Posts By Asher

0 EPK – Triskelyon – Metalmorphosis (2026) (Moribund Records)

June 24, 2026
by Asher
· EPKs · Triskelyon

EPK – Triskelyon – Metalmorphosis (2026) (Moribund Records)

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

Digital Only Release – Aug 21, 2026

Follow TRISKELYON:
Facebook | Bandcamp

Follow Moribund Records:
Moribund Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp

The Ferocious 5th Assault from Canada’s Thrash Metal Titans reforging Classics in Steel!!!

Canada’s unstoppable Metal force Triskelyon returns with “Metalmorphosis,” a special digital-only release that transforms legendary Rock and Pop anthems into a blazing barrage of pure Heavy Metal power! Founded in 2021 by guitarist and mastermind Geoff Waye (Category VI), Triskelyon has rapidly risen through the ranks of the underground with the acclaimed releases “Downfall,” “Artificial Insanity,” “Shattered Elysium,” and “Maelstrom of Chaos.” Now, the band unleashes its boldest concept yet – a full album dedicated entirely to crushing cover versions, forged in the fires of Thrash, Speed, Power, and Traditional Metal.

Aptly titled “Metalmorphosis,” this release represents the complete metalization and transformation of timeless classics into high-octane metallic weapons. From the arena-sized power of Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69,” to the dark intensity of Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” Triskelyon reinvents each track with razor-sharp riffs, thunderous rhythms, soaring vocals, and explosive solo work.

Fan favorites from previous albums also return, including the band’s acclaimed renditions of “Hungry Like the Wolf,” “Major Tom (Coming Home),” “It Doesn’t Really Matter,” and “Nobody’s Business.” Covering icons such as Tears for Fears, Duran Duran, Heart, Billy Idol, Men Without Hats, Men at Work, Platinum Blonde, Peter Schilling, and Bryan Adams, “Metalmorphosis” stands as both a tribute to the golden age of Rock and Pop and a declaration of Triskelyon’s limitless creativity. Each song is reborn heavier, faster, darker, and more powerful than ever before, while still preserving the unforgettable hooks and melodies that made them legendary.

“Metalmorphosis” is more than a covers album – it is a celebration of transformation through Metal. A relentless collision of nostalgia and aggression, this digital-only release proves once again that Triskelyon can take any musical form and forge it into molten steel.

As before, all songs were mixed and mastered by Michael Small. Album art by Ellim.

Track Listing:
1. Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears for Fears cover)
2. Summer of 69 (Bryan Adams cover)
3. The Safety Dance (Men Without Hats cover)
4. Overkill (Men at Work cover)
5. Heartbreaker (Pat Benatar cover)
6. Nobody’s Business (Billy Idol cover) <Downfall album>
7. It Doesn’t Really Matter (Platinum Blonde Cover) <Artificial Insanity album>
8. Hungry Like The Wolf (Duran Duran Cover) <Shattered Elysium album>
9. Major Tom (Coming Home) (Peter Schilling Cover) <Maelstrom of Chaos album>

Note: ALL Album Released covers are the same except “Major Tom,” which is a remaster (not a remix).

Note: 5 brand new covers packaged with the 4 covers already done into one compilation album! 🙂

Album Credits:
1. Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Vocals: Dale Drew
Guitars: Geoff Waye
Bass: Dwayne Pike
Drums: Raul Marques

2. Summer of 69
Vocals and bass: Dwayne Pike
Guitars: Geoff Waye
Drums: Raul Marques

3. The Safety Dance
Vocals: Pete Healey
Guitars: Geoff Waye
Bass: Darrin Pope
Drums: Raul Marques

4. Overkill
Vocals: Pete Healey
Guitars: Geoff Waye
Bass: Dwayne Pike
Drums: Raul Marques

5. Heartbreaker
Vocals: Amanda Jackman
Guitars: Geoff Waye
Bass: Dwayne Pike
Drums: Raul Marques

6. Nobody’s Business
Vocals: Pete Healey
Guitars: Geoff Waye
Bass: Dwayne Pike
Drums: Raul Marques

7. It Doesn’t Really Matter
Vocals: Amanda Jackman
Guitars: Geoff Waye
Bass: Keith Jackman
Drums: Raul Marques

8. Hungry Like The Wolf
Vocals: Dale Drew
Guitars: Geoff Waye
Bass: Darrin Pope
Drums: Raul Marques

9. Major Tom (Coming Home)
Vocals: Amanda Jackman
Guitars: Geoff Waye
Bass: Darrin Pope
Drums: Nicole Trinchero

0 EPK – Dirty Shirt – Dirty Thirty (The Best Of) (2026)

June 24, 2026
by Asher
· Dirty Shirt · EPKs

EPK – Dirty Shirt – Dirty Thirty (The Best Of) (2026)

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

For fans of Dubioza Kolektiv, Skindred, Bloodywood, Alestorm, The Hu

“As someone who was already playing alongside future Dirty Shirt members in the wedding band that gave birth to this adventure, I can honestly say it has been an incredible journey. We started in a small town in north-western Romania during the post-communist years, and somehow ended up performing on some of Europe’s biggest stages.

Dirty Shirt became much more than a band. It became a family. Over the years, we have kept most of the core members while continuously welcoming new people into the project. Today, we are nine official band members, but the Dirty Shirt family is much larger: a collective of nearly thirty active people involved in the studio and on the road, including musicians, technicians, crew members and many others working behind the scenes.

None of this would have been possible without the support of our families, our friends and, above all, our fans. This album is a celebration of all of them. Thank you for being part of these thirty years.” – Mihai Tivadar (keyboards, guitars) – Dirty Shirt.

Band: Dirty Shirt
Album Title: Dirty Thirty (The Best Of)
Release Date: June 26, 2026
Label: Dirty Shirt
Distribution: Dirty Shirt
Genre: Rock / Metal / Folk
Location of Band: Romania

All Links: https://linktr.ee/dirtyshirtband

Dirty-Shirt.com – Facebook.com/DirtyShirtRomania – Twitter.com/dirtyshirtband – Youtube.com/dirtyshirtoriginal

Instagram.com/dirtyshirtband – Tiktok.com/@dirtyshirtband

Dirtyshirt.bandcamp.com – Apple Music – Spotify – Dirty-merch.com – Deezer

DIRTY SHIRT – DIRTY THIRTY (THE BEST OF)

To celebrate 30 years of activity, Romanian folkcore metal pioneers Dirty Shirt are releasing “Dirty Thirty (The Best Of)”, a career-spanning retrospective featuring 30 songs that trace the band’s journey from its earliest recordings to its latest releases.

The compilation brings together songs from every era of Dirty Shirt:

Very Dirty (2000) – 1 song, represented by the new version released 25 years later on Pandemic Special
• Same Shirt Different Day (2010) – 2 songs
• Freak Show (2013) – 4 songs, plus the orchestral version of “Away” released on Pandemic Special
• Dirtylicious (2015) – 7 songs
• Letchology (2019) – 7 songs
• Get Your Dose Now & Pandemic Special (2022) – 7 songs
• Plus two recently released singles from the upcoming studio album: “FOMO” and “Büntető”

Dirty Thirty (The Best Of) will be available in three formats:

Digital edition on all major streaming and download platforms
• Limited double-CD digipak edition
• Vinyl edition featuring 22 selected tracks (due to format limitations)

Several tracks from the band’s earlier catalogue have been newly remastered by Adrian “Bila” Urițescu, Dirty Shirt’s long-time sound engineer. The album artwork was created by internationally acclaimed artist Costin Chioreanu, extending a creative collaboration with the band that has now lasted more than 13 years.

The project was partially financed through a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2025.

Featuring more than 40 musicians.

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

CD TRACK LISTING:

CD 1 :
1. Ciocârlia
2. Put It On
3. Fake
4. Nem Loptam
5. Hora Lentă
6. Killing Spree
7. Când s-o-mpărțit norocu’ (Part 1 & 2)
8. Ride
9. Freak Show
10. Nice Song
11. Moneyocracy
12. Dulce-i vinu’
13. Cobzar
14. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
15. Pitbull

CD 2 :
16. Büntető (feat. Besh o droM)
17. Dope-A-Min
18. Pretty Faces (feat. Benji Webbe, Caliu & Paul Ilea)
19. Hot for Summer
20. Geamparalele
21. Away (Orchestral Version)
22. Don’t Care (25 Years Later)
23. Manifest
24. Hoții
25. Săracă inima me
26. Bad Apples
27. Dirtylicious
28. Maramu’
29. Pălinca (feat. Boots)
30. Latcho Drom (feat. Caliu)

CD CREDITS:
Dirty Shirt:
Dan “Rini” Crăciun – vocals (2-29)
Robert Rusz – vocals (2-29)
Mihai Tivadar – keyboards, guitars (1-30)
Cristian Bălănean – guitars (1-30)
Dan Petean – guitars (1-7, 10-22, 24, 27-30)
Pál Novelli – bass (except 20)
Cosmin Nechita – violin (2-7, 10, 14, 16-22, 29,30)
Vlad Țoca– drums (except 16)
Sergio Ponti – drums (16)

Transylvanian FolkCore Orchestra
Miruna Puiu – backing vocals (2-7, 10, 14, 16-22, 29), Alexandra Joicaliuc – backing vocals (2-7, 10, 14, 16-22, 29), Tea Vișan – backing vocals (7, 14, 16-22), Andrei Oltean – flutes (2-7, 10, 14, 16-22, 29, 30) & accordion (7, 17-20), Mihai Muntean – cimbalom (7, 14, 17-20, 22), Darius Boșca – clarinet (7, 14, 16-20, 30), Gabriel Bărăștean – violin (2-6, 10, 21, 29), Cătălina Popa – flute (6, 21), Adela Bărăștean – viola (21, 30), Alexandra Enache – cello (21, 22), Rebeka Dula – cello (21)

