Het gezelligste en oudste underground festival van Nederland!
Vertrapte grassprieten, kapotte plastic bekers, de geur van verschraald bier als kruitdampen boven het veld. De dag na Stonehenge biedt elk jaar een stilleven dat in schril contrast staat met de dag ervoor. De laatste zaterdag van juli barst uit zijn voegen van de herrie en nog meer herrie, lomp en onbenullig. Maar mét sfeer. Want metal is steenhard, maar ook keigezellig.
En dat al sinds 1995. Een stel trouwe bezoekers van jongerencentrum de Buze in Steenwijk stak in dat jaar de koppen bijeen. Ze smeedden een plan, dat ijzersterk en onverwoestbaar bleek in de loop der jaren. Stonehenge. Een underground metalfestival, gewoon in de tuin van de Buze. Met op het podium acht Nederlandse bands.
Vanwaar de naam Stonehenge? Te logisch voor woorden, maar vooruit: Stone = steen. En dat in Steenwijk. Voor verwarring met het Stonehenge Festival van vroeger in Engeland bestond geen angst; dat was immers voor een stel halfzachte hippies…
De gedachte achter het festival. Geen commercie, geen gedoe met mensen die bulken van het geld en jouw feestje invullen en verstieren. Het doel is eenvoudig. Neerlands trots uit de wijde regio en verre omstreken, een podium bieden om zich te presenteren aan een groot publiek. De weergoden hebben van meet af aan hun zegen gegeven aan Stonehenge.
De eerste editie bleek een schot in de roos. Met een bezoekersaantal van bijna vijfhonderd kwamen er drie keer zoveel metalheads op Steenwijk af als was ingeschat. De conclusie van de organisatie: volgend jaar weer! En zo was tussen de jaarlijkse festivals in Nederland een nieuwe woest telg ontsproten.
Het festival groeit, in eigen tempo en zonder zich over de kop te laten jagen. De metalmarket (Staalhandel) blijkt een welkome aanvulling. In 1999 waagt de organisatie zich zelfs buiten Nederland en België. Het Engelse Anathema is de eerste band van buiten de Benelux. Het initiatief slaat aan, het roer wordt op deze koers vastgezet.
Stonehenge krijgt steeds meer de allure van een internationaal festival. Bands uit Duitsland, Frankrijk, Zweden, Italië en zelfs Amerika dompelen zich onder in Steenwijks metal.
Het oorspronkelijke doel wordt echter niet uit het oog verloren.
Inmiddels is Stonehenge veelal weken van tevoren uitverkocht. Daarmee is de kracht ervan keihard bewezen. Stonehenge is uitgegroeid tot hét toonaangevende underground metalfestival van Nederland. En de organisatie, die gaat meedogenloos door. Want de Steenwijker toren is nog steeds niet uit het lood geblazen.
Anaal Nathrakh
Created in 1999 with the sole purpose of providing the soundtrack to Armageddon, Anaal Nathrakh comprises Englishmen V.I.T.R.I.O.L. (aka Dave Hunt, vocalist with Benediction and Mistress) and Irrumator (aka multi-instrumentalist Mick Kenney, of Aborym, Frost, Mistress, and owner of Necrodeath Studios). Taking their founding cues from Norwegian black metal leviathans such as Mayhem, Burzum, and Darkthrone, the duo recorded two demos before delivering their first full album, The Codex Necro, in 2001. Judging from the mostly positive reviews, the wait was worth it, and subsequent efforts When Fire Rains Down from the Sky, Mankind Will Reap as It Has Sown (a 2003 EP), Domine Non Es Dignus (2004), Eschaton (2006), Passion (2011), Desideratum (2014), A New Kind of Horror (2018), and Endarkenment (2020), have advanced Anaal Nathrakh into ever more technical and diverse -- but always vicious and nihilistic -- black metal realms, and have yet to disappoint.
Anchyllis
First of all, we are Anchyllis, A Technical Brutal Death Metal band from South Holland, Netherlands. Anchillys first album was released (digitally) at the end of 2022. The title of the album is "Elan Vital". It is in January 2023 album released on CD. Anchillys started out as a one-man project. But since mid-2023, Anchillys a full band. And we are now also busy working on new material.
The current line-up of Anchillys consists of members who play or have played in, among others, Phlebotomized, Sinister, Korpse.
