With a setting and atmosphere unlike any other heavy festival in Europe, Copenhell is something special. Taking place from 24 - 27 June 2026 and set in the docklands area of Refshaleøen, Copenhagen, the four day event this year featured Iron Maiden, Bring Me the Horizon, Volbeat, and a very special 'Fifteen Years in Hell' All-Star Performance.
Gus G & Soren Andersen Celebrate 15 Years of Copenhell. Photo: Louise Phillips
We've arrived at Copenhell's post-apocalyptic home in eastern Copenhagen, where Fenrisulven, Denmark's wolf looms overhead. Europe is gripped by a crippling heatwave, but with great bands, cold beers, and an atmosphere unlike any other, there's no better place to be.
Wolfgang Van Halen and his band Mammoth are the first on today {Wednesday 24 June], and his breezy alt-rock starts off the event in fine style. It says something that it takes three players to handle all of his guitar parts, and Wolf demonstrates his virtuosity by switching from guitar to keys as the set progresses. The man can shred, but its the melodies that are the standout, particularly in the likes of 'Epiphany'.
After missing a number of European dates due to a family illness, Tom Morello is back on stage for only the third time since Download. "For a minute, I thought we'd have to cancel this festival, because my mom who's 102 wasn't well", he concedes; "but she's getting better, and she sends metal greetings!"
Morello is at his combustible best as he dives into solo, Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave jams. It's hard to pick a standout moment in a set packed with them, but his fierce take on Bruce Springsteen's 'The Ghost of Tom Joad' sends shivers down the spine.
Alice Cooper meanwhile, is the absolute master of his craft, and Morello clearly agrees, as he can be seen watching from the wings, singing along to 'Ballad of Dwight Fry'. Alice's set is theatrically choreographed to perfection, with each band member shining at different points, but the main man of course, is the ringleader, and whether performing hair metal-era rarities like 'Spark in the Dark' and 'House of Fire' or the early classics, delivers them with a villainous conviction.
Closing out day one, Iron Maiden are in spectacular form. The 'Run For Your Lives' 50th Anniversary tour is being hailed as their greatest yet, and focusing on the years 1980 - 1992, it might just be their most perfect set list ever. It does however prompt Bruce Dickinson to quip; "I can genuinely say that you've all heard it before... but not in this order!"
From early days classics like 'Killers' and 'Phantom of the Opera' to newest set addition 'Infinite Dreams', these are some of the greatest songs in metal, and the visuals that accompany 'Powerslave', 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner', and 'Aces High' are spectacular. The gremlins that got in the way of the recent Paris show meanwhile, seem to have followed them to Denmark, as Eddie goes missing during the first half of 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son'. The big screens soon flicker back into life though, and he's back in all his disembowelled glory.
"What the fuck are you doing out on a Wednesday night?", asks Dickinson as they take their bows at the end of a riveting day one; "this could be the start of something!" With three more days ahead, Copenhell is just getting warmed up.
Wolfgang Van Halen and his band Mammoth are the first on today {Wednesday 24 June], and his breezy alt-rock starts off the event in fine style. It says something that it takes three players to handle all of his guitar parts, and Wolf demonstrates his virtuosity by switching from guitar to keys as the set progresses. The man can shred, but its the melodies that are the standout, particularly in the likes of 'Epiphany'.
After missing a number of European dates due to a family illness, Tom Morello is back on stage for only the third time since Download. "For a minute, I thought we'd have to cancel this festival, because my mom who's 102 wasn't well", he concedes; "but she's getting better, and she sends metal greetings!"
Morello is at his combustible best as he dives into solo, Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave jams. It's hard to pick a standout moment in a set packed with them, but his fierce take on Bruce Springsteen's 'The Ghost of Tom Joad' sends shivers down the spine.
