Fortress Festival has announced ten more acts for its 2027 edition, with Watain set to headline a new Friday night event as the Scarborough festival expands its programme to three days.
Taking place at Scarborough Spa in North Yorkshire from 28-30 May 2027, the festival celebrates its fifth anniversary with Fortress: First Light, a separately ticketed Friday evening show in the Grand Hall. Watain will deliver a UK-exclusive performance, joined by Polish Black Metal outfit Terrestrial Hospice for their UK debut.
Fortress Festival 2027: New Bands Announced
The main weekend lineup now includes Colorado’s melodic Black Metal band Stormkeep, Norway’s Mare and German Lovecraftian Death Metal act Sulphur Aeon, all appearing as UK exclusives. British Black Metal band Ninkharsag also returns with an exclusive set following two years of relative silence.
Belgian atmospheric Black Metal artists Silver Knife and Oerheks will each make exclusive UK debuts, while Bloodbark is set for its first UK performance. Swedish dungeon synth artist Örnatorpet joins the theatre room programme for a UK-exclusive show.
Watain vocalist Erik Danielsson described the appearance as part of a final run of shows: “For one last time we will let the ancient fires of real Black Metal and spiritual liberation light up the night.”
Stormkeep said its exclusive set will draw on different chapters of the band’s history, including material never previously performed in the UK. Silver Knife also confirmed that their Scarborough performance will feature brand-new material.
Ninkharsag teased both their return to live performance and the prospect of new music, saying, “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.”
Emperor Lead The Previously Announced Lineup
The new names join a bill headed by Emperor, who will play an exclusive UK headline show. Previously announced artists include Gris, Gràb, Yellow Eyes, Forteresse, Slagmaur, Havukruunu, Sinmara, Miserere Luminis, Tardigrada, Mourir, Trha and Dungeontroll.
The theatre’s dungeon synth programme also features Erang, Wraith Knight, Spectral Castle, Hole Dweller, Atlantean Sword, Lord Bakartia and DragonKeep.
Fortress Festival 2027 Dates And Tickets
Fortress Festival 2027: 28-30 May 2027, Scarborough Spa, North Yorkshire. The Friday Fortress: First Light show is ticketed separately from the main weekend passes.
For tickets and further information, visit the official Fortress Festival ticket page.
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
