FESTIVAL REVIEW: Desertfest London 2025

For thirteen years, every May, Camden Town in the heart of the UK’s capital pays homage to the almighty riff. Desertfest London has established itself as the premier event on the festival calendar catering for the musical brushes of doom, sludge, stoner and psychedelic. And 2025’s edition is no different. Here’s what went down.

Friday – May 16th 

ELEPHANT TREE – The Electric Ballroom

It may have been five long years since we’ve last had a record, but for London’s ELEPHANT TREE, they are greeted as homecoming heroes as they ignite the action on Friday’s main stage at The Electric Ballroom. There’s a distinctly wicked fuzz about their soundscape, with Sails in particular sounding incredible against the backdrop of the Ballroom‘s stage. The crowd are incredibly receptive and there’s a comedic flaire to the band that makes them instantly likeable. Although technical mishaps with Peter Holland‘s bass threatens to derail the early momentum, a replacement lended by LOWRIDER (of whom the band collaborated with on last year’s The Long Forever EP) saved the day and ensured Desertfest London kicked off with a bang.

Rating: 7/10

WALLOWING – The Underworld

WALLOWING opened up The Underworld to a packed out room for those that came to Desertfest London early. With their angry beekeeper aesthetic , they entered on to the stage, immersed in green lighting and fog. The harsh sounds and sludginess of their performance hits you in the face and it’s their music that makes you fully embody all the breakdowns and screams. As the set goes on, every now and then, one of the two vocalists would pick up the fog machine and spray it across the front row. We suspect that with a room full of like minded people for extreme metal, WALLOWING have won over new fans who came to The Underworld who were intrigued to find out this band was either by name, or as they waited for other bands during the multi-venue festival. Either way, it was the perfect start for the next three days.

Rating: 9/10

THE DEVIL & THE ALMIGHTY BLUES – The Electric Ballroom

Hailing from Oslo, THE DEVIL & THE ALMIGHTY BLUES have risen to be one of the giants in the Norwegian stoner scene. They crafted their sound from vintage blues elements and the classic sounds of 1960s and 1970s rock with contemporary raw, stoner rock energy. The quintet hit the stage looking like they stepped straight out of the 1970s – one guitarist even had a passing resemblance to legend Stevie Ray Vaughn. In a packed Electric Ballroom, the blues was alive and kicking with an hour long set of big riffs and tasty blues licks. Their performance was tight and the stand out moment was when both guitarists had a solo duel towards the end of their set. When Arnt O. Andersen wasn’t stood peacefully vibing, his vocals soared over the searing, bluesy riffs. Overall, it was a solid performance from the Norwegian veterans.

Rating: 7/10

LOWRIDER – The Electric Ballroom 

Karlstad’s own LOWRIDER, have a passionate cult following in the stoner rock scene, and as a result have become Desertfest favourites. The energy in the Electric Ballroom was electric, as the band ripped through songs from their discography – a couple of the tracks were featured on the collaboration album The Long Forever with fellow line-up mates ELEPHANT TREE. The whole room seemed to move as they launched into their thunderous, energetic riffs. It is safe to say that they shook the Ballroom stage and had the Desertfest crowd in the palm of their hand. The highlights of the set were the songs And The Horse You Rode In On and Into The Grey – which was a special request a fan made to the band on social media prior to their appearance. LOWRIDER are a perfect band for this festival, and they put on an energetic and riff filled performance.

Rating: 9/10

10,000 YEARS – The Black Heart

Intimate sweatbox The Black Heart is the perfect setting for Swedish stoner metal merchants 10,000 YEARS. The band, having formed back in 2020, have enjoyed growing recognition in the stoner scene, and The Black Heart is at breaking point by the time the band take to the stage. And the humid heat is worth it as we’re treated to a masterclass in riff-laden rock. Drawing from last year’s excellent All Quiet On The Final Frontier, the band keep the momentum free-flowing with enough fuzzy goodness and thumping bass to keep the crowd thoroughly engaged throughout. Raw, fuzzy and highly enjoyable in an intimate setting, 10,000 YEARS set at Desertfest is the perfect example of what this festival has to offer. It won’t be too long until we see the band grace bigger stages.

