Search Results: record

• AITTALA Unveils Second EP of 2025 "Ill-Gotten Gains" + Welcome New Bassist Dane Taylor

  Nov 21, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Metal visionaries AITTALA (pronounced EYE-tah-la) are returning with their second EP of 2025 via Exitus Stratagem Records, "Ill-Gotten Gains," along with introducing their newest member, bassist Dane Taylor, marking a bold new chapter in the band’s evolution.

  True to their reputation for defying genre boundaries, AITTALA weave together threads of traditional heavy metal, doom, groove, and progressive elements to create a cohesive yet unpredictable sonic journey. Lyrically, "Ill-Gotten Gains" explores the darker corners of human ambition, chaos created for personal gain, the inevitable consequences, and the fragile hope of redemption.

  The EP opens with “Isolation,” a doomy, heavy piece that confronts the fallout of past decisions, setting a dark and reflective tone. The title track, “Ill-Gotten Gains,” follows with a riff-driven intensity that shifts into a crushing interlude, lyrically exploring the exploitation of chaos for personal benefit. “Blacklisted” brings groove and sludge to the forefront, exposing manipulators and serving as a counterpoint to the themes of the earlier songs. The mood softens with “Ever After,” a modern metal ballad that wrestles with internal conflict and the elusive promise of redemption. Closing the EP, “Ashes” channels classic heavy metal energy, telling the story of someone in over their head, dragging others down in their descent.
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  The EP’s artwork resurrects AITTALA’s infamous mascot Frank, a cartoon pig head in a pentagram, first conceived in 2014 for the album "Effigy". This updated interpretation of Frank embodies the record’s central theme: the shady figure who thrives in chaos, ready to deliver “ill-gotten gains” for the right price. It’s a fitting visual for a release steeped in stories of exploitation, downfall, and the elusive search for redemption.
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  With the addition of bassist Dane Taylor, AITTALA’s lineup now features founding member Eric Aittala (guitars/vocals) and drummer Gary “Zeus” Smith (THE FIFTH, ex-MR BLACKWELL). Taylor’s arrival injects fresh energy into the band’s dynamic, reinforcing their commitment to pushing boundaries while staying true to their unique sound.

  Formed in 1991 in the Netherlands, AITTALA quickly became a fixture of the Dutch metal scene, sharing stages with The Gathering and Sadist before disbanding in 1993. Resurrected in 2008, the band has since released six full-length albums and multiple EPs, each showcasing growth while retaining their distinctive voice. With "Ill-Gotten Gains," AITTALA continues their journey of evolution, proving once again that their sound is impossible to confine to a single genre.

  EP pre-save (out Nov 21) via Exitus Stratagem Records - https://hypeddit.com/aittala/illgottengains​​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Isolation - 4:22
  2. Ill Gotten Gains - 4:20
  3. Black Listed - 3:35
  4. Ever After - 4:29
  5. Ashes - 3:50
  EP Length: 20:37

  For more info: Exsrmusic.com | Aittala.com | Facebook.com/aittalamusic | Instagram.com/aittalamusic

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• THE RETICENT Confronts Mental Health with New Video "The Scorn" Off Upcoming Album "please" Out Nov 2025

  Oct 23, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Progressive metal act The Reticent has unveiled the lyric video for “The Scorn (Those Who Don’t Understand),” the latest single from their upcoming album "please," due out on Generation Prog Records on November 13th. Known for their emotionally intense concept albums, The Reticent continues their tradition of soul-baring storytelling with "please," a harrowing journey through the many battlefields of mental illness.
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  ​“The Scorn (Those Who Don’t Understand)” takes on the voice of those who dismiss mental health struggles, echoing phrases like “just get over it” and “it’s all in your head.” Musically, the track leans into groove-oriented rhythms and major chords to reflect the detached worldview of those who don’t understand. The addition of exotic instrumentation like the oud and hand percussion further separates the song from the rest of the album’s sonic palette.
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  But "please" is more than just an album; it’s a survival mechanism. Written in just six months, the album was recorded under extreme conditions. Drums for "please" and its follow-up were tracked in a single day, while guitars, bass, and keys were completed in two. The vocals, however, took two grueling weeks, during which founder Chris Hathcock injured his larynx so severely that doctors feared permanent damage. Hathcock was forced into six weeks of total silence, even teaching his classes entirely nonverbally. Thankfully, he recovered, mostly.
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  The pain didn’t stop there. While filming the video for “The Concealment,” Hathcock broke two toes, sprained three others, and partially tore his rotator cuff during a scene that required him to violently destroy a room. Just six days later, he performed at ProgStorm Festival in Montreal with those injuries, doubled over in pain by the end of the set. Fans, immersed in the emotional intensity of the performance, had no idea.
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  "please" is the first album by The Reticent to be almost entirely engineered by Chris Hathcock himself. While drums were tracked at The Basement Studios with longtime producer Jamie King (Between The Buried And Me, The Contortionist), all other elements were recorded at Hathcock’s Silent Muse Studio. The album was also mixed and mastered by King, adding his signature polish to the final product. The isolation of self-recording introduced an additional layer of emotional strain, especially during the vocal sessions.
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  Lyrically, the album is rich with references to the work of clinical psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison. Lines like “Night falls fast…” in “The Concealment” and “an unquiet mind” in “The Night River” nod to Jamison’s seminal works on suicide and bipolar disorder. Her voice even appears in samples throughout “Discharge.”
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  Musically, "please" marks a return to 6-string guitars, a first since 2016’s "On The Eve Of A Goodbye," except for “The Bed of Wasps.” The five-year gap between "please" and 2020’s "The Oubliette" is the longest in the band’s history, a reflection of the emotional toll and life events that shaped its creation.
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  ​The Reticent, led by Grammy-nominated music educator Chris Hathcock, has built a reputation for devastatingly autobiographical concept albums. Joined by James Nelson (Nospūn) and Paul McBride (Voraath), the band delivers performances that blur the line between metal show and performance art. Their appearance at ProgPower USA was hailed by Metal Injection as “one of the most heart-wrenching performances in ProgPower history.”​
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  In addition to their recent performance at ProgStorm Festival in Montreal this past summer, The Reticent is slated to appear at the 2026 editions of ProgPower USA in September and ProgPower Europe in October, marking another major milestone for the band’s growing international presence.
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  The lyric video for “The Scorn (Those Who Don’t Understand)” is now available on YouTube and streaming platforms.

