Ashes of the Sun - Here to Stay (video)

What if Metallica and Alice Chains collaborated on a song? That's the idea of this project, which is the solo work of longtime Freya contributor Ethan D. Henry. It's a throwback to 1990s as Mr. Henry remembers the decade. Check out the video below to hear it for yourself.

Ashes of the Sun

Gods With Machines

Ignorant Tourist Productions

1 August 2025

01 - Sophisticated Clowns 5:50

02 - Save The World 4:18

03 - Forced To Kill 5:51

04 - The Elephant 4:35

05 - A New Way To Die 4:26

06 - Gods With Machines 5:15

07 - The Lost Ones 4:08

08 - Here To Stay 6:11

09 - They Bleed Just Like You 4:31

HERE TO STAY

A New Way to Die

https://www.instagram.com/ethanhenry43/

Calico Jack - the pirates have arrived

Calico Jack

Jack Peak Shanties

Rockshots Records

18 July 2025

1. Wellerman 04:11

2. Don’t Forget Your Old Shipmate 04:02

3. Off to Sea Once More 03:49

4. The 24th of February 04:43

5. Spanish Ladies 05:18

Is this the first time that you have heard the name Calico Jack?! That's ok, you are not the only sailor! What is a Calico Jack? Well, it's a heavy metal pirate company. They transport tea and whiskey across the Atlantic under questionable conditions and sus ethics. If you see them loading barrels of merchandise onto ships and boats, things might look fishy, and even though fishy things don't smell good, this contraband will bring delight to your nose, ears and to your hands and feet, as you might feel the urge to stand up and stomp your way around the tavern. Skibidi! Chips ahoy, matey, to the delight of thy brethren and to the chagrin of the jealous neighbors, this is what heavy metal does to pirates and it is what pirates do to heavy metal. From now on, say it no more and say it never again, the Calico Jack has bought the farm and purchased the beverages for the crew, it is you that will walk the plank and they will laugh all the way to the bank. Wish them no harm, wish them no foul, for they, these pirates of the high seas, only want to have what they understand to be booty and what is booty, but a figment of a pirate's imagination. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we'll be weary, and the oceans all the more scary, but Calico Jack at the helm, all be well and well all be. Hurrah and huzzah, the pirates rejoice and the fish enjoy a breath of fresh air, finally free from the ocean. Let the pirates declare, "Mamma mia, i'mma comma home-a!"

CALICO JACK - Wellerman (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) 4K

CALICO JACK - Don't Forget Your Old Shipmate (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)

AMORPHIS - Light And Shadow (Official Lyric Video)

https://www.facebook.com/amorphis

Freeze the Fall - new hard rock from British Columbia, Canada

I don't know much about this band, such as their history and things like that. They are from British Columbia, Canada, according to Bandcamp. They play a melodic style of heavy rock. It is catchy, with very melodic singing. I was surprised by how memorable or how ear-friendly it is. If you like labels, it looks like on Bandcamp there are labels like "emo metal" or "alt metal" and things like that. I don't know what "emo" means and I don't know if the band call themselves "emo." Frankly, all such things are not that interesting. You can listen for yourself on Bandcamp, and decide for yourself the one question that matters: Do you like what you hear?

Below the Bandcamp recording, because people are curious and don't just listen with their ears, check out a couple of their videos. Warning: The videos are not suitable for sensitive or younger audiences. The videos are rather normal with the "shock" factor, as are so many heavy rock music videos that are not band performances.

Freeze the Fall

The Red Garden

604 Records

18 June 2025

Denial 0:59

Rot 3:37

Hypothermia 3:40

VHS 3:32

Aurora 3:45

Oubliette 4:09

Lace 3:33

The Red Garden by Freeze the Fall

https://www.facebook.com/freeze.the.fall.band/

Freeze the Fall - ROT (Official Music Video)

Freeze the Fall - VHS (Official Music Video)

EchoSoul - "Time of the Dragon" is the sophomore album from Indiana, U.S. heavy metal band

If you answer "yes"to the following question, then this music might be for you. Do you like traditional heavy metal music that may require a few listens before the songs can be better understood?

Active since 2019, EchoSoul is old-school U.S. heavy metal-progressive metal with high vocals. This is their second album. The lyrics seem to center on the apocalypse and the music is no-nonsense heavy metal, in a progressive style. It is guitar-based music with singing, and the songs require more than one listen to make a lot more sense. It is not super complicated and it is not necessary to listen for days and days before it makes sense, but it is not poppy power metal or synth-drenched happy-happy metal. It is not party-metal music. The band simply seeks listeners that appreciate good musicianship and a serious approach to making music.

EchoSoul

Time of the Dragon

No Dust Records

15 May 2025

1. Prologue 01:30

2. Time of the Dragon 04:40

3. Path of the Righteous 07:01

4. Sister Suicide 04:43

5. Instruments of Chaos 05:54

6. Hollowed Ground 05:29

7. Invisible Empire 05:43

8. Split 04:30 instrumental

9. Die Demon Die 05:07

10. A New Conspiracy 04:54

total time 49:31

Echosoul - The End of Darkness (2020 debut)

EchoSoul

The End of Darkness

April 24th, 2020

BIO: EchoSoul is a Progressive Metal Band from Indiana, formed in 2019, made of a collaboration of known and newer artists founded by guitarist and songwriter Guy Hinton, accompanied by veteran vocalist Rob Lundgren and a few supporting studio musicians Tyler Witte and Randy Walton. This project has a few guest musicians chosen to collaborate on the first album like Tim “Ripper” Owens and Samus Paulicelli which helped with the fully rounded sound you’ll hear on the debut album”The End Of Darkness”. Going into the sophomore album “Time Of The Dragon” releasing in November 2024 , there is a lot of growth and you will hear it listening to the first single released “Path of The Righteous” with more to follow.

EchoSoul songs take the listener on a ride through solid chugging and fast and alternate picking, mixed with plenty of scale runs, harmonies and complex type riffing that draw you in. Lots of solos to leave you complete. Every song at its core has a melodic or catchy chorus and some memorable take aways leaving you singing it later in the day.

Whether you’re a Power Metal fan or into Thrash, there is something for everyone. A perfect fusion of Power and Prog Metal! In the new sophomore album, look for some of what you came to love on the first album, along with Rob back on Vox and Guy’s guitars, in filling in, Randy Walton and Tyler Witte. Some guests include Andy LaRoque (Kings Diamond) and Joseph Michael (Sanctuary, Witherfall).

