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Category: Music News

0 This Week – July 18th – DIEVENOIRE Ignites Rockfest 2026 w/ The Offspring, Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless and more! + Drops New “IDGAF” Video

  • July 13, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Dieve Noire · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 13, 2026

This Week – July 18th – DIEVENOIRE Ignites Rockfest 2026 w/ The Offspring, Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless and more!

+ Drops New “IDGAF” Video

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

Photo by Darrelle Esquitin

DieveNoire storms into Rock Fest in Cadott, Wisconsin this week, delivering their most high‑profile performance to date on July 18th. The melodic blues‑heavy rock band will bring their dynamic, theatrical stage show to a massive lineup featuring The Offspring, Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless, Hollywood Undead, and more. Full festival details at https://rock-fest.com/.

Fans attending Rock Fest can expect far more than a recreation of the album. DieveNoire’s live show is high‑energy, theatrical, and emotionally charged, with Lariyah (Havron, Hessler, Khaotika) delivering vocals with more grit, harshness, and intensity than on the studio recordings. Each song becomes a full‑body experience on stage.

In addition to the band’s festival appearance, they have unveiled their boldest visual statement yet with the release of the new music video for “IDGAF,” a track from their debut concept album “The Story of a Gunslinger.”

​“IDGAF” itself erupts from a moment of raw clarity, born out of insomnia, overwhelming stress, and a quiet morning lying in grass heavy with petrichor. As Lariyah reflected on humanity and the weight of her own history, the track emerged unfiltered and unapologetic, standing in stark contrast to the album’s western narrative and showcasing the band’s ability to shift from cinematic storytelling to deeply personal expression.
​
The song’s urgency is shaped by Lariyah’s lived intensity. After surviving a tragic tour accident that claimed three lives and left her clinically dead before being revived, she approaches every day with uncompromising authenticity. “This song is a display of a middle finger to the two‑faced, fake world. If you give me an apple, I’ll give you an orchard. Cut off my finger, and I’ll cut you off from my life. I’m Polish; I’m blunt. You’ll always know exactly what I think.”
​
Though separate from the gunslinger storyline, “IDGAF” can still be interpreted through the album’s lens, echoing the voice of the woman observing the gunslinger’s journey, surrendering to the realization that she may never be able to follow where he goes.

Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaBKRsvsfP0

​
​
​DieveNoire began as a solitary creative spark in Lariyah’s mind: simple beats, tribal textures, and haunting blues‑rock vocals. Over time, the project evolved into a full band featuring world‑touring musicians Josh Perrin (Akhlys, Havron), Lothar Keller (The Skull / Legions of Doom), drummer Aaron Esquitin, and recent addition Paul McBride (The Reticent). Their backgrounds in black metal, doom, progressive metal, and heavy rock helped shape DieveNoire into a melodic, blues‑driven heavy rock band known for emotional depth and dynamic arrangements.
​
Their debut album “The Story of a Gunslinger”, inspired by a vivid dream of the old Wild West, blends storytelling, grit, and a Southern Gothic atmosphere. Gothenburg producer Jakob Herrmann (Draconian, Thyrfing, Art Nation) further pushed the band toward heavier textures while preserving their blues‑rock soul.
​
Recommended for fans of Clutch, Dorothy, Everybody Loves an Outlaw, Pretty Reckless, and Halestorm, “The Story of a Gunslinger” (released September 5, 2025) is available on all digital platforms.

Add to your Spotify Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/5AaQXA6NbVieLh8YBpo4vH

​

Bandcamp – https://dievenoire.bandcamp.com/album/the-story-of-a-gunslinger​

Music Video – Morningstar – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=istfeAAYitk​

Music Video – The Graveyard Song – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1fJB5zDz3c​

Show Dates:​
7/16 – Chicago, IL – Live Wire Lounge
7/17 – Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall
7/18 – Cadott, WI – Rock Fest

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

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

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

More info:

​https://dievenoire.com/​

​https://www.facebook.com/dievenoire​

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

About: DieveNoire is a melodic blues‑heavy rock band blending storytelling, emotional depth, and dynamic musicianship. Formed by vocalist and songwriter Lariyah Perrin, the band evolved from a solo concept into a collaborative force featuring members of Akhlys, The Skull/Legions of Doom, The Reticent, and Havron. Their debut album, The Story of a Gunslinger, delivers a cinematic narrative rooted in dream‑born mythology, southern‑gothic atmosphere, and raw human emotion.

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

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

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

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

—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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0 SIEGE PERILOUS Unleashes Full Cinematic Album Experience Video for “Becoming The Dragon” ft. guests Fabio Lione (Rhapsody, Angra), Kristin Starkey (Twilight Force, Temperance)

  • July 12, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Siege Perilous

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 12, 2026

SIEGE PERILOUS Unleashes Full Cinematic Album Experience Video for “Becoming The Dragon”

Album Guests Fabio Lione (Rhapsody, Angra) and Kristin Starkey (Twilight Force, Temperance)

Colorado power‑metal storytellers Siege Perilous have unveiled a full cinematic album experience for their debut full‑length, “Becoming The Dragon”. The feature‑length video presents the album as a unified epic, transforming its ten‑chapter narrative into a sweeping visual journey of prophecy, tragedy, destiny, and rebirth.
​
Now streaming via NWOTHM Full Albums Channel on YouTube, the cinematic experience blends fantasy imagery, atmospheric sequences, and dramatic pacing to mirror the emotional arc of the album’s protagonist, the Child of Prophecy, as he confronts fate, battles cosmic forces, and ultimately becomes the dragon.
​
​Watch the full cinematic experience at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK8_jOho0hE

​
​
​
​“Becoming The Dragon” is Siege Perilous’ debut full‑length album, released on March 27th, 2026, via Crunchtronic Records. The record is a story‑driven concept album that balances a grand narrative arc with powerful standalone tracks. Each chapter explores a different emotional and musical landscape, from Iron Maiden‑inspired gallops to dark desert heaviness, chant‑driven battle hymns, classic heavy‑metal fury, and symphonic balladry.
​
The album features two monumental guest performances woven into the cinematic experience with Fabio Lione (Rhapsody, Angra) as the dragon in “As the Dragon Falls,” delivering a pivotal warning that reshapes the hero’s destiny, and Kristin Starkey (Twilight Force, Temperance) as the Mystic in “Echoes of Home,” guiding the protagonist toward transformation.
​
Vocalist Shaughnessy McDaniel reflects on the album’s creation:
​
​“Creating a massive, sweeping power‑metal epic has been a dream since way before we started this band. Getting to sing alongside Fabio Lione, one of the voices that got me into metal as a teenager, is indescribable. And having Kristin Starkey ripping a power ballad with us is far beyond anything we could have hoped for.”

Formed in 2021 after a life‑changing Unleash the Archers concert in Denver, Siege Perilous was born from the shared storytelling roots of live‑action roleplay, cooperative world‑building, and a deep love of power metal. Founders Shaughnessy McDaniel (vocals), Scott Hancock (guitar), and Mark Girard (drums) soon recruited longtime collaborator Eric Fischer (bass) and, in 2024, welcomed guitarist Ryan Flanagan, completing the lineup.
​
Their music blends classic heavy‑metal influences from Manowar, Iron Maiden, Hammerfall, and Sabaton with the symphonic grandeur of Blind Guardian, Rhapsody, Helloween, and Avantasia. The result is a sound that is epic, melodic, powerful, cinematic, and story‑driven.
​
Every Siege Perilous track is a chapter in a larger saga, drawing from myth, history, and fantasy: the Black Plague, the Rubicon, dragon‑slaying quests, and the emotional journeys of heroes shaped by destiny.

