Brazilian death doomers Fossilization and Canadian death metal unit Phobocosm will team up for a 3-week long co-headlining tour across Europe. It will kick off at Frantic Fest in Italy on August 14th and will make its way up through Europe to end at Kill-Town Death Fest in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Velatine Playing with the Orbits Review
Velatine Playing with the Orbits Review
The song begins with an industrial groove that introduces atmospheric pads, broadening the auditory space. Following this sonic foundation, the female voice enters with repetitive melodic phrases that establish a hypnotic atmosphere. This immersive feeling continues as the song progresses, exploring themes of obsession, insecurity, and the emotional power dynamics present in a complex relationship.
The singer expresses feelings of being watched and misunderstood, almost invisible, like a shadow. This imagery resonates deeply, conveying a sense of vulnerability. Lyrics about contrasting appearances, specifically concerning blue hair versus blonde, highlight the pressure to conform and the struggle for identity in the face of external judgment.
The idea of “playing with the orbits” emerges as a central motif. It symbolizes someone who once held the reins of their social interactions and emotional ties but has since lost that influence. This shift introduces a profound sense of longing and disillusionment. The narrative engages the listener, revealing the complexity behind personal dynamics and how perceptions can alter drastically in relationships.
Playing with the Orbits – Sound and Atmosphere
The atmosphere crafted in this track combines industrial elements with dark wave influences, creating a thick, smoky haze that obscures clarity. This sonic environment draws listeners further into the narrative, deepening their engagement with the unfolding story. It feels almost cinematic, illustrating the emotional struggles encountered in human connections.
Loki Lockwood and Holly Purnell are the architects behind this nighttime project, which is tailored for those who thrive in the depths of night. Lockwood’s production talents coupled with Purnell’s captivating vocals result in a rich and impactful musical experience that resonates at a profound level. Their artistic collaboration presents a raw yet thoughtful exploration of emotional turmoil—an experience that transcends mere entertainment.
The instrumentation invigorates the listening experience. Industrial beats punctuate each phrase, maintaining momentum and intensity. The incorporation of pads, which serve to texture the arrangement, enhances the overall mood.
Playing with the Orbits – Performance and Production
The lyrical content stands out, symbolizing broader themes of control, vulnerability, and the quest for understanding in interpersonal relationships. Such topics keep the song relatable and timely, echoing feelings many listeners might have experienced. The repetition of phrases creates an undeniable hook, drawing the audience in further, allowing them to become engrossed in the emotional tumult the lyrics convey.
Velatine’s latest single, “Playing with the Orbits,” is a striking reflection on the intricacies of modern relationships. The industrial and dark wave influences provide a fitting backdrop for such a compelling narrative. Both Lockwood and Purnell show an impressive understanding of how to evoke emotion through sound and lyrics. This track is highly recommended for anyone interested in music that delves into the complexities of human connection.
Hypnotic
If you love this music: Discover More
The post Velatine Playing with the Orbits Review appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.
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The 10 best new metal songs you need to hear right now
Pussy Riot, Evanescence, DevilDriver and more feature in this week’s best new metal song round-up -
Ordoxe – Drummer Passed Away
Yannick Laplante, a drummer of already disbanded Canadian group Ordoxe, has recently passed away. He was part of the ranks in years between 2014 and 2015. Canadian melodic black metal band Strigampire shared this news via their Facebook page.
Read more… -
How Radiohead’s ‘Amnesiac’ Was the ‘Sequel’ to ‘Kid A’
Although Radiohead recorded most of 'Amnesiac' at the same time as 'Kid A,' 'Amnesiac' goes in different sonic directions. Continue reading… -
Hollie Rogers delivers honest masterclass with new album ‘Everything’s Fine’
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Hollie Rogers has officially released her highly anticipated new album, Everything’s Fine. Available now across all major streaming and download platforms, the record delivers her most multi-dimensional and honest work to date, skillfully tackling life’s messy contradictions with a trademark blend of emotional authenticity and subtle humour. To elevate the sonic palette of … Continue reading Hollie Rogers delivers honest masterclass with new album ‘Everything’s Fine’ -
Jeff Hodges I Believe Review
Jeff Hodges I Believe Review
A beautiful piano riff opens this song, creating a suspended atmosphere reminiscent of those mornings when everything feels still. After a long night, you wake up to the aroma of coffee brewing, feeling fortunate that someone is preparing it for you. These small moments convey love and warm the heart. Jeff Hodges demonstrates the nuances that make a love story feel like a fairytale.
