DESERTFEST ANTWERP

Combine the heavy emotion of the blues, the tone and raw power of hard rock, the finesse of soul and a twist of 60's psychedelia. It will give you a visceral musical experience that plays directly to your being. That is CHILD. Living for their art, the pubs, the booze, the endless highways and the blues is what makes this band who they are. Child are a must see for those who are worshippers at “the electric church”. Blessed be the riff!

American Sludge Metal legends Black Tusk return with a new album after 6 long years and what better place to celebrate this unholy banger than at Desertfest Antwerp! Characterized by thunderous riffs, pounding rhythms, and relentless aggression delivered with an unmistakable Southern swagger, Black Tusk are set to spill some riffs and cause some havoc.

Local talent is always at the heart of this endeavor and so here’s one to pay attention to! Drive by Wire hail from The Netherlands and play an addictive blend of bluesy stoner and fuzz rock. With a charismatic female lead and a laid-back approach the band arrives at some outstanding songwriting that translates all so well into a fiery live performance. 

Crouch was founded in 2021 when Levy Seynaeve and Wim Coppers of Wiegedood decided the world needed a(nother) good, slow and crushingly heavy band. And so they proceeded with the plan, got Jasper Hollevoet onboard to play bass and in 2023 dropped a bomb of an EP, simply titled EP. Things are simple in the Crouch universe. Words like razors, riffs like landslides, drums like lashes.

Five the Hierophant conjure a heavy, jazz-inflected form of doom metal that is as ritualistic as it is otherworldly. Combining saxophone, drone, Eastern instrumentation, and massive riffs, they create expansive, cinematic compositions that defy categorization. Their sound evokes mystical rites, cosmic dread, and psychedelic immersion all at once. It’s music for the void between worlds—dense, dark, and transcendent.

Fu Manchu arrives from the sun-soaked streets of Southern California as an iconic figure in the world of stoner rock and fuzzed-out riffage. Led by founding member and vocalist Scott Hill, Fu Manchu has cultivated a sound that pays homage to the classic rock and punk influences of their youth while forging a path entirely their own. The action is GO!

This one is a long time coming. May we present a psychedelic gem from the Far East - Green Milk From The Planet Orange! Formed in Tokyo, Japan in 2001 the band set out to experiment with psychedelic and progressive rock arriving at results as obscure as they are excellent and ahead of their respective time. Having successfully toured Europe last year, they return to the old continent in 2024 to blow minds and grasp souls alike with their ever-changing sound.

Another Dutch, riff-driven formation to bolster our ranks are the heavy rockers of Hell Valley High. New around the block yet with a tight and fresh sound, these guys play some proper stoner rock inspired by Fu Manchu, Soundgarden and Karma to Burn. Hell Valley High is yet to add fuel to the fire of what is already a highly flammable bill.

Originating from Richmond, Virginia, Inter Arma brings forth a unique blend of black metal, doom, and progressive influences, defying genre constraints with their eclectic sound. The band’s discography, featuring standout albums like 'Paradise Gallows' and 'Sulphur English', showcases their unmatched ability to craft music as complex as it is on point in nailing the current zeitgeist.

Kara Delik is responsible for conjuring up a dynamic, contemporary psychedelic Anatolian, post-punk dub sound. The combined output of a set of musicians, each with their own stylistic legacy, have manifested something that is unique, yet rooted in specific zeitgeists and timeframes, narrating the history of Anatolian rock, krautrock, and dub?. All delivered with a zesty, live punch.

Formed in Belgium in 2015, Lethvm evolves in a heavy and torn atmosphere, somewhere between devastation and candor. Composed of 4 members, they draw their influences from the darkness of life by inserting beauty, rage and melancholy. Come and experience it for yourself - dive into the contrast.

Messa emerged on the first day of 2014. The extreme diversity of their musical background immediately proved to be essential in the construction of the band’s sound: Prog, Black Metal, Punk, Dark Ambient, jazz, Blues and Doom… all those influences have been channelled into a sonic cauldron that the band defines “Scarlet Doom”.

