Category: Music News

0 Rockshots Records – METATRONE Unveils New Single “Stato Infame” From New Album SANGUEACQUA

March 11, 2026
by Asher
· Metatrone · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 11, 2026

METATRONE Unveils New Single “Stato Infame” From New Album SANGUEACQUA

Italian Christian power-prog metal band Metatrone returns with the new single “Stato Infame”, alongside an official lyric video. The track is the third preview from the band’s upcoming album “SANGUEACQUA”, scheduled for release on March 13th, 2026, from Rockshots Records, marking the group’s long-awaited return ten years after their acclaimed album “Eucharismetal“.

Following the previously released singles “Emmaus” and “Facsimile”, “Stato Infame” further reveals the musical and conceptual direction of the new record. Musically, the song combines Metatrone’s trademark blend of European power metal energy, progressive structures, and sharp thrash-driven riffing supported by the dynamic interplay between Jo Lombardo’s commanding lead vocals and the distinctive vocal contributions of keyboardist David Brown.

Lyrically, “Stato Infame” addresses the humiliation and oppression of collective identity under abusive political power. The song depicts a society where the dignity of an entire people is mocked, manipulated, and ultimately crushed by authority – a warning shaped by historical memory and moral responsibility. Within the broader concept of “SANGUEACQUA”, the track represents one of the album’s most direct and uncompromising statements about identity, freedom, and resistance.

The upcoming album “SANGUEACQUA” stands as a manifesto of identity for the band – both human and artistic. Across its eight tracks, Metatrone explores different dimensions of identity: personal, spiritual, cultural, and collective. The result is a record that merges melodic power metal roots with a sharper, more aggressive sonic approach while preserving the band’s unmistakable stylistic signature.

After years marked by lineup changes, personal challenges, and the global pandemic, “SANGUEACQUA” represents a powerful statement of resilience and rebirth for the band.

Just one day after the album’s release, Metatrone will perform at the prestigious Elements Of Rock Festival in Uster, Switzerland, on March 14th, 2026, one of the most important events in the international Christian metal scene. The appearance will mark the band’s official return to the stage with the new material.

With “Stato Infame”, Metatrone delivers a fierce and uncompromising chapter in the story of “SANGUEACQUA”, reaffirming their identity as one of the most distinctive voices in European Christian metal.

For fans of: Theocracy, Stratovarius, Angra

DIGITAL: https://lnk.to/uvhvyy

OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6Gei1yTPOI

New album “SANGUEACQUA” out March 13th, 2026 as CD / DIGITAL

PRE ORDER “SANGUEACQUA“: https://rockshots.eu/products/metatrone-sangueacqua-cd

Track Listing:
1. Fuori dal tempio – 3:42
2. Stato Infame – 4:09
3. Emmaus – 4:19
4. Facsimile – 4:41
5. I Want Out (Helloween cover) – 4:44
6. Il mio dolore – 4:36
7. Un nome nuovo – 3:59
8. Anima Christi – 3:09

Metatrone Line-Up:
Jo Lombardo: Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Stefano “Ghigas” Calvagno: Guitars, Bass
David Brown: Keyboards, Clean Vocals, Growl
Simone Alberti: Drums

More info:
https://www.rockshots.eu | https://www.facebook.com/metatroneband/ | https://www.facebook.com/metatroneband/

BIOGRAPHY:

Metatrone is an Italian Christian power-prog metal band formed in 1997 under the name Metafora, founded by keyboardist and songwriter Davide Bruno, together with a group of musicians coming from various experiences within the Italian metal scene.

From the very beginning, the band developed a musical identity rooted in European power metal, enriched by progressive elements and a strong focus on lyrical themes. In 2001, after Davide Bruno decided to pursue the path toward the Catholic priesthood, the band redefined its artistic identity and adopted the name Metatrone, marking the start of a musical journey openly inspired by a Christian vision of life and human existence.

The band released its first full-length album, “La Mano Potente” in 2005, followed by the English version “The Powerful Hand” which received distribution in Europe and Asia. These releases helped establish Metatrone within the international metal scene and led to a growing number of live performances and festival appearances.

In 2010, Metatrone released “Paradigma”, an album that further expanded the band’s musical language by blending power metal energy with more progressive songwriting and complex arrangements. The record received strong reviews from the specialized press and strengthened the band’s reputation within the European metal community.

The next chapter came in 2016 with “Eucharismetal”, released via Rockshots Records, which brought the band to a wider audience and opened the door to important appearances at Christian metal festivals across Europe.

In the years that followed, the band went through several lineup changes and challenging periods, but the creative core formed by Davide Bruno and guitarist Stefano “Ghigas” Calvagno never stopped writing new material. After a phase marked by internal changes and the global pandemic, the band found renewed momentum with the arrival of drummer Simone Alberti and the return of longtime vocalist Jo Lombardo.

In 2026, Metatrone returns with their new studio album “SANGUEACQUA”, released ten years after “Eucharismetal“. The record stands as a powerful statement of identity, merging the band’s power metal roots with a sharper and more direct sound while preserving the melodic and thematic elements that have always defined their music.

With more than twenty-five years of activity, Metatrone remains one of the most distinctive acts in the European Christian metal scene, combining powerful metal songwriting with spiritual reflection and a strong narrative dimension.

– 30 –

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

0 Rockshots Records – Finnish Dark Metal TORCHIA Unveils New Video “Nekromanteion” From Upcoming Album “They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness” Out May 2026

March 10, 2026
by Asher
· Music News · Torchia

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 10, 2026

Finnish Dark Metal TORCHIA Unveils New Video “Nekromanteion”

New Album “They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness” Out May 2026

Finnish extreme metal force Torchia unveil the official video for “Nekromanteion”, premiering today via Metal Insider. The single will be released worldwide on all digital platforms on March 11th.

Following the first single “Stygian Waters”, which introduced listeners to the darker sonic direction of the band’s upcoming album “They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness“, “Nekromanteion” pushes further into the occult themes and shadowed mythology that define Torchia’s evolving artistic vision.

Hailing from Tampere, Finland, Torchia have steadily refined a distinctive style rooted in thrash-infused melodic death metal while expanding their sound with darker tonal layers and a stronger emphasis on atmosphere and narrative depth. Across their discography, the band has gradually shaped a fictional realm inhabited by old gods, arcane rituals and practitioners of forbidden arts, blending extreme metal intensity with the imagery of gothic horror.

Musically, “Nekromanteion” reveals another dimension of that evolution. Driven by ominous arrangements and a growing sense of tension, the track places greater weight on mood and atmosphere while retaining the band’s trademark guitar-driven aggression. The title refers to the ancient Greek Nekromanteion, a temple believed to serve as an oracle of the dead. In the song’s narrative, a necromancer attempts to cross into the realm of the dead, risking the perilous passage across the waters of Styx.

As the opening track of the album, “Nekromanteion” sets the tone for the record’s overall direction: a synthesis of memorable songwriting, technical intensity, and darker sonic textures supporting the album’s gothic horror narrative.

With “They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness“, Torchia further expands the cursed world introduced throughout their previous releases, pushing their sound toward a darker and more blackened dimension while preserving the melodic sensibility and guitar-driven foundations that have defined the band since their early years.

Fans of Behemoth, Cradle of Filth, and Children of Bodom will find in Torchia a band capable of merging extreme metal ferocity with dark storytelling and memorable melodic hooks.

The official video for “Nekromanteion” is now streaming via Metal Insider HERE.

The single will be available on all digital platforms on March 11th.

Digital pre-save – https://lnk.to/uRuBjc

For fans of: Behemoth, Cradle of Filth, Children of Bodom

New album “They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness” out on May 8th, 2026.

