upcoming gig

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.

Buy tickets for metal events in Bristol

Our recent metal recommendations

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

Sell out warning! Bristol’s most deadly necrotic hxc outfit eagerly drip another EP of blackened filth into the unworthy omniverse. Feel the brutality in the flesh first alongside Cryptbreaker’s dungeon beatdown and Bile Caster’s unholy sludge wreckage. Riffs to scare the vicar with FFO: Young and in the Way, Entombed, Martyrdöd, Wolvhammer, Indian, Wolfbrigade. Plague Pit "A Whispered Curse" Release show with Bile Caster and Cryptbreaker

Sell out warning! Sullow unspool psychogeographic banjo-raga drift, The Greater London Banjo Trio channel lost traditions into rattling communal revival, and Fohn & Norman Church weave dulcimer, fiddle and spectral electronics into hushed harbour elegies. Add balladry from Scottish sean-nós torchbearer Ewen MacIntyre and this is a folkloric fever-dream FFO: caroline, William Tyler, Henry Flynt, Shovel Dance, Milkweed. Experimental & traditional folk music

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

“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

“Hora is a doom metal band based in Bristol, with roots in Cornwall. Hora’s sound is built on a backbone of fuzzed-out doom with prominent doses of classic heavy metal and flourishes of black, death and post metal influences. Since the release of their debut EP ‘Witch Trial Sessions Vol. 1’ in February 2024, Hora have been busy establishing themselves as a live act across the South West and Wales.”
From: Epimetheus