Powerplay 287 May/June 2026 – Siege Perilous, Vanderlust, Anthea, Heavenfall, Sons of Butcher
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0 Powerplay 287 May/June 2026 – Siege Perilous, Vanderlust, Anthea, Heavenfall, Sons of Butcher
0 EPK – Powerload – In The Pocket (2026)
EPK – Powerload – In The Pocket (2026)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
For fans of G.B.H., Motorhead, AC/DC, Motley Crue
Band: Powerload
Album: In The Pocket
Release Date: June 26th, 2026
Label: Luv Machine Records (Vinyl), Night Strike Records (Cassette), Nice Load Records & Marital Aid (CD)
Genre: Hard Rock, Metal-Punk, Rock n’ Roll
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
“We wanted this album to be almost conceptual of the POWERLÖAD lifestyle. You start the party drinking (Tons Of Tail), maybe you hook up with a chick (Bad Girls), some guy bugs you for blow (The Ballad Of Shit Faced Tony), you go play the gig & rock the night (Chains of Rock n’ Roll), you spend your hard earned gig money gambling after (Stakes Are High), you smoke some weed to even out (Defenders Of The Eighth), you meet another chick (Lapdog Deluxe), time to go home (Drunk In A Taxi Cab). While this isn’t a concept album in actuality, people who’ve heard it typically compare it to The Who’s Tommy or Pink Floyd’s The Wall, mostly because of the musicianship & lyrical themes, which are superior on “In The Pocket”” – Powerload
Facebook.com/POWERLOADYEG | Instagram.com/POWERLOAD.YEG | Youtube.com/@POWERLOADYEG
Powerload.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music
Band: Powerload
Album: In The Pocket
Release Date: June 26th, 2026
Label: Luv Machine Records (Vinyl), Night Strike Records (Cassette), Nice Load Records & Marital Aid (CD)
Genre: Hard Rock, Metal-Punk, Rock n’ Roll
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Track Listing:
1. Tons Of Tail (2:36)
2. Bad Girls (3:02)
3. The Ballad Of Shit Faced Tony (2:58)
4. Chains Of Rock n’ Roll (2:51)
5. Stakes Are High (So Am I) (3:21)
6. Defenders Of The Eighth (2:42)
7. Lapdog Deluxe (2:20)
8. Drunk In A Taxi Cab (3:25)
Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Powerload
• All songs written by: Powerload
• Produced by: Powerload & Rob Lawless
• Mixed by: Rob Lawless
• Mastered by: Rob Lawless
• Album Artwork by: Adan Vazquez
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
Band Line Up Album + Live
Shel Shock – Bass, Vocals (Tracks 1, 3, 4, 6)
Brett Michaels – Guitar
Hell Hammered – Drums, Vocals (Tracks 2, 5, 7, 8)
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About The Album Artwork:
Some company refused to print the artwork on hoodies for us, & they described it this way: “a nude robot in an explicit position. The robot is receiving a ball in her buttocks while she is bent down.”
About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
SEX, DRUGS, ROCK N’ ROLL.
Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
1. Tons of Tail – sounds like it’s about lots of chicks, but it’s actually about lots of cocktails. Sounds like ACDC if they sucked.
2. Bad Girls – Song dedicated to all the badass, strong, independent women we know. Chicks are way cooler than dudes. Sounds kinda like Celtic Frost… if they sucked.
3. The Ballad Of Shit Faced Tony – We wrote this song about this guy that wouldn’t stop asking people for blow in Toronto, & they called him “Shit Face Tony,” but he was just this little dude in a button-up that looked like he just finished the late class at the college. He got in a motorcycle accident a few months ago & is regrowing his organs. Guy rules. Sounds like Powerload to me, baby!
4. Chains Of Rock n’ Roll – This song is about rockin’ & livin’ the life of rock n’ roll like how the best in the biz – the Sunset Strip bands of the 80s did it. Sounds like those bands if they had a singer who couldn’t sing & a guitar player who just started playing a few months ago.
5. Stakes Are High (& So Am I) – This song was a tribute to Motorhead lyrically, with the title lifted from the lyrics of an Uncle Ted song. Kinda just once again sounds like Powerload, we throw all the shit we love into a big ‘ol blender & this is what you get.
6. Defenders Of The Eighth – This song is about smoking weed. I think. Sounds like Inepsy/Motorhead if they sucked.
7. Lapdog Deluxe – This song was inspired by the line in ZZ Top’s “Under Pressure,” “Flippin’ Out With Great Danes,” because, like, what the fuck does that even mean? & why is this chick flipping out with them? Song sounds like we took a dump in the glam rock junk shop & we mean that in the very best way possible.
8. Drunk In A Taxi Cab – this song was inspired by that really shitty time you had too much to drink & had to get in a car to go home. When you do this nightly, you have a lot of time to reflect on it. Sounds like Powerload if Powerload sucked!
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Fun Facts – Story Angles:
1. We opened up for Sebastian Bach & he got really mad at us for writing “Sebastian Cock” on our set lists. He later apologized & hung out with us for a bit. Baz rules. The full story is on our Instagram.
2. Shel Shock sings Defenders Of The Eighth but is the only band member who doesn’t smoke weed.
3. All 3 members have a third leg.
4. People think the album cover for In The Pocket is AI, but it’s actually an acrylic painting, & we get some really interesting virgins calling us out online.
5. We built a bar in our jam space & it’s called the “Powerlöad Bar & Grill” where we serve booze & hot dogs.
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L-R: Hell Hammered (Drums/Vocals), Shel Shock (Bass/Vocals), Brett Michaels (Guitar)
Photo Credit – STUDIO VON PHOTOGRAPHY
Straight out of their daddy’s dick, Powerlöad are real-deal rock’n’ rollers. No rules, no wimps, just pure, unadulterated slut rock. Combining elements of all their favourite punk, heavy metal & porno movies, they bring a fresh load to a tired & cookie-cutter scene. EST. 2024.
DISCOGRAPHY:
2026 – IN THE POCKET – LP/TAPE/CD
2025 – SPREAD YOUR LEGS – DIGITAL SINGLE
2025 – 1-900-HOT-LÖAD – 7 INCH SINGLE
2024 – DEMO ‘24 – TAPE
Shared Stage with:
Sebastian Bach, Anvil, The Accused AD, Villain, Toy Tiger, MDOP, Mrsa, Cemetery Girl, Midnite Hellion, Divine Apprehension, Lover, Bottom Line, Revelator, Chinese Medicine, Miesha & the Spanks, Fishlips, Lewd Antics, Kurt Dimer, Qualia, Vargouille, Ol’ Baldy Garret Dale, 2 Shadows, Repugnant Scum, Accidents Happen, Wolfenstein, Nervous Aggression, Sick Ritual, Disaster Relief, Plagued By Fire, Sycatrys, Frenesi, Abuse, Dead Shit Earth, Phrozen, Slug Rust, Bigg Egg, Spike Pit, Butcher’s Dog, World Eaters, Vicious Intent, Blind Tyrant.
