Photo Credit: John Gyllhamn

Swedish rock heavyweights Smash Into Pieces celebrate the release of their most ambitious album today, ARMAHEAVEN (31st October) with the reveal of their new video, 'Villain'. 

Watch: https://youtu.be/m2RysWGqVvc

Get the album here: https://www.smashintopieces.com/armaheaven

With over half a billion streams and views, Smash Into Pieces have risen to become one of modern rock’s most dominant forces. From supporting Evanescence and Within Temptation on the Worlds Collide Tour (2022), reaching the Swedish Eurovision final twice, and delivering 1000+ shows worldwide, the band has cemented its global presence. 2024 was a milestone year with multiple headline tours across Scandinavia, North America, and Europe, followed by a packed festival summer. In 2025, the band’s expansion continues with tours in Thailand, Australia, Europe, and the Nordics.

On ARMAHEAVEN, Smash Into Pieces push their cinematic storytelling further than ever. Picking up where their previous album Ghost Code left off, the new chapter throws listeners into a dystopian future where Ghostis, now unstoppable, seizes control of the world. As the resistance falls, a new force emerges: an AI-driven entity that sparks an all-out digital war for dominance. The clash escalates into global catastrophe, exploring themes of power, survival, and rebirth. Will humanity find salvation, or will the machines consume themselves in a final great reset?

The album also features high-profile collaborations with Elize Ryd (Amaranthe), LIAMOO, and Swedish/Japanese media icon LiLiCo. Together with Smash Into Pieces, LiLiCo delivers the powerful duet 'First Time', bridging continents and cultures - a collaboration introduced to the public on Swedish national television in August 2025.

With an ever-growing international fanbase, countless sold-out shows, and their boldest musical and narrative vision yet, Smash Into Pieces close out 2025 at the peak of their career—proving once again why they are one of the leading forces in modern rock.

For more information:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2vhrwzjf9H3icunkVFi9tq?si=WcGyc23hQoKl8JkY2s-XCw&nd=1&dlsi=b65b2cd54c954fca
https://www.instagram.com/smashintopiecesofficial
https://www.facebook.com/SmashIntoPieces
https://www.tiktok.com/@smashintopiecesofficial

Tracklisting:

1. NeoFuture
2. Villain    
3. Broken Halo    
4. Paradise feat Elize Ryd    
5. Maze of Fools    
6. Hurricane    
7. Rage    
8. Wildfire    
9. Man or Machine    
10. Flame feat LIAMOO    
11. Devil in my Head    
12. First Time feat LiLiCo    
13. A Sky Full of Stars    
14. Some Kind of Heaven    
15. Prophecy

Photo Credit: Eivind Hansen

Dublin-born, London-based Tayne have released a dark industrial cover of Jefferson Airplane's ‘Somebody To Love’, the first new music since the release of their stunning debut album Love via MNRK Heavy. This follows the announcement of their UK & EU tour with Danish alt metal band MØL.

Stream 'Somebody To Love' here: https://tayne.lnk.to/SomebodyToLove

The band commented: “We wanted to do something that felt on brand with our album Love. ‘Somebody To Love’ was the obvious choice, it’s iconic and timeless. That song has existed for almost 60 years & it’s still relevant and as good as any pop song can be.”

Tayne will support MØL with Cold Night For Alligators on the following dates:

Feb 6 – Berlin, DE – Hole 44
Feb 7 – Prague, CZ – Futurum
Feb 8 – Leipzig, DE – Naummans
Feb 9 – München, DE – Feierwerk
Feb 10 – Wiesbaden, DE – Kesselhaus
Feb 11 – Eindhoven, NL – Effenaar KZ
Feb 12 – London, UK – Underworld
Feb 13 – Manchester, UK – Rebellion 
Feb 14 – Glasgow, UK – Classic Grand Lounge Bar 
Feb 15 – Leeds, UK – Key Club
Feb 16 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Institute2
Feb17 – Bristol, UK – Exchange
Feb 18 – Paris, FR – Petit Bain
Feb 20 – Koln, DE – Club Volta
Feb 21 – Hamburg, DE – Betty 

Tickets are available here: https://ffm.live/moeldk-tour

Love showcases Tayne at their boldest, blending ferocious energy with genre defying exploration. The album includes 'Fear', anthemic enough for stadiums, featuring a blistering guest appearance from Rolo Tomassi’s James Spence; 'In This Trend', an industrial dancefloor monster that could easily tear through the walls of Berghain; and 'Wasted', a brutal, mechanical explosion channelling the raw power of Ministry and Fear Factory, while struggling to find peace in the chaos.

