December is here; and so is the full Beyond the Gates 2026 lineup! The festival is now unveiling seven new artists, completing next year’s bill. Leading the charge are stoner-doom legends Electric Wizard and death-metal prog visionaries Blood Incantation, topping the bill with the already announced Emperor and Testament.

Beyond the Gates 2026 will be an absolute feast for anyone with an appetite for underground magic. The festival is proud to present a lineup that’s diverse, and truly reflective of today’s death, doom, and black metal scenes.

The full lineup and day splits are now as follows:

Wednesday, July 29 @ USF Verftet:
Testament
Nergal + Misþyrming perform Behemoth’s ‘Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic)’
Rotting Christ
Spectral Wound
Castle Rat
Imha Tarikat

Thursday, July 30 @ USF Verftet:
Electric Wizard
Beherit
1349
Warning
The Ruins of Beverast
Forteresse
Imha Tarikat

Friday, July 31 @ Grieghallen:
Blood Incantation
Marduk
Whoredom Rife
Misotheist

Saturday, August 1 @ Grieghallen:
Emperor
Alcest
Arcturus
Gaahls WYRD

Day Shift Thursday, July 30:
Sulphur Aeon
Terrestrial Hospice
Concrete Winds

Night Shift Thursday, July 30:
Bölzer

Day Shift Friday, July 31:
Dold Vorde Ens Navn
Vafurlogi
Saturnalia Temple

Night Shift Friday, July 31:
Mortuary Drape

The epic four-day metal event will take place once again across several venues in the heart of Bergen (NO) from July 29 – August 1, 2026 Tickets and passes are now available HERE.

In addition, Beyond the Gates is now launching a special December campaign a December campaign with discounted Day tickets and festival passes. Lucky fans can also win a hotel package. More info HERE.

Watch Into The Necrosphere’s Recap of 2025 here:

Since the inception of the Beyond the Gates festival, fans have been coming to Bergen to see performances of their favorite Norwegian artists in their home environment. As most visitors know, nature and local culture has always been a poignant source of inspiration for the bands emerging from the Bergen scene. Yet again, Beyond the Gates will give all of the traveling fans the opportunity to get an unique insight into all aspects of the Norwegian Metal scene and the local culture in general. In that regard, we’re putting together a series of events before and during the festival so that all of you can discover what inspired – and still does – the Norwegian metal scene.

More special events will be announced, including exclusive listening parties, music and culture panels, in-depth live interviews, and a wealth of of events and activities that will give you a Beyond the Gates Experience that will last for a lifetime. Stay tuned for more…

Links: Official Beyond the Gates Website – Facebook – Instagram – Tickets

Beyond the Gates is pleased to announce five new performances to the already stacked 2026 bill! The festival now welcomes U.S. thrash veterans Testament to the fold. The Bay Area pioneers have just released a powerhouse of an album, the critically acclaimed ‘Para Bellum.’ In addition to this legacy act, Greek metal legends Rotting Christ are considered innovators of the black metal scene; they will compile a very exclusive old school set for Beyond the Gates, performing songs from the period 1989 – 1995. French post-metal icons Alcest have steadfastly continued their ascent to the stars, with last years mindblowing ‘Les Chants de l’aurore’ album and their mesmerizing live shows as stepping stones. Beyond the Gates is very pleased to have them back. Vafurlogi from Iceland released their debut album ‘Í vökulli áþján’ last year. The band helmed by former Svartidauden guitarist, Þórir Garðarsson, will be a most welcome treat to festival-goers. 

In addition, Beyond the Gates will present a very special collaboration between Behemoth frontman Nergal and Icelandic black metal visionaries Misþyrming. Marking the 30th anniversary of its original release, Nergal will revisit the dark origins of his musical legacy, performing Behemoth’s seminal debut, ‘Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic),’ in its entirety.

He will be joined by Misþyrming, whose raw energy and uncompromising intensity have reshaped the modern black metal landscape. Together, they will summon the primal spirit of the 1995 release — an album that laid the foundation for Behemoth’s evolution from underground obscurity to global extremity. Performed live for the first time as a full conceptual work, Sventevith will return as both a tribute and a transformation: a rare convergence of heritage and renewal, honoring Behemoth’s roots while embracing the ferocity of a new generation.

The current lineup is now as follows with many more TBA!

