chilean Prog ENGRUPID PIPOL Unleashes New Concept Album "Quadragenta At Finem Mundi"

  Nov 7, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  After more than three years of silence, Chilean instrumental trio Engrupid Pipol returns with their most daring and conceptually rich album to date: "Quadragenta at Finem Mundi." A sonic prophecy told in seven acts, this 46-minute progressive metal journey explores the collapse of civilization and the rebirth of life through intricate compositions, raw emotion, and a sound that pushes the boundaries of the trio format.

  Drummer Nacho García reflects on the band’s evolution.
  ​
  ​“The work done on this album is incomparable to our two previous records, both technically and personally. On Engrupid Divais, we had found the sound we were looking for. This time, once we were in the studio, we realized we already had the sound we wanted; it just needed a few tweaks.”

  The band focused on preserving the integrity of the trio format, avoiding overdubs that couldn’t be replicated live. The result is a modern, powerful, and crystal-clear sound, with each instrument retaining its warmth and natural tone. Acoustic guitars, synthesizers, and even the bombo legüero, a traditional Latin American drum, add depth and texture to the album’s apocalyptic narrative.

  
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  ​"Quadragenta at Finem Mundi" is Engrupid Pipol’s first conceptual album, and it demanded everything from its members. With funding from the Chilean Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Heritage, the band had the resources to elevate their recording, post-production, and promotional efforts, but also faced immense pressure to deliver.
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  ​“We had a deadline and only three rough demos. It tested us as a band and as friends. We had to devote a huge chunk of our lives to this process, writing, arranging, rehearsing, and reworking demos until the songs matured,” recalls Nacho.
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  Guitarist Kaztrol adds:
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  ​“This album was born from a different place than usual. It pushed us to our limits and presented obstacles we didn’t expect. Listening to the finished album is an auditory delight, a reward for our souls after all the effort and sacrifice.”​
  ​
  ​"Quadragenta at Finem Mundi" unfolds as a seven-act instrumental journey through the collapse and rebirth of civilization. It opens with “Tripel Ultimatum,” a high-adrenaline, riff-heavy track that introduces three survivors of a nuclear disaster. “Vorágine” follows with a whirlwind of acoustic chaos, mirroring the consumerist frenzy and environmental decay of modern society. “Animal Inteligenz” offers a satirical take on artificial intelligence as a new deity, exploring the decline of human intellect and the rise of evolved animals and machines. The fourth act, “Inspireichon Burn,” channels death-metal fury to depict the devastation of thermonuclear war and the greed of war profiteers, born from a spontaneous burst of inspiration. “Vairal Madnez,” the most collaborative track, critiques digital obsession, fake news, and biological warfare, and stands out as a favorite to perform. “Aztral Configureited” shifts the tone to cosmic reflection, imagining planetary alignment as life on Earth fades and a new cycle begins. The album closes with “Ameba Emenens,” a fully acoustic and introspective finale, where a lone ameba survives the apocalypse to restart life, offering a hopeful end to a dark and prophetic musical odyssey.
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  ​"Quadragenta at Finem Mundi" is more than an album; it’s a statement. A sonic warning. A cathartic release. And above all, a testament to the enduring power of three musicians who’ve spent nearly 25 years crafting their sound and pushing their limits.

  Available November 7, 2025, on all major platforms, the album is recommended for fans of Liquid Tension, Rush, Megadeth, King Crimson, Night Verses, and Animals as Leaders.

