Dirty Shirt has released the full video of their explosive 2025 performance at Pol’and’Rock Festival, one of Europe’s largest and most iconic open‑air music events. The 2025 edition marked a major milestone for the Romanian folk‑metal collective: their third Pol’and’Rock appearance, placing them alongside Dubioza Kolektiv as the only non‑Polish acts to have played the festival three times. Dirty Shirt’s history with Pol’and’Rock is deeply intertwined with the festival’s spirit of community, charity, and musical diversity. In 2021, the band made their Pol’and’Rock debut during the special pandemic‑restricted edition, performing for a reduced audience of 20,000. In 2022, Dirty Shirt returned triumphantly after winning the Golden Spinning Top (Złoty Bączek), the public‑voted contest that determines which artist opens the next edition of the festival. Past winners include major international names such as Clawfinger, Papa Roach, Sabaton, Anthrax, Bring Me The Horizon, Avatar, Amon Amarth, and others. And their third and most recent appearance in 2025 came as part of EERA, the Eastern European Rock Alliance, an EU‑funded cultural collaboration. Dirty Shirt was one of the flagship bands of the project, making their return to Pol’and’Rock both symbolic and artistically meaningful.
Despite the excitement, the road to the 2025 stage was anything but easy. The band had traveled more than 16 hours from Romania to northern Poland the day before the show, arriving late at night. Show day began at 4:30 a.m. for a 6 a.m. soundcheck, with the hotel located over an hour from the festival grounds. By the time Dirty Shirt stepped on stage, it was well past midnight. “Beyond the fatigue, playing at Pol’and’Rock always feels like coming alive again. The Polish audience, one of the most intense, passionate crowds we have ever played for, gives the energy back a hundredfold and reminds you why you do this in the first place,” shares the band.
Often described as “the biggest open‑air festival in Europe,” Pol’and’Rock is a free, charity‑driven event organized as a thank‑you to the volunteers and supporters of WOSP, The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. WOSP’s annual Grand Finale raises funds for hospitals across Poland, more than $52 million USD in the most recent edition, and the festival stands as a cultural celebration of that nationwide effort. Beyond music, Pol’and’Rock hosts workshops, conferences, and a wide range of artistic and educational activities, making it one of Europe’s most unique cultural gatherings. Dirty Shirt is once again eligible for the Golden Spinning Top contest, and fans who want to support the band’s return to Pol’and’Rock in 2026 can vote online (email confirmation required): https://polandrockfestival.pl/o-festiwalu/zloty-baczek The complete live set of their landmark third appearance at Pol’and’Rock 2025 is now available to watch online.
Over their 30 years, Dirty Shirt has become one of Eastern Europe’s most original and successful rock/metal bands, known for their explosive fusion of modern heavy music with the vibrant energy of Eastern European traditional sounds. Formed in the mid‑90s as a wedding band, the group has kept its core lineup intact for three decades, evolving into a major international act with a distinctive, genre‑blending identity. Their music draws from metal, hardcore, industrial, funk, world music, and authentic regional folk influences, enhanced by the use of traditional acoustic instruments both in the studio and on stage. The band gained international attention after winning second place at the Wacken Metal Battle 2014 world final, followed by performances at major European festivals including Hellfest, Wacken Open Air, Pol’and’Rock, Electric Castle, Rockstadt Extreme Fest, Reload Festival, Dong Open Air, and many more. With more than 1000 shows across 17 countries, Dirty Shirt has shared stages with artists such as Megadeth, Godsmack, Gogol Bordello, Skindred, and Orphaned Land. Their albums have earned widespread critical acclaim, featured in leading publications such as Metal Hammer, Rock Hard, Metalsucks, Angry Metal Guy, Hard Rock Mag, and Metalized. Known for their high‑energy, danceable live performances and cross‑genre appeal, Dirty Shirt continues to expand its international presence while redefining what modern Eastern European metal can sound like.
Recommended for anyone looking for something interesting and lively, Dirty Shirt is for fans of Skindred, Bloodywood, Alestorm, and The Hu.
