Aalborg Metal Festival 2025 – Studenterhuset erupts in brutality

Studenterhuset, true to tradition, hosted the Aalborg Metal Festival in Denmark, an annual ritual for both local and visiting metalheads. Every November, the venue transforms into an inferno of noise, beer, and camaraderie, as the heaviest acts from Denmark and beyond take over the stage in the heart of Northern Jutland.

This year’s lineup was a huge upgrade from last year. Friday clearly had the strongest roster, featuring veterans like Illdisposed and Dawn of Demise, alongside theatrical Belphegor and the technically sharp Mnemic. Saturday offered hidden gems, including the ultra-political Vulvatorious. The weekend delivered plentiful beer, a great atmosphere, and a wide spectrum of brutality.

Dawn of Demise – Brutal tradition and crowd favourite

Some bands are almost a staple at Aalborg Metal Festival, and Dawn of Demise is one of them. They’ve become an institution, a returning act welcomed with open arms and horns in the air. No introduction was needed – the crowd already knew them.

The dark hall of Studenterhuset was packed to the brim when they hit the stage. Within minutes, the heat was almost unbearable, yet the audience held strong, a few leaving before hearing their signature hit, “Juggernaut”.

Dawn of Demise delivered exactly what fans crave: brutal, tight, and pure death metal, with the signature blend of groove and technical precision that has made them one of Denmark’s most beloved acts. Massive heaviness and sweat-drenched energy from first strike to last growl, combined with Scott Jensen’s down-to-earth humour and self-irony.

Once again, they proved why they’re one of the festival’s sure bets: not because they surprise, but because they deliver every time, with a brutality and authenticity that hits straight to the gut.

Illdisposed – North Jutland heavy metal with heart and humour

Say AMF, and you say Illdisposed. The band, the festival’s unofficial house band, has been a mainstay of Danish death metal for decades, and tonight they reminded everyone why they remain a benchmark.
From the first note, the hall was packed, and the energy was instant. Their set spanned the full catalogue, from groovy classics to newer melodic detours. Full throttle from start to finish, with occasional breaks where frontman Bo Summer fired up the crowd with nostalgia and bad jokes.

“If you see pictures of me with car tyres tomorrow, that’s fucking AI,” he deadpanned, and the hall erupted in laughter. Summer’s humility and willingness to share the spotlight made the performance even more engaging.

A poignant moment came with a tribute to late guitarist Rasmus ‘Hække’ Henriksen, honoured with a massive ovation. They closed with “The Purity of Sadness” from their 1995 album “Submit”, a perfect reminder of both their legacy and ongoing strength.

Mnemic – Technical mastery with colour and intensity

When Mnemic hits the stage, you know you’re in for a masterclass in modern melodic industrial metal. Returning after a year and a half hiatus, the band delivered a set that blended technical precision, groove, and raw energy.

From the first song, their experience was obvious. The sound was tight, and the stage was awash in red and blue lights, complementing the band’s futuristic aesthetic. Even the backdrop logo blinked in time with the music.

Frontman Michael Bøgballe, in a sailor shirt and with a playful twinkle, kept the audience engaged throughout. His interaction with the crowd was effortless, and the hall’s atmosphere was unmatched.
Their closing track, “Door 2.12”, ignited a final roar from the audience, and though a requested encore never came, Mnemic’s set was a strong, professional, and visually compelling highlight of the festival.

Belphegor – Hell descends on Studenterhuset

If anyone doubted how heavy Aalborg Metal Festival can get, Belphegor left no room for doubt. The Austrians delivered the most theatrical and uncompromising show of the weekend – more a ritual than a concert.

The stage was an infernal altar: inverted crosses, torches, goblets with fire, crossed swords, and spiked skulls. Even a horned skull was set aflame, all under a massive banner with the band’s logo, bathed in smoke and glowing lights that made the show feel epic.

Musically, Belphegor delivered exactly what you expect. Their mix of black and death metal, with blistering tempos, razor-sharp guitars, and ritualistic vocals, made for the festival’s heaviest assault. While the audience was smaller than for Mnemic, they were far from passive, completely absorbed in the dark momentum the band created.

Highlights included church bells and torch-lit pyres on stage – live fire on small stages is rare, but Belphegor executed flawlessly. The set ran slightly over schedule, but no one seemed to mind.

Terrorpy – Precision and brutality in a late slot

The last slot at a festival is both a blessing and a curse. After hours of extreme metal and long sets from previous acts, keeping the crowd engaged is challenging – especially after Belphegor and copious amounts of beer.

Terrorpy faced this challenge as the final act of the night. The hall was less crowded, but the attendees were dedicated.

Musically, they delivered a set full of life. Their technically precise death metal, with clear nods to classic old-school style, hit like a punch to the temple. Short, intense tracks packed with groove, tempo changes, and crushing bass had even the most exhausted nodding and pumping fists.

Raw, unpolished sound, morbid lyrics, and relentless energy made for a fitting end. Terrorpy proved that the fire can still burn after midnight, leaving a brutal and uncompromising finale for the festival.

Photos (c) Morten Holmsgaard Kristensen