COLORBLIND / If Not For Me / WINDWAKER Unleash Triple Co-Headlining US Run THE HOUNDS OF THE UNDERGROUND TOUR On Sale Friday | Tickets HERE
Genre-bending heavy hitters COLORBLIND, surging Pennsylvania metalcore unit If Not For Me, and Australian powerhouse WINDWAKER have today announced TheHounds Of The Underground Tour, a triple co-headlining trek uniting three of the most electrifying new voices in music.
Kicking off in the spring at Welcome To Rockville, The Hounds Of The Underground Tour will criss-cross North America as the bands rotate closing slots each night, giving fans three full-force headliner-caliber sets. Fans can purchase tickets on Friday HERE.
With a pivotal year and The Hounds Of The Underground Tour on the horizon, vocalist Travis Moseley of COLORBLIND shares:
“2026 is going to be a huge foundational year for what we’re building here in Colorblind – we’re working really hard to make this upcoming tour our most special shows yet in every aspect. We’re also releasing our debut album that we’ve put so much of ourselves into. Just excited to bring everyone along and make this feel like a real family.”
Reflecting on the band’s journey and what The Hounds Of The Underground Tour represents for the band, vocalist Patrick Glover of If Not For Me share:
“Y’all have been asking for an If Not For Me headliner for quite some time. Things have been so crazy between the past couple years of touring and writing new music and we’ve just been patiently waiting for the stars to align, and they’re finally getting close. We’re so stoked to go out on our first ever co-headliner this spring, the Hounds of the Underground Tour. We’ve known the Colorblind dudes for a while now and touring with them always just felt so inevitable, and we’re super excited to have the boys in Windwaker all the way from Australia. I truly think this is one of the coolest up and coming lineups you’ll see this year. Let’s pack these shows out. Release the hounds”
On connecting with fans across North America for The Hounds Of The Underground Tour, WINDWAKER share:
“We’re stoked to be performing alongside Colorblind and If Not For Me on our co-headline tour of North America this May/June. The Hounds of the Underground tour is going to be one for the ages, and we look forward to playing some new tunes on the road too. We can’t wait!”
THE HOUNDS OF THE UNDERGROUND TOUR *COLORBLIND + If Not For Me Only ** WINDWAKER Only May 9 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome To Rockville* May 10 – Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 May 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Foundry May 12 – Toronto, ON – Hard Luck May 14 – Colombus, OH – Sonic Temple** May 15 – Chicago, IL – Cobra Lounge May 16 – Minneapolis, MN – Amsterdam May 17 – St Louis, MO – Off Broadway May 19 – Denver, CO – HQ May 20 – Salt Lake City. UT – The Depot May 22 – Sacramento, CA – Goldfields May 23 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram May 24 – Anaheim, CA – The Parish May 26 – Mesa, AZ – Underground May 27 – Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad May 29 – San Antonio, TX – Vibes Underground May 30 – Dallas, TX – Puzzles May 31 – Houston, TX – Secret Group June 2 – Pensacola, FL – Handlebar June 3 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade (Purgatory) June 5 – Baltimore, MD – Metro Gallery June 6 – Richmond, VA – Canal Club June 7 – Brooklyn, NY – Meadows June 8 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE To Embark On U.S. Tour with Machine Head Iron Reagan + Havok
Killswitch Engage – Jesse Leach, vocals; Adam Dutkiewicz, guitar; Joel Stroetzel, guitar; Mike D’Antonio, bass; and Justin Foley, drums – will return to the road this summer on a headline run of the U.S. It marks the band’s first U.S. tour since last year’s Summer of Loud run.
The tour kicks off June 3 in Detroit and runs through June 27 in San Francisco, and includes appearances at Milwaukee Metal Fest and DC Warped Tour Weekend. Support will come from Machine Head, Iron Reagan, and Havok. All dates are below.
A variety of pre-sales begin today, March 3, at 2pm ET and run through Thursday, March 5 at 10pm local time. The general on-sale is set for Friday, March 6 at 10am local time. Get tickets here.
