Damnation Festival 2026: A Return to Madness

After the electrifying experience of Damnation’s 20th-anniversary edition in November, featuring powerhouse performances from High On Fire, Perturbator, Napalm Death, and Corrosion Of Conformity, anticipation is already building for the next installment. The festival’s organizers have announced that Damnation will once again extend to two days in 2026, promising another unforgettable experience at Manchester’s Bowlers Exhibition Centre.

First Wave of Artists Announced

Leading the charge in this year’s lineup are the legendary Walls Of Jericho from Detroit and the sludge metal titans Eyehategod, marking their long-awaited debut at the festival. Their inclusion sets a high bar for the rest of the lineup, which features an impressive array of talent.

Supporting Acts

Joining the headliners are a diverse selection of bands that showcase the depth of the metal genre:

• Benediction
• Slow Crush
• Holy Fawn
• Cabal
• Rwake
• Ultha
• Dodsrit
• Lamp Of Murmuur
• The Moth Gatherer
• Fange
• Black Sheep Wall
• Intercourse

Celebrating the Underground Heroes

A hallmark of Damnation Festival is its commitment to celebrating the underground metal scene. This year, death metal veterans Gorerotted will take the stage for their first performance in over a decade. The band plans to focus on tracks from their early albums, 2001’s Mutilated In Minutes and 2003’s Only Tools And Corpses.

Gorerotted’s Reunion

In a statement, Gorerotted expressed their excitement: “Public health warning! Gorerotted are back from the dead and will be bringing the unholy racket of Mutilated In Minutes and Only Tools And Corpses to Damnation. We had a couple of beers backstage at Damnation, spent about 30 seconds catching up, and then they said, ‘You played the first ever Damnation, you gotta reform and do it again’!”

Medulla Nocte’s Tribute

Another noteworthy return is Medulla Nocte, who will perform their intense 1998 album, A Conversation Alone. Frontman Paul Catten shared, “It’s taken me years to feel comfortable about putting Medulla Nocte back together, but now is the right time. Playing A Conversation Alone in its entirety, in tribute to the ones who have left us.” This performance holds special significance as it serves as a tribute to their late drummer, Jammer.

Anticipation for the 2026 Festival

Festival director Gav McInally is optimistic about this year’s event, emphasizing its status as Europe’s largest indoor metal festival. He stated, “Having UK extreme metal legends like Gorerotted and Medulla Nocte dust themselves off to go again for a new generation of metal fans – alongside with us older buggers – is very special.” He also highlighted the long-awaited inclusion of Eyehategod and the unique energy that Walls Of Jericho will bring to the main stage.

Exciting Future Announcements

While this is just the initial lineup announcement, McInally assures fans that it is only a fraction of what’s to come. Six headliners are still to be revealed, and the excitement for the remaining 32 bands is palpable.

Conclusion

With a stellar lineup and a commitment to celebrating both legends and newcomers in the metal scene, Damnation Festival 2026 is shaping up to be a monumental event. Fans can look forward to an unforgettable weekend filled with heavy riffs, high energy, and a community that embodies the spirit of metal.

FAQs

When and where is Damnation Festival 2026 taking place?

Damnation Festival 2026 will take place in November at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester.

Who are the confirmed headliners for the festival so far?

The confirmed headliners include Walls Of Jericho and Eyehategod, along with a variety of other bands.

Will Gorerotted perform their classic albums at the festival?

Yes, Gorerotted will focus on their first two albums, Mutilated In Minutes and Only Tools And Corpses, during their set.

Are there more bands yet to be announced for the festival?

Yes, the festival organizers have indicated that the initial lineup is just a fraction of the total, with six headliners and many more bands yet to be announced.