Tag: album

0 Streaming Now! ANCIENT THRONES’ New Concept Album “Melancholia” Plunges Listeners Into A Surreal Narrative

September 18, 2025
by Asher
· Ancient Thrones · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – September 18, 2025

Streaming Now! ANCIENT THRONES’ New Concept Album “Melancholia” Plunges Listeners Into A Surreal Narrative

Ancient Thrones Current Line Up

L – Matt LeBlanc (Bass) | Top – Dylan Wallace (Guitar) | Bottom – Sean Hickey (Drums & Vocals) | R – Nick Leslie (Guitar)

Photo Credit – Matt Leblanc

Ancient Thrones, the Canadian progressive blackened death metal force known for their visceral storytelling and relentless sonic assault, is set to officially release their long-awaited sophomore album, “Melancholia,” on September 19th (Vinyl and Digital), and can be heard in full before its unleashed via its album stream premiere on Decibel Magazine HERE.

Described by the band as “the sound of existential exhaustion,” “Melancholia” is a 42-minute concept album that plunges listeners into a surreal narrative: a colourblind protagonist takes hallucinogens in a desperate attempt to see colour, only to spiral into a kaleidoscopic nightmare. From the explosive opening of “A Moon Fused Key” to the haunting decay of “Vacant,” the album is a relentless barrage of speed, aggression, and cinematic atmosphere.

“This is truly an unapologetic extreme metal concept album. It’s a bad trip you can’t escape, jagged, abstract, and emotionally devastating,” says the band.

Formed in 2011 and rebranded in 2018, Ancient Thrones has evolved into a fully realized extreme metal entity, thanks in part to the addition of multi-band virtuoso Dylan Wallace. The writing process began in early 2020, just as the world was descending into pandemic-induced uncertainty. Rather than reflect the global crisis directly, the band channeled their energy into crafting a deeply personal and psychologically intense record.

“We’re proud to share this album with our fans, old and new. We hope it moves you in unnatural ways. Enjoy the trip while it lasts,” adds the band.

“Melancholia” is not just an album; it’s an immersive experience. The band’s signature blend of fast, extreme, progressive, cinematic, and existential metal is on full display, with every track contributing to the overarching narrative. Lyrically, the album explores themes of trauma, hallucination, and the dangers of idealism, all inspired by real-life experiences and a harrowing psychedelic episode.

Drawing inspiration from bands like The Red Chord, The Faceless, Archspire, and Deafheaven, Ancient Thrones pushes the boundaries of extreme music. Their sound is rooted in black metal, 2000s death metal, and modern tech death, but their cinematic approach and lyrical depth set them apart.

With “Melancholia” out on September 19, 2025, the band is already writing new material for the follow-up. Fans can expect more crushing, emotionally charged music in the near future.

Album pre-order (Vinyl, Digital) – https://ancientthrones.bandcamp.com

Lyric Video – “A Moon Fused Key” – https://youtu.be/IfDBNhlJ0sI

Music Video – “Melancholia” – https://youtu.be/_LvSTJ78kd8

Playthrough – “A Turning Point” – https://youtu.be/zQ3wZqZj9EQ

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

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

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

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“The music is indeed violent, and immediately so, exploding in a blast of turbulent riffing, heavily undulating bass tones, and furious beats. The guitars wildly writhe and rapidly spear off in crazed angles, kaleidoscopic in effect, and the words spit forth in caustic screams that are equally deranged. Dissonant and dismal tones intrude, along with guttural roars, blast-beat outbursts, and pulverizing blows, and the riffing also seems to swarm in agony, adding further dimensions of darkness to the song’s overarching manifestation of delirium. Backed by a pulse-pounding and highly headbangable groove, the song also introduces yet another dimension, an eerie guitar solo that slowly slithers, brightly swirls, and evolves into an entrancing harmony, very much like a beckoning and seductive presence that manifests within the mayhem.” – No Clean Singing (single – A Moon Fused Key – 2025)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“The prize for most ambitious album of 2020 already has the name of Ancient Thrones carved in marble. Who among you fancies a 56-minute blackened death metal saga with an epic meditation on one man’s descent into the afterlife? No band thought it conceivable to write the metal version of Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal, but this Nova Scotia quartet are not just any band. This is a remarkable journey for the contemplative mind.” – Scream Blast Repeat (2020 – The Veil)

“The Sight of Oblivion and The Millionth Grave are steeped in ferociousness and savagery as only a band well versed in blackened death metal are capable of producing.8.5/10” – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life (2020 – The Veil)

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

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

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0 Streaming Now! IVY GARDENS Live Off The Floor Sludge Rock Album “Death of Don Valley” + Canadian Tour Dates (ON/NS/PEI/NB/QC/MB/SK/AB/BC)

August 28, 2025
by Asher
· Ivy Gardens · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 28, 2025

Streaming Now! IVY GARDENS Live Off The Floor Sludge Rock Album “Death of Don Valley”

New Album “Death of Don Valley” Out August 29th, 2025 via Paper Cut Recordings

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

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

Photo Credit by Luka Kartveli

Niagara Falls, Canada’s Ivy Gardens is unveiling their lush-sounding, raw and live off the floor sludge rock storytelling album “Death of Don Valley” as they prepare to hit the road across Canada in support of its release on August 29th, 2025 via Paper Cut Recordings.

Before it officially drops, the trio has teamed up with Bravewords for its full stream premiere, which can be heard HERE.

The band comments on their sophomore album:

“Death of Don Valley is the record we had inside us, but couldn’t quite articulate for several years. Musically, it’s a huge leap in a more experimental direction. It’s about death, decay, and the ultimate destruction of the world around you. Everybody knows of some sort of small natural space that gets slowly encroached upon until only a shell remains. The pond beside the highway, the wetlands behind the factory. The Don Valley in Toronto is one such natural feature, slowly tainted by industrialization until it can’t support any of the life that it used to. After touring for several years, we grew a lot as musicians, and only after really honing all of this material live for about a year, we felt we were ready to get it tracked and send it into the world. We recorded everything live off the floor, and Frank, our engineer, had heard nothing beforehand and had no idea what we actually sounded like going into it. Eventually, he asked us, ‘How do you determine what becomes a 2-minute song, and what becomes a 9-minute song?’ Pure instinct, Frank. Here it is.”

Formed in the unlikely crucible of a Princess Auto parking lot, Ivy Gardens began with a simple desire to shred through Rush instrumentals and explore the outer reaches of heavy music. Now, following their acclaimed first full-length “Goon” released in 2024, the band takes a daring leap into more dour, experimental terrain. “Death of Don Valley” presents a concept album steeped in decay, lyrically and sonically portraying the slow death of natural spaces like Toronto’s Don River, drowned by industry and time.

