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0 Reminder – GRAVEMASS (ft. members of Zimmers Hole, 3 Inches of Blood, Revocation) Kick-Off Western Canada “This Is The Way 2026 Tour” + Loud As Hell Open Air Fest

  • July 30, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · GraveMass · Music News · Uncategorized

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 30, 2026

Reminder – GRAVEMASS (ft. members of Zimmers Hole, 3 Inches of Blood, Revocation) Kick-Off Western Canada “This Is The Way 2026 Tour”

Performing at Loud As Hell Open Air Festival 2026 w/ Fallujah, Allegaeon, Summoning the Lich, Crimson Shadows, Edge of Paradise, and more!

Photo Credit – Derek Carr

L-R – Destroyer of Souls – Drums – Bowels of Hell – Bass – Murderer of Colonizers – Guitar – Mayan Hate – Guitar – Lorde Heathen – Vocals

Fresh off the release of their debut album “This Is The Way,” West Coast extreme‑metal force Gravemass kicks off a run of Western Canadian tour dates for summer 2026. The trek, appropriately titled “This Is The Way Tour 2026,” will see the band unleash their ferocious live assault across British Columbia and Alberta from July 31st to August 8th and includes a performance at this year’s Loud As Hell Open Air Festival with Fallujah, Allegaeon, Summong The Lich, Crimson Shadows, Edge of Paradise and more (dates listed below).
​
The tour follows the eruption of “This Is The Way,” a debut forged from decades of West Coast metal lineage. Featuring members of Zimmers Hole, Punch Drunk, 3 Inches of Blood, Revocation, Just Cause, West of Hell, Savannah, Process, Subversion, and The Golers, Gravemass is the convergence of long‑standing forces within Vancouver’s extreme‑music underground.
​
Guitarist Mayan Hate, who wrote the album’s music in an intense two‑month burst, describes the project as a natural evolution among lifelong friends.

“We’re all West Coast metal heads who’ve known each other for decades. I wrote the music between breaks in other projects and showed it to Lorde Heathen. He immediately wanted in. From there, we recruited the rest of the band, guys we’ve all known forever.”
​
​
Vocalist Lorde Heathen also adds.

“Brutal, angry, fast, dark, and evil, this album delivers exactly that: an unrelenting barrage of sinister riffing, death‑metal vocal ferocity, and rhythmic devastation. It draws from the chaos of the modern world. All the lyrics come from the shit‑hole world order that exists right now.” ​
​
While “This Is The Way” was written by Mayan Hate with lyrics by Lorde Heathen, the band confirms that album two is already underway and will be a fully collaborative effort.
​
Known for channeling the ferocity of their influences, Slayer, Venom, Morbid Angel, Watain, and Napalm Death, Gravemass promises a live show that is nothing short of a full‑scale assault.

“The live show is where we bring it all together. We want to bring this experience to the masses,” says Lorde Heathen.
​
With “This Is The Way” unleashed March 6, 2026, via End Game Records Inc., Gravemass now turns its focus to the stage, marking the beginning of a new chapter in West Coast extreme metal. More music, more brutality, and a deeper collaborative evolution lie ahead.

Add to your Spotify Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/0ROzZyUacjjY7dC6xOwtg5

​

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

Videos:

This Is The Way – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR9gy-AD8-E

​Fallen – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ4ws87xOJs​

Spitting Hell – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r477FZl1VFo

​

Gravemass – Western Canada – This Is The Way Tour 2026​
July 31 – Bridgeview Theater – Kamloops, BC
Aug 1 – Loud As Hell Open Air Festival – Drumheller, AB
Aug 4 – The Owl – Lethbridge, AB
Aug 5 – The Royal – Nelson, BC
Aug 6 – The Globe – Nanaimo, BC
Aug 7 – The Lucky Bar – Victoria, BC
Aug 8 – Green Auto – Vancouver, BC

Track Listing:​
1. Slaves To Pain – 2:38
2. This Is The Way – 3:45
3. Horned King – 2:54
4. Harvest of Souls – 2:53
5. Spitting Hell – 2:07
6. Black Bell – 2:50
7. Fallen – 3:27
8. Gravemass – 3:51
9. Abandon – 2:01
10. Poison Temple – 3:11
Album Length: 29:41

Album Band Line-up:​
Lorde Heathen – Vocals
Mayan Hate – Guitar
Murderer of Colonizers – Guitar
Bowels of Hell – Bass
Destroyer of Souls – Drums

More info:

​https://endgamerecords.com/​

​http://www.gravemass.com/​

​https://www.facebook.com/people/Grave-Mass/61556695854887/​

​https://www.instagram.com/gravemass1/​

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“Hold on to your hats, buds. Your eyes and ears are in for a blinding treat. Canada’s black/death metal band GraveMass just released the aural assault known as “Fallen.” The song and the video are delightfully overwhelming. ” – Metal Sucks​
​
​““Fallen” is a brutal, pummeling track with vocals that range from a guttural growl to a nasal screech, creating a blistering death metal assault. The black-and-white video with its flashing lights and quick cuts combines imagery of nature and religion in a way that perfectly complements the sonic onslaught of the video. It’s a breakneck track that leaves carnage in its wake, and you’ll want to check it out.” – New Noise Magazine​
​
​“Gravemass Deliver Evil with Latest Single & Video, “Fallen”” – V13​
​
​“Well now, isn’t this one hell of a supergroup? Love the term or loathe it, here it really does count, especially as far as the Canadian metal scene goes. Gravemass are here, and with them comes a vitriolic death metal release that takes elements of the genre’s old-school ferocity and blends it with modern groove and energy. A release that clocks in at just under thirty minutes, ensuring it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Though there’s no short-changing here as we have ten tracks and across them a cacophony of violent, snarling, hyperactive blasts of heaviness that will thrill all those who love extreme metal. I’m one of them and Gravemass really do it for me. I think this is a beast of a record and found myself compelled to head-bang almost all the way through it.” – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life​
​
​“Originally from Vancouver and including former members of Zimmers Hole, 3 Inches Of Blood, Revocation, and Punch Drunk, Gravemass has only one goal: to offer solid, effective, and slightly crazy death metal. The codes are known, but their interpretation is puzzling, largely due to structures that are more punk than metal and unusual sounds (among other things in the rhythms). And with only ten tracks, totaling twenty-nine minutes, Gravemass leaves little time to understand what is happening. 4/5” – Metallian​
​
​“This Is the Way is a flawless debut. It manages to feel nostalgic for the golden era of death metal while sounding fresh, mean, and modern. If you crave music that is “brutal, angry, fast, dark, and evil,” this is your new obsession. Essential Tracks: Slaves to Pain, Horned King, Fallen. 10/10″ – Broken Neck Radio​
​
​“Festering, ferocious, and fierce, This Is the Way is nothing short of extreme zealotry — a masterclass in chaos with a sinister edge. It snaps the synapses of the sacred and dives headfirst into the devil within the divine. If you love death, black, and speed metal, then This Is the Way is absolutely for you. As a matter of fact, I now have my own Gravemass name — Fucking Legend. Perfectly apt, if you ask me. This Is the Way by Gravemass is intense and exceptionally powerful. Don’t sleep on this album — word is the second album already has three songs ready to go, with a more collaborative approach already in motion. With their debut now unleashed via End Game Records, Gravemass mark the beginning of a new chapter in West Coast extreme metal — and if this is just the beginning, we’re in for one hell of a ride. The world is going to hell in a fucking handbasket, and Gravemass aren’t afraid to tell you exactly how it is. This Is the Way is the Luciferian aural bible. The end of all that is sacred. The Necronomicon of blackened death metal.” – Crannk​
​
​“Honestly, this is half an hour of brutal excellence. From the insane riffing to the thunderous, relentless drumming to the brutal screams, it’s all so good. It almost has a pretty hardcore energy to it too, none of the tracks overstaying their welcome, being balls-to-the-wall and straight to the point! And every song flows pretty excellently; every track being as good as the last! And, for a debut album and a band that seemingly haven’t been around all too long, this is amazing stuff! They should be a lot bigger than they are already, and hopefully this album pushes them to new heights! From the opener to ‘Harvest of Souls’ to the bands namesake track, there are definitely highlights. Though, as I said before, there isn’t a bad track throughout! And it still has an air of epicness throughout that made me even more hooked. They have a VERY bright future ahead of them, and if you are at all into a more death-leaning metal sound, I cannot recommend this enough. It gets an incredibly solid 8.5/10 from us!” – Overtone Magazine​
​
​“For me Gravemass made a statement with this album. They are here to stay. They are damn good and delivered a jaw dropping album. This is extreme metal that will blow you away. This album was made for a mosh pit. I give the album the perfect 10.” – Project Metal Music​
​
​“A rain shower becomes a thunder storm as the intensity increases dramatically with title track “This Is The Way“, the gang chanted “1, 2, 3, 4!” something that will go down well in the live arena. Soaked in blasphemous rhetoric that bleeds Black Metal inspirations, the band bring the hammer down with enough force to split more than a few skulls. The rhythmic battery feels like a blunt force trauma as the band refuse to re-invent the wheel, instead opting for something of depraved atmospheres that is both dark and insanely good fun. ” – Metal Noise​
​
​“The opening notes of “This Is the Way” don’t just set a mood: they trigger a pure survival instinct. As soon as the “1, 2, 3, 4!” gang-chant explodes on the title track, the rest of the world instantly fades away. This isn’t an album you just listen to; it’s an adrenaline surge that hits you full force, and every second of the carnage is a total blast…. If you live for the dark, fast, and visceral, imagine a heavy encounter between Slayer and Morbid Angel in a dark alley, this record is your new obsession for 2026. Get ready, because their appearance at the Loud As Hell festival this summer is already looking like a total field of ruins.” – Papy Jeff Metal​
​
​“Basically, I can easily enjoy a record like “This Is The Way” from the first to the last second” – PowerMetal.de​
​
​“the album impresses with its energy, solid songwriting and powerful production. For fans of dark, aggressive extreme metal, this album is definitely worth it. Conclusion: »This Is The Way« of GRAVEMASS is a strong album that will delight fans of blackened death metal and deathcore alike.” – MetalUnderground.at​
​
​“The production on this one packs a punch but still feels human, which is needed with songwriting like that that just feels sinister in all of the right ways. Gravemass is the kind of band that you spin to forget your troubles, as it just sucks you in for all 10 tracks and almost 30 minutes of length, then you will instantly start it over. We need something like that now more than ever.” – Heavy Debriefings
​
​
​“With “Fallen,” GraveMass offers a glimpse into what promises to be a searing, unholy debut album. It’s a declaration of intent—and a brutal reminder that Canadian metal is as fierce and alive as ever.” – See Rock Live

