When autumn falls over Thessaloniki, the ground will shake once more. MammothFest 2025 is here to unleash the beast in the North, bringing together some of the most powerful forces of rock and metal from Greece and beyond. From October 3 to 5, the brand-new stage of Soul Open Air will roar with energy, passion and relentless sound. More than just a festival, MammothFest has become a gathering of kindred spirits, a celebration of heaviness, unity and raw expression. Prepare for three unforgettable days where riffs echo like thunder and metal becomes a way of life. Myth of Rock unveils the protagonists who will set the stage ablaze during the three epic days of MammothFest 2025!
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
Varathron photo by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)
Day one (October 3rd)
Napalm Death: Few bands embody the essence of extremity like Napalm Death! Born in Birmingham, England, in the early 1980s, they are widely credited as the pioneers of grindcore, who forever reshaped the landscape of heavy music. Their groundbreaking debut “Scum” (1987) remains a landmark release, unleashing a chaotic blend of blistering speed, guttural growls, distorted riffs and politically charged lyrics. What began as a furious underground statement soon became a worldwide force. Throughout their career, Napalm Death have never slowed down, musically or ideologically. From “Harmony Corruption” and “Utopia Banished” to modern classics like “Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism”, their music has continued to evolve, mixing grind, death metal, punk rock and noise into a relentless sonic assault. Relentless and uncompromising, they confront themes of injustice, corruption, war and human suffering, giving voice to the anger and resistance of generations. On stage, Napalm Death are pure intensity: Mark “Barney” Greenway’s feral roars, Shane Embury’s crushing basslines, Danny Herrera’s merciless drumming and Mitch Harris’s razor-sharp riffs ignite crowds with cathartic power. Napalm Death is an unbroken wall of sound and spirit that proves extremity can be both brutal and meaningful.
Holocaust: Holocaust is a synonym of raw, explosive energy, a cult, historic band of metal’s underground. Formed in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1977, the band became one of the pioneering forces of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). With their classic debut album, “The Nightcomers” (1981), Holocaust unleashed a barrage of powerful riffs and anthemic choruses, influencing future generations of metal musicians (for example Metallica). Their track “Heavy Metal Mania” remains an iconic NWOBHM anthem, covered by countless bands and celebrated as a timeless statement of the genre’s rebellious spirit. Through the years, Holocaust continued to evolve, exploring progressive and experimental elements without abandoning their heavy foundations. Today, Holocaust stand as true survivors and innovators, bridging the raw energy of the early ’80s with the depth and maturity of later years. For fans of real, uncompromising heavy metal, Holocaust remain essential listening. Where is the power, where is the glory? Heavy metal is my story!
Varathron: When it comes to the origins of Hellenic black metal, one of the first names that come to your mind is Varathron. Formed in Athens in 1988, the band is considered one of Greece’s top black metal acts, alongside Rotting Christ and Necromantia. From their legendary debut “His Majesty at the Swamp” (1993), Varathron carved a unique path, blending the cold aggression of black metal with epic atmospheres, heavy mid-tempos and an unmistakably Mediterranean aura. Across their decades-long journey, Varathron have remained both faithful to their roots and unafraid to evolve. Albums like “Walpurgisnacht” and “Stygian Forces of Scorn” cemented their legacy, while “Untrodden Corridors of Hades” and “Patriarchs of Evil” brought them to a new generation of fans, proving that their creative fire still burns with infernal brilliance. Their music is steeped in darkness, myth, and ritual, carrying the occult spirit of true black metal while marked by a distinctly Hellenic identity. Three decades on, they remain a cornerstone of black metal—eternal guardians of the Greek abyss.
Mephistofeles: From the heart of Argentina’s underground, Mephistofeles have risen to become one of the most notorious bands in the new wave of doom/stoner rock. Since their explosive debut “Whore” in 2016, the band has carved out a distinct identity, drenched in sleazy riffs, psychedelic heaviness and occult atmospheres. Their follow-up “I’m Heroin” (2017) gained international recognition when Electric Wizard’s Jus Oborn named it one of his favorite albums of the year, praising its filthy sound and sinister vibe. In 2019, Mephistofeles took full control of their vision with “Satan Sex Ceremonies”, their first self-produced record, full of uncompromising, grimy doom. The darker, chaotic “Violent Theatre” followed in 2022, marking the end of one era with the departure of their original drummer, and the beginning of a new chapter with Luca Frizza behind the kit. Mephistofeles have become a cult phenomenon, touring relentlessly across Argentina and South America, and sharing stages with giants like Acid King and Lucifer. Their records, constantly repressed due to demand, circulate worldwide, proving that Mephistofeles’ sinister groove has transcended borders and earned them a permanent place in the global doom underground.
Kvadrat: From the depths of Greece’s extreme metal underground, Kvadrat have emerged as one of the most compelling and forward-thinking new forces. Forging their path with a sound that blurs the lines between dissonant death metal and shadow-drenched black metal, the band creates music that is as unsettling as it is captivating. Their approach channels the intensity and cerebral complexity of acts like Ulcerate, Deathspell Omega and Gorguts, yet Kvadrat never fall into imitation—they carve their own space, blending chaos with emotional weight and bleak atmosphere. In 2024, the band unveiled their debut full-length, “The Horrible Dissonance of Oblivion”, a record that instantly drew attention as one of the year’s most significant extreme metal releases in Greece. With its labyrinthine riffs, suffocating textures and moments of haunting clarity, the album is massive and thought-provoking, offering listeners a descent into soundscapes that feel vast, oppressive and strangely human. Rising quickly beyond the local scene, they are poised to become one of the most important names in modern extreme metal!
The Pot from North Macedonia are the winners of the Band Contest, so they will be the group, which will begin this year’s MammothFest!
