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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

Enter the Noid brings us another belter to bless The Croft’s mighty return with unearthly noise provocateur Dis Fig at the helm. Further warped experimentalism comes via Regina Collage’s psychedelic no-wave dreamscapes, lurching jazz-math-electronica improv from David/David and Spell Press’ crushing industrial-ambient. Essential FFO: Puce Mary, Evicshen, Carla dal Forno, Moin. Dis Fig, Regina Collage, David David, Spell Press at The Croft.

Sell out warning! The thing about Glasto is … where all the blast beats at? Cue Blastonbree; spoiling you rotten with 9 hours of unrelenting grindgore and brutal death metal cloaked in unreadable typefaces. With Danish slamming deathcore giants Guttural Slug top of the bill, this is pure sonic lobotomy FFO: Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus, Mortician, Cryptopsy, Exhumed. BLASTONBREE FEST 2025 at The Full Moon & Attic Bar.

Iconic Bristol illustrator, inker and street artist Sepr gets some well-deserved retrospective treatment with all his gig posters finally in one place. Plus diverse musical offerings from Empire of Dust’s petrified sludge to Rank’s gutter-dwelling hardcore, Bryn Wyrd’s double bass free electronics and Annie Gardiner bewitching folkways. 30 Years Of Gig Posters by Sepr Ft. Empire of Dust at Exchange.

Frenzied Leeds nu-metal powerhouses, pilfering ideas from metalcore, post-hardcore, IDM and drum’n’bass like they were all the same thing. Bodyweb’s gonna flip Kino basement into an unstoppable beatdown generator FFO: Knocked Loose, Static Dress, Deftones, Higher Power, Korn, Nothingface. Bodyweb at Cafe Kino.

What our editors say

“Symphonic metal pioneers Epica and modern metal powerhouse Amaranthe unite for the Arcane Dimensions Tour, with rotating co-headline slots, hitting Bristol Beacon in early 2026.”
From: Arcane Dimensions Tour 2026

“FURY are challenging the barriers of hard rock and metal genres once again with their exciting new album “Interceptor”. From the reassuringly old-school fast riffing and anthemic vocals the long lasting fans know from Fury, to the carefully composed, introspective auditory treats that might surprise listeners who expect metal bands to sit neatly in their box.”
From: Fury

“hot off their run in the metal to the masses bristol run of which they made it to the semi finals. the bristol doom and death metal trio headline the thunderbolt stage for the first time and promise to be a show you dont want to miss”
From: Wicked World Presents Doom Before Christmas OSKARIA + epimetheus + foulerah

“‘ABSOLVA’ is a uniquely explosive British Hard Rock / Melodic Metal band, fronted by ‘CHRISTOPHER APPLETON’, an incredibly charismatic performer & singer/guitarist carrying the spirit of ‘GARY MOORE / JOE SATRIANI’ into the metal arena, whilst projecting his melodic vocals and stage presence as a masterful & energetic frontman carrying the torch of ‘RONNIE JAMES DIO’. Charm & humor is also something that ‘APPLETON’ certainly brings to the show making the show always engaging and entertaining, an art of frontman that is not seen very often anymore…”
From: ABSOLVA

“KATATONIA released their triumphant Napalm Records debut, Sky Void of Stars, in 2023 to the enthrallment of critics and fans alike. The album showcases their brilliant, genre-defying fusion of melodic death metal and atmospheric post rock. Following its release, the band jumped on a massive headline tour across Europe and the UK alongside Sólstafir and SOM.”
From: Katatonia