PRE ORDER “They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness” as CD: https://rockshots.eu/products/torchia-they-are-born-under-rules-of-the-darkness-cd

PRE ORDER “They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness” as LP: https://rockshots.eu/products/torchia-they-are-born-under-rules-of-the-darkness-lp

Track Listing:
1. Nekromanteion – 4:23
2. Hellmouth – 4:08
3. Into Hell – 3:38
4. Hellstorm – 3:55
5. Die Amour – 4:12
6. The Tiamat Machine – 5:39
7. Black Cat – 3:19
8. Stygian Waters – 4:05
9. Sanguine Masquerade – 4:46
Album Length: 38:05

Torchia Line-Up:
Nox: Vocals
Villemorte: Lead guitar, Vocals
Henri von Hardy: Guitar
Vulkan: Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Vincent Oscar Mill: Drums

More info:

https://www.rockshots.eu/

https://www.instagram.com/curseoftorchia/

https://www.facebook.com/TorchiaOfficial/

About: Formed in Tampere, Finland, Torchia has steadily carved out a distinctive identity within the extreme metal scene by blending thrash-infused melodic death metal with dark fantasy, gothic horror, and cinematic atmospheres. Since their early years, the band has continuously evolved both musically and conceptually, expanding a cursed narrative universe populated by ancient gods, occult practices, and grim mythological visions.

With each release, Torchia has pushed further into darker and more theatrical territory. While their core remains firmly rooted in guitar-driven extreme metal, their sound has grown increasingly cinematic and blackened, incorporating dramatic arrangements and a heightened sense of atmosphere without sacrificing aggression or immediacy. Elements of classic heavy and power metal melody remain a key influence shaping their songwriting approach and reinforcing their dynamic, memorable structures.

Their fourth full-length album, “They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness“, represents a defining chapter in the band’s artistic journey. Set against a bleak, 19th-century-inspired gothic backdrop, the album brings Torchia’s storytelling to life through vivid tales of horror, superstition, and doom, uniting narrative depth with relentless musical force.

Renowned for their intense and visceral live performances, Torchia have built a strong reputation as a formidable stage act. At the center of the spectacle stands masked frontman Nox, a commanding and symbolic figure who embodies the dark curse at the heart of the band’s identity, guiding audiences deep into Torchia’s shadowed world.

-30-

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

0 Canada’s IRON KINGDOM Announces 6th Studio Album “Shadows and Dust”; Reveal Album Artwork and Teaser + Headline Hometown Show in Vancouver!

March 10, 2026
by Asher
· Iron Kingdom · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 10, 2026

Canada’s IRON KINGDOM Announces 6th Studio Album “Shadows and Dust”

Reveal Album Artwork and Teaser + Headline Hometown Show in Vancouver!

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

Photo Credit – Cailin Haley

Canadian traditional heavy metal torchbearers Iron Kingdom will release their sixth studio album, “Shadows and Dust,” on June 6, 2026, marking a powerful milestone in the band’s history. The date aligns with the group’s 15th anniversary when they formed in June 2011, and the 82nd anniversary of D‑Day, a coincidence the band describes as “the planets aligned… but we will let the music speak for itself.”

Alongside the announcement, Iron Kingdom has revealed the album’s striking cover artwork by Alan Lathwell and a first-look teaser, offering fans a glimpse into their darkest and most ambitious record yet.

Album Teaser – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmWn8pKOyh0

Recorded entirely in the band’s newly completed home studio, another first in their career, “Shadows and Dust” explores themes of death, hardship, impermanence, and resilience, wrapped in the band’s signature blend of classic heavy metal, power metal, and NWOBHM influences.

“A fantastic collection of songs that will really open up our live sets… 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. Lyrically, the album plays in quite a dark realm of topics… 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,” adds frontman Chris Osterman (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar).

Bassist Leighton Holmes also comments:

“The newly unveiled cover art draws directly from the song “Blood and Steel”, depicting an army marching across a brutal, unforgiving landscape, some soldiers falling to the elements as others push forward. The imagery was inspired by the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson. Many die, many lose hope, and many don’t understand why they do what they do… 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.”

To celebrate the release, Iron Kingdom will headline their biggest hometown show to date at Vancouver’s iconic Rickshaw Theatre on Friday, June 5, 2026, a significant milestone for the band. For more info, please visit https://orangetickets.ca/detalles_evento.php?id_evento=2127

“It is the same venue we got to open for headlining bands such as HammerFall, Angra, Sanctuary… and to feel in some way that we have worked our way up to headline a venue of that size is very exciting.”

In addition to the album launch festivities, Iron Kingdom will also appear at the 2026 editions of Armstrong Metal Fest and Loud As Hell Open Air Festival, bringing their new material to one of Western Canada’s premier heavy metal gatherings. These performances will mark some incredible highlights for the year to come.

Formed in Vancouver in 2011, Iron Kingdom has spent 15 years championing the classic heavy metal spirit of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, and the Scorpions. Known for their high-energy stage presence, intricate melodies, and raw, no‑backing‑tracks live performances, the band has toured across Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Brazil, sharing stages with Night Demon, Blaze Bayley, HammerFall, Angra, and more.

Their discography includes Curse of the Voodoo Queen (2011), Gates of Eternity (2013), Ride for Glory (2015), On the Hunt (2019), and The Blood of Creation (2022). “Shadows and Dust” marks their sixth full-length album.

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

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
Instagram – AsherMedia
Tweet – AsherMedia

0 ARMSTRONG METALFEST Announces 2026 Lineup w/ RIVERS OF NIHIL, DYING FETUS, CYBORG OCTOPUS, INTO ETERNITY, FERVENCE, VINTERSEA and more!

March 9, 2026
by Asher
· Armstrong Metal Fest · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 9, 2026

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

—

ARMSTRONG METALFEST Announces 2026 Lineup!

w/ RIVERS OF NIHIL, DYING FETUS, CYBORG OCTOPUS, INTO ETERNITY, FERVENCE, VINTERSEA and more!

ARMSTRONG METALFEST is proud to announce their most devastating lineup to date for 2026 with co-headliners RIVERS OF NIHIL and DYING FETUS, along with CYBORG OCTOPUS, INTO ETERNITY, FERVENCE, VINTERSEA, LYCANTHRO, IRON KINGDOM, ODINFIST, ART OF ATTRITION and many more!

The loudest and most extreme music festival returns for its 16th year of delivering British Columbia, Canada’s ultimate mountain mosh pit on July 17 and 18, 2026, at the Hassen Arena in the Okanagan town of Armstrong. Fans can look forward to two full days of moshing, headbanging, thrash wrestling, and camping.

AMF 2026 Promo Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5swgrnrVExs

Check out the festival Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0jvJmitxkamWl1FaGxcUmr

Early bird tickets have already sold out, with advance pre-sale tickets now available until midnight (PST) on July 9th.

Festival passes are available at: https://armstrongmetalfest.ca/tickets/

All prices apply to full weekend passes and are subject to applicable taxes. Each weekend pass grants general admission and access to the festival grounds, camping area, and arena from 9:00 AM on Friday, July 17, 2026, until 10:00 AM on Sunday, July 18, 2026. Free camping is included.

(Tickets will be mailed starting after March 9th if you have chosen the “Ticket Mailed” option.)

Headlining opening night, Friday, July 17th, Reading, PA progressive/technical death metal juggernauts Rivers of Nihil bring their blend of crushing heaviness with atmospheric and experimental elements to the Okanagan. They’ve become one of the most forward‑thinking acts in modern extreme metal. Their breakthrough album, Where Owls Know My Name, charted on the Billboard 200, cementing their reputation for pushing genre boundaries. The band has released five studio albums, including their most recent self‑titled record, Rivers of Nihil (2025), which marks a new era with a refreshed lineup and an evolution of their sound.