Tour and Festivals:
2026 – Weekend Warranty Tour – Western Canada
2026 – Winterruption Festival – Edmonton, AB
2025 – The Hunt For Ogopogo – Western Canada
2025 – Loads Allover Yousa – USA Rust Belt + Toronto, ON
2024 – Rock n’ Roll Safari – Canadian Prairies
0 Out Now! Pure Canadian Heavy Metal Steel IRON KINGDOM’s Sixth Album “Shadows and Dust” (Steel Shark Records) + Cross Canada Tour Dates
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – June 6, 2026
Out Now! Pure Canadian Heavy Metal Steel IRON KINGDOM’s Sixth Album “Shadows and Dust”
Cross Canada Tour! and Armstrong Metal Fest, Loud As Hell Open Air Fest
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L-R – Max Friesen (Drums), Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar), Megan Merrick (Lead Guitar), Leighton Holmes (Bass)
Photo Credit – Cailin Haley
Canada’s traditional heavy‑metal torchbearers proudly announce the official release of their sixth studio album, “Shadows and Dust,” available everywhere on June 6, 2026. The band also confirms its new partnership with Steel Shark Records (France), which will handle the album’s European release and 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.
To celebrate the album, Iron Kingdom is kicking off a summer of touring that includes festival appearances at Armstrong Metal Fest and Loud As Hell Open Air Festival (dates listed below).
Formed in 2011, Iron Kingdom has spent over a decade reviving the classic heavy‑metal spirit inspired by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, The Scorpions, and Rush. The band is well known for its energetic and electrifying stage presence, as well as intricate musical melodies that bring listeners back to a time when heavy metal was in its prime.
With “Shadows and Dust,” the band continues to evolve while staying true to the melodic, epic, and adventurous sound that defines them. Lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Osterman describes their sonic identity as classic, powerful, epic, adventurous, and melodic.
Lyrically and musically, “Shadows and Dust” explores themes of death, hardship, perseverance, and the emotional lows that shape the human experience.
“It speaks of some very low points in human emotions… but I also think that’s exactly what will make this album accessible to people going through tougher times… the music shows hope for a positive way out,” adds Osterman.
The album features 10 new tracks and runs approximately 48 minutes, offering a dynamic mix of classic heavy metal, power metal, progressive elements, and neo‑classical flair.
The cover art draws from the story behind “Blood and Steel,” depicting an army marching through a harsh landscape, a metaphor for endurance through suffering.
“Life is often like this: we have to go through things that are uncomfortable, even dangerous, to reach the position we need to be,” adds bassist Leighton Holmes.
Iron Kingdom released three singles leading up to the album launch, “Deadhouse Gates”, a mystical, melodic heavy‑metal rocker inspired by the Malazan Book of the Fallen. “Blood and Steel”, a marching, drum‑and‑bass‑driven epic about a soldier lost far from home. “Defenders”, a fast, emotional tribute to the Battle of Gdansk, inspired in part by Osterman’s Polish family history.
“Even though this song is fast and heavy… I think it speaks to the courage of those who defend their families, their friends, and their way of life,” adds Osterman.
Recommended for fans of Helloween, Riot, Iron Maiden, Savatage, Judas Priest, “Shadows and Dust” can be heard in full at the following links:
NWOTHM full albums YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYQzVXGtJXY
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/1E5IetyIvOdAt5CKG54gLw
Official Merch store: https://www.iron-kingdom.com/shop
Bandcamp: https://iron-kingdom.bandcamp.com/music
Music Video – Deadhouse Gates – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBE3s4WRlIw
Music Video – Defenders – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3k7tW5-9Os
Lyric Video – Blood and Steel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb8BIzHT3_Q
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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 – TBD
July 25 – Dawson City, YT – Palace Grand Theatre
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 – Retro
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
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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
About: Formed in 2011 in Vancouver, Iron Kingdom carries the flame of classic heavy metal inspired by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, The Scorpions, and Rush. Known for their high‑energy performances, intricate twin‑guitar work, and unwavering DIY ethos, the band has toured extensively across Canada, the USA, Europe, and Brazil, sharing stages with Night Demon, Blaze Bayley, and more.
Their discography includes “Curse of the Voodoo Queen” (2011), “Gates of Eternity” (2013), “Ride for Glory” (2015), “On the Hunt” (2019), and “The Blood of Creation” (2022). “Shadows and Dust” marks the next chapter in their evolution, an album that blends old‑school metal spirit with fresh energy and emotional depth.
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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
“the entire album is rock-solid from start to finish. If you call yourself a metal fan, this is a mandatory addition to your playlist.” – Broken Neck Radio
“Iron Kingdom has really taken their stance with hard rock and heavy metal to a standstill, packed with amazement and shining glory in all of its wonder, but making sure the two genres between the NWOBHM and thrash eras are kept in their mighty epic book of ingredients to keep you coming back for more. What can I say? Shadows and Dust is the album we’ve been waiting for this upcoming summer of 2026.” – Echoes and Dust
“After countless tours, line-up changes and even after a serious accident, IRON KINGDOM seem stronger today than ever. With ‘Shadows And Dust’ they deliver exactly the album that traditionalists have been longing for for years. Powerful, melodic, anthemic and rousing, full of great guitar moments and an honest passion for classic heavy metal. If you love IRON MAIDEN, RIOT, HELLOWEEN or SAVATAGE, you should definitely grab it here. The release in all formats as well as via “Steel Shark Records” with vinyl for collectors also fits in with this.” – Saitenkult
“There are no weak tracks on the album, just kick ass traditional metal from start to finish. Queue this one up if you want a mix of mid-80s Iron Maiden and Malice with a hint of Arch-era Fates Warning.” – Metal Crypt
“This is exactly how traditional heavy metal stays vital. True believers like Iron Kingdom guard the flame while adding their own chapter to the story. Shadows and Dust doesn’t omly honour the legacy of the genre, it actually strengthens it. Heavy metal remains a lifestyle as much as a sound, and this album is a worthy soundtrack for those who live it. Essential listening for anyone who still believes in real heavy metal.” – Sentinel Daily
“With Shadows and Dust, Iron Kingdom enter a new era with sharpened purpose, renewed fire, and a sound that honors the past while forging boldly ahead. It’s a story of endurance, evolution, and the unbreakable power of Heavy Metal, and I’m sure that after Shadows and Dust we’ll see those Canadians rockin’ for many years to come no matter what. Best moments of the album: Deadhouse Gates, Line of Fire and Dark Demands.” – The Headbanging Moose
“If you only have one selection to convince someone whether they should invest time/money/effort into Iron Kingdom, play them “Shadow Of Time” as it locks into the classic sound they do so well. Winner!” – Mark Gromen – Bravewords
“Iron Kingdom’s sixth full-length continues the band’s upward trajectory in a way that is both concise and still varied. Every track has just enough difference between to make them all stand out from one another, while never feeling like they belong to a different artist. 2022’s “Blood of Creation” was an absolute clinic in modern metal perfection, and it would always be a tough act to follow but Iron Kingdom did so with gusto. Masterfully produced and even better performed, “Shadows and Dust” is one of the years best.” – The NWOTHM
“If you enjoy classic heavy metal and want more of that timeless sound, then ‘Shadows and Dust’ will feel very familiar in a good way… it is honest, energetic, and enjoyable from start to finish.” – AfterNoiz
“this new ten‑track album from Iron Kingdom definitely caught our attention. What we hear is very traditional heavy metal, with history and mythology serving as the thematic backbone for their lyrics. The result is ten songs that are well‑constructed and well‑arranged. You’ll find everything the subgenre demands: power, melody, and catchiness.” – Musika
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Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook – Asher Media Relations
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0 WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA Announces 2026 National Finalists FATE DEFINED, NEMESIS, GANNONDORF, RAMTHA, THE VICTORIOUS DEAD, THROUGH THE OCULUS – One Band To Conquer Them All & Play WACKEN OPEN AIR!