Special Guests:
Ádám Pettik – vocals (16), Attila Sidoo – acoustic guitar (16), Adrian Urițescu – bass & additional guitar (20), Andrei Oșan – clarinet & saxophone (1-6, 10-13, 21, 24, 27- 29), Assica Jelba – additional synths (8, 12, 27), Benji Webbe – vocals (18), Caliu – violin (18, 30), Ciprian Ghiață – accordion (1, 11-13, 24, 27-29), Cosmin Petruț – violin (26), Cosmo – percussion (7, 20), Cserey Csaba – percussion (1, 11-13, 24, 27, 28), Eduard Albina – accordion (2-6, 10, 19, 29), Ferenc Balogh – viola (2-6, 10, 29), Gergely Barcza – saxophone & EWI (16), Ionuț Varolaș – trombone (3, 4, 6, 19), József Csurkulya – cimbalom (16), Leonard Negrea – cimbalom (1-6, 10-13, 19, 24, 27-29), Marius Sabo – violin (1, 11-13, 24, 27-29), Mathieu Di Pilla – vocals (29) & backing vocals (17-19), Mihnea Blidariu – trumpet (3, 4, 6), Paul Ilie – synths (18), Stefan Peterfi – double bass (3).

Produced by Mihai Tivadar
Remastering by Adrian Urițescu

Music by Dirty Shirt (except 1, 15, 16, 30), Mathieu Di Pilla (2, 6, 10, 14, 17, 18), Eugen Seno Ionescu (13), Aralica Vojislav & Janković Nedad (15), Ádám Pettik & Barcza Gergely (16), Paul Ilea (18), Dinu Șerbănescu (26), including traditional music (1, 7, 12, 20, 23-25, 28, 30)

Lyrics by Mathieu Di Pilla (2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 14, 17-19, 29), Leonard Ciocan (8, 9, 11-13, 21, 24, 26, 27), Mihai Tivadar (3, 5, 10, 22, 23, 28), Dan Crăciun (22, 23, 28), Andrei Oltean (3, 5), Alexandra Joicaliuc (10), Csapó Dániel (4), Eugen Seno Ionescu (13), Janković Nedad (15), Ádám Pettik & Barcza Gergely (16), Gică Petrescu & Cezarina Moldoveanu (26), including traditional lyrics (7, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29)

Mixing: Adrian Urițescu (7, 14, 16-22, 30) and Charles “Kallaghan” Massabo (1-6, 8-13, 15, 23-29)
Mastering: Adrian Urițescu (7, 14, 16-22, 30), Charles “Kallaghan” Massabo (2-6, 8-10, 25, 26, 29) and Alan Douches (1, 11-13, 15, 23, 24, 27, 28)
Arrangements & editing: Mihai Tivadar (1-30) and Charles Massabo (15, 23)

Recordings: LowBass5 Studio (1, 8, 9, 11-14, 16, 21, 22, 24-28), 7 Cats Studio (1, 7, 11-13, 17-20, 24, 27, 28), MT Sound (1-29), Dirty Shirt Studio (7, 14, 16-22), Kallaghan Studio (15, 23), Luna Recording Studio (11-13, 24, 27, 28), Goldie Star Production (11-13, 24, 27, 28), Casa Radio Cluj-Napoca (30), PSSS Studio (8, 9, 25, 26), G. M. Zamfirescu Studio (26), Obelus Studio (7, 17-22), Osimetric Studio (7, 20)

Artwork by Costin Chioreanu
Pictures by Ciprian Vladuț, Vlad Țoca, Bragovski, Sam Decout, Nelu Tilie, Schliemann Enoh, P. Schwichtenberg, Sergiu Negrean, Andreea Markocsanyi & many others.

Albums artworks: Costin Chioreanu (Dirtylicious, Letchology), Lia Cucuianu (Get Your Dose Now), Cristian Bălănean (Pandemic Special), Elvis Dead (Same Shirt Different Day) & Barbu Crăciun (Very Dirty).

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

VINYL TRACK LISTING:

Disc 1:

Side A:
Ciocârlia
Put It On
Pretty Faces (feat. Benji Webbe, Caliu & Paul Ilea)
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Când s-o-mpărțit norocu’ (Part 1 & 2)

Side B:
Ride
Freak Show
Hot for Summer
Moneyocracy
Dirtylicious
Cobzar

Disc 2:

Side A:
Büntető (feat. Besh o droM)
Manifest
Geamparalele
Don’t Care (Short Version)
Away (Orchestral Version)

Side B:
Maramu’
Nice Song
Bad Apples
Săracă inima me
Pălinca (feat. Boots)
Latcho Drom (feat. Caliu)

Dirty Shirt:
Dan “Rini” Crăciun – vocals (2-21)
Robert Rusz – vocals (2-21)
Mihai Tivadar – keyboards, guitars (1-22)
Cristian Bălănean – guitars (1-11)
Dan Petean – guitars (1-5, 8-12, 14-17, 20-22)
Pál Novelli – bass (except 14)
Cosmin Nechita – violin (2-5, 8, 12, 14-17, 21-22)
Vlad Țoca– drums (except 12)
Sergio Ponti – drums (12)

Transylvanian FolkCore Orchestra
Miruna Puiu – backing vocals (2-5, 8, 12, 14-16, 18, 21), Alexandra Joicaliuc – backing vocals (2-5, 8, 12, 14-16, 18, 21), Tea Vișan – backing vocals (3-5, 8, 12, 14-16), Andrei Oltean – flutes (2-5, 8, 12, 14-16, 18, 21, 22) & accordion (3, 5, 8, 14), Mihai Muntean – cimbalom (3-5, 8, 14, 15), Darius Boșca – clarinet (3-5, 8, 12, 14, 22), Gabriel Bărăștean – violin (2, 16, 18, 21), Cătălina Popa – flute (16), Adela Bărăștean – viola (16, 22), Alexandra Enache – cello (15, 16), Rebeka Dula – cello (16)

Special Guests:
Ádám Pettik – vocals (12), Attila Sidoo – acoustic guitar (12), Adrian Urițescu – bass & additional guitar (14), Andrei Oșan – clarinet & saxophone (1–7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 21), Assica Jelba – additional synths (6, 10), Benji Webbe – vocals (3), Caliu – violin (3, 22), Ciprian Ghiață – accordion (1, 9-11, 13, 17, 21), Cosmin Petruț – violin (19), Cosmo – percussion (5, 14), Cserey Csaba – percussion (1, 9-11, 13, 17), Eduard Albina – accordion (2–6, 8, 18, 21), Ferenc Balogh – viola (2–6, 18, 21), Gergely Barcza – saxophone & EWI (12), Ionuț Varolaș – trombone (3, 4, 6, 8), József Csurkulya – cimbalom (12), Leonard Negrea – cimbalom (1–6, 8-11, 13, 17, 21), Marius Sabo – violin (1, 9-11, 13, 17, 21), Mathieu Di Pilla – vocals (21) & backing vocals (3, 8), Mihnea Blidariu – trumpet (3, 4, 6), Paul Ilie – synths (3), Stefan Peterfi – double bass (3)

Produced by Mihai Tivadar
Remastering by Adrian Urițescu

Music by Dirty Shirt (except 1, 12, 20, 22), Mathieu Di Pilla (2–5, 8, 18), Eugen Seno Ionescu (11), Aralica Vojislav & Janković Nedad (20), Ádám Pettik & Barcza Gergely (12), Paul Ilea (3), Dinu Șerbănescu (19), including traditional music (1, 5, 13–14, 17, 20, 22)

Lyrics by Mathieu Di Pilla (2–6, 8, 18, 21), Leonard Ciocan (6, 7, 9–11, 16, 19), Mihai Tivadar (6, 13, 17, 18), Dan Crăciun (13, 17), Andrei Oltean (6), Alexandra Joicaliuc (18), Csapó Dániel (4), Eugen Seno Ionescu (11), Janković Nedad (20), Ádám Pettik & Barcza Gergely (12), Gică Petrescu & Cezarina Moldoveanu (19), including traditional lyrics (5, 14, 17, 20, 21)

Mixing: Adrian Urițescu (3–5, 8, 12, 14–16, 22) and Charles “Kallaghan” Massabo (1, 2, 6, 7, 9–11, 13, 17–21)

Mastering: Adrian Urițescu (3–5, 8, 12, 14–16, 22), Charles “Kallaghan” Massabo (2–7, 18–21) and Alan Douches (1, 9, 11, 13, 17)

Arrangements & editing: Mihai Tivadar (1–22) and Charles Massabo (13)

Recordings: LowBass5 Studio (1, 4, 6–9, 11–12, 16–21), 7 Cats Studio (1, 3, 5, 8–9, 11, 14, 17), MT Sound (1–21), Dirty Shirt Studio (4–5, 8, 12, 14–16), Kallaghan Studio (13), Luna Recording Studio (9–11, 17), Goldie Star Production (9–11, 17), Casa Radio Cluj-Napoca (22), PSSS Studio (6–7, 19–20), G. M. Zamfirescu Studio (19), Obelus Studio (3, 5, 8, 12, 14–16), Osimetric Studio (5, 14)

Artwork by Costin Chioreanu

Pictures by Ciprian Vladuț, Vlad Țoca, Bragovski, Sam Decout, Nelu Tilie, Schliemann Enoh, P. Schwichtenberg, Sergiu Negrean, Andreea Markocsanyi & many others.

