Michigan’s rising extreme‑metal juggernaut Killcrown has dropped the official music video for their debut single “DEATH”, a ferocious first strike from their upcoming, yet‑to‑be‑titled full‑length album due later this year on Exitus Stratagem Records. Shot by Pixel Page Photography inside the band’s former jam space, the video captures the raw, claustrophobic violence that defines Killcrown’s sound. “This music video is for our debut single, DEATH. It’s about messing with the wrong person and finding out the hard way. We had Pixel Page Photography shoot this for us at our old jam space. It is going to slap all of your senses!” says vocalist Steve Maple.
“DEATH” marks a turning point for Killcrown. Written in a burst of chaotic inspiration, the track was born when Orin called Maple and demanded he “get the f*ck over here” to hear a new idea. Within an hour, Maple had written some of the most impactful lyrics of his career, including a chorus so powerful it stunned the room into silence. The final vocal take, recorded that same day, became the version used on the record. “We truly feel that people are going to connect with this track. This album is written from a very honest standpoint that is BRUTAL, yet beautiful,” adds Maple.
Watch and listen to the video for "DEATH".
Killcrown, formed by vocalist Steve Maple and guitarist/composer Orin Knuppenburg, emerged from the ashes of their former nu‑metal project Nuskin with a singular mission: create music so heavy it feels like a physical assault. Their sound fuses deathcore, slam, death metal, and melodic brutality into something unmistakably their own. Maple describes the band’s sonic identity as heavy, brutal, unforgettable, grimy, and energizing, adding that their goal is simple: “We want listeners to feel like they’re being punched in the face with our music. Bludgeoned.” The band’s upcoming album is their most intense and artistically detailed work yet, each track crafted as its own violent, emotional, and meticulously constructed piece of musical art. Hailing from the small towns of Hastings and Delton, Killcrown has built a reputation as one of Michigan’s heaviest and most electrifying live acts. Their shows are known for unmatched energy, crowd engagement, and a stage presence fans describe as unforgettable. Their debut full‑length album is slated for release later this year on Exitus Stratagem Records.
In additional news, Killcrown will also be sharing the stage with Green Jelly, Visitant, Casket Robbery, Hemlock, Narcotic Wasteland, and more at the 2026 edition of Michigan Metal Fest on August 14th and 15th in Battle Creek, MI. For more info on the festival lineup and tickets, please visit https://michiganmetalfest.net/.
Recognized for his guitar work and production roles in Ottawa bands A Scar For The Wicked, DAEDFALL, and previously Sovereign Council, solo goth‑metal artist NOX emerges as the newest creative vessel for cinematographer and visual storyteller Joe Moon. To introduce the launch of this fully self‑realized project, one that fuses heavy music, horror‑driven aesthetics, and immersive worldbuilding into a singular, shadow‑forged identity, Moon unveils NOX's debut single and music video for “Night Terror.” NOX embodies Moon’s long‑standing drive to create something darker, more personal, and more cinematic than anything in his past body of work. After years spent shaping visuals, music, and production across multiple mediums, the project stands as the culmination of that experience, a space where sound, imagery, and storytelling merge without restraint. Moon writes every element himself, from synths and drums to guitars, crafting each track around mood, tension, and emotional gravity. Sonically, NOX pulls from modern metal, melodic death metal, industrial metal, symphonic black metal, and gothic/alternative metal, while weaving in the scale and emotional depth of cinematic scoring. “NOX is a dark, creative force rooted in heavy music, cinematic tension, and immersive atmosphere. Influenced by metal, horror, sci‑fi, and shadow‑driven visual storytelling, the project exists to create music that feels larger than sound alone, a world built on power, fear, transformation, and emotional weight. The goal is to give people something immersive, something oppressive, emotional, haunting, and atmospheric. Every song should feel like a chapter in a larger story,” says Moon. “Night Terror” serves as the first entry point into that world. The track is dark, intense, and deeply atmospheric, built around the sensation of being hunted by something both psychological and real. Moon describes it as a reflection of fear, paralysis, and the loss of control, emotions that shape the song’s heavy, immersive sound. “‘Night Terror’ leans into fear and tension, turning those emotions into something cinematic and overwhelming. It’s meant to feel like stepping into a nightmare you can’t wake up from,” adds Moon. As a cinematographer and visual creator, Moon approaches NOX with a filmmaker’s eye. The music video for “Night Terror” introduces the project’s aesthetic, a blend of horror, sci‑fi, surrealism, and metal imagery designed to feel like a window into a larger universe. The result is a sound that is dark, cinematic, immersive, and vicious.
Recommended for fans of Sleep Token, Lord of the Lost, Lacuna Coil, Dimmu Borgir, and modern Swedish melodic death metal, NOX delivers the same sense of weight and atmosphere, but pushes further into something more visual, more narrative‑driven, and unmistakably its own.
NOX is the dark creative project of Joe Moon, a cinematographer, visual creator, and storyteller driven by heavy atmosphere, bold imagery, and genre-blending worldbuilding. Working across film, music, design, and concept development, Joe builds immersive visuals and identities that live somewhere between horror, sci-fi, metal, and the surreal. NOX is an extension of that vision: a space for darker ideas, original characters, striking aesthetics, and unapologetically cinematic expression. Through NOX, Joe brings together his work in visual storytelling, production, and creative direction to create something visceral, mysterious, and unmistakably his own.
