Wooden |

EPK – Wooden – Veil of Mankind (2026) (single)

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

We think fans will be surprised just how extreme we can go. This single (Veil of Mankinf) is by far our most ambitious song; it’s very fast and has a lot more of a progressive metal influence compared to the songs on our previous album.” – Wooden

For fans of Metallica, Iron Maiden, Testament, Judas Priest, Pantera

Linktr.ee/woodenmetalband | Facebook.com/WoodenMetalBand | Instagram.com/wooden_metal_band

Youtube.com/@WoodenTheBand | Tiktok.com/@wooden_metal_band

Woodentheband.bandcamp.com | Spotify

Single – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/wooden/veil-of-mankind

‘’Amazingly well executed – Mixes fast paced moments reminiscent of eighties Speed metal with calibrated vocals and a striking bass/drum duo’’ – Lifecode.666 Magazine

Band: Wooden
Single Title: Veil Of Mankind – 7:20
Release Date: August 1st 2026
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: Distrokid
Genre: Heavy/Thrash Metal
Location of Band: Montreal, QC, Canada

Single Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Bilal El-Khatib, Youssef El-Khatib, Darius Cristian Roman, Émile Dessureault, Rémi Vaillancourt
• All songs written by: Bilal El-Khatib, Youssef El-Khatib, Darius Cristian Roman, Émile Dessureault, Rémi Vaillancourt
• Produced by: Antony Lepage, Bilal El-Khatib, Youssef El-Khatib
• Mixed by: Antony Lepage
• Mastered by: Antony Lepage
• Single Artwork by: Julian Mortuus

Band Line-up:
Youssef El-Khatib – Vocals
Bilal El-Khatib – Lead Guitar
Darius Cristian Roman – Rhythm Guitar
Émile Dessureault – Drums
Rémi Vaillancourt – Bass

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About The Single Artwork:

(Bilal El-Khatib – Guitar ) The single artwork for Veil Of Mankind is inspired by multiple depictions of Plato’s allegory of the cave. We told the artist we wanted something sinister, organic, and not overproduced. When the artwork looks like what the song sounds like, you know it’s been done right.

About The Single (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

(Bilal El-Khatib – Guitar ) Veil Of Mankind is a 7-minute journey of fast-paced riffing through melodic interludes and blistering guitar solos, while describing the story of a cave dweller, discovering the truth about his underground life and escaping to experience the real world. Personally, I feel like it is the most ambitious song we have ever written to date.

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BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. (Bilal El-Khatib – Guitar ) Most of our best ideas are complete accidents: someone just noodles away on their instrument, and it ends up being the exact thing we need, or turns into a song or a guitar solo. On our first album, the main riff from The Monster was just written for an amp simulation software we were trying to test.

2. (Bilal El-Khatib – Guitar ) Sometimes we spend so much time disagreeing on a musical idea that does not matter at all, like the volume of a cymbal, or the length of a vibrato. We know that nobody will notice it, but as musicians we tend to obsess over the smallest details. That’s just part of being a musician, and we are trying to be more loose about it.

3. (Bilal El-Khatib – Guitar ) We once played at a venue back in 2023 that had no address, was full of second-hand smoke, had no windows, no working speakers, yet we had the time of our lives. Usually, the more underground the place, the more fun it is.

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Wooden is a 5-piece heavy metal band formed in 2020 in Montreal, Canada. Their sound is a blend of traditional heavy metal from the 80s and modern metal from the 2000s, often being called a ‘’heavier version of Iron Maiden’’.

The band released their self-titled debut album ‘’Wooden’’ on October 18th, 2024, gaining over 12000 streams across 45 different countries on Spotify, Bandcamp, YouTube, and Apple Music. The album has been featured on multiple channels, including The New Wave Of Traditional Heavy Metal, The Circle Pit, Decibel Metal Radio show CIBL 101.5, and GMPQ Media.

In 2025, Wooden played in the first round of the Wacken Metal Battle Canada and has since been playing multiple shows across Quebec Province, including the first edition of the Montreal Power Fest, and has opened for the USA touring band THE ANCHOR.

The band is currently in the process of writing their second EP, with a more progressive-focused sound, and is set to release their newest single in the summer of 2026.

Wooden has one mission: Carry the torch of heavy metal forever.

