Posts By Asher

0 EPK – Within The Realm …Of Systemic Decay (2026)

September 17, 2026
by Asher
· EPKs · Within The Realm

EPK – Within The Realm …Of Systemic Decay (2026)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

“Geoff: It feels great to finally have these songs recorded and released after almost 10 years of them being written. I believe everything happens at the right time, and we’ve all grown as players & as friends to make this record possible… As a producer, I’m extremely proud of the production and the mixing that went into the album! I hope our fans enjoy it…

“Rick: We wrote this album with a certain rawness and honesty that came from our love of 80’s and 90’s metal. Those decades of metal really resonate with and inspire us the most, and we think we truly captured that on this LP.”

For fans of Slayer, Sacrifice, Sacred Reich, Megadeth, Sepultura

Facebook.com/WithinTheRealmOfMetal

“Into The Night is a song that balances aggression with melody, memorable riffs, and emotional depth” – Queen Metal Radio

Album Title: “…Of Systemic Decay”
Release Date: October 30, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Genre: Thrash/Heavy Metal
Location of Band: St. John’s, Newfoundland

Track Listing:
1. Sixth Sense – 4:13
2. Endless Life – 4:59
3. Spiral of Terror – 5:39
4. Hidden Agenda – 5:05
5. Homicidal Sacrifice – 4:12
6. The Hydra – 5:26
7. The Information is Out – 5:16
8. Into The Night – 4:24
Album Length – 37:56

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Within the Realm
• All songs written by: Within the Realm
• Produced by: Within the Realm
• Mixed by: Michael Small
• Mastered by: Michael Small
• Album Artwork by: Within The Realm, photography by Felix Mittermeier, Avak Ava, album band photography by Gordon Little
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album Band Lineup:
Richard Squires (vocals)
Rick White (bass and backing vocals)
Michael Small (drums)
Geoff Waye (guitar)
Des Mason (backing vocals)

Live Band Lineup:
Richard Squires (vocals)
Rick White (bass)
Michael Small (drums)
Geoff Waye (guitar)

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About The Album Artwork:

Geoff: The album cover is symbolic of the systemic decay within society. It shows a decayed government building in an apocalyptic landscape.

About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Across these lyrics, the unifying themes center on intense psychological conflict, external subjugation, anti-authoritarianism, and the cathartic power of heavy metal culture. Tracks like “Sixth Sense,” “Spiral of Terror,” and “Homicidal Sacrifice” explore internal states of dread, overwhelming premonitions, trauma, and loss of agency or sanity. Concurrently, songs such as “Hidden Agenda,” “The Information is Out,” and “The Hydra” turn outward to critique systemic oppression, government deception, conspiracy theories, extraterrestrial cover-ups, and corporate greed—framing societal structures as malicious entities that divide and manipulate the populace. Binding these dark and chaotic narratives together, pieces like “Endless Life” and “Into the Night” propose an antidote: unified resistance, resilience in the face of suffering, and a fierce, nostalgic devotion to heavy metal music as a lifelong sanctuary, brotherhood, and outlet for primal energy.

Track By Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Sixth Sense: Explores the chaotic, overwhelming burden of unwanted precognitive visions and sudden cosmic connections that disrupt reality.

2. Endless Life: Frames heavy metal music as a resilient sanctuary and unifying rally cry when facing environmental ruin and personal despair.

3. Spiral of Terror: Depicts a young person’s struggle through trauma, addiction, and fear as they try to put past demons to rest.

4. Hidden Agenda: Warns against government deception and mind control, urging people to question authority and search for hidden truths.

5. Homicidal Sacrifice: Delves into the dark, sinister mind of a killer consumed by an inescapable impulse to control and select victims.

6. The Information is Out: Details the dramatic military encounter and political aftermath of a UFO disclosure that exposes alien contact to humanity.

7. The Hydra: Urges the populace to stop fighting among themselves and unite to tear down a corrupt, greedy system designed to subjugate them.

8. Into the Night: Celebrates pure nostalgia, intense energy, and lifelong devotion to the heavy metal scene from 1985 to the present day.

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BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Rick and Geoff played together in the mid-90’s era band Oberon in St. John’s! And Oberon was one of the first metal bands Richard had seen locally as a teenager

2. Through various bands he played in, Rick was fortunate to play shows with internationally known acts Misery Index, Thine Eyes Bleed, Havok, Revocation, Forbidden, and Napalm Death.

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Formed in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Within The Realm delivers a powerful blend of 80’s and 90’s inspired heavy metal, thrash metal, and groove metal. Combining crushing riffs, driving rhythms, and a no-compromise approach to songwriting, the band has built a reputation for music that is both aggressive and memorable. With a renewed focus and new material on the horizon, Within The Realm is preparing for its return in October 2026.

The band was formed in 2016 by bassist Rick White, who recruited drummer Michael Small. Guitarist Geoff Waye joined soon after, reuniting with Rick following their earlier collaboration in Oberon during the 1990s. Vocalist Des Mason completed the original lineup, and the band went on to write and perform original material throughout 2018 and 2019 before entering an extended hiatus as Rick was living in Edmonton at the time.

Within The Realm reconvened in the summer of 2025 with the goal of bringing their long-shelved material into the studio, alongside newly developed songs. During this process, vocalist Des Mason was unable to return due to personal health reasons, and Richard Squires, well-known in the Newfoundland metal scene and formerly of Last Soul Down, stepped in as the band’s new frontman.

With a renewed lineup and a deep catalogue of material years in the making, Within The Realm is preparing to release its long-awaited recordings, shaped by decades of experience across the Newfoundland metal scene.

Current Lineup & Notable History

Rick White (bass) – formerly of Festered Corpse, Sacrament A.D.,Oberon, Rapid Burial, Corporal Punishment, Incidium, Kriticos, Ides of Winter, Death Assembly

Michael Small (drums) – Jaded Truth, formerly Winterhearth

Geoff Waye (guitar) – Category VI, Triskelyon, Artach, formerly Oberon

Richard Squires (vocals) – formerly Last Soul Down

0 FLAMESTRIKE Unleashes New Single “Unholy March” From Debut Album “The Unholy March” Out Jan 2027 via Rockshots Records

September 16, 2026
by Asher
· Flamestrike (Rockshots Records) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 16, 2026

FLAMESTRIKE Unleashes New Single “Unholy March”

Debut Album “The Unholy March” Out January 29th, 2027 via Rockshots Records

Italian epic power metal band FLAMESTRIKE is ready to march into a new chapter with “Unholy March”, the first single from their forthcoming debut album “The Unholy March”, set for release on January 29th, 2027 via Rockshots Records.

The song throws the listener straight into a dark tale of death, betrayal, and vengeance. “Unholy March” follows a fallen commander who, after making an unholy pact, returns from beyond the grave at the head of an army of the dead. Determined to reclaim his sovereign’s throne by force, his march ultimately brings destruction upon the kingdom and ushers in a new age of darkness.

Musically, the track introduces the core identity of FLAMESTRIKE, combining the epic and heroic character of classic power metal with the heavier influences that have shaped the band’s sound.

The band comments:

“We wrote the kind of epic, powerful, and engaging music that we ourselves would want to hear. Throughout the album you’ll find fantasy worlds, fearless heroes, evil entities, and endless battles, all shaped by the different musical backgrounds that make us who we are as a band.”

Listen to “Unholy March” on all digital platforms: https://lnk.to/A50bp9

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG5Mox-L_tg

Rooted in the European power and epic metal tradition while drawing inspiration from heavier, symphonic, and extreme sounds, FLAMESTRIKE forges a style built around powerful riffs, heroic melodies, and fantasy-driven atmospheres.

Their forthcoming debut album “The Unholy March” is not conceived as a single concept story, but its songs share recurring themes of battle, revenge, triumph, and the inevitability of fate. The stories do not always unfold from the perspective of the traditional hero, leaving room for darker characters, defeat, and morally ambiguous outcomes.

The band adds:

“We want this album to be an immersive listening experience, something capable of transporting the listener directly onto the battlefield or inside the walls of a medieval tavern. Every track remains deeply connected to our epic and symphonic trademark.”

Formed in Vercelli, Italy, in 2008, FLAMESTRIKE initially came together through a shared passion for power and epic metal. After starting out performing songs by some of the genre’s defining bands, the musicians gradually began replacing covers with their own material.

