Hellfest 2026 has kicked off in spectacular style, with iconic acts from two generations delivering masterful performances at Europe's hottest metal fest. Taking place from 18 - 21 June in Clisson, France, the first two days also saw standout performances from Sepultura and Sabaton.
Photo; Darren McLoughlin
Stepping into the grounds of Hellfest is unlike any other festival in the world. We've been saying this for years, but the organisers are consistently raising the bar to deliver what has gained the just description as 'Disneyland for metalheads'. Back in 2024, they introduced the awesome Guardian of the Darkness, who stood at the gates of Hell City. This year, it's a monstrous statue of the late Ozzy Osbourne who greats arrivals to Hell City; appropriately, a towering all-black effigy of the Prince of Darkness.
Inside the arena which is abuzz with atmosphere from the off, it's Mikkey Dee and Friends who are the first to step onstage. "We are not Motörhead, but were going to plat Some Motörhead songs", he declares, self-effacingly. With Lemmy, 'Fast' Eddie Clarke, Phil Taylor and Phil Campbell sadly gone, Mikkey is carrying the torch for the metal legends, and today he does it with aplomb. They fire through the classics, and a few deeper cuts including a pulverising 'Sacrifice', before being joined by Alice Cooper bassist Chuck Garrick for a ferocious 'Killed by Death'.
"Its great to play these Motorhead songs", he concedes as the set nears its end; "I miss Lemmy, I miss Phil. I hope you're having as much fun as I am, because this is kicking my ass!"
Breaking Benjamin follow on Mainstage 1, and draw a sizable crowd, before elder statesmen of rock, Deep Purple receive a true hero's welcome. Opening with what else but 'Highway Star', the five piece are on fire from the off. "That was some chamber music, but we're going to get off the potty now", deadpans Ian Gillan, ahead of newie 'Arrogant Boy'. New guitarist Simon McBride meanwhile blazes like a fireball with his electric fretwork, however it's not all high octane, and a pensive 'When a Blind Man Cries' offers a moment of real introspection.
While Deep Purple are the ultimate '70s act, Papa Roach bring back the '90s, via their vastly entertaining 'nu metal time machine'. "We want to celebrate the era of nu metal!", declares Jacoby Shaddix, before the band dive into Korn's 'Blind', Deftones' 'My Own Summer (Shove It), Limp Bizkit's 'Break Stuff', and System of a Down's 'Chop Suey!' It all ends with their own 'Last Resort', and Hellfest loses its collective mind.
Back on Mainstage 2, Alice Cooper delivers a masterclass of showmanship. The set list too, is unreal, mixing things up to include mid and later day gems like 'Hey Stoopid!', and 'Brutal Planet', as well as the tracks that built his reputation. Declaring "this one's for Kurt!", Alice closes, not with 'Schools Out', but a surprise cover of Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', proving that he still has the ability to shock.
Hellfest's tribute to Ozzy Osbourne follows Alice's set—perfect timing for a musician who worked with Ozzy in the 1990s. Featuring archive footage of Ozz at his loveable roguish best, it ends with a brilliant fireworks display that lights up the night sky in his honour.
Back on Mainstage 1, Oli Sykes declares "Hellfest, you are all possessed. We are Bring Me The Horizon, and we're going to blow your minds", before his band deliver a brutal assault on the senses in sound and vision. Drawing a Metallica-sized crowd, theirs will prove one of the most popular performances of the weekend.
Inside the arena which is abuzz with atmosphere from the off, it's Mikkey Dee and Friends who are the first to step onstage. "We are not Motörhead, but were going to plat Some Motörhead songs", he declares, self-effacingly. With Lemmy, 'Fast' Eddie Clarke, Phil Taylor and Phil Campbell sadly gone, Mikkey is carrying the torch for the metal legends, and today he does it with aplomb. They fire through the classics, and a few deeper cuts including a pulverising 'Sacrifice', before being joined by Alice Cooper bassist Chuck Garrick for a ferocious 'Killed by Death'.
"Its great to play these Motorhead songs", he concedes as the set nears its end; "I miss Lemmy, I miss Phil. I hope you're having as much fun as I am, because this is kicking my ass!"
