Looks like Hellfest (the one held in the United States that has nothing to do with the one in France) is making a comeback in 2025! Not much is known at the moment outside Trustkill and metalcore label Ephyra seemingly teasing a joint effort to bring the festival back. This also makes sense considering one of the promoters of Hellfest's original run was Josh Grabelle, president of Trustkill Records.
A website has since been launched for Hellfest 2025 with links to social media, a mailing list, and even a footer that says "Hellfest 2000 25th Anniversary."
Hellfest originally existed between 1997 and 2005 (sort of). Hellfest was originally held in New York, but moved to New Jersey for its final two years. Hellfest had quite the lineup even by today's standards, and booked everyone from Every Time I Die, Mastodon, Misfits, and The Red Chord, to Suffocation, Unearth, All That Remains, and Pig Destroyer. You get the idea.
Unfortunately Hellfest 2005 was cancelled two days before it was set to take place at the Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, NJ. According to the arena's general manager at the time, "promoters failed to comply with the contractible obligation of the arena’s lease agreement." The cancellation of Hellfest 2005 led to the festival being completely discontinued, though that 20-year streak might end soon. Stay tuned!
