High intensity, no filler rockers, Calgary's LOVER announces they will be performing at this year's Armstrong Metal Fest (July 11/12), one of Canada's loudest mountain moshpits nestled in the beautiful backdrop of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.
The band is playing in support of their latest EP "Fatal Attraction", which the thrashback metallers will be releasing on limited edition cassette on June 20th, 2025. "Fatal Attraction" is fast, it's real, and it's meant to kick you in the face! Even though the EP is only two tracks, this is a sampler of more to come. The opening title track is an energetic rush of sound that captures the ups and downs of being overwhelmed by desire. The lyrics feed this feeling by talking about lust and substance abuse. Track 2. "Bad Love" lyrically is a tough and mean reality check. It's based on a true story of love gone wrong. It has aggressive riffs, mean solos, and is meant to capture the strain of a mind in love and turmoil.
"For real though, we used our real-life experiences of love, hardship, and lust to tell a story, and it just happens to be set to the tune of high-energy rock n roll," adds the band.
Recommended for fans of Scorpions, Riot City, Wasp, Judas Priest, Van Halen, and Thin Lizzy, listen to "Fatal Attraction" at the following links:
Baltimore, MD's NIGHT'S EDGE announces the release of their fourth studio album entitled "The World That Never Was" this coming August 21st, 2025 to follow their Strangers – LP (2023), Night's Edge - EP (2022), The Darkest Side of Dreams - LP (2020), and Shades of Dusk - LP (2019).
Since their inception in 2018, the band has gone through a few changes in lineup and sound, and has progressed significantly from their debut in 2019. Falling under the umbrella of Alternative Metal, Night's Edge's sound is hard to pin down. Incorporating influences from gothic metal, progressive rock, and nu metal, the band's music is equal parts heavy and poppy, soaked in synthesizers and drama. Lyrics breach topics including isolation, dissociation, and the romantic, approaching themes common to the human experience from a cerebral angle that complements the band's emotionally evocative music.
Night's Edge believes in creating music that has a purpose. There is no copy-cating of other artists, or following trends here - even the band's select cover tunes turn the originals on their heads. This is music that you can't get anywhere else, that has something to say, that is unique and exciting while still feeling familiar, like a friend finishing your sentences when you run out of words.
Their fourth full-length, "The World That Never Was," is a statement of songcraft and lyricism. The album flows and progresses clearly as it explores the concept of self-identity and the loss thereof. Moments of melancholy, anger, wonder, and plenty of crushing riffs elicit the stank face. Each single shows a different side of the album.
Brian Haran (Vocals, Bass, Keys, Programming) comments:
"We think our fans will love it and agree with us that it is, hands down, the best Night’s Edge album. There will be a lot of different opinions on which song is the best or who prefers this vs that, but all of those conversations will center around this LP. This album encapsulates the Night’s Edge sound we have been building towards while experimenting with new and innovative ideas. Our lead single, “If You Loved Me,” is the most straightforward song, with a massive chorus reminiscent of HIM that continues to build through the song towards an explosive conclusion. “Someone to Stay” is a guitar-forward track with great leads, a killer solo, and very Queensryche-esque vocals. We gave ourselves a challenge for the live shows, and I (singer, Brian) curse myself for recording this song like this every time we play it live. “Smite” is the album’s heaviest song and has major Slipknot and Ghost influences. It is weirdly danceable right up until the Latin choir bridge and eventually descends into IOWA-esque screaming right before a caveman breakdown. “Love Fiction” is unique for Night’s Edge, very Deftones influenced, but with a synthwave twist featuring rare falsetto vocals. The lyrics describe the romanticization of one’s depression as a safe, never-leaving partner, “Songs in Grey Space II: Soaring” is two and a half minutes of balls out symphonic alternative metal and the middle piece in a three song suite detailing a parable of self-identity in an alternate world where the narrator is the last person on earth."
Night's Edge has unveiled two singles to date, "If You Loved Me" and album opener "Someone To Stay," with more to be shared in the lead up to the record's release in August.
The trio adds about the singles:
If You Loved Me:“All three of us love this song. It has everything – a massive chorus, a scorching guitar solo, and some unexpectedly creepy, heavy sections. A LOT of ground gets covered in under four minutes. The lyrics are a scathing reflection on manipulation, with changing perspectives between the verses and choruses. Above all, the song is inimitably Night’s Edge. This is a sound that you can only get at one place – here, with us.”
Someone to Stay: "This is our guitarist, Damian’s favorite song. The song began with a riff that Damian wrote as an intro lead. When coming up with the intro riff, he was hoping to capture “anime-intro” level energy, and we all agreed that it would make the perfect introduction to the album! Brian took that intro riff and created a very guitar-focused song out of it. The music primes the listener for the progressive compositional journey that is the rest of the album, but the song itself is easily digestible with fun riffs and catchy vocal hooks."
