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The Mammoths Have Returned – Celebrating Five Monumental Years of Heavy Riffs in Malta Until today, humankind believed that the ancient relatives of elephants were long extinct—only the fossilized remains of dwarf elephants at Għar Dalam stood as proof that such beasts once roamed our island... until today. REEFERFEST returns for its 5th anniversary with a roar that will echo across the underground music scene in Malta and beyond. Building on the massive success of last year’s edition—featuring international heavyweights WITCH PISS  (Belgium), DITCH  (Netherlands), and headliners BELZEBONG  (Poland)—this year’s lineup takes things to an even more monstrous level. In the words of the festival organizers, Hemplifier , “This year we raise the bar again. Two mastodontic beasts— ACID MAMMOTH  and UFOMAMMUT —are lumbering to Malta for what will be a once-in-a-lifetime ritual of heaviness.” REEFERFEST 2025 LINE-UP: Hemplifier  (Malta) Rankin  (Malta) Acid Mammoth  (Greece) UFOMAMMUT  (Italy) In addition to the live music, the event will feature DJ sets from Noel Mifsud , an art exhibition by Maria Baldacchino , and merchandise & stalls from Sigritwal , Kewn Records , and the performing bands. Event Details: Date:  [Event Date] Venue:  The Garage, Ħaż Żebbuġ, Malta Doors Open:  19:30 First Band On Stage:  20:00 sharp Tickets:  €25 How to Get Tickets: Contact Hemplifier , Emanuel Portelli , or pay via Revolut at 99802413 . IMPORTANT:  Include the ticket holder’s full name and ID card number in the payment description. NOTE:  Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Merch and tickets at the door can be paid via Revolut. Bar accepts cash only . With doom giants ACID MAMMOTH  and the cosmic sludge masters UFOMAMMUT  leading the charge, REEFERFEST 2025 promises to be an earth-shaking celebration. “Be sure to be at The Garage this year,” organizers urge. “Join the stampede these mammoths will initiate... let’s lumber together towards the celestial portal!” GET YOUR TICKETS NOW – AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT! Stay Hemplified.

One of the things I love about Dark Malta Festival is the artwork they create for every edition.  It was hard to beat the corsair ship that sailed us through the 2025 edition, but somehow, the organiser pulled through.  This time we have a collage of Maltese history, folklore and architectural monuments, merged together by the amazing Kuluri, who are once again responsible for creating the artwork.  Let us unravel some of the mysteries. In a nutshell, what we have here is the grim reaper, seated upon his throne, waiting patiently for the 2026 edition to start.  But the devil is in the detail.    The Maltese connection: Chapel of Bones, Valletta. As explained in the press release revealing the 2026 artwork, the reaper and skulls, in the background, are in reminiscence of The Chapel of Bones, a unique attraction in Malta, that was sadly destroyed in 1941, due to an aerial bombardment during the Second World War.  What was to become known as the Chapel of Bones was the crypt of the Nibbia Church.  This church, dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy, was built in 1619 by Fra Giorgio Nibbia, hence the name.  It was located near the Sacra Infermeria, the Order’s hospital, and its adjoining cemetery.  The church was rebuilt in 1731 and in 1852 the crypt was decorated with skeletal human remains taken from the mentioned cemetery.  As already mentioned, the church was heavily damaged by aerial bombardment in 1941, and the ruins were demolished.  Rumour has it that the crypt might still survive intact. The back of the throne is formed by part of the main gate of Malta’s iconic Addolorata Cemetery.  After the British authorities decided that no burials could take place in churches, early during the 19th century, an area known as Tal-Ħorr, in the vicinity of Paola and Marsa, was identified to serve as a cemetery for the people of Valletta and the towns around the harbour.  Interestingly this area has served as a burial ground since prehistoric times. Maltese architect Emanuele Luigi Galizia was commissioned to draw up the plans and the cemetery was built on neo-gothic style, between 1862 and 1868.  The cemetery was enlarged several times during the years and is still the largest one in Malta.  The beautiful chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, built at the highest part of the cemetery, adorned the first poster of Dark Malta Festival, back in 2018.          The city of Valletta, the capital of Malta, was founded by the Knights of St. John in 1566.  Donations of money and other aid poured in from all over Europe as a result of the brave feat carried out during the Great Siege of 1565.  We are not going into the history of this baroque city, as it is not the scope of this article.  One of the majestic buildings adorning the city is the former Grand Master’s Palace, today serving as the President’s office in Valletta.  This palace houses a unique armoury and a set of Gobelin Tapestries dating back to the Knight’s period, amongst other treasures.  What is of interest to us is the closed balcony, the first one on the island, or rather a corbel that stands at the corner under the northern balcony.  This apotropaic sculpture’s main scope was to ward off the evil eye.  Walking through Valletta, and other old towns in Malta, one comes across other examples, but none so complex. Still related to warding off the evil eye, yet of much more ancient origins, is the Eye of Horus, to be found at the top of the throne.  The eye is a feature on the Maltese fishing boat known as luzzu or kajjikk.  This tradition is thought to have originated with the Phoenicians, who were renowned merchants and sailors.  The Phoenician period in Malta spans between the 8th century BCE and 218 BCE, when they lost the islands to the Romans.  Apart from protection spells, these people introduced writing to the Maltese islands.  The Eye of Horus is still used today on fishing boats to ward off bad luck and the evil eye. Other details of the throne are two horned skulls, a bat and the pentacle.  Apart from the poster, this magnificent artwork for 2026 will be on the official Dark Malta Festival merchandise.  Stay tuned for more updates on the facebook event page or the official website darkmaltafestival.com , from were tickets for 2026 can be purchased.  Take a hint from the Dark Malta Festival imagery to visit places are read about the history of the Maltese islands and our rick folklore ……… and don’t forget to get those tickets.

