Canmore’s Alternative, Metal, and Punk music festival returns to artsPlace with something for all heavy music fans. This year’s line-up includes:
HEYOKA’S MIRROR
Heyoka’s Mirror is a progressive rock/metal band with international roots, originally brought to life in the summer of 2015 by founding members Andrew Balboa (vocals, keyboards and guitar) and Omar Sultan (lead/rhythm guitar and backing vocals). The band played their first show in the winter of 2015; a talent showcase/competition organized by Landmark Events which they won.
They released their first EP in December 2017 - “Loss of Contact With Reality”. Andrew and Omar continued writing throughout this time, building and defining the material that would becomethe debut album “The Uninvited King”. In 2020, Heyoka’s Mirror released two music videos under the direction of Seth Williams (Flip City Films). The first of these - “Asylum” - was released in February 2020 and was nominated for Best Music Video 2020 by the YYC Music Awards.
Heyoka’s Mirror released “The Uninvited King” on March 6, 2021. The album features Casey Lewis, Johnny Kerr, and Bayan Sharafi on drums. Brendan Rothwell and Renan Weignater on bass. After receiving great response from listeners, Andrew and Omar focus their energy into writing the next Heyoka's Mirror album to be released in early 2024. They also played their first show in many years in Vancouver (April, 2023) with a new line up. New band member Aaron Thrasher on drums and Nathan McClay helping out on bass. Currently the band is actively looking for shows in Western Canada and also focusing on recording their next album.
BLACK PESTILENCE
Founded in the depths of winter in 2008 by vocalist and bassist Valax, Black Pestilence has carved out a niche for themselves with their daring fusion of black metal, punk rock, and noise. Their sound, as distinctive as it is unapologetic, has garnered widespread acclaim within the industry, earning them a dedicated following and recognition as pioneers of their craft. Throughout the years, Black Pestilence has not only conquered stages across Canada and Europe but has also left an indelible mark on the international music scene. Their electrifying live performances, fueled by raw energy and unbridled passion, have cemented their reputation as a must-see act for music lovers around the globe.
BAWANG!
Bawang is a hard-hitting alternative metal act mixing styles of stoner, sludge, punk, groove and grunge. Michael Kragt handling the low end and lead vocals, riff-master Kyle Pullan on guitar, and drummer Gavin Boutet keeping the train on course, Bawang has been entertaining stages all over the Bow Valley, including performing at a few Alberta festivals such as Drumheller's Loud As Hell, Banff Harvest Festival, and they've been an essential and popular act at the Canmore AMPfest since its inception.
MOTHERFUCKERS
If you were ever a punk rocker in Alberta, you’ve probably seen the Motherfuckers whether you wanted to or not. From their humble beginnings opening $5 hall shows to their long-standing residency at the dearly departed Castle Pub, these guys have been a Calgary institution for the last 25 years. Despite numerous line-up changes prior to 2012 (9 “ex-members” at last count), countless setbacks and a steadfast refusal to do anything the easy way, the Motherfuckers now have an 11 year running line-up that contains 3/4 of the original group and continue to provide their fans with relentless, hard-hitting punk tunes. Their recorded output (Three full-lengths, a four-way split, two EP’s and some compilation tracks) runs just over an hour and a half, and their live sets promise a night of fast paced, frenzied, in your face punk rock. Since 2008 the Motherfuckers have toured between British Columbia and Quebec 5 times, making friends, winning over crowds, and leaving a trail of spilled beer and poorly printed t-shirts in their wake. In this time they’ve shared the stage with everyone from Wesley Willis and Thor to the Planet Smashers, Dayglo Abortions, Dwarves and countless others. Whether they’re playing a community hall, a hot dog restaurant or the hottest nightclub in Medicine Hat, the Motherfuckers provide an experience that won’t soon be forgotten.
After two years in isolation, the boys are back with a vengeance, ready to celebrate their 25th anniversary with some new tunes and the most ambitious tour yet. Come join them as they pave a path of drunken mayhem from Victoria to Halifax, and all points in between!
ALIEN TO THE IGNORANT
Alien to the Ignorant are an aggressive post-hardcore band with a reputation for being loud, politically-driven, and insistent on making as many fart jokes on stage as possible. They have fun with friends and fans alike and don’t give a flying fuck about the h8ters. Alien to the Ignorant toured heavily across North America for two and a half years following the release of their debut album “A Dying Art” in 2021. Since then, the band have committed much of their time to supporting the growth of the all-ages DIY scene in Saskatoon while steadily working towards their next release.