“I’m extremely excited to get back out on the road supporting our newest album This Consequence!,” says Leach. “We are hitting major cities and bringing along with us an absolutely killer lineup with the legendary Robb Flynn and Machine Head, thrash masters Iron Reagan, and rounded out by the mighty Havok. This is a stacked and powerful crew of bands that will electrify and dominate wherever we roll up to… so LET’S GO!!!!!!“
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE ON TOUR: WITH MACHINE HEAD, IRON REAGAN, + HAVOK: 6/03 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore 6/05 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore 6/06 – Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee Metal Fest* 6/07 – South Bend, IN – Four Winds Field 6/09 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz 6/11 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount 6/12 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner 6/13 – Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Center 6/14 – Washington, DC – DC Warped Tour* 6/16 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live 6/17 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle 6/19 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom 6/20 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center 6/21 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port 6/23 – Albuquerque, NM – Revel Entertainment Center 6/24 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee 6/25 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium 6/27 – San Francisco, CA – Warfield *KsE Festival Appearance
KsE‘s latest album THIS CONSEQUENCE is out now via Metal Blade. Get it here. The album arrived alongside a hugely successful Winter/Spring 2025 tour, yielded a Top 5 single with “I Believe,” which peaked at No. 3, and landed the band on the covers of Revolver and Outburn. The album was another reminder of why KsE, who have earned several gold and platinum certifications alongside three Grammy nominations, remain one of the most enduring bands of the modern metal scene.
You know how you can just tell when a band should call it a day from touring and performing? These bands don’t know that about themselves. Here’s a look at 10 Bands That Need To Retire.
“Back in March, Kiss revealed they were performing at a special Kiss Army event in Las Vegas in November. Now, that event’s been completely revamped into “Kiss Kruise: Landlocked in Vegas,” which references the band’s annual cruise, and the itinerary got an upgrade too. Kiss’s Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Tommy Thayer are now playing two performances — one electric and one acoustic — and they’ve recruited bands like Ratt and Quiet Riot to perform as well. There will also be Q&A panels and other activities during the three-day event. “The cool thing is, you don’t need a ship. We’ve got everything that you get on a Kiss Kruise. We’ve got other bands playing,” Stanley explained in a video announcing the revamped event. “We’re doing a full set… we’ll be playing all the songs you wanna hear.” (iHeart)
KITTIE Announce First Full North American Headline Tour In Ten Years
LEGACY OF FIRE TOUR: 30 YEARS OF KITTIE Set To Hit 15 Cities This June With Special Guests Kingdom of Giants & Gore
Canadian heavy music pioneers Kittie celebrate three decades of uncompromising metal with the announcement of the “Legacy Of Fire Tour: 30 Years of Kittie,” a massive 16-date North American headline run launching this June, their first full headline tour in over ten years. The tour marks a milestone moment for the band, honoring 30 years since Kittie‘s formation in 1996 while riding the momentum of their recent triumphs including 2024’s critically acclaimed comeback album “Fire” and 2025’s “Spit XXV” re-recorded and re-imagined anniversary EP. Kingdom of Giants and Gore will join as special guests across all dates, creating a powerhouse lineup that spans generations of heavy music. The tour kicks off June 6th in St. Louis and runs through June 27th in Montreal, hitting major markets including New York, Nashville, Toronto, and more. Pre-Sales start Tuesday, March 3rd with tickets going on general sale at 10am local on Friday, March 6th HERE.
Commenting on today’s epic announcement, the band share: “We’re excited to announce our Legacy of Fire tour on the eve of our 30th anniversary as a band. Thirty years ago, we ignited a spark. Three decades later, that fire is still burning, stronger and more focused than ever. Legacy of Fire is a celebration of every stage, every struggle, and every fan who carried us forward. Coming back to the US + Canada for our first full headline tour over a decade feels incredible. We’re ready to honor our history while ushering in the next chapter!”