Supporting Artists Through and Throughout Their Creative Journey SoundArt Festival Presents: A 3-Part Webinar Series – “Recording to Retail” and Beyond!   SoundArt Festival is proud to unveil a brand-new initiative aimed at empowering independent artists at every stage of their musical path. We’re thrilled to present a series of three exclusive webinars , thoughtfully crafted to guide musicians from recording their first track to preparing for the professional stage. This webinar series, titled "Recording to Retail," "Show Me the Money,"  and "Road Ready,"  will be led by seasoned music and event industry professional DeShaun Jones , joining us virtually from Canada. DeShaun brings years of real-world experience and a global perspective on navigating the music business—from studio sessions to retail strategy, funding opportunities, and touring preparation. 📅 Webinar Dates & Times Recording to Retail 12 July, 2025 | 16:00–16:45 CET Show Me the Money 2 August, 2025 | 16:00–16:45 CET Road Ready 13 September, 2025 | 17:00–17:45 CET All webinars will take place in the late afternoon – full details provided upon registration. 💶 Special Discounted Webinar Rates ·      €10 for one session ·      €20 for two sessions ·      €25 for all three sessions 💳 Payments can be made via Revolut or BOV  using the contact number provided in the registration form. 📍 Webinar links will be sent directly to registered participants.   REGISTER HERE This initiative reaffirms SoundArt Festival’s unwavering mission: to support artists through and throughout —not only during the spotlight moments but every step leading there. Whether you're refining your first release or prepping for your first gig, this is your opportunity to grow, learn, and connect . Let’s grow together as artists.  🎨🎵✨Follow us on socials for reminders, updates, and behind-the-scenes peeks.Posters attached for full schedule and session breakdown. Organized by: Tailor Made Management Group  & BandPush – Demo Tapes & Dreams In partnership with SoundArt Festival   MEDIA CONTACT Facebook: facebook.com/soundartfestivalmalta Instagram : instagram.com/soundart_festival_malta Email : soundartmalta@gmail.com info@soundartfestivalmalta.com

