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  • 15 Years of Mountain Moshing! ARMSTRONG METALFEST Unveils 2025 Lineup w/ BORN OF OSIRIS, HAVOK, GLYPH, RIOT CITY, THE BROWNING, VIRVUM and more!

     

    Celebrating 15 Years of mountain moshing in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley, Armstrong MetalFest unveils its conquering 2025 lineup with BORN OF OSIRIS, HAVOK, GLYPH, RIOT CITY, THE BROWNING, VIRVUM and lots more from across Canada and beyond.

    Hosted on July 11th and 12th in Armstrong, BC at the Hassen Arena, this year's two days of moshing, headbanging, and camping is a very special one as festival council members comment:

    "The band council worked hard on this year's lineup. I am so excited to have the Browning back. They were amazing on stage. I have been wanting to see Born of Osiris play live for years. I love them, and now I get to see them in my own little town." - Heather Valstar, Vice President of West Metal Entertainment Society

    "I'm really excited about the diversity of this year's line-up. The selection team has really put in the work. There's sure to be something for everyone: a great mix of trusted favorites and new additions to your playlist for the rest of the year!" - Kate Kutzner, President of West Metal Entertainment Society

    "This year's festival is a work of art! I can't believe we are on the 15th year already. Time flies when you're setting up a festival full of crushing riffs, soaring vocals and down right nasty beats. Life rules, bring on the summer!" - Festival Co-Founder / General Manager - Jessie Valstar.

    AMF Weekend Passes are available at https://armstrongmetalfest.ca/tickets

    All tickets provide general admission and grant access to the festival grounds, camping area, and arena from 9:00 AM on Friday, July 11, 2025, until 10:00 AM on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Free camping is included.

    ​(Tickets will be mailed starting after March 1st if you have chosen the "Ticket Mailed" option.)

    Headlining opening night, Friday, July 11th, Denver thrashers HAVOK are no strangers to the mosh pits, these veterans have unleashed five studio albums – Burn (2009), Time Is Up (2011), Unnatural Selection (2013), Conformicide (2017), V (2020) – and recently surprised fans this past November with the EP "New Eyes".

    Also supporting the Friday night stage, the Pacific Northwest's Glyph (ft. members from Gatekeeper, Greyhawk, Hjelvik), which is not just a heavy metal band, they are a crew of intergalactic mercenaries escaping a dying planet in their spaceship, the VSS Dragonlord. Clearly, Glyph isn’t just writing songs, they’re building worlds and they bring it forth in their latest album "Honor, Power, Glory" released in March 2024.

    Another highlight for Friday is the screaming heavy metal from Calgary's speed demons Riot City, who bring forth their steel, spikes and leather! A youthful band that represent the new face of Canadian metal. An amalgam of ripping and hot heavy metal, created in pure and youthful madness, they're bullet belts feature two full lengths "Electric Elite" (2022), "Burn The Night" (2019) and their latest live album "Live in Newcastle" (2023).

    Saturday, July 12th will be headlined by international tour de force, progressive deathcore titans, Chicago's BORN OF OSIRIS. The group is signed to Sumerian Records and has released seven full lengths and two EPs. Their album, A Higher Place, reached number 73 on the Billboard 200. Their second full-length album, The Discovery, debuted at 87 on the Billboard 200. The band unveiled their latest single "In Desolation" this past August.

    Also featured on Saturday is AMF alumni Kansas City's THE BROWNING who will be unleashing their unique eclectic blend of electronicore and deathcore. This past November, they released their sixth album "OMNI" that features 10 powerful tracks, including collaborations with Nik Nocturnal and the eponymous song with THE DEFECT.

