Damnation Festival Announces First Wave Of Bands For 2026 Event

Damnation Festival has unveiled the first wave of artists set to appear at its 2026 edition, taking place at Manchester’s BEC Arena on Saturday and Sunday, November 7th and 8th. The announcement is led by US hardcore veterans Walls Of Jericho and sludge icons Eyehategod, with a further fourteen acts confirmed for what is billed as Europe’s largest indoor metal festival.

Among the newly announced names are British death metal legends Benediction, reuniting deathgrind pioneers Gorerotted, and Belgian shoegaze outfit Slow Crush. The announcement also includes a significant number of Damnation debuts, alongside long-awaited returns from key underground acts.

Gorerotted confirmed their reunion specifically for the festival billing their performance as their only UK show, marking a rare return to the live stage. UK underground favourites Medulla Nocte will also return, performing their 1998 album A Conversation Alone in full. Frontman Paul Catten described the appearance as a tribute to those who have passed and a fitting place to conclude the band’s story.

Festival organiser Gavin McInally confirmed that fourteen of the sixteen acts announced are making their Damnation debut, with six weekend headliners still to be revealed. He also confirmed that further announcements are forthcoming, with more than thirty additional bands yet to be announced.

Announced today:

Benediction
Black Sheep Wall
Cabal
Dödsrit
Eyehategod
Fange
Gorerotted
Holy Fawn
Intercourse
Lamp Of Murmuur
Medulla Nocte
Rwake
Slow Crush
The Moth Gatherer
Ultha
Walls Of Jericho

Damnation Festival 2026 will take place across two days at BEC Arena, Manchester, with further lineup announcements expected in the coming months. Check out our coverage of last year‘s event here and you can pick up your tickets from here.

Damnation Festival 2026 Poster