• About AMR
  • Festivals & Associations
    • 420 Music & Arts Festival (Calgary, AB)
    • Armstrong Metal Fest (Armstrong, BC)
    • Calgary Metalfest
    • Calgary’s YYC Music Awards
    • Days of The Dead Festival (Red Deer, AB)
    • Loud As Hell Metal Fest (Drumheller, AB)
    • Metalocalypstick Fest (Lone Butte, BC) – Mountains, Camping and the Women of Metal!
    • ShrEdmonton Metal Fest & Conference
    • WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA
    • WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA
  • Services (Hire Us!)
  • Subscribe To AMR Artist News & Album Promo

Category: EPKs

0 EPK – DieveNoire – The Story of a Gunslinger (2025)

  • May 31, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Dieve Noire · EPKs

EPK – DieveNoire – The Story of a Gunslinger (2025)

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

“As a newly formed idea which started in Lariyah’s head without an exact direction, but a large collection of content to create this album into a concept of a gunslinger’s journey, in a very basic old school blues rock way, with a touch of southern gothic feel to it. After encountering Jakob Herrmann, a very well-known and accomplished producer from Gothenburg, Sweden, the demos have been reworked and encouraged to incorporate heavier sounds. Quite proper of a move for the involved musicians’ preferences”. – Dieve Noire

For fans of Clutch, Dorothy, Everybody Loves an Outlaw, Pretty Reckless, Halestorm

 DieveNoire.com | Facebook.com/dievenoire | Youtube.com/@DieveNoire/videos | Instagram.com/dievenoire

Dievenoire.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

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

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

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

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

Album Title: ‘The Story of a Gunslinger”
Release Date: Sept 5, 2025
Label: Self-Release
Genre: Bluesy Heavy Rock
Location of Band: Illinois/North Carolina

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

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

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

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

About the Album Artwork:

The album artwork was hand drawn ink ink pencil by the vocalist, Lariyah. The idea was to bring out the tree representing the roots of the beginnings and dead branches, which signify growth with the dead soul, rotten by the world. The wings and snake in the middle are actually a drawing depiction of Lariyah’s motorcycle’s sissy bar, which is made out of steel by a Finnish forge master, as shown in the music video of “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ “, a cover of Nancy Sinatra.

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

STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT THE BAND

1. Lariyah at the beginning wanted the band to be just a one-person project with a synth, drums, clap, and stomp with vocals, and keep it more “tribal Slavic” kind of route. Still, after releasing the “Gunslinger in Black,” she felt the void of the rock and metal world she had been in since her teenage years. She made a decision that this must turn into a full band project. She had an initial idea to play rhythm guitar after finding a bass player, knowing that with her basic knowledge of guitars, she could make it work. Shortly after, she found a perfectly fitting musician to play the instruments with a whole different spectrum of skill, she stepped out from the double duty to give room for the seasoned musicians and focused on vocals only.

2. Josh Perrin, rhythm guitarist of DieveNoire, is known for playing bass in Akhlys and is soon to be releasing his personal project of 10 years + in works. Lariyah, who is also his wife, did not want Josh to be a part of the band first, wanting him to fully focus on his first love – black metal. Josh, also having a background in old school, outlaw country, really liked the idea of DieveNoire and wanted to be a part of playing it live with her, without involvement in writing music – purely from, as he claims, being a dirtbag rock’n’roll soul inside. In the future, there is a potential that he might step down and focus on his prioritized music.
3. Lothar Keller, on lead guitar, has been playing music since a child, as his father taught him to play multiple instruments. He is known from bands like Legions of Doom/The Skull, and Sacred Dawn. Lariyah and Lothar became the core members of the band.

4. Lariyah and Josh met Jakob Herrmann during their Halloween trip to New Orleans. Little did they know that he was also on his vacation time, flying from Sweden. Little did they know that Jakob is one of the most respected producers in the metal scene whose work includes albums of In Flames, Machine Head, Devin Townsend, Evergrey, and many more. He also offered to bring DieveNoire’s sound to where it should be and took on the production of “The Story of a Gunslinger”.

5. DieveNoire has no direct influence. Lariyah coming up with the idea of it was mostly listening to black metal and English heavy metal, but in the background, Johnny Cash was always a good escape. The KEY MOMENT when she decided to make her ‘years worth of ideas’ into DieveNoire was when she went to Finland for an extreme metal festival and experienced the same musicians (and friends) who just played on stage to put their shorts, flip-flops, and straw hats on, bring acoustic guitars and shakers, and start playing old-school rock and some country songs in the middle of the night, engaging whoever was listening to them, in this case – metal fans who stayed at the same hotel. The moment was so simple and casual to them, yet so impactful to Lariyah.

6. Ever since Paul McBride, also known from many projects, including the Reticent, has changed the entire feel of the band, which will show in the new releases coming after “The Story of a Gunslinger” album songs.

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

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

Photo by Darrelle Esquitin

DieveNoire is a melodic, blues‑driven heavy rock band led by vocalist and visionary Lariyah Perrin, whose storytelling approach and emotional intensity shape the core of the project. What began as a solitary creative idea,  simple beats, haunting vocal lines, and tribal‑tinged blues, quickly evolved into a full‑fledged band with a powerful, dynamic sound.

With the addition of seasoned musicians Josh (Akhlys, Havron), Lothar (The Skull / Legions of Doom), and Paul (The Reticent), DieveNoire transformed from a personal concept into a collaborative force. Their combined backgrounds in black metal, doom, progressive metal, and heavy rock brought unexpected depth and weight to the music, accelerating the band’s evolution.

Their debut album, The Story of a Gunslinger, is a concept‑driven journey born from a vivid dream Lariyah experienced, a cinematic tale set in the old wild west, following a wanted gunslinger whose skill keeps him one step ahead of death. Each track continues the narrative, blending emotion, grit, and a touch of southern‑gothic atmosphere. Other songs on the album step outside the concept, capturing raw moments of personal emotion.

While the album leans into a softer, blues‑rock foundation to highlight Lariyah’s dynamic vocal range, the band’s upcoming singles mark a dramatic shift, heavier, bolder, and more aggressive, reflecting the band’s rapid growth and sharpened identity.

DieveNoire’s writing process is deeply collaborative: Lariyah shapes the vision, lyrics, and melodic direction, while the band builds the musical architecture around it. Songs often undergo multiple transformations before reaching their final form, resulting in a sound that is engaging, emotional, and richly layered.

Onstage, DieveNoire delivers a theatrical, high‑energy performance that amplifies the grit and emotion of their recordings. Vocals take on a harsher, more powerful edge, and the band’s dynamic presence turns each show into a full‑body experience rather than just a listening session.

The album artwork, hand‑drawn by Lariyah, symbolizes the band’s roots and evolution: a tree with living roots and dead branches, wings and a serpent inspired by the custom steelwork on her motorcycle, and imagery that ties directly into the band’s visual world.

After working with renowned Gothenburg producer Jakob Herrmann (Draconian, Thyrfing, Art Nation), the band refined their sound further, embracing heavier textures while preserving the blues‑rock soul at the heart of the project.

DieveNoire stands at the crossroads of storytelling, emotion, and heavy rock, a band unafraid to evolve, experiment, and carve its own path.

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

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

Discography:
2025 – “The Story of a Gunslinger”

Tours and Fests:
7/16 CHICAGO, IL – LIVE WIRE LOUNGE
7/17 MILWAUKEE, WI – SHANK HALL
7/18 CADOTT, WI – ROCK FEST

Artist Endorsements:
Josh Perrin – Mesa Boogie, Solar Guitars
Lothar Keller – Ernie Ball strings, Pighog cables
Paul McBride – GHS Strings, Arachnid Cabinets, Tsunami Cables

 

0 EPK – Famous Strangers – Self-Titled (2026)

  • May 29, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Famous Strangers

EPK – Famous Strangers – Self-Titled (2026)

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

For fans of Halestorm, Nothing More, Sevendust, Godsmack, Evanescence, Butcher Babies, Bad Omens

“We feel like this debut album will take fans on a journey, feeling many different emotions. Some may not understand what we are trying to do, but by the end hoping that they are surprised, refreshed, and feeling inspired. We hope the lyrics dig deep into parts of them they didn’t know existed or hid away. Opening up their heart and soul, feeling unstoppable and worthy. Whatever they may be doing while listening, we hope this album captivates them, moving deeper into themselves through our music. Feeling the emotional pull through each track. Moments of inspiration and grit to complete surrender of self. With a touch of silliness and definitely some seduction.” – Amanda Kiernan – Vocals – Famous Strangers

Famousstrangersband.com | Facebook.com/FamousStrangersBand | Instagram.com/famousstrangersband

Tiktok.com/@famousstrangersband | Youtube.com/@Famousstrangersband

Spotify | Apple Music | Famousstrangers.bigcartel.com

Add to your Spotify playlist – ​https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/famousstrangers/ghosts-of-men

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

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

Band: Famous Strangers
Album Title: Self-Titled
Release Date: August 21, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid
Genre: Hard Rock
Location of Band: Edmonton, AB, Canada

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

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Famous Strangers
• All songs written by: Famous Strangers
• Produced by: Jeff Kittlitz, Phil Anderson, and Famous Strangers
• Mixed by: Joel Wanasek
• Mastered by: Maor Applebaum
• Single Artwork by: Art Szabo Creative
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content – MAPL

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

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

About the Album Artwork:

We are blessed to have our graphic designer, Art Szabo, working with us. He does a lot more than just our artwork, so we are lucky to have him. For the single “Ghosts of Men,” he put his take on a woman bending down into her reflection, or even a mirrored effect. It looks ominous and ghostly. Even though our video is a very different, separate take on the song, the artwork goes deeper into the lyrical side of things. The isolation. The struggles you feel alone… being “ghosted” when really you yourself almost feel like the ghost! Alone in wonderment and torture of the mind. 

The album artwork for the vinyl is a recreation of our very first promo video, which we put out. Made in an incredibly artistic way. It’s the shot in the video where Braden has his hood on, and he has smoke coming out of his mouth. It’s all black and white, which has been our color scheme. It honestly doesn’t mean anything… I just had the idea and thought it would look cool. Now that everything is said and done, you could definitely put your thoughts on it on what it could represent, and every idea is the correct one. That’s the beauty of art.

About the album:

The album centers around the theme of “knowing your worth.” Much of the songwriting draws from personal experiences, delivering messages about self-love, growth, and moving forward. At its core, it’s a reminder that no matter what you face, you’ll be okay and come out stronger on the other side.

While a couple of tracks explore completely different ideas, like aliens, the overall journey is about where you’ve been and who you can become once you break free from what holds you back, and to get out of your own way.

