Posts By Asher

0 Victoria’s Story Comes Alive! VICTORIA LIES Unveils First Single “Red” From Debut Concept Record “Vendetta” Out October 2026

July 21, 2026
by Asher
· Music News · Uncategorized · Victoria Lies

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 21, 2026

Victoria’s Story Comes Alive! VICTORIA LIES Unveils First Single “Red” From Debut Concept Record “Vendetta” Out October 2026

L-R – Jay Powell (Bass), Brett Hetherington (vocals), James Cuncanon (Drums), Chris Koehler (Guitars), Rory Fitzsimmons (Guitars)

Photo Credit – Heather Kim

Calgary, Canada metalcore storytellers Victoria Lies have announced the first single from their long‑awaited forthcoming debut full‑length, “Vendetta.” The track, “Red,” arrives today alongside a cinematic music video that plunges listeners directly into the dark, lore‑rich universe the band has spent years constructing.

“Red” marks the moment where the album’s central character, Victoria, transforms emotionally, psychologically, and violently. The song’s explosive contrast between chaotic verses and a soaring, cathartic chorus mirrors the character’s unraveling and rebirth, and it stands as one of the band’s most visceral, immediate compositions.

“The defining moment when Victoria becomes Victoria… heavy, disorienting, and urgent,” adds vocalist Brett Hetherington.

The video for “Red” brings Victoria’s world to life with the band’s signature theatricality. Their dancer and on‑stage embodiment of Victoria, Sadie Rieb, appears throughout, adding movement, narrative weight, and emotional intensity to the visual storytelling.

A memorable moment from the recording sessions made its way into the energy of the performance. During vocal tracking, the studio was overtaken by the Euro football finals. Producer Scott Bennett hauled in a TV, guitarist Rory Fitzsimmons spent 90 minutes yelling at the screen, and the chaos fueled Brett’s most ferocious screams.

“All this yelling really helped Brett get in the mindset for laying down his screams on one of our angriest songs,” adds the band.

The single and music video for “Red” are available at the following links:

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

Digital Single – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/victorialies/red

“Vendetta” is a 10‑track concept album that blends melodic metalcore, groove metal, and genre‑bending experimentation. The band describes it as a “constantly evolving universe” filled with narrative twists, emotional depth, and unexpected musical turns, from trap beats to saxophone lines.

The album explores themes of power abuse, violence against women, personal grief, societal collapse, and moral ambiguity, all woven through the story of Victoria, a character who appears in choreography, prose, and live performance.

“We wanted to give listeners a journey. Not just ten heavy songs, something with twists, turns, and storytelling,” says bassist Jay Powell.

“When you hear it, you know you’re in Victoria’s universe,” adds Fitzsimmons.

Formed in 2023, Victoria Lies is a Canadian metalcore band known for blending heavy grooves with theatrical storytelling. Their lineup includes vocalist Brett Hetherington, drummer James Cuncannon, guitarists Chris Koehler and Rory Fitzsimmons, and bassist Jay Powell. The band has previously released singles “Trial By Fire,” “…Ready for it?” and “Zerotonin,” earning thousands of streams and building anticipation for their debut album.

They’ve performed across Alberta, including Calgary, Drumheller, Lethbridge, and Edmonton, and appeared at Gatorfest II and Decimate Metalfest.

Recommended for fans of Bad Omens, Atreyu, AFI, and Killswitch Engage, “Vendetta” is due out on October 30th, 2026 via Black Cat Records.

Album pre-save – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/victorialies/vendetta

Track Listing:
1. Victoria – 1:40
2. We Ignite – 3:25
3. Terra Critical – 4:00
4. Laced With Hate – 6:30
5. Red – 2:44
6. Weaving Webs – 4:18
7. Trial by Fire – 3:33
8. Absurd – 4:21
9. Red Lips, Loaded Gun – 5:52
10. Ravens – 3:41
11. Truth and Sugar – 4:15
Album Length: 44:23

Album and Live Band Line-up:
Jay Powell (Bass)
Brett Hetherington (Vocals)
James Cuncanon (Drums)
Chris Koehler (Guitars)
Rory Fitzsimmons (Guitars)

More info: Victorialies.com | Facebook.com/victorialiesband | Instagram.com/victorialiesband | Tiktok.com/@victoria.lies

-30-

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0 EPK – Victoria Lies – Vendetta (2026) (Black Cat Records)

July 21, 2026
by Asher
· EPKs · Victoria Lies

EPK – Victoria Lies – Vendetta (2026) (Black Cat Records)

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

“We are trying to give the listener something new, not just screaming at them for 5 minutes a song for 10 songs; we want to take the listener on a journey with no shortage of twists and turns. The first single, I think, serves as an explosive introduction to the Victoria Lies universe. It’s hard-hitting right out of the gate and is laden with lore.” – Rory Fitzsimmons (Guitars)

“Each of the singles off this album is very different. While they are all very good on their own, each single opens the door to a certain side of the band’s sound.” – Jay Powell (Bass)

“We really wanted each song to hit a bit differently. We focused on really trying new things with each song, not as a necessity but instead to push ourselves outside our comfort zones and contribute to the unique sounds we wanted to achieve. Because it is a concept, I would really love for fans to speculate on what’s going to happen next!” – Brett Hetherington (vocals)

For fans of Bad Omens, Atreyu, AFI, Killswitch Engage, Dayseeker

Band: Victoria Lies
Album Name: Vendetta
Release Date: October 30, 2026
Label: Black Cat Records
Genre: Metalcore
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada

Album pre-save – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/victorialies/vendetta

Band: Victoria Lies
Album Name: Vendetta
Release Date: October 30, 2026
Label: Black Cat Records
Genre: Metalcore
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada

Track Listing:
1. Victoria – 1:40
2. We Ignite – 3:25
3. Terra Critical – 4:00
4. Laced With Hate – 6:30
5. Red – 2:44
6. Weaving Webs – 4:18
7. Trial by Fire – 3:33
8. Absurd – 4:21
9. Red Lips, Loaded Gun – 5:52
10. Ravens – 3:41
11. Truth and Sugar – 4:15
Album Length: 44:23

Album Credits:
Produced by Victoria Lies and Scott Bennett
Mixed by Scott Bennett
Mastered by Cody Anstey
Recorded at Interim Studios (Calgary, AB)
All songs performed by Victoria Lies
Album Artwork by Larissa Pinto

Album and Live Band Line-up:
Jay Powell (Bass)
Brett Hetherington (Vocals)
James Cuncanon (Drums)
Chris Koehler (Guitars)
Rory Fitzsimmons (Guitars)

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

About The Album Artwork

The album artwork depicts Victoria walking through the streets, leaving behind her decay

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

Musically, I wanted to challenge myself with this album; I didn’t want to repeat myself, and I wanted to incorporate ideas from every corner of music. I wanted to create something that, when you hear it, you know that you are in Victoria’s universe. (Rory)

This album is built around a mysterious concept that gradually reveals itself through the course of the tracks. Alongside the narrative are songs that go beyond the storyline, exploring genuine emotion, personal experiences, and themes that resonate on a more individual level. Musically, the album moves between heavier sounds and more reflective moments, helping to shape the overall journey while also giving each song its individuality. – Brett

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Victoria -I wanted to set the scene, almost like you’re at a Broadway show. I feel like the track lets you know that we are in a dark world with a disturbing story – Rory

This song starts with a bang! What a great track to open this album with; it really sets a scene and gets your ears intrigued for what’s next. – Brett

We Ignite – It was the first riff I worked on for the album. My favourite part of this one has to be the bridge; we break it down, and you know something big is coming. – Rory

It’s funny that the second track on the album has literally nothing to do with Victoria, but at the same time, it is so important to Victoria Lies. This song really defines our sound, and kind of acts like a demo to give the listener an idea of what’s to come. I think it was the first song we wrote as Victoria Lies.

