Behemoth in London: an evening of extreme metal with Dimmu Borgir and Dark Funeral at O2 Academy Brixton
Polish metal band Behemoth will perform on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at London's O2 Academy Brixton as part of the European "In League With Satan" tour. This is a co-headlining tour with Norwegian band Dimmu Borgir, while Swedish black metal band Dark Funeral will open the show. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. London time, and the event is scheduled to finish no later than 11:00 p.m. Individual performance times for the bands in London have not been confirmed.
For fans of extreme metal, this concert lineup brings together three distinct approaches to the genre. Behemoth combines the aggression of death metal with the dark aesthetics of black metal, Dimmu Borgir creates monumental compositions with symphonic arrangements, and Dark Funeral remains faithful to a more direct, exceptionally fast Scandinavian black metal sound. The joint performance gives audiences an opportunity to experience different generations and expressions of the extreme metal scene in a single evening.
The London date is particularly interesting because Behemoth is returning to O2 Academy Brixton, where the band also performed in April 2025. This time, the group arrives with material from the album "The Shit Ov God", while Dimmu Borgir will showcase the current phase of its career, marked by the album "Grand Serpent Rising". Tickets for the concert are on sale, and visitors travelling to London are advised to secure their places before finalising their travel arrangements.
Behemoth: from the Polish underground scene to a distinctive extreme metal sound
Over more than three decades, Behemoth has developed a distinctive musical identity based on a combination of black and death metal. Under the leadership of Adam Darski, better known as Nergal, the band has gradually developed more complex arrangements, more powerful production and a live performance style in which visual elements are almost as important as the music itself.
One of the defining characteristics of their music is the contrast between exceptionally fast instrumental passages and slower, monumental sections of songs. Nergal's deep vocals, guitar riffs and the precise drumming of Zbigniew Promiński, known as Inferno, create a sound that can be brutally direct yet highly atmospheric. The band is particularly recognisable for its use of religious and mythological symbolism, which it transforms into an artistic expression focused on rebellion, individualism and questioning authority.
Albums such as "Demigod", "Evangelion", "The Satanist", "I Loved You at Your Darkest" and "Opvs Contra Natvram" are important for understanding the band's live repertoire. Each of these releases represents a different stage in the band's development, from a stronger emphasis on death metal to a more complex, almost ceremonial musical approach.
It is precisely this diversity that allows Behemoth to create a concert programme consisting of more than just fast songs. Their performances often alternate between extremely intense compositions and sections dominated by heavy rhythms, repeated vocal phrases and the gradual building of tension.
The album "The Shit Ov God" brings new energy to the concert tour
Behemoth's latest studio album, "The Shit Ov God", was released on May 9, 2025, through Nuclear Blast. The release contains eight tracks, including "The Shadow Elite", "Sowing Salt", the title track "The Shit Ov God", "Lvciferaeon", "To Drown The Svn In Wine" and "Nomen Barbarvm".
The album continues to develop the band's characteristic sound while introducing a more pronounced rawness. Guitar riffs are often more direct, while the compositions rely on alternations between aggressive passages and rhythmically slower sections. Thematically, it remains connected to the provocative treatment of religious symbolism and philosophical questions that characterised previous releases.
The title track has already found a place in the band's live repertoire. During performances at European festivals in 2026, Behemoth played it alongside older songs such as "Conquer All" and "Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer". At the beginning of the current tour in Zürich and Zwickau, the songs "To Drown the Svn in Wine" and "The Shadow Elite" also appeared in the setlists.
For visitors attending the London concert, the relationship between new material and older songs is one of the evening's more interesting elements. Newer compositions bring a different rhythmic dynamic, while established live favourites allow audiences to enjoy familiar interaction with the band.
Which Behemoth songs can the audience expect?
The exact setlist for O2 Academy Brixton has not been published, but previous performances offer a useful insight into how Behemoth constructs its concert programme. At the concert in Zwickau on October 10, 2026, during the same tour, the band performed songs from several different periods of its career.
