Search Results: news

• Listen To LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR FESTIVAL's Spotify Playlist For This Year's 2025 Lineup w/ REVOCATION, FIRST FRAGMENT, FILTH, INSURRECTION, GORGATRON, OPAL IN SKY, HOG MEETS FROG, and more!

  Jul 21, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Preview this year's LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR with their Spotify playlist showcasing the 2025 festival lineup that includes REVOCATION, FIRST FRAGMENT, FILTH, INSURRECTION, GORGATRON, OPAL IN SKY, HOG MEETS FROG, and more!

  LAH 2025 Lineup Spotify Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3cu3CgEX8n2g2MQbADNJmg

  Hosted in the barren expanse of sculpted sandstone, wind-carved hoodoos, and the vast canyons of Alberta, Canada's badlands, one of the country's loudest decibel-breaking extreme music events, Loud As Hell Open Air Festival returns for its 13th edition in Drumheller, AB from August 1st to 3rd at the Dinosaurs Down Stampede to showcase the best up-and-coming Canadian and international talent to roar through the country's largest dinosaur fossil grounds.

  This year's festivities will witness technical death metal masters Revocation headline the Sunday, August 3rd, lineup. The band unveiled their latest 2025 single and music video “Confines of Infinity,” featuring brutal guest vocals from Cattle Decapitation’s Travis Ryan. The single also marks the debut of a new Revocation lineup that sees vocalist and guitarist Dave Davidson joined by drummer Ash Pearson--who has been in the band since 2015--bassist Alex Weber, and guitarist Harry Lannon. Revocation formed in 2006, and their self-released debut, Empire of the Obscene, came out in 2008. Since then, they've released seven critically acclaimed albums and have toured the world, bringing their technically charged, high-energy extreme metal to rabid fans in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

  ​

  Also on the Sunday lineup will be Insurrection, the powerhouse metal band from Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. Formed over 20 years ago (2003), the band is known for its intense and energetic performances. Their sound is a unique twist of groovy death metal mixed with a healthy dose of thrash energy. The band has released several albums, including "Prologue" (2008), "Fracture" (2010), "Prototype" (2013), "Extraction" (2017), and "Obsolescence" (2024) (Bam Co. Heavy). Their music often addresses social and political themes through bilingual lyrics in both English and French. The band has gained a notable reputation on stage throughout Canada with tours covering coast to coast, including performances at festivals such as Montebello Rockfest, Trois-Rivières Metalfest, and Decimate Metalfest. 

  Headlining Saturday, Aug 2nd, Montreal, QC's First Fragment will display their virtuosity and demonstrate why they are so beloved globally for their Neoclassical/Technical Extreme Metal. The band broke ground with their debut EP "The Afterthought Ecstasy" (2010). Their latest two albums, "Dasein" (2016), "Gloire éternelle(2021), and the latest instrumental compilation record, "Le Recueuil Des Âges" (2024), have been released on Unique Leader Records. 

  Saturday will also feature LAH alumni Gorgatron, guttural Death Metal out of Fargo, North Dakota. Their sound is based on a “love of the riff” approach to writing and is rooted in the old-school stylings of Death Metal and Thrash. They have honed their style and work ethic with rigorous DIY tours across the States, Europe, Canada, and Mexico. They have a slew of records under their belts with their latest "Sentience Revoked" (2024) (Redefining Darkness Records) and just this past January, they unleashed a digital EP "Live From the Basement". It was originally set to be released on Adult Swim's 'Fish Center Live' in 2020, but was shelved due to Adult Swim shutting down their livestream division that same year.

  ​

  The festival's first day on Friday, Aug 1st, will be headlined by hip-hop-influenced deathcore gutter gang Filth out of North Carolina. They dropped the next chapter in their discography, Southern Hostility, in April 2024.

  ​

  Also on Friday are Vancouver, BC's Opal in Sky, twin brothers Tyson and Dylon Opalinsky. They share a deep passion for music and its limitless possibilities. Their music reflects their shared values and beliefs. They believe that music has the power to heal, uplift, and bring people together. They are committed to creating meaningful and enjoyable music, and their unique sound is a fusion of different styles and influences. They released their debut album, "Dream Shift," in July 2024.

