Knotfest Iowa 2024 Books Slipknot, Till Lindemann (Rammstein), Knocked Loose, Hatebreed, Poison The Well, Gwar, Vended, Dying Wish, and More


Knotfest Iowa is upon us. Today the globally renowned event has revealed its 2024 lineup including the hometown return of Slipknot, the festival’s headliner and founders.  With a unique set drawing heavily from their 1999 debut, Slipknot will celebrate 25 years of the self-titled album along with their fans, in the band’s birthplace of Iowa.  The band just played their first two shows with their new lineup in California outside of a small bar and at Sick New World Festival!

In addition to Slipknot, the fest features Till Lindemann from Rammstein, Kentucky’s vibrant hardcore/metal forerunners Knocked Loose, metalcore influencers Hatebreed and Poison The Well, heavy metal icons GWAR, Des Moines natives Vended, in addition to Dying Wish, Zulu, Twin Temple, Holy Wars, Swollen Teeth and Spine & Dose. Taking place at Waterworks Park, in Des Moines on September 21st. Continue reading


Kittie Books Exclusive Headlining North American Mini-Tour


The original Queens of Metal, Kittie have announced an exclusive run of North American headline dates today. The long-awaited shows will see the band perform in 5 cities across the US and Canada this July and August, giving fans a very special and rare chance to see the band play a full headline set that will include their recently released singles “We Are Shadows” and “Eyes Wide Open” as well as classic hits and some deep cuts not played live since the band’s early days.Continue reading


New England Metal and Hardcore Fest 2024 Books Killswitch Engage, Converge, Machine Head, Suicidal Tendencies, As I Lay Dying, Bane, Overkill, Better Lovers, Nails, and More


New England Metal & Hardcore Fest launched back in 1999 and took place at the famed Palladium in Worcester through 2018. It was often held over two or three days, with multiple stages and top-tier acts like Megadeth, Manowar, DragonForce, Opeth, Between the Buried & Me, Meshuggah, Killswitch Engage, Suicidal Tendencies, Anthrax, and more appearing through the years. It was always a “who’s who” of the metal and hardcore scene and was a “not to be missed” event each Spring. It took a brief break after 2018 but returned to much fanfare in 2023 with Parkway Drive, Lamb of God, Hatebreed, and more. Today, the 2024 edition has been announced and the lineup is stacked. It features literally every single band you’d want to see at a metal and hardcore festival. The two-day extravaganza will take place on September 21 and 22 at the Palladium. NEM&HCF faves Killswitch Engage will be playing a special 25th anniversary show and will headline the first night. Slaughter to Prevail will headline the second night. Continue reading


The Electric Highway Festival 2024 is Kicking Off this Week ft. Anciients, Dead Quiet, Hombre, Buffalo Bud Buster, Empress, Gnarwhal


The Electric Highway Festival returns April 4th to 6th in Calgary, AB at Dickens (1000 9 Ave SW) for its 2024 edition with Canadian Juno Award-winning Vancouver band Anciients headlining the festival. They will be joined by various Western Canadian bands including Dead Quiet, Empress, Flashback, Buffalo Bud Buster, Hombre, and Set & Stoned along with festival newcomers Prisoner, Passing Pluto, Mors Sanctorum, Gnarwhal, Black Daggers, and more! This is the biggest festival lineup yet with 23 bands over 3 days. Ghost Cult is also a media partner of the festival.
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PODCAST: The Weekly Ritual Rock and Metal News Show Live 3-22-24


Catch up on what you missed this week in the world of Rock and Metal news with our show! Continue reading


The Black Dahlia Murder Books European Headline Tour Dates and Festivals for The First Time Since 2019


The Black Dahlia Murder will be returning overseas this summer for their first tour across Europe since 2019 including performances at festivals like Party San, Download, Graspop, Brutal Assault, Summer Breeze, and more. Support for select dates comes from Suffocation, Shadow of Intent, and Decapitated. See dates and support breakdown below and get your tickets at the links below.Continue reading


Body Count ft. Ice-T Announce The “Merciless” UK and European Tour Dates


World-acclaimed heavy metal band Body Count, fronted by legendary Ice-T, announce the Merciless EU/UK 2024 tour, and reveal tour dates in June and July. The band will be performing at major European festivals throughout summer and the tour promises to be an electrifying showcase of Body Count’s discography. Fans can expect the same intensity and commitment to powerful messages that have always been a hallmark of Body Count’s music, which is known for its bold, unapologetic style, blending heavy metal with socio-critical themes.Continue reading


Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Pantera) Books The Inaugural Berzerkus Festival with Cody Jinks, BLS, Clutch, Rival Sons, Black Stone Cherry, and More


Legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera) has announced his inaugural Berzerkus Festival, set to take place on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Poconos Park in Bushkill, Pennsylvania. Berzerkus will be co-headlined by outlaw country music’s Cody Jinks and Black Label Society. Berzerkers will rock out to an incredible festival lineup that will also include Clutch, Rival Sons, Black Stone Cherry, Zoso (the ultimate Led Zeppelin experience), Atomic Punks (a tribute to early Van Halen) and The Iron Maidens (the world’s only all-female tribute to Iron Maiden). Early Bird presale tickets go on sale Thursday, February 1 at 8 a.m. Eastern exclusively available to those who register through Berzerkus.com. Registrants will receive early access to get the best seats or the limited quantity of Early Bird General Admission lawn tickets for only $19.99 (plus fees) before the price increases to Tier 2 or Tier 3 pricing. Also available are elevated experience packages such as front row, standing pit, reserved seats, dinner on the lake, private cabanas, hotel options and camping packages. Those who wish to purchase tickets on Thursday (prior to tickets going on sale to the general public) should register for a presale password at between now and Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at midnight.Continue reading


PODCAST: Episode 390: John Gist of Vegas Rock Revolution Talks Planet Desert Rock Fest IV


Keefy caught up with John Gist of Vegas Rock Revolution Presents to discuss the upcoming Planet Desert Rock Fest IV! The fest features ⁠Brant Bjork⁠, ⁠Spaceslug⁠, ⁠FATSO JETSON⁠, ⁠Freedom Hawk⁠, ⁠Spiralarms⁠, ⁠Scorpion Child⁠, ⁠Borracho⁠, ⁠Beastmaker⁠, ⁠Sandveiss⁠, ⁠Black Elephant⁠, ⁠WARLUNG⁠, ⁠Sun Crow⁠, ⁠Mezzoa⁠, ⁠Flames Of Durga⁠ and ⁠Sonolith⁠. Planet Desert Rock Weekend returns for its 4th installment on January 25-26-27, 2024 in Las Vegas! John discussed how he got into booking shows, and what it takes to book a fest like this, he shared his thoughts on other festivals like Psycho Las Vegas, things to do and enjoy in Vegas, and more! Continue reading


I AM MORBID to Perform All of “Altars of Madness” in Full at Milwaukee Metal Fest 2024


After a successful return of Milwaukee Metal Festival in 2023, the iconic midwestern, multi-day event is now revealing 11 more bands and daily schedules for the highly anticipated 2024 edition, with more TBA! The festival is now welcoming I AM MORBID, who will be performing the iconic Morbid Angel record, ‘Altars of Madness,’ in its entirety on Sunday, May 19! the band reunites Morbid Angel’s David Vincent and Pete Sandoval. In addition, fans can use code DEATH5 to save $5 on single day tickets at the link below. Continue reading