Search Results: progressive

• ANCIENT THRONES' New Concept Album "Melancholia" Plunges Listeners Into A Surreal Narrative

  Sep 18, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Ancient Thrones, the Canadian progressive blackened death metal force known for their visceral storytelling and relentless sonic assault, is set to officially release their long-awaited sophomore album, "Melancholia," on September 19th (Vinyl and Digital), and can be heard in full before its unleashed via its album stream premiere on Decibel Magazine HERE.
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  Described by the band as “the sound of existential exhaustion,” "Melancholia" is a 42-minute concept album that plunges listeners into a surreal narrative: a colourblind protagonist takes hallucinogens in a desperate attempt to see colour, only to spiral into a kaleidoscopic nightmare. From the explosive opening of “A Moon Fused Key” to the haunting decay of “Vacant,” the album is a relentless barrage of speed, aggression, and cinematic atmosphere.
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  ​“This is truly an unapologetic extreme metal concept album. It’s a bad trip you can’t escape, jagged, abstract, and emotionally devastating,” says the band.

  
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  Formed in 2011 and rebranded in 2018, Ancient Thrones has evolved into a fully realized extreme metal entity, thanks in part to the addition of multi-band virtuoso Dylan Wallace. The writing process began in early 2020, just as the world was descending into pandemic-induced uncertainty. Rather than reflect the global crisis directly, the band channeled their energy into crafting a deeply personal and psychologically intense record.
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  ​“We’re proud to share this album with our fans, old and new. We hope it moves you in unnatural ways. Enjoy the trip while it lasts,” adds the band.

  
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  ​"Melancholia" is not just an album; it’s an immersive experience. The band’s signature blend of fast, extreme, progressive, cinematic, and existential metal is on full display, with every track contributing to the overarching narrative. Lyrically, the album explores themes of trauma, hallucination, and the dangers of idealism, all inspired by real-life experiences and a harrowing psychedelic episode.
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  Drawing inspiration from bands like The Red Chord, The Faceless, Archspire, and Deafheaven, Ancient Thrones pushes the boundaries of extreme music. Their sound is rooted in black metal, 2000s death metal, and modern tech death, but their cinematic approach and lyrical depth set them apart.

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  With "Melancholia" out on September 19, 2025, the band is already writing new material for the follow-up. Fans can expect more crushing, emotionally charged music in the near future.​
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  ​Album pre-order (Vinyl, Digital) - https://ancientthrones.bandcamp.com​

  Track Listing:​
  1. A Moon Fused Key (5:12)
  2. Achromatopsia (1:19)
  3. Melancholia (6:17)
  4. A Turning Point (5:46)
  5. A Pellucid Prism (4:26)
  6. Sacred Swollen Glass (6:16)
  7. Blight (2:18)
  8. A Pale Palace (4:55)
  9. Vacant (5:31)
  Album Length: 42:00

  Band Lineup:​
  Dylan Wallace - Guitar
  Nick Leslie - Guitar
  Matt LeBlanc - Bass
  Sean Hickey - Drums & Vocals

  More info: Facebook.com/Ancientthrones | Instagram.com/ancientthrones

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• Prog Collective LUNAR Reimagines Marilyn Manson with Progressive Metal Cover "Mechanical Animals"

  Sep 11, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Progressive metal collective LUNAR returns with a powerful new standalone single, “Mechanical Animals,” a bold reinterpretation of the iconic Marilyn Manson track. Following the critical acclaim of their 2025 concept album "Tempora Mutantur," LUNAR continues to evolve, this time stepping into the world of covers for the first time in their career.
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  ​“We’re really excited to release our new single ‘Mechanical Animals'. This is a cover of an old Marilyn Manson song that we’ve been wanting to do for quite some time now. I’ve listened to this song many times over the years, and there were certain parts that I always thought, ‘ooh, that would be cool to do there.’ Having these different ideas in my head to make it a bit more proggy, I figured it was a perfect track for LUNAR to cover. It’s also the first recorded LUNAR track with our new guitarists, Jordan Price and Jason Ashcraft, on it. We hope you all enjoy it!” shares drummer and founding member Alex Bosson.
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  ​“Mechanical Animals” bridges the gap between "Tempora Mutantur" and the band’s forthcoming fifth album, offering fans a taste of LUNAR’s evolving sonic palette. The track blends the haunting industrial tones of Marilyn Manson's original with LUNAR’s signature progressive flair, layered instrumentation, dynamic vocal interplay, and atmospheric depth. This release also marks the debut of new guitarists Jordan Price and Jason Ashcraft, whose contributions bring fresh energy and complexity to the band’s sound.

  With “Mechanical Animals,” LUNAR not only pays homage to a formative influence but also showcases their ability to transform familiar material into something uniquely their own. The single will be available now on all major streaming platforms on September 12, 2025.

  Listen to “Mechanical Animals” via its premiere on Metal Addicts HERE.