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – June 5, 2026
WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA Announces 2026 National Finalists
FATE DEFINED, NEMESIS, GANNONDORF, RAMTHA, THE VICTORIOUS DEAD, THROUGH THE OCULUS
One Band To Conquer Them All & Play WACKEN OPEN AIR!
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One Band to Conquer Them All! Wacken Metal Battle USA announces the 2026 national finalists who will clash for the title of USA champion and earn their place onstage at this year’s 35th anniversary of Wacken Open Air and the international Wacken Metal Battle, uniting rising bands from across the world at one of the planet’s most iconic and influential metal festivals.
After battles hosted across the country, the final six have emerged to represent the best of the best underground metal bands in the United States and will compete at the national final on June 13th in San Diego, CA, at Brick By Brick (113 Buenos Ave.), where they will perform in front of metal-hungry fans and be judged by a panel of music industry veterans that includes Rod Kukla (Silver Lining Music), Martin Koller (Prophecy Production, SPKR Media) and more to be announced in the coming days.
The final six bands that won their regionals are FATE DEFINED (Spokane, WA), NEMESIS (Houston, TX), GANNONDORF (San Diego, CA), RAMTHA (St. Petersburg, FL), THE VICTORIOUS DEAD (New York, NY), and THROUGH THE OCULUS (Apple Valley, CA).
Listen to all the USA national final bands on the WMBU 2026 Final Spotify Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/14751T41YocZkJCVUJWcjL?si=HGcF4x2xRXKHWR8PEaXy5w
About the bands:
FATE DEFINED – https://fatedefined.com/about-us-epk
Lyric Video – World in Flames – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cATc3ZPyMAc
Fate Defined is a heavy metal powerhouse from Spokane, Washington, formed in late 2020. Blending modern aggression with old‑school thrash, they aim to define the Pacific Northwest metal sound. Their debut EP World in Flames dropped in May 2024, fueling a run of headlining shows, festivals, their first music video, and a tour that included the historic Knitting Factory. The band kicked off 2025 with multiple sold‑out shows, including a support slot for (Hed) P.E. The quintet continues to hit stages while writing their next record.
NEMESIS – https://www.nemesisriffs.com/
Governed With Fear – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3lQ0XtK07I
NEMESIS began as the brainchild of guitarist Nick Broussard, who started writing music soon after picking up the instrument at 13. Through high school collaborations and the unexpected isolation of COVID, Nick wrote an entire album and shaped the band’s identity before lineup changes stalled their early momentum. After reconnecting with drummer Alex and teaming up with Reagan and Ezra, the revived lineup recorded and released their debut album False Reality in summer 2023. The band quickly hit the stage, opening for major acts like Fueled by Fire, Metal Church, Armored Saint, EYEHATEGOD, Goatwhore, and Accept while performing across Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Now finishing their second album, NEMESIS enters the 2026 Wacken Metal Battle as the reigning Texas State Champion, heading to San Diego to compete for the national title.
GANNONDORF – https://www.facebook.com/Gannondorfmetaloffical
Thriller (cover track) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-o5tp5nnhs
Gannondorf is an avant‑garde black metal project from the San Diego/Escondido, California area, originally formed in 2008. The band began as a fusion of black metal and video‑game‑inspired themes, later evolving through a period under the name Gravespell before returning to their original identity in 2020. Their music blends experimental, gothic, and extreme‑metal elements, drawing on dark, apocalyptic, and fantastical themes. Gannondorf’s most notable release is The Nightmare Institution (2024), an eight‑track, hour‑long album praised for its technical guitar work, atmospheric horror‑driven aesthetics, and genre‑blending approach. The project remains active and independent, continuing to expand its sound while maintaining a cult following within the California extreme‑metal underground.
RAMTHA – https://linktr.ee/ramthabandfl
Music Video – Infinite Energy – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yXxBbuLLsI
Ramtha is an extreme‑metal band from St. Petersburg/Tampa, Florida, known for fusing death metal, thrash, grind, and hardcore into a high‑intensity hybrid sound. Active since 2022, the band has carved out a distinct identity within Florida’s extreme‑metal scene. They’ve released two EPs, Void Tyrant (2023) and Through Eyes of Death (2024), and are currently developing a third EP slated for 2026. Ramtha has earned a reputation for explosive live performances, frequently hitting Tampa’s Brass Mug and sharing stages with major acts such as Exhorder, Crypta, Worm, Gruesome, Artillery, Killing Addiction, Bandit, Gillian Carter, Dayglo Abortions, and Hong Kong Fck You. With momentum continuing to build, the band remains a rising force in the underground.
THE VICTORIOUS DEAD – https://linktr.ee/hailtvd
Music Video – To The Darkness – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7Qg9I2k3Wk
Founded in 2023 by guitarist Jonathan Theriault, The Victorious Dead is on a mission to unleash crushing and melodic metal upon the world. Joined by drummer Jude Austin and bassist Andrew Klabin, the band released their debut EP Life of Death in June of 2024. The Sound The crushing impact of The Victorious Dead’s sound is not at all compromised by their catchy hooks and breathtaking moments. With influences such as Iron Maiden, Amon Amarth, Mastodon, and Enslaved, both musicality and demolishing riffage take top priority.
THROUGH THE OCULUS – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572792274421
Music Video – Belladonna’s Deadly Waltz – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e4KShIXvdY
Through the Oculus is a female‑fronted metal band from Apple Valley, California, formed in 2017. The group blends powerful vocals, melodic guitar work, thunderous bass, and driving drums into a modern heavy‑metal sound that quickly set them apart in the Southern California scene. Within a short time, they began performing at iconic venues including The Viper Room, Whisky a Go Go, and Adelanto Stadium, building momentum through high‑energy live shows. Their self‑titled debut album showcased a dynamic mix of hard‑rock and metal influences, earning attention for its blend of personal lyrical themes and fictional narratives of quests, revenge, sacrifice, and destruction. The band continues to write new material and perform actively, solidifying their reputation as one of the region’s rising heavy‑music acts.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Venue: Brick By Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
Time: Doors 7 pm – 21+
Ticket Link – https://www.ticketweb.com/event/wacken-metal-battle-brick-by-brick-tickets/14865723
Event Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/990241790350952
The 2026 WMBU champion will receive the following:
– A slot at the 2026 Wacken Open Air Festival.
– Full professional backline provided.
– $1,000 USD towards flights to Germany.
– VIP camping at the festival.
List of previous WMBU national winners: Mourning High (2025 – Southern California / Arizona), Cascade Effect (2024 – San Diego), Fadrait (2023 – San Diego), Mythraeum (2022 – San Diego), Monarch (2019 – San Diego), Voices of Ruin (2018 – Anaheim), and Corpse Hoarder (2017 – Philadelphia).
Watch – Wacken Metal Battle 2025 – Aftermovie | Have You Heard the Future of Metal? – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCulXiLlaSw
Wacken Battle Trailer Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjMugRXEc5g
For the last seven years of battles (2017-2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025), Wacken Metal Battle USA has hosted battles across the country to send one independent metal band to perform at the world’s largest metal festival, Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. 2019 saw the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, but due to COVID, the 2020 and 2021 editions were both canceled. As the metal community regains its strength, Wacken Open Air 2026 will be the 35th edition of the festival and will be held from July 29th to August 1st. The 2026 event is already sold out with a line-up that includes Def Leppard, Lamb Of God, In Flames, Powerwolf, Emperor, Sepultura, and Running Wild, among others. Details here.
