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Posts By Asher

0 Canadian Prog THE WRING’s New Video “Before I Disappear” Explores Mortality and Legacy Off New Album “Nemesis” Out Now!

  • January 23, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · The Wring

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – January 23, 2024

Canadian Prog THE WRING’s New Video “Before I Disappear” Explores Mortality and Legacy

New Album “Nemesis” Out Now! via WormHoleDeath Records

The Wring – Album Lineup – L-R – Kyle Brian Abbott – Drums, Don Dewulf – Guitars, Reggie Hache – Bass, Vocals & Keyboards

Releasing their fourth studio album “Nemesis” this past September via Wormholdeath Records, Canadian prog rockers The Wring marked a significant step in their musical journey, showcasing a more cohesive and refined sound that blends their heavy rock roots with progressive and jazz influences. With eight tracks Spanning eight tracks of just over 40 minutes, “Nemesis” adds a new, technical twist to progressive metal.

Today, The Wring is sharing their latest music video “Before I Disappear”.

Guitarist and band founder Don Dewulf adds about the track:

“At a certain point in everyone’s life, each of us will start to think about mortality and legacy. I certainly don’t dwell on these things, but I have a son who is now a young adult, and we are very close, so I often think about the overlap of the contexts of our lives. A proper moral compass is the best I can do, and the song is about that. The music has a major feel and is the most ‘pop’ of any Wring song, which I balance out with a very evil-sounding pre-chorus. The solo starts somewhat Skynyrd-esque but, of course, ends on the dark side of the street.”

Watch and listen to the video for “Before I Disappear” via its premiere on MetalInsider HERE.

Exploring themes of external and internal conflict, each song on “Nemesis” represents a different facet of our struggles. From the driving intensity of tracks like “Badlands” and “The Sword” to the melodic intricacy of “The Nail” and “Before I Disappear”, the album is a dynamic journey through the band’s musical and lyrical vision. Bassist Reggie Hache’s expanded role on vocals and keyboards brings a new depth to The Wring’s sound, while Dewulf’s guitar work continues to anchor the band’s heavy yet nuanced approach.

Throughout “Nemesis,” the playing is tight, precise, and yet still free-flowing. Each instrument complements the others and often provides a steady hand while the other players move in different directions. It’s a metal album, a prog album, a rock album, or even a pseudo-jazz affair.

Recommended for fans of Dream Theater, Opeth, and Porcupine Tree, “Nemesis” is available at the following links:

Spotify – https://spoti.fi/3U6DZl0​

Bandcamp – https://thewring2.bandcamp.com/album/nemesis​

Digital Album – https://orcd.co/nemesispre-save​

“The Sword” – Music Video – https://youtu.be/LLkIs2V6BWQ​

“The Nail” – Music Video – https://youtu.be/oXZmIOmkU_0​

Track Listing:​
1. Badlands – 5:13
2. The Nail – 5:29
3. Blur – 4:17
4. The Sword – 5:37
5. Before I Disappear – 4:39
6. Welshrats – 5:18
7. Dark Passenger – 5:20
8. Nemesis – 4:47
Total 40:40

More info: www.thewring.ca | https://www.facebook.com/thewringband | https://www.instagram.com/wringband​
​

-30-

“Prog’s Tracks Of The Week (Aug 16)” – The Sword – The Wring – Prog Magazine​

“There is a distinct, and quite energetic, 90s prog feel to Nemesis, reminiscent of bands such as Watchtower and Galactic Cowboys. The songs are loaded with intricate drumming, rock-solid bass playing, and great riffs and solos. Hache’s vocals may not work for everyone but they do for me, making this a super addition to any prog fan’s catalog. 4/5” – Heavy Music HQ

“A lesson in classic and modern prog metal! Had Doug Pinnick and Jim Matheos come together for a joint project in the late 80’s, throwing together the progressive list of one with the groovy cornerstones of the other background band, wouldn’t it be so unlikely that the fantastic output wouldn’t stray too far from the Canadians at THE WRING in terms of sound. The band has already released three notable records in the past and has also attracted international attention with “Spectra” (2022)… THE WRING has already created some exciting moments on “Spectra”; However, “Nemesis” is finally the Champions League format that a trio with such advantages would actually have belonged in from the start. 9/10″ – PowerMetal.de

“Heads up prog-metal fans! Canada’s The Wring have a hot new number with “The Sword” and it’s not messin’ around. An early peak from their forthcoming album “Nemesis” due to drop on Sept. 27th, “The Sword” is complex with high power riffs, solos, a double kick throughout and soaring vocals that makesfor a beast of a track. Catch “The Sword” from The Wring on your Home for the Best New Rock…W-J-O-EEEE” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll

“This album marks a significant step in the band’s journey, showcasing a more cohesive and refined sound that blends their heavy rock roots with progressive and jazz influences. With eight tracks spanning just over 40 minutes, “Nemesis” adds a new, technical twist to progressive metal. – The Prog Space​
​
​“recommended to every fan of technically perfect, slightly metallic prog rock, great bass lines” – Betreutes Proggen​
​
​“The hard prog songs are powerful and impress in their arrangements. 8/10” – Soundmagnet ​
​
​“9 years and 4 albums into this band’s career have helped create some astonishing prog metal. It can get as catchy as hard rock radio, it can get as adventurous as jazz metal, and everything in between. I hear as much from bands like Watchtower as I hear as proggier sides of Between The Buried and Me and Cynic. There’s a dark sense of curiosity going on throughout the album that keeps it intriguing. If this sounds like it could be for you (keeping in mind it is all clean vocals), this is more than worth your time. It’s mesmerizing music written without being too wanky and written for the sake of fretboard Olympics, this is authentic. Seriously, give it a spin if you need some throwback but modern prog metal in your life.” – Heavy Debriefings​
​
​“The Wring strikes me as a band that explore a variety of progressive rock with a similar attitude as Rush in many ways, but making use of more contemporary impulses as they traverse the landscapes they explore. And I’d hazard a bet that many of the people that find that description interesting will find this album to be an enjoyable one.” – Progressor

—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
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0 Heavy Metal Pages (Poland) Turbo, Supermodel Taxidermy, Infrared, Kingcrown Rockshots Records, Prisoner

  • January 23, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Infrared · KINGCROWN (Rockshots Records) · Prisoner · Supermodel Taxidermy · Turbo

0 Merci UNDERGROUND INVESTIGATION Fanzine #100 (France) Rockshots Records – WHISKY OF BLOOD, Kingcrown, Auro Control, ChrysalïD, A Circus

