Search Results: festival

• Listen To LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR FESTIVAL's Spotify Playlist For This Year's 2025 Lineup w/ REVOCATION, FIRST FRAGMENT, FILTH, INSURRECTION, GORGATRON, OPAL IN SKY, HOG MEETS FROG, and more!

  Jul 21, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Preview this year's LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR with their Spotify playlist showcasing the 2025 festival lineup that includes REVOCATION, FIRST FRAGMENT, FILTH, INSURRECTION, GORGATRON, OPAL IN SKY, HOG MEETS FROG, and more!

  LAH 2025 Lineup Spotify Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3cu3CgEX8n2g2MQbADNJmg

  Hosted in the barren expanse of sculpted sandstone, wind-carved hoodoos, and the vast canyons of Alberta, Canada's badlands, one of the country's loudest decibel-breaking extreme music events, Loud As Hell Open Air Festival returns for its 13th edition in Drumheller, AB from August 1st to 3rd at the Dinosaurs Down Stampede to showcase the best up-and-coming Canadian and international talent to roar through the country's largest dinosaur fossil grounds.

  This year's festivities will witness technical death metal masters Revocation headline the Sunday, August 3rd, lineup. The band unveiled their latest 2025 single and music video “Confines of Infinity,” featuring brutal guest vocals from Cattle Decapitation’s Travis Ryan. The single also marks the debut of a new Revocation lineup that sees vocalist and guitarist Dave Davidson joined by drummer Ash Pearson--who has been in the band since 2015--bassist Alex Weber, and guitarist Harry Lannon. Revocation formed in 2006, and their self-released debut, Empire of the Obscene, came out in 2008. Since then, they've released seven critically acclaimed albums and have toured the world, bringing their technically charged, high-energy extreme metal to rabid fans in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

  ​

  Also on the Sunday lineup will be Insurrection, the powerhouse metal band from Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. Formed over 20 years ago (2003), the band is known for its intense and energetic performances. Their sound is a unique twist of groovy death metal mixed with a healthy dose of thrash energy. The band has released several albums, including "Prologue" (2008), "Fracture" (2010), "Prototype" (2013), "Extraction" (2017), and "Obsolescence" (2024) (Bam Co. Heavy). Their music often addresses social and political themes through bilingual lyrics in both English and French. The band has gained a notable reputation on stage throughout Canada with tours covering coast to coast, including performances at festivals such as Montebello Rockfest, Trois-Rivières Metalfest, and Decimate Metalfest. 

  Headlining Saturday, Aug 2nd, Montreal, QC's First Fragment will display their virtuosity and demonstrate why they are so beloved globally for their Neoclassical/Technical Extreme Metal. The band broke ground with their debut EP "The Afterthought Ecstasy" (2010). Their latest two albums, "Dasein" (2016), "Gloire éternelle(2021), and the latest instrumental compilation record, "Le Recueuil Des Âges" (2024), have been released on Unique Leader Records. 

  Saturday will also feature LAH alumni Gorgatron, guttural Death Metal out of Fargo, North Dakota. Their sound is based on a “love of the riff” approach to writing and is rooted in the old-school stylings of Death Metal and Thrash. They have honed their style and work ethic with rigorous DIY tours across the States, Europe, Canada, and Mexico. They have a slew of records under their belts with their latest "Sentience Revoked" (2024) (Redefining Darkness Records) and just this past January, they unleashed a digital EP "Live From the Basement". It was originally set to be released on Adult Swim's 'Fish Center Live' in 2020, but was shelved due to Adult Swim shutting down their livestream division that same year.

  ​

  The festival's first day on Friday, Aug 1st, will be headlined by hip-hop-influenced deathcore gutter gang Filth out of North Carolina. They dropped the next chapter in their discography, Southern Hostility, in April 2024.

  ​

  Also on Friday are Vancouver, BC's Opal in Sky, twin brothers Tyson and Dylon Opalinsky. They share a deep passion for music and its limitless possibilities. Their music reflects their shared values and beliefs. They believe that music has the power to heal, uplift, and bring people together. They are committed to creating meaningful and enjoyable music, and their unique sound is a fusion of different styles and influences. They released their debut album, "Dream Shift," in July 2024.

  With a lineup featuring over 40 bands from across Canada, the USA, and Mexico, traveling the furthest from Europe is Vienna, Austria's Hog Meets Frog, a band fans don't want to miss. The trio is renowned for their eccentricity and boundary-pushing music that blends prog, funk, and metal. 

