One of Europe’s largest festivals dedicated to extreme music, Hellfest returns to Clisson, France, this Thursday for its 18th edition. With headliners including Korn, Muse and Linkin Park, the sold-out event will feature over 180 artists across genres ranging from metal and punk to hip-hop.
Rock giants Muse, Scorpions and Linkin Park, the nu metal of Korn, punk legends the Sex Pistols... The 18th edition of Hellfest, one of Europe’s biggest extreme music festivals, kicks off Thursday in Clisson, western France.
The headliner on opening day will be the iconic California-based band Korn, considered one of the pioneers of nu metal — a genre that emerged in the 1990s, blending heavy metal with elements of hip-hop, electronic music and funk.
In the days to follow, acts like Scorpions and Eagles of Death Metal will take the stage alongside British rockers Muse, led by frontman Matthew Bellamy. The band may appear tame compared to the festival's typically "harder-edged" lineup but reflects Hellfest's ambition to appeal to a broader audience.
Linkin Park, bridging the gap between hard rock, metal, and their signature touch of rap, will perform Sunday in Clisson before heading to the Stade de France in July.
The American band, on hiatus since the passing of frontman Chester Bennington, is experiencing a second wind with the arrival of powerhouse vocalist Emily Armstrong. A new album, From Zero, and a world tour mark their comeback.
This year, Hellfest is also opening up to hip-hop with the inclusion of Cypress Hill.
The Sex Pistols will also perform, with Franck Carter stepping in for the band’s original frontman, John Lydon.
Till Lindemann, the frontman of German industrial metal band Rammstein — the best-selling German-language band in the world — will also appear solo. Lindemann had faced allegations of sexual assault by female fans after concerts, but in August 2023, Berlin prosecutors dropped the investigation without further action.
Another controversial invitation this year, as recently highlighted by investigative outlet Mediapart: Norwegian drummer Bård Eithun, who will perform with the band Blood Fire Death. In 1992, he stabbed a gay man 37 times after allegedly receiving unwanted advances. Sentenced to 14 years in prison, he served his time but has never expressed remorse.
In total, “more than 180 artists” are expected.
On Wednesday, the second edition of Hellfest Kids will take place in the neighboring town of Gétigné, welcoming local schoolchildren. Performing there will be Heavysaurus, a heavy metal band for children whose members perform in full dinosaur costumes.
With its massive stage sets, merchandise stalls, and dozens of shipping containers converted into bars, Hellfest will also feature this year the “Purple House”: an immersive black-box venue with a 360° cage-shaped stage at its center, hosting around twenty concerts and various performances.
Founded in 2006, the festival welcomes around 60,000 attendees per day and is already sold out. The only remaining chance for this year: the official ticket resale platform.
Otherwise, fans will have to try their luck for 2026. Four-day passes for the 19th edition will go on sale starting July 8.
With AFP
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