Stonedead Festival Review 2025 : From Mud To Monster

August 24, 2025 rocknews

Stonedead Festival Review 2025: Picture August the 22nd, 1987. Donington Park. Eighty thousand denim-clad maniacs braved sideways rain, ankle-deep sludge, and a hailstorm of airborne glass bottles—all for the love of loud guitars and larger-than-life legends. Monsters of Rock wasn’t just a festival; it was a rite of passage. One stage. One day. One shot at rock ‘n’ roll transcendence. No frills, no plastic pint cups, no apologies.

Fast-forward 38 years, and I’m standing at Newark Showground, heart pounding to that same primal beat. This Stonedead Festival Review 2025 captures the seventh year of a festival that isn’t just a nod to the past; it’s a full-throttle revival. One stage. One day. One monster of a rock show. The formula hasn’t changed because it doesn’t need to. This is legacy with leather boots on. The Stonedead Festival 2025 sells out before general sale, and for good reason. It’s not chasing trends—it’s preserving a tradition. A celebration of blistering grooves, rebellion, and the shared frenzy that only rock can summon. If Monsters of Rock was the blueprint, Stonedead is the living, screaming proof that the spirit never died—it just got louder.

Welcome to the Temple: Stonedead Festival Review 2025 Atmosphere

Rolling into Newark Showground for the Stonedead Festival Review 2025, the first thing that hits you—beyond the buzz of anticipation—is the towering monolith of a stage. It’s not just a platform; it’s a shrine. A steel-and-rigging altar to distortion, sweat, and sonic salvation. As the gates swing open, early risers flood in, eyes locked on the beast ahead, staking their claim on the sacred turf.

Stonedead Festival Review 2025 : From Mud To Monster

The sun, ever the unpredictable headliner of British festivals, teases its way through the clouds. Blue skies stretch out like a promise, and the day feels primed for something epic. While die-hards surge toward the barrier, others roll in with festival trolleys stacked like mobile fortresses—camping chairs, picnic boxes, and enough snacks to survive a week in the wild. It’s a beautiful contradiction: the primal pull of the stage versus the laid-back luxury of a rock ‘n’ roll picnic.

Food trucks fire up, and the scent of sizzling indulgence wafts through the air. From loaded fries to vegan burritos, the selection is as eclectic as the crowd. We kicked things off with a Metallica toastie—yes, that’s a thing—and a strong coffee, perched at one of the many picnic tables thoughtfully laid out by the Stonedead organisers. It’s a small touch, but one that speaks volumes: Stonedead isn’t just about volume; it’s about vibe.

Kraken Unleashed: Stonedead’s Wake-Up Call

The hum of amps. The pulse of anticipation. Then—boom. The speakers erupt with raw power, and the Stonedead Festival Review 2025 comes alive. King Kraken, South Wales’ heavyweights, storm the stage with earth-shaking grooves and mythic swagger, fresh off the buzz for their album March of the Gods. No warm-up act vibes here—this was a headline-level onslaught from the first chord.

Despite the early slot, the crowd surges forward, hungry and electric. Campers shake off last night’s haze, drawn to the stage like moths to a blaze, as flame cannons scorch the front rows with blazing ferocity. CO₂ blasts, confetti storms, and a barrage of flashes and bangs turn the arena into a morning spectacle. Led by Mark O’Donoghue’s powerhouse vocals and anchored by the thunderous rhythm of Richard Lee Mears and Karl Meyer, King Kraken deliver a slab of groove, grit, and grandeur straight from the Welsh valleys. Not bad for 11am. Not bad at all.

A Moment of Reflection: Honouring the Fallen and the Father of Metal

As the smoke clears, the energy shifts to reverence. The amps fall silent, the stage lights dim, and festival organiser Chris Sumby steps forward with quiet conviction. In one of the most poignant moments of the Stonedead Festival Review 2025, he pays tribute to the festival family lost in the past year—fans, crew, and kindred spirits whose presence shaped this tribe. The crowd answers not with silence but with a thunderous cheer, a battle cry for those forever part of the Stonedead soul.

Then, Chris turns to the irreplaceable legend we lost just weeks ago: Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, who passed on July 22, 2025, after a heart attack, leaving a void in the heart of rock. As the spiritual architect of Stonedead, his legacy looms large. “Without Ozzy,” Chris says, voice heavy with emotion, “this festival wouldn’t exist.” The crowd erupts, chanting “Ozzy! Ozzy! Ozzy!” in a collective outpouring of grief and gratitude, honoring the man whose music shaped generations.