Vancouver, B.C.’s leading melodic and power metal festival, HYPERSPACE METAL FEST, is gearing up for its 7th edition after another year packed with unforgettable, high‑energy performances. Taking place at The Cobalt on April 16 and 17, and at the Rickshaw Theatre on April 18, the festival has unveiled its full lineup of 2026 performers, which includes SANCTUARY, EDGE OF PARADISE, ATAVISTIA, VOIDCHASER, OWLBEAR, ARTIFICIAL LANGUAGE, and more.
"The full lineup for Hyperspace Metal Festival VII is here! Sanctuary will be performing a Canadian exclusive performance of Into The Mirror Black in its entirety! Atavistia will be headlining night 1, which will have a heavy emphasis on melodic death metal. Night two headliner Edge of Paradise will cap off a night of epic symphonic and melodic power metal! After this year, the festival will be going on indefinite hiatus, so if you've been wanting to make it to Hyperspace, this could be your last chance. Let's rage together at the Rickshaw and the Cobalt one last time!" adds festival organizer Joey Hockin of Journeyman Productions.
HYPERSPACE METAL FESTIVAL VII Day One - April 16 Atavistia Inpathos Hyperstrike Ravensun Kayas Day Two - April 17 Edge of Paradise The Scepter Lycanthro Ophelia Falling Valley of Despair Day Three - April 18 Sanctuary - Performing Into The Mirror Black in its entirety Owlbear - Canadian Debut Artificial Language - Canadian Debut Voidchaser Witchkiller
About The Bands:
This year’s HMF headliner, Sanctuary, will make their exclusive Canadian appearance unforgettable by performing their acclaimed 1990 album Into the Mirror Black in full. Formed in Seattle in 1985, Sanctuary quickly became a major force in the city’s metal scene, driven by the soaring vocals of the late Warrel Dane. Their debut, Refuge Denied (1988), produced by Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), put them on the global metal map, followed by the darker and more refined Into the Mirror Black in 1990. The rise of grunge paused the band’s momentum, leading members to form Nevermore, but Sanctuary reunited in 2011 and returned to major festival stages worldwide. They released The Year the Sun Died in 2014 and the archival collection Inception in 2017. After Dane’s passing later that year, the band continued with Joseph Michael on vocals, earning strong support from fans. Today’s lineup features Michael, original members Lenny Rutledge and Dave Budbill, plus bassist George Hernandez, with a second guitarist joining them live. Sanctuary will perform special sets of Refuge Denied and Into the Mirror Black at select 2026 festivals and is currently working on a new album, Transmutation. The band is ready to bring fresh music and a powerful new show back to Europe and beyond. See you on the road!
Headlining the night two of HMF, Los Angeles’ Edge of Paradise arrives fresh off extensive North American touring with Delain, Xandria, and Japan’s Lovebites. Hyperspace Metal Fest in Vancouver is one of several major headline appearances for the band this year, alongside Fire It Up Festival in California and Rock in Rautheim in Germany, with more dates on the way. The band recently released a striking new video for “Martyr (Monster)” from last year’s hit album Prophecy, expanding their immersive sci‑fi universe and showcasing new keyboardist Alex Nasla in his first performance with the group. The video’s second act reimagines the track as an instrumental, further deepening the album’s sonic world. Known for their cinematic fusion of heavy riffs, soaring vocals, electronic textures, and vivid storytelling, Edge of Paradise, fronted by vocalist and visual artist Margarita Monet, has toured more than 30 countries and released acclaimed albums including Universe, The Unknown, Hologram, and now Prophecy (Napalm Records, 2025). Widely praised as their most ambitious work yet, Prophecy introduces 8‑string guitars and explores the looming “Singularity,” balancing futuristic themes with Monet’s emotional lyricism and artwork. The band’s expanding creative universe also includes a graphic novel series that enriches the albums’ narratives. Lead single “Death Note” has quickly become a fan favorite, accompanied by a visually rich, cinematic video directed by Monet. With their bold artistic vision, relentless touring, and multi‑dimensional storytelling, Edge of Paradise continues to push modern rock forward—inviting fans into a world where music, art, and imagination collide.
