Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay love! \m/\m/
CJLO – 1690AM – Montreal – Loud
#2 CHÜZO
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjlo.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-01-21
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92.5 FM CFBX “the X” – Kamloops – Loud
#10 Pythonic
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfbx.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-01-21
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CJSR FM 88.5 – Edmonton – Loud
#6 BornBroken
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjsr.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-01-21
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Local 107.3fm – Saint John – Top 30
#24 Striker
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfmh.cfm?dWeekOfID=2025-01-21
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CIVL Radio 101.7 FM – Abbotsford – Top 30
#11 Triskelyon, #12 MUTANK – Boonsdale Records
https://earshot-online.com/charts/civl.cfm?dWeekOfID=2025-01-21
Archive For
0 Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay love! \m/\m/ CJLO – 1690AM – Montreal – Loud #2 CHÜZO | 92.5 FM CFBX “the X” – Kamloops – Loud #10 Pythonic | CJSR FM 88.5 – Edmonton – Loud #6 BornBroken | Local 107.3fm – Saint John – Top 30 #24 Striker | CIVL Radio 101.7 FM – Abbotsford – Top 30 #11 Triskelyon, #12 MUTANK – Boonsdale Records
0 Exitus Stratagem Records – THIRTEEN GOATS Open Up The Pit For Glacial Mutilation Metal Festival + “Tour of The Black Flame” w/ OPAL IN SKY, NAMELESS KING + New Album “Capricorn Rising” Out Now!
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – January 22, 2024
THIRTEEN GOATS Open Up The Pit For Glacial Mutilation Metal Festival
+ Vancouver Island Tour Dates – “Tour of The Black Flame” w/ OPAL IN SKY, NAMELESS KING
New Album “Capricorn Rising” Out Now! via Exitus Strategem Records
“It’s really strong. GREAT musicians, great production, as well as a very progressive aspect without losing the darkness.” – Kelly Schaefer, Atheist
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L-R: Thirteen Goats Current Lineup | Rob Fitz-Gerald (Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Backing Vocals) | Graham K. Miles (Lead Vocals, Lead & Rhythm Guitars) | Cody Lewichew (Bass, Gang Vocals) | Leonid Verman (Drums, Gang Vocals) – Photo Credit: Kevyn Lilith Hoskin
Vancouver, Canada’s Thirteen Goats announce they will be performing on this year’s lineup for the Glacial Mutilation Metal Festival being held over three nights in Vancouver, BC from February 20th to 22nd at The Wise Hall. Thirteen Goats will be the festival’s opening band alongside The Hallowed Catharsis (Vancouver, BC), Dawn of Ouroboros (Oakland, CA), Black Pestilence (Calgary, AB), and Rat King (Seattle, WA).
The festival lineup also features Exist (Baltimore, MD), Bonded By Blood (Pomona, CA), Xoth (Seattle, WA), Terrifier (Vancouver, BC), Celestial Wizard (Denver, CO), Nomad (Okanagan, BC), Art of Attrition (Red Deer, AB) and more!
Full details and lineup are available at the following links:
Facebook Event – https://www.facebook.com/events/3676238119297179
Tickets – https://orangetickets.ca/detalles_evento.php?id_evento=1872
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In additional news, Thirteen Goats will be storming Vancouver Island, BC in March 2025 for the “Tour of The Black Flame” supporting OPAL IN SKY alongside NAMELESS KING (dates listed below). Thirteen Goats is touring in support of their second album—the extreme metal rock opera “Capricorn Rising” unleashed on Exitus Stratagem Records this past July.
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Tour of The Black Flame w/ Opal In Sky, Nameless King, Thirteen Goats
Tickets available at – https://orangetickets.ca/
March 20 – Nanaimo, BC – The Globe
March 21 – Victoria, BC – Phoenix Bar
March 22 – Port Alberni, BC – Rainbow Room
March 23 – Cumberland, BC – Masonic Hall
Thirteen Goats’s “Capricorn Rising,” tells the story of their mascot, Shepherd: a goat-skull-wearing Antichrist who raises an army of animals to liberate the earth from humanity’s constant wars and greed. This high-concept narrative is delivered with Thirteen Goats‘ signature blend of infernal riffs, huge hooks, and uniquely theatrical songwriting.
Each song on the album is part of a broader narrative that explores themes of disillusionment, radicalization, and rebellion as Shepherd and his 12 demon goats wage their crusade. Thirteen Goats delivers a unique blend of death and thrash metal, combined with a storytelling approach that takes listeners on a journey through the darkest aspects of both human and animal nature.
Listeners can expect furious riffage, ambitious song structures, and even occasional female guest vocals (courtesy of guest artist Carly Ellen Jones). What they shouldn’t expect is a record that plays it safe or falls neatly into one specific subgenre. Thirteen Goats is recommended for fans of Lamb of God, Carcass, and Mastodon.
Released on July 12, 2024, “Capricorn Rising” is available from Exitus Stratagem Records at https://www.exsrmusic.com/store/p/pre-sale-thirteen-goats-capricorn-rising
Spotify – https://spoti.fi/41hkue1
Music Videos:
Murder Lives in the Heart – https://youtu.be/hpgqlbehecM
Sign of the Goat – https://youtu.be/D_J3sPkBPxU
A Wolf in Shepherd’s Clothing – https://youtu.be/6J5wSen7Emc
More info: Exsrmusic.com | ThirteenGoats.com
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“It’s really strong. GREAT musicians, great production, as well as a very progressive aspect without losing the darkness.” – Kelly Shaefer from Atheist
“take a spin around the room with Thirteen Goats’ “high-concept narrative” and take on modern metal stylized by everything from Mastodon and Carcass to Cannibal Corpse and Lamb of God.” – Decibel Magazine
“Tinnitist Album of The Week! Thirteen Goats ‘Capricorn Rising’ – Exitus Stratagem Records – https://tinnitist.com/2024/07/11/albums-of-the-week-thirteen-goats-capricorn-rising/
“All in all, on “Capricorn Rising” the gentlemen from the West Coast combine the universal power of North American thrash metal into a versatile, interesting and, above all, powerful record.8/10″ – Power-Metal.de
“What makes this turbocharged song (Sign of The Goat) so damned much diabolical fun is the band’s melding of viscerally compulsive grooves, head-spinning instrumental pyrotechnics, and rapid-fire vocal assaults — and doing so in a way that makes the track highly infectious too. The song vividly intersects with the tech-death sphere through flurries of quickly darting, swirling, and swarming riffage, deliriously cavorting arpeggios, and a multitude of percussive fusillades. As displayed in the video, fingers and limbs fly like the wind, and the guttural barks and hair-raising screams in the vocal department rhythmically eject the violent words just as fast and just as furiously. But, as forecast, the song is also a viscerally groovesome beast. It’s almost relentlessly hard-slugging, but what really stands out are brutish, muscle-galvanizing jackhammer-bursts, the first of which comes only 25 seconds into the track. Another one of those episodes sets itself up as the backdrop for crazed guitar soloing that sounds like the ecstasies of fiends. And we did warn you — this thing is also immediately catchy and enduringly addictive. It comes recommended for fans of Bolt Thrower, Archspire, and Lamb of God.” – NoCleanSinging