The End Of Darkness by EchoSoul

Fer de Lance - epic warrior metal from the ancient faraway lands

I made a mistake with this album. I never got around to telling you about it, friend. I really should have told you. I don't know too much about the history of this band, but this album should be interesting to fans of epic midtempo heavy metal. Every song sounds like an anthem to get the heavy metal fan to join in. This is not fast heavy metal. It is tons of midtempo, easy-to-get-into tunes that are meant for people to raise their fist in the air and nod in massive agreement to these songs, tunes that sound like they could work for the Lord of the Rings battle scenes or any other medieval or ancient warrior-type of battle scenes. High-vocals singing, steady-beat drums and big, fat riffs, really, these songs would work out pretty well with a symphony behind them. However, this is not neosymphonic metal per se. It is epic heavy metal. What is epic heavy metal? Well, it is this, this right here.

If you have a sword handy, grab it and let's go. If you don't have a sword, then just come along and see. You can take the sword from the warriors that you can subdue with your bare hands. Sometimes, the only way to get a sword is by taking it from your enemy and strike them down with the same word. If you don't have a sword, then use a lance. This band will approve because their name apparently means "spearhead," in French. FYI: The lyrics are in English, not French, and the band is not from the lands of the Frankish tribes, but rather from the outpost named Chicägö, in the American province of the Illinois peoples. Saddle up your horse, and ride to the province, to the province of the Illinois peoples, even if you can only make the trip in your imagination through this album. There, in the fort of Chicago, you will be met with epic heavy metal with greetings and spears and swords in abundance.

Fer de Lance

Fires on the Mountainside

Cruz Del Sur Music

27 June 2025

1. Fires on the Mountainside 12:54

2. Ravens Fly (Dreams of Daidalos) 05:30

3. Death Thrives (Where Walls Divide) 05:13

4. Fire & Gold 04:07

5. The Feast of Echoes 08:59

6. Children of the Sky and Sea 07:00

7. Tempest Stele 05:10

total time 48:53

discography: Colossus (EP) 2020; The Hyperborean (full-length) 2022; Fires on the Mountainside (full-length) 2025

Seraphic Wrath - new thrash from Minnesota, U.S.

Seraphic Wrath

Seraphic Wrath

June 27, 2025

1.Beneath The Shadow of the Cross 05:26

2.The Chains Are Broken 04:10

3.In Chaos 04:18

4.Rising From the Abyss 05:26

5.Lazarus Rise 04:16

6.Wrath of the Redeemer 04:21

Diehard fans of up-and-coming thrash may want to put this EP on their agenda for 2025 from a new entity in the state of Minnesota, U.S. They are American, but it looks their objective is not an American-only nor a Bay-Area-only style to their thrash sound. Instead, they deliver a well-rounded sound that fans of both classic German and American thrash would enjoy. The vocals, I would say, have a lot in common with classic German-style snarled vocals, really, more like black metal vocals, actually, when I think about it. The instrumentation, though, owes its debt to the classics, but this band goes for a clear, clean sound that is fast and sharp, made for banging your head.

In the interest of disclosure, I should tell you that some people are questioning if this a real band, perhaps a solo project or an AI entity. For example, people at a website called thecmrforum have posted comments like the ones below. The picture, for example, seems fake, people say, and from what I can tell online, someone with a connection to this entity has kind of admitted that the picture is, in fact, not a real picture of actual of people. The information from Bandcamp that is shown here is available for anyone to see. In this case, I do not have access to any insider or special information. Anyway, here are some of the comments that are questioning whether this is a real band or not. Of course, I do not know.

"It’s quickly getting harder to definitively spot, but I’m not fully convinced this isn’t an AI band after looking into it. The photo is suspect. The social media presence has no additional pictures or videos of the supposed band members nor any indications that they ever play live. The production on the songs is squeaky clean for this kind of thrash, especially for a band that’s supposedly an indie startup. It just isn’t quite adding up for me."

"Maybe a one man band but I highly doubt AI. Ive listened about 3 times today while out driving and I would say about 30% of the time the guitar seems out of key or tune on a few notes in solos, not sure you would get that from AI."

"The band photo contains 4 guys who all appear to be *well* over 30, but none of the names listed on the Bandcamp page has any priors on the Metal Archives. I wonder why? I might think that at least one of them would have some recordings under his belt. Hmmm...but I like the vocals, which remind me of Rob from Sacrifice."

"Someone had already asked about the band photo by the time I logged in to check, and the response they received just made things even weirder somehow. A profile named John McGovern, which does match the name of the vocalist in the alleged band lineup, responded by saying that he’s in the band and 'had help with computer stuff' to alter the photo because they’re all 'private people'".

"Browsing his profile is of limited value because it mostly just reshares memes. Enough of them are specifically related to Minnesota sports franchises that it kind of backs the idea that he lives there, and he occasionally tags two other people as his siblings who at first glance appear to be real people also living in Minnesota. It’s just enough for me to think that he probably is a real person behind the project one way or another, but whether he has a real band behind him or is just the one prompting an AI could still be an open question based on his response to questions about it."

BIO from Bandcamp: Founded in 2024, Seraphic Wrath is a force to be reckoned with in the Christian Thrash Metal and Death Metal scene. Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, the band blends the relentless intensity of metal with powerful, faith-driven messages that resonate with listeners on a profound level. Seraphic Wrath's debut album, ready to be released this year, showcases their ability to weave intricate melodies and crushing breakdowns with thought-provoking lyrics. Songs like "Beneath the Shadow of the Cross" and "Rising from the Abyss" explore themes of redemption, spiritual warfare, and the eternal struggle. Goes great with Destruction, Vengeance Rising, Sodom, classic Mortification, and Kreator.

John McGowan - Vocals

Martin Graves - Guitars

Nathan Dean - Bass

Roger Radcliff - Drums

Seraphic Wrath by Seraphic Wrath

Demon Hunter "Sorrow Light The Way" Official Music Video

According to what Amazon Music shows, in 2025 this is the fourth song released by the long-running American metal band Demon Hunter (2000-present). In 2025, out of the four tracks out so far, this is only one that features both melodic and extreme vocals. The previous three songs seem to have only melodic vocals. This one brings back some of the growling. Check out the video below.

