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.
Asphyx
The human race is doomed and only death is real. 2020 was that kind of year. And now, to noisily emphasise that oblivion is definitely coming, the mighty ASPHYX are back with a brand new album and another blizzard of mortality-threatening riffs.
Formed in the Netherlands in 1987, ASPHYX have always been one of death metal’s most ruthlessly idiosyncratic bands. With a sound that draws from the rawest of materials, they have skilfully blended fast ‘n’ furious extremity with some of the most claustrophobic, suppurating slow-motion doom ever committed to tape. Opening their impeccable account with 1991’s stone cold classic The Rack, ASPHYX have never wavered from their singular vision, delivering a series of legendary albums that have always been considerably heavier than everything else around.
Benighted
Benighted is a French brutal death metal/grindcore band formed in Saint-Étienne in 1998, known for their extreme, technical, and heavy sound, evolving from black/death metal roots to a signature deathgrind style, exploring themes of horror and madness, and consistently releasing acclaimed albums like Necrobreed and Ekbom, maintaining a dedicated following with their relentless intensity.
Bloid
Bloid is a Dutch "groovy death metal" band from Heerhugowaard, formed in February 2006 by experienced musicians from the local metal scene. The band is known for its high-energy, heavy sound, often blending traditional death metal with groove-oriented riffs.
Braincasket
Braincasket is a well-known, active brutal death metal band from the Netherlands, formed in the mid-2000s (originally Temple of Eternity) and known for fast blastbeats and extreme vocals, with members like Jeroen Rijpstra, Dennis van Galen, and Sito van der Let, releasing albums like Ratchet of Perdition. If you were looking for a person, "Brain Casket" isn't a famous individual, but rather the name of this intense Dutch metal band.
Caedere
Caedere is a long-standing Dutch technical/brutal death metal band formed in 1998, known for their intense sound blending classic and modern elements, high-energy live shows, and lyrics focusing on heavy themes like humanity, with recent activity including the 2023 EP "Orbital Cleansing" and the 2025 single "Aimless Existence".
Carcass
Carcass is a pioneering English extreme metal band from Liverpool, formed in 1985, known for evolving from raw grindcore/goregrind (Reek of Putrefaction, Symphonies of Sickness) to influential melodic death metal (Necroticism, Heartwork) and later more traditional metal (Swansong), before reuniting in 2007 and releasing acclaimed albums like Surgical Steel (2013) and Torn Arteries (2020). Core members are guitarist/vocalist Bill Steer and bassist/vocalist Jeff Walker, pioneers of goregrind lyrics and gore-themed artwork, who significantly influenced the development of extreme metal.
Carnivore A.D.
Carnivore A.D. (formerly known as Carnivore) is an American heavy metal band from Brooklyn, New York. The band was formed by Peter Steele. In 2010, the band's frontman Peter Steele passed away. The band broke up after his death. In August 2017, it was announced that Carnivore would officially be reformed as Carnivore A.D., featuring original drummer Louie Beato and guitarist Marc Piovanetti along with secondary drummer Joe Branciforte sharing drum duties and also introducing new member Baron Misuraca as the bassist/vocalist. Current members Baron Misuraca – lead vocals, bass guitar (2017–present) Chuck Lenihan – guitar (2019–present) Joe Cangelosi – drums (2021–present).
Ceremony
Ceremony is a veteran Dutch death metal band founded in 1989 in the Rotterdam area, part of the "first wave" of Dutch death metal. The band is known for its evolving sound, starting as fast and brutal death metal and later incorporating black, doom, and atmospheric elements.
Cryptopsy
Cryptopsy is a highly influential Canadian technical/brutal death metal band formed in Montreal in 1992 (originating from 1988's Necrosis). Renowned for drummer Flo Mounier’s lightning-fast, complex patterns and intense technicality, the band created landmark albums like None So Vile (1996). Current lineup: Flo Mounier, Matt McGachy, Christian Donaldson, and Olivier Pinard.
Dauthuz
Influences on their sound can be found in DEATH, ENTOMBED, CARNAGE, VOMITORY and ENTRAILS, while lyrically it will appease those snarling at the thought of war, blood, death and terror only a human being could be capable of. Containing members of bands such as NEMBRIONIC, DISSECT, CONSOLATION, FACEHUGGER and ETERNAL SOLSTICE, the roots of the quintet reach down to the bedrock of the Dutch metal scène.
Deadspeak
Filthy guitars, rotting low end, pounding riffs and atmospheric interludes. This is Death Metal fromthe deepest caverns of the Netherlands.Deadspeak is a three-headed death metal bandfrom the northern part of the Netherlands. Drawinginspirationfrom classic acts such as Morbid Angel, Death and Immolationbut also from moderngreats as Mortuous, Chaotian andSpectral Voice.
Frontline Assembly
Front Line Assembly (FLA) is a pioneering Canadian electro-industrial group formed in 1986 in Vancouver. Founded by Bill Leeb after his departure from industrial legends Skinny Puppy, the project became a cornerstone of the Electronic Body Music (EBM) and industrial scenes.
