From breaking barriers as the first death metal band behind the Iron Curtain to secure an international record deal in the early ’90s to sharing the stage with Slayer and Metallica in front of tens of thousands of fans years later, Vader have cemented their status as true road warriors over the past 40 years. With 12 albums under their belt, they continue to deliver high-quality music, staying relevant to both longtime devotees and new generations.

Formed in Olsztyn in 1983 and named after Star Wars’ infamous dark lord, Vader went through numerous lineup changes with founding vocalist/guitarist Piotr “Peter” Wiwczarek remaining its driving force since day one. Originally rooted in heavy/speed metal, influences from Slayer, Kreator or Dark Angel made Vader grow into something far more brutal. After years of shows in Eastern Europe and various demos – like the legendary “Morbid Reich” – they signed with Earache Records releasing “The Ultimate Incantation” (1992) as the band’s international debut.

After their departure from Earache, Vader’s sound evolved dramatically, resulting in classic albums such as “De Profundis”, “Black to the Blind”, and “Litany”. In 2009, Vader joined Nuclear Blast where they’ve released five albums to date.

Now, in 2025, Vader proves to be as ferocious and unyielding as ever on its new EP, “Humanihility”, which will be presented live on the “March of the Unbending” tour and the upcoming “Summer Rampage” festival run.

Jungle Rot unravel unregulated aggression in a purely candid style. As if set to an egg-timer, it never takes more than a heartbeat for this four-piece from Chicago to go straight to the fuckin’ point. Their songs are known for hostility and tightly infectious riffs. They have an impressive ability to deny sounding “reused” or “recycled”. Throaty, but understandable vocals have long been a trademark of Dave Matrise all throughout the nine years JR has been shoveling forth their particular brand of underground demolition. About the best thing going for Jungle Rot is their versatility. Referring mostly to musical style, their capacity to be a welcome addition to any bill is almost without question. Be it Sodom, In Flames, or the Beastie Boys, Jungle Rot is destination unto themselves.

Old school death metal est. 1987
The new album “Epitome of Carnage”, out June 12, 2026 via DMG powered by Reigning Phoenix Music

Trash Pandas is a multi-award-winning rock and roll band from the Green Bay/Fox Cities area. Originally formed in 2019, this band has taken inspiration from many subgenres of rock music such as punk, alternative, grunge, and metal to create a sound that is truly unique to them. Their creative blend of music styles makes them versatile enough to book with many different lineups and has helped them book many shows not only in their local area, but also throughout Wisconsin and branching into Minnesota and Illinois. This group has been described by many in the scene as a “must-see”, and “the hardest working band in Northeast Wisconsin”.