If Hell is in the wake I’ve yet to see

Something in the air is killing me

All of my defenses left to bleed

I can’t deny my distance

Dying to feel something to heal

Nothing to gain, ever the same

I’ve been suffering in silence

Waiting for the calming break of day

Sorrow light the way

To follow me in fighting

All I can to hold your heart and pray

Sorrow light the way

When shallow is the air you wish to breathe

All of your contentions fail to feed

Take your time and run it backwards

Resolve is wearing thin

Save your pride for seasons after

Not as we’re caving in

Every door is painted black

I feel my fate collapse

Drag me down and seal my fate

Drown me in your loving hate

I just watched my mother die

So forgive me if I haven’t the want for this weight

Demon Hunter "Sorrow Light The Way" Official Music Video

https://www.facebook.com/demonhunter

ABOUT Demon Hunter: Demon Hunter combines brazenly transcendent melodies with a defiant heaviness reminiscent of the most timeless metal music. The group’s extended family around the world cherishes Demon Hunter songs as personal anthems and instruments of empowerment. They use them to mark chapters in their lives, both good and bad, in celebration and mourning, from weddings to funerals. There is deep resonance and meaning behind instantly memorable songs like “HEAVEN DON’T CRY,” “I Am a Stone,” “On My Side,” “The Last One Alive,” “I Will Fail You,” “Fear is Not My Guide,”“Collapsing,” and “Dead Flowers,” among others. Demon Hunter’s body of work is born from unwavering commitment and a stark recognition of the reality of an often-cold world tempered in defiant hope. Since 2002, the band's dedicated supporters and allies worldwide have worn the group’s symbol, lyrics, and album imagery on their shirts, denim vests, backpacks, uniforms, and, in many cases, on their skin.

[Wikipedia] Demon Hunter is an American Christian metal band from Seattle, Washington, formed by brothers Don Clark and Ryan Clark in 2000. Ryan is the band's only remaining original member, as Don left in 2009. As of the 2010s, the band has sold over 600,000 albums. Don Clark stated, "I guess we liked to ride the fence. Then we got a little older, maybe wiser, and you know what, we're a Christian band. We're five dudes, we're all believers, we really don't want to ride the fence anymore." Ryan Clark claimed, "When we officially started we wanted to be very bold about it, we didn't see any purpose of just beating around the bush." Fans who are Christians are supportive of the band's bold faith position. "They respect that we don't walk the fence between a non-Christian and Christian band."Demon Hunter's official website stated in 2008 that they are "absolutely" a Christian band and the band members "are all Bible believing followers of Jesus Christ."

Demon Hunter "Light Bends" Official Music Video

According to what Amazon Music shows, in 2025 this is the third song released by the long-running American metal band Demon Hunter (2000-present). This is another super memorable track from the metal veterans. Check out the video below.

Sing a song for the final ascent

Say a prayer for the rest of us

At the time when the suffering left

All the hope that was left in us

Fell by the wayside

Every confession made, promise laid

Down at your bedside

Guiding a broken heart through the edge of dark

When the light bends to shatter a soul

We feel the toll

It was right then you covered us all

You carried the weight in full

From a shell to the ever divine

From a spark to the fire in us

As the night and forever aligned

All the pain you defied for us

Demon Hunter "Light Bends" Official Music Video

https://www.facebook.com/demonhunter

ABOUT Demon Hunter: Demon Hunter combines brazenly transcendent melodies with a defiant heaviness reminiscent of the most timeless metal music. The group’s extended family around the world cherishes Demon Hunter songs as personal anthems and instruments of empowerment. They use them to mark chapters in their lives, both good and bad, in celebration and mourning, from weddings to funerals. There is deep resonance and meaning behind instantly memorable songs like “HEAVEN DON’T CRY,” “I Am a Stone,” “On My Side,” “The Last One Alive,” “I Will Fail You,” “Fear is Not My Guide,”“Collapsing,” and “Dead Flowers,” among others. Demon Hunter’s body of work is born from unwavering commitment and a stark recognition of the reality of an often-cold world tempered in defiant hope. Since 2002, the band's dedicated supporters and allies worldwide have worn the group’s symbol, lyrics, and album imagery on their shirts, denim vests, backpacks, uniforms, and, in many cases, on their skin.

[Wikipedia] Demon Hunter is an American Christian metal band from Seattle, Washington, formed by brothers Don Clark and Ryan Clark in 2000. Ryan is the band's only remaining original member, as Don left in 2009. As of the 2010s, the band has sold over 600,000 albums. Don Clark stated, "I guess we liked to ride the fence. Then we got a little older, maybe wiser, and you know what, we're a Christian band. We're five dudes, we're all believers, we really don't want to ride the fence anymore." Ryan Clark claimed, "When we officially started we wanted to be very bold about it, we didn't see any purpose of just beating around the bush." Fans who are Christians are supportive of the band's bold faith position. "They respect that we don't walk the fence between a non-Christian and Christian band."Demon Hunter's official website stated in 2008 that they are "absolutely" a Christian band and the band members "are all Bible believing followers of Jesus Christ."

Demon Hunter "I'm Done" Official Music Video

According to what Amazon Music shows, in 2025 this is the second song released by the long-running American metal band Demon Hunter (2000-present). This is an uptempo track and easy to remember, with the guitar and vocal melodies. Check out the video below.

Lost in your convolution

Depleting love

Can’t keep your own solution from losing blood

Head of the snake

Leading the lost

Heeding the call

Rename your self-deception, your blessed curse

Hold back your desperation

Don’t make it worse

Ever the same

Furthest away

Loudest of all

Bury defeat

Carry the cross

Suffer the fall

Tell me I’m not numb

Hang me by my tongue

Truth is no illusion but for some

Show me where to run

I think I’m done

No sense in conversation

We fire at will

Why wait for evolution?

We’ve had our fill

Into the void

Dead in the eyes

Nobody home

Never relent

Sharpen the blade

Cut to the bone

Demon Hunter "I'm Done" Official Music Video

https://www.facebook.com/demonhunter

ABOUT Demon Hunter: Demon Hunter combines brazenly transcendent melodies with a defiant heaviness reminiscent of the most timeless metal music. The group’s extended family around the world cherishes Demon Hunter songs as personal anthems and instruments of empowerment. They use them to mark chapters in their lives, both good and bad, in celebration and mourning, from weddings to funerals. There is deep resonance and meaning behind instantly memorable songs like “HEAVEN DON’T CRY,” “I Am a Stone,” “On My Side,” “The Last One Alive,” “I Will Fail You,” “Fear is Not My Guide,”“Collapsing,” and “Dead Flowers,” among others. Demon Hunter’s body of work is born from unwavering commitment and a stark recognition of the reality of an often-cold world tempered in defiant hope. Since 2002, the band's dedicated supporters and allies worldwide have worn the group’s symbol, lyrics, and album imagery on their shirts, denim vests, backpacks, uniforms, and, in many cases, on their skin.