Autopsy
Since first bursting onto the death metal scene with the now genre classic ‘Severed Survival’ back in 1989 and following up with the equally revered ‘Mental Funeral’ album, the influential US quartet has carved an unwavering legacy over three decades as masters and purveyors of the vile sides of the extreme metal spectrum. And now, Autopsy marks its reinvigorated return, presenting the first new full-length studio opus since 2014’s ‘Tourniquets, Hacksaws and Graves’ with ‘Morbidity Triumphant’; a savage offering of brutal death, showing the US legends still have an unbridled hunger for the sadistic, never reluctant to step beyond the threshold of decency.
Berzerker Legion
Berzerker Legion was founded in 2016 by guitarists Tomas Elofsson (Hypocrisy) and Alwin Zuur (Asphyx) with a vision to create death metal of the most belligerent quality, they recruited a line-up of solid well-known musicians consisting of James Stewart (Vader) on drums, Jonny Pettersson (Wombbath) on vocals and Fredrik Isaksson (Dark Funeral) on bass to complete the Legion.
Bloodmoon
Bloodmoon is a 5-piece Old School Death Metal band with thrash influences from Arnhem (NL). With “The Black Plague” the band releases their first full length album on Brutal Insanity Records. Expect catchy guitar riffs on a solid pounding foundation. Uncouth, varied and full of variety! Traditional death grunts complete the OSDM picture. The 14 headbangers on “The Black Plague” hit in like a bomb and will take you back to times long gone.
Burial Remains
Dutch brutal force Burial Remains spews forth old school death metal the Swedish way. Formed in 2016 to honor the legacy of ENTOMBED, DISMEMBER, GRAVE and CARNAGE, the band quickly grew into an entity of its own, playing leading underground events like Schoonebeek Deathfest, Netherlands Deathfest, Symbolic Festival and Drachten Deathfest.
With ‘Trinity Of Deception’ (2019), the band gained the attention of the international metal underground, having Sven (R.I.P.) of the mighty FLESHCRAWL performing vocal duties on the album. The year 2019 saw bassplayer Henk (formerly of GOD DETHRONED and ENTRAPMENT) joining the ranks followed by the release of ‘Spawn Of Chaos’ by the infamous Raw Skull Recordz. With the second album, the band stepped up their game, delivering an even more ferocious piece of HM2-ridden depravity.
With a new drummer in their ranks they entered the FDMP studio for the recordings of their third album. Mixing and mastering was in the hands of multitalented youngster Xander Bridge (Eternal, Blood Loss) this time around. This third album of Burial Remains is everything an OSDM fan could want; infl uences from the classic Swedish death metal scene mixed with the thrashier side of US death metal and topped off with a production that just screams OLD SCHOOL and captures the energy of their live shows.
No compromises!
Condolence
Condolence was formed in 1989 in the Western part of the Netherlands in a region that must have had some very rotting soil cause it brought forth a lot of amazing death metal bands. In the triangle between the cities Bodegraven, Alphen aan de Rijn and Gouda, Dutch death metal history was written when in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s bands such as Dissect, Eternal Solstice, Pyathrosis, Mourning and supreme doom godz Sempiternal Deathreign were formed.
Condolence was part of this great scene and in 1990 they released their debut demo 'Pernicious Segregation' with 4 killer doom/death tracks. And then… Nothing!
The band unfortunately called it quits very prematurely.
Fast forward to 2015 when original member Marc thought it was high time to do something with the material that was written in the ‘90s and was left unused. After a lengthy process a total of 13 tracks were recorded for what now is their debut album 'Dying'.
The 4 songs of the demo are re-recorded together with 8 old and never before released tracks, plus as bonus a cover of Sempiternal Deathreign’s song 'Unperceptive Life' for which founding Sempiternal members Frank Faase and Victor van Drie gave their full permission.
CD comes through Raw Skull Recordz and their humble partners in crime Into It Records will take full responsibility for the always amazing looking and sounding music cassettes.
'Dying' will be released November 29th and every fan of early ‘90s Dutch doom/death metal should purchase this album blindly.