“Becoming the Dragon” is available on all digital platforms, along with physical CD and Vinyl, plus merch at the following links:

CD + Vinyl (Limited Edition 12″ Vinyl in Draconic Red) – https://siegemetal.bandcamp.com/album/becoming-the-dragon​

Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/2ij7lZIEXDFMn4I65Slc87

​

Track Listing:​
1. Overture (Instrumental) – (2:37)
2. Ancient Rite – (4:37)
3. As the Dragon Falls (feat. Fabio Lione) – (4:33)
4. Child of Prophecy – (4:05)
5. Shattered Mirage – (4:07)
6. Chieftain – (4:03)
7. Cut Down – (3:01)
8. Echoes of Home (feat. Kristin Starkey) – (4:48)
9. Becoming the Dragon – (5:09)
10. Eschaton – (7:50)
Album Length: 44:54

More info: http://www.siegemetal.com/​

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Siege Perilous Unleashes a Dragon-Slaying Debut – Westword Denver

“The LARP-loving five-piece’s first LP is its most immersive work to date, introducing a protagonist who is destined to slay an oppressive cosmic dragon. Spoiler: He defeats the nemesis by the third track, “As The Dragon Falls,” featuring former Rhapsody of Fire frontman Fabio Lione. But it’s what follows that makes Becoming the Dragon such a mind-bending metal journey for the child of prophecy. Siege Perilous brought in operatic singer Kristin Starkey (Temperance and Twilight Force) for somber ballad “Echoes of Home.” Vocalist Shaughnessy McDaniel, bassist Eric Fischer, drummer Mark Girard, and guitarists Scott Hancock and Ryan Flanagan rally the hordes on “Chieftain” and “Eschaton,” but Becoming the Dragon is best experienced in one shot.” – Westword Denver – The Best New Music Releases of March 2026

“Siege Perilous, a group with a ton of talent and potential, have the chops to be major players in the epic metal field. They need to get out of Colorado and head over to Europe!” 10/10 – Powerplay Magazine
​
“Denver, CO power-metal storytellers Siege Perilous launch their full-length Becoming the Dragon, which stands as a genre-defining concept album for the modern era.” – New Noise Magazine

“The debut album from this Colorado band is another fine example of just taking what makes power metal and epic heavy metal work and putting your own spin to it all.. with the excellent production and two awesome guest spots from Fabio Leone and Kristen Starky to give this just a little more cred and you having an album that is for anyone who enjoys the likes of Blind Guardian, Rapsidity, Krilloan, and Evermore. Excellent. Excellent music.” – Heavy Debriefings

“Becoming the Dragon is an excellent album in its own right, and it shows an up-and-coming band making great strides towards becoming a force to be reckoned with… a strong debut in its own right, and one I can easily recommend for fans of epic heavy metal and fantasy-themed power metal.” – My Global Mind Magazine

“With „Becoming The Dragon“ Siege Perilous follow in the big footsteps of bands like Avantasia, Iron Maiden and Blind Guardian. And the musicians do this extremely well. Great epic, sometimes bombastic sound, strong vocal direction and very good musicians make this debut extremely worth listening to.” – Keep On Rocking Mag

“This is epic Power Metal again, with driving drums and fast guitar solos.” – Metalheads Forever Mag

“The debut album from the epic, Colorado-based power metallers is a true journey from start to finish…. The band are insanely good songwriters, and for this to be a debut album makes it feel like we have some truly special things to come in the next few years! They’re ones to watch, for sure! However, for now, this is an excellent release for anyone into the genre even a little bit!” – Overtone Magazine

“For a debut, ‘Becoming The Dragon’ is a bold and confident statement… undeniably compelling, and a promising sign of greater things to come.” – Metal Rager 666

​
​“Siege Perilous puts all the notes in the right places and has the chops to be a player in the epic power metal arena… and Becoming the Dragon offers a glimpse of this band’s potential.” – The Metal Crypt​
​
​“orchestral power metal with a fine story” – FFM-Rock
​
“With ‘Becoming The Dragon’, Siege Perilous proves that they are ready for the bigger stage. For fans of Wind Rose, Hammerfall, Sabaton, Blind Guardian, and Iron Maiden, this is a must. This is power metal with heart, brains, and a sword in hand.” – Musika

“Becoming The Dragon is an ambitious work that combines epic heavy metal with orchestral elements. Siege Perilous show talent in songwriting and variety of arrangements… The mix of powerful vocals, triple guitar riffing and orchestral interjections makes the album interesting for fans of epic metal,” – MetalUnderground.at

““It’s certainly not a lack of ambition, this is a band that clearly sees itself as the natural successors to the true greats of fantasy-based power metal… Guest Fabio Lione… absolutely lays waste to all around him in the role of ‘The Dragon’ on As The Dragon Falls…. They deserve the highest praise for their commitment to the cause if nothing else.” – Sentinel Daily

“The 10 tracks keep you on the edge of your seat and even feature a collaboration with Fabio Lione, who deserves to be praised in every way… An album to enjoy!” – Nada Hay Bajo El Sol

““‘As the Dragon Falls’ is elevated to a completely different level…. The catchy melodies and gripping guitar work are among the highlights of the record…. With the melancholic dark ballad ‘Echoes of Home,’ the band proves their knack for atmospheric arrangements with depth… Kristin Starkey contributes female vocals that give the track a beautifully atmospheric dimension… The gripping, catchy anthem ‘Chieftan’ is another noteworthy and praiseworthy exception.” – Obliveon

“All the songs are catchy, well constructed and technically flawless” – Tempiduri

“Musically, this is a total love letter to the European masters. You can hear the DNA of Blind Guardian and Iron Maiden all over the place, especially in the way the guitars layer up. Having three guitarists isn’t just for show; they use that extra firepower to build some seriously big harmonies that actually stick in your brain… “Becoming The Dragon” is a damn strong start for a band that clearly lives and breathes this genre. They aren’t hiding their influences; they’re wearing them like a suit of armor and heading straight for the front lines.” – Heavy Metal Darkness
​

—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
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Tweet @AsherMedia

0 Iceland’s Sorcerous Folk Metal HRAFNABLÓT Unleashes Debut Music Video “Svartigaldur”; The First Chapter of Forthcoming Album “Guðlaugar Saga”

  • July 10, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Hrafnablót · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 10, 2026

Iceland’s Sorcerous Folk Metal HRAFNABLÓT Unleashes Debut Music Video “Svartigaldur”

The First Chapter of Forthcoming Album “Guðlaugar Saga” Due Out Fall 2026

L-R Hrafnablót Line-up | Steingrímur Viðar Karlsson (Guitar) | Ólafur Daði Jónsson (Keyboards) | Hugrún Hanna Stefánsdóttir (Vocals) | Andri Pétur Dalmar (Drums) | Þórgnýr Einar Albertsson (Bass) | Mara Birna Jóhannsdóttir (Guitar)