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0 REMINDER at WACKEN OPEN AIR – JULY 29th – METAL BATTLE CANADA 2026 Champions BORNBROKEN

  • July 27, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Uncategorized · Wacken Metal Battle Canada

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 27, 2026

REMINDER at WACKEN OPEN AIR – JULY 29th – METAL BATTLE CANADA 2026 Champions BORNBROKEN

WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA 2026 champions BornBroken will be performing on the Headbangers Stage at Wacken Open Air on July 29th.

Stage: Headbangers Stage
Day: Wednesday, July 29th
Time: 12:15pm- 12:35pm (CEST) GMT+2

Their latest album “Am I Invisible” is available on vinyl and digitally at the following links:

Music Video – Am I Invisible – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3JXTHX0svI​

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

Vinyl – https://loudtrax.com/bornbroken-am-i-invisible-vinyl-74535​

Digital Album – https://ffm.to/785376b4ad1c4c7e8b394d6c59d215c6​

YouTube Album Stream – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n1g45sHdHIUNYMf350HdQSyBOHi3GgZ5I​

More info – https://linktr.ee/bornbroken​

About Winning Wacken Metal Battle Canada:

Following intense regional clashes, four bands, BORNBROKEN (Montreal, QC), ASHES OF YGGDRASIL (Lloydminster, AB/SK), EMPALEMENT (Victoria, BC) and GRAVEARTH (Oshawa, ON) rose above the rest to earn their place at the national final on May 9th in Montreal, QC, taking over Piranha Bar (680 Ste‑Catherine Ouest). There, they all unleashed their might before a crowd of die‑hard metal fans and a judging panel of industry veterans, including Luc Laine (CFLX 95.5 FM – Alerte Metallique), Pierre Beaubien (CIBL 101.5 FM – Décibel Métal), Andrew Wieler (CJLO 1690 AM – Metal Director), Kaje Annihilatrix (Promoter, Freelance Metal Writer, Asher Media), Dany Soucy (Nova Spei, Bam&Co‑Heavy Label, Trois‑Rivières Metalfest), and Patrick Loisel (Augury).
​
Only one band could claim the crown, and BornBroken emerged victorious as Canada’s 2026 national champion, earning the honour of representing the nation at the 35th anniversary of Wacken Open Air and competing in the international Wacken Metal Battle, where bands from over 30 countries collide in a global showdown.

WMBC organizer JJ Tartaglia comments:

“Congrats to BornBroken; they are sure to tear it up at Wacken this summer and do Canada proud!”

BornBroken‘s guitarist and vocalist, Mike Decker, comments on their crowning:

“Winning the Canadian Wacken Metal Battle still hasn’t fully sunk in. We’ve spent years grinding through clubs, hauling gear through snowstorms, playing to half-empty rooms, and fighting for every inch as a band, so this means more to us than we can really put into words. To now represent Canada at Wacken Open Air is something we will never take for granted.

This win belongs to everyone who’s supported BornBroken over the years. Our families, our friends, the promoters who gave us chances, the people who bought merch when we were struggling to keep moving, and every single person who ever stood in front of the stage and gave us their energy. You carried us here as much as we carried ourselves.

We also want to give respect to every band that was part of this year’s battle. The level of talent, passion, and heart we saw was incredible. We may be the band getting on the plane, but we honestly feel like we’re carrying a piece of every one of those bands with us onto that stage in Germany. In our eyes, everyone who stepped into this battle and gave it everything they had is a winner.

We’re proud, we’re grateful, and we’re ready to give Wacken everything we’ve got…”

======

WMBC 2026 National Final Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Yizi851LwbShAduRaqHf3​

About Metal Battle:

The Wacken Metal Battle is an international metal music contest that culminates at the famous Wacken Open Air festival. It features the top bands from each nation, showcasing fresh and young metal music directly from the underground. The contest is open to unsigned metal bands and has become a significant platform for breaking through the local circuit. The 2026 edition of Wacken Metal Battle Canada is currently underway. The winner will have the opportunity to perform at Wacken Open Air, one of the world’s largest metal festivals, attracting tens of thousands of metal fans from around the globe. For more information and updates, you can visit the official Wacken Metal Battle website – https://www.metal-battle.com/​

About Wacken Open Air:​
Wacken Open Air is the largest heavy metal festival in the world. Starting with 800 visitors in 1990, nowadays 85,000 fans from all over the world travel to Wacken every year, turning the small village in Schleswig-Holstein into the center of the festival scene for several days. The organizing WOA Festival GmbH is connected to a broad network, including band management, the Wacken Foundation, tour booking, music publishing, Travel & Stay, merchandising distribution, and ticketing. In cooperation with partners, these results in creative solutions and ideas that revolutionize the festival experience, enable technical innovations, and produce extraordinary event concepts. Wacken Open Air 2026 will take place from July 29 to August 1, 2026.

