Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Heidenfest is officially back, and it honestly felt like 2011 all over again—in the best way possible. After an 11-year hiatus, the 2026 “Resurrection” tour finally marched into London’s Islington Assembly Hall. The air was thick with nostalgia for a festival that once championed icons like Turisas and Wintersun. Remarkably, despite dominating the scene for over two decades, Korpiklaani and Finntroll are only now sharing a tour bus for the first time.
Even with such a legendary lineup, the hall wasn’t a total sell-out. A 5:30 PM start on a Tuesday is a tall order for the working crowd, and unfortunately, the early kick-off meant we missed the opening set from The Dread Crew of Oddwood.
By the time we arrived, TrollfesT was taking the stage, and they are undeniably the wildcards of the genre. I’d heard rumours of their “flamingo moves,” but nothing prepares you for a stage full of pink masks, makeup, and feathers.
It was pure, beautiful chaos. The band is currently obsessed with flamingos, and they made sure we were, too. One minute we were caught in a massive conga line weaving through the venue to “Piña Colada,” and the next, the entire room of metalheads was bouncing around with balloons, and of course inflatable flamingos. It’s the most fun you can have at a show.
Photo: Peterson Marti.
The mood shifted from pink feathers to polished steel as Heidevolk took command. If you know this band, you know the power of their dual-vocal attack. It feels as though a Viking crew is rowing a longship right through the center of the Assembly Hall. Newcomer Daniël den Dorstighe, who joined in 2021, has synchronized perfectly with the band, filling the room with a literal battle cry.
While tracks like “A Wolf in My Heart” had the crowd howling along, the highlight was the atmospheric “Yngwaz’ Zonen.” The lights dimmed, the drums began a tribal pulse, and the goosebumps were immediate. It was a haunting, historical break in the high-energy set—at least until the crowd started demanding “Vulgaris Magistralis,” which the band delivered with crushing force.
Photo: Peterson Marti.
As the lights went down again, the signature pointy ears emerged from the shadows. Finntroll brought a darker, moodier intensity to the night. The big question on everyone’s mind was how Kistelach would handle vocal duties while Vreth is on a health break. The answer? He absolutely nailed it.
Kistelach brought a ferocious black-metal edge that felt entirely genuine. His stage presence was magnetic, moving with a natural chemistry that made it feel like he’d been there since day one. Their musicianship is a fascinating paradox—both comforting in its familiarity and absolutely punishing in its power. Between the non-stop mosh pits and the grim, forest-dwelling atmosphere, Finntroll’s set was a standout performance that totally took over the venue.
Photo: Peterson Marti.
By the time Korpiklaani arrived, the Islington Assembly Hall had effectively been transformed into a giant tavern. There is a refreshing honesty to these guys—no backing tracks, no pre-recorded choirs, just six musicians playing their hearts out. The stage design added to the folklore, featuring trees and small gnomes tucked away across the set.
Jonne is a true legend; his smile alone commands the room. One minute we were moshing, the next we were essentially line-dancing with strangers. Behind the kit, Samuli was a powerhouse, keeping the floor shaking so hard I thought the building might give way. They played a massive, career-spanning set that left everyone exhausted but grinning ear-to-ear.
If this is what the “resurrection” of Heidenfest looks like, sign me up for the 2027 edition!
Photo: Peterson Marti.
