Third day at Clisson, and fatigue begins to show on the faces. The heat, as ever, remains unrelenting, pushing festival-goers to multiply breaks between concerts while continuing to flock to the main stages. The festival must also contend with several last‑minute changes following the cancellations of Static-X, Volbeat, Cavalera Chaos A.D. or Tom Morello, forcing the organizers to revise part of the program. Despite these adjustments, Saturday’s lineup stays exceptionally dense, mixing discoveries, highly anticipated comebacks and true metal institutions.
Slay Squad (Mainstage 1)
The day opens on a Mainstage still thinning out with SLAY SQUAD. The California collective blends hardcore, trap, metal and electronic music in a proposition as blunt as it is unrestrained. Driven by two lead vocalists, a pervasive bass, and electronic sequences that sometimes struggle to sit cleanly in the mix, the band maintains a steady energy without always managing to hold the audience’s focus for the full duration. While the set lacks subtlety at times, the generosity of the performance is undeniable and helps kick off this third day on a notably muscular footing.
Vigljos (Temple)
Under the Temple, a complete shift of universe unfolds with VIGLJOS. The Swiss outfit offers a meticulously crafted plunge into medieval black metal, where every detail contributes to total immersion.
Straw-hat beekeeper masks, long white robes, bare feet, and an incense burner carved in the shape of a bee: the decor immediately piques the curiosity of those drawn to this young band. Behind this singular aesthetic, the group unleashes a dense, atmospheric black metal, propelled by tracks from Tome II – Ignis Sacer.
Atypical discovery reminding us that Hellfest remains a formidable playground for the most niche formations.
Insanity Alert (Mainstage 2)
It takes only a few minutes to understand that INSANITY ALERT never takes themselves too seriously. The Austrian trio arrives with their turbocharged crossover thrash, led by a Kevin “Heavy Kevy” Stout who is as loquacious as he is indefatigable.
Between songs, the vocalist swaps quips, throws up signs to the crowd, and relentlessly promotes circle pits. The ever-present humor never obscures the efficiency of the songs, heavily influenced by the American crossover scene of the 1980s.
Behind this apparent laid-back vibe lies a highly polished band, capable of turning a Mainstage that’s still warming up into a vast playground.
Thornhill (Mainstage 1)
For their first Hellfest appearance, the Australians THORNHILL place emphasis on their music above all. Without a grandiose stage show, the five-piece rely on the presence of Jacob Charlton and on songs that fully embrace the evolution started with Bodies.
The band largely draws from the latter album with “Diesel”, “Revolver”, “Silver Swarm”, “Tongues” or “Obsession.” Samples support certain vocal sections without ever taking over, letting breathe a massive alternative metal where the influence of Deftones surfaces regularly.
Very comfortable in front of a receptive crowd, Jacob Charlton intensifies exchanges with a crowd already highly responsive. A flawless Hellfest debut that confirms the band’s rise to a new level.
Combust (Warzone)
The Warzone returns to its familiar ground with COMBUST. The New Yorkers may not reinvent hardcore, but they deliver a particularly convincing interpretation.
Andrew Vacante leads his crew with unwavering intensity, while tracks from Belly Of The Beast roll out amid already crowded circle pits, despite the heat.
Between traditional New York hardcore and heavier metal riffs, Combust confirms the potential glimpsed on record and marks one of the day’s notable discoveries in the first half.
House Of Protection (Mainstage 1)
Delayed by about fifteen minutes due to a technical issue, HOUSE OF PROTECTION refuses to let this setback spoil their Hellfest debut. The duo formed by Stephen Harrison and Aric Improta quickly turns this shortened set into a true demonstration of energy.
Stephen Harrison plunges into the pit to perform “Learn To Forget” while Aric Improta continues to astonish with his tireless activity behind the drums… before stepping off the kit to join the crowd, climb onto a platform held by the front rows, and return to his drum kit without ever breaking the tempo.
In under thirty minutes, House Of Protection delivers probably one of the most explosive shows of the early afternoon.
Gatecreeper (Mainstage 2)
The Americans of GATECREEPER take over Mainstage 2 with newfound assurance. Flashes of flame accompany a massive death metal that seems to challenge the stifling heat.
Still grounded in old-school death metal, the band broadens its spectrum with more pronounced doom influences, already noticeable on Dark Superstition. Chase H. Mason leads with sobriety while the mosh pit responds immediately with a sequence of lively circle pits.