Alice Cooper meanwhile, is the absolute master of his craft, and Morello clearly agrees, as he can be seen watching from the wings, singing along to 'Ballad of Dwight Fry'. Alice's set is theatrically choreographed to perfection, with each band member shining at different points, but the main man of course, is the ringleader, and whether performing hair metal-era rarities like 'Spark in the Dark' and 'House of Fire' or the early classics, delivers them with a villainous conviction.
Closing out day one, Iron Maiden are in spectacular form. The 'Run For Your Lives' 50th Anniversary tour is being hailed as their greatest yet, and focusing on the years 1980 - 1992, it might just be their most perfect set list ever. It does however prompt Bruce Dickinson to quip; "I can genuinely say that you've all heard it before... but not in this order!"
From early days classics like 'Killers' and 'Phantom of the Opera' to newest set addition 'Infinite Dreams', these are some of the greatest songs in metal, and the visuals that accompany 'Powerslave', 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner', and 'Aces High' are spectacular. The gremlins that got in the way of the recent Paris show meanwhile, seem to have followed them to Denmark, as Eddie goes missing during the first half of 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son'. The big screens soon flicker back into life though, and he's back in all his disembowelled glory.
"What the fuck are you doing out on a Wednesday night?", asks Dickinson as they take their bows at the end of a riveting day one; "this could be the start of something!" With three more days ahead, Copenhell is just getting warmed up.
Iron Maiden at Copenhell 2026. Photo: Adrian Hextall Mindhex Media
Thursday [25 June] sees Black Label Society perform for their Copenhagen Chapter. Opening with 'Funeral Bell', Zakk Wylde and his band of heavy hellraisers wake the bleary with their early afternoon set. They rip through the slow dirge of 'A Love Unreal' before paying tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with a stomping 'No More Tears'. A frenetic behind-the-head dual guitar solo deliver a flash of pure showmanship, however the real emotional peak arrives with set-closer 'Stillborn', and as the song rises, a banner drops to reveal a black-and-white portrait of Ozzy, leaving barely a dry eye in the house.
Queensrÿche take to the stage a few hours later. There's no big screen animations this time, so it's the music that has to set the scene alone, but with tracks as strong as 'Revolution Calling' and 'Empire', that's hardly an issue. Focusing exclusively on their classic era, Queensrÿche give the fans exactly what they want to hear.
As Queensrÿche take their bows there's an infestation of fans filling the arena ahead of Papa Roach's evening set. It really is rammed as they take to the stage, and they draw one of the biggest crowds of the weekend. Keeping the '90s alive, they roll out their "Nu metal time machine" once more. "We want to celebrate the era of nu metal!", declares Jacoby Shaddix, before his band crash headlong into Korn's 'Blind', Deftones' 'My Own Summer (Shove It), Limp Bizkit's 'Break Stuff', and System of a Down's 'Chop Suey!' and finally, their own 'Last Resort'.
So far it's all been main stage action, but the event has so much more to offer, and tucked away in a hidden corner among the trees is the Gehenna stage, where London trio Calva Louise are playing. They're fronted by Venezuelan multi-instrumentalist Jess Allanic and play technical alt metal, which blows the heads off the unsuspecting attendees. It's an emotional set, which is heightened by the recent events in her home country. "I feel so privileged to play here. I feel like I'm going to cry", she says, only just holding back the tears; "hopefully, all of us have our hearts with what is happening in Venezuela". A round of applause confirms that yes, everyone is behind her.
Bring Me the Horizon close out the main stage with their emotive metalcore before post-headliners Sepultura
bring the curtain down on not just day two, but their career. Tonight is their final Danish gig, and guitarist Andreas Kisser is in the mood for reminiscing; "I remember the first time we came here in 1989 on a tour with Sodom", he says, however this is no mournful goodbye, and the Brazilians blast through their catalogue from oldies like 'Inner Self' and 'Escape to the Void' to a trio from new EP 'The Cloud of Unknowing'.
It's relentless, however there's a moment of calm with acoustic tribal jam 'Kiowas', which sees various friends including Todd LA Torre joining them to add extra muscle on the toms.
