Mayhem Rock Festival 2025: Nottingham’s Night of Scandinavian Sleaze and Glory

The Mayhem Rock Festival tore through Saltbox, Nottingham on Saturday, May 17, 2025, as part of its three-day UK rampage across London, Nottingham, and Wakefield. This was no polished festival—it was a raw, in-your-face celebration of Swedish glam metal and sleaze rock that plunged fans into the heart of the chaos. Born from the vision of Nottingham’s own Rockvibes promoters, this inaugural “Swedish Takeover” delivered blood-drenched theatrics, a near-disastrous power outage, and a string of electrifying sets—none more ravenous than Crazy Lixx’s fan-frenzied spectacle or Crashdïet’s roof-raising “Generation Wild”—proving rock ‘n’ roll thrives in adversity.

A Scandinavian Rock Revolution

Conceived in 2024 by Rockvibes, a Nottingham-based promoter led by Lisa Morrison alongside Johan Liliedahl, the Mayhem Rock Festival brought Sweden’s thriving hard rock and glam metal scene to the UK. After years of talks, Morrison and Liliedahl, sealed the deal with contracts and logistics to launch their “first baby”. Swapping sprawling festival fields for gritty venues like Saltbox in Nottingham’s Bolero Square, Mayhem delivered a chest-thumping, intimate experience. With The Cruel Intentions, Crashdïet, Crazy Lixx, ToxicRose and Smoking Snakes on the bill, the festival fused 80s nostalgia with modern Scandinavian fire, with Rockvibes already planning a face-melting 2026 expansion.

Saltbox: The Perfect Rock ‘n’ Roll Cauldron

Saltbox’s compact, no-frills vibe was built for Mayhem’s intensity. Doors opened at 14:00, and the venue’s raw setup put fans right in the thick of the action, inches from the stage. The crowd—sleaze diehards and newcomers alike—buzzed with anticipation, many visibly hyped for The Cruel Intentions, whose reputation as a live juggernaut had the room pulsing before they even appeared.

The Lineup: A Night of Unrelenting Mayhem

The stage was set for an explosive night, with a lineup poised to deliver a sonic assault unlike any other. Five Scandinavian powerhouses—each a titan of sleaze, glam, and hard rock—were ready to unleash chaos on Saltbox, their riffs and roars primed to ignite the crowd. From Smoking Snakes’ raw, rising energy to ToxicRose’s theatrical madness, Crazy Lixx’s 80s-fueled swagger, Crashdïet’s battle-tested grit, and The Cruel Intentions’ commanding ferocity, this was no ordinary bill. Whispers in the crowd hinted at what was to come: blood-soaked spectacles, defiant anthems, and a performance so electric it could shake the venue to its foundations. Nottingham was on the edge of its seat.

Smoking Snakes: Igniting the Night

Gothenburg’s Smoking Snakes kicked things off like a lit fuse, their black-clad intensity setting the stage ablaze. Tracks like “Angels Calling” and “Rocking Till the Morning Light” revved up the crowd, with the drummer’s ferocious showmanship stealing the spotlight. For a band formed in 2022, their Nottingham debut was a bold statement.

ToxicRose: A Blood-Soaked Spectacle

ToxicRose unleashed a dark, theatrical maelstrom that left jaws on the floor. Decked in studs, spikes, and a wardrobe ripped from a glam-metal fever dream, frontman Andy Lipasy prowled the stage like a predator. Their set, from “Domination” to “A Song for the Weak”, was pure sleaze-metal chaos, but the night’s defining moment came during “Set Me Free”. Lipasy raised a skull-shaped goblet, drinking deep from a crimson liquid that dripped down his face in gory streaks, his eyes wild with intensity. As the crowd roared, he spat a blood-red mist over the front row, soaking the pit in a haze of shock and exhilaration. Fans screamed, some recoiling, others leaning into the madness, as ToxicRose earning their status as the night’s most unhinged act.

Crazy Lixx: 80s Euphoria That Owned the Crowd

Crazy Lixx didn’t just take the stage—they hijacked it, delivering a high-octane dose of 80s rock euphoria that had the Saltbox crowd in a frenzy from the first chord. Kicking off with “Whisky Tango Foxtrot”, their larger-than-life presence—complete with soaring harmonies and blistering guitar riffs—ignited the venue, fans screaming and clapping like they’d been transported back to the Sunset Strip’s glory days. The band’s infectious energy was relentless, with frontman Danny Rexon strutting like a rock god, his vocals cutting through the air as the crowd lapped up every note. Songs like “Hell Raising Woman” and the upcoming album teaser “Little Miss Dangerous” sent fans into a singalong fever, their fists pumping in unison.

The theatrics hit a peak during “XIII”, where Rexon donned a Friday the 13th Jason mask, wielding a bloody knife-shaped mic and playfully holding it to the guitarist’s throat mid-solo—a stunt that drew wild cheers and had fans shoving forward to get closer.

“Silent Thunder” turned the venue into a sea of swaying bodies, with guitarists trading playful shoves and Rexon stretching his arm to urge the crowd to scream louder. The set’s crescendo, “Who Said Rock n’ Roll is Dead”, was a defiant anthem that proved its own point—fans were dancing, shouting, and hoisting drinks, completely under Crazy Lixx’s spell. This wasn’t just a performance; it was a masterclass in 80s-inspired showmanship that left the crowd buzzing long after the final riff, cementing Crazy Lixx as a fan favorite of the night.

