Search Results: music

• HYPERSPACE METALFEST Announces 2025 Lineup w/ ENFORCER, PLANESWALKER, GLYPH, LUNAR, SOLARUS, TYLOR DORY TRIO and More!

  Aug 27, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  HMF 2025 Lineup Spotify Playlist - https://spoti.fi/3T4kU2p​

  Canada's premier melodic and power metal festival HYPERSPACE Metal Fest returns for its 6th edition after another year of crowd-pleasing epic fun in Vancouver, BC. Being hosted at The Cobalt (April 10 &11th) and The Rickshaw Theatre (April 12th), the 2025 lineup will feature headliners ENFORCER, PLANESWALKER, GLYPH along with Lunar, Solarus, Tower Hill, Luminator, Tylor Dory Trio, Heyoka's Mirror with more to be announced.

  Festival organizer Joey Hockin of Journeyman Productions adds:

  "It's finally time to reveal Hyperspace Metal Festival VI! We were a little later announcing this year because we want to make sure we're bringing you the same quality you've come to expect. And on that, I think we've delivered! The full lineup will be announced in the fall. Hope to see you next April!"

  Headlining Saturday, April 12th at The Rickshaw Theatre, Sweden's ENFORCER have proved themselves both live and on record, they stake their place amongst the world’s most renowned heavy metal bands since first forming in 2005. They have toured the world over, playing the biggest festivals and garnering a global fanbase. Their latest sixth studio album Nostalgia (released May 2023 - Nuclear Blast), features 13 heavy metal anthems and throws ENFORCER back to their speed metal roots. Fusing extreme guitar riffing with catchy stadium choruses, ENFORCER is out to conquer the world.

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  Headlining Friday, April 11th, and returning for their second time at HMF, the duo known as PLANESWALKER features Jason Ashcraft (Helion Prime) and Sozos Michael (Gloryhammer, ex-Helion Prime) present Magic the Gathering-inspired Power Metal. They recently released their latest single "Compleated" and were joined by Carlos Alvarez (ex-Power Theory, Behölder, Shadowdance) on bass and Stefanos Meletiou (The Zilla Project, Private Garden).

  ​

  Headlining Thursday, April 10th, the Pacific Northwest's Glyph, 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 this past March.

  ​

  Also featured on this year's 2025 lineup and making their first HMF appearance and performing for the first time ever, Lunar is a progressive metal project from California that features members from Witherfall, Helion Prime, Planeswalker, Novareign, Mokili Wa, Nordic Frost, Outloud, Double Vision. Their fourth and latest album “The Illusionist” features guests Jørgen Munkeby (Shining), Christian Münzner (Obscura), Andy Gillion (Mors Principium Est), Taylor Washington (Paladin), Sam Vallen (Caligula's Horse), Ben Karas (Thank You Scientist), Gleb Kanasevich, and Patrick Corona.

  Meant to perform on the 2024 lineup, but forced to cancel, Tylor Dory Trio returns for 2025, they are a monstrous progressive metal unit and beloved by many in Western Canada. This live performance will be their first following a nearly seven-year layoff.

  Hailing from London, ON, Solarus, simply put, is a musical vision and ambition to bring musicians together through their shared love for music. They bring forth impressive female-fronted melodic power metal.

  Traveling from Edmonton, AB, Tower Hill delivers premium old-school heavy metal inspired by bands like Running Wild, Riot, Judas Priest, early Blind Guardian, and Helloween. Forging the best of the late 80s and early 90s German, British, and US metal scenes into a new blend of shimmering steel, Tower Hill’s riff-driven, hook-laden traditional metal will have you banging your head and singing along.

  Luminator is a fantasy power metal band from the Pacific Northwest (Tacoma, WA) and will be supporting their latest EP "On The Clouds".

  From Calgary, AB, Heyoka's Mirror is a progressive rock/metal band with international roots that was brought to life in the summer of 2015 by founding members Andrew Balboa and Omar Sultan. Their first music video “Asylum” (directed by Seth Williams), was nominated as Best Music Video by the 2020 YYC Music Awards and was released in support of their debut full-length "The Uninvited King".

