Vancouver heavy metal band prepares for nationwide run and international album rollout through new label partnership
Canadian heavy metal band IRON KINGDOM has announced updated dates for its 2026 cross-country tour as the Vancouver group prepares to release its sixth studio album, Shadows and Dust, on June 6 through a new partnership with Steel Shark Records.
The upcoming release marks a significant step for the band, which has spent more than a decade building a following within the traditional heavy metal scene through extensive touring across Canada, the United States, Europe and Brazil.
Under the agreement with Steel Shark Records, European fans will receive an exclusive edition limited to 300 double-CD copies. The package will include the full Shadows and Dust album alongside a “Best Of” compilation featuring tracks from the band’s previous five releases. The label will also release a third vinyl colour variant exclusively for European collectors, limited to 100 copies.
The album campaign is already underway with the release of two singles, “Defenders” and “Blood and Steel,” both of which introduce listeners to the darker and more emotionally driven direction of the new record.
New singles preview darker themes and expanded sound
“Defenders” reflects classic heavy metal influences
According to the band, “Defenders” highlights IRON KINGDOM’s established heavy metal sound while drawing inspiration from classic acts including Tyran Pace and Primal Fear. The track combines soaring melodies, galloping guitar riffs and fast-paced arrangements that align closely with the group’s traditional metal roots.
“Blood and Steel” explores endurance and sacrifice
The second single, “Blood and Steel,” takes a more thematic and cinematic approach, focusing on hardship, mortality and perseverance.
Bassist Leighton Holmes described the inspiration behind the song by saying:
“The idea came partly from Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen, and partly from imagining myself as a soldier in Alexander the Great’s army, twelve years into a campaign, thousands of miles from home, questioning how I got there. The endless marching, the battles, the weight of the gear… It’s a brutal life, and in a small way, it parallels the blood, sweat, and tears of touring in a band.”
The band also experimented with a different musical structure for the track.
“We wanted the song to feel like a march. It’s very bass- and drum-driven in the verses, with guitars layered in strategic spots. It’s a different kind of song for us, and I think it’s going to add something special to our live sets,” added vocalist and guitarist Chris Osterman.
The 10-track album explores themes including death, resilience, impermanence and personal struggle. Its artwork, inspired by the story behind “Blood and Steel,” depicts an army crossing a desolate landscape.
“This album plays in a dark realm. But that’s exactly what will make it accessible to people going through tough times. The music shows hope for a way out. It’s a journey, one we can’t wait for fans to experience front to back,” Osterman said.
National tour to begin with Vancouver hometown performance
Rickshaw Theatre concert launches summer tour
IRON KINGDOM will launch its Canadian tour with a hometown album release concert at the Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver on June 5, one day before the album’s official release.
The tour, titled True North Strong And Heavy Canadian Tour, will include performances across British Columbia, the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Festival appearances are also scheduled at Armstrong Metal Fest and Loud As Hell Open Air Festival.
The tour schedule includes major stops in cities such as Toronto, Montréal, Ottawa, Halifax, Calgary and Edmonton before concluding in Kelowna, B.C., on Aug. 23.
Band continues steady growth in international metal scene
Formed in 2011, IRON KINGDOM has built its reputation through a combination of traditional heavy metal influences, technically driven musicianship and a consistent touring schedule. The group cites bands including Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, Scorpions and Rush as key influences.
Over the years, the band has also shared stages with acts such as Night Demon and Blaze Bayley.
Early reviews for Shadows and Dust have been positive, with several music publications highlighting the album’s blend of classic heavy metal elements and modern production values.
The album’s track listing includes “Defenders,” “Eternal Emperor,” “Dreamless Sea,” “Deadhouse Gates,” “Line Of Fire,” “Blood And Steel,” “Shadow Of Time,” “Dark Demands,” “Starlight” and “Sacred Fire.”
Shadows and Dust will be available through the band’s official merchandise store and Bandcamp page beginning June 6, 2026.