Photo Credit – Þórgnýr Einar Albertsson

Reykjavík, Iceland’s sorcerous folk‑metal conjurers Hrafnablót (pronounced rahv-nah‑blote) have released their first official single, “Svartigaldur,” alongside an atmospheric music video. The track marks the opening strike from the band’s forthcoming debut album, “Guðlaugar Saga,” arriving in fall 2026.
​
A metallized Icelandic sea‑shanty rooted in ancient folk melody, “Svartigaldur” tells a pivotal moment in the album’s narrative. The kidnapping of Guðlaug, the record’s time‑travelling protagonist, is bound to the mast of a Viking longship after being mistaken for a witch. The song’s main riff, adapted from the Icelandic folk tune Að bíða þess sem búið er, anchors a storm of rowboat rhythms, black‑metal‑tinged chord work, and soaring clean‑vocal hooks.
​
The accompanying video, directed and edited by bassist Þórgnýr Einar Albertsson with creative direction by singer Hugrún Hanna Stefánsdóttir, was filmed across Iceland’s unforgiving winter landscapes and captures the band’s ritualistic energy and the stark contrasts that define their sound. During the shoot, members endured temperatures as low as –15°C, relocating mid‑day from a wind‑blasted lighthouse in Selvogur to the sheltering woods of Þrastarskógur to complete the performance scenes.
​
​“Svartigaldur was the last song we wrote for the album, and it came together at lightning speed. We’re extremely proud to finally release it as we invite every listener on this journey through the Icelandic settlement age along with us,” adds the band.

Hrafnablót’s debut full‑length is a fully realized Icelandic epic, both musically and lyrically. The album follows Guðlaug, a modern‑day woman thrust back into the settlement age with nothing but her clothes and a taser. Across battles, celebrations, kidnapping, and existential crossroads, the record explores whether she will return to her mundane present or embrace a new destiny in the past.
​
Sonically, “Guðlaugar Saga” contrasts darkness and light, ugliness and beauty, past and present, weaving together Icelandic folk music, Nordic folk metal, NWOBHM, gothic influences, and extreme metal to create a sound that is sorcerous, folky, dramatic, melodic, and contrasting.
​
The album will feature seven full songs plus two spoken‑word pieces, including the seer’s prophecy in Spádómurinn and the chieftain’s post‑battle reflection in Kappar, meyjar, and komendur. Each track contributes to the overarching Saga, from the celebratory folk‑metal revelry of Fögnuður to the 11‑minute multi‑movement finale Örlagavegur.
​
Formed in Reykjavík in fall 2024, Hrafnablót draws deeply from Icelandic magick, folklore, and the Sagas. Their sound blends heavy riffs, folk instrumentation, haunting melodies, and both clean and harsh vocals, creating a distinct brand of sorcerous folk metal rooted in Icelandic myth and landscape.
​
Since forming, the band has become a rising force in Iceland’s live scene, performing at Íslenski rokkbarinn, Lemmy, BIRD, and the Icelandic Sorcery Festival, where drummer Andri famously performed despite a severe back injury, lying flat until the moment he took the stage.
​
Their performances channel ritual intensity, dramatic storytelling, and strong visual elements, aiming to feel less like a concert and more like a magickal rite.
​
The single artwork for “Svartigaldur,” illustrated by Ana Nikitina with layout by guitarist Mara Birna Jóhannsdóttir, depicts Guðlaug bound to the mast of a Viking longship. The frame features Icelandic magick staves used historically to ward against black magick, tying the visual world directly into the album’s themes.
​
​Hrafnablót’s writing is highly collaborative. Bassist Þórgnýr Einar Albertsson often brings initial demos, which the band collectively reshapes during rehearsal, adding symphonic elements, vocal lines, and structural changes. Lyrics, primarily written by vocalist Hugrún Hanna Stefánsdóttir and drummer Andri Pétur Dalmar with contributions from the rest of the band, draw heavily from Icelandic folklore, Skaldic poetry, and historical magick traditions.​
​
The band’s influences span Cradle of Filth, Bathory, Iron Maiden, Ensiferum, Nightwish, Wintersun, and a wide spectrum of folk, gothic, and extreme metal.
​
With “Svartigaldur” now unveiled, Hrafnablót opens the gateway into their Saga, inviting listeners into a world of Icelandic myth, magick, and metal.
​
Watch and listen to “Svartigaldur” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDPpHb_Qf1s

​Add to your Spotify playlist – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/hrafnablt/svartigaldur​

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

For more info:

​https://hrafnablot.is/​

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

​https://www.instagram.com/hrafnablot​
​
​About:​
Hrafnablót is a sorcerous folk metal band, formed in Iceland in the fall of 2024. Drawing from the contrasting light and darkness of Icelandic magick, Sagas, and folklore, the band weaves together heavy riffs, folk influences, haunting melodies, and clean and harsh vocals. The outcome is a sound rooted in Icelandic myth and landscape.

Since forming, Hrafnablót has built a strong presence in the live music scene in Iceland, performing at venues such as Íslenski rokkbarinn, Lemmy, and BIRD, as well as the Icelandic Sorcery Festival in 2025.

Hrafnablót’s live shows channel ritual intensity and pure metal energy, carried by meticulous Icelandic lyrics, storytelling, and a distinct sense of drama.

Hrafnablót is releasing their debut album, Guðlaugar Saga, in the fall of 2026.

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—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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Instagram @AsherMedia
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0 Streaming Now! Montreal Tech-Death VOLUBILIS’ Debut Sci-Fi Concept Album “Theasterion”

  • July 9, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Uncategorized · Volubilis

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 9, 2026

Streaming Now! Montreal Tech-Death VOLUBILIS’ Debut Sci-Fi Concept Album “Theasterion”

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

Photo Credit – Jade Weeles & Miguel Marcheterre-Pina

Montréal’s rising technical death metal force Volubilis will unveil its debut album, “Theasterion,” on July 10th, 2026. Before it officially drops, they have teamed up with Decibel Magazine to give listeners their first full immersion into the band’s ambitious sci‑fi concept record.

Listen to “Theasterion” in full via Decibel Magazine HERE.​
​
Formed in 2020 by Afro‑Canadian multi‑instrumentalist and visual storyteller Miguel Marcheterre‑Pina, Volubilis has rapidly evolved from a pandemic‑era one‑man project into one of Canada’s most promising new progressive and technical death metal acts. Joined by André Dubien (vocals), Jacob Collins (drums), Alexis Rioux (guitar), and Shawn Hillman (fretless bass), the Montréal‑based quintet has built a reputation for colossal blast beats, intricate fretwork, monstrous vocals, and world‑class technical precision, all woven into a meticulously crafted narrative universe.
​
​“Theasterion” marks the band’s first full‑length release and represents a major milestone not only for Volubilis, but for the growing visibility of Afro‑Canadian and BIPOC artists within extreme metal. The album blends high‑velocity musicianship with conceptual worldbuilding, telling a sweeping sci‑fi epic of human survival, political upheaval, and cosmic catastrophe.
​
​“We believe this album will resonate strongly with listeners, both as a reflection of Québec’s rich technical death metal scene and as part of the broader Canadian and international metal community. Theasterion is intended to leave a legacy, one that inspires creatives to pursue their dreams through determination and hard work,” says Miguel.
​
Across six tracks, “Theasterion” follows humanity’s desperate attempt to survive after discovering a prophecy foretelling the supernova of the nearest star, Unukhalai. The narrative explores political division, mass exodus, alien landscapes, and the mysterious Homo Cumulus, an anthropoid species evolved beyond human comprehension. Each song serves as a chapter in the unfolding drama, with sequencing designed for uninterrupted, immersive listening.
​
Beyond music, “Theasterion” is part of a larger creative universe. Miguel, also an illustrator and writer, will expand the lore through a forthcoming comic book project developed during his upcoming residency at Casa na Ilha in Brazil.

