Bergen’s Beyond The Gates festival has unveiled the first lineup for its 2026 edition, Chapter XIV, and it’s a monstrous one. From July 29 to August 1, the city will once again transform into a global hub for extreme metal, drawing fans from over 50 countries.
Headlining the first wave of announcements are Emperor, returning to the legendary Grieghallen for a performance that digs deep into their roots. The set will reunite Ihsahn and Samoth with former members Håvard “Mortiis” Ellefsen and drummer Bård “Faust” Eithun — two figures whose presence promises a truly historic night.
Festival organizers hailed the booking as a dream come true: “We can’t wait to return to the roots with them when they hit the stage in the iconic Grieghallen.” For a band whose influence on atmospheric black metal is immeasurable, it’s a homecoming charged with legacy and anticipation.
The announcement also sees an impressive slate of underground talent added to the bill. Norwegian heavyweights 1349, Arcturus, and Misotheist will appear alongside returning acts Imha Tarikat and The Ruins Of Beverast. Debuts will come from Spectral Wound, Warning, Forteresse, Sulphur Aeon, and Concrete Winds to ensure the lineup cuts across multiple generations and styles of the extreme metal spectrum.
Beyond The Gates has grown steadily since its inception, cementing itself as a pilgrimage point for black, death, and doom disciples alike. Using venues scattered across Bergen, from the waterfront USF Verftet to the storied Grieghallen, the festival offers both intimacy and spectacle in one of Norway’s most atmospheric cities.
Festival passes for Beyond The Gates 2026 are on sale now, with more announcements still to come.
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