Final day is here and the weather has improved and that makes it for a far more enjoyable experience, you get to wander the fields, the gardens, the nooks and crannies that make this place so unique, so special. Music wise we are treated to a different brand of metal today.

An oldie but a goodie is here, “Ugly Kid Joe” comes out blasting with “Neighbor” “Devil’s Paradise” and “No Ones Survives” but by the time the play “Cats in the Cradle” the audience is in full swing. The band still has a lot left in the tank and deliver an excellent set that also includes “I’m Alright” and the ever fresh “Everything About You” but it is their tribute to Lemmy with the “Ace of Spades” that close their performance. Still a great band to see, excellent.

“Bullet for My Valentine” kicks off in MainStage II and they make the afternoon a heavier affair, the opening songs are just a warmup “Your Betrayal” and “Waking the Demon” heat up the temperature just a bit more. Great stage presence and a frantic audience make this experience a good one. But its their final two songs that make the place go insane, “Tears don’t Fall” and “Scream Aim Fire”. They’ll keep climbing the bill and will headline soon.

They are followed by “Avatar” and their brand on melodic death metal, whatever your take on that subgenre, the boys from Sweden deliver a high octane show, the costumes, make up and more importantly the sound reaches the audience. Some might be a little puzzled by them but they do provide the headbangs here and there, so not too bad. Tracks such as “Colossus” and “The Eagle has Landed” sound great. Even though they’ve been going on from the early 2000’s they still seem a little far from a headline slot, a little more balanced with the music and less with the clown show might be the way.

The main support tonight is provided by Power metal heavyweights “Sabaton” their army infused thing goes down well with the European audience. Opening with “Ghost Division” and loads of pyro and fire welcome us to the theme. “Stormtrooper” “Red Baron” “Bismarck”.. you get the gist. Great riffing and a charismatic healthy singer this time, help them sell their show. A nice highlight is the “Swedish Pagans” track that showcase what a good band they are.

And then the main course, “Metallica” treat us to a blinding performance initiated by the spine tingling “Ecstasy of the Gold” . Promptly they launch into “Whiplash” with James hitting hard his white Gibson V, a flurry of vintage tracks come with “Creeping Death” “Enter Sandman” and “Harvester of Sorrow”.

James Hettfield is on fine form, looking sharper than ever and delivery lyrics and riffs like it’s 1988. Glad to see him doing well, but every single member is at the top of their game, Hammett plays his parts with aplomb and treat us to his signature licks over and over.

One of the surprises of night comes in the form of the S&M “No Leaf Clover” and there are even deep cuts here with “Dirty Window” from St. Anger. The true fans are enjoying it but the curious fans that haven’t seen them before are in awe of the magnitude of this band.

“Nothing Else Matters” sounds as fresh as ever even though is not a metal song, the audience grabs on to it with gusto. The fan favourite “For Whom the Bell Tolls” is screamed by the fans but “Fade to Black” and “ Seek & Destroy” lift that very same audience to another level. Great stuff!!

For the encore they choose a deep cut and “Damage Inc.” is blasted quickly followed by “One” and their final track, “Master of Puppets”. Excellent set by a most excellent band at the top of their game 40 years on. This is heavy Metal royalty people, watch and learn.

What an excellent closing to a festival that can easily carry the slogan “Best Festival in the World” from the site, to the bands, and from the staff, to the the organisation. If you are a metal/rock fan you should most definitely come to Hellfest and see for yourself, I can guarantee you you’ll want to come back, and back and back again. I know I would. See you next year Hellfest, you beauty!!!

Hellfest 2022 (part 2) , Day 4 - Clisson, France