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Hellfest 2026. Clisson, France. Bermuda shorts at the ready, it is time for Anthrax. One of the Big Four, on the Main Stage, these are titans. Scheduled to follow Cavalera Conspiracy and a prequel to Megadeth, this was a Thrasher’s party day.

Sadly, the Cavalera brothers and their Chaos A.D. show did not happen, with the band issuing a statement crediting their driver’s elite skill behind the wheel for preventing what easily could have been a “deadly bus crash.”

In the red alert warning heatwave, Anthrax roll back the years. It is a mystery to me why they are often lower down the order at festivals.

Anthrax still perform like it is the mid-’80s. Opening with the Stephen King-inspired Among The Living, the band are going absolutely ape. 

Joey Belladona is running up and down the line of the crowd, greeting them with big, cheery smiles. How good is his voice still? He hits the peak notes cleanly and many are held for long with ease. Find their performance of Medusa in the video below for a class example.

Frank Bello is jumping and tearing around like a rat in a food blender. He does not stop all gig. Then you have the unique presence that is Scott ‘Not’ Ian playing his luminous green flying V with panache and fizz, goatie beard bobbing to the beat. Charlie Benante is kicking seven bells out of his drum kit, and Jonathan Donais, all in black, is focused on keeping the technical precision of a masterclass in Thrash in check. 

Saturday is absolutely rammed here, and the crowd stretches as far as the eye can see. The pits are mayhem, and the occasional fan finds themselves picking a boot out of their head as they weight lift the surfers bundling over the top. 

Flying through the classics, Madhouse rockets by. Got The Time is still tick, tick, ticking in my head. Medusa is a surprise play, and then another surprise follows with Keep It In The Family, which gives a slight respite to overheated moshers who are receiving full blast hose hits of cold water to keep them safe. 

Bizarrely, a rainbow appears off to the left of the stage. There are a few clouds, but this festival has been non-stop sun so far.  

Fittingly, the rainbow turns up as Anthrax announce the release of their new album in September and tests a new song It’s For The Kids. It is pounding and fun, but halfway through it switches into a super-fast guitar solo with equally fast drumming. With harmonising guitars and Joey blasting his lungs out, wow, the new album promises good things. 

In time-honoured tradition, Joey dons an Indian Chief’s head dress, creating a massive whirring circle pit that left the fans war dancing long after the final note ends. 

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HELLFEST 2026

Prepare to be consumed by the relentless energy of the most influential bands in Heavy Metal as they ignite the Hellfest stages with blistering performances. The immersive atmosphere of Clisson will immerse you in a dark, captivating experience like no other.

With its unparalleled lineup and unwavering commitment to the spirit of metal, Hellfest 2026 promises an unforgettable journey into the depths of sonic mayhem. Read all the Heavy Metal News at MetalTalk.

MetalTalk Hellfest 2026 coverage can be found at https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/hellfest-2026.

This year’s MetalTalk team is:

Bogdan Bele

Sean Titley

Photography: 

Luke Vaughan

For Hellfest 2025, visit https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/hellfest-2025.

For Hellfest 2024, visit https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/hellfest-2024.

For Hellfest 2023, visit https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/hellfest-2023.

For Hellfest 2022, visit https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/hellfest-2022.

The post Anthrax Prove They’re Still Among the Living at Hellfest 2026 first appeared on MetalTalk – Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews.

Live Gallery: Halestorm (Unplugged) – Islington Assembly Hall, London

17th June 2025
Photos: Tom Atkin

We look back at the epic Halestorm unplugged show through the eyes of our photographer Tom Atkin!

Photo credits: Tom Atkin

For all the latest news, reviews, interviews across the heavy metal spectrum follow THE RAZORS’S EDGE on facebook, twitter and instagram.

The post Live Gallery: Halestorm (Unplugged) – London appeared first on The Razor's Edge.

Live Review: Halestorm (Unplugged) – Islington Assembly Hall, London

17th June 2026
Words & Photos: Tom Atkin

Coming off the back of an incredible second stage headline slot on the Friday of this years Download Festival, just days prior, tonight Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger of Halestorm, bring their unplugged performance to UK soil.

What a venue for this special shiw, Islington Assembly Hall is an absolutely stunning place which lends itself nicely to an unplugged performance. Having seen Halestorm perform several times over their career, in venues ranging from local 1200 capacity clubs to the O2 Arena just a short trip over the river from here, seeing just two mic stands and a piano on stage before they come on seems strange.

It’s a much calmer entrance to the stage than they are known for, tonight just casual wander in to view, in more relaxed, yet still signature, outfits. Joe with his acoustic guitar and Lzzy’s mic waiting for her on its stand.

Opening the first set with ‘Amen’ is a powerful start, a song notoriously heavy will demonstrate perfectly what the fans are in for with this alternative style of performance. Straight away it is extremely clear that Halestorm do not need a stack of amps, effects pedals on mass and pyro to put on an amazing show. Every recognisable song felt like a completely fresh one with the stripped back feel of it , ‘Do Not Disturb’ and ‘I Get Off’ going from their usual had hitting heavy anthems to a much more intimate versions. I suspect Lzzy’s microphone wasn’t really needed and that she could performed tonight with no additional help. 

