Wacken Open Air 2027 announces first wave of bands, including Portugal’s Gaerea

With the conclusion of another successful edition, Wacken Open Air has already turned its attention to 2027 by unveiling the first artists confirmed for next year’s festival. The initial announcement presents a diverse selection of established names and exclusive performances, once again reflecting the German festival’s commitment to showcasing a broad spectrum of heavy music while balancing legendary acts with contemporary forces shaping the international scene.

Among the most notable announcements is the return of Gaerea, whose inclusion represents another important milestone for Portuguese extreme metal on one of the world’s most recognised festival stages. Having steadily expanded their international profile through extensive touring and acclaimed studio releases, the masked black metal collective will once again bring their intense live performance to the Holy Ground, reinforcing Portugal’s growing presence within the global extreme metal community.

The first line-up announcement also includes Austrian blackened death metal veterans Belphegor, who will present their Sanctus Bestiam Procession, while Brazilian death metal outfit Crypta returns with the energetic live performance that has quickly established the quartet among the leading names of modern death metal. Adding a different dimension to the programme, Dethklok, the fictional band originating from the acclaimed animated series Metalocalypse, will once again bring its unique blend of melodic death metal and multimedia performance to the festival.

One of the most exclusive moments already confirmed for the 2027 edition will see Abbath, Ice Dale and Armagedda reunite to perform I’s celebrated 2006 album Between Two Worlds in its entirety. Presented as an exclusive performance, the concert is expected to revisit one of Norwegian extreme metal’s most distinctive recordings, offering festival attendees a rare opportunity to experience the album in a live setting.

German phenomenon Kanonenfieber will also return with their increasingly ambitious Kanonenfest production, continuing to expand the visual and conceptual presentation that has accompanied the band’s rapid rise across Europe’s festival circuit. Their appearance further underlines the festival’s willingness to embrace artists who combine historical themes with contemporary interpretations of blackened death metal.

Completing the first announcement are British grindcore pioneers Napalm Death, whose influence on extreme music remains undeniable after more than four decades, and Norwegian black metal collective Witch Club Satan, whose intense and theatrical performances have attracted growing attention throughout the European festival circuit. Together with the previously announced artists, they establish a foundation that reflects the stylistic diversity for which Wacken Open Air has become internationally recognised.

Although many more announcements are expected in the coming months, the first wave already demonstrates the festival’s continued ability to combine established legends, exclusive collaborations and some of the most relevant names in contemporary heavy music. For Portuguese audiences, the confirmation of Gaerea stands out as a particularly significant moment, highlighting the band’s continued international ascent and ensuring Portuguese representation on one of metal’s most prestigious stages.