Recommended for fans of Beyond Creation, Vale of Pnath, and Obscura to Ne Obliviscaris, “Theasterion” is available on all digital platforms on July 10, 2026.

Album pre-order / pre-save available at the following links:

Digital pre-save – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/volubilis1/theasterion​

Bandcamp – https://volubilisband.bandcamp.com/album/theasterion​

Lyric Video – Le Flamboiement Stellaire – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_DXs3fYcgw​

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

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

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

More info:

​https://bio.site/volubilis​

​https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093419962099​

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

About: Volubilis is a Montréal‑based technical death metal band founded in 2020 by multi‑instrumentalist Miguel Marcheterre‑Pina, originally conceived as a pandemic‑era solo project. It soon expanded into a full lineup featuring André Dubien, Jacob Collins, Alexis Rioux, and Shawn Hillman, quickly establishing itself as one of Canada’s most promising new extreme‑metal acts. After releasing their first single, “Ashes & Embers” in 2025, the band now returns with their ambitious conceptual debut album, “Theasterion.” Defined by colossal blast beats, monstrous vocals, and sweeping harmonies, their sound delivers a fresh and immersive take on progressive and technical metal. Rooted in a self‑created sci‑fi universe and driven by world‑class musicianship, Volubilis push extreme metal into bold new artistic territory.

Volubilis has received support from FACTOR and Concordia University’s FASA.

– 30 –

“Volubilis is a solid techdeath band, and Miguel is one creative dude. The album cover, depicting the sacred Prism, was hand-drawn by the guy, and the concept and lyricism came directly from his brain. I love sci-fi more than the next guy, and I appreciate a solid concept record… all readers should surely spin it for the story.” – Metal Temple

“Canada and Tech Death go together like France and wine. Please meet Volubilis, the newest star on the Canadian Tech Death firmament. Their second single ‘Le Flamboiement Stellaire’ has got everything Candian Tech Death needs: blistering guitar leads, fretless bass, blast beats and, of course, a cosmic/sci-fi story. And it even has French lyrics, how cool is that? So keep your eyes peeled for the release of their debut album “Theasterion” on July 10th if you’re digging this Stellar Blaze!” – The Prog Space

“Whether the story connects with a listener or not, Volubilis give it there all to give legitimacy to the concept. Violin, viola and contrabass add gravitas to the excellent “Unukhalai Supernova,” which is also felt with the acoustic guitars during the finish to “Homo Cumulus.” The band pulls from all corners, from the flashy rage of Necrophagist to the orchestral waves of Fleshgod Apocalypse, for Theasterion.” – Heavy Music Headquarters

“With just 6 songs and a runtime a bit over 30 minutes, this album flies by. There is plenty of variety, melody, and speed, keeping things interesting throughout. The clean vocals tease was almost a surprise, and I would have loved for it to be more prominent in the mix, as well as utilized a bit more frequently. Overall, this is an impressive debut, and I look forward to seeing more from Volubilis, which hopefully includes a live experience in the near future. You should check this one out!” – My Metal of the Day
​
“Canadian technical death metal is frequently held in high regard. For whatever reason, those cool Canadians often manage to sound distinct from the bulk of the competition and craft excellent songs with real passion. Volubilis is another relatively new technical death metal band that makes a strong impression with *Theasterion*. Fans of lightning-fast riffing, screaming solos, an octopus-like drummer who seemingly has more limbs than the average musician, and a bassist who explores every inch of the fretboard will find plenty to enjoy here.” – Musika
​
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0 Streaming Now! Saskatoon Death Groove PYTHONIC’s Third EP “Laws of Karma”

  • July 9, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Pythonic

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 9, 2026

Streaming Now! Saskatoon Death Groove PYTHONIC’s Third EP “Laws of Karma”

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

Pythonic will unleash their third EP, “Laws of Karma,” on July 10, 2026, marking the band’s most aggressive and fully realized chapter to date. Ahead of its official release, fans will be able to hear the entire EP early through an exclusive premiere on BraveWords.com, showcasing the band’s sharpened death‑groove attack and their heaviest material yet.

Listen to the EP full stream HERE.
​
The current Pythonic lineup rises from the ashes of the old formation, bringing a renewed sense of purpose and a ferocious live presence. The band’s new direction is full of raw, aggressive groove representing their push forward, tightening older live staples, rewriting lyrics, and unleashing a death‑groove identity into darker, heavier territory.
​
​“We are really driving the death groove to the forefront with this one,” adds the band.​
​
​
​“Laws of Karma” delivers Pythonic’s most cohesive and punishing work yet. The EP features revamped tracks that have dominated their live sets over the past year, now captured with the intensity and precision fans have come to expect.
​
The band leans harder into death metal and slam influences while preserving the groove‑driven backbone established on 2025’s “Decomposition” and 2024’s “EP01.” Expect tighter grooves, ripping solos, and vocals that swing between grit, terror, and emotional catharsis. Musically, the riffs reflect years of personal struggle, written through hardship, recovery, and emotional release.
​
All lyrics were written by Morgan Warriner, who crafted the EP during a period of physical recovery and emotional hardship. The songs reflect the band’s collective struggles with disability, surgery, abusive relationships, fractured identity, and karmic reckoning.
​
Each track carries its own story: “Sentience,” questioning reality, fractured identity, and awakening; “Venom” is about surviving abuse and reclaiming self‑worth, title track “Laws of Karma” is about karmic justice toward a former band member, “Set You Free”, is about confronting religious harm and hypocrisy and EP closer, “Feed the Flames” is about demonic consequence, biblical imagery, and fear.
​
The cover art depicts a figure impaled on a liberty scale in a hellscape, embodying karmic justice and the EP’s namesake. Created by @apocalyptic.nuke, the artwork ties directly into the title track’s themes and Pythonic’s increasingly extreme direction. The band also unveils an updated logo to match their heavier sound.
​
​Pythonic’s live reputation has surged across Western Canada, earning praise from scene veterans including Stu Block (Into Eternity), Matt Cuthbertson (Untimely Demise, Into Eternity), and Sean Watson (Display of Decay). Their performances at Slaughter Fest, Serenade Metal Fest, and multiple tour dates with Exit Wound have cemented their status as one of the region’s most explosive rising acts.
​
Their sound continues to evolve toward heavier death and slam territory, with extreme vocal stylings and darker subject matter.

Recommended for fans of Lamb of God, Black Dahlia Murder, Death, Morbid Angel, Devildriver, Pantera, and 200 Stab Wounds, Pythonic‘s “Laws of Karma” will be available on all digital platforms on July 10th, 2026.
​
​Bandcamp – https://pythonic.bandcamp.com/

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/0myv6psbKYdSeXY98YXAZP​

Single Streams:

Set You Free – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJw7vOY-lU0​

Sentience – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymCFKjZ5tX0​

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

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

More info:

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

​https://instagram.com/pythonicband​

About: Pythonic is a Canadian death‑groove band known for its crushing riffs, relentless energy, and emotionally charged lyricism. Influenced by Lamb of God, Black Dahlia Murder, Death, Morbid Angel, Devildriver, Pantera, and modern slam, the band continues to evolve toward a heavier, more extreme sound. Their live shows are defined by precision, intensity, and a connection with the crowd that consistently sparks movement, even as the opening act.