Headlining the first night of HMF, Atavistia (HMF Alumni) is a Canadian symphonic melodic death metal band that blends aggressive riffs, cinematic orchestrations, and melancholic atmospheres. The band has built a strong international following, particularly across Europe, through consistent releases and extensive touring alongside established acts. Known for their powerful live performances and polished production, Atavistia continues to push their sound forward while remaining rooted in melodic death metal.
Voidchaser, a progressive metal band from Montreal and Stockholm, has rapidly gained international attention since 2023, earning praise from major outlets across the Americas and Europe. Their 2024 concept album Solace surpassed 250,000 streams and charted globally, followed by the 2025 EP Trust, which features high‑profile collaborations. In 2025, the band launched their debut international tour, performing at ProgPower Europe, the inaugural ProgStorm Festival, and sharing stages with Threshold, Kingcrow, Vulkan, Nospūn, and more.
Owlbear, forced to cancel their 2025 HMF appearance, is now set on taking the stage in 2026. Formed in 2020 by North American metal veterans Katheryn Scary, Jeff Taft, and Leona Hayward, the band quickly evolved from a remote project into a full live act following the success of their 2023 debut Chaos to the Realm and their 2024 performance at Chicago’s sold‑out Legions of Metal festival. Drawing on classic heavy and speed metal with lyrics inspired by beloved games and fantasy worlds, Owlbear continues to build momentum with their acclaimed sophomore album, Feather & Claw
Artificial Language is a progressive rock/metal band from Fresno, California, known for blending technical precision with a cinematic, emotionally driven sound. Since 2017, they’ve built a reputation for intricate songwriting and immersive arrangements that bridge the intensity of metal with the expansiveness of modern prog. Their evolution continues through ambitious studio work and striking visual storytelling, including their standout “Skinwalker” music video.
Ophelia Falling, a Vancouver‑based symphonic metal band and HMF alumni, blends soaring vocals with driving power metal, orchestra, and choir, gaining early momentum after Chelsea Rose joined in 2015 and their explosive 2018 debut. With the lineup solidified by bassist Sylvain Maltais and drummer Chris Pallot, the band’s rise included their Savage Love EP, soundtrack placements, and performances at Wacken Battle Canada and Decimate 2.0. Their 2020 debut album, Destroyed in Delight, continues to receive global radio play, and the band is now writing new material as they prepare for their return to the stage.
The Scepter is an Ottawa heavy metal band known for blending classic metal power with a sharp modern edge. Formed by seasoned musicians united by their love of traditional metal, the group has built a reputation for high‑energy performances and commanding, riff‑driven songwriting. With new music underway and momentum growing, The Scepter stands poised as one of Ottawa’s strongest emerging voices in the next wave of heavy metal.
Inpathos is a melodic death metal band from Bellingham, WA, blending Scandinavian‑inspired riffs with rhythms influenced by the founding Boulos brothers’ Lebanese heritage to create a distinct and dynamic sound. They have released an EP and three LPs, including 2025’s Apparitions, and have performed alongside acts like Be’lakor, Anciients, and Nekrogoblikon at sold‑out Pacific Northwest venues. The current lineup features Patrick Bradford, Alex Mattison, Brendan Brendible, and brothers Adonis and Nabil Reed‑Boulos.
Lycanthro, an Ottawa‑based power metal force and HMF alumni, blends power, thrash, and traditional metal into a bold, cinematic sound inspired by classic horror, mythology, and genre legends like Savatage and W.A.S.P. Their acclaimed 2021 full‑length Mark of the Wolf showcased dynamic storytelling and helped propel them onto stages such as Power Metal Quest Fest and Legions of Metal. Now signed to Psychomanteum Records, the pack is hard at work on their anticipated second album, proving the howl never dies and the hunt never ends.
