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For 10 years running, Armstrong Metalfest has not only fostered the talent of hundreds of local bands but brought in well-known, international acts to the sleepy, little Canadian town of Armstrong, British Columbia. The longest running metal festival in Western Canada has been a labour of love for a decade and now they are asking their fans and supporters for a little push to ensure that the festival can continue into 2019 and beyond.
Each year up to 700 metalheads from Canada and USA descend into the picturesque Okanagan Valley and under the blistering sun they spend 3 days camping, taking in over 40 bands, participating in wrestling events and scavenger hunts and catching up with their metal family. The festival has seen such renowned headliners as Kataklysm, Cattle Decapitation, Archspire, and Beyond Creation as well as emerging artists from across North America. At the end of the revelry, the festival disappears without a trace, leaving the landscape as pristine as it has always been. Co-Promoter Jesse Valstar, who has been part of the festival since day one, explains their situation: |
“Each year our costs have steadily grown and, even with our planning throughout this year, it has become more than we can handle. In the past, we were able to recoup any losses through fundraising and personal contributions, but this year it is not enough. Because of various upgrades, such as the stage, and unexpected costs, we are here, asking for your help.”
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West Metal Entertainment is a non-profit society that not only puts on Armstrong Metal Festival every year in Armstrong, B.C. but gives bands opportunities to play different venues throughout the region including all ages shows, to encourage musical passion in kids as well as adults.
"We have played Armstrong a handful of times, and every year it's gotten better. The lineups, the attendance, the production; this is really the type of festival that B.C. needs. We hope to play again! Please support this crowdfunding campaign.” - Archspire Armstrong Metalfest's GoFundMe campaign ends on September 1st with a goal of reaching $5,000 and for those interested in supporting the festival can make donations at the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/keep-armstrong-metalfest-going You can also watch their promo video explaining the need of the GoFundMe campaign at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bcHHaJ_Yjc For more info, please visit www.ArmstrongMetalFest.ca |
Global News: Metalheads celebrate a decade of gathering in Armstrong - Video Interview here.
Kelowna Now: Armstrong Metal Festival Co-founder reflects on a decade of metal - Video Interview here.
Vernon Morning Star: Armstrong MetalFest bigger than ever for 10-year milestone - Read here.
Vancity Rockers: INTERVIEW: Jesse Valstar, Co-Founder of Armstrong MetalFest - Read here.
Kelowna Now: Armstrong Metal Festival Co-founder reflects on a decade of metal - Video Interview here.
Vernon Morning Star: Armstrong MetalFest bigger than ever for 10-year milestone - Read here.
Vancity Rockers: INTERVIEW: Jesse Valstar, Co-Founder of Armstrong MetalFest - Read here.
About:
Taking influence from Europe's music festival circuit, Armstrong Metal Fest is a heavy metal celebration that encourages metal heads from across Canada and the globe to mosh and camp with the backdrop of great outdoors of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. What started as a backyard party in 2009 with nothing but eleven local metal bands such as Terrifier, Xul and Odinfist to name a few, has grown into a a huge success admired by the Western Canadian Metal scene. 2017 was the ninth year of the festival and was its largest year for music and attendance. Previous years of the festival have seen line ups with Cattle Decapitation, Suffocation, Beyond Creation, Dayglo Abortions, Rivers of Nihil, The Zenith Passage, Anciients, Bison BC, Striker, Crimson Shadows, Holy Grail, Archspire, Cryptopsy, Unleash The Archers, Divinity, Into Eternity, Ninjaspy, Vesperia, XUL, Odinfist, Death Toll Rising, Gomorrah among many others.
Taking influence from Europe's music festival circuit, Armstrong Metal Fest is a heavy metal celebration that encourages metal heads from across Canada and the globe to mosh and camp with the backdrop of great outdoors of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley. What started as a backyard party in 2009 with nothing but eleven local metal bands such as Terrifier, Xul and Odinfist to name a few, has grown into a a huge success admired by the Western Canadian Metal scene. 2017 was the ninth year of the festival and was its largest year for music and attendance. Previous years of the festival have seen line ups with Cattle Decapitation, Suffocation, Beyond Creation, Dayglo Abortions, Rivers of Nihil, The Zenith Passage, Anciients, Bison BC, Striker, Crimson Shadows, Holy Grail, Archspire, Cryptopsy, Unleash The Archers, Divinity, Into Eternity, Ninjaspy, Vesperia, XUL, Odinfist, Death Toll Rising, Gomorrah among many others.
