Photos By Marc K’Nell & Courtney Stark Imagery
Knotfest returned to Sydney in a blaze of chaos, fire, and pure unrelenting energy. With a stacked lineup covering everything from deathcore brutality to symphonic grandeur, the festival proved once again why it’s one of the most anticipated heavy music events in Australia. Among the carnage, we managed to catch a strong selection of bands, each bringing their own flavor to an unforgettable day. Here’s a rundown of what went down.
Vended – Breaking Free from the Shadow
Vended has long been in the shadow of Slipknot due to their lineage, but they are proving time and time again that they are more than just Corey Taylor and Clown’s sons. Their set was an absolute riot, packed with raw aggression and youthful chaos. “Ded to Me” and “Serenity” hit like a sledgehammer, while “Asylum” sealed the deal—this band is here to carve its own path, and they’re doing it at breakneck speed. If they keep this up, it won’t be long before they’re headlining their own fests and pouring up their own brand of madness.
Miss May I – Metalcore Done Right
Few bands deliver classic metalcore like Miss May I. Levi Benton remains one of the most engaging frontmen in the genre, commanding the stage with relentless energy. “Hey Mister” had the crowd screaming every word, and by the time they hit “Shadows Inside,” the pit was a swirling storm. For longtime fans, it was a nostalgic, high-energy set that never let up—like cracking open an ice-cold can of pure metalcore adrenaline.
HEALTH – Drenched in Industrial Havoc
HEALTH delivered an explosive, industrial masterpiece at Knotfest Sydney 2025, with a set that had the crowd drenched in chaotic energy from the very start. Kicking things off with “IDENTITY,” they set the tone for a night of brutal, atmospheric soundscapes. Tracks like “GOD BOTHERER” and “CRACK METAL” had the crowd headbanging, while “HATEFUL” kept the intensity at its peak. The industrial onslaught continued with “ZOOTHORNS” and “PSYCHONAUT,” pushing the boundaries of noise and aggression. “NEW COKE” hit hard, giving fans a taste of the band’s unrelenting sound, while “FUTURE OF HELL” and “MAJOR CRIMES” brought an edge of dark, heavy energy. As the set reached its peak with “FEEL NOTHING” and “DSM-V,” it was clear that HEALTH had taken the crowd on a wild ride through a soundscape of industrial fury and sonic destruction.
In Hearts Wake – A Force of Nature on Stage
In Hearts Wake kicked off their set with the intense “The Flood (ǝɔᴉʇsnɾ),” immediately capturing the crowd’s attention. “Tyrant (ɹoɹǝdɯǝ ǝɥʇ)” and “Hellbringer,” featuring Jamie Hails from Polaris, had fans moshing hard. The band then shifted gears with the melodic “Gaia” before bringing the heavy with “Earthwalker” and Ryan Neff’s guest appearance.
Songs like “The Unknown (Strength)” and “Gen Doom (ʇuɐɥdoɹǝᴉɥ ǝɥʇ)” showcased their blend of aggression and emotional depth. The crowd erupted during “Crisis” and “Worldwide Suicide,” and the closing track, “Orphan (lᴉʌǝp ǝɥʇ),” left fans in awe. In Hearts Wake’s performance was a relentless display of metalcore power.
Hatebreed – Hardcore Fury at Full Force
If you wanted intensity, Hatebreed had you covered. The crowd surfing was relentless as Jamey Jasta and crew tore through their set. “I Will Be Heard” and “Destroy Everything” were absolute riot-inducing anthems, but the highlight was seeing wave after wave of bodies flying during “Looking Down the Barrel of Today.” Hatebreed doesn’t just play shows—they lead a warzone. And let’s be honest, if they ever put out a beer, it’d probably be the strongest, most punishing brew on the market.
Enter Shikari – “Sorry But Today, You’re a Winner
Enter Shikari’s set at Knotfest Sydney 2025 was a masterclass in combining intense energy with thoughtful political commentary. They kicked things off with the high-octane “Bloodshot” and continued to set the stage on fire with “The Dreamer’s Hotel” and “Arguing With Thermometers.” The crowd was hooked from the get-go as they stormed through “Destabilise” and “Sorry, You’re Not a Winner,” two tracks that perfectly captured the band’s blend of chaos and melody. The heart of the set came with “The Jester,” which had everyone singing along, before they hit “Mothership” and ended on the powerful “A Kiss for the Whole World x.” Enter Shikari’s performance was a rollercoaster ride that left everyone breathless, showing just how much of a force they are in the live music scene.
