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DEVINE DEFILEMENT: Icelandic death metal force drops “Anthropophagic Apocalypse Pt. 2 – The Lord of Flesh” single, new album “Ruthless” out tomorrow

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Icelandic death metal force DEVINE DEFILEMENT return with “Anthropophagic Apocalypse Pt. 2 – The Lord of Flesh”, a vicious new offering from their forthcoming album “Ruthless”, set for release tomorrow.

Expanding the grisly narrative introduced in Part 1, the track delivers a torrent of churning riffs, guttural vocals, and tightly controlled chaos. Fierce yet calculated, the band’s sound draws on technical precision and thick, menacing grooves to conjure a bleak, flesh-ripping atmosphere that cements their standing as one of the most ruthless acts in today’s extreme metal landscape.

The band commented:“Picking up right where pt. 1 one left off, ‘Anthropophagic Apocalypse pt. 2’ escalates the intensity and ruthlessness of what came before! Hitting like a sledgehammer of barbaric blasting, ravenous riffs, sickening slams and vile vocals, we delve deeper into the lunacy of mankind’s self-annihilation. Join the Lord of Flesh as he invites you into his sadistic creed of perversion and atrocity to play some vicious games”.

Stream “Anthropophagic Apocalypse Pt. 2 – The Lord Of Flesh”:

Time To Kill Records will release “Ruthless” on May 9th, 2025. With this latest offering, the band refines their sonic onslaught, embracing a more compact and percussive approach, crafting tracks where tension remains constant and unrelenting.

Since their eruption onto the Icelandic metal scene in 2016, DEVINE DEFILEMENT has honed their signature sound—a fusion of pummeling grooves, devastating slams, and sheer brutality—into an even more relentless force. “Ruthless” captures this evolution, delivering leaner, sharper compositions that pulse with controlled aggression and unwavering intensity.

Tracklist:

1. Human Sewer
2. Abusement Park
3. Terror Tales
4. Excreted Entity
5. Internal Delusions Of The Torn Mind
6. Pulverised Secretions
7. Anthropophagic Apocalypse pt.1 – Collapse
8. Anthropophagic Apocalypse pt.2 – Lord of Flesh
9. Curbstomp The Predator
10. Draco Dominus
11. Bio-Organic Liquid-Slam
12. Beyond the Veil of Death

Already a dominant presence in the extreme metal underground, DEVINE DEFILEMENT has solidified their reputation through tireless touring across Iceland and Europe, sharing stages with some of the genre’s fiercest acts. Their crushing live performances have left a lasting impact at Eistnaflug, Reykjavík Deathfest, Norðanpaunk, Deathfeast Open Air, and Nice to Eat You, with more festival appearances confirmed for 2025.

BYZANTINE Presents “The Unobtainable Sleep” Single

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“The Unobtainable Sleep” is the latest single from Charleston, West Virginia metal veterans BYZANTINE. The track comes off the band‘s forthcoming new full-length, Harbingers, set for release on June 13th via Metal Blade Records.

“The Unobtainable Sleep” weaves a dark and poetic tale about the pursuit of serenity through death and features guitarist Brian Henderson channeling Jerry Cantrell-style vocal harmonies.
Notes Henderson, “This song title is a dark and poetic definition of death. OJ had a few riffs laying around that were inspired by Extol, Carcass, and Fear Factory, and they fit perfectly together to craft this tune. We specifically wrote an extended solo section to allow our friend from Russia, Andrey Gadzhibalaev, a chance to perform a beautiful guest guitar solo.”

Watch the lyric video for BYZANTINE‘s “The Unobtainable Sleep” HERE:

Produced by Peter Wichers (Soilwork, All That Remains, Nevermore), Harbingers offers nine tracks totaling forty-five minutes of deep lyrical wisdom alongside equally hefty riffs delivered seamlessly by one of the most commanding and unsung lineups to emerge from the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal movement of the early-2000s. Now a five-piece for the first time ever featuring founding frontman Chris “OJ” Ojeda, alongside former guitarist Tony Rohrbough, bassist Ryan Postlethwait, veteran guitarist Brian Henderson, and drummer Matt Bowles, with Harbingers, BYZANTINE is a crown jewel in their impressive seven-album discography.

