Author: Crix

Omnivortex Video Interview

Finnish technical/blackened death metallers Omnivortex present their music in a frenetically twisted and ever-changing way. Whether it be from clean melodic passages to raw and dissonant chugs with endless blasting and slapping bass, Omnivortex always have new ideas to offer to the listener. From thrash death metal to dissonant black metal, they deliver unforgettable soundscapes. The band has so far released two albums, “Diagrams of Consciousness” in 2020 and “Circulate” in 2023; the new single “Visitant” was released on May 15th and more songs will be released in the near future. Before their show at meara Klubi in Pori, we had the chance to meet frontman Severi Saarioja and bassist Mikael Reinikka and find out more about the band and their music.

https://www.omnivortexofficial.com/

 

Prepare For A Cosmic Thrash Alien Invasion with Canada’s Crüzer’s New Lyric Video “Look to the Skies”

Unleashing their debut EP “Look to the Skies” this past April, Crüzer is not just a band—they are a cosmic metal assault from the Great White North. Hailing from Vancouver, BC, Canada, their sound is as unstoppable as an alien invasion force, tearing through the atmosphere with electrifying solos and unforgettable hooks.

In the lead up to their upcoming local show dates on June 27th at The Astoria and July 26th at The Kingsway (details below), Crüzer is unveiling the lyric video for their EP’s title track.

“The title track, Look to the Skies, deals with the threat of an extraterrestrial invasion force, and the attempts of the world powers to stop it (or maybe they know more than they’re letting on…). The chorus hook on this song might be my favourite of the whole album, love how it just comes in out of nowhere after a whole verse and pre-chorus of harsh blackened thrash vocals,” adds vocalist Eric Wilmott.

Watch and listen to the lyric video for “Look to the Skies” at https://youtu.be/bvTh1eWEJZ0​

Featuring five tracks of raging, rip-roaring, intergalactic speed metal, with a multitude of different flavours catered to the tastes of every thrasher, but with a melodic and humorous twist. Crüzer‘s latest EP, “Look to the Skies”, will have metalheads headbanging to the power of the riff and celebrating the bizarre and otherworldly wonders of the universe.

“I believe this EP will be well received by any thrasher who enjoys a touch of melody with their mosh fodder. While in the studio, we ensured that these songs were polished and perfected, with a good dose of melody and catchiness infused into the madness. We aim to provide a thrash buffet of sorts, a smorgasbord filled with various flavours of speed, melody, and attitude. Tracks like ‘Pit Vyper’ have some serious hair metal vibes, and it is preceded on the record by ‘(I Need) Thrash’, a Slayer-esque song! EARTHLINGS!!! Crank it to 11, and prepare for an out-of-this-world heavy metal experience. Your alien overlords are excited to unveil our latest slice of interplanetary propaganda, LOOK TO THE SKIES!” says Willmott.

“Look to the Skies” is recommended for fans of all things thrash, such as Havok, Exodus (Zetro era), Destruction, Metallica (Ride the Lightning era), Exciter, and 80s Judas Priest.

The EP is streaming on all digital platforms as of April 4, 2025. Crüzer plans to unleash the 5-track record on CD, with the release date to be determined. CD pre-order will be available from the band via their Bandcamp at https://cruzermuzik.bandcamp.com.

EP Stream Links:

YouTube – https://youtu.be/8aW_6SHC9lY​

Spotify – https://spoti.fi/3GKuG6C​

Live Video – Hyperspace Metal Festival – Raging Fire – https://youtu.be/rJ6MGl09H6k

Show Dates:​
June 27 – Vancouver, BC – The Astoria w/ Gorgonum Chaos, The Bifurcated, Nobody, DJ HAMMER – info​

July 26 – Vancouver, BC – The Kingsway w/ Terrifier, W.M.D., and The Unending – info​

​

Track Listing:​
1. Look to the Skies (4:18)
2. Born to Rise (4:06)
3. Raging Fire (3:51)
4. (I Need) Thrash (2:14)
5. Pit Vyper (4:44)
Length: 19:13

More info: Cruzermuzik.carrd.co | Facebook.com/cruzermuzik | Instagram.com/cruzermuzik​

Calgary’s LOVER Release Limited Edition Cassette For EP “Fatal Attraction” – The Band Will Play At Armstrong Metal Fest 2025

Now available, Calgary’s high-intensity, no filler rockers LOVER, release their limited edition cassette for their latest EP “Fatal Attraction”. Fans can now rock out with a physical anthem in hand. Heavy metal fans can experience what “Fatal Attraction” truly is: a fast, real, kick to the face. Even though the EP is only two tracks, this is a sampler of what’s to come. The opening title track is an energetic rush of sound that captures the ups and downs of being overwhelmed by desire. The lyrics feed this feeling by talking about lust and substance abuse. Track 2. “Bad Love” lyrically is a tough and mean reality check. It’s based on a true story of love gone wrong. It has aggressive riffs, mean solos, and is captures the strain of a mind in love and turmoil.