“To get some idea of Thirteen Goats’ approach to heavy music, consider that the Straight’s own Mike Usinger once asked readers to imagine “Vulgar Display of Power-era Pantera in a cage match with Cannibal Corpse and Ministry.” That’s a great start, but it doesn’t account for tracks like “Beheading Zoo”, which tops neck-snapping thrash with enough throat-shredding black-metal screams to please even the most discerning Mayhem fan. Or “Murder Lives in the Heart”, which throws a soaring refrain of heaven-sent clean vocals (courtesy of Carly Ellen Jones) into the mix… Capricorn Rising is that rarest of things in today’s world: a true album, with a set of songs designed to be listened to in sequence. Those songs tell the tale of Shepherd, a man so distraught over the state of the world—endless wars, environmental devastation, and other human-made disasters—that he sells his soul for the power to communicate with non-human creatures… Capricorn Rising is a saga replete with scorched-earth mayhem and mass slaughter—something you can bang your head to while pondering your own complicity in the global capitalist exploitation of ecosystems and peoples alike. In other words, it’s basically the perfect LP for our profoundly fucked-up epoch.” – Georgia Straight (Vancouver Weekly)
“they turn on the thrusters for “Beheading Zoo” and “Permission To Die,” closer “Animal Kingdom” is a quasi-ballad with a ferocious second half. ” – Heavy Music Headquarters
“their music gets the blood pumping. Sounding something like Archspire mixed with Blackening-era Machine Head, the tracks on Capricorn Rising are direct and violent. ” – Metal Utopia
“I’d say this is melodic death, some brutal death stuff, melodic music, black metal vox, growns and clean vox too.” – 89.9 WORT FM – The Moshpit (Madison, WI)
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
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0 WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA Announces Battle Rounds & Bands – One Band To Conquer Them All & Play Wacken Open Air
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – January 21, 2025
WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA Announces Battle Rounds & Bands
One Band To Conquer Them All & Play Wacken Open Air
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One Band To Conquer Them All! Wacken Metal Battle USA is proud to announce its 2025 rounds and participating bands (more to be announced) across the country, which will 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).
Wacken Battle Trailer Video – https://youtu.be/fjMugRXEc5g
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).
Spotify – 2024 WMBU National Finalists Playlist – https://spoti.fi/4cbAEb8
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 USA Wacken Battles – The national final will be held in Clifton, NJ on June 21st at Dingbatz.
Texas Battles:
Jan 31 – Dallas, TX – Trees w/ IH8, Dead Stereo, Vein, Gravehuffer, Divide, From the Grave
Feb 1 – Dallas, TX – Trees w/ Lyric Noel, Wolvera, The Funeral Procession, Oklahoma Blood, Hand Over Fist
Feb 2 – Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live
Feb 8 – Houston, TX – BFE Rock Club
Feb 22 – San Antonio, TX – Rock Box
Feb 23 – Corpus Christi, TX – House of Rock
March 9 – Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live
California Dates:
Feb 8 – Oakland, CA – Toot’s Tavern w/ Taunted, Midnight Mass, Dev1ous
Feb 22 – Santa Ana, CA – Stages w/ Mourning High, Kumsumption, Against The Sun, Final Summon, Vendetta XIII, War Goul, Illusions of Grandeur
Feb 28 – Sacramento, CA – On The Y w/ Diamantide, Cross, Jnx, Replication
March 1 – Santa Ana, CA – Stages w/ Sentinel Hill, Stryke, Hazard, Nox Sinister, Andsoul, John Demena
March 7 – Oakland, CA – Toot’s Tavern w/ Creepo, Project Mayhem, Burden of Oath, Modern Monsters, Swept To Sea
March 22 – Sacramento, CA – On The Y w/ Way II Stoned, Rail Rage, Exacto, O’Craven
April 5 – Santa Ana, CA – Stages w/ Deface The Dream, Parabellum, Subtle Tension, Hellheart, Tomb of Minerva
April 5 – Sacramento CA – On The Y
April 12 – Oakland, CA – Toot’s Tavern w/ Thares, Catapult Collision, No Fucking Good, Sonus, Tungsten Reigns
April 18 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick w/ Avadan, The Provoked, Sleeping Faceless, Door 13 and more…
April 19 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick w/ The Norse, Brutalator, Of Glory and Decay, Fire & Flesh, Gannondorf and more…
May 3 – Oakland, CA – Toot’s Tavern
May 17 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
May 31 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
Maryland Battles:
Feb 8 – Catonsville, MD – Morsbergers Tavern w/ Omen//Skye, Voids, For Fear Itself, Nights Edge, What Are The Odds?, Delenda
March 1 – Catonsville, MD – Morsbergers Tavern w/ Dying Oath, Bedroom Floor, Traverse The Abyss, Feed Me To The Wolves, Space Lumberjacks and more…
March 22 – Catonsville, ND – Morsbergers Tavern w/ Watersdeep, Gone Cold, Babies For Brunch, Within Me, Desolation, Fupa Goddess
New Jersey Battles:
Feb 28 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz w/ Prime Prophecy, Gore, Psilo, PERN, Before I Die, Youth Death Club
March 1 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz w/ Deadly Ascension, Falsify, Jackpipe, Ultraviolet, FireHaze, The Age of Ore
April 4 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz
May 17 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz
June 21 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz – National Final
New York Battles:
March 6 – Brooklyn, NY – Woodshop Brooklyn
March 7 – Brooklyn, NY – Lucky 13 Saloon
April 12 – Brooklyn, NY – Our Wicked Lady
Florida Battles:
March 15 – Tampa, FL – The Brass Mug w/ Wirethrone, Varanger, Nocturnal Dawn, Claux, Endurus, Forfeiture
April 19 – Tampa, FL – The Brass Mug w/ Pontifex, Othalan, Nibiru, Piss On Christ, Corrupted Saint, Donefor
May 17 – Tampa, FL – The Brass Mug
Washington Battles:
March 28 – Seattle, WA – The Funhouse
Oregon Battles:
March 29 – Portland, OR – Dante’s
April 19 – Portland, OR – Dante’s
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:
Fatal Illness Management
Bravewords.com
Metal-Rules.com
V13.net
GhostCultMag.com
MetalDevastationRadio
Come And Take It Productions
Brick By Brick
TMI Collaborations
Dingbatz
Piox Promotions
Tampa Bay Metal Scene
Last Light Presents
East Coast Metal Mayhem
Dean Guitars
Asher Media Relations
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
0 TUMBLEWEED DEALER Creates A Groovy Soundtrack For Alan Moore’s Retelling of Swamp Thing’s Origin w/ “Ghosts Dressed In The Weeds” Off New Album “Dark Green” Out Feb 2025
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – January 21, 2025
TUMBLEWEED DEALER Creates A Groovy Soundtrack For Alan Moore’s Retelling of Swamp Thing’s Origin w/ “Ghosts Dressed In The Weeds”
New Album “Dark Green” Out February 2025
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L-R – Seb Painchaud – Bass & Guitars, Jean-Baptiste Joubaud – Synths & Programming, Angelo Fata – Drums & Percussions
Photo Credit – PAULINE DELABORDE PHOTOGRAPHIE
Set to release their fourth studio album “Dark Green” this February 2025, Montreal, Canada’s instrumental progressive psychedelic groove metal triad Tumbleweed Dealer is sharing their second single “Ghosts Dressed In The Weeds”.