Their first self-produced EP, “Dark Clouds On The Obsidian Tower”, arrived in 2021. Following several line-up changes, FLAMESTRIKE returned in 2024 with the singles “Where Glory Awaits” and “The Death Scythe Has Come”, both included on the forthcoming album.

For fans of: Blind Guardian, Manowar, Ensiferum

In 2026, the band signed with Rockshots Records, setting the stage for the release of their first full-length.

Pre-order “The Unholy March” (Out Jan 29, 2027):
https://rockshots.eu/products/flamestrike-the-unholy-march-cd

Track Listing:
1. Heralds Of The Fallen King – 1:28
2. Unholy March – 4:19
3. Where Glory Awaits – 8:56
4. The Death Scythe Has Come – 4:20
5. Lindisfarne – 5:57
6. Enslaved By The Steel – 5:38
7. Flamestrike – 7:48
8. A Rainy Forest Where The Minstrel Rests… – 2:01
Album Length: 38:40

FLAMESTRIKE is:
Marco Caputo: Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Choirs
Emmanuele Iacono: Electric & Acoustic Guitars
Fabrizio Amapane: Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Choirs
Alessio Marchetto: Bass
Luca Traversa: Drums & Percussion

Album Credits:
Recorded at Edge Of Darkness Studio, Robbio, Italy
Produced, mixed, and mastered by FLAMESTRIKE
Cover artwork by Kaijie Huang

More info:

https://rockshots.eu/

https://www.facebook.com/FlamestrikeOfficial

https://www.instagram.com/flamestrikeofficial

BIOGRAPHY:

Formed in Vercelli, Italy, in 2008, Flamestrike grew out of a shared passion for the epic and power metal scene. Their roots can be traced back to the previous year when a group of university students and recent graduates came together to play songs by some of their favourite bands, including Blind Guardian, Hammerfall, Manowar, Virgin Steele and Edguy.

That early incarnation lasted only a few months, but it brought together bassist Marco Caputo and drummer Marco Canella, who would go on to become the founding members of Flamestrike. After recruiting a new line-up, the two officially formed the band in April 2008. The name itself reflected another passion they shared at the time: fantasy literature. While going through a seemingly endless list of characters from their favourite fantasy sagas, they eventually settled on Flamestrike, the name of a dragon from Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman’s Dragonlance Chronicles.

Initially, the band returned to the stage with a set built around power and epic metal covers, playing venues and events throughout the local area. It was not long, however, before original music began to take over. Between 2009 and 2010, Flamestrike started writing their first songs, firmly rooted in the same epic and power metal tradition that had inspired the band from the beginning.

By the end of 2010, Flamestrike had built up a substantial body of original material, but the departure of three of the five members brought the band’s progress to an abrupt halt. Caputo and Canella remained, and after a brief period of uncertainty, the line-up began to take shape again in early 2011 with the arrival of guitarists Emmanuele Iacono and Alessio Marchetto. At the same time, Caputo expanded his role, taking over lead vocals while continuing to play bass.

This four-piece line-up gave Flamestrike the momentum to move forward, both on stage and as songwriters. In 2012, keyboardist Fabio Sguazzotti joined the band, restoring the line-up to five members and remaining with Flamestrike until 2015.

Another important transition came that same year when Caputo decided to step away from bass and devote himself entirely to vocals. Riccardo Rondolotto subsequently joined as the band’s new bassist, beginning four years of rehearsals, live performances and continued songwriting. In 2019, both Marchetto and Rondolotto eventually left Flamestrike to pursue other musical paths.

Reduced to a three-piece, Caputo, Canella and guitarist Emmanuele Iacono used this transitional period to begin recording the original material that would eventually become the band’s first EP. By mid-2019, Flamestrike had once again completed their line-up with the addition of Fabrizio Amapane on second guitar and Ivan Bovio on bass.

The following two years brought an entirely different challenge. Although the band remained stable and united throughout 2020 and 2021, the disruption caused by the pandemic inevitably slowed down their activities. After almost two years of work, delays and interruptions, October 2021 finally saw the digital release of “Dark Clouds On The Obsidian Tower“, Flamestrike‘s first EP of original material. Featuring five tracks, the release marked the band’s first major step from years of songwriting and live activity towards a fully realised recording project.

In 2022, another chapter in Flamestrike‘s history came to a close when founding drummer Marco Canella left the band for personal reasons after fourteen years. He was succeeded by Luca Traversa, formerly of Alltheniko and a longtime friend of the band. With Traversa behind the kit, Flamestrike began shaping the material that would form their debut full-length album.

The first glimpse of this new chapter arrived in 2024 with two singles: “Where Glory Awaits“, released in March, followed by “The Death Scythe Has Come” in December.

A further line-up change followed in 2025, when Ivan Bovio parted ways with Flamestrike by mutual agreement. His departure opened the door for the return of Alessio Marchetto, who rejoined the band five years after leaving it. This time, however, he returned in a new role, taking over bass duties and bringing a familiar face back into the Flamestrike ranks.

In 2026, Flamestrike reached a new milestone by signing with Italian label Rockshots Records, setting the stage for the release of their debut full-length album in early 2027.

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—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
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0 SF Bay Area Thrashers ABSOLUTE DARKNESS New Video “Snake Oil” Exposes The Opioid Crisis; New Album “Witness To A Dying World” Out Oct 2026

September 16, 2026
by Asher
· Absolute Darkness · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 16, 2026

SF Bay Area Thrashers ABSOLUTE DARKNESS New Video “Snake Oil” Exposes The Opioid Crisis

Sophomore Album “Witness To A Dying World” Out Oct 2026

L-R- Orson Sojo – Bass, Ron Dorn – Rhythm Guitar/Lead Vocals, Scott Russell – Drums, Douglas Vetter II – Lead Guitar/Backup Vocals

Photo Credit by Eddie Granillo

San Francisco Bay Area death/thrash metal band Absolute Darkness has released “Snake Oil,” the second single from their forthcoming sophomore album, “Witness To A Dying World,” due out on October 23rd, 2026.

“Snake Oil” follows the band’s first single, “Attritional Warfare” (also available below). The first single set a high bar with a hybrid animated/live‑action video containing over two minutes of original animation.

“It was by far the biggest video project we’ve ever taken on… We wanted to create something that complemented the song and helped tell its story,” says vocalist and guitarist Ron Dorn.

This second glimpse into the band’s new album marks the first full‑song contribution from lead guitarist Douglas Vetter II, blending the band’s signature aggressive thrash with dynamic, breathing sections that heighten the emotional weight of the lyrics from him and Dorn.

“Man, there is so much to this song. Snake oil was pretty much the outside poison (addictive painkillers) that affected my world growing up. Family members on pain management, and me, as a kid, making myself as small as possible. Losing one of my best friends and not being able to be there. The lead-in to it is literally the best way my heart could sing to him and say goodbye, and I miss him. And how all this has poured over me as I try to raise a family and keep it together because of what this poison does to people. That’s what snake oil is to me. There is help out there for people who need it, and this song is to shed light on a much bigger problem that people choose to turn a blind eye to, the opioid crisis,” adds Vetter II.

The band chose a lyric‑video format for the single, but with a cinematic approach, spending a lot of time finding stock footage that matched the story they wanted to tell and visuals that carried the song rather than simply accompanying it.

“Snake Oil” is available now as a lyric‑driven visual experience at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGU2h8LqiKM

Bandcamp – https://absolutedarkness1.bandcamp.com/track/snake-oil

Absolute Darkness’ second full‑length album, “Witness To A Dying World,” deepens their blend of Bay Area thrash and modern death metal, pushing harder into aggressive riffs, layered harmonies, standout solos, and a sharpened sense of social commentary. Lyrically, it confronts corruption, propaganda, authoritarianism, war, addiction, homelessness, and social decay, all told through character‑driven narratives rather than direct lectures, giving the album both impact and humanity. The new record also marks a major milestone for Absolute Darkness; it’s the first album written entirely by the current lineup from the ground up, with every member contributing meaningfully to the songwriting process

“This is an album Absolute Darkness wanted to make for a long time… It finally feels like a complete band effort. Not because it’s heavier or faster than our previous releases, but because everyone contributed to the songwriting in one way or another, and I think that made every song better,” adds Dorn.

The album will also feature a faithful, modernized cover of “World In A World” by Bay Area thrash legends Vio‑lence, paying tribute to the scene that has shaped the band.

