This is the diary of Bogdan Bele and a busy week in the life of a Metalhead. One in which only one day was without a gig (or a ton of gigs). As all but one of said gig days are covered here on MetalTalk, the focus is on the (at times stupid) stuff that happens around travel to concerts. Here we go to Hellfest, then.
15 June 2025: The Last Quiet Day
It’s Sunday. The Sunday before one of the craziest gig-crammed weeks of my life. In six out of seven days of the week starting tomorrow, there will be at least one gig. So I am spending today at home. Listening to music, of course.
16 June 2025: We’re On The First Day
The crazy gig week has officially started. As I write this, I am on a train to London. Trees, houses and whatnot are flying past the window while Mozart and Madness are blasting in my headphones.
Where am I headed, you ask? I’m meeting MetalTalk’s Editor, the one and only Mr. Steve Ritchie. And we’re not meeting (just) for a pint. No, sir. We’re on a mission.
We’re covering the mighty Savatage’s return to touring after 23 years. I am even more psyched about it after the chat I recently had with the band’s guitarist, Mr. Chris Caffery. If you haven’t read it or watched it, I can promise you will find at least something you did not know about Chris in there.
I have no doubt that tonight will be amazing.
Later that evening:
It was extraordinary. But you can find out all about it in the review here. I’m not saying any more.
17 June 2025: Steel Panther Day
Was this planned? It was not. Was this week too full of gigs as it was? Of course! When I saw a ticket available for this sold-out Steel Panther gig, could I not get it? Well, probably. Too late now. I bought it (resale => more expensive => like a boss) and went.
I was questioning my decision up until the moment I got on the train, with a big trip the following day and my bag in an uncertain state of packing.
I should not have questioned my undeniably great instincts. That was bloody incredible. Say what you will, Steel Panther can put on a show, and man, can they play. Of course, that is probably not why you’re going. It was as bonkers as expected, and I was so glad I went.
I shall not get into the details too much because MetalTalk are covering another show on this tour. My colleagues will certainly tell you all there is to tell. But go see them if you can, and if you have a loose sense of humour.
And let’s all party like tomorrow is the end of the world, I say.
18 June 2025: En Route (See What I Did There?) To Hellfest
It is Wednesday. It is also very safe to say that it is a day I have been waiting for since… Well, since the last guitar riff of last year’s Hellfest.
After last night’s Steel Panther show, I actually managed to pack and do everything there was left to do at home. How do these bloody things pile up just when you’re about to leave the house? I have no idea.
So I leave slightly late. Mind you, with enough time to spare but bad enough to warrant some creative driving. I get there right as the airport parking bus comes in. All good, looks like I will make it (cue Eurostar to Paris, then the-bus-that-stops-everywhere or TGV scenarios going through my head).
Hellfest only starts properly tomorrow; there are solutions. Not the case, though. The bus is here. It shall leave imminently and I will run a little through the airport, right? Wrong! It decides to wait for everyone, their dog and the dog that their dog might have brought along.
By the time I am at the terminal, I am really doing badly on time.
But I have Fast Track Security, which I bought on the bus. Two minutes and I will be through, right? Wrong! I beg everyone to let me through; they do.
If you were in that queue, a massive thank you goes your way.
But the staff decided to double-check my shoes, as well as my luggage, which they opened as well. Again, thank you to the nice people allowing my luggage to be checked (for absolutely nothing) before their own. I owe you one.
And then I run. And run. And run. I run like I did not know I could run. This thing is at what is most likely the furthest gate in this bloody airport. Miraculously, I make it.
I show my passport, at which point the gentleman at the gate decides that my thrown-back-following-it-being-pulled-apart-luggage will not fit the cradle thing I refuse to learn the name of. “60 pounds,” the man goes. “Oh no, you don’t”, our protagonist replies, proceeding to stuff everything in with power worthy of a Viking Metal track. 
Our hero gets his win and lives to walk away from this battle with a smile on his face. I got on the plane, which is where I am writing this (while I should be finishing an article that I promised our editor), and about to land in Nantes.
Check out the Hellfest coverage from the awesome MetalTalk team on site! This will be awesome!
19 June 2025: First Day Of Hellfest
After managing to relax a little and finish the aforementioned article, I had a calm evening in Nantes. The only day of the week without a gig. I considered finding one, but better judgment prevailed, for once at least.
Today Hellfest starts! I am waiting for the rest of the MetalTalk crew to get here and… Let us do this!
20 June 2025: Second Day.
There is an odd thing that happens every year. The first day of Hellfest goes great, and you enjoy it all. Then, the next morning, your body tells you that there is no way in hell it is doing this again three more times.
But you drag yourself to the train and festival anyway, and that feeling is pretty much gone in the next couple of hours. And you are enjoying it again.
And, the moment the second day ends, you are disappointed that half of it is now finished. Ending with a great Muse set last night, that is how it felt.
Yes, it was EXTREMELY hot – 36°C in a field is something to behold (today should be very hot as well. At least there are some clouds), but so worth it. 
21 June 2025: Day Three at Hellfest
Just as I am on the train heading to the unholy grounds of Hellfest, tragedy strikes. Ryan, one of MetalTalk’s photographers at Hellfest, posted on his Instagram that his fan is no longer charging.
If you only knew what that USB fan did to keep us alive on the train back last night…
But, to paraphrase Spinal Tap, we’re professionals. We will rise above it.
On to another incredible Hellfest day, likely the busiest one this year for me. 
23 June 2025: Full Circle
The last two days of Hellfest have been amazing. Read all about it in MetalTalk’s coverage (did I mention that before?).
I am finally home after spending these days with an absolutely incredible team.
Am I very tired? Yes, physically. But that shall pass. Mentally, though, I am absolutely Zen. Live music of this variety is the best thing in the world for my mind.
Would I do this again? This morning, waking up to catch that flight from Nantes, the answer would have been “never again”.
If you ask me now, it is “ABSOLUTELY!”.
HELLFEST 2025
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 2025 promises an unforgettable journey into the depths of sonic mayhem. Read all the Heavy Metal News at MetalTalk.
MetalTalk Hellfest 2025 coverage can be found at https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/hellfest-2025.
This year’s MetalTalk team is:
Photography:
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.
