Copenhell is Denmark’s largest rock and metal festival, held at Refshaleøen in Copenhagen. The festival was first staged in 2010 and has grown into one of the major metal festivals in Northern Europe.
The setting is a central part of Copenhell’s identity. Refshaleøen is a former industrial and shipyard area in Copenhagen harbour, giving the festival a raw backdrop of concrete, open ground, harbour views and old industrial surroundings. Unlike many large metal festivals, Copenhell takes place within the city rather than far out in the countryside.
The festival is usually held in June and now runs across four days. Its programme covers classic heavy metal, hard rock, thrash metal, death metal, black metal, doom, punk, hardcore, metalcore, industrial and other heavy styles. The four main stages are Helvíti, Hades, Pandæmonium and Gehenna, with the largest headliners on Helvíti and smaller or more underground bands spread across the other stages.
Artists who have played Copenhell include Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, Mercyful Fate, Kiss, Tool, Bruce Dickinson, Black Sabbath, Rammstein, Slipknot, Slayer, Megadeth, King Diamond, Alice Cooper, Rob Zombie, Mötley Crüe, Danzig, Opeth, Emperor, Mayhem, Behemoth and many others. The festival regularly combines classic metal and hard rock names with newer heavy bands and more extreme underground acts.
Copenhell is also known for its strong festival culture beyond the concerts. The site includes themed areas, bars, food stalls, merchandise, side activities and installations built around heavy music, humour and the festival’s hell-inspired identity. The industrial Refshaleøen setting and the city-based location help give Copenhell a character different from both traditional open-field festivals and indoor urban concert events.
The 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the festival returned in 2022. Since then, Copenhell has continued as Denmark’s main annual gathering for rock and metal, with Refshaleøen remaining its permanent home.
ADDRESS:
1432 Copenhagen, Denmark
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