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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

Sell out warning! Infamous fiend Elizabeth Bathory is reborn on stage as The C*ntess, gore-soaked and shrieking her way at the helm of Blood Countess’ harrowing UKBM spectacle. Tremolo-heavy 90s rawness and blastbeat bludgeoning with King Diamond’s thematic obsession and Cradle of Filth’s romantic interludes; just what the witchdoctor ordered to itch your demonic fetish. Blood Countess at Moor Beer Co.

Local post-metal / prog-sludge titans Urzah unleash their second album onto the unsuspecting cosmos in all its crushing glory. Heavy riffs, psychedelic complexity, atmospheric depths... come walk the knife edge, alongside the finest renaissance macabre from Dead Space Chamber Music. An assured Bristol metal landmark FFO: Mastodon, High On Fire, Neurosis, Conjurer, DVNE. A Tranquil Void Album Release Party at Exchange.

Sell out warning! Envus be praised! Newcastle’s best new DSBM outfit bring their corpse paint desolation to the only pub that truly deserves it, with Blasfeme-adjacent solo trauma from Parusight and the lore-fuelled rawness of Ghül. Funeral romance misanthropy FFO: Këkht Aräkh, Mütiilation, Burzum, Paysage d'Hiver. Newcastle black metal lords EVIL DUNGEON CRAWLER ventures south with a host of dark reinforcements.

Eeeeeevil mid-week metal madness of the old-school death variety! Nottingham’s Liquified spew putrid cranium riffage and guttural growls for the Cannibal Corpse acolytes, alongside a mad welcome reappearance from Cwmbran’s foulest export: death-splattered crossover thrashers Exaust. Proper basement blood-pumper! With support from Exaust, Syphon + Sledgehammer

What our editors say

“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. Lineup and venues TBA but early bird tickets on sale now if you want to grab a bargain”
From: Festival of Ugly Music

“The point: Benefit gig raising funds for the following 3 charities to help people and animals get through the festive period. - South & East Bristol Foodbank (Trussell) - St Mungo's (homeless charity) - Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary A mix of bands playing harsh noise across the punk and hardcore spectrum. The drill: Doors 3:30pm, bands from 4pm Finish by 10pm £15 Adv The bands: STAMPIN GROUND UKHC Legends NO RELIEF Brighton heavy hardcore HARROWED Hardcore/metal punk from Kent POUNDAFLESH Hardcore punk from the midlands DEFLAGRADOR London/Bristol thrashers SCATHING Doom laden heavy from Bristol SARSOUR New Bristol Hardcore punk BOTTOM OF THE BARREL South Wales hardcore”
From: Benefit Half Dayer w/Stampin Ground

“BACCHUS PRESENTS: HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY Pioneers of the post-black movement, HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY return to Bristol as part of their UK & Ireland tour this November. Expertly marrying the intensity of extreme metal with the ethereal nature of post-rock, the Austrian duo continue to soar to new heights after 15 years. Support comes from atmospheric black metal outfit SUNKEN, whose latest album Lykke cemented their reputation as one of black metal's most exciting acts. Both bands take on Strange Brew on Friday 27th November. Secure your ticket now.”
From: Harakiri for the Sky & Sunken

“BACCHUS PRESENTS X ROAD TO MASOCHIST: PILORI Blackened crust outfit PILORI return to Bristol. Abrasive and violent, Pilori join us from Normandy following the release of their third album, Sans Adieu, which marks their tenth year as a band. Renowned for their chaotic concoction of crust and black metal, with occasional flurries of grindcore and death metal, Pilori are a true force of nature. They'll be joined by visceral post-black metal outfit STILL from Hull. Tickets available on Headfirst now.”
From: Pilori w/ Still

“AGABAS THE RETURN OF DEATHJAZZ With support from Apathy UK 7pm doors £13 Adv Agabas is a Norwegian six-piece band that pioneers "deathjazz"—a chaotic, high-energy fusion of extreme death/progressive metal and free-form jazz. The band is known for blistering, down-tuned guitar breakdowns paired with ferocious saxophone solos, guttural Norwegian vocals, and highly academic musical backgrounds. Please note the basement is not wheelchair accessible and is accessed by a narrow enclosed staircase. For more accessibility info, please email [email protected]”
From: AGABAS