  Hyperspace Metal Festival VI - April 10th - 12th.​
  One-day passes and three-day passes are available at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/hyperspace-metal-festival-vi-tickets-1000996957847​

  Facebook Event - https://www.facebook.com/events/1637280440385808​

  To follow updates for Hyperspace Metal Festival 2024, please visit the following links:
  ​Facebook.com/HyperspaceMetalFestival​
  ​Instagram.com/HyperspaceMetalFestival​

  Over the five editions of Hyperspace Metal Festival, bands from all over the world have come to play power, prog, melodic death, and speed metal on the Canadian West Coast. The festival has presented lineups that have included performances by Týr, Flotsam and Jetsam, Skelator, Trollfest, Aether Realm, Exmortus, Striker, Riot City, Into Eternity, Witherfall, Planeswalker, Iron Kingdom, Helion Prime, Ravenous, Crimson Shadows, West of Hell, Judicator, Odinfist, Tanagra, Scythia, Greyhawk, The Order of Chaos, Red Cain, and many more.

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• MASSIVE SCAR ERA Collaborates w/ ENTHEOS' Chaney Crabb To Give A Voice To Recent Egyptian History w/ Single “School Girls”; New EP “Assyad” Out Oct 2024

  Aug 23, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  ft. guest musicians Simon McKay (The Agonist), Frédérick Filiatrault (Unexpect, Vvon Dogma I), Salem Atallah, Muhammed Abouzeid, Chaney Crabb (Entheos)

  L-R - Cherine Amr | Chaney Crabb

  Massive Scar Era, the visionary Egyptian/Canadian metal project led by Cherine Amr, is thrilled to announce the release of their new single “School Girls | بنات المدرسة”. This track, featuring the dynamic vocals of Chaney Crabb from Entheos, is the lead single from their upcoming EP, “Assyad”, set to drop in October 2024. With “School Girls”, Massive Scar Era breaks genre boundaries again, blending progressive rock, post-grunge, Egyptian music, and metal into a captivating sound that resonates deeply with fans worldwide. Amr comments on the unique track:

  “‘School Girls’ represents a dialogue between the Mu’allima (teacher) spirit, brought to life by Chaney’s voice, and the outside world. The chorus is adapted from the traditional Zar song “Banat el Madrassa," reflecting a significant era in Egyptian society and feminism. It highlights the pursuit of higher education by middle and upper-class women in the 1950s, symbolizing their aspirations and empowerment. The Mu’allima serves as both a guide within the female Zar realm and a social archetype.”

  Amr, the creative force behind Massive Scar Era, has dedicated years to studying Egyptian Zār traditions, weaving this deep cultural understanding into her music. Zār is a cult of possession in which ritual incorporates music and dance. Zar aims to establish a state of reconciliation between the individuals and the possessing spirits (Asyad) that inhabit their bodies and are believed to be the cause of illness.

  For this EP, Amr received invaluable support from the community and cultural consultant, Dr. Kawkab Tawfik, who introduced her to Zar Abou El-Gheit, led by the master Zar musician, Muhammed AbouZeid. Muhammed invited Amr to attend one of their ceremonies held for a patient at his home in the village of Abou El-Gheit, a couple of hours outside Cairo, Egypt. They formed an immediate connection there, and Muhammed was instrumental in deepening Amr's understanding of Zar songs.

  Amr later invited Muhammed and his bandmate Salem to Montreal, where we engaged in daily songwriting workshops. Joining them were metal musicians Simon Mckay (the drummer of The Agonist) and Frédérick Filiatrault (bassist of Vvon Dogma I, Unexpect) for a month-long residency. Amr worked closely with Simon, recording the Zar songs played by Muhammed and Salem on a DR-70 Tascam. Amr would then take these recordings home to develop the songs further, sometimes sending Simon rough versions with unquantized drumlines or even without any drumlines. Simon would then rewrite the drumlines and occasionally assist with the guitar arrangements. The next day, they would reunite in the studio to share and refine their ideas. This process, which they repeated five days a week, was truly collaborative.

  As Massive Scar Era continues to evolve, the release of the single “School Girls” marks a new chapter in the band’s journey, offering fans a glimpse into the rich, progressive musical experience that awaits in “Assyad”, which will be a concept record that blends Egyptian Zār songs with prog rock and metal.

  "I believe this EP will be a journey that and I think it will resonate with those who appreciate concept albums and are drawn to non-mainstream metal music. In the world of Zar, what you are curious about also becomes curious about you. Each song on this EP is inspired by a specific Zar spirit, and I’m eager to see how each listener connects with the EP, as I’m sure everyone will be drawn to different songs in their own unique way." adds Amr.

  This single “School Girls” is a testament to Amr's commitment to exploring and honoring these traditions while pushing the boundaries of modern metal music along with it being a bold statement, blending traditional Zār songs and rhythms with the raw power of metal into a unique and distinctive sound.

