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Category: Music News

0 Sink or Swim w/ Quebec’s UNPUNISHED New Single “As Water Fills My Lungs” Off Upcoming EP “Echoes of History” Out Sept 2025

  • July 30, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Unpunished

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 30, 2025

Sink or Swim w/ Quebec’s UNPUNISHED New Single “As Water Fills My Lungs”

Sophomore EP “Echoes of History” Out Sept 2025

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

Photo Credit – Julien Bouffard

One of Quebec City’s rising metal forces, Unpunished, has dropped their emotionally charged new single, “As Water Fills My Lungs,” the second track to be unveiled from their upcoming EP, “Echoes of History,” set to arrive on September 5, 2025. The track marks a pivotal moment in the band’s evolution, blending melodic intensity with brutal honesty and setting the tone for what promises to be one of the most compelling underground metal releases of the year.

Originally tested live in 2023, Unpunished took an unconventional approach, refining the track based on fan feedback before heading into the studio. The result is a song that is a visceral journey through betrayal, anxiety, and despair. The opening track of the EP, “As Water Fills My Lungs,” weaves hauntingly melodic choruses with relentless, high-intensity verses, building toward a cathartic breakdown that grips listeners and refuses to let go.

The band adds:

“This song revolves around a very melodic chorus that carries a lot of emotions. The verses put emphasis on fast guitars and drums that carry a feeling of anger. The bridge section offers a moment of rest as a heart-wrenching guitar solo and highly melodic vocals take the lead. A breakdown then brings the emotional culmination of the song, followed by one last chorus and a pummeling end part.”

Listen to “As Water Fills My Lungs” at the following links:

YouTube – https://youtu.be/HvyJu1Mo3uk

​Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/10pPit5oMF30orETzqQxRg​

Produced by drummer Justin Lefebvre, “Echoes of History” marks the band’s second release and a bold evolution in their sound, from richer guitar tones to intricately layered vocals. The album is the result of two years of intense craftsmanship, with every nuance reflecting their unwavering commitment to perfection and their resistance to formulaic songwriting. Each track delivers a unique blend of emotion and musical identity, making the record a deeply immersive experience.

“We wanted this record to reflect that emotional descent—melodic yet aggressive, technical yet raw. It’s a last cry for help from someone losing the battle against his demons,” adds vocalist Jean-Christophe Magnan.

Channeling pure precision, raw passion, and unrelenting energy that pulls fans into a collective frenzy of screams and sweat, Unpunished is recommended for fans of As I Lay Dying, The Black Dahlia Murder, Trivium, Parkway Drive, and Bleed From Within.

Pre-order “Echoes of History” (out Sept 5th) at https://unpunished.bandcamp.com.

First single – “Burn the Traitors” featuring guest vocals from Alex Leblanc (ex-Fracturus, ex-Neuraxis, ex-Mass Murder Messiah) at the following links:

Lyric Video – https://youtu.be/uJO4s8QDxng

​Digital – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/unpunished​

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

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

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

More info: Facebook.com/Unpunishedband | Instagram.com/unpunished_band​

-30-

“UNPUNISHED Ignites Metalcore Scene with New Single “Burn the Traitors”… “Burn the Traitors” showcases guest vocalist Alex Leblanc, enhancing the track with his formidable experience. UNPUNISHED describes this single as their most brutal offering yet, leaning heavily into melodic death metal territory, devoid of clean vocals. The relentless intensity is punctuated by a captivating, melodic chorus and a strategically paced guitar solo, offering listeners a brief respite before plunging into the explosive climax.- See Rock Live

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

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

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

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0 Vancouver Veteran Punks KILL MATILDA Reunite For Benefit Show For Goldie – Aug 15th @ The Waldorf

  • July 28, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 28, 2025

Vancouver Veteran Punks KILL MATILDA Reunite For Benefit Show For Goldie – Aug 15th @ The Waldorf

Vancouver veteran punk band Kill Matilda is reuniting after 10 years for one special night to help friends and their young daughter named Goldie, in raising funds to help with costs for her rare, undiagnosed genetic disorder.

Watch this reel the family put together – https://www.facebook.com/reel/733528915896470​

“HI EVERYONE! Long time no see …. Hope y’all have been hanging in there! We are pleased to announce that for ONE NIGHT ONLY, Dusty, Dave, and Marcus (plus Lina from Dusty Pines on bass!) will reanimate the band from the grave for a good cause! Our pal Jeff has a daughter named Goldie with complex medical needs, and their family needs support from our community. Get yer tix at The Invisible Orange, buy merch (all KM merch will be on sale by donation with proceeds going to Goldie’s family), and rock out with us and the other excellent bands.” – Dusty Chipura, Kill Matilda.

The benefit show is being held on August 15th at The Waldorf (1489 E Hastings St) and will be supported by the one-time 10-year reunion of Kill Matilda (https://killmatilda.bandcamp.com) with Lina the Machina on bass. The benefit lineup also features Kill Matilda‘s singer, Dusty Chipura’s current band, Dusty Pines (https://www.facebook.com/dustypinesvancouver), along with local support from Vultures at Dawn (https://www.facebook.com/VulturesAtDawn) and The Judys (https://www.facebook.com/thejudysgotabigmouth).

