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• Denver's MILE HIGH POWER FEST Announces 2026 Lineup w/ THE DREAD CREW OF ODDWOOD, LADY BEAST, ANUBIS, ICE GIANT, HEL HATH FURY, and more!

  Jun 3, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Denver’s only dedicated power metal festival, Mile High Power Fest, storms into its third year on August 15, 2026, bringing another stacked lineup of heavy‑hitting national acts and rising local talent to The Oriental Theater. Founded by Denver’s underground champions, BiteSize Productions, the festival continues its mission to uplift the local scene while bringing world‑class power metal to the western United States.
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  This year’s main lineup features a high‑energy mix of returning favorites and new additions to the MHPF family. Fans can expect performances from The Dread Crew of Oddwood, Lady Beast, Anubis, Ice Giant, Hel Hath Fury, and more! With past years featuring Seven Spires, Lords of the Trident, Graveshadow, Aether Realm, Glyph, Owlbear, and Empress, MHPF continues to cement itself as a must‑attend event for power metal fans across North America.

  A three‑day metal celebration, Mile High Power Fest apart is its full‑weekend experience, offering fans multiple opportunities to connect, celebrate, and shred together. Don’t Miss the Rockies’ Premier Power Metal Event! With a growing legacy, a passionate community, and a lineup built to shake Denver to its core, Mile High Power Fest 2026 promises its biggest year yet. Fans are encouraged to secure tickets early and join the full weekend of metal‑fueled events.
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  ​Mile High Power Fest 2026 LineUp:​
  The Dread Crew of Oddwood
  Lady Beast Anubis
  Ice Giant
  Hel Hath Fury
  Darconigan
  Wicked Vixen

  Event Details Mile High Power Fest 2026​
  Date: August 15, 2026
  Time: Doors at 4 PM
  Venue: The Oriental Theater 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver, CO 80212
  Tickets: https://theorientaltheater.holdmyticket.com/tickets/459366​
  RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2768706170154175/​

  Mile High Power Fest 2026 Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4qTxCdWqJl6HrqeQ0mq5Bl?si=KIWS6D2PRU29QAx2GNBITA​

  Kicking off on Thursday, August 13, the festival launches with the MHPF FREE Game Night at Creepatorium, a no‑cost community hangout where fans can dive into games, connect with fellow metalheads, and spark the festival weekend’s energy.

  On Friday, August 14, the MHPF Pre‑Party hosted at Seventh Circle Music Collective will showcase up‑and‑coming metal bands and Denver’s thriving underground scene that includes Talia Holt, Burn The Myth, Gone Full, Monkey Under The Mountain, and Heathen.

  After the festival lineup performs, MHPF will be hosting the official Afterparty, Saturday, August 15, from 11 PM–2 AM at BlackSky Brewery, featuring the debut of The Dread Crew of Oddwood’s custom beer, brewed exclusively for the festival.

  ​About The MHPF 2026 Bands:

  The Dread Crew of Oddwood - https://thedreadcrewofoddwood.com/​

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  The Dread Crew of Oddwood, formed in 2008 in Southern California, has become one of the world’s leading independent folk‑metal acts. Armed solely with acoustic instruments, the band delivers its signature “Heavy Mahogany” sound, blending heavy metal energy with Celtic and European folk to tell tales of battle, revelry, and misadventure. They’ve released four albums with over 5,000 units sold, maintain more than 30,000 monthly Spotify listeners, and engage a social following of over 32,500 fans. Their music has appeared in Rocket League, and they’ve toured extensively across North America, the UK, and Europe, including runs with Alestorm and performances at Wacken Winter Nights. Following years of writing and recording, the band returned with their fifth album Rust & Glory, accompanied by new videos, major tours, and appearances on 70000Tons of Metal.

  Lady Beast - https://www.facebook.com/ladybeastofficial​

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  Since 2009, LADY BEAST have been flying the flag for refined HEAVY METAL. The band hails from the Steel City of Pittsburgh, forming with firm influences ranging from Motörhead, Dio, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Mercyful Fate. From there, LADY BEAST has woven their own unique style of metal with silky yet sharp harmonizing guitars and the soaring, rally-the-warriors vocals!