More info:

​https://www.facebook.com/WMBCanada.official​

​https://www.instagram.com/wmbcanada.official/​

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Media Partners:​
Bravewords.com
Metal-Rules.com
Absolute Underground Magazine
BrokenNeckRadio.com
V13.net
Rich Embury (internationally syndicated DJ)
GhostCultMag.com
Rocknroam.ca
Vox & Hops Podcast
The Metal Voice
Décibel Métal (CIBL 101.5 FM)
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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0 Victoria’s Story Comes Alive! VICTORIA LIES Unveils First Single “Red” From Debut Concept Record “Vendetta” Out October 2026

  • July 21, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Uncategorized · Victoria Lies

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – July 21, 2026

Victoria’s Story Comes Alive! VICTORIA LIES Unveils First Single “Red” From Debut Concept Record “Vendetta” Out October 2026

L-R – Jay Powell (Bass), Brett Hetherington (vocals), James Cuncanon (Drums), Chris Koehler (Guitars), Rory Fitzsimmons (Guitars)

Photo Credit – Heather Kim

Calgary, Canada metalcore storytellers Victoria Lies have announced the first single from their long‑awaited forthcoming debut full‑length, “Vendetta.” The track, “Red,” arrives today alongside a cinematic music video that plunges listeners directly into the dark, lore‑rich universe the band has spent years constructing.
​
​“Red” marks the moment where the album’s central character, Victoria, transforms emotionally, psychologically, and violently. The song’s explosive contrast between chaotic verses and a soaring, cathartic chorus mirrors the character’s unraveling and rebirth, and it stands as one of the band’s most visceral, immediate compositions.

“The defining moment when Victoria becomes Victoria… heavy, disorienting, and urgent,” adds vocalist Brett Hetherington.
​
The video for “Red” brings Victoria’s world to life with the band’s signature theatricality. Their dancer and on‑stage embodiment of Victoria, Sadie Rieb, appears throughout, adding movement, narrative weight, and emotional intensity to the visual storytelling.
​
A memorable moment from the recording sessions made its way into the energy of the performance. During vocal tracking, the studio was overtaken by the Euro football finals. Producer Scott Bennett hauled in a TV, guitarist Rory Fitzsimmons spent 90 minutes yelling at the screen, and the chaos fueled Brett’s most ferocious screams.

“All this yelling really helped Brett get in the mindset for laying down his screams on one of our angriest songs,” adds the band.

The single and music video for “Red” are available at the following links:

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

​Digital Single – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/victorialies/red

​

“Vendetta” is a 10‑track concept album that blends melodic metalcore, groove metal, and genre‑bending experimentation. The band describes it as a “constantly evolving universe” filled with narrative twists, emotional depth, and unexpected musical turns, from trap beats to saxophone lines.
​
The album explores themes of power abuse, violence against women, personal grief, societal collapse, and moral ambiguity, all woven through the story of Victoria, a character who appears in choreography, prose, and live performance.
​​
“We wanted to give listeners a journey. Not just ten heavy songs, something with twists, turns, and storytelling,” 
says bassist Jay Powell.

“When you hear it, you know you’re in Victoria’s universe,” adds Fitzsimmons.
​
Formed in 2023, Victoria Lies is a Canadian metalcore band known for blending heavy grooves with theatrical storytelling. Their lineup includes vocalist Brett Hetherington, drummer James Cuncannon, guitarists Chris Koehler and Rory Fitzsimmons, and bassist Jay Powell. The band has previously released singles “Trial By Fire,” “…Ready for it?” and “Zerotonin,” earning thousands of streams and building anticipation for their debut album.
​
They’ve performed across Alberta, including Calgary, Drumheller, Lethbridge, and Edmonton, and appeared at Gatorfest II and Decimate Metalfest.

Recommended for fans of Bad Omens, Atreyu, AFI, and Killswitch Engage, “Vendetta” is due out on October 30th, 2026 via Black Cat Records.

Album pre-save – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/victorialies/vendetta​

Track Listing:​
1. Victoria – 1:40
2. We Ignite – 3:25
3. Terra Critical – 4:00
4. Laced With Hate – 6:30
5. Red – 2:44
6. Weaving Webs – 4:18
7. Trial by Fire – 3:33
8. Absurd – 4:21
9. Red Lips, Loaded Gun – 5:52
10. Ravens – 3:41
11. Truth and Sugar – 4:15
Album Length: 44:23

Album and Live Band Line-up:​
Jay Powell (Bass)
Brett Hetherington (Vocals)
James Cuncanon (Drums)
Chris Koehler (Guitars)
Rory Fitzsimmons (Guitars)

More info: Victorialies.com | Facebook.com/victorialiesband | Instagram.com/victorialiesband | Tiktok.com/@victoria.lies

-30-

—
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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 Canadian Prog Metal Newcomers CANDOR ZEALOT (ft. ex-members of Annihilator, The Slyde) Unveils Second Video / Single of 2026 “All For You”

  • June 23, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Uncategorized

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 23, 2026

Canadian Prog Metal Newcomers CANDOR ZEALOT (ft. ex-members of Annihilator, The Slyde) Unveils Second Video / Single of 2026 “All For You”

L-R – Alberto Campuzano (Bass Guitar, Vocals) | Dino Soares (Drums) | Nate Silva (Lead Vocals, Guitar) | Chris Gagnon (Guitar, Vocals)

Photo Credit: Ryan Stacey

Progressive metal upstarts Candor Zealot continue their ambitious 2026 singles campaign with the release of their second track, “All For You”.​
​
A sharp contrast to their politically charged debut single “Lie For Country”, the new track dives into deeply personal territory. “All For You” channels raw emotional fallout, catharsis, and the process of reclaiming one’s power after surviving emotional manipulation or abuse. Musically, it blends angst‑driven modern rock with the band’s signature progressive edge, balancing accessibility with technical bite.
​
​“‘All For You’ is the second single for us, showcasing a more radio‑friendly side of the band, and channeling more angst‑ridden inspiration this time around. It’s for everyone who has experienced emotional or other forms of abuse in a previous relationship and is making peace with it,” says Nate Silva, Candor Zealot
​
Drawing influence from Linkin Park and Bring Me The Horizon, the track’s soaring chorus and heavy mid‑section nod to Gojira and Dream Theater, a fusion that positions “All For You” as one of the band’s most musically ambitious offerings.

Watch and listen to the music video for “All For You” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c390iJYn6GA

​Spotify – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/candorzealot/all-for-you​

Bandcamp – https://candorzealot.bandcamp.com/track/all-for-you

​

Rather than releasing a traditional album, Candor Zealot is unveiling six singles throughout 2026, each spotlighting a different facet of their melodic, progressive, and socially aware sound. The band aims to build momentum one track at a time, embracing modern listening habits while maintaining the depth and musicianship of classic prog and metal.
​
Formed in Ottawa by vocalist/guitarist Nate Silva, Candor Zealot emerged from the dissolution of his previous project, The Slyde, whose members won Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019 and performed at Wacken Open Air. After years of pandemic delays, academic pursuits, and a brief detour into alternative rock, Silva returned to his progressive roots, reuniting with drummer Dino Soares and bassist Alberto Campuzano, formerly of Annihilator, who also performs with Toronto’s Metallica tribute act Sandman, and recruiting Ottawa multi‑band guitarist Chris Gagnon.​
​
​Candoz Zealot‘s influences span Rush, Billy Talent, Megadeth, Dream Theater, Coheed & Cambria, European metal, pop‑punk, video‑game music, J‑rock, and even K‑pop.

For more info:

​https://candorzealot.com/​

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

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

​https://www.tiktok.com/@candorzealot​

Fun Facts – Story Angles:

1. The band name “Candor Zealot” was chosen because we wanted to convey the general intentions of our storytelling within the band name: “to be uncompromising in the pursuit of honesty and openness.”

2. Frontman Nate Silva and drummer Dino Soares have been playing music together since they were 14 years old.

3. Nate Silva, Dino Soares, and Alberto Campuzano were former members of the Toronto-based prog metal band THE SLYDE, who won the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle Canada competition and performed at Wacken Open Air in Germany.

