Mangata Festival 2026 is excited to announce the final band to the 2026 line up along with some exciting partnerships:
Overhead, the Albatross complete our 2026 line up!
Overhead, The Albatross seamlessly bridges the familiar and the extraordinary in post-rock, blending ethereal strings, electronic textures, and synths with the raw, unfiltered energy of guitars and drums. Founded in 2009, the band captivated audiences with their critically acclaimed debut album,
Learning to Growl.
Now re-emerging as a quartet after a reflective hiatus, Overhead returns with their sophomore release, I Leave You This. This album is both a vast, expansive odyssey and an intimately woven narrative, marking a quiet yet profound evolution in the experimental post-rock landscape.
Renowned for their explosive live performances, cinematic soundscapes, and atmospheric grandeur, Overhead, The Albatross is poised to continue redefining the boundaries of the post-rock genre—pushing their artistry into uncharted territories.
Check out ‘Hibakusha’ from their 2024 album ‘I Leave You This’
The complete line up is now as follows:
A-tota-so – Alpha Male Tea Party – Anti-Clone – Bad Milk Blood Robot – Bonestrider – Confessions of a Traitor – Cober Mouth – Confyde – Continents – Dacara – De’Lour – Firmament – Giant Walker – Glass Bridges – Gürl – Gurt – Heartstrung – Hidden Mothers – Hundred Year Old Man – In Search of Sun – King Abyss – Maatkare – Nordic Giants – Ofnus – Overhead, the Albatross – Premier Jester – Raised By Owls – Red Method – Sergeant Thunderhoof – Scordatura – Syncolima – Tayne – tealdeer – ten56. – The Grey – The Hara – Tooth & Dagger – Ward XVI – Weller – Wolve’s Don’t Sleep – You Win Again Gravity
Further announcements for Mangata include local partnerships with two local legends: Black Iris Brewery, who will be sponsoring the second stage and producing a special festival beer. The team will be collaborating with the brewers to create something special; details will be announced in August. Additionally, Twisted Tavern Spirits will be supplying speciality spirits to our venues, with a festival special cocktail available across the site.
The marketplace will return for 2026, hosting some of the best local, alternative traders and official festival & band merchandise, as well as guests from our favourite charities, The Sophie Lancaster Foundation and Metal for Good!
Site Details
Mangata Festival 2026 spans 5 stages across 3 sites.
The main site is at Rescue Rooms also hosting the Red Rooms stage upstairs (Rescue Rooms, Masonic Pl, Goldsmith St, Nottingham, NG1 5LB).
Rock City will host the Beta and Black Cherry Lounge stages and is located a few minutes away from Rescue Rooms (Talbot Street, Nottingham, NG1 5GG).
The Tap n Tumbler is playing host to our free entry stage (33 Wollaton St, Nottingham NG1 5FW). Just a few minutes around the corner, there is no ticket required for this stage
We can’t wait to welcome you back to Nottingham on 5 September 2026 for what promises to be the biggest and most exciting Mangata Festival yet.
Tickets available at £40 via the Mangata Festival website.Entry on the day will be from 12:00 to 23:00, with closing times varying by stage.
Rising Alma returns on July 24, 2026, with an emotionally driven listening experience, Your Own Story, a five-track EP that blends the intensity of melodic hard rock with the atmosphere and edge of alternative rock, resulting in a sound that is both modern and deeply expressive.
Built around strong melodic vocals, driving riffs, and carefully crafted arrangements, Your Own Storystands as a cohesive and impactful work. Each song carries its own identity while contributing to a larger narrative.
The EP invites listeners into a space where vulnerability and strength coexist, creating a journey that is as introspective as it is energetic.
Released independently,YourOwnStory marks a new chapter following the band’s previous album Cracking The Moment. The result is a collection of songs that feel direct, purposeful, and deeply connected.
Musically, the EP highlights a balance between heaviness and melody. Crushing guitar work is paired with expressive vocal lines, while tight, memorable structures ensure that each song leaves a lasting impression. The production maintains a natural and authentic sound, allowing the emotional core of the music to remain front and center.
Your OwnStory is more than just a release; it is an experience shaped by contrast, emotion, and energy. Each song offers a different perspective, yet together they form a unified statement about navigating life’s challenges and embracing change.
With this EP, Rising Alma delivers a refined and compelling work that captures both immediacy and depth, offering listeners a powerful new soundtrack for reflection and connection.
