Out Now! Pure Heavy Metal Steel IRON KINGDOM's Sixth Album "Shadows and Dust" + Cross Canada Tour! and Armstrong Metal Fest, Loud As Hell Open Air Fest

Canada’s traditional heavy‑metal torchbearers proudly announce the official release of their sixth studio album, "Shadows and Dust," available everywhere on June 6, 2026. The band also confirms its new partnership with Steel Shark Records (France), which will handle the album’s European release and will offer an exclusive EU edition limited to just 300 double‑CD copies. Disc 1 will contain the full "Shadows and Dust" album, while Disc 2 will feature a “Best Of” collection highlighting tracks from Iron Kingdom’s previous five releases. In addition, the label will introduce a third vinyl colour (100 copies) available only to EU fans. ​

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To celebrate the album, Iron Kingdom is kicking off a summer of touring that includes festival appearances at Armstrong Metal Fest and Loud As Hell Open Air Festival (dates listed below).​
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Formed in 2011, Iron Kingdom has spent over a decade reviving the classic heavy‑metal spirit inspired by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, The Scorpions, and Rush. The band is well known for its energetic and electrifying stage presence, as well as intricate musical melodies that bring listeners back to a time when heavy metal was in its prime.

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With "Shadows and Dust," the band continues to evolve while staying true to the melodic, epic, and adventurous sound that defines them. Lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Osterman describes their sonic identity as classic, powerful, epic, adventurous, and melodic.
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Lyrically and musically, "Shadows and Dust" explores themes of death, hardship, perseverance, and the emotional lows that shape the human experience.

“It speaks of some very low points in human emotions… but I also think that’s exactly what will make this album accessible to people going through tougher times… the music shows hope for a positive way out,” adds Osterman.
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The album features 10 new tracks and runs approximately 48 minutes, offering a dynamic mix of classic heavy metal, power metal, progressive elements, and neo‑classical flair.

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The cover art draws from the story behind “Blood and Steel,” depicting an army marching through a harsh landscape, a metaphor for endurance through suffering.

“Life is often like this: we have to go through things that are uncomfortable, even dangerous, to reach the position we need to be,” adds bassist Leighton Holmes.
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​Iron Kingdom released three singles leading up to the album launch, “Deadhouse Gates”, a mystical, melodic heavy‑metal rocker inspired by the Malazan Book of the Fallen. “Blood and Steel”, a marching, drum‑and‑bass‑driven epic about a soldier lost far from home. “Defenders”, a fast, emotional tribute to the Battle of Gdansk, inspired in part by Osterman’s Polish family history.
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​“Even though this song is fast and heavy… I think it speaks to the courage of those who defend their families, their friends, and their way of life,” adds Osterman.

Recommended for fans of Helloween, Riot, Iron Maiden, Savatage, Judas Priest, "Shadows and Dust" can be heard in full at the following links:

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Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/1E5IetyIvOdAt5CKG54gLw​

Official Merch store: https://www.iron-kingdom.com/shop​
Bandcamp: https://iron-kingdom.bandcamp.com/music​​

True North Strong And Heavy Canadian Tour - Iron Kingdom, W.M.D.​
​https://www.iron-kingdom.com/tour-dates​
June 5 – Vancouver, BC – The Rickshaw
July 2 – Nanaimo, BC – The Globe
July 3 – Victoria, BC – Lucky Bar
July 4 – Cumberland, BC – The Waverley
July 5 – Powell River, BC – The Carlson Loft
July 17 – Armstrong, BC – AMF 2026
July 21 – Prince George, BC – Knox Performance Centre
July 23 – Whitehorse, YT – Lefty’s Well
July 24 – Dawson City, YT – The Pit
July 25 – Dawson City, YT – The Pit
July 26 – Whitehorse, YT – The 98 Hotel
July 28 – Yellowknife, NT – The Underground
July 29 – Fort Smith, NT – Dirty O’ Fergie’s
July 30 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite
July 31 – Drumheller, AB – LAH 2026
Aug 1 – Winnipeg, MB – Park Theatre
Aug 2 – Thunder Bay, ON – Bloom Bar + Lounge
Aug 3 – Sudbury, ON – The Lounge 390
Aug 4 – London, ON – Supply & Demand
Aug 5 – Waterloo, ON - Maxwells
Aug 6 – Ottawa, ON - Dominion Tavern
Aug 7 – Toronto, ON - Bovine
Aug 8 – Montréal, QC – Foufounes Électriques
Aug 9 – Sherbrooke, QC – Le Murdoch
Aug 11 – Woodstock, NB – Monteith Manor
Aug 12 – Halifax, NS – Gus’ Pub
Aug 14 – Corner Brook, NL – Retro
Aug 15 – St. John’s, NL – The Rockhouse
Aug 17 – Truro, NS – Marigold Cult. Centre (Lobby)
Aug 18 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti
Aug 19 – Hamilton, ON – Doors Pub
Aug 21 – Saskatoon, SK – Black Cat Tavern
Aug 22 – Calgary, AB – Dicken’s
Aug 23 – Kelowna, BC – Jackknife Brewing

Track Listing:
​1. Defenders
2. Eternal Emperor
3. Dreamless Sea
4. Deadhouse Gates
5. Line Of Fire
6. Blood And Steel
7. Shadow Of Time
8. Dark Demands
9. Starlight
10. Sacred Fire

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