HEIDENFEST 2026: HUMPPA, TROLLS & PIRATES

After celebrating the resurrection of Paganfest in January 2025, the legendary Heidenfest will also return in January 2026. Fans of humppa, folk and pirate metal – as well as excessive drinking-horn revelry – will be more than satisfied. The top-tier Heidenfest Tour 2026 brings together five outstanding bands: Korpiklaani, Finntroll, Heidevolk, Trollfest and The Dread Crew Of Oddwood. Heathen fun guaranteed!

Korpiklaani
The Finnish kings of humppa metal recently turned the Z7 upside down as Very Special Guests of In Extremo in late 2024. Now they return as headliners of the revived Heidenfest, ready to unleash a massive humppa-metal firework and once again transform our rock temple into a beer-soaked tavern. Rankarumpu is the title of their current 2024 release. Korpiklaani’s twelfth studio album delivers classic folk metal – fast, energetic and dynamic – proving once more that the Finns are absolute leaders in the genre. Rankarumpu perfectly blends old-school uptempo catchiness with brilliant folk elements by Olli Vänskä (violin) and Sami Perttula (accordion), Jonne Järvelä’s impeccable hooks and lyrics, resulting in an overall refreshing feel. Songs deal with sauna sessions, blue skies, Finland’s snow-covered fields – and the band themselves in the title track. Metal Hammer writes: “With this song, the Scandinavians outdo themselves: first-class instrumentation, a rousing chorus and the certainty that no foot will stay still, no glass full and no forehead dry.” Singer Jonne adds: “‘Rankarumpu’ perfectly sums up what this band is about: having fun together with our audience. This track will make even the most rhythm-challenged people dance!”

Finntroll
Finnish folk-metal icons Finntroll are, of course, an essential part of the Heidenfest comeback. They bring their unique mix of black metal and humppa to Heidenfest 2026. Imagine dark metal riffs colliding with cheerful folk music – the result is a party you won’t forget anytime soon. Finntroll are masters at weaving traditional instruments like accordion and flutes into their heavy metal sound, creating something both epic and exuberant. Although they hail from Finland, they mainly sing in Swedish, paying tribute to the Swedish-speaking minority in Finland. Their lyrics draw inspiration from Finnish and Scandinavian mythology, telling tales of trolls, nature spirits and other mystical beings. Active since 1997, Finntroll are considered pioneers of folk metal who have shaped the genre and influenced countless bands. Get ready for an unrestrained troll party full of energy, fun and magic. Let the Trollhammaren fall!

Heidevolk
The latest release by Dutch scene icons Heidevolk fits perfectly with the return of Heidenfest. Wederkeer is the epic comeback album by the folk and pagan metal giants from Arnhem. Five years after their acclaimed longplayer Vuur Van Verzet, Heidevolk returned in 2023 with their seventh studio album, reigniting the pagan flame. Since their impressive 2005 debut De Strijdlust Is Geboren, Heidevolk have stormed the metal stages with their own irresistible brand of folk and pagan metal. Twin clean male vocals in catchy songs, traditional instruments and furious metal riffs fuelled by folkloric fire invite listeners on a musical adventure. Wederkeer is no exception, proving why this five-piece from Arnhem ranks among the best and most exciting bands in the genre. Musikreviews.de concludes: “Heidevolk deliver an album that raises the bar for the entire pagan metal scene. Wederkeer truly lives up to its name, brimming with near-progressive songwriting ideas and blending the diverse possibilities of acoustic instruments with authentic metal feeling. This has potential far beyond the mead-horn-swinging crowd.”

Trollfest
More extravagant than Elton John, catchier than ABBA, as intense as Slipknot and cooler than Limp Bizkit – all this and more is Trollfest. The Norwegians have mischief in their veins and folk metal in their blood. Trollfest is the Norwegian folk-metal monster where anything goes. Lyrics are sung in “Trollspråk”, a made-up language without grammar – meaning there are no rules. The songs are packed with trolls, drinking bouts and a unique sense of humour unlike anything you’ve seen or heard before. In 2022, Trollfest released Flamingo Overlord, another fun-fuelled explosion in their unmistakable “True Norwegian Balkan Metal” style, once again sung in their own language. The album combines their love for music in all its diversity with extravagance, exuberance, madness and an infectious quality best described as pure KAOS. Founded in 2004 by guitarist John Espen “Mr. Seidel” Sagstad and singer Jostein “Trollmannen” Austvik, Trollfest have built a reputation as an outstanding party band through energetic performances at major festivals like Wacken Open Air, 70,000 Tons of Metal, Summer Breeze and Hellfest. With millions of streams across platforms, they have earned a loyal fanbase that appreciates their unique ability to fuse genres through KAOS-driven sound.

The Dread Crew Of Oddwood
All hands on deck! Prepare to board! The acoustic pirates The Dread Crew Of Oddwood come to Z7 to crank the Heidenfest atmosphere up to full throttle from the very first note. Formed in sunny San Diego in 2008, this pirate and folk-metal outfit has released five albums full of good vibes. Their latest release, Rust & Glory (spring 2024), was produced by Anna Murphy (Cellar Darling, ex-Eluveitie). The album features thirteen fully acoustic, piratical folk-metal rippers with a finely honed sound and a creative voice unique in today’s metal scene. From anthems like “Lawful Evil” and “Leather Ship” to drinking songs such as “Give Me Your Beer” and “Corpse Juice Medley”, the album invites headbanging, dancing and sing-alongs. The musical spectrum ranges from dark headbangers and cheerful party bangers to calm accordion ballads. No two songs sound alike, and each tells its own story – always united by the band’s distinctive folk spirit. With rousing pirate choruses and sea shanties, and cries of “Raise Your Pints”, it’s unlikely the warm-up will remain purely musical. Anticipation is high not only for the show itself – new material from The Dread Crew Of Oddwood is also expected later in the year.