Tool Headlines Aftershock's Genre-Blending Sacramento Takeover

Tool will anchor a lineup that spans decades of heavy music when Aftershock returns to Sacramento's Discovery Park October 1-4. The progressive metal titans join forces with hip-hop legends Wu-Tang Clan and emo royalty My Chemical Romance in what festival producer Danny Wimmer calls a "bold new chapter" that breaks traditional festival boundaries.

The four-day celebration brings together 50-plus acts across metal, punk, emo, and nu-metal territories. Pierce the Veil makes their headlining debut alongside veterans A Day To Remember, while composer Danny Elfman adds an unexpected cinematic element to the proceedings. Desert rock stalwarts Queens of the Stone Age and ska-punk icons Sublime round out the top tier, creating an eclectic mix that reflects modern heavy music's diverse landscape.

Sacramento metalheads can finally live on-site this year, as Aftershock introduces camping for the first time after years of fan requests. The addition promises to transform the festival experience into a full weekend immersion. Last year's event drew 164,000 attendees and generated $39 million for the local economy, setting high expectations for this expanded format.

The lineup reaches deep into heavy music's family tree, featuring rap pioneers Public Enemy and Three 6 Mafia, nu-metal survivors Limp Bizkit, and underground favorites like $UICIDEBOY$. Veterans Stone Temple Pilots, AFI, and Cypress Hill share space with newer voices including Hot Mulligan and Slaughter To Prevail, proving Aftershock's commitment to honoring the past while embracing heavy music's future.