“'Wasted' is all about lust,” explains Matt. “It’s about getting swept up in those intense feelings, confusing them for something more meaningful, and then stripping it all away to expose the mess it leaves behind.”

Love is co-produced by Tayne & longtime collaborator Wayne Adams (Green Lung, Pet Brick), one of a number of collaborations with artists as diverse as Jesu, Cage Fight, Rolo Tomassi, Mastiff, Katie Kim & Poisonous Birds with Tayne supporting the likes of HEALTH, Author & Punisher and The Dillinger Escape Plan’s Greg Puciato.

Tayne are: 
Matthew Sutton (vocals / bass)
Tom Hancock (guitar)
Paul Traveller (drums)

Tayne online:
https://www.youtube.com/@tayneband
https://www.instagram.com/tayneband
https://x.com/TayneBand
https://www.tiktok.com/@tayneband
https://www.facebook.com/tayneband
http://www.mnrkheavy.com

Swedish metalcore powerhouse Aviana are back with a vengeance with new album VOID, out today via Arising Empire.

Known for their intense soundscapes and relentless energy, Aviana continue to push boundaries, further solidifying their place among the heavyweights of modern metalcore. Blending ferocious screams, haunting clean vocals, and razor-sharp instrumentation, Aviana surge with unrelenting energy and emotion. 

Stream/Order here: https://arisingempire.com/aviana

​VOID features a guest ​performance from Eddie Berg of Imminence on their latest single 'Worlds Pulse'.

Tracklist
1. Iter Incipere    
2. Father
3. Heavenly Sparks
4. Redroom
5. Delirium
6. Storm Ablaze
7. Evermore
8. In Continua Iter
9. Into The Void   
10. Worlds Pulse feat. Eddie Berg

Quebec City's heavy scene trailblazers Get The Shot have released the brand new track 'Torture Your Corpse'. 

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/mcFqv3oW17I

Download/stream here: https://arisingempire.com/gettheshot

While celebrating the addition of a new vocalist and the comeback of the original guitar player, the new single sees the band undergo a transformation into a new persona and exploring a more visceral sound, while sticking to its hardcore roots.

Photo Credit: John McMurtrie 

This Halloween, groundbreaking dark alt-metal visionaries Plague of Angels return with their most ambitious and emotionally charged single to date, 'Black Requiem'. A haunting exploration of mental health and the darkness within the human psyche, the track signals a new chapter in the band’s evolution. 

Watch the video to 'Black Requiem' here: https://youtu.be/RjT5i_IbbKU

Stream here: https://plagueofangels.bfan.link/plague-of-angels-black-requiem
 
The band comment: "'Black Requiem' captures the sound of internal chaos, the private struggle that no one else can see. The imagery of Emilie performing from within a perspex coffin reflects that sense of being buried by your own mind yet still finding the strength to sing through it. This is the most conceptually ambitious piece we’ve ever created. From Caroline’s haunting piano that opens the track to the blistering guitar solo, every element serves the story of emotional confinement and release. Bringing Emilie Nox into the band has redefined our sound. Her ability to move between ethereal melody and visceral aggression gives 'Black Requiem' a rare emotional depth. It’s a song that bleeds honesty. We wanted to create something beautiful within the darkness. 'Black Requiem' is about confronting despair, not avoiding it, turning pain into art and noise into meaning.”

‘Black Requiem’ marks the first appearance of new vocalist Emilie Nox, whose dynamic range moves seamlessly from ethereal melody to visceral death growls and new bassist/pianist Caroline Campbell, whose expressive piano work and thunderous bass line low end expand the band’s already immersive sound.

Musically, ‘Black Requiem’ propels Plague of Angels further into their signature fusion of epic grandeur and extreme metal intensity. From fragile piano passages and sweeping strings to an explosive chorus and searing guitar solo, the song embodies the collision of vulnerability and rage, echoing the struggle at the heart of its lyrics.

