Author: Crix

MonoMassive Spring Edition 7.3.2026, Pori (Finland)

MonoMassive is back, the festival dedicated to the heaviest metal held for the third time as the main event of the spring in Satakunta on March 7, 2026 at the Winston in Pori.
Four bands performed: Cumbeast, Sewer Altar, Unborn Generation and Whisper.
Crawling from the depths of Helsinki, WHISPER plays old-school death metal, spiced with prog and melodic death metal, offering a fresh yet gritty take on a genre that has been rotting for decades. Founded in 2023, the band’s EPs Xenogenesis and Gravemind have garnered praise for their brutal yet multi-dimensional approach. The band’s sound combines the atmosphere of early Finnish death metal, Finnish prog and the most modern cosmic influences. Despite being an emerging band, they performed with impressive confidence and technical skill.
UNBORN GENERATION has been delivering dirty grindcrust since 2002. The music combines the ruthless expression of grind, the energy of crust, and a hint of northern gloom in the form of melodies. The trio delivered the shortest set of the night — a tight, 30‑minute burst of pure energy.
SEWER ALTAR, a viscous entity of blistering grind, grimy breakdowns, and d-beat human tornados. The band delves into death metal themes of defilement and horror, intertwining them with the pervasive malaise of sociopolitical inequality. Jumping in as last‑minute substitutes for Unknown Subject, the trio rose to the occasion with a tight, well‑performed set.
CUMBEAST – brutal and grooving led metal from Turku since 2005. The band is known for its unique style: Heavy and grooving guitar riffs and strange tricks with a fretless bass combine with funky and pounding drums and inhuman, visceral vocals in an inexplicably tickling way. The green glow of Cumbeast’s RGB LEDs has illuminated festival and gig stages all over Europe and the ridiculously brutal energy of the gigs and the hit songs have infected the audience time and time again to mosh, dance and laugh. With their stage presence, audience engagement, technical skill, and sheer passion for performing, Cumbeast truly delivers the complete experience.
Here are a few shots from the night, captured by Cristina Gregori.

Stam1na – Apnea

Finnish band Stam1na returns with their eleventh album, Apnea, a work that touches the deepest chords of the soul, perfectly balancing the band’s signature sound with experimentation.
The album opens with the intro Pohjoinen lehto, a short but incisive 1:53 track that immediately establishes a melodic and progressive tone. The song moves quickly, almost breathlessly, just when you think you have figured out where it is going, the finale takes a surprising turn, ending abruptly.
Opas bursts in with deliciously intricate guitar work and a fast, driving tempo that is unmistakably Stam1na. The harsh vocals hit with full force, then give way to a melodic passage carried by a calm, clean voice before the intensity surges back again. The chorus has this almost otherworldly lift — a melody that transports you somewhere else entirely. Subtle wind‑like orchestration in the background adds an unexpected atmospheric layer that deepens the whole experience.
Golem is the album’s first single and is already considered a hit. It is classic Stam1na through and through: tight, energetic, and unmistakably Stam1na’s signature style. The chorus is incredibly catchy, the kind that gets stuck in your head after just one listen and practically makes the entire audience want to sing along.
Satiiri opens with a dark atmosphere, then suddenly accelerates into lightning-fast riffs, very thrash metal. The vocals are mostly shouted, raw, and abrasive. Occasional trumpet lines cut through the distortion, creating a surreal, satirical atmosphere, as if the song was commenting on itself; the bass line towards the end is also enjoyable.
Käärmeennyrkki, released as the second single from the album is clearly more experimental than the first, demonstrating the band’s willingness to push boundaries. Despite the heavier, more progressive elements, the chorus opens up into something surprisingly melodic that serves as a solid anchor for the song’s structure. The keyboard work stands out: unusual textures, clever layering, perhaps even unexpected tones. The song blends aggression and complexity without losing coherence; thrash energy meets progressive experimentation, resulting in a piece that feels both adventurous and well-structured.
Easily one of the album’s strongest tracks, perhaps even my favorite, Lahja leaves a deep emotional impression without ever feeling heavy. The clean vocals bring a warm touch and create a beautiful contrast with the sharper, more aggressive elements surrounding it. The guitars cut through with a shattering style, the harshness makes the melodic parts shine even brighter. There is a moment where the keyboards veer into a subtle “synth-wave” vibe. The chorus opens up into something heartfelt and memorable. The structure evolves naturally, keeping the listener engaged from start to finish, for almost six minutes, yet it feels like it passes in a heartbeat.
Anna minun olla heikoin lenkki returns to the band’s signature fast-paced style: the riffs are sharp and engaging, the chorus is memorable and melodic, and the wild and technically impressive guitar solo becomes one of the song’s highlights. It includes a short but very cool bass highlight. The keyboards also have their moment, adding color to the whole track.
Begins with a moody, spacious intro that sets a reflective tone, Toivonkipinä snaps into high speed almost without warning, the contrast gives the track a jolt of energy and unpredictability. The tempo changes several times, keeping the song lively and progressive. The vocals shift from clean to raspy in a powerful and expressive way. There is a beautifully crafted melodic section that draws on progressive influences. The final moments fade into something enigmatic and evocative, leaving the listener with a lingering sense of wonder.
Apnea serves as the album’s closing track and absolutely feels like a final chapter, enveloping the entire journey in a calm yet emotionally charged atmosphere. It moves at a slow tempo, allowing every sound to breathe. The clean vocals are soft, expressive, and deeply moving. Keyboards are central: lush textures, delicate melodies, perhaps even subtle pads. The drums feel big and cinematic, adding depth without breaking the calm.
This album is certainly one of the band’s finest works; Stam1na aren’t afraid to experiment while maintaining their trademark.

