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• American Black/Extreme Metal CATHARIA Unleashes New Album "Unimaginable Dreams of Fate"

  Dec 6, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  Out Now! CATHARIA's New Album "Unimaginable Dreams of Fate"

  American black/extreme metal CATHARIA's highly anticipated second album "Unimaginable Dreams of Fate" is now available as of December 6th from Extreme Metal Music, a subsidiary of Rockshots Records.

  Founded by guitarist Matt Powell in the late 2010s, the band was born from his desire to create a sound that is dark, aggressive, and technical yet deeply melodic. With roots in black metal, Catharia's music explores new dimensions, refusing to be confined by genre expectations. After a series of lineup challenges, Powell forged ahead recording the band’s debut album "Midnight Sun" with engineer Jackson Ward. The addition of vocalist Nick Kiefer, who joined after impressing with a Wiegedood cover, helped solidify Catharia's sound. With bassist Dylan Thompson and drummer Michael Edrington now in the fold, the band is stronger than ever and ready to deliver their most ambitious work to date.

  "The wait is over! Our second album is finally here, marking a bold evolution in our sound. Building on the black and extreme metal roots of Midnight Sun, this new release pushes the boundaries of complexity, melody, and atmosphere." adds the band.

  "Unimaginable Dreams of Fate" is more technical, layered, and diverse than Catharia's debut, yet unmistakably rooted in the intensity of blackened extreme metal. With tracks like "Tomb Throne" and "Solemnly" already setting the stage, fans can expect intense aggression, atmospheric serenity, and a journey through diverse energies, intricate song structures, and powerful sonic textures. Fans of bands like Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, and Dissection will find much to love as Catharia has crafted something that’s unmistakably them.

  CD ORDER - https://rockshots.eu/products/catharia-unimaginable-dreams-of-fate-cd

  DIGITAL ALBUM - https://lnk.to/m255Rm

   

  Track Listing:​
  1. Der Tod Eines Gottes
  2. Terminus Hierophant
  3. Solemnly
  4. Devouring Firmament
  5. Tomb Throne
  6. Elfen Tanzen
  7. Slipping Into Eternity
  8. Revocation of Life
  9. Screaming Cemetery
  10. Unimaginable Dreams of Fate
  11. Der Tod Eines Gottes (Reprise)

  For more info:​
  ​https://www.rockshots.eu​
  ​https://catharia.com/​
  ​https://www.facebook.com/cathariatrue​
  ​https://www.instagram.com/cathariametal

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• THIRTEEN GOATS Announces Vancouver Island Tour Dates w/ OPAL IN SKY, NAMELESS KING + New Album “Capricorn Rising” Out Now!

  Dec 5, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  NEWS RELEASE

  THIRTEEN GOATS Announces Vancouver Island Tour Dates w/ OPAL IN SKY, NAMELESS KING

  New Album “Capricorn Rising” Out Now! via Exitus Strategem Records

  "It's really strong. GREAT musicians, great production, as well as a very progressive aspect without losing the darkness." - Kelly Schaefer, Atheist

  Vancouver, Canada’s Thirteen Goats will be storming Vancouver Island, BC in March 2025 for the "Tour of The Black Flame" supporting OPAL IN SKY alongside NAMELESS KING (dates listed below). Thirteen Goats is performing in support of their second album—the extreme metal rock opera “Capricorn Rising” unleashed on Exitus Stratagem Records this past July.

  Tour of The Black Flame w/ Opal In Sky, Nameless King, Thirteen Goats​
  Tickets available at - https://orangetickets.ca/
  March 20 - Nanaimo, BC - The Globe
  March 21 - Victoria, BC - Phoenix Bar
  March 22 - Port Alberni, BC - Rainbow Room
  March 23 - Cumberland, BC - Masonic Hall

  Thirteen Goats's "Capricorn Rising," tells the story of their mascot, Shepherd: a goat-skull-wearing Antichrist who raises an army of animals to liberate the earth from humanity’s constant wars and greed. This high-concept narrative is delivered with Thirteen Goats' signature blend of infernal riffs, huge hooks, and uniquely theatrical songwriting.