4. Guitarist Chris Gagnon currently plays in 8 tribute bands.

5. Nate Silva wrote a thesis paper for his Master’s degree on chiptune artists who incorporate guitar playing into their music.​
​

– 30 –

“In nearly 20 years of working in Rock Radio & Covering Music, I have never heard a band burst onto the scene with such an electric debut track. Candor Zealot is one of Canada’s next great bands” – Patrick Walford – idobi Howl Curator, host of Rock The Walls (2026 – Lie For Country – single)

“Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to Candor Zealot. This new band has just dropped their debut single ‘Lie For Country’ and it’s a monster. Fast and furious progressive metal with deep hooks and a familiar voice with NATE SILVA on lead vocals, ‘Lie For Country’ is a hell of a beginning as the band states plans to release six singles in 2026. Well, bring ’em on fellas cause we’re all about it. Catch Candor Zealot on your Home for the Best New Rock… W-J-O-EEEE – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll (2026 – Lie For Country – single)​
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0 Streaming Now! Canadian Prog Death CONFLUX COLLECTIVE’s New Album “In the Wake of Saturn” (ft. members of ex-Augury, ex‑Decrepit Birth, Derelict, Gross Misconduct, Continuum and more!)

  • June 18, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Uncategorized

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 18, 2026

Streaming Now! Canadian Prog Death CONFLUX COLLECTIVE’s 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

After years of dormancy, reinvention, and sheer determination, Conflux Collective unleashes its long‑anticipated debut full‑length album, “In the Wake of Saturn”, available digitally and on CD and Vinyl on June 19th, 2026.

And before it officially releases, check out its full stream premiere on BraveWords HERE.
​
Born from a chance reunion between drummer Tommy McKinnon (Derelict, Akurion, ex‑Neuraxis, ex‑Augury) and guitarist Chase Fraser (Continuum, ex‑Decrepit Birth, ex‑Animosity) after a King Diamond show in Montreal, Conflux Collective has always been something different, a project built on spontaneity, collaboration, and the collision of extreme voices.
​
What began as an unexpected jam session years ago has now evolved into a fully realized underground force.
​
​“In the Wake of Saturn” is the culmination of a long creative journey marked by setbacks, reinvention, and unwavering resolve. After the project fell dormant, McKinnon resurrected it from the ground up, writing new material, reconstructing old tracks, recording all bass parts by ear, and crafting lyrics drawn from deeply personal experiences.
​
To bring the album to life, he assembled a powerhouse lineup of vocalists whose performances define the record’s emotional and sonic assault: Jesse Brint (Gross Misconduct), Mallika Sundaramurthy (Emasculator, ex‑Abnormality), Jeffrey Mott (The Monster Factory, Growlers Choir), Eric Burnet (Derelict, Samskaras), Max (Derelict), who also contributes a blistering guitar solo. Each vocalist adds a distinct identity, turning the album into a multi‑dimensional narrative rather than a traditional death‑metal record.
​
Across its eight tracks, “In the Wake of Saturn” channels the raw ferocity of ’90s death metal through the precision and ambition of modern technical death metal, forging a sound McKinnon defines as “progressive, brutal, technical, melodic, uncompromising.” The album moves through themes of loss, fear, survival, and rebirth, unfolding as a transformative listening experience where each song feels like a chapter in a larger narrative. Shifting vocal perspectives, intricate drum work, and a balance of atonal violence and melodic clarity guide the listener through its evolving landscape. As vocalist Jesse Brint put it, “…it’s a journey.”​
​
That journey begins with the ferocious opener “The Antidote”, a blast of brutal energy featuring some of McKinnon’s most demanding drum performances and a searing vocal delivery from Eric Burnet. From there, the album descends into the doom‑leaning weight of “Devouring Light”, a groove‑driven, darkly atmospheric piece crowned by one of Fraser’s most expressive solos. “Reincarnation” follows as a technical, emotionally charged centerpiece that mirrors the rebirth of the project itself. The title track, “In the Wake of Saturn”, delivers the album’s fastest and most direct assault, embodying the transformative force at the heart of the record. Finally, the journey closes with “Desperate Post‑Humanist”, the album’s most layered composition, an expansive and unsettling dialogue between man and machine that ends the record with haunting finality.
​
Mixed by Jeanne Comateuse, the album stands as a testament to perseverance and artistic integrity. Despite setbacks, lineup changes, and years of uncertainty, “In the Wake of Saturn” exists because the collective refused to let the vision die.

“This album is a journey through pain, fear, defeat, survival and finally rebirth… a true underground monster, made for those who appreciate and seek the unusual,” adds McKinnon.

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 pre-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”​
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0 GANNONDORF Crowned WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA 2026 Champions! Set To Play WACKEN OPEN AIR!

  • June 17, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Uncategorized · Wacken Metal Battle USA

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 17, 2026

GANNONDORF Crowned WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA 2026 Champions! Set To Play WACKEN OPEN AIR!

Photo Credit – C.Huerta.Photos​

One band has conquered them all! Wacken Metal Battle USA proudly crowns San Diego’s GANNONDORF as the 2026 champions. The band now seizes a coveted slot at Wacken Open Air, one of the world’s most iconic and influential metal festivals, and will advance to the international Wacken Metal Battle, where rising bands from across the globe unleash their headbanging, mosh‑ready power before a massive sea of metalheads gathered from every corner of the world.

The Wacken Metal Battle USA 2026 National Final brought together the top six bands from across the country after months of battles in cities nationwide. Representing the fiercest underground metal the United States has to offer, the final contenders were FATE DEFINED (Spokane, WA), NEMESIS (Houston, TX), GANNONDORF (San Diego, CA), RAMTHA (St. Petersburg, FL), THE VICTORIOUS DEAD (New York, NY), and THROUGH THE OCULUS (Apple Valley, CA).

After taking the stage on June 13th at Brick By Brick in San Diego, CA, before a crowd of metal‑hungry fans and a panel of industry judges including Rod Kukla (Silver Lining Music), Martin Koller (Prophecy Productions / SPKR Media), and Kelly McLauchlin (Pessimist), only one band could claim the title of WMBU 2026 Champion. GANNONDORF delivered with unrelenting fury, winning over both judges and fans to seize the crown.

WMBU organizer Eric Dow comments:

“Once again, we had a successful battle. 41 shows with over 200 bands competing. The National Final was full of talent, energy, and an overall sense of pride in our underground US bands. Thank you to all the judges, venues, media partners, promoters, bands, and, of course, the fans for making this thing happen every year. Special shout-out to Salman, Jon Asher, and Dean Guitars. Best of luck to Gannondorf at Wacken and best of luck to the rest of the bands as they move forward with their careers.”

Judges Rob Kukla, Kelly McLauchlin, and Martin Koller add:

“My fourth time judging the USA final, and I can honestly say the quality of the finalists was the best ever. Good luck to the winner, Gannondorf, in their final metal battle at the legendary Wacken Open Air.” – Rod Kukla

“What an amazing night… all the bands brought great energy, and were extremely talented – the best from all over the country – and it was fierce competition… some of the most brilliant performances I’ve seen. I know the judges agree that it was a very, very close battle, and it literally came down to fractions of a point to determine the winner. Congratulations to Gannondorf, and we wish them all the best as they represent the USA this year at Wacken!” – Kelly McLauchlin

“Congratulations to Gannondorf, the winner of the Wacken Metal Battle National Final! The final was a tight race; there were 4 bands just one point apart. Let’s push thumbs and hope Gannondorf will also rule at the Wacken Festival in Germany” – Martin Koller

Listen to all the USA national final bands on the WMBU 2026 Final Spotify Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/14751T41YocZkJCVUJWcjL?si=HGcF4x2xRXKHWR8PEaXy5w​

The 2026 WMBU champion will receive the following:
– A slot at the 2026 Wacken Open Air Festival.
– Full professional backline provided.
– $1,000 USD towards flights to Germany.
– VIP camping at the festival.