Tickets Link – https://orangetickets.ca/detalles_evento.php?id_evento=1989​

Event info – https://www.facebook.com/events/2544554485887540/​

About Kill Matilda:

Kill Matilda is a female-fronted punk/rock/metal band formed in 2008 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Led by the fierce and charismatic Dusty Chipura, the group is known for its explosive live performances, horror punk aesthetics, and unapologetic DIY spirit. Their sound fuses punk rock, metal, and garage thrash, often wrapped in zombie apocalypse themes.
​
The band gained early attention with their single She’s A Killer, which aired on MuchLoud, and went on to release several records, including Zombie Apocalypse (2011), #PUNK#ZOMBIE#ROCKNROLL (2014), and Songs of Survival (2015), produced by GGGarth Richardson. Kill Matilda toured extensively across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, playing over 180 shows and sharing stages with acts like Guttermouth, Die Mannequin, and Powerman 5000.
​
Despite personal challenges—including health issues and lineup changes—the band remained resilient and continued to perform until going on hiatus in 2015. Dusty Chipura is also a published writer and advocate, adding depth to the band’s punk ethos and cultural impact

– 30 –

​
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0 Halifax Punk Rock Rebels THE BLOODY HELL Unveil New Single “Are You Happy?” Ahead of Third Album “Blood Code”

  • July 28, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · The Bloody Hell

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 28, 2025

Halifax Punk Rock Rebels THE BLOODY HELL Unveil New Single “Are You Happy?” Ahead of Third Album “Blood Code”

Halifax, Canada’s unrelenting punk-infused hard rock outfit, The Bloody Hell, continues its sonic evolution with the explosive release of their second single, “Are You Happy?”, a searing preview from their highly anticipated third album “Blood Code”, slated to drop Fall 2025.
​
Following the success of their raw and furious sophomore record “Nobody Cares”, “Are You Happy?” turns towards heavier ground. The track is fast paced and hard hitting, driven by an earworm guitar riff with explodes into an off time rhythmic assault, while the raw and gritty vocal tells a story of the high and lows of a toxic relationship, and the lesson learned by a letting go ultimately ending in self reflection, and that oh so very important question – Are You Happy?.

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

Accompanying the single is a new music video, splicing together in-studio recording sessions with electrifying live clips from a 2024 performance. It has a visual reflection of the band’s metamorphosis and has a teaser for what’s to come.

Music Video – https://youtu.be/HGh3tCP5dqw

​Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/0DpKy2X07ilEonZh6MpJAD​

Stay tuned for the full album this fall, and catch The Bloody Hell as they bring their new sound to venues across Canada and beyond.

The Bloody Hell is:​
Ian Kean – Vocal
James Densley – Guitar
Andrew Welsman- Guitar
Ben Schulman – Drums
Joe Woods – Bass

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

About:

The Bloody Hell blends the swagger of George Thorogood, the grit of the Misfits, and the heart of Tom Petty into high-octane punk rock anthems about hardship and heartache. Since their 2017 debut, they’ve built a loyal following by sharing stages with legends like Propagandhi, DOA, and Ripcordz, and dropping two acclaimed albums. Their self-titled 2018 release spawned six singles and earned multiple music video nominations. Despite the pandemic, the band returned stronger with 2022’s Nobody Cares, praised as a major leap forward and nominated for Loud Recording of the Year. With Blood Code on the way in 2025, The Bloody Hell shows no signs of slowing down.

– 30 –

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

“FFO – Catchy Horror Punk – Just when we thought it was safe to go back in the water, Halifax-based quartet The Bloody Hell release their new LP Nobody Cares. The album collects the band’s recent singles, including August’s cover of “Barbra” by The Modernettes, along with some shiny new tracks.” – That’s Good Enough For Me

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

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

​
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0 New York Thrash QUEMASANTOS Channels Loss From Cancer Into Lyrical Fury with “Burning the Black”

  • July 25, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · QUEMASANTOS

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 25, 2025

New York Thrash QUEMASANTOS Channels Loss From Cancer Into Lyrical Fury with “Burning the Black”

L-R – Ignacio Orellana (Bass/Guitars/Drums) | Nelson Diaz (Vocals)

New York thrash QUEMASANTOS is turning up the heat with their scorching new lyric video ‘Burning the Black’, a vision accumulated through time turned into a metal track that was born from grief, rage, and love. It emerged from the pain of witnessing cancer’s devastating impact.
​
Watch and listen to the lyric video for ‘Burning The Black’ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEYV-nt0x28

​

“In the past, vocalist Nelson Diaz has always come up with the concepts for the music they’ve been writing. This time, I asked him to work under my concept, which was based on what I was experiencing at the time (which was during the time before my wife’s passing). He kindly agreed to do it, and I’m just happy with the way he performed and used all the material I gave him. He’s a true friend and a master of metal interpretation. I love him,” adds Ignacio Orellana (Bass/Guitars/Drums).

​‘Burning the Black’ is an analogy to the process of receiving chemotherapy, which burns the cancer cells in the body. The concept for the track came to Ignacio Orellana while watching his wife fight cancer for six years, which tragically ended with her dramatic death. The lyrics are narrated from the perspective of death, constantly reminding you that it will take you and that no matter what you do, it’s inevitable. The music encapsulates the life cycle of a person, beginning with the gradual and transformative changes life brings and concluding in a manner reminiscent of its inception.
​
​“On a personal note, this has been a brutal and devastating time, as well as strange to lose my life partner of 31 years. It still feels unreal. This song is essentially what I can translate from the experience of being there next to her and witnessing her decline from good to bad. I genuinely hope that people can understand it the way I’m trying to convey it. I loved my wife, and she will always be with me,” says Orellana.
​
​Quemasantos is Nelson Diaz (singer and concepts) & Ignacio Orellana (bass/guitar/drums).
​
The guest musician for this track was Felipe Roa, the lead guitarist for metal bands Acaro and Shadows Fall (touring member). With extensive studio recording and touring experience, Roa has also owned and operated Boston Guitar Tech, providing professional services such as guitar setups, fretwork, electronics, and online and in-person lessons.
​
Vocal tracks recorded at Studios Ultrasonico, Santiago, Chile.
Felipe Roa’s tracks were recorded at his studio.
Mixed and mastered at Oily Sound Studios in New York City by Ignacio Orellana.
​
​More info:

​https://quemasantos.com

​http://quemasantos.bandcamp.com

​http://instagram.com/quemasantos1

​http://www.facebook.com/quemasantos

-30-

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0 Exitus Stratagem Records – VISITANT Announces “In the Wake of Flame Tour” (FL/GA/TN/SC/NC) w/ IATT + New Videos “Fodder” & “Starless” From Debut Album “Rubidium” Out Aug 2025

  • July 25, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Visitant

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 25, 2025

VISITANT Announces “In the Wake of Flame Tour” (FL/GA/TN/SC/NC) w/ IATT

+ New Videos “Fodder” & “Starless”

Debut Album “Rubidium” Out Aug 2025 via Exitus Stratagem Records

Blackened death metal collective Visitant announces they will be hitting the road this October for “In the Wake of Flame Tour” with Philadelphia’s alchemical blackened death metal force IATT (dates listed below).