As the final notes of 'Roots Bloody Roots' fade and Sepultura take their final bows, you can't help feeling that they'll be missed when they're gone.
Queensrÿche take to the stage a few hours later. There's no big screen animations this time, so it's the music that has to set the scene alone, but with tracks as strong as 'Revolution Calling' and 'Empire', that's hardly an issue. Focusing exclusively on their classic era, Queensrÿche give the fans exactly what they want to hear.
As Queensrÿche take their bows there's an infestation of fans filling the arena ahead of Papa Roach's evening set. It really is rammed as they take to the stage, and they draw one of the biggest crowds of the weekend. Keeping the '90s alive, they roll out their "Nu metal time machine" once more. "We want to celebrate the era of nu metal!", declares Jacoby Shaddix, before his band crash headlong into Korn's 'Blind', Deftones' 'My Own Summer (Shove It), Limp Bizkit's 'Break Stuff', and System of a Down's 'Chop Suey!' and finally, their own 'Last Resort'.
So far it's all been main stage action, but the event has so much more to offer, and tucked away in a hidden corner among the trees is the Gehenna stage, where London trio Calva Louise are playing. They're fronted by Venezuelan multi-instrumentalist Jess Allanic and play technical alt metal, which blows the heads off the unsuspecting attendees. It's an emotional set, which is heightened by the recent events in her home country. "I feel so privileged to play here. I feel like I'm going to cry", she says, only just holding back the tears; "hopefully, all of us have our hearts with what is happening in Venezuela". A round of applause confirms that yes, everyone is behind her.
Bring Me the Horizon close out the main stage with their emotive metalcore before post-headliners Sepultura
bring the curtain down on not just day two, but their career. Tonight is their final Danish gig, and guitarist Andreas Kisser is in the mood for reminiscing; "I remember the first time we came here in 1989 on a tour with Sodom", he says, however this is no mournful goodbye, and the Brazilians blast through their catalogue from oldies like 'Inner Self' and 'Escape to the Void' to a trio from new EP 'The Cloud of Unknowing'.
It's relentless, however there's a moment of calm with acoustic tribal jam 'Kiowas', which sees various friends including Todd LA Torre joining them to add extra muscle on the toms.
As the final notes of 'Roots Bloody Roots' fade and Sepultura take their final bows, you can't help feeling that they'll be missed when they're gone.
Queensrÿche at Copenhell 2026. Photo; Louise Phillips
By day three [Friday 26 June] even Maynard James Keenan is feeling the heat. A man of few words, as A Perfect Circle take to the stage all he musters is a simple "hot as fuck", and yeah, it is. It's 32°C and APC are the perfect band at these temperatures. Their mid-paced pensive sounds require (mostly) minimal energy from those watching, but that doesn't mean there isn't some that will rise to it, and a mosh pit erupts during 'Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums'.
The band's sound is full and rich, and the guitar tones that Billy Howerdel creates mark him as alt metal's The Edge. MJK's vocals meanwhile are huge.
With Twisted Sister pulling out, organisers have put together sometime special to celebrate the festival's fifteenth anniversary. Dubbed '15 Years in Hell', a host of Danish musicians come together for a one-off performance that is entirely fitting for the event. As the show begins, "welcome to hell. Welcome home!", flashes across the big screen, and there is a genuine feeling of togetherness between the fans, musicians, and organisers.
It kicks off, appropriately, with a brace of Twisted Sister classics in 'We're Not Gonna Take it' and 'I Wanna Rock' with a cast that includes Glenn Hughes man Søren Andersen on guitar before onetime Ozzy man Gus G joins for 'Paranoid' and 'No More Tears'.
When Anthrax's Joey Belladonna steps up for a faithful take on Deep Purple's 'Highway Star' things really start to lift. Joey has the pipes to handle a song like this, and it's a joy to see him sing the song's guitar solo melody while G and Andersen shred Richie Blackmore's parts.