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

What the press has said:

“Long time readers will know by now that I am partial to the weirder side of heavy music. Dirty Shirt certainly has my attention this week. They’re like a mix of 6:33, Russkaja, and Turisas. This is bombastic, fun metal with Romanian folk mixed in. ” – Metal Injection

“This album is buoyant, blistering and bolshy; you certainly want to get your dose now!” 8/10 – Powerplay Magazine

“”Whoa! ‘Get Your Dose Now!’ is definitely not your average metal album. It’s simply something that you won’t hear anywhere else. Dirty Shirt is the real deal with extraordinarily talented musicians and a uniqueness that sets them apart from the crowd. If you’re in the market for some new music, this band offers something for everyone, from hardcore metal and thrash to tribal and traditional. It’s like your grandmother’s goulash recipe, a little of this and a little of that, with the end result being magical and inimitable.” – Uber Rock

“Are you bored with your current playlist? Perhaps you are looking for something a bit different than the bands you typically listen to? Then look no further my music-loving friends. Let me introduce you to the Transylvanian folkcore of Dirty Shirt. What started out as a wedding band has morphed into a magical, musical amalgam that blends modern hardcore and nu-metal with traditional acoustic instruments and Eastern European musical influences giving us an entirely new breed of metal with known as Romanian crossover folkcore metal. ” – Uber Rock

“Dirty Shirt did a good job again and ‘Get Your Dose Now!’ is a very nice album to listen to and it deserves a listen.” – Folk-Metal.nl

“with DIRTY SHIRT you have joy in life and fun in music. They ignite a light in the currently dark world. A good mood is guaranteed. So get your dose today, now, get vaccinated against sadness and depression. before it’s too late. – Saitenkult

“This album can be discovered as you listen. It is rich, destabilizing at times, but always fair and imbued with sensitivity. With Get Your Dose , the DIRTY SHIRT surely give us their best album, and it was not easy given the quality of the previous one. No need to write sandwiches about it, you just have to let yourself be seduced. Cheer.” – Among The Living

“Dirty Shirt, Your New Favorite Transylvanian Folk-Core Band ” – Metal Sucks

“DIRTY SHIRT only sound like DIRTY SHIRT.” – Metal Temple

“Is it catchy? Yes. Is it fun? Yes. Is it utterly mental? Yes. Highly recommended” – Metal Observer

“Dirty Shirt are probably one fantastic live band with an immense energy” – Rock Freaks

” “…you’ve never heard anything quite like this before”” – Sonic Abuse

“It’s one of those rare albums where it keeps you glued to your seat just waiting to see what pops up next.” – Heavy Metal Time Machine

“As Monty Python would say, ‘And now for something completely different.’ ” – Music Underground

“this is a band like no other in the music scene now in days in the underground, indie or mainstream scene.” – Vents Magazine

0 Canadian Prog Metal Newcomers CANDOR ZEALOT (ft. ex-members of Annihilator, The Slyde) Unveils Second Video / Single of 2026 “All For You”

June 23, 2026
by Asher
· Uncategorized

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 23, 2026

Canadian Prog Metal Newcomers CANDOR ZEALOT (ft. ex-members of Annihilator, The Slyde) Unveils Second Video / Single of 2026 “All For You”

L-R – Alberto Campuzano (Bass Guitar, Vocals) | Dino Soares (Drums) | Nate Silva (Lead Vocals, Guitar) | Chris Gagnon (Guitar, Vocals)

Photo Credit: Ryan Stacey

Progressive metal upstarts Candor Zealot continue their ambitious 2026 singles campaign with the release of their second track, “All For You”.

A sharp contrast to their politically charged debut single “Lie For Country”, the new track dives into deeply personal territory. “All For You” channels raw emotional fallout, catharsis, and the process of reclaiming one’s power after surviving emotional manipulation or abuse. Musically, it blends angst‑driven modern rock with the band’s signature progressive edge, balancing accessibility with technical bite.

“‘All For You’ is the second single for us, showcasing a more radio‑friendly side of the band, and channeling more angst‑ridden inspiration this time around. It’s for everyone who has experienced emotional or other forms of abuse in a previous relationship and is making peace with it,” says Nate Silva, Candor Zealot

Drawing influence from Linkin Park and Bring Me The Horizon, the track’s soaring chorus and heavy mid‑section nod to Gojira and Dream Theater, a fusion that positions “All For You” as one of the band’s most musically ambitious offerings.

Watch and listen to the music video for “All For You” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c390iJYn6GA

Spotify – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/candorzealot/all-for-you

Bandcamp – https://candorzealot.bandcamp.com/track/all-for-you

Rather than releasing a traditional album, Candor Zealot is unveiling six singles throughout 2026, each spotlighting a different facet of their melodic, progressive, and socially aware sound. The band aims to build momentum one track at a time, embracing modern listening habits while maintaining the depth and musicianship of classic prog and metal.

Formed in Ottawa by vocalist/guitarist Nate Silva, Candor Zealot emerged from the dissolution of his previous project, The Slyde, whose members won Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019 and performed at Wacken Open Air. After years of pandemic delays, academic pursuits, and a brief detour into alternative rock, Silva returned to his progressive roots, reuniting with drummer Dino Soares and bassist Alberto Campuzano, formerly of Annihilator, who also performs with Toronto’s Metallica tribute act Sandman, and recruiting Ottawa multi‑band guitarist Chris Gagnon.

Candoz Zealot‘s influences span Rush, Billy Talent, Megadeth, Dream Theater, Coheed & Cambria, European metal, pop‑punk, video‑game music, J‑rock, and even K‑pop.

For more info:

https://candorzealot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/candorzealot/

https://www.instagram.com/candorzealot

https://www.tiktok.com/@candorzealot

Fun Facts – Story Angles:

1. The band name “Candor Zealot” was chosen because we wanted to convey the general intentions of our storytelling within the band name: “to be uncompromising in the pursuit of honesty and openness.”

2. Frontman Nate Silva and drummer Dino Soares have been playing music together since they were 14 years old.

3. Nate Silva, Dino Soares, and Alberto Campuzano were former members of the Toronto-based prog metal band THE SLYDE, who won the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle Canada competition and performed at Wacken Open Air in Germany.

4. Guitarist Chris Gagnon currently plays in 8 tribute bands.

5. Nate Silva wrote a thesis paper for his Master’s degree on chiptune artists who incorporate guitar playing into their music.

– 30 –

“In nearly 20 years of working in Rock Radio & Covering Music, I have never heard a band burst onto the scene with such an electric debut track. Candor Zealot is one of Canada’s next great bands” – Patrick Walford – idobi Howl Curator, host of Rock The Walls (2026 – Lie For Country – single)

“Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to Candor Zealot. This new band has just dropped their debut single ‘Lie For Country’ and it’s a monster. Fast and furious progressive metal with deep hooks and a familiar voice with NATE SILVA on lead vocals, ‘Lie For Country’ is a hell of a beginning as the band states plans to release six singles in 2026. Well, bring ’em on fellas cause we’re all about it. Catch Candor Zealot on your Home for the Best New Rock… W-J-O-EEEE – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll (2026 – Lie For Country – single)
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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0 IRON KINGDOM Shares Behind‑the‑Scenes Mini‑Documentary for New Album “Shadows and Dust” Out Now!

June 23, 2026
by Asher
· Iron Kingdom · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 23, 2026

IRON KINGDOM Shares Behind‑the‑Scenes Mini‑Documentary for New Album “Shadows and Dust” Out Now!

Cross Canada Tour! and Armstrong Metal Fest, Loud As Hell Open Air Fest

L-R – Max Friesen (Drums), Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar), Megan Merrick (Lead Guitar), Leighton Holmes (Bass)

Photo Credit – Cailin Haley

Vancouver traditional heavy‑metal torchbearers Iron Kingdom have released a brand‑new behind‑the‑scenes mini‑documentary offering fans an inside look at the making of their sixth studio album, “Shadows and Dust,” released June 6, 2026.

The short film captures the band speaking of the recording process and pushing themselves creatively as they crafted what they describe as one of their darkest and most emotionally charged records to date. The documentary highlights the group’s jam‑oriented writing style, their collaborative approach, and the personal inspirations behind the album’s themes of death, impermanence, hardship, and resilience.

“Shadows and Dust” marks a significant evolution for Iron Kingdom. While rooted firmly in the classic heavy‑metal tradition they’ve championed since 2011, the album explores heavier emotional territory.

“The album explores a dark realm of topics, from death, hardship, and the lowest points of human emotion, balanced by music that offers hope and the will to fight on,” says bassist and lyricist Leighton Holmes.

Across its 10 new tracks and 48‑minute runtime, the album blends NWOBHM spirit, melodic storytelling, and the band’s signature twin‑guitar attack. Songs draw inspiration from history, mythology, literature, and personal reflection, ranging from the Battle of Gdansk (“Defenders”) to Malazan‑inspired fantasy (“Deadhouse Gates,” “Blood and Steel”) to philosophical meditations on time, compassion, and purpose.

The mini‑doc showcases how these ideas took shape in the rehearsal room, where riffs, lyrics, and arrangements were built collectively.

“We’re a very jam‑oriented band. We walk in with ideas, feel them out together, and let the songs grow naturally,” says vocalist/guitarist Chris Osterman.

Formed in Vancouver in 2011, Iron Kingdom has built a reputation for reviving the spirit of traditional heavy metal with unwavering authenticity. Inspired by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, Riot, and Savatage, the band delivers high‑energy performances, intricate melodies, and a stage presence reminiscent of metal’s golden era.