This song is actually based on a recurring nightmare I have of the world going into an apocalypse. Pretty metal. – Brett

Terra Critical – This one started life after I was messing around with some Tosin Abasi-type chords, and at the same time, Jay and Brett showed me a song that they were each digging. One was Silver Tongues by I the Mighty. It has a really cool verse that I just couldn’t shake outta my head, and that’s when the Abasi chords came in. The other was Nowhere To Go by Bad Omens, and that’s where the inspiration for the chorus and bridge came from. My favourite part of the song has to be just before the final chorus after the bridge. There is a 4-bar break that makes me think of being in the eye of a storm. Chaos all around you, but you are in the space of calm and tranquility for a brief moment. – Rory

The third song has GOT to be about Victoria, right? Wrong! Yet another earlier song in Victoria Lies’ history. This song has one of my favorite beginnings on the album. The Earth is fed up with our shit, and it’s too late to say sorry. – Brett

Laced With Hate – I don’t know what I was thinking here. I love to play somewhat unconventionally. I don’t like to use the same tired techniques that only serve the guitarist’s ego. (Sweep picking is a prime example of a technique that sounds awful, but it’s difficult and showcases the guitarist’s skill). So two-handed tapping it is! (which I know also sounds douchy) It just sounds so nice with a crystal clear guitar tone. -Rory

This is the first track on the album that dives into the world of Victoria Lies. This song has been around longer than Victoria Lies, but it has evolved so much from what it was. This song shows a glimpse of Victoria’s situation before her change and what might have led to her future decisions. While telling a story about Victoria, it can also paint a picture of what real spousal abuse can look like. – Brett

Red – This song drove me nuts. Brett, Jay, and I were in the studio trying to write, and they both had a clear idea of what they wanted to do…. I, however, did not. They wanted a really simple, hard-hitting song (which I agreed with), but I always like to throw a lot of variation into what I write, so it was really difficult to rein that in. Every 5 minutes, I had Jay slapping my knuckles, telling me to do less. When we got to the chorus, I was allowed to let loose somewhat.

Red in my eyes is the defining moment when Victoria becomes Victoria. The specific moment that triggers every event that follows in the story. It comes in heavy, disorienting, and with urgency. I wanted this song to convey the chaos in Victoria’s mind at the moment when her life turns over on itself, and a new purpose arises. I love the contrast between the verses and the chorus. – Brett

Weaving Webs – Even though not a part of the Victoria universe directly, this one lyrically talks about how we all can see and communicate across the world. We can all see the terrible things that are happening. The same lies that have been told for decades no longer hold any ground, and we can now see who the real villains are. We will not forget. – Brett

Weaving Webs – Was inspired initially by an Attack, Attack! Song, as I said earlier, I like to utilize ideas from all different styles of music. So the intro to the track was a really fun side quest to go see if a crazy idea I had would work. – Rory

Trial by Fire – This was one that Jay and I worked on. We were in the studio just staring at a blank canvas and had no idea what we wanted to do, then Jay busted out an old riff he came up with in high school, and BOOM, we had the main riff! Once we had that, it was pretty easy to get the rest of the song in the bag. – Rory

This song steps back from the concept and instead explores our feelings surrounding gun violence. I had read a story about a shooting that happened in Canada at a wedding over someone being jealous or whatever stupid reason. I think about the children in the States. Being a father, it terrifies me to hear of the violence that happens there on a day-to-day basis involving children. I just wanted to essentially yell about it. Thus, the lyrics to Trail by Fire. – Brett

Absurd – Ahhhh, everyone’s darling! I love this song; I think it means more to me than people think. In my mind, two clear parts define this song: the verse and the first chorus. The verse/intro was written with my brother in mind. He passed away from cancer at 19. But this part of the song just reminds me of how we would go out on the town together in Edinburgh and get ourselves into trouble. And then the chorus was written with my mother in mind, who I lost during COVID. It came out when I was just feeling the feels one day, thinking about her. – Rory

This might be everyone’s favorite; I know it’s mine. The night of the murder… This song really sets a scene and takes you through a harrowing night of deception and murder. The sounds on this track are very powerful, and they successfully lend to the moments where Victoria is in her head, speaking how she truly feels. We got to explore some new sounds with this track as well, which I think turned out very well. – Brett

Red Lips, Loaded Gun – This is definitely one of the more lore-heavy tracks on the album. It follows Victoria as she goes away to get her revenge on the person who wronged her. We try not to be heavy-handed with how we want to guide listeners because we really want to know how people interpret Victoria and her actions, but on this track we did a bit more guiding. We let listeners learn that Victoria is a moniker, not a real name, and they get to hear the more human side of her as she makes a phone call to a loved one. Musically and lyrically, this is one of the more different tracks on the album where we experimented more with a more groovy rhythm and poetic, symbolic lyrics. – Jay

Ravens – Outside the concept, for the last time. “ The ravens in my mind,” these ravens represent the voices in everyone’s head that tell you to do this, do that. The bad decisions you know you probably shouldn’t follow through with, but some people do. The urges that get you into trouble sometimes are how you just can’t control yourself. This song is another heavy hitter, but also surprisingly really easy to dance to. – Brett

Truth and Sugar – I really enjoyed writing the lyrics to this song; it was a new challenge for me as I had never written a song that had two lead singers before. I wanted it to be a duet but feature the guest vocals more heavily than my own. This allowed me to really play with vocal layer ideas. This song follows our current-day Victoria now that she has some experience and confidence. She is far from finished. This was all just a memory. – Brett

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

Fun Facts – Story Angles:

1. During one of the Vendetta sessions, when we were recording Red, it was the final of the Euro football competition, with Rory’s childhood team, England, competing. So our dear producer Scott took it upon himself to “borrow” his mother’s TV and set it up in the studio for us to watch. Rory then proceeded to yell at the TV for 90+ minutes, which caused the people tracking to make mistakes. Which he then yelled at them for fucking up. All this yelling really helped Brett get in the mindset for laying down his screams on one of our angriest songs.

2. Another dangerous situation that is funny now, but at the time was pretty scary, was when our other guitarist, Chris, nearly sliced his fretting fingers off. When he showed up with his hand wrapped in bandages to track “Truth and Sugar”, we assumed that he, being altruism personified, had sacrificed his appendages to save a puppy from a ravenous black bear. But no, it was because he was cutting a bagel.

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

L-R – Jay Powell (Bass), Brett Hetherington (vocals), James Cuncanon (Drums), Chris Koehler (Guitars), Rory Fitzsimmons (Guitars)

Photo Credit – Heather Kim

Victoria Lies is a Canadian metalcore band pushing the boundaries of its genre with intense, narrative-driven lyrics, heavy grooves, and graceful technicality. By integrating theatrical elements (such as props and a dancer who plays the role of Victoria) with dynamic melodies that cross genre lines, the band aims to deliver a fresh and compelling sound. Originally formed in 2023, the current lineup consists of vocalist Brett Hetherington, drummer James Cuncannon, guitarists Chris Koehler and Rory Fitzsimmons, and bassist Jay Powell. Their singles “Trial By Fire” (May 2024), “…Ready for it?” (December 2024), and “Zerotonin” (May 2025) have garnered thousands of plays across streaming services and serve as a bombastic introduction to the Victora Lies universe. Having played in locations across Alberta, including their hometown of Calgary, Drumheller, Lethbridge, and Edmonton, the quintet is set on connecting with their audience through their electrifying live performances. They have played Gatorfest II in Calgary, AB, and also Decimate Metalfest in Millet, AB. Victoria Lies’ first full-length album is set for release in October 2026.

Album and Live Band Line-up:
Jay Powell (Bass)
Brett Hetherington (Vocals)
James Cuncanon (Drums)
Chris Koehler (Guitars)
Rory Fitzsimmons (Guitars)

Discography:
October 2026 – Vendetta – LP
May 2024 – Trial by Fire (single)
Dec 2024 – Ready for it (single)
May 2025 – Zerotonin (single)
Dec 2025 – Just Keep Breathing (single)

Shared Stage with:
Into Eternity, Famous Strangers, The Path Less Traveled, Eye of Horus, Our Last Crusade, Ignite, Citizen Rage, Godfall, Black Friday, Balrogath, Astral Prophets

Tours and Festivals:
2026 – Ampfest – Canmore, AB
2026 – Alt Waves – Medicine Hat, AB
2025 – Decimate Metalfest – Millet, AB
2025 – Serenade Metalfest – Edmonton, AB
2025 – Gatorfest – Calgary, AB

0 CONFLUX COLLECTIVE Unleashes “Reincarnation” Drum Playthrough via Sick Drummer Magazine; New Album “In the Wake of Saturn” (ft. members of ex-Augury, ex‑Decrepit Birth, Derelict, Gross Misconduct, Continuum and more!)