His single “I Believe” showcases a blend of country and soul influences, highlighting the artist’s diverse musical inspirations. This eclectic mix makes Hodges’s work intriguingly unique. He skillfully translates various influences into sincere music that resonates with listeners.
The lyrics are genuine and relatable, evoking common experiences in people’s lives. The narratives Hodges crafts are rooted in reality, allowing listeners to connect deeply with the story he’s telling. The song encapsulates the beauty found in the little things in life, emphasizing how much they can mean.
I Believe – Sound and Atmosphere
The sincerity in Hodges’s voice invites listeners to reflect on their own lives and relationships. His vocal delivery is smooth, blending effortlessly with the instrumentation. The simple yet effective arrangement enhances the emotional weight of the message.
The piano remains a consistent presence, providing a melodic foundation that supports the heartfelt lyrics. The gentle rhythm instills a sense of calm, making the experience of listening to this track feel uplifting.
I Believe – Performance and Production
In a world where many songs focus on grandiose themes, Hodges opts for authenticity. This choice makes “I Believe” stand out among contemporary releases. It reaffirms the idea that sometimes the most impactful messages arise from ordinary experiences. The relatability factor plays a significant role in its appeal, drawing listeners from various backgrounds.
Hodges’s artistry shines not only through his songwriting but also in the delivery. Every note reflects his dedication to capturing genuine moments. The overall production reflects a dedication to quality, ensuring that each element serves a purpose in telling the story.
“I Believe” is an emotional journey. Hodges shines a light on the beauty of everyday life, reminding us to appreciate the small things. The track’s heartwarming essence makes it suitable for a wide audience, resonating with anyone who values love and connection.
I highly recommend this song to anyone looking for a genuine connection through music.
Genuine
If you love this music: Discover More
The post Jeff Hodges I Believe Review appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.
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AN NCS VIDEO PREMIERE: WOEWARDEN — “AS DEEP AS THE KNIFE GOES”
(written by Islander) On June 12th the Dusktone label will release the fourth album by the Australian black metal band Woewarden (the first two were released when the band was known as Cancer). Titled The Roots Of My Neglect, the new one follows the band’s 2022 full-length, In The Art Of My Caged Existence. Dusktone […]
The post AN NCS VIDEO PREMIERE: WOEWARDEN — “AS DEEP AS THE KNIFE GOES” appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.
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Prog Metal Pioneers Protest The Hero Blindside Music Industry with Fierce New Independent Album ‘Within’
Canadian progressive metal innovators Protest the Hero have officially shattered a six-year release drought with the massive announcement of their upcoming studio album Within, due out on July 17, 2026. Launching a relentless assault against corporate media control, the band has paired the announcement with an incredibly complex, politically charged lead single titled “Mouthpiece,” drawing a line in the sand and declaring complete independence from restrictive record label models.
Listen to Today’s Metal Breakdown Daily:
Stream today’s full show on the Loaded Radio Podcast network for an aggregated breakdown of Protest the Hero’s corporate rebellion, alongside your daily extreme music updates, rock news, and exclusive audio content with Scott Penfold.
Let’s be entirely honest: very few bands can disappear for more than half a decade and return with their technical precision, razor-sharp wit, and underground respect completely untouched. For over two decades, Ontario’s Protest the Hero have thrived at the absolute outer boundaries of progressive extreme music. They are a rare breed of musicians whose technical proficiency collides head-on with an irreverent, punk rock spirit that flat-out refuses to conform to generic genre rules.
With Within, the group is pushing out into completely uncharted territory, delivering an expansive, sonically cinematic body of work that acts as a profound reflection on the chaos of the modern world.
Macro Perspectives & The War on Intellectual Binary Corporate Media
The opening track and lead single, “Mouthpiece,” is a dizzying display of shimmering, spiraling progressive riffs, blistering tempo changes, and soaring vocal hooks from frontman Rody Walker. Lyrically, the song doesn’t pull a single punch, standing out as an incredibly aggressive macro-level critique of modern society’s obsession with division.
“On the record focused on the micro, ‘Mouthpiece’ is the only song from a macro perspective,” Walker shares regarding the single’s conceptual architecture. “This is not without reason. It is about the controlling powers that have convinced us that everything needs to be divided into binaries despite the fact that very few things truly exist within them. It describes a world of brilliant color reduced to black and white by charlatans like podcasters and corporate media. It suggests the only true binary we should pay attention to is the very wealthy and everyone else.”
