Search Results: wacken

• Romanian Folkcore DIRTY SHIRT Celebrates 30 Years w/ New Video "FOMO" and 2025 EU Tour Dates

  Feb 24, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Widely regarded as one of the most original and successful rock bands in Eastern Europe, Romania's Dirty Shirt is celebrating 30 years of creating and performing music with the release of their first single of 2025 "FOMO" accompanied by a music video along with announcing 2025 EU tout dates (listed below).

  "FOMO" is the first single from Dirty Shirt's upcoming seventh album (titled to be revealed at a later date) to follow “Get Your Dose Now!” (2022). Musically, it is a journey through different moments and places, blending various genres: from 80s disco to Balkan music, all built on a metal foundation. It’s a catchy song, with a chorus that sticks in your mind, radiating big positive energy. Lyrically, the song addresses one of the issues of modern society—the fear of missing out (FOMO). This phenomenon has become widespread with the rise of social media, where people constantly compare themselves to others and feel pressured to be part of every trend or experience.

  Digital (Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music) - https://ffm.to/qbjlkrb

  ​

  Over their 30 years, Dirty Shirt has embarked on several successful international tours, both as supporting artists and headliners, amassing over 700 shows in 17 countries. The band's signature style blends modern rock/metal heaviness with the vibrant energy of East-European traditional music, drawing from influences including world music, industrial electro, hardcore, and funk to create a dynamic sound that resonates with audiences globally. With catchy and danceable songs, Dirty Shirt's music appeals to a broader audience beyond just metal fans. Their albums have received widespread acclaim, featured in well-respected magazines such as Metal Hammer (DE, HU), Rock Hard (DE, FR, IT, SLK), Metalsucks (USA), Angry Metal Guy (USA), Hard Rock Mag (FR), Terrorizer (UK), Metalized (DK), and more.

  In recent years, the band has enjoyed international recognition through their participation in several major European festivals such as Electric Castle (Ro), Hellfest Open Air (Fr), Pol'And'Rock (Pl), Dong Open Air (De), Maximum Rock Festival (Ro), Wacken Open Air (De) among many more!

  Recommended for anyone looking for something interesting and lively, Dirty Shirt is for fans of Skindred, Bloodywood, Alestorm and The Hu.

  DIRTY SHIRT - 30 YEARS ANNIVERSARY TOUR:​
  Feb 28 - Bucharest (RO) - EERA Tour - Quantic
  March 1 - Brasov (RO) - EERA Tour - Centrul Reduta
  March 2 - Cluj Napoca (RO) - EERA Tour - Form Space
  March 13 - Prague (CZ) - EERA Tour - Rock Café
  March 14 - Bratislava (SK) - EERA Tour - Majestic Music Club
  March 15 - Trenčín (SK) - EERA Tour - Piano Club
  March 16 - Budapest (HU) - Dürer Kert
  March 22 - Grenoble (FR) - L'Ampérage
  March 23 - 2 Alpes (FR) - Snow Fest
  April 4 - Wrocław (PL) - EERA Tour - Stary Klasztor
  April 5 - Krakow (PL) - EERA Tour - Kwadrat Klub
  April 6 - Warsaw (PL) - EERA Tour - Proxima
  April 18 - Bistrita (RO) - Soho Music Hall
  April 25 - Bacau (RO) - Valhalla Pub
  April 26 - Iasi (RO) - Underground Pub
  April 27 - Suceava (RO) - Art Rock Cafe
  June 7 - Arad (RO) - Flex
  June 8 - Timisoara (RO) - În Spatele Casei
  June 26-28 - Mangalia (RO) - Odyssea Festival (26-28.06)
  June 26-28 - Snina - (SK) - Rock Pod Kameňom (26-28.06)
  July 17 - Bontida (RO) - Electric Castle (17-20.07)
  July 18 - Neukirchen-Vluyn (DE) - Dong Open Air (17-19.07)
  Aug 3 - Rasnov (RO) - Rockstadt Extreme Fest
  Aug 7 - Corbu (RO) - Wild Experience Fest (7-10.08)
  Aug 14 - Domeniul Cantacuzino (RO) - LaRock 2025 (14-17.08)
  Aug 22 - Prešov (SK) - Hel'fest
  Oct 10 - Angers (FR) - Omega Sound Fest (10-11.10)

  For more info:​
  ​Dirty-Shirt.com​
  ​Facebook.com/DirtyShirtRomania​
  ​X.com/dirtyshirtband​
  ​Instagram.com/dirtyshirtband​
  ​Tiktok.com/@dirtyshirtband​