https://stam1na.com/

 

Finnish Dark Metal TORCHIA Unveils New Video “Nekromanteion” From Upcoming 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 has been released worldwide on all digital platforms today.

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.
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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 is available on all digital platforms from March 11th.

 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​
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​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​

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

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.

​https://www.rockshots.eu/​

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

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

Canada’s IRON KINGDOM Announces 6th Studio Album “Shadows and Dust”; Reveal Album Artwork and Teaser

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.”​
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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.

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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.
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​“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).
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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.” ​
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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​
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​“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.
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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​

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​https://www.iron-kingdom.com​
​https://www.facebook.com/ironkingdomofficial​
​https://www.instagram.com/iron_kingdom​

IKON Box Set Reissues Four Of Goth’s Greatest Albums

Four of the most influential Goth albums of the late 1990s/early 2000s  are set for reissue in a new box set, as IKON unveil the aptly-titled Resonance – An Anthology 1998-2009.
The second in the Australian band’s series of career-spanning box sets, the set begins with their third album. This Quiet Earth (1998) was written, says frontman Chris McCarter, as a reaction to “the constant comparison to Joy Division” that the band had hitherto received. “l wanted to move away from guitar based tracks, he continues, and “as soon as ‘Subversion’, was written, l knew it had to be the first single from the album.”
A Top 5 hit in the German alternative charts (a second single, “Ghost In My Head,” quicky followed it) “Subversion” also helped This Quiet Earth, too, into the upper echelons of those charts.  The album’s unexpected popularity also prompted McCarter to put together a new live band, and begin work, too, on a new album.
“I was always fascinated with Egypt from a young age and decided on the title On the Edge of Forever,” says McCarter, recalling how new songs entered the band’s live repertoire long before recording commenced – which in turn gave the album an electrifying cohesion and a surprising outlook. “Going back to the band format, it was clear that doing a rock album was the right path to follow, after going down the electronic route.”
Released in 2001, In The Edge of Forever spun off three singles, “The Shallow Sea,” “Blue Snow Red Rain” and “Afterlife,” and is often described as the band’s finest release yet. It was not, however, to retain that title for long.
Buoyed, again, by three singles, “Psychic Vampire,” “Rome” and “Without Shadows,” 2005’s Destroying The World To Save It was heavily flavored by McCarter’s vision of the ways in which the world had changed post 9/11. “My experience from all the [touring], seeing peoples’ true faces, was something I was able to express in the songwriting.
“l had really developed my singing and a new confidence there. I also got to see first hand the fans all over Europe and knew the direction I wanted to go in.”  In concert, “Psychic Vampire’” was to remain Ikon’s closing number for the next 18 years!