“High energy, vocal harmonies, guitar harmonies, pounding drums. We deliver a full Rock n’ Roll experience. We only had a few songs ready at the time of this recording, so we all decided on our best 2 songs. We have been diligently writing and have more than enough material for a full-length record. We are starting to write a 2nd record already. Most songs are demoed. We are hoping to get some help with the costs of recording our first full-length record.” – Lover

Recommended for fans of Scorpions, Riot City, Wasp, Judas Priest, Van Halen, and Thin Lizzy, cassette order and digital available at https://loverrockofficial.bandcamp.com/album/fatal-attraction​

Spotify – https://spoti.fi/43tjRNP​

Live Video – LOVER – On The Road (LIVE – 07/26/24) – https://youtu.be/H0mxjJvnsu0​

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Track Listing:​
1- Fatal Attraction – 4:46
2- Bad Love – 5:45

EP and Live Lineup:​
Aidan Desmarais – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Hunter Raymond – Drums, Vocals
Jacob Chase – Bass
Christopher LoNigro – Guitar

In additional news, LOVER is performing at this year’s Armstrong Metal Fest (July 11/12), one of Canada’s loudest mountain moshpits nestled in the beautiful backdrop of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. More info: https://armstrongmetalfest.ca/​

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Show Dates:​
July 11/12 – Armstrong, BC – Armstrong Metal Fest
July 19 – Edmonton, AB – The Dive Bar

More info: Facebook.com/loverrockofficial | Instagram.com/loverrockofficial​

THE VALLEY Release New Single And Lyric Video ‘Magpie’s Eyelid’

‘Magpie’s Eyelid’ is the new single by THE VALLEY, now available on all major digital platforms via Volcano Records & Promotion. The release is accompanied by a visionary lyric video that enhances the song’s conceptual and narrative depth.

 

The alt-prog band from Italy, following the release of two impactful tracks that captured the attention of both audience and industry insiders, now continues their journey with a new single that delves even deeper into their distinctive sound—a blend of alternative rock and progressive influences.

Magpie’s Eyelid offers a clear-eyed yet contradictory perspective on the allure of what frightens us. It reflects on how we observe pain from a distance, safe and detached, only to find ourselves strangely fascinated—until we realize that only what hits us directly can truly shake us. It’s an unstable balance between detachment and involvement, shame and desire, atonement and pretense. A deeply intense and multi-layered track, both lyrically and sonically, that confirms the band’s bold artistic direction.

Mixed and mastered by Mattia Miniati, with a lyric video created by Martin V.S.

Also watch the video for the earlier singles:
‘Eons’: https://youtu.be/3VbvAbrbQkw
‘Hypnagogia’: https://youtu.be/0zhsSfs6at4

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

Melbourne’s Extreme Unit KÜNTSQUÄD Strikes Back with Satans Cock and New Single

Melbourne’s crusty death metal iconoclast KÜNTSQUÄD returns with their most ferocious statement yet: the unapologetically titled Satans Cock, set for worldwide release via Wormholedeath Records.

Once again recorded at Goatsound Studios with Jason Fuller and Jamie Colic, the album is provocatively titled Satan’s Cock and features satanic artwork by Rok.

Building on their debut, the new record pushes the boundaries of heaviness and songwriting, with deeper down-tuned tones and complex rhythmic interplay. True to their ethos of constant evolution, the band continues to explore new extremes with each release.

To mark the announcement, KÜNTSQUÄD drop the first single, the grotesquely addictive “Psychotropic Lyfe”—a furious introduction to the new record’s relentless pace and satirical bite.