  Other highlights for this year's open-air are Toronto's Beguiler, champions of last year's 2024 Wacken Metal Battle Canada; the slamming deathcore of Arizona's Gore Pig; Mexico's Spit On Your Grave, showcasing their powerful, deep growls, blast beats, slam riffs, and heavy breakdowns, all infused with a melodic touch; and Vancouver's Thirteen Goats, with their signature blend of infernal riffs, huge hooks, and uniquely theatrical songwriting.

  Weekend Passes (Aug 1- 3) are available at https://loudashell.ca/shop/​

  This weekend pass grants you full access to all the headbanging, moshing, and metal mayhem that Loud As Hell Open Air offers.

  LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR 2025

  Thursday, July 31 – Kick Off Party
  ​Vapor (California, USA)
  Display Of Decay (Edmonton, AB)
  Black Pestilence (Calgary, AB)
  Decrepitation (Edmonton, AB)
  ​
  ​Friday, August 1​
  Filth (Shelby, NC, USA)
  Auzzy Blood – Freak Show (Las Vegas, NV, USA)
  Opal In Sky (Vancouver, BC)
  Hazzardous Material – Burlesque (Alberta)
  Spit On Your Grave (Monterrey, Mexico)
  Hazzerd (Calgary, AB)
  Ascension Blacklist (Newburgh, ON)
  Black Friday (Edmonton, AB)
  Daniel Martin’s The Infamous (Edmonton, AB)
  ​
  ​Saturday, August 2​
  First Fragment (Montreal, QC)
  Kyle Pullan – Acoustic (Canmore, AB)
  Gorgatron (Fargo, ND, USA)
  Hazzardous Material – Burlesque (Alberta)
  Heartsick (Lansing, MI, USA)
  Judicator (Salt Lake City, UT, USA)
  Casket Robbery (Munroe, WI, USA)
  Kelevra (Regina, SK)
  Lycanthro (Ottawa, ON)
  Frontal Assault (Cedar Rapids, IA, USA)
  Cabrakaan (Calgary, AB)
  Spectre (Winnipeg, MB)
  Pridelands (Red Deer, AB)
  Pharm (Kelowna, BC)
  Beserker (Lethbridge, AB)
  ​
  ​Sunday, August 3​
  Revocation (Boston, MA, USA)
  Kyle Pullan – Acoustic (Canmore, AB)
  Insurrection (Gatineau, QC)
  Auzzy Blood – Freak Show (Las Vegas, NV, USA)
  Gorepig (Hot Springs, AZ, USA)
  Hazzardous Material – Burlesque (Alberta)
  Cyborg Octopus (San Francisco, CA, USA)
  Squidhammer (Waterton, WI, USA)
  Truent (Vancouver, BC)
  Beguiler (Toronto, ON)
  Reaping Asmodeia (Minneapolis, MN, USA)
  Endless Chaos (Winnipeg, MB)
  Hog Meets Frog (Vienna, Austria)
  Thirteen Goats (Vancouver, BC)
  Woodhawk (Calgary, AB)
  Famous Strangers (Edmonton, AB)

  Since its inception in 2012, LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR FESTIVAL has exposed hundreds of Canadian and international bands annually, except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their 2024 edition was host to the most stacked lineup to date, featuring BEYOND CREATION, STRIKER, ANCIIENTS, GREEN JELLY, THE CONVALESCENCE, SUPER MONSTER PARTY, TERRIFIER, and lots more. Previous years have witnessed well-known bands such as Jungle Rot, Narcotic Wasteland, Necronomicon, Into Eternity, Goatwhore, Battlecross, Fit for An Autopsy, Anciients, Archspire, Unleash The Archers, Striker, KEN mode, Obey The Brave, Protest the Hero, AngelMaker, Divinity, Neck of The Woods, Endast, among many more.

  ​

  More info:
  ​LoudAsHell.ca​
  ​Facebook.com/LoudAsHellFestival​
  Twitter: @LoudAsHellFest
  Instagram: @LoudAsHellFestival
  ​Social Media Hashtags #LAHXIII, #LAHOA, #LAHOA2025

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• HOG MEETS FROG - New Single “The Urbanizer” Ft. Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani) + Canadian Tour & Loud As Hell Open Air Fest