Unlike all other tracks on the record, “Ghosts Dressed In The Weeds” is the band’s first foray into music with vocals as they paired up with Ceschi Ramos, whose versatility matches the group’s genre-bending sound.
Composed specifically for Tumbleweed Dealer to collaborate with Ceschi Ramos. The band first gave it a more repetitive pattern so Ramos could do a 16-bar rap. The trio then wrote the melodies with his voice in mind, and they crafted parts to serve as choruses. Ramos listened to the song over and over again as he wrote down his words. It became a symbiotic experience, which made the writing even more special as it stands alone as the only vocal track among an otherwise instrumental album.
Seb Painchaud explains the track further:
“The lyrics for Ghosts Dressed In Weeds were mostly written by Ceschi Ramos. I wrote the hooks first and let him in on my inspiration for this album: Alan Moore’s re-imagining of Swamp Thing’s origin story. The emphasis is on the moment where Swamp Thing gets dissected and has his worst enemy laugh while he explains to him that he is not a man turned into a plant, but rather a plant that absorbed a dead man’s memories through osmosis. That exact moment is the inspiration for the album. I didn’t want Ceschi to write specifically ABOUT the graphic novel though. It was enough for him to capture the essence of having your whole world turned upside down, your whole self-perception changed. When Swampy receives the news, he freaks out, breaks free, runs away, and lies down in a swamp without moving for over a month. We’ve all had moments where we just wanted to lay down in a marsh and die. We have felt like we didn’t know how to make sense of a revelation that shatters our self-image. My exact words to Ceschi were that he needed to capture that “How do I go on from here?” moment we have all had. And I think he did that perfectly.”
Watch and listen to the lyric video for “Ghosts Dressed In The Weeds” via its premiere on New Noise Magazine HERE.
The new album “Dark Green” is Tumbleweed Dealer‘s effort to capture two essential parts in Alan Moore’s retelling of Swamp Thing’s origin. Firstly, the main character’s struggle and loss of identity. Secondly, they wanted to capture the antagonist’s transformation into nature’s anger towards men.
Each song is meant to feel like a complete journey where listeners are transported to a world where blues, psychedelia, and progressive rock intertwine. It’s been a long-awaited record and marks a bold new chapter for them since 2016’s “TDIII – Tokes, Hatred & Caffeine”. It’s a culmination of their growth as musicians and their desire to create something truly unique. Other notable guests on the album are Zach Strouse’s (Rivers Of Nihil, Burial In The Sky) guest saxophone solo and Antoine Baril’s (Augury, Obliveon) vintage keys for the album’s title track.
“I think the evolution between our third album, and this new one, will surprise some people. We didn’t write a follow-up to our last record. Instead, we incubated the band’s sound and sped up its evolution. If we kept on pace to release an album every year like we did at first, this would’ve been the 10th one. But we had kids, and that slowed down the process—so this is an evolutionary leap forward that might be jarring. I think that anyone who enjoyed our previous releases will still find what they liked in our sound while enjoying the new variety we’ve brought to it.” says Painchaud.
Due out on February 7, 2025, “Dark Green” is recommended for fans of Elder, Ohm, Camel, Opeth, and Cynic, and is available for album pre-order at https://tumbleweeddealer420.bandcamp.com/album/dark-green
First Single / Title Track – Dark Green – https://youtu.be/L73im_7hOWs
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Track Listing:
1. A Distant Figure In The Fog (2:52)
2. Sparks Adrift In The Louisiana Nightsky (3:39)
3. A Plant That Thinks It’s Human (3:34)
4. Becoming One With The Bayou (3:19)
5. Dragged Across The Wetlands (2:56)
6. Dark Green (4:48)
7. Ghosts Dressed In Weeds (5:31)
8. Moss On The Mind (3:13)
9. Body Of The Bog (6:34)
10. A Soul Made Of Sludge (3:49)
Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Tumbleweed Dealer
• All songs written by: Tumbleweed Dealer
• Produced by: Jean-Baptiste Joubaud
• Mixed by: Jean-Baptiste Joubaud
• Mastered by: Harris Newman
• Album Artwork by: Glenn Le Calvez
Album Band Line Up:
Seb Painchaud – Bass & Guitars
Angelo Fata – Drums & Percussions
Jean-Baptiste Joubaud – Synths & Programming
Guest Musicians:
Antoine Baril – Mellotron, Hammond Organ & Keyboards on tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 & 10
Guillaume Audette – Wurlitzer, Rhodes and Church Organ on tracks 8 & 10
Jocelyn Couture – Trumpet & Flugel Horn on tracks 4, 5, 7 and 9
Loïc Roy-Turgeon – Trombone on tracks 4 and 5
Zach Strouse – Saxophone on track 6
And special guest star Ceschi Ramos as himself on track 7
More info: Facebook.com/TumbleweedDealer | X.com/westernhorror | Instagram.com/tumbleweeddealer
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“The epic song (Dark Green) is a good indication of what the rest of the record holds, which is plenty of blues, psychedelia, and prog rock.” – Decibel Magazine
“Tumbleweed Dealer’s “Dark Green,” the title track from their upcoming album out on February 7th, is a lesson in blending diverse musical influences into a singular, gripping piece. Clocking in at just under five minutes, the song showcases the band’s evolution and fearless creativity by weaving elements of blues, psychedelia, and progressive rock into a dynamic and unpredictable journey. The track builds a narrative through its seamless shifts in tone and texture. From introspective melodies to bursts of raw energy, the track balances complexity with accessibility. Antoine Baril’s vintage keys anchor the composition, giving it a retro flair, while Zach Strouse’s saxophone solo adds an unexpected but welcome layer of richness. Tumbleweed Dealer’s roots in extreme music shine subtly through black metal-inspired melodies and brief flashes of double bass drum that are a nod to their past without overshadowing their current direction. This contrast between intensity and finesse underscores the band’s skill in pushing genre boundaries. “Dark Green” not only introduces the thematic essence of the album but it also captures the spirit of exploration that has defined Tumbleweed Dealer’s evolution.” – Amplify The Noise
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
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0 HYPERSPACE METALFEST Adds GREYHAWK, THE ASTRAL PROPHETS To 2025 Lineup w/ ENFORCER, PSYCHOSTICK, GLYPH, CRIMSON SHADOWS, LUNAR, OWLBEAR, RED CAIN and more!
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – January 21, 2025
HYPERSPACE METALFEST Adds GREYHAWK, THE ASTRAL PROPHETS To 2025 Lineup
w/ ENFORCER, PSYCHOSTICK, GLYPH, CRIMSON SHADOWS, LUNAR, OWLBEAR, RED CAIN and more!
