Sonic Rites 2026 expands lineup with Russian Circles, Pelican, OvO & Vestal Climax

Helsinki-based Sonic Rites Festival continues to shape its 2026 edition into something truly special. Taking place once again in the Finnish capital at Ääniwalli May 22-23, the festival has just revealed four new names that strengthen its eclectic mix of post-metal, doom, punk, and experimental sounds.

After far too long, the masters of tension and release, Russian Circles, finally return to Finland. Known for their crushing dynamics and seamless passages between light and dark, the Chicago-based trio are guaranteed to deliver one of the most anticipated instrumental post-metal sets of the year.

Joining them are fellow pioneers Pelican, whose layered, powerful sound has been a cornerstone of instrumental post-metal for over two decades. With their latest album Flickering Resonance (2025), the band continues to expand their emotional yet heavy sonic landscapes and Sonic Rites will be the place to experience it live.

On a different yet equally fascinating path, Italian duo OvO return to Sonic Rites after their collaborative performance with Nadja in 2025. This time they bring their own haunting, genre-defying show that blends post-rock, industrial sludge, and avant-doom into ghostly atmospheres.

And from Helsinki itself comes Vestal Climax: a new force synthesizing the bass-driven, goth-club sound of the mid-80s with death, black, and doom roots. Their upcoming debut EP Biblical Proportions (produced by Olli Nokkalla and mastered by Arthur Rizk) will be out in November 2025, and Sonic Rites 2026 will be the perfect setting to witness their obsidian-heavy pulse on stage.

These additions join the already impressive lineup featuring Acid King, Discharge, Jesu, Wolfbrigade, Generation Decline, Sophia Djebel Rose, Vainoa, Sumea, Haapoja, Frigid Winter, and Cats of Transnistria.

With its adventurous curation spanning crushing heaviness, experimental depths, and underground treasures, Sonic Rites 2026 is going to be an unmissable celebration of the extreme and the atmospheric alike. Or as they say themselves: celebrating the darkest and heaviest elements of music. Get your tickets right here: https://events.liveto.io/events/sonic-rites-2026