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• WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA Announces BC and Ontario 2025 Battle Rounds - One Band To Rule Them All & Play Wacken Open Air

  Dec 19, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA Announces BC and Ontario 2025 Battle Rounds  - One Band To Rule Them All & Play Wacken Open Air

  

  One Band To Rule Them All! After another record-breaking year of submissions from independent bands across the country, Wacken Metal Battle Canada is proud to announce this year's British Columbia and Ontario 2025 battles, which could see one unsigned band crowned champion and perform at one of the world's most prestigious and largest already sold-out metal festivals Wacken Open Air (July 30th – August 2nd) (Attendance of over 80,000 people in Wacken, Germany for over 30 years).

  The 2025 British Columbia and Ontario battles will be held in the following cities and dates with more to be announced for Canada. The national final will be held in Vancouver, BC on May 31st, 2025 at The Rickshaw Theatre.

  2025 Canadian Wacken Battles:​
  ​
  ​British Columbia Dates:​
  March 1 - Vancouver Round 1 @ The Cobalt
  March 2 - BC Interior Round @ Jackknife Brewing
  March 22 - Vancouver Round 2 @ The Cobalt
  March TBC - Vancouver Island Round @ Lucky Bar
  May 3 - BC Final @ The Cobalt
  May 31 - National Final @ The Rickshaw, Vancouver
  ​
  ​Ontario Dates:​
  January 10 - London Round @ Rum Runners
  Atria (guest headliner), Death Club, Dead Days, 4HateU8
  FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/1944970149316798/
  Ticket link: https://www.ticketweb.ca/event/whacken-metal-battle-2025-rum-runners-tickets/14091163
  ​
  January 24 - Hamilton Round @ Main Stage Rehearsal
  The Good Depression, Killotine, Zero Tolerance, Devilz By Definition, Zero End
  Ticket link: https://wackenmetalbattle.bigcartel.com/product/wacken-metal-battle-jan-24-hamilton
  ​
  January 25 - Toronto Round 1 @ Hard Luck
  Pillars of Autumn, Ischemic, Purveyor of Chaos, Unkle Skurvey
  Ticket link: https://wackenmetalbattle.bigcartel.com/product/wacken-metal-battle-jan-25-toronto
  ​
  February 1 - Toronto Round 2@ Hard Luck
  Seagrave, Nepenthe, Panic Response, The Animal Warfare Act
  Ticket link: https://wackenmetalbattle.bigcartel.com/product/wacken-metal-battle-feb-1-toronto

  Edmonton, AB - TBA
  Calgary, AB - TBA
  Ottawa, ON - TBA
  Montreal, QC - TBA
  Quebec City, QC - TBA

  The 2025 WMBC champion will receive the following:​
  - A slot at the 2025 Wacken Open Air Festival.
  - Full professional backline provided.
  - $1,000 CAD towards flights to Germany.
  - VIP camping at the festival.

  The 2024 WMBC national final was held in Edmonton, AB at The Starlite Room on May 25th and witnessed regional winners Arrow In The Quiver (Vancouver, BC), Infrastrvctvre (Calgary, AB), Age of Ashes (Edmonton, AB), Beguiler (Toronto, ON) and Red Raven Chaos (Montreal, QC) along with special guest headliners NECHT (Calgary, AB - 2023 National Finalist).

  The night was MC'd by Gord Alexander (Tessitura, Tides of Kharon) and judged by an industry panel that included JJ Tartaglia (Wacken Metal Battle Canada, Boonsdale Records, Skull Fist, Thunderor - Toronto, ON), Luc Lainé (CFLX 95,5 FM - Alerte Metallique - Sherbrooke, QC), Dan Cleary (Striker), Kim Aebly (The Invisible Orange, Vancouver, BC), Dana Zuk (Dana Zuk Photography - Edmonton, AB), Jon Asher (Asher Media Relations - Montreal, QC), Nancy Barnes (Big Nate Productions - Calgary, AB), Celestia Scarlett (Owner/Artist Manager - The Celestial Agency- Calgary, AB) and Steve DC (Strigampire - 2023 National WMBC Winner - Trois-Rivières, QC).

  After each band presented their furious rallying battle performance, the only one that stood out from the rest was crowned 2024 champion Toronto's Beguiler who moved on to perform as the only independent Canadian band at the International Battle at Wacken Open Air 2024 (July 31st – August 3rd).

