Sunday, April 5th: The Core Awakening
Sunday felt like a fresh awakening, with the Spring sun still hanging over the Neckarhalle as the focus shifted from the “Fun-Metal” of Saturday into the visceral, modern heart of the festival.
The Defect
The Defect was a wonderful surprise and a highlight for many early Sunday arrivers. Their performance was a deeply authentic, raw, and emotional experience that invited the crowd to simply “let go.” Musically, they strike a unique chord. It’s heavy, yet almost danceable, creating a cathartic atmosphere that felt like a collective purging of the previous night’s exhaustion.
Visually, they kept things intriguing as well. Their drummer performed behind a very “spacey” mask, adding a layer of industrial mystery to their set. It was the perfect opening for the second day: a harsh, beautiful awakening that reminded everyone exactly why we travel to Oberndorf.
Stain The Canvas
Hailing from Italy, Stain The Canvas were the breakout discovery of the weekend. Their brand of “theatrical Emo-Metalcore” brought a sleek, dark aesthetic to the stage that felt like a modern evolution of the genre. While the details of the show might have blurred, the energy was unmistakable. A mix of haunting melodies and sharp, aggressive breakdowns that left a lasting impression.
Setlist:
- VULTURES
- DISPOSABLE
- FRIXION
- PUPPET
- 554
- GATTINI
- LEECHES
- SEAL MY SOUL
- DEAD CIRCUS
Avralize
The local heroes from Rottweil received a massive homecoming welcome. Sporting a completely fresh look – new hair, new style, new everything – Avralize proved just how much they have evolved. Their professional, modern sound was met with pure enthusiasm from the local crowd and travelers alike, solidifying their status as one of the region’s most exciting acts.
Setlist:
- medicine
- wanderlust
- LOTUS
- bite my tongue
- liminal
- CANVAS
- helium
- upside down
Butcher Babies
Butcher Babies are a force of nature. While this was the second time I saw them without Carla Harvey, the transition has solidified into a tight, focused powerhouse. Heidi Shepherd remains a whirlwind on stage; her energy is so immense it truly feels like she’s covering the ground of two vocalists at once.
But even with Heidi “flying” across the stage, the rest of the band deserves immense respect for holding down that brutal, groovy soundscape – perfectly locked, heavy backbone for hits like Monsters Ball. The crowd interaction was peak “Butcher Babies”, culminating in that legendary energy that only they can bring.
Setlist:
- Backstreets of Tennessee
- Red Thunder
- Monsters Ball
- Sincerity
- Beaver Cage
- It’s Killin’ Time, Baby!
- Sleeping With the Enemy
- Lost In Your Touch
- Black Dove
- Spittin’ Teeth
- Drum solo (followed by the intro of Korn’s “Blind”)
- Last December
- Magnolia Blvd.
The Browning
If the previous acts were the storm, The Browning was the digital earthquake. Their “Deathcore-Techno” fusion was electronically chaotic, splitting the crowd between those who were slightly bewildered and those who were partying like there was no tomorrow.
The stage was draped in such heavy shadow that the name “The Browning” felt almost ironic – “The Darkening” would have been more accurate. For a photographer, the lack of frontlights was a nightmare, but for the fans, it created a visceral, underground rave atmosphere. Their connection to Klayton’s FIXT label makes perfect sense; the industrial, synth-heavy precision of their sound carries resembles that unmistakable Klayton DNA.
Setlist:
- No Escape
- Not Alone
- Bloodlust
- Standing on the Edge
- Burn This World
- Ashamed
- Time Will Tell
- Dominator
- WAKE UP
- HIVEMIND
- Deceiver
- Soul Drift
- Blue (Da Ba Dee) – (Eiffel 65 cover)
- Poison
Infected Rain
Infected Rain were, in a word, fascinating. They are the definition of a total powerhouse, blending technical precision with raw, guttural emotion. Lena Scissorhands remains one of the most captivating frontwomen in the game; her vocal range – from hauntingly melodic cleans to those signature bone-shaking screams – held the Neckarhalle in a trance from the first note.
The visual aspect of their show was just as striking as the music. Between the swirling dreadlocks and the intense stage lighting, every moment felt like a frame from a high-budget music video. The absolute “moment of the day,” however, was the unexpected collaboration of the weekend: Heidi Shepherd from Butcher Babies stormed back onto the stage to join Lena for a song. Seeing those two vocal giants share a mic was a “double power pack” of aggression and stage presence that nearly blew the roof off the hall.
Ignite
In stark contrast to the darkness of the industrial acts, Ignite brought bright lights, huge smiles, and a sun-drenched, rocky soundscape. As co-headliners, the Orange County legends proved why they are still at the top of the melodic hardcore game. Their vibe is so interactive and heartwarming that their long slot felt like it ended in the blink of an eye. Whether they were playing their own anthems or their legendary “Sunday Bloody Sunday” cover, the connection with the crowd was undeniable.
The Butcher Sisters (TBS)
Finally, it was time for The Butcher Sisters, and “wild” doesn’t even begin to cover it. While Saturday’s “funny headliner” leaned on tradition, TBS brought a fresh, chaotic energy that felt like a fever dream. Their “Rock, Rap, and Magic” show was a theatrical masterpiece of nonsense.
The highlights were too many to count: they rickrolled the crowd during the intro to “White Monster,” sent Stroppo crowdsurfing in a giant banana boat, and he even rode a scooter across the stage for “Cityroller.” The “magic” peaked when they literally cut Stroppo in half. No one in the front rows was even dry yet after the first few songs since he showered the crowd in beer several times. To top it off, the King Nugget Gang joined them for a massive rendition of the “Nudelsong.” It was the perfect ending for a festival that prides itself on being a bit different.
Setlist:
- Bierosaufus Ex
- Herr Dokter
- Bierdurst
- Reiner
- Sonnenbrille
- White Monster
- Genie in a Bottle (Snippet) by Alex (Christina Aguilera cover)
- Klettergerüst
- Cityroller
- Bauchtasche
- Der Nudelsong (ft. King Nugget Gang)
- Freitag
Encore:
- Drachentöter
- Baggersee
The Verdict: More Than Just a Festival
As the final echoes of The Butcher Sisters’ “magic show” faded and the last of the pink confetti was swept into the corners of the Neckarhalle, one thing was abundantly clear: Easter Cross remains in a league of its own.
What makes this event so special isn’t just the music – it’s the familiar vibe. In an era of increasingly corporate, massive-scale festivals, Oberndorf feels like a homecoming. A massive compliment must be paid to the organizational team. Dealing with the challenging construction site and the resulting parking puzzle could have easily derailed the weekend, but their foresight and clear communication kept the engine running smoothly. To pull off a lineup of this caliber while keeping ticket prices so impressively low is a feat that deserves a standing ovation.
If you haven’t been: this is your sign to come. It is, quite simply, the best way to kick off the festival season.
The Road to 2027
The dust has barely settled, but the hype for next year is already starting to simmer. Mark your calendars for March 27th – 28th, 2027. The early announcements are already promising another diverse, high-energy weekend:
- Skindred: Get your shirts ready for the “Newport Helicopter” – the ragga-metal legends are coming to shake the hall.
- Mittel Alta: Bringing some folk-infused nonsense to the mix.
- Consvmer: For those who need their weekend dose of heavy, dark, and visceral modern metal.
With a start like that, the 2027 edition is already looking like a “must-attend.” See you at the parking lot for the next trunk party!
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Visit the official homepage of the Easter Cross Festival.
Photography and Article by Cat Maverick