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

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

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

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/1TBuI2vFSltCNhiHdHnz01

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

Music Video – Eye Witness – https://youtu.be/_RiZ8i7udjs

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

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

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

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

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

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“Death Of Don Valley is a wonderfully eccentric, off-beat and demented slice of Sludge/Stoner Metal that demands your full and undivided attention.” – Outlaws of The Sun

“First of all, can we just give a lot of overdue appreciation to the fact that there are still hard-gigging bands out there that play with the kind of urgency as IVY GARDENS. You can damn AI music straight to fiery pits of hell; this is where the real sound and fury is at. Another thing I appreciate about Ivy Gardens is all the dark humor. You see it in their new music video, with its Red Fangish tongue-in-cheek adventure. This one features a vintage style videotaped car chase, which would play well off a viewing of V/H/S/94. …Fake blood ahead… We’re arrested right away by the powerful strumming of the guitar as “Eye Witness” opens. Drumming is crazy, a frenetic attack of Animal from The Muppets, chasing that beat all over the place… Of course, the classic organ-sound of the keyboards adds a certain kind of spookiness to it all, which can be at once cheeky, mysterious, and cool. I myself love this send-back to ‘60s rock, while respecting that Ivy Gardens brings us a sound that clearly feels “now.”” – Doom and Stoned

“With the premiere of the video for “Burden” below, Niagara Falls progressive sludge trio Ivy Gardens announce their second full-length, Death of Don Valley, will be out Aug. 29 through Paper Cut Recordings. The follow-up to the sans-bass three-piece’s well-received 2024 debut, Goon, is introduced with the lead single “Burden,” which you can find the band playing live in the video premiering below. This ethic would seem to be the crux of Death of Don Valley itself, hence “live off the floor sophomore album” in the headline below. “Burden” benefits from the lack of trickery behind it, from the visually-evidenced capacity on the part of guitarist/vocalist Andrew Blackborow, key-specialist/synthesist Sebastian Hogg and drummer/vocalist Joe Zandwyk, the latter two of whom are also responsible for samples on the record, and while one can hear a bit of Melvinsian do-rock-and-make-it-weird ethos underlying, “Burden” brings charge to coincide with its telltale rhythmic intricacy — not quite doing ‘math’ in the musical sense, but not far off. They say the album’s more complex than the last one, and even if it was tracked entirely live with no overdubs, “Burden” bears that out.” – The Obelisk

“Throughout the album Joe Zandwyk’s drums almost dance like swirls of sand through the desert. Sebastian Hogg’s keyboard adds a great layer on top of Andrew Blackborow’s guitar playing. While no one particular instrument claims the spotlight, the instruments all have the freedom to claim their own space in the gritty depth that is Ivy Gardens and Death of Don Valley.” – The Metal Pit

“Ivy Gardens bringing ‘sludge-soaked, high-decibel’ rock to Barrie” – Barrie Today

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0 SHORES OF NULL Announces UK Tour Dates + Headlining “One For Sorrow Festival” + New Live Album “Beauty Over Europe” Out Now!

August 26, 2025
by Asher
· Music News · Shores of Null (Spikerot Records)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 26, 2025

SHORES OF NULL Announces UK Tour Dates + Headlining “One For Sorrow Festival” + New Live Album “Beauty Over Europe” Out Now!

After playing extensively all over Europe in support of their acclaimed album “The Loss Of Beauty” and their recent live album, “Beauty Over Europe”, Italian melancholic dark metal outfit Shores Of Null is thrilled to announce a string of four UK performances. The tour includes a headlining appearance at Plymouth’s One For Sorrow Festival. Joining them on this UK leg will be Lisburn’s own The Crawling. (dates listed below)

“We always enjoy returning to the UK. In our 12-year career, we have been back here several times and have always found people ready to welcome us. The very first time we played in London was even before we had our debut album out, at Doom Over London in 2013. This time we are returning as headliners for our own tour with The Crawling, and we are looking forward to seeing many familiar faces and meeting new ones,” adds vocalist Davide Straccione.

“The Loss of Beauty UK Tour” w/ Shores of Null, The Crawling:
Aug 28 – The Black Heart – London, UK
Aug 29 – The Fenton – Leeds, UK
Aug 30 – One For Sorrow Festival – Plymouth, UK
Aug 31 – The Gryphon – Bristol, UK

“Shores Of Null Capture Tour Magic In Beauty Over Europe… Beauty Over Europe is a great listen. Heavy, emotive, engaging, and well-delivered, Shores Of Null fans will love it.” – Metal Talk

Shores of Null‘s first live album, “Beauty Over Europe,” was released on May 9th, 2025, via Sulphur Music / Masked Dead Records. The live album features 10 tracks recorded during the monumental 2023 European tour with Swallow The Sun, Draconian, and Avatarium. Throughout that tour, Shores of Null performed 35 shows across 18 countries, including Norway, Denmark, Germany, the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Hungary, bringing their critically acclaimed album “The Loss Of Beauty” to the stage.

The live recordings, captured in Leipzig, Munich, Aschaffenburg, Budapest, and Belfast, preserve the raw and emotive energy of their performances. Each track reflects the band’s ability to blend melancholic melodies with crushing heaviness, offering fans a visceral live experience.

“Beauty Over Europe” is both a celebration of the tour and a gift to all fans of the band. Exactly two years after that unforgettable journey, this live album offers a chance to relive the emotional intensity and true essence of Shores Of Null’s live performances.

Reflecting on the experience, vocalist Davide Straccione and guitarist Gabriele Giacarri share their thoughts:

“This tour was an incredible journey, the longest in our career, and a true milestone for Shores Of Null. As the promotional tour for The Loss Of Beauty, our latest and most acclaimed album to date, it was an honor to bring these songs to life across 35 shows in 18 countries. Sharing the stage with monumental bands like Swallow The Sun and Draconian—huge inspirations for our music—was unforgettable. Despite the melancholy of their sound, they’re some of the most fun and genuine people we’ve met, and by the end of this epic journey, we were proud to call them friends.

We owe special thanks to our incredible crew—Petri, Matti, Mikko, and Tero—who ensured everything ran seamlessly and made this experience unforgettable. To pay homage to this extraordinary chapter, we decided to produce a live album. Recorded during key moments of the tour, it captures the essence of these unforgettable performances and is dedicated to all the people who supported us live and shared these magical moments with us.” – Gabriele Giaccari

Davide Straccione adds:

“Our 2023 European tour with Swallow The Sun, Draconian, and Avatarium was one of the most beautiful and intense experiences of my life. Night after night, we poured everything we had into our performances, connecting deeply with audiences across 18 countries. It was a journey that marked a pivotal moment in our career as a band as well, and one we’ll carry with us forever. This live album is our way of preserving and sharing that beauty, not only as a gift to those who joined us in the crowd, but also for those who couldn’t be there to witness it.”