Witchkiller emerged from Ottawa’s early‑’80s metal underground as one of Canada’s standout heavy metal forces, gaining a cult following with their powerful blend of classic metal and NWOBHM‑inspired intensity. Their 1984 EP Day of the Saxons became a defining release of the era, and after disbanding in 1985, the group reignited in 2012, introducing their legacy to a new generation. Today, Witchkiller remains a celebrated name in traditional metal, their influence continuing to resonate through collectors, die‑hard fans, and the genre’s modern revival.
Valley of Despair is an independent metal band from Edmonton blending modern rock, power metal, and thrash, earning national attention when their 2024 debut EP Burn At The Stake hit #1 on college radio and charted on the Earshot National Loud Chart. They toured Western Canada in 2025 with festival stops in Armstrong and Yellowknife and are now preparing their full‑length debut for release in 2026. The band features Cheryl Leia, TJ Buggins, Joel Croft, and Preston Lehoux.
Born of "The Blade," Seattle, WA, Hyperstrike brings action, danger, and excitement back to heavy metal. Feat. members of Xoth, Ghost Ship Octavius. Chop Daddy on Nasty Slap Bass, Brain Lord on Explosive Pipes, Siberian Claw on Ripping Guitar, and Goblin Hammer on epic drums.
Ravensun is a Vancouver Island-based melodic death metal band. Themes of war and brutality are the main focus of the lyrical content. Blending soaring vocals, driving riffs, and atmospheric soundscapes into a style that bridges modern metal and classic influences. Known for their dynamic live performances and emotionally charged songwriting, the band has quickly become a standout presence in the BC metal scene. With new music in development and a growing regional following, Ravensun continues to expand its sound and carve out its place in Western Canada’s heavy music landscape.
Replacing the originally announced Thorsguard, who unfortunately canceled, Vancouver melodic death metal band Kayas has been asked to join the lineup. Known for blending melodic intensity with modern aggression, creating a sound that bridges classic influences and contemporary edge. Their dynamic live performances and tightly crafted songwriting have quickly earned them a growing presence in the West Coast metal scene. With new music underway and momentum building, Kayas continues to carve out their identity as one of Vancouver’s most promising rising acts.
Vancouver progressive melodic death metal band Caerrian has unleashed their debut single, “Fathomless Ruin”, a fiercely dynamic track that stands as a definitive introduction to the band’s evolving sound. Sweeping, cinematic, and steeped in Viking‑inspired atmosphere, the single offers the first glimpse into Caerrian’s forthcoming EP, slated for release in spring 2026.
"We wanted to launch this project, and ‘Fathomless Ruin’ was the obvious pick,” adds lead guitarist and primary songwriter Ken Rothe.
“Fathomless Ruin” began as a forgotten riff idea nearly eight years ago, resurrected when Caerrian emerged from the ashes of their previous project, Warrborn. As Rothe’s playing evolved, the song transformed, with new transitions, new moods, and a new narrative direction. Originally imagined with a “Top Gun–style” aerial theme, the track ultimately became a dark maritime saga: a Viking fleet crossing the sea to pillage, only to be annihilated by the kraken. One lone survivor washes ashore, stripped of glory and left only with the burden of the tale. “It’s a song with a moral. Set out to rape, pillage, and kill, face your demise, and if you live, expect to be alone with no one, no glory, only sorrow,” says Rothe. Musically, the track mirrors this arc, uplifting and epic, then dark and evil, then triumphant again. The single artwork reflects this duality, merging “death from above” imagery with oceanic devastation to echo the song’s themes of hubris and consequence. Recommended for fans of Lamb of God, Dissection, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, and Opeth, listen to “Fathomless Ruin” at the following links:
Caerrian formed after the dissolution of Warrborn, the long-running project that previously featured Rothe and guitarist Justin Gordon. As Rothe’s playing advanced during the pandemic and new members joined, the band’s sound shifted so dramatically that a complete rebirth became inevitable. “We had a few songs that were OK, but lacked the technical aspects I loved. With the new sound, new members, and new direction, renaming the band was the best solution,” explains Rothe. Today, Caerrian’s lineup includes Ken Rothe (Guitar), Justin Gordon (Guitar), Justin Marcil (Bass), Tyler Parsons (Vocals), and Aaron Graham (Drums) (Drumeo instructor, UBC Doctorate in Percussion). Their sound, summed up in five words: heavy, melodic, progressive, familiar, catchy, draws influence from Lamb of God, Iron Maiden, Opeth, Megadeth, and Dream Theater. The band blends technical riffs, massive tones, progressive structures, and melodic solos that serve the song rather than simply shred for spectacle. Caerrian’s songwriting process is meticulous and collaborative. Riffs are brought into the DAW or rehearsal space, expanded upon, rearranged, and refined until the structure reveals itself. Whispered placeholder vocals guide the eventual lyrical layout, which Rothe and Gordon finalize before handing them to their vocalist. Lyrics explore themes of power struggles, manipulation, societal fractures, government overreach, and the psychological toll of modern life, often wrapped in metaphorical narratives like Viking sagas or icy mountain ascents. Early on, the band collaborated with Chris Dyck (formerly of Anciients), who helped shape their thematic approach.