Musically, it is a diverse journey into heavy grungy riffs, explosive moments, fast pace, and energetic. Leading you into epic breakdowns that bring you into softer atmospheric moments. It’s a taste of everything and takes you all over the place. Pushing boundaries and rules of genres. Definitely thinking outside the box.

Track-by-Track Descriptions

1. Fire Inside

Fire Inside began as a simple progressive metal riff but evolved right up to the studio, where the chorus and ending were finalized. After extensive preproduction, the song truly came together. Lyrically, it’s about grounding the listener in the moment and embracing mistakes to honor the journey that shaped you, while holding onto the peace within.

2. Ghosts of Men

Ghosts of Men began as one of the earliest songs written with the band and was later completely rewritten. Originally shelved, it resurfaced when we wanted a raw rock ripper and quickly morphed into its final form, coming together almost instantly and earning its place on the record. Lyrically, it’s a new and deeply personal track, drawn from real experiences and recurring patterns in my life. It’s raw, vulnerable, and unfiltered, but that’s the point.

3. Please Her

Please Her started as a single rock riff and evolved through preproduction as arrangements shifted, especially once Amanda’s vocals came into the mix. The song eventually came full circle, landing as a straightforward hard rock ‘n’ roll track. The title seems to give it all away… It’s playful and confident, about staying true to yourself, knowing your worth, and making sure your cup is overflowing, because every person deserves to feel that way.

4. As Your Leader

As Your Leader is one of the earliest songs written for the band and has been with us since the beginning, taking on new life as the lineup came together. While it carries a lot of anger and frustration, at its core, it’s about community, connection, and the belief that we’re stronger when we come together, all wanting the same things in the end: peace, health, and the freedom to live fully.

5. Desires

Desires was born from Jeff’s first Bloodstock Festival in the UK, a very rock ‘n’ roll, Motley Crue-style night that sparked both the riff and the story behind it. Written by Jeff Kittlitz, the song captures that instant connection you feel when you lock eyes with someone special.

What started as a wild night turned into something deeper, a love song with a bigger meaning. Bringing it to life has been a blessing, and after taking the time to find the right vocal approach, it finally feels like Amanda is delivering the song the way Jeff intended.

6. Far Away from Home

Far Away from Home was written early on while we were still finding our sound. It started with a punk riff that everyone ran with, keeping the song fun and energetic, a tribute to punk. The chorus evolved significantly from preproduction to recording. Lyrically, it’s about being abducted by aliens! It came from a playful place, and having full creative freedom helped the song come together in a way that felt natural and true.

7. Rain

Rain was written in a small town in England on a rainy day, born from a quiet moment on the couch with an acoustic guitar. What started as a simple blues idea came together back in Canada, becoming the first song that truly pulled Amanda in; her lyrics completed it in a way that felt almost magical. Lyrically, the song digs deep into fear, pain, and feeling trapped, and finding the strength to finally let go and choose yourself. It’s one of our softer tracks, showing another side of the band, and we’re excited to share it on the new record.

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

Fun Facts:

1. The name Famous Strangers came from Jeff driving through the city, listening to Deep Purple’s “Perfect Strangers” on the radio, and passing a restaurant called “Famous Donair.” The two words slammed together and never left.

2. Some of the guitar riffs on the album have been living on Jeff’s hard drive for over a decade. They finally found the right band and the right voice to bring them to life.

3. We record every single jam session. Some of the best moments on this record started as loose ideas over beers that nobody expected to become real songs.

4. Ghosts Of Men was written 3 days before entering the studio and was completed in the studio 

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

L-R – Drums – Brian Jolly, Vocals – Amanda Kiernan, Bass – Braden Sustrik, Guitar – Jeff Kittlitz

Photo by Taryn Leanne

Famous Strangers is a heavy rock band from Sherwood Park, Alberta, rooted in the classics and built for today. Drawing from the fire of Dio, Maiden, Judas Priest, and W.A.S.P. and channeling the intensity of Halestorm, Jinjer, Spiritbox, and Unleash the Archers, the band blends raw power with emotional depth and a sound that refuses to sit still.

The lineup: Amanda Kiernan on lead vocals, Jeff Kittlitz on guitar and backing vocals, Braden Sustrik on bass and backing vocals, and Brian “Beej” Beejerson on drums and backing vocals, brings together over 20 years of collective experience across the Alberta music scene, with roots in bands like Pugnacious, Compromise, This Is War, and The Order of Chaos. What started as a casual jam session turned into something nobody expected… a full creative force with a hunger to share it with the world.

With four singles out, Deep Star, George, I’ll See You in the Stars, and LSC, all recorded in-house and mixed and mastered alongside Phil Anderson, Maor Appelbaum, and Joel Wanasek, the band has been steadily building momentum. Every single release has been accompanied by a music video, filmed and edited by Brad Thompson at Brad Thompson Photography, with George edited and post-produced by Art Szabo Creative. Their Deep Star music video is generating serious buzz, and their debut self-titled album with a vinyl release, lead single, and new music video will be released August 21, 2026

Famous Strangers doesn’t follow a formula. They follow the feeling. Every song lives in its own world… moody, haunting, heavy, honest. Whether they’re on stage or in the studio, it’s about connection, energy, and making music that means something.

Discography:
Self-Titled (LP – Release August 21, 2026)
L.S.C. (Single Release June 3, 2025)
I’ll See You In The Stars (Single Release March 7, 2025)
George (Single Release November 15, 2024)
Deepstar (Single Release (Sept 13, 2024)

Shared Stage with: Three Inches Of Blood, Riot City, Danko Jones, Into Eternity, Revocation, Havok, Born Of Osiris, The Browning, Gravemass, Glyph, Valley Of Despair, Shackled To The Throne, Unending, Per Velum, Squid Hammer, Insurrection, The Devils Sons, Western Death Ballads, Barb Wire Choker, Black Friday, Quietess, Cambie Krostch, Bogue Brigade, Creature Conspire, The Cutoffs, Ditch Pisser, The Myopia Condition, 2L Superpunk, Catapult, Godfall, Oceans Under Stars, Repulse Reprise, Darkend Skies, Amonalyptic, Femme Voyous, and more…..

Tours and Festivals:
2026 – Decimate Metal Fest (Direct Support)
2026 – Western Canadian Album Release Tour Aug of this year
2025 – Decimate Metal Fest
2025 – Armstrong Metal Fest
2025 – Loud As Hell Open Air,
2025 – Grassmass Western Canadian Tour,
2025 – Kittos (Shackled To The Throne) Alberta release tour

0 EPK – DOLL – Snakes and Ladders (2026)

  • May 29, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · DOLL · EPKs · Uncategorized

EPK – DOLL – Snakes and Ladders (2026)

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

“We would say that following the reception we had to the first few songs in the Animal Crackers trilogy, with ‘Shark Bait’ and ‘Bear Claw’, we feel like we’ve hit a stride where our fans expect the unexpected at this point. ‘Snakes and Ladders’ is the final piece, and we think (and hope) its going to be received as a really cool mix of the Doll evolution, going into a D standard tuning as a throw back to the grunge sound of old and incorporating the elements of the new darker tone and feel, sprinkled in with a bunch of harmonics, and of course the signature Christina vocal style, Snakes and Ladders provides the rasp, the drive and the bang to be a banger. We’ve always said this project was about having fun and exploring new sounds and styles. We’re confident that ‘Snakes and Ladders’ will land just as hard—if not harder than Shark Bait or Bear Claw.” – DOLL

For fans of SoftCult, Amyl and the Sniffers, Scowl, Nobro, The Pretty Reckless

Doll.bandcamp.com | Facebook.com/dollband | Spotify | Youtube.com/@insidethedollhouse

All Digital Platforms – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/doll14/snakes-and-ladders

What the press has said about DOLL:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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)

Band: DOLL
Single Title: Snakes and Ladders
Release Date: May 29, 2026
Label: Grunge Never Died, You Did Records
Distribution: DistroKid
Genre: Hard Rock, Punk, Grunge
Location of Band: Ottawa, Ontario

Single Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Doll
• All songs written by: Doll
• Produced by: Josh Hart
• Mixed by: Josh Hart
• Mastered by: Josh Hart
• Single Artwork by: Mark Kidd
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Single Band Line Up: Pete Kasper, Christina Kasper, Josh Hart

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

About The Single Artwork:

Oh, this one is super crazy; it’s almost like we manifested the opportunity by picking the song title to be Snakes and Ladders. We were walking through a thrift store, and out of nowhere, a full-on board game version of the game, with the classic packaging from who knows when. We took a photo of the original box, and it was perfect.

Really makes you wonder, are we living in some video game simulation itself? As soon as you start thinking about something, it always seems to appear in some form, it’s like when you never notice a certain car or shirt, but then the moment you get one, its like you see them non-stop.

Finding that board game, at exactly that moment, it’s a coincidence that just played out so perfectly, there was no point in going a different direction. This was the cover art that was meant to be.

About the single as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Musically, Snakes is a real fun one for us to play, we did a lot of harmonics which we never did a lot in the past, we brought in a lot of the classic feel with the in your face quick riffs, and vocally with the performance dialing up the grit and angst in the delivery, it’s a great song to move to and get some issues out.

Lyrically, it’s a classic tale of boy meets girl, girl kills boy. LOL.

Just kidding.

The messaging is an uplifting anthem fighting back against the bullshit, whether that be the snakes in suits that pretend to want to help you, but are just in it for a paycheck. This was our take on hopefully giving some sense that no matter what, you have to be yourself and never give up.

As the song says, “I refuse to play your game.” Remember to always ask questions, keep things in perspective, and don’t just drink the Kool-Aid blindly.

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

Fun Facts:

1. Christina and Pete are married.

2. They have been supporting and pioneering the Ottawa local scene by organizing shows in the area for over 20 years.

3. On tour, we always had hot and sour soup in every city.

4. Our first out-of-town runs of shows, we didn’t even have a band van, which we ended up finding late night the day before, purchased off someone privately, and had insured and plated the next morning before driving off in our amazing two-tone brown GMC Safari (RIP), the best van ever created.

5. Everyone was a huge fan of Sonic Youth

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

After a long hiatus, Doll returned in 2025 with a brand‑new album, and they’re keeping the momentum going with a follow‑up 2026 single, “Bear Claw,” releasing January 16th.

Doll is a Canadian alternative rock band from Ottawa, Ontario.

In 2009, Doll released their first album, Inside The Dollhouse. A video was filmed for their debut single, “Daddy’s Little Girl,” which aired on MuchMusic and MusiquePlus. A second video was filmed for their next single, “Sally Lost Her Shoelaces.” Madore left the band a few years later, with Paquette returning to take her place.

