Search Results: rock

• DOLL Returns From The Dead with Single Cover “Smoke on The Water” and New EP “Better Days, Different Times” Out July 2025

  Jun 11, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  After a lengthy hiatus, Canadian alternative rock band Doll announces their return with “Better Days, Different Times”, a new EP set for release on July 18th, 2025. The announcement comes alongside the premiere of their first single, a unique take on Deep Purple's “Smoke on the Water”, marking the band's first new material in over a decade. They comment on the single:

  “After seeing all the fires and the destruction that happened in 2024, there was this need to bring forward our version of the song. We updated the lyrics to match how the disasters have made us feel, and musically, we have always wanted to try a more doom-inspired vibe, and this song let us express ourselves in a raw and emotional way.”

  The Ottawa-based quartet, known for their gritty, unfiltered indie sound, last released “The Ragdoll Diaries” in 2011, following their 2009 debut “Inside The Dollhouse”. Their return represents a significant evolution in both sound and approach, incorporating new collaborators and instruments while maintaining the raw, honest edge that has defined Doll since their inception.

  The new material showcases a more mature sound while retaining the band's signature intensity. Core songwriting duo Christina and Pete have expanded their creative process, bringing in local Ottawa musicians and even a cellist to add depth and new textures to their established sound. Doll is recommended for fans of Nobro, SoftCult, Amyl and the Sniffers, and The Pretty Reckless.

  Watch and listen to the music video for Doll's cover of Deep Purple's “Smoke on the Water” below.

  ​

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3FPB3oZ​

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

  Track Listing:​
  1. Bleeding - 4:32
  2. Shark Bait - 3:07
  3. Smoke on the Water - 4:26
  4. Scene Dream - 4:28
  5. Ends Like This - 3:24
  6. Goodbye - 3:27
  Album Length: 23:29

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

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• NASTYVILLE's New Album "Rebirth"

  Jun 6, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  After months of building anticipation through the release of the singles "Power To The People" and "Rocking Through The Night", Italian hard rockers Nastyville are ready to officially turn the page with the launch of their brand-new studio album: “Rebirth”, out today, June 6th, 2025 via Rockshots Records.

  The album marks a true turning point for the band. Introduced to fans as more than just a title, "Rebirth" represents a conscious relaunch—a bold affirmation of identity, cohesion, and creative maturity. It's the first full-length work featuring Nastyville's current line-up, which has already proven its strength and chemistry both in the studio and on stage.

  The journey began earlier this year with the release of "Power To The People", a high-energy anthem calling for unity and rebellion, followed by "Rocking Through The Night",  a fiery hard rock track that reaffirmed the band’s signature attitude. Both songs showcased a refreshed and unmistakably confident version of Nastyville, backed by compelling music videos that further amplified the band’s aesthetic and vision.

  Recorded at Ivorytears Music Works Recording Studio (Somma Lombardo, VA), the entire album was produced by the band and mixed and engineered by Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline, Revolution Saints, Edge of Forever, Giant). Sonically, "Rebirth" blends classic sleaze and glam roots with a gritty, modern edge—offering massive riffs, punchy rhythms and powerful, sing-along choruses that reflect the band’s evolution without losing their raw rock’n’roll soul.

  Thematically, "Rebirth" dives deep into both personal and collective experience, channeling the highs&lows and ironies of life through a mix of introspective lyrics and no-holds-barred rock energy. Each track unveils a different layer of the band’s identity—ranging from emotional storytelling to tongue-in-cheek hard rock excess.

  “This album is more than just new music—it’s the sound of us reclaiming who we are,” the band states. “Rebirth captures everything we’ve been through in recent years and turns it into raw energy, melody, and attitude. We gave it all, and we can’t wait for people to feel it.”

  Since their formation in 2012, Nastyville have shared the stage with icons such as Skid Row, Crashdïet, Enuff Z’Nuff, Steel Panther, The Dead Daisies and more. Known for their powerful live presence and straight-to-the-point attitude, the band now brings that same intensity into the studio with "Rebirth"—a record that encapsulates who they are today and where they're headed next.

  For fans of: Skid Row, Crashdïet, Hardcore Superstar, Steel Panther, The Dead Daisies.

