GREENFIELD FESTIVAL 2026 @ Interlaken – Day 2, Friday 12 June

Day 2 – Friday 12 June

We arrive at the festival grounds for the second day just as German outfit THE BUTCHER SISTERS are already taking the stage. At first, we are slightly puzzled by their highly crossover musical approach, straddling the line between German-style hip-hop and metalcore. It quickly becomes apparent, however, that we are dealing with a band of born entertainers. The two vocalists barely pause for a moment, constantly delivering jokes that fit perfectly with their tongue-in-cheek lyrics while staging a series of amusing visual gags. And yes, that did include a knight-versus-dragon duel. Highly entertaining—provided you understand German—but not exactly the sort of music I would choose to listen to on my drive to work.

Next up are ALL TIME LOW, the American rock band formed in the early 2000s. I have to admit that I had never really paid much attention to them before. While they are clearly an experienced and capable live act, their musical style did not particularly resonate with me.

A completely different story are IN EXTREMO, the German medieval metal veterans who can now boast more than thirty years of experience. Heavy, almost industrial-sounding guitars blend with medieval atmospheres created through bagpipes, flutes, harps, hurdy-gurdies, and irresistibly catchy melodies. This is a band whose spectacular fire-filled stage production would undoubtedly benefit from darkness, yet the audience clearly appreciated the performance regardless.

We then make our way to the Eiger Stage for the performance by fellow Germans ITCHY. Those who have followed the band since their days as Itchy Poopzkid know exactly what to expect: a hugely experienced outfit with more than 900 concerts under its belt and an uncanny ability to get crowds moving with its energetic punk rock. Unsurprisingly, the area in front of the stage quickly turns into a sea of dancing, moshing, and nonstop movement, creating a fantastic party atmosphere.
It is then back to the main stage for what is supposed to be SEPULTURA’s final Swiss performance. The use of the conditional is intentional, as the history of rock and metal is full of farewell tours followed by unexpected reunions. The legendary Brazilian thrash metal band has been on its farewell run for well over a year now.

For many metal fans, SEPULTURA effectively ceased to exist when vocalist and founding member Max Cavalera—and later his brother Iggor—left the band in the mid-1990s. Yet despite those challenges, the group has soldiered on for another three decades, releasing numerous albums—with admittedly mixed results—and continuing to tour extensively around the globe.
The setlist focuses primarily on the band’s classic material, kicking off with a ferocious rendition of “Inner Self” from “Beneath the Remains”. From “Arise” to “Refuse/Resist” from “Desperate Cry” to “Roots Bloody Roots” the band delivers many fan favourites while still finding room for more recent material such as “Kairos,” alongside percussion-driven pieces like “Kaiowas” and “Ratamahatta”.
The energy and impact are undeniable—new drummer Greyson Nekrutman is absolutely monstrous behind the kit—but personally, I feel that with only one guitarist remaining, SEPULTURA now sounds closer to a hardcore band than a thrash metal one. Nevertheless, thank you for writing some of the most important chapters in the history of thrash metal. Safe travels, and farewell.

The intensity hardly drops with ARCHITECTS. The British metalcore giants attack from the very first seconds of their set, and the audience responds in kind. Mosh pits erupt across the field, circle pits spin into action, walls of death open up, and crowd surfing effectively becomes the festival’s official sport. Despite possessing a substantial catalogue, a significant portion of the performance is dedicated to material from their latest album, “The Sky, the Earth & All Between”. Judging by the reaction of the crowd, however, nobody seems remotely bothered. The audience remains ecstatic throughout the entire set.

Next comes another band that has spent the last few years rapidly climbing the ranks of modern heavy music, selling out increasingly large venues and arenas around the world. I am referring to American sensation BAD OMENS. Unfortunately, the band’s management prohibited all accredited photographers from shooting the performance. For that reason, we have chosen not to review their set. As far as the concerts are concerned, the day ends here. For many festivalgoers, however, the celebrations will continue until the first light of dawn.