These Canadian metal heroes return with their sixth studio album, taking on loss, pain and struggle while also blending their classic Heavy Metal roots with new textures, progressive touches, and a renewed sense of storytelling.

Forged in Vancouver, Canada in 2011, Iron Kingdom have spent fifteen years carrying the torch for classic Heavy Metal with unwavering conviction, inspired by the genre’s titans such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, Scorpions, and Rush while building identity on electrifying stage presence, intricate twin-guitar harmonies, and a steadfast devotion to the melodic, adventurous spirit of traditional metal, culminating now in 2026 with their sixth studio album, titled Shadows and Dust. Recorded at KH Studios, co-produced by the band’s own Chris Osterman and Megan Merrick, mixed by Andy Boldt, mastered by Greg Reely at The Green Jacket, and displaying a harsh artwork by Alan Lathwell (inspired by a scene in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson), the new opus by vocalist and guitarist Chris Osterman, guitarist Megan Merrick, bassist Leighton Holmes, and drummer Max Friesen heavily lends itself towards the themes of death and impermanence, taking on loss, pain and struggle while also blending the band’s classic Heavy Metal roots with new textures, progressive touches, and a renewed sense of storytelling.

Chris and Megan rev up the band’s Heavy Metal engine with their striking axe attack in Defenders before the same Chris delivers his 80’s-inspired soaring vocals for our total delight; and get ready for another battle hymn titled Eternal Emperor, with the galloping rhythm led by Leighton and Max sounding thrilling and vibrant. Then fully inspired by the classic sound crafted by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Saxon we have Dreamless Sea, with their guitars sounding melodic and sharp from start to finish. Max once again takes the lead in Deadhouse Gates, with the entire band being in total sync and therefore offering us all first-class classic Heavy Metal; whereas it’s time for total anarchy with the fast and furious Line of Fire, adding elements of Speed and Thrash Metal to their core sound while led by the ass-kicking riffs and solos by Chris and Megan.

Despite its imposing name, Blood and Steel sounds a bit too mellow and soft compared to the rest of the album, as if it was a mellow version of Melodic Rock or AOR, although it’s still a very enjoyable tune. Then back to their trademark fusion of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal we face Shadow of Time, with the groove flowing from Leighton’s bass and Max’s drums penetrating deep inside our metallic minds; and it’s time to put the pedal to the metal in the high-octane Speed Metal extravaganza Dark Demands, with Chris firing his most insane high-pitched screams of the whole album. Again delivering a rhythmic, galloping sonority we have Starlight, with their guitar riffs and solos once again bringing fire to the ambience, whereas closing the album we’re treated to the epic seven-minute aria Sacred Fire, starting in a serene manner before morphing into a classic sound rooted in the 80’s, spearheaded by the old school vocals by Chris.

Across six albums, Iron Kingdom have transformed from a Hard Rock-leaning young band into a fully realized traditional Heavy Metal powerhouse, with Shadows and Dust also becoming the first album recorded entirely in the band’s own home studio, a major step in their long-standing DIY ethos. You can find more information about the band on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their excellent music on Spotify, and of course purchase their new album from BandCamp. With Shadows and Dust, Iron Kingdom enter a new era with sharpened purpose, renewed fire, and a sound that honors the past while forging boldly ahead. It’s a story of endurance, evolution, and the unbreakable power of Heavy Metal, and I’m sure that after Shadows and Dust we’ll see those Canadians rockin’ for many years to come no matter what.

Best moments of the album: Deadhouse Gates, Line of Fire and Dark Demands.

Worst moments of the album: Blood and Steel.

Released in 2026 Steel Shark Records

Track listing
1. Defenders 6:05
2. Eternal Emperor 4:31
3. Dreamless Sea 5:11
4. Deadhouse Gates 4:57
5. Line of Fire 3:06
6. Blood and Steel 4:53
7. Shadow of Time 4:23
8. Dark Demands 3:36
9. Starlight 4:10
10. Sacred Fire 7:21

Band members
Chris Osterman – lead vocals, guitars
Megan Merrick – guitars
Leighton Holmes – bass
Max Friesen – drums