Emperor ft. Mortiis and Faust
Testament
Beherit (First ever Norwegian show)
Alcest
1349
Rotting Christ
Nergal + Misþyrming perform Behemoth’s ‘Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic)’
Arcturus
Bölzer
The Ruins of Beverast
Spectral Wound
Warning
Castle Rat
Forteresse
Misotheis
Imha Tarikat
Sulphur Aeon
Dold Vorde Ens Navn
Vafurlogi
Concrete Winds
Saturnalia Temple

The epic four-day metal event will take place once again across several venues in the heart of Bergen (NO) from July 29 – August 1, 2026 Tickets and passes are now available HERE.

Since the inception of the Beyond the Gates festival, fans have been coming to Bergen to see performances of their favorite Norwegian artists in their home environment. As most visitors know, nature and local culture has always been a poignant source of inspiration for the bands emerging from the Bergen scene. Yet again, Beyond the Gates will give all of the traveling fans the opportunity to get an unique insight into all aspects of the Norwegian Metal scene and the local culture in general. In that regard, we’re putting together a series of events before and during the festival so that all of you can discover what inspired – and still does – the Norwegian metal scene.

More special events will be announced, including exclusive listening parties, music and culture panels, in-depth live interviews, and a wealth of of events and activities that will give you a Beyond the Gates Experience that will last for a lifetime. Stay tuned for more…

Links: Official Beyond the Gates Website – Facebook – Instagram – Tickets

Beyond the Gates is proud to present five new additions to the 2026 line-up. The festival is incredibly grateful to be able to host the first ever Beherit show in Norway. The Finnish legends has inspired countless of bands and forged their own path within the black metal genre with pioneering albums such as ‘The Oath of Black Blood’ and ‘Drawing Down the Moon.’ Joining them will be Swiss extreme metallers Bölzer, the rising doom star Castle Rat, Norwegian Dold Vorde Ens Navn, and the Swedish stoner trio, Saturnalia Temple. Many more are TBA!

The current lineup is now as follows with many more TBA!

Emperor ft. Mortiis and Faust
Beherit (First ever Norwegian show)
1349
Arcturus
Bölzer
The Ruins of Beverast
Spectral Wound
Warning
Castle Rat
Forteresse
Misotheis
Imha Tarikat
Sulphur Aeon
Dold Vorde Ens Navn
Concrete Winds
Saturnalia Temple

Tickets and passes are now available HERE.

In addition, Beyond the Gates has launched a December campaign in which fans can enter to win a chance at a free hotel packages and other prizes! To enter the draw, buy your festival pass before December 31, 2024!

“As a festival, Beyond the Gates is immediately lovable. Bergen is intrinsically part of that embrace… Sure, Norway’s expensive, but seeing the best bands out there, taking in a Tolkienesque fjord or two, pilgrimaging to Fantoft church, hitting up Gaahl’s art gallery (Galleri Fjalar) nestled in the quaint houses at Bryggen while Freyr gleefully and continually pisses rain on you from the heavens? All worth its weight in hordes of kroner.” – Decibel Magazine, December 2022 issue

Since the inception of the Beyond the Gates festival, fans have been coming to Bergen to see performances of their favorite Norwegian artists in their home environment. As most visitors know, nature and local culture has always been a poignant source of inspiration for the bands emerging from the Bergen scene. Yet again, Beyond the Gates will give all of the traveling fans the opportunity to get an unique insight into all aspects of the Norwegian Metal scene and the local culture in general. In that regard, we’re putting together a series of events before and during the festival so that all of you can discover what inspired – and still does – the Norwegian metal scene.

More special events will be announced, including exclusive listening parties, music and culture panels, in-depth live interviews, and a wealth of of events and activities that will give you a Beyond the Gates Experience that will last for a lifetime. Stay tuned for more…

Links: Official Beyond the Gates Website – Facebook – Instagram – Tickets

Beyond the Gates is now pleased to announce the first batch of bands for the 2026 edition, Chapter XIV!

The festival welcomes back the mighty Emperor, who will do a very special set featuring former members, Mortiis and Faust. Emperor is – as everyone knows – one of the most influential acts to ever emerge from Norway and has taken atmospheric black metal to heights no one ever would have dared dream of. Fans will have a special opportunity to return to the roots with them when they hit the stage in the iconic Grieghallen, where Emperor recorded their influential debut 1994 album, ‘In the Nightside Eclipse’ (1994) as well as their seminal 1997 opus, ‘Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk.’ 