Since forming in 2015, Absolute Darkness has continually sharpened both their sound and their production approach. Their 2022 debut full‑length, “Failure Of State,” marked a major leap forward in songwriting and overall sonic quality. Now, with their upcoming sophomore album, “Witness To A Dying World,” the band pushes that evolution even further, delivering high‑energy, aggressive metal while telling character‑driven stories meant to make listeners think as much as they headbang.

Recommended for fans of Testament, Vio-lence, Exodus, At The Gates, The Crown, and Amon Amarth, “Witness To A Dying World” will be available on October 23rd, 2026. Album pre-sale begins October 1st.

First Single:

Animated video – “Attritional Warfare” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbh5jvhBQtQ

Track Listing:
1. Above The Law – 3:56
2. Attritional Warfare – 3:50
3. World Decay – 3:28
4. Snake Oil – 4:14
5. Different Illegally – 3:33
6. Loyalty To Me – 3:32
7. I Guess I Die – 3:59
8. Big Lies – 3:51
9. Extreme Accountability – 3:34
10. World In A World (Vio-lence Cover) – 4:13
Album Length: 38:21

Band Lineup:
Ron Dorn – Guitar/Lead Vocals
Douglas Vetter II – Lead Guitar/Backup Vocals
Orson Sojo – Bass
Scott Russell – Drums

More info:

https://www.facebook.com/BandAbsoluteDarkness

https://www.instagram.com/absolutedarkness_band/

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“Combining death/thrash influences… stronger production values that hopefully will garner more buzz and attention.” – Dead Rhetoric (Failure Of State 2022)

“Part album, part call to arms… a rabble-rousing affair and a slamming indictment of modern-day society.” – The Headbanging Moose (Failure Of State 2022)

—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
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0 Montreal’s KILLED BY SORROW Unveils “The Burial” Off Debut Album “Empires of Excess” Out Oct 2026

September 16, 2026
by Asher
· Killed By Sorrow · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 16, 2026

Montreal’s KILLED BY SORROW Unveils “The Burial” Off Debut Album “Empires of Excess” Out Oct 2026

Montreal metal force Killed By Sorrow is gearing up for a massive fall with the release of their full‑length album “Empire of Excess,” officially due out on October 23rd, 2026. The band has already ignited momentum with their first single “Betrayal”, and next in line is “The Burial”, a haunting, slow‑burning track that showcases Killed By Sorrow’s melodic depth and brooding atmosphere.

“The track represents a dark, ritual-like descent into death where silence, decay, and inevitability swallow everything. The living fade, the dead rise, and no one escapes,” adds the band.

Watch and listen to “The Burial” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QAW0l6NjTg

Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/5fxp69XMCVvU1mmT1AQYeu

“Empire of Excess” represents a major evolution from the band’s earlier EPs “Careless of This Sadness” (2023) and “Time Has Come” (2022), sharpening their production, tightening their songwriting, and deepening the emotional weight of their sound while still holding onto the aggression and intensity that define them.

“The goal of this album is to blend heaviness and melody in a way that pulls listeners into the story behind each track. The raw emotion, the aggressive riffs, the melodic hooks, but with a more mature and refined delivery. Each song is meant to hit hard, connect on a personal level, and leave listeners with the sense that they’ve gone through something meaningful from start to finish,” says rhythm guitarist Sam Ham.

Across ten tracks, “Empire of Excess” moves between high‑speed ferocity, downbeat atmospheres, punk‑rock bursts, melodic transitions, and crushing breakdowns, weaving dark storytelling with emotional struggle, social reflection, and personal introspection. The album unfolds as a series of intense, interconnected chapters, from apocalyptic collapse to inner resilience, forming a cohesive journey driven by heaviness, melody, and raw human emotion.

Killed By Sorrow began as a tight‑knit group of friends channeling the intensity of the music they loved, evolving from basement rehearsals into a serious project once their natural chemistry and shared vision became undeniable. Emerging from Montreal’s South Shore metal scene in the mid‑2000s, the band shaped their identity around the emotional weight of Poison the Well, the razor‑sharp riffing of Unearth, and the melodic precision of Trivium, blending aggression with dynamic, melody‑driven structures.

During these formative years, Killed By Sorrow built a reputation through high‑energy performances across local venues, highlighted by a milestone moment sharing the stage with Swedish hardcore heavyweights Raised Fist, a show that cemented their credibility within the scene.

Recommended for fans of Unearth, Killswitch Engage, Poison The Well, Trivium, and Lamb of God, “Empire of Excess” is due out on October 23, 2026, and available for pre-save/ pre-order at the following links:

Spotify – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/killedbysorrow/empire-of-excess

Bandcamp – https://killedbysorrow.bandcamp.com/

Previous Single:

“Betrayal” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0PWyiTedfs

Track Listing:
1. The End is Near – 3:38
2. Empire of Excess – 3:04
3. The Burial – 3:28
4. Betrayal – 3:51
5. Never Give Up – 2:37
6. All My Brothers – 3:18
7. In The Spotlight – 3:17
8. Killed By Sorrow – 3:29
9. Unchained – 3:42
10. Stay In Line – 3:28
Album Length: 33:55

Band Line-up:
Sébastien Mailloux – Vocals
Martin Bersier-Carpentier – Bass
Tommy Forand – Guitar Lead
Samuel Ham – Guitar Rhythm
Mathieu Lassonde – Drums

More info:

https://killedbysorrow.com/

https://www.facebook.com/KilledbySorrow/

https://www.instagram.com/killedbysorrowband

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“Canadian underground hardcore punks in Killed By Sorrow’s newest single, Betrayal, definitely stays loyal to the metalcore scene by actually sounding like thrash metal tones mixed with a hardcore punk grit and attitude. Heavily distorted rhythms sound closer to your traditional hardcore, but paired with your traditional style of hardcore punk vocals, Betrayal lets you know not to cross Killed By Sorrow. Huge basslines underneath and in-the-pocket drumming made this one an interesting approach in a crowded metalcore genre, and it’s more than worth a few listens.” – Metal Institute of Thrashology (2026)

—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
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0 DECIMATE METALFEST (Millet, AB) Opens Band Submissions For 2027 Lineup!

September 15, 2026
by Asher
· Decimate MetalFest · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 15, 2026

DECIMATE METALFEST (Millet, AB) Opens Band Submissions For 2027 Lineup!

Performer submissions open September 15 for Alberta’s grassroots, all-ages heavy music festival

June 25 and 26, 2027: Bringing Heavy Music, Independent Arts, and Community Together in Alberta

The amps might be silent after Decimate Metalfest 2026, but the heart behind the festival is anything but. Work has already begun to bring the noise back even louder.

Performer submissions for Decimate Metalfest 2027 open September 15, 2026, kicking off the search for the bands, artists, and creators who will help shape another weekend of heavy music, art, connection, and community in Alberta. All submissions must be made through the official Decimate Metalfest performer application on the festival website. Applications sent through any other channel will not be reviewed or considered. Submissions close October 15, 2026.

Last year’s call for performers reached farther than ever, with applications for Decimate Metalfest 2026 coming in from 15 countries, 8 Canadian provinces, and 25 U.S. states!

For festival founder Sloan Voxx, seeing DMF reach artists across borders is an incredible reminder of just how far this grassroots Alberta festival has come and how much the family surrounding it continues to grow. At the heart of it all are the experiences and memories created when everyone finally comes together.

“What started here in Alberta is reaching people thousands of kilometres away, and that’s pretty incredible to see! Every year we get to welcome back familiar faces while meeting people experiencing Decimate for the first time. Artists, attendees, volunteers, vendors, families, and crew all come together for the weekend. We watch people support each other, make new connections and friendships, share some ridiculous moments, and create memories that continue long after Decimate is over. We’re obviously here because we love heavy music, but Decimate has always been about family and community. Seeing familiar faces come back year after year, welcoming new ones into the family, and watching this community continue to grow is what makes all the work behind Decimate worth it. You can see the photos, watch the videos, and hear the stories, but there’s something about actually being there that you can’t really explain. You have to experience it for yourself,” says Voxx.

Heavy music is the heartbeat of Decimate Metalfest, with submissions encouraged from across the spectrum of metal, rock, punk, hardcore, alternative, and everything heavy in between. But DMF isn’t limited to bands. The festival also welcomes youth performers, solo artists, and other entertainers who have something they love to share, including drag performers, dancers, DJs, comedians, magicians, and more.

Local, national, and international performers are encouraged to apply!

Youth performers are especially encouraged to put their names forward. Giving young musicians a place to share what they love alongside established and touring artists has become one of the most rewarding parts of Decimate Metalfest.