April 10th – 12th – Vancouver
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HMF 2025 Lineup Spotify Playlist – https://spoti.fi/3T4kU2p
Returning for its 6th edition after another year of crowd-pleasing epic fun in Vancouver, B.C., Canada’s premier melodic and power metal festival HYPERSPACE METAL FEST announces the addition of headliner GREYHAWK along with The Astral Prophets to their 2025 lineup to replace the unfortunate cancelations of Planeswalker and support from Heyoka’s Mirror.
Festival organizer Joey Hockin of Journeyman Productions adds:
“There has been a shakeup in the Hyperspace lineup for this year. Planeswalker and Heyoka’s Mirror have had to cancel their appearances this April. We’re hoping that we’ll be able to have them at the fest in the future, we’re going to keep trying for next year. For this year please welcome newcomers The Astral Prophets and for the Friday night headliner, we have the mighty Greyhawk stepping up to play once again! Anyone who’s seen them at Hyperspace before knows that they are going to tear the roof off!”
Being hosted at The Cobalt (April 10 &11th) and the Rickshaw Theatre (April 12th), Hyperspace Metal Fest’s 2025 lineup features headliners ENFORCER, PSYCHOSTICK, along with Crimson Shadows, Lunar, Owlbear, Tower Hill, Solarus, Red Cain, Tylor Dory Trio, Serpent Rider, Luminator, and Crüzer.
Headlining Saturday, April 12th at The Rickshaw Theatre, Sweden’s ENFORCER have proved themselves both live and on record, they stake their place amongst the world’s most renowned heavy metal bands since first forming in 2005. They have toured the world over, playing the biggest festivals and garnering a global fanbase. Their latest sixth studio album Nostalgia (released May 2023 – Nuclear Blast), features 13 heavy metal anthems and throws ENFORCER back to their speed metal roots. Fusing extreme guitar riffing with catchy stadium choruses, ENFORCER is out to conquer the world. Music Video – Nostalgia – https://youtu.be/XhfrJAPbOCY
Supporting ENFORCER on the closing night lineup will be Comedy Metal Kings PSYCHOSTICK. These humorcore titans bring forth a nostalgic escapade of sing-alongs and moshing fun with iconic titles such as “Beer!”, “Numbers (I Can Only Count to Four)”, “Dogs Like Socks”, “Obey The Beard!”, “Boobs”, and their latest single “Ultra Mega Fast” – https://youtu.be/kaqeizvxefM
The Saturday night lineup will also witness the return of the formidable force that is Toronto’s Crimson Shadows bringing forth tales of fantasy and warfare in their fierce melodic power and death metal imbued sound. Thundering across the icy Canadian mountains, Crimson Shadows has awoken after five years away. The band has emerged from the dark and is preparing to forge its own path in this next stage of its journey. Across their defiant career stretching almost two decades, to date notable highlights of Crimson Shadows‘ journey include the band’s appearance at Wacken Open Air in Germany in mid-2013 and subsequent victory in obtaining the title of International Wacken Battle Champions. Alongside international performances, Crimson Shadows has ventured across the length and breadth of their homeland delivering brutality, technical prowess, and unyielding intensity in their melding of power and death. Music Video – Guardians – https://youtu.be/W9BKYvGYeCM
Headlining Friday, April 11th at The Cobalt and returning for their third time at HMF is Seattle’s Greyhawk. This will be the band’s first time headlining along with performing with new vocalist Anthony Corso. They are supporting their latest album “Thunderheart” released in April 2024 on Fighter Records, a division of Xtreem Music. Band playthrough – Spellstone – https://youtu.be/65ySwth-LKo
The second night of the festival will also unleash the first-ever live performance of Lunar, a progressive metal project from California that features members from Helion Prime, Beholder, Vis Mystica, Mokili Wa, Nordic Frost, Outloud, and Double Vision. Founded by drummer Alex Bosson (Helion Prime, Planeswalker) and Ryan Erwin who passed away in 2018, LUNAR continues in his memory. This fourth full-length “Tempora Mutantur” out on January 31st via Saibot Reigns Records follows 2023’s “The Illusionist” and features a fresh lineup with the addition of guitarists Carlos Alvarez and Connor McCray (Vis Mystica) along with keyboardist Anthony Stahl plus album guests Wayne Ingram (Wildrun), Joe Gullace (Thank You Scientist) and Sam Vallen (Caligula’s Horse). Music Video – Watch The Weather Change – https://youtu.be/WKdnZD_DJsE
Meant to perform on the 2024 lineup, but forced to cancel, Tylor Dory Trio returns for 2025, they are a monstrous progressive metal unit and beloved by many in Western Canada. This live performance on Friday, April 11th, will be their first following a nearly seven-year layoff. Music Video – The Waitress – https://youtu.be/nh9MxcSqlOE
Also added to the Friday lineup and opening the night is The Astral Prophets, a psychedelic rock/metal band from Calgary, AB featuring Apprentice, Lycanthro, and Scythia members. This is the band’s first time on the fest although some members have played the fest before in previous groups. They will be supporting their latest 2023 EP “Anywhere But Here”. EP Stream – https://youtu.be/255g8CZX2F8
Opening night of the festival, Thursday, April 10th at The Cobalt, will showcase the Pacific Northwest’s Glyph, which is not just a heavy metal band, they are a crew of intergalactic mercenaries escaping a dying planet in their spaceship, the VSS Dragonlord. Clearly, Glyph isn’t just writing songs, they’re building worlds and they bring it forth in their latest album “Honor, Power, Glory” released this past March. Music Video – March of the Northern Clan – https://youtu.be/htSyUb25wD4
Traveling from Edmonton, AB, Tower Hill delivers premium old-school heavy metal inspired by bands like Running Wild, Riot, Judas Priest, early Blind Guardian, and Helloween. Forging the best of the late 80s and early 90s German, British, and US metal scenes into a new blend of shimmering steel, Tower Hill’s riff-driven, hook-laden traditional metal will have you banging your head and singing along. Lyric Video – Deathstalker – https://youtu.be/IGybnd-HZRU👍
Replacing the originally announced Lost Nebula, Calgary’s RED CAIN has been imported to perform their power-prog storytelling with Eastern European roots for the masses. They have been making waves since their first release in 2016, with award-winning music videos and concept albums “Kindred: Act I”, “Kindred: Act II” and “NÄE’BLISS”. The albums contained a ton of genre inspirations, from gothic rock to ambient electronica, power, black, and death metal, and were universally lauded for their inventiveness, variety, and strong conceptual content. They continue this momentum with the latest singles “Firestarter” and “Demons II”. Music Video – Demons II – https://youtu.be/7VViLOrFfQ8
Hyperspace Metal Festival VI – April 10th – 12th.
