Dinosaurs, Decibels, and Desert Mayhem: LOUD AS HELL 2025 Is Here to Shake the Badlands

Hold onto your eardrums, folks—Alberta’s badlands are about to get a seismic makeover. From August 1st to 3rd, the LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR FESTIVAL returns to Drumheller, where wind-carved hoodoos and dinosaur bones will bear witness to three days of face-melting, earth-rattling metal chaos. Think Coachella, but with more growls, less glitter, and a side of prehistoric vibes.

Revocation—the technical death metal titans—are headlining Sunday with their new single, “Confines of Infinity” (featuring Cattle Decapitation’s Travis Ryan). Fresh lineup? Check. A decade of shredding global stages? Double-check. Meanwhile, Insurrection (Quebec’s groove-laden thrash rebels) will drop bilingual fury, proving politics and pit-worthy riffs can coexist.

Saturday belongs to First Fragment, Montreal’s neoclassical maniacs, whose guitar wizardry could make even Bach headbang. Fargo’s Gorgatron—DIY veterans with a “love of the riff”—will unleash their latest Sentience Revoked, while Friday’s opener Filth (North Carolina’s deathcore misfits) blend hip-hop swagger with breakdowns that hit like a sledgehammer.

But wait—there’s more! Twin brothers Opal in Sky (Vancouver) serve ethereal melodies, Austria’s Hog Meets Frog mash prog-funk-metal absurdity, and Mexico’s Spit On Your Grave deliver slam riffs so heavy, they’d make a T-Rex flinch. Oh, and burlesque shows, dinosaur fossils, and camping under Alberta’s stars? Yeah, it’s that kind of party.

Why You Should Care: Since 2012, LAH has been the Holy Grail for Canada’s metal underground—a sweaty, beer-soaked family reunion where bands like Archspire and Protest the Hero once roared. This year’s 40+ acts span from Arizona’s Gore Pig to Toronto’s Beguiler, proving metal knows no borders.

Look, festivals come and go, but how many let you scream along to death metal while dodging actual dinosaur ghosts? LAH isn’t just a fest—it’s a pilgrimage. Grab your tent, your battle vest, and your sturdiest earplugs… because the badlands are calling, and they’re loud as hell.

Weekend passes: https://loudashell.ca/shop/

Spotify playlist: https://spoti.fi/3XT8IUw

Because silence is overrated.