Hellfest 2023: images from Friday, June 16

Extreme music fans are in heaven! Hellfest returns to Clisson for another four days of its 16th edition. Here's a look back at the day of Friday June 16, 2023, marked by excellent concerts by Elegant Weapons, Skid Row and Greg Puciato !

1/10

The first highlight of the day was Elegant Weapons' set. Elegant Weapons is a supergroup made up of singer Ronnie Romero (Rainbow), guitarist Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest), drummer Christopher Williams (Accept) and bassist Dave Rimmer (Uriah Heep). This Friday afternoon, on Mainstage 1, the American band delivered a fine performance based around their debut opus"Horns for a Halo", released on May 26. We loved their skilful blend of old-school rock and modernity, driven by the sublime voice of Ronnie Romero, some of whose physical features reminded us of the late Chris Cornell.

2/10

Strolling the aisles of Hellfest, it's always a pleasure to come across festival-goers with offbeat, unexpected styles, like this bloody snow white, ready to vibrate to the rhythm of extreme music.

3/10

On the Temple, some discoveries are worth a detour, such as Der Weg Einer Freiheit. This German band of Bavarian origin, whose style is reminiscent at times of the inescapable Cult of Luna, literally grabbed us in the space of just a few tracks, thanks to their atmospheric black metal that is as powerful as it is transcendent.

4/10

Day two of Hellfest, but some bodies are already letting loose on the site. And many are snoozing in the middle of the crowd to recharge their batteries and regain a few bars of energy to face the rest of the program and the two days remaining.

5/10

Back on Mainstage 1 with one of the must-see concerts of Friday June 16, 2023: the American band Skid Row. Delivering an effective and timeless hard rock sound, the 5 members of Skid Row seduced the audience with their hard-hitting songs and the indisputable energy of new frontman Erik Grönwall.

• To be read
• Hellfest 2024: line-up by stage and concert times
• Hellfest 2023: images from Thursday, June 15
• Hellfest 2023: 5 bands not to be missed this Saturday, June 17

6/10

Another style, another slap in the face with Norway's Vreid. Under the Temple on this late afternoon, the Scandinavians took us on a spellbinding journey to the rhythm of their unique, atmospheric black metal sound, with its symphonic virtues, just the way we like them. Efficient, powerful and hypnotising, quite simply!

7/10

Another of Friday's favorites? Greg Puciato's ultra-dynamic, driving set. To be discovered at the Valley, this American artist - also known as the lead singer of Dillinger Escape Plan - didn't take long to transport us into his universe of alternative rock and new wave, carried by the amazing voice of this all-round artist, who certainly hides other unsuspected talents!

8/10

As night falls, we head for the Pyramid of Fire to admire the troupe of artists who are not afraid to set the Hellfest site alight a little more. And the audience is there! While some take the opportunity to warm up, many like to be close to the " Kingdom of Muscadet " to watch the flames dancing in the dark.

9/10

On this second day of the festival, Charon's wheel continues to attract one festival-goer after another, who pull on the ropes to turn Peter Hudson's wheel of hell. By day, the installation intrigues. By night, it fascinates. When daylight fades, the movement of the skeletons on the wheel is illuminated by hypnotic strobe lights!

10/10

Night gradually falls on the Hellfest site and the famous castle, still illuminated by lasers projected from the Mainstages. End of the second day at Hellfest, with more great sound discoveries and images in our heads. But Hellfest is far from over. The festivities continue this Saturday, June 17, with acts including Arch Enemy, Iron Maiden, Powerwolf and Within Temptation.

Hellfest 2024: line-up by stage and concert times
Hellfest announces its return in 2024 with four new days of concerts dedicated to extreme music. Mark your calendars! Hellfest awaits metalheads from Thursday June 27 to Sunday June 30, 2024. The line-up includes Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, Foo Fighters, Megadeth, Queens of the Stone Age, The Offspring, Bruce Dickinson, Kvelertak, Machine Head, Corey Taylor, Mass Hysteria, The Prodigy, Suicidal Tendencies, Rival Sons, Saxon, Tom Morello, Kerry King from Slayer.... Here's the line-up by stage and concert times! [Read more]