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Posts By Asher

0 TAMPA DEATH FEST Announces Band Submissions For 2026 Lineup

  • March 19, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Tampa Death Fest

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 19, 2026

TAMPA DEATH FEST Announces Band Submissions For 2026 Lineup

Celebrating eight years of showcasing some of the most debaucherous and brutal extreme metal to roll through the state of Florida. Tampa Death Fest returns for two nights of uncompromising extreme metal on September 5th and 6th at the legendary Brass Mug in Tampa Bay, Florida.

The festival has announced it’s accepting band submissions to fill remaining slots for its 2026 lineup. Bands interested in performing at Tampa Death Fest are encouraged to submit their materials before the April 1st deadline. TDF welcomes extreme-metal acts of all styles and origins, with a commitment to curating a lineup that reflects the genre’s depth, diversity, and global reach.
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​Bands can apply their EPK at: tampabaymetalscene.booking[@]yahoo.com​
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Since launching in 2019, Tampa Death Fest has cemented itself as a cornerstone of the underground extreme‑metal community. Rooted in the city widely hailed as the Death Metal Capital of the World, TDF continues to unite bands, fans, and local businesses under its guiding mantra: “Strength Through Unity, Unity Through Metal.”
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Each year, TDF showcases a diverse roster of international, national, and regional acts, offering a platform for rising underground talent to share the stage with established legends. Past editions of TDF have hosted such notable acts as Satan, Venom, Inc, Ringworm, Diabolic, Leishmaniasis (Colombia), Repulsive Vision (UK), Massacre, Atheist, GraveHuffer, Blasphemation, Carpathian Funeral, Kill The Imposter, Sadistic Vision, Nibiru, Merciless Scum, Quiescent Mantis, MRSA, Pantheon, and more.

With an ever‑growing international presence, Tampa Death Fest continues to strengthen connections across Florida and beyond, fostering a spirit of collaboration and community engagement within the metal scene.

Event Details:
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Dates: September 5–6, 2025
Location: The Brass Mug, Tampa Bay, FL
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​About Tampa Death Fest:​
Founded in 2019, Tampa Death Fest has grown into a premier event within the extreme metal world. The festival’s mission is to uplift artists, unite fans, and celebrate the culture of heavy music through a shared passion for brutality, creativity, and community.

More Info: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577052471967​

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“With Tampa’s legendary death metal scene, I think we can all agree that there should be a fest in this city. There have been a few, but they have come and gone. This includes the three-day Tampa Deathfest that just happened in October 2023. What I like about this Tampa Deathfest is it not only hailed legends, such as Hellwitch and Venom, Inc., but it also represented the local talent we still have here.”- Infernal TV

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0 EPK – Iron Kingdom – Shadows and Dust (2026)

  • March 19, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · EPKs · Iron Kingdom

EPK – Iron Kingdom – Shadows and Dust (2026)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

For fans of Helloween, Riot, Iron Maiden, Savatage, Judas Priest

“Our 6th studio release, ‘Shadows And Dust’, although not directly following a theme or concept, most heavily lends itself towards the themes of death and impermanence. The state of the world seems uncertain, and this record does reflect some of that.  It takes on loss, pain and struggle; overall, the concepts and topics are really quite heavy and dark.  From a musical standpoint, we pushed into some new territory, new modes, and feelings than on previous records, but we feel it was exactly what was needed, and allowed us to deliver something exciting and new for the band.   Iron Kingdom specifically creates albums that are intended to be listened to as an album, front to back. It is how we consume music, and it’s how we package the product, so if you truly want to understand what we do best, give it a full listen, and enjoy the ride!” – Iron Kingdom

Band: Iron Kingdom
Album Title: Shadows And Dust
Release Date: June 6th, 2026
Label: Self-Release (NA), Steel Shark Records (EU)
Distribution: Indie Pool (Digital Distributor)
Genre: Traditional Heavy Metal (NWOTHM)
Location of Band: Vancouver, Canada

Note: The album is also being released in 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.

Iron-kingdom.com | Facebook.com/ironkingdomofficial | Youtube.com/c/IronKingdom | Instagram.com/iron_kingdom/ | X.com/iron_kingdom

Iron-kingdom.com/shop | Iron-kingdom.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

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 – Armstrong MetalFest
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 – TBD
July 28 – Yellowknife, NT – The Underground
July 29 – Fort Smith, NT – Dirty O’ Fergie’s
July 30 – Edmonton, AB – Starlight
July 31 – Drumheller, AB – Loud As Hell Open Air Festival
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 – Hamilton, ON – TBC
Aug 7 – Toronto, ON – Bovine
Aug 8 – Montréal, QC – Foufounes Électriques
Aug 9 – TBD – TBD
Aug 10 – TBD – TBD
Aug 11 – Woodstock, NB – Monteith Manor
Aug 12 – Halifax, NS – Gus’ Pub
Aug 14 – Corner Brook, NL – TBC
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 – Ottawa, ON – Dominion Tavern
Aug 21 – Saskatoon, SK – TBC
Aug 22 – Calgary, AB – Dicken’s
Aug 23 – Kelowna, BC – Jackknife Brewing

“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)

“Iron Kingdom brings another solid heavy metal album with the fifth album ‘The Blood of Creation’. Slightly progressive, but especially heavy… Give the band a listen, you will be surprised!” – Metal Experience (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)

“if you like your music to deliver heavy metal in that classic way with some heavy NWOBHM worship, then this latest offering from Iron Kingdom is a very good shout” – Metal Digest (The Blood of Creation 2022)

““The Blood Of Creation” is a 13-plus-minute epic track that covers the entire spectrum of what Iron Kingdom is and can be. There is Power, Progressive, Thrash, NWOBHM, and NWOTHM. Soaring vocals, hefty guitars, riffs, rhythms, powerful drums, and bass are all on display for this one. The composition is impressive, complex, and very coherent. The transition makes sense, feels like they are timed perfectly, and flows from one element to the next.” – Metal-Zenith (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)

“the hype is real: “The Blood of Creation” is an overdose of classic power metal, a homage to the late 80’s – 90’s power metal heroes: HELLOWEEN, GAMMA RAY, HEAVEN’S GATE, SCANNER, early CHINCHILA (remember those guys?), EDGUY with a touch of American stuff like RΙΟΤ.” – Forgotten Scroll (The Blood of Creation 2022)

“They are aiming at the classic sound from the 70s and 80s, so if you want something modern then you have nothing to pick up here. The lyrics speak of war, fear, sacrifice and pain. Luckily the music is not that dark though, but rather very uplifting and pleasant, as it’s a more melodic kind of heavy metal that we get from this band, even though there’s some more powerful tracks too…. I like what I hear.” – Hard Rock Info (The Blood of Creation 2022)

“Iron Kingdom created an iron-bound, battle-hardened piece of traditional Heavy Metal that truly made me want to turn the clock back to those long-gone days of glory. Times when metal was just that, the pure joy of a style that was still new, exciting, and powerful. Or to let the band speak in their own words, they “…decided to play metal the way it used to be played in the 70s and 80s.” Well, mission fucking accomplished. Well done, guys.” – Rock Music Raider (The Blood of Creation 2022)

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: Iron Kingdom
Album Title: Shadows And Dust
Release Date: June 6th, 2026
Label:
Distribution:  Indie Pool (Digital Distributor)
Genre: Traditional Heavy Metal (NWOTHM)
Location of Band: Vancouver, Canada

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
Album Length:

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Iron Kingdom
• All songs written by: Iron Kingdom
• Co-Produced by: Chris Osterman & Megan Merrick
• Mixed by: Andy Boldt
• Mastered by: Greg Reely at the Green Jacket
• Album Artwork by: Alan Lathwell
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL) YES

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Chris Osterman – Lead Guitar / Lead Vocals
Max Friesen – Drums
Megan Merrick – Lead Guitar
Leighton Holmes – Bass Guitar

=============================================

About The Album Artwork:

This album posed a challenge when developing a cover concept. There was no one song that stood out above the rest story-wise, and only a thin through-line connecting them conceptually. The only line connecting the majority of songs was death, and in a smaller way, impermanence. The cover pulls directly from the story told in ‘Blood and Steel’, showing an army marching across an inhospitable environment as some of the soldiers succumb to the elements. The visual was inspired by a scene in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson. In the series, an army has to march across a desert to steal a march on an enemy before the enemy knows they are there. During the march, many die, many lose hope, and many don’t understand why they are doing what they are doing. The horrific gamble works, and the army is successful in getting into position in time, but success is often a small comfort to those who have to go through the trial. Life is often like this: we have to go through things that are uncomfortable, even dangerous, to reach the position we need to be to accomplish what it is we are trying to do. Often, we don’t know why until it’s over. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

About The Album (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
I find this album plays in quite a dark realm of topics, lots of death and hardships.  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, and hopefully a place of hope, and to help them see that they are not alone.  The music, I believe, shows hope for a positive way out, and hopefully offers the listener the will to fight on.  

