Posts By Asher
0 Protected: EPK – Cavernous Maw – The Yeti Approaches the Wall (single) (2026)
0 TRAUMATOMY Deliver Relentless New Slam Assault “Entropic Obliteration” From New Album “Ascension Of The Ineffable” Out Oct 2026
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – October 6, 2026
TRAUMATOMY Deliver Relentless New Slam Assault “Entropic Obliteration”
New Album “Ascension Of The Ineffable” Out Oct 30th, 2026 via Gore House Productions
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Slamming brutal death metal titans Traumatomy have unleashed their devastating new single, “Entropic Obliteration,” the second offering from their upcoming fourth full-length album, “Ascension Of The Ineffable,” set for release on October 30, 2026 through Gore House Productions.
Following the release of the first single, “Visceral Maceration,” the band now presents what was not only the first song written for the album, but also one of its most intense and technically demanding compositions. Clocking in with relentless speed, surgical precision, and overwhelming brutality, “Entropic Obliteration” serves as a brutal introduction to the sonic direction of the new record.
“We composed this track as the very first one for this album. It turned out to be quite fast and technical. We thought about the lyrics for a long time and decided that it should be abstract and brutal,” adds the band.
With “Entropic Obliteration,” Traumatomy showcases the heightened aggression and technicality that define “Ascension Of The Ineffable,” delivering an uncompromising slab of slamming brutal death metal that pushes their sound into even more savage territory.
Listen to “Entropic Obliteration” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOsVA0-oJjQ
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/4UQfLExucqmNF9skKqoZCX
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The forthcoming album marks the band’s highly anticipated fourth full-length release and arrives after an intensive two-year writing and production process. “Ascension Of The Ineffable” represents a significant evolution while remaining true to the primitive, crushing foundations that have defined Traumatomy since its inception.
“We are very happy that the new album Ascension Of The Ineffable will be released soon. We have been working on it for two years. We believe that this album will be loved by fans for a long time,” says the band.
The record features a raw yet razor-sharp production courtesy of Konstantin Ogarkov, whose approach helped craft an album that sounds faster, heavier, and more brutal than anything the band has previously recorded.
“Konstantin Ogarkov brought a special sound to this album. The sound is raw but at the same time sharp and brutal,” the band adds.
Visually, the album’s identity is completed by the striking artwork of Jon Zig, whose cover illustration perfectly captures the atmosphere and vision behind the record’s bleak cosmic horrors and grotesque brutality.
Lyrically inspired by the cosmic dread of H.P. Lovecraft and the grim absurdity of Russian criminal television programs, “Ascension Of The Ineffable” continues Traumatomy‘s tradition of grotesque storytelling. Musically, the album delivers eight tracks of monolithic slam, blistering blast beats, devastating grooves, and unrelenting riff work written entirely by founding guitarist Constantine Chevardin.
Formed in 2012 by Constantine (Disfigurement Of Flesh, Nauseating, Morphogenetic Malformation) and Haruka (ex-Gorevent, Medic Vomiting Pus), Traumatomy began as an online studio project before evolving into one of the most respected names in the international slam underground. Since becoming a full-time live entity in 2018 with the additions of bassist Leonid (Cephalic Impurity) and drummer Ivan, the band has earned a reputation for their precise, coordinated, and intensely professional live performances.
Recommended for fans of Gorevent, Cerebral Incubation, Disgorge, Epicardiectomy, and Defeated Sanity, “Ascension of the Ineffable” is out on October 30th, 2026, from Gore House Productions.
Album pre-save / CD/ Cassette – https://orcd.co/ascension-of-the-ineffable
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Track Listing:
1. Entropic Obliteration (3:34)
2. Pervigilium of the Obsolesced Xenolith (3:26)
3. Endoneural Parasitosis (3:07)
4. Repugnant Coalescence (2:55)
5. Ascension Of The Ineffable (2:54)
6. Visceral Maceration (2:34)
7. Autognathic Avulsion (2:43)
8. Xeno-Homeostasis (3:07)
Album Length: 24:15
Album Credits:
All songs performed by Traumatomy
All songs written by Constantine Chevardin
Produced by Constantine Chevardin
Mixed and Mastered by Konstantin Ogarkov
Cover artwork by Jon Zig
Album band line-up:
Constantine – Guitars
Ivan – Drums
Leonid – Bass
Haruka – Vocals
Kirill – Vocals
Live band line-up:
Constantine – Guitars
Ivan – Drums
Leonid – Bass
Kirill – Vocals
More info:
https://gorehouseproductions.com
https://www.facebook.com/traumatomy
https://www.instagram.com/traumatomy.slam
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What the press has said:
“Brutal death metal enthusiasts rejoice!… Get in, make a s**t-ton of noise, wreck some bodies, and get out. That’s the mantra of this EP, and the mindset of Traumatomy, who deliver five of the nastiest and brutalising death metal tracks heard this year. With guitar riffs that are as thick as coagulated blood, bass hooks that rip through flesh as though they’ve emerged from a freshly opened Lament Configuration, drums that sound like a demon is hitting the skulls, ribcages, and stretched skin of its victims, and vocals that gurgle and growl like a creature driven to madness through hunger. This is Traumatomy’s sound, and it is f**king mean. There’s no refresh of the brutal death metal sound here. No suggestion that Traumatomy are about to drop a melodic one out of the blue. No attempt to do anything but deliver brain-crushing heaviness at its best. Which is what Traumatomy do here. Delivering the kind of savage and sickening heaviness that leaves you with a headache, a sore neck, aching limbs, and the strong feeling of having been well and truly violated.” – Games, Brrraaains, A Head-Banging Life