  Anubis - https://linktr.ee/AnubisMetalOfficial​

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  Anubis is a rising Los Angeles power‑thrash force known for soaring vocals, razor‑sharp riffing, and high‑energy, melodic songwriting. Blending European‑influenced power metal with modern American aggression, the band has built a loyal following through acclaimed releases, dynamic live shows, and a sound rooted in speed, precision, and storytelling. They’ve become a staple of the Southern California metal scene, sharing stages with acts like Delain, Xandria, Warbringer, Omnium Gatherum, Aether Realm, Týr, Seven Kingdoms, and more while performing material from their debut Dark Paradise and EP The Puppeteers. Now fronted by vocalist Hanna Preston, Anubis unveils a fiercer fusion of power, thrash, and melodic death metal. Their latest album, Anthromorphicide, was released on April 24 via M‑Theory Audio on CD, digital, and limited metallic‑gold vinyl.

  Ice Giant - https://www.facebook.com/IceGiantBand/​

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  Ice Giant is a Boston‑based progressive melodic death metal band known for their sweeping compositions, technical precision, and cinematic blend of melody and brutality. Drawing from Scandinavian melodeath, modern prog, and epic symphonic influences, the band crafts towering soundscapes built on soaring leads, crushing riffs, and dynamic storytelling. Their ambitious songwriting and commanding live performances have earned them a fast‑growing following throughout the New England metal scene and beyond. With a reputation for pushing genre boundaries while delivering undeniable heaviness, Ice Giant continues to rise as one of the most exciting emerging forces in American melodic death metal.

  Hel Hath Fury - https://helhathfury.my.canva.site/​

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  Denver's Hel Hath Fury is a melodic death metal band formed in 2023 with a mission to inspire strength and perseverance through powerful, emotionally driven music. Their sound blends crushing riffs, soaring melodies, and technical songwriting with themes rooted in personal struggle, resilience, and triumph. Drawing from real experiences and shared battles, the band crafts lyrics meant to connect deeply with listeners and remind them they’re never alone. Centered on empowerment and emotional fortitude, Hel Hath Fury creates music that encourages fans to face life’s challenges with courage. With every performance, they invite audiences into a journey of catharsis, determination, and unbreakable spirit.

  Darconigan - https://www.darconigan.com/​

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  Darconigan hail from the shadowed Wet Mountains of Colorado, where their music and stories are forged in the dark places of the wood. Channeling Melodic Black/Death Battle Metal, the band blends fierce riffing, atmospheric melodies, and myth‑steeped storytelling into a sound that feels both ancient and untamed. Their songs draw from the wild spirit of their mountain home, creating an immersive world of fantasy, conflict, and raw emotion. As they continue to rise within Colorado’s metal scene, Darconigan stand apart with a style as rugged and evocative as the forests that shaped them.

  Wicked Vixen - https://linktr.ee/yourwickedvixen​

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  Wicked Vixen is a Colorado Springs hard rock band delivering heavy riffs, powerful vocals, and a driving edge that hits with purpose. With electric violin woven into their sound, they bring a sharp, distinctive dynamic to a genre built on intensity. Their music is bold, dark, and unapologetic—rooted in real experience, raw emotion, and a refusal to hold back. Drawing comparisons to Halestorm and Evanescence, the band commands the stage with a fierce live presence and a sound that never plays it safe. Wicked Vixen isn’t chasing trends; they’re forging something lasting entirely on their own terms.

  More info:

  Festival Info: https://www.bitesizeevents.com/mile-high-power-fest​
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milehighpowerfest/​
  Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556641145956​

  About Mile High Power Fest:​
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  MHPF was created by BiteSize Productions, a small but ambitious Denver‑based production company dedicated to uplifting underground music and creating accessible, community‑driven events. After drawing roughly 400 attendees in 2025, the festival continues to grow, strengthening the Rocky Mountain metal community and drawing fans from across the country.

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• THE MOURNING Unveils New Chapter w/ Dual‑Vocal Lineup and New Video “If I Die I Die”

  Jun 2, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

   