I think this is a fantastic collection of songs that will really open up our live sets and offer a plethora of great new tunes to our fans and followers, it comes from a little bit more of a rock n roll edge overall, but there are so many elements hidden within, and I think it will be a real journey to experience it front to back. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Defenders
Telling the story of the Battle of Gdansk.  Brave Polish soldiers stood against the Nazi invaders for 7 days. The Germans expected the fight to take a couple of hours at most. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

Even though this song is fast and heavy, with great riffs, I find it very emotional as well, and I think it speaks to the courage of those who defend their families, their friends, and their way of life.  I think the music shows strength and sadness, but with a strong will to carry on at all costs.  I personally found a lot of inspiration from acts such as Tyran Pace and Primal Fear. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

2. Line of Fire
A perspective of a guy in a firefight trying to get away, knowing that if he stops, he dies. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

Megan came into the jam space with just a ripping riff; it felt like something off of an old Megadeth album, so we knew we needed to do something thrashy and just gut-punching.  It was all about fast riffs and ripping leads. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

3. Eternal Emperor
About a cursed emperor, who returns to life every time he is killed, more powerful but with a more tenuous grip on his sanity. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

This one we took on more of a harmonic minor scale approach, sort of like what we did with ’Egypt (The End is Near)’, or ‘The Veiled Knight’, it felt just kind of more eerie, and it allowed for some pretty aggressive vocals. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

4. Dreamless Sea
A song about regret, lost love, and the impermanence of life. Uses imagery of a decaying garden and a deadly ocean. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

This one has a few twists in it musically; there’s some very melodic guitar passages, some even get a little bit progressive, the verse is very DIO, to me, and I tried to give the voice a lot of movement across the song. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

5. Deadhouse Gates
A mystical gate hidden in a deadly house can allow mortals to ascend to godhood. Based on the Malazan books by Steven Erikson and Ian C. Esselmont. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

This one is just a total rock n roll song, some great leads and melodies, and just overall, I think very catchy! Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

6. Blood and Steel
A story about a soldier who finds himself far away from home after a long and seemingly never-ending campaign. Think of a soldier in Alexander the Great’s army surviving all the way to India. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

Musically, we wanted this song to sort of sound like a march. We went very bass and drum heavy for the verses, and then just added some layering on top with the guitars in strategic spots. It’s a very different song for us, and I think it will add something very special and unique to our live sets. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

7. Shadow of Time
A story about an entity that stands outside the flow of time, witnessing events unfold on earth and debating the consequences of getting involved. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

This one was one of the first songs we wrote for this album; in particular, I found influence from the act, Praying Mantis; it’s a mid-paced rocker with some very NWOBHM vibes. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

8. Dark Demands
A cabal of nefarious warlords prey on the desperate, promising much and delivering little. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

The song was written to sort of warn against signing a bad record deal, haha, but it’s not about any particular experience, just the idea of the ‘man’, kind of coming in and taking his cut, but it’s far bigger a cut than you ever expected.

Musically, this song was Megan’s brainchild, haha, she wanted something evil and dark, and it just hit as a Judas Priest tune from Painkiller.  I feel like she succeeded. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

9. Starlight
A story about Gil-galad from ‘The Lord Of The Rings’, the last High King of the Noldor. He died at the hands of Sauron during the Last Alliance of Men and Elves. Without Gil-galad, the defeat of Sauron would not have been possible. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

This one came from an interesting angle. Max really wanted to do something reminiscent of Iron Kingdom’s beginnings; he took a lot of inspiration from Amanda (For those who don’t know, she was our drummer from the first 3 albums + the live EP).  And I think Megan was listening to a lot of Angel Witch, haha, so it kind of blended together into what is now ‘Starlight’. Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

10. Sacred Fire
About the need for compassion, empathy, and for people to embody higher ideals. Especially in dark times. Leighton Holmes (Bass Guitar)

This is possibly my favourite track on the album; it feels like an epic without actually being all that long of a song (to us). There’s a sort of timeless energy to this one, and the riffs are just cool.  Lots of DIO and Iron Maiden vibes, and I think it’s going to be an awesome live tune. I think we will be able to play around with the arrangement a bit live as well, I’m pretty excited about it! Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar)

=========================================

BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. The release of our 6th studio album, ‘Shadows And Dust’ [June 6th 2026], coincides with our 15th anniversary as a band [June 6th 2011].  Historically, it will be the 82nd anniversary of D-Day in WW2 [June 6th 1944], (The day that Allied forces took back the beaches of France and began liberating Europe.)  You could say the planets aligned… but we will let the music speak for itself.  The 6th album (06.06.26)

2. With the very recent completion of our own home recording studio and rehearsal space.  This is the first album we have recorded entirely in one studio space.  Every other album to date has been recorded across at least 2 unique spaces.

3. Iron Kingdom is mostly a DIY act, booking our own tours, recording our own records, building our own website, and everything in between.  We pride ourselves on hard work and growth.  (Of course, not everything can be done ourselves; we hire out for PR, Printing Merchandise, Mixing/Mastering, and some other tasks, but a large majority of the work is done within the group.)

4. With the release of ‘Shadows And Dust’, we will be headlining our release show at one of the larger rooms in Vancouver. ‘The Rickshaw’ (650 capacity), for us this is a monumental step forward, it is the same venue we got to open for headlining bands such as HammerFall, Angra, Sanctuary and so many others, and to feel in some way that we have worked our way up to headline a venue of that size, is very exciting, and we cannot wait to bring our biggest show yet! (The show will be happening on Friday, June 5th, the night before the official release.

5. We are thrilled to soon embark on one of the most extensive tours of Canada, definitely the largest that we as a band have ever done, and to be quite frank, probably likely to be quite rare across any live acts.  We will be performing in 9 provinces, and 2 territories crossing over 20,000KM’s of travel, with shows as far North as Dawson City, Yukon, as far East as St. John’s, Newfoundland and as far West as Victoria, British Columbia.  Not only will it be filled with incredible shows, bands and fans, but also an awe-inspiring journey to see our massive and beautiful country in one incredible journey.

L-R: Max Friesen (Drums) | Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar) | Megan Merrick (Lead Guitar) | Leighton Holmes (Bass)

Photo Credit – Cailin Haley

Forged in Vancouver, Canada, in 2011, Iron Kingdom has spent fifteen years carrying the torch for classic Heavy Metal with unwavering conviction. Inspired by the genre’s titans, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, The Scorpions, and Rush—the band built its identity on electrifying stage presence, intricate twin-guitar harmonies, and a steadfast devotion to the melodic, adventurous spirit of Traditional Metal. As the band puts it, they formed because modern Metal had “forgotten about the melody, the stage show, and the accessibility of the music,” so they chose to “pick up the torch and do it ourselves.”

Iron Kingdom began with guitarist/vocalist Chris Osterman, bassist Leighton Holmes, and drummer Amanda Osterman. After releasing their debut ‘Curse of the Voodoo Queen’ in 2011, the band toured Western Canada and even appeared on Canada’s Got Talent. Guitarist Kenny Kroecher joined shortly before the release of the debut, helping shape the heavier direction that would define their next era.

Their 2013 album ‘Gates of Eternity’ earned international attention and led to a performance at Germany’s Keep It True XVII festival, an early milestone that opened doors to extensive touring across Canada, Europe, and the United States. The band’s momentum continued with the dual 2015 releases ‘Ride for Glory’ and the live EP ‘Unleashed at the Kraken’, though the accompanying tour was marred by a near-fatal vehicle accident that marked a turning point in their lineup and resilience.

Following lineup changes, Iron Kingdom pushed forward with major North American and Brazilian tours, sharing stages with acts like Blaze Bayley and HammerFall.

Guitarist Megan Merrick joined following this period, contributing to the band’s Traditional and Power-Metal-infused sound.

Their 2019 album ‘On the Hunt’ showcased this evolution, supported by a North American tour and a European run cut short only by the onset of COVID-19. Drummer Max Friesen joined in 2020, adding to the group’s Progressive Metal edge and completing the lineup that carries the band into its current era.

In 2022, Iron Kingdom released their fifth studio album, ‘The Blood of Creation’, further cementing their identity as a modern force in Traditional Heavy Metal. The band continued to refine their collaborative writing approach, driven by a collective creative engine where “the best ideas move forward” and every member contributes to the final vision.

Now, in 2026, Iron Kingdom enters a defining moment with the release of their sixth studio album, ‘Shadows and Dust’, arriving June 6, 2026, a date that symbolically aligns with both their 15th anniversary and the 82nd anniversary of D-Day. As the band notes, “The release of our 6th studio album… coincides with our 15th anniversary… You could say the planets aligned.”

‘Shadows and Dust’ marks several firsts and milestones:

It is the first album recorded entirely in the band’s own home studio, a major step in their long-standing DIY ethos.

It showcases a darker, more emotionally charged lyrical landscape, exploring themes of death, impermanence, hardship, and resilience.

Musically, it blends the band’s classic Heavy Metal roots with new textures, progressive touches, and a renewed sense of storytelling.

Its release show will see Iron Kingdom headlining Vancouver’s Rickshaw Theatre, a venue where they once opened for their heroes, now a symbol of how far they’ve climbed.

The album’s creation reflects the band’s collaborative maturity. Songs were developed through jam-based writing sessions, where riffs, lyrics, and concepts evolved organically. As Leighton describes, lyric inspiration often comes from “books, and sometimes movies… as long as it’s thought-provoking,” while Chris emphasizes the band’s commitment to crafting albums that take listeners on a journey.

Across six albums, Iron Kingdom has transformed from a Hard-Rock-leaning young band into a fully realized Traditional Metal powerhouse. Their sound, described by Chris as “Classic, Powerful, Epic, Adventurous, Melodic”, draws from classic Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, and Neo-Classical influences.

Yet despite their evolution, their mission remains unchanged: to deliver raw, energetic, no-click-track, no-backing-track Heavy Metal with the spirit of the genre’s golden age. Their live shows remain a cornerstone of their identity, “a real force on the live stage,” commanding attention with movement, musicianship, and authenticity.

Fifteen years in, Iron Kingdom stands as one of Canada’s most dedicated champions of Traditional Heavy Metal. Their journey, marked by relentless touring, lineup changes, near-disasters, and triumphant reinventions, has shaped a band that thrives on perseverance and passion.