The accompanying video for ‘Black Requiem’ is a dark, cinematic exploration of isolation and inner turmoil. Directed with stark visual precision, it features vocalist Emilie Nox entombed within a perspex coffin, a visceral metaphor for mental confinement and the will to break free.

Plague of Angels first turned heads with their debut single, 'What Lies Beneath', and becoming the first metal band ever to perform on BBC’s The One Show. Their breathtaking live performance inside a church, complete with pipe organ accompaniment, earned critical acclaim from The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph, whilst solidifying their reputation as pioneers of “Organic Metal,” blending classical grandeur with contemporary heaviness. 

Their follow-up singles ‘Beyond Salvation’ and 'Lazarene' deepened that vision, showcasing a remarkable range of musical and emotional dynamics.

Earlier this year, the band made history once again with a sold-out performance at York Minster, one of the UK’s most iconic cathedrals. The monumental show saw their sound rise through the vast gothic arches of the Minster, merging the sacred and the extreme in a spellbinding display of light, sound and emotion. The event drew widespread national media attention, with coverage across BBC Look North, ITV News and BBC Radio 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, underscoring Plague of Angels’ reputation as one of the most ambitious and visionary forces in contemporary metal.

The concept of Organic Metal was born from guitarist Mark Mynett’s collaboration with Leeds Cathedral organist David Pipe, an experiment that bridged the sacred and the extreme. The project’s success, covered by local, national and international media, laid the foundations for Plague of Angels, a band devoted to exploring beauty, darkness and transcendence in sound.

Photography comes courtesy of award-winning photographer John McMurtrie with a full gallery, including striking live shots from the band’s breathtaking performance at York Minster, available here. 

Forthcoming live dates: 
 
Organic Metal: Two Worlds Collide

5th December - Huddersfield Town Hall (supported by doom metal legend Aaron Stainthorpe (High Parasite/ex-My Dying Bride) and Mark Deeks (Arð/Winterfylleth) [Ticket Link]

23rd May 2026 - Hull City Hall  [Ticket Link] 

Plague of Angelsare: 
Vocals - Emilie Nox (Gravity)
Guitar - Mark Mynett (Kill II This)
Guitar - Oz Wright (Pythia)
Drums - Jeff Singer (Kill II This, Paradise Lost & My Dying Bride)
Bass / Piano - Caroline Campbell (formerly Cradle of Filth)
Guitar - Richard Shaw (formerly Cradle of Filth) - writing member (non-touring)

Photo Credit: Jessica Christ

German metal outfit Unprocessed have unveiled 'Head in the Clouds' featuring guest vocals from Jason Butler of Fever333. The single is released ahead of their new album Angel, due for release on Halloween 2025 (31st October).

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/CNJbVm0AM1M

Stream the single here: https://ffm.to/unprocessed-angel

Pre-order Angel here: https:ffm.to/unprocessed-angel  

Unprocessed comment on the single "Jason from Fever333 absolutely astonished us with his input on 'Head in the Clouds' and what he did is open a whole new universe for Unprocessed. With his rap-like flows and one of the strongest choruses we’ve ever worked with, the song takes an almost nu-metal direction. Combined with one of Manu's iconic main riffs, this track one of our favourites on the album. Lyrically, this song follows the idea of being overwhelmed with today’s world, forced to shine and to keep the show going, no matter how you feel. We’re proud of this collaboration and are honoured to be able to work with one of the best frontmen in the scene.”

Jason adds: "Simply put. There are plenty of folks making music out there. Plenty of folks with obvious talent in the guitar oriented spaces. But this track made me feel something the moment I heard a mere clip of it which is why I told Manuel even if they don't use it, I needed to contribute to it somehow.”

'Head in the Clouds' follows 'Beyond Heaven's Gate' and 'Solara' featuring Zelli of Paleface Swiss.

