Photo by James Gough
It's that time of year again!
As the Knotfest social accounts begin to post cryptic visuals & give us the dates for 2025. Everyone has their thoughts on who might be on the bill. Which drops in less than a day.
With the first two iterations hosting some of metal's biggest names including Pantera, Lamb of God, In Flames, Trivium, Amon Amarth, Megadeath & the hosts Slipknot. Along with Australia's best heavy exports in Alpha Wolf, Speed, Thy Art Is Murder & of course Parkway Drive!
Who would fit such a monumental lineup along side Iowa's finest who will be playing 1999's Self Titled in full... YES! You read that right. If you didn't know. Slipknot are currently playing that record in full!
So who do we think will be there.
Written by James Gough
Rammstein
Straight out the gate we're swinging big!!! The fact there's days between the fest in 2025 tells me it's someone big who may need days in between their set to transport production or simply have a ridiculous show and don't do back to back days. I can't think to many bands who'd fit this.
Till Lindemenn featured last for Knotfest in Iowa & Rammstein recently finished up a near sold out euro stadium tour. Could we be seeing Rammstein in 2025? Holy hell I truly hope so. It's been an age since they've toured here so it's well past due.
Orbit Culture
With some quick investigation it's pretty easy to see Orbit Culture have been involved with all the South American legs of Knotfest. If it's your first time seeing the name.. where have you been? OC have been crushing it since 2013 with a constant flow of releases since then. Including my personal favourite 2018's Redfog. They were described to me as Gojira going Melodic Death Metal with Hetfield on vocals... Yeah! I was all over it!
The band has yet to make it this far south so here is round one of our wishlist. Check the video for Saw
Meshuggah
There was rumblings last year that Meshuggah were meant to tour with Carcass back in April. Imagine that lineup! Still, the band has not toured Australia since 2017 where they absolutely destroyed The Enmore Theatre with Thy Art is Murder. Also featuring in the South American Knotfest stops all signs look positive to seeing one of the greatest heavy bands that has ever walked on stage before. Well at least here's us hoping so!
Vended
Obviously spots can't be a huge headliner so why not Vended earlier in the day. I feel these guys have copped a bit of shit because of the fact two of the members are related to Corey & Shawn. Make no mistake! Vended are incredible and deserve all the respect for the path they're currently forging. They've also got a reputation for bringing an insane live set.
Their new self titled record 'Vended' is loaded from start to finish with heavy bangers and I think would crush over here. Maybe on a few of the sideshows as well. Check the video for 'Where The Honestly Lies'
Gaerea
Ok. So this might just be me trying to wish this into existence but Gaerea needs to be bought to Australia.
Ever since I discovered 2020's Limbo Portugals Gaerea have been on regular rotation for me. They're signed to Season of the Mist so you right away the company they stand along side. Melodic black metal is a genre is spend a lot of time in. Something about the relentless pounding of blast beats with haunting melody stretched into songs that go beyond 4 minutes hit a note for me personally.
Gaerea I'd argue are the best in this genre in the era we find ourselves & I think they'd slot perfectly into a lineup like this and would win a lot of people over with their striking visuals & crushing live set. Need proof... see the video for 'World Ablaze'
But what about locals?
As mentioned the past two years almost all of Australia's best heavy bands has had a stint on the Knotfest lineup. So who's left? I personally hope they snatch a local from each state to kick things off as well as add a few who are currently crushing it!
In Sydney, why not fucking Astrodeath!
Most if not all of you who follow Outsiders Journal know who this band is. If not, just go right now! Throw on their latest record 'VOL II' and thank me after!
These legends have been constantly plugging away for the past few years and put on one of the best shows of anyone around. With a loyal following who I think I can safely speak for would all be out in force to support the boys opening up Sydney!
Terminal Sleep
It should be obvious who should be opening up Melbourne. Terminal Sleep have been ripping & tearing for the past few years and In my humble opinion are one of the countries best hardcore bands. TS stand out by miles with front woman Bec Thorwesten an absolute force on stage. Please tell me someone who's better suited & deserving of opening up Melbourne? Yeah, I'll wait.
Lo! For Brisbane?
There might be other locals some other publications will gas up, and that's fine. I can almost guarantee none are looking at Australia's thriving Doom scene for contenders.
Lo! are that band that anytime they've taken the stage in recent years are just simply on another level compared to everyone else. No matter how many time's I see them. I and most I know leave going "fuck they are just to good!". To see Sam Dillion walk out in the baking Brisbane sun and lay absolute waste first thing in the morning would be a sight to behold!