  • January 23, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · A CIRCUS (Rockshots Records) · Auro Control (Rockshots Records) · Chrysalïd (Rockshots Records) · KINGCROWN (Rockshots Records) · Whisky of Blood

Merci UNDERGROUND INVESTIGATION Fanzine #100 (France)
Rockshots Records – WHISKY OF BLOOD, Kingcrown, Auro Control, ChrysalïD, A Circus

Le fanzine Underground Investigation #100 est disponible au prix de 6,50 € (+ frais de port) chez :

https://www.undergroundinvestigation.kingeshop.com/Underground-Investigation-Fanzine-n100-cbaaaabNa.asp

Vous pouvez également nous rejoindre avec un abonnement à 25 € (comprenant 3 fanzines + avantages) à l’adresse suivante :

https://www.undergroundinvestigation.kingeshop.com/Adhesion-annuelle-cbaaaaaua.asp

Ou consultez-le au : https://www.calameo.com/read/00546528350da582a50bf

0 Prog Collective LUNAR Confronts Personal Struggles in “Fall Back Into Old Habits” Lyric Video From New Album “Tempora Mutantur” Out Jan 31st

  • January 23, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Lunar · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – January 23, 2024

Prog Collective LUNAR Confronts Personal Struggles in “Fall Back Into Old Habits” Lyric Video

ft. members Helion Prime, Beholder, Vis Mystica, Mokili Wa, Nordic Frost, Outloud, Double Vision

Fourth Studio Album “Tempora Mutantur” Out Jan 2025 via Saibot Reigns Records

Making Live Debut at Hyperspace Metal Festival 2025 (Vancouver, BC) – April 11th

Top 1st Row – Ryan Price – Bass, Alex Bosson – Drums
Middle 2nd Row – Connor McCray – Lead Guitar, Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals
Bottom 3rd Row – Carlos Alvarez – Rhythm Guitar, Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals, Anthony Stahl – Keyboards

Sacramento, USA’s progressive metal visionaries LUNAR shares their new lyric video for “Fall Back Into Old Habits”, delivering a powerful exploration of personal patterns and emotional cycles. As the third preview of their upcoming concept album “Tempora Mutantur”, the track promises to be a visceral examination of human vulnerability, showcasing the band’s unique ability to transform personal struggles into universal musical experiences. Drummer Alex Bosson comments on the single:

“This is, I think, the longest, and maybe the “heaviest” song for Lunar thus far. Mostly features the growl vocals from Brian Lewis (although there is some of Chandler’s beautiful voice on here too). Lots of double basses, and multiple shreddy guitar solos (including one from Wildrun’s Wayne Ingram).”

Lyrically, “Fall Back Into Old Habits” deals with addiction, or anything we do that can give us temporary relief to help us get through rough moments, but ultimately have terrible long-term effects on ourselves. The 11-minute epic represents Lunar‘s commitment to creating music that is therapeutically honest and musically innovative.

“Fall Back Into Old Habits” continues Lunar’s tradition of creating progressive metal that challenges listeners to confront their inner landscapes. It is recommended for fans of Haken, Tool, and Porcupine Tree.

Watch and listen to the video for “Fall Back Into Old Habits” via its premiere on MetalAddicts HERE. ​

Founded by drummer Alex Bosson (Helion Prime, Planeswalker) and Ryan Erwin who passed away in 2018, LUNAR continues in his memory. This fourth full-length “Tempora Mutantur” follows 2023’s “The Illusionist” and features a fresh lineup with the addition of guitarists Carlos Alvarez and Connor McCray (Vis Mystica) along with keyboardist Anthony Stahl plus album guests Wayne Ingram (Wildrun), Joe Gullace (Thank You Scientist) and Sam Vallen (Caligula’s Horse).

A collaboration of musical minds, and with anything LUNAR does; “Tempora Mutantur” is an emotional thematic listening experience with ups and downs musically and lyrically dealing with the passing of time and the effects it has on us physically and mentally.

LUNAR’s “Tempora Mutantur” is due out on January 31, 2025, from Saibot Reigns Records.

Album pre-order – http://lunarbandofficial.bandcamp.com/​

Previous Singles

“Watch The Weather Change” – https://youtu.be/WKdnZD_DJsE​

“Weakening Winter Touch” – https://youtu.be/0in2WNVshGM​

“Spring In My Step – https://youtu.be/mtOhnwOpK_0​

A studio project since first conceived in 2014, LUNAR will make its live debut next year at the 2025 Hyperspace Metal Festival in Vancouver, BC, Canada on April 11th. Info here.

(Album Artwork by Ed Bosson)

Track Listing:​
1. A Summer To Forget – 6:37
2. Fall Back Into Old Habits – 11:16 ft. guest guitar solo by Wayne Ingram (Wilderun)
3. Seasonal Interlude – 4:47
4. Weakening Winter Touch – 8:46
5. Spring In My Step – 7:26
6. Tempora Mutantur: Part I – Passage of Time – 3:12 ft. guest guitar solo by Sam Vallen (Caligula’s Horse)
7. Tempora Mutantur: Part II – Broken Pendulum – 3:47
8. Tempora Mutantur: Part III – Watch The Weather Change – 4:51
Album Length: 50:45

Album Credits:​
Performance and Writing credits – full info HERE.
Produced by: Alex Bosson
Mixed by: Carlos Alvarez
Mastered by: Tony Lindgren

Album Main Lineup:​
Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals
Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals
Carlos Alvarez – Rhythm Guitar
Connor McCray – Lead Guitar
Ryan Price – Bass
Alex Bosson – Drums
Anthony Stahl – Keyboards

Live Lineup:​
Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals
Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals
Jordan Price – Guitars
Ryan Price – Bass
Alex Bosson – Drums

For more info: Facebook.com/lunarbandofficial | Instagram.com/lunarbandofficial | X.com/LunarBandOffcl | Spotify​

– 30 –

“It’s really well done technically by a band that clearly cares about their music and can play.” – Rock The Joint Mag (The Illusionist 2023)

“If I had one word to describe this album, it would be this one: whirlwind… “The Illusionist” is an album that is living. From its jazzy highs to its heavy metal lows, this album is constantly on its toes, never repeating itself and never, ever growing complacent. A wonderful whirlwind indeed. 9/10” – Ever Metal

“I feel like Lunar has captured the balance between accessibility and technicality very well. I hear many of the same elements in their sound that, when employed well, make bands like Dream Theater, King Crimson, Voïvod and even Sigh so engaging. I love when an album comes out of nowhere (for me, anyway) and makes this much of an impression.” – The Metal Crypt

