Prepare for impact—2025 is about to unleash a sonic onslaught across the UK and Ireland, and metalheads better be ready. This year’s lineup is nothing short of legendary, featuring genre pioneers, death metal demigods, thrash titans, and new-age heavyweights that are redefining the sound of brutality. From the searing riffs of Testament and Dark Angel to the cosmic chaos of Blood Incantation and the goblin-fueled mayhem of Nekrogoblikon, each tour promises unforgettable carnage on stage. Whether you’re a die-hard for old-school devastation or riding the wave of modern metalcore madness, this is your ultimate gig guide to the heaviest, loudest, and most unmissable metal shows of the year.

1. Dark Angel

When it comes to thrash metal, Dark Angel is an at once blazing and ground-shaking entity of furious speed, energy, and perplexing composition. From their origins in Los Angeles, California, Dark Angel thrashed its way across the metal scene throughout the 80s, leaving a trail of technically demanding and ravenously intense music in their wake. Indeed, the music was so fast and relentless, its fans dubbed it “The L.A. Caffeine Machine”.

 While remaining almost entirely underground, Dark Angel played an influential role in molding thrash metal’s fundamental second wave and are recognized as pioneers of the sub-genre of technical and progressive thrash. Their record “Darkness Descends” from 1986 continues to be hailed as a noble slab of metal and a fundamental artistic impulse to the embryonic death metal movement. Energized once more, this powerful band of thrash metal has reunited and returned to the stage, delivering an immediately identifiable sound to long-time fans.

Genre: Thrash Metal | Nickname: The L.A. Caffeine Machine

Dark Angel 2025 Upcoming Shows

•  Glasgow, GB – SLAY | June 10, 2025 | Performing ‘Darkness Descends’ in full
•  Dublin, IE – The Academy | June 11, 2025 | 7:00 PM
  

2. I Am Morbid

The band was formed in 2017 by David Vincent and Tim Yeung, shortly after they left the death metal pioneers Morbid Angel. I Am Morbid is a live tribute to the golden age of death metal. Named after the song I Am Morbid from the infamous Illud Divinum Insanus album, we are honored to do just that. I AM MORBID covers only material from about the first decade of the band’s revolution: Altars of Madness, Blessed Are the Sick, Covenant, and Domination.

After appearing in Russia in 2017, they quickly gained a faithful fan base thanks to their fearsome presence and their no-compromise live reputation. Their first tour concluded with a headlining tour at Alcatraz Metal Fest, which replaced Morbid Angel, which had cancelled the entire European tour. Throughout the years, the hired supergroup has included some legends of metal full tang, with another former Morbid Angel member joining the lineup in 2021.

Genre: Death Metal | Legacy: Morbid Angel Offshoot

I Am Morbid 2025 Upcoming Shows

• Dublin, IE – The Academy | August 5, 2025 | 7:00 PM
• Manchester, GB – Rebellion | August 6, 2025 | 7:00 PM
• London, GB – 229 | August 7, 2025 | 7:00 PM

3. Blood Incantation

Blood Incantation embodies cult in death metal. The Denver-based outfit’s otherworldly concoction of cosmic death, complex structures, and transcendental atmospheric eeriness has turned Blood Incantation into one of the scene’s most revered acts. The quartet comprises Paul Riedl on guitar and vocals, Isaac Faulk on the drums, Morris Kolontyrsky on the guitar, and Jeff Barrett on the bass. And the 2024 release, Absolute Elsewhere, is no different: one doesn’t listen to this record; one is engulfed and absorbed. Across two tracks, “The Stargate” and “The Message,” this 45-minute journey ventures deep into the heart of progressive death metal with a dose of sci-fi ambience and philosophical depth unlike anything else in Blood Incantation’s oeuvre. It follows the critically acclaimed visionaries’ first two full-length albums, Starspawn and Hidden History of the Human Race, and further expands their musical universe.

Genre: Progressive Death Metal | Origin: Denver, Colorado

Blood Incantation 2025 Tour Dates

•  Bristol – Electric Bristol | Oct 6, 7:00 PM
•  Dublin – The Academy | Oct 7, 6:00 PM
•  Manchester – Albert Hall | Oct 8, 7:00 PM
•  Glasgow – Garage | Oct 9, 7:00 PM (Limited Tickets)
• London – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire | Oct 10, 7:00 PM

4. Testament

Rising from the heart of the Bay Area thrash movement, Testament remains one of metal’s most ferocious and consistent bands out there. A group that features a powerhouse lineup – Chuck Billy on vocals, Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick on guitars, rhythm section Steve DiGiorgio and Gene Hoglan –continues to redefine chorus with each successive record. 

Their 2020’s Titans of Creation offered the fans more of their brutal thrash roots by bringing new life into the preceding arrangements, blistering riffs, and some sharp modern production. Decades into their existence, Testament’s sound has fossilized in many ways, yet it continues to channel the same raw, unfiltered energy stacking made them genre icons. Sporting a canon peppered with classic melodic cues and a live show that hits like a speeding freight train, Testament should be considered by any fan of heavy music.

Genre: Thrash/Death Metal | Legacy: Titans of American Heavy Metal

Testament 2025 Tour Dates

• Bristol – Bristol Beacon | Oct 7, 5:30 PM
• Birmingham – O2 Academy | Oct 8, 5:30 PM
• Dublin – 3 Olympia Theatre | Oct 9, 6:30 PM
• Manchester – Academy | Oct 10, 5:30 PM
• London – O2 Forum Kentish Town | Oct 11, 5:30 PM
  

5. Drowning Pool 

Drowning Pool exploded onto the metal scene with a legacy based on defiance, uncooked enthusiasm, and pure sonic power. Though the title “Bodies” broke them into the industry back in 2001, the band has since achieved cult status, pushing crowds all around the globe into a mosh frenzy with its overlooked rage and an iconic refrain. Ryan McCombs’ arrival following the tragic passing of original front man Dave Williams infused fresh vigor into the band.

