If you’ve been following GRIMM for a while, you’ll know we’ve been championing Luna Kills for years.

The young Finnish band have steadily grown from exciting newcomers into one of the most promising modern metal acts in Northern Europe. Their combination of huge hooks, electronic touches and heavy riffs has been turning more and more heads, and every time we’ve seen them they’ve taken another step forward. Their most recent single ‘LEECH‘ really promises something really exciting considering the direction of their new music and they’ll only go up and forward!

This year they get the honour of opening the Prison Stage, and we’d genuinely encourage everyone to get out of bed in time for it. Don’t make the mistake of thinking the first band of the day is one you can skip. We have a feeling Luna Kills are only going to get bigger from here.

Blackbraid has brought a refreshing new perspective to atmospheric black metal.

Drawing inspiration from Native American heritage, nature and spirituality, the project creates music that’s both beautiful and haunting, combining blistering black metal with moments of remarkable calm and atmosphere.

Their performances have become increasingly sought after over the past few years, and it’s easy to understand why. If you’re looking for something completely different from the rest of Sunday’s programme, don’t overlook this one.

Sometimes you simply want to have fun, and that’s exactly where Warkings come in.

The masked power metal warriors have built their entire identity around larger-than-life characters, heroic battles and massive singalong choruses. It’s theatrical, it’s unapologetically over the top and that’s exactly why it works so well on a festival stage.

Grab your fellow warriors, raise your fists in the air and prepare to march into battle. If you’re in the mood for pure feel-good heavy metal, this is the place to be.

This band should absolutely be on your PROGram. The manly trio brings technically diffcult music with a combination of melodic pieces. Tosin makes it look like playing guitar is effortless, very impressive skills. Go check them out.

Animals as Leaders have spent years proving that instrumental music can be just as captivating as anything fronted by a vocalist. The chemistry between Tosin Abasi, Javier Reyes and Matt Garstka is something special, creating songs that somehow manage to be mind-blowingly technical while still feeling emotional and accessible.

Even if progressive metal normally isn’t your thing, we’d still recommend giving them a chance. Watching Tosin Abasi play guitar alone is worth showing up for.

If you’ve never experienced Rise of the Northstar live, you’re in for something special.

The French band have created a sound that’s entirely their own, blending hardcore, nu metal, rap, thrash and metalcore with a visual style heavily inspired by Japanese street culture, manga and samurai imagery. It shouldn’t work on paper, yet somehow it works brilliantly.

Every time they hit the stage, the energy level immediately shoots through the roof. Expect huge pits, endless bouncing and one of the most infectious atmospheres you’ll find all weekend.

Few bands have exploded quite as quickly over the past couple of years as Paleface Swiss.

Their blend of deathcore, hardcore and crushing grooves has earned them a reputation as one of the most intense live bands around. Every show seems to result in complete chaos, with circle pits opening up in every direction and crowdsurfers constantly making their way to the front.

If you’re looking for one of the most energetic performances of the entire weekend, we’d be very surprised if Paleface Swiss disappoint. Stretch beforehand, because you’re probably going to spend this set bouncing.

I go to Alcatraz and take along: poopfloaties, toilet brushes and a full-white workoutfit. Guttalax is a medication for treating constipation. Just saying. Get ready for a crazy grindcore party. Be assured that the Czech bandmembers perform with enthousiasm and provide you an experience that must not be missed.

If you’ve ever seen videos of a Gutalax show, you’ll already know exactly what kind of madness to expect. Inflatable pool toys, ridiculous costumes, toilet brushes flying through the air and a crowd that’s more interested in having the time of their lives than taking themselves seriously.

After absolutely tearing the place apart last year, they’re back to close out the weekend with the official “aftershow” on the Swamp Stage. Honestly, we can’t think of a more fitting way to end four days of Alcatraz than with one last giant party.