Search Results: prog

• IN VIRTUE Unveils Music Video “Karma Loop” ft. Charlotte Wessels (ex-Delain) For Release of New Album "Age of Legends" ft. Guests Dave Davidson of Revocation, Chaney Crabb of Entheos, Charlotte Wessels)

  Nov 21, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Rising Los Angeles progressive power metal band In Virtue has unveiled their brand-new music video for “Karma Loop”, the latest single from their highly anticipated album "Age of Legends," out now as of November 21st. The video marks a powerful introduction to the record’s sweeping concept and emotional depth, while showcasing the band’s unique sound that blends heavy riffs, melodic hooks, and cinematic textures.

  The new single “Karma Loop” was the final track written for the album and quickly became a favorite. Featuring guest vocals from Charlotte Wessels (ex-Delain), the song is a dialogue between Sisyphus and a guiding figure known as The Catalyst. Together, they explore the idea that punishment is often self-inflicted and that redemption begins with self-worth. Built around a guitar lick Trey originally wrote for a demo years ago, the track evolved through collaboration with former drummer Mazen Ayoub, guitarist Rami Khalaf, and keyboardist Alex Nasla, resulting in one of the album’s most dynamic and emotionally resonant pieces.
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  The lyrics even weave in cultural references from the Kingston Trio’s “M.T.A.” to Hunter S. Thompson’s famous line, “Buy the ticket, take the ride”, adding layers of meaning to the song’s exploration of cycles, consequences, and liberation.

  ​Digital Single - https://www.submithub.com/link/karma-loop

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  "Age of Legends" is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a fully realized concept album that tells the story of a flawed protagonist inspired by the myth of Sisyphus. Through themes of guilt, redemption, and self-forgiveness, the album mirrors frontman Trey’s own journey of catharsis and transformation.

  “This is a day 10+ years in the making, the album that almost wasn’t. Born from pure force of will against all odds, it’s a testament to rebirth and an iron vision. What you’ll hear is a direct feed from my soul,” Trey explains.

  
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  Musically, the album balances heavy, groove-driven foundations with orchestration and synths that elevate the songs without overshadowing them. Vocals range from soaring cleans to guttural growls, while guitar and keyboard solos punctuate the narrative without overstaying their welcome. It’s a record designed to be experienced in full, an immersive journey best heard start to finish.

  The cover art for "Age of Legends" was created by Niklas Sundin (ex-Dark Tranquillity), depicting Sisyphus breaking free from his eternal punishment. The imagery perfectly complements the album’s lyrical themes of release, redemption, and transformation.

  
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  Formed out of a love for power metal but a distaste for its escapist clichés, In Virtue set out to create music that was heavy, fast, catchy, melodic, and groovy, yet grounded in real human experiences. Their sound draws influence from bands like Soilwork, Amaranthe, Shinedown, Symphony X, and Sonata Arctica, while carving out a distinct identity that avoids prefabricated genre formulas.
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  Known for their engaging live performances, In Virtue brings audiences into the experience with big harmonies, sing-alongs, and an energy that defies the “arms-crossed” stereotype of metal shows. With members connected to acts like Witherfall and The Mourning, the band continues to evolve, refining their vision into a cohesive and powerful voice in modern metal.
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  Fans can expect an emotional deep dive, a rollercoaster of textures and colors, but ultimately a cohesive journey that rewards both casual listeners and those willing to explore its deeper narrative.

  "Age of Legends" is available worldwide as of November 21st, 2025, at https://orcd.co/agofle​​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Ascent Glorious (00:36)
  2. Sisyphus Awakening (4:55)
  3. Karma Loop (ft. Charlotte Wessels) (3:35)
  4. Push That Rock (2:46)
  5. Purgatory (4:39)
  6. Exposed (3:27)
  7. Scream (3:40)
  8. Where The Edges Meet (3:16)
  9. Gunslingers of the New American Desert (4:42)
  10. Desolation Throne (3:03)
  11. Thoughts in Freefall (ft. Dave Davidson of Revocation) (4:10)
  12. The River (2:24)
  13. Tempus Fugue (ft. Chaney Crabb of Entheos) (8:05)
  14. Descent Limitless (1:22)
  Album Length: 50:40

  More info: Facebook.com/invirtue | Instagram.com/invirtue​

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• LITTLE KING's New Music Video "Who’s Illegal?" Is A Bold Prog Rock Anthem of Inclusion

  Nov 20, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Progressive rock band Little King has released the official music video for “Who’s Illegal?”, a standout track from their latest album, "Lente Viviente," which dropped this past September. Known for their dynamic, melodic, progressive, heavy rock sound, Little King continues to push boundaries with music that is both sonically adventurous and socially conscious.
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  Frontman and songwriter Ryan Rosoff drew inspiration for “Who’s Illegal?” from his return to Tucson, AZ, where the city’s Presidio San Agustin del Tucson reflects centuries of cultural intersections between Indigenous tribes, Spanish settlers, Mexican heritage, and American expansion. The song asks a timeless question: “After all this time and all the arbitrary assignment of this land to governments and warlords…Who’s Illegal?”​
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  The track fuses suspended chords, melodic bass lines, and shifting time signatures — alternating between 6/8 and 9/8 — to reflect the lyrical tension between division and unity. Filmed across Tucson’s vibrant cityscapes, the video amplifies this narrative, visually underscoring themes of immigration, inclusion, and love.

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  ​"Lente Viviente" (Spanish for “Living Lens”) stands as Little King’s most ambitious project to date. Featuring new members Dave Hamilton on bass and Tony Bojorquez on drums, the record delves into themes of memory, identity, aging, addiction, and resilience. Each song unfolds as a “micro-epic,” blending intricate arrangements with concise, emotionally charged storytelling.

  “I want people to take a short, mind-blowing journey…like Musical DMT. The dynamic range of this record will push and pull from the first note to the last,” says frontman Ryan Rosoff.

  Across its tracks, "Lente Viviente" reveals a sweeping emotional and musical spectrum. “Catch and Release” and “Dawn Villa” revisit childhood and enduring friendship, while “Pass Through Filters” meditates on aging and addiction. “Kindness for Weakness” explores the fragile balance between vulnerability and strength, and “Who’s Illegal?” confronts immigration and identity with bold conviction. Together, these songs create a cohesive journey, complex yet melodic, that invites listeners to think deeply, feel fully, and return again and again for the complete experience.
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  Since forming in 1997, Little King has steadily evolved through confidence, technical growth, and relentless creativity. Rosoff, a former Creative Writing major and English teacher, has penned over 65 songs, blending literary depth with progressive rock intensity. With influences ranging from Rush, Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd, Muse, Led Zeppelin, and Night Verses, Little King’s music resonates with fans of both classic and modern rock.
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  "Lente Viviente" (released Sept 26th) is available on digital platforms at https://show.co/nI24kSK​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Catch and Release - 3:22
  2. Dawn Villa - 3:42
  3. Who’s Illegal? - 3:56
  4. Kindness for Weakness - 3:21
  5. Sweet Jessie James - 2:42
  6. Pass Through Filters - 4:50
  7. The Living Lens - 3:37
  Album Length: 25:34

  For more info: LittleKingtunes.com​

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• Brass Metal FALLSTAF Returns w/ New Album "Ode To The Dead"

  Nov 13, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  After nearly ten years away from the spotlight, Montreal’s groundbreaking brass-metal band Fallstaf makes a powerful return with their highly anticipated second album, "Ode to The Dead." Produced by Kevin Jardine (Slaves on Dope), the full album will be available to stream ahead of its official release on November 14th, premiering exclusively on Hardcore Worldwide’s YouTube channel.

  Known for pioneering the genre of brass-infused experimental metal, Fallstaf first made waves in 2011 with their debut album, "Bastard Son of a Pure Breed," also produced by Jardine. Their signature sound, heavy riffs, progressive structures, and a masked trombonist in full suit and tie, earned them cult status in the Montreal metal scene.
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  But tragedy struck in 2016 when frontman IANN suffered a near-fatal accident, resulting in a coma, multiple injuries, and the loss of his leg. The band dissolved. Now, nearly ten years later, Fallstaf reunites with Jardine to deliver a powerful, deeply personal new record that channels pain, survival, and rebirth.

  
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  ​"Ode to The Dead" is a seven-track exploration of mortality, from personal tragedy and mental anguish to crime, conflict, and loss. Drawing from frontman IANN’s near-death experience and the band’s shared grief, the album is both a tribute and a release.

  It opens with “Sunless Friday,” a chilling retelling of IANN’s accident, where cold riffs and screaming trombone set the tone. The title track, “Ode to The Dead,” honors those we’ve lost, echoing the idea that “they walk among us.” “Battered Soul” dives into depression and suicide with sludge-heavy weight and a fading finale. “Kings of the West Side” recounts Montreal’s mafia history with gangland grit and resurrected riffs. “Under the Same Sky” reflects on global unrest and shared humanity, while “Bastard Son” tells a hitman’s legacy through galloping riffs and thrash choruses. The closer, “The Burden,” mourns the toll of cancer with crushing heaviness and a melodic, mournful release. Each track is a raw, brass-laced chapter in Fallstaf’s powerful return.

