Australian rock visionaries IMPERATORE return with the first single “Be A Man”, taken from their upcoming album "The Lionspirit", due out onDecember 19th, 2025, via Rockshots Records. The song is released together with its official music video, introducing the core concept behind the album - a call to courage, resiliency, and self-mastery.
Blending heavy rock, progressive metal, and operatic grandeur, “Be A Man” stands as a powerful anthem of inner rebirth. Driven by amazing vocals, cinematic orchestrations, and uplifting melodies, the track embodies Imperatore’s distinctive sound - emotional, epic, and deeply reflective. Its lyrics invite listeners to confront fear, embrace authenticity, and rediscover the strength within, echoing the Stoic philosophy that inspired the entire record.
Founder Zoran Cunjack explains:
“Be A Man is about facing your inner fears and reclaiming your strength. True courage isn’t found in the world outside but in mastering your own mind and spirit. It’s a song about standing tall - not just as a man but as a human being who refuses to give up.”
“Be A Man” marks the beginning of Imperatore’s next chapter - a blend of cinematic power and operatic emotion that defines the band’s evolving sound. Produced by Zoran Cunjack, recorded and mixed by Rodion Farafontov, and mastered by Simon Jovanovic, the track sets the tone for what promises to be Imperatore’s most ambitious work to date.
For fans of Nightwish, Kamelot, Symphony X, Powerwolf, and Queen.
Edmonton, AB, Canada's Juliet Ruin returns with their most emotionally raw and sonically ambitious release to date: the "Regime" EP, now available on all major streaming platforms. To celebrate, the band is hitting the road with a series of EP release shows across Alberta (listed below), bringing their signature blend of chunky riffs, soaring melodies, and studio-tight vocals to fans across the province. “Regime” marks a new chapter for Juliet Ruin. Formed in 2015 from the ashes of Fiction of Fate, the band has spent the last decade refining its sound, a genre-fluid fusion of groove, metalcore, and pop sensibility that’s as powerful as it is vulnerable. With five tracks that range from introspective to explosive, "Regime" dives deep into mental health, personal growth, and social reflection.
From the eerie introspection of “Poems By a Poltergeist” to the title track’s blazing demand for empathy and justice, the EP masterfully fuses crushing breakdowns with infectious pop sensibilities. Jess Fleming delivers her most emotionally exposed performance to date, pulling lyrics directly from her personal journals and infusing each scream and melody with unfiltered intensity. Standout tracks include “Reactance Theory,” a sharp dive into resistance and impulse shaped by social psychology; “Chrysalis,” a symbolic passage through depression and personal rebirth; “The Art of Being Wise,” a tender goodbye to fractured relationships; and “Regime,” the EP’s most sonically aggressive piece, a fervent call for compassion in a fractured world.
“The Regime EP came together from our collective frustrations and personal struggles over the past few years. It challenged us creatively and emotionally, and we’re proud of the balance we struck between heaviness and vulnerability. Some tracks are heavier than we imagined, some more pop-like than expected, but all of it is authentically Juliet Ruin,” adds the band.
The EP’s cover, designed by longtime collaborator Feen Murray, features abstract skulls and hearts, symbolizing the tension between emotionality and overthinking. It’s a visual reflection of the EP’s lyrical depth and sonic duality. Juliet Ruin will be performing a series of EP release shows across Alberta, joined by fill-in bassist Dale Myroniuk (Dahlmers Realm, Breaking the Silent). Known for their high-energy performances and tight vocal execution, the band promises a live experience that’s as intense as the studio recordings.
EP Release Show Dates: Oct 25 - Edmonton, AB - Dive Bar Nov 1 - Medicine Hat, AB - Mainliner Pub Nov 7 - Lloydminster, AB - Cheers Live "Regime" is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, and all major platforms.
Marking the final step before the release of their new album "X", out the same day via Rockshots Records, Secret Rule return with “Collapse”, a high-energy, hard-hitting modern metal anthem that blends unstoppable grooves with a sharp message about a world on the brink.
Driven by Angela Di Vincenzo’s fierce vocal performance and Andy Menario’s razor-edged production, “Collapse” captures the tension between chaos and resilience, translating global turmoil into pure musical adrenaline. The track is released together with a striking official video, perfectly reflecting the song’s urgency and visual intensity.
