[DID NOT ATTEND: November 7 & 8, 2026] House of Metal
My wife and I were in Sweden visiting our son who is studying in Umeå. While we were there, I found out that House of Metal was happening right in town. What is it?
House of Metal is a two day indoor festival dedicated to various kinds of metal. The festival premiered at Umeå Folkets Hus in February 2007. HoM has three stages and every year 20-25 bands, Swedish and international, crowd these stages.
We had a lot going on and weren’t going to go to the Friday night show (I actually didn’t know any of the bands) and we were leaving on Saturday morning, so that was out, too.
But it was really fun seeing the city full of people excited for the show. We walked by the venue midday on Friday and they had put up a House of Metal arch so we went in to check it out. The folks there were super friendly and I was able to buy a T-shirt and look through the vinyl that was on sale.
Maybe next year…
| FRIDAY | ||
| Moloken | Studion Stage | 18:30 |
| DreaD | Nemis Stage Äpplet | 19:00 |
| The Crown | Idun Stage | 19:15 |
| Eridikated | Studion Stage | 20:15 |
| Skogskult | Nemis Stage Äpplet | 20:45 |
| Imminence | Idun Stage | 21:15 |
| Deathchain | Studion Stage | 22:15 |
| Left Hand of Darkness | Nemis Stage Äpplet | 22:30 |
| Hypocrisy | Idun Stage | 23:30 |
| Wormwood | Studion Stage | 0:15 |
| SATURDAY | ||
| Ancestor of Kaos | Studion Stage | 18:30 |
| Syndafall | Nemis Stage Äpplet | 19:00 |
| Hardcore Superstar | Idun Stage | 19:15 |
| Blazon Stone | Studion Stage | 20:15 |
| After Earth | Nemis Stage Äpplet | 20:45 |
| Firespawn | Idun Stage | 21:15 |
| Thron | Studion Stage | 22:15 |
| Nårdegaist | Nemis Stage Äpplet | 22:30 |
| Old Man’s Child | Idun Stage | 23:30 |
| Vomitory | Studion Stage | 0:15 |
AFTER EARTH (Sweden)
After Earth is a melodic death metal band from Skövde that has had the goal of spreading the word about the new wave of Swedish metal since the fall of 2017. With influences from, among other things, the Gothenburg sound and modern metal, the band has managed to put together the debut album “The Rarity Of Reason” and the latest album release “Dark Night Of The Soul” which offers heavy riffs, melodic parts that easily stick in the brain and fast beats that encourage listeners to move.
ANCESTOR OF KAOS (USA)
Ancestor of Kaos is a Cuban American Black Metal band formed in 2005 and based in USA since 2013.
20 years keeping a distinctive blend of Black and Thrash Metal and opening shows for Deicide, Acheron, Goatwhore, Solstice, Belphegor, Arkona, Nunslaughter, Profanatica among others and playing festivals like South by Southwest SXSW 2013 (Austin, Texas) and Black Kvlt fest 2014 and 2015 (Miami, Florida). This will be the bands first time visiting Scandinavia.
Their discography includes 4 full length albums: “Hell Fuckin’ Metal” (2008) “I am the Truth” (2012), ”Ancestor of Kaos” (2022) and ”Animal Ritual” (2025)
BLAZON STONE (Sweden)
Blazon Stone is a Heavy Metal project founded by multi-instrumentalist Cederick Forsberg, known for his dedication to classic metal and multiple projects, Blazon Stone was born out of the necessity to fit songs under a different flag. The band started inspired by the legacy of Running Wild’s glorious era, with a personal spin.
Over the years and after several albums, the project evolved into a full line-up, ready to bring their music to the stage. As the driving force behind Blazon Stone, Cederick has carefully crafted a sound that honors traditional Heavy Metal while carving out a distinct identity of its own.
THE CROWN (Sweden)
The Crown returns to House of Metal. Since their visit back in 2023, the band has released the album “Crown of Thorns” (2024), which also was the band’s name until the name change in 1998. Musically, the band offers, quite frankly, one big bang! Early 90s Death Metal mixed with stylish melodies, thrashy riffs, punk, grind, heavy metal to more grand epic tones.
The bands performance at House of Metal will be one of their last shows ever since they are out on a farewell-tour that will end with a last concert in Gothenburg on December 19th. So make sure to grab the opportunity to see the bands energetic live performance one last time.
DEATHCHAIN (Finland)
Deathchain is a Finnish Deathrash band known for blending Thrash Metal intensity with Death Metal brutality. Formed in 1997 in the city of Kuopio, the band quickly established itself in the underground metal scene with a raw, aggressive sound inspired by early acts like Slayer and Morbid Angel.