  Jul 16, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Austrian avant-funk-prog-metal trio Hog Meets Frog have dropped their most ferociously surreal single to date: “The Urbanizer” (You Know Where The Flowers Have Gone), featuring world-renowned drummer Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani). The track arrives ahead of the band’s first-ever Canadian tour (dates listed below), which includes a performance at the Loud As Hell Open Air Festival in Drumheller, Alberta, on August 3rd.
  ​
  Lyrically dystopian and musically unhinged, “The Urbanizer (You Know Where The Flowers Have Gone)" is a darkly groovy critique of ecological collapse and unchecked urban sprawl—told from the perspective of the “urbanizer” himself, a concrete deity paving over the planet.
  ​
  The track’s artwork, created by Attila Zolt Tornyi (LaMañana), features a golden skull in a desolate concrete wasteland—symbolizing the “concrete gold” of speculative real estate and the sunless future it casts.
  ​
  Bassist and band storyteller Peter ’PETZ’ Schwabl comments on the single:
  ​
  ​"We have featured on the tune 'The Urbanizer' drummer Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani), which is a great honour for us. A mutual friend brought us together – thanks, Alan!! The song's main riff was written many years ago, and a few years later, the first four verses and thus the character of the urbanizer emerged. Over the years, however, it has become clear that society isn't getting to grips with the issue; rather, the effects of human actions, which have been driving global warming for decades, are increasing in a lot of areas. Why? Well, some deny ecological changes out of fear, some out of greed, and still others just to show that they're 'against the system’ – whatever that means. Precisely because of the subject matter, the song is one of those that even we couldn't make into a particularly funny song... but, hey! Let's just say that HOG MEETS FROG also has a dark side."​
  ​
  Listen to “The Urbanizer” (You Know Where The Flowers Have Gone) ft. Marco Minnemann is now on all major streaming platforms.

  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/2JBo93Ad2S7uD46tInWG8F​

  ​

  Performing in Canada for the first time, Hog Meets Frog is excited to be showcasing in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal, as well as performing at one of Canada’s loudest and most extreme metal gatherings, Loud As Hell Open Air Festival, which also includes Revocation, First Fragment, Insurrection, and Gorgatron.
  ​
  ​“Don’t expect anything. Just experience it. You’ll see three guys throwing sounds around, sometimes wearing masks, telling stories. The rest forms in the head of the beholder,” adds Petz.

  Hog Meets Frog - The Urbanizer Greening Tour 2025
  ​July 26 - Schwarzach, Austria - Tauerngold Festival
  July 30 - Ottawa, ON - Avant-Garde Bar
  Aug 1 - Toronto, ON - The Rockpile
  Aug 3 - Drumheller, AB - Loud As Hell Open Air Festival w/ REVOCATION, FIRST FRAGMENT, FILTH, INSURRECTION, GORGATRON, OPAL IN SKY, and more!
  Aug 6 - Montreal, QC - Piranha Bar
  Sept 6 - Schwaz, Austria - Woodlight Festival
  ​
  ​About:​
  Formed after a “musical abstinence” by a copywriting drummer and a lyricist bassist “pregnant with a riff,” Hog Meets Frog was born from a story about a hog and a frog having… fun. Their sound? In their own words: “Freaky-fuckin’-SQUEAQUACK-music.”
  ​
  The band’s writing process is as unpredictable as their music—riffs born on subways, lyrics conceived in showers, and stories inspired by overheard conversations, political absurdities, and the slow-motion collapse of the natural world.

  For more info: Hogmeetsfrog.com | Facebook.com/hogmeetsfrog | Twitter.com/hogmeetsfrog | Instagram.com/hogmeetsfrog | Tiktok.com/@hogmeetsfrog

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• WOODHAWK Announces Cross-Canada Tour For New Album “Love Finds a Way” Out Now! + LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR FEST w/ REVOCATION, FIRST FRAGMENT and more!

  Jul 9, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  After five years of anticipation, Calgary’s stoner groove rock trio Woodhawk announces they will be hitting the road this August through October for tour dates across Canada (dates listed below). The show dates are in support of their latest and third album, "Love Finds a Way," released on June 6th of this year via Grand Hand Records. Fans can expect a high-energy set packed with new material and favorites from their discography that will be delivered with the raw power and passion.

  Their most personal and powerful release to date, their new full-length album, "Love Finds a Way", marks a turning point for Woodhawk. Demonstrating their evolution from early stoner rock roots into something more emotionally complex while maintaining the infectious grooves and memorable hooks that have defined their sound.

  "Love Finds a Way" explores themes of darkness, healing, and hope, while still delivering the infectious hooks and thunderous riffs fans have come to expect. With contributions from longtime collaborator Jesse Gander on synth, the band expands their sonic palette without losing their edge. The trio of Turner Midzain (guitar/vocals), Mike Badmington (bass), and Kevin Nelson (drums) poured five years of growth, struggle, and creative evolution into this record.

