Damnation Festival 2025, set to return in November.

The highly popular Damnation Festival returns for its 20th Anniveersay event at the BEC Arena, Manchester on November 8-9 with a stellar line-up of bands having been announced.

Corrosion of Conformity will headline on the Saturday night, November 8th, with bands that include Perturbator, Orbit Culture, High on Fire and Gaerea on the undercard, along with many more.

Saturday November 8th 2025:

. . . while Sunday sees Napalm Death heading the day’s event along with Amenra, The Haunted, Raging Speedhorn and Nordic Giants, one of my favourite bands, in support.

Sunday November 9th 2025:

Let’s look in detail at some of the bands on each day.

Saturday.

Afsky: Afsky are a Danish black metal project founded in 2015 by Ole Pedersen Luk, also known for his work with Heltekvad and formerly Solbrud. The name Afsky, meaning “disgust” or “aversion” in Danish, reflects the project’s exploration of themes like death, despair, and Danish history. Afsky’s music combines traditional black metal with elements of folk and doom, creating a sound that is both raw and melancholic. The discography includes the debut album Sorg (2018), followed by Ofte jeg drømmer mig død (2020), and Om hundrede år (2023), each delving deeper into introspective and emotive territories. Luk’s compositions often draw inspiration from personal experiences and Danish cultural elements, resulting in a unique blend of aggression and sorrow.

Genres: Black Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal, Folk Metal

Brodequin: Brodequin are an American death metal band known for their brutal sound and historical themes. Their music is characterized by relentless blast beats, guttural vocals, and complex guitar work. Brodequin’s lyrical content often delves into medieval torture methods and historical atrocities, providing a grim backdrop to their intense musical style. Their albums, such as Instruments of Torture and Festival of Death, have solidified their reputation in the underground death metal scene.

Genres: Brutal Death Metal, Historical Death Metal

Castle Rat: Castle Rat are a Brooklyn-based band formed in 2019, self-described as a “medieval fantasy doom metal” ensemble. Led by the enigmatic Rat Queen, the band combines traditional doom metal with theatrical storytelling, creating a rich narrative universe involving characters like The Count, The Plague Doctor, and The Druid. Their debut album, Into the Realm (2024), immerses listeners in a world of fantasy and darkness, blending heavy riffs with a cinematic flair. Castle Rat’s live performances are known for their elaborate costumes and immersive atmosphere, offering a unique experience that bridges music and mythology.

Genres: Doom Metal, Traditional Heavy Metal, Fantasy Rock

Corrosion of Conformity: Corrosion of Conformity are an American heavy metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina, formed in 1982. Initially emerging from the hardcore punk scene, they transitioned into a sludge and stoner metal sound, blending Southern rock influences with heavy riffs and groove-laden rhythms. Their breakthrough came with the album Deliverance (1994), featuring hits like “Albatross” and “Clean My Wounds.” The band’s lineup has seen various changes, with guitarist Woody Weatherman and bassist Mike Dean as consistent members, and vocalist/guitarist Pepper Keenan contributing significantly to their signature sound. COC’s fusion of punk energy and metal heaviness has earned them a dedicated following over the decades.

Genres: Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, Southern Rock, Hardcore Punk

Crippling Alcoholism: Crippling Alcoholism are a Boston-based band blending gothic rock, noise rock, and post-punk to create a dark and brooding sound. Drawing inspiration from artists like Swans, Nick Cave, and late-period Daughters, as well as classic singer-songwriters like Scott Walker and Leonard Cohen, their music merges morbid themes with gloomy synths, trudging rhythms, and haunting hooks. Their 2022 debut album, When The Drugs That Made You Sick Are The Drugs That Make You Better, delves into the darker facets of human nature, offering a unique take on introspection and despair. In 2024, they released With Love From A Padded Room, a concept album set in a fictional prison, with each track reflecting the perspective of an inmate in solitary confinement. The record explores harrowing narratives, from vulnerable addicts to sadistic characters, painting vivid pictures of human fragility and malice. Known for their dissonant crescendos and goth-inspired refrains, Crippling Alcoholism’s music strikes a balance between melody and chaos, cementing their place in the gothic and noise rock scenes.

