Welcome to the official start of another blistering summer in the Grindhouse. Fittingly, I am soaking up the sun and sipping an adult beverage on my patio as I type this. If you are not able to do the same, condolences. Feel free to console yourself by raising the temperature (and the volume) a few notches with the help of these red-hot videos and singles. Let the seasonal carnage begin:
Autumn Lies Buried | Told Off With A Sawed Off
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Deathcore tyrants Autumn Lies Buried have just dropped the video for the blistering track Told Off With A Sawed Off. The track comes from their recently unleashed EP Mob Mentality, the first of two EPs this year. Told Off With A Sawed Off is a full-throttle anthem aimed at those who talk big behind closed doors but fall silent when faced with real confrontation. With aggressive riffs and unrelenting energy, the track calls out those who run their mouths but fail to follow through. Featuring vocalist Dustin Jamaal Mitchell of Filth, this collaboration adds an extra layer of intensity to the song, which is sure to resonate with anyone who’s ever had to deal with empty threats and weak words. “We wanted to capture that feeling of dealing with people who talk shit from the safety of their little bubbles but never hold that same energy when it’s time to step up in person. How many times has someone run their mouth from safety but never held the same energy when they see you in public? The only thing we want from those plotting our downfall is a whole lotta ‘leave me alone’. Or else.…”
Crüzer | Look To The Skies
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Dropping their debut EP Look To The Skies in April, Crüzer are a cosmic metal assault from the Great White North. Hailing from Vancouver, their sound is an unstoppable force, tearing through the atmosphere with electrifying solos and unforgettable hooks. In the lead-up to some upcoming local show, the band unveil the lyric video for their EP’s title track. “Look To The Skies deals with the threat of an extraterrestrial invasion force, and the attempts of the world powers to stop it (or maybe they know more than they’re letting on…),” says vocalist Eric Wilmott. “The chorus hook on this song might be my favourite of the whole album; love how it just comes in out of nowhere after a whole verse and pre-chorus of harsh blackened thrash vocals.”
Stygian Fair | All Of Us
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Following the raw intensity of their previous single Abide Your Master, Swedish heavy epic metallers Stygian Fair unveil a new and more introspective side of their upcoming album The Hidden Realm. Described by the band as “the closest we’ll come to a ballad on this record,” All Of Us explores themes of loneliness and conscience, trading thunder for nuance while keeping the emotional impact intact. With its haunting melodies and melancholic undertones, the track stands as a powerful reflection on the fragile spaces between isolation and inner strength. The upcoming full-length The Hidden Realm marks a new chapter for Stygian Fair — sharper, more melodic, and more direct than ever before, yet uncompromising in its authenticity. Lyrically, the album dives deep into modern chaos and ancient myth alike, tackling everything from AI, political cults, and consumerism to existential reckoning and forgotten histories. It’s a record about the truths we bury, the world we ignore, and the cost of staying silent.”
Tonic Breed | Anew (ft. Chris Adler)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Tonic Breed, the metal project led by Norwegian musician Patrik K. Svendsen, just released the single Anew. This high-octane track features Lamb Of God drummer Chris Adler, who lends his blistering rhythms to the song. The song was mixed and mastered by acclaimed producer Machine, who handled Lamb of God’s Ashes Of The Wake and Sacrament. Adler comments: “I was quite curious when I got an email — and some riffs — from Patrik. He’s done some cool shit and I was flattered to be on his radar… I researched it for a minute and agreed. We did have to take a minute to both feel good about what this would be — meaning I beat up his song like a fucking Rocky movie — but I knew it had the parts and strength. It’s been a privilege to work with Patrik. Humbling. You’ll know what I mean when you hear it.”
Ashes Of The Sun | A New Way To Die
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Multii-talented musician and filmmaker Ethan D. Henry just announced his new solo project Ashes Of The Sun, who will release the debut album Gods With Machines Aug. 1. Henry may be better known as the drummer of hardcore titans Freya, featuring Earth Crisis members Ian Edwards, Eric Edwards and Karl Buechner, in addition to co-writing and performing on the The Last Season’s 2003 album Called It Civilization. Henry has worn many hats over the years in his bands. Whether he needed to play bass, guitar, or drums, he was always up for the challenge. “I was always a bass player with guitar second in my comfort zone. I could always sing, but I wasn’t like great at it. I don’t know when it happened, like when I became good enough to play any instrument, if we needed a drummer or guitar player, I was like… OK, I’ll give it a shot. Then one day I was a drummer, I guess? I think I have impostor syndrome. Ha.”
Ivy Gardens | Burden
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Ivy Gardens, the experimental sludge-metal band from Niagara Falls, just dropped the video for the song Burden and announced that their sophomore album Death of Don Valley is due out Aug. 29. The record marks a bold new chapter in the band’s sound, with more complex compositions, darker themes, and a shift into a more experimental and atmospheric direction. Formed in the parking lot of Princess Auto, Ivy Gardens’ journey began with a mutual love for covering Rush instrumentals and an obsession with heavy, sludge-infused sound. From those humble beginnings, the band’s unique chemistry and vision have led to the creation of their most ambitious and thematically focused album yet. Burden, the first single from Death Of Don Valley, showcases a satirical take on nihilism, with dark and comical undertones. The track was one of the first songs written for the album and features a fast-paced, relentless tempo that gradually picks up speed in the studio. Lyrically, it’s a satirical take on the archetypal nihilist, with a dose of doom and gloom that veers into a comical extreme. The band describes it as “quick and succinct” — a track that encapsulates the essence of their new sonic direction.”