What the press is saying:
"In the past, metalheads had to travel to Germany to experience the rush a big festival, such as Wacken Open Air. But local headbangers decided to bring that feeling home with Armstrong Metalfest." - Vernon Morning Star
"Go Big or Stay at Home: Armstrong has that welcoming feeling for rock show." - The Valley Voice
"To witness such a gathering of talent is an absolute privilege, and for that fact alone, I will certainly be returning to Armstrong Metal Fest." - Beatroute BC
"This festival is now going to be my yearly must-go-to event and if you’re a metal head that hasn’t attended, or a curious metal voyeur, do yourself a favour and check it out, you will not regret it." - Abort Mag
"The Armstrong Metalfest is one such event and has grown from its initial, humble beginnings seven years ago to be a regular mainstay, with its south-central BC location making for a popular summertime destination for fans and bands alike." Decibel Mag
Named one of the out-of-town music festivals worth the trip by The Vancouver Sun
"For metalheads, this is a great vacation where groups of all sizes can enjoy their favourite musical genre in a fun, energized environment. Not to mention, the camping!" The Permanent Rain Press
"In the past, metalheads had to travel to Germany to experience the rush a big festival, such as Wacken Open Air. But local headbangers decided to bring that feeling home with Armstrong Metalfest." - Vernon Morning Star
"Go Big or Stay at Home: Armstrong has that welcoming feeling for rock show." - The Valley Voice
"To witness such a gathering of talent is an absolute privilege, and for that fact alone, I will certainly be returning to Armstrong Metal Fest." - Beatroute BC
"This festival is now going to be my yearly must-go-to event and if you’re a metal head that hasn’t attended, or a curious metal voyeur, do yourself a favour and check it out, you will not regret it." - Abort Mag
"The Armstrong Metalfest is one such event and has grown from its initial, humble beginnings seven years ago to be a regular mainstay, with its south-central BC location making for a popular summertime destination for fans and bands alike." Decibel Mag
Named one of the out-of-town music festivals worth the trip by The Vancouver Sun
"For metalheads, this is a great vacation where groups of all sizes can enjoy their favourite musical genre in a fun, energized environment. Not to mention, the camping!" The Permanent Rain Press
WCMFA:
Armstrong MetalFest - http://www.armstrongmetalfest.ca
Calgary Metalfest - http://www.calgarymetalfest.com
Days of The Dead - https://www.facebook.com/DaysOfTheDeadRD
Farmageddon Open Air - http://www.farmageddon.ca
Loud As Hell - http://www.loudashell.com
Metalocalypstick - http://metalocalypstickfest.rocks
Metallion - http://www.facebook.com/metallionfestival
Armstrong MetalFest - http://www.armstrongmetalfest.ca
Calgary Metalfest - http://www.calgarymetalfest.com
Days of The Dead - https://www.facebook.com/DaysOfTheDeadRD
Farmageddon Open Air - http://www.farmageddon.ca
Loud As Hell - http://www.loudashell.com
Metalocalypstick - http://metalocalypstickfest.rocks
Metallion - http://www.facebook.com/metallionfestival
Sponsors / Partners:
BC Arts Council - http://www.bcartscouncil.ca
The Green - http://www.thegreen.ca
Absolute Underground Mag - https://www.facebook.com/AbsoluteUndergroundTV
A.M.I. Clothing - http://www.okanagangear.com
Asher Media Relations - http://www.ashermediarelations.com
Askew's Foods - http://www.askewsfoods.com/index.php
Broken Neck Radio - http://www.brokenneckradio.com
Calgary Beer Core - http://www.calgarybeercore.com
Horizon School of Music - http://www.horizonschoolofmusic.ca
Metal Master Kingdom - http://www.metalmasterkingdom.com
Metal Nation Radio - http://www.metalnationradio.com
Muninn's Post - http://www.muninnspost.com
Ogologo - http://www.ogologo.ca
PureGrainAudio - http://www.puregrainaudio.com
Rancho Vignola - http://www.ranchovignola.com
Shuswap Insurance - http://www.shuswapins.ca
Thrash Wrestling - http://www.facebook.com/ThrashWrestling
Voets Coffee - http://www.voetscoffee.com
BC Arts Council - http://www.bcartscouncil.ca
The Green - http://www.thegreen.ca
Absolute Underground Mag - https://www.facebook.com/AbsoluteUndergroundTV
A.M.I. Clothing - http://www.okanagangear.com
Asher Media Relations - http://www.ashermediarelations.com
Askew's Foods - http://www.askewsfoods.com/index.php
Broken Neck Radio - http://www.brokenneckradio.com
Calgary Beer Core - http://www.calgarybeercore.com
Horizon School of Music - http://www.horizonschoolofmusic.ca
Metal Master Kingdom - http://www.metalmasterkingdom.com
Metal Nation Radio - http://www.metalnationradio.com
Muninn's Post - http://www.muninnspost.com
Ogologo - http://www.ogologo.ca
PureGrainAudio - http://www.puregrainaudio.com
Rancho Vignola - http://www.ranchovignola.com
Shuswap Insurance - http://www.shuswapins.ca
Thrash Wrestling - http://www.facebook.com/ThrashWrestling
Voets Coffee - http://www.voetscoffee.com
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