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Category: Music News

0 Canadian Extreme Metal Groove WITHOUT MERCY Unveils Theatrical Guitar Playthrough “The Saint” From New EP “Infinite Loss” Produced by John Douglass (Alluvial, Nile, Nekrogoblikon)

  • July 17, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Without Mercy

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 17, 2026

Canadian Extreme Metal Groove WITHOUT MERCY Unveils Theatrical Guitar Playthrough “The Saint”

New EP “Infinite Loss” Out Now!

Produced by John Douglass (Alluvial, Nile, Nekrogoblikon)

L -R – Ryan Loewen – Bass, Alex Friis – Vocals, DJ Temple – Guitars, Matt Helie – Drums
Photo Credit: Shimon Photo – http://www.shimonphoto.com

Canadian extreme groove metal Without Mercy have unleashed a striking new theatrical guitar playthrough video for “The Saint”, supporting their newly released EP “Infinite Loss” produced with John Douglass (Alluvial, Nile, Nekrogoblikon) and released this past May. The visual highlights guitarist DJ Temple’s performance while immersing viewers in the tension, restraint, and unfamiliar emotional space that shaped the track.
​
​“The Saint represents the furthest departure from our usual writing approach. It came from a willingness to step back and let someone we trust help guide the process,” explains guitarist DJ Temple.
​
Shaped collectively with their producer, the song confronts a core question of artistic growth: How do you evolve without losing the foundation that brought you here? Rather than abandoning their roots, the band stretched them to their limit, testing their flexibility without breaking their identity.
​
Musically, “The Saint” leans into space, unpredictability, and tension. It was the last song written for the EP, challenging the band’s expectations of what the record should be. Its inclusion broadened the emotional scope of Infinite Loss, earning its place by doing something the other tracks could not.

Watch the theatrical guitar playthrough for “The Saint” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1Bp5r-wQ8k

​​
Recorded after uprooting their routines and living inside the creative process for ten days, Without Mercy‘s new EP “Infinite Loss” is a focused, intentional, and confrontational statement. The EP documents a period defined by pressure, endurance, and honesty.
​
​“This record exists because we chose to be uncomfortable, to argue honestly, and to stay in the room until it felt right… It is focused, intentional, and real,” adds Temple.
​
The EP’s three songs, Infinite Loss, The Saint, and Glass, were selected not as singles but as statements, each surviving months of scrutiny, revision, and collective decision‑making. Lyrically, “Infinite Loss” is about being hunted, not by a single antagonist, but by the pressures of modern life: economics, identity, time, survival. The threat shifts, but never disappears. Musically, the EP leans into weight, repetition, and restraint. Riffs sit long enough to suffocate. Rhythms feel physical and deliberate. The aggression is controlled, not chaotic, a reflection of endurance rather than escape.
​
The EP’s artwork, created with artist Diego Gedoz de Souza, depicts a desolate forest split by a massive void, a visual metaphor for inevitability, loss, and the gravitational pull of forces beyond control. It mirrors the EP’s emotional core without explaining it, inviting listeners into the world before a single note plays.
​
​Without Mercy was formed in 2007, blending groove, extreme metal, and technical precision into a sound described as “heavy and insightful at the same time.” The band has shared stages with Cattle Decapitation, Aborted, and Death Angel, and has appeared as downloadable content in Rock Band 3, bridging gaming culture and heavy music.

Their discography includes “All Else Fails” (2007), “Without Mercy” (2009), “Reborn” (2014), rereleased as “Mouichido” (2016), and “Seismic” (2020). “Infinite Loss” marks their most focused and intentional work to date, a release built from collapse, rebuilt through discipline, and finished with absolute conviction.

Recommended for fans of Meshuggah, Gojira, Decapitated, Alluvial, and Pantera, listen to the full EP “Infinite Loss” (released May 8th) on all digital platforms at https://ffm.to/infiniteloss

​

Track Listing:​
1. Infinite Loss – (4:15)
2. The Saint – (3:39)
3. Glass – (3:16)
EP Length: 11:11

EP and Live Band Line-up:​
Alex Friis – Vocals
DJ Temple – Guitars
Ryan Loewen – Bass
Matt Helie – Drums

More info:

​https://www.withoutmercyband.com/

​https://www.facebook.com/withoutmercyband​

​https://www.instagram.com/withoutmercyband​

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“The music was excellent…a potent mixture of aggression and technical precision. Now that I can taste them, I am very much looking forward to a full length from the band.” – Metal-Temple​
​
​““The Saint” is somehow both maniacal and controlled. In its opening couple of minutes it seems to be a carefully calibrated convulsion, discharging its myriad sensations in quick stop-start bursts of seemingly off-kilter but tightly executed mayhem. Those sensations include sledgehammer rhythmic brutishness, shrill and spidery fretwork-delirium, and napalm-strength vocals.” – No Clean Singing
​
“WITHOUT MERCY With this release they position themselves clearly in the intersection of death metal, groove and metalcore, without completely submitting to any of these genres. The band uses elements of these directions to develop their own language that relies on suspense rather than classic hooks. Conclusion: WITHOUT MERCY succeeds with »Infinite Loss« an impressive statement in the field of death/groove metal, metalcore. 4/5” – Metal Underground Austria

“the controlled aggression and delicious grooves of title track “Infinite Loss” gradually ramp up in their intensity, creating a sense of slow suffocation before the riffs subside to allow for a technical solo of the highest order from DJ Temple. A powerful statement piece that flows in wave like patterns through dark moods, the sonic weight of the music conveys the message without the need for the harsh vocals from Alex Friis. That’s not to say his words are superfluous; on the contrary, they’re the fuel for the fire as the world burns.” – Metal Noise​
​
​“we hear a solid force coming through, where riffs are the main ingredient, alongside a brutal and aggressive-sounding voice.” – Musika

“The resulting output is “Infinite Loss”, a three track assault that zeroes in on a choking atmosphere of mechanical hostility. Musically, the band leans heavily into calculated syncopation and technical restraint, letting rhythmic patterns lock in to create a claustrophobic pressure.” – Heavy Metal Darkness

“It’s only three songs, but it’s a lot to process. This isn’t background music. It’s a physical record that reflects the stress of just existing right now. Honestly, after nearly twenty years, it’s cool to see a band still willing to make themselves this uncomfortable just to see what happens. It paid off.” – Radio Papy Jeff

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0 LA Symphonic Metal LEVINIA Confronts Creative Silence w/ New Music Video “The Blank Page”

  • July 17, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Levinia · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 17, 2026

LA Symphonic Metal LEVINIA Confronts Creative Silence w/ New Music Video “The Blank Page”

Produced by Brandon Friesen (Halestorm, Nickelback, The Hu, Papa Roach)

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

Photo Credit – Dream of Mirrors Photography

Levinia returns with “The Blank Page,” the fourth and final single in their ambitious 2026 release cycle, a year defined by evolution, sharpened identity, and a darker cinematic edge. Following the momentum of “Bite,” “Silver Tongues,” and “The Thorn,” this new single arrives as the band’s most emotionally vulnerable and haunting offering yet, paired with a striking music video that visually amplifies its themes of isolation, creative paralysis, and inner conflict.
​
Produced by Brandon Friesen, whose credits include Halestorm, Nickelback, The Hu, Papa Roach, “The Blank Page” represents one of the most dramatic transformations in Levinia’s catalog. While vocalist Kourt Henson had already crafted the lyrical and melodic core, Friesen helped expand the track into a sweeping, cinematic experience, heightening its tension, atmosphere, and emotional payoff. The result is a single that begins in fragile stillness before erupting into one of the band’s most crushing choruses to date.

