Israel’s biggest metal festival “Psycho Ward Festival” by Vladislav Mazourenko returns for the third time on October 7th, 2023, with a crazy lineup that includes 11 bands, in an event about the purity of the Israeli metalcore scene. In addition to the very fine arsenal of bands that they managed to assemble, the production is preparing an event that will set the bar of expectations very high, with a stage that has not yet been seen at festivals in Israel, pyrotechnics, merch stands from the bands and alternative stores, rest areas, photographers, food stands, coverage from the biggest metal magazines in Israel and a whole team that will make sure to create a “psychic” atmosphere befitting the name of the event and a considerable number of surprises from the bands themselves!
Festival lineup:
Canine – metalcore
The band was formed in 2009 by Eliav Torjman in Modiin, Israel while going through high school. During the Years the band released 1 EP and a full length album and become one of the most famous core bands in Israel.
The Fading – melodic death metal
Founded in 2000 by lead vocalist Ilia Badrov (under the name Excessum), The Fading is a melodic death/ modern death metal band based in Israel and Florida, USA. In August 2008, the band played the Wacken Metal Battle, at Wacken Open Air Festival and won 1st place which granted them an international record deal with Wacken Records, sponsorship deals and offers to play different festivals across Europe and played with bands like In Flames, Five Fingers Death Punch, Bring Me the Horizon, Arch Enemy and many others. In the past years the band released 2 full length albums and many singles.
Matricide – groove metal
Formed in 2003 by Auria Sapir and Shahar Guy, Matricide is an eclectic band influenced by various elements within the heavy metal genre – combining the speed and aggression of Death Metal, the attitude and aesthetics of Hardcore and the powerful groove and epic melodies you would hear within Nu-metal. The band released 1 EP, 1 full length album and 4 singles that received great reviews from magazines all over the world.
Eternal Struggle – hardcore
Eternal Struggle are known for their aggressive, interactive and high-energy performance fusing elements from both worlds of extreme metal and hardcore punk. Socially, always fighting the good fight, bringing different music communities together over PMA ethics and hard-hitting in-your-face, groove ridden songs. 2021 saw the release of their debut full-length record “Year of the Gun” – produced by Brian ‘Mitts’ Daniels (Madball/Skarhead), containing 13 lethal bomb-tracks featuring a surprisingly fitting bonus remix from Alec Empire (Atari Teenage Riot).
Cyclops – djent
Cyclops might be Israeli djent’s most distinct representative. Having released two albums and an EP, one of the busiest bands in Israel continues to march forward. Cyclops combines music that’s chaotic, sophisticated and aggressive.
Her Last Sight – metalcore
Her Last Sight are a 5-piece Israeli metalcore band from Tel-Aviv, Israel. The band was formed in 2019 from a collection of passionate musicians who met through their local scene. Their unique brand of entertainment fuses melodic choruses and crushing breakdowns influenced by bands such as August Burns Red, Bullet For My Valentine, and As I Lay Dying with a fun and energetic live show that will make you want to scream your lungs out. The band released their debut album “Mirrors” at the beginning of 2021, which has gotten over 1,000,000 streams and was called the best Israeli Metalcore album of the last 20 years by Metalist Magazine.
Revision The Dream – metalcore/djent
Revision The Dream is a metalcore/djent 5-piece band, located in Tel Aviv, Israel. The band was formed in 2018, originally by guitarists Simon and Yam. The band draws its unique writing style from bands like Erra, Intervals, and Oceans Ate Alaska. Their music contains everything from progressive guitar riffs, bone-crushing breakdowns, catchy choruses, and even electro-music nuances which makes their music style so special and versatile. Their debut e.p. Desiderata that was released in 2020, raised the bar for quality metal music in the Israeli metal scene. In the last year, the band released five unique singles off their debut full-length album “Transparency” which saw light in July and is available across all major streaming platforms.
BRCDS – metalcore
Formed under the name Barricades, after several line-up changes and spelling changes, BRCDS released their debut album Radiant Gray at the end of 2022. The band revives the golden age of metalcore and delivers heavy breaks and catchy choruses that stick in your head long after the show.
Stained With Silver – modern metalcore
A unique band from Tel Aviv, Stained With Silver combines electronic and synth instruments with a complex texture of metalcore, deathcore and djent – delivering a heavy, hard-hitting sound fit for the new millennium! After releasing their hit single “Apart” last year, the band now returns with a first single out of their upcoming debut album called “Kingdom”.
Persephore – emo modern metalcore
Persephore is an emo modern metalcore band located in central Israel. The band’s goal is to bring a new look to the upfront of the global metal-core scene. By using the power of gut wrenching breakdowns and our most beloved tear bringing, life changing, make you want to start singing from the top of your lungs in the middle of the bus- chorus’s.
Last To Die – modern metal
Last To Die is a hardcore/beatdown band from israel, Last To Die was formed in 2019, with 3 singles released and a new EP coming up in August 23.
