Death & Damnation Fest 2026

Death & Damnation Fest returns in 2026 with an expanded two-day format. On 11 September at Helvete and 12 September at Turbinenhalle in Oberhausen, 11 top-tier death and black metal acts will take the stage.

Lunar Aurora are widely regarded as one of the most significant black metal bands in Germany, and their cult status has only grown since their dissolution in 2012. In 2025, co-founder Aran revived the band for a one-off performance of their final album 'A Hoagascht', to great acclaim. In 2026, he brings Aran plays Lunar Aurora to Death & Damnation Fest for an exclusive German show as the first headliner.

The second headliner is none other than Rotting Christ - by far the biggest black metal band to come out of Greece. They will deliver an exclusive old-school set at this second edition of the festival.

Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult, known as DNS, is another of Germany's most iconic black metal projects. Fronted by Onielar, the band is known for uncompromising, visceral live shows that send a chill down your spine.

Sigh bring a more atmospheric approach, though no less intense. The Japanese band has been at it since 1989 and is virtually unmatched in theatrical flair. With each album they reinvent themselves to some degree, yet always deliver stunning black metal with a distinctly Japanese twist.

Perchta, hailing from the depths (or rather the heights) of Tyrol, takes the audience deep into alpine folklore. With appearances at some of the world's biggest metal festivals and a unique, heavily pagan-inspired sound, the band will celebrate one of their rare live outings in 2026.

Horn also operate in the pagan sphere, but with a considerably heavier black metal edge. The one-man project of Nerrath, fresh off a co-headline tour with Drudensang, comes to Oberhausen with a full band lineup and Daudswiärk in tow.

Day two opens with...