    Performing for the first time at AMF and adding to the nostalgia of Saturday night, VIRVUM, progressive / technical death metal all the way from Zürich, Switzerland that many in Canada have been waiting a long time to witness. There's no better place to see them along with the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies than at AMF 2025

    Other to be treasured highlights of this year's fest not to miss is Montreal, QC up and coming thrashers DROWNING IN BLOOD, who are notorious pit mongrels and have made quite a name for themselves in Eastern Canada. Vancouver's GRAVEMASS, they might be a new band, but they feature some serious experienced metalheads from Zimmers Hole, West of Hell, The Golers, Punch Drunk, 3 Inches of Blood and Revocation. Switzerland's technical death/black metal Stortregn, they deliver a mix of charging riffs, blast beats and brutality that leaves the listener begging for more. The Defect is an electronic rock/metal project created by husband and wife duo – Jonny McBee (The Browning) and Moon McBee. Their debut album "Death X Destiny" was recently released on Feb 7th, 2025 under record label FiXT. From the Salish lands of Spokane, WA, Hísemtuks Hími•n introduce their Indigenous melodic black metal of hard hitting riffs, fast paced drumming and a lot of melody. This project has strong roots in the Spokane Tribe/Nez Perce. Most songs are about Native American mythology, history, and folklore.

    AMF 2025 Lineup:
    Havok (Denver, CO)
    Born of Osiris (Chicago, IL)
    Glyph (Seattle, WA)
    Riot City (Calgary, AB)
    The Browning (Kansas City, KS)
    Virvum (Zürich, Switzerland)
    Atavistia (Vancouver, BC)
    Drowning In Blood (Montreal, QC)
    Convictions (Fremont, OH)
    Scalding (Vancouver, BC)
    Syryn (Calgary, AB)
    Stortregn (Geneva, Switzerland)
    The Defect (Kansas City, KS)
    Gravemass (Vancouver, BC)
    Lover (Calgary, AB)
    Yegg (Vancouver Island, BC)
    Hísemtuks Hími•n (Spokane, WA)
    The Spruce Moose (Edmonton, AB)
    Volt (Fort McMurray, AB)
    Jisei (Vancouver, BC)
    Nomad (Okanagan Valley, BC)
    Planetkiller (Kelowna, BC)
    Shackled To The Throne (Edmonton, AB)
    The Cadavor Dog (High River, AB)
    Famous Strangers (Edmonton, AB)
    Valley of Despair (Edmonton, AB)
    Naitaka (Kelowna, BC)
    FloodGate (Kelowna, BC)

    In addition to the performing bands, Armstrong Metal Fest will be bringing back the following on-site activities: Yeti Games, Metal Madness Market, and Thrash Wrestling.

    Please Note: Camping - RV / Non-Hookup RV / Vehicle Passes: Make sure to reserve your vehicle spot to get the best location on the grounds. A fee is required for a weekend pass per vehicle in addition to your day or weekend pass. RV hookups include water and power. If you choose to park your vehicle outside the camping area in the main parking lot, then a vehicle pass is not required.

    For more info:
    Armstrongmetalfest.ca
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  • Kelowna's SWEETBEAST Unveils Sludgy Stoner Video "Illusion" ft. Space Queen; Debut Album "Illusions" Out Feb 21st, 2025

     

    Hailing from Canada's Okanagan Valley in Kelowna, BC, SweetBeast is gearing up to make its debut full-length "Illusions" heard by the masses this coming February 2025. Unshackling the first single "Dream Eater" this past November, they are offering the next glimpse into their pressurized sludgy psychedelic stoner rock with their new music video for "Illusion", which features vocal harmonies done by the lovely ladies of Vancouver trio Space Queen.

    The album's closing track, "Illusion" captures the essence of awakening and self-discovery, with fuzzed-out guitars and emotional guitar solos that drive the message home. Space Queen's vocal harmonies elevate the song to new heights, creating a rich tapestry of sound that invites listeners to explore the depths of their realities. With its haunting lyrics and dynamic instrumentation, “Illusion” serves as both a rallying cry and a moment of introspection.

