AKERCOCKE to perform Choronzon album in full on Grand Hall main stage.
WHOREDOM RIFE to headline the Ocean Room stage.
One of Europe’s biggest black metal fests to take place at Scarborough Spa on 30-31 May 2026
Scarborough, UK; 24 August 2025: Fortress Festival, one of Europe’s biggest black metal festivals, has revealed two more bands for its fourth edition set to take place at Scarborough Spa on 30-31 May 2026.
London’s AKERCOCKE will perform a worldwide exclusive full album set of their acclaimed 2003 release, Choronzon. The album was praised by the scene when it was released, with many publications naming it album of the year, including Kerrang! and Terrorizer. Formed in 1997, the band is known for their extreme sound that blends death, black and progressive metal elements.
The band said: “AKERCOCKE will perform Choronzon, in full, at this historic venue. As we begin the countdown to May 2026 we invite all to join us in celebrating Choronzon at this truly special event.”
Joining the bill are Norwegian black metal duo Whoredom Rife, who will headline the Ocean Room. Formed in Trondheim in 2014, the band is a part of the contemporary Norwegian black metal scene, creating a sound that pays homage to the genre’s second wave while creating a powerful atmosphere. The band’s latest album is the 2024 release Den Vrede Makt (Terratur Possessions).
Gary Stephenson, founder of Fortress Festival, said: “Following our initial announcements for 2026, which have seen over 50% of tickets sold, we’re thrilled to continue building a unique lineup for our audience. Having AKERCOCKE perform Choronzon in full on the main stage is a true honour, and securing Whoredom Rife to headline our third stage is another testament to the diverse and high-quality acts we aim to bring to Fortress.”
The news follows the announcement of Old Man’s Child as the Saturday headliner, with Gallowbraid set to close the festival on Sunday in their worldwide live debut. Other bands announced for Fortress Festival include Dødheimsgard, who will perform their album Black Medium Current in its entirety, and Abigail Williams, returning to the UK for the first time in eight years. The lineup also features exclusive UK sets from Groza, Mesarthim, Midnight Odyssey, Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult, This Gift Is A Curse and Mispyrming, as well as debuts from Old Sorcery and Antrisch. Dungeon synth pioneer Mortiis is also confirmed to perform, and Aeon Winds will play a worldwide exclusive set.
Purchase tickets for Fortress Festival
FORTRESS FESTIVAL 2026
30-31 May 2026
Scarborough Spa
Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK
Old Man’s Child UK Exclusive
Gallowbraid Worldwide Live Debut
Abigail Williams UK Exclusive
Dødheimsgard UK exclusive ‘Black Medium Current’ album set
AKERCOCKE Worldwide exclusive ‘Choronzon’ album set
Whoredom Rife UK Exclusive
Mortiis
Groza UK Exclusive
Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult UK Exclusive
Misþyrming UK Exclusive
Old Sorcery Worldwide Live Debut
Antrisch UK Exclusive/Debut
Mesarthim UK Exclusive
Aeon Winds Worldwide Exclusive ‘Aeon Odyssey’ set
Midnight Odyssey UK Exclusive
This Gift Is A Curse UK Exclusive/Debut