Unprocessed have also been announced as main support to Jinjer on their 2026 UK/EU headline tour, with Textures opening. Catch them on the following dates:

27 Jan: SWG3, Glasgow
28 Jan: 3Olympia, Dublin
29 Jan: O2 Ritz, Manchester
30 Jan: O2 Institute, Birmingham
31 Jan: O2 Forum Kentish Town, London

Unprocessed is composed of Manuel Gardner Fernandes (vocals, guitar), David Levy (bass, synths), Christoph Schultz (guitar), and Leon Pfeifer (drums). Their upcoming album Angel marks another bold step in the band’s creative evolution. Expanding their sonic palette with heavier textures and emotive and intimate lyricism that highlights their poppier side. Angel features high-profile guest appearances from Zelli of Paleface Swiss and Jason Aalon Butler of Letlive and Fever 333. These collaborations add new layers of urgency and intensity to a record that explores themes of conflict, duality, and inner transformation.

The band speaks more about the themes of Angel: "This album is more than just a record by four boys from Germany - it’s a light shone upon the unknown, like memories from the afterlife. We explored the concept of "Angel" in various ways: becoming an angel through real-life actions, hearing angels serenade, a fallen angel telling his story and becoming the Antichrist, or seeing someone as an angel through glorification. This concept inspired both the music and the lyrics. While we’re leaning more into a polished metalcore sound, the record still maintains the essence of what makes Unprocessed unique. It features some of the craziest guitar, bass, and drum work we've ever showcased as a band. At the same time, we believe it’s more accessible to the broader metal and metalcore audience, with our strongest and catchiest hooks and melodies to date.”

The band’s previous album, ...and everything in between (2023), received widespread acclaim for its complex arrangements and specifically heavy compositions. The record launched a major touring cycle which saw the band complete headline shows with many sold out across North America, and Europe, as well as performing their largest shows in China, and venturing into Japan, Thailand, Singapore and Australia for the first time. They also appeared at prominent festivals such as Download (UK), Graspop Metal Meeting (Belgium), Mystic Festival (Poland) and Resurrection Festival (Spain).

In the past two years, Unprocessed have supported major heavy acts including In Flames, TesseracT, August Burns Red, Spiritbox, and Polyphia. Their collaborative work with Polyphia guitarists Tim Henson and Scott LePage on ...and everything in between highlighted  the potential Unprocessed continues to exhibit amongst the scene’s most exciting guitar focused acts.

Central to Unprocessed’s identity is guitarist and vocalist Manuel Gardner Fernandes, whose playing has garnered international attention across online platforms and beyond. His partnership with Ibanez, including a signature model, and his ongoing guitar clinics around the world, reflect his growing status as one of the leading voices in modern metal guitar.

Unprocessed continue to push their sound forward with each release. Angel presents their most focused and dynamic material to date, offering a deeper look into the extremes of human experience without losing the technical foundations that first set them apart.

Unprocessed are:
Manuel Gardner Fernandes - Vocals, Guitars
Christoph Schultz - Guitars
David John Levy - Bass & Keys
Leon Pfeifer - Drums

For more:
www.unprocessed.band
www.facebook.com/unprocessedofficial
www.Instagram.com/unprocessedband

Track-list: 
1. 111
2. Sleeping with Ghosts
3. Beyond Heaven’s Gate
4. Sacrifice Me
5. Snowlover
6. Terrestrial
7. Your Dress
8. Where I Left My Soul
9. Solara feat. Zelli from Paleface Swiss
10. First Tongue
11. Perfume
12. Head in the Clouds feat. Jason Aalon Butler from Fever 333
13. Dark, Silent and Complete

Photo Credit: Andy Ford

UK prog metal titans TesseracT will release their forthcoming live album and concert film RADAR on 5th December via Kscope. RADAR is the culmination of a fifteen-year journey that has seen TesseracT rise from underground beginnings to one of the most vital forces in modern metal music. RADAR and the accompanying soundtrack RADAR O.S.T. will be available on a variety of video and audio formats including Blu-ray, CD and vinyl LP.

Today, the band reveal their new single ‘Tender (Live At Radar)’ alongside a new video.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/cwFJigJ2UJM

Filmed at Radar Festival 2024 in Manchester, the new concert film captures the band at a peak moment in their career, performing to a sold-out crowd and delivering a performance for the ages.

