SHREDFEST 2026 - Live In Brisbane
10 Years of Shredding
Saturday 2nd May 2026
Written by Jake Folmer
Photographed by: Rashid AlKamraikhi
SHREDFEST2026 saw the return of one of Brisbane’s most beloved grassroots metal festivals, showcasing a stacked lineup of Australian talent with a strong dose of thrash pride, all at the iconic Mansfield Tavern, the true home of rock & roll (and everything heavy).
After being out of the loop for a couple of months, sorting life out with a new family chapter on the way, this felt less like just another show and more like a reunion, catching up with familiar faces, musicians, and the wider community that makes this scene what it is. Mousey’s return with SHREDFEST delivered exactly what was needed: a heavy-hitting celebration of local talent.
11:35 – BURN THE KINGDOM (QLD)
Opening duties fell to BURN THE KINGDOM, who wasted no time setting the tone. Their brand of metalcore was packed with chug-heavy riffs and guttural intensity. It was a strong, confident start that immediately pulled the early crowd into the day’s momentum.
12:10 – NECROSTASIS (QLD)
NECROSTASIS adorned the stage in their undead regalia, with mystical ritual robes to boot. Opening up the pit with their beauty and the beast vocal style, they were an awesome combination of visual spectacle and audio brilliance. Their strong visuals added an enchanted mystical vibe to the return of the king, SHREDFEST 2026, offering awesome stage presence and awesome melody, with muse-like prowess.
Pictured: BURN THE KINGDOM
Pictured: BURN THE KINGDOM
Pictured: NECROSTASIS
Pictured: NECROSTASIS
12:45 – VOMIT BOMB (QLD)
A band resurrection of epic proportions; the Bogan comedic band VOMIT BOMB reigniting is a beautiful sight to behold; adorning the hi-vis fluros, sunnies, and even goblin masks (While technically not incorrect, I think that was a Tony Abbott mask, Jake. I even saw an onion getting around - Rashid). A punk/thrash fusion of the most Australian representation of pub lifestyle, with lyrics to boot about pokies, being a mad dog, and smashing schooners. With starring members from an old ‘gem’ MAKAKYTE, which had its resurrection for SHREDFEST too, which I’ve only heard in legend of the local scene. With stage banter topics such as offering to give the other members a kiss on the genitals, I’m so glad to see these guys light up the room with their humorous antics and shredability. A must see if they decide to stay active!
1:55 – .308 (QLD)
.308 delivered a strong blackened thrash set, combining traditional elements with darker tones. The vocalist’s theatrical presence added an extra layer to the already crushing riffs (.308 are an unstopable leviathan. There’s a good reason they’re here to help celebrate 10 Years of SHREDFEST, they’ve been destroying stages since 2007 - Rashid).
Pictured: VOMIT BOMB
Pictured: VOMIT BOMB
Pictured: .308
Pictured: .308
2:30 – NUCLEARSAURUS REX (QLD)
NUCLEARSAURUS REX are another quirky addition to the homegrown catalogue of Crossover Thrash Metal bands, with a T-Rex costume to boot. They are also another display of humorous metal today, with festival runner, Mousey, staring in this epic congregation of talented artists. Mousey is still smashing it for older fella who’s also running a sick festival, and is always putting so much energy into the local scene. The whole band is a virtuoso all star line up, and you really can’t go wrong with having an inflatable T-Rex head banging on stage. Another must see fun as fuck Thrash Metal band with heavy reptilian attitude.
3:00 – REGULAR GONZALES (QLD)
One of my favourite pre southeastern desert rock, avant-garde (I still don’t fucking know their genre) post band. Starting the set off with their Br00tal Weight Championship belt, for which they currently hold the title after winning their last bout at Mansfield tavern against AEON NEXUS, who is also playing later (and has RG vocalist Jesse on drums - Rashid). They make sure to let you know that they are still the champs by giving us those groovy thunder dome of aggression style riffs (bringing it back slower evermore). With their signature flair, eccentric time signatures, and guitar squeals, REGULAR GONZALES are a really interesting flag ship SCHEMA band. During their set, they welcomed Ctorh from ADRIATIC, another SCHEMA juggernaut, (and yet another band that Jesse is in - Rashid) up to sing with them. Words cannot express how awesome these guys are for the more adventurous music listener, and if you see them on a lineup, go and shout “Hell yeah, brother!” (a little scene war cry call and response, Jesse says “Hell yeah!”, and you say “Brother!”).
More on the epic saga of the Br00tal Weight Championship to come....
Pictured: NUCLEARSAURUS REX
Pictured: NUCLEARSAURUS REX
Pictured: REGULAR GONZALES
Pictured: REGULAR GONZALES
3:45 – ADRIATIC (QLD)
A standout performance, Adriatic’s blend of hardcore, djent, and avant-garde elements was both powerful and precise, and backed by strong crowd engagement. Against All Odds brought on a full sing-a-long, and in a genuinely touching moment, they dedicated Poison Me (1) and (2) to me, acknowledging my support, adding real weight to the set for me. Lighthouse In The Dark featured guest vocals by Sam Wolstenholme from AEON NEXUS, and rounded out a memorable performance.
