Author: Crix

One Band To Rule Them All! KILLOTINE Wins WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA 2025 To Play Wacken Open Air

One band to rule them all! The final four bands from this year’s 2025 battles for Wacken Metal Battle Canada gathered in Vancouver, BC, for the national final on May 31st at the Rickshaw Theatre. Only one unsigned Canadian band can walk away and be crowned champion to move on to perform at one of the world’s most prestigious and largest already sold-out metal festivals, Wacken Open Air (July 30th – August 2nd) (Attendance of over 80,000 people in Wacken, Germany for over 30 years).

Crowning this year’s 2025 winner is Hamilton, ON’s KILLOTINE (Ontario Winner), who, after their performance, a panel of industry judges voted as Canada’s top band to play at the International Wacken Battle at Wacken Open Air. They performed alongside SOULTHIEF (Ottawa, ON – Eastern Canada Winner), BEYOND SUFFERING (Calgary, AB – Alberta Winner), and YEGG (Nanaimo, BC – British Columbia Winner). The special guest headliner was 2024 BC final winner, Vancouver’s Arrow In The Quiver.

“What a finals we’ve just had in Vancouver. It’s so nice to see the level of the bands and the great performances from all of them. The result is that we’ve got something special this year: Killotine is the chosen one. This band has a career waiting for them, and the real beginning of that journey will be at Wacken Open Air. This really enforces what the Metal Battle is all about and how we are nurturing the next generation, the future of metal,” comments Canadian Organizer of Wacken Metal Battle Canada, JJ Tartaglia.

This year’s panel of national final judges consisted of BRITTNEY SLAYES (Unleash The Archers), JJ TARTAGLIA (Canadian Organizer of Wacken Metal Battle Canada), JJ CAITHCART (Founder of SCRAPE Records and Host of Different Stages Radio), KRIS SCHULZ (Founder of Empower Through Music and Owner of Horizon School of Music), ABELARDO MAYORAL (Founder, Owner, and Operator of The Invisible Orange and OrangeTickets), STAN SCHINNERS (Owner of Broken Neck Radio), JUSTIN DOBBIN (Owner and President of Main Stage Rehearsal Studios).

About The Final Four:

Hamilton, ON’s KILLOTINE is the hammer that falls without warning—relentless, unforgiving, and all-consuming. Their riffs shred through the air like jagged steel, solos burn with a fury that can’t be tamed, and blasts hit like an explosion in your chest. They don’t care about trends or softening the blow. Every note is a direct attack, every show a brutal assault. Headbanging is inevitable, the adrenaline is relentless, and the chaos is total. This is metal in its rawest, most savage form. With their “take everything, leave only metal” mentality, Killotine isn’t here to play nice. They deliver exactly what the maniacs demand—pure, unfiltered aggression. No filler, no fake. Just a full-throttle, all-out assault that doesn’t let up, leaving you wrecked and addicted to the chaos. KILLOTINE IS COMING. STAY OUT OF THE WAY OR GET DESTROYED.
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Video – Epic Live Set at the Whiskey Pit: Killotine Shreds Like Never Before! – https://youtu.be/AkuL8nbk8XE​
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​https://linktr.ee/killotinemetal​
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Ottawa, ON’s SOULTHIEF is a crossover band known for their powerful and fun sound that combines elements of melodic hardcore, thrash metal, beatdown, slam, and punk. Formed in early 2021, the band has garnered a reputation for its intense live performances and dynamic songwriting.
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Their discography includes several notable releases, with their albums “Citadel” and “The Bad Kind of Wet” receiving praise for their energy and musical depth. Tracks like “You Could be my Gwen Stacy” and “Rupture” are often highlighted as fan favorites, showcasing the band’s ability to craft memorable hooks and crowd-engaging lyrics.
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Soulthief has built a loyal following through their extensive touring and energetic live shows. They have performed at various venues and festivals, earning a reputation for delivering high-impact performances that resonate with audiences. Playing with bands like Stick to Your Guns, Within Destruction, MadBall, Get the Shot, Left to Suffer, Guilt Trip, Sworn Enemy, Hoods, Vctms, Teeth, and many more
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Soulthief has continued to evolve and push the boundaries of their craft. Their dedication to their musical performance and their passionate fanbase have cemented their place in any music scene they show up in.
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Music Video – You Could Be My Gwen Stacy – https://youtu.be/eRnfHx-FvGY​
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​https://www.soulthief.ca​
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Calgary, AB’s BEYOND SUFFERING is a five-piece melodic metal band with roots in thrash and metalcore. With founding member and lead guitarist Rob Vargo, they blend intense riffs and rhythmic complexities of deathcore with melodic hooks and emotional depth of hardcore. Their recent pre-release demo, “Buddha,” is a great buildup to the upcoming “Darkness” and subsequent response “Light” EPs later this year.
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Song Stream – Buddha (Demo) – https://youtu.be/Menz1YSu_pI​
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​https://www.facebook.com/BeyondSuffering​
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Nanaimo, BC’s old school death metal YEGG is a band that stays true to their roots. Drawing inspiration from iconic bands like Death, Obituary, Morbid Angel, and Cannibal Corpse, YEGG delivers a relentless assault of pure, unadulterated old school Death Metal. Their live shows are a sight to behold with intense energy and a ferocious wall of pure aggression that will.
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Song Stream – Offal Offering – https://youtu.be/7s0WVh-JXd4​
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​https://linktr.ee/yeggmetal​