  With a lineup featuring over 40 bands from across Canada, the USA, and Mexico, traveling the furthest from Europe is Vienna, Austria's Hog Meets Frog, a band fans don't want to miss. The trio is renowned for their eccentricity and boundary-pushing music that blends prog, funk, and metal. 

  Other highlights for this year's open-air are Toronto's Beguiler, champions of last year's 2024 Wacken Metal Battle Canada; the slamming deathcore of Arizona's Gore Pig; Mexico's Spit On Your Grave, showcasing their powerful, deep growls, blast beats, slam riffs, and heavy breakdowns, all infused with a melodic touch; and Vancouver's Thirteen Goats, with their signature blend of infernal riffs, huge hooks, and uniquely theatrical songwriting.

  Weekend Passes (Aug 1- 3) are available at https://loudashell.ca/shop/​

  This weekend pass grants you full access to all the headbanging, moshing, and metal mayhem that Loud As Hell Open Air offers.

  LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR 2025

  Thursday, July 31 – Kick Off Party
  ​Vapor (California, USA)
  Display Of Decay (Edmonton, AB)
  Black Pestilence (Calgary, AB)
  Decrepitation (Edmonton, AB)
  ​
  ​Friday, August 1​
  Filth (Shelby, NC, USA)
  Auzzy Blood – Freak Show (Las Vegas, NV, USA)
  Opal In Sky (Vancouver, BC)
  Hazzardous Material – Burlesque (Alberta)
  Spit On Your Grave (Monterrey, Mexico)
  Hazzerd (Calgary, AB)
  Ascension Blacklist (Newburgh, ON)
  Black Friday (Edmonton, AB)
  Daniel Martin’s The Infamous (Edmonton, AB)
  ​
  ​Saturday, August 2​
  First Fragment (Montreal, QC)
  Kyle Pullan – Acoustic (Canmore, AB)
  Gorgatron (Fargo, ND, USA)
  Hazzardous Material – Burlesque (Alberta)
  Heartsick (Lansing, MI, USA)
  Judicator (Salt Lake City, UT, USA)
  Casket Robbery (Munroe, WI, USA)
  Kelevra (Regina, SK)
  Lycanthro (Ottawa, ON)
  Frontal Assault (Cedar Rapids, IA, USA)
  Cabrakaan (Calgary, AB)
  Spectre (Winnipeg, MB)
  Pridelands (Red Deer, AB)
  Pharm (Kelowna, BC)
  Beserker (Lethbridge, AB)
  ​
  ​Sunday, August 3​
  Revocation (Boston, MA, USA)
  Kyle Pullan – Acoustic (Canmore, AB)
  Insurrection (Gatineau, QC)
  Auzzy Blood – Freak Show (Las Vegas, NV, USA)
  Gorepig (Hot Springs, AZ, USA)
  Hazzardous Material – Burlesque (Alberta)
  Cyborg Octopus (San Francisco, CA, USA)
  Squidhammer (Waterton, WI, USA)
  Truent (Vancouver, BC)
  Beguiler (Toronto, ON)
  Reaping Asmodeia (Minneapolis, MN, USA)
  Endless Chaos (Winnipeg, MB)
  Hog Meets Frog (Vienna, Austria)
  Thirteen Goats (Vancouver, BC)
  Woodhawk (Calgary, AB)
  Famous Strangers (Edmonton, AB)

  Since its inception in 2012, LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR FESTIVAL has exposed hundreds of Canadian and international bands annually, except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their 2024 edition was host to the most stacked lineup to date, featuring BEYOND CREATION, STRIKER, ANCIIENTS, GREEN JELLY, THE CONVALESCENCE, SUPER MONSTER PARTY, TERRIFIER, and lots more. Previous years have witnessed well-known bands such as Jungle Rot, Narcotic Wasteland, Necronomicon, Into Eternity, Goatwhore, Battlecross, Fit for An Autopsy, Anciients, Archspire, Unleash The Archers, Striker, KEN mode, Obey The Brave, Protest the Hero, AngelMaker, Divinity, Neck of The Woods, Endast, among many more.