With all four singles released, Levinia closes their 2026 cycle with a powerful statement: the band is entering its most confident and defined era yet. And with new material already in development, “The Blank Page” is not an ending; it’s the beginning of what comes next.

The video for “The Blank Page” mirrors the song’s emotional weight through stark, unsettling imagery. A lone house sits in a desolate landscape, symbolizing mental confinement and the suffocating silence of creative paralysis. A burnt, ruined page becomes the central metaphor, representing ideas destroyed before they ever had the chance to exist. The visuals echo the song’s haunting atmosphere, creating a unified emotional experience between audio and imagery.

“The Blank Page may be the biggest shock. It opens in a slower, more vulnerable, and almost haunting space, which is not what some listeners may expect at first, but once the chorus hits, it erupts into something crushing. We think that contrast will make it one of the more memorable tracks emotionally,” adds vocalist Kourt Henson.

Recommended for fans of Within Temptation, Amaranthe, Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, and Delain, listen to “Blank Page” at the following links:

Music Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnWntWSKHR0

​Spotify – https://hypeddit.com/levinia/theblankpage

​

Levinia blends symphonic atmosphere, modern metal aggression, and cinematic storytelling into a sound influenced by Epica, Lacuna Coil, Sabaton, Disturbed, and Evanescence. Formed from the ashes of Los Angeles power‑metal band Aerius, the group has spent nearly a decade refining its identity into something bold, emotional, and unmistakably its own.
​
Across their 2026 singles, Levinia showcases a wide emotional and stylistic range. “The Blank Page” is a haunting exploration of writer’s block, pressure, and emotional paralysis. “Bite” is a Dracula‑inspired anthem of resilience and transformation. “Silver Tongues” is a groove‑driven warning against idol worship and blind influence. “The Thorn” is a sharp, modern metal strike at internal conflict. Each single reveals a different facet of the band’s identity, pushing their sound into heavier, more deliberate territory while preserving the cinematic drama fans have come to expect.
​
​Levinia’s writing process has evolved into a deeply collaborative effort. Guitarist Alon Mei‑Tal and vocalist Kourt Henson typically build the foundation, instrumentals, melodies, and lyrical direction before drummer Dylan Suierveld and bassist Liam Alexander shape the rhythmic and dynamic backbone. This approach has led to a more cohesive, vocal‑driven sound that balances aggression with emotional depth.
​
Working with Brandon Friesen has marked a turning point for the band. His guidance helped refine the strongest tracks from an initial pool of developing ideas, shaping them into a four‑part release that feels intentional, cinematic, and emotionally charged. Each single serves a distinct purpose, forming a cohesive narrative of Levinia’s ongoing evolution.
​
​Previous Singles:

Bite – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Uw9l0cmAA​

Silver Tongues – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqhk6j6wzKs​

The Thorn – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30EmGiQL7ug​

Levinia:​
Vocals – Kourt Henson
Guitar – Alon Mei-Tal
Bass – Liam Alexander
Drums- Dylan Suierveld

More info:

​https://www.leviniaofficial.com/​

​https://instagram.com/leviniaofficial​

​https://www.facebook.com/LeviniaOfficial/​

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

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

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0 Edmonton’s FAMOUS STRANGERS Confront Division and Reclaim Power in New Video “As Your Leader” From Debut Self-Titled Album Out August 2026

  • July 17, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Famous Strangers · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 17, 2026

Edmonton’s FAMOUS STRANGERS Confront Division and Reclaim Power in New Video “As Your Leader”

Debut Self-Titled Album Out August 21st, 2026

L-R – Amanda Kiernan (Vocals), Brian “Beej” Jolly (Drums), Braden Sustrik (Bass, Vocals), Jeff Kittlitz (Guitar, Vocals)

Photo by J-Kiernen Photography

Edmonton, Canada’s heavy‑rock outfit Famous Strangers have unveiled the official music video for “As Your Leader”, the second single from their forthcoming self‑titled debut album co‑produced with Phil Anderson, mixed by Joel Wanasek, and mastered by Maor Appelbaum and arriving August 21st, 2026. The track is one of the album’s heaviest and most emotionally charged moments, built on thick, deliberately weighty guitar tones, restless bass‑and‑drum interplay, and a vocal performance that channels frustration, urgency, and fierce compassion.
​
​“As Your Leader” confronts the widening disconnect between what leaders promise and what people actually experience. It reflects on how digital noise erodes trust, how division has become normalized, and how presence has been surrendered to screens. Yet beneath the anger lies a message of unity. At its core, the song insists that together, we are powerful, and that the fight worth having is the one that brings people closer rather than further apart.
​
The music video for “As Your Leader” is a stark, monochrome animated piece created through an AI-assisted, frame-by-frame production process and finished in After Effects. Every shot was individually art-directed, generated, refined, and composited by video creator Art Szabo over approximately 45 to 50 hours, with no motion capture, rotoscoping, or stock footage.
​
The first half unfolds in white‑on‑black, depicting a cold, mechanical world of faceless authority figures looming over a lone speaker at a podium. At the lyric “the power is ours,” the palette inverts to black‑on‑white, echoing the band’s signature ink aesthetic. Simplified human forms merge into something larger, symbolizing collective strength and the moment people reclaim their voice. The monochrome palette was chosen to strip away distraction and let the message hit with full weight.

Watch the video for “As Your Leader” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH1WCv__EyY

​Spotify – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/famousstrangers/as-your-leader

​

Famous Strangers features Amanda Kiernan (vocals), Jeff Kittlitz (guitar), Braden Sustrik (bass), and Brian “Beej” Jolly (drums), formed after years of crossing paths in the Alberta music scene. What began as casual jams evolved into a full creative force once Amanda joined in 2023. The chemistry was instant. Lyrics poured out, old riffs found new life, and the band quickly realized they had something far bigger than a side project.
​
Their sound is unpredictable, moody, haunting, old‑school, and intriguing, drawing from classic heavy metal, grunge, punk, and modern hard‑rock influences. The debut full-length explores themes of self‑worth, growth, vulnerability, and breaking free from what holds you back, while also venturing into playful territory, including alien abduction stories and blues‑soaked introspection.
​
Due August 21st, the self‑titled debut album is a diverse journey through heavy riffs, explosive moments, atmospheric breaks, and deeply personal storytelling. The band describes it as a record that takes listeners on an emotional ride, from grit and inspiration to surrender and self‑reflection.
​
Tracks like “Fire Inside,” “Ghosts of Men,” “Please Her,” “Desires,” “Far Away from Home,” and “Rain” each explore different corners of the band’s identity, from raw vulnerability to punk‑driven fun to blues‑infused introspection. Many songs evolved over years, with riffs living on hard drives for over a decade before finding their final form. Some tracks were even born from freestyle jam sessions captured during casual rehearsals.
​
Leading up to the album’s release, Famous Strangers will be hitting the road across Western Canada, including back-to-back hometown album release shows.