  Digital pre-save - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/lunar231/mechanical-animals​

  LUNAR was formed in 2013 by Bosson and the late Ryan Erwin and has grown from a studio passion project into a full-fledged progressive force, with a lineup now featuring Jason Ashcraft (Rhythm Guitar), Alex Bosson (Drums), Brian Lewis (Growl Vocals), Chandler Mogel (Lead Vocals), Jordan Price (Lead Guitar), Ryan Price (Bass), and Anthony Stahl (Keyboards).
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  Making their live debut at the 2025 Hyperspace Metal Festival in Vancouver, they are already booking festival appearances for 2026 to be revealed at a later date.

  LINEUP:
  RHYTHM GUITAR: Jason Ashcraft
  DRUMS: Alex Bosson
  GROWL VOCALS: Brian Lewis
  LEAD VOCALS: Chandler Mogel
  LEAD GUITAR: Jordan Price
  BASS: Ryan Price
  KEYBOARDS: Anthony Stahl

  For more info: Facebook.com/lunarbandofficial | Instagram.com/lunarbandofficial | X.com/LunarBandOffcl

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• Chilean Prog ENGRUPID PIPOL Unleashes Music Video “Tripel Ultimatum” Off New Apocalyptic Concept Album "Quadragenta At Finem Mundi" Out Nov 2025

  Sep 8, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Chilean progressive metal power trio Engrupid Pipol has released their explosive new single “Tripel Ultimatum,” the opening act of their upcoming conceptual album "Quadragenta At Finem Mundi", arriving November 7, 2025. Accompanied by a cinematic music video, the track sets the tone for a dark, prophetic journey through the collapse of civilization.

  “Tripel Ultimatum” is a high-octane burst of groove and adrenaline, described by guitarist Kaztrol as “a banger to kick off the album, full of heavy riffs and melodies that stick in your head, especially when you’re driving at high speed.”

  The music video, inspired by Mad Max, features the band as masked survivors of a nuclear disaster, performing one last time before scattering into the wasteland. The single’s artwork comes directly from the video shoot.

  “We’re some of the last humans alive in a desolate world. I designed a mask for each member to reflect our personalities, and we each created our own wardrobe, very Mad Max-inspired,” explains Kaztrol.

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/engrupidpipol/tripel-ultimatum​

  "Quadragenta At Finem Mundi" is Engrupid Pipol’s most ambitious work to date, a seven-act instrumental prog-metal album that metaphorically chronicles the downfall of humanity. With themes ranging from nuclear catastrophe and AI overreach to narcissism and societal collapse, the album offers a gripping sonic prophecy. Each track is a symptom, a warning, delivered by the trio’s explosive riffs and intricate compositions. “Voragine” captures the whirlwind of consumerism and chaos. “Animal Inteligenz” offers a sarcastic reflection on AI as a new god, questioning whether it will be benevolent or sadistic. “Inspireichon Burn” tells the story of thermonuclear war driven by greed, while “Vairal Madnez” critiques the viral madness of social media, fake news, and digital surveillance. “Aztral Configureited” imagines cosmic alignment as the final apocalypse, and “Ameba Emenens,” a fully acoustic track, closes the album with a note of introspective hope, life beginning anew from a single surviving Amoeba.

  “We want listeners to disconnect and let the music carry them to an altered level of consciousness. It’s a journey through soundscapes that reflect the chaos of our times,” says drummer Nacho García.

  Founded in Santiago, Chile, in October 2000, Engrupid Pipol began as SíFiLiS, releasing two experimental albums: SiFiLiSaCioN (2005) and Paranoia en Paragua (2009). Known for accelerated riffs and abrupt time changes, the band evolved into a more mature and cohesive unit, rebranding as Engrupid Pipol in 2009. Their sound is groovy, powerful, and melodically rich, which has earned them critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase. Their discography includes Essenchial Engrupid Element (2016), praised for its originality and technical prowess, and Engrupid Divais (2022), which earned a nomination for Best Metal Artist at the 2023 Pulsar Awards.

  Their song titles are often written in deliberately misspelled Spanglish, including the band’s name itself. “Engrupid” comes from the Chilean verb engrupir—to charm or deceive.

  “If you’re an engrupid person. You believe in yourself and your art no matter what anyone says,” comments Kaztrol.

  The new album "Quadragenta At Finem Mundi" was made possible thanks to a grant from the Chilean Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Heritage, awarded in February 2025.

  Album 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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• PHAETON Unveils First Single "Tethys Rising" From Third Album "Neurogenesis" Out Oct 2025

  Sep 3, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian instrumental progressive metal quartet Phaeton returns with their third full-length album, "Neurogenesis", out on October 24th, 2025, via INB Music, along with it being made available on vinyl at a later date this year. The record is a tightly wound, interstellar journey through melody, muscle, and mind-expanding musicality. With no vocals, no limits, Phaeton lets their instruments do the talking, creating emotional landscapes without a single lyric.