  “We are over the moon to get this album out. Love Finds a Way is easily the hardest we have worked on an album to date. We poured our heart and soul into this one. It really is a journey of getting out of the darkness and into the light. Check in with your friends and loved ones. Hug the ones you love. Be nicer to each other. Love will always prevail and be stronger than anything else. After 10 years of being a band, I feel like we are still just getting started!” adds the band.

  After a decade together, Woodhawk is proving they’re just getting started. "Love Finds a Way" is more than an album; it’s a statement of resilience, connection, and the enduring power of rock.

  Recommended for fans of The Sword, Red Fang, and Thin Lizzy, the album is a dynamic journey from start to finish, balancing soft and heavy, slow and fast, light and dark.
  ​
  ​Album order (out June 6th): https://woodhawk.bandcamp.com​

  Spotify - https://bit.ly/44veRdv​

  ​

  In additional news, Woodhawk will be performing on day three of this year's LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR FESTIVAL on August 3rd in Drumheller, AB alongside Revocation, Cyborg Octopus, Beguiler, Thirteen Goats, Famous Strangers, and more! Full details on LAH can be found at www.loudashell.ca.

  Show Dates: ​
  Aug 3 - Drumheller, AB - Loud As Hell Open Air
  Aug 27 - Calgary, AB - Ship & Anchor
  Aug 28 - Lethbridge, AB - The Owl Acoustic Lounge
  Aug 29 - Regina, SK - The Exchange
  Aug 30 - Winnipeg, MB - Side Stage
  Sept 2 - Windsor - Phog Lounge
  Sept 3 - Hamilton, ON - Club Absinthe
  Sept 4 - Ottawa, ON - House of Targ
  Sept 5 - Montreal - Turbo Haus
  Sept 6 - Toronto, ON - The Monarch
  Sept 7 - Kingston, ON - The Mansion
  Sept 9 - Oshawa, ON - The Atria
  Sept 10 - Sault Ste. Marie, ON - Soo Blaster
  Sept 11 - Thunder Bay, ON - Black Pirates Pub
  Sept 12 - Brandon, MB - The 40
  Sept 13 - Saskatoon, SK - Black Cat Tavern
  Sept 25 - Kelowna, BC- Jackknife Brewery
  Sept 26 - Vancouver, BC - Green Auto
  Sept 27 - Victoria, BC - Lucky Bar
  Oct 10 - Red Deer, AB - The Vat
  Oct 11 - Edmonton, AB - The Aviary

  Track Listing:​
  1. Grave Shaker – 4:41
  2. Strangers Ever After – 4:24
  3. Truth Be Told – 7:21
  4. White Crosses – 6:10
  5. The Unholy Hand – 5:21
  6. No Place For Hate – 5:18
  7. Love Finds a Way – 6:16
  8. Relapser – 4:52
  9. Killing Time – 8:37

  Woodhawk is:
  Turner Midzain – Guitar & Vocals
  Mike Badmington – Bass & Vocals
  Kevin Nelson - Drums

  More info:​
  ​https://www.woodhawkriffs.com​
  ​https://www.instagram.com/woodhawkriffs​
  ​https://www.facebook.com/woodhawkriffs

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• Salt Lake City's GRILLFEST Resurrects w/ 2025 Lineup - Judicator, Silver Talon, Advent Horizon, Michael Barrow & The Tourists, Seizure, Celestial Wizard, Arsenic Addiction, and more!

  Jun 25, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  GrillFest has been resurrected since making a name for itself on the local scene in Midvale and Salt Lake City, Utah, in the early 2010s, with the last one being held in 2013. Founded by John Yelland of Judicator as a backyard festival that was organized by his first band, Disforia, GrillFest is being revitalized. Supported by Judicator and the City of Midvale, and the Midvale Main Business Alliance. This year's 2025 event will shut down Main Street and transform it into a full-scale festival. Local businesses will host pop-ups, and they’re curating a lineup of vendors offering savory food, desserts, and more. And of course, the music will remain diverse, dynamic, and electrifying as GrillFest's 2025 lineup features Judicator, Advent Horizon, Silver Talon, Michael Barrow & The Tourists, Seizure, Celestial Wizard, Arsenic Addiction, Viperwitch, Storm Haven, DiseNgaged, Hisingen, and Moon Wizard.

