For the first time since 2019, the music and arts banner of Sonic Temple took over the Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH for a sprawling four-day celebration of all things metal, hardcore, punk and beyond.
The Memorial Day Weekend congregation revived the festival namesake and assembled some of the biggest bands in rock in what proved to be a historic return. Among the more compelling storylines that resonated throughout the weekend included KISS' farewell appearance, a stunning submission from Avenged Sevenfold en route to their first album release in seven years and triumphant performance from Foo FIghters who continued to welcome new touring drummer, Josh Freese.
The fest also touted the first set from Queens of the Stone Age since early 2020, as the band preps to showcase new music later this year, while Godsmack also submitted a charged set, supporting their recently release final studio album, Lighting Up the Sky. Festival mainstays including Rob Zombie, Beartooth, Pennywise and Deftones proved worth the pice of admission, while the emerging sensations of Sonic Temple including Knocked Loose, Bad Omens, Nothing More, Malevolence, Tallah, Vended, and Wargasm, offered an auspicious forecast of the health of heavy music's future.
Check the comprehensive four-day photo gallery from the return of Sonic Temple below.
THURSDAY
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES
Photos by Lexie Alley
WARGASM
Photos by Lexie AlleyBEARTOOTH
Photo by Steve ThrasherMALEVOLENCE
Photos by Nathan ZuckerBAD OMENS
Photo by Lexie AlleyPENNYWISE
Photo by Steve ThrasherBLOODYWOOD
ANTI-FLAG
Photos by Steve ThrasherBULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
GODSMACK
H09909
FRIDAY
AVENGED SEVENFOLD
KNOCKED LOOSE
CONVERGE
I, PREVAIL
BADFLOWER
SLEEPING WITH SIRENS
VENDED
MIKE'S DEAD
BRUTUS
SATURDAY
ROB ZOMBIE
TRIVIUM
KISS
PUSCIFER
FALLING IN REVERSE
SENSES FAIL
TALLAH
SUNDAY
FOO FIGHTERS
DEFTONES
NOTHING MORE
AYRON JONES
HOLY WARS
GRANDSON
NOVA TWINS
STARCRAWLER
