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Category: EPKs

0 EPK – Lufeh – Overwhelmed (2026)

  • March 22, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Lufeh

EPK – Lufeh – Overwhelmed (2026)

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

For fans of Rush, Dream Theater, Haken, Sleep Token, Tool

Band: Lufeh
Album Title: Overwhelmed
Release Date: May 29, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid  
Genre: Progressive Rock
Location of Band: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Lufehband.com | Facebook.com/lufehband | Instagram.com/lufehband | Youtube.com/lufehband

Lufehband.bandcamp.com | Spotify

Heavy prog shines with the new single ‘He Commands the Sun and the Stars’ from LUFEH. Dream Theater and Shadow Gallery fans will find a lot to love here including a spotlight performance from featured vocalist and electric violinist Ginny Luke. Musically the band doesn’t disappoint with soaring keys, complex percussion, driving riffs, strolling bass lines…all at a high level, which is what is demanded when you enter the sacred space of progressive rock. Just as much a beautiful performance as it is a breathtaking adventure, this track raises expectations for the new album “Overwhelmed” which can’t get here fast enough on May 29th. Catch LUFEH on your Home for the Best New Rock… W-J-O-EEEE” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll

“Progressive hard rock’s LUFEH have just released another powerful new single, ‘OVERWHELMED (feat. Ginny Luke)’. The title track from their forthcoming album slated for a May 29th launch, this one is also like the prior single (‘He Commands the Sun and the Stars’), a masterclass of modern prog metal. Hooks that sink deep, superb performances by the band and outstanding songwriting are all on display. The anticipation for the new album is swelling with each single and based on what we’ve heard so far, we’re ready for an exceptional experience. Catch Lufehband on your Home for the Best New Rock…W-J-O-EEEE” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll

“From the riff heavy opener Find My Way to the latest single ‘My World’ and the sharp riffs of closing track The Edge’, these are 20-minute epics condensed into welcome four-minute compositions. It’s an interesting stance for any progressive band but Lufeh have caught it right on the nail. This is an album full of cleverness and maturity. A joy to listen to, Luggage Falling Down’ provides opportunity to marvel at the quality and the playing. In a world which has lost its marbles, this album is a breath of fresh air. 8/10” – Powerplay Magazine UK (2020 – Luggage Falling Down)

“Luggage Falling Down will be a pleasant surprise for those who enjoy their prog on the heavy side, with occasional flourishes of metal, plenty of instrumental workouts, short song formats and a strong foundation in jazz. The eight songs are technical, energetic and always seeking a melodic hook.” – DPRP (2020 – Lugage Falling Down)

“In addition to brevity, there is Luggage Falling Down nothing wrong. Fantastic prog metal, crisply short songs that are still varied. Matching singing in the intersection between James LaBrie And Brendon Boyd as well as terrific guitar and drum inserts. Very entertaining and fun…. Luggage Falling Down a very entertaining record ahead of us. 9 /10 does that for me.” – Sound Magnet

“Anyone starting to get tired of all the cliché album titles and song titles? LUFEH are going their own way and I really like this album title ”Luggage Falling Down”!… I have to say the LUFEH guys have some moves of their own, which makes this album more interesting than most progressive metal albums. The RUSH vibes are not the most obvious ones, but the verse of ”Trial Of Escapade” clearly shows that these guys like the Canadian trio. There’s a smashing guitar solo from Dornellas in this one too.” – Melodic.net – (2020 Luggage Falling Down)

“A track from prog debutants Lufeh now, as I ‘Find My Way’ straight into being earwormed by their Prog metal goodness. Guitar solos that sound like they’ve been written by some of the hard rock greats, with plenty of atmospheric synths and across the board able musicianship means this one was a sure fire hit from the off!” – Uber Rock (2020 Luggage Falling Down)

“This is heavy prog with some strong elements” – Prog Archives (2020 Luggage Falling Down)

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: Lufeh
Album Title: Overwhelmed
Release Date: May 29, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid  
Genre: Progressive Rock
Location of Band: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Track Listing:
1. He Commands The Sun and The Stars – 4:22
2. Breathe – 4:03
3. Double Dip – 4:39
4. Overwhelmed – 4:30
5. Feels Like I’m A Ghost – 5:43
6. Live The New Today – 4:50
7. War of Emotions – 3:50
8. End of the Tunnel – 4:18

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Duca Tambasco, Deio Tambasco, Gera Penna, Lufeh Batera and Ginny Luke
• All songs written by: Duca Tambasco, Deio Tambasco, Gera Penna and Lufeh Batera
• Produced by:Gera Penna
• Mixed by: Adair Daufembach
• Mastered by: Adair Daufembach
• Album Artwork by: Lufeh Batera

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Duca Tambasco – bass and backing vocals
Deio Tambasco – guitar and backing vocals
Gera Penna – keyboard and backing vocals
Lufeh Batera – Drums
Ginny Luke – vocals (featuring)

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

The Album Artwork:

“The cover for Overwhelmed is meant to be a literal visual of how the title feels. We wanted to capture that sensation of being completely submerged underwater.

When you’re deep underwater, everything is heavy, quiet, and intense. The silhouette represents that feeling of being ‘under’ it all—whether that’s stress, emotions, or just life in general.

But we also made sure to include the light coming from the surface. To me, that represents hope and the search for air. It really matches the balance of the album: some parts are heavy and complex, while others are more melodic and give you a chance to breathe.”

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

“This album is the result of a lot of dedication, maturity, and the realization of a dream come true. Recording at the historic Sunset Sound studio here in LOS ANGELES, where the biggest names in world music recorded their hits, was truly an unforgettable experience. We have impactful songs, heavy ballads, a good dose of double pedal on drums, guitar, bass, and keyboard solos, all mixed with the incredible voice of Genny Luke.”

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. HE COMMANDS THE SUN AND STARS
“From a drummer’s perspective, this one is my personal favorite because of how complex the rhythms are. Even with all that technical playing, it still has a really catchy chorus that sticks in your head.

The lyrics are about a powerful man who controls the sun and the stars, but then he’s questioned by the very crowd of people who worship him. It’s definitely one of my favorite tracks on the album.

2. BREATHE
“This song is just a blast to play because it has such a positive, upbeat vibe. It carries a really important message for all of us in our daily lives: just breathe and slow down. We all need that reminder sometimes, and the music really reflects that feeling.”

3. DOUBLE DIP
“This track has some really unique rhythmic complexity. We switch back and forth between 6/8 and 4/4 time, which might keep people guessing at first, but the end result is amazing. One of the highlights is the Bulbul Tarang (a unique string instrument) that we used in the intro. Lyrically, the song is about how it’s impossible to serve two masters and the struggle of living with that kind of duality.”

4. OVERWHELMED
“This is the title track of the album, and it was written by our guitarist, Deio Tambasco. The big highlight here is Ginny Luke’s violin in the intro. Having a violin player with us really transformed the music and turned it into something unique and different.” Lyrically, the song is about that point where you feel like you can’t keep running anymore. It talks about having ‘knots in your head’ and feeling like there’s an ‘overcrowded rat race’ in your soul because of all the distractions in life. The main message is about needing to take a moment to recharge, breathe in, and slow down before you lose control because time is running out.

5. FEELS LIKE I’M A GHOST
“When we were writing this one, we really wanted it to be our version of a Rock Opera. It has so many different moods and atmospheres throughout the song. This is the second track where Ginny Luke joins us on the violin, which adds so much to the sound. It starts very sad and melancholic, but by the end, it transforms into a full-on prog track with some cool odd time signatures.” Lyrically, the song is about the loneliness and exhaustion of being far away from home while a storm is raging. It talks about missing the person you love and feeling like a ‘ghost’ because you’ve sacrificed so much time and years of your life to ‘win the fight’. You’re out in the world, but you feel like a stranger to the people waiting for you at home. It’s a very emotional song about the personal cost of being away from the ones you love.

6. LIVE THE NEW TODAY
I consider this the richest song on the album because of the incredible variety of musical elements. It goes through so many different moods—from very calm and serene moments to heavy sections with double bass Power Metal grooves. It even features solos for the bass, guitar, and violin!

Lyrically, the song is about self-reflection and choosing to live authentically. It talks about looking in the mirror and deciding to let go of the past—what is ‘dead and gone’—so you can find the strength to move forward. Instead of hiding behind blame or projections, it’s about doing what it takes to truly ‘live the new today.’

7. WAR OF EMOTIONS
“This song is a bit different for us. Even though we aren’t a heavy metal band, this one definitely has a ‘metal’ soul. We’re a pretty eclectic group, so we like exploring those heavier sounds, but we used the keyboards and the vocal melodies to make sure the track still felt like it belonged with the rest of the album. Lyrically, the song is about an internal ‘war of emotions’ and the struggle of facing yourself. It describes that moment when truth and illusion start to blur, and you realize your biggest battle is actually against your own reflection. It’s about finally looking at the truth so you can move toward the light.”

8. END OF THE TUNNEL
“We really love the shifts in atmosphere on this track, especially with that Fusion vibe during the keyboard solo in the second half. Another cool detail is the ‘cyclic’ feeling at the very end during the guitar solo—it makes you feel like the tunnel might never end. Lyrically, the song is about going through a spiritual renewal while in the dark and finally seeing that light at the end of the tunnel. It’s about learning from your mistakes and realizing that all the effort and the struggle were worth it, because you come out of the journey stronger and with a much clearer view of life.”

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

STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT THE BAND

1. “One thing people find interesting is that we’re all 50-somethings, but we honestly feel like we’re 30! The core of this band has actually been playing together for about 30 years in different ways—sometimes as partners, sometimes as producers, or hiring each other for sessions.

Because we’ve been friends for so long, we have a very deep, honest connection. We might have big disagreements, but it always ends with us hugging it out and crying like schoolkids because we care so much. There is zero ego in this band. Our creative process is like a drawing that passes from hand to hand—everyone adds their own stroke until it has the right colors and depth. We don’t care about ‘owning’ a song; we just want a result that makes us happy.

We also really evolved our sound for this new album. Our first record was mostly built as instrumental music first, and then we added vocals. But for Overwhelmed, we changed everything. We wrote these songs specifically for the vocal melodies. We wanted catchy themes and ‘signatures’ that people can remember—like using the exotic Bulbul Tarang on ‘Double Dip.’ We also brought in more vocal layers and different voices this time to give the album a lot of cool textures. It’s all about making the music feel fluid and comfortable for the listener.”

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

Photo Credit – Joao Pinheiro

LUFEH is a sophisticated fusion of progressive rock, metal, and jazz influences, creating a sound that blends technical complexity with deep musical emotion. Founded by drummer Lufeh, the band has evolved over the years, gaining recognition for its unique approach to blending genres and pushing musical boundaries.

In a significant lineup change, LUFEH welcomed Deio Tambasco as the new guitar player in October 2025, replacing Teo Dornellas, who had been with the band from the beginning. Deio, who has been part of Lufeh’s musical journey since 1993 when they first formed their band Anno Domini, brings a wealth of experience and musical depth to the group. In Anno Domini, Deio was the lead guitarist, with Lufeh on drums and Deio’s brother Duca Tambasco on bass. Today, Duca is part of LUFEH as well, continuing his role as the band’s bassist and contributing to the tight rhythm section that defines their sound. The band’s close musical ties continue to thrive, and Deio’s return to the fold feels like a natural progression, reuniting with his long-time musical collaborators.

This latest change comes as LUFEH prepares for the release of their second studio album, Overwhelmed. Recorded at the renowned Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, CA, the album showcases a thrilling mix of progressive rock, fusion, and metal influences. Produced by Gera Penna, LUFEH’s talented keyboardist and back vocalist, Overwhelmed features 8 tracks that are both intricate and emotionally charged, representing the band’s growth and refinement of sound.

Dennis Atlas, who was the original vocalist, is no longer with the band due to scheduling conflicts, but after auditioning four different singers, we are excited to announce that Ginny Luke is our new featured vocalist. She is an incredible talent and also plays the violin on three of our new songs: ‘Overwhelmed,’ ‘Feels I’m a Ghost,’ and ‘Live the New Today.’ Ginny’s powerful voice and her violin have given our sound a whole new dimension. The new album is a huge milestone for us, and we can’t wait for everyone to hear this new chapter of Lufeh.”

“Overwhelmed”, due out on May 26, 2026, is the second album since the release of the debut album “LUGGAGE FALLING DOWN”, released in 2020.

Discography:
2026 – Overwhelmed
2020 – Luggage Falling Down

Shared Stage with: Sons of Apollo

Tours and Festivals:
Sons of Apollo Brazilian Tour in 2022

0 EPK – Bury The Past – Clarity (single) (2026)

  • March 22, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Bury The Past · EPKs

EPK – Bury The Past – Clarity (single) (2026)

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

“Clarity was the first song we wrote together with the latest lineup. It introduced a new drumming style as Mat ”Fretch” Fréchette joined the band as their permanent drummer. It has a more Metalcore/Modern Metal sound. From fast-paced verses to slower and heavier sections, the single shows what we’re capable of.” – Mathieu Fréchette (Drummer) – Bury The Past

Instagram.com/bury.thepast | Facebook.com/BuryThePast137 | Tiktok.com/@bury.the.past | Youtube.com/@burythepast137

Burythepast.bandcamp.com | Spotify

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

[Download Single Cover | Download Single Lyrics]

Single Title: Clarity
Length: 3:12
Release Date: February 6th, 2026
Label: Independent
Distribution: Distrokid
Genre: Metalcore/Modern Metal
Location of Band: Gatineau/Quebec/Canada

Single Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Bury the Past
• All songs written by: Bury the Past
• Produced by: Tiny Rik Productions
• Mixed by: Tiny Rik Productions
• Mastered by: Tiny Rik Productions
• Single Artwork by: Independent

Band Line Up:
Kris King (Bass)
Patrice Jolicoeur (Guitar)
Charles Morin (Vocals)
Til Dubois (Guitar)
Mathieu Fréchette (Drums)

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

About The Single Artwork:

Simple yet effective DIY artwork for all of our tracks as of now. We brainstorm ideas using keywords from our lyrics and make something cool out of it.