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

-30-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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0 CONFLUX COLLECTIVE Unleashes A Ferocious Prog Death Odyssey w/ “The Antidote” from New Album “In the Wake of Saturn” (ft. members of ex-Augury, ex‑Decrepit Birth, Derelict, Gross Misconduct, Continuum and more!)

  • July 8, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Conflux Collective · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 8, 2026

Album Download HERE (for media use only)

CONFLUX COLLECTIVE Unleashes A Ferocious Prog Death Odyssey w/ “The Antidote” from New Album “In the Wake of Saturn”

(ft. members of ex-Augury, ex‑Decrepit Birth, Derelict, Gross Misconduct, Continuum and more!)

L-R – Max Lussier, Jesse Brint, Mallika Sundaramurthy, Tommy McKinnon, Eric Burnet, Jeffrey Mott

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDITS: Joe Diaz, Derek Carr of Visionsinpixels, Mat Barbeau, Tania Hébert

Montreal’s progressive death‑metal collective Conflux Collective has unleashed the official lyric video for “The Antidote,” premiering now on The Circle Pit. Serving as the opening track to their newly released full‑length album “In The Wake of Saturn”, the single delivers a ferocious blend of brutal technicality, melodic tension, and uncompromising intensity.
​
​“The Antidote” showcases some of the most demanding drum work of drummer‑composer Tommy McKinnon’s career, paired with guitarist Chase Fraser’s signature brutal‑progressive riffing. Vocalist Eric Burnet (Derelict) brings the lyrics to life with a visceral performance that captures the song’s core message: resisting complacency in a world where ignorance thrives, and discipline is the true antidote.

Watch and listen to the lyric video for “The Antidote” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgHR0TOQtcI​
​
Released on June 19, 2026, “In The Wake of Saturn” marks the long‑awaited return of Conflux Collective after years of dormancy. The album is a multidimensional journey through pain, fear, defeat, survival, and rebirth, an extreme‑metal odyssey forged through perseverance and sheer will.
​
Musically, the record merges the raw ferocity of ’90s death metal with the precision and ambition of modern tech‑death. Across eight tracks, listeners are pulled through blast‑driven chaos, atmospheric tension, crushing grooves, and climactic melodic peaks. Lyrically, the album explores deeply personal themes: loss, addiction, ecological collapse, self‑reinvention, and existential transformation. The record also features a diverse roster of vocalists with Jesse Brint (Gross Misconduct), Mallika Sundaramurthy (Emasculator, ex‑Abnormality), Jeffrey Mott (The Monster Factory, Growlers Choir), Eric Burnet (Derelict, Samskaras), and Max (Derelict), who also contributes a blistering guitar solo
​
​Conflux Collective was born from a chance reunion in a Montreal fast‑food joint after a King Diamond concert. Guitarist Chase Fraser (Continuum, ex‑Decrepit Birth, ex‑Animosity) and drummer Tommy McKinnon (Derelict, Akurion, ex‑Neuraxis, ex‑Augury) discovered they had once shared a stage years earlier in San Francisco. A spontaneous jam session soon followed, and within an hour, a full song had taken shape. Within six weeks, they had written and recorded their debut EP, “The Inception” (2016).
​
From the beginning, Conflux Collective was envisioned as a true assembly, a project built on collaboration, diversity, and the fusion of multiple extreme‑vocal styles. After years of setbacks, McKinnon resurrected the project, reconstructing the album from archived material, writing new songs, recording all bass tracks, and assembling a lineup of powerhouse vocalists.
​
The result is a unique, uncompromising, and emotionally charged extreme‑metal record, one that stands apart through its honesty, ambition, and collaborative spirit.
​​
Conflux Collective 
currently has no plans for live performances, remaining a studio‑driven project focused on pushing creative boundaries.

Recommended for fans of Cryptopsy, Necrophagist, Decrepit Birth, Augury, and Beyond Creation, “In the Wake of Saturn” will be available at the following links:

Album pre-save – https://confluxcollective.bandcamp.com/​

Vinyl and CD order – https://elasticstage.com/confluxcollective​

Merch / Apparel available – https://confluxco-shop.fourthwall.com/​

Lyric Video – Reincarnation – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nce0-kz3nTk​

Lyric Video – Devouring Light – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skYaLYoVjX8​

Track Listing:​
1. The Antidote – 3:02
2. Devoid of True Form – 2:39
3. Ethereal Executioner – 4:45
4. Devouring Light – 4:59
5. Blood from a Rock 4:18
6. Reincarnation – 3:20
7. In the Wake of Saturn – 2:29
8. Desperate Post-Humanist – 5:18
Album Length: 30:53

Album Band Line-up:​
Guitar: Chase Fraser (Continuum)
Vocals: Eric Burnet (Derelict), Max Lussier (Derelict), Jesse Brint (Gross Misconduct), Mallika Sundaramurthy (Emasculator), Jeff Mott (Hollow, Monster Factory)
Additional guitar, bass, and drums: Tommy McKinnon
Track 1,2, 3, 6. Music: Chase Fraser. Lyrics: Tommy McKinnon
Track 4. Music: Chase Fraser. Lyrics: Jesse Brint
Track 5, 7. Music & Lyrics: Tommy McKinnon
Track 8. Music: Tommy McKinnon. Lyrics: Eric Burnet

More info:

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

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

About: Formed in Montreal after a chance post‑show encounter, The Conflux Collective is a progressive technical death‑metal project built on collaboration, experimentation, and emotional depth. Featuring contributions from some of the genre’s most distinctive vocalists, the band blends the ferocity of old‑school death metal with the precision and ambition of modern tech‑death. In the Wake of Saturn marks their first full‑length album.

Album Recording Credits:​
• All songs performed by: Conflux Collective
• All songs written by: Conflux Collective
• Produced by: Tommy McKinnon
• Mixed by: Jeanne Comateuse at Magma Art & Sound
• Mastered by: Jeanne Comateuse at Magma Art & Sound
• Album Artwork by: Filip Ivanovic
• Member of SOCAN

Affiliated links:

Mix engineer: https://magma-sound.com

Derelict: https://derelictmetal.bandcamp.com

Akurion: https://akurion-ca.bandcamp.com/album…

Emasculator: https://www.instagram.com/emasculator_bdm

Mallika: https://www.instagram.com/mallika_sun

Gross Misconduct: https://grossmisconduct.bandcamp.com

The Monster Factory: https://www.themonster-factory.com/en

Coma Cluster Void: https://comaclustervoid.com

– 30 –

“The song’s (Devouring Light) opening moments create tension and are viscerally frightening. They combine wrenching howls, swaths of eerily ringing guitar, immense groaning bass tones, and methodically bludgeoning beats. As the growled words (also frightening) cut loose, the tension doesn’t really break but the music morphs. The dissonant notes miserably writhe and dart away in strange angles; the drums variably clatter and slug in ways that both exacerbate the music’s feeling of dementia and create a vivid rhythmic counterpoint to the increasingly hallucinatory effect of the fretwork. A shrill and swirling guitar solo rises up, creating its own kind of ecstatic counterpoint to the music’s chilling manifestations of confusion and despair. Yet those very same melodic motifs that make the music so unsettling also turn out to be hooks: as they surface and re-surface, strangely ringing and warping, they dig in — as the bass-and-drum performances continue landing body blows while creating their own mystifying attractions. Although this song, unlike the album’s first single, isn’t a high-speed cavalcade of technically eye-popping adventurousness, it’s still a technically impressive exercise, one that deploys the musician’s technical skills to create chilling hallucinatory effects.” – No Clean Singing​
​
​“Centered around guitarist Chase Fraser (Continuum, ex‑Decrepit Birth, ex‑Animosity) and drummer Tommy McKinnon (Derelict, Akurion, ex‑Neuraxis, ex‑Augury) and featuring guest appearance contributions from members of Gross Misconduct, Emasculator, Samskaras, Hollow and Monster Factory, the Conflux Collective is a true collective that puts ’90s lensed, technical death metal in its creative crosshairs.” – Decibel Magazine – Track Premiere: Getting Cosmic with The Conflux Collective’s “In the Wake of Saturn”