Stream the single: https://orcd.co/plsingle

Küntsquäd (pron. Kountskard) is a crusty death metal band from Melbourne blending guttural vocals, down-tuned riffs, and blackened chaos. Their 2022 self-titled debut on Wormholedeath Records earned global acclaim and sold-out pressings. Raw, extreme, and satirically twisted—this is metal with no genre boundaries.

www.facebook.com/kuntsquad666
www.youtube.com/@Kuntsquad666
www.instagram.com/kuntsquad_cdmetal
kuntsquad.bandcamp.com/track/eat-your-entrails-limited-edition-single

Terromania Video Interview

Terromania is a Finnish Alternative Metal band that is making its way onto the scene with raw power and emotion. Mixing influences from Ghost, Lordi, Gojira, Spiritbox and even the wild energy of Van Halen and Devin Townsend, they push themselves even further by fusing their Heavy Metal base with synthwave, 80s hair metal, pop and hard rock into an unforgettable sound. Signed to Californian record label Ripple Music, Terromania released their debut album “Nyctophobic” in 2023 and several singles, the latest of which, “Reawakened” was released on June 18th.
The band is planning to release one more single before committing to their second full-length album.
We had the chance to meet frontman Julius Silvennoinen and guitarist Antti Saarinen and find out more about their latest single releases, future plans, their shows and much more.

https://linktr.ee/terromania

 

TONIC BREED Drops Explosive New Single “Anew” Featuring Chris Adler of Lamb of God

Tonic Breed, the metal project led by Norwegian musician Patrik K. Svendsen, is set to release its highly anticipated new single, “Anew,” on June 19, 2025. This high-octane track features Chris Adler, the iconic drummer of Lamb of God, lending his blistering rhythms to the song. The collaboration is expected to set the metal world on fire as Tonic Breed blends its signature thrash sound with Adler‘s unmatched drumming prowess. The song was also mixed and mastered by acclaimed producer Machine, who also handled Lamb of God’s “Ashes of the Wake” and “Sacrament”.

Chris Adler comments:

“I was quite curious when I got an email — and some riffs — from Patrik. He’s done some cool shit and I was flattered to be on his radar… I researched it for a minute and agreed. We did have to take a minute to both feel good about what this would be — meaning I beat up his song like a fucking Rocky movie — but I knew it had the parts and strength. It’s been a privilege to work with Patrik. Humbling. You’ll know what I mean when you hear it.”

Svendensen adds:

“I originally sent over a rough demo of the song, a storm of riffs strung together with placeholder drums and a suggested structure. We worked together on a new structure for the song, and Chris took the lead on shaping it into something far more unique and effective than my original draft. To me, this is the most Lamb of God-style drumming I’ve heard from Chris since he was in Lamb of God. I’m sure some metal guitarists would kill to hear Chris Adler’s drumming behind their riffs — I’ve been lucky enough to experience that firsthand.”

“Anew” will be available for streaming across all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, on June 19th, 2025. The release of “Anew” marks a new milestone in the band’s career, as they prepare for their upcoming album, which promises more collaborations and even more explosive metal tracks to follow past high-profile collaborations, which already include Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Björn Strid (Soilwork), Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam).

Listen to “Anew” at the following links:

YouTube – https://youtu.be/wx-8n9qs5cY​

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/3EfUNCw79sf52xSX4KwbU4​

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For more info:​
​https://tonicbreed.com​
​https://facebook.com/tonicbreed​
​https://instagram.com/tonicbreed​

About Tonic Breed:​
Tonic Breed is a Norwegian thrash and heavy metal one-man music project by Patrik K. Svendsen. Until 2019, Tonic Breed was originally a four-piece band, established in Sarpsborg, Norway, in 2006. As of 2022, Tonic Breed has released three albums and one EP. Today, Tonic Breed is constantly reinventing itself in songwriting and guest collaborations.

About Chris Adler:​
Chris Adler is a world-renowned drummer and founding member of the legendary American heavy metal band Lamb of God. With a career spanning decades, Adler is recognized for his technical precision, groundbreaking style, and massive influence on the heavy metal genre.

Discography:​
– 2025 – Anew (single)
– 2025 – The Die Is Cast (single) (ft. guest guitar solo Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam)
– 2025 – The Charge (single w/ Darkroot)
– 2024 – Outsold – LP – 10th Anniversary Edition
– 2022 – Fuel the Fire – EP (ft. guests Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Bernt Jansen (Artch/Wig Wam), Björn Strid (Soilwork), Martin Skriubakken (Endezzma), Oliver Palotai (Kamelot)
– 2018 – Install Memory – LP
– 2014 – Outsold – LP
– 2010 – On the Brink of Destruction

Viimeinen Oodi Vapaudelle unveils hauntingly epic new single: “Ballade of the Arctic Traveller”

Finnish symphonic metal band Viimeinen Oodi Vapaudelle (VOV – Final Ode to Freedom) emerges from the frost-laden silence with a powerful new single, Ballade of the Arctic Traveller — a dramatic and atmospheric piece that bridges the ethereal and the elemental.