With ‘Shadows and Dust’, Iron Kingdom enters its next era with sharpened purpose, renewed fire, and a sound that honours the past while forging boldly ahead. Their story is one of endurance, evolution, and the unbreakable power of Heavy Metal.

 

Discography:
2026 – Shadows And Dust – (LP)
2022 – The Blood Of Creation – (LP)
2019 – On The Hunt – (LP)
2015 – Unleashed At The Kraken (Live In Seattle) – (EP)
2015 – Ride For Glory – (LP)
2013 – Gates Of Eternity – (LP)
2011 – Curse Of The Voodoo Queen – (LP)

Artist Endorsements / Sponsors: Pete Joy – Joystix Rockade in Keokuk, IA – Sticks and Strings

Music Placements: Hockey Night in Canada (Queen Of The Crystal Throne) LIVE TV

Shared Stage with:
Sanctuary, Anvil, HammerFall, Angra, Ross the Boss (Ex-Manowar), Blaze Bayley (Ex-Iron Maiden), Metal Church, Jag Panzer, Flotsam and Jetsam, Skull Fist, Witch Cross, Girlschool, Into Eternity, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Satan, Striker, Visigoth, Riot Act, Riot City, Unleash The Archers,
Night Demon, Burning Witches, Glacier, Iron Fate, Tailgunner, Steel ShockTourts and Festivals:
2024 – Muskelrock Festival – Alvesta, SE
2024 – Horns Up Festival – Trikala, GR
2024 – Decibel Rebel Festival – Kavala, GR
2024 – Helicon Metal Fest – Warsaw, PL
2024 – Heavy Metal Thunder Fest – Pisek, CZ
2024 – GLACIER (USA) – EUROPE TOUR
2023 – British Steel Saturday Night Festival – Fismes, FR
2023 – Rising Fest – Dijon, FR
2023 – STEEL SHOCK (NL) – EUROPE TOUR
2022 – Armstrong Metal Fest – Armstrong, BC, Canada
2022 – Hyperspace Metal Fest III – Vancouver, BC, Canada
2021 – Loud As Hell Fest – Drumheller, AB, Canada
2020 – Full Metal Osthessen – Niederjossa, DE
2018 – Hyperspace Metal Fest I – Vancouver, BC, Canada
2018 – Halloween Havoc Festival – Surrey, BC, Canada
2016 – Metallion Fest III – Vanderhoof, BC, Canada
2016 – Tatuira Festival – Bento Gonçalves, Brazil
2016 – BLAZE BAYLEY (UK) – Brazilian Tour
2015 – Metallion Fest II – Vanderhoof, BC, Canada
2014 – Throwback Metal Fest – Apple Valley, CA, USA
2014 – NIGHT DEMON (USA) – USA TOUR
2014 – Keep It True XVII – Lauda-Konigshofen, DE
2014 – Warm Up Festival – Paris, FR
2014 – Very ‘Eavy Fest – Stadskanaal, NL

0 Canada’s IRON KINGDOM Unveils First Single “Defenders” From Sixth Album “Shadows and Dust” Out June 2026 + Cross Canada Tour!

  • March 19, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Iron Kingdom · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 19, 2026

Canada’s IRON KINGDOM Unveils First Single “Defenders”

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

L-R: Max Friesen (Drums) | Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar) | Megan Merrick (Lead Guitar) | Leighton Holmes (Bass)

Photo Credit – Cailin Haley

Vancouver, Canada’s traditional heavy metal torchbearers IRON KINGDOM proudly announce the release of “Defenders,” the first single and music video from their upcoming sixth studio album, “Shadows and Dust,” due out June 6, 2026. The album is also being released in 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.

“Defenders” sets the tone for “Shadows and Dust” with a powerful blend of speed, emotion, and classic heavy metal grit. Inspired by the Battle of Gdansk, the track pays tribute to the Polish soldiers who held their ground for seven days against Nazi invasion, an act of courage that deeply resonates with vocalist/guitarist Chris Osterman, whose own family history is tied to the conflict.
​
​“Being that my family is half Polish, this song strikes a chord for me. I imagined what my great‑grandfather experienced riding with the Polish cavalry in WWII, and I also imagined what people in Ukraine must be feeling right now. Even though the song is fast and heavy, it’s very emotional. It speaks to the courage of those who defend their families, their friends, and their way of life,” says Osterman.
​
Musically, “Defenders” channels the band’s signature blend of classic heavy metal, drawing influence from acts like Tyran Pace and Primal Fear, with soaring melodies, galloping riffs, and a relentless sense of urgency.

Watch and listen to the music video for “Defenders” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3k7tW5-9Os

​
​
​“Shadows and Dust” sees IRON KINGDOM exploring darker lyrical themes, death, hardship, impermanence, while maintaining the triumphant spirit and melodic fire that define their sound.
​
​“This album plays in a dark realm of topics, but I think that’s what will make it accessible to people going through tough times. The music shows hope for a positive way out. It’s a journey from front to back,” adds Osterman.
​
The album’s artwork by Alan Lathwell was inspired by the track “Blood and Steel” and the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson, depicting an army marching through a harsh, unforgiving landscape, a metaphor for perseverance through adversity.
​
​IRON KINGDOM will celebrate the release of “Shadows and Dust” with a hometown headline show at the Rickshaw Theatre on June 5, delivering the high‑energy, classic‑metal stage show they’ve become known for. Info at https://orangetickets.ca/detalles_evento.php?id_evento=2127​
​
Following the album launch, the band will hit the road across Western Canada with confirmed festival appearances at Armstrong Metal Fest and Loud As Hell Festival.

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 – Armstrong MetalFest
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 – TBD
July 28 – Yellowknife, NT – The Underground
July 29 – Fort Smith, NT – Dirty O’ Fergie’s
July 30 – Edmonton, AB – Starlight
July 31 – Drumheller, AB – Loud As Hell Open Air Festival
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 – Hamilton, ON – TBC
Aug 7 – Toronto, ON – Bovine
Aug 8 – Montréal, QC – Foufounes Électriques
Aug 9 – TBD – TBD
Aug 10 – TBD – TBD
Aug 11 – Woodstock, NB – Monteith Manor
Aug 12 – Halifax, NS – Gus’ Pub
Aug 14 – Corner Brook, NL – TBC
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 – Ottawa, ON – Dominion Tavern
Aug 21 – Saskatoon, SK – TBC
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

​

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​

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​
​

– 30 –

“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)

“Iron Kingdom created an iron-bound, battle-hardened piece of traditional Heavy Metal that truly made me want to turn the clock back to those long-gone days of glory. Times when metal was just that, the pure joy of a style that was still new, exciting, and powerful. Or to let the band speak in their own words, they “…decided to play metal the way it used to be played in the 70s and 80s.” Well, mission fucking accomplished. Well done, guys.” – Rock Music Raider (The Blood of Creation 2022)​
​
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook – Asher Media Relations
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Tweet – AsherMedia

0 \m/ Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay love! \m/\m/ !earshot – The National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 #3 Triskelyon, #4 Pythonic | CFBX 92.5FM – Kamloops Loud – #8 Cepheidae Variable, #10 Born Divided | CFOU 89.1FM – Trois-Rivieres Loud – #9 Triskelyon | CIVL 101.7FM – Abbotsford Loud – #5 Triskelyon, #6 Juliet Ruin, #7 Phaeton, #8 MUTANK | CJLO 1690AM – Montreal Loud – #4 Pythonic, #8 Triskelyon | CJSR 88.5M – Edmonton Loud – #7 Outlying | CJSW 90.9FM – Calgary Loud – #4 Pythonic, #8 Triskelyon | CJUM 101.5FM – Winnipeg Loud – #10 Gravewitch | CICK 93.9FM – Smithers Top 30 – #12 Unpunished | CJLO 1690AM – Montreal Top 30 – #17 Pythonic

  • March 18, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Born Divided · Cepheidae Variable · Gravewitch · Juliet Ruin · MUTANK · Outlying · Phaeton · Pythonic · radio charts · Triskelyon · Unpunished

\m/ Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs for the airplay love! \m/\m/
!earshot – The National Loud Chart
For the Week Ending: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
#3 Triskelyon, #4 Pythonic
https://earshot-online.com/charts/index.cfm?intChartTypeID=106&dWeekOfID=2026-03-17
========
CFBX 92.5FM – Kamloops
Loud – #8 Cepheidae Variable, #10 Born Divided
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfbx.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2026-03-17
========
CFOU 89.1FM – Trois-Rivieres
Loud – #9 Triskelyon
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cfou.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2026-03-17
========
CIVL 101.7FM – Abbotsford
Loud – #5 Triskelyon, #6 Juliet Ruin, #7 Phaeton, #8 MUTANK
https://earshot-online.com/charts/civl.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2026-03-17
========
CJLO 1690AM – Montreal
Loud – #4 Pythonic, #8 Triskelyon
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjlo.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2026-03-17
========
CJSR 88.5M – Edmonton
Loud – #7 Outlying
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjsr.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2026-03-17
========
CJSW 90.9FM – Calgary
Loud – #4 Pythonic, #8 Triskelyon
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjsw.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2026-03-17
========
CJUM 101.5FM – Winnipeg
Loud – #10 Gravewitch
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjum.cfm?intChartTypeID=6&dWeekOfID=2026-03-17
========
CICK 93.9FM – Smithers
Top 30 – #12 Unpunished
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cick.cfm?dWeekOfID=2026-03-17
========
CJLO 1690AM – Montreal
Top 30 – #17 Pythonic
https://earshot-online.com/charts/cjlo.cfm?dWeekOfID=2026-03-17

0 Rockshots Records – RIMMAR Shares New Music Video “These Ruins” ft. Marco “Biuller” Bertuccioli (Smelly Boggs, J27, 80’s Sunset Strip)

