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

Category: EPKs

0 EPK – The Fixer – Your Lie (2023)

  • August 17, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · The Fixer

EPK – The Fixer – Your Lie (2023)

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

“Fans have appreciated that ‘Your Lie’ combines energy and rawness of louder genres with a sense of melody and catchiness. It has often been noted that our songwriting style is what draws listeners in. We try to give a unique listening experience by using sounds and textures you wouldn’t always expect to go together. We want to take you along the same journeys we are experiencing through music, sometimes fun and high, and sometimes hurt and low. We often use opposing techniques like voice acting to power vocals, clean and jangling guitars to high gain riffs, horror and unsettling to pretty and heartfelt ambiences, or four-to-the-floor to double kick beats. We try to keep our approach dynamic and varied under the metal umbrella.” – The Fixer

For fans of In This Moment, Lacuna Coil, Motionless in White, Evanescence, Rob Zombie

Facebook.com/TheFixerBand | Youtube.com/@thefixercanada | Instagram.com/thefixercanada | Tiktok.com/@thefixercanada

Spotify | Thefixercanada.bandcamp.com | Apple Music

Ugly Knots Tour 2025 – The Fixer, Teknosis
Oct 2 – La Sarre, QC – La Brute du Coin *
Oct 3 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar *
Oct 4 – Espanola, ON – Shorty’s *
Oct 9 – Fort Frances, ON – Pink Parasol Tea Room
Oct 10 – Brandon, MB – The 40
Oct 11 – Prince Albert, SK – Studio Q
Oct 12 – Edmonton, AB – The Rendezvous
Oct 13 – Calgary, AB – Pin Bar
Oct 14 – Lethbridge, AB – The Slice 
Oct 15 – Moose Jaw, SK – Chillers
Oct 16 – Saskatoon, SK – Green Room
Oct 17 – Regina, SK – The Exchange
Oct 18 – The Pas, MB – The Wescana Inn
Oct 19 – Winnipeg, MB – Osborne Taphouse
Oct 31 – Thunder Bay, ON – The Hunger 18 (Downtown-wide Hallowe’en Festival)
* = without Teknosis

“Dark. Sexy. Loud. It’s The Fixer, and they create a soundtrack that would be fit for a disco in Hell. The Canadian four-piece straddle the line between rock and metal” – Games, Brrrains & A Headbanging Life

“One of the great young acts I found in 2023 came from Canada, The Fixer, who have created bold music and an even bolder look. Led by vocalist Melladonna, the band tries to give the look of a goth outfit. The music, however, tells a different story, as the band rocks as hard as anything you might hear out there now (if not more aggressive). The hook song was “Smoke Show,” but there were quality tracks all through the record. I enjoyed “Ghosts Will Talk,” which presents a spookier sound, and the bookends to the album, the title track and “Your Truth,” which gives a storytelling aspect to the album. I will be interested in seeing where this band goes, and I certainly hope they can get down to the southern tip of North America to bring their sound to an audience that would enjoy them!” – Rock At Night

“The song material is simply great, the emotions are wonderfully combined, and the performance is absolutely over the top.” – PowerMetal.de

“A high-resolution journey through pop rock, goth spirit, punk moods, metal vibes, and party glam rock, with a hint of comedy horror. ‘Your Lie’ is a spiky sound with a razor-sharp edge throughout.” – Rock Queen Reviews

“The vocalist certainly brings it. She is dynamic and very expressive… “It’s catchy, filled with energy and absolutely gothic.” – Jamie Funk – Pitch Perfect Site ( The Prowl – 2020)

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: The Fixer
Album: Your Lie
Release Date: November 10, 2023
Label: WormHole Death Records
Distribution: The Orchard

 

Track Listing
1. Your Lie (4:48)
2. Get Greasy (3:07)
3. Smoke Show (3:13)
4. Ghosts Will Talk (3:54)
5. Animal (3:55)
6. Tongue’s Bleeding (3:45)
7. Colour Deficit (4:27)
8. Tree Of Fire (3:48)
9. Unscrewed (3:54)
10. Your Truth (5:18)
Album Length: 40:29

 

Album Credits:
Lyrics by Melladonna, Music by Vic Sin: Tracks 1 & 5
• Lyrics by Melladonna and Vic Sin, Music by Vic Sin: Tracks 2, 6 & 7
• Lyrics and Music by Vic Sin: Tracks 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11
• Additional Guitars on Track 1 by Dustin Saarinen
• Additional Vocals on Track 3 by Roy Noga
• Engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Vic Sin
• Produced by Vic Sin & The Fixer
• Photography by Melladonna, Keegan Richard & The Fixer
• Album Artwork by Raymundo “Boneless Boy” Onae
• Text Art and Logo by Blaqk Design
• Total List of Performers on Album: Shawn Hartviksen, Armelle Sandford, Dustin Saarinen, Ryan Hughs, Roy Noga, John Forget,
• Total List of contributing writers: Shawn Hartviksen, Armelle Sandford, Dustin Saarinen, John Forget,
• Album Artwork by: Boneless Boy
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content – MAPLAlbum Band Line Up for Your Lie AlbumVic Sin – Guitar, backup vocals, Drums, Synth
Melladonna – Vocals
Ryan Hughs – Base, backup vocals
Dustin Saarinen – Additional GuitarCurrent Live Band Line Up:
Vic Sin – Guitar, backup vocals
Melladonna – Vocals
Busuzu – Bass, backup vocals
Null – Drums

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

About The Album Artwork:

Your Lie: An illustration of the band members on a narrow neon street, with Melladonna unhappily being puppeted.

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Your Lie was largely an album of self and external reflection, a purging of darkness into something constructive. A look at what could hold a person back from getting to where they want to be, and the many crossroads one will find themselves at on their way out of personal lows. The songs from Your Lie were written over a long period of time. Some of them date back before The Prowl EP. There is a sense of musical exploration.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Your Lie – About the lies you tell yourself to be okay. Then, about opening your mind to someone else’s perceived reality. Musically drawing inspiration from classic Nu Metal with subtle horror-type samples. Complete with an ambient build-up into an epic outro.

2. Get Greasy – Having fun and being confident. Musically influenced by the cartoonish goth-leaning bands from the ’90s grunge era and some noise rock approaches. Written in a triplet swing with a mix of several different guitar tones and approaches.

3. Smoke Show – Written about a couple of “wild child” friends who lived to party. Somewhere between indie-pop and metal. Has been compared to the B-52s having a hard rock or metal phase. Guitar riffs take inspiration from White Zombie, vocals come from The Ting Ting,s and the drums are a hard rock/metal approach with a mild bossanova flare to the rhythm pattern. The chorus was designed to come across like a party anthem.

4. Ghosts Will Talk – The things you wish you had said or done differently that keep you up at night. Heavy riffs sprinkled amongst an onslaught of creepy and melancholic melodies. Drawing on horror and industrial feeling, electronics.

5. Animal – About not being seen as an equal individual with values outside of one’s body. Musically blending influences from reggae and industrial pop for the verses and an anthemic arena rock style chorus. Complete with a breakdown and a vibey guitar solo.

6. Tongue’s Bleeding – About not wanting your internal negative feelings to affect those that you care about around you. Tongue’s Bleeding was an attempt to have interesting rhythmic choices while still being able to feel a groove and a very easy-to-digest vocal and melodies. Drawing inspiration from classic Kittie and some more modern touches like Spiritbox.

7. Colour Deficit – Not knowing somebody is as deep into suicidal thoughts as they were and wishing that they knew when they were in times of need that you’d be a person they could reach out to. Musically Vic was channeling his love for melancholic melodic metal guitarwork from bands like Paradise Lost, October Tide, and similar bands.

8. Tree of Fire – About people misusing religion to justify whatever their actions are. Tree of Fire was working on crafting something that took the listener on an unsettling journey. Frantic guitar riffs with unusual melodies and soundscapes. Something suitable for a horror movie soundtrack.

9. Unscrewed – About the impact someone’s actions can have on another human, and even when trying to help, you can’t change what happened. Bookended by musical pieces inspired by The Cure’s Pornography era, the song bounces between a frantic chorus and groove metal verses. Topped by vocals that draw influence from Melladonna’s past in theatre.

10. Your Truth – Knowing you need to change what you’re doing in your life, will you ask for help or let your vices overtake you? It comes across like a 3 / 4 dirge with a sense of melody and builds up with a sense of epicness.

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

FUN FACTS – STORY ANGLES:

1. The Story of Bususu: A few weeks before our “Ghosts Will Tour”, our bass player at the time had to suddenly drop out.  After being turned down by many other musicians unable to tour at such short notice, we ended up asking this man, as a last-ditch effort, thinking he wouldn’t be interested, but knowing how awesome a musician he is, and he miraculously accepted! Thus SUB was born! We enjoyed his company and the camaraderie we shared so much that we wanted to keep him! We created a new role for him as a keyboard player and changed his name to USB. We played One. Single. Show. this way- and then we lost our drummer. We were struggling to find another drummer that could fit all the boxes of drumming proficiency, schedule availability, and compatible personality, until our substitute bass player-turned-keyboard player said, “Let me give it a try”. Thus, BUS was born! Busuzu learned the entire set on a third instrument- an instrument that he had been playing for less than a year- and we took him on our longest, most treacherous tour to date: The Love and Misfortune Tour. We somehow survived this coast-to-coast Canadian-wide tour, but afterward, our bass player could not commit to how much The Fixer wanted to tour and continue to ramp things up. Busuzu, seeing an opening, chose to return to bass: his instrument of choice… but not for long… Not forever.

2. The Fixer had been an entirely DIY band for its formative years, with even early merch printing being handled by the band. The next singles of the band will see their first efforts working with Trevor Hurst of Econoline Crush and Peril of Phantom High, providing additional vocal production, and Jeremy Valentyne of New Years Day and Adam Williams, formerly of Fame Fatale, handling mixing and mastering.

3. We travel very close, all in one vehicle, often sleeping all in the same room. I think it brings us together; we really have a lot of love and respect for our fellow band members. We have, unfortunately, had several members need to move on from the band, often because their lives got too busy to dedicate the amount of time and brain required to be in The Fixer as a touring band. We have been very lucky to be able to work with so many talented musicians, but when it comes to the band, you can’t just be a good musician; you have to be a good person and be able to (and want to) be as passionate about our music and performances as we are.

4. The Fixer’s first introduction to the public was during the pandemic. Our first music video for “Take You Home” was shot the week before the pandemic lockdowns. Rather than hanging on to our materials to release when we could play live, we released The Prowl EP in the first half of 2020. Although released later, “Your Lie” was partly written and mostly recorded during the lockdowns.

5. We often have several T-shirt designs and put a lot of thought and effort into our merch. We enjoy working with various artists and love getting to showcase their talent any time we have visuals. We have gotten the opportunity to work with a street artist in Mexico, local digital artists, a tattoo artist, and Vic happens to have a very talented niece who has done several designs for us. We want everyone to find a Fixer-T that integrates with their style!

L-R: The Fixer Current Line Up | Vic Sin (Guitar) | Null (Drums) | Busuzu (Bass) | Melladonna (Vocals)
Photography by: Chu Shang

From Parts Unknown, Ontario, Canada, The Fixer fuses pop vocals, danceable rhythms, crushing guitars and earworm melodies into a synth-drenched sound that has been described as Melodious Darkened Pop-Metal.

To really get the full impact of what The Fixer is, you need to see it live. It’s high energy, it’s emotive, it’s theatrical, and it feels larger than life. Clad in goth-glam attire and with their synchronised light show, they leave an impression that is hard to forget. The Fixer walks an interesting line that has seen audiences dancing as well as moshing at their shows.

With multiple tours under their belt and crossing 8 provinces in their home country, they’ve been leaving impressions as a must-see live act. Meanwhile landing themselves multiple fan-voted awards in their hometown’s art publication, been featured as an undiscovered gem across Corus radio stations and on Global News, been featured as indie band of the week by Alan Cross on The Edge 102.1FM, featured in Sonic Seducer, charted number 5 on Radio Indie Alliance’s Rock charts, signed to Wormhole Death Records among several other accomplishments.

Old Bio: They create a soundtrack that would be fit for a Disco in Hell. The Fixer mixes heavy riffs and undeniable pop sensibilities filtered through a beautiful, darkened lens. The Canadian female-fronted 5 piece would be best considered a crossover act that straddles the line between metal and rock. Join these lovely creatures in their world that revolves around earworm melodies, danceable beats, heavy guitars, groovy bass lines, eerie ambience and powerful vocals. While the band has a very distinguishable aesthetic, there is seemingly nothing off-limits that might make its way into their music. Whether it is their more obvious influences from goth, metal and industrial, or more subtle nods to world music and EDM.