[Wikipedia] Demon Hunter is an American Christian metal band from Seattle, Washington, formed by brothers Don Clark and Ryan Clark in 2000. Ryan is the band's only remaining original member, as Don left in 2009. As of the 2010s, the band has sold over 600,000 albums. Don Clark stated, "I guess we liked to ride the fence. Then we got a little older, maybe wiser, and you know what, we're a Christian band. We're five dudes, we're all believers, we really don't want to ride the fence anymore." Ryan Clark claimed, "When we officially started we wanted to be very bold about it, we didn't see any purpose of just beating around the bush." Fans who are Christians are supportive of the band's bold faith position. "They respect that we don't walk the fence between a non-Christian and Christian band."Demon Hunter's official website stated in 2008 that they are "absolutely" a Christian band and the band members "are all Bible believing followers of Jesus Christ."

Set The Sun x Demon Hunter "Falling Apart" (Official Music Video)

According to what Amazon Music shows, in 2025 this is the first song released by the long-running American metal band Demon Hunter (2000-present). It is a very melodic and catchy song. Check out the video below.

Set The Sun x Demon Hunter "Falling Apart" (Official Music Video)

https://www.facebook.com/demonhunter

ABOUT Demon Hunter: Demon Hunter combines brazenly transcendent melodies with a defiant heaviness reminiscent of the most timeless metal music. The group’s extended family around the world cherishes Demon Hunter songs as personal anthems and instruments of empowerment. They use them to mark chapters in their lives, both good and bad, in celebration and mourning, from weddings to funerals. There is deep resonance and meaning behind instantly memorable songs like “HEAVEN DON’T CRY,” “I Am a Stone,” “On My Side,” “The Last One Alive,” “I Will Fail You,” “Fear is Not My Guide,”“Collapsing,” and “Dead Flowers,” among others. Demon Hunter’s body of work is born from unwavering commitment and a stark recognition of the reality of an often-cold world tempered in defiant hope. Since 2002, the band's dedicated supporters and allies worldwide have worn the group’s symbol, lyrics, and album imagery on their shirts, denim vests, backpacks, uniforms, and, in many cases, on their skin.

[Wikipedia] Demon Hunter is an American Christian metal band from Seattle, Washington, formed by brothers Don Clark and Ryan Clark in 2000. Ryan is the band's only remaining original member, as Don left in 2009. As of the 2010s, the band has sold over 600,000 albums. Don Clark stated, "I guess we liked to ride the fence. Then we got a little older, maybe wiser, and you know what, we're a Christian band. We're five dudes, we're all believers, we really don't want to ride the fence anymore." Ryan Clark claimed, "When we officially started we wanted to be very bold about it, we didn't see any purpose of just beating around the bush." Fans who are Christians are supportive of the band's bold faith position. "They respect that we don't walk the fence between a non-Christian and Christian band."Demon Hunter's official website stated in 2008 that they are "absolutely" a Christian band and the band members "are all Bible believing followers of Jesus Christ."

Ashes of the Sun - Travel back in time to 1990s American MTV metal

The idea behind this project, which is the solo work of longtime Freya contributor Ethan D. Henry, is a throwback to 1990s commercial American metal. According to the official description, you can think of it as if 1990s Metallica and Alice in Chains got together and made music. It seems the project is meant to be a nostalgic look back at a time in Henry's life when he was young and watched MTV. However, what if you're young now and weren't around in the 1990s? Is it necessary to know all those references to enjoy the album? I don't think so. In fact, I'm not sure you need to know the references at all. The main idea is to create more melodic music compared to the heavier sound he usually composes. Since I'm not familiar with Freya, I can't personally compare the two, but regardless, this album is a reflection of the composer's background and his approach to music. To me, it sounds like melodic American groove metal. Of course, if you loved 1990s MTV metal, you'll probably appreciate this music even more!

At the bottom you will find a song from YouTube for you to get an idea of what to expect.

Ashes of the Sun

Gods With Machines

Ignorant Tourist Productions

1 August 2025

01 - Sophisticated Clowns 5:50

02 - Save The World 4:18

03 - Forced To Kill 5:51

04 - The Elephant 4:35

05 - A New Way To Die 4:26

06 - Gods With Machines 5:15

07 - The Lost Ones 4:08

08 - Here To Stay 6:11

09 - They Bleed Just Like You 4:31

"I hope this album brings fans back to the era when metal and hard rock ruled the scene. Headbangers Ball was kicking, and it wasn't out of the ordinary to turn on MTV and see Metallica's One cranking. Tasty, heavy metal and hard rock with cool glammed-out solos and a ballad. I think it blends a few genres like grunge and metal at times. The album flows like some of my playlists, and I would imagine most people's playlists. I hope that fans will enjoy the mellow acoustic/ballad intros that transition into hard rock/ metal flows. I wanted these songs to reach rock fans and metal fans alike. I've been in metal bands for a long time and love the brutality Karl and Dan brought to Freya and The Last Season, but I wanted to reach a broader audience. So I chose to tone the heavy vocals back and sing the album. At times, it reminds me of Dave Mustaine, James Hetfield, and Layne Staley. Every once in a while, I'm like, that kind of sounds like Bon Jovi or Scott Weiland. It's funny because I never really listened to STP, only in passing. I think ultimately, whether it's my metal, rock, or grunge influences coming through in these songs, it sounds like the era of music I grew up listening to. Late 90s, early 2000s. I like that about this album." - Ethan D. Henry

ASHES OF THE SUN is the solo project of longtime FREYA contributor Ethan D. Henry. Freya was formed in 2001 by three members of the legendary straight edge/ Vegan band EARTH CRISIS by bassist Ian Edwards, guitarist Eric Edwards, and vocalist Karl Buechner. Ethan joined Freya in 2004, touring with the group for their first release on VICTORY RECORDS, AS THE LAST LIGHT DRAINS.

Since its conception in 2001, Freya has been writing music, making videos, and touring in the metal and hardcore scenes. They have been featured on MTV’s Room Raiders, Road Rules, and Headbangers Ball. More recently, they have had their music on the hit Television show Shameless, which airs on Showtime. Freya has also been featured in Kerrang, Decibel, Amp, and Metal Hammer magazines, to name a few.