Music Video – Water & Time – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZC2hfkdf2A

Joining them on opening night is San Francisco’s Cyborg Octopus, a genre‑bending force blending progressive metalcore with jazz, funk, electronic music, and experimental rock. Known for high‑energy performances and boundary‑pushing musicianship, they’ve become a standout act in the Bay Area metal scene. Their acclaimed releases Between the Light and Air (2022) and Bottom Feeder (2024) showcase their mix of technical precision, sci‑fi themes, and adventurous songwriting, making them one of the most exciting and eclectic bands in modern progressive metal.

Music Video – Defective Immediately – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fjrAfa5lVU

A highlight for Friday night is up-and-comers Fervence, a progressive metalcore band originally from Reno, NV, now based in Austin, TX. Their sound blends atmospheric ambience with heavy, emotionally charged intensity, drawing on influences like Deftones and Architects. After lineup changes and the addition of vocalist Stevie B, the band entered a new creative era, leading to their signing with Metal Blade Records in 2025. Their debut album, Ghost (2020), established their cinematic, immersive style, and they continue to build momentum through dynamic live performances and evolving songwriting. Fervence stand out for their mix of technical precision, lush soundscapes, and raw emotional weight.

Music Video – Age of Aquarius – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsBAkPwXIb0

Headlining Saturday, July 18th, and closing night is legendary Dying Fetus, considered one of the most defining acts of American extreme metal. They bring decades of legacy, unmatched heaviness and nine studio albums under their belt. Their performances are known for precision, intensity, and crowd‑moving power, making them a cornerstone act for any extreme‑metal‑focused event.

Visualizer – Into The Cesspool – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKcxI6qaZh8

Supporting day two of AMF is Into Eternity, the Canadian (Regina, SK) progressive/melodic death‑metal veterans whose nearly three‑decade career is defined by technical precision, soaring clean vocals, fierce growls, and dramatic, forward-driven songwriting. Currently, they are finishing their long‑awaited new studio album, their first with vocalist Stu Block (ex-Iced Earth) since his return to the band. Fans will feel the emotional intensity and a powerful blend of old‑school roots and modern, boundary‑pushing metal energy that this band projects to the masses.

Stream – Suicide Drone – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH4bB76VpUY

Also featured on day two of the festival is Vintersea, a band whose identity is shaped by the Pacific Northwest and a blend of extreme and atmospheric metal elements. They bring a distinctive mix of melodic death metal, blackened textures, post‑metal atmosphere, and intricate musicianship, rooted in their origins in Portland and Corvallis, Oregon.

Music Video – Become The Wave – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R9Rcat6GOM

Other standout attractions at this year’s AMF include a return from festival alumni and Vancouver heavy‑metal champions Iron Kingdom, performing in support of their upcoming sixth studio album “Shadows and Dust,” arriving in June. The Okanagan’s own Odinfist will mark their 20th anniversary with a special set featuring fan favourites from across their catalogue. Also on the bill are Nott, the Seattle‑based deathcore/sludge duo known for their bleak atmosphere and Alaska‑to‑Washington roots, and Edmonton’s genre‑defying force The Judge The Juror, whose sound blends elements of PsyDeathTechProg into something entirely their own.

Armstrong MetalFest 2026 Lineup:

Friday, July 17th
Rivers of Nihil (Reading, PA)
Cyborg Octopus (San Francisco, CA)
Fervence (Austin, TX)
Nott (Seattle, WA)
Iron Kingdom (Vancouver, BC)
Lycanthro (Ottawa, ON)
W.M.D. (Vancouver, BC)
Syryn (Calgary, AB)
Nameless King (Vancouver, BC
Frosthymn (Calgary, AB)
Die Another Day (Calgary, AB)
Pharm (Kelowna, BC)
Storm the Empire (Kelowna, BC)
Shotgun Divine (Nelson, BC)
Skeksis (Vernon, BC)

Saturday, July 18th
Dying Fetus (Baltimore, MD)
Into Eternity (Regina, SK)
Vintersea (Portland, OR)
Odinfist (Okanagan, BC)
Wych (Calgary, AB)
Art of Attrition (Red Deer, AB)
Fallen Sun (Prince George, BC)
The Judge The Juror (Edmonton, AB)
Brain Stem (Edmonton, AB)
Gregorious (Kamloops, BC)
Empalement (Victoria, BC)
Broken Crow (Kamloops, BC)
Daniel Martin & The Infamous (Edmonton, AB)
The Collapse (Kelowna, BC)

In addition to the performing bands, Armstrong Metal Fest will have the following on-site activities: Yeti Games, Metal Madness Market, and Thrash Wrestling.

Please Note: Camping – RV / Non-Hookup RV / Vehicle Passes: Make sure to reserve your vehicle spot to get the best location on the grounds. A fee is required for a weekend pass per vehicle in addition to your day or weekend pass. RV hookups include water and power. If you park your vehicle outside the camping area in the main parking lot, a vehicle pass is not required.

For more info:
https://armstrongmetalfest.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/armstrongmetalfest/

https://www.instagram.com/armstrongmetalfest/

https://x.com/amfcanada

About:

Since its inception in 2009 (with a brief hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), West Metal Entertainment and Armstrong MetalFest have championed hundreds of local bands while welcoming renowned international acts to the quiet town of Armstrong, British Columbia.

Every year, metalheads from across Canada and the U.S. converge on the scenic Okanagan Valley for three days of camping and two days packed with heavy metal mayhem. Under the blazing summer sun, fans revel in live performances, wrestling spectacles, scavenger hunts, and reconnecting with their extended metal family.

Armstrong MetalFest has hosted legendary headliners such as Kataklysm, Cattle Decapitation, Archspire, Nekrogoblikon, Origin, Warbringer, Fallujah, Striker, Beyond Creation, Born of Osiris, Havok, The Browning, Virvum, and rising stars from across North America and Europe. And when the final riff fades, the festival vanishes without a trace, leaving the landscape as untouched as it was before.

West Metal Entertainment, a non-profit society, not only produces Armstrong MetalFest annually but also supports the regional music scene by organizing performances at various venues, including all-ages shows, to inspire musical passion in both youth and adults.

Partners:
PABST BLUE RIBBON
WCMFA
Askews Foods
Rancho Vignola
Staggs Head
AlumaPro Welding & Fabrication Ltd
Shepherds Hardware
Sunbelt Rentals
E B Horseman and Son
Mastodon Equipment Repair
The Higher Path
Asher Media Relations
Monashees Outdoor Armstrong
ACE Containers
Bravewords
V13
Metal-Rules
Absolute Underground Mag
Broken Neck Radio
Ghost Cult Magazine
This Day In Metal
Valstar Electric
Voets Coffee
Brazen Magazine

What the press is saying:

“To close the night and the weekend, Born of Osiris delivered a high-octane headline set that tore the roof off. It was the perfect finale to an unforgettable weekend. When the last note rang out, it hit us — AMF 2025 was coming to a close. There’s always that bittersweet feeling as you start packing up. But that’s the beauty of this festival: it stays with you long after the amps cool down. Every year, Armstrong Metalfest brings together a community that truly loves heavy music. It’s not just about bands and beer — it’s about belonging. The friends you make, the moments you live, the memories that stick — they’re why we keep coming back. If you’ve never been to AMF, consider this your sign. It’s more than a music festival—it’s a metal rite of passage. Once you go, it gets into your blood. We’re already counting the days until the next one.” – Stan Schinners of Broken Neck Radio / Absolute Underground Magazine (Live Review AMF 2025)

“It’s one of the premier festivals of its kind in Canada, showcasing the biggest names in local, national, and international heavy metal music.” – Vancouver Sun

“Armstrong Metalfest brings aggressive music to the North Okanagan” – Global BC News

“What started out as a backyard gathering for Armstrong metalheads has turned into a beacon for metal fans of all kinds from across British Columbia and Alberta.” – Kelowna Now

“Metalheads celebrate a decade of gathering in Armstrong… The 10th annual Armstrong Metal Fest is coming to the Okanagan this weekend. About 600 heavy metal music fans will be traveling from across North America to listen to local and international death, thrash and black metal bands…. The 10-year anniversary is special for the organizers, as this is the first year they are providing a scholarship to an Armstrong high school music student.” – CHBC – Global TV Okanagan

Armstrong Metalfest brings aggressive music to the North Okanagan… It’s a beautiful day to go inside and rock out to some heavy metal music. Twenty-seven metal bands have converged in the North Okanagan for the 12th annual Armstrong Metalfest — two days of moshing in Hassen Arena at the IPE Fairgrounds. Metal fans don’t just come for the music, organizers say. It’s more like a family reunion.” – CHBC – Global TV Okanagan.

