Up the Hammers Festival returns in 2027 with another Celebration of Traditional Heavy Metal

The Up the Hammers Festival returns to Athens, Greece, between 4 and 6 March 2027, celebrating its twenty-first edition with another programme dedicated to traditional, epic and underground heavy metal. Following the milestone Legacy Edition, the festival continues its long-established philosophy of presenting carefully curated line-ups that bring together legendary performers, cult favourites and emerging artists from across the international heavy metal scene.

The 2027 edition opens with the traditional Day Zero at An Club, before moving to Gagarin 205 for the remaining two festival days. The programme is headlined by Cirith Ungol, Visigoth and Armored Saint, while also featuring Sumerlands, Pagan Altar, Saracen, Overlorde and Slauter Xstroyes among others. Together, these artists represent several generations of traditional heavy metal, epic doom, speed metal and classic power metal, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to preserving the genre’s underground heritage.

Unlike many contemporary festivals that embrace a broad stylistic spectrum, Up the Hammers has consistently remained faithful to traditional heavy metal. This editorial direction has transformed the event into one of Europe’s most respected specialist festivals, attracting audiences from across the continent who value carefully selected line-ups over commercial appeal. Throughout more than two decades, the festival has become known for hosting exclusive performances, long-awaited reunions and rare appearances by influential artists whose music continues to shape the genre.

The 2027 edition once again reflects the organisers’ commitment to balancing legendary names with contemporary bands that carry the traditional heavy metal spirit forward. Established acts share the stage with younger groups inspired by the foundations of classic metal, ensuring that the festival remains both a celebration of the genre’s history and a platform for its continued evolution.

Beyond the performances, Up the Hammers has cultivated a unique atmosphere where musicians, independent labels, collectors and dedicated fans gather in a setting that places the music at its centre. This close relationship between artists and audiences has become one of the defining characteristics of the festival, contributing to its reputation as one of the most authentic events within the international heavy metal community.

Among this year’s headline artists, Cirith Ungol remain one of the most influential and enduring names in epic heavy metal. Formed in Ventura, California, in 1971, the band developed a distinctive style that combined traditional heavy metal with doom-laden atmospheres and lyrical themes inspired by fantasy literature, particularly the works of Michael Moorcock. Their early albums, including Frost and Fire, King of the Dead, One Foot in Hell and Paradise Lost, became cult classics, admired for their unconventional songwriting, memorable guitar work and the unmistakable vocal delivery of Tim Baker. Although Cirith Ungol disbanded during the early 1990s, their influence continued to grow, inspiring generations of epic and traditional metal bands before their successful reunion in 2016. Since returning, the group has released acclaimed albums such as Forever Black, Dark Parade and Live at the Roxy, demonstrating that their creative momentum remains intact. More than five decades after their formation, Cirith Ungol continue to embody the spirit of classic American heavy metal, making their appearance at Up the Hammers XXI one of the festival’s defining highlights.