The album cover, designed by mixed-media artist Ashley Hoey, beautifully depicts Irene of Athens — the mother of Emperor Constantine and the first female empress of the Byzantine Empire. This focus on a maternal ruler eloquently ties into the album‘s title, Harbingers, which means “ones who usher in great change.”

Harbingers will be released on CD and digital formats.

It has taken years of ups and downs for BYZANTINE to reach the point of creating Harbingers. Discovered early on by Lamb Of God‘s Chris Adler, the band quickly released their debut full-length, The Fundamental Component, in 2004. The record boasted a raw fusion of Bay Area thrash and Southern-tinged groove metal and set the tone for their future sound. Their 2005-released …And They Shall Take Up Serpents offering marked an even more blistering evolution. However, turmoil ultimately led to BYZANTINE‘s breakup, announced just one day after the release of their third album, 2007‘s prophetic Oblivion Beckons.

Reforming to release the independent albums Byzantine (2013) and To Release Is To Resolve (2015), the band saw the latter dominate SiriusXM‘s Hard Attack Devil‘s Dozen for weeks, also earning them the #1 spot on CMJ‘s Loud Rock Chart. Notably, BYZANTINE became only the second independent band to achieve this feat following Clutch‘s indie release, Earth Rocker.

In 2017, BYZANTINE made their Metal Blade debut with The Cicada Tree, faultlessly merging multiple genres into their progressive groove sound, a signature blend now synonymous with the band. With Harbingers raising the stakes and a revitalized lineup in place, Ojeda confidently states, “If you‘ve slept on BYZANTINE for the past twenty-five years, Harbingers will awaken you.”

MoldEra Announce New Single “The Dawn” and Reveal Full Album Details for “Colonize”

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Belgian post-sludge outfit MoldEra are proud to unveil their brand new single “The Dawn”, now available on all digital platforms. The song offers a stunning preview of their upcoming second album, “Colonize”, which will be released on June 6, 2025, on CD and digital formats via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records.

After the powerful first single “Falling Through the Ashes”, “The Dawn” delivers another immersive experience, blending thunderous stoner doom riffs with post-metal atmospheres and flashes of ’90s grunge emotion. MoldEra’s sound continues to evolve, combining weight and introspection in equal measure.

Colonize is a six-track concept album written and composed collectively by the band. It fuses classic doom and stoner foundations with progressive dynamics, heavily inspired by artists like Sleep, Yob, Earth, King Buffalo and Isis, while also channeling the raw intensity of Alice in Chains, Deftones and other grunge legends.

Lyrically, the album explores topics such as environmental destruction, industrialized exploitation of nature, criticism of the techno-optimist visions spread by corporate and military power structures, and the resilience of life within collapsing systems. Frontman Florian Zanatta pens lyrics that act as both a warning and a spark of hope for a different future, one where human and non-human life may find a new balance.

The album was recorded live in May 2024 at Koko Studio (Sprimont, Liège, Belgium), and was mixed and mastered in the summer by Laurent Eyen. Known for his work with It It Anita, Pestifer, Gros Coeur, and La Jungle, as well as his live sound engineering for Birds In Row, Eyen captured MoldEra’s dense, organic sound with clarity and raw energy.

KRATORNAS Reveals “God Of The Tribes” Album Artwork And August Release Date + “Ravaged by Hurakaan” Vinyl and Cassette Demo Out May 2025

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Following the announcement of the upcoming “Ravaged by Hurakaan” vinyl demo (out May 20th) and remix cassette (out May 30th), extreme metal entity Kratornas has unveiled the official artwork for the highly anticipated full-length album “God of the Tribes” (mastered by Dan Swanö (Edge of Sanity)) set for release on August 20th, 2025, through Grathila Records. In a dramatic departure from previous works, “God of the Tribes” represents a significant shift in Kratornas‘ approach. The mastermind behind the project explains:

“This album marks a turning point for KRATORNAS. Not because it tries to be “different” but because it couldn’t have come out any other way. Every part of this release came together naturally. The sound, the pacing, the tension… it wrote itself, shaped by instinct and intention. This album is unlike the usual Kratornas so to anyone expecting it to sound like “early Kratornas” will be disappointed.”