The final album in this collection, 2009’s Love, Hate & Sorrow, continued in the same vein as its predecessor – indeed, McCarter admits he started recording it in 2006, intending an immediate follow-up.  “However, the creativity was flowing so well, l kept recording through out that year. l was trying to make the perfect album, or what was perfect to me.”
Two singles teased the album, “A Line on a Dark Day,” “which continued the 9/11 theme of Destroying The World To Save It,” and “Amongst The Runes.” Two further singles followed the album’s eventual release, “Torn Apart” and “Driftwood,” and McCarter happily recalls the reviews which described the CD as “ the most complete IKON album to date.”
Reflecting upon this entire period, McCarter acknowledges, “l grew so much as a person. Getting to travel around the world, meeting fans first hand, was inspiring in continuing on with writing and recording for so long. I also got to be able to do everything the way l wanted to, which a lot of artists aren’t able to do. I’m so happy with the way my writing had progressed and the things we were able to achieve, with different people coming in for parts of the journey on the way.”
He is proud, too, of Resonance – An Anthology 1998-2009. The box set, he continues, “shows just how much the band has grown from that period and how different each release is. I do feel there is a constant redline though, connecting them as I constantly explore and express the emotions and experiences in life, through the lens of the band IKON!”
Resonance – An Anthology 1998-2009 is released on March 13. That same day also sees the first US and European vinyl pressing of This Quiet Earth.
Not content to merely revisit the past. though, McCarter is also simultaneously deploying a powerful new EP, Marian, mapping out the ways in which he has transformed his past muse into a forward-looking vision. The EP all acts as a sort of tribute to Wayne Hussey (who Chris says is “a huge influence on my life”); featuring one Sisters Of Mercy track (“Marian”) and one Mission track (“Stay With Me”) as well as two new interpretations of IKON classics.
RESONANCE TRACK LISTING
DISC 1
1. Departure
2. Subversion
3. Loving The Enemy
4. Temple Of Light
5. Ghost In My Head
6. In Faith
7. My Shadow Of Selfishness
8. The Shattered Mirror
9. A Day That Passed
10. Voice Of The Sun
11. Beginning Of The End
12. This Quiet Earth
13. Overcome
14. Communion
15. Time And Illusion
16. In Too Deep

DISC 2
1. King Of Terror
2. The Shallow Sea
3. Wheels In Motion
4. Stone Frailty
5. Fine Line
6. Apparition
7. The Wish
8. An Act Of Fate
9. Blue Snow Red Rain
10. Distance
11. Afterlife
12. World Beneath The Sand
13. On The Edge Of Forever
14. As I Recall
15. Elohim
16. Anxiety

DISC 3
1. Never Forgive! Never Forget!
2. The Dying Crown
3. Without Shadows
4. God Has Fallen From The Sky
5. Psychic Vampire
6. Father Of Lies
7. Ashes Of Blue
8. Rome
9. My Crucible
10. Heresy
11. Slaughter (For The Glory Of Christ And The King)
12. Path Of The Unknown
13. The Black Goat Of Judas
14. Hiding In Waiting
15. Understanding
16. Confused Dreams
17. Seconds

DISC 4
1. A Line on a Dark Day
2. Before the Dawn
3. Torn Apart
4. Memoirs of a Butterfly
5. Winter Mourning
6. Beautiful Sadness
7. Amongst the Runes
8. Love, Hate and Sorrow
9. Dead Man Tomorrow
10. All Depths of Despair
11. Point Of No Return
12. Driftwood
13. Broken Windows To The Soul
14. Nowhere To Turn
15. Hindsight
16. Disenchanted Lullaby

Eihwar Interview

In a very short time, Eihwar have transformed from an unexpected experiment into one of the most intriguing forces in the Pagan electronic scene. Combining Norse-inspired narratives, trance-inducing rhythms, and a visual universe that feels both ancient and otherworldly, the duo has captured the imagination of listeners around the world. With their new album, Hugrheim, on the horizon and a nearly sold-out tour in sight, we had the opportunity to chat with Asrunn about the project’s unexpected beginnings, the mythology that shapes their music, their upcoming album, the spiritual intensity that fuels their performances, and much more.