About The Single: (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Clarity is where the band shifted directions a bit. It is a lot more aggressive both lyrically and musically. Although it does not define our genre at all. BTP does not have a ”limit”

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. Til Dubois was the original drummer for Bury the Past. He’s always been more of a guitarist than a drummer. 2 years later, the band got in touch with Fretch.2. If  you ever hear us yell ”Tooteeth” , don’t worry about it. This is an inside joke between us related to Til’s cats. We take our music very seriously, but I’m not sure I can say the same about our everyday lives.3. We’re the 5 best friends with the same love and passion for music, even with our age gaps. From Charles and Kris being in their late 20’s, Fretch in his 30’s, Til’s almost 40, and Pat is turning 50.

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

 

L-R – Kris King (Bass) – Patrice Jolicoeur (Guitar) – Charles Morin (Vocals) – Til Dubois (Guitar) – Mathieu Fréchette (Drums)

Photo Credit – Sylvain Courchaine (Eighty Oaks Photography)

Emerging from Gatineau, Quebec, Bury the Past is a five‑piece Metalcore/Post‑Hardcore band known for their heavy sound, emotional depth, and relentless drive to evolve. The project took shape when guitarist Til Dubois brought together a group of local musicians to bring his musical vision to life. Two years later, the lineup reached its full potential with the arrival of drummer Mathieu “Fretch” Fréchette, a shift that would redefine the band’s musical direction and energy.

Despite spanning multiple generations, from members in their late 20s to nearly 50, Bury the Past operates as a tight‑knit family. Their chemistry is rooted in friendship, humor, and a shared passion for heavy music. (If you ever hear them yell “Tooteeth,” don’t worry, it’s an inside joke about Til’s cats.) Their bond offstage fuels their intensity onstage, creating a live experience built on precision, emotion, and raw power.

Bury the Past describes their sound in five words: Heavy, Catchy, Emotional, Evolving, Diverse.

Drawing influence from The Ghost Inside, August Burns Red, The Amity Affliction, Alexisonfire, and Parkway Drive, the band blends Metalcore, Modern Metal, and Post‑Hardcore into a style that is unmistakably their own. Their songwriting process is collaborative and fluid; every track is built together, always starting with the music before vocalist Charles Morin shapes the lyrical narrative.

Their lyrics explore everyday struggles, personal battles, and the emotional weight of being human. The result is music that hits hard both sonically and thematically.

The band’s evolution accelerated when Til returned to guitar, and Fretch stepped in as the permanent drummer. Both are multi‑instrumentalists, but this lineup shift allowed each member to settle into the role where they excel most. The result: a more modern, aggressive, and polished sound.

Their latest single, “Clarity,” marks the beginning of this new chapter. It was the first song written with the current lineup and showcases the band’s heavier side, fast‑paced verses, crushing breakdowns, and a refined modern metalcore edge. While “Clarity” is intense, it doesn’t define their limits. Bury the Past prides itself on having none.

With more music already written and waiting for the studio, the band promises that this is only the beginning.

Bury the Past’s live shows are defined by energy, tight musicianship, and authenticity. They don’t compare themselves to other bands; they simply aim to deliver the most powerful version of themselves every time they step onstage and pave the way as a rising force in the Quebec heavy music scene.

With a growing discography, a sharpened sound, and a lineup firing on all cylinders, Bury the Past are entering their strongest era yet. Their evolution is ongoing, their creativity is limitless, and their commitment to their craft is unwavering.

Bury the Past is more than a band; it’s a brotherhood, a creative force, and a testament to the power of heavy music to connect, heal, and evolve.

Discography:
– Clarity / February 6th 2026 / Single
– Give it time / July 4th 2025 / Single
– Unwelcomed / February 14th 2025 / Single
– Constant Changes (ft. Rémi Arsenault from Burn The Evidence) / January 18th 2025 / Single
– Slipping Away / October 25th 2024 / Single
– Mad World / June 20th 2024 / Single

Shared Stage with: Cardiac – As We Suffer – Soulthief – Run Terry Run – Ascension Blacklist – Nature Pleads Revenge – Concessions – Insanity of Dorrow – Feed After Midnight – The Jenova Projekt – Under the Influence – Change My Brain With Cakes – Warcall – Gilgamesh – & More

0 EPK – Iron Kingdom – Shadows and Dust (2026)

  • March 19, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Iron Kingdom

EPK – Iron Kingdom – Shadows and Dust (2026)

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

For fans of Helloween, Riot, Iron Maiden, Savatage, Judas Priest

“Our 6th studio release, ‘Shadows And Dust’, although not directly following a theme or concept, most heavily lends itself towards the themes of death and impermanence. The state of the world seems uncertain, and this record does reflect some of that.  It takes on loss, pain and struggle; overall, the concepts and topics are really quite heavy and dark.  From a musical standpoint, we pushed into some new territory, new modes, and feelings than on previous records, but we feel it was exactly what was needed, and allowed us to deliver something exciting and new for the band.   Iron Kingdom specifically creates albums that are intended to be listened to as an album, front to back. It is how we consume music, and it’s how we package the product, so if you truly want to understand what we do best, give it a full listen, and enjoy the ride!” – Iron Kingdom

Band: Iron Kingdom
Album Title: Shadows And Dust
Release Date: June 6th, 2026
Label: Self-Release (NA), Steel Shark Records (EU)
Distribution: Indie Pool (Digital Distributor)
Genre: Traditional Heavy Metal (NWOTHM)
Location of Band: Vancouver, Canada

Note: The album is also being released in partnership with Steel Shark Records (France), which will offer an exclusive EU edition limited to just 300 double‑CD copies. Disc 1 will contain the full “Shadows and Dust” album, while Disc 2 will feature a “Best Of” collection highlighting tracks from Iron Kingdom’s previous five releases. In addition, the label will introduce a third vinyl colour (100 copies) available only to EU fans.

Iron-kingdom.com | Facebook.com/ironkingdomofficial | Youtube.com/c/IronKingdom | Instagram.com/iron_kingdom/ | X.com/iron_kingdom

Iron-kingdom.com/shop | Iron-kingdom.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

True North Strong And Heavy Canadian Tour – Iron Kingdom, W.M.D.​
​https://www.iron-kingdom.com/tour-dates​
July 2 – Nanaimo, BC – The Terminal
July 3 – Victoria, BC – Lucky Bar
July 4 – Cumberland, BC – The Waverley
July 5 – Powell River, BC – The Carlson Loft
July 17 – Armstrong, BC – AMF 2026
July 21 – Prince George, BC – Knox Performance Centre
July 23 – Whitehorse, YT – Lefty’s Well
July 24 – Dawson City, YT – Palace Grand Theatre
July 25 – Dawson City, YT – outside at The Pit
July 26 – Whitehorse, YT – The 98 Hotel
July 28 – Yellowknife, NT – The Underground
July 29 – Fort Smith, NT – Dirty O’ Fergie’s
July 30 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite
July 31 – Drumheller, AB – LAH 2026
Aug 1 – Winnipeg, MB – Park Theatre
Aug 2 – Thunder Bay, ON – Bloom Bar + Lounge
Aug 3 – Sudbury, ON – The Lounge 390
Aug 4 – London, ON – Supply & Demand
Aug 5 – Waterloo, ON – Maxwells
Aug 6 – Ottawa, ON – Dominion Tavern
Aug 7 – Toronto, ON – Bovine
Aug 8 – Montréal, QC – Foufounes Électriques
Aug 9 – Sherbrooke, QC – Le Murdoch
Aug 11 – Woodstock, NB – Monteith Manor
Aug 12 – Halifax, NS – Gus’ Pub
Aug 14 – Corner Brook, NL – Retro
Aug 15 – St. John’s, NL – The Rockhouse
Aug 17 – Truro, NS – Marigold Cult. Centre (Lobby)
Aug 18 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti
Aug 19 – Hamilton, ON – Doors Pub
Aug 21 – Saskatoon, SK – Black Cat Tavern
Aug 22 – Calgary, AB – Dicken’s
Aug 23 – Kelowna, BC – Jackknife Brewing

“Ten tracks leading to a beautiful journey you will wish to live forever. A masterpiece to own with pleasure. Iron Kingdom has arrived on the stardom stairs, and it’s worth it 100/100.” – The Metal Mag


“the entire album is rock-solid from start to finish. If you call yourself a metal fan, this is a mandatory addition to your playlist.” – Broken Neck Radio

“Iron Kingdom has really taken their stance with hard rock and heavy metal to a standstill, packed with amazement and shining glory in all of its wonder, but making sure the two genres between the NWOBHM and thrash eras are kept in their mighty epic book of ingredients to keep you coming back for more. What can I say? Shadows and Dust is the album we’ve been waiting for this upcoming summer of 2026.” – Echoes and Dust

“After countless tours, line-up changes and even after a serious accident, IRON KINGDOM seem stronger today than ever. With ‘Shadows And Dust’ they deliver exactly the album that traditionalists have been longing for for years. Powerful, melodic, anthemic and rousing, full of great guitar moments and an honest passion for classic heavy metal. If you love IRON MAIDEN, RIOT, HELLOWEEN or SAVATAGE, you should definitely grab it here. The release in all formats as well as via “Steel Shark Records” with vinyl for collectors also fits in with this.” – Saitenkult

“Now six albums into their career, the NWOTHM Canadians show that they are very much still firing on all cylinders! The band are all insanely talented players, for one, and it translates perfectly into some awesome songwriting throughout this nearly-50-minute release. Opener ‘Defenders’ is an absolute banger perfectly reminiscent of that 80s sound. Then you have the likes of ‘Dreamless Sea’, ‘Blood and Steel’ and ‘Dark Demands’ that are also big highlight. If you’re into all things Maiden, Priest or Hammerfall, this is absolutely the release for you. It’s a sound that has remained hugely popular across the decades since its inception, and honestly these guys do it just as good as anyone. How they aren’t a massive name by now I don’t know. Hopefully this is finally the album to push them to that level, as it’s a really great release! A very easy 8/10 from us!” – Overtone Magazine

“There are no weak tracks on the album, just kick ass traditional metal from start to finish. Queue this one up if you want a mix of mid-80s Iron Maiden and Malice with a hint of Arch-era Fates Warning.” – Metal Crypt

“This is exactly how traditional heavy metal stays vital. True believers like Iron Kingdom guard the flame while adding their own chapter to the story. Shadows and Dust doesn’t omly honour the legacy of the genre, it actually strengthens it. Heavy metal remains a lifestyle as much as a sound, and this album is a worthy soundtrack for those who live it. Essential listening for anyone who still believes in real heavy metal.” – Sentinel Daily

“With Shadows and Dust, Iron Kingdom enter a new era with sharpened purpose, renewed fire, and a sound that honors the past while forging boldly ahead. It’s a story of endurance, evolution, and the unbreakable power of Heavy Metal, and I’m sure that after Shadows and Dust we’ll see those Canadians rockin’ for many years to come no matter what. Best moments of the album: Deadhouse Gates, Line of Fire and Dark Demands.” – The Headbanging Moose

“If you only have one selection to convince someone whether they should invest time/money/effort into Iron Kingdom, play them “Shadow Of Time” as it locks into the classic sound they do so well. Winner!” – Mark Gromen – Bravewords

“Iron Kingdom’s sixth full-length continues the band’s upward trajectory in a way that is both concise and still varied. Every track has just enough difference between to make them all stand out from one another, while never feeling like they belong to a different artist. 2022’s “Blood of Creation” was an absolute clinic in modern metal perfection, and it would always be a tough act to follow but Iron Kingdom did so with gusto. Masterfully produced and even better performed, “Shadows and Dust” is one of the years best.” – The NWOTHM

“If you enjoy classic heavy metal and want more of that timeless sound, then ‘Shadows and Dust’ will feel very familiar in a good way… it is honest, energetic, and enjoyable from start to finish.” – AfterNoiz

“Shadows and Dust is therefore an album recommended for all fans of classic heavy and power metal… forty-plus minutes of sincere, energetic, and expertly played music. For those who love traditional sounds and are looking for something slightly off the beaten track of contemporary mainstream metal, Iron Kingdom have created one of the most interesting works of their recent career.” – Tempiduri

“this new ten‑track album from Iron Kingdom definitely caught our attention. What we hear is very traditional heavy metal, with history and mythology serving as the thematic backbone for their lyrics. The result is ten songs that are well‑constructed and well‑arranged. You’ll find everything the subgenre demands: power, melody, and catchiness.” – Musika

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: Iron Kingdom
Album Title: Shadows And Dust
Release Date: June 6th, 2026
Label: Self-Release (NA), Steel Shark Records (EU)
Distribution:  Indie Pool (Digital Distributor)
Genre: Traditional Heavy Metal (NWOTHM)
Location of Band: Vancouver, Canada

Track Listing:
1. Defenders
2. Eternal Emperor
3. Dreamless Sea
4. Deadhouse Gates
5. Line Of Fire
6. Blood And Steel
7. Shadow Of Time
8. Dark Demands
9. Starlight
10. Sacred Fire
Album Length:

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Iron Kingdom
• All songs written by: Iron Kingdom
• Co-Produced by: Chris Osterman & Megan Merrick
• Mixed by: Andy Boldt
• Mastered by: Greg Reely at the Green Jacket
• Album Artwork by: Alan Lathwell
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL) YES

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Chris Osterman – Lead Guitar / Lead Vocals
Max Friesen – Drums
Megan Merrick – Lead Guitar
Leighton Holmes – Bass Guitar

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About The Album Artwork:

This album posed a challenge when developing a cover concept. There was no one song that stood out above the rest story-wise, and only a thin through-line connecting them conceptually. The only line connecting the majority of songs was death, and in a smaller way, impermanence. The cover pulls directly from the story told in ‘Blood and Steel’, showing an army marching across an inhospitable environment as some of the soldiers succumb to the elements. The visual was inspired by a scene in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson. In the series, an army has to march across a desert to steal a march on an enemy before the enemy knows they are there. During the march, many die, many lose hope, and many don’t understand why they are doing what they are doing. The horrific gamble works, and the army is successful in getting into position in time, but success is often a small comfort to those who have to go through the trial. Life is often like this: we have to go through things that are uncomfortable, even dangerous, to reach the position we need to be to accomplish what it is we are trying to do. Often, we don’t know why until it’s over. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

About The Album (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
I find this album plays in quite a dark realm of topics, lots of death and hardships.  It speaks of some very low points in human emotions, but I also think that’s exactly what will make this album accessible to people going through tougher times, and hopefully a place of hope, and to help them see that they are not alone.  The music, I believe, shows hope for a positive way out, and hopefully offers the listener the will to fight on.  

