5 “Cannot Miss” Bands For Mystic Competition 2026

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Mystic Competition 2026 – These Are My 5 “Cannot Miss” Bands From This Yr’s Line-up

Band Photograph: Megadeth (?)

Mystic Competition is lower than two weeks away, and it’s already time to start out planning which shirts I’m bringing to put on to the competition. Perhaps I’m exaggerating—perhaps not. In all seriousness, I’m beginning to map out the each day line-up schedules, and it’s nearly overwhelming. There are such a lot of nice new (and previous) bands to see this 12 months!
Right here’s my should see/can’t miss high 5 band checklist:

1. Neckbreakker – Previously often called Nakkeknaekker, these kids (with a median age of 21) had been already wowing main competition crowds with their uncooked and crushing dying metallic sound in 2022! I noticed them below the Nakkeknaekker moniker in 2024 at Mystic Competition, and so they had been already enjoying like seasoned veterans of the summer time competition circuit. It’s solely been two years, however I’m tremendous excited to see how they’ve grown musically and when it comes to efficiency this 12 months!

Neckbreakker breaking necks at Mystic Competition in 2024

2. Disharmonic Orchestra – I used to be in my late teenagers after I first realized about this Austrian dying metallic band via fanzines. I nonetheless personal certainly one of their early 7” releases and used to take heed to my mates’ copies of their early work. I don’t bear in mind them ever touring stateside, aside from a one-off competition look. Mystic Competition brings them into the lineup this 12 months, and I’m trying ahead to reliving a few of my metallic youth once they kick off the competition throughout this 12 months’s warm-up day.

3. Bloodywood – Sure, they’re stylish proper now, and I’m usually towards seeing a band simply because their reputation has exploded virtually in a single day. However the stats don’t lie: they went from early competition opening slots and supporting numerous excursions to enjoying prime competition instances and headlining their very own excursions in only a 12 months. They’re one of the vital common metallic bands to ever come out of India, and that alone is price my effort and time to catch them.

4. Scour – Certainly one of Phil Anselmo’s quite a few aspect initiatives, this one must be my favourite. Their model of black metallic has a European really feel at instances, nevertheless it’s troublesome to not hear Anselmo’s punkish vocal supply, which brings you again stateside to a rusty Louisiana band shed dripping with Spanish moss. Most of his fanbase will probably be going to see Down on the day earlier than on the Principal Stage, however his true followers will probably be simply as pleased to catch him at his heaviest on Saturday on the Desert Shrine stage.

5. Megadeth – Let me preface this by stating I’m truly not trying ahead to seeing Megadeth. I do know, it’s complicated. I’m going to look at them to indicate my respect, since it will possible be the final time I ever see them. Dave Mustaine and the band haven’t been related to me for nicely over 20 years—perhaps extra. I first noticed Megadeth throughout their Wake Up Lifeless tour, and that’s the reminiscence I wish to maintain. Sadly, that snarling, indignant, blistering guitarist Dave Mustaine feels extra like a shadow of himself to me now. I want him the perfect in his retirement, no matter which will seem like, however I’m glad he’s placing Megadeth to mattress. R.I.P. Vic Rattlehead.

We’re going to overlook that snarl Dave!

Mystic Competition – It’s not solely these bands that I’m trying ahead to at this 12 months’s Mystic Competition, but in addition all the pieces that makes it certainly one of my favourite metallic festivals ever.

Right here’s a brief checklist of why Mystic must be in your competition bucket checklist: the group is at all times top-tier; getting from one stage to a different is simple; there are shorter strains for meals and drinks in comparison with different mid-sized festivals; there are many porta-potties; the number of meals and drinks is huge; the merch choice is strong; ticket and on-site costs are affordable; among the finest perks is the supply of locations to remain dry when it begins to rain; and final however not least, the number of bands 12 months in and 12 months out is healthier than most main festivals.

This would be the final time Mystic Competition is held on the Gdansk Shipyard, which has been its dwelling for the previous 5 years, so it’ll be a bittersweet swansong of kinds. Nonetheless, Mystic Competition has by no means did not ship, and I’m already trying ahead to what lies forward in 2027. However first, I’m going to soak in 2026’s providing and I’ll let you realize my ideas on it someday in July. Test again later!

Megadeth on the Mystic Principal Stage in 2024

Metallic is not only a sort of music, it is a life-style for Nikos Mixas. Along with enjoying guitar for the Phoenix’s personal Mosara, he is a contributing author for V13 and The Sludgelord. And when he is taking a break from all of it and on trip, you possibly can nearly make sure he is banging his head at a metallic competition someplace attention-grabbing.