Hellsinki Metal Festival 2025 offers one of the boldest and most diverse metal lineups of the summer in Finland. Compared to most other events, they really managed to bring a wide variety of bands that you don’t see often together on a festival line-up, both from outside and inside of Finland. You’ve got King Diamond bringing his theatrical horror metal spectacle, the primal first-wave energy of Venom, and death metal brutality from legends like Dismember, Decapitated, and Napalm Death. Prefer something more atmospheric? Dive into the epic soundscapes of Moonsorrow, the apocalyptic post-metal of Cult of Luna, or the icy black metal of Marduk, Old Man’s Child, and rising Finnish force Qwälen.

The lineup also makes room for the melodic and the experimental: from Enslaved‘s progressive blackness to the symphonic stylings of Sigh and dark Americana of Me and That Man. Hardcore and metalcore fans can throw down to Hatebreed, Angelmaker, and Landmvrks, while bands like Party Cannon, and Brutal Sphincter bring total chaos with a grindcore twist.

There’s also nostalgia and rarity in the mix—Michael Schenker revisiting his UFO years, a special Bathory tribute “Blood Fire Death”, and Kiuas performing The Spirit of Ukko in full for its 20th anniversary. Add in names like Candlemass, Forbidden, Kanonenfieber, Lähiöbotox, Warmen, and even the party-metal cult heroes Heavy Metal Perse, and you’ve got a lineup that truly leaves no subgenre behind. Whatever your taste, this bill proves Hellsinki doesn’t just book bands, it curates a full-spectrum metal experience.

One of the biggest perks of Hellsinki Metal Festival is its prime urban location. Held at Nordis (Helsinki Ice Hall)—right in the heart of Finland’s capital—it’s incredibly easy to get to. Whether you’re flying in, hopping on a train, or just using public transport, you won’t need to trek for hours or rely on chaotic shuttle buses. No muddy fields, no setting up tents, just walk or ride straight from your hotel or Airbnb. Want to keep the party going? Hit an afterparty nearby. Everything is within reach, making the entire weekend stress-free and comfortable without sacrificing the intensity of the festival experience.

At Hellsinki Metal Festival, you don’t have to choose between outdoor festival vibes and indoor venue comfort because you get the best of both worlds. The festival boasts three stages: two open-air stages outside the iconic Nordis venue where you’ll catch the bigger names in most subgenres and one inside the Helsinki Ice Hall itself which usually features a more underground line-up. That means you can soak in the summer sun with a cold drink in hand during an outdoor set, then head inside for a darker, more intense atmosphere that suits heavier or more theatrical acts.

The indoor arena also offers a place to cool down (or escape the occasional Finnish downpour), rest your legs on the stadium steps, or take in bands with more elaborate stage productions. Meanwhile, the outdoor stages offer fresh air, open skies, and that electric energy you only get when the riffs are roaring through a crowd bathed in daylight. It’s a smooth, practical setup that lets you tailor your festival experience and keep going strong all day without burning out.

More than just a place to see bands, Hellsinki Metal Festival offers a full cultural experience, and the Brutal Bazaar has become its vibrant beating heart. This isn’t your average merch stand setup—it’s a carefully curated marketplace bursting with unique vendors and metal lifestyle essentials. Expect everything from limited-edition vinyl and rare band merch to custom jewelry, occult accessories, patches, books, art prints, and even metal-themed skincare. It’s the perfect spot to grab something special you won’t find anywhere else.Whether you’re shopping, browsing, or just soaking in the atmosphere, the Bazaar and Gallery provide a welcome (and wallet-endangering) break between mosh pits. Come early, bring cash (or your cards since most accept those), and leave room in your backpack.

Brutal Bazaar exhibitors and service providers:

• Anette Ahokas Design
• Athanaton
• Bard & Jester
• David Thiérrée
• Eitri Jewelry
• Hate Couture
• Kantsun Jerky
• Mieli Ry
• Nummirock
• OneEyeTattoo
• Phoenician Good
• Totentanz
• Underground Store
• Vanadis Couture
• Elmu Ry
• Metalheads Against Bullying
• Rock Camp Ry
• Svart Music

You’ll also find very carefully selected art at the Bazaar: this year’s DARK ART GALLERY exhibition features works by an international group of artists. The exhibition, located inside the Ice Hall, is curated and contributed to by Andi Balogh, Nick Morte, Julia Riitijoki, Joel Hokka, Tuukka Fält, David Thiérrée, Alex Markwith, Tero Porthan, and Ben Varon.