    The band comments on the making of the song:

    "We laid down this entire album, live off the floor, in just 2 days. Now of course there were a few overdubs that we plugged in during that weekend but by the end of the 2 days, all that was left was the mixing and mastering. We also added some special treats post-production that made the songs really pop, like vocal harmonies in the song “Illusion” done by our friends in Space Queen, and a few studio effects for added flavor. When we told the studio what we had planned to accomplish that weekend they thought we were crazy, and said it’s usually at least a week of studio time to get all those songs laid out. But we got it done and couldn’t be happier with the results."

    Watch and listen to "Illusion" ft. Space Queen via its premiere on DoomedAndStoned HERE.

    Digital pre-save - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sweetbeast/illusion-feat-space-queen-single

    SweetBeast's first studio album "Illusions" is a sonic exploration of shifting realities, blending heavy, distorted riffs with introspective lyrics. It invites listeners to journey inward and outward, reflecting the complex relationship between mind, sound, and reality. The record leans heavily on low-tuned guitars, swirling effects, and a tight rhythm section that creates a dense, atmospheric sound. There’s a hypnotic groove throughout, with moments of psychedelic exploration, where riffs evolve into mind-bending progressions. The songs fluctuate between creative riffs and light, airy melodies that offer a contrast, pushing the boundaries of stoner rock.

    Recommended for fans of Queens Of The Stone Age, All Them Witches, Kyuss, and Alice In Chains, SweetBeast's album “Illusions” is due out on February 21st, 2025 from Humalien Records, and will be available for pre-order at https://sweetbeastrock.bandcamp.com/

    First Single - “Dream Eater” - https://youtu.be/ErLKQGlu8Qk

    Digital - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sweetbeast/dream-eater

    Track Listing:
    1. 70/30 - 7:57
    2. Thunder - 4:01
    3. Dream Eater - 5:29
    4. Midnight - 4:38
    5. Plastic People - 6:41
    6. Illusion ft. Space Queen - 11:26
    Album Length - 40:12

    More info: SweetBeast.ca | Facebook.com/SweetBeastFuzz | Instagram.com/sweetbeastfuzz | Tiktok.com/@sweetbeastfuzz

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  • ARMSTRONG METALFEST 2025 Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now! 15 Years of Mountain Moshing In The Okanagan!

    ARMSTRONG METALFEST 2025 Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now!

    15 Years of Mountain Moshing In The Okanagan!

    July 11-12 - Armstrong, BC, Canada

    "It's one of the premier festivals of its kind in Canada, showcasing the biggest names in local, national, and international heavy metal music." - Vancouver Sun

    Watch the official video recap of AMF 2019 here.
    (video created by Mayne Brand Productions)

    Armstrong MetalFest 2024 Spotify playlist Here.

    Celebrating 15 years of bringing extreme metal music fans from across Canada and beyond to British Columbia's Okanagan Valley, Western Canada's largest mountain mosh pit Armstrong MetalFest launches its early bird tickets/weekend passes, which include on-site camping for their 2025 lineup being held on July 11th-12th in Armstrong at the Hassen Arena.

    Secure your spot at this legendary event at a special discounted rate. Don't miss the opportunity to snag your tickets early and be part of the metal mayhem that awaits! A limited amount of early bird tickets will be on sale until the AMF 2025 lineup is announced in the coming months.

    All tickets provide General Admission and grant access to the festival grounds, camping area, and arena from 9:00 AM on Friday, July 11, 2025, until 10:00 AM on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Free camping is included.

    Weekend Passes are available at https://armstrongmetalfest.ca/tickets

    (Tickets will be mailed starting after March 1st if you have chosen the "Ticket Mailed" option.)

    Please Note: RV / Non-Hookup RV / Vehicle Passes: Make sure to reserve your vehicle spot to get the best location on the grounds. A fee is required for a weekend pass per vehicle in addition to your day or weekend pass. RV hookups include water and power. If you choose to park your vehicle outside the camping area in the main parking lot, then a vehicle pass is not required.