  Each song on the album is part of a broader narrative that explores themes of disillusionment, radicalization, and rebellion as Shepherd and his 12 demon goats wage their crusade. Thirteen Goats delivers a unique blend of death and thrash metal, combined with a storytelling approach that takes listeners on a journey through the darkest aspects of both human and animal nature.

  Listeners can expect furious riffage, ambitious song structures, and even occasional female guest vocals (courtesy of guest artist Carly Ellen Jones). What they shouldn’t expect is a record that plays it safe or falls neatly into one specific subgenre. Thirteen Goats is recommended for fans of Lamb of God, Carcass, and Mastodon.

  Released on July 12, 2024, “Capricorn Rising” is available from Exitus Stratagem Records at https://www.exsrmusic.com/store/p/pre-sale-thirteen-goats-capricorn-rising

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/41hkue1​​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Sign of the Goat (4:53)
  2. Murder Lives in the Heart (5:30)
  3. A Wolf in Shepherd’s Clothing (4:10)
  4. Global Fuckup (3:57)
  5. Beheading Zoo (3:44)
  6. Permission to Die (3:48)
  7. Beating the Disease (4:24)
  8. Goats of War (5:25)
  9. Animal Kingdom (6:19)

  More info: Exsrmusic.com | ThirteenGoats.com

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• Reminder - Deadline Dec 15th - WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA Band Submissions For 2025 Battles - One Band To Conquer Them All & Play Wacken Open Air

  Dec 5, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  Reminder - Deadline Dec 15th - WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA Band Submissions For 2025 Battles

  One Band To Conquer Them All & Play Wacken Open Air

  

  Spotify - 2024 WMBU National Finalists Playlist - https://spoti.fi/4cbAEb8​

  One Band To Conquer Them All! The December 15th deadline is nearing for independent American bands to apply to the 2025 battles for Wacken Metal Battle USA.

  Unsigned bands ONLY can apply. Please fill out your information at the following link (please select USA and then the City that your band would like to perform in) - https://www.metal-battle.com​

  (Band Submissions End December 15th, 2024 - 11:59 PM PST)

  The 2025 battles are held nationwide across the USA for one independent band to be crowned champion and perform at one of the world's most prestigious and largest already sold-out metal festivals Wacken Open Air (July 30th – August 2nd) (Attendance of over 80,000 people in Wacken, Germany for over 30 years).

  ​

  The 2025 WMBU champion will receive the following:
  - A slot at the 2025 Wacken Open Air Festival.
  - Full professional backline provided.
  - $1,000 USD towards flights to Germany.
  - VIP camping at the festival.

  2025 battles will be taking place in the following cities:

  (National Final on June 21st in Clifton, NJ at Dingbatz)

  New York, NY
  Clifton, NJ
  Baltimore, MD
  Tampa, FL
  Portland, OR
  Seattle, WA
  Bay Area, CA
  Los Angeles, CA
  Orange County, CA
  Sacramento, CA
  San Diego, CA
  Austin, TX
  Dallas, TX
  Corpus Christi, TX
  Houston, TX
  San Antonio, TX

  The 2024 WMBU national final was held in San Diego at Brick By Brick with regional winners Cascade Effect (San Diego), WarTroll (NorCal), Versipul (PNW), Prime Prophecy (East Coast), and Father Wolf (Texas).

  Judged by an industry panel that included Rod Kukla (Silver Lining Music), Craig Goldy (Dio), Derek Engemann (Scour, Phil Anselmo and the Illegals, ex-Cattle Decapitation), and Patrick Stone (Adler's Appetite, Budderside), the band that reigned the stage and proved themselves worthy of gracing the holy land of metal at Wacken Open Air in Germany was crowned 2024 champion, San Diego's Cascade Effect.

  As the 2024 crowned USA champion, Cascade Effect went on to perform as the only independent American band at the International Battle at Wacken Open Air 2024 (July 31st – August 3rd).​

  List of previous WMBU national winners, Cascade Effect (2024 - San Diego), Fadrait (2023 - San Diego) Mythraeum (2022 - San Diego), Monarch (2019 - San Diego), Voices of Ruin (2018 - Anaheim) and Corpse Hoarder (2017 - Philadelphia).