I think this is a fantastic collection of songs that will really open up our live sets and offer a plethora of great new tunes to our fans and followers, it comes from a little bit more of a rock n roll edge overall, but there are so many elements hidden within, and I think it will be a real journey to experience it front to back. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Defenders
Telling the story of the Battle of Gdansk.  Brave Polish soldiers stood against the Nazi invaders for 7 days. The Germans expected the fight to take a couple of hours at most. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

Even though this song is fast and heavy, with great riffs, I find it very emotional as well, and I think it speaks to the courage of those who defend their families, their friends, and their way of life.  I think the music shows strength and sadness, but with a strong will to carry on at all costs.  I personally found a lot of inspiration from acts such as Tyran Pace and Primal Fear. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

2. Line of Fire
A perspective of a guy in a firefight trying to get away, knowing that if he stops, he dies. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

Megan came into the jam space with just a ripping riff; it felt like something off of an old Megadeth album, so we knew we needed to do something thrashy and just gut-punching.  It was all about fast riffs and ripping leads. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

3. Eternal Emperor
About a cursed emperor, who returns to life every time he is killed, more powerful but with a more tenuous grip on his sanity. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

This one we took on more of a harmonic minor scale approach, sort of like what we did with ’Egypt (The End is Near)’, or ‘The Veiled Knight’, it felt just kind of more eerie, and it allowed for some pretty aggressive vocals. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

4. Dreamless Sea
A song about regret, lost love, and the impermanence of life. Uses imagery of a decaying garden and a deadly ocean. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

This one has a few twists in it musically; there’s some very melodic guitar passages, some even get a little bit progressive, the verse is very DIO, to me, and I tried to give the voice a lot of movement across the song. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

5. Deadhouse Gates
A mystical gate hidden in a deadly house can allow mortals to ascend to godhood. Based on the Malazan books by Steven Erikson and Ian C. Esselmont. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

This one is just a total rock n roll song, some great leads and melodies, and just overall, I think very catchy! Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

6. Blood and Steel
A story about a soldier who finds himself far away from home after a long and seemingly never-ending campaign. Think of a soldier in Alexander the Great’s army surviving all the way to India. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

Musically, we wanted this song to sort of sound like a march. We went very bass and drum heavy for the verses, and then just added some layering on top with the guitars in strategic spots. It’s a very different song for us, and I think it will add something very special and unique to our live sets. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

7. Shadow of Time
A story about an entity that stands outside the flow of time, witnessing events unfold on earth and debating the consequences of getting involved. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

This one was one of the first songs we wrote for this album; in particular, I found influence from the act, Praying Mantis; it’s a mid-paced rocker with some very NWOBHM vibes. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

8. Dark Demands
A cabal of nefarious warlords prey on the desperate, promising much and delivering little. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

The song was written to sort of warn against signing a bad record deal, haha, but it’s not about any particular experience, just the idea of the ‘man’, kind of coming in and taking his cut, but it’s far bigger a cut than you ever expected.

Musically, this song was Megan’s brainchild, haha, she wanted something evil and dark, and it just hit as a Judas Priest tune from Painkiller.  I feel like she succeeded. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

9. Starlight
A story about Gil-galad from ‘The Lord Of The Rings’, the last High King of the Noldor. He died at the hands of Sauron during the Last Alliance of Men and Elves. Without Gil-galad, the defeat of Sauron would not have been possible. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

This one came from an interesting angle. Max really wanted to do something reminiscent of Iron Kingdom’s beginnings; he took a lot of inspiration from Amanda (For those who don’t know, she was our drummer from the first 3 albums + the live EP).  And I think Megan was listening to a lot of Angel Witch, haha, so it kind of blended together into what is now ‘Starlight’. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

10. Sacred Fire
About the need for compassion, empathy, and for people to embody higher ideals. Especially in dark times. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

This is possibly my favourite track on the album; it feels like an epic without actually being all that long of a song (to us). There’s a sort of timeless energy to this one, and the riffs are just cool.  Lots of DIO and Iron Maiden vibes, and I think it’s going to be an awesome live tune. I think we will be able to play around with the arrangement a bit live as well, I’m pretty excited about it! Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

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BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. The release of our 6th studio album, ‘Shadows And Dust’ [June 6th 2026], coincides with our 15th anniversary as a band [June 6th 2011].  Historically, it will be the 82nd anniversary of D-Day in WW2 [June 6th 1944], (The day that Allied forces took back the beaches of France and began liberating Europe.)  You could say the planets aligned… but we will let the music speak for itself.  The 6th album (06.06.26)

2. With the very recent completion of our own home recording studio and rehearsal space.  This is the first album we have recorded entirely in one studio space.  Every other album to date has been recorded across at least 2 unique spaces.

3. Iron Kingdom is mostly a DIY act, booking our own tours, recording our own records, building our own website, and everything in between.  We pride ourselves on hard work and growth.  (Of course, not everything can be done ourselves; we hire out for PR, Printing Merchandise, Mixing/Mastering, and some other tasks, but a large majority of the work is done within the group.)

4. With the release of ‘Shadows And Dust’, we will be headlining our release show at one of the larger rooms in Vancouver. ‘The Rickshaw’ (650 capacity), for us this is a monumental step forward, it is the same venue we got to open for headlining bands such as HammerFall, Angra, Sanctuary and so many others, and to feel in some way that we have worked our way up to headline a venue of that size, is very exciting, and we cannot wait to bring our biggest show yet! (The show will be happening on Friday, June 5th, the night before the official release.

5. We are thrilled to soon embark on one of the most extensive tours of Canada, definitely the largest that we as a band have ever done, and to be quite frank, probably likely to be quite rare across any live acts.  We will be performing in 9 provinces, and 2 territories crossing over 20,000KM’s of travel, with shows as far North as Dawson City, Yukon, as far East as St. John’s, Newfoundland and as far West as Victoria, British Columbia.  Not only will it be filled with incredible shows, bands and fans, but also an awe-inspiring journey to see our massive and beautiful country in one incredible journey.

L-R: Max Friesen (Drums) | Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar) | Megan Merrick (Lead Guitar) | Leighton Holmes (Bass)

Photo Credit – Cailin Haley

Forged in Vancouver, Canada, in 2011, Iron Kingdom has spent fifteen years carrying the torch for classic Heavy Metal with unwavering conviction. Inspired by the genre’s titans, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, The Scorpions, and Rush—the band built its identity on electrifying stage presence, intricate twin-guitar harmonies, and a steadfast devotion to the melodic, adventurous spirit of Traditional Metal. As the band puts it, they formed because modern Metal had “forgotten about the melody, the stage show, and the accessibility of the music,” so they chose to “pick up the torch and do it ourselves.”

Iron Kingdom began with guitarist/vocalist Chris Osterman, bassist Leighton Holmes, and drummer Amanda Osterman. After releasing their debut ‘Curse of the Voodoo Queen’ in 2011, the band toured Western Canada and even appeared on Canada’s Got Talent. Guitarist Kenny Kroecher joined shortly before the release of the debut, helping shape the heavier direction that would define their next era.

Their 2013 album ‘Gates of Eternity’ earned international attention and led to a performance at Germany’s Keep It True XVII festival, an early milestone that opened doors to extensive touring across Canada, Europe, and the United States. The band’s momentum continued with the dual 2015 releases ‘Ride for Glory’ and the live EP ‘Unleashed at the Kraken’, though the accompanying tour was marred by a near-fatal vehicle accident that marked a turning point in their lineup and resilience.

Following lineup changes, Iron Kingdom pushed forward with major North American and Brazilian tours, sharing stages with acts like Blaze Bayley and HammerFall.

Guitarist Megan Merrick joined following this period, contributing to the band’s Traditional and Power-Metal-infused sound.

Their 2019 album ‘On the Hunt’ showcased this evolution, supported by a North American tour and a European run cut short only by the onset of COVID-19. Drummer Max Friesen joined in 2020, adding to the group’s Progressive Metal edge and completing the lineup that carries the band into its current era.

In 2022, Iron Kingdom released their fifth studio album, ‘The Blood of Creation’, further cementing their identity as a modern force in Traditional Heavy Metal. The band continued to refine their collaborative writing approach, driven by a collective creative engine where “the best ideas move forward” and every member contributes to the final vision.

Now, in 2026, Iron Kingdom enters a defining moment with the release of their sixth studio album, ‘Shadows and Dust’, arriving June 6, 2026, a date that symbolically aligns with both their 15th anniversary and the 82nd anniversary of D-Day. As the band notes, “The release of our 6th studio album… coincides with our 15th anniversary… You could say the planets aligned.”

‘Shadows and Dust’ marks several firsts and milestones:

It is the first album recorded entirely in the band’s own home studio, a major step in their long-standing DIY ethos.

It showcases a darker, more emotionally charged lyrical landscape, exploring themes of death, impermanence, hardship, and resilience.

Musically, it blends the band’s classic Heavy Metal roots with new textures, progressive touches, and a renewed sense of storytelling.

Its release show will see Iron Kingdom headlining Vancouver’s Rickshaw Theatre, a venue where they once opened for their heroes, now a symbol of how far they’ve climbed.

The album’s creation reflects the band’s collaborative maturity. Songs were developed through jam-based writing sessions, where riffs, lyrics, and concepts evolved organically. As Leighton describes, lyric inspiration often comes from “books, and sometimes movies… as long as it’s thought-provoking,” while Chris emphasizes the band’s commitment to crafting albums that take listeners on a journey.

Across six albums, Iron Kingdom has transformed from a Hard-Rock-leaning young band into a fully realized Traditional Metal powerhouse. Their sound, described by Chris as “Classic, Powerful, Epic, Adventurous, Melodic”, draws from classic Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, and Neo-Classical influences.

Yet despite their evolution, their mission remains unchanged: to deliver raw, energetic, no-click-track, no-backing-track Heavy Metal with the spirit of the genre’s golden age. Their live shows remain a cornerstone of their identity, “a real force on the live stage,” commanding attention with movement, musicianship, and authenticity.

Fifteen years in, Iron Kingdom stands as one of Canada’s most dedicated champions of Traditional Heavy Metal. Their journey, marked by relentless touring, lineup changes, near-disasters, and triumphant reinventions, has shaped a band that thrives on perseverance and passion.

With ‘Shadows and Dust’, Iron Kingdom enters its next era with sharpened purpose, renewed fire, and a sound that honours the past while forging boldly ahead. Their story is one of endurance, evolution, and the unbreakable power of Heavy Metal.

 

Discography:
2026 – Shadows And Dust – (LP)
2022 – The Blood Of Creation – (LP)
2019 – On The Hunt – (LP)
2015 – Unleashed At The Kraken (Live In Seattle) – (EP)
2015 – Ride For Glory – (LP)
2013 – Gates Of Eternity – (LP)
2011 – Curse Of The Voodoo Queen – (LP)

Artist Endorsements / Sponsors: Pete Joy – Joystix Rockade in Keokuk, IA – Sticks and Strings

Music Placements: Hockey Night in Canada (Queen Of The Crystal Throne) LIVE TV

Shared Stage with:
Sanctuary, Anvil, HammerFall, Angra, Ross the Boss (Ex-Manowar), Blaze Bayley (Ex-Iron Maiden), Metal Church, Jag Panzer, Flotsam and Jetsam, Skull Fist, Witch Cross, Girlschool, Into Eternity, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Satan, Striker, Visigoth, Riot Act, Riot City, Unleash The Archers, Night Demon, Burning Witches, Glacier, Iron Fate, Tailgunner, Steel Shock

 

Tours and Festivals:
2024 – Muskelrock Festival – Alvesta, SE
2024 – Horns Up Festival – Trikala, GR
2024 – Decibel Rebel Festival – Kavala, GR
2024 – Helicon Metal Fest – Warsaw, PL
2024 – Heavy Metal Thunder Fest – Pisek, CZ
2024 – GLACIER (USA) – EUROPE TOUR
2023 – British Steel Saturday Night Festival – Fismes, FR
2023 – Rising Fest – Dijon, FR
2023 – STEEL SHOCK (NL) – EUROPE TOUR
2022 – Armstrong Metal Fest – Armstrong, BC, Canada
2022 – Hyperspace Metal Fest III – Vancouver, BC, Canada
2021 – Loud As Hell Fest – Drumheller, AB, Canada
2020 – Full Metal Osthessen – Niederjossa, DE
2018 – Hyperspace Metal Fest I – Vancouver, BC, Canada
2018 – Halloween Havoc Festival – Surrey, BC, Canada
2016 – Metallion Fest III – Vanderhoof, BC, Canada
2016 – Tatuira Festival – Bento Gonçalves, Brazil
2016 – BLAZE BAYLEY (UK) – Brazilian Tour
2015 – Metallion Fest II – Vanderhoof, BC, Canada
2014 – Throwback Metal Fest – Apple Valley, CA, USA
2014 – NIGHT DEMON (USA) – USA TOUR
2014 – Keep It True XVII – Lauda-Konigshofen, DE
2014 – Warm Up Festival – Paris, FR
2014 – Very ‘Eavy Fest – Stadskanaal, NL