IRON TUSK
Formed in 2016, Alberta-based hardcore trio Iron Tusk makes their home on Treaty 7 territory, the traditional lands of the Siksika (Blackfoot) peoples. Casting off convention and self-censorship the threesome, comprising guitarist/vocalist Ty Maguire, bassist/vocalist William Big Crow, and drummer Carlin Black Rabbit, has arrived at a new, higher, plateau of Musicianship. The close-knit group explores the impact of broken bones, dreams and promises. Icarus has nothing on these sky-gazing rockers, every song resounds with a desire to break free from the constraints and stresses of everyday life and embrace the simple beauty of truth. Fuzzed-out screams and galloping guitar runs adopt a slothful repose that recalls the sludgy majesty of Southern rock stalwarts while injecting a fresh and authentic Indigi-punk aesthetic into the Mix. Currently, Iron Tusk is in the process of polishing off five original songs with producer/engineer Josh Gwillam that are coming together both inside and outside of the studio (slip-on Vans preferred). Leaning into their lasting friendships and fruitful collaborations of the past, Ty, Carlin, and William have cultivated the “expertise and enthusiasm” to generate their “finest composition of music to date!”
Civilizations crumble, kingdoms fall, and angry spirits roam the landscape. Iron Tusk has witnessed it all, and their righteous outrage flows forth in an array of fast-turns, jagged detours, and drumbeats emanating from deep within the Earth.
HUMAN STAIN
Human Stain are a two-piece progressive hardcore band consisting of born-and-raised Banff locals, guitarist Nick Christou and drummer Nick Tessier. The duo have been writing music and performing together since their high school years and have become one of the longest-running heavy music acts in the Bow Valley. Combining diverse musical influences, Human Stain has developed a unique and fully-instrumental sound that only belongs to them.
CINCH
These three mutts out of Banff Alberta came together at the start of 2024. Swaying in and out of bluesy psych-rock riffs and moody grunge rhythms. Soft and harsh vocals weave between the spaces, bringing a wandering train of thought to the sound of alt-rock.
THE CADAVOR DOG
The Cadavor Dog are a high-speed, skull-splitting speed/thrash metal band from the Calgary/High River area. Led by frontman vocalist/guitarist and songwriter Dylan Barstad, Cadavor Dog has played countless shows and festivals since the band’s inception, always delivering loud, high-energy and exciting live performances.
GONE COSMIC
Formed in 2018 by the collision of three of Calgary's most incendiary bands, this powerful and promising musical entity is as enthralling as it is unexpected. Championed by a soaring songstress Abbie Thurgood (The Torchettes), whose boldly evocative tones recall Janis Joplin and Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard, and accompanied by an agile and aggressive psychedelic rock outfit, composed of guitarist Devin “Darty” Purdy (Chron Goblin), bass player Brett Whittingham (Chron Goblin), and percussionist Marcello Castronuovo (Witchstone), Gone Cosmic has carved out an expansive domain that stretches from sweltering Southern rock stylings to breath-stealing sonic spacewalks. Echoing the heavy and mind expanding architecture of bands like Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, and Deep Purple, Gone Cosmic mellows harsh metallic thresholds with curvaceous appeal. A wiley Thurgood weaves an alluringly sweet web only to unleash a torrent of raw emotion that envelopes the room in waves of velvety fuzz. Her fierce Joplin-howls compliment the band’s progressive blues-rock influences and builds a collaborative boundary-pushing vision on a nimble and air-tight rhythm section that forms an unbreakable foundation.
NECHT (Cult Of B’ahn)
"BRETHREN!
We have some important news to share. Zenith Maharg has been called by a vision to search for the Obelisk overseas, and to spread the word of B'ahn among the sleeping as he does so.
Without our Zenith, the Temple of Necht cannot perform a Ritual. However, the Ceaseless War never ends; for as long as we stand strong by the side of B'ahn, the jaws of Karnifor may be stayed.
Thus the battle continues. Ascendants Aemoh, Vlasfimos and Zhargor will therefore assemble under the banner of the Cult of B'ahn, until such time as the Zenith returns.
GLORY TO THE SUN!"
JONNY ROCKETMAN'S ATOMIC TANGO
A new four-piece indie-punk group from Banff, Alberta, Jonny Rocketman's Atomic Tango consists of several long-time Banff locals led by Jacob Gill (Bow Valley Bandits) playing some new and old songs in a revitalized pop-punk fashion.
G.U.S.H
G.U.S.H. is a modern take on 90s grunge music. In their debut effort 'I Hate Myself' the band has taken the traditional sound of grunge music and added elements of shoegaze, post-rock, and metal using low tuned heavy riffs coupled with intimate lyrics and a dynamic vocal delivery that rides the lines between mania and violence.
JOHN MICHAELZ
Music has always been a way of life for JM, who would perform in front of crowds as a child. Born and raised in Grand Calumet Island (Qc), from historical Anishnabee Territory on the Ottawa River, He started playing guitar officially at age of 14. He moved to the city to pursue his studies in Business Management and then travelled across Canada with his guitar and backpack to finally find himself in Banff. Multi-instrumentalist and producer, he takes pride and glory into his music that is universal and appealing to people of all age groups, social classes and backgrounds. It is this mindset that allows him to write songs from Rock to Reggae and Rap; English, French & Spanish and other languages and many music genres such as punk and metal, mostly with a twist of Pop music. As a music instructor and event promoter, his main goal is to inspire people that nothing is impossible when you use your passion and talents to pursue your dreams and never give up.
Fully Licensed - All Ages Event
Presented in partnership with Beauty in Chaos Productions & Pitworthy Promotions