  Progressive metal band The Mourning returns with “If I Die I Die,” a powerful new single and cinematic music video that launches the next chapter of the band’s evolution, one defined by heavier sonics, deeper emotional intensity, and the introduction of new co‑vocalist Nanda Hayek.
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  Built on the band’s signature blend of cinematic songwriting, dual vocals, and progressive metal precision, the track confronts the fear of death, existential dread, and the psychological exhaustion of living under fear’s control. As the band states in the source document, the song’s core declaration, “I’m tired of all this fear, I’m done living in fear”, captures its central theme of surrendering fear and stepping into freedom.
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  Following the acclaim of their full‑length album "Hush", praised as “a complex, engaging prog metal album” and “a very pleasant surprise” by metal media, the band sought a deliberate creative shift.
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  In October 2025, The Mourning quietly welcomed Brazilian vocalist Nanda Hayek into the lineup, known for her work with OverAlive and her background in psychotherapy and existential studies. Rather than announcing the change immediately, the band spent months crafting new material and building a complete visual identity around the single.
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  ​“If I Die I Die” is the first release to showcase the renewed dual‑vocal dynamic between Hayek and founding vocalist Johnny Ray, expanding the band’s emotional range and intensifying its modern metal edge.
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  Written by Francesco Pinter and Johnny Ray, and produced, mixed, and mastered by Alex Nasla, the single blends progressive metal intricacy with a darker, more direct heaviness. The band describes the track as “a psychological and spiritual battle,” moving from dread into cathartic release.
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  Lyrically, the song is framed as a dialogue between fear and faith, one voice clinging to control, the other fighting to break free. The refrain “If I die I die” is not nihilistic, but a moment of liberation: the refusal to let fear dictate one’s life.
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  The accompanying music video visualizes the song’s emotional arc through a symbolic narrative. A woman is hunted by a mysterious figure of death, terrified at first, then increasingly resolute. She rides her motorcycle toward the confrontation she has avoided, only to discover that death was never the true enemy. Fear was.
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  ​“By facing it directly, she conquers the thing that had been ruling her,” adds Johnny Ray.
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  The release also follows a breakthrough year for the band. In 2025, The Mourning made their live debut aboard 70000 Tons of Metal, where Kerrang! hailed them as an “outrageously talented new prog collective” and praised their 3 a.m. debut as “one of the sets of the weekend.” They later performed at Prog on the Ranch 2025, further solidifying their presence in the progressive metal scene.
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  Recommended for fans of Lacuna Coil, Amaranthe, Flyleaf, Disturbed, and Evanescence, watch and listen to the video for “If I Die I Die”.

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  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/themourning/if-i-die-i-die​

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  ​For more info:

  ​https://www.themourningmusic.com​

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

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

  ​https://www.tiktok.com/@themourningmusic​

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• EMINENCE Returns w/ Crushing New Single “Silent March” ft. SEPULTURA's ANDREAS KISSER

  Jun 1, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Brazilian metal veterans Eminence return with “Silent March,” the crushing new single and music video that introduce the band’s heaviest and most uncompromising era to date. The track serves as the title song for their upcoming EP, arriving later this year, and features a special guest performance from Andreas Kisser of Sepultura, whose unmistakable guitar work elevates the band’s already explosive sound.

  Recorded at Denmark’s legendary AntFarm Studios with world‑renowned producer Tue Madsen, “Silent March” marks a defining moment in Eminence’s nearly three‑decade career, a fusion of Brazilian metal identity, modern heaviness, and global production excellence.

  The creation of the new EP began in late 2024, sparked by bassist Davidson Mainart, whose early riffs for “Silent March” allowed the band to complete the track in just two weeks. By early 2025, Eminence entered pre‑production at Audio One Studios in Belo Horizonte, collaborating remotely with Madsen in Denmark to shape the EP’s sonic direction.

  Guitarist and founding member Alan Wallace describes the release as the band’s most intense work yet:

  “I feel like we’ve captured the essence of Eminence while bringing in a heavier, more modern vibe. The guitars are especially intense on this one. The theme of the EP itself exposes structures, questions symbols, and confronts the idea that faith, power, and truth walk hand in hand. Here, there are no kings. There are no gods. Only the constant sound of humanity marching, in silence, through its own ruin.”

  Lyrically and thematically, the single and title track “Silent March” is a brutal portrait of corrupted faith, blind obedience, and violence transformed into a system. The song depicts a voiceless procession marching under power structures built on lies, gold, and suffering, a world where martyrdom becomes industrial, and pain is mass‑produced.

  Musically, it blends industrial metal, thrash, metalcore, and death metal, delivering a modern, groove‑driven assault shaped by Wallace’s songwriting and the band’s collaborative approach.

  The single includes a standout guest appearance from Andreas Kisser, whose contribution adds a layer of legacy and intensity to the track. His involvement reflects Eminence’s long‑standing connection to the Brazilian metal lineage and its ongoing role in shaping its future.

