They say every ending is a new beginning. So today, I’m starting at the end. Which means I should end up at the beginning. Or something. However it ends up (or begins), I have no doubt it will be worth the trip, thanks to this lineup of stone-cold killers. Let’s get it started (and/or over with):
Quiescent Mantis | This Is The End (Live)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Tennessee thrashers Quiescent Mantis unleash a live video that captures their primal live fury. It comes from the band’s hometown album-release show on July 19 in Knoxville. Watch all the way to the end to view their destructive madness. Quiescent Mantis’ debut album Here Comes The Swarm was produced by Yanic Bercier (Quo Vadis, Gone In April) at WaveTransform Recording Studio and unleashed this past July. The genre-defying release blends elements of hardcore, thrash, death, and metalcore into a whirlwind of relentless aggression. Formed during the tumultuous times of Covid, Quiescent Mantis emerged from the fusion of former scientists Chris Trainor, Jordan McKenzie and Johnny Mejia. Previously employed by the enigmatic Sub-atomic Weight Of Acceleration Research Mechanics (S.W.A.R.M.), the trio embarked on a musical journey after inadvertently opening a doorway to the Mantis homeworld during a particle collision experiment, exposing themselves to a mind-altering pheromone.”
Mindreaper | The God I Am
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Fans of hard-hitting melodic death metal are in for a treat as Germany’s Mindreaper premiere their video The God I Am. This visual spectacle serves as a powerful prelude to their album Withering Shine (…Into Oblivion), due out Dec. 2. The LP stands as Mindreaper‘s magnum opus, seamlessly blending traditional elements with modern symphonic touches to create a unique sonic landscape. Mindreaper take listeners on a journey through the echoes of past existences, confronting themes of transience and irrelevance. The album doesn’t shy away from societal critique, tearing open old wounds and processing the lowest socio-cultural structures while keeping an eye on potential apocalyptic dystopias. Listeners can expect brutally snotty guitars, lung-piercing bass and stomach-smashing percussion, all embraced by epic orchestral arrangements that avoid falling into kitsch. The varied vocals of two powerful singers add another layer of depth to the already rich soundscape. As the band put it: “It is not the raised index finger, but the middle finger that wields the pen and the sword!”
Mutant Blast | Alone In The Wasteland
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Alone In The Wasteland is the latest lyric video from Finnish thrashers Mutant Blast and their album Soulsteeler. This hard-hitting groover song combines thrashing riffs, tight rhythms and powerful vocals, delivering a high-energy experience. “This song is set in a post-apocalyptic world and is about surviving in such a harsh environment,” say the band. Soulsteeler features a mix of slightly older, re-arranged tracks alongside new compositions, meticulously crafted over 18 months with utmost dedication. The band’s sound is characterized as metal thrashing death’n’roll. “We put a lot of effort into making the album as good as possible. We hope that as many fans of heavier music as possible will find the band and get to hear the end result!” says guitarist Toni Huhtiniemi.”
Triskelyon | Sealed Hypocrisy
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Canadian thrashers Triskelyon unleashed their latest album Shattered Elysium in September. For this lethal third strike, bandleader Geoff Waye once again drafted some of the finest emissaries of the Canadian metal scene. Today, Triskelyon present their latest video Sealed Hypocrisy, which features vocals from Amanda Kiernan (Into Eternity, The Order of Chaos). Waye adds: “Without being overly specific, this song condemns hypocritical individuals or groups who present themselves as virtuous and morally superior, yet whose actions and true nature are deeply flawed and insincere. It expresses revulsion and anger towards these impostors, using vivid imagery to expose and punish their deceit. The song highlights the emptiness of their grand gestures, moral posturing, and empty virtue signaling, ultimately calling for the downfall of their hypocrisy. The video represents just a fraction of the types of groups and individuals that fit this description.”