Within Temptation – A Symphonic Metal Triumph
Making their long-awaited Australian Knotfest debut, Within Temptation proved that symphonic metal has a devoted fanbase down under. Sharon den Adel’s vocals soared through the night, captivating the audience with powerful renditions of “Bleed Out” and “Paradise (What About Us?).” The reception was phenomenal—if anything, this performance may have just paved the way for more symphonic metal acts to follow in their footsteps. This was the smooth, full-bodied contrast to the night’s heavier brews, proving that melody and intensity can coexist perfectly.
Slaughter to Prevail – Deathcore Domination
Alex Terrible leaps off the stage to join a crowd-surfing fan in a wheelchair, making for an unforgettable moment!
Slaughter to Prevail delivered one of the most intense sets of the day, proving why they are at the forefront of modern deathcore. The setlist was brutal, featuring brand new tracks “Koschei” and “Grizzly,” & classics like “Viking” and “Baba Yaga” while “Bratva” created an absolutely monstrous wall of death. Midway through “Conflict,” Alex Terrible had to stop the set to ensure the safety of a fallen fan, a testament to the care metal bands have for their audiences. Even with the chaos, they kept the energy flowing like a perfectly poured pint of devastation. The only question left: when can we get the new album?
Polaris – Australian Metalcore at Its Best
Polaris took the Knotfest stage with something to prove, and they left nothing behind. Their set was an explosion of energy, blending raw emotion with their signature precision. “The Remedy” and “Masochist” had the entire crowd screaming along, but the sheer spectacle of pyro and production made this performance truly unforgettable. If there was any doubt that Polaris is at the top of Australian metalcore, this show erased it. It was the kind of set that hits like a double shot of adrenaline—smooth, relentless, and impossible to forget.
BABYMETAL – Kawaii Meets Carnage
Babymetal brought their unique blend of J-pop and metal to Knotfest Sydney 2025, and the crowd couldn’t get enough. Kicking things off with the iconic “BABYMETAL DEATH,” they set the tone for what was an electrifying set. Tracks like “Distortion” and “PA PA YA!!” kept the energy sky-high, while the powerful “BxMxC” and “METALI!!” (preceded by impressive KAMI Band solos) added depth to their performance. “KARATE” had the crowd unleashing their inner warriors, and the crowd-favorite “Megitsune” was a highlight of the set. The band also treated the audience to their cover of “RATATATA” (a collaboration with Electric Callboy), a wild moment in their set that proved their versatility. As the set reached its peak with “Gimme Chocolate!!” and the epic closer “Road of Resistance,” Babymetal left Sydney in absolute awe, proving once again that their mix of metal and J-pop is a formula that will never get old.
A Day to Remember – Nostalgia in Full Force
If there was one set that tapped into pure nostalgia, it was A Day To Remember. Song after song, it was a realization that these anthems had embedded themselves deep into our memories. Tracks like “All I Want” and “The Downfall of Us All” were met with deafening singalongs, proving that ADTR’s music has left a lasting mark on metal and pop-punk fans alike. If nostalgia was a drink, this set was a crisp lager—timeless, refreshing, and exactly what you needed.
Slipknot – 25 Years of Chaos
As expected, Slipknot closed out the night with a jaw-dropping, career-spanning set. From classics like “(sic)” and “Wait and Bleed” to deeper cuts like “Gematria (The Killing Name)” (played for the first time ever during Knotfest Australia’s run), the band delivered a performance that was as violent as it was immersive. Even with Clown absent due to a family emergency, the band’s energy was unstoppable. The encore of “Spit It Out” and “Surfacing” ignited pure chaos, and when they closed with “Scissors,” the atmosphere was electric.
Final Cheers
Knotfest Sydney 2025 was everything we could have hoped for and more—brutality, melody, nostalgia, and absolute carnage. Whether it was the symphonic elegance of Within Temptation, the unrelenting fury of Slaughter to Prevail, or the legendary dominance of Slipknot, every band delivered. This was a festival to remember, and we can only hope next year brings the same level of madness.
Until next time, raise your horns—and your beers! 🍻🤘
Behind The Scenes (Interviews Out Soon)