In 2011, they released their second album, The Ragdoll Diaries. Two singles and videos emerged from this release: “FMO” and “Youth of Today, Hope for Tomorrow.” The album was issued on both CD and vinyl. Soon after, Alex Vance joined the lineup as the new bassist.

Over the years, Doll has shared the stage with an impressive roster of artists, opening for Three Days Grace, Lacuna Coil, Danko Jones, Spinnerette, Protest the Hero, Band of Skulls, Anvil, Halestorm, SNFU, Hanzel Und Gretyl, Civet, The Creepshow, Die Mannequin, and many more.

Discography:
2025 – Better Days, Different Times
2011 – The Ragdoll Diaries
2009 – Inside the Dollhouse

Tours and Festivals:
2011 – Ottawa Bluesfest
2011 – IndieWeek
2011 – NXNE
2011 – Montebello Rockfest

0 EPK – Pythonic – Laws of Karma (2026)

  • May 29, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Pythonic

EPK – Pythonic – Laws of Karma (2026)

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

For fans of Lamb of God, Morbid Angel, Devildriver, Black Dahlia Murder

Band: Pythonic
EP Title: Laws of Karma
Release Date: July 10, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid
Genre: Groove / Death / Thrash
Location: Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    Pythonicband.com | Facebook.com/pythonicband | Instagram.com/pythonicband | Youtube.com/@pythonicband

Pythonic.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

Tour Dates:

May 28 – Regina, SK, Club side of The Exchange
May 29 – The Pas, MB – venue TBA
May 30 – Brandon, MB – The Hall
May 31 – Winnipeg, MB – Sidestage
June 5 – Calgary, AB – The Rock Shop
June 6 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room Temple Stage  

“Pythonic’s Decomposition EP: Rebuilt, Refined, and Ridiculously Relentless” – North Sask Music Zine

“A nice blast of heaviness to see out the year. Pythonic throw their all into delivering a memorable showcase of thrashing death metal. An EP of five tracks that shows off plenty of creativity, has moments of exciting flair, and undeniably delivers the hefty ‘one-two’ punch of death crossed with thrash metal. 8/10″ – Games, Brrraaains and A Head-Banging Life (Decomposition – 2025)

“PYTHONIC does command respect. The way they have approached the music is impressive. I hear Metalcore, I get Metal Hardcore, I receive Groove metal and I hear Heavy Metal. Sometimes one of the four, at other times two or more of the four ingredients on offer. And what is even more impressive; they work well together.8/10″ – Metal Temple (Decomposition – 2025)

“Pythonic assuredly on fine footing based on the reinterpretation of older songs for Decomposition. Strap yourself in for a modern mix of groove metal with thrash, death, and metalcore components which leaves you battered, bruised, and craving more.8/10” – Dead Rhetoric

“The first thing that grabs you about this second stab in the dark from Pythonic is Warriner’s shrill screams which are as nasty as a low budget horror movie from the 1980’s but in a good way. That’s not to say he doesn’t have a death growl of course but it’s not all that deep, his preference being to shred your ear canals as he screeches like a lunatic awaiting asylum on opening gambit “Guiltfeeder“. A track with a sinister urge and classy bit of lead towards the end from Hunter, it’s something that has that classic Morbid Angel about it while there can be little doubt the band love a bit of Swedish Death Metal.” – Metal Noise

““EP 1” is a testament to Pythonic‘s dedication to their craft and their refusal to be confined by sub-genre limitations. Each song is a blend of technical prowess and raw emotion, offering listeners a chance to experience the full spectrum of the band’s capabilities. It is recommended for fans of Machine Head, Trivium and Pantera.” – Metal-Rules (EP01 – 2024)

 

“Pythonic comes from Canada with ‘Epica’, a track that features fast-paced guitar riffs, heavy drums and an engaging, torn vocal that delivers to listeners the essence of metal and subverts such as alternative, thrash and even melodic, being perfect to the circle and not to leave anyone standing still.” – Os Garot Os Deliverpool (EP01 – 2024)
 
“Pythonic has an EP for you. Blending Thrash with Old School Swedish Death Metal, the band manages to sound like Entombed but without losing its unique style… So if you have a few minutes of anger to drain, these guys are going to cover you!” – Metal Eclipse Reviews (EP01 – 2024)
 
“Overall I’m a pretty big fan of this record. If you want something that sounds maybe like an Anthrax or a Slayer record then you really want to check this out. The most dynamic and unique part of this EP, in particular is the vocals are double-tracked and they’re very high in the mix which is something that is somewhat different than a lot of the other metal releases this year which I greatly appreciate. If you want something that has a lot of the thrash guitar element then you’re really going to want to check this out. The guitar and drum parts are fantastic, they really keep the songs very tight even though the vocals are very in your face and they’re usually the the first thing that you would notice with this kind of record but overall this is very strong.” – Brutally Delicious (EP01 – 2024)

 

Band: Pythonic
EP Title: Laws of Karma

Release Date: July 10, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid
Genre: Groove / Death / Thrash
Location: Saskatoon, SK, Canada

 

Track Listing:
1. Laws of Karma (3:17)
2. Feed The Flames (3:52)
3. Set You Free (4:07)
4. Sentience (4:36)
5. Venom (2:59)
EP Length: 18:51

 

EP recording credits
All songs performed by Pythonic
All songs written by Pythonic
Produced by Pythonic
Mixed by Reid Paraszczynec / Lucid Distortion Audio
Mastered by Reid Paraszczynec / Lucid Distortion Audio
Album Artwork by Apocalyptic Nuke

 

EP and Live Lineup:
Morgan Warriner – Lead Vocals
Ryan Hunter –  Lead Guitar
Vincent Kohut – Rhythm Guitar and Backing Vocals
Max Hiske – Bass
Jayden Warriner – Drums
==================================================

About the EP Artwork:

The artwork depicts a guy screwed onto a liberty scale in a hell scape background. We called the EP “Laws of Karma,” hence why we used a liberty scale to impale the figure onto. The artwork was done by @apocalyptic.nuke. The model is of no specific person to name, but holds a deep connection to the band as they were served the karma they deserved, as portrayed in the song “Laws of Karma.” The ending verse highlights the main points tying together the art and the song. They go very hand in hand with each other. We also updated our logo for this release to better align with our new direction in sound. The logo was also done by @apocalyptic.nuke. We are quite happy with how the art turned out and think it matches our brutal leanings as of late.

About The EP: Lyrically and Musically

Lyrically answered by Morgan, “Laws of Karma is the first set of music I have written that has been fully me. To say that I am proud of it is an understatement. The entire set of 5 was written when I was in a very dark place, recovering from surgery and being unable to walk/move. The entire album reflects on Vincent’s, Jayden’s, and Morgan’s struggles with disabilities and surgery. We made music to make you move when we ourselves at times could not.”

Musically, these songs have been written over a wide span of time. Lots of personal struggle and hardship can be heard throughout the riffs. These riffs are a culmination of living through life, and on the toughest days, you can still rip out a killer song through the ashes of despair.

Track By Track: Lyrically and Musically

All lyric content answered by Morgan

1. Laws of Karma – The Laws of Karma guide your fate. This speaks no matter how holy a person views themself they will forever be chained to the laws that guide this world. Karma is a real thing, and it comes to bite some people in the ass. Laws of Karma was written about the ex-member of Pythonic who was in the band for many years. It really highlights Vincent’s personal relationship with him, how the band would have people talk to us about his shitty behaviour and lack of respect. We found it fitting to use him as the object of karma.

Musically, this song was written by Ryan. It was one of the first tracks written to start leaning into a heavier sound and has been a part of our live show for many years. The riffs have not changed over the years, as the song is quite a solid piece of work. We saw it fitting to take the song and not change the name from its predecessor, and to keep the structure exactly the same as it rips.

2. Feed the Flames – Feed the Flames is the second half of Liturgy. Everyone talks about summoning the devil, but rarely discusses what the consequences may be. Demons walk this earth. They are greedy, powerful monstrosities that will take anything offered to them and then some. It speaks on the fire’s voice, which is a popular scripture in the bible (Exodus 3:2). Hearing the fire’s command, obeying, and feeding the flame. Only to have the beast take more than what was offered, terrifying those who summoned it. Eventually claiming the person themself. The beast has finally won.

Feed the Flames came to Vincent while he lived in a fairly haunted house. A solid chorus riff mixed with some other weird yet haunting riffs. The jump in the BPM near the end of the track is supposed to capture the franticness of being pursued, and the abrupt stop is you finally being caught. These go hand in hand with the lyrical content of the song. Stopping abruptly right as the lyrics “ The beast has finally won” are being spoken really helps join the music to the lyrics.

3. Set You Free – Set you free from this holy lie is self-explanatory in itself. It speaks of how religion has changed, how it is not true to itself and how so many people have suffered at the hands of “god”. If any book tells you to hate a fellow human being, that book is completely wrong and should be burned. People gather in mass to listen to people who are continuously getting flak and having people come out and speak about how they were sexually abused by a priest. Religions telling us to hate each other have no place in this world. Religion spreads hate, Pedophiles rule the world, and the bible is blasphemy.

Musically, this is another mostly Ryan banger track. This track has been developed over a long period of time and has had many iterations that have been played live. The core riffs of this track never really changed, like the intro and the verse riffs. They were just such solid riffs over the years and got the crowd moving. The rhythm over the solo is also just an absolute demon of a riff. This was another one of the songs that was written around the time of “Laws of Karma” and was a push for us to sound heavier.

4. Sentience – Lyrically, the song ” Sentience ” was written regarding the viewpoint that a majority of society is not sentient yet, what happens when someone gains sentience and questions the current narrative and the internal turmoil of not wanting to understand the way that the world works “, in ignorance there is bliss”. The entirety of sentience is filled with contradictions as well as unrest of questioning one’s very existence; it’s as though sentience itself is calling out to you, telling you that you can not escape it. Its darkened proposition of guiding you through fractured identity and internal struggle really highlights the personal pursuit of inner peace, but never being able to find it.

What makes a person sentient? Why do some people seem although they are not sentient and do not have souls? Some questions may never be answered. Will one ever find inner peace?

Musically, Sentience comes from a very raw, emotionally charged area for Vincent. It was the first song he had written after being able to play guitar again after an almost two-year hiatus due to not being able to physically play. The riffs dug into his psyche at the time of being relieved to be able to play again, but also releasing the tension of will I ever be able to play again and enjoy music as I had prior. The hiatus had brought up questions of whether I should just call it and start selling all my gear? Am I going to lose all my friends in the band, not being able to do what we enjoy together anymore? The existentialism of these questions harboured the riffs for “Sentience”, making it the heavy-hitting headbanging song you hear today.

