We are getting ever so closer to returning to a place we hold dear to our hearts. We are, of course, talking about Hellfest , the biggest rock and metal festival in the world that has featured some of the most absolutely brilliant lineups ever since its inception back in 2006. Originated from the ashes of Fury Fest, Hellfest has grown exponentially over the years and now features six different stages, each offering unique facets and subgenres of rock and metal, a complete tasting platter for every palate. From hard rock, heavy metal and folk to black metal, death metal and hardcore punk, there is something for everyone at Hellfest.
This year is absolutely no exception, as a delicious, musical tasting platter is being served once again in six different stages, over the course of four days. Each stage of Hellfest is synonymous with a particular group of genres, but the fun is actually in going from one stage to the next, intertwining flavours of different varieties. The theme this year is a mesh of gory sinews that connect all parts of the festival for an out of bounds experience. Part of the reason why we love Hellfest so much is the decour and how it changes every year to match the audiovisual aspect of the festival. But, in the end, the most important reason why we travel hundreds of kilometers to the greatest festival of them all is because of the lineup, and this year, it is as impressive as ever. So, as always, we shall introduce ten names you absolutely cannot miss from this year’s lineup.
Cypress Hill
Hip hop is not a musical genre you usually see at a festival like Hellfest. Despite having hosted acts like Dälek and Ho99o9 in the past, the festival has never given a high priority slot to a strictly-hip hop act in the past. That is, until now, as one of the top groups that will grace the Main Stage this year is the inimitable Cypress Hill. Formed back in 1988, from the ashes of DVX (Devastating Vocal Excellence, Cypress Hill are considered one of the main progenitors of West Coast hip hop, being the standard-bearers of the entire genre ever since the release of their eponymous debut record. Featuring the high-pitched nasal vocals of B-Real, the powerful flow of Sen Dog’s voice, the stylistic drumming of Eric Bobo, and the crazy sampling mastery of DJ Muggs, Cypress Hill’s sound is known for its groovy and stoned aesthetic, with lyrics that often advocate for the medical and recreational use of cannabis. Songs such as “How Could I Just Kill a Man”, “Tres Equis”, “Insane In The Brain”, “Hits From The Bong”, “Stoned Raiders” and “Illusions”, among many others, became instant, timeless classics that pump any audience to this day.
On a live setting, Cypress Hill spew the same humour and darkness that is present on records such as Black Sunday, III: Temples of Boom, and their latest release to date, Back in Black. Expect total mayhem and insanity when the quartet steps foot on the Main Stage, on the last day of Hellfest.
Spiritbox
Sometimes, bands have to become dust so that a bigger and more mature project can arise. That is the case with Spiritbox. Founded by vocalist Courtney LaPlante and guitarist Mike Stringer after the disbandment of Iwrestledabearonce, Spirtibox incorporate electronic and progressive music elements in their sound, blending them perfectly with crushingly chuggy riffs, and an atmosphere that is both staggeringly heavy, but also breath-takingly ethereal. All this is complemented nicely by LaPlante’s vocals that range from gorgeous melodic singing to absolutely demented screaming. The band’s two records to date, 2021s Eternal Blue and the recently-released Tsunami Sea, are true testaments to these sentiments, with songs such as “No Loss, No Love”, “Holy Roller” and “Fata Morgana” piercing our minds, bodies and souls all at once.
This year, Spiritbox is poised to make their return to Hellfest after their brief debut back in 2022. The band won’t be playing around this time, as their show promises to be as massive and uncompromising as their music as become. Get ready to be crushed at the second Main Stage, on the second day of Hellfest, by an monolithic wall of sound.
