Feeding Frenzy: Odense Metalfest 2025 Wrap Pt.2
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Following the first sensory assault of brutality, we are back at Musikhuset Posten, and ‘ready’ for round 2 of Odense Metalfest 2025…
Unfortunately, word comes out that Abrupt Demise have had to pull out at short notice due to illness. On the plus side, however, we discover that Danish supermarket beer is the ultimate pre-game trick! Kicking off not too much later, with only a minor blip in the schedule, Rattledust careen into the stage with more than a dose of Testament to their rock n roll swagger. Throw in a whiff of Exhorder meets Orange Goblin, and you’ll start to get the picture. If the thundering of tracks like Get The Stretcher doesn’t give you a heavy metal wake-up, you might be dead.
It’s kind of cool that the first bands are kept on the smaller stage each day. It definitely lends to the feeling of building up to the rest of the day. The early bands are not to be sniffed at, however. It’s barely past 3pm, and German youngsters Haywire are dropping heavy Master Killer era Merauder vibes. (Probably my top pick of the hardcore bands this weekend – Slow Dragon). Combined with a stop in Aalborg, this is their first Scandi run.
Feeding Frenzy: Odense Metalfest 2025 Wrap Pt.2
So, now the black metal comes!
Odense MetalFest isn’t scared to throw some of the trve dark stuff in amongst the DM and HC. Aarhus black metal contingent, Horned Almighty hit the main stage, and they are nailing it! They display a range of influences, rather than just straight up black metal, which makes things a little more interesting. There’s obviously a love of the BM OGs, but a slight Motorhead theft, too. It really opens things up, and the stage show truly stands out.
It’s always worth watching yourself with prices, when working with foreign currency. We were accidentally charged near double for a round, but the staff were quick to sort it after we talked to them. One minor heart attack later, we head out for more mingling. Finding out that Norway was technically under Danish rule when it was in control of a chunk of Scotland was an eye opener.
Back inside, the floor is rammed for Örebro’s Carnossus, and their unrelenting, 90’s feel, death metal assault.
Sweden are doing a rather top job of owning the DM portion of this year’s bill. It speaks volumes about the power of international community culture on the continent. Sadly, this brings to mind the messy issue of Brexit. Scotland shares more in common with its Scandinavian neighbours that might be first apparent. For example chat turns to comparing the traditions of bothies and “sheldur,” and they are not far apart…
Hailing from Copenhagen, Rot Away are based just a little more nearby. Their hardcore/thrash is energetic and sincerely rooted, and feels like the genuine article. Although we had checked out some of their videos prior to the festival, they didn’t do justice to the lively atmosphere this band bring to the stage. Following them, their countrymen, Gutteral Slug, offer up a different flavour; Danish slam metal, brutal and heavy, with gargled lyrics. Their low end is so obliteratingly sludgy you can just about feel it oozing into your bloodstream.
Another band highly recommended by the local contingent is Terrorpy.
To be honest, it’s hard to get a good look when they take the stage, but they do sound awesome. Maybe they could have been pushed to the bigger stage, but it can be hard to judge these things. What can be unequivocally stated is that they have the heaving crowd in hand, proving a band of local interest can outdraw a big name. A true sign of the power of the underground. The beast lives!
Feeding Frenzy: Odense Metalfest 2025 Wrap Pt.2
Meanwhile…
…The penultimate act, Italian tech-death metallers, Hideous Divinity, import their brand of brutality to the bigger platform. Currently signed to Century Media Records, they dropped their latest album, Unextinct, in 2024 – their first in 5 years. The crowd seems to brim with anticipation of hearing some of these new numbers live, on this one stop-and-drop Danish appearance. We stand back a bit while carnage ensues, saving our last reserves for one more round…
Slamming the final nail in the coffin (and our feet) are Strychnos. Their blood-soaked black n death onslaught is well worth the perseverance, infusing us with enough energy to stay standing. After headlining Copenhell’s Pandæmonium stage, launching their own Black Strychnine label, and with their new album, Forever In the Moment of Death, due this year, this outfit are grafting hard. The band stated afterwards: “We’re humbled by the massive support we experienced at this year’s shows.” We’ll be keeping an eye out for what they do next. This is not one to sleep on!
It’s been a blast taking our second run at Odense, and with the first bands already up for 2026, we’re already considering going again. Organiser, Jakob Schultz leaves us with the following:
“We are ready with 8 brutal bands for Odense Metalfest 2026!”
“We already have an ultra brutal and neck-breaking package of bands ready to take down Musikhuset Posten next year on October 23/24 for Odense Metalfest 2026!”
“Who are you looking forward to hearing? Is it Benighted, who needs no introduction with their deathgrind, or is it the amazing Grand Cadavar, with singer Stanne from none other than Dark Tranquillity in the front? It will be the first time they play live in Denmark! Or how about Illdisposed, Speedslut, Pertinax from our own latitudes or the amazing Celestial Scourge from Norway, with members from Blood Red Throne. Or are you into in your face hardcore with Dutch Payback and Hometown Crew? And these are only the first 8 bands! Look forward to another 12 names that will be presented continuously!”
Sounds like it’s going to be yet another banger!!! Get tickets here: https://www.odensemetal.dk/
Slow Dragon & AVZD
Read Pt.1 here.
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Feeding Frenzy: Odense Metalfest 2025 Wrap Pt.2
