HELLBOTN 2025 – Day 1 review
- Posted on 31-08-2025
Full photo gallery here:
All photos and text by Karina Noctum
This year’s edition of Hellbotn once again delivered a fierce celebration of underground music, bringing together black, thrash, death, punk, and rock in an intense two-day showcase. Both days were stacked with strong headliners that kept the energy high from start to finish.
One of the early highlights came with Infernö. The local band drew lot of support from the audience. It was really awesome to see Aggressor unleash his trademark groove-driven riffs was a treat, especially for the many Aura Noir fans gathered up front. The set had that raw, unpolished energy that immediately set the tone for the evening.
Among the Swedish representatives, Obnoxious Youth stood out not only for their music but also for having one of the most elaborate stage setups of the festival. Their sound shifted seamlessly from glam-inspired riffs to bursts of hardcore punk chaos—a blend that was unpredictable, refreshing, and downright fun to witness live.
Another major highlight was Deströyer 666, who tore through their set with relentless precision. Their old-school approach, combined with razor-sharp technicality and neck-breaking speed, resonated powerfully with the audience. They have carved out a distinctive sound, and the crowd responded with unreserved enthusiasm. In the same vein and keeping the momentum alive, Abhorration drew a particularly good response. Fans who knew their material headbanged with ferocity to their mix of old-school death and thrash played with intensity.
After Abhorration, the crowd shifted. The more orthodox listeners drifted away, leaving behind lots of fans eager for The Haunted. Their performance balanced aggression with groove, drawing on both Swedish death metal intensity and post-thrash grooviness. Having seen The Haunted dominate massive festival stages in front of many thousands, it was a unique pleasure to experience them in a smaller setting playing songs from their latest album, as well as some old classics. The band’s seasoned musicianship shone through, making their set a powerful and fitting finale to the first day.
