The protesters who tried to shut down France's biggest metal festival, Hellfest, last year, are back at it again this year. Last year, they were able to get the French government to withdraw some grants that amounted to barely anything.
This year, the festival is headlined by Avenged Sevenfold, Iron Maiden, and Judas Priest. Some supporting acts include Deftones, Alice In Chains, Marilyn Manson, Nightwish, Stone Sour, Megadeth, Parkway Drive, and more. Local protesters are questioning the anti-Christian values of the festival. Thierry Barnole, the ringleader of the protest, tells a local newspaper:
“This festival has several groups promoting anti-Christianity and Satanism and they do not hesitate to insult and say blasphemy, with overthrown crosses and real satanic rites.”
Behemoth posted a photo of the newspaper article (below) and added the caption “Some French Catholic conservatives are trying to boycott one of the best European festivals Hellfest Open Air Festival… what do you think about it?”
As of right now, the festival has no plans of stopping. See the full lineup here.
[via Metal Insider]