Recommended for fans of Swallow The Sun, Borknagar, and Paradise Lost, “Beauty Over Europe” is available at the following links:

Physical CD: https://maskeddeadrecords.com/product/shores-of-null-beauty-over-europe/

Digital: https://shoresofnull.bandcamp.com/album/beauty-over-europe

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/76lKNyW77arKg42qdDO9Sm

Live Video – “Quiescent” – https://youtu.be/DOk616SWofA

Live Video – “The Last Flower” – https://youtu.be/w-Hq69KG2RM

Live Video – “A Nature in Disguise” – https://youtu.be/Yye8s-6w1rg

Setlist:
1. Transitory (Live intro)
2. Destination Woe (Live in Leipzig)
3. Nothing Left To Burn (Live in Leipzig)
4. Quiescent (Live in Munich)
5. The Last Flower (Live in Aschaffenburg)
6. Black Drapes For Tomorrow (Live in Budapest)
7. A Nature in Disguise (Live in Munich)
8. Darkness Won’t Take Me (Live in Belfast)
9. My Darkest Years (Live in Aschaffenburg)
10. Blazing Sunlight (Live Outro)

Live Recording: Matti Kynsijärvi
Mixing and Mastering: Marco Mastrobuono at Bloom Recording Studios

Band:
Davide Straccione – Vocals
Gabriele Giaccari – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Raffaele Colace – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Lorenzo Carlini – Live Bass
Matteo Capozucca – Bass
Emiliano Cantiano – Drums

For more info: Shoresofnull.com

About:

Shores of Null stand out from their contemporaries with their ability to blend seemingly disparate elements into their sound, overwhelmingly heavy and soothing at the same time: blackened aggression stands alongside gothic-doom sections without either sounding out of place. Their music can be both melancholic and majestic, made of chorale-like guitar textures across the instrument’s entire range, sustained by a powerful rhythmic section and punctuated by a refined mixture of clean and growled vocals, along with extensive use of pleasing vocal harmonies which have become the band’s trademark through the years.

The Rome-based metal band has been an unwavering presence within the metal underground since their musical outset in 2013, churning out a series of impressive records: the melodic and somber “Quiescence” (Candlelight, 2014), the darker and more complex “Black Drapes For Tomorrow” (Candlelight/Spinefarm, 2017), and the ambitious “Beyond The Shores (On Death And Dying)” (Spikerot Records, 2020), a 38-minute long doom manifesto that sees guest appearances of the doom-titans Mikko Kotamäki (Swallow The Sun) and Thomas A.G. Jensen (Saturnus), along with the angelic voice of Elisabetta Marchetti (Inno).

Shores Of Null’s fourth album, “The Loss Of Beauty”, released in March 2023, was hailed as one of the best albums of the year within the genre. The band supported the release with an extensive EU/UK tour alongside Swallow The Sun, Draconian, and Avatarium, followed by standout performances at major festivals like Hellfest, Rock Imperium, and 70000 Tons Of Metal, among others, further solidifying their status as one of the rising forces in the metal scene.

– 30 –

“Shores Of Null Capture Tour Magic In Beauty Over Europe… Beauty Over Europe is a great listen. Heavy, emotive, engaging and well-delivered, Shores Of Null fans will love it.” – Metal Talk

Metal Hammer writers’ top metal albums of 2023 – Edwin McFee – #20 – Shores of Null – The Loss of Beauty

“With The Loss Of Beauty, SHORES OF NULL have produced their second world class record in a row.” – Distorted Sound Mag (9/10)

“The deep, dark, poetic brilliance behind The Loss Of Beauty is undeniable, and Shores Of Null’s doomy melancholic style is especially ideal for those considering themselves fans of Swallow The Sun, Draconian and Saturnus.” – Metal Storm (8,5/10)

“The Loss of Beauty is a morose and often magnificent listen.” – Metal Hammer UK (8/10)

“The Loss of Beauty is an engaging, exquisite, and moving slice of melodic doom that further cements Shores of Null’s esteemed position in the scene.” – Dead Rhetoric (9/10)

“The Loss of Beauty is an incredibly strong and versatile album, on which themes known from genres such as post black metal or post punk are presented in a diverse and varied manner.” – BetreutesProggen (13/15)

“Once again, Shores of Null continue to impress with yet another slab of high-quality doom/death that seems the quintet on an upwards trajectory.” – Angry Metal Guy (4/5)

“With lyrics like “my loneliness will guide me” and “isolation will set us free,” classic doom drumming, and impressive vocals, Shores of Null announce their intent to deliver the best doom album of 2023.” – Noizze UK (9/10)

“Un grato disco de casi una hora de música, donde la melancolía no es predominante, sino lo melódico, y eso es cae a la perfección.” – Metallerium (9.2/10)

“A savourer, en s’aimant. A savourer, l’esprit ouvert aux beautés que l’on croit – ou que l’on relègue au rang d’- insignifiantes et qui sont le sel du monde qui nous entoure. A savourer, tout simplement..” – Soil Chronicles (9/10)

“Shores of Null haben für mich mit The Loss of Beauty einen heißen Anwärter auf mein Album des Jahres veröffentlicht, das ich jedem Fan von melancholischem Metal mit Doom, Gothic, Melodic Death und Black Metal Einflüssen nur wärmstens empfehlen kann! Von mir gibts für dieses Meisterwerk die Höchstnote!.” – Sound Magnet (10/10)

“If “Beyond the Shores (On Death and Dying)” granted them the status of Masters of the Genre, with “The Loss of Beauty” we cannot help but acknowledge their unquestionable talent for creating stunning beauty that goes under your skin, both with music and words.” – Tuonela Magazine

“It is an album with many faces, a true chameleon, that shows the best of heavy, doom, dark, gothic, death, and a pinch of black metal. The musicians of this band are playing at the very highest level and it is unprecedented what this band is capable of.” – Zware Metalen (94/100)

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0 Out Now! Canada’s DEVOLVER Unveils New Album “Non Compos Mentis” Produced by Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, Trivium, DevilDriver, Black Dahlia Murder)

August 22, 2025
by Asher
· Devolver · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 22, 2025

Out Now! Canada’s DEVOLVER Unveils New Album “Non Compos Mentis”

Produced by Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, Trivium, DevilDriver, Black Dahlia Murder)

L-R: Jayde Penner (guitar), Bevin Booth (drums), Jaylen Elias (bass), Devin Babcock (guitar), Chris Brown (vocals)

Grande Prairie, Canada’s rising metal outfit Devolver, returns with a vengeance, announcing the release of their sophomore album, “Non Compos Mentis”, out August 22nd, 2025. Produced by genre heavyweight Mark Lewis, whose credits include Whitechapel, Trivium, and DevilDriver, the album marks a seismic evolution in Devolver’s sound, melding Gothenburg-style melodic death metal with the raw intensity of early 2000s metalcore.

Formed in 2015 by guitarist Devin Babcock as a creative outlet for material that didn’t fit his previous band, Devolver has grown into a five-piece force of nature. With members also active in the local project Dog Poison, the band’s roots run deep in the underground scene.

“Non Compos Mentis” is more than an album; it’s a visceral listening experience. The album features a refined tracklist culled from over 20 demos, each song built collaboratively from riffs and skeletons crafted by guitarists Devin Babcock and Jayde Penner, resulting in a relentless, emotionally charged journey that’s both technically precise and soulfully raw.

The album’s haunting title track, “Non Compos Mentis”, draws from a chilling true story: the 1805 murder of Amos Babcock’s sister in a religious frenzy, an ancestor of Devin Babcock. The artwork was created by legendary metal illustrator Travis Smith (Opeth, Avenged Sevenfold, Soilwork), depicting Amos bloodied in the snow, surrounded by the ghostly eyes of his nine children. It’s a visual as disturbing as the story it tells, and a testament to the band’s commitment to storytelling through music and art.