“TRAUMATOMY releases “Triumph Of Enslavement”, an EP that offers slam in its purest form, but which is attractively designed in terms of songwriting and rafinesses here and there, which reveals the many years of experience in this style, especially from guitarist Constantine Chevardin. Fans should be happy with this appetizer. 8/10″ – PowerMetal.de
“Well, this is short and sweet at just over 15 minutes. Triumph of Enslavement is a nice little (tiny?) slab of brutal death metal that opens up with a mid-paced but heavy, crushing intro before swerving in a faster, but no less heavy, death metal onslaught. They do slow down, sometimes almost to a crawl, but the crushing heaviness is omnipresent, clickety drums included (OK, that has nothing to do with heaviness, but you do get the clickety drums). The growls are deep, deeper than I usually like, but they’re a perfect fit for the music here—I wouldn’t see a different style working quite as well. It’s dark, it feels like the weight of the world going through your ears, and sometimes that’s just what you need.” – The Metal Crypt
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0 Icelandic Sorcerous Folk Metal HRAFNABLÓT Announces New Members and Debut Album “Guðlaugar Saga” Out Now!
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – October 5, 2026
Icelandic Sorcerous Folk Metal HRAFNABLÓT Announces New Members and Debut Album “Guðlaugar Saga” Out Now!
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L-R – Kristinn Bergsson (Drums), Þorsteinn Steinberg Allansson (Guitar), Hugrún Hanna Stefánsdóttir (Lead Vocals), Ólafur Daði Jónsson (Keys, Harsh and Backing Vocals), Þórgnýr Einar Albertsson (Bass and Backing Vocals), Steingrímur Viðar Karlsson (Guitar and Backing Vocals)
Photo Credit – Þórgnýr Einar Albertsson
Icelandic sorcerous folk-metal band Hrafnablót is proud to announce a new chapter in the band’s journey, unveiling a refreshed lineup after the recent release of their debut full-length album, “Guðlaugar Saga,” on September 11th, 2026.
Hrafnablót bids farewell to guitarist Mara Birna Jóhannsdóttir and drummer Andri Pétur Dalmar, thanking them for their contributions to the band and wishing them all the best in their future endeavors.
Joining the band are guitarist Þorsteinn Steinberg Allansson and drummer Kristinn Bergsson. Hrafnablót is pleased to welcome them into the fold and looks forward to bringing “Guðlaugar Saga” to the stage with the new lineup.
The release of “Guðlaugar Saga” 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
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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://www.facebook.com/hrafnablot/
https://www.instagram.com/hrafnablot
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“On “Guðlaugar Saga” we hear an impressive mix of different styles of heavy metal and Icelandic folklore. And Hrafnablót manages this balancing act exceptionally well. This is probably one of the best folk metal albums I have ever heard. 10/10″ – Keep On Rocking Germany
“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
“This album is a most-welcome surprise, and it has exactly everything a folk metal band needs, no more, no less. This is an example of how things are done inside this kind of music.” – Dark Souls United
“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
“HRAFNABLÓT succeeds in telling a modern saga that is deeply rooted in Icelandic culture while simultaneously addressing universal themes such as identity, homeland, and the pursuit of self-determination.” – MetalUnderground.at
“Guðlaugar Saga is raw but carefully crafted… it brings a breath of fresh air.” – Metalhead.it
“Icelanders Hrafnablót make their full-length debut with the ambitious ‘Guðlaugar Saga’, a concept album that journeys between ancestral folk melodies and instrumental outbursts of clear metal inspiration.” – Loud and Proud
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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0 Protected: EPK – Sapraemia
0 Out Now! Canadian Metal Veterans FORESHADOW (ft. members Augury, Vantablack Warship, Arseniq33) Unleash EP “Here Down On Earth”
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – October 2, 2026
Out Now! Canadian Metal Veterans FORESHADOW (ft. members Augury, Vantablack Warship, Arseniq33) Unleash EP “Here Down On Earth”
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Top – L-R- Patrick Loisel (Vocals, Guitar), Kurtis Clifford (Bass)
Bottom – L-R – Patrick Knup (Guitar), Pierre Pitre (Drums)
Canadian metal veterans Foreshadow are proud to announce the official release of their long-awaited EP, “Here Down On Earth,” available now on all major digital platforms as of October 2nd, 2026.
Originally conceived during the late 1980s and first recorded as a demo in 1991, “Here Down On Earth” breathes new life into some of the band’s earliest and most ambitious material. Rather than simply remastering the original recordings, Foreshadow chose to completely re-record the songs, delivering the intensity and aggression they originally envisioned over three decades ago.