The tracking session’s staggering auditory scale is visually matched by a brilliant music video directed by Troy Maher and produced by Matt Power. Captured utilizing breathtaking drone cinematography against the incredibly rugged, dramatic natural landscapes of Newfoundland and Labrador, the visual presentation acts as a gorgeous homage to one of the band’s absolute favorite touring destinations.
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As Within, So Without: Navigating the Inner Mind
The underlying lyrical concepts governing the record dive deeply into ancient hermetic philosophy, explicitly adapting a historical maxim to explore modern mental health and societal anxiety.
“Most people are pretty familiar with the hermetic maxim ‘as above so below’ but the entire passage isn’t quite as well known,” the band explains. “‘As above so below, as within so without, as the universe so the soul.’ Obviously, I focused on the middle portion of the quote. ‘Within’ represents the individual inner world, which is largely defined by our thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. The songs are all representative of how external factors affect our inner world. With that being said, it’s probably the most personal stuff we’ve ever released.”
LIVE & LOUD: Stream the World’s Hardest Radio Station 24/7A Historic Business Breakthrough: Complete Artist Independence
Beyond the complex musicianship, Within represents a monumental turning point in the business framework of Protest the Hero’s career. This record stands proud as their very first truly global independent release—a total, unapologetic reclamation of creative and financial authority after years of navigating standard, restrictive industry contracts.
“We are excited to have this record as the first in our catalogue that we fully own,” notes guitarist Tim MacMillar. “We’ve paid to make our own albums and do everything on our terms. Owning our intellectual property is incredibly important to us. In the past, we signed away those rights and saw firsthand how that hands control to someone else, sometimes to the point where we couldn’t even access or manage our own work. That’s something we’re no longer willing to accept. This record is us putting our foot down. We’re not interested in participating in that system anymore. We’re focused on the future. And for the first time, it’s completely in our hands.”
The record was painstakingly built from the ground up across an interconnected web of specialized home studios and creative writing spaces. Guitar tracks were engineered alongside Derya Nagle (Good Tiger) in Boulder, Colorado, while Walker’s complex vocal sessions were tracked directly in his home studio in Whitby, Ontario, under the direction of Milen Petzelt-Sorace. Longtime band collaborator Cameron McLellan stepped up to handle bass duties and direct the rhythm production in Toronto alongside drummer Nathan Bulla, who tracked his sessions at Jukasa Studios.
To elevate the album’s cinematic depth, the band brought in stunning orchestral compositions from William Lamoureux (Nelly Furtado), seamlessly weaving classical movements into the chaos before handing the entire mix over to world-renowned studio icon Adam “Nolly” Getgood (Periphery, Haken).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ Block)
Q: When is the release date for the new Protest the Hero album?
A: The new studio album, Within, will be officially released on July 17, 2026, across all physical formats and digital streaming platforms.
Q: Who directed the music video for their new single “Mouthpiece”?
A: The visually stunning music video was directed by Troy Maher and produced by Matt Power, utilizing sweeping drone footage shot on location in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Q: Is Protest the Hero still signed to a record label?
A: No. Within marks the band’s very first 100% independent global release. The band completely funded the recording sessions themselves and retains full ownership of their intellectual property and master tapes.
Q: Who handled the mixing and production for the new album?
A: The album features production from Derya Nagle, Milen Petzelt-Sorace, and Cameron McLellan, and was mixed by acclaimed producer Adam “Nolly” Getgood.
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FEED THE RECORD HUBS!
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To make sure you never miss a breaking metal report, grab the official Loaded Radio App on iOS or Android. It is your completely direct, anytime portal to our 24/7 high-fidelity commercial-free metal digital broadcast, on-demand artist interviews, and hyper-targeted rock news feeds native to your smartphone.
TL;DR: The Quick Strategic Breakdown
- The Six-Year Silence Broken: Canadian progressive metal pioneers Protest the Hero have officially announced their highly anticipated new studio album, Within, arriving globally on July 17, 2026.
- A Lethal First Taste: The band dropped the album’s opening track, “Mouthpiece,” a politically charged sonic assault accompanied by a sweeping cinematic music video shot in Newfoundland.
- Complete Industry Sovereignty: Within marks the group’s very first entirely independent global release, meaning the band fully funds, owns, and controls 100% of their intellectual property moving forward.