The Mainstage hosts a band whose upward trajectory is now hardly in doubt.
Psychonaut (Valley)
At the Valley, PSYCHONAUT offers a much more contemplative interlude. The Belgian trio delivers post-metal that is as massive as it is melodic, with long bass lines answering the soaring guitars.
Tracks from World Maker naturally fit alongside older material, including “Endless Currents” or “You Are The Sky.” Emotion peaks as the three musicians converge at center stage at the end of the set for a hug that says a lot about the importance of this first Hellfest appearance. A sincere, deeply immersive performance.
Sidilarsen (Mainstage 1)
Originally booked to replace Static-X, then rescheduled to a more favorable slot after Tom Morello’s cancellation, SIDILARSEN makes the most of this opportunity.
Nine years after their last outing on a Mainstage, the Toulouse-based group returns to Clisson in front of a noticeably larger audience. From the opener “Comme On Vibre,” energy is immediate. Didou and Viber amp up the interaction while screens effectively extend the band’s visual universe.
Sticking to their principles, Sidilarsen also uses “Adelphité” to address a message of solidarity with women and victims of violence, reminding that Hellfest must remain a safe space for everyone. Between commitment, galvanizing choruses and infectious energy, the Toulousains deliver a highly successful show that reaffirms their place among the dependable pillars of the French scene.
Crisix (Mainstage 2)
After nearly two years away from the stage, CRISIX finally returned to Hellfest with a challenging mission: prove that the hiatus hadn’t dulled their energy, while presenting a new musical direction championed by “Fast Music.” The Catalans now wear a more hybrid identity, where their traditional crossover thrash collides with markedly stronger electronic influences. A transition that could surprise on paper but makes instantly sense live.
Under a scorching sun, the band refuses to ease up. As soon as the show begins, the first circle pits appear in front of Mainstage 2. BB Plaza, a true electric dynamos, sweeps across the stage relentlessly before slipping into the crowd to play guitar amid a circle pit. A sequence that instantly elevates the intensity of an already wholly committed crowd.
Despite the heat, no one seems keen to slow down. The audience is present, with pogoing and circle pits spreading smiles even to the stage, and this return quickly feels like a collective celebration.
For a band returning from a long hiatus, it’s hard to imagine a better way to remind everyone that they remain one of the most explosive acts on today’s crossover scene.
Bâtards du roi (Purple Stage)
A new entrant to this edition, the Purple Stage quickly attracts curiosity. Behind its mesh cage structure reminiscent of fighting cages, the BÂTARDS DU ROI offer a medieval black metal that stands out as much for its aesthetics as for its musical approach.
Fully masked, the Orléanais turn their performance into a genuine ritual. The French lyrics, far from mere anecdotes, reinforce the band’s identity while percussion thunders against the metal walls of the stage. Despite the suffocating heat under this closed structure, the musicians never slow down.
The mood builds to the point of several circle pits forming around the cage itself, in front of a growing audience. A successful showcase for a stage that quickly finds its place in the festival landscape.
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs (Valley)
Back into the furnace of the Valley with the British band PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS. From their entrance on stage to AC/DC’s “For Those About To Rock,” the tone is set.
Matt Baty leads his crew with a distinctly British nonchalance, joking about the heat that players from Newcastle are not used to. Behind this constant self-deprecating humor lies a genuine demonstration of sludge and stoner, where thick riffs seem to gain even more weight under the sun.
As the set unfolds, the Valley increasingly feels like a roaring furnace, naturally intensifying the moody, hypnotic atmosphere of the band. After a final quip about an improbable Limp Bizkit cover, the band finally closes with a monumental “Toecurler,” ending one of the day’s most singular sets.
Enhancer (Mainstage 1)
Hard to imagine a more raucous family reunion. Eighteen years after Désobéir, ENHANCER returns to a Mainstage at Hellfest with a party mood that leaps out immediately.
From “Electrochoc,” David Gitlis, William Bastiani and Toni Rizzotti dash across the stage, reviving an intact camaraderie despite the years. The sound remains a touch unruly at times, but the band’s infectious energy quickly makes up for the occasional technical hiccup.
Then follows a rapid-fire succession of surprises. Nico from The Arrs joins for “Hardcore Version Dancefloor” before teasing the return of his own group. David Gitlis then descends to the heart of the pit during “Street Playground,” where he ends up literally surrounded by a massive circle pit.