The striking album artwork perfectly complements the thematic elements of the record, which draws heavily from apocalyptic imagery and ritualistic concepts. Along with the artwork reveal, Kratornas has released an album teaser, giving fans their first glimpse into the sonic evolution that defines “God of the Tribes”.

Kratornas, formed in 1995, stands as the pioneering one-man extreme metal act originally from the Philippines and now based in Saskatoon, Canada. With roots tracing back to the underground tape trading scene of the late 1980s, Kratornas has forged its own path through extreme metal, evolving from its early Satanic themes to apocalyptic visions and now to a more nuanced, ritualistic approach with this upcoming release that is recommended for fans of all sorts of black metal.

Album Teaser – “God of the Tribes”:

Blackened Death Metal icons MYSTIC CIRCLE unleash fierce cover version of BATHORY’s “One Rode To Asa Bay”, taken off upcoming “Kriegsgötter MMXXV” album | Due out on June 6th via ROAR!

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June 6, 2025 will see the German iconic black/death metal duo MYSTIC CIRCLE release an extended new edition of “Kriegsgötter MMXXV” via ROAR, featuring 8 tracks and furious cover versions of classics such as from BATHORY, CELTIC FROST, POSSESSED, ACHERON, or the previously-released, completely re-recorded cover version of IRON MAIDEN‘s “Afraid To Shoot Strangers”. 

On selected tracks, the band welcomes back British soprano Sarah Jezebel Deva on guest vocals, who has already made guest appearances with CRADLE OF FILTH, THE KOVENANT and THERION, among others. The track “Cry Little Sister” also features Karo Hafke, singer of the dark wave gothic band Umbra Et Imago. 

Pre-order your album copy now on: https://mysticcircle.rpm.link/krieg 

Today, MYSTIC CIRCLE have unleashed a new single taken off “Kriegsgötter MMXXV”, their blistering cover version of the BATHORY classic “One Rode To Asa Bay“! 

“One Rode To Asa Bay“ is a track from the fifth BATHORY album „Hammerheart“, which is a favourite of us two,”A. Blackwar reveals. “The band was a huge influence for us back then, but also today. You hear that in our early works and in general for our love of atmospheric parts. When Sarah heard the song in the studio, she went to the cabin and started to sing – which wasn’t planned at all. We looked at each other with a devilish smile in our face and said: that was the missing part! This song is pure epic!”

Let’s go back a quarter of a century to the year 2000: MYSTIC CIRCLE were at their peak at the time after the release of their third studio epic “Infernal Satanic Verses” and were rightly regarded as Germany’s leading black metal band. In the summer after the turn of the millennium, the Ludwigshafen-based band followed up with the 5-track EP “Kriegsgötter II”, a compilation of cover versions and new recordings. However, the founding line-up broke up during this phase and A. Blackwar left the band. Only his return in 2020 and the reunion with vocalist Beelzebub conjured up the spirit of that time again, resulting in the two great new records “Mystic Circle” (2022) and “Erzdämon” (2023), closing the infamous circle (or pentagram?) again. 
 
“It was inevitable for me to end my time with MYSTIC CIRCLE with “Kriegsgötter II”. The long break was necessary, we lost the connection to each other back then – which is stronger than ever today,” summarizes A. Blackwar and looks back with a teary eye, but also with a smile, because as so often in life, everything happens for a reason.

UNDECAYED: Decibel Magazine streams “The Descendants of Death” single from Swedish death metal act, “In Death’s Image” debut album out soon

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Swedish death metal juggernaut UNDECAYED return with a brand-new single, “The Descendants of Death”, now streaming exclusively via Decibel Magazine. The track is another unrelenting slab of sonic devastation lifted from the band’s forthcoming debut album “In Death’s Image”, set for release on May 21st, 2025 through Lethal Scissor Records.

Channeling the ferocity of classic ’90s death metal, UNDECAYED deliver a barrage of blast-laden grooves, guttural vocals, and sinister riffing that draws from the genre’s darkest roots while forging their own merciless path forward.