Pre-order here: https://tesseractkscope.lnk.to/Radar_OST

RADAR and RADAR O.S.T. will be released on Blu-ray, Blu-ray + 2CD, black vinyl 2LP, Lagoon vinyl 2LP, transparent orange vinyl 2LP and 2CD.

In their own words, “The 90 minutes, or so, on stage, were proceeded by two full years of talks. Wild creative chats about ideas, and an ever increasingly ridiculous level of  ambition from both Joe at Radar, and Mos in TesseracT. Venue changes, schedule changes, album touring, none of these impeded the momentum once the ball was rolling”.

The performance soars even higher with the addition of Choir Noir, led by the indomitable Kat Marsh, whose imprint was vital in shaping the vocals on 2023’s landmark War Of Being album.

TesseracT online:

https://www.tesseractband.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/tesseractband
https://www.instagram.com/tesseractband
https://twitter.com/tesseractband
https://open.spotify.com/artist/23ytwhG1pzX6DIVWRWvW1r
https://kscopemusic.com/artists/tesseract

TesseracT are:

Daniel Tompkins (vocals)
Acle Kahney (guitar)
James Monteith (guitar)
Amos Williams (bass) 
Jay Postones (drums)

TesseracT – RADAR
1. Natural Disaster [07:59]
2. Echoes [04:21]
3. Nocturne [06:17]
4. Tourniquet [05:54]
5. Concealing Fate Part One: Acceptance [08:06]
6. The Grey [05:39]
7. Legion [06:26]
8. Tender [04:51]
9. King [07:11]
10. Juno [06:16]
11. Sacrifice [10:22]
12. War Of Being [12:23]

The award-winning, genre-busting RADAR Festival has today announced the first wave of bands for its 2026 lineup, including Animals As Leaders (UK festival exclusive) and The Pineapple Thief (UK festival exclusive).

They are joined by Australian titans Northlane, the long-awaited comeback of Canadian progressive metal quintet Protest The Hero, and the return of hotly-tipped newcomers unpeople.

Full list of bands announced today:

Animals As Leaders (UK festival exclusive)
The Pineapple Thief (UK festival exclusive)
Northlane
Protest The Hero (UK festival exclusive)
unpeople
Ten56.
Siamese
Heart Of A Coward
Employed To Serve
Elwood Stray
Hacktivist
Black Gold
Cage Fight
Dali
Ihlo
Benthos
Seething Akira
Luna Kills
Eville
Dacara

Tickets will be released 10am, 31st October. Get them here: www.radarfestival.co.uk/tickets

Co-founder and co-organiser of RADAR, Catherine Jackson-Smith, comments: 

"Animals As Leaders return to headline RADAR Festival 2026, marking a full-circle moment after leading our very first event back in 2019. We’ve both grown since then and a UK Festival Exclusive performance showing how far we’ve both come feels apt.

"Joining them, Northlane - the most requested band in RADAR’s history - finally take the stage for a long-awaited appearance fans have demanded since day one. Progressive icons The Pineapple Thief also join as a UK Festival Exclusive, while Protest The Hero finally return to UK shores and bring their infectious energy to Manchester for us. 

"They’re backed by a stacked lineup of heavy talent and rising stars: unpeople, Ten56., Siamese, Heart Of A Coward, Employed To Serve, Elwood Stray, Hacktivist, Black Gold, Cage Fight, Dali, Ihlo, Benthos, Seething Akira, Luna Kills, Eville, and Manchester locals, Dacara.

"Beyond the stages? Masterclasses, a music and gaming market, a vinyl shop, art gallery, coffee shop, and our no-clash schedule that lets you see it all."

Alongside the acts announced, RADAR's commitment to a musical and gaming paradise continues: their music & gaming market will return. Expected to be wowed by a retro arcade, the best new instruments and music tech, and many more besides. 

Also demonstrating their commitment to new bands, RADAR will continue to donate a portion of ticket sales proceeds to Music Venue Trust and Save Our Scene's Liveline Fund, in order to support grassroots music venues.

RADAR - the UK's most exciting progressive music festival - moved to Manchester for its 2023 edition, the third iteration of the festival.

RADAR pride themselves on providing a first home for the best international artists - previous years have seen Dirty Loops' (2022) and The Callous Daoboys' (2023) first UK shows; it was also the first festival to provide a headline slot for Sleep Token (2023). 

