Hellfest once again demonstrated why it is regarded as one of the world’s premier rock and metal festivals. Held in Clisson, France, the four-day event welcomed approximately 240,000 metal and rock fans from around the world.
Spread across six stages and featuring more than 180 bands, Hellfest transformed the town into a global gathering place, but beyond the music, visitors enjoyed an enormous festival site packed with food and drink stalls, merchandise markets, themed attractions and immersive art installations.
Headliners this year across the two main stages were Bring Me The Horizon, Iron Maiden, Limp Bizkit, The Offspring, Deep Purple, Sabaton, Megadeath and Bad Omens.
Day two perfectly captured the spirit of Hellfest, delivering a mix of progressive masterpieces, classic heavy metal legends and passionate crowds from morning until late at night. One of the most diverse and memorable days of the festival, delivering many emotional performances.
The atmosphere was electric and slightly cooler than the oven-like heat of the first day. Thousands of fans dressed in band shirts filled the festival grounds under clear skies, creating a sense of unity, no matter where you were from and whether you were a lifelong metal veteran or attending for the first time.
The day began with LA Capture, whose performance immediately energized the crowd. Their set was full of enthusiasm and raw energy, setting the tone perfectly for the hours ahead. Their modern sound blended heavy riffs with infectious melodies, and the audience responded enthusiastically. It’s hard to categorize the band, but think Biohazard meets REM and you’re doing well. While they may not have been the biggest name of the day, LA Capture succeeded in creating excitement and drawing early festivalgoers closer to the stage.
Tesseract then demonstrated why they remain one of the finest progressive metal bands performing today. Their set was technically flawless while still maintaining emotional depth. The enormous sound system at Hellfest perfectly complemented their atmospheric compositions, allowing every intricate guitar passage and soaring vocal melody to resonate throughout the venue.
The band’s performance showcased both precision and passion. Songs flowed seamlessly into one another, creating an immersive experience rather than simply a collection of individual tracks. The crowd, many of whom were singing along, appreciated every dynamic shift and complex rhythm. Tesseract proved that progressive metal can be both intellectually stimulating and emotionally powerful.
Later in the day, Opeth delivered one of the standout performances of the entire festival. Their ability to transition between delicate passages and crushing heaviness remains unmatched.
Mikael Åkerfeldt charmed the audience with his characteristic humour while leading the band through a masterclass in musicianship. The performance balanced progressive rock textures with death metal intensity, reminding everyone why Opeth occupies such a unique place within metal history. Their set felt cinematic, with each song building an atmosphere that captivated thousands of fans. It was a performance that rewarded both longtime followers and newer listeners discovering the band for the first time.
As evening approached, Accept brought pure traditional heavy metal power to the stage. Their performance was energetic, loud and unapologetically old school. The twin guitar harmonies and thunderous rhythms immediately ignited the audience. The band demonstrated incredible stamina and professionalism. Every member looked completely immersed in the performance, feeding off the enthusiasm of the crowd. Accept’s songs sounded massive in the open-air setting, and fans enthusiastically sang every chorus. Their set served as a reminder that classic heavy metal remains timeless.
Queensrÿche followed with a performance that highlighted their enduring musical legacy. Their sophisticated songwriting and powerful melodies translated beautifully to the festival environment. The band balanced technical excellence with emotional delivery, offering a set that was both nostalgic and refreshing.
Their vocal performance was particularly impressive, and songs from across their catalogue received a warm response from the audience. The crowd appreciated the opportunity to experience one of progressive metal’s most influential bands on such a grand stage.
Helloween then transformed the atmosphere into a joyous celebration of European power metal. Their infectious energy spread instantly throughout the audience. Fans raised their fists, sang along enthusiastically and embraced every moment.
The band delivered soaring melodies, spectacular guitar solos and plenty of humour between songs. Their performance embodied everything that makes power metal special: positivity, energy and a genuine connection with the audience. The sunset backdrop added even more magic to an already memorable set.
The final highlight came from Sepultura, whose appearance brought intensity and emotion to the festival. Their aggressive sound hit with tremendous force, turning the crowd into a sea of movement. Mosh pits erupted, fans shouted every lyric and the atmosphere reached another level entirely.
There was also a sense of significance surrounding their performance, with many fans recognising the band’s immense contribution to heavy music over several decades. Their combination of groove, thrash and tribal influences sounded enormous across the festival grounds.
* Do check out our coverage of day one at Hellfest 2026 in our “Live Zone” – and previous years’ pix and review…*
- Hellfest 2027 is the 20th anniversary edition and will feature 10 stages and more than 300 bands, increasing daily capacity by 10,000 to 70,000 – 17th to 20th June 2027.
Words & Pix: David Bronstein
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