“As I said at the start, when I heard this album I was immediately grabbed by it. The story works nicely, it is very character based and features plenty of emotions which as a listener I certainly could relate to. The music is terrific with all the players putting in excellent performances and the instrumentation used in a clever way to match all that is going on with the lead character. There are moments of heavy prog as well as metal, but melody runs through the heart of it. The fact that some of the people in the band have never met or even been in the same room together is remarkable as it sounds like everyone was on the same hymn sheet and it doesn’t sound pieced together. That is a great credit to the writing, arranging as well as all the musicians doing their parts to the benefit of the whole piece. An absolutely delightful as well as enjoyable album.” – CGCM Rock Radio

“The concept is that there are songs that are angry, songs that are confused, songs that are depressing, and everywhere in between. Styles on the album run the gambit from Progressive Metal with melodic vocals, to moments of Jazz, to cookie monster Thrash…. The musicianship is solid on all of the parts, with some excellent performances, notably vocalist Chandler Mogel… it does warrant checking out for Prog-Metal fans that like a mix of growler and melodic vocals.” – Metal Express Radio

“The Illusionist again is at the highest level of the progsphere, Bosson’s continuation of the Lunar name, honouring his co-founder and friend, through the medium of progressive metal, is an advantageous endeavour. 9/10” – Musipedia of Metal
​
​
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay love! \m/\m/ CJLO – 1690AM – Montreal – Loud #2 CHÜZO | 92.5 FM CFBX “the X” – Kamloops – Loud #10 Pythonic | CJSR FM 88.5 – Edmonton – Loud #6 BornBroken | Local 107.3fm – Saint John – Top 30 #24 Striker | CIVL Radio 101.7 FM – Abbotsford – Top 30 #11 Triskelyon, #12 MUTANK – Boonsdale Records

  • January 22, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · BornBroken · CHUZO · MUTANK · Pythonic · radio charts · Striker · Triskelyon

Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay love! \m/\m/
CJLO – 1690AM – Montreal – Loud
#2 CHÜZO
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjlo.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-01-21
======
92.5 FM CFBX “the X” – Kamloops – Loud
#10 Pythonic
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfbx.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-01-21
=======
CJSR FM 88.5 – Edmonton – Loud
#6 BornBroken
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjsr.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2025-01-21
======
Local 107.3fm – Saint John – Top 30
#24 Striker
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfmh.cfm?dWeekOfID=2025-01-21
======
CIVL Radio 101.7 FM – Abbotsford – Top 30
#11 Triskelyon, #12 MUTANK – Boonsdale Records
https://earshot-online.com/charts/civl.cfm?dWeekOfID=2025-01-21

0 Exitus Stratagem Records – THIRTEEN GOATS Open Up The Pit For Glacial Mutilation Metal Festival + “Tour of The Black Flame” w/ OPAL IN SKY, NAMELESS KING + New Album “Capricorn Rising” Out Now!

  • January 22, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Thirteen Goats

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – January 22, 2024

THIRTEEN GOATS Open Up The Pit For Glacial Mutilation Metal Festival

+ Vancouver Island Tour Dates – “Tour of The Black Flame” w/ OPAL IN SKY, NAMELESS KING

New Album “Capricorn Rising” Out Now! via Exitus Strategem Records

“It’s really strong. GREAT musicians, great production, as well as a very progressive aspect without losing the darkness.” – Kelly Schaefer, Atheist

L-R: Thirteen Goats Current Lineup | Rob Fitz-Gerald (Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Backing Vocals) | Graham K. Miles (Lead Vocals, Lead & Rhythm Guitars) | Cody Lewichew (Bass, Gang Vocals) | Leonid Verman (Drums, Gang Vocals) – Photo Credit: Kevyn Lilith Hoskin

Vancouver, Canada’s Thirteen Goats announce they will be performing on this year’s lineup for the Glacial Mutilation Metal Festival being held over three nights in Vancouver, BC from February 20th to 22nd at The Wise Hall. Thirteen Goats will be the festival’s opening band alongside The Hallowed Catharsis (Vancouver, BC), Dawn of Ouroboros (Oakland, CA), Black Pestilence (Calgary, AB), and Rat King (Seattle, WA).

The festival lineup also features Exist (Baltimore, MD), Bonded By Blood (Pomona, CA), Xoth (Seattle, WA), Terrifier (Vancouver, BC), Celestial Wizard (Denver, CO), Nomad (Okanagan, BC), Art of Attrition (Red Deer, AB) and more!

Full details and lineup are available at the following links:

Facebook Event – https://www.facebook.com/events/3676238119297179​

Tickets – https://orangetickets.ca/detalles_evento.php?id_evento=1872​

In additional news, Thirteen Goats will be storming Vancouver Island, BC in March 2025 for the “Tour of The Black Flame” supporting OPAL IN SKY alongside NAMELESS KING (dates listed below). Thirteen Goats is touring in support of their second album—the extreme metal rock opera “Capricorn Rising” unleashed on Exitus Stratagem Records this past July.

Tour of The Black Flame w/ Opal In Sky, Nameless King, Thirteen Goats​
Tickets available at – https://orangetickets.ca/
March 20 – Nanaimo, BC – The Globe
March 21 – Victoria, BC – Phoenix Bar
March 22 – Port Alberni, BC – Rainbow Room
March 23 – Cumberland, BC – Masonic Hall

Thirteen Goats’s “Capricorn Rising,” tells the story of their mascot, Shepherd: a goat-skull-wearing Antichrist who raises an army of animals to liberate the earth from humanity’s constant wars and greed. This high-concept narrative is delivered with Thirteen Goats‘ signature blend of infernal riffs, huge hooks, and uniquely theatrical songwriting.

Each song on the album is part of a broader narrative that explores themes of disillusionment, radicalization, and rebellion as Shepherd and his 12 demon goats wage their crusade. Thirteen Goats delivers a unique blend of death and thrash metal, combined with a storytelling approach that takes listeners on a journey through the darkest aspects of both human and animal nature.

Listeners can expect furious riffage, ambitious song structures, and even occasional female guest vocals (courtesy of guest artist Carly Ellen Jones). What they shouldn’t expect is a record that plays it safe or falls neatly into one specific subgenre. Thirteen Goats is recommended for fans of Lamb of God, Carcass, and Mastodon.

