Search Results: the-faceless

• 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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• MATT MILLER Unleashes Sci-Fi Infused Tech-Death Odyssey W/ Seventh Studio Album “Fiber Tormentum”

  Sep 11, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  ​Technical death metal virtuoso Matt Miller will be officially releasing his seventh studio album, "Fiber Tormentum," via Exitus Stratagem Records on September 12th, 2025. Born from the isolation of the 2020 pandemic, Miller’s solo project grew into a collaborative force after touring with Rings of Saturn and supporting Possessed across Europe. Miller assembled a powerhouse lineup of genre-spanning musicians featuring Jordan Kelso (drums/synth), Justice Robinett (bass), and Biko Wright (vocals). The result is "Fiber Tormentum", a concept-driven album that fuses crushing technicality with soaring clean vocals to whisk you away on a genre-defying journey and musical evolution.

  Lyrically, the album imagines a world where alien forces manipulate human DNA to enslave the planet. Each track tells a chapter of this dystopian saga. “Descent into Violence” opens with raw desperation and emotive intensity. “Summoned” details the invaders’ plans, its music mimicking alien algorithms. “Effectively Neutralized” enacts the invasion with unpredictable twists, while “Blight and Disfigurement” marches through environmental collapse. “Maimed Paralyzed Dead” evokes horror-movie dread, and “Horror Beyond Comprehension” captures humanity’s plea for mercy in overwhelming sonic waves. The instrumental title track, “Fiber Tormentum,” serves as a musical snapshot of the entire album, and “Abiotic Origin” closes with a powerful realization: humanity invited its own destruction, but hope lingers.

  “This album is the most ambitious project I’ve ever worked on. We pushed ourselves to our limits, never settled, and created something that’s both technically brutal and emotionally resonant. It’s a glimpse into our lives, our evolution, and our vision for what metal can be,” says Miller.
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  The album artwork, created by the late Joshua Nassaru Ward (Voraath), reflects the album’s core theme: a tormented face mid-transformation, symbolizing the manipulation of human DNA. The title "Fiber Tormentum" is inspired by Roman history, the sound of a ballista’s ropes tightening before release, a metaphor for the tension and release found throughout the album.

  Recommended for fans of Necrophagist, Symphony X, Wintersun, The Faceless, and Death, "Fiber Momentum" can be heard in full via album stream premiere on Decibel Magazine HERE.​
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  ​"Fiber Tormentum" will be available on all major platforms through Exitus Stratagem Records.

  Digital Pre-Save (Out Sept 12th) - https://hypeddit.com/mattmiller/fibertormentum​

  CD pre-order (Out Sept 12th) https://www.exsrmusic.com/store/p/wnn3m10s6beq0pbmnot0e17ghvj629​

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  Track Listing:​
  1. Descent into Violence (5:04)
  2. Summoned (3:33)
  3. Effectively Neutralized (4:53)
  4. Blight and Disfigurement (3:23)
  5. Maimed Paralyzed Dead (3:12)
  6. Horror Beyond Comprehension (3:15)
  7. Fiber Tormentum (Instrumental) (3:31)
  8. Abiotic Origin (3:14)
  Album Length: 30:08

  Album Lineup:​
  Matt Miller (Guitars, Synth)
  Jordan Kelso (Drums, Synth)
  Justice Robinett (Bass)
  Biko Wright (Vocals)

  For more info:

  ​Exsrmusic.com | Shreded1.com | Facebook.com/matt.miller.96995238 | Instagram.com/mattmiller630

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• MATT MILLER Unleashes "Descent into Violence" - A Raw Prelude to His Seventh Album "Fiber Tormentum"

  Jun 25, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Matt Miller, the acclaimed technical death metal virtuoso, has released his first single, "Descent into Violence. " The song offers a powerful glimpse into the sonic landscape of his seventh album, "Fiber Tormentum," which will be released on September 12, 2025, via Exitus Stratagem Records.

  Driven by explosive instrumentation and guttural passion, “Descent into Violence” is more than just a song—it’s a visceral experience. Lyrically, the track explores themes of desperation and survival, painting the picture of a soul teetering on the edge and fighting to stay alive in a world stacked against them. It's a cry from the depths, echoing the struggles many face but few can articulate.

  This single marks a significant evolution in Miller's musical journey, transitioning from his previous instrumental works to a full-band composition. Joining him on this project are Jordan Kelso (Drums, Synth), Justice Robinett (Bass), and Biko Wright (Vocals), each bringing unique elements that enrich the album's dynamic sound.

  Miller reflects, "It’s got a lot to offer for the instrumental fans as well as new fans who want to hear the music with vocals and the unique things each of these musicians is bringing to the table." ​
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  Lyrically, "Fiber Tormentum" unfolds as a conceptual narrative, drawing inspiration from science fiction themes. The album envisions a scenario where extraterrestrial forces manipulate human DNA to subjugate humanity, blending speculative fiction with real-world anxieties. The album's artwork, created by the late Joshua Nassaru Ward of Voraath, adds a poignant visual dimension to the project's thematic depth..
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  Fans can anticipate a blend of technical precision and emotive storytelling, influenced by death metal pioneers like Necrophagist and Spawn of Possession and the atmospheric depth of artists such as Devin Townsend and Rivers of Nihil.
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  Providing a compelling introduction to the forthcoming album's intricate soundscapes and thematic explorations, listen to "Descent into Violence" via its premiere on Bravewords HERE.

  Track Listing:​
  1. Descent into Violence (5:04)
  2. Summoned (3:33)
  3. Effectively Neutralized (4:53)
  4. Blight and Disfigurement (3:23)
  5. Maimed Paralyzed Dead (3:12)
  6. Horror Beyond Comprehension (3:15)
  7. Fiber Tormentum (Instrumental) (3:31)
  8. Abiotic Origin (3:14)
  Album Length: 30:08

  For more info:​
  ​Shreded1.com | Facebook.com/matt.miller.96995238 | Instagram.com/mattmiller630

  ​Exsrmusic.com | Facebook.com/ExSRecords | Instagram.com/exsrmusic | X.com/exsrmusic

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