Damnation Festival reveals first wave of 2027 lineup, including headliner Zeal & Ardor

Damnation Festival 2026 has just wrapped up, and the team behind it have already announced the first names joining them in 2027, including the first headliner, Zeal & Ardor. 

Set to return to BEC Arena in Manchester on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th November 2027, Damnation is Europe’s biggest indoor extreme metal festival. At the 2026 edition, which took place on 7th and 8th November, they revealed the first wave of bands for 2027. 

Among them are Swiss avant-garde metallers Zeal & Ardor, who take a headline slot. Recently reunited crust punk/death crossover outfit Black Breath join, as does doom standout Bell Witch, who will perform Mirror Reaper in full in celebration of its 10th anniversary. 

Also announced for 2027 are death metalers The Red Chord, black metal outfits Lamp of Murmuur and Panopticon, and Pestilence, who will perform an exclusive old-school death metal set. 

Those making their Damnation debut include Cult Leader, Unsane, and Rome, delivering hardcore punk, noise rock, and neofolk. Completing the first wave announcement are Dimscûa, Together With The Stars, Million Moons and Unverkalt. 

Damnation Festival organiser Gavin McInally said: “Our ears are still ringing from the most successful Damnation we’ve ever hosted; we sold out of blind bird tickets before a band was announced, and now we get to top off what has been an incredible week with this absolute beauty of an opening announcement for next year.

“We’re offering early bird tickets because strong sales now means a better Damnation for everyone. So take advantage of the offer, sign up for the instalment plan to spread the costs and let us take care of the rest of this lineup.”

Tickets for Damnation Festival 2027 are on sale now. You can get yours towards the bottom of this page.  

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Header image credit: Damnation Festival 

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