There are currently somewhere in the neighbourhood of 100 metal subgenres, according to online sources. According to me, there is only one: Either something is metal or it ain’t. These videos and singles are. So get your nose outta that book and start bangin’ that head, dweeb:
Embryo | The Rise To Self-Demise
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “One year after their last release, Embryo are back with a renewed lineup and a new single called The Rise To Self-Demise that marks a new chapter in their career. The band say: ”Musically and lyrically, the song is the conclusion of the concept included in A Vivid Shade On Misery, showing the last days of Caravaggio’s life and some reflections about them and about the choices he made until then. We can’t wait to play it live and see how the metalheads will react. Horns and volume up and enjoy!” This new single represents an evolution in the band’s sound, staying true to their unique death metal sound and approach but with a fresh energy brought by the new lineup.”
Sandveiss | Standing In The Fire
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Quebec City’s heavy rock powerhouse Sandveiss release their electrifying new single, the title track from their upcoming album Standing In The Fire. The single showcases the band’s signature blend of heavy riffs and melodic vocals, pushing their sound into new territories while staying true to their rock roots. Vocalist/guitarist Luc Bourgeois explains: “The main idea for the song Standing In The Fire was written during the early days of the lockdown in March 2020, actually after watching the Rocky movies with my son. The soundtracks of those movies inspired me to write a straightforward rock song as a tribute to the bands that made me want to play guitar when I was a kid in the ’80s.” He goes on to say that lyrically, the song addresses science denialism and the damage caused by disinformation. Belief and knowledge are two very different things, and unfortunately, there seems to be a blurring of the lines between the two for many people. Sandveiss always try to push things a little further on every record that they do. On this one, they expanded their boundaries on all sides: the heavy is heavier, the prog is proggier, and the catchy is catchier.”
The Veer Union | Is This How It Ends?
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Veer Union have released the new track Is This How It Ends? The song is the followup to their recent hit Empirical and is the second single from their upcoming themed album Welcome To Dystopia, which is due Dec. 27. Is This How It Ends? is a clarion call of warning about the incipient use of robotics by governments and law enforcement — under the guise of keeping us “safe.” It asks a question: What is their agenda? Is it really about keeping us protected? Or is it about increasing control over the populous? The Veer Union say: “For the past 40 years, technological advancements in robotics have integrated into our daily lives. As governments worldwide hasten to incorporate robotics into military and law enforcement uses, it is crucial for humanity to remain vigilant and informed about the capabilities, potential consequences and the agendas of those in charge of these technologies. These kinds of technologies are creeping into our lives at an ever-increasing pace — and the situation is both awe-inspiring and alarming.”
Triskelyon | Hellbound Hellions
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Canadian thrash-metal gods Triskelyon deliver stainless steel fury on their new third album Shattered Elysium, out now. To celebrate the release, they also share the video for Hellbound Hellions. Band founder Geoff Waye adds: “I want to extend a massive thank you to everyone who has supported the third Triskelyon album, Shattered Elysium — especially our incredible guests who added their unique energy to the album. Your contributions helped elevate this project to another level. A big shoutout as well to Michael Small for his incredible work mixing and mastering the music, bringing our vision to life with raw power … Hellbound Hellions (is) a crushing track about ghostly legions rising from the dead for revenge. Check it out and prepare for the onslaught!”
Lay Of The Autumn | After All This Time? Always
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Lay Of The Autumn have released their third single After All This Time? Always from their upcoming album Of Love And Sorrow, due Oct. 25. Lay Of The Autumn are a new symphonic power petal band led by Davide Scuteri (Ravenword, Choirs Of Veritas) featuring Iryna Boyarkina (Eria, Mysterya), Michele Olmi (Chronosfear, Embrace Of Souls), Cesare Ferrari and Davide Lovecchio. Their debut album, featuring 10 emotionally charged tracks, merges the intensity of power metal with the grandeur of symphonic metal, creating a deeply evocative listening experience. Each track has been meticulously crafted to deliver an epic and melodic experience reminiscent of the golden era of bands like Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius and Nightwish. The album offers a rich and diverse sonic landscape, highlighted by fast keyboard and guitar solos, catchy choruses, and stunning melodies.”
Tzimani | Haunting
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Six years after their self-titled debut EP in 2018, San Diego’s Eddie and Seb Vazquez — the sibling duo behind Tzimani — will release their first album I Feel Fine on Nov. 15. Picking up where their 2018 EP dropped off, I Feel Fine features the same elements of catchy hooks, clean rhythms, and dynamic vocal lines. But there are also new elements: Synthesizer on some tracks, elements AOR rock, and expressions of today’s modern music. Drummer Sebastien Vazquez comments: “You know those albums that you listen to over and over again and you just know when the first song hits your sense of familiarity, nostalgia, warmth, and comfort? That is what we are trying to encapsulate. The album is straightforward heavy metal mixed with modern elements with a dash of AOR and we feel it is the best representation to show everyone what we are capable of. We are also trying to represent the future of the band and give everyone an entry into some of the larger questions that we struggle with and how we choose to represent that with our songwriting. We are not the type of band that is capable of singing about stories, dragons, and swords, but we excel at writing tunes that people can genuinely relate to and connect with.”
Pythonic | EP1
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The wait is finally over for those who have been following one of Canada’s newest thrash bands, Pythonic, as they release their debut EP 1. Featuring five explosive tracks, it captures the essence of Pythonic’s evolution. From the politically charged opener Positive Deconstruction to the epic closing track Epica, the EP offers a powerful listening experience. They comment on the release: “We have been working diligently over the years to perfect our craft to bring it to the masses. What our craft can be described as we have always left that open to interpretation. All of these tracks have been circulated through our live shows enough, it almost feels like releasing a greatest hits album.” Longtime fans will recognize these tracks from the band’s live performances, now polished and perfected for a studio release. The EP showcases the core lineup of Dustin Reiner (vocals), Ryan Hunter (lead guitar), Vincent Kohut (rhythm guitar) and recent additions Jayden and Morgan Warriner on drums and bass.”