Wacken Metal Battle USA is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance to win their spot among over 55 other countries’ champions and represent the USA in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air. The battles have been hosted at the festival for over a decade and allow independent bands to showcase their talents to an international audience, along with the chance to win multiple prizes.
How it works:
Participating cities will host qualifying rounds plus a city final organized by a local city concert promoter, where one band will move forward to the American national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will advance to perform at Wacken Open Air 2026 and compete against the winners of international bands from around the globe in a major international battle. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives.
About Wacken Open Air:
Wacken Open Air is the largest heavy metal festival in the world. Starting with 800 visitors in 1990, nowadays 85,000 fans from all over the world travel to Wacken every year, turning the small village in Schleswig-Holstein into the center of the festival scene for several days. The organizing WOA Festival GmbH is connected to a broad network, including band management, the Wacken Foundation, tour booking, music publishing, Travel & Stay, merchandising distribution, and ticketing. In cooperation with partners, these results in creative solutions and ideas that revolutionize the festival experience, enable technical innovations, and produce extraordinary event concepts. Wacken Open Air 2026 will take place from July 29 to August 1, 2026.
Links:
Metal-Battle.com
MetalBattleUSA.com
Facebook.com/metalbattleusa.official
X.com/MetalBattleUSA
Instagram.com/wmbusa.official
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Sponsors / Partners:
Fatal Illness Management
Bravewords.com
Metal-Rules.com
V13.net
GhostCultMag.com
Come And Take It Productions
Brick By Brick
Distilled Entertainment
Piox Promotions
Tampa Bay Metal Scene
Last Light Presents
East Coast Metal Mayhem
Dean Guitars
Asher Media Relations
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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook – Asher Media Relations
Instagram – AsherMedia
Tweet – AsherMedia
0 Out Now! SEVEN METAL SINS Debut Album “Legacy Of Chaos”
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – June 5, 2026
Out Now! SEVEN METAL SINS Debut Album “Legacy Of Chaos”
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French heavy metal force Seven Metal Sins release their debut album, “Legacy Of Chaos,” via Rockshots Records.
Founded by former Manigance members Stéphane Lacoude and Patrick Soria, the band combines classic heavy metal roots with power metal intensity and speed metal energy. Backed by a lineup of experienced musicians, Seven Metal Sins deliver a collection of songs built on powerful riffs, melodic hooks, and dynamic performances.
With “Legacy Of Chaos,” the band presents eleven tracks inspired by the turmoil of the modern world, exploring themes of social instability, environmental crisis, and humanity’s uncertain future through a strong, uncompromising metal approach.
Produced by Seven Metal Sins, “Legacy Of Chaos” was mixed by Jérémie Garat at Reseda Prod and mastered by Simon Capony at Basalte Studio, while Marco Orlando created the album artwork and layout.
For fans of: Accept, Primal Fear, Judas Priest, early Helloween
New album “Legacy Of Chaos” out June 5th, 2026, from Rockshots Records.
CD ORDER“Legacy Of Chaos“: https://rockshots.eu/products/seven-metal-sins-legacy-of-chaos-cd
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://lnk.to/p4EmBvm2
Music Video – Eternal Fall – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G19LFRxAbs4
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Track Listing:
1. The Fall (Intro) – 0:57
2. Scars of Injustice – 4:35
3. No Sanctuary – 4:22
4. Hypocrisy – 4:07
5. Eternal Downfall – 4:57
6. Feel the Steel – 4:20
7. Wolves of the Last Dawn – 4:36
8. Beyond the Breaking Point – 4:01
9. Sun Eaters – 5:00
10. Rise of the Phoenix – 3:55
11. King of Sorrow – 6:25
Seven Metal Sins Line-up:
Claw-G.: Vocals
Antton Iriart: Guitars
Frédéric Auclerc: Guitars
Stéphane Lacoude: Bass
Patrick Soria: Drums
More info:
https://facebook.com/sevenmetalsins
https://instagram.com/seven_metal_sins.official
BIOGRAPHY:
Seven Metal Sins is a European heavy metal band formed in April 2024 by Stéphane Lacoude (bass) and Patrick Soria (drums), both former members of the French act Manigance. After years of shared experience, the two musicians reunited with a clear intention: to return to a more direct, uncompromising approach to songwriting, rooted in the essence of heavy metal while reflecting a renewed creative vision.
The project quickly gained momentum with the addition of guitarist Antton Iriart, whose compositional input became a central element in shaping the band’s sound. In December 2024, vocalist Claw-G. joined the lineup, bringing a powerful and distinctive voice that added intensity and character to the music. The formation was completed in March 2025 with guitarist Frédéric Auclerc, further expanding the band’s harmonic depth and overall dynamic range.
With this solid lineup in place, Seven Metal Sins began refining their musical identity, built on a combination of classic heavy metal foundations and the energy of power and speed metal. Their sound is defined by sharp, riff-driven structures, galloping rhythms, and a strong melodic sensibility, balanced by a modern production approach that emphasizes clarity and impact.
The band made its official debut with the single “Hypocrisy” in April 2025, marking the first step in a focused creative path that led to the completion of their first full-length album, “Legacy Of Chaos“, set for release on June 5th, 2026, via Rockshots Records.
Lyrically, Seven Metal Sins draws inspiration from the fractures of contemporary society, addressing themes such as environmental decline, social instability, and authoritarian drift. These elements are often framed through dystopian and science fiction imagery, creating a narrative that resonates with both present realities and possible futures.
With “Legacy Of Chaos“, Seven Metal Sins establishes a clear artistic identity: a band rooted in experience, driven by purpose, and committed to delivering heavy metal that is direct, intense, and relevant within today’s landscape.
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0 Feel The Temperature Rise w/ Denver Prog Metal ENTROPIST’s Next Single “Intense Warmth” From Debut Concept Album “The Vision” Produced by Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist)
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – June 5, 2026
Feel The Temperature Rise w/ Denver Prog Metal ENTROPIST’s Next Single “Intense Warmth”
Debut Concept Album “The Vision” Out June 2026
Produced, Mixed, and Mastered by Jamie King (BTBAM, The Contortionist)
Debut Album “The Vision” Out June 26th, 2026
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L-R – Jeremy Smith – Bass, Solomon Smith – Guitars/Backup Vocals, Parker Kitching – Lead Vocals, Matt Gleason – Drums, Will Vinson – Guitars
Photo Credit – Entropist
Denver, CO, progressive metal band Entropist will release their next single, “Intense Warmth,” as the follow‑up to their debut single “Creation.” Both tracks appear on the band’s upcoming first full‑length album “The Vision,” arriving June 26th, 2026, and produced, mixed, and mastered by Jamie King (Between the Buried and Me, The Contortionist).
Formed from a decade‑long bond between college roommates and neighbors, Entropist blends progressive metal, djent, deathcore, metalcore, and post‑hardcore into what vocalist Parker Kitching describes as “a love letter to metal.” Their debut album represents over ten years of writing, reconnecting, and refining a sound that is both technically ambitious and emotionally immersive.
Entropist’s origins trace back to 2013 in Greeley, Colorado, where Solomon, Jeremy, Parker, and drummer Matt lived as roommates and neighbors. As Parker recalls:
“We all bonded quickly over our love for prog metal and djent… Solomon had written a few songs at the time… and we ended up setting Matt’s drum set up in our living room so we could learn them together.”
