Hyperspace Metal Festival has announced the first batch of bands confirmed for its 2026 lineup, marking the festival’s return to Vancouver this spring. The event will take place across April 16 and 17 at The Cobalt, followed by April 18 at the Rickshaw Theatre, continuing its multi-venue format in the city.
The initial wave of performers includes Sanctuary, Owlbear, Atavistia, Voidchaser, Artificial Language, Witchkiller, Ophelia Falling, Lycanthro, Thorsguard, and Valley of Despair, with additional acts to be announced in the coming months.
Organized by Journeyman Productions, Hyperspace Metal Fest enters its seventh year following another sold-out cycle of high-energy performances focused on melodic, power, progressive, and extreme metal. Festival organizer Joey Hockin confirmed that the 2026 edition is expected to be the event’s final chapter for the foreseeable future, as the festival will enter an indefinite hiatus after this year.
A key highlight of the announcement is Sanctuary, who will deliver a Canadian-exclusive performance of their 1990 album Into the Mirror Black in its entirety. The Seattle-founded band remains a landmark name in U.S. heavy metal history and continues to perform internationally following their 2011 reformation.
Returning artists and alumni also feature prominently in the first announcement, including Atavistia and Ophelia Falling, alongside emerging and internationally active acts such as Voidchaser and Artificial Language. Together, the lineup reflects Hyperspace Metal Fest’s long-standing focus on melodic depth, technical performance, and genre diversity.
One-day and three-day passes for Hyperspace Metal Festival 2026 are currently available, and an official Spotify playlist highlighting confirmed artists has been released to accompany the announcement.
Over its six previous editions, Hyperspace Metal Festival has hosted a wide range of international and Canadian acts spanning power, prog, melodic death, and speed metal, establishing itself as a key fixture in Western Canada’s heavy music calendar.
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