Fortress Festival has unveiled the next wave of bands set to perform at its 2027 edition at the Scarborough Spa in North Yorkshire, UK.
To celebrate its fifth anniversary, the organisers have introduced a special Friday evening pre-show titled “Fortress: First Light”. Taking place at the Grand Hall main stage, it will mark a new chapter in the festival’s history, with tickets sold separately from the main weekend passes.
Fortress: First Light will be headlined by none other than Watain, who will grace the Scarborough stage with a UK exclusive performance. Joining Watain for the Friday will be Polish black metal act Terrestrial Hospice, delivering a highly anticipated UK debut and exclusive show.
The main weekend line-up expands with Colorado melodic black metal force Stormkeep travelling for a UK exclusive. They are joined by the Nidrosian black metal of Norway’s Mare in a UK exclusive, alongside the Lovecraftian death metal of Sulphur Aeon, also making an exclusive UK appearance. British black metal act Ninkharsag will perform an exclusive set following a two-year period of quiet.
The wave of announcements continues with a strong representation of international debuts. Belgian atmospheric black metal project Silver Knife will make their UK debut and exclusive appearance. They are joined by fellow Belgian atmospheric act Oerheks will also make a UK debut and exclusive appearance. Additionally, atmospheric black metal project Bloodbark will travel for their first-ever UK performance and exclusive set.
Joining the dungeon synth line-up in the theatre room will be Swedish dungeon synth artist Örnatorpet, bringing their music for a UK exclusive performance. “Live appearances are few and far between, so I try to make them count, and Fortress feels like exactly the kind of place where this music belongs,” said Örnatorpet. “There is something quite extraordinary about being given the opportunity to bring your own musical world into a place like this. I’m looking forward to sharing those worlds with like-minded people, and to standing among so many musicians whose work has inspired and fascinated me.”
Watain vocalist Erik Danielsson states: “We look forward to setting out on a last round of shows before the end, and to remind people of the powers this music can actually possess when it’s not held back by the laws and sentiments of the modern world. Watain is a remnant of a dark past that now exists only as myth and memory, too primal and perhaps too real for this day and age. But for one last time we will let the ancient fires of real Black Metal and spiritual liberation light up the night. We invite you all to come and bask in their glory, and to celebrate the end with us as we return Watain to its sacred origins beyond the realms of Death.”
Stormkeep said: “Stormkeep returns to the shores of Europa for the first time in 4 years, bringing heralds of Othertime and Iswylm. Marking this bacchanal of black symphonies, Stormkeep has pulled from the old scrolls and the new to bring a performance from all parts of Elda’s history. In an exclusive appearance and a set of material never performed in the UK before, Stormkeep will take all who are in attendance on an epic journey through the history of the Dragon Kings. We are honoured to bring this special set to Fortress Festival, the perfect venue for us to present these nocturnes.”
Oerheks said: “After only a handful of live performances in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany; I am extremely proud to have Oerheks featured on this year’s Fortress Fest bill. With a live line-up of ascetics, we will bring the ancient force and wisdom of the fields and forests of Cagghenvinna to UK shores for the first time ever.”
Silver Knife added:“Ever since our inception, we knew Silver Knife would never be the band to perform very often. So far, we’ve been extremely selective of the gigs we play. When we received the chance to play Fortress Fest, we knew this was the perfect opportunity for our UK debut. We look forward to having our aggressive melancholy break upon Scarborough’s shores, carrying with it some brand-new material.”
Ninkharsag commented: “Hail! For two long years we have remained silent – slumbering beneath the ash like an old blood-starved beast. But every hibernation must end, and ours is over. We return with venom in our veins – colder, darker and more relentless than before. The fires have been rekindled, and once again we march to carve our mark upon the black metal abyss. Our return begins with a handful of exclusive live rituals and beyond that, the shadows whisper of a new full-length invocation already taking form. Stand ready!“
These bands join the already-packed line-up led by Norwegian black metal legends Emperor in an exclusive UK headlining performance. Among the first wave of bands previously announced are Gris with a worldwide live debut, Gràb with a worldwide exclusive, Yellow Eyes with a UK exclusive “Confusion Gate” set, Dungeontroll with a worldwide exclusive set; as well as exclusive UK performances from Forteresse, Slagmaur, Havukruunu, Sinmara; and exclusive UK debuts from Miserere Luminis, Tardigrada, Mourir and Trha.
The dungeon synth stage in the theatre room will also include the worldwide live debut of French dungeon synth revival pioneer Erang, as well as Wraith Knight, crossing the Atlantic to deliver a UK debut and exclusive performance of OldNick’s medieval-inspired music. The theatrical ambience of the theatre stage will also feature the live debut of Spectral Castle, the dungeon synth project hailing from France. Also set to appear is Hole Dweller, who travels from the US to bring its nostalgic and fantasy-filled sounds. 2027 will also witness the epic soundscapes of Atlantean Sword, who had to cancel 2026’s appearance. Lord Bakartia, hailing from Spain, will deliver his dark ambient textures, while French project DragonKeep will also bring its synth escapades to Fortress’ theatre stage.
Fortress Festival tickets: https://www.fortressfestival.co.uk/tickets
FORTRESS FESTIVAL 2027
28-30 May 2027
Scarborough Spa
North Yorkshire, UK
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
Sulpher Aeon UK Exclusive
Ornatorpet UK Exclusive