Genres: Gothic Rock, Noise Rock, Post-Punk

Deadguy: Deadguy are a seminal American hardcore band who played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of metalcore in the mid‑1990s. Formed in New Jersey in 1994, their music is characterised by discordant riffing, aggressive rhythms, and unrelenting vocal ferocity. Their sole full‑length studio album Fixation on a Co‑Worker is widely regarded as a landmark release in the development of chaotic hardcore, blending the brutality of metal with the raw urgency of hardcore punk. Known for their confrontational lyrics and stark aesthetic, Deadguy brought a sense of calculated dissonance and unpredictability that influenced a generation of bands including Converge and Botch. Although their original run was short‑lived, their impact has been long‑lasting, and their 2020s reunion has reignited interest in their uncompromising, confrontational sound.

Genres: Metalcore, Hardcore, Chaotic Hardcore, Noise Rock

Deafheaven: Deafheaven is an American band formed in 2010, known for blending elements of black metal, shoegaze, and post-rock to create a distinctive sound often referred to as “blackgaze.” Their breakthrough album, Sunbather (2013), received critical acclaim for its expansive compositions and emotive intensity, challenging traditional black metal norms. Subsequent releases like New Bermuda (2015) and Ordinary Corrupt Human Love (2018) further explored this fusion, incorporating more melodic and atmospheric elements. Deafheaven’s willingness to experiment across genres has solidified their reputation as innovators within the contemporary metal scene.

Genres: Blackgaze, Post-Black Metal, Shoegaze

Devastator: Devastator are a UK blackened thrash metal band forged in the spirit of raw aggression and unrelenting speed. Emerging with a sound steeped in the venom of first-wave black metal and classic thrash, they channel the ferocity of bands like Venom, Bathory, and Sodom while infusing it with a distinctly modern edge. Their music is defined by blistering riffs, feral vocals, and a relentless energy that captures the essence of underground extremity. Since their formation, Devastator have become known for their high-intensity live performances and unapologetic devotion to chaos and darkness, marking them as one of the UK’s most uncompromising heavy acts.

Genres: Blackened Thrash Metal, Black Metal, Thrash Metal

EF: EF are a post-rock band from Gothenburg, Sweden, formed in 2003. Known for their emotive compositions and dynamic arrangements, EF utilize a wide range of instruments to create expansive soundscapes. Their discography includes albums such as Give Me Beauty… Or Give Me Death! (2006), I Am Responsible (2008), and Ceremonies (2013), each showcasing their ability to blend delicate melodies with powerful crescendos. EF have toured extensively across Europe and Asia, earning a dedicated following within the post-rock community.

Genres: Post-Rock, Instrumental Rock

Gaerea: Gaerea are a Portuguese black metal band formed in 2016, known for their atmospheric and intense music. Their sound blends traditional black metal with elements of post-metal and shoegaze, creating a dense and immersive listening experience. Gaerea’s discography includes albums like Unsettling Whispers (2018) and Limbo (2020), both of which received critical acclaim for their emotional depth and sonic complexity. The band is also recognized for their enigmatic image, often performing in masks to maintain anonymity and focus attention on their music.

Genres: Black Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal, Post-Metal

Gost: Gost is an American synthwave project that incorporates elements of metal and horror-inspired themes into its music. Known for blending dark electronic sounds with heavy guitar riffs, Gost creates a unique fusion that appeals to fans of both electronic and metal genres. Albums like Behemoth (2015) and Valediction (2019) showcase Gost’s ability to craft intense and atmospheric tracks that evoke a sense of dread and excitement.