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/7i6N3YPymMG6Bk6SAwrhPb​

  Digital Download - https://www.portaldisc.com/contenido/disco-engrupid-pipol-quadragenta-at-finem-mundi​

  Track Listing:
  ​1. Tripel Ultimatum - 5:48
  2. Voragine - 6:53
  3. Animal Inteligenz - 7:34
  4. Inspireichon Burn
  5. Vairal Madness 5:01
  6. Aztral Configureited 8:24
  7. Ameba Emenens 4.20
  Album Length 45:20

  For more info: Engrupidpipol.cl | Instagram.com/engrupid_pipol | Facebook.com/engrupid​

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• Chilean Prog ENGRUPID PIPOL Unleashes Music Video “Tripel Ultimatum” Off New Apocalyptic Concept Album "Quadragenta At Finem Mundi" Out Nov 2025

  Sep 8, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Chilean progressive metal power trio Engrupid Pipol has released their explosive new single “Tripel Ultimatum,” the opening act of their upcoming conceptual album "Quadragenta At Finem Mundi", arriving November 7, 2025. Accompanied by a cinematic music video, the track sets the tone for a dark, prophetic journey through the collapse of civilization.

  “Tripel Ultimatum” is a high-octane burst of groove and adrenaline, described by guitarist Kaztrol as “a banger to kick off the album, full of heavy riffs and melodies that stick in your head, especially when you’re driving at high speed.”

  The music video, inspired by Mad Max, features the band as masked survivors of a nuclear disaster, performing one last time before scattering into the wasteland. The single’s artwork comes directly from the video shoot.

  “We’re some of the last humans alive in a desolate world. I designed a mask for each member to reflect our personalities, and we each created our own wardrobe, very Mad Max-inspired,” explains Kaztrol.

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/engrupidpipol/tripel-ultimatum​

  "Quadragenta At Finem Mundi" is Engrupid Pipol’s most ambitious work to date, a seven-act instrumental prog-metal album that metaphorically chronicles the downfall of humanity. With themes ranging from nuclear catastrophe and AI overreach to narcissism and societal collapse, the album offers a gripping sonic prophecy. Each track is a symptom, a warning, delivered by the trio’s explosive riffs and intricate compositions. “Voragine” captures the whirlwind of consumerism and chaos. “Animal Inteligenz” offers a sarcastic reflection on AI as a new god, questioning whether it will be benevolent or sadistic. “Inspireichon Burn” tells the story of thermonuclear war driven by greed, while “Vairal Madnez” critiques the viral madness of social media, fake news, and digital surveillance. “Aztral Configureited” imagines cosmic alignment as the final apocalypse, and “Ameba Emenens,” a fully acoustic track, closes the album with a note of introspective hope, life beginning anew from a single surviving Amoeba.

  “We want listeners to disconnect and let the music carry them to an altered level of consciousness. It’s a journey through soundscapes that reflect the chaos of our times,” says drummer Nacho García.

  Founded in Santiago, Chile, in October 2000, Engrupid Pipol began as SíFiLiS, releasing two experimental albums: SiFiLiSaCioN (2005) and Paranoia en Paragua (2009). Known for accelerated riffs and abrupt time changes, the band evolved into a more mature and cohesive unit, rebranding as Engrupid Pipol in 2009. Their sound is groovy, powerful, and melodically rich, which has earned them critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase. Their discography includes Essenchial Engrupid Element (2016), praised for its originality and technical prowess, and Engrupid Divais (2022), which earned a nomination for Best Metal Artist at the 2023 Pulsar Awards.

  Their song titles are often written in deliberately misspelled Spanglish, including the band’s name itself. “Engrupid” comes from the Chilean verb engrupir—to charm or deceive.

  “If you’re an engrupid person. You believe in yourself and your art no matter what anyone says,” comments Kaztrol.

  The new album "Quadragenta At Finem Mundi" was made possible thanks to a grant from the Chilean Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Heritage, awarded in February 2025.