“Canada’s Conflux Collective return with IN THE WAKE OF SATURN – 8 crazed pieces of death metal infused with manic energy, prog and tech metal complexity and loaded with mean aggression! Totally insane!” – Loud Enough Magazine​
​
​“This release sits far outside ordinary death metal territory, travelling through unknown and uncharted musical ground. Structurally, the songs do not follow the traditional verse-bridge-chorus form. That same refusal is emphatic in the lyrics, which follow no fixed pattern and take a far more narrative shape, moving closely alongside musical sections that stubbornly break free of conventional forms. The intensely personal lyrics gain even more weight through the voices of Max, Jeffrey, Jesse, Mallika and Eric, whose performances add further emotional gravity to this narrative journey. The final result is a rough-hewn creation that defies familiar musical patterns and lyrical norms. It is indifferent to the world outside and makes that clear in every possible way. Yet, almost by accident, it points the way forward, leaving a wholly personal imprint for those who follow. 10/10” – Metal Ourgio​
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0 Gore House Prod – Streaming Now! Anime‑Slam Extremists DEHUMANIZING ITATRAIN WORSHIP’s New Album “2D Complex”

  • July 8, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Dehumanizing Itatrain Worship (Stillbirth Records/Gore House Productions) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 8, 2026

Streaming Now! Anime‑Slam Extremists DEHUMANIZING ITATRAIN WORSHIP’s New Album “2D Complex”

L-R – Zen (Bass) | Shiru (Drums) | Kiryu Zhang (Vocals) | Xenochrist (Guitar) | Khezk (Composer)

Photo Credit – Wendy

China’s most unhinged fusion of anime culture and brutal death metal, Dehumanizing Itatrain Worship, returns with its most ambitious and chaotic work to date: “2D Complex,” releasing July 10, 2026 through Gore House Productions and Stillbirth Records. Before the album officially drops, fans worldwide will get an early chance to experience the full record through an exclusive premiere on NoCleanSinging, where the album will stream in its entirety.

Offering the first complete look at the band’s most diverse, explosive, and emotionally raw release yet, listen to the album’s full stream premiere on NoCleanSinging HERE.
​
Known internationally as “the best anime death metal from China,” Dehumanizing Itatrain Worship has carved out a cult following with its brain‑melting blend of kawaii melodies, nerve‑shredding blast beats, and hyper‑violent slam riffs. The band has toured extensively across China, Japan, and Europe, appearing at major festivals including Deathfeast Open Air, Metal Storm Over Luzern, Deathtober Fest, and Shockwave Fest, bringing their bizarre, high‑energy “moe brutality” to stages across the world.
​
With “2D Complex,” the band pushes its identity further than ever, merging J‑pop, blackgaze, Japanese folk, and otaku‑culture aesthetics into a violent, genre‑breaking death metal experience.
​
​“I’m a bit nervous because it’s not a ‘traditional’ Slam album, but I’m mostly excited to see how people react to it. We want to give fans a sense of contrast; you never know what’s coming next,” says vocalist Kiryu Zhang.
​
​“2D Complex” dives deep into the darker side of otaku culture, exploring themes of isolation, frustration, hikikomori life, and emotional collapse, all wrapped in the band’s signature “kawaii‑but‑brutal” sonic aesthetic.
​
​“These otaku memes are just a shell. What’s actually inside is my pain, my hatred, and a genuine urge for self‑destruction,” adds Kiryu.

Musically, “2D Complex” breaks completely from slam conventions, smashing together pure neck‑snapping brutality with J‑pop hooks, blackgaze ambience, Japanese folk textures, and a roster of international extreme‑metal guest vocalists. The album swings from the hikikomori anthem “Song of the Neet,” featuring Yanchi (5 PM Promise) and Matt Yakesh (No Face No Case), to “Brutal Panzer,” a Girls und Panzer–inspired pit‑weapon that fuses kawaii charm with tank‑level devastation. It erupts with “Lucky☆Slam,” a chaotic opener that whiplashes between black‑metal riffing and colossal breakdowns, and “Slamonogatari,” a Monogatari‑themed track capped by Andrew Lee’s soaring melodic solo. “苦痛昇天 (Ascension in Agony)” channels anime‑opening brightness through clean vocals by Yui (Earthists.), while concealing themes of addiction and self‑destruction. “Yomi,” featuring Alan Grnja (Distant), blends Japanese folk elements with crushing deathcore intensity, and the finale “約束 (Promise)” closes the record with a storm of slam riffs, blackgaze atmosphere, and emotional screamo‑driven catharsis.
​
2026 marks the 10th anniversary of Dehumanizing Itatrain Worship’s first EP, an improbable milestone for a project that began as a meme‑driven bedroom experiment. Today, the band has shared stages with Suicide Silence, Stillbirth, Born of Osiris, Origin, Belphegor, Vulvectomy, Guttural Slug, Disentomb, and more.
​
Their visual identity remains entirely self‑designed by Kiryu, ensuring that the band’s artwork, logos, and merch remain perfectly aligned with their chaotic aesthetic.
​
​Dehumanizing Itatrain Worship is China’s leading anime‑infused brutal death metal act, known for blending kawaii aesthetics with extreme violence, slam brutality, and otaku‑culture storytelling. Their music merges J‑pop, blackgaze, Japanese folk, and slam into a uniquely chaotic sonic identity. The band has toured across Asia and Europe, performing at major festivals and earning a global cult following.

Recommended for fans of Ingested, Vulvodynia, Within Destruction, and Maximum the Hormone, “二次元コンプレックス 2D Complex” is available (CD/Cassette/Digital) as of July 10, 2026, from Stillbirth Records / Gore House Productions at https://orcd.co/2d-complex​

Visualizer – Yomi – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y5hIAykpOc​

Video – Song of Neet – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhv_78Htba8​

Video – Brutal Panzer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGpPlN50bjg​
​

Track Listing:​
1. Lucky☆Slam – 1:32
2. Slamonogatari (feat. Andrew Lee from Ripped to Shreds) – 3:57
3. Brutal Panzer – 3:14
4. Twisted Light (feat. Akihiro Muto from Agent 0) – 3:11
5. 苦痛昇天 (feat. Yui from Earthists.) – 3:03
6. Song of the Neet (feat. Yanchi from 5 PM Promise and Matt Yakesh from No Face No Case) – 3:35
7. Utsushiyo – 1:38
8. Yomi (feat. Alan Grnja from Distant) – 4:01
9. 約束 (feat. Niik from Pale) – 5:51
Album Length: 30:03

Album and Live Band Line-up:​
Kiryu Zhang – Vocals
Xenochrist – Guitar
Zen – Bass
Shiru – Drums
Khezk – Composer

More info: ​Gorehouseproductions.com​ | Facebook.com/DehumanizingItatrainWorship | Instagram.com/dehumanizing_itatrain_worship​

-30-

“If the only thing the band had was a well-executed gimmick, I likely would have lost interest by now. One of their main strengths is that the core sound would hold up even if the gimmick was taken out.” – The Goat Review

“China’s Dehumanizing Itatrain Worship took the internet by storm with their debut EP μ’Sick.” – MetalSucks

“Dehumanizing Itatrain Worship made a mark on the metal community with head-spinning brutality accompanied” – Unite Asia

“It promises to be the most unusual new track (Eien Parasites) you’ll check out for a while.” – New Noise Magazine (2022)​
​

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0 Denver’s MILE HIGH POWER FEST Announces Cancellation of 2026 Edition w/ THE DREAD CREW OF ODDWOOD, LADY BEAST, ANUBIS, ICE GIANT, HEL HATH FURY, and more!