  Recommended for fans of Merfolk, Nawather, and Zaeer, listen to “School Girls” ft. Chaney Crabb (Entheos) at the following links:

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/4716lSP

  ​

  Due on October 25th, 2024, "Assyad" is available for pre-order at https://massivescarera.bandcamp.com/​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Muluk al-Ardiyya | The Kings of the Earth - 4:54
  2. Abdel Salam Lasmar - 3:17
  3. Genie, Lambo - 3:17
  4. Inner Dialogue - 3:33
  5. El-Leil | The Night - 4:24
  6. Pretend - 3:43
  7. School Girls ft. Chaney Crabb (Entheos) - 3:26
  EP Length: 26:38

  More info: Facebook.com/massivescarera | Instagram.com/massivescarera

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• STRIKER Unveils Music Video "Live To Fight Another Day" + Shredding North America Tour w/ Seven Kingdoms, Lutharo, Osyron

  Aug 20, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Every day is a new day! And STRIKER has a new music video "Live To Fight Another Day" to announce their upcoming USA and Canada tour dates with Floridian power metallers SEVEN KINGDOMS, Hamilton, ON's melodic metallers LUTHARO and Calgary, AB's thunderous progressive symphonic metallers OSYRON whom will support select dates.

  Striker will kick off preliminary dates with a performance at ProgPower USA in Atlanta, GA on September 4th followed by Canadian shows with Lutharo in September, and then push things into full gear in November to start the "Shredding North America Tour" in Corpus Christi, TX on November 9th and wrap up the month-long tour in Orlando, FL on December 8th (dates listed below).

  "Live To Fight Another Day" is off the shred master's new album "ULTRAPOWER" produced with Josh Schroeder (Lorna Shore, Tallah, King 810) released this past February. The band explains the track:

  "Originally this was just a regular Striker song. Tim had the idea that we should just try turning it into a synth-wave track. It fits like a glove. We’ve always been into Synthwave but never had the guts to do it ourselves. Until now! This is our first attempt at it and we are stoked about how it turned out. This one is another track about keeping it together and taking on life one day at a time."

  Watch the video for "Live To Fight Another Day" below.

  ​

  "ULTRAPOWER" is the seventh full-length from Striker and follows their Juno Award-winning self-released record "Play to Win" (2018) unleashed on their label Record Breaking Records.

  With the band writing material since 2018, "ULTRAPOWER" is a collection of Striker tinkering and exploring new avenues. From the album's opening track "Circle of Evil", a Malmsteen-esque metal banger about secret societies and the evil dealings behind closed doors to their previously released single "BEST of the BEST of the BEST" serving up some big riffs and hockey arena vocals to "Blood Magic", which might be one of Striker's most progressive songs, taking cues from bands like King Diamond, with its unconventional structure and punctuated guitar solos. From the band delving into their obsession for late 80s AOR and pop rock with "City Calling", an ode to 1987, and bands like Toto and Kenny Loggins with their hook-powered albums. To fans experiencing the band's first attempt at a synth-wave track with "Live To Fight Another Day", this new offering sees Striker making a shredding love letter to the hard-rocking era of guilty pleasures.

  The band comments on the album:

  "Starting with the album cover, we wanted the artwork to represent how we feel as a band right now. We are an engine that is fired up and ready to roll. We’re made of metal and our circuits gleam! The album itself is an amalgamation of 5 years of writing and exploring music. With influences from AOR to Speed Metal, Hardcore to Hair Metal, Steely Dan to Deathcore, you name it, it made its way into the album. In the end with the help of Josh Schroeder’s guiding hand, we melted it all together to present something uniquely Striker. Lyrically we’ve stuck to the Striker tradition of writing montage songs for movies that don’t exist, songs about our spiraling serfdom, and lyrics about the evils that lurk in the shadows."

  "ULTRAPOWER" is available at https://www.striker-metal.com/shop/ (CD, Vinyl, Digital)

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3SnIshu​

  