July 20, 2026
by Asher
· Conflux Collective · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 20, 2026

CONFLUX COLLECTIVE Unleashes “Reincarnation” Drum Playthrough via Sick Drummer Magazine

Out Now! New Album “In the Wake of Saturn” (ft. members of ex-Augury, ex‑Decrepit Birth, Derelict, Gross Misconduct, Continuum and more!)

L-R – Max Lussier, Jesse Brint, Mallika Sundaramurthy, Tommy McKinnon, Eric Burnet, Jeffrey Mott

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDITS: Joe Diaz, Derek Carr of Visionsinpixels, Mat Barbeau, Tania Hébert

Conflux Collective has unleashed a blistering new drum playthrough for their track “Reincarnation,” premiering now on Sick Drummer Magazine’s YouTube channel. Performed by drummer Tommy McKinnon, the video showcases the track’s intricate rhythmic architecture, explosive transitions, and the uncompromising technicality that defines the band’s sound. “Reincarnation” stands as one of the album’s core compositions, an embodiment of rebirth, resilience, and the project’s brutal‑progressive identity.

The track was originally written by guitarist Chase Fraser during the band’s early creative period, with McKinnon recording an early version years before the project fell dormant. Its revival marks a symbolic moment for Conflux Collective; the band lives again. Vocalist Jeff Mott delivers a powerful interpretation of McKinnon’s lyrics, bringing emotional weight and clarity to the song’s themes of overcoming desire and reclaiming purpose.

Watch the drum playthrough at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbTiSuDjiZM

The drum‑playthrough premiere supports Conflux Collective’s long‑awaited full‑length album, “In the Wake of Saturn,” released June 19th. The record is a progressive, brutal, melodic, and uncompromising journey through pain, fear, defeat, survival, and ultimately rebirth. Written and assembled over several years, the album is a testament to perseverance and creative willpower.

Across eight tracks, listeners are pulled through blast‑driven chaos, atmospheric tension, crushing grooves, and climactic melodic peaks. The album blends the ferocity of ’90s death metal with modern technical precision, featuring contributions from a powerhouse roster of extreme vocalists that includes Jesse Brint (Gross Misconduct), Mallika Sundaramurthy (Emasculator, ex‑Abnormality), Jeffrey Mott (The Monster Factory, Growlers Choir), Eric Burnet (Derelict, Samskaras), and Max Lussier (Derelict), who also contributes a blistering guitar solo

Mixed and mastered by Jeanne Comateuse of Magma Art & Sound, the album stands as a DIY triumph, raw, honest, and fiercely unique. As vocalist Jesse Brint put it, “It’s a journey.”

Conflux Collective was born from a chance reunion in a Montreal fast‑food joint after a King Diamond concert. Guitarist Chase Fraser (Continuum, ex‑Decrepit Birth, ex‑Animosity) and drummer Tommy McKinnon (Derelict, Akurion, ex‑Neuraxis, ex‑Augury) discovered they had once shared a stage years earlier in San Francisco. A spontaneous jam session soon followed, and within an hour, a full song had taken shape. Within six weeks, they had written and recorded their debut EP, “The Inception” (2016).

Conflux Collective was never intended to be a traditional band. It is a collective, built on collaboration with diverse extreme vocalists and driven by a desire to push progressive technical death metal into new emotional territory. After years of dormancy, McKinnon resurrected the project, rewriting material, recording all bass tracks by ear, and crafting lyrics drawn from deeply personal experiences.

The result is a multi‑dimensional, vocalist‑driven album that defies convention and embraces transformation. Though Conflux Collective has no plans for live performances, the project stands as a meeting point for extreme music’s most creative forces.

Recommended for fans of Cryptopsy, Necrophagist, Decrepit Birth, Augury, and Beyond Creation, “In the Wake of Saturn” will be available at the following links:

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/10ynZM1hUezpQLfV9hyJwZ

Album – https://confluxcollective.bandcamp.com/

Vinyl and CD order – https://elasticstage.com/confluxcollective

Merch / Apparel available – https://confluxco-shop.fourthwall.com/

Lyric Video – Reincarnation – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nce0-kz3nTk

Lyric Video – Devouring Light – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skYaLYoVjX8

Lyric Video – “The Antidote” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgHR0TOQtcI

Track Listing:
1. The Antidote – 3:02
2. Devoid of True Form – 2:39
3. Ethereal Executioner – 4:45
4. Devouring Light – 4:59
5. Blood from a Rock 4:18
6. Reincarnation – 3:20
7. In the Wake of Saturn – 2:29
8. Desperate Post-Humanist – 5:18
Album Length: 30:53

Album Band Line-up:
Guitar: Chase Fraser (Continuum)
Vocals: Eric Burnet (Derelict), Max Lussier (Derelict), Jesse Brint (Gross Misconduct), Mallika Sundaramurthy (Emasculator), Jeff Mott (Hollow, Monster Factory)
Additional guitar, bass, and drums: Tommy McKinnon
Track 1,2, 3, 6. Music: Chase Fraser. Lyrics: Tommy McKinnon
Track 4. Music: Chase Fraser. Lyrics: Jesse Brint
Track 5, 7. Music & Lyrics: Tommy McKinnon
Track 8. Music: Tommy McKinnon. Lyrics: Eric Burnet

More info:

https://www.facebook.com/confluxcollective

https://www.instagram.com/confluxco/

About: Formed in Montreal after a chance post‑show encounter, The Conflux Collective is a progressive technical death‑metal project built on collaboration, experimentation, and emotional depth. Featuring contributions from some of the genre’s most distinctive vocalists, the band blends the ferocity of old‑school death metal with the precision and ambition of modern tech‑death. In the Wake of Saturn marks their first full‑length album.

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Conflux Collective
• All songs written by: Conflux Collective
• Produced by: Tommy McKinnon
• Mixed by: Jeanne Comateuse at Magma Art & Sound
• Mastered by: Jeanne Comateuse at Magma Art & Sound
• Album Artwork by: Filip Ivanovic
• Member of SOCAN

Affiliated links:

Mix engineer: https://magma-sound.com

Derelict: https://derelictmetal.bandcamp.com

Akurion: https://akurion-ca.bandcamp.com/album…

Emasculator: https://www.instagram.com/emasculator_bdm

Mallika: https://www.instagram.com/mallika_sun

Gross Misconduct: https://grossmisconduct.bandcamp.com

The Monster Factory: https://www.themonster-factory.com/en

Coma Cluster Void: https://comaclustervoid.com

– 30 –

“The song’s (Devouring Light) opening moments create tension and are viscerally frightening. They combine wrenching howls, swaths of eerily ringing guitar, immense groaning bass tones, and methodically bludgeoning beats. As the growled words (also frightening) cut loose, the tension doesn’t really break but the music morphs. The dissonant notes miserably writhe and dart away in strange angles; the drums variably clatter and slug in ways that both exacerbate the music’s feeling of dementia and create a vivid rhythmic counterpoint to the increasingly hallucinatory effect of the fretwork. A shrill and swirling guitar solo rises up, creating its own kind of ecstatic counterpoint to the music’s chilling manifestations of confusion and despair. Yet those very same melodic motifs that make the music so unsettling also turn out to be hooks: as they surface and re-surface, strangely ringing and warping, they dig in — as the bass-and-drum performances continue landing body blows while creating their own mystifying attractions. Although this song, unlike the album’s first single, isn’t a high-speed cavalcade of technically eye-popping adventurousness, it’s still a technically impressive exercise, one that deploys the musician’s technical skills to create chilling hallucinatory effects.” – No Clean Singing

“Centered around guitarist Chase Fraser (Continuum, ex‑Decrepit Birth, ex‑Animosity) and drummer Tommy McKinnon (Derelict, Akurion, ex‑Neuraxis, ex‑Augury) and featuring guest appearance contributions from members of Gross Misconduct, Emasculator, Samskaras, Hollow and Monster Factory, the Conflux Collective is a true collective that puts ’90s lensed, technical death metal in its creative crosshairs.” – Decibel Magazine – Track Premiere: Getting Cosmic with The Conflux Collective’s “In the Wake of Saturn”