2023 will see the release of the Fixer’s debut full-length album, “Your Lie.” The band brings you to their dark side of fun on the album’s lead single “Smoke Show” and their live favourite “Get Greasy” while also expanding their sound into a more evil and frantic approach on tracks like “Unscrewed” and “Tree of Fire”. Their work on harnessing their melodic prowess has created a highly addictive brand of heavy dark rock with shameless pop hooks apparent on tracks like “Ghosts Will Talk” and “Animal.” The Fixer also puts their seasoned musical abilities on display on tracks like “Tongue’s Bleeding” and “Colour Deficit.” Prepare for a sonically dynamic album from start to finish with a signature sound that is hard to define by one single genre.

The Fixer has been turning heads with their previous releases, establishing themselves as a must-see live act and gaining multiple nominations over the past years in their local arts publication (including a couple of wins in 2022). They were featured as Indie Band of the Week by Alan Cross at 102.1 The Edge in Toronto, signed to Wormhole Death Records for their new album, and have achieved several other milestones in their short existence in our realm. The freight train that is The Fixer shows no signs of slowing down on delivering its “Dark.Sexy.Loud.” brand to the world.

The Fixer is continuing to refine its sound that goes best with black leather, straight bourbon, and clove cigarettes. The band is always eager to bring a devilishly good time to stages, gutters, and back alleys near you.

Discography:
2023 – Your Lie – Album
2022 – Depart – Single
2020 – The Prowl  – EP

Tours and Festivals:
2025 – Support on Derev’s Troubled Mind Tour – Thunder Bay, ON
2025 – The Fixer’s Spring 2025 Tour – ON, MB, QC,
2024 – Tri-Sport – Marathon, ON
2024 – The Fixer’s Love and Misfortune Tour – MB, AB, ON, SK, BC, NB, NS, NL
2023 – The Fixer’s Ghosts Will Tour – MB, AB, BC, SK
2023 – Support on Econoline Crush’s When The Devil Drivers Tour – Thunder Bay, ON
2023 – Rock The Dock – Amberlite Wilderness Resort
2023 – Underground Wasteland – Penticton, BC
2023 – The Fixer’s Hot Goth Summer Tour – ON, MB

0 EPK – Devolver – Non Compos Mentis (2025)

  • August 16, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Devolver · EPKs

EPK – Devolver – Non Compos Mentis (2025)

Publicist – Jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

“We think it will be embraced by fans of our first album, but it’s a huge evolution of our sound. Our first album was a passion project for Devin, but this is what the five of us sound like collaborating as a unit. The razor-sharp production from Mark Lewis helped us push this thing over the edge, into something we think people will really grab onto. We want to give people the feeling we felt when we first heard our favourite bands, and the albums that made us fall in love with music.” – Devolver

For fans of In Flames, At The Gates, Soilwork, Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God

Band Title: Devolver
Album Title: Non Compos Mentis
Release Date: August 22, 2025
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Symphonic
Album Length: 32:55

Linktr.ee/devolverab | Facebook.com/DevolverMusic | Instagram.com/devolvermusic | YouTube.com/@devolvermusic2843

Devolvermusic.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

“Devolver uses melodies, intensity, and a variety of vocalists to hook you, reeling you from song to song making this such a welcoming and comfortable listen. I don’t mean they’re “easy listening,” there heavy as f***, I mean there’s always something different, you’ll never get bored while diving into this debut.” – Vulture Hound

“If After The Burial and The Ghost Inside had a lovechild, it would be Devolver. These guys blew me away with how professional, well written, and how well structured they’ve presented themselves with their SelfTitled record. Each song has its own personality, while still maintaining a signature sound. The breakdowns are simple, yet effective in each song. There is dynamic tension and then well-needed release throughout the record, and it’s downright masterful. This album is captivating, and I recommend anyone that is a fan of metal to check this out.” – Bucketlist Music Reviews

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band Title: Devolver
Album Title: Non Compos Mentis
Release Date: August 22, 2025
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Symphonic

Track Listing:
1. Deathtouch – 3:55
2. New Blood – 3:14
3. Jewels of the Maw – 3:30
4. Wraiths – 3:20
5. At Any Cost – 3:40
6. Non Compos Mentis – 3:53
7. Merciless Storm – 3:56
8. Suffocating Syndrome – 3:36
9. Dehumanize – 3:47
Album Length: 32:55

Album Credits:
– All songs performed by: Devolver
– All songs written by: Devolver
– Produced, Mixed, Mastered by: Mark Lewis
– Album Artwork by: Travis Smith
– SOCAN members

Band Lineup:
Chris Brown – Vocals
Devin Babcock – Guitar (lead)
Jayde Penner – Guitar (rhythm)
Bevin Booth – Drums
Jaylen Elias – Bass

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

About The Album Artwork:

We worked with Travis Smith on this album, which we were super excited about. We worked closely with him on the concept, with the art being a great interpretation of the story of the title track, Non Compos Mentis. This track is about the true story of Amos Babcock, the ancestor of our guitarist Devin Babcock. The artwork features a shadowed and bloodied Amos, in the snow with a shovel, after he murdered his sister in a fit of religious frenzy. He committed this horrific act in front of his family, including his nine children, represented by the eyes in the background. He proceeded to desecrate the body and attempted to hide the evidence by burying her in a snowbank not far from his home. This insane, true story is just so striking and disturbing, we had fun going back and forth with Travis, making something that felt like a powerful representation. Travis is an incredible artist whose portfolio is legendary. He’s done some of the most iconic album artworks for bands like Opeth, Megadeth, and countless others, so we’re honoured to have a piece of art that sits among that caliber of work. He knocked it out of the park.

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

We’ve built a tracklist that we feel is truly driving, musically and lyrically compelling, and engrossing the whole way through. Our goal was to put together a body of work that when you start at track one, you can’t put down until it’s over, and we’re very proud of this record.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Deathtouch
Deathtouch is fast fast-paced, melodic, and heavy track with a big hook chorus both musically and vocally. Lyrically, it addresses the inescapable fear of loss, defeat, and death, and learning to overcome those challenges and fears.

2. New Blood
New Blood is a start-to-finish no-quit song with a lot of riffs and a lot of leads. Sure to be a favorite of guitar players. Talks about the thoughts of leaving your old life behind to find and start a new one, even if it is the life of a vampire.

3. Jewels of the Maw
Jewels of the maw is a thrashy yet groove-oriented song which takes turns you might not expect, but are sure to suck you in. This one is based on all the many themes in the novel Bluebeard by Kurt Vonnegut, condensing themes of genocide, generational trauma, survivor’s syndrome, and the importance and value of the creation and appreciation of art as part of the human experience

4. Wraiths
Wraiths is a groovy, straightforward track with a big chorus, with some thrash hints and a hint of classic rock/metal. This one digs into interesting spiritual themes of alchemy and speaking with animals as a conduit to communicate with dead loved ones.

5. At Any Cost
This song was originally written for my and Jaylen’s old band. Devin and Jayde reworked it and planned on using it for a future album, but when Mark heard the reworked demo, he pushed for it to be on this album. We further rewrote in the studio with Mark while tracking it. The song really came alive when Bevin and Mark pushed the drums in a different direction than mine and Devin’s demo. It got faster and heavier and became the ripper it is today. Statement about the true cost of conflict.

6. Non Compos Mentis
Non Compos is a dark-themed themed slower banger that has symphonic elements and sludgy riffs. Lyrically, the darkest song on the album, the title track (and album artwork), is a true Canadian Heritage Minute, based on the true story of our guitarist Devin Babcock’s ancestor, Amos Babcock. In Shediac, New Brunswick, in 1805, Amos murdered his sister in a fit of religious frenzy, with his family of nine children as onlookers. He tried to hide her body in a snowbank, but was arrested, tried, and hanged for his crime after being pronounced “Non Compos Mentis” and hanged for his crime. He was only the 3rd man to be convicted of murder in the history of New Brunswick.

7. Merciless Storm
This wasn’t supposed to be a serious song when I started writing the demo. I was trying to write the most obnoxious, slammy, heavy riff I could think of. The groovy solo riff was originally the verse of the song, and the chorus was a very basic version of what it is now. Devin spiced up the rhythm guitars for the second half of choruses 2 and 3, and I wrote leads over top that really took the song to the next level. We made the slammy riff the verse with some tweaks to spice it up. While in the studio, Mark thought the song needed something big before the solo, so I wrote the breakdown riff on the spot, and the song was complete. Devin wrote one of his most insane solos on this one with the craziest horsey squeal. Unrelenting force and the horrors brought in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

8. Suffocating Syndrome
I pulled some inspiration from Psycroptic for the verse riff of this one. The structure is fairly simple with each riff changing slightly each time it comes back. The melodic chorus is a really cool contrast to the heavy, noodly nature of the rest of the track, and I think features some of Chris’s best vocal work. The song culminates in a huge soaring chorus at the end with a super tasty solo mixed in, then comes crashing to an insane, chaotic ending that will surely leave some soiled pants. This song went through the fewest rewrites in the studio. Discusses the themes of mental illness, with topics of dementia, split personality, and the loss of self-identity.

9. Dehumanize
Dehumanize is our take on melodic thrash metal. It’s a fast-paced song through and through, only taking a slight break to catch our breath. Tells the story of a mass production robot gaining consciousness, only to realize they are destroying the world. With this realization, it knows the only hope for humanity is the complete destruction of all the robots to rebuild the world. This song discusses the feelings and themes of being an automated drone in the workforce and society, and asks the question: What is your purpose?

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

FUN FACTS – STORY ANGLES:

1. We recorded this album with producer Mark Lewis (Trivium, Black Dahlia Murder, Whitechapel, so many more), going all in on the quality of this thing and truly making the best, most powerful album we were capable of. We flew him up here to stay with us for the recording process, but we also travelled to record drums and guitar solos in his studio in Nashville

2. We worked with legendary artist Travis Smith on the album art. (Opeth, Megadeth, Death, Avenged Sevenfold, and more)

3. The title track (and album artwork) is a true Canadian Heritage Minute, based on the true story of our guitarist Devin Babcock’s ancestor, Amos Babcock. In Shediac, New Brunswick, in 1805, Amos murdered his sister in a fit of religious frenzy, with his family of nine children as onlookers. He tried to hide her body in a snowbank, but was arrested, tried, and hanged for his crime after being pronounced “Non Compos Mentis” and hanged for his crime. He was only the 3rd man to be convicted of murder in the history of New Brunswick.

4. We’ve collaborated with a local craft brewery (Grain Bin Brewing)  here in our hometown of Grande Prairie, Alberta, to brew a beer of our own design to commemorate the release of our new album. A blackberry & blood orange pale ale named “Brews of the Maw” (a pun on our song “Jewels of the Maw”), we’re super excited about this partnership.

5. As Magic: The Gathering fans, we couldn’t help ourselves but put some references in the album and lyrics, even going so far as to name a song Deathtouch.

6. We try not to take ourselves too seriously and just try to have fun with our music videos. The video for our single Merciless Storm features a hot dog-eating contest and the unholy creation of a disgusting hot dog smoothie.

L-R: Jayde Penner (guitar),  Bevin Booth (drums), Jaylen Elias (bass), Devin Babcock (guitar), Chris Brown (vocals)

Photo Credit – Heidi Robertson

Hailing from Grande Prairie, Canada, Devolver’s particular brand of metal can be described as “Gothenburg worship meets NWOAHM”. Formed by guitarist Devin Babcock and drummer/producer Bevin Booth, and later rounded out by guitarist Jayde Penner, vocalist Chris Brown, and bassist Jaylen Elias, Devolver blends groovy metalcore and melodic death metal, creating a unique sound that appeals to fans of modern metal genres while embracing their old school influences. With their forthcoming heavy-hitting new album in tow, produced by Mark Lewis (The Black Dahlia Murder, Trivium, Whitechapel), they are ready to make waves both in Canada and internationally.

Discography:
Non Compos Mentis (album) – 2025
Unscathed (single) – 2020
A Life Lost (single) – 2017
Devolver (album) – 2016

Shared Stage with: Protest The Hero, Bat Sabbath (Cancer Bats), Arrival of Autumn, Carcosa, Angelmaker, Neck of the Woods, Kelevra, Eye of Horus, Snakepit

Tours and Festivals:
2022 – Loud As Hell
2023 – Big Bad West Tour (with Widow’s Peak and Snakepit)
2024 – Alberta tour (with Kelevra)

0 EPK – The Judge The Juror – Heliconian Optivisor (single) (2025) Off Upcoming EP “Primitive Minds”

  • August 14, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · The Judge The Juror

EPK – The Judge The Juror – Heliconian Optivisor (single) (2025) Off Upcoming EP “Primitive Minds”

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

“What happens when you realize that you may have been viewing parts of your life through a lens you didn’t create? This song speaks of our human desire to find community and belonging that doesn’t come at the cost of selling our souls to fit in. This sentiment has been an ongoing discussion for the band members, as we try to carve a new unique and niche sound. We don’t always know where we fit into the metal scene, but we know we want to be authentic and stay true to what we believe without compromising. This balancing creates a push and pull of emotions that the musical structure of the song builds on.” – The Judge The Juror

For fans of Between the Buried and Me, Born of Osiris, Meshuggah, The Browning, Enter Shikari

Thejudgethejuror.com | Facebook.com/thejudgethejuror | Instagram.com/thejudgethejurorofficial

Spotify – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thejudgethejuror/heliconian-optivisor

Tour Dates – The Judge The Juror w/ **The Hallowed Catharsis & Plague Doctor
Aug 21 – Kelowna, BC – Jackknife Brewing**
Aug 22 – Kamloops, BC – Bridgeview Theatre** (UGEFEST)
Aug 23 – Salmon Arm, BC – Solid Urban Studios**
Aug 24 – Abbotsford, BC – Heavy Metal BBQ**
Sept 13 – Red Deer, AB – The Vat

Band: The Judge, The Juror
Single Title: Heliconian Optivisor
Single Length: 3:40
Release Date: August 15, 2025
Label: Self-Release

Single Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: The Judge The Juror
• All songs written by: The Judge The Juror
• Produced by: The Judge The Juror, SL2 Productions
• Mixed by: Alpha Core Studios
• Mastered by: Alpha Core Studios
• Album Artwork by: Agnes Benson
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Band Lineup:
David W Frontenac – Vocals / Synth / Programming
Scotty Oakes – Guitar
Merrick Fenton – Bass
Nick Burpee – Drums

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

About The Single Artwork:

A psychedelic futurist looks at the human mind.

