The first batch of bands have been announced for the 2026 edition of the immense extreme metal festival. Strap yourself in, this is one hell of an announcement
Old Mans Child. After many years in hibernation, we welcome the long-awaited return of OLD MAN’S CHILD. The legendary Norwegian black metal band will headline Fortress 2026 with an exclusive UK booking.
Gallowbraid. The impossible is finally going to happen; Multi-instrumentalist Jake Rogers’ GALLOWBRAID project will perform live for the very first time and close the Sunday Grand Hall main stage at Fortress Festival next year.
Released back in 2010, Ashes Eidolon stands today as one of the most important atmospheric black metal releases of the modern era. We will witness this in full, and more, at Fortress 2026.
Jake Rogers (Caladan Brood, Gallowbraid, Visigoth) said: “I truly didn’t think this would ever happen, but here we are. Sixteen years after the release of the Ashen Eidolon EP, Gallowbraid will be making its very first live appearance of any kind at the esteemed Fortress Fest in Scarborough, North Yorkshire next year. This project was never intended to be presented in a live setting, but I’m already working with a group of incredible musicians to make this a reality. We’re looking forward to cracking open these old songs and experiencing them live for the first time ever with you!”
MISÞYRMING. The punishing and wrathful, yet melodic beast of MISÞYRMING return to Fortress Festival after their devastating performance headlining the Ocean Room back in 2024. By their hammer let none be saved – Misþyrming return to lay down the law in our Grand Hall main stage in 2026. Authentic and genuine, and entirely devoid of gimmicks, the band is a celebration of violence and excess within the black metal scene.
Mortiis. Fronted by Norway’s Håvard Ellefsen, and heralded as one of the pioneers of the dungeon synth genre, MORTIIS will perform at Fortress 2026 and close out the day in our theatre stage; A new dark escape at Fortress Festival, offering otherworldly sounds to the faithful.
Old Sorcery. An ancient and mystical soundscape for any wandering wizard to journey across realms unknown to – will finally perform live for the first time at Fortress Festival 2026.
Gary Stephenson of Fortress Festival, revealed plans for the festival’s third stage, stating: “As with previous years, our third theatre stage is something we would like to continue to experiment with, so I am very excited to announce that next year one of the days will play host to a dungeon synth line-up featuring some of the leading acts within the genre.”
Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult. Led by the formidable and terrifying presence of frontwoman Onielar, DARKENED NOCTURN SLAUGHTERCULT will headline the Ocean Room stage on Sunday at Fortress Festival 2026.
This Gift Is A Curse. Ascending from the shadowed depths of Stockholm, THIS GIFT IS A CURSE is a force forged in the crucible of black metal and sludge-laden doom, dragging listeners into an abyss where light dares not tread. The band perform in the UK for the first time with an exclusive show at Fortress Festival 2026.
Groza. The German black metal band GROZA will perform an exclusive show at Fortress Festival next year.
Groza said: “After 3 long years, we are finally bringing the storm back to the UK. After a triumphant debut in London in 2023, we will now be playing an exclusive show at Fortress 2026, Scarborough, England. This will be our only performance in the UK for the whole year, do not miss out on this. Onwards!”
Midnight Odyssey. Australian cosmic black metal band MIDNIGHT ODYSSEY will perform a rare live show at Fortress Festival 2026.
Aeon Winds. AEON WINDS will perform in the UK for the first time at Fortress Festival with an exclusive show including music from their EP split with MIDNIGHT ODYSSEY.
Aeon Winds said: “A few years ago, we had the honour of sharing the stage with our friends from Midnight Odyssey. Given the vast distance between us, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. That’s why it feels all the more special that Fortress Festival has managed to reunite what once seemed impossible. Together, we will once again revive the spirit of Aeon Odyssey.”
Mesarthim. Australian cosmic black metal band MESARTHIM will perform a rare live show at Fortress Festival 2026.
Antrisch. A musical & lyrical expedition to the heights of the world and the depths of man. The German black metal band ANTRISCH will perform a UK debut and exclusive show at Fortress Festival next year.
Dodheimsgard. Longstanding Norwegian avant-garde pioneers DØDHEIMSGARD will perform their masterpiece album ‘Black Medium Current’ in its entirety in the Grand Hall at Fortress 2026; An expansive 70 minute venture through the fettered layers of the bleak existential cosmos.
Abigail Williams. After the recently released new album ‘A Void Within Existence’, American atmospheric black metal band ABIGAIL WILLIAMS will return to the UK for the first time in eight years for a UK exclusive – and potentially final ever UK – performance at Fortress Festival.
Ken Sorceron said: “This will be our first time back in the UK in eight years. There’s no clear plan beyond this, no guarantee we’ll return anytime soon-if ever. So we’re approaching Fortress as something final in a way. One night. Everything we’ve carried. Let the weight of it speak.”
Akercocke. AKERCOCKE will perform their legendary 2003 record Choronzon, in full, on the main stage at Fortress 2026.
Whoredom Rife. Norwegian black metal tyrants WHOREDOM RIFE will headline the Ocean Room on Saturday at Fortress 2026.
Whoredom Rife will bring the coveted sound of Norway’s Nidrosian Black Metal scene to Fortress Festival as an exclusive show for the UK. Known for their authentic, powerful and uncompromising sound, Whoredom Rife channels the bleak, majestic spirit of Nordic devilry into their performances. Their latest album, “Den Vrede Makt” is a testament to their relentless power and dedication to the genre.
“Fortress is already at 70% capacity for 2026 so don’t wait around if you want to join us again on the North East Coast of England next May”.
