It’s one of the highlights of any Oxford metalhead’s year and we have reached that time once again – the small, yet well established, Rabidfest is back to pummel the Bullingdon for another year! Brought to you by the same organisers of Oxford’s hugely popular Metal 2 The Masses events, Rabidfest delivers a two day event with a packed and varied line up. From up and coming acts such as Talassum and Æl Fierlen to Bloodstock alum Raised by Owls and metal stalwarts Red Method, the line up promises something for everyone.
Day 1.
Kicking off the weekend and opening the festival were Thrash/Punk/Hardcore band RPC who got straight to the point and launched the crowd into full blown festival mode despite the early hour. Harsh, raw vocals and scorching riffs, RPC succeed in blending together genres effortlessly and restarting the festival heart for another year with their punk metal defibrillator. Rabidfest is so back.
Up next are Peterborough based heavy hitters Break Them, bringing us thumping riffs and lots of gnarly low end, before this year’s esteemed M2TM contestants Talassum give us the chance to all get our breath back a bit with some fantastic earthy, violin infused folk doom.
This is much needed given that grindcore trio Korrupto are on next, delivering a punishing, unstoppable pummelling with zero reprieve for the duration of their set. Oxford duo Wall arrived next and served us all a mid-afternoon dose of colossal riffs before five piece death metal groovers Chaplain claim the stage with an intense, statement presence and ultra high energy set.
A quick changeover and Oxford locals Arimea continue to bring the energy, cementing their presence and winning the audience over with classic 90s nu metal vibes, clean vocals, progressive sound and a tenacious, bouncing performance.
The room is packed for Raised by Owls who deliver a crushing set of extreme, heavy, enjoyable ridiculousness. Just when you thought you’ve seen everything, Raised by Owls arrive and make you redefine what constitutes a metal show. At times you wonder what kind of realm you have entered. It’s brutal, hilarious, wonderful escapism. Launching into “Ainsley Harriott Advises You to Give Your Meat a Good Ol’ Rub” sent the crowd wild and left the venue staff visibly confused at what was unfolding in front of them. Particularly when Mr Blobby took to the stage with his rather interesting props!
Manchester based Kill II This provided a spectacular warm up for the headliner, getting the crowd on side with a tight, confident, statement performance and slamming industrial/nu metal vibes.
Then it was time for the headliner and the self-professed “bunch of fannys from Corby”, Raging Speedhorn, did not disappoint. The pit opens immediately and remains for the duration of the set as the band deliver a punishing, stamping, siege of a performance, brash yet satisfying; the dual vocal onslaught and relentless groove smashing into you like a sonic freight train. As the event winds down for the evening punters are leaving, body weary yet spiritually rejuvenated in a way that only a full day of blistering metal can provide, and there is a palpable sense of excitement for tomorrows proceedings.
Day 2.
Day two and despite a relentless, action packed day of metal yesterday, Rabidfest’s patrons are present and correct and show no signs of weariness. Beers are flowing, and the venue is buzzing as Oxford nu metallers Mondegreen are up to catapult us all into Rabidfest Day 2. Despite being the days opener and on relatively early, they still manage to pull in a more than decent crowd. Their sound is distinctive and genre colliding, blending nu metal with elements of melodic death metal and doomy sludgy riffs.
Æl Fierlen are up next and take us on a journey into an Anglo Saxon forest dreamland, in what was to be a memorable, haunting and ethereal set. This band successfully and beautifully manage to blend post black metal with folk/pagan vibes and deliver an impactful set that leave people wanting more. They draw an enthusiastic crowd and are themselves surprised at the packed room despite the early hour.
Reading funk and hard rock metallers Liquid Dogs and old school thrashers Lethal Evil are next to take to the stage respectively, each receiving an equally enthusiastic reception despite the marked difference in genres.
Collapser were next in line and the pit immediately opened, the Oxford crowd showing no fatigue. Barnsley based Until 9 then served us up an uplifting and impactful set blending hard rock and heavy metal. They are another band who are able to pull together a variety of influences yet still bring their own distinctive sound – effortlessly transcending genres and bringing a fresh take to what you think you already know.
Amphibious doomers Froglord are never to be missed. True to form, they took us on a collective descent into the tenebrous depths of the Bullingdon’s very own swamp. Blending murky, sludgy riffs and deep, bestial bass with a captivating visual spectacle, we were all willingly enticed to participate in the psychedelic amphibious ritual. Their live performance continues to grow alongside their experience – now an addition to the Bloodstock 2026 bill, be sure to catch them there.
The collective joy of the room tangibly increased when Redeemon took to the stage. It’s not often you see a trombone appear at the load in of a metal show, much less so alongside a trumpet and a saxophone. We all knew we about to see something “a bit different.” Any potential scepticism instantly disappeared upon the opening notes of the first song, and closeted skankers began to emerge as the Skacore eight piece brought the groove, the breakdowns and the fun from start to finish.
Subheadliners Seething Akira brought energy in vast inhuman quantities – no reprieve for anyone with aching bones after a hard days moshing who may have been thinking the event was starting to wind down. Their music demands movement, it’s impossible to watch standing still. This set was an absolute onslaught of electronic nu metal sound and lights. What a party! The atmosphere in the room was palpable, the roof in serious danger of being lifted from the sheer amount of energy contained within. This is a band you need to experience, to feel and just surrender to.
Red Method arrive with both style and substance and are immaculate closers for the festival. Ravaging riffs, brutal vocals, frenetic, energetic, apocalyptic – this set delivers in absolutely every way and you can see these guys are a cut above the rest at this stage in their careers and really deserve their headline slot. In addition to the striking stage outfits and visual presence, Red Method are tight, technical, and diverse in their song writing and structure. There is something for everyone. Frantic, gruelling riffs dissolve seamlessly into epic chugging breakdowns before building up again, and pure mayhem is unleashed from start to finish. The pit is a perpetually open heavy metal washing machine. This is an aggressive, dynamic and visceral set that leaves the crowd delighted as well as absolutely exhausted by the end. There is a lull in the air, exhilaration tinged with sadness that it’s all over for another year.
All in all, Rabidfest is a superb little festival, compact, well organised with an immaculate atmosphere. In terms of location and venue, the Bullingdon pub offers a great front area with plenty of seating, tables and a bar; great for taking a well-earned break between bands. The main venue room is big enough to accommodate the size of the festival without it being unpleasantly cramped, and has the handy addition of another bar for those who don’t want to venture back into the main pub. Pints were reasonably priced and whilst the venue didn’t serve food, they were more than happy for people to bring in their own. With it being located on the Cowley Road, there is plenty of choice for hungry festival goers whether you prefer a sit-in restaurant, a supermarket meal deal or a takeaway.
The organisers are metal fans through and through and this is reflected in both the varied line up and the atmosphere. The fact that these guys are the same people organising all of the Metal 2 The Masses events in Oxfordshire shows. They are true champions of the grass roots metal scene and attending this festival supports that. The way the line-up is structured is very well thought through – not only is there truly something for everyone, but it is varied enough in terms of the order of genres to keep everyone interested and ensure that all the bands get the attention they deserve. If you are a metal fan looking for a great couple of days of live music in a fun and friendly environment, this is your place!
Words and images: Kate Elfström