Chrysalïd | Breaking The Chains
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Breaking The Chains is the new album from Northern England powerhouse Chrysalïd. For the album’s release day, the band unleashed a lyric video for the title track that features guest appearances by Zak Stevens (TSO, Savatage), Fabricio Rocha (Hell Bound) and Kayo John (Dark Avenger). This anthem is all about fighting for your dreams and standing tall through adversity. With epic vocals, crushing riffs, and a message of resilience, it’s a must-listen for metalheads everywhere. Founded in 1999 by the talented Emmanuel Thorsen, Chrysalïd’s music is a passionate blend inspired by NWOHBM, power metal, and thrash metal. The new album features special guests like Tim “Ripper” Owens, Fabio Lione and Henning Basse. This album is a powerful message to the world about never giving up, always fighting for your dreams, and standing tall no matter how many times you fall.”
The Wring | Blur
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Canadian proggers The Wring released their fourth studio album Nemesis in September. This album marks a significant step in the band’s journey, showcasing a more cohesive and refined sound that blends their heavy rock roots with progressive and jazz influences. With eight tracks spanning just over 40 minutes, Nemesis adds a new, technical twist to progressive metal. Says guitarist Don DeWulf: “Frank Zappa once said: ‘Lyrics (in his songs) wouldn’t exist at all if it weren’t for the fact that we live in a society where instrumental music is irrelevant.’ As someone who appreciates all forms of very progressive music, but also values Frank’s sentiments, if I am going to create an instrumental, it had better be short and interesting. For me, (Rush‘s) YYZ is the gold standard, with La Villa (Strangiato) being a stretched-out older cousin. I like to think Blur checks a few of those boxes and that people will enjoy what it has to say.”
Insurrection | Obsession
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Insurrection, a powerhouse metal band from Gatineau, are excited to release their guitar play-through video for Obsession, offering fans a closer look at the intricate musicianship that defines their sound. This track is part of their recently released album Obsolescence. They explain the single: “This one may be our favourite to jam. It’s two-ish minutes of grind, or at least the type of grind we can still play 20 years into doing this. The lyrics are about being obsessed with perfection. It is basically the song that we cannot help but write. We’re usually a groovy death metal band, but we all love the chaos of grind. At the end of the day, we’ve always done whatever we want and feel like doing, and this song is 100% a reflection of that.”
Jon Harris | Togetherness
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Emerging instrumental rock sensation Jon Harris aims to captivate listeners with Togetherness, the second single from his forthcoming debut album Parallel Heart. Known for his powerful, passionate guitar work, Harris delivers a track that fuses technical precision with a raw, expressive energy, marking him as a force to be reckoned with in the instrumental rock scene. With Togetherness, Harris creates a rich musical experience where catchy melodies meet powerful rock energy. His guitar playing is captivating, as his skillful fingers move smoothly across the strings, delivering tunes that resonate and linger long after the track ends.”
Trollwar | Bane of The Underworld
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Quebec’s symphonic melo-death metal powerhouse Trollwar just released Bane Of The Underworld, the first single from their upcoming EP Tales From The Frozen Wastes. The EP is the sixth studio record from the band, and the first in six years. It boasts increased technicality and a new direction with the sound. The band shares their thoughts: “This is a song that we worked on pretty recently. We previously had a skeleton for this song, but it went into a major facelift. We introduced progressive metal breakdowns with guitar-tapping melodies, and even a catchy piano melody to create a very enjoyable, yet technical layer on the song’s melodic breakdown. All of that mixed with a solid chorus.” As if it was not enough, some brutal old-school death metal-sounding riffs were introduced, and mixed with some heavy symphonic elements, creating an intricate-sounding end to the song.”
Lay Of The Autumn | Lost In Your Eyes
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Lay Of The Autumn deliver the single Lost In Your Eyes, from their album Of Love And Sorrow, due Oct. 25. This powerful and energetic track blends orchestral and electronic elements, capturing the moment when you look into someone’s eyes and get lost in a universe of stars. Lay Of The Autumn are a new symphonic power metal band led by Davide Scuteri (Ravenword, Choirs Of Veritas) and 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 an evocative listening experience.”