Destinity
Pushing ever forward. That has been Destinity’s driving force since the creation of the band in 1996 when the three founding members, Mick Caesare (vocals), Stephan Barboni (rhythm guitars), Florent Barboni (drums), joined as teens in their small village just outside of Lyon, France around their mutual fascination for extreme music. Since then, Destinity’s music has been ever-evolving while always keeping it’s uncompromising, angry, and distinctive sound. After having secured a spot at the forefront of the French Thrash-Death metal scene with “Synthetic Existence” (2005), Destinity gained international exposure with its 2008 release "The Inside". With a new release in 2010 entitled "XI Reasons to See", Destinity kept up a steady pace of touring and festival appearances around Europe leaving just enough time to write what would become the next album. 2012 saw the release of "Resolve in Crimson" (also produced at Hansen studios, DK), nine anthem-like songs based on remarkable hooklines, focused and technical riffs, silky melodies and well-balanced songwriting. After a few years of promoting "Resolve in Crimson", a necessary hiatus was needed for the band to pursue other musical ventures. By the end of 2018 the band decided that it was time to hit the stage again and planned a series of gigs in 2019 in Europe, playing the best songs off the last 3 records. Naturally, the writing process was re ignited and Destinity quickly wrote and arranged a new album entitled "In Continuum", (Produced by Jonas Kjellgrën at Blacklounge studio /Swen). Release date: October 15th 2021. More than 1,500,000 streams on Spotify in 9 months !!!
Devine Defilement
The slam crew of DEVINE DEFILEMENT has been on the forefront of the Icelandic death metal scene for the past few years. Pulling influences from a variety of death metal sub-genres they have concocted a brutal cocktail of groove, slams, blasts and ferocity that has made them a force to be reckoned with!
Armed with the release of their sophomore album “Age of Atrocities” they are poised to deliver a punishing 2024 for everyone who heeds their call.
Disharmonic Orchestra
Disharmonic Orchestra is regarded as one of the most innovative bandsin the death metalgenre. Their influence extends beyond the metal community, as they have demonstrated thatextreme music styles and avant-garde approaches can be successfully combined. Theiralbums, particularly "Not to Be Undimensional Conscious," are often seen as pioneeringworks in the development of technical and avant-garde metal.
Dismember
Founded 1988 in Stockholm/Sweden, Dismember were among those responsible for Death Metal's big breakthrough. The debut album, "Like An Ever Flowing Stream" from 1991, clearly showed that Dismember are an uncompromising band which resulted in their rise to cult status within a short period of time after the album took the scene by storm. Extensive touring with bands like Death and Cannibal Corpse showed that Dismember are a live force to be reckoned with and the number of fans grew steadily.
From the crypt
DEATHFUCKINGMETAL from the South-East of the Netherlands, with (ex) members of INHUME, CALLENISH CIRCLE, CLITEATER, PROBATION, MASS DECEPTION.
FROM THE CRYPT is:
Ben - vocals
Luuk - Guitar
Ivan - Guitar
Wim - Bass
Herman – Drums
Hamerhaai
Hamerhaai is a threepiece band born from the swamps and the shit that makes up the eastern part of the Netherlands. The bandname means ‘Hammerhead Shark’ in Dutch. This hammerheadded moster was born from the ashes of the band Dirty East Godverdomme. Hamerhaai pound out heavy 90's influenced hardcore and metal as done by bands like All Out War, Obituary and Iron Age. Connoisseurs may also recognize Motörhead and Normaal influences. Members of Hamerhaai also play/ have played in bands like Massive Assault, Bot Mes and Gascoigne, are involved in the label Crash Landing Records and put up shows in Zwolle (NL).
Invictus
Invictus formed in 2015 in Nagano, Japan, by the Seki brothers.
In 2016, they released a split with South Korean Brutal Death Metal Band Fecundation and toured Japan and South Korea.
The following year, they toured Thailand and China, performing alongside Brain Dead (Malaysia) and UADA (USA) in Thailand.
In 2019, they toured Japan with Belgian Death Metal band Carnation and also performed at that year’s Asakusa Death fest.
In 202, they released their debut album, The Catacombs of Fear. The album art was created by Juanjo Castello, and the new band logo was designed by Christophe Szpajdel. The Asian edition was released by Obliteration Records, and the European edition by F.D.A. Records, receiving positive reviews. Particularly in Japan, the album was highly praised as one of the few debut releases of new-generation domestic old-school death metal.
They were scheduled to perform at the Sublime Terror Fest in the UK, but the festival was cancelled due to the pandemic. However, they continued to actively perform within Japan, increasing their recognition.
In 2024, they released a new demo and later served as the opening for Exarsis (Greece), Doldrey (Singapore), and Undeath (USA) in Japan, as well as for Rotting Christ (Greece) in Taiwan.
Additionally, in September of this year, they will tour Japan with Taiwanese death metal band Aohen and are scheduled to release another demo afterwards.
