Words by Maxime Cherrier

The 19th edition of Hellfest featured a collection of some of the biggest names across rock, metal, punk and beyond. Spanning four days with some 85 different acts across six stages, the scale and prestige of the event has made Clisson, France an important destination for heavy culture going on two decades. 

Revisiting the four-day celebration of rock music artistry and stage spectacle, KNOTFEST has pooled some of the highlights from the weekend. From dazzling production, to convincing performances, Hellfest assembled some of the finest heavy music has to offer. 

Here were some of the most exceptional moments from 2026. 

WE CAME AS ROMANS

When you buy tickets for Hellfest, you almost have to wait for a full year before entering the holy grounds. That being said, the anticipation is understandably at max level when you are finally approaching the stage. Given that, the daunting task of opening a festival proved especially difficult, however We Came As Romans looked flawless doing it. Frontman Dave Stephen’s energy was amped in his ability to engage the crowd as the band delivered banger after banger. A perfect start for a journey in hell.

THE PRETTY RECKLESS

Taylor Momsen was on fire for her band’s debut at Hellfest. Her stage presence is mesmerizing and she executes her songs with all the passion of the record and then some - if that is even possible. Many songs had extended instrumental parts with soaring guitar solos, making the band's stage time a showcase in rock music revelry. 

PAPA ROACH

Jacoby Shaddix and his mates never looked younger on stage. With a set full of hits, the audience never took a break from screaming the band’s iconic choruses during a set that balanced established favorites and contemporary hits. Jacoby even invited his kids to perform "See U In Hell" and "BRAINDEAD," emphasizing the kind of generational legacy the band has created.  

Completing the Papa Roach live experience, their ‘Nu Metal Time Machine’ proved one of the highlights of the entire weekend. They played snippets of "Blind," "My Own Summer (Shove It)," "Break Stuff" and "Chop Suey," before ending their time with the ageless anthem, "Last Resort."

A collective cool down was definitely needed after such an epic finale. 

BRING ME THE HORIZON

BMTH’s show experience continues to set the bar for grand scale production. Immersing you into a video game simulator where the challenge is survival, the band’s universe takes shape around their best-of setlist where the energy never dips. Even the interludes added an element of levity and humor, with some pyro effects used for jumpscares to create a truly immersive experience. 

BMTH also pulled out a few surprises, inviting Will Ramos of Lorna Shoreto tear through a rendition of "Antivist" that made the band's set feel especially historic for Hellfest 2026. 

BLOODYWOOD

Last time Bloodywood performed at Hellfest, they played before noon and it was packed. So just imagine it 3 years later at 4pm. Bloodywood mesh of dynamic nu-metal fuses with Indian folk speaks to the global reach of heavy music and the energy that proves the common denominator. That was further emphasized with the pop from the crowd when ‘Nu Dehli’ started. With a massive Wall of Death, Bloodywood proved up to the task of earning a highlight from Hellfest. 

SIDILARSEN

Toulouse's own electrometal collective Sidilarsen were called only a few days before their set, to replace another band that had to cancel their performance. The pivot proved to be one of the standout moments of the festival. While the band has a strong notoriety in the French metal scene, it was only their second appearance at Hellfest.

Asserting real crowd control and stage presence with the dual frontman dynamic, Sidilarsen lead a chorus with their finale, "Des Milliards’, that felt anthemic and especially profound for the French fans singing in unison. 

ENHANCER

Enhancer was part of the iconic ‘Team Nowhere’ in the 2000s in France. So for their first ever Hellfest performance, they had to bring in some legendary French guests. Spectators wre treated to a set featuring The Arrs’ lead singer, who announced the return of his band for 2027. And if that wasn’t enough, band members from Pleymo also joined the party, as well as a song featuring Joey Starr, an iconic French rapper from the  NTM crew.  

Enhancer ended their set with each of their guests on stage, for a crew cut in "Hot" that made for a memorable moment, even for the casual fans of the genre.

BLACK VEIL BRIDES

Andy Black was on fire for the festival’s hottest day, out-scorching a grueling heatwave of 100 degrees on the festival field. Unloading a setlist full of hits and new essentials from their latest record Vindicate, the crowd's ability to sing along with Biersack on songs old and new emphasized just how relevant Black Veil Brides continues to be. Closing their set with the collective singalong of the epic, "In The End" the band proved triumphant with a moment of pure joy that unified the fans that braved the heat to catch the set. 

THREE DAYS GRACE

The significance of Three Days Grace was especially evident as the band's set prompted actual tears from the crowd throughout their set. Responsible for a host of meaningful songs that proved important for a generation of fans, Three Days Grace exceeded expectation with an all-star performance of their enduring hits such as "So Called Life," "I Hate Everything About You," "Painkiller," "Never Too Late" and their set finale, "Riot.". The band's hit parade served well in not only combating the heat, but speaking to the evergreen quality of effective, memorable songwriting. 

BAD OMENS

Sundown offered the perfect setting for Bad Omens’ stage time as the band closed MainStage 2 on Sunday evening. Adding to the dark atmosphere, the band's cryptic video interludes for their Do You Feel Love cycle made for a complete presentation that was captivating from start to finish. Working through a set that saw a succession of hits, paired with the gigantic flames on and off stage and the already sweltering feel of the field made for a show that was befitting of a Hellfest experience. 

Before finishing their set with the classic "Dethrone" - a standout moment of the show included the band performing one of their newest anthems with a stirring version of  "Impose" The very emotional performance built to a crescendo that saw a shower of confetti and a wall of pyro that left the whole audience in awe. 

History was happening in real time at Hellfest as the band offered a glimpse of what's yet to come for their headlining appearance at Knotfest Mexico this December.