After moving away, the music paused until the COVID era rekindled the project:
“Lots of long nights chatting in Discord, lots of sharing of guitar pro files, bouncing ideas back and forth. This was the start of Entropist,” adds Solomon.
The addition of guitarist Will Vinson pushed the project into its fully realized form, which is now “The Vision”, a dual‑layered concept record intertwining a fantastical narrative of demons, celestial beings, and the void with a grounded exploration of mental struggle, nihilism, and the search for meaning.
“As a band, we see The Vision as a powerful and forward‑thinking progressive metal odyssey, one that explores a huge spectrum of soundscapes and metal influences to tell its intertwined stories. Our goal from the very beginning was to create something that truly feels like a journey, something listeners can step into and escape with for a while. Working with Jamie King was a milestone for us. Some of our favorite albums ever were mixed by him, so having him produce, mix, and master this record was surreal. He elevated everything far beyond what we imagined, and the final product exceeded all expectations,” says the band.
The album’s artwork comes from a hand‑painted canvas by guitarist Solomon’s wife, Shannon Bortfeldt, an impressionist depiction of the story’s opening moments and the emotional weight of its darker themes.
Today, the band presents the second single, “Intense Warmth,” which highlights the band’s dynamic songwriting and conceptual depth.
“One of my favorites because it just keeps building… the moment the listener hears the walls of vocals come in, it’s clear they’re listening to something different,” says Smith.
The track moves from clean intros to melodic bass passages, double‑kick‑driven riffs, massive breakdowns, and a narrative centered on a character becoming disillusioned with his world and dreaming of changing it.
Listen to “Intense Warmth” at the following links:
Lyric Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUZw7YAAaB0
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/track/0KXjDPGXBb6NXEGmifOJl9
“The Vision” is due out on June 26th, 2026, and available for pre-save at the following links:
Album pre-order – https://entropistcolorado.bandcamp.com/
Lyric Video – Creation – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ9DAdwSXto
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Track Listing:
1. Intense Warmth (4:00)
2. Devour Us (6:34)
3. I Hunger (5:34)
4. The Ritual (8:36)
5. Desert of Limbo (6:04)
6. The Wandering (6:47)
7. Creation (8:49)
8. Revelation (14:12)
Album Length: 1:00:40
Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Entropist
• All songs written by: Entropist
• Produced by: Jamie King
• Mixed by: Jamie King
• Mastered by: Jamie King
• Album Artwork by: Shannon Bortfeldt
Album Band Line Up:
Solomon Smith – Guitar
Will Vinson – Guitar
Jeremy Smith – Bass
Matt Gleason – Drums
Parker Kitching – Vocals
Cecily Meade – Violin
Live Band Line Up:
Solomon Smith – Guitar
Will Vinson – Guitar
Jeremy Smith – Bass
Matt Gleason – Drums
Parker Kitching – Vocals
More info:
https://www.facebook.com/EntropistBand
https://www.instagram.com/entropistband
About: Entropist is a Denver‑based progressive metal band blending technical musicianship, emotional storytelling, and genre‑spanning heaviness. After reconnecting during the pandemic and completing their lineup with guitarist Will Vinson, the band has crafted a sound that is ambitious, immersive, and unapologetically metal. They have shared the stage with Nightwraith, So This Is Suffering, Eternal Bloom, The Dawn Chose Orion, WOR, and Fused by Defiance.
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0 AS OCEANS DIVIDE New Single “White Noise” Cuts Through The Static To Introduce Canada’s Rising Heavy Force; Debut EP in Memory of Bassist Dale Burrows
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – June 4, 2026
AS OCEANS DIVIDE New Single “White Noise” Cuts Through The Static To Introduce Canada’s Rising Heavy Force
Debut EP in Memory of Bassist Dale Burrows
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L-R – Matt McGuire Drums, Thomas Ireland – Guitar, Tom Emmans – Vocals, Eric Camilleri- Guitar
Rising Canadian metalcore unit As Oceans Divide will release their second single, “White Noise,” accompanied by a gripping lyric video, marking the next chapter in the rollout toward their upcoming self‑titled EP, arriving July 9, 2026.
Following the impact of their debut single “Into The Dying Light,” “White Noise” pushes deeper into the emotional and sonic contrasts that define the band’s sound, balancing technical aggression with melodic atmosphere and raw intensity with introspective depth.
“White Noise” captures the internal static that builds when pressure, grief, and unresolved thoughts collide. The track channels the EP’s core themes of struggle, resilience, and confronting what lies beneath the surface rather than burying it.
Musically, the single continues the band’s signature interplay between heaviness and melody, tight, technical riffing paired with dynamic vocals and atmospheric layers, giving the song space to breathe. It’s a natural evolution from “Into The Dying Light,” but with a sharper emotional edge.
The accompanying lyric video amplifies that tension visually, pulling listeners deeper into the EP’s world.
The imagery surrounding “White Noise” ties directly into the EP’s striking artwork: a crest featuring a chained sea serpent wrapped around an anchor, thrashing against a violent ocean backdrop.
The serpent represents emotional weight and the intensity that lives beneath the surface. The chains symbolize restraint, internal conflict, and the pressure of carrying that weight. The anchor reflects both stability and the feeling of being dragged under.
This visual metaphor mirrors the band’s musical identity, a constant push and pull between chaos and control, aggression and melody.
The upcoming self‑titled EP is built around contrast, both lyrically and musically. Each track is crafted as a journey, blending technical, hard‑hitting sections with melodic, atmospheric moments that allow the emotional weight to land fully.
Themes across the EP include internal struggle, loss and resilience, emotional honesty, and confronting what lies beneath the surface. The band’s focus on structure and flow ensures every song feels intentional, immersive, and connected.
As Oceans Divide is a new heavy force rising from Ontario, Canada, formed by longtime friends and veterans of the Canadian metal scene. With roots in Bloodshoteye, Aquila, Odium, Battlesoul, Atria, and more, the band blends early‑2000s metalcore influence with modern precision and emotional depth. The lineup includes Tom Emmans (Vocals), Eric Camilleri (Guitar/Songwriting), Thomas Ireland (Guitar/Production), Matt McGuire(Drums).
The band also honours the memory of bassist Dale Burrows, whose passing in March 2026 profoundly shaped the emotional core of this release.
Their sound is defined by soaring melody, crushing rhythms, harmonized guitars, and a balance of aggression and atmosphere, technical, emotional, melodic, aggressive, immersive.
Recommended for fans of Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, All That Remains, Unearth, and God Forbid.
Watch and listen to the lyric video for “White Noise” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnMcAkJQvCE
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/track/1kUOZlbHIQ9KtA7Q7NnUPB
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First single – “Into The Dying Light” at the following links:
Lyric Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJd_XF61K7Y
EP pre-order / pre-save (out July 9, 2026) – https://asoceansdivideband.bandcamp.com/
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Track Listing:
1. Into The Dying Light – 4:04
2. White Noise – 3:31
3. World Collapse – 3:16
4. Cursed Oblivion – 3:59
5. One Of The Herd – 3:25
EP Length: 18:15
For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/asoceansdivide
https://www.instagram.com/asoceansdivide
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0 Out Now! Montreal Blackened Thrash SHROUD Lifts The Veil To Debut Album “Pax Nocturna”
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – June 4, 2026
Out Now! Montreal Blackened Thrash SHROUD Lifts The Veil To Debut Album “Pax Nocturna”
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L-R – Justin Cournoyer – Bass, Matteo Conti – Guitar and Vocals, Zack Osiris – Drums, Jordan Barillaro – Guitar
Rising from the shadows of Quebec’s extreme‑metal underground, SHROUD proudly announce the official release of their debut full‑length album, “Pax Nocturna,” available everywhere on June 4th, 2026. A blistering fusion of Blackened Thrash with elements of Death and Melodic metal, the album marks a defining first chapter for one of Montreal’s most intense and uncompromising new acts.