One-day passes and three-day passes are available at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/hyperspace-metal-festival-vi-tickets-1000996957847
Facebook Event – https://www.facebook.com/events/1637280440385808
Thursday, April 10th – The Cobalt
Glyph
Tower Hill
Red Cain
Serpent Rider
Crüzer
Friday, April 11th – The Cobalt
Greyhawk
Lunar
Solarus
Tylor Dory Trio
The Astral Prophets
Saturday, April 12th – The Rickshaw Theatre
Enforcer
Psychostick
Crimson Shadows
Owlbear
Luminator
To follow updates for Hyperspace Metal Festival 2024, please visit the following links:
Facebook.com/HyperspaceMetalFestival
Instagram.com/HyperspaceMetalFestival
Festival Press Materials Dropbox HERE.
Over the five editions of Hyperspace Metal Festival, bands from all over the world have come to play power, prog, melodic death, and speed metal on the Canadian West Coast. The festival has presented lineups that have included performances by Týr, Flotsam and Jetsam, Skelator, Trollfest, Aether Realm, Exmortus, Striker, Riot City, Into Eternity, Witherfall, Planeswalker, Iron Kingdom, Helion Prime, Ravenous, Crimson Shadows, West of Hell, Judicator, Odinfist, Tanagra, Scythia, Greyhawk, The Order of Chaos, Red Cain, and many more.
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—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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0 WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA 2025 Announces BC Bands & Rounds – One Band To Rule Them All & Play Wacken Open Air
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – January 20, 2025
WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA 2025 Announces BC Bands & Rounds
– One Band To Rule Them All & Play Wacken Open Air 2025 –
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WMBC Trailer – https://youtu.be/b55Fh5Vo64k
Spotify – 2024 WMBC National Finalists Playlist HERE.
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 and bands, 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 – Vancouver, BC
DeathBound, NIGHTOWL, Utility Provider, Nokturna, Burnt Lung
Event Info – https://www.facebook.com/events/1114719273271273/
March 2 – BC Interior Round @ Jackknife Brewing – Kelowna, BC
Dendros, Burn It All, Gregorious, Nomad, Storm The Empire
Event Info – https://www.facebook.com/events/913101870812415/
March 22 – Vancouver Round 2 @ The Cobalt – Vancouver, BC
Iron Kingdom, Ashen Pall, Heathanz Sinz, Killing Twins, TIVR
Event Info – https://www.facebook.com/events/951824699871604/
March 30 – Vancouver Island Round @ Lucky Bar – Victoria, BC
YEGG, Electric Druids, Decryptor, Gate Theory, Antler
Event Info – https://www.facebook.com/events/481340948041676/
May 3 – BC Final @ The Cobalt – Vancouver, BC
May 31 – National Final @ The Rickshaw, Vancouver, BC
Ontario Dates:
January 10 – London Round @ Rum Runners
Atria (guest headliner), Death Club, Dead Days, 4HateU8
FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/1944970149316798/
WINNER – DEAD DAYS – https://www.facebook.com/deaddaysmusic
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).
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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.
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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
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
0 EPK – BornBroken – 2025
EPK – BornBroken – Am I Invisible (2024) – Out Sept 20th
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
For fans Chimaira, Decapitated, Testament, Machine Head, Slipknot
Band: BornBroken
Album Title: Am I Invisible
Release Date: September 20, 2024
Label: Self-Release
BrokenMusic.ca | Facebook.com/BornBroken | X.com/bornbroken | Instagram.com/bornbrokenofficial | Youtube.com/bornbrokenmusic
Bornbroken.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music
All Links – https://linktr.ee/bornbroken
Artist Endorsements – (EMG Pickups, D’Addario Strings, Planet Waves, Evans Drumheads, Nordstrand Pickups)
L-R Carlos Ojeda (Drums), Pavlos Haikalis (Guitar), Michael Decker (Vocals/Guitar), Mike Marino (Bass)
Photo Credit : Laura Collins
As Born Broken prepares to unleash their latest album, “Am I Invisible,” the band members reflect on the creative journey and the deep themes explored in their new work. Here’s what they had to say about the album:
“We wanted to create something raw and real.”
“Creating ‘Am I Invisible’ was an intense and rewarding process. This album represents who we are and what we stand for. “This album is incredibly personal for all of us. We poured our hearts into every beat, every note. It’s a journey through our highs and lows. ’Am I Invisible’ speaks to the struggles and emotions we’ve faced as individuals and as a band.
“Musically, this album allowed us to experiment with our roots in metal and it’s structures. We aimed to blend heavy, aggressive riffs with melodic elements to create a dynamic listening experience. ”From the relentless march of time in ‘Time Pays No Respect’ to the existential questions in the title track, every song is a piece of our collective soul.
Tracks like ‘How Strong You Are’ and ‘Fold’ showcase the balance. We’re proud of how the music complements the powerful lyrics. Each track brought out different emotions, from the stress and monotony captured in ‘7 Mondays’ to the introspective nature of ‘Will You Remember.’ Songs like ‘Age of Anger’ address the division and intolerance we see every day. We wanted to use our music to call for unity and empathy. This album is not just a collection of songs; it’s a message, a call to action for anyone who feels unheard or unseen.”
“We’ve always aimed to create music that tells a story, and ‘Am I Invisible’ is our most ambitious story yet. The themes of invisibility, isolation, and resilience are universal, and we wanted to convey them through powerful lyrics and compelling music. The album’s complexity and depth are a testament to our growth as a band.”
We’re grateful to our fans for their unwavering support and hope this album resonates with them as deeply as it does with us. Thank you for joining us on this journey.”
Born Broken is excited to share “Am I Invisible” with the world and invites everyone to experience the raw emotion and powerful messages encapsulated in their latest work. Stay tuned for upcoming events and join the conversation using #AmIInvisible.
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[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Band: BornBroken
Album Title: Am I Invisible
Release Date: September 20, 2024
Label: Self-Release
Track Listing:
1. Time Pays No Respect – 5:04
2. Am I Invisible – 3:54
3. Will You Remember – 4:03
4. How Strong You Are – 4:41
5. Conflicting Lies – 5:09
6. Scabs & Scars – 3:36
7. 7 Mondays – 4:00
8. Fold – 6:30
9. Age of Anger – 5:23
10. The Day I Die Inside – 5:07
Album Length: 47:31
Album Credits:
– ALL MUSIC, LYRICS WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY: BORNBROKEN
– PRODUCED, MIXED & MASTERED BY: CHRISTIAN DONALDSON
– ASSISTANT ENGINEERED BY: DOMINIC GRIMARD
– RECORDED @ CHRISTIAN DONALDSON STUDIOS (MONTREAL /SAINT-GABRIEL-DE-BRANDON, QUÉBEC CANADA )
– ARTWORK DESIGN & LOGO BY: MICHAEL DECKER & BORNBROKEN © & ℗ BORNBROKEN 2024 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Socan Member
Canadian Content MAPL
BornBroken Album Lineup
Mike Marino (Bass)
Michael Decker (Vocals/ All Guitars)
Carlos Ojeda (Drums)
BornBroken live and Official New Lineup
Mike Marino (Bass)
Michael Decker (Vocals/Guitar)
Carlos Ojeda (Drums)
Pavlos Haikalis (Guitar) Newest member after recording
About the Album Artwork:
The artwork for “Am I Invisible” by Born Broken features a striking design with a strong, bold visual impact. Here are some key elements of the artwork:
1. **Title and Band Name**:
– The new band name logo “Born Broken” is prominently displayed at the top in a jagged, aggressive font, colored in dark red. The lettering style conveys a sense of raw energy and intensity.
