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• DOUBLE EXPERIENCE Nominated for Ottawa Capital Music Award for Album of the Year "Undefeated" + Ontario Tour Dates + Toronto Comicon

  Mar 5, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  NEWS RELEASE

  Montreal, QC - March 5, 2025

  DOUBLE EXPERIENCE Nominated for Ottawa Capital Music Award for Album of the Year "Undefeated"

  + Ontario Tour Dates

  Double Experience (L-R - Ian Nichols - Vocals and Bass, Brock Tinsley - Guitar) - Photo by Curtis Perry

  In 2020, the Ottawa rock duo Double Experience took everything they knew about music - thousands of international concerts, presenting at industry conferences, and writing songs inspired by video games and film - and channeled their process into a series of livestreams. The result? A crowdfunded album - consisting largely of spontaneous suggestions from Twitch users - called “Undefeated” released in May 2024 via their indie label Colfax Music Ltd.. Nearly a year after its release, Double Experience’s modern rock opus is now nominated for a 2025 Ottawa Capital Music Award for Album of the Year.

  "WE’RE NOMINATED: “Undefeated” is up for “Album of the Year”. This is a huge honour, especially considering the nature in which this album was created via our Twitch channel." adds the band.

  Double Experience are nominated alongside the following artists listed below. More info on 2025 nominees can be found at at https://ottawamic.com/cma​

  Album of the Year | Album de l'année *Public vote | Vote du public​
  Show Love - Kellylee Evans
  Undefeated - Double Experience
  To Be Clear - Mia Kelly
  Love & Patience - Country Club Pool Boy
  Hugging the Cactus - Twin Flames

  The Capital Music Awards will be held on May 22nd, 2025 at Southham Hall at the National Arts Centre (1 Elgin Street) in Ottawa, ON. Details at https://ottawamic.com/​

  By taking influence from Coheed and Cambria, Weezer and Palaye Royale, Double Experience bounce between sounds in a quest to compose music as diverse as an arcade gallery. In doing so, Double Experience have bonded with a passionate global fan-base with their undeniable live prowess amounting to nearly 1000 concerts across 18 countries, opening for all manner of acts, from Badflower to Danko Jones, from JJ Wilde to Galactic Empire.

  By day, mild-mannered band members Ian Nichols (vocals, bass) and Brock Tinsley (guitar) deliver band-oriented workshops and panels at conferences, conventions and festivals (IndieWeek, MAGFest, Ottawa ComicCon), teaching up-and-coming creatives how to take control of their own destiny in a similar way as the duo’s musical alter-ego. The band have cowritten songs with Jayson DeZuzio (Imagine Dragons) and in 2016, their Destiny-themed anthem “The Glimmer Shot” caught the attention of the game's developers at Bungie.

  Their fourth studio album "Underneath" (released May 2024 via Colfax Music Ltd.) was inspired by the fans for the fans all through live streaming on Twitch and has all things nerdy and is all about perseverance.

  "Ever since writing songs on Twitch, our fans have a day-one connection with the music. No matter how weird or strange the goal might seem, our band is living proof that you can really make a breakthrough if you celebrate what makes you weird or strange, not shy away from it." comments Double Experience.

  "Undefeated" is available on all digital platforms - https://linktr.ee/2xxp​

  ​

  In additional news, Double Experience are a never stopping tour de force and will be hitting the road for dates in March across Southern Ontario (dates listed below).