  The “Silent March” music video expands the EP’s themes through stark, symbolic imagery, a world where identity dissolves, faith becomes a weapon, and humanity marches toward its own collapse. The visuals mirror the EP’s narrative arc: the system collapses into mutation, a cycle with no clear beginning or end.

  The single’s artwork, created by Brazilian designer Rafael Moco, continues the band’s tradition of powerful visual storytelling. Known for his work on Dark Echoes, Moco delivers another striking concept that reflects the EP’s themes of corruption, dehumanization, and transformation.

  Recommended for fans of Machine Head, Slipknot, Gojira, Sepultura, and Architects, watch and listen to the music video for “Silent March” featuring Sepultura's Andreas Kisser at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy_uNvGff3o

  ​Add to your Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/track/6WHCXUjFFbAhaiNwzJlfMO​

  More info:

  ​https://www.eminence.com.br/​

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

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

  ​https://www.tiktok.com/@eminenceband​

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• PYTHONIC Sheds Its Skin w/ New EP "Laws of Karma" Out July 2026; Streaming Single “Sentience” + Western Canada Tour Support w/ Exit Wound

  May 29, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Saskatoon, Canada's Pythonic return in 2026 with "Laws of Karma," their heaviest and most personal release to date. Arriving July 10th, the EP marks the band’s third chapter following 2025’s "Decomposition" and 2024’s "EP01", pushing their signature death‑groove sound into darker, more aggressive territory. The first single, “Sentience,” is streaming now.
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  Rising from the ashes of their previous lineup, Pythonic have rebuilt themselves into a tighter, more ferocious unit, aggressive, groovy, raw, thick, and dirty. The new EP captures that evolution with revamped tracks, sharpened performances, and a renewed focus on emotional intensity and extreme heaviness.
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  ​“These songs mark the true step forward for Pythonic. Even the ‘worst’ track on the EP is still a killer. We’re driving the death‑groove harder than ever,” says the band.
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  ​"Laws of Karma" delivers five tracks forged from hardship, recovery, and personal transformation, written during periods of physical limitation, disability, and emotional turmoil. The EP captures Pythonic’s resilience and their determination to create music that moved others, even when they themselves could not. Musically, the record pushes deeper into death‑metal and slam territory while holding tight to the groove‑driven backbone that defines the band, resulting in tighter rhythms, heavier riffs, ripping solos, and vocals that swing between grit, terror, and raw catharsis.
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  At its core, "Laws of Karma" is the final evolution of older, unrecorded material, now rewritten, re‑lyricized, and reborn through the current lineup. Tracks like "Venom," "Set You Free," "Feed the Flames," and the title track channel deeply personal experiences, religious critique, abusive relationships, supernatural horror, and the consequences of one’s actions. The EP’s artwork, created by @apocalyptic.nuke, depicts a figure impaled on a liberty scale in a hellscape, a stark visual metaphor for karmic justice that ties directly into the record’s themes.
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  “This is the first set of music that is fully me. We made music to make you move when we ourselves at times could not,” says vocalist Morgan.
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  The lead single “Sentience” is Pythonic at their most emotionally charged. Written after guitarist Vincent returned from a nearly two‑year hiatus caused by injury, the track channels existential dread, rebirth, and the struggle to reclaim one’s identity. Lyrically, the song explores the chaos of awakening, questioning reality, confronting internal contradictions, and wrestling with the burden of awareness.
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  ​“It’s as though sentience itself is calling out to you, telling you that you can’t escape it,” adds the band.
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  The track’s head‑banging verse riff, crushing chorus breakdown, and standout vocal performance from Morgan make it one of the band’s strongest singles to date.

  Listen to "Sentience" at the following links:

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/track/0sgsoKfdkUTIGRKggTPNf3?si=7fb02f34759645b8​

  ​

  In additional news, Pythonic will join Calgary’s Exit Wound for select Western Canada dates, bringing their destructive live energy to new cities. Known for their tight performances and explosive crowd response, Pythonic continue to build a reputation as one of Saskatchewan's most intense rising acts.