The current lineup, Chris Osterman (lead vocals/lead guitar), Leighton Holmes (bass), Megan Merrick (lead guitar), and Max Friesen (drums), represents the strongest incarnation of the band to date. Their chemistry is on full display in the documentary, revealing the trust, camaraderie, and shared passion that fuel their sound.

Iron Kingdom’s journey has taken them across Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Brazil, with appearances at festivals such as Keep It True XVII and tours alongside acts like Night Demon and Blaze Bayley. Through lineup changes, near‑fatal touring accidents, and global disruptions, the band has remained committed to carrying the torch of classic heavy metal.

Watch the mini‑doc at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSiSsMpY8pg

“Shadows and Dust” can be heard in full at the following links:

Album Stream – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYQzVXGtJXY

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/1E5IetyIvOdAt5CKG54gLw

Official Merch store: https://www.iron-kingdom.com/shop
Bandcamp: https://iron-kingdom.bandcamp.com/music

Music Video – Deadhouse Gates – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBE3s4WRlIw

Music Video – Defenders – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3k7tW5-9Os

Lyric Video – Blood and Steel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb8BIzHT3_Q

The album’s exclusive EU edition is available from Steel Shark Records (France), offering limited-edition 300 double‑CD copies. Disc 1 will contain the full “Shadows and Dust” album, while Disc 2 will feature a “Best Of” collection highlighting tracks from Iron Kingdom’s previous five releases. In addition, the label will introduce a third vinyl colour (100 copies) available only to EU fans.

To celebrate the album, Iron Kingdom is kicking off a summer of touring that includes festival appearances at Armstrong Metal Fest and Loud As Hell Open Air Festival (dates listed below).

True North Strong And Heavy Canadian Tour – Iron Kingdom, W.M.D.
https://www.iron-kingdom.com/tour-dates
July 2 – Nanaimo, BC – The Terminal
July 3 – Victoria, BC – Lucky Bar
July 4 – Cumberland, BC – The Waverley
July 5 – Powell River, BC – The Carlson Loft
July 17 – Armstrong, BC – AMF 2026
July 21 – Prince George, BC – Knox Performance Centre
July 23 – Whitehorse, YT – Lefty’s Well
July 24 – Dawson City, YT – Palace Grand Theatre
July 25 – Dawson City, YT – outside at The Pit
July 26 – Whitehorse, YT – The 98 Hotel
July 28 – Yellowknife, NT – The Underground
July 29 – Fort Smith, NT – Dirty O’ Fergie’s
July 30 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite
July 31 – Drumheller, AB – LAH 2026
Aug 1 – Winnipeg, MB – Park Theatre
Aug 2 – Thunder Bay, ON – Bloom Bar + Lounge
Aug 3 – Sudbury, ON – The Lounge 390
Aug 4 – London, ON – Supply & Demand
Aug 5 – Waterloo, ON – Maxwells
Aug 6 – Ottawa, ON – Dominion Tavern
Aug 7 – Toronto, ON – Bovine
Aug 8 – Montréal, QC – Foufounes Électriques
Aug 9 – Sherbrooke, QC – Le Murdoch
Aug 11 – Woodstock, NB – Monteith Manor
Aug 12 – Halifax, NS – Gus’ Pub
Aug 14 – Corner Brook, NL – Retro
Aug 15 – St. John’s, NL – The Rockhouse
Aug 17 – Truro, NS – Marigold Cult. Centre (Lobby)
Aug 18 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti
Aug 19 – Hamilton, ON – Doors Pub
Aug 21 – Saskatoon, SK – Black Cat Tavern
Aug 22 – Calgary, AB – Dicken’s
Aug 23 – Kelowna, BC – Jackknife Brewing

Track Listing:
1. Defenders
2. Eternal Emperor
3. Dreamless Sea
4. Deadhouse Gates
5. Line Of Fire
6. Blood And Steel
7. Shadow Of Time
8. Dark Demands
9. Starlight
10. Sacred Fire

For more info:
https://www.iron-kingdom.com
https://www.facebook.com/ironkingdomofficial
https://www.instagram.com/iron_kingdom

About: Formed in 2011 in Vancouver, Iron Kingdom carries the flame of classic heavy metal inspired by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, The Scorpions, and Rush. Known for their high‑energy performances, intricate twin‑guitar work, and unwavering DIY ethos, the band has toured extensively across Canada, the USA, Europe, and Brazil, sharing stages with Night Demon, Blaze Bayley, and more.

Their discography includes “Curse of the Voodoo Queen” (2011), “Gates of Eternity” (2013), “Ride for Glory” (2015), “On the Hunt” (2019), and “The Blood of Creation” (2022). “Shadows and Dust” marks the next chapter in their evolution, an album that blends old‑school metal spirit with fresh energy and emotional depth.

– 30 –

“Ten tracks leading to a beautiful journey you will wish to live forever. A masterpiece to own with pleasure. Iron Kingdom has arrived on the stardom stairs, and it’s worth it 100/100.” – The Metal Mag
“the entire album is rock-solid from start to finish. If you call yourself a metal fan, this is a mandatory addition to your playlist.” – Broken Neck Radio

“Iron Kingdom has really taken their stance with hard rock and heavy metal to a standstill, packed with amazement and shining glory in all of its wonder, but making sure the two genres between the NWOBHM and thrash eras are kept in their mighty epic book of ingredients to keep you coming back for more. What can I say? Shadows and Dust is the album we’ve been waiting for this upcoming summer of 2026.” – Echoes and Dust

“After countless tours, line-up changes and even after a serious accident, IRON KINGDOM seem stronger today than ever. With ‘Shadows And Dust’ they deliver exactly the album that traditionalists have been longing for for years. Powerful, melodic, anthemic and rousing, full of great guitar moments and an honest passion for classic heavy metal. If you love IRON MAIDEN, RIOT, HELLOWEEN or SAVATAGE, you should definitely grab it here. The release in all formats as well as via “Steel Shark Records” with vinyl for collectors also fits in with this.” – Saitenkult

“Now six albums into their career, the NWOTHM Canadians show that they are very much still firing on all cylinders! The band are all insanely talented players, for one, and it translates perfectly into some awesome songwriting throughout this nearly-50-minute release. Opener ‘Defenders’ is an absolute banger perfectly reminiscent of that 80s sound. Then you have the likes of ‘Dreamless Sea’, ‘Blood and Steel’ and ‘Dark Demands’ that are also big highlight. If you’re into all things Maiden, Priest or Hammerfall, this is absolutely the release for you. It’s a sound that has remained hugely popular across the decades since its inception, and honestly these guys do it just as good as anyone. How they aren’t a massive name by now I don’t know. Hopefully this is finally the album to push them to that level, as it’s a really great release! A very easy 8/10 from us!” – Overtone Magazine

“There are no weak tracks on the album, just kick ass traditional metal from start to finish. Queue this one up if you want a mix of mid-80s Iron Maiden and Malice with a hint of Arch-era Fates Warning.” – Metal Crypt

“This is exactly how traditional heavy metal stays vital. True believers like Iron Kingdom guard the flame while adding their own chapter to the story. Shadows and Dust doesn’t omly honour the legacy of the genre, it actually strengthens it. Heavy metal remains a lifestyle as much as a sound, and this album is a worthy soundtrack for those who live it. Essential listening for anyone who still believes in real heavy metal.” – Sentinel Daily

“With Shadows and Dust, Iron Kingdom enter a new era with sharpened purpose, renewed fire, and a sound that honors the past while forging boldly ahead. It’s a story of endurance, evolution, and the unbreakable power of Heavy Metal, and I’m sure that after Shadows and Dust we’ll see those Canadians rockin’ for many years to come no matter what. Best moments of the album: Deadhouse Gates, Line of Fire and Dark Demands.” – The Headbanging Moose

“If you only have one selection to convince someone whether they should invest time/money/effort into Iron Kingdom, play them “Shadow Of Time” as it locks into the classic sound they do so well. Winner!” – Mark Gromen – Bravewords

“Iron Kingdom’s sixth full-length continues the band’s upward trajectory in a way that is both concise and still varied. Every track has just enough difference between to make them all stand out from one another, while never feeling like they belong to a different artist. 2022’s “Blood of Creation” was an absolute clinic in modern metal perfection, and it would always be a tough act to follow but Iron Kingdom did so with gusto. Masterfully produced and even better performed, “Shadows and Dust” is one of the years best.” – The NWOTHM

“If you enjoy classic heavy metal and want more of that timeless sound, then ‘Shadows and Dust’ will feel very familiar in a good way… it is honest, energetic, and enjoyable from start to finish.” – AfterNoiz

“Shadows and Dust is therefore an album recommended for all fans of classic heavy and power metal… forty-plus minutes of sincere, energetic, and expertly played music. For those who love traditional sounds and are looking for something slightly off the beaten track of contemporary mainstream metal, Iron Kingdom have created one of the most interesting works of their recent career.” – Tempiduri

“this new ten‑track album from Iron Kingdom definitely caught our attention. What we hear is very traditional heavy metal, with history and mythology serving as the thematic backbone for their lyrics. The result is ten songs that are well‑constructed and well‑arranged. You’ll find everything the subgenre demands: power, melody, and catchiness.” – Musika

—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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0 Climbing New Heights DOLL Drops “Snakes and Ladders” Lyric Video As The Final Chapter In Their “Animal Crackers” Trilogy

June 22, 2026
by Asher
· DOLL · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 22, 2026

Climbing New Heights DOLL Drops “Snakes and Ladders” Lyric Video As The Final Chapter In Their “Animal Crackers” Trilogy

Ottawa alternative rock band DOLL has released the new lyric video for their latest single “Snakes and Ladders,” the newest chapter in their evolving Animal Crackers trilogy. Following January’s standalone track “Bear Claw” and the fan‑favourite “Shark Bait” from their 2025 album “Better Days, Better Times,” the single continues the band’s creative resurgence, now brought to life visually with a gritty, high‑energy lyric video that amplifies the song’s message and mood.