  Being hosted on August 22nd and 23rd at The Pearl on Main in Midvale, Utah, Grillfest ’25 is more than just an event—it’s a rekindling of something special. It’s a gathering for artists and fans who crave authenticity, connection, and experiences to cherish for the rest of their lives.

  “Grillfest isn’t just another music festival—it’s a community movement built by fans—for fans. We’re bringing together some of the best underground metal acts from across the West, pairing them with real smokehouse BBQ and a no-frills, all-heart atmosphere. Our goal is to grow something truly special here in Utah: a boutique-style festival that stays loud, stays local, and gives both rising bands and dedicated fans a place to call home,” adds John Yelland, Founder of Grillfest and Vocalist of Judicator.

  Two-day and single-day passes are available at https://linktr.ee/grillfestutah​

  Facebook Event - https://www.facebook.com/events/1264606655378437/

  GrillFest'25 - Festival Spotify Playlist - https://bit.ly/4knzlcR

  ​

  Grillfest '25 Lineup:​
  ​
  ​Friday, August 22nd​
  Hisingen
  Moon Wizard
  Michael Barrow & The Tourists
  Advent Horizon
  ​
  ​Saturday, August 23rd​
  DiseNgaged
  Viperwitch
  Storm Haven
  Celestial Wizard
  Arsenic Addiction
  Seizure
  Silver Talon
  Judicator

  About The Headliners:

  Judicator isn’t just a power metal band — it’s a reckoning with history and mortality, plumbing the depths of the human condition one album at a time.
  ​
  Since their serendipitous formation in 2012, when singer John Yelland and guitarist Alicia Cordisco (ex-Judicator, Transgressive) crossed paths at a Blind Guardian concert, the band has been on a relentless journey to craft concept albums that confront existential anxiety in its many forms. From character studies of historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte and Frederick the Great, to the deeply personal At the Expense of Humanity, which recounts Yelland’s experience losing his brother to cancer, Judicator brings history and humanity into sharp focus.
  ​
  Rooted in Salt Lake City, Judicator has produced six albums over the course of a decade, with their latest opus, Concord, set to release in early 2025. The band’s blend of thought-provoking lyrics, memorable riffs, and charismatic energy has earned them a loyal following and some surreal milestones, like featuring Hansi Kürsch as a guest vocalist on 2018’s The Last Emperor and opening for Blind Guardian in Salt Lake City during the God Machine North American tour in 2024.
  ​
  While co-founding member Alicia Cordisco departed in 2020, her legacy remains an integral part of Judicator’s DNA. Today, the band continues to push boundaries as a five-piece power metal powerhouse, weaving tales that are as epic as they are intimate.
  ​
  Judicator’s music seeks to hold a mirror up to life’s greatest struggles and triumphs, whether great or small, whether grand historical sagas or intimate struggles with mortality. Judicator invites you to grapple with the inevitable, together, one song at a time.

  Info - https://linktr.ee/judicatormetal​

  =========================

  USA-based prog rockers Advent Horizon are making waves in the progressive music world and beyond after the release of their new album "A Cell To Call Home."
  ​
  Featuring guest performances from Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Dave Meros (Spock's Beard), Randy McStine (Porcupine Tree), and Jared Hill (Snow Child), plus album and single artwork by Travis Smith (Opeth, Devin Townsend), "A Cell To Call Home" has received high praise internationally from fans and reviewers alike. ProgRadio named "A Cell To Call Home" their 2023 "Album of the year", while ProgReport and Sonic Perspectives ranked it at #5 and #4 respectively on their "Best of 2023" lists.
  ​
  Much of 2024 was spent on the road, with performances across the USA. At Progstock in October 2024, "A Cell To Call Home" was performed live in its entirety and was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from festival attendees and multiple press outlets, with one reviewer writing, "something about this act really felt unusually magical."
  ​
  Following the success of their 2024 live appearances, Advent Horizon has returned to the studio, and is currently recording their 4th full-length studio album, which features a side-long 20-minute epic track, and 5 other heavy-hitting progressive rock/metal songs.