  • March 18, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Rimmar (Rockshots Records)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 18, 2026

RIMMAR Shares New Music Video “These Ruins” ft. Marco “Biuller” Bertuccioli (Smelly Boggs, J27, 80’s Sunset Strip)

“It’s a dream come true, lasting for years. Now everything can begin”.
​
With these words, Italian guitarist and composer Marco Rinaldi introduced Rimmar, his visionary solo project. Today, that vision continues to unfold with the release of the new music video “These Ruins”, out now via Rockshots Records, marking a new chapter in the cycle of the latest album “Raises”.
​
Far from being a traditional band, Rimmar remains a one-man artistic endeavor driven entirely by Rinaldi’s creative direction. As with the entire “Raises” album, “These Ruins” is fully written, composed, and arranged by Rinaldi himself, blending classic, progressive, and industrial metal with synth-driven and electronic elements into a sound that is both modern and distinctly recognizable.
​
Continuing the conceptual path established by singles “Planet Mars” and “Unreal“, “These Ruins” explores a more introspective dimension within the album’s narrative framework. In comparison, earlier releases focused on rebirth, transformation, and elevation, the new single turns toward the idea of constraint, those invisible forces that bind the individual – and the inner tension required to break free. The result is a track that balances melodic depth and rhythmic impact, expanding the project’s emotional range.
​
The song features Marco “Biuller” Bertuccioli (Smelly Boggs, J27, 80’s Sunset Strip), whose vocal performance brings a raw and expressive edge, enhancing the track’s intensity and reinforcing its thematic weight. His contribution adds a distinctive character while remaining fully integrated within Rimmar’s sonic identity.
​
At the core of the project lies a composition-first approach: Rinaldi develops each piece starting from riffs or rhythmic structures, later expanding them through layered arrangements, synth textures, and detailed production work. Lyrics emerge from reflections, dreams, and personal insight, serving the music rather than guiding it – “The word is a servant of music in my case”, he explains.
​
The music video for “These Ruins” transforms the track’s tension and atmosphere into a striking visual language, reinforcing the project’s identity and narrative through a hybrid sound that fuses metal, electronic elements, and progressive influences.

Watch the official video for “These Ruins” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4mRkMrC2G8

​

Originally released on July 4th, 2025, the full-length “Raises” introduced a concept centered on rebirth, transcendence, and emotional elevation, symbolized by the image of a constantly rising volume knob. The record features a cast of exceptional guest performers from the Italian metal scene. Among them, Fabio Lione (Rhapsody of Fire, Angra) appears on two tracks (“Mighty Messenger” and “Vortex”), along with Kyo Calati (MindAheaD), Marco Andreotti (Imagine Dragons tribute), Mattia Fagiolo (White Thunder, Dragonhammer), and Alessandro Cola (Eldritch), each lending their voice and energy to the project.

For fans of Devin Townsend, Pain, Nine Inch Nails, and Faith No More, Rimmar stands at the intersection of power, experimentation, and modern songwriting, continuing to shape a distinctive voice within the contemporary metal landscape.

Digital Album – https://lnk.to/LSOElQT4​

CD ORDER: https://rockshots.eu/products/rimmar-raises​

Music Video – Mighty Messenger ft. Fabio Lione – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2SbBTPXG6I

​Music Video – “Planet Mars” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2JwJ8UtSO4

​

Track Listing:​
1. Unreal (feat. Mattia Fagiolo)
2. Mighty Messenger (feat. Fabio Lione)
3. These Ruins (feat. Marco Bertuccelli)
4. 8th Sin (feat. Marco Andreotti)
5. Planet Mars (feat. Mattia Fagiolo)
6. Vortex (feat. Fabio Lione)
7. Queen of the Gold (feat. Marco Bertuccelli)
8. Cruel Summer (feat. Kyo Elisa Proietti)
9. Raises

​
​Rimmar Line Up:​
​Marco Rinaldi: Guitars
​Tommy Pellegrini: Rhythm Guitars
​Marco Moretti: Drums
​Alessandro Cola: Bass Guitar

​More info:

– https://rockshots.eu/​

– https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063487690785​

– https://www.instagram.com/rimmar_official/​

– 30 –

​
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 EPK – Ashen Horde – The Harvest (2026)

  • March 18, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · ASHEN HORDE · EPKs

EPK – Ashen Horde – The Harvest (2026)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

For fans of Opeth, Voivod, Enslaved, Ihsahn, Strapping Young Lad

Band: Ashen Horde
Album Title: The Harvest
Release Date: May 1, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Genre: Extreme Metal
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Facebook.com/AshenHorde | Youtube.com/@Ashenhorde | Instagram.com/ashenhorde

Ashenhorde.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Ampwall.com/a/ashenhorde | Ashenhorde.bigcartel.com | Spotify

“The harvest is coming! The new Ashen Horde album is a multi-faceted journey into every nook and cranny of extreme metal. “The Harvest” is challenging and quirky, but unlike a lot of other progressive/experimental releases, it never loses track of the key ingredient in music – good songwriting. All tracks are well-crafted and interesting in their own right, and the skillful instrumental performances are more like the icing on the cake and not the main focus. Highly recommended!” – Nik Sundin (Dark Tranquillity)
“The song (Entropy and Ectasy) captures this dichotomy of collapse and exhilaration — of entropy and ecstasy — through a fast-spinning (and head-spinning) kaleidoscope of sound. The moods of the music change along the way, but even the relatively slower and more desolate passages include inventive and intriguing nuances. Karl Chamberlain’s remarkably multi-faceted voice is a perfect match for the remarkably multi-faceted nature of the music. He expels brutal death metal gutturals and ripping black metal screams, but he also sends his singing voice in ravishing upward arcs that are spine-tingling to hear, and down into gloomy troughs. As for the surrounding music, it’s intricate and exhilarating, especially when the band are in full flight, discharging rapidly darting and maniacally swirling notes, incendiary bursts of tremolo’d delirium, or riffing that feverishly slashes with vicious, serrated edges. In less frantic phases, the music dismally groans and throbs, creating a pall of desolation, even when Chamberlain’s voice might be reaching for the clouds. The fretwork also includes angular progressions that generate moods of disorientation and fearfulness, and the song further includes an astonishing guitar solo that all by itself seems to capture the song’s thematic dichotomy of collapse and jubilation. Perhaps needless to say, Robin Stone’s drumming is as constantly changing as everything else, and surgically crafted to match all the other head-spinning, pulse-pounding, and heart-sinking twists in this shapeshifter of a song.” – No Clean Singing

“Antimony; 3/5 rating; “the sound Ashen Horde has developed over three albums is pretty much theirs alone. It’s a dense but accessible approach that rewards both casual listens and sustained attention.” – Angry Metal Guy (2023 –  Antimony)

“Equal parts blackened madness, death metal riffing, and clean vocals, “The Neophyte” should get just about anyone stoked for Antimony.” – Metal Injection (2023 –  Antimony)

“an amazing odyssey all around and the amount of remarkable coherency as well as the instrumentation work and musicianship is just top notch.” – Metal Purgatory (2023 –  Antimony)

“Progression like what Ashen Horde has undergone over the years is what the best tales in the underground are made out of.” – Head-Banger Reviews (2023 –  Antimony)

“Fallen Cathedrals; 4.0 rating; “I can’t recommend this enough for fans of black and death metals being combined in unique ways.” – Angry Metal Guy (2019 –  Fallen Cathedrals)

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: Ashen Horde
Album Title: The Harvest
Release Date: May 1, 2026
Label: Self-Release
Genre: Extreme Metal
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Track Listing:
1. Autumnal (6:12)
2. Entropy and Ecstasy (5:47)
3. Backward Momentum (5:21)
4. Voids in the Ash (5:41)
5. Remnant (4:37)
6. A Place in the Rot (4:38)
7. Apparition (4:57)
8. The Harvest (5:46)
Album Length: 43:03

Credits:
Mixed by Ricardo Borges and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios
Artwork by Venus Kohana (venuskohana.com)

Lineup:
Trevor Portz: Guitar, Bass, Harmony Vocals
Karl Chamberlain: Vocals
Robin Stone: Drums

Live Line-up:
Trevor Portz: Guitar
Karl Chamberlain: Vocals
Greg Murphy: Drums
Second guitar and bass: TBD

===============================================

About the album artwork:

The cover art was created by an extremely talented artist named Venus Kohana. I actually. discovered her work at an art show at my wife’s work. There were several pieces of hers that I loved, but the image of the two red skeletons really caught my attention. I bought a print of it at the show, and after staring at it for a few days, I realized I wanted it to be the cover art. Even the color scheme fits with the Autumn vibe. I tracked Venus down through Instagram and asked if she’d be down to license it to us. Luckily, she said yes, and I’m so happy about it. It’s unique and cool, and very metal; it even inspired the lyrics to the title track, which closes the album.

About the album as a whole (lyrically and musically):

Unlike the previous four albums, “The Harvest” is not a concept album; however, it does have an overarching theme: endings. For the first time in Ashen Horde’s history (at least when it comes to full-lengths), I didn’t have a single story | wanted to tell. But after I came up with a couple of different lyric ideas, I realized they had a connecting theme. “Entropy and Ecstasy” is about a couple who get a thrill from the tragedy and chaos all around.

“Autumnal” looks at old Pagan beliefs and ceremonies that came with the end of the harvest season; “Backward Momentum” focuses on the seemingly devolution happening across society. Each is rooted in a reaction to something ending, so we leaned on that for the rest of the songs. Karl wrote “Voids in the Ash” about the last days of Pompeii, which was certainly a dramatic end!

