MetalFest returns to Armstrong

May 31, 2022 | 4:00 PM Pete McIntyre

The metalheads will be returning to Armstrong this summer.

The quiet, North Okanagan city will host Armstrong MetalFest July 15 and 16 at the IPE Fairgrounds and Hassen Arena.

Zimmers Hole from Vancouver will perform at Armstrong MetalFest in July. (Submitted photo)

The 12th event, which debuted in 2009, is making a return after the now-normal two-year pandemic hiatus.

“A total of 28 bands from across Western Canada and the USA will be fueling the mosh pit for much-needed music therapy,” said a news release from the non-profit organizing society, West Metal Entertainment.

“Each year up to 700 metalheads from Canada and the USA descend into the picturesque Okanagan Valley and under the blistering sun, they spend three days camping, taking in over 30 bands, participating in wrestling events, and scavenger hunts and catching up with their metal family,” the release added.

This year’s lineup features headliners Enterprise Earth from Spokane, Wash., performing in support of their latest album “The Chosen,” while Vancouver’s Zimmers Hole will make their first appearance in Armstrong. Festival favourites Neck of the Woods will be back, and Kelowna’s Omnia Nihil (formerly Apollyon) will present a special performance in memory of beloved vocalist, Matt Depper, who suddenly passed away in January.

“We are so very pleased to present the 2022 lineup. It’s pretty much the 2020 lineup just two years later,” said festival organizers. “We decided it was only fair to offer everyone the invitation back since COVID took the first one.

Tickets sold for 2020 will be honoured for the 2022 event, and if that doesn’t work, you can use them in 2023 or 2024.

“This is the overall biggest lineup we’ve ever put together. It’s going to be wild. I am looking forward to seeing the gang back together again, two years of extra wrinkles and all,” organizers remarked.

Tickets are available at www.armstrongmetalfest.ca.

For more information, ticket holders can inquire by emailing info@armstrongmetalfest.ca.

Armstrong MetalFest 2022 Lineup:

Headliners:
Enterprise Earth (Spokane, Wash., USA)
Zimmer’s Hole (Vancouver, B.C.)
Neck of The Woods (Vancouver, B.C.)
Omnia Nihil (Kelowna, B.C.)
===
Greyhawk (Seattle, Wash., USA)
Sentinels (New Jersey, USA)
Sinitry (Salmon Arm, B.C.)
Eden Echo (Kelowna, B.C.)
Naitaka (Kelowna, B.C.)
Planetkiller (Kelowna, B.C.)
Kronikill (Kelowna, B.C.)
Pharm (Kelowna, B.C.)
Carcosa (Vancouver, B.C.)
Iron Kingdom (Vancouver, B.C.)
Kosm (Vancouver, B.C.)
Hyperia (Vancouver, B.C.)
Empress (Vancouver, B.C.)
Ophelia Falling (Vancouver, B.C.)
Evilosity (Nanaimo, B.C.)
No Light Escapes (Vancouver, B.C.)
Demon Cleaver (Vancouver, B.C.)
Torrefy (Victoria, B.C.)
Skepsis (Edmonton, Alta.)
Omniarch (Edmonton, Alta.)
Hyloxalus (Edmonton, Alta.)
Juliet Ruin (Edmonton, Alta.)
Pridelands (Red Deer, Alta.)
The 21st Agenda (Red Deer, Alta.)

For more info: Armstrongmetalfest.ca

For a feature on MetalFest by Global News, click here.