    This 15th annual gathering of metalheads will again witness two days of unforgettable moshing, headbanging, and camping. From iconic headliners to promising newcomers, the 2025 lineup is set to showcase the best of diverse metal genres, ensuring an electrifying experience for all. In addition to the performing bands, Armstrong Metal Fest brings back the following on-site activities.

    Yeti Games: Participate in this year’s Yeti Games with six extreme skill-testing events! 20 participants compete for a chance to win two free passes to next year’s metal fest. The last person standing wins…

    Email jessevalstar[@]gmail[.]com to sign up.

    There might be openings at the last minute, so show up for the opening ceremony. AMF may have a jersey with your number on it!

    Metal Market Madness: The metal market will be a bustling hub of activity, featuring a diverse array of vendors offering everything from band merchandise to unique collectibles. Seize the opportunity to grab exclusive items and immerse yourself in the metal culture.

    Thrash Wrestling: Experience an electrifying event featuring the high-octane clash of titans! Join AMF on Saturday for an unforgettable afternoon of fierce competition, heart-stopping moments, and pure wrestling mayhem!

    The 2024 AMF lineup hosted Los Angeles death metal masters ABYSMAL DAWN (July 12th) and Kansas City THE BROWNING (July 13th) who unleashed their unique eclectic blend of electronicore and deathcore. Also featured were dissonant and atmospheric Vancouver tech death metallers ATRÆ BILIS, and Orlando's two-fisted two steppin' double-wide aural assault squad BODYBOX. Returning to the festival, were the Okanagan's very favourite Black Metallers XUL (Vernon, BC) and Edmonton death metallers EYE OF HORUS along with first-time performances from Vancouver twin brother duo OPAL IN SKY, San Francisco's outside-the-box prog metallers CYBORG OCTOPUS, and the tech death fury of Riverside, CA's ARKAIK among many more.

    About: Since 2009 (minus pause years 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic), West Metal Entertainment and Armstrong Metalfest have not only fostered the talent of hundreds of local bands, but have imported well-known, international acts to the quiet, little Canadian town of Armstrong, British Columbia.

    Each year hundreds of metal music fans from Canada and the USA descend into the picturesque Okanagan Valley and under the blistering sun, they spend three days camping, taking in a tonne of heavy metal fun over two days, spectating wrestling events, participating in scavenger hunts, and catching up with their extended metal family.

    The festival has seen such renowned headliners as Kataklysm, Cattle Decapitation, Archspire, Nekrogoblikon, Origin, Rivers of Nihil, Warbinger, Fallujah, Striker, and Beyond Creation as well as emerging artists from across North America. At the end of the revelry, the festival disappears without a trace, leaving the landscape as pristine as it has always been.

    West Metal Entertainment is a non-profit society that not only puts on the Armstrong Metal Festival every year in Armstrong, B.C. but also gives bands opportunities to play at different venues throughout the region including all-ages shows, to encourage musical passion in kids as well as adults.

    Partners:
    WCMFA
    AlumaPro Welding & Fabrication Ltd
    Vox and Hops
    Rancho Vignola
    Creative BC
    Province of BC
    Shepherds Hardware
    Askews Foods
    ACE Containers
    Asher Media Relations
    Staggs Head
    Sunbelt Rentals
    Bravewords
    Absolute Underground Mag
    Broken Neck Radio
    V13
    Metal-Rules
    Ghost Cult Magazine
    This Day In Metal
    Valstar Electric
    Voets

    For more info:
    Armstrongmetalfest.ca
    Facebook
    Instagram
    Twitter

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  • ARMSTRONG METALFEST Opens Up Band Submissions For 2025 Lineup! 15 Years of Mountain Moshing In The Okanagan!