5. Venom – Lyrically, Venom is about my personal struggles of being in an abusive relationship. How I was hit, tormented, and gaslit. I thought that I had found the one, and if I had just stayed, things would get better. It speaks to my inability to understand why I was ever treated in such a way. When it comes to abuse, there is never a rhyme or a reason for the way someone treats another person. I gave myself like a devotion or sacrifice to a person who sucked me dry of everything. Later on in Venom, it speaks on how I found myself again after finding the truth and how the person only has themself left to betray.

Musically, Venom comes from a very similar place as the lyrics did. Vincent wrote the majority of this song in a half-hour sitting after breaking up with an abusive ex. Gaslighting and mental torment at the pinnacle of having enough is what brings these riffs together with the lyrics. Originally, the riffs were titled “Drain” as Vincent had felt drained by the relationship in every aspect. A true cathartic release of being abused by a partner.

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

Fun Facts:

1. After we played the Into Eternity show this past November, Morgan received some very flattering compliments on his vocals from Stu Block. This had the band very excited. Ryan and Vincent also received a handshake of approval from Matt Cuthbertson on how well our sound and set have come along. It was a very amazing time to share the stage with such legends in the scene and to be noticed by them as well.  

2. Shortly after the amazing Into Eternity show, we got to be the opener for Slaughter Fest in Edmonton. This show was quite a wild ride. Being able to play the main stage at the Starlite Room felt so surreal. As we performed, more and more people just kept flooding in. The response after our set was also amazing. We had people surprised by the fact that we got people to mosh, saying, “It’s like a rule here that no one moshes for the opening band,” yet that rule was broken. We also received very kind words from Sean Watson, the leader of Display of Decay. He said, “Why didn’t you guys tell me you were so good we would have put you in a later slot?” We honestly didn’t think we were that great to be asking for that, but the crowd’s response never lies.

3. Shortly after the Slaughter Fest show, we would be contacted to be on Serenade Metal Fest once again. We donated our set once to the show, as it helps raise funds for cancer and MS research. And we like to help out with benefit shows even when we have a fairly substantial cost input for getting out to Edmonton.

4. Not long after Serenade happened, we were contacted by Exit Wound out of Calgary to do some tour dates with them. We were all very surprised by this and also excited, as some other touring for the spring had fallen through. We were surprised because we had only played with Exit Wound one other time last year, in June at a Saskatoon date for their tour. This was the third show with Morgan on vocals, and during the middle of the set, Morgan was trying to get the hype up for Exit Wound, and with the amount of air he was pushing for vocals, he had a moment of forgetfulness and forgot the name of their band. Lacking experience and oxygen made us look unintentionally a little bad, but we obviously have the chops and demeanor to show that it was an unintentional accident. Exit Wound later went on that night to play a ferocious set and later invited us on some dates for their upcoming tour.

May 28 – Regina, SK, Club side of The Exchange
May 29 – The Pas, MB – venue TBA
May 30 – Brandon, MB – The Hall
May 31 – Winnipeg, MB – Sidestage
June 5 – Calgary, AB – The Rock Shop
June 6 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room Temple Stage  

5. After sharing the stage with Brain Stem at Slaughter Fest, we were later joined by them at Serenade. While we were at Serenade, Jess Leduc, the vocalist, came up to us before the show and jokingly said, “We never heard of you guys before Slaughter Fest, now we are on almost every show this year,” because we later would be sharing the stage with them once again during the Edmonton date of the tour with Exit Wound. Brain Stem is also an amazing band, and if you have never listened to them, you should really check them out. They have been on our band’s radar for a while, and it’s nice being able to play with an awesome band, like they are so many times!

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

L-R – Ryan Hunter (Lead Guitar), Morgan Warriner (Vocals), Max Hiske (Bass), Vincent Kohut (Rhythm Guitar & Backing Vocals), Jayden Warriner (Drums) 

Pythonic is a Canadian death-groove metal band hailing from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Drawing inspiration from groove and death metal giants like Lamb of God, The Black Dahlia Murder, Morbid Angel, and Devildriver, the band blends crushing riffs with unrelenting energy. Striving for the tightest live sound possible while delivering an electrifying stage presence, Pythonic is truly a sonic force to be reckoned with. Over the years, the band has seen many lineup changes, but two core members have remained constant. Lead guitarist Ryan Hunter, the resident guitar prodigy, shreds some of the grooviest riffs and most blistering solos. Rhythm guitarist Vincent Kohut brings a machine-like precision, combining thick low-end riffing with razor-sharp tremolo picking.

The 2026 and beyond lineup:

Jayden Warriner – skin slapping powerhouse on drums

Morgan Warriner – a vocalist with a beastly range that will leave your head spinning

Max Hiske – locking down the low end and slappin’ da bass with fury

Together, this lineup delivers the full-throttle sonic assault that defines Pythonic.

 

Discography:
2026 – Laws of Karma – EP
2025 – Decomposition – EP
2024 – EP01 – EP
2020 – Negative Thoughts – Single

 

Shared the stage with:
200 Stab Wounds, Beguiler, Art of Attrition, Insurrection, YEGG, Untimely Demise, Ravenwitch, Hatchet, Hazzerd, Into Eternity, Display of Decay, Brain Stem, Age of Ashes, A Modern Prometheus, Cell (MB), Exit Wound, Kelevra, Augurium, Widows Peak, Protosequence, Agony Spawn, Wasted Heretics, deadsunday, Alien to the Ignorant, Balrogath, Kryotic

 

Fests
2026 – Serenade Metal Fest – Edmonton, AB
2025 – Slaughterfest – Edmonton, AB
2025 – Serenade Metal fest – Edmonton, AB
2019 – Shockerfest 26 – Edmonton, AB

0 EPK – Shroud – Pax Nocturna (2026)

  • May 24, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Shroud

EPK – Shroud – Pax Nocturna (2026)

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

“The album, front to back, is structured to be a ride. Black Metal and Thrash Metal are the driving genres, but we incorporate elements of Death and Melodic Metal as well. It goes fast, sometimes it slows down, but it’s meant to be a rollercoaster of heavy metal that takes you on a journey with a bit of everything while maintaining the sound of ‘Shroud.’” – Matteo Conti – Guitar and Vocals – Shroud

For Fans of Watain, Dissection, Hellripper, Skeletonwitch, Necrophobic

Facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086688022343 | Instagram.com/shroud.mtl

Shroudmtl.bandcamp.com | Spotify

“Imagine the ferocity, the grit and attitude of ‘Power n Pain’ era Whiplash, add the nocturnal melodic majesty of Necrophobic, and then a heaping helping of D-beat (always appreciated). Vicious, limb twitchin’ and about as infectious as something you believe you might have picked up on a recent European vacation, but wish you hadn’t. Recc for fans of SkeletonWitch, Necrophobic, Hellripper and others who successfully manage to imbue ragin’ Thrash insanity with an exquisite sense of darkness. This scatches the itch, then successfully obliterates it!” 94/100 – Cult Metal Flix

Band: Shroud
Album Title – Pax Nocturna
Release date: June 4th, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Genre: Blackened Thrash Metal
Location of band: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Track Listing:
1. Pax Nocturna (0:43)
2. The Eternal Void (5:09)
3. The Zealot (5:15)
4. Merciless Tyrants (5:59)
5. Darkest Night (4:45)
6. Diablivion (5:28)
7. Death Blows Over (4:18)
8. All Creation (5:29)
9. Abaddon (7:55)
Album Length: 45:05

Album Recording Credits:
– All songs performed by: Matteo Conti, Zack Osiris, Jordan Barillaro, Justin Cournoyer
– All songs written by: Matteo Conti and Zack Osiris
– Produced by: Shroud and Jordan Barillaro
– Mixed by: Jordan Barillaro
– Album Art by: Justin Cournoyer
– Mastered by: Tore Stjerna

Album and Live Band lineup:
Matteo Conti – Guitar and Vocals
Jordan Barillaro – Guitar
Zack Osiris – Drums
Justin Cournoyer – Bass

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

About The Album Artwork:

It’s a representation of our love and admiration for the occult. The colours themselves, the circular position of the characters involved, the full moon in the center, etc., are influenced by the dark fantasy artworks of Yoshitaka Amano and the Surreal Horror art of Zdzislaw Beksinski. There is also an element of The Lord of the Rings involved with the imagery. It’s symbolic in the sense that the 4 of us (depicted on the left) are at the worship of the Demonic Lord Murmur (on the right), who is the Archduke and Lord of Hell, representing philosophy and music.

About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

The overall concept of the album is Satanic Gnosticism. It’s the rejection of order and the corruption inflicted upon earth and its people by organized religions and corrupt leaders. It’s embracing the chaos that we naturally come from and acknowledging that we are sons and daughters of the black flame and born from the abyss to which we long to return. A higher form of consciousness and what lies beyond this place. It’s a fuck you to the enemies of the planet and acknowledges we are our own gods and masters, and to embrace that power for ourselves

It’s the fascination and worship of death and the beyond while rejecting what is acceptably taught to most of the world’s population.

It is peace within the night.

It is Pax Nocturna.

Track by Track:

1. Pax Nocturna
The instrumental opening of the album. It features piano and uses the two minor chords heard most often throughout the rest of the album. Meant to be thematic and draws an influence from the intro of Metallica’s ‘Blackened’.

2. The Eternal Void
We used to call this one “The Punk Song” before it was given its official title. It has an element of Punk Rock but presented in a Blackened Thrash fashion. Lyrically, it deals with existentialism and a consistent feeling of emptiness that calls to a presence referred to as ‘The Eternal Void’.

3. The Zealot
The first song Matteo and Zack wrote together. Musically, it was the birth of what would follow as Shroud’s sound. The lyrics’ subject matter is based on the Spanish Inquisition of the Medieval and Renaissance ages, and how terrifying they were towards Christians and Non-Christians alike. There were no rights and no fair trials. Basically, a witch-hunt for anyone who didn’t conform to what the Church at that time believed was the appropriate way to behave as a true Christian. ‘The Zealot’ represents one of its heads, Tomas De Torquemada, who was responsible for sending 10,000. People are unjustly sent to their deaths.

4. Merciless Tyrants
This song’s lyrics are about a Warhammer 40000 faction known as “The Necrons”. They’re an ancient, terrifying race of undead androids driven by their goal to conquer the galaxy. Known for brutal tactics and unending hordes, they are actual merciless tyrants. They have an Egyptian-like theme to them, and the song’s music represents that being heavily based on the Phrygian Scale.

5. Darkest Night
This song’s subject matter deals with the abandonment of one’s faith. Although scary to realize in oneself that there is no higher power or afterlife, there is a sense of relief and liberty in attaining true enlightenment.

