They’ve been digging up the street in front of my house for two days — for the second time in as many months. So the road is packed (again) with heavy equipment rumbling and hammering and banging away from early morning to late afternoon. But trust me: None of it is as heavy, loud and destructive as some of today’s malevolent offerings. Behold:
Chüzo | Bruised And Broken
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Montreal aggro-metal troupe Chüzo are kicking off an Ontario tour in support of their latest EP M.T.M.D. (Maximum Threshold, Minimum Decay). To get fans hyped for the pit, they are sharing their new video for the intense knock-out track Bruised And Broken. The song is about being pushed, provoked, and instigated to the point of no return, and the inevitable result of that subjugated person losing their temper. The band add: “This is a video done by our drummer and editor Carlos Gutierrez, showing the action that happened at the Wacken Metal Battle 2025 at Piranha Bar in Montreal, Quebec. Even though we weren’t victorious, we were very stoked and thankful to perform in this battle. We played one of our best shows, one of our most passionate performances. We thank everyone who was involved with the organization of this metal battle. We thank the bands that played. We especially thank the people who got into our show and the pit. The judges were very cool and fair with their critiques. We put our heart and soul on that stage and we will be doing it again next year.”
Artach | Macha
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Newfoundland’s black metal duo Artach just announced that their latest album Morrigan…Goddess of War is due on March 21. This third full-length represents the band’s strongest material yet. It’s a relentless assault of blackened thrash metal that captures the intensity and fury the duo have always strived for. From crushing riffs to searing melodies, every track on this release is forged with raw passion. “We’ve poured everything into this record, and we can’t wait for fans to experience the full force of Morrigan…Goddess of War,” adds Sruthán (guitar/bass). Today, Artach unveil the lead single Macha, one of the three songs that are part of a trilogy with the songs Badb and Nemain. Sruthán explains: “Macha, one of the Morrígan, was known for her prophetic visions and her role as a fierce protector of warriors. She is sometimes considered one aspect of the Morrígan, a trio of war goddesses… Together, they represent different aspects of war, fate, and destruction in Celtic mythology.”
Highway Queen | I’m Calling You
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Highway Queen’s just released the video for their song I’m Calling You. It continues the Finnish rockers’ tradition of blending powerful melodies with an electrifying mix of hard rock and metal. I’m Calling You is featured on the band’s latest EP Extendead Play, released on Jan. 17. The EP showcases Highway Queen’s signature style, merging ’80s-inspired hard rock with modern melodic elements, intense riffs and dynamic rhythms. The lyrics of I’m Calling You delve into deep emotions, expressing themes of longing, passion and determination, capturing the essence of the band’s storytelling prowess. Highway Queen, formed in late 2019, have steadily built a reputation in the melodic hard rock scene. The band’s previous works, including their debut album Bitter Soul, have been widely appreciated for their musical depth.”
Phear | New World Error
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Canadian power thrashers Phear have a new lyric video for New World Error. The track is off their second album Save Our Souls, which was unleashed in February. New World Error is a musical and lyrical statement on all the terrible atrocities going on in the world today. “Humans are sometimes the plague of humanity,” add the band. Produced, mixed, and mastered by Jon Howard (Threat Signal), Phear‘s sophomore album is their heaviest offering to date and follows the award-winning Instanitarium (2019), and the critically acclaimed EP The Curse Lives On (2020). Extremely passionate, and driven, along with their arena-caliber sound, Phear are always thinking of new ways to entertain its fans, and Save Our Souls is no exception. Mostly written during the dark times of the pandemic, the record has taken four years to complete. Led by Patrick Mulock and producer Howard in the studio, each musician was pushed hard to get the best out of each of them, and they delivered.”
Aittala | Myself Deceived
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Eclectic doom metal powerhouse Aittala are unveiling Myself Deceived, the first single from their upcoming album Machines, due April 17. The songs on Machines were written and demoed between 1990 and 1997 on a four-track cassette recorder. Now, Aittala have revived these tracks, preserving their raw essence while enhancing them with modern production techniques. The album offers a nostalgic yet powerful experience, blending early progressive metal influences with storytelling-driven lyrics. While showcasing a distinct style from their recent works, Machines stays true to Aittala’s signature heavy, immersive sound. Formed in 1991 in Holland, Aittala quickly gained recognition in the Dutch metal scene, opening for bands like The Gathering and Sadist. After a hiatus, frontman Eric Aittala resurrected the band in 2008, leading to six full-length albums: Bed of Thorns (2009), Haunt Your Flesh (2011), Effigy (2014), American Nightmare (2016), False Pretenses (2019) and Live to Regret (2022).”
Famous Strangers | I’ll See You In The Stars
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Edmonton’s Famous Strangers continue their journey of atmospheric storytelling with their latest single I’ll See You In The Stars, due March 7. The track showcases the band’s signature blend of haunting melodies, powerful vocals and immersive soundscapes that have been captivating listeners since their formation in 2023. I’ll See You In The Stars draws listeners into a celestial dreamscape where emotional intensity meets cosmic wonder. The single represents another compelling chapter in Famous Strangers’ evolving musical narrative, highlighting their ability to create dark, moody compositions that resonate on a deeply emotional level. The band comment: “We are incredibly grateful to be able to release this single and share it with audiences. This track is more than just a song — it’s an artistic expression of who we are as a band and the depths we are willing to explore. It represents a space where emotion meets intensity, where the atmosphere blends with raw power. Sonically, it carries a weight and texture that draws comparisons to bands like Deftones or Ocean Machine, capturing that balance of heaviness and haunting melody. This is just one side of what we do, but it’s a side we fully embrace.”