LEGACY OF FIRE TOUR: 30 YEARS OF KITTIE W/ Special Guests Kingdom Of Giants and Gore Sat, Jun 6 – St Louis, MO – The Pageant Mon, Jun 8 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre Tue, Jun 9 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot Fri, Jun 12 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues Sat, Jun 13 – Phoenix, AZ – Nile Theater Mon, Jun 15 – San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theatre Tue, Jun 16 – Houston, TX – House of Blues Thu, Jun 18 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl Fri, Jun 19 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade Sat, Jun 20 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Sun, Jun 21 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage Tue, Jun 23 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza Wed, Jun 24 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium Fri, Jun 26 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall Sat, Jun 27 – Montreal, QC – Théâtre Beanfield
On Sale Schedule Soundrink Pre-Sale: Tuesday, March 3rd @ 10am Local Spotify Pre-Sale: Thursday, March 5th @ 10am Local Venue/Promoter Pre-Sale: Thursday, March 5th @ 10am Local General On-Sale: Friday, March 6th @ 10am Local Tickets Available HERE
The “Legacy Of Fire Tour” arrives as Kittie continues their most successful era in over a decade. Since returning from hiatus in 2022, the band has experienced a remarkable resurgence, with their 2024 album “Fire” reaching #13 on UK Rock & Metal Albums charts and earning a 2025 Juno Award nomination for Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year. Their celebration of “Spit’s” 25th anniversary with the re-imagined and re-recorded “Spit XXV” EP in 2025 further demonstrated the original album’s enduring cultural relevance, with Rolling Stone having ranked the original title track #82 on their “100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time.“
With 843,000 monthly Spotify listeners spanning multiple generations and triumphant festival performances at festivals such as Sick New World, Welcome to Rockville, Sonic Temple, Louder Than Life, Shiprocked and Aftershock, Kittie has proven their relevance extends far beyond nostalgia. The band’s ability to command stages while attracting new audiences through social media demonstrates that their revolutionary spirit burns as fiercely as ever.
The 30-year milestone is a testament to Kittie‘s lasting impact on heavy music. The “Legacy Of Fire Tour” promises a celebration of Kittie’s entire catalog, spanning huge hits and deep cuts and everything in between from their full catalog. With special guests Kingdom of Giants and Gore rounding out the bill, each night will celebrate some of the very best that heavy music has to offer.
HEAVYS Weekly Breakdown for 3/1/26 talking about Metallica residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas, Sepultura farewell, and more.
HEAVYS Weekly Breakdown | Metallica X Sphere | 3/1/26
“Surprise! The world’s worst-kept secret is now official… we are bringing our No Repeat Weekends to Sphere in Las Vegas this fall!! Our Sphere weekend residency, Life Burns Faster, will debut on October 1 & 3, with six more shows to follow. As you’ve come to expect, each set of shows will be No Repeat Weekends, meaning if you attend both the Thursday and Saturday shows, you will not hear the same song twice. Two-Night and Single-Night Tickets go on sale Friday, March 6, at 10 AM PT, with several presales over the next week and a half. Check out all the details for the Fan Club Presale beginning Monday, March 2. Sign up for the Ticketmaster Artist Presale beginning Tuesday, March 3, and see the complete list of all other presales.” (Metallica.com)
Interview with Chuck Billy of TESTAMENT
HEAVYS Metal Picks | 2/28/26
Five new heavy songs worth checking out. What are you listening to?
HEAVYS Metal Picks | 2/27/26
“Following months of anticipation, rock and metal icon ROB ZOMBIE has released his new album, The Great Satan, today via Nuclear Blast Records. Across more than four decades, Zombie has cemented himself as a singular cultural force. Fusing avant-garde aesthetics with monstrous, groove-driven rock, his work has consistently defied convention. With The Great Satan, Zombie extends that legacy, delivering one of the boldest and most fully realized records of his career. From the foot-stomping, hell-raising swagger of ‘(I’m a) Rock’N’ Roller’ to the throwback grit of ‘Heathen Days’ and the anthemic punch of ‘Punks And Demons,’ Zombie continues to evolve on his own terms—leaving trends and expectations in his space dust. Coinciding with the album’s release, Zombie has unveiled a new self-directed music video for ‘F.T.W. 84,’ further expanding the album’s vivid and uncompromising visual world.” (Press Release)
SEPULTURA Announce Farewell Release The Cloud Of Unknowing EP
As the curtain falls on an extraordinary career spanning more than four decades, SEPULTURA are preparing to close their final chapter at the end of this year. With over 40 years of band history, 14 gold records, and performances across more than 80 countries, SEPULTURA stand as Brazil’s uncompromising emissary to the global stage and one of today’s most influential metal bands.
Currently bringing their pioneering sound to audiences worldwide on the ‘Celebrating Life Through Death‘ farewell tour, the question has arisen: how should SEPULTURA mark the end of such a monumental journey? The answer came naturally: By capturing a final creative moment and preserving it for posterity.
