PHOENIX, AZ. For heavy metal fans, Dead of Winter Fest 2026 Announces 11th Annual Heavy Metal Benefit for Youth Music Programs With Four Headliners, Two Stages and 19 Bands. This one-day heavy metal benefit takes place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Mill of Madness in Phoenix, AZ. The event will run from 2:00 PM to midnight. All ages are welcome. Tickets are $25, and proceeds fund music gear and repairs for Arizona youth programs
Dead of Winter Fest provides the primary funding for Keep Children Rockin, an Arizona nonprofit dedicated to restoring music programs in elementary schools and youth groups by supplying instruments and repair services. “Dead of Winter Fest turns metal into aid. For 11 years, we put instruments in schools. We save music access for kids", explained by Paul Sokol, Founder & Spokesperson, Keep Children Rockin' in his press release.
For the first time, Dead of Winter Fest starts both stages with two youth bands. Faultline (Outdoor Stage) and Vipera (Indoor Stage). They performed at Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock events before. These young players will lead off the fest and It funds their music paths.
Veterans bands and local actscome back like Gasping, Dead World Reclamation, Varkan, Lethean, Evasion, Hell Throne and Suicide Forest. Two guest band specials also come from California, Reog and Withermoon.
"Reog is excited to play on this cool event, because we always think Arizona is a hot bed, almost quite literally, for Metal. Floatsam and Jetsam, Sacred Reich are from Arizona. Also, Max Cavalera the originator of Sepultura now resides in Arizona", explained Sammy Tampubolon, Reog's lead singer and rhythm guitarist, to NYReaders. The band is popular as a Los Angeles–based heavy metal band with powerful vocals, high drum beat and a heavy guitar riff.
"Arizona also the place of where Dave Mustaine resides for a while, during recording of Megadeth's Youthanasia. Alice Cooper is in Arizona. We will be playing with killer Arizona bands in the festival. When we first heard about the festival from our contact/booker, it's almost a no brainer. Yes, we want to play Phoenix!!". added Sammy.
Dead of Winter Fest 2026 brings the family back together with four headliners from across the scene, blending different styles and regions. Rattlesnake Suitcase and Reog headline outdoors, while Suicide Forest and Withermoon shut down the indoor stage, surrounded by a strong mix of longtime DOWF veterans, Tucson staples, and new acts making their debut. RSVP and updates: https://deadofwinterfest.com/
"This event is for a fundraiser effort to raise money for Keep Children Rockin to provide underprivilege kids with music instruments. It's all win-win in our book. We are so looking forward to the event, rocking our friends in Phoenix and have a great time for a good cause. It'll be awesome!', said Sammy closing the interview.
Source: Deadofwinterfest press / interviewed by NYReaders