HYPERSONIC Unleash Crushing New Lyric Video “YOU BASTARD” feat. Francesco Paoli (Fleshgod Apocalypse)
New Album “Kaosmogonia” Out Now! via Rockshots Records
Album Guests – Mark Jansen (Epica), Francesco Paoli & Francesco Ferrini (Fleshgod Apocalypse),
Emma Zoldan & Nils Courbaron (Sirenia), the male choir from Teatro Massimo Bellini (Catania-Italy)
Italian symphonic metal band HYPERSONIC push their sound to new extremes with the release of their latest single “You Bastard”, featuring the devastating vocals of Francesco Paoli, frontman of extreme symphonic death metal titans Fleshgod Apocalypse.
Taken from the band’s acclaimed third album Kaosmogonia, “You Bastard” is one of the heaviest and most emotionally charged tracks of the record. Musically, it delivers a relentless barrage of blast beats, crushing guitars, dramatic orchestration and male choir vocals recorded by the prestigious Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania (Italy). The song dives deep into themes of rage, justice, and despair, portraying a father’s fury and anguish over the violation of his child’s innocence.
The lyrics, written by Emanuele Gangemi, carry a raw emotional intensity, mirrored by the extreme and symphonic arrangements crafted by band founder and drummer Salvo Grasso. The duet between Francesco Paoli and Eleonora Russo brings an explosive contrast between fury and fragility.
Hypersonic comment:
“This song is pure chaos and fire. We imagined a desperate and furious father speaking directly to a monster, full of pain, anger, and madness. Having Francesco on vocals was the perfect way to translate that extreme emotional charge into music.”
Hypersonic‘s musical evolution has been shaped by intensive listening, arrangement studies, and a commitment to self-awareness. Their symphonic metal draws influences from various aspects of their lives, resulting in a sound that is rich, dynamic, and wholly their own.
“Kaosmogonia” is a total musical experience deeply connected to Greek philosophy. The title, a fusion of “Kaos” and “Cosmos,” represents the dual nature of humanity—chaotic and ordered. The album explores the interplay between chaos and cosmos, mirroring the Greek understanding of the world.
The album goes beyond the musical realm, delving into the complexities of human emotions, reflections on life, and the impact of historical events. It aims to express the spectrum of human experiences, from restlessness and melancholy to hope and the positive aspects of life.
The lyrics of “Kaosmogonia” were born during a period of historical darkness, reflecting the emotions and challenges faced by humanity. The lockdown served as a catalyst for introspection, inspiring the band to confront human weaknesses such as depression, fears, and unhealthy relationships, while also expressing hope for a better future.
“Kaosmogonia” is not just an album; it’s a musical odyssey that invites metal enthusiasts to explore diverse sonic landscapes, cinematic arrangements, and profound storytelling. The album features by Mark Jansen (Epica), Francesco Paoli & Francesco Ferrini (Fleshgod Apocalypse), Emma Zoldan & Nils Courbaron (Sirenia), the male choir from Teatro Massimo Bellini (Catania-Italy) and more. The artwork was created by the great graphic designer Heilemania (Epica, Kamelot, Lindemann, Turilli/Lione Rhapsody).
Fans ofEpica, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Dimmu Borgir, Nightwish, and Septicflesh will find a rich and diverse sonic experience that goes beyond the genre’s conventions.
Track Listing:
01. Ápeiron
02. Angels & Demons
03. Veil Of Insanity
04. Mother Earth
05. You Bastard (Explicit)
06. My Sacrifice
07. Alone
08. Path Of Salvation
09. Against Myself
10. Revelation
11. Burning Inside
12. Anima
13. Mother Earth (Orchestral Version)
Hypersonic is:
ELEONORA RUSSO: Vocals
EMANUELE GANGEMI: Guitar
FRANCESCO CARUSO: Bass
DARIO CARUSO: Keyboards
SALVO GRASSO: Drums / Vocals
Watch MATT MILLER Unravel Technical Death Metal Finesse w/ Playthrough “Descent into Violence”
Seventh Full-Length “Fiber Tormentum” Out Sept 12th via Exitus Stratagem Records
L-R – Justice Robinett (Bass), Jordan Kelso (Drums, Synth), Matt Miller (Guitars, Synth), Biko Wright (Vocals)
Photo Credit – Lilly May Everett
Acclaimed technical death metal virtuoso Matt Miller has his sights on releasing his seventh full-length album, “Fiber Tormentum,” via Exitus Stratagem Records on September 12, 2025. Backed by a full lineup for this offering, the first single, “Descent into Violence,” was unveiledthis past June. Today, Miller is sharing his finesse and shred with a guitar playthrough video for fans, which can be viewed below.
A masterclass in technical guitar work, “Descent into Violence” is packed with rapid alternate picking, sweeping arpeggios, and intricate tapping runs. Miller’s phrasing balances aggression with melody, creating a sense of narrative tension. Miller explains further:
“Opening with a barrage of rapid alternate picking that establishes a relentless rhythmic momentum. The urgency intensifies with tremolo-picked riffs, injecting aggression and drive that are quintessential to the technical death metal genre. As the track unfolds, I unleash fluid sweep-picked arpeggios that span multiple strings, weaving in extended chord voicings and exotic scales to create passages that are both melodically intricate and harmonically rich, evoking a neoclassical sensibility. Interspersed throughout are seamless legato lines and two-handed tapping sequences, not merely for speed, but to craft expressive, lyrical phrases that contrast sharply with the track’s more percussive elements. Dissonant intervals and chromatic runs heighten the tension, lending the piece a dark, cinematic atmosphere that mirrors its title. Underpinning it all is a foundation of rhythmic complexity, with shifting time signatures and polyrhythmic grooves that challenge the listener’s expectations.”
Watch the guitar playthrough via its premiere on MetalInsider HERE.
“Fiber Momentum” marks a significant evolution in Miller’s musical journey, transitioning from his previous instrumental works to a full-band composition. Joining him on this project are Jordan Kelso (Drums, Synth), Justice Robinett (Bass), and Biko Wright (Vocals), each bringing unique elements that enrich the album’s dynamic sound.
“Fiber Tormentum is the most ambitious project yet, aiming to create a technical death metal album that pushes boundaries with clean vocals, intricate guitars, and a theatrical, memorable sound. We emphasize our commitment to excellence, experimentation, and emotional authenticity, blending modern production with a human touch. The album represents a milestone in our evolving musical journey, with even greater ambitions for future work,” adds Miller.
