Aberdeen Metalfest
- Kayleigh
- Jul 22
- 7 min read
Aberdeen's annual party for Metalheads once again took place in the very hot and sweaty Tunnels. This years event saw local act Bitterwood headline with many impressive Scottish talents playing throughout the rest of the day.
With everything from Glam Metal to Blackened Death Metalfest was a day of up and coming Scottish acts where you were guaranteed to find at least one new artist to go home and add to your playlists. With a total of twelve acts taking to the Tunnels stage throughout the day and no two sounding the same 2025's lineup felt even bigger and better than last year. I got in early to see the first act of the day WYLDKAT.
This four-piece may have been the perfect choice to open up the day. The glam rock vibes let the audience feel like they had been transported back in time to the 80's. Honestly I often feel like modern acts in this kind of genre can often come across a bit like a joke or like they're mimicking Motley Crue, but WYLDKAT genuinely sounded great. The Aberdeen based group threw in a few covers into their set but what really stood out was their original tracks, this is a band that play together like they belong together, and I am now patiently waiting for some more of those originals to make their way onto streaming services.
The next band on the bill was one I was excited to see and Permacrisis did not disappoint.
The young lads literally embody nostalgic toned Thrash Metal and there set gave the exact same vibe. I feel like if you were to think up a band in your head from that genre you'd pretty much get these guys, but then you'd also have to add on the strong melodic power that they throw into their music. I had listened to these guys a little bit before this set and I was so excited to find out that they put on just as good a show as I hoped they would. There presence on stage is strong and having only been around for a couple of years I'm intrigued to see how they will grow.
The next act we checked out before heading out for some food was everyone's favourite metalcore Dads, Goodhuman.
It was around 3pm by the time that Goodhuman took the stage and I was starving, but I was not missing this set for anything. I first had the chance to see these guys live a few years back in Aberdeen at Krakatoa and since then they are a band I will always see if I get the chance. The group formed back in 2014 and since then they have been combining their introspective lyricism with a giant metalcore sound. I always think when watching their sets that they remind me a lot of early Killswitch Engage or even a bit like August Burns Red. Even in the heat they made use of the stage moving around and connecting with the ever growing crowd. Their mammoth sized tracks clearly gained the attention of anyone that was lingering around near the bar and by the end of their set most people had made it down the front to see what was going on. After a little break we got back to Tunnels just in time to catch the insane Gype.
I was prepared for this band to be a little crazy with their fast and loud sound but I was not prepared for it to be as intense as it was. This is a band that are perfectly suited to massive pits and the crowd at Tunnels were more than happy to oblige. Even if I knew this band better and could name the songs I still don't think I could tell you the setlist, it was just pure raw intensity from start to finish that never let up. If you're looking for a band to mosh to it should be these guys.
Heading in a slightly calmer direction but still giving us some raw heaviness was the next act Hyperstasis.
The nu-metal/post-hardcore band from all over Scotland know how to put on a show. From the heavy moments to more melodic parts the audience were completely engaged from start to finish. Hyperstasis are another group that I'd previously listened to but hadn't had the chance to check out live yet and much like others on the bill I'm glad I saw them at Metalfest. A stand out moment from their set had to be when they invited Datura vocalist Sean Black to join them for an almost hardcore edged version of Linkin Parks 'One Step Closer' that I will not be forgetting soon. Hyperstasis are 100% on my list of bands that if you haven't seen live you should.
Speaking of Aberdeens own Datura, they were next to take their place on the stage.
Having previously listened to their only released single 'SKINWALKER' on the bus ride in I was already thinking that Datura were going to be a band that are right up my street. I was not wrong, the hardcore lads completely owned that stage. Even with a few technical difficulties delaying the start of their set they seemed unphased and ready to tear the place up. This was another band that drew a big crowd down the front and honestly their energy was pretty unmatched as vocalist Sean Black not only jumped around the stage but joined the crowd and the pit throughout as well.
With four bands left for the night there was no signs of anything slowing down and Scottish extremists Hammer made sure of that.
Delivering a relentless set it quickly became clear to me why so many people in Tunnels that day were wearing Hammer shirts. The bands intense, heavy and raw vibe had me hooked pretty quickly and actually a little upset that I hadn't heard of these guys before. This in my opinion is a band that no matter what they look like or do on stage the music speaks for itself and when you sound that good you're guaranteed to have people keeping on coming back for more.
At around 8:20pm it was time for the third to last act to take their place. This was rising metalcore act Atlantic Rift.
Having previously supported many notable acts in the Scottish scene including Metalfest headliners Bitterwood, Aberdeen based group Atlantic Rift have been rapidly making a name for themselves in the scene. They are definitely a band that I had heard of before and seen mentioned online but not one I had had the chance to see before that night. I am a big metalcore girlie and Atlantic Rifts own modern take on the genre made them my favourite act of the night. The presence they had on stage made them feel like a band that could easily be playing bigger venues and vocally they were very impressive, delivering everything from demonic growls, to high scratchy tones and even soft melodic tunes. I have to say the second I got on my bus home after the gig I was immediately on these guys Spotify and they sound almost as good recorded (nothing ever beats the real thing), so if like me you've not had a chance to see them I'd highly recommend going and giving them a listen.
Catalysis were to be the next band of the night but we had reached the point where the technical issues were getting harder to fix. However after some perseverance they managed to get things up and running again and Catalysis were given the chance to fly through their set.
The metal giants from Dundee have years of experience growing their massive sound and as always it's heavy, powerful and fast on any stage, even when they are under unforeseen time restraints. Interestingly the bands "new vocalist" Andrew Downie played his first show with Catalysis at Metalfest last year so it was cool seeing them again a year later and seeing how they've gelled together over that time. This is a group who unsurprisingly have won awards over the years for their show and music as well as playing some pretty impressive slots at gigs and festivals. The mighty group held themselves on that stage like they have always belonged there and together they made their way through the fierce set without any other hiccups. Ending the night it was time for probably one of the most exciting hardcore bands to come from Aberdeen, Bitterwood.
I wish I could bottle these guys energy. Their intense and a little wild sounding tracks are completely enhanced when you add in their goofy personalities on stage. I love a hardcore band that is equal parts nasty and extreme while also just being silly wee guys. Bitterwoods use of the Spotify DJ voice to introduce tracks throughout their set was honestly genius and had all of us very amused. However they don't let their humour fool you for long, these guys are hardcore and their music is hard fast and begs for the whole room to become a pit. I'm a little obsessed with the energy that these guys have never seeming to stand still once, bouncing off what the audience was giving them. I can fully understand after having seen them why these guys are gaining the attention they are. Bitterwood are probably up there now as one of my favourite hardcore acts I have seen in Scotland.
As always Metalfest was one of my favourite nights of the year. This may have only been the second year I've attended but I just know this will be true for years to come. There's a sense of community and almost coming home when everyone gets together to celebrate up and coming bands and heavy music. Cadaver Concerts does a great job of running these shows in various cities across Scotland so if you can get to one next year I'd highly recommend it, not just to support the scene but you may also find some of your new favourite bands.
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