There are a few familiar names here — certainly the likes of Skraeckoedlan, Hippotraktor, Beehoover, Kavrila, and so on — but I’ll be straight up and tell you I don’t know most of the artists playing Berlin Swamp Fest 2025, and that that’s also why I’m putting this post here with the lineup. Not every one of them will be a life-changing find, but any of them could be, so I’d like to acknowledge that possibility while at the same time taking a look at an event that seems to prioritize forward-thinking artists and curation.

Next month is the 10th Berlin Swamp Fest, even if it’s my first time writing about it. The deep reach into experimental noise and electronics, complemented by purveyors of doom, thrash, and so on feels like a lot with 30 bands over three days, but it’s not your first time at the dance. You can hang.

The PR wire has some of the particulars, but there’s a whole side-programme here too with artists and tattooers, etc., so check the website if you’d like more info:

Berlin Swamp Fest 2025 – Celebrating 11 Years of Underground Heavy in Berlin

From September 11–13, 2025, Neue Zukunft in Berlin once again becomes the dark playground of the Berlin Swamp Fest – and this year marks a special milestone: for the tenth edition, fans, musicians, and artists gather for crushing riffs, bizarre art, and bloody horror.

What started in 2014 as a DIY idea has since grown into a cornerstone of Berlin’s underground scene – and the anniversary is being celebrated with a massive lineup: around 30 acts from the worlds of stoner, doom, grind, thrash, and electronic music will take the stage over three days. Among the confirmed names: Skraeckoedlan, Hippotraktor, Fvneral Fvkk, Ancst, Massafaction, Joanna Gemma Auguri, Beehoover, V’GER Galaxis, Tremøre, Kerrigan, Hellzel, Piece, Friisk, Kavrila, Distaste – and many more.

Expect boundary-pushing sounds once again this year, with electronic and experimental sets by Quarterpoundrrr, Blcksmth, and a special electronic performance by Ancst.

Beyond the live shows, the Final Girls Berlin Film Fest returns with a hand-picked program of horror short films. Regional visual artists will be featured in the gallery space, and readings by Fatima Djamila and Frau Kopf will add a literary edge.

Despite club closures and gentrification, the organizing collective Swamp Conspiracy continues to fly the flag for the underground. “Without spaces like Neue Zukunft, festivals like this would hardly be possible in Berlin anymore,” says co-founder and booker Marian. Looking back on 2025, he reflects: “With dedication, creativity, and love for the scene, we’ve managed to host Berlin Swamp Fest for eleven years – or rather, ten editions. After last year’s success at Neue Zukunft, we’re thrilled to celebrate our anniversary – with even more art packed into every corner.”

Weekend passes for all 3 days are on sale now:

Online via TixforGigs: https://www.tixforgigs.com/Event/65737
In Berlin at: Bis aufs Messer, KOKA36, Neue Zukunft

https://www.swampconspiracy.org/
https://www.instagram.com/swamp.conspiracy/
https://www.facebook.com/swamp.conspiracy

Skraeckoedlan, “The Vermillion Sky” official video

Always cool to see the Oslo-based Høstsabbat fest building its lineup over the months leading up to October. I have had the pleasure in years past of being there and, especially now having been to the city in Springtime for Desertfest this year, there’s a special vibe to Fall. Maybe it’s hanging around the Kulturkirken Jakob for a couple days, or the black-silver crows and ominous cloud clover, but you feel the encroaching darkness of the Norwegian winter without it actually being bitterly cold, and even in the city, at least by the church, there are dry leaves blowing in the wind.

The latest round of adds brings two Belgian, Gnome and Hippotraktor, and three Norwegian acts in Nadir, Ruun and Kambodsja, who join the previously-announced YOB, Ahab, Domkraft and New Money as the long-running Høstsabbat continues to meld styles and geographies for a gorgeously dark two-dayer experience. I’ll miss it this year, literally and figuratively, but as noted at the outset, it’s fun to keep up.

From socials:

🔥 Behold 🔥 – band announcement!