  ​

  More info:
  ​LoudAsHell.ca​
  ​Facebook.com/LoudAsHellFestival​
  Twitter: @LoudAsHellFest
  Instagram: @LoudAsHellFestival
  ​Social Media Hashtags #LAHXIII, #LAHOA, #LAHOA2025

  Read more

• DOLL “Better Days, Different Times” EP Completes Their Triumphant Return

  Jul 17, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian alt-rock powerhouse Doll is now streaming “Better Days, Different Times”, their first new collection of material since 2011's “The Ragdoll Diaries”. The EP represents not just a return to form but a significant evolution for the Ottawa-based band that has expanded their sonic palette while maintaining their core identity. They share their excitement:

  “With this album, we wanted to pull listeners in closer to what’s top of mind to us, our values, our experiences. It’s not just something to hear; it’s something to sit and listen to. It’s less about the volume this time, more about the weight behind the lyrics.”

  Every track on this record was handpicked because it struck something deep in Doll. Some songs come in softer, quieter moments. But don’t let that fool you, the weight is still there. The message is still dark, still heavy.

  The EP maintains the band’s commitment to authentic expression and therapeutic songwriting. Each track emerges from genuine experience and emotion, continuing the band’s tradition of using music as both personal processing and connection with listeners who share similar struggles.

  “Better Days, Different Times” marks not just Doll’s return from the dead, but their emergence as a more complete artistic entity. The EP proves that time away has served to deepen rather than diminish their creative impact, offering both longtime fans and new listeners a compelling entry point into the band's evolved sound. They are recommended for fans of Nobro, SoftCult, Amyl and the Sniffers, and The Pretty Reckless.

  Listen to the EP's full stream premiere on GhostCultMagazine HERE.

  EP-pre-order (out July 18th) - https://doll.bandcamp.com/​

  ​

  More info: https://www.facebook.com/dollband

  Read more

• HOG MEETS FROG - New Single “The Urbanizer” Ft. Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani) + Canadian Tour & Loud As Hell Open Air Fest

  Jul 16, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Austrian avant-funk-prog-metal trio Hog Meets Frog have dropped their most ferociously surreal single to date: “The Urbanizer” (You Know Where The Flowers Have Gone), featuring world-renowned drummer Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani). The track arrives ahead of the band’s first-ever Canadian tour (dates listed below), which includes a performance at the Loud As Hell Open Air Festival in Drumheller, Alberta, on August 3rd.
  ​
  Lyrically dystopian and musically unhinged, “The Urbanizer (You Know Where The Flowers Have Gone)" is a darkly groovy critique of ecological collapse and unchecked urban sprawl—told from the perspective of the “urbanizer” himself, a concrete deity paving over the planet.
  ​
  The track’s artwork, created by Attila Zolt Tornyi (LaMañana), features a golden skull in a desolate concrete wasteland—symbolizing the “concrete gold” of speculative real estate and the sunless future it casts.
  ​
  Bassist and band storyteller Peter ’PETZ’ Schwabl comments on the single:
  ​
  ​"We have featured on the tune 'The Urbanizer' drummer Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani), which is a great honour for us. A mutual friend brought us together – thanks, Alan!! The song's main riff was written many years ago, and a few years later, the first four verses and thus the character of the urbanizer emerged. Over the years, however, it has become clear that society isn't getting to grips with the issue; rather, the effects of human actions, which have been driving global warming for decades, are increasing in a lot of areas. Why? Well, some deny ecological changes out of fear, some out of greed, and still others just to show that they're 'against the system’ – whatever that means. Precisely because of the subject matter, the song is one of those that even we couldn't make into a particularly funny song... but, hey! Let's just say that HOG MEETS FROG also has a dark side."​
  ​
  Listen to “The Urbanizer” (You Know Where The Flowers Have Gone) ft. Marco Minnemann is now on all major streaming platforms.

  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/2JBo93Ad2S7uD46tInWG8F​

  ​

  Performing in Canada for the first time, Hog Meets Frog is excited to be showcasing in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal, as well as performing at one of Canada’s loudest and most extreme metal gatherings, Loud As Hell Open Air Festival, which also includes Revocation, First Fragment, Insurrection, and Gorgatron.
  ​
  ​“Don’t expect anything. Just experience it. You’ll see three guys throwing sounds around, sometimes wearing masks, telling stories. The rest forms in the head of the beholder,” adds Petz.