  Info - https://www.adventhorizonmusic.com/​

  =========================

  Silver Talon emerged from the remnants of the Portland heavy metal group Spellcaster after their disbandment in 2017. Seeking a sonic identity that was heavier and more aggressive, guitarist Bryce VanHoosen spearheaded the project and enlisted vocalist Wyatt Howell. Howell's addition refined Silver Talon’s identity, setting the band distinctly apart from its predecessor. By late 2018, the band released their acclaimed debut EP, 'Becoming A Demon.'
  ​
  This release encapsulated the band’s uncompromising, raw-edged sound across five original tracks. Notably, it featured a collaboration with Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy / Nevermore), who delivered a scorching guitar solo for a cover of Sanctuary’s cult classic, 'Battle Angels.' Despite a few lineup changes, the band navigated a tumultuous 2019, ultimately solidifying their lineup with guitarist Devon Miller and bassist Walter Hartzell, enhancing their power and versatility.
  ​
  Throughout the 2020 pandemic, Silver Talon remained focused and productive, culminating in the release of 'Deceiver, I Am,’ the lead single off their debut album 'Decadence and Decay,' in early December. This marked a new phase for the band, showcasing deeper arrangements, an expansive sound, and intricate musical layering.
  ​
  In May of 2021, the full debut album 'Decadence and Decay’ dropped, earning rave reviews and securing spots on both Decibel Magazine and Bandcamp's top metal albums of the year lists. No Clean Singing praised the band's songwriting and technical prowess, stating, “it’s the band’s songwriting (coupled with their obvious artistic abilities and technical talents) which really makes this record stand out from the crowd.” The album even boasted a collaboration with King Diamond's main axeman, Andy La Rocque, on the track 'Resistance 2029.'
  ​
  The post-pandemic era brought touring opportunities in support of 'Decadence and Decay,' including appearances at Hell’s Heroes and Legions of Metal festivals, alongside shows across the United States with metal legends such as Cynic, Atheist, and Exmortus.
  ​
  As 2023 unfolds, the band is diligently crafting their sophomore album, scheduled for release on M-Theory Audio.
  ​
  Silver Talon's music blends a brooding and dark approach to heavy metal with classic influences, paying homage to revered acts like King Diamond, Nevermore, Savatage, Judas Priest, and Alice in Chains, among others.

  Info - https://silvertalon.us/​

  =========================

  Please note: Main Street in front of the festival will be cordoned off, however, and so there will be a level of foot traffic—attendees who are only interested in the local business pop-ups, food trucks, and so on, but not the performances, which take place inside the venue.

  About GrillFest:

  GrillFest began humbly in the early 2010s as a backyard festival organized by John Yelland’s first band, Disforia. Held at their bassist’s house, it was a laid-back, community-driven celebration of local music, friendship, and grilling. They invited fellow bands of all styles—metal, punk, acoustic, death metal—and played from noon until noise curfew! There were no genre boundaries, no egos—just artists, fans, and neighbors coming together in an atmosphere that felt more like a family reunion than a festival.

  As the years passed and life took them in different directions, Disforia disbanded, and the original Grillfest faded into memory. But its spirit never left John. That sense of connection, creativity, and grassroots joy is something he carried with him, and now, he is thrilled to bring it back in 2025.

  About The Organizers:

  John Yelland is the powerhouse frontman of Salt Lake City’s acclaimed power metal band Judicator, known for his soaring vocals and emotionally rich storytelling across seven studio albums. He’s also the voice of the epic doom project Behölder, and formerly of sci-fi power metal act Dire Peril. With collaborations ranging from Blind Guardian’s Hansi Kürsch to his genre-bending concept albums, Yelland is one of the most distinctive voices in modern metal. This year, he brings that fire home to Grillfest, joining a lineup built by and for foodies who love chill vibes and good music.

  More info:

  ​https://grillfestutah.com/​

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

  ​https://www.instagram.com/grillfest.utah/

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• MOURNING HIGH Wins WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA 2025 To Play Wacken Open Air!

  Jun 25, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  One Band To Conquer Them All! The final six bands from this year's 2025 battles for Wacken Metal Battle USA gathered in Clifton, NJ, for the national final on June 21st at Dingbatz. Only one unsigned American band can walk away and be crowned champion to move on to perform at one of the world's most prestigious and largest already sold-out metal festivals, Wacken Open Air (July 30th – August 2nd) (Attendance of over 80,000 people in Wacken, Germany for over 30 years).

  Conquering the crown as this year's 2025 national champion is Southern California and Arizona-based MOURNING HIGH (West Coast Winner), who, after their performance, a panel of industry judges that included Jeff Buttermark (FM Management), Shawn Quinn (Napalm Records/FM Management) and Rob Caggiano (ex-Anthrax/ex-Volbeat), voted as the USA's top band to play at the International Wacken Battle at Wacken Open Air. They performed alongside PRIME PROPHECY (New Jersey Winner), WHAT’S WRONG (Pacific Northwest Winner), PONTIFEX (Florida Winner), FIREHAZE (East Coast Winner), and BROKEN TIME (Texas Winner).