The result is The Cloud of Unknowing EP, set to be released on April 24th via Nuclear Blast Records.
The Cloud of Unknowing EP is one of SEPULTURA’s most diverse and emotionally resonant releases. Across four tracks, the EP serves as a bittersweet farewell, showcasing the full spectrum of the band’s creativity, reflecting both the ferocity and depth that have defined SEPULTURA’s legacy.
SEPULTURA have today released EP track ‘The Place‘, which vocalist Derrick Green sheds some light on:
“This song deals with immigrants who have come to a place seeking refuge and start a new life.
Once assimilated into a false sense of security and relentless propaganda they began to act out against what they hate about themselves. The transition begins to escape from the self hatred and the lashing out against people who believed in the same ideas. I feel the lyrics truly follow the transitions of the song. Starting with disappointment and arriving at anger.”
The Cloud of Unknowing EP will be available in the following formats:
Oxblood
Transparent Petrol (NB exclusive)
Crystal clear (band exclusive)
Transparent red (band exclusive)
All LP variants come with a CD of the EP in a card wallet.
The Cloud of Unknowing EP Tracklisting
01. All Souls Rising 02. Beyond the Dream 03. Sacred Books 04. The Place
SEPULTURA – CELEBRATING LIFE THROUGH DEATH
20. Mar – AUS – Perth @ Metro City 23. Mar – AUS – Adelaide @ The Gov. 25. Mar – AUS – Melbourne @ Northcote Theatre 26. Mar – AUS – Sydney @ Liberty Hall 27. Mar – AUS – Sydney @ Liberty Hall *SOLD OUT 29. Mar – AUS – Brisbane @ The Tivoli
29. Apr – USA – Montclair, NJ @ The Wellmont Theater 01. May – CAN – Montreal, QC @ MTELUS 02. May – CAN – London, ON @ London Music Hall 04. May – USA – Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre 05. May – USA – Louisville, KY @Old Forester’s Paristown Hall 06. May – USA – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl 07. May – USA – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade 08. May – USA – New Orleans, LA @ The Civic Theatre 10. May – USA – Welcome To Rockville, FL 11. May – USA – Charleston, SC @ Music Farm 12. May – USA – Greensboro, NC @ Piedmont Hall 13. May – USA – Reading, PA @ Reverb 15. May – Chicago, IL @ Ramova Theatre 16. May – USA – Sonic Temple Festival, OH 17. May – USA – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave 19. May – USA – Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom 21. May – USA – Denver, CO @ The Ogden Theatre 22. May – USA – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot 23. May – USA – Boise, ID @ Shrine Social Club 25. May – USA – Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues 26. May – USA – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park 28. May – USA – Berkeley, CA @ The US Theatre 29. May – USA – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
06. Jun – NL – South Of Heaven 07. Jun – CZ – Metalfest 08. Jun – CR – Zagreb @ Tvornica Kulture 09. Jun – IT – Milan @ Circolo Magnolia 10. Jun – IT – Rome @ Eur social park 12. Jun – CH – Greenfield Festival 13. Jun – AT – Novarock 14. Jun – DE – Würzburg @ Pothalle 17. Jun – DE – Saarbruecken @ Garage 19. Jun – FR – Hellfest 20. Jun – BE – Graspop 21. Jun – PT – Rock in Rio Lisboa 23. Jun – DE – Oberhausen @ Turbinenhalle 24. Jun – DE – Potsdam @ Waschhaus Potsdam 25. Jun – DK – Copenhell 26. Jun – SE – Huskvarna @ Folkets Park 27. Jun – NO – Tons of Rock 30. Jun – GR – Release festival 31. Jul – DE – Wacken Open Air 01. Aug – FI – Helsinki @ Tavastia *SOLD OUT 02. Aug – EE – Tallinn Rock Festival 05. Aug – ES – Leyendas Del Rock 07. Aug – UK – Bloodstock Festival 09. Aug – IE – Dublin @ 3Arena
SEPULTURA are: Derrick Green – vocals Andreas Kisser – guitars Paulo Jr. – bass Greyson Nekrutman – drums
The Podcast That Rocked for 2/25/26. Rock Hall 2026 nominations are weird (again), Metallica residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas, more.