Mondo Drag emerges as a cosmic force in the realm of psychedelic rock, blending retro nostalgia with a futuristic sonic vision. Hailing from Davenport, Iowa, this quintet weaves together kaleidoscopic layers of swirling guitars, ethereal keyboards, and pulsating rhythms to facilitate one hell of a trip to space and beyond.

Hailing from Gothenburg's fog-laden streets, Monolord emerged as titans of the contemporary doom metal scene. Like modern-day alchemists, they transmute leaden heaviness into pure sonic gold, crafting epics that resonate with primal power. With albums like 'Empress Rising' and 'Rust,' Monolord has cemented their status as torchbearers of the genre, drawing listeners into a realm where distortion and volume reigns supreme.

Boston’s underground holds many secrets, one of them being Morne. Weaving a sonic tapestry with threads made of crushing sludge, melancholic melodies, and apocalyptic atmospheres, their sound evokes visions of desolate landscapes and existential turmoil. Introspective in the heaviest sense, we will try hard not to cry seeing Morne play.

Norna pierces right through the soul with their take on hysterical, cold and bleak sludge metal. Keeping a rather low profile and shrouded in mystery, they have been slowly honing their blades, dwelling in the shadows and only occasionally materializing to tear through one’s notion of reality.

Not one’s obvious choice but hella good one, trust us on that. UK’s Raging Speedhorn have been around since the beginning of the century, blending sludge with nu metal like no other, just being an unstoppable force of nature. This may very well be a show that brings the temperature to its limits, sucking out all the oxygen from the room and subsequently burning the place to the ground. Blessed be the riff!

Words can hardly describe the joy with which we welcome Rezn to Desertfest Antwerp. Drawing from a variety of influences, the band can be best characterized by their effortless navigation between the heavy and the light. What they bring to the table are riffs of galactic magnitude, plenty of instrumental variety and a strong affinity for the occult. This is just a mere taste of what’s to come and we kinda have a gut feeling this is simply going to be an epic spectacle.

Ritual King had come up on the radar just before COVID19 broke out with the release of their excellent self-titled debut LP. What quickly appeared to become a shining beacon of hope and the perfect soundtrack to break the blues of everyday toil during the pandemic. These heavy rockers hail from Manchester, UK and will bring the best of grooves. So, buckle up and see you in the pit!

With a raw, unbridled energy reminiscent of the classic power trios of the 60s and 70s, RRRags' music is a high-octane fusion of ravaging riffs, thunderous rhythms, and soulful vocals. Coming from Belgium, their shows are a testament to their undeniable chemistry as a band, captivating audiences with infectious energy and a fine blend of vintage vibes with a modern edge twist.

Russian Circles is a Chicago-based instrumental powerhouse renowned for their dynamic and highly immersive soundscapes. Ever since their inception in 2004, they seamlessly blend genres to arrive at sonic landscapes that convey an unbelievable sense of scale and magnitude. Crushed or elated, you’ll leave their show as a different person.

Scorpion Child takes you back in time by nailing the sonic zeitgeist of a more frivolous and careless era. Baked in the Texas sun, the riffs here ring free and come together with anthemic vocals that altogether form a blend both familiar and refreshing at the same time. Fun of the purest form, rock and roll at its best!

Another year, another killer Australian band to grace our grounds! Seedy Jeezus have a knack for fuzzed-out psychedelia, they do it right and they’re ready to rumble. Their sound draws from the past, inspired by Sabbath and Blue Cheer but continues to venture far beyond every time we see them live. Where will it take us this time around?

Poland’s Spaceslug is among the most recognizable bands in the heavy underground whose sound truly conveys a sense of space, magnitude and sheer cosmic dread. Aside from mastering the craft of psychedelic doom metal, they have been incredibly prolific over the years and gradually solidified their position as absolute essentials in people’s stoner cookbooks. Let the Slug guide your way through space and time.