Hi Asrunn, how are you doing?

I am doing well, although a bit tired from this last period of promotion and tour preparation. I can not wait to get back on stage and meet the fans. It will be a nice change from these days stuck inside doing the most tedious part of our job!

Eihwar started in February 2023 and immediately attracted attention shortly after a video was posted on YouTube. How did people initially find the video?

It is still a mystery to us. Especially since, on paper, nothing could have worked: It was just a simple, barely animated visual with our logo designed in a few minutes during a burst of inspiration. Just like the song we released, “The Forge,” which was composed, recorded, mixed, and posted in a single day. We diid not tell anyone about this song, not even our friends, because it was never conceived at the time as a band, but as a test of pagan dance music for the after-parties of our traveling events called “La Nuit des Sorcières” (The Night of the Witches) in France. Mark and I assume that its immediate success stemmed from the fact that this music we created filled a gap in a music scene for which there was an eager audience and few options. But it is a question we can only answer with assumptions. The ways of the YouTube algorithm are mysterious.

Why did you choose Eihwar as name for your project?

Eihwar is a blend of the rune Eihwaz and the word WAR. The rune Eihwaz is the rune of the yew tree, a symbol of prudence and reflection before action (a quality definitely lacking in my personality, which tends to burn everything first and think later…). War represents the only one worth fighting: the war against the rigidity of our bodies, and especially our minds, a cancer plaguing our current societies. It is about avoiding the stagnation of our knowledge, our imagination, and our principles, in order to remain open, flexible, and simply alive.

Have you always been connected to Norse culture? Are there other cultures that influence your music?

Mark and I have previously lived in the Viking Age, so we retain some memories that are as hazy as they are incredible. Therefore, we wanted to keep the Viking values that are dear to us in this musical project: bravery, a thirst for discovery, and fierceness.
Regarding the rest of your question, we are spirits who come from Hugrheim, the tenth hidden world of Yggdrasil. That is primarily what inspires us; we are simply telling our story.

Your new album, Hugrheim, will be released on March 13th. What can you tell us about its genesis and lyrics? What are the main differences from your first album?

As mentioned before, Hugrheim is the realm we come from. An intense, unforgiving, ever-changing world, forged by the spirit, itself in constant motion. It is a harsh world, but it is what we call “home.”
When our human hosts die, we will return there, until our new incarnation on Midgard. That is what we wanted to convey in this new work: to reveal more of who we are.

Do you have a favorite track from the upcoming album?

Of the six songs conceived as singles, I would say Heill Óðinn is tied with Nauðiz. Within the album as a whole, it is Skuggaríki. Mark’s Tagelharpa solo possesses an emotional intensity that moves me deeply every time I listen.

Your music videos are stunning. Do you have a favorite? Can you tell us something about the making of your latest music videos?

Thank you so much! It was not easy at all! First, Hugrheim, Nauðiz, and Freyja’s Calling were filmed by our talented friend Samuel Maurin. Heill Óðinn was filmed by us much later. During the filming of Nauðiz, on the Larzac plateau in France, in a private, idyllic, and carefully guarded location, I sprained my ankle three times on the very rugged terrain. I don’t know by what miracle it healed in 24 hours, which allowed us to finish filming just in time. By the way, you can have fun trying to find the shot where I am limping, because I had just twisted my foot on a stone hidden in the tall grass… As for Freyja, it was quite something to film in that magical forest at night with torchlight and the music blasting! A truly witchy experience, I must say…

What are your main musical influences?

I listened to Deftones a lot, they are still my all-time favorite band, and I am also very into Black music from the 50s and 60s. Etta James and Dinah Washington taught me a lot. I am the musical result of jazz pin-ups and angry metalheads.

For the upcoming tour, most of the shows are sold out. How does that make you feel? Is there any place you will play for the first time?

We are both incredulous and filled with gratitude. We do not really understand how we were able to achieve these results in such a short time. We feel loved, which is extremely satisfying and joyfully fills our sense of self-worth and purpose in this world. We can not wait to meet all the people who consciously choose to pay to share a musical moment with us. When you think about it, it is incredible. It forces you to be humble and give your best.