4:50 PYREFLY (NSW)
PYREFLY are a difficult to summarise, but the pool noodles, crowd participation, and chants about “emo tech”, which I later learned actually said Imhotep (Yeah dude, from The Mummy. Oh, and, you know, Egypt - Rashid), gives you the idea. A memorable and very entertaining set, that also marked the first deciding round of the Br00tal Weight Championship between REGULAR GONZALES vs PYREFLY. The winner was to be decided by audience vote, and the crowd cheered harder for PYREFLY. Unfortunately however, due to a technicality with the rules specifying that at least one member of each band must be wearing shorts (which is REGULAR GONZALES’ ride or die motto), PYREFLY were disqualified, and REGULAR GONZALES moved forward to the next round against IDLE RUIN.
Pictured: ADRIATIC
Pictured: ADRIATIC
Pictured: PYREFLY
Pictured: PYREFLY
6:05 – T-REX AUTOPSY (NSW)
I approached the stage of the Rock Arena, and was totally entranced by this absolutely BEASTLY NSW band (and another T-Rex themed band for you Dino lovers), which gave some very strong Progressive Metal vibes, mixed with Death Metal potency. I was absolutely floored by the titanic weight of their sound. I’ll keep it brief: Go fucking see these guys.
6:15 – KUNTSQUAD (VIC)
KUNTSQUAD are a female fronted behemoth of a band. They play their own style of Crust Punk/Death Metal fusion, with super impressive vocal abilities from the petite Paula VCDamnzal that is both gobsmacking, and crushing. A super wow factor that perfectly aligns with their instrumental composition. This is a gem from the southern states of cold Victoria, and I highly recommend them to anyone who likes an oppressive sound invading your chest cavity and eardrums.
Pictured: T-Rex Autopsy
Pictured: T-Rex Autopsy
Pictured: KUNTSQUAD
Pictured: KUNTSQUAD
7:45 – IDLE RUIN(QLD)
IDLE RUIN delivered a crushing blackened thrash set that was tight and aggressive throughout. Their drummer Liam deserves a major shoutout for pulling multi-band duties across the day, performing in IDLE RUIN, VOMIT BOMB, and MALAKYTE, and still delivering at full intensity, similar to his Br00tal Weight opponent, Jesse from REGULAR GONZALES. Speaking of the Br00tal Weight Championship, before the final vote could be cast, PYREFLY rushed the stage and savagely attacked Jesse, knocking him to the ground. Adz from ZAGTAR appeared from the side of the stage, took off his jacket to reveal an IDLE RUIN shirt, and gave the 3 count before announcing IDLE RUIN as “YOUR NEW BR00TAL WEIGHT CHAMPIONS!!!”
8:45 – F.U.C.(QLD)
Inflatables, mankinis, and completely unfiltered stage presence, their set leaned fully into the absurd (Don’t be a spoil sport, put your hand up, and leave it up if you’ve ever enjoyed ‘A song about an Elephant’ while masturbating into a sock - Rashid).
Pictured: IDLE RUIN
Pictured: IDLE RUIN
Pictured: F.U.C.
Pictured: F.U.C.
9:35 – MALAKYTE(QLD)
The legendary coveted band resurrected for SHREDFEST. I’d only heard rumours about how awesome this band was, and now I was going to see if the rumours were true. Featuring members of VOMIT BOMB, and IDLE RUIN, their catchy riffs and masterful solos proved their ultimate ability, and why they were a steadfast name in the older local metal scene. Their vocalist pulled out the teradactyl/eagle screech with extreme efficiency (similar to VEKTOR), giving us a fucking awesome show. It was a superb return to the stage after a long hiatus, and I’m hoping they get some more shows together soon!
Pictured: MALAKYTE
Pictured: MALAKYTE
11:05 – MORTAL SIN (NSW)
One of Australia's earliest and most well-known Thrash bands, MORTAL SIN was tabbed by the British metal magazine Kerrang! as a Next Big Thing wth their debut album, the raw, early Metallica-inspired Mayhemic Destruction, and I was very interested in seeing the primordial beginnings of Aussie Thrash Metal. After a wee delay, they came on stage to play some super traditional grass roots Thrash that kept the Tavern pumping, There were many long term fans in the crowd that were stoked to see these Aussie icons, with drunken Metal Heads spilling their drinks everywhere as they banged their heads. They might have been around for the earlier inceptions of metal, but it was clear that they still have a great amount of passion and energy for what they do. I have much respect for MORTAL SIN for keeping to the music that got them so much clout!
Pictured: MORTAL SIN
Pictured: MORTAL SIN
Pictured: MORTAL SIN
Pictured: MORTAL SIN
SHREDFEST 2026 wasn’t just a return, it was a reminder of how strong the Brisbane Metal scene is. Community, creativity, and a stacked lineup made this one feel special from start to finish.
Photos by: Rashid AlKamraikhi
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