STONED JESUS – The Electric Ballroom

Ukranian stoner rock legends STONED JESUS had one of the most highly anticipated sets on Friday night. Hailing from Kyiv, the trio put on a masterclass of stoner rock. With deep, low bass notes that rumbled through your chest, accompanied by guitar riffs that made you transcend into another realm. Playing a number of songs form their illustriously heavy back catalogue, including the thirteen minute, piece de résistance I Am The Mountain, they kept the energy high throughout – with Igor Sydorenko stage diving for good measure. The most poignant moment was when Sydorenko discussed how Ukrainian bands are fundraising to help those who had suffered from the Russian invasion, in which the crowd cheered emphatically. There is a reason why STONED JESUS are hailed as legends in the scene, they put on an exemplary display of stoner rock and how to write a riff that slaps you into next week.

Rating: 9/10

ELDER – The Electric Ballroom

No strangers to Desertfest, ELDER are treated as royalty amongst the festival crowd and for good reason. Their music speaks for itself and their dazzyling performances in previous years at this festival make them a sure-fire crowd pleaser of a headliner. This time, they grace The Electric Ballroom for a full live playthrough of 2015’s Lore. Akin to a well-oiled machine, and to the surprise of no-one, the band excel and we’re treated to a masterclass of a performance, running through a record that envokes a rich and expansive soundscape. The likes of set opener Compendium ignites sheer glee amongst the packed Ballroom crowd, whereas the likes of the title track and Spirit at Aphelion demonstrate the sheer prowess of mainman Nick DiSalvo whose elaborate axemandship and alluring vocals keep the crowd firmly fixated towards the stage. Concluding with a thumping rendition of Dead Roots Stirring, there can be only one conclusion; ELDER are in a league of their own and we can count ourselves extremely lucky we exist in the same timeline as this special, special band.

Rating: 10/10

Saturday – May 17th 

TORUS – The Underworld

Day two of Desertfest London and despite many a weary head, it’s down to Milton Keynes-trio TORUS to blow off the cobwebs from the night before. Arguably one of the more lighter acts performing this weekend, their grunge-soaked alt rock serves as the perfect antidote and kicks day two of Desertfest off with a bang. It helps when they’ve got bonafide bangers in Avalanche and This Feeling in their locker, both of which are easily firm highlights of their set, and the enthusiam exuded by vocalist/guitarist Alfie Glass – who spends plenty of time getting up close and personal with the crowd – keeps the energy high. A rendition  of BRITNEY SPEARS‘ Toxic comes totally out of left field but its grungey DIY job invokes plenty of dancing and singalongs, reaffirming that you can have all the riffs in the world, but 2000s pop bangers still can strike a chord with metallers. They’ve been bubbling under the surface for some time now, and it feels like TORUS are just beginning to carve their space in the UK’s blossoming alternative scene.

Rating: 9/10

KONVENT – The Roundhouse 

Danish death doom squad KONVENT first caught attention in the prior months to the pandemic, with 2020’s debut album Puritan Masochism delivering a gargantuan ton of aural heaviness. Although 2022’s follow-up – Call Down The Sun – didn’t quite hit the same level as their debut, there feels like there is an opportunity for KONVENT to make up for lost time and recapture their initial momentum before the world ground to a halt. Tasked with opening the grander stage of The Roundhouse for Desertfest London is no mean feat, but the band proceed to level the stage, with their colossal approach to death/doom ensuring the day’s action on the big stage starts with a hefty thump. Hypnotic riffs have a blackened bite and vocalist Rikke Emilie List has a guttural punch that cuts through the noise like a hot knife through butter. Although slightly one-dimensional, KONVENT tick all the boxes for what makes death/doom such a force to be reckoned with. And that is job very much achieved.

Rating: 7/10

CONAN – The Roundhouse 

With a sound that is best described at “caveman battle doom”, CONAN are a band you will make your body shudder with the devastating bass frequencies and ridiculously down tuned riffs. With a setlist made up of some of the heaviest hitters in their discography, the trio of Jon Davis, Johnny King and Dave Ryley laid waste to Camden’s Roundhouse. Accompanied by an array of animated and live action clips of retro Conan and sci-fi/fantasy films, the experience of seeing CONAN live is an assault on the senses. You see the chaos in the visuals, you hear the bludgeoning riffs, you can feel every sub bass rumble and you can taste what you had for dinner as your tongue rattles around in your skull. Bringing down their war hammer on the Desertfest crowd, it was an exemplary display of sludgy doom.

