MILWAUKEE METAL FESTIVAL 2026 Adds AROMORED SAINT, JOHN BUSH + More

Milwaukee Metal Festival 2026 is pleased to continue to announce another wave of bands to its already stacked lineup! In addition to previously announced headliners Acid Bath (Friday), Killswitch Engage (Saturday), and Ministry (Sunday), the festival now welcomes JOHN BUSH, who will be performing songs from his ANTHRAX era, ARMORED SAINT, WAKING THE CADAVER, 9 DEAD, CARDIAC ARREST, THE SUFFERING, GORED EMBRACE, LECHEROUS NOCTURNE,WEEKEND NACHOS, CASTRATOR, VISCERAL DISGORGE, DIRT, + THE CROSSES perform DIE KREUZEN to the lineup, with more still TBA! The festival will once again return to The Rave/Eagles Club from June 5 - 7, 2026, with the pre-party kicking off on June 4!

Co-organizer Jamey Jasta comments, "We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome a true pioneer in the genre & one of the best voices in metal. The one & only John Bush! Catch him Saturday, June 6 with Armored Saint & again Sunday, June 7, performing his Anthrax era songs. These are must see sets at MMF 2026!”

The current lineup and day splits can be found below with more bands still TBA!

Milwaukee Metal Fest 2026 will once again showcase a wide range of metal styles, including death metal, doom, hardcore, metalcore, thrash, industrial, and underground extremity, with performances spread across multiple stages throughout the venue. In addition to live music, the festival will feature a dedicated floor for merchandise and collectibles, giving fans access to exclusive band merch, vinyl, rare items, and more throughout the weekend.

The Metal Fest Pre-Party kicks off the weekend on Thursday, June 4, hosted by Jamey Jasta and friends + special guests TBA. Pre-Party tickets are free with the purchase of a three-day pass.

Three-day passes, two-day passes, single-day tickets, and a limited number of reserved seats are on sale now. For the full lineup, ticket options, and festival updates can be found at THIS LOCATION.

Stay tuned for the next wave of bands - you don't wanna miss this!

ABOUT MILWAUKEE METAL FEST

Founded in 1987, Milwaukee Metal Fest is one of the longest-running and most influential metal festivals in the United States, with a rich history of showcasing groundbreaking artists across the heavy music spectrum. After establishing itself as a cornerstone of American metal through the late 1980s and 1990s, the festival was revived in 2023 under the direction of Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta, ushering in a new era while honoring its legacy. Today, Milwaukee Metal Fest continues to unite fans and artists for an uncompromising celebration of metal across the iconic stages of The Rave/Eagles Club.

Follow Milwaukee Metal Fest:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

X

Legendary Vocalist JOHN BUSH Announces Three Live Shows

After years of anticipation, legendary vocalist JOHN BUSH is proud to announce a special run of live performances showcasing the music he helped create during his decade-long tenure singing with Anthrax. This December, BUSH will perform songs spanning all four albums he recorded with the band: ‘Sound of White Noise,’ ‘Stomp 442,’ ‘Volume 8: The Threat Is Real,’ and ‘We’ve Come For You All.’

When asked about the shows, BUSH comments:

“I’ve talked about doing this for a long time – and now, I’m finally doing it. Fans constantly tell me how much those records meant to them, and how they miss hearing those songs live. It’s very humbling. The wait is over.”

The setlist will include not only the well-known anthems, but also some deeper cuts that haven’t been performed live in years.

JOHN BUSH Live:

December 13th - Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky A-Go-Go

December 18th - St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre

December 20th - New York, NY @ Racket

Joining BUSH on stage will be his Category 7 bandmates: Phil DemmelMike Orlando, Jason Bittner, along with his long time Armored Saint partner and best friend Joey Vera on bass (Category 7 bassist Jack Gibson has a schedule conflict).

On the lineup, BUSH adds:

“These guys are incredible, badass musicians, and it hit me – why look anywhere else? They’re already right here. It was a total no-brainer.”

Category 7 will also open each night with their own blistering set before returning as his backing band for the Anthrax material.

This limited run marks a rare chance for fans to experience a vital era of heavy metal history — live, loud, and in your face. Tickets go on sale Friday, August 1st at 10am local time. Don’t miss it.