Category: EPKs

0 EPK – Dream Heavy – Filthy Rich (single) (2025)

March 21, 2025
by Asher
· Dream Heavy · EPKs

EPK – Dream Heavy – Filthy Rich (single) (2025)

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

“I have a gut feeling that this latest single will be well received by all citizens who care about our failing and seemingly hi-jacked democracy. This single is a particularly raucous and progressive rock tune designed to grab everyone’s attention with it’s tasty riffs and big build up to our angry attack on the Oligarchs of society. The lyrics section has been deliberately written to provide clarity to the listener.” – Seth Macdonald – Guitars/Vocals – Dream Heavy

For fans of Porcupine Tree, Kalandra, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Nightwish, Unleash the Archers

Dreamheavy.ca | Facebook.com/dreamheavymusic | Instagram.com/dreamheavyproject

Listen to Filthy Rich” at the following links:

Spotify – https://spoti.fi/41JqsCZ

Youtube – https://youtu.be/nX5C35CoJg0

Single Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Dream Heavy and Mary Ancheta (keys and Synths.)
• All songs written by: Written by: Seth Macdonald, David McKillican, Shara Gustafson, Liam Gustafson-Randall, Jane Aurora and Mary Ancheta
• Produced by: Jane Aurora at Arrival Sounds with Dream Heavy
• Mixed by: Jane Aurora
• Mastered by: Elisa Paengseng at CPS Mastering
• Single Artwork by: Saeda Rose

Single Band Line Up:
Seth Macdonald: Guitars/Vocals
Shara Gustafson: Vocals
David McKillican: Drums
Liam Randall-Gustafson: Bass
Mary Ancheta: Keys and Synths

Live Band Line Up:
Seth Macdonald: Guitars/Vocals
Shara Gustafson: Vocals
David McKillican: Drums
Liam Randall-Gustafson: Bass

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

About The Single Artwork:

The artwork depicts a re-imagined image of the shocking Nazi salute displayed by perhaps the biggest and most corrupt American Oligarch of them all: Mr. Elon Musk! It shows that our citizenry will not stand for suppression of our civil liberties, the trampling of human rights, and the thieving of our world’s resources to inflate the illegitimate power and disgusting and illegitimate wealth of the 1%.

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

People are pissed off in this country right now and throughout the western world where Oligarchs and con-men are attempting to usurp our systems of governance and trample on our democratic rights and freedoms, all for the sake of more money and power for the already “filthy rich.”

This song is a battle cry to BRING THEM DOWN! It starts out slow and dirgy and builds into a driving attack on the disgustingly rich. The lyrical sections of the song have been left deliberately “open” for audiences to really be able to hear and understand the message and identify with the lyrics. As per usual Dream Heavy style, there is a big build-up before the lyrics start to set the stage for battle so to speak. This gives a chance for each of the musicians in the band and our guest player Mary Ancheta to truly showcase their talents and style.

It finishes with a choreographed progressive guitar solo building to a full band walk-down to the roots of the song.

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

FUN FACT – STORY ANGLES

1. Dream Heavy is truly a family band.

Shara and Seth have been playing music together for the full 25 years that they have been a couple. They have also raised 5 children, have 3 grandchildren and built their own home on the same piece of land that Seth was raised on. Their son Liam is now a full-fledged member of the group and brings his “Gentle Giant”, youthful Metal-inspired influence to everything they compose and perform. Their Drummer David McKillican is like their surrogate son or younger brother; having first joined the couple’s previous band back in 2008.

2. The band not only works together artistically but also owns a Silviculture company responsible for planting close to 2 million trees every summer.

3. The family also hosts the Robson Valley Music Festival on their property in mid-August every summer. Shara is the Producer, Grant Writer, and Artistic Director of the event while Seth is the Operational Manager and takes care of physical logistics. The Festival has been running since 2005 (with a brief hiatus during the pandemic ) and boasts 5 stages, a huge variety of eclectic talent from around the world, and sees an attendance of around 1000 people annually.

4. David is a small business owner as well specializing in house renovations and custom cabinet building. He lives with his wife “Sasparilla Fox” an infamous Burlesque dancer, troupe leader, and dance teacher on a rural property outside of Quesnel BC.

Sometimes she even choreographs routines for the band and if we get truly lucky, shares the stage with us!

Dream Heavy is a sonic and visual explosion of an experience unrivaled by any other.

Ethereal vocals, Rich Harmonies, Intricate and melodic guitar and violin melodies, and a driving and diverse rhythm section guaranteed to keep you moving and guessing from the first snare crack to the last echo of enraptured melody.

EPIC WORLD FOLK METAL..

A tour de force! Fearless Epic World, Melodic, Folk Metal. With influences in Metal, Latin, Celtic and other World music, Dream Heavy is a heavy hitter on all fronts. Experiencing their unique sound, colorful stage costumes and thought provoking lyrics, is an unforgettable experience. You will not be disappointed by the spell that they weave..! With original members of BC festival touring favorites Mamaguroove and more recently Samson’s Delilah, their music has charted Top 10 lists on campus radio across Canada . The group has now fully transitioned to their new name and heavier groove. Prepare to Explode on the dance floor!

Dream Heavy, will be releasing their first single “Song in the Dark”(Recorded, Mixed, and Co-Produced by Jane Aurora at Arrival Sounds) in the spring of 2024.

Shared Stage with: Buffy Saint Marie, Five Alarm Funk, Digging Roots, Coco Jaffra, Mihiranghi, Delhi to Dublin, Mariachi Ghost, Stephen Lewis’ Big Band of Fun, Rachelle Van Zanten, Coco Love Alcorn, Jack Garton’s Demon Squadron, John Wort Hannam and many more throughout the Western Canadian Music Festival scene.

Tours and Festivals:
2024: Tongue on the Post Festival-Medicine Hat, AB
2023: Northern BC Halloween Tour-Quesnel and Prince George BC
2023: Robson Valley Music Festival-Dunster BC
2023: Corofin-County Clare, Ireland (duo concert series)
2023: Williams Lake Arts and Culture society gig-Williams Lake BC
2023:tour: Northern BC and AB
2022: Woodstove Music Festival-Cumberland BC
2022:Robson Valley Music Festival-Dunster BC
2022:Kispiox Valley Music Festival- Kispiox Valley BC
2022:Peace Valley Music Festival-Hudson Hope BC
2022:Midsummer Music Festival-Smithers BC
2022: North Country Fair-Driftpile AB

0 EPK – ARC – Awaken the Machine (2023)

March 20, 2025
by Asher
· ARC · EPKs

EPK – ARC – Awaken the Machine (2023)

“A complex fusion of organic and synthetic, ARC seamlessly blends the brutality and melody of modern extreme metal with the retro-futuristic synthesized electronica of synth-wave in a total assault upon the senses, capped off by a frenetic stage show comprised of lasers and smoke, blood and sweat, and the furious energy of the band’s will to dominate.” – ARC

For fans of Rammstein, Dark Tranquility, Dance with the Dead, Children of Bodom, Scar Symmetry

Instagram.com/arc.evolves | Facebook.com/Arcevolves | Soundcloud.com/arcevolves | Youtube.com/@ARC-Official

Arc-evolves.bandcamp.com | Spotify

Band: ARC
EP: Awaken the Machine
Release Date: November 15, 2023
Label: Self-Release
Dist: Distrokid

Track Listing:
1 – Dark Road – (3:44)
2 – Ghost Lights – (4:22)
3 – Magnitudes – (4:08)
4 – Shadow Life – (5:55)
5 – Kingdom for my Corpse – (4:25)
6 – The Deep End – (3:43)
Album Length: 26:19

Album Credits:
All songs Performed by: ARC
All Songs Wirtten by: Sonny Angell
Mixed By: Ray Marte (Westfall Studios, Amityville NY)
Mastered by: Ray Marte (Westfall Studios, Amityville NY)
EP Artwork by: Sonny Angell

Album Lineup:
Guitars – James King
Drums – Revrynt
Bass – Alex Torke
Vocals – Chad Sutton
Synths – Sonny Angell

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

About The Album Artwork:

A literal representation of our sound, theme and feeling. We are human on stage created from machines to combine man, machine and light, organic and synthetic.

About The Album (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Awaken the Machine is based on the mind and how a human can process experiences. Some songs explain occurrences of the deep psyche, id, ego, and superego reactions.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. DARK ROAD – An exaggerated story of overcoming insecurities

2. GHOST LIGHTS – Inspiration follows you, Ghost Lights explains that if you do not give up you will succeed

3. MAGNITUDES – The part of your brain that shuts everything off so you can conquer anything. Robotizing your human aspects and pushing through life as a mindless machine so you can win.

4. SHADOW LIFE – A take on perceptions of precognitive thoughts and true life expectations of your past, looking into the future.

5. KINGDOM FOR MY CORPSE – Manifesting negativity from someone or something else to destroy it and yourself.

6. THE DEEP END – A story about making poor choices and the consequences of those choices.

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

FUN FACT:

ARC is ambiguously mysterious, ARC is energy and machines. Human interpretations are on stage playing the music, however, ARC is all around us. Information being transmitted from.. Somewhere in parts of your brain, you didn’t know you had.

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

L to R – James King (Guitars), Alex Torke (Bass), Chad Sutton (Vocals), Revrynt (Drums), Sonny Angell (Synths)

Not “human” we are ever-changing swarms of electronic information that “send transmissions” to earth from the dataverse.

Such are the words from ARC, a progressive, thought-provoking, shape-shifting musical collective formed out of the ether that permeates New York. ARC is many things at once, which automatically subjects the band to the journalistic and fan guessing game/rite of passage as to what style they actually are.

While the metal scene seems mired in stagnation and the never-ending race to be more brutal or more technical or more dissonant, ARC shines with progress and out-of-the-box thinking and a seamless blend of the nostalgia of synthwave with the complexity of extreme metal. They are a message, a transmission, weaving an intricate narrative through multimedia and redefining the concept of a truly immersive entertainment experience. ARC is a powerwave of expression, weaponizing music and stage show performance, leaving the audience both dizzied and delighted, through complex and fully custom, mechanisms.