  LISTEN / ORDER - https://lnk.to/Q6dITNj4

  More info: https://www.rockshots.eu | https://www.instagram.com/nastyvilleofficial | https://www.facebook.com/nastyvilleofficial

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• WOODHAWK Returns with Emotionally Charged Third Album “Love Finds a Way”

  Jun 5, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  L to R: Kevin Nelson (Drums), Turner Midzain (Vocals/ Guitar), Mike Badmington (Bass/ Vocals)

  Portrait by Mark Kowalchuk

  Five years since their last full-length release, Calgary stoner groove rock trio Woodhawk unveils their most ambitious and personal work yet with “Love Finds a Way” available as of June 6th across all platforms. The album marks a significant milestone for the band, Turner Midzain (guitar/vocals), Mike Badmington (bass), and Kevin Nelson (drums), representing their longest creative process to date and showcasing a more mature, introspective approach to their signature sound.

  “This is the longest it's taken to put out an album for us, and I think that shows”, reflects Midzain. "We really took our time and did it on our terms. I think you get some really riff-rocking songs, but also a lot of hardship and honesty in them. We poured our heart and soul into this one. It really is a journey of getting out of the darkness and into the light. Check in with your friends and loved ones. Hug the ones you love. Be nicer to each other. Love will always prevail and be stronger than anything else. After 10 years of being a band, I feel like we are still just getting started!”

  “Love Finds a Way” demonstrates Woodhawk's evolution from their early stoner rock roots into something more emotionally complex while maintaining the infectious grooves and memorable hooks that have defined their sound. The album brings ‘a bit more of the riff back’ while diving deep into lyrical content that explores the personal struggles the band has faced over recent years.

  True to their philosophy that the album should be an experience from start to finish, Woodhawk has crafted “Love Finds a Way” as a cohesive journey with carefully considered dynamics, balancing soft and heavy, slow and fast moments throughout.

  The album features contributions from longtime collaborator Jesse Gander on synth, maintaining the band's commitment to their established sonic palette while exploring new emotional territories. It is recommended for fans of The Sword, Red Fang, and Thin Lizzy.

  Listen to the album's full stream premiere via Doomed & Stoned HERE.

  Album pre-order (out June 6th): https://woodhawk.bandcamp.com​

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3RQO83S​

  In aditional news, Woodhawk will be announcing at a later time, upcoming tour dates for August and October and will be performing two album releases show in Edmonotn (June 14) and Calgary (June 13) plsu day three of this year's LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR FESTIVAL on August 3rd in Drumheller, AB alongside Revocation, Cyborg Octopus, Beguiler, Thirteen Goats, Famous Strangers, and more! Full details on LAH can be found at www.loudashell.ca.

  Show Dates:​
  June 13 - Edmonton, AB - The Buckingham (Album Release Show) - info​
  June 14 - Calgary, AB - The Palomino (Album Release Show) - info​
  Aug 3 - Drumheller, AB - Loud As Hell Open Air

  Track Listing:​
  1. Grave Shaker – 4:41
  2. Strangers Ever After – 4:24
  3. Truth Be Told – 7:21
  4. White Crosses – 6:10
  5. The Unholy Hand – 5:21
  6. No Place For Hate – 5:18
  7. Love Finds a Way – 6:16
  8. Relapser – 4:52
  9. Killing Time – 8:37

  Woodhawk is:
  Turner Midzain – Guitar & Vocals
  Mike Badmington – Bass & Vocals
  Kevin Nelson - Drums

  More info:​
  ​https://www.woodhawkriffs.com​
  ​https://www.instagram.com/woodhawkriffs​
  ​https://www.facebook.com/woodhawkriffs

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• FAMOUS STRANGERS' New Single "L.S.C." Digs Deep Into Power, Obsession, and Emotional Survival + Festival Dates - Decimate Metal Fest, Armstrong MetalFest, Loud As Hell Open Air

  Jun 3, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  L-R - Jeff Kittlitz (Guitar, Vocals) | Braden Sustrik (Bass) | Brian “Beej” Jolly (Drums) | Amanda Keirnan (Lead Vocals, Lyrics)

  Edmonton, Canada's Famous Strangers, is proud to unveil their fourth single entitled "L.S.C." as they gear up for perfmances at this year's festival appearances at Decimate Metalfest (Millet, AB - June 13-14), Armstrong Metal Fest (Armstrong, BC - July 11-12) and Loud As Hell Open Air (Drumheller, AB - Aug 1-3) along with upcoming tour dates to be announced.

  "L.S.C.." is meant to take you on a ride. It starts soft, like it is letting you in slowly, and then it flips the switch. The heaviness hits out of nowhere. It grabs you, shakes you, and then drags you through the rest of the track without letting go. It eases you in, then completely takes over, and by the time it is done, it feels like it has drained the life out of you in the best way.

