Icelandic metal heavyweights SÓLSTAFIR are set to make their long-awaited return to Lithuania, once again gracing the stage of the KILKIM ŽAIBU festival. Fans can expect a darker, heavier setlist, perfectly complemented by the band’s critically acclaimed new album, “Hin helga kvöl” (The Holy Suffering), released just over a week ago.
SÓLSTAFIR’s unique sound and Icelandic-language lyrics turned them into a cult favorite in Lithuania after their 2013 debut at KILKIM ŽAIBU. While their earlier work leaned towards Viking black metal, the band’s evolution over the past decade into lighter tones hasn’t compromised their core themes of anguish, solitude, and longing. This new album and set will resonate with fans old and new - especially those craving a heavier edge.
“Hin helga kvöl” masterfully blends SÓLSTAFIR’s black metal roots with their melodic, anthemic rock influences, incorporating a vast array of instrumentation. Frontman Aðalbjörn Tryggvason sums up the album’s essence in one word: “solitude.” This raw and introspective offering is an invitation to explore the beauty of loneliness through SÓLSTAFIR’s signature soundscape.
A star-studded lineup for KILKIM ŽAIBU XXV.
The 25th-anniversary edition of KILKIM ŽAIBU promises an unforgettable celebration with a lineup boasting global heavy music icons and local favorites. While fans of My Dying Bride may be disappointed by the cancellation of their 2024 shows, vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe will make his Lithuanian debut with his new project, HIGH PARASITE. The band, which dropped their first album in October, blends Stainthorpe’s unmistakable voice with a fresh, gothic sound. Self-described as "death pop," HIGH PARASITE'S debut is packed with catchy tracks destined for crossover success.
Another highlight of the festival is the return of Finnish party metal legends FINNTROLL, whose mix of brilliance and medieval tavern chaos promises a wild, unforgettable show.
Get your dancing shoes ready - this will be a fiery celebration!
For black metal purists, the festival delivers with Norway’s TSJUDER, making their first-ever appearance in the Baltic States. Known for their relentless and uncompromising style, they’re a dream come true for fans of raw, unfiltered black metal.
Adding an exotic flair to the lineup, Hungary’s THY CATAFALQUE will transport audiences to another dimension with their avant-garde approach, blending metal with progressive and folk influences. Ukraine’s IGNEA will also bring their melodic metal infused with symphonic and electronic elements, underscored by powerful storytelling.
Lithuania’s metal scene won’t be left out, with local death metal champions GRIEFGOD taking the stage. After representing the country at the world-renowned Wacken Open Air festival, they’ll bring their thunderous sound back home for this monumental celebration.
A festival like no other.
KILKIM ŽAIBU XXV will be a thunderous celebration of the festival’s legacy and the strength of the Lithuanian metal scene. We’re not scaling back - we’re doubling down! The announced lineup already includes world-class acts, and we’re just getting started. Stay tuned for even more surprises in the weeks and months to come.
Taking place from June 20-22, 2025, the festival returns to its traditional location: the picturesque grounds of President Antanas Smetona Manor Museum in Ukmergė. Prepare for the loudest summer solstice celebration in the Baltics!