Visitant will be touring in support of their forthcoming debut album “Rubidium,” out on August 22nd, via Exitus Stratagem Records.

The band’s recording lineup features seasoned musicians from the extreme metal underground: Anthony Lusk-Simone (drums/orchestration) from Abiotic and Lattermath, Kilian Duarte (bass) from Abiotic and Scale the Summit, Taylor Tidwell from Unaligned, and Chelsea Marrow from Voraath, whose vocal work has also been featured in acclaimed video games including DOOM ETERNAL and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. Thomas Weidick, on guitar, recently joined their live lineup this past June.
​
​Visitant‘s debut album “Rubidium”, which they describe as ‘shadow work’, embodies the bleakest parts of being human, including grief, loss, betrayal, vengeance, time lost, and regret. The band has two current singles, “Fodder”, a ritualistic journey that showcases their ability to weave ethereal elements into an unrelentingly aggressive soundscape, and “Starless”, a technical odyssey that further explores the band’s signature blend of dynamic brutality and spiritual beauty.

Fodder – Music Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCfxSpoPf60​
Spotify – https://hypeddit.com/visitant/fodder​

​​Starless – Music Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quktaBXaeVM​
Spotify – https://hypeddit.com/visitant/starless

​Recommended for fans of Gojira, Opeth, and Naglfar, Visitant‘s “Rubidium” is available for album pre-order (out Aug 22nd) via Exitus Stratagem Records at https://hypeddit.com/visitant/rubidium​

Other Dates:​
Aug 23 – Michigan Metal Fest – Leila Arboretum – Battle Creek, MI w/ Dying Fetus, Within Ruins, Ov Sulfur, The Convalescence
​
​“On The Wake of Flame Tour” – IATT, VISITANT:​
Oct 3 – Pensacola, FL – Pacific Kava
Oct 4 – Jensen Beach, FL – Dark Riff Records
Oct 5 – Atlanta, GA – Sweetwater
Oct 6 – Nashville, TN – Cobra
Oct 8 – Piedmont, SC – Tribbles
Oct 9 – Raleigh, NC – Chapel Of Bones
Oct 11 – Jackson, TN – TN Metal Devastation Fest (Visitant only)

Track Listing:​
1. Unworldly – 4:48
2. Briars – 5:20
3. Starless – 5:07
4. Rubidium – 5:24
5. Fodder – 4:37
6. Envies Lament – 4:56
7. Moon Bathe – 2:38
Album Length: 32:50

Album Band Line Up:​
Chelsea Marrow Vocals
Kilian Duarte Bass
Taylor Tidwell Guitars
Anthony Lusk-Simone Drums / Orchestration

Live Band Line Up:​
Chelsea Marrow Vocals
Taylor Tidwell Guitar & Backing Vocals
Kilian Duarte or Anthony Wheeler – Bass
Sean Carpenter or Charles Webber Drums
Thomas Weidick Guitar

For more info:

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

​Facebook.com/visitantband | Instagram.com/Visitantband | Tiktok.com/@_visitant_

– 30 –

“Visitant is here to utterly wreck your morning thanks to their brand new single “Fodder”, the first offering from their upcoming album Rubidium due out on August 23 via Exitus Stratagem Records. Visitant is vocalist Chelsea Marrow (Voraath, The Monster Factory, Doom Eternal, Hellblade 2, etc.), guitarist Taylor Tidwell, drummer Anthony Lusk-Simone (Abiotic, Lattermath & ex-Pathogenic), and bassist Kilian Duarte (Abiotic, Lattermath, Felix Martin & Scale The Summit). So a real powerhouse of a band that brings some savage energy to the metal world.” – Metal Injection
​
“Visitant introduce the song (Starless) with subdued classical strings and rippling piano keys which together create a sorrowful but entrancing mood. The gentle nature of that overture makes the sudden crash that follows it even more startling — a sudden attack of slashing and sizzling fretwork, gargantuan bass-moans, neck-cracking beats, savage roars, and scorching screams. The song continues to bring in classically influenced piano melodies coupled with vividly dancing guitars, creating an almost diabolical kind of elegance, but the song also ignites a blackened firestorm of blasting drums, delirious fretwork, and sweeping symphonics. The notes vibrantly dart and blaze as the rhythm section thunder, and the music both elevates to heights of daunting, haughty grandeur and sweeps like wildfire. The torrid and tormented vocals seem to hold nothing back, howling and screaming out on the bleeding edge of intensity, and as if the song couldn’t get any more extravagant, the band make room for a head-spinning guitar solo at the end, in the midst of lots of other equally head-spinning fretwork and rhythm-section spectacles.” – No Clean Singing
​
““Fodder“, presents different warps and wefts in its weave. Also presented through a video (this time we get to see the band perform), it was inspired by a very dark dream in which Chelsea attempted to bring a murdered friend back to life and lost her own life in the process, leaving the friend trapped in a hellish limbo, bound to a body over which their control had been lost to dark spirits. To be sure, this song is also musically extravagant. It features a lot of borderline deranged and technically demanding high-speed maneuvers (a tour de force that would make lots of tech-death bands jealous) but it’s also hallucinatory, and unhinged in many other respects. It further demonstrates that Chelsea Marrow can really sing, as well as howl like a wolf and scream like a goblin. It’s a highly theatrical experience, but also instrumentally kaleidoscopic and viscerally frightening, and the singing makes the song stand out as much as every other demented and dazzling aspect of it.” – No Clean Singing
​
“Emerging from the shadowy fringes of the metal scene, blackened death metal outfit Visitant has unleashed their riveting debut single, “Fodder.” Released as a precursor to their eagerly anticipated first full-length album, “Rubidium,” the track invites listeners into a deeply atmospheric yet punishing sonic landscape.” – See Rock Live Magazine
​
“Uniting seasoned musicians from the Extreme Metal underground scene with members known for their previous works in Abiotic, Scale the Summit, Unaligned and Voraath, Blackened Death Metal quartet Visitant have spent the better part of three years crafting a debut album. The promise is of something dark, beautiful, visceral and compelling with single “Fodder” an almost ritualistic journey that weaves ethereal elements into an unrelentingly aggressive soundscape. Turning personal experiences into ghost stories for the half an hour of power that is “Rubidium” caught the attention of Exitus Stratagem Records who will distribute the affair on 29th August.” – Metal Noise