Myke Gray emerges, dressed in black, his guitar a conduit for reverence. The haunting strains of “Mr. Crowley” ring out like a hymn across Newark Showground, a solemn farewell to the metal icon. The searing licks of “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” follow, cutting through the air with reverent fury. Then, Lydia of Crowley UK joins him, her gothic vocals soaring with mourning grace, before Tristan Thomas of Florence Black storms the stage for a blistering “Paranoid”, injecting raw energy into the anthem. This isn’t just a tribute—it’s a rebirth, a moment that transforms Stonedead into the Church of Ozzy, every chord a eulogy, every cheer a vow to keep his spirit alive.

Black Oak County: Danish Dynamite with a Side of Paranoid

With the crowd still reeling from the tribute’s sacred intensity, Black Oak County take the stage, introduced with a grin and a wink as “one of the three best things to come out of Denmark.” The compère can’t resist a nod to Lars Ulrich, met with a playful “ooo” and a flurry of “is he, isn’t he?” hand gestures. Then comes the curveball—“Bridget Neilsson’s t*ts”—earning a proper laugh and a cheer from the crowd. Classic Stonedead: irreverent, rowdy, and ready to rock.

Hailing from Esbjerg, Denmark, Black Oak County carve out their space with gritty, groove-laden hard rock—equal parts southern swagger and Scandinavian steel. Their sound channels the raw energy of Black Stone Cherry and the melodic punch of Volbeat, hitting the midday slot with precision. Tracks like “Watch Your Back” and “Save Your Breath” land with force, while their surprise Ozzy tribute—a blistering take on “Paranoid”—keeps the Sabbath spirit alive in this Stonedead Festival Review 2025. The crowd locks in, fists thrusting skyward, bodies swaying, shouts echoing. Black Oak County don’t just perform—they stake their claim with swagger. One to watch? Absolutely. One to book again? Without a doubt.

Spitfire Salute: A Nod to Legacy

Before the next sonic assault, a Spitfire flypast slices through the sky in full RAF paintwork, its engine growl echoing like a war cry over the Stonedead crowd. It’s a nod to the Monsters of Rock legacy—not just nostalgia, but a declaration. The organisers aren’t just keeping the flame alive; they’re fueling it with jet fuel and attitude.

Enforcer: Sweden’s Blonde Bombshells of Metal

Enforcer, the Swedish quartet, don’t just play metal—they live it. With stage charisma as blinding as their Scandinavian blonde locks, they tear into their set like it’s 1985 and the hairspray budget is limitless. Known for their high-octane blend of NWOBHM-inspired licks, glam rock flair, and speed metal precision, Enforcer are torchbearers for Sweden’s knack for retro-futurist rockers.

They launch into “From Beyond” and “Live for the Night”, each track a time machine to the glory days of leather, studs, and unapologetic excess. The crowd? Jubilant. Hands clap in rhythm, chants surge, and hips sway to galloping rhythms. Enforcer don’t just play they owned the Stonedead stage.

The Fans: From Strangers to Family

There’s something magical about the Stonedead crowd. By the end of the weekend, they’re not just fans — they’re friends. The atmosphere inside the arena was electric, but also deeply safe and welcoming. It felt like family.

We saw generations side by side — parents with kids on their shoulders, horns raised high, saluting the bands. Families sprawled out watching the sets, teens discovering their first favourite band, veterans of the scene sharing stories and beers. It wasn’t just a gig. It was a gathering.

This is what makes Stonedead different. It’s not just about the music — it’s about the people who show up, year after year, and make it unforgettable.

The New Roses: German Grit with a British Wink

One of the standout sets in this Stonedead Festival Review 2025 comes from The New Roses, a band I’ve been itching to see live—and they don’t disappoint. Hailing from Wiesbaden, Germany, The New Roses have honed their craft on the road with The Dead Daisies, Scorpions, and Kiss, and it shows. They’re road warriors—leather, swagger, and stage presence forged from years of grinding it out.

They launch into “Glory Road”, and the crowd locks in—heads nodding, fists pumping, voices soaring. Their sound blends classic hard rock, southern grit, and anthemic choruses, making them feel like spiritual cousins to Black Stone Cherry and Thunder. Mid-set, singer Timmy Rough dives into the crowd, singing among the fans in a moment of pure connection that embodies the Stonedead tribe’s shared frenzy. A stuffed banana tossed onstage sparks laughter; Timmy holds it comically, quipping, “See you after the show!” to a roaring crowd.