The highlight comes with the arrival of JoeyStarr, who raps through several Suprême NTM classics in an utterly surreal atmosphere, before the Team Nowhere reunion moment returns. Mark Maggiori, Benoît Julliard and Fred Ceraudo step on stage to back “United Nowhere” and “Ce soir c’est grand soir,” announcing Pleymo’s return in 2027.
Between nostalgic homage and undiminished energy, Enhancer turns this late afternoon into a grand celebration. More than a concert, it’s a family reunion that will remain among the festival’s major moments.
God Is An Astronaut (Valley)
Head to the Valley for a completely different voyage. The Irish trio GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT offer a welcome breath amid a day that’s been intensely packed.
Their instrumental post-rock unfolds with a wealth of texture on pieces like “All Is Violent”, “All Is Bright”, “Suicide By Star” or “Odyssey.” The presence of cellist Jo Quail adds another dimension to compositions already so evocative, whose slow crescendos contrast with the omnipresent brutality of the other stages.
While the festival context and the heat can make listening a bit more challenging, the band still manages to create a genuine contemplative respite. A delicate and elegant performance that confirms the unique identity of the Irish outfit.
Anthrax (Mainstage 2)
ANTHRAX has little left to prove. Yet, fifty years after their formation, the New York outfit continues to defend its legacy with an energy that commands respect.
Scott Ian and Joey Belladonna need only a handful of seconds to hook the Mainstage with “Among The Living.” Despite the absence of Charlie Benante, replaced once again by Darby Todd, the band maintains full punch.
“Madhouse”, “Caught In A Mosh”, “Keep It In The Family” or “Indians” instantly trigger circle pits and repeated slams. Scott Ian also seizes the moment to introduce “It’s For The Kids,” a first single from the upcoming album Cursum Perficio, met with curiosity from the crowd.
If the setlist doesn’t offer many surprises, Anthrax once again demonstrates why they remain a cornerstone of American thrash.
A Perfect Circle (Mainstage 1)
The contrast with the previous concert is striking. A PERFECT CIRCLE immediately creates a far more introspective atmosphere, supported by a minimalist stage design where a few platforms and the group’s logo variations are enough to dress the scene.
Still as discreet, Maynard James Keenan remains true to his persona. Far from dramatic displays, the singer lets the compositions from Thirteenth Step and Mer de Noms speak with remarkable precision.
“The Package”, “Weak And Powerless”, “Gravity”, “Blue” or “Judith” allow the band to reveal the full richness of its universe. If part of the crowd sometimes appears more as spectators than participants, A Perfect Circle never peddles gratuitous seduction. The group simply imposes its atmosphere, offering a nearly meditative interlude in the heart of a day that is intensely packed.
Kublai Khan TX (Warzone)
A few steps away from the Mainstages, the Warzone continues to write its own story. With KUBLAI KHAN TX, the tone is set from the first seconds: here there will be neither finesse nor compromise.
Matt Honeycutt leads the Texans with a natural authority, alternating between public harangues and abrasive vocals that immediately trigger a cascade of circle pits and pits. The songs roll out back-to-back, from “Loyal To None” to “The Hammer,” a real detonator of a mosh pit already fully aligned with the band.
More surprisingly, “Swan Song” offers a brief moment of pause dedicated to the women in the audience, before the machine returns to explode again with “Theory Of Mind.” Between beatdown, hardcore and crushing groove, Kublai Khan TX confirms why many now see him as one of the new heavyweights of the global hardcore scene.
Megadeth (Mainstage 2)
Emotion accompanies the entrance of MEGADETH. Announced as the band’s farewell tour, this run carries a special weight, especially since Dave Mustaine now performs with the consequences of his illness in mind.
The opening numbers quickly highlight the vocalist’s vocal challenges. Some lines are muffled, and his voice can sound fragile, but the commitment never wavers. Surrounding him, James LoMenzo, Dirk Verbeuren and especially Teemu Mäntysaari deliver a flawless performance that preserves the set’s intensity.
“Tipping Point”, “Hangar 18”, “Take No Prisoners”, “Sweating Bullets”, “A Tout Le Monde”, “Symphony Of Destruction”, “Peace Sells” and then “Holy Wars”… “The Punishment Due” recall the breadth of a catalog that spans generations.
When Dave Mustaine lingers a moment with the audience before leaving the stage, a certain emotion is hard to contain. Despite the years and the trials, Megadeth remains one of the last giants of the thrash metal era.