About The Single:

“Heliconian Optivisor” – the song creates a mesmerizing, fast-paced assault of sonic force, helping to underpin the lyrical idea of being trapped behind viewing the world through red lenses, while trying to break through to some sense of true human connection.

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

FUN FACTS:

1. We made up a genre (PSYDEATHTECHPROG) to be both descriptive of our unique sound, and a tongue-in-cheek joke about how niche metal has become (“it’s not death metal, it’s blackened tech sludge!” 🡨 we’ve all heard something like this, lol)

2. Merrick has been playing bagpipes with a Scottish Highlands band since the age of 5, and we plan to have a bagpipe feature on our next EP

2. We’re going on our second-ever tour starting Aug 21, 2025, with The Hallowed Catharsis and Plague Doctor, and we plan to be on the road even more in 2026

3. David introduced the synth element to the band in late 2023, and it has now become part of our signature sound. He always comes up with unique/weird synth tones because he is equally weird.

4. One time while on the road with our friends Kelevra, we found out their guitarist, Brett, was feeling under the weather, so we went to the local pharmacy, made him a care packag,e and presented it to him at the next venue. This was all video documented and can be viewed on our social media.

L-R – Scotty Oakes (Guitar), David W Frontenac (Vocals/Synth/Programming), Nick Burpee (Drums), Merrick Fenton (bass)

Photo by Agnes Benson

Amidst the vast landscape of tedious and semantic metal subgenres, 

The Judge The Juror  emerges to carve out the latest niche: PSYDEATHTECHPROG

Combining technical metal riffage, intricate drum grooves, and experimental synthesis elements to dazzle the mind, along with a blistering high-energy live presence, The Judge The Juror is making moves to solidify themselves as a leader in Western Canadian Metal experimenters.

Discography:
2025 – Heliconian Optivisor – Single
2024 – Harmony in Discord – EP

Shared Stage with: Alleageon, Art of Attrition, Beguiler, Into Enternity, Kelevra, Opal in Sky, Forsaken Rite, Age of Ashes, Our Last Crusade, Victoria Lies, Floodgate, Supermodel Taxidermy

Tours and Festivals:
2025 (Upcoming Aug 21) – Insanity in the Interior Tour w/ The Hallowed Catharsis and Plague Doctor
2025 – Alternative Waves Music Festival – Medicine Hat, AB
2024 – Party in the Park – Ft McMurray, AB
2024 – May Long Mini Tour – Edmonton, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Calgary

0 EPK – The Bloody Hell – Are You Happy? (2025)

  • July 28, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · The Bloody Hell

EPK – The Bloody Hell – Are You Happy? (2025)

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

“Are You Happy? is the second single off the upcoming third album from The Bloody Hell, which is slated for release in the fall of 2025. The video is compiled of in-studio footage of the band’s recording sessions, coupled with live footage from a string of shows played in 2024. Musically, the track is a big step forward in our songwriting approach, showcasing how our two new members have enhanced and morphed our sound, with this song bordering on hard rock, even slightly prog in the breakdown section. The majority of our previous releases have always been more straightforward, more fast-paced, and more punk rock, so it is exciting to step outside that “box” and let the song venture into places we’ve yet to explore. Also interesting to see how this will be received by the public, we feel it’s one of our strongest singles yet, but we’ll let the audience be the judge, let us know …..Are You Happy?” – Ian Kean Vocals – The Bloody Hell

For fans of The Misfits, Nirvana, Motorhead

Band: The Bloody Hell
Single Title: Are You Happy?
Single Length: 3:35
Release Date: July 26, 2025
Label: Self-Release

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

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

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

“Catchy horror punk” – That’s Good Enough For Me

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

“After forming a year and a half ago, Halifax’s horror punk four-piece the Bloody Hell have just released their self-titled debut album. The release follows their singles “Evil Everywhere,” which was out this past February, and “Last Word,” which surfaced just seven days ago. With all of the dark and morbid imagery it has to offer, The Bloody Hell lives up to its genre while still discussing topics relatable to our everyday lives.” The East Mag (Self-Titled 2018)

 

Band: The Bloody Hell
Single Title: Are You Happy?
Single Length: 3:35
Release Date: July 26, 2025
Label: Self-Release

Single Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: The Bloody Hell
• All songs written by: The Bloody Hell
• Produced by: Ian Kean
• Mixed by: Alex Burris
• Mastered by: Alex Burris
• Album Artwork by: James Densley
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Single and Live Band Line Up:
Ian Kean – Vocal
James Densley – Guitar
Andrew Welsman- Guitar
Ben Schulman – Drums
Joe Woods – Bass

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

About The Single Artwork:
I had a dentist appointment that was double-booked, so they put me in the children’s room, which had all this hand-drawn artwork on the wall. I lay there waiting for a good 15 minutes, nothing to do but stare at the wall. The image of the smiling flower caught my eye, and it just had this really cool vibe, and I immediately knew I wanted it to be the single for “Are You Happy?”. I snapped a photo with my cell phone and sent it to our graphic designer, who turned it into the awesome piece it is now. Credit to whichever little kid drew the flower, you inspired a small piece of rock and roll

About the Single as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)
Are you happy is fast paced and hard hitting, driven by an earworm guitar riff with explodes into an off time rhythmic assault, while the raw and gritty vocal tells a story of the high and lows of a toxic relationship, and the lesson learned by a letting go ultimately ending in self reflection, and that oh so very important question – Are You Happy?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

0 EPK – Sterilizing The Deceased – Nothing (2025)

  • July 23, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Sterilizing The Deceased

EPK – Sterilizing The Deceased – Nothing (2025)

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

For fans of As Blood Runs Black, Chelsea Grin, Aegaeon, Vildhjarta, Lorna Shore

“This EP has the real and raw emotion behind it, unlike some other previous pieces of work, as we were finding our sound. What I want people to take away from this album after listening to it is a personal reflection on oneself. Never straying too far from your path by getting lost in the darkness. Also, realizing other people in this world are dealing with the same pain you might be experiencing, and it’s okay to feel like that, just know there is always a way out back into the light.” – Angelo Vespucci – Vocals – Sterilizing The Deceased

Band: Sterilizing The Deceased
EP Title: Nothing
Release Date: August 1, 2025
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/SterilizingTheDeceased | Instagram.com/sterilizingthedeceased

Spotify | Apple Music

“Here’s a brand new single for the Deathcore fans out there. If you like bands like Chelsea Grin and I Declare War, chances are you may dig this. Sterilizing The Deceased is an up-and-coming band hailing from Cleveland, Ohio. They’re known for bringing the heavy and that’s exactly what they do with this new single. It’s called “Forgotten” and it certainly packs a punch with the weight of its breakdowns and the delivery of some melodic riffs. Check it out and show the dudes some support if you dig it.” – The Circle Pit (2015)

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

Band: Sterilizing The Deceased
EP Title: Nothing
Release Date: August 1, 2025
Label: Self Release

Track Listing:
1. Recovery – 3:58
2. Self Meditated – 3:28
3. Nothing – 3:50
4. Unconscious – 2:15
5. Awake – 3:02
EP Length: 16:34

EP Credits:
• All songs performed by: Sterilizing The Deceased
• All songs written by: Sterilizing The Deceased
• Produced by: Sterilizing The Deceased
• Mixed by: Sammy Morales
• Mastered by: Sammy Morales
• EP Artwork by: Caelan Stokkermans

Line-up:
Angelo Vespucci – Vocals
John Hruby – Guitar
Nioklas Adamczewski – Guitar
Alex Phillips – Bass
Matt Jarvis – Drums

Discography:
2025 – Nothing – EP
2014 – The Untrustworthy – EP
2015 – Forgotten – EP
2017 – False Hope (Single)

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

About The Album Artwork:

It’s basically a demon forcing someone to drink the potion inside the chalice as the person is resisting the demon, holding a knife to its neck, trying to get it to stop. Representing fighting addiction and the hold it keeps on you.

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

Drug Addiction and Suicide. It’s a personal tape to me because I have personally dealt with both, so the EP is a representation of a Fiction/ Non-Fiction story about myself.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Recovery, reflecting, and wondering where things went wrong and why things had to change.

2. Self Meditated, slowly losing my mind and who I once was.

3. Nothing, I can’t take it anymore, and theoretically kill myself.

4. Unconscious, stuck in purgatory with nothing but my thoughts.

5. Awake, being brought back to life and everything coming full circle, realizing I am worth something.

L- R – Alex Phillips – Bass, John Hruby – Lead Guitar, Angelo Vespucci – Vocalist, Matt Jarvis – Drums, Nikolas Adamczewski – Rhythm Guitar

Photo Credit – Paige Margulies

Sterilizing The Deceased is a Melodic Deathcore band from Cleveland, Ohio, known for their bone-crushing breakdowns, blends of intense sweeps, and catchy riffs that will get any metal fan to start banging their heads or even hitting a two-step in the pit. Formed in 2014 by Vocalist Angelo Vespucci, STD (Sterilizing The Deceased) has been making a lot of motion in the Cleveland Scene over the last 10 years; playing multiple Summer Slaughter fests and other shows with huge acts such as Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder, Dying Fetus, Lorna Shore, Oceano, Signs of the Swarm, The Faceless, Slaughter To Prevail & Rings of Saturn. STD’s new EP “Nothing”, releasing August 1st, 2025, is easily the best piece of material this band has made with such raw power and emotion diving into deep topics such as Drug Addiction and Suicide. For anyone who has dealt with or known someone who has dealt with either of those, this EP is for you.

Line-up:
Angelo Vespucci – Vocals
John Hruby – Guitar
Nioklas Adamczewski – Guitar
Alex Phillips – Bass
Matt Jarvis – Drums

Discography:
2025 – Nothing – EP
2014 – The Untrustworthy – EP
2015 – Forgotten – EP
2017 – False Hope (Single)

Shared Stage with: Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder, Dying Fetus, Lorna Shore, Oceano, Signs of the Swarm, The Faceless, Slaughter To Prevail, Rings of Saturn

0 EPK – Imperishable (ft. Nile, Hate Eternal, Malevolent Creation, Olkoth members) – Revelation In Purity (2025) (Everlasting Spew Records)

  • July 21, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Imperishable

EPK – Imperishable – Revelation In Purity (2025) (Everlasting Spew Records)

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

For fans of: Morbid Angel, Emperor, Angelcorpse, Zyklon, Nile

“First of all, we’re thrilled to be releasing “Revelation In Purity” on Everlasting Spew Records. They’re a well-respected and renowned underground label that aligns with our musical standards and vision. It’s an honor. This album started with just a few ideas between Alex and me, and has now taken on a life of its own, and we’re damn proud of what we’ve achieved here. It definitely represents where we were at the time. Musically and otherwise. The pandemic, the birth of my son, the loss of immediate family, etc, it’s all in there. It’s an honest record that is a bit more raw and recorded old-school. There’s no quantizing or samples on the drums. Minimal edits across the board. We wanted it to sound good, but not over-polished. A lot of that is in  – Brian Kingsland (Vocals/Guitar)

Band: Imperishable
Album Title:  Revelation In Purity
Release Date: August 29, 2025 (Digital/CD/Tape) – Vinyl Coming 2026
Label: Everlasting Spew Records

CD – https://everlastingspew.com/everlasting-spew-releases/11076–pre-order-imperishable-revelation-in-purity-cd.html

Cassette – https://everlastingspew.com/everlasting-spew-releases/11075–pre-order-imperishable-revelation-in-purity-tape.html