6. Diablivion
A song that deals with Religious crusades conquering and colonizing lands to spread the word and faith of their god. It is done in a way that paints the crusaders as the true terrifying oppressors and is told from the perspective of those being subjected to their will.

7. Death Blows Over
A song we used to call “Fasty Thrashy” before its official title. It’s a super fast-paced, all-out assault of Thrash Metal with darker elements that give it a Black Metal vibe. It features lots of guitar solos as well. The subject matter deals with having the worst hangover you can possibly imagine.

8. All Creation
A song that’s about the formation of the Earth. Not the one in the biblical sense, but in the more scientific reality-based version of the Planet forming from dust and debris, being constantly pummeled by asteroids that would eventually form its shape and would cool to have Oceans and Continents.

9. Abaddon
A song about mortality, its subject is about how all things are destined to die, and we do it in a symbolic way through the perspective of one of the lords of Hell, Abaddon. It’s the slowest and longest song on the record, and makes its way to an outro we felt fitting to tie the finale together for Pax Nocturna.

L-R – Justin Cournoyer – Bass, Matteo Conti – Guitar and Vocals, Zack Osiris – Drums, Jordan Barillaro – Guitar

Emerging from the depths below, Shroud is set to make their full-length debut with ‘Pax Nocturna.’

Formed in 2022 by Guitarist/Vocalist Matteo Conti and Drummer Zack Osiris, the band quickly solidified its lineup with the addition of Jordan Barillaro on Guitar and Justin Cournoyer on bass. Each member brought a blend of technical prowess and raw intensity, setting the stage for Shroud’s relentless sonic assault.

Drawing inspiration from the bleak and obscure corners of existence, Shroud embarked on their musical journey, crafting compositions that reflect the darkness and chaos of the human psyche. Their sound, characterized by blistering riffs, thunderous drums, and raspy vocals that echo through the void, resonates deeply within the metal community. Overall, the general perception of the band would be closest to the style of Blackened Thrash Metal.

After honing their craft through intense and electrifying live performances in the Quebec music scene, Shroud is set to unleash their debut album ‘Pax Nocturna’ on June 4th, 2026.

Discography:
2026 – Pax Nocturna (LP)
2024 – The Eternal Void (Single)
2025 – All Creation (Single)

SHARED STAGE WITH:
Exciter, Midnight, Wraith, Goatwhore, Vitriol, Necrofier, Wormwitch, Spiter, Gudsforladt, Tomarumvoid, Angelus Apatrida, Sorguinazia

TOURS AND FESTIVALS
2026 – Speed Trap vol 2, Montreal, CA
2024 – Woods of Gallows V, New York, USA

0 EPK – Levinia – Silver Tongues (2026) (Single)

  • May 15, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Levinia

EPK – Levinia – Silver Tongues (2026) (Single)

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

For fans of Within Temptation, Amaranthe, Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, Delain

“We think fans are going to have a strong reaction to these upcoming releases because each song reveals a very different side of Levinia. “Silver Tongues” will likely catch listeners by surprise with its groovier, more rhythm-driven feel. It is a bit more restrained melodically on the surface, but the lyrical message is sharp and unsettling, which we think fans will connect with once they sit with the song. Overall, we believe fans will appreciate not only the heaviness but the versatility. These songs push Levinia into new territory while still maintaining the cinematic drama and emotional weight that listeners know us for.” – Livinia – Vocals – Kourt Henson

Leviniaofficial.com | Facebook.com/LeviniaOfficial | Instagram.com/leviniaofficial 

Tiktok.com/@leviniaofficial | Youtube.com/@leviniaofficial

Spotify | Apple Music

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

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

Band: Levinia
Single Title: Silver Tongues – 3:37
Release Date: May 17, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Symphonic
Genre: Modern Symphonic Metal
Location of Band: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Single Credits: Silver Tongues
Vocals – Kourt Henson
Guitars – Alon Mei-Tal
Bass – Chris Collier
Drums – Dylan Suierveld
Writers: Brandon Friesen, Courtney Henson, Alon Mei-tal, Ben Robinson, and Dylan Lawrence Suierveld

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

Describe Single Artwork:

Silver Tongues: The artwork for “Silver Tongues” was inspired by a behind-the-scenes performance photograph of Kourt taken by Matt Martinez of Red Hare Images. In that original shot, he captured a striking moment, an intense, almost piercing glare that perfectly embodied the darker, more scrutinizing tone of the song. That image became the visual jumping-off point for the single’s overall concept. While the woman featured on the final artwork is not literally Kourt, the piece serves as a clear homage to that captured expression and energy. The blonde woman, dressed in black leather, mirrors that same commanding presence, but with an added layer of mystery. Her finger is pressed to her lips in a “shh” gesture, as though she is concealing something from the listener or inviting them into a dangerous secret. That visual choice ties directly into the song’s theme—deception, manipulation, and the seductive nature of voices that appear glamorous on the surface while hiding something much darker underneath. The artwork is meant to feel alluring, confrontational, and slightly unsettling all at once, much like the message behind “Silver Tongues.”

About The Single (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Silver Tongues: At a deeper level, “Silver Tongues” explores celebrity and influencer worship through almost religious undertones. In modern culture, public figures are often elevated beyond admiration and into something resembling idolatry, placed on pedestals where their opinions, lifestyles, and approval begin to carry more weight than an individual’s own inner compass. People begin following blindly, accepting what is said as truth simply because it comes from someone with visibility, status, or fame. That dynamic becomes spiritually dangerous. The song examines what happens when a person starts placing an idol above themselves, surrendering independent thought, moral judgment, and personal identity in exchange for the false comfort of belonging to whatever narrative that influential voice is selling. It becomes less about inspiration and more about submission. There is a false sense of peace in that blind obedience. Following someone else’s instructions can feel easier than wrestling with one’s own convictions, but that ease comes at a cost: the slow erosion of self. “Silver Tongues” acts as a rebellion against that surrender. It is a rejection of the polished voices that promise certainty while quietly demanding conformity. Beneath the groove and melody, the song is ultimately a warning not to confuse fame with truth or sacrifice individuality at the altar of public influence.

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

Fun Facts/Stories

1. Our working titles are all courtesy of Alon, which means they are rarely normal and rarely make any logical sense to anyone but him. You can usually tell exactly where he pulled his inspiration from… and then where his brain took a sharp left turn. For example, we were recently inspired by The Divine Conspiracy’s song Chasing the Dragon, and instead of giving the demo some dark, majestic placeholder name, he lovingly titled it “Pursuing the Worm.” Same energy, significantly less threatening. It sounds less like a symphonic metal anthem and more like an unfortunate gardening problem.

2. One time, we drove out to Las Vegas for a show, and after surviving the performance and the questionable post-show exhaustion, Kourt and our former bassist Arron crashed at a friend’s house. Said friend owned two very important residents: a French bulldog puppy and one full-grown bulldog built like a snoring cement block, who slept downstairs in a crate. The Bassist took the pullout couch, while Kourt slept upstairs.  Now, Kourt is unfortunately a morning person, so while the rest of humanity was unconscious, she got up at dawn to grab some water. The house was dead silent… until she heard this demonic snore. Naturally, her first thought was, “Dear God, the dude is louder than I remember.” She stood there in complete horror, trying to process how one bassist could produce sounds usually associated with a malfunctioning chainsaw. It was only after a few confused seconds that she realized the snoring was not, in fact, our bassist on the couch, though the resemblance was alarmingly believable, but the full-grown bulldog in the crate. To this day, we still maintain that there was a very concerning overlap in their sleep acoustics.

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

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

Photo Credit – Dream of Mirrors Photography

Levinia was born from the ashes of Los Angeles power metal outfit Aerius, founded in 2015 by former bandmates John Pinon and Dylan Suierveld. Seeking a fresh start and a more melodic, emotionally resonant sound, the duo launched a new project originally named Lavinium. After laying down the instrumental tracks for their demo EP, they began the search for a lead vocalist who could match their evolving vision. That search ended with the arrival of Kourt Henson, former frontwoman of FifthLaw and a solo artist known for her haunting vocal style, theatrical presence, and lyrical depth.

With Kourt onboard, the trio completed their debut demo EP, Alluring Fear, which dropped in January 2018 to enthusiastic underground acclaim. The band quickly moved forward, teaming up with LA producer Charles Kallaghan Massabo to craft their official debut EP. The transformation in their sound was so profound that they rebranded as Levinia, a name that better reflected their cinematic, genre-blending identity and elevated artistic direction. As their sound continued to evolve, Levinia welcomed Alon

Mei-tal as their full-time lead guitarist and songwriter, joining forces with Kourt to shape the band’s next chapter through a dynamic and emotionally charged creative partnership. Together, the band refined a hybrid metal sound that fuses symphonic grandeur, modern melodic hooks, and raw emotional storytelling.

Most recently, Levinia has begun working with acclaimed producer Brandon Friesen, who is producing their next four singles. This collaboration marks a defining new era for the band, elevating both the sonic depth and production scope of their music while preserving the emotional intensity that defines their identity. The upcoming releases promise a darker, more cinematic evolution of Levinia’s signature sound. Levinia has also recently welcomed Liam Buckley as their new bassist, adding even more depth and low-end power to their expanding musical landscape. The band is set to release four powerful singles, each one unfolding as a chapter in their evolving sonic narrative. With momentum building, a sharpened creative vision, and a renewed production force behind them, Levinia stands poised to make a lasting impact on the modern symphonic metal scene, and they are only just getting started.