Released on July 12, 2024, “Capricorn Rising” is available from Exitus Stratagem Records at https://www.exsrmusic.com/store/p/pre-sale-thirteen-goats-capricorn-rising​

Spotify – https://spoti.fi/41hkue1

​

Music Videos:

Murder Lives in the Heart – https://youtu.be/hpgqlbehecM

​

Sign of the Goat – https://youtu.be/D_J3sPkBPxU

​

A Wolf in Shepherd’s Clothing – https://youtu.be/6J5wSen7Emc

​

More info: Exsrmusic.com | ThirteenGoats.com​

-30-

“It’s really strong. GREAT musicians, great production, as well as a very progressive aspect without losing the darkness.” – Kelly Shaefer from Atheist

“take a spin around the room with Thirteen Goats’ “high-concept narrative” and take on modern metal stylized by everything from Mastodon and Carcass to Cannibal Corpse and Lamb of God.” – Decibel Magazine

“Tinnitist Album of The Week! Thirteen Goats ‘Capricorn Rising’ – Exitus Stratagem Records – https://tinnitist.com/2024/07/11/albums-of-the-week-thirteen-goats-capricorn-rising/​

“All in all, on “Capricorn Rising” the gentlemen from the West Coast combine the universal power of North American thrash metal into a versatile, interesting and, above all, powerful record.8/10″ – Power-Metal.de

“What makes this turbocharged song (Sign of The Goat) so damned much diabolical fun is the band’s melding of viscerally compulsive grooves, head-spinning instrumental pyrotechnics, and rapid-fire vocal assaults — and doing so in a way that makes the track highly infectious too. The song vividly intersects with the tech-death sphere through flurries of quickly darting, swirling, and swarming riffage, deliriously cavorting arpeggios, and a multitude of percussive fusillades. As displayed in the video, fingers and limbs fly like the wind, and the guttural barks and hair-raising screams in the vocal department rhythmically eject the violent words just as fast and just as furiously. But, as forecast, the song is also a viscerally groovesome beast. It’s almost relentlessly hard-slugging, but what really stands out are brutish, muscle-galvanizing jackhammer-bursts, the first of which comes only 25 seconds into the track. Another one of those episodes sets itself up as the backdrop for crazed guitar soloing that sounds like the ecstasies of fiends. And we did warn you — this thing is also immediately catchy and enduringly addictive. It comes recommended for fans of Bolt Thrower, Archspire, and Lamb of God.” – NoCleanSinging

“To get some idea of Thirteen Goats’ approach to heavy music, consider that the Straight’s own Mike Usinger once asked readers to imagine “Vulgar Display of Power-era Pantera in a cage match with Cannibal Corpse and Ministry.” That’s a great start, but it doesn’t account for tracks like “Beheading Zoo”, which tops neck-snapping thrash with enough throat-shredding black-metal screams to please even the most discerning Mayhem fan. Or “Murder Lives in the Heart”, which throws a soaring refrain of heaven-sent clean vocals (courtesy of Carly Ellen Jones) into the mix… Capricorn Rising is that rarest of things in today’s world: a true album, with a set of songs designed to be listened to in sequence. Those songs tell the tale of Shepherd, a man so distraught over the state of the world—endless wars, environmental devastation, and other human-made disasters—that he sells his soul for the power to communicate with non-human creatures… Capricorn Rising is a saga replete with scorched-earth mayhem and mass slaughter—something you can bang your head to while pondering your own complicity in the global capitalist exploitation of ecosystems and peoples alike. In other words, it’s basically the perfect LP for our profoundly fucked-up epoch.” – Georgia Straight (Vancouver Weekly)

“they turn on the thrusters for “Beheading Zoo” and “Permission To Die,” closer “Animal Kingdom” is a quasi-ballad with a ferocious second half. ” – Heavy Music Headquarters

“their music gets the blood pumping. Sounding something like Archspire mixed with Blackening-era Machine Head, the tracks on Capricorn Rising are direct and violent. ” – Metal Utopia

“I’d say this is melodic death, some brutal death stuff, melodic music, black metal vox, growns and clean vox too.” – 89.9 WORT FM – The Moshpit (Madison, WI)

—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
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0 WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA Announces Battle Rounds & Bands – One Band To Conquer Them All & Play Wacken Open Air

  • January 21, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Wacken Metal Battle USA

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – January 21, 2025

WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA Announces Battle Rounds & Bands

One Band To Conquer Them All & Play Wacken Open Air​

One Band To Conquer Them All! Wacken Metal Battle USA is proud to announce its 2025 rounds and participating bands (more to be announced) across the country, which will see one unsigned band crowned champion and perform at one of the world’s most prestigious and largest already sold-out metal festivals Wacken Open Air (July 30th – August 2nd) (Attendance of over 80,000 people in Wacken, Germany for over 30 years).

Wacken Battle Trailer Video – https://youtu.be/fjMugRXEc5g​

List of previous WMBU national winners, Cascade Effect (2024 – San Diego), Fadrait (2023 – San Diego) Mythraeum (2022 – San Diego), Monarch (2019 – San Diego), Voices of Ruin (2018 – Anaheim) and Corpse Hoarder (2017 – Philadelphia).

Spotify – 2024 WMBU National Finalists Playlist – https://spoti.fi/4cbAEb8

The 2025 WMBU champion will receive the following:
– A slot at the 2025 Wacken Open Air Festival.
– Full professional backline provided.
– $1,000 USD towards flights to Germany.
– VIP camping at the festival.

2025 USA Wacken Battles – The national final will be held in Clifton, NJ on June 21st at Dingbatz.

Texas Battles:​
Jan 31 – Dallas, TX – Trees w/ IH8, Dead Stereo, Vein, Gravehuffer, Divide, From the Grave
Feb 1 – Dallas, TX – Trees w/ Lyric Noel, Wolvera, The Funeral Procession, Oklahoma Blood, Hand Over Fist
Feb 2 – Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live
Feb 8 – Houston, TX – BFE Rock Club
Feb 22 – San Antonio, TX – Rock Box
Feb 23 – Corpus Christi, TX – House of Rock
March 9 – Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live
​
​California Dates:​
Feb 8 – Oakland, CA – Toot’s Tavern w/ Taunted, Midnight Mass, Dev1ous
Feb 22 – Santa Ana, CA – Stages w/ Mourning High, Kumsumption, Against The Sun, Final Summon, Vendetta XIII, War Goul, Illusions of Grandeur
Feb 28 – Sacramento, CA – On The Y w/ Diamantide, Cross, Jnx, Replication
March 1 – Santa Ana, CA – Stages w/ Sentinel Hill, Stryke, Hazard, Nox Sinister, Andsoul, John Demena
March 7 – Oakland, CA – Toot’s Tavern w/ Creepo, Project Mayhem, Burden of Oath, Modern Monsters, Swept To Sea
March 22 – Sacramento, CA – On The Y w/ Way II Stoned, Rail Rage, Exacto, O’Craven
April 5 – Santa Ana, CA – Stages w/ Deface The Dream, Parabellum, Subtle Tension, Hellheart, Tomb of Minerva
April 5 – Sacramento CA – On The Y
April 12 – Oakland, CA – Toot’s Tavern w/ Thares, Catapult Collision, No Fucking Good, Sonus, Tungsten Reigns
April 18 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick w/ Avadan, The Provoked, Sleeping Faceless, Door 13 and more…
April 19 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick w/ The Norse, Brutalator, Of Glory and Decay, Fire & Flesh, Gannondorf and more…
May 3 – Oakland, CA – Toot’s Tavern
May 17 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
May 31 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
​
​Maryland Battles:​
Feb 8 – Catonsville, MD – Morsbergers Tavern w/ Omen//Skye, Voids, For Fear Itself, Nights Edge, What Are The Odds?, Delenda
March 1 – Catonsville, MD – Morsbergers Tavern w/ Dying Oath, Bedroom Floor, Traverse The Abyss, Feed Me To The Wolves, Space Lumberjacks and more…
March 22 – Catonsville, ND – Morsbergers Tavern w/ Watersdeep, Gone Cold, Babies For Brunch, Within Me, Desolation, Fupa Goddess

