Psycho Ward Fest Vol-5

 

Psycho Ward Fest Vol-5
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Israel's biggest metal festival «Psycho Ward Festival» by Vladislav Mazourenko returns again on October 18, 2025, with a crazy lineup that includes 21 (!!!) bands, in an event dedicated to the Israeli metal scene.

In addition to the excellent arsenal of bands and talent assembled, Psycho Ward Festival will go above and beyond the high level of expectations they've set, with a stage that has not yet been seen at festivals in Israel featuring pyrotechnics, merch stands from the bands and alternative stores, rest areas, photographers, food stands, coverage from the biggest metal magazines in Israel and a whole team dedicated to creating the notorious "psycho" atmosphere befitting the name of the event as well as a considerable number of surprises from the bands themselves!


https://www.psychoward-production.com/


Tickets available here:
https://eventbuzz.co.il/lp/event/psychoward-festival-5


Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1459574235246993


Festival lineup:


Walkways // Alternative Metal


Israel’s biggest modern metal band. The band’s music is its antidote to the chaotic nature of living in Israel, an oasis for sanity and humanity, the band’s avenue to ensure the past is not their future. The genre-bending sound of Walkways includes ferocious riffs and screams, epic melodies and anthems, and fragile softer moments equally as profound. Their 2nd album 'Bleed Out, Heal Out,' (Nuclear Blast 2019) elevated their global profile. After extensive touring and sharing stages with Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, In Flames, Jinjer and more, the band is finishing a third full-length album due for 2025 release.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyCERQMUr_k


Matricide // Groove Metal


Formed in 2003 by Auria Sapir and Shahar Guy, Matricide is an eclectic band influenced by various elements within the metal genre—combining the speed and aggression of Death Metal, the attitude and aesthetics of Hardcore, and the powerful groove and epic melodies of Nu-metal. The band has released 1 EP, 1 full-length album, and 4 singles, all of which received great reviews from magazines worldwide. Matricide also established their annual Summercide festival and has toured extensively across Europe, sharing the stage with renowned acts like Crowbar and Cryptopsy.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8vW8ieBaDY


The Fading // Melodic Death Metal


Founded in 2000 by lead vocalist Ilia Badrov (under the name Excessum), The Fading is a melodic death/ modern death metal band based in Israel & Florida, USA. In August 2008, the band played the WACKEN METAL BATTLE, at Wacken Open Air Festival and won 1st place which granted them an international record deal with WACKEN RECORDS, sponsorship deals and offers to play different festivals across Europe and played with bands like In Flames, Five Fingers Death Punch, Bring Me the Horizon, Arch Enemy and many others. In the past years the band released 2 full length albums and many singles.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PqTXfkn6JI


Prey For Nothing // Melodic Death Metal


Formed in 2005, Prey For Nothing was considered one of the leading metal bands in Israel from day one. Released 4 albums, 2 Eps, toured with Destruction, Amorphis, Paradise Lost, Annihilator, Pestilence and more. The band's unique mix of melodic death metal, thrash metal and technical death metal captures the hearts of many in the worldwide metal scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTvwSLBzNaY


Eternal Struggle // Hardcore


Eternal Struggle are known for their aggressive, interactive and high-energy performance fusing elements from both worlds of Extreme Metal & Hardcore Punk. Socially, always fighting the good fight, bringing different music communities together over PMA ethics and hard-hitting in-your-face, groove ridden songs. 2021 saw the release of their debut full-length record ‘Year of the Gun’ - produced by Brian ‘Mitts’ Daniels [Madball/Skarhead], containing 13 lethal bomb-tracks featuring a surprisingly fitting bonus remix from Alec Empire [Atari Teenage Riot].