As they continue to expand their horizons, Stoned Jesus remains a beacon of authenticity and relentless drive in the world of heavy music, inspiring fans to embrace the journey and seek enlightenment through the power of riff. Not an easy feat for a band living and creating in a war-torn country, but they prevail and do it hard. Please welcome Stoned Jesus!

Drawing lyrical inspiration from esoteric organizations, their beliefs and own practices, Finnish occult practitioners from The Abbey are yet to surprise us all. Embracing the roots, inspired by 70s progressive rock and walking a thin line between what’s real and not, this new project is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Belgium’s Wolvennest conjure hypnotic ritual dark rock infused with black metal, krautrock, and drone. Their sprawling compositions merge trance-inducing rhythms with occult atmospheres, as heard on their acclaimed double album Temple(2020). Expect a dense, immersive live experience where sound becomes ceremony.

Belgium has become quite a hotbed for musical talent from all across the board in recent years and so here’s one rad stoner rock band to surely keep an eye on. Your Highness hail from Ghent and are savvy in the ways of the riff, bringing together a strong affinity for blues, groovy melodies and a healthy dose of humor. Come forth, raise your glass and rock along!

There’s just no way we can harvest all the local talent at once, but we sure as hell do our best. Divided are one of those bands that quickly attract your attention when heard for the first time, and then proceed to blow your guts wide open once witnessed live. Blurring the line between post-rock and post-hardcore, Divided is onto something epic here and we’re getting stoked by the sheer thought of it.

Emerging from the DIY hardcore scene, Switzerland’s Coilguns have spent years crafting a completely unique, explosive blend of punk and ecstatic noise-rock. The band is infamous for their raw, uncompromising, and euphoric live shows—purpose-built for dancing freaks and crowdsurfing misfits.

Their fourth studio album (released November 2024), tracked in Norway and mixed by Grammy-nominated Tom Dalgety, marked a massive turning point. It launched the band into their most extensive global tour yet, packing in over 85 relentless shows worldwide in 2025 alone.

Fueled by this unstoppable momentum, they immediately channeled that energy into writing a fifth album between tours. Recorded in the vintage-gear-packed warehouse of their own label, Humus Records, producer Scott Evans (Thrice, Neurosis) flew straight to their hometown of La Chaux-de-Fonds to capture the session. Enlisting Ben Chisholm (Chelsea Wolfe) for additional production and Tom Dalgety (Ghost, Pixies, Royal Blood) for the mix, the resulting tracks represent Coilguns at their absolute peak. Spearheaded by the fierce singles 'Peace Trader' and 'Carbon Magic', Coilguns prove they are louder, hungrier, and more vital than ever.

Some call them the Space Indians, others call them the foundation of the Polish heavy underground, we just call them Red Scalp. Don’t be fooled though, it might very well become your favorite band of the weekend considering what an explosive combination of sounds these lads bring about. Inspired by Sabbath, Native American culture and the mysteries of space itself, Red Scalp is here to take you places both new and familiar. 

Emerging from the shadowy streets of Liverpool in 2006, Conan is a sonic behemoth in the realm of doom metal. Founded by the relentless Jon Davis, Conan crafts a sound that is as monumental as it is primal, dragging listeners into a cavernous abyss of colossal riffs and thunderous drums. Their music is not just heard; it is felt—a seismic wave that reverberates through your flesh and soul alike. We’re more than ready for the return of the king. 

No strangers to the scene, Cincinnati’s Valley of the Sun rides the riff like no other band. The groove, the melody and the swagger all come together to form what is perhaps the essence of Stoner Rock as we know it. With a dedication to authenticity and a burning passion for their craft, Valley of the Sun continues to rise and we couldn’t be happier to see them in full swing later this year in Antwerp.

What Elder isn’t, Delving is. And vice versa. Please welcome Nick DiSalvo’s second brainchild which is yet to get you absolutely hooked (again). Delving is where conventions are done away with, creativity in its purest sense practiced and where soundscapes are painted with gentle strokes of an invisible magic brush. All those fancy words won’t do justice to the beauty of Delving’s music though, you just need to hear it for yourself.

