Breaking Darkness Music Festival 2026 Continues to Shine as One of the Southeast’s Best Christian Heavy Music Festivals

HICKORY, N.C. — For the second straight year, I had the privilege of attending and helping behind the scenes at Breaking Darkness Music Festival, and once again it proved why this has become one of my favorite events of the year. Hosted at The Hickory Premier, the festival is much more than a concert. It is a place where heavy music fans gather to worship, encourage one another, and build lasting friendships centered on Christ.

Founded and organized by Seth Olsen of Counter, Breaking Darkness exists to promote unity, fellowship, hope, and redemption while raising support for Christian outreach and addiction recovery organizations. Every ticket sold helps fund ministries making a real difference in people’s lives. This year, Glenn Remsen served as the festival’s emcee, keeping the day moving with enthusiasm while engaging the crowd between performances.

My sons, Leo and Max, joined me again this year, making it another memorable family experience. We arrived early Saturday morning to help unload equipment, assist bands with load-in, and prepare the venue before the doors opened. It turned into a long day, but one filled with great music, amazing people, and plenty of unforgettable moments.

This year also marked an exciting partnership between SoundLink Magazine and Breaking Darkness. Our team was on site throughout the day, with Josh Lowe and Trenton Worsham filming performances and capturing behind-the-scenes moments. SoundLink also partnered with the festival and Cody Fields of Westminster Effects, who also plays in Igniting the Sky, to create one of the coolest raffles I have ever seen. The grand prize featured a custom skateboard displaying the official Breaking Darkness artwork, signed by every band on the lineup, along with a custom Westminster Effects guitar pedal engraved with the words “Jesus Is King.” It was a perfect representation of what this festival is all about.

Between sets, fans had plenty to enjoy beyond the music. This year’s food trucks served fresh pizza, loaded fries, chicken wings, and coffee throughout the day. Combined with vendors, giveaways, and conversations happening all over the venue, there was never a dull moment.

Opening the festival was North Carolina pop-punk band Splitcast, who proved to be the perfect choice to kick off the day. Their energetic set immediately got the crowd moving and set the tone for everything that followed. It was great seeing them back after several years of inactivity. Their bassist made the trip from France to reunite with the band for the festival, making the performance even more special.

One of my favorite performances came from Autumn Eve. Her energetic stage presence and genuine love for her fans are impossible to miss. Beyond delivering a fantastic rock performance, she continues to advocate for emotional health through songs like “You Matter,” a message that undoubtedly resonates with many listeners. Festival moments like this often produce unexpected surprises, and one of the highlights was seeing Jermaine and Matt Sassano join her on stage for a song that had the audience cheering.

Returning to Breaking Darkness, Counter once again brought one of the most entertaining sets of the day. Their self-described “sugarcore” sound combines catchy pop vocal hooks with crushing metalcore guitars, creating one of the most unique sounds on the bill. Their performance was simply fun from start to finish, and the crowd fed off every minute of it.

Billy James was an outstanding addition to this year’s lineup. The local rapper completely changed the atmosphere in the best way possible. Rather than performing over backing tracks, he brought a full live band featuring keyboards, drums, two guitarists, bass, and a hype man. His incredible talent quickly won over a crowd made up largely of rock and metal fans. Whether delivering rapid-fire bars or leading worship, Billy proved that praising King Jesus transcends musical genres.

Matt Sassano brought a real authenticity to the stage with his Linkin Park influenced rock sound. He delivered an excellent cover of Linkin Park’s “In the End,” while songs like “Dear God” and the new fan favorite “Fuel” were among the highlights of his set. Wearing his custom Him Not My Name jacket, Sassano closed with the powerful song of the same name. I was honored to film his entire performance for a future live release.