Breaking Benjamin follow on Mainstage 1, and draw a sizable crowd, before elder statesmen of rock, Deep Purple receive a true hero's welcome. Opening with what else but 'Highway Star', the five piece are on fire from the off. "That was some chamber music, but we're going to get off the potty now", deadpans Ian Gillan, ahead of newie 'Arrogant Boy'. New guitarist Simon McBride meanwhile blazes like a fireball with his electric fretwork, however it's not all high octane, and a pensive 'When a Blind Man Cries' offers a moment of real introspection.
While Deep Purple are the ultimate '70s act, Papa Roach bring back the '90s, via their vastly entertaining 'nu metal time machine'. "We want to celebrate the era of nu metal!", declares Jacoby Shaddix, before the band dive into Korn's 'Blind', Deftones' 'My Own Summer (Shove It), Limp Bizkit's 'Break Stuff', and System of a Down's 'Chop Suey!' It all ends with their own 'Last Resort', and Hellfest loses its collective mind.
Back on Mainstage 2, Alice Cooper delivers a masterclass of showmanship. The set list too, is unreal, mixing things up to include mid and later day gems like 'Hey Stoopid!', and 'Brutal Planet', as well as the tracks that built his reputation. Declaring "this one's for Kurt!", Alice closes, not with 'Schools Out', but a surprise cover of Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit', proving that he still has the ability to shock.
Hellfest's tribute to Ozzy Osbourne follows Alice's set—perfect timing for a musician who worked with Ozzy in the 1990s. Featuring archive footage of Ozz at his loveable roguish best, it ends with a brilliant fireworks display that lights up the night sky in his honour.
Back on Mainstage 1, Oli Sykes declares "Hellfest, you are all possessed. We are Bring Me The Horizon, and we're going to blow your minds", before his band deliver a brutal assault on the senses in sound and vision. Drawing a Metallica-sized crowd, theirs will prove one of the most popular performances of the weekend.
With temperatures steadily soaring, Friday [19 June]'s 36c temperatures find the masses seeking shelter wherever they can find it. Hellfest's forest, which is midway between the main arena and the towering Lemmy statue, is the ideal place to chill. Happily, there's also Hellfresh nearby, with its soothing mist.
Those brave enough to bear it are treated to Queensrÿche, who belt out the hits one after the other, backed by some slick Mordorÿche visuals. From 'Revolution Calling' to 'Empire', the band are as reliable as ever, with vocalist Todd La Torre proving one of the finest vocalists to set foot on the Hellfest stage all weekend.
After a performance like that, you'd forgive Todd for taking it easy. He isn't done however, and is one of a number of guests who join Accept to celebrate 50 years of Balls to the Wall action. Belting out 'Run if you Can' alongside Accept vocalist Mark Tornillo, Opeth's Fredrik Åkesson steps up for a ferocious 'Fast as a Shark'.
On their worldwide farewell trek, Sepultura too have an air of celebration around them, though it's tinged with sadness. "It's incredible to have our last show in France at Hellfest with you all", announces a grateful Derrick Green. There's no room for tears however, just killer riffs, brutal beats, and incredible attitude. Looking back to their ground-breaking 'Roots' album, we get archive footage, the tribal beats of 'Attitude' and 'Ratamahatta', and of course 'Roots Bloody Roots'
It may be the middle of summer, but with the announcement from the Keeper that "Pumpkinheads of France, you have been loyal for 40 years...", it's Helloween again. A power metal institution, the seven-piece 'Pumpkins United' line-up have never been better, and with three singers, traverse the various eras with ease. It's only when Michael Kiske admits "I was about 18 when I recorded the vocals on this one" before 'Future World', that you realise just how long ago the band started.
'I Want Out' delivers a cartoon spectacle on the big screen, while encore 'Eagle Fly Free' shows off not just the voices of Kiske and co-frontman Andi Deris, but the masterful interplay of guitarists Kai Hansen, Michael Weikath and Sasha Gerstner.
From power to prog, Opeth's set is filled with both unusual time signatures, and self-effacing humour. It's a short set which runs the gambit from 2002's 'Deliverance' to 2024's 'The Last Will and Testament'. "We're sad to leave you", declares singer Mikael Åkerfeldt as their set nears its end, "but also happy because it'll be beer o'clock, and also... Iron Maiden!"
