To kick off day three, Zulxaxeku took the stage with an intensely powerful presence. With a whole band in militarized regalia and ski masks, their brand of black metal/war metal left no element of doubt about their sound. Their set featured reverb-engulfed vocals like a madman screaming from the depths of a lost cave. Paired with the psychedelic electronics and a heavy presence, the performance was memorable. With their first official release, Beast of Genocide, listeners get a taste of what Zulxaxeku are about and what they are capable of. The crowd was enamored yet fearful, and the set evoked its intended power on the audience.

Edmonton, Canada’s two-piece, Tsalal, came next with K.S. on bass and vocals and D.N.E on drums. The vocals were as tortured as you can get. “Cathartic” is an overused term, but it is fitting in this case. Their set featured intense, bloodied, curdled screams from the depths of agony, possessed spiritual purification live and raw. The performance was so damn intense and a complete presence and unification with the craft of black metal. I was very pleased and moved by the set, as were many other attendees gripping the safety rail in the front of the venue in awe.

Lokebrenna are a five-piece black metal band from Iceland that are a bit newer. With their first release, Acephalic Apocrypha, in 2026, I wasn’t too familiar with them yet. Immediately, their set started off direct, fierce, and aggressive. With a black ‘n’ roll style sound, it was catchy but demonically hellish and dense. With chanting war-cry-style vocals, an electrically charged sound, and a building soundscape of anger and inner demonic possession, they staked their claim during the set, leaving a deep mark on many.

Next on the list, Barshaketh were a highlight for me, no doubt, featuring arcane vocals, with crashing cymbals in the background interwoven with powerfully forged drumming. Pure dark energy poured from the soul of the band with a feeling of 100% commitment. The music was extremely powerful; there was a sense of being a bit in a trance while watching. I just couldn’t look away. Through their fairly lengthy set, I felt the time went by rather quickly with how relentless and thorough they punished everyone within 50 yards of the stage. A true gem amongst the three days of artists.

Spite immediately cleared the air with a more theatrical and lighthearted approach to their music. A sense of comedic relief is evident in their NWOBHM, rock, and black metal sound, with lead vocalist Salpsan energetically engaging with the audience and fellow bandmates. The crowd was alive and vigorous throughout the set, song after song; they stormed through and left their signature mark of style and charm. Spite were a unique gem amongst the three days of music, maintaining memorable songs, intensity, theatrics, and a dash of fun. They’re a band I’ll surely be revisiting when they return to the Pacific Northwest.

The moment all of us had been waiting for came next with Ruins of Beverast. Minutes before the band fired up their amps, a calm and collective stillness took over the audience. The anticipation was felt by all. The silence was broken by the first guitar note, and tension released. The heaviness and engulfing sound had listeners enchanted. The ominous soundscape of trudging guitars, the Gregorian chant-like vocals, and the tortured screams and howls intertwined was as intense as a performance could get. Not to mention the haunting mood mixed with an array of dramatic lighting.

The set was ceremonial and distraught, creating a cocoon of angst and serenity all at once. The level of satisfaction was cleansing, and the set could have easily gone another hour without my noticing. But all beautiful and moving things must come to an end, and while the set was unforgettable, it was indeed time to conclude the three days of The Covenant Fest.

The Covenant Fest holds strong as a powerful force within underground extreme metal. From their choices of bands, their professionalism, organization, venue sound quality, aesthetics, and general vibe, it’s a remarkable experience worth traveling to see just to be a part of this fantastic showcase of some of the world’s more unique and powerful acts in metal music today.