Track listing: 1. Your own story 2. Underneath 3. Colors flow all around us 4. Authenticity 5. Endless
Line up: Alīse Elme: Vocals & Keys (Latvia) Máximo Marset: Guitars (Uruguay) Sebastian Rätz: Bass (Germany)
Band bio: Rising Alma is a Melodic Hard Rock, female-fronted, multinational formation founded in 2021.
The band brings together crushing riffs, strong melodic vocals, and catchy arrangements. Their lyrics are a reflection of deep personal experiences, exploring themes of life struggles, transformation, dreams and the unbreakable human spirit.
Their ability to balance strength with vulnerability sets them apart, making each song a journey through the depths of emotion and the energy-filled highs.
Power metal legends Masterplan share today the new single, “The Call”, along with an official video, taken from the upcoming new studio album, “Metalmorphosis”, set for release on June 26, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
Roland Grapow said: “The Call” is the most complex and controversial song on the album, but also, in our view, one of its most powerful. It feels like a prayer – just written in a modern way. We worked on this track longer than on any other.”
“We don’t want to explain exactly what the song means, because everyone will hear something different in it. That’s the whole point”, he added. “But we’d still like to think it has a positive message: no matter how chaotic life becomes, we all return to where we came from. And somewhere under all the noise, we should try to find the harmony we were born with – to create, not destroy.”
Grapow expressed his enthusiasm for the record – the first new songs since “Novum Initium”, released in 2013: “Metalmorphosis” really captures what this album means to us: a transformation, but still true to the spirit of Masterplan. We’ve grown over the years, both as musicians and as people, and you can hear that in the new songs. Some ideas go back many years, and now they’ve finally come to life. It’s powerful, melodic, and emotional – classic Masterplan, but with a new energy”.
Masterplan stand among the most enduring and influential names in German power metal. Founded in 2001 by guitarist Roland Grapow and drummer Uli Kusch following their exit from Helloween, the band quickly established a distinctive identity built on strong melodies, technical precision, and an epic yet modern metal approach.
Their self-titled debut album, released in 2003, was met with widespread critical acclaim and immediate chart success, setting the standard for a career defined by consistency and evolution.
Over the years, Masterplan have released several highly regarded albums – including “Aeronautics”, “MK II”, “Time To Be King” and “Novum Initium” – each showcasing refined songwriting and a powerful balance between classic power metal energy and progressive elements.
Their work earned them international recognition, extensive touring across Europe and beyond, and industry accolades that confirmed their status as a leading force in the genre.
After a prolonged hiatus from studio releases, Masterplan have re-emerged with renewed creative drive. The band recently signed a new worldwide deal with Frontiers Music SRL, marking a significant milestone and the beginning of a new chapter in their career.
This partnership sets the stage for their long-awaited return with a brand-new studio album, “Metalmorphosis”, representing both transformation and continuity: a heavier, more aggressive edge combined with the melodic sophistication that has always defined Masterplan’s sound.
With renewed focus, sharpened songwriting, and decades of experience behind them, Masterplan are poised to reaffirm their relevance and deliver one of the most anticipated power metal releases of the year.
“Metalmorphosis” Tracklist:
1. Chase The Light 2. Electric Nights 3. Shadow Man 4. Bound To Fall 5. Pain Of Yesterday 6. Metalmorphosis 7. Through The Storm 8. Ghostlight 9. The Call 10. Rise Again (Album vers.)
Line Up: Rick Altzi Roland Grapow Jari Kainulainen Axel Mackenrott Kevin Kott
KHEMMIS continue the march toward their towering new self-titled album with the news that they’ll be returning to Europe this October. The EU leg of their ‘Forsake The Light’ tour will take the doom metal soothsayers across seven countries, including a performace on the Copenhagen Metal Cruise, and four dates across Germany and the UK. Celestial Sanctuary will be joining as supports.
KHEMMIS stated,
“We cannot wait to bring the FORSAKE THE LIGHT tour overseas, with a long-overdue return to Europe AND our first-ever UK headlining shows. We’re bringing the mighty Celestial Sanctuary with us for this run, so you know these shows are going to be HEAVY. See you soon, hellions!”