SHROUD began when guitarist/vocalist Matteo Conti approached drummer Zack Osiris (Warsenal) during the height of the COVID‑19 lockdowns. With their previous projects stalled and the music scene frozen, the pair began writing together in Montreal at a time when even leaving the house felt taboo. Despite the restrictions, the creative spark was undeniable. Week after week, riffs and ideas evolved into the earliest form of what would become “Pax Nocturna.”
As the world reopened in 2022, the band solidified with Justin Cournoyer joining on bass, and Jordan Barillaro recruited after filling in for their first show in November 2022. The chemistry was immediate. SHROUD was born, united, focused, and driven.
SHROUD’s sonic identity is rooted in Black and Thrash metal, sharpened by the aggression of Death metal and the atmosphere of Melodic metal. The band describes the album as a rollercoaster, fast, punishing, dynamic, and immersive, yet always unmistakably SHROUD.
Fans of extreme metal will find a record crafted for them. It’s intense, tightly executed, and overflowing with raw energy. Its lyrical depth explores philosophy, anti‑religion, the abyss and the darkest corners of human existence. The overarching concept is Satanic Gnosticism, a rejection of imposed order and corrupt leadership, and an embrace of the chaos from which humanity originates.
“It’s the acknowledgement that we are our own gods and masters. It is peace within the night. It is Pax Nocturna,” adds vocalist/guitarist Matteo Conti.
The cover art draws from the dark fantasy of Yoshitaka Amano, the surreal horror of Zdzisław Beksiński, and the mythic grandeur of The Lord of the Rings. The imagery depicts the four band members in ritualistic worship of Murmur, the Archduke and Lord of Hell, symbolising philosophy, music, and the pursuit of higher consciousness.
On stage, SHROUD deliver a level of intensity, tightness, and emotional ferocity that sets them apart. Their performances blend hate, love, determination, and pure sonic violence, a presence that has already earned them slots alongside Exciter, Midnight, Wraith, Goatwhore, Vitriol, Necrofier, Wormwitch, Spiter, Gudsforladt, Tomarumvoid, Angelus Apatrida, Sorguinazia, and more.
Local Montreal fans can see them perform this Friday, June 5th, for their album release show at Foufounes Electriques with support from Lüger, Katö and Burning Sanctum. More info at https://www.facebook.com/events/1636052210962146
Recommended for fans of Watain, Dissection, Hellripper, Skeletonwitch, and Necrophobic, “Pax Nocturna”, out June 4th, 2026, is available on all digital platforms and CD and Vinyl.
CD / Vinyl – https://shroudmtl.bandcamp.com/album/pax-nocturna
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/5dfAWpVKaWlsdSBYNZ8L1H
All Creation – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4okttHfnlg
The Eternal Void – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ56_laldDc
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Track Listing:
1. Pax Nocturna (0:43)
2. The Eternal Void (5:09)
3. The Zealot (5:15)
4. Merciless Tyrants (5:59)
5. Darkest Night (4:45)
6. Diablivion (5:28)
7. Death Blows Over (4:18)
8. All Creation (5:29)
9. Abaddon (7:55)
Album Length: 45:05
Album and Live Band lineup:
Matteo Conti – Guitar and Vocals
Jordan Barillaro – Guitar
Zack Osiris – Drums
Justin Cournoyer – Bass
More info:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086688022343
https://www.instagram.com/shroud.mtl
About: Emerging from the depths below, Shroud formed in 2022 when Conti and Osiris began writing together during the pandemic. With the later addition of Barillaro and Cournoyer, the band’s lineup solidified into a unit defined by technical skill, raw aggression, and a shared vision of darkness. Their sound, blistering riffs, thunderous drums, and vocals echoing through the void, has quickly earned them recognition as one of Montreal’s most promising extreme‑metal acts. Now, with Pax Nocturna, Shroud is ready to unleash its full power.
Album Recording Credits:
– All songs performed by: Matteo Conti, Zack Osiris, Jordan Barillaro, Justin Cournoyer
– All songs written by: Matteo Conti and Zack Osiris
– Produced by: Shroud and Jordan Barillaro
– Mixed by: Jordan Barillaro
– Album Art by: Justin Cournoyer
– Mastered by: Tore Stjerna
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“Imagine the ferocity, the grit and attitude of ‘Power n Pain’ era Whiplash, add the nocturnal melodic majesty of Necrophobic, and then a heaping helping of D-beat (always appreciated). Vicious, limb twitchin’ and about as infectious as something you believe you might have picked up on a recent European vacation, but wish you hadn’t. Recc for fans of SkeletonWitch, Necrophobic, Hellripper and others who successfully manage to imbue ragin’ Thrash insanity with an exquisite sense of darkness. This scatches the itch, then successfully obliterates it!” 94/100 – Cult Metal Flix
“A definite early AOTY candidate with strong claims, 5 star Black/Thrash!… There’s a high amount of crushing chugging riffs across this full length and the leadwork is absolutely scorching across the board, shreddy solos with that classic heavy metal, Thrash phrasing with a few mid-paced ones thrown in that are topped off with a couple of whammy bar accents and tremolos in them. Some of these riffs just will absolutely pummel you, as they’re fast and unrelenting as hell; also, there’s one or two solos that appear in a single track too. The vocals on this aren’t just high black metal screams, but there’s creepy deep spoken word vocals, chants and a few death growls also; if you’re into absolutely groove filled Blackened Thrash then absolutely look no further than this masterpiece, absolutely don’t sleep on it, a definite AOTY contender personally. Rating: 10/10!” – Drako’s Metal Reviews
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0 Denver’s MILE HIGH POWER FEST Announces 2026 Lineup w/ THE DREAD CREW OF ODDWOOD, LADY BEAST, ANUBIS, ICE GIANT, HEL HATH FURY, and more!
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – June 3, 2026
Denver’s MILE HIGH POWER FEST Announces 2026 Lineup
w/ THE DREAD CREW OF ODDWOOD, LADY BEAST, ANUBIS, ICE GIANT, HEL HATH FURY, and more!
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Denver’s only dedicated power metal festival, Mile High Power Fest, storms into its third year on August 15, 2026, bringing another stacked lineup of heavy‑hitting national acts and rising local talent to The Oriental Theater. Founded by Denver’s underground champions, BiteSize Productions, the festival continues its mission to uplift the local scene while bringing world‑class power metal to the western United States.
This year’s main lineup features a high‑energy mix of returning favorites and new additions to the MHPF family. Fans can expect performances from The Dread Crew of Oddwood, Lady Beast, Anubis, Ice Giant, Hel Hath Fury, and more! With past years featuring Seven Spires, Lords of the Trident, Graveshadow, Aether Realm, Glyph, Owlbear, and Empress, MHPF continues to cement itself as a must‑attend event for power metal fans across North America.
A three‑day metal celebration, Mile High Power Fest apart is its full‑weekend experience, offering fans multiple opportunities to connect, celebrate, and shred together. Don’t Miss the Rockies’ Premier Power Metal Event! With a growing legacy, a passionate community, and a lineup built to shake Denver to its core, Mile High Power Fest 2026 promises its biggest year yet. Fans are encouraged to secure tickets early and join the full weekend of metal‑fueled events.