The release serves as a time capsule from a pivotal era in both the band’s history and the world around them.
“These songs were written in the late ’80s and first recorded in the early ’90s. We were already aiming for a heavier sound relative to that era’s standards. I listen to current bands that are similar, and we sound as aggressive as if we were 35 years younger. We are aged 50 to 56; it doesn’t show an iota!” says Patrick Loisel (Guitars and Vocals).
Foreshadow‘s origins date back to friendships forged years before the band’s official formation. Loisel first met bassist Kurt Clifford in 1984 and drummer Pierre in 1986. After informal jam sessions throughout the late ’80s, the group formally launched Foreshadow in 1990 with the goal of creating and recording original music. The lineup was completed in 1992 when longtime supporter and music store co-worker Patrick Knup joined as the band’s fourth member and second guitarist.
Initially rooted in thrash metal, Foreshadow quickly expanded beyond genre boundaries, incorporating influences from groove metal, funk, extreme metal, and progressive sounds. Their diverse musical palette would later help pave the way for members’ involvement in respected acts including Augury, Vantablack Warship, Arseniq33, and Clearwater Deathblow.
The five-track EP blends Foreshadow‘s late 1980s songwriting with a modern, heavier production. Musically, the release moves between death metal, thrash, and groove-infused aggression, showcasing both the band’s early creativity and their evolved sound. Lyrically, the songs tackle themes of nuclear devastation, political oppression, environmental destruction, warfare, and humanity’s repeating social failures. The title track, “Here Down On Earth,” serves as the EP’s centerpiece, bringing together the record’s overarching themes of violence, intolerance, and societal decline.
“The lyrics were initially written in the late 1980s and address a lot of social tensions and environmental concerns. The current moral panics we see now are, to me, the continuation of what had me blow a fuse in the 1980s, so these songs re-emerging is like the best timing ever,” adds Loisel.
The new recordings also showcase significant musical evolution. While the original demo was recorded in E-flat tuning, the current release is tuned down to B, creating a considerably heavier sonic foundation. Combined with decades of musical experience, the result is a powerful modernization of Foreshadow‘s earliest work while preserving its original spirit.
Delivering an aggressive blend of thrash, groove, and extreme metal that remains both nostalgic and contemporary, Foreshadow not only reclaims a forgotten chapter of their history but also demonstrates that powerful music and meaningful messages remain timeless.
Recommended for fans of Forbidden, Testament, Slayer, Carcass, Pantera, Helmet, and Augury, “Here Down On Earth” is available at the following links:
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/2pz6uQ5mMfcl2iLzJZ4ZMA
Bandcamp – https://foreshadow.bandcamp.com/
Lyric Video – “This Harvest That You’ve Sown” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDWvLce3jo8
Show Dates:
Oct 17 – O’Sim Irish Pub – Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC
Oct 24 – Turbo Haus – Montreal, QC
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Track Listing:
1. Y? – 6:17
2. Decretei – 3:40
3. This Harvest That You’ve Sown – 4:39
4. As Heroes Die – 7:01
5. Here Down To Earth – 8:46
EP Length: 30:26
Band Lineup:
Patrick Loisel – Vocals, Guitar
Kurtis Clifford – Bass
Pierre Pitre – Drums
Patrick Knup – Guitar
More Info – https://www.facebook.com/foreshadowmtl
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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0 Band Submissions Now Open! WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA 2027 – One Band To Conquer Them All! To Play Wacken Open Air!
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – October 2, 2026
Band Submissions Now Open! WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA 2027
One Band To Conquer Them All! To Play Wacken Open Air 2027
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One band to conquer them all! WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA band submissions for 2027 battles are now open!
Unsigned and independent American bands from across the country will have the opportunity to battle it out for one to play the world’s most prestigious and largest already sold-out metal festival, Wacken Open Air.
Band submissions are now open as of October 1st and run until December 1st, 2026.
WMBU organizer Eric Dow (Fatal Illness Management, Helsott, M-Theory Audio) comments on the upcoming 2027 battles:
“I am very excited and motivated for the 2027 Battle. I am always looking for ways to grow the team and improve in general. This year, the National Final will be held at the Tampa Metal Meeting fest hosted by me and Jerry from Piox Promotions. I have added several new city promoters, including Ty from Mad With Power Fest, who will be adding Madison for the first time in US Battle history. We have added Omar from The Metal Mixtape as the new social media manager and new Seattle promoter. Omar from Ghost Cult Magazine was behind the scenes last year but will now take over as the New York promoter. Same with Jersey from Andromeda Productions…he was helping last year with Atlanta and will now take over as the main promoter. Adding the new additions to our already amazing team, the future for the Wacken Metal Battle USA is brighter than ever!”
American bands interested in participating can apply at https://www.metal-battle.com/usa/
This year’s battles will be hosted across the United States in the following areas listed below:
The National Final will be held on June 19th, 2027, as part of the Tampa Metal Meeting 2027 Fest at The Brass Mug in Tampa, Florida.
