Act 3: Into the Night

If Act 1 introduced the breadth of York County’s heavy music scene and Act 2 revealed the community behind it, Act 3 is where the amps glow brighter, the sun drifts away, and Martyr Fest makes its final statement.

As daylight fades over Elicker’s Park, the mood naturally shifts. The conversations get louder, the crowd packs closer to the stage, and the music leans toward its heavier side. That’s not to say these five bands all sound alike. Quite the opposite. Each brings a distinct flavor of hard rock and metal to the festival’s final chapter. From the chemistry of Wrath of Typhon to the groove-laden punch of Spinebelt, the sonic bulldozer known as Gallowglas, the punk-fueled energy of Anthrophobia, and finally the headlining force of Burn the Martyr, Act 3 is built to send Martyr Fest 2026 across the finish line in unforgettable fashion.

TL;DR: Act 3 arrives with the sunset and delivers a final blast of groove metal, punk-infused rock, anthemic heavy music, and festival-closing firepower from five bands that embody the strength of the Central Pennsylvania scene.

As with Acts 1 and 2, these five bands represent the final installment of our three-part preview covering all 15 bands performing at Martyr Fest 2026. Together, these artists complete a lineup designed to showcase the incredible depth of talent thriving right here in South Central Pennsylvania.

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Wrath of Typhon

What better way to begin the festival’s final act than Wrath of Typhon?

Longtime fixtures of the York metal scene, Wrath of Typhon have been bringing their brand of traditional heavy and thrash-inspired metal to regional stages since 2009. The band’s roots in classic metal are apparent, but what stands out most is the confidence that comes from years of playing together.

I’ve been a fan for a long time, and every time I see them play, the same thing stands out: chemistry. Their songs lock into a groove and stay there. The rhythm section provides a rock-solid foundation while the guitar alternates between driving riffs and soaring leads. Then there’s frontman Jason, whose charisma is nearly as powerful as his voice. He has a knack for pulling an audience into the performance and making every set feel bigger than the room or field surrounding it.

As Act 3 begins and the sun begins its departure, Wrath of Typhon feels like the perfect guide into the evening.

Martyr Fest has paired Wrath of Typhon with  

ARTIST – Faces by Sherrie

When you show up without a costume and you’re feeling left out, now you have an option to make yourself a little more festive!

We welcome Faces by Sherrie to the inaugural MartyrFest!!!!

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Spinebelt

If Wrath of Typhon opens the door to the night’s heavier side, Spinebelt kicks it off its hinges.

Pennsylvania metal fans have known Spinebelt for decades. Formed in the late 1990s, the band has built a reputation on doing things their own way, creating original music without chasing trends. Their sound is rooted in groove metal, where powerful riffs and relentless rhythm take priority over flash.

What I appreciate about Spinebelt is their sense of purpose. Their songs don’t meander. They drive forward with conviction. Every riff feels intentional, every groove feels earned, and the band plays with a confidence that only comes from years of surviving the ups and downs of a local music scene.

At this point in the evening, Martyr Fest will have built substantial momentum, and Spinebelt seems perfectly positioned to keep the crowd moving deeper into the night.

Martyr Fest has paired Spinebelt with Lauren Rae Designs 

ARTIST – Lauren Rae Designs

Lauren creates fine art, Illustrations, gourd mask décor and other handcrafted items. Her work can be found at Creatives on King and check out the Lauren Rae blog.

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Gallowglas

Then comes Gallowglas, and subtlety leaves the conversation.

This York-based metal outfit has developed a reputation for delivering powerful live performances and a hard-hitting blend of groove metal and metalcore. Their stage presence has been described as both feral and precise, and that combination captures exactly what draws people to the band.

Watching Gallowglas feels like standing in front of a steamroller.

The drums gather momentum. The bass locks in. Two guitars crush forward together before suddenly breaking apart into harmonized runs and individual leads. The result is a wall of sound that doesn’t merely wash over the audience. It barrels through it.

Frontman J. William Heitmann delivers every lyric with intensity and conviction. These aren’t songs meant to drift into the background. They demand attention. If Wrath of Typhon welcomes us into the evening and Spinebelt tightens the screws, Gallowglas turns the pressure up dramatically.

This is your wake-up call.

Martyr Fest has paired Gallowglas with Annie Crowe Art 

ARTIST – Annie Crowe Art

Harrisburg based artist who uses her art to embrace the intricate dance between life and death proving there is beauty in the macabre. She creates skull art using ink and watercolor.