Caerrian’s upcoming EP, recorded at Rain City Recorders with Matt Roach, promises a powerful blend of crushing guitar tones, progressive arrangements, melodic and mood‑driven solos, and atmospheric passages reminiscent of Opeth, all wrapped in themes of control, defeat, manipulation, and awakening. On stage, the band strives to mirror that same precision and intensity, delivering big, articulate guitar tones, tight harmonies, technical passages to captivate the musicians in the crowd, and heavy, chug‑ready riffs for the headbangers. Above all, Caerrian’s mission is to make people feel something, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.
Show Dates: Jan 31 - Green Auto - Vancouver, BC - info - 'To My Bones' - Fundraiser Show For The Jonny Bones Vinyl Compilation Album Feb 21 - Chillhouse Studio - Chilliwack, BC - w/ Torrefy, Yegg, Cryptic Enslavement - info
Edmonton, Canada’s alt‑metal visionaries Famous Strangers, have unveiled the long‑anticipated music video for “Deepstar,” their debut 2024 single and the first song the band ever released. After two years in the vault, the cinematic visual finally arrives in 2026, marking a major milestone in the band’s evolving creative journey. Originally released in September 2024, “Deepstar”, mixed by Juno‑winner Phil Anderson (Econoline Crush, Garth Prince, Van Halst) and mastered by world‑renowned engineer Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More, Dokken, Dream Theater, Limp Bizkit), introduced listeners to Famous Strangers’ signature blend of atmospheric storytelling, haunting melodies, and emotional intensity. The new long‑form video brings the track’s cosmic narrative fully to life. Vocalist Amanda Kiernan describes the origins of the song as deeply personal and unexpectedly cosmic: “I started writing this song literally just describing my friend Mileena, how she makes me feel, and how her presence feels in the room. It all came together so perfectly when I added all the space and healing. The world needs a hero, and I put those two together… it just happened, flooding the paper like some epic extraterrestrial being. What’s even better is that she agreed to be Deepstar and be in our video. We are honored and blessed to have her.” Guitarist Jeff Kittlitz recalls how naturally the music itself formed: “Deep Star came together quickly and organically. While exploring presets on my new Fractal FM9, I landed on a tone that instantly brought to mind classic Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, and the main riff came together almost immediately. Once I brought it to Beej, the song fell into place fast and gave Amanda plenty of space to write. It was one of the first songs the four of us created together. During recording, the ending evolved in the studio, and we loved it so much we kept it. It was one of those moments that proves the magic that happens when everyone’s locked in. At its core, it’s a straight‑up rock song.” Kittlitz adds: “Deep Star is coming. This was the very first song we ever released, and the video has been two years in the making. We’re fired up that it’s finally unleashed. A dark cosmic tale of a woman from space sent to save our doomed souls. Massive thanks to Brad Thompson, Mileena Kombat, and Shade Nightclub for helping summon this beast.” “Deepstar” represents the earliest spark of what would become Famous Strangers, a band that formed almost by accident, yet grew into something powerful and intentional. Since their formation in 2023, the group has released four singles, each expanding their sonic universe: (Deepstar 2024), (George 2024), (I’ll See You In The Stars 2025), and (L.S.C. 2025). These tracks have positioned Famous Strangers as one of Canada’s most intriguing emerging heavy acts. The band has performed at Armstrong MetalFest, Loud As Hell Open Air Festival, and shared stages with Revocation, Danko Jones, Three Inches of Blood, Riot City, and more. Their dark aesthetic, emotional depth, and cinematic approach to songwriting continue to draw attention across the metal and hard‑rock landscape. With the release of the “Deepstar” video, Famous Strangers close the loop on their earliest chapter while stepping boldly into their next. Their upcoming 2026 full‑length album promises to expand their universe even further, darker, deeper, and more immersive than ever. For fans of Halestorm, Nothing More, Sevendust, Butcher Babies, and Bad Omens, watch the “Deepstar” video via Space Untravel’s YouTube channel.