​New Jersey Battles:​
Feb 28 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz w/ Prime Prophecy, Gore, Psilo, PERN, Before I Die, Youth Death Club
March 1 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz w/ Deadly Ascension, Falsify, Jackpipe, Ultraviolet, FireHaze, The Age of Ore
April 4 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz
May 17 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz
​June 21 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz – National Final​
​
​New York Battles:​
March 6 – Brooklyn, NY – Woodshop Brooklyn
March 7 – Brooklyn, NY – Lucky 13 Saloon
April 12 – Brooklyn, NY – Our Wicked Lady
​
​Florida Battles:​
March 15 – Tampa, FL – The Brass Mug w/ Wirethrone, Varanger, Nocturnal Dawn, Claux, Endurus, Forfeiture
April 19 – Tampa, FL – The Brass Mug w/ Pontifex, Othalan, Nibiru, Piss On Christ, Corrupted Saint, Donefor
May 17 – Tampa, FL – The Brass Mug
​
​Washington Battles:​
March 28 – Seattle, WA – The Funhouse
​
Oregon Battles:
March 29 – Portland, OR – Dante’s
April 19 – Portland, OR – Dante’s

For the last 6 years of battles (2017-2019, 2022, 2023, 2024), Wacken Metal Battle USA has hosted battles across the country to send one independent metal band to perform at the world’s largest metal festival Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. 2019 saw the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, but due to Covid, the 2020 and 2021 editions were both canceled. As the metal community regains its strength, Wacken Open Air 2025 will be the 34th edition of the festival and will be held from July 30th – August 2nd. The 2025 event is already sold out with a line-up that includes Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, Papa Roach, Gojira, Apocalyptica, Saxon, Within Temptation, Dimmu Borgir, Ministry, and many more. Details here.

Wacken Metal Battle USA is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance to win their spot among 30 other countries’ champions, and represent the USA in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air. The battles have been hosted at the festival for over a decade and give independent bands the opportunity to showcase their talents to an international audience along with the chance to win multiple prizes.

How it works:​
​Participating cities will host qualifying rounds plus a city final organized by a local city concert promoter where one band will move forward to the American national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will move on to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2024 and compete against the winners of 30 other countries in a final global battle. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives.

Links:​
​Metal-Battle.com​
​MetalBattleUSA.com​
​
Facebook.com/metalbattleusa​.official​
​Twitter.com/MetalBattleUSA​
​Instagram.com/metalbattleusa.official

​

– 30 –

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0 TUMBLEWEED DEALER Creates A Groovy Soundtrack For Alan Moore’s Retelling of Swamp Thing’s Origin w/ “Ghosts Dressed In The Weeds” Off New Album “Dark Green” Out Feb 2025

  • January 21, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Tumbleweed Dealer

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – January 21, 2025

TUMBLEWEED DEALER Creates A Groovy Soundtrack For Alan Moore’s Retelling of Swamp Thing’s Origin w/ “Ghosts Dressed In The Weeds”

New Album “Dark Green” Out February 2025

L-R – Seb Painchaud – Bass & Guitars, Jean-Baptiste Joubaud – Synths & Programming, Angelo Fata – Drums & Percussions

Photo Credit – PAULINE DELABORDE PHOTOGRAPHIE​

Set to release their fourth studio album “Dark Green” this February 2025, Montreal, Canada’s instrumental progressive psychedelic groove metal triad Tumbleweed Dealer is sharing their second single “Ghosts Dressed In The Weeds”.

Unlike all other tracks on the record, “Ghosts Dressed In The Weeds” is the band’s first foray into music with vocals as they paired up with Ceschi Ramos, whose versatility matches the group’s genre-bending sound.

Composed specifically for Tumbleweed Dealer to collaborate with Ceschi Ramos. The band first gave it a more repetitive pattern so Ramos could do a 16-bar rap. The trio then wrote the melodies with his voice in mind, and they crafted parts to serve as choruses. Ramos listened to the song over and over again as he wrote down his words. It became a symbiotic experience, which made the writing even more special as it stands alone as the only vocal track among an otherwise instrumental album.

Seb Painchaud explains the track further:

“The lyrics for Ghosts Dressed In Weeds were mostly written by Ceschi Ramos. I wrote the hooks first and let him in on my inspiration for this album: Alan Moore’s re-imagining of Swamp Thing’s origin story. The emphasis is on the moment where Swamp Thing gets dissected and has his worst enemy laugh while he explains to him that he is not a man turned into a plant, but rather a plant that absorbed a dead man’s memories through osmosis. That exact moment is the inspiration for the album. I didn’t want Ceschi to write specifically ABOUT the graphic novel though. It was enough for him to capture the essence of having your whole world turned upside down, your whole self-perception changed. When Swampy receives the news, he freaks out, breaks free, runs away, and lies down in a swamp without moving for over a month. We’ve all had moments where we just wanted to lay down in a marsh and die. We have felt like we didn’t know how to make sense of a revelation that shatters our self-image. My exact words to Ceschi were that he needed to capture that “How do I go on from here?” moment we have all had. And I think he did that perfectly.”

Watch and listen to the lyric video for “Ghosts Dressed In The Weeds” via its premiere on New Noise Magazine HERE.

The new album “Dark Green” is Tumbleweed Dealer‘s effort to capture two essential parts in Alan Moore’s retelling of Swamp Thing’s origin. Firstly, the main character’s struggle and loss of identity. Secondly, they wanted to capture the antagonist’s transformation into nature’s anger towards men.