Previous WMBU national winners: Mourning High (2025 – Southern California / Arizona), Cascade Effect (2024 – San Diego), Fadrait (2023 – San Diego), Mythraeum (2022 – San Diego), Monarch (2019 – San Diego), Voices of Ruin (2018 – Anaheim), and Corpse Hoarder (2017 – Philadelphia).

For the last seven years of battles (2017-2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025), Wacken Metal Battle USA has hosted battles across the country to send one independent metal band to perform at the world’s largest metal festival, Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. 2019 saw the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, but due to COVID, the 2020 and 2021 editions were both canceled. As the metal community regains its strength, Wacken Open Air 2026 will be the 35th edition of the festival and will be held from July 29th to August 1st. The 2026 event is already sold out with a line-up that includes Def Leppard, Lamb Of God, In Flames, Powerwolf, Emperor, Sepultura, and Running Wild, among others. Details here.

Wacken Metal Battle USA is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance to win their spot among over 55 other countries’ champions and represent the USA in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air. The battles have been hosted at the festival for over a decade and allow independent bands to showcase their talents to an international audience, along with the chance to win multiple prizes.

How it works:​
​Participating cities will host qualifying rounds plus a city final organized by a local city concert promoter, where one band will move forward to the American national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will advance to perform at Wacken Open Air 2026 and compete against the winners of international bands from around the globe in a major international battle. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives.

About Wacken Open Air:​
Wacken Open Air is the largest heavy metal festival in the world. Starting with 800 visitors in 1990, nowadays 85,000 fans from all over the world travel to Wacken every year, turning the small village in Schleswig-Holstein into the center of the festival scene for several days. The organizing WOA Festival GmbH is connected to a broad network, including band management, the Wacken Foundation, tour booking, music publishing, Travel & Stay, merchandising distribution, and ticketing. In cooperation with partners, these results in creative solutions and ideas that revolutionize the festival experience, enable technical innovations, and produce extraordinary event concepts. Wacken Open Air 2026 will take place from July 29 to August 1, 2026.

About the bands:

GANNONDORF (San Diego, CA) (2026 WMBU Champion) – https://www.facebook.com/Gannondorfmetaloffical​

Gannondorf is an avant‑garde black metal project from the San Diego/Escondido, California area, originally formed in 2008. The band began as a fusion of black metal and video‑game‑inspired themes, later evolving through a period under the name Gravespell before returning to their original identity in 2020. Their music blends experimental, gothic, and extreme‑metal elements, drawing on dark, apocalyptic, and fantastical themes. Gannondorf’s most notable release is The Nightmare Institution (2024), an eight‑track, hour‑long album praised for its technical guitar work, atmospheric horror‑driven aesthetics, and genre‑blending approach. The project remains active and independent, continuing to expand its sound while maintaining a cult following within the California extreme‑metal underground.

FATE DEFINED (Spokane, WA) – https://fatedefined.com/about-us-epk​

Fate Defined is a heavy metal powerhouse from Spokane, Washington, formed in late 2020. Blending modern aggression with old‑school thrash, they aim to define the Pacific Northwest metal sound. Their debut EP, World in Flames, dropped in May 2024, fueling a run of headlining shows, festivals, their first music video, and a tour that included the historic Knitting Factory. The band kicked off 2025 with multiple sold‑out shows, including a support slot for (Hed) P.E. The quintet continues to hit stages while writing their next record.

NEMESIS (Houston, TX) – https://www.nemesisriffs.com/​

NEMESIS began as the brainchild of guitarist Nick Broussard, who started writing music soon after picking up the instrument at 13. Through high school collaborations and the unexpected isolation of COVID, Nick wrote an entire album and shaped the band’s identity before lineup changes stalled their early momentum. After reconnecting with drummer Alex and teaming up with Reagan and Ezra, the revived lineup recorded and released their debut album False Reality in summer 2023. The band quickly hit the stage, opening for major acts like Fueled by Fire, Metal Church, Armored Saint, EYEHATEGOD, Goatwhore, and Accept while performing across Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Now finishing their second album, NEMESIS enters the 2026 Wacken Metal Battle as the reigning Texas State Champion, heading to San Diego to compete for the national title.

RAMTHA (St. Petersburg, FL) – https://linktr.ee/ramthabandfl​

Ramtha is an extreme‑metal band from St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida, known for fusing death metal, thrash, grind, and hardcore into a high‑intensity hybrid sound. Active since 2022, the band has carved out a distinct identity within Florida’s extreme‑metal scene. They’ve released two EPs, Void Tyrant (2023) and Through Eyes of Death (2024), and are currently developing a third EP slated for 2026. Ramtha has earned a reputation for explosive live performances, frequently hitting Tampa’s Brass Mug and sharing stages with major acts such as Exhorder, Crypta, Worm, Gruesome, Artillery, Killing Addiction, Bandit, Gillian Carter, Dayglo Abortions, and Hong Kong Fck You. With momentum continuing to build, the band remains a rising force in the underground.

THE VICTORIOUS DEAD (New York, NY) – https://linktr.ee/hailtvd​

Founded in 2023 by guitarist Jonathan Theriault, The Victorious Dead is on a mission to unleash crushing and melodic metal upon the world. Joined by drummer Jude Austin and bassist Andrew Klabin, the band released their debut EP Life of Death in June of 2024. The Sound The crushing impact of The Victorious Dead’s sound is not at all compromised by their catchy hooks and breathtaking moments. With influences such as Iron Maiden, Amon Amarth, Mastodon, and Enslaved, both musicality and demolishing riffage take top priority.

THROUGH THE OCULUS (Apple Valley, CA) – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572792274421​

Through the Oculus is a female‑fronted metal band from Apple Valley, California, formed in 2017. The group blends powerful vocals, melodic guitar work, thunderous bass, and driving drums into a modern heavy‑metal sound that quickly sets them apart in the Southern California scene. Within a short time, they began performing at iconic venues including The Viper Room, Whisky a Go Go, and Adelanto Stadium, building momentum through high‑energy live shows. Their self‑titled debut album showcased a dynamic mix of hard‑rock and metal influences, earning attention for its blend of personal lyrical themes and fictional narratives of quests, revenge, sacrifice, and destruction. The band continues to write new material and perform actively, solidifying their reputation as one of the region’s rising heavy‑music acts.

More info:​
​Metal-Battle.com​
​MetalBattleUSA.com​
​
Facebook.com/metalbattleusa​.official​
​X.com/MetalBattleUSA​
​Instagram.com/wmbusa.official​

– 30 –

Sponsors / Partners:​
Fatal Illness Management
Bravewords.com
Metal-Rules.com
V13.net
GhostCultMag.com
Come And Take It Productions
Brick By Brick
Distilled Entertainment
Piox Promotions
Tampa Bay Metal Scene
Last Light Presents
East Coast Metal Mayhem
Dean Guitars
Asher Media Relations

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0 LITTLE KING Updates July West Coast Tour Dates in Support of New Album “Lente Viviente”

  • June 2, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Little King · Music News · Uncategorized

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 2, 2026

LITTLE KING Updates July West Coast Tour Dates in Support of New Album “Lente Viviente”

L-R – Tony Bojorquez (Drums), David Hamilton (Bass, Cello), Ryan Rosoff (Guitar, Vocals)

Arizona’s Little King, the dynamic, melodic, progressive, heavy‑rock trio helmed by songwriter‑guitarist Ryan Rosoff, will hit the road this July for a string of West Coast U.S. dates in support of their latest album, “Lente Viviente,” released in September 2025. This run marks the band’s second major tour cycle since completing the record, following their early‑year shows across New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and even a surprise pop‑up performance in Mexico. (Their full tour diary is available at https://littlekingtunes.com/2026/03/little-king-march-2026-tour-diary-power-shortages-ibuprofen-and-gratitude/.)

In addition to the tour, Little King will reveal a brand‑new single later this summer titled “Opus Perficit,” the first new music to follow “Lente Viviente” and a preview of the band’s next creative chapter.

Rosoff calls Lente Viviente “BY FAR our biggest release,” and the upcoming dates promise to bring that momentum to the West Coast.