“In the past, metalheads had to travel to Germany to experience the rush of a big festival, such as Wacken Open Air. But local headbangers decided to bring that feeling home with Armstrong Metalfest.” – Vernon Morning Star

“Go Big or Stay at Home: Armstrong has that welcoming feeling for a rock show.” – The Valley Voice

“To witness such a gathering of talent is an absolute privilege, and for that fact alone, I will certainly be returning to Armstrong Metal Fest.” – Beatroute BC

“This festival is now going to be my yearly must-go-to event and if you’re a metal head that hasn’t attended or a curious metal voyeur, do yourself a favour and check it out, you will not regret it.” – Abort Mag

“The Armstrong Metalfest is one such event and has grown from its initial, humble beginnings seven years ago to be a regular mainstay, with its south-central BC location making for a popular summertime destination for fans and bands alike.” – Decibel Mag

Named one of the out-of-town music festivals worth the trip by The Vancouver Sun
“For metalheads, this is a great vacation where groups of all sizes can enjoy their favourite musical genre in a fun, energized environment. Not to mention, the camping!” – The Permanent Rain Press

“From farm to stadium: Armstrong Metal Fest’s humble beginnings” – Info News

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

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

0 Out Now! GRAVEMASS (ft. members of Zimmers Hole, 3 Inches of Blood, Revocation) Ignite Their Reign of Brutality w/ Debut Album “This Is The Way”

March 6, 2026
by Asher
· GraveMass · Music News · Uncategorized

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 6, 2026

Out Now! GRAVEMASS (ft. members of Zimmers Hole, 3 Inches of Blood, Revocation) Ignite Their Reign of Brutality w/ Debut Album “This Is The Way”

Performing at Loud As Hell Open Air Festival 2026 w/ Fallujah, Allegaeon, Summoning the Lich, Crimson Shadows, Edge of Paradise, and more!

Photo Credit – Derek Carr

L-R – Destroyer of Souls – Drums – Bowels of Hell – Bass – Murderer of Colonizers – Guitar – Mayan Hate – Guitar – Lorde Heathen – Vocals

Rising from decades of West Coast metal lineage, Vancouver, BC’s Gravemass erupts today with the release of their highly anticipated debut album, “This Is The Way.” Formed by veterans of some of Vancouver’s most ferocious and influential metal outfits, Gravemass arrives fully armed, fully realized, and fully committed to sonic destruction.

Featuring members from Zimmers Hole, Punch Drunk, 3 Inches of Blood, Revocation, Just Cause, West of Hell, Savannah, Process, Subversion, and The Golers, Gravemass is less a new band and more a convergence of long‑standing forces. Their collective experience, over 30 years in the Vancouver metal trenches, has forged a sound that is unapologetically brutal, relentlessly fast, and steeped in darkness.

According to guitarist Mayan Hate, who wrote the music for the debut album over a concentrated two‑month period, the project came together naturally among longtime friends.

“We’re all West Coast metal heads who’ve known each other for decades. I wrote the music between breaks in other projects and showed it to Lorde Heathen. He immediately wanted in. From there, we recruited the rest of the band, guys we’ve all known forever,” adds guitarist Mayan Hate.

When asked to describe the band’s sound in five words, vocalist Lorde Heathen doesn’t hesitate:

“Brutal, angry, fast, dark, evil. If you like brutal… You will dig it,”

The album delivers exactly that. “This Is The Way” is a barrage of sinister riffing, death‑metal vocal ferocity, and an unrelenting rhythmic assault. It’s the culmination of decades of shared history and a unified desire to push extremity to its limits. Lyrical inspiration comes from the world’s current state of chaos.

“All the lyrics come from the shit‑hole world order that exists right now,” says Lorde Heathen.

While the debut album’s music was written entirely by Mayan Hate with lyrics by Lorde Heathen, the band confirms that their second album is already in progress and will be a fully collaborative effort.

The band also recently confirmed they will perform at Loud As Hell Open Air Festival 2026, joining a stacked lineup featuring Fallujah, Allegaeon, Summoning the Lich, Crimson Shadows, Edge of Paradise, and more. For more info on the festival in Drumheller, AB, from July 31st to August 2nd, please visit https://www.loudashell.ca.

Fans can expect a performance that channels the band’s influences, Slayer, Venom, Morbid Angel, Watain, and Napalm Death, while forging a sound unmistakably their own, shaped by decades of death, black, and speed metal. Gravemass is not just a studio project. Their live show is designed to be a full‑scale assault.

“The live show is where we bring it all together. We want to bring this experience to the masses,” says Heathen.

With “This Is The Way” now unleashed as of March 6th, 2026, via End Game Records Inc., Gravemass marks the beginning of a new chapter in West Coast extreme metal. The band promises more music, more brutality, and an even more collaborative evolution as they move toward their second album.

Add to your Spotify Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/0ROzZyUacjjY7dC6xOwtg5

Bandcamp – https://gravemass.bandcamp.com/

Music Videos:

This Is The Way – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR9gy-AD8-E

Fallen – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ4ws87xOJs

Spitting Hell – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r477FZl1VFo

Show Dates:
March 13 – The Cobalt – Vancouver, BC (Album Release Show)
July 31 – Aug 2 – Loud As Hell Open Air Festival – Drumheller, AB

Track Listing:
1. Slaves To Pain – 2:38
2. This Is The Way – 3:45
3. Horned King – 2:54
4. Harvest of Souls – 2:53
5. Spitting Hell – 2:07
6. Black Bell – 2:50
7. Fallen – 3:27
8. Gravemass – 3:51
9. Abandon – 2:01
10. Poison Temple – 3:11
Album Length: 29:41

Album Band Line Up:
Lorde Heathen – Vocals
Mayan Hate – Guitar
Murderer of Colonizers – Guitar
Bowels of Hell – Bass
Destroyer of Souls – Drums

More info:

https://endgamerecords.com/

http://www.gravemass.com/

https://www.facebook.com/people/Grave-Mass/61556695854887/

https://www.instagram.com/gravemass1/

-30-

“Well now, isn’t this one hell of a supergroup? Love the term or loathe it, here it really does count, especially as far as the Canadian metal scene goes. Gravemass are here, and with them comes a vitriolic death metal release that takes elements of the genre’s old-school ferocity and blends it with modern groove and energy. A release that clocks in at just under thirty minutes, ensuring it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Though there’s no short-changing here as we have ten tracks and across them a cacophony of violent, snarling, hyperactive blasts of heaviness that will thrill all those who love extreme metal. I’m one of them and Gravemass really do it for me. I think this is a beast of a record and found myself compelled to head-bang almost all the way through it.” – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life

“This Is the Way is a flawless debut. It manages to feel nostalgic for the golden era of death metal while sounding fresh, mean, and modern. If you crave music that is “brutal, angry, fast, dark, and evil,” this is your new obsession. Essential Tracks: Slaves to Pain, Horned King, Fallen. 10/10″ – Broken Neck Radio