Lyrically, “Fiber Tormentum” unfolds as a conceptual narrative, drawing inspiration from science fiction themes. The album envisions a scenario where extraterrestrial forces manipulate human DNA to subjugate humanity, blending speculative fiction with real-world anxieties. The album’s artwork, created by the late Joshua Nassaru Ward of Voraath, adds a poignant visual dimension to the project’s thematic depth.
Fans can anticipate a blend of technical precision and emotive storytelling, influenced by death metal pioneers like Necrophagist and Spawn of Possession and the atmospheric depth of artists such as Devin Townsend and Rivers of Nihil.
“I am super excited. I already know this is gonna destroy. Matt Miller just absolutely destroys it on all facets. He has so many guitar techniques that he has absolutely mastered and he can literally play it all.” – Omar Rodriguez – The Metal Mixtape – YouTube Channel
“Hell yeah. Holy moly canoli. Fiverr to Fiber Momentum, and that was the album. This song is Descent into Violence. Holy moly canoli, dude. Go support, Matt Miller. That was absolutely badass. Total shredding. Jordan, also a homie of mine, your drums are incredible. The new singer, Bo, I love the harsh vocals in the clean. Total is it almost the cleans almost reminded me of Queensryche meets Cannibal Corpse. It’s pretty freaking sweet. And of course, Justice always lays down the heavy bass with the beautiful bass faces. But an absolutely incredible album….Matt Miller, you could find him everywhere. He’s an incredible guitar player, one of the best guitar players of our generation. Remember, this is Fiber Tormentum courtesy of Exitus Stratagem Records. So, a huge shout-out to them as well. Matt Miller has so many more songs. If you guys like this song (Descent into Violence), believe me, this guy is an absolute shred master. Not only does he do like a ton of his own originals, he does a ton of covers, and also he’s just a shred master of all sorts. Just exactly how they say, melodic, technical, and death. But I will definitely say the big thing that stands apart about this whole song is great structure, absolutely shredding on all levels, and the vocals are just 100% one-of-a-kind. And I totally enjoyed it. Guys, I love you guys from the bottom of my heart. This has been Matt Miller with his new song, Descent into Violence. Pick up the new album on September 12, Fiber Tormentum.” – Omar Rodriguez – The Metal Mixtape – YouTube Channel
“Soaring, crushing, ferocious, emotive, and relentless, are words that strongly describe Decrepit Shed. The album has a lot to offer from various metal sub-genres and encompasses the best elements of technical guitar playing while still having well-written songs”. – Brave Words
“Monument of Velocity” initially had a different title and was not going to be a Matt Miller release and some of the songs were written with vocals in mind and were not going to be instrumental, however, it turned out to be the sixth of seven powerful albums in his discography. contains eight tracks full of technical and progressive metal eliciting feelings of suspense, and tension while being fun, melodic and brutally heavy. Miller’s melodic and relentless music has a wide range of influences and is recommended for fans of Jeff Loomis, Necrophagist, and Obscura.” – Rock’n’ Load
“Even though Miller’s music is instrumental, he likes to think of the guitar as a voice. Which in turn makes him ask what is the guitar saying? He is able to easily convey emotion, tone, and a story even without the use of vocals. Throughout his releases, his music has developed a more modern sound in both the music and the production. Musically the songs are more well written and a lot of the ideas he writes are being accurately represented. He is always trying to push himself as a musician and this is reflected in his discography. Influenced primarily by technical and progressive death metal with a dash of power metal and symphonic metal as well, Matt Miller’s music is recommended for fans of Obscura, Dragon Force, and Racer X” – Metal Sucks
“Mr. Miller can shred like his fingers are on fire” Ever-Metal.com
“Matt shreds all over this album with guitar solos galore”. – Transcending the Mundane
“Soaring, crushing, ferocious, and emotive, Miller conveys a wide range of tones throughout his instrumental music. It is recommended for fans of Dragon Force, Racer X, and Jeff Loomis” – Metal-Rules
“For guitar enthusiasts, I guess it is a feast for the eyes and ears.” – Antichrist Magazine
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
NYC’s CHAKA Unleashes Ferocious Music Video “It’s Not Human” Ahead of First Full-Length Album “Amplifying the Past”
NYC heavy trio CHAKA has dropped their thunderous new single “It’s Not Human”, a primal assault of groove and aggression that marks the first release from their upcoming debut full-length album, “Amplifying the Past”,due out later this year.
Formed as a studio project and now evolved into a live sonic force, CHAKA has deep roots in Queens’ metal and hardcore scene. Founding bassist and vocalist Mark Sokoll, a veteran of bands like Darkside NYC and Terminal Confusion, is joined by longtime friends Mike C. (ex-White Trash) on drums and Frank P. (Lost Cause) on guitar. The band also collaborates remotely with Ireland-based guitarist Ty Canon, a childhood friend whose riffs continue to shape their recordings.
Lyrically, “It’s Not Human” presents a sonic excavation. The song delves into the real-life discovery of a Neanderthal tooth, a pivotal moment in tracing the human genome.
“It’s about evolution, science, and ancient ancestry,” says Sokoll. “We’ve always drawn inspiration from human origins, military history, and authors like Arthur C. Clarke and Carl Sagan.”
Musically, the track is a relentless juggernaut—starting abruptly, rushing forward with thrash intensity, then shifting to a dreamy tone before returning to a pummeling close.
The single’s artwork visually echoes this evolutionary theme, featuring crossed primitive weapons behind a grotesque DNA helix, flanked by dueling skulls—one ancient, one modern.
Listen to “It’s Not Human” now on all major streaming platforms.
Set for release later this year, “Amplifying the Past” represents CHAKA‘s most dynamic and collaborative work to date.
“This record expands on our earlier sound but lets the songs breathe more. We want listeners to feel like they’ve been on a cathartic, headbanging ride,” adds Sokoll.
The band’s style is best described in five words: Primal. Loud. Heavy. Aggressive. Groovy. Drawing on influences like Black Sabbath, Carnivore, Motorhead, and Celtic Frost, CHAKA delivers raw, no-frills metal with a scientific twist.
On stage, CHAKA amplifies their sound even further. Fans can expect not just volume, but presence.
“We’re a loud trio—maybe even louder than four or five-piece bands. We’re all in our 50s, but we don’t hold back.”
Despite geographical distance—band members live in New York, New Jersey, and Ireland—CHAKA thrives on modern file-sharing and old-school chemistry as the trio has known each other for over 40 years. That connection fuels their sound.