You can find her social links at www.linktr.ee/anniecrowart

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Anthrophobia

If there is a veteran presence in Act 3, it may very well be Anthrophobia.

For decades, Anthrophobia has been blending rock, punk, and metal into a style that refuses to fit neatly into a single category. Their history stretches back to the 1980s, and they remain one of Pennsylvania’s enduring underground success stories.

Among the bands in Act 3, they may bring the strongest punk influence to the stage.

Straightforward, energetic, and unapologetically direct, Anthrophobia delivers songs designed to keep listeners engaged from beginning to end. The twin guitars drive the music forward while confident vocals and memorable hooks keep the audience locked in. Their ability to blend heaviness, melody, and punk attitude provides a refreshing shift amid the crushing metal that surrounds them.

By the time Anthrophobia takes the stage, Martyr Fest is charging toward its conclusion, and their high-energy approach feels perfectly suited for maintaining that momentum. Check out their single Trials and Errors.

Martyr Fest has paired Anthrophobia with Gilded Grimoire Society 

ARTIST – Gilded Grimoire Society

Gilded Grimoire Society is stationary brand inspired by myth, folklore, cryptozoology and the magic of Halloween 365 days a year. Find Gilded Grimoire Society on Facebook.

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Burn the Martyr

And now we arrive at the headliner.

Burn the Martyr closes Martyr Fest 2026.

Hailing from York, Burn the Martyr has quickly established itself as one of the region’s emerging heavy acts, drawing influence from traditional, groove, and southern metal while maintaining a distinctly modern energy.

This band feels built for a festival finale.

Corey Burnard commands the stage from the front, delivering powerful vocals while driving the rhythm guitar work. Behind him, drummer Mark Koncki attacks every song with force and precision while bassist Tim Risser keeps the music moving forward with a steady, muscular groove. Lead guitarist Tyler Acton adds another layer entirely, weaving melodies, harmonies, and soaring leads into the band’s already massive sound.

What ties it all together is groove.

No matter how heavy Burn the Martyr becomes, there is always a pulse underneath the songs that pulls the audience along for the ride. Their music is powerful without sacrificing accessibility, technical without losing its soul, and aggressive without abandoning melody.

That’s exactly what you want from the final band of the day.

Martyr Fest has paired Anthrophobia with Garrett Shultz Tattoo 

ARTIST – Garrett Shultz Tattoo

Garrett brings bold lines, killer detail, and a passion for turning skin into art. Whether you’re looking for something dark, unique, or straight up badass, Garrett brings the creativity and craftsmanship to make it permanent. Book your MartyrFest session with Garrett Shultz today!

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Final Thoughts: More Than a Festival

As the last notes echo across Elicker’s Park, Burn the Martyr has all the ingredients necessary to deliver the perfect ending to Martyr Fest’s inaugural year.

As this three-part Martyr Fest preview series comes to a close, it’s worth stepping back and looking at what this event truly represents.

Yes, Martyr Fest is fifteen bands.

Yes, it’s an Art Market, food vendors, merchandise tables, tattoo artists, and a full day of entertainment.

But at its core, Martyr Fest is something even more important: a celebration of creative people who continue building opportunities for one another.

The Greater York music scene is remarkably active. Musicians form bands, writers cover the shows, artists create visuals, venues take chances, promoters invest their time and money, and fans continue showing up. Some venues come and go. Some bands evolve. New musicians emerge while veterans keep carrying the torch. Through it all, live music survives because people care enough to keep creating opportunities.

That’s what Corey James recognized when he envisioned Martyr Fest. Bring together the bands. Bring together the artists. Bring together the fans. Create a place where all those creative circles overlap for a single day and celebrate what makes this community special.

For the price of a ticket, attendees get access to fifteen bands, local art, food, merchandise, and, perhaps most importantly, a reminder that great music isn’t something that only happens in stadiums hundreds of miles away.

It’s happening right here.

In parks.

In fire halls.

In VFWs.

In breweries.

In small clubs and makeshift venues created by people who simply refuse to let live music disappear.

Martyr Fest 2026 is a celebration of that spirit.

And if this inaugural festival succeeds, it won’t be because of any single band. It’ll be because an entire community chose to support music, art, and one another.

See you at Martyr Fest.

*content assisted by Copilot.