The sharp-eyed have maybe already caught a glimpse from a flyer or poster in Oslo, but we’re off to the races for real now!

🪦 GNOME (BE) – Three Belgian stoned gnomes with pointy hats and armed to the teeth with killer riffs and coordinated dances. What’s not to love?

🪦 HIPPOTRAKTOR (BE) – Sticking with the Belgian theme, this post-metal quintet finds the most intricate melodies and patterns in Space-Time continuum.

🪦 NADIR (NO) – Rooted in Black Metal, Nadir delivers charred, fast-paced, aggressive and relentless walls of existential dread.

🪦 RUUN (NO) – Promising brutality and slaughter, their corrosive death metal perfectly accompanies the dystopian human existence.

🪦 KAMBODSJA (NO) – Progressive indie punk rock, spiced with enough attitude and spunk to rip your face off.

Stay tuned for more announcements! 🔥⛪️🔥

Festival passes now up for sale: https://www.ticketmaster.no/event/hostsabbat-2025-festival-pass-billetter/1304111356

SPOTIFY PLAYLIST
https://spoti.fi/3tkuMZl

NEWSLETTER
https://bit.ly/HostsabbatNews

https://www.facebook.com/hostsabbat/
https://www.instagram.com/hostsabbat/
http://hostsabbat.no/

Høstsabbat Spotify Playlist

Heads up on a sick bill, though don’t take that to mean I’m claiming to break any news here, as Into the Void posted this lineup announcement for 2025 last week. I’m just always beihnd. In any case, it’s rad. It’s awesome to see Dutch-native bands like DOOL and Temple Fang ascending to headliner positions, most especially because it’s earned by the music/performance, and The Vintage Caravan are always, always, always a good time. Killer top three. In light of Molassesss announcing their ending, to see the Farida Lemouchi-fronted Gott taking part here would seem to signal a renewed focus on that project following their 2022 EP, To Hell to Zion. Curious of course what might be in the works there to be revealed hopefully by September. Hell a new record’s out and I probably missed it, for all I know. I’m doing my best folks. I never said I was good at this.

Cheers and happy travels to Sons of Arrakis, who’ll apparently be making their debut on the Europpean circuit this Fall. I saw them a couple weeks ago and they were great and are at a stage in their progression where every moment they can spend performing will help them grow. These plus Earthship, MR.BISON, Lowen, Haunted, Ggu:ll, Motorowl, Psychonaut, Hippotraktor and An Evening With Knives makes for one hell of a 14-band all-dayer.

From socials:

On September 27, Neushoorn will once again open the gates for Into The Void, where heavy riffs and dark spheres meet. This year, fourteen bands are set to take the audience on a journey through the universe of Doom, Stoner and Sludge.

🔸 DOOL returns to Leeuwarden after a sold out club tour. With their melancholic, layered sound and immersive performances, they manage to leave a deep impression time and time again.

🔸 The Vintage Caravan brings their signature mix of classic rock and heavy psych back to Into The Void. The energy of this Icelandic band always causes a party.

🔸 Temple Fang presents new work. Known for their hypnotizing compositions, the band will take you on an intense musical trip.

🔸 Psychonaut and Hippotraktor prove that Belgium is a breeding ground for heavy, progressive music. Both bands combine powerful riffs with deep dynamics and atmospheric elements.

🔸 Gott the reincarnation of The Devil’s Blood, mixing occult rock and intense, bewitching melodies.

🔸 Lowen a name to watch out for, hails from the UK and brings a combination of doom and atmospheric sounds.

In addition, HAUNTED , An Evening With Knives , Ggu:ll, Sons of Arrakis, Earth Ship, Mr. Bison and Motorowl complete the lineup.

Tickets are now on sale: https://intothevoid.nl/tickets/

https://www.facebook.com/gointothevoid/
https://www.instagram.com/intothevoidfestival/
https://www.intothevoid.nl/

DOOL, The Shape of Fluidity (2024)

Gott, To Hell to Zion (2022)