A year after our first visit, Team Femetalism headed back to KK’s Steel Mill for Quest Fest 2026: seven bands, a Dungeon full of games, a fantasy-loving crowd and a day that once again felt like much more than a standard gig. With power metal on the main stage and gaming adventures waiting between sets, Quest Fest brings two worlds together in a way that gives it a character all of its own.
Crown Solace
Crown Solace opened proceedings, and having caught them at Powerlines, we were genuinely excited to see them again. They warmed the room up nicely and got the day moving, but the set felt far too short. We’d happily have stayed for another helping!
Fortune Teller
Fortune Teller exploded onto the stage next with energy to spare, and they were my highlight of the day. I absolutely love their music, and seeing it come to life on stage was a reminder of why watching bands you love live is so special. Of all the sets, they’re the one I came away most excited about.
Battle Born
Battle Born kept the momentum going with a relentless, fun-packed set, topped off by a confetti cannon that showered the crowd in colour. Music at full throttle and confetti in the air is a perfect fit for Quest Fest.
Serious Black
Serious Black got everyone involved, with “Magic” turning into a singalong that brought the whole room together. It’s those shared moments that make an already amazing live set stick in the memory.
Masterplan
Masterplan were a rare treat. With a line-up featuring an array of power metal legends and very few UK appearances, this was a set plenty of people had waited a long time for. Their melodic power metal, including “Shadow Man”, kept the day’s strong run of power metal going as we headed into the evening.
Myrath
Myrath shifted the atmosphere with an epic sound laced with their distinctive influences. Their blend of progressive metal and Eastern-inspired melodies set them apart on an already varied bill, with the keyboards especially standing out. They clearly connected with the crowd, making theirs one of the strongest sets of the later slots.
All For Metal
All For Metal closed the night with a new singer and guitarist, and the new line-up sounded fantastic. We loved the new vocalist’s energy, and the two frontmen clearly have a great thing going on together, making for a cracking finale to a bill that had taken us through plenty of different flavours of metal.
Beyond the Bands
At Quest Fest, the entertainment doesn’t stop when the bands do. Down in the Dungeon there are hosted tabletop roleplaying games, Magic: The Gathering and retro video gaming, including Guitar Hero tournaments. Instead of just waiting for the next set, there's a whole world of fun to explore.
Adding to the fantasy theme is the Official Bard, whose appearances give the day an extra layer of character. Between the music, the games, the market and the bardic interludes, there's always something to do!
The food deserves a special mention: the samosas were delicious, and the cake pop was genuinely one of the best I’ve ever had, which is a high bar for a little festival treat to clear! Drink prices were reasonable too, always welcome when you’re settling in for a full day.
Quest Fest 2027: The Next Adventure
Before we’d even finished reflecting on this year, Quest Fest 2027 was already taking shape, with Rattlesnake, Power Paladin, Frozen Crown and Firewind announced. That’s a heck of a start!
From catching familiar faces to finding new personal favourites, Quest Fest 2026 delivered another brilliant day of metal, gaming and good company in Wolverhampton. With next year’s line-up already building, the next quest is firmly on the radar!
Photo credit: Craig Andrews for Femetalism.
Full set of pics from the day here: https://albums.femetalism.com/quest-fest-2026