While the music at Hellsinki Metal Festival is loud, aggressive, and often extreme, the crowd vibe is anything but hostile. One of the things that sets this festival apart is its strong sense of community where everyone from grizzled black metal veterans to fresh-faced newcomers is welcome. Whether you’re attending solo, with a partner, or in a big crew, you’re likely to find yourself in conversations with total strangers who just get it.

The festival fosters a safe and inclusive environment, with attentive staff, organized security, and a layout that avoids overcrowding. There’s space to breathe, space to rage, and space to retreat. The general respect between fans—whether in the pit or at the merch table—is something people often highlight when talking about their Hellsinki Metal experience. It’s heavy as hell, yes, but it’s also friendly, welcoming, and laid-back in all the right ways. This is a fest where people look out for one another, and that makes all the difference.

Forget soggy fries and mystery meat. Hellsinki Metal Festival serves up a street food lineup as diverse and intense as the bands on stage. Whether you’re looking to fuel your mosh, recover between sets, or just treat yourself, this year’s handpicked food vendors have you covered with bold, authentic, and mouthwatering meals from around the world besides the standard festival grub you find at every Finnish festival.

Craving comfort with a kick? Richie’s Hotdogs is ready to deliver with spicy dogs, smoky bacon-loaded brats, and nacho sausage plates made to share or hoard. For something lighter but packed with flavor, Levant brings the fresh, vibrant taste of Syrian-Lebanese cuisine with falafel and crispy chicken bowls. Meanwhile, Thai Papaya offers authentic Thai dishes cooked by a pro Thai chef—think steamy Pad Thai, fiery Panang curry, and the rich, slow-simmered Chiang Mai pork combo that might just become your new ritual.

More in the mood for global street eats? Bao Bao hits with Korean flavor bombs, Seoul Fried Chicken delivers crunchy heat, and King Kebab makes sure you’re never far from your next juicy wrap. Need something sweet? 3 Kaverin Jäätelö will cool you down with traditional and vegan-friendly ice cream (all gluten-free!) perfect for the late-summer sun.

Top it all off with snacks from Atsipoppaa, nostalgic bites from Treffipub, or a classic Metrilaku for dessert. With flavors from all over the world served fast and fresh, the food court at Hellsinki Metal Festival is practically a festival within the festival and trust us, you’ll want to arrive hungry.

At Hellsinki Metal Festival, the madness doesn’t stop at the stages. Beyond the walls of Nordis and the roar of guitars, you’ll find a world of wild side attractions and immersive experiences that make this festival truly one-of-a-kind. Leading the charge is the return of FCF Wrestling, Finland’s premier show wrestling spectacle, blending heavy music, outrageous personalities, and high-octane action into one theatrical metal melee.

Heroes and villains battle it out in a moral showdown filled with flips, fists, and flamboyant flair. Expect drama, intensity, and crowd participation as some of the company’s biggest stars will make an appearance center ring! And what fits better with some good metal music than some killer wrestling matches?

And that’s not all—between sets, grab a drink, hit the earlier mentioned Brutal Bazaar, and Dark Art Gallery, book yourself a sauna timeslot or just people-watch in one of the most expressive and passionate metal crowds you’ll ever encounter. Hellsinki Metal isn’t just a metal festival, it’s a full-on cultural experience.

Hellsinki Metal Festival might be a relatively new name on the international circuit, but it’s growing fast and every edition raises the bar. Last year’s festival saw around 16,000 visitors, and 2025 is shaping up to top even that. With a bigger lineup, expanded amenities, and more, it’s clear the organizers are listening to fans and constantly evolving.

What makes it especially exciting is that you’re catching it in its prime, at the perfect intersection between underground grit and professional polish. It’s still intimate enough to feel personal but big enough to draw some of the most legendary names in metal. And if the past editions are any indication, you’ll walk away with stories, standout sets, and those “I was there when…” memories that only happen when a festival hits its stride. Miss it now, and you’ll be stuck watching blurry phone videos while your friends talk about it all year.