  Live Full Video of 2024 WMBC National Final in Edmonton, AB - https://www.youtube.com/live/dCYiImMkzq4​

  List of previous WMBC national winners Beguiler (Toronto, ON - 2024), Strigampire (Trois-Rivières, QC - 2023), The Slyde (Toronto, ON - 2019), Centuries of Decay (Toronto, ON - 2018), Profaner (Hamilton, ON - 2016), Vesperia (Toronto, ON - 2015), Mutank (Montreal, QC - 2014), Crimson Shadows (Toronto, ON - 2013).

  Info:

  Since 2013, with a pause year in 2017 and 2020 due to COVID-19, Wacken Metal Battle Canada has hosted battles across the country to send one independent metal band to perform at the world’s largest metal festival Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. 2019 saw the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, but due to Covid, the 2020 and 2021 editions were both canceled. As the metal community regains its strength, Wacken Open Air 2025 will be the 34th edition of the festival and will be held from July 30th – August 2nd. The 2025 event is already sold out with a line-up that includes Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, Papa Roach, Gojira, Apocalyptica, Saxon, Within Temptation, Dimmu Borgir, Ministry, and many more. Details here.

  About:

  Wacken Metal Battle Canada is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance to win their spot among 30 other countries’ champions, and represent Canada in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air. The battles have been hosted at the festival for over a decade giving independent bands the opportunity to showcase their talents to an international audience along with the chance to win multiple prizes.

  How it works:
  ​Participating cities will host qualifying rounds plus a city final organized by a local city concert promoter where one band will move forward to the Canadian national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will move on to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2025 and compete against the winners of 29 other countries in a final global battle. All battle rounds are judged by respected local music industry representatives.

  Rules for participation: https://www.metal-battle.com/rules/​

  Links:​
  ​Metal-Battle.com​​
  ​Facebook.com/WMBCanada.official​
  ​Twitter.com/MetalBattleCan​
  ​Instagram.com/MetalBattleCanada.Official​

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  Media Partners:​
  Bravewords.com
  Metal-Rules.com
  Absolute Underground Magazine
  BrokenNeckRadio.com
  V13.net
  MetalDevastationRadio
  Rich Embury (internationally syndicated DJ)
  GhostCultMag.com
  Rocknroam.ca
  Vox & Hops Podcast
  The Metal Voice

  Promoter Partners:​
  Boonsdale Records
  Dungeonworks Productions
  The Invisible Orange
  Big Nate Productions
  ConcertWorks
  Asher Media Relations

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• Reminder - Deadline Dec 15th - WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA Band Submissions For 2025 Battles - One Band To Conquer Them All & Play Wacken Open Air

  Dec 5, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  Reminder - Deadline Dec 15th - WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA Band Submissions For 2025 Battles

  One Band To Conquer Them All & Play Wacken Open Air

  

  Spotify - 2024 WMBU National Finalists Playlist - https://spoti.fi/4cbAEb8​

  One Band To Conquer Them All! The December 15th deadline is nearing for independent American bands to apply to the 2025 battles for Wacken Metal Battle USA.

  Unsigned bands ONLY can apply. Please fill out your information at the following link (please select USA and then the City that your band would like to perform in) - https://www.metal-battle.com​

  (Band Submissions End December 15th, 2024 - 11:59 PM PST)

  The 2025 battles are held nationwide across the USA for one independent band to be crowned champion and perform at one of the world's most prestigious and largest already sold-out metal festivals Wacken Open Air (July 30th – August 2nd) (Attendance of over 80,000 people in Wacken, Germany for over 30 years).

  ​

  The 2025 WMBU champion will receive the following:
  - A slot at the 2025 Wacken Open Air Festival.
  - Full professional backline provided.
  - $1,000 USD towards flights to Germany.
  - VIP camping at the festival.

  2025 battles will be taking place in the following cities:

  (National Final on June 21st in Clifton, NJ at Dingbatz)

  New York, NY
  Clifton, NJ
  Baltimore, MD
  Tampa, FL
  Portland, OR
  Seattle, WA
  Bay Area, CA
  Los Angeles, CA
  Orange County, CA
  Sacramento, CA
  San Diego, CA
  Austin, TX
  Dallas, TX
  Corpus Christi, TX
  Houston, TX
  San Antonio, TX

  The 2024 WMBU national final was held in San Diego at Brick By Brick with regional winners Cascade Effect (San Diego), WarTroll (NorCal), Versipul (PNW), Prime Prophecy (East Coast), and Father Wolf (Texas).