After re‑emerging from a long hiatus with a renewed sense of purpose, DOLL, the wife‑and‑husband duo of Christina and Pete Kasper, have embraced a period of sonic exploration, pushing their sound into new territory while staying true to the raw emotion and honesty that defined their early work.

With “Snakes and Ladders,” the band lean into a D‑standard, grunge‑inspired throwback while weaving in the darker tones and textures that have shaped their recent evolution. Packed with harmonics, punchy riffs, and Christina’s unmistakable vocal rasp, the track captures DOLL’s signature blend of tension, drive, and cathartic release.

“Our fans expect the unexpected at this point. ‘Snakes and Ladders’ feels like the perfect final piece, gritty, energetic, and a real reflection of where DOLL is headed,” shares the duo.

The single channels the feral energy defining their latest era, a full‑throttle return to old‑school DOLL with raw vocals, jagged guitars, and drums that hit like a runaway car with no brakes. Carrying the emotional weight of Better Days, Better Times, the track confronts uncomfortable truths with a mix of vulnerability and defiance.

Lyrically, “Snakes and Ladders” stands as an anthem of resistance, calling out the “snakes in suits” who pretend to help but only serve themselves. It urges listeners to stay grounded, ask questions, and refuse to play someone else’s game. Musically, it’s one of the band’s most exhilarating songs to perform, built for movement, release, and shaking off whatever’s weighing you down. “As the song says, ‘I refuse to play your game.’ Always ask questions. Keep perspective. Don’t drink the Kool‑Aid blindly.”

The single’s artwork came together through a moment of pure serendipity. While wandering through a thrift store, the duo stumbled upon a vintage Snakes and Ladders board game, complete with classic packaging that felt uncannily perfect for the song’s theme.

“It was like the universe dropped it in front of us. Once we saw it, we knew this was the cover. It was meant to be,” they add.

The artwork mirrors the song’s message, life’s unpredictable climbs and falls, and the importance of staying true to yourself no matter where the board leads.

Listen to “Snakes and Ladders” at the following links:

Lyric Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWD7Imbwjcg

Add to your Spotify Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/track/2jaDZUp5fZoRJDu7wXTEU7

All digital platforms – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/doll14/snakes-and-ladders

More info: https://www.facebook.com/dollband | https://www.instagram.com/dollbandmusic/

About: DOLL is a Canadian alternative rock band from Ottawa, Ontario. After releasing their debut album Inside the “Dollhouse” in 2009, with singles “Daddy’s Little Girl” and “Sally Lost Her Shoelaces” earning rotation on MuchMusic and MusiquePlus, the band followed up with 2011’s The Ragdoll Diaries, featuring the singles “FMO” and “Youth of Today, Hope for Tomorrow.”

Over the years, DOLL has shared stages with Three Days Grace, Lacuna Coil, Danko Jones, Protest the Hero, Halestorm, SNFU, Die Mannequin, and many more. After a long hiatus, the band returned in 2025 with Better Days, Better Times, reigniting their momentum and setting the stage for the Animal Crackers trilogy.

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What the press has said about DOLL:

!earshot – August 2025 – Top 20 Loud – #5 – DOLL – Canadian Campus Radio Charts (2025 – Better Days, Better Times)

!earshot – August 2025 – Top 200 – #55 – DOLL – Canadian Campus Radio Charts (2025 – Better Days, Better Times)

“#1 Doll – Zach’s Picks of the Week – July 7 – 12, 2025 – Canadian Beats (2025 – Better Days, Better Times)

“In one of the best comeback stories in music in 2025, Canadian Alt-Rock duo DOLL will release their first new collection of material since 2011’s The Ragdoll Diaries… In addition to five slamming originals, DOLL chips in an inspired take on the Deep Purple classic rock anthem – “Smoke On the Water!” “- Ghost Cult Magazine (2025 – Better Days, Better Times)

“Doll sharpens their grit with new muscle and melody. Their return after more than a decade is not a nostalgia trip but a rebirth. The Ottawa band’s forthcoming EP Better Days, Different Times (July 18th) expands their core formula of raw energy and no-frills honesty by inviting new players and broader sonic choices into the mix. But even with cello flourishes and genre jumps, their identity remains firmly intact.” – Amplify The Noise (2025 – Better Days, Better Times)

“The new track ‘Shark Bait’ from Doll is a blast! The world has been celebrating the 50th anniversary of “JAWS” and now we have a brand new punk-fueled bite in the pants to go along with all of the bloody hoopla. ‘Shark Bait’ is basically straight ahead hardcore riffage with razor sharp teeth, fun lyrics and a precursor to their new EP, ‘Better Days, Different Times’ set for a July 18th release. Catch it on your Home for the Best New Rock… W-J-O-EEEE” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll (2025 – Better Days, Better Times)

“DOLL has returned as potent and as impressive as they were before but with greater impact we suggest, Better Days, Better Times quite simply a must exploration for punk and feral rock hearts.” – The Ring Master Review (2025 – Better Days, Better Times)

“Christina Kasper’s changeable voice is impressive.” – Keep On Rocking (2025 – Better Days, Better Times)

“‘Bleeding’ is a colourful mixture of Hard and Alternative Rock, paired with influences from Punk and Gothic, in a very melancholic sounding melody. The powerful voice of singer Christina Kasper dominates like a siren. ” – Metal Heads Forever Magazine (2025 – Better Days, Better Times)

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

0 EPK – Truent – Vilemaker (2026) (single)

June 21, 2026
by Asher
· EPKs · Truent

EPK – Truent – Vilemaker (2026) (single)

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

“The most recent song we’ve written. There was much deliberation on the structure and placement of certain parts, but I think it came together in a very satisfying way. The first song our new vocalist, Darian, has written the lyrics for.” – Nicolas Landry (Drums) – Truent

For Fans of Revocation, Alluvial, Cognizance, Fit for an Autopsy, Psycroptic

All Links – https://ffm.bio/truentmetal

Facebook.com/Truentmetal | Youtube.com/@truentmetal | Tiktok.com/@truentmetal | Instagram.com/truentmetal

Truentmetal.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music | Tab Store: https://truentmetal.gumroad.com/

‘Maple Ridge’s Truent draw out the progressive side of thrash metal in a tightly knit package similar to greats such as Lamb Of God, Revocation or even Gojira. The band aren’t happy to sit on their hands slaying overdone thrash metal, opting to mix in melodic riffing, experimental passages of prog metal and more.’ – Altpress

Band: Truent
Single Title: Vilemaker – 4:27
Release Date: June 26th, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid
Genre: Death Metal
Location of Band: Vancouver, BC

Single Recording Credits:
• Song performed by: Matthew Pancoust (Guitar) | Eli Slamang (Guitar) | Nicolas Landry (Drums) | Darian Mazloomi (Vocals) | Jason Whitewick-Bonenfant (Bass)
• Song written by: Eli Slamang, Nicolas Landry, Darian Mazloomi, Jason Whitewick-Bonenfant, Matthew Pancoust
• Produced by: Truent
• Mixed by: Mike Low
• Mastered by: Mike Low
• Album Artwork by: Feri Irawan (@artfery_illustration)
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Live and Single Band Lineup:
Matthew Pancoust – Guitar
Eli Slamang – Guitar
Nicolas Landry – Drums
Jason Whitewick-Bonenfant – Bass
Darian Mazloomi – Vocals

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

About The Single Artwork:

The single’s artwork is inspired by the manga Berserk. Which also served as inspiration for the lyrics

About the single – Vilemaker:

Lyrically, Vilemaker is about a tyrant’s climb to reach absolute power through the deaths of those around him. Every corpse born from his conquest is another step towards a destiny, a vision, a kingdom. This song explores the evils of deceiving and manipulating others to achieve one’s goals. It is directly inspired by Berserk’s ‘Golden Age’ arc.

Musically, it’s very fast-paced and heavy. Very lyrically dense, lots of technical riffing, groovy drums, and a good sense of momentum and energy that builds throughout the song.

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Tours Built Around Swimming
Our tours are basically elaborate excuses to find good places to swim. Lakes, rivers, hotel pools, sketchy roadside swimming holes: if there is water nearby, we are probably trying to get in it.

2. The Pickup Truck Tour
On our first cross-Canada tour, our van’s transmission blew in Edmonton before the first show even happened. Instead of calling it quits, we worked our connections, rented a Ford F-150, and kept going.

That meant five big dudes crammed into a pickup truck all the way to Montreal and back. Since our van had bunks built into the back, we also lost our mobile home overnight. When we did not have places to stay, we slept outside in parking lots and on park benches just to keep the tour going.

It was stressful, uncomfortable, and ridiculous, but somehow it became our most successful tour up to that point.

3. From Garage Covers to Original Metal
We started as a group of teenagers playing Rush and Led Zeppelin covers in our parents’ garages when we were in Grade 8. From there, we slowly found our way into metal together. We would discover a new band, get obsessed, then try to write songs in that style as a group.

By the time we were 15 or 16, we were writing and recording original songs. At 18 or 19, we released our second EP, To End an Ancient Way of Life, while still figuring out what kinds of metal and songwriting styles really felt like us. Around that same time, we started playing our first shows in Vancouver.