Henry has been working with Freya since 2004 - 2008, 2017-present. He joined Freya as a temp to tour with the band as the last light drains, until becoming a full member in 2004. He co-wrote LIFT THE CURSE ( VICTORY RECORDS), THOUSAND YARD STARE ( UPSTATE RECORDS) FIGHT AS ONE (UPSTATE RECORDS ) BLOODTHIRST ( UPSTATE RECORDS ) In 2007, Freya went to Europe for the HELL ON EARTH tour with WALLS OF JERICHO, ALL SHALL PERISH, BORN FROM PAIN, AND FROM A SECOND STORY WINDOW.

Henry says, “ Going to Europe on the Hell on Earth tour was such an amazing experience for me. I had been touring the States and Canada for years, but doing that tour, with those bands…That was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Very Grateful to have been able to do it. "

In addition to his duties with Freya, Ethan also co-wrote and performed on THE LAST album titled CALLED IT CIVILIZATION, released on SURFACE RECORDS in 2003. The Last season featured frontman Dan Johnson from BLOOD RUNS BLACK, GODBELOW, and THE UNHOLY based out of Syracuse, N.Y.. GODBELOW later became the hard rock band BRAND NEW SIN.

Ethan has worn many hats over the years with 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…Okay, I’ll give it a shot. Then one day I was a Drummer, I guess? I think I have impostor syndrome. ha”

Eventually, Henry had compiled a huge catalog of songs he had written over the years. Unsure what to do with them, He sat in his studio and started to record them. Not sure what would become of them, He had his friend Jason “Jocko” Randle at CAPTURE.STUDIO (Syracuse, N.Y.) to take a listen and put his touch on it. After a few mix and master sessions, Ethan decided his eclectic song list was cohesive enough to make an album. Thus, ASHES OF THE SUN was born.

An alternative, metallic, grungy style of music that spans over a few genres. “If Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth had a baby with Alice in Chains, Queens of the Stone Age, and the Foo Fighters, that's Ashes of the Sun." - Ethan D. Henry

A New Way to Die

https://www.instagram.com/ethanhenry43/

Harvested - Harvested (Official Music Video) - brutal death metal from Canada

Here are two videos (one is a music video and the other one is a lyric video) from Canadian metal brutes Harvested. On the first listen it all sounds like a cacophony of extreme metal, and that's probably what the band wants, but let's see how you feel once it all settles down and the music comes across, and you get past the noise, and it doesn't sound like a barrage of brutality. The band did an EP in 2022, according to Metal Archives, and so this will be their debut full-length, nine songs in about 32 minutes. I am new to this band, so I cannot give you an educated opinion on the album right now because I'm just getting into it. However, these two videos get the point across very well. Below you will also find the official bio from the band. Anyway, for now, enjoy the two songs, and the 2022 EP.

Harvested

Dysthymia

1 August 2025

BIO: Harvested is a death metal band from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Their music is heavily influenced by bands like Suffocation, Dying Fetus, and Deicide, blending elements of slam, brutal, and technical death metal. The band aims to evoke nostalgia from the late '90s and early 2000s while incorporating a modern touch.

They unleashed their 2022 self-titled debut EP that featured five tracks, all centered around themes of mental illness, with inspiration drawn from horror and thriller movies and shows. One of their singles, Apathetic, explores narcissism and a lack of empathy in society. The band describes it as one of their more brutal tracks, featuring intense double bass-heavy riffs. Now in 2025, they unravel their first full-length, “Dysthymia”, which explores the psychological aspects of mental illness rather than relying solely on gore. It's heavier, more aggressive, and showcases the band’s musical abilities in ways they've never presented before.

Recorded over nearly three years, “Dysthymia” features the core lineup of Mitchi Dimitriadis (guitars), Adam Semler (vocals), Eric Forget (bass), and Jacob Collins (drums). The album was produced by Harvested with mixing and mastering by Joe Lyko of Darkmoon Productions, achieving a modern sound while staying rooted in the foundational elements of death metal.

Harvested remains unsigned and independent, continuing to carve their own path in the metal scene.

Discography:

2025 - Dysthymia (LP)

2022 - Self-Titled (EP)

Harvested - Harvested (Official Music Video)

HARVESTED - The Infestation (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO) Death Metal

Dysthymia by Harvested

Harvested by Harvested

HELLOWEEN - This Is Tokyo (official music video)

The reunited-expanded line-up of Helloween was not just a one-time thing, and here they go again with their second album of the band's newest era. Clearly, this new era is working out pretty well, from the looks of it. For the moment, watch this video from the album. It seems to be the only video from the new album right now, but by now everybody probably knows that one such song is not representative of the range of the album, which delivers quite a bit of variety. At any rate, while we wait for new videos to arrive, this one will have to do. Actually, I do not know if there are other videos. This is the one I found. There might be more. Below you will find the official propaganda from the record label, just in case that you like to have access to all the hype.

Helloween

Giants and Monsters

Reigning Phoenix Music

29 August 2025

Giants On The Run 6:21

Savior Of The World 4:14

A Little Is A Little Too Much 3:30

We Can Be Gods 5:11

Into The Sun 3:40

This Is Tokyo 4:14

Universe (Gravity For Hearts) 8:24

Hand Of God 3:45

Under The Moonlight 3:08

Majestic 8:08

With 15 gold awards, six platinum awards and over ten million records sold, HELLOWEEN are celebrating the band’s 40th anniversary with the successor to their self-titled #1 album from 2021. GIANTS & MONSTERS is the second album for the legendary line-up and the title immediately states where the album is heading.

Confident and bursting with vigor, the septet presents what probably is the most versatile album of their career. Already the opener “GIANTS ON THE RUN” flips the switch from the very first riff and impressively marks the terrain with the power voices of Andi Deris and Kai Hansen. No trace of restraint – the track takes a breath, takes off and unleashes a roar that leaves no doubt about the blazing pulse of the ten new songs. On this album, the experience and musical enthusiasm of a band that can do anything and everything blazes its way: Heavy, speed, rock, ballad – plain, intricate or progressive. With five strong songwriters and seven world-class musicians, creative limits are set aside once and for all on GIANTS & MONSTERS.

Musically rather straightforward and a veritable hit, “A LITTLE IS A LITTLE TOO MUCH” gives Andi Deris and Michael Kiske the space their monumental voices need for an intimate story. “Basically, it’s about the famous straw that breaks the camel’s back. During the writing process, however, I remembered an experience I had at the age of 15 and the lyrics ended up being pretty erotic – about little things that can quickly put an end to a big thing”, grins Deris. “THIS IS TOKYO” is another personal track. “I’ve always wanted to write this song. Japan plays a very special role in my life because I had my first big successes there with Pink Cream 69, and they have always treated me incredibly well. I wanted to create a tribute to Japan and finally had the right idea for the lyrics. Because ‘Tokyo’ sounds better in a chorus than ‘Japan’, the city stands for a whole country that is very important to me.”