About The Battle:

Wacken Metal Battle Canada is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance to win their spot among 30 different countries’ champions, and represent Canada 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, allowing 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 Canadian national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will move on to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2025 and compete against the winners of 29 other countries in a final global battle. All battle rounds are judged by respected local music industry representatives.

Rules for participation: https://www.metal-battle.com/rules/​

Links:​
​Metal-Battle.com​​
​Facebook.com/WMBCanada.official​
​Twitter.com/MetalBattleCan​
​Instagram.com/MetalBattleCanada.Official​

Media Partners:​
Bravewords.com
Metal-Rules.com
Absolute Underground Magazine
BrokenNeckRadio.com
V13.net
MetalDevastationRadio
Rich Embury (internationally syndicated DJ)
GhostCultMag.com
Rocknroam.ca
Vox & Hops Podcast
The Metal Voice
Montréal Métal (CIBL 101.5 FM)

Promoter Partners:​
Boonsdale Records
Dungeonworks Productions
The Invisible Orange
Big Nate Productions
ConcertWorks
Asher Media Relations

The Nude Sign With Epicronic For Debut Album “Stand And Be Recognized” – Out August 8

Modern rock sound explorers The Nude have signed an international deal with Epictronic Records for the release of their debut full-length, “Stand and Be Recognized,” which will be released worldwide on August 8, 2025.

Blending the primal power of metal, the groove of funk, the urgency of punk, and the grit of the blues, The Nude brings a bold new voice to modern rock. Formed in a Brooklyn rehearsal room on March 24, 2023, by four artists hailing from South Africa, Michigan, and beyond, the band emerged with a singular question:
When revenge is diabolical and forgiveness feels like defeat… what if there’s a third path?

That question became a mission. Stripping away pretense, rejecting autotune and image-driven artifice, The Nude was born to confront life in its rawest form—through music that’s visceral, vulnerable, and honest.

Their debut album, Stand and Be Recognized, is a deeply personal exploration of self-mastery through chaos and catharsis. Written by Luke Bergstedt, recorded and mixed by Nick Cageao, and brought to life by Henry Ott and Derrick Duemler, the record traces the descent into madness and the hard climb out. It’s a narrative driven by emotional truth—where hope breeds fear, fear demands courage, courage risks defeat, and defeat can lead to either arrogance or transformation. In the aftermath lies a choice: to stand and be recognized.

The Nude describes the project as a modern rock and roll manifesto—one that uses metaphor to expose vulnerability and truth. Rooted in the present, the band rejects artificial polish in favor of what’s real: soul over spectacle, substance over style.

Statement from the Band:

With great pride, we now step forward:
We’ve officially signed with Epictronic Records. In times as uncertain as these, the support of a global label is not something we take lightly. Music has always been a collaborative act—and to feel seen and backed in our creative vision is both humbling and electrifying.

To our fans, our team, New York City, and everyone who believed in us—thank you. This moment is yours as much as it is ours. We’ve only just begun, and we promise: The Nude doesn’t disappoint.

Long live rock and roll,
The Nude

The Nude stands at the edge of a new movement in modern rock: rebellious, soulful, and uncompromising. This is your invitation.

www.webringrockandroll.com
www.instagram.com/webringrockandroll
www.tiktok.com/@webringrockandroll
www.youtube.com/@Webringrockandroll
soundcloud.com/ibringrockandroll

 

THE VALLEY Release New Alt-Prog Single ‘Eons’ with Official Video

THE VALLEY return with ‘Eons’, a new, atmospheric track available from May 30th on all digital platforms via Volcano Records, and on YouTube with an official video directed by Marco Rimondi.