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0 Sludge Meets Storytelling with Ivy Gardens’ New Video ‘Eye Witness’ From Upcoming “Death of Don Valley” Out Aug 2025

  • July 24, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Ivy Gardens · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 24, 2025

Sludge Meets Storytelling with Ivy Gardens’ New Video ‘Eye Witness’ From Upcoming “Death of Don Valley” Out Aug 2025

New Album “Death of Don Valley” Out August 29th, 2025

Cross Canada Tour Dates (ON/NS/PEI/NB/QC/MB/SK/AB/BC)

L-R – Andrew Blackborow (Guitar, Vocals), Joe Zandwyk (Drums, Vocals), Sebastian Hogg (Keyboards)

Photo Credit by Luka Kartveli

Niagara Falls, Canada’s Ivy Gardens has erupted from the underground with their latest single and music video, “Eye Witness”, a blistering preview of their upcoming sophomore album “Death of Don Valley”, set to drop on August 29th, 2025, via Paper Cut Recordings. Clocking in at just under three minutes, the track is an intricate whirlwind of violence, precision, and catharsis, embodying the album’s dark themes and Ivy Gardens’ signature “dog-ass music”, a term the band uses lovingly to define their sludge-soaked, high-decibel aesthetic.
​
Formed in the unlikely crucible of a Princess Auto parking lot, Ivy Gardens began with a simple desire to shred through Rush instrumentals and explore the outer reaches of heavy music. Now, following their acclaimed first full-length “Goon” released in 2024, the band takes a daring leap into more dour, experimental terrain. “Death of Don Valley” presents a concept album steeped in decay, lyrically and sonically portraying the slow death of natural spaces like Toronto’s Don River, drowned by industry and time.
​
​“Eye Witness” dives into a fictional narrative split between two perspectives: one enacting violence, the other enduring it. While it’s one of the band’s most intricate compositions, it’s delivered with raw immediacy and speed, capturing the album’s central tension, unpredictability, intensity, and transcendence.

“Eye Witness is one of the most intricate and technical tracks on the album, but also blasted through as fast as possible. Coming in at a cool 2:50, its lyrics detail a double-homicide,” adds the band.

Watch the video for “Eye Witness” via its premiere on Doomed and Stoned HERE.

In additional news, fans can expect a live experience unlike any other as Ivy Gardens is hitting the road for a cross-Canada tour in kicking off on August 29th in St. Catharines, ON, and will wrap up in Victoria, BC on October 25th (dates listed below).

Ivy Gardens’ influences are vast, ranging from progressive icons like Rush, Yes, and King Crimson to sludge pioneers like EYEHATEGOD and Iron Monkey. Their sound blends elements of stoner metal, sludge, math rock, and progressive rock, creating an unpredictable listening experience that takes the listener through a series of emotional and sonic landscapes.

“Death of Don Valley” (out August 29th) is available for pre-order at https://ivygardens.bandcamp.com/​

Previous single – “Burden”

Music Video – https://youtu.be/r4o-YPv-RcY​

Spotify – https://bit.ly/3FWpqwD​

Ivy Gardens – Live or Die Tour:​
Aug 29 – St. Catharines, ON – Warehouse Concert Hall
Aug 30 – Toronto, ON – Monarch Tavern
Sept 5 – Kitchener, ON – The Golden Apple
Sept 12 – Windsor, ON – Phog Lounge
Sept 13 – Sarnia, ON – AJs Bar
Sept 14 – London, ON – Grogettes Living Room
Sept 18 – Halifax, NS – Radstorm
Sept 19 – Sydney, NS – Daniels Ale House
Sept 20 – Charlottetown, PEI – Babas Lounge
Sept 21 – Moncton, NB – Generator Show
Sept 25 – Woodstock, NB – Montieth Manor
Sept 26 – Montreal, QC – Turbo Haus
Sept 27 – Quebec City, QC – Sonum
Oct 9 – Barrie, ON – CW Coops
Oct 10 – Sudbury, ON – Townhouse Tavern
Oct 11 – Thunder Bay, ON – Black Pirates Pub
Oct 12 – Winnipeg, MB – Bulldog Event Center
Oct 16 – Regina, SK – The Cure Kitchen and Bar
Oct 17 – Saskatoon, SK – The Black Cat
Oct 18 – Calgary, AB – Palomino
Oct 19 – Edmonton, AB – Blak Bar
Oct 23 – Kelowna, BC – Dunnenzies
Oct 24 – Vancouver, BC – Black Alley
Oct 25 – Victoria, BC – Fernwood Community Center

Track Listing:​
1. Burn For Murder – 2:02
2. Eye Witness – 2:50
3. Burden – 3:08
4. Guiding Hand – 6:18
5. Frozen Limbs – 5:15
6. Gearth – 2:29
7. Astray – 4:56
8. Bliss – 8:59
9. Golden – 7:07
Album Length: 43:08