The signal that is ARC is fluid and ever-evolving. Like AI that learns and adapts, ARC adapted to a rapidly changing world during the onset of a global pandemic. Rather than resigning to the tidal wave of tour cancellations, ARC punished forward, recording new material and continuing to expand the band’s quest to push the limitations of genre and sound. The eclectic band from New York is more than ready to engage with avant-garde metal fans worldwide and release their debut opus.

Their nine tracks masterfully span a wide range from dark electronica to progressive-experimental metal, while keeping their wild roaming within the boundaries of the band’s unique and bizarre sonic universe. Yet, ARC manages to harness their bold mix into recognizable structures and meaningful songs throughout that do not shy away from catchiness and, quite importantly, do not fall into the trap of being weird just for the sake of experimentation.

Like an electric current, ARC refuses to be contained and will charge throughout the metal community. Eagerly awaiting the return of live shows, the band has made a mission to take fans on a journey through music, video, and AR-integrated performances. The underlying aggression may be human or perhaps the philosophical glance towards spiritual growth. In the end, ARC is here and will tell the tale of humanity’s highest aspirations and utter ruin through the sonic Interzone where fact, science, and speculation collide.

Discography:
2023 – Awaken the Machine – LP
2022 – Dark Mirrors – LP

Shared Stage with: Prong, Master Boot Record, Immortal Guardian, Powerglove, Visions of Atlantis

Movie Music Placement: Straw Rafts – Indie Movie

0 EPK – Autumn Lies Buried – Mob Mentality (2025) (Exitus Stratagem Records)

March 11, 2025
by Asher
· Autumn Lies Buried (Exitus Stratagem Records) · EPKs

EPK – Autumn Lies Buried – Mob Mentality (2025) (Exitus Stratagem Records)

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

Management – Joel Spielman – emg.joel.spielman[@]gmail[.]com

Booking Agent – Michelle Bevilacqua – michelle[@]continentaltouring[.]us

“Mob Mentality is a reiteration of what we were talking about in previous releases like Inhuman Skin. The common people have been trained to think they are powerless to change their course in life. They think that the hands of the powerful will hold then down generation after generation and that’s “Just the way it is”. Well we are preaching sin with Mob Mentality, and by sin, We mean Strength In Numbers. We cannot be held down if we band together against the grifters, charlatans, oppressors and connivers. Burn it all. Were trying to give fans a cathartic experience. Something to blow off some steam to after a hard day at work be it blue or white collar. We make music for the people of the workforce, with whom we commiserate and always have at heart.” – Autumn Lies Buried

For fans of Whitechapel, Suicide Silence, Tech N9ne, The Acacia Strain, Twisted Insane

Band: Autumn Lies Buried
EP Title: Mob Mentality
Release Date: June 6, 2025
Label: Exitus Strategem Records

Facebook.com/autumnliesburied | Instagram.com/autumn.lies.buried | Youtube.com/@autumnliesburied3169

Autumnliesburied.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

EP pre-save – https://hypeddit.com/autumnliesburied/mobmentality

Hellhowler Tour – Casket Robbery, Autumn Lies Buried, My Own Will, Nicolas Cage Fighter

#Autumn Lies Buried Not Appearing | + My Own will Not Appearing

5/29 – West Chicago, IL – WC Social Club #
5/30 – Hamtramck, MI – Sanctuary #
5/31 – Battle Creek, MI – The Music Factory #
6/1 – Cleveland, OH – The Foundry #
6/3 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Smiling Moose #
6/4 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz #
6/5 – Salisbury, MD – Lurking Class Skate Shop #
6/6 – Gastonia, NC – The Rooster +
6/7 – Wilmington, NC – The Eagles Dare +
6/8 – Duluth, GA – Sweetwater Bar +
6/10 – Winter Park, FL – Conduit +
6/11 – Miami, FL – Bar Nancy +
6/12 – Tampa, FL – The Orpheum +
6/13 – Pensacola, FL – Handlebar +
6/14 – Clarksville, TN – The Revel House +
6/15 – Hobart, IN – Hobart Art Theatre +

Band: Autumn Lies Buried
EP Title: Mob Mentality
Release Date: June 6, 2025
Label: Exitus Strategem Records

Track Listing:
1. Strappado – 3:13
2. Blood Money – 3:02
3. Guillotine – 3:05
4. Told Off Witta Sawed Off – 2:52
5. Debt Of Silence – 2:58
EP Length: 15:30

EP Credits:
Produced By: Dusty Mahann
Mixed / Mastered By: Chris Whited
Album Artwork by:

Band Lineup:
Kaelin Wilkins – Vocals
Perry Jones – Guitar
Cane Potter – Guitar
Marcus Nettles – Bass

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

About The Album Artwork:

A good old stand off between oppressed peoples and the ones who step on them. A fractured society.

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

The album is a call to arms against injustice. Fuel for the fire that cleanses.

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Strappado: A concept on human trafficking likening them to medieval torturers.

2. Blood Money: A song about killing your masters. Plain and simple. We are dogs who bite the hand that feeds because it tastes better than the food.

3. Guillotine: What tyrants deserve. Classic, Elegant.

4. Told Off Witta Sawed Off: An anthem for those who run their mouths but never put their words to action. Featuring Dustin Jamaal Mitchell of Filth

5. Debt of Silence: A ritual dismemberment of corrupt leadership. Cutting of the tongue is symbolic as well as literal.

================================================
FUN FACTS – STORY ANGLES

1. This is the first band Kaelin has ever been in. And they pretty much had to learn as they went. If you listen to all releases you can hear them consistently become a better vocalist as time went on.

2. Our most popular song Brothel was written as a joke/troll after some old bigots in Manchester TN started trashing our music online after a show there. They were calling us Trashy rap over guitars and a disgrace to metal so we said f*ck it we’ll make a whole rap metal song to spite. Then it blew up.

3. There is not one original member in this 15 year old band. Autumn Lies Buried is a shambling undead terror. Constantly replacing its rotting parts with new ones from fresh kills.

4. We did a whole Midwest tour in the middle of August in a black bus with no air conditioning, sweating straight balls. Don’t ever tell us we ain’t earned our stripes.

5. We almost won a battle of the bands in California to play Wacken Open Air in Germany. We got all the way to the finals and had to fly to San Diego to perform our set all to get screwed by the promoter. I’ll never forget seeing the homeless people sleeping right outside the hotel we were staying at. It puts life in perspective really quickly.

L-R – Perry Jones – Guitar, Cole Hill – Drums, Kaelin Wilkins – Vocals, Cane Potter – Guitar, Marcus Nettles – Bass

Photographer Credit – Cody Petty

Extreme metal outfit Autumn Lies Buried is unleashing the upcoming EP “Mob Mentality,” scheduled for release on June 6th, 2025, via Exitus Stratagem Records.

Autumn Lies Buried continues to evolve their sound, which draws from a diverse palette of influences including slam, mathcore, hardcore, hip hop, and deathcore. The result is what the band describes as “a beating with a cinder block’ that creates a cathartic experience for listeners.”

This release marks the beginning of an exciting summer for Autumn Lies Buried, with another single planned for May and the full EP release coinciding with the kickoff of their Hell Howler Tour alongside Casket Robbery, My Own Will and Australia’s Nicolas Cage Fighter on June 6th. They are recommended for fans of Whitechapel, Suicide Silence, and Tech N9ne.

Endorsements: DR Strings

Discography:
2025 – Mob Mentality / Crowd Control – EP (Exitus Stratagem Records)
2022 – Aristocracy
2019 – Delusions of the New World Kings

Shared Stage with:
Traitors, Dying Fetus, Terror, Brand of Sacrifice, Vitriol, Bodysnatcher, Boundaries, Left to Suffer, Bodybox, Snuffed on Sight, Corpse Pile, Gideon, Hed Pe, Mushroomhead, VCTMS, Filth, Casket Robbery, Vorrath, Weeping Wound, Distinguisher, CELL, Sea of Treachery, Unearth, With Blood Comes Cleansing, Abated Mass of Flesh, Quiescent Mantis, Realm of Sheol, Dropout Kings, Summoners Circle, H1Z1, Exitwounds, Split In Two, Demsfightinwords

Tours and Festivals:
2024 – Unhinged Minifest – Jacksonville, FL
2024 – Hate-1-Two Fest – New Albandy, IN
2024 – Tennessee Metal Devastation Fest – Jackson, TN
2024 – Rage N Rebellion – Fort Wayne, IN
2024 – Michigan Metal Fest – Battle Creek, MI
2023 – Tennessee Metal Devastation Fest – Jackson, TN
2023 – Raidfest
2023 – Brojob Tour
2023 – Omenkiller Tour
2023 – Full Terror Assault

0 EPK- Obsidian Skies – Unmade By the Ocean (single) (2025)

March 10, 2025
by Asher
· EPKs · Obsidian Skies

EPK – Obsidian Skies – Unmade By the Ocean (single) (2025)

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

“Unmade by the Ocean is heavy-hitting, rhythmic, and technically challenging, while still maintaining a very melodic core. With soaring solos on guitar, bass, and piano, it is a song with a unique and diverse sound. Lyrically, it tells the story of a small group of people who spent the years of Earth’s apocalypse underground and have come to the surface to find a world dominated by water. They must now come to terms with their new reality and find hope where there is none” – Logan Dougherty

For fans of Ne Obliviscaris, Alkaloid, Amon Amarth, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Opeth

Obsidianskiesband.com | Facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083270427893 | Youtube.com/@obsidianskies4538 | Instagram.com/obsidianskiesband