“Canada’s Conflux Collective return with IN THE WAKE OF SATURN – 8 crazed pieces of death metal infused with manic energy, prog and tech metal complexity and loaded with mean aggression! Totally insane!” – Loud Enough Magazine

“This release sits far outside ordinary death metal territory, travelling through unknown and uncharted musical ground. Structurally, the songs do not follow the traditional verse-bridge-chorus form. That same refusal is emphatic in the lyrics, which follow no fixed pattern and take a far more narrative shape, moving closely alongside musical sections that stubbornly break free of conventional forms. The intensely personal lyrics gain even more weight through the voices of Max, Jeffrey, Jesse, Mallika and Eric, whose performances add further emotional gravity to this narrative journey. The final result is a rough-hewn creation that defies familiar musical patterns and lyrical norms. It is indifferent to the world outside and makes that clear in every possible way. Yet, almost by accident, it points the way forward, leaving a wholly personal imprint for those who follow. 10/10” – Metal Ourgio

“”In the Wake of Saturn” is a technically impressive and pleasingly compact debut album. Conflux Collective combine the raw energy of 90s death metal with modern technical death metal, progressive structures, heavy grooves, and melodic guitar work. “Devouring Light , ” “Blood from a Rock , ” “Reincarnation,” and the atmospheric “Desperate Post-Humanist” are particularly compelling. The very clean guitar production occasionally sounds a bit clinical, while the five vocalists offer less nuanced vocal range than their number would suggest. Nevertheless, there’s clearly more to these eight songs than just technical fretboard virtuosity. The album convincingly tells a story of loss, survival, and rebirth, and ends its assault before the complex arrangements can become tiresome. Saturn, at least, is awake—and after these 31 minutes, he probably needs a coffee.” – Metal Underground Austria
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
exsr[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook – Asher Media Relations
Instagram – Asher Media
Tweet – AsherMedia

0 EPK – Destroy My Brains – WILT (2026)

July 19, 2026
by Asher
· Destroy My Brains · EPKs

EPK – Destroy My Brains – WILT (2026)

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

“Wilt is the finale of the last 4 albums we have written. Worthless, InsignifiCan’t, Lifeless, Tormented. We had the idea all the way back when we were writing Worthless to make 4 albums, and we already picked the titles of the albums so that all the first letters would spell WILT. Most bands never make it this far in their lifespan, but we have and completed our goal. Wilt is keeping the classic ideals of old and new DMB albums and combining them, mixed with better, more experienced production, and here we are with the best-sounding DMB album to date, hands down. It has it all that we are known for. Pure hatred full blast as hard as you can, screaming vocals, thunderous, creative, and infectious drumming with over-the-top fills, thick as motor oil bass, and emotionally driven riff-laden guitars touching in doom/sludge and punk styles of riffing. We are pleased to degrade and devolve you while you take in our sonic displeasures.” – Jarret – Vocals, Guitar – Destroy My Brains

For fans of Eyehategod, Crowbar, Buzz-oven, Acid Bath, Electric Wizard

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

Facebook.com/DMBdestroymybrians | Instagram.com/destroymybrains | Youtube.com/@destroymybrains3883

Destroymybrains.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

““Downgrade,” a five-minute crawl through manipulation, intoxication and deliberate ruin. The track reconnects Destroy My Brains with their punkier instincts without sacrificing the suffocating riffs, corrosive tones and full-throated hostility at the center of their sludge attack.” – Decibel Magazine (Downgrade Premiere)

“Lyrically, this is a hateful and hopeless screed, the vicious and fatalistic thoughts of someone falling apart and drowning in intoxicants.” No Clean Singing (Decontribute single off Wilt – 2026)

“WILT is the perfect end to a massive and sprawling five part album saga which may allow Destroy My Brains to try different musical avenues in the future. You gotta say the guys ultimately deserve that. As they’ve spent a long time bleeding their emotions dry for their “ART” and providing their dedicated fan base with records of amazing quality which will leave you broken down, beaten, physically and mentally exhausted. However, you’ll be glad you’ve listened, survived and experienced a brutal audio experience such as this. As Destroy My Brains have solidified their status as one of the best bands to emerge from the Canadian Heavy Metal underground scene of recent years.” – Outlaws of The Sun

“Some of the most interesting metal exists far outside the usual channels, and Destroy My Brains has been grinding away in the shadows delivering uncut gems… Wilt brings a nine‑year creative arc full circle and promises to be as rife with hate, desperation, and hunger as the Wendigo on the cover… Wilt quickly establishes itself as a far more vicious beast than its predecessors.” – Angry Metal Guy

“My take on the album: The tracks on the album are hard hitting Doom/Sludge Metal at the next level. The band doesn’t fool around and they let the music do the talking. Brilliantly composed and performed songs that combine to create a special album. I am hugely impressed by the album. A massive yes from me.” – Project Metal Music

“‘Avulsion’ and ‘Downgrade’ demonstrate how well Destroy My Brains know how to pace their music compared to many of their peers. The first of them stretches despair in such a way that each new sustained chord physically exhausts the listener, while the second of them injects enough punk venom so that the album won’t just sink in its emotional weight. It’s still sludge, but this time it moves with purpose rather than just resting on your chest for seven minutes and hoping you won’t notice that numbness you feel.” – Ever-Metal

“Ahead of the record, the Lloydminster quartet has shared the video for “Downgrade,” a five-minute crawl through manipulation, addiction and ruin that reconnects the band with the punkier, more direct instincts of their early days without giving up an inch of the suffocating riffs and corrosive tone that built their name.” – See Rock Live Mag

“The riffing swarms like carnivorous insects; the bass brutally thunders; the drums cut like a dismembering ax; and the vocals sound like a screaming person being strangled, in arms with a growling pit bull.” No Clean Singing

“Catharsis has been defined as “the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.” DESTROY MY BRAINS is a vehicle created to do just that.” – Doomed & Stoned (Tormented – 2022)

“a coup de grace of sludgy Crowbar riffs and throat shredding screams of hate” Those Once Loyal (Tormented – 2022)

Band: Destroy My Brains

Album Title: Wilt
Release Date: August 14, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Self-Release

Genre: Doom/Sludge Metal
Location of Band: Lloydminster, SK/AB

Track Listing:
1. OCI (Obsessive Compulsive Imploder) – 4:32
2. Burn The Virgin – 10:30
3. Decontribute – 7:28
4. Avulsion – 7:08
5. Downgrade – 5:14
6. Spill – 9:30
7. Wilt – 11:40
Album Length: 56:03

Album Credits:

• All songs performed by: Destroy My Brains
• All songs written by: Destroy My Brains
• Produced by: Doom Tomb Recording Studio – Jarret
• Mixed by: Doom Tomb Recording Studio – Jarret
• Mastered by: Doom Tomb Recording Studio – Jarret
• Album Artwork by: Naufal Alwy

DESTROY MY BRAINS IS:

Jarret – Vocals, Guitars

Chase – Guitars

Rob – Bass

Jadan – Drums

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About The Album Artwork:

The artwork was a commission piece from Naufal Awly. I gave him my ideas, and he brought it to life in spades. On the cover, the main attraction is a Wendigo. We are from the prairies of Canada, and Native American culture is all around us at all times. I grew up learning of an evil spirit called the Wendigo that roams the forests and can possess men and turn them into diseased cannibals. Also, the Wendigo is the bringer of starvation, desperation, and rot, which fit the name Wilt very nicely. So we went with that idea, and he killed it for us. We have a very large selection of album art merch coming featuring the art!

About The Album (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

As a whole, the album is an ode to pain, trauma, and hate so thick you can touch it. It’s riffs on top of riffs, and songs about ruin and degradation. This album is not for the average listener lyrically, but the music is going to pull people in without knowing what the songs are about. I can’t wait to subliminally fuck with people’s minds.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. OCI (obsessive compulsive imploder)
We wanted this album to hit hard right out of the gate when someone puts it on, enter OCI. Skill-wise, the main riff is 3 notes, but we do it in classic DMB fashion where the picking evolves to make the riff more intense as it moves forward, accompanied by Jadan’s furious drumming; the album opens hard. The lyrics are inspired by the mental disorder of OCD, but take form by unloading how it feels inside as things are not working out for the OCD mind. Anxiety, discomfort, and compulsive pull of feelings that cannot be ignored. Later on, concluding with a huge riff and being locked up in a mental institution.