Poppy
Poppy is a strange being, perhaps extradimensional and better left incomprehensible. Starting as an art pop artist back in 2017, Poppy slowly expanded out of her bubblegum aesthetic, developing her sound and presentation towards a more industrial and metalcore approach, with elements of tech metal and hyperpop in between. Her latest release, Negative Spaces, is as deranged and improbable as herself, pushing the boundaries of what can be considered heavy music and shattering whatever limits could be imposed upon her. Both absurd, crushing and oddly lovable at the same time, Poppy has been growing an ever-devoted fanbase, which shows just how much impact she has had in the music scene as a whole.
On her definitive debut at Hellfest, which will take place at the second Main Stage, on the last day of the festival, you can expect a show as insanely diverse as her studio offerings. And who knows, maybe she will even join Knocked Loose at the Warzone stage later that day for an explosive performance of the band’s brutal single, “Suffocate”.
Knocked Loose
Few bands shake the music industry as loudly and ravenously as Knocked Loose did when they unleashed their debut record, Laugh Tracks. Featuring chunky-as-fuck riffs, ruthless drumming and the unholy growls and screams of vocalist Bryan Garris, Knocked Loose’s sound is both pulverizing and orgasmic, chock-full of all the malice that you would expect from a beatdown hardcore band, and then some. Their latest release, You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, is all the proof you need to verify that Knocked aren’t here to play games; they are here to complete and utterly destroy your body with an impenetrable and indestructible wall of sound. Brimming with memorable and catchy moments, the record became an instant classic as soon as it was let loose into the wild and it has been spinning in our houses ever since.
On a live setting, the brutality of Knocked Loose’s sonic assault is even more gigantic and punishing. And as said previously, maybe we will see them joined by Poppy on stage for a supreme rendition of the band’s crushing single, “Suffocate”. Or even Chris Cerulli from Motionless In White on a rare performance of “Slaughterhouse 2”. Either way, we urge you not to miss this show, you will want to feel the oppressing heaviness of Knocked Loose’s sound upon your body. It might even be therapeutical.
Chat Pile
Drawing their name from the large mounds of toxic mining waste that litter the landscape of northeastern Oklahoma, Chat Pile are a curious group. Fusing noise rock and sludge metal with the intent of capturing the anxiety and fear of seeing the world tear itself apart, Chat Pile’s sound and lyrics reflect the environmental and social issues that stem from the legacy of industrial waste, on a planet that is being slowly consumed by a climate apocalypse without precedent. Influenced by bands such as Big Black, Godflesh, Korn and Sonic Youth, Chat Pile showcases ferocity and madness through abrasive guitar riffs, drunken-sounding and animalistic vocals, and colossal drum pummels, enveloping the listener in a world of sonic chaos, a terrifying reminder that the American dream is no more, if it ever existed in the first place.
The lunacy of their sound is translated quite well to a live setting, with vocalist Raygun Busch prowling the stage like a deranged serial killer seeking prey, while the rest of band channels somber energy that could be traced back to an insane asylum. Do you dare approach the Valley stage on the first day of Hellfest to face your fear firsthand?
Kylesa
It’s been almost ten years since Kylesa announced an indefinite hiatus, leaving an enormous void in the hearts of many a fan. And one can understand why that void would be so painful; after all, Kylesa were one of the absolute giants of sludge metal, seemingly unstoppable in their barrage of great records, such as Static Tensions, Spiral Shadow and Ultraviolet, that continuously brought a breath of fresh air to the genre thanks to their progressive and psychedelic tones, mixed with a ton of awesome riffs. But as luck would have it, both vocalists and guitarists Laura Pleasants and Phillip Cope decided that they had enough rest, and that the time was now to bring back Kylesa from its long slumber. Now joined by bassist John Jesse and drummer Roy Mayorga, and with renewed, unwavering ambition, Kylesa are set to reconquer the world in a furious manner.
If you were lucky enough to see Kylesa play live before their hiatus, then you know how totally devastating their sets can be. And if you are among the many who will be seeing them live for the first time, a forewarning; prepare to have your mind expanded to the point of complete collapse, as your body twists and turn to the sound of the heaviest riffage on the planet. Be there or be square.