  "Thank you to all the bands for making this a spectacular battle in 2025. Big congrats to all the bands who made it to the National Final. I'm always blown away by the talent we have here in the US. Thank you to our media partners. Especially BraveWords, Metal-Rules, and DEAN Guitars. Special thanks to Jon Asher at Asher Media Relations. Finally, a huge thank you to all the supporters who bought tickets to the Battles. We can't do this without you!

  I also like to add that I want to congratulate Mourning High for their impressive run that ultimately led to representing the United States in the Battle at the Holy Ground. This is a young and energetic band that defines grit and hard work. With members living in Coachella Valley and one member living in Arizona, it is quite impressive to see their devoted fan base follow them to Orange County, San Diego, and then Clifton, New Jersey. If you are unaware of Coachella Valley, let me fill you in. There is no metal scene. There are only Casinos, Coachella Music Fest (no thank you), and the American Hockey League affiliate of the Seattle Kraken. These boys and their fans have to travel. And now they travel to Wacken Open Air!" comments WMBU national organizer Eric Dow.

  Mourning High comments on their win:

  "The band is so thankful that we met Eric and the Wacken Metal Battle team on the West Coast and in the USA. We were blown away at the professionalism and expertise of the judges at all of the battles, as well as the other talented bands we played with at each stage of the competition. We are proud of our hard work and so thankful that we have fans who have supported us on this journey. We have been manifesting playing in Europe for more than two years, and finally our hard work has paid off. This wouldn't be possible without the support of the Wacken team, fans, and our crew. It's time to get rowdy in Germany."

  The 2025 WMBU champion will receive the following:
  - A slot at the 2025 Wacken Open Air Festival.
  - Full professional backline provided.
  - $1,000 USD towards flights to Germany.
  - VIP camping at the festival.

  ​

  List of previous WMBU national winners: Cascade Effect (2024 - San Diego), Fadrait (2023 - San Diego), Mythraeum (2022 - San Diego), Monarch (2019 - San Diego), Voices of Ruin (2018 - Anaheim), and Corpse Hoarder (2017 - Philadelphia).

  Spotify - 2025 WMBU National Finalists Playlist - https://spoti.fi/4kDedzW​

  In addition to the National Final battle, Dean Guitars donated a DEAN MDX QM TBB, raffled off to one lucky attendee. (pictured below)

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  About the WMBU 2025 Final Six:

  Formed in 2021, Broken Time is a modern metalcore band based in Temple, Texas. Known for their fusion of heavy riffs, melodic elements, and progressive structures, their music features complex guitar work, dynamic rhythms, and emotionally charged vocals. The band has been actively contributing to the Texas metal scene, performing at various venues and collaborating with other local acts.

  ​https://www.facebook.com/Brokentime254/

  ​

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  FireHaze is a Cuban-American metal band known for blending melodic death and thrash metal with groove and core influences. The band was formed in 2009 by three Cuban musicians—Yunior, Carlos, and Hector—who had migrated to West New York, New Jersey.
  ​
  The story began in 2007 when Yunior arrived from Havana and sought out fellow musicians to form a band. He connected with Carlos, a guitarist from Bayamo, and later with Hector, a drummer who had also recently moved from Havana. Their chemistry was immediate, and after experimenting with different sounds and names—including a brief stint as “Illuminated By The Fire”—they officially became FireHaze during a jam session on a hot August night overlooking the New York City skyline.
  ​
  From the start, FireHaze aimed to stand out. They incorporated unusual percussion and string instruments, and often collaborated with guest musicians to shape their live sound. Their influences include heavyweights like Lamb of God, Dimmu Borgir, Sepultura, Megadeth, and Children of Bodom.
  ​
  Though unsigned, FireHaze has remained active in the North Jersey and New York metal scenes, performing live and working toward a full-length album. They proudly identify as a Cuban-American band, rooted in their heritage while forging a path in the U.S. metal underground.

  ​https://www.facebook.com/FireHaze

  ​

  ========================================

  Mourning High is a rising thrash metal band that hails from Southern California and Arizona. Formed in 2023, the band quickly gained traction through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where their raw energy and nostalgic thrash sound struck a chord with fans of classic metal.
  ​
  Their music is heavily influenced by legendary acts like Megadeth, and they’ve been praised for bringing back the gritty, high-octane spirit of 1980s thrash. What sets Mourning High apart is not just their sound, but their chemistry—these guys have been friends since preschool, and that bond fuels their performances and touring life.
  ​
  They’re currently unsigned and independent, but their momentum is undeniable. With over 50,000 followers on TikTok and a growing fanbase across streaming platforms, Mourning High is carving out a name for itself in the modern metal scene.