2. BURN THE VIRGIN
Ritual sacrifice to summon the lord of darkness unto the sick earth is the theme of this song. We wanted to change gears right after opening hard with OCI, so we placed BTV right in its shadow. The song begins melodic with storytelling lyrics of a virgin sacrifice to Baphomet and his master Satan. The cult chains the offerings upside down and burns them alive, on the eve of

Walpurgisnacht in an attempt to summon their infernal Overlord. As the song progresses, it leads to a total shift in riffing. Doom-laden slimy riffs and pounding drums bring the song into its next phase. As the cultists watch the offerings burn, they become intoxicated with the pleasures of their deeds completed.

3. DECONTRIBUTE
Decontribute is basically a tribute to Destroy My Brains’ long-standing goal of degrading and devolving the world and everyone in it, including ourselves. We are told when we are young to grow up, go to school, get a job, and contribute to society, but DMB have a different goal. Degenerating and misleading everyone along with themselves into a destroyed world of misery and chaos. “YOU CAN WATCH ME, FALL APART, DESCENDING, TAKING YOU, ALONG WITH ME, I DECONTRIBUTE TO REALITY.” This is classic DMB, but a new mastered version. Degraded and devolved.

4. AVULSION
Avulsion is a continuation of the 5 previous albums of willful self-destruction. Being completely ripped apart, skin from underlying tissues, ligament and tendon from bone. This is the definition of Avulsion, and DMB uses that as a metaphor for being internally torn apart mentally by a life of personal torment, life-destroying decisions, and the loss of will to live. This is the doomiest song on the whole album, and the melodic leads at the end mixed with the pained anguished screams will stick in your head for days.

5. DOWNGRADE
Going back to Destroy My Brains’ punkish roots is the Sludgelord’s opus Downgrade. Following in suit with the themes of ruin, Downgrade unfolds a story of two people. One is a sadistic manipulator, and the other is the soon-to-be ruined victim of their friend, or who they think is their friend, ultimately ruining their lives on drugs and overdosing. In the song, the manipulator claims to be doing this work of ruin for Satan, and believes the Devil himself is working through him. The song ends with an ultra headbanger sludge riff and extremely vile, dishonest lyrics.

6. SPILL
Spill is a personal song that touches on mental, verbal, and physical violence many people experience as children growing up in homes where hate is present. The experiences and damage dealt, and their lasting effects are present here. The song has many changes and shifts, as someone would as they grow older, but the underlying problem is always there, and the wounds of the heart never heal. “I CAN’T FEEL, I DON’T FEEL, I WON’T FEEL, ANYTHING EVER…” These are the final lyrics of the song. It’s the moments when you’ve emotionally shut down and shut out the world from the abuses listed beforehand. This song was painful to write.

7. WILT
The ultimate conclusion to the 5 album series. Wilt stands tall and ominous like a wall of black clouds filled with turmoil, hatred, pain, confusion, and don’t forget giant riffs and atmosphere. The song is about something many of us sadly know too much about, and it’s child abuse. “YOU DESTROYED THE CHILD WITHIN ME” is how the song opens overtop of one of the darkest-sounding sonic moments DMB has ever put into a recording. This tragic song continues its onslaught for 11 mins, and would be best described as tragic. We recommend reading the lyrics to this song and the whole album to finally understand the real reason and message behind the music.

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STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT THE BAND

1. The Destroy My Brains band was formed when Jarret and Jadan smoked a bong called the Green Spiritual Bastard.

2. The band has had a previous member named Jeremy Seery who has been in and out of the band 2 times. He played bass on the original S/T demo and also played guitar on InsignifiCan’t. He also wrote some riffs for the song Pure Filth on Lifeless. He was a totally unhinged human, and we miss him.

3. At most shows we play, almost all the bands that play before us say, “Are you ready to get your brains destroyed?” and we hate it.

4. At our 1st show, our friend Kyle Fluney announced us as Destroy Your Brains. Thanks Kyle, you whore.

5. 3 out of 4 of the members of the band work in the industrial fields, and don’t get the same days off very often, so it’s hard to jam and play shows. We do only a few every year, or sometimes not at all for longer than a year, so if you ever see us pop up on a show poster, please come out and check us out. We give 110% on stage, and all of our shows mean so much to us. They are beyond important. Don’t be afraid and throw down with us.

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Destroy My Brains – L-R – Rob – Bass, Jarret – Vocals, Guitar, Chase – Guitar, Jadan – Drums

Destroy My Brains is the sound of the Canadian prairies (Lloydminster, SK/AB) rotting from the inside out, a doom/sludge monstrosity born from bong‑fumed nihilism, self‑harm mythology, and a lifelong commitment to sonic degradation. Formed when Jarret and Jadan were blasting riffs and ripping bowls from the infamous Green Spiritual Bastard, the band took shape the moment Jarret dropped the name he’d forged at 15 during a spiral of drugs and self‑destructive chaos: Destroy My Brains, not a slogan, but a lifestyle.

From day one, DMB has weaponized trauma, addiction, hatred, and psychological collapse into riffs thick enough to suffocate and drums violent enough to bruise bone. Their sound is a festering hybrid of Crowbar‑worshipping sludge, Eyehategod‑level filth, and punk‑driven anarchy, delivered with vocals that peel the flesh off the front row. As Jarret puts it, “I scream so fucking hard live people in the front are often pelted by throat chunks, spit, or worse.”

Their five‑album WILT saga, Worthless (2018), InsignifiCan’t (2020), Lifeless (2020), Tormented (2022), and the final chapter WILT (2026), is a descent into human ruin unmatched in Canadian extreme metal. WILT stands as their most punishing statement yet, speaking on childhood abuse, riffs stacked like collapsing buildings, and lyrics carved from real trauma. The Wendigo‑themed artwork embodies the band’s ethos: starvation, rot, possession, and the slow death of the self.

Destroy My Brains writes collaboratively, violently, and obsessively. Jarret brings hundreds of lyrics born from “furious hate and pain,” Chase supplies riffs that glue the sludge together, Rob’s bass hits like industrial machinery, and Jadan’s drumming is a clinic in improvised punishment. They record in Jarret’s Doom Tomb Studio, where vocal takes end in migraines, puking, or worse, because anything less than total physical collapse isn’t DMB.

Live, they are a rare event, industrial‑field workers who can barely align schedules, meaning every show is a once‑in‑a‑year detonation. Guitars stay heavy as sin, bass stays loud, drums stay feral, and vocals stay louder than the sound guy wants. If you see their name on a poster, you’re not attending a show; you’re entering a controlled demolition.

Destroy My Brains is not here to entertain. They’re here to degrade, devolve, and infect. Sludge for people who want their music to hurt. Doom for listeners who understand that suffering is a genre. Hate music from the Canadian prairies, sharpened, hardened, and ready to ruin you.

DESTROY MY BRAINS IS:

Jarret – Vocals, Guitars

Chase – Guitars

Rob – Bass

Jadan – Drums

DISCOGRAPHY:

2017 – Destroy My Brains – Self-Titled

2018 – Destroy My Brains – Worthless EP

2020 – Destroy My Brains – InsignifiCan’t

2020 – Destroy My Brains – Lifeless

2022 – Destroy My Brains – Tormented

2026 – Destroy My Brains – Wilt

Tours – Fests
Aggrofest – Headlined 2021 Crystal Springs SK Outdoors
Electric Highway – Opened 2023 Calgary AB Dickens PubShared Stage with:
Kryotic, Display of Decay, Decrepitation, Doomsday Grin, Hooker Spit, Repugnant Scum, Skinwalker, Terrsix, Ashes of Yggdrasil, Brain Stem, Powerload, Citizen Rage… lots more…

0 !earshot – The National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 CFBX 92.5FM – Kamloops Loud – #6 Phaeton | CJSW 90.9 MHz – Calgary Loud – #6 Metaladian | CJLO 1690 kHz – Montreal Top 30 – #21 Pythonic, #27 As Oceans Divide

July 17, 2026
by Asher
· As Oceans Divide · Metaladian · Phaeton · Pythonic · radio charts

