DAY 1 - Thursday, September 24

MISϸYRMING

Representing Iceland’s uncompromising extreme metal legacy, Misþyrming has become one of the most formidable forces to emerge from Reykjavík’s volcanic underground. True to their name, the band channels cruelty, chaos, and devastation through a sound that balances punishing aggression with intricate melodies and relentless intensity. Since their debut Söngvar elds og óreiðu (2015), released through Norma Evangelium Diaboli, Misþyrming has continued to evolve through Algleymi (2019) and Með hamri (2022), cementing their place among the defining voices of modern black metal. Renowned for their overwhelming live performances, the band transforms each appearance into a display of sheer force and sonic destruction. At Covenant XI, Misþyrming returns to North American soil for only the second time, bringing their volcanic fury and apocalyptic vision to the stage in what promises to be an unforgettable descent into chaos.

ABYSSAL

Emerging from the shadowed underground of the United Kingdom, Abyssal is a singular force in death, black, and doom-infused metal, defined by its oppressive atmosphere, deliberate obscurity, and uncompromising artistic vision. At its core is G.D.C., the project’s lone architect, whose mastery of instrumentation and vocals has shaped Abyssal’s haunting existence since its inception, joined by anonymous collaborators who help bring its vast and suffocating soundscapes to life. Across releases including Denouement, Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius, and the monumental Antikatastaseis (Profound Lore Records), Abyssal has crafted a unique form of cavernous extreme metal where crushing riffs, ambient dread, and overwhelming atmosphere converge. At Covenant XI, Abyssal will deliver a rare North American appearance, performing Antikatastaseis in its entirety and offering audiences a chance to witness one of extreme metal’s most elusive and devastating forces in the flesh.

BRAZEN HORDE

Emerging from the U.S. black metal underground, Brazen Horde is a force forged by seasoned musicians with roots in projects such as Rübezahl and Hellfire Deathcult. Combining raw ferocity, martial spirit, and triumphant grandeur, the band crafts an atavistic sound built upon majestic riffs, oppressive atmosphere, and a sense of ancient warfare. Following their acclaimed self-titled EP, Brazen Horde fully unveiled their vision with the debut full-length Behold! The Ashen Cross, an album that channels medieval urgency and battle-worn intensity into a commanding black metal assault. At Covenant XI, Brazen Horde will make their Vancouver debut, opening a portal into their world of thunderous riffs, relentless fury, and triumphant darkness.

DIABOLIC OATH

Formed in Portland, Oregon in 2017, Diabolic Oath is an enigmatic trio—Chthonian Incursor, Ominous Void, and The Temple—whose suffocating blend of black, death, war, and doom metal has established them as one of the underground's most formidable extreme metal acts. Since their MMXVIII demo, the band has expanded their uncompromising vision through acclaimed releases including Profane Death Exodus, Aischrolatreia (2022), and Oracular Hexations, pushing the boundaries of chaos with dissonant compositions, fretless instrumentation, and layered vocal assaults. Returning to Vancouver for the first time since their memorable performance alongside Gevurah and Reversed, Diabolic Oath will once again bring their ritualistic devastation to Covenant XI, reaffirming the unholy pact that defines their sound.

FIRE MAGIC

Born in 2020 from the American underground, Fire Magic is an anonymous Virginia-based black metal duo devoted to the raw, martial spirit of the genre's earliest days, channeling themes of battle, blood, and unwavering ferocity. Following their Burning Gold demo in 2021, they expanded their vision with the acclaimed full-length Undying Revolt (2022), blending triumphant riffs, militant intensity, and first-wave black metal influences into a sound that is both relentless and unmistakably their own. Remaining deliberately enigmatic and letting the music speak for itself, Fire Magic continues to evolve with their forthcoming 2026 release, Memories of Fire. At Covenant XI, the Stygian Black Hand collective will descend on Vancouver for the first time, delivering an uncompromising display of blazing black metal and triumphant chaos.

LIVING EVIL

Emerging from Victoria, British Columbia, Living Evil is a rising force in thrashing black heavy metal, drawing from the raw spirit and reckless energy of the genre’s earliest days. Their debut demo, Curse The Cross, offers a glimpse into a primal beast in formation, combining lo-fi aggression, razor-sharp riffs, and a hellbound sense of classic heavy metal worship. While their recorded output remains limited, their potential is undeniable, with each live appearance revealing a band carving out its own dark path. At Covenant XI, Living Evil will make their first appearance beyond Vancouver Island, bringing the beginnings of a new legacy and a fresh wave of retroactive darkness to the stage.