  • July 8, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Mile High Power Fest · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 8, 2026

Denver’s MILE HIGH POWER FEST Announces Cancellation of 2026 Edition

w/ THE DREAD CREW OF ODDWOOD, LADY BEAST, ANUBIS, ICE GIANT, HEL HATH FURY, and more!

Denver’s Mile High Power Fest, previously scheduled for August 15, 2026 at The Oriental Theater, has been officially canceled. The decision comes after unforeseen health issues affecting the festival’s organizer, making it impossible to move forward with this year’s event.
​
​“Unfortunately, due to health reasons of our organizer, we had to make the difficult decision to cancel the fest this year. We are heartbroken to have come to this decision but know it is what is best. Please support the bands, as each of them deserves the love. All tickets purchased will be refunded. For upcoming power metal fests, go support our homies at GrillFest & Mad With Power.”​
​
This cancellation follows months of anticipation for what was set to be Mile High Power Fest’s biggest year yet. The 2026 lineup included The Dread Crew of Oddwood, Lady Beast, Anubis, Ice Giant, Hel Hath Fury, and more, continuing the festival’s tradition of bringing world‑class power metal to the western United States.
​
Founded by Denver’s underground champions BiteSize Productions, Mile High Power Fest has spent three years building a passionate community, uplifting local talent, and establishing itself as the Rockies’ premier power metal event. Past editions featured standout performances from Seven Spires, Lords of the Trident, Graveshadow, Aether Realm, Glyph, Owlbear, Empress, and others, cementing the festival as a must‑attend gathering for fans across North America.
​
While 2026 will not move forward, the festival encourages fans to continue supporting the bands and the broader power‑metal community. Those seeking upcoming events are encouraged to check out GrillFest and Mad With Power, two fellow festivals keeping the flame alive.
​
​All purchased tickets will be fully refunded.​
​
​Mile High Power Fest 2026 Lineup:​
The Dread Crew of Oddwood
Lady Beast Anubis
Ice Giant
Hel Hath Fury
Darconigan
Wicked Vixen

Event Details Mile High Power Fest 2026​
Date: August 15, 2026
Time: Doors at 4 PM
Venue: The Oriental Theater 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver, CO 80212
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2768706170154175/​

Mile High Power Fest 2026 Spotify Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4qTxCdWqJl6HrqeQ0mq5Bl

About The MHPF 2026 Bands:

The Dread Crew of Oddwood – https://thedreadcrewofoddwood.com/​

Music Video – Leather Ship – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGEOV66CXis

​

The Dread Crew of Oddwood, formed in 2008 in Southern California, has become one of the world’s leading independent folk‑metal acts. Armed solely with acoustic instruments, the band delivers its signature “Heavy Mahogany” sound, blending heavy metal energy with Celtic and European folk to tell tales of battle, revelry, and misadventure. They’ve released four albums with over 5,000 units sold, maintain more than 30,000 monthly Spotify listeners, and engage a social following of over 32,500 fans. Their music has appeared in Rocket League, and they’ve toured extensively across North America, the UK, and Europe, including runs with Alestorm and performances at Wacken Winter Nights. Following years of writing and recording, the band returned with their fifth album Rust & Glory, accompanied by new videos, major tours, and appearances on 70000Tons of Metal.

Lady Beast – https://www.facebook.com/ladybeastofficial​

Music Video – Reaper – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjNaL99FCFA

​

Since 2009, LADY BEAST have been flying the flag for refined HEAVY METAL. The band hails from the Steel City of Pittsburgh, forming with firm influences ranging from Motörhead, Dio, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Mercyful Fate. From there, LADY BEAST has woven their own unique style of metal with silky yet sharp harmonizing guitars and the soaring, rally-the-warriors vocals!

Anubis – https://linktr.ee/AnubisMetalOfficial​

Music Video – Fanged Angel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1FrqYDPkms

​

Anubis is a rising Los Angeles power‑thrash force known for soaring vocals, razor‑sharp riffing, and high‑energy, melodic songwriting. Blending European‑influenced power metal with modern American aggression, the band has built a loyal following through acclaimed releases, dynamic live shows, and a sound rooted in speed, precision, and storytelling. They’ve become a staple of the Southern California metal scene, sharing stages with acts like Delain, Xandria, Warbringer, Omnium Gatherum, Aether Realm, Týr, Seven Kingdoms, and more while performing material from their debut Dark Paradise and EP The Puppeteers. Now fronted by vocalist Hanna Preston, Anubis unveils a fiercer fusion of power, thrash, and melodic death metal. Their latest album, Anthromorphicide, was released on April 24 via M‑Theory Audio on CD, digital, and limited metallic‑gold vinyl.

Ice Giant – https://www.facebook.com/IceGiantBand/​

Music Video – Obscuring Cloud – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO4kPIE5EUM​

Ice Giant is a Boston‑based progressive melodic death metal band known for their sweeping compositions, technical precision, and cinematic blend of melody and brutality. Drawing from Scandinavian melodeath, modern prog, and epic symphonic influences, the band crafts towering soundscapes built on soaring leads, crushing riffs, and dynamic storytelling. Their ambitious songwriting and commanding live performances have earned them a fast‑growing following throughout the New England metal scene and beyond. With a reputation for pushing genre boundaries while delivering undeniable heaviness, Ice Giant continues to rise as one of the most exciting emerging forces in American melodic death metal.

Hel Hath Fury – https://helhathfury.my.canva.site/​

Music Video – Never Again – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZdPYNekakA

​

Denver’s Hel Hath Fury is a melodic death metal band formed in 2023 with a mission to inspire strength and perseverance through powerful, emotionally driven music. Their sound blends crushing riffs, soaring melodies, and technical songwriting with themes rooted in personal struggle, resilience, and triumph. Drawing from real experiences and shared battles, the band crafts lyrics meant to connect deeply with listeners and remind them they’re never alone. Centered on empowerment and emotional fortitude, Hel Hath Fury creates music that encourages fans to face life’s challenges with courage. With every performance, they invite audiences into a journey of catharsis, determination, and unbreakable spirit.

Darconigan – https://www.darconigan.com/​

Music Video – Fire and Split Stone, The Southern Wall’s Collapse – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COw-nN_Teho

​

Darconigan hail from the shadowed Wet Mountains of Colorado, where their music and stories are forged in the dark places of the wood. Channeling Melodic Black/Death Battle Metal, the band blends fierce riffing, atmospheric melodies, and myth‑steeped storytelling into a sound that feels both ancient and untamed. Their songs draw from the wild spirit of their mountain home, creating an immersive world of fantasy, conflict, and raw emotion. As they continue to rise within Colorado’s metal scene, Darconigan stand apart with a style as rugged and evocative as the forests that shaped them.