!earshot – The National Loud Chart

For the Week Ending: Tuesday, July 14, 2026

CFBX 92.5FM – Kamloops
Loud – #6 Phaeton

https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfbx.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2026-07-14

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

CJSW 90.9 MHz – Calgary
Loud – #6 Metaladian

https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjsw.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2026-07-14

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

CJLO 1690 kHz – Montreal
Top 30 – #21 Pythonic, #27 As Oceans Divide

https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjlo.cfm?dWeekOfID=2026-07-14

0 Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs !earshot – June 2026 – Top 20 Loud #11 Thunderor, #17 Haiduk

July 17, 2026
by Asher
· Haiduk · radio charts · Thunderor

Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs
!earshot – June 2026 – Top 20 Loud
#11 Thunderor, #17 Haiduk
https://earshot-online.com/charts/2026/June/loud.cfm

#metal #heavymetal #canadianmetal #radio

0 Canadian Extreme Metal Groove WITHOUT MERCY Unveils Theatrical Guitar Playthrough “The Saint” From New EP “Infinite Loss” Produced by John Douglass (Alluvial, Nile, Nekrogoblikon)

July 17, 2026
by Asher
· Music News · Without Mercy

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 17, 2026

Canadian Extreme Metal Groove WITHOUT MERCY Unveils Theatrical Guitar Playthrough “The Saint”

New EP “Infinite Loss” Out Now!

Produced by John Douglass (Alluvial, Nile, Nekrogoblikon)

L -R – Ryan Loewen – Bass, Alex Friis – Vocals, DJ Temple – Guitars, Matt Helie – Drums
Photo Credit: Shimon Photo – http://www.shimonphoto.com

Canadian extreme groove metal Without Mercy have unleashed a striking new theatrical guitar playthrough video for “The Saint”, supporting their newly released EP “Infinite Loss” produced with John Douglass (Alluvial, Nile, Nekrogoblikon) and released this past May. The visual highlights guitarist DJ Temple’s performance while immersing viewers in the tension, restraint, and unfamiliar emotional space that shaped the track.

“The Saint represents the furthest departure from our usual writing approach. It came from a willingness to step back and let someone we trust help guide the process,” explains guitarist DJ Temple.

Shaped collectively with their producer, the song confronts a core question of artistic growth: How do you evolve without losing the foundation that brought you here? Rather than abandoning their roots, the band stretched them to their limit, testing their flexibility without breaking their identity.

Musically, “The Saint” leans into space, unpredictability, and tension. It was the last song written for the EP, challenging the band’s expectations of what the record should be. Its inclusion broadened the emotional scope of Infinite Loss, earning its place by doing something the other tracks could not.

Watch the theatrical guitar playthrough for “The Saint” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1Bp5r-wQ8k

Recorded after uprooting their routines and living inside the creative process for ten days, Without Mercy‘s new EP “Infinite Loss” is a focused, intentional, and confrontational statement. The EP documents a period defined by pressure, endurance, and honesty.

“This record exists because we chose to be uncomfortable, to argue honestly, and to stay in the room until it felt right… It is focused, intentional, and real,” adds Temple.

The EP’s three songs, Infinite Loss, The Saint, and Glass, were selected not as singles but as statements, each surviving months of scrutiny, revision, and collective decision‑making. Lyrically, “Infinite Loss” is about being hunted, not by a single antagonist, but by the pressures of modern life: economics, identity, time, survival. The threat shifts, but never disappears. Musically, the EP leans into weight, repetition, and restraint. Riffs sit long enough to suffocate. Rhythms feel physical and deliberate. The aggression is controlled, not chaotic, a reflection of endurance rather than escape.

The EP’s artwork, created with artist Diego Gedoz de Souza, depicts a desolate forest split by a massive void, a visual metaphor for inevitability, loss, and the gravitational pull of forces beyond control. It mirrors the EP’s emotional core without explaining it, inviting listeners into the world before a single note plays.

Without Mercy was formed in 2007, blending groove, extreme metal, and technical precision into a sound described as “heavy and insightful at the same time.” The band has shared stages with Cattle Decapitation, Aborted, and Death Angel, and has appeared as downloadable content in Rock Band 3, bridging gaming culture and heavy music.

Their discography includes “All Else Fails” (2007), “Without Mercy” (2009), “Reborn” (2014), rereleased as “Mouichido” (2016), and “Seismic” (2020). “Infinite Loss” marks their most focused and intentional work to date, a release built from collapse, rebuilt through discipline, and finished with absolute conviction.

Recommended for fans of Meshuggah, Gojira, Decapitated, Alluvial, and Pantera, listen to the full EP “Infinite Loss” (released May 8th) on all digital platforms at https://ffm.to/infiniteloss

Track Listing:
1. Infinite Loss – (4:15)
2. The Saint – (3:39)
3. Glass – (3:16)
EP Length: 11:11

EP and Live Band Line-up:
Alex Friis – Vocals
DJ Temple – Guitars
Ryan Loewen – Bass
Matt Helie – Drums

More info:

https://www.withoutmercyband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/withoutmercyband

https://www.instagram.com/withoutmercyband

-30-

“The music was excellent…a potent mixture of aggression and technical precision. Now that I can taste them, I am very much looking forward to a full length from the band.” – Metal-Temple

““The Saint” is somehow both maniacal and controlled. In its opening couple of minutes it seems to be a carefully calibrated convulsion, discharging its myriad sensations in quick stop-start bursts of seemingly off-kilter but tightly executed mayhem. Those sensations include sledgehammer rhythmic brutishness, shrill and spidery fretwork-delirium, and napalm-strength vocals.” – No Clean Singing

“WITHOUT MERCY With this release they position themselves clearly in the intersection of death metal, groove and metalcore, without completely submitting to any of these genres. The band uses elements of these directions to develop their own language that relies on suspense rather than classic hooks. Conclusion: WITHOUT MERCY succeeds with »Infinite Loss« an impressive statement in the field of death/groove metal, metalcore. 4/5” – Metal Underground Austria

“the controlled aggression and delicious grooves of title track “Infinite Loss” gradually ramp up in their intensity, creating a sense of slow suffocation before the riffs subside to allow for a technical solo of the highest order from DJ Temple. A powerful statement piece that flows in wave like patterns through dark moods, the sonic weight of the music conveys the message without the need for the harsh vocals from Alex Friis. That’s not to say his words are superfluous; on the contrary, they’re the fuel for the fire as the world burns.” – Metal Noise

“we hear a solid force coming through, where riffs are the main ingredient, alongside a brutal and aggressive-sounding voice.” – Musika

“The resulting output is “Infinite Loss”, a three track assault that zeroes in on a choking atmosphere of mechanical hostility. Musically, the band leans heavily into calculated syncopation and technical restraint, letting rhythmic patterns lock in to create a claustrophobic pressure.” – Heavy Metal Darkness

“It’s only three songs, but it’s a lot to process. This isn’t background music. It’s a physical record that reflects the stress of just existing right now. Honestly, after nearly twenty years, it’s cool to see a band still willing to make themselves this uncomfortable just to see what happens. It paid off.” – Radio Papy Jeff

—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook – Asher Media Relations
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0 LA Symphonic Metal LEVINIA Confronts Creative Silence w/ New Music Video “The Blank Page”

July 17, 2026
by Asher
· Levinia · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 17, 2026

LA Symphonic Metal LEVINIA Confronts Creative Silence w/ New Music Video “The Blank Page”

Produced by Brandon Friesen (Halestorm, Nickelback, The Hu, Papa Roach)

L-R – Alon Mei-Tal – Guitar, Liam Alexander – Bass, Kourt Henson – Vocals, Dylan Suierveld – Drums

Photo Credit – Dream of Mirrors Photography

Levinia returns with “The Blank Page,” the fourth and final single in their ambitious 2026 release cycle, a year defined by evolution, sharpened identity, and a darker cinematic edge. Following the momentum of “Bite,” “Silver Tongues,” and “The Thorn,” this new single arrives as the band’s most emotionally vulnerable and haunting offering yet, paired with a striking music video that visually amplifies its themes of isolation, creative paralysis, and inner conflict.