More singles and videos will follow as the band finalizes the LP. CHAKA also promises future EPs and extended releases, all staying true to their mission: creating music that’s as thoughtful as it’s heavy.
“CHAKA unleashes the primal force of the past with a single “It’s Not Human.”… Hardly any other underground thrash formation from New York has fought for its place in the metal underground as uncompromisingly as CHAKA. Since the rough debut EP „Neanderthal Tales“ (2019) the quartet plows constantly through the clubs of Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island. Creative Motor is bassist and singer Mark Sokoll, flanked by guitar heavy workers Frank Principe, Drum Berserker Mike Caldarella and studio all-rounders Ty Canon from Ireland. Their trademark: guitars like volcanic rock, drums like thunderous avalanches and a bass that makes every heater vibrate.” – Blattturbo
“If “Musth” and “Mister Brink” are any indication, ‘Amplifying the Past’ will not only stand alongside the genre’s greats — it may very well cast a shadow over them. It’s a work born of memory but aimed at the future, one boot planted in the blood-soaked soil of history, the other crashing down with glorious defiance. CHAKA isn’t just amplifying the past — they’re weaponizing it! – Jam Sphere
Neanderthal Tales EP Reviews 2020:
“To my understanding, this is a side project of Darkside (NYC) bassist Mark Sokoll , and it is quite the shock to the system. While elements of Doom and Hardcore rear their heads throughout this rather short 4 song EP, the main strain showing glaring prominance is the sludgy, speaker fraying, super amped metal that raises the eyebrows & the adreneline for sure.” – Guillotine Zine
“The sludgy bass sounds of “Flak” give it a dirty raw sound that combines the sounds of Motorhead with Crowbar and Cro-Mags to create a blood-and-thunder affair, with Sokoll playing the Cave Man throughout and it is beer-drinking good fun. The uptempo drive of the track keeps the fires burning and the sonics are less primitive than meet the eye (ear)… A couple of neat tempo shifts move from a slower Doom-laden sound to a raw, Hardcore-Punk one with a fuzzy bass sound that is abrasive enough to be on a Black Metal album.” – Metal Noise
“I read the lyrics to the songs before I actually listened to the music, and was astonished at just how well-written the content was on that end… Mark Sokoll’s lyrics are witty, thoughtful, and clever… CHAKA has several strong components going for them beyond the theme. Mark Sokoll’s vocal performance is passionate and vibrant…The bass-heavy tones are refreshing for the genre. CHAKA rinsed away my skepticism and misgivings. Neanderthal Tales is more than anything else, proof that originality can still be found in the foundational Metal genres.” – Contaminated Tones
“Ladies and gentlemen the year is 2020 and with the new year comes the birth of the latest rock sub-genre…. CAVE METAL! Mark Sokoll… bassist of Darkside NYC (as well as the highly-underrated Terminal Confusion from way back in the day) is the main brain behind this four0song, ten minute debut which has its share of backstories… “Flak” leads off (check out the video) with a fuzzy bass and some straight outta da cave styled vocals. With so many styles of metal out there to be had cave metal is not that bad of a self-description to be honest with you. What I like about “Neanderthal Tales”is that these songs mix shit up… there is no singular pattern that they stick to. Just for that this EP gets some bonus points.” – In Effect Hardcore Magazine
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
WOODHAWK Announces Cross-Canada Tour For New Album “Love Finds a Way” Out Now!
+ LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR FEST w/ REVOCATION, FIRST FRAGMENT and more!
L to R: Kevin Nelson (Drums), Turner Midzain (Vocals/ Guitar), Mike Badmington (Bass/ Vocals)
Portrait by Mark Kowalchuk
After five years of anticipation, Calgary’s stoner groove rock trio Woodhawk announces they will be hitting the road this August through October for tour dates across Canada (dates listed below). The show dates are in support of their latest and third album, “Love Finds a Way,” released on June 6th of this year via Grand Hand Records. Fans can expect a high-energy set packed with new material and favorites from their discography that will be delivered with the raw power and passion.
Their most personal and powerful release to date, their new full-length album, “Love Finds a Way”, marks a turning point for Woodhawk. Demonstrating their evolution from early stoner rock roots into something more emotionally complex while maintaining the infectious grooves and memorable hooks that have defined their sound.
“Love Finds a Way” explores themes of darkness, healing, and hope, while still delivering the infectious hooks and thunderous riffs fans have come to expect. With contributions from longtime collaborator Jesse Gander on synth, the band expands their sonic palette without losing their edge. The trio of Turner Midzain (guitar/vocals), Mike Badmington (bass), and Kevin Nelson (drums) poured five years of growth, struggle, and creative evolution into this record.
“We are over the moon to get this album out. Love Finds a Way is easily the hardest we have worked on an album to date. We poured our heart and soul into this one. It really is a journey of getting out of the darkness and into the light. Check in with your friends and loved ones. Hug the ones you love. Be nicer to each other. Love will always prevail and be stronger than anything else. After 10 years of being a band, I feel like we are still just getting started!” adds the band.
After a decade together, Woodhawk is proving they’re just getting started. “Love Finds a Way” is more than an album; it’s a statement of resilience, connection, and the enduring power of rock.
Recommended for fans of The Sword, Red Fang, and Thin Lizzy, the album is a dynamic journey from start to finish, balancing soft and heavy, slow and fast, light and dark.
Album order (out June 6th): https://woodhawk.bandcamp.com
In additional news, Woodhawk will be performing on day three of this year’s LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR FESTIVAL on August 3rd in Drumheller, AB alongside Revocation, Cyborg Octopus, Beguiler, Thirteen Goats, Famous Strangers, and more! Full details on LAH can be found at www.loudashell.ca.
