Hellfest 2026. Clisson, France. The British Metalcore Architects hit Main Stage 2 just as things start to cool down after the hottest day of the festival. So hot in fact that beers got sold only in half pints.
We survived, though, and Architects starts with Elegy, blasting the massive evening crowd to pieces. The alternance between harsh and clean vocals is executed in excellent fashion, while the mix has so much bass that it simply pushes you back.
Sometimes it does so to the point of pushing the guitars back, too. It is intelligible, but it is not the best mix at a festival where most bands tend to sound very good.
All is completed by very apt, glitchy visuals that go quite well with the music.
With their heavy riffage, melodies and serious chunk of sampling and processing, it is a fun show, but the crowd reaction remains mostly with those closer to the stage. The rest of the crowd enjoys it rather calmly.
Before Curse, vocalist Sam Carter, impressed by the massive crowd, says that being on that stage is the best feeling in the world. You cannot blame him, and for Broken Mirror, he asks people to get on the shoulders of the person they came with.
A lot of them do, providing a very nice image.
My highlight is When We Were Young, that riff and catchy chorus sounding great, with a powerful Animals closing the set.
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:
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