Mourning the lack of Soundwave Festival this week and wondering how to get your full day heavy metal experience in 2016? You might have to travel a little farther and fork out a little extra cash, but we’ve compiled a list of our Top Five Metal Festivals for 2016, to fill the hole Soundwave has left in our hearts.
Download Festival
June 10-12 in Leicestershire, England
Since its inception in the early 2000’s, Download Festival has become one of the biggest metal gatherings in the world. Held over 3 days at Donington Park in England, the 2016 lineup boasts some of the biggest names in the world including Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and Rammstein. Other bands not to miss are Korn, Gojira, Megadeth and Trivium.
Hellfest Open Air
June 17-19 in Clisson, France
Heading into its 10th year, Hellfest is the brainchild of Benjamin Barbaud forged from the ashes of Furyfest. With 140 bands over 6 stages, Hellfest brings 3 days of full throttle metal madness to Clisson in France each year. Tearing up the stage in 2016 will be Black Sabbath, Korn, Slayer, Down, Refused and many, many more.
Bloodstock Open Air
August 11-14 at Walton-on-Trent, Derbyshire, UK
Bloodstock Open Air in the UK’s largest independent metal festival held at the picturesque location of Walton-on-Trent in Derbyshire, UK. 2016 will see 15,000 punters descend on Derbyshire for 4 days of pure, unadulterated heavy metal. With over 100 international acts, be sure to check out names like Mastodon, Anthrax, Gojira and Dragonforce.
70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise
February 4-8, Miami to Jamaica
Who ever said cruises are for retirees? The 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise is showing us why metal cruises are securing themselves a steady future. With unrestricted access to all live shows on board, this 2 day cruise heads from Miami to Jamaica with a fully stocked 24 hour bar, Belly Flop Contest and a ton of salty metal heads. If you’re lucky enough to score tickets to this 3,000 punter event you can catch heavyweights Children of Bodom, At the Gates, Cradle of Filth and Bloodbath.
Monster Energy Fort Rock
April 30 – May 1 at JetBlue Park in Ft. Myers, South Florida
After 3 consecutive sellouts, the 2016 Monster Energy Fort Rock Festival has expanded to 2 epic days at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida. South Florida’s biggest rock festival will feature performances from Rob Zombie, Five Finger Death Punch, Anthrax and Lamb of God (and that’s just Day 1). Day 2 showcases Disturbed, Bring Me the Horizon, Pennywise and plenty more bands to get your blood pumping.