  Tour Dates (with Exit Wound):
  ​May 28 – Regina, SK – The Exchange (Club Side)
  May 29 – The Pas, MB – Venue TBA
  May 30 – Brandon, MB – The Hall
  May 31 – Winnipeg, MB – Sidestage
  June 5 – Calgary, AB – The Rock Shop
  June 6 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room (Temple Stage)

  Track Listing:​
  1. Laws of Karma (3:17)
  2. Feed The Flames (3:52)
  3. Set You Free (4:07)
  4. Sentience (4:36)
  5. Venom (2:59)
  EP Length: 18:51

  EP and Live Lineup:​
  Morgan Warriner - Lead Vocals
  Ryan Hunter - Lead Guitar
  Vincent Kohut - Rhythm Guitar and Backing Vocals
  Max Hiske - Bass
  Jayden Warriner - Drums

  More info:

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

  ​https://instagram.com/pythonicband​

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• Edmonton's FAMOUS STRANGERS Unveils Explosive Single “Ghosts of Men”

  May 29, 2026 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

   

  Edmonton, Canada’s heavy rock force, Famous Strangers, unveils the explosive single “Ghosts of Men” from their long‑awaited self‑titled debut album, co‑produced with Phil Anderson, mixed by Joel Wanasek, and mastered by Maor Appelbaum, set for release on August 21, 2026.

  “Ghosts of Men” was originally somewhat written back when Braden, Beej, and Jeff first got together, but put on the back burner. It was then rewritten, including vocals, just three days before entering the studio. The track evolved rapidly into one of the album’s most personal and hard‑hitting tracks.

  “Famous Strangers tear down the double standard with ‘Ghosts of Men,’ a track that hits as hard as the conversation it starts. Bold, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore,” adds Kiernan

  The music video takes a wild, tongue‑in‑cheek look at the emotional chaos of being ghosted, an over‑the‑top visual interpretation of the song’s raw vulnerability.

  Add to your Spotify playlist - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/famousstrangers/ghosts-of-men​

  The self-titled album marks the band’s first full‑length statement after a run of well‑received singles and videos throughout 2024–2025, including "Deep Star," "George," "I’ll See You in the Stars," and "LSC". Built on decades of collective experience in the Alberta music scene, Famous Strangers deliver a sound that is unpredictable, moody, haunting, old‑school, and intriguing, a fusion of classic heavy rock energy with modern emotional depth.

  Famous Strangers formed organically after years of crossing paths in the Edmonton scene. Guitarist Jeff Kittlitz and drummer Beej had accumulated several original songs over a decade of part-time jamming. Bassist Braden Sustrik and Beej had a history in other past projects, and he was integrated into the jams around 2018. When vocalist Amanda Kiernan joined in 2023, everything clicked instantly.

  “The connection was undeniable, the energy and vibe were pure magic. The lyrics poured out of me as if they’d been waiting for this exact moment,” says Kiernan.

  The self‑titled debut is built around a central theme: knowing your worth. Drawing from deeply personal experiences, the album explores self‑love, growth, resilience, and the journey of breaking free from what holds you back. Musically, it’s a dynamic ride through heavy grunge‑soaked riffs, explosive high‑energy moments, atmospheric breakdowns, and softer introspective passages. The band pushes genre boundaries, embracing creative freedom and emotional honesty. Tracks range from the empowering opener “Fire Inside”, to the punk‑driven alien‑abduction romp “Far Away from Home”, to the blues‑infused vulnerability of “Rain.”

  Recommended for fans of Halestorm, Nothing More, Sevendust, Godsmack, Evanescence, Butcher Babies, and Bad Omens, the self-titled album is available for pre-order / pre-save (Vinyl/Digital) (Out August 21, 2026) - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/famousstrangers/famous-strangers​

  Album artwork and track listing will be revealed in the coming weeks.

  Upcoming Show Dates:​
  June 27 - Decimate MetalFest - Millet, AB
  July 3 - The Slice - Lethbridge, AB
  July 4 - The Blox - Calgary, AB
  Aug 6 through 20 - Western Canadian Tour
  Aug 21 - Album Release Show 1 - Rec Room - Edmonton, AB
  Aug 22 - Album Release Show 2 - Temple Starlite - Edmonton, AB

  More info:

  ​https://www.famousstrangersband.com/​

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

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

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  About: Famous Strangers is a heavy metal band from Sherwood Park, Alberta. Rooted in the classics and built for today, the band brings together four veterans of the Alberta music scene with over 20 years of collective experience. With four singles, a music video for every release, and a debut album on vinyl dropping in August 2026, Famous Strangers is all raw power, emotional depth, and a sound that refuses to sit still.

   

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