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Bristol's Metal Scene

The wealth of metal events in Bristol is drawn from a rich metal heritage in the city, classic local bands include: Onslaught, Gonga, Jaguar and Evita. A lot of the best events are in underground pubs like the Gryphon and Mother's Ruin where you can hear big riffs and roared vocals most nights of the week - with strong support from the metal scene elsewhere in the West of England.

As well as older cover-style bands at German boozer Bierkeller, you can see larger international acts at Bristol's bigger venues like O2 Academy and Colston Hall. The city's Old Market area is full of old biker-gang hangouts like the Packhorse - with various shops selling metal memorabilia and records - perfect for the morning after a big gig.

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Our recent metal recommendations

Shredenhams hosts a Halloween blowout of feral riffs and fuzzed-out catharsis! The local punks'll have distortion, dust, and delirium on tap for a full-throttle howl from the underground, with all profits donated to Medical Aid for Palestine. FFO: Idles, Viagra Boys, Amyl and the Sniffers, Limp Bizkit (don't @ us). Halloween Punk and Metal all dayer at Shredenhams Skatepark to raise funds for Medical Aid in Palestine

Dissonant post-hardcore-laced grindcore filth, rocketing outta Plymouth with knotty blastbeats and careening slashed-brake-cable momentum. Helpless bash heads with Row Of Ashes’ disarming sludge brutality in a night of pure unadulterated chaos FFO: Gaza, Converge, Trap Them, Dillinger Escape Plan, Will Haven, Unsane. Blowout presents Helpless, Row of Ashes and Hollow Blessings at Exchange Basement, Bristol

Seismic screamo/post-metal outfit As Living Arrows unleash a vicious, breakneck amalgam of crust and hardcore on The Croft. Molten riffs, tectonic rhythms + epic heartstring anthems = a crushing primordial meltdown FFO: Converge, Neurosis, City of Caterpillar, Rites of Spring, Cult of Luna, Being as an Ocean. Blowout Presents As Living Arrows and Grizla at The Croft, Bristol

Wretchedley sludged post-metal pummelling from Guiltless – mixing the ashes of A Storm of Light with a newfound noise-rock propulsion and apocalyptic industrial churn. Perfect support from the always-epic Wren and Empire of Dust’s grinding slabs of guttural misery. Downtuned to perfection FFO: Neurosis, Isis, Kowloon Walled City, Swans, Godflesh, Cult of Luna, Thou. Guiltless and Wren are joined by Empire of Dust for the Bristol leg of their tour

What our editors say

“Australian progressive virtuoso, Plini, heads to Electric in 2026. The Sydney guitarist and composer has gained international attention for their intricate guitar work, blending jazz, fusion and metal. Praised for their sophistication and emotional depth, Plini has earned recognition from icons like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and John Petrucci. Set to release their third full-length album in early 2026, don’t miss this night of technical mastery and expressive storytelling from a global guitar icon.”
From: PLINI

“Four piece band with a dynamic stage show. From industrial metal anthems, synth wave stompers and glam rock floor fillers one thing is for sure – each song delivers emotion, vitriol and theatrics which are all part of the ongoing semi-autobiographical multi album concept continuing with the bands imminent third release following - 2018s Suicide, Rock & Rock and 2022s Subliminal Messages/Beneath the Limen”
From: Elkapath

“Monochrome returns to once again celebrate ugliness and excess. Set in the heart of Bristol, you'll find a diverse lineup of weirdo metal, gnarled punk and ear splitting noise, in a welcoming and inclusive environment.”
From: Monochrome Festival of Ugly Music

“Fronted by the one-of-a-kind Cat Fey, whose instantly captivating melodies, storytelling, strength, and a voice built for anthems, We Are The Catalyst stand out in today’s crowded rock and metal scene.”
From: We Are The Catalyst

“MØL conjure a maelstrom of sound where shimmering shoegaze melodies crash into the feral intensity of black metal. Drawing inspiration from the ethereal beauty of My Bloody Valentine, themelancholic drift of Slowdive, and the abrasive elegance of Alcest and Lantlôs, MØL forgesoundscapes that are both celestial and visceral.”
From: MØL