With 180 bands performing across four days, this year’s Hellfest offered more music than anyone could possibly take in, so we’ve split our coverage into two parts. Held in Clisson, France, the festival’s second half on 20 and 21 June delivered a host of standout performances, including memorable sets from Megadeth and Down alongside headliners Limp Bizkit and The Offspring.
Photo; Fernando Bonefant
We're back at Hellfest following an awesome day one and two, and at this midway point, it's already clear why it's the best metal festival in the world.
We've already had showstopping headline sets from Iron Maiden and Bring Me the Horizon, killer weather, and that awestruck feeling from simply wandering around and taking in the epic Hellfest site, but over the next two days, we'll get more of the top names in the worlds of hard rock and heavy metal across six stages. All that's needed is refreshment, and plenty of sunscreen.
It's Saturday [20 June], and in Warzone, the home of all things punk and edgy, NYHC legends Cro-Mags are already causing mayhem. "I want to see everybody try to get up here", implores mischievous front man Harley Flanagan,"I want to see security work!"
A short distance away, across the Kingdom of Muscadet forest, another New York act are playing an absolute blinder. Although down a member thanks to drummer Charlie Benante's commitments with Pantera - his place is being filled by the more than capable Darby Todd - the five-piece are revitalised, thanks, in part to a pending new album, and from refreshing the set list. Of course they play 'Indians', and 'Caught in a Mosh', but with 'Medusa', 'Keep it in the Family', and latest single 'It's For the Kids' in place of more predictable material, it feels like a band reborn.
Scott Ian, Frank Bello, and Joey Belladonna all the while tear up the stage, covering every inch in their own distinct ways. Ian stomps, Bello runs about like a madman, and Belladonna goes wherever he damn well feels, from the stage to the photo pit at any given moment.
Offering something of a palete cleanser in half a big four sandwich, A Perfect Circle's emotive vibes prove the perfect chillout soundtrack as the sun threatens to knock down even the heartiest Hellbanger. Maynard James Keenan and co are probably more suited to a night time slot with their impressive stage production - like they had in 2018 - but it's a minor quibble, and the songs are the real star, none more so than gargantuan set closer 'Judith'.
On the other side of that, Megadeth bring the thrash back to Mainstage 2, and, much like Anthrax, benefit from ripping up the set list rule book. With three tracks from this year's self-titled set - including brutal opener 'Tipping Point' - as well as deeper dives like 'Hook in Mouth' and 'Countdown to Extinction', Dave Mustaine and co. are on fire. Megadeth may be on their way to retirement, but on this evidence, they're not content to simply phone it in.
Elsewhere they play FIVE tracks from their landmark 'Rust in Peace', meaning that even the most casual of fans aren't left short-changed. Limp Bizkit's Wes Borland though is no casual fan, as he demonstrates by diving straight into the riff from 'Holy Wars... The Punishment Due' as his band begin their headline set.
For Saturday night, Limp Bizkit are the perfect closer, bringing back the '90s in the same way that Papa Roach did the day before. Opening with 'Faith', they change things up from their Download Festival appearance a week earlier. With Fred Durst ditching the curly wig, he cuts a soberer appearance, but his words are less so. "Looks like we've got a party started in this motherfucker right here!", he proclaims.
The set is stacked with bro metal anthems, with 'My Generation', 'My Way', and 'Nookie' all causing predictable chaos, crowd surfing and mosh pits. It's not all muscle though, and there are moments of introspection in a tribute late bassist Sam Rivers, and a pensive 'Behind Blue Eyes'.
As day three nears its end, it's clear that Hellfest is really hotting up, but as the final day approaches, it's only going to get hotter.
We've already had showstopping headline sets from Iron Maiden and Bring Me the Horizon, killer weather, and that awestruck feeling from simply wandering around and taking in the epic Hellfest site, but over the next two days, we'll get more of the top names in the worlds of hard rock and heavy metal across six stages. All that's needed is refreshment, and plenty of sunscreen.
It's Saturday [20 June], and in Warzone, the home of all things punk and edgy, NYHC legends Cro-Mags are already causing mayhem. "I want to see everybody try to get up here", implores mischievous front man Harley Flanagan,"I want to see security work!"
A short distance away, across the Kingdom of Muscadet forest, another New York act are playing an absolute blinder. Although down a member thanks to drummer Charlie Benante's commitments with Pantera - his place is being filled by the more than capable Darby Todd - the five-piece are revitalised, thanks, in part to a pending new album, and from refreshing the set list. Of course they play 'Indians', and 'Caught in a Mosh', but with 'Medusa', 'Keep it in the Family', and latest single 'It's For the Kids' in place of more predictable material, it feels like a band reborn.