Discography:
2026 – Veil Of Mankind (Single)
2025 – Children Of The Hills – Acoustic Version (Single)
2024 – Wooden – (Self-Titled Album)
2024 – The Monster – (Single)

Shared Stage with:
THE ANCHOR (USA)
SELIAS (ONTARIO CANADA)
EXECUTION DAY (USA)
ALONG CAME A SPIDER (USA)
EXUUL (QC CANADA)
TROLLWAR (QC CANADA)
DROWNING IN BLOOD (QC CANADA)
NOOR (QC CANADA)
BLACK ABSINTHE (ONTARIO CANADA)
SOULTHIEF (QC CANADA)
BURNING ATTIC (QC CANADA)
DESCAPE (QC CANADA)
SHROUD (QC CANADA)
CRIES OF BLOOD (QC CANADA)
EXORCIST (ONTARIO CANADA)

TOURS AND FESTIVALS:
2023 – WINTER MASSACRE – Montreal, QC
2023 – THE ANCHOR US/CANADA TOUR – Montreal, QC
2024 – SELIAS SEPTEMBER SANITY TOUR – Montreal, QC
2025 – WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA – Montreal, QC
2025 – MONTREAL POWER FEST – Montreal, QC
2026 – SOUNDS FROM HELL METAL FEST – Montreal, QC
2026 – NAIL BITE US/CANADA TOUR – Montreal, QC

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 1, 2026

Montreal Heavy Metal WOODEN Takes A Bold Progressive Leap Forward w/ New Single “Veil of Mankind”

Montreal heavy metal force Wooden returns this summer with “Veil of Mankind,” the first single from the band’s forthcoming EP, to be released at a later date. Being unleashed August 1st, the track marks the most ambitious and extreme chapter in the band’s evolution, a fast, melodic, progressive metal journey inspired by Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and shaped by the band’s sharpened, collaborative songwriting.

Fans can expect a familiar Wooden identity, but pushed into new territory that is heavier, faster, and more musically mature as “Veil of Mankind” delivers a 7‑minute narrative of blistering riffs, soaring melodies, and atmospheric interludes.

“This is by far our most ambitious song. It’s very fast and has a lot more progressive metal influence than the songs on our previous album. It’s heavy, but it has melodic moments where it makes the listener feel like they are floating into another universe, similar to the classics from Pink Floyd,” says guitarist Bilal El‑Khatib.

Vocalist Youssef El‑Khatib adds:

“This single feels like a familiar breath of fresh air; it anchors our signature style while expanding on emotional and conceptual reach.”

Originally built around a long acoustic intro, the song sat untouched for months until inspiration struck.

“At first, the song didn’t have a chorus. Eventually the ideas just flew naturally, and the song was finished in two weeks,” says Bilal.

The band’s collaborative writing process remains central: Bilal lays the foundation, Youssef pushes vocal and lyrical direction, and the rest of the band shapes the final structure with riffs, drum patterns, and melodic details.

The single’s artwork mirrors its conceptual depth, drawing from multiple depictions of Plato’s cave. Wooden requested something “sinister, organic and not overproduced,” ensuring the visual identity reflects the song’s atmosphere.

The upcoming EP promises a more progressive‑leaning direction, with intricate compositions and refined musical maturity.

Since forming in 2020, Wooden has forged a sound that merges traditional heavy metal with modern intensity, earning them the reputation of a “heavier version of Iron Maiden.” Their debut self-titled album drew international attention and radio support, while their high‑energy, crowd‑driven performances continue to elevate their profile. With earworm riffs, face‑melting solos, groovy bass lines, soaring vocals, and unforgettable audience interaction, Wooden has become a standout presence on the live circuit, including appearances at Wacken Metal Battle Canada, Montreal Power Fest, Sounds From Hell Metal Fest, and a support slot for U.S. touring act The Anchor.

Listen to “Veil of Mankind” at the following links:

Spotify – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/wooden/veil-of-mankind

Lyric Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM_dudOV0Qc

More info: https://linktr.ee/woodenmetalband

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’Amazingly well executed – Mixes fast paced moments reminiscent of eighties Speed metal with calibrated vocals and a striking bass/drum duo’’ – Lifecode.666 Magazine

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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Category: Wooden

0 EPK – Wooden – Veil of Mankind (2026) (single)

0 Montreal Heavy Metal WOODEN Takes A Bold Progressive Leap Forward w/ New Single “Veil of Mankind”