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSfSV5HZT6w


Desert // Power Metal


DESERT, long-established as the leading melodic metal band in native Israel and abroad, delivers a unique type of War Metal - down-tuned, fast, but with melodic vocals and power metal-type heroic vibe. The band is loved in Israel for the epic stage show and deep interaction with the crowd. The band has a rich portfolio of European festival appearances, headline shows in native Israel, touring (played shows in 20 countries along with Circle II Circle and headline tours). DESERT has a history of collaboration and sharing stage with major power metal acts such as Sabaton, Grave Digger, Primal Fear (the lead vocalists of these acts have sung on the band's studio recordings and appeared with the band on stage), Battle Beast, Blind Guardian, just to name a few.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jstVpqcHX5g


StormbounD // Symphonic Metal



StormbounD is Israel's most popular Symphonic Metal act. The band was formed in 2017 in Tel Aviv, and since then has been playing in all of Israel's major metal festivals and was also selected to Open for Epica in June 2022. Its highly acclaimed debut album, December, was released on August 22. In 2023, StormbounD came in 2nd in Israel's W.O.A Metal Battle, out of 53 bands that took part. The band's performances include live classical instrumentation (bow instruments, flute and others), ethnic instruments and rich vocal harmonies. Their local concerts normally sell out. At the moment the band is working on its second album.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj9AlUePzGU



Yossi Sassi // Oriental Rock


Yossi Sassi is an Israeli guitarist and producer who merges traditional and contemporary music. He is the inventor of the "bouzoukitara" musical instrument. He is known for pioneering oriental rock, as well as being the main composer, arranger, and co-founder of "Orphaned Land", an Israeli progressive metal band formed in 1991. He also formed the Yossi Sassi Band/The Oriental Rock Orchestra. His debut solo album, "Melting Clocks", got him voted "Top Newcomer of 2012" by Rock Hard magazine readers. His 2016 album Roots and Roads was submitted for Grammy Award consideration.


Dazy's Fasulia // Psychogagi Rock


Dazy’s Fasulia are a raucous force of a band. In today’s reality freedom of expression and free art are oppressed. They emerge, smiles eyes wide, as cheeky, vulgar and madly funny renegades, forging a style of music self-dubbed as Psychogagi Rock. Hailing from Israel, the band formed in 2013 and consists of four outrageous characters: Yali Sharon (alto-saxophone and vocals), Hadar Levi (guitar), Ori Floman (bass) and Yair Ben Shalom (drums). The band has already released three albums: Rock Psychogagi (2017), Shabbat Dinner (2021), and most recently Planet G (2025), which has received strong critical acclaim and expanded their reputation as one of the most daring acts in the Israeli alternative scene.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMmiXywbSZc


Deface // Modern Metal



Deface, formed in 2001 by Michael Korotayev in Israel, plays groove-infused death metal with dark, conceptual themes. Influenced by Sepultura and Cannibal Corpse, the band toured Europe in 2006 before a lineup split. After a three-year hiatus, Michael revived Deface with a new lineup, releasing the album Blatant Denial in 2019 via Metal Scrap Records. The current lineup includes Michael, Pavel Mityanin, Yuri Bikhman, Oleg Erokhin, and Kirill Hershberg.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLuKliVFvSs


DistorteD // Gothic/Melodic Death Metal


Originally Formed in 1996, The Israeli group Distorted was founded by high school friends in an attempt to create a different flavor of melodic metal by mixing brutal harsh vocals with Female Powerful Clean singing and incorporating mediterranean influence. The band has released 2 Studio albums - MEMORIAL (2006) via Bad Reputation Records and VOICES FROM WITHIN (2008) via Candlelight Records. The band had been put into deep freeze in 2010, and came back to life amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The band recruited new full-time members, including Amir Eliakim (Bass) Ohad Alon (Drums) and Naor Zakk (Guitars), alongside with original founding members Raffael Mor (Guitars and Vocals) and Miri Milman (SYSTEM DIVIDE) on Vocals. Since their return, the band has played several shows and festivals in Israel (including a live-aid festival supporting Ukraine). Currently the band is recording their upcoming EP, which will be announced in early 2024.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxNEaD8vL84


Oceans On Orion // Modern Metal


Oceans on Orion is a Modern Metal band from Tel Aviv, delivering a unique blend of metalcore inspired riffing, 80's golden era vocal harmonies, solid songwriting, and powerful lead vocals and guitar. Known for their solid, captivating and energetic live performances and video productions. The band has played multiple single/double feature and festival shows in Israel and UK since 2019 and has a strong following base. Oceans on Orion has released multiple videos leading up to their debut album released in 2023 via LMH Records.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHUH_Nq4cFU