Then we are greeted with songs that are normally on a more sombre wavelength of their albums, ‘Familiar Taste of Poison‘ being a stand out which just seems so much better in this setting, Lzzy’s voice just holding each note perfectly.

With no support act this evening, the performance was split into two separate sets, giving a bit of a rest in between for both band and fans alike.

When Lzzy re-enters the stage it is just her and three beautiful renditions of ‘Dear Daughter’, ‘How Will You Remember Me?’ and ‘Break In’. Normally these are already emotional songs, however, when it’s just Lzzy and her piano it takes that feeling up several notches, the crowd can feel the passion that is put in to the lyrics and the story telling is on another level.

There is a few covers thrown in as well, ‘Gold Dust Woman’ by Fleetwood Mac – a song Halestorm covered for the ‘ReAnimate 2.0’ EP – is delivered as another version with Lzzy’s own personal stamp on it.

Whilst  Arejay and Josh are certainly missed on this run of shows it does not take anything away from the experience. The fans in the sold out venue are singing back every single word and with it being unplugged you can expect that the crowd will be a fair bit calmer with their movements.

Even ‘Love Bites (So Do I)’, a song that you would expect the fans to get rowdy to, gets brought down to an almost funky level; the tempo is very similar, but the feel is completely changed with everyone here completely involved with it.

Being called the Living Room Sessions Tour feels very apt, there is banter between songs, with reverences being made to the Ferris Wheel incident at Download, fans shouting out things and both Lzzy and Joe responding, something that doesn’t seem to happen with most bands, even at small shows.

Bring back unplugged tours more often. 

Photo credits: Tom Atkin

For all the latest news, reviews, interviews across the heavy metal spectrum follow THE RAZORS’S EDGE on facebook, twitter and instagram.

The post Live Review: Halestorm (Unplugged) – London appeared first on The Razor's Edge.

Club 8’s Honestly is another irresistible entry in the Swedish duo’s long-running indie pop catalogue, effortlessly blending sophistication, warmth, and melodic charm. Driven by Karolina Komstedt’s distinctive vocals, the track radiates a breezy elegance while maintaining the understated emotional depth that has defined the band for decades. Lush arrangements and polished production create an inviting atmosphere, balancing dream-pop sensibilities with refined indie-pop craftsmanship. There’s a timeless quality to Honestly that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly current, proving once again why Club 8 remain such a beloved presence in the genre. A beautifully crafted song that rewards repeated listens.

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Japanese power metal vocalist Saeko Kitamae unveils ‘Sins for the Gods (Reimagined)‘, the second single taken from her upcoming EP ‘Back to Life‘, scheduled for release on July 22nd. Listen to ‘Sins for the Gods (Reimagined)‘ – here With roots going back to the 1990s, ‘Sins for the Gods‘ is one of the oldest songs […]

The post Saeko Releases New Single ‘Sins for the Gods (Reimagined)’ appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM.

10xx’s The Unknown is a gripping electronic journey that thrives on atmosphere, momentum, and precision production. Blending cinematic textures with driving rhythms, the Austrian producer crafts a track that feels both expansive and intensely focused. The arrangement steadily builds tension, drawing listeners deeper into its immersive soundscape while maintaining a strong sense of movement throughout. Polished yet energetic, The Unknown showcases 10xx’s ability to balance emotional depth with dancefloor appeal. The result is a compelling electronic cut that captures the excitement of exploration and discovery, confirming 10xx as an artist with a keen ear for impactful and engaging production.

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The monsters are gathering. Dead of Winter has never just been about the bands – it’s the zombies in the pit, the blood-soaked maidens at the bar, the creatures roaming the venue and the beautifully strange energy that turns the festival into something bigger than a gig. For Dead of Winter’s Resurrection, we want Brisbane’s […]

Singer and guitarist has long loved an American counterpart for his eccentricity, his unpredictable creativity and his love of pyramids

Tugboat Captain’s Us & The Moon marks an exciting evolution in the South London outfit’s ever-expanding sound. Blending indie rock, baroque pop sensibilities, and art-pop sophistication, the track unfolds through an intriguing 5/4 rhythm that gives its nocturnal atmosphere a restless, hypnotic quality. Rich layers of synths and violin add texture and depth, while the rhythm section anchors the arrangement with understated confidence. The song’s reflective lyricism and cinematic mood create the feeling of a late-night urban wander, balancing intimacy with grandeur. Us & The Moon showcases a band unafraid to push creative boundaries while maintaining their distinctive emotional core.

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This is a the debut album from Temple ov Ahriman, a solo black metal band from the US. Aided by a session drummer, this solo act delivers 43 minutes of well-crafted black metal on Heretics of Consensual Reality. The first record by Temple ov Ahriman is one that you should absolutely check out if you’re … Continue reading “Temple ov Ahriman – Heretics of Consensual Reality (Review)”