  Album Track Listing:
  ​1. Tripel Ultimatum - 5:48
  2. Voragine - 6:53
  3. Animal Inteligenz - 7:34
  4. Inspireichon Burn
  5. Vairal Madness 5:01
  6. Aztral Configureited 8:24
  7. Ameba Emenens 4.20
  Album Length 45:20

  For more info: Engrupidpipol.cl | Instagram.com/engrupid_pipol | Facebook.com/engrupid

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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.
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  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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• IVY GARDENS' Video "Burden" From New Album "Death of Don Valley" Out August 2025 + Canadian Tour Dates

  Jun 20, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

   

  Ivy Gardens, the experimental sludge metal band from Niagara Falls, Canada, has announced the release of their highly anticipated new music video for the single "Burden" and their sophomore album, "Death of Don Valley", set to drop on August 29th, 2025, via Paper Cut Recordings. The record marks a bold new chapter in the band’s sound, with more complex compositions, darker themes, and a shift into a more experimental and atmospheric direction.
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  Formed in the parking lot of Princess Auto, Ivy Gardens’ journey began with a mutual love for covering Rush instrumentals and an obsession with heavy, sludge-infused sound. From those humble beginnings, the band’s unique chemistry and vision have led to the creation of their most ambitious and thematically focused album yet.
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  ​"Burden", the first single from "Death of Don Valley", showcases a satirical take on nihilism, with dark and comical undertones. The track was one of the first songs written for the album and features a fast-paced, relentless tempo that gradually picks up speed in the studio. Lyrically, it's a satirical take on the archetypal nihilist, with a dose of doom and gloom that veers into a comical extreme. The band describes it as “quick and succinct” — a track that encapsulates the essence of their new sonic direction.

  Watch and listen to the music video for "Burden" via its premiere on The Obelisk HERE.

  Spotify - https://bit.ly/3FWpqwD

  "Death of Don Valley" is a concept album, exploring the themes of death, decay, and the unstoppable erosion of life and the environment. The concept is rooted in the history of the Don Valley River, a once-thriving waterway now plagued by pollution and degradation. The album's artwork reflects this with the haunting image of a corpse between the banks of the flooded river, anthropomorphizing the water itself as it becomes a symbol of death and decay.

  The material on "Death of Don Valley" was designed to be heard live, with massive stacks of amplifiers and a commitment to delivering the music in all its raw, unfiltered glory. It marks a bold new direction for Ivy Gardens; the band has no plans of slowing down. Their dedication to the project is evident in every note they play and every lyric they write as they continue to push musical boundaries and explore new sonic territories. Lyrically, the record draws from a mix of historical events, such as the tragic story of Canadian bush pilot Martin Hartwell, and fictional narratives, creating a dark and gripping atmosphere. The songs explore everything from violence, death, and survival to environmental destruction and existential dread. As the band explains:

  "Death of Don Valley is the natural progression of their sound, with more complexity and a deliberate thematic structure. Musically, it marks a shift in Ivy Gardens’ approach. This album is darker, more experimental, and more intricate than our previous work on 2024's Goon. While Goon carried a more positive, energetic vibe, this LP is more about confronting the darker aspects of life, and it reflects a deeper exploration into musical and thematic complexity."

  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 of Ivy Gardens can expect an intense live performance soon, as the band does plan to tour in support of the new album this coming September. Stay tuned for dates to be announced, and Ivy Gardens are bringing their thunderous sound to stages nationwide. Expect a live show that will test the limits of your ears and your emotions.

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

  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 11 - London, ON - TBA
  Sept 12 - Windsor, ON - Phog Lounge
  Sept 13 - Sarnia, ON - AJs Bar
  Sept 18 - Halifax, NS - Radstorm
  Sept 19 - Sydney, NS - Daniels Ale House
  Sept 20 - Charlottetown, PEI - Babas Lounge
  Sept 21 - Moncton, NB - TBA
  Sept 25 - Woodstock, NB - Montieth Manor
  Sept 26 - Quebec City, QC - Scanner Bistro
  Sept 27 - Montreal, QC - Blue Dog
  Oct 9 - Barrie, ON - CW Coops
  Oct 10 - Sudbury, ON - Townhouse Tavern
  Oct 11 - Thunder Bay, ON - Nortenos Cantina
  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 - TBA
  Oct 24 - Vancouver, BC - TBA
  Oct 25 - Victoria, BC - TBA