Spotify | Obsidian-skies.bandcamp.com | Apple Music

#1 on WKNC 88.1FM (Raleigh, NC) – Chainsaw Charts 10/4/2022

“Rounding off our 9, no 10 highlights this week is another debut release: “Saturnian” by Colorado progressive/symphonic death metal duo Obsidian Skies… this science-fiction tale feels like an epic mini-blockbuster despite its short runtime of only 24 minutes.” – The Prog Space

“The band’s musicianship is fantastic ” – Metal Temple

“Exciting and versatile Prog-Melo-Death” – PowerMetal.de

““Saturnian” is an enjoyable first release from Obsidian Skies. Whilst only a three song E.P. it is a very ambitious release with some very epic and complex music on show.” – Ever Metal

“What a journey this was from Earth to TITAN through space! From acoustic, piano, orchestral to the singing. I enjoyed every bit of it. The debut EP Saturnian was a pleasant melodic death metal surprise and looking forward what comes next. Logan and Tim really put much effort and you hear it. This is for the Metalfans of Rivers of Nihil, Opeth, Scar Symmetry and Into Eternity. 8/10” – Belgian Metal Shredder

“A bold and somewhat brave undertaking, the first record from Obsidian Skies is an absolute pleasure, the merits of which need to be sung from the rooftops [8.5/10]” – Metal Noise

[Download Single Cover | Download Single Lyrics]

Band: Obsidian Skies
Single Title: Unmade By the Ocean
Release Date: April 4, 2025
Label: Self-released
Distribution: CD Baby
Length: 7:06

Single Credits:
Performed by Tim Watervoort and Logan Dougherty
Written by Obsidian Skies
Produced by Obsidian Skies
Mixed by Tom MacLean (Twelve Tone Studio)
Mastered by Tom MacLean (Twelve Tone Studio)
Logan Dougherty: ASCAP

Lineup:
Tim Watervoort: guitars, bass, vocals
Logan Dougherty: guitars, piano, orchestration

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

About The Single:
Lyrically: This is a story of humanity being trapped underground for centuries as the Earth was inhospitable. After ages isolated from the world, they’ve embarked on their journey in the new world that has become largely underwater. Musically: Very rhythmic sections drive it forward while technical melodic solos float above the rhythms. Symphonic parts accentuate a lot of the heavier sections to lift them up. The song is largely dominated by harsh vocals that drive the song, with clean vocals providing a reprieve for the listener.

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

Story Angles – Fun Facts

1. We’ve been friends for over 10 years and Logan was a groomsman at Tim’s wedding

2. We have degrees in Linguistics, Astrophysics, and Music Composition

3. Lyrically takes place in the same universe/timeline as the previous release “Saturnian”

4. We’re both avid Valheim players

5. Guitars and Bass tracked through Fractal Audio Axe FX (Mixed by Twelve Tone Studio)

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

Obsidian Skies was founded amidst the turmoil of 2020 by Logan Dougherty and Tim Watervoort. The two had worked together before, but not since the breakup of their previous band, Endlight, in 2017. Logan and Tim wrote much of Endlight’s music, with Logan on guitars and Tim on bass and vocals. They performed throughout Colorado, sharing the stage with bands such as Unleash the Archers and Archspire until the band’s end. While they remained close friends, Tim and Logan’s musical and professional paths diverged for a time at this point.

During this time, Logan attained a Bachelor’s degree in Music Composition, adding to his Physics and Astrophysics degrees. He released a solo orchestral album, “Kingdom of Sand” in 2017, and had his chamber works performed at the University of Colorado College of Music. Tim completed his Master’s degree in Linguistics and went through an accelerated full-stack web development program. He performed as a vocalist for Oak, Ash & Thorn for a time in 2018, sharing the stage with bands such as Týr and Alestorm. Following this, he focused his musical attention on bass and solo metal work.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and everyone was stuck indoors, the two looked for a project to work on, half to stay sane, and half to explore a new creative outlet. At this time, Obsidian Skies was born. It started with Tim and Logan sharing parts with each other that they had previously written. However, as time went on, it became a true collaborative writing process, with the two writing each song together. Their first release, “Saturnian”, is absolutely some of the best work either has ever produced.

Both Tim and Logan are influenced by progressive and technical death metal, listening to bands such as Fleshgod Apocalypse, Alkaloid, and Ne Obliviscaris. Composers such as Rachmaninoff, Bach, and Debussy strongly influence Logan, as well as more modern composers like John Williams and Howard Shore. Tim is heavily influenced by folk and melodic death metal bands such as Eluveitie and Insomnium and is inspired by great bass players such as Dominic Lapointe and Linus Klausenitzer.

The music of Obsidian Skies spans many different genres, not all of which are metal. While harsh vocals, fast rhythms, and guitar solos are featured prominently, they do not necessarily dominate. Sweeping orchestral melodies, clean singing, and instruments such as piano, acoustic guitar, and fretless bass contribute to the music to create a melodic and diverse sound.

Lyrically, the band’s themes are heavily influenced by science fiction and fantasy. The story of “Saturnian” takes place on Saturn’s moon Titan. In this story, humanity is forced to flee from a dying Earth, and a portion of the population colonizes Titan. While life is able to flourish there, the people who survived are forced to deal with the emotions of leaving their lost home and the guilt of abandoning those who could not leave the planet.

Obsidian Skies remains a studio band for now, but that has allowed for flexibility in tracking that would have been difficult to achieve as a brand-new live band. “Rebirth in the Stars”, for instance, has multiple sections with four or more guitar tracks and several orchestral layers. Their debut EP “Saturnian” is set to release in 2022 and will deliver an elaborate story with a diverse, but undoubtedly metal, sound.

Obsidian Skies is:
Logan Dougherty – Guitars, Piano, Orchestration
Tim Watervoort – Guitars, Basses, Vocals

Discography:

2024 – Unmade By the Ocean (single)

2022 – Saturnian (2024)

0 EPK – Ophiolatry – Serpent’s Verdict (2025) (WormHoleDeath Records)

March 10, 2025
by Asher
· EPKs · Ophiolatry

EPK – Ophiolatry – Serpent’s Verdict (2025) (WormHoleDeath Records)

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

Management – Extreme Management Group, Inc. – Scott Eames – emg.scotteames[@]gmail[.]com

“Ophiolatry’s latest album, Serpent Verdict, is a sonic ritual: a brutal, immersive descent into the cycle of destruction, revenge and rebirth. Rooted in themes of ancestral pain, war defiance and spiritual reckoning, the album fuses relentless Death Metal with primal energy. Each track is designed as a chapter in this narrative, combining aggressive riffs, guttural vocals and Tribal rhythms inspired by ancient warrior traditions. Based on indigenous spirituality, mythology and real historical atrocities, this album is not just music, it is an invocation of the past and a battle cry for the future.” – Jaime Veron (Lead Vocals) – Ophiolatry

For fans of Morbid Angel, Death, Deicide, Cryptopsy, Sufucation

Band: Ophiolatry
Album Title: Serpent’s Verdict
Release Date: June 6, 2025
Label: WormHole Death Records
Distribution: Bit Organization Inc / Aural Music webstore

Ophiolatry.com.br | Spotify | Facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063556233508

| Youtube.com/@ophiolatryofficial2679 | Instagram.com/ophiolatry

“On this new record, the band bring their traditonal Brazilian influence and their heavy, atmospheric approach together to create something new. All the songs on the record come together to tell a story. ” – Decibel Magazine (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)

“Blending technical brutality with tribal rhythms and ritualistic atmosphere, “Jesus Complex” tackles themes of religious indoctrination and spiritual hypocrisy. Serpent’s Verdict marks Ophiolatry’s long-awaited return following 2008’s Transmutation.” – Metal Insider (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)

“One good turn deserves another and so having punched us full in the face with first single “Death Tour“, Brazilian Death Metal force Ophiolatry kick us in the guts with “Jesus Complex“. Both tracks take pride of place on the bands upcoming new album “Serpent’s Verdict“, a 6th June release via WormHoleDeath Records. Introducing views to the ritualistic atmosphere that is said to run through the album, the track explores themes of religious manipulation and spiritual corruption with tribal rhythms adding to the bands signature technical brutality.” – Metal Noise (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)

“Each song adds something unique or subtly deviates from the previous one, underscoring the band’s versatility and craftsmanship. With ‘Serpent’s Verdict’, Ophiolatry proves that they are completely back – stronger, deeper, and more creative than ever. 9/10” – Arrow Lords of Metal (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)

“Every track is perfectly crafted, a self contained story presented on a plate of furious Death Metal, covering subjects as diverse as ancestral pain, war defiance, and spiritual reckoning. And not once across Serpent’s Verdict 13 tracks does it ever flag. “The sonic assault is relentless and doesn’t let up, and neither do you want it to. You want it to punish you, to force you to kneel at its altar and praise your new serpent overlords, and you do so quite willingly.” – Black Metal Archive (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)

““Serpent’s Verdict” of Ophiolatry it’s the new face of the band, it’s unlike any of their past albums, and that’s best of all, Death Metal with a 90s flavor, but it has all the power of our times in style, and with that you are already guaranteed many pogo and monstrous parts on your speakers. Very good. 8.7/10” – Hardsounds.it (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)

“the new guitarist smokes and shreds with a fury and the new vocalist is perfectly suited for this style.” – Mystification Zine (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)

“Brutal death metal, a smidge of a blackened death too” – WORT 89.9 FM – The Mosh Pit (Madison, WI) (2025 – Serpent’s Verdict)

“An album to seek out of a

“According to Merriam-Webster, “ophiolatry” means “the worship of or attribution of divine or sacred nature to snakes.” You can certainly feel the snakes of death metal surround you as you listen to “Abyss of Alienation” from Brazil’s Ophiolatry, featuring hypnotic riffs, brutal vocals and crushing rhythms reminiscent of Hate Eternal, Nile and Steve Tucker-era Morbid Angel. The song is a re-recording of a track from the band’s 2008 album, Transmutation.” – Decibel Magazine (2023 Single – Abyss of Alienation)