Recommended for fans of Coheed and Cambria, Avantasia, System of a Down, HIM, and Deftones, listen to the singles at the following links:
Upcoming Show Dates: 06/07 – Granny’s – Winchester, VA 06/28 – Cafe 611 – Frederick, MD 07/11 – Union Vapes – Scranton, PA 07/12 – Psychic Garden – Rochester, NY 07/18 – The Depot – Baltimore, MD 07/19 – Century – Philadelphia, PA 08/23 – Roachfest – Hollywood, MD
Album Artwork by Eden Wormwood
Track Listing: 1. Someone To Stay (4:11) 2. If You Loved Me (3:51) 3. Man of Many Faces (4:23) 4. Love Fiction (4:14) 5. Wish You Wouldn’t (4:09) 6. Overdue For Destruction (2:50) 7. Smite (3:46) 8. Ataecina (5:08) 9. Songs In Grey Space I: Reaching (7:43) 10. Songs In Grey Space II: Soaring (2:41) 11. Songs In Grey Space III: Separating (5:23) Total Length: 48:32
Recording and Live Line Up: Brian Haran – Vocals, Bass, Keys, Programming Damian Remmell – Guitars Dan Hunt – Drums
From 2x JUNO-nominated musician/writer JJ Tartaglia comes ‘THUNDEROR’, an epic rock opera musical (in the vein of Bat Out Of Hell, Rock Of Ages) but with a fresh soundtrack of original anthems. Featuring the actual live band and a star-studded cast, THUNDEROR tells a tale of adventure and romance in the face of mortality, hearkening back to the glory days of arena rock, wild and restless, as a young group of would-be rockers head out on an impromptu adventure in a time of danger and hope.
Presented as part of the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival, the 75-minute show will see a run of 5 dates at VideoCabaret’s Deanne Taylor Theatre in Toronto, performed in the unconventional format of ‘In The Round’ for an intimate and exclusive experience. “I guess I’m giving my heavy metal dreams a makeover,” says JJ Tartaglia. “It’s been a crazy undertaking, but I’m absolutely stoked about the show we’ve created. I’m truly blessed to have such an amazing cast and team. Expect an unconventional take on musical theatre! In my mind, it combines the best of both worlds, and I hope that it’ll be enjoyed by all.”
The musical score will debut unreleased material from Thunderor’s upcoming concept album ‘Bleed For It’ to be released this fall. Besides the live band of JJ Tartaglia (vocals/drums), Jonny Nesta (guitar) and Anthony Pannozzo (keys), the production is directed by Liam Eric Dawson (director shadow Come From Away), assistant directed by metal concert photographer Rae Chatten, choreographed by Kristen Pepper (Kinky Boots, Cabaret), and features a veteran cast comprising of Georgia Grant (A Streetcar Named Desire), Jamie Elliott (Shrek The Musical), Tristan Hernandez (Rock Of Ages, Peter Pan), and Stephen Flett (Miracle On 34th Street, Hamlet).
Boonsdale Records presents: THUNDEROR 5 shows as part of the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival Thu 3rd July – 9:45 pm Sat 5th July – 7:45 pm Mon 7th July – 4:00 pm Fri 11th July – 4:00 pm Sat 12th July – 5:45 pm Writer, Musical Director: JJ Tartaglia Director: Liam Eric Dawson Assistant Director: Rae Chatten Choreographer: Kristen Pepper
Starring JJ Tartaglia (as Bowen) Georgia Grant (as Kenzie) Jamie Elliott (as Sheenah) Tristan Hernandez (as Silverman) Stephen Flett (as Brother Nuckett) Band JJ Tartaglia (Drums/Vocals) Jonny Nesta (Guitar) Anthony Pannozzo (Keys) Venue VideoCabaret – Deanne Taylor Theatre 10 Busy St, Toronto, ON More information and tickets are available as of June 4, 2025, at https://www.fringetoronto.com
Appreciated by fans of Judas Priest, Van Halen, and Saxon, Thunderor's releases are available via Boonsdale Records.
Unleashing their third studio release “Unearthly Will” in 2023 and 2024 single / video "Morningstar",Regina, Canada's symphonic death metal outfit Augurium returns with their first taste of new music in 2025 for fans in the lead up to their opening support for progressive death masters and hometown heroes Into Eternity on May 17th. (details below).
Fans of the band are in for a positive surprise. It’s still the same Augurium they’ve been listening to since Unearthly Will, but this song taps into a more emotional side.
"For us as a band, it represents a sort of new Augurium, still within the same style we've been playing since 2021, yet naturally evolving. The goal was to create a dramatic listening experience—almost like the progression of a film. There are highs and lows, emotionally driven sections, movements that depict scenes in a hero's journey, and crushing, deafening moments. This is the first half of a sonic saga portraying the struggle between opposing forces," adds guitarist Cejay Carnochan.
Entitled "Faith & Death Pt. I.", the track is the first chapter of an epic two-part symphonic death metal series. The song is rooted in the mythological hero’s journey, using Tolkien-like storytelling to explore the duality of good and evil, which resonates in its artwork created by Mark Erskine, who also did Augurium's Unearthly Will cover art.
"'Faith and Death Pt. I' is themed around The Lord of the Rings. Part one speaks to the side of evil. This track was written from the perspective of Mordor’s legions. Moreover, it touches on the eternal struggle of light and dark and how both cannot survive without the other. A shadow cannot exist without the light. Death—the only thing certain for all mortals. If neither side can agree on which god to worship, which philosophy to follow, or what is right and wrong, one thing is undeniably and indiscriminately certain: death,"
Recommended for fans of Shadow of Intent, Septicflesh, and Mental Cruelty, listen to "Faith & Death Pt. I" at the following links:
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.
