Time to screech to death, baby: Milwaukee Metal Fest 2.0 is back. After a nearly 20-year hiatus, Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta bought and revamped the festival in 2023. Now, in its second year of resurrection, hardcore fans, dressed to the nines in their best Anthrax merch, flock to the dark crypt that is The Rave/Eagles Club. The building has eight performance spaces which will host a stacked lineup of headliners like Blind Guardian, Mr. Bungle and Slaughter to Prevail. If you’re feeling particularly macabre and need some fresh air after five hours of fog machines and blinding strobes, head outside and walk over to the former site of Jeffrey Dahmer’s apartment — it’s literally down the street. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, visit The Rave/Eagles Club’s patio between sets and eat something from the six food trucks or, god forbid, get some sunlight. Past fare has included nachos, loaded fries, street tacos, and barbecue burgers designed to cure even the gnarliest of hangovers.
I know what you’re thinking: three days of thrashing in the dark doesn’t even begin to satisfy my satanic urge! Luckily for you, you can get early access to an extra day at the Milwaukee Metal Fest pre-party. These special sets kick off the festival on May 16 with performances from Bobby Blitz (Overkill), Steve “Zetro” Souza (Exodus), and Bobby Hambel (Biohazard), plus special guests Toxic Ruin & H1Z1 & DJ Danny Diablo. Metalheads, please note: This event is BYOGOVB (Bring Your Own Goblet of Virgin Blood).
The Specs
- Milwaukee Metal Fest has a capacity of 4,000, depending on the size of the stage inside the venue.
- Single-day GA tickets start at $99, and 3-day Passes are available starting at $267. The Pre-Party on the 16th is free for 3-Day Pass holders, or $25 for anyone else.
- Planning to spend a couple of days in town? We’ve got you covered with our Milwaukee City Guide.
FAQs
What is the closest airport to Milwaukee Metal Fest?
Fly into Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) and drive the 8.5 miles over to the venue or grab a rideshare for the 20-ish minute trek.
Where’s the venue?
The Rave/Eagles Club, 2401 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233.
Where can I park?
Venue parking is available for purchase at 414-342-7283 or on The Rave’s official site.
Can I bring kids?
Officially, Milwaukee Metal Fest is an all-ages event. If your spawn is up to the challenge, that is.
Which artists are on the Milwaukee Metal Fest lineup?
Blind Guardian, Mr. Bungle, Slaughter To Prevail, Kamelot, Symphony X, Autopsy (Severed Survival 35th Anniversary Set), Destruction, Marduk, Hammerfall, Incantation, Profanatica, Macabre, Havok, Nunslaughter, Eternal Champion, Heathen, Visigoth, UADA, Night Demon, Bewitcher, Lords Of The Trident, Necrofier, Hellwitch, Backlash, Silva, Ancient Entities, Illusion of Fate, Engineered Society Project, Testament, Hatebreed, Municipal Waste, Katatonia, Death to All (Sound Of Perseverance Set), Deicide, Possessed, Terrorizer (World Downfall 35th Anniversary Set), The Red Chord, Soilent Green (Reunion), Skinless, Martyr AD, Devourment, Internal Bleeding, Cenotaph, Belushi Speedball, Cloak, Morbikon, Death Ray Vision, Hatriot, Embryonic Autopsy, Eyes of the Living, Time To Kill, Avatar, In Flames, I Am Morbid (35th Anniversary of Altars Of Madness + the hits set), Death to All (Scream Bloody Gore + hits set), Lacuna Coil, Gatecreeper, Paleface Swiss, Bleed From Within, Exhumed, It Dies Today, Alluvial, Skeletal Remains, Casket Robbery, Creeping Death, Viogression, Upon Stone, Stabbing, Errors of Humanity, Monochromatic Black, Dead By Wednesday, Amerakin Overdose and Beyond Threshold.
Poster