RADAR 2025 saw a stellar headline set from darkwave heavyweight Carpenter Brut and metalcore legends UNDERØATH, alongside some of the hottest talent from the UK and further afield.

Joining this stellar list were RADAR 2024's Friday headliners - synth royalty The Midnight, making their UK festival debut. Accompanying them were Saturday headliners TesseracT, as the UK prog metal titans delivered a special War Of Being album set. Finally, closing the festival on Sunday, modern progressive titans Leprous performed a world-first live, by request fan set. 

RADAR 2023 had Friday headliners Sleep Token joining Periphery (Sunday) and Igorrr (Saturday) among a host of the best from the UK and global progressive underground.

RADAR capped their intensely impressive 2022 by winning the Best New Festival Award at the UK Festival Awards on 6th December in Manchester, and were shortlisted for Best Small Festival and Best Metropolitan Festival at 2023 and 2024's UK Festival Awards.

With their mixture of international talent and confirmed homegrown success, RADAR Festival has already positioned themselves as a champion of forward-thinking, guitar-led progressive music. No genre boundaries, welcome to all, RADAR Festival was launched in 2019 to acclaim, with performances from Animals As Leaders, Agent Fresco, Rolo Tomassi, among others. Following the COVID hiatus, RADAR Festival 2022 expanded to three days with triumphant appearances from Leprous, Haken, Dirty Loops, Plini, Conjurer, Soen and more.

RADAR Festival is all about pushing boundaries - this year introducing fresh genres to the line-up and stages - and this is just the beginning. 

For more information:
Instagram: RDRfestival // Facebook: RDRfestival
Twitter: @RDRfestival // Website: www.radarfestival.co.uk

Festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents has revealed Tool and Shinedown will join previously announced headliners My Chemical Romance and Bring Me The Horizon for the fifth year of Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival, 14th-17th May at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

All pass types including Single Day, 4-day, GA, GA Plus, VIP, and Premium Experiences on sale now at SonicTempleFestival.com

The Pinnacle of Rock Festivals in America will feature an extensive rock, metal, and punk lineup of 140+ bands, and has expanded to 5 stages in 2026. Headlining artists for Sonic Temple 2026 include:
 
Thursday, May 14: My Chemical Romance, Pierce The Veil, Breaking Benjamin
Friday, May 15: Shinedown, The Offspring, Staind
Saturday, May 16: Bring Me the Horizon, Good Charlotte, Marilyn Manson
Sunday, May 17: Tool, Godsmack, Megadeth
 
Brent Smith of Shinedown said, “Barry, Zach, Eric and I have waited for this opportunity to be a headliner at Sonic Temple for a very long time. We are going to go all out for this performance. We know the fans have very high expectations. So with that being said, we are going to give all of Ohio everything we’ve got!!!! Thank you to Danny Wimmer for this incredible opportunity!!! LET’S GO SHINEDOWN NATION.”
 
