Alright, dear readers, Tuonela Magazine is expanding its horizons and crossing borderlines beyond Europe once again. We are embarking on new festival settings, after our good experience at Summer Breeze Brazil last year. Latin America has demonstrated itself to be an emerging powerhouse for metal festivals, and this weekend we are heading to Mexico for Candelabrum Metal Festival in Leon, Guanajuato, on September 6th and 7th, 2025, (pre-party included, by the way). Candelabrum Metal Festival has proven to be an up-and-coming name in the extreme side of the metal world, with four successful editions under its belt. Being relatively new, Candelabrum Metal Festival has gathered big names in its past editions, and this year is no exception. Among the big names in 2025, we can see OBITUARY, AGALLOCH, THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL, ONSLAUGHT, ANCIENT RITES, PRIMORDIAL. Not bad for a young event, eh?
Although it would take too long to introduce all the amazing bands to this year’s edition, this brief article will summarize some of the names we are most looking forward to seeing. Some names are already well-known in the dark metal universe, and some others are a bit more unknown, so let’s take a look:
OUR PERSONAL FAVORITES
Pioneers in the dark metal world, PRIMORDIAL is a reference name for those fans of melancholic yet aggressive tunes. Hailing from Ireland, PRIMORDIAL brings the gloomy and cold aura of their native land with long-lasting songs that touch upon existential themes in their lyrics. Together with aggressive riffs and Alan Averill’s gloomy vocals, they deliver the saddest songs one could ever listen to. Although we would have liked to experience their set as headliners (I mean, they are a black metal reference name!), it is already a miracle to have them in Mexico for the very first time! Catch their set on Sunday at 20:00 hrs.
The 3rd and the Mortal are renowned for their ethereal blend of doom metal and atmospheric rock, weaving together haunting melodies, introspective lyrics, and experimental soundscapes. Their music features melancholic guitar work, delicate female vocals, and ambient textures, creating a dreamy, otherworldly mood that drifts between moments of somber heaviness and fragile beauty. Pioneers in the Norwegian metal scene, they are celebrated for their willingness to push genre boundaries, merging elements of progressive and avant-garde music into their somber compositions. You will be able to experience their otherworldly performance on Saturday at 21:00 hrs.
We do not know whether it is necessary to introduce this band because, well, who doesn’t know OBITUARY? But just in case you are new to the metal music world, here is a brief intro. Widely regarded as one of the founding acts of death metal, OBITUARY delivers a raw, uncompromising sound defined by guttural vocals, crushing guitar riffs, and relentless drum work. Their music is characterized by a heavy, groove-oriented approach that combines brutal intensity with infectious rhythms. OBITUARY’s signature style evokes a sense of doom and decay, drawing listeners into a dark, visceral atmosphere that has influenced generations of extreme metal bands. Please go into the mosh pit during their headlining act on Sunday at 23:40 hrs.
THE KOVENANT, hailing from Norway, are known for their innovative blend of industrial metal and electronic music. Their sound fuses aggressive guitar riffs and pounding drums with synthesizers, samples, and futuristic atmospherics, pushing the boundaries of traditional metal. With lyrical themes exploring technology, dystopian visions, and alienation, THE KOVENANT crafts a dark, cybernetic sonic landscape that is both energetic and provocatively avant-garde. Their music will appeal to festival fans of extreme metal who appreciate experimental, genre-defying soundscapes. Noteworthy that they will perform their acclaimed “Nexus Polaris” album in full. Catch them headlining the festival on Saturday at 23:40 hrs.
Fusing elements of folk, doom, post-rock, and black metal, AGALOCH conjures vast soundscapes steeped in melancholy and nature-inspired atmospheres. Their music is marked by sweeping guitar melodies, haunting acoustic passages, and introspective lyrics that evoke a sense of longing and the sublime beauty of wilderness. AGALOCH’s approach is cinematic and immersive, inviting listeners on a contemplative journey through shadowed forests and windswept peaks, where heaviness and subtlety intertwine with poetic grace. Go wild and experience their immersive sound on Sunday at 22:20 hrs.
THE CROWN is a Swedish metal band celebrated for their ferocious blend of death metal and thrash. Their music is marked by high-speed riffing, aggressive drumming, and snarling vocals that channel raw energy and relentless intensity. Infusing their sound with melodic undertones and occasional nods to black metal, THE CROWN crafts tracks that are both punishing and memorable, appealing to fans of classic and modern extreme metal alike. Catch their old-school set on Sunday at 19:00 hrs.
EMERGING NAMES THAT YOU NEED TO EXPERIENCE AT THE FESTIVAL (AND LATER TOO).
SPLIT HEAVEN is a Mexican band renowned for their high-octane take on traditional heavy metal. Their sound is fueled by blistering guitar solos, galloping rhythms, and soaring, melodic vocals reminiscent of the genre’s golden era. Drawing inspiration from classic acts like JUDAS PRIEST and HELLOWEEN, SPLIT HEAVEN infuses their songs with infectious energy and anthemic choruses, creating an exhilarating experience that ignites both nostalgia and excitement. Their music is a celebration of old school metal spirit, delivered with youthful passion and technical finesse. If you need any introduction to Mexican heavy metal, this is your go-to band. Catch their set on Sunday at 13:30 hrs.
Hailing from Cancún, Quintana Roo, in the tropical south of Mexico, SUMMONING DEATH provides a dopamine of old school death metal. Reaffirming that heaviness knows no borderlines, SUMMONING DEATH delivers aggressive beats that drag even the sleepiest attendant to the mosh pit. They are an example that you can find high-quality bands even in the most unexpected places in the world. Go and give them some support on Sunday at 12:00 hrs.
FUMES are your typical black metal baddies, incarnating the dark days of this genre. They encompass the overall black metal aura: corpse paint, dark lyrics, deep growls, a macabre live aesthetic, you name it, showing how black metal has been adopted and perfected at any corner of the world. Coming from Morelos, in central Mexico, they will make listeners go wild under the festival sun. Catch this band on Saturday at 13:30 hrs.
What about the city?
Leon is a getaway to off-the-path Mexico that cannot disappoint any visitor. Nestled between Western and Central Mexico, Leon is mostly left outside of any traveler’s itinerary in Mexico. But trust us, once you are at the festival venue, you should check out this city. It is small, well-connected to Mexico’s major cities, the food is amazing, and you can combine your festival days with other nearby interesting places such as Guanajuato City (one of the loveliest cities in the country), the well-preserved town of San Miguel de Allende, and San Luis Potosí.
In summary…
If you are in Mexico right now or if you are planning a trip to this country in the future, we, of course, suggest adding Candelabrum Metal Festival to your travel itinerary. As we mentioned before, it is an up-and-coming festival that is setting high standards for the dark metal music scene in Latin America. We are coming to this year’s edition and cannot wait to spill the tea on all the in-n-outs of this obscure event. Wait for our live report, and if we have convinced you, go grab some last-minute tickets at their website.