They close with “Down by the River”, a soulful, gritty anthem that feels like the perfect send-off. The New Roses connected with the Stonedead crowd, and for many, they’re the discovery of the day. Definitely a band to chase down again.

Primal Fear: German Power Metal Royalty

Primal Fear explode onto the stage with the force of a freight train. Formed in the late ’90s by Ralf Scheepers (ex-Gamma Ray) and Mat Sinner, the band has become a cornerstone of European power metal, blending bone-crushing chords, operatic vocals, and a commanding live presence.

They kick off with “Final Embrace”, setting the tone for a set packed with intensity and precision. The Stonedead crowd rallies hard—horns raised, heads thrashing, voices echoing every chorus. Primal Fear performed, dominated and delivered a masterclass in metal supremacy.

D-A-D: Danish Thunder with a Twist of Madness

If The New Roses bring the heart, D-A-D bring the wild-eyed swagger. The Danish rock veterans—originally Disneyland After Dark until a certain mouse intervened—have been tearing up stages since the mid-80s, and their Stonedead set is a masterclass in controlled anarchy.

From the moment they step on stage, it’s clear this won’t be polite. Jesper Binzer’s vocals are raw and commanding, while Stig Pedersen, wielding his two-string bass like a weapon of joy, looks like he stepped out of a glam-punk fever dream. Their sound—hard rock, cowpunk, and Scandinavian eccentricity—hits like a freight train with a wink. Tracks like “Sleeping My Day Away” and “Bad Craziness” have the crowd bouncing, fists raised, throats raw with cheers. Mid-set, Stig, perched atop a monitor, points at the crowd with theatrical intensity, shouting something indecipherable—but it doesn’t matter. The energy translates.

D-A-D stormed the stage with wild abandon, leaving a trail of grinning faces and ringing ears. For a band with decades under their belt, they still feel like a glorious accident waiting to happen.

Sweet: Glam Rock Royalty Still Blitzing the Stage

With only Andy Scott remaining from the original lineup, Sweet could’ve leaned on legacy—but they come out swinging, proving they’re thriving, not just surviving. Backed by a tight, energised band featuring Paul Manzi (Cats in Space) on vocals and Lee Small (Shy, Lionheart) on bass, Sweet deliver a set that’s less tribute, more full-throttle celebration.

From the opening chords of “Piece of the Action”, it’s a communal experience. The crowd—metalheads, glam rockers, and newcomers—sings every word like they’re in the shower, uninhibited and joyful. Tracks like “Sixteen” and “Set Me Free” hit hard, with Scott using a can of beans to slide the notes on his guitar in a moment that’s equal parts absurd and iconic.

Between songs, Scott is in fine form, joking, “I don’t know about Stonedead—not dead is more like it,” earning a burst of laughter. He nods to the UK festival circuit’s renewed love for Sweet, noting they’re playing more dates this year than ever before.

The emotional peak comes with “Love Is Like Oxygen”, a slow-burn epic that lands beautifully live. It’s not just a ballad—it’s cinematic, with orchestral sweep and layered harmonies that show Sweet’s evolution without shedding their glam roots. Under the Stonedead sky, it’s a moment of genuine connection.

They close with “Block Buster” and “Ballroom Blitz”, unleashing pure chaos—the kind only a band with Sweet’s pedigree can conjure. The crowd doesn’t just watch—they party. Sweet may be down to one original member, but they’re still a force to be reckoned with. Long live the blitz.

Behind the Scenes: The Volunteers Who Make It Happen

Stonedead isn’t just run — it’s loved into existence. Every organiser, every steward, every litter picker is a volunteer. No corporate sheen, no hired-in muscle — just passionate people making sure every fan has the best day possible.

From the warm hellos at the gate to the heartfelt goodbyes as we left, the atmosphere was sincere and welcoming. It’s a vibe you don’t get at the bigger, more commercial festivals. Here, the volunteers kept things moving smoothly, kept the site safe, and somehow kept the venue spotless — litter-picking throughout the day with quiet dedication.

Chatting with a few of them, it was clear: they care deeply about Stonedead. As the night wore on, many were still working long after the last fan had left the arena. Their reward? A festival that runs like clockwork, feels like home, and stands shoulder to shoulder with the best in the UK — if not the best.

From all of us at Rock News and on behalf of the thousands who attended this years festival :

Thank you. You made it special.

The Dead Daisies: Stadium Swagger, Festival Fire

For me, this is the set of the day in this Stonedead Festival Review 2025. Having followed The Dead Daisies since their inception, seeing them command the Stonedead stage with John Corabi back at the helm is nothing short of euphoric. Backed by a supergroup lineup—Doug Aldrich, David Lowy, Michael Devin, and Tommy Clufetos—they deliver a show that feels more like Wembley than Newark.