  Hog Meets Frog - The Urbanizer Greening Tour 2025
  ​July 26 - Schwarzach, Austria - Tauerngold Festival
  July 30 - Ottawa, ON - Avant-Garde Bar
  Aug 1 - Toronto, ON - The Rockpile
  Aug 3 - Drumheller, AB - Loud As Hell Open Air Festival w/ REVOCATION, FIRST FRAGMENT, FILTH, INSURRECTION, GORGATRON, OPAL IN SKY, and more!
  Aug 6 - Montreal, QC - Piranha Bar
  Sept 6 - Schwaz, Austria - Woodlight Festival
  ​
  ​About:​
  Formed after a “musical abstinence” by a copywriting drummer and a lyricist bassist “pregnant with a riff,” Hog Meets Frog was born from a story about a hog and a frog having… fun. Their sound? In their own words: “Freaky-fuckin’-SQUEAQUACK-music.”
  ​
  The band’s writing process is as unpredictable as their music—riffs born on subways, lyrics conceived in showers, and stories inspired by overheard conversations, political absurdities, and the slow-motion collapse of the natural world.

  For more info: Hogmeetsfrog.com | Facebook.com/hogmeetsfrog | Twitter.com/hogmeetsfrog | Instagram.com/hogmeetsfrog | Tiktok.com/@hogmeetsfrog

  Read more

• UNPUNISHED Ignites The Mosh Pit w/ New Single "Burn the Traitors" ft. Alex Leblanc (ex-Fracturus, ex-Neuraxis) From EP "Echoes of History" Out Sept 2025

  Jul 16, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

   

  Unpunished, one of Quebec’s fiercest metalcore exports, have officially announced their second EP "Echoes of History" set to be unleashed on September 5th, 2025. A blistering five-track journey through despair, defiance, and destruction, this EP from the ferocious five-piece is ready to ignite mosh pits around the globe.

  Originally formed as tribute act Tidal Wave, performing songs by Trivium and Parkway Drive, the band reinvented itself during the COVID pandemic, writing original music that blends metalcore roots with melodeath and deathcore elements. Their sound is melodic, intense, diverse, energetic, and aggressive.
  ​​
  “Echoes of History took us over two years to write, and each of us faced major personal challenges during that time. Sorting through dozens of demos was tough; we all have different musical tastes, which makes it hard to agree, but also gives us our unique sound,” adds the band.
  ​
  Rather than follow a formula, Unpunished built each song with its own emotional journey, combining the brutality of modern death metal with the melody and groove of classic metalcore. The EP was also produced by drummer Justin Lefebvre. From its guitar tones to vocal layering, every detail reflects hours of obsession and refinement, reflecting the band's obsession with perfection.

  “We want every track to hit differently. From anxiety and despair to rage and revolt, this EP is all about movement and mood,” says the band.

  Their first glimpse from their sophomore EP "Burn the Traitors" features guest vocals from Alex Leblanc (ex-Fracturus, ex-Neuraxis, ex-Mass Murder Messiah) and is the band's most brutal song ever.

  The band comments:

  "It’s much more melodic death metal than metalcore, as there are no clean vocals. We wrote this as a relentless track with little place to breathe. The chorus is melodic and catchy, but without the use of clean lyrics. The solo is the slowest section of the song, as a way to catch our breath before the breakdown and final stretch of intensity. Lyrically, the theme is centered around vengeance, inflicting pain on those who betrayed, abused, and inflicted pain on their people. Remastered from its initial 2023 release, Burn the Traitors ends the EP with ferocity and leaves no one indifferent."

  Listen to "Burn the Traitors" featuring guest vocals from Alex Leblanc (ex-Fracturus, ex-Neuraxis, ex-Mass Murder Messiah) at the following links:

  Digital - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/unpunished​

  Unpunished prides itself on precision and passion. No ego, just relentless intensity that invites fans to scream and sweat as one. Recommended for fans of As I Lay Dying, The Black Dahlia Murder, Trivium, Parkway Drive, and Bleed From Within, the "Echoes of History" EP pre-order (out Sept 5th) is available at https://unpunished.bandcamp.com.