Stream “The Descendants Of Death” HERE.

Likely the first album ever released with the word ‘death’ in the title of every song, “In Death’s Image” takes its thematic obsession to another level: in one track, the word for ‘death’ is even sung in 19 different languages. The album’s lyrics paint a grim and absolute vision of annihilation—”Death” arrives on Earth in a physical form, surpassing any concept of a god, to extinguish all existence. No one and nothing is spared: humans, animals, vegetation, water, air—everything dies. There is NO hope for life.

Tracklist:

1 – The World Shall Know Only Death
2 – Death’s Only Demand
3 – The Descendants Of Death
4 – In Death’s Image
5 – Death Shall Come (Death Shall Prevail)
6 – Death’s Pallid Coat
7 – World At Death’s Door
8 – Entreating Death In Vain
9 – The Greatest Death

All music composed by Mikael Bergman
All lyrics written by Tony Richter
Cover artwork by renowned artist Jon Zig

Biography:

UNDECAYED was formed in August 2008 by Tony Richter (vocals) and Mikael Bergman (guitars) as a result of lineup issues in their respective bands, 9th Plague and Disromance. The two had played together in several bands throughout the ’90s and early 2000s, most notably Gardens of Obscurity and The Darksend. Initially, Richter and Bergman were joined by Disromance drummer Johnny Augustsson. Bassist Christoffer Svensson joined in 2009, and in 2014, drummer Jesper Leidbring replaced Augustsson.

The idea that every song should include the word “death” in its title emerged in 2010, both to emphasize that this was true DEATH metal and because such a concept had never been done before. The demo “The Triumph of Death” was recorded in late 2010 and released in January 2011. It was then decided that no further demos would be released before the debut album.

Over the years, family matters, work commitments, health issues, the loss of two rehearsal spaces, and lineup changes all contributed to periods of forced inactivity and delays. It wasn’t until the Covid-19 pandemic that the band was finally able to complete their album “In Death’s Image”.

DEVS MORTVORVM: Chilean death-doom cult to release “The Oldest Crypt” EP in June

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Chilean death-doom cult DEVS MORTVORVM will unleash their new EP on June 6, 2025 via Apocalyptic Productions, delivering a putrid sermon steeped in the stench of traditional death metal and the mournful crawl of doomed melodies.

The first single “Love for the Dead” is now streaming HERE.

Formed in 2015 by David Briones (guitar) and Claudio Carrasco (vocals), DEVS MORTVORVM emerged with a clear mission: to play Graveyard Doom Death, inspired by legendary acts such as Goatlord, Derketa, early Cathedral and Autopsy. The band is now completed by Andrés Henríquez on drums and Felipe Vuletich on bass, bringing even more weight and rot to their already imposing sound.

This upcoming EP features five tracks—three original compositions, a crushing cover of “Acid Orgy” by U.S. cult legends Goatlord, and a raw live track that captures the band’s visceral stage presence. Every aspect of this release – lyrics, artwork, and music – is a unified expression of DEVS MORTVORVM’s devotion to the morbid spirit of doom-death and necrolatry.

Musically, the EP offers an enticing blend of shadow-drenched, vicious death-doom, where sludgy riffs clash and intertwine with serpentine melodies, creating a dynamic tension that keeps each track unpredictable and alive. It’s a masterclass in sonic decay, where every note drips with the dampness of the tomb.

Tracklist:

01. Orgy in the Graveyard
02. Love for the Dead
03. The Oldest Crypt
04. Acid Orgy (Goatlord cover)
05. Orgy in the Graveyard (live)

Line-up:

David Briones – Guitars
Claudio Carrasco – Vocals
Andrés Henríquez – Drums
Felipe Vuletich – Bass

Recorded between july 2023 and september 2024 at Black Sheep Studios
All Music composed by David Briones except “Acid Orgy” by Goatlord.
Lyrics and vocal lines by Claudio Carrasco except “Acid Orgy” by Goatlord.
Live track recorded at MiBar 20/12/2024
Artwork by Julián Mora.

