With its 11th edition in 2025, Louder Than Life once again lived up to its reputation as America’s Loudest Rock & Metal Festival—this time going bigger than ever, setting new records as both DWP’s largest event and the biggest rock festival in North America.
The final day of Louder Than Life started with a severe weather delay brought the morning to a halt, holding off performances until a thunderstorm passed. Festival officials told attendees to seek shelter at Freedom Hall or another safe sheltered area right after 11 a.m.. Bands did not resume performing until 1:05 p.m.. Despite the delay, the day went on as planned with a bit of moving around performances. Headliners of the day included Bring Me the Horizon, $uicideboy$, Evanescence, Bruce Dickenson and Three Days Grace.
Just a state away from their home in Knoxville, Tennessee, alternative metal band 10 Years took to the Decibel stage. The band consists of lead vocalist Jesse Hasek, lead guitarist and drummer Brian Vodinh, rhythm guitarist Matt Wantland, and bassist Chad Grennor. The band did their tender rendition of Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box” and included some of their more popular songs like “Fix Me” and “Wasteland.”
Memphis May Fire started up some mosh pits at Main Stage 2 with their heavy metal riffs. The members of the band are vocalist Matty Mullins, lead guitarist Kellen McGregor, bassist Cory Elder, and drummer Jake Garland. The band recently announced they have added a second leg to their Shapeshifter Tour scheduled for Fall 2025. The added shows will run from November 17th to December 16th with supporting artists Rain City Drive, Nevertel, and If Not For Me.
On the Reverb Stage, glam rock icon Sebastian Bach whipped his long blonde hair back and forth to his music. Bach achieved mainstream success as the charismatic front man of the hard rock band Skid Row from 1987 to 1996. During his performance he paid remembrance to passed on music legends Ozzy Osbourne and Dimebag Darrell with the song “I Remember You.”
South Carolina-based rock band Crossfade reunited in 2024 after a decade hiatus post band member loss and recording studio fire. Luckily, we still get to hear some great rock music from the group who decided to come back together to perform for their die-hard fans. They ended their set with one of their biggest hits “Cold” that spent 65 weeks on the Billboard Active Rock chart upon its release in 2004.
Rapper Tech N9ne brought some familiar beats to Main Stage 1 for a solid 15 song set. He wore a black jersey with the number 9 on the back and a bandana that read “KING.” Due to the rain delay at the beginning of the day, Tech N9ne was not able to perform his whole set and had to cut it short. Fans were still impressed with his set and flawless rhymes. He made sure to include some of his top hits like “Worldwide Choppers” and “Am I A Psycho?”
1980’s progressive metal band Queensrÿche shredded on the Reverb Stage around 4 p.m. The group has released a whopping 16 studio albums and continues to record and tour. They performed songs “Queen of the Reich,” “Take Hold of the Flame,” and “Eyes of A Stranger.” Lead vocalist Todd La Torre brought a soaring vocal range unlike any other across the whole festival. The group recently announced their Volume and Vengeance Tour this Fall with supporting group Accept.
We Came As Romans performed seamlessly on the main stage, all working together to provide the energetic audience with a stellar performance. After the lead singer Kyle Pavone’s untimely death in 2018, the remaining band members continued their musical passion to honor his memory. They opened with their song “red smoke” while new vocalist Dave Stephens head banged and delivered shrill screams.
On the Decibel Stage, Oklahoma rock band Hinder brought loudmouths some dad rock. The group was formed in 2001 and is best known for their catchy song “Lips of an Angel.” The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Marshal Dutton, guitarist Joe “Blower” Garvey, drummer Cody Hanson, and bassist Mike Rodden. In May, the band released their seventh studio album called Back To Life and will be touring until early October.
Russian heavy metal band Slaughter to Prevail did not disappoint with their crazy theatrics and incredible deathcore sound. Lead vocalist Alex Terrible guided the crowd into splitting down the middle to perform a massive wall of death, but not before mooning the crowd who cheered in response. Their set was absolutely incredible, with Terrible offering crazy harsh vocals and lead guitarist Jack Simmons playing fast rhythmic solos.
Testament, one of the bigger names in thrash metal, blew the rood off the Reverb Stage rocking out. The band originally found their fame in the early 1980’s in California. Lead singer Chuck Billy screamed out the words to a single from their upcoming album Para Bellum called “Infanticide A.I.” The new album is set to come out on October 10 and will feature 10 new songs, marking the group’s first album release since 2020.
LTL veterans Wage War set off some pretty intense mosh pits at Main Stage 2. The band came to be in 2010 and consists of members Briton Bond on vocals, Seth Blake on guitar, Cody Quistad on guitar and vocals, Chris Gaylord on bass, and Stephen Kluesener on drums. They performed some of their heavy metalcore music such as “TOMBSTONE,” “Circle the Drain,” and “Manic.” Wage War is currently touring around the world with their last album release Stigma (2024).
As yellow smoke bombs went off, Knocked Loose’s return to Louder Than Life hit like a raw declaration, as Bryan Garris—wearing a Louisville jersey beneath a massive “Knocked Loose’s Louisville” banner—roared to the crowd, “We’re fucking home!” The group gave the crowd their best energy and a spectacular set. They performed songs like “Mistakes Like Fractures,” “Suffocate,” and fans made a wall of death for the intense finale song “Everything Is Quiet Now.”
Bruce Dickinson took to the stage with his solo band in the early evening as the sun was setting on the last day of Louder than Life. The lead vocalist of heavy metal group Iron Maiden performed Iron Maiden songs “Revelations” and “Flash of the Blade.” Fans threw up rock and roll hand signs as Dickinson sang out some of his solo songs including “Accident of Birth” and “Road to Hell.” His stage presence and incredible vibrato emanated through the energy filled crowd.
Evanescence killed it on the Main Stage for their 14-song set, opening with new single “Afterlife.” Amy Lee sounded perfect as usual for hit songs “My Immortal” and “Call Me When You’re Sober.” She also threw in her new single “Fight Like A Girl.” For the band’s final song, Amy Lee was joined by 12 Stone’s Paul McCoy for a legendary performance of “Bring Me To Life.” This was the first time in nine years that the pair had performed the song together.
Bring Me the Horizon was one of the best shows of the entire weekend. Lead vocalist Oliver Sykes wore an all-white suit with a black cross on it, showing off his bare chest underneath. The band played their new single, a cover of “Wonderwall” by Oasis, with their own hard rock twist. During ”a bulleT w/ my namE On” the band was joined by Underoath’s vocalist Spencer Chamberlain and an audience member to help sing along to “Antivist.” The set ended with confetti flying into the air as Sykes yelled out the lyrics to “Can You Feel My Heart.”
This year’s Louder Than Life rock and metal festival ran smoothly and allowed more space for the thousands of festival goers with the expanded Kentucky Exposition Center space. We’re looking forward to the continued growth of LTL in the coming years and can’t wait to come rock out again next summer September 17th-20th.
Words by Emily Cigan @emily.cigan and Amy Harris @thetraveladdictig