Upcoming Show Dates:​
Aug 6 – The Exchange – Regina, SK
Aug 7 – Dickens – Calgary, AB
Aug 21 – Album Release Show 1 – Rec Room – Edmonton, AB
Aug 22 – Album Release Show 2 – Temple at Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB

Recommended for fans of Halestorm, Nothing More, Sevendust, Godsmack, Evanescence, Butcher Babies, and Bad Omens, the self-titled album is available for digital pre-save (Out August 21, 2026) (Vinyl pre-order to be announced at a later date) – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/famousstrangers/famous–strangers​

Previous Single:

Music Video – “Ghosts of Men” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JllvDWc2AC4​

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

Album Band Line-up:​
Jeff Kittlitz – Guitar, Back Up Vocals
Amanda Kiernan – Vocals, Lyrics
Braden Sustrik – Bass, Back Up Vocals
Brian “Beej” Jolly – Drums, Back Up Vocals

More info:

​https://www.famousstrangersband.com/​

​https://www.facebook.com/FamousStrangersBand/​

​https://www.instagram.com/famousstrangersband​

About: Famous Strangers is a heavy metal band from Sherwood Park, Alberta. Rooted in the classics and built for today, the band brings together four veterans of the Alberta music scene with over 20 years of collective experience. With four singles, a music video for every release, and a debut album on vinyl dropping in August 2026, Famous Strangers is all raw power, emotional depth, and a sound that refuses to sit still.

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“Amanda has a Lee Aaron vibe about her.” – Richard Amery – LA Beat

“Canada’s Famous Strangers return with an incredible new single, a fierce one titled ‘Ghosts of Men’. Right out of the gate, the riffs are lethal and the vocals are up to the task with a mean disposition that fit perfectly. Famous Strangers is a seriously talented band and ‘Ghosts of Men’ is a shining example of their creativity at work with an extended jaw dropping 6-string solo, a wonderful slow down to catch our breath only to come out on the other side finding ourselves in a choke hold of epic proportions. This is modern metal done right, catch it on your Home for the Best New Rock…W-J-O-EEEE – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll

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

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

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0 Streaming Now! ETERNAL DRAK Opens The Gates To The Sixth Album “The Violence of Time”

  • July 16, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Eternal Drak · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 16, 2026

Streaming Now! ETERNAL DRAK Opens The Gates To The Sixth Album “The Violence of Time”

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

Photo Credit – Patrick Auger

Eternal Drak have opened the gates early. Their sixth full‑length album, “The Violence of Time,” is now streaming in full through an exclusive premiere on BraveWords, giving fans a complete first immersion into the band’s most aggressive, conceptual, and philosophically charged work to date, ahead of its official July 17th release.
​
The full‑album stream invites listeners directly into the hostile universe Eternal Drak have constructed. A place where time is not a neutral measure but an adversary, a force that erodes meaning, distorts memory, and crushes identity. The band describes the record as a confrontation with time itself, not as humans imagine it, but as it behaves.
​​
“Time does not accompany human beings; it subdues them. It does not flow; it imposes. It does not reveal meaning; it destroys it,” adds the band.
​
​
Across ten tracks, “The Violence of Time” dismantles the human understanding of past, present, and future. Each song is a violent thesis, a sonic and lyrical strike against the idea that time can be explained, contained, or understood. Instead of offering conclusions, the album explores fragments of realization, exposing how time pressures identity, warps memory, and rewrites causality.
​
Musically, the album is built for true old‑school metal devotees: those drawn to the raw spirit of thrash, the darkness of black metal, and the severity of death metal. Eternal Drak merge analog aggression with digital density, resulting in a sound that is varied in rhythm and catchy in impact, sharpened into their most cohesive identity yet.
​
Every track begins with a central written idea. Once the concept is defined, Eternal Drak builds the music to reflect the emotion and message of the text. Riffs, rhythms, and structures are crafted to echo the same intention, ensuring that even listeners who perceive the voice as an instrument still feel the weight of the lyrics.
​
Each element undergoes multiple stages of revision and refinement until the final version fully expresses the intended emotion and message.
​
Over the years, Eternal Drak have evolved from raw thrash‑and‑black foundations into a dynamic force shaped by death metal, groove, and even Latin folk influences. Their sound has grown alongside the metal scene itself, adapting to new tools and technologies while preserving the intensity and character that define the band.
​

Recommended for fans of Dimmu Borgir, Watain, Kreator, Motorhead, and Desaster, experience “The Violence of Time” in its entirety through BraveWords’ exclusive premiere HERE.

“The Violence of Time” is available for album pre-order (out July 17th, 2026) at the following links:

Band website – https://eternaldrak.com/the-violence-of-time​

Bandcamp – https://eternaldrak.bandcamp.com/​

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/0zTmYsd42dDsE5yU8lDhXe​

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

Album Band Line-up:​
Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar) – Voices, Lead Guitar, Bass
Michel Amyot – Rhythm Guitar

More info: https://www.eternaldrak.com | https://www.facebook.com/EternalDrak | https://www.instagram.com/eternaldrak​

About:

Eternal Drak is an extreme metal band based in Quebec City, Canada, originally founded in Latin America in the late ’90s. Rooted in a fierce blend of thrash and black metal, the band has continually expanded its sound with elements of death metal, groove, and melodic experimentation. Lyrically, Eternal Drak explores human and cosmic darkness, a theme present across all seven of its official releases. The band is currently signed to the Canadian label FirstWave.

Formed in 1997 by brothers Drakar and Warhammer, later joined by guitarist Reijav, Eternal Drak quickly gained recognition, winning a City TV award for Best Metal Video in the early 2000s. After releasing early EPs and their first full-length, the band went on hiatus in 2007.

In 2020, the members reunited in Quebec to create The Past Is Gone, A New One Is Coming, honoring co‑founder and drummer Eduardo “Warhammer” Martínez. This revival led to a prolific new era, including the albums Drak Metal (2021), Shadow Storm (2022), Imprisoned Souls (2024), and multiple EPs. The lineup later expanded with guitarist Mike Amyot and drummer Patrick Auger.

Today, Eternal Drak (featuring Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar) – Voices, Lead Guitar, Bass, and Michel Amyot – Rhythm Guitar) continues to evolve while staying true to its extreme metal roots, driven by intensity, melody, and a commitment to pushing its sound across continents.

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

“10 new songs that will simultaneously brighten and darken your world… Eternal Drak evolve while staying true to their roots.” – The Razor’s Edge​
​
​“another great sounding recording from Eternal Drak and if you are a fan of blackened thrash ​metal, you should check out this album. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE “We Force It To Speak” “The Blasphemy Of Time” “Where Cause Is Buried” and “The Cosmos Reject You”. 8 out of 10.” – Bringer of Death Webzine​
​

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0 Italian Power Metal ALETHEYA New Single “Chasing The Sun” From Debut Album “Chance To Reborn” Out Sept 2026

  • July 15, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Aletheya (Rockshots Records) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 15, 2026

Italian Power Metal ALETHEYA New Single “Chasing The Sun” From Debut Album “Chance To Reborn” Out Sept 2026

Following the release of their debut single “Shame“, Italian melodic power metal band Aletheya unveil “Chasing The Sun“, the second single taken from their upcoming debut album “Chance To Reborn“, due out on September 18th, 2026.
​
Supported by an official music video, produced by Kinorama Studio, “Chasing The Sun” reflects Aletheya‘s own definition of power metal: speed, power, and melody brought together through dynamic songwriting and carefully crafted arrangements.

While “Shame” introduced the album’s darker and more introspective side, “Chasing The Sun” highlights its brighter counterpart. Built around driving rhythms, soaring melodies, powerful guitar work, and cinematic orchestral arrangements, the song demonstrates how those elements come together in a composition that prioritizes memorable songwriting over technical virtuosity alone.

Lyrically, “Chasing The Sun” explores resilience, determination, and the constant pursuit of hope even when the destination seems uncertain. Rather than offering escapism, the song reflects the band’s recurring focus on personal growth and inner strength, transforming moments of struggle into the motivation to move forward. It represents another chapter in “Chance To Reborn“, an album that explores change, self-awareness, and rebirth through songs inspired by real human experiences.