ROCK HALL 2026 Noms Are Weird & METALLICA X Sphere | The Podcast That Rocked on Spotify
Discussion Topics: -2026 Rock Hall Nominations released and they are, again, odd –Metallica residency at Sphere Las Vegas -Bruce Springsteen acquires Tom Morello for tour -Arch Enemy receive praise for Lauren Hart as singer –Better Lovers and Greg Puciato part ways -Mike Patton says Faith No More is done –Louder Than Life, Shaky Knees, and other festivals announced -Upcoming albums/tours/more
SONG OF THE WEEK: Arch Enemy “To The Last Breath”
Arch Enemy “To The Last Breath”
“Surprise! The world’s worst-kept secret is now official… we are bringing our No Repeat Weekends to Sphere in Las Vegas this fall!! Our Sphere weekend residency, Life Burns Faster, will debut on October 1 & 3, with six more shows to follow. As you’ve come to expect, each set of shows will be No Repeat Weekends, meaning if you attend both the Thursday and Saturday shows, you will not hear the same song twice. Two-Night and Single-Night Tickets go on sale Friday, March 6, at 10 AM PT, with several presales over the next week and a half. Check out all the details for the Fan Club Presale beginning Monday, March 2. Sign up for the Ticketmaster Artist Presale beginning Tuesday, March 3, and see the complete list of all other presales.” (Metallica.com)
Announces Full Artist Lineup With Nearly 200 Bands Across 7 Stages, The Biggest Event Ever From Producer Danny Wimmer Presents America’s Largest Rock & Metal Festival Features:
Iron Maiden, Pantera, Megadeth (Thursday), My Chemical Romance, Pierce The Veil, A Day to Remember (Friday), Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, Sublime (Saturday), TOOL, Gojira, Danny Elfman (Sunday) & Many More Acts
September 17-20 In Louisville, KY At Kentucky Exposition Center
All Pass Types, Including 4-Day, Single Day, GA, VIP & Angel’s Envy Top Shelf VIP On Sale Now At LouderThanLifeFestival.com
Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life returns to the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, KYSeptember 17, 18, 19 & 20 for its 12th edition, delivering the largest lineup in the festival’s history and the biggest bill ever assembled by producer Danny Wimmer Presents.
TOOL and Limp Bizkit join previously announced headliners My Chemical Romance and Iron Maiden for an incredible four days of music at Louder Than Life 2026.
America’s Largest Rock & Metal Festival will feature nearly 200 bands spanning all rock genres across 7 stages, topped by:
Thursday, September 17: Iron Maiden, Pantera, Megadeth
Friday, September 18: My Chemical Romance, Pierce The Veil, A Day to Remember
Saturday, September 19: Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, Sublime
Sunday, September 20: TOOL, Gojira, Danny Elfman
Saturday, September 19 will also feature one of the most prominent all-female-fronted stage lineups assembled at a major U.S. rock festival. The stage lineup will feature Halestorm, In This Moment, Lindsey Stirling, Orianthi, Icon For Hire, Kami Kehoe, and Diamante.
In addition, a Mystery Guest band will make their live debut at Louder Than Life and a Very Special Guest–one of the biggest heavy bands of the modern era–will be announced at a later date.