“Lente Viviente” represents a major creative leap for the long-running project. With new members Tony Bojorquez (drums) and Dave Hamilton (bass), plus a fresh studio environment, Little King crafted what Rosoff describes as their most accomplished work to date, musically, lyrically, and emotionally.
​
The album’s title, Spanish for “Living Lens”, is a nod to Rosoff’s video memoir company, LivingLens Memoirs, and sets the thematic tone. Across its tightly constructed “micro-epics,” the record explores memory, identity, perception, and the shifting filters through which we understand ourselves and others.
​
Fans can expect a listening experience Rosoff likens to “a short, mind-blowing journey…like Musical DMT.”​
​
The album’s lyrics move across a wide emotional and social landscape, touching on themes of childhood and enduring friendship (“Catch and Release,” “Dawn Villa”), immigration and identity (“Who’s Illegal?”), aging and addiction (“Pass Through Filters”), and the balance between strength and vulnerability (“Kindness for Weakness”).
​
Musically, the record blends progressive rock, hard rock, and melodic hooks with the band’s trademark precision and dynamic push-and-pull. Each track is densely arranged yet concise, with most songs clocking in under four minutes.
​
​Little King’s live reputation is built on meticulous preparation, tight musicianship, and explosive energy. Ryan, Tony, and Dave bring decades of combined experience to the stage, delivering performances that are both technically sharp and emotionally charged.
​
Fans can expect high‑level musicianship, dynamic setlists, and a live show that’s both polished and unpredictable, what Rosoff describes as “meticulous, rehearsed, and RAGING with push and pull energy…PROS with experience.”​
​
The band will perform across key West Coast cities, bringing “Lente Viviente” to life on stage for the first time.

Little King – West Coast USA Tour 2026​
July 10 – Ruidoso, NM – Downshift Brewery Riverside
July 12 – Tucson, AZ – Brick Box Brewery w/ The Crown Syndicate and Zold
July 14 – Tempe, AZ – Yucca Tap Room
July 15 – Anaheim, CA – The World Famous Doll Hut
July 17 – San Diego, CA – Tower Bar w/ Stretcher
July 18 – West Hollywood, CA – The Viper Room
July 19 – Pacifica, CA – Winters Tavern w/ The Wandering Jews and Melting Elephants
July 23 – Bisbee, AZ – Gene’s Place
July 25 – El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace

With influences ranging from Rush, Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd, Muse, Led Zeppelin, and Night Verses, Little King’s music resonates with fans of both classic and modern rock. Their new album “Lente Viviente” (released Sept 26th, 2025) is available on digital platforms.

Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/3a3zhTxNkC6u9xaD5gytJe

​Music Video – Who’s Illegal? – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTh1THFdij4​

Lyric Video – Dawn Villa – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksxlb2ekYIM

​Lyric Video – Catch and Release – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgt9U547jbw

​Studio Video – Keyboard Soldier – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhDSUpl6PW8

Track Listing:​
1. Catch and Release – 3:22
2. Dawn Villa – 3:42
3. Who’s Illegal? – 3:56
4. Kindness for Weakness – 3:21
5. Sweet Jessie James – 2:42
6. Pass Through Filters – 4:50
7. The Living Lens – 3:37
Album Length: 25:34

For more info: https://littlekingtunes.com/​
​

-30-

“Overall, this band showcased a sophisticated sense of melodies that were not overly complicated, but easy to assimilate as well. Not being familiar with them, I am surprised to learn of their longevity, and you wouldn’t know this was their eight album, because the drive and fire in them is very much alive in their music. 8/10” – Metal Temple​
​
​“Little King maintain high intensity from start to finish, achieving a rare balance between complexity and immediacy. Each track has its own identity and emotional range, and the musicianship and production are consistently top-tier. According to Rocky, Lente Viviente is essential listening for prog and heavy-rock fans who miss the spirit of Saga, Rush, and King’s X.” – Metalized​
​
​“Seven songs, clocking in at just over twenty-five minutes Little King pack a powerful and melodic cocktail of prog, rock and alternative. If Rush jammed with REM and King’s X it would sound a little like this. Impressive.” – Get Ready To Rock!​
​
​“Little King hasn’t just released an album; they’ve crafted an immersive, emotional journey that rewards every listen.” – Jace Media Music
​
​
​“Long-running Progressive Rock outfit Little King is unveiling “Dawn Villa,” the second single from their highly anticipated eighth studio album, Lente Viviente! A sonic time capsule wrapped in staccato riffs and melodic crescendos, “Dawn Villa” is a heartfelt tribute to frontman Ryan Rosoff’s formative years in Mercer Island, Washington. The track comes from their eighth album Lente Viviente, which is available for pre-order/digital pre-save now at the links below, and releases September 26th, 2025. If you grew up obsessed with the classic seventies prog rock greats like Rush, King Crimson, and Pink Floyd, with a modern flare for drama such as Muse or Neal Morse, Little King deserves your attention! ” – Ghost Cult Magazine​
​
​“The album reflects a stylistic maturity that has strengthened over time and a layering of ideas that have, on this occasion, found a stable place. The project’s artistic perspective rests on very solid technical foundations and a strong will to celebrate the traditional principles of classic rock, while also flirting with progressive elements and ultimately making the most of a decidedly pronounced melodic inclination. An absolutely original point of view that has given rise to an elegant and refined sound, capable of effectively combining electric jolts and delicate harmonies in the spirit of a truly contagious passion.” – Rock Hard Italy​
​
​“Over nearly three decades, Little King has evolved from the El Paso roots of “Transmountain” to the intricate, personal soundscapes of “Lente Viviente,” blending complex arrangements, strong melodies, and lyrical depth.” – Progressive Rock Journal​
​
​“Lente Viviente is as striking as it is arousing and easy to suggest a must for all rock appetites. LITTLE KING seem to know how to feed every instinct and want with their eclectic enterprise and at the same time spring something strikingly new, the proof all there in Lente Viviente.” – The Ringmaster Review
​
​
​“Tucson progressive rockers’ Little King are gearing up for the release of their 8th studio album, ‘Lente Viviente’ on Sept. 26th and have also just dropped their first single from the album, ‘Catch and Release’. This band truly pushes boundaries and yet makes modern prog rock very accessible. That is a difficult feat and a challenge many bands can’t overcome. But these fellas make it sound very simple, even though the music is quite complex. Similar to YES in that every instrument, including the vocals, all seem to be doing their own thing…but somehow it all works beautifully, and that is what good prog is about. Listen up for Little King on your Home for the Best New Rock… W-J-O-EEEE” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll​
​
​“”Lente Viviente” is a great release, very short of course, but still atmospheric and moving. Overriding the higher-faster-further mentality in such a playful way deserves respect, and the men deserve it again with their eighth appearance overall.8/10″ – PowerMetal.de

—
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0 Canadian Progressive Death THE CONFLUX COLLECTIVE Unleashes “Devouring Light” From New Album “In the Wake of Saturn” Out June 2026

  • June 2, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Conflux Collective · Music News · Uncategorized

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 2, 2026

Canadian Progressive Death THE CONFLUX COLLECTIVE Unleashes “Devouring Light”

New Album “In the Wake of Saturn” Out June 2026

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 extreme‑metal collaborative force Conflux Collective will release its long‑anticipated full‑length album “In the Wake of Saturn” on June 19th, 2026. The record marks the resurrection of a project once thought lost to time, rebuilt from the ground up by drummer, composer, and producer Tommy McKinnon (Derelict, Akurion, ex‑Neuraxis, ex‑Augury) after years of dormancy.
​
The album’s second single, “Devouring Light,” arrives next after the release of the first single and lyric video “Reincarnation.”