Show Dates:
Aug 3 – Drumheller, AB – Loud As Hell Open Air
Aug 27 – Calgary, AB – Ship & Anchor
Aug 28 – Lethbridge, AB – The Owl Acoustic Lounge
Aug 29 – Regina, SK – The Exchange
Aug 30 – Winnipeg, MB – Side Stage
Sept 2 – Windsor – Phog Lounge
Sept 3 – Hamilton, ON – Club Absinthe
Sept 4 – Ottawa, ON – House of Targ
Sept 5 – Montreal – Turbo Haus
Sept 6 – Toronto, ON – The Monarch
Sept 7 – Kingston, ON – The Mansion
Sept 9 – Oshawa, ON – The Atria
Sept 10 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON – Soo Blaster
Sept 11 – Thunder Bay, ON – Black Pirates Pub
Sept 12 – Brandon, MB – The 40
Sept 13 – Saskatoon, SK – Black Cat Tavern
Sept 25 – Kelowna, BC- Jackknife Brewery
Sept 26 – Vancouver, BC – Green Auto
Sept 27 – Victoria, BC – Lucky Bar
Oct 10 – Red Deer, AB – The Vat
Oct 11 – Edmonton, AB – The Aviary
Track Listing:
1. Grave Shaker – 4:41
2. Strangers Ever After – 4:24
3. Truth Be Told – 7:21
4. White Crosses – 6:10
5. The Unholy Hand – 5:21
6. No Place For Hate – 5:18
7. Love Finds a Way – 6:16
8. Relapser – 4:52
9. Killing Time – 8:37
Woodhawk is:
Turner Midzain – Guitar & Vocals
Mike Badmington – Bass & Vocals
Kevin Nelson – Drums
“Love Finds A Way is a moving, introspective, and incredibly honest trek. Doubts and regrets are aired like candid confessions… The music moves the sentiment of these nine songs with a crisp, stalwart beat from drummer Kevin Nelson and robust bass rhythms from Mike Badmington (who also shares vocals throughout the album).The flow is undeniable in the closing number “Killing Time,” which is to me the gem of the collection. It’s about being gaslit in a relationship, waking up, and rediscovering a sense of self and is just so thoughtfully written from the catchy beat to the vocal phrasing and the guitar solo and addition of the piano… While I’ve made much to-do about the lyrical force of the album, it takes every member of the band to really pull it off and make us believers. Woodhawk is working like a well-oiled machine one EP and three albums into their career, making this a wholly convincing spin track after track.” – Doomed and Stoned
“Woodhawk built a reputation for themselves in the stoner scene, however you wouldn’t necessarily call Love Finds A Way a generic stoner record. There are certainly some fuzzy riffs, however the sound is more of a conglomeration of classic blues rock, some old-fashioned NWOBHM energy and a liberal sprinkling of 90s hard rock (especially in the vocals). But, the main thing that dominates is the GROOVE. With some frenetic guitars, an intense rhythm section and some funky keyboard action, groove is not only in the heart, it’s in the lungs, the kidneys, and the reproductive organs. Hell, it’s running more rampant through the body than a particularly virulent dose of the clap. With all but 3 of the songs clocking in over 5 minutes, these guys have the time and space to track down a killer groove and nail the little bastard down tight. A great album that gets better with each listen. As Haddaway once asked, ‘What is Love?’ …this is! 4.5/5” – Metal Epidemic
“Love Finds A Way is so damn catchy. Some of these songs will get very stuck in your head, and these guys understand melody, combined with hard rock, as well as any of the best bands out there. There is a bluesy feel at some points and a grunge vibe during others, but regardless of what you label it, this is some killer heavy rock… Love Finds A Way is some next level heavy rock. I hesitate to call it stoner rock, just like I would not call Valley Of The Sun stoner rock, but Woodhawk have created something special with the nine songs on their third, and best record to date. Love the vocals, love the riffs, love the organ, love the emotion, and love Love Finds A Way. 9/10” – Musipedia of Metal
“One of Canada’s best Stoner Rock bands WoodHawk make a welcome return with Love Finds A Way where the band play a more amplified style of Heavy Rock music with focus primarily on melody and aggression. Taking up the LOUD RAWK mantle of bands such as THIN LIZZY, THE SWORD, BLACK SABBATH and LED ZEPP. WoodHawk bring a soulful and highly energetic style of Classic Blues Rock into the mix… WoodHawk impresses on every level with Love Finds A Way which allows this record to be their best album yet which you will be listening to for a very long time to come. Add this record to your collection and if you’re a fan of Old School Heavy Rock then this is the place to be. Outstanding. End Of.” – Outlaws of the Sun
“Stoner rockers’ Woodhawk have just dropped their new single “Strangers Ever After” and it ROCKS! Heavy, driving and just spot-on as a great selection for the first single from their forthcoming 3rd album “Love Finds A Way” which is slated for a June 6th release (we’ve also had the opportunity to preview the new album and it’s pretty amazing). In the meanwhile, you can catch “Strangers Ever After” on your Home for the Best New Rock… W-J-O-EEEE” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll
“Even though “Love Finds A Way” opens up energetically as usual with ‘Grave Shaker’ and ‘Strangers Ever After’, the tension between the tried and tested band sound and further development soon becomes audible. On the one hand, the album sounds typically like WOODHAWK, we listen to heavy rock with a clear stoner side and rich guitar riffs, but on the other hand, the record seems more mature and serious. 8/10″ – PowerMetal.de
“Calgary trio Woodhawk have got that swing on their new single “Strangers Ever After,” which is the first single to come from their aspirationally-titled new album, Love Finds a Way, due out June 6 on Grand Hand Records. There’s classic-style, organ-enhanced boogie meeting with a modern production and tonal fullness, all aligned around a central push and tense sections of chug — skillfully wrought, melodic, clear in its intention to engage but not without expressive purpose either. It keeps its balance after spinning around in a few circles, and the solo is class before the bluesy verse returns to round out. Been six years, but that happens sometimes. Cool to have a new one coming from these guys either way. ” – The Obelisk (2025)
“Psychedelic Stoner Rockers WOODHAWK return from a six year slumber with their upcoming and absolutely stunning new album Love Finds A Way. With swirling Psychedelic melodies married with Grunge, Doom and heavy groovy soundscapes, this sees the band in inspired form.” – Outlaws of The Sun (2025)
“Woodhawk from Canada immediately conjures up appealing associations, with both stoner and seventies hard rock. It is catchy, can hold the tension quite well, and is skillfully performed… The songs themselves are often really strong as a whole; beautiful lines, catchy hooks and just enough variation in the arrangements, with a very fine sense of timing. An album that certainly deserves a serious listen.” – Rockportaal (2025)
“THE ÜBER ROCK SINGLES CLUB DAILY PICK – WOODHAWK – STRANGERS EVER AFTER” – Uber Rock (2025)
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
NIGHT’S EDGE’s New Video “Love Fiction” Serenades Alt-Metal, Synthwave, and Lo-Fi Beats
New Album “The World That Never Was” Out Aug 2025
+ East Coast USA Tour Dates (MD/PA/NY)
Nearing the release of their fourth full-length “The World That Never Was” on August 21st, 2025, Baltimore, MD’s NIGHT’S EDGE is unveiling their fourth single “Love Fiction” accompanied by a nighttime visualizer. The song is a unique creation by the band as it melds subtle synth-wave with rare falsetto vocals, and lyrics about the romanticization of one’s depression as a safe, never-leaving partner.