Canada’s Deadwood Announces USA Tour Dates + New Horrifying Deathcore Video “Heretic”

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Returning from their recent Japan tour this past April, Montreal, Canada’s deathcore outfit Deadwood announces their next trek with four USA tour dates this coming July, which includes a performance during this year’s Inkcarceration Festival (dates listed below).

“We’re extremely excited about this opportunity! We are going to do the after-show of one of the biggest festivals in North America, Inkcarceration Fest, and spread the metal to our metalhead family to the south!”

Other Dates:​
May 24 – Quebec City, QC – Quartier de Lune w/ Burning The Oppressor, Unpunished
June 14 – St-Calixte, QC – VodFest
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​USA Tour Dates:​
July 16 – Albany, NY – Empire Underground
July 17 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Smiling Moose
July 18 – Mansfield, OH – Inkcarceration Festival (Campground Performance)
July 22 – Hampton Beach, NH – Wally’s

In additional news, Deadwood unveiled their most harrowing work to date with “Heretic”, the lead single from their upcoming EP “Rituals of A Dying Light” slated for release later this year. The accompanying video plunges viewers into a nightmarish realm that perfectly complements the band’s brutal, fast-paced sonic assault. The single’s release coincides with Deadwood‘s upcoming Japan tour (dates listed below) alongside Humanity’s Last Breath and DVRK, further cementing their place in the international extreme metal scene. The comment on the single and what the audience should expect:

“This is the first song we’ve written for the next EP and one of the ones we’re most proud of: it’s fast, heavy, and technical. We are a very intense show with a very percussive and tight guitar sound. We have a lot of samples between the songs to create a horror movie atmosphere. The fans go back home with a slap in the face. Heretic represents our darkest material yet.”

The Montreal-based collective, known for its mission to ‘Make Deathcore Angry Again,’ draws inspiration from centuries-old horror stories and myths. The track delivers the uncompromising heaviness and terrifying atmosphere that have become Deadwood‘s signature since its 2020 formation. The band’s unique blend of death metal and hardcore elements reaches new heights of intensity with this release, promising an unforgettable auditory experience for fans who crave pure brutality. They are recommended for fans of Whitechapel, Despised Icon, and Meshuggah.

Watch and listen to the music video for “Heretic” via Slam Worldwide:

UNMERCIFUL Launch Newest Single “Miracle in Fire”

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Devouring Darkness out May 23 on Willowtip Records

The third – and potentially most destructive – single off the new album from Topeka, KS-based brutal death metal horde UNMERCIFUL is now streaming.

“Miracle in Fire” is live now at Heavy Blog is Heavy. Check out the exclusive premiere for the song at this location.

Devouring Darkness marks a new era of relentless violence and sonic brutality! With ten tracks of scorching intensity and distorted vengeance, the album is filled with blistering blast beats, intricate kick drum patterns, and destructive riffing.

“Miracle in Fire” will be available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other streaming services on Friday, May 2. Additional selections from Devouring Darkness are now streaming on all major platforms.

Devouring Darkness is set for release on CD, digital, and vinyl formats on May 23 on Willowtip Records.

Pre-order the album at:

willowtip.com

unmerciful.bandcamp.com

Tracklist:

 1. Miracle in Fire

 2. Unnatural Ferocity

 3. Malice Unbound

 4. Devouring Darkness

 5. Relentless Malevolence

 6. Vomit you out (Origin cover)*

 7. Infernal Conquering

 8. The Reaping

 9. Voracious Lunacy

10. Vengeance Transcending

UNMERCIFUL has announced the first of many live assaults in support of Devouring Darkness. The band will host an album release show on June 20 at Warehouse on Broadway in Kansas City, MO, alongside Torn The Fuck Apart, Garoted, and Hossferatu. Details and tickets are available here.

Devouring Darkness sees the return of longtime member Jeremy Turner to guitar and introduces Josh Riley as the band’s new vocalist, further intensifying the group’s punishing sound.

The album was engineered and produced by Clinton Appelhanz at Waveworks Studio, with mastering handled by the legendary Alan Douches (Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal, etc.). Artwork by Santiago Francisco Jaramillo.

UNMERCIFUL is seeking a bassist for live performances and/or a permanent position. Serious inquiries only. Contact the band for details.