Track By Track (lyrically and musically):

1. Autumnal
The music for this song was inspired by Sensorio, an outdoor light installation in Paso Robles, CA. My wife and I were there for a mini vacation, and the overall vibe of the lights spread across the countryside triggered the idea for both the intro melody and lyrics, which are about old Pagan activities that came with the end of the harvest season and coming of Fall. The slow build from quiet to full-on black-metal blast beats seemed like a perfect way to kick off the album.

2) Entropy and Ecstasy
This song, which we chose as the first single and shot a video for, is about a couple who, instead of being terrified by the world collapsing around them, get a thrill from it. I don’t remember what initially sparked the idea, but it’s fair to assume the initial Covid lockdowns had something to do with it! I thought the music, which definitely takes some influence from Voivod, reflected both the chaos of the outside world and the bizarre passion of the couple. This was also the song Karl used for his “audition.” I sent him a demo with some unfinished lyrics, and he sent back his take on it. I was immediately blown away. His vocals on the core melody, “how can we thrive if we expect to survive?” give me chills every time I hear them.

3) Backward Momentum
This is a weird song with a lot of different things going on musically! There’s actually a fair bit of melody buried under some pretty unconventional riffs. There’s definitely Opeth inspiration, particularly using layered clean vocals over some fast blasting. This technique was used on the Lotus Eater from “Watershed,” and I thought the synergy of the extreme and melodic was just super effective. Then you get this riff-heavy, hard rock break in the middle that taps into my love of all things 90s. The extended solo here is probably my favorite on the album, and the one I worked on the hardest.

Lyrically, it’s my angry rant about people seemingly devolving and falling into superstitious and conspiratorial beliefs while ignoring science and rational thinking.

4) Voids in the Ash
Trevor: I wanted something a little more moody and slow, so that drove this song. I didn’t have any idea about what the vocals should sound like, so when Karl came back with this Soundgarden/Alice in Chains-esque melody for the verses, I realized he’d stumbled onto exactly what it needed. Yet again, the contrast of a dark melody with some unconventional riffs makes for a unique listen. Interestingly, the black-metal sounding blast beat parts were not originally intended to be fast, but Robin came up with the idea to go that direction, and the jarring jump from slow to fast was better than what I’d come up with, haha!

Karl: Voids in the Ash is a special track for me. The last one was written and recorded vocally for this record. The song is about Pompeii, told from the perspective of the people of Pompeii and the gods who hated them enough to bury them in ash.

5) Remnant
Trevor: I honestly don’t remember a lot about what inspired the music on this one, other than my love of trying different things. It’s not too fast or progressive, but has a lot of energy.

Karl: Remnant is about a man out hunting in the wilderness when a storm hits. His trail gets destroyed, and he hopelessly wanders until he finds salvation at a stranger’s cabin. He’s taken in, fed, and then the storm picks up again, destroys the cabin, and everybody dies. No happy ending.

6) A Place in the Rot
Trevor: We slow things down again here, and while it’s still heavy, the guitar parts are pretty melodic. The solo at the beginning was sort of an afterthought, but I think it works really well. I get the middle section stuck in my head a lot, which is hopefully an indicator that it’s cool.

The name of the song came from the Swamp Thing series; I’ve always been fascinated by how the Rot contrasts the Green (read the series for more info on what that means). But all I had was the title and no lyrics. I told Karl that’s where the name came from, and he replied, letting me know that he was a huge fan of the series and even had a Swamp Thing “Love and Death” tattoo! It further proved that he was the right choice for the band!

Karl: A Place in the Rot is about Swamp Thing and how our destiny is the soil. In the end, we all die, so live a good life!

7) The Apparition
This is probably the heaviest song on the album. The main riff was inspired by early death metal—basically all the stuff that got me into extreme metal in the first place. But in typical Ashen Horde fashion, that leads right into a strange little riff with an odd rhythm and vaguely 70s feel (at least, that’s how I see it).

The lyrics are sung from the perspective of a ghost who sees people doing truly horrible things, but who is helpless to do anything about it. He wonders if it’s punishment for things he did in life, yet doesn’t recall what he did. Thus. He’s slowly going insane in his eternal prison.

8) The Harvest
The music for this song was inspired by a trip I took to Iceland a few years ago. We were driving through the countryside, and the insane scenery: black beaches, glaciers, and an almost unearthly landscape, was just so awe-inspiring. I can’t explain exactly why it translated to these riffs, but it did! I didn’t realize it at the time, but I hear some definite influence from Demonaz’s album “March of the Norse.” Apparently, some subliminal inspiration crept in!

While I already knew I wanted to have a title track for the album, I wasn’t sure what the lyrics would be about. It wasn’t until I found the cover art that the idea finally came to light. Inspired by the red skeletons, I imagine an entity that’s watching humanity from the shadows, judging how awful and stupid we’ve become. At some point, when things have reached whatever the creature deems to be the absolute end of hope for humanity, it will emerge and devour everything. It’s really a metaphor for the bizarre tendency of humans to go out of their way to destroy themselves and the planet.

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Fun Facts:

1. Ashen Horde began as a solo project, and Trevor was the only member for the first two albums.

2. Until the filming of the Entropy and Ecstasy video, no two members of the band had ever played (or even mimed) together. The album was recorded completely remotely, with the members never meeting.

3. Obviously, based on the previous statement, the band has never played live! But for the first time since Ashen Horde’s inception in 2013, the band will play its first shows in May.

4. Karl was introduced to Trevor via George Washburn, host of the Metalheads Podcast. Both Trevor and Karl had been on the show at various times, so when Trevor was seeing a new vocalist, George suggested Karl.

5. This is the first Ashen Horde album that isn’t a true concept album. The previous four told (mostly) self-contained stories, but The Harvest is based on an overall theme instead; that being “endings.” We did something similar with the Tintregen EP back in 2019 (the theme there was “agony”), and I like having everything connect in some way.


Photos by @still.squill (Trevor); Photo Dun Right (Karl); unknown (Robin)

For over 10 years, Ashen Horde has been delivering extreme metal that strives to embrace a multitude of metal subgenres without being bound to any one of them. Drawing influence from metal’s crème de la extreme, Ashen Horde has a sound rooted in death and black metal, but can’t truly be called either. Touching on everything from melodic prog to 90s alternative, they’re sure to appeal to fans of prog metal’s elite, from Opeth and Enslaved to Amorphis and Ihsahn.

The band, fronted by guitarist and primary songwriter Trevor Portz, has just completed work on its fifth album, The Harvest. The first full-length to feature new vocalist Karl Chamberlain, The Harvest sees the band expanding on the sound they’ve been building over the last decade. Taking full advantage of Chamberlain’s expansive vocal range, they’ve created an album that is as melodic as it is heavy. From the Voivod-with-blastbeats energy of “Entropy and Ecstasy,” to “Apparition,” which interrupts its brutal death and black metal sections with progressive wanderings, The Harvest epitomizes Ashen Horde’s love of variety. “Voids in the Ash,” with lyrics that examine the fall of Pompeii, combines grunge-inspired harmony vocals with hyperspeed black metal bursts. It’s an album of sharp contrasts, but all through a tight, extreme metal filter.

Breaking tradition from its predecessors, The Harvest is not a concept album; however, the lyrics are linked together by a central theme. Each song explores an aspect of things ending… or approaching an end. Opening track “Autumnal” explores end-of-harvest-season pagan traditions, while “Backward Momentum” takes a look at humanity’s unnatural desire to revert to a more primitive state. It’s not an album about hopelessness, but it does ponder the question of whether endings really are new beginnings, as the saying goes.

Launched as a one-man project in 2013, Ashen Horde has released four critically-acclaimed albums, as well as several EPs and 7” singles. Ashen Horde’s 2019 album, Fallen Cathedrals, received a coveted 4/5 on Angry Metal Guy, with the reviewer stating, “I can’t recommend this enough for fans of black and death metals being combined in unique ways.” The band signed with Transcending Obscurity Records for 2023’s Antimony, which helped elevate the band’s status across the globe. Antimony also made Sick Drummer’s “Favorite Drumming Albums of 2023” list, praising the incredible work of acclaimed drummer Robin Stone.

2025 will also be a banner year for the band, as it will finally see them take to the stage. While the band has existed as a studio-only project previously, the new lineup is ready to bring their brand of chaos to audiences this fall, with tour dates in the works. While The Harvest may be about endings, the band sees this album as a new beginning.

Discography:
The Harvest (full length, 2026)
Decayed (EP, 2024)
Antimony (full length, 2023)
Black Curse (EP, 2021)
Archaic Convictions (single, 2021)
A Semblance of Normalcy (single, 2020)
Tintregen (EP, 2019)
Fallen Cathedrals (full length, 2019)
The Alchemist (7″, 2017)
Nine Plagues (full length, 2015)
Feral (EP, 2015)
Echthros (7″, 2015)
Obcisus (EP, 2014)
Sanguinum Vindicta (full length, 2014)
Ab Initio (EP, 2013)

0 ASHEN HORDE Announces New Album “The Harvest” Out May 2026; Unveil Music Video “Entropy and Ecstasy”

  • March 17, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · ASHEN HORDE · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 17, 2026

ASHEN HORDE Announces New Album “The Harvest” Out May 2026; Unveil Music Video “Entropy and Ecstasy”

Photos by @still.squill (Trevor); Photo Dun Right (Karl); unknown (Robin)

Los Angeles extreme‑metal shapeshifters Ashen Horde return on May 1st, 2026, with “The Harvest”, their fifth full‑length album and the first to feature new vocalist Karl Chamberlain (Putrefier, Alcyone, Necrotic Remains). Known for weaving black metal, death metal, prog, and 90s‑inspired grit into something unmistakably their own, Ashen Horde push their sound further than ever, embracing melody, chaos, and sharp contrasts across eight thematically linked tracks.
​
Alongside the album announcement, Ashen Horde have unveiled the first single, “Entropy and Ecstasy”, a whirlwind of jagged riffs, angular Voivod‑like progressions, and Chamberlain’s soaring, chilling vocal hooks. The accompanying video represents a major milestone for the band: despite recording the entire album remotely, this is the first time the members have appeared together on camera.