The biggest surprise of the festival for me was Irae. Their brand of worshipful hardcore, often referred to as Christcore, created one of the day’s most memorable moments. Before taking the stage, a worship song filled the venue while vocalist Kashif knelt in prayer behind the stage. When the band exploded into their opening song, the energy shifted instantly. Kashif wasted no time pulling the crowd closer, encouraging movement, and creating the first mosh pit of the day. Their passion for Christ matched the intensity of their music, making them a band everyone should keep an eye on. One of my favorite memories happened during Irae’s set as my son Leo and Jermaine’s son Keighan ran through the pit together.

Returning after last year’s festival, Tricord once again delivered an outstanding performance. Their musicianship is exceptional, but what continues to impress me most is who they are off the stage. Throughout the day they could be found talking with fans, supporting every other band, and simply enjoying the festival alongside everyone else. During their set, vocalist Jermaine proudly wore his homemade jacket with “Born to Be a King” across the back, a tribute to one of the band’s fan-favorite songs. It’s little details like that, along with the band’s genuine love for people, that make Tricord a favorite every time they take the stage.

XIII Minutes continued the momentum with their signature hard rock sound. Their performance was every bit as tight as expected, showcasing just how talented each member is as a musician. We also enjoyed spending time with the band throughout the day, making the performance feel even more personal. A standout moment came when Matt Sassano joined them on stage to perform one of their biggest songs, “Cult Leader,” drawing another huge response from the audience.

Although Relentless Flood has been around for years, this was my first opportunity to experience them live. I’m glad I finally did. Their combination of melodic hard rock and infectious energy quickly made me a fan. The crowd sang along throughout the set, and I enjoyed it enough to pick up their newest EP before leaving.

One thing that stood out this year was the attendance. The venue filled much earlier than it did in 2025, a great sign that the festival continues to grow.

This is more than a festival. It has become a family reunion for the Christian rock and metal community. Fans traveled from multiple states not only to see their favorite bands but also to reconnect with friends they have made through festivals like this. Throughout the day, musicians could be found watching each other’s sets, talking with fans, taking photos, praying together, and supporting one another. That sense of community is what makes Breaking Darkness unlike any other festival I have attended. You don’t leave feeling like you just went to a concert. You leave feeling like you’ve spent the day with family.

Headliners Convictions closed the festival exactly as expected. There is a reason fans drove from states like Pennsylvania and Virginia just to see them. Their musicianship is among the best in today’s metalcore scene, and their live performance is absolutely relentless. Frontman Michael Felker commands both the stage and the audience with confidence that only comes from years of experience. Standout moments included crushing performances of “Hurts Like Hell” and the fan favorite “Hurricane.” The band closed with “Metanoia,” creating one of the most powerful moments of the entire festival. As the song reached its climax, the crowd joined together in one voice, passionately shouting, “I am made in the image of God.” It was far more than crowd participation. It became an act of worship and a bold declaration of identity in Christ, providing the perfect musical conclusion to a festival centered on the Gospel.

One moment that perfectly captured the spirit of the festival happened after the show when Kashif from Irae sat down and patiently answered question after question from my 10-year-old son. It wasn’t a quick autograph or photo opportunity. He genuinely invested time in a young fan, and those moments leave a lasting impression far beyond the music.

Before wrapping up, I want to thank Seth Olsen, Glenn Remsen, their families, the volunteers, stage crew, and everyone who worked behind the scenes. Festivals like this don’t happen without countless hours of planning and hard work. From load-in early that morning until the last trailer was packed, everything came together because of people who willingly served.

As the final notes of “Metanoia” faded away, Kashif stepped forward and delivered a passionate message reminding everyone that Jesus Christ and the Gospel are for anyone willing to call on His name. It was the perfect conclusion to a day built on incredible music, authentic community, and the hope found in Christ.

Breaking Darkness is not just another music festival. It is a reminder that heavy music can build community, strengthen believers, and introduce people to Jesus. Whether you came for the breakdowns, the fellowship, or the message of hope, Breaking Darkness delivered on every level. If you have never experienced it for yourself, make plans now to be there next year.