Among the songs featured at recent performances are "Daimonos", "Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer", "Thy Becoming Eternal", "Conquer All", "Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel", "Ov Fire and the Void", "Bartzabel", "Chant for Eschaton 2000" and "O Father O Satan O Sun!". These titles provide an overview of the live repertoire rather than a confirmed running order for London.
"Conquer All" stands out for its powerful death metal riffs and aggressive rhythm. "Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer" delivers a distinctive combination of melodic guitar lines and a dark atmosphere, while "Bartzabel" demonstrates the band's slower, more ritualistic side. "O Father O Satan O Sun!" is particularly notable for its gradual building of tension and powerful closing section.
An interesting detail from the beginning of the current tour is the performance of "I, Scvlptor", along with the inclusion of newer material that had not previously been a regular part of the live programme. This demonstrates that the band does not rely exclusively on already familiar songs.
Behemoth is also known for its carefully designed visual performances. Stage costumes, lighting, symbolism and the performers' choreography create a recognisable concert identity. Tour organisers have announced an elaborate production, although details of all individual stage effects for the London date have not been released.
Dimmu Borgir: symphonic black metal as the evening's second headlining act
Norwegian band Dimmu Borgir is an equal co-headliner on the "In League With Satan" tour. Its musical approach differs from Behemoth's primarily in the prominent role of orchestral arrangements, choral elements and expansive melodic structures. Where Behemoth often emphasises the weight of guitar riffs, Dimmu Borgir creates an almost cinematic soundscape.
Fronted by vocalist Shagrath, the band has released a series of influential albums throughout its career, including "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant", "Spiritual Black Dimensions", "Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia" and "Death Cult Armageddon". These albums helped shape the distinctive sound of symphonic black metal.
The current phase of the band's career is marked by the album "Grand Serpent Rising", released on May 22, 2026. The release contains thirteen tracks and combines aggressive guitar passages, symphonic layers and dark melodic structures. Ahead of the tour, the band also announced a new concert programme.
At the performance in Zürich on October 9, Dimmu Borgir played well-known songs including "Mourning Palace", "Kings of the Carnival Creation", "The Serpentine Offering", "Puritania", "Gateways" and "Progenies of the Great Apocalypse". The repertoire also included material from the new album, including "Ulvgjeld & Blodsodel", "As Seen in the Unseen" and "Ascent".
For audience members attending primarily because of Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir's performance offers an interesting contrast. Both bands share a dark aesthetic and extreme metal as their musical foundation, but they differ in how they construct their compositions. This is precisely why the joint tour offers a broader concert experience than a typical standalone performance.
Dark Funeral opens the show and represents the Swedish school of black metal
Swedish band Dark Funeral appears as the tour's special guest. The group is known for exceptionally fast guitars, intense drumming and a musical approach that has maintained a strong connection with traditional Scandinavian black metal.
Its repertoire includes songs such as "The Secrets of the Black Arts", "Nail Them to the Cross", "My Funeral", "Unchain My Soul" and "Let the Devil In". Unlike Dimmu Borgir's symphonic approach, Dark Funeral places greater emphasis on relentless instrumental aggression and a cold, dark atmosphere.
On August 21, 2026, the band released the live album "A Beast To Praise", recorded during a performance at the Fållan venue in Stockholm. The release documents material associated with the album "We Are The Apocalypse" and gives interested visitors an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the band's live sound before the London concert.
In its announcement of the European tour, Dark Funeral emphasised that it would open the concert evenings and encouraged audiences to arrive on time. This is important information for visitors who want to see all three bands rather than just the two headlining acts.
O2 Academy Brixton: a historic London venue built for concert intensity
O2 Academy Brixton is one of London's most recognisable concert venues. It is located at 211 Stockwell Road in the Brixton district, south of central London. The building opened in 1929 as the Astoria and underwent various changes of use over the decades before reopening as Brixton Academy in 1983.
The venue is known for architecture that differs from modern concert spaces. Its large dome, Art Deco elements and stage inspired by Venice's Rialto Bridge give the building the character of a historic theatre. Another distinctive feature is the sloping floor of the standing area, which gives audiences a better view of the stage than many flat-floored concert halls.
