Summer is great and all, but let’s face it: Winter is prime time for The Grindhouse. After all, nothing says metal like eternal darkness, bone-snapping cold, seasonal depression and extreme isolation. Make the most of them all with today’s crop of insanity-inducing mayhem. Don’t say I didn’t warn you:
Chüzo | Brand New Cell
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “After dropping their aggro-metal EP M.T.M.D. (Maximum Threshold, Minimum Decay) in October, Montreal’s Chüzo continue their vengeance with their video Brand New Cell. The song is about dedicating your life to achieving retributive justice upon your enemies, yet sacrificing your life, your loved ones, and your sanity to get revenge. Produced with Kevin Jardine (Slaves On Dope), M.T.M.D. offers a true representation of what Chüzo’s sound is meant to be. “This new EP was to showcase our new lineup with our newest songs that are truly representative of our musical style, a style that we proudly call aggro-metal — very aggressive metal songs that have relatable themes that anyone can listen to and understand,” says guitarist Cristian S. “This EP is our audio shotgun blast to the world to pay attention to and to mosh intensively during our live sets.”
Shores Of Null | A New Death Is Born
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “While touring Europe in summer in support of their fourth record The Loss of Beauty, Italian melodic death-doom force Shores of Null performed at this year’s Hellfest Open Air in France. A powerful performance that encapsulated their signature blend of heavy, melodic gothic doom, their set showcased tracks from their rich discography, including highlights from their latest album. “Hellfest was the culmination of an intense promotional cycle during which we had the privilege of taking The Loss Of Beauty far and wide,” says vocalist Davide Straccione. “Stepping onto that stage was an incredibly powerful experience, rewarding us for years of relentless hard work, dedication, and a deep love for what we do. We felt the energy of the crowd resonating with us, and in that moment, it truly felt like we were exactly where we were meant to be. On a personal level, it was a dream come true, and I believe I can speak for the entire band when I say it was the highlight of our career so far.”
Mutank | Bad Magnitude
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Set to rattle mosh pits around the globe with their album Think Before You Think at the end of this November, Canadian demolition crew Mutank screen their video for Bad Magnitude. “This is an easy one: There are no lyrics,” they say. “An ode to thrash, this track is meant for fans to stretch their neck and bang away to the best instrumental you’ve ever heard!” Think Before You Think features 10 volcanic thrash tracks that blaze a new path of pure audio assault. “This is thrash for metalheads by metalheads,” they say. “We evolved from crossover to a more refined thrash band with longer and more intricate songs… The level of seriousness in songwriting is evident in the new album. We want this album to energize people and make them feel the way we do when we listen to some of our favourite artists. This album is the most material we have ever put out! 50 minutes of pure metal across 10 tracks. The songs picked themselves as we kept writing tracks we enjoyed playing.”
Risen Crow | Risen Crow
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Risen Crow unveil their debut single and video for their eponymous track Risen Crow, the opening cut from their album Requiem For A Damned Love, due in February. The evocative video captures the dark, melodic essence of the band’s unique sound. Formed in 2020 in Rome, Risen Crow stand out in the Italian metal scene with their distinct fusion of power metal and gothic elements. Drawing inspiration from iconic bands such as Nightwish, Epica, Within Temptation, Kamelot and Lacuna Coil, Risen Crow’s music blends powerful riffs, haunting melodies, and atmospheric soundscapes, creating an emotional journey for listeners. The single embodies the band’s artistic vision, showcasing their signature mix of powerful metal energy and dark, gothic atmospheres. The upcoming album delves into themes of obsession, damned love, and sacrifice, taking listeners through an intense narrative filled with emotion and depth. This track sets the tone for the album, offering a glimpse into the band’s compelling storytelling and dynamic musical approach.”
Rod Rodrigues | Inukshuk (ft. Angel Vivaldi)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “A Brazilian-Canadian guitarist, music teacher and songwriter with an impressive career, Rod Rodrigues presented his first full-length in October. Entitled Tales Of A Changing Life Part 2, it is a conceptual album; the second part of a story inspired by his move to a new country to start a new life — and the followup to his 2022 EP Tales Of A Changing Life Part 1. Today, Rodrigues unveils his video for Inukshuk, which features guest musicians John Macaluso on drums and Angel Vivaldi, who plays the second guitar solo. “This was the first song I wrote for the album, and it’s the heaviest track,” Rodrigues says. “I play it on a seven-string guitar, giving it a modern prog feel with some fusion elements.”
Utility Provider | Challenger
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Vancouver’s Utility Provider will release their third full-length Challenger at the end of November. With a fresh new lineup, the band are excited to unveil this latest offering to newcomers and their current followers. “I truly believe this album is going to blow our fans away,” says vocalist Tyler Mayfield. “The writing is much stronger than in the previous releases and the production as a whole is miles ahead of them. What I love about this album is how each song has its own identity; its own sound, and its own story. There are definitely some surprises in store for our fans.”
