Third day at Hellfest! After two explosive days in Clisson, the festival dedicated to extreme music keeps its momentum and once again delivered memorable moments, headlined by must-see acts like Megadeth, Anthrax, Behemoth, and A Perfect Circle. While Cavalera and Tom Morello fans bemoaned their absence after cancellations, festival-goers were still treated to plenty of eye and ear candy from other bands—less famous, but immensely talented—such as Gaerea, Psychonaut, Vígljós, 1914, and BRUIT ≤. A photo recap of this Saturday, June 20, 2026.
1/10
It's barely 11 a.m., and already the day’s first pleasant surprise lands. Directly drawing from the Norwegian pioneers of the second wave of black metal, Switzerland's Vígljós take the stage in monk robes with a wicker mask on their faces. Instantly, their image clashes with their raw, furious musical style and the singer's powerful, cathartic screams. A striking opening to kick off this third day.
2/10
They’re from Toulouse and they don’t do things like everyone else. Blending cello and violin with the traditional lineup (guitar, bass and drums), the quartet BRUIT ≤ reveals a unique, swooning take on pure post-rock. At the Valley, this French group gently woke the early birds and undeniabley charmed our ears.
3/10
Meanwhile, festival-goers are letting loose on the Warzone, the stage for hardcore and punk enthusiasts. It isn’t even 11:30 yet, but the early arrivals on the Warzone are throwing their first wall of death of the day in front of the London band False Reality.
4/10
Nestled inside Hellcity Square, the Extreme Market is the perfect place to snag a few bargains: books, jewelry, posters, and plenty of apparel. The T-shirts are everywhere and a must-have for Hellfest-goers. From classic band tees—Metallica, Pantera, Mercyful Fate, and Rob Zombie—to lesser-known acts, plus the famous Hellcats shirts... the hardest part is choosing just one!
5/10
With already three solid albums under its belt, Psychonaut now enjoys a strong fan base. Evidence of that was the handful of band T-shirts spotted on festival-goers this Saturday. No surprise there: a crowd gathered in front of the Valley on June 20 to see the Belgian group live, despite the blazing heat of early afternoon. The post-metal trio, comprised of Stefan De Graef, Thomas Michiels and Harm Peters, delivered a set that was both hypnotic and explosive, a particularly successful one!
6/10
The tent was packed as the Ukrainian group 1914 took the stage, delivering a blackened death metal set that was both bleak and ferocious. Flag in hand and mud smeared across his face, the vocalist led his four-musician unit through the crowd, calling out the horrors of war around the world and taking a moment to thank France for its unwavering support.
7/10
A real favorite this Saturday: Gaerea. Scheduled on the Temple stage just before 5 p.m., this Portuguese-born band has a striking hallmark. All dressed in black, even painting their arms black, the members choose to stay anonymous and hide their faces beneath a black hood. The aesthetic is meticulous and the energy is firmly there for this outfit that truly captivated our eyes and ears with its post-black metal, unusually intense and effective.
8/10
The Hellfest is more than 180 bands to discover over four days, but it’s also a singular universe, driven by a meticulously crafted and fiery stage production. Each evening, as night falls, the crew gets to work lighting the various torches scattered across the festival grounds, turning the site into a true inferno!
9/10
As night falls, a captivating spectacle also unfolds at the gate to the muscadet kingdom, starring the fire pyramid of Madneom. The troupe’s performers deliver a flamboyant show for festival-goers, where fire takes center stage. A small new twist this year: a fountain placed in the heart of the structure erupts with water... and fire!
10/10
It was undoubtedly a show not to be missed this Saturday night on the Mainstage. Dave Mustaine and his Megadeth were stopping by Hellfest, as the American thrash metal outfit is currently on its farewell tour. An opportunity to hear one last time some of the band's essential hits, such as "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due", "Symphony of Destruction" and not forgetting "A Tout le Monde", sung in unison by the fans. Usually not very expressive, Dave Mustaine even flashed a smile during the set!
This Saturday, June 20, let’s not overlook the high-voltage set from Anthrax and the flashy behemoth of a show from Behemoth, slated for the Mainstage for the very first time after Tom Morello pulled out. A lucky break for the Polish act, which truly set Hellfest ablaze with its heavy, blackened-death-metal punch!
Fourth and final day of Hellfest this Sunday, June 21, with a lineup that features eagerly awaited performances by The Offspring, Bad Omens, Architects, and also Napalm Death and The Adicts!
Hellfest 2026: five acts you won’t want to miss this Sunday, June 21
Hellfest is making its return to Clisson from June 18 to 21, 2026. As always, the extreme-music festival is pulling out all the stops, filling the lineup with a wealth of talented artists that will let festival-goers cut loose. So, who are the must-see acts on stage this Sunday? From Napalm Death to Pennywise, with Acid Bath in between... Here are 5 bands you can’t miss this Sunday, June 21 in Clisson, for the fourth and final day of Hellfest, 2026 edition. [Read more]
Hellfest makes its comeback with four new days of extreme-music concerts. This time, the festival welcomes metalheads from Thursday, June 18 to Sunday, June 21, 2026. What’s on the menu for this edition? A slate of talented francophone and international acts, including Iron Maiden, Alice Cooper, Limp Bizkit, The Offspring, Deep Purple, Anthrax, Cavalera, Megadeth, Papa Roach, Bad Omens, Mastodon, Napalm Death and Behemoth... Here is the full day-by-day, stage-by-stage lineup for Hellfest 2026. Also check out the concert times. [Read more]
Location
Hellfest website
Rue du Champ Louet
44190 Clisson
Official website
hellfest.fr
Hellfest 2026: five acts you won’t want to miss this Sunday, June 21
Hellfest 2026: the full lineup and concert schedules
