NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – August 21, 2026
Out Now! Edmonton’s FAMOUS STRANGERS Unveils Debut Self-Titled Album + New Video “Fire Inside”
L-R – Amanda Kiernan (Vocals), Brian “Beej” Jolly (Drums), Braden Sustrik (Bass, Vocals), Jeff Kittlitz (Guitar, Vocals)
Photo by J-Kiernen Photography
The wait is over. Famous Strangers have officially released their debut self‑titled album, a heavy, emotional, genre‑breaking first statement from one of Alberta’s most exciting new heavy rock acts. Built on themes of self‑worth, growth, vulnerability, and raw honesty, the album delivers a full‑spectrum listening experience that moves from explosive riffs to atmospheric introspection, always anchored by the band’s signature unpredictability and emotional depth.
At its core, the record is about knowing your worth, breaking free from what holds you back, choosing yourself, and emerging stronger on the other side. Across seven tracks, the band blends grunge, punk, blues, classic metal, and modern heaviness into something moody, haunting, old‑school, and intriguing. Every song lives in its own world, yet the journey feels unified, intentional, and deeply personal.
The debut album showcases the band’s evolution over three years of writing, rewriting, experimenting, and trusting their instincts. Some riffs lived on guitarist Jeff Kittlitz’s hard drive for over a decade before finally finding the right home. Some songs were born in a single jam session. One track, “Ghosts of Men,” was written just three days before entering the studio. The result is a record that pushes boundaries, breaks rules, and refuses to sit still.
“We feel like our first record will take them on a journey, evoking many different emotions that reflect the flow of this new album. Some may not understand what we are trying to do, but by the end, we hope they are surprised, refreshed, and inspired. We hope the lyrics dig deep into parts of them they didn’t know existed or had hidden away. Opening their hearts and souls, making them feel unstoppable and worthy. Whatever they may be doing while listening, we want our music to captivate them, drawing them deeper into themselves. Feeling the emotional pull through each track. Moments of inspiration and grit, leading to a complete surrender of self. With a touch of silliness and definitely some seduction,” adds the band.
To celebrate release day, Famous Strangers have shared a brand‑new rehearsal video for “Fire Inside,” giving fans a raw, behind‑the‑scenes look at one of the album’s most powerful tracks. The song began as a progressive metal riff and evolved in the studio, becoming a grounding anthem about embracing mistakes, honouring your journey, and discovering the light within yourself. The track has a special history with the band, as it was once performed live by asking the audience for lyrical ideas while Amanda freestyled the entire song, including a legendary dinosaur‑themed version during a show date in Drumheller, AB.
Watch and listen to “Fire Inside” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgEZ2BK1z44
Famous Strangers features Amanda Kiernan (vocals), Jeff Kittlitz (guitar), Braden Sustrik (bass), and Brian “Beej” Jolly (drums), formed after years of crossing paths in the Alberta music scene, with members with roots in Compromise, Pugnacious, This Is War, The Order of Chaos, Sleeping Girl, and more. With decades of Alberta heavy‑music experience, they built a project on trust, honesty, and complete creative freedom. What began as casual jams evolved into a full creative force once Amanda joined in 2023. The chemistry was instant. Lyrics poured out, old riffs found new life, and the band quickly realized they had something far bigger than a side project.