Limp Bizkit (Mainstage 1)
Just look up at the giant screens a few minutes before the show to realize that LIMP BIZKIT came to perform as much as to have fun. QR codes inviting merch purchases, spoof countdowns, goofy videos and kitschy montages set the mood right away.
The opening on “Faith” surprises some of the crowd, before “Break Stuff” immediately erupts on the Mainstage. Fred Durst, true to form, alternates between provocations, humor, and long interactions with the crowd. Far from dulling the pace, these interludes allow the audience to catch their breath between waves of crowd surfers.
The setlist heavily favors Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water. “My Generation”, “Hot Dog”, “My Way”, “Full Nelson”, “Rollin’” or “Take A Look Around” roll on in a karaoke-like atmosphere thanks to the lyrics displayed on the screens. The appearance of Slay Squad on “Full Nelson” adds extra chaos, while Wes Borland once again showcases his creativity with his increasingly outlandish makeup.
The show takes a more emotional turn with “Behind Blue Eyes,” dedicated to Sam Rivers, former bassist of the band who passed away a few months earlier. The message “We miss you, Sam” appears on the screens, a reminder that behind the constant jokes lies a real history.
Before the audience realizes the set is nearing its end, Limp Bizkit encore by re-playing “Break Stuff.” A conclusion as absurd as it is effective, perfectly in keeping with a group that today seems to fully embrace its status as a nu metal monument.
Hatebreed (Warzone)
While Limp Bizkit has the crowd singing along on the Mainstage, HATEBREED reminds the Warzone why they remain an absolute reference in modern hardcore.
Introduced by “Motörhead,” followed immediately by “I Will Be Heard,” the band leaves no mercy to a pit that quickly becomes a vast battlefield. Jamey Jasta maintains that unique ability to turn every chorus into a rallying cry, while “Destroy Everything,” “Perseverance” or “Looking Down The Barrel Of Today” trigger a relentless succession of circle pits.
The return of guitarist Wayne Lozinak, recovered from major brain surgery, adds an extra dimension to the performance. Between songs, Jasta also offers a message of support for , vocalist of Sick Of It All, currently battling cancer, and pays homage to the new generation represented by Malevolence or Kublai Khan TX.
Even a giant balloon that lands in the Warzone netting can’t disrupt the vibe. Hatebreed simply keeps doing what they’ve done for nearly thirty years: bring people together.
Behemoth (Mainstage 2)
The cancellation of Volbeat ultimately granted BEHEMOTH even greater exposure. And the Poles waste no time proving they were more than ready for the role.
From “Shadow Elite,” the stage becomes a furnace cathedral. Inverted crosses, monumental statues, flames, smoke and lighting combine with a production that is particularly impressive. Nothing seems left to chance.
But beyond the spectacle, it’s the intensity emanating from the group that hits hardest. Nergal seems possessed from start to finish, switching costumes and delivering theatrical harangues without ever losing credibility. Around him, Inferno again impresses with surgical precision while Orion uses “Chant For Eschaton 2000” to reach the front rows, triggering a genuine wave of enthusiasm.
The setlist draws heavily from The Shit Ov God, while also giving significant space to the band’s classics. “Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer”, “Conquer All”, “Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel”, “Ov Fire And The Void” and “O Father O Satan O Sun!” take on a ceremonial dimension in such a spectacular setting.
Even a festival-goer dressed as Jesus, walking the pit in a slam, can’t break the atmosphere. On the contrary, that moment of hellfest-style absurdity seems to fit the spectacle almost perfectly.
Closing out the third day, Behemoth confirms once again that they are among the most impressive bands to see on a festival stage. A total show, where musical power constantly serves an ambitious and well-controlled staging.
Bilan
Despite the fatigue that logically starts to creep in and a heat that remains brutal, Hellfest continues to sustain a remarkably high level. Between the morning discoveries, the reunion with Crisix and the nostalgia-filled moments with Enhancer, the impeccably executed sets by Anthrax or Megadeth, the exuberance of Limp Bizkit and the final explosive of Behemoth, this third day once again showcases the festival’s richness. More than ever, Clisson proves its ability to bring together all generations and all facets of extreme music, from the most intimate acts to international headliners, without ever losing the essence that has defined it for almost twenty years.
Day 1 – Day 2 – Day 3 – Day 4
