The New England Metal & Hardcore Festival will not be held in 2026.The festival’s organizers released a concise statement online, indicating: “After a triumphant journey, we are taking a hiatus in 2026. This is not goodbye – merely a break. [New England Metal & Hardcore Festival] will return. We are grateful for your steadfast support and for contributing too the essence of this event.”

This festival initially ran from 1999 until 2016 and made its comeback from 2023 to 2025, with the latest edition showcasing performances by notable bands such as Lorna Shore, Cannibal Corpse, and Kublai Khan TX. Traditionally held at the Worcester Palladium in Worcester, MA, there are currently no further insights available regarding the reasons for its absence in 2026.

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