News

Tim “Ripper” Owens headlines Nordic Noise 2026 – final line-up announced

Author Benedetta Baldin - 20.1.2026

For the 14th consecutive year, Nordic Noise brings metal and rock fans together for one of Denmark’s longest-running and most respected heavy music festivals. Today, Nordic Noise proudly announces the headliner for the 2026 edition: none other than Tim “Ripper” Owens.

Owens is internationally renowned for his time as vocalist of Judas Priest, and more recently KK’s Priest alongside founding guitarist K.K. Downing. Audiences can look forward to a powerful headline performance featuring classic material from across his celebrated career.

The 2026 line-up also includes W.A.S.P. icon Chris Holmes, performing with H.O.L.M.E.S. – The Sound of W.A.S.P., Danish thrash metal legends Artillery, who will celebrate the release of their new album “Made In Hell” with a signing session and meet & greet, as well as a strong selection of Danish and international metal and hard rock acts.

LINE-UP – NORDIC NOISE 2026

Tim “Ripper” Owens (US)
H.O.L.M.E.S. – The Sound of W.A.S.P. (US)
Artillery (DK)
Thunderor (CA)
Captain Black Beard (SE)
Osukaru (SE)
Animalyze (DK)
Steel Inferno (DK)
Meridian (DK)
Impalers (DK)
Michael Catton (DK)
Wasted (DK)
Black Swamp Water (DK)
Exelerate (DK)
Blue Rose Down (DK)
Nighthawk (SE)
Mantric Momentum (NO)
Lextraneus (DK)

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Thursday, May 14 (Ascension Day)
Artillery (DK) – 22:30–23:30
Animalyze (DK) – 21:00–22:00
Michael Catton (DK) – 19:30–20:30
Exelerate (DK) – 18:00–19:00
Lextraneus (DK) – 16:30–17:30
Blue Rose Down (DK) – 15:00–16:00

Friday, May 15
Chris Holmes – The Sound of W.A.S.P. (US) – 22:30–23:30
Nighthawk (SE) – 21:00–22:00
Thunderor (CA) – 19:30–20:30
Impalers (DK) – 18:00–19:00
Osukaru (SE) – 16:30–17:30
Mantric Momentum (NO) – 15:00–16:00

Saturday, May 16
Tim “Ripper” Owens (US) – 22:30–23:30
Steel Inferno (DK) – 21:00–22:00
Meridian (DK) – 19:30–20:30
Captain Black Beard (SE) – 18:00–19:00
Wasted (DK) – 16:30–17:30
Black Swamp Water (DK) – 15:00–16:00

Doors open at 14:30 all three days. After the six live concerts each day, the festival continues with a Metal-Rock Night Club featuring DJs until 03:00 every night.
The festival also features a metal market, Biergarten, bodega and more, spread across three floors.

TICKETS
3-day pass: DKK 699
1-day ticket: DKK 349
Venue: Rust, Copenhagen (Presented by Rust In Peace – www.rustinpeace.dk=