The overall music lineup for Sonic Temple 2026 includes: My Chemical Romance, Tool, Bring Me The Horizon, Shinedown, Pierce The Veil, Good Charlotte, The Offspring, Breaking Benjamin, Godsmack, Sublime, Marilyn Manson, Staind, Megadeth, Halestorm, Lamb of God, Rise Against, All Time Low, Yellowcard, Simple Plan, Electric Callboy, Stone Temple Pilots, Public Enemy, Motionless in White, Coheed and Cambria, Amon Amarth, BUSH, Lorna Shore, The Used, Slaughter To Prevail, Alter Bridge, The Story So Far, Dayseeker, Black Label Society, Architects, Dance Gavin Dance, Chiodos, Body Count feat. Ice-T, Behemoth, Daughtry, New Found Glory, Black Veil Brides, Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm, Tom Morello, Zakk Sabbath, Anthrax, Dethklok, Sepultura, Kublai Khan TX, Avatar, Coal Chamber, Sevendust, Mayday Parade, The Darkness, Story of the Year, We Came As Romans, Thrice, In Flames, Everclear, Motion City Soundtrack, The Wonder Years, State Champs, P.O.D., Static-X, The Ghost Inside, The Plot In You, The Amity Affliction, August Burns Red, Paleface Swiss, Kreator, L.S. Dunes, Cradle of Filth, Atreyu, Lit, Citizen, Biohazard, Carcass, Polaris, DragonForce, Alestorm, Wind Rose, Palaye Royale, Blessthefall, Knuckle Puck, DevilDriver, Hawthorne Heights, Whitechapel, Hinder, Senses Fail, Dying Fetus, Bloodywood, Apocalyptica, thrown, Buckcherry, All That Remains, Anberlin, Cattle Decapitation, Magnolia Park, Catch Your Breath, Chelsea Grin, DOPE, Crown The Empire, Attila, Make Them Suffer, Saliva, From First to Last, Demon Hunter, Thornhill, Brand of Sacrifice, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Thy Art Is Murder, Fozzy, Napalm Death, Snot, Bodysnatcher, Alpha Wolf, Egypt Central, Carnifex, Holding Absence, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Mushroomhead, Powerman 5000, The Word Alive, Suffocation, Alira Elfeky, Attack Attack!, Nekrogoblikon, CKY, Drop Dead, Gorgeous, SOiL, Butcher Babies, Wind Walkers, Signs of the Swarm, Woe, Is Me, Jiluka, Disembodied Tyrant, The Pretty Wild, Allt, FLAW, Spiritworld, NERV, Novelists, Conquer Divide, Castle Rat, Windwaker and Left On Red.
 
Additional music highlights and special appearances for Sonic Temple 2026 include:
 
Megadeth (farewell tour)
Body Count feat. Ice-T (festival debut)
Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm (20th anniversary of their debut self-titled album)
Sepultura (final farewell tour)
Coal Chamber (rare appearance)
DragonForce (Inhuman Rampage 20th anniversary)
Hawthorne Heights (home state performance)
Saliva (Every Six Seconds 25th Anniversary Tour) 
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (20th Anniversary of Don't You Fake It)
Anberlin (exclusive reunion with original lead singer Stephen Christian)
Snot (reunion)
Egypt Central (reunion)
Mushroomhead (home state performance)
Drop Dead, Gorgeous (reunion)
 
Beyond the music, one of the most distinctive elements of Sonic Temple is its celebration of visual art—transforming the festival into a living, breathing gallery experience. The onsite Art Boutique, Art Towers, and Art Walls return, featuring live, large-scale installations and interactive pieces that unfold in real time throughout the weekend.
 
Contemporary American painter Terry Urban, known for his vibrant pop-meets-street style, and illustrator and cartoonist Jay Howell, the creative mind behind Bob’s Burgers and Sanjay and Craig, bold, irreverent visuals will add a playful pulse to the festival grounds. The program also highlights a curated selection of Columbus-based artists, celebrating the city’s vibrant creative community through live mural painting and exclusive artwork featured throughout the site. Together with a curated roster of emerging and established artists, they’ll redefine what it means to experience art at a rock festival.
 
To round out the immersive atmosphere, the Caduceus Wine Garden - featuring selections from Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards, owned by Tool’s Maynard James Keenan - returns in 2026, offering fans a refined retreat amid the energy of the weekend. And back by popular demand, The Dive Bar, the festival’s fan-favourite hangout with pop-up performances and surprise appearances, will once again be a must-visit destination on the grounds.
 
All pass types - including Single Day and 4-day GA, GA Plus, VIP and Premium Experiences - are available now at sonictemplefestival.com/passes for as low as $1 down on deposit, with over six months to pay in full. Premium experiences include Rock Royalty, a GA Plus upgrade that takes fans inside the world of our headliners with exclusive photo ops, curated memorabilia displays, and a luxury lounge environment. The Columbus Owners Club delivers the ultimate festival experience with access to the mainstage field and stadium seats, plus entry to the VIP Lounge, Rock Royalty Lounge, and the private COC Lounge—featuring air-conditioned indoor spaces, an elevated viewing deck, complimentary food and drinks, and premium restrooms. Fans can also live the suite life in one of Historic Crew Stadium’s private suites—perfect for a party with your crew and an unforgettable view of the action. To reserve, fans can email Premium@ColumbusCrew.com. Service fees on all pass purchases include a charity fee for the DWP Foundation, which gives back to local and national charities throughout the year.
 
