| Event: | Party.San 2025 | |
| Date: | 7th – 9th August | |
| Location: | Schlotheim – Flugplatz Obermehler |
It’s that time of the year again – Party.San Metal Open Air 2025 is just around the corner, and for the fourth time, Transcended Music Blog will be there to cover what is, arguably, the best festival for extreme metal in Europe. This year’s lineup is absolutely stacked, here are some recommendations you definitely shouldn’t miss. Let’s go day by day:
Thursday, 7th of August
Rotpit
Mainstage
(1.45 – 2.30 p.m.)
Get there early because you don’t want to miss Rotpit opening the whole thing. This Swedish-German death metal slime machine will play their first ever show in Germany. Expect face-melting old school death metal, filthy riffs, and crusty energy. OSDM fans, this one’s for you.
Extermination Dismemberment
Main Stage
(2.45 – 3.30 p.m.)
Stick around the main stage, because Extermination Dismemberment from Belarus are up next – bringing brutal slams and caveman breakdowns. Their live energy is insane, and their grooves will have you running in circles with a grin on your face.
Grand Magus
Mainstage
(6.50 – 7.35 p.m.)
Later on, Grand Magus might feel like a wildcard, but their classic heavy metal sound is the perfect break from the blastfest. Expect epic hymns like “Iron Will” and a charismatic performance that brings some glorious old-school vibes to Schlotheim.
Napalm Death
Main Stage
(9.00 – 10.00 p.m.)
And then there’s Napalm Death. No introduction needed. Grind legends, vinyl collection essentials, and finally back at Party.San after more than a decade. Scum and From Enslavement to Obliteration… – no matter what they play, it’ll be loud and chaotic.
Dark Angel
Mainstage
(11.45 p.m. – 1.00 a.m.)
Headlining Thursday are none other than Dark Angel – US thrash legends with Gene Hoglan behind the kit. A rare chance to see them live in Europe, and with classics like “We Have Arrived” or “Darkness Descends,” you better believe your neck will be sore afterwards.
Friday, 8th of August
Hyperdontia
Main Stage
(12.45 a.m. – 1.30 p.m.)
No time to sleep in, because Hyperdontia are kicking things off around lunchtime. Dirty, grimy death metal from Denmark with nods to Incantation and other cavern-dwelling legends. If you enjoy a side of dental terror with a lot of blast beats – don’t miss it.
Crypt Sermon
Main Stage
(2.45 – 3.30 p.m.)
Need a breather? Grab some vegan food from the Green Republic food truck, and then get ready for something slower but oh so heavy – Crypt Sermon. Possibly the best doom band out there right now, keeping the Candlemass spirit alive. Their last album The Stygian Rose was a masterpiece. Absolutely essential.
Wayfarer
Main Stage
(3.45 – 4.30 p.m.)
Coming from the mighty Denver scene, Wayfarer bring a unique mix of black metal, and wild west flair. Think black metal on horseback with cinematic flair. Truly one of the most interesting bands at this year’s fest.
Mass Worship
Tent Stage
(5.20 – 5.55 p.m.)
At the tent stage, don’t miss Mass Worship from Sweden. Their crusty death metal hybrid will turn the dust pit in front of the tent into a warzone. Raw, tight, and powerful.
Suffocation
Main Stage
(6.50 – 7.35 p.m.)
Back to the main stage: the undisputed kings of NY death metal, Suffocation, return after 11 long years. Expect classics like “Liege of Inveracity” and “Pierced from Within”. No excuses – this is a must-see.
Gutslit
Tent Stage
(7.30 – 8.05 p.m.)
A special highlight at the tent stage: Gutslit from India – likely the first Indian band ever to play Party.San. They’ll deliver massive brutality and gigantic slam pits. Respect.
Imperial Triumphant
Tent Stage
(9.50 – 10.30 p.m.)
And then… prepare your mind for total collapse: Imperial Triumphant. The most brain-melting, avant-garde act of the weekend. Dissonant, disturbing, dystopian. If Metropolis were a metal band, it would sound like this. Not easy listening, but 100% worth your time.
Triptykon
Tent Stage
(11.45 p.m. – 1.00 a.m.)
Headlining Friday: Triptykon performing a full Celtic Frost set. We’ve seen Tom G. Warrior perform Hellhammer and Triptykon before at Party.San – this is the natural next step. Join the Circle of the Tyrants. True legend. Unmissable.
Saturday, 9th of August
Scalpture
Main Stage
(12.00 – 12.30 a.m.)
Final day, so don’t waste it. Scalpture will open the main stage at noon – and after their crushing tent stage debut in 2022, they’re back and louder than ever. Their album Landkrieg is one of this year’s best German death metal releases.
Skeletal Remains
Main Stage
(4.45 – 5.30 p.m.)
Another must-watch for all OSDM maniacs: Skeletal Remains. Their sound bridges the gap between Morbid Angel, Asphyx and their own punishing modern touch.
Dödsrit
Tent Stage
(6.25 – 7.00 p.m.)
Over at the tent stage, Dödsrit will bring a perfect fusion of black metal and crust punk. Started as a studio project, now a full touring band, and their energy in a small stage environment is unmatched.
Pig Destroyer
Main Stage
(6.50 – 7.35 p.m.)
Somehow, Pig Destroyer have never played Party.San before – so it’s about time. Expect chaos. Prowler in the Yard energy. One of the most influential US grindcore bands. Make room in the pit.
Grave
Main Stage
(7.55 – 8.40 p.m.)
Speaking of legends, Grave are back. Swedish death metal royalty. Their set will focus only on the classics: “Into the Grave,” “You’ll Never See…,” “Soulless.” Expect zero filler – only bangers.
Fulci
Tent Stage
(9.50 – 10.30 p.m.)
Finally, closing the tent stage: Fulci. Italian brutal death metal meets horror cinema. Riffs soaked in groove and movie samples from Lucio Fulci flicks – what’s not to love? This band gets better every year and are the perfect finale for the tent madness.
That’s it!
These were just a few recommendations from us – there are plenty more gems waiting to be discovered across the festival grounds. Party.San 2025 is shaping up to be an incredible edition once again.
Stay hydrated. Stay heavy.
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