Toronto Prog DEREV Shares New Live Video “Cyclone” and Kick Off Cross-Canada Tour Dates For Debut Album “Troubled Mind”

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Getting set to hit the road for their Western Canadian tour (dates listed below) in support release of their first full-length, “Troubled Mind”, Toronto prog rock Derev is sharing their latest live video performing their track “Cyclone”, which was filmed during a hometown album launch show at the Supermarket.

“The Troubled Mind’s release show at the Supermarket was one of the best experiences we’ve had on stage to date. That night was one of those nights when the stars were aligned and everything went as well as we could have hoped. From the energy of the crowd to the impeccable sound and lighting on stage. We wanted to release a video of that night to give people a glimpse of what they can expect coming to see us live. We can’t wait to kick off the tour and bring the whole “Troubled Mind” live experience to our fans out west and all across Canada,” adds the band.

Watch and listen to Derev performing “Cyclone” at Supermarket in Toronto at:

Derev‘s new album “Troubled Mind” is the follow-up to their 2021 debut EP “Leap of Faith,” and takes a deep dive into the intricacies of the human psyche, addressing a spectrum of mental health issues with each track, ranging from temporary mental instability to more severe conditions such as schizophrenia, cognitive immobility (a fixation on the past), and depression stemming from loss.

Offering a diverse range of sounds from mellow, calm tracks to adrenaline-pumping heavy headbangers while maintaining their distinctive progressive rock sound, enriched with Middle Eastern influences. Incorporating more prominent keyboard parts, experimenting with various time signatures, and introducing new instruments such as the Cajon, Darbuka, and electronic elements. This evolution showcases the band’s innovative spirit and commitment to pushing musical boundaries.

The band adds:

“This album is very personal and introspective. It’s full of memorable songs and parts to listen to and digest, both from a musical and lyrical perspective. Every song tackles a different state of mind and takes the listener into their thoughts of a mental state that they can relate to. As this one marks our second official release, we think the fans will be excited about hearing what Derev still has to offer. They’re in for a crazy ride full of energetic ups and heartbreaking downs.”

Derev was conceived after founding member and drummer Michel Karakach, after fleeing the war in the Middle East and finding refuge in Toronto, Canada, reunited with his best friend, guitarist Armando Bablanian, to turn what was once a mere childhood dream into a powerful reality.

Derev‘s dynamic lineup now includes bassist Stan Komarovsky, providing the backbone of Derev‘s sound, and keyboardist Ran Zehavi from the progressive rock band Scalar, adding depth and complexity. 

Leading the live charge is frontman and vocalist Mike Symons, who has replaced previous singer Adel Saflou, whose recorded vocals are featured on “Troubled Mind”.

DEREV – Troubled Mind – Western Canada Tour​
May 2 – Sudbury, ON – The Townhouse w/ Jeidei, Codos
May 3 – Marathon, ON – Biloxys Wings and Things
May 4 – TBA (North Western Ontario)
May 6 – TBA (Manitoba)
May 8 – Regina, SK – Revival Music Room w/ Fame Fatale, 66 Aces
May 9 – Saskatoon, SK – Amigos Cantina w/ Out Of Frequency, 66 Aces
May 10 – Edmonton, AB – Rendezvous Pub w/ Darkened Skies, Silent Script, Misplaced Intentions
May 12 – Grand Forks, BC – 4th St. Studio w/ guests
May 13 – Kamloops, BC – The Blue Grotto w/ Augur, Gregarious
May 14 – Vancouver, BC – The Roxy Cabaret w/ guests
May 16 – Vernon, BC – Longhorn Pub w/ None The Wiser, Scared Soul Empire
May 17 – Cranbrook, BC – The York Public House w/ Phaeton
May 18 – Calgary, AB – Verns w/ Humans As Totems, The Future Relics, Rocky Mountain Maniacs, 13 Strikes
May 20 – Winnipeg, MB – Sidestage w/ Valley Narrow, Sunbreather
May 22 – Thunder Bay, ON – Black Pirates Pub w/ Cycle Of Disobedience, Along The Lines, The Fixer
May 23 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON – Soo Blaster w/ guests
May 24 – Timmins, ON – Victory Tavern w/ guests

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