This past weekend, the Michigan Metal Festival returned with a vengeance to the leafy chaos of the Leila Arboretum, two days of face-melting riffs, community chaos, and just enough technical hiccups to remind you that yes, you are still deep in the woods.

Friday: A Whisper Before the Roar

Friday kicked things off with a stripped-down “pregame,” more intimate, more reserved, but a worthy teaser for what was to come. Cultus Black headlined the night, and while the crowd was initially hesitant, something shifted as the sun dipped behind the trees. One band after another pulled more energy from the growing crowd, and by the end of the night, that timid energy had transformed into full-throated screams and eager headbanging. You could feel the buildup. Friday wasn’t the main event, but it cracked the seal.

Saturday: Full Send

Saturday was where the beast came alive. With bands hailing from across the country (and beyond), the day was a non-stop barrage of brutal sound and raw energy. Dying Fetus took the headlining slot and absolutely annihilated it. But it wasn’t just them, every set brought something heavy, and the crowd returned it tenfold.

There was no “main stage energy”, both stages pulled equal weight, with the crowd moving like a unified, snarling organism between them. When it was time to pit, there was no hesitation. Moshers showed up like it was a 9-to-5 job, clocking in with pure dedication. At one point during Dying Fetus, the pit turned into a seated Viking row — peak woodland mayhem.

Behind the Curtain

Not everything was flawless. Technical difficulties made occasional appearances throughout the day, a pretty standard sacrifice to the gods of outdoor festivals. And while the on-stage chaos was tightly controlled, the same couldn’t always be said for the behind-the-scenes experience. As a photographer, communication was lacking, which made covering the event harder than it needed to be.

Honestly, there was a moment where I thought I wouldn’t come back next year. But then Saturday happened. The energy, the community, the sheer force of it all — it’s hard to walk away from that kind of electricity and not want more.

Final Thoughts

Michigan Metal Fest 2025 delivered exactly what it promised: pure, unapologetic mayhem in a beautifully unhinged setting. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real, it was loud, and it was metal as hell. Whether you’re a fan, a performer, or someone behind the lens, it’s the kind of chaos that sticks with you.

See you in the pit. Probably.