  “We didn’t make this album to impress anyone. We made it out of friendship. Music is therapeutic. Metal brings people together, and we missed that energy,” adds the band.

  The album artwork, featuring a layered skull photo taken by IANN, reflects the lyrical darkness without veering into the macabre. It’s a visual metaphor for the band’s rebirth: haunting, honest, and human.

  
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  Musically, the band has evolved, embracing groove metal, prog metal, metalcore, and hardcore influences while incorporating melodic choruses and complex arrangements. Fans of Pantera, Shining, Hatebreed, and Mighty Mighty Bosstones will find familiar fire in Fallstaf’s brass-laced fury.

  Stay tuned for upcoming live dates and new music. The resurrection has begun as Fallstaf’s live performances are legendary, and the band plans to return to the stage in 2026. Expect suits, ties, a masked brass player, and a frontman with a robotic leg, all delivering a high-energy spectacle that defies expectations.
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  ​“People think we’re a ska band until the first chord hits. Then they know we kick ass,” says the band.

  "Ode to the Dead" will be available on November 14th, 2025, on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, and more. For collectors, grab the exclusive coffin-shaped USB drive packed with interactive content and bonus material.
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  ​Album pre-order - https://fallstaf1.bandcamp.com/album/ode-to-the-dead

  Add to your Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3yaTJY58SzbbDJ3RsnTlZU​​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Sunless Friday - 2:57
  2. Ode to the Dead - 3:27
  3. Battered Soul - 3:40
  4. Kings of the West Side - 3:31
  5. Under the Same Sky - 3:31
  6. Bastard Son - 3:45
  7. The Burden - 4:41
  Album length: 25:37

  More info: https://www.facebook.com/fallstafmontrealbrassmetal | https://www.instagram.com/fallstafmontreal/​

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• Chilean Prog ENGRUPID PIPOL Unleashes New Concept Album "Quadragenta At Finem Mundi"

  Nov 7, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  After more than three years of silence, Chilean instrumental trio Engrupid Pipol returns with their most daring and conceptually rich album to date: "Quadragenta at Finem Mundi." A sonic prophecy told in seven acts, this 46-minute progressive metal journey explores the collapse of civilization and the rebirth of life through intricate compositions, raw emotion, and a sound that pushes the boundaries of the trio format.

  Drummer Nacho García reflects on the band’s evolution.
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  ​“The work done on this album is incomparable to our two previous records, both technically and personally. On Engrupid Divais, we had found the sound we were looking for. This time, once we were in the studio, we realized we already had the sound we wanted; it just needed a few tweaks.”

  The band focused on preserving the integrity of the trio format, avoiding overdubs that couldn’t be replicated live. The result is a modern, powerful, and crystal-clear sound, with each instrument retaining its warmth and natural tone. Acoustic guitars, synthesizers, and even the bombo legüero, a traditional Latin American drum, add depth and texture to the album’s apocalyptic narrative.

  
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  ​"Quadragenta at Finem Mundi" is Engrupid Pipol’s first conceptual album, and it demanded everything from its members. With funding from the Chilean Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Heritage, the band had the resources to elevate their recording, post-production, and promotional efforts, but also faced immense pressure to deliver.
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  ​“We had a deadline and only three rough demos. It tested us as a band and as friends. We had to devote a huge chunk of our lives to this process, writing, arranging, rehearsing, and reworking demos until the songs matured,” recalls Nacho.
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  Guitarist Kaztrol adds:
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  ​“This album was born from a different place than usual. It pushed us to our limits and presented obstacles we didn’t expect. Listening to the finished album is an auditory delight, a reward for our souls after all the effort and sacrifice.”​
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  ​"Quadragenta at Finem Mundi" unfolds as a seven-act instrumental journey through the collapse and rebirth of civilization. It opens with “Tripel Ultimatum,” a high-adrenaline, riff-heavy track that introduces three survivors of a nuclear disaster. “Vorágine” follows with a whirlwind of acoustic chaos, mirroring the consumerist frenzy and environmental decay of modern society. “Animal Inteligenz” offers a satirical take on artificial intelligence as a new deity, exploring the decline of human intellect and the rise of evolved animals and machines. The fourth act, “Inspireichon Burn,” channels death-metal fury to depict the devastation of thermonuclear war and the greed of war profiteers, born from a spontaneous burst of inspiration. “Vairal Madnez,” the most collaborative track, critiques digital obsession, fake news, and biological warfare, and stands out as a favorite to perform. “Aztral Configureited” shifts the tone to cosmic reflection, imagining planetary alignment as life on Earth fades and a new cycle begins. The album closes with “Ameba Emenens,” a fully acoustic and introspective finale, where a lone ameba survives the apocalypse to restart life, offering a hopeful end to a dark and prophetic musical odyssey.
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  ​"Quadragenta at Finem Mundi" is more than an album; it’s a statement. A sonic warning. A cathartic release. And above all, a testament to the enduring power of three musicians who’ve spent nearly 25 years crafting their sound and pushing their limits.