“‘UNIVERSE (GRAVITY FOR HEARTS)" is a reminder that everything in the universe is connected, and what looks like an infinite number of stars could actually be moments, hearts and decisions,” describes songwriter Sascha Gerstner. With a playing time of over eight minutes, “UNIVERSE (GRAVITY FOR HEARTS)”, together with “MAJESTIC”, not only stands out as a longtrack – they both surprise with dizzying dynamic changes and huge melodic arcs that create entire worlds: Whatever you believe in is real. Alongside “WE CAN BE GODS”, “MAJESTIC” is also one of the tracks featuring all three singers of the HELLOWEEN super alliance. Both songs were penned by Kai Hansen and launch all trademarks that secured his place deep in metal hearts. “The space and aliens are my favorite themes and pretty fascinating. But you could also read the chorus as a description of the band: ‘We’re back and we’re the Masters of Power Metal’ – I’ll leave that up to the listeners,” laughs Hansen.

Masterclass is just as evident in gigantic ballads, and “GIANTS & MONSTERS” serves the first one in this constellation. “INTO THE SUN” is a duet in which Deris and Kiske sweepingly pour their hearts out, carried by masterfully orchestrated string cascades and yearning guitar solos. “Originally the song had different lyrics, but now it’s about reincarnation and that suits the track much better,” reveals Deris. “Michi and I share similar beliefs in that area, and I really wanted us to record the song together. He just sounds great when he sings it”. “SAVIOR OF THE WORLD”, a classic Weikath at his best, could have well been on one of the legendary ‘Keeper’ albums, and the extravagant “UNDER THE MOONLIGHT” also underlines his exceptional songwriting talent.

Consistently topping superlatives and presenting yet another milestone with “GIANTS & MONSTERS” requires the courage to keep reinventing a colossus like HELLOWEEN as well as continuing to challenge seven brimming careers even after four decades. And the instincts of the congenial producers Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward. For example, the fact that Dani Löble recorded all tracks on three different drum sets to individually decide which set delivers the perfect vibe for a song was only imaginable through unrestrained love of experimentation and highest standards. An effort and attention to detail that not everyone is willing to bring to the table. The mix was done at the legendary Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, which have witnessed the works of the greatest names in music – from Iron Maiden to Judas Priest and Def Leppard to Rammstein.

Friction is another secret of the band that experiences a second spring with the reunion. “What keeps motivating us is the fact that we’re extremely different. That generates suspense and creative energy,” explains Weikath, “and if problems do occur, we connect through our passion and our sense of humor. We try not to take ourselves and everything around us too seriously,” adds Hansen, before Deris concludes: “In the end, we’re just seven guys who want to make music and enjoy the incomparable force that arises when we’re together. HELLOWEEN is way more powerful than the sum of its parts.”

The world-famous unique pumpkin power will once again flood all stages on the upcoming anniversary tour when the band and their fans celebrate 40 years of HELLOWEEN. The band will be touring the planet’s prime arenas with an ultimate setlist including classics, newer songs and some legit surprises. The first dates of the European tour, starting in mid-October, were sold out immediately and tickets for additional shows in Madrid and Bochum are already on sale. The recently released live CD and Blu-ray/DVD “LIVE AT BUDOKAN,” documenting the first sold-out gig at the legendary Budokan in Tokyo, is the perfect warm-up before HELLOWEEN take their fans and all the world’s “GIANTS & MONSTERS” on their next victory lap through metal paradise.

“GIANTS & MONSTERS” will be released on August 29, 2025, as CD Jewelcase, CD Digipak (incl. bonus track), Earbook (incl. bonus CD), 2-LP Gatefold (in various colors) and 2-LP Picture (incl. bonus track), MC and digital.

HELLOWEEN - This Is Tokyo (Official Music Video)

https://www.facebook.com/helloweenofficial

DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG - Strangers In Paradise (official video)

The legendary vocalist Udo Dirkschneider is at it again, and I did not know. This album just came to my attention recently, but it turns out that there are already a bunch of music videos for it. The album does not come out until October 2025; however, below are four music videos for four songs from the album. The gang includes some Accept and U.D.O. people and some other personnel. Actually, below you can read the official propaganda from the record label. It's pretty stellar line-up. I have heard the album only one time so far, but it sounds as expected. Traditional heavy metal with Udo's signature voice and style, and with friends joining in. It's not just Udo singing, as you will see below in the videos.

Dirkschneider And The Old Gang

Babylon

Reigning Phoenix Music

3 October 2025

Babylon - Track Listing:

01. It Takes Two To Tango

02. Babylon

03. Hellbreaker

04. Time To Listen

05. Strangers In Paradise

06. Dead Man’s Hand

07. The Law Of A Madman

08. Metal Sons

09. Propaganda

10. Blindfold

11. Batter The Power

12. Beyond The End Of Time

Comprised of a dynamic collective of vocalists and musicians, DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG (DATOG) embark on a thrilling voyage across rock and metal realms in Babylon. The new album is set to make waves on October 3, 2025, released via Reigning Phoenix Music.

The high energy and catchy chorus hook of "It Takes Two To Tango" kicks off the album with a rock 'n' roll party atmosphere. Babylon's title track is a dramatic journey through entwining guitar leads, powerful vocals with a seductive undertone. Heavy distortion announces the arrival of "Hellbreaker". Brutal, dark and rhythmic, DATOG well and truly put the pedal to the metal. Picking up the pace with "Time To Listen", the increased intensity of the guitar driven sound is certain to be a fan favourite.

"Strangers In Paradise" is the first of Babylon's haunting rock ballads. Manuela’s soulful voice and delicate piano melodies lead the track, joined by Peter and Udo, before returning to rock realms. "Strangers In Paradise" attains further dimensions with the inclusion of a flamenco-style guitar performance. "Dead Man's Head" makes a swift return to traditional metal realms with 70s-esque organ harking back to metal's early era. Explosive riffs and thunderous chugging mark "The Law Of A Madman". It's a compelling song with an anthemic chorus hook and lashings of Mathias’ guitar solo goodness. "Metal Sons" remains in the heavier side of DATOG's creativity unveiling a bombastic display of heavy fury.

