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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.

Buy tickets for metal events in Bristol

Our recent metal recommendations

Young and deadly metallic crossover brigade Negative Frame break down the walls of The Croft with their blistering barrage of deathcore stylings and hardcore beatdown. Monday feeding frenzy FFO: Suicidal Tendencies, DRAIN, Thy Art Is Murder, Jesus Piece. Negative Frame at The Croft.

What happens when nine free-jazzheads get their hands on an ensemble's worth of gamelan goodies? Nist-Nah erupts in dizzying, metallic swarms of controlled chaos conducted by master polymath percussionist Will Guthrie, elevating you to a sonic nirvana only achieved by fearless adepts of Steve Reich, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, La Monte Young and The Necks. A hybrid Gamelan / percussion ensemble, led by Nantes-based Australian drummer and percussionist Will Guthrie

Humanity’s last gulp of aural Kool Aid! Toronto’s best-kept hardcore secret is finally unleashed on the world stage, their terrifying vision of phlegm-flecked devastation is barked in Farsi to a momentous martial stomp, cloaked in brutal feedback cyclones. So grim it’s positively psychedelic… Canadian hardcore punk on Stoke's Croft

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

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

“Andracca have rapidly established themselves as one of the UK’s most compelling black metal forces. Their 2024 album To Bare the Weight of Death - a visceral meditation on grief and endurance - marked a defining step forward for the band. Praised for its emotional intensity and musicianship, the record appeared on a raft of AOTY lists and earned acclaim from across the metal press, hailed by MetalNoise.net as “caustic and abrasive… a bolt of lightning from a wrathful god,” and by RushonRock as “steeped in melancholy and mired in suffering". Andracca channel the ferocity of classic black metal pioneers like Emperor while pushing their sound into more modern, atmospheric territory.”
From: Andracca

“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