0 EPK – Ashen Horde – The Harvest (2026)

  • March 18, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · ASHEN HORDE · EPKs

EPK – Ashen Horde – The Harvest (2026)

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

For fans of Opeth, Voivod, Enslaved, Ihsahn, Strapping Young Lad

Band: Ashen Horde
Album Title: The Harvest
Release Date: May 1, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Genre: Extreme Metal
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Facebook.com/AshenHorde | Youtube.com/@Ashenhorde | Instagram.com/ashenhorde

Ashenhorde.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Ampwall.com/a/ashenhorde | Ashenhorde.bigcartel.com | Spotify

“The harvest is coming! The new Ashen Horde album is a multi-faceted journey into every nook and cranny of extreme metal. “The Harvest” is challenging and quirky, but unlike a lot of other progressive/experimental releases, it never loses track of the key ingredient in music – good songwriting. All tracks are well-crafted and interesting in their own right, and the skillful instrumental performances are more like the icing on the cake and not the main focus. Highly recommended!” – Nik Sundin (Dark Tranquillity)
“The song (Entropy and Ectasy) captures this dichotomy of collapse and exhilaration — of entropy and ecstasy — through a fast-spinning (and head-spinning) kaleidoscope of sound. The moods of the music change along the way, but even the relatively slower and more desolate passages include inventive and intriguing nuances. Karl Chamberlain’s remarkably multi-faceted voice is a perfect match for the remarkably multi-faceted nature of the music. He expels brutal death metal gutturals and ripping black metal screams, but he also sends his singing voice in ravishing upward arcs that are spine-tingling to hear, and down into gloomy troughs. As for the surrounding music, it’s intricate and exhilarating, especially when the band are in full flight, discharging rapidly darting and maniacally swirling notes, incendiary bursts of tremolo’d delirium, or riffing that feverishly slashes with vicious, serrated edges. In less frantic phases, the music dismally groans and throbs, creating a pall of desolation, even when Chamberlain’s voice might be reaching for the clouds. The fretwork also includes angular progressions that generate moods of disorientation and fearfulness, and the song further includes an astonishing guitar solo that all by itself seems to capture the song’s thematic dichotomy of collapse and jubilation. Perhaps needless to say, Robin Stone’s drumming is as constantly changing as everything else, and surgically crafted to match all the other head-spinning, pulse-pounding, and heart-sinking twists in this shapeshifter of a song.” – No Clean Singing

“Antimony; 3/5 rating; “the sound Ashen Horde has developed over three albums is pretty much theirs alone. It’s a dense but accessible approach that rewards both casual listens and sustained attention.” – Angry Metal Guy (2023 –  Antimony)

“Equal parts blackened madness, death metal riffing, and clean vocals, “The Neophyte” should get just about anyone stoked for Antimony.” – Metal Injection (2023 –  Antimony)

“an amazing odyssey all around and the amount of remarkable coherency as well as the instrumentation work and musicianship is just top notch.” – Metal Purgatory (2023 –  Antimony)

“Progression like what Ashen Horde has undergone over the years is what the best tales in the underground are made out of.” – Head-Banger Reviews (2023 –  Antimony)

“Fallen Cathedrals; 4.0 rating; “I can’t recommend this enough for fans of black and death metals being combined in unique ways.” – Angry Metal Guy (2019 –  Fallen Cathedrals)

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: Ashen Horde
Album Title: The Harvest
Release Date: May 1, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Genre: Extreme Metal
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Track Listing:
1. Autumnal (6:12)
2. Entropy and Ecstasy (5:47)
3. Backward Momentum (5:21)
4. Voids in the Ash (5:41)
5. Remnant (4:37)
6. A Place in the Rot (4:38)
7. Apparition (4:57)
8. The Harvest (5:46)
Album Length: 43:03

Credits:
Mixed by Ricardo Borges and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios
Artwork by Venus Kohana (venuskohana.com)

Lineup:
Trevor Portz: Guitar, Bass, Harmony Vocals
Karl Chamberlain: Vocals
Robin Stone: Drums

Live Line-up:
Trevor Portz: Guitar
Karl Chamberlain: Vocals
Greg Murphy: Drums
Second guitar and bass: TBD

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About the album artwork:

The cover art was created by an extremely talented artist named Venus Kohana. I actually. discovered her work at an art show at my wife’s work. There were several pieces of hers that I loved, but the image of the two red skeletons really caught my attention. I bought a print of it at the show, and after staring at it for a few days, I realized I wanted it to be the cover art. Even the color scheme fits with the Autumn vibe. I tracked Venus down through Instagram and asked if she’d be down to license it to us. Luckily, she said yes, and I’m so happy about it. It’s unique and cool, and very metal; it even inspired the lyrics to the title track, which closes the album.

About the album as a whole (lyrically and musically):

Unlike the previous four albums, “The Harvest” is not a concept album; however, it does have an overarching theme: endings. For the first time in Ashen Horde’s history (at least when it comes to full-lengths), I didn’t have a single story | wanted to tell. But after I came up with a couple of different lyric ideas, I realized they had a connecting theme. “Entropy and Ecstasy” is about a couple who get a thrill from the tragedy and chaos all around.

“Autumnal” looks at old Pagan beliefs and ceremonies that came with the end of the harvest season; “Backward Momentum” focuses on the seemingly devolution happening across society. Each is rooted in a reaction to something ending, so we leaned on that for the rest of the songs. Karl wrote “Voids in the Ash” about the last days of Pompeii, which was certainly a dramatic end!

Track By Track (lyrically and musically):

1. Autumnal
The music for this song was inspired by Sensorio, an outdoor light installation in Paso Robles, CA. My wife and I were there for a mini vacation, and the overall vibe of the lights spread across the countryside triggered the idea for both the intro melody and lyrics, which are about old Pagan activities that came with the end of the harvest season and coming of Fall. The slow build from quiet to full-on black-metal blast beats seemed like a perfect way to kick off the album.

2) Entropy and Ecstasy
This song, which we chose as the first single and shot a video for, is about a couple who, instead of being terrified by the world collapsing around them, get a thrill from it. I don’t remember what initially sparked the idea, but it’s fair to assume the initial Covid lockdowns had something to do with it! I thought the music, which definitely takes some influence from Voivod, reflected both the chaos of the outside world and the bizarre passion of the couple. This was also the song Karl used for his “audition.” I sent him a demo with some unfinished lyrics, and he sent back his take on it. I was immediately blown away. His vocals on the core melody, “how can we thrive if we expect to survive?” give me chills every time I hear them.

3) Backward Momentum
This is a weird song with a lot of different things going on musically! There’s actually a fair bit of melody buried under some pretty unconventional riffs. There’s definitely Opeth inspiration, particularly using layered clean vocals over some fast blasting. This technique was used on the Lotus Eater from “Watershed,” and I thought the synergy of the extreme and melodic was just super effective. Then you get this riff-heavy, hard rock break in the middle that taps into my love of all things 90s. The extended solo here is probably my favorite on the album, and the one I worked on the hardest.

Lyrically, it’s my angry rant about people seemingly devolving and falling into superstitious and conspiratorial beliefs while ignoring science and rational thinking.

4) Voids in the Ash
Trevor: I wanted something a little more moody and slow, so that drove this song. I didn’t have any idea about what the vocals should sound like, so when Karl came back with this Soundgarden/Alice in Chains-esque melody for the verses, I realized he’d stumbled onto exactly what it needed. Yet again, the contrast of a dark melody with some unconventional riffs makes for a unique listen. Interestingly, the black-metal sounding blast beat parts were not originally intended to be fast, but Robin came up with the idea to go that direction, and the jarring jump from slow to fast was better than what I’d come up with, haha!

Karl: Voids in the Ash is a special track for me. The last one was written and recorded vocally for this record. The song is about Pompeii, told from the perspective of the people of Pompeii and the gods who hated them enough to bury them in ash.

5) Remnant
Trevor: I honestly don’t remember a lot about what inspired the music on this one, other than my love of trying different things. It’s not too fast or progressive, but has a lot of energy.

Karl: Remnant is about a man out hunting in the wilderness when a storm hits. His trail gets destroyed, and he hopelessly wanders until he finds salvation at a stranger’s cabin. He’s taken in, fed, and then the storm picks up again, destroys the cabin, and everybody dies. No happy ending.

6) A Place in the Rot
Trevor: We slow things down again here, and while it’s still heavy, the guitar parts are pretty melodic. The solo at the beginning was sort of an afterthought, but I think it works really well. I get the middle section stuck in my head a lot, which is hopefully an indicator that it’s cool.

The name of the song came from the Swamp Thing series; I’ve always been fascinated by how the Rot contrasts the Green (read the series for more info on what that means). But all I had was the title and no lyrics. I told Karl that’s where the name came from, and he replied, letting me know that he was a huge fan of the series and even had a Swamp Thing “Love and Death” tattoo! It further proved that he was the right choice for the band!

Karl: A Place in the Rot is about Swamp Thing and how our destiny is the soil. In the end, we all die, so live a good life!

7) The Apparition
This is probably the heaviest song on the album. The main riff was inspired by early death metal—basically all the stuff that got me into extreme metal in the first place. But in typical Ashen Horde fashion, that leads right into a strange little riff with an odd rhythm and vaguely 70s feel (at least, that’s how I see it).

The lyrics are sung from the perspective of a ghost who sees people doing truly horrible things, but who is helpless to do anything about it. He wonders if it’s punishment for things he did in life, yet doesn’t recall what he did. Thus. He’s slowly going insane in his eternal prison.

8) The Harvest
The music for this song was inspired by a trip I took to Iceland a few years ago. We were driving through the countryside, and the insane scenery: black beaches, glaciers, and an almost unearthly landscape, was just so awe-inspiring. I can’t explain exactly why it translated to these riffs, but it did! I didn’t realize it at the time, but I hear some definite influence from Demonaz’s album “March of the Norse.” Apparently, some subliminal inspiration crept in!

While I already knew I wanted to have a title track for the album, I wasn’t sure what the lyrics would be about. It wasn’t until I found the cover art that the idea finally came to light. Inspired by the red skeletons, I imagine an entity that’s watching humanity from the shadows, judging how awful and stupid we’ve become. At some point, when things have reached whatever the creature deems to be the absolute end of hope for humanity, it will emerge and devour everything. It’s really a metaphor for the bizarre tendency of humans to go out of their way to destroy themselves and the planet.

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Fun Facts:

1. Ashen Horde began as a solo project, and Trevor was the only member for the first two albums.

2. Until the filming of the Entropy and Ecstasy video, no two members of the band had ever played (or even mimed) together. The album was recorded completely remotely, with the members never meeting.

3. Obviously, based on the previous statement, the band has never played live! But for the first time since Ashen Horde’s inception in 2013, the band will play its first shows in May.

4. Karl was introduced to Trevor via George Washburn, host of the Metalheads Podcast. Both Trevor and Karl had been on the show at various times, so when Trevor was seeing a new vocalist, George suggested Karl.

5. This is the first Ashen Horde album that isn’t a true concept album. The previous four told (mostly) self-contained stories, but The Harvest is based on an overall theme instead; that being “endings.” We did something similar with the Tintregen EP back in 2019 (the theme there was “agony”), and I like having everything connect in some way.


Photos by @still.squill (Trevor); Photo Dun Right (Karl); unknown (Robin)

For over 10 years, Ashen Horde has been delivering extreme metal that strives to embrace a multitude of metal subgenres without being bound to any one of them. Drawing influence from metal’s crème de la extreme, Ashen Horde has a sound rooted in death and black metal, but can’t truly be called either. Touching on everything from melodic prog to 90s alternative, they’re sure to appeal to fans of prog metal’s elite, from Opeth and Enslaved to Amorphis and Ihsahn.

The band, fronted by guitarist and primary songwriter Trevor Portz, has just completed work on its fifth album, The Harvest. The first full-length to feature new vocalist Karl Chamberlain, The Harvest sees the band expanding on the sound they’ve been building over the last decade. Taking full advantage of Chamberlain’s expansive vocal range, they’ve created an album that is as melodic as it is heavy. From the Voivod-with-blastbeats energy of “Entropy and Ecstasy,” to “Apparition,” which interrupts its brutal death and black metal sections with progressive wanderings, The Harvest epitomizes Ashen Horde’s love of variety. “Voids in the Ash,” with lyrics that examine the fall of Pompeii, combines grunge-inspired harmony vocals with hyperspeed black metal bursts. It’s an album of sharp contrasts, but all through a tight, extreme metal filter.

Breaking tradition from its predecessors, The Harvest is not a concept album; however, the lyrics are linked together by a central theme. Each song explores an aspect of things ending… or approaching an end. Opening track “Autumnal” explores end-of-harvest-season pagan traditions, while “Backward Momentum” takes a look at humanity’s unnatural desire to revert to a more primitive state. It’s not an album about hopelessness, but it does ponder the question of whether endings really are new beginnings, as the saying goes.

Launched as a one-man project in 2013, Ashen Horde has released four critically-acclaimed albums, as well as several EPs and 7” singles. Ashen Horde’s 2019 album, Fallen Cathedrals, received a coveted 4/5 on Angry Metal Guy, with the reviewer stating, “I can’t recommend this enough for fans of black and death metals being combined in unique ways.” The band signed with Transcending Obscurity Records for 2023’s Antimony, which helped elevate the band’s status across the globe. Antimony also made Sick Drummer’s “Favorite Drumming Albums of 2023” list, praising the incredible work of acclaimed drummer Robin Stone.

2025 will also be a banner year for the band, as it will finally see them take to the stage. While the band has existed as a studio-only project previously, the new lineup is ready to bring their brand of chaos to audiences this fall, with tour dates in the works. While The Harvest may be about endings, the band sees this album as a new beginning.