What happens when you are on stage, how do you feel?

I feel whole. This is where I need to be, where I am most useful. It is during these special moments that I connect with Higher Beings, Beings of Light, to fulfill my role as an instrument at their service. I am here to deliver their messages, guidance, healing, answers, and loving energies to anyone who might need them. So, connected in this way, I very easily enter an altered state of consciousness, a trance, and I float for quite a while, and then I sleep like a baby, haha.

You will play some festivals this summer, but what do you have planned after that?

Taking a real vacation. Something we have barely done in three years. Turning off our cell phones and chilling by the river, in our secret spot in the Ardèche. I think Mark would enjoy fishing for trout next to me while I crochet a dress or a sweater.

Thank you so much for your time, it was a pleasure to interview you. Is there anything you would like to say to your fans and anyone reading this interview?

What I say at the end of each of our concerts: Thank you so much for being here, without you we would be nothing.

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://www.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://www.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

Prog Heavy Metal Visionaries Frozen Factory Unveil New Video “Can’t Fight The Spiral” (Live in the Studio)

Finland’s Frozen Factory have shared the music video for “Can’t Fight The Spiral”(Live in the Studio), taken from their album Apocalypse Inc., available now via Wormholedeath.

Shot and tracked in the band’s rehearsal studio, “Can’t Fight The Spiral” explores one of the most universal human truths, that our time is finite and accelerating. Drawing on the image of a decaying orbit, Frozen Factory weave together cosmic scale and deeply personal mortality into something that asks not how do we escape the inevitable, but what do we leave behind before we reach it. Heavy, honest, and ultimately hopeful.

Apocalypse Inc. follows the band’s 2022 album Of Pearls & Perils, which earned radio play across Europe, including Germany’s SWR1. The record marks Frozen Factory’s first release in partnership with Wormholedeath, and features contributions from Silentium vocalist Riina Rinkinen.

Frozen Factory is Stephen Baker (vocals), Tomi Hassinen (bass), Marianne Heikkinen (drums), Johnny Koivumäki (rhythm guitar), and Zsolt Szilagyi (lead guitar). Drawing from influences ranging from Pink Floyd and Iron Maiden to Depeche Mode, the band have built a reputation for technically accomplished, atmospherically rich heavy rock since forming in Finland in 2018.

frozenfactorymusic.com
instagram.com/frozenfactorymusic
facebook.com/frozenfactorymusic
youtube.com/frozenfactorymusic

 

Neverfade Video Interview

2026 started with a bang for heavy metal band Neverfade. In addition to playing several shows in both Finland and Sweden, they’ve signed a deal with King2Music and are ready to make a revolution by releasing new music.
Their new single, Revolution, was released on March 6th and is a track that aims to be a metal anthem, the voice of the people rebelling. Two more songs are due out in the coming months.
We had the chance to chat with frontman Lassi Landström about the deal wit King2Music, the new single, the tour, and much more.

https://www.neverfade.fi/

M.A.G.O Release New Dark Rock Ritual ‘Bella Strega’ with Official Video

M.A.G.O (My Absolute Greatest Obsession) release their new single ‘BELLA STREGA’, available on YouTube starting March 6th and on all streaming platforms from March 13th.

 

A dark and magnetic track that fully embodies the band’s hard rock attitude. BELLA STREGA is a four-minute sonic journey where mystery meets raw, powerful riffs. The song blends dark atmospheres with solid hard rock foundations, echoing influences reminiscent of Black Sabbath and Killing Joke, while maintaining a distinctive and personal identity.

The “witch” becomes a symbolic figure of attraction and danger, desire and damnation — a powerful and ambiguous archetype. The track unfolds with a cinematic and direct approach, dragging the listener into a nocturnal universe filled with tension, obsession, and emotional magnetism. Written and composed by Fabiano Rizzi, the single stands as a bold artistic statement: a compact, rough, and essential sound rooted in classic hard rock with modern dark shades. With BELLA STREGA, M.A.G.O strengthen their artistic vision — a project that merges rock attitude, esoteric imagery, and a powerful, uncompromising sonic aesthetic.

www.volcanopromotion.com
https://www.instagram.com/mago.band