“Hailing from Brazil comes Ophiolatry, a three-piece powerhouse of a brutal death metal band whose bread-and-butter sound comprises blistering drumming and technical guitar lines set against a suffocating and claustrophobic sonic backdrop.” TheMetalForge.com

“Ophiolatry will reward the open-minded metal head with an inflection of national culture, post-modernism and, of course, stunningly brutal death metal.” – Sputink Music

“…Relentless blastbeats and truly brutal guitar work that have the ability to pummel the listener into a fine powder.” – Scene Point Blank

“[…] similar technical versatile approach on Death Metal as defined by KRISIUN but where the latter still have a disappointing song writing quality OPHIOLATRY have more feel, more structure and variation.” – Voices from the Dark Side

“[…] you’ve got yourself another nice brutal death metal band, comparable with (older work of) for example the Brazilian bands Krisiun, Mental Horror and Nephasth, as well as North American’s Monstrosity and Vital Remains – who came up in my mind because of the guitar virtuosity.” – Metal Rage

“A Lendária banda de Brutal Death Metal Ophiolatry está de volta as atividades.” – Brazil Legion Nekrounderground

Band: Ophiolatry
Album Title: Serpent’s Verdict
Release Date: June 6, 2025
Label: WormHole Death Records
Distribution: Bit Organization Inc / Aural Music webstore

Track Listing:
1 – Jesus Complex – 3:48
2 – Revenge – 4:21
3 – Generation Curse – 3:09
4 – Death Tour – 3:35
5 – Serpent’s Spits – 4:31
6 – Atheris – 1:32
7 – Apophis – 5:01
8 – Midia Bible – 3:34
9 – Manipulations Guilt – 4:03
10 – Heaven Jails – 3:26
11 – Narcissistic Victim Syndrome – 4:06
12 – Human Factory – 3:18
13 – Ecdysis – 2:34
Album Length: 47:03Album Recording Credits:
All songs performed and composed by Ophiolatry.
Mastering: Dan Swanö – http://www.unisound.se
Artwork: LouLou – http://www.louloufineart.com
Pre-Production: Steve Rumpli & Ophiolatry
Production, Recording & Mixing: Diego Santiago
Studio: Satori Estudio
Photography: Kevin Eisenlord, Anderson Hildebrando
Graphic Layout: Beto MustafaAlbum Band Line Up;
Jaime Veron – Lead Vocals
Diego Santiago – Bass
George “Dog” Duarte – Drums
Fred Barros – Guitars

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About The Album Artwork:

The album cover was conceived during the filming of the Jesus Complex music video. In a surprising and unforeseen moment, a snake slithered over the mask, creating a powerful image that was captured live by a high-quality film camera. These raw and symbolic images became the basis of the album’s artwork, embodying the music’s themes in a visceral and authentic way.

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

Lyrically:
The album delves into themes of spiritual revenge, indigenous resistance, and the clash between ancient traditions and imposed beliefs. Inspired by real events in the Amazon, mythology and existential suffering, the lyrics paint vivid scenes of war, punishment and transcendence through pain. Each song tells a story, whether it be warriors resurrected for revenge, the wrath of serpent gods, or the fall of oppressive ideologies. The words are raw, intense and unrelenting, reflecting the chaotic brutality of the music itself.

Musically:
This album pushes our technical and compositional limits while maintaining the speed and aggression that defines Ophiolatry. The riffs are intricate but wild, combining relentless blast rhythms with haunting atmospheric passages. The drums are faster and more precise than ever, while the guitars weave a mix of crisp precision and crushing heaviness. The vocals convey pure ferocity, from guttural growls to visceral screams that echo the intensity of the lyrics. While we pursue a new approach, the essence of Ophiolatry remains intact: ruthless, dark and unapologetically extreme.

This is not just another brutal death metal album; It is an immersive sonic assault, carrying both the weight of history and the fury of rebellion

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Jesus Complex – is a state of mind where a person believes they are a savior or prophet An explosive opener exposing the hypocrisy of religious indoctrination, portraying a fractured messianic identity warped by control and manipulation.

2. Revenge – This song was inspired by a true event that occurred in the United Kingdom, where a woman killed her husband by placing boiling water mixed with sugar in her husband’s mouth when he was sleeping. She did so in an act of revenge after discovering accusations of child sexual abuse.

3. Generation Curse – A brutal commentary on inherited trauma, the cycle of suffering passed through bloodlines, and the struggle to break free.

4. Death Tour- is a powerful track inspired by Greek mythology, depicting the journey of a fallen warrior’s soul through the realm of death. As the spirit is carried across the River Styx, it approaches the gates of Hades, where the warrior’s tribe awaits his arrival, welcoming him into the afterlife.

5. Serpent’s Spits – Drawing inspiration from a brutal real-life assault in the deep rainforest Amazon, this song tells the tale of a serpent swallowing the attacker before regurgitating him on the riverbank, marking his fate.

6. Atheris (Instrumental) – A dark and ominous instrumental interlude, evoking the stealth and precision of the viper it is named after.

7. Apophis – A chaotic storm of riffs and blast beats, embodying the ancient Egyptian serpent god of chaos and destruction.

8. Media Bible – A scathing critique of modern media as the new scripture, spreading deception and manufactured narratives. “Media is the New god, new religion”

9. Manipulations Guilt – A psychological dissection of control, guilt, and subjugation, mirroring how those in power manipulate the weak.

10. Heaven Jails – A furious rejection of the illusion of paradise, depicting heaven as another prison built to pacify the masses.

11. Narcissistic Victim Syndrome – A violent introspection on the self-inflicted wounds of a society obsessed with victimhood and validation.

12. Human Factory – A dystopian vision of human mass production, where individuality is crushed in favor of conformity.

13. Ecdysis (Instrumental) – A closing instrumental that symbolizes shedding the old skin and emerging transformed—both a death and a rebirth.

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

STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT

THE BAND

Statement by Jhorge “Dog” Duarte (drums)

In my childhood when I was living in the Amazon, I experienced a trauma that would change me forever. I witnessed a horrific act committed against my younger sister. The nightmare ended only due to the intervention of our neighbors, while the attacker fled.

Horrified by what had happened, the small fishing community launched a relentless hunt to capture the agressor. Eventually, he was found near of the Machado River.

Days later, his remains were discovered miles away, regurgitated on the riverbank by a massive serpent. He had been beheaded and quartered.

That moment was burned into my soul. For many, the serpent is a symbol of fear, but for me, it became something else: justice, a force of nature, an executioner that delivers retribution.

When I shared this story with the bandmate , everyone resonated with its meaning. That is how Ophiolatry was born in 1998, not just a name, but a concept: the worship of the serpent as an entity of power, vengeance, and balance. Through our music, we channel that relentless energy, ensuring that no act of brutality goes unanswered.

Today, Ophiolatry remains an unstoppable force in extreme metal, carrying the spirit of the serpent in every riff and every blast beat.

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

Statement by Jhorge “Dog” Duarte (drums)

On our first tour in Europe, our guitarist had a contact he communicated with through letters. We had no money to make the tour happen, but the mother of one of our members owned a small mineral water distribution business and she give me bottles at a discounted price. Every day, I loaded my cooler and went to bus stations to sell water, gathering funds for the tour. We traveled to Europe without a single show booked, but through that contact, we managed to connect with others and secure some gigs. We went through hunger and cold, but our determination was stronger. With pure grit and sacrifice, we completed our first tour at the end of 2003 and the beginning of 2004.

This first tour opened doors for us, and in 2007, we embarked on our second European tour—this time with confirmed shows at major festivals like Brutal Assault (Czech Republic), Exit Fest (Serbia), and Rock Marathon(Hungary). This tour was a turning point, as we had the opportunity to share the stage with some of the biggest names in metal like Max Cavalera, Creadle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir etc. The struggles of our first tour had paid off, and now we were making our mark on the European scene with solid performances and growing recognition.

L-R – Diego Santiago (Bass), Jaime Veron (Lead Vocals), Jhorge “Dog” Duarte (Drums), Fred Barros (Guitar)

Photography: Kevin Eisenlord, Anderson Hildebrando

Formed in 1998 by Jhorge “Dog” Duarte (drums), Antonio Costa (guitars), Fabio Zperandio (bass), and Tiago Nunes (vocals), Ophiolatry emerged from the depths of Brazil’s extreme metal underground, quickly establishing themselves as a relentless force in the global scene. Their debut demo, Opposite Monarchy (1999), showcased a raw, unrelenting sound that caught the attention of Mutilation Records, leading to a split release with Ancestral Malediction. This early work laid the foundation for their signature blend of technical brutality and unhinged aggression.

The band soon reached international audiences when Opposite Monarchy was featured on Brazilian Assault (2000), a compilation by Relapse Records that introduced Ophiolatry to Europe and North America. This exposure marked the beginning of their ascent in the global extreme metal community.

In 2001, Ophiolatry signed with North American label Evil Vengeance Records and recorded their first full-length album, Anti-Evangelistic Process. Mastered by the legendary Erik Rutan (Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal), the album was released in 2002 to critical acclaim, solidifying their reputation as one of the most uncompromising acts in the underground. A year later, the band unleashed the Misanchristianthropy EP as a split release with Infernal Dominion via Deathgasm Records, followed by a grueling 50-day European tour that further cemented their status as a formidable live act.

Ophiolatry continued their onslaught with a series of split releases in 2005 and 2006 before signing with Forces of Satan Records, the Norwegian label founded by Infernus of Gorgoroth. Their relentless live performances earned them a slot at the prestigious Brutal Assault Festival in the Czech Republic in 2006, alongside the inclusion of their track Diabolism on the Brutal Assault Open Air Festival Compilation Vol. 11.

In 2008, Ophiolatry released their second full-length album, Transmutation, through Forces of Satan Records and Regain Records, showcasing a refined yet even more brutal evolution of their sound. That same year, Anti-Evangelistic Process was re-released, reaffirming its status as a landmark album in the band’s discography.

