Fortress Festival has announced the next wave of bands for its 2027 edition, taking place from 28–30 May 2027 at Scarborough Spa, North Yorkshire, UK. The festival is expanding to three days and has revealed ten new acts.
Watain to headline new Friday pre-show
To mark its fifth anniversary, the festival introduces a new Friday evening pre-show called Fortress: First Light. This event will be held on the Grand Hall main stage, with tickets sold separately from the main weekend passes.
Watain will headline Fortress: First Light with a UK exclusive performance. Joining them on Friday are Polish black metal act Terrestrial Hospice, who will make their UK debut and perform an exclusive show.
New additions to the weekend line-up
The main weekend line-up sees the addition of Colorado melodic black metal band Stormkeep, travelling for a UK exclusive. They are joined by Norwegian black metal act Mare in a UK exclusive, and Lovecraftian death metal band Sulphur Aeon, also making an exclusive UK appearance. British black metal act Ninkharsag will perform an exclusive set.
Further additions include several international debuts. Belgian atmospheric black metal project Silver Knife will make their UK debut and exclusive appearance, as will fellow Belgian atmospheric act Oerheks. Atmospheric black metal project Bloodbark will also perform their first-ever UK show and an exclusive set.
The dungeon synth line-up in the theatre room will feature Swedish artist Örnatorpet, who will perform a UK exclusive.
Artists on their upcoming appearances
Örnatorpet states that live appearances are infrequent, and that Fortress feels like a suitable venue for their music. They add that they look forward to sharing their musical world and being among musicians who have inspired them.
Watain vocalist Erik Danielsson states that the band looks forward to a final round of shows before the end, aiming to remind people of the power of their music. He describes Watain as a remnant of a dark past and invites attendees to experience the ancient fires of black metal and spiritual liberation.
Stormkeep states they are returning to Europe for the first time in four years, bringing material from across their history. They will perform an exclusive set in the UK, featuring material not previously played in the country. Stormkeep adds that they are honoured to bring this set to Fortress Festival.
Oerheks states they are proud to be featured on the Fortress Fest bill after a limited number of live performances in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. They add that they will bring the force and wisdom of Cagghenvinna to the UK for the first time.
Silver Knife states that they have been selective about their live performances since their inception. They add that the opportunity to play Fortress Fest is the perfect chance for their UK debut, and they look forward to bringing new material to Scarborough.
Ninkharsag comments that they have been silent for two years but are now returning. They state they are colder, darker, and more relentless, and that their return begins with exclusive live rituals, with a new full-length invocation in development.
Previously announced acts
These bands join a line-up that includes Norwegian black metal band Emperor in an exclusive UK headlining performance.
Previously announced acts include Gris with a worldwide live debut, Gràb with a worldwide exclusive, Yellow Eyes with a UK exclusive Confusion Gate set, and Dungeontroll with a worldwide exclusive set.
Exclusive UK performances are also scheduled from Forteresse, Slagmaur, Havukruunu, and Sinmara. Exclusive UK debuts include Miserere Luminis, Tardigrada, Mourir, and Trha.
Dungeon synth stage
The dungeon synth stage in the theatre room will also host the worldwide live debut of French artist Erang, and Wraith Knight, who will make a UK debut and exclusive performance of OldNick’s medieval-inspired music.
The theatre stage will also feature the live debut of Spectral Castle, a dungeon synth project from France. Hole Dweller will travel from the US, and Atlantean Sword, who cancelled their 2026 appearance, will also perform.
Spanish artist Lord Bakartia will deliver dark ambient textures, and French project DragonKeep will bring their synth music.
Fortress Festival 2027 line-up so far
- Emperor — UK exclusive
- Watain — UK exclusive
- Gràb — Worldwide exclusive
- Miserere Luminis — UK debut / exclusive
- Gris — Worldwide live debut
- Tardigrada — UK debut / exclusive
- Mare — UK exclusive
- Yellow Eyes — Confusion Gate full album set / UK exclusive
- Mourir — UK debut / exclusive
- Trha — UK debut / exclusive
- Slagmaur — UK exclusive
- Havukruunu — UK exclusive
- Stormkeep — UK exclusive
- Terrestrial Hospice — UK debut / exclusive
- Sinmara — UK exclusive
- Forteresse — Special UK exclusive set
- Dungeontroll — Worldwide exclusive set
- Erang — Worldwide live debut
- Wraith Knight — UK debut / exclusive
- Spectral Castle — Live debut
- Hole Dweller
- Atlantean Sword
- Lord Bakartia
- DragonKeep
- Oerheks — UK debut / exclusive
- Ninkharsag — UK exclusive
- Silver Knife — UK debut / exclusive
- Bloodbark — UK debut / exclusive
- Sulphur Aeon — UK exclusive
- Örnatorpet — UK exclusive
Tickets and further information
Fortress Festival 2027 takes place from 28–30 May 2027 at Scarborough Spa, North Yorkshire, UK.
Limited tickets are available via the Fortress Festival ticket link. Tickets for Fortress: First Light are sold separately from the main weekend passes.
Further information can be found on the Fortress Festival website and Facebook page.