September 2025 marks a milestone for Canadian metalcore. Refiner—the solo project of Christopher Adam from Vancouver Island—releases its self-titled full-length via Rottweiler Records. More than a debut, it’s a statement: a blend of heft, melody and meticulously crafted electronics, rooted in the authenticity of the underground.
Wholly self-authored, Refiner finds Adam handling instruments, vocals and production. The result reflects a community-minded, DIY ethos cultivated on Vancouver Island’s independent scene.
Sound: modern metalcore with a twist
Expect a mosaic of textures—muscular riffs, cinematic backdrops and prominent electronics. Tracks like “Not The End” and “Return To Dust” braid resilience with renewal, while “upside uʍop” underscores electronics as a structural pillar rather than mere decoration.
“Return to dust—we strip away the noise to remember who we are.”
Metalcore 2025: trends
- Electronics and atmosphere weigh as much as riff-work.
- Lyrics probe personal/social themes: perseverance, renewal, meaning.
- Underground scenes drive change—Vancouver Island being a prime example.
Underground, community, collaboration
Refiner’s story is inseparable from Canada’s underground—small rooms, mutual support, authenticity over gloss. That ethos permeates the album: raw emotion, experimentation, and a firm refusal of formulas.
For fans of…
Listeners who crave contemporary metalcore intensity and groove, tight musicianship, and bold electronic architecture.
Details & merch
Digital and CD formats available; bonuses/merch via Bandcamp and Rottweiler Records.
Live
For up-to-date show info, follow Refiner on Facebook.
Bandcamp – Pre-order Facebook – Refiner Rottweiler Records Listen to the album (promo)