Hopsmokerfest 2026: Pallbearer, High Command, Heavy Temple, Gozu and More to Play
Oh hello, Hopsmokerfest. I don’t spend nearly as much time in Massachusetts now as, say, during the seven years I lived there, but I did get up to Widowmaker Brewing for a show last year and it’s an easy-to-dig spot that, as you can see, knows how to put together a gig. Or, in this case, a two-dayer with Pallbearer playing Foundations of Burden in its entirelty, High Command returning for a third go as something of a house-band, hometown slayers like Gozu, Worshipper, Mother Iron Horse and Earthlore, as well as Heavy Temple headed up from Philly, Waxed, Bonginator and Sunburster rounding out. Looks like a winnter to me even before you get to Not-Castle Grayskull on the poster.
I don’t know if Hopsmokerfest sold out in 2025, but with this bill and having been there, I’d be surprised if it wasn’t full when you go either way. Tickets are on sale however you want ’em, and that link follows here alone with the lineup. Don’t tell anybody, but you know that album that Gozu were recording? Well the rumor I’ve heard is they’re working new material into the set. I’m not sure on release date or anything, but if you want to hear new songs from them — and, duh, you do — I’d be hard-pressed to think of a more suitable/kickass context than this.
Go make friends. You’ll have a good time:
HOPSMOKERFEST 2026 | APRIL 17 & 18
2 DAYS | 10 BANDS | 1 EPIC WEEKEND
Widowmaker Brewing | Braintree Massachusetts | 220 Wood Road
⚫️ Pallbearer ⚫️ | ⚔️ High Command ⚔️ | Heavy Temple | Gozu | Worshipper | Waxed | Mother Iron Horse | Bonginator | Earthlore | Sunburster | The Dregs Liquid Light Show | DJ Nothing Means Nothing
Tickets on sale now | Full Fest | Single Day | www.widowmakerbrewing.com
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Would love to make it out to this. I saw High Command open for High on Fire in a super small room a year or so ago, not knowing who they were–they tore the house down. Can’t recommend them enough!