The alt-prog band from Liguria (Italy) confirms their ability to explore the most intimate and melancholic territories of contemporary progressive music, drawing inspiration from bands like Tool, Katatonia, and Riverside. Eons is a slow journey through loss, where time does not console but settles. The song moves between suspended dynamics, sharp riffs, and hypnotic melodies, with Eros Povigna’s voice tracing powerful emotional trajectories. The lyrics reflect on the existential sense of absence – a condition that constantly changes while always remaining, like a familiar and unresolved rain.

Produced and mixed by Mattia Miniati, Eons is the second single from The Valley’s upcoming project and marks a fundamental step in the band’s musical narrative.

Also watch the video for the earlier single ‘Hypnagogia’ at https://youtu.be/0zhsSfs6at4

Further info at
www.volcanopromotion.com
www.facebook.com/thevalleyprog

Reversed Chakra Returns With Intimate New Single & Video “All the Way Down”

While fans await the release of their highly anticipated album, Reversed Chakra breaks the silence with an evocative new single and video, “All the Way Down” — a mesmerizing dive into grief, memory, and emotional catharsis.

Unfolding with sparse, slow-burning instrumentation and haunting lyrical honesty, “All the Way Down” finds the band at their most stripped-back and soul-baring. It’s not just a song; it’s a reckoning. Fragmented moments—a walk with a father, a bridge hanging in time, an unresolved goodbye—collide to create an immersive soundscape where the listener is invited to let go, hold on, and feel everything in between.

The single is accompanied by a visually arresting music video, directed, edited, and shot by Shaun Hodson for Loki Films (Slipknot, Underoath, Sleep Token, Architects, Corey Taylor). The video mirrors the song’s introspective mood, offering a cinematic exploration of memory and release.

Reversed Chakra’s sound explores deep emotions, crafting stories that transcend the ordinary. Imagine a fusion of Interpol and Editors, seasoned with hints of Kings of Leon and Placebo, all enveloped in the ethereal beauty of The Cure and Sigur Rós. This sonic journey defies genres and promises to leave you spellbound.

Following the momentum of Game of Chess and Dust, “All The Way Down” is poised to make waves, and Reversed Chakra invites all music lovers and critics to join them in this sonic odyssey. Stay tuned for more updates and witness the evolution of an indie rock sensation destined to leave a lasting impact.

Reversed Chakra is:
Alice Bianconcini: Guitar
Leo Martera: Drums
Justin Brett: Vocals
Carlo Bellotti: Bass

www.reversedchakra.com
www.instagram.com/reversedchakra
www.facebook.com/reversedchakra
www.youtube.com/@reversedchakra

 

Finnish IAMSIN release dark and emotional ‘Rituals’ single and music video

Finnish modern metal band IAMSIN is back with a new single and music video Rituals. The track is released in cooperation with Inverse Records. 

The band comments:
“Rituals is one of the most intense and ambitious songs we’ve ever released. We really pushed our limits on this track—musically, emotionally, and in terms of production, while still staying true to the IAMSIN sound. Compared to our last single Echoes, this one goes even further. it’s heavier, darker, and more emotional. It feels like a big step forward for us as a band. We wanted to create something that hits hard but also feels real and unique. Rituals feels like a big step forward for us as a band, and we’re proud of the direction we’re heading. The response so far has been incredible, and we’re excited to see how it connects with people. ” 

LISTEN to Rituals single on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/iamsin-rituals

Formed in 2013, IAMSIN is a melodic modern metalcore band known for their intense energy, hard-hitting breakdowns, and melodic choruses. Their debut album, Kings & Queens (2017), established them as a force in the heavy music scene, blending raw aggression with melodic depth. Now, after years of evolution and growth, IAMSIN has already released new music in 2025, delivering their most powerful and refined sound yet. Stay tuned.