  Track Listing:​
  1. Burn For Murder - 2:02
  2. Eye Witness - 2:50
  3. Burden - 3:08
  4. Guiding Hand - 6:18
  5. Frozen Limbs - 5:15
  6. Gearth - 2:29
  7. Astray - 4:56
  8. Bliss - 8:59
  9. Golden - 7:07
  Album Length: 43:08

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

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• Finland's AITHEER's Debut Album "The Serpent" Pushes Boundaries of Extreme w/ Prog and Cinematic Depth

  Feb 21, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Rockshots Records is proud to announce the release of "The Serpent", the highly anticipated debut full-length album from Aitheer, set to arrive today February 21st, 2025. Following their 2020 EP "Sleeper", the Finnish progressive metal band expands its sonic vision with an album that pushes boundaries, blending extreme metal intensity with intricate progressive arrangements and cinematic depth.

  Formed in 2017 by Niko Löfman (vocals, guitars), Antton Kasslin (drums) and Roope Kytölä (bass), Aitheer has evolved from a jam-based project into one of Finland’s most daring progressive acts. "The Serpent" represents a culmination of years of musical exploration, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Harri Petjakko at Studio UG in Finland between 2020 and 2024. The album’s sound is vast and unpredictable, combining black metal aggression, jazz-infused complexity, classical influences, and ethereal ambient textures into a singular, ever-shifting experience.

  At its core, "The Serpent" is a theatrical and immersive journey, moving through moments of chaos and serenity, heaviness, and melody, all bound by Aitheer’s uncompromising artistic vision. Tracks like "The Dance of Twins" exemplify the band’s ability to weave extreme metal with folk-inspired acoustic passages and jazz-laden saxophone solos, while pieces such as "Law" blend haunting piano arrangements with explosive, math-rock-inspired climaxes. Instrumental interludes like "Prologue", "East" and "Flame" introduce rich atmospheric elements, adding depth and contrast to the album’s progressive structures.

  For fans of Meshuggah, The Ocean, King Crimson, and Vangelis, "The Serpent" offers a challenging yet deeply rewarding listening experience that defies categorization. The band embraces a cinematic approach, creating an album that flows like a soundtrack—each track unfolding with unpredictable twists, rich textures, and emotional depth.

  With its genre-bending sound and fearless composition, "The Serpent" is more than just a debut—it is a statement. Aitheer solidifies its place among the most forward-thinking acts in progressive metal, delivering an album that demands exploration and rewards those willing to embark on its sonic journey.

  "The Serpent" will be available on all streaming platforms and in physical formats from February 21st, 2025 via Rockshots Records.

  Album Order - https://rockshots.eu/products/aitheer-the-serpent-cd​

  Digital (Spotify, Apple Music) - https://lnk.to/zPFXXP

  Single Stream- "The Serpent" - https://youtu.be/VOz76T4xOWA

  YouTube Album Stream - ​https://bit.ly/3EJrua8

  ​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Prologue
  2. The Dance of Twins
  3. East
  4. Law
  5. Clairvoyance
  6. The Serpent
  7. Flame

  Band Lineup:​
  Niko Löfman: Vocals (studio, live), Guitar (studio, live), Bass (studio), Keyboards (studio)
  Lassi Enqvist: Guitar (studio, live), Keyboards (studio)
  Toni Paananen: Drums (studio, live) / Toni Paananen - Drums (studio, live)
  Andrea Ferrantelli: Bass (live)

  Album Artwork Credits:​
  Art of the front cover painted by Iiris Astraya.
  Graphic Design by Jarmo Sainio.
  Photography by Niko Löfman, Lassi Enqvist, Roope Kytölä, Andrea Ferrantelli, and Anssi Kippo.
  Logo by Niko Löfman.

  ​For more info:

  ​https://www.rockshots.eu​
  ​https://www.facebook.com/Aitheer

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