“Some of my favourite moments are watching younger performers step onto that stage and absolutely own it,” says Voxx. “They get to share the same stage and be part of the same festival community as artists who have been doing this for years. You can see the nerves, the excitement, and then that moment where it clicks and they’re just up there doing what they love. There’s something pretty incredible about getting to witness that. They’re part of Decimate, just like everyone else,” adds Voxx.

With hundreds of applications received each year, every submission represents someone putting a piece of themselves out there. DMF wants to know the people and stories behind the music, not just what’s written in a bio.

“Tell us why we should book YOU! What makes you different? What do you bring to the stage? What have you been working toward? Why do you want to be part of Decimate? Most importantly, be yourself. Every artist brings something different to the Decimate stage, and that’s exactly what makes it interesting. We want to see what makes you uniquely you. Show us who you are. Tell us your story. Let your personality come through. Whether it’s your sound, your live show, your story, or something completely unexpected, show us what makes your band or performance yours.”

And one particularly important piece of advice for applicants: SEND MUSIC AND LIVE PERFORMANCE LINKS!

“Yes, we have received submissions without them. We’re pretty good, but we haven’t unlocked the ability to hear your band telepathically just yet! We want to hear what you sound like, but we also want to see what happens when you step onto a stage. Show us your energy. Show us your connection with the crowd. Show us the moments when you forget about everything else and just get lost in what you’re doing. That’s what live music is all about.”

SUBMISSION DETAILS:

Apply at https://www.decimatemetalfest.com/performer-submission
Submissions Open: September 15, 2026
Submission Deadline: October 15, 2026
Festival Dates: June 25 – 26, 2027
Location: Millet Agriplex Arena – Millet, Alberta, Canada
All performer applications will be reviewed by the DMF team following the October 15th deadline.

Decimate Metalfest has never been about simply putting bands on a stage. It’s about what happens around that stage, too.

Somewhere between the riffs, the pit, the laughter, and the chaos, there are moments when the music and the love behind this community seem to collide. The kind of moments that stop you in your tracks. A crowd singing together. An artist watching another artist from the floor. A kid seeing someone on stage and realizing that could be them one day. Friends finding each other in the pit. Strangers throwing their arms around one another. Sometimes, those moments hit hard enough to bring tears right there in the middle of the crowd. And DMF isn’t afraid to admit that. It’s loud. It’s heavy. It’s a little chaotic. There will be riffs, pits, sore necks, ridiculous stories, and probably a few things nobody will ever fully be able to explain. But underneath all of it, there’s a hell of a lot of heart.

“Decimate has grown, but I never want to lose sight of what made it special in the first place. We can grow the stage, the lineup and the crowd, but that heart has to stay. That’s Decimate, and that’s what we’re building again for 2027,” says Voxx.

As preparations for 2027 get underway, Decimate Metalfest is also welcoming conversations with businesses, organizations, and community partners interested in supporting the festival. From helping create opportunities for artists and youth performers to supporting the festival experience itself, partnerships play an important role in helping an independent, grassroots event like DMF continue to grow.

Sponsorship and partnership opportunities are available for Decimate Metalfest 2027.

Interested businesses and organizations can connect with the Decimate Metalfest team at www.decimatemetalfest.com/partnership.

For the latest updates, lineup announcements, and ticket purchases, visit the official Decimate Metalfest website. Follow us on social media to stay in the loop:

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

About Decimate Metalfest:

Decimate Metalfest is an independent, grassroots, all-ages heavy music and arts festival based in Alberta, Canada.

Built by members of the heavy music community, for the heavy music community, DMF brings together touring artists, underground and emerging bands, youth performers, independent creators, entertainers, families and fans.

At its core, Decimate is about giving people a place to share what they love, discover something new, support one another and experience heavy music together.

The woman-led festival continues to create opportunities for artists while building a space where longtime metalheads, young families and first-time festivalgoers can all feel like they belong.

Because Decimate isn’t just about who plays the stage.

It’s about every person who becomes part of the story.

Partners and Sponsors include:
The Town of Millet, Millet Agriplex, Millet Lions Memorial Campground, Leduc Brewing, Best Copy Shop, Asher Media Relations, Prairie Fire Productions Ltd., Absolute Underground Magazine, 387 Entertainment, Fire Lotus Creative, Rendezvous Pub, Queer YEG, Seeing Red Podcast, Pinecase Mental Health, Broken Neck Radio, Edmonton’s Alternative Music Magazine, Alberta Music, CJSW 90.9FM.

Decimate Metalfest is also a proud member of the Western Canadian Metal Festival Alliance (WCMFA) and is honored to work alongside fellow independent festivals and music organizations that help strengthen the Canadian metal scene, including:
Loud As Hell Open Air Festival
Armstrong MetalFest
Hyperspace Metal Festival
Glacial Mutilation Metal Festival

For press inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact us at: info[@]decimetalfest[.]com

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0 Canadian Cosmic Metal THE ASTRAL PROPHETS Unleash “Into Nothing” From New Album “Invasion” Out Oct 2026

September 15, 2026
by Asher
· Astral Prophets · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 15, 2026

Canadian Cosmic Metal THE ASTRAL PROPHETS Unleash “Into Nothing” From New Album “Invasion” Out Oct 2026

Top L-R: Kyle Summers (Drums) | Harley D’Orazio (Guitars/Vocals) | Terry Savage (Bass/Vocals)
Bottom L-R: Staci Stardust (Lead Vocals) | AJ Bergin (Guitars/Vocals)
Photography Credit: Brad, YYC Visual Media

Calgary, AB’s cosmic metal force The Astral Prophets are set to unleash their long‑awaited full‑length album “Invasion,” due out on October 30th, 2026. Alongside the announcement, the band drops the first single and music video, “Into Nothing,” a wild, danceable, riff‑driven blast that introduces fans to the next evolution of their self‑coined genre “Power Groove.”

Formed in 2019 by former Scythia members AJ Bergin, Terry Savage, and Celine Derval, The Astral Prophets emerged from a desire to create something heavier, rawer, and more grounded than their folk‑metal origins.

“The concept and theme of the band is designed around the idea of a not‑so‑distant, roboto‑cratic dystopian future. Space, aliens, techno-organic viruses, the works!” adds Bergin.

Over the years, the lineup evolved into its final 2026 form with Staci Stardust (vocals), AJ Bergin (guitars), Harley D’Orazio (guitars), Terry Savage (bass), and Kyle Summers (drums). Together, they refined their sound through early singles like “Firewall,” “USB Humanity,” and “Lazerwitch,” followed by their 2023 EP “Anywhere But Here.”

A sci‑fi metal epic built on cosmic storytelling, massive riffs, and layered symphonic textures, their first full-length, “Invasion,” represents the band at full power.

“Invasion is a roller coaster of an album… themes of anger, retribution, causality, and madness, but also love and longing, conveyed with sci-fi and cosmic overtones,” says Bergin.

The album artwork depicts Earth on the brink of collapse as an alien mothership tears through a wormhole to terraform the planet, a visual centerpiece for the album’s dystopian universe.

Musically, “Invasion” pushes the band’s heavier roots to the forefront, with stronger, more memorable riffs, melodic, smooth leads, driving, high‑energy drumming, and Allen’s most powerful vocal performances to date.

“We wanted to bring an album that improves upon our already unique style. During our EP, we started to dial in our sound, but now we are delivering an LP in our full form. We brought the music back to our heavier roots. The riffs are stronger. The leads are melodic and smooth. The drums are driving, and Staci’s singing is more ballsy! Every song is amazing in its own right, and we couldn’t be prouder of them,” adds the band.

The lead single “Into Nothing” erupts with high‑energy swagger, fusing 80s‑glam attitude with the band’s signature swing‑driven Power Groove. Packed with sassy guitar lines, bold vocal delivery, and an irresistible rhythmic bounce, it’s a track built to move. Lyrically, the song blurs the boundary between dreams and reality, inspired by a vivid moment where Allen dreamed of throwing a punch and felt it land in real life, a surreal spark that shaped the song’s thematic core.

Its musical roots stretch back to a tongue‑in‑cheek Scythia track called Fort Make Money, a satirical nod to rig life in Fort McMurray. Savage hammered out the chorus riff within hours, and the band quickly recognized its glam‑rock DNA, echoing the swing and attitude of earlier The Astral Prophets cuts like “Cybernetic Doom” and “Firewall.” When the band first played it live, the bridge, solo, and final chorus were so addictive they looped them repeatedly just for the joy of it.