Genres: Synthwave, Industrial, Darkwave

High on Fire: High on Fire are an American heavy metal band formed in Oakland, California in 1998 by guitarist and vocalist Matt Pike following the breakup of his previous band, Sleep. Fusing stoner metal, sludge, and thrash into a thunderous blend of heaviness, the band gained early attention with albums like The Art of Self Defense and Surrounded by Thieves. Their 2018 release Electric Messiah won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance, further cementing their legacy. With relentless riffing, pounding rhythms, and Pike’s gritty vocal delivery, High on Fire are known for their powerful live shows and ability to combine ferocity with groove.

Genres: Stoner Metal, Sludge Metal, Thrash Metal

Meryl Streek: Meryl Streek is a solo Irish artist whose music fuses punk and post-punk with raw political commentary and a lo-fi aesthetic. With lyrics addressing corruption, trauma, and social injustice, his work is both confrontational and emotionally resonant. His debut album 796 tackles harrowing historical and personal themes with uncompromising honesty. Combining spoken-word intensity, distorted beats, and punk urgency, Meryl Streek’s sound sits somewhere between protest music and sonic catharsis, establishing him as a distinctive voice in modern underground music.

Genres: Punk, Post-Punk, Alternative

Messa: Messa are an Italian doom metal band formed in 2014, known for their evocative fusion of doom with ambient, jazz, and dark folk influences. Their music is rich with atmosphere, often layering haunting female vocals over heavy, blues-inflected riffs. Albums like Belfry (2016), Feast for Water (2018), and Close (2022) reveal a progression toward increasingly experimental territory, without losing their deep, melancholic core. Messa’s compositions are both meditative and immersive, drawing listeners into a deeply emotional and often spiritual listening experience.

Genres: Doom Metal, Experimental, Ambient

Necrot: Necrot are a death metal band from Oakland, California, formed in 2011. With a raw, old-school sound, the band channels the energy of classic death metal while injecting it with their own focused brutality. Their debut full-length Blood Offerings (2017) received praise for its crushing riffs and unrelenting pace, followed by Mortal (2020), which further established them as a force in modern death metal. Necrot’s music is marked by a commitment to riff-driven ferocity, with lyrical themes revolving around mortality, destruction, and personal struggle.

Genres: Death Metal

Orbit Culture: Orbit Culture are a Swedish metal band formed in 2013 in Eksjö, known for their fusion of melodic death metal, groove metal, and thrash. Spearheaded by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Niklas Karlsson, the band has developed a signature sound that balances crushing aggression with anthemic choruses and atmospheric textures. Their discography includes In Medias Res (2014), Rasen (2016), Nija (2020), and Descent (2023), each release showcasing an evolution in songwriting and production. Drawing comparisons to bands like Gojira and Metallica, Orbit Culture stand out for their dynamic songwriting, technical proficiency, and emotionally charged lyrics.

Genres: Melodic Death Metal, Groove Metal, Thrash Metal

Oryx: Oryx are a blackened sludge metal band from Denver, Colorado, known for their dense, punishing sound and oppressive atmosphere. Formed in 2012, the trio crafts music that merges slow, crushing riffs with moments of chaotic aggression and raw, guttural vocals. Their album Lamenting a Dead World exemplifies their ability to fuse bleak, heavy tones with dynamic compositions. With a live show that emphasises volume and sonic weight, Oryx have carved out a niche in the sludge and doom underground, delivering music that is both emotionally draining and viscerally powerful.

Genres: Blackened Sludge Metal, Doom Metal

Overhead, The Albatross: Overhead, The Albatross are a Dublin-based instrumental post-rock band formed in 2009. Their music is cinematic in scope, weaving intricate guitar melodies with orchestral flourishes and dynamic song structures. Known for emotionally rich arrangements and live shows that blend visuals with immersive sound, the band gained widespread recognition with their debut album Learning to Growl (2016). After a hiatus, they returned with I Leave You This (2024), further refining their expansive and textured sound. With influences ranging from progressive rock to modern classical, Overhead, The Albatross stand as a key figure in Ireland’s post-rock scene.