10.10.26 Germany Bochum @ Die Trompete 11.10.26 The Netherlands Hengelo @ Metropool 13.10.26 UK Birmingham @ The Flapper 14.10.26 UK Manchester @ The Bread Shed 15.10.26 UK London @ The Underworld 16.10.26 UK Portsmouth @ Kola 17.10.26 France Paris @ Backstage By The Mill 18.10.26 Belgium Liège @ Desertfest 19.10.26 Germany Leipzig @ Naumanns 20.10.26 Czech Republic Prague @ Subzero 21.10.26 Germany Berlin @ Cassiopeia 22.10.26 Germany Hamburg @ Monkeys 23.10.26 Copenhagen Metal Cruise (* Khemmis Only) 24.10.26 Norway Oslo @ Høstsabbat * Khemmis Only)
Earlier this month, KHEMMIS released new track ‘Beneath The Scythe,’ the latest single from the Denver heavy metal institution’s massively anticipated self-titled full-length, due out June 12th via Nuclear Blast Records.
Following the explosive first single ‘Invocation of the Dreamer’, ‘Beneath The Scythe’ digs even deeper into the band’s sharpened sense of purpose-melding colossal riffs, soaring melodies, and the unmistakable emotional weight that has defined KHEMMIS for over a decade. Taken from an album that finds the band reconnecting with the pure exhilaration of making heavy music together, the track captures both the darkness and triumphant spirit at the heart of Khemmis.
Khemmis—the follow-up to 2021’s acclaimed Deceiver—features eight tracks of unrelenting, monolithic heavy metal adorned by stunning artwork from Christopher Remmers. More than just another chapter, the record represents the band in their truest form: a celebration of heavy music, forged through camaraderie, conviction, and an enduring love of the riff.
Across eleven years, KHEMMIS have become one of modern metal’s most revered names, beginning with their 2015 debut Absolution and continuing through landmark releases like Hunted—named Decibel’s Album Of The Year—Desolation, and Deceiver. But while the band’s legacy is firmly established, Khemmis finds them energized by something more immediate: the joy of simply playing loud, heavy music together.
As Hutcherson explains:
“We decided early in the songwriting process that we wanted to write a tight, high-energy album that retained the essential ‘Khemmis sound’ while also embodying the joy of creating, experiencing, and loving heavy metal. Ours have always been deeply personal songs born from tragedy and sorrow; while the songs on Khemmis are still undeniably dark, they are not mined from our suffering. Instead, this record is a celebration of the music world that has sustained us.”
KHEMMIS will perform a special one-off show with ACID BATH in May before embarking on a headlining tour in early summer with support from NECROFIER and WRETCHED, followed by an excursion with MONOLORD soon after. Tickets and additional tour information are available at khemmisdoom.com/live.
KHEMMIS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
Forsake The Light Headline Tour w / NECROFIER & WRETCHED June 19 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theater June 20 – Seattle, WA – Substation June 21 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater June 23 – Sacramento, CA – Starlet Room June 24 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone June 25 – Santa Cruz, CA – Felton Music Hall June 26 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room June 27 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick June 28 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy & Harriet’s June 30 – Phoenix, AZ – Nile Theater July 1 – Cottonwood, AZ – Queen B July 2 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister
W / MONOLORD
Aug 27 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall Aug 28 – Louisville, KY – Portal Aug 29 – Atlanta, GA – Garden Club Aug 30 – Asheville, NC – Eulogy Aug 31 – Columbia, SC – New Brookland Tavern Sep 2 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts Sep 3 – Brooklyn, NY – Elsewhere Sep 5 – Baltimore, MD – Labor Daze Sep 8 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups Sep 9 – Detroit, MI – Sanctuary Sep 10 – Indianapolis, IN – Black Circle
About KHEMMIS:
After eleven years of albums and global touring, Colorado’s Khemmis have cemented themselves as pillars of modern heavy metal. Yet as they approach their fifth full-length, the band found something newly vital: the simple joy of creating heavy music together. Formed with no expectations, the group’s longevity has become its foundation, with guitarist/vocalist Ben Hutcherson describing the band as a rare source of stability and camaraderie. Since their 2015 debut Absolution, followed by the acclaimed Hunted, Desolation, Doomed Heavy Metal MLP, and Deceiver, Khemmis have built a legacy of towering, spiritual doom that continues to resonate with fans worldwide.
Despite changes—including members relocating and bassist David Small joining in 2022—the band emerged more focused than ever. Recording again at Flatline Audio in Colorado, the lineup of Hutcherson, Phil Pendergast, Zach Coleman, and Small leaned into renewed trust and chemistry, with distance paradoxically strengthening their bond. The addition of Small invigorated the rhythm section and encouraged experimentation, while the band rediscovered the excitement that defined their early days. That renewed energy fueled a collaborative atmosphere rooted in confidence, inspiration, and the shared thrill of simply playing heavy metal.
