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Has it been a year already? It seemed like it was only a few weeks ago that I was gawping over Blood Incantation putting on a masterclass, one that it is still vivid in the memory banks. Well, time’s endless march carried on and brought me to today, the next edition of London's premier extreme metal festival, Incineration 2026. Once again marking the beginning of festival season, this year's line-up may have lacked that zeitgeist act, but it had a strength in depth that made it a must-go event.

While last year's edition was marked by being oversold, this year's edition thankfully avoided this (for the most part), and was a smooth and highly enjoyable event that brought together a line-up featuring some of the best metal acts, running the gamut from death metal acts rarely on these shores, to unique black metal acts making their only UK appearance. Alas, as is the case with these festivals, clashes were inevitable; while it was theoretically possible to run between stages (for the most part), I opted to just pick 1 of said bands and enjoy the full experience.



Anyone with knowledge of Camden's venue could see one glaring issue when the clashfinder was released, and one that came to pass. For those unaware, the decision to pair The Roundhouse (the largest venue with a capacity of 3,300) with The Underworld (500) and The Dev (100), then rotating to the Electric Ballroom (1,500) and Black Heart (150) meant that if a must-see act was on at the Ballroom then it would quickly overfill (subtle forewarning), as the ability to disperse the audience was not there. Still, I was fortunate to have only been affected by this rather baffling ordering issue once, and, on the whole, had a brilliant day of it.

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Sawticide 13:50-14:20, The Dev

Having met up with my friends and spent a good time catching up and drinking, the day's musical entertainment began at a rather crowded Dev. Sawticide's thrash-inflected death metal was just the tonic to kick the day off in style, getting the blood pumping and easing you into the marathon (not a sprint) experience that is a festival.

Der Weg Einer Freiheit 14:20-15:00, Electric Ballroom



With the last-minute cancellation of Afsky, it fell to Der Weg Einer Freiheit to open the Electric Ballroom stage. Already packed and arriving just as the band was taking to the stage, my friends and I found ourselves relegated to a spot at the back of the hall. While it could be argued getting closer could have aided getting swept up in the moment, Der Weg Einer Freiheit were OK, but they aren't a band that's ever really clicked with me, something only reinforced by seeing them live.

Not a bad show by any means, but not for me.

Der Weg Einer Freiheit setlist:

01. Matter
02. Xibalba
03. Eos
04. Aufbruch

Vreid 15:40-16:25, Electric Ballroom



While I had wanted to see Grave Miasma, the time it would take to walk to The Roundhouse and back for Vreid would have meant seeing about 15 minutes the band before, so I instead opted to stay put, sit and drink.

I was particularly excited to see Vreid as I had only seen them once many moons ago, long before I was a fan of black metal and therefore without really appreciating them. My opinion on the group has since improved greatly (to the point that The Skies Turn Black is currently in my top ten list of the year) and they were one of my must-sees for the day.

With the band taking to the stage for the final time on their current European tour, they were hardly worse for wear, the previous few weeks having seen them hone their performance to the point that today's truncated show was unmissable from start to finish.

With the sound taking some time to gel, it gave "Pitch Black" a more stripped-back sound that lent it an extra punky edge, before the sound found its sweet spot by "The Skies Turn Black", and I was enthralled until the finish. With the latest album cuts slotting in naturally next to the classics, it meant there was no lull or waiting for the next song to start.

A must-see the next time they come to the UK for sure.

Vreid setlist:

01. Pitch-black
02. The Skies Turn Black
03. Speak Goddammit
04. Into The Mountains
05. From These Woods
06. Lifehunger

Vomitory 17:10-17:55, Electric Ballroom



Having been at the front for Vreid, it meant we were among the last to leave the venue and consequently were stuck at the back for Of Feather And Bone at The Underworld, so to rate them would be unfair as I couldn't really get into it, nor did we stay long as a result, but they seemed decent enough.

Returning to the Ballroom and taking position up the front, it was clear Vomitory were high up the priority list (unsurprising when you consider the excellent In Death Throes that had only just come out) for many others, given how many were already in prime spots awaiting them.

Now, I had seen Vomitory in this venue only a few short years ago, but the sound was so poor I left early. Thankfully, this was not the experience today, to the point it was probably the best any band sounded all day; the band sounded like a wrecking ball swinging wildly and destroying all before them.

Tearing into tracks with barely a moment to breathe, the mosh pits engulfed a large portion of the crowd as the likes of "Two And A Half Men", "Wrath Unbound" and "For Gore And Country" provided crushing soundtracks to move to, death metal done perfectly.

Given the quality of the competition, it’s a tough choice, but I'd say Vomitory just edged it as band of the day.

Vomitory setlist:

01. For Gore And Country
02. All Heads Are Gonna Roll
03. Two And A Half Men
04. Piece By Stinking Piece
05. Wrath Unbound
06. Chaos Fury

Overpower 18:45-19:35, The Black Heart



Having decided to use the gap in our schedule to go grab some food, we returned to the Ballroom early to get a spot for Dragged Into Sunlight (a band I hoped to experience as I had to miss them at Damnation due to illness, and have spent the subsequent years being told I had missed a legendary set), only to be told that the venue was already full. The decision to order the venues as the organisers had consequently meant myself and others (and, I'm sure plenty of others at other times throughout the day) had to miss out on such popular acts, despite arriving early.