Wicked Vixen – https://linktr.ee/yourwickedvixen​

Music Video – In Cold Blood – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP9uEf9DjJM

​

Wicked Vixen is a Colorado Springs hard rock band delivering heavy riffs, powerful vocals, and a driving edge that hits with purpose. With electric violin woven into their sound, they bring a sharp, distinctive dynamic to a genre built on intensity. Their music is bold, dark, and unapologetic—rooted in real experience, raw emotion, and a refusal to hold back. Drawing comparisons to Halestorm and Evanescence, the band commands the stage with a fierce live presence and a sound that never plays it safe. Wicked Vixen isn’t chasing trends; they’re forging something lasting entirely on their own terms.

More info:

Festival Info: https://www.bitesizeevents.com/mile-high-power-fest​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milehighpowerfest/​
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556641145956​

About Mile High Power Fest:​
​
MHPF was created by BiteSize Productions, a small but ambitious Denver‑based production company dedicated to uplifting underground music and creating accessible, community‑driven events. After drawing roughly 400 attendees in 2025, the festival continues to grow, strengthening the Rocky Mountain metal community and drawing fans from across the country.

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0 Streaming Now! Canadian Metalcore Newcomers AS OCEANS DIVIDE Unleash Debut Self-Titled EP in Memory of Late Bassist

  • July 8, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · As Oceans Divide · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 8, 2026

Streaming Now! Canadian Metalcore Newcomers AS OCEANS DIVIDE Unleash Debut Self-Titled EP in Memory of Late Bassist

L-R – Matt McGuire – Drums, Thomas Ireland – Guitar, Tom Emmans – Vocals, Eric Camilleri – Guitar, Mark Sorge – Bass

Ontario heavy newcomers As Oceans Divide will release their self‑titled debut EP on July 9, 2026, with a full‑album stream premiering exclusively at BraveWords.com. The EP stands as both the band’s official introduction and a deeply personal tribute, released in memory of bassist Dale Burrows, whose passing in March 2026 profoundly shaped the band’s journey and the emotional weight behind the music.

Listen to the EP HERE.

As Oceans Divide is built around contrast, aggression vs. atmosphere, heaviness vs. melody, chaos vs. control, a balance that defines the band’s identity. Musically, the EP blends technical, hard‑hitting elements with dynamic, melodic passages that allow each track to breathe while maintaining intensity. Every song is structured as a journey, not just a sequence of riffs.

Lyrically, the EP explores internal struggle, loss, resilience, and the weight of confronting what lies beneath the surface. Much of that emotional honesty is tied to the band’s real experiences, including the grief and reflection that followed Burrows’ passing.

“Everything ties together to create an immersive experience. It’s meant to pull the listener in, hit hard when it needs to, and still leave space for reflection.”

The EP’s cover features a crest depicting a chained sea serpent wrapped around an anchor, set against a violent ocean backdrop. The imagery reflects the emotional tension at the heart of the record, something powerful trying to break free while being held down.

The serpent represents buried emotional weight, the chains symbolize restraint and internal conflict, and the anchor embodies both stability and the threat of being dragged under. Together, the artwork mirrors the band’s sonic identity: a constant push and pull between aggression and melody.

Formed from years of friendship and shared history in Canadian metal, As Oceans Divide brings together seasoned musicians from respected acts including Bloodshoteye, Aquila, Odium, Battlesoul, and more. Their combined experience gives the band a sound rooted in authenticity rather than imitation. Their current lineup includes Tom Emmans (Vocals), Eric Camilleri (Guitar/Songwriting), Thomas Ireland (Guitar/Production), Matt McGuire (Drums), and Mark Sorge (Bass).
​
The band’s formation began with guitarist Eric Camilleri, whose desire for a more serious, technical, and emotionally driven project led him to reconnect with longtime friends. Early demos sparked immediate chemistry, and the lineup came together naturally. The band carries the memory of bassist Dale Burrows, who passed away in March 2026, forward in everything they create.
​
Their sound blends soaring melody with crushing rhythms, channeling early-2000s metalcore through a modern lens, with harmonized guitars, driving mid‑tempo anthems, and high‑intensity assaults anchored by Emmans’ dynamic vocal range.
​
Recommended for fans of Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Unearth, and God Forbid, As Oceans Divide‘s self-titled EP will be available on all digital platforms as of July 9th, 2026, at the following links:

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

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oKSKBjhTMy7IHOBZOq5QN​

Single Streams:

“Into The Dying Light” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJd_XF61K7Y​

“White Noise” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnMcAkJQvCE​

“World Collapse” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GemshKJvdQQ​

Track Listing:​
1. Into The Dying Light – 4:04
2. White Noise – 3:31
3. World Collapse – 3:16
4. Cursed Oblivion – 3:59
5. One Of The Herd – 3:25
EP Length: 18:15

For more info:

​https://asoceansdivide.com

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

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

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“All in all this is what I would consider a technically and musically perfect release! This is likely to end up in my Top Ten this year. If you like Killswitch, As I Lay Dying, All That Remains, Unearth, and God Forbid, then you’ll like As Oceans Divide. 10/10” – Ever Metal​
​
​“At 18 minutes and change, As Oceans Divide positions themselves in a great spot to make quite a splash because of this self-titled EP. The sum of parts in experience will pay handsomely, as this is yet another Canadian act to really champion in this early stage because the following will blossom as opportunities come knocking their way. 8.5/10” – Dead Rhetoric

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
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0 Ottawa’s CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Announces 2026 Festival Dates and Call For Partners!

  • July 7, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Capital Punishment Festival (Ottawa) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 7, 2026

Ottawa’s CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Announces 2026 Festival Dates and Call For Partners!

Chord Productions is proud to present the third edition of the Capital Punishment Festival, returning to Ottawa, Ontario on November 27–29, 2026. Taking over the heart of the ByWard Market, the festival expands its footprint with more venues, more artists, and even more chaos across downtown Ottawa.

Supported by Ottawa Tourism, Capital Punishment Fest continues its mission to amplify Canada’s underground heavy‑music community, bringing together top national acts and rising local talent for three nights of high‑energy performances.

The third edition promises to be the festival’s biggest yet, offering more venues throughout the ByWard Market, more artists from across Canada’s underground, and chaos as the ByWard Market transforms into a multi‑stage heavy‑music takeover. Capital Punishment Fest is quickly becoming one of Ottawa’s most anticipated annual events for fans of loud, heavy, and boundary‑pushing music, with previous years hosting bands such as Blackguard, First Fragment, Lutharo, Spectral Wound, Martyr, Dopethrone, and more!

Chord Productions is actively looking for business partners and collaborators to join the 2026 festival. If you operate a store, restaurant, shop, venue, gallery, community space, or have a creative idea that fits the festival’s energy, Capital Punishment Fest wants to collaborate with you. Your business can become part of the weekend‑long takeover and help shape one of Ottawa’s fastest‑growing cultural events.

Business Partners and Collaborators can apply HERE.

​Capital Punishment Fest will begin accepting band submissions in the coming weeks. Canadian heavy acts interested in performing are encouraged to prepare materials and follow updates from Chord Productions.
​
​Festival Details:​
Capital Punishment Festival
November 27–28–29, 2026
Ottawa, ON – ByWard Market
Multiple Venues
Presented by Chord Productions
Supported by Ottawa Tourism
​
​More info: https://www.chordproductions.com/capital-punishment.html​

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Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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