The Mystic Festival continues to build a dynamic lineup, and the latest announcement adds four outstanding acts from across the heavy music spectrum: Cradle of Filth, Eagles of Death Metal, Whitechapel, and Combichrist. These bands represent a thrilling addition to the festival’s diverse program, showcasing Mystic Festival’s ability to blend the brutal with the eccentric and the industrial with the classic.
Cradle of Filth needs little introduction. With their latest single, “Malignant Perfection“, the British band gives perhaps the most unfiltered look into their genre-defying style. Since their debut in 1994 with “The Principle of Evil Made Flesh“, Cradle of Filth blend black metal, gothic overtones, with a theatrical gothic-metal aesthetic. Known for their erudite lyrics that mingle romantic poetry with B-horror movie elements, Cradle of Filth will bring their signature blend of atmosphere and aggression to Mystic Festival.
The festival will also feature Eagles of Death Metal, an electrifying addition that many fans have long awaited. Originating from the California desert and fronted by Jesse Hughes, the band channels the spirit of rock ’n’ roll with an unmistakable twist. The story goes that the band’s name was inspired by the Polish metal legends Vader, but their sound is pure, unfiltered rock with an infectious energy that recalls desert boogies and garage jams. Eagles of Death Metal’s raw electric blues and groovy beats will provide a refreshing contrast amidst the lineup’s heavier sounds. They’re bound to bring a sweaty, rollicking set for those who are ready to dance their way into the night.
Representing the modern American metal scene, Whitechapel brings an intensity and precision that has redefined deathcore for the 21st century. Named after London’s Whitechapel area, famously associated with Jack the Ripper, the Knoxville-based band will unleash their blend of death metal and groove. Known for their intense sound that combines relentless heaviness with surprising melodic turns, Whitechapel’s music offers momentary calm that only heightens the impact when the full weight of their sound returns. For fans of brutal and unrestrained metal, Whitechapel’s presence at Mystic Festival is sure to satisfy.
Combichrist has carved out a reputation for their confrontational music that sits between industrial and metal. Since the early 2000s, the American band has crafted a unique sound characterized by aggressive electronics, heavy riffs, and a machine-like aesthetic. Tracks like “This Shit Will Fuck You Up” highlight their ethos, combining the coldness of industrial sounds with an almost primal energy. For those seeking something darker and more punishing, Combichrist’s set will be an exploration into the raw, mechanical depths of heavy music that still remains intensely human in its ferocity.