The concert venue has a capacity of approximately 4,900 visitors, depending on the configuration. This size places O2 Academy Brixton between smaller club venues and large arenas. Audiences can experience powerful concert production while retaining a feeling of relative proximity to the performers.
For Behemoth's music, this combination is particularly important. Intense drumming, powerful bass and layered guitars require clear sound reproduction, while the visual performance forms part of the band's identity. Position within the venue can significantly change the experience: the standing area offers more direct contact with the audience and stage, while elevated sections provide a broader view of the stage production.
The concert evening brings together three bands with strong visual identities, making it worth considering the preferred position when choosing tickets. Visitors who want to be close to the stage should expect greater crowd density, while those who want to follow the entire performance may find a position with a better overall view more practical.
Behemoth returns to Brixton after "The Unholy Trinity" tour
Behemoth performed at the same venue on April 12, 2025, as part of "The Unholy Trinity" tour alongside Satyricon and Rotting Christ. That concert took place shortly before the release of "The Shit Ov God", giving the London audience an opportunity to hear new material alongside songs from earlier periods.
A concert review published by Media Junkbox described the show as a visually powerful performance in which religious symbolism formed an important part of the stage identity. Performances of "The Shadow Elite", "Demigod", "Christgrinding Avenue", "Wolves ov Siberia" and "O Father O Satan O Sun!" were documented.
The return in October 2026 is therefore more than just another London appearance on a European tour. Audiences now have an opportunity to compare the previous concert programme with the repertoire the band has developed since the album's release. The change in supporting performers further alters the character of the evening, as Dimmu Borgir brings its own production and separate audience as an equal headlining act.
For long-time fans, this represents an opportunity for a new concert experience on a familiar stage. For visitors seeing Behemoth for the first time, the programme simultaneously showcases the band's current work and important releases from its career.
Getting to O2 Academy Brixton and practical information for visitors
The venue is located in an area of London well connected by the Underground, trains and bus routes. Public transport is the easiest option for visitors arriving from other parts of the city, as the concert venue does not have its own car park.
The most important information for planning your visit is:
- Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026.
- Location: O2 Academy Brixton, 211 Stockwell Road, London SW9 9SL, United Kingdom.
- Doors open: 6:00 p.m. local London time.
- Scheduled end of the event: no later than 11:00 p.m.
- Performers: Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir and Dark Funeral.
- Nearest Underground station: Brixton, Victoria line, approximately 800 metres from the venue.
- Alternative station: Stockwell, Victoria and Northern lines, approximately 1,400 metres from the venue.
- Age restrictions: standing area for visitors aged 14 and over, seated areas for visitors aged 8 and over; children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Brixton station provides a direct connection via the Victoria line to other important parts of London. Stockwell is an alternative, allowing passengers to transfer between the Victoria and Northern lines. Visitors travelling by train can use Brixton railway station on Atlantic Road.
The London Underground operates overnight on certain lines during weekends, but visitors should check current departure times and possible engineering works on the transport network. Planning the return route in advance is particularly useful when travelling to a more distant part of the city or outside London after the concert.
Arriving by car is less practical because O2 Academy Brixton does not provide its own parking spaces. Anyone considering parking on nearby streets should check local restrictions and space availability.
Entry rules, security checks and venue accessibility
O2 Academy Brixton conducts security checks upon entry. Visitors are permitted one small bag, no larger than A4 size, with a maximum permitted depth of 15 centimetres. Larger backpacks and travel bags are not allowed, so bringing only essential items into the venue is recommended.
A cloakroom with limited capacity is available. The venue also does not permit re-entry after leaving, which is important for visitors intending to attend the entire programme, from Dark Funeral's performance to the final part of the evening.
The organiser does not always announce exact stage times in advance. Therefore, the door-opening time should not be confused with the start of Behemoth's performance. Since three bands are scheduled to perform, arriving early makes it possible to enjoy the complete programme and reduces the chance of missing the opening act.