There have been a few lineup changes since then, but Matthew Pancoust and drummer Nicolas Landry have been there since the very beginning, jamming in garages around Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

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

L-R – Matthew Pancoust (Guitar) | Jason Whitewick-Bonenfant (Bass) | Darian Mazloomi (Vocals) | Nicolas Landry (Drums) | Eli Slamang (Guitar)

Photo Credit – Paradox Visuals – Instagram: @_prdxvisuals

Vancouver death metal act Truent, has spent the last several years becoming a force in the Canadian metal scene – extensively touring in Canada, and sharing stages with Archspire, Decapitated, Voivod, Revoaction, Signs of the Swarm, and more. With a fresh lineup, new music on the way, and a cross-Canada headlining tour under their belts, the band continues to bring their technical, groove-laden style of death metal to a rapidly growing audience.

Live and Single Band Lineup:
Matthew Pancoust – Guitar
Eli Slamang – Guitar
Nicolas Landry – Drums
Jason Whitewick-Bonenfant – Bass
Darian Mazloomi – Vocals

Discography:
2026 – Vilemaker – Single
2024 – Creating Mortality – Single
2022 – Through the Vale of Earthly Torment – LP
2018 – To End an Ancient Way of Life – EP
2017 – Faith in the Forgotten – EP

Shared Stage with:
Archspire, Decapitated, SepticFlesh, Kataklysm, Voivod, Signs of the Swarm, Revocation, Fallujah, The Zenith Passage, Opal in Sky, Filth

Touts and Festivals:
2026 – Vancouver Island Tour – Vancouver Island
2025 – Loud as Hell Festival – Drumheller, AB
2024 – Creating Mortality Across Canada Tour – Cross Canada
2023 – Melting Through the Abyss Tour – Western Canada
2023 – Armstrong Metal Festival – Armstrong, BC
2019 – Armstrong Metal Festival – Armstrong, BC

Artist Endorsements:
Engl Amplification
Barekuckle Pickups
Zuta Group (Amplifiers)

0 DieveNoire Drops Defiant New Video “IDGAF” + Performing at Rockfest 2026 w/ The Offspring, Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless and more!

June 19, 2026
by Asher
· Dieve Noire · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 19, 2026

DieveNoire Drops Defiant New Video “IDGAF” – A Personal Journey From When Humanity Breaks You

Performing at Rockfest 2026 w/ The Offspring, Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless and more!

L-R – Aaron Esquitin – Drums, Lothar Keller – Lead Guitar, Lariyah Perrin – Vocals, Paul McBride – Bass, Josh Perrin – Rhythm Guitar

Photo by Darrelle Esquitin

Melodic blues‑heavy rock band DieveNoire has released its boldest visual statement yet with the new music video for “IDGAF,” a track from their debut concept album “The Story of a Gunslinger.” The band will also bring their dynamic, theatrical live show to Rock Fest in Cadott, Wisconsin, on July 18, marking their biggest festival appearance to date and sharing the stage with a lineup that includes The Offspring, Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless, Hollywood Undead, and many more! More info available at https://rock-fest.com/.

Fans attending Rock Fest can expect a performance that goes far beyond simply recreating their album. DieveNoire’s live show is theatrical, high‑energy, and emotionally charged, with Lariyah (Havron, Hessler, Khaotika) delivering vocals with more grit, harshness, and intensity than on the studio recordings. The band’s stage presence transforms each song into a full‑body experience.

Demonstrating this emotion, the track “IDGAF” erupts unfiltered, born from a night of insomnia, overwhelming stress, and a moment of stark clarity as Lariyah lay in morning grass heavy with petrichor, reflecting on life, humanity, and the weight of her own history. It channels the rawest parts of the human experience, unapologetic, unfiltered, and fiercely honest, standing in sharp contrast to the album’s western narrative and highlighting the band’s ability to shift from cinematic storytelling to deeply personal expression.

Shaped by Lariyah’s own lived intensity, the song carries the urgency of someone who has survived the unimaginable. After a tragic tour accident that claimed three lives and left her clinically dead before being revived, she approaches every day with uncompromising authenticity.

“This song is a display of a middle finger to the two‑faced, fake world. If you give me an apple, I’ll give you an orchard. Cut off my finger, and I’ll cut you off from my life. I’m Polish; I’m blunt. You’ll always know exactly what I think.”

Though separate from the album’s gunslinger storyline, the track can still be interpreted through the lens of the concept, echoing the voice of the woman observing the gunslinger’s journey, a moment of surrender as she realizes she may never be able to follow where he goes.

Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaBKRsvsfP0

DieveNoire began as a solitary creative spark in Lariyah’s mind: simple beats, tribal textures, and haunting blues‑rock vocals. Over time, the project evolved into a full band featuring world‑touring musicians, guitarists Josh Perrin (Akhlys, Havron) and Lothar Keller (The Skull / Legions of Doom), along with drummer Aaron Esquitin, and the recent addition of Paul McBride (The Reticent) joining post-album release.

Their combined backgrounds in black metal, doom, progressive metal, and heavy rock helped transform DieveNoire into a melodic, blues‑driven heavy rock band known for its emotional depth and dynamic arrangements.

Their debut album, “The Story of a Gunslinger”, inspired by a vivid dream of the old wild west, blends storytelling, grit, and southern‑gothic atmosphere. The album was further shaped by renowned Gothenburg producer Jakob Herrmann (Draconian, Thyrfing, Art Nation), who encouraged the band to push toward heavier textures while preserving their blues‑rock soul.

Recommended for fans of Clutch, Dorothy, Everybody Loves an Outlaw, Pretty Reckless, and Halestorm, “The Story of a Gunslinger” (released September 5, 2025) is available on all digital platforms.

Add to your Spotify Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/5AaQXA6NbVieLh8YBpo4vH

Bandcamp – https://dievenoire.bandcamp.com/album/the-story-of-a-gunslinger

Music Video – Morningstar – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=istfeAAYitk

Music Video – The Graveyard Song – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1fJB5zDz3c

Show Dates:
7/16 – Chicago, IL – Live Wire Lounge
7/17 – Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall
7/18 – Cadott, WI – Rock Fest

Track Listing:
1. Preacher – 3:36
2. To The Gallows – 3:43
3. Gunslinger in Black – 2:44
4. Streets of New Orleans – 5:04
5. The Graveyard Song – 4:04
6. Morning Star – 4:00
7. These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ – 3:48
8. Spell of White Oleander – 4:55
9. Throughout the Night – 3:28
10. IDGAF – 4:24
Album Length: 39:50

Album Band Line Up:
Lariyah Perrin – Vocals
Lothar Keller – Lead guitars
Josh Perrin – Rhythm guitars
Aaron Esquitin – Drums

Live Band Line Up:
Lariyah Perrin – Vocals
Lothar Keller – Lead Guitars
Josh Perrin – Rhythm Guitars
Aaron Esquitin – Drums
Paul McBride – Bass (joined the band fully after the album release)

More info:

http://dievenoire.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dievenoire

https://www.instagram.com/dievenoire

About: DieveNoire is a melodic blues‑heavy rock band blending storytelling, emotional depth, and dynamic musicianship. Formed by vocalist and songwriter Lariyah Perrin, the band evolved from a solo concept into a collaborative force featuring members of Akhlys, The Skull/Legions of Doom, The Reticent, and Havron. Their debut album, The Story of a Gunslinger, delivers a cinematic narrative rooted in dream‑born mythology, southern‑gothic atmosphere, and raw human emotion.

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“The nostalgic whistles, the storytelling approach of singer Lariyah Perrin, and the overall atmosphere of the song take the listener on a hypnotic journey. The song is the band’s third track before they drop their new album, which already seems like it will be a feast for the ears. Pushing the repeat button is the only way when the highly engaging, beautiful song ends.” – New Noise Magazine

“It may be true that Lariyah’s personal and dramatic story pushed her to see life from a somewhat different perspective. Her dark words, at times, attest to this. Through the darkness of West American history, is this some kind of introspection on her part? I will conclude by writing that this album is the result of a fusion of dark blues rock and Southern-gothic rock, carried by an expressive voice, powerful guitars, and a universe where the Wild West meets shadow and rebellion. For this album, 9/10 is essential.” – Rock Meeting

If DieveNoire should be recognised as anything, it should be as an unreckonable cultural force, wielding music as a conduit for their ethos, one that scratches beneath the superficial and strikes at the cerebral. Their latest seminal single, IDGAF, delivers an intimately candid rum-soaked vignette of a soul clawing for freedom through the rebellion of living authentically, sacrilegiously in the eyes of many, yet chasing redemption through defiant selfhood.” – A&R Factory (anrfactory.com)

“Hailing from Elgin, IL DieveNoire is a Dark Blues Rock Band that started from the vision and creation of Lariyah Perrin. Originally, this new endeavor was intended as a solo project. However, after the overwhelmingly positive reception of her debut single, “Gunslinger in Black,” Lariyah decided to form a full five-member, stage-ready band. Since a young age, Lariyah was exposed to none other than Johnny Cash, a key influence. Combining her Slavic roots, which are evident in her vocal style and songwriting with a newfound passion for blues and southern gothic rock, Lariyah began work on the band’s debut album, “The Story of a Gunslinger.”” WGN Channel 9 (Chicago)

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0 Montreal Tech-Death VOLUBILIS Unleashes Its Next Sci‑Fi Epic With New Single “Le Flamboiement Stellaire” From Debut Album “Theasterion” Out July 2026

June 19, 2026
by Asher
· Music News · Volubilis

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 19, 2026

Album Download HERE (for media use only)

Montreal Tech-Death VOLUBILIS Unleashes Its Next Sci‑Fi Epic With New Single “Le Flamboiement Stellaire”

Debut Album “Theasterion” Out July 2026

L-R – Shawn Hillman (Fretless bass) | Miguel Marcheterre-Pina (Guitar) | André Dubien (Vocals)

Photo Credit – Jade Weeles & Miguel Marcheterre-Pina

Montréal’s rising technical death‑metal force Volubilis announces the release of their second single, “Le Flamboiement Stellaire,” the follow‑up to their first single “Ashes & Embers” and the latest preview of their upcoming debut conceptual full‑length “Theasterion,” arriving July 10th, 2026.