The official music video presents Aletheya in their natural environment: performing together with the same intensity and chemistry that shaped the album throughout its writing and recording process. Alternating energetic band performances with atmospheric lighting and dynamic editing, the video translates the song’s energy into a compelling visual performance while highlighting the musicianship at the core of Aletheya‘s sound.

Speaking about the new single, the band comments:

“For us, ‘Chasing The Sun‘ is our definition of power metal: speed, power and melody. Beyond the energy, it’s a song about refusing to surrender, continuing to move forward and searching for hope even during life’s most difficult moments. It’s one of the tracks that best defines who we are as a band.”

The line-up features musicians with extensive experience across the Italian and international metal scene, including David Folchitto (Stormlord, Kaledon, Embryo, Neurasty), Francesco Menale (Risen Crow, Last Prototype) and Gianni Carcione (A.T.T., Concept), bringing together technical expertise, songwriting depth and a clear artistic vision. Rounding out the line-up is bass player Fabrizio Sclano (Ivory Moon). At the same time, the album also features acclaimed keyboard player Alessio Lucatti (Deathless Legacy, ex-Vision Divine), who performs additional keyboards throughout the entire record.
​
Recorded and produced by Stefano Morabito at 16th Cellar Studio, “Chance To Reborn” combines melodic power metal foundations with symphonic textures, progressive influences and contemporary production, creating a sound that balances the genre’s classic roots with a modern musical approach. With each new single, the album continues to reveal the different themes and musical directions explored throughout the record.

For fans of: Helloween, Gamma Ray, Angra, Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica

Listen: https://lnk.to/s2ezTR​
​Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfyahKs7_v4

​
​
​Chance To Reborn will be released on September 18th, 2026, on Digital and CD digipak versions.
​
​PRE-ORDER: https://rockshots.eu/products/aletheya-chance-to-reborn​

ALETHEYA lineup:

  • David Folchitto: Drums
  • Francesco Menale: Guitars
  • Gianni Carcione: Vocals
  • Fabrizio Sclano: Bass

More info:

​https://rockshots.eu/​

​https://www.instagram.com/aletheya__official/​

​https://www.facebook.com/people/Aletheya/61578108544801/​

BIOGRAPHY:

Aletheya is an Italian melodic power metal band formed by experienced musicians united by a shared artistic vision rooted in the legacy of classic heavy and power metal while embracing a contemporary and emotionally driven songwriting approach. Although “Chance To Reborn” represents the band’s debut full-length album, Aletheya brings together years of experience gained across the Italian and international metal scene.

The line-up features David Folchitto (Stormlord, Kaledon, Embryo, Fleshgod Apocalypse) on drums, Francesco Menale (Risen Crow) on guitars, and Gianni Carcione (A.T.T., Concept) on vocals, Fabrizio Sclano (Ivory Moon) on bass, combining technical expertise, compositional depth, and a strong artistic identity shaped through decades of musical activity.

Aletheya’s sound blends soaring melodies, powerful rhythmic structures, dynamic vocals and refined guitar work, balancing the grandeur of traditional European power metal with symphonic textures, neoclassical influences and progressive sensibilities. Deeply inspired by the German power metal tradition of the ’80s and ’90s, the band also draws from Scandinavian melodic metal, progressive metal and, at times, darker tonal shades connected to classic death metal influences. Their songwriting reflects a conscious effort to bridge the genre’s roots with a modern and personal artistic perspective.

Lyrically, Aletheya explores themes of resilience, rebellion, inner conflict, and personal awareness, transforming human struggles and emotional tension into songs driven by determination, introspection, and hope. Rather than relying exclusively on fantasy imagery, the band seeks to establish a deeper emotional connection with the listener through themes rooted in direct human experience.

Conceived as more than a simple collection of songs, “Chance To Reborn” represents both an arrival point and a new beginning for the band: the synthesis of past musical experiences and the foundation of a precise artistic identity aimed at bringing melodic power metal into a more contemporary and emotionally resonant dimension.

With their debut album, Aletheya position themselves as a new force within the modern melodic power metal landscape, combining experience, vision, and a profound respect for the genre’s past and future.

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0 MUTUAL TRAUMA Reveal New Single “Left Inside” In Lead Up To MOSH THE ROCK 2026 (Victoria, BC)

  • July 15, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Mutual Trauma

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 15, 2026

MUTUAL TRAUMA Reveal New Single “Left Inside” In Lead-Up To MOSH THE ROCK 2026 (Victoria, BC)

L-R – Trustin Bruyere – Lead Guitar Chris Heretic – Drums, Clean Vocals Brandon Reynolds – Screams / Lead Vocals Michael Gignac – Bass Guitar Damian Donald – Rhythm Guitar

Photograph by: Copyright 2026 @Finding Charlotte Photography / John Carlow

Victoria, BC modern‑metal upstarts Mutual Trauma have unveiled their powerful new single “Left Inside” as momentum builds toward their upcoming appearance at MOSH THE ROCK 2026 featuring Anciients, Arrow in The Quiver, The Rising Fall, Squidhammer and more. The track marks the band’s most ambitious and emotionally charged release yet, showcasing their signature blend of crushing heaviness, soaring melody, and cyberpunk‑infused atmosphere.
​
Lyrically, “Left Inside” confronts the lingering effects of abuse and betrayal while emphasizing resilience and the refusal to be defined by past trauma.

“The song is about the lasting effects of abuse, but also about choosing to move forward instead of being consumed by the past,” says lead vocalist Brandon Reynolds, who wrote the lyrics.
​
Musically, the single represents a major leap forward in songwriting and production. Bassist Michael Gignac, who re‑imagined the track from its original form, describes it as “energetic despite the darker subject matter… a feeling of resilience and defiance.” The song features a head‑bang‑ready main riff, pummeling verses, melodic choruses delivered by drummer/clean vocalist Chris Heretic, and a climactic final section where screams, clean vocals, relentless drums, and fast chord strumming collide.
​
​“It’s a massive step forward from our previous releases, and a standard we aim to uphold with future material,” adds rhythm guitarist Damian Donald,
​
Formed by former members of Reaver and Lucid Karma, Mutual Trauma blends metalcore, melodic death metal, djent, and electronic elements into a modern, emotionally driven sound influenced by Invent Animate, Soilwork, In Flames, Periphery, and Killswitch Engage. Their cyberpunk‑inspired aesthetic and high‑energy stage presence have quickly set them apart in the local scene.
​
​“Left Inside” follows earlier singles “Dead Dreams” and “Die Alone,” expanding the band’s sonic palette and offering a preview of their upcoming EP currently in development.
​
​“We put a lot of time and effort into this track, and I think it shows,” adds Gignac.
​
With MOSH THE ROCK 2026 on the horizon on August 9th in Victoria, BC, and new music underway, Mutual Trauma are poised to make a major impact within Canada’s modern metal landscape.