Album Credits:​
All songs written and performed by Ivy Gardens
Produced by Ivy Gardens
Recorded and mixed by Frank Ditillio
Mastered by Cameron Lee
Album Artwork by Ivy Gardens
Death of Don Valley is Canadian Content (MAPL)

Recording and Live Lineup:​
Joe Zandwyk: Drums, Vocals, Samples
Sebastian Hogg: Organ, Piano, Synth, Samples
Andrew Blackborow: Guitar, Vocals

More info: Facebook.com/ivygardensband | Instagram.com/ivygardensofficial​

-30-

“The follow-up to the sans-bass three-piece’s well-received 2024 debut, Goon, is introduced with the lead single “Burden,” which you can find the band playing live in the video premiering below. This ethic would seem to be the crux of Death of Don Valley itself, hence “live off the floor sophomore album” in the headline below. “Burden” benefits from the lack of trickery behind it, from the visually-evidenced capacity on the part of guitarist/vocalist Andrew Blackborow, key-specialist/synthesist Sebastian Hogg and drummer/vocalist Joe Zandwyk, the latter two of whom are also responsible for samples on the record, and while one can hear a bit of Melvinsian do-rock-and-make-it-weird ethos underlying, “Burden” brings charge to coincide with its telltale rhythmic intricacy — not quite doing ‘math’ in the musical sense, but not far off. They say the album’s more complex than the last one, and even if it was tracked entirely live with no overdubs, “Burden” bears that out.” – The Obelisk

Reviews – Goon (2024):

The Canadian National College Radio – May 2024 – Top 20 Loud – #9 Ivy Gardens (Earshot)

The Canadian National College Radio Loud Chart – #8 Ivy Gardens (Earshot) – For the Week Ending: Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Goon – #38 on DoomCharts.com (April 2024)

“…the sonic equivalent of a panic attack.” – Canadian Beats

“Stoner metal, a little chilled sounding, but fast paced, cool stuff.” – Mosh Pit – WORT 89.9 FM (Madison, WI)

““Boner” has got a really cool groove, too, showing you what can happen when you’ve got a band that is truly possessed by the power of The Riff. It’s one of those grinding, motoriffic jobs in the spirit of Kyuss’ “Green Machine.” And it doesn’t take long before we, too, are caught under its sway. The retro organ sound from the keys provides a spooky touch to the chorus, which comes like a sigh of relief after the tense build-up of those guitar-driven verses. The drumming is swarmy and frenetic, and strikes with power at pivotal moments. The breakdown at 4 minutes is a headbanging oasis, made even cooler with the synthesizer’s late-’60s garage twist.” – Doomed and Stoned

“This Canadian trio are promising us a debut album that is “a relentless onslaught of vulgar, belligerent punk, sludge and sweat” when it is released in April. If this lead single is anything to go by, things are going to get very belligerent and sweaty when the full-lengther finally hits our death decks.” – Uber Rock

“GOON is an action packed and turbocharged release powered by Pissed Off grooves and a snarling Punk Rock Attitude which allows IVY GARDENS to deliver a devastating FREAKY slice of Psychedelic Sludge/Stoner Metal.” – Outlaws of The Sun

“Nothing about Ontario’s Ivy Gardens is predictable. Describing it is just going to sound trite. I love it when I know I’m going to miss the mark no matter what I write. But here’s my take: take some awesome keyboard parts from 1967, link them to 80’s New Romantic Synth parts played on guitar, add equal parts Stoner, Punk and Post-Metal. I mean, these guys drank the wrong whiskey and mixed it with the wrong drug while listening to the Clash, and then came down listening to Elvis Costello and early Queens of the Stone Age. Someone somewhere was blasting the B-52’s and the Stooges. It’s a heady mix that when mashed together is cohesive, fresh and original.” – Clean And Sober Stoner

““Goon” by IVY GARDENS. Pretty cool stuff. I like the inventiveness of it. Not something you’ll find carbon copies of. I also like the Stoner edge. Definitely worth checking out.” – Metal-Temple

“Alright, folks, if you haven’t already been swept up by Ivy Gardens, now’s the time. The Niagara, Ontario crew—masters of raw, unfiltered punk and sludge—delivered their first full-length album, Goon, back in April 2024. And let me tell you, it’s an auditory onslaught like no other… Goon is more than just a debut album; it’s a setlist Ivy Gardens fans have been craving. Since their thunderous arrival on the scene in 2021, they’ve been wreaking havoc across Canada’s east coast. And with a summer tour already in the works, this runaway train isn’t slowing down. Ready to dive in? The volume’s punishing, the intensity’s relentless, and there’s zero room to catch your breath—it’s like a panic attack in musical form. Ivy Gardens is daring you to join their world, where the mosh pit never ends, and the ringing in your ears is the only encore you’ll get. If you’re into Kyuss, Truckfighters, or Queens of the Stone Age, then Goon is about to become your new favorite album.” – Papy Jeff Metal

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0 Canadian Stoner Doom Rock Z-COCOON Announces Tour Dates For New EP “Angels” + Lyric Video “Dr. Crane”

  • July 23, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Z-Cocoon

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 23, 2025

Canadian Stoner Doom Rock Z-COCOON Announces Tour Dates For New EP “Angels”

+ Lyric Video “Dr. Crane”

L to R: Marc Zolla (Guitar/Vocals), Michel Paradis (Drums), John Burton (Bass)

​Montreal, QC’s power trio Z-Cocoon has released their highly anticipated new EP “Angels”, available now as of June 6, 2025, via Earache Digital Distro. This third EP marks a major milestone for the band as their first full-band release since founder Marc Zolla transitioned the project from his solo moniker Pink Cocoon to a full-on trio with Michel Paradis (Drums) and John Burton (Bass).
​
​“Angels” offers a fiery three-track dose of slashing guitar solos, savage blues-metal riffs, and melodic vocals that evoke the spirit of Dio, Pentagram, and classic doom. Recorded and mixed entirely in-house at Casa Cocoon, the EP channels lyrical inspiration from comics and raw personal experiences.
​
​“We’re extremely proud to present Angels—our first recordings as a band. If you love timeless heavy music like Dio, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, or even blues legends like Hendrix, Trower, and Stevie Ray, blast this loud and buckle up, we’ve got more coming,” says Zolla.​
​
To celebrate the release, Z-Cocoon will hit the road this summer for a series of high-voltage live shows in Ontario and Quebec (listed below).