Southwest Region:
Los Angeles, California
Orange County, California
Inland Empire, California
Bay Area, California
Sacramento, California
San Diego, California
Las Vegas, Nevada
Pacific Northwest Region:
Portland, Oregon
Seattle, Washington
Midwest Region:
Madison, Wisconsin
Northeast Region:
New York, New York
Wilmington, Delaware
Southeast Region:
Atlanta, Georgia
Central Florida
Texas Region:
Austin, Texas
Houston, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Dallas, Texas
For the past eight years of battles (2017–2019, 2022–2026), Wacken Metal Battle USA has held nationwide rounds to crown one independent metal band and send them to perform at the world’s largest metal festival, Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. The festival marked its 30th anniversary in 2019, with the 2020 and 2021 editions canceled due to COVID. As the global metal community continues to surge, Wacken Open Air 2027 will celebrate its 36th edition from July 28–31, and is already sold out. More than 50 bands have been announced, including Electric Callboy, Five Finger Death Punch, Helloween, Heaven Shall Burn, Halestorm, DragonForce, Napalm Death, Jinjer, Knocked Loose, Kanonenfieber, Belphegor, Dethklok, and Blue Medusa, among others. Full details here.
Live Video – 2026 WMBU Champion – Gannondorf at Wacken Open Air – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3Ez7OcFleQ
Previous WMBU national winners: Gannondorf (2026 – San Diego), Mourning High (2025 – Southern California / Arizona), 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).
The 2027 WMBU champion will receive the following:
– A slot at the 2027 Wacken Open Air Festival.
– Full professional backline provided.
– $1,000 USD towards flights to Germany.
– VIP camping at the festival.
Wacken Metal Battle USA is part of an international competition in which bands from across the country battled for the chance to join more than 30 other national champions and represent the USA in a global clash of rising talent at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival, Wacken Open Air. For over a decade, these battles have been hosted at the festival, giving independent bands the opportunity to showcase their power on an international stage and compete for 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 advance to perform at Wacken Open Air 2027 and compete against the winners of international bands from around the globe in a major international battle. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives.
About the 2026 National:
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Photo Credit – C.Huerta.Photos
One band had conquered them all. Wacken Metal Battle USA proudly crowned San Diego’s GANNONDORF as the 2026 champions. The band seized a coveted performance slot at Wacken Open Air, one of the world’s most iconic and influential metal festivals, and advanced to the international Wacken Metal Battle, where rising bands from across the globe unleashed their headbanging, mosh‑ready power before a massive sea of metalheads gathered from every corner of the world.
The Wacken Metal Battle USA 2026 National Final brought together the top six bands from across the country after months of battles in cities nationwide. Representing the fiercest underground metal the United States has to offer, the final contenders were FATE DEFINED (Spokane, WA), NEMESIS (Houston, TX), GANNONDORF (San Diego, CA), RAMTHA (St. Petersburg, FL), THE VICTORIOUS DEAD (New York, NY), and THROUGH THE OCULUS (Apple Valley, CA).
After taking the stage on June 13th at Brick By Brick in San Diego, CA, before a crowd of metal‑hungry fans and a panel of industry judges including Rod Kukla (Silver Lining Music), Martin Koller (Prophecy Productions / SPKR Media), and Kelly McLauchlin (Pessimist), only one band could claim the title of WMBU 2026 Champion. GANNONDORF delivered with unrelenting fury, winning over both judges and fans to seize the crown.
Listen to all the USA national final bands on the WMBU 2026 Final Spotify Playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/14751T41YocZkJCVUJWcjL
More info:
Metal-Battle.com
MetalBattleUSA.com
Facebook.com/metalbattleusa.official
X.com/MetalBattleUSA
Instagram.com/wmbusa.official
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Sponsors / Partners:
Fatal Illness Management
Dean Guitars
Bravewords
Metal-Rules
V13
GhostCultMag
Come And Take It Productions
Andromeda Productions
Distilled Entertainment
Piox Promotions
Tampa Bay Metal Scene
Last Light Presents
Mad With Power
The Metal Mixtape
BrokenNeckRadio
Asher Media Relations
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook – Asher Media Relations
Instagram – AsherMedia
Tweet – AsherMedia
0 Avant-Garde Cinematic Doom LIMINAL SPIRIT Announces New Album “Forfeiture Hymns” Out Nov 2026; Streaming First Single “The Initiate”
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – October 2, 2026
Avant-Garde Cinematic Doom LIMINAL SPIRIT Announces New Album “Forfeiture Hymns” Out Nov 2026
Streaming First Single “The Initiate”
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Milwaukee’s one-man cinematic doom metal project Liminal Spirit will release its highly anticipated new full-length album, “Forfeiture Hymns,” on November 6th, 2026, unveiling the next chapter in the project’s ever-expanding conceptual mythology.
The project is the work of multi-instrumentalist Jerry Hauppa (Northless, Ara, Acanthrophis, Deorbit), who combines the melodic sensibilities developed through years in extreme metal with a microtonal guitar blended with a cinematic doom, industrial, and drone-driven framework.