This second single showcases the project’s darker, slower, and more groove‑driven side.
​
​“It’s a deep song with many twists and turns… Chase’s guitar mastery shines throughout and is crowned with a beautiful solo. The song itself is a doom-leaning, torturous piece that is a groove-filled and crafty maelstrom of heavy riffs and open chords. The bass line is rich with attitude. The words talk about witnessing an ecological disaster of epic magnitude,” says McKinnon

Listen to “Devouring Light” at the following links:

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

​

Conflux Collective began as a spontaneous spark between McKinnon and guitarist Chase Fraser (Continuum, ex‑Decrepit Birth, ex‑Animosity) after a chance reunion in a Montreal fast‑food joint following a King Diamond show. As McKinnon recalls:
​
​“We got talking and realized we actually played together at the San Francisco venue, the Pound… by the end of the first hour, we had a song pretty much done.”
​
​
Within six weeks, the pair had written and recorded their debut EP, “The Inception” (2016). But life’s unpredictability forced the project into years of silence until McKinnon revived it with renewed purpose, reconstructing the album from archived material, new compositions, and a completely DIY production approach.
​
​“This is the first album I ever recorded on bass guitar… I had to figure out every note… it forced me to use my ears and think ‘out of the box.’”​
​
Across eight tracks, “In the Wake of Saturn” delivers a progressive, brutal, melodic, and uncompromising journey through personal upheaval, transformation, and rebirth.

“A journey through pain, fear, defeat, survival, and finally rebirth… a true underground monster, made for those who appreciate and seek the unusual,” adds McKinnon.​
​
​
Musically, the album fuses the ferocity of ’90s death metal with the precision of modern tech‑death. Lyrically, it channels deeply personal experiences, existential reflection, and the power to alter one’s destiny.
​
The record features a powerhouse lineup of extreme‑metal vocalists: Jesse Brint (Gross Misconduct), Mallika Sundaramurthy (Emasculator, ex‑Abnormality), Jeffrey Mac Dermott (The Monster Factory, Growlers Choir), Eric Burnet (Derelict, Samskaras), and Max (Derelict), who also contributes a blistering guitar solo.
​
​Conflux Collective was built on the idea of merging diverse extreme‑vocal styles into a single, evolving entity. As McKinnon explains:
​​
“The idea of a ‘collective’ came mainly from featuring many vocalists and bringing together different styles of extreme vocals to create something unique and diversified.”
​
​
Though the project has no plans for live performances, The Conflux Collective stands as a testament to collaboration without boundaries, a convergence of some of extreme music’s most creative voices.

Recommended for fans of Cryptopsy, Necrophagist, Decrepit Birth, Augury, and Beyond Creation, “In the Wake of Saturn” will be available on all digital platforms as of June 19th, 2026.

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

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

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

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

​

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 –

“this maddening musical force comprised of many of today’s best death metal musicians. – Austin Weber, No Clean Singing (EP The Inception, 2016)

“The Conflux Collective deliver their first song unto us, a brain scrambling ditty called “Lucid Hallucinations”. This new multi-national death metal group is definitely a band you’ll want to keep an eye on!” – Metal Injection (EP The Inception, 2016)

“Each song features a rotating cast of different vocalists and bassist on each song, with the only members on all three being guitarist/composer Chase Frasier (Continuum, ex-Decrepit Birth, ex-Son Of Aurelius, ex- Animosity, etc) and highly skilled drummer Tommy McKinnon (Akurion/Neuraxis as the only constants in this maddening musical force comprised of many of today’s best death metal musicians. The three vocalists on The Inception are: Mike Disalvo (Akurion/Coma Cluster Void/ex-Cryptopsy) on track one, Matt McGachy (Cryptopsy) on track two, and Beneath The Massacre vocalist Elliot Desgagnes on track three. All three songs on The Inception sound and unfold differently than each other, which bodes well for the groups future moving forwards! Jam below for some high-octane shred heavy tech-death that’ll bore a hole through your head. But do so in a finessed way of course!” – Metal Injection (EP The Inception, 2016)

“At just about 10-minutes in length, The Inception feels more like a teaser than anything else. But that’s just a consequence of how strong it sounds. If they continue to enlist the best of the best as they move forward with more material, Conflux could really be something special. A must-hear if you prefer your death metal on the tech-ier side of things (or you dig any of the members involved).” – Dead Rhetoric (EP The Inception, 2016)

“Helmed by guitarist/songwriter Chase Fraser (Continuum, ex Animosity, Decrepit Birth) and drummer Tommy Mckinnon (Akurion/Neuraxis), Conflux Collective is a new collaborative death metal project bent on both pushing the bounds of creativity within the genre and the culminating of ideas with other artists in the community.” – New Noise Magazine (EP The Inception, 2016)​
​​
—
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0 EPK – The Mourning – If I Die I Die (2026) (single)

  • June 2, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · The Mourning · Uncategorized

EPK – The Mourning – If I Die I Die (2026) (single)

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

“We think If I Die I Die will connect with people who have wrestled with fear, anxiety, mortality, and the feeling that their own mind is working against them. It has the progressive metal elements our fans expect, but it also has a very direct emotional center. The phrase itself is blunt and memorable, but its meaning is deeper. It is not about giving up. It is about finally refusing to let fear control your life. We want the listener to feel like they are being pulled through a psychological and spiritual battle. The song starts from a place of fear and pressure, then moves toward surrender and release. By the end, the point is not that death has been defeated in some shallow, easy way. The point is that fear no longer gets to sit on the throne. Musically, we want the track to feel cinematic, intense, melodic, and cathartic. By facing it directly, she conquers the thing that had been ruling her.” – The Mourning

For fans of Lacuna Coil, Amaranthe, Flyleaf, Disturbed, Evanescence

Band: The Mourning
Album Title: If I Die I Die
Release Date: June 2, 2026
Label: Self-Release

 Themourningmusic.com | Facebook.com/themourningmusic | Instagram.com/themourningmusic | Youtube.com/@themourningmusic | TikTok.com/@themourningmusic

Spotify | Themourning.bandcamp.com

“The band blends mid to uptempo grooves while also introducing space and atmosphere in just the right places. Combining melody, technical/progressive musical elements, and harmony lead vocals, I feel this band caters to both musicians and non-musicians alike.” – Todd La Torre (Queensrÿche)“The Mourning masterfully marries classic synth sounds, modern Haken-esque rhythms, and massive vocal hooks into a modern progressive package worthy of every fan’s undivided attention.” – Metal Injection

 

“In a world of clones, The Mourning is a true original and a breath of fresh air.” – Gear Gods

 

“‘Hush’ is a very pleasant surprise. It displays a lot of compositional variety, and offers a strong throwback to prog metal classics while also keeping a unique sound and mixing in unexpected elements. All band members deliver spectacular performances both from a technical and creative standpoint… it is certainly worth your time, and especially given that it’s a debut, I find it very impressive. 8/10” – The Prog Space

 

“With the release of “Hush”, the band continue to showcase their mastery to balance technical prowess with broader thematic appeal. The Mourning will most definitely make a big impact on the prog metal scene today and in the future.” – Metal Epidemic

 

“An impressive first album from a young band with room to grow. Fans of bands like Haken and Distrct 97 will enjoy this album. One to watch.” – Prog Radio
“Hush” a sensory treat that transcends the limits of perception.” – Roadie Metal

 

“US band The Mourning are out with the album “Hush”, and progressive metal is the style explored on this production. It is a distinctly accessible variety of the form we get with this band, with their take on this tradition more often than not revolving around a little bit of an ebb and flow movement. Usually with more delicate parts alternating with more powerful ones, from distinctly contrasting passages to parts that alternate with more of a subtle difference as to the dominant aspects of each of them. With a range in expression from delicate acoustic or semi-acoustic parts to booming and powerful guitar riff driven excursions. The songs will typically revolve around solid melodies rather than technical instrument details, and for my sake I did find some similarities in sound and execution with the more typical heavy metal bands of the 1980s. In this case with the powerful and melodic lead vocals probably having a lot to say for this association to be formed. An album to seek out if you tend to enjoy the more accessible parts of the progressive metal universe.” – The Progressor

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

Band: The Mourning
Single Title: If I Die I Die – 3:51
Release Date: June 2, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: TuneCore
Genre: Progressive Metal

Single Recording Credits
All songs performed by: The Mourning
All songs written by: Francesco Pinter and Johnny Ray
Produced by: Alex Nasla
Mixed by: Alex Nasla
Mastered by: Alex Nasla
Single Artwork by: Tullius Heuer
PRO Membership: ASCAP and BMI

 

Single and Live Band Lineup
Nanda Hayek – Female Co-Vocalist
Johnny Ray – Male Co-Vocalist
Alex Nasla – Keyboards
Jason Berlin – Drums
Jason Ashcraft – Guitar
Alon Mei-Tal – Bass
Francesco Pinter – Lead Guitar

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

About the Single Artwork.

