North West Doom Fest III
10th – 11th April 2026
G21 at The Saddle, Chester
And lo, there shall come a time when the barbarians shall storm the gates of the fortress city, and congregate within its ancient walls in search of enlightenment. Great would be the merry making, for the barbarians will come not with weapons of war, but with musical instruments and tales of hard-won valour.
That time came, and it was known as: North West Doom Fest III.
Yes, after the runaway success of previous events, Chester’s premier/only Rock pub The Saddle was host to another weekend of the heaviest, the Doomiest, the Sludgiest of bands from around the UK. Such was the demand, the event was sold out well in advance. Personally, I was really looking forward to NWD Fest and very thankful to be there!
Friday 10th April 2026
The first band of the entire weekend was Ghozer, who are a four piece band from the Midlands. Sadly, they don’t appear to be Ghostbusters fans, as that Gozer is spelt differently. They are, however, a mighty and hugely impressive Alternative Metal band, with solid, catchy riffs and crazy, psychedelic lead guitar working nimbly through captivating, proggy epics. They reminded me of a sludgy High On Fire with wild Hendrix lead. A perfect start to the weekend, I was massively impressed.
https://www.facebook.com/GhozerUK
Up next were Bristol’s Froglord, one of my personal favourites and a band I was excited to see again. I’d seen these guys previously at the same venue, for the Warlockhunt album launch gig. I immediately fell in love with their swampy, psyche Doom with its perfect riffs and incessant grooves. Froglord really put on a show too, there’s nothing in their approach that hasn’t been meticulously prepared – swamp noises between songs? Masks? These amphibious Dark Masters are a true revelation, and I seriously urge readers to check them out soon!
https://www.facebook.com/Froglordband
Friday night’s headliners were Cardiff based Atmospheric Doom band, Pantheist. This band enraptured the audience with an almost symphonic take on Doom, complete with ethereal, operatic female vocals. They’re obviously exquisite musicians and put on a great performance. However, it was too symphonic and operatic for my tastes – like Katherine Jenkins singing along to Ghost in her bedroom. What do I know, though?! Everyone else – and I mean absolutely everyone else – loved Pantheist, so you should ignore me and check them out.
https://www.facebook.com/Pantheistuk
Saturday 11th April 2026
Some of us kind of over did it on Friday night, socialising with other North West Doom Fest attendees and enjoying the karaoke in the main bar of the Saddle. Well, it was Frank’s (from North East Wales Metal Productions) birthday, so no excuses needed. Happily, I managed to make it back for the start of Day Two of the fest on time and with no trouble, which is highly unusual.
Warming things up for Day Two were Warlockhunt, festival organisers Mark and Lorraine’s Doom Pop band. Their dual lead bass sound was now augmented with a new drummer, who had the unenviable task of filling out the sound with apocalyptic, post punk tribal rhythms. Drums are front and centre in this band, right up there with the bass and dreamy vocals – so there’s nowhere to hide. The sound was meticulous, no need to worry – an accomplished start to the day’s proceedings.
https://www.facebook.com/warlockhunt/?locale=en_GB
One of the amazing things about this festival is the sheer variety of music evident within the genre of Doom. Cruel Mother was a great example: they looked at first like people LARPing Robin of Sherwood, but they delivered a magnificent set of Doom based on Olde English (and Scottish) folk songs. Brilliantly performed and utterly captivating. I would’ve loved a lyric sheet to read along and explore the stories and themes! They’re London based, if Cruel Mother are playing near you – go see them and enjoy the magick. The outfits were cool, by the way.
https://cruelmother.bandcamp.com/music
Helve were up next – a five piece from Leeds who unleashed a set of very heavy, sludgy Doom metal. The performance was intense and unforgiving, with harsh, growled vocals over crushing riffs and huge soundscapes. They reminded me a little of last year’s headliners (and one of my fanboy faves), Son of Boar. Absolutely no complaints from me, a winning set from a great band.
https://www.facebook.com/Helveband
I had no expectations at all regarding Sleeping Mountain, and so I was very pleasantly surprised to witness a superb band that I can add to the favourites list! They’re a three piece, London based, and extremely effective at creating enormous Stoner Rock grooves with psychedelic and progressive overtones. There’s some classic 70s inspiration here, with a foot planted firmly in the now, as well. Like a grinding, cinematic early Monster Magnet. I loved them, and made sure I picked up a copy of their excellent self-titled album on vinyl.
https://www.facebook.com/sleepingmountainband
When Goat Major were announced on this bill, I practically shit my shoes off in excitement. I’m already a massive fan, having reviewed their debut album, “Ritual”, for Ever Metal a while back – awarding it a solid 9/10 score. Getting the chance to see them live was a big draw for me in attending NW Doom Fest. And Goat Major did not disappoint, their awesome Occult Doom dripped thunderous and powerful riffage with eerie, spectral undercurrents. Absolutely unmissable and a true highlight of the weekend!
https://www.facebook.com/goatmajorband/?locale=en_GB
And then we had Goblin Smoker, another band I was really enthused to experience firsthand! With releases on Sludgelord and APF Records, these guys have a quality pedigree. Their music is classic Sabbath based Doom, with raspy, Death Metal vocals that set them apart from other bands this weekend. This was an epic, brutalising set, taking the intensity of Death Metal into slower and fuzzier realms. I’m just glad I was there.
https://www.facebook.com/Goblinsmoker
Mage are a band I’ve seen live previously, they played Pentre Fest a while back. They were amazing last time I saw them and they were even better this time around. Seriously, Mage are the perfect Stoner/Doom Metal band, as far as I’m concerned: they cover it all, from in-you-face rockers to tripped out psyche-athons. They remind me of a British Corrosion of Conformity, and I can think of no higher praise than that. Their performance was riveting, even in the restricted space of the G21. If you’re not following this band like a hungry dog, you need to be.
https://www.facebook.com/Mageband/?locale=en_GB
And finally, then – our Saturday headliners, Old Horn Tooth: a three piece proudly representing the London Doom Collective. Musically, this power trio deliver slow and heavy yet mesmerising Doom metal, unhurried in their approach they create something not far removed from a soundtrack to a supernatural, occult thriller. When the riffs crash in, they are utterly devastating – and the whole experience is pulverising, yet hypnotic. Thrilling stuff and a fitting end to a weekend of pure, definitive Doom Metal.
https://www.facebook.com/oldhorntooth/?locale=en_GB
Well done to Lorraine and Mark, and thanks to the staff of G21/The Saddle for a spectacular festival. There’s a one dayer planned for this summer, so keep your eyes peeled – otherwise, I’ll see you at Noth West Doom Fest IV!
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