Each song is meant to feel like a complete journey where listeners are transported to a world where blues, psychedelia, and progressive rock intertwine. It’s been a long-awaited record and marks a bold new chapter for them since 2016’s “TDIII – Tokes, Hatred & Caffeine”. It’s a culmination of their growth as musicians and their desire to create something truly unique. Other notable guests on the album are Zach Strouse’s (Rivers Of Nihil, Burial In The Sky) guest saxophone solo and Antoine Baril’s (Augury, Obliveon) vintage keys for the album’s title track.

“I think the evolution between our third album, and this new one, will surprise some people. We didn’t write a follow-up to our last record. Instead, we incubated the band’s sound and sped up its evolution. If we kept on pace to release an album every year like we did at first, this would’ve been the 10th one. But we had kids, and that slowed down the process—so this is an evolutionary leap forward that might be jarring. I think that anyone who enjoyed our previous releases will still find what they liked in our sound while enjoying the new variety we’ve brought to it.” says Painchaud.

Due out on February 7, 2025, “Dark Green” is recommended for fans of Elder, Ohm, Camel, Opeth, and Cynic, and is available for album pre-order at https://tumbleweeddealer420.bandcamp.com/album/dark-green​

First Single / Title Track – Dark Green – https://youtu.be/L73im_7hOWs​

Track Listing:​
1. A Distant Figure In The Fog (2:52)
2. Sparks Adrift In The Louisiana Nightsky (3:39)
3. A Plant That Thinks It’s Human (3:34)
4. Becoming One With The Bayou (3:19)
5. Dragged Across The Wetlands (2:56)
6. Dark Green (4:48)
7. Ghosts Dressed In Weeds (5:31)
8. Moss On The Mind (3:13)
9. Body Of The Bog (6:34)
10. A Soul Made Of Sludge (3:49)

Album Recording Credits:​
• All songs performed by: Tumbleweed Dealer
• All songs written by: Tumbleweed Dealer
• Produced by: Jean-Baptiste Joubaud
• Mixed by: Jean-Baptiste Joubaud
• Mastered by: Harris Newman
• Album Artwork by: Glenn Le Calvez

Album Band Line Up:​
Seb Painchaud – Bass & Guitars
Angelo Fata – Drums & Percussions
Jean-Baptiste Joubaud – Synths & Programming

Guest Musicians:​
Antoine Baril – Mellotron, Hammond Organ & Keyboards on tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 & 10
Guillaume Audette – Wurlitzer, Rhodes and Church Organ on tracks 8 & 10
Jocelyn Couture – Trumpet & Flugel Horn on tracks 4, 5, 7 and 9
Loïc Roy-Turgeon – Trombone on tracks 4 and 5
Zach Strouse – Saxophone on track 6
And special guest star Ceschi Ramos as himself on track 7

More info: Facebook.com/TumbleweedDealer | X.com/westernhorror | Instagram.com/tumbleweeddealer

-30-

“The epic song (Dark Green) is a good indication of what the rest of the record holds, which is plenty of blues, psychedelia, and prog rock.” – Decibel Magazine

“Tumbleweed Dealer’s “Dark Green,” the title track from their upcoming album out on February 7th, is a lesson in blending diverse musical influences into a singular, gripping piece. Clocking in at just under five minutes, the song showcases the band’s evolution and fearless creativity by weaving elements of blues, psychedelia, and progressive rock into a dynamic and unpredictable journey. The track builds a narrative through its seamless shifts in tone and texture. From introspective melodies to bursts of raw energy, the track balances complexity with accessibility. Antoine Baril’s vintage keys anchor the composition, giving it a retro flair, while Zach Strouse’s saxophone solo adds an unexpected but welcome layer of richness. Tumbleweed Dealer’s roots in extreme music shine subtly through black metal-inspired melodies and brief flashes of double bass drum that are a nod to their past without overshadowing their current direction. This contrast between intensity and finesse underscores the band’s skill in pushing genre boundaries. “Dark Green” not only introduces the thematic essence of the album but it also captures the spirit of exploration that has defined Tumbleweed Dealer’s evolution.” – Amplify The Noise

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0 HYPERSPACE METALFEST Adds GREYHAWK, THE ASTRAL PROPHETS To 2025 Lineup w/ ENFORCER, PSYCHOSTICK, GLYPH, CRIMSON SHADOWS, LUNAR, OWLBEAR, RED CAIN and more!

  • January 21, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Hyperspace Metal Festival · Music News · Uncategorized

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – January 21, 2025

HYPERSPACE METALFEST Adds GREYHAWK, THE ASTRAL PROPHETS To 2025 Lineup

w/ ENFORCER, PSYCHOSTICK, GLYPH, CRIMSON SHADOWS, LUNAR, OWLBEAR, RED CAIN and more!

April 10th – 12th – Vancouver

HMF 2025 Lineup Spotify Playlist – https://spoti.fi/3T4kU2p

​

Returning for its 6th edition after another year of crowd-pleasing epic fun in Vancouver, B.C., Canada’s premier melodic and power metal festival HYPERSPACE METAL FEST announces the addition of headliner GREYHAWK along with The Astral Prophets to their 2025 lineup to replace the unfortunate cancelations of Planeswalker and support from Heyoka’s Mirror.

Festival organizer Joey Hockin of Journeyman Productions adds:

“There has been a shakeup in the Hyperspace lineup for this year. Planeswalker and Heyoka’s Mirror have had to cancel their appearances this April. We’re hoping that we’ll be able to have them at the fest in the future, we’re going to keep trying for next year. For this year please welcome newcomers The Astral Prophets and for the Friday night headliner, we have the mighty Greyhawk stepping up to play once again! Anyone who’s seen them at Hyperspace before knows that they are going to tear the roof off!”

Being hosted at The Cobalt (April 10 &11th) and the Rickshaw Theatre (April 12th), Hyperspace Metal Fest’s 2025 lineup features headliners ENFORCER, PSYCHOSTICK, along with Crimson Shadows, Lunar, Owlbear, Tower Hill, Solarus, Red Cain, Tylor Dory Trio, Serpent Rider, Luminator, and Crüzer.