In additional news, Famous Strangers have been chosen as local support for Danko Jones' show date in Sherwood Park, AB, a suburb of Edmonton, on February 6th at Sherwood Park Festival Place. For more info, please visit https://festivalplace.ca/events/danko-jones-2/
Rising Blackened Symphonic Death Metal force Eternios return with their monumental new single “Requiem of the North,” the title track from their highly anticipated sophomore album due out in late 2026. The single marks the next evolution of the project originally founded by multi‑instrumentalist and composer Colin Ryley (Hyperia, Bayonet Dismemberment), who launched Eternios as a studio‑only creative outlet before expanding it into a full live band. Following the acclaimed 2025 debut "Mysterium," praised for its fusion of aggressive black metal and sweeping orchestral arrangements, Eternios now sharpen their vision with a colder, more expansive sound rooted deeply in the landscapes that inspired it. “Requiem for the North” is both a musical and emotional centerpiece for the upcoming album.
“This single and the album in general are my love letter to the northern wilderness of Canada. I’ve spent countless hours roaming the forests and mountains of Western Canada. That cold, melancholic silence you feel surrounded by snow and frost is something I wanted to channel directly into the music,” says Colin.
The track erupts with blast beats, tremolo‑picked harmonies, and sweeping orchestral layers before shifting into a massive, melodic chorus. A neo‑classical C‑section and a soaring dual‑guitar outro push the composition into cinematic territory, blending extreme aggression with haunting beauty. Colin describes Eternios’ sonic identity in five words: Melodic, Aggressive, Melancholic, Intricate, Fast. “Requiem for the North” embodies all of these traits while offering a polished and expanded version of the sound established on Mysterium. With the transition toward live performance, vocalist Marlee Ryley (Hyperia) now fronts the band, allowing Colin to focus fully on guitar and orchestrations. “I’m very proud of how the single turned out. I think it’s a great representation of what’s coming on the full‑length. I hope fans of extreme black metal and extreme melodic metal both find something to connect with,” adds Colin. The single’s artwork, created by renowned artist Mike Hrubovcak (Visual Darkness), is a chilling preview of the full album’s visual world. “It’s very winter‑heavy. Icy blues, whites, and music notation swirling out of a polar blizzard. Mike’s work with Imperial Crystalline Entombment is some of my favourite black metal artwork ever, so collaborating with him was incredible,” says Colin. Eternios remains a deeply personal project at its core. Colin explains further.
“All the songs were written by me, usually locked away for hours piecing together structures and symphonic arrangements until I’m satisfied. The music almost always comes first. The lyrics are shaped by the imagery the music creates.” While the debut album was entirely written, performed, and produced by Colin Ryley, the new era of Eternios will see more collaboration as the full lineup solidifies. "Requiem for the North," the album, will feature nine original tracks and one cover, delivering a sweeping journey through frostbitten atmospheres, melodic aggression, and symphonic grandeur. The album is expected in Spring 2026, with more singles to follow. “This album contains all the darkness, harmony, and aggression that define Eternios. The songs have been flowing naturally, and I expect many more albums to come,” adds Colin.
