It's one of the festivals that extreme music fans look forward to every year. Hellfest returns to Clisson for a four-day extravaganza on Thursday June 19, Friday June 20, Saturday June 21 and Sunday June 22, 2025.
For this new, 18th edition, metalheads are once again in for a real treat, thanks to the presence of several headliners, including Linkin Park, Judas Priest, Epica, Within Temptation, Korn, Airboune, Dream Theater and Myles Kennedy.
Among the 184 bands announced, 106 artists will set foot on Clisson soil for the first time in 2025. A record! Among them? Muse, of course. The British rock band led by Matt Bellamy will be performing for the very first time at Hellfest on June 20 on Mainstage 1. But a host of other, lesser-known artists will also be stopping off in Clisson for the very first time at this 2025 edition of Hellfest. Here are 10 bands and artists expected at Hellfest for the first time this summer, and not to be missed!
A little bird tells us that Mainstage 2 is likely to be packed for the first day of Hellfest. And with good reason: Seven Hours After Violet are expected to be there at 5.15pm. Fans of System of a Down will certainly be familiar with this band, as it is the new project of Shavo Odadjian, the famous bassist of the Armenian-American band. With Alejandro Aranda and Taylor Barber from Left to Suffer, as well as Michael Montoya and Josh Johnson from Winds of Plague, Shavo Odadjian has us furiously pogoing to a nu-metal sound as powerful as it is effective. With just one opus to their credit to date, Seven Hours After Violet are determined to show what they're made of at this Hellfest premiere!
He's 27 years old and hails from Tasmania. He too will be treading one of the Hellfest stages for the first time in the summer of 2025. What's his name? Kim Dracula. For the occasion, the young nu metal and trap metal artist will have the honor of performing on Mainstage 2. If you've never heard of him, Kim Dracula created a buzz in 2022 with his astonishing cover of Lady Gaga's " Paparazzi ". Since then, Kim Dracula has released his first opus,"A Gradual Decline in Morale", and intends to seduce the ears of French metalheads this summer. So, are you ready to succumb to the phenomenon?
Attention metalcore fans! Did you know Imminence? Hailing from Malmö in Sweden, this band has already released 6 albums and will be appearing at Hellfest for the very first time this summer! This is your chance to discover their ultra-modern sound, with its blend of powerful beats, heavy riffs and graceful violin!
They're French, they rock and they sell out concerts! The members of Last Train will be appearing at Hellfest for the first time on June 20. And what better place than Mainstage 1 to showcase the full extent of their talent, as well as their infectious energy! The Alsatian combo will be presenting their third and latest opus, simply entitled"III", to festival-goers.
Sandrider: a band not to be missed at this year's Hellfest! Hailing from Seattle in the USA, Sandrider has everything it takes to appeal to stoner and grunge metal fans. Composed of Jon Weisnewski and Nat Damm, former members of Akimbo, and Jesse Roberts of The Ruby Doe, Sandrider 's furiously catchy choruses are sure to get you going!
Is it really necessary to introduce the Sex Pistols? A staple of the British punk scene, the Sex Pistols are back on the road this year, with Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glenn Matlock. On vocals, no Johnny Rotten, but the inevitable and very energetic Frank Carter, who intends to revive some good old hits from the iconic"Nevermind The Bollock's, Here's The Sex Pistols" live.
Vestige: here's a band you're likely to be hearing a lot about over the next few months. This French progressive metal and shoegaze band will be touring several French festivals this summer, including Plane'R Fest, Festival 666, Motocultor and Hellfest. An opportunity to discover their modern, powerful metal, both atmospheric and progressive. It's beautiful, raw, poignant, and not to be missed on June 21 on the Altar stage.
Do you knowUrne? We were lucky enough to see them at Cabaret Sauvage, opening for Norwegians Kvelertak, and we can tell you that this British trio has everything it takes to become a progressive metal band to watch very closely. In fact, their latest opus was produced by Joe Duplantier of Gojira. Both gentle and brutal, Urne 's metal is sure to catch your eye, or rather your ear!
Two legendary guitarists together on the same stage: that's the set you won't want to miss at Hellfest on June 21. While Joe Satriani and Steve Vai have already performed separately at Hellfest, this will be their first time together, with their joint project called Satchvai Band. The two musicians have announced a tour for 2025, with a stopover in Clisson on June 21, the day of the Fête de la Musique. A set not to be missed on Mainstage 1 from 8.35pm!
Bastardane are three young enthusiasts from the U.S.A., offering us a skilful blend of sludge, thrash and melodic rock. Programmed for the first time at Hellfest, and on Mainstage 1 no less, the members of Bastardane intend to make the most of this opportunity to show what they're capable of. Oh yes, we almost forgot. If you look closely at their band photo, you'll certainly find that the drummer bears a striking resemblance to a certain... James Hetfield of Metallica. Well, Castor is none other than the son of the Californian band's lead singer!
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and that other great bands will also be playing at Hellfest for the very first time this summer!
Hellfest 2025: complete program and concert times
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. On the program for this new edition? Americans Linkin Park, Brits Muse, Germans Scorpions, as well as Korn, Judas Priest, Till Lindemann, The Hu, Falling in Reverse, Dream Theater, Ultra Vomit, Within Temptation, Electric Callboy and Heilung... Click here for the full program by day and stage, plus concert times! [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From June 19, 2025 to June 22, 2025
Location
Hellfest website
Rue du Champ Louet
44190 Clisson
Official website
hellfest.fr
Hellfest 2025: complete program and concert times