Everlastingspew.bandcamp.com/album/revelation-in-purity

Facebook.com/Imperishable83 | Instagram.com/imperishable_metal

Spotify | Youtube.com/@everlastingspew | Apple Music

“Aggressive” and “blistering” are definitely adjectives that apply to “Oath of Disgust” — but if anything they understate the case. The music blasts from the speakers in a superheated torrent of blaring, blazing, and rapidly darting riffage, backed by furious drumming out on the cutting edge of human capacities and by maniacal yet nimble bass performances. Kingsland‘s bestial roars, scathing howls, and unhinged screams add to both the song’s full-blown fury and its berserk energies. But the song also twists and turns in unexpected ways. There is indeed singing in this one — haunting and harrowing singing — as well as rapidly mutating riffage and rhythmic variations that combine to create music which viciously eviscerates, jolts like jackhammers, convulses in feverish insectile swarms and darting bursts, and seems to maniacally scream. The music also suddenly expands and segues into a magnificent guitar solo, leading to one last spectacle of head-spinning instrumentation at the finale. And so the song proves to be not only aggressive and blistering but also inventively elaborate and technically mind-bending, undeniably savage but also a multi-faceted and relentlessly thrilling escapade (and immediately addictive too).” – No Clean Singing

“Imperishable are hideously good. Revelation in Purity is a monstrous mix of blackened, technical, deathly, murderous extremity, and an album that’s a mandatory listen for any fan of death metal that delivers an experience greater than the norm. Don’t miss this.” – Wonderbox Metal

“A majestic Death Metal album, this one is one you’re going to want to hear. 8.5/10″ – Metal Noise

“« Revelation In Purity » is a dark album, fast, technical and aggressive as possible. Like an extreme cook, Imperishable there is an improbable (but delicious) recipe in which the cream of Death Metal combines its flavors with the gratin of Black Metal. To be tested urgently if you have strong eardrums and stomach.” – Music In Belgium

“An album that has several very interesting characteristics – from the foray of a very solid rhythmic base, to forays into lacerating, annihilating ranges of voices and riffs, even some disturbing tempo changes, really disconcerting, offering a quite special touch to the music. As for the overall production, the songs show you everything you want to hear, and that’s saying a lot. Perhaps, within the mix the only thing missing was to give a little more volume to the guitars. Imperishable offers personality to your proposal. A remarkable album that will delight loyal followers of bands like Hate Eternal, Vltimas, Morbid Angel or even Angel Corpse.” – Metal Friends

“Death metal without an expiration date… Given that pedigree, you’ll have a reasonable idea of what to expect from this. The trio’s work in “Revelation in Purity” isn’t as technical or noodly as what you’d get from Enthean or Nile, but it more than makes up for that in speed and ferocity. It’s a near-perpetual stream of of blastbeats and tremolo riffs topped with Kingsland’s crunchy vocals, drawing some of its melodic ideas from the barbaric end of the black metal spectrum. It’s a straight-to-the-point neck breaker of a song, so clear some mosh space and jam it now.” – Toilet Ov Hell
​
“ Inspired by monsters like Morbid Angel, Emperor, Angelcorpse and, of course, Nile, the Imperishable did not come to reinvent the wheel. They came to put gas, set fire and send the wheel down the hill. “Revelation In Purity” is raw, it is straightforward and it is honest. It is the debut of a band that already sounds veteran and that, if it maintains this fury, will leave a trail difficult to ignore.” – World of Metal

“Imperishable‘s signature style is first and foremost violence, but we quickly find ourselves overwhelmed by the technicality and many other elements on Revelation in Purity. The album is very rich and deserves several listens.” – Acta Infernalis

“This is an album that doesn’t let up for one second. It is fucking relentless. It breaks into your house in the middle of the night, pulls you out of your bed by your throat, and drags you kicking and screaming to Hell. It. Is. Glorious.” – Black Metal Archive

“For all the talent that’s to be had behind this creation, it should have been obvious from the onset that “Revelation in Purity” was going to be a devastating effort in a magnificent form. These guys have known what they’re doing for years now across several different projects, and now they should proudly add Imperishable as another notch on their belts as they embark on their own journeys throughout the underground with this record something that promises far more in the future for those willing to wait for those forces to meet once again.” – Head Banger Reviews

“Imperishable are a very great sounding blackened death metal band and if you are a fan of this musical genre, you should check out this album. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE “Oath Of Disgust” “Spewing Retribution” and “The Enduring Light Of Reverence”. 8 out of 10.” – Bringer of Death Zine

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: Imperishable
Album Title:  Revelation In Purity
Release Date: August 29, 2025 (Digital/CD/Tape) – Vinyl Coming 2026
Label: Everlasting Spew Records

Track Listing:
1. Oath Of Disgust (4:00)
2. Exclusion Continuum (4:35)
3. Revelation In Purity (4:43)
4. Spewing Retribution (3:50)
5. Iniquity (5:06)
6. Where Dead Omens Croon (2:40)
7. The Enduring Light Of Irreverence (7:18)
Album Length: 33:00

Album Credits:
All songs performed by Imperishable
All songs written by Imperishable
Produced by Brian Kingsland
Mixed and Mastered by Jamie King
Album artwork by Nestor Avalos
Logo by Caelan Stokkermans

Lineup:
Brian Kingsland: Guitar/Vocals
Alex Rush: Bass
Derek Roddy: Drums

Discography:
2025 – Revelation in Purity – LP
2020 – Exclusion Continuum – single
2024 – Imperishable – demo

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

About The Album Artwork:

Initially, we wanted something dark and nostalgic. Detailed but not too busy. Nestor did a fantastic job with this simple yet impactful cover. It’s as if a gateway is being opened up.

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

As a whole, the title of this record is based on the revelation of what true purity is. To be free of religion and restraint.

Musically, this record is fast and aggressive, but still retains discernible musicianship throughout. The performances on this record highlight the compositions. All parts are moving and working together to further strengthen each song.

Lyrically, the record ranges from topics of religion, health, personal struggles, and sacrifice.

But there is no low-hanging fruit. It is largely up to the listener to interpret.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Oath of Disgust
Musically, this song is one of the more technical. Quite a few twists, like clean singing over blast beats and Black metal chords, but it is overall memorable, fast, and aggressive. The guitar solo is dark and well-phrased throughout chord changes.

Lyrically, the song is loosely based around personal sacrifice that is never fulfilling or reciprocated. The constant struggle for greatness.

2. Exclusion Continuum
Musically, this tune has a darker vibe. A haunting guitar melody over dark chords in the intro gives an eerie presence. Eventually, the song leads into a breakneck pace, but not overly complicated riffing, with a mosh-worthy groove section in the middle.

Lyrically, it deals with personal betrayal and the strength to overcome through hatred, perseverance, morals, and principles. Thus, it is a song of confidence and positivity.

3. Revelation In Purity
Musically, this song has a very catchy main riff. The verse section is more akin to black thrash, while the bridge brings an Angelcorpse vibe. Aggressive and catchy throughout. The ending brings a slow funeral doom feel, with an evil brooding guitar solo to conclude the journey.

Lyrically, this song is anti-religion. Purity in the Christian context is unrealistic and misguiding. The revelation is that true purity is freedom from religion.

4. Spewing Retribution
Musically is an onslaught of aggressive picking and fast blast beats. Letting off the jugular only momentarily for a Dimebag meets Ihsahn guitar solo, before ramping back up again. This song is a staple of the aggressive sound the band has achieved.

Lyrically, the song is again anti-religious. But, crafted so in a more poetic, interpretive manner, rather than outright violence and hatred

5. Iniquity
Musically, it is tuned down and a bit sludgy. Some new elements are introduced momentarily with clean guitar and clean vocals, leading to Morbid Angel meets Immolation style riffing. Slow, grooving, and evil. The ending harmony lead into some murky, unsettling territory.

Lyrically, the song is loosely based on living a healthier lifestyle. It was inspired by Alex’s weight loss journey

6. Where Dead Omens Croon
Musically, it is a jagged piece. Starting with alternating technical blackened style riffs, then immediately racing into Angelcorpse speed worship. The bridge is filled with an interesting array of emperor-ish clean vocals, followed by a classic harmonized guitar section before jolting back to the frantic black/tech of the intro.

Lyrically, it’s loosely based around the death of Brian’s grandfather, the birth of his son, and how it’s affected his touring lifestyle.

7. The Enduring Light Of Irreverence
Musically, the final track is a linear journey. Lots of ideas that develop and mutate to describe the journey into irrelevance. The journey takes us through many styles, from ugly black metal to tightly performed death metal, while never losing focus and musicality. The song premieres 4 guitar solos of varying involvement. Each one is deploying varying degrees of Brian’s signature black/blue style. The final section of the song introduces a dark progressive climax, with a very tasteful guitar solo conclusion.

Lyrically, the song is an interpretative journey towards one’s own freedom from religion, which is the ending light, the enduring liberation.


Imperishable is an extreme metal band hailing from South Carolina, USA. The project was formed in 2020 by guitarist/vocalist Brian Kingsland (Nile, Enthean) and Bassist Alex Rush (Olkoth, Enthean). The lineup was completed in early 2023 with the addition of drum legend Derek Roddy (Hate Eternal, Malevolent Creation). The trio is set to release their debut album, “Revelation In Purity”, on August 29th, 2025. The focus is to deliver ferocious material while retaining memorable hooks and musicality. The record is dark, aggressive, and occasionally experimental at times. The songs are molded around power rather than flash. Pure metal with a sense of exploration!

Lineup:
Brian Kingsland: Guitar/Vocals
Alex Rush: Bass
Derek Roddy: Drums

Discography:
2025 – Revelation in Purity – LP
2020 – Exclusion Continuum – single
2024 – Imperishable – demo

0 EPK – Hog Meets Frog – The Urbanizer (You Know Where The Flowers Have Gone) ft. Marco Minnemann (single) (2025)

  • July 16, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Hog Meets Frog (Echotunes)

EPK – Hog Meets Frog – The Urbanizer (You Know Where The Flowers Have Gone) ft. Marco Minnemann (single) (2025)

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

For fans of Primus, RHCP, System of a Down, TOOL, Frank Zappa

“And the urbanizer opened his arms and said: Let all greenery be erased! So let us be deaf, dumb, and blind on our way to extinction and take away our own biosphere! And if you have doubts as you pave over meadow after meadow, root out forest after forest, and poison river after river while blasting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere like there’s no tomorrow, then raise your head and look up to me in awe – but don’t expect salvation from your fears, for I am your creation: the urbanizer.”
- Hog Meets Frog

Band: Hog Meets Frog
Single Title: Urbanizer (You Know Where The Flowers Have Gone) ft. Marco Minnemann
Release Date: July 7, 2025
Label: Echotunes

Hogmeetsfrog.com  |  Facebook.com/hogmeetsfrog  |  Twitter.com/hogmeetsfrog  |  Youtube.com/@hogmeetsfrog  |  Instagram.com/hogmeetsfrog  |  Tiktok.com/@hogmeetsfrog 

Sales Links: Hogmeetsfrog.bandcamp.com  | Spotify | Apple Music

“We have featured on the tune ‘The Urbanizer’ drummer Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani), which is a great honour for us. A mutual friend brought us together – thanks, Alan!! The song’s main riff was written many years ago, and a few years later, the first four verses and thus the character of the urbanizer emerged. Over the years, however, it has become clear that society isn’t getting to grips with the issue; rather, the effects of human actions, which have been driving global warming for decades, are actually increasing in a lot of areas. Why? Well, some deny ecological changes out of fear, some out of greed, and still others just to show that they’re ‘against the system’ – whatever that means. Precisely because of the subject matter, the song is one of those that even we couldn’t make into a particularly funny song… but, hey! Let’s just say that HOG MEETS FROG also has a dark side.” – Hog Meets Frog


Hog Meets Frog – The Urbanizer Greening Tour 2025
July 26 – Schwarzach, Austria – Tauerngold Festival
July 30 – Ottawa, ON –  Avant-Garde Bar
Aug 1 – Toronto, ON – The Rockpile
Aug 3 – Drumheller, AB – Loud As Hell Open Air Festival w/ REVOCATION, FIRST FRAGMENT, FILTH, INSURRECTION, GORGATRON, OPAL IN SKY and more!
Aug 6 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar
Sept 6 – Schwaz, Austria – Woodlight Festival

[Download Single Cover | Download Single Lyrics]

Band: Hog Meets Frog
Single Title: Urbanizer (You Know Where The Flowers Have Gone) ft. Marco Minnemann
Release Date: July 7, 2025
Label: Echotunes

Single Credits:
• song performed by: HOG MEETS FROG feat. MARCO MINNEMANN
• All songs written by: HOG MEETS FROG
• Produced by: Lukas Wiltschko (LW Sonics), PETZ
• Mixed by: Lukas Wiltschko (LW Sonics)
• Mastered by: Lukas Wiltschko (LW Sonics)
• Album Artwork by: Attila Zolt Tornyi (LaMañana)

Single Band Line Up:
Marco Minnemann – Drums
Markus Bratusa – Guitar
Peter “PETZ” Schwabl – Bass, Vox

Live Band Line Up (for Canada-Tour 2025):
Markus Bratusa – Guitar
Ivo Matoš – Drums
Peter “PETZ” Schwabl – Bass, Vox

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

About The Single Artwork:

The artwork comes – how could it be otherwise – from Attila Zolt Tornyi (LaMañana). It is an excerpt from the video for the song and shows the skull and face of the “urbanizer”, who can be seen in the middle of a concrete landscape created by him.