Tour Dates:​
Aug 1 – Oshawa, ON – The Atria
Aug 2 – Toronto, ON – Duffy’s Tavern
Aug 9 – Longueuil, QC – Le Barrage
Aug 30 – Ottawa, ON – Avant Garde Bar
Sept 13 – Montreal, QC – P’tit Ours

Following the “Angels” EP, Z-Cocoon will have an album’s worth of music and more to be recorded and released.

Z-Cocoon‘s new EP “Angels” can be heard at the following link – https://earache.lnk.to/Angels​

Lyric Video – “Dr. Crane” – https://youtu.be/xw12ONGjjxs

Track Listing:​
1. Dr. Crane – 4:17
2. Truth Don’t Matter – 3:42
3. For My Life – 6:37
Album Length: 14:36

EP Credits:​
Recorded and mixed by Marc Zolla.
Mastered by Kent Stump (Crystal Clear Sound/WoFat)
EP artwork by Camille Grenier.
Member of SOCAN
Canadian Content – MAPL

Band Lineup:​
Guitar/Vocals: Marc Zolla
Bass: John Burton
Drums: Michel Paradis

More info: https://linktr.ee/zcocoon​

-30-

“”Angels” testifies that Z-Cocoon remains the solid craftsman of a heavy, unadorned stoner rock blues.” – Music Waves

“Fans can expect an EP from three very energetic pieces, true to what they hear live. The guitar solos, tinged with blues, display a metallic touch, and are counterbalanced by melodic and catchy vocal lines, in the spirit of Dio or Pentagram. Angels is a clever mix of heavy blues, of doom metal and of rock n roll, with groovy riffs, dark vocals and sharp solos that swing loudly. T” – Metal Universe

“On “Angels” the group presents three pieces with riff-heavy but rather low-melody heavy rock. In the case of Z-COCOON, the term “Power Trio”, which is often used in three-member formations, is not an empty phrase, but rather an accurate description.” – PowerMetal.de​
​
​“Stoner Rock RULES! The new EP ‘Angels’ from Montreal’s Z-Cocoon is a 1-2-3 punch of three sure to please new tracks. Heavy, fat and catchy as hell…tracks like ‘Truth Don’t Matter’ are earworms you won’t be able to shake all day. Experience Z-Cocoon on your Home for the Best New Rock… W-J-O-EEEE” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll

“Z-Cocoon is firmly grounded in blues-heavy stoner rock, it also shows an awareness of other sides of rock and hip-hop that often the sub-genre completely walls itself off from. Little things like short interjections from the backing vocals, a willingness to put vocals ahead of guitars, and a thick-as-fuck kick drum sound — tweaks like that combine with the Sabbathian riffs and dynamic vocals for a pretty addictive listen.” – Invisible Oranges

“This EP does a great job of showcasing Zolla’s chops as a songwriter and as a performer. I personally find Zolla to be a great vocalist, and each of the tracks on here allow him to flex his mid-to-high range voice and sort of nasally cadence. I love the way he adds a rasp into his voice.” – Where Strides the Behemoth

Second song – Just Tell Me – has an “Audioslave” quality to it with Marc’s vocals and some of the music that appears at the start. However, Marc switches things up a bit and plays some classic “Hard Rock” melodies and superb vocals for the standout song on the EP. – Outlaws of the Sun Blog

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0 IMPERISHABLE (ft. Nile, Hate Eternal, Malevolent Creation, Olkoth members) Forges Raw Fury w/ Debut Album “Revelation In Purity” Out August 29th + New Video For Title Track & “Oath of Disgust”

  • July 23, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Imperishable · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 23, 2025

IMPERISHABLE (ft. Nile, Hate Eternal, Malevolent Creation, Olkoth members) Forges Raw Fury w/ Debut Album “Revelation In Purity” End of August 2025

+ New Video For Title Track & “Oath of Disgust”

“Revelation In Purity” Out Aug 29th, 2025 via Everlasting Spew Records(Digital/CD/Cassette) – Vinyl Coming 2026

Mixed and Mastered by Jamie King (Between the Buried and Me, The Contortionist, Scale the Summit)

Brace for impact as Imperishable, the blistering new project featuring guitarist/vocalist Brian Kingsland (Nile, Enthean), bassist Alex Rush (Olkoth, Enthean), and drum legend Derek Roddy (Hate Eternal, Malevolent Creation) announces the release of their debut album “Revelation In Purity”, out August 29th, 2025 via Everlasting Spew Records.
​
Formed as an outlet for raw, unfiltered aggression outside their legacy bands, Imperishable delivers an unapologetically fierce experience. “Revelation In Purity” is crafted with a sound described in four words: aggressive, dark, evil, and fast. The debut full-length is a relentless display of old-school ethos and modern wrath. Eschewing over-polished production, the album plunges listeners into visceral, analog brutality.

Inspired by death and black metal legends including Morbid Angel, Emperor, Angelcorpse, Zyklon, and Nile, “Revelation In Purity” balances sheer speed and aggression with atmospheric weight and lyrical depth. Though the lyrics lean toward personal strength and confidence, Imperishable welcomes interpretation, mirroring their approach to songwriting as collaborative, ever-evolving, and instinctively intense.

Brian Kingsland (Vocals/Guitar) comments on the album:

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

Fans can expect more music in the future, but for now, this debut is a definitive statement. “Revelation In Purity” is not just an album, it’s an experience. Raw. Real. Revelatory.

