Masters Of The Riff Festival announces first wave of bands for 2025

Masters Of The Riff, the London stoner and doom fest now housed at Hackney's Oslo venue, have announced the first load of heaviness for next year's fourth edition.

The cavalcade of heaviness, riffs, beer and volume runs from February 29 to March 2. Making the announcement, organisers London Doom Collective promise a "good old knees up" which, if the past three editions are anything to go by, is by now a guarantee.

"We’ve walked the wastelands, traversed smoke-filled paths, crawled through the underbelly of the deep, and conspired with forces beyond our understanding – only to have our calls answered," they say. "It is with Iommic hearts and thundering tonality that we present the first wave of bands for next year’s Masters Of The Riff Festival…"

Announced so far are: Skraeckoedlan, Firebreather, Daevar, Alastor, Elder Druid, Wasted Death, Grey Brain, Black Helium, Red Eyed Cult, The Ghoules, Damn Craters and Kushthulhu.

There's plenty more to be announced, as well as a pre-fest night at "our favourite devilish Hell bar" Helgi's in Hackney.

"From the bottom of our sabbath souls, we are beyond excited to be doing this for the fourth year running," they add. "We’ve grown older, less wiserer, and are all starting to look a bit like Gandalf the Grey – but one thing that’s always growing is how much we love this collective scene. We’re proud to be a part of it – alongside all of you!"

Read this: “It’s about having a good time, doing cool shows and getting people together”: How London Doom Collective are feeding the capital’s heavy music underground