Their debut album, “Deadmeat Disciples” (2002), showcased their fast-paced riffs and horror-inspired themes, but it was later releases like “Deathrash Assault “(2005) and “Cult of Death” (2007) that cemented their reputation. Deathchain’s music often revolves around dark, occult, and apocalyptic subject matter, delivered through relentless drumming, sharp guitar work, and harsh vocals.
The band is known for their energetic live performances and uncompromising style. With six full-lenght albums, Deathchain remains a respected name in the global Underground Metal community.
DREAD (Sweden)
DreaD from Umeå plays a heavy mix between Hardcore/Beatdown and Deathcore. A band that delivers everything and focuses a lot on high energy live. The band has so far released 3 singles but has recorded enough material for a full-length album that will be released in the near future.
ERADIKATED (Sweden)
Eradikated stands out as one of the most promising new forces in modern Thrash Metal. Combining youthful energy with razor-sharp precision, they fuse the ferocity of the 80s Bay Area sound with a sharp, contemporary edge. Their debut album ”Descendants” earned them a Swedish Grammy nomination and cemented their rising status in the Swedish metal scene.
Since then, they’ve delivered explosive performances at Sweden Rock Festival, Gefle Metal Festival and Summer Breeze Open Air, and toured with The Haunted and Soilwork. Their highly anticipated second album ”Wiring of Violence” is set for release on May 8th.
FIRESPAWN (Sweden)
Firespawn was formed in 2012 by LG Petrov, Victor Brandt and A. Impaler. Shortly after, Fredrik Folkare and Matte Modin completed the lineup, and in 2015 the band released their debut album Shadow Realms via Century Media Records. The album received critical acclaim and was nominated for “Best Debut” at the Metal Hammer Awards, marking a powerful entrance into the death metal scene.
Firespawn went on to release two more albums, further cementing their reputation for aggressive, high-caliber musicianship. However, the band was forced into hiatus following the tragic passing of frontman LG Petrov after a battle with cancer. Now, after a five year silence, Firespawn returns to honor their fearless frontman LG Petrov. With Jörgen Sandström (Grave, Torture Division) on vocal duties, the band continues its mission with unrelenting force, honoring the legacy of their fallen brother.
Firespawn has risen from the ashes – respawned to remember, reignite, and redefine death metal.
HARDCORE SUPERSTAR (Sweden)
Hardcore Superstar is a four-piece band from Gothenburg that was born in 1997 and were brave enough to merge two styles that previously hated each other: Thrash metal and Sleaze rock. The result was a style-defining hard, aggressive rock mixed with catchy, melodic and decadent riffs. Twelve albums later and with tours all over the world, Hardcore Superstar is among the elite and continues to move forward without slowing down in the slightest. The band last visited the House of Metal festival in 2015, and also the festival’s first edition in 2007, so it’s time for a return.
HYPOCRISY (Sweden)
Hypocrisy is a Swedish Death Metal band formed in 1991 in Ludvika by guitarist and vocalist Peter Tägtgren. Originally rooted in traditional Death Metal, the band quickly evolved to incorporate melodic elements, atmospheric keyboards, and lyrical themes centered on alien conspiracies, science fiction, and the paranormal.
They gained international recognition with albums like ”The Final Chapter” (1997) and ”Hypocrisy” (1999), blending heavy riffs with catchy, eerie melodies. Tägtgren, who is also a well-known producer, has remained the band’s central figure throughout its career.
Known for their dark, cinematic sound and consistent output, Hypocrisy is considered one of the key bands in shaping the melodic and atmospheric side of Swedish Death Metal.
IMMINENCE (Sweden)
Imminence is a Swedish alternative Metalcore band known for combining heavy Scandinavian metal with classical string elements. Led by vocalist and violinist Eddie Berg, they’ve become one of the genre’s most innovative acts.
Their 2024 album ”The Black” gained major acclaim, with multiple singles reaching millions of streams and driving rapid growth in fans and demand. The band has achieved sold-out tours across North America and Europe and performed at major festivals like Wacken and Download, while also touring with acts such as In Flames and Bring Me The Horizon.
With five albums, over 275 million streams, and a fast-growing global audience, Imminence continues expanding internationally with sold-out shows.
LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS (Sweden)
Blackened neo-crust ‘n’ roll from Umeå. They serve up plenty of D-beat and darkness, with a dash of hardcore!
The band has been around since 2018 but reformed in 2023 into its current lineup, they have played shows across Sweden and the Nordic region. With a new album in the works, their discography already includes one album, two EPs, and a couple of singles released from the upcoming album!