Macabre
Formed in 1985, Macabre’s lineup has remained the same since day one—vocalist/guitarist Corporate Death (Lance Lencioni), bassist/vocalist Nefarious (Charles Lescewicz), and drummer Dennis the Menace (Dennis Ritchie). That’s a rarity for any band, let alone a band in a genre where peers with similar longevity might not even feature one original member. The trio is a vanguard of the style they’ve come to describe as “murder metal,” a ferocious mix of death metal, punk rock, grind, jazz fusion, thrash and folk melodies among other sounds with lyrics examining real-life stories of serial killers, mass murderers and more. What else could you call it except Macabre? As much as their fiendish riffs and disturbing subject matter make for brutal listening, their twists of nursery rhymes, parody, familiar childhood ditties and folk tunes (Have you ever imagined a song about Jeffrey Dahmer sung in the style of “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain?” You have now.) give every album a grotesquely unhinged vibe—much like the makeup worn by John Wayne Gacy as he entertained kids as “Pogo the Clown.” It’s no wonder that the world’s most extreme metal musicians have long pointed to Macabre as masters of the morbid.
Maceration
It's official. Maceration hiatus is over and the Danish death metal band will release their new album ”It Never Ends…” november 25th featuring death metal legend Dan Swanö - Edge Of Sanity, Bloodbath etc. – on vocals. This happens 30 years after the release of their debut and only studio album this far. The Danish band played a pivotal role in the local death metal scene, being among the pioneers of the style in Denmark. Their "A Serenade Of Agony" album, also with Dan Swanö on vocals and members of pioneers Invocator, paved the way for a whole generation of Danish death metal bands to follow.
Malevolent Creation
Malevolent Creation started their career in 1987 in Buffalo, NY, where they recorded and distributed their first demo. Moving to a more fertile music scene in Florida they produced their second demo with a pressing of 1,000 copies. Finally, a third demo the following year recorded by Scott Burns at Morris Sound which landed Malevolent Creation a record deal with Roadrunner and the first full-length album titled The Ten Commandments, considered by many to be one of the strongest Death Metal debut albums. The recording process for the following albums, such as Retribution, and Stillborn, were riddled with line-up changes, the beginning of a common occurrence that has since become a Malevolent Creation trademark. As mastermind Phil Fasciana sums it up, "If you're too slow, you've got to go". Never allowing the revolving musicians to affect the power and skill of the band in a negative way, the rotation only added mystery and fan interest in the next step of the band’s career. Continuing to fight their martial battles stronger and stronger with each release, Malevolent Creation labeled 'The Mike Tyson of Death Metal' never let anyone down with new additions or replacements.
Massacre
Florida-based death metal pioneers Massacre, renowned for their groundbreaking 1991 album “From Beyond,” persist in their old school death metal onslaught into 2025, building upon their legacy. Established in 1984, Massacre initially emerged as a heavy/power metal band, later transitioning to death metal upon the arrival of Allen West and Kam Lee, the latter credited with inventing the 'death growl,' first showcased in their 1986 demo .
As Massacre heads into 2025, the band will deliver a mix of classic hits and fresh material from the 'Resurgence era' releases, with plans to tour extensively in support of their new album.
Master
Founded in 1983 and originally based in Chicago, Illinois, Master is one of the earliest bands in the world labeled as death metal. Later relocated to Uherské Hradište, Czech Republic, the legendary death metal band is still going strong with a new line-up consisting of the founder and leader Paul Speckmann, Alex Nejezchleba and Peter Bajci.
Merrimack
Merrimack can be categorized as extreme traditionalists that are driven by a burning desire to hone their skills and striving to bring their art to perfection. The band was founded by guitarist Perversifier a.k.a. Amfortas in 1994 with a clear vision to keep the black metal flame burning as an act of aesthetic terrorism – as adamantly based in the underground as opposed to any attempts to co-opt, commercialize or turn the style into a self-parody. Introduced by a number of demo recordings (‘Prologue’ – 1995, ‘Act 1’ – 1995, ‘Horns Defeat Thorns’ – 2001) and split releases (with Hirilorn in 1998 and Sargeist in 2002), the French gained respect in the scene by remaining true to their words.