The band explains further:
“Conceptualized as a mix between Deftones’ alt-metal, synthwave, and lo-fi beats, Love Fiction’s wave of music floods the listener with the swell of bouncing rhythms while the vocals take center stage, delivering complex emotions. The song’s lyrics are a romanticization of depression, viewing one’s mental illness as a safe and secure lover who is there with them through everything, who will never leave, and who one can always return to.”
Watch and listen to the nighttime visualizer for “Love Fiction” via its premiere on V13.net HERE.
Single Artwork – Love Fiction by Eden Wormwood
Since forming in 2018, Night’s Edge has undergone several lineup shifts and sonic evolutions, making notable strides since their 2019 debut. Rooted in the Alternative Metal realm yet defying easy classification, their sound blends gothic metal, progressive rock, and nu-metal influences into a heady mix of heaviness and pop sensibility, wrapped in layers of synths and theatrical flair. Their upcoming album, “The World That Never Was,” delves into themes of lost identity and the voids we fall into—obsession, rage, and uncertainty. In its closing arc, the album tells a parable: the protagonist wakes in a world where humanity has vanished and is forced to confront their reflection in the silence… or so it appears.
“We think our fans will love The World That Never Was and agree with us that it is, hands down, the best Night’s Edge album. There will be a lot of different opinions on which song is the best or who prefers this vs. that, but all of those conversations will center around this LP. This album encapsulates the Night’s Edge sound we have been building towards while experimenting with new and innovative ideas. There is a clear flow and progression through the record as it explores the concept of self-identity and the loss thereof. There are moments of melancholy, moments of anger, moments of wonder, and plenty of crushing riffs,” says Brian Haran – Vocals, Bass, Keys, Programming.
“The World That Never Was” follows releases Strangers – LP (2023), Night’s Edge – EP (2022), The Darkest Side of Dreams – LP (2020), and Shades of Dusk – LP (2019) andis recommended for fans of Coheed and Cambria, Avantasia, System of a Down, HIM, and Deftones.
Upcoming Show Dates:
07/11 – Union Vapes – Scranton, PA
07/12 – Psychic Garden – Rochester, NY
07/18 – The Depot – Baltimore, MD
07/19 – Century – Philadelphia, PA
08/23 – Roachfest – Hollywood, MD
Album Artwork by Eden Wormwood
Track Listing:
1. Someone To Stay (4:11)
2. If You Loved Me (3:51)
3. Man of Many Faces (4:23)
4. Love Fiction (4:14)
5. Wish You Wouldn’t (4:09)
6. Overdue For Destruction (2:50)
7. Smite (3:46)
8. Ataecina (5:08)
9. Shapes In Grey Space I: Reaching (7:43)
10. Shapes In Grey Space II: Soaring (2:41)
11. Shapes In Grey Space III: Separating (5:23)
Total Length: 48:32
Recording and Live Line Up:
Brian Haran – Vocals, Bass, Keys, Programming
Damian Remmell – Guitars
Dan Hunt – Drums
Space Metal Opera AEDAN SKY Unveils First Single/ Video “Beyond The Vortex Of Time” From Debut Album “The Universal Realm” Out Sept 2025
Rockshots Records is proud to unveil “The Universal Realm”, the debut full-length by France’s AEDAN SKY – a visionary space metal opera crafted by Sébastien Chabot, known for his work as singer/guitarist of GALDERIA and bassist in KINGCROWN.
Echoing the golden age of European power metal, “The Universal Realm” is a conceptual journey that blends speed, melody, and spiritual narrative into ten chapters of awakening. Drawing inspiration from science fiction and esoteric philosophy, the album tells the story of SKY and AEDAN as they traverse space, time, and consciousness on a mission to ignite humanity’s inner light.
Three lead vocalists interpret the story’s characters, creating a theatrical and emotionally charged vocal experience:
Sébastien Chabot as SKY
Bob Saliba (Kingcrown, ex-Galderia) as AEDAN
Thomas Schmitt (Galderia) as SKY’s Soul
Musically, the album delivers an intense and uplifting melodic power metal ride: fast riffing, massive choirs, anthemic choruses, and cinematic soundscapes.
The first single to be released from “The Universal Realm” is titled “Beyond The Vortex Of Time”, and it serves as the perfect introduction to AEDAN SKY’s interstellar universe, a sweeping space opera built on the foundations of classic power metal. With high-speed riffs, majestic choirs, and soaring vocals, “Beyond The Vortex Of Time” delivers a powerful experience for fans of early Helloween, Gamma Ray, and Avantasia.
“Beyond The Vortex Of Time” captures the moment when the main character, SKY, is pulled through a vortex of light, transcending time and space and awakening to a new cosmic consciousness. It’s a dynamic and uplifting track, driven by speed, melody, and anthemic intensity.
The full album “The Universal Realm” is a concept work mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni (Domination Studio), Artwork by Felipe Machado Franco.
“The Universal Realm” will be released on September 12th, 2025, and will be available on all digital platforms and in a CD Digipak. Pre-orders are now open at the following link
ALBUM PRE ORDER: https://rockshots.eu/products/aedan-sky-the-universal-realm-cd
FFO: early Helloween (“Walls of Jericho”, “Keeper of the Seven Keys”), late 90s Gamma Ray (“Land of the Free”, “Power Plant”), Avantasia’s “Metal Opera” era.
Track Listing:
1. Opening
2. Call of the Universe
3. A Kingdom to the Stars
4. Gate of Skies
5. Beyond the Vortex of Time
6. From the Ashes to the Light
7. Land of Paradise
8. Interlude
9. Illumination
10. The Universal Realm
Aedan Sky Line Up:
Vocal Cast / Characters
Sébastien Chabot: Lead Vocals as SKY
Bob Saliba: Lead Vocals as AEDAN
Thomas Schmitt: Lead Vocals as SKY’s Soul Musicians
Sébastien Chabot: Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Bass Guitar, Keyboards
Thomas Schmitt: Lead Guitar on track 4
Bob Saliba: Lead Guitar on track 9
Julien Digne: Piano on tracks 4 & 10
S.D.: Drums
KRATORNAS Unleashes “Evil and Plunder” w/ Next Single Off New Album “God Of The Tribes” Out Aug 2025
Mastered by Dan Swanö (Dissection, Bloodbath, Marduk, Incantation)
One-man extreme metal act Kratornas is unleashing the next single “Evil and Plunder” off the forthcoming full-length album “God of the Tribes”, mastered by Dan Swanö (Dissection, Bloodbath, Marduk, Incantation), and is set for release on August 22, 2025, through Grathila Records.