Ghost Kill // Modern Metal


Ghost Kill is a heavy metal band with a sharp, djenty edge — delivering aggressive riffs, powerful grooves, and high-energy live shows that hit hard and leave a mark. The band was formed in January 2024 by vocalist Naomi Shaposhnik and guitarist/producer Itai Freed. In early 2024, Ghost Kill released their debut EP, which set the tone for what the band is all about — raw energy, heavy music, and real emotion. Since then, the band has been making waves in the local scene, gaining a loyal following and earning a reputation for explosive live performances.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXLnKabFiwQ


Witching Well // Modern Metal


Formed in 2019, Witching Well is making waves in the modern metal scene. After several transformations, the band found the perfect blend of talented musicians who are both professionals and close friends. With a fierce female vocalist leading the charge, their unique style merges American and European influences, resulting in a sound that is both melodic and powerful. Though still early in their journey, they have already performed at various venues across the country, gaining experience and building a dedicated following. Their upcoming releases promise to showcase their evolving sound and growing prowess. Each member brings unique experience and intense passion, driving the band to create music that is raw, edgy, and unforgettable.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU9KJw5eq7k


Mental Maze // Death Metal



Mental Maze emerged from Haifa, Israel in 2008, delivering a brutal blend of death metal and brutalcore. The lineup features Eli Abkin (drums), Raph Mushailov and Avi Dvir (guitars), Sergey Kraivoy (bass), and Nik Harchenko (vocals). Six months ago they released their first official single and video October, mastered by the renowned engineer behind As I Lay Dying. Now preparing to unleash their debut EP Here Goes Nothing and a new clip for Here Goes, Mental Maze brings raw intensity to the stage — joining the lineup of Sycowards Festival Israel 2025.


Serpentale // Melodic Metal


Serpentale is a melodic metal band that blends the raw aggression of metalcore with complex melodic structures. Their music features crushing riffs, fast-paced rhythms, and atmospheric layers that create an epic and immersive listening experience. Known for their captivating live performances and refined songwriting, Serpentale excels at combining heaviness with melody. The band has quickly earned a reputation as a rising force in modern metal, delivering unforgettable experiences for audiences and leaving a lasting impression wherever they perform.


Walla Lo Yodea // Punk Rock

Walla Lo Yodea (“Honestly, I Don’t Know”) is a Hebrew-language Punk Rock/Ska-Punk band from Israel, blending fast grooves, bouncy bass, and brass with lyrics marked by Israeli cynicism. Formed in 2018 with a cult EP, they released their debut full-length Neighbourhood’s Nightmare in July 2025, mixing Ska-Punk with 90’s California vibes and Tel Aviv heat. Members: Tomer Ravina (guitar, vocals), Idan Reter (guitar), Mickey Finegold (bass), Assaf Lokay (trombone), Tommy Boyarchik (drums).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS-c3ZagKfg


Shiran // Modern Metal



Shiran Band is a modern metal group founded in 2012 by vocalist Shiran Abayu and producer/guitarist Elram Boxer. Blending melodic female vocals, powerful riffs, and driving drums, their unique sound has earned them over 40,000 social media followers and international recognition. Their debut EP "Warm Winter Day" (2014) sold out within weeks and received strong reviews worldwide. In 2017, they supported Lacuna Coil in Israel and later opened for Dorothy Polonium and Desert. Their debut album "Release The Bounds" (2018) was crowdfunded successfully, followed by winning Israel’s Wacken Metal Battle and ranking sixth globally. The band is now writing new material.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y-x7s2Azho


UnderCrowned // Symphonic Power Metal



Formed in Israel in 2017 by Omer Furman and Gil David, UnderCrowned is a symphonic power metal band known for fusing soaring vocals, cinematic orchestrations, and heavy riffs. After years of lineup changes, the band re-emerged stronger than ever and got back performing in shows and festivals. Their upcoming debut album "Blaze in the Sands" will be released in the beginning of 2026 featuring tracks such as “Versus” and “Steel Monsters" which are already released as separated singles and video arts.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wwK1MbDKmY