Mile High Power Fest 2026 LineUp:
The Dread Crew of Oddwood
Lady Beast Anubis
Ice Giant
Hel Hath Fury
Darconigan
Wicked Vixen
Event Details Mile High Power Fest 2026
Date: August 15, 2026
Time: Doors at 4 PM
Venue: The Oriental Theater 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver, CO 80212
Tickets: https://theorientaltheater.holdmyticket.com/tickets/459366
RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2768706170154175/
Mile High Power Fest 2026 Spotify Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4qTxCdWqJl6HrqeQ0mq5Bl?si=KIWS6D2PRU29QAx2GNBITA
Kicking off on Thursday, August 13, the festival launches with the MHPF FREE Game Night at Creepatorium, a no‑cost community hangout where fans can dive into games, connect with fellow metalheads, and spark the festival weekend’s energy.
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On Friday, August 14, the MHPF Pre‑Party hosted at Seventh Circle Music Collective will showcase up‑and‑coming metal bands and Denver’s thriving underground scene that includes Talia Holt, Burn The Myth, Gone Full, Monkey Under The Mountain, and Heathen.
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After the festival lineup performs, MHPF will be hosting the official Afterparty, Saturday, August 15, from 11 PM–2 AM at BlackSky Brewery, featuring the debut of The Dread Crew of Oddwood’s custom beer, brewed exclusively for the festival.
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About The MHPF 2026 Bands:
The Dread Crew of Oddwood – https://thedreadcrewofoddwood.com/
Music Video – Leather Ship – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGEOV66CXis
The Dread Crew of Oddwood, formed in 2008 in Southern California, has become one of the world’s leading independent folk‑metal acts. Armed solely with acoustic instruments, the band delivers its signature “Heavy Mahogany” sound, blending heavy metal energy with Celtic and European folk to tell tales of battle, revelry, and misadventure. They’ve released four albums with over 5,000 units sold, maintain more than 30,000 monthly Spotify listeners, and engage a social following of over 32,500 fans. Their music has appeared in Rocket League, and they’ve toured extensively across North America, the UK, and Europe, including runs with Alestorm and performances at Wacken Winter Nights. Following years of writing and recording, the band returned with their fifth album Rust & Glory, accompanied by new videos, major tours, and appearances on 70000Tons of Metal.
Lady Beast – https://www.facebook.com/ladybeastofficial
Music Video – Reaper – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjNaL99FCFA
Since 2009, LADY BEAST have been flying the flag for refined HEAVY METAL. The band hails from the Steel City of Pittsburgh, forming with firm influences ranging from Motörhead, Dio, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Mercyful Fate. From there, LADY BEAST has woven their own unique style of metal with silky yet sharp harmonizing guitars and the soaring, rally-the-warriors vocals!
Anubis – https://linktr.ee/AnubisMetalOfficial
Music Video – Fanged Angel – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1FrqYDPkms
Anubis is a rising Los Angeles power‑thrash force known for soaring vocals, razor‑sharp riffing, and high‑energy, melodic songwriting. Blending European‑influenced power metal with modern American aggression, the band has built a loyal following through acclaimed releases, dynamic live shows, and a sound rooted in speed, precision, and storytelling. They’ve become a staple of the Southern California metal scene, sharing stages with acts like Delain, Xandria, Warbringer, Omnium Gatherum, Aether Realm, Týr, Seven Kingdoms, and more while performing material from their debut Dark Paradise and EP The Puppeteers. Now fronted by vocalist Hanna Preston, Anubis unveils a fiercer fusion of power, thrash, and melodic death metal. Their latest album, Anthromorphicide, was released on April 24 via M‑Theory Audio on CD, digital, and limited metallic‑gold vinyl.
Ice Giant – https://www.facebook.com/IceGiantBand/
Music Video – Obscuring Cloud – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO4kPIE5EUM
Ice Giant is a Boston‑based progressive melodic death metal band known for their sweeping compositions, technical precision, and cinematic blend of melody and brutality. Drawing from Scandinavian melodeath, modern prog, and epic symphonic influences, the band crafts towering soundscapes built on soaring leads, crushing riffs, and dynamic storytelling. Their ambitious songwriting and commanding live performances have earned them a fast‑growing following throughout the New England metal scene and beyond. With a reputation for pushing genre boundaries while delivering undeniable heaviness, Ice Giant continues to rise as one of the most exciting emerging forces in American melodic death metal.
Hel Hath Fury – https://helhathfury.my.canva.site/
Music Video – Never Again – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZdPYNekakA
Denver’s Hel Hath Fury is a melodic death metal band formed in 2023 with a mission to inspire strength and perseverance through powerful, emotionally driven music. Their sound blends crushing riffs, soaring melodies, and technical songwriting with themes rooted in personal struggle, resilience, and triumph. Drawing from real experiences and shared battles, the band crafts lyrics meant to connect deeply with listeners and remind them they’re never alone. Centered on empowerment and emotional fortitude, Hel Hath Fury creates music that encourages fans to face life’s challenges with courage. With every performance, they invite audiences into a journey of catharsis, determination, and unbreakable spirit.
Darconigan – https://www.darconigan.com/
Music Video – Fire and Split Stone, The Southern Wall’s Collapse – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COw-nN_Teho
Darconigan hail from the shadowed Wet Mountains of Colorado, where their music and stories are forged in the dark places of the wood. Channeling Melodic Black/Death Battle Metal, the band blends fierce riffing, atmospheric melodies, and myth‑steeped storytelling into a sound that feels both ancient and untamed. Their songs draw from the wild spirit of their mountain home, creating an immersive world of fantasy, conflict, and raw emotion. As they continue to rise within Colorado’s metal scene, Darconigan stand apart with a style as rugged and evocative as the forests that shaped them.
Wicked Vixen – https://linktr.ee/yourwickedvixen
Music Video – In Cold Blood – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP9uEf9DjJM
Wicked Vixen is a Colorado Springs hard rock band delivering heavy riffs, powerful vocals, and a driving edge that hits with purpose. With electric violin woven into their sound, they bring a sharp, distinctive dynamic to a genre built on intensity. Their music is bold, dark, and unapologetic—rooted in real experience, raw emotion, and a refusal to hold back. Drawing comparisons to Halestorm and Evanescence, the band commands the stage with a fierce live presence and a sound that never plays it safe. Wicked Vixen isn’t chasing trends; they’re forging something lasting entirely on their own terms.
More info:
Festival Info: https://www.bitesizeevents.com/mile-high-power-fest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milehighpowerfest/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556641145956
About Mile High Power Fest:
MHPF was created by BiteSize Productions, a small but ambitious Denver‑based production company dedicated to uplifting underground music and creating accessible, community‑driven events. After drawing roughly 400 attendees in 2025, the festival continues to grow, strengthening the Rocky Mountain metal community and drawing fans from across the country.
Festival Press Materials Dropbox HERE.