  "LSC is one of the most intense and personal songs we’ve released. It digs deep into power, obsession, and emotional survival, all wrapped in a sound that’s meant to hit you hard and stay with you. It is heavy, emotional, and completely unhinged in the best way. Come get some," adds guitarist Jeff Kittilitz.

  Famous Strangers wants fans' listening experience to be unpredictable, emotional, and honest. This single, and everything they have been working on, doesn’t stick to one lane. They jump from the heaviest riffs they can come up with to slow, bluesy, chilled-out moments. It’s all over the place, and they know not everyone is going to be into that…and that’s okay.

  What they hope is that it opens people up a little, even if it’s not what they usually listen to. There’s so much music out there that people miss out on because they’re stuck in one genre or one mindset. Famous Strangers are trying to break through that and just write what feels real, no matter what it sounds like. They are about being fearless in their songwriting. Put everything on the table, be yourself, and don’t hold back. That’s the energy they’re trying to give people when they press play.

  Famous Strangers has had a healthy and steady evolution. Since their earlier singles in 2024, Famous Strangers have started to lock in with each other creatively and naturally found a sound that they can all stand behind. It flows and feels more cohesive, and everyone in the band feeds off each other in a way that keeps pushing the songs to a new level.

  Listen to "L.S.C." at the following links:

  ​Spotify - https://spoti.fi/4kNbe7F

  [embed]https://open.spotify.com/album/39G3IRfkkPcQDYSPnFAUPh?si=ZFoBN8nnQUSt9JencN7NSg[/embed]

  Previous Singles:

  Music Video - I'll See You In The Stars" - https://youtu.be/OtdfaMp4Hec​

  George - https://youtu.be/fz85ChqELO4​

  Deepstar - https://youtu.be/00jujvck9sM​

  More info:

  ​Famousstrangersband.com

  ​Facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559110131774

  ​Instagram.com/famousstrangersband

  ​Tiktok.com/@famousstrangersband

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• Z-COCOON Unveils "Dr. Crane" Off New EP "Angels" Out June 2025

  May 30, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Montreal, Canada's Z-Cocoon announces the release of their new EP "Angels" out on June 6th, 2025, via Earache Digital Distro. This third EP is the first full band release from Z-Cocoon, which was founded by Marc Zolla as a solo endeavour in 2017 under the previous moniker Pink Cocoon. Now a power trio with Michel Paradis (Drums) and John Burton (Bass), are prepared to offer electrically-charged heavy music with savage guitar jabs, rockin' blues, and hot solos.

  Fans can expect a three-track EP that is very energetic and sounds exactly like what’s recorded. The guitar solos are very bluesy yet metal-sounding, and are contrasted with catchy melodic vocals, reminiscent of DIO or Pentagram.

  "I’m a big fan of songs that have clear and loud vocals where you can sing along and understand and interpret what the song is about, not just noise and a riff," adds Zolla.

  Today, Z-Cocoon unveils the opening track and heavy bluesy single "Dr. Crane", inspired by the villain in the Batman Universe, Dr.Crane, aka The Scarecrow.

  “Dr. Crane is exactly what Z-Cocoon is all about! Heavy riffs, clean vocals, and lots of blues power! If you like poisoning people’s minds with fear, such as The Scarecrow in Batman, then here you have it. Or if you’re looking for a good heavy song to listen to while working out or doing physical work, or you wanna let loose in your speakers and relax, this is the song for you! Make sure to play it loud for the ultimate listening experience, preferably with good speakers to feel that sound and panning!” adds Zolla.

  Loud and dynamic, listen to "Dr. Crane".

  Following the "Angels" EP, Z-Cocoon will have an album worth of music and more that will be recorded and released. If you’re into the classics such as Dio, Sabbath, Deep Purple, or blues guys such as Hendrix, Trower, Stevie Ray, or just dig stoner rock/ doom metal, but looking for something a little different, then take a listen and put Z-Cocoon on LOUD!

  EP pre-save - https://earache.lnk.to/Angels​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Dr. Crane - 4:17
  2. Truth Don’t Matter - 3:42
  3. For My Life - 6:37
  Album Length: 14:36

  Band Lineup:​
  Guitar/Vocals: Marc Zolla
  Bass: John Burton
  Drums: Michel Paradis

  More info: https://linktr.ee/zcocoon

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