  Tour Dates:​
  Sept 4 - Center Stage - ProgPower USA - Atlanta, GA
  ​
  ​Striker, Lutharo​
  Sept 11 - La Source de la Martinière - Quebec City, QC
  Sept 12 - Piranha Bar - Montreal, QC
  Sept 13 - Overflow Brewing Company - Ottawa, ON
  Sept 14 - Lee's Palace - Toronto, ON
  ​
  ​Shredding North America - Seven Kingdoms, Striker, Lutharo, Osyron ​
  # = w/ Osyron
  Nov 9 – Boozers Rock Bar – Corpus Christi, TX
  Nov 10 – Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX
  Nov 11 – Haltom Theater – Haltom, TX
  Nov 12 – 89th Street – Oklahoma City, OK
  Nov 13 – Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM
  Nov 14 – Vultures – Colorado Springs, CO
  Nov 16 – Last Exit Live – Mesa, AZ
  Nov 17 – Sinwave – Las Vegas, NV
  Nov 18 – Brick by Brick – San Diego, CA
  Nov 19 – Knucklehead – Los Angeles, CA
  Nov 20 – DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA
  Nov 21 – Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR
  Nov 22 – El Corazon – Seattle, WA
  Nov 24 – Jackknife – Kelowna, BC
  Nov 25 – Dicken’s – Calgary, AB #
  Nov 26 – The Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB #
  Nov 27 – The Black Cat – Saskatoon, SK #
  Nov 28 – Sidestage – Winnipeg, MB #
  Nov 29 – TBA – St. Paul, MN
  Nov 30 – Reggie’s – Chicago, IL
  Dec 1 – Sanctuary – Detroit, MI
  Dec 3 – Meadows – Brooklyn, NY
  Dec 4 – Metro – Baltimore, MD
  Dec 5 – Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC
  Dec 6 – The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
  Dec 7 – The Orpheum – Tampa, FL
  Dec 8 – Conduit – Orlando, FL

  More info: Striker-metal.com

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• Canadian Thrashers TRISKELYON To Unleash Third Album "Shattered Elysium" Sept 2024; Streaming Single "Anarchy Avenue"

  Aug 16, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian thrash metal Gods Triskelyon have returned, delivering stainless steel fury on their highly anticipated third album, “Shattered Elysium” this coming September 27th from Moribund Records.

  Founded in 2021 by guitarist Geoff Waye of the acclaimed true metal band Category VI, Triskelyon burst onto the scene with a self-titled EP, quickly securing a deal with Moribund Records for their radio chart-topping debut album “Downfall” (2022). In the following year, they demolished expectations with their masterful sophomore release, "Artificial Insanity," which earned rave reviews and dominated the radio charts for six weeks!

  Triskelyon is again back to enthralling the metal world with “Shattered Elysium”. With their lethal third strike, Triskelyon’s band leader Geoff Waye once again drafted some of the finest emissaries of the Canadian metal scene. Enlisting the vocal talents of guests Amanda Kiernan (Into Eternity, The Order of Chaos), Eric Forrest (E-Force, ex-VoiVod), Tiina Teal (Détente), Amanda Jackman (Category VI), Armin Kamal (Infrared), Dale Drew (Sea Dogs), Fíochmhar (Artach), Des Mason and Pete Healey, this album detonates as a pure and true thrash metal masterpiece. The record features a unique style along with refreshing variations of thrashing classics! Traditional, yet intricate, drum duties are exceptionally executed by Raul Marques (Burning Torment), while Dwayne Pike, Keith Jackman (Category VI), Rick White, and Darrin Pope are conscripted on bass.

  ​
  ​“Shattered Elysium” runs the gamut from pure 80’s thrash and speed metal to classic power metal, and traditional heavy metal, and even includes some brutal death-thrash. It attains an impressive new milestone in classic thrash metal, with far-reaching appeal across all heavy metal sub-genres. “Shattered Elysium” truly resurrects the glory days of the 1980s, while maintaining a fresh and modern sound!
  ​
  In keeping with Triskelyon's tradition of closing their albums with an iconic cover, this release delivers a thunderous metal rendition of Duran Duran's mega-hit “Hungry Like the Wolf.”

  Today the band gives incite to the record with the first single "Anarchy Avenue", which can be heard at the links below.

  Geoff Waye adds about the track:

  "For 'Anarchy Avenue,' I was thinking more about issues like urban decay, homelessness, corruption, the rich-poor divide, and how these factors contribute to the destruction and deterioration of some parts of cities. Problems like increased violence, crime, drug use, etc., all become more prevalent in such environments, as you can see in most cities. The vocals on this track are by returning guest Armin Kamal from the band Infrared. As always, he delivers a stellar performance with some guttural parts and plenty of soaring melodic thrash—how can you not love it?"

  ​

  Album pre-order - https://www.moribundcult.com/product/DEAD327.html​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Beyond Shattered Elysium (Intro) (0:56)
  2. Endgame Euphoria (3:52)
  3. Anarchy Avenue (5:00)
  4. Hellbound Hellions (4:52)
  5. Sealed Hypocrisy (4:28)
  6. Under His Eye (5:14)
  7. Eternal Conflict (4:42)
  8. The Battle for Monte Cassino (4:00)
  9. Phantom Serenade (6:04)
  10. Whispers from the Shadows (4:39)
  11. Hungry Like the Wolf (Duran Duran cover) (3:26)
  Album Length: 47:16