Scott Ian, Frank Bello, and Joey Belladonna all the while tear up the stage, covering every inch in their own distinct ways. Ian stomps, Bello runs about like a madman, and Belladonna goes wherever he damn well feels, from the stage to the photo pit at any given moment.
Offering something of a palete cleanser in half a big four sandwich, A Perfect Circle's emotive vibes prove the perfect chillout soundtrack as the sun threatens to knock down even the heartiest Hellbanger. Maynard James Keenan and co are probably more suited to a night time slot with their impressive stage production - like they had in 2018 - but it's a minor quibble, and the songs are the real star, none more so than gargantuan set closer 'Judith'.
On the other side of that, Megadeth bring the thrash back to Mainstage 2, and, much like Anthrax, benefit from ripping up the set list rule book. With three tracks from this year's self-titled set - including brutal opener 'Tipping Point' - as well as deeper dives like 'Hook in Mouth' and 'Countdown to Extinction', Dave Mustaine and co. are on fire. Megadeth may be on their way to retirement, but on this evidence, they're not content to simply phone it in.
Elsewhere they play FIVE tracks from their landmark 'Rust in Peace', meaning that even the most casual of fans aren't left short-changed. Limp Bizkit's Wes Borland though is no casual fan, as he demonstrates by diving straight into the riff from 'Holy Wars... The Punishment Due' as his band begin their headline set.
For Saturday night, Limp Bizkit are the perfect closer, bringing back the '90s in the same way that Papa Roach did the day before. Opening with 'Faith', they change things up from their Download Festival appearance a week earlier. With Fred Durst ditching the curly wig, he cuts a soberer appearance, but his words are less so. "Looks like we've got a party started in this motherfucker right here!", he proclaims.
The set is stacked with bro metal anthems, with 'My Generation', 'My Way', and 'Nookie' all causing predictable chaos, crowd surfing and mosh pits. It's not all muscle though, and there are moments of introspection in a tribute late bassist Sam Rivers, and a pensive 'Behind Blue Eyes'.
As day three nears its end, it's clear that Hellfest is really hotting up, but as the final day approaches, it's only going to get hotter.
Sunday's [21 June] severe weather warning means big changes for safety reasons that affect not just Hellfest, but the entire country of France. What this means in Clisson though, is no end of festival fireworks, a restriction on alcohol sales, and other on-site limitations. It's all for the best however, and in crippling 40°C heat, the last thing on anyone's mind is how many beers they can get in.
With a pasty Irish complexion, eonmusic takes the wise decision to remain indoors for as long as possible, and we arrive onsite just as Corrosion of Conformity begin their early evening set on the Valley stage. "I know it's hot as hell out there today. Who's got the fire?!", says Pepper Keenan, seizing an entirely appropriate moment to introduce one of their songs. Focusing hard on their 1995 classic 'Deliverance' we get the sludgy 'Seven Days' - "you guys like heavy shit? I guess that's why you're here" - a grooving 'Clean My Wounds', and of course, 'Albatross'.
Over on Mainstage 2, Architects are building atmosphere with their metalcore anthems. Closer 'Animals' raises the biggest response, with frontman Sam Carter moved to comment "holy shit, what an amazing crowd you've been!"
Changing tack completely Garage rockers The Hives put in a relentless, high energy performance. "We're here to put some rock in your metal. It's only going to make it taste better!", declares singer Howlin' Pelle Almqvist. The man is a ball of sweaty energy, and he instantly gets the crowd on side, thanks to his eclectic hijinks. The songs too, are right on the money, with a singalong 'Hate to Say I Told You So' and an explosive 'Tick Tick Boom' among the highlights of not just their set, but the day.
In complete contrast, the emotive Bad Omens offer a much more thought-provoking set, with their alt metal sound. Heavy, down-tuned guitars layered over atmospheric synths are complemented by the vocals of frontman Noah Sebastian to produce a truly huge sound. It is however, a bit of a comedown, but the crowd seem to love it.
Bringing back the fun, The Offspring are the perfect act to close out Hellfest 2026. There's an instant explosion of energy as soon as 'Come Out and Play' bursts into life, happily, with Jason 'Blackball' McLean - the OG Offspring superfan who delivered the "you gotta keep 'em separated" line on the song's studio recording - joining them. Back to headline after their 2024 debut,
Dexter Holland seems to be loving it; "Look at this place Noodles", he says to his sidekick guitarist; "have you ever seen anything so beautiful. This is going to be a great night". And indeed it proves to be. The Offspring have so many bangers that it would be impossible not to be, from a frenetic 'I Want You Bad' to hit singles 'Original Prankster' and 'Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)'. "I fucking love France and I fucking love Hellfest!", declares Noodles at the midpoint. So do we, mate, so do we.
