Armstrong MetalFest Celebrates 15 years of Mountain Moshing with Stellar 2025 Lineup
Table of Contents
- 1. Armstrong MetalFest Celebrates 15 years of Mountain Moshing with Stellar 2025 Lineup
- 2. A Milestone Anniversary
- 3. 2025 Lineup Highlights
- 4. Full 2025 Lineup
- 5. Tickets and Facts
- 6. What does Heather Valstar hope attendees take away from their Armstrong MetalFest experience, beyond just the music?
- 7. armstrong MetalFest 2025: Interview with Heather Valstar on 15 Years of Mountain Moshing
- 8. The Journey to 15 Years of Armstrong MetalFest
- 9. The Stellar 2025 Lineup: A Labor of Love
- 10. Mountain Moshing: What Makes AMF Unique
- 11. Supporting Canadian Metal
- 12. Beyond the Music: The AMF community
- 13. A Thought-Provoking question for Our Readers
Armstrong MetalFest (AMF) is set to ignite British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley for its 15th anniversary on July 11th and 12th, 2025, at the Hassen Arena in Armstrong, BC.The festival promises a weekend of “mountain moshing” with a diverse lineup featuring heavy hitters like Born Of Osiris, havok, Glyph, and Riot City.
A Milestone Anniversary
This year marks a notable milestone for Armstrong MetalFest, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the Canadian metal scene. Festival co-founder and General Manager Jessie Valstar reflects on the journey: “This year’s festival is a work of art! I can’t believe we are on the 15th year already. Time flies when your setting up a festival full of crushing riffs, soaring vocals and down right nasty beats. life rules, bring on the summer!” Her enthusiasm underscores the dedication and passion that have fueled the festival’s success over the years.
2025 Lineup Highlights
The 2025 lineup is stacked with talent, showcasing a range of metal subgenres. Here’s a glimpse:
- Born Of Osiris: Chicago-based progressive metalcore pioneers known for their intricate compositions and high-energy performances.
- Havok: denver thrash metal band delivering aggressive riffs and politically charged lyrics.
- Glyph: Seattle-based death metal band bringing a raw, unrelenting sound.
- Riot City: Calgary speed metal band known for their blistering solos and high-octane stage presence.
Heather Valstar, Vice President of West Metal Entertainment Society, expressed her excitement about the lineup: “The band council worked hard on this year’s lineup. I am so excited to have the Browning back. They were amazing on stage. I have been wanting to see Born of Osiris play live for years. I love them, and now I get to see them in my own little town.” This sentiment reflects the festival’s commitment to bringing top-tier metal acts to a regional audience. The Browning, hailing from Kansas City, are also set to make a return.
Full 2025 Lineup
- Havok (Denver, CO)
- Born of Osiris (Chicago, IL)
- Glyph (Seattle, WA)
- Riot City (Calgary, AB)
- The Browning (Kansas city, KS)
- Virvum (Zürich, Switzerland)
- Atavistia (Vancouver, BC)
- Drowning In Blood (Montreal, QC)
- Convictions (Fremont, OH)
- Scalding (Vancouver, BC)
- Syryn (Calgary, AB)
- Stortregn (Geneva, Switzerland)
- The Defect (Kansas City, KS)
- Gravemass (Vancouver, BC)
- Lover (Calgary, AB)
- Yegg (Vancouver Island, BC)
- Hísemtuks Hími•n (Spokane, WA)
- The Spruce Moose (Edmonton, AB)
- Volt (Fort McMurray, AB)
- jisei (vancouver, BC)
- nomad (Okanagan Valley, BC)
- Planetkiller (Kelowna, BC)
- Shackled To The Throne (Edmonton, AB)
- The Cadavor Dog (High River, AB)
- Famous Strangers (Edmonton, AB)
- Valley of Despair (Edmonton, AB)
- Naitaka (Kelowna, BC)
- FloodGate (Kelowna, BC)
Tickets and Facts
Weekend passes are available for purchase at https://armstrongmetalfest.ca/tickets. Secure your spot now for a weekend of unparalleled metal mayhem.