A Sonic Temple student offer will be available in 2026, allowing those with a valid .edu address access to a $123 (all-in, fees included) Single-Day GA Stadium Pass via FEVO. For more details, visit https://www.gofevo.com/event/ST-StudentTickets.
 
DWP has again partnered with GOVX to offer specially priced Sonic Temple passes--including 4-day GA Field, 4-day GA Stadium, and Single Day GA Stadium--to military, nurses, firefighters, and police personnel who can verify their eligibility through GOVX.
 
Fans can book official Sonic Temple festival hotel and admission packages, which allow festival re-entry each day, via Jampack. In addition, Camping and Parking options are also available for purchase.
 
In May 2025, Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival cemented its legacy as the Biggest Rock Fest In Columbus History as 175,000 music fans converged on Historic Crew Stadium in Ohio for the sold-out event which featured more than 100 bands playing on four stages, with a number of special and unexpected moments.
 
Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America.
 
Earlier this year, producer Danny Wimmer Presents (DWP) solidified its long-term commitment to Columbus by announcing a five-year extension of its partnership with the Historic Crew Stadium, ensuring that the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival will continue through at least 2030. This milestone not only secures the future of one of the nation’s most iconic rock festivals but also underscores the event’s growing cultural and economic impact on the region.
 
Sonic Temple is proud to partner with an incredible lineup of partners in 2026, including Bud Light, Michelob Ultra, Celsius, Jack Daniel’s, Cutwater, White Claw, Goose Island, Eargasm, and more to be announced.
 
For more information on Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival, visit:
Website: https://sonictemplefestival.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sonictemplefestival | @SonicTempleFestival
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sonictemplefest | @SonicTempleFest
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sonictemplefestival | @SonicTempleFestival

Sonic Temple 2025 by Sam Shapiro

About Danny Wimmer Presents: Since 1995, music industry veteran Danny Wimmer has been producing concerts and festivals, both large and small. In 2011, he founded Danny Wimmer Presents, a live entertainment company that produces the largest rock, metal, and alternative music festivals in the U.S. DWP creates unforgettable and all-encompassing festival experiences, leaving both attendees and partners with lasting and meaningful impressions. Since 2020, DWP has been an innovator in the digital content space with over two dozen international livestreams, acclaimed social series Offstage with DWP, DWPresents Channel on Twitch, which garnered over 25 million worldwide views since its launch in mid-2021, and The Power Hour, a weekly show dedicated to the world of rock that aired on AXS TV. DWP’s paranormal investigative video series Paranormal Prison (2023-2025) documented some of the supernatural experiences at Ohio State Reformatory during Inkcarceration with the help of bands performing at the festival. Episodes are available at www.youtube.com/@DannyWimmerPresents. The 2026 DWP festival lineup includes Aftershock, Bourbon & Beyond, Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, Louder Than Life, Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival and Welcome To Rockville.
www.DannyWimmerPresents.com
Facebook.com/Dannywimmerpresents
Instagram.com/Dannywimmerpresents
Twitter.com/DannyWimmerPres
 
About Historic Crew Stadium: Historic Crew Stadium is the first ever professional soccer-specific stadium in the United States. In addition to hosting concerts, sporting events and programming throughout the year, the venue also serves as the home of Columbus Crew 2 of MLS NEXT Pro. As announced in October 2025, Historic Crew Stadium will also welcome the United Football League’s Columbus Aviators for their inaugural season in the spring of 2026. Previously serving as the home of the Columbus Crew from 1999-2021, Historic Crew Stadium opened its doors on May 15, 1999 to a sellout crowd for a match against the New England Revolution. It has hosted numerous national and international events: eight U.S. Soccer FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – specifically four consecutive “Dos a Cero” victories for the U.S. over Mexico (2001, 2005, 2009, 2013) – FIFA Women's World Cup matches, three MLS Cups (2001, 2015, 2020), two MLS All-Star Games and a number of concerts. It was named the world's most influential stadium of the decade by Stadia Magazine in 2010. In 2008, the venue added a permanent stage in the North End, allowing for up to 35,000 fans to take in concerts and other marquee events.