  The album’s title refers to the birth of new neural pathways, fitting for a band that thrives on cerebral complexity and visceral impact. "Neurogenesis" builds on the foundation laid by their previous releases, "Self-Titled" (2018) and "Between Two Worlds" (2023), but sharpens the focus with more concise compositions that never sacrifice imagination. Each track is a self-contained universe, yet together they form a cohesive anthology of sonic exploration. Fans will also be delighted to hear that keyboard wizard Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Planet X, Sons of Apollo) guests on the track "Isochron".​
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  The album artwork, created by Calgary visual artist Matt Semenok, features a suspended human brain infused with bioelectricity and cybernetic implants, a chilling nod to the accelerating march of technology and the psychological lag it leaves behind. Think H.R. Giger meets Bill Sienkiewicz in a dystopian dreamscape.

  Today, the band unveils the first single, “Tethys Rising,” which was written by bassist Ferdy Belland. It is a triumphant, high-energy track inspired by the astronomy art of Chesley Bonestell and Belland’s own dream of setting foot on Saturn’s moon.

  The band comments:

  "This was the first complete song that Ferdy wrote for us. He’s big into astronomy, and he loves the retro sci-fi art of Chesley Bonestell, who illustrated this classic image of Saturn as viewed from the surface of its moon Tethys. So he comes up right out of the blue with this tune with all these busier-than-hell riffs. He was nervous at first about submitting his own stuff, since he wanted what he presented to us to be as strong as the songs Kevin and Daniel normally write, but we were encouraging, and “Tethys Rising” certainly matches up in power and quality to anything we’ve written. Ferdy wants to be the first human astronaut on Tethys, for real, but in the meantime, he can celebrate it in song."

  Watch and listen to “Tethys Rising” via its premiere on TheProgSpace HERE.

  Formed from a fusion of four seasoned musicians, Colin Righton, Daniel Airth, Kevin Thiessen, and Ferdy Belland, Phaeton was born from a hunch and a history. Righton had played with each member in separate bands and sensed that combining their talents would spark something extraordinary. Nearly a decade later, that spark has become a supernova.

  From Devin Townsend and Rush to Meshuggah and Gojira, Phaeton blends prog, tech-death, thrash, and djent into a kaleidoscope of sound.
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  Beyond "Neurogenesis", fans can look forward to the 22-minute epic “Clouds of Mercury” slated for release as a standalone EP in 2026, and the band’s fourth album “Quartum” expected in 2027. With new material already brewing, Phaeton shows no signs of slowing its cosmic ascent.

  "Neurogenesis" - album pre-order (out Oct 24th) - https://phaetonband.bandcamp.com/

  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5F6RHipUtHpTXxrlABsHth​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Tethys Rising (6:25)
  2. Discontinuum (6:37)
  3. Isochron (4:12) ft. Derek Sherinian
  4. Synethesia (6:24)
  5. Arachnid (4:48)
  6. Augmented (4:37)
  7. Neurogenesis (6:16)
  Album Length: 39:19

  Band Lineup:​
  - Colin Righton: Drums & Percussion
  - Daniel Airth: Lead & Rhythm Guitars
  - Kevin Thiessen: Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Keyboards
  - Ferdy Belland: Electric Bass

  For more info: https://linktr.ee/phaetonofficial​

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• Fusing Brazilian Soul and Heavy Metal Guitar Virtuoso GLAUBER OLIVEIRA (Caravellus, Dark Avenger) Unveils Debut Solo Single “LORE”

  Aug 29, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Renowned Brazilian guitarist and producer Glauber Oliveira steps into the spotlight with the release of his long-awaited solo instrumental single, "LORE," available worldwide on August 29th, 2025. Known for his groundbreaking work with progressive metal bands Caravellus and Dark Avenger, Oliveira now channels decades of musical exploration into a bold new chapter, one that blends the ancestral rhythms of Brazil with the intensity and precision of modern metal.

  
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  ​"LORE" is more than a song; it’s a statement. Drawing from the Maracatu rhythm of northeastern Brazil, Oliveira crafts a track that pulses with melodic complexity, emotional depth, and technical brilliance. The single’s artwork, featuring a raven with glowing red eyes emerging from a twilight blaze, mirrors the music’s mystical and introspective tone, a union of ancient wisdom and contemporary fire.
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  ​“This is a chance to bring what I carry in my soul to life. LORE is a song with beautiful melodies and a lot of feeling, combined with technique. It’s the beginning of a journey I’ve dreamed of for years,” says Oliveira.
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  Breaking from traditional album release formats, Oliveira is launching his solo career with a unique audiovisual strategy: one single every six months, each paired with an official music video, playthroughs, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive merchandise. This immersive approach reflects his deep commitment to craft and connection.

  With international releases under his belt and a reputation for musical excellence, Oliveira’s solo work marks a return to his roots and a leap forward. Influenced by legends like Kiko Loureiro, John Petrucci, and Steve Vai, Oliveira’s music defies genre boundaries while remaining deeply personal. His sound can be described in six words as “Brazilian essence, Heaviness, Virtuosity, Technique, Feeling, Melody”, which is a reflection of this dual heritage.
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  ​"LORE" is available on all major streaming platforms starting August 29th, 2025, and can be found at the following link: https://found.ee/GlauberOliveiraLORE​

   

  More info: https://www.glauberoliveira.net/

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