Another and third day at Hellfest ! After two explosive days in Clisson, the festival dedicated to extreme music continued its momentum and offered us yet more memorable moments, marked of course by theIron Maiden show, but also by concerts by Bloodywood, Puscifer and Arch Enemy, not forgetting the sudden return of rain to cool festival-goers down for just a few minutes. Here's a look back at Saturday June 17, 2023.
India was in the spotlight this Saturday morning at Hellfest! While black metal, thrash metal and hard rock are the festival's essential musical genres, Hellfest is also an opportunity to discover other, rarer styles, brilliantly defended by artists from the four corners of the globe. This year's line-up included a Mongolian band, a Tunisian group, a Turkish band and Bloodywood from India!
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So, what does Bloodywood sound like live? We simply loved it, and had a blast discovering this surprising band. On Mainstage 2 from 11.40am, it didn't take long for the band to wake up the still-sleeping festival-goers with their powerful and effective Indian folk metal, driven by the vocals of their two singers, but also by big riffs and vibrant percussion, reminiscent at times of a certain Sepultura!
The day continues with Fever 333 on Mainstage 2. We loved them at Hellfest in 2019, and also at Trabendo in Paris the same year. But this time around, unfortunately, the magic is no longer there, and singer Jason Aalon Butler loses us by trying to do too much on stage, repeatedly throwing his mic stand and microphone. As for the new members, recruited following the departure of the guitarist and drummer, here too, disappointment is the order of the day. It's a pity, because the American trap metal outfit's songs are meant to be powerful and hard-hitting.
One day at Hellfest follows another, with outfits as crazy and impressive as ever, like this festival-goer who went all out with imposing black wings. Unsurprisingly, she quickly became the darling of the crowd, eager to pose with her.
A little gentleness now, as we head for the Temple to listen to Kalandra. And there were plenty of spectators under the tent to discover the Scandinavians' folk-rock style, carried by Katrine Stenbekk's high-pitched voice. All in all, a successful set, both soaring and spellbinding. The quartet offered us a beautiful moment suspended in time, towards the snowy landscapes of northern Europe.
Sludge, you name it! Another style, another universe with the Americans of Crowbar. At the Valley, this band from New Orleans seduced the audience with a simple but effective set, led by the impressive Kirk Windstein.
Back on Mainstage 2, with Finnish band Beast in Black, led by Greek singer Yannis Papadopoulos. Their power metal style may not appeal to everyone, but the band put on a great show, throwing down melodic riffs and waves of 80's synths, drawing many festival-goers into their good mood!
It was another hot day at Hellfest on Saturday. So, to bring the temperature down a notch and cool off, festival-goers didn't hesitate to jump into the water under the now-ubiquitous water curtains. Many of them didn't need to comply with this ritual, as a heavy downpour fell on Clisson shortly afterwards!
This show was eagerly awaited by fans of Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle). It was on Mainstage 1 that his side project, Puscifer, took to the stage. And one thing's for sure: the band was the musical UFO of the day on Saturday June 17! With their sober but effective alternative rock, the band somewhat unsettled some festival-goers, accustomed to edgier, more powerful sounds. But no matter, Puscifer put on a quirky show. Far from taking themselves too seriously, the band even went so far as to invite aliens on stage!
A radical change of atmosphere with Arch Enemy 's ultra-powerful show on Mainstage 2! The Swedish symphonic death metal band, who on this day could count on many fans wearing their very own t-shirts, literally set the festival alight. Buoyed by the guttural vocals of the impressive blue-haired Canadian singer Alissa White-Gluz, Arch Enemy put on a powerful show, much to the delight of festival-goers, who joined in the slams and pogos throughout the set!
Fourth and final day of Hellfest on Sunday June 18, with eagerly awaited concerts by Amon Amarth, Tenacious D, Pantera and Slipknot!
Hellfest 2025: Skindred, Nervosa... the first three names revealed
Hellfest returns with four new days of concerts dedicated to extreme music. Mark your calendars, Hellfest awaits metalheads from Thursday June 19 to Sunday June 22, 2025. In terms of programming, Hellfest has unveiled the first three names of its next edition. Three bands to be discovered in advance on the "Hellfest Warm-Up Tour"! [Read more]
Location
Hellfest website
Rue du Champ Louet
44190 Clisson
Official website
www.hellfest.fr