“A rain shower becomes a thunder storm as the intensity increases dramatically with title track “This Is The Way“, the gang chanted “1, 2, 3, 4!” something that will go down well in the live arena. Soaked in blasphemous rhetoric that bleeds Black Metal inspirations, the band bring the hammer down with enough force to split more than a few skulls. The rhythmic battery feels like a blunt force trauma as the band refuse to re-invent the wheel, instead opting for something of depraved atmospheres that is both dark and insanely good fun. ” – Metal Noise

“Basically, I can easily enjoy a record like “This Is The Way” from the first to the last second” – PowerMetal.de

“the album impresses with its energy, solid songwriting and powerful production. For fans of dark, aggressive extreme metal, this album is definitely worth it. Conclusion: »This Is The Way« of GRAVEMASS is a strong album that will delight fans of blackened death metal and deathcore alike.” – MetalUnderground.at

“Hold on to your hats, buds. Your eyes and ears are in for a blinding treat. Canada’s black/death metal band GraveMass just released the aural assault known as “Fallen.” The song and the video are delightfully overwhelming. ” – Metal Sucks

““Fallen” is a brutal, pummeling track with vocals that range from a guttural growl to a nasal screech, creating a blistering death metal assault. The black-and-white video with its flashing lights and quick cuts combines imagery of nature and religion in a way that perfectly complements the sonic onslaught of the video. It’s a breakneck track that leaves carnage in its wake, and you’ll want to check it out.” – New Noise Magazine

“With “Fallen,” GraveMass offers a glimpse into what promises to be a searing, unholy debut album. It’s a declaration of intent—and a brutal reminder that Canadian metal is as fierce and alive as ever.” – See Rock Live

“Gravemass Deliver Evil with Latest Single & Video, “Fallen”” – V13

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

0 Rockshots Records – Out Now! NEFASTIS’ Dark Concept Album “Shadows At The Light Of Dawn” + New Music Video “Vortex of Light”

March 6, 2026
by Asher
· Music News · Nefastis (Rockshots Records)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 6, 2026

Out Now! NEFASTIS’ Dark Concept Album “Shadows At The Light Of Dawn” + New Music Video “Vortex of Light”

Italian symphonic death metal band Nefastis mark the release of their new studio album “Shadows At The Light Of Dawn”, out today, March 6th, 2026, a concept work unfolding across four acts and conceived as a single, continuous sonic journey. Alongside the album release, the band also unveiled the official video for the track “Vortex Of Light”, one of the record’s most intense and dynamically layered compositions.

Conceived as a concept album unfolding across four acts, “Shadows At The Light Of Dawn” develops as a continuous narrative and sonic journey set in a bleak post-apocalyptic world. Each act opens with an instrumental composition that introduces the atmosphere of the chapter ahead, allowing the record to evolve as a cohesive listening experience in which orchestral textures, progressive structures, and extreme metal intensity coexist within a single dramatic arc.

Across its twelve tracks, the album blends symphonic death metal with elements drawn from classical music, progressive rock, and extreme metal traditions. Violent riff-driven passages alternate with melancholic orchestral interludes and expansive progressive arrangements, creating a constantly shifting dynamic landscape that reinforces the narrative dimension of the work.

Following the release of the singles “Shadow Spell” and “Stardust”, the album now emerges in its complete form, revealing the full scope of the band’s vision. At the center of this new chapter stands “Vortex Of Light,” accompanied by a newly released official video. The track embodies the album’s dual identity: energetic thrash-death riffing and relentless rhythmic drive merge with symphonic layers and melodic tension, striking a powerful balance between aggression and atmosphere.

Formed in 2008 by Andrea Lenzi and Simone Colombo, Nefastis debuted with the concept album “De Diebus Fastis, Nefastis, Infaustis”. After a period of inactivity and lineup changes, the band gradually reshaped its musical identity, evolving from its original thrash/death roots toward a broader symphonic death metal direction.

With “Shadows At The Light Of Dawn”, the band consolidates that evolution. The album expands the orchestral dimension already hinted at in earlier material while strengthening the progressive approach to songwriting, resulting in a record that is both technically intricate and narratively cohesive.

Recorded across several studios in Italy and mixed by Frank Altare at 33Hz Studio, the album was mastered by Toni Lindgren at the renowned Fascination Street Studios in Sweden, known for his work with acts such as Angra, Amorphis, Kreator, Dimmu Borgir, and Opeth.

Blending symphonic grandeur, progressive structures, and extreme metal intensity, “Shadows At The Light Of Dawn” represents the most ambitious and fully realized chapter in the band’s journey so far.

For fans of: Wintersun, Hypocrisy, Fleshgod Apocalypse

DIGITAL: https://lnk.to/8bkGQO

“Vortex Of Light” Official Music Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J359uq5-XQs

New album “Shadows At The Light Of Dawn” out today, March 6th, 2026

ORDER “Shadows At The Light Of Dawn”
https://rockshots.eu/products/nefastis-shadows-at-the-light-of-dawn-cd

Track Listing:
1. Cosmic Silence at the Edge of the New World – 2:50
2. Shadow Spell – 4:30
3. Seduced by the Beauty of the Darkness – 5:05
4. Absence of Illumination – 2:52
5. Tears of the Past – 4:29
6. Vortex of Light – 5:09
7. Lights of Dawn – 3:43
8. Alone Again – 5:57
9. Stardust – 5:05
10. Blackened Vision – 2:45
11. Collapsing Dream – 8:01
12. Flowers Swept Away by the Autumn – 5:33
Album Length: 55:58

Nefastis Line-Up:
Simone Colombo: Lead Vocals, Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Andrea Lenzi: Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Acoustic Guitars, Backing Vocals, Orchestrations
Fulvio Manganini: Bass
Claudio Invidia: Drums

More info:

https://rockshots.eu/

https://www.instagram.com/nefastis.italy/

https://www.facebook.com/nefastis.italy

BIOGRAPHY:
Formed in 2008, Nefastis is an Italian Symphonic Death Metal band known for its strong conceptual approach and continuously evolving musical identity. From the very beginning, the band focused on original compositions, gradually shaping a sound that blends extreme metal intensity with orchestral depth and progressive structures.

Nefastis made their recording debut in 2014 with “De Diebus Fastis, Nefastis, Infaustis”, a thrash/death metal concept album divided into four acts and conceived as a narrative work. The release earned the band recognition within the underground scene and led them to share the stage with internationally renowned acts such as Toxik, Leprous, Hirax, Onkel Tom Angelripper, and Bonded By Blood.

Following the debut, lineup changes forced the band into a hiatus. During this period, Nefastis underwent a significant artistic transformation, redefining their sound and expanding their compositional vision. Moving away from a more direct thrash-oriented approach, the band embraced a broader and more cinematic form of symphonic death metal, characterized by orchestral arrangements, progressive songwriting, and a strong narrative dimension.

This evolution fully materializes in “Shadows At The Light Of Dawn”, a four-act concept album set in a post-apocalyptic world and conceived as a continuous and immersive listening experience. Each act is introduced by an instrumental piece that establishes the atmosphere of the chapter, guiding the listener through a cohesive musical and emotional journey. The album was produced by the band, mixed by Frank Altare, and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios (Angra, Amorphis, Kreator, Dimmu Borgir, Opeth, Powerwolf).

With “Shadows At The Light Of Dawn”, Nefastis reaffirm their commitment to ambitious songwriting and genre-crossing composition, merging death metal, orchestral music, and progressive influences into a unified and expressive soundscape.

-30-

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

0 Gore House Productions – Streaming Now! Slamming Death Metal INSECT INSIDE’s New Album “Reborn in Blight”

March 5, 2026
by Asher
· Insect Inside (Gore House Productions) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 5, 2026

Streaming Now! Slamming Death Metal INSECT INSIDE’s New Album “Reborn in Blight”

Rising brutal death metal force Insect Inside has released their long‑awaited new album, Reborn in Blight, on March 6th, 2026, on Gore Productions. The record marks the band’s most ambitious and punishing chapter to date, merging groove‑driven slam with suffocating dark atmospheres and apocalyptic storytelling.