Crashdïet: Triumph Over Technical Turmoil

Crashdïet, sleaze metal pioneers, hit the stage to deafening cheers, launching into “Riot in Everyone” with a ferocity that shook Saltbox’s walls. The crowd roared back as “Queen Obscene / 69 Shots” unleashed a blistering guitar solo, the anticipation already building for their most revered anthem, “Generation Wild”. But disaster struck: the power cut out, plunging the stage into darkness and silencing the amps. Whispers of frustration rippled through the crowd—could this kill the night and rob them of their awaited highlight? Some fans jokingly blamed the Bryan Adams’ gig next door at the arena for stealing the electricity, while others chanted “Bob the Builder—Can You Fix It?” as technicians scrambled to reset the systems.

Crashdïet didn’t miss a beat. While waiting for the mics to be fixed, they launched into “Come as You Are”, the band powering through with raw energy as the crowd became their voice, belting out the vocals with such fervor that the venue vibrated with unity. This impromptu moment turned a potential disaster into a communal triumph, fans and band locked in a shared defiance. Forty minuets now into the set, the power returned, Crashdïet kicked off with a tongue-in-cheek rendition of “Summer of ‘69”, the crowd roaring along to every word. As the final note landed, John Elliot let out a defiant scream of “F*** Bryan Adams!”, igniting cheers and laughter that echoed the earlier crowd jest, cementing the moment as pure rock ‘n’ roll rebellion. The set roared on with “Together Whatever”, delivering a surge of sleaze-metal grit, followed by “Reptile” and “It’s a Miracle”, each song building the crowd’s feverish anticipation. With no time to pause due to the tight schedule, Crashdïet powered through, closing with “Generation Wild”. When its opening chords hit, Saltbox erupted—fans screaming every lyric, fists pumping, and bodies surging as the song’s defiant energy shook the walls. The ultimate anthem of rebellion, it was the moment the crowd had been craving, turning the venue into a sea of unbridled chaos. Running 30 minutes past schedule, Crashdïet proved their unbreakable spirit, transforming a near show-killer into the night’s most electric triumph.

The Cruel Intentions: The Crowd’s Kings

The Cruel Intentions stormed the stage like they were born for it, and the crowd—already primed as their diehard fans packed the front—erupted into a frenzy that made Saltbox feel like it might collapse. This was the band Nottingham came for, and they delivered a performance that was equal parts reckless swagger and polished ferocity. From the opening riffs of “City of Lice”, Lizzy DeVine, low-slung guitar in hand, commanded the room with a presence that screamed rock ‘n’ roll royalty. The venue’s acoustics amplified their sound to perfection, every soaring vocal and razor-sharp riff bouncing off the walls, enveloping the crowd in a sonic tidal wave.

“Chemical Vacations” had fans screaming lyrics back, but when the frontman raised a glass to toast Nottingham, the connection turned electric—hands shot up, drinks spilled, and the pit surged forward. “Genies Got a Problem” and “Reckoning” kept the momentum blistering, with the band’s tight, high-octane energy making every note feel massive. “Kerosene” was the spark that set the crowd ablaze; from the first bars, fans clapped and sang in unison, their voices nearly drowning out the band. “Sunrise Over Sunset” triggered a mass rush to the front, fists punching the air as the guitar solo—pure magic in Saltbox’s intimate space—sent shivers through the room. The Swedish/Norwegian quartet’s blend of Sunset Strip sleaze and Scandinavian grit was tailor-made for live shows, their charisma and precision making them impossible to look away from.

The set closed with “Go F*** Yourself” and “Chaos in a Bombshell”, both anthems of raw defiance that had the crowd dancing and shouting as one. The finale, “Sick Adrenaline”, brought all the bands back onstage for a chaotic, communal climax, but it was The Cruel Intentions who owned the moment, their energy uniting the room in a roar of approval. Fans later called them “a live band you have to see,” and it’s easy to see why—Saltbox was their kingdom, and Nottingham was their willing subject.

The Fan Experience: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Communion

The Mayhem Rock Festival wasn’t just about the music—it was a full-throttle communal experience that made fans feel like part of the show. Between sets, bands like Crazy Lixx, The Cruel Intentions, and ToxicRose mingled with the crowd, posing for selfies, signing merch, and chatting with fans like old friends. These interactions turned Saltbox into a rock ‘n’ roll family reunion, with fans buzzing from the chance to snap a photo with Crashdïet’s frontman or share a laugh with Smoking Snakes’ drummer.

The venue’s well-stocked bar kept the party fueled with a steady flow of beers, spirits, and cocktails, while food options—ranging from hearty burgers to quick bites—kept the crowd energized for the long haul. Inside, Saltbox offered seating areas where fans could crash when the adrenaline from moshing and headbanging ran low, providing a perfect spot to recharge before diving back into the pit. But the biggest draw was the outdoor area, a sun-soaked haven on this glorious May day. Fans spilled outside between sets, basking in the rare British sunshine, swapping setlist predictions, and soaking up the festival vibe with drinks in hand. The outdoor space became a social hub, where the camaraderie of rock fans—old and new—amplified the day’s electric atmosphere.

Looking Ahead: Mayhem’s UK Takeover

Nottingham’s night of chaos—blood, riffs, a near-disastrous blackout, and The Cruel Intentions’ reign—set a high bar, thanks to Rockvibes’ bold vision. With organisers hinting at a bigger 2026, Mayhem Rock Festival is poised to conquer the UK. If Saltbox’s triumphant, fan-fueled night is any indication, British rock fans are ready for more Scandinavian sleaze. This was a night where every scream, solo, and skullful of blood reminded us: rock ‘n’ roll will never die.

Mayhem Rock Festival 2025: Nottingham’s Night of Scandinavian Sleaze and Glory @ Rock News.