Hellfest 2026: 5 acts to catch this summer on the Temple stage

Avis to metalheads! Hellfest is back in the Nantes wine country, in Clisson to be precise, for its 19th edition from Thursday, June 18 to Sunday, June 21, 2026. What’s on the program? A slate of big-name acts to discover, especially on the Mainstages. But if you’re into black metal or folk metal, head to the Temple stage where a host of artists are expected. Here are five bands not to miss on the Temple this summer at Hellfest!

For 19 years now, Hellfest has been filling the ears of extreme-music lovers! This year, the metal festival aims to push the adventure forward with a fresh edition packed with musical gems. To be lived from Thursday, June 18 to Sunday, June 21, 2026, this 19th edition of the Hellfest is guaranteed to dazzle your eyes and ears! It’s worth noting that several big-name acts are expected this summer in Clisson — Iron Maiden, Limp Bizkit, Alice Cooper, Megadeth, and Volbeat among them. You’ll be able to see and hear these groups by heading to the must-see Mainstages (1 & 2). But the Hellfest also features four other stages, including the Temple dedicated to black metal, and also to folk metal!

If you're a fan of these musical styles, then head for the Temple, nestled right next to its sister venue, theAltar. So, we've selected 5 bands and artists for you to see this summer at the Temple for the new edition of Hellfest.

Hellfest 2026: 5 acts you won't want to miss on the Temple stage

Killus – Friday, June 19, 2026 from 12:15 PM to 12:45 PM
Industrial metal – Spain

They play industrial metal, but they don’t hail from Germany. For 25 years, the four Spaniards of Killus have been sharing their passion for this genre as they tour the European circuit. On June 19, they roll into Clisson and are determined to win over the metalheads with a powerful, offbeat show that should take the form of a shock‑rock cabaret.

Rotting Christ - Friday, June 19, 2026, from 8:35 PM to 9:35 PM
Melodic black metal - Greece

Every summer, Hellfest invites festival-goers to cut loose, not only with black metal but also to embark on a genuine world-spanning musical tour without leaving Clisson. 2026 is no exception. On Friday night, the spotlight turns to Greece with Rotting Christ. Still fronted by singer-guitarist Sakis Tolis and drummer Themis Tolis, Rotting Christ now boasts around fifteen studio albums. The Greek outfit recently rerecorded its 10th opus "Aealo", released in 2010. One can imagine the band using this Hellfest set to tease a few tracks from that record.

The Gathering - Friday, June 19, 2026, from 12:55 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Gothic Doom - Netherlands

Here's a set you won't want to miss Friday night at Hellfest. An unclassifiable outfit, but incredibly influential in the European metal scene, The Gathering return to the stage to celebrate in style their cult album "Mandylion" (1995). For the occasion, the talented singer Anneke van Giersbergen will be along for the ride. Goosebumps guaranteed!

Behemoth - Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 12:55 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Blackened Death Metal - Poland

Heads up for an explosive, incendiary show on the agenda! Three years after its memorable Hellfest set, the Polish metal giants Behemoth return to Clisson. Once again, the charismatic Nergal is expected to lead a performance that is both powerful and cathartic, fueled by several thunderous tracks from their blackened metal arsenal. It’s likely the band will also pull a few cuts from its latest album, "The Shit Ov God," released in 2025.

Wolves In The Throne Room — Sunday, June 21, 2026, 6:40–7:40 PM
Ambient black metal – USA

Do you know Wolves In The Throne Room ? Blending atmospheric black metal, Wolves In The Throne Room formed in 2002 in Olympia, on the West Coast of the United States. At the heart of this outfit are Aaron and Nathan Weaver, two brothers who seek, through their music, to channel the energies of the Pacific Northwest landscape. Today the band has seven studio albums, two live albums, and two EPs. So come discover their cathartic universe on June 21, in a set that should tremble the Temple.

Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive, and many other bands and artists are slated to perform on the Temple from June 18 to 21, 2026 at Hellfest. And you—what have you planned to go see on the Temple this year in Clisson?

Hellfest 2026: full lineup and concert times
Hellfest confirms its return with four new days of extreme-music showcases. Mark your calendars: the festival runs Thursday, June 18 to Sunday, June 21, 2026. What’s on the menu this year? A hefty slate of top-tier acts from both francophone and international scenes, including Iron Maiden, Alice Cooper, Limp Bizkit, The Offspring, Deep Purple, Volbeat, Megadeth, Papa Roach, Bad Omens, Mastodon, and Behemoth, among others. Here’s the complete day-by-day, stage-by-stage lineup for Hellfest 2026, along with concert times. [Read more]