As there was only one other band on at the time, we plumped to see Overpower at The Black Heart, a band I had heard of, but not actually listened to (yes, I don't listen to every thrash band going, despite my attempts to). Coming out to an empty venue that slowly filled out over time, the band's cookie cutter sound and chainmail-covered singer couldn't make up for the disappointment of missing out. We ended up leaving early to make sure we got to see Grave all the way at The Roundhouse.

Grave 19:45-20:35, The Roundhouse



Leaving Overpower early ultimately proved to be an easy decision to make, and a necessary one anyway, as the walk between the Roundhouse and the rest of the venues necessitated it if you wanted to get a good spot to see the following act, one that was a must for me given who was playing.

Grave alone were mandatory viewing for me, but when it was announced that they had pulled the original line-up... well, out of the grave, my excitement went through the roof. This also meant an old school set of the band's earlier work, and so I was very in my element. While the band's sound did seem to get a bit lost in the large venue, it still retained a powerful punch that highlighted why "Deformed" and "And Here I Die" are death metal classics. The band retained a raw, stripped back charm, but the occasional flame pot flash did bring you back to reality after realising you had just switched off and were hooked on the music.

I would have stayed for the whole set, but I was outvoted and had to leave early to ensure a spot for the next band after the experience of missing out on Dragged Into Sunlight. All I can say is, the next band had better damn well make sure it's worth it.

Grave setlist:

01. You'll Never See
02. Deformed
03. Into The Grave
04. Soulless
05. Christi(ns)anity
06. Life In Disgrace
07. And Here I Die
08. Black Dawn
09. Extremely Rotten Flesh

Hypocrisy 20:35-21:35, Electric Ballroom



...Yeah, as hard as it was to skip out on Grave, Hypocrisy more than made up for it. While I had been disappointed by them the one time I had seen them before, I was converted and then some after witnessing this performance.

Across a tight and powerful set, Hypocrisy had a crystal clear mix that they more than took advantage of, with a tight performance of some powerful slabs of death metal. The chunky tone of the guitars just felt like a sledgehammer to the chest on cuts like "Children Of The Grey", which made me question how the band didn't click for me before.

With the audience firmly in the palm of their hands, each track received rapturous roars on reception and, coupled with the stage show, just hooked you in throughout.

Alas, leaving two songs short of the full set was decided upon for a good spot at The Roundhouse, it would be worth it again, right...right?!

Hypocrisy setlist:

01. They Will Arrive
02. Fire In The Sky
03. Inferior Devoties
04. Children Of The Grey
05. Killing Art
06. Eraser
07. Deathrow (No Regrets)
08. Adjusting The Sun
09. Fractured Millennium
10. War-Path
11. Roswell 47

Blood Fire Death 21:45-23:00, The Roundhouse



For the second year in a row, Incineration was headlined by a tribute band, but what a tribute act this was: an all-star cast of black metal luminaries paying homage to one of the most legendary acts in the genre. Blood Fire Death is a rotating cast of established musicians switching in and out as they play Bathory classics, something those on stage did with precision and professionalism. The Roundhouse was packed out as the first incarnation of Blood Fire Death's rotating cast took to the stage.

Well, despite how well the band played and seamlessly changed in and out, it was undermined by what had to be one of the most amateur sound technicians around. From instruments all but becoming inaudible for tracks at a time, live mixes that seemed to fade in and out like waves to radio chatter seemingly played over the P.A. (which, when you're in the middle of the crowd and several beers deep makes you question your sanity at first, let me tell you), it seemed like Blood Fire Death were being tested to see if they could overcome and still entertain.

Well, the band for their part put on a brilliant performance, and one that would have been one for the ages had it not been for the sound; be it Erik Daniellson absolutely nailing "For Those Who Died", or finally getting to hear "The Return Of Darkness And Evil", it was a frustrating and occasionally enjoyable experience through no fault of the band. I left after "Sacrifice" as I was more frustrated than entertained, leaving the night on a low note when it could have so easily been the cherry atop a beautiful cake.

Blood Fire Death setlist:

01. A Fine Day To Die (with Gaahl)
02. Enter The Eternal Fire (with Erik Danielsson)
03. For All Those Who Died (with Erik Danielsson)
04. Sadist (Tormentor) (with Apollyon)
05. The Rite Of Darkness (with Apollyon)
06. Call From The Grave (with Grutle Kjellson)
07. Born For Burning (with Attila Csihar)
08. Under The Runes (with Apollyon)
09. The Return Of Darkness And Evil (with Erik Danielsson and Frederick Melander)
10. Sacrifice (with Erik Danielsson and Frederick Melander)
11. Woman Of Dark Desires (with Erik Danielsson and Attila Csihar)
12. Blood Fire Death (with Erik Danielsson; Grutle Kjellson hid in the choir)

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Conclusion

While the day ended on a sour note, it still didn't diminish that this festival was highly enjoyable and more than worth the price of admission (don't tell the promoter), thanks to the top quality performances the bands put in. While it was an improvement on last year, Incineration Festival still has a few flaws it needs to iron out if it's to improve the experience for attendees; still, it at least made big strides in addressing them this year.

Which tribute act will headline next year? Who knows! But if the festival continues to provide such strength in depth quality wise, does it really matter?

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