Take a listen to the album’s currently released two singles: the album’s opener, “Oath of Disgust,” and the title track.

Lyric Video – “Oath of Disgust” – https://youtu.be/Qz8fWGq1Bhw

​Lyric Video – “Revelation In Purity” – https://youtu.be/tLvIf3d40bE

​
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/0V9iSPRTE4WRgXZ6DPZAsC

​

Album pre-order (CD, Cassette) (Vinyl coming in 2026) – https://everlastingspew.com/​

Digital – https://everlastingspew.bandcamp.com/album/revelation-in-purity​

Track Listing:​
1. Oath Of Disgust (4:00)
2. Exclusion Continuum (4:35)
3. Revelation In Purity (4:43)
4. Spewing Retribution (3:50)
5. Iniquity (5:06)
6. Where Dead Omens Croon (2:40)
7. The Enduring Light Of Irreverence (7:18)
Album Length: 33:00
​
​Album Credits:​
All songs performed by Imperishable
All songs written by Imperishable
Produced by Brian Kingsland
Mixed and Mastered by Jamie King
Album artwork by Nestor Avalos
Logo by Caelan Stokkermans
​
Lineup:
Brian Kingsland: Guitar/Vocals
Alex Rush: Bass
Derek Roddy: Drums

More info: Facebook.com/Imperishable83 | Instagram.com/imperishable_metal | https://linktr.ee/EverlastingSpew​

– 30 –

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

“Death metal without an expiration date… Given that pedigree, you’ll have a reasonable idea of what to expect from this. The trio’s work in “Revelation in Purity” isn’t as technical or noodly as what you’d get from Enthean or Nile, but it more than makes up for that in speed and ferocity. It’s a near-perpetual stream of of blastbeats and tremolo riffs topped with Kingsland’s crunchy vocals, drawing some of its melodic ideas from the barbaric end of the black metal spectrum. It’s a straight-to-the-point neck breaker of a song, so clear some mosh space and jam it now.” – Toilet Ov Hell

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

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

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0 Canadian Progressive Death ANCIENT THRONES Returns w/ Haunting Video “A Moon Fused Key” From Sophomore Album “Melancholia” Out Sept 2025

  • July 22, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Ancient Thrones · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 22, 2025

Canadian Progressive Death ANCIENT THRONES Returns w/ Haunting Video “A Moon Fused Key” From Sophomore Album “Melancholia” Out Sept 2025

+ Launch Vinyl Pre-Order

Ancient Thrones Current Line Up

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

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

Photo Credit – Matt Leblanc

Halifax, Canada’s relentless progressive death metal band Ancient Thrones return with their harrowing sophomore album “Melancholia”, dropping September 19th, 2025, a follow-up to 2020’s debut “The Veil”. Leading the release is their first single, “A Moon Fused Key”, accompanied by a haunting lyric video that offers a raw glimpse into the album’s psychological abyss.

Formed in 2011 and reborn in 2018 with the arrival of guitarist and composer Dylan Wallace, Ancient Thrones carved out a new identity rooted in fast, extreme, progressive, cinematic, and existential soundscapes. With “Melancholia”, the band dives deeper into these sonic philosophies, creating a concept-driven album born out of isolation, trauma, and the need to transform pain into art.

“We think this album is a turning point for us, where we were able to take the atmosphere of our previous record, and kick the aggression up to a thousand. The intention of our last record, “The Veil,” was to be poetic and hopeful, but the intention with our second full-length, “Melancholia,” is to crush any ounce of hope that is left,” adds the band.
​
A high-speed, technically savage record written during the first wave of the pandemic. “Melancholia” is packed with themes of hallucination, suicide, and emotional unraveling, inspired by personal experience and psychedelic trauma. Built as a narrative journey, with abstract lyrics and music that flow seamlessly from track to track.
​
The writing process started with Wallace churning out riffs in isolation while drummer and vocalist Sean Hickey developed the narrative alongside the music. Their creative synergy resulted in a cinematic tapestry where music evokes visuals, and lyrics deepen the vision. Each track exists as a piece of a larger, emotionally devastating puzzle.

The band meticulously sculpted every sonic detail over five years, dialing in tones and mastering techniques to ensure a pummeling production. Unlike their expansive debut, “Melancholia” tightens its tracklist to accommodate a proper vinyl release, with each song handpicked for impact. Every riff, lead, and vocal layer contributes to an immersive and aggressive listening experience.

“We didn’t plan to write a concept album, but the story began to unfold, and we couldn’t resist,” adds Hickey.

Inviting fans into the haunting world of “Melancholia”, Ancient Thrones is unveiling their first single and the album’s opening track, “A Moon Fused Key”. Kicking off the record, the track sets the stage for the violent nature about to unfold both musically and lyrically. This is the point of the concept album where the character puts an end to every piece of life in his body. At the end of the song, he sees the hand of god pulling him to heaven, and he severs it. This song is fast, filled with crushing riffs, and sets the tone for what’s to come.

The band comments:

“A Moon Fused Key is the opening track on the album, but also a climax narratively, jumping straight into where hell is unfolding in our character’s story. The song begins with unrelenting force and speed, and does not stop until the final bitter moments. We wanted to establish that Melancholia was not just a catchy title for the album; that we intend to tie our audience in a nihilistic, inhuman, terrifying, and brutal end, as the character celebrates their death viciously. This song is a statement in existential exhaustion, where you have no choice but to brace for what’s coming”.

Taking influences from black metal, 2000s death metal, and modern tech death, “Melancholia” reflects the Ancient Thrones’ commitment to pushing boundaries in extreme music. Recommended for fans of Archspire, The Red Chord, Deafheaven, and The Faceless.
​
Watch and listen to “A Moon Fused Key” via its lyric video premiere on NoCleanSinging HERE.

