Tilburg Metalfest 2025

Tilburg Metalfest 2025

September 6^th, 2025 at De Wevery

Pieter Vreedeplein 172

Tilburg, The Netherlands

On September 6, 2025, the annual Tilburg Metal Fest took place. This time not in the Reeshof, but  in the heart of the city at an underground venue called the Wevery. While the focus was on local artists, Germany's Bonded and Rotting Christ frontman Sakis Tolis also took the stage. We were treated to a total of eight bands. Below you'll find a short report.

Bloodcrypt

The festival opened with a bang. Tilburg's own Bloodcrypt were given the honor of kicking off the day. With their signature HM2 chainsaw sound, they tore through their set mercilessly. The guys from Bloodcrypt are uncompromising and straight to the point. It didn't take long before the first pit of the day broke out. After a Type O Negative cover and a smashing closer with Yuppie Scum, the audience was left stunned. And the day had only just begun.

Deeproot

Next up, deathcore fanatics Deeproot smashed the shards left behind by Bloodcrypt into even smaller pieces. It was hardcore for swimmers at its finest, and the crowd dove straight in. Harsh breakdowns and the vocalist's impressive performance shook Tilburg to its core.

Headless Hunter

That thrash is far from dead was proven by the young guns of Headless Hunter. With their Bay Area–inspired sound, they brought a gritty party vibe that most festivals could only dream of. "This is a Hostile Takeover," blasted through the speakers. A takeover like this is more than welcome. Finally, the audience also got a pumped-up (though slightly sloppy) cover of Breaking the Law.

Everything Decays

Alongside Deeproot, there was more deathcore on the bill today: a band with the most uplifting name of all: Everything Decays. With infectious grooves and a vocalist with a throat of lead, they got heads banging all around. The raw sound they produce leaves you wanting more. But alas, their set eventually came to an end. Luckily, the day was far from over.

The Monolith Deathcult

The Monolith Deathcult is a band that's hard to pigeonhole. At times they sound like death metal, but they're not afraid to throw in a hardcore or black metal riff. With their eccentric collection of samples (like Belinda Carlisle's Heaven Is a Place on Earth) and angular beats, they managed to win over many attendees.

Elixir

The British NWOBHM veterans Elixir have been at it for forty years, which is quite an achievement. Their show delivered everything you'd expect from such a band: classic riffs and clean vocals with soaring high notes. It sounded a bit like Saxon, but lacked seasoning or other flavor. Sadly, this performance didn't win over your reviewer. Thankfully, there was plenty of beer available to ease the pain.

Bonded

Fortunately, the German thrashers of Bonded immediately turned things into a party. The pit quickly filled with inflatable objects. The guys were clearly having the time of their lives, and their energy flowed straight into the crowd. A fun moment came when the singer announced a ballad and asked the audience to hold their lighters up—only to launch into an insanely vicious thrash song about some kind of soup killer(?). Brilliant. With ex-members of Sodom and Kreator in their lineup, it was fitting that they closed their fiery set with a Sodom cover: City of God.

Sakis Tolis

It was as if the gods had planned it. Just before Greek Rotting Christ frontman Sakis Tolis began his show, a group of Christians were preaching outside the venue. While they likely converted no one, their pastoral presence certainly stirred things up. After a short exchange with the preacher, we headed downstairs one final time for Tolis's set. The influences of Hellenistic black metal permeate his work. Whereas his output with Rotting Christ is more theatrical, his solo project is more accessible. Of course, a few Rotting Christ covers made it into the setlist as well. Sakis Tolis and his band delivered a top-notch performance, earning the rightful title of headliner.

Tilburg Metal Fest once again succeeded in putting together a varied program. The move to the city center also proved to be a smart decision. Hopefully, another edition will follow in 2026!

-Tim X-