The four-day metal festival Beyond the Gates returns to Bergen, Norway, from July 30 to August 2, 2025, across notable venues like USF and Grieghallen. The first wave of bands have been announced, including King Diamond’s first Norwegian show in nineteen years. Metal Insider recently experienced his metal royalty presence in Milwaukee, which you can check out the coverage here. Other artists for next year’s Beyond The Gates include Triptykon performing Celtic Frost material, Destruction celebrating the 40th anniversary of Infernal Overkill, and more.
Line up (so far):
King Diamond (First Norwegian show in 19 years)
Abbath Doom Occulta (Immortal set)
Triptykon (performing Celtic Frost)
I Am Morbid
Destruction (Infernal Overkill 40th Anniversary)
Hellbutcher
Hellripper
Dark Sonority
More acts TBA!
The festival offers a deep dive into Norway’s black metal legacy, blending live performances with cultural experiences like listening parties, music panels, and exclusive interviews. Fans will also explore the natural and cultural inspirations behind Bergen’s influential metal scene. Tickets are available at this location.
Festival booker Torgrim Øyre comments:
“For those of you who saw Mercyful Fate in Grieghallen a few years back will know that this will be the ultimate way to experience King Diamond and his amazing show. We’ve been hard at work to get King Diamond to Norway for quite some time and what a treat it is to finally be able to announce this gem. King Diamond will be joined by the mighty Abbath Doom Occulta who will bring his incredible ‘Return to the Raven Realms Tour’ to Bergen for the first time. The epic show includes a set consisting wide array of Immortal classics from his tenure in the band.
Going even further back in the history books. Triptykon will perform a full set of Celtic Frost classics, while German thrash pioneers, Destruction, will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their magnum opus, ‘Infernal Overkill.’
If that’s not education enough, David Vincent and Pete Sandoval will bring you the finest death metal available when I Am Morbid is diving into the Morbid Angel catalogue.
Former Nifelheim singer Hellbutcher has delivered one of the best albums this year, who hasn’t twisted some neck muscles after hearing ‘The Sword of Wrath.’ Next year you can experience this masterpiece live on stage.
Scotland-based Hellripper has taken the thrash world by storm over the last few years. This force of nature has quickly become one of the hottest underground acts around. If you’ve attended one of their concerts you will understand why.
Last but not least, Dark Sonority, formerly known as Kaosritual. This ensemble is well known throughout the underground as the epitome of Sorcerous Black Metal, alongside other Nidrosian Black Metal bands such as Mare and Celestial Bloodshed with whom they share members. This will be one of their very few concerts next year.
The 2025 edition of Beyond the Gates is the 13th chapter in the festival saga and will showcase why the festival has grown into the international metal gathering it has become. Attracting visitors from 50 different countries around the world, Beyond the Gates has become a global phenomenon.
The festival is taking place in the city center of Bergen, using several venues spread across town, including the legendary Grieghallen and USF Verftet.
Welcome to 4 days of darkness in the heart of Bergen.”
Feature Image Photo Credit: Mar Morannon
