Articles : Hellfest 2016 – Metal Obsession Preview

So here I am, 11 months later (almost to the day), from when I made an impulsive decision to pack a bag and leave for France to embark on a journey that every metalhead must endure at least once in his or her lifetime – the Journey to Hell. Not only did I have to keep pinching myself to make myself believe the reality that I was in, but once I stepped into the charming little town of Clisson; which on three doom-laden days in mid-June is packed with about 150,000 music lovers from all over the world, I was in sheer bliss. I’ve said it a few times before and I will say it over and over again – either the Hellfest promoters have magical powers or an ardent love for making people’s jaws drop to the floor with the kind of line-ups they announce.

Hellfest is the biggest European metal festival and well-known to consistently have one of the best line-ups in the world of heavy music festivals but this year they’ve redefined heavy with the bands that they’ve picked to grace their majestic event. I joke not when I say that there the bill has some band from every stage of your metal-listening life (including the awkward teenage years), and is quite an eye-opener when it comes to the different sub-genres of music that there are.  Europe is undoubtedly the hub for all things heavy metal, being the chosen summer destination for most music addicts; but with a reputation for possibly some of the most killer lineups in metal festival history, Hellfest has always stood out just a little further ahead than most. Six stages and 150 bands over three days of pure metallic bliss. It is definitely one that is on the bucket list for many. Metal Obsession will be attending the 11th edition of this massive French festival in the beautiful and mystic city of Clisson.

As is the necessity, let’s do a brief (hah!) analysis of the massive aural assault you will face if you decide to enter Clisson. Hellfest has six delightful stages that are over-flowing with musicians, amps, gear, fans, alcohol and so much more. Mainstage 01 and Mainstage 02 are of course the 2 stages most punters would be close to and for good reason – this year’s headliners are worth crushing your ribs against a sturdy metal barrier! The godfathers of metal Black Sabbath will be headlining Day 3 on main stage 01 as part of their Farewell Tour, while Twisted Sister bring the heat on Day 2 and the mighty Germans, Rammstein, who recently sued their own government on Day 1. Unironically, these are all bands I grew up listening to especially Sabbath and Rammstein so there is a fair amount of excitement, making all the veins in my forehead pop out. The two Main Stages (01 and 02) are, of course, where a large chunk of this year’s line-up will be – Hellfest has really roped in the bigwigs this year. Those just being the headlining acts, other bands include 3 of The Big 4 – Anthrax, Slayer and Megadeth, Within Temptation, Bullet For My Valentine, Joe Satriani, Municipal Waste, and, of course, my favourite band in the world: Gojira (this means new material live!).

The Altar a.k.a ‘The Extreme Stage’, will give you your daily dose of ear drum damage. As compared to last year, 2016 will see a more diverse selection of bands on this stage over the three days. Polish dark metal lords Vader, thrash metal maniacs Havok, Finnish melodeath metallers Insomnium (heart eyes)  and the absolutely mental Vegetarians Cattle Decapitation are just some of the acts you need to keep an eye and an ear out for so if extreme music is your thing, this is where you need to hover for the most part. Three massive bands with equally massive sounds will be headlining this stage on all three days – Testament, Napalm Death and Paradise Lost (see you soon, Nick). Also, let’s not forget this is the year I FINALLY get to see Fallujah. Thank you, Hellfest! Katatonia, Grand Magus, Sacred Reich, Entombed AD and Agoraphobic Nosebleed are other winning elements on this stage. I can almost feel the madness that is to ensue.

If you are one who has an ardent passion for all things pagan, folk, fantasy and Viking, there is plenty to go around with eternally classic bands like Primordial, Moonsorrow, Enslaved and Cruachan dominating The Temple stage over the span of three days. This year, however, there are a few black metal and extreme bands scattered across the 3 days on this stage, for instance, the absolutely deadly Behexen who I’m so unbelievably  keen to see as well as their Scandinavian counterparts Dark Funeral and Taake. Hellfest being Hellfest is well-known for providing a platform to lesser known bands as well and my pick from The Temple would definitely be Mgla, the beautiful, mysterious Myrkur, and of course the charming Solefald. The choices are endless and with headliners such as the mighty Abbath, Kampfar and metal veterans Deicide, this is probably the stage you’d want to settle down at if you need to take a break.  Oh, also FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE. I’m going to move on before I list the whole bill here.

If all the extremity and brutality has left your brain rattling in your head and possibly cracked your skull in the process, The Valley is the place to be as it hosts some of the world’s best stoner rock and doom metal bands and none other than the mesmerizing Sun O))) will be headlining this stage on Day 1 along with California’s very own Fumanchu  and Jane’s Addiction + Puscifer on Day 2 and Day 3 respectively. Alongside these pioneers, punters will also see the likes of bands such as Earth, Stoned Jesus, Torche, Rival Sons and Kadavar.

If you’re brave enough to enter the Warzone, it’s a hardcore and punk haven. This year we have the stage headlined by three massive bands, Killswitch Engage, Bad Religion and Refused, all great reasons to mosh to your heart’s content (and till you come back with a significant warzone mosh wound). One of the most talked about bands,  Mantar are one to keep an eye out for as well as the eternally amazing Heaven Shall Burn, Kvelertak and of course Sea Shepherd’s own metal supporters, Architects.

But wait… there’s more. Not only does this beautiful festival offer you more heavy music than you’ve ever imagined but there’s also a number of other things for punters to do in between sets of their favourite bands including gaming, shopping, a giant Ferris Wheel and a ton of other amazing things. There’s also plenty of options in terms of food when those post-mosh hunger pangs set in (which was constantly for me, the last time I was there).

It’s going too be a phenomenal three days so stay tuned to Metal Obsession for Hellfest updates!

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