Dark Easter Metal Meeting 2025 – Festival Review
- L7
- Apr 23
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 17
Expectations – Black Metal at Easter? Absolutely.
The Dark Easter Metal Meeting has been on our list for years. Why? A lot of reasons:
The concept: black metal meeting Easter – the contrast couldn’t be better
The lineup: always packed with both underground gems and big names
It sells out fast, every time
This year, we finally made it. We grabbed our tickets just before they sold out (which I highly recommend doing early next time!) and kept a close eye on the bands getting announced. Even though I knew many of the names, I had never seen most of them live – so this was going to be something special.
But could the festival live up to those expectations? Would we manage to catch most of the performances without stress? And how would the atmosphere be?
Arrival, Merch & Beer – Or: Perfect organization from start to finish
Let’s start with something that usually comes at the end: the organization.
Flawless. From start to finish, everything at Dark Easter Metal Meeting worked perfectly. The beer was cold, well-served, and arrived fast – always with a friendly smile from the bartenders. Payment by card made everything easy (just don’t forget to tip – easy to miss when tapping a card!).
And the food? Incredible. Steaks, bratwurst, burgers – freshly prepared and for very fair prices.
The festival merch was beautiful, with different designs available. We preordered our shirt and zipper ahead of time to be sure we’d get one – highly recommended! Almost every band had merch, plus:
Vinyl and CD stands
Other band hoodies (Cannibal Corpse and more)
The Metal For Ukraine stand, where all proceeds went directly to support Ukraine
As always at Backstage, Augustiner beer was flowing (the best option a venue can offer), but there was also a special dark beer brewed just for the festival!
Moving between stages? Effortless. No running, no stress, no pushing. For anyone who doesn’t know: Backstage Munich has three stages – Werk, Halle, and Club – all different sizes, but easy to access. The timetable was perfectly planned and strictly followed. Not a single delay.
Day 1 – The start of something special
No rush, no stress – beer in hand, the first walk through the festival grounds felt like arriving at home base for every black metal fan.We grabbed one of those beautiful DEMM cups for the collection (definitely a must-have!).
The atmosphere? On point. Perfect weather, great people, and a lineup that promised plenty of highlights.
Empyrium
Our first show of the day was Empyrium. Labeled as neofolk, they delivered a perfect performance – delicate violin melodies, layered guitars, and candlelit gothic ambiance. One of those bands you know will be a great fit at any future festival or show. We’ll definitely keep an eye out for them again.
Hangover in Minsk
This was our first highly anticipated performance: the live debut of Hangover in Minsk, a side project from members of Dymna Lotva. They’d just released their first album days before, and we loved it. Unique themes, catchy moments, and of course, Nokt bringing her energy and spirit to every track.
The show was a full success – great stage presence, a happy crowd, and even a special appearance from Gui Malosso (Motherwood).
Tsjuder
For many people here, this was the main event of Day 1.
Not just because of Tsjuder themselves, but because they announced a special Bathory tribute set.
They kicked things off with their own brutal material – flawless execution, insane vocal power. And just when the crowd was more than satisfied, they switched the stage flag to a Bathory banner and unleashed the tribute set.
It was wild. Something I never expected to witness live."Woman of Dark Desires" stayed in my head long after they finished. Pure perfection.
Gaahls Wyrd
I’ve seen Gaahl live five times – and every time, his presence feels larger than life.
The slow movements, the leather jacket, the incredible long screams.
Add to that a top-tier band, and you’ve got one of those sets that easily feels like a headliner.
Saor
One of those discoveries we owe to BR1 (if he recommends something, you listen).
And he was right.
Saor, from Scotland, delivered an amazing show, including flute elements that added just the right touch of folk without ever taking over. Great riffs, powerful vocals, and a tight setlist.
We won’t miss them if they come back.
Belphegor
I’ve always liked Belphegor, but honestly, I’d never seen them live – not even a video.
So I had no idea how they’d bring that cryptic atmosphere onto the stage.
It was incredible. Brutal sound, ritualistic elements, flaming torches, and even a goat skull on fire.
They closed with one of my favorite tracks: Totentanz. A perfect ending.
Day 2 – More beer, more fire, more headbanging
We arrived a bit later than planned (some customer calls…), but right on time for our schedule.
Another Augustiner and a fantastic steak for energy – then off to the first must-see band.
Dymna Lotva
We’ve followed Dymna Lotva for about a year now (we even wrote a review of their latest album), and this was one of the performances we’d been waiting for.
After watching their live videos online, I had high expectations – and Nokt’s voice felt even more unique in person.
The band stood still, their presence as heavy as death itself, while Nokt moved like a tormented soul – screaming, raging, embodying the pain and horror behind their themes.Absolutely stunning. A band I fully recommend catching live.
Witchery
A new discovery for us – not a new band, but one we hadn’t crossed paths with before.
Their frontman, towering with makeup and long hair, commanded the stage like a pro. More than a singer – a true entertainer.
Aura Noir
This one takes the crown for me: best set of the festival.
Thrash at its finest – killer riffs, raw power, pure energy, and a voice that cut through the venue like a chainsaw.
I was lucky to grab a shirt right after the set – they sold out just minutes later.
Gorgoroth
I’ve missed Gorgoroth too many times before – but not this time.
Atterigner’s vocals were monstrous, like someone dragged up from the grave to pull you into hell.
Infernus and the rest of the band barely paused between songs, holding the stage with authority.
A shorter set than expected, but powerful enough to deliver a proper headliner experience.
Final Thoughts – A festival that delivers on every level
What a masterpiece of a weekend.
From the lineup, to the organization, to the atmosphere – Dark Easter Metal Meeting deserves a spot on the festival calendar of every black metal fan.
The organizers nailed every detail. Great band choices, smooth logistics, perfect vibe.
We’ll definitely be back – no matter who’s playing.
Thanks for an incredible weekend, Dark Easter Metal Meeting!
Comments