Slipknot Debuted 'Gematria (The Killing Name)' & Other Highlights From Knotfest Melbourne
Bands delivered thrilling sets, short food and drink lines, the misting station was perfect in the heat, and punters looked out for one another.
Knotfest Melbourne (Credit: Mary Varvaris)
Knotfest Australia kicked off its massive third edition in Melbourne yesterday (28 February), summoning metal fans to the Flemington Racecourse for a day of music, food, and fun.
Headlined by Slipknot, the day featured sets from bands across the heavy music spectrum, including A Day To Remember, BABYMETAL, Slaughter To Prevail, Polaris, Within Temptation, Enter Shikari, and many more.
The first bands who took to the stage were Sunami and Vended, with the latter—led by Slipknot vocalist Corey Taylor’s son Griffin Taylor—revealing that drummer Simon Crahan (the son of Slipknot’s Shawn “Clown” Crahan) wouldn’t be performing due to a family emergency. Unfortunately for Slipknot fans, Taylor shared that Clown was also missing due to a family emergency.
Aside from those line-up changes, the day was strong.
While Slipknot didn’t perform their 25th anniversary setlist that they played overseas—their 1999 self-titled album in its entirety—they did bring some surprises to the set, performing Gematria (The Killing Name) from 2008’s All Hope Is Gone for the very first time. They played the hits and brought back Yen, and despite some early sound issues, they delivered a high-energy set with all the excitement one would expect from a Slipknot set.
But it was Sydney metalcore band Polaris who stole the show, utilising pyrotechnics and showcasing a hit-laden set with songs from across their three albums. They were also joined by Void Of Vision’s Jack Bergin, while Polaris vocalist Jamie Hails made a special guest appearance during fellow Aussies’ In Hearts Wake’s set.
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Despite the long merch lines and changed layout that decreased shade coverage, the bands all delivered thrilling sets, food and drink lines were short, the misting station was perfect in the heat of the summer sun, and punters looked out for one another.
Knotfest continues in Brisbane tomorrow (2 March) before concluding in Sydney next week (8 March).
Check out more of the highlights from Knotfest Melbourne below.
JACK BERGIN FROM VOID OF VISION JUST CAME OUT WITH POLARIS pic.twitter.com/WXVjpRzePe
— Mary (@dormousesighs) February 28, 2025
Tortilla Pfaff of @slipknot on Instagram Stories. #BABYMETAL #KNOTFEST #Australia #Melbournehttps://t.co/5PrVE5zI1a pic.twitter.com/H3oOYB7whY
— けいたん🦊 @ 休止中/Not in real time. (@soulbicycle) February 28, 2025
Thank you for coming to "KNOTFEST AUSTRALIA" in Melbourne🇦🇺#BABYMETAL #BABYMETALWORLDTOUR2025@KnotfestAu pic.twitter.com/71HbpezXeP
— BABYMETAL (@BABYMETAL_JAPAN) February 28, 2025
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