  Tour Dates:​
  March 12 - St. Catharines, ON - Warehouse
  March 13 - Hamilton, ON - Mills Hardware
  March 14 - Tillsonburg, ON - Paddy’s Underground Gastropub
  March 15 - Toronto, ON - Toronto Comicon (Theatre 3 at 1:15 PM for a live songwriting workshop / performance)
  March 18 - Toronto, ON - Rivoli

  Track Listing:​
  1. Undefeated (3:36)
  2. Goddess (3:43)
  3. Figured You Out (3:23)
  4. Dancing on the Moon (2:58)
  5. Bill Murray (3:02)
  6. Stranger (2:48)
  7. This is War (3:04)
  8. Alter Ego (3:18)
  9. Drive Away (3:06)
  10. Top of the World (3:04)
  ​
  ​Album Credits:​
  Music and Lyrics by Double Experience
  Steve Foley - additional engineering, instrumentation
  Al Jacob - production, mixing, engineering Ian Nichols - vocals, bass
  El Stich - artwork Brock Tinsley - guitar Matt Tuttle - mastering
  Member of SOCAN
  MAPL - Canadian Content

  More info:​
  ​https://www.2xExperience.com​
  ​https://www.facebook.com/DoubleExperience​
  ​https://www.youtube.com/DoubleExperience​
  ​https://www.instagram.com/DoubleExperience​
  ​https://www.twitch.tv/DoubleExperience​​

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• Aggro-Metal CHÜZO Announces Ontario Tour Dates + New Video "Bruised and Broken" Off Latest EP "M.T.M.D (Maximum Threshold, Minimum Decay)"

  Feb 21, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Montreal aggro-metal troupe CHÜZO will be hitting the road in March for weekend warrior dates in Ontario for shows in Oshawa, Toronto, and Hamilton. The tour dates are in support of their latest EP "M.T.M.D (Maximum Threshold, Minimum Decay)" unleashed this past October and produced with Kevin Jardine (Slaves On Dope, Uplift Recording Studio) (dates listed below).

  The band recently released their latest knock-out music video "Bruised and Broken".

  ​"This track is about being pushed, provoked, and instigated to the point of no return. When in life one encounters certain individuals whose existence is to only make you angry and enraged; to bully you and disrespect you beyond aggravation, and the inevitable result that losing your temper and seeing red does to the individual being provoked and instigated is what this track is about. The utter destruction and devastation that awaits the foolish person who dares to provoke a person who has been pushed to the edge of human insanity; fuck around and find out!" adds the band.

  CHÜZO's new EP "M.T.M.D (Maximum Threshold, Minimum Decay)" is a three-track record that marks the next chapter and a true representation of what the quartet's sound is meant to be.

  "This new EP was to showcase our new lineup with our newest songs that are truly representative of our musical style, a style that we proudly call ‘Aggro-Metal.’ Very aggressive metal songs that have relatable themes that anyone can listen to and understand. This EP is our audio shotgun blast to the world to pay attention to and to mosh intensively during our live sets." adds guitarist Cristian S.

  CHÜZO's new lineup features the ensnaring vocals of Taiwanese Brazilian transplant Mischa M joining local first-generation Chilean Canadian and mastermind Cristian S. along with Carlos G from Venezuela and Alex S from Russia who all have found Montreal, Canada to be their home-to-breed their blender of grindcore, Swedish death metal, thrash, and hardcore punk to transform a sub-genre dubbed 'Aggro Metal'.

  The EP's lyrics are driven by self-reflection and daily struggles. The inspiration for writing comes from life experiences and trying to live past them, especially the traumatic ones. Using all bad energy from bad experiences to create something positive for yourself and the world. This EP speaks of vengeance and the bad side of dedicating your life to achieving your desired revenge despite your own life and sanity. Brutal Social Justice.

  For fans of Sepultura (Cavalera Bros era 84-96), At the Gates, Napalm Death, Slipknot, and Fuck the Facts, "M.T.M.D (Maximum Threshold, Minimum Decay)" was released on November 15, 2024.