And that's it. Except it isn't, because over in Valley, the New Orleans mardi gras is still in full swing, with Down closing out the party. Front man Phil Anselmo is his usual contrary, but hilarious self; "we do have a new record coming out pretty soon. You want to hear a new song?", he says to excited cheers; "Go buy the record when it comes out". It's a horrible tease, but with 'Swan Song' and baking 'Stone The Crow' following soon after, all is forgiven.
The set ends with Anselmo promising "I'm sure we'll do something special next year", so it seems Down have big plans for 2027.
And Down aren't the only ones with a special 2027 in sight, for as Hellfest comes to a close organisers announce massive upgrades for their 20th anniversary, with Hellfest 2027 - Absolute promising 300 bands across ten stages.
Despite the oppressive heat, unprecedented restrictions, a few key cancellations and the absence of Hellfest's traditional end-of-weekend spectacle, the festival's final days proved that great music will always triumph over adversity.
As the crowds drift out of Clisson, one thing is certain: if Hellfest 2027 delivers on its ambitious promises, the world's greatest metal festival may be about to raise the bar once again.
With a pasty Irish complexion, eonmusic takes the wise decision to remain indoors for as long as possible, and we arrive onsite just as Corrosion of Conformity begin their early evening set on the Valley stage. "I know it's hot as hell out there today. Who's got the fire?!", says Pepper Keenan, seizing an entirely appropriate moment to introduce one of their songs. Focusing hard on their 1995 classic 'Deliverance' we get the sludgy 'Seven Days' - "you guys like heavy shit? I guess that's why you're here" - a grooving 'Clean My Wounds', and of course, 'Albatross'.
Over on Mainstage 2, Architects are building atmosphere with their metalcore anthems. Closer 'Animals' raises the biggest response, with frontman Sam Carter moved to comment "holy shit, what an amazing crowd you've been!"
Changing tack completely Garage rockers The Hives put in a relentless, high energy performance. "We're here to put some rock in your metal. It's only going to make it taste better!", declares singer Howlin' Pelle Almqvist. The man is a ball of sweaty energy, and he instantly gets the crowd on side, thanks to his eclectic hijinks. The songs too, are right on the money, with a singalong 'Hate to Say I Told You So' and an explosive 'Tick Tick Boom' among the highlights of not just their set, but the day.
In complete contrast, the emotive Bad Omens offer a much more thought-provoking set, with their alt metal sound. Heavy, down-tuned guitars layered over atmospheric synths are complemented by the vocals of frontman Noah Sebastian to produce a truly huge sound. It is however, a bit of a comedown, but the crowd seem to love it.
Bringing back the fun, The Offspring are the perfect act to close out Hellfest 2026. There's an instant explosion of energy as soon as 'Come Out and Play' bursts into life, happily, with Jason 'Blackball' McLean - the OG Offspring superfan who delivered the "you gotta keep 'em separated" line on the song's studio recording - joining them. Back to headline after their 2024 debut,
Dexter Holland seems to be loving it; "Look at this place Noodles", he says to his sidekick guitarist; "have you ever seen anything so beautiful. This is going to be a great night". And indeed it proves to be. The Offspring have so many bangers that it would be impossible not to be, from a frenetic 'I Want You Bad' to hit singles 'Original Prankster' and 'Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)'. "I fucking love France and I fucking love Hellfest!", declares Noodles at the midpoint. So do we, mate, so do we.
And that's it. Except it isn't, because over in Valley, the New Orleans mardi gras is still in full swing, with Down closing out the party. Front man Phil Anselmo is his usual contrary, but hilarious self; "we do have a new record coming out pretty soon. You want to hear a new song?", he says to excited cheers; "Go buy the record when it comes out". It's a horrible tease, but with 'Swan Song' and baking 'Stone The Crow' following soon after, all is forgiven.
The set ends with Anselmo promising "I'm sure we'll do something special next year", so it seems Down have big plans for 2027.
And Down aren't the only ones with a special 2027 in sight, for as Hellfest comes to a close organisers announce massive upgrades for their 20th anniversary, with Hellfest 2027 - Absolute promising 300 bands across ten stages.
Despite the oppressive heat, unprecedented restrictions, a few key cancellations and the absence of Hellfest's traditional end-of-weekend spectacle, the festival's final days proved that great music will always triumph over adversity.
As the crowds drift out of Clisson, one thing is certain: if Hellfest 2027 delivers on its ambitious promises, the world's greatest metal festival may be about to raise the bar once again.