Along with fellow Norwegians, 1349, Arcturus, and Misotheist, and returning Imha Tarikat and The Ruins of Beverast, the northerners will be joined by a vast selection of underground talent – which this first announcement to a large extent is focused on. Spectral Wound, Warning, Forteresse, Sulphur Aeon and Concrete Winds will all make their debut at Beyond the Gates next year. 

Buckle up as this is just the start!

The first wave of bands is now as follows with many more TBA!

Emperor ft. Mortiis and Faust
1349
Arcturus
The Ruins of Beverast
Spectral Wound
Warning
Forteresse
Misotheis
Imha Tarikat
Sulphur Aeon
Concrete Winds

Tickets and passes are now available HERE.

In addition, Beyond the Gates has launched a December campaign in which fans can enter to win a chance at a free hotel packages and other prizes! To enter the draw, buy your festival pass before December 31, 2025!

“As a festival, Beyond the Gates is immediately lovable. Bergen is intrinsically part of that embrace… Sure, Norway’s expensive, but seeing the best bands out there, taking in a Tolkienesque fjord or two, pilgrimaging to Fantoft church, hitting up Gaahl’s art gallery (Galleri Fjalar) nestled in the quaint houses at Bryggen while Freyr gleefully and continually pisses rain on you from the heavens? All worth its weight in hordes of kroner.” – Decibel Magazine, December 2022 issue

Since the inception of the Beyond the Gates festival, fans have been coming to Bergen to see performances of their favorite Norwegian artists in their home environment. As most visitors know, nature and local culture has always been a poignant source of inspiration for the bands emerging from the Bergen scene. Yet again, Beyond the Gates will give all of the traveling fans the opportunity to get an unique insight into all aspects of the Norwegian Metal scene and the local culture in general. In that regard, we’re putting together a series of events before and during the festival so that all of you can discover what inspired – and still does – the Norwegian metal scene.

More special events will be announced, including exclusive listening parties, music and culture panels, in-depth live interviews, and a wealth of of events and activities that will give you a Beyond the Gates Experience that will last for a lifetime. Stay tuned for more…

More info: Official Beyond the Gates Website – Facebook – Instagram – Tickets

Beyond the Gates Festival 2025 is now unveiling the final lineup for next summer, which is the festival’s most varied lineup to date as 18 of the bands have never performed at BTG before! The festival now welcomes Opeth, Paradise Lost, Candlemass, Taake, Tribulation, Lucifer, Hexvessel, Misþyrming, Attic, Helheim and Gehenna to the already-stacked lineup.

In addition to Taake doing a special 20 year set of ‘Doedskvad,’ this will be Gehenna‘s first show ever with the original line-up! They will be performing a set based on their newly re-released first three albums – ‘The First Spell,’ ‘Seen Through the Veils of Darkness (The Second Spell),’ and ‘Malice.’

The four-day extravaganza will once again take place in Bergen (NO) from July 30 – August 2, across several venues, including USF and the iconic Grieghallen, where many of Norway’s seminal black metal artists recorded their legacy records.

Festival booker Torgrim Øyre comments:

“So this is it, the full line-up for Beyond the Gates 2025 – Chapter XIII. What is more natural than announcing our thirteenth chapter on Friday the 13th?

“What can we say – we are immensely proud of what is without a doubt our most varied line-up to date. 18 of the announced bands have never played the festival before, which we think is a statement of good health for a niche festival operating for 13 years. 

“The 2025 line-up boasts a wide selection of curated sets, including a first ever live appearance of the original Gehenna line-up. The reformed band will perform a set based on their newly re-released three first albums. These are jewels in the Norwegian Black Metal canon and their brilliance can not be overstated. Pure class.

“King Diamond will play his first solo concert in Bergen ever, and his first show in Norway in 19 years. 

“Opeth has just released their barnstormer ‘The Last Will and Testament’ to great acclaim. The album sees the band return to some of their metal roots, while still keeping their timeless prog elements firmly in place. What an album and what a treat it will be to see the Swedish master in the legendary Grieghallen.

“Abbath Doom Occulta will close the festival by bringing his incredibly awesome ‘Return to the Raven Realms’ tour to Grieghallen, featuring songs from his period in Immortal exclusively. Mind you, the production is a sight to behold.”

