Festival Reports
Brutal Assault has been around for a while – this year it was edition #29, and it was simply fantastic. 4 (almost 5, to be precise) days of cheerful chaos mixed with serious music, the old cosy Josefov Fortress grounds and tunnels, the smell of good food and the rivers of beer – everything was almost like always but more mature, bigger, stronger. The whole festival was sold out, probably due to some giants like Gojira, and it was the second time in history that it happened. However, the huge mass of people just added an extra layer of awe to those who visited BA for the first time, and I believe that the overall impression was a total amazement. But let’s talk about each day separately.
The first official day of Brutal Assault started with nostalgia an wide smiles of those who had been missing it for the whole year, and it felt like coming home after a long time away. Dealing with the parking, all the tickets that were needed, putting up the tent, then finally – the festival gates and grounds. Ahhh, it felt good. The people wandering around, remembering or learning all the entries, exits, names of the stages, checking the festival app and the program, top-ups, first gulps of drinks…
…First bands.
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On this particular day of the 10-day Lokerse Feesten festival, fans of the harder scenes in music culture get to see nostalgic bands such as Melvins and Helmet on the main stage, together with a phenomenal combo of two main acts: the melancholic Amenra, founded in our own country, and titans from France, Gojira! who blew the world away with their stunt as the opening act for the Olympic Games. Between these icons, you also have Club Studio Brussel, which gave more of an underground feel, with bands that vary greatly in style, such as Coilgun‘s modern touch of hardcore, Envy creating epic emotional Japanese melodies, Red Kross daring to play classic pop with indie and punk, and Light of Eternity featuring the iconic Paul Ferguson on drums. There is guaranteed to be something for everyone.
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After a packed opening day, Hellsinki Metal Festival entered its second and final day with a noticeably calmer atmosphere. The early hours saw fewer visitors making their way around the venue, perhaps a testament to how enthusiastically many had embraced Friday’s festivities. As the afternoon progressed, however, the arena steadily filled once more, with larger crowds gathering as the day moved towards its heavyweight evening programme.
Musically, the day offered remarkable diversity. Brutal deathcore, grindcore pioneers, progressive black metal, metalcore, hardcore icons, classic heavy metal and atmospheric post-metal all found their place across the festival’s three stages. By the time the final tribute to Bathory closed the weekend, Hellsinki Metal Festival had once again demonstrated just how broad the metal spectrum can be.
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Every festival has its own rhythm, and Sunday at Alcatraz always feels a little different. There is still plenty of energy left in the crowd, but at the same time the realization slowly sets in that another edition is drawing to a close. One last chance to discover a new favourite band, one last moshpit, one last singalong with thousands of fellow metalheads before returning to everyday life. Fortunately, the final day delivered everything you could have hoped for, providing a fitting conclusion to another memorable weekend.
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After a blistering opening day, Alcatraz 2025 showed no signs of slowing down on Saturday. From progressive masterpieces and death metal violence to hard rock legends and theatrical spectacle, the festival once again offered a wonderfully diverse selection of heavy music. Established icons shared the bill with the next generation of metal’s biggest names, while several performances reminded us why live music remains the ultimate way to experience this scene. These were ten performances that stood out the most on Saturday.
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The first day of Alcatraz 2025 immediately reminded everyone why this festival has become such a staple of the European metal summer. From intimate performances inside La Morgue to overwhelming displays of power on the Prison Stage, Friday offered something for every kind of heavy music fan. Some bands confirmed exactly why they are festival favourites, others left many visitors talking long after they stepped off stage, and a few reminded us that legends never really lose their magic.
These were ten performances that stood out the most on Friday.
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The second day of Hellsinki Metal Festival may have drawn the biggest crowds, but Friday already proved why the event has become a staple of the Finnish festival calendar. Spread across three stages inside Helsinki Ice Hall and its surroundings, the day offered everything from old-school thrash and death metal to industrial legends and theatrical heavy metal. While navigating the venue occasionally came with its own challenges—especially around the indoor stage and its rather oddly placed queueing areas—the music quickly became the main focus. As the evening progressed, the audience steadily grew, with every stage finding its own devoted crowd and the atmosphere building towards an unforgettable night.
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This day marks the conclusion of another great edition of Tolminator. All artists from all countries have surpassed themselves here and were very satisfied with everything in terms of organization. Being able to enjoy a cold drink close to the beautiful beach area after the show satisfies both fans and bands alike. On the final day, we can expect our Belgian pride and joy, such as Brutal Sphincter for atmospheric grindcore and Mordkaul for fast, aggressive guitar playing. With the iconic Ministry closing the show, expectations are high.
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The last day already. The weather has cooled down a bit, but our spirit definitely isn’t. Lets give it all of our energy on this last day!
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Day 3 is already coming. With two amazing days behind our backs already, lets see what day 3 has to bring us!
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