  EP Stream links below:

  Bandcamp - https://chuzomtl.bandcamp.com

  Digital (Spotify) - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/chzo/mtmd

  ​​

  TOUR DATES​
  March 7 - Piranha Bar (Wacken Metal Battle) - Montréal, QC - info​
  March 14 - The Atria - Oshawa, ON - info​
  March 15 - Duffy’s Tavern - Toronto, ON - info​
  March 16 - Doors Pub - Hamilton, ON - info​

  More Info: Instagram.com/chuzo.band | Facebook.com/chuzo.band​

  -30-

  Canadian College Radio Loud Charts - December 2024 – top 20 loud #20 – CHÜZO – M.T.M.D.

  "‘A Brazilian vocalist, a Chilean guitarist, a Russian bassist and a Venezuelan drummer walk into a Montreal metal bar’ might sound like the beginning of a borderline funny joke, but it, in a roundabout way, speaks to the christening of thrash, punk, death-beat quartet CHÜZO. The band’s latest EP — M.T.M.D.(Maximum Threshold, Minimum Decay) — is the latest in a long line of releases since forming in 2020 and sees the light of day today. The band has a lot to say about their latest endeavour, but fans of old Sepultura, Napalm Death, At the Gates and Fuck the Facts should find something of interest " - Decibel Magazine

  "“Bruised and Broken” is definitely a rager. Mischa and Christian belt out the words in a tandem of furious screams and monstrous roars. Behind them, the song discharges high-speed percussive obliteration and punk beats, a violent churn of high-grit riffage, and bowel-loosening bass-quakes. The band also work in mean-eyed slashing chugs, a brutalizing breakdown that seems to get more thuggish but no less head-hooking as the seconds pass, an explosion of boiling and battering grindcore mayhem, and another hardcore beatdown that’s probably a sure-fire mosh trigger in a live show — with Mischa‘s screaming voice still coming for your throat with no-holds-barred intensity. Just this one song proves that for Chüzo the label “Aggro Metal” isn’t false advertising. It’s a gut-slugging, bone-smashing, vocally blistering, and viciously eviscerating outburst, and it also proves to be a pretty addictive piece of rage-fueled catharsis too. Speaking of live shows, the video gives a good sense of what the band’s live sets are about, and a good sense of how much fun they had beating the shit out of things in that rage cage." - No Clean Singing

  "The band has just released M.T.M.D., an acronym that stands for Maximum Threshold, Minimum Decay, to testify how high the group's ambitions are. The perspective could at first glance be assimilated to that of the variegated groove metal universe, but on closer inspection there is much more in the folds of the individual songs, characterized by the desire to release vital energy and give voice to impulses, emotions, feelings. The sound matrix is brutal, at times unstoppable, and characterized by the fierce performance of the gritty Mischa Mai microphones: combining power, imagination and a pinch of healthy madness the quartet gave full demonstration of their qualities." - Rock Hard Italy
  ​
  "M.T.M.D is a crucial chapter in Chüzo’s evolution, showcasing a lineup that’s finally found its voice. Their journey is a testament to the transformative power of music and the ability to channel personal struggles into a collective outcry for justice." - Amplify The Noise
  ​
  "It might be something of a cliché but it remains true; this isn’t simply an EP. It’s a promo for helping Chüzo find a major label for a debut full length… [8/10]" - Metal Noise
  ​
  "CHÜZO have achieved several things on "MTMD (Maximum Threshold, Minimum Decay)" that other bands dream of for an entire career. On the one hand, the clever balancing act is impressive between old school credibility and new school influences. A factor that plays a striking role in the overall absolutely high-class work is that Canadians walk in a straightforward and focused manner in the ear. The three songs on the EP entitled "MTMD" are fast-paced in nature, mill into the ear canals at massive speed and –'s most important aspect – remains there... The EP is catchy, intense and yet has matured, multi-layered and serious Half-life to be equipped. Conclusion: Check in, buy, leave, killer!" - Metal Division Magazine​
  ​​
  ​"Their common points: knowing how to intelligently mix the best of grindcore mixed with Swedish death, with a touch of hardcore thrash from a punk perspective. Chüzo calls his music, « Aggro Metal ». The theme of their songs, telling their life experiences, shouting their anger at the traumas experienced. The kind of text that allows you to let off steam and make yourself understood even if you have gaps in English. Chüzo is a sort of best of aggressive metal music with this vengeful punk attitude: Chüzo would be a disciple of Napalm Death. Damn their music is good to hear. For fans of Sepultura and the Cavalera brothers, Chüzo is for you, Cristian S. sings with the same kind of vocal intonation as Max C. For Christmas, I would like Chüzo to tour the old continent within the next 2 years. If I had the means, I would participate financially in their future tour. There are small (et larger) concert halls waiting for you. The day we can do a concert at the Kjbi, Chuzo is automatically on the bill" - Margoth PDF Webzine

