Damnation Festival announce three new bands

May 10, 2023 James Weaver

Three new bands have been announced for this year’s Damnation Festival!

Following last month’s announcement, which saw the likes of CELESTIAL SANCTUARY, TUSKAR, INHUMAN NATURE and more announced for the festival’s A Night Of Salvation, now, another three bands have been announced for this year’s festival!

Leading the charge in the latest announcement is New York noise rock queen, JULIE CHRISTMAS, will perform a UK exclusive show at this year’s Damnation. The one-off set is the band’s only planned European outing for the remainder of 2023.

Meanwhile, US death metallers UNDEATH have also been added to the line-up for their Damnation debut. Speaking about performing, they say, “Damnation has been a fest that we’ve wanted to play since we started UNDEATH a few years ago, so it feels surreal that we finally get a chance to tear it up with y’all in Manchester this fall. We can’t wait.”

Rounding up the newest announcement is Sheffield sludge trio KUROKUMA, who also make their Damnation debut. They say, “it’s time. The primordial force known as KUROKUMA are proud to finally unleash our mind-melting brand of savagely transcendental metal upon the hordes of Damnation.”

Speaking about the newest announcement, festival organiser Gavin McInally says, “for many fans, myself included, having Julie Christmas perform Mariner with CULT OF LUNA in 2016 was a top tier Damnation moment. To have her back with new music and the prospect of The Bad Wife, Made Out of Babies and Battle of Mice classics, is a genuine privilege. If you missed that Mariner set seven years ago and have kicked yourself ever since, don’t make the same mistake this year. UNDEATH tore through the UK on a blistering sold-out tour earlier this year and it’s going to be something special to see them lay waste to BEC Arena in similar fashion. While KUROKUMA have been on our radar for what feels like forever, so it’s fitting to finally offer their unique blend of hypnotising sludge a home at Damnation.”

In addition, due to a diary clash, HERIOT have moved from Damnation to A Night of Salvation, switching with OHHMS, who will now play the main festival. Gavin adds, “while it’s never ideal to have to rearrange line-ups, and we apologise for any inconvenience to fans, we’re delighted to have been able to hold onto the incredible HERIOT and would like to thank OHHMS for their flexibility to allow that to happen. HERIOT now join label mates CELESTIAL SANCTUARY, INHUMAN NATURE and TUSKAR on the Church Road Records Stage on the Friday.”