Halifax, Canada's unrelenting punk-infused hard rock outfit, The Bloody Hell, continues its sonic evolution with the explosive release of their second single, “Are You Happy?”, a searing preview from their highly anticipated third album "Blood Code", slated to drop Fall 2025. Following the success of their raw and furious sophomore record "Nobody Cares", “Are You Happy?” turns towards heavier ground. The track is fast paced and hard hitting, driven by an earworm guitar riff with explodes into an off time rhythmic assault, while the raw and gritty vocal tells a story of the high and lows of a toxic relationship, and the lesson learned by a letting go ultimately ending in self reflection, and that oh so very important question - Are You Happy?.
"Are You Happy? is the second single off the upcoming third album from The Bloody Hell, which is slated for release in the fall of 2025. The video is compiled of in-studio footage of the band's recording sessions, coupled with live footage from a string of shows played in 2024. Musically, the track is a big step forward in our songwriting approach, showcasing how our two new members have enhanced and morphed our sound, with this song bordering on hard rock, even slightly prog in the breakdown section. The majority of our previous releases have always been more straightforward, more fast-paced, and more punk rock, so it is exciting to step outside that "box" and let the song venture into places we've yet to explore. Also interesting to see how the public will receive this, we feel it's one of our strongest singles yet, but we'll let the audience be the judge, let us know .....Are You Happy?" adds Ian Kean Vocals.
Accompanying the single is a new music video, splicing together in-studio recording sessions with electrifying live clips from a 2024 performance. It has a visual reflection of the band's metamorphosis and has a teaser for what's to come.
Rockshots Records proudly announces the official release of “Blood Moon Sacrifice”, the debut EP from Finnish-Italian black metal act MARGANTHA, available today on all digital platforms.
Rooted in myth, fear, and ritual, “Blood Moon Sacrifice” is more than just a collection of songs—it’s a narrative journey steeped in dark folklore and haunting atmosphere. The EP unfolds around the legend of a werewolf that terrorizes a secluded hunters' village beneath a remote mountain range, channeling the emotional tension, primal fear, and descent into hysteria that defines the story.
Each track serves as a chapter in this tale:
“Blood Moon Sacrifice” opens the story with a dark waltz-like cadence, evoking the atmosphere of an ancient forest. During a solitary hunt, the protagonist is bitten, sealing the origin of the curse. Two instrumental interludes—bass and drums—heighten the track’s unsettling tone, making it feel like the soundtrack to a twisted fairy tale.
“Wolves at the Door” marks the creature’s approach to the village. This is no pack—but a lone, primordial predator whose thirst rivals that of many. Opening with a dark yet exotic riff and evolving through a melodic death metal core, the track balances blackened aggression, speed, and melody in a cinematic, dynamic form.
“Miriam and the Endless Night” (feat. Andy LaRocque) shifts perspective. Told through the eyes of a woman trapped in an endless night of terror, the song moves from eerie, unorthodox harmonies into a vortex of riffs and violence. Andy LaRocque (King Diamond) adds his signature touch where bloodlust and survival collide.
“Curse of the Full Moon” concludes the cycle with a hypnotic 6/8 ballad that depicts the protagonist's full transformation. With elongated tempos, obsessive rhythms, and oppressive harmonies, the track channels the ritualistic core of classic black metal—slow, relentless, and introspective.
Driven by evocative riffs, atmospheric layering, and a primordial vocal delivery, MARGANTHA’s music balances black metal’s raw essence with moments of melody, tension, and dynamic pacing. As the band explains:
“We start from the story. Every riff, every rhythm is designed to serve the narrative. We’re not interested in technical excess—our focus is atmosphere, cohesion, and emotion.”
The entire EP was mixed and mastered by Andy LaRocque (King Diamond) at Sonic Train Studio, giving the record a powerful and precise sound while preserving its shadowy intensity.
Influenced by the cinematic dread of Mgła, the emotional fire of Uada and Gaerea, and the timeless aggression of Venom, Behemoth, and Celtic Frost, MARGANTHA builds a sound that is immersive, urgent, and steeped in meaning.
With “Blood Moon Sacrifice”, MARGANTHA mark their official debut—a work that merges ancient horror with the raw force of contemporary black metal. For fans of narrative-driven metal, hypnotic atmospheres, and unrelenting darkness, this is a first chapter worth embracing.
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. 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. "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.
"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.
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
Drummer and filmmaker Ethan D. Henry is proud to announce his first solo effort, ASHES OF THE SUN, and its debut album "Gods With Machines" due out August 1st, 2025, via his label Ignorant Tourist Productions.
Henry is best known as the drummer of hardcore titans FREYA (2004 - 2008, 2017-present), featuring EARTH CRISIS members Ian Edwards, Eric Edwards, and Karl Buechner, along with co-writing and performing on the THE LAST SEASON 2003 album "Called It Civilization".