  Available November 7, 2025, on all major platforms, the album is recommended for fans of Liquid Tension, Rush, Megadeth, King Crimson, Night Verses, and Animals as Leaders.

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/album/7i6N3YPymMG6Bk6SAwrhPb​

  Digital Download - https://www.portaldisc.com/contenido/disco-engrupid-pipol-quadragenta-at-finem-mundi​

  Track Listing:
  ​1. Tripel Ultimatum - 5:48
  2. Voragine - 6:53
  3. Animal Inteligenz - 7:34
  4. Inspireichon Burn
  5. Vairal Madness 5:01
  6. Aztral Configureited 8:24
  7. Ameba Emenens 4.20
  Album Length 45:20

  For more info: Engrupidpipol.cl | Instagram.com/engrupid_pipol | Facebook.com/engrupid​

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• THE JUDGE THE JUROR Unleashes Genre-Bending PsyDeathTechProg EP “Primitive Minds” + Video “Your Vice is a Locked Door”

  Nov 7, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Western Canada’s most electrifying metal experimenters, The Judge The Juror, have officially dropped their new EP, "Primitive Minds", out today, November 7th, 2025. Alongside the release, the band has unveiled a crushing new music video for the opening track “Your Vice is a Locked Door”, offering fans a visual descent into their self-coined genre: PSYDEATHTECHPROG, a fusion of psychedelic, progressive, technical death metal that defies categorization and redefines sonic boundaries. The band invented the term PSYDEATHTECHPROG as both a descriptor and a tongue-in-cheek jab at metal’s obsession with micro-genres.

  
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  ​"Primitive Minds" explores the paradox of modern humanity: how our ancient instincts clash with the hyper-digital world we inhabit. The EP’s three tracks, “Your Vice is a Locked Door,” “Helciconian Optivisior,” and “HYPERCUBE (Unfolding),” each dissect a different facet of this existential tension, from algorithmic manipulation to emotional fragmentation.
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  ​“Your Vice is a Locked Door” delivers a punishing critique of social media’s commodification of identity. “Helciconian Optivisior” offers a mesmerizing sonic assault, reflecting the struggle to connect beyond distorted lenses, while “HYPERCUBE (Unfolding)” ventures into cosmic tech-death territory, exploring internal battles and societal exploitation.
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  The EP artwork, created by guitarist Scotty Oakes, is a painted psychedelic interpretation of the human mind, visually complementing the band’s cerebral themes.
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  Formed in Edmonton, AB by members of local acts Vespertine Battle Scene and Driven to Exile, The Judge The Juror consists of David (vocals/synth), Blaise (guitar), Scotty (guitar), Merrick (bass), and Nick (drums). Their collaborative writing process blends brutal riffage, experimental synths, and progressive structures into a sound that’s as weird as it is exhilarating.
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  Fans can expect two more EPs, "Medieval Institutions" (Early 2026) and "Godlike Technologies" (Mid-2026), completing the trilogy that chronicles the downfall of the human condition.
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  Influenced by genre giants like Meshuggah, Cynic, Between the Buried and Me, and VOLA, the band has carved out a niche for fans of Born of Osiris, The Browning, and Enter Shikari.

  "Primitive Minds" is available now on all major platforms - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thejudgethejuror/primitive-minds​

  In additional news, The Judge The Juror will be unveiling "Primitive Minds" and more at their local EP Release show in Edmonton, AB on November 7th at Bunkers Live Pub (615 Hermitage RD NW) alongside Shackled To The Throne, Valley Of Despair, and Decrepitation. Event Info - https://www.facebook.com/events/1183563156934083/

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  Track Listing:​
  1. Your Vice is a Locked Door - (4:36)
  2. Heliconian Optivisor - (3:40)
  3. HYPERCUBE (Unfolding) - (2:59)

  More info: https://linktr.ee/thejudgethejurorofficial​

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