The band comments on the album’s release:

“We think Non Compos Mentis will be embraced by fans of our first album; it’s a huge evolution of our sound. Our first album was a passion project for Devin, but this record is what the five of us sound like collaborating as a unit. The razor-sharp production from Mark Lewis helped us push this thing over the edge, into something we think people will grab onto. We want to give people the feeling we felt when we first heard our favourite bands, and the albums that made us fall in love with music.”

With each track on the album as a chapter in a larger emotional and sonic narrative, Devolver‘s “Non Compos Mentis” represents a bold leap forward and is recommended for fans of Swedish melodic death metal and classic metalcore. Think the melodic brutality of In Flames and Dark Tranquillity, fused with the punch of Killswitch Engage and As I Lay Dying.

“Non Compos Mentis” is available at the following links:

Album order (out Aug 22nd) – https://devolvermusic.bandcamp.com/

Spotify for Playlist Add – https://open.spotify.com/album/3eeLxBrxx55QvIm3EnahLm

Music Video – Merciless Storm – https://youtu.be/o_6jcqK2qFQ

Track Listing:
1. Deathtouch – 3:55
2. New Blood – 3:14
3. Jewels of the Maw – 3:30
4. Wraiths – 3:20
5. At Any Cost – 3:40
6. Non Compos Mentis – 3:53
7. Merciless Storm – 3:56
8. Suffocating Syndrome – 3:36
9. Dehumanize – 3:47
Album Length: 32:55

Album Credits:
– All songs performed by: Devolver
– All songs written by: Devolver
– Produced, Mixed, Mastered by: Mark Lewis
– Album Artwork by: Travis Smith
– SOCAN members

Band Lineup:
Chris Brown – Vocals
Devin Babcock – Guitar (lead)
Jayde Penner – Guitar (rhythm)
Bevin Booth – Drums
Jaylen Elias – Bass

More info: https://linktr.ee/devolverab

-30-

“The goal of Devolver through Non Compos Mentis has been to take the listener on a thoroughly pleasing journey from the first note to the final crushing moment. That’s been achieved, and so much more – as these Canadians understand how to compose songs and execute them in a highly convincing fashion that has this scribe grinning ear to ear – bringing the exciting sounds of the late 90s/early 2000s to a newer generation who desire more of this style. 9/10” – Dead Rhetoric

“Devolver uses melodies, intensity, and a variety of vocalists to hook you, reeling you from song to song making this such a welcoming and comfortable listen. I don’t mean they’re “easy listening,” there heavy as f***, I mean there’s always something different, you’ll never get bored while diving into this debut.” – Vulture Hound

“If After The Burial and The Ghost Inside had a lovechild, it would be Devolver. These guys blew me away with how professional, well written, and how well structured they’ve presented themselves with their SelfTitled record. Each song has its own personality, while still maintaining a signature sound. The breakdowns are simple, yet effective in each song. There is dynamic tension and then well-needed release throughout the record, and it’s downright masterful. This album is captivating, and I recommend anyone that is a fan of metal to check this out.” – Bucketlist Music Reviews

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0 Streaming Now! Blast Beats to Blood Rituals KRATORNAS Redefines Extreme Metal w/ New Album “God Of The Tribes”

August 21, 2025
by Asher
· Kratornas · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 21, 2025

Streaming Now! Blast Beats to Blood Rituals KRATORNAS Redefines Extreme Metal w/ New Album “God Of The Tribes”

Mastered by Dan Swanö (Dissection, Bloodbath, Marduk, Incantation)

“God of the Tribes”, the highly anticipated new full-length from Kratornas, will be available worldwide through Grathila Records as of this Friday, August 22nd. Before its official release, the full stream album premiere can be checked out on Decibel Magazine HERE.

This landmark release represents the most significant evolution yet for the pioneering one-man extreme metal project, originally founded in the Philippines and now residing in Saskatoon, Canada.

Breaking from the hyper-fast brutality that defined earlier Kratornas releases, “God of the Tribes”, mastered by Dan Swanö (Dissection, Bloodbath, Marduk, Incantation), showcases a more methodical approach, focusing on atmosphere, tension, and ritualistic elements. The album introduces previously unexplored instrumentation, including 7-string guitars for L/R channels and 6-string fretless bass, moving away from blast beats and heavily distorted guitars toward a more nuanced sonic palette. Kratornas comments:

“This album isn’t about being ‘advanced’ or ‘innovative’. It’s a return to roots, distilled into something raw and real. I’ve had firsthand experience with this kind of ‘indigenous music’. I was one of the drummers at festivals from fifth grade through my first year of high school. I didn’t copy those rhythms, but wrote my own, taking that foundation and fusing it with Kratornas. This album is the most natural and honest album I’ve ever done.”

The lyrics on “God of the Tribes” draw from the apocalyptic themes that have defined Kratornas since 1999, when the project shifted from its early Satanic themes to ‘doomsday predictions’. The album incorporates ritualistic chants throughout, with the creator noting that ‘the words are a bit ‘dangerous’ to chant along’.

Recommended for fans of Marduk, Beherit, Archgoat, Blasphemy, and Dark Funeral, Kratornas‘ “God of the Tribes” is available for album pre-order (CD) (Out Aug 22nd) – https://kratornas.bandcamp.com/album/god-of-the-tribes-gcd-2025

Lyric Video – Evil and Plunder – https://youtu.be/6cIDMbs-rA4

Lyric Video – Ravaged by Hurakaan – https://youtu.be/WcQVU7bvLx8

Album Artwork (non-explicit) – Kratornas – God of the Tribes

Track Listing:
1. Cursed Sky Serpent (15:00)
2. Evil and Plunder (3:00)
3. Ravaged by Hurakaan (7:00)
4. Novena para Guerra (11:00)

For more info: https://www.facebook.com/officialkratornas

– 30 –

“I think it’s a good thing that it is a bit darker for music this intense and with so much “action” in the upper midrange – Dan Swano (on mastering God of the Tribes)

“The new music IS unquestionably different from what you might expect based on the last album, though if you caught the album’s first single “Ravaged by Hurakaan” you already know that, and you’ll get a further idea from the lyric video for another album track we’re premiering today, “Evil and Plunder“, which is the album’s shortest song… Now, to the music, which is surreal. In line with the raging words, the vocals are blistering in their incendiary screaming intensity, but what goes on around them is dazzling and also a bit bewildering. There are indeed no blast-beats, but the sharp clatter of the snare and crash of the cymbals are still attention-seizing, in part because the timing and nature of the outbursts is unpredictable. The fretwork is also unpredictable. Above bubbling bass upheavals the shrill guitars play off of each other. They vividly swirl and glitter, spiral and dive, squirm and spasm, dart about and blaze. Other strange sounds speckle the song with their own odd textures. The experience is exuberantly demented and exhilarating to hear, like a bizarre but still mesmerizing sonic hallucination and rightly described in a forthcoming press release as a “3-minute descent into ritualistic chaos and psychological warfare.” – No Clean Singing

“With the upcoming release of God of the Tribes, extreme metal entity Kratornas returns from the abyss with a devastating new record that leans into ritualism, atmosphere, and unapologetic chaos. For over two decades, Kratornas has operated as a one-man war machine, who has consistently rejected conformity, trends, and convention.” – Crannk

