Thrash metal veterans Forbidden kicked off our festival coverage in the best possible way. Even after all these years, the band radiated an infectious enthusiasm that immediately translated to the audience. Rather than relying solely on nostalgia, they approached the performance with genuine joy, constantly interacting with one another and clearly enjoying every minute they were on stage.

That positive energy proved contagious. Before long, the crowd responded in kind, feeding off the band’s enthusiasm with growing movement and applause. It was one of those performances where technical musicianship certainly mattered, but where the chemistry between the musicians became the real highlight. Forbidden reminded everyone why classic Bay Area thrash still resonates today: not simply because of the riffs, but because of the spirit behind them.

A quick move brought us indoors for Decapitated, and the atmosphere shifted immediately. The Polish death metal institution delivered exactly the kind of crushing performance their reputation promises, filling the hall with razor-sharp riffs, relentless drumming and sheer intensity.

There was an extra layer of significance for the Finnish audience thanks to the band’s current vocalist Eemeli Bodde, making the show feel almost like a homecoming. The crowd embraced the band wholeheartedly, and Decapitated responded by absolutely demolishing the indoor stage with a performance that never let up. Their precision remained impressive throughout, but it was the overwhelming power behind every song that left the strongest impression.

Back on the main stage, Swedish death metal pioneers Dismember demonstrated that experience doesn’t have to come at the expense of passion. From the very beginning, it was obvious that the musicians were genuinely enjoying themselves. There was a constant sense of interaction between the band members, with smiles and exchanged glances revealing just how much fun they were having together.

That enjoyment naturally spilled over into the audience. Rather than presenting themselves as untouchable veterans, Dismember came across as a band still excited to share the stage after all these years. The performance struck an appealing balance between crushing old-school heaviness and an almost celebratory atmosphere, making it difficult not to get caught up in the moment alongside them.

Fear Factory brought a completely different flavour to the evening. Their trademark combination of mechanical precision, industrial grooves and crushing heaviness sounded as imposing as ever, while the crowd eagerly welcomed one of the genre’s most influential names back to Finland.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the performance came from the vocals. The demanding material was handled convincingly, capturing both the aggressive and melodic sides that have always been central to Fear Factory‘s identity. Supported by the band’s characteristically tight musicianship, the songs hit with remarkable force, resulting in a set that felt both powerful and faithful to the band’s legacy.

The evening was only getting started, however. With black metal, theatrical horror and one of Finland’s most revered bands still waiting in the wings, Hellsinki Metal Festival was about to shift into an entirely different gear.

By the time Old Man’s Child took to the third stage, it became clear just how much anticipation surrounded one of the festival’s rarities. Led by former Dimmu Borgir guitarist Galder, the Norwegian black metal outfit drew such a crowd that the venue eventually reached capacity. People could only enter as others left, leaving plenty of fans hoping to catch even a glimpse of the performance.

Those who made it inside were rewarded with a memorable set. The band’s melodic black metal translated beautifully to the live setting, while the long-haired bassist and guitarist made full use of the stage, their hair dancing wildly thanks to the ever-present wind machine. It may be a cliché of the genre, but sometimes it simply works. Combined with the dark atmosphere and commanding performance, it created exactly the kind of visual spectacle fans had been hoping for. Old Man’s Child don’t perform all that often, and judging by the packed venue and enthusiastic response, the audience knew they were witnessing something special.

If there was one performance on Friday that transcended the idea of a regular concert, it was King Diamond. The Danish heavy metal icon once again demonstrated why his shows have long been regarded as theatrical productions just as much as musical performances.

Every song unfolded like another chapter in one of his dark horror stories. Elaborate stage props, carefully timed character appearances and constantly changing scenes transformed the stage into a living theatre. The now-famous Abigail doll naturally made an appearance, while ritualistic imagery and unsettling characters added another layer to the storytelling. Rather than simply introducing songs, King Diamond guided the audience through twisted tales populated by witches, mysterious women and other sinister figures, occasionally adding his own tongue-in-cheek remarks that briefly broke the tension before the next nightmare unfolded.

Musically, the band performed with the confidence and precision one would expect from such seasoned musicians. King‘s unmistakable falsetto remained the centrepiece throughout, effortlessly shifting between haunting melodies and piercing screams. It was one of those performances where the visual and musical elements became inseparable, each strengthening the other until the audience was fully immersed in the world unfolding before them.

Closing the first festival day was one of Finland’s own treasures. Moonsorrow have never been a band that performs frequently, at least not recently, making every live appearance feel like an occasion in itself. That sense of rarity was reflected in both the audience’s anticipation and the explosive welcome the band received when they finally took the stage.

The visual production immediately matched the epic scale of their music. Flames erupted throughout the set, bathing the stage in fire and adding another dramatic dimension to the sweeping pagan metal compositions. On the floor, the audience answered with equal intensity. Pits opened almost instantly, crowds surged back and forth, and despite the late hour there seemed to be no shortage of energy left in the room.

Yet for all the spectacle, it was the music itself that remained the biggest draw. Moonsorrow continue to occupy a unique place within the Finnish metal scene, blending atmosphere, folk influences and crushing heaviness into something that few others have managed to replicate. Performances like this serve as a reminder of why they are still considered one of the country’s finest live acts.