The single offers a sweeping blend of cinematic soundscapes, operatic vocals, and melodic metal arrangements. The listener will find new nuances on every new playback. The band’s rich musical backgrounds come together to form a cohesive and expressive performance: Karoliina McLoud, a classically trained opera singer, leads the track with haunting clarity and emotional range. The Guitarist Teemu Harjunen delivers both power and finesse through intricate riffwork and layered harmonies. Bassist and Keyboardist Sami Halinen expands the sonic palette with deep bass line and ambient keyboard textures, while drummer Petteri Rosenbom, known from his years in Finnish power metal circles, anchors the journey with precision and depth.

Listen to the single on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Amazon Music etc.): https://push.fm/fl/vov-botat

Lyrically, Ballade of the Arctic Traveller is an introspective odyssey through a frozen dreamscape — where time fractures, stars decay, and a soul treads paths carved in ancient ice. The track’s emotional arc mirrors the voyage of a solitary figure navigating through isolation, eternity, and fate. With lines such as “A shadowed march through endless plains / Where space and time shall guide the way,” the song unfolds like a mythic saga about identity, cosmic mystery, and transcendence.

Commenting on the release, guitarist Teemu Harjunen says:
“This song is a major step forward for us—not just musically but conceptually. It brings together each member’s strengths in a way that feels true to the band’s identity. It’s icy, vast, but deeply human underneath.”

Viimeinen Oodi Vapaudelle (VOV – Final Ode to Freedom) is a symphonic metal band from Nakkila, Finland, known for blending classical elements with the intensity of modern metal. Their music echoes themes of mythology, emotional depth, and existential landscapes.

Line-up on the single:
Vocals: Karoliina McLoud
Guitar: Teemu Harjunen
Bass & Keyboards: Sami Halinen
Drums: Petteri Rosenbom

Production:
Mixing: Sami Niittykoski (SN-Audio Production)
Mastering: Alho Audio Mastering

Music Video:
Filming and editing: Ilari Kangasniemi
Drone shots: Mikko Pärkö

https://www.facebook.com/viimeinenoodivapaudelle
https://www.instagram.com/vovmusic/

STYGIAN FAIR Unveils New Single “All of Us” – The Next Glimpse Into Upcoming Album “The Hidden Realm” Out July 2025

Following the raw intensity of their previous single “Abide Your Master”, Swedish heavy epic metallers Stygian Fair unveil a new and more introspective side of their upcoming album “The Hidden Realm” with the release of “All Of Us” — available now on all digital platforms alongside an official music video on the Rockshots Records YouTube channel.

Described by the band as “the closest we’ll come to a ballad on this record”, “All Of Us” explores themes of loneliness and conscience, trading thunder for nuance while keeping the emotional impact intact. With its haunting melodies and melancholic undertones, the track stands as a powerful reflection on the fragile spaces between isolation and inner strength.

The upcoming full-length “The Hidden Realm” marks a new chapter for Stygian Fair — sharper, more melodic, and more direct than ever before, yet uncompromising in its authenticity. Lyrically, the album dives deep into modern chaos and ancient myth alike, tackling everything from AI, political cults, and consumerism to existential reckoning and forgotten histories. It’s a record about the truths we bury, the world we ignore, and the cost of staying silent.

Known for their refusal to chase trends or rely on backing tracks, Stygian Fair keep things real, both in the studio and on stage. Their live performances are raw, honest, and deeply human. No masks. No click tracks. Just honest, melodic, heavy music delivered with purpose.

Featuring members with deep roots in the Scandinavian metal scene — including Andreas Stoltz (Hollow, Binary Creed), Emil Holmqvist and P-O Jonsson (Crave), and Anders Hedman (Witch) — Stygian Fair blends epic heavy metal with progressive influences and strong, emotionally driven songwriting. Their sound has been described as “uncompromising, melodic and timeless”, drawing comparisons to bands like Tad Morose and Memento Mori.

With “All Of Us,” Stygian Fair shows that heaviness doesn’t always come from volume—sometimes, it comes from honesty.