Elsewhere, alt icon Ditte Krøyer is outstanding on Slipknot's 'Psychosocial', and the movie and tv themed guitar dual between Gus and Søren is an unexpected highlight.
It all ends with a breathtaking fireworks display before post-headliners Anthrax hit the stage. Seven years since their last Danish show, the New Yorkers are met by a rabid response, with mayhem erupting from the opening notes of 'Among the Living' that barely lets up until they take their bows an hour later.
It's a relentless barrage of thrash that touches on all corners of their classic era. The only breaks for air occur with the welcome addition of later period highlight 'Breathing Lightning' and 'Antisocial's singalong intro.
The band's sound is full and rich, and the guitar tones that Billy Howerdel creates mark him as alt metal's The Edge. MJK's vocals meanwhile are huge.
With Twisted Sister pulling out, organisers have put together sometime special to celebrate the festival's fifteenth anniversary. Dubbed '15 Years in Hell', a host of Danish musicians come together for a one-off performance that is entirely fitting for the event. As the show begins, "welcome to hell. Welcome home!", flashes across the big screen, and there is a genuine feeling of togetherness between the fans, musicians, and organisers.
It kicks off, appropriately, with a brace of Twisted Sister classics in 'We're Not Gonna Take it' and 'I Wanna Rock' with a cast that includes Glenn Hughes man Søren Andersen on guitar before onetime Ozzy man Gus G joins for 'Paranoid' and 'No More Tears'.
When Anthrax's Joey Belladonna steps up for a faithful take on Deep Purple's 'Highway Star' things really start to lift. Joey has the pipes to handle a song like this, and it's a joy to see him sing the song's guitar solo melody while G and Andersen shred Richie Blackmore's parts.
Elsewhere, alt icon Ditte Krøyer is outstanding on Slipknot's 'Psychosocial', and the movie and tv themed guitar dual between Gus and Søren is an unexpected highlight.
It all ends with a breathtaking fireworks display before post-headliners Anthrax hit the stage. Seven years since their last Danish show, the New Yorkers are met by a rabid response, with mayhem erupting from the opening notes of 'Among the Living' that barely lets up until they take their bows an hour later.
It's a relentless barrage of thrash that touches on all corners of their classic era. The only breaks for air occur with the welcome addition of later period highlight 'Breathing Lightning' and 'Antisocial's singalong intro.
Anthrax at Copenhell 2026. Photo: Louise Phillips
Saturday [27 June] may be boiling hot, but storm clouds are on the horizon, and as will play out, will leave its mark on Copenhell.
Before that however, the UK's Vexed are delivering their deathcore dirge over in Gehenna stage. "I want you guys to be extra naughty for me", requests vocalist Megan Targett; "show these English your circle pit!" before delivering one of the heaviest breakdowns of the weekend.
They're not the only UK band on the bill, and back in the main arena Saxon are on top form and going down a storm. "It's good to be back here in Denmark with all you Vikings!", declares main man Biff Byford, as they launch into another stone cold classic. Their set is filled with them, from NWOBHM staples like 'Motorcycle Man' and 'Dallas 1pm', to songs of a more recent vintage like opener 'Hell, Fire and Damnation'.
As the set ends, Byford teases that they might return in a couple of years with their famed eagle lighting rig, making us wonder; is a huge fiftieth anniversary tour in the planning?
Closing out a major event doesn't come easy, but with a hometown show for one of Denmark's biggest music exports, tonight promises to be something special, and Volbeat easily rise to the challenge. Unsurprisingly, there's a capacity crowd in the arena as the band kick off, and front man Michael Poulsen is loving every minute of it. "You truly live up to the name Copenhell!", he declares following a seductive 'Lola Montez' and a devilish 'Demonic Possession'.
With various members strutting up and down the ego ramp that leads into the middle of the arena, tonight is proving one hell of a party, and 'The Devil's Bleeding Crown' raises the atmosphere to new heights before fellow Dane Johan Olsen joins the band for a barnstorming 'For Evigt'.