  Judged by an industry panel that included Rod Kukla (Silver Lining Music), Craig Goldy (Dio), Derek Engemann (Scour, Phil Anselmo and the Illegals, ex-Cattle Decapitation), and Patrick Stone (Adler's Appetite, Budderside), the band that reigned the stage and proved themselves worthy of gracing the holy land of metal at Wacken Open Air in Germany was crowned 2024 champion, San Diego's Cascade Effect.

  As the 2024 crowned USA champion, Cascade Effect went on to perform as the only independent American band at the International Battle at Wacken Open Air 2024 (July 31st – August 3rd).​

  List of previous WMBU national winners, Cascade Effect (2024 - San Diego), Fadrait (2023 - San Diego) Mythraeum (2022 - San Diego), Monarch (2019 - San Diego), Voices of Ruin (2018 - Anaheim) and Corpse Hoarder (2017 - Philadelphia).

  2024 battles were hosted in the following cities: New York, NY, Clifton, NJ, Philadelphia, PA, Portland, OR, Seattle, WA, Bay Area, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Orange County, CA, Sacramento, CA, San Diego, CA, Austin, TX, Dallas, TX, El Paso, TX, Houston, TX, San Antonio, TX.

  For the last 6 years of battles (2017-2019, 2022, 2023, 2024), Wacken Metal Battle USA has hosted battles across the country to send one independent metal band to perform at the world’s largest metal festival Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. 2019 saw the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, but due to Covid, the 2020 and 2021 editions were both canceled. As the metal community regains its strength, Wacken Open Air 2025 will be the 34th edition of the festival and will be held from July 30th – August 2nd. The 2025 event is already sold out with a line-up that includes Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, Papa Roach, Gojira, Apocalyptica, Saxon, Within Temptation, Dimmu Borgir, Ministry, and many more. Details here.

  Wacken Metal Battle USA is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance to win their spot among 30 other countries’ champions, and represent the USA in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air. The battles have been hosted at the festival for over a decade and give independent bands the opportunity to showcase their talents to an international audience along with the chance to win multiple prizes.

  How it works:​
  ​Participating cities will host qualifying rounds plus a city final organized by a local city concert promoter where one band will move forward to the American national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will move on to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2024 and compete against the winners of 30 other countries in a final global battle. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives.

  Links:​
  ​Metal-Battle.com​
  ​MetalBattleUSA.com​
  ​Facebook.com/metalbattleusa​.official​
  ​Twitter.com/MetalBattleUSA​
  ​Instagram.com/metalbattleusa.official

  ​

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  Sponsors / Partners:​
  Bravewords.com
  MetalDevastationRadio.com
  Metal-Rules.com
  V13.net
  GhostCultMag.com
  Dungeon Works Productions
  Asher Media Relations
  Fatal Illness Management
  Come And Take It Productions
  Brick By Brick
  VonWolfe Entertainment
  TMI Collaborations
  Dingbatz
  Dean Guitars

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• Canadian Thrashers MUTANK's New Album Wants You To "Think Before You Think"

  Nov 28, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Seven years in the making since 2017's EP "W.H.A.T.S.T.H.A.T." and touring across Canada with Annihilator and Australia's Mason, and a short hiatus, Montreal, Canada's MUTANK are discharging their new album "Think Before You Think" on November 29th via Boonsdale Records.

  Before it is officially released, MUTANK has teamed up with Decibel Magazine to premiere the album's full-stream, which you can bang your head heavy to HERE.

  "This is Thrash for Metalheads by Metalheads! We have evolved from crossover to a more refined thrash band with longer and more intricate songs, it can be a bit proggy… The level of seriousness in songwriting is evident in the new album. We want this album to energize people and make them feel the way we do when we listen to some of our favourite artists. This album is the most material we have ever put out! 50 minutes of pure metal across 10 tracks. The songs picked themselves as we kept writing tracks we enjoyed playing. Lyrically we cover a lot of ground from the economy to time travel.” adds the band.

  MUTANK's new album "Think Before You Think" features ten volcanic thrash tracks to blaze a new path to jackhammer a pure audio assault. Live favourites such as "Running Reds", "Abortron", and "Thrash Primordial" are sure to please die-hard fans for easy repeat listens. With a passion for classic thrash and a desire to play radical riffs, MUTANK made a deservedly big impression on the Canadian metal scene with their debut EP "M.E.C.H METAL" and a performance at Wacken Open Air after being declared champions of the 2014 Wacken Metal Battle Canada competition.

