Beyond the Gates is now pleased to announce the first batch of bands for the 2026 edition, Chapter XIV! Beverast, Spectral Wound, Warning, Forteresse, Misotheist, Imha Tarikat, Sulphur Aeon + Concrete Winds w/ more TBA!
The festival welcomes back the mighty Emperor, who will do a very special set featuring former members, Mortiis and Faust. Emperor is – as everyone knows – one of the most influential acts to ever emerge from Norway and has taken atmospheric black metal to heights no one ever would have dared dream of. Fans will have a special opportunity to return to the roots with them when they hit the stage in the iconic Grieghallen, where Emperor recorded their influential debut 1994 album, ‘In the Nightside Eclipse’ (1994) as well as their seminal 1997 opus, ‘Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk.’
Along with fellow Norwegians, 1349, Arcturus, and Misotheist, and returning Imha Tarikat and The Ruins of Beverast, the northerners will be joined by a vast selection of underground talent – which this first announcement to a large extent is focused on. Spectral Wound, Warning, Forteresse, Sulphur Aeon and Concrete Winds will all make their debut at Beyond the Gates next year.
Tickets and passes are now available HERE.
Buckle up as this is just the start!
The first wave of bands is now as follows with many more TBA!
Emperor ft. Mortiis and Faust
1349
Arcturus
The Ruins of Beverast
Spectral Wound
Warning
Forteresse
Misotheis
Imha Tarikat
Sulphur Aeon
Concrete Winds
In addition, Beyond the Gates has launched a December campaign in which fans can enter to win a chance at a free hotel packages and other prizes! To enter the draw, buy your festival pass before December 31, 2025!
“As a festival, Beyond the Gates is immediately lovable. Bergen is intrinsically part of that embrace… Sure, Norway’s expensive, but seeing the best bands out there, taking in a Tolkienesque fjord or two, pilgrimaging to Fantoft church, hitting up Gaahl’s art gallery (Galleri Fjalar) nestled in the quaint houses at Bryggen while Freyr gleefully and continually pisses rain on you from the heavens? All worth its weight in hordes of kroner.” – Decibel Magazine, December 2022 issue
Since the inception of the Beyond the Gates festival, fans have been coming to Bergen to see performances of their favorite Norwegian artists in their home environment. As most visitors know, nature and local culture has always been a poignant source of inspiration for the bands emerging from the Bergen scene. Yet again, Beyond the Gates will give all of the traveling fans the opportunity to get an unique insight into all aspects of the Norwegian Metal scene and the local culture in general. In that regard, we’re putting together a series of events before and during the festival so that all of you can discover what inspired – and still does – the Norwegian metal scene.
More special events will be announced, including exclusive listening parties, music and culture panels, in-depth live interviews, and a wealth of events and activities that will give you a Beyond the Gates Experience that will last for a lifetime. Stay tuned for more…