The professionalism of the Rabidfest team shone through at every moment of the weekend. From start to finish, I saw them on top of their game, making sure everything ran seamlessly and without a hitch. What really stood out to me was how they interacted with the crowd – taking the time to listen to fans, whether it was someone’s first Rabidfest or a seasoned veteran. That personal touch made me feel like everyone was welcomed, valued, and part of something bigger. It wasn’t just a festival; it felt like joining a family. This was CHAOS’ first proper festival under the banner and I couldn’t be more thankful or impressed.
Kicking off the weekend madness, RPC (Radioactive Puppies of Chernobyl—still one of my favourite band names) blew me away with their high‑energy set! Their commanding stage presence, Jim’s bold dance moves, and sheer enthusiasm had me hooked from the first note. Stand‑in bassist Jordy (from Serotonin and Whore Moans) deserves a special shoutout; he managed to deliver an extra song on the spot when RPC squeezed in one last number thanks to having more time. A powerful opener, they left me buzzing and hungry for more. Encore, anyone? As a quick side note, all profits from their EP Fuelled By Spite are being donated to Palestine Aid—what a band!
Break Them, a four‑piece hardcore blast from Peterborough, absolutely tore the place apart. Disgustingly heavy vocals, an aggressive sound, and a small moshpit that erupted almost instantly. Since I’m diving into hardcore myself, Break Them felt like the perfect band to get me started – loud, heavy, and unforgettable. Their breakdowns shook the room and the momentum hit harder with each track. Special shoutout to the front‑row fan headbanging so hard Doll was worried for their neck. Thankfully no spin kicks aimed my way this time like most hardcore gigs, I’m not built for them! Doll will be the first to admit she hates Limp Bizkit, but Break Them managed to make their cover of Break Stuff semi‑enjoyable.
We even caught them after their gig! Watch the interview here.
Doll was buzzing to see Talassum after rooting for them in the 2025 Oxford Metal to the Masses final and they smashed it! Their violin‑infused doom‑metal sound was exactly the breather I needed after the heavier previous band. The crowd loved it, with one new fan saying: “This is why I shouldn’t have expectations, they blew me away!” I couldn’t have said it better myself. Amazingly, this was only their second non‑Metal to the Masses show, yet they played like seasoned pros. After their set, I caught up with them for a quick interview. They kept the energy playful, even gifting Doll her new favourite word (clarted) which has now become part of her interview vocabulary. Offstage charm matched their onstage fire, making the whole experience unforgettable. Check out the interview here.
Korrupto tore up Rabidfest! No strangers to the Oxford scene, they brought the energy up from Talassum and carved out their own moment in the lineup. This Oxford/Wiltshire three‑piece delivered grimecore chaos, even making a Limp Bizkit cover sound good. Small pit, big vibes, and a crowd that couldn’t help but get pulled in. It was their first time at Rabidfest and hopefully not the last. Korrupto aren’t my everyday listen, but live they’re unmissable. Chop the cop is still something Doll is chanting, it was pure anarchy!
Wall were a last‑minute addition, but they made it count. Oxfordshire’s instrumental powerhouse blew me away with a crushing set. Fresh off Bloodstock, the Cole brothers are riding high, not just with Wall, but also Desert Storm and their own festival Buried In Smoke (tickets https://wegottickets.com/event/680059/ ). Out of Saturday’s lineup, Wall were the band I heard the most about: nonstop positive feedback, countless people calling them the highlight of the day. I’ll admit I’m not the most clued‑up when it comes to covers, but their take on Nineteen by Karma To Burn was a standout moment, and I’m glad it was pointed out to me.
Chaplain stepped in last‑minute to replace Thrashatouille. Literally driving straight from one gig to the next with barely five minutes to spare! No stress, no slip‑ups: they hit the stage tight, powerful, and totally locked in. It was an incredible set with killer crowd interaction, proof that Chaplain thrived under pressure. Doll, being painted herself, was thrilled to see the first band to make the effort, and they didn’t disappoint.
Apologies to Arimea, I left the venue at this point to grab some food.
Raised By Owls delivered exactly what I expected: chaos, comedy, and crushing riffs. A crowd favourite, they kept the energy high, and I knew it wouldn’t be a Raised By Owls show without the comedy. That shone through with their funny t‑shirts and the moment they pulled my wife Leanne on stage to gift her a pit bull flag. Musically, they were tight and relentless, merging death metal and grindcore in a way that proves the hybrid works. Audience feedback was glowing: “I knew they’d be fantastic, I’ve followed them for ages and they always deliver.” The only gripe? Yet another Limp Bizkit cover. I hate Limp Bizkit. That is all. Raised By Owls remains one of the most consistently great and entertaining bands.
Apologies to Kill II This, I was tangled in interviews and missed a good portion of their set. I did manage to catch the ending, though, and it was clear I’d missed something special. The crowd’s reaction said it all: this was a killer performance that left a lasting impression.
Massive thanks to Raging Speedhorn, while I was on babysitting duty, the kids got to head behind the barriers and gift the band some ducks! The guys took it all in stride and absolutely made their day. Then they tore into their set, obliterating the stage as the perfect closing act for day one of Rabidfest. The moshpit was wild, the energy relentless, and at one point Doll looked genuinely worried for the microphone being swung around like a ragdoll (get it? My name is Doll – hahaha). A killer performance from start to finish.
Some shows are live, some pre-recorded. All times are GMT
