Milwaukee Metal Fest just dropped a headbanger of an announcement: legendary metal drummer and Howard Stern Show staple Richard Christy (ex-Death, Incantation) will be the 2026 edition’s Guest of Honor. Translation? One of the most beloved sticksmen in extreme music is coming home to the fest where it all began — and yes, he’s bringing the kit with him.

Christy will appear for fan experiences across the weekend and is also slated to perform, which should send any longtime Death or Incantation fan into a full-blown windmill. He was part of the original Milwaukee Metal Fest lineage, making this a full-circle moment for the festival and the genre faithful who’ve been mosh-pitting through its history since the ’80s.

“Richard is one of the funniest, most beloved, and most talented people in all of heavy music and radio and he’s an OG MMF alum, so it’s incredible that he will be attending and we couldn’t be more thrilled!” said festival owner and Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta.

Milwaukee Metal Fest 2026 returns to its longtime home at The Rave/Eagles Club from June 5-7, 2026, with a pre-party kicking things off on June 4. Three days, multiple stages, and a roster stacked with extreme music’s heaviest hitters — exactly the kind of weekend that requires earplugs, hydration, and a clean neck brace.

In more good news for procrastinators (we see you), the festival has extended its 15% off sale through May 3, and the discount applies to every ticket type on the table. Grab passes at therave.com/metalfest before the deal disappears.

The fest is sponsored by Sumerian Records, Blue Grape Music, Reigning Phoenix Music, Copycats Hi-Fi Media, Nuclear Blast Records, Martyrstore.net, Metal Blade Records, Blk II Blk Records, Mindsnap Music, and The Rave/Eagles Club.

Need a refresher on why Richard Christy’s name carries the weight it does? Spin Death’s genre-defining “The Sound of Perseverance” — the album that put his blast beats and double-kick acrobatics on the map.

https://open.spotify.com/album/0NDD90QrAvyKXJ3UVwUJOe

See you in the pit, Milwaukee.