NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – September 9, 2026
Montreal Blackened Thrash SHROUD Announces Canadian Tour Dates w/ HELLRIPPER
Debut Album “Pax Nocturna” Out Now!
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L-R – Justin Cournoyer – Bass, Matteo Conti – Guitar and Vocals, Zack Osiris – Drums, Jordan Barillaro – Guitar
Rising from the shadows of Montreal’s extreme‑metal underground, SHROUD proudly announces a run of Canadian tour dates supporting Scotland’s speed‑metal powerhouse HELLRIPPER this November (dates listed below). The announcement follows the release of SHROUD’s debut full‑length album “Pax Nocturna”.
A blistering fusion of blackened thrash sharpened by death‑metal aggression and melodic‑metal atmosphere, “Pax Nocturna” marks a defining first chapter for one of Montreal’s most intense and uncompromising new acts. Lyrically, “Pax Nocturna” explores philosophy, anti‑religion, the abyss, and the darkest corners of human existence. Its overarching concept, Satanic Gnosticism, rejects imposed order and corrupt leadership in favour of embracing the chaos from which humanity originates.
“It’s the acknowledgement that we are our own gods and masters. It is peace within the night. It is Pax Nocturna,” says Conti.
The album’s artwork draws from the dark fantasy of Yoshitaka Amano, the surreal horror of Zdzisław Beksiński, and the mythic grandeur of The Lord of the Rings, depicting the four members in ritualistic worship of Murmur, Archduke and Lord of Hell.
SHROUD began when guitarist/vocalist Matteo Conti approached drummer Zack Osiris (Warsenal) during the height of the COVID‑19 lockdowns. With their previous projects stalled and the music scene frozen, the pair began writing in secret, week after week; riffs and ideas evolved into the earliest form of what would become “Pax Nocturna”. As the world reopened in 2022, the lineup solidified with Justin Cournoyer on bass and Jordan Barillaro joining after filling in for the band’s first show in November 2022. The chemistry was immediate. SHROUD was born, united, focused, and driven.
On stage, SHROUD delivers intensity, tightness, and emotional ferocity, already earning them slots alongside Exciter, Midnight, Wraith, Goatwhore, Vitriol, Necrofier, Wormwitch, Spiter, Gudsforladt, Tomarumvoid, Angelus Apatrida, Sorguinazia, and more.
Recommended for fans of Watain, Dissection, Hellripper, Skeletonwitch, and Necrophobic, “Pax Nocturna”, released on June 4th, 2026, is available now on all digital platforms, CD, and vinyl.
CD / Vinyl – https://shroudmtl.bandcamp.com/album/pax-nocturna
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/5dfAWpVKaWlsdSBYNZ8L1H
All Creation – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4okttHfnlg
The Eternal Void – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ56_laldDc
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Tour Dates: Hellripper w/ Shroud
Nov 25 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar
Nov 26 – Quebec City, QC – La Source De La Martiniere
Nov 27 – Ottawa, ON – Dominion Tavern (Capital Punishment Festival)
Nov 28 – Toronto, ON – Supermarket Bar & Variety
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Track Listing:
1. Pax Nocturna (0:43)
2. The Eternal Void (5:09)
3. The Zealot (5:15)
4. Merciless Tyrants (5:59)
5. Darkest Night (4:45)
6. Diablivion (5:28)
7. Death Blows Over (4:18)
8. All Creation (5:29)
9. Abaddon (7:55)
Album Length: 45:05
Album and Live Band lineup:
Matteo Conti – Guitar and Vocals
Jordan Barillaro – Guitar
Zack Osiris – Drums
Justin Cournoyer – Bass
More info:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086688022343
https://www.instagram.com/shroud.mtl
About: Emerging from the depths below, Shroud formed in 2022 when Conti and Osiris began writing together during the pandemic. With the later addition of Barillaro and Cournoyer, the band’s lineup solidified into a unit defined by technical skill, raw aggression, and a shared vision of darkness. Their sound of blistering riffs, thunderous drums, and vocals echoing through the void has quickly earned them recognition as one of Montreal’s most promising extreme‑metal acts. Now, with Pax Nocturna, Shroud is ready to unleash its full power.