The first preview to the album, “Entropy and Ecstasy,” captures the album’s core idea: finding exhilaration in collapse. The song follows a couple who thrive on the chaos of a world falling apart, a concept Portz admits was likely sparked by the early COVID lockdowns.

Guitarist and primary songwriter Trevor Portz recalls being floored by Chamberlain’s audition:
​
​“I sent him a demo of ‘Entropy and Ecstasy’ with unfinished lyrics, and he sent back his take. His vocals on the line ‘how can we thrive if we expect to survive?’ still give me chills.”

Listen and watch the music video for “The Harvest” via its premiere on NoCleanSinging HERE.

Add to your Spotify playlist – pre-save – https://show.co/z0ZVdF9​
​
​“The Harvest” marks a turning point for Ashen Horde. After a decade as a studio‑driven project, the band is preparing to play its first‑ever live shows in May, coinciding with the album’s release. It’s also the first full‑length to feature Chamberlain, whose dynamic range helped reshape the band’s sonic identity.
​
While Ashen Horde’s previous four albums were tightly constructed concept records, “The Harvest” takes a different approach. Each track stands alone, yet all orbit the idea of endings, personal, societal, historical, and cosmic.
​
​“I didn’t have a single story this time, but the lyrics kept circling reactions to things ending. From societal collapse to ancient rituals to the last days of Pompeii, everything tied together naturally,” explains Portz.
​
Musically, the album is a showcase of the band’s eclectic influences. From the opening track, “Autumnal”, a slow-burning ascent into full black‑metal fury, inspired by the Sensorio light installation in Paso Robles. “Backward Momentum” blends Opeth‑style clean‑vocal layering with 90s‑rock riffing and one of Portz’s favorite solos on the album. “Voids in the Ash” pairs grunge‑inflected vocal harmonies with hyperspeed black‑metal bursts, telling the story of Pompeii from both mortal and divine perspectives. “The Apparition” channels early death metal before spiraling into odd‑meter prog weirdness. The title track, “The Harvest,” closes the album with an apocalyptic vision inspired by Iceland’s stark landscapes and the album’s striking cover art.
​
The album’s cover, featuring two red skeletons locked in an eerie, autumnal tableau, was created by artist Venus Kohana, whose work Portz discovered at an art show. The imagery’s blend of beauty, decay, and ritual perfectly mirrors the album’s themes.
​
​“I bought a print and couldn’t stop staring at it. Eventually, I realized it had to be the cover. It even inspired the lyrics to the title track.”​
​
For over a decade, Ashen Horde has carved out a unique place in extreme metal, refusing to be confined to any single subgenre. Rooted in black and death metal but unafraid to explore melodic prog, 90s alternative, and avant‑garde experimentation, the band appeals to fans of Opeth, Enslaved, Amorphis, Ihsahn, and metal’s more adventurous corners.
​
Originally founded as a solo project by guitarist and primary songwriter Trevor Portz, Ashen Horde has evolved into a full lineup featuring vocalist Karl Chamberlain and Australian-based drummer Robin Stone (The Amenta, Convulsing).

“The Harvest” represents the band’s most dynamic, collaborative, and ambitious work to date.

Album pre-order (release date May 1, 2026) available on limited splatter vinyl and CD (along with t-shirt bundles) on Bandcamp, as well as everywhere digitally – https://ashenhorde.bandcamp.com/album/the-harvest​

Tour Dates:​
May 14 – Montclair, NJ – The Meatlocker
May 15 – Wallingford, CT – Cherry Street Station
May 16 – Brattleboro, VT – Midnight’s

Track Listing:​
1. Autumnal (6:12)
2. Entropy and Ecstasy (5:47)
3. Backward Momentum (5:21)
4. Voids in the Ash (5:41)
5. Remnant (4:37)
6. A Place in the Rot (4:38)
7. Apparition (4:57)
8. The Harvest (5:46)
Album Length: 43:03

Credits:​
Mixed by Ricardo Borges and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios
Artwork by Venus Kohana (venuskohana.com)

Lineup:​
Trevor Portz: Guitar, Bass, Harmony Vocals
Karl Chamberlain: Vocals
Robin Stone: Drums

More Info:

​https://www.facebook.com/AshenHorde/

​https://www.instagram.com/ashenhorde​

-30-

“The harvest is coming! The new Ashen Horde album is a multi-faceted journey into every nook and cranny of extreme metal. “The Harvest” is challenging and quirky, but unlike a lot of other progressive/experimental releases, it never loses track of the key ingredient in music – good songwriting. All tracks are well-crafted and interesting in their own right, and the skillful instrumental performances are more like the icing on the cake and not the main focus. Highly recommended!” – Nik Sundin (Dark Tranquillity)

“Antimony; 3/5 rating; “the sound Ashen Horde has developed over three albums is pretty much theirs alone. It’s a dense but accessible approach that rewards both casual listens and sustained attention.” – Angry Metal Guy (2023 – Antimony)

“Equal parts blackened madness, death metal riffing, and clean vocals, “The Neophyte” should get just about anyone stoked for Antimony.” – Metal Injection (2023 – Antimony)

“an amazing odyssey all around and the amount of remarkable coherency as well as the instrumentation work and musicianship is just top notch.” – Metal Purgatory (2023 – Antimony)

“Progression like what Ashen Horde has undergone over the years is what the best tales in the underground are made out of.” – Head-Banger Reviews (2023 – Antimony)

“Fallen Cathedrals; 4.0 rating; “I can’t recommend this enough for fans of black and death metals being combined in unique ways.” – Angry Metal Guy (2019 – Fallen Cathedrals)

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0 DECIMATE METALFEST (Millet, AB) Announces 2026 Lineup w/ GLYPH, THE CONVALESCENCE, SQUIDHAMMER, FAMOUS STRANGERS and more!

  • March 17, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Uncategorized

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 17, 2026

DECIMATE METALFEST (Millet, AB) Announces 2026 Lineup

w/ GLYPH, THE CONVALESCENCE, SQUIDHAMMER, FAMOUS STRANGERS, and more!

June 26 and 27, 2026: Bringing Heavy Music, Independent Arts, and Community Together in Alberta

Western Canada’s underground metal community will once again come together this summer as Decimate Metalfest returns to the Millet Agriplex Arena on June 26 and 27, 2026, in Millet, AB. What began as a grassroots gathering of heavy music fans has grown into a weekend-long celebration where heavy music, independent arts, and community come together in rural Alberta, welcoming fans, artists, and families of all ages.

This year’s festival lineup will feature Glyph, The Convalescence, Squidhammer, Famous Strangers, and Let It Rot, alongside a diverse roster of local and regional performers. Overall, 28 performing acts will take the stage over the two days, including touring artists, Canadian metal bands, youth performers, a featured DJ, and specialty entertainers.

Friday evening launches the festival with a powerful night of heavy music, including a performance by the “Fundraiser Band”, a rotating act selected from bands who participate in Decimate fundraising events throughout the year, highlighting the festival’s community-driven spirit. Saturday expands into a full-day festival experience featuring bands, youth artists, live performers, and interactive entertainment. With top-notch production, high-quality sound, professional staging, and access to convenient local amenities in Millet, the festival ensures an unforgettable experience for fans and families.

All performances take place at the Millet Agriplex Arena, with festival activities continuing throughout the weekend, including camping, breakfast events, interactive entertainment, and vendor booths by independent artists.

Official Decimate Metalfest 2026 Spotify Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4PtsotZY8YfTAZV0NNBudk​

Event Details:​
Event: Decimate Metalfest 2026
Dates: June 26 and 27, 2026
Location: Millet Agriplex Arena, Millet, Alberta, Canada
Format: All ages metal and arts festival
​
Tickets: https://www.decimatemetalfest.com/tickets

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/938257911895899​

Decimate Metalfest 2026 Lineup:

Friday, June 26, 2026​
• The Convalescence (Ohio, USA)
• Squidhammer (Wisconsin, USA)
• Anomalyptic (Edmonton, AB)
• Let It Rot (Michigan, USA)
• Valley of Despair (Edmonton, AB)
• Godfall (Calgary, AB)
• TBA Fundraiser Band
• Kilusan (Edmonton, AB)
​
​Saturday, June 27, 2026​
• Glyph (Seattle, USA)
• Famous Strangers (Sherwood Park, AB)
• Cries of Blood (Montreal, QC)
• Thousand Frames (Colorado, USA)
• Counterfeit (Calgary, AB)
• From Beneath (Winnipeg, MB)
• No Faith In Fortune (Vancouver, BC)
• Femmes Voyous (Edmonton, AB)
• Spineless (Winnipeg, MB)
• Black Friday (Edmonton, AB)
• Light Drawn In (Edmonton, AB)
​
​Youth Bands​
• Kleaver (Calgary, AB)
• Desicrate (Edmonton, AB)
• TBA Youth Band

Featured Performers
​
• DJ Alex Kayne (New York, USA)
• Birthday Girl (Calgary, AB)
• Damien Ghoul (Edmonton, AB)
• Severina (Edmonton, AB)
• Meatsack (Edmonton, AB)
• Lust Dust (Calgary, AB)