Genres: Post-Rock, Instrumental

Panzerfaust: Panzerfaust are a Canadian black metal band formed in 2005, known for their atmospheric density, aggressive riffing, and philosophical themes. Based in Ontario, their The Suns of Perdition album series explores the darker recesses of human nature, warfare, and spiritual decay. Albums like Chapter I: War, Horrid War and Chapter III: The Astral Drain blend traditional black metal ferocity with cinematic passages and ominous spoken word interludes. Panzerfaust’s live performances are confrontational and immersive, marked by a sense of ritual intensity. They continue to gain recognition as one of the most ambitious and uncompromising acts in modern black metal.

Genres: Black Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal

Perturbator: Perturbator is the alias of James Kent, a French electronic musician whose dark synthwave compositions are heavily inspired by cyberpunk aesthetics and 1980s sci-fi. Blending retro-futuristic synths with industrial and ambient textures, Perturbator creates music that feels both nostalgic and dystopian. Albums such as Dangerous Days, The Uncanny Valley, and Lustful Sacraments chart a journey from neon-drenched outrun to post-industrial darkness. While rooted in electronic music, Perturbator’s aggressive tones and cinematic compositions appeal strongly to metal audiences as well, bridging genre divides with style and intensity.

Genres: Synthwave, Dark Synth, Industrial, Cyberpunk, Electronic

Portrayal of Guilt: Portrayal of Guilt are an American band from Austin, Texas, formed in 2017. Blending black metal, screamo, grindcore, and post-hardcore, their sound is harrowing, chaotic, and emotionally intense. Their debut Let Pain Be Your Guide (2018) was praised for its raw catharsis, and follow-ups like We Are Always Alone and Christfucker pushed their sound further into bleak and experimental territory. In 2023, they released Devil Music, which featured classical reinterpretations of their own songs alongside their standard chaotic arrangements. Portrayal of Guilt continue to challenge genre conventions while embracing a grim and visceral sonic identity.

Genres: Blackened Screamo, Grindcore, Post-Hardcore, Black Metal

The World is a Beautiful Place & I am no Longer Afraid to Die: The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die are an American band known for their sweeping, emotionally resonant sound that fuses post‑rock, emo, and indie elements. Formed in Connecticut in 2009, the band have become a prominent figure in the so‑called “emo revival,” though their music extends far beyond traditional genre boundaries. They are characterised by dynamic, multi‑layered instrumentation, shifting song structures, and a large, rotating lineup that contributes to their orchestral feel. Their lyrics explore themes of existentialism, grief, connection, and resilience, delivered with vulnerability and a poetic sensibility. With albums like Harmlessness and Always Foreign, the band have earned acclaim for their ability to balance grand, cathartic crescendos with moments of delicate introspection. Their name, often abbreviated to TWIABP, reflects the band’s expansive and emotionally immersive approach to music.

Genres: Emo, Post‑Rock, Indie Rock, Post‑Hardcore

Wormrot: Wormrot are a grindcore band from Singapore, formed in 2007, and are considered one of the most vital forces in modern grind. Their early albums like Abuse and Dirge delivered raw, concise bursts of fury. With Voices and Hiss, they expanded their palette to include experimental and atmospheric elements, without losing the genre’s trademark speed and aggression. Wormrot’s lyrics often tackle themes of societal collapse, anxiety, and personal alienation. They have earned global acclaim for revitalising grindcore with innovation and ferocity, and are one of Southeast Asia’s most respected extreme metal exports.

Genres: Grindcore, Hardcore Punk, Extreme Metal

Zeruel: Zeruel are a Baltimore-based band who fuse elements of post-metal, hardcore, and atmospheric sludge into a sound that is both crushingly heavy and emotionally expansive. Emerging from the city’s underground heavy music scene, they have gained attention for their ability to balance ferocity with ambience, layering colossal riffs over immersive textures. Their lyrics often reflect themes of existential struggle, resilience, and the search for meaning, delivered through a combination of harsh vocals and soaring melodies. With an evolving discography and an intense live presence, Zeruel have positioned themselves as one of the most promising acts in the US post-metal and hardcore crossover movement.