Discography:
The Harvest (full length, 2026)
Decayed (EP, 2024)
Antimony (full length, 2023)
Black Curse (EP, 2021)
Archaic Convictions (single, 2021)
A Semblance of Normalcy (single, 2020)
Tintregen (EP, 2019)
Fallen Cathedrals (full length, 2019)
The Alchemist (7″, 2017)
Nine Plagues (full length, 2015)
Feral (EP, 2015)
Echthros (7″, 2015)
Obcisus (EP, 2014)
Sanguinum Vindicta (full length, 2014)
Ab Initio (EP, 2013)

0 EPK – Volubilis – Theasterion (2026)

  • March 15, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Volubilis

EPK – Volubilis – Theasterion (2026)

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

“Theasterion is a work that’s been a long time coming. With riffs dating back to 2016-2017, it is the fruit of countless hours of work culminating in an impactful metal album filled with memorable moments. Rather than simply putting it out and moving on to the next thing, we like to think of Theasterion as the first chapter in a series of works in the multidisciplinary project that is Volubilis. By developing the storytelling behind the lyrics as well as creating catchy yet complex songs, we chose to create a legacy, not only for our own work but also for the metal community. It is the hardest thing that I have worked on so far, but I wouldn’t have it otherwise, because I was blessed enough to have the chance to do what I love and to be able to share it with the world. It is hard work, but if you put the effort in, the fulfillment is unmatchable.” – Miguel Marcheterre-Pina – Volubils

For fans of Obscura, Beyond Creation, Vale of Pnath

Band: Volubilis
Album Title: Theasterion
Release Date: July 10, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid
Genre: Technical Death Metal
Location of Band: Montréal, QC, Canada

Bio.site/volubilis | Facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093419962099

X.com/Volubilisband | Youtube.com/@VolubilisBand | Instagram.com/volubilisband   

Volubilisband.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

Band: Volubilis
Album Title: Theasterion
Release Date: July 10, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid
Genre: Technical Death Metal
Location of Band: Montréal, QC, Canada

Track Listing:
1. Le Flamboiement Stellaire (5:16)
2. Theasterion (6:30)
3. Homo Cumulus (5:48)
4. Ashes & Embers (4:50)
5. The Prism (4:01)
6. Unukhalai Supernova (6:24)
Total Album Length: 33min

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Volubilis
• All songs written by: Volubilis
• Produced by: Miguel Marcheterre-Pina & Mitchi Dimitriadis
• Mixed by: Mitchi Dimitriadis
• Mastered by: Mitchi Dimitriadis
• Album Artwork by: Miguel Marcheterre-Pina

Album Band Line Up:
Miguel Marcheterre-Pina – Rhythm, lead and acoustic guitars, composition, concept art, lyrics. Shawn Hillman – Fretless Bass, Contrabass
André Dubien – Vocals, lyrics on song 03 & 06.
Jacob Collins – Drums
Alexis Rioux – Guest solos on songs 01, 02 and 03.
Michelle Gao: Violin, viola on song 06

Live Band Line Up:
Miguel Marcheterre-Pina – Guitar, backing vocals
Shawn Hillman – Fretless Bass
André Dubien – Vocals
Jacob Collins – Drums
Alexis Rioux – Guitar

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

Describe The Album Artwork:

The album artwork represents the strange apparition of the Prism, a recurring symbol of otherworldly power and influence over humanity in the band’s original lore, which brings forth the Prophecy upon humanity. It is a mixed-medium artwork that blends pen and charcoal drawing, acrylic painting, and digital illustration. Its intentionally minimal art style, layout, and color choices depict the Prism, appearing over the plains of obsidian shards of Theasterion, in a mix of rococo, woodcut, and modern design influences. Visually minimalistic but heavy in symbolism, the depiction of the Prism in the artwork suggests a whole narrative with its imagery, and prompts the viewer to question what’s in front of them.

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Theasterion is a conceptual album in which the lyrics follow themes of science fiction and drama. The narrative revolves around a human colony living on a satellite that discovers a prophecy that tells about Unukhalai (the nearest star) going supernova. This discovery divides the colony and creates chaos on the Satellite, as not everybody believes in it. It becomes political. A group of mercenaries organize a coup d’état on the government and escapes the Satellite to go on an expeditionary mission on the planet they revolve around, Theasterion. There, they find out about the Homo Cumulus and are brought to their extinction after deciphering the content of the  Prism’s glyphs. All of this narrative is conveyed with some of the most well-crafted metal music of 2026,  blending high-intensity performances and musically complex sections.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Le Flamboiement Stellaire: The opening track sets the stage for the sci-fi epic that is Theasterion. Fast-paced and intricate, it features innovative use of each note in its melodies. It is the only track with  French lyrics, and it describes the initial point on the Satellite, the prophecy, the coup d’état and the mercenaries fleeing to embark on their reconnaissance mission on Theasterion.

2. Theasterion: This track describes the arrival of the human colony on Theasterion. The lyrics help to build a better understanding of the planet’s landscape and features. Musically, it is one of the catchiest on the record, with emotional melodies and galloping triplet riffing.

3. Homo Cumulus: the fastest song on this record. It features both technical riffing at high velocity and a heavy, dissonant section. The lyrics describe the Homo Cumulus, the anthropoid species that occupies the planet. The song ends with an acoustic guitar outro that acts as a breathing space in the album

4. Ashes & Embers: This song starts off with a triplets feel riff inspired by bands such as Beyond Creation and Ne Obliviscaris. It then switches to a much higher pace with a Phrygian section, which transitions to a Necrophagist-esque solo. The following instrumental section is a dramatic yet catchy tapping riff  

5. The Prism: The only instrumental track on the record. Based on intricate tech death riffing, it’s a song that showcases the virtuosity of the band. With pummeling blast beats, exquisite fretless bass lines and melodious neoclassical segments, it is one of the more emotional songs on the record without possessing any lyrics.  

6. Unukhalai Supernova: I like to think of this one as if Archspire meets Hans Zimmerman. Unukhalai  Supernova is one of those tracks that just keeps growing in intensity until it brutally puts the album to a stop. It features a string section by Shawn Hillman and Michelle Gao, which adds a symphonic element to the high-intensity climactic moment of the album. The riffs are some of the most complex we ever wrote and truly showcase the band’s world-class musicianship. The lyrics describe the cataclysmic event of a star going supernova, and how a mere human experiences it. The symbolism of the supernova acts as a metaphor for a rapture.

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. Although most of the album was produced in Canada by Canadians, Miguel actually started tracking rhythm guitars in 2023 while he was on a student exchange in Melbourne, Australia. There, he also worked with other musicians on other projects and met a lot of individuals in the local metal community. Once the album is released, the response over there risks being very positive.  

2. Le Flamboiement Stellaire and Ashes & Embers were initially intended to be released under Harmoniaq,  Miguel, André, and Jacob’s previous metal band.  

3. Miguel never learned music theory, but he still insisted on using fine arts training at Concordia University to develop the concepts, visual identity, and lore for Volubilis.  

4. Miguel met Shawn when their two bands (Maeskyyrn and Svneatr, respectively) played a series of shows in  2022. Miguel was looking for a bass player for Volubilis, and Shawn was looking for a tech death band to integrate, so the two kept in touch and started working on the album.  

5. Theasterion’s lore will expand in mediums other than music: Miguel is currently working on the production of a comic book project that will complement the storytelling behind the music.

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

L-R – Shawn Hillman (Fretless bass) | Miguel Marcheterre-Pina (Guitar) | André Dubien (Vocals)

Photo Credit – Jade Weeles & Miguel Marcheterre-Pina 

Volubilis is a Montréal-based technical death metal band founded in 2020 by multi-instrumentalist Miguel  Marcheterre-Pina. What started as a “bedroom project” eventually evolved into a complete lineup comprising some of Canada’s best up-and-coming musicians: André Dubien, Jacob Collins, Alexis Rioux, and Shawn Hillman. After the release of their first single, Ashes & Embers, in 2025, Volubilis again reached out to the public with an ambitious conceptual album: Theasterion. With colossal blast beats, monstrous vocals and glorious harmonies, their first full-length consists of a refreshing arrival in the progressive metal scene. VOLUBILIS’  self-created lore consists of a sci-fi epic narrated through the rasp of distorted instruments, and this release marks the first of many milestones in an artistic journey showcasing Miguel’s creative worldbuilding work. The virtuosity observed in VOLUBILIS’ songwriting is a testimony of strong musicianship, intensity and emotion,  elements that reflect the Canadian metal community brilliantly. Borrowing elements from various musical genres, the band raises extreme metal standards by emphasizing their world-class technical prowess. 

Miguel Marcheterre-Pina 

Based in Montréal, Miguel Marcheterre-Pina is an Afro-Canadian multi-instrumentalist who is also interested in illustration, writing and world-building. Since co-founding his first metal band Harmoniaq in 2017, Miguel has been involved in the music industry, notably in metal bands Maeskyyrn, Harvested and Messora. In 2020,  he founded his current musical endeavour: VOLUBILIS, an ambitious multidisciplinary project that blends technical death metal and visual storytelling. He also expanded his artistic practice in Melbourne, Australia, in  2023 and 2024, where his work has been well-received by the local metal community. Currently, Miguel focuses on the launch and expansion of the universe in VOLUBILIS while still studying at university. He has been able to secure funding from various sources, notably from FACTOR and Concordia University’s FASA, and his art has been showcased at North America’s largest student-run festival: Art Matters Festival. Miguel is also an upcoming artist in residence at Casa na Ilha in Brazil, where he will be producing a comic book related to his work in Volubilis. 

Discography:
2026 – Theasterion – Album
2025 – Ashes & Embers – Single
2023 – Self-Titled – Demo EP

0 EPK – Sanaga – The Godslayer’s Oath (2026)

  • February 24, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Sanaga

EPK – Sanaga – The Godslayer’s Oath (2026)

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

For fans of Death, Slayer, Amon Amarth, Dark Tranquility 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585662054767 | https://www.instagram.com/sanaga666

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7i87P02YlnjSdUlxoIIbbi

 

[Download Single Cover | Download Single Lyrics]

Band: Sanaga
Single Title: The Godslayer’s Oath
Length: 5:46
Label: Self-Release
Genre: Death Metal
Location: Quebec City, QC, Canada

 

Single Credits:
Performed by Sanaga
Music by Patrick Plourde
Lyrics by Marc Verreault & Dominic Brillant
Recorded by Sanaga
Drums recorded by Dominic Labbe
Mixed and mastered by Jeff Dagenais from Kataklysm
Artwork by Mathieu CantinBand Line-up:Patrick Plourde – Guitars
Dominic Brillant – Guitars
Jean-Francois Durand – Bass
Marc Verreault – Vocals
Frederic Giguere – Drums

L-R – Dominic Brillant – Guitars, Jean-Francois Durand – Bass, Marc Verreault – Vocals, Frederic Giguere – Drums, Patrick Plourde – Guitars

Photo Credit – Martin Bouchard

Formed in Quebec City in the fall of 2026, Sanaga unites long‑time friends and seasoned musicians with a shared passion for creating fast, melodic, and aggressive metal. Blending the intensity of Death and Slayer with the epic weight of Amon Amarth and the melodic depth of Dark Tranquillity, the band delivers a sound rooted in melodic death metal and thrash, sharpened by touches of black metal.

Sanaga’s writing process is collaborative at its core. Guitarist Patrick Plourde drafts full song structures, while vocalist Marc Verreault crafts the lyrics, and every member reshapes the material with their own style, resulting in songs that are tight, energetic, and unmistakably theirs. Lyrically, the band draws from myth, destruction, life, death, and legendary beings, inspired by the mythic Cameroonian river that gave Sanaga its name.

Their debut single, The Godslayer’s Oath, introduces this world with a story of a void‑born entity created to slay gods and annihilate realms. Musically polished and thematically bold, it became the natural choice for their first release.

With members active in projects like Meet The Mailman, Foxy Queen, Devil’s Thrill, and Warriors of the North, Sanaga brings a seasoned, high‑energy presence to the stage. Their first live performances are set for spring, followed by a second release expected next summer.

Sanaga may be new, but their sound is already defined, melodic, powerful, and driven by a shared vision to create metal that hits hard and leaves a mark.

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

Formé à Québec à l’automne 2026, Sanaga réunit des amis de longue date et des musiciens d’expérience animés par une passion commune : créer un métal rapide, mélodique et agressif. En mêlant l’intensité de Death et Slayer au poids épique de Amon Amarth et à la profondeur mélodique de Dark Tranquillity, le groupe forge un son ancré dans le death mélodique et le thrash, affûté par des touches de black metal.

Au cœur de Sanaga, le processus d’écriture est résolument collaboratif. Le guitariste Patrick Plourde élabore les structures complètes des morceaux, tandis que le chanteur Marc Verreault façonne les paroles. Chaque membre remodèle ensuite le matériel avec son propre style, donnant naissance à des chansons serrées, énergiques et immédiatement reconnaissables. Les textes s’inspirent des mythes, de la destruction, de la vie, de la mort et d’êtres légendaires, influencés par la rivière camerounaise mythique qui a donné son nom au groupe.

Leur premier single, The Godslayer’s Oath, ouvre la porte à cet univers en racontant l’histoire d’une entité née du néant, créée pour abattre les dieux et anéantir leurs royaumes. À la fois musicalement affûté et thématiquement audacieux, il s’est imposé naturellement comme premier extrait.

Avec des membres actifs dans Meet The Mailman, Foxy Queen, Devil’s Trill et Warriors of the North, Sanaga apporte sur scène une présence solide et une énergie redoutable. Leurs premiers concerts sont prévus pour le printemps, suivis d’un deuxième opus attendu l’été prochain.

Sanaga est peut‑être un jeune projet, mais son identité est déjà claire : un métal mélodique, puissant et déterminé, porté par une vision commune et l’envie de laisser une empreinte durable.

