Photo – Julio Ificada

French heavy metal festival Hellfest is a crazy, insular microcosm of a world. A world where blending in just requires an Immolation shirt, camouflage cargo shorts, and a baseball cap, preferably with a dismembered zombie on it. It’s a world where all are welcome, though, including people who unashamedly dress up like trolls, people with arms the size of Big E. Langston’s, nerds, and anyone with a propensity to strip naked for no reason.

But like most public spaces, there are also lots of children. Who are these children? We braved super protective parents, anti-noise headsets, and those clearly didn’t care to find out more.

KENZO AND LORENZO, AGE 10 AND 7

Noisey: Your parents brought you to Hellfest, but are there any bands you’re looking forward to?

Lorenzo: Dunno yet.

Kenzo: Yeah, me neither. I don’t know.

What are your parents here to see?

Lorenzo: Hmm … The kind of bands that play Hellfest, I think.

Kenzo: Yeah.

OK. You like rock?

Lorenzo: Yeah, a little bit.

Kenzo: I like it a lot!

Well, what kind of music you listen to at home?

Kenzo: A bit of everything.

Lorenzo: Yeah, a little bit of everything.

But you have a favorite band anyway?

Lorenzo: Yes, mine’s Eminem.

Kenzo: Nope, I don’t have a preference.

EMILIA, 10 AND A HALF YEARS OLD

What bands are you excited for?

Emilia: Soulfly, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, a lot of bands!

Do you know your dad’s favorite band?

Slayer!

And you?

I like Eluveitie well.

And you listen to metal outside of Hellfest?

Yes!

All the time?

Not all the time, because I like other stuff, singers like Jena Lee, you know?

ERWAN 10 YEARS OLD

What groups did you come to see today?

Erwan: I don’t know.

Ah. And you know your mom’s favorite band?

Nope.

OK. And you love metal?

Kinda.

Do you listen to it at home?

No.

What are you listening at home?

I don’t really like listening to music. I’d rather play Pokemon or Minecraft.

ROMAIN, 6 YEARS OLD

Is this the first time you’ve been to Hellfest?

Romain: Nope, this’ll be my third!

Wow. Was there a particular band that stood out to you this weekend?

Yes, Soulfly because I went on stage.

What music do you prefer?

Dad’s music.

And what do you like the least?

Mom’s music.

BAPTISTE 8 YEARS & EMILIA, 5 YEARS

What bands did you come to see today?

Baptiste: There’s a band I want to see, but I forgot what they’re called.

Do you like metal?

Baptiste: Yeah, of course.

Is that what you listen to at home?

Baptiste: A little.

What else do you listen to apart from metal?

Baptiste: Queen. I love Queen

Do you like it here?

Baptiste: Yeah, it’s cool. We had a lot of fun.

And your younger sister, did she have fun?

Emilia: When are we leaving?

Loig and Donnie are part of Noisey France. When they’re not tormenting children, they talk about metal, basketball and cars on Twitter – @Loiig and @shjjjtlizard

—

Want more?

Maryland Deathfest 2014 in Pictures

How to Go to a Festival When You’re a Small Child, an Old Man, or a Sober Person

I Went to a DIY Festival in a Children’s Museum