The theatrical powerhouse performance that is "Propaganda" sees an onslaught of soaring vocals, driving instrumentation and riffs galore. Manuela’s ethereal vocals are accompanied by captivating acoustic guitar melodies in the album's second ballad, "Blindfold". The song ebbs and flows between light and shade ultimately combining to the two styles into a dreamy offering. DATOG unleash the beast with "Batter The Power", through a ferocious groove-laden display. Babylon reaches its end with the impressive "Beyond The End Of Time". Just under 8 minutes in length, this track travels through an alluring array of stylistic influences, and allows each member's distinctive character to shine through.

Anything but strangers to the rock and metal world, Udo Dirkschneider, Peter Baltes, Stefan Kaufmann, Mathias Dieth, Sven Dirkschneider and Manuela Bibert deliver a tight, dynamic, and passionately crafted performance throughout the album Babylon, that was superbly captured within the walls of the legendary Dierks Studios.

About DATOG

DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG (DATOG) was originally launched in 2020 as a one-off charity project, but quickly developed a momentum of its own and formed into a band consisting of Udo Dirkschneider (vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Peter Baltes (bass, vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Stefan Kaufmann (guitar; ACCEPT/U.D.O.), Mathias “Don” Dieth (guitar; SINNER/U.D.O.), Sven Dirkschneider (drums; U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER) and Manuela “Ella” Bibert (vocals). Between 2020 and 2021 their first three singles attracted a lot of attention, whereupon the band wrote more songs and recorded their debut album. With a unique vocal concept of three voices, powerful riffs and stylistic complexity, DATOG combine classic heavy metal with a modern, powerful production.

DATOG are:

Udo Dirkschneider | lead vocals

Peter Baltes | bass, lead & backing vocals

Manuela “Ella” Bibert | lead & backing vocals, keys

Stefan Kaufmann | guitars, backing vocals

Mathias “Don” Dieth | guitars, backing vocals

Sven Dirkschneider | drums, backing vocals

Set for release on October 3, 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music, Babylon is now available for pre-order in a variety of stunning formats:

Limited Red, Gold & Black Marbled Gatefold Double Vinyl

Limited Red Opaque & Black Marbled Gatefold Double Vinyl

Gold Opaque Double Vinyl

Deluxe Earbook Edition with CD and enhanced 36-page booklet

Digipak CD featuring a 24-page booklet

Jewelcase CD featuring a 24-page booklet

Pre-orders are available now https://datog.rpm.link/babylonPR

DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG - Strangers In Paradise (Official Video)

DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG - Hellbreaker (Official Music Video)

DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG - It Takes Two To Tango (Official Music Video)

DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG - Time To Listen (Official Music Video)

COLD SLITHER – Thunder Machine | Official Lyric Video | Cobra Road Rage Reborn | G.I. Joe

Alright, alright, if you are not sure what to make of G.I. Joe-themed heavy metal music, welcome to the club, friend. Is it necessary to know a lot about G.I. Joe? I have no idea! If not, then maybe it's time to watch some G.I. Joe cartoons? I have been listening to this album, and I like it, even though I do not know the whole story behind. Anyway, watch these lyrics videos and hear for yourself. So, yes, this does have to do with G.I. Joe and the 1980s cartoons, but I am not knowledgeable enough to explain it well.

If you are interested in the story behind this project, read the official information below.

Cold Slither

Cold Slither

Reigning Phoenix Music

25 July 2025

Welcome To The Swamp (Intro) 1:14

Cold Slither 2:20

Knock 'Em Dread 3:00

Thunder Machine 3:05

Zartan's Revenge 2:47

Snakes On The Bayou 3:12

Torched 3:00

Under The Dreadnok's Spell 3:26

Master Of Disguise 4:20

The Ballad Of Buzzer 4:06

These Fluffies are Fatal 3:01

Rising rock and metal label Reigning Phoenix Music has teamed up with legendary toy maker Hasbro to bring to life COLD SLITHER, the fictional band from the iconic G.I. JOE Universe. The collaboration brings together members of GRUESOME, EXHUMED and KMFDM to create a fun and nostalgic homage to one of the most beloved toy brands of all time. The album is set to be released on July 25th, 2025, just in time for a one-night-only exclusive appearance to coincide with this year's San Diego Comic Con.

"Bringing COLD SLITHER to life through our partnership with RPM has been an absolute dream come true! As a child watching this fictional band on my TV screen, I never imagined I'd one day help transform them from animated rockstars into a tangible, sonic reality. From the meticulously crafted figures you can hold in your hand to the face-melting album we've created, G.I. JOE fans worldwide are about to experience something truly revolutionary this summer. This project bridges nostalgia with innovation in ways that will leave the community speechless—prepare for a musical assault that would make Cobra Commander proud!" shares Ben"BMac" MacCrae — Associate Brand Manager, Global Brand Development & Marketing at Hasbro.

Reigning Phoenix Music General Manager and Co-founder Gerardo Martinez comments: "It is a dream come true to be able to work on this amazing collaboration with my favorite, and one that happens to be one of the most iconic brands in the world: G.I.JOE! It is also a pleasure to work on this amazing project alongside some of my friends from Hasbro and be able to bring Cold Slither into reality in the most Heavy Metal way! Many of us have waited 40 years for this to happen but the wait is finally over. And a special thanks to Michael Charles Hill for writing the original COLD SLITHER episode back in 1985."

"It's programs like these that make Hasbro's goal of creating Magic Moments truly come to life! What started out as a cult-classic episode from the 1985 series G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero has culminated into a fan program for the ages - inclusive of toys, comics, and of course, music. It could not have been made possible without amazing licensees like Reigning Phoenix Music who put their passion, expertise, and fandom into everything they create. We're extremely excited for everyone to rock out to this single and we plan to reveal even more as we move closer to San Diego Comic Con. So, as the single echos, we hope... "you'll be joining us soon!"" says Alyse D’Antuono — Hasbro’s VP of Global Franchise Strategy & Management for Action Brands.

Preorders are now live for Cold Slither — the band’s full-length debut album — including a limited “Dreadnok Attack Orange” marble vinyl variant available via Reigning Phoenix Music and select retailers like Amazon, Amoeba and indie record stores.

Featuring 10 original tracks and a remastered version of their cult-classic single “Cold Slither,” the album plunges into dystopian metal with themes of swamp-born menace and Cobra-fueled power.

The Cold Slither album arrives July 25 across digital and vinyl formats, including San Diego Comic Con-exclusive “Zartan Chameleon Blue” and “Blood Moon Red” vinyl variants available only at the Hasbro and RPM booths, respectively.

