NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – November 5, 2026
Ottawa’s HALCYON DRIFT Honours a Fallen Friend with Powerful New Single and Music Video “Weight of Pain”
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L-R: Mikey Trottier – Drums, Matt Zephyr – Scream Vocals, Matt Pilon – Lead Guitar, Guillaume Parisien – Clean Vocals, Matt Senneville – Rhythm Guitar
Photo Credit – Roxanne Morin
Ottawa metalcore newcomers HALYCON DRIFT follow debut single “I Made Do” with an emotional tribute to friendship, loss, and resilience as part of the band’s rollout to its forthcoming debut album. Entitled “Weight of Pain”, this second single and music video deliver a deeply personal tribute wrapped in the band’s signature blend of crushing metalcore, djent-infused grooves, cinematic atmosphere, and emotionally charged storytelling.
At its heart, “Weight of Pain” serves as both a chapter in the conceptual narrative of Halcyon Drift‘s forthcoming album, “The Only Place That’s Ever Felt Like Home,” and a tribute to a friend whose memory inspired the band’s formation.
According to Matt Zephyr (scream vocals), the origins of Halcyon Drift can be traced back more than a decade to a teenage band called Below Bloodshed alongside guitarist Matt Pilon and drummer Diego Bussières.
“Matt and I wanted to get together again to finish what we started. That’s when we wrote ‘Weight of Pain’ from the shell of an old song called ‘Change Your Fate,’ and we dedicated the lyrics to Diego. Upon finishing that song, we realized the project could mean so much more,” explains Zephyr.
Diego tragically passed away in 2020, leaving a lasting impact on his friends and former bandmates. Four years later, revisiting those early musical ideas became the spark that ignited what would become Halcyon Drift.
The song explores the lingering weight of loss, the memories people wish they could revisit, and the challenge of carrying grief forward while holding onto the moments that matter most.
“Weight of Pain is a song that explores memories you wish you could go back to, as well as loss and the burden of it. It’s about wanting to hold on to the good moments while they last and the sadness of the moments you can’t go back to,” says Zephyr.
Musically, the track showcases the diverse identity Halcyon Drift has been developing since its inception. Described by the band as “balanced, aggressive, beautiful, story-oriented, and complex,” the single blends relentless energy with memorable hooks and emotional depth.
“Musically, it’s poignant, the chorus is memorable, the verses are fast and chaotic, the guitar solo is incredible, and the end part is truly heavy and chaotic. There’s something for everyone, all wrapped up in a single song.”
The release follows the success of debut single “I Made Do,” a track centered around resilience and perseverance through adversity. While “I Made Do” introduced listeners to the band’s ability to merge hardcore aggression, djent precision, hip-hop influences, and soaring melodies, “Weight of Pain” reveals a more vulnerable side of Halcyon Drift without sacrificing any of the heaviness.
Founded by longtime friends Matt Zephyr (scream vocals), Matt Pilon (guitar), and Guillaume Parisien (clean vocals), Halcyon Drift spent nearly two years refining its vision before officially launching. During that time, the group completed multiple albums’ worth of material, recruited additional members, and eventually united with rhythm guitarist Mathieu Senneville, drummer Mikey Trottier and bass guitarist Kadeem Pancham, whose addition helped solidify the lineup.
Drawing inspiration from modern metal innovators such as PRESIDENT, Volumes, Issues, Dance Gavin Dance, Architects, Spiritbox, and the broader new wave of metalcore, Halcyon Drift has crafted a sound that balances cinematic songwriting with crushing heaviness.
That cinematic approach forms the backbone of the band’s debut album, “The Only Place That’s Ever Felt Like Home”. Conceived as a continuous story, the record follows protagonist John P. Maxim on a perilous journey across the Arctic Sea in an attempt to return to the person he loves. Along the way, storms, oceans, and isolation become metaphors for grief, uncertainty, fear, and the struggle to preserve one’s identity amid overwhelming adversity.
Within that narrative, “Weight of Pain” serves as the emotional conclusion to the album’s central storyline, bridging the fictional journey of its protagonist with the very real experiences that inspired the band’s creation.
Halcyon Drift‘s commitment to storytelling extends beyond the studio and into their live performances, where synchronized lighting, seamless transitions, and dynamic stage production enhance the emotional impact of their music. The band’s goal is to create more than songs, but complete experiences that transport listeners into the worlds they build.
“The main goal is to take people through a journey. This isn’t just background music. It’s music where you can picture what’s happening when you close your eyes,” says Zephyr.
With “Weight of Pain,” Halcyon Drift transforms personal tragedy into a powerful statement about resilience, memory, and the enduring bonds that continue long after someone is gone.
Watch and listen to the music video for “Weight of Pain” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUrdWjwHYhs
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/halcyondrift/weight-of-pain-change-your-fate
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Previous debut single “I Made Do” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDU6HI11IB8=
More info:
https://www.facebook.com/HalcyonDriftOttawa
https://www.instagram.com/halcyondriftband
https://www.tiktok.com/@halcyondriftottawa
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