The full lineup for Louder Than Life is as follows (subject to change): My Chemical Romance, Iron Maiden, TOOL, Limp Bizkit, Pantera, Pierce The Veil, Gojira, Danny Elfman, The Prodigy, Sublime, Papa Roach, A Day To Remember, BABYMETAL, Megadeth, Danzig, Halestorm, Rise Against, Alice Cooper, Circa Survive, Ice Nine Kills, Jimmy Eat World, The Mars Volta, Mastodon, The Used, Bilmuri, Sabaton, Coheed and Cambria, The Pretty Reckless, Hot Mulligan, Taking Back Sunday, Sleeping With Sirens, In This Moment, Dance Gavin Dance, Chiodos, Black Label Society, Killswitch Engage, Anthrax, Ministry, CAVALERA, Skillet, The Warning, Nothing More, Tom Morello, Lindsey Stirling, Dethklok, Black Veil Brides, Kublai Khan TX, Underoath, Alkaline Trio, Machine Head, Suicidal Tendencies, Chad Gray, Starset, Badflower, Alexisonfire, Animals As Leaders, Thrice, LOATHE, Coal Chamber, P.O.D., The Home Team, Bowling For Soup, Thursday, We The Kings, From Ashes To New, Fit For A King, Sleep Theory, President, GWAR, Palaye Royale, L.S. Dunes, Atreyu, Lit, Get Scared, Set It Off, Blood For Blood, Sunami, Filter, Alissa White-Gluz, Soulfly, Between The Buried And Me, ERRA, Chelsea Grin, After The Burial, Lacey Sturm: The Voice of FLYLEAF, Toadies, Currents, Orianthi, Boundaries, Make Them Suffer, Metal Church, The Acacia Strain, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Holding Absence, HAYWIRE, Spite, Agnostic Front, Escape The Fate, Jutes, Emmure, ivri, Alien Ant Farm, Bodysnatcher, Scene Queen, Caskets, Rain City Drive, The Funeral Portrait, PeelingFlesh, Haste The Day, Holywatr, Locked Shut, Hail The Sun, Madball, I See Stars, Mushroomhead, Angel Du$t, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, The Word Alive, Jeff Hardy, Mac Sabbath, The Ataris, The Rasmus, Volumes, Wind Walkers, Twitching Tongues, Powerman 5000, The Barbarians of California, Emery, Maylene & The Sons of Disaster, Born of Osiris, H2O, Red, Josey Scott: The Original Voice of SALIVA, Adelitas Way, Thousand Below, Soil, Arrows in Action, Chained Saint, Zero 9:36, Elijah, Holy Wars, Butcher Babies, Nevertel, Dry Kill Logic, Icon For Hire, Kami Kehoe, Codefendants, Texas Hippie Coalition, Austin Carlile: The Original Voice of Of Mice & Men, The Pretty Wild, End It, Vana, Rivers of Nihil, Like Moths To Flames, Signs of the Swarm, Archers, KOYO, Primer 55, Emarosa, Gemini Syndrome, Shaman’s Harvest, 200 Stab Wounds, 156/Silence, Missing Link, Fox Lake, sace6, Greyhaven, King 810, Many Eyes, Tantric, The Violent Hour, Dark Divine, Sent By Ravens, Showing Teeth, Earshot, TX2, Diamante, OTHERWISE, Doobie, He Is Legend, Aviana, vianova, Future Palace, Cane Hill, Corpse Pile, 40 Below Summer, Heavy//Hitter, Bodybox, Boltcutter, Resolve, Dreamwake, Gates To Hell, Death Valley Dreams, Set For Tomorrow, and Billy McNicol.
Some of the special appearances and reunions at Louder Than Life 2026 will include:
● Pantera’s only U.S. show of 2026
● Danny Elfman’s first show in the Eastern half of the U.S. in nearly a decade
● One of Megadeth’s final farewell performances
● Reunion sets from Circa Survive, Get Scared, Blood For Blood, Metal Church, Primer 55, Sent By Ravens and 40 Below Summer
● Jimmy Eat World celebrating the 25th anniversary of Bleed American
● Sleeping With Sirens celebrating the 15th anniversary of Let’s Cheers To This
● Cavalera with an exclusive performance of the iconic Sepultura album Roots live for the first time in nearly a decade
● A special pyrotechnic performance from Skillet
● Chad Gray, the voice of Mudvayne and Hellyeah in a “30 Years of Madness” solo performance
● Loathe in an exclusive Midwest performance
● Alissa White-Gluz, the former voice of Arch Enemy & The Agonist in a debut show with her all-new band
● The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus celebrating the 20th anniversary of Don’t You Fake It
● Alien Ant Farm celebrating the 25th anniversary of ANThology
● Red celebrating the 20th anniversary of End of Silence
● Rare sets from Dry Kill Logic and Earshot
● A comeback set from Gemini Syndrome
● Hometown shows from Emarosa, Greyhaven, Tantric, Showing Teeth,Gates To Hell and Billy McNicol
“Last year, we took over Kentucky Kingdom and broke rock festival records. This year, we’re back to deliver the ultimate rock escape,” says Danny Wimmer of DWP. “Louder Than Life is your playground — ride the coasters, catch legendary and emerging bands, enjoy incredible food and bourbon, and dive headfirst into the rock experience you’ve been waiting for. It’s time to let loose and have fun. We’ll see you soon.”