'Shotgun Blues' only builds on that momentum, as does 'Seal the Deal', and then, with almost clairvoyant-like timing, a stage hand appears. "A crew member told us that lightning is on its way", announces Poulsen, appearing just as shocked as everyone else; "we have to be on our way. This is not how we want it to end, but..."
It's an ominous full stop, but within seconds of the announcement, a storm erupts. And it's biblical; fork lightning, flashes in the sky, and a torrential downpour that seems to be delivering weeks' of rainfall in minutes. Clearing the arena, it seems, was definitely the right call.
Before that however, the UK's Vexed are delivering their deathcore dirge over in Gehenna stage. "I want you guys to be extra naughty for me", requests vocalist Megan Targett; "show these English your circle pit!" before delivering one of the heaviest breakdowns of the weekend.
They're not the only UK band on the bill, and back in the main arena Saxon are on top form and going down a storm. "It's good to be back here in Denmark with all you Vikings!", declares main man Biff Byford, as they launch into another stone cold classic. Their set is filled with them, from NWOBHM staples like 'Motorcycle Man' and 'Dallas 1pm', to songs of a more recent vintage like opener 'Hell, Fire and Damnation'.
As the set ends, Byford teases that they might return in a couple of years with their famed eagle lighting rig, making us wonder; is a huge fiftieth anniversary tour in the planning?
Closing out a major event doesn't come easy, but with a hometown show for one of Denmark's biggest music exports, tonight promises to be something special, and Volbeat easily rise to the challenge. Unsurprisingly, there's a capacity crowd in the arena as the band kick off, and front man Michael Poulsen is loving every minute of it. "You truly live up to the name Copenhell!", he declares following a seductive 'Lola Montez' and a devilish 'Demonic Possession'.
With various members strutting up and down the ego ramp that leads into the middle of the arena, tonight is proving one hell of a party, and 'The Devil's Bleeding Crown' raises the atmosphere to new heights before fellow Dane Johan Olsen joins the band for a barnstorming 'For Evigt'.
'Shotgun Blues' only builds on that momentum, as does 'Seal the Deal', and then, with almost clairvoyant-like timing, a stage hand appears. "A crew member told us that lightning is on its way", announces Poulsen, appearing just as shocked as everyone else; "we have to be on our way. This is not how we want it to end, but..."
It's an ominous full stop, but within seconds of the announcement, a storm erupts. And it's biblical; fork lightning, flashes in the sky, and a torrential downpour that seems to be delivering weeks' of rainfall in minutes. Clearing the arena, it seems, was definitely the right call.
Volbeat at Copenhell 2026. Photo: Adrian Hextall Mindhex Media
A festival this good demands a crescendo, and this is one hell of a way to go, and although Volbeat don't return to the stage, the weather clears in time for Babymetal's post-headline slot.
As the last of the storm clouds drift away over Refshaleøen, Copenhell's fifteenth anniversary comes to a close in a way that nobody could have scripted. Nature may have denied Volbeat the chance to finish their hometown triumph, but it couldn't wash away what had been an unforgettable four days.
Fifteen years on, Copenhell remains one of Europe's most unique metal gatherings. The lightning may have brought its fifteenth anniversary to an unexpected close, but it also provided the perfect metaphor for the weekend itself: loud, unpredictable and utterly unforgettable.
Copenhell returns in 2027. for more information visit copenhell.dk.
As the last of the storm clouds drift away over Refshaleøen, Copenhell's fifteenth anniversary comes to a close in a way that nobody could have scripted. Nature may have denied Volbeat the chance to finish their hometown triumph, but it couldn't wash away what had been an unforgettable four days.
Fifteen years on, Copenhell remains one of Europe's most unique metal gatherings. The lightning may have brought its fifteenth anniversary to an unexpected close, but it also provided the perfect metaphor for the weekend itself: loud, unpredictable and utterly unforgettable.
Copenhell returns in 2027. for more information visit copenhell.dk.