– The album title “Am I Invisible” is subtly placed at the bottom, in a smaller, clean font. It’s less prominent but adds a haunting, introspective touch to
the overall design.
2. **Central Imagery**:
– The focal point is a large, red eye at the center of the artwork. The eye has a glossy, almost mechanical appearance, giving it an unsettling, intense look. The red color of the eye stands out sharply against the otherwise monochromatic
background.
– The eye is surrounded by a splash of red paint or blood, adding a chaotic and dynamic feel to the design.
3. **Background**:
– The background is a textured mix of black, white, and grey tones, with splatters and drips that add a grungy, distressed effect. This creates a sense of
depth and movement.
– The interplay of light and dark areas in the background enhances the stark contrast with the central red eye, drawing attention to it.
4. **Overall Mood**:
– The combination of the aggressive typography, the intense red eye, and the chaotic background conveys a mood of aggression, introspection, and
intensity.
This artwork effectively captures a dark, intense aesthetic that aligns with our band’s themes and style.
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About The Album:
For us it’s a straight up metal approach, we write what we want to write, what feels right to us. Lyrically it’s a personal approach for the everyday listener and
fans can relate to. Everyday fears and everyday joys…we’ll there is not that must joy left, with he way the world is going…
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Track By Track
1. **Time Pays No Respect**
– **Theme:** The relentless and impartial nature of time, its impact on humanity, and the inevitability of death.
– **Lyrics Highlights:** The song speaks about the futility of resisting time, the sorrow it brings, and the way it devours everything. The chorus emphasizes the pain that time inflicts, which cannot be defended against or forgotten.
2. **Am I Invisible**
– **Theme:** Feelings of invisibility, isolation, and existential despair.
– **Lyrics Highlights:** The song questions the significance of the individual’s existence and the impact of societal neglect. It explores the desolate emotions of being unnoticed and unmissed, with a recurring chorus asking “Am I Invisible.”
3. **Will You Remember**
– **Theme:** The importance of memories and the moments that truly matter in life.
– **Lyrics Highlights:** The song reflects on corruption, silence, and the significance of living in the present. It challenges listeners to remember and surrender when it truly counts, emphasizing forgiveness and healing.
4. **How Strong You Are**
– **Theme:** Personal strength, resilience, and self-belief.
– **Lyrics Highlights:** The song encourages taking charge of one’s destiny and overcoming challenges. It speaks about the importance of truth, inner voices, and conviction in the face of adversity.
5. **Conflicting Lies**
– **Theme:** The damage caused by deceit and the struggle for truth.
– **Lyrics Highlights:** The song addresses the turmoil and hatred stemming from lies, and the necessity to make things right. It highlights the conflict between accepting lies and the desire for freedom from them.
6. **Scabs & Scars**
– **Theme:** The pain of relationships and the lessons learned from love and hurt.
– **Lyrics Highlights:** The song discusses the irony of hurting loved ones and giving to those who don’t matter. It calls for awakening and learning that love is not misery, and speaks about the universal nature of pain and mistakes.
7. **7 Mondays**
– **Theme:** Overwhelm and stress from the monotony and challenges of life.
– **Lyrics Highlights:** The song conveys a sense of being stuck in a repetitive, stressful cycle that feels like having “7 Mondays.” It explores themes of soul searching, stress, and the struggle to find answers.
8. **Fold**
– **Theme:** Decision-making and the consequences of actions.
– **Lyrics Highlights:** The song reflects on missed opportunities and the struggle to hold on. It talks about life’s changes, the risk of choices, and the dilemma of whether to fold or keep pushing forward.
9. **Age of Anger**
– **Theme:** Societal division, intolerance, and the need for unity.
– **Lyrics Highlights:** The song critiques the spread of anger and intolerance in the world, calling for unity and empathy. It emphasizes the tragic consequences of division and the need to come together to heal societal wounds.
10. ***The Day I Die Inside**
“The Day I Die Inside” is a hauntingly evocative instrumental and introspective track that delves into the emotional and psychological turmoil of losing one’s sense of self. The song explores the profound sadness and emptiness that comes with feeling detached from one’s own identity and passions. it captures the essence of an internal struggle where the protagonist* grapples with feelings of disillusionment and despair. The crescendo resonates with a sense of finality and resignation, reflecting the emotional death experienced when one’s inner light fades away. Overall, the song serves as a powerful anthem for those who have faced or are facing profound personal loss and existential crisis.
*In the context of the instrumental track “The Day I Die Inside,” the term “protagonist” refers to the emotional journey or the internal state being depicted rather than a specific character. The “protagonist” here is the emotional core of the piece—representing the profound sense of loss, disconnection, and existential struggle. This central emotional theme drives the narrative of the instrumental, guiding the listener through the highs and lows of the experience without the need for literal characters.