Recommended for fans of Halestorm, Nothing More, Sevendust, Godsmack, Evanescence, Butcher Babies, and Bad Omens, the self-titled album is available on all digital platforms (Vinyl pre-order to be announced at a later date) – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/famousstrangers/famous-strangers
Previous Videos:
“Ghosts of Men” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JllvDWc2AC4
“As Your Leader” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH1WCv__EyY
Upcoming Show Dates:
Aug 21 – Album Release Show 1 – Rec Room – Edmonton, AB
Aug 22 – Album Release Show 2 – Temple at Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB
Track Listing:
1. Fire Inside – 4:06
2. Ghosts of Men – 4:54
3. Please Her – 4:34
4. As Your Leader – 3:49
5. Desires – 3:50
6. Far Away from Home – 4:18
7. Rain – 9:23
Album Length: 34:57
Album Band Line-up:
Jeff Kittlitz – Guitar, Back-up Vocals
Amanda Kiernan – Vocals, Lyrics
Braden Sustrik – Bass, Back-up Vocals
Brian “Beej” Jolly – Drums, Back-up Vocals
More info:
https://www.famousstrangersband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/FamousStrangersBand/
https://www.instagram.com/famousstrangersband
About: Famous Strangers is a heavy metal band from Sherwood Park, Alberta. Rooted in the classics and built for today, the band brings together four veterans of the Alberta music scene with over 20 years of collective experience. With four singles, a music video for every release, and a debut album on vinyl dropping in August 2026, Famous Strangers is all raw power, emotional depth, and a sound that refuses to sit still.
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“Amanda has a Lee Aaron vibe about her.” – Richard Amery – LA Beat
“The band wasted no time tearing into the tracks from the new album, which is set to be released everywhere on August 21. Blasting through an intro that sets a clear tone for the next 45 minutes, they blaze into “Fire Inside”and their latest single, “As Your Leader.” This track has been getting buzz in the metal scene since its release in July, a heavy wall of sound decorated with an undeniable vocal performance. It’s earned the group recent airplay around Europe and North America, and big recent gigs like Decimate Metalfest near their hometown.” – Loud Hailer Mag (Calgary Live Review – Aug 7 – Dickens)
“Serendipity and synchronicity are two key factors in securing the best factors for successful chemistry in any musical outfit. That’s the case for sure in the Canadian heavy rock outfit Famous Strangers. Veterans of the metal scene, they’ve come together at this point in their career to create an energetic heavy music platform surging with this emotional intensity from all angles that’s impossible to ignore. Their debut self-titled album contains all the ideal components to make a strong impact locally and abroad. ” – DeadRhetoric
““Famous Strangers” is an absolute belter of a debut album so don’t be a stranger, check it out! Very Highly Recommended. (5 / 5) – Metal Epidemic
“With plenty of material in the pipeline for future releases, Famous Strangers has a tremendous debut album that is a launching point for a hopefully productive career. Boundless opportunities exist, as these musicians came together at the right time to develop a heavy rock, alternative / bluesy-based cocktail of songs that all heavy music followers should treasure.”9/10 – DeadRhetoric
“It’s great to hear a modern hard rock band unafraid to get aggressive, from a vocalist that can unleash a scream as well as she can hit a crisp high note to the abundance of shredding guitar solos.” – Heavy Music HQ
“Famous Strangers have been dropping the hints at what the new album will be like with the previous singles ‘Ghosts of Men’ and ‘As Your Leader’. As the August 21st release date creeps closer this highly anticipated debut album is almost here and all we can say is get ready to be floored. The whole offering is a whiplash of modern metal. Signature razor sharp riffs, pulverizing bass and power percussion…lead by unforgettably edgy and furious vocals courtesy of lead singer Amanda Kiernan. Album cuts like ‘Please Her’ are insanely good and surprises like the eclectic ‘Rain’ showcase the bands ability to harness their aggression when a mood catches them for something else. An impressive debut not to be missed from a band fueled by fire, grit and a lot of talent. Catch Famous Strangers Band on your Home for the Best New Rock… W-J-O-EEEE” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll
“Canada’s Famous Strangers return with an incredible new single, a fierce one titled ‘Ghosts of Men’. Right out of the gate, the riffs are lethal and the vocals are up to the task with a mean disposition that fit perfectly. Famous Strangers is a seriously talented band and ‘Ghosts of Men’ is a shining example of their creativity at work with an extended jaw dropping 6-string solo, a wonderful slow down to catch our breath only to come out on the other side finding ourselves in a choke hold of epic proportions. This is modern metal done right, catch it on your Home for the Best New Rock…W-J-O-EEEE – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll
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