We have a knack for local talent and so here’s one from our very own doorstep! Antwerp’s Tangled Horns play a mix of stoner and grunge, but go far beyond wrapping themselves in genres and calling it a day. The power of rock is strong with these guys and there’s no better place to put it to test than Desertfest Antwerp!

Birds in Row is a French post-hardcore band with an uncompromising identity, blistering live performances and a clear idea of what their sound is, can and will be. Each album is a journey through despair and hope, anger and catharsis, making their music both a personal confession and a universal outcry. Needless to say. Birds in Row are yet to shake the very foundations of Desertfest and we’re all for it!

The new kids around the block of Daevar are locked and loaded for some mean riff worship! Hailing from Cologne, Germany, they play a mix of doom and grunge topped with female vocals. Tasty blend, I hear you say… Well we couldn’t agree more, especially considering how well it translates into a live performance. Be there or be square!

Things can’t get any more obscure with a band that has little to no information about itself circulating around the web. Giac Taylor, however, is a high-octane rock and roll machine led by no other than the local Belgian legend - Romano Nervoso. Of Italian blood and Belgian strut, Giac Taylor will add some fuel to the fire of an already lethal bill.

Between 2013 and 2015, the lineup that would become Throatsnapper gradually took shape. As their name suggests, they grab you by the throat with a sludgy doom sound that laments the personal sentiments of the band members. With lost friends in mind, they craft a meaningful and comforting dirge with minimalistic vocals. Instrumentally, strong post- and black-metal influences seep through. A home game for these guys, for whom this stage is not unfamiliar.

Our favorite South African band makes their way to Antwerp again and we’re beyond thrilled to have them back! It’s been some long 5 years since we last welcomed Ruff Majik to our grounds so now’s the best time for a reunion, especially considering they were supposed to play here last year as their European tour got scrapped. Now with nothing in the way, the road to the ultimate party is wide open.

Causa Sui have established themselves as a rather mysterious entity over the years, rarely playing live, keeping a low profile and just gradually honing the craft of sonic wizardry in the meantime. Their music, however, rises high above the stratosphere as some of the best contemporary instrumental psychedelia out there. A precious piece of advice for all the spacemen out there - DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW! 

Karkara is a French trio based in Toulouse, the breeding ground for all things psych and space related. The city is literally called the European Capital of Space and gave us Slift, so you get the picture of what we’re getting into here. Besides a hypnotic pull and fuzzed-out riffs, Karkara enhance their music with a unique, middle-eastern twist that adds plenty of depth to this 4-dimensional equation of a band.

Black Rainbows have been rocking their way through time and space since their formation in 2005. No strangers to the scene, them Italians know their sound, know their craft and surely know their crowd. Are you ready for that classic Sunday stoner rock showdown?

With the utmost pleasure we wolcome back Hemelbestormer, a Belgian post-metal band known for their atmospheric soundscapes, blending crushin riffs with ethereal, ambient layers. Their name, meaning "stormer of heaven", reflects their music's vast, celestial energy, taking listeners on immersive, instumental journeys through the darkest realms of heavy music. Introspective, menacing and unforgiving.

Lord Dying are back in 2024 with ‘Clandestine Transcendence’, an album that sees the band progress further into a land where shackles of expectations and rigid formulas are done away with. Citing the band itself: ‘In a time where everyone is trying to out-sludge or out-doom each other Lord Dying gives something less than a fuck.’ A simple message always helps to navigate the uncertain waters of the 21st century, doesn’t it?

Opening the evening, Belgian trio Gnome will warm up the crowd with their adventurous blend of fuzzy stoner rock, progressive twists, and fantasy-driven storytelling. Their energetic riffs, playful atmosphere, and unmistakable stage presence make them a perfect opener for a night dedicated to epic heaviness