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#4 BornBroken – !earshot – The National Loud Chart
For the Week Ending: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
https://www.earshot-online.com/charts/index.cfm?intChartTypeID=106&dWeekOfID=2024-10-22
!earshot – October 2024 – top 200 – #186 BornBroken
https://www.earshot-online.com/charts/2024/October/top200.cfm#1
“Am I Invisible and is a sonic soiree in waiting for those who like their metal I the neighbourhood of early Machine Head, post-Roots Sepultura, Lamb of God and Fear Factory resplendent with big guitars, bigger grooves and the biggest choruses.” – Decibel Magazine
“… the song (“How Strong You Are”) includes an anthemic and inspirational chorus, where the vocals rise into impassioned singing. But don’t expect music that feels like it’s seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. The music itself puts up with no excuses, but instead punches fast and damned hard. Backed by battering percussion and thundering basslines, the song includes fiery, writhing riffage and hard-slugging, high-howling hardcore fury. It does soar in the catchy chorus, but even there the vocals also rabidly snarl, and the band always return to pile-driving the listener’s neck, punctuated by some start-stop bursts of high-speed jackhammering and gruesomely growled words. On top of all that, the song includes a fluidly slithering and swirling guitar that itself spirals high, and a finale in which the vocals become truly harsh and scarring while the band inflict one last brute-force beating.” – NoCleanSinging
““Am I Invisible” is a masterclass in modern death metal, balancing technical prowess with emotional depth. BORNBROKEN has crafted an album that not only delivers in terms of heaviness but also resonates on a personal level. The mix of aggressive instrumentation and introspective themes makes this a standout release in 2024, marking the band as a force to be reckoned with in the genre. 8/10″ – Metal Temple
“Man, oh man…..I don’t know if it’s in the water or the politics. But keep it’s got the Canadians angry and making some dope ass death metal. I never knew of this band before this review….but I will never forget them and they are certainly locked in on my playlist material. Released in September, the Album “Am I Invisible” is a knife to the knee stabbing of an album. Every single track, I mean everyone, is a slammer. No complaints from this metal head at all. Powerfully riffs, evil melodies, godly break downs, heavenly solos and vocals that are rage re-incarnate. The title track music video reflects the exact same energy as the album. Deep, symbolic, energetic and metal as hell itself. Don’t sleep on BornBroken and give them a taste test, eh!?!?” – Keeper Magazine
“an aggression fuelled, raging firestorm of fierce savagery, ‘Am I Invisible’ is a brutal onslaught of devastating thrash metal. 10.10 – Metal Gods TV
“Am I Invisible is an exceptional addition to BornBroken’s discography. It’s a brutal, soul-baring album that blends aggression with melody in a way that feels fresh and relevant. For fans of metal that isn’t afraid to confront its own vulnerability while maintaining a fierce edge, Am I Invisible is a must-listen. BornBroken is a band on the rise, and this album proves they are not to be ignored.” – Jace Media Music
““Am I Invisible” by BornBroken is a masterful exploration of the human experience. Its blend of aggressive metal with deeply personal themes creates an album that is both thought-provoking and sonically impressive.” – Din Intunerec
“BORNBROKEN, a name to remember which risks making a lot of noise with this monstrous and devastating new album from Neo Death Thrash groove with a little touch of subtlety.” – OdyMetal
“a solid slab of metal with no time for melodic interludes and once it gets on course, they do not deviate one iota. It’s this blinker on approach makes the album as strong as it is… a powerful statement of intent.- Metal Epidemic
“Am I Invisible is a narrative that invites one to reflect on their own experiences. Each track, from the overwhelming stress of “7 Mondays” to the introspective nature of “Will You Remember,” is a chapter in a broader story about the highs and lows of life. BornBroken’s dedication to their craft is evident. They’ve poured their hearts into this album and it shows in the intensity of their performances and the authenticity of their lyrics. It’s an exceptional and bold exploration of the struggles we all face and is music that speaks to the heart of the human experience while delivering relentless metal energy.” – Amplify The Noise
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“Although they hail from the famously pleasant country of Canada, BornBroken, might be the heaviest and angriest thing we’ve heard from their parts in a long time. With no shortage of punishing riffs, brutal drumming, and vicious vocals that spit lyrics to change the world, BornBroken’s sophomore album ,The Years of Hard Truths And Little Lies, is worth pre-ordering before it’s due out May 18th.” – Metal Injection (2018 – The Years of Harsh Truths And Little Lies…)
“Canadian unit BornBroken are releasing The Years of Harsh Truths And Little Lies…, a raging collection of songs inspired by what the band feel is a reality that’s getting worse. We’ll let the band speak on that aspect, but it’s not controversial to confirm that the songs on The Years of Harsh Truths are brutal and varied enough to appeal to fans of Lamb of God, Sepultura and even groove legends Pantera and Exhorder. ” – Decibel Magazine (2018 – The Years of Harsh Truths And Little Lies…)
“Apocalyptic thrashcore bunch BornBroken wear their political bent on their sleeves. From ‘The Years of Hard Truths And Little Lies’ Bansky-esque artwork to on-the-nose, ‘Take that politics!’ sentiment of its title, their anti-establishment sentiment is layered on thick. It’s hard to argue with their anger, in fairness. Tackling everything from inequality to government conspiracies, the Canadian band’s fury is aimed in all the right directions….BornBroken’s unrelenting pace is proof that, even in the supposedly docile nation of Canada, there’s still plenty to rally against in 2018.” – Metal Hammer (2018 – The Years of Harsh Truths And Little Lies…)
“Good sweet Mary Poppins, what the hell is in the water in Montreal?! No amount of poutine will silence the outright bonkers heavy that BornBroken have cooking for you. No amount of smoked meats will halt their vicious onslaught of pounding rhythm and vocal cord shredding, headbang demanding, heartwarming metal.” – Metal Rules (2018 – The Years of Harsh Truths And Little Lies…)
“Un retour percutant qui plaira aux fans de Lamb of God, DevilDriver.” – Voir (Montreal Weekly) (2018 – The Years of Harsh Truths And Little Lies…)
“Un groupe énergique qui livre la marchandise! Alors quand on m’a proposé de faire la critique de leur nouvel album, je vous laisse deviner quel fut mon engouement à découvrir ce nouvel opus! Une douce brutalité bien musicale comme je les aime. Un album avec une âme, et qui en profite pour prendre possession de la nôtre au passage durant ces trop courtes 40 minutes!…Ma note, un SOLIDE 9 sur 10 largement mérité!” – Metal Universe (2018 – The Years of Harsh Truths And Little Lies…)
“I can tell you right from the start, these guys are heavy as hell. Big guitar riffs, heavy drums, chugging bass lines, and those deep, guttural screams of the lead singer show this band know exactly what they want and how they will take it. The title track features some excellent guitar work along with the quick metal riffs. It gives you a feel for the band and what to expect for the rest of the album.” – Canadian Beats (2018 – The Years of Harsh Truths And Little Lies…)
“The Years of Harsh Truths and Little Lies est un autre chef-œuvre musical que BornBroken nous as pondu. Cinq années d’attente, mais croyez-moi, l’attente en vallait la peine. La voix de Pepe Poliquin est à son meilleur et ultra efficace. Un duo du guitariste hors pair qui nous offre toutes sortes d’émotions qui passent par la brutalité de la mélodie et de plusieurs autres nuances. Une batterie qui nous offre un rythme essoufflant et sans concessions. Une basse très présente et qui se ressent à plusieurs endroits sur l’album. Dix chansons fortement bien exécutées et bien composées. Une production en béton armé, et un son d’enfer. Une production signée Chris Donaldson (Cryptopsy) et Marco Frechette. Le tout enregistré au studio The Grid à Montréal. The Years of Harsh Truths and Little Lies est définitivement l’album qui va projeter BornBroken à un autre niveau sur l’échiquier du métal mondial. ” – Quebec Metal (2018 – The Years of Harsh Truths And Little Lies…)
0 Merci Metallian \m/\m/ Decembre – Janvier 2025 avec BornBroken, Insurrection – Bam&Co – Heavy, Sandveiss – Folivora, TrollWar, MUTANK – Boonsdale Records, Hellfire 76
0 Rockshots Records – California Power Metal NIVIANE Unleashes Powerful New Video for “Tomorrow’s A New Day” Off New Album “Queen of Phantoms” Out March 2025
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – January 17, 2024
California Power Metal NIVIANE Unleashes Powerful New Video for “Tomorrow’s A New Day”
New Album “Queen of Phantoms” Out March 2025 via Rockshots Records
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Sacramento, California Niviane, the powerhouse of American power metal is unveiling their latest single “Tomorrow’s a New Day”, accompanied by an official video. Taken from their upcoming album “Queen of Phantoms” —set for release on March 7th, 2025—this track showcases the band’s signature blend of soaring melodies, intense riffs, and emotional depth while exploring a profound and deeply personal theme.
