Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival just had its biggest year yet, drawing a record-breaking 90,000 fans to Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield this weekend. The three-day metal fest marked its fifth consecutive sellout, proving this unique prison venue continues to be a magnet for heavy music lovers worldwide.
The Highlights
The lineup was stacked across three days: Falling In Reverse, Knocked Loose, and Beartooth on Friday; Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, and Slaughter To Prevail on Saturday; and Five Finger Death Punch, Three Days Grace (with Adam Gontier), and Lamb of God on Sunday.
Special moments included Slipknot playing their only 2025 U.S. show and debuting “Gematria” in Ohio for the first time ever, In This Moment premiering their new song “Heretic” live, and reunion sets from Acid Bath, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Chiodos, and more.
Beyond the 66 artists on three stages, the Monster Energy Tattoo X convention featured over 100 tattoo artists, including headliner Paul Booth. Fans could also tour the Blood Prison experience inside the historic reformatory made famous by The Shawshank Redemption.
“The rain tried, but we tried harder!” said co-founder Dan Janssen, summing up a weekend that weathered storms but kept the party going strong.
With over $50 million in economic impact since 2018, Inkcarceration has become one of America’s most distinctive heavy music destinations. 2026 dates coming soon – and based on five straight sellouts, tickets won’t last long.