  2024 battles were hosted in the following cities: New York, NY, Clifton, NJ, Philadelphia, PA, Portland, OR, Seattle, WA, Bay Area, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Orange County, CA, Sacramento, CA, San Diego, CA, Austin, TX, Dallas, TX, El Paso, TX, Houston, TX, San Antonio, TX.

  For the last 6 years of battles (2017-2019, 2022, 2023, 2024), Wacken Metal Battle USA 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 2025 will be the 34th edition of the festival and will be held from July 30th – August 2nd. The 2025 event is already sold out with a line-up that includes Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, Papa Roach, Gojira, Apocalyptica, Saxon, Within Temptation, Dimmu Borgir, Ministry, and many more. Details here.

  Wacken Metal Battle USA is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance to win their spot among 30 other countries’ champions, and represent the USA 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 American national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will move on to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2024 and compete against the winners of 30 other countries in a final global battle. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives.

  Links:​
  ​Metal-Battle.com​
  ​MetalBattleUSA.com​
  ​Facebook.com/metalbattleusa​.official​
  ​Twitter.com/MetalBattleUSA​
  ​Instagram.com/metalbattleusa.official

  ​

  - 30 -

  Sponsors / Partners:​
  Bravewords.com
  MetalDevastationRadio.com
  Metal-Rules.com
  V13.net
  GhostCultMag.com
  Dungeon Works Productions
  Asher Media Relations
  Fatal Illness Management
  Come And Take It Productions
  Brick By Brick
  VonWolfe Entertainment
  TMI Collaborations
  Dingbatz
  Dean Guitars

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• DREAM HEAVY's New Single "Survival" ft. Haida Hip Hop Artist Ms.PANIK Warns of An Imminent Apocalyptic Future

  Dec 4, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  Canada's DREAM HEAVY's New Single "Survival" ft. Haida Hip Hop Artist Ms.PANIK Warns of An Imminent Apocalyptic Future

  New EP Coming 2025

  Weaving together ethereal vocals, rich harmonies, and intricate guitar along with violin melodies, Dunster, BC, Canada's Dream Heavy is a melodic and enchanting world folk metal group. This past June, the band revealed their single “Song In The Dark” while they toured across British Columbia this summer.

  With a plan to release their yet-to-be-titled upcoming EP next year, the band is proud to present their latest thought-provoking single “Survival”.

  “Survival” (originally titled “Extinction”) was originally written in 2019 and early 2020 as a central theme for Wishbone Theater Productions' original Stage Play: “The Last Good Valley”, a somewhat macabre and darkly humorous fantasy of a possible imminent apocalyptic future.

  The creation of this piece of music took on a life of its own as the production was ironically halted due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

  At the time of the outbreak of the pandemic, Dream Heavy was just in the process of transitioning from playing as the “Samson's Delilah” duo to the bigger heavier sound of the full band.

  Band members were also personally involved in assisting and supporting the Wet'su'weten Hereditary Chiefs and land defenders in their fight against Coastal GasLink and the colonial governments of Canada and British Columbia who were illegally forcing a fracked gas pipeline across their territory.

  Considering the lyrical content of the song and the tense decolonization struggles being undertaken by their friends and allies at the time, Dream Heavy enlisted the help of Haida Hip Hop artist Ms.PANIK to write and record the mid-section of the track.

  The band comments on “Survival”:

  "Survival is both a stark reminder of the dire consequences of unmitigated climate change and a reminder of the still unresolved horrors of colonization. But it also offers a glimmer of hope to the listeners of an end to the “Colonial Apocalypse” and a focus on healing. This is a song that will have audiences dancing for change!"

  Listen to “Survival” ft. Ms.PANIK at the following links:

  ​Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3ZG9HYv

  Dream Heavy comes from the ashes of beloved bands like Mamaguroove and Samson's Delilah and credits their unique sound to a plethora of influences from metal, Latin, Celtic, and other world music traditions. Their music, characterized by its intensity and thought-provoking lyrics, has captivated audiences across Canada and beyond, earning them a place on campus radio Top 10 lists.

  Reflecting on the band's long journey, they share that Dream Heavy's sound has evolved from each member’s collective passion for sound, movement, and justice. With their forthcoming EP, they aim to create a sonic and lyrical soundscape that demands to be heard in its entirety—a journey of self-discovery and contemplation. Dream Heavy is recommended for fans of boundary-pushing music in the veins of Porcupine Tree, Kalandra, and Rodrigo y Gabriela.

