With mere weeks to go, it is high time that attention turns to the return of one of the UK’s best hard rock festivals, Steelhouse Live. Built by fans and supported by an army of volunteers, there is no other location like it.
Standing in the early morning light as the sun cascades across the Welsh hills is a sight that takes your breath away, no matter how many times you see it. You really are at the top of the world.
In fact, we are at Hafod-y-Dafal Farm in Aberbeeg at the top of the Gwent Valley and to get to the top of the world, you must traverse the infamous road that takes you ‘up the mountain’.
The smell of burning clutches will slowly disappear, replaced by the scent of campside cooking, as the 5,000 hardy souls take the annual pilgrimage.
It’s the 13th year of the festival, and in that time, we’ve seen the great and the good but rarely the bad. The lineup is carefully curated, and even if you don’t like every band on the bill, there’s something for everyone across the three days.
Looking at the headliners first. The biggest booking for many years sees W.A.S.P. make their debut at the festival. Currently touring Europe with the Album One Alive set, this should be a show that goes down in history.
And if you are talking about historic, surely the Sunday evening will be just as incredible, with UK No 1 album artists Those Damn Crows ensuring that Wales is firmly on the map.
I predicted they would be headlining the festival by 2024, but I’ll take being a year out on what should be an emotionally charged evening for the local heroes.
Opening the weekend, the return of Ginger and The Wildhearts should ensure the party is really started in style.
Just a glance across the lineup takes the breath away. Whilst there are few returning faces, 2025’s cast is predominantly bands that are making their debuts.
Friday will start with a bang with the bludgeoning Asomvel, the crazy debut of the Howling Mad Shitheads Wolfsbane and the shock rock of Wednesday 13, all who bring a fresh vibe to the opening evening.
Saturday’s lineup is eclectic, with the highly rated Jayler and the incredible Llanelli boys Scarlet Rebels sure to get the day off to a fine start.
Later in the day we’ll get to see some excellent guitar work as Kriss Barras is followed by Sophie Lloyd before one of the most intriguing sets of the weekend for me. Lita Ford takes the special guest slot, and I am curious to see how she fares.
As the hangovers are eased by bacon and another can of cider, Sunday lunch will be served by one of the UK’s brightest new bands, the heavy metal of Tailgunner, who are well known to this publication.
For me, the return of Those Wicked Rivers is another highlight, whilst The Treatment also return for the first time in several years. Fresh from their Iron Maiden support slot, The Raven Age will bring their confident Modern Metal to the festival, before Australians Wolfmother will shake the mountain with their anthems.
With one of the friendliest atmospheres you’ll find anywhere, good food and reasonably priced beer, Steelhouse 2025 promises to be one of the hard rock highlights of 2025.
MetalTalk will be there covering all the action. See you there!
You can buy weekend, 14 and under, camping, campervan, car passes and more via SteelhouseFestival.com. “So, once again, let’s get ready to Rocio y Mynydd / Rock the Mountain!”
You can read all of MetalTalk’s Steelhouse Festival 2024 coverage at MetalTalk.net/tag/steelhouse-festival-2024.
For the Steelhouse Festival 2023 edition, click here.