“I wanted to do a project that utilized my sense of melody established through various extreme metal outlets but through the lens of a more doom/industrial/drone approach to create music that felt like it was exposing a kind of purgatory, with each song guiding the listener through that purgatory into a place more grounded by the end,” says Hauppa.
This fourth studio recording and second full-length, “Forfeiture Hymns” represents Liminal Spirit‘s most ambitious and extreme work to date. While previous releases explored hypnotic drone-based environments, the new album pushes further into a musical language informed by death metal, industrial music, electronic textures, and psychologically charged storytelling.
At the center of “Forfeiture Hymns” is the continuation of the narrative introduced on the acclaimed previous album, “Unwell.” While “Unwell” chronicled the final days of the troubled character Phillip Hastings within the confines of a nursing home, the new album broadens the scope dramatically by tracing his life from birth onward.
Rather than focusing directly on Phillip himself, “Forfeiture Hymns” tells its story through the perspectives of individuals whose lives have been irrevocably altered by him. Each song documents a different character driven toward suicide following encounters with Phillip, creating a sprawling concept album that examines influence, guilt, abuse, obsession, and the devastating ripple effects of human actions.
“Each track is the story of one of those people and how his influence steered them toward ending their lives. To flesh out the record, I had to create all of these people and develop their motivations, which I then used to create the melodic characteristics of each song,” adds Hauppa.
Designed as a challenging and immersive listening experience, “Forfeiture Hymns” is intentionally confrontational while remaining deeply melodic and memorable. Every composition serves the story, with musical motifs recurring throughout the album and connecting not only individual songs but also previous Liminal Spirit releases.
With “Forfeiture Hymns,” Liminal Spirit continues to blur the boundaries between concept album, psychological horror, and extreme music, delivering a challenging yet immersive work that rewards repeated exploration.
“My hope is that this record resonates with people. It’s the most extreme demonstration of the style so far, but it’s also the most memorable,” adds Hauppa.
To introduce listeners to this complex narrative world, Liminal Spirit is unveiling the lead single “The Initiate”. A track that follows Tommy Pearson, a young boy desperate to join a group of children led by Phillip. What begins as a seemingly innocent initiation ritual spirals into tragedy, mirrored musically through a progression that moves from playful, childlike melodies into frantic and increasingly chaotic territory.
“The track plays out to depict a playful nature that reflects a children’s playground, but builds to a frantic pace as Tommy is desperate for aid with his wounds and approval of the rest of the club,” adds Hauppa.
Listen to “The Initiate” at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0KOVfvvHRI
Recommended for fans of Skepticism, Jesu, Nine Inch Nails, Shape of Despair, Confessor, Anata, and Cynic, “Forfeiture Hymns” will be available on all digital platforms on November 6, 2026.
Album pre-order: https://liminalspirit.bandcamp.com/album/forfeiture-hymns
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Track Listing:
1. A Mother’s Instinct (Catherine Hastings, d. 9/24/1937)- 4:25
2. Unwanted (Phillip Hastings Sr., d. 6/12/1938)- 6:00
3. The Initiate (Tommy Pearson, d. 3/03/1951)-5:13
4. Three (Marianne Tierney, d. 4/19/1953)- 5:10
5. Apoptosis (Elizabeth and Christopher Collins, d. 11/20/1963)- 4:13
6. Ensnarer’s Lament (Detective Michael Thornton, 6/01/1978)- 5:00
7. Two (Francine Hastings, d. 10/24/1981)- 4:40
8. Do No Harm (Alice Weaver, 2/17/2015)- 5:21
9. Sins of the Father (Johnathon Hastings, d. 2/20/2015)- 5:18
10. The Parting Glass (Madeline Hastings-Everett, d. 12/5/2025)- 2:23
11. Four (Constance Greene, b. 8/28/2026)- 0:51
Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Jerry Hauppa
• All songs written by: Jerry Hauppa
• Produced by: Jerry Hauppa
• Mixed by: Jerry Hauppa
• Mastered by: Jeff Wojtysiak
• Album Artwork by: James Becker
Album Band Lineup:
Jerry Hauppa- Kite guitar, fretless guitar, bass guitar, synthesizer, violin, vocoder, sampling
More Info:
https://www.facebook.com/people/Liminal-Spirit/61575618106702/
https://www.instagram.com/liminal_spirit_mke
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“I love when an artist goes all-in for an idea. And sometimes art is not meant to be enjoyed, so much as experienced. It transports you to that invisible realm of mind and imagination, reflecting in this case something truly horrific: a journey through purgatory. There are jagged edges everywhere, shapes and forms that make no sense, and dizzying dissonance from microtonal guitars. If you feel unsettled, that’s the point.” – Doomed and Stoned (2026 – The Initiate song premiere)