After a 13-year hiatus, Ophiolatry returned in 2021 with a renewed lineup and a revitalized vision. Founding member Jhorge “Dog” Duarte was joined by Jaime Veron (vocals), Diego Santiago (bass), and Fred Barros (guitars), injecting new energy into the band’s ferocious sound. In April 2021, they unleashed their latest single, Somehow, signaling a new era of sonic devastation.

In 2022, Ophiolatry joined forces with the renowned management company Extreme Management Group Inc. (EMG), known for representing such as Suffocation, Atheist, Cryptopsy and more. With EMG’s backing, the band gained support in the international music industry, further reinforcing their global presence.

Under the leadership of Jaime Veron (vocals) and with this formidable lineup, Ophiolatry embarked on the creation of their highly anticipated third full-length album, Serpent’s Verdict. Recorded and mixed at Studio Satori by Diego Santiago and mastered by the legendary Dan Swanö (Desiction Dissection, Bathory, Opeth, Dark Funeral, etc) the album represents a new chapter in the band’s evolution. Featuring 13 relentless tracks, Serpent’s Verdict blends Ophiolatry’s signature brutality with a renewed intensity and is set for release in 2025 via Wormhole Death Records.

With an uncompromising vision and an unyielding commitment to sonic devastation, Ophiolatry continues to carve its legacy as one of the most formidable forces in brutal death metal. Their relentless evolution and unwavering dedication to the craft ensure that their name will remain etched in the annals of extreme metal history.

Discography:
2025 – Serpent’s Verdict (Full Album) – Wormhole Death Records
2008 – Transmutation (Full Album) – Forces of Satan Records/ Regain Records
2001 – Anti-Evangelistic Process( Full Album) – Evil Vengeance Records
1999 – Opposite Monarchy (Demo) – Millennium Records

Artists Endorsements: DR Strings, Valeton, In tunes guitar pick.

Shared Stage with: Dimmu Borgir, Cradle Of Filth, Behemoth, Mayhem, Carcass, Arch Enemy, Samael, Septiflesh, Sinister and many more.

Tours and Festivals:
European BlasTour 2007/2008
07-07 Ser Novi Sad @ Exit fest
08-07 MAC Skopje @ Vulkan
10-07 HUN Pecs @ Rock Marathon Fest
11-07 SK Nitra @ Naozzay
12-07 SK Puchov @ XXX Club
15-07 POL Poznan @ U Bazyla
04-08 SER Belgrade @ Dom Omladine
05-08 SER @ Cacak
06-08 SER @ Kragujevac
07-08 SER Sombor @ Kabare
11-08 CZE Svojsice u Prelouce @ Brutal Assault Fest
18-08 CH Muotathal @ Moutains of Death FestOPHIOLATRY European Tour 2003/2004
12.18 Antwerpen – Belgium
01.07 Gent – Belgium
01.09 Gent – Belgium
01.10 Mechelen – Belgium
01.11 Gent- Belgium
01.17 Bree – Belgium
01.22 Zalaegerszog – Hungary
01.23 Szeged – Hungary
01.24 Pocs- Hungary

0 EPK – Morningstvr – A Fate Engraved (2025)

March 7, 2025
by Asher
· EPKs · Morningstvr

EPK – Morningstvr – A Fate Engraved (2025)

For fans of Darkthrone, Xasthur, Hekseblad, Hulder, Axius Link

“My goal for this album is it be the second installment to my own ‘Unholy Trinity’. What has entailed and what will continue to entail in that is something that has never been done in black metal before. It’s a culmination of everything needed for a trilogy raised from a cold, damp, esoteric story. But for ‘A Fate Engraved’, it is the bridge piece to the beginning of the sage, ‘In Memoriam of the Blvck Wind’, and for everything that comes after it, bringing occult, winter, medieval and origin themes into fruition. ‘A Fate Engraved’ truly is like if (early) Darkthrone had a love child with ‘Verses in Oath’ by Hulder and ‘Kaer Morhen’ by Hekseblad, it is a gateway into venturing beyond the cold wastes that were seen in ‘In Memoriam of the Blvck Wind’, giving word to tales of crusades, ancient kingdoms, lost love from ancient times, and thus references to Tolkien’s legendarium, ‘A fate Engraved’ is nothing short of a collection of a puzzle that will transport you into the frozen hell.” – Morningstvr

Album Title: A Fate Engraved
Release Date: June 20th, 2025
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

All Links – https://linktr.ee/morningstvr

Spotify | Morningstvrmusic.bandcamp.com/ | Apple Music

Album pre-save – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/morningstvr/a-fate-engraved-2/

“It is innovative and the use of synth is awesome. Morningstvr is a genius and delivered an excellent album. Be prepared to be blown away.” – Project MetalMusic

“Morningstvr, it’s the sound of Morningstvr, led by its master Morningstvr, for the ears of Morningstvr himself! Intrinsically, we either hook or laugh. If we consider the total adoration for the evocative coldness of ‘old Darkthrone’ and the tormented noisiness of some Xasthur, there is good. If we look at the ability of the ‘one man band’ to establish an ambiance of disembodied cold horror like Gnaw Their Tongues, there is also good. Now, if we examine the poverty of instrumental inspiration that lingers on the same three keyboard notes throughout these twelve tracks and the drum work that is almost too synthetic to be industrial, then there is not good at all, but these are the rules of the game for Morningstvr, who is not new to this. However, we will recognize the permanence of a disturbing and deliberately dehumanized music.” – Metallian

Morningstvr – A Fate Engraved Tour:
June 13, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA – The Slipper Clutch
June 14, 2025 – San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick
June 16, 2025 – Seattle, WA – The Fun House
June 17, 2025 – Portland, OR- Shanghai Tunnels
June 19, 2025 – Boise, ID – Realms Arcade
June 20, 2025 – Twin Falls, ID – Big Papa’s Bar

Album Title: A Fate Engraved
Release Date: June 20th, 2025
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid

Track Listing:
1. Beyond the Cold Wastes – 3:15
2. Black Metal Wytch – 3:45
3. Born to frolic in a Scandinavian Forest – 3:07
4. When Mountains Behold Tombs of Nine – 4:01
5. War Chant – 2:01
6. The Last of the Northern Kingdoms – 4:47
7. Dethroned – 4:09
8. The Black Forest – 2:33
9. Her Eyes in Winter Fog – 3:58
10. Ride Forth, Knights of the Pale Moon – 4:05
11. Funeral Moon – 4:32
12. Whispers of a Nameless Fear 03:57
Album Length: 44:15

Album Credits:
Mastered by: Morningstvr
Album artwork by: Carly Craft, Morningstvr
Lineup: Morningstvr – Vocals, Synths, Guitars, Drums, Production
LIVE Lineup: Morningstvr

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

About The Album Artwork:

A Fate Engraved was created after the success of the previous album and I felt I had truly engraved my fate in the fabric of time, so the album art had to reflect such, its myself in a field, sword in hand ready for battle whilst my left hand is reaching towards my logo that is on the album cover.

About the Album:

“A Fate Engraved” is an epic collection of tales continued from its predecessor in the trinity, “In Memoriam of the Blvck Wind” and tells of a land far to the north of the world, with cold and abysmal ranges covered in snow, ancient structures of an empire from a forgotten age, much like in the image of the medieval period, continuing the tales of Slavic witchcraft, knights charging their last battles, betrayal, heartbreak and rituals upon a full moon. Lyrically, such themes are expressed intensely throughout each song with a hazy and atmospheric glow to them, as they are instrumentally, each song is carried by earth shattering tremolos, raw rhythm guitars, depressive drums, medieval rhythm synths and cold lead synths. “A Fate Engraved” can only be described as an epic journey of a Dark Age Winter seen through the eyes and mind of the listener of such an album.

Track By Track – A Fate Engraved:

1. Beyond the Cold Wastes – the intro song to “A Fate Engraved” is about an ancient empire far to the north of the world, covered in an endless sea of ice, thus this empire still reigns. It carries with it the themes and energy of my previous album, “In Memoriam of the Blvck Wind” in regard to its deep, dead winter roots.

2. Black Metal Wytch – the second song of this album is drawn from many depictions I witnessed of witches and black metal combined into a single theme, much as the aesthetics of Keller/dungeon synth on social media, thus creating a seductive/vampyric undertone for the song.

3. Born to Frolic in a Scandinavian Forest – sort of a sequel to a track from my previous album “Romanticizing My Melancholic Solitude”, continuing the notion that “black metal isn’t a serious genre”, taking advantage with its comedic popularity and pouring atmosphere, and references from its predecessor such as pipe organs and other synths.

4. When Mountains Behold Tombs of Nine – such an album about medieval and fated themes cannot be such without references from lord of the rings, my personal favorite trilogy in film, this track tells the horrors of the Nazgûl, the Nine ringwraiths who were once men, then Sauron the Deceiver gave unto them nine rings of power and they were turned into immortal, elongated creatures of the unseen world. The lyrical content tells of the nine, and also of the prophecy of their leader, the Witch-King of Angmâr.

5. War Chant – tying back to my Slavic roots, “War Chant” is an ancient chant brought back to life. Giving speech to who rules in my realm, the speech is in Russian and executed in a special ability I’m able to vocalize. Given its finer background with ancient horns and tribal drums, it is a track in reminiscence to my heritage.

6. The Last of the Northern Kingdoms – the lead track for this album could not be such without its northerner/exiled noble theme, bringing forth my origin story of where I am from and what I left behind for good so long ago.

7. Dethroned – delving on themes of betrayal of those close to you and binding them into submission, ensuring they know their place, “Dethroned” was heavily inspired from the second wave of black metal, mainly from the early Darkthrone days and thus the guitars bring that sound back to the forefront whilst guided by winterous, abysmal synths.

8. The Black Forest – inspired by the Black Forest of Germany and its rich history of the dark ages/medieval period, this track is a dungeon synth song that culminates the dark, long history of the Black Forest of Central Europe, a place I have been fascinated with for a long time.