     

    Western Canada's largest mountain mosh pit Armstrong MetalFest will be celebrating 15 years of bringing extreme metal music fans from across Canada and beyond to British Columbia's Okanagan Valley with their forthcoming 2025 lineup being held on July 11th-12th in Armstrong at the Hassen Arena.

    This 15th annual gathering of metalheads will once again witness two days of unforgettable moshing, headbanging, and camping. From iconic headliners to promising newcomers, the 2025 lineup is set to showcase the best of diverse metal genres, ensuring an electrifying experience for all.

    Bands interested in applying to perform at the 2025 festival can submit at the following link from October 1st to 15th: https://armstrongmetalfest.ca/band-submissions/

    In addition to band submissions opening for 2025, Armstrong MetalFest has been honoured with the Tourism and Hospitality Award at the Armstrong Spallumcheen Community Excellence Award Show this past September.

    The 2024 lineup hosted Los Angeles death metal masters ABYSMAL DAWN (July 12th) and Kansas City THE BROWNING (July 13th) who unleashed their unique eclectic blend of electronicore and deathcore. Also featured were dissonant and atmospheric Vancouver tech death metallers ATRÆ BILIS, and Orlando's two-fisted two steppin' double-wide aural assault squad BODYBOX. Returning to the festival, were the Okanagan's very favourite Black Metallers XUL (Vernon, BC) and Edmonton death metallers EYE OF HORUS along with first-time performances from Vancouver twin brother duo OPAL IN SKY, San Francisco's outside-the-box prog metallers CYBORG OCTOPUS, and the tech death fury of Riverside, CA's ARKAIK among many more.

    Since 2009 (minus pause years 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic), West Metal Entertainment and Armstrong Metalfest have not only fostered the talent of hundreds of local bands, but have imported well-known, international acts to the quiet, little Canadian town of Armstrong, British Columbia.

    Each year hundreds of metal music fans from Canada and the USA descend into the picturesque Okanagan Valley and under the blistering sun, they spend three days camping, taking in as much metal over two days, participating in wrestling events, scavenger hunts, and catching up with their metal family.

    The festival has seen such renowned headliners as Kataklysm, Cattle Decapitation, Archspire, Nekrogoblikon, Origin, Rivers of Nihil, Warbinger, Fallujah, Striker, and Beyond Creation as well as emerging artists from across North America. At the end of the revelry, the festival disappears without a trace, leaving the landscape as pristine as it has always been.

    West Metal Entertainment is a non-profit society that not only puts on the Armstrong Metal Festival every year in Armstrong, B.C. but also gives bands opportunities to play at different venues throughout the region including all-ages shows, to encourage musical passion in kids as well as adults.

    For more info:
    Armstrongmetalfest.ca
    Facebook
    Instagram
    Twitter

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  • ARMSTRONG METALFEST Adds ABYSMAL DAWN, OLDGUARD To 2024 Lineup w/ THE BROWNING, EYE OF HORUS, ATRÆ BILIS, ARKAIK, BODYBOX and more!

    Armstrong MetalFest 2024 Spotify playlist Here.

    Western Canada's largest mountain mosh pit Armstrong MetalFest announces that the new headliner for Friday night, July 12th will be Los Angeles death metal masters ABYSMAL DAWN to replace Decrepit Birth who unfortunately retracted from their performance due to a schedule conflict within the line-up. Also joining the AMF lineup, is local Okanagan hard rock / heavy metal band, Kelowna's Oldguard to replace Calgary's Kingsrot.

    This 14th annual gathering of metalheads, Armstrong MetalFest will once again witness a pilgrimage of extreme metal music fans for two days of unforgettable moshing, headbanging, and camping. From iconic headliners to promising newcomers, the 2024 lineup is set to showcase the best of diverse metal genres, ensuring an electrifying experience for all.