Recommended for fans of Spiritbox, Counterparts, Knocked Loose, Polaris, and Soilwork, “Left Inside” can be heard at the following links:

Lyric Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d76eHk5LGUY

​Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/5yOk6vEtJAuiVPwaUko6oi

​

Band Lineup:​
Michael Gignac – Bass Guitar
Chris Heretic – Drums, Clean Vocals
Brandon Reynolds – Screams / Lead Vocals
Trustin Bruyere – Lead Guitar
Damian Donald – Rhythm Guitar

For more info: https://linktr.ee/mutualtraumaband​

-30-

​

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0 India’s SHIVERWOOD SHADE Releases New Video “Lost” From Debut Album “Escaping Darkness”

  • July 15, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Shiverwood Shade

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 15, 2026

India’s SHIVERWOOD SHADE Releases New Video “Lost” From Debut Album “Escaping Darkness”

Top L-R: Shiverwood Shade Line Up | Sayan Pal (Drums) | Saptarshi Basu (Bass) | Manav Kundu(Synth) | Gaurav Ghosh (Lead Vocals) | Monish Mallick (Guitar) | Anupam (Guitar)
Photo Credit – Indranil Chowdhury

India’s rising cinematic‑metal force Shiverwood Shade has unveiled their video for “Lost,” one of the most emotionally charged and high‑tempo tracks from their debut album Escaping Darkness. The single captures the band’s signature fusion of heavy nu‑metal riffing, dark electronic textures, and atmospheric storytelling, an approach they describe as “a heavy, electronic collision designed to feel like a movie soundtrack for your darkest thoughts.”​
​
Clocking in at 3:50, “Lost” is a high‑energy eruption of down‑tuned guitars, industrial electronics, and emotionally raw vocals. Lyrically, the track explores the disorienting feeling of losing one’s identity and direction, one of the central themes of Escaping Darkness.
​
​“Lost” represents a pivotal moment in the album’s emotional arc, where confusion and inner conflict collide with the first spark of self‑realization,” adds the band.

Watch the video for “Lost” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFH7TF2XHac

​

Shiverwood Shade’s debut album is built around a journey through struggle, self‑discovery, and eventual liberation.
​
​“We wanted listeners to experience this album from beginning to end, a journey through darkness, doubt, resilience, and ultimately hope,” says the band.​
​
The record blends crushing riffs, atmospheric layers, cinematic electronics, soaring melodies, and emotionally charged performances. It reflects the band’s evolution from their early sci‑fi‑inspired progressive roots into a mature, layered, and deeply personal sound.
​
Formed in Gwalior, India, in 2013, Shiverwood Shade quickly gained recognition across India’s independent circuit, performing at major college festivals including Spring Fest at IIT Kharagpur. Originally inspired by science fiction and progressive metal, the band’s sound has since transformed into a hybrid of nu‑metal, post‑hardcore, industrial, synthwave, EDM, and cinematic metal.
​
The idea for the band began with a shared desire to bridge the gap between heavy rock and dark electronic music, two worlds often treated as separate. Their goal was to create a sound where down‑tuned guitars coexist seamlessly with industrial glitches, retro synthwave basslines, and EDM‑style drops.
​
In 2022, the band underwent a dramatic rebirth, relocating 1,500 kilometres to Kolkata and rebuilding their lineup from scratch. This geographical shift mirrors the emotional transformation behind “Escaping Darkness”.
​​
Shiverwood Shade
’s songwriting is fully collaborative. Songs typically begin with a riff, melody, atmosphere, or lyrical idea, then evolve through collective input. The band emphasizes emotional storytelling, structuring each track to reflect the message and psychological journey behind it. Their goal is to write honestly so listeners can find their own meaning within the songs.
​
​“Every member contributes creatively. The strength of Shiverwood Shade comes from combining different perspectives into a unified vision,” adds the band.

Recommended for fans of Linkin Park, Bring Me the Horizon, Story of the Year, Breaking Benjamin, and Architects, Shiverwood Shade’s “Escaping Darkness” (released Dec 26, 2025) is available at the following links:

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/5Htt6Dl6p54M4bVfx2rUKl

​

Bandcamp – https://shiverwood.bandcamp.com/album/escaping-darkness-album​

Track Listing:​
1. Intro – 1:02
2. Pulling Away – 4:14
3. Facing Darkness – 3:53
4. Holding On – 3:37
5. Crawling Back – 3:54
6. Walking In Circles – 4:50
7. Alone – 3:12
8. Lost – 3:50
9. Haunted – 3:39
10. Divided By Hate – 4:06
11. Break Free – 3:21

Album Band Line-up:​
Gaurav Ghosh – Vocal
Anupam Ghosh-Guitar
Saptarshi Basu-Bass
Manav Kundu-Keys
Sayan Pal-Drums
Monish Mallick-Guitar

Live Band Line-up:​
Gaurav Ghosh – Vocal
Anirban Bhattacharya-Vocal
Anupam Ghosh-Guitar
Saptarshi Basu-Bass
Manav Kundu-Keys
Sayan Pal-Drums
Monish Mallick-Guitar

For more info:

​https://www.shiverwoodshade.com/​

​https://www.facebook.com/swsprod20​

​https://www.instagram.com/shiverwoodshade/​

-30-

“Shiverwood Shade’s song “Pulling Away” begins with melancholy synths before the guitars explode with a powerful mix of punk and nu metal riffs. – Skylight Webzine

“Escaping Darkness: Shiverwood Shade on Chaos, Catharsis, and a Modern Nu‑Metal Pulse” – Wall Mag

“Exploring themes of inner struggle, resilience and transformation, Escaping Darkness balances aggressive riffs with melodic passages and atmospheric synth layers. Tracks such as Crawling Back and Holding On showcase the band’s signature mix of raw intensity and emotional depth”. – Rock Street Journal, India

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0 SHORES OF NULL Unveils First Single “Bleed to Life” From New Album “Homesick” Out October 2026

  • July 14, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Shores of Null (Spikerot Records)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 14, 2026

SHORES OF NULL Unveils First Single “Bleed to Life” From New Album “Homesick” Out October 2026

Album Out October 16th, 2026 via Dusktone

Album Guests – Natalie Koskinen (Shape of Despair) and Shaun MacGowan (My Dying Bride)

Rome, Italy’s melodic death doom collective Shores of Null open a new chapter with the launch of “Bleed to Life,” the first single and music video taken from their forthcoming album “Homesick,” set for release October 16th, 2026 through label Dusktone.
​
The track marks the beginning of the band’s next era, one defined by sharpened songwriting, emotional depth, and the unmistakable blend of doom, gothic, blackened, and melodic death metal that has become their signature.
​
​“Bleed to Life” stands among the most aggressive yet melodic compositions in the band’s catalogue. Davide Straccione (vocals) explains that the song’s core theme is the paradox of finding life through pain, an inversion of the familiar phrase bleed to death that instead celebrates growth through suffering.
​
The track’s shadows represent traumas, memories, and scars that cannot be outrun. Instead, the band embraces them, returning to those emotional spaces in search of understanding and acceptance. The result is a song that feels both punishing and uplifting, a defining statement for the album ahead.
​
The single arrives accompanied by a striking new music video, offering fans their first visual immersion into the world of “Homesick.” The imagery amplifies the song’s emotional tension, its collision of vulnerability, heaviness, and catharsis.
​
Watch and listen to the music video for “Bleed to Life” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s825Pn_EOLg

​Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/2xHwEaceWZAmKJDK0ANDhO?si=1878359078354a7e

​

Out October 16th, 2026 via Dusktone, “Homesick” represents the band’s most mature and focused work to date. Conceived as a complete listening experience, the album moves through longing, loss, anger, vulnerability, and the search for belonging. It captures Shores Of Null at their most confident and emotionally honest, balancing crushing moments with some of the most memorable melodies the band has written to date, enriched by guest appearances from Natalie Koskinen (Shape of Despair) with her vocals on The Numbing Void and Shaun MacGowan (My Dying Bride) on several tracks, including violin on Dreaming of a Scar and The Numbing Void.

“The record is an exploration of the deeply ambiguous nature of ‘home’, a place of comfort and identity, but also of pain, fear, and unresolved memory. It is probably the most honest representation of who Shores of Null are today. Behind this record lies a meticulous amount of writing, rewriting, and pre‑production work. At its core lies the idea of home as something deeply ambiguous: a place of comfort and belonging, but also of fear, pain, and memories we can never fully leave behind,” adds vocalist Davide Straccione.