Napalm Death
What makes NAPALM DEATH so special? Well, let's think back 30 years: Would you have thought that a grindcore band from Birmingham would ever make it into the official album charts with some of the most infernal noise ever put on tape, enter the Guinness book for the shortest song ever recorded or appear in a prominent UK TV series named "Skins"? That it would be part of an Alice Cooper hosted episode of BBC's Never Mind the Buzzcocks to guess from a couple of look-alikes who is the singer in NAPALM DEATH? Could you have ever imagined a down-to-earth lad named Mark "Barney" Greenway, a soccer fan (Aston Villa F.C.), vegetarian, prog metal freak and one of music history's most renowned representatives of "cookie monster" style vocals would become a personality within the extreme music realm that is not about beer-drinking and hell-raising but synonymous with sounding hard while being smart? Well, that is where we are at now. From filthy, sweaty rehearsal rooms and tiny clubs and pubs NAPALM DEATH has conquered every music festival you can think of and toured through corners of the world a lot of bands would not even dare to tour while becoming famous for combining brutal music with political engagement and ethical values beyond the usual cliché of sex, drugs & rock n roll. And, as most fans will be delighted to hear, this remarkable story is far from being over…
Nile
Nile is an influential and uncompromising death metal band that has carved its name into the annals of extreme music. Since their formation in 1993, they have left an indelible mark on the metal scene, garnering a devoted following with their unique blend of ferocity and technicality. With a sound as relentless and brutal as the ancient Egyptian gods they draw inspiration from, Nile transports listeners into a dark and mystical realm. Their music is a relentless assault of blistering guitar riffs, thunderous drumming, and guttural growls, accompanied by intricate and atmospheric passages that evoke the grandeur of ancient civilizations. With their mastery of technicality, unrelenting aggression, intricate compositions, and lyrical exploration of ancient Egyptian mythology, Nile continues to captivate audiences with their unparalleled sonic assault.
Rotten Remains
Rotten Remains are simply 5 oldtimers who love death metal from the late 80's/early 90's!
Sabiendas
Founded in April 2006 by guitarist Alexandra, SABIENDAS are firmly connected to the old American death metal school of the 90s. After first successes in the local underground, SABIENDAS recorded their first EP "BURIED ALIVE" in 2009. This was self-distributed and is now completely sold out.
After a constant line-up was formed in 2011, the band signed with BretHard Records in 2012 and released their debut album "RESTORED TO LIFE" the following year. The success of the album and the fact that SABIENDAS had made a name for themselves as an unbeatable live band by then, gave the band the opportunity to establish themselves on big stages as well and to make a name for themselves in other European countries, from the North Sea to the Balkans.
With the second album "COLUMN OF SKULLS" from 2015, it was possible to capture the live power on a CD. For the first time, only songs were recorded, which were created in the interaction of the complete band. "COLUMN OF SKULLS" received consistently positive feedback from the press and fans. After that, the band focused on intensive touring across club and festival stages at home and abroad.
In the fall of 2018, SABIENDAS checked into the studio to record their third album "REPULSIVE TRANSGRESSION". The well-rehearsed line-up, many years of shared stage experience and the fact that the entire band was involved in the songwriting allowed for a consistent development of the song structures and allows for new influences without sacrificing the well-known trademarks of SABIENDAS. The recording and production finished in April 2019. "REPULSIVE TRANSGRESSION" shifts up another gear in terms of uncompromisingness, hardness and speed.
The album was released in May 2020 on Massacre Records, distributed worldwide by Soulfood, and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both fans and press. Due to repeated demand by fans, "Repulsive Transgression" will be released on Aug. 13, 2021 in strictly limited edition red vinyl.
After more than a year of forced live abstinence, SABIENDAS are again extremely hot to lay the stages and clubs at home and abroad in rubble. First shows for 2022 are already in planning.
Stoma
Stoma are a goregrind/pornogrind band from Holland.
Stoma was formed in 1998 as a project when former drummer Puke Vomit and guitar player Still beer were still playing in the band Brainshit. Singer G.O.B. wanted to start a band with these two guys called Stoma.
After a few months growl master 391 accompanied the band to complete the vocal section. During the period of 1999 drummer Ziggy joined Brainshit and Puke Vomit moved to the Bass guitar, which he preferred. It took a couple of months when Brainshit and Stoma merged as one band and the new band was born.During the period of 2000 things went real well and Stoma went to studio Lobbes in Opeinde to record eight songs. Four of the recorded tracks were put under the name "Gory Human Pancake" on a split MCD with the Dutch grind gods "Last days of Humanity". Since then Stoma played several gigs throughout The Netherlands with numerous grindcore bands from Holland and beyond. Stoma recorded and mixed Scat Aficionados at SingSing studio in 2004 and released Unreleased Shit (MCD split with Screaming Afterbirth) in 2007. In 2008 Stoma released a two split CD one on Show me your tits records and one on FDA Rekotz.
