Kaaos Festival 2026 completes lineup and reveals full schedule

The lineup for Kaaos Festival 2026 is now complete. Taking place in Vaasa’s Vaskiluoto district on July 24–25, the Finnish metal festival has announced its final artist addition and unveiled the full daily schedule for this summer’s event.

The last band added to the bill is Inborn Tendency, a three-piece modern death/groove metal act that emerged victorious from a competition featuring more than 200 bands. The group will open Saturday’s festivities.

Friday’s lineup features a strong mix of international acts and Finnish metal favorites. Japanese metal outfit Ryujin will perform their first-ever Finnish show, while Swedish pop-metal powerhouse Dead By April will make their only Finnish festival appearance of the summer. Melodic death metal supergroup The Halo Effect, featuring former members of In Flames, will headline the evening alongside Finnish heavyweights Insomnium and the rarely seen Nicole.

Saturday offers a series of unique performances. Swedish death metal veterans The Crown will play what is announced as their final-ever Finnish concert, while Japanese guitarist Ryoji Shinomoto will present a special tribute to late Children of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho. Local grindcore legends Rotten Sound will perform a rare Murderworks & Exit set, and former Nightwish vocalist Anette Olzon will perform songs from Dark Passion Play and Imaginaerum in Finland for the first time in more than a decade. Festival-goers will also witness the long-awaited return of Vaasa metal pioneers Misantropia, who are stepping back onto the stage after more than 30 years.

Festival promoter Arto Mäenpää notes that ticket sales are currently ahead of previous years and highlights the event’s exclusive performances as one of the festival’s biggest strengths.

Friday, July 24

Doors: 16:00

17:00–17:30 – Diabolisher
17:40–18:25 – Ryujin
18:35–19:05 – What Lies Beneath
19:15–20:15 – Dead By April
20:25–20:55 – Thyrargo
21:05–22:05 – Insomnium
22:15–23:15 – Nicole
23:25–00:40 – The Halo Effect

Saturday, July 25

Doors: 14:00

15:00–15:30 – Inborn Tendency
15:40–16:25 – Machinae Supremacy
16:35–17:20 – Misantropia
17:30–18:15 – The Crown
18:25–19:10 – Ryoji Shinomoto – Tribute to Alexi Laiho
19:20–20:20 – Warmen
20:30–21:15 – Illdisposed
21:25–22:25 – Anette Olzon performs Nightwish classics
22:35–23:20 – Rotten Sound – Murderworks & Exit set
23:30–00:45 – Beast In Black

Raskas Ei Kiusaamiselle charity concert

Ahead of the festival, a special anti-bullying event titled Raskas Ei Kiusaamiselle (“Heavy Against Bullying”) will take place on July 23 in cooperation with Rock Camp.

The alcohol-free event is free for minors and will feature: