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.
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:
Photography:
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