  --
  ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
  Jon Asher - Music Publicist
  #.514.581.5780
  jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
  Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
  Instagram @AsherMedia
  Tweet @AsherMedia

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• Canadian Power Thrash PHEAR's Heaviest Sound To Date On New Album "Save Our Souls" (Produced by Jon Howard (Threat Signal))

  Feb 13, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian metal contingent PHEAR has unleashed their second full-length album "Save Our Souls", now available as of February 13th, 2025 with digital distribution from Golden Robot Records. The new record follows the band's award-winning album “Instanitarium” (2019), and their critically acclaimed EP “The Curse Lives On” (2020).

  With their arena-caliber sound, "Save Our Souls" was produced, mixed, and mastered by Jon Howard (Threat Signal), and can be best described as the heaviest offering from PHEAR to date. Most of the album was written during the dark times of Covid. "Not a lot to be happy about during that time," adds vocalist Patrick Mulock.

  Extremely passionate and driven, PHEAR is always thinking of new ways to entertain its fans, and "Save Our Souls" is no exception. It has taken four years to complete (mostly due to covid). Led by Patrick Mulock and producer Jon Howard in the studio, each musician was pushed hard to get the best out of each of them and they delivered.

  "We had a lot of time to craft these songs. We didn’t have any time restraints. We would go into the studio and do three songs at a time. We were very excited to work with Jon Howard (Threat Signal) again. Jon is the sixth member of Phear. The studio experience was great as we fed off each other's ideas. We pushed each other to get the best performances we could. There are NO FILLERS here. Seven String guitars have played a big part in this. Our sound has grown. The bass guitar on this album is HUGE! The drumming from Mike Harshaw was also very aggressive. If you were to ask me now…This is the heaviest Phear has ever been……….for now lol!" says Mulock.

  A listening experience of thrash, prog, and classic metal elements, PHEAR offers a strong balance from infectious choruses to melodic and growling vocals for true heavy metal nostalgia. Their two lead singles, the album's title track and "Snake" are sure to make you throw up your hail horns and rock out with a sore neck from the headbanging. Plus the band offers up their cover version of Nevermore's "Narcosynthesis".

  "We feel that Phear fans will LOVE this album. We have played some of these songs live and they have gone over amazingly. The first time we played the title track “Save Our Souls”, the entire club was singing the chorus. And it has happened everywhere we have played since…….. No better feeling in the world!" adds Mulock.

  PHEAR features Patrick Mulock (Lead Vocals) (Eidolon, Rampage), Pat Rogers (Lead & Rhythm Guitars) (Profaner- 2016 Wacken Metal Battle Canada Champions), Alex Zubair (Lead & Rhythm Guitars) (Burn to Black, Nadar Sadek, Iomair, Nephelium), Andrew Suarez (Drums) (Fatality, The Slyde - 2023 Wacken Metal Battle Canada Champions) and Chris Boshis (Bass) (Conflicted).

  Throughout their existence, PHEAR has had the honour of opening for German metal legend UDO DIRSCHNEIFER, THE DEAD DAISIES, and STRYPER, along with performing on a pre-show for icons and heroes IRON MAIDEN in 2019 in Toronto at Budweiser Stage.

