Simon RushworthCall Of The Wild festival continues to curate the very best in rock and metal with new finds and old favourites soundtracking three fabulous days in Lincoln. Day one of the hotly anticipated 2025 edition didn’t disappoint.
When you name your band after a local Metro station then the fast track to success would appear guaranteed.
Newcastle’s Manørs might only be starting their metalcore journey but given Ellen Hirst’s mix of guttural fury and melodic finesse, the final destination points to Bloodstock, Download, Wacken and more.
Call Of The Wild’s lunchtime crowd was treated to a raft of blazing new tunes including the brooding Gatekeeper, driven by Jake Grimes’ piercing guitar. Wrapping up with Happy Families, Manørs proved welcome additions to the Call Of The Wild clan.
Over on the Trailblazer stage Jehenna, from just down the road in Norfolk, fused alt metal with expertly crafted classic rock to create an edgy, at times ethereal vibe.
Perhaps the creamy stout was kicking in or maybe it was the rising temperature inside a fast-filling tent but the assured five piece appeared cult-like in their conviction — mesmerising a committed crowd with rabid riffs, punchy keys and breezy beats.
That the PA failed them during immersive set closer The Shadow was a shame… Jehenna’s ambitious soundscape deserved better.
There were no such problems for fellow Trailblazers Heartbreak Remedy as the classy Cumbrians maintained their recent upward curve.
It might have taken more than 10 years — and several tweaks — but it feels like Matty Penn and co. have finally hit their stride with a powerful live sound that does justice to a kick-ass back catalogue.
Luke Blair’s fret-melting flair and Stephen Jackson’s demonic drumming lay the foundations for groove-laden classic rock at its most compelling.
Penn’s never sounded better as he prepares to write the next chapter in this criminally underrated trio’s star-chasing story.
When Lesbian Bed Death blasted out Pretty But Mental the ‘does what it says on the tin’ track forced a strangely subdued Kilmister Stage crowd to sit up and take notice.
The dashing goth metallers aren’t nearly as frightening as their provocative name suggests — behind the divisive monicker is a band that’s stylish, catchy and just a little bit crazy.
Twenty years down the line nothing’s going to divert Lesbian Bed Death from their mission to rebrand Alice Cooper as a devil worshipping diva from Stoke.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Sisters Doll checked into Call Of The Wild for one final party before hopping back on a plane Down Under.
And the Aussie sleaze merchants didn’t disappoint as they kissed goodbye to a hugely successful UK jaunt.
Watching this wacky band of wide-eyed brothers from the other side of the world doing what they love best was a joyous experience.
Mixing Mötley Crüe with Michael Monroe and Faster Pussycat with Jizzy Pearl, a set forged in the Sunset Strip shook Call Of The Wild to its core.
Sisters are doing it for themselves… and long may it continue.
Soul Revival and Tom Killner kept the good times rolling on the Trailblazer stage with the former’s Rock Staran unapologetic ode to what’s always a wonderful weekend.
The latter’s heady mix of Southern rock and outlaw country captured the early evening mood and pulled a slew of intrigued Commoners fans into the tent ahead of the Canadians’ headline set.
Killner could comfortably share a stage with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blackberry Smoke, Brothers Osborne or The Cadillac Three.
But he should be aiming even higher. Do Something About It — all determination and desire — suggests Killner’s minded to do just that.
Greta Van who? If you’re looking for the real deal when it comes to the keenest of Zeppelin acolytes then it’s time to jump onto Jayler.
There’s a raw authenticity at the heart of this magical Midlands quartet that should fend off any lazy accusations of a copycat approach to classic rock.
But as long-time fans of Lenny Wolf and the classy Kingdom Come, Rushonrock’s always welcomed a fresh take on Led Zep.
Frontman James Bartholomew and guitarist Tyler Arrowsmith are perfect clones of Page and Plant. Doesn’t bother us: we’ll happily follow the dynamic duo up Jayler’s very own stairway to rock and roll heaven.
Asomvel reminded the masses of their blood, sweat and tears approach to bombastic hard rock while out on the road with Aussie bone crunchers Airbourne earlier this year.
And the AC/DC-meets-Motörhead motherfuckers didn’t mess about whipping the Call Of The Wild crowd into a Friday night frenzy.
Firing out blazing riffs for fun and laying down the gauntlet to next band up Tailgunner, this was a trad metal masterclass worthy of much-missed founder Jay-Jay Winter.
Nephews Ralph (vocals) and Stel (guitar) were born to be head-banging heroes in their late uncle’s vein and this autumn’s UK headline tour can’t come soon enough.
The last time Rushonrock clapped eyes on Tailgunner at Call Of The Wild, a virtually unknown shredder named Rhea Thomspon made a dazzling debut for the supercharged trad metallers.
Two years down the line and the multi-talented six-stringer is the jewel in the crown of a band that will be celebrating Iron Maiden’s legacy long after the original and the best wind down this year’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
There’s very little that’s new about Tailgunner’s tried and tested NWOBHM sound but Tom Hewson’s crew are well-drilled, expertly honed masters of their classic craft.
With a new man behind the kit in the shape of Eddie Mariotti — the drummer replaced Jani Pasanen in April — the future looks bright for one of Britain’s most illuminating new bands.
Toronto natives The Commoners brought their casual cool to Call Of The Wild and in the process capped a typically diverse day one.
The Canadians’ heady brew of rootsy rock resonated perfectly with punters in reflective mood as the sun set over the showground.
Rising stars of the NWOCR scene, the band’s emotive set followed hot on the heels of the band’s Live In The UK release — a record that sums up an ever-strengthening bond with British audiences.
Restless, See You Again and Devil Teasin’ Me are majestic pieces of work — all three affording wistful frontman Chris Medhurst the opportunity to showcase his unique talent for truth-be-told storytelling.
Call Of The Wild frequently pulls of a coup when it comes to its festival headliners: add The Commoners to that illustrious list.
Check out Rushonrock’s YouTube channel to catch all of 2025’s Call Of The Wild action plus playlists from previous years.
All images courtesy of Call Of The Wild.