Is there any day that grinds harder than Wednesday? I think not. Of course, that makes Hump Day the perfect time to cut loose with the help of these brutal blasts. Feel free to rage against whatever machine you prefer, whether you’re in the cubicle, on the road or safe in the confines of your own lair. Let ’er rip:
Mad Parish | Loched
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Montreal heavy metal outfit Mad Parish unveil Loched, the first taste of their highly anticipated progressive NWOTHM concept album The Dust Of Forever, due in January. “The lead line in this song has many twists and turns, and the chord sequence is very dark, accentuating the tension and foreboding of Joe being hunted by the Executioner,” they say. “The verses are noticeably bare, bringing focus to the vocal melody which was run through a Leslie speaker and gives a spooky inner voice feel. The chorus melody has the trademark Mad Parish singalong aspect, with an interesting use of two minor chords next to each other, which is unconventional generally. The song is capped off with chanting gang vocals at the end of every chorus, a call and answer from the throngs of the faithful.” Known for their unique fusion of New Wave of British Heavy Metal styles with progressive rock and catchy singalong melodies, Mad Parish have been a formidable force in Montreal’s heavy music scene for over a decade. Loched showcases the band’s evolution, offering listeners a glimpse into the expansive sonic landscape of their upcoming album.’
Lunar | Watch The Weather Change
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Progressive collective Lunar were founded by Alex Bosson and Ryan Erwin (who passed in 2018). In his memory, the band will soon present their fourth full-length Tempora Mutantur. Watch The Weather Change, the closing track of the album, speaks of dealing with denial and mental vacancy. “While this is technically the last of a three-part song on the album, I felt this song encapsulates the feeling of the album best,” Bosson says. “It has some wonderful shreddy sections on each instrument, a simpler structure with a mix of heavy elements of growl vocals, and a good catchy chorus. This was the first time we’ve ever been able to shoot an actual band footage music video overlooking a beautiful Los Angeles skyline.”
Jupiter Hollow | Incivility
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Pushing from one horizon onto the next, Toronto’s Jupiter Hollow have come a long way since debuting as a duo in 2015. Led by the fearless Grant MacKenzie and Kenny Parry, they have transformed into a live quartet with the addition of John Ryan Godfrey (bass) and Nathaniel Reynolds-Welsh (drums). Advancing their unique brand of progressive rock/metal, they present Incivility. It serves as a bold statement, reflecting the band’s evolution both sonically and thematically. “At its core, Incivility reflects humanity’s inner struggles, the relentless pursuit of purpose, and the emotional void created by modern distractions,” they say. “The song wrestles with the tension between ambition and the emptiness of unmet expectations, asking hard questions: At what cost do we chase our dreams? and How do we reconcile purpose with the pressures we hide? The recurring imagery of the ‘yawning cage of wasted love’ evokes a profound sense of entrapment, urging listeners to confront the emotional weight of past mistakes while seeking true fulfillment.”
Vallorch | Circle Of The Moon
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Vallorch are back with their latest single and video Circle Of The Moon, a liberating anthem that invites listeners to reconnect with nature and embrace the joy of living. Inspired by Cimbrian myths, the song captures the essence of the ancient dances to the moon god Maano, celebrating freedom and authenticity. The track offers a glimpse into Vallorch’s upcoming album The Circle, due in March. It explores the theme of the night in all its facets — from reflection and tranquility to celebration and connection. The album combines Vallorch’s signature folk metal sound with symphonic and power metal influences, blending vibrant melodies, heavy riffs, and a touch of melancholy. With The Circle, Vallorch distill the essence of their sound, crafting an album that is both polished and emotionally resonant.”
Shores Of Null | My Darkest Years (Live At Hellfest)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Italian melodic death-doom force Shores Of Null are sharing another clip from their performance at this year’s Hellfest Open Air festival in France: My Darkest Years, off their latest and fourth record, The Loss of Beauty. Vocalist Davide Straccione adds: “Hellfest was the culmination of an intense promotional cycle during which we had the privilege of taking The Loss Of Beauty far and wide. 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.”
Intestinal Laceration | Abyss Of Atrocities
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Peru’s brutal death metal contingent Intestinal Laceration have a new guitar-and-bass playthrough to unleash upon fans. The video is for their track Abyss Of Atrocities, off their latest album Chaotic Eschatological Madness, released in 2022. They say: “This song is about a fight for the end of the world that ends with one’s autophagy reflecting itself in the narrative as a mirror, but it is oneself.” Formed in 2009, Intestinal Laceration are made for twisted minds obsessed by the extreme, ancestral eschatology, existential cosmology, anti-Christianity, cannibalism, genetic mutation, and pathological malformations.”
Utility Provider | Scabs
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Vancouver’s Utility Provider just released their third LP Challenger. Their latest single Scabs was written about overcoming addiction and trauma, surviving and shedding mental wounds. Vocalist Tyler Mayfield explains: “My personal favourite of the album, Scabs has perhaps the best-sounding vocals — clean and raspy — and uniquely features an unexpected drums-only intro. It is also the longest song on the album at 5 minutes and 55 seconds. The first half of the song is more rock sounding and you can hear this primarily in the guitars and vocals, although that signature UP metal/rock guitar tone is still present. Things heat up in the second half with a distinctly ‘metal’ riff, very powerful drums, and intense vocals. The ending is my favourite part; a single guitar riff with repeating harmonic notes and quiet drums which allow a beautiful falsetto harmony between Chris and myself to shine through. Listen closely and you’ll also hear a subtle but intricate bass riff in the background separate from the guitar. If you close your eyes you can hear the ghost of old-school Alice in Chains.”
Kingcrown | Utopia Metropolis
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The wait is over! French power-metal masters Kingcrown have unleashed their third studio album Nova Atlantis. To celebrate, the band share their latest video Utopia Metropolis. This track dives into a dystopian world where life, joy, and happiness are commodities for the rich, painting a chilling picture of division and greed. Produced by Simone Mularoni, Nova Atlantis draws from mythological and historical inspirations, focusing on the lost city of Atlantis to transport listeners to a realm of epic legends and timeless mysteries. Influenced by giants like Iron Maiden, Gamma Ray, Symphony X and Helloween, Kingcrown blend power metal with hints of death and melodic black metal, creating a rich, resonant experience.”