Produced by Brandon Friesen, whose credits include Halestorm, Nickelback, The Hu, Papa Roach, “The Blank Page” represents one of the most dramatic transformations in Levinia’s catalog. While vocalist Kourt Henson had already crafted the lyrical and melodic core, Friesen helped expand the track into a sweeping, cinematic experience, heightening its tension, atmosphere, and emotional payoff. The result is a single that begins in fragile stillness before erupting into one of the band’s most crushing choruses to date.

With all four singles released, Levinia closes their 2026 cycle with a powerful statement: the band is entering its most confident and defined era yet. And with new material already in development, “The Blank Page” is not an ending; it’s the beginning of what comes next.

The video for “The Blank Page” mirrors the song’s emotional weight through stark, unsettling imagery. A lone house sits in a desolate landscape, symbolizing mental confinement and the suffocating silence of creative paralysis. A burnt, ruined page becomes the central metaphor, representing ideas destroyed before they ever had the chance to exist. The visuals echo the song’s haunting atmosphere, creating a unified emotional experience between audio and imagery.

“The Blank Page may be the biggest shock. It opens in a slower, more vulnerable, and almost haunting space, which is not what some listeners may expect at first, but once the chorus hits, it erupts into something crushing. We think that contrast will make it one of the more memorable tracks emotionally,” adds vocalist Kourt Henson.

Recommended for fans of Within Temptation, Amaranthe, Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, and Delain, listen to “Blank Page” at the following links:

Music Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnWntWSKHR0

Spotify – https://hypeddit.com/levinia/theblankpage

Levinia blends symphonic atmosphere, modern metal aggression, and cinematic storytelling into a sound influenced by Epica, Lacuna Coil, Sabaton, Disturbed, and Evanescence. Formed from the ashes of Los Angeles power‑metal band Aerius, the group has spent nearly a decade refining its identity into something bold, emotional, and unmistakably its own.

Across their 2026 singles, Levinia showcases a wide emotional and stylistic range. “The Blank Page” is a haunting exploration of writer’s block, pressure, and emotional paralysis. “Bite” is a Dracula‑inspired anthem of resilience and transformation. “Silver Tongues” is a groove‑driven warning against idol worship and blind influence. “The Thorn” is a sharp, modern metal strike at internal conflict. Each single reveals a different facet of the band’s identity, pushing their sound into heavier, more deliberate territory while preserving the cinematic drama fans have come to expect.

Levinia’s writing process has evolved into a deeply collaborative effort. Guitarist Alon Mei‑Tal and vocalist Kourt Henson typically build the foundation, instrumentals, melodies, and lyrical direction before drummer Dylan Suierveld and bassist Liam Alexander shape the rhythmic and dynamic backbone. This approach has led to a more cohesive, vocal‑driven sound that balances aggression with emotional depth.

Working with Brandon Friesen has marked a turning point for the band. His guidance helped refine the strongest tracks from an initial pool of developing ideas, shaping them into a four‑part release that feels intentional, cinematic, and emotionally charged. Each single serves a distinct purpose, forming a cohesive narrative of Levinia’s ongoing evolution.

Previous Singles:

Bite – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Uw9l0cmAA

Silver Tongues – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqhk6j6wzKs

The Thorn – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30EmGiQL7ug

Levinia:
Vocals – Kourt Henson
Guitar – Alon Mei-Tal
Bass – Liam Alexander
Drums- Dylan Suierveld

More info:

https://www.leviniaofficial.com/

https://instagram.com/leviniaofficial

https://www.facebook.com/LeviniaOfficial/

-30-

“The mixing was just absolutely incredible for the guitars. I really like that.” (referring to the complex rhythm). This was, I mean, I was super impressed. Really impressed. I love the chorus. That’s what we really love. (about catchy choruses). I love that. It was so good (about the operatic vocals), super super cool. What a good job. I’m happy that she’s back with her band. They all look like they were having a great time. That was super cool. (about the live setting) I love it. Yeah. Yeah. I love it.” (about headbanging). This was perfect. Right up my alley.” “It was very good. Very high rating. This was really cool, and I’m very happy we did this one.”- YouTube Reaction Video – The Rockin’ Roundtable (2026 – The Thorn (single)

“Overall, Liberation is a thoroughly impressive EP that should find appeal with both the modern metal and symphonic crowds, especially those craving a little extra heaviness in their material. Levinia are onto something great here, best to catch them here at the ground level and watch them explode to the next level in the near future.” – Dead Rhetoric (2018 – Liberation)

—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
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0 Edmonton’s FAMOUS STRANGERS Confront Division and Reclaim Power in New Video “As Your Leader” From Debut Self-Titled Album Out August 2026

July 17, 2026
by Asher
· Famous Strangers · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 17, 2026

Edmonton’s FAMOUS STRANGERS Confront Division and Reclaim Power in New Video “As Your Leader”

Debut Self-Titled Album Out August 21st, 2026

L-R – Amanda Kiernan (Vocals), Brian “Beej” Jolly (Drums), Braden Sustrik (Bass, Vocals), Jeff Kittlitz (Guitar, Vocals)

Photo by J-Kiernen Photography

Edmonton, Canada’s heavy‑rock outfit Famous Strangers have unveiled the official music video for “As Your Leader”, the second single from their forthcoming self‑titled debut album co‑produced with Phil Anderson, mixed by Joel Wanasek, and mastered by Maor Appelbaum and arriving August 21st, 2026. The track is one of the album’s heaviest and most emotionally charged moments, built on thick, deliberately weighty guitar tones, restless bass‑and‑drum interplay, and a vocal performance that channels frustration, urgency, and fierce compassion.

“As Your Leader” confronts the widening disconnect between what leaders promise and what people actually experience. It reflects on how digital noise erodes trust, how division has become normalized, and how presence has been surrendered to screens. Yet beneath the anger lies a message of unity. At its core, the song insists that together, we are powerful, and that the fight worth having is the one that brings people closer rather than further apart.

The music video for “As Your Leader” is a stark, monochrome animated piece created through an AI-assisted, frame-by-frame production process and finished in After Effects. Every shot was individually art-directed, generated, refined, and composited by video creator Art Szabo over approximately 45 to 50 hours, with no motion capture, rotoscoping, or stock footage.

The first half unfolds in white‑on‑black, depicting a cold, mechanical world of faceless authority figures looming over a lone speaker at a podium. At the lyric “the power is ours,” the palette inverts to black‑on‑white, echoing the band’s signature ink aesthetic. Simplified human forms merge into something larger, symbolizing collective strength and the moment people reclaim their voice. The monochrome palette was chosen to strip away distraction and let the message hit with full weight.

Watch the video for “As Your Leader” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH1WCv__EyY

Spotify – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/famousstrangers/as-your-leader

Famous Strangers features Amanda Kiernan (vocals), Jeff Kittlitz (guitar), Braden Sustrik (bass), and Brian “Beej” Jolly (drums), formed after years of crossing paths in the Alberta music scene. What began as casual jams evolved into a full creative force once Amanda joined in 2023. The chemistry was instant. Lyrics poured out, old riffs found new life, and the band quickly realized they had something far bigger than a side project.

Their sound is unpredictable, moody, haunting, old‑school, and intriguing, drawing from classic heavy metal, grunge, punk, and modern hard‑rock influences. The debut full-length explores themes of self‑worth, growth, vulnerability, and breaking free from what holds you back, while also venturing into playful territory, including alien abduction stories and blues‑soaked introspection.

Due August 21st, the self‑titled debut album is a diverse journey through heavy riffs, explosive moments, atmospheric breaks, and deeply personal storytelling. The band describes it as a record that takes listeners on an emotional ride, from grit and inspiration to surrender and self‑reflection.

Tracks like “Fire Inside,” “Ghosts of Men,” “Please Her,” “Desires,” “Far Away from Home,” and “Rain” each explore different corners of the band’s identity, from raw vulnerability to punk‑driven fun to blues‑infused introspection. Many songs evolved over years, with riffs living on hard drives for over a decade before finding their final form. Some tracks were even born from freestyle jam sessions captured during casual rehearsals.

Leading up to the album’s release, Famous Strangers will be hitting the road across Western Canada, including back-to-back hometown album release shows.

