Mushroomhead – are one of the most unique and adventurous alternative metal bands working today. Known for their stunningly theatrical live show and artsy masks, this innovative band has forged new ground in the rock world and influenced many other bands to push the envelope and bring art into rock. Formed in the early-1990s in Cleveland Ohio, the band’s combination of metal, rock and atmospheric elements has struck a chord with thousands of fans worldwide. Mushroomhead have been performing incognito since 1993, when drummer Skinny founded the band. The band was meant to be a side-project so they wore masks to go unrecognized, but after only a few shows they developed a rabid and loyal fan base in Cleveland. Mushroomhead released their 1995 self-titled debut album independently and it went on to became an underground hit. This was history in the making because the band really had no proper distribution. Superbuick followed in 1996 and M3 in 1999, all released via an underground street effort. After the band felt its image and hyper-melodic, heavy style of music was being diluted by other bands jumping into this space, the band started to change their look to reflect nothing out there. After a brief stint on Eclipse Records, a move to Universal Records saw the release of XX (a combination of the past independent releases) in 2001 and XIII in 2003. The band’s last album sold over 200,000 units in the USA alone. Mushroomhead released Savior Sorrow for the pioneering rock label, Megaforce Records (Metallica, Anthrax, Ministry, Warren Haynes, Bad Brains) in 2006. Mushroomhead released “Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children” in the Fall of 2010 and it debuted at #44 on Billboard charts. It can be said that Mushroomhead’s musical ascendance was a singular, original, aesthetic of eight guys decked out in matching jumpsuits and artsy masks, playing unbelievable, unsettling music. No other band was wearing masks and jumpsuits and purveying this type of ultra-melodic, ultra-dynamic music at the time – Mushroomhead sounded like nothing else. The band’s merging of metal, atmospheric elements, rock, and theatrics mixed with a punk DIY attitude has inspired and spawned other bands. Even though Mushroomhead’s music is rock-leaning in thought, the group remains firmly committed to pushing the envelope and trying new things. Influences range from the driving rhythms and breakneck turns of Pantera, to the dark melodies of Faith No More, to the atmospheric stylings of Pink Floyd, but all done in Mushroomhead style.

The legendary FEAR FACTORY has announced their highly-anticipated comeback to the European ground. After the recent successful North and Latin American tour legs with the new vocalist Milo Silvestro from Rome, Italy and drummer Pete Weber (Havok), the band is stronger than ever and ready to light up the stages at 44 European shows for the first time since 2016. Joining them on this run are two must-see bands: BUTCHER BABIES from the USA and IGNEA  from Ukraine.   The impact of FEAR FACTORY on heavy metal is immeasurable. With a career spanning over 30 years, they have unleashed influential albums with devastating anthems, cementing their position as crucial and innovative figures in extreme metal circles. FEAR FACTORY's sound, a fusion of staccato paint-stripping riffs, industrial-tinged drums, electronic flourishes, and a captivating scream/sing dichotomy, has become a hallmark in heavy music since their emergence in L.A.   FEAR FACTORY's records are cinematic in scope, creating sonic landscapes that mirror dystopian post-apocalyptic futures found in classic sci-fi literature and films, from Ray Bradbury to Blade Runner. On June 23, the band will release RE-INDUSTRIALIZED, a remastered version of their eighth studio album, The Industrialist. The new release features new artwork, live drums, and six bonus tracks. This European tour presents an exceptional opportunity for fans to experience the band's powerful sound live, along with their greatest hits.   Metal veterans, Butcher Babies, have been crushing stages worldwide with their vicious live performance and explosive energy for nearly 15 blistering years. Their stage presence is a hypnotic spectacle that leaves audiences hungry for more as they juxtapose brutal, aggressive riffs with beautiful melodies that wail with emotional redemption. With the news of a double album releasing July 7, anticipation for a full Butcher Babies European tour has reached a fever pitch.   Finally, completing the lineup, IGNEA, a Ukrainian prog and melodic metal band, will bring their unique mix of groovy riffs with cinematic and electronic arrangements to the table. The band will showcase their new album, released through Napalm Records, which has already garnered critical acclaim and praise from fans, solidifying their position as firestarters in the metal scene.  

SICKSENSE is a modern metal force blending the aggression of metalcore, the groove of nu metal, and the precision of djent into a sound that is entirely their own. Fronted by the dynamic vocal duo of Vicky Psarakis and Robby J. Fonts, the band has built a reputation for explosive chemistry, genre-defying songwriting, and an unapologetic DIY mentality that has fueled their rise from independent newcomers to one of heavy music’s most exciting emerging acts. Originally formed in Montreal, Canada, SICKSENSE began taking shape after Vicky and Robby first met backstage at Heavy Montreal in 2015. At the time, Vicky was fronting melodic death metal powerhouse THE AGONIST, while Robby had recently served as the vocalist for rap metal pioneers STUCK MOJO. Their mutual love for heavy music with no creative boundaries sparked an immediate connection, eventually leading to the creation of SICKSENSE. The band officially launched with their debut single “Make Believe” in 2021, quickly turning heads with their intense vocal interplay, emotionally charged songwriting, and fearless fusion of styles. Their debut EP, Kings Today (2022), and follow-up EP, Fools Tomorrow (2023), established SICKSENSE as a rising name in the modern metal scene while earning praise from fans and creators alike, including Tank The Tech, who famously called them “the best nu metal band you never heard of.” Built around the contrast and chemistry between Vicky’s soaring melodies and vicious screams and Robby’s aggressive delivery, rap-infused cadences, and raw intensity, SICKSENSE draw influence from bands such as LINKIN PARK, LIMP BIZKIT, SLIPKNOT, KORN, EVANESCENCE, UNDEROATH, WHITECHAPEL, PERIPHERY, and MONUMENTS while carving out a sound that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking. Atmospheric keys, cinematic sound design, and layered production further elevate the band’s identity. In 2023, SICKSENSE signed with Earache Records before releasing their debut full-length album, Cross Me Twice, in 2025. The album marked a major breakthrough for the band, peaking at #10 on the UK Rock and Metal Album chart and #33 on the UK Independent chart. During this era, the band toured extensively across the United States, opening for ESCAPE THE FATE, SNOT, THE UNION UNDERGROUND, SPINESHANK, and CALVA LOUISE, while also appearing at major festivals including Louder Than Life 2025. Never content to stay stagnant, SICKSENSE announced in 2026 that they would return to their independent roots for future releases, embracing complete creative freedom as they enter a new era with a lineup featuring guitarist Jackson Snowden, bassist Richard Regier, and drummer Sam Neumann. The band worked closely with producer Joey Doherty on the EP, continuing to push their sound into darker, heavier, and more experimental territory while staying true to the emotional honesty and intensity that define SICKSENSE. Outside the band, both Vicky and Robby have built impressive resumes across music, gaming, and entertainment. Vicky provided voice work for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and portrayed Ada Wong in Dead by Daylight, while also contributing vocals to Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Robby voiced Jonathan Byers in the original Stranger Things chapter for Dead by Daylight and even graduated from WWE Superstar Seth Rollins’ Black and Brave Academy in 2019. At their core, SICKSENSE represent resilience, individuality, and fearless self-expression. Whether through brutally honest lyrics, high-energy live performances, or their hands-on approach to every aspect of the band’s creative vision, SICKSENSE continue to prove that heavy music has no boundaries when authenticity leads the way. SICKSENSE is: Vicky Psarakis — vocals, lyrics, keys Robby J. Fonts — vocals, lyrics Jackson Snowden — guitars Richard Regier — bass, violin Sam Neumann — drums