The track is a blistering 3-minute descent into ritualistic chaos and psychological warfare. Unlike the band’s earlier hyperfast brutality, this song embraces a slower, more instinctual pacing that feels like a ceremonial march through scorched earth. It trades blast beats for hypnotic grooves, creating tension through repetition and raw texture. Its lyrical themes evoke sacrificial rites, spiritual rebellion, and the collapse of false idols. Recorded without compression or metronome, the track pulses with primal energy and is meant to feel “alive” in the listener’s head.
Kratornas comments on the single:
“This is about the world falling apart, with endless creeping war and violence. “Demons” rise, plague spreads, and the idea of peace is nonexistent. The lyrics talk about secret societies and symbols of ownership hidden in plain sight, with people turned into slaves (as seen on the album cover). It depicts a world ruled by greed and cruelty, where religion and authority become tools for mass murder, and no one is spared from the upcoming slaughter.”
Watch and listen to the lyric video premiere for “Evil and Plunder” via NoCleanSinging HERE.
Kratornas’ upcoming album “God of the Tribes” marks a bold evolution in the band’s sonic identity, trading its signature hyperfast brutality for a more instinctual, ritualistic atmosphere. The album channels apocalyptic themes and tribal mysticism through raw, uncompressed production and unconventional instrumentation—including chimes, jaw harps, and fretless bass. Mastered by Dan Swanö, the record pulses with organic tension across four sprawling tracks, including the hypnotic “Evil and Plunder” and the previously previewed “Ravaged by Hurakaan.”“God of the Tribes” is less a collection of songs and more a confrontation—an instinct-driven descent into chaos that refuses to conform.
“I don’t know… If they’re expecting another “superfast brutality” or “sudden excitement,” this album will alienate most of them. Look, Kratornas is done. I’m retired, and I’ve been doing “fast” for the first 15 years, so it’s time to “evolve” and do whatever I want with it now. On this album, I used instruments that were new to me, like a 7-string guitar for L/R channels, a 6-string fretless bass, and more. It will disappoint them because this one is NOT “fast,” no blast beats, no power chords, no distorted fizzy guitars—none of that stuff will be heard here. It’s about “BUILD UP” this time. If listened to loud, it’s ENERGY, motivation, and aggressive behavior. If you sit down and listen with good headphones, it will bring out a different “experience” because the mix is “moving and breathing,” if that makes sense. Kratornas is created by an active person for another active person. It’s not meant to be “experienced” by some lethargic, depressed “dude” with “mental health” issues looking to experience some… “atmosphere.” Kratornas drives “function”: working out, contributing to the community, training, etc. I don’t get this “suicidal metal” experience. Never that I encouraged the “fans” to slump inside, watch TV all day, and eat Cheerios. NO! We sleep when we’re dead! If you’re a hyper person, then Kratornas is your jam!”
“With the upcoming release of God of the Tribes, extreme metal entity Kratornas returns from the abyss with a devastating new record that leans into ritualism, atmosphere, and unapologetic chaos. For over two decades, Kratornas has operated as a one-man war machine, who has consistently rejected conformity, trends, and convention.” – Crannk
“I think it’s a good thing that it is a bit darker for music this intense and with so much “action” in the upper midrange – Dan Swano (on mastering God of the Tribes)
“Kratornas has returned and have taken large steps in progression with their musical maelstrom of violence.” – Canadian Assault (2017 – Human Livestock 7″ EP)
“What’s even better is that the music doesn’t just move in the sense that a rocket moves. The songs are more than sheer exultations in the thrill of speed and violence. They also change course. They veer into hammering grooves; they bolt into bursts of blood-pumping thrash riffing; they pulse like some kind of laser weapon being triggered. Yes, the songs are often deranged — when Kratornas is in full grind mode, you can imagine oceans of blood spray ejected from a fire hose and bodies being atomized in a frenzied butchery — but there’s impressive intricacy and dynamism in the songs, as well as jaw-dropping technical skill and manifest blood lust.” – No Clean Singing (2016 – Devoured by Damnation LP)
“If you like chaotic, blasting Black Metal, then this is a good bet.” (2016 – Devoured by Damnation LP)
“This album is intense. From start to finish Kratornas is absolutely relentless and have put together one hell of an album with a whole lot of everything in the mix without sounding repetitive.” – Metal At The Gates (2016 – Devoured by Damnation LP)
“While its – drum and guitar/voice – format might suggest similarities with the Inquisition, in sound terms are two quite distinct entities. Here there is a greater degree of chaos and a greater departure from the traditional scene (second wave of black metal) than the one we can find ourselves in Inquisition. Basically it is what would happen if we join powerviolence with black metal. It is something that impresses, without a doubt, but that may have a tendency to tire. Fortunately this does not happen much here because all the themes end up having healthy dynamics, mainly a healthy rib of primitive death metal ( plus an element to join the party) and mainly a solo guitar taken from the breca that looks like a bouncing diabolite. Awesome and surprising album.” – World of Metal Mag (2016 – Devoured by Damnation LP)
—–
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
w/ BORN OF OSIRIS, HAVOK, GLYPH, RIOT CITY, THE BROWNING, VIRVUM and more!
Armstrong, BC, Canada – 15 Years of Mountain Moshing In The Okanagan!
“It’s one of the premier festivals of its kind in Canada, showcasing the biggest names in local, national, and international heavy metal music.” – Vancouver Sun
Celebrating 15 Years of mountain moshing in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, Armstrong MetalFest’s conquering 2025 lineup with BORN OF OSIRIS, HAVOK, GLYPH, RIOT CITY, THE BROWNING, VIRVUM, and lots more from across Canada and beyond will descend on Armstrong, BC on July 11th and 12th at the Hassen Arena, for two days of moshing, headbanging, and camping.
All tickets provide general admission and grant access to the festival grounds, camping area, and arena from 9:00 AM on Friday, July 11, 2025, until 10:00 AM on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Free camping is included.