0 EPK – Haiduk – Archdevil (2026)

  • February 22, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Haiduk

EPK – Haiduk – Archdevil (2026)

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

“Archdevil doubles down on everything Haiduk stands for: speed, busy riffs and evil melodies. The focus is to keep the listener on edge and constantly introduce new patterns to keep you engaged.” – Haiduk

For fans of Bolt Thrower, Vomitory, Old Man’s Child, Dissection, Behemoth

Band: Haiduk
Album Title: Archdevil
Release Date: Feb 26, 2026
Label: Self-Release

https://www.haiduk.ca | http://www.facebook.com/haidukmetal | https://www.youtube.com/@HAIDUKmetal

https://haiduk.bandcamp.com | https://music.apple.com/us/artist/443991596 | https://open.spotify.com/artist/49bHthZNh24b3l7ykClIig

“The patented death/black/speed Metal rips your skull for 31 minutes“ 4.5/5 – Metal-Rules (2021 – Diabolica)

“An endless supply of evil, face-ripping riffs“ – Metal Crypt (2021 – Diabolica)

“Fast and unrelenting from start to end” 8/10 –Metalbite (2021 – Diabolica)

“Haiduk’s most aggressive work“ – The Killchain (2021 – Diabolica)

“A lot of eye-popping technical skill, intricate plotting, and brilliantly multifarious and mutated tonalities on display“ – No Clean Singing (2021 – Diabolica)

“A tremolo picked tornado of dark matter and blastbeats.” – The Circle Pit (2018 – Exomancer)

“[Haiduk’s] strong point has always been his riffs, and here they just destroy” 8.5/10 – Brave Words (2018 – Exomancer)

“[Haiduk] has perfected his own signature style and very few bands are doing this style” – Metal-Rules (2018 – Exomancer)

“Haiduk, all I have to say is you are one talented dude.  It’s always impressive to me when a single person can put together an entire album on thier own, but to do so with such a level of both technical marksmanship and enjoyability is bizonkers.  I look forward to hearing more of your thrash-heavy black and death metal in the future.” – Metal Trenches (2015 – Demonicon)

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: Haiduk
Album Title: Archdevil
Release Date: Feb 26, 2026
Label: Self-ReleaseTrack Listing:
1. Curser (3:09)
2. Vexer (2:42)
3. Reviler (3:36)
4. Deviser (3:10)
5. Torturer (2:51)
6. Darkener (4:00)
7. Abhorer (2:30)
8. Infester (2:33)
9. Venomer (3:04)
10. Necrifier (3:13)
11. Usurper (3:05)
Album Length: 33:53

 

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Luka Milojica
• All songs written by: Luka Milojica
• Produced by: Luka Milojica
• Mixed by: Luka Milojica
• Mastered by: Luka Milojica
• Album Artwork by: Luka Milojica
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

 

Album Band Line Up:
Luka Milojica – Guitars, Bass, Vocals, Drum Programming

Live Band Line Up:
Luka Milojica – Guitars, Vocals.

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

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Musically, Archdevil doubles down on all the strongest aspects of Haiduk. Evil melodies complement tight compositions of fast, busy riffing. The focus is to keep the listener on edge and constantly introduce new patterns to keep you engaged. Haiduk tries to overwhelm you and keep the intensity up for as long as possible.

Lyrically, it’s a continuation of the dark lore of the fantasy world of Callost, which every Haiduk album is based on. 9 of the 11 new tracks are based on the original 9 demons introduced in Demonicon (2015). While song 6 – ‘Darkener’ is the Demon God himself, the Archdevil, and song 11 – ‘Usurper’ is the doomed human king Arias, who ventured into the volcano fortress Octavia and was taken over and demonized by the evil forces of Hell. Now returning to wage war against the humans he once led.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Curser – The Curser is the demon Corloch. His main powers are curses and fire magic.

A track that starts slow but builds intensity. Lots of riff and pace variations and a dark atmosphere.

2. Vexer – The demon Vordus. His main powers are sorcery and mind control. Vordus killed and then necrified (morbidly brought back to life) the human king Arias, who led his army into the demons’ volcano fortress, Octavia. Arias, now a demon himself, is known as the Usurper.

Relentless track that pummels the listener with fast and heavy riffs nonstop.

3. Reviler – The demon god Azyr. His powers are control over the depths of the earth. He can cause tremors, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

A black metal song with evil riffs.

4. Deviser – The demon lord Nazon, known as the Exomancer: a practitioner of cosmic magic. Upon destroying the armies of Lostar, Nazon turned south to destroy the human city of Ganthas, but the outnumbered demons broke under the knights’ charge. In retreat, Nazon called down a great comet, obliterating the advancing army. 

A song that combines speed, heaviness, and lots of riff deviations and permutations, with several rhythmic slow-downs and build-ups.  

5. Torturer – The demon Nergion, the inquisitor of hell. Nergion is a master of sinister torture and the extraction of confessions through vile torment.

A fast, heavy song that hammers you relentlessly except for a few early pauses. The first half of the song is all riffs, while the second half brings in some melodic layers.

6. Darkener – The demon god Vordok – the Archdevil – lord of all demons.

7. Abhorer – The demon lord Syth. Made of fire and emerging from hell, Syth is intent on reducing the world above to ash.
 
Frantic, high-key track with riffs that burn like magma.

8. Infester – The fearsome devil lord Sarxas, a gargantuan beast. Sarxas led the devils of Octavia and defeated Lostar’s northern army. Sarxas trapped the army of Lostar, led by the great warrior Theric, between the mountains and the sea, slaughtering them all.

A fast death-thrash song with tons of energy and technical riffs, characterized by a mid-tempo section in the middle.

9. Venomer – The demon lord Xhadex, a shapeshifter who often takes the form of a great serpent. Xhadex can weave illusions and draw upon interdimensional forces to annihilate his enemies.

A thrash song with an upbeat tempo and non-stop, urgent, fast riffs.

10. Necrifier – The demon Deamris. Leader of great armies of lesser devils. He annihilated and then morbidly resurrected the Lostar human army once led by King Arias.

11. Usurper – Usurper is the former human king Arias, who led the Lostar army into the demons’ volcano fortress, Octavia. There, he and his army were slaughtered and necrified: brought back to life as demons by demonic forces.

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. All of Haiduk’s concepts and lyrical themes deal with the fantasy medieval realm of Callost. The different albums feature maps, descriptions, and stories set in the world.

2. Haiduk performs live as a one-man band, playing guitar and vocals while the drums and bass are pre-recorded and played on the PA system. Haiduk once played a show in a 115-year-old barn near downtown Calgary, which was tilting and looked like it would collapse any second.

3. Producer Robert Kukla handled various mixing and mastering duties for the albums ‘Spellbook’ and ‘Demonicon’. Rob Kukla went on to work in the famous Studio Fredman in Sweden and has worked with bands like Aeon and Obscura.

4. Haiduk has distributed over 1,500 CDs around the world and sold CDs in 22 different countries. All self-released with no help from labels or distros.

5. Haiduk did his own album art for ‘Diabolica’.

Haiduk is the death metal solo project by guitarist Luka Milojica. The project arose with the raw demo – ‘Plagueswept’ in 2010.

Working in solitude, Haiduk unveiled the full-length debut ‘Spellbook’ in 2012; a black magic conjuring of fast guitars and powerful riff attacks.

Invoking spells of demonic strength, Haiduk raised forces from the infernal depths, sealing arcane powers into the ‘Demonicon’ in 2015; a blackened tome of blasting distortion.

Chanting words of astral terror, Haiduk became the ‘Exomancer’ (2018); a summoner of cosmic darkness.

Frozen in darkness under the ash cloud, the desolate ground opens. Octavia erupts, releasing the doomed king from the burning abyss. Devils swarm, carving a path of destruction for a new demonic domain – Diabolica (2021).

In 2026, Haiduk returned with the album ‘Archdevil’, keeping the dark flame alive.

Discography:
2026 – Archdevil (full-length)
2021 – Diabolica (full-length)
2018 – Exomancer (full-length)
2015 – Demonicon (full-length)
2012 – Spellbook (full-length)
2010 – Plagueswept (demo)

Shared Stage with: Reverend Kill, Hammerdrone, Ye Goat Herd Gods, Vile Insignia, Dethgod, Fjell Thyngor, Illyrian.

0 EPK – Disorientation – The Pact (single) (2026)

  • February 20, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Disorientation · EPKs

EPK – Disorientation – The Pact (single) (2026)

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

“We are sure that our fans will be pleased because this song is a continuation and also a step forward. We have kept the core elements of our identity, but now, with the addition of Samuel Arseneau-Roy on guitar and Laurent Bellemare on drums, we are sounding fuller and more organic. The Pact is a little more subtle than any song from our previous EP. This time around, we focused on background elements such as different types of noise and back vocals to create the atmosphere we wanted.” – Marie-Claude (vocals/oboe) – Disorientation

For fans of Celtic Frost, Imperial Triumphant, Sear Bliss, Fear of God, Show of Bedlam

Facebook.com/disorientationmetal | Instagram.com/disorientationmetal | YouTube

Disorientationmetal.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

“I have received the 2026 single “The Pact”and will share my thoughts on it. The intro is damn good. The Oboe and the suspense. The fast pace song with crazy back ground audio that create a dark eerie atmosphere. The riffs, vocals and break in the song is epic. The song is 7 minutes plus of pure magic. The composition and execution is top class. I do like how back ground audio that include voices is used to create the atmosphere in the song. For me this is a brilliant song by a brilliant band.” – Project Metal Music

“Anyone who loves powerful metal and classical music will love this unorthodox fusion project.” – New Noise Magazine (2023 – Survival Mode – EP)

“Delving deeper into the eerie atmospherics of metal’s less-trodden path, we find Disorientation, a Montreal-based duo who eschews the symphonic metal genre’s usual dalliance with ethereal beauty, opting instead for an odyssey through sonic desolation. Born from the minds of Marie-Claude Fleury and Daniel Daris, Disorientation is the antithesis of grandeur and elegance, painting a world where the grotesque and the sublime collide.” – Idioteq (2023 – Survival Mode – EP)

“A really good surprise, and a magical, tragic, lysergic EP, which immerses us in a Rank Xerox universe. 8.5/10” – MetalNews.fr (2023 – Survival Mode – EP)

“This EP is obtuse, ugly and deeply troubled. Yet, at the same time, it’s oddly fascinating. (…) In terms of finding a way into Disorientation’s world of noise, there’s no easy route – and the duo seemingly want to keep it that way. For those who wrongly claim that extreme metal has nothing new to offer, this EP will gladly prove otherwise.” – Real Gone Rocks (2023 – Survival Mode – EP)

“Il risultato è a tratti stupefacente nella sua originalità, e la coppia riesce costantemente a esaltarsi grazie a trovate teatrali e visionarie.” 8/10 – Rock Hard Italia (2023 – Survival Mode – EP)

“DISORIENTATION sind kompromisslos schräg und nicht auszurechnen (…) die Songs und deren Stimmungsaufbau fügen sich dann doch zu einem Ganzen zusammen, das motivierend genug ist, um die Repeat-Taste zu drücken – solange bis die Kopfschmerzen nicht mehr auszuhalten sind.” – Vampster (2023 – Survival Mode – EP)

“Au vrai, Disorientation ne ressemble à rien et c’est finalement très bien ainsi. (…) Il n’est pourtant pas interdit de déceler dans cet EP de prime abord peu engageant, non pas une forme de beauté (il ne faut pas exagérer) mais au moins une espèce d’éclat fascinant, une lueur obsédante qui n’est parfois pas sans rappeler le King Crimson le plus halluciné. A conseiller à ceux que n’effraie pas le metal (très) extrême le plus dissonant.” 3/5 – Music Waves (2023 – Survival Mode – EP)

“It is madness bottled into just wonderfulness. (…) I love how it goes between symphonic, hardcore, dark metal and just experimental noise at times, there’s a lot of orchestral arrangements and just bizarreness in this band, (…) This band is just advanced in ways that you’re either going to love it or hate it.” – The Doorway to Zine (2023 – Survival Mode – EP)

“Nina HAGEN qui traîne dans les couloirs, Haendel qui compose pour Frank ZAPPA et les MOTHERS, un voyage sans repères, mais qui fait un bien fou dans une époque standardisée à outrance et plus occupée à regarder en arrière qu’à innover vers l’avant. En trois morceaux seulement, le duo se fait une place confortable sur la scène canadienne contemporaine, défiant même les VOÏVOD en termes de liberté artistique.” 85% – Metal News (2023 – Survival Mode – EP)

“Moving away from the raw quality of the recording of their self titled debut EP with “Survival Mode” while Disorientation claim to have created something more straightforward this time around, that’s not the impression that we get. The Avant-garde duo instead go deeper down the rabbit hole and continue their perpetual forward motion with a ferocious and spine chilling trio of cuts that once again disorientate and disturb.” 8/10 – Metal Noise (2023 – Survival Mode – EP)

“Montreal duo, Disorientation, aim to create a feeling of dizziness and nausea in the listener. If this fails, they can at least punish you with confusion. As an avant-garde metal act with a cor anglaise (English horn) and an oboe as their primary instruments, you can expect unorthodox interpretations of the metal orthodoxy. Survival Mode is their second release following 2021’s self-titled EP, and it’s the type of art that would have landed them an appointment with the hangman in sixteenth-century England as enemies of public decency. (…) Clearly, Igor Stravinsky is the main influence on this EP.” 7/10 – Scream Blast Repeat (2023 – Survival Mode – EP)

“With occasional expansions of the lead vocals into what I’d describe as a more classical inspired mode of singing too. It is an unusual mix of elements and an unusual use of these elements too, which makes me think that progressive metal is the best manner in which to define these landscapes. A production to seek out by those with a taste and affection for a more experimental and unusual variety of extreme progressive metal.” – Progressor (2023 – Survival Mode – EP)

“It sounds all over the place… a very avant-garde vibe to it … It almost feels improvised, it’s like slam poetry but with black metal oboe. This is definitely not going to be for everyone, but I love that weird, kind of obscure random stuff. This is all over the place, it feels improvised, I kind of like it like that, this is Disorientation, which is a perfect band name and title for this self-titled EP.” – Metal Trenches (2021 – Disorientation – EP)

“Canadian band Disorientation produces interesting music. Black/death metal ties with folk instruments and synths. The song Nature, in which the band decorated with plug-ins and acoustic passages and also used choir vocals, caught my attention. They released a three-track self-titled EP; It’s worth taking a look.” – Metal Perver (2021 – Disorientation – EP)

“… a little do-it-yourself project of dark low-fi symphonic metal with a little depressed folkloric side … it’s a pretty interesting little 3-piece EP … the album cover is also magnificent.” – Mtl Metal – CIBL 101.5 FM (2021 – Disorientation – EP)

[Download Single Cover | Download Single Lyrics]

Band: Disorientation
Single Title: The Pact – 7:17
Release Date:
Label: Self-Release
Genre: Extreme Dark Chamber Metal; Dark Experimental Metal
Location of Band: Montreal, QC, Canada

Single Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Disorientation
• All songs written by: Marie-Claude Fleury and Daniel Daris
• Produced by: Disorientation
• Mixed by: Hugues Deslauriers
• Mastered by: Hugues Deslauriers
• Single Artwork by: Marie-Claude Fleury
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Band Line Up:
Daniel Daris – Bass and Dirty Semi-Acoustic Rhythm Guitar
Marie-Claude Fleury – Lead and Backing Vocals, Oboe, and Noise
Laurent Bellemare – Drums and Backing vocals
Samuel Arseneau-Roy – Lead and Rhythm Guitar

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

About the Single Artwork:

Marie-Claude (vocals/oboe): The artwork represents the 2-edged sword aspect of alliances; the hands that willingly hold each other and at the same time are coerced into a union by the shackles.