The skull is yellow-orange and could be a symbol for the sun, as the “urbanizer” himself says about himself: “I’m the god of the building industry, I’m the sun of the spoiled sky…”

In this context, it can also be understood as “concrete gold”, a symbol of the fact that more and more is being built by speculators for speculators, but less and less affordable living space is being created for most people. This is also reflected in the oppressively gray, deserted surroundings, in which no one is to be seen apart from the “golden” skull – not a person, but also not a plant.

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

Lyrically – this time – we take a look at one of the causes of the increasingly extreme climate situation – the urbanization.

The story is told from the perspective of the “urbanizer” and paints a picture of how we humans pave over meadow after meadow, root out forest after forest, and poison river after river while blasting dirt into the atmosphere like there’s no tomorrow. With that, we also want to address the unpleasant social and health-related developments that the lining of nature brings with it.

The arrogance and short-sightedness of this, our behaviour, is described by the words of the urbanizer, who obviously does not realize that in the end, he will ultimately meet his end with the extinction of mankind – just as people do not seem to understand that they cannot live without nature.

Musically, the song begins to make its way rhythmically unconventional – for some, it may simply leave them asking, “WT*!?” but only for a few seconds until their thoughts are stomped out of their heads and into their stomachs by a darkly epic riff that unexpectedly hits them.

Then there comes the awakening of the urbanizer, soft, slow, groovy, and dry, only to find himself shortly thereafter in the alarmist “right in your face lick”. This is repeated once more before the tune takes a turn for the hardcore, punchy, and honest, which makes him slide into a playful but serious solo part. The urbanizer dances through the musical scene once more, this time a little more exhilarated than before until the song finally jumps into what feels like a fast final part – which it probably is.

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

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. HOG MEETS FROG play their music in honor of the holy spirit SQUEAUQACK. He created everything with just one fart and then fell into a deep sleep, on the edge of infinity. Maybe one day he will come back and – hand in hand with Kthulu (the misunderstood savior), the flying spaghetti monster, and some characters of the HOG MEETS FROG family – make the world a place of love, peace, and joy.

2. After a show, PETZ was asked by some fans if he wanted to drink liquor or whiskey with them or smoke a joint. PETZ thankfully declined, saying that he doesn’t drink or smoke, whereupon he was asked, “Really? And how do you get ideas like that without alcohol or drugs?”

3. HOG MEETS FROG seems to be funny… but it isn’t.

4. HOG MEETS FROGs music was defined as ‘avant-garde funk’.

Bottom L-R: : | ARIYAN Rezaei Jahromi (guitar) | Ivo Matuš (drums)
Top: | Peter ’PETZ’ Schwabl (bass, storytelling)
Photo Credit Vicky vanSane

Hog Meets Frog is the genre-bending, groove-infused trio that’s been warping minds and melting faces since their sonic leap onto the scene. Hailing from Austria, this power trio blends progressive metal, jazz fusion, funk, and absurdist humor into a sound that’s as technically dazzling as it is wildly unpredictable.

With a reputation for tight musicianship, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, and a fearless approach to composition, Hog Meets Frog has carved out a niche that’s equal parts Frank Zappa, Primus, and Meshuggah—yet unmistakably their own.

Their latest single, “Urbanizer”, drops like a wrecking ball into the modern prog landscape. A blistering commentary on city life and digital overload, the track fuses polyrhythmic riffs, slap bass wizardry, and theatrical vocals into a chaotic anthem for the overstimulated. It’s a bold evolution of their sound—more aggressive, more intricate, and more unhinged than ever.

Whether you’re a math-metal disciple or a jazz-funk explorer, Hog Meets Frog invites you to embrace the weird, worship the groove, and get lost in the madness.

Single Band Line Up:
Marco Minnemann – Drums
Markus Bratusa – Guitar
Peter “PETZ” Schwabl – Bass, Vox

Live Band Line Up (for Canada-Tour 2025):
Markus Bratusa – Guitar
Ivo Matoš – Drums
Peter “PETZ” Schwabl – Bass, Vox

Discography:
2025 – the urbanizer (you know where the flowers have gone) ft. Marco Minnemann – single
2024 – ADOLF the ant (…or am I steve?) – single
2023 – humANIMALization (EP)
2019 – apes don’t smoke cigars – just pipes (single)
2018 – peeping-bear’s exegesis of not peeping (single)
2012 – holy spirit SQUEAQUACK (LP)
2006 – RUN tha FREAKS (multimedia single)
2004 – FREAKY RITES (EP)
2003 – infernal promotion (EP)
==================================================

What the press has said about 2023 EP – humANIMALization

“The quirkily name Hog Meets Frog are an Australian funk prog metal trio who released their third EP, humANIMALization, in February, and from which the equally odd Of Snakes ‘n’ Moles ‘n’ Bulls ‘n’ Dough, is taken. We’re getting strong Primus vibes here, and the band also admit to a Tool influence.” – Prog (Great new prog music in our Tracks of The Week – April 28, 2023)

“If you are a fan of the jerky, spiky, awkward sounds of Primus you’ll love this. I daresay if you enjoy a bit of early Red Hot Chili Peppers you may also dig this – certain parts of the record do have a sneak peek toward Frank Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention and The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown – not too obviously, but those sly, sideways little looks are there.” – Ever- Metal UK

“‘Does humor belong in music?’ was once a question that the late/great Frank Zappa asked – and Austrian funk-prog metallists apparently agree wholeheartedly, as evidenced within the video for their new tune, “Peeping-Bear’s Exegesis of Not Peeping,” – Bravewords

“Many hard rockers like when it is funky. Then this cool act must not be overlooked! This unit is a tight bunch of players and they have catchy tunes, for sure… Well worth checking out for fans of crazy funky hard rock.” – Melodic.net

“There’s an element of uniqueness to how each of these songs are written, although you can’t deny the clear influence of say the Primus bass lines or Zappa-esc experimentation, yet it is within the niche, thematic storytelling that gives Hog Meets Frog a real musical identity. The way they can tell a story with humour yet allow you to consider the real and often times scary true circumstances behind where these stories originate is what gives this band their staple. Certainly one to look out for in the future, long live Sqeekquackmusic!” – Metal Epidemic

“On their latest EP, this Austrian band presents offbeat funk-metal with semi-spoken vocals that tell absurd stories about weird characters. There are all sorts of slap-happy bass parts you could imagine Les Claypool coming up with, insanely busy and leading the band. That’s Peter Schwabl on the bass, and he handles the “storytelling” vocals as well… HumANIMALization is 23 minutes of big fun” – Exposé Online

“If I had to draw a comparison for this band… it’d be Primus, heavy catchy, quirky and big bass guitar. Great stuff!” – Mosh Pit Radio 89.9 FM (Madison, WI)

“One of the most creative and interesting bands I’ve heard in some time comes in the form of Austria’s Hog Meets Frog. The trio is extremely talented and unique.” – Transcending The Mundane

“They’re from Austria. One of the greatest song titles (Peeping-Bear’s Exegesis of Not Peeping) I’ve ever heard. That’s all you’re getting. Press play and share the adventure” – Metallum Sub Terra

“If you love listening to the whimsical funky excursions of Les Claypool, and wouldn’t mind exploring similar landscapes that also include a bit more of a progressive metal approach and attitude, this EP will just about guarantee you an enjoyable experience.” – Progressor

“If the song titles like Apes don’t smoke cigars, just pipes are very funny, the musical aspects are of very high quality and definitely not “suitable for a headband”. Sure, funk isn’t a run-of-the-mill genre to sing along to, but sophisticated music at the highest level. So to speak, jazz music of the metal species. One can clearly register the inspiration of Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Primus and Co. on this record, whereby the songs transport positive energy.” – Rock Magazine

“Overall – As chaotic as claimed, with quirky features, throughout, it’s fair to say that you never know where this is going to go, next. Trippy, outlandish and bizarre, it’s a wacky wonderland, all of its own… ‘HumANIMALIZATION’ can never be accused of being boring or predictable. Spicy and novel, in equal measure, it may appeal more to niche audiences. Hard to summarise easily, it’s a case of suck it and see.” – Rock Queen Reviews

“with all the wild antics they pull off in tracks with titles like snakes ‘n’ moles ‘n’ bulls ‘n’ dough, apes don’t smoke cigars – just pipes and ZIGGY the unpigcorn, it all remains surprisingly easy to follow. Even the lyrics, which are all kind of inverted fables, with humans and the animalistic traits in their personalities. Weird? Absolutely. Wild? Certainly. But never just a gimmick, never a mess, in short, just a damn good album. Does Humor Belong In Music? Zappa once asked. Well, if the music is SQUEAQUACKmusic it is.” – Rock Portaal

0 EPK – Unpunished – Echoes of History (2025)

  • July 16, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Uncategorized · Unpunished

EPK – Unpunished – Echoes of History (2025)

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

“We hope our new EP album will get us noticed on the local and national metal scene. We want to demonstrate that we approach music with a professional and focused mindset. We want to get listeners’ attention with a unique blend of past and modern metalcore, sprinkled with melodeath and deathcore accents. We also hope we can showcase our technical and musical abilities.

Echoes of History marks an evolution in our sound. More technicality, more brutality, but a lasting place for melodic choruses and guitar solos. Each band member grew as a writer and composer, elevating the overall quality. The first single, As water fills my lungs, deals with themes of anxiety, disease, and the fear of death. It’s a last cry for help from someone who is losing the battle against his own demons.” – Unpunished

For fans of As I Lay Dying, The Black Dahlia Murder, Trivium, Parkway Drive, Bleed From Within

Band: Unpunished
EP Title: Echoes of History
Release Date: September 5, 2025
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/Unpunishedband | Instagram.com/unpunished_band | Youtube.com/@unpunishedmusic9106

Unpunished.bandcamp.com

“Le groupe de metalcore qui contient des sonorités de deathcore et death metal, Unpunished, a dévoilé une couleur plus agressive avec son nouvel extrait ¨Burn The Traitors¨, titre qui est collaboré au niveau vocal par Alex Leblanc de Fracturus (Ancien Mass Murder Messiah / Neuraxis).” – Grizzly Media

“It’s all this musical baggage that Alex Leblanc (Fracturus, ex-Mass Murder Messiah, ex-Neuraxis) brings to this new song UNPUNISHED. As a collaborator, of course, but he allows us to give another dimension to their sound which leans more towards melodic death this time. The intensity of the song growl from Jean-Christophe Magnan takes up much more space and gives new weapons to UNPUNISHED. At times we feel like we have a mix between Amon Amarth, Soilwork and Killswitch Engage. To discover!” – Metal Universe (2023 – Burn the Traitors – single)

“Unpunished comes to us with an EP that will please fans of metalcore from the good years combined with the more modern melodic side. The vocal playing between clear and « growl » is effective, especially on the title track « Shadows And Dust ». The guitar riffs are eye-catching and that’s one of the things that introduced me to metalcore in the mid-2000s, and we’re well served with this EP. They knew how to bring their personal touch to their influences, and that is what makes « Shadows And Dust» so effective.” – Metal Universe (2022 – Shadows and Dust EP)

[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]

Band: Unpunished
EP Title: Echoes of History
Release Date: September 5, 2025
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. As Water Fills My Lungs – 4:49
2. Plague of Our Race – 4:39
3. Shattered in Dissaray – 5:06
4. Echoes of History – 4:52
5. Burn the Traitors – 4:38
EP Length: 24:06

Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Unpunished
• All songs written by: Unpunished
• Produced, mixed, and mastered by: Justin Lefebvre
• Album Artwork by: I And I Art
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

EP Recording and Live Line Up:
Jean-Christophe Magnan (vocals)
Justin Lefebvre (drums)
Alex Brochu-Meloche (bass, backing vocals)
Pierre-Luc Defoy (guitar, backing vocals)
Dean Pavicic (guitar)

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

About EP Artwork:

The artwork for Echoes of History was inspired by the Ouroboros, an Egyptian symbol that represents the eternal cycle of time, but with an almost empty hourglass in the middle, signifying that humanity keeps repeating the same mistakes, never learns from the past, but now, time is running out and our world is about to end. The artwork serves as a final warning that humanity is doomed if it continues on this self-destructing path.

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

A journey through many different emotions, a journey through struggles and battles. From the internal battles we all fight within ourselves, to the battles we fight openly in society.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. As Water Fills My Lungs
Musically, this track revolves around a very melodic chorus that carries a lot of emotions. The verses put emphasis on fast guitars and drums that carry a feeling of anger. The bridge section offers a moment of rest as an emotionally charged guitar solo and highly melodic vocals take the lead. A breakdown then brings the emotional culmination of the song, followed by one last chorus and a pummeling end part. Lyrically, the song is a journey through anger and despair. The realization of betrayal, the panic that follows, and the despair of a life ruined by those you trusted the most.

