Like a vampire feasting on the blood of a fresh victim. Hellfest founders Ben Barbaud and Yoann Le Nevé must be revelling in the tears and reproaches of their detractors this week. After Machine Gun Kelly Babymetal, and Foo Fighters raised eyebrows for being “not metal enough” in years gone by. We were surprised to see Muse on the bill for 2025. Especially considering Linkin Parks appearance at the legendary metal festival raised a considerable number of eyebrows from the terminally online crowd of festival gatekeepers. Yet… here we are.
Muse and metal may not fit perfectly hand in hand. However, can we really say they are such polar opposites? Isn’t a great rock band with a little heavy metal DNA in their sound preferable to a mediocre appearance from a name that festival-goers are happy to accept because they’re not deemed ‘heavy’ enough to participate? Everyone will have their own opinion… but we know what our answer would be.
Whatever you think, no fewer than 184 bands graced the stage this year. Over a hundred of which were making their debut appearance at Hellfest. Making it a festival that well and truly has something for everyone. As well as one that is pushing the genre forwards. So while Hellfest might offend the bluenoses. With their cocky stride and forward thinking booking. Leaving the comments section to cluck their tongues, stroke their beards and wonder what’s to be done. We have certainly enjoyed this eighteenth edition of one of Europes biggest festivals!
So, get out your battle jacket, dust off those patches and (re)live those four timeless days as if you were there along with us!
For us, our journey to Hellfest begins on Thursday. Starting off with the welcome opportunity to discover Disconnected. Who were drafted in as last-minute replacements for Israeli band, Walkways. Despite this last-minute replacement, they brought their A-game. Playing a fantastic set. Pausing here and there to express how unexpected the pleasure of appearing at Hellfest today is for all of them. One man’s misfortune is another man’s gain!
Across on the Mainstage, Skindred are tasked with warming up the sold out crowd for the day… and they do just that and more! With their upbeat brand of reggae metal. We can’t help but feel sorry for lead singer, Benji Webbe though. Who must be terribly hot under his big fur coat as the temperature hovers around 35°C. After a slight sound issue at the beginning, which brought the bass to the forefront, the rest of the set went off without a hitch. Creating a great atmosphere and getting the eager festival-goers excited for the next set of the afternoon.
In the absence of System of a Down, a favorite with French audiences for years. It’s SOAD bassist, Shavo Odadjian and his band Seven Hours After Violet who are taking to the Clisson stage to act as spiritual surrogates in their stead. Bringing a similar musical style to the table, somewhat unsurprisingly given their origins. The formula works well and the deliver a show that keeps the bar set nice and high. Continuing the pattern of amazing performances that seems to have become the order of the day.
Classical music, at an extreme heavy metal festival? What the deuce! Don’t drop your monocle just yet though. As cellos in question belong to the members of Apocalyptica. Who stick to a setlist consisting entirely of Metallica covers. Needless to say, they made for a captivating spectacle. Especially as the crowd of thousands in attendance stood in for James Hetfield and sang along to all the thrash metal giants reimagined hits. Such as, Seek and Destroy, Master of Puppets and Enter Sandman. Such was the anticipation for their arrival that this mimicry even extended to their stage entrance music, The Ecstasy of Gold by Ennio Morricone. Which just goes to show how amped up the crowd are for todays artists.
Another interesting addition to this years line-up, Kim Dracula. The young Tasmanian, who many have discovered via TikTok, made quite a mark on all in attendance. It’s difficult to effectively judge an artist with such a wide range of styles. Jumping between rock, electro, funk, death metal, salsa (yes you read that correctly, salsa) with some gothic influence thrown in for good measure. Oh, and did we mention the live saxophonist in their ranks? Despite packing some catchy sax melodies however, the audience remained split between confusion and bewilderment. Even though they rolled out a cover of Paparazzi by Lady Gaga. Which should, by recognition alone garnered a reaction. Unfortunately for Kim Dracula, while nobody here will forget their set. We don’t think their fan base will be growing significantly either.
Fortunately, Airbourne are on hand to resolve the crowds lack of enthusiasm. Joel O’Keeffe’s penchant forshowmanship alone is enough to ignite any audience. So their set is almost a guaranteed shot of energy and excitement. Roaring away with old school rock ‘n’ roll bangers like Breaking Outta Hell, Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast and Runnin’ Wild. Airbourne soon have us all working up a sweat, raising everyones temperature even more than the blazing heat of the day.
