Colorado-Based Festival Returns for Third Year With National and Regional Heavy Metal Acts
Denver’s only dedicated power metal festival, Mile High Power Fest (MHPF), will return on Aug. 15, 2026, with organizers announcing a lineup featuring established touring acts alongside emerging regional bands as the event continues to expand its footprint within North America’s heavy metal scene.
The festival, organized by Denver-based BiteSize Productions, will once again take place at The Oriental Theater and marks the third edition of the event. Organizers said the festival remains focused on supporting underground music communities while attracting broader audiences to the western United States power metal circuit.
This year’s lineup includes The Dread Crew of Oddwood, Lady Beast, Anubis, Ice Giant, Hel Hath Fury, Darconigan, and Wicked Vixen. The event follows previous editions that featured acts including Seven Spires, Lords of the Trident, Graveshadow, Aether Realm, Glyph, Owlbear, and Empress.
Festival organizers are positioning the 2026 edition as a multi-day community event rather than a single-night concert, with additional programming scheduled across Denver beginning Aug. 13.
Weekend Programming Designed to Build Metal Community
Mile High Power Fest 2026 will officially begin with the “MHPF FREE Game Night” at Creepatorium on Thursday, Aug. 13. Organizers described the event as a free community gathering intended to allow fans and musicians to connect before the main festival weekend.
The festival’s pre-party event is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 14, at Seventh Circle Music Collective. The showcase will highlight local and emerging acts including Talia Holt, Burn The Myth, Gone Full, Monkey Under The Mountain, and Heathen.
Following the main festival performances on Saturday night, organizers will host an official afterparty at BlackSky Brewery from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. The afterparty will also feature the debut of a custom beer created by The Dread Crew of Oddwood exclusively for the festival.
The main event at The Oriental Theater will begin with doors opening at 4 p.m. on Aug. 15.
Festival Growth Reflects Rising Demand for Regional Metal Events
BiteSize Productions said attendance for the 2025 edition reached approximately 400 people, reflecting continued growth for a niche music festival operating outside traditional major touring markets.
The company said Mile High Power Fest was created to strengthen the Rocky Mountain metal community while offering accessible and community-driven programming.
The festival’s organizers are also seeking to capitalize on growing interest in destination-based niche music festivals, particularly within the heavy metal sector, where fan communities often travel across regions to attend genre-specific events.
Headlining Acts Bring Diverse Styles to 2026 Lineup
Among the featured acts, Southern California-based The Dread Crew of Oddwood is expected to headline the festival. Formed in 2008, the band has built an international following through its acoustic-driven “Heavy Mahogany” style, combining folk instrumentation with heavy metal influences.
The band has released four albums, accumulated more than 30,000 monthly Spotify listeners, and toured extensively across North America and Europe. Their music has also appeared in the video game Rocket League.
Pittsburgh-based Lady Beast will also perform at the festival. Since forming in 2009, the band has developed a traditional heavy metal sound influenced by artists including Motörhead, Dio, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Mercyful Fate.
Los Angeles band Anubis will bring a blend of power metal, thrash, and melodic death metal to the event. The group recently released its latest album, Anthromorphicide, through M-Theory Audio in April.
Boston-based Ice Giant joins the lineup with a progressive melodic death metal style rooted in Scandinavian melodeath and symphonic influences. Organizers said the band has gained momentum throughout the New England metal scene because of its technical compositions and live performances.
Denver’s Hel Hath Fury, formed in 2023, is expected to represent the local scene with melodic death metal centered on themes of resilience and emotional perseverance.
Colorado acts Darconigan and Wicked Vixen round out the lineup, adding melodic blackened metal and hard rock influences to the festival’s genre mix.
Event Details and Ticket Information
Mile High Power Fest 2026
Main Festival Lineup
- The Dread Crew of Oddwood
- Lady Beast
- Anubis
- Ice Giant
- Hel Hath Fury
- Darconigan
- Wicked Vixen
Event Information
- Date: Aug. 15, 2026
- Venue: The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado
- Doors Open: 4 p.m.
Tickets for Mile High Power Fest 2026 are currently available through The Oriental Theater’s ticketing platform. Organizers are encouraging fans to secure tickets early as the festival continues to expand its audience beyond Colorado and neighboring western states.
Additional festival information, playlists, and social media updates are available through BiteSize Productions and Mile High Power Fest online platforms.