NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – April 21, 2026
IRON KINGDOM Forge “Blood and Steel” w/ Second Single From New Album “Shadows and Dust” Out June 2026
Sixth Album “Shadows and Dust” Out June 6th, 2026 via Steel Shark Records
Headline Hometown Show in Vancouver + Cross Canada Tour! and Armstrong Metal Fest, Loud As Hell Open Air Fest
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L-R – Leighton Holmes (Bass), Max Friesen (Drums), Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar), Megan Merrick (Lead Guitar)
Photo Credit – Cailin Haley
Vancouver, Canada’s traditional heavy metal torchbearers IRON KINGDOM return with the second single from their upcoming sixth studio album “Shadows and Dust,” due out June 6, 2026, marking their first release under their new label partnership with Steel Shark Records (France), which will offer an exclusive EU edition limited to just 300 double‑CD copies. Disc 1 will contain the full “Shadows and Dust” album, while Disc 2 will feature a “Best Of” collection highlighting tracks from Iron Kingdom’s previous five releases. In addition, the label will introduce a third vinyl colour (100 copies) available only to EU fans.
Following the momentum of their first single and music video “Defenders”, the band now unveils the powerful new track “Blood and Steel”, accompanied by an epic lyric video that dives deep into the album’s themes of endurance, mortality, and the human cost of ambition.
Bassist Leighton Holmes explains further:
“The inspiration for ‘Blood and Steel’ came from two places. One draws from Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen, and the other from imagining myself as a soldier in Alexander the Great’s army, twelve years into a campaign, thousands of miles from home, questioning how I got there. The endless marching, the battles, the weight of the gear… It’s a brutal life, and in a small way, it parallels the blood, sweat, and tears of touring in a band.”
Musically, “Blood and Steel” stands apart in the IRON KINGDOM catalogue.
“We wanted the song to feel like a march. It’s very bass‑ and drum‑driven in the verses, with guitars layered in strategic spots. It’s a different kind of song for us, and I think it’s going to add something special to our live sets,” adds vocalist/guitarist Chris Osterman.
Watch and listen to “Blood and Steel” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb8BIzHT3_Q
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/track/6SDL7czZLBENHKRRbFvrQl
“Shadows and Dust” is IRON KINGDOM’s most emotionally charged and thematically dark album to date, ten tracks exploring death, hardship, impermanence, and the resilience required to push through life’s most difficult trials. The cover art, inspired by the story behind “Blood and Steel,” depicts an army marching across a desolate landscape, echoing the album’s central themes of struggle and perseverance.
“This album plays in a dark realm. But that’s exactly what will make it accessible to people going through tough times. The music shows hope for a way out. It’s a journey, one we can’t wait for fans to experience front to back,” says Osterman.
In additional news, to celebrate the release of “Shadows and Dust,” IRON KINGDOM will headline a special hometown album release show at the Rickshaw Theatre on June 5, 2026. Fans can expect the band’s signature high‑energy performance, raw, loud, and unapologetically traditional heavy metal. Info at https://orangetickets.ca/detalles_evento.php?id_evento=2127
The album release show will also serve as the band’s tour kick-off, as the band will hit the road this summer across Canada in support of “Shadows and Dust,” including confirmed festival appearances at Armstrong Metal Fest and Loud As Hell Open Air Festival.
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True North Strong And Heavy Canadian Tour – Iron Kingdom, W.M.D.
https://www.iron-kingdom.com/tour-dates
June 5 – Vancouver, BC – The Rickshaw
July 2 – Nanaimo, BC – The Globe
July 3 – Victoria, BC – Lucky Bar
July 4 – Cumberland, BC – The Waverley
July 5 – Powell River, BC – The Carlson Loft
July 17 – Armstrong, BC – AMF 2026
July 21 – Prince George, BC – Knox Performance Centre
July 23 – Whitehorse, YT – Lefty’s Well
July 24 – Dawson City, YT – The Pit
July 25 – Dawson City, YT – The Pit
July 26 – Whitehorse, YT – The 98 Hotel
July 28 – Yellowknife, NT – The Underground
July 29 – Fort Smith, NT – Dirty O’ Fergie’s
July 30 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite
July 31 – Drumheller, AB – LAH 2026
Aug 1 – Winnipeg, MB – Park Theatre
Aug 2 – Thunder Bay, ON – Bloom Bar + Lounge
Aug 3 – Sudbury, ON – The Lounge 390
Aug 4 – London, ON – Supply & Demand
Aug 5 – Waterloo, ON – Maxwells
Aug 6 – Ottawa, ON – Dominion Tavern
Aug 7 – Toronto, ON – Bovine
Aug 8 – Montréal, QC – Foufounes Électriques
Aug 9 – Sherbrooke, QC – Le Murdoch
Aug 11 – Woodstock, NB – Monteith Manor
Aug 12 – Halifax, NS – Gus’ Pub
Aug 14 – Corner Brook, NL – TBD
Aug 15 – St. John’s, NL – The Rockhouse
Aug 17 – Truro, NS – Marigold Cult. Centre (Lobby)
Aug 18 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti
Aug 19 – Hamilton, ON – Doors Pub
Aug 21 – Saskatoon, SK – Black Cat Tavern
Aug 22 – Calgary, AB – Dicken’s
Aug 23 – Kelowna, BC – Jackknife Brewing
Formed in 2011, IRON KINGDOM have spent over a decade championing the classic heavy metal tradition, drawing influence from legends such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, The Scorpions, and Rush. Known for their electrifying live performances, intricate musicianship, and unwavering dedication to the genre, the band has toured extensively across Canada, the USA, Europe, and Brazil, sharing stages with acts like Night Demon and Blaze Bayley.