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/54OafwThPmIXquCxxy0ySq

Album pre-order (Vinyl, Digital) (out Sept 19th, 2025) – https://ancientthrones.bandcamp.com/​

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

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

More info: Facebook.com/Ancientthrones | Instagram.com/ancientthrones​

-30-

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“The prize for most ambitious album of 2020 already has the name of Ancient Thrones carved in marble. Who among you fancies a 56-minute blackened death metal saga with an epic meditation on one man’s descent into the afterlife? No band thought it conceivable to write the metal version of Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal, but this Nova Scotia quartet are not just any band. This is a remarkable journey for the contemplative mind.” – Scream Blast Repeat (2020 – The Veil)
​
​
​“The Sight of Oblivion and The Millionth Grave are steeped in ferociousness and savagery as only a band well versed in blackened death metal are capable of producing.8.5/10” – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life (2020 – The Veil)

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

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

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0 Rockshots Records – Silent Angel New Member Announcement!

  • July 22, 2025
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Silent Angel (Rockshots Records)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 22, 2025

Silent Angel New Member Announcement!

Italian/Malaysian symphonic power metal band Silent Angel proudly unveils a major update to their lineup: drummer Albar Omar officially joins the band as a permanent member.

Hailing from the state of Pahang in Peninsular Malaysia, Albar brings over two decades of experience and a powerful musical identity rooted in groove and progressive metal. Drawing inspiration from bands such as Lamb of God, Slayer, Dream Theater, Periphery, God Forbid, and Greylotus, his drumming style blends precision, power, and complexity. Among his most influential drummers are legends like Dave Lombardo, Matt Halpern, Buddy Rich, and Chris Adler.

A well-known presence in Malaysia’s underground and indie metal scene, Albar continues to perform with the groove metal band Daylight Descends, while now also committing his talent and energy to Silent Angel’s future.

His arrival marks a key step in the band’s renewed journey. With a new Asian tour scheduled for later in 2025 (details coming soon) and studio work planned for the upcoming full-length album set for release in 2026, Albar’s entry reinforces the band’s ambitious roadmap.

Fans can expect to witness his technical prowess and passionate drumming both on stage and in the band’s highly anticipated sophomore album.

Recommended for fans of Iron Maiden, Helloween, Stratovarius, Rhapsody, and Hammerfall, Silent Angel’s latest album, “Unyielding, Unrelenting” (released Nov 24, 2023) is available from Rockshots Records.

Digital – https://lnk.to/jVsu38V1

​

Album order – https://rockshots.eu/products/silent-angel-unyielding-unrelenting-cd​

Track Listing:​
1. Unyielding Spirit – 2:40
2. Against The Tides – 5:34
3. A Destiny In Shadows – 3:45
4. Through Selene’s Eyes – 4:30
5. Aurora’s Dream – 4:58
6. Descent Into Infinity – 3:50
7. When Dusk Meets Dawn – 3:20
8. Angel Rising – 4:07
9. Tears Of Celestine – 5:21
10. Twilight Of The Black Rose – 6:18
Album Length: 44:27

Silent Angel is:

Eric “StormBlade” Poon – Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Backing Vocals, Songwriter, Lyricist
​Claudia Beltrame – Lead Vocals
​Dauz – Bass
​Albar Omar – Drums
​
​Permanent Session Musicians​
​Davide Scuteri – Keyboards, Synth

Silent Angel is currently endorsed by Blackstar Amps, MusicNomad Guitar Care, Mackie, Blacksmith Strings, Zoom, CK Music (Malaysia), City Music Singapore, and EMusic Instruments.

For more info:​
​https://www.rockshots.eu​
​https://www.facebook.com/SilentAngelBand​
​

About: Originally formed in 2000, and taking over a decade-long hiatus, the band returned in 2015 with a fresh new lineup and released two EPs, along with gaining support on American, Canadian, Italian, Australian, and UK radio stations. The band was also honoured with recording a track for Samsung’s Milk Music Ad Campaign, plus performing a Malaysian tour where they headlined the IDX SummerFest, which was followed by two tours of Japan.

After the Japan tours, Silent Angel returned to the studios to record their full-length album, but unfortunately, they were struck with tragedy with the untimely passing of their bass player, putting the recording on pause.

Fast forward to 2020, Silent Angel brought in multi-award-winning recording and mixing engineer, Rahmad Kamikaze, as the co-producer and welcomed bassist Dauz.

Moving in 2021, the beautiful and talented Italian soprano powerhouse Claudia Beltrame joined the band lineup, and later on, with Italian keyboard and synth wizard, Davide Scuteri contributing his talent to the music, we’re now poised to unleash our full-length masterpiece upon the world in the very capable hands of our record label, Rockshots Records!

– 30 –

“The employment of dual female singers with Claudia Beltrame (also of Degrees of Truth) and Gracie Shona gives the band depth in terms of the styles explored because of their ranges – everything from rock to metal and operatic angles touched upon, coming together to harmonize certain passages for “Through Selene’s Eyes” to add more emotional, dramatic tension that mirrors the musical components. Guitarist Eric Poon as the main songwriter drives influences like Helloween, Hammerfall, and Stratovarius to the forefront, dazzling with tasty positive chord progressions and sophisticated lead breaks that make “Against the Tides” and “Descent Into Infinity” early appealers. At certain times Silent Angel also explores 80’s classic heroes like Iron Maiden when you hear the main hooks and higher melodies of “Angel Rising”, the drumming from Pae steady with interesting power moves which line up to the energetic guitar runs.” – Dead Rhetoric

“Unyielding, Unrelenting is aimed directly at fans of female-fronted symphonic/power metal” – Metal Crypt

““Against The Tides” appropriately opens the actual series of songs. The track varies the tempo again and again, but without taking it easy for even a second. As expected, the chorus is easily accessible, and the ladies Claudia Beltrame and Gracie Shona perform a fine duet…” – Hellfire Magazin

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

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