9. Her Eyes in Winter Fog – “her eyes in winter fog” was planned as a sequel to “you remind me of fall” from my previous album, creating themes of loss, heartbreak and letting go of ones you could no longer wait for.

10. Ride forth, knights of the Pale Moon – the name itself was inspired from a friends music label but the story written into this song was inspired by the charge of Pelinor field in Lord of the Rings when Faramir led a cavalry charge to attempt to retake the city of Osgiliath, thus resulting in the entire cavalry force being decimated.

11. Funeral Moon – “A Fate Engraved” wasn’t complete without a song about full moons and dark magic under such cycles. With an intro taken from the style of Blackgaze, it envisions a ritual of summoning under a funeral moon and thus comes forth a maiden adorned in attire of a ghost long forgotten.

12. Whispers of a Nameless Fear – Taking a line from the intro dialogue to Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the outro track of the album brings forth the themes of a dark fall, creating a more atmospheric sense, giving a taste of what the next album shall entail, the lyrical content consists of how I find peace in certain atmospheric settings and specific parts of the year, its ending with strong winds gives the listeners an eerie sense of what is to come next.

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FUN FACTS – STORY ANGLES:

1. Morningstvr has expressed lyrical content in four different languages

2. Lead guitar pieces used in each song were inspired by the subgenre of “Blackgaze”

3. The rhythm guitar tracks for each song were inspired by a lot of funeral/blackened doom.

4. The synths in every song are a carry-over from Morningstvr’s roots in the witch house genre

5. The drum style of Morningstvr has been heavily inspired from Hekseblad, Hulder and Xasthur

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Morningstvr – Vocals, Guitars, Synth, Drums, Production

Photos by: Carly Craft

North Hollywood, California, Morningstvr.

He cites DarkThrone, Xasthur, Hekseblad, Hulder & Axius Link as his key influences thrives under the subgenre he describes his music as Synth-Based Black Metal. Some other influences would be Thy Light, Worm, NordicWinter, Soulless, Caladan Brood, Luna Pythonissan and Nocturnal Depression. Throughout his almost six-year long career, he has worked with a handful of unique artists and groups such as Opium Golem, KsureN, Son ov Leviathan, Dearly Departed, Llyoko, Satin Puppets, and many more. Some groups/collectives he has worked with are Blvck Mass, Blvckmovth, Obscurum, and Blvsphemy Records. With Morningstvr being almost six years old as a musical project, he has taken part in other past projects before such as Samvel, The Dank Knight, & Siren’s Bane. All this has been part of his journey as a musician, but it all started at the age of ten years old when he wrote his first song, and he knew then that music was a career path he wanted to have. In high school, he was heavily inspired by the underground European depressive metal bands such as Lethian dreams and Katatonia, thus his first band, Siren’s bane was formed and lasted from 2011-2018. After some thought, Morningstvr had decided to go solo and founded his first solo project, The Dank Knight, a short-lived dark electro project. Later reorganizing it into Morningstvr on February 22nd, 2019. Since then, he has only had one other project, a vocal project called Samvel where he experimented with a depressive witch house style music until 2022 when the project was abandoned. To this day, Morningstvr is the sole project and has withstood the test of time. With his inspirations from different bands and artists, Morningstvr is also heavily inspired by the medieval period, certain historical events, horror movies such as Begotten, Nosferatu, Dracula; outside of horror, he’s been influenced by JRR Tolkien and the film adaptations portraying his works.

Shared Stage with: Llyoko, Matt Hand, Devilgod, Keilokei, Dahlia, Avaant Suffering Woman, Satanic Hispanic, Plvgues, Sain’t, Systematic Overdoses, Rotten Wolf, Wraith Haven, XM0rtal, Morgue VVITCH, Haxa, unit333, Manik Vamp, Iko.x17, Ritual Moon, Son ov Leviathan, Pagan Ritual, Satin Puppets, Son Ov Leviathan, DMT, Scarlet Siren, Fused by Defiance, Breaking Serenity, Where it Lies, Trepidation, Swaza 6, Burning Grave, Fetters, Kvlt of Odium, Mortalis

Festivals:
2020 – Festa Daemonium, Chicago, IL
2023: Heretics Fest IV, Chicago, IL
2024: Self-Inflicted Fest, Costa Mesa, CA

0 EPK – Famous Strangers – L.S.C. (2025) (single)

March 7, 2025
by Asher
· EPKs · Famous Strangers

EPK – Famous Strangers – L.S.C. (2025) (single)

For fans of Halestorm, Judas Priest, Dio, Gojira, Arch Enemy

“LSC is one of the most intense and personal songs we’ve released. It digs deep into power, obsession, and emotional survival, all wrapped in a sound that’s meant to hit you hard and stay with you. It is heavy, emotional, and completely unhinged in the best way. Come get some,” adds guitarist Jeff Kittilitz.

Famousstrangersband.com | Facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559110131774 | Instagram.com/famousstrangersband

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

Spotify | Apple Music | Famousstrangers.bigcartel.com

“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

Band: Famous Strangers
Single Title: L.S.C.
Single Length: 4:49
Release Date: June 3, 2025
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distro Kid

Single Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Famous Strangers
• All songs written by: Famous Strangers
• Produced by: Jeff Kittlitz & Phil Anderson at The audio room in Edmonton, AB
• Mixed by: Joel Wanasek
• Mastered by: Maor Applebaum
• Single Artwork by: Art Szabo Creative

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

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

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

About The Single Artwork

The artwork for LSC captures the heart of what the song is about as seen through the eyes of a black widow. At the center is a female figure who is part human, part spider. She sits in a pose that feels both vulnerable and powerful. It is not just horror for the sake of shock. It is a visual metaphor for emotional survival, female power, and the brutal beauty of intimate relationships.

The concept looks at relationships from the black widow’s perspective. It explores the complexity of love, control, attraction, and destruction. The spider-human hybrid represents someone who has been through it all. She is seductive, emotional, and dangerous. Not because she is evil, but because she has learned what it takes to survive.

About the single as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

LSC takes you on a ride. It starts out soft, like it is letting you in slowly, and then it flips the switch. The heaviness hits out of nowhere. It grabs you, shakes you, and then drags you through the rest of the track without letting go. It eases you in, then completely takes over, and by the time it is done, it feels like it has drained the life out of you in the best way.

Lyrically, it is intense. The song is told from the perspective of a female figure who is part human and part spider. It is inspired by the mating behavior of black widows, where attraction, intimacy, and destruction all collide. At its core, it is about obsession, power, and survival. It speaks to the emotional weight of wanting something that was never meant to be yours, and the strength it takes to pull yourself back from that edge.

Musically, the track is dynamic and unpredictable. It builds tension, explodes when it needs to, then drops into moments that are almost haunting. It does not follow a formula. Every shift in the song is there to serve the emotion. From the guitars to the drums to the vocals, everything is layered with purpose. It is not just heavy. It is calculated, emotional, and designed to hit hard.

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

Fun Facts – Story Angles

1. The band is the perfect mistake—something that was never meant to be, yet somehow became exactly what it needed to. It came together as a meeting of the minds, a collision of ideas and energy that formed something greater than any of us could have planned.

2. The single, along with all of Famous Strangers’ music, is recorded and mixed by Jeff Kittlitz, making the entire process 85% in-house. This hands-on approach allows us to shape our sound exactly as we envision it, keeping the recording experience raw, real, and true to who we are as a band.

3. Amanda actually DJs at an exotic nightclub in Edmonton called Shade

4. Braden isn’t just holding down the low end in Famous Strangers—he’s also a teacher, working with students from K to 12. Whether it’s in the classroom or on stage, he brings the same passion and dedication to everything he does.

5. Beej is relentless behind the kit, averaging six hours of drumming every day. Whether it’s rehearsing, refining technique, or just chasing the perfect groove, the dedication never stops.

L-R | Amanda Keirnan (Vocals), Jeff Kittlitz (Guitar, Vocals), Brian Jolly aka “Beej” Beejerson (Drums), Braden Sustrik (Bass, Vocals)

Photo Credit – J Keirnan Photography

Shadows of Sound: Story of Famous Strangers

Famous Strangers is a dynamic and innovative band known for their dark, moody, and mysterious sound that blends atmospheric, visual storytelling with powerful, intense music. Formed in 2023, the band came together through a shared passion for creating music that pushes boundaries and evokes deep emotions.

The band consists of members with extensive past experiences in other bands, bringing a wealth of talent and diverse influences to the group. Their combined expertise and creative vision have shaped the unique sound of Famous Strangers, characterized by haunting melodies, a blend of melodic and aggressive vocals, and atmospheric instrumentals.

Famous Strangers is gearing up to make their mark on the music scene with a series of single releases this year, leading up to a highly anticipated full album release set for 2025. As they embark on this exciting journey, the band remains committed to delivering powerful performances and captivating audiences with their unforgettable sound.

Stay tuned as Famous Strangers continues to reveal more of their musical journey, bringing their fans along for an exhilarating ride through the depths of their creative vision.

