Hellfest 2026. Clisson, France. It is downright weird seeing the Grindcore pioneers Napalm Death without bassist Shane Embury, their longest-standing member. Even without Shane, this “resolutely unapologetic noise band from Birmingham, England”, as vocalist Barney Greenway explains retains its major characteristics.
Shane can not be with them at the moment, with Adam (Clarkson) deputising very aptly.
With that said, it is Napalm Death business as usual. Short songs, lots of social awareness and activism, and Barney Greenway running around the stage like a man possessed while belting out his lyrics. The band does what it does best, plays at breakneck speed, straight and to the point. This is no yacht rock gig.
Songs like Narcissist are powerful and designed to grab listeners by the throat until they get the point.
That social dimension comes back throughout the show, as the frontman explains the band’s position on topics like religion (it’s not positive), or Narcissism (in the song of the same name), in which cases he mentions the current occupant of the White House, despite the song being written prior to that.
But, despite Greenway saying that Napalm Death and musical beauty are rather far from each other, they play the closest thing, Amoral.
This band has been called “just noise” enough times. For the sizable crowd present at the Altar, though, it obviously is not, judging by the reaction.
At one point toward the end of the set, guitarist John Cooke needs to head out, being sick from the extreme heat. In truth, The Altar stage is an oven during their set.
Someone asks for a bass solo, at which point Greenway promptly tells him that there is no such thing with this band, as there is no need.
In the meantime, the guitarist is too sick to continue as planned. Napalm Death had five or more songs left, so they decide to finish with two, one being The Dead Kennedys’ Nazi Punks Fuck Off, followed by You Suffer, their most popular track.
Maybe two minutes in total.
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.
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