Iron Maiden are, of course, up next, and playing their fourth Hellfest headliner they deliver what might just be their best ever set list. Covering the years 1980 - 1992 exclusively, the Run For Your Lives tour is a dream for old-school fans.
Taking things right back to the early days, it's exclusively Paul Di'Anno-era material for the first four songs. And there's no filler, with three of those coming from their 1981 'Killers' release.
Elsewhere we get a spectacular 'Powerslave', and two epics in 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner' and 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son', but the biggest cheers are saved for a returning 'Infinite Dreams' - last performed way back in 1989 - and encore 'Aces High'. Main man Steve Harris may lament the loss of the old school drapes, but the visuals they are using these days are nothing short of spectacular, adding credence to the lyrical themes.
It may be 11pm by the time Maiden take their bows, but Hellfest is just getting warmed up, and as Sabaton's tank rolls onto the stage, there's plenty more to come.
eonmusic however, is headed for a well-earned rest. There are two more days to come, and it's going to get hotter than hell.
Those brave enough to bear it are treated to Queensrÿche, who belt out the hits one after the other, backed by some slick Mordorÿche visuals. From 'Revolution Calling' to 'Empire', the band are as reliable as ever, with vocalist Todd La Torre proving one of the finest vocalists to set foot on the Hellfest stage all weekend.
After a performance like that, you'd forgive Todd for taking it easy. He isn't done however, and is one of a number of guests who join Accept to celebrate 50 years of Balls to the Wall action. Belting out 'Run if you Can' alongside Accept vocalist Mark Tornillo, Opeth's Fredrik Åkesson steps up for a ferocious 'Fast as a Shark'.
On their worldwide farewell trek, Sepultura too have an air of celebration around them, though it's tinged with sadness. "It's incredible to have our last show in France at Hellfest with you all", announces a grateful Derrick Green. There's no room for tears however, just killer riffs, brutal beats, and incredible attitude. Looking back to their ground-breaking 'Roots' album, we get archive footage, the tribal beats of 'Attitude' and 'Ratamahatta', and of course 'Roots Bloody Roots'
It may be the middle of summer, but with the announcement from the Keeper that "Pumpkinheads of France, you have been loyal for 40 years...", it's Helloween again. A power metal institution, the seven-piece 'Pumpkins United' line-up have never been better, and with three singers, traverse the various eras with ease. It's only when Michael Kiske admits "I was about 18 when I recorded the vocals on this one" before 'Future World', that you realise just how long ago the band started.
'I Want Out' delivers a cartoon spectacle on the big screen, while encore 'Eagle Fly Free' shows off not just the voices of Kiske and co-frontman Andi Deris, but the masterful interplay of guitarists Kai Hansen, Michael Weikath and Sasha Gerstner.
From power to prog, Opeth's set is filled with both unusual time signatures, and self-effacing humour. It's a short set which runs the gambit from 2002's 'Deliverance' to 2024's 'The Last Will and Testament'. "We're sad to leave you", declares singer Mikael Åkerfeldt as their set nears its end, "but also happy because it'll be beer o'clock, and also... Iron Maiden!"
Iron Maiden are, of course, up next, and playing their fourth Hellfest headliner they deliver what might just be their best ever set list. Covering the years 1980 - 1992 exclusively, the Run For Your Lives tour is a dream for old-school fans.
Taking things right back to the early days, it's exclusively Paul Di'Anno-era material for the first four songs. And there's no filler, with three of those coming from their 1981 'Killers' release.
Elsewhere we get a spectacular 'Powerslave', and two epics in 'Rime of the Ancient Mariner' and 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son', but the biggest cheers are saved for a returning 'Infinite Dreams' - last performed way back in 1989 - and encore 'Aces High'. Main man Steve Harris may lament the loss of the old school drapes, but the visuals they are using these days are nothing short of spectacular, adding credence to the lyrical themes.
It may be 11pm by the time Maiden take their bows, but Hellfest is just getting warmed up, and as Sabaton's tank rolls onto the stage, there's plenty more to come.
eonmusic however, is headed for a well-earned rest. There are two more days to come, and it's going to get hotter than hell.