“The song we’re premiering, “A Better Place“, is that closing track. In its narrative, Phillip passes into a purgatory where he is judged for his actions, and ultimately cast into hell — not the better place he hoped for. The music manifests this denouement with sounds of mangling discordance and ruthless pounding. The hammering and thudding beats don’t create an easy rhythm, but instead generate a pattern that takes away any sense of balance. Shrill ethereal tones rise up and strangely quiver from within the dissonant, mangling morass of sonic oppressiveness. Wailing vocals rise up too, adding to the song’s hallucinatory and haunting ingredients. The experience is unsettling and unearthly. Warbling spoken words come and go. The dense backing noise is cruel and searing as well as abysmal. The pounding is as vehement as it is destabilizing — until it vanishes, yielding to a cacophonous and indeed hellish finale in which the music itself seems to descend. Siren-like bursts of sound and tormented screams close out the nightmare.” – No Clean Singing (2025 Unwell)
“The title track from this latest concept EP – being released on Halloween – from Milwaukee-based multi-instrumentalist Jerry Hauppa is an appropriately unsettling exploration of themes such as memory, guilt and spiritual reckoning delivered via a fusion of progressive doom metal with avant-garde narrative techniques, crafting what the composer and musician describes as “seance music”, a genre-defying sonic ritual meant to stir movement between spiritual realms:” – THE ÜBER RÖCK SINGLES CLUB DAILY PICK – LIMINAL SPIRIT (Oct 11, 2025 – Unwell)
“Fusing Progressive Doom Metal with avant-garde narrative techniques to create a genre defying sonic ritual meant to stir movement between spiritual realms with title track “Unwell”” – Metal Noise (Unwell 2025)
“A portrait painted by multi instrumentalist Jerry Hauppa in Progressive Doom Metal and avant-garde narrative techniques, the record plays out the deterioration of Phillip’s memory, culminating in death and spiritual judgment before he is cast into hell for all eternity. Known for his work with Deorbit, Hauppa performs the piece using guitar, microtonal guitar, bass, violin, synth, vocoder and drum programming having written, produced and mixed. They call it a genre defying sonic ritual meant to stir movement between spiritual realms….. If someone is needed to write the soundtrack to the next Silent Hill incarnation then Hauppa has just submitted his curriculum vitae” – Metal Noise (Unwell 2025)
“Unwell is a fearless act of musical necromancy. It’s unsettling, artful, and deeply personal—doom metal with a philosopher’s pen and a filmmaker’s eye. Fans of Jesu, Skepticism, and Cynic will find much to admire here, but Liminal Spirit ultimately exists in its own spectral orbit.” – See Rock Live Magazine (Unwell – 2025)
“It’s dense. It’s dark. It demands your full attention. But give it that, and you’ll walk away changed—or at least slightly disturbed. Fans of Skepticism, Kayo Dot, or anyone who enjoys having their psyche gently disassembled: this one’s for you.”- Metalpapyjeff (Unwell 2025)
“I would characterize this is something for Metal fans who think outside the box and don’t need to be spoon fed the typical Metal sound. ” – Metal Temple (Unwell 2025)
“Capturing the desolation of dementia and the abject terror and helplessness of cognitive and bodily decline in an artful way – in sound format – is no easy feat, nor must it have been a light affair. RATING: I give it a 4/5… They deserve to be heard and meditated on. But I love it – I love the concept and the overall delivery – and I wish more people would hear it and think on what it’s trying to tell them!” – Hails Webzine (Unwell 2025)
“Artistically unsettling, for fans of musical curiosity with strange, slightly noisy atmospheres on the edges.” – Music Journalist – Olivier Piot (Unwell 2025)
“It’s dense. It’s dark. It demands your full attention. But give it that, and you’ll walk away changed—or at least slightly disturbed. Fans of Skepticism, Kayo Dot, or anyone who enjoys having their psyche gently disassembled: this one’s for you.”- Metalpapyjeff (Unwell 2025)
“Unwell is a fearless act of musical necromancy. It’s unsettling, artful, and deeply personal—doom metal with a philosopher’s pen and a filmmaker’s eye”- seerocklive.com (2025 Unwell)
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0 Out Now! ESHTADUR Unleashes New Album “In Darkness All Shadows Gone” and Video “Soy Real”
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – October 2, 2026
Out Now! ESHTADUR Unleashes New Album “In Darkness All Shadows Gone” and Video “Soy Real”
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Colombian melodic black/death metal band ESHTADUR unleashes their new full-length album “In Darkness All Shadows Gone” on October 2nd, 2026, via Rockshots Records, together with the new single and official music video “Soy Real”.
Watch “Soy Real” – Official Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quUjf_GZG-g
Listen to “In Darkness All Shadows Gone”: https://lnk.to/lT5gN0
Following the singles “Into The Woods”, “August’s Burdens”, “Omen Of Millennia” and “Thunderground”, the album brings together twelve tracks developed over four years, completing a musical and conceptual journey built around mysticism, transformation and inner transmutation.
Recorded with the Caldas Symphonic Orchestra, “In Darkness All Shadows Gone” combines melodic black and death metal with symphonic arrangements, layered vocals, Tuvan throat singing, folk-rooted elements and atmospheric passages. Heavy riffing and dark melodies remain at the core of ESHTADUR’s sound while orchestral and cinematic textures broaden the scope of the record.