Levinia:
Vocals – Kourt Henson
Guitars – Alon Mei-Tal
Bass – Liam Buckley
Drums- Dylan Suierveld

Discography:
2026 – Silver Tongues (Single)
2026 – The Thron (Single)
2018 – Liberation EP
2018 – Alluring Fear EP

SHARED STAGE WITH:
Delain
Edge of Paradise (x2)
Xandria (x2)
Wind Rose
Art Shock
Allegaon
Black Corwn Initiate
Omnium Gatherum
Liliac (x2)
Jacky Vincent
Ahtack
Harlequin
Disrupted Euphoria

0 EPK – Accursed – Sever The Horizon (2026) (single)

  • May 8, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Accursed · EPKs · Uncategorized

EPK – Accursed – Sever The Horizon (2026) (single)

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

For fans of The Black Dahlia Murder, At The Gates, Revocation, Wretched, Angelmaker

Accursed.band | Facebook.com/accursedct | Youtube.com/@accursedct | Instagram.com/accursedct

Accursedct.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music | Accursed-merch.square.site/

“Lyrically, this new one is a furious condemnation of Christianity, joining a near-endless line of metal songs with a similar theme. Musically, it’s a hell-raiser too, a furiously vicious melodic death metal discharge. The screamed vocals are hair-raising in their intensity. The riffing blares like sirens, feverishly slashes like blood-crusted swords, and dismally roils. The drums methodically snap and maniacally clatter. The fleet-fingered soloing is exultant but also fluidly sinister. The song proves to be not just hostile but also eventually steeped in misery and dismay. It also proves to be highly groovesome, and good reason to check out Accursed‘s previous releases this year.” -Islander – No Clean Singing – (Beneath A Burning Sky Single 2025)

Band: Accursed
Single Title: Sever the Horizon – 3:38
Release Date: 5/8/2026
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Location of Band: Connecticut, USA

Single Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Accursed
• All songs written by: Dave Lee, Chris Dwyer, Will Devereaux
• Produced by: Dave Lee
• Mixed by: Stephan Hawkes
• Mastered by: Stephan Hawkes
• Album Artwork by: Dimas Aditya
• Member of ASCAP

Album Band Line Up:
Will Devereaux – Vocals
Dave Lee – Guitar
Chris Dwyer – Bass
Ray Zvovushe – Drums

Live Band Line Up:
Will Devereaux – Vocals
Dave Lee – Guitar
Rob Casucci – Guitar
Chris Dwyer – Bass
Ethan Puetzer – Drums

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

About The Single:

Although the writing for Sever the Horizon was completed over a year ago, it became the catalyst for the rest of the album, setting both the tonal direction and the level of compositional complexity that eventually pulled the full track list together. Lyrically, it tells the story of Richard ‘Sky King’ Russell and the Horizon Air Incident of August 10, 2018, approaching it through a more interpretive lens. The song explores the emotional and psychological headspace he may have been in, while surmising the surreal physical experience and the overwhelming beauty and uncertainty of what he was witnessing in his final moments.

We intentionally avoided direct callouts or any attempt to explain or glorify his actions, recognizing that much of it is ultimately unknowable. Instead, the focus is on perspective and wholly human experience within a tragic and widely discussed moment. It’s a story that resonated with a lot of people when it happened, and we hope that the song connects similarly, maybe offering listeners something to reflect on and even relate to in their own struggles.

About The Single Artwork:

We went back and forth on the artwork quite a bit because, honestly, we didn’t have a clear direction right away. We even had Dimas scrap the initial concept and take it in a completely different direction once we realized it didn’t really reflect who we are stylistically.

What we ended up with feels a lot more like a visual metaphor for confronting and battling your inner demons. It ties directly into the core themes of the song and in a lot of ways, says what we’re trying to express without needing to spell it out.

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. Who is Justin Dupree? That’s a great question. Honestly, we’ve been asking ourselves that ever since recording our first EP, Ascension.

We were tracking vocals for The Way Out at Hat City Music Productions, and mid-take, the engineer Chris Litwin stops Will and asks him to redo a line, something like, ‘do that Justin Dupree part again’. The actual lyrics are “dust and debris”, but from that moment, it was over.

A legend was born, and now none of us can hear that line any other way.

2. During the recording of our first EP, it felt like the universe was actively testing whether the release was supposed to happen when we thought it was. The first sign came during our final vocal session when lightning struck the studio. We watched it arc from a power strip to a pipe in the room we were standing in. It fried some of the gear, but luckily, all our recordings made it through untouched. Then, just as things moved into mixing and mastering with Studio Wormwood, the Asheville area was hit with historic flooding that devastated the community. We were watching it unfold in real time, not knowing what it meant for the project, but incredibly, the studio itself was spared. At the time, we were anxious to get the music out as quickly as possible, but looking back, it felt like something was telling us to slow down and pay attention. Since then, we’ve tried to be more in tune with that because when we are, things tend to fall into place in ways we can’t really plan for. Opportunities show up out of nowhere, and we’ve learned to just stay ready, trust the process, and keep doing things the right way.

3. At this point, most of the process has moved in-house. All of the guitars, bass, and vocals are tracked out of my home studio, where I also handle the producing, engineering, and reamping. It’s given us a lot more control over the sound and the pace of how we work, which has been huge for dialing things in exactly how we want them.

Drums are the one piece we can’t quite accommodate yet due to space, so we track those at Dexter’s Lab with Nick Bellmore (Many Eyes, Dee Snider, Jasta, and more). It’s a great balance, keeping most of the process in-house while still bringing in someone with his experience to help capture the energy on the drum side.

4. On a long weekend run through Virginia and North Carolina last year, we really tested the limits of Japanese engineering. We hitched a U-Haul trailer to Dave’s Subaru Crosstrek and somehow fit five fully grown adults(?) into it for what ended up being about 25 hours of driving. If you ever get the opportunity to pack half a ton of dudes into a crossover SUV for a road trip… don’t. Just rent the van. Trust me.

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

L-R: Accursed Current Line Up | Rob Casucci (Guitar) | Dave Lee (Guitar) | Will Devereaux (Vocals) | Chris Dwyer (Bass) | Ethan Puetzer (Drums) 

Photographer Credit – Mia Palazzo

Accursed began in 2019 against the urban backdrop of Connecticut as a singular creative reaction to the extremes of modern metal; a project aimed at blending the melodic sophistication of classic melodic death metal with the intensity of contemporary heavy music. 

Across the band’s formative years, the lineup shifted several times, each change refining the group’s direction rather than diluting it. These early transitions were a workshop – players came and went, arrangements were tested, and the band’s songwriting deepened. Rather than slowing momentum, the process strengthened Accursed’s identity, resulting in tighter compositions and a clearer sonic blueprint.

The band’s last single, “Beneath A Burning Sky,” was received extremely well, outperforming their previous releases in the first 3 months and being featured on The Circle Pit’s YouTube channel and on No Clean Singing blog.

In late 2025, Accursed entered a new phase of creative chemistry with a new lineup that will carry the band into the future. Currently putting the finishing touches on pre-production for their debut full-length, Accursed is readying a record that emphasizes dynamic contrasts, harmonized guitar work, and melodic hooks balanced against pummeling rhythm sections and visceral vocals.

Sonically, Accursed sits squarely in the melodic death metal tradition but refuses to be a pastiche. Fans can expect modern production clarity and arrangements that make space for both aggression and atmosphere. Lyrically, the band explores themes of consequence, internal fracture, and the quiet violence of everyday existence, all delivered with concise, evocative imagery that complements the music’s intensity.

Looking ahead, Accursed is focused on finishing the album and not just building on the past but blowing it away entirely. With an uncompromising creative vision, Accursed is poised to make a distinct mark on the melodic death metal landscape.

Discography:
2026 – Sever the Horizon (Single)
2025 – Beneath A Burning Sky (Single)
2025 – Cold (At the Gates Cover) (Single)
2025 – Ascension (EP)

Shared Stage with:
Undeath
Gates to Hell
Crown Magnetar
Gorgatron
Extermination Dismemberment
Jasta
Kruelty
Larcenia Roe
Malignancy
Pessimist
Fires in the Distance
Begat The Nephilim
Burned In Effigy
Fleshbore
Frog Mallet

Tours and Festivals:
2026 – Buffalo Gore Fest – Buffalo, NY
2025 – Connecticut Death Fest – Milford, CT
2024 – Connecticut Death Fest – East Haven, CT
2023 – Connecticut Death Fest – East Haven, CT

0 Protected: EPK – Dehumanizing Itatrain Worship – 二次元コンプレックス 2D Complex (2026) (Stillbirth Records)

  • May 7, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Dehumanizing Itatrain Worship (Stillbirth Records/Gore House Productions) · EPKs

This content is password-protected. To view it, please enter the password below.

0 EPK – Entropist – The Vision (2026)

  • May 6, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Entropist · EPKs

EPK – Entropist – The Vision (2026)

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

“This album is the culmination of over a decade of work, and we’re excited to finally be able to share it with the world! It contains a personal story that I think many can relate to, while also containing a crazy esoteric concept, for those who are into that sort of thing. The album as a whole covers a huge breadth of metal sound. You can hear all kinds of different influences throughout, but it all comes together as what I consider its own thing, very much. Many of the songs are relatively long, with a good bit of complexity, but I think we’ve done a good job of making everything flow in such a way that it really just brings the listener on a journey. It gets really heavy, but has so many unexpected and even victorious moments that I think truly set it apart. I’m really proud of what we’ve created here, and look forward to sharing what else we’ve got in store! Solomon Smith  – Guitar/Vocals – Entropist

For fans of Between the Buried and Me, The Contortionist, Meshuggah, Karnivool, Opeth

Entropistband.com | Facebook.com/EntropistBand | Instagram.com/entropistband

Entropistcolorado.bandcamp.com

Spotify single pre-save – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/entropist1/creation

Band: Entropist
Album Title: The Vision
Release Date: June 26, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Genre: Progressive Metal
Location of Band: Denver, CO

Track Listing:
1. Intense Warmth (4:00)
2. Devour Us (6:34)
3. I Hunger (5:34)
4. The Ritual (8:36)
5. Desert of Limbo (6:04)
6. The Wandering (6:47)
7. Creation (8:49)
8. Revelation (14:12)
Album Length: 1:00:40

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Entropist
• All songs written by: Entropist
• Produced by: Jamie King
• Mixed by: Jamie King
• Mastered by: Jamie King
• Album Artwork by: Shannon Bortfeldt

Album Band Line Up:
Solomon Smith – Guitar
Will Vinson – Guitar
Jeremy Smith – Bass
Matt Gleason – Drums
Parker Kitching – Vocals
Cecily Meade – Violin

Live Band Line Up:
Solomon Smith – Guitar
Will Vinson – Guitar
Jeremy Smith – Bass
Matt Gleason – Drums
Parker Kitching – Vocals

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

About The Album Artwork:

The artwork was painted on canvas by my amazingly talented wife, Shannon Bortfeldt. It’s an impressionist depiction of the defining moments that open up the album’s story, as well as a powerful compliment to darker themes of dread and disillusionment that pervade its first arcs. I believe the artwork speaks better than I can to the intense emotional concepts here, and in the interest of leaving the concept a bit up to interpretation, I’ll simply say that the first few songs are told from the perspective of the entities seen there. Solomon Smith – Vocalist

About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

A powerful and visionary progressive metal odyssey. Largely through-composed, the album explores a vast array of soundscapes and flavors of metal to tell its intertwined stories. Solomon Smith – guitar/vocals

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Intense Warmth – This song is one of my favorites because it just keeps building up throughout the majority of the song. It begins in a relatively traditional manner with a clean guitar intro, but I think the moment the listener hears the walls of vocals come in, it’s clear they’re listening to something different. It’s got some big chords that come with a melodic bass solo before some fast double bass kicks us into the main riff of the song. The driving riff suddenly transitions into this huge breakdown before the song gradually cools off. The song is largely written from the perspective of one of the characters from the album’s concept becoming disillusioned with his world, and dreaming about the possibilities of changing it.