The resulting self-titled album is both a celebration and reinvention: a conceptually framed ritual of heavy metal that moves from the pounding “Invocation of the Dreamer” to the climactic “Benediction Tones,” balancing galloping aggression with emotionally resonant anthems. The record embraces extremity, catharsis, and joy in equal measure, complemented by new visual direction from artist Christopher Remmers. Through lineup changes, distance, and a shifting world, Khemmis remain unshaken—leaning into the music that defines them. Their self-titled album arrives June 12th, 2026 via Nuclear Blast, capturing the band in their truest and most energized form.
Melbourne alternative garage rock trio Desert Fire have unleashed their debut single, “R.A.D.I.O.”, out now across all major streaming platforms, marking the band’s first official recorded outing.
Fast, sharp and impossible to ignore, “R.A.D.I.O.” kicks the door in with biting guitars, a relentless rhythm section and a vocal that cuts clean through the noise. Sitting somewhere between garage rock swagger and raw rock’n’roll urgency, it’s a no-nonsense introduction from a band built for volume, sweat and stages that feel too small.
Lyrically, the track leans into ambition, image and expectation, giving the song a tongue in cheek undercurrent beneath its punch. That friction adds weight to a debut that hits hard on first listen but lingers well after. “We wanted our first track to land like a punch but still have something sim mering underneath,” the band says. “R.A.D.I.O. felt like the right place to start – it’s got the energy, the hook and the attitude that define Desert Fire.”
The single was recorded, mixed and produced by Ricki Rae at Lighthill Sound Recording in Riddells Creek, Victoria, mastered by Bill Skibbe at Third Man Mastering in Detroit, and pressed as a limited edition 7” at Third Man Pressing. Featuring guest backing vocals by Jackie Yamada and Ramonda Carrico.
Desert Fire is a Melbourne alt-rock trio featuring Stevie Reds, Roachy and Rachie Reds. Loud, direct and driven by melody, groove and force, “R.A.D.I.O.” serves as the band’s opening shot.
Argonauta Records proudly unveils the first chapter of its brand new “Digital Split Collaborations” series, an initiative created to connect artists from the label’s roster through exclusive releases built around artistic exchange and underground spirit.
Kicking off the series are Italy’s Sonic Wolves and Swedish collective Ockra, joining forces for the release of The Path, a unique digital split EP set available on all major streaming platforms.
Far from being a simple split release, The Path captures two distinct creative visions converging into a single immersive experience shaped by hypnotic atmospheres, expansive songwriting and a shared passion for sonic exploration.
Representing the Italian side of the project, Sonic Wolves deliver four powerful tracks recorded in July 2025 at Trai Studio in Inzago, Italy, with production, mixing and mastering handled by Fabio Intraina. The release includes the multi part epic “The Drowned Phoenix Parts I, II and III” together with the instrumental trip “When Mama Was a Hippie”.
Formed in Alessandria, Italy in 2014, Sonic Wolves features drummer Vita, formerly of Ufomammut, bassist and vocalist Kayt Vigil, known for her work with Pentagram, The Hounds of Hasselvander and …Of The Horizon, alongside guitarist Marco Grassano. On this release, guitars are performed by Alberto Catasso.
Balancing the release with a more introspective and dreamlike approach, Ockra contribute two deeply personal tracks born from sessions that initially remained outside the scope of the band’s latest album. The collaboration ultimately became the catalyst that gave those songs new life and meaning.
The band comments:
“We had these songs, which were kind of special and didn’t fit onto our last album. When we got the chance to make a split EP with Sonic Wolves, we finally got the spirit to put some more love into these songs and we are very happy with the result. It was a great pleasure and privilege to work with other musicians and like minded folks such as Sonic Wolves. Thanks Gero and Argonauta Records for this opportunity. We hope you enjoy this EP. Take care, Erik, Jonas and Alex, OCKRA.”
With the launch of the “Digital Split Collaborations” series, Argonauta Records further reinforces its commitment to fostering meaningful artistic connections between bands from different countries, backgrounds and creative approaches, offering listeners exclusive releases available only in digital format.
This first installment stands as a meeting point between two visionary acts from the Argonauta family, opening the doors to future collaborations still to be unveiled.
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 