Bergin calls “Into Nothing” his favorite song to perform, a wild, danceable ride that captures everything fun, flashy, and unrestrained about the band’s heavier new era.

Listen to “Into Nothing”:

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPLxl6flAP8

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/6mFNCS1mHzwOJ4T8l0i2dd

Delivering cosmic, melodic, riff‑driven sci‑fi rock that blends power metal, groove metal, and high‑energy performances, “Invasion” will be available on October 30th, 2026.

Show Dates:
Oct 30 – Calgary, AB – Festival Hall (Album Release Show) w/ Victoria Lies, Cabraakan, Kyle Pullan

Track Listing:
1. Target Locked – 4:24
2. Power of the Rift – 4:08
3. Invasion ft. Jeff Black – 4:06
4. Into Nothing – 4:46
5. A Trail of Broken Stars – 4:46
6. World Eater – 4:35
7. Hyperdrive – 4:47
8. Inside the Hyperdrive – 3:37

More info: https://hyperfollow.com/astralprophets

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0 Finland’s AFTER INFINITY Shares New Single “Whisper In The Air” ft. Mika Tauriainen (Entwine, Shamrain) From New Album “Beyond Eternity” Out Oct 2026

September 15, 2026
by Asher
· After Infinity (Rockshots Records)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 15, 2026

Finland’s AFTER INFINITY Shares New Single “Whisper In The Air” ft. Mika Tauriainen (Entwine, Shamrain)

New Album “Beyond Eternity” Out October 23rd, 2026 via Rockshots Records

Featuring Album Guests Paolo Ribaldini (Delain, Leverage, Seraphiel), Aitor Arrastia (Metal de Facto),
Nitte Valo (Dreamtale, ex-Battle Beast), Mika Tauriainen (Entwine, Shamrain),
Sara Strömmer (Shereign, ex-Fear of Domination), Leonard F. Guillan (ex-King Company)

Pre-Order Available Now!

Finnish melodic metal act AFTER INFINITY releases their new single “Whisper in the Air”, offering one of the most intimate and emotionally charged moments from their upcoming sophomore album “Beyond Eternity”, due out October 23rd, 2026 via Rockshots Records.

Featuring guest vocals from Mika Tauriainen (Entwine, Shamrain), “Whisper in the Air” marks his first release in over a decade.

Following the heavier approach of the previously released singles, After Infinity now reveals a very different side of the forthcoming album. Built entirely around piano, orchestral arrangements, and vocals, with no guitars or drums, “Whisper in the Air” provides a deliberate moment of contrast within the record.

The song was originally conceived by After Infinity founder, guitarist, and songwriter Zsolt Szilagyi as a short interlude. During the collaboration with Tauriainen, however, the piece gradually developed into a complete four-minute composition, with the vocalist contributing not only his performance but also helping shape the song into its final form.

Zsolt Szilagyi comments:

“Between a fast song and a 12-minute prog metal epic, this simple piano ballad allows the listener to catch their breath. What an honor it was to have Mika Tauriainen from Entwine collaborate on this song, making it his first release in over a decade. Not only did he deliver the most emotional vocals; he helped me shape the song from a small interlude into an independent masterpiece.”

Due out on October 23rd, 2026, “Beyond Eternity” follows After Infinity’s 2024 self-titled debut and further explores the heavier and more progressive sides of the band’s sound. Across nine tracks, the album moves through power metal, heavy metal, and progressive influences while combining heavy riffs and melodic hooks with piano passages and orchestral arrangements.

The album continues After Infinity’s collaborative approach, with different guest vocalists bringing their own character to individual songs while remaining connected by Szilagyi’s songwriting. “Whisper in the Air” stands apart as one of the record’s most stripped-back compositions, placing the focus entirely on melody, atmosphere and Tauriainen’s vocal performance.

Produced by Zsolt Szilagyi, “Beyond Eternity” features orchestrations by Gideon Ricardo and bass by Ville Koskinen. “Whisper in the Air” was mixed by Ari Laurila, while the album was mastered by Jasse Kesti at Kesthouse.

Watch the official lyric video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A98rAMr7fUk
Video by Jarkko Felin / FFC Studios

Spotify – https://lnk.to/6QJ2sfsa

For fans of: Entwine, A Great Big World, X Japan

“Beyond Eternity” will be released on October 23rd, 2026 via Rockshots Records.
Pre-Order:
https://rockshots.eu/products/after-infinity-beyond-infinity-cd

Track Listing:
1. Crooked Carnival feat. Aitor Arrastia (6:52)
2. Infinite Feeling feat. Leonard F. Guillan & Nitte Valo (5:02)
3. King with no Crown feat. Paolo Ribaldini (6:21)
4. Maybe She’s Crying feat. Paolo Ribaldini (5:21)
5. Mortal Vessel (1:58)
6. Everlasting Mark feat. Sara Strömmer (4:58)
7. Eternal Resentment feat. Nitte Valo (3:43)
8. Whisper in the Air feat. Mika Tauriainen (4:03)
9. Hands of Time feat. Aitor Arrastia (11:53)

After Infinity Line-up:
Zsolt Szilagyi: Guitars, Synths, Drum Programming, Backing Vocals
Gideon Ricardo: Orchestrations, Synths
Ville Koskinen: Bass

Guest Vocalists:
Paolo Ribaldini (Delain, Leverage, Seraphiel)
Aitor Arrastia (Metal de Facto)
Nitte Valo (Dreamtale, ex-Battle Beast)
Mika Tauriainen (Entwine, Shamrain)
Sara Strömmer (Shereign, ex-Fear of Domination)
Leonard F. Guillan (ex-King Company)

More info:

https://www.rockshots.eu

https://www.instagram.com/afterinfinityofficial

https://www.facebook.com/afterinfinityofficial

ABOUT:

After Infinity is a Finnish melodic power and heavy metal project founded in 2022 by guitarist and songwriter Zsolt Szilagyi, known for his work with Dreamtale and Frozen Factory. Built around a flexible and collaborative structure, the band emerged from Szilagyi’s desire to move beyond a purely solo approach and create a dynamic musical environment involving multiple performers.

Rather than relying on a fixed line-up of vocalists, After Infinity developed a distinctive identity by working with a wide range of guest singers, allowing each track to take on its own character while maintaining a cohesive artistic vision.

This approach quickly became a defining element of the project, turning it into a platform where different voices and influences converge.

The band’s sound blends heavy guitar riffs, rich orchestrations, and strong melodic hooks, moving seamlessly between powerful metal compositions and more introspective passages driven by piano and atmospheric textures. Drawing from power metal, heavy metal, and progressive influences, After Infinity aims to deliver a diverse listening experience shaped by contrast, emotion, and compositional depth.

Their self-titled debut album, released in 2024, received positive feedback for its songwriting and musicianship, establishing the project within the contemporary Finnish metal scene. Building on that foundation, the sophomore album “Beyond Eternity” further expands the band’s sonic palette, introducing new guest vocalists and pushing the balance between heaviness, melody, and progressive elements while preserving the core identity that defines After Infinity.

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0 EPK – The Astral Prophets – Invasion (2026)

September 15, 2026
by Asher
· Astral Prophets · EPKs

EPK – The Astral Prophets – Invasion (2026)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

For fans of Unleash the Archers, Amaranthe, Volbeat, Battle Beast

Band Name: The Astral Prophets
Album Title: Invasion
Release Date: October 30, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Genre: Power Groove
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada

Theastralprophets.com | Facebook.com/theastralprophets | Instagram.com/astralprophets | Youtube.com/@theastralprophets3308/videos

Apple Music | Spotify | Theastralprophets.bandcamp.com

All Links – https://hyperfollow.com/astralprophets

“I love the band’s genuineness, honesty, and energy the most on the album… They DRIVE those riffs home, and the bass guitar clubs you every inch of that ride. Get ready for an ass-kicking.” 8/10 – Metal-Temple

“Invasion is the most direct thing the band have put out. Staci Allen’s vocals sit high and clean over a rhythm section — Kyle Summers on drums, Savage on bass — that keeps the track moving at a gallop rather than a stomp. Harley D’Orazio and Bergin stack the riffs thick enough to feel symphonic without reaching for an orchestra, and the dual solo is the obvious centrepiece: two guitarists who clearly enjoy being in the same room, neither of them interested in winning.” – See Rock Live Magazine