About the Single (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Marie-Claude (vocals/oboe): It starts with a noisy intro with the oboe coming from far away. The song starts at a fast pace, takes a break to introduce the meeting, and the first riff restarts. A brutal stop leads to a suspiciously quiet passage where secrets are exchanged, then a mid-tempo riff starts, exposing the truth about your own condition without any outside interference. You spend some time in that bubble, where you can even perceive some light through an acoustic passage, but the outside world you fled comes back with a vengeance through the reappearance of the 1st riff. A series of palm mutes backed by disturbing voices puts you on high alert, then keeps going at a steady pace: this is the crossroads where you have to make choices and decide on a direction. Which way do you go?

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

STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. Marie-Claude, Samuel and Laurent are part of the Growlers Choir, and each one of us is in a different section: Marie-Claude does high-pitched vocals, Samuel has a mid-range, and Laurent does the deep low voices.
2. Samuel and Laurent have played together in a band named Basalte from 2015 to 2020.
3. Marie-Claude, Daniel and Samuel performed “Nature” and “Dark Side” during a semi-acoustic private show in 2024.

L-R – Daniel Daris – Bass and Dirty Semi-Acoustic Rhythm Guitar; Marie-Claude Fleury – Lead and Backing Vocals, Oboe and Noise; Laurent Bellemare – Drums and Backing Vocals; Samuel Arseneau-Roy – Lead and Rhythm Guitar

Photo Credit – Geneviève Racine

Disorientation is a Dark Experimental Metal band hailing from Montreal, Canada. Created by Marie-Claude Fleury and Daniel Daris in 2020, the band aims to create a raw, disconcerting sound driven by woodwind arrangements and vocals that range from harsh aggression to intimate vulnerability. Escaping rigid genre boundaries, Disorientation aims to create somber, discordant, yet memorable songs.

In the fall of 2021, Disorientation released its first EP, which was well-received online, albeit with minimal promotion. Metal Trenches called it “a perfect band name and title for this self-titled EP,” while Turkey’s Metalperver wrote that it was “Interesting music, worth checking out.” The songs got airplay on media such as Dark Metal Radio, Sewer Spewer, The Autopsy Report, No Name Radio, and MTL Metal.

Building on that sound, Disorientation began working on a follow-up EP, which they released in December 2023. Titled ‘Survival Mode’ and geared with an improved production, the band has pushed through with more of the elements setting them apart: unorthodox vocal lines and song structures; dissonant woodwind arrangements; straightforward brutality and distressing atmospheres. The three songs were described as « oddly fascinating » (Real Gone Rocks), « not resembling anything else » (Music Waves), and « madness bottled into just wonderfulness » (The Doorway to Zine). 

Now armed with a full lineup, consisting of Samuel Arseneau-Roy (Spectral Wound, Basalte) and Laurent Bellemare (Chthe’ilist (live), Basalte, Sutrah), the band is now unleashing « The Pact ». As Disorientation morphs towards a complete unit, this new Single serves as a sign of things to come.

Discography:
2026 – The Pact – Single
2023 – Survival Mode – EP
2021 – Self-Titled – EP

0 EPK – Hopeless Nation – Disaster (2026) (single)

  • February 19, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Hopeless Nation

EPK – Hopeless Nation – Disaster (2026)

Band: Hopeless Nation
Single Title: Disaster – 4:42
Release Date: February 20, 2026
Label: Provocant Media

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

“We’re thrilled to finally release ‘Disaster’ and the upcoming singles. These songs are a mix of energy, reflection, and raw honesty, and we couldn’t have done it without the incredible people around us. Francis Perron at RadicArt brought his mastery as an engineer, working with someone of his caliber, known for Voïvod, pushed the music to a whole new level. Jonathan Houle and Maxime Dupont’s contributions over the years, on bass, guitar, and rhythm, laid the foundation for everything we do, and these releases are our way of honoring that legacy.” – Hopeless Nation

For fans of Gojira, Darkest Hour, At the Gates, Lamb of God, Zao

Instagram.com/hopelessnation_official | Facebook.com/hopelessnation

Spotify | Hopelessnation.bandcamp.com | Apple Music

“Cette pièce immédiate, dense et agressive frappe dès la première seconde et se démarque par son intensité, ses couches sonores riches et ses refrains plus mélodiques, ouvrant le groupe à un public plus large tout en restant fidèle à son essence.” – Metal Universe (2025 – Silverspoon – Single)

“Hopeless Nation’s Silverspoon is featured on Exclaim!’s Weekly Playlist, highlighting the band among Canada’s notable new releases.” (2025 – Silverspoon – Single)

“I won’t lie to you and say I couldn’t wait to see the return of HOPELESS NATION. Their ten years of absence will have been far too long, having left their mark on the Trois-Rivières hardcore/metal scene from 1998 to 2014. Although many of their fans seemed absent (probably due to age), those from the first hours who were there as well as those who discovered the band for the first time were not disappointed. Fred, the singer, did not lose his enthusiasm at the time and his interaction with the public was impeccable. When we say that music is a story of passion, their performance was proof of that. HOPELESS NATION delivered a performance without artifice, rooted in a hardcore and metal heritage old school too often put aside these days.” – Chicks Rock Media – TROIS-RIVIÈRES METALFEST (2024)

“Invigorated by the arrival of new blood, Hopeless Nation channeled all this newfound energy into Built from Scratch, an album propelled by “the rage to start playing again”, to use the expression used by Maxime. Made with Francis Perron at Studio Radicart, the record marks a new stage in the journey of the group which, with 10 years of career behind its belt, is surely one of the deans of the Trois-Rivières metal scene. ” – Voir (2009)

[Download Single Cover | Download Single Lyrics]

Band: Hopeless Nation
Single Title: Disaster – 4:42
Release Date: February 20, 2026
Label: Provocant Media
Location: Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
Genre: Hardcore Groove Metal

Single Credits:
– All songs performed by: Hopeless Nation (Frédéric Marchand – Vocals; Louis-Simon Bellerose – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals; Guy Provencher – Rhythm Guitar; Karl Héroux Rella – Bass; Steve DC – Drums, Backing Vocals)
– All songs written by: Frederic Marchand (lyrics), Louis-Simon Bellerose, Maxime Dupont, Jonathan Houle, Steve DC (music).
– Produced by: Jonathan Houle, in collaboration with Frederic Bujold and Francis Perron (RadicArt)
– Mixed by: Francis Perron (RadicArt)
– Mastered by: Francis Perron (RadicArt)
– Single Artwork by: Concept by Hopeless Nation/design adaptation by Frederic Marchand, AI artwork
– Canadian Content (MAPL)

Recording Band Line Up:
Frédéric Marchand – Vocals
Louis-Simon Bellerose – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Jonathan Houle, Maxime Dupont – Rhythm Guitar
Jonathan Houle, Karl Héroux Rella – Bass
Steve DC – Drums, Backing Vocals

Live Band Line Up:
Frédéric Marchand – Vocals
Louis-Simon Bellerose – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Guy Provencher – Rhythm Guitar
Karl Héroux Rella – Bass
Steve DC – Drums, Backing Vocals

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

About The Single Artwork:

The artwork showcases a hand-painted forest in flames, with birds fleeing the inferno, and a massive wave crashing against the burning coastline.

This striking imagery mirrors the intensity and chaos of the Disaster narrative, highlighting destruction, human vulnerability, and the unstoppable force of nature. It complements the cinematic video, reinforcing themes of resilience, survival, and humanity’s fragile relationship with the planet.

About the Single (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

“Disaster” plunges listeners into chaos and resilience, with lyrics depicting cities in ruin, suffering, and the search for hope. Musically, crushing riffs, relentless rhythms, and raw vocals mirror the tension and urgency of live performance, creating a visceral, socially aware, and intense listening experience.

The Disaster video weaves high-energy live performance with fleeting, chaotic glimpses of a world unraveling. Band members move through the ruins as firefighters, first responders, and civilians, navigating moments of peril and quiet courage. Shadows of destruction and flickers of resilience collide, leaving viewers suspended between tension and reflection, where raw energy meets the fragile pulse of humanity.

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

Fun Facts – Story Angles:

1. Reunion & Grind:
After nearly a decade of silence, Hopeless Nation reunited in summer 2024, revisiting unrecorded 2014 material. 2026 will bring a rapid succession of new singles and videos, with live performances expanding the music experience across nations and delivering full-force, raw energy to fans.

2. Live Meets Storytelling:
In the video, the band takes on heroic roles amid chaos, confronting global crises from natural disasters to humanity’s impact on the planet. Live performance from their first comeback show merges with AI-generated visuals, creating a cinematic spectacle that captures raw, unpredictable disaster moments and immerses viewers in tension and survival.

3. Scene Credibility:
The members are deeply rooted in the Quebec hardcore and metal scene. Louis-Simon leads punk hardcore legends Genetic Error, while Steve DC and Guy Provencher represented Canada in Europe after winning the Wacken Battle of the Bands with Strigampire in 2024.

Over 1000 live shows under their belt — all members combined — prove their relentless commitment to the scene.

4. Live Performance Rituals:
Hopeless Nation delivers sweat-soaked, high-octane shows with no backing tracks, pure lamp-amp sound, and full crowd interaction. Their 2025 shows drew strong attention, fueling brighter opportunities and raw-energy performances for an ambitious 2026.

5. Legacy & Homage:
Many of the new singles are a tribute to past members Jonathan Houle (bass & guitar, 2012–2014, 2024) and Maxime Dupont (rhythm guitar, 1998–2014). Their contributions helped shape the band’s sound, and these releases honor their talent and dedication.

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

L-R: Karl Héroux Rella (Bass), Louis-Simon Bellerose (Lead Guitar), Frederic Marchand (Vocals), Steve DC (Drums), Guy Provencher (Rhythm Guitar)

Photo Credit: @willodoescontent

Explosive. Raw. Heavy. Unique. Relentless. These five words define the sound and the spirit of Hopeless Nation, a metal/hardcore hybrid forged in the fires of punk rebellion and refined through decades of evolution.

Formed in 1998 by a group of friends drawn to the urgency of bands like Ten Foot Pole and Strung Out, Hopeless Nation quickly carved out a name in Quebec’s underground scene. As their musical tastes grew darker and heavier, so did their sound, absorbing the aggression of All Out War, ZAO, and Madball, and later the technical ferocity of Gojira, Lamb of God, and Darkest Hour. The result: a signature blend of hardcore grit and modern metal precision, delivered with unfiltered emotion and pit-ready intensity.

Their 2009 album Built from Scratch marked a high point in their early career, backed by over 200 shows and shared stages with heavyweights like 100 Demons, Bane, With Honor, Lofofora, and Despised Icon. Known for their sweat-drenched, no-backing-tracks live shows, Hopeless Nation became a staple at venues like Montreal’s Foufounes Électriques and Trois-Rivières Metalfest.

After a hiatus, the band returns in 2025 with renewed fire and a sharpened edge set to unleash a series of singles that are a sonic gut-punch, layered, immediate, and aggressive, yet open enough for clean vocals and hooks that stick. The singles are mixed and mastered by Francis Perron (Voïvod) at RadicArt, and they bridge the band’s hardcore roots with a modern metal sheen, setting the tone for an upcoming EP.

Hopeless Nation’s writing process is collaborative and deliberate. Lead guitarist Louis-Simon Bellerose crafts the riffs, while drummer Steve DC, bassist Karl, and rhythm guitarist Guy Provencher (also of Strigampire, Wacken Metal Battle Canada winners) bring the groove. Vocalist Frédéric pens lyrics that cut deep—tackling themes of inequality, privilege, personal struggle, and societal decay with honesty and urgency.

With over two decades of evolution behind them, Hopeless Nation stands as a testament to the enduring power of heavy music. Their sound has matured, but their mission remains the same: to move bodies, challenge minds, and leave everything on the stage.