Formed from the depths of the Eastern European underground, Insect Inside began as a group of friends jamming covers before evolving into a fully realized assault of tight, aggressive, insectoid‑themed brutality. Their second full‑length album pushes that identity further than ever.

On “Reborn in Blight,” Insect Inside shifts from their earlier polished production into a rawer, more visceral sonic attack, drawing heavily from influences such as Disentomb, Relics of Humanity, Cryptopsy, Defeated Sanity, and Vulvectomy. The result is a grotesque fusion of groove‑driven slam, dark brutal death metal, and bleak atmospheric tension that shapes the album’s entire arc.

The record unfolds in escalating waves of darkness, groove, and brutality. It begins with its bleakest descent in Echoes of the Swallowed Sinners before plunging into the slam‑laden Abhorrent Landscape, bolstered by a guest appearance from Cephalotripsy’s Mr. Ochoa. Fragments erupts with chaotic, atmospheric intensity, while Putrid Lament delivers unfiltered slam. Hiveborn Abomination, featuring Defeated Sanity’s Josh Welshman, emerges as one of the album’s defining moments. The suffocating grooves of Flesh Cathedral slow the pace, Obscuration Worship sets the album’s overarching tone of overwhelming darkness, and Carnal Ruins channels classic NYDM aggression. A refined version of Parasite Messiah follows, leading into the title track, Reborn in Blight, which closes the album with a blend of speed, groove, and the band’s first-ever guitar solo, an encapsulation of everything they love about death metal.

Lyrically, the album deepens the band’s apocalyptic world‑building, weaving short, violent narratives about humanity’s collapse and the rise of an insectoid race. The lyrical tone shifts with the music: the darker, more atmospheric tracks become increasingly poetic, while the faster, more chaotic songs lean fully into devastation.

Despite living in different cities, Insect Inside writes collaboratively. Members compose riffs and ideas independently before refining them together, with Daniel leading the songwriting and Ivan and Daniel crafting most of the lyrics. The lineup includes: Bogdan (bass) (Cold Blooded Murder, Traumatomy), Pavel (guitar) (Ocean In My Bath), Daniel (vocals) (Nauseating, Morphogenetic Malformation), and Ivan (drums) (Nauseating).

With “Reborn in Blight,” they cement their place as one of the most exciting brutal death metal acts emerging from Eastern Europe. The band already hints at more music in the coming years, ensuring that their insectoid domination has only just begun.

Listen to the album in full via its album stream premiere on Decibel Magazine HERE.

Recommended for fans of Internal Bleeding, Stabbing, Devourment, and Disfigurement of Flesh, “Reborn in Blight” will be available March 6, 2026, via Gore House Productions.

Pre‑orders are now live on Digital, Vinyl, CD, and Cassette: https://orcd.co/reborn-in-blight

Track Listing:
1. Echoes Of The Swallowed Sinners – 3:31
2. Abhorrent Landscape (feat. Cephalotripsy) – 2:54
3. Fragments – 2:18
4. Putrid Lament – 3:35
5. Hiveborn Abomination (feat. Defeated Sanity) – 2:51
6. Flesh Cathedral – 3:00
7. Obscuration Worship – 1:20
8. Carnal Ruins – 2:45
9. Parasite Messiah (feat. Pestilectomy) – 3:29
10. Reborn In Blight – 5:22

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Daniel Sementsov – Drums
Bogdan Pisavnin – Bass
Pavel Pleshkov – Guitar
Ivan Tyulkin – Vocals

More info:

https://gorehouseproductions.com/

https://www.facebook.com/insectinsideslam

https://www.instagram.com/insect_inside

-30-

“bangers like ‘Parasite Messiah’, ‘Abhorrent Landscape’ or ‘Putrid Lament’ are packed with sick riffs and sledgehammer breaks, and the head will uncontrollably crash against the wall until it turns to bloody pulp. A must-have for fans of slam and brutal death metal with barbs and a few sharp edges removed!” – Musika

“The new track, “Fragments,” arrives as the band’s most concise and chaotic offering yet, an explosive preview of the raw, atmospheric brutality that defines the album.” – Acta Infernalis

” Insect Inside release REBORN IN BLIGHT on 26 March. This is ‘Carnal Ruins,’ a dark, bleak and discordant piece of slam where the guitars grind low and menacing, the drums bring relentless, driving beats and the vocals have crawled from the festering bowls of some kind of hellspawn. Nice!” – Loud Enough Magazine

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

0 Rockshots Records – ANTHEA Releases New Single “Awakening (Song for Spring)” From New Album “Beyond The Dawn” Out April 2026

March 4, 2026
by Asher
· Anthea (Rockshots Records) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 4, 2026

ANTHEA Releases New Single “Awakening (Song for Spring)” From New Album “Beyond The Dawn” Out April 2026

Los Angeles symphonic metal band Anthea unveil “Awakening (Song for Spring)”, the second single from their upcoming third studio album, “Beyond the Dawn“. In contrast to the shadowed theatrical tension of “Phantom in the Masquerade“, this new release opens a different chapter, measured, luminous, and deliberately forward-facing.

Rather than relying on spectacle, “Awakening (Song for Spring)” builds its impact through control and clarity. The arrangement unfolds gradually, allowing melody and atmosphere to take precedence over sheer force. Guitar lines remain precise and defined, the rhythmic foundation steady and purposeful, while layered orchestral textures expand the harmonic frame without excess. The result is a composition that breathes, structured, intentional, and dynamically balanced.

Lyrically, the song draws from the symbolism of seasonal change. Spring becomes more than scenery; it serves as a metaphor for recalibration and the regaining of momentum. The imagery of thawing ground, open skies, and returning life mirrors an internal shift, leaving stagnation behind and stepping into renewed direction. It is not naïve optimism but earned progression.

A key element of this phase in Anthea’s evolution is the integration of The Sirens, backing vocalists Mel Del Real and Astrid Anaya, whose harmonies add a choral dimension that enriches the band’s sonic identity. Their presence is not ornamental; it reinforces the emotional contour of the material and strengthens the interplay between restraint and uplift that defines the track.

Alongside the single, Anthea unveils the official lyric video for “Awakening (Song for Spring)”. Conceived as a visual extension of the song’s thematic arc, the video places the lyrics at the forefront, allowing imagery and text to unfold in step with the music’s gradual rise. Rather than relying on distraction or excess, the presentation reinforces the composition’s sense of renewal and progression, translating its symbolic language into a focused and coherent visual narrative.

Taken within the broader scope of “Beyond the Dawn“, the single reveals one of the album’s central tensions: movement emerging from uncertainty. While the record does not follow a rigid narrative concept, it consistently navigates themes of resilience, reflection, and forward motion. If “Phantom in the Masquerade” examined isolation through theatrical darkness, “Awakening (Song for Spring)” answers with compositional openness and measured affirmation.

With their third full-length, Anthea demonstrates increasing confidence in arrangement, pacing, and tonal contrast. The writing is tighter, the dynamics more deliberate, and the identity more clearly defined than ever. Rather than amplifying every element, the band chooses precision – allowing space, harmony, and structure to carry weight where excess would dilute it.

“Awakening (Song for Spring)” is now available on all major digital platforms.