  ​

  With their distinctive sound, the band moved forward in 2017, touring across Canada supporting ANNIHILATOR alongside Australia's MASON in support of their EP "W.H.A.T.S.T.H.A.T" (Boonsdale Records). Metal Injection also named the band "1 of 8 Hidden Gems in Canadian Metal You Need To Know" (Read here).

  2024 will be a tour de force for MUTANK with the payload of "Think Before You Think". Fans of D.R.I., Suicidal Tendencies, Havok, Megadeth, Overkill, and Exodus are sure to join them in the circle pit when it releases.

  CD Pre-Order (Limited to 250 copies) - https://boonsdale.bigcartel.com/product/mutank-think-before-you-think-cd-pre-order​

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3NLOS88​

  ​

  Track Listing:
  ​1. Illuminatus - 6:14
  2. Payback - 5:24
  3. All Against All - 4:43
  4. Channel Change - 5:11
  5. Bad Magnitude - 5:30
  6. Abortron - 3:37
  7. Groundbreaker - 2:08
  8. Metalheads For Hire - 5:37
  9. Running Reds - 6:27
  10. Thrash Primordial - 4:40
  Album Length: 49:38

  More Info: Boonsdalerecords.com | Facebook.com/bonebrainsnotdemolishers | Instagram.com/mutank_or_die | X.com/MUTANK

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• Join MUTANK On A Thrashing Psychedelic Monster Brigade In New Video "Illuminatus" Off New Album "Think Before You Think" Out End of November 2024 (Boonsdale Records)

  Nov 7, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Canadian demolition thrash crew MUTANK will be unravelling their newest collection of bangers and first taste of new neck-breaking tunes in seven years with their new album "Think Before You Think" once again on Boonsdale Records on November 29th, 2024 to follow 2017's EP "W.H.A.T.S.T.H.A.T.".

  Featuring ten volcanic thrash tracks to blaze a new path to jackhammer a pure audio assault. Live favourites such as "Running Reds", "Abortron", and "Thrash Primordial" are sure to please die-hard fans for easy repeat listens.

  "This is Thrash for Metalheads by Metalheads we evolved from crossover to a more refined thrash band with longer and more intricate songs… The level of seriousness in songwriting is evident in the new album. We want this album to energize people and make them feel the way we do when we listen to some of our favourite artists. This album is the most material we have ever put out! 50 minutes of pure metal across 10 tracks. The songs picked themselves as we kept writing tracks we enjoyed playing.”

  Today, MUTANK is ready to unveil their album opener and psychedelic monster brigade video "Illuminatus". The band explains further:

  "This intro track sets the tone for the album with its strong riffs and songwriting to continue the MUTANK tradition of elaborate riffs and ripping solos! Lyrically Illuminatus (which gets its title from the 1975 novel) is about power and how it takes the souls of those that desire it the most.”

  With a passion for classic thrash and a desire to play radical riffs, MUTANK made a deservedly big splash on the Canadian metal scene with their debut EP "M.E.C.H METAL" and a performance at Wacken Open Air after being declared champions of the 2014 Wacken Metal Battle Canada competition.

  ​

  With their distinctive sound, the band moved forward in 2017, touring across Canada supporting ANNIHILATOR alongside Australia's MASON in support of their EP "W.H.A.T.S.T.H.A.T" (Boonsdale Records). Metal Injection also named the band "1 of 8 Hidden Gems in Canadian Metal You Need To Know" (Read here).

  2024 will be a tour de force for MUTANK with the launch of "Think Before You Think". Fans of D.R.I., Suicidal Tendencies, Havok, Megadeth, Overkill, and Exodus are sure to join them in the pit when it releases on November 29th, 2024 on Boonsdale Records.

  CD Pre-Order (Limited to 250 copies) - https://boonsdale.bigcartel.com/product/mutank-think-before-you-think-cd-pre-order​

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3NLOS88​

  Track Listing:
  ​1. Illuminatus - 6:14
  2. Payback - 5:24
  3. All Against All - 4:43
  4. Channel Change - 5:11
  5. Bad Magnitude - 5:30
  6. Abortron - 3:37
  7. Groundbreaker - 2:08
  8. Metalheads For Hire - 5:37
  9. Running Reds - 6:27
  10. Thrash Primordial - 4:40
  Album Length: 49:38

  More Info: Boonsdalerecords.com | Facebook.com/bonebrainsnotdemolishers | Instagram.com/mutank_or_die | X.com/MUTANK

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