Angela comments:
“It’s the kind of song that gets your body moving while your mind wakes up. The energy is pure fire, but underneath, it’s a wake-up call about the world we’re losing.”
Andy adds:
“With ‘Collapse’ I wanted a sound that could hit hard in a live show — something you feel in your chest. It’s aggressive, melodic and super jumpy… a real crowd-mover.”
“Collapse” follows the recent singles "Just a Sacrifice", "Echoes of the Earth", "In the Silence", and "Silent Pain" — each exploring different emotional and existential layers of "X", an album that celebrates the band’s tenth anniversary with a renewed modern edge and fearless experimentation. The record also features a special collaboration with Marco Pastorino (Temperance) on the track “Lost In Paradise”.
Self-produced by guitarist Andy Menario and frontwoman Angela Di Vincenzo, "X" combines symphonic power, electronic textures and metalcore-inspired breakdowns into a cohesive and vibrant sound that redefines Secret Rule’s identity for a new decade.
For fans of Amaranthe and Within Temptation, "X" is an album that bridges melody and power — and “Collapse” is its explosive warning shot.
Secret Rule celebrates 10 years of music with a special 10th Anniversary Tour! Don’t miss the chance to experience their powerful live show across the UK and Europe this fall.
Full Tour Dates: 20 OCT – Glasgow | Ivory Blacks 21 OCT – Edinburgh | Bannerman’s 22 OCT – Manchester | Aatma 23 OCT – Newcastle | Trillians 24 OCT – Birmingham | Asylum 2 25 OCT – London | Cart & Horses 26 OCT – Treforest | The Green Rooms 07 NOV – DE | Mörlenbach | Live Music Hall 08 NOV – BE | Bree | Ragnarok
One band to rule them all! Wacken Metal Battle Canada returns for 2026 battles across the country to send one independent metal band to play at Wacken Open Air, one of the world's most prestigious and largest metal festivals.
Band submissions for Canada are now open until November 30th.
"Canadian metal bands, this is your chance once again. This is the first step to a world of opportunity waiting for you. We invite you to play some great shows, expand your audience, and ultimately have your shot at playing Wacken Open Air," adds WMBC organizer JJ Tartaglia.
The national final for 2026 battles will be held in Montreal, QC.
Canadian Battle Cities: Vancouver, BC Vancouver Island, BC BC Interior Edmonton, AB Toronto, ON Hamilton, ON Ottawa, ON Montreal, QC Quebec City, QC
Watch - Wacken Metal Battle 2025 - Aftermovie | Have You Heard the Future of Metal? - https://youtu.be/nCulXiLlaSw
The 2026 WMBC champion will receive the following: - A slot at the 2026 Wacken Open Air Festival. - Full professional backline provided. - $1,000 CAD towards flights to Germany. - VIP camping at the festival.
The 2025 Canadian Battle Final took place on May 31st at Vancouver’s Rickshaw Theatre, where Hamilton, Ontario’s KILLOTINE, the Ontario regional winner, delivered a standout performance that earned them the top national title. A panel of industry judges selected KILLOTINE to represent Canada at the prestigious International Wacken Battle, held during Wacken Open Air from July 30th to August 2nd in Wacken, Germany, where over 85,000 metal fans from around the globe gathered. Joining KILLOTINE on stage at the Canadian final were fellow regional champions: SOULTHIEF (Eastern Canada Winner – Ottawa, ON), BEYOND SUFFERING(Alberta Winner – Calgary, AB), and YEGG(British Columbia Winner – Nanaimo, BC). The event also featured a special guest headliner: Vancouver’s Arrow In The Quiver, the 2024 BC Final winner. The national judging panel included a lineup of respected figures from the Canadian metal and music industry: 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 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).
For the last 9 years of battles (2013-2016, 2018-2019, 2023-2025), Wacken Metal Battle Canada has hosted battles across the country to send one independent metal band to perform at the world’s largest metal festival, Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. 2019 saw the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, but due to COVID, the 2020 and 2021 editions were both canceled. As the metal community regains its strength, Wacken Open Air 2026 will be the 35th edition of the festival and will be held from July 29th to August 1st. The 2026 event is nearly sold out with a line-up that includes Def Leppard, Lamb Of God, In Flames, Savatage, Powerwolf, Emperor, Sepultura, and Running Wild, among others. Details here.