Digital – http://lnk.to/pLFwWLD2​

Music Video – https://youtu.be/pOAK2Bf52rE​

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“The Hidden Realm” will be released on July 11th, 2025, via Rockshots Records.
​
​ALBUM PRE-ORDER: https://rockshots.eu/PVKFrT2QFCWg6AF​

Previous Single – “Abide Your Master”

Digital – https://lnk.to/AC8CVo​

Music Video – https://youtu.be/SUY3nlK2_os​
​
​Track Listing:
​1. The Hidden Realm
2. Abide Your Master
3. Into The Well
4. Peel The Layers Off
5. What You’re Fighting For
6. All Of Us
7. Dawn
8. Meteor
9. Anthem Of The Lost
10. Rise From The Shadows
11. Ferwor Of Fools

All songs written by Andreas Stoltz, Emil Holmqvist, Per-Olov Jonsson and Anders Hedman.
Produced by Stygian Fair, recorded at Ballerina Studios in Umeå.
Mixed by Marcus Jidell and mastered by CJ Grimmark.

STYGIAN FAIR Line Up:​
​
​Andreas Stoltz: Vocals, Guitar
​Emil Holmqvist: Guitar
​Anders Hedman: Bass
​P-O Jonsson: Drums

​Roc​kshots.eu​
​
​FOLLOW:​
​Stygian Fair on Instagram​
​Stygian Fair on Facebook​
​Stygian Fair on Spotify​

ABOUT:​
Stygian Fair is a band from a small town called Umeå in the north of Sweden. The band has existed for about nine years now, and it all started when both P-O Jonsson and Emil Holmqvist decided to leave a band called ” Crave” to lay the foundations for Stygian Fair. Erik Andersson joined on bass, and Andreas Stoltz on lead vocals and guitar. This first incarnation of the band never made a big mark, recording or gig-wise… due to life’s crooked path.

In the autumn of 2016, Erik left the band, and a few weeks later, so did Andreas as well. Soon thereafter, the band gathered new momentum by welcoming Anders Hedman as the new powerhouse bass player. After a couple of auditions, Pontus Åkerlund became the new singer, and with this setting, the band recorded and launched an EP named “Into the Coven”. The band began playing live frequently at different local venues. At the end of August 2018, the band entered the studio again, and in October of the same year, came the debut “Panta Rei”. In January 202,0 came the sophomore album “Nadir” and in April 2021, “Equilibrium”.

In September 2021, Pontus Åkerlund decided to leave the band. A few weeks’ search for a new vocalist led to the return of Andreas Stoltz as lead vocalist and guitar player, after his years in Binary Creed and Hollow. In late 2022, Stygian Fair entered the studio once again to record ten new powerful songs with Stygian Fair’s trademark strong melodies. It is titled Aradia after the witch daughter of Diana, the goddess of the hunt and the moon.​
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Now it’s time for a new chapter with a new album due in 2025 with Rockshots Records.

Alestorm released the final single “The Storm” from their album “The Thunderfist Chronicles” to be released on Friday

Scottish pirate metal band Alestorm have released the third single from their upcoming album The Thunderfist Chronicles. The album will be released this Friday via Napalm Records. The single, which was released yesterday with a music video, unleashes a tidal wave of crushing riffs and epic melodies in Alestorm’s signature boisterous style. The song features big choruses, rum-scented melodies and the band’s signature wild energy.

“Our new song ‘The Storm’ is about the furious, bubbling power of molten asphalt. It’s hot, sticky and unstoppable – just like our music. One night we were drinking a bottle of Creme de Menthe and arguing about the road surface when it dawned on us: nothing screams pirate metal quite like molten asphalt and industrial paving. Hail Ve-Eplu,” Christopher Bowes paints.

The Thunderfist Chronicles tracklist:
1. Hyperion Omniriff
2. Killed to Death by Piracy
3. Banana
4. Frozen Piss 2
5. The Storm
6. Mountains of the Deep
7. Goblins Ahoy!
8. Mega-Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist

With international tours and last year’s Voyage of the Dead Marauder EP, Alestorm continues to spread the riotous chaos. Alestorm’s live performances have become legendary – the band turns every stage into a full-blown pirate party, and the no-holds-barred stage show includes rubber ducks and crowdsurfing on boats.

Alestorm is:
Christopher Bowes – Vocals, Keytar
Gareth Murdock – Bass
Máté Bodor – Guitar
Peter Alcorn – Drums
Elliot Vernon – Keyboards

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