COLD SLITHER Is:

Zartan - Gus Rios, vocals/guitars (GRUESOME, UNION BLACK, LEFT TO DIE)

Ripper - Matt Harvey, guitars (EXHUMED, GRUESOME, LEFT TO DIE)

Torch - Ross Sewage, bass (EXHUMED, IMPALED)

Buzzer - Andy Selway, drums (KMFDM)

About COLD SLITHER:

COLD SLITHER burst onto the scene with their now classic single, "Cold Slither", setting the stage for an even darker campaign with their upcoming album, "Cold Slither." Helmed by the enigmatic Zartan and supported by his ruthless Dreadnoks—Torch, Ripper, and Buzzer—this band blends heavy metal ferocity with a sinister, anarchistic energy that upends the conventional music scene. Their signature sound unleashes a torrent of guttural guitars, boisterous bass, venomous vocals, and thunderous percussion, casting shadows across the musical landscape.

Each concert is a spectacle of chaos and brute force, with COLD SLITHER captivating hearts and demolishing instruments worldwide. Their music transcends generational divides, championing a dark new world order with each pulse-pounding beat. This band doesn’t just chase gold and platinum records; they aim to capture the minds and souls of their audience.

Conceived by Cobra Commander, Zartan and his Dreadnoks were transformed into COLD SLITHER, a heavy metal behemoth designed to captivate and influence America's youth. With their cunning lyrics and compelling stage presence, they harness their music as a powerful tool for mass destruction and control.

Anticipation for their forthcoming album Cold Slither is building, with fans eager for a new chapter of anthems that promise not just to challenge but to change the industry. Prepare for an auditory onslaught that will resonate long after the lights fade. With Cold Slither, the revolution is not just televised—it's an all-encompassing, reverberating force. Brace yourself to join their ranks and be changed. Their music doesn’t merely entertain; it indoctrinates.

COLD SLITHER – Thunder Machine | Official Lyric Video | Cobra Road Rage Reborn | G.I. Joe

COLD SLITHER - Knock Em Dread | Official Lyric Video | Dreadnoks for Life | G.I. Joe

I am too late on this one: Warhog - The Dystopian Chronicles, Vol. 3

Warhog

The Dystopian Chronicles, Vol. 3

27 June 2025

Man, I wasn't able to get my act together and tell you about these Texans. Texas is its own universe of sports rivalries, music scenes, political hullabaloo, and historical mythology. Why, even W.A.S.P. wrote a song about the Lone Star State and still couldn't figure out why they were blind in Texas. Oh, man, that Texas heat is also something else. They've got tons of local bands playing all sorts of metal music. This band WARHOG plays Texas prog metal, talking about a dystopian future. This EP, I feel, is more fan-friendly than I expected, and that's just alright by me. Like I say, I missed the boat on this EP, but you know what, you can listen for yourself and get in on the action because the EP is already out.

There is a whole story that goes along with this EP. This is what the official propaganda says:

WARHOG’s The Dystopian Chronicles, Vol. 3 marks the climactic conclusion to the band’s ambitious trilogy: a sweeping, furious, and often uncomfortably honest exploration of humanity in decline. Born out of the grim tension of a future that feels all too familiar, the Chronicles series has traced our fall through the lens of dystopian storytelling, with each chapter revealing a different facet of our collective unraveling. With Vol. 3, WARHOG delivers their most aggressive and thematically pointed material yet.

Opening track “Unleash the Beast” explodes out of the gate with relentless energy and a venomous perspective on modern society. It’s a track that lives up to its name, channeling the chaos of 24-hour news cycles, corrupt leadership, and the cyclical violence we allow ourselves to repeat. "Kings and clowns trade thrones and lies" isn’t just a lyric—it’s WARHOG’s indictment of the spectacle of power, and the deliberate unleashing of our worst instincts on one another in exchange for profit and control. It’s anthemic, it’s pissed off, and it sets the tone for everything that follows.

“Future Shock” dives even deeper into the psychic fallout of this collapse. Told from the perspective of someone waking up in a broken world, disoriented and surrounded by decay, the track is laced with experimental guitar synth textures and warped vocal effects that push WARHOG’s sonic boundaries. The lyrics ask the question no one wants to answer: how did we let things get this bad? “Beyond the neon lights, the filth is left to spread,” they sing, a grim reminder that the glittering surface of our society is paper-thin. The song feels like a descent, both sonic and spiritual, into a place where identity, value, and purpose have eroded.

Then comes “Hollow,” a slow-burning track that strips away metaphor in favor of something raw and direct. Inspired by the murder of George Floyd, the song addresses the systemic failures of leadership and justice with clarity and sorrow. It mourns a world where those who are supposed to protect instead destroy, and where human worth is too often defined by politics, prejudice, and apathy. “Cast aside by broken men who hide away / Numb to all the pain of those who pay their way.” WARHOG steps away from their usual aggression here to deliver something more haunting, more contemplative, but no less powerful.

The final full song on the EP, “Stewards of a Broken World,” ties together all the trilogy’s themes. Originally written for another project, it quickly found a home here as the band realized it was the perfect finale. The song explores the looming environmental collapse with a sense of exhausted urgency. WARHOG isn’t interested in preaching, they're chronicling. “The harvest of a dying garden, compelled to finish what we’ve started” is less a warning than an observation: we know exactly what we’re doing, and we’re doing it anyway. Musically, it’s both epic and mournful, a fitting end to a trilogy that has always been about confronting our self-inflicted doom head-on.

But Vol. 3 doesn’t fade out quietly. Instead, it ends with something unexpected: “Signal_pulse27103_28_057_undefined_anomaly,” a mysterious transmission from deep space. It’s part outro, part interlude, part teaser for what’s coming next. The band discovered that the combined runtime of Chronicles and their debut album Call of the Voyager differed by just 17 seconds—and decided to even it out with this cryptic, atmospheric piece. It hints at WARHOG’s next chapter, an upcoming release titled Ethereal Journey, already in production. Something sleeping will awaken.

The Dystopian Chronicles, Vol. 3 is heavy. It’s melodic. It’s bruised and furious and strangely hopeful in its refusal to turn away. It’s WARHOG at their most focused and musically fearless. If you’ve followed the journey from Vol. 1 through Vol. 2, this third chapter doesn’t just complete the story—it elevates it. And if you’re new to the world WARHOG has built, there’s no better time to dive in.

The Dystopian Chronicles, Vol. 3 by Warhog