Fusing blistering hardcore with blackened edges and a deep well of emotional intensity, Grief Ritual have been steadily gaining momentum in the UK heavy scene. As they gear up to unleash their chaos at 2000 Trees Festival this Thursday afternoon on The Cave Stage we discussed their festival essentials, what they’re most looking forward to, and their plans for the rest of 2025
What are you most excited for at 2000 trees?
– It’s three years since we made our Trees debut, having played in 2022, so it’s going to be incredible for us to return with a new set, and fresh from the release of our debut album Collapse, available from Church Road Records. We’re also looking forward to catching tonnes of amazing bands over the course of the festival and seeing lots of old friends in the process.
What can people expect from your set?
– Energy, aggression, and big riffs. We’ve been working on a special ‘Collapse’ themed set for the festival, and we’re very much looking forward to unleashing it on the world. If you’re as frustrated at the state of the world as we are, this is the cathartic set for you to come have some fun, and give yourself a release.
Which bands are you most excited to see over the weekend?
– Apart from the obvious sing along nostalgia of Alexisonfire, Taking Back Sunday, and Coheed, we’re really looking forward to Kneepcap, Frontierer, Spaced, Terminal Sleep, RØRY, Employed to Serve, Split Chain, Eyes, False Reality, and Orchards.
Are there any upcoming bands from your area that people should be checking out?
– We straddle both Birmingham and the South West, so there’s a huge area of bands to choose from, but I’d recommend Uncertainty (who are also playing the Cave at this year’s Trees), Vicarage, Blythe Blade, Black Mould, and Misgendered.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
– After 2000 Trees we have a short break, and then we have a packed September ahead as we play Beneath The Arches Festival, with our label mates Underdark, on September 6th, before 12 dates across the UK and Ireland with Nekrogoblikon, Allegaeon, and PaRtY-CaNnOn. It’s going to be a riot!
What are your festival essentials?
– Cooling wipes, spare pocket sized tissue papers, re-chargeable handheld fan, a couple of litres of irn bru and gin, plus plenty of sun tan lotion.
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These are our tour dates:
SEPTEMBER
6 – Beneath the Arches – Chelsmford
17 – Milton Keynes – Craufurd Arms*
18 – Bristol – SWX*
19 – Southampton – The 1865*
21 – Leeds – Project House*
22 – Glasgow – The Garage*
23 – Belfast – Limelight 2*
24 – Dublin – Academy*
25 – Manchester – Club Academy*
26 – Newcastle – Anarchy Brew Co*
28 – Norwich – Waterfront*
29 – London – Scala*
30 – Nottingham – Rescue Rooms*
* w/NEKROGOBLIKON