- Elite Production Architecture: The record features dynamic engineering from Derya Nagle, Cameron McLellan, and orchestral arrangements from William Lamoureux, all mixed by Periphery wizard Adam “Nolly” Getgood.
How do you feel about Protest the Hero’s bold leap into 100% artist independence, and does the blistering direction of “Mouthpiece” live up to the standard set by Palimpsest six years ago? Join the conversation and give us your track ratings in the comments section below!
The post Prog Metal Pioneers Protest The Hero Blindside Music Industry with Fierce New Independent Album ‘Within’ appeared first on Loaded Radio.
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BY WAY OF FIRE BRING UNRELEASED MATERIAL TO THE STAGE FOR THREE EXCLUSIVE JUNE SHOWS – @thebeast
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BY WAY OF FIRE BRING UNRELEASED MATERIAL TO THE STAGE FOR THREE EXCLUSIVE JUNE SHOWS
Appalachian Heavy Metal Haints Continue Their Rise Across The Southeast While Working On Debut Full-Length Album
Stream: https://hyperfollow.com/bywayoffire
ATLANTA, GA – June 2026 – Emerging from the foothills of Appalachia with a thunderous blend of heavy metal, doom metal, and heavy rock, By Way Of Fire are set to unleash new, unreleased material during three exclusive live performances this June. As the band continues work on their highly anticipated debut full-length album, fans in Georgia and Florida will get an early taste of what lies ahead.
Since forming in 2021, By Way Of Fire have steadily built a reputation throughout the Southeast for their powerful live performances and evolving sound. Their debut EP, Jackals (2022), showcased the band’s stoner rock and hard rock influences, helping establish them as a force within the Atlanta heavy music scene. Following extensive touring and regional performances throughout 2023, the band entered Ledbelly Studios to craft their next chapter.
The result was Into Oblivion (2024), an EP that expanded the band’s sonic landscape with a heavier metallic edge while maintaining the memorable melodies and songwriting that have become their trademark. Drawing influence from acts such as Sumerlands, The Sword, and NITE, By Way Of Fire continue to push their sound into darker and heavier territory without sacrificing accessibility.
Now, as they work diligently on their first full-length release, the band is taking their next step by bringing fresh material directly to audiences across the Southeast.
“Heavy metal haints, By Way Of Fire, emerge from the creative realm to bring new unreleased material to the stage for three exclusive June shows.”
Upcoming June Performances:
June 10, 2026
Culture Shock
Atlanta, Georgia
June 19, 2026
Deviant Libation
Tampa, Florida
June 20, 2026
Coastal Empire Beer Co.
Savannah, Georgia
With new songs in hand and momentum continuing to build, these performances offer fans a rare opportunity to experience the next evolution of By Way Of Fire before their debut full-length album arrives.
The band’s momentum continues to grow following recent coverage from Doomed Nation and Progressive Rock Journal . Their EP Into Oblivion was featured by Doomed Nation , while Progressive Rock Journal conducted an exclusive interview exploring the band’s creative process, influences, and evolution. Frontman Eric Forrest Burton was also featured in Doomed Nation’s acclaimed “Doomed Confessionary” series, offering readers a deeper look into the inspirations behind the music. These features have helped further establish By Way Of Fire as one of the Southeast’s most promising rising heavy rock and metal acts.
By Way Of Fire Is:
Eric Burton – Guitar, Vocals
Ryan Cates – Guitar, Vocals
Jeremy French – Drums
Chance Reynolds – Bass, Vocals
Genre: Heavy Metal / Doom Metal / Heavy Rock
For Fans Of: Castle Rat, Spirit Adrift, Devil Electric
Label: Independent
For interviews, review requests, or additional information, please contact:
zac@metaldevastationradio.com
Check them out on YouTube:
Recent Press Coverage:
• Doomed Nation – “American Stoner/Hard Rock Trio By Way Of Fire Presents Their New EP Into Oblivion”
• Progressive Rock Journal – “Exclusive Interview With US Heavy Rockers By Way Of Fire”
• Doomed Nation – “Doomed Confessionary: Eric Forrest Burton (By Way Of Fire)”
Connect:
https://bywayoffire.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bywayoffireatl
https://www.instagram.com/bywayoffire/
https://hyperfollow.com/bywayoffire
Contact: bywayoffireatl@gmail.com