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0 LITTLE KING Updates July West Coast Tour Dates in Support of New Album “Lente Viviente”
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – June 2, 2026
LITTLE KING Updates July West Coast Tour Dates in Support of New Album “Lente Viviente”
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L-R – Tony Bojorquez (Drums), David Hamilton (Bass, Cello), Ryan Rosoff (Guitar, Vocals)
Arizona’s Little King, the dynamic, melodic, progressive, heavy‑rock trio helmed by songwriter‑guitarist Ryan Rosoff, will hit the road this July for a string of West Coast U.S. dates in support of their latest album, “Lente Viviente,” released in September 2025. This run marks the band’s second major tour cycle since completing the record, following their early‑year shows across New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, and even a surprise pop‑up performance in Mexico. (Their full tour diary is available at https://littlekingtunes.com/2026/03/little-king-march-2026-tour-diary-power-shortages-ibuprofen-and-gratitude/.)
In addition to the tour, Little King will reveal a brand‑new single later this summer titled “Opus Perficit,” the first new music to follow “Lente Viviente” and a preview of the band’s next creative chapter.
Rosoff calls Lente Viviente “BY FAR our biggest release,” and the upcoming dates promise to bring that momentum to the West Coast.
“Lente Viviente” represents a major creative leap for the long-running project. With new members Tony Bojorquez (drums) and Dave Hamilton (bass), plus a fresh studio environment, Little King crafted what Rosoff describes as their most accomplished work to date, musically, lyrically, and emotionally.
The album’s title, Spanish for “Living Lens”, is a nod to Rosoff’s video memoir company, LivingLens Memoirs, and sets the thematic tone. Across its tightly constructed “micro-epics,” the record explores memory, identity, perception, and the shifting filters through which we understand ourselves and others.
Fans can expect a listening experience Rosoff likens to “a short, mind-blowing journey…like Musical DMT.”
The album’s lyrics move across a wide emotional and social landscape, touching on themes of childhood and enduring friendship (“Catch and Release,” “Dawn Villa”), immigration and identity (“Who’s Illegal?”), aging and addiction (“Pass Through Filters”), and the balance between strength and vulnerability (“Kindness for Weakness”).
Musically, the record blends progressive rock, hard rock, and melodic hooks with the band’s trademark precision and dynamic push-and-pull. Each track is densely arranged yet concise, with most songs clocking in under four minutes.
Little King’s live reputation is built on meticulous preparation, tight musicianship, and explosive energy. Ryan, Tony, and Dave bring decades of combined experience to the stage, delivering performances that are both technically sharp and emotionally charged.
Fans can expect high‑level musicianship, dynamic setlists, and a live show that’s both polished and unpredictable, what Rosoff describes as “meticulous, rehearsed, and RAGING with push and pull energy…PROS with experience.”
The band will perform across key West Coast cities, bringing “Lente Viviente” to life on stage for the first time.
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Little King – West Coast USA Tour 2026
July 10 – Ruidoso, NM – Downshift Brewery Riverside
July 12 – Tucson, AZ – Brick Box Brewery w/ The Crown Syndicate and Zold
July 14 – Tempe, AZ – Yucca Tap Room
July 15 – Anaheim, CA – The World Famous Doll Hut
July 17 – San Diego, CA – Tower Bar w/ Stretcher
July 18 – West Hollywood, CA – The Viper Room
July 19 – Pacifica, CA – Winters Tavern w/ The Wandering Jews and Melting Elephants
July 23 – Bisbee, AZ – Gene’s Place
July 25 – El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace
With influences ranging from Rush, Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd, Muse, Led Zeppelin, and Night Verses, Little King’s music resonates with fans of both classic and modern rock. Their new album “Lente Viviente” (released Sept 26th, 2025) is available on digital platforms.
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/3a3zhTxNkC6u9xaD5gytJe
Music Video – Who’s Illegal? – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTh1THFdij4
Lyric Video – Dawn Villa – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksxlb2ekYIM
Lyric Video – Catch and Release – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgt9U547jbw
Studio Video – Keyboard Soldier – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhDSUpl6PW8
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Track Listing:
1. Catch and Release – 3:22
2. Dawn Villa – 3:42
3. Who’s Illegal? – 3:56
4. Kindness for Weakness – 3:21
5. Sweet Jessie James – 2:42
6. Pass Through Filters – 4:50
7. The Living Lens – 3:37
Album Length: 25:34
For more info: https://littlekingtunes.com/
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“Overall, this band showcased a sophisticated sense of melodies that were not overly complicated, but easy to assimilate as well. Not being familiar with them, I am surprised to learn of their longevity, and you wouldn’t know this was their eight album, because the drive and fire in them is very much alive in their music. 8/10” – Metal Temple
“Little King maintain high intensity from start to finish, achieving a rare balance between complexity and immediacy. Each track has its own identity and emotional range, and the musicianship and production are consistently top-tier. According to Rocky, Lente Viviente is essential listening for prog and heavy-rock fans who miss the spirit of Saga, Rush, and King’s X.” – Metalized
“Seven songs, clocking in at just over twenty-five minutes Little King pack a powerful and melodic cocktail of prog, rock and alternative. If Rush jammed with REM and King’s X it would sound a little like this. Impressive.” – Get Ready To Rock!
“Little King hasn’t just released an album; they’ve crafted an immersive, emotional journey that rewards every listen.” – Jace Media Music
“Long-running Progressive Rock outfit Little King is unveiling “Dawn Villa,” the second single from their highly anticipated eighth studio album, Lente Viviente! A sonic time capsule wrapped in staccato riffs and melodic crescendos, “Dawn Villa” is a heartfelt tribute to frontman Ryan Rosoff’s formative years in Mercer Island, Washington. The track comes from their eighth album Lente Viviente, which is available for pre-order/digital pre-save now at the links below, and releases September 26th, 2025. If you grew up obsessed with the classic seventies prog rock greats like Rush, King Crimson, and Pink Floyd, with a modern flare for drama such as Muse or Neal Morse, Little King deserves your attention! ” – Ghost Cult Magazine
“The album reflects a stylistic maturity that has strengthened over time and a layering of ideas that have, on this occasion, found a stable place. The project’s artistic perspective rests on very solid technical foundations and a strong will to celebrate the traditional principles of classic rock, while also flirting with progressive elements and ultimately making the most of a decidedly pronounced melodic inclination. An absolutely original point of view that has given rise to an elegant and refined sound, capable of effectively combining electric jolts and delicate harmonies in the spirit of a truly contagious passion.” – Rock Hard Italy
“Over nearly three decades, Little King has evolved from the El Paso roots of “Transmountain” to the intricate, personal soundscapes of “Lente Viviente,” blending complex arrangements, strong melodies, and lyrical depth.” – Progressive Rock Journal
“Lente Viviente is as striking as it is arousing and easy to suggest a must for all rock appetites. LITTLE KING seem to know how to feed every instinct and want with their eclectic enterprise and at the same time spring something strikingly new, the proof all there in Lente Viviente.” – The Ringmaster Review
“Tucson progressive rockers’ Little King are gearing up for the release of their 8th studio album, ‘Lente Viviente’ on Sept. 26th and have also just dropped their first single from the album, ‘Catch and Release’. This band truly pushes boundaries and yet makes modern prog rock very accessible. That is a difficult feat and a challenge many bands can’t overcome. But these fellas make it sound very simple, even though the music is quite complex. Similar to YES in that every instrument, including the vocals, all seem to be doing their own thing…but somehow it all works beautifully, and that is what good prog is about. Listen up for Little King on your Home for the Best New Rock… W-J-O-EEEE” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll
“”Lente Viviente” is a great release, very short of course, but still atmospheric and moving. Overriding the higher-faster-further mentality in such a playful way deserves respect, and the men deserve it again with their eighth appearance overall.8/10″ – PowerMetal.de
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