“Homesick” marks a new milestone for Shores of Null as an immersive, emotionally charged work that expands their sonic universe to follow their acclaimed discography, which includes “Quiescence,” “Black Drapes for Tomorrow,” “Beyond the Shores,” “The Loss of Beauty,” and the 2025 split album with Convocation, “Latitudes of Sorrow”.
​
Recommended for fans of Paradise Lost, Amorphis, Swallow The Sun, Katatonia, and Borknagar, “Homesick” will be available for pre-order (Vinyl, CD, Digital) in the coming weeks.

Track Listing:​
1. Allies Before Defeat – 4:35
2. Two Mountains – 4:34
3. Bleed to Life – 4:09
4. Homesick – 5:31
5. Son of the Tide – 4:18
6. Dreaming of a Scar – 5:08
7. Society Is the Murderer – 4:30
8. The Numbing Void – 6:18
9. Another Breath – 3:52
10. Disappear – 4:33
Album Length: 47:32

For more info:

​https://www.shoresofnull.com/​

​https://www.facebook.com/shoresofnull​

​https://www.instagram.com/shoresofnull​

About:

Shores of Null are a Rome‑based metal band known for their seamless blend of blackened intensity, gothic‑doom melancholy, and soaring melodic depth. Since forming in 2013, they’ve built a reputation for immersive, emotionally charged songwriting across acclaimed releases like Quiescence, Black Drapes for Tomorrow, Beyond the Shores, and The Loss of Beauty, supported by major tours and festival appearances across Europe.

Following their 2025 split, Latitudes of Sorrow, the band now enters a new chapter with Homesick (Dusktone, 2026), their most mature and evocative work yet. Featuring guest contributions from Natalie Koskinen (Shape of Despair) and Shaun MacGowan (My Dying Bride), the album explores nostalgia, absence, and the complex meaning of “home,” reaffirming Shores of Null as one of the leading forces in contemporary melodic death‑doom.

Album and Live Band Line-up:​
Davide Straccione – Vocals
Gabriele Giaccari – Guitars
Raffaele Colace – Guitars
Matteo Capozucca – Bass
Emiliano Cantiano – Drums

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​
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0 ASHEN HORDE Reveals Lyric Video for Climatic Title Track “The Harvest” from Fifth Studio Album Out Now!

  • July 13, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · ASHEN HORDE · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 13, 2026

Album Download HERE (for media use only)

ASHEN HORDE Reveals Lyric Video for Climatic Title Track “The Harvest” from Fifth Studio Album Out Now!

L-R – Trevor Portz – Guitar, Bass, Harmony Vocals – Karl Chamberlain – Vocals – Robin Stone: Drums

Los Angeles extreme metal shapeshifters Ashen Horde have released the brand‑new lyric video for “The Harvest,” the crushing title track from their latest full‑length, now premiering via Heavy Blog Is Heavy. The video marks the fourth visual offering from the record, following the previously released singles “Entropy and Ecstasy,” “Voids in the Ash,” and “Apparition.”
​
While “The Harvest” is not a traditional concept album, the record is unified by a single overarching theme: endings. Each track explores a different facet of collapse, personal, societal, historical, or cosmic. The title track serves as the album’s climactic statement, tying together the record’s emotional and philosophical core.

Guitarist and primary songwriter Trevor Portz explains:
​
​“I knew I wanted a title track, but the lyrics didn’t come together until I found the cover art. The image of the two red skeletons inspired the idea of an entity watching humanity from the shadows, judging how awful and stupid we’ve become. When things reach the absolute end of hope, it emerges and devours everything. It’s really a metaphor for humanity’s bizarre tendency to destroy itself and the planet.”​
​
Musically, “The Harvest” draws inspiration from Portz’s travels through Iceland’s surreal landscapes, black beaches, glaciers, and alien terrain, blended with subliminal nods to Demonaz’s March of the Norse. The result is one of Ashen Horde’s most atmospheric yet punishing compositions.

Catch the new lyric video for “The Harvest” and dive into the Anatomy Of feature, where Ashen Horde break down the influences behind the album, all now live at Heavy Blog is Heavy HERE.
​
Expanding their genre‑defying approach with their most dynamic and thematically unified work to date, “The Harvest” marks the band’s first full‑length with vocalist Karl Chamberlain, whose wide‑ranging performance pushes the group into new melodic and emotional territory.
​
Recorded entirely remotely, “The Harvest” represents the full evolution of Ashen Horde from a one‑man endeavor into a fully realized extreme‑metal force. While the band’s earlier albums centered on singular narratives, this record takes a different direction. As guitarist and founder Trevor Portz notes, it isn’t a traditional concept album, but its songs are tied together by a unifying theme: endings. Those endings appear in many forms: societal collapse, mythic destruction, personal downfall, and the natural cycle of decay, expressed through a sound that moves fluidly between black‑metal intensity, death‑metal weight, progressive twists, grunge‑tinged harmonies, and melodic introspection.

Across its eight tracks, the album moves from the slow‑rising, Pagan‑inspired “Autumnal” into the chaotic “Entropy and Ecstasy,” the genre‑blending critique of “Backward Momentum,” and the moody Pompeii narrative of “Voids in the Ash.” “Remnant” delivers a storm‑bound tragedy, while “A Place in the Rot” reflects on mortality through a Swamp Thing lens. “The Apparition” stands as the album’s heaviest and most harrowing moment before the record closes with “The Harvest,” a finale shaped by Iceland’s surreal landscapes and the album’s striking red‑skeleton artwork.

For over 10 years, Ashen Horde has crafted extreme metal that defies easy categorization. Rooted in black and death metal but unafraid to incorporate progressive, melodic, and alternative influences, the band appeals to fans of Opeth, Enslaved, Amorphis, Ihsahn, and other genre‑bending heavyweights.

Album order (release date May 1, 2026) available on limited splatter vinyl and CD (along with t-shirt bundles) on Bandcamp, as well as everywhere digitally – https://ashenhorde.bandcamp.com/album/the-harvest​

Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/artist/6X2Yg7WkfOx0NCuX98FnTb​

Music Video – Ecstasy and Entropy – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zud62AXzvsw​

Music Video – Voids in the Ash – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-tcwbsxNHg​

Visualizer – Apparition – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4Doe6X8bZs​

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

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

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

More Info:

​https://www.facebook.com/AshenHorde/

​https://www.instagram.com/ashenhorde​

-30-

“one of the more interesting and impressive albums I’ve come across this year.” – Heavy Blog Is Heavy​
​
​“Despite Ashen Horde exploring a new identity on The Harvest, plenty of earwatering fruit awaits a good reaping. As the band calls out in their promo materials, even though the central theme is about endings, The Harvest is a new beginning. I expect opinions will be split on the new direction, but Ashen Horde is a project that teems with ideas and new frontiers, and I’ll take that every time over a band that’s content to remake the same album over and over. Now go check out this week’s Harvest and sample its tasty Ashen Hordeuvres.” – Angry Metal Guy​
​
​“I’m really excited to see how Portz turned things around with his new protégés and took ASHEN HORDE to a completely different level. With the fifth full-fledged album (there were a whopping eight EPs in between!) the musician has now reached the provisional goal of his efforts and can pat himself on the back. Lovers of demanding extreme metal should definitely take a look at this record!” – PowerMetal.de​
​
​“Tracks like ‘Entropy and Ecstasy’ and ‘Apparition’ are personal highlights, but every song on here is as good as the last! The band are so insanely talented, both as musicians and songwriters, and have crafted something truly special here. They have a huge new fan in me, and I can’t give it any less than 8.5/10!” – Overtone Magazine​
​
​“Although its lineup has undergone major changes, Ashen Horde is more powerful than ever, showcasing complex intensity and unwavering consistency on The Harvest! The band’s diverse influences are perfectly blended, and the album is a true delight. 95/100” – Acta Infernalis​
​
​“Ashen Horde’s fifth album, The Harvest, is a fantastic entry into that sound, forging its own identity along the way… The Harvest deserves the attention of any progressive extreme music fan.” – Invisible Oranges​
​​
“plenty of listeners will undoubtedly enjoy this, and the musical ability of this outfit is beyond question.” – Musika (2026 – The Harvest)
​
​
​“One listen becomes two, which becomes three, and then four, and so on. Even though it might not seem like the most replayable record at first, you’ll be very surprised by just how addictive it is. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Ashen Horde are back and sounding stronger than ever.” – Games, Brrraaains and Headbanging Life​
​
​“If you are tired of the same old recycled riffs, “The Harvest” is the wake-up call you need. This album is a whirlwind of technical proficiency and genuine aggression that hits with a calculated force.” – Heavy Mewtal Darkness​
​
​“The Harvest is a top tier album you need in your life. Essential listening.” – Wonderbox Metal​
​
​“The harvest is coming! The new Ashen Horde album is a multi-faceted journey into every nook and cranny of extreme metal. “The Harvest” is challenging and quirky, but unlike a lot of other progressive/experimental releases, it never loses track of the key ingredient in music – good songwriting. All tracks are well-crafted and interesting in their own right, and the skillful instrumental performances are more like the icing on the cake and not the main focus. Highly recommended!” – Nik Sundin (Dark Tranquillity) (2026 – The Harvest)

“The song (Entropy and Ectasy) captures this dichotomy of collapse and exhilaration — of entropy and ecstasy — through a fast-spinning (and head-spinning) kaleidoscope of sound. The moods of the music change along the way, but even the relatively slower and more desolate passages include inventive and intriguing nuances. Karl Chamberlain’s remarkably multi-faceted voice is a perfect match for the remarkably multi-faceted nature of the music.” – No Clean Singing (2026 – The Harvest)

“The “progressive” descriptor supersedes all the other subgenres Ashen Horde dive into on their fifth full-length. Going a step further, the group’s home city is arguably more important than any other adjective. Los Angeles and its tendrils that connect to all manner of art and genre, to the point that it ignores the differences between styles, shaped Ashen Horde, as The Harvest is as true to any fundamental form as an Impossible Burger is to a beef patty. This comes as a relief, dismay to genre gatekeepers as it may be, because it frees Ashen Horde to explore tones, textures, and pitches that would otherwise be scrapped on a black or death metal album.” – Colin Dempsey – Invisible Oranges​
​
​““All the ingredients of a first‑class prog metal band are here: ambitious rhythmic patterns, sharp dynamics, wonderful technical ability on all instruments.” – Scream Blast Repeat

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0 Reminder – July 17-18 – ARMSTRONG METALFEST 2026 w/ RIVERS OF NIHIL, DYING FETUS, CYBORG OCTOPUS, INTO ETERNITY, FERVENCE, VINTERSEA and more!

  • July 13, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Armstrong Metal Fest · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 13, 2026

Festival Assets – Photos, Posters, Set Times HERE (for media use only)

—

Reminder – July 17-18 – ARMSTRONG METALFEST 2026

w/ RIVERS OF NIHIL, DYING FETUS, CYBORG OCTOPUS, INTO ETERNITY, FERVENCE, VINTERSEA and more!

Armstrong MetalFest kicks off this coming weekend, July 17–18, unleashing its most devastating 2026 lineup yet with co‑headliners Rivers of Nihil and Dying Fetus, joined by Cyborg Octopus, Into Eternity, Fervence, Vintersea, Lycanthro, Iron Kingdom, Odinfist, Art of Attrition, and many more.

Returning for its 16th year, Canada’s loudest and most extreme mountain moshpit erupts once again at the Hassen Arena in Armstrong, BC, delivering two full days of moshing, headbanging, thrash wrestling, camping, and pure Okanagan chaos.

Festival passes are available at: https://www.armstrongmetalfest.ca/tickets/​

Festival Survival Guide – https://armstrongmetalfest.ca/festival/​

AMF 2026 Promo Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5swgrnrVExs

Check out the festival Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0jvJmitxkamWl1FaGxcUmr

​All ticket prices apply to full weekend passes and are subject to applicable taxes. Each weekend pass grants general admission and access to the festival grounds, camping area, and arena from 9:00 AM on Friday, July 17, 2026, until 10:00 AM on Sunday, July 18, 2026. Free camping is included.

Headlining opening night, Friday, July 17th, Reading, PA progressive/technical death metal juggernauts Rivers of Nihil bring their blend of crushing heaviness with atmospheric and experimental elements to the Okanagan. They’ve become one of the most forward‑thinking acts in modern extreme metal. Their breakthrough album, Where Owls Know My Name, charted on the Billboard 200, cementing their reputation for pushing genre boundaries. The band has released five studio albums, including their most recent self‑titled record, Rivers of Nihil (2025), which marks a new era with a refreshed lineup and an evolution of their sound.

Music Video – Water & Time – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZC2hfkdf2A​

Joining them on opening night is San Francisco’s Cyborg Octopus, a genre‑bending force blending progressive metalcore with jazz, funk, electronic music, and experimental rock. Known for high‑energy performances and boundary‑pushing musicianship, they’ve become a standout act in the Bay Area metal scene. Their acclaimed releases Between the Light and Air (2022) and Bottom Feeder (2024) showcase their mix of technical precision, sci‑fi themes, and adventurous songwriting, making them one of the most exciting and eclectic bands in modern progressive metal.

Music Video – Defective Immediately – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fjrAfa5lVU​

A highlight for Friday night is up-and-comers Fervence, a progressive metalcore band originally from Reno, NV, now based in Austin, TX. Their sound blends atmospheric ambience with heavy, emotionally charged intensity, drawing on influences like Deftones and Architects. After lineup changes and the addition of vocalist Stevie B, the band entered a new creative era, leading to their signing with Metal Blade Records in 2025. Their debut album, Ghost (2020), established their cinematic, immersive style, and they continue to build momentum through dynamic live performances and evolving songwriting. Fervence stand out for their mix of technical precision, lush soundscapes, and raw emotional weight.

Music Video – Age of Aquarius – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsBAkPwXIb0​

Headlining Saturday, July 18th, and closing the night is legendary Dying Fetus, considered one of the most defining acts of American extreme metal. They bring decades of legacy, unmatched heaviness, and nine studio albums under their belt. Their performances are known for precision, intensity, and crowd‑moving power, making them a cornerstone act for any extreme‑metal‑focused event.

Visualizer – Into The Cesspool – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKcxI6qaZh8​

Supporting day two of AMF is Into Eternity, the Canadian (Regina, SK) progressive/melodic death‑metal veterans whose nearly three‑decade career is defined by technical precision, soaring clean vocals, fierce growls, and dramatic, forward-driven songwriting. Currently, they are finishing their long‑awaited new studio album, their first with vocalist Stu Block (ex-Iced Earth) since his return to the band. Fans will feel the emotional intensity and a powerful blend of old‑school roots and modern, boundary‑pushing metal energy that this band projects to the masses.

Stream – Suicide Drone – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH4bB76VpUY​

Also featured on day two of the festival is Vintersea, a band whose identity is shaped by the Pacific Northwest and a blend of extreme and atmospheric metal elements. They bring a distinctive mix of melodic death metal, blackened textures, post‑metal atmosphere, and intricate musicianship, rooted in their origins in Portland and Corvallis, Oregon.