Rating: 8/10

PALLBEARER – The Roundhouse 

Despite only arriving at The Roundhouse 15 minutes before they were due to be on stage due to a hold up at customs, PALLBEARER didn’t let their frustrations show – well, except some self-deprecating humour from bassist Joseph D. Rowland “I’ve got nothing to laugh at because we’re the joke right now”. With a set that comprised of older songs, the Arkansas quartet offered an atmospheric reprieve after the bludgeoning meated out by CONAN and the upcoming battering by AMENRA. The set was melancholic and ethereal with divine harmonies, dynamic riffs and deep bass notes, it was easy to get lost in music as it reverberated around The Roundhouse. The performance offered the Desertfest crowd to reflect and rest, whilst jamming out to classics PALLBEARER riffs.

Rating: 8/10

AMENRA – The Roundhouse

The enigmatic Flemish post-metal quintet arrived on stage in a cloud of mist, after the crowd had been primed by a mournful song played over the PA. AMENRA are a band unlike any other, visceral, intense and brutal. They’ve gained a reputation for spiritually charged and passionate performances, and their set at Desertfest was no different. The atmosphere was thick and heavy, the band’s otherworld visuals and brooding, dynamic music made it feel like you were encased in darkness and looking for the light. Colin H. van Eeckhout’s vocals were laden with pain, loss and melancholy that offered a catharsis for those that connect to the music. Simply put, AMENRA are a band that defies any critique, their set was perfection and there aren’t enough superlatives to describe it.

Rating: 10/10

ZEAL & ARDOR – The Roundhouse 

There’s a gleeful grin stretched across the face of Manuel Gagneux throughout ZEAL & ARDOR‘s headlining set at Desertfest London and for good reason. He has just spear-headed a magnificent and gripping performance from a band who has quickly cemented themselves as a powerful player in our world. Over the course of a staggering 21 song run, Gagneux and his bandmates take advantage of the sublime acoustics of The Roundhouse to demonstate why they are such a unique proposition. The amalgnation of black metal, blues and gospel is well-documented, but it remains an utter joy to experience it in the live environment. The likes of Devil Is Fine, Run and Gravedigger’s Chant all are firm favourites at this point, and live they are greeted with utter glee from the crowd, whilst a bountiful buffet of material from last year’s GREIF all sound absolutely killer live. Fend Yuou Off, Sugarcoat, or the Bird, the Lion and the Wildkin. Take your pick. The band are razorsharp in their delivery with Gagneux‘s razor-sharp vocal deliveries at the helm, they are simply flawless and cements their place as a bonafide festival headliner.

Rating: 10/10

Sunday – May 18th

BOBBIE DAZZLE – The Underworld

It’s been a whirlwind eight months for Siân Greenway a.k.a BOBBIE DAZZLE. After the release of her fun and energetic debut album Fandabidozi, her and her amazing band mates THE DAZZLE BAND have become darlings of the rock scene with their unapologetic brand of old school, 1970s glam rock. They opened The Underworld stage on Sunday with a set full of fun, passion, groove and energy, despite it being 14:50 the whole room was having a dance and a boogie! Playing all the hits from Fandabidozi, it is safe to say that the Desertfest crowd were dazed by BOBBIE’s vocal virtuosity, flute playing and her amazing backing band. Closing with the fantastic Lighnting Fantasy – which uses is lyrics written by Greenway’s father and she found in his vinyls – It is safe to say that BOBBIE DAZZLE’s set was one of the most fun, energetic and most glamorous of the whole weekend.

Rating: 9/10

MR. BISON – The Underworld

Hailing from the famous Italian region of Tuscany – which is famous for being the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance – MR. BISON’s brand of classic stoner rock is like a fine Tuscan red wine, imbued with flair and passion. Focusing on big riffs, prog grooves and evocative soundscapes, MR. BISON showed us what is at the heart of Desertfest London, and that’s big riffs and good vibes. They had the whole of The Underworld swaying in their psychedelia and stomping the floor with their enormous riffs. One notable part of the set was the guitar solo “duel” between Davide Salvadori and Matteo Barsacchi which gained an ecstatic crowd reaction. The whole band played with passion, flair and authority, showing incredible appreciation for the fans who had packed in like sardines to see them. An exemplary masterclass in classic stoner rock.