MOLOKEN (Sweden)
Since 2007, the Umeå band Moloken has moved freely between doom, death, black, sludge and post metal without being limited by genres. With uncompromising heaviness, atmosphere and intensity, they have established themselves as one of Sweden’s most distinctive metal bands.
On September 25, Moloken will release their fifth and self-titled album – their first in six years. The album marks a return to the band’s doom roots, while clean vocals, acoustic elements and subtle influences from Nordic folk music broaden the expression. The lyrics revolve around the weight of consciousness, death and eternity.
On stage, this transforms into an intense and enveloping experience where heaviness, melancholy and presence take center stage. The band’s performance at this year’s festival can also be seen as a release party for the new self-titled album.
NÅRDEGAIST (Sweden)
Nårdegaist was formed on Gotland in the winter of 2016. They draw inspiration from the hardships of the Gotlandish people, the barren landscape and the dark stories that no one wants to talk about.
The band is unique with lyrics in ”gutniska”, but has primarily gained attention for their intense live performances. During their career, the band has only played outside Gotland once: at Mörkaste Småland 2018. The last gig was in Visby in 2025, as support for a reunited and returning Grave.
Their discography includes three full-length albums: “Gaimald” (2018), “Haimganggsringgninggi” (2020) and “Domdagsbeistn” (2025).
OLD MAN’S CHILD (Norway)
Old Man’s Child was formed in 1993 by Galder, and the band has since released seven full-length albums, establishing a name within the world of Symphonic/Melodic Black Metal.
However, in 2000, Galder joined Dimmu Borgir as a songwriter and lead guitarist; consequently, Old Man’s Child stopped performing live and eventually transitioned into a strictly studio-based project.
But after leaving Dimmu Borgir in 2024, the band has finally returned to the live stage, having already played over a dozen shows—including appearances at festivals such as Sweden Rock Festival, Maryland Deathfest, Graspop, and Hellfest.
SKOGSKULT (Sweden)
Skogskult is an Umeå-based Stoner Doom band formed in 2022 by members of the other Umeå bands Från Mars, Scitalis & Never Recover. The band consists of Samuel Nordström on guitar, Albin Kroon on bass, Simon Rosengrim on vocals and Alexander Söderlund on drums.
Skogskult plays Stoner Doom with influences from older bands such as Sleep, Dozer, Acid King & Electric Wizard, as well as more contemporary acts such as Skraeckoedlan, Monolord & Windhand The sound is familiar, riff-based and above all very heavy. The lyrics are written in Swedish and deal with themes such as Nordic folk beliefs and Swedish nature.
Skogskult is signed by Bonebag Records and the music is produced by Max Malmer. Their self-titled debut album was released in December 2025.
SYNDAFALL (Sweden)
Syndafall is a Death/Groove-Metal band hailing from Boden in the north of Sweden.
Formed in 2023, the band has quickly become one of the strongest live acts in the Nordic underground scene.
Their debut album ”INHUMAN” (2024) showcased heavy, catchy riffs, accompanied by skillful songwriting. Their single ”Jaw Eater” (2024) showed the band turn towards a more raw, and brutal sound. Their most recent release, the live-album ”Skellhell” gives the listeners a taste of the sheer intensity of the bands live performances.
THRON (Germany)
Formed in 2015 as a project of experienced, devoted musicians from German bands in the Black Forest region, Thron’s initial goals were to play authentic Black/Death in the spirit of the early to mid ’90s. Heavily influenced by bands like Dissection, Unanimated, Sacramentum and Mercyful Fate among others, the band creates a symbiosis of icy melodies, harshness and a haunting atmosphere. New album ”Vurias” (2025) out now via Listenable Records.
VOMITORY (Sweden)
Vomitory from Karlstad/Sweden was formed in 1989 during the rise of the Swedish Death Metal-scene. Known for their relentless and uncompromising style, they gained underground recognition already back in the 1990s and later signed with Metal Blade Records, releasing several influential albums while touring worldwide. After disbanding in 2013, the band reunited in 2019 and released ”All Heads Are Gonna Roll” in 2023. With a refreshed lineup, they continue their legacy and are set to release their 10th album, ”In Death Throes”, on April 10th 2026 via Metal Blade Records.
WORMWOOD (Sweden)
Wormwood is a Swedish metal band founded in 2014, whose music might be tricky to define due to their wild mix of styles and influences. The listener will come across plenty of genres within extreme metal – eerie atmospheres, folk vibes, straight garage rock with an attitude & soothing harmonic passages. The most significant ingredient is the melody – all seasoned with a big scoop of Scandinavian melancholy and dreamy soundscapes. This has proved to be the winning concept that is celebrated among fans all over the world and also with nominations for best Rock/Metal act by Swedish public service P3 Gold Awards in 2019 and 2021.
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