The single artwork for If I Die I Die, created by Tullius Heuer, serves as an analogy for a being that was alive but confined inside a cage-like chrysalis, limited by the boundaries that once held it. The moment captured is not death, but rebirth. The creature emerges into a wider perspective, spreading its wings toward new hope. It reflects the heart of the song: shedding fear, letting the old self fall away, and realizing that freedom begins when we stop living inside the prison of dread.

About the single:

Lyrically, If I Die I Die is about overcoming the fear of death and the existential dread that can take over when fear becomes the loudest voice in the room. The song is written almost like a conversation between fear and faith, with one voice trying to keep control and the other trying to break free. Musically, it represents a heavier new direction for The Mourning: progressive metal with a darker, more metal-forward punch, dual vocals, cinematic tension, and a cathartic emotional release.=================================================

Story Angles / Fun Facts About the Band

1. The Mourning made their live debut at 70000 Tons of Metal 2025, sailing from Miami to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The performance was especially surreal because it was the first time that lineup had played for a paying audience and the first time they had met one another in person. Kerrang! Later, called the band an “outrageously talented new prog collective” and described their 3 a.m. debut as “one of the sets of the weekend.”

2. The band followed 70000 Tons of Metal with Prog on the Ranch 2025 in Brooksville, Florida, continuing to build its presence in the progressive music scene.

3. The Mourning quietly brought Nanda Hayek into the band in October 2025. Rather than announcing it immediately, the band spent months developing the new music, video, and visual identity for If I Die I Die, so the announcement could arrive with a complete creative statement in June 2026.

4. If I Die I Die represents a deliberate shift into a heavier, more metal-forward chapter for The Mourning. The song keeps the band’s progressive and cinematic identity, but brings a darker edge, a stronger dual-vocal dynamic, and a more direct emotional impact.

5. The single’s artwork and music video both center on transformation and confrontation. The artwork shows a creature emerging from a cage-like chrysalis into a wider perspective, spreading its wings toward new hope. The video follows a woman being hunted by death until she finally faces it and realizes fear was the true enemy.

L-R – Alex Nasla, Nanda Hayek, Jason Berlin, Jason Ashcraft, Alon Mei-Tal, Johnny Ray, Francesco Pinter.

Photo credit: Alex Nasla

The Mourning is a progressive metal band now based out of Los Angeles, California, built around cinematic songwriting, soaring dual vocals, intricate musicianship, and deeply human lyrical themes. Founded by vocalist and songwriter Johnny Ray, the band was created to turn personal struggle, spiritual searching, and modern existential weight into music that feels both technically ambitious and emotionally immediate.

After first emerging with the debut EP Theosis, the band’s identity came fully into focus with their full-length album Hush. Created for listeners facing anxiety, depression, loss, trauma, and existential struggle, Hush became the defining release of The Mourning’s first major era. Across songs like “Chaos Machine,” “The Mountain,” “He Cries,” “I Feel The Rain,” “Hush,” “My Own Hell,” and “Smooth Seas,” the album explores the inner storms people carry, the search for meaning, and the possibility of spiritual and emotional release.

Musically, Hush bridged progressive metal, melodic rock, atmospheric passages, intricate guitar work, expressive keyboards, soaring vocal hooks, and a dual-vocal dynamic that gave the record its emotional depth. The album moved through many landscapes, from the uplifting irony of “Chaos Machine” to the spiritual grandeur of “The Mountain,” the sorrow and compassion of “He Cries,” the gratitude of “I Feel The Rain,” and the heavy psychological weight of “My Own Hell.” It was a record built to feel expansive and adventurous while still remaining focused on melody, emotion, and story.

The Hush era also brought together many of the musicians and collaborators who shaped The Mourning’s sound. Alex Nasla produced, mixed, and mastered the album and later became the band’s keyboardist. Francesco Pinter’s guitar work elevated Johnny Ray’s melodies and ideas into a more intricate and emotional progressive-metal space, while Jason Berlin’s drumming gave the album its rhythmic foundation. The album also featured contributions from Eliana Blanchard, Loren Whitaker, Brandon Delpino, and guest musicians including Trey Xavier, Thomas Griggs, Eric Mullins, Graeme Currie, Jeff Pogan, and Charlie Robbins.

Hush helped establish The Mourning beyond their local scene, receiving praise from progressive and metal media. Musipedia of Metal called it “a complex, engaging prog metal album from a band who are extremely talented,” while The Prog Space described it as “a very pleasant surprise” and noted its compositional variety. Other outlets highlighted the band’s philosophical lyricism, dual vocals, emotional weight, and blend of progressive precision with raw feeling.

That momentum carried into 2025, when The Mourning made their live debut aboard 70000 Tons of Metal, sailing from Miami, Florida to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. For the band, the moment was surreal: not only was it their first performance in front of a paying audience, it was also the first time the lineup had met one another in person. Kerrang! called The Mourning an “outrageously talented new prog collective” and described their 3 a.m. debut as “one of the sets of the weekend.” Metal Insider later wrote that the band “left a strong first impression” and offered something “distinctly their own.” The Mourning followed that appearance with a performance at Prog on the Ranch 2025 in Brooksville, Florida.

After Hush and the band’s 2025 live appearances, The Mourning made a deliberate creative shift. While melody, atmosphere, spirituality, and progressive structure remain central to the band’s identity, the next chapter moves in a heavier, more metal-forward direction. In October 2025, the band quietly brought in new female co-vocalist Nanda Hayek, a Brazilian native living in the United States and based in Los Angeles, California. Nanda is also known as the vocalist for Brazilian progressive band OverAlive, and had taken a long sabbatical to complete her Master’s degree and develop her career as a psychotherapist, along with her curiosity about the human psyche and the ultimate question of the meaning of life.

Rather than announcing the change immediately, The Mourning spent the following months developing new material, shaping the visual identity, and preparing the music video for “If I Die I Die.” Releasing June 2, 2026, the single introduces a darker, heavier, and more direct era for the band. Written by Francesco Pinter and Johnny Ray, and produced, mixed, and mastered by Alex Nasla, “If I Die I Die” confronts the fear of death, existential dread, and the exhaustion of living under fear’s control. Its central line, “I’m tired of all this fear, I’m done living in fear,” captures the heart of the song: surrendering fear, shedding the old self, and stepping into something freer.

With Nanda Hayek joining Johnny Ray in the band’s dual-vocal dynamic, The Mourning enters this new chapter with a wider emotional range, a heavier musical direction, and a renewed sense of purpose. “If I Die I Die” is more than a new single. It is the sound of the band carrying the emotional weight of Hush forward while stepping into something heavier, freer, and more fearless.

Discography
2026 – If I Die I Die – Single
2026 – Moment Redux – Single
2024 – Hush – Album
2018 – Theosis – EP

Shared Stage With
The Mourning has shared the stage with many bands, including the following notable artists from the 70000 Tons of Metal 2025 lineup:
Sepultura, Emperor, Symphony X, Stratovarius, HammerFall, Sonata Arctica, Candlemass, Delain, Decapitated, Suffocation

Tours and Festivals Performed
2025 – 70000 Tons of Metal – Miami, FL to Ocho Rios, Jamaica
2025 – Prog on the Ranch – Brooksville, Florida

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