Yet another reason to love metal bands: They don’t inundate you with crappy Christmas songs. If you’re already sick of all the fa-la-la-la-las and ho-ho-hos, take a break from the seasonal dreck and rock out with these decidedly unfestive offerings. Over the fields we go, thrashing all the way:
Dehumanizing Itatrain Worship | Brutal Panzer
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Dehumanizing Itatrain Worship, the pioneering force in the anime slam and brutal death metal scene, are once again primed to demolish musical boundaries with their new single Brutal Panzer. This track is a taste of what’s in store from the band’s second full-length, which is due in 2025. The band comment: “This song was inspired by the anime Girls Und Panzer. We love the military otaku culture in the anime, so we created a song with cute melodies, but still brutal, just like the characters in the anime who are kawaii girls but drive tanks into battle. This is the second single we released for our new album. It returns to some of our 2016 styles, but also includes many new ideas.”
Tumbleweed Dealer | Dark Green
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Montreal’s Tumbleweed Dealer will release their fourth studio album Dark Green on Feb. 7. The record marks a bold new chapter in the band’s musical journey. It begins with the album’s title track and first single. This epic five-minute composition serves as the perfect introduction to the album’s expansive sound and themes. Listeners will be transported to a world where blues, psychedelia, and progressive rock intertwine, creating a lush auditory landscape that demands repeated listens. The band explain: “While very much removed from a metal song, the album’s title track evokes the band’s extreme music past with splashes of black metal melodies, a short instance of the double bass drum, all of which culminates in a Zach Strouse (Rivers Of Nihil, Burial In The Sky) guest saxophone solo and basks in Antoine Baril’s (Augury, Obliveon) vintage keys.”
Rod Rodrigues | On The Road (ft. Rodrigo Sperandio)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Brazilian-Canadian guitarist, music teacher, and songwriter Rod Rodrigues continues to captivate prog rock lovers with the video for On The Road, a dynamic single from his latest album that showcases his evolving musical journey. The album Tales Of A Changing Life Part 2 was released in October, and prog fans can look forward to more videos after this one. Rodrigues adds: “I wrote this song as a tribute to my dad. It blends influences from Rush, Van Halen and a touch of Brazilian country music. My goal was to create an uplifting, feel-good track perfect for listening to while cruising down the highway.”
Chüzo | Brand New Cell
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “After introducing their self-described aggro-metal sound on their recent EP M.T.M.D (Maximum Threshold, Minimum Decay), Montreal’s Chüzo return with a drum playthrough for their breakthrough single Brand New Cell. The song is about dedicating your life to inflicting retributive justice upon your enemies, yet sacrificing your life, loved ones, and sanity for that revenge. Produced with Kevin Jardine (Slaves On Dope, Uplift Recording Studio), M.T.M.D marks the next chapter and 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,” says guitarist Chstian S. “Very aggressive metal songs that have relatable themes that anyone can listen to and understand. This EP is our audio shotgun blast to the world to pay attention to and to mosh intensively during our live sets.”
Lunar | Weakening Winter Touch
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “As they get ready to release their fourth album Tempora Mutantur in January, progressive collective Lunar share their second single Weakening Winter Touch, accompanied by a lyric video. A preview of what’s to come, the song deals with feelings of weakness and powerlessness in our circumstances. Musically it’s a powerful song, heavy on the synths with a catchy and powerful chorus. Drummer and band founder Alex Bosson comments: “I felt this song was appropriate to release in the middle of December. I know many people deal with a lot of depression, and other negative aspects of life around this time of year. This song is about the feelings of weakness and confusion we feel during those times and I hope it will help some that may be currently going through it.”
Nivane | 12 BC: Legions
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Sacramento power metallers Niviane unveil their latest single, 12 BC: Legions, a powerful track that marks the beginning of a bold new chapter. Their third album Queen of Phantoms is due on March 7, and the single 12 BC: Legions showcases their signature blend of heavy, melodic and dynamic metal. The song transports listeners to the battlefields of Germania in 12 BC, narrating the struggles between the Roman Empire and the Germanic tribes. The song captures the unshakeable confidence of the Romans, whose faith in strength, unity, and divine favor leads them to underestimate their enemies. The track’s combination of dramatic storytelling and intense musicality immediately sets it apart as one of the standout pieces on the upcoming album. Add the band: “The Romans definitely are cocky and underestimate their foes. This was one of the first songs to be crafted for the new album and immediately we all knew it was a standout track and would be one of the album’s singles.”