  Previous Single - “Song In The Dark” at the following links:

  Spotify - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dreamheavy/song-in-the-dark​

  ​

  More info: Dreamheavy.ca | Facebook.com/dreamheavyproject | Instagram.com/dreamheavyproject

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• The UK's Blackened Doom TIGGUO COBAUC To Re-Release "Fountains of Anguish" On Exitus Stratagem Records December 2024

  Dec 3, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  The UK's Blackened Doom TIGGUO COBAUC To Re-Release "Fountains of Anguish" On Exitus Stratagem Records December 2024

  Forged by ancient magic deep in the sandstone depths of Nottingham, UK, Tigguo Cobauc's spellbinding guitar riffs over primal rhythm are the sound of your darkest desires.

  Beginning their journey with the 2022 debut "Trial by Combat", this birth into the constellations was steeped in the murky depths of Death/Doom, cloaked in a sludgy resonance. From these beginnings, they gradually evolved, transcending into realms infused with black metal's ethereal atmospheres, where shadows and intensity intertwined.

  Unraveling their latest album "Fountains of Anguish", this past April in Europe, the blackened doom duo of Luc Martello and Reno Ramos announces the re-release of this second full-length in North and South America via Exitus Stratagem Records digitally and CD on December 20th, 2024, and on Vinyl (release date to be announced at a later date).

  The band comments:

  "We have already unveiled the album in Europe, and the resonance it has garnered has been nothing short of remarkable. The reviews have painted a vivid tapestry of praise, while the response during our live demonstrations has sparked an exuberant and electrifying communion with our audience. Fountains of Anguish stands as a vivid snapshot of our artistic essence in 2023, encapsulating the intricate layers of our sound and vision. It reflects the alchemical fusion of our influences, embodying the raw emotion, complexity, and depth that characterize our current trajectory. This work crystallizes our evolution, a testament to our sonic exploration and collective spirit, serving as both a beacon and a mirror of our artistic journey. This collaboration with Exitus Stratagem Records not only amplifies our reach, but also solidifies our commitment to sharing our art with a broader audience. We are excited to embark on this journey and connect with fans who resonate with our sonic vision."

  The sound of "Fountains of Anguish" is an amalgamation of classic black metal, reinterpreted with a modern sensibility, and infused with doomy elements that evoke a sense of atmospheric weight. Tigguo Cobauc has seamlessly integrated keyboards into their compositions, adding depth and texture to enhance the listening experience. Through this unique blend, they aspire to infuse their music with a distinctive touch of originality, creating a soundscape that resonates with the genre's traditions and contemporary influences.

  "This record is enriched by the newly woven atmospheres that ascend the ordinary, transforming into a profound ritualistic communion with the audience. Each note reverberates like an incantation, inviting a shared journey into the depths of sound that beckons a collective transcendence." adds the band.

  Listen to the lead single "Craving for Slay", a quintessential black metal onslaught, balancing modern sensibilities with melodic vocals and fierce screams, while preserving the hallmark heavy doom elements familiar to Tigguo Cobauc.

  ​

  Embarking upon this next chapter of their journey, Tigguo Cobauc's "Fountains of Anguish" is recommended for fans of Celtic Frost, Bathory, and Venom.

  Album pre-order (CD) is available at https://www.exsrmusic.com/store/p/pre-sale-tigguo-cobauc-fountains-of-anguish-lp-cd​

  Digital - https://hypeddit.com/tigguocobauc/fountainsofanguish​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Craving For Slay - 5:26
  2. The Darkest Emperor - 5:46
  3. Eternal Quietus - 7:27
  4. Inner Disaster - 6:08
  5. Volt-Face - 5:12
  6. Engaged Putridity - 4:21
  7. Deliverance - 6:10
  Total Time: 40:36

  Tigguo Cobauc Recording Lineup:​
  Reno Ramos - Bass/Vocals
  Luca Martello - Guitar
  Lloyd David - Drums
  Wayne Turton - Keyboards

  More info: Tigguocobauc.mystrikingly.com | Instagram.com/tigguocobauc | Facebook.com/tigguocobaucband | Tiktok.com/@tigguocobauc

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