Top 10 bands you must watch at Bear Stone Festival 2024

June 19, 2024 Tom Fordham

Taking place next to the banks of the River Mrežnica in between the towns of Ogulin and Slunj, a young festival is cutting its teeth in the depths of Croatia. Bear Stone Festival is primarily a stoner and heavy psych festival that started in 2022, however as it has evolved it has incorporated other genres to the fold to become a riff lovers paradise in the heart of Eastern Europe. Since its inception it has brought some of the biggest bands in the scene to Croatia, including ORANGE GOBLIN, MARS RED SKY, ACID MAMMOTH, CONAN, ALUNAH, MR. BISON and many more. The 2024 edition looks to carry on that tradition, here’s the top ten bands you have to see this year!

HIGH ON FIRE – Stone Stage, Friday July 5th

Coming together in the late summer of 1998 in Oakland, California, the trio of Matt Pike [SLEEP], Des Kensel and George Rice unleashed a metal behemoth that is still tearing down venues to the present day. Their music has constantly evolved with each release, so much so they won the Grammy for best metal performance in 2019 with their album Electric Messiah. Having recently released their new album Cometh The Storm packed with thunderous beats and ruthless riffing, the Californian trio will look to captivate the Bear Stone crowd with another electrifying preference.

KADAVAR – Stone Stage, Saturday July 6th

Emerging from Berlin’s eclectic and vibrant rock scene in 2010 with their unique blend of 1970s hard rock and heavy psych, their meteoric rise began with the release of their debut album in 2012, followed by breakout records like Abra Kadavar and Berlin. Known for their self-producing approach to and unique production techniques ensure an authentic representation of their dynamic stage presence is captured. As a result, the band are always evolving their sound and unleash it with incredibly energetic live performances. They are an exciting addition to the Bear Stone Festival lineup this year, and not to be missed.

COLOUR HAZE – Stone Stage, Saturday July 6th

An iconic Bavarian stoner and heavy psych emerging from the depths of Germany in the 1990s. Comprising the talents of Stefan Koglek, Manfred Merwald, Mario Oberpucher, and Jan Faszbender the quartet are often hailed as pioneers of the German stoner rock movement. Originally starting out with a KYUSS inspired sound, the band transitioned to a more bluesy, groove based melodic sound which is most noticeable on their 2008 album All. The band have left an indelible mark on the global stoner and heavy psych scenes, and continue to do so well into their 30th year.

MOTHER VULTURE – Stone Stage, Friday July 5th

One of the UK’s most raucous and hyperactive live acts are coming to rock the festival for a second time – the Bristolian quartet were at the inaugural festival back in 2022. The band’s furious blend of high octane punk mixed with the grooves of heavy blues rock will have you head banging until your head rolls off. After a critically acclaimed debut album in Mother Knows Best alongside an unwavering dedication to touring, they have gained a reputation for being captivating live act with an electrifying stage presence. It is going to be one hell of a show when these guys take the stage.

PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS – Stone Stage, Friday July 5th

Affectionately known by fans as PIGS x7, the band emerged as a British stoner metal powerhouse from the industrial city of Newcastle upon Tyne in 2012. Their debut album Feed The Rats was released in 2017 which quickly garnered the Geordie quintet attention, earning a spot on The Guardian’s list of “top 40 newcomers” in 2018. The band have gone from strength to strength with every passing year. The band’s last album Land Of Sleeper was a roaring success and hailed for its abrasive, fuzz driven sound. No doubt they will be looking to decimate the stage at Donje Primišlje.

1000MODS – Stone Stage, Saturday July 6th

Emerging from the murky and hazy Greek stoner rock underground in 2006 with influences include bands such as BLACK SABBATH, COLOUR HAZE, RED FANG and KYUSS, the Chiliomodi quartet have become one of Greece’s most successful bands in recent decades. With seminal albums Vultures and Repeated Exposure To…, the band showcased their remarkable songwriting skills and garnered critical acclaim, setting them on the path for global recognition. The band channelled the sounds of 1990s grunge on their latest album – 2020s Youth Of Dissent – which propelled them to new heights. Expect action packed riffing and catchy hooks.

GNOME – Stone Stage, Friday July 5th

The imaginative and quirky – and normal people sized – power trio hailing from Antwerp have captured the imagination of stoner rock fans world wide. Gaining a reputation for groovy and doomy riffs, infused with witty and clever lyrics that are inspired by medieval fantasy, the band have become masters of blending various art forms into their mystical and strange world. Their compositions are rooted in passion fuelled by experimentation with a penchant for utilising their eclectic tastes in the most weird and wonderful ways. Their last album saw them introduce vocals and now we can hear about the mythical creatures that inhabit their whacky world.

QUIET CONFUSION – Mill Stage, Friday July 5th

Hailing from the fair city of Verona, QUIET CONFUSION formed in 2009 and are an energetic and dynamic rock ’n’ roll, psychedelic, and heavy-blues band. With several albums under their belt and partnership with Go Down Records has enabled the Italian quartet to flourish. They’ve also cut their teeth on the live circuit alongside influential stoner and rock musicians such as Nick Oliveri, Mario Lalli, Parker Griggs, Sean Wheeler, Nebula, Danko Jones, and a host of others. Hearing the band transfer their wild and exciting sound from the studio to the stage will be a sight to behold and a spectacle that you won’t want to miss.

ACIDSITTER – Mill Stage, Saturday July 6th

ACIDSITTER is a vibrant and seasoned collaboration of heavy psych musicians from Poland and Japan. The Krakow based quartet explore a diverse spectrum of psychedelia and fuel it with a feverous rock attitude imbued with punk sensibilities. Having toured with the likes of KING BUFFALO, the band have begun to secure their spot on the live scene. The band’s latest album Make Acid Great Again is an exhilarating and spacey journey that gives you sensations and imagery of exploring a new planet in the depths of the cosmos. One of the more trippy bands at Bear Stone Festival, they’ll certainly supply the out of body experiences.

BARON CRÂNE – Mill Stage, Friday July 5th

Paris-based instrumental trio BARON CRÂNE provide a hefty dose of big riffs, psychedelia and musical fusion with their music. Their influences are wild and eclectic; ranging from progressive rock and jazz to post-rock and heavy psychedelic. The band’s incredible songwriting ability allows all of these genres to come together with a disconcerting ease. Their confidence to experiment with a ‘no stone unturned’ mentality is something to behold. The band’s most recent album Les Beaux Jours is a maddening musical journey that sends your brain into another dimension.

As Croatia’s premier stoner and heavy psych festival, Marin Lalić and the Bear Stone Festival team have pulled together a lineup for the ages. An exciting festival awaits.