For metalheads around the world, Hellfest is not just a festival; it’s a pilgrimage. Nestled in the picturesque village of Clisson, France, Hellfest has evolved from a humble gathering to one of the most iconic metal festivals in the world. From legends like Metallica to underground sensations, Hellfest 2024 has been a sonic explosion, attracting 70,000 people each day and immersing them in a unique blend of extreme music, art, and camaraderie. For those looking to discover the heart of the metal scene, Hellfest is more than just an event; it’s a rite of passage.
Hellfest 2024 boasted a rich lineup with 60 bands per day across 6 stages, each showcasing its own style of rock and metal (heavy metal, death metal, black metal, punk, hardcore, stoner, power metal, etc.). To get you in the mood, here’s a live report that is far from exhaustive but will plunge you into the depths of hell…
The first day of Hellfest 2024 launched the festival under promising auspices, with a varied lineup that captivated all attendees.
Although Slaughter to prevail announced the previous week their intention to create the largest Wall of Death in the world (to attract more people to their concert?), their show did not stand out for deathcore enthusiasts.
As soon as they took the stage, with their silver and gold masks, they grabbed the audience’s attention with their powerful sound and stage presence. However, the band then attempted their ambitious stunt. Alex Terrible, struggling to command respect when he asked the crowd to split, descended into the audience himself to organize the Wall of Death. After more than 15 minutes, the sound of guitars and drums signaled the start of this incredible record attempt.
While the images were impressive, Slaughter to prevail left a fleeting impression on festival-goers due to a setlist that was ultimately very shortened in pursuit of an unverified world record.
Kerry King, for his part, delivered a raw and powerful performance, true to his longtime thrash metal style. The founding member of Slayer played a set filled with incisive riffs and explosive solos. His setlist mainly featured his debut solo album From Hell I Rise, released in May (if this album had been the new Slayer album, we wouldn’t have noticed the difference). Paradoxically, the audience truly awaited the classics like Raining Blood and Black Magic to let loose and head bang like never before.
Through the power and precision of his performances, Kerry King confirmed his status as a giant of the genre, but his solo career is starting less strongly than his previous one.
Babymetal continued to enchant festival-goers with their unique fusion of metal and J-pop. Their show was a colorful spectacle, combining elaborate choreography, glittering costumes, and explosive energy. They performed their biggest hits like Gimme Chocolate!! and PA PA YA!! while showcasing a couple of new compositions like METALI!! with Tom Morello and RATATATA with Electric Callboy (though both were absent from the stage). The interaction with the audience was intense, and their stage presence proved once again why they have become global sensations.
Whether one loves them or not, they leave no one indifferent, and the crowd was clearly thrilled.
Megadeth delivered a memorable performance that reaffirmed their status as thrash metal legends. Led by the charismatic Dave Mustaine, the band rattled off classics with a raw energy that electrified the crowd. The concert began with their latest track The Sick, the Dying… and the Dead, immediately captivating the audience with rapid riffs and virtuosic solos. Mustaine, despite his age, proved he remains a top-notch guitarist and singer, wielding his guitar with surgical precision. One of the highlights of the set was the rendition of Symphony of Destruction, a thrash anthem that had the audience singing along, creating a sense of communion between the band and fans. Also noteworthy in the set was the rarely played Rattlehead.
The performance concluded majestically with Holy Wars… The Punishment Due, a complex and intense track that left the audience in a trance.
Avenged Sevenfold was one of the most anticipated headliners on Main Stage 1. Their show, while technically impeccable with spectacular visual effects, surprised many fans with a more progressive approach, contrasting with their previous performances that focused on raw energy.
The stellar performances of Hail to the King, Nobody, and of course Nightmare, which is a gem in its own right, kept the few skeptical festival-goers awake.
Due to the choice of the setlist, part of the audience seemed bewildered, but this concert is indeed one of the highlights of the day, thanks to the eclectic song selection and a well-thought-out production that matched the atmospheres.
Cradle of Filth, not necessarily known for the sound quality of their live performances, enjoyed incredible acoustics tonight, allowing the show to be appreciated at its true value. The show began with Existential Terror from their latest album Existence is Futile and swept through nearly their entire discography, playing a track from nine different albums. Classics like Her Ghost in the Fog, Nymphétamine, and Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids were, of course, included.
Although Cradle of Filth are often mocked for their performances and Dani’s high-pitched screams, the crowd was dense, the tent packed to the brim. Thirty years after their first album, nostalgic fans (and others) remain faithful to the cause.
Also worth mentioning are Landmvrks (announced three weeks earlier as a replacement for Bad Omens), the psychedelic stoner band All Them Witches, and Dark Tranquility with their Swedish singer Mikael Stanne, who was moved by the reception from the crowd, along with Danish band Asinhell, Singapore’s Wormrot, Mexican band Brujeria, and Japanese band Crystal Lake.
Check out the live photo gallery below to see more photos from Thursday at Hellfest 2024.
