Going on for over two decades already, this purely evil Finnish black metal act with strong thrash roots is a perfect way to kick off a weekend full of madness. Even though it’s been more than seven years since their last release, Evil Angel still have more than enough material in their back catalog to rip people’s ears apart while the first festival beers of the weekend are being cracked open.

Evil Angel represent a very specific kind of Finnish underground black metal: raw, aggressive and proudly old-school without feeling nostalgic. Their live shows thrive on momentum rather than spectacle, making them an ideal opening assault to shake off travel fatigue and fully enter Steelfest mode.

US black metal duo FIN return to Steelfest nearly a decade after their previous appearance in 2017, a performance many attendees still remember for its sheer intensity. Consisting only of guitar, vocals and drums, FIN somehow create an overwhelming wall of sound that feels far larger than the lineup suggests.

Rather than relying on spectacle, FIN channel raw atmosphere and hypnotic repetition into something immersive and suffocating, balancing aggression with an almost trance-like momentum. Their material captures a colder and more introspective side of underground black metal, making this comeback appearance a highly anticipated moment for longtime Steelfest regulars curious to witness that sonic density live once again.

Hailing from Brazil, seeing Holocausto in 2026 is a must for any fan of blasphemous war metal. Going strong since 1985, this unit is a rare live experience and something you’ll only witness at Steelfest this year!

Celebrating their 40th anniversary with an exclusive appearance, Holocausto stand among the primordial architects of war metal that influenced countless underground acts worldwide. Their presence at Steelfest XIV is not just another booking but a genuine historical event, offering the attendees a chance to witness a band whose legacy was forged in tape-trading mythology long before the internet connected scenes globally.

Belgian black metal project Sabathan, led by Lord Sabathan — known as the longtime vocalist of Enthroned between 1993 and 2006 — offers something unique on the Steelfest bill: a return to classic second-wave European black metal roots.

Rather than presenting original material, Sabathan focuses entirely on performing old-school Enthroned classics, keeping the pagan fire alive for audiences who grew up with the Belgian institution’s early era. The project provides a ceremonial resurrection of a specific chapter in black metal history. This performance is an essential stop for fans wanting to experience that legacy delivered directly by one of its original voices. Lord Sabathan will also be appearing the following day with Heinous, one of his current active projects.

Canadian extremists Revenge are never an easy listen and that is precisely the point. Their fusion of war metal, death metal brutality and total sonic annihilation turns every performance into an overwhelming sensory assault. Revenge shows are a perfect explosion of relentless aggression. Precision chaos, relentless pacing and suffocating atmosphere make this a mandatory stop for anyone seeking the most uncompromising part of Steelfest, and a perfect way to wrap up the very first festival day!