2. Devour Us – This song gives the listener a moment to breathe by starting with an acoustic guitar intro with a beautiful violin solo played by a friend of ours before jumping right back into some technical metal riffing. I think this is one of the more unique main riffs, with guitars jumping between unison and harmony parts with the bass while the drums hold everything together. The song then slows down for a bridge with odd time signatures and droning guitars, while Parker and I trade off call-and-response vocals before kicking into a faster, thrashy part. Everything stops for a moment as the vocals summon the void itself before Will rips this nasty but tasteful solo for the outro. Devour Us is where the album’s concept and connection to the real world start to blur a bit, relating to themes of struggling with seclusion, mundanity, and futility

3. I Hunger – A real crusher, this one. Meant to represent the voice of the all-consuming void, this song is arguably the heaviest on the album: a slow, sinister, and powerful wall of sound. It features heavily downtuned guitars and is largely driven by the drums and vocals. We actually wrote the lyrics for this one before everything else, writing the rest around, making it all sound as colossal as possible.

4. The Ritual – This song comes in with an eerie vibe, with the chords and melodies all creating a slightly unsettled atmosphere, accompanied by the sounds of strange creatures calling in the dark. We then dive into a fast, techy passage with brutal screams, blast beats, the like that culminates into a heavily syncopated breakdown where Parker and I trade off vocal parts. The bridge gives the listener a chance to breathe, with the bass holding down a pensive chord progression under lush vocal harmonies featuring everyone in the band. The drums kick us into a fun little part that brings us right back into the heaviness for the outro. The lyrics are largely correlated to the concept, but explore the unease and potentially devastating consequences of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

5. Desert of Limbo – This song is where the album really begins to diverge from more traditional metal sounds. The structure comes in waves, starting with an evocative clean passage in a deceptively pleasant odd time signature. We decided to get pretty experimental with the vocal melodies and harmonies here, and I think it came together well with the unique rhythms and chord changes the bass holds down. The song quickly gains energy and explodes into a breakdown with fierce vocals on top before flipping into this techy part with a tapping solo over a complex chugging from the rhythm section. We bring it down a bit for a tasty drum and bass part with some really echoey screams before transitioning into some duelling guitar solos. We hand it back to the bass and drums for a fun instrumental part that leads into a heavy, slow breakdown before the song climaxes with big chords and vocal harmonies. This song is really about both losing yourself in the trials and complexities of life, but also finding yourself through the paths you take.

6. The Wandering – The instrumental track! This one explores some of the craziest parts and time signatures and gives the rhythm section a chance to show off a bit, though we aimed to keep it as tasteful as we could throughout. It’s got tasty bass licks, fun guitar harmonies, tricky rhythms, unique chord changes and, of course, some sick solos. We love playing this one live, and it gives us an opportunity to mix things up with some improv.

7. Creation – The beginning of the final arc of the album. Sonically and lyrically, there’s a clear contrast here, the themes related to making something new and bringing about the world you want to see. This one starts with some big and bright-sounding chords where the drums give the whole thing momentum that drives us into some proggy intro riffage. This ultimately settles into a Parker delivering a meditative verse part where Will plays this tasty guitar lick over some percussive bass and drums. We quickly build it up into this powerful driving part with a combination of chords and djenty rhythms before taking it into the second verse. The second verse leads into a huge chorus part with soaring vocals and huge chords that climax into one of the heaviest breakdowns on the album. We bring it back to the chorus chord change for this gorgeous and victorious solo from Will before closing out with some heavy rhythms and huge crowd vocals.

8. Revelation – This song represents both the beginning and end of an era for me, to say the least. It’s about the elation of self-actualization, the feeling of having not only overcome one’s challenges and personal failings, but bringing forward positive movement in the world. It encapsulates and concludes both the album’s concept and the story of its own realization. It’s easily our most ambitious song, with all kinds of thematic and lyrical callbacks to the other songs on the album, the wildest riffs and rhythms, and just over a 14-minute runtime. The composition ranges from triumphant guitar lead harmonies to complex chugging rhythms, to spicy drum & bass parts, to soaring choruses. The whole thing ends in an epic and emotional passage that I think ties a perfect bow on the album.

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

STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT THE BAND

1. We met back in 2013 while going to college in Greeley, CO. Solomon, Jeremy, and Parker were all roommates at the time, and our drummer, Matt, was our back door neighbor. We all bonded quickly over our love for prog metal and djent. We would carpool down to Denver for shows all the time and would always get together to jam new albums together when they came out. This eventually turned into us jamming together. Solomon had written a few songs at the time (some of which are on this album), and we ended up setting up Matt’s drum set in our living room so we could learn them together. We later all moved away from Greeley, and the music quickly came to a halt. Years later, when COVID hit, Solomon ended up rekindling the music. He hit everyone up, and we started getting back in touch with each other. Lots of long nights chatting in Discord, lots of sharing of guitar pro files, bouncing ideas back and forth. This was the start of Entropist. We ended up meeting Will through a mutual friend, which took Entropist to a new level with his guitar style and creativity. We had a handful of songs written, we now had a full band of devoted guys, and we knew that this had potential. Parker – Vocals

2. We ended up choosing Jamie King to mix/master this album because we are big fans of Between the Buried and Me and The Contortionist, and both of those bands have worked with him. Some of our favorite albums of all time were mixed by Jamie King, and it was a big goal of ours to make sure he got his hands on this album. Needless to say, the final product far exceeded our expectations. Parker – Vocals

3. We did not originally intend to have group vocals with all 5 of us members on the album, but during the recording process, we all decided on the spot that we should give it a try. The group yelling/chanting at the end of “Creation” was added on the spot, as well as the layered vocal harmonies during the bridge on “The Ritual”. Parker – Vocals

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

Clockwise from Top Right: Solomon Smith – Guitars/Backup Vocals, Will Vinson – Guitars, Parker Kitching – Lead Vocals, Jeremy Smith – Bass, Matt Gleason – Drums

Photo Credit – Entropist

Entropist is emerging as one of progressive metal’s most compelling new voices, delivering a sound that vocalist Parker Kitching describes as “a love letter to metal.” Blending the ambition of prog with the weight of deathcore, the precision of djent, and the emotion of post‑hardcore, the band crafts a sweeping, cinematic style rooted in both technical mastery and raw storytelling.

Formed from a decade‑long bond between Solomon Smith (guitar/vocals), Parker Kitching (vocals), Jeremy Smith (bass), and Matt Gleason (drums), the band’s origins trace back to 2013 in Greeley, Colorado, where the members first connected as college roommates and neighbors. After years of jamming, drifting apart, and reconnecting during the COVID era, Entropist solidified its lineup with the addition of guitarist Will Vinson, whose creativity pushed the project into its fully realized form.

Their debut album “The Vision” marks a bold entrance, a dual‑layered concept record that intertwines a fantastical narrative of demons, celestial beings, and the void with a grounded exploration of mental struggle, nihilism, and the search for meaning. Written largely from the perspectives of characters within the story, the album is designed as a front‑to‑back experience, filled with recurring motifs, callbacks, and evolving themes.

The band’s sonic identity is shaped heavily by influences like Between the Buried and Me, Meshuggah, Opeth, and The Contortionist, yet their approach remains distinctly their own. Solomon’s intricate compositions form the backbone of the record, while the rest of the band shaped the material through relentless collaboration, late‑night Discord sessions, shared files, and constant experimentation.

To bring the album’s massive sound to life, Entropist enlisted renowned producer Jamie King, whose work with BTBAM and The Contortionist helped define modern progressive metal. His mixing and mastering elevated the band’s wide‑ranging ideas into a cohesive, powerful whole. The album’s visual identity comes from a hand‑painted canvas by Solomon’s wife, Shannon Bortfeldt, whose impressionist artwork captures the emotional and narrative weight of the story’s opening moments.

Entropist has already shared the stage with Nightwraith, So This Is Suffering, Eternal Bloom, The Dawn Chose Orion, WOR, and Fused by Defiance, bringing their intense, immersive sound to audiences ready for something both heavy and deeply atmospheric.

With a debut that spans genres, tells a sweeping story, and showcases the band’s technical and emotional range, Entropist is poised to make a significant impact on the modern metal landscape. Their music is ambitious, meticulously crafted, and driven by a genuine passion for the genre, and this is only the beginning.

Album Band Line Up:
Solomon Smith – Guitar
Will Vinson – Guitar
Jeremy Smith – Bass
Matt Gleason – Drums
Parker Kitching – Vocals
Cecily Meade – Violin

Live Band Line Up:
Solomon Smith – Guitar
Will Vinson – Guitar
Jeremy Smith – Bass
Matt Gleason – Drums
Parker Kitching – Vocals

Shared Stage with:
Nightwraith
So this is Suffering
Eternal Bloom
The Dawn Chose Orion
WOR
Fused by Defiance

0 EPK – Eternal Drak – The Violence Of Time (2026)

  • May 6, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Eternal Drak · Uncategorized

EPK – Eternal Drak – The Violence Of Time (2026)

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

For fans of Dimmu Borgir, Watain, Kreator, Motorhead, Desaster

“Long-time listeners usually look for emotional continuity, lyrics, themes, or a sound that feels them authentically, even if the production evolves. If that connection is there, reception tends to be warm even when the style shifts. We seek to deepen and solidify the bond with those who have accompanied us for years, acknowledging their loyalty and the enduring connection that has grown alongside our music. The Violence of Time is an album aimed at every true old-school metal devotee, those drawn to the raw spirit of thrash, the darkness of black metal, and the severity of death metal. It is an invitation to listeners who grew up with the foundations of extreme metal, but who still seek intensity, conviction, and relevance.” – Eternal Drak

Eternaldrak.com | Facebook.com/EternalDrak | X.com/eternaldrak | Youtube.com/@eternaldrak1684 | Instagram.com/eternaldrak

Eternaldrak.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon Music

Single pre-save – https://hypeddit.com/eternaldrak/weforceittospeak

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

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

“A fine collection from the masters of ancient evil” – Metal Noise (The Warrior Order – 2025)

“There’s evil intent at the start of next song “Eternal Drak” something I’d expect as it’s named after the band. Again, the trio are delving into themes of dark forces and mythical battles, but they have upped the intensity on this one as it sounds more powerful. It’s hard not to imagine a town or castle besieged by dragon’s fire and the hellish earth that awaits any survivors.” – The Razor’s Edge (The Warrior Order – 2025)