  Recommended for fans of Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Judas Priest, Dream Theater (prog elements), and Metallica, PHEAR's sophomore album "Save Our Souls" is available from Golden Robot Records at the following link (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon) - https://orcd.co/save-our-souls​

  Track Listing​
  1. Aftershock (5:11)
  2. Save Our Souls (6:39)
  3. Snake (5:26)
  4. Narcosynthesis* (5:29) (*Nevermore Cover)
  5. New World Error (5:11)
  6. Lease on Life (7:02)
  7. Bleed (7:57)
  8. On Thin Ice (8:20)
  9. Delusions (Live) 6:45)
  Album Length: 58:03

  Album Credits:​
  All songs performed by: Phear
  All songs written by: Phear
  *excluding “Narcosynthesis” Written by Nevermore
  Produced by: Jon Howard and Phear
  Mixed by: Jon Howard and Phear
  Mastered by: Jon Howard (Woodward Avenue Studios)
  Album Artwork for “Save Our Souls”: Drake Mefestta
  ​

  Recording Band Line Up:​
  Patrick Mulock - Lead Vocals
  Chris Boshis - Bass Guitars, Backing Vocals
  Alex Zubair - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar
  Pat Rogers - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar
  Mike Harshaw - Drums

  Live Band Line Up​
  Patrick Mulock - Lead Vocals
  Chris Boshis - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
  Alex Zubair - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar
  Pat Rogers - Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar
  Andrew Suarez - Drums

  More info:​
  ​https://phearofficial.com​
  ​https://www.facebook.com/phearband​
  ​https://www.instagram.com/spreadthephear

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• ART OF ATTRITION - Cross Canada "The Subservient Bloodletting Tour" w/ Beguiler + New Blackened Technical Deathcore Single “Subserviate & Decay”

  Feb 6, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Red Deer, AB extreme metal outfit Art of Attrition unleashes their latest single “Subserviate & Decay”. The track showcases the band's signature blend of relentless brutality and melodic complexity while pushing into bold new territory.

  “Subserviate & Decay” delivers the classical Art of Attrition sound that fans have come to expect - a devastating combination of 8-string guitars, gravity blast beats, and guttural vocals - before taking an unexpected turn after the bridge breakdown. The band expands:

  “It is modern primitive. It embodies all you love about Art of Attrition and then slaps you in the face with a caveman club. We loved writing this song, recording the parts, and developing its uniqueness in our catalog. It serves as a visceral reminder of the necessity of internal self-love and confidence.”

  Since their formation in 2019, Art of Attrition has carved out their niche in the extreme metal landscape; their 2023 debut album “The Void Eternal” and 2024’s “...And It Will All End Forever” established them as a force in the technical deathcore scene. The single represents a conscious step outside the band's comfort zone, incorporating elements from other genres they love. It is especially recommended for fans of Lorna Shore, Aversions Crown, and Kublai Khan.

  Watch and listen to the video for “Subserviate & Decay” via TheCirclepit at https://youtu.be/55K4q_d0znQ​

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/4gREec7

  ​In additional news, Art of Attrition along with 2024 Wacken Metal Battle Canada Champions, Toronto, ON's Beguiler be hitting the road across Canada, east to the west this May for "The Subservient Bloodletting Tour" (dates listed below). This cross-country trek marks a new chapter for both bands as they expand their reach, unleashing their most punishing sets to date along with new songs to unveil. Enter the moshpit for these two bands' audio assaults of some good ol’ extreme sonic carnage!

