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Knotfest Sydney 2025 – A triumph of heavy music!

March 11, 2025

Centennial Park transformed into a metalhead’s paradise on March 8th as Knotfest Sydney 2025 rampaged into the scenic surrounds. With a stacked lineup featuring some of the biggest names in metal and hardcore, the festival delivered everything from beatdowns to singalongs, closing with a monstrous set from Slipknot.

The day started strong with one of the most exciting live acts to grace the scene in recent times, Drain! Not many bands could take the opening spot on a festival and bring as much gusto as these Californian hard hitters.

Following on with fellow West Coast hardcore band Sunami, whose unmistakable beat down energy always ignites the crowd for a two step and circle pit. While not as well known as some of the other bands on the lineup, I am sure they garnered a large amount of new fans after this set.
Vended were up next to rip up the stage while the crowd started to pour in. The band’s groovy yet aggressive sound got the crowd’s heads banging.

A crowd favourite it seems from the roar they received walking out, Miss May I didn’t disappoint! The balance between melody and heaviness made their set a standout early in the day.

Injecting some industrial and electronic elements into the festival, Health provided a much-needed contrast to the brutality that dominated the day. Their atmospheric, synth-laced soundscapes offered a hypnotic, almost eerie experience.

First Aussie band of the day, In Hearts Wake brought their mix of heavy breakdowns, melodic choruses, and energetic stage presence swooned the crowd. The audience surrounding me were screaming along throughout the set, setting an awesome tone for the rest of the evening.

What can be said about Hatebreed that hasn’t been said a thousand times over in their 30 year career? Few bands can command a crowd like Hatebreed, and their set was pure metallic hardcore fury. Their positive, no-nonsense aggression made for one of the most intense performances of the day.

British synth rockers Enter Shikari brought their signature blend of post-hardcore, electronic, and punk to the stage next. They delivered one of the most unpredictable sets of the day. Rou Reynolds darted across the stage while leading the crowd through euphoric singalongs to Sorry You’re Not a Winner and Mothership.

The only symphonic metal act of the festival, Within Temptation provided an ethereal break from the day’s heavier bands. Sharon den Adel’s soaring vocals mesmerized the crowd, while the band’s cinematic sound brought a touch of grandeur to Knotfest. Their set was a unique and powerful moment in the festival.

Russian deathcore giants Slaughter to Prevail stormed the stage with a level of brutality unmatched by any. Frontman Alex Terrible’s monstrous guttural vocals shook the festival grounds, with his now signature no-mic screams and head bashing keeping the crowd glued to the stage.

Polaris delivered one of the most emotionally charged performances of the day. Following the passing of their guitarist Ryan Siew, their set felt deeply personal, with songs like Masochist and Hypermania striking a chord with fans. Their powerful performance and heartfelt interactions with the crowd solidified them as one of Australia’s leading metalcore bands.

A huge change of pace from the intensity of the previous acts, Babymetal’s J-pop-meets-metal spectacle was both bizarre and exhilarating. Their synchronized choreography, infectious hooks, and anthems like Gimme Chocolate!! had the crowd bouncing, proving why they remain one of metal’s most unique acts.

The next act was this reviewer’s highlight of the day and a flashback to a punk/emo youth, A Day to Remember provided one of the most fun sets of the festival. Fans moshed and yelled along to The Downfall of Us All and All I Want, while If It Means Alot to You completely awed the crowd, many couples embraced and swayed along singing the words back at the band.

Closing the night in their usual fashion, Slipknot delivered a devastating performance that cemented their place as one of metal’s greatest live acts. The masked nine-piece wasted no time in igniting the crowd. Corey Taylor commanded the stage with an electric presence, leading thousands in anthems like Psychosocial and Wait and Bleed. The pyro, the intensity, and the chaos of Spit It Out‘s infamous “jump the fuck up” moment made for the perfect festival finale.

Final Thoughts:

Knotfest Sydney 2025 was a showcase of metal’s diversity, from hardcore to symphonic metal, industrial, and even J-pop fusion. Each band brought their own unique energy, creating an unforgettable experience for all who attended.

Whether you came for the breakdowns, the singalongs, or the chaos, Knotfest delivered in every way possible.

Review by Aidan Willis. Photos by Lexi Markovic.