Gods of Metal was the biggest Italian metal festival, held annually from 1997 to 2016. It took place in early summer, usually on the first or second weekend of June. It was most often held at venues in or near Milan, but took place in Bologna three times and one time in Turin. It was acquired by Live Nation in 2010.

Labyrinth is an Italian power metal band formed in 1994 in Massa, Tuscany. The band underwent a change in style and themes after the departure of Olaf Thorsen in 2002.