  The Subservient Bloodletting Tour w/ Art of Attrition, Beguiler​
  May 2 - La Source de la Martinière- Quebec City, QC
  May 3 - Piranha Bar - Montréal, QC
  May 4 - Taverne Royale - Trois Rivières, QC
  May 7 - The Union - Kitchener, ON
  May 8 - Queens Nightclub - Barrie, ON
  May 9 - Dominion House - Windsor, ON
  May 10 - Sneaky Dee’s - Toronto, ON
  May 11 - Dominion Tavern - Ottawa, ON
  May 14 - SideStage - Winnipeg, MB
  May 15 - Black Cat Tavern - Saskatoon, SK
  May 16 - The Vat - Red Deer, AB
  May 17 - Dickens - Calgary, AB
  May 23 - Stariite Temple - Edmonton, AB
  May 24 - The Cobalt - Vancouver, BC

  More info: http://artofattrition.com | https://www.facebook.com/ArtofAttrition | https://www.instagram.com/artofattrition​
  
  

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• Toronto Prog JUPITER HOLLOW Announces Ontario Dates + New Single / Video "Incivility"

  Feb 5, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  NEWS RELEASE

  Montreal, QC - February 5, 2025

  Toronto Prog JUPITER HOLLOW Announces Ontario Dates + New Single / Video "Incivility"

  L-R - Nathaniel Reynolds-Welsh - Drums - Grant MacKenzie - Guitar, Kenny Parry - Vocals, John-Ryan Godfrey - Bass

  Toronto proggers Jupiter Hollow announces they will perform two Ontario show dates for March and April with more to be announced in the coming year (listed below). The band has been expanding their catalog with their latest single and music video "Incivility" (watch below) released this past November as they make progress on more music to be released in the coming months.

  Upcoming Shows:​
  March 29 – Guelph @ Red Papaya - info - w/ Derev, Crown For A King, +1 TBA
  April 12 – Brantford @ Brandi’s - info w/ Derev, +2 TBA

  Pushing from one horizon onto the next, Jupiter Hollow's growth has come a long way since making their debut as a duo in 2015. Led by the fearless Grant MacKenzie and Kenny Parry, this recording and songwriting powerhouse duo has transformed into a live quartet with the addition of John Ryan Godfrey (Bass) and Nathaniel Reynolds-Welsh (Drums).

  Advancing their unique brand of progressive rock/metal, the band's latest single "Incivility" serves as a bold statement, reflecting Jupiter Hollow’s evolution both sonically and thematically. With its intricate arrangements, evocative lyrics, and captivating visuals, the single is a testament to the band’s relentless dedication to pushing artistic boundaries.

  The band comments on the single:

  "At its core, Incivility reflects humanity's inner struggles, the relentless pursuit of purpose, and the emotional void created by modern distractions. The lyrics delve into themes of arrogance, wasted time, and the consequences of superficial existence, symbolized by "filming your bones"—a critique of documenting life rather than living it.

  The song wrestles with the tension between ambition and the emptiness of unmet expectations, asking hard questions: At what cost do we chase our dreams? and How do we reconcile purpose with the pressures we hide? The recurring imagery of the "yawning cage of wasted love" evokes a profound sense of entrapment, urging listeners to confront the emotional weight of past mistakes while seeking true fulfillment.

  Musically and lyrically, Incivility challenges listeners to reflect on their lives, embracing the discomfort of self-awareness while pushing forward with resilience. It’s both a cautionary tale and a call to action—demanding authenticity in a world that often values the opposite."

  Recommended for fans of Porcupine Tree, Coheed, and Cambria, Rush, and Protest The Hero.

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/4g0cqSV

  ​

  With thought-provoking lyrics, unique vocal melodies, harmonies, powerful guitar riffs, unyielded songwriting, and Jupiter Hollow’s incessant desire to bring fans on a journey, there’s always something new to explore. Thus far they have two full-length albums under their belts: 2020’s “Bereavement”, and 2018’s “AHDOMN”, and they have another one in the works. Planning to release more singles over the coming months, Jupiter Hollow will take the time to ensure a polished, impressive offerings song by song. The band wants nothing more than to make their art and share the experience with as many people as they can.

  More info: JupiterHollow.ca | Facebook | X | Instagram

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