    This year's lineup held on July 12th and 13th at the Hassen Arena in Armstrong, BC will be headlined by Kansas City THE BROWNING who will be unleashing their unique eclectic blend of electronicore and deathcore. Also featured on this year's two-day festival, dissonant and atmospheric Vancouver tech death metallers ATRÆ BILIS, and Orlando's two-fisted two steppin' double-wide aural assault squad BODYBOX. Returning to the festival, is the Okanagan's very favourite Black Metallers XUL (Vernon, BC) and Edmonton death metallers EYE OF HORUS along with first-time performances from Vancouver twin brother duo OPAL IN SKY, San Francisco's outside-the-box prog metallers CYBORG OCTOPUS, and the tech death fury of Riverside, CA's ARKAIK among many more (full lineup listed below).

    Festival weekend passes are on sale now at the following link: https://armstrongmetalfest.ca

    (All tickets provide General Admission and grant access to the festival grounds, camping area, and arena from 9:00 AM on Friday, July 12, 2023, until 12:00 PM on Sunday, July 14, 2022. Free camping is included.)

    "It's one of the premier festivals of its kind in Canada, showcasing the biggest names in local, national, and international heavy metal music." - Vancouver Sun

    AMF 2024 Lineup:

    Abysmal Dawn (Los Angeles, CA)
    The Browning (Kansas City, MO)
    Xul (Vernon, BC)
    Opal In Sky (Vancouver, BC)
    Cyborg Octopus (San Francisco, CA)
    Eye Of Horus (Edmonton, AB)
    Atrae Billis (Vancouver, BC)
    Arkaik (Riverside, CA)
    Bobybox (Orlando, FL)
    Nott (Seattle, WA)
    Dessiderium (Phoenix, AZ)
    Odinfist (Armstrong, BC)
    Misyrion (Vancouver, BC)
    Death Machine (Kelowna, BC)
    Satanic Tea Company (Calgary, AB)
    Ravensun (Nanaimo, BC)
    Crown Of Madness (Vancouver, BC)
    Vaegon (Edmonton, AB)
    Lynx (Calgary, AB)
    Kelevra (Regina, SK)
    Oldguard (Kelowna, BC)
    Gregorious (Kamloops, BC)
    Dendros (Kamloops, BC)
    Thirteen Goats (Vancouver, Bc)
    Anomalist (Prince George, BC
    Burn It All (Kamloops, BC)
    Augur (Kamloops, BC)

    The 2023 edition of Armstrong MetalFest broke attendance records again with its eclectic earth-shaking lineup that featured 28 bands performing on the two-day festival that included headliners LA thrashers WARBRINGER, San Francisco tech-death giants FALLUJAH, festival alumni Spokane, WA's ENTERPRISE EARTH, and Los Angeles' THE ZENITH PASSAGE, along with Denver's H.P. Lovecraft extreme metallers VALE OF PNATH, and Edmonton's Juno award-winning heavy metal champions STRIKER.

    Since 2009 (minus pause years 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic), West Metal Entertainment and Armstrong Metalfest have not only fostered the talent of hundreds of local bands, but have imported well-known, international acts to the quiet, little Canadian town of Armstrong, British Columbia.

    Each year hundreds of metalheads from Canada and the USA descend into the picturesque Okanagan Valley and under the blistering sun, they spend three days camping, taking in as much metal over two days, participating in wrestling events, scavenger hunts, and catching up with their metal family.

    The festival has seen such renowned headliners as Kataklysm, Cattle Decapitation, Archspire, Nekrogoblikon, Origin, Rivers of Nihil, and Beyond Creation as well as emerging artists from across North America. At the end of the revelry, the festival disappears without a trace, leaving the landscape as pristine as it has always been.

    West Metal Entertainment is a non-profit society that not only puts on the Armstrong Metal Festival every year in Armstrong, B.C., it gives bands opportunities to play at different venues throughout the region including all-ages shows, to encourage musical passion in kids as well as adults.

    For more info:
    Armstrongmetalfest.ca
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    Twitter

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