Ten Artists Who Should Play Sick New World in 2025

The week has barely passed and fans are making their wish lists regarding who they think should play next year's Sick New World Fest. The main problem with these lists is that they are either acts who have already played or just boring radio rock fodder that plays  Welcome to Rockville or Rockahoma and would turn Sick New World into just another rock fest, by diluting the theme that made the first year so appealing a marriage of traditional goth acts, nu-metal and darker metal / industrial bands.  So the list complied here leans more in the direction of the first year. These are not bands who have played the previous fests but Fresh Blood fitting for 2025...that is if the world does not end before next May. 

10-Astari Nite 

This Miami-based death rock band is great live and has a good middle-of-the-road vibe for the fest 

9-Godflesh

Perhaps less popular in the States, this crushing project from England influenced most of the industrial and metal bands you're listening to today. 

8-Sleepy Time Gorilla Museum

The reunited cult of prog-rock weirdos brings a Victorian steampunk wonderment to their sonically angular anti-rock attack.

   

7-Chelsea Wolfe

 Wolfe has toured with Ministry before, and her hypnotic songs are heavy in their own way. Live her sludged-out shoegazing is powerful.

   

6-Final Gasp 

This punk band from Boston casts plenty of shadows with their sound while still being aggressive enough to fit in no matter what act they have to follow. 

5-Mindless Self Indulgence

Jimmy Urine and Friends might have been out of action for a minute but would be the perfect blend of nu-metal swagger and dark wave angst.

 

 

4-Grave Pleasures 

This band from Finland used to be Beastmilk, their brooding brand of post-punk is anthemic enough to win over festival audiences 

 

3-My Dying Bride 

There is no bringing back Peter Steele, so these guys are the next best replacement for Type O Negative with their brand of gothy doom.

   

2-the Misfits 

They have already been booked on festivals since reuniting, the only real hurdle would be seeing how this is System of a Down's fest, so would Danzig and the boys be ok with not headlining? Aside from that they would be perfect

  . 

1-Marilyn Manson 

Already booking shows after emerging from his legal troubles, this only makes sense.

 

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Who Not to Miss At Sick New World 2024 ( a curated guide)

Lots of bands playing in one day at Sick New World, this means compressed set times and lots of options to choose from. We are going to help you be less overwhelmed and provide you with a guide to what the best options are to make the most of your time at the fest, After all, tickets and the trip out to Vegas are pricey enough, so you need to make this day worthwhile. I am not suggesting the most popular bands, so if you want to avoid the crowded stages this list is for you, but most of these suggestions are due to the fact I hate most radio rock, so we are going to be avoiding that. If your tastes in music are super vanilla then stick to the Gold stage. 

 Siren Stage-11:40 -Snow Strippers 

Sure they are competing with Kittie, but I saw Kittie back in the day and this band called Mudvayne who was opening blew them off the stage, Snow Strippers have a new album coming out, and are looking forward, not back.

Gold Stage-12:20 - Spirtbox 

Really the only band that is worthwhile in this slot

Diablo Stage-1:10- Gel

One of the best punk bands going today. 

Siren Stage-1:50-3TEETH

Surprised they are playing this early in the day as they are going to blow away half the bands that come after them

Siren- Stage 2;25- Combichrist 

Just stick around after 3Teeth, they are going to have to kill it to follow 3TEETH who is the better band. 

Siren Stage-3:00- She Past Away 

Not sure who booked this show and arranged the line-up but I am just working with what they are giving me, they are on the Siren stage right after to hammering industrial bands, but maybe their gothy take on post-punk will give your ears a rest. 

Siren Stage 3:35- Lords of Acid 

They are always fun live and less likely to dial it in than Primus. 

Diablo Stage-4:20 - Fleshwater

Melodic post-hardcore with a very 90s alternative slant. 

Siren Stage-4:45 Frontline Assembly 

If you missed them on their last run with Ministry they are a must-see. 

Siren Stage-5:20- Front 242 

One of the best industrial bands playing the fest worth sticking the Siren stage for. 

Siren Stage - 5:55- Nitzer Ebb 

Yet another classic industrial band, with these guys you gotta ask, how much longer are they going to be around?

Siren Stage-6:30 -Have a Nice Life

It was a tough call between these guys and Vein Fm, but these guys should be more interesting, whereas Vein FM is more likely to just come across like every other nu-metal-leaning hard-core band. 

Red Stage -7:10 - Danny Elfman 

I really want to see Code Orange, but there will be more chances to see Code Orange, However Danny Elfman rarely tours, so the chance of seeing him again is slimmer, and he is a legend, ya know he is the voice of Jack Skellington and the lead singer of Oingo Boingo so there is that. 

eat, piss, get stoned, or whatever you gotta do 

Siren Stage -9:40 -Slowdive 

One of the most important shoe-gaze bands, who is returning after a hiatus, missing Slipknot? I guess it depends on if you want quality of music or spectacle, but Corey Taylor brings his circus to town much more regularly 

Siren Stage - 10:45 -Swans 

I have seen System of a Down before. I have seen Swans more. It might not matter if you go see Swans or not because they are the loudest band I have ever seen, you can go see Sleep Token (if you are into pop music) you can see System of a Down but you will hear Swans regardless as they are the loudest band I have ever seen... and I have seen Slayer, Motorhead, Judas Priest and Pantera, Swans are louder. They are also the most musically interesting band, and the best one, more than likely all the musicians in the bands you like will be at Swans, as they will tell you they are the best band as well. Maynard will certainly be there as they were a huge influence on Tool, and industrial music would not exist without Swans either so those bands will be worshipping them as well. 

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