At the centre of the album stands The Crow, a shamanic figure moving between existence, death, the void and the unknown. Acting simultaneously as master and apprentice, The Crow travels through darkness in search of knowledge, confronting suffering, isolation, fear and illusion. Drawing upon mysticism, occult symbolism, cosmic philosophy, ancestral knowledge and human emotion, the twelve compositions follow this journey from the opening “Age of Antumbra” to its final chapter, “Soy Real”.
Frontman Jorg August comments:
“We worked on this material for four years. It is a long album with twelve tracks, symphonic arrangements, a real orchestra, many vocal layers, and Tuvan voices. At times, it felt like a giant puzzle, but everything finally came together. We are proud of the result and grateful to everyone who helped us build it. A crow is calling.”
Released alongside the album, “Soy Real” represents the final stage of the initiate’s journey. After confronting suffering, illusion, pride, fear, and mystery, the seeker removes every mask and accepts themselves completely. The song becomes a declaration of authenticity, transparency, and self-realization. The one who completes this path becomes a transcended Crow – a being who no longer hides behind illusion but exists fully and truthfully.
Dark, heavy, melodic, and emotional, “Soy Real” closes the record while bringing its central themes of identity and transformation into focus. The track also features a guitar solo by ESHTADUR lead guitarist Camilo Barbosa.
“In Darkness All Shadows Gone” was produced by Jorg August, who wrote the music, lyrics, compositions, and orchestral arrangements. The album was recorded by August at RockStar Studios Colombia, with drums recorded in Poland by Michal Lysejko (Dieth). The Caldas Symphonic Orchestra was recorded by SPL at Batuta’s Theater in Manizales, Colombia.
The record was mixed and mastered by Tomasz “Zed” Zalewski, with Chris Clancy handling mixing and mastering for “Fire Above Mountain Below” and “Umbra”. Cover artwork was created by Valesia Obscura. Guest performances include guitar solos by Christopher Malmström (Darkane) on “August’s Burdens” and “Old Shaman Blind,” Richie Brown (I Am Morbid) on “A Black Winged Waltz” and “Ruler of the Lake,” and Hubert Wiecek (Banisher) on “Fire Above Mountain Below.” Camilo Barbosa performs the guitar solos on “Omen Of Millennia” and “Soy Real.”
For fans of: Septicflesh, Dissection, At The Gates.
“In Darkness All Shadows Gone” is available now as of October 2nd, 2026 via Rockshots Records.
Album Order: https://rockshots.eu/products/eshtadur-in-darkness-all-shad
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/4mEV3yaRgKqAliXWT5FRnA?si=bqanT4RfRr6S6XZklt5biA
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Track Listing:
1. Age of Antumbra – 2:00
2. Into The Woods – 4:41
3. Umbra – 6:22
4. August’s Burdens – 4:59
5. Fire Above Mountain Below – 5:08
6. Old Shaman Blind – 5:08
7. Thunderground – 3:40
8. Ruler of the Lake – 5:14
9. A Black Winged Waltz – 9:23
10. Nebulae (Virgo) – 5:09
11. Omen of Millennia – 3:56
12. Soy Real – 5:11
ESHTADUR are:
Jorg August – Vocals, guitars
Camilo Barbosa – Lead guitars
Andres Gonzalez – Bass
David Lopez – Drums
More info:
https://www.facebook.com/EshtadurOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/eshtadur/
BIOGRAPHY:
Founded in Colombia and active since 2007, ESHTADUR combines Gothenburg-influenced death metal, black metal, and classical composition with an interest in poetry, mysticism, existence, and cosmogony. The band has toured extensively across Europe and North America, sharing stages with artists including Behemoth, Deicide, Vader, Hate, and Exodus, and appearing at events such as 70000 Tons of Metal, Rock al Parque, and Grita Fest.
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0 Cosmic Metal THE ASTRAL PROPHETS Launch New Video “Invasion” ft. Jeff Black (Glyph); Debut Album “Invasion” Out October 30th
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – October 1, 2026
Cosmic Metal THE ASTRAL PROPHETS Launch New Video “Invasion” ft. Jeff Black (Glyph)
Debut Album “Invasion” Out October 30th
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Top L-R: Kyle Summers (Drums) | Harley D’Orazio (Guitars/Vocals) | Terry Savage (Bass/Vocals)
Bottom L-R: Staci Allen (Lead Vocals) | AJ Bergin (Guitars/Vocals)
Photography Credit: Brad, YYC Visual Media
Canadian cosmic storytellers The Astral Prophets are preparing metal fans for the “Invasion” of their debut album out October 30th with the release of their latest lyric video for the title track. The song is a powerhouse featuring punchy riffs that will get your heart pumping and a dueling guitar solo between TAP’s AJ Bergin and Jeff Black from Glyph.
Bergin comments on the title track:
“I wrote the main riff for this one, intending to trade ideas back and forth with Terry. After I sent the initial riff, he quickly built out the verse, pre-chorus, and chorus. While I got sidetracked, Terry came up with a killer acoustic riff that evolved into one of the fastest and most challenging parts on the record. Terry also drew inspiration from Lazerwitch, exploring humanity’s dependence on technology and vulnerability to a more advanced race. 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!”
