Canadian deathcore band DEADWOOD have officially signed with Innerstrength Records for the release of their crushing new EP, Rituals of a Dying Light, due out January 6th, 2026.
Video for First Single Heretic Out Now
The band has unleashed the video for lead single “Heretic,” available now on YouTube and streaming across all major platforms, including Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music.
DEADWOOD’s mission is clear: “Make Deathcore Angry Again.” Fusing the savagery of death metal with hardcore grit, their music thrives on heaviness, darkness, and unrelenting energy. The result is a sound designed to evoke terror and chaos — and leave a mark on every stage they conquer.
The EP’s second single, Tales of Massacre, is set to drop on October 17th, promising another lethal dose of brutality ahead of the full release.
Rituals of a Dying Light Track Listing
- Tales of Massacre
- Heretic
- Thirst for Blood
- Whispers of Death
- Echoes of the Fallen
Recorded at EMNT Studio (January 2025) and produced/mixed/mastered by Fred Element, the EP is steeped in both musical ferocity and historical darkness, with lyrical themes touching on everything from the Salem witch trials to Jack the Ripper.
Formed in 2020 during the pandemic, DEADWOOD quickly carved out a reputation for their uncompromising sound and commanding stage presence. Their lineup features:
- Fred Element – Guitars (ex-The Plasmarifle, ex-Ion Dissonance)
- Stéphane Filion – Lead Guitars (ex-Nova Spei, Iron Maiden tribute)
- Charles Etienne Lafrance – Drums (ex-Dismayd, Discovery Through Torment)
- Derek Heynekemp – Vocals*
* Vocals on the upcoming EP were recorded by Martin Demontigny.
Previous releases include Nemesis (2022), Inhuman (2023), and singles such as Straightblade (2023), Djinn Pitts”(2024), and Heretic (2025).
With influences ranging from Meshuggah to Whitechapel to Pantera, Deadwood has already stormed stages worldwide: touring Japan with Humanity’s Last Breath and DVRK, playing the U.S. in 2025, opening twice for Born of Osiris in Montréal, and making their mark at Inkcarceration Festival 2025. Currently on tour across Québec, Ontario, and New Brunswick, the band is preparing for their first European run in 2026.
Connect with DEADWOOD & Innerstrength Records
- Website: deadwoodmetal.com
- Linktree: linktr.ee/Deadwood.band
- Label: innerstrengthmusic.com | Bandcamp
- Socials: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube