Discover the mesmerizing soundscapes of Cult of Luna, an atmospheric metal band from Sweden that pushes the boundaries of heavy music. With their haunting melodies, dynamic compositions, and emotionally charged performances, the Swedis band has captivated audiences worldwide. From the ethereal beauty of their ambient passages to the immense weight of their intense riffing, their music takes listeners on a transformative journey through darkness and light. The latest album ‘The Long Road North’ from 2022 is an awe-inspiring sonic odyssey that balances crushing heaviness with atmospheric beauty, creating an immersive and emotionally resonant experience that showcases the band’s mastery of post-metal. With its intricate compositions and haunting melodies, this album solidifies Cult of Luna’s place as one of the genre’s most influential and compelling acts. Experience the sonic mastery of Cult of Luna and immerse yourself in a world where heaviness meets transcendence.

Alcest are a constantly evolving band, offering something new and enticing with every new release. The shimmering guitars and lush vocals coalesce into celestial harmony before giving way to angular shards of black metal; the result is surely the epitome of the blackgaze scene that Alcest have spearheaded. The French band takes listeners on a journey through otherworldly landscapes, weaving together light and dark themes with poetic lyrics. For this show they will play their masterpiece ‘Écailles The Lune’ from 2010 in it’s entirety. Don’t miss your chance to be swept away by the enchanting music of Alcest.

Discover the haunting beauty of Afsky. This Danish black metal project of mastermind Ole Pedersen Luk takes you on a dark and emotionally charged journey. As can be heard on the new album ‘Om hundrede år’. With mesmerizing guitar riffs, penetrating vocals, and atmospheric melodies, Afsky creates an atmosphere that resonates deep within your core. Creating those atmospheric soundscapes is where Afsky shine. The mix of beautiful acoustics, raw vocals, blistering guitars, and sublime melody all come together under one man’s vision, and form a very complete identity. Let yourself be enchanted by their masterful compositions, soaked in melancholy and despair. Afsky weaves a web of intense sounds that grips your soul and transports you to a world full of raw emotion.

As one of the titans of funeral doom metal they hardly need an introduction but for those living under a reef, AHAB exemplify towering, deathly, funeral doom metal with a nautical theme. Their music is heavily influenced by the works of American author Herman Melville, particularly his novel ‘Moby-Dick. The sound of the German band is characterized by slow and heavy guitars, deep growling vocals, atmospheric soundscapes. The dynamic shifts between tempo, melody and instrumentation, including layering and de-layering which is so gradual as to be imperceptible, indicate that they are masters of their craft. The music deftly morphs from gentle ambience to deathly doom and it’s a bewildering but enjoyable experience.

Glasgow, Scotland-based avant-garde metal act Ashenspire craft notable, theatrically-charged meld of various non-heavy rock anti-alliterations of folk, jazz and black metal infused craft — music which is emotive yet almost entirely “felt in the dark” for the sake of sheer idea overflow and the natural frustration of accumulated thoughts in process. Their second full-length album, ‘Hostile Architecture‘, expertly conveys the pressurized sensation of miserable unease, an unsure razor’s edge felt under the boot of ruthless corporate-comptrolled capitalism while exploring both subtle and outraged examples of exactly how this now “traditional” economic system becomes a psychotic grinder for humanity as population surges, personal freedoms wilt to new lows, and apathetic attitudes begin to appear by design. Ashenspire needs to be applauded for its bold yet timely exploration of ideas (both musical and political) from a place of admirable intensity, conviction which should ring through and captivate most listeners willing to hear a dissenting voice in fine pairing with avant-garde music.

Dawn Ray’d is a blazing black metal squad from Liverpool. This trio has been praised for their unique approach to black metal, incorporating elements of folk and classical music into their sound. Dawn Ray’d deploys spite and intelligence against the power structures of the ruling class, doing so with an uncanny beauty that locates joy and hope amidst the struggle. Their music showcases a suitably rough and ready production that amplifies the abundance of provocative messages held within and has you hanging off every word as the musicianship sways between a variety of styles while remaining remarkably cohesive throughout. A truly exhilarating and eye-opening experience.

The Devil’s Trade is a Hungarian musical project led by singer-songwriter Dávid Makó, known for his captivating blend of dark folk, blues, and Americana. With a haunting voice and a mesmerizing presence, Makó weaves introspective tales of sorrow, introspection, and existential contemplation. Armed with his acoustic guitar and occasional use of other instruments, he creates a raw and emotionally charged atmosphere that draws listeners into his unique musical world. The Devil’s Trade’s music is characterized by its stripped-down arrangements, poetic lyrics, and a sense of melancholic beauty that transcends genres. From delicate and introspective moments to intense and powerful outbursts, Makó’s music navigates through a range of emotions, leaving a lasting impact on those who delve into his sonic realm. With a growing international following, The Devil’s Trade continues to captivate audiences with their evocative and soul-stirring compositions, solidifying their place in the contemporary folk scene.