Founded in 2020 by Afro‑Canadian multi‑instrumentalist and world‑builder Miguel Marcheterre‑Pina, Volubilis has evolved from a pandemic‑era bedroom project into one of Canada’s most promising new progressive and technical metal acts. Joined by André Dubien (vocals), Jacob Collins (drums), Alexis Rioux (guitar), and Shawn Hillman (fretless bass), the band has quickly gained recognition for its intricate musicianship, ambitious storytelling, and immersive sci‑fi universe.

“Le Flamboiement Stellaire” serves as the album’s opening chapter, both musically and narratively. Written with the intention of becoming a tech‑death anthem, the track explodes with prestissimo riffing, melodious solos, and relentless blast beats. It is also the only song on the album written in French, grounding the band’s conceptual universe in Québec’s metal identity.

“Le Flamboiement Stellaire was written to purposefully become a metal hit. With prestissimo, intricate riffs, melodious solos and blasting drums, the song is an homage to tech‑death’s best acts. We insisted on writing lyrics in French to make it a veritable testimony of Québec’s vernacular metal,” says Miguel Marcheterre‑Pina

Lyrically, the single introduces the prophecy at the heart of “Theasterion”, the foretelling of a catastrophic supernova, the political fracture it creates within a human colony, and the mercenaries who flee to the hostile planet Theasterion in search of survival.

Listen to “Le Flamboiement Stellaire” at the following links:

Lyric Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_DXs3fYcgw

Add to your Spotify Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/track/4KEBCN1yM2mLJwp9ME6GF4

A sweeping sci‑fi epic told through six tracks, “Theasterion” blends technical death metal, progressive structures, neoclassical flourishes, and cinematic world‑building. The album explores humanity’s collapse, interplanetary survival, and the enigmatic Homo Cumulus, an anthropoid species native to Theasterion.

Musically, the record pushes Volubilis’ songwriting into more complex, immersive territory, with influences ranging from Beyond Creation, Vale of Pnath, and Obscura to Ne Obliviscaris and neoclassical composition.

Album pre-order / pre-save available at the following links:

Digital pre-save – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/volubilis1/theasterion

Bandcamp – https://volubilisband.bandcamp.com/album/theasterion

Track Listing:
1. Le Flamboiement Stellaire (5:16)
2. Theasterion (6:30)
3. Homo Cumulus (5:48)
4. Ashes & Embers (4:50)
5. The Prism (4:01)
6. Unukhalai Supernova (6:24)
Total Album Length: 33min

Album Band Line-up:
Miguel Marcheterre-Pina – Rhythm, lead and acoustic guitars, composition, concept art, lyrics.
Shawn Hilman – Fretless Bass, Contrabass
André Dubien – Vocals, lyrics on songs 03 & 06.
Jacob Collins – Drums
Alexis Rioux – Guest solos on songs 01, 02, and 03.
Michelle Gao: Violin, viola on song 06

Live Band Line-up:
Miguel Marcheterre-Pina – Guitar, backing vocals
Shawn Hilman – Fretless Bass
André Dubien – Vocals
Jacob Collins – Drums
Alexis Rioux – Guitar

More info:

https://bio.site/volubilis

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093419962099

https://www.instagram.com/volubilisband/

About: Volubilis is a Montréal‑based technical death metal band founded in 2020 by multi‑instrumentalist Miguel Marcheterre‑Pina, originally conceived as a pandemic‑era solo project. It soon expanded into a full lineup featuring André Dubien, Jacob Collins, Alexis Rioux, and Shawn Hillman, quickly establishing itself as one of Canada’s most promising new extreme‑metal acts. After releasing their first single, “Ashes & Embers” in 2025, the band now returns with their ambitious conceptual debut album, “Theasterion.” Defined by colossal blast beats, monstrous vocals, and sweeping harmonies, their sound delivers a fresh and immersive take on progressive and technical metal. Rooted in a self‑created sci‑fi universe and driven by world‑class musicianship, Volubilis push extreme metal into bold new artistic territory.

Volubilis has received support from FACTOR and Concordia University’s FASA.

– 30 –

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0 STAGES OF DECOMPOSITION Unleashes New Music Video “Drilling Of The Cerebellum” + LA Show Date w/ DEVOURMENT and more!

June 18, 2026
by Asher
· Music News · Stages of Decomposition (Gore House Productions)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 18, 2026

STAGES OF DECOMPOSITION Unleashes New Music Video “Drilling Of The Cerebellum”

LA Show Date June 21st w/ DEVOURMENT and more!

Los Angeles death‑grinders Stages of Decomposition have dropped a brand‑new music video for “Drilling Of The Cerebellum”, the opening track from their latest full‑length album “Raptures of Psychopathy,” out now via Gore House Productions.

Since erupting onto the scene with their acclaimed debut “Piles of Rotting Flesh,” Stages of Decomposition have carved out a reputation for sadistic, unrelenting brutal death metal and a relentless touring schedule. With “Raptures of Psychopathy,” the band pushes deeper into the darkest corners of human depravity, crafting a concept album rooted in horror, psychological distortion, and the grotesque realities of the human mind.

The band shares:

“Raptures of Psychopathy captures the minds of the psychotic, something all humans can relate to in one way or another. We all carry aggression, and for us, music is the release. This album defines the raptures we experience when going through our own psychopathies.”

The album’s opening track, “Drilling Of The Cerebellum,” offers a disturbing glimpse into the mind of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, setting the tone for the album’s descent into psychological horror. The new music video amplifies that narrative with imagery and pacing that mirror the song’s frantic riffs, inhuman drumming, and cavernous gutturals.

Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhdhRMFKgBk

Across the album’s eleven tracks, Stages of Decomposition explores a wide spectrum of horror, from serial killers to possession, mob mentality, and human extinction. Each song embodies a specific psychopathic narrative, delivered through frantic riffing, merciless blast beats, and guttural vocal savagery.

Recommended for fans of Kraanium, Suffocation, Mortician, and anyone who craves slamming, gore‑soaked brutality.

“Raptures of Psychopathy” (released February 2, 2024) is available on CD, Cassette, and all digital platforms – https://orcd.co/raptures-of-psychopathy

In additional news, Stages of Decomposition will be performing in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 21st at 1720 alongside death metal legends Devourment, Mortiferum, Civerous, and Mortal Wound. Event details at https://www.facebook.com/events/1275326321226596

Track Listing:
1. Drilling of the Cerebellum – 4:59
2. What Lies Within – 3:10
3. Beast of Jersey 2:42
4. Killing Under Possession – 3:36
5. Murder by Proxy – 3:26
6. Skid Row Slasher – 3:36
7. Carve out the Eyes – 2:37
8. Fetal Devourment – 3:04
9. Crawl Space Burial – 3:12
10. Human Extermination – 3:46
11. Mass Psychosis – 2:09
Album Length: 36:19

More info:

https://gorehouseproductions.com/

https://www.facebook.com/StagesofDecomposition

https://www.instagram.com/stagesofdecomposition_official

-30-

“Listen to it because it contains quality and can easily be your new favorite band” – Dark Souls United

“Raptures of Psychopathy provides you with a savage dose of primitive death metal chocked full of pummelling brutal riffs and harsh guttural vocals. If you like your death metal with a layer of grit that you can scrape off with a knife then this is for you.” – The Razor’s Edge

“Seriously, you have to love how ‘matter of fact’ this album is. How straightforward and unsophisticated Stages of Decomposition are. It takes some serious talent to make a listener pay this much attention when they’re being f**ked up vigorously by the music. What more do you want to hear? There’s no point going into detail about each and every track as it’s a non-stop barrage of wickedness. There is a ton of talent in this band and for all its brutality, it does deliver compelling death-grind noise. The personification of extreme in ways that few will be prepared for. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself bleeding from every orifice come the end, if you do manage to make it that far.” – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life

“On their new album Raptures of Psychopathy, Stages of Decomposition lean into the most violent and punishing aspects of their sound, and we have a prime example in the new album track we’re presenting today, along with a blood-spraying video… The song’s name is “Skid Row Slasher”. It’s based on true stories of serial killers, both of whom preyed on the homeless population of L.A…. The music is itself undeniably, and viciously, psychotic. The riffing is fast and frenzied, corrosive and cutting, and utterly crazed. The drums clatter at high speed, like automatic weaponry with a groove. The bass slugs like a heavyweight high on adrenaline. Equally rabid, the vocals expel raw guttural roars, crazed screams, and strangled gagging and gurgling excretions. It’s all macabre, and it’s all viscerally electrifying. But the band also make room for pulverizing slams capable of splitting concrete. It’s a kick to watch the band cut loose in the video, too, and of course there will be blood….” – No Clean Singing

“If you like Brutal Death, you’ll love Raptures of Psychopathy. Why should you? Stages Of Decomposition takes all the elements of this style and aligns them under a thick greasy Old School mix, nothing more, nothing less!” – Acta Infernalis

