Winter Rising Fest

Underground metal takes over Écouen's heritage

There's something absolutely fascinating about the unlikely marriage that takes place every autumn in Écouen: that of a town in the Val-d'Oise with rich medieval and Renaissance heritage — its 16th-century castle houses the National Museum of the Renaissance — and an international underground extreme metal festival. It is in the backyard of the town hall, at the Grange à Dîmes, that the Winter Rising Fest sets up its headquarters for two days, at the end of October or beginning of November.

The association Horns of Desolation, behind the festival, has managed to create something unique since its founding in 2016: a festival that takes the risk of booking original and exclusive bands, often rarely or never seen in France, rather than relying on standard headliners. It is this editorial boldness that has forged the reputation of the Winter Rising Fest within the international metal community.

A journey into the heart of extreme metal

The Winter Rising Fest is a festival designed for connoisseurs, seasoned metalheads seeking something beyond the commercial circuit. The lineup explores the darkest and most intense territories of metal: atmospheric or primordial black metal, old-school or modern death metal, funereal doom metal, ferocious thrash metal, and other subgenres that enrich the complexity of the extreme metal scene.

The 2025 edition, held on October 31st and November 1st at the Grange à Dîmes, brought together no less than 15 acts from various geographical backgrounds. Names like Adorior, Ataraxie, Ataraxy, Mercyless, Temple of Baal, Hecate Enthroned, or Cirith Gorgor illustrate the international scope and artistic standards of the festival. Some bands were performing in France or Europe for the first time, which is one of the festival's strong selling points to the public.

The Grange à Dîmes: an unexpected architectural gem

The venue chosen to host the festival is itself an architectural curiosity. The Grange à Dîmes of Écouen is an ancient building located in the backyard of the town hall, in the shadow of the Château d'Écouen which has dominated the hill since the 16th century. This semi-covered space, both rustic and steeped in history, creates a special atmosphere that perfectly matches the spirit of underground metal: intense, dark, and authentic.

The deliberately limited capacity of the Grange à Dîmes contributes to the quality of the experience. It's not a stadium or a large concert hall, but an intimate space where the sonic power of the bands is felt physically, where you can be just a few meters from the musicians, where direct contact between artists and the audience creates a rare communion. This is the very essence of live underground metal.

Craft beers and community spirit

To complete the experience, the Winter Rising Fest offers over the two days a selection of carefully chosen local craft beers to accompany the power of the riffs and the mystical atmospheres. A bar and light catering are available on-site. The atmosphere is festive yet respectful, in the spirit of a community united by its musical tastes and its love for authentic metal.

Tickets, ranging from €26 to €50 for two days, are designed to remain accessible while reflecting the quality of a lineup that rivals the biggest European metal festivals. The Winter Rising Fest is currently one of the most recognized metal festivals in the Île-de-France region, and Écouen has become, for a weekend, the world capital of underground metal.