Although Fvnerals is only a duo, the sheer weight behind their songs makes the music feel tenfold, which could be attributed to the crystal clear production, giving plenty of room for the ambience and echoing guitar tremolos to linger in the background and fill that negative space between each beat of the percussive elements. From the songwriting to the production, everything is just so masterfully done. Bringing together doom, shoegaze, and dark ambient the band based in Leipzig channel atavistic feelings of isolation, loss, misery, and despondency, but do so with the silken caress of a doomed lover. It is dark and haunting, sinister in expression and dense with apocalyptic grace.

The music of the Danish four-piece LLNN is brutal, uncompromising, visionary and heavy, very heavy. Combining elements of post-rock, sludge, and black metal, LLNN crushes everything, not with technicality, nor with speed. It would be wrong to suggest that the Danes focus on heaviness at the expense of subtlety. There is more than meets the eye. With their uncompromising approach to music and live performances, this band from Copenhagen has become a force to be reckoned with. Don’t let the slow build of some of the songs lull you into a false sense of security: find something bolted down, hold tight and brace yourselves, this is going to hurt. LLNN will kick the living shit out of you, just to remind you that you’re still alive.

Múr is an Icelandic band that beautifully combines elements of post-rock, shoegaze, and dream pop to create a mesmerizing sonic experience. Formed in Reykjavik, the group crafts ethereal soundscapes that evoke a sense of otherworldly beauty. With their shimmering guitars, atmospheric textures, and haunting vocals, Múr transports listeners to a realm where introspection meets sonic exploration. Their music is characterized by a delicate balance between delicate melodies and expansive walls of sound, creating a captivating and immersive listening experience. Drawing inspiration from the Icelandic landscape and their own personal introspections, Múr weaves together a tapestry of emotions through their music, inviting listeners to embark on a journey of self-discovery and contemplation. With their unique blend of atmospheric textures and evocative songwriting, Múr has garnered critical acclaim both within Iceland and beyond, solidifying their position as one of the country’s most promising and exciting musical exports.

Panzerfaust is a Canadian black metal band known for their intense and atmospheric soundscapes. Formed in 2005, the band draws inspiration from historical events and themes, incorporating them into their music and lyrical content. With their powerful and captivating performances, Panzerfaust has gained recognition in the metal community for their unique blend of aggression and melancholy. Their music often explores dark and introspective themes, touching upon the human condition, war, and existentialism. Throughout their career, Panzerfaust has released several critically acclaimed albums, showcasing their ability to create immersive sonic experiences. Their sound is characterized by blistering guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and haunting melodies, all combined to create a sense of despair and catharsis. With their artistic vision and uncompromising approach, the band continues to captivate audiences and solidify their place within the metal scene.

The Toulouse have made their career defying categorization, and pushing each release to be something new, something more. From blackened mathcore to sludgy, dissonant black and death metal. With their latest effort ‘Rien ne Suffit’ Plebeian Grandstand have smashed their sound and rearranged the shards into a transfixing mosaic, mortared in concrete frantic noise. It is truly an avant garde work, building off the foundation created on earlier records of panic chords and blastbeats with a broad array of influences ranging from industrial, noise rock, post-metal, and jazz. Plebeian Grandstand have surpassed expectations and delivered one of the more remarkable and frightening extreme metal records of 2022.

Svalbard is a UK-based post-hardcore band that streamline their assets into hard-hitting and emotional songs featuring stunning songcraft and necessary messages. With two critically acclaimed albums and numerous tours under their belt, Svalbard stunningly conveys exhaustion, frustration, and melancholy with every fiber while never forsaking its hardcore roots. Their live shows are a visceral experience that showcases their passion and intensity, making them a must-see band during Soulcrusher 2023.

Get ready to be blown away by the powerful and relentless sound of Wake. Hailing from Canada, they deliver an intense, aggressive and exciting blend of death metal, grindcore, kraut, drones and doom. Their latest album ‘Thought Form Descent’ adds a new set of layers that lend greater atmosphere and diversity to their already hybrid sound. Exuberant climaxes and overwhelming blackened blast beats contrast with dynamic slow-mid tempos enriched by Josh Bueckert’s impressive drumming. Their progressive blackened death metal formula is fertile ground for innovation and creative ventures, cementing Wake as one of today’s most exciting extreme metal collectives.

Formed in 2017 from the throes of Philadelphia, Witching have emerged as one the underground’s most exciting bands to watch out for. The band’s sound has evolved into genre-bending, nightmarish, blackened melodic death metal that embraces and embodies the fusion of pitch-black intensity through black metal, sludge, post-metal, and more. With a handful of independently released EP’s, singles, and a full length album under their belts, a new lineup featuring Jacqui Powell (vocals), Nate Zagrimanis (guitar), Tatiana Buonassisi (bass), Samantha Hyla (drums), and Hazel Whitman (guitar), Witching are calling out to unify the masses by bludgeoning their way into a world where everything is formulaically stacked against them. Witching is marking their own path and marching head-on into a hellish ouroboros of self-destruction and self-discovery to share triumph and perseverance.