  Follow TRISKELYON:
  ​Facebook | B​andcamp​
  ​
  Follow Moribund Records:
  ​Moribund Website | Facebook | Instagram | B​andcamp

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• Symphonic Metal MARBLE's First Single “Theater Is My Essence” Off New Album “T.I.M.E.” Out Nov 2024

  Aug 9, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  After the excellent reception of the previous album 'S.A.V.E.', whose lyrics were centered on the deadly sins and theological virtues, the Italian melodic metal band MARBLE returns to the scene with a new, even more, compact and more ambitious album, the third seal of the band from Mortara (North Italy). ’T.I.M.E.’ revolves around female characters in the history of Western theatre, marking the time in the stylistic evolution of stage performances, starting with the ancient Greek tragedy of Euripides, passing through the British theatre of William Shakespeare, to the Russian social revolution of Anton Čechov, and on to the modern American theatre of Samuel Beckett.

  The sextet, with an unchanged lineup and still led by the voice of Eleonora Travaglino, exploits the singer's years of experience as a theatre actress, bringing to the compositions a heartfelt and dense interpretation that also makes use of important guests such as Ivan Adami (Stranger Vision) on "The Jester Duplicity", Clode (Tethra) who offers his growl on "Heliosyncrasy" and "Theater Is My Essence", and finally an entire choir for "Smile In Decay".

  The alternations between tight blast beats and melodic openings are the hallmark of Marble's sound, focusing on the album 'T.I.M.E.' on vocal arrangements and melodic interlocks between guitars and keyboards. The album was produced by the band itself and mixed by Marco Zanibelli (Myriads Lights) at SunDowner Studio and stunning cover artwork by Greek artist Giannis Nakos of Remedy Art Design (Kamelot, Evergrey, Amaranthe, Suffocation etc.).

  "We are proud to present 'T.I.M.E.', an album that for us means a leap forward in the composition of music and lyrics. The connection of the songs linked by the thread of theatre is a special concept and we are sure it will hit the mark with some really powerful tracks. Eleonora's multiple vocal lines are set over a powerful rhythmic base, reminiscent of names such as Nevermore and Evergrey, perfectly set against articulate guitar solos and keyboard arrangements that fill out the sound, all set to Norman Ceriotti's fast and precise drumming." adds the band.

  Today, the band presents their first single, “Theater Is My Essence”, which is the song that creates the acronym of the album title. It is a very rhythmic song with a heavy guitar sound but with a symphonic and piano arrangement that adds depth to the piece. Eleonora sings about her relationship with the theater, as she has also been an actress for a very long time, how the theater has been her lifeline and escape route and has allowed her to finally be herself wearing the masks of the characters on stage. The growls performed on the track are by guest Clode of the doom metal band Tethra.

  Let the curtain rise and immerse yourself in MARBLE’s music.

  Listen to “Theater Is My Essence” at the following links:

  Digital - https://lnk.to/MG4bMr

  ​

  "T.I.M.E." is due out on November 8th, 2024 from Rockshots Records and is available for pre-order at https://shop.rockshots.eu/en/cd/6947-marble-time.html​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Through The Veil
  2. The Jester Duplicity
  3. The Sleepless King
  4. Face of Deceit
  5. Aftermath
  6. Voice Of Awareness
  7. The Garden Of Despair
  8. Heliosyncrasy
  9. Smile In Decay
  10. Theater Is My Essence

  MARBLE - T.I.M.E. Credits
  ELEONORA TRAVAGLINO – Vocals
  PAUL BERETTA - Lead Guitars
  OMAR GORNATI – Guitars
  JACOPO MARCHESI – Keyboards
  DANIEL FLEBA – Bass
  NORMAN CERIOTTI - Drums
  ​
  guest appearances:
  IVAN ADAMI - male vocals on “The Jester Duplicity”
  CLODE TETHRA - growling vocals on “Heliosyncrasy” and “Theater Is My Essence”
  GRUPPO VOCALE “CALLIRIDE” - vocal ensemble on “Smile In Decay”
  DAVID MELLER - Voice Actor in “Through The Veil”
  MARTA COMEGLIO - theatrical and lyrics consulting
  ​
  “T.I.M.E.” was recorded by Daniel Fleba
  Drums track recorded by Norman Ceriotti
  Mixed and mastered by Marco Zanibelli at SunDowner studio
  Executive Producer Mark Fleba
  all songs written and arranged by Marble
  Photography by Daniele Piedinovi, Andrea Perfumo e Mauro Bastianel
  Album Artwork by Giannis Nakos at Remedy Art Design

  More info: https://www.rockshots.eu | https://www.marbleheavymetal.com

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