Las Vegas, Nevada USA
Written by Sason Bishope Parry
Sick New World, the heavy festival that’s redefined nu-metal nostalgia for a new generation, is storming back in 2026 with not one but two explosive editions, dropping first in Las Vegas, Nevada (April 25th) and then taking the madness to Fort Worth, Texas (October 24th) for its first-ever Lone Star invasion. The lineup is pure mayhem in motion!
Leading the charge are none other than System of a Down, Korn, and Deftones, three titans whose sound helped shape the late ’90s and early 2000s into one of the most unforgettable eras in heavy music. The original announcement came back on October 21st via Sick New World’s official Instagram, which dropped an animated teaser featuring a twisted parade of cartoon demons thrashing along to a mashup of Korn’s “Blind,” Deftones’ “My Own Summer (Shove It),” and System of a Down’s “Prison Song.”
Fans immediately went berserk, and with good reason, this lineup is a fever dream for anyone raised on distortion, angst, and rebellion. The Las Vegas edition once again sets up shop at the desert playground’s massive festival grounds on April 25th, with System of a Down and Korn co-headlining what’s shaping up to be one of the heaviest days of the year. Also joining the chaos are Bring Me the Horizon, Evanescence, Marilyn Manson, Danny Elfman, Knocked Loose, Ministry, AFI, Cypress Hill, Acid Bath, Mastodon, Deafheaven, Failure, and a long list of others guaranteed to turn the strip into a sonic apocalypse.
Then comes the Texas takeover. The Fort Worth edition marks Sick New World’s first venture into the Lone Star State, and it’s bringing the fire. System of a Down and Deftones will headline this round, with Slayer returning to the stage to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Reign in Blood, a historic moment for metal fans. Also confirmed are Evanescence and Down, alongside returning Vegas acts like Marilyn Manson, AFI, Ministry, Knocked Loose, and more, ensuring the chaos hits Texas with just as much power and precision.
If you’ve ever needed an excuse for a full-throttle road trip, this is it. Two cities. Two insane lineups. One unrelenting festival brand that refuses to die quietly.
Tickets for both Las Vegas and Fort Worth are on sale now, and they’re moving fast. Don’t sleep on this one. Whether you hit the desert or the Lone Star plains (or both), Sick New World 2026 is shaping up to be a ferocious celebration of everything loud, legendary, and gloriously unhinged.
Double the dates. Double the chaos. This is Sick New World, back and louder than ever.
For more info on Sick New World go to: www.sicknewworldfest.com