  Track Listing:​
  1. As Water Fills My Lungs - 4:49
  2. Plague of Our Race - 4:39
  3. Shattered in Dissaray - 5:06
  4. Echoes of History - 4:52
  5. Burn the Traitors ft. Alex Leblanc - 4:38
  EP Length: 24:06

  More info: Facebook.com/Unpunishedband | Instagram.com/unpunished_band

  Read more

• Streaming Now! Blackened Thrash ETERNAL DRAK New EP "The Warrior Order"

  Jul 16, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  A year after unleashing their fourth studio album, "Imprisoned Souls," in July 2024, Eternal Drak, formerly from Colombia and now residing in Quebec City, Canada, returns with their next offering, "The Warrior Order", a five-track record that includes the band's rendition of Metallica's "Leper Messiah,".

  Set to be available on digital platforms on July 17th, the blackened thrash band has teamed up with Bravewords for its full stream premiere. Listen HERE.

  "The Warrior Order" serves as a heartfelt homage to the band's journey, a way to honour the memories they’ve created and express their immense gratitude to the fans who have stood by them through the years. By revisiting and reimagining these older tracks from their 2002 debut, "La Resurreccion De La Orden Guerrera", the now-formed trio aims to rekindle the connection with their long-time listeners while simultaneously inviting new fans to discover and embrace our unique sound. They hope to bridge the past and the future.

  Fans can expect the blending of raw, nostalgic vibes of classic metal with the refined production and innovation of contemporary music. By doing so, the EP seeks to evoke powerful memories and untold stories from the past while offering a renewed, enriched auditory experience that resonates with both long-time metal enthusiasts and newer audiences.

  "This EP bridges two distinct eras in the journey of Eternal Drak: the energetic creativity of the 1990s and the refined artistry of the present day. It represents a homage to the band’s origins, where young minds passionately crafted what is now revered as old-school metal. These early works have been revisited and revitalized, bringing their raw spirit into the modern soundscape with enhanced production quality that respects the authenticity of the era while ensuring it resonates with contemporary audiences. Through meticulously re-recording the four original tracks, Eternal Drak breathes new life into their debut, preserving the integrity of black thrash metal while making it accessible to a new generation of listeners. To complement this effort, the album includes a cover of one of the most iconic and influential bands in metal history, serving as both a tribute and a testament to the enduring inspiration these legends have provided. This project encapsulates the band’s unwavering dedication to their craft, blending nostalgia with innovation to create a sound that is timeless yet refreshingly current," adds band founder Andres Martinez, “Drakar” (Vocal/Guitar).

  The lyrics on "The Warrior Order" are drawn from Eternal Drak's inspiration from a narrative crafted during the band's early years, which delves into the tale of Lucifer's exile to the underworld. The story portrays how his influence pervaded humanity, shaping beliefs, behaviors, and aspirations in profound ways. It explores the impact of his legacy on Earth, touching on themes of power, temptation, and rebellion. Furthermore, the narrative captures Lucifer's relentless quest to find pathways back into the mortal realm, ultimately aiming to reclaim dominion and challenge the celestial forces that banished him. This intricate and evocative storyline serves as the foundation for much of the band's lyrical content, blending mythological depth with existential reflection to resonate powerfully with listeners.

  Recommended for fans of Venom, Celtic Frost, Metallica, and Sepultura, "The Warrior Order" will be available on July 17th, 2025, at the following links:

  Digital - https://hypeddit.com/eternaldrak/thewarriororder​

  Bandcamp - https://eternaldrak.bandcamp.com/album/the-warrior-order​

  Online Store - https://eternaldrak.com/store​

  Single stream - "Eternal Drak" at the following links:

  Spotify - https://hypeddit.com/eternaldrak/eternaldrak

  ​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Oda a la luna - 4:22
  2. Contra Viento - 5:16
  3. Eternal Drak - 5:50
  4. La Nueva Orden - 5:51
  5. Leper Messiah (Cover) - 5:29
  EP Length: 26:48

  More info: http://www.eternaldrak.com | https://www.facebook.com/EternalDrak | https://www.instagram.com/eternaldrak

  Read more