Melodija - The hub for music. We are an online community that provides local music artists a platform to unleash their creative potential and showcase their talent to the world. We aim to support and uplift local bands and musicians and make them feel their voices are being heard. Through putting efforts into building a solid digital space, we envision a future where local bands and artists of Malta emerge and gain recognition. Discover your new favourite bands Start Browsing What's New Artists Mark Tonna Matthew Drago Louie Farrugia Catherine Gatt Radio KrishTalk - Oliver Perez Heatstrokes: Episode 25 Year 14 Rock Moods 2525 Reverb 698 WMSG 472 Xejn Ħlief Rock 369 Bands All Hands Lost Outbound Ever Obscure Reload MT Playzone Latest News Designing Darkness. Maltese Myths and Monuments in Dark Malta’s 2026 Artwork. Soundart press release Devil's Breath press release Schola Cantorum Jubilate press release Unearthing the Slow Doom: A Deep Dive into Symmetry of Our Plagued Existence by Victims of Creation more news... upcoming events Jazz & Dine with Mariele Zammit 27 June 2025 Tunes & Dine with Il-Puse' | Fire & Fork 27 June 2025 more events... Latest Merch more merch... Quick View Real Life [CD] | My Freespirit Price €7.00 Quick View The Undying Patch | Mur.Doc 104 Price €7.00 Quick View X-Tend Re-Mixes 2024 [LP] | X-Tend Price €20.00 Low Stock Quick View X-Tend 1984-2024 [LP] | X-Tend Price €35.00 Quick View X-Tend 1984-2024 [CD] | X-Tend Price €15.00 Quick View Bassic Attitude [CD] | Simon Sammut Price €8.00 Quick View Crossing [CD] | Simon Sammut Price €8.00 Quick View Gravity [CD] | Simon Sammut Price €10.00 Quick View Visions of Transcendence [T-Shirt-B] | Simon Sammut Price €25.00 Quick View Visions of Transcendence [T-Shirt-A] | Simon Sammut Price €25.00 Quick View Visions of Transcendence [Mug] | Simon Sammut Price €15.00 Quick View Visions of Transcendence [LP] | Simon Sammut Price €25.00 Quick View Visions of Transcendence [CD] | Simon Sammut Price €15.00 Quick View Sword of Fierbois [CD] | Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus Price €15.00 Quick View Liber III: Codex Templarum [CD] | Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus Price €15.00 Quick View Ad Aeturnum [CD] | Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus Price €15.00 Quick View Deus Volt [CD] | Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus Price €15.00 Quick View State of Chaos [CD] | Animamortua Price €5.00 Quick View Gods Among Us [CD] | Animamortua Price €10.00 Quick View Gods Among Us T-Shirt | Animamortua Price €20.00 Quick View Brotherhood Bundle [CD + DVD] Regular Price €13.00 Sale Price €10.00 Quick View Brotherhood [CD] Price €5.00 Quick View Brotherhood [DVD-BluRay] Price €8.00 Quick View Brotherhood [DVD] Price €8.00 Artist of the Month Mark Tonna Click to read more about this amazing artist The Melodija Mix Get ready to rock with our monthly updated playlist of the best the local scene has to offer. Sponsors

Martyrium martyrium.co < Back Hailing from small Malta, an island nestled in the very heart of the Mediterranean, MartYriuM was forged in the year 1999 from the dying embers of the second wave of Black Metal – quick to grasp its own sound and ground, the band took fire and ignited a wick of relentless shows on its home turf, promptly working on and finally exploding its first album in 2002 entitled ‘Withering in Voluptuous Embrace’, a release that sent shockwaves through the at-the-time unprepared and unaccustomed local scene. ‘Withering’ in name only, the album swiftly became favorite fodder to hungry crowds during bloody shows, and remains so to this very day. Aptly named ‘The Carnage Lit By Darkness’ saw its light in 2005, a light that shone new aural darkness in the band’s sound; drawing blood from its predecessor, this second blast of symphonic black metal was laced and graced with the industrial elements for which MartYriuM would start to be know for. ‘Carnage’ was what first put the band on international ears and eyes, received and selling well, summoning metal hearts and minds to get in touch. The album is a sought-after release for both fans and those who crave such sinister and gothic orchestrations, and has been re-released on many occasions. Many gigs under their studded belts and the murderous ‘Awakening the Ancient’ followed suit in 2010, ushering the horde into a finer decade of musical endeavors and the more experimental ‘Destiny Wore A Bondage Mask’ in 2015 – by now and on the warpath, the band was spreading the word of Satan across countless European shows and building up a solid reputation as a hellish live act.Back to present day, its third decade on Earth and riding on the graciously received ‘Lamia Satanica’ as their fifth infernal vexilla regis, MartYriuM stands ready like a beast, angrily biting this pandemic leash to be unleashed from plague unto a new era of glorious shows and the ravening wings of the true Black Death! Band Members Lilith Macabre Vocals Lilith Macabre Andrew Baldacchino Guitars Andrew Baldacchino Andrea Pro Drums Andrea Pro Oliver M Grech Bass Oliver M Grech David Pulis Keyboards David Pulis Discography Date Title Type Listen Buy the band's merch Follow the band Previous Band Next Band

< Back Fiona Camilleri Backing Vocals Discography Date Title Type Listen Member of : Follow the artist