Review: Emily Castles
Photos: Jessy Lotti

Welcome back, London! The World’s End is buzzing and Greenland Place is heaving – we’re back in Camden for the thirteenth installment of Desertfest London. We’re ready to strap in and meet some brand-new, intoxicating bands – plus some festival returners that are sure to draw in sizable crowds.

With Dingwalls in the venue-mix last year, for 2025 we return to the originals. For three days, the Electric Ballroom, The Underworld, Black Heart and the Dev plus on Saturday the Roundhouse, will be taken over by a whole range of doomy, riffy, heavy sludgy tunes.

Friday

We kick off Friday with Wallowing, a Brighton-based band who made literary, as well as musical, fame by being the first metal band to play a show in a Waterstone’s bookshop. You may be thinking something mellow? You probably wouldn’t be expecting a distortion-heavy sludge band wearing beekeeper outfits. It’s quite a sight to behold in the sweaty Underworld this afternoon.

With a wall of distortion, the eerie clatter of symbols, and unnerving growls – tied together with the most bizarre of headgear – you feel as though you have been transported to a post-apocalyptic future where humanity can only survive by donning a fencing veil. They are followed on stage by another Brighton band in the form of Sea Bastard, with slow, heavy, monolithic riffs that send the crowd into a hypnotic trance.

Over at the Electric Ballroom, Swedish stoner favourites Lowrider takes us on a bluesy psychedelic trip. Formed in the mid 1990s, this afternoon Lowrider proves itself as one of the most influential bands in the sub-genre – with slow, tuned-down riffs and groovy vocals, this is what Desertfest is all about. They are followed by Ukrainian Stoned Jesus, bringing infectious, stompy sounds and moody vocals to the stage.

Back over at the Underworld, everybody’s favourite cult leaders Arabrot have invited us to their daily sermon. Frontman Kjetil Nernes stands tall and formidable in his trademark wide-brimmed hat, whilst his partner-in-crime Karin Park slouches over her keyboard in a floaty white dress and leather body harness. The Norwegian self-proclaimed ‘rock’n’roll’ band set the room alight with audience participation and electrifying performances – Park is a force to be reckoned with as she launches herself into the crowd. Their voices, intertwined, are haunting and magic. They conclude with a techno dance party (obviously).

Elder close the night with a stylish set at the Ballroom. The Americans, now based in Berlin, take us on a journey of doomy riffs and psychedelic solos, rounding off a great first day of this moody and mesmerising festival.

Saturday

Danish blackened death doom outfit, Konvent, opens up Chalk Farm’s Roundhouse this bright Saturday. The Roundhouse is a welcome installment today, offering up a much larger space for a series of atmospheric bands to take us on a mystical voyage.

The captivating Rikke Emilie List, below, is witchy and hypnotic in a long black cloak and flowing blonde hair. Her brutal death growls are entrancing, and when placed over these doomy, catchy riffs – creates a borderline spiritual experience.

They are followed by Liverpudlians’ Conan, the founding fathers of ‘caveman battle doom’. Having released their fifth album only a month ago, Violence Dimension, the Desertfest veterans treat us to some brand-new material this afternoon including the almighty ‘Foeman’s Flesh’ and ‘Frozen Edges of the Wound’.

They are followed by Pallbearer – who are both serene and devastating in equal measure. With walls of distortion and meditative riffs, the American doom band transports us to mournful prog rock.

Meanwhile, back over at the Underworld, Songs of Alpha Centauri treat us to an exclusive London Desertfest performance – complete with dark riffs and introspective soundscapes. They are followed by California’s Avon – straight from the desert itself, they deliver a hard-hitting, rhythmic set with catchy melodies.

Meanwhile, at the Roundhouse, Amenra, above, make their welcome return to Desertfest. The Belgian post-metal force have been slowly spreading their hauntingly sorrowful art for over 25 years. Known for their intense, almost painful live performances -complete with unsettling film clips and landscapes playing out behind them, the musicians are mere ghosts in the stories they beautifully deliver. With two new EPs released this year, ‘De Toorn’ and ‘With Fang and Claw’, Amenra deliver a captivating and transcending set.

The evening concludes at the Roundhouse with Switzerland’s Zeal & Ardor. A band that combines traditional metal with the likes of gospel, folk and even jazz – their set is full of unexpected, if not unusual, twists and turns.

Sunday

Chod, above, opens the Electric Ballroom on the final day. ‘Chod’, as well as a ‘band’ name (this term is loosely applied here), refers to a Tibetan meditation practice. On stage we have an actual guided meditation leader, a man wearing a fedora that shakes a bell, and a solo guitarist. No one seems to know quite what’s going – certainly a first for this festival.

Mr Bison take over at the Underworld with their psychedelic hard-rock, complete with groovy riffs and stoner vocals. Back over at the Ballroom, Slift swiftly ends the meditation practice with some French rock which develops into a cosmic soundscape that consumes the entire room.

Meanwhile, the Underworld has been transformed into an ancient fortress. ‘We are Castle Rat and I am your Rat Queen’, singer Riley Pinkerton, above, declares dressed as a medieval wonderwoman. There’s also a plague doctor, a druid and a few more unexpected characters. Away from the colourful costumes, these guys play some catchy, Sabbath-esque riffs which go down well with the crowd.

Instrumental American rock legends Earth head-up the Electric Ballroom this evening, Established over 25 years ago, founding member Dylan Carlson, above, is the only original member of the band. His bluesy guitarwork, with minimalist riffs and heavy distortion, sends the crowd into a hazy dream-like state. Cowboys hats and denim take a leading role in this all-American display, with Carlson’s thick Seattle accent twanging across the room.

Dopelord concludes this year’s festival with a sweaty, doomy set from the Polish rockers. The distortion is cranked up and there are 25 (estimated) fuzz pedals in rotation – the perfect way to end this year’s Desertfest.

• For early news on Desertfest 2026 click here.