Get ready for the “Invasion” at the following links:
Lyric Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBXCUZVTrqQ
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/1awxr9j7MgpTz7pUv9UQDU
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Born from the ashes of the acclaimed folk metal act Scythia, The Astral Prophets have spent the past several years forging a sound all their own. Combining crushing groove metal, soaring power metal melodies, infectious hooks, and futuristic storytelling, the band has dubbed their unique style “Power Groove.”
Since emerging in 2019, The Astral Prophets have steadily built momentum with fan-favorite singles including “Firewall,” “USB Humanity,” and “Lazerwitch,” followed by their 2023 EP “Anywhere But Here.” Now, with a revitalized lineup featuring vocalist Staci Allen, guitarist Harley D’Orazio, drummer Kyle Summers, guitarist AJ Bergin, and bassist/songwriter Terry Savage, the band is ready to deliver its most ambitious release yet.
“Invasion” is a cinematic journey through a dystopian universe filled with alien civilizations, advanced technology, cosmic warfare, and deeply human emotions. Across eight tracks, the album explores themes of anger, retribution, love, longing, madness, and survival through a distinctly sci-fi lens.
Musically, “Invasion” represents the culmination of everything The Astral Prophets have been building toward. The band has pushed further into heavier territory while expanding their sound with layered synths, symphonic elements, immersive sound design, and unforgettable riffs.
“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’re delivering an LP in our full form. The riffs are stronger, the leads are melodic and smooth, the drums are driving, and Staci’s vocals are more powerful than ever.” says guitarist AJ Bergin.
The album features the explosive title track, “Invasion,” a relentless metal anthem highlighted by a guest appearance from Jeff Black of Glyph, who trades blazing guitar solos with Bergin. Other standout tracks include the anthemic “Power of the Rift,” the high-energy rocker “Into Nothing,” and the epic cosmic journey “Trail of Broken Stars.”
The album’s artwork depicts Earth’s final days as a colossal alien mothership emerges from a wormhole to begin the systematic takeover and terraforming of the planet, perfectly capturing the record’s overarching narrative and apocalyptic scope.
Recommended for fans of Unleash the Archers, Amaranthe, Volbeat, and Battle Beast, “Invasion” will be available on all digital platforms on October 30th, 2026.
First Single – “Into Nothing” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPLxl6flAP8
Show Dates:
Oct 30 – Calgary, AB – Festival Hall (Album Release Show) w/ Victoria Lies, Cabraakan, Kyle Pullan
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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 Ottawa’s HALCYON DRIFT Unveils Debut Single “I Made Do”
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – October 1, 2026
Ottawa’s HALCYON DRIFT Unveils Debut Single “I Made Do”
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L-R: Guillaume Parisien – Clean Vocals, Matt Pilon – Lead Guitar, Mikey Trottier – Drums, Matt Senneville – Rhythm Guitar, Matt Zephyr – Scream Vocals
Photo Credit – Roxanne Morin
Ottawa’s rising metalcore/djent act Halcyon Drift has officially launched their debut single “I Made Do,” marking the beginning of a project years in the making. Known for crafting heavy music that feels like a journey, each song a chapter, each album a world, Halcyon Drift enters the Canadian metal scene with a sound that is balanced, aggressive, beautiful, story‑oriented, and complex.
“I Made Do” is the band’s first step into the public eye, and its artwork reflects that: a simple, striking band photo meant to introduce the faces behind the music.
“This music is from us to you, and we wanted listeners to know who we are from the very first release,” says scream vocalist Matt Zephyr.
“I Made Do” blends hardcore energy, djent precision, and hip‑hop‑infused rhythm, creating a unique sonic identity that stands apart from the modern metalcore wave. Lyrically, the track centers on resilience through adversity, a theme the band believes most listeners will connect with.
“It’s the perfect song to mosh to, but it’s also something people can feel. It’s about pushing through when life hits hard,” adds Zephyr.
Listen to “I Made Do” at the following links:
Spotify – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/halcyondrift/i-made-do
Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDU6HI11IB8
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Halcyon Drift’s formation is rooted in friendship, loss, and unfinished beginnings. Zephyr and guitarist Matt Pilon first played together at age 15 in a project called Below Bloodshed alongside their close friend and drummer Diego Bussières, who passed away in 2020. Years later, the two reunited to “finish what we started,” rewriting old songs with new skill and discovering a sound that felt alive.
That spark led them to recruit clean vocalist Guillaume Parisien, whose tone is unlike anything typically heard in the metal scene. With drummer Mikey Trottier (also of Holly Acres) and rhythm guitarist Mathieu Senneville completing the lineup, Halcyon Drift spent two years writing three full albums ready to go, refining their identity, and building the world they’re now ready to share.
Halcyon Drift is also gearing up for live performances during the rest of 2026 and more leading into 2027. Their sets rise and fall like a storyline, pulling the audience through emotional peaks and valleys with synced lighting, cinematic transitions, and high‑energy stage presence.
More info:
https://www.facebook.com/HalcyonDriftOttawa
https://www.instagram.com/halcyondriftband
https://www.tiktok.com/@halcyondriftottawa
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