Discography:
2026 – Disaster – Single
2025 – Silverspoon – Single
2009 – Built from Scratch – Album
2004 – Our Mistakes – EP (Galy Records)
2002 – World of Hate – Album

Tours and Festivals:
2025 – Mini-Tour, with The Almighty Trigger Happy, Québec, Trois-Rivières, Montréal, QC
2025 – Super Sugoi Tour, with Within Destruction – Montréal, QC
2024 – Trois-Rivières Metalfest, with Feels Like Home – Trois-Rivières, QC
2012 – Maquisart, with Despised Icon – Trois-Rivières, QC
2009 – Bloodfest, with 100 Demons, Toronto, ON
2009 – Bloodfest, with 100 Demons, Montréal, QC

Shared Stage with:
Despised Icon
Within Destruction
100 Demons
Unearth
Bane
With Honor
Kalmah
Lofofora
L’Esprit Du Clan
A Perfect Murder
Insurrection
Burning The Oppressor
Mass Murder Messiah
A Death For Every Sin
Buried Inside
Spelldown

0 EPK – Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy – Fugue Gnawed from the Scabbed God Cerebrum (2026)

  • February 18, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (2024) (Gore House Productions) · Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (Gore House Productions)

EPK – Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy – Fugue Gnawed from the Scabbed God Cerebrum (2026)

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

“There’s a saying in regards to music: ‘Evolve; don’t change. With every release, we push creative boundaries both in the writing and recording process. We never want to make a drastic change that feels forced and alienating to our day one supporters, but we strive to evolve in ways that feel natural for the growth of the band, not just musically, but as people, too. We want this album to be something that you can either sit with at home, with a nice pair of headphones and marvel at the complexity and immensity of the music.” –  Jesse Agiomamitis (vocals/lyrics) – Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

For fans of Deathspell Omega, Defeated Sanity, Ulcerate, Disentomb, Sanguinary Consummation

Band: Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Album Title: Fugue Gnawed from the Scabbed God Cerebrum
Release Date: April 3, 2026
Label: Gore House Productions
Album Length: 32:32

Gorehouseproductions.com | Facebook.com/GoreHouseProductionsOfficial | Instagram.com/gorehouseproductions | X.com/GoreHouse

Tiktok.com/@gorehouseproductions | Youtube.com/c/Gorehouseproductions-Official | Spotify | Gorehouseproductions.bandcamp.com

Facebook.com/OnchoOfficial | Instagram.com/onchocerciasis_official | Youtube Music

Spotify | Officialonchocerciasis.bandcamp.com | Apple Music

“It’s brutal as fuck, but it’s also explores the entire bouquet of sick creativity extreme music has to offer. The Fallen Lament is fun. It’s violent and it loves to blur boundaries between already scummy, disgusting genres.” – Vox & Hops Metal Podcast (The Fall Lament – 2024)

“This EP is definitely for the lovers of the extreme – fans of Deathspell Omega, Defeated Sanity, and Ulcerate will dig the fuck out of this record. So will fans of Dehumanizing Itatrian Worship, whose Kiryu Zhang contributes vocals on the last track of the EP, ‘Facial Gutting’. 9/10” – Ever Metal (The Fall Lament – 2024)

“The tracks revolve around blast beats and slams with some truly impressive breakdowns on display. Lyrics are themed around many different influences including mental health issues that have plagued the bands members, anime and video games making for an interesting read. In essence this EP provides a really promising preview of things to come for this band, who have the potential based on this evidence of creating something special.” – The Razor’s Edge (The Fall Lament – 2024)

“OxE are a different beast, very heavy and extreme but different to most bands of this ilk. The best way to describe them would be like Mortician, but with slam riffs! They have that downtuned bass that trawls the depths of hell with its tone and razor-sharp guitars, frantic programmed drums and some seriously deranged vocals. The tracks are short and sweet, the whole EP only goes on for ten minutes twenty one secs but in that time, you feel so bludgeoned and battered listening to it that it feels much longer, almost like you are succumbing to some exquisite torture!| – The Razor’s Edge (The Fall Lament – 2024)

“What’s cool here is when the music slows down almost to a crawl and sounds creepy as fuck, with a horror/suspense-like feeling that’s not without reminding me of some of the most disgusting episodes of the X-Files when they had some kind of monster eating its victims or what have you, and you can probably throw in a few horror B-movies in there as well. The Fallen Lament is kind of chaotic and dissonant and certainly sets itself apart in the sea of brutal death metal releases out there. 4/5″ – The MetalCrypt (The Fall Lament – 2024)

“primal and brutal variety of dramatic and booming extreme metal ” – The Viking in the Wilderness (The Fall Lament – 2024)

“Brutal gore death grind metal with pig squeally vox” – 89.9 WORT FM – The Moshpit (Madison, WI) (The Fall Lament – 2024)

“It’s been a long time since I heard anything like this mentioned, and the truth is that I haven’t been disappointed. Those from Canada bring us the best formula to execute it. This is based on being as heavy as they are fluid, without giving up the occasional surprise in the form of extra convolutions, which, by the way, fits like a glove. I was extremely grateful that they didn’t focus on composing ultra-heavy and simplistic «ruido» with little direction twist like many others do, reminding us once again that Slam can be rich in nuances within its borders.” – Broken Tomb (The Fall Lament – 2024)

 

“Have you ever been sat at home on a quiet evening and thought; “you know what would be really good right now? A migraine”? Well, if the answer to that is yes, then the boys in ONCHOCERCIASIS ESOPHAGOGASTRODUODENOSCOPY have got you covered. In this, their twenty-five minute, nine-track offering that is akin to standing in a bucket of water and attaching yourself to a car battery, The Rotted Plinth of Sachiel is a full-on assault on your senses that is sure to test the endurance of even the most seasoned veteran of fringe, extreme metal sub-genres.” – Distorted Sound Mag (2021 – The Rotted Plinth Of Sachiel)

“They may come across as a novelty act trying to be extreme for the sake of extremity, but OEGD are here to subjugate you. Give them five minutes, and they’ll bludgeon you into submission. Whether you like it or not is a different matter.” – Scream Blast Repeat (2021 – The Rotted Plinth Of Sachiel)

“Each song on this EP is a testament to the band’s mastery of slamming death metal, characterized by punishing rhythms and relentless guttural growls.” – Necrozine

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Album Title: Fugue Gnawed from the Scabbed God Cerebrum
Release Date: April 3, 2026
Label: Gore House Productions
Album Length: 32:32
Track Listing:
1. Conquering Divinity – 3:17
2. The Fallen Lament, Paralytikus Ascends – 1:21
3. Severing What Makes Me Human – 2:41
4. Apotheotic Apotemnophilia – 3:03
5. Entombed Within the Infinite Panopticon – 2:23
6. Gutted & Corpsed – 3:05
7. Heaven’s Empty Halls – 5:13
8. Hurt Beyond Healing – 2:33
9. Abyssikataplexika – 2:35
10. Vile Verses Flogged into the Wings of Angels – 1:23
11. Forged in the Blackest Reaches of Blasphemy – 4:58
Album Length: 32:32
ROLES:
Jesse Agiomamitis: Vocals, Lyrics
Alice Simard: Composition, Guitars, Lead Guitars
The Popu: Additional Songwriting, Mixing and Mastering, Guitars, Bass, Orchestration and Sound Design, Additional lyrics, Additional Vocals

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

About The Album Artwork:

We wanted something that represented all of our combined influences going into the songwriting, in one way or another, and we knew that Mei Maro would be able to deliver something incredible, as usual. There are aspects of various folklore and other things that interest us, all crafted together beautifully by the talented Mei.

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Jesse Agiomamitis: Start-to-finish, the album is dissonant, punishing, and disorienting.

Many of the lyrical subjects are larger than life, and the songs tell a story of a single entity, a “godslayer”, essentially, on a God of War-esque rampage through the universe, all veiled in obscurity.

This character and his actions mirror the overall feeling of the album: cold, calculated, and violent.

The Popu: Musically, the LP is definitely the most experimental OxEx to date. In between the utter carnage of the main instrumentals are layers of synths and organic instrumentation that have gone through various levels of sonic destruction to give the overall soundscape an alien feel. I was highly inspired by “Nithing – Agonal Hymns” of 2023 and the classic record “Dripping – Disintegration of Thought Patterns During A Synthetic Mind Traveling Bliss”.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Track 1: Conquering Divinity 

Lyrically quite fantastical, evoking certain mythological imagery. 

The music itself is very chaotic; there’s something new around every corner on this track, and that’s absolutely by design, being the first track on the record. Throwing a curveball out of the gate.

Track 2: The Fallen Lament, Paralytikus Ascends

As heard on the teaser EP we released leading up to the album, this track is one that is pretty straightforward and sounds most like our older material but with better performances all around.

 

Track 3: Severing What Makes Me Human
A quite dark track with a lot of weird things going on, and with a lot of the lyrics on this record, they’re not meant to be taken too seriously. We want it to evoke some type of image in the listener’s mind as they read over and listen to the track.

 

Track 4: Apotheotic Apotemnophilia

Getting toward the middle of the record, we knew we had to throw in something a little varied. This song has more melody than most others, but it is still incredibly heavy once that introduction is over. As the title of the track ‘Apotheotic Apotemnophilia’ may suggest, the lyrics (although somewhat vaguely) deal with the idea of a deity who is dissatisfied with aspects of their being.

Track 5: Entombed Within the Infinite Panopticon

This one is a little more straightforward. Just pummeling every second of the runtime, especially towards the end when the slower section comes in. We don’t have as many “breakdown” type moments compared to our earlier EPs, but when they do come in, like on this track, they hit way harder.

 

Track 6: Gutted & Corpsed

Starts off strong with a lot of blasting and gurgling before making a dramatic shift toward the middle of the song, where it sounds more like a portal to the underworld has been opened. There are these unearthly shrieks and angular riffs that throw the listener for a loop and make you really pay attention to what’s going on, right before getting back into the blasting and gurgling.

Track 7: Heaven’s Empty Halls

One of my absolute favourites on the record. So much is going on texturally with this almost Dungeon Synth-esque backing instrumental that really elevates the guitars, drums, and vocals giving a somewhat creepy vibe to the song and it perfectly kicks off the final portion of the record.

 

Track 8: Hurt Beyond Healing
Standard ass-beater of a track, bringing everything back to gravity after the last song. Lots of guitar wizardry and chaotic vocals are going on here.

 

Track 9: Abyssikataplexika
One of the most gnarly vocal performances on the record, with a few new sounds that really don’t sound human, accompanied by some of the deepest chugs on the record and even blistering drumming.

 

Track 10: Vile Verses Flogged into the Wings of Angels
Dark and brooding atmosphere, like something from a horror soundtrack, perfectly builds tension before release with the final track.

 

Track 11: Forged in the Blackest Reaches of Blasphemy
Melodic, brutal, chaotic, and structured all at once. Bearing our influences on our sleeve and once again paying homage to the great Disentomb (among other bands). There’s no better way for us to cap off the record.

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

FUN FACTS – STORY ANGLES:

1. Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (shorthand: OxE) was originally a solo project by Alice, who released a split record with a friend before bringing Jesse aboard in early 2019.

2. The majority of the lyrics for OxE tracks pertain, in some way, to mental health struggles that I and people around me have dealt with throughout life, but with a cryptic shadow realm he keeps slipping into becomes reality, and he is now trapped there for all eternity. This song is actually about Hyperion’s friend who has dealt with this mental illness every day for his whole life.

3. OxE members hail from various countries. Popu is German, Alice is Canadian, and Jesse is Australian.

4. When it comes to the artistic and lyrical thematics, OxE is inspired by various forms of media. We love incorporating ideas from video games (Dark Souls, NieR, etc.), anime (Berserk, Evangelion, Angel’s Egg), and many areas of real-world mythology and folklore into our music.

5. The Popu has been a fan of the band since the first EP, but has never gotten in contact with Alice or Jesse until two years later, when – by sheer coincidence – Alice and Popu bonded online through the obscure interest of the Danmaku Game “Touhou Project”. Inseparable since then.

L-R – The Popu (Guitar, Drums, Bass) | Alice Simard (Guitar, Drums) | Jesse Agiomamitis (Vocals)

Photo Credit: Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Emerging from the depths of Quebec City’s underground, Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (OxE) is a brutal death metal force that defies genre boundaries with its calculated chaos and apocalyptic soundscapes. Originally conceived as a solo project by guitarist Alice Simard, OxE quickly evolved into a collaborative powerhouse with the addition of Australian vocalist Jesse Agiomamitis and German multi-instrumentalist Popu. Together, they’ve forged a sound that’s grotesque, dissonant, and deeply cerebral—equal parts slam, blackened death, and avant-garde experimentation.

Following the blistering EP The Fallen Lament, OxE returns with their most ambitious and punishing release to date: Fugue Gnawed from the Scabbed God Cerebrum. This LP marks a significant evolution in the band’s sonic identity, pushing further into experimental territory while retaining the visceral brutality fans have come to expect. Musically, the album is a labyrinth of dissonant riffs, guttural vocals, and alien soundscapes. Synths and organic instrumentation are warped and mangled into textures that feel both ancient and futuristic. Popu cites Nithing – Agonal Hymns and Dripping – Disintegration of Thought Patterns During A Synthetic Mind Traveling Bliss as key inspirations for the LP’s sonic architecture. Lyrically, Jesse crafts cryptic narratives that explore mental illness, mythological annihilation, and existential dread. At the heart of the album is a conceptual arc following a “godslayer” on a cosmic rampage—an allegory for inner turmoil and transformation. The lyrics are intentionally veiled, allowing listeners to imprint their own interpretations.

Planning to release Singles like “Hurt Beyond Healing” and “Gutted & Corpsed” offers a glimpse into the album’s duality: straightforward brutality laced with surreal, introspective undertones. The juxtaposition of characters—those who embrace life versus those who recklessly flirt with death—reflects the band’s ongoing exploration of human fragility.

Recommended for fans of Deathspell Omega, Defeated Sanity, Ulcerate, Disentomb, and Sanguinary Consummation, Fugue Gnawed from the Scabbed God Cerebrum will be released on April 3, 2026, via Gore House Productions and is available for pre-order at https://orcd.co/scabbed-god-cerebrum

Discography:
2025 – Fugue Gnawed from the Scabbed God Cerebrum LP
2024 – The Fallen Lament LP
2021 – The Rotted Plinth of Sachiel LP
2019 – Adoration of Decaying Innocence EP
2018 – Interspecies Defloration EP

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