“My take on the album: It is unique and unconventional. The album is brilliantly performed and crafted. If you looking for something different with cutting edge performance this album is for you. The longer songs in the album is pure magic.” – Project Metal Music

“It’s this progressive sense of composition that separates “God of the Tribes” from many of its peers in the extreme metal scene. Even in its most chaotic moments, there’s a weird sense of direction, a dark, strange logic that guides the madness. Of course, this is not easy listening. It’s demanding, violent and uncompromising. But for those willing to give it time, attention and an open mind, “God of the Tribes” delivers the essence of underground black metal. It’s not about catchy hooks or accessible melodies—it’s about raw spirit, musical extremity and vision. And Zamora has plenty of all three. Active since 1995, Kratornas has always lurked in the shadows of the black metal underground, but this album has the potential to push the project into a more prominent position—not through trend-chasing, but by sheer force of artistic will. “God of the Tribes” is a a declaration that Kratornas is still here, still raging, and still deadly serious. Black metal fans, take note—this is an album that deserves your ears. 8/10” – Myths of Rock

“The music was energetic, and hyper… Call this album unique, that’s for sure, and If you can deal with chaos and dissonance, this album is for you.” – Metal Temple

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0 Exitus Stratagem Records – Streaming Now! VISITANT’s Visceral Debut Album ”Rubidium” + Michigan Metal Fest + “In the Wake of Flame Tour” (FL/GA/TN/SC/NC) w/ IATT

August 21, 2025
by Asher
· Music News · Visitant

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 21, 2025

Album Download HERE (for media use only)

Streaming Now! VISITANT’s Visceral Debut Album ”Rubidium”

+ Michigan Metal Fest + “In the Wake of Flame Tour” (FL/GA/TN/SC/NC) w/ IATT

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

The wait is over. Blackened death metal collective Visitant unleashes their highly anticipated debut album “Rubidium” via Exitus Stratagem Records, delivering seven tracks of ritualistic, unrelenting music that weaves ethereal elements into haunting soundscapes. The album represents what the band calls ‘shadow work’, a visceral exploration of the bleakest parts of being human.

“Rubidium” showcases the full collaborative power of Visitant‘s seasoned lineup across 32 minutes of immersive music. Taylor Tidwell (Unaligned) serves as the primary architect of the band’s crushing riffs, while Anthony Lusk-Simone’s (Abiotic, Lattermath) orchestral passages and thunderous drumming build the cinematic worlds that define each composition. Kilian Duarte’s (Abiotic, Scale the Summit) monstrous bass work drives the album’s forward momentum, even contributing a guitar solo on “Envies Lament”. Chelsea Marrow’s (Voraath, Video Games: DOOM ETERNAL, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II) commanding vocals tie everything together, transforming personal experiences into ghost stories that channel the essence of restless, vengeful spirits. Thomas Weidick, on guitar, recently joined their live lineup this past June.

The album explores themes of grief, loss, betrayal, vengeance, time lost, and regret through seven carefully constructed tracks that showcase Visitant‘s ability to transcend genre boundaries.

The band shares their thoughts on the record:

Tony: “Imagine Dimmu and UADA being smashed together like action figures during recess.”

Kilian: “This record, I think, threads the needle, blending a lot of different genres. But yes, imagine a bunch of metal bands as action figures in the best Super Smash bros type of way.”

Taylor: “While the genre-bending is ever-present, the release as a whole works cohesively, every part making up a piece of the puzzle.”

Chelsea: “I really do think it’s genre-bending as well. I didn’t actively approach it with that in mind, but I went for what I felt each part needed or made me feel. It was a freeing experience. I was hoping we could create something that was impactful. I think we did that. After you listen to the album from beginning to end, you feel like you were just on the biggest journey. It evokes all sorts of feels. Like damn.. I feel like I was audibly hit by a big ol’ bus. In a good way… if there was a good way!”

The album was produced and mixed by Anthony Lusk-Simone and mastered by Jason Fisher, with striking artwork created by Chelsea Marrow in collaboration with Maxwell Aston for layout and logo design. Every element of “Rubidium” has been crafted to create what the band describes as ‘epic, moving, bleak, beautiful, and uncompromising’ music.

For fans of Gojira, Opeth, Naglfar, and Between the Buried and Me, ‘Rubidium’ offers a visceral experience that promises to resonate for years to come. Visitant celebrates the album release with their live debut at Michigan Metal Fest, bringing their haunting world to audiences with an intense live experience that matches the cinematic scope of their recorded work.

Watch and listen to the album full stream premiere on Decibel Magazine HERE.

Visitant‘s “Rubidium” is available for album pre-order (out Aug 22nd) via Exitus Stratagem Records at https://hypeddit.com/visitant/rubidium

Music Videos:

Briars – https://youtu.be/XMr5E2DGX2E

Fodder – https://youtu.be/UCfxSpoPf60

Starless – https://youtu.be/quktaBXaeVM

Other Dates:
Aug 23 – Michigan Metal Fest – Leila Arboretum – Battle Creek, MI w/ Dying Fetus, Within Ruins, Ov Sulfur, The Convalescence

“On The Wake of Flame Tour” – IATT, VISITANT:
Oct 3 – Pensacola, FL – Pacific Kava
Oct 4 – Jensen Beach, FL – Dark Riff Records
Oct 5 – Duluth, GA – Sweetwater
Oct 7 – Nashville, TN – Cobra
Oct 8 – Piedmont, SC – Tribbles
Oct 9 – Raleigh, NC – Chapel Of Bones
Oct 10 – Knoxville, TN – The Pilot Light
Oct 11 – Jackson, TN – TN Metal Devastation Fest (Visitant only)

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

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

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

For more info:

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

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

– 30 –

“Visitant is here to utterly wreck your morning thanks to their brand new single “Fodder”, the first offering from their upcoming album Rubidium due out on August 23 via Exitus Stratagem Records. Visitant is vocalist Chelsea Marrow (Voraath, The Monster Factory, Doom Eternal, Hellblade 2, etc.), guitarist Taylor Tidwell, drummer Anthony Lusk-Simone (Abiotic, Lattermath & ex-Pathogenic), and bassist Kilian Duarte (Abiotic, Lattermath, Felix Martin & Scale The Summit). So a real powerhouse of a band that brings some savage energy to the metal world.” – Metal Injection

“Visitant introduce the song (Starless) with subdued classical strings and rippling piano keys which together create a sorrowful but entrancing mood. The gentle nature of that overture makes the sudden crash that follows it even more startling — a sudden attack of slashing and sizzling fretwork, gargantuan bass-moans, neck-cracking beats, savage roars, and scorching screams. The song continues to bring in classically influenced piano melodies coupled with vividly dancing guitars, creating an almost diabolical kind of elegance, but the song also ignites a blackened firestorm of blasting drums, delirious fretwork, and sweeping symphonics. The notes vibrantly dart and blaze as the rhythm section thunder, and the music both elevates to heights of daunting, haughty grandeur and sweeps like wildfire. The torrid and tormented vocals seem to hold nothing back, howling and screaming out on the bleeding edge of intensity, and as if the song couldn’t get any more extravagant, the band make room for a head-spinning guitar solo at the end, in the midst of lots of other equally head-spinning fretwork and rhythm-section spectacles.” – No Clean Singing