“Year after year, Louder Than Life raises the bar for what a rock festival can be,” added David S. Beck, President & CEO of Kentucky Venues. “Bringing the festival grounds to the heart of the Kentucky Exposition Center last year demonstrated what’s possible when a world-class venue and a visionary festival producer share a commitment to the ultimate fan experience.”
In addition to the music, all Louder Than Life passholders will receive FREE access to amusement rides inside Kentucky Kingdom, which became part of the festival footprint in 2025 and will be open exclusively to festival attendees.
New this year, Danny Wimmer Presents is also organizing the Louder Than Life Battle for the Big Stage competition, kicking off on March 1, 2026. Bands can submit entries through March 31, 2026 using the link HERE. Leading up to the festival, viewers will be able to vote for who they want to see play Louder Than Life during Sunday episodes of the Space Zebra Show, airing at 6:30 PM ET / 3:30 PM PT on the DWP Twitch channel.
Fans in the Louisville area can celebrate the Louder Than Life lineupat the Official Lineup Announcement Party on Monday, February 23 from 5PM-9PM at The Fox Den. Presented by Blackcraft and hosted by Bobby Schubenski and Josh Balz of Space Zebra, the event will feature live sets by SoulKiller, Nailwound, Actus Reus, and Wave Painter, custom cocktails, photo opps, vintage merch, giveaways and service fee free passes. All who attend will have a chance to win two GA passes.
A very limited supply of Single and 4-Day Angel’s Envy Top Shelf VIP passes are available for the most exclusive access and rockstar luxury amenities. And for fans who want to celebrate the biggest eight days of music in the United States, an Exacta Pass offers entry to back-to-back weekends in Louisville at both Louder Than Life and Bourbon & Beyond. Starting at $700 plus fees, an Exacta Pass is less than $88 per festival day. Find more info here.
A Louder Than Life Student Pass is also available, allowing those with a valid .edu email address access to a $125 (all-in, fees included) Single-Day GA Pass via FEVO. Find more details here.
Also new this year is the LoudINK Pass offering entry to both Louder Than Life in Louisville and Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival in Mansfield, Ohio July 17-19, 2026. Find more details here. And for fans that want the most music ever, there’s the new Traveler’s Pass that offers entry to Louder Than Life, Inkcarceration and Sonic Temple Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival in Columbus, Ohio May 14-17, 2026. Find more details here.
For a fully immersive weekend experience, fans are encouraged to explore the Louder Than Life Home Bass Tent and RV glamping options; regular Car + Tent and RV camping passes are currently on a waitlist. Onsite parking for Louder Than Life at Kentucky Exposition Center will be available for purchase in advance of the festival.
DWP has partnered with GOVX to offer exclusively-priced Louder Than Life passes for 4-Day GA and Single Day GA for military, nurse, firefighter, and police personnel. Find more info here.
All details on festival passes, including Jampack hotel packages, camping and parking passes can be found here.
The DWP Foundation will be supporting the following nonprofits in 2026: Dare to Care and Preston Area Business Alliance, plus more to be announced.
Louder Than Life draws fans from every state and many countries around the world, so fans are encouraged to buy early to reserve their spot. The 11th edition of Louder Than Life in 2025 brought together over 240,000 fans and continues to retain its title of America’s Largest Rock & Metal Festival more thana decade after debuting in Louisville in 2014, marking a dedicated and ongoing partnership between the city and festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents.
Louder Than Life and DWP’s Louisville companion festival Bourbon & Beyond, which take place on back to back weekends, generated over $43 million in combined local economic impact in 2025 and drew more than 450,000 attendees booking over 60,000 hotel room nights and creating a visitor boom at local restaurants and other businesses, including bourbon distilleries along the Urban Bourbon Trail.
Los Angeles-based Danny Wimmer Presents, one of the largest independent producers of destination music festivals in America, produces Louder Than Life.
Louder Than Life is teaming up with an incredible lineup of partners for 2026 including Angel’s Envy, Beatbox, Bud Light, Cutwater, Jack Daniel’s, Old Forester, Red Bull, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and White Claw. Stay tuned for additional partners to be announced.
