Hellfest 2025, Clisson, France. Muse made their highly anticipated Hellfest debut on Friday night. As the massive video screen rolls the intro Muse go right into their latest single, Unravelling. It is a brave move to open the show but it’s followed by fan favourite Stockholm Syndrome.
Muse
The problem becomes immediately apparent that there is no guitar in the mix, and, shred as he might, the crowd is unable to hear Matt Bellamy.
Unfortunately, Muse without their colossal guitar riffs is rather like eating a hamburger with only the bun – crushingly disappointing.
The situation lasts until the eighth song of the set, which is, appropriately enough, We Are Fucking Fucked. However, the prayers of the crowd are finally answered and, like a miracle, we have a full blast of Matt Bellamy’s guitar as the band play Kill Or Be Killed.
If the first half was a disappointment, the second half of the show was nothing short of spectacular, with Muse blasting through a set of solid hits, starting with Time Is Running Out, Will Of The People and Supermassive Blackhole before a thunderous rendition of Plug In Baby to close the main set.
The encore starts with The 2nd Law: Isolated System before Uprising and a glorious Knights Of Cydonia to close.
It may not have been the perfect set, but Muse still delivered a mighty performance. One only hopes they return to Hellfest soon for a much longer set.
Gutalax
“Bogdan’s weird band of the day” [apparently, this is now a thing] is Gutalax. All their songs are about shit, literally, and we’re thanked for coming to watch this shit and informed that the whole set will sound just like the first song.
Toilet paper is flying, and their fans come prepared with toilet brushes and even an inflatable porta toilet. OK, that one might have come from the band themselves. Can you make this shit up (pun intended)?
The music the Czech boy band, as they describe themselves, plays is very danceable Grindcore. And it is really fun, with the pig squeals and riffs to match. They’re also dressed in antibacterial suits.
The comments between the songs are brilliant, as you would expect when all the songs are about what the digestive tract produces. But I am slightly mistaken. Not all songs have this subject matter. There is one called Kebab, about the looks of a certain part of the bass player’s body.
Use your imagination. Or do not. You can also watch the videos if you are brave.
Gutalax draw a considerable crowd in The Altar, and the moshpit is constant, as is the dancing as well. This was not a shit show, despite maybe being intentioned as one.
An honourable mention for the Hellfest security guys at the front. They handle crowdsurfers in the most gentle way you can imagine. Respect.
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:
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For Hellfest 2023, visit https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/hellfest-2023.
For Hellfest 2022, visit https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/hellfest-2022.