Headlining Saturday, April 12th at The Rickshaw Theatre, Sweden’s ENFORCER have proved themselves both live and on record, they stake their place amongst the world’s most renowned heavy metal bands since first forming in 2005. They have toured the world over, playing the biggest festivals and garnering a global fanbase. Their latest sixth studio album Nostalgia (released May 2023 – Nuclear Blast), features 13 heavy metal anthems and throws ENFORCER back to their speed metal roots. Fusing extreme guitar riffing with catchy stadium choruses, ENFORCER is out to conquer the world. Music Video – Nostalgia – https://youtu.be/XhfrJAPbOCY

​

Supporting ENFORCER on the closing night lineup will be Comedy Metal Kings PSYCHOSTICK. These humorcore titans bring forth a nostalgic escapade of sing-alongs and moshing fun with iconic titles such as “Beer!”, “Numbers (I Can Only Count to Four)”, “Dogs Like Socks”, “Obey The Beard!”, “Boobs”, and their latest single “Ultra Mega Fast” – https://youtu.be/kaqeizvxefM

​

The Saturday night lineup will also witness the return of the formidable force that is Toronto’s Crimson Shadows bringing forth tales of fantasy and warfare in their fierce melodic power and death metal imbued sound. Thundering across the icy Canadian mountains, Crimson Shadows has awoken after five years away. The band has emerged from the dark and is preparing to forge its own path in this next stage of its journey. Across their defiant career stretching almost two decades, to date notable highlights of Crimson Shadows‘ journey include the band’s appearance at Wacken Open Air in Germany in mid-2013 and subsequent victory in obtaining the title of International Wacken Battle Champions. Alongside international performances, Crimson Shadows has ventured across the length and breadth of their homeland delivering brutality, technical prowess, and unyielding intensity in their melding of power and death. Music Video – Guardians – https://youtu.be/W9BKYvGYeCM

Headlining Friday, April 11th at The Cobalt and returning for their third time at HMF is Seattle’s Greyhawk. This will be the band’s first time headlining along with performing with new vocalist Anthony Corso. They are supporting their latest album “Thunderheart” released in April 2024 on Fighter Records, a division of Xtreem Music. Band playthrough – Spellstone – https://youtu.be/65ySwth-LKo

The second night of the festival will also unleash the first-ever live performance of Lunar, a progressive metal project from California that features members from Helion Prime, Beholder, Vis Mystica, Mokili Wa, Nordic Frost, Outloud, and Double Vision. Founded by drummer Alex Bosson (Helion Prime, Planeswalker) and Ryan Erwin who passed away in 2018, LUNAR continues in his memory. This fourth full-length “Tempora Mutantur” out on January 31st via Saibot Reigns Records follows 2023’s “The Illusionist” and features a fresh lineup with the addition of guitarists Carlos Alvarez and Connor McCray (Vis Mystica) along with keyboardist Anthony Stahl plus album guests Wayne Ingram (Wildrun), Joe Gullace (Thank You Scientist) and Sam Vallen (Caligula’s Horse). Music Video – Watch The Weather Change – https://youtu.be/WKdnZD_DJsE

Meant to perform on the 2024 lineup, but forced to cancel, Tylor Dory Trio returns for 2025, they are a monstrous progressive metal unit and beloved by many in Western Canada. This live performance on Friday, April 11th, will be their first following a nearly seven-year layoff. Music Video – The Waitress – ​https://youtu.be/nh9MxcSqlOE

Also added to the Friday lineup and opening the night is The Astral Prophets, a psychedelic rock/metal band from Calgary, AB featuring Apprentice, Lycanthro, and Scythia members. This is the band’s first time on the fest although some members have played the fest before in previous groups. They will be supporting their latest 2023 EP “Anywhere But Here”. EP Stream – https://youtu.be/255g8CZX2F8

Opening night of the festival, Thursday, April 10th at The Cobalt, will showcase the Pacific Northwest’s Glyph, 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 this past March. Music Video – March of the Northern Clan – https://youtu.be/htSyUb25wD4

Traveling from Edmonton, AB, Tower Hill delivers premium old-school heavy metal inspired by bands like Running Wild, Riot, Judas Priest, early Blind Guardian, and Helloween. Forging the best of the late 80s and early 90s German, British, and US metal scenes into a new blend of shimmering steel, Tower Hill’s riff-driven, hook-laden traditional metal will have you banging your head and singing along. Lyric Video – Deathstalker – ​https://youtu.be/IGybnd-HZRU👍

Replacing the originally announced Lost Nebula, Calgary’s RED CAIN has been imported to perform their power-prog storytelling with Eastern European roots for the masses. They have been making waves since their first release in 2016, with award-winning music videos and concept albums “Kindred: Act I”, “Kindred: Act II” and “NÄE’BLISS”. The albums contained a ton of genre inspirations, from gothic rock to ambient electronica, power, black, and death metal, and were universally lauded for their inventiveness, variety, and strong conceptual content. They continue this momentum with the latest singles “Firestarter” and “Demons II”. Music Video – Demons II – https://youtu.be/7VViLOrFfQ8

​

Hyperspace Metal Festival VI – April 10th – 12th.​
One-day passes and three-day passes are available at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/hyperspace-metal-festival-vi-tickets-1000996957847​

Facebook Event – https://www.facebook.com/events/1637280440385808​

Thursday, April 10th – The Cobalt​
Glyph
Tower Hill
Red Cain
Serpent Rider
Crüzer
​
​Friday, April 11th – The Cobalt​
Greyhawk
Lunar
Solarus
Tylor Dory Trio
The Astral Prophets
​
​Saturday, April 12th – The Rickshaw Theatre​
Enforcer
Psychostick
Crimson Shadows
Owlbear
Luminator

To follow updates for Hyperspace Metal Festival 2024, please visit the following links:
​Facebook.com/HyperspaceMetalFestival​
​Instagram.com/HyperspaceMetalFestival​

Festival Press Materials Dropbox HERE.

Over the five editions of Hyperspace Metal Festival, bands from all over the world have come to play power, prog, melodic death, and speed metal on the Canadian West Coast. The festival has presented lineups that have included performances by Týr, Flotsam and Jetsam, Skelator, Trollfest, Aether Realm, Exmortus, Striker, Riot City, Into Eternity, Witherfall, Planeswalker, Iron Kingdom, Helion Prime, Ravenous, Crimson Shadows, West of Hell, Judicator, Odinfist, Tanagra, Scythia, Greyhawk, The Order of Chaos, Red Cain, and many more.
​

– 30 –

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0 WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA 2025 Announces BC Bands & Rounds – One Band To Rule Them All & Play Wacken Open Air

  • January 20, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Wacken Metal Battle Canada

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – January 20, 2025

WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA 2025 Announces BC Bands & Rounds

– One Band To Rule Them All & Play Wacken Open Air 2025 –

WMBC Trailer – https://youtu.be/b55Fh5Vo64k​

Spotify – 2024 WMBC National Finalists Playlist HERE.