Decimate Metalfest is about connection. The all-ages festival brings together musicians, visual artists, performers, and creators from across Canada, the United States, and beyond for two days of crushing riffs, artistic expression, unforgettable performances, and a shared love of underground culture.
​
The festival’s reach continues to expand each year. For the 2026 edition alone, performer submissions were received from 15 countries, eight Canadian provinces, and 25 US states, highlighting the growing international interest in the event and the strength of Western Canada’s metal community. From youth bands playing their first festival stage to international touring acts, Decimate Metalfest celebrates every generation of the metal and alternative community while creating opportunities for artists of many disciplines to showcase their work.
​
Decimate Metalfest has become known not only for its music lineup but also for the welcoming environment it creates. The festival brings together longtime metal fans, young families, artists, and first-time festivalgoers in a space that celebrates creativity and community.
​
Beyond the stage, the festival offers a full weekend experience that includes independent art vendors, free tented camping, fan-favorite air guitar contests for youth and adults, community gatherings, and the traditional Saturday pancake breakfast. Children under 10 attend free, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to accessibility and multi-generational participation.
​
Built by members of the metal community, for the metal community, and proudly organized and operated by women, Decimate Metalfest continues to challenge expectations while creating a space where everyone is welcome.
​
​Stay Connected

For the latest updates, lineup announcements, and ticket purchases, visit the official Decimate Metalfest website. Follow us on social media to stay in the loop:​

More info: https://linktr.ee/decimatemf​

Volunteer, Vendor, and Sponsor Applications: ​
​https://www.decimatemetalfest.com​

About Decimate Metalfest:​
Decimate Metalfest is an annual grassroots heavy music and arts festival held in Millet, Alberta. Created by members of the underground metal community and proudly organized and operated by women, the festival provides a platform for emerging and established artists while celebrating inclusivity, creativity, and independent music culture.
​
“What started as a small idea has grown into something far bigger than any one of us,” says Decimate Metalfest founder Sloan Voxx. “Seeing artists, volunteers, sponsors, and fans all come together to build this community is incredibly humbling. I am honored to be part of something that brings so many people together and creates a space where anyone can connect through heavy music and feel a sense of belonging. At the end of the day, Decimate Metalfest belongs to the community that built it. Whether you are discovering your first metal band, playing your first festival stage, or returning as a longtime fan, everyone is welcome.”
​
Decimate Metalfest 2026 is made possible through the support of community partners, sponsors, and industry collaborators who share a commitment to independent music, arts, and community culture.
​
Partners and Sponsors include:
The Town of Millet, Millet Agriplex, Millet Lions Memorial Campground, Leduc Brewing, Best Copy Shop, Asher Media Relations, Prairie Fire Productions Ltd., Absolute Underground Magazine, 387 Entertainment, Fire Lotus Creative, Rendezvous Pub, Queer YEG, Seeing Red Podcast, Pinecase Mental Health, Broken Neck Radio, Edmonton’s Alternative Music Magazine, Soudshell
​
Decimate Metalfest is also a proud member of the Western Canadian Metal Festival Alliance (WCMFA) and is honored to work alongside fellow independent festivals and music organizations that help strengthen the Canadian metal scene, including:
Loud As Hell Open Air Festival
Armstrong MetalFest
Hyperspace Metal Festival
Glacial Mutilation Metal Festival

For press inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact us at: info[@]decimetalfest[.]com

– 30 –

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0 Gore House Prod. – ONCHOCERCIASIS ESOPHAGOGASTRODUODENOSCOPY Unleashes Blasting Fury and Vile Gutturals w/ “Gutted & Corpsed” From New Album “Fugue Gnawed from the Scabbed God Cerebrum”

  • March 16, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (Gore House Productions)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 16, 2026

ONCHOCERCIASIS ESOPHAGOGASTRODUODENOSCOPY Unleashes Blasting Fury and Vile Gutturals w/ “Gutted & Corpsed”

New Album “Fugue Gnawed from the Scabbed God Cerebrum” Out April 2026 via Gore House Productions

L – R – The Popuko – Guitars, Drums, Bass, Backing Vocals, Alice Simard – Guitars, Drums, Jesse Agiomamitis – Vocals

Stillbirth Records / Gore House Productions proudly presents “Gutted & Corpsed,” the second single from apocalyptic brutal death metal entity Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (OxE). The track follows the pulverizing first single “Hurt Beyond Healing,” offering another glimpse into the dissonant, experimental, and violently immersive world of the band’s upcoming full‑length “Fugue Gnawed from the Scabbed God Cerebrum,” out April 3rd, 2026.
​
Where “Hurt Beyond Healing” delivered a “standard ass‑beater” of frantic riffs and chaotic vocal assaults, “Gutted & Corpsed” dives deeper into OxE’s alien sonic architecture. The track erupts with relentless blasting and subterranean gurgles before collapsing into a nightmarish mid‑section, “like a portal to the underworld has been opened,” as the band describes it. Angular riffs, unearthly shrieks, and warped textures pull the listener into a disorienting void before the song returns to its opening barrage with renewed ferocity. Lyrically, it pushes the album’s overarching theme of cosmic annihilation forward, delivered through OxE’s signature cryptic, imagery‑driven writing style.
​
​“We chose this as one of our singles because it’s relatively straightforward compared to what people can expect elsewhere on the LP. But some of our weirder elements are still present in both our first single Hurt Beyond Healing and now this second Gutted & Corpsed,” says vocalist Jesse Agiomamitis.

Listen to “Gutted & Corpsed” via its premiere on NoCleanSinging HERE. ​
​
​“Fugue Gnawed from the Scabbed God Cerebrum” marks OxE’s most ambitious and experimental release to date. Musically, the album is a labyrinth of dissonant brutality, warped synths, and organic instrumentation, subjected to “various levels of sonic destruction,” creating an alien, otherworldly soundscape. German multi‑instrumentalist The Popu cites Nithing, Agonal Hymns, and Dripping’s “Disintegration of Thought Patterns During A Synthetic Mind Traveling Bliss” as major influences on the LP’s sonic identity. Lyrically, the album follows a cryptic narrative centered around a cosmic “godslayer” on a universe‑shattering rampage, an allegory for inner turmoil, mental illness, and existential collapse.

“Start‑to‑finish, the album is dissonant, punishing, and disorienting. The character and his actions mirror the overall feeling of the album: cold, calculated, and violent,” adds Jesse.
​
The album’s artwork, created by the renowned Mei Maro, weaves together mythological, folkloric, and personal influences into a single grotesque vision that reflects the band’s thematic obsessions.

Recommended for fans of Deathspell Omega, Disentomb, Artificial Brain, First Fragment, Disgorge, and Ulcerate, OxE‘s “Fugue Gnawed from the Scabbed God Cerebrum” is their longest and most refined release yet: no filler, no restraint, and no compromise.

Album pre-order for CD, Cassette, and digitally from Stillbirth Records / Gore House Productions at https://orcd.co/scabbed-god-cerebrum​

Formed in Quebec City, Onchocerciasis Esophagogastroduodenoscopy began as a solo project by guitarist Alice Simard before evolving into a multinational trio with the addition of Australian vocalist Jesse Agiomamitis and German multi‑instrumentalist The Popu. Their sound, described in five words as Inhuman, Unnerving, Calculated, Chaotic, Apocalyptic, draws from brutal death metal, black metal, avant‑garde experimentation, and influences ranging from Dark Souls to Berserk to real‑world mythology.

Track Listing:​
1. Conquering Divinity – 3:17
2. The Fallen Lament, Paralytikus Ascends – 1:21
3. Severing What Makes Me Human – 2:41
4. Apotheotic Apotemnophilia – 3:03
5. Entombed Within the Infinite Panopticon – 2:23
6. Gutted & Corpsed – 3:05
7. Heaven’s Empty Halls – 5:13
8. Hurt Beyond Healing – 2:33
9. Abyssikataplexika – 2:35
10. Vile Verses Flogged into the Wings of Angels – 1:23
11. Forged in the Blackest Reaches of Blasphemy – 4:58
Album Length: 32:32
​
​ROLES:​
Jesse Agiomamitis: Vocals, Lyrics
Alice Simard: Composition, Guitars, Lead Guitars
The Popu: Additional Songwriting, Mixing and Mastering, Guitars, Bass, Orchestration and Sound Design, Additional lyrics, Additional Vocals

More info: ​​

​https://gorehouseproductions.com/​

​https://www.facebook.com/OnchoOfficial​

​https://www.instagram.com/onchocerciasis_official​

-30-

“It’s brutal as fuck, but it’s also explores the entire bouquet of sick creativity extreme music has to offer. The Fallen Lament is fun. It’s violent and it loves to blur boundaries between already scummy, disgusting genres.” – Vox & Hops Metal Podcast (The Fall Lament – 2024)

“This EP is definitely for the lovers of the extreme – fans of Deathspell Omega, Defeated Sanity, and Ulcerate will dig the fuck out of this record. So will fans of Dehumanizing Itatrian Worship, whose Kiryu Zhang contributes vocals on the last track of the EP, ‘Facial Gutting’. 9/10” – Ever Metal (The Fall Lament – 2024)​
​​
“The tracks revolve around blast beats and slams with some truly impressive breakdowns on display. Lyrics are themed around many different influences including mental health issues that have plagued the bands members, anime and video games making for an interesting read. In essence this EP provides a really promising preview of things to come for this band, who have the potential based on this evidence of creating something special.” – The Razor’s Edge (The Fall Lament – 2024)