The full lineup is now as follows:

Beyond the Gates 2025 Daily Lineup:

Wednesday, July 30 @ USF Verftet:
Triptykon (performing Celtic Frost)
I Am Morbid Destruction (‘Infernal Overkill’ 40 years)
Hellbutcher
Attic
Hellripper

Thursday, July 31 @ Grieghallen
King Diamond (First Norwegian show in 19 years!)
Paradise Lost
Lucifer
Misþyrming

Thursday Day Shift:
Koldbrann Askeregn Nihilvm

Thursday Night Shift:
Darkened Nocturne Slaughtercult

Friday, August 1 @ Grieghallen
Opeth
Candlemass (40 years of doom)
Tribulation
Hexvessel

Friday Day Shift:
Furia
Eternal Evil
Morax

Friday Night Shift:
Absu (ft. Zemial, 30th anniversary of ‘The Sun Of Tiphareth’

Saturday, August 2 @ Grieghallen
Abbath Doom Occulta (Immortal set)
Taake (‘Doedskvad’ 20th anniversary)
Gehenna (first show with original lineup)
Helheim
Dark Sonority

Tickets are now available HERE.

In addition, Beyond the Gates has launched a December campaign in which fans can enter to win a chance at a free hotel packages and other prizes! To enter the draw, buy your festival pass before December 31, 2024!

Since the inception of the Beyond the Gates festival, fans have been coming to Bergen to see performances of their favorite Norwegian artists in their home environment. As most visitors know, nature and local culture has always been a poignant source of inspiration for the bands emerging from the Bergen scene. Yet again, Beyond the Gates will give all of the traveling fans the opportunity to get an unique insight into all aspects of the Norwegian Metal scene and the local culture in general. In that regard, we’re putting together a series of events before and during the festival so that all of you can discover what inspired – and still does – the Norwegian metal scene.

More special events will be announced, including exclusive listening parties, music and culture panels, in-depth live interviews, and a wealth of of events and activities that will give you a Beyond the Gates Experience that will last for a lifetime. Stay tuned for more…

More info: Official Beyond the Gates Website – Facebook – Instagram – Tickets

Beyond the Gates Festival 2025 is now unveiling the lineups for the day and night shift performances for next year’s edition! Absu (featuring Zemila) will be performing a special 30th anniversary set of 1995’s seminal album, ‘The Sun Of Tiphareth!’ In addition, the newly added bands include Darkened Nocturne Slaughtercult, Koldbrann, Furia, Eternal Evil, Askeregn, Morax, and Nihilvm.

The four-day extravaganza will once again take place in Bergen (NO) from July 30 – August 2, across several venues, including USF and the iconic Grieghallen, where many of Norway’s seminal black metal artists recorded their legacy records.

Beyond the Gates 2025 Lineup:

King Diamond (First Norwegian show in 19 years!)
Abbath Doom Occulta (Immortal set)
Triptykon (performing Celtic Frost)
I Am Morbid
Destruction (‘Infernal Overkil’l 40 years)
Hellbutcher
Hellripper
Dark Sonority

+more TBA!

Day + Night Shift: Absu (ft. Zemial, 30th anniversary of ‘The Sun Of Tiphareth’

Darkened Nocturne Slaughtercult
Koldbrann
Furia
Eternal Evil
Askeregn
Morax
Nihilvm

Tickets are now available HERE.

In addition, Beyond the Gates has launched a December campaign in which fans can enter to win a chance at a free hotel packages and other prizes! To enter the draw, buy your festival pass before December 31, 2024!

“As a festival, Beyond the Gates is immediately lovable. Bergen is intrinsically part of that embrace… Sure, Norway’s expensive, but seeing the best bands out there, taking in a Tolkienesque fjord or two, pilgrimaging to Fantoft church, hitting up Gaahl’s art gallery (Galleri Fjalar) nestled in the quaint houses at Bryggen while Freyr gleefully and continually pisses rain on you from the heavens? All worth its weight in hordes of kroner.” – Decibel Magazine, December 2022 issue

Since the inception of the Beyond the Gates festival, fans have been coming to Bergen to see performances of their favorite Norwegian artists in their home environment. As most visitors know, nature and local culture has always been a poignant source of inspiration for the bands emerging from the Bergen scene. Yet again, Beyond the Gates will give all of the traveling fans the opportunity to get an unique insight into all aspects of the Norwegian Metal scene and the local culture in general. In that regard, we’re putting together a series of events before and during the festival so that all of you can discover what inspired – and still does – the Norwegian metal scene.

More special events will be announced, including exclusive listening parties, music and culture panels, in-depth live interviews, and a wealth of of events and activities that will give you a Beyond the Gates Experience that will last for a lifetime. Stay tuned for more…

More info: Official Beyond the Gates Website – Facebook – Instagram – Tickets