Norwegian metal project Tonic Breed, led by founder Patrik K. Svendsen, has unleashed the new 2026 single "Close In", a powerful, emotionally charged track featuring guest drums by Charlie Engen, known for his work with Five Finger Death Punch, Scale the Summit, and Ideology.
The single follows last year’s collaboration "Anew," which featured legendary drummer Chris Adler (Firstborne, ex‑Lamb of God, ex‑Megadeth), continuing Tonic Breed’s ongoing evolution through high‑profile guest musicians and bold stylistic shifts. Originally formed in 2006 as a four‑piece thrash and heavy metal band from Sarpsborg, Norway, Tonic Breed transitioned into a one‑man project in 2019. Since then, Svendsen has pushed the project into new creative territory, collaborating with world‑renowned musicians including Chris Adler, Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Björn Strid (Soilwork), and Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam). With "Close In,"Tonic Breed continues this trajectory, this time exploring a more melodic, atmospheric, and emotionally layered sound. "Close In" dates back to its original writing more than two decades ago and was revisited many times over the years, but never fully came together until now. “This is definitely the track that’s taken the longest to finish. It’s been sitting with me for years, and it wasn’t until the right people got involved that it finally came together the way it was supposed to,” says Svendsen Co‑producer AdrianBjerketvedt helped shape the final structure, while Engen’s drum performance added nuance and dynamic movement. Composer Ben Zimmermann contributed orchestration. Some piano arrangements even transformed early guitar‑based ideas into emotional layers that complete the song’s atmosphere. While still rooted in the project’s heavy foundation, "Close In" marks a shift toward melody, space, and emotional depth. It's a semi‑ballad with clean passages, heavier sections, and dynamic contrasts. The song incorporates harmonies, choirs, and orchestration, rich layering, and atmospheric textures, a first for Tonic Breed.
Svendsen anticipates that "Close In" may surprise listeners. “It still has weight and intensity, but it leans more into melody and atmosphere than what I’ve done before. Some will probably not expect it, but it still feels like a natural step for me.” Lyrically, the song explores the long‑term weight of loss, how losing someone close can reshape a person over time, and the struggle to find oneself again while learning to live with that emotional burden. “It comes from a pretty heavy place. It’s about losing people close to you and carrying that weight with you,” adds Svendsen.
Recommended for fans of Soilwork, Evergrey, Alter Bridge, and Trivium, listen to "Close in" at the following links:
With Vancouver, B.C.’s leading melodic and power metal festival, HYPERSPACE METALFEST, gearing up for its 7th edition, fans can now get an early taste of the 2026 lineup through the festival’s newly released Spotify preview playlist. Ahead of the three‑day event, set for April 16 and 17 at The Cobalt and April 18 at the Rickshaw Theatre, the playlist showcases this year’s full roster, featuring 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 headline night 1, which will feature 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.
Check out Hockin's interview about this year's festival lineup with Metal-Rules.com HERE.
"Lovers of Melody and Power Unite! Hyperspace Metalfest VII is Nigh!" - Decibel Magazine
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.
Wacken Open Air, the world’s largest heavy metal festival and widely regarded as the Mecca of Heavy Metal, will celebrate its 35th anniversary with an unprecedented Global Warm-Up Party on Saturday, April 18th, 2026. The event will take place simultaneously in 35 countries worldwide, uniting the global metal community in a single day of celebration.
In the United States, the official anniversary event will be hosted at The Brass Mug in Tampa, Florida, as part of the inaugural Tampa Metal Meeting, Florida’s newest metal festival.
The Tampa edition will feature a powerful lineup headlined by Florida death metal pioneers Malevolent Creation, alongside the long-awaited return of local underground favorites Psykotribe. In addition, the event will host the Wacken Metal Battle Southeast USA Regional Final, a key component of the globally renowned Wacken Metal Battle competition.
The Wacken Metal Battle is the world’s largest battle of the bands, currently involving 103 participating countries that host local, regional, and national finals. The ultimate World Final takes place at Wacken Open Air in Germany, offering winning bands extraordinary opportunities, including thousands of euros in prizes, professional gear from top brands, networking opportunities with major players in the industry, and confirmed bookings at European festivals, including Wacken Open Air, the following year.
The U.S. event is presented by Piox Promotions, a company with a long-standing relationship with Wacken Open Air. Piox Promotions serves as the Wacken Metal Battle promoter in the Caribbean and Southeast USA regions. It’s mission: to empower underground metal scenes by creating real opportunities for bands to grow beyond borders through Wacken Open Air initiatives
With its combination of legendary artists, emerging underground talent, and part of the official Wacken programming, the Wacken Open Air 35th Anniversary Global Warm-Up Party promises to be a historic gathering for metal fans and musicians alike.
Event Details:
Event: Wacken Open Air 35th Anniversary Global Warm-Up Party
Date: Saturday, April 18th, 2026
Location: The Brass Mug – Tampa, Florida
Host Event: Tampa Metal Meeting (Inaugural Edition)
About Wacken Open Air: Wacken Open Air is the largest heavy metal festival in the world. Starting with 800 visitors in 1990, nowadays 85,000 fans from all over the world travel to Wacken every year, turning the small village in Schleswig-Holstein into the center of the festival scene for several days. The organizing WOA Festival GmbH is connected to a broad network, including band management, the Wacken Foundation, tour booking, music publishing, Travel & Stay, merchandising distribution, and ticketing. In cooperation with partners, these results in creative solutions and ideas that revolutionize the festival experience, enable technical innovations, and produce extraordinary event concepts. Wacken Open Air 2026 will take place from July 29 to August 1, 2026.