Unlike the other songs on the album, “Tomorrow’s a New Day” was a spontaneous creation that originated during a live-streamed writing session in the midst of the COVID lockdowns. Initially conceived as a demonstration of the band’s songwriting process, the track’s impact was undeniable, leading Niviane to keep it and ultimately include it on the album.
Lyrically, the song delves into mental health struggles, touching on themes of depression, drug abuse, and emotional turmoil. Sung from the perspective of a friend or family member witnessing a loved one spiral downward, the track delivers a powerful and poignant message. As the band explains, “We decided to touch on some deeper subject matter on a few songs for this album, and this track was definitely one of those”.
Musically, the song delivers everything fans of Judas Priest, Queensrÿche, Primal Fear and Nevermore crave—blistering guitars, commanding vocals, and anthemic power metal energy—all wrapped in a poignant and cinematic atmosphere.
With its gripping narrative and powerful composition, “Tomorrow’s a New Day” stands out as one of the most emotionally charged tracks in “Queen of Phantoms”. The official video further amplifies its message, bringing the song’s raw emotions to life.
LISTEN TO “Tomorrow’s a New Day” – http://lnk.to/0PeUts
OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvsYzy3h2WI
First single “12 BC: Legions” at the following links:
Lyric Video – https://youtu.be/PTB6RGW0v-E
Spotify
CD pre-order (Out March 7th, 2025) – https://rockshots.eu/products/niviane-queen-of-phantoms-cd
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Tracklist:
1. Queen of Phantoms
2. 12 BC: Legions
3. 12 BC: Germania
4. Beacon In The Darkness
5. Some Wounds… Never Heal
6. All Debts Repaid
7. Tomorrow’s A New Day
8. Event Horizon
9. Our Maze
10. Gunslingers & Graves
11. Under Black Flags
Band line up
Aaron Robitsch: Keys & Orchestration
Gary Tarplee: Guitars
Isaiah AR: Drums
Mark Miner: Guitars
Norman Skinner: Vocals
Tyler Satterlee: Bass
More info:
https://www.rockshots.eu
https://www.facebook.com/nivianemetal/
https://www.instagram.com/nivianemetalofficial/
https://x.com/nivianeofficial
About:
Niviane is an American metal band formed in 2015 hailing from Sacramento California. The band melds together their collective influences of classic heavy metal, thrash, and power metal.
The line-up consists of guitarists Mark Miner & Gary Tarplee, bassist Tyler Satterlee (Blessed Curse), Drummer Isaiah AR, Keyboardist Aaron Robitsch (Grave Shadow, Crepuscle) & vocalist Norman Skinner (Forbidden, ex-Imagika).
Niviane has toured and performed with such bands as Amon Amarth, Testament, Warrant, Hammerfall, Primal Fear, Angra, Delain, Soulfly, Rhapsody, Amorphis, Butcher Babies & more.
The band has released 2 studio albums “The Druid King” in 2017 & “The Ruthless Divine” in 2020 including 3 spectacular music videos for their songs “The Berserker”, “Fires In The Sky” & “Psychomanteum”. A 3rd album “Queen of Phantoms” is completed and scheduled to be released in 2025.
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What the press had said:
THE DRUID KING (2017)
allabouttherock.com – Eleven tracks of pure heavy epic power metal with soaring vocals and majestic anthems
dangerdog.com – Creative and compelling American melodic power metal. Easily recommended.
deadrhetoric.com – Combining traditional/power metal with class, grace, and a sense of worldwide sophistication that places the songwriting and performances at a level rarely achieved this early in a band’s career.
knac.com – Melodic elements as well as the science fiction and fantasy themes should appeal to fans of AMON AMARTH, ICED EARTH, IRON MAIDEN
maximummetal.com – Based on this debut alone, Niviane are going to be a young band to watch.
THE RUTHLESS DIVINE (2020)
darkscene.at – This mix of thrashy ingredients, pounding rhythms and omnipresent, subtly epic melodies will put a big grin on your face.
earshot.at – “The Ruthless Divine” is again pure and damn energetic US power metal with everything that goes with it.
knac.com – This is metal to bang your head to, put your fist in the air and show the whole entire world how very proud you are to be a METALHEAD!An 11 track masterpiece that will get any headbanger banging their head! This is music that is meant to be played for the METAL MASSES!
metalgodstv.com – A superb one hour of power from an emerging great of the power metal genre – Niviane are on fire, and have delivered a sensational album.
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
0 Rockshots Records – Out Now! HIGHWAY QUEEN’s New EP “Extendead Play” + Music Video “Lies”
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – January 17, 2025
Out Now! HIGHWAY QUEEN’s New EP “Extendead Play” + Music Video “Lies”
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Rockshots Records is proud to announce the release of Highway Queen’s new EP, “Extendead Play”, a fresh chapter in the Finnish rockers’ journey through melodic hard rock and metal-infused soundscapes. The EP will be available on all major platforms as of January 17th, 2025.
“Extendead Play” continues to showcase Highway Queen’s signature style, blending 80s-inspired hard rock with modern melodic elements, powerful riffs, and dynamic rhythms. This new collection of songs dives deeper into the band’s ability to tell stories through music, with lyrics that explore themes of anger, lust, bitterness, and longing. The EP captures the brutality of life, both good and bad. An official music video for the track “Lies” is out today adding a visual dimension to the band’s compelling storytelling.
Since their formation in late 2019, Highway Queen has been a rising force in the melodic hard rock scene. After the successful release of their debut album, “Bitter Soul” in 2022, the band has continued to evolve and refine their sound. The songs on “Extendead Play” like those on “Bitter Soul” were recorded and produced by Aleksanteri Kuosa, who has also worked with bands such as Waltari and Before The Dawn. Their music is recommended for fans of melodic hard rock, heavy rock, and the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal (NWOTHM).
With “Extendead Play” Highway Queen reaffirms their position as torchbearers of melodic rock with a modern edge, delivering music that resonates with the heart and soul. Prepare to turn up the volume and join the ride as Highway Queen takes you on another electrifying musical journey.
LISTEN to the EP at https://lnk.to/dPX0pF
WATCH “Lies” at https://youtu.be/Lb-DQVPGPuk
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Track Listing:
1. Lies
2. I Will Take You To Hell
3. Come To Me
4. I’m Calling You
Album Credits:
All songs written by
– Virpi Kääriäinen: lyrics
– Teemu Kääriäinen, Virpi Kääriäinen: music
– Arrangements: Teemu Kääriäinen, Virpi Kääriäinen, Aleksanteri Kuosa, Juha Skog & Henri Backman
– Produced, engineered & mixed by Aleksanteri Kuosa
– Mastering: Svante Forsbäck
Highway Queen are:
Virpi Kääriäinen: vocals
Teemu Kääriäinen: guitars
Juha Skog: bass & backing vocals
Henri Backman: drums
For more info:
www.rockshots.eu
www.highwayqueenband.com
www facebook.com/highwayqueenband
www.instagram.com/highwayqueenband
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
ashermediarelations.com 