2. Plague of Our Race
This song is one of the heaviest songs we’ve ever written. Largely influenced by death metal and deathcore, it’s a song fueled by rage, disgust, and despair as it illustrates the never-ending failure of humankind to learn from history and always allowing dictators to emerge and spread chaos and death. Pummeling drums, furious riffs, a blistering guitar solo, and ferocious vocals make Plague of our race an intense ride through hell.

3. Shattered in Dissaray
Slower and darker, Shattered in disarray is the story of someone realizing he ruined his life and failed his loved ones. Will he end his life? Is there still hope to fix what’s broken? It invites the listeners to reflect on their own failures and how they could have done better. Musically, it’s focused on a very melodic chorus riff and 3 different guitar solo sections that carry the conflicting emotions of the lyrics.

4. Echoes of History
The most metalcore and melodeath influenced song of the EP, Echoes of History is a fast-paced, angry, and relentless song about the countless genocides committed through time as a ruling society seeks to annihilate another from history. Amid all the chaos, a spark of hope remains, highlighted in the bridge section, through a slow-paced riff and emotional solo. The rest of the song is musically challenging with fast riffs, drums, and vocals that give no rest to the listeners.

5. Burn the Traitors
Musically Burn the Traitors is our most brutal song ever. It’s much more melodic death metal than metalcore, as there are no clean vocals. It’s written as a relentless track with little place to breathe. The chorus is melodic and catchy, but without the use of clean lyrics. The solo is the slowest section of the song, as a way to catch our breath before the breakdown and final stretch of intensity. Lyrically, the theme is centered around vengeance, inflicting pain on those who betrayed, abused, and inflicted pain on their people. Remastered from its initial 2023 release, Burn the Traitors ends the EP with ferocity and leaves no one indifferent.

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

Fun Facts – Story Angles

1. As water fills my lungs is our first single since 2023. We played it live a few times already, but we never had time to properly finish the recording. We also wanted to have our 2nd EP ready to release this song as the first single, but it took us much longer than anticipated to finish writing the EP.

2. Justin Lefebvre (drummer) is the producer on this new EP. He spent countless hours developing his production skills to the point that he was the obvious choice for us to have our drummer handle the production duties. Since Unpunished is a band of perfectionists, we spent a lot of time with Justin to develop our sound, set the guitar and bass tones, and perfect each part so we were all happy with the end result.

3. Fun fact: all the demos that are brought in by the band members usually have a silly name to make fun of J-C’s age, as he is older than everyone else by a decade. This song was a rare exception of not having a name like ‘’JC’s hip replacement surgery, ‘’JC’s Cialis overdose, ‘’JC’s last colored pubic hair, etc. The first title of this song was ‘’NYYEEEAAA’’, or else known as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous scream. Dean initially added a clip of this famous Arnold scream at the beginning of the demo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BdaywIhVeI 

L-R – Justin Lefebvre (Drums), Pierre-Luc Defoy (Guitar, Back Vocals), Jean-Christophe Magnan (Vocals), Alex Brochu-Meloche (Bass, Back Vocals), Dean Pavicic (Guitar)

Photo Credit – Julien Bouffard

Unpunished, one of Quebec’s fiercest metalcore exports, have officially announced their second EP “Echoes of History” set to be unleashed on September 5th, 2025. A blistering five-track journey through despair, defiance, and destruction, this EP from the ferocious five-piece is ready to ignite mosh pits around the globe.
Originally formed as tribute act Tidal Wave, performing songs by Trivium and Parkway Drive, the band reinvented itself during the COVID pandemic, writing original music that blends metalcore roots with melodeath and deathcore elements. Their sound is melodic, intense, diverse, energetic, and aggressive.

​​
“Echoes of History took us over two years to write, and each of us faced major personal challenges during that time. Sorting through dozens of demos was tough; we all have different musical tastes, which makes it hard to agree, but also gives us our unique sound,” adds the band.
​
Rather than follow a formula, Unpunished built each song with its own emotional journey, combining the brutality of modern death metal with the melody and groove of classic metalcore. The EP was also produced by drummer Justin Lefebvre. From its guitar tones to vocal layering, every detail reflects hours of obsession and refinement, reflecting the band’s obsession with perfection.

“We want every track to hit differently. From anxiety and despair to rage and revolt, this EP is all about movement and mood,” says the band.
Unpunished prides itself on precision and passion. No ego, just relentless intensity that invites fans to scream and sweat as one. Recommended for fans of As I Lay Dying, The Black Dahlia Murder, Trivium, Parkway Drive, and Bleed From Within, the “Echoes of History” EP pre-order (out Sept 5th) is available at https://unpunished.bandcamp.com.  

0 EPK – Ancient Thrones – Melancholia (2025)

  • June 28, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Ancient Thrones · EPKs

EPK – Ancient Thrones – Melancholia (2025)

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

For fans of The Black Dahlia Murder, The Red Chord, Deafheaven, Revocation, Opeth

“I think this album is a turning point in the band, where we were able to take the atmosphere of our previous record, and kick the aggression up to a thousand. The last record was intended to be poetic and hopeful, but this record intends to crush any ounce of hope that is left. We just want as many people to move to our music as possible, whether it’s at home, at a show, or anywhere in between. Bang your head and feel something. Lyrically, I want to get under your skin with this album. With the last album, it was story-driven and at times dialogue-heavy. This time around, I left a lot to be interpreted by the listener, and kept things more grey and abstract. It was hard to choose singles to release, since the album as a whole flows so naturally and every song has something unique to offer. We could not possibly be more excited to welcome you to this new chapter of the band. It was a long but fulfilling 5 years to get to this point. We’re proud to share this album with our fans, old and new, and we hope this album moves you in unnatural ways. Enjoy the trip while it lasts”. – Sean Hickey – Ancient Thrones

Band: Ancient Thrones
Album Title: Melancholia
Release Date: September 19, 2025
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/Ancientthrones | Instagram.com/ancientthrones | Youtube.com/@ancientthrones234

Ancientthrones.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music

“Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Ancient Thrones’ second album, Melancholia not only cherry picks from a sturdy stable of metallic subgenres — from the melodic, blackened and textural to the technical, exploratory and unhinged — but is also ground zero for an interesting concept/story. The record’s nine songs tell the story of a colorblind individual who dives head first into psychedelic drug use as a last ditch attempt to experience life in color. The album chronicles everything they experience in the process as life goes on with their newly minted perceptual capabilities. Given that it’s an extreme metal album, we can only surmise that the story doesn’t end on a particularly happy note, but you can find out for yourself via the stream of Melancholia we’re running below, a single day before its release date.” – Decibel Magazine

“The music is indeed violent, and immediately so, exploding in a blast of turbulent riffing, heavily undulating bass tones, and furious beats. The guitars wildly writhe and rapidly spear off in crazed angles, kaleidoscopic in effect, and the words spit forth in caustic screams that are equally deranged. Dissonant and dismal tones intrude, along with guttural roars, blast-beat outbursts, and pulverizing blows, and the riffing also seems to swarm in agony, adding further dimensions of darkness to the song’s overarching manifestation of delirium. Backed by a pulse-pounding and highly headbangable groove, the song also introduces yet another dimension, an eerie guitar solo that slowly slithers, brightly swirls, and evolves into an entrancing harmony, very much like a beckoning and seductive presence that manifests within the mayhem.” – No Clean Singing (single – A Moon Fused Key – 2025)

“indeed a contentious and brutal slab of metal that will roll right over you and crush your skull into dust. Just when you think the band has reached their limit of intensity, they take it up a notch to impossible heights. If you dare, travel to their world of “Melancholia.”” – Metal Temple

“Who needs a compact disc when you have a vinyl? That’s what Canadian’s Ancient Thrones are saying as they approach the 19th September arrival of their new album “Melancholia“. Curiously enough with their guitar playthrough for new song “A Turning Point” the outfit trade Speed for Sludge, Groove and emotional weight as they continue to evolve their progressive and existential sound.” – Metal Noise

“Thrashy blackened death metal, pretty cool stuff.” – The Mosh Pit 89.9 FM (Madison, WI)

“Tracks like A Moon Fused Key and Vacant drive the narrative through blasts of speed, cinematic atmosphere, and suffocating heaviness, pulling from black, death, and tech death while pushing into surreal territory.” – IDIOTEQ

“The whole album, clocking in at 42 minutes, is a descent into what I can only call emotional extremity, not just brutality for brutality’s sake, but a narrative steeped in alienation, transformation, and the horror of seeing the world differently. Tracks like “Achromatopsia” (a 90-second tone poem of dissonance) and the doom-smeared closer “Vacant” frame a journey that’s as cerebral as it is crushing. Think Deafheaven’s atmosphere meets Archspire’s velocity, with a dash of The Red Chord’s structural madness. And the production? Impeccably violent. Every layer was obsessively sculpted: tones dialed, performances honed over a year just to play the damn thing. You can hear it. This isn’t noise; it’s architecture. A cathedral of dissonance with stained glass made of feedback.” – Papy Jeff Metal

“Let us commence this week’s proceedings with a bit of Melancholia, seeing as I’m in that kind of mood. The video for this song, the title track from the Nova Scotia-based blackened death metal marauders’ second full-length album, is set in a birthday party for the band’s drummer who doesn’t seem entirely keen to be celebrating the event. This is certainly apt! I love the sense of macabre gleefulness throughout the whole affair. The album is due to be made available on September 19th and, needless to say, it’s heavy as all Hell, with some virtuoso musicianship on display from these crazy Canadians!” – Metal Lair

“Ancient Thrones offer up their latest full length for your enjoyment, and I’ll say it now, I’ve no idea how these guys are unsigned. They feel that they have jettisoned all that was extraneous from their sound and amp up that aggression. I think you can say that its job done. I heartedly recommend having a decent pair of headphones for this or play it at insane volumes in order to let it swamp over you. Ancient Thrones drop you straight in the middle of this as A Moon Fused Key opens up their account with an incredibly well polished song that brings all that is good about heavy metal into one space. ” – Musipeda of Metal

“There’s A LOT going on in each of the nine tracks on Melancolia. Vocalist/Drummer Sean Hickey, has a quintessential late 2000’s/early 2010’s melodeath high/low vocal combo (think The Black Dahlia Murder or, The Juliet Massacre, if you will) that pair oh, so well with Nick Leslie and Dylan Wallace’s frantic melodic riffs and Sean’s brutal blast beats that pepper the nuked soundscape from track to relentless track. (Apologies to Matt “No Not THAT Matt LeBlanc” LeBlanc as I wasn’t able to make out much in the way of bass work, but I can’t tell if that’s my headphones going to shit or if it was something that happened during production.) This album has me convinced that these guys would have made a great touring/festival accompaniment to Alterbeast or The Kennedy Veil. Highlights: Album opener “Moon Fused Key” screamed out of my speakers like a warning shot from a Kratos heavy assault tank while my favorite track, “Blight” attempts to break your neck with its sudden plunge into The Red Chord-esque deathgrind.” – The Posers Graveyard

“A psychedelic trip turns sideways on Ancient Thrones’ second album, Melancholia. A concept inspired by vocalist/drummer Sean Hickey’s own experience on hallucinatory drugs, chilling fright is given through blackened death metal. Their songwriting trims the excess from their debut The Veil, while never losing sight of the overarching story of a person’s inner turmoil. A few songs use piano for cinematic effect, including the calming interlude “Achromatopsia” and rumbling stance of “Vacant.” The latter is the group at their slowest, slinking along as each word is coughed out with disdain. A cavalcade of drum fills perks the tune up before an extended bout of noise finishes Melancholia on a hopeless note for our suffering main character.” – Heavy Music HQ

What the press has said about 2020’s “The Veil”:

“A full-throttle attack, the song (The Sight of Oblivion) delivers bludgeoning rhythms, vicious darting and slashing guitar-work, scorching blackened shrieks, and cold-hearted roars. There’s a brazen, borderline-unhinged quality to the barrage, generated by screaming, rapidly whirling leads, magma-like bass notes, and fast-changing, bone-cracking drums. But within the assault there are also fluid, sinuous melodic leads whose mellifluous, reverberating tones give the music a mysterious, mesmerizing, and mournful quality. And near the end one of those leads morphs into a fret-burning dual-guitar extravaganza that really gets the blood rushing.” – No Clean Singing (2020 – The Veil)

“Nearly an hour in length, The Veil earns that run-time with crisply-written compositions and an arsenal of sky-ripping riffs. The acoustic reprieve of “Sentient” and melodic grief of “Permanent” reveal the album’s heavy heart. But the album conjures strength from those pensive moments. Rife with nimble axe-work from Dylan Wallace and Nick Leslie, The Veil never succumbs to the solemnity of its subject. The Veil remains an impactful listen down to its final dying note.” – Decibel Magazine (2020 – The Veil)

“Trailer Park Boys and Hobo With a Shotgun aren’t the only pieces of media that have emerged from Nova Scotia that you should get excited over.” – MetalSucks

“From the massive tremolo sections and bludgeoning riffs to the surprisingly melodic harmonies between guitarists Dylan Wallace and Nick Leslie, Ancient Thrones have definitely honed in on something special with this track.” – GearGods