Upcoming Show Dates:
Aug 6 – The Exchange – Regina, SK
Aug 7 – Dickens – Calgary, AB
Aug 21 – Album Release Show 1 – Rec Room – Edmonton, AB
Aug 22 – Album Release Show 2 – Temple at Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB

Recommended for fans of Halestorm, Nothing More, Sevendust, Godsmack, Evanescence, Butcher Babies, and Bad Omens, the self-titled album is available for digital pre-save (Out August 21, 2026) (Vinyl pre-order to be announced at a later date) – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/famousstrangers/famous–strangers

Previous Single:

Music Video – “Ghosts of Men” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JllvDWc2AC4

Track Listing:
1. Fire Inside – 4:06
2. Ghosts of Men – 4:54
3. Please Her – 4:34
4. As Your Leader – 3:49
5. Desires – 3:50
6. Far Away from Home – 4:18
7. Rain – 9:23
Album Length: 34:57

Album Band Line-up:
Jeff Kittlitz – Guitar, Back Up Vocals
Amanda Kiernan – Vocals, Lyrics
Braden Sustrik – Bass, Back Up Vocals
Brian “Beej” Jolly – Drums, Back Up Vocals

More info:

https://www.famousstrangersband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FamousStrangersBand/

https://www.instagram.com/famousstrangersband

About: Famous Strangers is a heavy metal band from Sherwood Park, Alberta. Rooted in the classics and built for today, the band brings together four veterans of the Alberta music scene with over 20 years of collective experience. With four singles, a music video for every release, and a debut album on vinyl dropping in August 2026, Famous Strangers is all raw power, emotional depth, and a sound that refuses to sit still.

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“Amanda has a Lee Aaron vibe about her.” – Richard Amery – LA Beat

“Canada’s Famous Strangers return with an incredible new single, a fierce one titled ‘Ghosts of Men’. Right out of the gate, the riffs are lethal and the vocals are up to the task with a mean disposition that fit perfectly. Famous Strangers is a seriously talented band and ‘Ghosts of Men’ is a shining example of their creativity at work with an extended jaw dropping 6-string solo, a wonderful slow down to catch our breath only to come out on the other side finding ourselves in a choke hold of epic proportions. This is modern metal done right, catch it on your Home for the Best New Rock…W-J-O-EEEE – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll

“Haunting, Stirring and Impactful…those words just keep going through our mind as we take in the new single “I’ll See You In The Stars” from Famous Strangers. This one is quite unique with a powerful intensity that is full of rhythm and achieves the rare feat of fury as a pure form of beauty. We really dig this one and you can catch it on your Home for the Best New Rock…” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll (Single – I See You In The Stars – 2025)

““George” by Famous Strangers is not just a song—it’s a full-throttle, unapologetic metal anthem that grips you from the very first crushing drumbeat and refuses to let go. Heavy. Relentless. Unstoppable. This track is a ferocious sonic onslaught, packed with blistering guitar riffs, bone-rattling drums, and a vocal performance that will leave you breathless.” – Switching Styles (Single – George – 2025)

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jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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0 Streaming Now! ETERNAL DRAK Opens The Gates To The Sixth Album “The Violence of Time”

July 16, 2026
by Asher
· Eternal Drak · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 16, 2026

Streaming Now! ETERNAL DRAK Opens The Gates To The Sixth Album “The Violence of Time”

L-R – Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar) – Voices, Lead Guitar, Bass – Michel Amyot – Rhythm Guitar

Photo Credit – Patrick Auger

Eternal Drak have opened the gates early. Their sixth full‑length album, “The Violence of Time,” is now streaming in full through an exclusive premiere on BraveWords, giving fans a complete first immersion into the band’s most aggressive, conceptual, and philosophically charged work to date, ahead of its official July 17th release.

The full‑album stream invites listeners directly into the hostile universe Eternal Drak have constructed. A place where time is not a neutral measure but an adversary, a force that erodes meaning, distorts memory, and crushes identity. The band describes the record as a confrontation with time itself, not as humans imagine it, but as it behaves.

“Time does not accompany human beings; it subdues them. It does not flow; it imposes. It does not reveal meaning; it destroys it,” adds the band.

Across ten tracks, “The Violence of Time” dismantles the human understanding of past, present, and future. Each song is a violent thesis, a sonic and lyrical strike against the idea that time can be explained, contained, or understood. Instead of offering conclusions, the album explores fragments of realization, exposing how time pressures identity, warps memory, and rewrites causality.

Musically, the album is built for true old‑school metal devotees: those drawn to the raw spirit of thrash, the darkness of black metal, and the severity of death metal. Eternal Drak merge analog aggression with digital density, resulting in a sound that is varied in rhythm and catchy in impact, sharpened into their most cohesive identity yet.

Every track begins with a central written idea. Once the concept is defined, Eternal Drak builds the music to reflect the emotion and message of the text. Riffs, rhythms, and structures are crafted to echo the same intention, ensuring that even listeners who perceive the voice as an instrument still feel the weight of the lyrics.

Each element undergoes multiple stages of revision and refinement until the final version fully expresses the intended emotion and message.

Over the years, Eternal Drak have evolved from raw thrash‑and‑black foundations into a dynamic force shaped by death metal, groove, and even Latin folk influences. Their sound has grown alongside the metal scene itself, adapting to new tools and technologies while preserving the intensity and character that define the band.

Recommended for fans of Dimmu Borgir, Watain, Kreator, Motorhead, and Desaster, experience “The Violence of Time” in its entirety through BraveWords’ exclusive premiere HERE.

“The Violence of Time” is available for album pre-order (out July 17th, 2026) at the following links:

Band website – https://eternaldrak.com/the-violence-of-time

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

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/0zTmYsd42dDsE5yU8lDhXe

Track Listing:
1. We Force It To Speak – 5:15
2. The Unborn Paths Rot – 3:51
3. Me Hice Simultaneo – 3:30
4. The Blasphemy of Time – 3:35
5. Chaos Is the Law – 3:34
6. Where Cause Is Buried – 3:55
7. Across the Watching Veils – 3:53
8. Breathing Once Again – 3:45
9. The Cosmos Rejects You – 4:09
10. No Direction Total War – 2:57
Album Length: 38:24

Album Band Line-up:
Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar) – Voices, Lead Guitar, Bass
Michel Amyot – Rhythm Guitar

More info: https://www.eternaldrak.com | https://www.facebook.com/EternalDrak | https://www.instagram.com/eternaldrak

About:

Eternal Drak is an extreme metal band based in Quebec City, Canada, originally founded in Latin America in the late ’90s. Rooted in a fierce blend of thrash and black metal, the band has continually expanded its sound with elements of death metal, groove, and melodic experimentation. Lyrically, Eternal Drak explores human and cosmic darkness, a theme present across all seven of its official releases. The band is currently signed to the Canadian label FirstWave.

Formed in 1997 by brothers Drakar and Warhammer, later joined by guitarist Reijav, Eternal Drak quickly gained recognition, winning a City TV award for Best Metal Video in the early 2000s. After releasing early EPs and their first full-length, the band went on hiatus in 2007.

In 2020, the members reunited in Quebec to create The Past Is Gone, A New One Is Coming, honoring co‑founder and drummer Eduardo “Warhammer” Martínez. This revival led to a prolific new era, including the albums Drak Metal (2021), Shadow Storm (2022), Imprisoned Souls (2024), and multiple EPs. The lineup later expanded with guitarist Mike Amyot and drummer Patrick Auger.

Today, Eternal Drak (featuring Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar) – Voices, Lead Guitar, Bass, and Michel Amyot – Rhythm Guitar) continues to evolve while staying true to its extreme metal roots, driven by intensity, melody, and a commitment to pushing its sound across continents.

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“This is some pretty good Blackened Thrash that has sick riffs, icy tremolos and eerie harmonies with some solos added to keep it interesting, add it to your lists. Rating: 8.1/10 – Drako Metal Reviews (The Violence of Time – 2026)

“10 new songs that will simultaneously brighten and darken your world… Eternal Drak evolve while staying true to their roots.” – The Razor’s Edge

“another great sounding recording from Eternal Drak and if you are a fan of blackened thrash metal, you should check out this album. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE “We Force It To Speak” “The Blasphemy Of Time” “Where Cause Is Buried” and “The Cosmos Reject You”. 8 out of 10.” – Bringer of Death Webzine

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

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