“another  great  sounding  recording  from  Eternal  Drak  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  blackened  thrash  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  “Oda  A  La  Luna”  and  “La  Nueva  Orden”.  8  out  of  10.” – Bringer of Death Zine (The Warrior Order – 2025)

“„Eternal Drak“ is a small grab bag. Here they use different tempos that fit into the fast, rhythmic sound. With an extremely thrashy and vocally aggressive sound, you always have to be prepared for changing rhythms and moods. An extremely brutal melody blows with us „La nueva Order“ counter. At the end of the „EP“ they take a Metallica song from the album „Master of Puppets“ before. „Leper Messiah“ rewound in a radical version. Just as the album title says: they implement the warrior code musically.” – Hellfire Magazin (The Warrior Order – 2025)

“The Warrior Order is a real surprise and shows a completely new face of ETERNAL DRAK,” – PowerMetal.de (The Warrior Order – 2025)

““Oda A La Luna” sees a powerful drum at the beginning, before the rhythm settles in this dark ode. The lyrical theme is one of rebellion and ritual, and you can feel the intensity with each slap on the snare. The middle section has a sudden tempo change, with a riff that will get your head moving and the intensity follows through.” – The Razor’s Edge (The Warrior Order – 2025)

“This is a pretty good EP that’s got plenty of thrashy riffs, grooves and black metal harmonies and tremolos, give this a spin. ” – Drako’s Metal Reviews (The Warrior Order – 2025)

“”Drak Metal” is an excellent album, a deserving addition to any metalhead’s collection. With a few specific focuses here and there, the combination of Black and Thrash and Groove metals is done with near perfect balance, so there should be a wide appeal. ” – Metal Temple (2024 – Imprisoned Souls)

“the album comes with a sharp and grim expression set to an appropriately dark mood and mode, and in terms of mood and atmosphere this album did remind me ever so slightly of Celtic Frost, even if the music itself is rather different. That being said, I would imagine that quite a few thrash metal fans that also enjoy a little bit extreme metal as well as a band like aforementioned Celtic Frost would feel right at home with the landscapes explored on this production.” – The Viking in the Wilderness (2024 – Imprisoned Souls)

“‘Drak Metal’ is actually very enjoyable… it has a supreme raw quality to it which gives the album a sense honest integrity that just means that the listener cannot get enough of it, that passion is infectious and is more than enough to say, more of the same guys… more of the same.” – Metal Digest (2021 – Drak Metal)

 

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

 

Band: Eternal Drak
Album Title: The Violence Of Time
Release Date: July 17th, 2026
Label: FirstWave Canada              
Genre: Thrash Black Metal
Location of Band: Quebec City, Canada

 

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

 

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Eternal Drak
• All songs written by:
Tracks 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 9 – 10 by Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar)
Track 8 by Michel Amyot
• Produced by: Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar)
• Mixed by: Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar)
• Mastered by: Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar)
• Album Artwork by: Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar)
• Member of SOCANAlbum Band Line Up:Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar) – Voices, Lead Guitar, Bass
Michel Amyot – Rhythm GuitarLive Band Line Up:
Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar) – Voices, Lead Guitar
Michel Amyot – Rhythm Guitar
===========================================================

About The Album Artwork:

The image represents the structural spine of the album, a visual interpretation of the rupture and destruction of the traditional concept of time. Past and present are shown coexisting, bound together yet simultaneously under attack at their very foundation: the river of time itself.

This collision reflects the album’s central idea, where time is no longer linear or stable, but fractured and eroded. By striking at its base, the image symbolizes the collapse of chronological certainty, exposing time as something violent, unstable, and ultimately indefinable.

About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

The album frames time as a hostile force—not as a neutral medium or an abstract measure. Time does not accompany human beings; it subdues them. It does not flow; it imposes. It does not advance; it erodes. It does not reveal meaning; it destroys it.

Time is a constant pressure that distorts memory, identity, and causality. Everything human beings think they understand <past, present, future> is a mental adaptation designed to survive, not to describe reality.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. We Force It To Speak

Understanding changes things. The sixth break was personal. Trying to understand time doesn’t reveal it. It distorts it. Explanation isn’t neutral.
Observation isn’t passive. Two people describing the same moment don’t agree because there is no single version to agree on. Truth isn’t discovered.
It’s enforced. Time doesn’t lie. We force it to make sense.

2. The Unborn Paths Rot

Most futures are already dead; the fifth idea changed how I think about tomorrow. There isn’t one future. There are too many. Most of them never make it. Outcomes appear and collapse without ever becoming real. Paths that existed just long enough to fail. Sometimes I see traces—effects without decisions, warnings written for events that never happened. The future doesn’t open.
It closes constantly. Time doesn’t choose. It lets everything happen and abandons most of it. I changed.

3. Me Hice Simultaneo

Attention feeds time. The eighth realization was uncomfortable.
Time gets stronger where it’s watched. Fear makes the present heavier.
Hope stretches the pressure longer. Obsession speeds everything up.
Ignoring time doesn’t stop it. It just spreads it out. We don’t control time.
We make it harsher.

4. The Blasphemy of Time

Time doesn’t move. The first thing I understood was simple and unbearable:
Time doesn’t flow. Nothing really goes forward. Nothing stays behind.
The past doesn’t leave. It stays stacked on top of everything else, still active, still pushing. Memories aren’t echoes. They’re in contact. Every time I remembered something, I wasn’t revisiting it. I was touching it again. That’s when memory stopped being comfort. It became pressure.

5. Chaos Is the Law

Disorder is normal. The second thing was harder to accept. Chaos isn’t a mistake. It’s how time works. Order is the exception. Stability is temporary.
Everything that tries to stay fixed starts breaking down faster. Systems. Stories. Identities. History isn’t falling apart by accident. It’s doing what time expects it to do. Time doesn’t preserve anything. It wears it down on purpose.

6. Where Cause Is Buried

Tomorrow edits yesterday. The seventh idea broke the cause and effect. Some things only make sense after they happen. Some causes seem to exist only to justify results. Origins don’t matter anymore. Consistency does. Responsibility gets blurry. Blame loses its shape. Time doesn’t reward or punish. It rewrites until the story holds together.

7. Across the Watching Veils

Attention feeds time. The eighth realization was uncomfortable. Time gets stronger where it’s watched. Fear makes the present heavier. Hope stretches the pressure longer. Obsession speeds everything up. Ignoring time doesn’t stop it. It just spreads it out. We don’t control time. We make it harsher.

8. Breathing Once Again

When you contemplate the relentless impact of time, your perception begins to shift; your senses warp, and the sweetness of life’s joys fades, while the disasters you endure seem to lose their weight. The tragedies you witness were never truly yours to command, because everything has already unfolded.

9. The Cosmos Rejects You

Human scale doesn’t matter. The fourth realization was humiliating. Years. Decades. Lifetimes. These are human units, not real ones. On the scale time actually uses, a human life barely registers. Too short to matter. Too small to leave a mark. Nothing lasts long enough to be important. Nothing ends cleanly enough to be finished. Time doesn’t care. It doesn’t even notice.

10. No Direction Total War

There is no direction. The third break destroyed the idea of “before” and “after.” Time doesn’t point anywhere. The present isn’t special. It’s just where awareness happens to be stuck. The future doesn’t wait. It pushes back. Some choices feel forced by outcomes I don’t understand yet. Some warnings arrive only after the damage is done. Time doesn’t guide you. It boxes you in from every side.

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

Photo Credit – Patrick Auger

Eternal Drak is a band based in Quebec, Canada, but born in Latin America in the 90s. Thrash Black is the genre that has always been present but has varied over time by adding different touches that enrich the style. In its lyrical content, darkness is what has reigned over the pen; human and non-human darkness have manifested themselves in different ways in each of their 7 official productions. Currently signed with the Canadian Label FirstWave

In 1997, the Martínez brothers, Drakar and Warhammer, aged 17 and 15 respectively, began the foundations of “Eternal Drak”. In 1998, rhythm guitarist Oscar Layton (Reijav) joined the band.

At the beginning of the 21st century, “Eternal Drak” won the City TV network award for best Metal video, with the song Eternal Drak,

In 2002, “Eternal Drak” published its first album (EP) “La Resurreccion De La Orden Guerrera”

In 2005, they recorded their first Long Play “Eternal Drak” but officially released release was in 2012.

In 2007, “Eternal Drak” disbanded.

In 2020, the band moved to Quebec, Canada, and Drakar, Warmessiah, and Reijav came together to create the album “The Past is Gone, A New One is Coming”. In memory of his brother and friend, co-founder and eternal drummer of “Eternal Drak”, Eduardo Martínez, Warhammer.

In 2021, the band’s third Long Play was released, “Drak Metal”, an album with 12 unreleased songs and 1 Cover.

That same year, the band’s line-up was reorganized with the addition of Juan Francisco Avella on drums, and a contract was signed with the Italian label Wormhole Death to physically release the album Drak Metal.

In 2022, the 4th studio album, “Shadow Storm”, was released, and along with it the video clip HIDE YOUR MADNESS was recorded on the Orleans Island in Quebec, Canada.

In 2023, a  2nd Ep is released, “Interdimensional War Of Satan” with 5 tracks.

In 2024,  the 5th Long Play  “Imprisoned Souls” is released with 10 Tracks.

The Line Up is renewed with Mike Amyot  (Lead guitar) and Patrick Auger (Drums)

In 2025, a 3th EP, “The Warrior Order,” with 5 tracks. 

Currently, Eternal Drak is still more alive than ever and is determined to live up to its name to continue distorting its strings, hitting its drums, strumming its voice, with more Metal, melody, and harmony than ever.

The perspectives predict that its vibrations start from North America, crossing the entire American continent, with a resonance so strong that the waves of the Pacific and the Atlantic will make them travel to the other continents.

Discography
2026 – The Violence Of Time – LP
2025 – The Warrior Order – EP
2024 – Imprisoned Souls – LP
2023 – Interdimensional War Of Satan – EP
2022 – Shadow Storm – LP
2021 – Drak Metal – LP
2021 – My God Is The Sun (single)
2020 – Lets Get Rude (single)
2020 – The True Meaning Of Life (single)
2020 – The Past Is Gone, A New One Is Coming – LP
2012 – Eternal Drak – LP
2002 – La Resurreccion De La Orden Guerrera – EP
Page 1 of 76
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 76

Asher Media Relations Tweets

Tweets by AsherMedia

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 2,164 other subscribers

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Bandcamp
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • ashermediarelations.com
      • Join 643 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • ashermediarelations.com
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar

Loading Comments...