““Fodder“, presents different warps and wefts in its weave. Also presented through a video (this time we get to see the band perform), it was inspired by a very dark dream in which Chelsea attempted to bring a murdered friend back to life and lost her own life in the process, leaving the friend trapped in a hellish limbo, bound to a body over which their control had been lost to dark spirits. To be sure, this song is also musically extravagant. It features a lot of borderline deranged and technically demanding high-speed maneuvers (a tour de force that would make lots of tech-death bands jealous) but it’s also hallucinatory, and unhinged in many other respects. It further demonstrates that Chelsea Marrow can really sing, as well as howl like a wolf and scream like a goblin. It’s a highly theatrical experience, but also instrumentally kaleidoscopic and viscerally frightening, and the singing makes the song stand out as much as every other demented and dazzling aspect of it.” – No Clean Singing

“Emerging from the shadowy fringes of the metal scene, blackened death metal outfit Visitant has unleashed their riveting debut single, “Fodder.” Released as a precursor to their eagerly anticipated first full-length album, “Rubidium,” the track invites listeners into a deeply atmospheric yet punishing sonic landscape.” – See Rock Live Magazine

“Uniting seasoned musicians from the Extreme Metal underground scene with members known for their previous works in Abiotic, Scale the Summit, Unaligned and Voraath, Blackened Death Metal quartet Visitant have spent the better part of three years crafting a debut album. The promise is of something dark, beautiful, visceral and compelling with single “Fodder” an almost ritualistic journey that weaves ethereal elements into an unrelentingly aggressive soundscape. Turning personal experiences into ghost stories for the half an hour of power that is “Rubidium” caught the attention of Exitus Stratagem Records who will distribute the affair on 29th August.” – Metal Noise

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0 Arizona Prog LITTLE KING Reveals First Single “Catch and Release” From 8th Studio Album “Lente Viviente” Out Sept 2025

August 21, 2025
by Asher
· Little King · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 21, 2025

Arizona Prog LITTLE KING Reveals First Single “Catch and Release” From 8th Studio Album “Lente Viviente” Out Sept 2025

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

Photo Credit – Damien Becerra

Tucson, AZ’s Little King is thrilled to share fresh details about their upcoming 8th studio album, “Lente Viviente, set for release on Friday, September 26, 2025. The record features seven new micro-epics of progressive and hard rock with hooks and strong melodies. Each song is essentially complex and involved, but comes in under 4 minutes, except “Pass Through Filters.” At the same time, the complexity gives way to space and breath…the push and pull of each song works in a way to bring the listener back again and again for a full audio experience. These songs make you think, make you bob your head, and hopefully make you hit the ”Add to Library” button!

“I think this will be BY FAR our biggest release. The playing, songwriting, and production are our greatest accomplishments. New players on drums and bass, plus a new studio, have really elevated this project. I want people to take a short, mind-blowing journey…like Musical DMT. We are aiming to hit all the notes and emotions…the dynamic range of this record will push and pull from the first note to the last,” adds Ryan Rosoff (Guitar, Vocals).

Lyrically, “Lente Viviente” (Spanish for “Living Lens,” a play on Rosoff’s Video Memoir production company, LivingLens Memoirs) explores the delicate dance between memory and presence, perception and truth. The songs span a wide emotional arc—from reflections on childhood and lasting friendship (“Catch and Release,” “Dawn Villa”) to meditations on immigration and identity (“Who’s Illegal?”), aging and addiction (“Pass Through Filters”), and the blurred line between strength and vulnerability (“Kindness for Weakness”). At its core, the album asks how we see ourselves—and each other—through the ever-shifting lens of time, emotion, and experience. Tied together by dynamic arrangements and textured performances, “Lente Viviente” is both personal and universal, an honest portrait of life’s sharp edges and soft light.

Lente Viviente was recorded from April to June 2025, at Cimamusic in Tucson, AZ, by Ricky Wascher Tavares, making it the first Little King record to be tracked outside of Texas. The album was mixed in July of 2025 at Command Space Audio in Los Angeles by Daniel Salcido, who also mixed Amuse De Q in 2021 and the recent singles “Amber Waves GoodBye” and “Silver Tongue” (both from 2023). The record was then mastered by Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering.

Today, the band unveils their first single, “Catch and Release”, a nostalgic trip down the Yellowstone River and back in time to a place under the Big Sky that remains etched in our memories.

Rosoff explains the track:

“I grew up fly fishing in Montana and Northern California with my dad, grandfather, and brother. It was a special time, and the metaphors for light and reflection are strong in this song. (“Polarized,” for example, refers to glasses that allow one to see underwater, making it easier to see a trout coming from the deep to slurp a dry fly.) For my birthday last year, I went fishing on the Yakima River with my dad (“Len,” also a play on the word “lens,” apropos of everything). It brought back a flood of memories and the realization that I am so much happier on a river with my dad (or, as I sing in the song, my son and daughter, who both love to fly fish but don’t get to do it often.) But the overall sentiment of the tune is a reflection on fishing with my dad and how much I prefer that to, say, city life. Other references include “Ten and Two,” “False Casting,” “Bigger Sky” (Montana is known as “Big Sky Country”), and on and on…”

Watch and listen to the lyric video for “Catch and Release” via its premiere on Bravewords HERE.

Recommended for fans of Rush, Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd, Muse, Led Zeppelin, Little King’s “Lente Viviente” is available for pre-order/digital pre-save (out Sept 26th) at (insert link)

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: LittleKingtunes.com

-30-

“Talk about the album as a whole, it’s one hell of an experience of Melodic Rock, with elements of metal, there is Power, Heaviness, Melodic, and a lot of progressive materials added to this album, making this an awesome release. The songwriting is something known from Little King, the album had is concept of writing from the Covid Situation of the last two years on the unrest in the US. A short album but very much listenable, especially for the fans of Little Rock, this is not something you want to miss.” – Metal Heads Forever Magazine (Amuse De Q – 2021)

“There are just some artists that when you sit down to chat to you soon realise that they are such great people that you’d love them as a friend. HEAVY Magazine’s Dave Griffiths recently discovered that when he sat down to chat to Ryan Rosoff the frontman of Little King.