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 over 55 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 and give 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 2026 and compete against the winners of other participating countries in a final global battle. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives.
Progressive metal act The Reticent has unveiled the lyric video for “The Scorn (Those Who Don’t Understand),” the latest single from their upcoming album "please," due out on Generation Prog Records on November 13th. Known for their emotionally intense concept albums, The Reticent continues their tradition of soul-baring storytelling with "please," a harrowing journey through the many battlefields of mental illness. “The Scorn (Those Who Don’t Understand)” takes on the voice of those who dismiss mental health struggles, echoing phrases like “just get over it” and “it’s all in your head.” Musically, the track leans into groove-oriented rhythms and major chords to reflect the detached worldview of those who don’t understand. The addition of exotic instrumentation like the oud and hand percussion further separates the song from the rest of the album’s sonic palette. But "please" is more than just an album; it’s a survival mechanism. Written in just six months, the album was recorded under extreme conditions. Drums for "please" and its follow-up were tracked in a single day, while guitars, bass, and keys were completed in two. The vocals, however, took two grueling weeks, during which founder Chris Hathcock injured his larynx so severely that doctors feared permanent damage. Hathcock was forced into six weeks of total silence, even teaching his classes entirely nonverbally. Thankfully, he recovered, mostly. The pain didn’t stop there. While filming the video for “The Concealment,” Hathcock broke two toes, sprained three others, and partially tore his rotator cuff during a scene that required him to violently destroy a room. Just six days later, he performed at ProgStorm Festival in Montreal with those injuries, doubled over in pain by the end of the set. Fans, immersed in the emotional intensity of the performance, had no idea. "please" is the first album by The Reticent to be almost entirely engineered by Chris Hathcock himself. While drums were tracked at The Basement Studios with longtime producer Jamie King (Between The Buried And Me, The Contortionist), all other elements were recorded at Hathcock’s Silent Muse Studio. The album was also mixed and mastered by King, adding his signature polish to the final product. The isolation of self-recording introduced an additional layer of emotional strain, especially during the vocal sessions. Lyrically, the album is rich with references to the work of clinical psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison. Lines like “Night falls fast…” in “The Concealment” and “an unquiet mind” in “The Night River” nod to Jamison’s seminal works on suicide and bipolar disorder. Her voice even appears in samples throughout “Discharge.” Musically, "please" marks a return to 6-string guitars, a first since 2016’s "On The Eve Of A Goodbye," except for “The Bed of Wasps.” The five-year gap between "please" and 2020’s "The Oubliette" is the longest in the band’s history, a reflection of the emotional toll and life events that shaped its creation. The Reticent, led by Grammy-nominated music educator Chris Hathcock, has built a reputation for devastatingly autobiographical concept albums. Joined by James Nelson (Nospūn) and Paul McBride (Voraath), the band delivers performances that blur the line between metal show and performance art. Their appearance at ProgPower USAwas hailed by Metal Injection as “one of the most heart-wrenching performances in ProgPower history.” In addition to their recent performance at ProgStorm Festival in Montreal this past summer, The Reticent is slated to appear at the 2026 editions of ProgPower USA in September and ProgPower Europe in October, marking another major milestone for the band’s growing international presence. The lyric video for “The Scorn (Those Who Don’t Understand)” is now available on YouTube and streaming platforms.
Fans of Opeth, Cynic, The Contortionist, Wilderun, and Devin Townsend will find much to resonate with in "please," which arrives November 13, 2025, via Generation Prog Records. A follow-up album is already underway, shaped by the profound loss of Chris Hathcock’s father during the creation of "please."
Track Listing: 1. Intake – 1:45 2. The Concealment (Those Who Don’t Want To Wake) – 6:06 3. The Night River (Those Who Can’t Rest) – 6:55 4. Diagnosis 1 – 2:18 5. The Bed of Wasps (Those Consumed With Panic) – 5:47 6. The Scorn (Those Who Don’t Understand) – 8:12 7. Diagnosis 2 – 2:39 8. The Riptide (Those Without Hope) – 6:09 9. The Chance (Those Who Let Go) – 6:52 10. Discharge – 2:56 Album Length: 49:45