“The album cover is cool, but it doesn’t necessarily explain much. That leaves me with only one thing to do: hit play! And then… wow. It’s dynamic, powerful, almost danceable, yet undeniably Metal. Fast-paced and incredibly well executed. I’m completely hooked on the vocals. Okay, I hear the cosmic side of it now, and I absolutely love it. This album hits hard. Every time a song ends, I immediately want to hear the next one. Hyperspace, Mr. Spock! The Enterprise is ready for battle during this Invasion: retro lasers blazing and fists flying. Yes, it’s completely over the top, but it’s also incredibly good. We don’t give up. We’re going to push back the bad guys. I’m having an absolute blast with this album, and I’m making sure the neighbors enjoy it too. They’re obviously fans because they’re pounding on the ceiling with excitement! Wow, this is just too good. Let’s do it again. Press play one more time. I can’t even pick a single track as an example because I love them all. This album and this band were a genuine love-at-first-listen experience. A band that deserves to be discovered immediately and played without moderation. 5 picks. I simply can’t rate it any lower.” – WTR Mag

“Spanning eight tracks, Invasion captures a band refining its identity into a more cinematic, direct form. Fans of bands that bridge traditional heavy metal energy with modern groove and atmospheric touches, such as Unleash The Archers or Amaranthe, will find plenty of material to dig into.” – Papy Jeff Metal

“Canada’s The Astral Prophets drop INVASION – 8 blistering tracks of SF influenced heavy metal that rocks with power metal energy, prog complexity and all the fun of old school heavy metal while keeping the sound dramatic. A banger of an album!” – Loud Enough? Magazine

“With Invasion, The Astral Prophets have created a small masterpiece, solid and mature…. Invasion is splendid, varied, and rich in themes… There’s undoubtedly genius here… A truly excellent, interesting and varied debut.” – Metal Shock

Band Name: The Astral Prophets
Album Title: Invasion
Release Date: October 30, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Genre: Power Groove
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada

Track Listing:
1. Target Locked – 4:24
2. Power of the Rift – 4:08
3. Invasion ft. Jeff Black – 4:06
4. Into Nothing – 4:46
5. A Trail of Broken Stars – 4:46
6. World Eater – 4:35
7. Hyperdrive – 4:47
8. Inside the Hyperdrive – 3:37

Album Recording Credits:
All songs performed by: The Astral Prophets
All songs written by: Terry Savage, AJ Bergin, Staci Stardust, Kyle Summers, Harley D’Orazio
Produced by: Savage Studios & Nick The Music Dude
Mixed and Mastered by: Blacknote Music
Album Artwork by: Disturbing Grace Design
Member of SOCAN
Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album & Live Band Lineup:
Staci Stardust – Lead Vocals
AJ Bergin – Lead Guitar & Vocals
Harley D’Orazio – Guitar & Vocals
Terry Savage – Bass & Vocals
Kyle Summers – Drums

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Describe the Album Artwork:

Earth. We have squandered it for far too long. For too long have we drained its rivers and pilfered its minerals. It’s dying now. One of the most special planets in the universe, Earth stands alone. Even in its dilapidated and over-populated state, it still exists as a prize to the other civilizations of the known universe.
The artwork depicts a mysterious alien mothership arriving to terraform the planet out of a massive wormhole. The first battalions of the alien fleet hover around looking for specimens to beam back up for probing. The ground dries and cracks underneath the immense power of the ion beam stemming from the ship. The end is here. It is…INVASION

About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Invasion is a roller coaster of an album. It kicks off with a bang, slows down in the middle, but then also goes out with a bang. Some of these songs materialized out of nowhere and became beasts in their own right.
Throughout the album, there are themes of anger, retribution, causality, and madness. But there are also themes of love and longing mixed in between. These aspects are conveyed with sci-fi and cosmic overtones.

Track By Track:

Describe each song track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Target Locked – Target Locked was born out of boredom during the COVID lockdown in 2020. It’s our most straightforward, thrashiest song, and it doesn’t even have a solo. The problem with working from home for Terry was that his guitar was right there in his office, so between meetings he’d pick it up and mess around with riffs. One day, Target Locked was born. It was originally about Boba Fett and had a lot more guitar licks, but it got refined, chopped up, and lengthened. The bridge, aptly named “Dogfight,” was only played once in the original demo, but the band workshopped it until it became the monster it is now. Terry’s original lyrics were bad, straightforwardly bad, so Staci put her own spin on them and dumped some anger in, making it more personal. The song sends a message of “Don’t mess with me!”

Power of the Rift – Like Target Locked, Power of the Rift was born during the Covid lockdown. Terry wanted to write a song based purely on chord structure. It started that way… complete with really, really cheesy lyrics (embarrassing to listen to now). Between the chord changes, a catchy riff popped into existence and became the hook of the song. The intro got modified, the bridge got cut, an epic dueling guitar solo with a workshopped ending was added. Once the structure locked in, Terry went overboard with synths and sound effects, thinking the rest of the band would laugh at how ridiculous it was, but they ended up loving it! When it came time for Staci to write lyrics, she drew on some of her happier memories and layered them on top, that “loving at the speed of light” kind of feeling.

Invasion – I came up with the main riff on this one. It is heavy and metal as hell. My initial plan was to experiment with Terry and write a few bars at a time and bounce it back and forth with each other. I sent him the initial riff; he then added a verse…and a pre-chorus…and a chorus. He then sent it back to me to start adding to it. I got super busy with work and family, and kind of forgot about it. I guess while he was waiting for me to add to it, Terry took to the beach with his acoustic and randomly came back with a really cool riff, one that ended up being twice as fast as he’d originally imagined. It became arguably the most difficult riff he has ever written. He worked for hours trying to nail the harmonies on the demo, and it’s the most loved/hated riff on the whole record. He just naturally writes music at such a high level, I can’t keep up with the guy! Staci had a hard time coming up with lyrics for this one, so Terry took over and went back to our old song Lazerwitch for inspiration, the idea that humanity could easily be taken over by a more technologically superior race since we are already so reliant on technology today. We also have Jeff Black from Glyph featured on this song, trading some dueling guitar solos. I had the pleasure of being in Scythia briefly with Jeff, but never got a chance to work with him on a track until now. I am super proud of getting him on this song and will treasure it forever!

Into Nothing – The inspiration for this song traces back to an old joke song in Scythia called Fort Make Money. A satirical retelling of rig life up in Fort McMurray. Terry started playing the chorus riff and had the song nailed out within a few hours, as he does. It’s easily our most 80s glam rock influenced song, and it fits the same swing feel as our older songs Cybernetic Doom and Firewall. The first time the band played it live, we ran the bridge, solo, and last chorus over and over because it was too fun to stop. It is actually my favorite song to play. When it came time for Staci to apply lyrics, she had a dream about trying to punch someone in the face and actually felt it connect in real life. It has the theme of not being able to differentiate dreams from reality.

Trail of Broken Stars – This song was originally called Maelstrom and was one of the first songs Celine, Terry, and I wrote together at the beginning of The Astral Prophets. Most of the riffs were mine, but the original version just didn’t quite slap as hard as we wanted it to. It got shelved for a long time until I breathed new life into it last year. For this album, Terry really started getting into backing tracks and made a mark on this one. He also came up with the lyrical scheme for the vocals in the intro. He had each person in the band write one stanza with lyrical themes based on The Astral Prophets. They all ended up flowing together beautifully. The lyrics took a while to materialize, until Terry was driving and “I am alive again” came to him, snowballing into a full set of lyrics. He sang them roughly to the band one jam, and they loved it. Bam, we had the last puzzle piece to the album. The song is about an Eternal being searching the cosmos for her soulmate who has gone mad. This song embodies themes of madness, pain, and loneliness.

World Eater – Terry wrote the main riff of this song back in Grade 12. He originally called it “A Bar at the End of the Universe.” It sat in the memory riff bank forever until he tabbed and recorded a quick demo. Again, it sat on Google Drive/Dropbox until I dug it up, chopped it up, and refined it. We workshopped it about six times back and forth until it became a damn good song. It’s anthemic and bombastic, and the bridge is always super fun to play. We named the song World Eater as a reference to Galactus from Marvel Comics and then used that for inspiration for lyrics. The song is more about the Silver Surfer, actually, and his longing to go back home to his love.

