Live at Dingwalls in London: Cancer Bats

From their humble beginnings in Toronto, Ontario, the band hit the road criss-crossing the country, spreading their gospel of heavy riffs, colossal bass tones, crashing drums, and anthemic, party-fueled vocals — inciting circle pits, stage dives, and smiles all around. Over the course of their career, Cancer Bats have cultivated a devoted, almost cult-like global following.

Their success spans multiple continents, from Australia to Europe, with performances across Japan, China, and Nepal. The United Kingdom, in particular, has become a stronghold for the band, rivaling their success in Canada. Years of relentless touring, coverage in publications such as Kerrang! and Metal Hammer, regular airplay across BBC Radio, and appearances at major festivals including Download, Leeds & Reading, Slam Dunk, and 2000 Trees have all helped cement their position.

Two decades in and thousands of shows deep, Cancer Bats have honed their craft to a masterful level — and they’re nowhere near slowing down. If anything, these road warriors are pushing harder than ever. Over the past three years, the band has toured extensively in support of their JUNO-nominated, critically acclaimed seventh album Psychic Jailbreak, moving up festival billings and onto larger stages worldwide.

Comprised of lead vocalist Liam Cormier, drummer Mike Peters, bassist Jaye Schwarzer, and guitarist Jackson Landry (who joined in 2023), the band stands as a true force — now preparing to raise the bar even higher with their eighth studio album, Give Me Dirt.

Years of experience and hard-earned confidence fuel their latest work, capturing the sound they’ve been striving toward for their entire careers.

“It only makes sense that we’ve been building toward this,” says Cormier. “Each record is a chance to evolve. After 20 years of learning, we’re finally in a position to make the best album of our career.”

As with their earlier work, the music came together organically, with all four members jamming in the same room. Once the riffs, breakdowns, and grooves were locked in, Cormier returned to rural Nova Scotia to craft the lyrics and vocal hooks. Many of the songs took shape on dusty forest roads, winding dirt bike trails, and quiet North Shore beaches.

Give Me Dirt unfolds as both an outward and inward journey. Themes of nature run throughout the record — from processing personal loss to confronting the devastation of wildfires — while also reflecting on lessons drawn from the natural world.

Motorcycle travel forms another central thread. Songs explore the lessons learned riding through the Canadian Rockies, while the album’s title track was inspired by a journey through the mountains of Nepal, capturing both spiritual reflection and lived experience.

Produced by Kurt Ballou (Converge, High On Fire, Every Time I Die) at God City Studios in Salem, Massachusetts, the record captures the band’s raw, chaotic energy. It was later completed in Canada with Ian Romano, adding texture and depth to an already powerful collection of songs.

The album artwork reflects the same ethos — a large-scale mixed-media piece created by Cormier using paint, paper, stencils, and found materials, embracing a tactile, human approach in contrast to overly polished digital work.

“We’re rough and dirty. Our sound is loud and full of contrast,” says Cormier. “I wanted the artwork to reflect that — something real, something physical.”

With a solidified lineup, years of experience behind them, and a renewed creative energy, Cancer Bats are entering one of the most exciting chapters of their career. 2026 is set to be a massive year — for the band and for headbangers everywhere.