“From earth crushing riffs and face-melting guitar solos to the overarching theme of grief and devastation that the record encompasses, this single really ramps up the intensity” –  Bravewords

“From the icy lands of Halifax, Nova Scotia lies one of Canada’s best-kept secrets: Ancient Thrones! …Fusing the intensity of traditional black metal with the modern stylings and production of death metal and tech death, “Divided/Dissolve” has a little bit of something for everyone. From the massive tremolo sections and bludgeoning riffs to the surprisingly melodic harmonies between guitarists Dylan Wallace and Nick Leslie, Ancient Thrones have definitely honed in on something special with this track.” – GearGods (2020 – The Veil)

“Canadian band Ancient Thrones perform a combination of black, death and thrash metal with some progressive tendencies on The Veil. They have similarities to Skeletonwitch, but have an even more dynamic sound. The songs are both aggressive and intelligent in equal measure and run through a variety of different emotional tangents. There is a vile and harsh aspect to the band, but there is also a forward thinking one. It all results in a creative and dynamic listen.” – Heavy Music Headquarters (2020 – The Veil) 

“The prize for most ambitious album of 2020 already has the name of Ancient Thrones carved in marble. Who among you fancies a 56-minute blackened death metal saga with an epic meditation on one man’s descent into the afterlife? No band thought it conceivable to write the metal version of Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal, but this Nova Scotia quartet are not just any band. This is a remarkable journey for the contemplative mind.” – Scream Blast Repeat (2020 – The Veil)

“a 57-minute descent into purgatory….” – Permafrost Today (2020 – The Veil)

“The Sight of Oblivion and The Millionth Grave are steeped in ferociousness and savagery as only a band well versed in blackened death metal are capable of producing.8.5/10” – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life (2020 – The Veil)

“With this new incarnation, Ancient Thrones has moved into strict Black/Death territory, producing an album filled with pummeling riffs, intricate song structures, and technical musicianship that’s leavened by atmospheric segments and epic, sometimes audacious melodies that border on Cascadian. The production matches this style perfectly, being heavy and abrasive while allowing the songs enough room to stretch out… fans of more epic and melodic Black/Death will want to give The Veil a listen. 4/5” – The Metal Crypt (2020 – The Veil)

“It is fast, thrashing extreme metal with shrieked/growled vocals, and a headbanging attitude. They have elements of thrash, black and death but their method of delivery won’t confuse anyone. It is metal to make the fans move. It is pretty thrashy, pretty brutal but also melodic, and the guitar work has plenty to offer both in the riffs and the melodies.” – Metal Bulletin (2020 – The Veil)

“one of the most promising young bands in the region (Atlantic Canada) right now […] I already can’t wait for the next one. 4/5 stars” – Mettalworx Music Group (2020 – The Veil)

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: Ancient Thrones
Album Title: Melancholia
Release Date: September 19, 2025
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. A Moon Fused Key (5:12)
2. Achromatopsia (1:19)
3. Melancholia (6:17)
4. A Turning Point (5:46)
5. A Pellucid Prism (4:26)
6. Sacred Swollen Glass (6:16)
7. Blight (2:18)
8. A Pale Palace (4:55)
9. Vacant (5:31)
Album Length: 42:00

Album Credits:
All songs performed by Ancient Thrones
Piano by Dan Richards on tracks 1, 2, 3, and 9
Additional vocals by Dylan Wallace on track 7
All songs written by Ancient Thrones
All lyrics by Sean Hickey
Produced by Ancient Thrones
Mixed and Mastered by Dylan Wallace
Drum editing by Nick Leslie
Album Artwork by Carter Doody
Content is 100% MAPL

Band Lineup:
Dylan Wallace – Guitar
Nick Leslie – Guitar
Matt LeBlanc – Bass
Sean Hickey – Drums & Vocals

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

About The Album Artwork:

The album cover is symbolic of the character in the story. The character is treading a path to destruction while on a hallucinogenic journey to some sort of peace. I wanted the colours to feel like colours you recognize in nature, but to feel like there’s something off with them, something not right. The bloody red birds fleeing the castle are meant to symbolize the blood leaving the body. The castle is made of glass, symbolizing its jagged, dangerous nature, but also the fragility of life, and it stands tall and menacing, but still somehow beautiful and intriguing. We worked with an artist named Carter Doody from our home province in New Brunswick, and we gave him tons of details about the album’s story to incorporate into the cover. There are references to glass, birds, sirens, and storming water all throughout the album, and it is on full display on the cover. Imaginative realism is the best description I can think of, something that could possibly exist, but most certainly should not.

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

The album is about a person who is seemingly colourblind, who takes psychedelic drugs as a last-ditch effort to see colour. As the trip unfolds, he begins to live his ideal life, seeing colour for the first time. In reality, something else is happening. The writing is on the wall from the beginning of the record to the bitter end.

Musically, the album is tailored to the lyrics, and ebbs and flows as the character makes challenging decisions, and experiences pain, joy, and perhaps most prominently existential exhaustion. The album is fast, jagged, and unapologetic in its aggression, as we lead this character to his final tripped-out day in a fantastical place.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. A Moon Fused Key- Kicks off the record, setting the stage for the violent nature about to unfold both musically and lyrically. This is the point of the record where the character severs every piece of life from his body. At the end of the song, he sees the hand of god pulling him to heaven, and he severs it. This song is fast, filled with crushing riffs, and sets the stage for what’s to come.

2. Achromatopsia- This is the point where we go back in the story, an interlude of sorts, fading in between the worlds of A Moon Fused Key, and eventually leading us down the path to Melancholia.

3. Melancholia- This is the introduction to the character and his condition. He describes how he feels out of place. At 260 beats per minute, we encapsulate every ounce of self-loathing rage the character has in this song. There is a foreshadowing at the halfway point of the record, a premonition of things to come.

4. A Turning Point- The point where the character notices his surroundings have changed, the woods are speaking to him, and something, or someone, is calling to him. We were inspired by bands like Gojira to focus on a more groove-oriented passage for this song; it’s also one of the few times we felt the need to feature a burning guitar solo. I was inspired by the image of Herbet James Draper with Ulysses being tied to the mast to avoid the sirens, which we reference on the back part of the album. The character is being drawn into this eerie place.  

5. A Pellucid Prism- From here, we cross the bridge and enter the castle.  He sees new colours, feels new feelings, as he’s exploring the rotting structure. This song is one with more post-black metal sensibilities, with droning guitars and blast beats. This is also the only time on the record where we incorporate a breakdown, with the opening track melody played slower and more sinisterly hinting at the connection.

6. Sacred Swollen Glass- This is when things lyrically begin to turn for the worse. We continue through the post-black metal landscape, connecting these two songs seamlessly and expanding upon the blasting forward verses.

7. Blight- The decision, “which void will I feed?”, live life in misery or end it all succumbing to the void, as the brain turns on it’s itself. There was never an option. In a linear timeline of the narrative, this song would play before A Moon Fused Key. This song also features backup vocals from Dylan in the first verse.

8. A Pale Palace- The character, while dying, imagines what could have been. The mirage is falling apart before him. We were really inspired to write something totally out of our comfort zone for this particular track. This song was semi-inspired by post-rock bands like Russian Circles, as well as more straight-ahead Black & Roll. The riff at the end took us about 5 months alone before we could play it all as a band.

9. Vacant- The end of everything he once knew, as a new castle is forming beside him. Nick Leslie wrote the main riff for this song, and we all thought it just killed. I’m trying to do my best Jamie Saint-Merat (Ulcerate) impression here, with just a barrage of drum fills as the world of our character is being swallowed by the sands of time. I wanted this song to sort of speak the message that if you let it, time will replace you.

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

FUN FACTS – STORY ANGLES

1. Sean was inspired to write the concept of this album after a traumatic experience using psychedelics. He’s been sober ever since.

2. One of the main inspirations given to the album artist, Carter Doody, was from the imaginative realism artist Michael Whelan.

3. Aside from the drums, the album was recorded, mixed, and mastered entirely by the band themselves. During the pandemic, every band member upgraded their home studios in order to record demos, practice ideas, and eventually leading to remotely track their respective parts on the final album.

4. Guitarist Nick Leslie became so fed up with the inaccuracy of Sean’s cheap drum triggers that he designed, engineered, and 3D printed the drum triggers used to record this album, and currently being used today. The triggers are purple, which is Sean’s favourite colour, and a dominant colour of the album cover.

5. Sean found the lyrical components of the album so depressing that he opted to write and direct a cartoonishly violent music video about a bad birthday, instead of directly adapting the harsh and unsettling tone of the album. There are still several components from the album in the video, such as a bad drug trip taking place. The idea for the video also came from the desire to show the dichotomy between the lyrics and the visuals, which is a prominent theme throughout the album.

6. Filmmaker Gaspar Noé was a large influence on the band, with “Enter the Void” being used as a sample in the album, and the opening sounds of the film being sampled to open the live show.

Ancient Thrones Current Line Up

Top L-R: Dylan Wallace (Guitar) | Nick Leslie (Guitar)

Bottom L-R: Matt LeBlanc (Bass) | Sean Hickey (Drums & Vocals)

Photo Credit – Matt Leblanc

Ancient Thrones, formerly “Abysseral Throne”, is an Atlantic Canada-acclaimed blackened metal outfit that rebranded to suit major changes in line-up and songwriting.

Formed in 2011 in New Brunswick and now residing in Halifax, NS, they quickly went to work to establish themselves among their scene and gained local notoriety, eventually allowing them the opportunities to open for renowned metal acts from across the globe.

Sean Hickey (drums/vocals) is the sole original founder of Abysseral remaining. Matt LeBlanc joined in 2015 on bass and improved and refined the sound and operation drastically. Once they lost their original singer and guitar player, Jonny Rains, Dylan Wallace joined and took over main songwriting duties. Hickey took over completely on vocals with a black/death metal vocal style, and Nick Leslie joined shortly after on the second guitar. Work began on writing a new album, which took about 3 months to write the music for. The new material sparked the name change to Ancient Thrones as an homage to one of Hickey’s favorite bands and inspirations, Wolves in the Throne Room.

In 2013, the band released its debut record and its subsequent follow-up in 2016, “Storming The Black Gate”, which was nominated for an East Coast Music Award. Ancient Thrones have toured throughout Canada and played at several festivals, sharing the stages with bands such as The Agonist, Black Crown Initiate, Skull Fist, Beyond Creation, Wormwitch, The Faceless, Rings of Saturn, Within Ruins, Vital Remains, Omnivide, and more.

2020 saw the release of the concept album “The Veil,” showcasing the band’s desire for storytelling and pushing them to new heights musically. That album explored the journey of a man faced with tragedy, his mortality, and ultimately the permanence of our actions, told through technical soundscapes and haunting atmosphere. It was highly praised by metal media and fans globally. 

Now, in 2025, the band returns with their next epic, “Melancholia”, an album about a person who is seemingly colourblind, who takes psychedelic drugs as a last-ditch effort to see colour. As the trip unfolds, he begins to live his ideal life, seeing colour for the first time. In reality, something else is happening. The writing is on the wall from the beginning of the record to the bitter end. Musically, the album is tailored to the lyrics, and ebbs and flows as the character makes challenging decisions, and experiences pain, joy, and perhaps most prominently existential exhaustion. The album is fast, jagged, and unapologetic in its aggression, as it leads this character to his final tripped-out day in a fantastical place.

“This is the sound of existential exhaustion. Melancholia is truly an unapologetic extreme metal concept album, from the opening drum fill in “A Moon Fused Key” to the washed-out doomy fallout of “Vacant”. This is 42 minutes of pure aggression, where the band is a translucent body, and you can’t look away from the jagged insides that lie beneath the skin. The musicianship, intensity, and speed are on full display in this sophomore release, while still retaining the cinematic narrative that coincided with the music from their previous work. The lyrics follow a fully colour blind person taking hallucinogens in order to see colour, with many twists and turns throughout, that’s sure to please any dread-laden listener brave enough to venture into this surreal landscape, like a bad trip that you can’t escape. It’s an album that emphasizes the dangers of idealism, while giving the listener a brutal experience of emotional blackened death metal unlike anything you’ve heard before.” – Sean Hickey (Drums, Vocals)

“Melancholia” is due out September 19, 2025.