“three quarters of an hour of the most violent death metal, with the desire to break necks at all costs! It’s not kidding, it’s trying to make Cannibal Corpse look like choirboys and it vomits eleven explosions at us with all the bile, pus and of course blood inherent to the genre!” – Soil Chronicles

“This is pure bang your head ‘till it pulps music. From growling guitars to smash the kit into pieces drumming, then snarling vocals, and a horror tinge (as we’ll see). It’s only right that they’re signed to Gorehouse Productions… Stages of Decomposition are tight, they can be felt as well as heard. The album (Piles of Rotting Flesh) is consistent with no weak moments. You will bleed, this will hurt. For proof check the official video below.” – Severed-Cinema

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0 TONIC BREED Unleashes “Name Dealer” EP ft. guests from Whitesnake, Flotsam and Jetsam, Five Finger Death Punch, ex-Lamb of God, ex-Megadeth

June 18, 2026
by Asher
· Music News · Tonic Breed

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 18, 2026

TONIC BREED Unleashes “Name Dealer” EP ft. guests from Whitesnake, Flotsam and Jetsam, Five Finger Death Punch, ex-Lamb of God, ex-Megadeth

Tonic Breed, the long‑running Norwegian thrash and heavy‑metal project led by Patrik K. Svendsen, returns in 2026 with its most ambitious and star‑studded release to date: the new EP “Name Dealer”. Reinvention has always been at the heart of Tonic Breed, and this EP pushes that ethos further than ever, bringing together an elite roster of guest musicians whose contributions elevate each track into its own distinct sonic world.

The EP features performances from Tommy Aldridge (Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne), Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Trans‑Siberian Orchestra), Chris Adler (ex‑Lamb of God, ex‑Megadeth), Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam), Charlie Engen (Five Finger Death Punch, Scale The Summit), and producer/mixer Adrian Bjerketvedt, along mastering by Steve Kitch except for track 3 “Anew” mixed and mastered by Gene “Machine” Freeman, “Name Dealer” stands as Tonic Breed’s most diverse, dynamic, and collaborative work yet.

“Name Dealer is the second EP in the new Tonic Breed format, where guests are invited to perform on the tracks. The first two songs were released last year, and the EP was completed with an additional two songs on June 10th. I’m extremely happy with the quality of the songs and the musicians involved in the process. This EP experiments with everything from the old recipe while adding new layers such as orchestration and different songwriting approaches. The quality of the deliveries from everyone involved is beyond my expectations. Everything from the musical contributions from the guests to the mixing and engineering process in the final stages of the song creation has exceeded what I hoped for,” says Svendesen.

Across its four tracks, the EP showcases the full spectrum of Tonic Breed’s identity: thrash roots, melodic depth, emotional storytelling, and the unmistakable fingerprints of world‑class guest performers.

The EP opens with a track that wastes no time establishing its intensity. Title track “Name Dealer” hits immediately, fast, sharp, and unrelenting, yet anchored by a rare melodic hook in the chorus, something not typically associated with Tonic Breed’s catalogue. The song is elevated by the powerhouse duo of Tommy Aldridge on drums and Joel Hoekstra on guitar, whose performances bring a level of precision and fire that Svendsen describes as exceeding all expectations. Their involvement marks a milestone collaboration for the project, adding both prestige and unmistakable character to the track.

The second track, “Close In,” featuring Charlie Engen on drums, shifts into a more expansive emotional space. Musically, it’s a layered semi‑ballad; clean passages, heavy surges, harmonies, choirs, and orchestration intertwine to create the most dynamic arrangement Svendsen has ever crafted. Lyrically, the song explores the long‑term weight of loss, not just the moment of impact, but the lingering emotional gravity that follows. It’s a deeply personal piece, balancing vulnerability with power.

A high‑octane eruption of riffs and rhythmic force, “Anew” features Chris Adler, whose unmistakable drumming reshaped the song from the ground up. Originally built from a rough demo, the track evolved through collaborative restructuring, with Adler taking the lead in forging a more unique and effective arrangement. For fans of Adler’s signature style, this track delivers in full; Svendsen calls it the most Lamb of God‑esque performance he’s heard from Adler since his time in the band. It’s a rare opportunity to hear Adler’s drumming behind someone else’s riffs, and the result is explosive.

Closing the EP is a pure thrash assault, direct, sharp, and free of filler. “The Die Is Cast” channels the spirit of ’80s thrash while weaving in touches of melody and atmosphere. Lyrically, it paints the image of a once‑mighty war machine lying broken among the wreckage of others like it, its silence heavy with the memory of destruction. The track features Michael Gilbert, whose presence ties the song directly to the era and genre that inspired it. His contribution adds authenticity and weight, making this a standout moment for longtime thrash fans.

Tonic Breed began in 2006 as a four‑piece band from Sarpsborg, Norway, but since 2019 has evolved into a one‑man project driven by Svendsen’s vision and a rotating cast of elite collaborators. Over the years, Tonic Breed has worked with some of metal’s most respected musicians, including Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Bernt Jansen (Artch/Wig Wam), Björn Strid (Soilwork), Martin Skriubakken (Endezzma), Oliver Palotai (Kamelot), and “Name Dealer” continues that tradition with its most impressive lineup yet.

Listen to “Name Dealer” (released June 10th, 2026) at the following links:

Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/1bMoNWS8EiuLAD2NDrurnj

Music Videos:

Name Dealer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etvT8PAeRAU

Close In – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-S1fQgYR0A

Anew – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx-8n9qs5cY

The Die Is Cast – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAC4_K0Sqko

Track Listing:
1. Name Dealer ft. Tommy Aldridge (drums), Joel Hoekstra (lead guitars) – 3:48
2. Close In ft. Charlie Engen (drums), Adrian Bjerketvedt (guitars and lead guitars) – 5:45
3. Anew – Chris Adler (drums) – 3:31
4. The Die is Cast ft. Michael Gilbert (guitar solo) – 3:31

For more info:
https://tonicbreed.com
https://facebook.com/tonicbreed
https://instagram.com/tonicbreed

About Tonic Breed:
Tonic Breed is a Norwegian thrash and heavy metal one-man music project by Patrik K. Svendsen. Until 2019, Tonic Breed was originally a four-piece band, established in Sarpsborg, Norway, in 2006. As of 2022, Tonic Breed has released three albums and one EP. Today, Tonic Breed is constantly reinventing itself in songwriting and guest collaborations, which already include Chris Adler (Lamb of God), Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Björn Strid (Soilwork), Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam) and Charlie Engen (Five Finger Death Punch, Scale The Summit, Idealogy).

Discography:
-2026 – Name Dealer (EP)
– 2026 – Name Dealer (single) (ft. guest drums Tommy Albridge (Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne) and guest guitar Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Trans-Siberian Orchestra))
– 2026 – Close In (single) (ft. guest drums Charlie Engen (Five Finger Death Punch, Scale The Summit, Idealogy)
– 2025 – Anew (single) (ft. guest drums Chris Adler (Lamb of God)
– 2025 – The Die Is Cast (single) (ft. guest guitar solo Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam)
– 2025 – The Charge (single w/ Darkroot)
– 2024 – Outsold – LP – 10th Anniversary Edition
– 2022 – Fuel the Fire – EP (ft. guests Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Bernt Jansen (Artch/Wig Wam), Björn Strid (Soilwork), Martin Skriubakken (Endezzma), Oliver Palotai (Kamelot)
– 2018 – Install Memory – LP
– 2014 – Outsold – LP
– 2010 – On the Brink of Destruction

– 30 –

“The new EP, “Name Dealer” from Tonic Breed (Patrik Svendsen) just landed and it’s a monster. Leading the way is the title track single which features guest appearances from rock legends Tommy Aldridge (Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne) on drums and Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) on lead guitar. We gave it a spin and it’s like sticking your face in a furnace with mean riffs, a driving snare, rolls a-plenty, deep hooks, a blistering guitar solo and nice slicing vocals. ‘Name Dealer’ unfolds as an unforgettable heavyweight of modern metal from three dudes that have been at this game quite a while and know what it takes to bring it, and then some. Catch Tonic Breed on your Home for the Best New Rock…W-J-O-EEEE” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll

“This is a collection of songs you need to hear, so what are you waiting for? [8/10]” – Metal Noise (2022 – Fuel The Fire)

“The guest musicians really came together on this EP, it’s real luxury material. In short, it is a great return of Patrick as he has been throughout his career with Tonic Breed. If you are fans of Metallica, Testament, Pantera or Slayer, listening to «Fuel the Fire» it is essential this year. Without a doubt I will follow the career of this One Man Band with great interest.” – Broken Tomb (2022 – Fuel The Fire)

“Tonic Breed show that the embers have not gone out and this EP gives them a good old poking, tossing them around and letting the heat build-up. ” – Metal Digest (2022 – Fuel The Fire)

“Tonic Breed reinforces my growing belief that music, and particularly metal, can one day survive and even thrive without need of the corporate machine.” – Metal Disciple (2014 – Outsold – LP)

“For an unsigned act Outsold has one of the best productions I have heard in a long time. Simply put it’s a fantastic album.” – Teeth of the Divine (2014 – Outsold – LP)

“TONIC BREED could easily advance up the ranks thanks to this impressive release.” – Metal Temple (2014 – Outsold – LP)

“10/10. Album of the year 2014.” – The Metal Review (2014 – Outsold – LP)

“For an unsigned act Outsold has one of the best productions I have heard in a long time. Simply put it’s a fantastic album.” – Teeth of the Divine (2014 – Outsold – LP)

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