Recording & Live Band Lineup:
Amanda Keirnan (Vocals)
Jeff Kittlitz (Guitar, Vocals)
Brian Jolly aka “Beej” Beejerson (Drums)
Braden Sustrik (Bass, Vocals)

Discography:
Deepstar (Single Release (Sept 13th 2024)
George (Single Release November 15th 2024)
I’ll See You In The Stars (Single Release March 7th, 2025)

Shared Stage with: Three Inches of Blood, The Devil Sons, King Thief, Riot City

0 EPK – Dirty Shirt – FOMO (single) (2025)

March 4, 2025
by Asher
· Dirty Shirt · EPKs

EPK – Dirty Shirt – FOMO (single) (2025)

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

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

“FOMO is the first single from Dirty Shirt’s upcoming album. Musically, it is a journey through different moments and places, blending various genres: from 80s disco to Balkan music, all built on a metal foundation. It’s a catchy song, with a chorus that sticks in your mind, radiating big positive energy. Lyrically, the song addresses one of the issues of modern society—the fear of missing out (FOMO). This phenomenon has become widespread with the rise of social media, where people constantly compare themselves to others and feel pressured to be part of every trend or experience.” – Mihai Tivadar – Dirty Shirt

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Top L-R: Cristi (guitar), Mihai (keyboards), Vlad (drums), Dan (guitar), Pali (bass)

Bottom L-4: Cosmin (violin), Rini (vocal), Robi (vocal)

Band: Dirty Shirt
Single Title: FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Length: 2:46
Release Date: February 23, 2025
Label: Transylvanian Metal Production

Single Credits:
Song performed by Dirty Shirt
Song written by Mihai Tivadar & Mathieu di Pilla
Produced by Mihai Tivadar
Mixed & Mastered by Adrian Uritescu
Artwork by Vlad Bornuz
Members of UCMR (Romanian equivalent, that collects our rights abroad, including USA & Canada)

Single Line Up: Dan “Rini” Craciun (vocal), Robert Rusz (Vocal), Mihai Tivadar (keyboards, guitar), Dan Petean (guitar), Cristian Balanean (guitar), Pal Novelli (bass), Sergio Ponti / Vlad Toca (drums), Cosmin Nechita (violins), Miruna Puiu (backing vocals), Alexandra Joicaliuc (backing vocals), Tea Visan (backing vocals), Andrei Oltean (flutes), Mihai Muntean (cimbalom), Darius Bosca (clarinet)

Live Line Up: the same + Razvan Nechita (violin)

Discography:
Get Your Dose Now! (2022)
Letchology (2019)
Dirtylicious (2015)
Freak Show (2013)
Same Shirt Different Day (2010)
Very Dirty (2000)

Tours and Festivals:
– Dirty Shirt – 30 Anniversary Tour (2025 – on going, more than 25 shows already announced, in Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Germany and France)
– Motocultor Across Europe Tour (2024): 16 shows in Germany, Netherland, UK, France, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal
– More than 60 shows last year: Motocultor + Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland
– Some major festivals last years: Electric Castle 2023 (Ro), Hellfest Open Air 2022 (Fr), Pol’And’Rock 2022 & 2021 (Pl), Reload Festival 2022 (D), Dong Open Air 2022 (D), Wacken Open Air 2019 & 2014 (D), HRH Metal Fest 2019 (UK), Rock Heart 2019 (Cz), Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2018 & 2015 (Ro)

Endorsement:
– Drumeo / Pianote / Guitareo / Singeo
– Two Notes Audio Engineering
– Solar Guitars
– Murat Dyril Cymbals
– Promark Drumsticks
– Evans Drumheads
– Puresound Snare Wires
– Sihi Cymbals
– Meze Audio

0 EPK – The Bloody Hell – Feel It Too (2025) (single)

February 27, 2025
by Asher
· EPKs · The Bloody Hell

EPK – The Bloody Hell – Feel It Too (2025) (single)

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

“This is the first single off our upcoming album entitled “Blood Code” which we are currently in the process of finishing up and hope to release this summer or fall. This 8 song album will be a big step forward for the band, we have added a new guitar player and the song writing has gotten much more interesting while still maintaining the simplistic catchiness of the previous two albums.” – Ian Kean – The Bloody Hell

For fans of The Misfits, Nirvana, Motorhead

Band: The Bloody Hell
Single Title: Feel It Too
Single Length: 3:14
Release Date: February 27, 2025
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/thebloodyhellhfx | Instagram.com/thebloodyhellhfx | Twitter.com/TheBloodyHell1 | YouTube

TheBloodyHell.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify | Linktr.ee/thebloodyhellhfx

“Punk and horror punk fans should find Nobody Cares of great interest. ” – Metal Talk

“Sound wise it’s very accessible, an up-tempo and fun listen that is easy on the ear and compelling to the mind, with influences that the band cite as ranging from Misfits, Nirvana, and Motorhead and it’s filled with catchy hooks and grungy raw-edged vocals, a winning combination in this particular context, it’s very broad spectrum and if you like a horror twist then it could be even more appealing to you. Lyrically the content is interestingly often ambiguous and delivered with clarity of content so you can give them your own interpretation.” – The Punk Globe (Self-Titled 2018)

[Download Single Cover | Download Single Lyrics]

Band: The Bloody Hell
Single Title: Feel It Too
Single Length: 3:14
Release Date: February 27, 2025
Label: Self-Release

Single Credits:
Preformed by The Bloody Hell
Written by The Bloody Hell
Produced by The Bloody Hell
Mixed / Mastered by Alex Burris
Single artwork by Densley Design
Member of SOCAN
MAPL – Canadian Content

Band Lineup Live and Recording:
Ian Kean – Vocals
James Densley – Lead Guitar
Joe Woods – Bass
Andrew Welsmen – Guitar
Ben Schulman – Drums

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

About The Single from Vocalist Ian Kean

Feel It Too is a song I wrote during the deepest darkest recesses of the Covid pandemic and quarantine that came along with that. Everyone was sitting around all day, wasting away, sinking deeper and getting more depressed. The only connection to the outside world was through social media, so everyone was posting their opinions and concerns all over the internet. It all seemed so lost and desperate. So that’s what the song is about essentially, how stupid everybody was acting during that time online, and although I would see countless bad takes and shitty opinions, I also felt confused, lost and hopeless. I felt it too. So I wrote this song as a way to make fun of or call out all the stupid things people were saying, but also to admit to myself that it was coming from a place of fear and uncertainty, and that I felt the same way. To say you’re not alone – I feel it too.

The Bloody Hell is what would happen if George Thorogood sang for the Misfits but all the songs were written by Tom Petty – Super catchy guitar rock songs about hardship and heartache played with intensity and passion, at punk rock speeds.

Since forming in early 2017 The Bloody Hell have gained a local following by tearing up stages with touring acts Propagandhi, DOA , Ripcordz , RayGun Cowboys and Heart Attack Kids as well as local favorites such as The Blackrats, Worst Part, Cluttered, Diner Drugs, Hitman and Orchids Curse.

2018’s self titled debut “The Bloody Hell”, went on to spawn 6 singles and music videos, and earned nominations for “Loud Recording” of the year at the 2018 Nova Scotia Music Awards and “Canadian Independent Music Video” Of The Year 2019 from Dropout Entertainment dot com

When the global pandemic canceled all of the gigs The Bloody Hell had lined up for 2020 / 2021, it didn’t slow the creative process or forward momentum of the band. The Bloody Hell returned to Fang recording studio in Summer 2020 and Spring of 2021 to record their sophomore album.

In November 2022, “Nobody Cares” was officially released, from which three singles have been released thus far, each accompanied by a unique and thought provoking music video. The video for the second single “When You’re Gone” was recently nominated for “Canadian Independent Music Video” of the Year by Dropout Entertainment dot com. Our second nomination for this award in three years. The video for the single “Out of Our Minds” was also nominated for that award in 2019. The sophomore album has also earned a nomination from Music Nova Scotia for “Loud Recording of the Year” 2023 and has been regarded as a huge step forward for the band, by both fans and critics alike.

In fall 2024, The Bloody Hell hit the studio to work on their new album “Blood Code”, which is slated for release in 2025.

The Bloody Hell is:
Ian Kean – Vocals
James Densley – Lead Guitar
Joe Woods – Bass
Andrew Welsmen – Guitar
Ben Schulman – Drums

Discography:
2025 – I Feel It Too (single)
2022 – Nobody Cares LP
2022 – Punk Canada Volume 1 – Punk Covers compilation
2018 – Self Titled LP

Movie Placements: Bone Cage – Award winning indie film (2020)

Shared Stage with: D.O.A – Ripcordz – Propagandhi – Heart Attack Kids – Raygun Cowboys – Turbo – Worst Part – Orchids Curse – Cluttered – Customer Service

Tours and Festivals:
Gutterfest 2024 – Windsor NS
Spoonapoloopza 2024 – Halifax NS
Merciless Metal Fest 2022 – Stanley NS
Nova Scotia Music Week 2019 – Truro NS

0 EPK – Vortex – Alien Realms (2025)

February 25, 2025
by Asher
· EPKs · Uncategorized · Vortex

EPK – Vortex – Alien Realms (2025)

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

For fans of Septicflesh, Shadow of Intent, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth

“On this new EP, we doubled down on what worked best in our previous album, the Future Remains in Oblivion. If you’re into massive orchestras and melodies blended with aggressive riffs and Blackened Death vocals, then Alien Realms is for you.” – Vortex

Album Title: Alien Realms
Release Date: April 11, 2025
Label: Self-Release

Vortex.band | Facebook.com/vortex.band.ca | Instagram.com/vortex.band.ca | X.com/vortexband | Youtube.com/@VortexBand

Vortexband.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

Linktree – https://linktr.ee/vortexband

“There is not one weak song on the EP. The songs are well crafted and mastered by hugely talented musicians. For me the perfect 10. Can’t wait to see the songs performed live.” – Project Metal Music

“When Humans Defy The Void is, like its creators Vortex, unique, and unlike anything else you have ever heard. It is everything you think it would be, but cranked up to eleven and with more twists and turns than a Raymond Chandler novel, and if this is just a taster of what Alien Realms has to offer, then I can’t wait to be abducted on April 11th.” – Black Metal Archive

“No need to fuck around with this one folks; I loved Alien Realms from the first intense beats of “When Humans Defy the Void” to the fading notes of the haunting “Where Wonders Dwell”. Vortex’s Alien Realms pulls you in with its unpredictable symphonic blackened melodic death metal that blends elements of bands like Mechina, Fleshgod Apocalypse and Behemoth with the likes of Dimmu Borgir, Graveworm and Hermh. Needless to say, this is a DENSE little EP full of some unique metal.” – The Poser’s Graveyard