One Band To Rule Them All! After another record-breaking year of submissions from independent bands across the country, Wacken Metal Battle Canada is proud to announce this year’s British Columbia and Ontario 2025 battles and bands, which could see one unsigned band crowned champion and perform at one of the world’s most prestigious and largest already sold-out metal festivals Wacken Open Air (July 30th – August 2nd) (Attendance of over 80,000 people in Wacken, Germany for over 30 years).

The 2025 British Columbia and Ontario battles will be held in the following cities and dates with more to be announced for Canada. The national final will be held in Vancouver, BC on May 31st, 2025 at The Rickshaw Theatre.

2025 Canadian Wacken Battles:​
​
​British Columbia Dates:

March 1 – Vancouver Round 1 @ The Cobalt – Vancouver, BC
DeathBound, NIGHTOWL, Utility Provider, Nokturna, Burnt Lung
Event Info – https://www.facebook.com/events/1114719273271273/
​
​March 2 – BC Interior Round @ Jackknife Brewing – Kelowna, BC
Dendros, Burn It All, Gregorious, Nomad, Storm The Empire
Event Info – https://www.facebook.com/events/913101870812415/
​
​March 22 – Vancouver Round 2 @ The Cobalt – Vancouver, BC
Iron Kingdom, Ashen Pall, Heathanz Sinz, Killing Twins, TIVR
Event Info – https://www.facebook.com/events/951824699871604/
​
​March 30 – Vancouver Island Round @ Lucky Bar – Victoria, BC
YEGG, Electric Druids, Decryptor, Gate Theory, Antler
Event Info – https://www.facebook.com/events/481340948041676/
​
​May 3 – BC Final @ The Cobalt – Vancouver, BC
​May 31 – National Final @ The Rickshaw, Vancouver, BC
​
​Ontario Dates:​
​January 10 – London Round @ Rum Runners
Atria (guest headliner), Death Club, Dead Days, 4HateU8
FB: https://www.facebook.com/events/1944970149316798/
​WINNER – DEAD DAYS – https://www.facebook.com/deaddaysmusic​
​
​January 24 – Hamilton Round @ Main Stage Rehearsal
The Good Depression, Killotine, Zero Tolerance, Devilz By Definition, Zero End
Ticket link: https://wackenmetalbattle.bigcartel.com/product/wacken-metal-battle-jan-24-hamilton
​
​January 25 – Toronto Round 1 @ Hard Luck
Pillars of Autumn, Ischemic, Purveyor of Chaos, Unkle Skurvey
Ticket link: https://wackenmetalbattle.bigcartel.com/product/wacken-metal-battle-jan-25-toronto
​
​February 1 – Toronto Round 2@ Hard Luck
Seagrave, Nepenthe, Panic Response, The Animal Warfare Act
Ticket link: https://wackenmetalbattle.bigcartel.com/product/wacken-metal-battle-feb-1-toronto

Edmonton, AB – TBA
Calgary, AB – TBA
Ottawa, ON – TBA
Montreal, QC – TBA
Quebec City, QC – TBA

The 2025 WMBC champion will receive the following:​
– A slot at the 2025 Wacken Open Air Festival.
– Full professional backline provided.
– $1,000 CAD towards flights to Germany.
– VIP camping at the festival.

The 2024 WMBC national final was held in Edmonton, AB at The Starlite Room on May 25th and witnessed regional winners Arrow In The Quiver (Vancouver, BC), Infrastrvctvre (Calgary, AB), Age of Ashes (Edmonton, AB), Beguiler (Toronto, ON) and Red Raven Chaos (Montreal, QC) along with special guest headliners NECHT (Calgary, AB – 2023 National Finalist).

The night was MC’d by Gord Alexander (Tessitura, Tides of Kharon) and judged by an industry panel that included JJ Tartaglia (Wacken Metal Battle Canada, Boonsdale Records, Skull Fist, Thunderor – Toronto, ON), Luc Lainé (CFLX 95,5 FM – Alerte Metallique – Sherbrooke, QC), Dan Cleary (Striker), Kim Aebly (The Invisible Orange, Vancouver, BC), Dana Zuk (Dana Zuk Photography – Edmonton, AB), Jon Asher (Asher Media Relations – Montreal, QC), Nancy Barnes (Big Nate Productions – Calgary, AB), Celestia Scarlett (Owner/Artist Manager – The Celestial Agency- Calgary, AB) and Steve DC (Strigampire – 2023 National WMBC Winner – Trois-Rivières, QC).

After each band presented their furious rallying battle performance, the only one that stood out from the rest was crowned 2024 champion Toronto’s Beguiler who moved on to perform as the only independent Canadian band at the International Battle at Wacken Open Air 2024 (July 31st – August 3rd).

Live Full Video of 2024 WMBC National Final in Edmonton, AB – https://www.youtube.com/live/dCYiImMkzq4​

List of previous WMBC national winners Beguiler (Toronto, ON – 2024), Strigampire (Trois-Rivières, QC – 2023), The Slyde (Toronto, ON – 2019), Centuries of Decay (Toronto, ON – 2018), Profaner (Hamilton, ON – 2016), Vesperia (Toronto, ON – 2015), Mutank (Montreal, QC – 2014), Crimson Shadows (Toronto, ON – 2013).

Info:

Since 2013, with a pause year in 2017 and 2020 due to COVID-19, Wacken Metal Battle Canada has hosted battles across the country to send one independent metal band to perform at the world’s largest metal festival Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. 2019 saw the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, but due to Covid, the 2020 and 2021 editions were both canceled. As the metal community regains its strength, Wacken Open Air 2025 will be the 34th edition of the festival and will be held from July 30th – August 2nd. The 2025 event is already sold out with a line-up that includes Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, Papa Roach, Gojira, Apocalyptica, Saxon, Within Temptation, Dimmu Borgir, Ministry, and many more. Details here.

About:

Wacken Metal Battle Canada is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance to win their spot among 30 other countries’ champions, and represent Canada in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air. The battles have been hosted at the festival for over a decade giving independent bands the opportunity to showcase their talents to an international audience along with the chance to win multiple prizes.

How it works:
​
Participating cities will host qualifying rounds plus a city final organized by a local city concert promoter where one band will move forward to the Canadian national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will move on to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2025 and compete against the winners of 29 other countries in a final global battle. All battle rounds are judged by respected local music industry representatives.

Rules for participation: https://www.metal-battle.com/rules/​

Links:​
​Metal-Battle.com​​
​
Facebook.com/WMBCanada.official​
​Twitter.com/MetalBattleCan​
​Instagram.com/MetalBattleCanada.Official​

– 30 –

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

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