 His re-entry in 2023, however, was a turning point rather than simply a return. According to Ryan: “When we got into the band room together again, it just felt…” it helped me remember why they were once my best buddies in this industry.” Drowning Pool’s story is more than anthems like “37 Stitches,” “Feel Like I Do,” and “Turn So Cold”: it is a tale of connections, rebound, and unendingly prevalent affection for metal. No regrets or apologies, the band propels into 2025 with new tunes and unstoppable momentum.

Genre: Nu Metal · Alt Metal · Rapcore · Industrial
Get ready for a night of unrelenting energy, emotional firepower, and headbanging anthems.

Drowning Pool 2025 Tour Dates

• Nov 08 – Norwich | The Nick Rayns LCR, UEA – 5:00 PM
• Nov 09 – Newcastle | Boiler Shop – 6:00 PM
• Nov 10 – Glasgow | Garage – 6:00 PM
• Nov 12 – Belfast | Limelight 1 – 6:00 PM
• Nov 13 – Dublin | The Academy – 6:00 PM
• Nov 14 – Bradford | Nightrain – 6:30 PM
• Nov 15 – Wolverhampton | KK’s Steel Mill – 6:00 PM
• Nov 16 – Bristol | Electric Bristol – 6:00 PM
• Nov 18 – Torquay | The Foundry – 6:00 PM
• Nov 19 – Nottingham | Rock City – 5:30 PM
• Nov 20 – London | O2 Academy Islington – 7:00 PM
• Nov 21 – Margate | Dreamland – 6:00 PM
• Nov 22 – Brighton | Chalk – 5:00 PM
• Nov 23 – Southampton | 1865 – 6:00 PM

6. THROWN

Swedish metal disruptors THROWN have quickly risen to the top of the heavy music ranks with their first album, EXCESSIVE GUILT, a blistering blend of relentless aggression, gut-wrenching breakdowns, and high-octane themes. Thrown, who exploded onto the metal scene in 2021, have quickly become one of the most streamed bands, with over 105 million streams globally, a huge following behind their raw sound and hell-raising live performances.

On the Spotify Global Metal Chart, their EP Extended Pain was a streaming giant, and it stayed on the chart for almost a year. Thrown was the recipient of the 2024 Heavy Music Award for Best Breakthrough Live Artist, further establishing their reputation as a powerful new force. With 1.4 million monthly active Spotify listeners and a roster of global tours that have taken them from Australia to North America, THROWN isn’t just making inroads. They’re tearing down the walls.

Genre: Modern Metal · Hardcore · Nu Metalcore
Brace yourself for a brutal sonic assault with Sweden’s fiercest breakout band.

Thrown 2025 Tour Dates

• Aug 07–10 – Walton-On-Trent, UK | Bloodstock 2025 (Catton Park) – Weekend Festival + Camping
• Aug 11 – Dublin, Ireland | The Academy – 7:00 PM
• Aug 12 – Glasgow, UK | Garage – 7:00 PM

7. NEKROGOBLIKON

The self-proclaimed “Kings of Goblin Metal,” Nekrogoblikon, are bringing their absurdly epic live show to the UK and Ireland—and this is one unholy party you won’t want to miss. Hailing from Los Angeles, the band smashes gnarly death metal into poppy hooks, EDM synth chaos, and outrageous theatrics. 

Picture brutal breakdowns, claw-pumping choruses, and a goblin hype-man called John Goblikon, who’s kind of the undead, green-skinned heart of the show—the goblin is genuinely what it’s all about. With influences from the likes of GWAR, Dethklok, Finntroll, and tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek, Nekrogoblikon is what occurs when you take elite musicianship and throw it into a blender with humor, horror, and loads of goblin energy.

Genre: Goblin Metal · Melodic Death Metal · Comedy Metal
Where crushing riffs meet chaotic comedy and goblin-fueled madness.

Nekrogoblikon 2025 Tour Dates

• Sept 18 – Bristol, GB | Electric Bristol – 7:00 PM
• Sept 19 – Southampton, GB | 1865 – 7:00 PM
• Sept 22 – Glasgow, GB | Garage – 6:00 PM
• Sept 23 – Belfast, NI | Limelight 2 – 6:30 PM (with Allegaeon, Party Cannon & Grief Ritual)
• Sept 24 – Dublin, IE | The Academy – 6:00 PM
• Sept 28 – Norwich, GB | Adrian Flux Waterfront – 6:30 PM (Full Lineup)
• Sept 29 – London, GB | Scala – 7:00 PM
• Sept 30 – Nottingham, GB | Rescue Rooms – 6:00 PM

Conclusion

2025 is shaping up to be a monumental year for metalheads across the UK and Ireland. From the fury of thrash legends and death metal royalty to the rising tide of modern metal disruptors, the upcoming months promise a relentless barrage of riffs, breakdowns, and headbanging chaos. Whether you’re craving the old-school aggression of Dark Angel, the nostalgic brutality of I Am Morbid, or the genre-bending madness of Nekrogoblikon, the live circuit is packed with must-see acts. This guide takes you through the fiercest, most anticipated metal gigs of 2025—so you know exactly when to raise your horns and lose yourself in the pit.