Photo by Nick Aris
Last month, organizers for the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival announced their grand plans for 2024 which included the likes of Killswitch Engage, Slaughter to Prevail, Suicidal Tendencies and Converge among many others anchoring the bill.
During its initial run from 1999 to 2018, the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival cultivated a well-earned reputation for functioning as a barometer in heavy culture. The annual gathering at the famed Palladium in Worcester, MA assembled a line-up of the very best from world of hardcore and metal - converging circles of heavy music in the same space for a multi-day celebration of music intended to fire up the pit.
Following a brief reset, the fest would mark its triumphant return in 2023, welcoming the likes of Parkway Drive, Lamb of God, Hatebreed and Shadows Fall for the first showing in five years. Now, the fest has announced their return for 2024 and the two-day event offers a stacked showcase complete with anniversary sets, important firsts and rarities to boot.
The 2024 New England Metal and Hardcore Fest looks to restore the prestige of the annual event, enlisting Killswitch Engage along with additional standouts like Machine Head, Bane, The Red Chord, Full of Hell, Shadow of Intent, Incendiary and many more.
The New England Metal & Hardcore Fest will also feature the first Nails live since the band confirmed their first new album in eight years in is on the way. Additionally, the fest showcases stellar emerging talent including Brand of Sacrifice, 200 Stab Wounds, Foreign Hands, Upon Stone, BRAT and more.
For the most recent announcement, the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival has added Emmure, Xibalba, Peeling Flesh, Snuffed on Sight and Simulakra to bolster the already stacked two-day bill. Additionally, the fest will mark the highly-anticipated return of Year of the Knife - following the band's horrific tour van accident last year which left vocalist Madi Watkins with sever injuries which required several surgeries and months of grueling recovery.
"I think this lineup is one of the top five best in the festival's history," shared fest founder, Scott Lee. "It will appeal to all fans of all genres of extreme music."
"The place where it all began for us was The Worcester Palladium our first show and our first Metal Festival," added KsE vocalist Jesse Leach. "Here we are, 25 years later, returning to the same venue to perform a unique set to celebrate our legacy as a band We are honored and excited to be a part of this legendary festival once again. 25 years of Killswitch Engage!"
See the complete line up below. Get tickets and info - HERE
