Mystic Festival 2026 was the final year at the current site - Gdansk shipyard with a lineup including Megadeath, Behemoth, Black Label Society, Anthrax, Mastodon, Ice Kills Nine, Saxon and many others. This was not to be missed! For the uninitiated Mystic Festival is the biggest metal festival in Poland, drawing bands from all over Europe and the world set at an iconic backdrop right amongst the shipyards of Gdansk. It's kind of like a much smaller version of Hellfest. The people are friendly, always up for a chat, drinks flowing and fantastic food options!
As with many multiday European metal festivals, Mystic kicks off with a warm up day. The main stage was not open but there were loads of bands to keep the growing crowd entertained. Peronal highlights were Polish metalcore legends - Frontside with raging, dusty pit, the theatrics of Ice Kills Nine, Kublai Kahn and the hypnotising doom of AA Williams.
Day One kicked off with Letlive and the manic antics of Jason Butler who ended up climbing the stage scaffolding. This day was billed as the Big 4 of US thrash headed by Anthrax and Megadeath. I was more interested in acts such as Bloodywood, Belphegor, Escuela Grind and the mighty Psyconaut. This would also be the last of the good weather with storms incoming.
Day Two I had a late start and joined the festival in the late afternoon. Highlights were Rotting Christ, Eihwar, Down, Black Label and Electric Wizard.
Day Three, the final day was stacked kicking off with Caskets on main stage. Mastodon, Saxon and Behemoth closed the festival but in bbetween I discovered Harakiri For The Sky (epic blend of post rock and metal) and Youth Code, Behemoth closed the final ever Mystic at Gdansk Shipyards with a fiery set atop the FOH tower. This was my second trip to Mystic and hopefully it won't be the last!
All photos by James O'Connor