Hyperdrive – Terry had a riff that was a combination of Clutch and Mötley Crüe, and he turned it into a hootin’ rock & roll song that he was just over the moon about. Then our old drummer Jordan told us that it sounded like some kid’s Bandcamp final rock & roll songwriting recital song, and that the best part of it was when it was over. Terry was a sad boy that day. He took that criticism with my head hung low and went back to the drawing board. This song had a riff he had been working on for years, trying to fit it into a song. The “Inside the Hyperdrive” riff, and he was for damn sure going to get it onto this next album somehow. Terry sat down at my computer and just riffed, riffed, and riffed over and over again until it morphed into this groovy, thrashy, all-over-the-neck song. He listened back to the old demo and thought, “Yeah…how do you like me now?!” Thus, “Hyperdrive” was born. Staci asked what she should write the lyrics about, and the answer was simple. “Some dude is in love with the engine in his spaceship. Take that and run with it!” She came up with the idea of a woman trying to love a man who is too in love with his spaceship. All he needs is that hyperspeed.

Inside the Hyperdrive – When Jordan said that the best part of the song was when it was over, he meant this part. Terry loves when bands do the “bring it back but slower” move. It’s usually a death metal trick, but he had tried his hand at it here because that riff is just too damn catchy. I didn’t stop recording, kept playing that riff, and just left it at the end of the demo. Terry spruced it up and figured he’d come back to it one day and turn it into a full song. But all it needed was some polish and an end, which showcases Harley, our new guitarist. What you hear is 95% close to the original demo where Terry just messed around with the riff.

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STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT THE BAND

1. We wanted to be just a straight-up doom metal band. But we all have such eccentric personalities and can’t stand playing that slow.

2. We synchronize a lot of our stage movements that bring a lot of smiles to our fans.

3. AJ forgets to bring gear to jam almost weekly! Poor guy. One time his kids borrowed his pedal power supply for their Easy Bake oven and fried the circuit.

4. Kyle is sponsored by Los Cabos drumsticks because he has been in 1000 bands!

5. Staci always takes 4 hours to get ready at gigs so she doesn’t have to help with load-in. Sneaky!

6. Kyle disassociates and still thinks he’s playing Rock Band or Guitar Hero on stage

=================================================

The Astral Prophets rose out of the ashes of Scythia, the Calgary-based folk/progressive metal act, when guitarist AJ Bergin, bassist Terry Savage, and drummer Celine Derval joined forces in 2019 to chart a course in a new, heavier direction.

Trading the folk-metal storytelling of their previous project for something rawer, more grounded, and more accessible for all, the trio built The Astral Prophets and formed it into what they call “Power Groove.” They added guitarist Brandon Macneill and then released three consecutive singles, “Firewall,” “USB Humanity,” and “Lazerwitch,” in October 2021.

Shortly after, Celine moved out to the coast, being replaced by Jordan Tworek on drums. The band then found Staci Allen to take on lead vocal duties. With a fresh, new, and improved sound, they then followed the three singles with their first EP release. “Anywhere But Here” came out in March 2023, featuring five tracks including a fan-favorite cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song.”

Now, in 2026, with the final form of the band featuring Kyle Summers on drums and Harley D’Orazio on guitars, The Astral Prophets prepare to deliver the masterpiece. The full-length LP “Invasion” will be delivered to the masses in Fall 2026!

Discography:
LP: Invasion – October 2026
EP: Anywhere But Here – March 2023
Single: Lazerwitch – October 2021
Single: USB Humanity – October 2021
Single: Firewall – October 2021

SHARED STAGE WITH:
Enforcer, Psychostick, Crimson Shadows, Greyhawk, Lunar, Owlbear, Solarus, Tyrants Demise, Aggression, Vaegon, SYRYN, Boneyard, Under the Mountain, Luminator, Tylor Dory Trio, Glyph, Tower Hill, Red Cain, Serpent Rider, and Crüzer.

TOURS AND FESTIVALS YOU HAVE PERFORMED ON.
Hyperspace Metalfest 2025 (Vancouver, BC)
The Electric Highway 2023/2025 (Calgary, AB)
Decimate Metalfest 2024 (Millet, AB)
Ampfest 2024 (Canmore, AB)
Moments Fest 2024 (Siksika, AB)

Artist Endorsements:
Kyle Summers is sponsored by Los Cabos Drumsticks

0 Out Now! Montreal’s OMBRA’s Debut EP “Night Terror” Explores Fear, Collapse, and The Human Condition

September 14, 2026
by Asher
· Music News · Ombra

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 14, 2026

Out Now! Montreal’s OMBRA’s Debut EP “Night Terror” Explores Fear, Collapse, and The Human Condition

Emerging Montreal metal trio OMBRA has officially released their debut EP “Night Terror,” out now as of September 14th, 2026. Rooted in old‑school thrash, sludge, groove metal, and psychedelic rock, the five‑track conceptual project delivers a visceral, front‑to‑back descent into fear, obsession, chemical collapse, and the psychological weight of modern life, blending raw emotion, razor‑sharp riffs, and the band’s signature fusion of horror and real‑world chaos.

Formed by lifelong friends Giuseppe “G” Criniti (vocals/guitar), Marco Sisti (guitar/bass), and Nico‑Angelo Sisti (drums), OMBRA evolved naturally from their previous cult acts NRTH and Hidden Pride. The trio grew up together in Lachine, attended the same schools, and came from families who immigrated from Italy together, making the band’s formation feel less like a decision and more like destiny. In late 2020, G and Marco left NRTH to pursue heavier music, and Nico, Marco’s cousin and a respected drummer in the Montreal scene, joined shortly after departing Hidden Pride.

A true concept EP about fear, collapse, and the human condition, “Night Terror” was written between 2021 and 2026. The EP reflects the band’s lived experiences and observations of a decade marked by upheaval, media distortion, obsession, war, and emotional collapse. The EP is intentionally designed as a continuous experience from Track 1 “Hysteria” through Track 5 “So It Goes”, each chapter deepening the psychological descent:

“We wrote this EP as a reflection of our own experiences, feelings, and emotions throughout the last few years. The world has gone through so much change, turmoil, and war; this EP is our commentary on some of the major events of the last decade. Our objective is to encourage others to explore their own minds, make their own opinions, and live true to themselves. This EP reflects our thoughts and observations. We encourage all individuals to express themselves freely through art, speech, and any medium they see fit.” – Ombra.

Recommended for fans of Power Trip, High On Fire, Motörhead, Mastodon, Testament, and Rammstein, “Night Terror” is now available on all digital platforms at https://too.fm/eab92od.

Single Streams:

“Blue Dream” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5UmQA60mlM

“Stitches” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FimmvegfZ_M

“Hysteria” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7mDZ-4uXrY

Track Listing:
1. Hysteria (4:15)
2. Stitches (4:43)
3. Blue Dream (3:46)
4. Night Terror (5:44)
5. So It Goes (3:06)

Album and Live Band Lineup:
Giuseppe Criniti – Vocals / Lead Guitar
Marco Sisti – Rhythm Guitar / Bass
Nico-Angelo Sisti – Drums

More info:

https://ombra.band/

https://www.instagram.com/@abandcalledombra

https://www.facebook.com/people/OMBRA/61582909783052/

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“Night Terror is a debut EP that knows exactly what it wants to do. OMBRA take Thrash Metal, pass it through Groove, Sludge and psychedelic rock and use it to tell a story that begins with social unrest and ends deep within the human mind. It’s not an album that tries to impress you with technique. It wins you over with intensity, riffs, groove and atmosphere. And most importantly: It’s not five random songs. It’s a journey. From Hysteria to Night Terror. From the outside world to the inside. From control to loss of control. And finally, to acceptance. OMBRA are just taking their first step. But it’s a step that sounds heavy, mature and determined. Darkness doesn’t reside outside the mind. Sometimes it resides within it. And OMBRA have just given it a soundtrack.” – Rock N Roll Town

“OMBRA emerges in ‘Hysteria’ as a force that transforms social chaos into high-impact art. Advancing with the brutality of thrash metal and the structure of hard rock, the track shapes a sound that feels like both a siren and a sentence at the same time. Sharp and relentless, the riffs dialogue with drums that tear through the silence, while the vocals echo indignation and lucidity, a manifesto in the form of distortion. The band builds tension with precision: there is weight, but also clarity; fury, but control.” – Roadie Metal

“Delivering high-quality extreme metal that blends elements of thrash metal with other influences full of raw aggressiveness, a cinematic atmosphere with no soft edges, like a punch to the gut!” – Metal Junkbox

“From the moment we hear the sound of sirens, gunshots, and helicopters flying overhead, we know we’re going to encounter a strong track both in sound and lyrics, because the soundscape they create from the very first seconds already feels dense… the drums and guitar move between agility and the creation of a track full of suspense and tension.” – Poppunkers

‘STITCHES’, the new single from the Canadian trio OMBRA, arrives like an open cut: direct, intense, and impossible to ignore. The song crosses the border between hard rock and thrash metal with aggressiveness, transforming psychological tension into dense and precise sound.” – Roadie Music

“OMBRA is an incredible discovery! A band that shows us metal is more alive than ever… it is the perfect soundtrack to start a mosh and let out all our anger. It maintains brutal riffs worthy of any Metallica fan, an imposing guttural voice… it is 100% recommended!” – End Sessions

“I really felt it wasn’t a song made to sound pretty. It’s dark, heavy, and direct… The story it tells ,a woman who keeps reconstructing herself to fit in, hit me hard… It’s not a song that accompanies you in the background; it’s one that confronts you. It ends and leaves you with that knot in your chest.” – Rockola Indie

“Stitches’ hits hard with a dark and visceral vision of the oversexualization of women and the price of chasing perfection… It is raw, uncomfortable, and impossible to ignore.” – Poppunkers

“Stitches’ explores the limits between obsession, beauty, and self-destruction. The track dives into the mind of someone who seeks perfection at any cost… Musically, it combines aggressiveness and atmosphere, with a fast, dense, and confrontational sound… a sharp and suffocating sonority that amplifies the emotional tension. ‘Stitches’ transforms psychological horror into sonic impact.” – Metal Never Die

“The band delivers one of their darkest and most intense compositions to date. The last single before the release of the EP Night Terror, the track dives deeply into themes such as dependency, paranoia, and the destructive consequences of escaping reality. Combining dense and melodic passages with explosions of weight and aggressiveness, creating a sound experience that is as engaging as it is disturbing.” – Metal Junkbox

‘Blue Dream’ delivers suffocating, volatile metal with heavy riffs depicting psychological terror, chemical dependency, and mental collapse in a dense, cinematic sound.” – Whiplash

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0 Out Now! Icelandic Sorcerous Folk Metal HRAFNABLÓT Debut Album “Guðlaugar Saga”

September 11, 2026
by Asher
· Hrafnablót

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 11, 2026

Out Now! Icelandic Sorcerous Folk Metal HRAFNABLÓT Debut Album “Guðlaugar Saga”

Photo Credit: Þórgnýr Einar Albertsson

Icelandic sorcerous folk‑metal band Hrafnablót proudly announces the release of their debut full‑length album, “Guðlaugar Saga,” available everywhere today, September 11, 2026. The album marks a major milestone for one of Iceland’s most compelling new metal acts, an ensemble known for ritualistic live performances, dramatic storytelling, and a sound forged from the contrasting light and darkness of Icelandic magick.

Formed in late 2024, Hrafnablót has quickly become a rising force in Iceland’s metal scene, performing at Íslenski rokkbarinn, Lemmy, BIRD, and the Icelandic Sorcery Festival. Their music blends heavy riffs, folk instrumentation, haunting melodies, and both clean and harsh vocals, creating what the band calls their own brand of sorcerous folk metal.

Giving listeners a sweeping sonic journey inspired by Icelandic nature and folklore, Hrafnablót’s debut concept album “Guðlaugar Saga” follows Guðlaug, a modern‑day woman pulled back into Iceland’s settlement age with nothing but her clothes and a taser. Across seven full songs and two spoken‑word pieces, the album traces her vivid, time‑bending saga, from Spádómurinn, a seer’s whispered prophecy over Icelandic winds, into “Dísablót,” where a driving ritual‑bound riff launches her story. “Heljarhlíð” delivers melodic death‑metal intensity and dual vocals as she’s forced into battle, while “Fögnuður” bursts into a celebratory folk‑metal anthem. Darkness rises in “Nornarheimt,” the album’s harshest track, as brigands kidnap her, followed by “Svartigaldur,” a metallized sea‑shanty built on an old Icelandic folk melody. “Heimþrá” offers a melodic, keyboard‑led moment of homesickness and dark magick, before the saga reaches its climax in “Örlagavegur,” an 11‑minute epic of shifting meters and fate as Guðlaug confronts her final choice.

“When writing the album, we knew right away we wanted to create a strong and cohesive narrative and to feature the stark contrasts present in Icelandic folklore and Sagas. The album features seven songs, along with a spoken word interlude and intro, weaving together influences from Icelandic magick, history, and culture. The sound can most aptly be described as sorcerous folk metal, drawing influence from the contrasting darkness and light of Icelandic folk culture as well as sonic influences from Nordic folk metal, NWOBHM, various gothic and miscellaneous extreme metal genres,” adds the band.

Recommended for fans of Ensiferum, Nightwish, Wintersun, Skálmöld, and Eluveitie, “Guðlaugar Saga” is now available on all digital platforms, CD, and Vinyl.

CD, Vinyl – https://elasticstage.com/hrafnablot/releases/gudlaugar-saga-album

Bandcamp – https://hrafnablot.bandcamp.com/album/gu-laugar-saga-2

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/74tlHFVXjDeUJ8OUUcIHOK

Previous Singles:

Music Video – “Svartigaldur” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDPpHb_Qf1s

Music Video – “Dísablót” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tI34l6OrGc

Music Video – “Heljarhlíð” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4mEwniTdVA

Track Listing:
1. Spádómurinn – 1:49
2. Dísablót – 5:44
3. Heljarhlíð – 6:22
4. Kappar, Meyjar, Komendur – 1:22
5. Fögnuður – 5:41
6. Nornarheimt – 5:21
7. Svartigaldur – 5:17
8. Heimþrá – 4:59
9. Örlagavegur – 11:23
Album Length: 48:02

Band Line-up:
Hugrún Hanna Stefánsdóttir – Vocals
Þórgnýr Einar Albertsson – Bass & Backing Vocals
Ólafur Daði Jónsson – Keyboards & Backing Vocals
Steingrímur Viðar Karlsson – Guitar & Backing Vocals
Andri Pétur Dalmar – Drums & Backing Vocals
Mara Birna Jóhannsdóttir – Guitar

For more info:

https://hrafnablot.is/

https://www.facebook.com/hrafnablot/

https://www.instagram.com/hrafnablot

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“A band from Iceland may have delivered the best Folk Metal of the year. Hrafnablot is not afraid to do things on an album that other artist would not dare to do. This is an exceptional album that catch your attention from start to finish. I rate this album the perfect 10.” – Project Metal Music

“Guðlaugar Saga is a debut with great ambition. Hrafnablót take Icelandic folklore, Sagas and magic and transport them into a modern Folk Metal framework, adding NWOBHM, Gothic, Melodic Death and Extreme Metal elements. But the real power lies elsewhere. In the story. In the contrast. In the fact that a woman from modern Reykjavík suddenly finds herself in a world where she shouldn’t exist. And instead of just waiting to be saved…she learns to survive. Guðlaugar Saga has everything a good concept album needs: a world, a hero, a conflict, a mythology and a road of no return. And if the first singles are any indication of what’s to come, Hrafnablót have created a debut that could put their name on the map of modern Nordic Folk Metal. The Sagas were never finished. They were just waiting for the next voice to tell them. And this time…the voice comes from Reykjavík.” – Rock N Roll Town

“The idea of combining retro-heavy, proto-doom and then classic Viking metal with the Icelandic language is nothing short of brilliant – and honestly – incredibly obvious. Hrafnablót has definitely got something going and is a name to keep an eye on, because they could very well become something big.9/10” – HeavyMetal.dk

“What makes “Guðlaugar Saga” work is its refusal to treat folk metal’s contrasts both brutal and beautiful, cold and warm as gimmicks, instead using them as narrative tools that build toward something. For listeners already invested in the genre’s melodic, story-driven corner, this is a record built for a full, uninterrupted listen.” – Female Fronted Power

“Iceland’s Hrafnablót and debut single ‘Svartigaldur’ a heavy piece of pagan folk metal; for the tale of a time traveller lashed to Viking mast accused of being a witch. With symphonic metal richness, black metal energy, traditional melodies, theatrical vocal harmonies and soaring, clean female vocals, it’s quite a ride!” – Loud Enough Magazine

—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
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