Mystic Festival 2027 continues to build its line-up with another 15 artists joining the bill, bringing together some of the most recognisable names in extreme metal alongside intriguing acts from across the heavy music spectrum.
From the melodic death metal legacy of Children Of Bodom and the technical brutality of Cryptopsy to the metalcore assault of Killswitch Engage, this latest announcement covers plenty of ground. Death metal veterans Sinister and Napalm Death share the bill with deathcore heavyweights Bodysnatcher, while Yob bring their expansive doom metal and Slift their psychedelic, space rock explorations.
There is also plenty for fans of the stoner and desert rock tradition, with John Garcia and Mondo Generator, the hard rock credentials of British Lion, and the more theatrical approach of Castle Rat and Dogma. Manchester’s Henge and Denmark’s 802 add further variety to an already eclectic selection.
Fifteen more reasons to head to Gdańsk. Mystic Festival returns to Letnica from 10 to 12 June 2027.
Children Of Bodom (Finland, Melodic Death Metal)
Born in Finland in 1997, Children Of Bodom became one of the defining names in melodic death metal. Their distinctive sound combines raw aggression, technical precision and infectious melodies. After releasing ten studio albums and selling more than two million records, the band is reuniting for a 30th anniversary tour. The surviving members will be joined by Samy Elbanna of Lost Society on vocals and lead guitar, paying tribute to the late Alexi Laiho.
Cryptopsy (Canada, Technical Death Metal)
Canadian extreme metal veterans Cryptopsy have spent decades pushing the boundaries of technical death metal. Their debut album, “Blasphemy Made Flesh“, established them among the genre’s leading names, and every subsequent release has demonstrated their extraordinary technical ability and uncompromising approach to brutality.
Bodysnatcher (USA, Deathcore)
Since 2014, Florida’s Bodysnatcher have been delivering an especially punishing brand of deathcore. Known for their crushing heaviness, brutal riffs and relentless intensity, the band have built their reputation on music designed to hit hard. Their latest album, “Hell Is Here, Hell Is Home“, is another demonstration of their uncompromising sound.
Killswitch Engage (USA, Metalcore)
Killswitch Engage are among the most important bands to emerge from the New Wave of American Metal. Instrumental in establishing metalcore as a major force in modern heavy music, they helped shape an entire generation of bands. With millions of records sold and three Grammy nominations, their influence on contemporary metal is difficult to overstate.
Sinister (Netherlands, Death Metal)
During the golden age of death metal, the Netherlands established itself as an important centre for extreme music, with Sinister among its pioneering forces. Their debut album, “Cross The Styx“, secured their place in the genre’s history. Far from being a nostalgia act, the band continue to deliver uncompromising death metal, as demonstrated by their new album, “Lucid Nightmares“.
Castle Rat (USA, Heavy Metal / Doom Metal)
New York’s Castle Rat are much more than a conventional heavy metal band. Led by the charismatic Rat Queen, they have created an entire fantasy-inspired universe, combining classic heavy metal with the darker, slower sounds of doom. Their theatrical approach and distinctive mythology have made them one of the more unusual phenomena on today’s metal scene.
Slift (France, Space Rock / Psychedelic Metal)
French trio Slift operate somewhere between space rock, heavy metal, psychedelia and stoner rock. Their music moves between expansive, cosmic passages and raw, abrasive guitar work, creating a distinctive sound that is difficult to pin down. Equally recognised for their spectacular live performances, the band continue to explore the more adventurous territories of heavy music. Their latest album is titled “Fantasia“.
John Garcia (USA, Desert Rock / Stoner Rock)
Known as the voice of the desert, John Garcia made his name as the frontman of Kyuss, one of the bands responsible for defining desert rock. His unmistakable style combines Sabbath-inspired heaviness, psychedelic influences, blues and punk attitude. Through subsequent projects including Slo Burn, Unida and Hermano, as well as his solo career, Garcia has remained faithful to the sound that made him one of the genre’s most recognisable voices.
Mondo Generator (USA, Heavy Punk / Stoner Rock)
Led by former Kyuss bassist Nick Oliveri, Mondo Generator channel a considerably more aggressive side of desert rock. Their music is a ferocious mixture of heavy punk, raw guitars and uncompromising attitude. With a sound built around rage, violence and musical confrontation, the band deliver rock’n’roll stripped of unnecessary decoration.
British Lion (UK, Hard Rock / Heavy Metal)
British Lion is the hard rock and heavy metal project of Steve Harris, bassist and founder of Iron Maiden. Away from the stadiums and arenas of his main band, Harris created a project that brings him closer to the audience while exploring his roots in traditional British hard rock and heavy metal. British Lion is a celebration of the music and influences that shaped one of metal’s most important musicians.
Napalm Death (UK, Grindcore / Death Metal)
British pioneers Napalm Death helped create grindcore in the early 1980s and have spent more than four decades pushing the boundaries of extreme music. Their sound moves between grindcore, hardcore, industrial and death metal, while their lyrics tackle bigotry, xenophobia, corporate greed and political corruption. More than just masters of musical extremity, Napalm Death remain one of the genre’s most outspoken and influential voices.
Yob (USA, Doom Metal)
Hailing from Oregon, Yob have established themselves as one of the most important names in contemporary doom metal. Since their debut album, “Elaboration of Carbon“, the trio have developed a distinctive sound built around crushing guitar riffs, distorted textures and expansive musical journeys. Their compositions balance the raw weight of traditional doom with hypnotic passages that draw listeners into an almost immersive experience.
Dogma (International, Heavy Metal)
Dogma are an international heavy metal band combining music, theatrical performance and a distinctive visual identity. Their concept explores themes of femininity and emancipation, both through their self-titled debut album and their elaborate stage performances. Their approach brings together heavy metal traditions and a carefully constructed theatrical universe.
Henge (UK, Psychedelic Rock / Electronic / Funk)
Manchester’s Henge are a cosmic four-piece whose music combines acid rock, electronic sounds, psychedelia and funk. Their unconventional approach to music is matched by an intergalactic concept and a playful extraterrestrial identity. The band are preparing to release their new album, “HUMANS“, in January, continuing their exploration of sounds that are decidedly out of this world.
802 (Denmark, Heavy Metal / Thrash / Glam Rock)
Denmark’s vibrant metal scene has produced another unusual proposition in the shape of 802. The trio combine heavy metal and thrash riffs with glam rock attitude, shoegaze textures and synthpop melodies inspired by the sounds of the 1980s. Their music brings together seemingly distant influences, creating a colourful and unconventional take on contemporary heavy music.