Discography:
2025 – Melancholia – LP
2020 – The Veil – LP

Shared Stage with: Beyond Creation, Wormwitch, Black Crown Initiate, The Faceless, Rings of Saturn, Within Ruins, Vital Remains, The Carrion Veil, Omnivide, Aepoch

0 EPK – Matt Miller – Fiber Tormentum (2025) (Exitus Stratagem Records)

  • June 26, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Matt Miller

EPK – Matt Miller – Fiber Tormentum (2025) (Exitus Stratagem Records)

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

Management – Mark Kloeppel (EMG) – emg.markkloeppel[@]gmail[.]com 

For fans of Necrophagist, Symphony X, Wintersun, The Faceless, Death

“I think fans will be pleasantly surprised. Especially being the first release as a full band and having vocals. I heard from many fans that they really like the instrumental music but they would also really like to hear the tracks with vocals and see the live shows with a full band. Which I completely agree with. This album features so many new elements including the heaviest, melodic, and most technical music in my catalog that has been released so far. It’s got a lot to offer for the instrumental fans as well as new fans who want to hear the music with vocals and the unique things each of these musicians is bringing to the table. I think listening to music sets the scene to tell a story. In this case I think that listeners are going to hear a lot of nuance and a wide range of emotions. Overwhelming is how I would describe it. We make music that is catchy but relentless.” – Matt Miller

Official Website Shreded1.com | Facebook.com/matt.miller.96995238 | Instagram.com/mattmiller630 | Youtube.com/@mattmillerguitar

Mattmiller2.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon Music

Exsrmusic.com | Facebook.com/ExSRecords | Instagram.com/exsrmusic | X.com/exsrmusic

“All in all, it’s a fascinating song (Effectively Neutralized) — head-spinning and heart-palpitating but also a heavy-hitter and a conjurer of strange, sinister, and haunting visions. In other words, in the space of just five minutes it pulls off a lot of impressive feats. And the well-filmed and well-edited video for it is a perfect complement, in that it shows us how all these talented performers executed all the impressive accomplishments.” – NoCleanSinging

“I am super excited. I already know this is gonna destroy. Matt Miller just absolutely destroys it on all facets. He has so many guitar techniques that he has absolutely mastered and he can literally play it all.” – Omar Rodriguez – The Metal Mixtape – YouTube Channel
​
“Hell yeah. Holy moly canoli. Fiverr to Fiber Momentum, and that was the album. This song is Descent into Violence. Holy moly canoli, dude. Go support, Matt Miller. That was absolutely badass. Total shredding. Jordan, also a homie of mine, your drums are incredible. The new singer, Bo, I love the harsh vocals in the clean. Total is it almost the cleans almost reminded me of Queensryche meets Cannibal Corpse. It’s pretty freaking sweet. And of course, Justice always lays down the heavy bass with the beautiful bass faces. But an absolutely incredible album….Matt Miller, you could find him everywhere. He’s an incredible guitar player, one of the best guitar players of our generation. Remember, this is Fiber Tormentum courtesy of Exitus Stratagem Records. So, a huge shout-out to them as well. Matt Miller has so many more songs. If you guys like this song (Descent into Violence), believe me, this guy is an absolute shred master. Not only does he do like a ton of his own originals, he does a ton of covers, and also he’s just a shred master of all sorts. Just exactly how they say, melodic, technical, and death. But I will definitely say the big thing that stands apart about this whole song is great structure, absolutely shredding on all levels, and the vocals are just 100% one-of-a-kind. And I totally enjoyed it. Guys, I love you guys from the bottom of my heart. This has been Matt Miller with his new song, Descent into Violence. Pick up the new album on September 12, Fiber Tormentum.” – Omar Rodriguez – The Metal Mixtape – YouTube Channel

“Soaring, crushing, ferocious, emotive, and relentless, are words that strongly describe Decrepit Shed. The album has a lot to offer from various metal sub-genres and encompasses the best elements of technical guitar playing while still having well-written songs”. – Brave Words

“Monument of Velocity” initially had a different title and was not going to be a Matt Miller release and some of the songs were written with vocals in mind and were not going to be instrumental, however, it turned out to be the sixth of seven powerful albums in his discography. contains eight tracks full of technical and progressive metal eliciting feelings of suspense, and tension while being fun, melodic and brutally heavy. Miller’s melodic and relentless music has a wide range of influences and is recommended for fans of Jeff Loomis, Necrophagist, and Obscura.” – Rock’n’ Load

“Even though Miller’s music is instrumental, he likes to think of the guitar as a voice. Which in turn makes him ask what is the guitar saying? He is able to easily convey emotion, tone, and a story even without the use of vocals. Throughout his releases, his music has developed a more modern sound in both the music and the production. Musically the songs are more well written and a lot of the ideas he writes are being accurately represented. He is always trying to push himself as a musician and this is reflected in his discography. Influenced primarily by technical and progressive death metal with a dash of power metal and symphonic metal as well, Matt Miller’s music is recommended for fans of Obscura, Dragon Force, and Racer X” – Metal Sucks

“Mr. Miller can shred like his fingers are on fire” – Ever-Metal.com

“Matt shreds all over this album with guitar solos galore”. – Transcending the Mundane

“Soaring, crushing, ferocious, and emotive, Miller conveys a wide range of tones throughout his instrumental music. It is recommended for fans of Dragon Force, Racer X, and Jeff Loomis” – Metal-Rules

“For guitar enthusiasts, I guess it is a feast for the eyes and ears.” – Antichrist Magazine

Band: Matt Miller
Album Title: Fiber Tormentum
Release Date: September 12, 2025
Label: Exitus Stratagem Records

Track Listing:
1. Descent into Violence (5:04)
2. Summoned (3:33)
3. Effectively Neutralized (4:53)
4. Blight and Disfigurement (3:23)
5. Maimed Paralyzed Dead (3:12)
6. Horror Beyond Comprehension (3:15)
7. Fiber Tormentum (Instrumental) (3:31)
8. Abiotic Origin (3:14)
Album Length: 30:08

Album Credits:
Matt Miller (Guitars, Synth)
Jordan Kelso (Drums, Synth)
Justice Robinett (Bass)
Biko Wright (Vocals)

Songs written by Matt Miller
Produced by Matt Miller and Jordan Kelso
Mixed and Mastered by Jordan Kelso
Artwork by Joshua Nassaru Ward
Jordan Kelso (ASCAP)

Live Band Lineup:
Matt Miller (Guitars, Synth)
Jordan Kelso (Drums, Synth)
Justice Robinett (Bass)
Biko Wright (Vocals)

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

About The Album Artwork:

The album cover was made by a dear friend, Joshua Nassaru Ward. I remember talking with Josh about the overall concept of the album when I was playing guitar for a tour with his band Voraath. I had told him the loose concept of the lyrics and about human DNA being manipulated and programmed by travelers of time and space. So the face is crying out in torment as the fibers of their DNA are changed. The name for Fiber Tormentum came from a history documentary about the Roman Empire. Fiber Tormentum is the sound a Ballista makes when the ropes are tightened to launch the projectile. When I heard that, I immediately grabbed my phone and wrote it down.

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

The album musically is a relentless assault. Even the clean singing parts help to up the intensity and push the soundscape to even more epic heights. The lyrics match the music in their intensity and weave a story of an advanced civilization using subtlety to control humanity.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY)

1. Descent into Violence – Lyrically, desperation and struggle against all odds. The music is intense and emotive.

2. Summoned – The travel and detailed plans of the invaders. Using astonishing acts. The music is something like a computer algorithm or an alien language.

3. Effectively Neutralized – This is the enactment of the plan and its immediate effect on humanity. Musically, this song has a lot of twists and turn,s just like a good plot.

4. Blight and Disfigurement – The devastation of our environment. Musically it has a march kind of feel and the break is super epic. Something that could be in a nature documentary about spring after a long harsh winter but in this case things are even worse.

5. Maimed Paralyzed Dead – This is about the effects on the human body and what the changes to DNA have on people. Musically it’s something out of a monster movie. Like a zombie crawling on the floor or lumbering towards its victim.

6. Horror Beyond Comprehension – Lyrically, it’s about humanity’s plea to the invaders to show mercy on them. Humanity has capitulated. Musically, it’s the sound of being completely overwhelmed.

7. Fiber Tormentum (Instrumental) – Musically it’s a snapshot of the entire album. Each section of the song is a scene from every track. From the highest highs to the lowest lows and all epic moments in between.

8. Abiotic Origin – Lyrically is the realization that humanity had brought this on themselves through their ignorance, inviting other beings to our planet without thinking they could be malevolent. However, hope is not lost just yet. Musically, it’s an epic track that has some really powerful sections, including the outro.

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

Fun Facts – StoryAngles:

1: Everytime vocals were done in one take Biko channeled his inner Murderface for a resounding quote “One take Willy” It’s hidden in one song if you listen closely.

2: Vocal tracking was done between Biko’s filming of the Discovery Channel show Expedition Bigfoot.

3: We ate Subway every day after tracking and they gave us our own table in the dining room as we became regular customers on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 pm.

4: This is a concept album with influence from the negative effects that COVID-19 had on society.

5: We tried to record samples and track them with high-end pianos and a harp using a portable recording rig. We were asked to leave and banned from multiple stores. On one occasion, they knew us before we had a chance to set up the mics.

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

L-R – Justice Robinett (Bass), Jordan Kelso (Drums, Synth), Matt Miller (Guitars, Synth), Biko Wright (Vocals)

Photo Credit – Lilly May Everett

Akademia-Award-winning producer, engineer, and songwriter MATT MILLER side-steps these industry achievements to embark on something deeply introspective and personal; a transcendent, reactionary, and vile personage embodying soaring progressive melodies and captivating crushing rhythms that engulf the listener in black clouds of desperation and shimmering hope.

Drawing upon the gut-wrenching timed-precision of European death metal stalwarts NECROPHAGIST and SPAWN OF POSSESSION, MATT MILLER progressively blends this approach with deep synthetic and symphonic atmospheres like that of DEVIN TOWNSEND, often arriving at surprisingly emotive and heart-clenching metallic passages like that of RIVERS OF NIHIL.

Calling upon other single-member death metal projects such as PUTRID PILE or INSIDIOUS DECREPANCY, the live performance can best be described as a reclaiming and repainting of the earth by a relentlessly sweeping and deranged berzerker appealing to the vast minions of extreme music.  The combination of elements within MATT MILLER distills the traditions of the international metal realm, the progressive atmospheres of modernity, and reactions to a vile world into a single unrelenting persona of despair and vengeance.

MATT MILLER’s first self-produced instrumental EP came in 2017, drawing on influences from classic metal bands such as MEGADETH and IRON MAIDEN to shredders like YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and PAUL GILBERT, while combining a technical death metal approach to create maximum-intensity music with a frenetic and frantic feel and ferocious atmosphere.  Since then, and a few releases into this brief career, MATT MILLER boasts 12,000 consistent monthly listeners on Spotify before hitting the international touring circuit.  This was garnered from his 2017 EP, the 2021 self-released ‘Decrepit Shed’ LP, the ‘Reekomposer/Decomposer’ covers double LP, as well as the ‘8E’s’ 1980’s themed covers LP.

In 2022 Matt released the formidable original instrumental LP Monument of Velocity on Blood Blast Distribution. Matt also toured supporting Rings of Saturn on the CYBER SHRED TOUR 2022. 29 shows encompassing the continental United States. Matt has released the cover LP Only What the Light Allows through Blood Blast Distribution.

In 2023, Matt assembled a full band consisting of drummer Jordan Kelso and bassist Justice Robinett, both of whom are world-class musicians. Soon after, Matt headed to Europe in support of death metal pioneers Possessed on their Oblivion Over Europe Tour. In 2024, Matt began writing a new instrumental LP. After completing the demos, it became abundantly clear that the new record required vocals. Thus vocalist Biko Wright entered the fray, and the end result became the new LP Fiber Tormentum. Fiber Tormentum is a step forward and makes the bold statement that nothing will stop Matt from his campaign of musical devastation.

Matt Miller hails from the rain soaked northern Oregon Coast; influenced by the natural foreboding environment.  Moving into the present, MATT MILLER has joined up with Extreme Management Group to spread a singularly relentless auditory mind-bend.

Band Lineup:
Matt Miller (Guitars, Synth)
Jordan Kelso (Drums, Synth)
Justice Robinett (Bass)
Biko Wright (Vocals)

Discography:
2025 – Fiber Tormentum LP
2023 – Decrepit Shed Remaster LP
2023 – MMXVII Retrack EP
2022 – Only What the Light Allows LP
2022 – Monument of Velocity LP
2022 – Reekompose LP
2021 – 8E’s EP
2021 – Decrepit Shed LP
2021 – Decomposer LP

Artist Endorsements: Siggi Braun Zenrok Guitars, GHS Strings, EMG Pickups, Rok Lok Strap Locks, Music Nomad, Kahler USA, Tsunami Cables, Arachnid Cabs

Shared Stage: Rings of Saturn, Possessed, Vapor, Stoic Suffering, Distinguisher, Voraath, Extortionist, Last of Lucy, Cyborg Octopus, No Living Witness, Vintersea, Cobra the Impaler, Voices of Ruin, Greyhawk

Tours and Festivals:
Hallowfest Medford OR 2024
Nor Cal Death Fest 2024 Redway CA
Summer Immolation Tour 2024 Portland OR
Pacific Shred Invasion Tour 2024 CA All Dates
Possessed Oblivion Over EU Tour 2023 All Dates
Rings of Saturn Cyber Shred Tour 2022 All Dates
Western Desolation Tour Salem OR 2022

Page 7 of 74
  • 1
  • …
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • …
  • 74

Asher Media Relations Tweets

Tweets by AsherMedia

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

Join 2,178 other subscribers

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Bandcamp
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • ashermediarelations.com
      • Join 657 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • ashermediarelations.com
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...