Armstrong MetalFest 2025 Schedule
Headlining opening night, Friday, July 11th, Denver thrashers HAVOK are no strangers to the mosh pits, these veterans have unleashed five studio albums – Burn (2009), Time Is Up (2011), Unnatural Selection (2013), Conformicide (2017), V (2020) – and recently surprised fans this past November with the EP “New Eyes”. Music Video – Death Is An Illusion – https://youtu.be/hkUgz-DeFAo
Also supporting the Friday night stage, the Pacific Northwest’s Glyph (ft. members fromGatekeeper, Greyhawk, Hjelvik), which is not just a heavy metal band, they are a crew of intergalactic mercenaries escaping a dying planet in their spaceship, the VSS Dragonlord. Clearly, Glyph isn’t just writing songs, they’re building worlds and they bring it forth in their latest album “Honor, Power, Glory” released in March 2024. Lyric Video – March of the Northern Clan (feat. Nathan Harrison) – https://youtu.be/htSyUb25wD4
Another highlight for Friday is the screaming heavy metal from Calgary’s speed demons Riot City, who bring forth theirsteel, spikes, and leather! A youthful band that represents the new face of Canadian metal. An amalgam of ripping and hot heavy metal, created in pure and youthful madness, their bullet belts feature two full-length albums, “Electric Elite” (2022), “Burn The Night” (2019), and their latest live album, “Live in Newcastle” (2023). Album Stream – Electric Elite – https://youtu.be/j3hA1nrG7M0
Saturday, July 12th will be headlined by international tour de force, progressive deathcore titans, Chicago’s BORN OF OSIRIS. The group is signed to Sumerian Records and has released seven full-length albums and two EPs. Their album, A Higher Place, reached number 73 on the Billboard 200. Their second full-length album, The Discovery, debuted at 87 on the Billboard 200. The band unveiled their latest single “In Desolation” this past August. Visualizer – In Desolation – https://youtu.be/9OyMRRAq9fI
Also featured on Saturday is AMF alumni Kansas City’s THE BROWNING who will be unleashing their unique eclectic blend of electronicore and deathcore. This past November, they released their sixth album, “OMNI,” which features 10 powerful tracks, including collaborations with Nik Nocturnal and the eponymous song with THE DEFECT. Music Video – OMNI (feat. THE DEFECT) – https://youtu.be/VhyuduP3MdY
Performing for the first time at AMF and adding to the nostalgia of Saturday night, VIRVUM, progressive/technical death metal all the way from Zürich, Switzerland, that many in Canada have been waiting a long time to witness. There’s no better place to see them along with the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies than at AMF 2025. The Cypher Supreme – https://youtu.be/9W9Kp38I9yY
Other treasured highlights of this year’s fest not to miss are Montreal, QC up-and-coming thrashers DROWNING IN BLOOD, who are notorious pit mongers and have made quite a name for themselves in Eastern Canada. Vancouver’s GRAVEMASS might be a new band, but they feature some seriously experienced metalheads from Zimmers Hole, The Golers, Punch Drunk, 3 Inches of Blood, and Revocation. Switzerland’s technical death/black metal Stortregn delivers a mix of charging riffs, blast beats, and brutality that leaves the listener begging for more. The Defect is an electronic rock/metal project created by husband and wife duo – Jonny McBee (The Browning) and Moon McBee. Their debut album “Death X Destiny” was released on February 7, 2025, under the record label FiXT. From the Salish lands of Spokane, WA, Hísemtuks Hími•n introduces their Indigenous melodic black metal of hard-hitting riffs, fast-paced drumming, and a lot of melody. This project has strong roots in the Spokane Tribe/Nez Perce. Most songs are about Native American mythology, history, and folklore.
AMF 2025 Lineup:
Havok (Denver, CO)
Born of Osiris (Chicago, IL)
Glyph (Seattle, WA)
Riot City (Calgary, AB)
The Browning (Kansas City, KS)
Virvum (Zürich, Switzerland)
Atavistia (Vancouver, BC)
Drowning In Blood (Montreal, QC)
Convictions (Fremont, OH)
Scalding (Vancouver, BC)
Syryn (Calgary, AB)
Stortregn (Geneva, Switzerland)
The Defect (Kansas City, KS)
Gravemass (Vancouver, BC)
Lover (Calgary, AB)
Yegg (Vancouver Island, BC)
Hísemtuks Hími•n (Spokane, WA)
The Spruce Moose (Edmonton, AB)
Volt (Fort McMurray, AB)
Jisei (Vancouver, BC)
Nomad (Okanagan Valley, BC)
Planetkiller (Kelowna, BC)
Shackled To The Throne (Edmonton, AB)
The Cadavor Dog (High River, AB)
Famous Strangers (Edmonton, AB)
Valley of Despair (Edmonton, AB)
Naitaka (Kelowna, BC)
FloodGate (Kelowna, BC)
In addition to the performing bands, Armstrong Metal Fest is bringing back the following on-site activities: Yeti Games, Metal Madness Market, and Thrash Wrestling.
Please Note: Camping – RV / Non-Hookup RV / Vehicle Passes: Make sure to reserve your vehicle spot to get the best location on the grounds. A fee is required for a weekend pass per vehicle in addition to your day or weekend pass. RV hookups include water and power. If you choose to park your vehicle outside the camping area in the main parking lot, then a vehicle pass is not required.
About: Since 2009 (minus pause years 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic), West Metal Entertainment and Armstrong Metalfest have not only fostered the talent of hundreds of local bands, but have imported well-known, international acts to the quiet, little Canadian town of Armstrong, British Columbia.
Each year hundreds of metal music fans from Canada and the USA descend into the picturesque Okanagan Valley and under the blistering sun, they spend three days camping, taking in a tonne of heavy metal fun over two days, spectating wrestling events, participating in scavenger hunts, and catching up with their extended metal family.
The festival has seen such renowned headliners as Kataklysm, Cattle Decapitation, Archspire, Nekrogoblikon, Origin, Rivers of Nihil, Warbinger, Fallujah, Striker, and Beyond Creation as well as emerging artists from across North America. At the end of the revelry, the festival disappears without a trace, leaving the landscape as pristine as it has always been.
West Metal Entertainment is a non-profit society that not only puts on the Armstrong Metal Festival every year in Armstrong, B.C. but also gives bands opportunities to play at different venues throughout the region including all-ages shows, to encourage musical passion in kids as well as adults.
