07/04/2025
๐๐๐๐ข๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐
๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐
๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ก - ๐๐๐ญ๐ก @ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ญ, ๐๐
When passing through the small town of Millet, Alberta, a few things can surprise you. It could be the tasty food and cold drinks at the local bar, or a stop in at the roadside barn for its collection of milkshake flavours. One could even find themselves at the eclectic antique store run by long-time residents. What may be most surprising however, would be the guttural guitar and violent growls emitting from the community agriplex. Set against the backdrop of a sleepy, idyllic town, passers-by were left pondering. What is with all that screaming?
During the weekend of June 13-14th 2025, Millet was besieged with waves of black graphic tees. Like a dark Christmas, we had been gifted with another year of Decimate Metalfest. Since 2018 this festival has been a go-to for seeing great up and coming bands. The entertainers come from as close as the next town over, or as far as the next country spreading the gospel of face-melting solos. Following its inception, it has evolved into more than just music, partnering with Q***rYEG and welcoming drag performances into the mix. The message is clear- metal music is for everyone!
Opening the festival was new band Warwolf , igniting the crowd with be***al death metal and building the high energy needed for a successful show. The party continued throughout the evening, until a sudden fall from lead singer and organizer of the festival Sloan Voxx halted the performance of the band Syryn.
โWhat happened?โ The crowd whispered, too busy headbanging for a proper look. Like a cliff halts the sea, the wave of music stops in its tracks as band members and crew rush to help. However, it wasnโt long before Sloan pulled a move reminiscent of Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, propping up on an impromptu โthroneโ after a sudden knee injury on stage. The party continues!
As the event bled into the second day, concert goers were blessed with a return of NECHT, a black metal band with a penchant for showmanship. The lead singer wielded their speared devotion as the crowd watched on in mesmer. Interspersed between sets were a plethora of entertaining drag performances, with our queen Birthday Girl returning to host once again. One also canโt forget to mention the unique band of Per Velum, where twelve year old Theo commanded the stage with impressive guitar and vocals.
Metal music is for everyone, and for Decimate, that includes its little fans. Between the crowd of concert enjoyerโs and the merch table was a party of metalhead children. Itโs a unique feature of the festival, as the genre largely caters to the adult crowd. Young fans brought their own energy, practicing their pit moves on each other, and some of the older ones getting in with the larger populace. Merch attendants placed their bets. Which child would be crowned Ruler of the Mosh? It would be a hard fought competition, with many strong champions. It seems modern parents are teaching them well.
The festival came to a close late on Saturday with Into Eternity performing the final song of the weekend. It was another year of riveting success for the team. Fans flocked to socials to show off the experience, and the team gave their heartfelt thanks to the performers, photographers, volunteers, production crew, sponsors, vendors, the town, and of course the crowd who make this festival possible year after year.
Through to the end, the energy was palpable with the mention of next year's festival already on everyone's tongues. Bigger! Better! There is no doubt in Decimateโs growth and success. While the town of Millet may seem quite and out of the way to fans at first glance, the decision to make the trek would not lead to regret. Stay tuned to Decimate Metalfest on social media for the 2026 event. You wonโt wanna miss it!
Live Review by Monica Eerie ( on Instagram)
๐ท Whyte Wolf Photography
Presented by Decimate Metalfest & Q***r YEG