While the (unfortunate) sacrificial can of beer Joel batters into subission against his own head on a nightly basis, the unmistakable air raid siren call to arms and the whiskey glasses thrown into the audience are all familiar sights to the initiated Airbourne fan. They never fail to have the desired effect on the crowd and it’s safe to say we never tire of seeing them.
Swedish natives, Imminence are up next though. Surely they can relieve the tension and calm the riotous ardor left behind by their Aussie predecessors. That’s what the violin is for, right? At least, not when played over metalcore… The softness of the instrument contrasts well with the vocalist, Eddie Berg’s screams. Although, the intensity and emotion would have been heightened with better stage design and more emphasis on the backing vocals in the overall mix, which were too often lost.
Time now for Till Lindemann to take to the stage. Who enters with his five bandmates in a line, to an audience that’s obviously amused by their attire. Special dispensation must be going to the drummer in a cheerleader outfit. Who’s sporting fake breasts, a dental mouth spreader and a variety of other facial accroutrements more usually utilised on livestock. Which he’ll be working in for the next hour! During which were treated to thirteen songs, including Golden Shower, Ich hasse Kinder and Skills in Pills.
Let’s be honest, the performance, the themes of the songs, and the overall sound was understandably reminiscient of Rammstein. Yet we were all left wanting more, even after such an enjoyable hour. Which ended with all five musicians reuniting for their final bow. After the drummer removed his torture devices, greeted the delighted festival-goers. No doubt leaving with a sense of personal sense of accomplishment for survivng the full set in such a get up. German rigor, without a doubt
Ultra Vomit, the well known French parody band were originally scheduled as todays pre-headline act. However, they had to cancel their appearance three weeks beforehand. Due to health issues with their lead singer, Chirs Besson’s health. Leaving Rise of The Northstar faced the daunting challenge of filling their shoes. We don’t question their enthusiasm or ability at all, but the stage (and the time slot) seemed a little too big for them to begin with. Perhaps due to a lack of more univeral appeal you would expect from a band occupying this kind of real estate on the line-up.
Thankfully, not all was lost though. As the combination of a lovely Japanese-style set and well timed pyrotechnics complemented their music perfectly Leading to some memorable moments. The even left us with a little teaser on the screen to give any new fans something to check out. Announcing the release of their next music video, an interesting collaboration with another big name on the rise, Landmvrks.
Tonights headliner are the godfathers of nu-metal, Korn. Who are still going strong thirty years later. Often imitated, never equaled, Jonathan Davis and Co. are a sure bet to get a pit moving. From the first notes of Blind, they get the warmest of Hellfest welcomes too. As the crowd starts pogoing, headbanging, and moshing immediately. Which they all somehow manage to keep up for the bands full hour and a half long set.
The setlist consists predominantly of tracks from Korn and Issues. Which make up nine out of the eighteen tracks. It’s also worth noting that Cold is the only track from an album released in the last twenty years to make the cut.
Delving back into their back catalogue almost entirely feels like pure fan service. Showcasing the old hits that brought the band to fame. Like A.D.I.D.A.S, Freak on a Leash, Got the Life and Falling Away from Me. All of which are undeniable classics you would not want to miss out on. To polish things off the evening ended with a single, very happy birthday to guitarist Brian ‘Head’ Welch. We hope he had as good a night as everyone else here!
Electric Callboy have really stepped up a gear recently. Being given the enviable task of closing the first full day of music at Hellfest. Having raved their way nicely up the bill since their last mid-afternoon appearance here two years ago. A completely unique proposition, both stylistically and sonically. They kick off their set with Elevator Operator. Accompanied by the aforementioned character that made the music video so much fun on the stages big screens.
Original in both their show and their music, the concert began with the appearance on the giant screen of the character from their latest video, “Elevator Operator. With the song packing almost every trick up Callboys sleeve. The lights, sound, pyrotechnics, confetti canons and of course… the audience all get taken through their paces to make sure they’re ready for the rest of the nights show. With the end result leaving nobody in any doubt that the band have earned their new place on this years line-up.
It’s understandable that the long-time metalheads would be wary of such things and songs such as Hurrikan, but their originality is truly refreshing. The light shows, the fireworks, the unison choruses and constant barrages of confetti really make them a blast to watch. By the time they’re finishing up with “Tekkno Train” and the catchy “We Got the Moves it’s clear. Electric Callboy may well be the headline act of tomorrow, if it’s not just a fad.
Day one of Hellfest now well and truly over. We can now go to bed with a smile from ear to ear, not that we’ll be getting a lot of sleep after Electric Callboy. Who’ve hit us like five coffees and three energy drinks right before bed!