“OxE are a different beast, very heavy and extreme but different to most bands of this ilk. The best way to describe them would be like Mortician, but with slam riffs! They have that downtuned bass that trawls the depths of hell with its tone and razor-sharp guitars, frantic programmed drums and some seriously deranged vocals. The tracks are short and sweet, the whole EP only goes on for ten minutes twenty one secs but in that time, you feel so bludgeoned and battered listening to it that it feels much longer, almost like you are succumbing to some exquisite torture!| – The Razor’s Edge (The Fall Lament – 2024)

“What’s cool here is when the music slows down almost to a crawl and sounds creepy as fuck, with a horror/suspense-like feeling that’s not without reminding me of some of the most disgusting episodes of the X-Files when they had some kind of monster eating its victims or what have you, and you can probably throw in a few horror B-movies in there as well. The Fallen Lament is kind of chaotic and dissonant and certainly sets itself apart in the sea of brutal death metal releases out there. 4/5” – The MetalCrypt (The Fall Lament – 2024)

“primal and brutal variety of dramatic and booming extreme metal ” – The Viking in the Wilderness (The Fall Lament – 2024)

“Brutal gore death grind metal with pig squeally vox” – 89.9 WORT FM – The Moshpit (Madison, WI) (The Fall Lament – 2024)

“It’s been a long time since I heard anything like this mentioned, and the truth is that I haven’t been disappointed. Those from Canada bring us the best formula to execute it. This is based on being as heavy as they are fluid, without giving up the occasional surprise in the form of extra convolutions, which, by the way, fits like a glove. I was extremely grateful that they didn’t focus on composing ultra-heavy and simplistic «ruido» with little direction twist like many others do, reminding us once again that Slam can be rich in nuances within its borders.” – Broken Tomb (The Fall Lament – 2024)

—
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0 PIRANHA PIT FEST III (Montreal) Announces 2026 Lineup w/ MACABRE, KINGS OF THRASH, GORGASM, ATROPHY, PESSIMIST, DBC, and More!

  • March 16, 2026
  • by Asher
  • · Music News · Piranha Pit Fest

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 16, 2026

Festival Assets – Photos, Posters, Set Times ​HERE​ (for media use only)

—

PIRANHA PIT FEST III (Montreal) Announces 2026 Lineup w/ MACABRE, KINGS OF THRASH, GORGASM, ATROPHY, PESSIMIST, DBC, and More!

PIRANHA PIT FEST III has unleashed its 2026 lineup for two ferocious nights of death metal, thrash, and heavy metal mayhem returning to Montreal on May 1–2, 2026. Presented by Piranha Bar (680 Ste-Catherine Ouest) and Dungeonworks Productions, the festival welcomes metal fans back for one of the city’s most extreme annual events featuring MACABRE, KINGS OF THRASH, GORGASM, ATROPHY, PESSIMIST, DBC, and many more.

Friday night will erupt with breakneck speed, gore‑drenched riffs, and pure old‑school savagery as some of death metal’s most respected forces descend upon the city. Saturday night will shift into a high‑voltage celebration of classic thrash, speed, and the unshakable power of traditional heavy metal.

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1154523419943924/​
​Tickets (Individual daily ticket or Weekend Pass) – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/piranha-pit-fest-3-tickets-1977767497826​

Ticket holders will receive a bracelet based on their ticket type. Weekend‑pass holders will keep the same bracelet on for the entire duration of the festival.

Check out the festival Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0uQStdodVpgpAkvnx5d8Ak​

=======

Co-headlining opening Friday night on May 1st, Chicago’s long‑running trio MACABRE brings their unmistakable brand of Murder Metal to Montreal, an unholy fusion of death metal, thrash, grind, and twisted nursery‑rhyme melodies. Since 1985, the band has carved out a cult legacy with their darkly humorous, true‑crime‑obsessed storytelling and a lineup that has remained unchanged for four decades. Expect a wild, theatrical, and utterly unmistakable performance from one of extreme metal’s most unique and enduring acts.

Music Video – Joe Ball Was Hi Name – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8_WaVOwfA4​

Also co-headlining night one of Pit Fest III, Chicago’s GORGASM stands as one of the defining forces in American brutal death metal. Since the mid‑90s, the band has carved out a reputation for hyper‑technical riffing, relentless blast‑driven intensity, and a signature blend of brutality and precision that helped shape the genre’s modern sound. Their cult‑classic releases, packed with surgical musicianship and uncompromising extremity, have earned them a loyal global following. Expect a devastating, high‑velocity set from one of brutal death metal’s most respected and enduring names.

Visualizer – Carnal Demise – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4KLfltEE5s​

Also supporting Friday night, extreme‑metal veterans PESSIMIST, born from Baltimore’s early ’90s death‑metal underground, have long carved out their own territory with a vicious blend of technical precision, old‑school thrash influence, and a relentlessly dark, sinister atmosphere. The band is now gearing up for the release of “Keys to the Underworld,” their first full‑length album in over two decades, with early previews hinting that it may be their most uncompromising and extreme material yet.

Album Stream – Slaughtering the Faithful – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoSP0qXr5cw​

Co-headlining night two on Saturday, May 2nd, featuring former classic‑era members of Megadeth, David Ellefson and Jeff Young, KINGS OF THRASH deliver a high‑octane celebration of the golden age of American thrash metal. Known for performing iconic albums and deep cuts from the genre’s most influential catalog, the band brings unmatched authenticity, razor‑sharp musicianship, and the raw spirit of the 80s thrash movement. Their live shows are a full‑throttle tribute to the era that shaped heavy metal history, making them a must‑see highlight for fans of speed, precision, and old‑school aggression.

Music Video – Lockdown – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9eqD1kMDqQ​

Also co-headlining Saturday Night, Tucson, AZ’s ATROPHY are one of Arizona’s most respected thrash exports, known for their razor‑tight riffing, socially charged lyrics, and high‑energy attack. Their two late‑80s/early‑90s albums on Roadrunner Records, Socialized Hate and Violent by Nature, earned them a devoted cult following and cemented their place in the classic thrash canon. After reuniting in recent years with renewed fire, Atrophy continues to deliver the same sharp, adrenaline‑fueled intensity that made them stand out in the genre’s golden era. Expect a fierce, old‑school thrash assault from a band that helped define the sound of Southwestern speed metal.

Lyric Video – Punishment For All – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECg8hBDyhn4​

Also supporting night two, local legends and a cornerstone of Quebec’s late‑80s thrash scene, DBC (Dead Brain Cells) emerged from Montreal with a sound that blended razor‑sharp speed, crossover energy, and socially conscious lyrics. Their cult‑classic albums Dead Brain Cells (1987) and Universe (1989) showcased a band unafraid to push beyond traditional thrash, mixing technical musicianship with progressive, sci‑fi‑driven themes. After years of underground reverence, DBC’s return to the stage has reignited their legacy as one of Canada’s most unique and forward‑thinking thrash exports. Expect a powerful hometown performance from a band that helped shape Montreal’s metal identity.

Lyric Video – Pendulum – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDgyjvpKuoU​

Other standout attractions at this year’s Pit Fest III: Canadian (Montreal/Toronto) metal veterans ENTROPY, known for their fierce blend of thrash, death, prog, groove, and power metal. With four independent albums and a global cult following, they’ve shared stages with legends like Annihilator, Fear Factory, Razor, Obituary, and Anvil. Expect a hard‑hitting set from one of Canada’s most distinctive underground acts. Montreal’s DOUBLE CROSS is a crossover thrash/hardcore delivering fast, aggressive, no‑frills energy. With their raw punk edge and high‑intensity live attack, they are one of the city’s rising underground standouts. Montreal crossover thrashers MUTANK explode with high‑energy, pit‑ready aggression inspired by Slayer, Exodus, D.R.I., and Suicidal Tendencies. Formed in 2013, they’ve built a reputation for fast, chaotic riffing, wild live shows, and a relentless DIY spirit. Their long‑awaited new album, Think Before You Think, marked their return with ten tracks of volcanic thrash fury, following their cult‑favorite EP W.H.A.T.S.T.H.A.T. and their Wacken Open Air appearance after winning the Wacken Metal Battle Canada. Expect a ferocious, high‑octane set built for moshing. Toronto’s WARMACHINE delivers a melodic yet heavy blend of power and thrash metal, active since 1994 and recently revived after a five‑year hiatus. Led by vocalist/guitarist Joe Di Taranto, the band is known for tight musicianship, strong hooks, and energetic live performances. With albums like Left for Dead and a new release in the works, Warmachine returns to the stage with renewed fire and a sharpened modern edge.
​
​FRIDAY, MAY 1 – DEATH METAL NIGHT
​
Headlined by two legendary forces of brutality:
Macabre (co-headliners)
Gorgasm (Co-headliners)
Pessimist
Lividity
Deceased
Disgust
Double Cross
Cystic Embalmment
​
​SATURDAY, MAY 2 – THRASH & HEAVY METAL NIGHT
​
Featuring a massive thrash metal showcase:
Kings of Thrash (co-headliners)
Atrophy (co-headliners)
DBC (Dead Brain Cells)
Meliah Rage
Warmachine
Entropy
Deadwolff
Mutank
Stregoneria
World On Alert
​
​About PIRANHA PIT FEST:
​
Launched as a celebration of Montreal’s thriving extreme‑music community, PIRANHA PIT FEST has quickly become a staple for fans of death metal, thrash, and underground heavy music. The 2026 edition marks its biggest and most ambitious lineup yet, bringing together international heavyweights and local legends for two nights of pure sonic devastation.

For more info: https://www.facebook.com/dungeonworksprods​

Sponsored by:
​
OROCK Longueuil Inc.
Loud Trax
Absolute Underground Magazine
Labatt
Asher Media Relations

– 30 –

—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook – Asher Media Relations
Instagram – AsherMedia
Tweet – AsherMedia

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