I have known many a Joe Sixpack in my day. Hell, at times I’ve been one — especially on a Friday afternoon. And since that’s where we currrently find ourselves, let’s crack open a half-dozen intoxicating singles and videos from some hard-hitting 100-proof customers. Bottoms up:
Beriedir | Neon
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Beriedir proudly unleashes Neon, the second and newest single from their forthcoming third album Liminal Spaces, due in January. Following the reception to the album’s first single Halo a few weeks ago, this song showcases the band’s evolution even further. Neon dives deeper into the new album’s liminal aesthetic, leading the listener through empty halls and corridors to get lost in, accompanied by the ominous yet somewhat comforting hums of buzzing neon lights. Both lyrically and musically, Neon is a compelling work of modern progressive metal. If Halo introduced some of the themes explored in Liminal Spaces — melancholia, longing, and the search for understanding — Neon brings them to full expression, setting the tone for the whole record. “Neon is a representation of what we experience when our perception falters, and we’re guided through existence just by our dreams and fears,” they say. “This track brings to the table an even stronger taste of what our new album is going to be.”
Anima Inside | Alien
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Anima Inside, one of Ecuador’s most dynamic and boundary-pushing rock bands, return with their latest single Alien. It offers a mesmerizing preview of the band’s forthcoming album, due in 2025. True to their spirit of innovation, the band describe Alien as one of their most unique creations. It captures the essence of their evolution — an ever-expanding fusion of styles that remains unmistakably their own. The song features an intricate guitar solo, vibrant rhythmic layers, and an emotive message that resonates deeply with today’s listeners. “It’s probably the strangest song we’ve ever created, but it has something that makes you want to hear it over and over,” they say. “The fusion, the solo, the message — it’s very Anima Inside and incredibly current.” Since their beginnings in 2006, Anima Inside has been known for its ability to blend progressive rock roots with modern, mainstream accessibility.”
Triskelyon | Endgame Euphoria
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Canadian thrashers Triskelyon have a new video for Endgame Euphoria, from their recently released third album. “Endgame Euphoria is the final music video from Shattered Elysium,” they say. “The track critiques both the media’s fixation on bad news and the audience’s morbid fascination with watching disasters unfold, often with a mix of glee and dread. Whether the tragedies are natural or man-made, they dominate the headlines and can distort perceptions. Lyrics from the song encapsulates this sentiment: ‘Braindead salivating / Fixate on tragedy / Cheerlead downfall / Revel in the anarchy.’ While staying informed is important, so too is knowing when to step away and enjoy life.”
Tigguo Cobauc | Craving For Slay
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Forged by ancient magic deep in the sandstone depths of Nottingham, Tigguo Cobauc’s spellbinding guitar riffs over primal rhythm are the sound of your darkest desires. After releasing their latest album Fountains of Anguish in April in Europe, the blackened doom duo of Luc Martello and Reno Ramos will re-release it in North and South America digitally and CD on Dec. 20. “Fountains of Anguish stands as a vivid snapshot of our artistic essence in 2023, encapsulating the intricate layers of our sound and vision,” they say. “It reflects the alchemical fusion of our influences, embodying the raw emotion, complexity, and depth that characterize our current trajectory. This work crystallizes our evolution, a testament to our sonic exploration and collective spirit, serving as both a beacon and a mirror of our artistic journey.”
Dream Heavy | Survival (ft. Ms.Panik)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Weaving together ethereal vocals, rich harmonies, and intricate guitar along with violin melodies, Dunster, B.C.’s Dream Heavy are a melodic and enchanting world folk-metal group. With an EP due next year, they present their thought-provoking single Survival. Originally titled Extinction, it was originally written in 2019 and early 2020 as a central theme for The Last Good Valley, a somewhat macabre and darkly humorous fantasy play about an apocalyptic future. Bandmembers were also personally involved in assisting and supporting the fight against a fracked gas pipeline in the province. “Survival is both a stark reminder of the dire consequences of unmitigated climate change and a reminder of the still unresolved horrors of colonization,” they say. “But it also offers a glimmer of hope to the listeners of an end to the colonial apocalypse and a focus on healing. This is a song that will have audiences dancing for change!”
Victoria K | Lacuna XXIV
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Victoria K‘s has reworked her debut single Lacuna into the new Lacuna XXIV. “To everyone who has been with us from the beginning, Lacuna was such an important song in our journey and the beginning of Victoria K,” she says. “Thank you to everyone who has loved the original Lacuna so far… get excited for the polished version. I’m happy to share it with you all in a new light. It is truly a blessing!” This re-recorded track from Victoria K’s debut album Essentia is part of the journey of reflection and evolution, looking forward to a third album in 2025. Known for pushing the boundaries of their sound, Victoria K’s last album Kore embraced a conceptual approach inspired by Greek mythology. But with the releases of Humanity XXIV and Lacuna XXIV, Victoria K pays tribute to their origins, infusing these tracks with matured skill and spirit.”