  Fans of Opeth, Cynic, The Contortionist, Wilderun, and Devin Townsend will find much to resonate with in "please," which arrives November 13, 2025, via Generation Prog Records. A follow-up album is already underway, shaped by the profound loss of Chris Hathcock’s father during the creation of "please."

  CD pre-order (North America) - https://thereticent.net/please-pre-order

  CD pre-order (EU) - http://www.generation-prog.com/shop/

  Digital Album pre-save - https://show.co/MoPdl8W

  Track Listing:​
  1. Intake – 1:45
  2. The Concealment (Those Who Don’t Want To Wake) – 6:06
  3. The Night River (Those Who Can’t Rest) – 6:55
  4. Diagnosis 1 – 2:18
  5. The Bed of Wasps (Those Consumed With Panic) – 5:47
  6. The Scorn (Those Who Don’t Understand) – 8:12
  7. Diagnosis 2 – 2:39
  8. The Riptide (Those Without Hope) – 6:09
  9. The Chance (Those Who Let Go) – 6:52
  10. Discharge – 2:56
  Album Length: 49:45

  For more info: Thereticent.net | Facebook.com/thereticentmusic | Instagram.com/The.reticent.band

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• “Poems By a Poltergeist” Materializes as Juliet Ruin’s Most Haunted Creation Yet

  Sep 25, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian modern metal band Juliet Ruin returns with their most vulnerable and sonically ambitious release to date: the five-track EP "Regime," their fourth studio offering, available this October 24th, 2025. Leading the charge is the haunting first single “Poems By a Poltergeist,” accompanied by a gripping lyric video (created by vocalist Jess Felming) that dives deep into themes of depersonalization, mental health, and emotional isolation.
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  ​“This song came straight from the pages of Jess’ journal. It’s about feeling like a ghost in your own life, angry, disconnected, and searching for meaning,” the band shares.
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  Formed in 2015, Edmonton, AB's Juliet Ruin has evolved into a genre-fluid powerhouse known for its chunky, groovy, pretty, powerful, and catchy sound. With influences ranging from Spiritbox and Jinjer to Alexisonfire, the band blends metalcore, pop, and progressive elements into a style that’s both emotionally raw and technically sharp.
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  "Regime" is a sonic double-edged sword, balancing pop-infused vulnerability with bone-crushing breakdowns and the heaviest subject matter the band has ever tackled. From the introspective "Chrysalis" to the socially charged title track "Regime," each song is a collaborative effort shaped by personal experience and collective passion.
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  ​“We wanted this EP to feel empowering but also understanding,” says vocalist Jess, whose scream vocals, honed during the COVID lockdown through YouTube tutorials and lucid dreaming, now anchor the band’s evolving sound.
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  The album artwork, created by longtime collaborator Feen Murray, uses abstract imagery of skulls and hearts to reflect the tension between emotionality and overthinking, a visual metaphor for the EP’s lyrical core.

  "Regime" is more than just a record. It’s a statement. A safe space. A scream in the silence. And with “Poems By a Poltergeist,” Juliet Ruin invites listeners to confront their shadows and find strength in the echo.

  Add Single to your Spotify playlist (Sept 26th) - https://open.spotify.com/artist/54QrxuOJkvabZgah6SA4qv​
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  EP pre-order (out Oct 24th) - https://julietruin.bandcamp.com/​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Reactance Theory (4:03)
  2. Chrysalis (4:01)
  3. Poems By a Poltergeist (3:02)
  4. The Art of Being Wise (4:09)
  5. Regime (5:02)
  EP Length: 20:18​

  More info:

  ​https://www.facebook.com/julietruinband​

  ​https://www.instagram.com/julietruin

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• 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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• 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/​

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

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