Partners:
WCMFA
AlumaPro Welding & Fabrication Ltd
Vox and Hops
Rancho Vignola
Creative BC
Province of BC
Shepherds Hardware
Askews Foods
ACE Containers
Asher Media Relations
Staggs Head
Sunbelt Rentals
Bravewords
V13
Metal-Rules
Absolute Underground Mag
Broken Neck Radio
Ghost Cult Magazine
This Day In Metal
Valstar Electric
Voets
What the press is saying:
“Armstrong Metalfest brings aggressive music to the North Okanagan” – Global BC News
Kelowna Now: Armstrong Metal Festival Co-founder reflects on a decade of metal – Video Interview here.
CHBC – Global Okanagan: Metalheads celebrate a decade of gathering in Armstrong – Video Interview here.
Global Okanagan – Armstrong Metalfest brings aggressive music to the North Okanagan – Video here.
“In the past, metalheads had to travel to Germany to experience the rush of a big festival, such as Wacken Open Air. But local headbangers decided to bring that feeling home with Armstrong Metalfest.” – Vernon Morning Star
“Go Big or Stay at Home: Armstrong has that welcoming feeling for a rock show.” – The Valley Voice
“To witness such a gathering of talent is an absolute privilege, and for that fact alone, I will certainly be returning to Armstrong Metal Fest.” – Beatroute BC
“This festival is now going to be my yearly must-go-to event and if you’re a metal head that hasn’t attended or a curious metal voyeur, do yourself a favour and check it out, you will not regret it.” – Abort Mag
“The Armstrong Metalfest is one such event and has grown from its initial, humble beginnings seven years ago to be a regular mainstay, with its south-central BC location making for a popular summertime destination for fans and bands alike.” – Decibel Mag
Named one of the out-of-town music festivals worth the trip by The Vancouver Sun
“For metalheads, this is a great vacation where groups of all sizes can enjoy their favourite musical genre in a fun, energized environment. Not to mention, the camping!” – The Permanent Rain Press
“From farm to stadium: Armstrong Metal Fest’s humble beginnings” – Info News
– 30 –
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
Canada’s DOLL Sinks Teeth into “Shark Bait” as New EP “Better Days, Different Times” Drops July 18th
Canadian alt-rock powerhouse DOLL is making waves this summer with the release of their biting new single “Shark Bait”, arriving just as the world celebrates the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s iconic thriller Jaws.
The timing is no coincidence, though it might feel like fate. “Shark Bait” is a snarling, doom-tinged anthem that channels the same primal fear and survival instinct that made Jaws a cultural phenomenon. With razor-sharp riffs and frontwoman Christina Kasper’s haunting vocals, the track explores emotional predators and the fight to stay afloat in a world full of teeth.
“Shark Bait was a fun song that we came up with after playing around with some hardcore style riffing and our passion for the Jaws movies. We have always had a strong attraction to shark movies, and when Pete came up with the riff for the chorus, it just felt so right with the “Shark Bait” vocals, everything was clicking, and we just went for it,” says Christina Kasper.
“Shark Bait” is the second track from their highly anticipated EP, “Better Days, Different Times”, set for release on July 18, 2025.
The new EP marks a bold evolution for DOLL, who first made waves with their 2009 debut “Inside the Dollhouse” and 2011’s “The Ragdoll Diaries”. “Better Days, Different Times” represents a significant evolution in both sound and approach, incorporating new collaborators and instruments while maintaining the raw, honest edge that has defined Doll since their inception. Core songwriting duo Christina and Pete have expanded their creative process, bringing in local Ottawa musicians and even a cellist to add depth and new textures to their established sound.
Doll is recommended for fans of Nobro, SoftCult, Amyl and the Sniffers, and The Pretty Reckless.
Track Listing:
1. Bleeding – 4:32
2. Shark Bait – 3:07
3. Smoke on the Water – 4:26
4. Scene Dream – 4:28
5. Ends Like This – 3:24
6. Goodbye – 3:27
Album Length: 23:29
Album Credits:
All songs performed by: Doll
All songs written by: Doll
Produced by: Josh Hart, Jason Jaknunas
Mixed by: Josh Hart
Mastered by: Josh Hart
Album Artwork by: Mark Kidd
Album Lineup
Guitar: Pete Kasper
Guitar, Vocals, Bass: Christina
Drums: Chris Zimmerman – Smoke on the Water,
Josh Hart – All the Rest
Cello: Raphael Weinroth-Browne
Keys: Phil Campbell
Extra Guitars : Athanasios Maravelis
“The Rag Doll Diaries” is the story of a road weary/world weary band with so much to say and share. Its the combination on heartache and despair offered with a hand meant for holding. In other words here is real music for the real world.” – Heavy Metal Time Machine (2013 – The Ragdoll Diaries)
“Doll was conceived as a bridge between punk and rock, a bridge that was fulfilled in the early ’90s by bands like Nirvana and the mid-’90s by Foo Fighters… A good punk band doesn’t write about the joys of picking daisies and Doll is no exception.” – The Whig Standard (Kingston, ON) (2013)
“Doll provides a missing link between punk and rock.” – The Intelligencer (Belleville, ON) (2013)
“The four-piece are definitely reminiscent of the grunge era and have provided a concise four-word biography of the band: “Rock N’ Fucking Roll.” – Exclaim! (2011 – The Ragdoll Diaries)
“One of the most striking aspects of Inside The Dollhouse, after Christina’s whiskey-and-hell voice, is a fictional character by the name of Sally created to carry the songs. A concept completely unexpected given the band’s twentysomething youth, immediately reminiscent of Alice Cooper’s infamous character Steven, introduced on Welcome To My Nightmare in 1975.” – Bravewords (2010 – Inside the Dollhouse)
“The debut from Ottawa’s Doll caught me instantly like a fish on a hook. This is serious music. Dark, intense and magnetic, this is the kind of gritty ’90s grunge that doesn’t fuck around. Fronted by the vocally vicious Christina Kasper, Doll recall an angry and confused era of music devoid of pop but not catchiness. Kasper howls in the vein of Courtney Love and Brodi Dalle, and while the lyrics are simple and not exactly fresh, they are impacting. Songs like “Perfect” deal with trying to live up to society’s standards, while “Sally Lost Her Shoelaces” and “Daddy’s Little Girl” deal with hurt, confusion and heroin against a backdrop of chunky guitars, assaulting drums and badass attitude. Julie-Anne Madore’s backing vocals add a whispered, haunting feel to this record. If the dirty rock’n’roll alone doesn’t reel you in, nothing will.” – Exclaim (2009 – Inside the Dollhouse)
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
ashermediarelations.com 