God Dethroned
God Dethroned is a renowned Dutch blackened death metal band formed in 1990 by vocalist/guitarist Henri Sattler. Known for their technicality and intense, riff-heavy sound, the band has navigated periods of lineup changes and breaks, releasing key albums like Bloody Blasphemy (1999) and a acclaimed WWI-themed trilogy consisting of Passiondale, Under the Sign of the Iron Cross, and The World Ablaze.
Grave
Grave are one of the founders of the Swedish Death / Doom Metal scene releasing their first demo, 'Sick Disgust Eternal', in 1987 following a name change from Corpse. Two further demos, 1988's 'Sexual Mutilation' and 1989's 'Anatomia Corporis Humanum' gained the band an enviable cult status. The latter demo was also to be issued as a four track EP. The band toured Europe as guests to Florida thrashers Malevolent Creation in September 1991 shortly followed by dates opening for Entombed.
In 1992 bassist Jonas Torndal quit and frontman Jörgen Sandström took over four string duties. Following the release of 1994's 'Soulless' Grave toured America in a headlining capacity prior to hooking up with the Cannibal Corpse and Samael tour as support. Further dates had the band putting in an appearance on the 'Full Of Hate' festivals and acting as openers for Morbid Angel. Following this bout of activity Sandström wound up joining Entombed in 1995. Grave persevered as a duo with Lindgren now responsible for vocals for the 1996 Tomas Skogsberg produced 'Hating Life' record.
Husqwarnah
Husqwarnah is an Italian old-school death metal (OSDM) band, formed in 2019 in Monza, Lombardy. They are known for a brutal sound with a 'chainsaw' tone, heavily influenced by early 90s death metal. The band consists of members with backgrounds in various extreme metal projects and has released notable albums such as Front: Toward Enemy (2021) and Purification Through Sacrifice (2024).
Immolation
Formed in Yonkers, New York, in 1988 from the ashes of Rigor Mortis, Immolation is a seminal American death metal band recognized for their dissonant guitar work, complex structures, and anti-religious themes. Led by core members Ross Dolan (vocals/bass) and Robert Vigna (guitar), the band has released over 10 critically acclaimed albums and remains an active, influential force in the underground scene.
Masacre
Formed in Medellín, Colombia, in 1988, Masacre is a foundational South American death metal band known for intense, raw soundscapes heavily influenced by the 80s European scene. Emerging during a peak in Colombian national violence, their music addresses themes of war and anti-religion, establishing them as a premier, enduring act in the global extreme metal scene.
Messiah
Messiah is a pioneering Swiss extreme metal band formed in 1984 in Baar, known for blending thrash metal with early death metal, often called "extreme thrash". They are considered cult figures in the underground scene for their aggressive, dark sound. After disbanding in 1995, the band reunited in 2017 and continues to release music.
Party Canon
Party Cannon is a Scottish "party slam" (brutal death metal) band formed in 2010 in Dunfermline, Fife. Known for their humorous, bright logo—often contrasted with typical death metal branding—and inflatable-filled live shows, they have released music through labels like Gore House Productions and Unique Leader Records.
Putrid Offal
Putrid Offal is a pioneering French death metal/grindcore band formed in 1990 in Douchy-les-Mines, Hauts-de-France. They are recognized as one of the earliest proponents of goregrind in France, heavily influenced by the early works of Carcass and Napalm Death.
Rectal Smegma
Rectal Smegma is a Dutch goregrind band formed in late 2003 in Naaldwijk, South Holland, known for blending brutal, fast-paced music with a humorous "party" atmosphere. Initially starting under the name Carnal Rancidity, they shifted to Rectal Smegma, focusing on a mix of goregrind, groovy death metal, and punk influences. Their sound has evolved from "primitive porn goregrind" to a more refined, fast, and aggressive style packed with, as they describe it, heavy grooves and "filthy riffs". The band is known for its high-energy, often chaotic, and humorous live performances
Rotting Christ
Formed in Athens in 1987 by brothers Sakis and Themis Tolis, Rotting Christ is a pioneering Greek extreme metal band that evolved from early grindcore to become leaders of the Hellenic black metal sound. With 13 studio albums and over three decades of activity, they are known for blending melodic black metal with gothic, atmospheric, and mythological elements, signing with major labels such as Century Media and Season of Mist.
Servere Torture
Appearing in 2001 with the brutally heavy Feasting on Blood, Severe Torture took the metal world by storm with its thunderous approach and razor-sharp riffs. Although relatively new at the time, the band followed it up with another awesome split disc with established headbangers Blood Red Throne that put their name on the extreme metal map.
Witch Vomit
Witch Vomit is a Portland, Oregon-based death metal band formed in 2012, known for a raw, "old school" Swedish-style sound (HM-2 buzzsaw tone) blended with atmospheric, dark death/doom elements. Signed to 20 Buck Spin, the quartet has gained prominence with releases like A Scream from the Tomb Below (2016) and Buried Deep in a Bottomless Grave (2019), featuring guttural vocals and themes of horror.