Castle Rat
Some people have described Castle Rat as being “Black Sabbath but with swords and chainmail”, and perhaps, those people aren’t too far from the truth. Per the band itself, Castle Rat is a medieval fantasy doom metal band led by The Rat Queen on a quest to expand and defend what is referred to as “The Realm”, from those who would seek to destroy it. Joined by The Count, The Plague Doctor and The Druid, The Rat Queen eternally faces the relentless wrath of death herself, The Rat Reaperess, the arch nemesis of the band. Sonically speaking, Castle Rat do draw inspiration from Black Sabbath, with tight and crunchy riffs, intricate drum play, and The Rat Queen’s hypnotic, siren-like vocals. The atmosphere created from all these elements combined is fascinating, and one truly feels transported into a world full of sorcery and perils at every doorstep.
With the successor of their debut, Into The Realm, already in the making, this is the perfect time for Castle Rat to visit the Valley stage of Hellfest on its second day. Prepare for a performance full of theatrics, incantations and storytelling of the highest caliber – magickal enthrallment awaits!
Dethklok
Originally a simple fictional band from Metalocalypse, an animated series parodying all the prejudices and clichés of the metal scene born from the deranged mind of vocalist and guitarist Brendon Small, Dethklok quickly materialized into a living, breathing entity. A Cronenberg-esque version of what Gorillaz would be if they played melodic death metal, Dethklok are more than an imitation or parody, they are the really fucking deal. Their sound is a perfect symbiosis of catchy hooks, wicked solos, blood-gurgling growls and blood brutal drum pummels, as can be heard in their Dethalbum quadrilogy, as well as on Doomstar Requiem – A Klok Opera.
On a live setting, Dethklok brings their animated spectacle, featuring the true members of the band in a myriad of videclips and cutaways from the Metalocalypse, as well as comedic concert etiquette tips from a bloody skull aptly called Facebones. Dethklok shows are as hilarious as they are caustic, so if you are into some deadly death metal goodness with dark humour undertones, you are in for a treat.
Agriculture
Black metal generally explores the darkest aspects of existence. However, for Agriculture, a brand-new sensation in the extreme music scene, the explosive rhythms and screams of the genre evoke a joyful depth, a moment of ecstasy. They expose the beauty of this world and drown the listener in a tornado of emotions with what the band calls ecstatic black metal. The search for a deeper communion with nature, the meaning of human existence, and the journey of introspection that one gradually makes throughout their life are important themes in Agriculture’s music, which are elevated by devastating riffs, lightning-fast drumming and bellowing howls. With two releases to date, Agriculture are quickly becoming a highly-regarded name within on the most brutal musical genres, and their self-titled debut, as well as their EP, Living Is Easy / The Circle Chant, speak for themselves.
Agriculture will be making their debut at Hellfest on the festival’s third day, where they will step onto the Temple stage and deliver a powerful performance unlike anything you have ever seen. We urge you not to miss this one – it’s going to get loud.
Witch Club Satan
Haunting black metal performed by resurrected witches – now that is something we can get behind. Witch Club Satan that appeared seemingly out of nowhere and immediately sent shockwaves throughout the metal world thanks to their destructive sonic onslaught that is filled to the brim with destructive riffage and the depraved howls of the damned. Mixing Satanic aesthetics, witchcraft and a powerful Feminist message, the trio of vocalist and drummer Johanna Holt Kleive, guitarist Nikoline Spjelkavik and bassist Victoria Røising are here to completely annihilate the patriarchy, and we are here for it.
With one record under their belt, their debut at Hellfest on the third day, at the Temple Stage, promises to be as intense as their sound, a showcase of total savagery that will crush the balls of those unprepared and undeserving of compassion. The floodgates will be opened, whether you want it or not; it’s up to you if you are prepared to face the bloodshed that Witch Club Satan bring with them.
Words by Filipe Silva