For fans of: Dynazty, Kamelot, Powerwolf

DIGITAL: https://lnk.to/zdxr77

OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3rGiF4EMBI

New album “Beyond The Dawn” out April 17th, 2026 as CD / VINYL / DIGITAL

PRE ORDER “Beyond The Dawn“: https://rockshots.eu/products/anthea-beyond-the-dawn

First Single – “Phantom In The Masquerade”

DIGITAL SINGLE: https://lnk.to/sIZl8W

Music Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMxhW6gWY3g

Track Listing:
1. Beyond The Dawn – 4:13
2. Phantom in the Masquerade – 3:32
3. The Lost Soul – 3:44
4. Awakening (Song for Spring) – 4:16
5. Bygone Age (Chicxulub) – 4:03
6. From Shadows to Light – 4:40
7. Crystal Moon – 4:11
8. Wanderer’s Quell – 3:53
9. Whispers of the Heart – 4:46
10. Duality of Gaia – 4:12
11. Burnin’ in the Third Degree (Tahnee Caine and Tryanglz cover) – 3:38
Album Length: 45:08

Anthea Line-Up:
Diego Valadez: Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Juan Pina: Rhythm Guitars, Harsh Vocals
Marcos Mejia: Lead Guitars
Gabby Hawk: Bass
Peter Vasquez: Drums

The Sirens (Backing Vocals)
Mel Del Real: Backing Vocals
Astrid Anaya: Backing Vocals

More info:
https://rockshots.eu
https://www.facebook.com/antheametal
https://www.instagram.com/antheametal

BIOGRAPHY:
Anthea is a symphonic metal band from Los Angeles, California, known for their distinctive theatrical approach and dynamic blend of symphonic, melodic, and progressive metal elements. Founded in 2015 by vocalist and keyboardist Diego Valadez, Anthea emerged from a desire to explore a more expressive and cinematic musical language combining powerful metal foundations with strong melodic sensibilities and dramatic atmospheres.

What began as a side project quickly evolved into a full-fledged band when Valadez joined forces with longtime collaborators from the local metal scene. Drawing from diverse influences ranging from symphonic metal and melodic death metal to musical theater and film scores, Anthea developed a sound that balances intensity and emotion, heaviness and accessibility, always placing storytelling at the core of their identity.

The band made their live debut at the iconic Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood and steadily gained recognition for their live performances and strong visual aesthetic. Their debut album “Illusion” (2020) received widespread critical acclaim, followed by “Tales Untold” (2022), which further solidified their reputation within the international symphonic metal scene through glowing reviews and extensive media coverage.

In recent years, Anthea has continued to refine and expand their artistic vision. The introduction of backing vocalists known as The Sirens added rich harmonic layers and reinforced the band’s theatrical dimension, both in the studio and on stage. This evolution culminates in their upcoming third studio album, “Beyond The Dawn”, their most ambitious release to date, showcasing a broader dynamic range, heavier arrangements, and a more pronounced dramatic identity.

With “Beyond The Dawn”, Anthea presents a mature and confident chapter in their journey, offering a cohesive yet varied listening experience shaped by themes of growth, transition, uncertainty, and renewal. Blending compelling melodies, powerful orchestration, and expressive songwriting, the band continues to establish itself as a distinctive voice within modern symphonic metal.

– 30 –

“An epic adventure that everyone needs to go on. 10/10” – Mark Lacey – Power Play Magazine

“The new album ‘Tales Untold’ – released in 2022 – has an even bigger sound than its predecessor, projecting a huge cinematic aura onto its listeners.” – Iron Mathew – Metal Gods TV

“ANTHEA “Tales Untold” Surpasses All Expectations For A Progressive Power Metal Album” – Doug Groff – Rock You Show

“Tales worth telling!” – Bryce Van Patten – Metal Express Radio

“I find ANTHEA’s interpretation to be both fresh and personal.” – Dave “That Metal Guy” Campbell – Metal Temple

“Blends speed, pomp, a catchy chorus and proggy keys into a unified and engaging whole that is fun to sing along with while playing air instruments” – MetalMike – Metal Crypt

“The song writing on this album is commendable and of the highest calibre. If you are looking out for a melodic sound with plenty of surprises and a true rollercoaster experience, you’ve hit the jackpot with this one. Go for it!” (9.5/10) – Ankit Sood – The Metal Resource

“The music and the vocals work together in perfect harmony, whether its through gentler moments or full unashamed bombastic power. Lyrically, Anthea offer a truly poetic experience, elevating a listener’s wonder and imagination to optimum level.” (5 STARS) – Amy Lawrence – MMH Radio

“A long-term, melodic debut album, with excellent musical combinations, there are different tempos that can be heard as Thrash metal briefly, they have a strong combination that goes from Symphonic Metal to Power Metal and vice versa, at the beginning they start very Power Metal and end very Symphonic Metal, that gives variety to the album!” (90/100) – Darkzen Dragon

“Overall, a fast paced and very infectious album of heavy hitting symphonic power metal with stunning twists and turns.” (9.5/10) – Iron Mathew Collins – Metal Gods TV

“I believe that Anthea have managed to convince us of the value of their musical ideas with a strong debut and of course with the composite result they present to us in ‘Illusion’.” – Angelos Hontzias – Rockway.gr

“A sort of dramatic theatrical experience that of this “Illusion”, which ranks among the best releases of the gothic-epic panorama of 2020.” (8/10) – Vittorio “Vice” Giorcelli – Tutto Rock Magazine

“Congratulations ANTHEA on achieving one of the better albums for 2020!” (9/10) – Kevin Lewis – Metal-Temple

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

0 Rockshots Records – Cosmic Prog Metal VANDERLUST Unchain The “Golden Shackles” From New Sci-Fi Metal Opera “The Human Farm” April 2026

March 4, 2026
by Asher
· Music News · Vanderlust (Rockshots Records)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 4, 2026

Cosmic Prog Metal VANDERLUST Unchain The “Golden Shackles” From New Sci-Fi Metal Opera “The Human Farm” April 2026

Vanderlust unveil “Golden Shackles”, the new single extracted from their forthcoming concept album “The Human Farm“, a sci-fi driven metal release centered on a stark moral dilemma: is a life of comfort worth the surrender of freedom?

Vanderlust continues to consolidate its artistic identity by integrating melodic power metal foundations with progressive architecture, articulated riff construction, and carefully layered atmospheric elements. At the core of the compositional process stands guitarist Francesco Romeggini, whose vision shapes the structural coherence and narrative depth of the band’s sound.

Following the symphonic prologue “Humanity 2.0 – The Human Farm,” which establishes the dystopian framework of the album, “Golden Shackles” marks the first decisive fracture in the storyline. Centuries after humanity has embraced life inside the so-called Human Farm, the protagonist Abe begins to question the apparent perfection of a system that guarantees safety while concealing its true cost. What once appeared as salvation gradually reveals itself as confinement disguised as privilege.

From a musical standpoint, the track launches with controlled velocity and tightly engineered riffing, driven by angular figures and precise rhythmic interplay that generate forward momentum without sacrificing clarity. The guitar work alternates between incisive, high-impact passages and harmonically layered sections that reinforce the sci-fi atmosphere. Vocally, the melodic lines unfold with elevated phrasing and a dramatic, power-oriented cadence, intensifying both tension and thematic weight. The chorus provides a clear focal point – immediate yet fully integrated into the arrangement – balancing memorability and compositional complexity.

Within the broader context of “The Human Farm“, “Golden Shackles” functions as a structural hinge rather than a standalone statement. The album unfolds as a continuous narrative set in 2500 A.D., where an ancient alien species known as the Coelacanth offers humanity protection and prosperity at a fixed price: at the age of forty, every individual must be eliminated. Each track advances the plot with deliberate continuity, reinforcing the emotional arc of its characters while maintaining musical cohesion.

Compared to the band’s debut, this release represents a tangible evolution. Progressive elements are more deeply embedded in structural development and riff articulation; electronic textures and orchestral accents strengthen the futuristic framework; the songwriting displays greater focus and conceptual discipline. “Golden Shackles” crystallizes this maturation, balancing immediacy with narrative density and technical precision.

With this single, Vanderlust reaffirms their commitment to translating science fiction into a metal language that is energetic yet controlled, intricate yet accessible, an approach where storytelling, compositional rigor, and thematic consistency are not aesthetic choices but structural pillars of the band’s identity.