Armstrong MetalFest 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience for metal fans across Canada and beyond.With a killer lineup and a dedicated team behind the scenes, this 15th-anniversary celebration is not to be missed. Grab your tickets, prepare for the mosh pit, and get ready to experience the best of mountain moshing. What band are you most excited to see? Tell us in the comments below!
What does Heather Valstar hope attendees take away from their Armstrong MetalFest experience, beyond just the music?
armstrong MetalFest 2025: Interview with Heather Valstar on 15 Years of Mountain Moshing
Archyde is thrilled to bring you an exclusive interview with Heather Valstar, vice President of west Metal Entertainment Society, the driving force behind Armstrong MetalFest (AMF). As AMF gears up for its 15th anniversary on July 11th and 12th, 2025, at the Hassen Arena in Armstrong, BC, we caught up with Heather to discuss the festival’s evolution, the incredible 2025 lineup, and what makes AMF a must-attend event for metalheads.
The Journey to 15 Years of Armstrong MetalFest
Archyde: Heather, congratulations on reaching the 15th anniversary of Armstrong MetalFest! Looking back, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced in building AMF into the cornerstone of the Canadian metal scene it is today?
Heather Valstar: Thanks so much! It’s been an incredible journey. Honestly, in the early days securing funding and convincing bands to come to a relatively unknown festival in Armstrong was tough. We had to prove ourselves, and we did that by focusing on creating an amazing experience for both the bands and the fans. Building trust and demonstrating our commitment to the metal community has been key.
The Stellar 2025 Lineup: A Labor of Love
Archyde: The 2025 lineup is absolutely stacked! You mentioned your excitement about having Born of Osiris and The Browning. What was the band selection process like this year, and what were the key criteria you considered?
Heather Valstar: The band council works tirelessly to curate a lineup that showcases a wide range of metal subgenres while also giving opportunities to local and up-and-coming bands. We look for bands with a strong stage presence, a dedicated fanbase, and a commitment to putting on a memorable show. Genre diversity is always a priority – we want something for everyone, from death metal to thrash to metalcore. and of course, personal favorites like Born of Osiris definitely influence the process! Seeing them in my hometown is a dream come true!
Mountain Moshing: What Makes AMF Unique
Archyde: Armstrong MetalFest is known for its unique “mountain moshing” atmosphere. How does the festival’s location in the Okanagan Valley contribute to this vibe, and what can attendees expect from the overall experience?
heather Valstar: The Okanagan Valley is truly special. The natural beauty, the sunshine, and the passionate local community all contribute to a unique atmosphere. “mountain moshing” is all about embracing the energy of the music and the environment, creating a sense of camaraderie and shared experience. Attendees can expect a weekend of incredible music, delicious food and drinks, and unforgettable memories.
Supporting Canadian Metal
Archyde: Armstrong MetalFest consistently showcases a strong presence of Canadian metal bands, particularly from Western Canada. How important is it to you to support the Canadian metal scene, and what opportunities does AMF provide for these artists?
Heather Valstar: supporting the canadian metal scene is absolutely vital. Canada has a wealth of incredible talent, and we want to provide a platform for these bands to reach a wider audience. AMF offers Canadian bands the chance to play alongside established international acts, gain exposure to a dedicated fanbase, and network with industry professionals. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Beyond the Music: The AMF community
Archyde: What do you hope attendees take away from their Armstrong MetalFest experience, beyond just the music?
Heather Valstar: More than anything, I hope people leave feeling like they’ve been part of something special. We want to foster a sense of community and belonging among metalheads from all walks of life.AMF is a place were you can connect with like-minded people, discover new music, and create lasting memories. We want it to be an experience that stays with you long after the last note has been played.
A Thought-Provoking question for Our Readers
Archyde: Heather, what’s one thing you wish more people understood about the metal community?
Heather Valstar: I wish people understood that beneath the sometimes-intense music and imagery, the metal community is incredibly supportive, inclusive, and welcoming. It’s a family, and we’re always happy to welcome new members. Come to Armstrong MetalFest and experience it for yourself!
Archyde: Thank you, Heather, for your time and insights. We’re incredibly excited for Armstrong metalfest 2025! Now, metalheads, which band are *you* most excited to see at Armstrong MetalFest 2025? Let us know in the comments below!