Louder Than Life’s Community Partners include Crowne Plaza, Galt House Hotel, Kentucky Proud, Kentucky Venues, Louisville Metro, Louisville Tourism, Louisville Marriott Downtown, and Team Kentucky.
To learn more about Louder Than Life, please visit:
HEAVYS Weekly Breakdown for 2/22/26 talking about Lauren Hart joining Arch Enemy, At The Gates final album with Tomas Lindberg, and more.
“After a week of intense speculation, Arch Enemy have revealed their new singer: Lauren Hart, formerly of Once Human. She’s taking the place of Alissa White-Gluz, who left the band in November. The Swedish melodic death metal veterans welcome their new singer into the fold with an explosive new track called “To the Last Breath.” It’s classic Arch Enemy fare, full of chugging riffs, fiery solos, anthemic choruses and blistering screams. Hart will get her reps in when Arch Enemy embark on a European club tour this summer.” (Loudwire)
HEAVYS Metal Picks | 2/20/26
Five new heavy songs great for blowing out speakers. What are you listening to?
“Swedish extreme metal powerhouse Arch Enemy are charging into a new chapter as they unveil the first new musical piece after their latest album cycle with Blood Dynasty. The new single “To The Last Breath” is a testament to the band’s legacy, and a step towards a new exciting era of Arch Enemy: “To The Last Breath” comes not only with powerful music but is also the first Arch Enemy song to feature the latest addition to the lineup — new singer Lauren Hart (ex-Once Human). Michael Amott, guitarist and founder of Arch Enemy, comments, “Connecting with Lauren has marked an important step in my journey. Working with her was an exceptional experience — her remarkable voice, coupled with her dedication and professionalism, brings a rare level of excellence. I look forward to continuing the collaboration.” (Arch Enemy Press Release)
A New Era Commences: Arch Enemy Reveal New Singer Drop New Single “To The Last Breath” with Official Music Video
Swedish extreme metal powerhouse Arch Enemy are charging into a new chapter as they unveil the first new musical piece after their latest album cycle with Blood Dynasty.
The new single “To The Last Breath” is a testament to the band’s legacy, and a step towards a new exciting era of Arch Enemy: “To The Last Breath” comes not only with powerful music but is also the first Arch Enemy song to feature the latest addition to the lineup — new singer Lauren Hart (ex-Once Human).
Michael Amott, guitarist and founder of Arch Enemy, comments, “Connecting with Lauren has marked an important step in my journey. Working with her was an exceptional experience — her remarkable voice, coupled with her dedication and professionalism, brings a rare level of excellence. I look forward to continuing the collaboration.”
Arch Enemy “To The Last Breath”
While fans and media alike have been rapidly speculating about who might step into the role behind the microphone, the band remained tight-lipped as the anticipation built to a feverous pitch across the metal community. Now, Arch Enemy are back in full force, presenting their ferocious new anthem “To The Last Breath.”
Michael Amott adds, “Make no mistake — this song is a reckoning. Musically, it’s unapologetically aligned with my original vision for the band — and I believe longtime fans will recognize that immediately. Lyrically, it’s about seeing through deception and dismantling the illusion of control. It captures that moment when you realize you’ve been fed poison — and you choose to fight back. Once that clarity hits, there’s no retreat. It’s do or die.”
With unwavering confidence, Amott asserts, “Just when you think it’s over, a new beginning rises. Now it’s time to rage with us — to the very last fucking breath!”
To celebrate this new chapter and present their unparalleled and raw band dynamic, Arch Enemy announce an intimate European club show run dubbed “Back To The Root Of All Evil” in Summer 2026.
ARCH ENEMY EUROPEAN BACK TO THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL 2026 TOUR: 7/19 — Berlin, Germany — Bi Nuu 7/21 — Copenhagen, Denmark — Pumpehuset 7/22 — Stockholm, Sweden — Kollektivet Livet 7/24 — Helsinki, Finland — Tavastia 7/25 — Tallinn, Estonia — Helitehas 7/27 — Krakow, Poland — Hype Park 8/2 — Cologne, Germany — Club Volta 8/3 — Paris, France — Maroquinerie 8/5 — Vitoria, Spain — Jimmy Jazz 8/9 — Utrecht, Netherlands — Tivoli Pandora 8/10 — London, England — The Underworld 8/11 — Manchester, England — Rebellion