LYRIC VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X0udWN7m7Y

DIGITAL: https://lnk.to/31uVQl

PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM: https://rockshots.eu/products/vanderlust-the-human-farm

First Single – Humanity 2.0 – The Human Farm

Digital: https://lnk.to/iEpgIm

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUPFUoBm1Tc

Track Listing:
1. Humanity 2.0 – The Human Farm
2. Golden Shackles
3. The Turning Point
4. Connection Failed
5. Viral Escape
6. … Find Them!
7. Battlefield
8. From The Cave – Fuga
9. Drive
10. Reborn … Again
11. Humanity 3.0: The New Canaan

Line-up:
Ricca “ZP” Morello: Vocals
Francesco “Franz” Romeggini: Guitars, Backing Vocals
David Cantina: Bass
Giacomo Mezzetti: Drums, Backing Vocals

More info:
https://rockshots.eu/

https://www.facebook.com/vanderlustofficial/

BIOGRAPHY:

Vanderlust was born from a precise artistic vision: to tell science fiction stories through the language of melodic/progressive metal. What began as an ambitious concept soon evolved into a fully developed identity, where traditional heavy and power metal foundations merge with progressive structures, intricate riffing, and atmospheric textures shaped by a futuristic imagination.

At the creative core stands guitarist Francesco Romeggini, whose compositional direction defines the band’s sonic architecture. His ideas, later refined collectively by the band, result in a dynamic balance between technical detail and emotional depth. The members bring experience from previous acts such as S91, Dreal, and Speed Kills, combining classic metal roots with a forward-looking approach.

Vanderlust’s sound can be described as energetic, refined, and intricate, yet always driven by narrative purpose. Melodic power metal emerges strongly in the vocal phrasing, while progressive elements influence structures and rhythmic patterns rather than sheer song length. Sci-fi atmospheres surface not only through thematic choices but also through electronic layers and occasional orchestral arrangements, reinforcing the cinematic scale of their storytelling without losing the grit of traditional metal.

With “The Human Farm“, the band reaches a clear stage of maturation. Expanding beyond the more traditional framework of their debut, Vanderlust intensifies their progressive edge and strengthens the conceptual dimension of their work. The album unfolds as a cohesive narrative journey, exploring themes of freedom, control, and existential choice delivered through high-energy tracks, dynamic contrasts, and emotionally charged moments.

On stage, the band translates complexity into impact. Rather than focusing solely on instrumental execution, Vanderlust aims for a powerful, engaging live presence, ensuring that the emotional force of their music connects directly with the audience.

Vanderlust stands at the intersection of classic melodic metal and progressive sci-fi – a band committed to building worlds, not just songs.

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

0 VEGAS UN ALIVE FEST Announces 2026 Lineup w/ DECREPIT BIRTH, THE CONVALESCENCE, CASKET ROBBERY, PESSIMIST, CLAUSTROFOBIA, and more!

March 2, 2026
by Asher
· Music News · Vegas Un Alive Festival

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 2, 2026

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

VEGAS UN ALIVE FEST Announces 2026 Lineup

w/ DECREPIT BIRTH, THE CONVALESCENCE, CASKET ROBBERY, PESSIMIST, CLAUSTROFOBIA, and more!

VEGAS UN ALIVE FESTIVAL announces its 2026 inaugural lineup featuring DECREPIT BIRTH, THE CONVALESCENCE, CASKET ROBBERY, PESSIMIST, CLAUSTROFOBIA, and many more.

Rising from the ashes of Las Vegas Deathfest, VEGAS UN ALIVE FESTIVAL is bringing extreme metal back to the city with full force. Answering the call of local metalheads hungry for brutality, JJ Jackson (Moonshine Bandits) and Dave Oshann (Trip to the Morgue) have united to launch the most debaucherous mosh pit to hit Vegas.

Hosted on Friday, March 20th, and Saturday, March 21st, at the Divebar (4110 S. Maryland Pkwy), extreme metal fans can expect a full‑scale festival grounds featuring two stages, 25 bands from across the globe, custom cars and bikes, tattoo artists, freakshow acts, firebreathers, and plenty of food and drink. Anticipation is sky‑high, and a metal-hungry crowd is expected as this new chapter begins with two stages and 25 bands of punishing and relentless death metal.

Festival Weekend Passes available at https://www.ticketor.com/unalivefest/tickets

Single Day Ticket – https://www.ticketor.com/unalivefest/tickets

Facebook Event – https://www.facebook.com/events/s/vegas-un-alive-fest-2026/605964475895162/

Festival Promo Video – https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hr6kAgY50OY

Festival Spotify Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/28iDiMbYVJ7rLPOWqWreI5

Headlining the festival on Saturday, March 21st, on the Death or Glory Stage, DECREPIT BIRTH continues to push forward as one of technical death metal’s most enduring forces. With their signature blend of hyper‑technical riffing and cosmic brutality, the Santa Cruz veterans continue to uphold their reputation as one of the genre’s most formidable live acts. The band is performing at Vegas Un Alive Festival as their Las Vegas tour stop during their 2026 “The Uncreation of Civilization West Coast Tour”.

Lyric Video – Hieroglyphic – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_B1BNm94e4

Co-headlining the Death or Glory Stage, symphonic deathcore juggernauts THE CONVALESCENCE are stopping at the festival as part of their “Celebrating 10 Years of Poison Word Tour”. The band unleashed their newest music video, “Bloodletter,” a dark, cinematic release featuring a guest appearance by Ricky Myers of Suffocation.

Music Video – Bloodletter – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln6ffjgVkzA

Headlining the Divebar Stage on Saturday, March 21st, CASKET ROBBERY is a death metal act with a horror and industrialized edge from Wisconsin, USA. Their trademark huge riffs and unsettling melodies create an unrelenting, brutally catchy, and eerie sound that has surfaced a die-hard following. The band delves into occultist themes and the horrors of the human condition, which has been masterfully captured on their sophomore album‘Rituals Of Death’. The album was mixed and mastered by Cryptopsy guitarist Christian Donaldson (The Agonist, Ingested, Signs Of The Swarm) and received critical media acclaim. With supports alongside acts such as Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, Psycroptic, performances across North America, and many festival appearances, including Milwaukee Metal Fest, the path of Casket Robbery is unstoppable.

Music Video – The Lacryphagist – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYTRzqbyBCc

Co‑headlining the Divebar Stage, 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

Headlining opening night, Friday, March 20th at Divebar, CLAUSTROFOBIA, originillay formed in Brazil in 1994 by brothers Marcus and Caio D’Angelo, and now headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, the band boasts of a career spanning nearly three decades, a discography comprising seven full-length albums and a DVD release, a multitude of international tours, high-profile live performances sharing stages with the likes of Iron Maiden, Slayer and Anthrax and countless fans all over the world.

Aqui Não ft. João Gordo – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNdmZveCPfM

Friday, March 20th
Doors – 6:30 pm

Claustrofobia
Rottenness
Scattered Guts
Lacabra
Anubis
Papsmear
Last Rites

Saturday, March 21st
Doors – 2:30 pm

Death or Glory Stage
Decrepit Birth
The Convalescence
Hunt the Dinosaur
Lazarus Casket
Trip to the Morgue
Embryonic Devourment
Skeleton Crew
187

Divebar Stage
Casket Robbery
Pessimist
Gravehuffer
Abolishment of Flesh
Cerebral Desecration
Mantra of Morta
Blistering Rot
The Brown Sound

More info:

https://www.facebook.com/UnAlivefest702

https://www.instagram.com/unalive_fest_lv

-30-

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

Page 4 of 512

Asher Media Relations Tweets

Tweets by AsherMedia

Asher Media Email Subscription

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Email Address:

Join 2,154 other subscribers