The conversation not only got deep as they spoke about the band using the loneliness and depression they felt during the lockdowns into the songs on their new album, Amuse De Q, but then also swung around to another passion they both – Aussies in the NBA. Yes when you sit back to listen to this interview, be prepared to not only hear some talk about the legendary hard rock of Little King but also chat about Joe Ingles, Kyrie Irving and Patty Mills… oh and a lot of Brooklyn Nets talk.” – Heavy Mag (Amuse De Q – 2021)

“The measure of the album, and the band, are demonstrated for me on “Internal Smut”. The track is one of two instrumentals, although to be fair “Moving On” is more of an introduction to “Nineteen Strong”, into which it segues seamlessly. Not all rock bands can really hit hard with instrumentals, but Little King manage it with “Internal Smut”. It’s every bit as good as the last rock instrumental to make such an impression on me, Rush’s “The Main Monkey Business” from Snakes & Arrows. High praise indeed! Little King are not Rush – not yet at any rate – but in Legacy of Fools they have produced an album that fans of that band, and of others, will enjoy very much.” – Sea of Tranquilty (Legacy of Fools – 2008)

“Having put out four full length LPs and two EPs in 24 years, this latest offering, “Occam’s Foil”, is an entertaining five song piece that shows off a savvy awareness of the current state of affairs and has some fun showing off their musical and vocal prowess. This band defies genre typing. No two songs really fit the same mold. There’s a heavier rock song, one with Caribbean influences, an instrumental, a mid-tempo rocker, and one with a really nice string arrangement. This is a bold mixture that works well together, despite the obvious disparity. “Occam’s Foil”, is a bold piece of work put out in 2019 via Mad Bell Records…. This is very good record with something for everyone. 9/10″ – Metal-Temple (Occam’s Foil – 2019)

“In just these 5 tracks Little King is able to show listeners a glimpse of their musical reach. They are able to touch on a variety of musical sounds, while never sacrificing the authenticity of theirselves. This album as a whole may not be for everyone, but there are definitely tracks that anyone could enjoy, and coming from a 5 track EP that is quite the accomplishment. ” – You Make The Scene (Occam’s Foil – 2019)

“Occam’s Foil is further proof that a trio can take on the best of rock music – and any genre- and create a grand sound like no other. Lend them your ears…it’s worth the leap and if you’re a fan of Alice In Chains, Blind Melon, The Mavericks and more – you’ll want to add these tracks to your musical library.” – Indie Pulse Magazine (Occam’s Foil – 2019)

“One of many thickly alluring aspects of the EP is the real individuality of songs to each other” – Ring Master Reviews (Occam’s Foil – 2019)

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0 Prepare For A 260 BPM Descent into Chaos w/ ANCIENT THRONES New Music Video “Melancholia” Off Upcoming Album “Melancholia” Out Sept 2025

August 20, 2025
by Asher
· Ancient Thrones · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 20, 2025

Prepare For A 260 BPM Descent into Chaos w/ ANCIENT THRONES New Music Video “Melancholia” Off Upcoming Album Out Sept 2025

+ Launch Vinyl Pre-Order

Ancient Thrones Current Line Up

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

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

Photo Credit – Matt Leblanc

Set to unleash their sophomore album “Melancholia” on September 19, 2025, to follow their 2020 breakout debut “The Veil”, Halifax, Canada’s progressive death metal titans Ancient Thrones are sharing their second single and title track, accompanied by a new music video.

At 260 beats per minute, Ancient Thrones introduce the protagonist of their concept record, his condition, and how he describes feeling out of place, plunging listeners headfirst into his psyche.

“With unrelenting intensity from the opening second, the title track Melancholia is simply a demonstration of what we set out to do with this album. Not one instrument stands out more than the other on this track, as it storms through a plethora of chaotic riffs, rapid blast beats, and lightning-quick vocals at 260 beats per minute, before reaching a breaking point where we flip the script to welcome change both musically and lyrically. If you like to invite some emotion to go with your extreme metal, then this is the song for you,” adds bassist Matt LeBlanc.

Watch and listen to the music video for “Melancholia” via Slam Worldwide at https://youtu.be/_LvSTJ78kd8

Formed in 2011 and reborn in 2018 with the arrival of guitarist and composer Dylan Wallace, Ancient Thrones carved out a new identity rooted in fast, extreme, progressive, cinematic, and existential soundscapes. With “Melancholia”, the band introduces a 42-minute descent into existential exhaustion, delivering an unapologetic extreme metal concept album that fuses blistering speed, cinematic storytelling, and emotional brutality.

From the chaotic opener “A Moon Fused Key” to the doom-laden closer “Vacant,” the band exposes raw intensity and jagged vulnerability. The narrative follows a colorblind protagonist navigating hallucinogenic visions in search of meaning, an unsettling journey through idealism, dread, and transformation. After five years of creation, Ancient Thrones proudly bring to light this new chapter, inviting listeners to embrace the chaos and feel something truly unnatural.

“For this album, a big focus for us was on the production. We meticulously, painstakingly spent several hours dialing every tone, note, layer, vocal, etc. We were fortunate to have time and a slower world on our side during production. Everything on this album was thought out and brought to life in a fully fleshed-out way. It took us 5 years to make this album, with 1 of those years used just levelling up our musicianship and techniques in order to play the material. We’re faster, more technical, and have a singular focus to make sure this album was beating you down from head to toe,” says Leblanc.

Drawing from the raw ferocity of black metal, the brutal edge of 2000s death metal, and the precision of modern tech death, “Melancholia” is a must-listen for fans of Archspire, The Red Chord, Deafheaven, and The Faceless.

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

Lyric Video – “A Moon Fused Key” https://youtu.be/IfDBNhlJ0sI

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

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

-30-

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

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

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

—
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0 A Metal Odyssey of Self and Survival – NIGHT’S EDGE Unveils New Video “Shapes in Grey Space II : Soaring” Ahead of New Album Out Aug 21st

August 20, 2025
by Asher
· Music News · Night's Edge

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 20, 2025

A Metal Odyssey of Self and Survival – NIGHT’S EDGE Unveils New Video “Shapes in Grey Space II: Soaring” Ahead of New Album “The World That Never Was” Out Aug 21st

With their fourth full-length album, “The World That Never Was,” set to drop on August 21st, 2025, Baltimore-based trio NIGHT’S EDGE is unveiling one last visual offering ahead of release day. In collaboration with Ghost Cult Magazine, the band premieres the music video for “Shapes in Grey Space II: Soaring”, the second installment in a three-part suite that closes the album. The two-and-a-half-minute ballad of symphonic alternative metal track unfolds a Twilight Zone-inspired narrative, exploring themes of isolation and the transformative journey of self-discovery it can spark.

“Soaring is a hardcore banger in ¾, as fancy as it is intense. The sudden pauses and shifts in direction of the music catch you off guard, while the vocals make you feel like you are ascending into the chorus, with mixed feelings of freedom while remaining tethered to reality. The words reflect our inner turmoil of free will versus the outside forces that control us. When writing Soaring, Damian constantly referred to the movie “Chronicle,” a found-footage thriller about teenagers who get superpowers. Not sure how that connects, that is for you to figure out!” adds Brian Haran – Vocals, Bass, Keys, Programming.

Watch and listen to “Shapes in Grey Space II: Soaring” via Ghost Cult Magazine HERE.

Since forming in 2018, Night’s Edge has undergone several lineup shifts and sonic evolutions, making notable strides since their 2019 debut. Rooted in the Alternative Metal realm yet defying easy classification, their sound blends gothic metal, progressive rock, and nu-metal influences into a heady mix of heaviness and pop sensibility, wrapped in layers of synths and theatrical flair. Their upcoming album, “The World That Never Was,” delves into themes of lost identity and the voids we fall into—obsession, rage, and uncertainty. In its closing arc, the album tells a parable: the protagonist wakes in a world where humanity has vanished and is forced to confront their reflection in the silence… or so it appears.