Henry has worn many hats over the years in his bands. Whether he needed to play bass, guitar, or drums, he was always up for the challenge.
“I was always a bass player with guitar second in my comfort zone. I could always sing, but I wasn't like great at it. I don't know when it happened, like when I became good enough to play any instrument, if we needed a drummer or guitar player, I was like…Okay, I’ll give it a shot. Then one day I was a drummer, I guess? I think I have impostor syndrome. ha”
Over the years, Henry had compiled a huge catalog of songs he had written. Unsure what to do with them, He sat in his studio and started to record them. Not sure what would become of them. He had his friend Jason “Jocko” Randle at CAPTURE STUDIO (Syracuse, N.Y.) to take a listen and put his mixing and mastering touch on it. After those sessions, Ethan decided his eclectic song list was cohesive enough to make an album. Thus, ASHES OF THE SUN was born.
"After recording about a dozen songs, I developed solos and vocals for them. I felt the way I played the solos and sang would help bring the songs together and could make the collection work as a full-length album. I'm very happy with the way GODS WITH MACHINES came out. It's simply the way I play and write, and shows some of my influences in the metal/rock/grunge/alternative scene and how they blend together. The vision for this album was to have a flow like some of my playlists, and I imagine most people's playlists. I hope that fans will enjoy the mellow acoustic/ballad intros that transition into hard rock/ metal flows. I wanted these songs to reach rock fans and metal fans alike. I've been in metal bands for a long time and love the brutality Karl and Dan brought to Freya and The Last Season, but I wanted to reach a broader audience. So I chose to tone the heavy vocals back and sing the album. I think ultimately, whether it's my metal, rock, or grunge influences coming through in these songs, it sounds like the era of music I grew up listening to. late 90s, early 2000s. I like that about this record," adds Henry.
The nine tracks on "Gods With Machines" were written, performed (drums, guitar, bass, vocals), and produced, along with the album artwork, all by Ethan D. Henry. Overall, the album is ultimately about having faith in God and constantly questioning it. It expresses feelings of being misled by those you admire and trust. It's about being yourself and finding your spiritual path and God.
"On this particular album, my lyrics are about an alien race that lands on a planet after destroying their world. Realizing the people are looking to the sky for heaven, they pretend they are gods and take advantage of the natives, steal their resources, and live in their paradise. Eventually, the people rebel against the gods after years of abuse and lies. They overthrow the gods and realize they aren't what they claim to be," says Henry.
Bringing fans back to the era where metal and hard rock ruled the scene, and Headbangers Ball was kicking, Ashes of the Sun reveals the first single "A New Way to Die". Henry explains the track:
"The chosen one is lost and giving up. He has lost his faith and doesn't have the drive to carry on when he hallucinates a child taunting him. He cannot catch the child and continues to follow deeper into the wild. Eventually, he concludes this is the end and there is no hope. No one will find him. No one will save him. There is no heaven. We live in hell. What's the point of going on? It's time to throw in the towel."
Listen to "A New Way to Die" via its premiere on New Noise Magazine HERE.
Track Listing: 1. Sophisticated Clowns - 5:49 2. Save The World - 4:17 3. Forced To Kill - 5:51 4. The Elephant - 4:34 5. A New Way To Die - 4:26 6. Gods With Machines - 5:15 7. The Lost Ones - 4:07 8. Here To Stay - 6:11 9. They Bleed Just Like You 4:31 Album Length: 45:05
Canadian death metal quartet Harvested is proud to announce their new album “Dysthymia”, set for release on August 1st, 2025. The nine-track record showcases the band's evolution from their 2022 demo debut, delivering a devastating blend of technical death metal, brutal death metal, and old-school stylings. The album announcement comes alongside a music video for the record's opening track, “Harvested”, offering fans their first glimpse into the dark psychological landscape that defines “Dysthymia”. The band comments on the track:
“The single represents what the band is about. The old-school death metal influences and the dark realities of mental illness put someone through a tortured experience. This was the first song we worked on for this album and played live, which set the bar for the remaining material. We realized that we were onto something special, and the sheer brute force of the track compelled us to make our current music video.”
‘Harvested’ maintains the brutality from the demo but shifts toward exploring the psychological aspects of mental illness rather than relying solely on gore. It's heavier, more aggressive, and showcases the band’s musical abilities in ways they've never presented before.
Recorded over nearly three years, “Dysthymia” features the core lineup of Mitchi Dimitriadis (guitars), Adam Semler (vocals), Eric Forget (bass), and Jacob Collins (drums). The album was produced by Harvested with mixing and mastering by Joe Lyko of Darkmoon Productions, achieving a modern sound while staying rooted in the foundational elements of death metal.
Recommended for fans of Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, and Dying Fetus, Harvested has crafted an album that is both technically proficient and devastatingly brutal.
Watch and listen to the first single and music video "Harvested" via its premiere on Decibel MagazineHERE.