Rating: 9/10

DUNBARROW – The Underworld

Having never played in the UK before, Norway’s DUNBARROW were greeted with a packed out, humid, clammy and sweaty Underworld audience. Their brand of proto-doom riffs infused with modern stoner rock sounds and a garage rock fuzz went down a storm in the basement venue. Dressed as if they had just come a 1970s, they played a variety of old and new songs in a set that had you head banging from the very outset. Espen Andersen’s vocals and furious tambourine playing were a highlight in the band’s set alongside the expressive and frantic drumming from Pål Gunnar Dale. They’re a band that showcase everything the UK loves with their retro sounding rock bands, and they more than delivered on their London debut.

Rating: 8/10

DIVIDE AND DISSOLVE – The Electric Ballroom 

Although never uttering a vocal lyric, the impact of DIVIDE AND DISSOLVE has been tremendous in doom circles. The Australian outfit, helmed by Takiaya Reed, have captivated and inspired with their scathing political commentary and social activism. At Desertfest London, the grand setting of The Electric Ballroom almost appears to dwarf the two musicians on stage, but their musical heft is earth-shattering. Their distorted and glacial doom moves at a snails pace, with slow builds and releases, as opposed to the high octane stoner action of Friday’s billing. It’s an acquired taste, and for some it doesn’t connect, but among those where it has, DIVIDE AND DISSOLVE capture and inspire. Reed takes her opportunity in the spotlight to rightfully call out attrocities happening across the globe, and inspiring collective care and love for one another in a defiant and graceful call for justice. With a powerful message at their core and having the ability to level a building with their doom, DIVIDE AND DISSOLVE are a force for good in our world.

Rating: 8/10

SLIFT – The Electric Ballroom

Judging by the sea of people packed into The Electric Ballroom, there is great anticipation for French trio SLIFT. The Toulouse-based band have enjoyed a rapid rise in popularity in their nine year career and landing the penultimate slot on the festival’s main stage is an achievement in itself. And what follows is simply wonderful. Taking full advantage of the video screens behind them to add visual cues to their craft, the trio take us on a cosmic and expansive voyage, with their psychedelic flourishes, acid soaked riffs and frenetic intensity. By the time they draw to a close with The Story That Has Never Been Told, the crowd is in the palm of their hands and showcases that we have a truly special band in our hands. Merci!

Rating: 9/10

CASTLE RAT – The Underworld

Easily one of the most anticipated sets of the festival, the self-proclaimed Medieval Fantasy Doom Metal band from Brooklyn, New York made their UK debut you in a stiflingly hot and sweaty basement in Camden. CASTLE RAT dressed the stage in a number of props straight out of a D&D manual and blasted the audience with a cacophony of SABBATH-esque doom. Alongside the music was a number of gimmick performance elements including The Rat Reaperess. The energy was just as palpable as the sweat, as the packed in crowd head banging with reckless abandon. There was so much to see during their set that at time it was a detracting from the mystique of their music. Despite this, they put on a highly energetic set that had the whole room moving and joining in on their mighty quest.

Rating: 7/10

EARTH – The Electric Ballroom

The influence of EARTH is engrained in the lifeblood of Desertfest London. 1993’s Earth 2 helped pioneer drone metal and their craft has had substantial influence on countless bands that have graced this festival, past and present. In their Desertfest debut headlining The Electric Ballroom, the band – helmed by Dylan Carlson – proceed to let their music do the talking and it is one of those experiences where you just let go and let the music wash over you. As opposed to standard song setlists, the music of EARTH is more compositional, allowing slow musical components to build at a pace that would give the Cretatious period a run for its money. For some, it’s not quite the uptempo finale some are seeking and the crowd notably thins as time passes, but rest assured, their delivery is expertly dispatched, affirming their status as one this corner of heavy music world’s most celebrated names.

Rating: 8/10

Words: James Weaver, Tom Fordham, Sarah Tsang

Check out our photo gallery of the action across the Desertfest London weekend from Sarah Tsang here: 

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