“Shadows and Dust” marks the next chapter in their evolution, an album that blends old‑school metal spirit with fresh energy and emotional depth.
Album Teaser – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmWn8pKOyh0
Music Video – “Defenders” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3k7tW5-9Os
Album pre-order (release date June 6th, 2026) available at the following links:
Official Merch store: https://www.iron-kingdom.com/shop
Bandcamp: https://iron-kingdom.bandcamp.com/music
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Track Listing:
1. Defenders
2. Eternal Emperor
3. Dreamless Sea
4. Deadhouse Gates
5. Line Of Fire
6. Blood And Steel
7. Shadow Of Time
8. Dark Demands
9. Starlight
10. Sacred Fire
For more info:
https://www.iron-kingdom.com
https://www.facebook.com/ironkingdomofficial
https://www.instagram.com/iron_kingdom
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“Ten tracks leading to a beautiful journey you will wish to live forever. A masterpiece to own with pleasure. Iron Kingdom has arrived on the stardom stairs, and it’s worth it 100/100.” – The Metal Mag (Shadows and Dust 2026)
“Loads of riffs and melodies some excellent lead breaks and pounding rhythms. This is bonafide, foot on the monitor, fist pumping, horn throwing real metal. I have never heard Iron Kingdom before but on the strength of this I will be obtaining the back catalogue very soon.” – My Global Mind (The Blood of Creation 2022)
“If you haven’t checked out Iron Kingdom’s earlier releases and you dig pure ’80s metal, grab a copy of The Blood of Creation then get ready to hunt down their earlier catalog. You will not be disappointed.” – The Metal Crypt (The Blood of Creation 2022)
“I am compelled to say that IRON KINGDOM most surely outdone themselves with “The Blood Of Creation”… A distinctively distinguished experience in Heavy Metal relishment distils at an epically entrancing adventure, should you desire it… an injection in infectiously venomous momentum most definitely deserves interest – do check it out.” – Metal Temple (The Blood of Creation 2022)
“With The Blood Of Creation, Iron Kingdom have forged a masterpiece that brings tears of joy to the eyes of every traditional metalhead. There is only high-quality material and everyone is encouraged to include this album in their choice of this year’s Top10. ” – Soundmagnet (The Blood of Creation 2022)
“To put a bow on IRON KINGDOM’s The Blood of Creation, it’s dang good, borderline perfect and any fan of hard rock and heavy metal that is slathered with soaring epic vocals, dual guitar rhythm and shredding solo’s layed down on a feather bed of thunderous, galloping and filling chattering drums and bass then go, go, go get you some of this. A monster thank you to Chris for taking the time to chat me up and gift me this glorious CD. Now I need to go and get the back catalog…” – KNAC (The Blood of Creation 2022)
“a barnstorming barrage of blistering heavy metal, highly head bang-able and immensely infectious.” – Metal Gods TV (The Blood of Creation 2022)
“”The Blood of Creation” is a satisfying excursion into metal classicism.” – Wormwood Chronicles (The Blood of Creation 2022)
“This is a solid album of heavy metal delivered in the style that is true to the cause and therefore, what the listener gets here with ‘The Blood of Creation’, is an album which mounts its steeds and charges forward in a cavalry strike as galloping riffage and rhythms never give the listener the chance to let up with tracks such as ‘Queen of the Crystal Throne’, ‘In the Grip of Nightmares’ and ‘Witching Hour’ having some very impressive twin guitar lines. This would impress any fan of Iron Maiden, Riot V and Iced Earth, but also sticks within the remit of trad metal with bands such as Katana, Skelator and Toledo Steel.” – Metal Digest (The Blood of Creation 2022)
“Anyone who likes beautiful and playful melodies, extensive guitar solos, detailed arrangements and double lead guitars will be well served with “The Blood Of Creation”.” – PowerMetal.de (The Blood of Creation 2022)
“The musicianship is solid, the lead work sharp and Osterman’s high-pitched vocals can certainly hit the heights. His soaring shrill delivery on ‘Queen of the Crystal Throne’ demonstrates that perfectly. New drummer Max Friesen makes his recording debut for the band and puts in a sterling effort with some robust and powerful performances.” – Ever-Metal (The Blood of Creation 2022)
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