“We are immensely proud of this album. The World That Never Was has the strongest songwriting that Night’s Edge has ever brought forward, and these powerful songs elevate the three of us as musicians and as a band. It has presented challenges to all of us, as Performers and as writers, and has resulted in a genuine expression of music that is uniquely us. The album flows dramatically from piece to piece, with each song offering something different and contributing a different part from which the whole is built. No two songs sound the same, but every second of the album is unmistakably Night’s Edge. The recording and production process challenged all of us but allowed us to become even more intimate with each song. The lyrical themes that wrap through the album have become hooks in each of our brains, and we feel like each of us left a part of ourselves in this record. The World That Never Was is dense but digestible, complex but immediate, grim but beautiful. It is an album of contrasts, an album of ambition, and Night’s Edge’s most definitive musical statement,” says Haran

“The World That Never Was” follows releases Strangers – LP (2023), Night’s Edge – EP (2022), The Darkest Side of Dreams – LP (2020), and Shades of Dusk – LP (2019) and is recommended for fans of Coheed and Cambria, Avantasia, System of a Down, HIM, and Deftones.

Album pre-order (out Aug 21st) – https://nightsedge.bandcamp.com

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/5YEhprmAqIyaGmzH1qQInZ

Night Drive Visualizer – Love Fiction – https://youtu.be/MoRXlrnX6aQ

Music Video – If You Loved Me – https://youtu.be/0Fj6gIMd6dA

YouTube Stream – Someone To Stay – https://youtu.be/fg-P90AQvrA

Lyric Video – Smite – https://youtu.be/pMg-S0fn-Nk

Upcoming Show Dates:
Aug 23 – Roachfest – Hollywood, MD
Sept 12 – Zen West – Baltimore, MD – ALBUM RELEASE PARTY
Sept 20 – Asbury Park Brewery – Asbury Park, NJ
Oct 10 – The Depot – Baltimore, MD

Track Listing:
1. Someone To Stay (4:11)
2. If You Loved Me (3:51)
3. Man of Many Faces (4:23)
4. Love Fiction (4:14)
5. Wish You Wouldn’t (4:09)
6. Overdue For Destruction (2:50)
7. Smite (3:46)
8. Ataecina (5:08)
9. Shapes In Grey Space I: Reaching (7:43)
10. Shapes In Grey Space II: Soaring (2:41)
11. Shapes In Grey Space III: Separating (5:23)
Total Length: 48:32

Recording and Live Line Up:
Brian Haran – Vocals, Bass, Keys, Programming
Damian Remmell – Guitars
Dan Hunt – Drums

More info: Nightsedgeband.com | Facebook.com/nightsedgeband | Instagram.com/nights_edge_band

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““Smite” offers a taste of the band’s ever-evolving sound, merging gothic, progressive, and nu metal influences.” – Metal Insider

“You’re going for a ride today with the premiere of the music video for “Love Fiction,” the latest single from Night’s Edge. A cool visual accompaniment, the premise of the video, a sped-up night drive of the city and the freeway, complements the song’s intensity well. The single is from the band’s latest record, The World That Never Was. Featuring eleven new tracks, the album is set to be released on August 21st. “Love Fiction” is an introduction to this era of Night’s Edge, their third full-length since first emerging in 2018. The song is a profound reflection on depression and mental health. It romanticizes depression, likening it to a partner who is always there for someone as if the condition itself has become a security blanket.” – V13

“Night’s Edge is a dynamic three-piece pushing the boundaries of alternative metal with a sound that straddles gothic melodrama, modern heaviness, and synth-drenched theatrics…. a collection of tracks that fuse headbanging weight with danceable grooves, rich atmospherics, and introspective lyricism. With influences ranging from HIM, System of a Down, Deftones, to Coheed and Cambria, Night’s Edge has carved a uniquely immersive and cinematic sound that evokes both the personal and the fantastical.” – Crannk

“The best part was how they fused a heavy sense of emotion in the music. You can hear it, and feel it, and they don’t hold back.” – Metal Temple

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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0 Quebec’s UNPUNISHED’s New Video “Shattered in Disarray” Marks Their Fierce Evolution + Quebec Tour Dates + New EP “Echoes of History” Out Sept 2025

August 19, 2025
by Asher
· Music News · Unpunished

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 19, 2025

Quebec’s UNPUNISHED’s New Video “Shattered in Disarray” Marks Their Fierce Evolution

Sophomore EP “Echoes of History” Out Sept 2025

Quebec Tour Dates (Quebec City, Trois-Rivieres, Montreal)

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

Photo Credit – Julien Bouffard

Quebec City’s rising metalcore force Unpunished returns with a gripping new single and music video, “Shattered in Disarray,” premiering exclusively on TheCirclepit. This marks the band’s third single in support of their upcoming sophomore EP, “Echoes of History,” set for release on September 5th, 2025.

Slower, darker, and emotionally raw, “Shattered in Disarray” dives deep into the psyche of someone confronting the wreckage of their own life. The song explores themes of regret, failure, and the haunting question: Is redemption still possible, or is it too late? With a melodic chorus riff and three distinct guitar solo sections, the track captures the emotional turbulence of its lyrics, inviting listeners to reflect on their own missteps and the hope of healing.

“It’s a song about realizing you’ve failed the ones you love. It’s about facing the consequences and wondering if there’s still a way out,” adds the band.

Watch and listen to “Shattered in Disarray” via TheCirclePit at https://youtu.be/Yr5pD6tPuas

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/2V8YKy50wVSJ6e5B9SPwrx

Written over two years during a period of personal upheaval for each band member, “Echoes of History”, produced by drummer Justin Lefebvre, is a testament to Unpunished’s resilience and creative evolution. The five-track EP showcases a diverse sonic palette, blending 2000s metalcore roots with melodic death metal riffs, deathcore breakdowns, and melodic choruses. Each track delivers a unique blend of emotion and musical identity, making the record a deeply immersive experience. Lyrically, the band explores human flaws, mental health, and social injustice, crafting songs that are both personal and powerful.

“We wanted each song to have its own flavor. No formulas, no repetition, just raw emotion and musical diversity,” says the band.

Drawing inspiration from metal giants like As I Lay Dying, Parkway Drive, Trivium, and The Black Dahlia Murder, Unpunished blends melodic, intense, aggressive, and diverse elements into a sound that’s unmistakably their own.

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

Previous Singles:

Lyric Video – “Burn the Traitors” ft. Alex Leblanc (ex-Fracturus, ex-Neuraxis, ex-Mass Murder Messiah) – https://youtu.be/uJO4s8QDxng

“As Water Fills My Lungs” – https://youtu.be/HvyJu1Mo3uk

In additional news, Unpunished will be performing a series of show dates in the province of Quebec, listed below. Fans can anticipate a tight, high-energy live performance, with a dynamic setlist that mirrors the EP’s emotional and musical range.

Unpunished – Echoes of History EP Launch Tour w/ Concessions, Deadwood, In Disarray, Observants, Terror Symphony:

Sept 20 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti Bar – info

Sept 27 – Trois Rivieres, QC – Taverne Royale – info

Oct 10 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar – info

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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