The venue also provides accessible areas for wheelchair users. An accessible platform is located on the left-hand side of the standing area, and visitors are advised to contact the venue team in advance to arrange any necessary assistance. Brixton station has a lift between street level and the platforms, while Stockwell does not offer the same step-free access.
Given the expected volume of extreme metal music, bringing hearing protection is advisable. Venue staff can also provide earplugs. Visitors sensitive to intense lighting should be aware that flashing lights and other stage effects may be used during concerts.
Brixton before and after the concert: what can visitors to London expect?
Brixton is one of London's most culturally and musically distinctive neighbourhoods. The area around Brixton Road and Atlantic Road is known for restaurants, bars, shops and lively evening activity. For visitors arriving early, this means they can spend time in the immediate surroundings before entering the venue.
Brixton Village and the surrounding streets offer a diverse selection of dining options, including cuisines from different parts of the world. This environment is particularly suitable for visitors who want to combine the concert with a short exploration of the neighbourhood without making an additional journey into central London.
When choosing accommodation, it is practical to consider locations connected by the Victoria line. This makes travelling to the venue and returning after the concert easier, especially for visitors unfamiliar with London's public transport system.
October evenings in London can be chilly and rainy. Layered clothing and lightweight rain protection are recommended when waiting outside the venue, while respecting restrictions on bag sizes.
Tickets for Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir and Dark Funeral in London
The concert at O2 Academy Brixton is primarily intended for fans of black, death and symphonic extreme metal, but it is also an interesting choice for visitors who want to discover different approaches to the genre. Behemoth brings powerful riffs and provocative aesthetics, Dimmu Borgir offers symphonic grandeur, and Dark Funeral delivers the raw energy of the Scandinavian metal scene.
Tickets are sold for the entire concert evening rather than separate performances by individual artists. Before purchasing, visitors should check whether they are selecting a place in the standing area or seated section of the venue and whether the age restrictions are appropriate for everyone attending.
Ticket sales for the London concert are currently underway. Visitors travelling from other cities or countries are advised to coordinate their tickets, accommodation and transport in advance and to check the door-opening schedule and any organisational announcements again shortly before the event.
Sources:
- O2 Academy Brixton / Academy Music Group - confirmation of the London concert, performers, door-opening time and scheduled end of the event: https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybrixton/events/behemoth-and-dimmu-borgir-tickets-ae1638825
- Live Nation UK - date, age restrictions, co-headlining tour and confirmed performers: https://www.livenation.co.uk/event/behemoth-and-dimmu-borgir-london-tickets-edp1665954
- Nuclear Blast - "The Shit Ov God" album, release date and track listing: https://www.nuclearblast.com/pages/album/the-shit-ov-god
- Nuclear Blast - announcement of the European "In League With Satan" tour and the concert collaboration between Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir and Dark Funeral: https://www.nuclearblast.com/blogs/news/behemoth-dimmu-borgir-annouce-eu-co-headline-tour-in-league-with-satan-for-october-2026
- Dimmu Borgir - release of the album "Grand Serpent Rising" and the current phase of the band's career: https://www.dimmu-borgir.com/blog/grand-serpent-rising-out-now
- Dark Funeral - live album "A Beast To Praise", tour and information about opening the concert evenings: https://www.darkfuneral.se/news.php
- Setlist.fm - Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir setlists from previous concerts during 2026: https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/behemoth-5bd683e4.html
- Media Junkbox - review of Behemoth's performance at O2 Academy Brixton on April 12, 2025: https://mediajunkbox.com/live-reviews/behemoth-the-unholy-trinity-with-satyricon-and-rotting-christ-at-brixton-academy/
- O2 Academy Brixton - venue history, architecture and distinctive features of the concert space: https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybrixton/about-us
- Cinema Treasures - building history and concert venue capacity: https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/1244
- O2 Academy Brixton - transport connections, address, station distances and parking: https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybrixton/getting-here
- O2 Academy Brixton - entry rules, bags, cloakroom, security and re-entry restrictions: https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybrixton/faqs
- O2 Academy Brixton - venue accessibility and assistance options for visitors: https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybrixton/accessibility