I came thisclose to buying tickets for Metallica in Toronto this weekend back when they went on sale last year. But at the last second, I balked at having to buy tickets for two shows — one night of them is all I really need. If you’re taking in both gigs, enjoy. If not, enjoy this new slate of heavyweight singles and videos. Best of all: No weekend pass required.
Ophiolatry | Death Tour
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Brazilian extreme metal outfit Ophiolatry have released the video for Death Tour, the first single from their upcoming album Serpent’s Verdict, due June 6. This latest visual offering is inspired by Greek mythology and depicts the journey of a fallen warrior’s soul through the realm of death. As the spirit is carried across the River Styx, it approaches the gates of Hades, where the warrior’s tribe awaits his arrival, welcoming him into the afterlife. In their words: “The warrior perished, part of his body bathed in the blood of the unworthy. He doesn’t beg. He doesn’t hesitate. The ancestors whisper his name as his spirit ascends, enveloped in the smoke of rituals. The witches dance around the burning fire, invoking Charon’s presence. The coins reflect in his lifeless eyes, an offering to the boatman. From the depths of Lake Styx, the serpent rises, its coils moving like time itself. As he breathes, the warrior’s confusion dissolves into clarity. He steps onto the distant shore, where his tribe awaits him in reverent silence. There are no words; They are not necessary. They were already waiting to cross the gates of Hades together; The end is just the beginning.”
Jawfane | Cataclysm (Nightmare)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “U.S. post-hardcore outfit Jawfane announce their debut EP Me And All My Demons, set for release on June 26. Alongside the announcement, the band released the single, Cataclysm (Nightmare), the first look at the aggressive, emotional, and immersive music Jawfane prides themselves on. Bandmember Cory comments: “I am of the ’00 hardcore scene with a deep love for Norma Jean; the opening riff is a callback to that era. Chase did a great job writing us out of it into a more modern metal riff — that’s the hard part of those moments, coming out of the familiar into something not so normal, for me at least. We tried to be as aggressive as we could with the breakdown and chorus, but still keep it a song with a structure, which is not the instinct when playing giant breakdowns. I never want those parts to end.”
Famous Strangers | I’ll See You In The Stars
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Edmonton band Famous Strangers unveil the video for their latest single I’ll See You In The Stars in the lead-up to their first hometown headlining show on May 10 at The Starlite Room. Since their formation in 2023, Famous Strangers’ signature blend of haunting melodies, powerful vocals and immersive soundscapes has captivated listeners. The band bring together accomplished musicians whose past experiences in various projects have shaped their collective sound. Their diverse influences converge in a unique sonic experience characterized by atmospheric instrumentals and a dynamic vocal approach that seamlessly shifts between melodic and aggressive. They are recommended for fans of Halestorm, Judas Priest, Dio and Arch Enemy. 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.”
Tonic Breed | The Die Is Cast
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Norway’s Tonic Breed, led by one-man thrash machine Patrik K. Svendsen, enlist Flotsam and Jetsam guitarist Michael Gilbert for a guest solo on the new single The Die Is Cast. The song is straight to the point — no fluff, no filler. The Die Is Cast is pure, hard-hitting thrash from start to finish, with a touch of melody woven in. The song is about a powerful war machine that lies broken and abandoned, surrounded by the wreckage of others like it. Its silence feels heavy, as if it’s aware of the destruction it once brought and the emptiness that followed. Svendsen adds: “I think the fans are gonna dig this one. Tonic Breed never release a song that sounds too much like the previous one. Also, with guest appearances, the unique touch on each song is there all the time. I’m super excited about the response from the fans! I went for an ’80s thrash composition on this one! Having Michael on board is an absolute honor, as he was a part of that era and genre of music.”
ARC | Magnitudes
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “ARC share the lyric video Magnitudes in support of their latest EP Awaken The Machine. The track speaks about the part of your brain that shuts everything off so you can conquer anything. “Robotizing your human aspects and pushing through life as a mindless machine so you can win,” add the band. Founded on visionary Sonny Angell’s ambition to create a performance-based band with boundary-pushing music, ARC have rapidly established itself as one of the most innovative acts in modern metal. The band’s philosophy — “ARC evolves” — drives their constant reinvention and elevation of their sound and stage presence. They comment on what is in store: “We constantly try to raise the bar, enhance our stage show, expand our thematic elements, and experiment with different musical styles. ARC is ambiguously mysterious, ARC is energy and machines. Human interpretations are on stage playing the music; however, ARC is all around us. Information being transmitted from… Somewhere in parts of your brain, you didn’t know you had.”
Metatron | Emmaus
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Metatron, the Italian prog/power Christian metal band, return with Emmaus — their new single and the first step toward their fifth studio album, due this winter. After three years of silence, the Catholic metal force have been reborn heavier, tighter, and spiritually unbreakable. Featuring the comeback of Jo Lombardo on vocals, Emmaus fuses progressive melodies, thrash-driven energy and deep lyrical inspiration from the Gospel of Luke. It’s a journey of faith, fire, and rebirth. Walk the road. Feel the fire. This is just the beginning.”
Vultures At Dawn | Outlaws (Texas Chainsaw Marigold)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Under the scorching sun of the sonic badlands, queer-fronted desert-rock outfit Vultures At Dawn emerge from the shimmer with their debut single Outlaws (Texas Chainsaw Marigold), the campfire confession of vagabonds with one eye on the horizon and one hand on their weapon. It’s the sound of survival on society’s edges, where victory isn’t measured in gold but in living to see another blood-red sunset. The band share their excitement: “Outlaws was the second song that we wrote. Buck wrote the lyrics after escaping from the cops while on horseback, barely making it out alive. They wrote the song the night they got back, and turned the exhilaration of surviving into a song. It’s our first publicly available song, and we have at least five other songs we play live, and a couple others in the process of being written.”