  ​https://mourninghigh.com/home

  ​

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  Pontifex is a symphonic black/death metal band based in Orlando, Florida, formed in 2024. Known for their theatrical soundscapes and intense live performances, they blend the ferocity of black metal with symphonic elements, creating a dark, cinematic experience.
  ​
  The band was founded by guitarist and flutist Kaleb Daniels, whose classical training and love for extreme metal shaped Pontifex’s unique sound. Despite being relatively new, they’ve already made waves by winning the Florida Wacken Battle, earning them a spot on the radar of metal fans nationwide.
  ​
  Pontifex is currently unsigned but gaining momentum with an upcoming album titled Covenant, set to release in Fall 2025. Their music explores themes of mysticism, inner conflict, and spiritual decay, often delivered through layered instrumentation and haunting melodies.

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

  ​

  ========================================

  Prime Prophecy is a six-piece progressive metal band based in Brooklyn, New York, blending European influences with symphonic, melodic, and modern metal elements. Known for emotionally driven soundscapes and vivid storytelling, the band creates music that resonates with both heart and mind, bridging genres and pushing the boundaries of contemporary metal.

  Drawing from real-life experiences and deep introspection, Prime Prophecy’s signature sound combines layered arrangements, intricate lyrics, and powerful melodies that invite listeners to explore the human experience from new angles.

  Over the course of two decades, Prime Prophecy has earned a reputation for both studio excellence and high-impact live performances. Their visual storytelling comes to life through music videos such as “End of the Beginning” and “Memories From the Past.” In 2011, their single “Viking”—commissioned for heavyweight boxer Mariusz Wach ahead of his world title fight—highlighted the band’s versatility and cultural reach.

  2025 marks Prime Prophecy’s 20th anniversary—a milestone celebrating their creative evolution and lasting impact on the metal scene. Career highlights include a finals appearance at the Emergenza Festival (Webster Hall, NYC), and a strong run through the 2024 Wacken Battle of the Bands, where the band earned second place in the U.S. National Finals.

  Looking ahead, Prime Prophecy is preparing to compete once again in Wacken Battle 2025, with the opportunity to take the stage at Germany’s legendary Wacken Open Air Festival.

  Fueled by passion, innovation, and a relentless drive to connect, Prime Prophecy continues to forge new paths with a progressive, symphonic, and deeply human approach to metal.

  ​https://www.primeprophecy.com/

  ​

  ========================================

  What's Wrong is a Seattle-based metalcore band that emerged in early 2018. Their music blends elements of post-hardcore and progressive metal, delivering a dynamic and intense sound. The band's lineup has evolved over time, but they have consistently been active in the local music scene, performing at venues like El Corazon, The Funhouse, and Real Art Tacoma. Their live performances have featured collaborations with bands such as Sleep Signals, Fauvism, and Groundfeeder.

  ​https://solo.to/whatswrongband

  ​

  About WMBU:

  For the last 6 years of battles (2017-2019, 2022, 2023, 2024), Wacken Metal Battle USA has hosted battles across the country to send one independent metal band to perform at the world’s largest metal festival, Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. 2019 saw the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, but due to COVID, the 2020 and 2021 editions were both canceled. As the metal community regains its strength, Wacken Open Air 2025 will be the 34th edition of the festival and will be held from July 30th – August 2nd. The 2025 event is already sold out with a line-up that includes Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, Papa Roach, Gojira, Apocalyptica, Saxon, Within Temptation, Dimmu Borgir, Ministry, and many more. Details here.

  Wacken Metal Battle USA is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance to win their spot among 30 other countries’ champions, and represent the USA in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air. The battles have been hosted at the festival for over a decade and give independent bands the opportunity to showcase their talents to an international audience, along with the chance to win multiple prizes.

  How it works:​
  ​Participating cities will host qualifying rounds plus a city final organized by a local city concert promoter, where one band will move forward to the American national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will move on to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2024 and compete against the winners of 30 other countries in a final global battle. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives.

  Links:​
  ​Metal-Battle.com​
  ​MetalBattleUSA.com​
  ​Facebook.com/metalbattleusa​.official​
  ​X.com/MetalBattleUSA​
  ​Instagram.com/metalbattleusa.official

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