Often a maligned genre these keepers of all things anthemic and fantastical, bring their epic quest to KK's Steel Mill for the biggest adventure yet. A full day of traditional/power/prog/symphonic metal in front of the baying hordes, ripe for them to raise their swords and make the sign of the hammer to all day.
This year there's also a plethora of other pursuits and side quests to tempt you away from your destiny. From the tales of official bard Eärendil Steen, to Magic The Gathering, Table Top Skirmishes and Retro Gaming, there will be plenty to entertain you in between your musical dalliances.
In terms of music the day begins with Heroes Of The Gauntlet, "A symphonic power metal online collaboration inspired by Gauntlet: Slayer Edition." they will be live and in the flesh for all to hear and see as they open up the day with collaborative symphonic metal.
After them it will be Stormborn who will ramp up the heavy for some razor sharp heavy power metal who's last album was praised highly in this scroll.
Expect histirionic vocals, galloping riffs and some metallic muscle, if any band is going to get you wielding your axe with might then Stormborn will be it.
From axes to trebuchet's it's the band who wield a broadsword on stage Sellsword who return to Quest Fest with more epic battle metal from Albions realm.
Last time it was one of their first shows with new singer Nathan Harrison, but now he ably leads the charge from the front like all good generals should. Expect songs about Arthur, Avalon and of course Trebuchets!
Another return but one that is still long overdue as personally few bands sum up the ethos of Quest Fest better than Fellowship. The Tolkien inspired cinematic power metal always brings joy to anyone that watches them.
This will definitely be one of the most epic sets of the day as we will all collectively be joining them on their journey towards Mount Doom.
Joining the quest from across the water in the USA are the symphonic metal heroes in Seven Spires, showcasing the incredible voice of Adrienne Cowan, who is also a member of transatlantic storytellers Avantasia.
Seven Spires own sound puts cinematic, theatical symphonic side alongside a tougher heavy metal sound. They will definitely bring a spectacle to KK's so come and witness these spires rise.
As the night encloses the time comes for legends to take the stage with Dawn Of Victory up first. If the name seems familiar then it's probably because the band have taken it from a song on the Emerald Sword Saga by symphonic metal originators Rhapsody.
Why? We hear you shout from the back of the tavern, because Dawn Of Victory is the new project from Rhapsody's founding vocalist Fabio Lione (and Rhapsody/Sieges Even drummer Alex Holzwarth) who will be delivering a set of classic Rhapsody material drawn from those now legendary Emerald Sword Saga records. Be ready to shout along at the top of your lungs when Lione takes back to late 90's/early 2000's power metal glory days.
Speaking of glory days the final act of our epic Quest Fest this year are the Finnish power metal royalty Sonata Arctica. The long tenured act have one of the strongest documents of music around them and while they will be playing their expansive, proggy modern cuts there will also be plenty of room for those early classics such as Replica, San Sebastian, Wolf & Raven and hopefully Don't Say A Word.
It will be a suitably epic way to close Quest Fest 2026, voices in unison singing along to more anthems from the early days of the power metal genre. When Sonata Arctica take the stage the final quest for this year reaches it's climax, battle weary and bleary eyed we will once again taste victory because of a collective effort from all those involved in Quest Fest.
So rest easy traveller as the time draws near, keep your sword close while you slumber, for tomorrow we ride to victory once more.
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