Line-up:
Guitar: Conny Segervall
Guitar: Nikolai Juselius
Bass: Eddie Grön
Drums: Anton Lönnqvist
Vocals: Petter Löf

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/Iamsin1234
https://www.instagram.com/iamsinofficial
https://www.tiktok.com/@iamsin.official1
https://iamsin.bandcamp.com

Neverfade Video Interview

Neverfade is a heavy metal band from Tampere, founded in 2022, riding the wave of the Finnish New Wave of heavy metal. In 2024, Neverfade burst into the collective imagination with the release of their first singles, which have accumulated over 25,000 plays on different platforms. Neverfade are especially known for being an extremely aggressive live band: their energetic, engaging and theatrical performances will certainly not leave listeners indifferent. In 2025, Neverfade released their debut album “Thieves In The Night”.
We had the chance to meet Neverfade after their show at Monttu New Level in Pori and find out more about the band, their debut album, the shows and much more.

https://www.facebook.com/neverfadefinland
https://www.instagram.com/neverfadefinland/

 

 

Terromania & Coochilla llive at Monttu New Level, Pori (FInland) 23/05/2025

On May 23, Monttu New Level in Pori hosted a rock night with two promising bands: Terromania and Coochilla.
Terromania is an Alternative Metal force out of Finland, ripping through the scene with raw power and emotion. Blending influences from Ghost, Lordi, Gojira, Spiritbox and even the wild energy of Van Halen & Devin Townsend, they take it even further by fusing their Heavy Metal base with synthwave, 80s hair metal, pop, and hard rock into a sound that’s unforgettable.
Coochilla is a alternative rock band from Turku. The band’s sound is rock ’n roll with a twist; loud guitars and a tight groove combined with a slight spice of psychedelia that delivers an unique auditive experience.
Both bands presented a flawless show, and despite the small audience attendance, they gave their all.
Here some photos taken by Cristina Gregori.

Satan’s Fall Video Interview

Satan’s Fall is a traditional heavy metal band founded in Helsinki in early 2015. After releasing a demo, an EP and a debut album, the band released their second full-length “Final Day” last December.
Satan’s Fall has performed at festivals and clubs of all sizes throughout Europe. In Finland, the band has played with bands such as Primordial, Pentagram and Satan.
We had the opportunity to meet Miika and Samu before their concert at Monttu New Level in Pori and talk about their music, the recording process, live shows and more.

 

https://www.instagram.com/satansfallofficial/
https://www.facebook.com/SatansFall/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2UAI07YLI30I3lZN91lqbO

 

 

Ratbreed Video Interview

Helsinki-based Ratbreed have been playing heavy metal since 2015. With a traditional heavy metal sound and a strong live presence, Ratbreed is one of the flagships of the New Wave of Finnish Heavy Metal Alliance. The band’s music has gained popularity in Finland and the Baltics, but also in Central America, where the band appeared on a metal music TV show in El Salvador.
Ratbreed have been playing tirelessly in rock clubs and opened Waltari’s 30th anniversary show at Helsinki’s Kulttuuritalo.
The band, who released their debut album “Evoke The Blaze” in 2018, is currently working on new material on tour.
We had the opportunity to meet the band before their show in Pori and talk about the band’s story, their music, songwriting and much more.

https://www.facebook.com/ratbreed/
https://www.instagram.com/ratbreedmetal/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4FFsxL010jcfBtvFt4lkbo

Ampicore’s “The Death of Cyrus” Explores the Tragic End of a Legend

Ampicore continues their epic musical journey with the release of the official lyric video for “The Death of Cyrus,” the third track from their album March Up Country – The Rock Opera.

“The Death of Cyrus” brings listeners into the chaos of battle and the aftermath of Cyrus the Younger’s death. Left stranded in Persia, the soldiers must reckon with their fate and the uncertainty of what comes next. The track highlights Ampicore’s masterful blend of hard rock, metal, and epic storytelling, immersing the audience in the dramatic downfall of one of history’s most ambitious figures.

Credits for this track:
Music and lyrics by Frederic Frees (additional music by Charlie Griffith)
Vocals: Eric Castiglia, Rob Lundgren
Rhythm Guitars: Mauricio Mirapalheta, Charlie Griffith
Drums: Maikon Queiroz
Bass and Lead guitar: Miguel Esparzapro

March Up Country – The Rock Opera is shaping up to be a groundbreaking release that blends music with powerful narratives. From the rise of Cyrus to his tragic fall, the album explores the complexities of ambition, power, and fate.

March Up Country promises to captivate listeners with its dynamic compositions and emotionally charged performances from an exceptional cast of musicians.

“March Up Country” is available on all major digital platforms:orcd.co/marchupcountry

www.youtube.com/@Ampicore
marchupcountry.com
x.com/FredericofFrees
ampicore.bandcamp.com/album/march-up-country-the-rock-opera