Music Video – Become The Wave – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R9Rcat6GOM​

Other standout attractions at this year’s AMF include a return from festival alumni and Vancouver heavy‑metal champions Iron Kingdom, performing in support of their upcoming sixth studio album “Shadows and Dust,” arriving in June. The Okanagan’s own Odinfist will mark their 20th anniversary with a special set featuring fan favourites from across their catalogue. Also on the bill are Nott, the Seattle‑based deathcore/sludge duo known for their bleak atmosphere and Alaska‑to‑Washington roots, and Edmonton’s genre‑defying force The Judge The Juror, whose sound blends elements of PsyDeathTechProg into something entirely their own.

Armstrong MetalFest 2026 Lineup:
​
​Friday, July 17th​
Rivers of Nihil (Reading, PA)
Cyborg Octopus (San Francisco, CA)
Fervence (Austin, TX)
Nott (Seattle, WA)
Iron Kingdom (Vancouver, BC)
Lycanthro (Ottawa, ON)
W.M.D. (Vancouver, BC)
Syryn (Calgary, AB)
Nameless King (Vancouver, BC
Frosthymn (Calgary, AB)
Die Another Day (Calgary, AB)
Pharm (Kelowna, BC)
Muscle Crowe (Kelowna, BC)
Shotgun Divine (Nelson, BC)
Skeksis (Vernon, BC)
​
​Saturday, July 18th​
Dying Fetus (Baltimore, MD)
Into Eternity (Regina, SK)
Vintersea (Portland, OR)
Odinfist (Okanagan, BC)
Wych (Calgary, AB)
Art of Attrition (Red Deer, AB)
The Judge The Juror (Edmonton, AB)
Brain Stem (Edmonton, AB)
Gregorious (Kamloops, BC)
Empalement (Victoria, BC)
Broken Crow (Kamloops, BC)
Daniel Martin & The Infamous (Edmonton, AB)
The Collapse (Kelowna, BC)

In addition to the performing bands, Armstrong Metal Fest will have the following on-site activities: Yeti Games, Metal Madness Market, and Thrash Wrestling.

Please Note: Camping – RV / Non-Hookup RV / Vehicle Passes: Make sure to reserve your vehicle spot to get the best location on the grounds. A fee is required for a weekend pass per vehicle in addition to your day or weekend pass. RV hookups include water and power. If you park your vehicle outside the camping area in the main parking lot, a vehicle pass is not required.

For more info:​
​https://www.armstrongmetalfest.ca/​

​https://www.facebook.com/armstrongmetalfest/​

​https://www.instagram.com/armstrongmetalfest/​
​
​https://x.com/amfcanada​

About:

Since its inception in 2009 (with a brief hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), West Metal Entertainment and Armstrong MetalFest have championed hundreds of local bands while welcoming renowned international acts to the quiet town of Armstrong, British Columbia.
​
Every year, metalheads from across Canada and the U.S. converge on the scenic Okanagan Valley for three days of camping and two days packed with heavy metal mayhem. Under the blazing summer sun, fans revel in live performances, wrestling spectacles, scavenger hunts, and reconnecting with their extended metal family.
​
Armstrong MetalFest has hosted legendary headliners such as Kataklysm, Cattle Decapitation, Archspire, Nekrogoblikon, Origin, Warbringer, Fallujah, Striker, Beyond Creation, Born of Osiris, Havok, The Browning, Virvum, and rising stars from across North America and Europe. And when the final riff fades, the festival vanishes without a trace, leaving the landscape as untouched as it was before.
​
West Metal Entertainment, a non-profit society, not only produces Armstrong MetalFest annually but also supports the regional music scene by organizing performances at various venues, including all-ages shows, to inspire musical passion in both youth and adults.

Partners:​
PABST BLUE RIBBON
WCMFA
Askews Foods
Rancho Vignola
Staggs Head
AlumaPro Welding & Fabrication Ltd
Shepherds Hardware
Sunbelt Rentals
E B Horseman and Son
Mastodon Equipment Repair
The Higher Path
Asher Media Relations
Monashees Outdoor Armstrong
ACE Containers
Bravewords
V13
Metal-Rules
Absolute Underground Mag
Broken Neck Radio
Ghost Cult Magazine
This Day In Metal
Valstar Electric
Voets Coffee
Braze Magazine

What the press is saying:

“To close the night and the weekend, Born of Osiris delivered a high-octane headline set that tore the roof off. It was the perfect finale to an unforgettable weekend. When the last note rang out, it hit us — AMF 2025 was coming to a close. There’s always that bittersweet feeling as you start packing up. But that’s the beauty of this festival: it stays with you long after the amps cool down. Every year, Armstrong Metalfest brings together a community that truly loves heavy music. It’s not just about bands and beer — it’s about belonging. The friends you make, the moments you live, the memories that stick — they’re why we keep coming back. If you’ve never been to AMF, consider this your sign. It’s more than a music festival—it’s a metal rite of passage. Once you go, it gets into your blood. We’re already counting the days until the next one.” – Stan Schinners of Broken Neck Radio / Absolute Underground Magazine (Live Review AMF 2025)

“It’s one of the premier festivals of its kind in Canada, showcasing the biggest names in local, national, and international heavy metal music.” – Vancouver Sun

“Armstrong Metalfest brings aggressive music to the North Okanagan” – Global BC News

“What started out as a backyard gathering for Armstrong metalheads has turned into a beacon for metal fans of all kinds from across British Columbia and Alberta.” – Kelowna Now

“Metalheads celebrate a decade of gathering in Armstrong… The 10th annual Armstrong Metal Fest is coming to the Okanagan this weekend. About 600 heavy metal music fans will be traveling from across North America to listen to local and international death, thrash and black metal bands…. The 10-year anniversary is special for the organizers, as this is the first year they are providing a scholarship to an Armstrong high school music student.” – CHBC – Global TV Okanagan

Armstrong Metalfest brings aggressive music to the North Okanagan… It’s a beautiful day to go inside and rock out to some heavy metal music. Twenty-seven metal bands have converged in the North Okanagan for the 12th annual Armstrong Metalfest — two days of moshing in Hassen Arena at the IPE Fairgrounds. Metal fans don’t just come for the music, organizers say. It’s more like a family reunion.” – CHBC – Global TV Okanagan.

“In the past, metalheads had to travel to Germany to experience the rush of a big festival, such as Wacken Open Air. But local headbangers decided to bring that feeling home with Armstrong Metalfest.” – Vernon Morning Star

“Go Big or Stay at Home: Armstrong has that welcoming feeling for a rock show.” – The Valley Voice

“To witness such a gathering of talent is an absolute privilege, and for that fact alone, I will certainly be returning to Armstrong Metal Fest.” – Beatroute BC

“This festival is now going to be my yearly must-go-to event and if you’re a metal head that hasn’t attended or a curious metal voyeur, do yourself a favour and check it out, you will not regret it.” – Abort Mag

“The Armstrong Metalfest is one such event and has grown from its initial, humble beginnings seven years ago to be a regular mainstay, with its south-central BC location making for a popular summertime destination for fans and bands alike.” – Decibel Mag

Named one of the out-of-town music festivals worth the trip by The Vancouver Sun

“For metalheads, this is a great vacation where groups of all sizes can enjoy their favourite musical genre in a fun, energized environment. Not to mention, the camping!” – The Permanent Rain Press

“From farm to stadium: Armstrong Metal Fest’s humble beginnings” – Info News

– 30 –

​

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook – Asher Media Relations
Instagram – AsherMedia
Tweet – AsherMedia

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