They kick off with “Long Way to Go”, and from the first chord, it’s a masterclass in modern classic rock. The onslaught continues with “Rise Up” and “Dead and Gone”, each track nailing their signature blend of grit, groove, and unrelenting energy. Mid-song, Doug Aldrich bends down, cool as ever, to scoop up an inflatable beach ball that’s bounced onstage, booting it back into the crowd—pure rock theatre.

Then come the covers—Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son”, lit up by red, white, and blue strobes slicing through the smoky haze, followed by a thunderous “Midnight Moses”. These aren’t filler—they’re weapons, drawn from the Daisies’ deep rock heritage.

Jon, ever the showman, urges the crowd to “call your boss and take a week off—paid—and come join us in Mexico!”—a nod to their track “Mexico” from Revolución, sparking grins and dreams of tequila-soaked encores. They close with “Resurrected” and a blistering “Helter Skelter”, leaving the crowd breathless and begging for more. It’s the final show of their UK run—but with a reception that shakes the Showground, they’ll be back soon.

The Almighty: Fan-Fuelled Fury and Heartfelt Fire

Before the amps ignite, I catch Ricky Warwick in the press area—a moment of calm before the storm. Ever the humble frontman, Ricky’s deep in interviews, gracious and grounded. We snag a quick selfie with the rocker from Northern Ireland, and within the hour, he’s transformed—exploding onto the stage like a force of nature.

The Almighty, reunited and recharged, stand tall before a wall of Marshall stacks, delivering a set curated by the fans themselves. This isn’t just a performance it’s a by-request riot, a celebration of their legacy through the ears of the Stonedead Festival 2025 faithful.

They launch with “Power”, hitting hard, fast, and without compromise. Ricky, legs wide like he’s about to do the splits, snarls through the lyrics with feral intensity, a stark contrast to his calm demeanour earlier. The band feeds off the crowd’s energy, and the faithful give it back tenfold. Tracks like “Full Force Lovin’ Machine”, “Little Lost Sometimes”, and “Crank and Deceit” land like punches to the chest.

Between songs, Ricky speaks from the soul: “Kindness starts from the heart,” he says, urging the crowd to respect one another—a message that cuts through the noise in a world where hope is hard-won. Then, picking up an acoustic guitar, he delivers a raw, resonant “Jesus Loves You… But I Don’t”, equal parts wit and wound. The crowd leans in, feeling every note.

The final stretch is pure fire: “Jonestown Mind”, “Devil’s Toy”, and “Over the Edge”—a trifecta of fury that leaves the crowd buzzing. But The Almighty weren’t done yet.

They slam into “Free ‘n’ Easy” with the swagger of a band that knows exactly what it means to live loud and die proud. “Crucify” follows, dark and defiant, with Ricky’s vocals cutting through the night like a blade. Then comes the moment “The Four Horsemen”, played live for the first time ever. It’s a galloping, apocalyptic anthem that feels like prophecy—tight, thunderous, and utterly unrelenting.

And just when you think they’ve emptied the tank, they close with “Wild & Wonderful”, a love letter to chaos and beauty. It’s a fitting end—equal parts celebration and catharsis.

The Almighty didn’t just headline they’ve claimed the Stonedead throne and rightly so. The Stonedead organisers: with one day, one stage and zero distractions and The Almighty’s help delivered a monster of a rock show that left the crowd howling for more.

Stonedead Festival Review 2025 : One Day, One Stage, All Heart

From the mud-soaked legacy of Donington ’87 to the electric turf of Newark 2025, this Stonedead Festival Review 2025 proves the festival is a masterclass in what makes a rock event unforgettable. With a single stage and no clashes, every band has their moment—and every fan lives it. The atmosphere is electric yet intimate, uniting die-hards and newcomers in sweat, sound, and a shared love for loud guitars.

The lineup delivers across the board: blistering sets, surprise tributes, and performances that feel personal. From the rock grit of the afternoon to the thunderous climax of The Almighty, each act brings something vital. The crowd responds in kind—moshing, singing, and cheering with passion that turns a gig into a memory.

But it’s more than the music. It’s the vibe: friendly, fierce, and full of fire. From campsite camaraderie to merch tent banter, Stonedead proves it’s more than a festival, it’s a tribe. No wonder it sold out. No wonder it’ll sell out again and again and again!

https://www.stonedeadfestival.co.uk