Symphony For The Dead Tour – Vortex + XAON (QC, ON, NB)
April 15 – Montreal, QC – Le Petit Campus ***
April 16 – Edmundston, NB – Ateepic *
April 17 – Saint John, NB – Haven Music Hall and Cafe *
April 18 – Moncton, MB – Xeroz *
April 19 – Rimouski, QC – Coop Le Paradis *
April 22 – Ottawa, ON – The Rainbow
April 23 – Drummondville, QC – La Ste-Paix ****
April 24 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti ****
April 25 – Saguenay, QC – Microbrasserie Port-Alfred
April 26 – Trois-Rivieres, QC – L’Entite **

* Omnivide
** Strigampire
*** Ulfhednar
**** Burning Attic

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

Album Title: Alien Realms
Release Date: April 11, 2025
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. When Humans Defy the Void – 5:03
2. Haunting the Abyss – 5:26
3. Ripping the threads of Reality – 4:10
4. Where Wonders Dwell – 3:00
EP Length: 17:40

EP Credits:
All songs performed by VORTEX
Except ‘Where Wonders Dwell’ by Vortex featuring Giorgia on vocals
All songs written by VORTEX
Produced by Pierre Luc Demers and Dany Lévesque
Engineered, mixed, and mastered by Pierre Luc Demers (Studio Ondechoc)
Artistic consultant: Marc-Antoine Desjardins
Album artwork by Rudi Gorging Suicide
MAPL – Canadian Content

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

About the EP Artwork:
The concept behind Alien Realms revolves around humanity venturing into space in search of intelligent life. However, they don’t find exactly what they anticipated, and this sense of unexpected discovery is reflected in the artwork.

About the EP:
Alien Realms is a Blackened Death EP that blends massive orchestral elements, soaring epic melodies, and relentless, aggressive riffing.

Track By Track explanation:

1. When Humans Defy The Void

This song is a melodic assault, blending thrash-driven verses, hyper-melodic choruses, and an epic finale, all immersed in grand, sweeping orchestrations. Bold and daring, humans leave Earth in search of intelligent extraterrestrial life. This track is divided into three distinct sections: the thrashy, aggressive verses; the ultra-melodic choruses; and the glorious, epic ending.

2. Haunting the Abyss
‘We traversed the void – Conquered the unknown – But found emptiness – In worlds, we’ve been shown’

This song begins with a melancholic black metal section before transitioning into a verse that I’d describe as a modern death metal take on the main riff of Metal Church by the band of the same name. For this EP, we focused on writing memorable, epic choruses, and this one is a perfect example of that.

3. Ripping the Threads of Reality
We ultimately discover that other intelligent life forms do exist, but they are not where or what we expected. Aliens emerge from other realms that challenge our understanding of physics and consciousness.

Musically, this track is the most blackened death piece of the EP. It’s what I imagine Behemoth or Belphegor would sound like if they had lots of orchestral elements.

4. Where Wonders Dwell
We wanted to close Alien Realms with an epic orchestral track, and this is the result. Once it was complete, we thought it would be even better with female vocals, so we wrote the lyrics and invited Giorgia to sing on it. The song is a departure from our usual style, reflecting the dawn of a new era for mankind.

==================================================
Fun Facts – Story Angles:

1. You must watch the music video for ‘Haunting the Abyss’. There are a couple of scenes where band members are naked on a frozen lake in the snow…. We had to shoot those images bare-naked in January at -10C.

2. One time a girl stripped while moshing in front of the stage, some guy had to take her out of the venue on his shoulders to stop her.

3. None of us fits the ‘regular’ death metal band member stereotype. Many of us have children and we all have jobs most people wouldn’t think were for a death metal musician. We count two business directors, a wind farm manager, a construction project manager, and a music composer in our ranks. Two of the band members are schooled musicians.

4. We have played about 250 shows together until now.

5. We live in a remote area and often drive for 6, 8, 10, and even sometimes more to play a single live show, we are road warriors!!!

6. We are serious and professional, but occasionally some of us really like to party when the show is over. I would have great stories to tell but I’m not sure I should talk about that here…

L-R – Simon Desjardins (Bass), Mathieu Duguay (Guitars, Orchestrations), Alexandre Labrie (Vocals), Dany Lévesque (Guitars), Olivier Harrisson (Drums)
Photo Credit – Giuseppe Calvinisti

Vortex is a symphonic Death Metal band from Rimouski, Quebec, Canada, and is comprised of seasoned musicians with an abundance of studio and live experience. Their masterful lyric writing is equally matched with their prowess in devising riffs, and orchestrations.

Vortex music is filled with heavy riffing and melodies, technical vocals, and epic soloing. They will transport the listener into a new world and are recommended for fans of Lorna Shore, Shadow of Intent, Dimmu Borgir, and Cradle of Filth.

In June 2023 Vortex released its third epic concept album set to aggressive and beautiful orchestral melodic death metal with hints of black metal. Each song in “The Future Remains In Oblivion” is one chapter in their well-written sci-fi tale and there is a build-up in intensity and emotion that goes along with the storyline and the lyrics as you traverse the album.

VORTEX is gearing up to release a music video and a new 5-song EP entitled ‘’Alien Realms’’ in April 2025. The band will hit the road alongside the talented band XAON, they will be supporting each other on a tour across Canada in April 2025 and Europe in November 2025.

Vortex is:
Simon Desjardins (Bass)
Mathieu Duguay (Guitars, Orchestrations)
Alexandre Labrie (Vocals)
Dany Lévesque (Guitars)
Olivier Harrisson (Drums)

Discography:
2025 – Alien Realms – EP (Self-Release)
2023 – The Future Remains In Oblivion (Self-Release)
2018 – Lighthouse, PRC Music
2016 – The Asylum, PRC Music

Shared Stage with: Aeternam, Beyond Creation, Martyr, Beneath The Massacre, Strigampire, Obscura, Khalma, Anonymus, BARF, Vesperia, Obey the Brave, DBC, Get the Shot, Mutank, E-Force, Boundaries, Insurrection, Feel like Home, The Flaying, Spirit of Rebellion, Reanimator, Fracturus, Burning the Oppressor, Chemicide, Replicant, Valfreya, Sanguine Glacialis, Flesh Shrine, Death Note silence, Obscur Mantra, Blinded by Faith.

Tours and Festivals:
2024 – Strigampire/Vortex tour (Quebec/Ontario)
2023 – Symphonic Assault tour with Aeternam (Eastern Canada)
2019 – PRC Metal Bash tour (Quebec and The Maritimes)
2018 – Chemicide tour (Quebec)
2017 – E-Force tour – Eric Forest ex-Voivod (Eastern Canada)
2017 – Reanimator tour (Quebec)

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

Canadian College Radio Charts – August 2023 – top 20 loud – #14 Vortex (earshot)

“#8 on Top 10 Quebec Band 2023 Albums – The Future Remains In Oblivion delivers a solid punch with their intense and well-felt symphonic death metal and, with a quality product like this, they have nothing to envy of the big names in the genre.” – Thorium Mag

“The Future Remains in Oblivion is the collision zone between powdered wig classical and battle jacketed death metal that should hold appeal for fans of Fleshgod Apocalypse, Septicflesh and those who like their Suffocation mixed with Dimmu Borgir.” – Decibel Magazine

“The song’s (The Walls) multi-faceted nature is further revealed in harrowing and haughty growls, jolting chords, and fiery sunbursts of sound, as well as through a swirling melodic guitar solo that spectacularly sends the song into the stratosphere. The song’s finale is itself a full-power spectacle that really gets the adrenaline surging.” – No Clean Singing

“If there’s anything that Vortex nails, it’s drama. Album highlight and banger track “First Blood” is simply massive” – Angry Metal Guy

“For some music is pure escapism but does that still hold true when bands like Canadian Melodic Death Metal monster Vortex whisk the would be listener into a bleak world that is recovering from a devastating cataclysm? Scenes of war and survival are punctuated with harrowing strings, technical riffs, and guttural and Black Metal inspired vocals as the band weave cinematic stories and orchestral touches into their third concept album “The Future Remains In Oblivion”” – Metal Noise

“the title-track The Future Remains In Oblivion, a song that will blow your mind with its insane wall of sounds, background orchestrations, epic passages, striking riffs and solos, and visceral yet intricate drums, resulting in one of the most breathtaking moments of the entire album.” – The Headbanging Moose

“An excellent group that you must discover because of the intensity they are able to show” – Ondes Chocs

“After hearing their new material live November 2022, I was really looking forward to hearing the sequel and it may be darker than ever.” – Thorium Mag

“a band that takes great pride in weaving together cinematic stories set to orchestral melodic death metal. Canada’s very own Vortex is prepared to whisk you away to a bleak world that is recovering from a devastating cataclysm in the latest album, The Future Remains In Oblivion.” – Canadian Beats

“The Future Remains In Oblivion est un disque coloré, aux mélodies chaleureuses et aux superbes guitares.
“The Future Remains In Oblivion is a colorful record, with warm melodies and superb guitars.” – Music Waves

“The breakdowns are huge in places. There are big moments where the influences pour through, but are blended with giant choral arrangements and symphonics. It’s absolutely like something out of a Lord of the Rings movie. I love the melodies, the harmonics, and the guitar solos. This is absolutely an album which ought to be part of your listening rotation this month. I was genuinely impressed with quite a bit of the entire album. I think that when you look at this album, the absolute banger of the title tack is 100% worth several spins with the blackened guitar riffs and tremendous choral arrangements.” – Metal Epidemic

“The songs you’ll find on this upcoming release are aggressive, but Vortex also has a strong melodic approach and lots of orchestrations combined with guttural, black metal vocals and diverse guitar playing that alternates between howling snippets and beautiful, emotional riffs. Recommended for fans of Shadow of Intent, Septicflesh, and Dimmu Borgir.” – RTMB Music

“Melodic death, a bit technical and prog” – Mosh Pit Radio WORT 89.9FM (Madison, WI)

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