Album Recording Credits:
– All songs performed by: Matteo Conti, Zack Osiris, Jordan Barillaro, Justin Cournoyer
– All songs written by: Matteo Conti and Zack Osiris
– Produced by: Shroud and Jordan Barillaro
– Mixed by: Jordan Barillaro
– Album Art by: Justin Cournoyer
– Mastered by: Tore Stjerna
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“Imagine the ferocity, the grit and attitude of ‘Power n Pain’ era Whiplash, add the nocturnal melodic majesty of Necrophobic, and then a heaping helping of D-beat (always appreciated). Vicious, limb twitchin’ and about as infectious as something you believe you might have picked up on a recent European vacation, but wish you hadn’t. Recc for fans of SkeletonWitch, Necrophobic, Hellripper and others who successfully manage to imbue ragin’ Thrash insanity with an exquisite sense of darkness. This scatches the itch, then successfully obliterates it!” 94/100 – Cult Metal Flix
“the Canadians are beyond any doubt and have put together a debut album that not only packs a serious punch in terms of aggression but also delivers enough memorable moments to perfectly balance frenzy, speed, and punchiness.” – PowerMetal.de
“There’s almost a black ‘n’ roll thing going on here, with some cool rocking solos that snap you out of the blackened onslaught here and there. There’s no shortage of heaviness here, and I love how Shroud have mixed the old and the new throughout the album; you never really know what’s going to hit you next. Lots of energy, not many parts to give you rest, Pax Nocturna is one of those albums that tortures your speakers and makes the house shake. Good stuff (duh).” – The Metal Crypt
“A definite early AOTY candidate with strong claims, 5 star Black/Thrash!… There’s a high amount of crushing chugging riffs across this full length and the leadwork is absolutely scorching across the board, shreddy solos with that classic heavy metal, Thrash phrasing with a few mid-paced ones thrown in that are topped off with a couple of whammy bar accents and tremolos in them. Some of these riffs just will absolutely pummel you, as they’re fast and unrelenting as hell; also, there’s one or two solos that appear in a single track too. The vocals on this aren’t just high black metal screams, but there’s creepy deep spoken word vocals, chants and a few death growls also; if you’re into absolutely groove filled Blackened Thrash then absolutely look no further than this masterpiece, absolutely don’t sleep on it, a definite AOTY contender personally. Rating: 10/10!” – Drako’s Metal Reviews
“With Pax Nocturna , SHROUD makes a striking statement that will allow them to carve out a prime spot among the new Canadian bands to watch.” – Ondes Chocs
“Some nice thrash with plenty of fury and speed beyond it. Rip-roaring riffs that will have your neck moving, I assure you. Vicious vocals also work here as they fit the music rather well. Production is good and solid, and those thrashy riffs just ripped my soul apart and in two. With thrash, for me it is the riffs, the speed and intensity, and this had it all. This will just pound you into the ground, showing little or no mercy. Thrash crushes.” – Chris Forbes – Extreminal
“Shroud’s debut is a vicious blackened thrash release with scorching guitar work, relentless percussion and a grim philosophical core.” – Heavy Metal Darkness
““Pax Nocturna” is a solid album of high-energy thrash packed with razor-sharp riffs. The guitars cut right to the bone, the drums pound relentlessly, and the bass rumbles like never before. This honest, sincere, and effective record, with its raw and brutal energy, is well worth discovering. ” – Music Waves
“Shroud’s debut is thus a classic representative of the product DIY (Do It Yourself), when the band’s actors are talented enough to provide for themselves… The debut work “Pax Nocturna” is an impressive example of modern blackened thrash.” – MetalForever
“The debut album from the thrash/death newcomers goes hard from start to finish! Right from the opener ‘The Eternal Void’ this thing is heavy, urgent and awesome, and it keeps its momentum for its full 45-minute runtime. The fact that it’s only nine songs in that time as well means that everything gets time to breathe, and everyone in the band gets time to shine. Highlights include ‘Merciless Tyrants’, ‘Diablivion’ and the epic closer, but the whole album is great from start to finish! It certainly won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you are into the heavier end of metal, this is absolutely worth a spin. The band have a bright future ahead of them, and in years to come people will look at this release as their big launching pad. 8.5/10” – Overtone Magazine
“Shroud’s latest offering, ‘Pax Nocturna’, is a relentless onslaught of blackened thrash metal that will leave listeners in awe of its sheer intensity. The album exudes a dark and foreboding atmosphere, with haunting melodies and aggressive riffs that create a sense of impending doom. Standout tracks such as ‘The Zealot’ and ‘Merciless Tyrants’ showcase the band’s ability to seamlessly blend black metal fury with thrash metal aggression. The production quality on ‘Pax Nocturna’ is top-notch, with every instrument cutting through the mix with clarity and power. This album marks a significant progression in Shroud’s career, solidifying their position as one of the leading forces in the extreme metal scene.” – MetalStorm.com.au
““Fans of extreme metal will find a record crafted for them. It’s intense, tightly executed, and overflowing with raw energy. Its lyrical depth explores philosophy, anti‑religion, the abyss and the darkest corners of human existence. The overarching concept is Satanic Gnosticism, a rejection of imposed order and corrupt leadership, and an embrace of the chaos from which humanity originates.” – The Black Metal Archive
“Shroud have delivered a lean, mean, and deliciously dark debut that proves traditional, blackened speed insanity is alive and thriving.” – VM Underground
“Montréal, Québec’s Shroud have released a perfect blending of two extreme genres. Black metal elements of demonic, screechy vocals, tremolo picking, and black and roll beats. Then you have the Thrash tempo changes, galloping riffs, and break-neck speed sections. This album grabbed me by the back of the head and slammed my face into the concrete a dozen times during the first track. It’s not all sound barrier breaking speeds though. There are sections of clear black metal. Down tempo sections. Pure thrash. And every combination of the two sub-genres.” – Mike On Metal
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