Photo Reports

Full Moon Black Fest: A Night of Darkness and Power

On Nov. 22, 2024 black metal fans gathered under the cold autumn sky for the second black metal edition of the Full Moon Pop-up series of which we have 12 to date. The event brought together five formidable bands from Belgium and France, delivering a night to remember for those drawn to the raw intensity of the genre.

Belgium was well-represented by nether, Nyrak, and the rising stars Sapovnela. Sapovnela, the youngest band of the lineup, demonstrated their talent and closed the night with a fiery aftershow performance.

From France, the legendary Necrowretch and Seth took the stage as headliners. Necrowretch stunned the audience with their blistering speed and unrelenting ferocity, while Seth delivered a performance steeped in dark grandeur, highlighting their status as icons of the scene.

The Full Moon second black metal chapter proved to be an unforgettable celebration of the genre, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the future editions of this unique series.

Draconian’s grand finale: An unforgettable evening in Kortrijk

On Nov. 17, 2024 Draconian concluded their “30th Anniversary Tour” with a breathtaking performance at DVG Club, Kortrijk. The intimate venue was packed with dedicated fans eager to witness the show. The evening opened with Greece’s Fragment Soul, whose progressive doom melodies set a haunting yet mesmerizing tone. A perfect choice to start the evening and get everyone in the mood. Following them, Nailed to Obscurity brought their signature blend of melancholy metal, whipping up the crowd with raw emotion and precision.

When Draconian finally took the stage, the atmosphere peaked. The band delivered a flawless setlist, mixing classics like ‘Death, Come Near Me’ with songs from their more recent albums. The dual vocal interplay between Anders Jacobsson and Lisa Johansson resonated deeply as their voices wove sad tales of despair and beauty. Every note of Johan Ericsson‘s guitar seemed to carry the weight of three decades of passion and dedication.

The evening was a fitting tribute to Draconian‘s legacy, filled with gratitude and connection. As the final notes ebbed, the audience stood in awed silence before erupting in applause. For those present, it was an evening they will not soon forget.

Raskasta Joulua in acoustic turned out to provide a very different experience than their usual gigs. The atmosphere of this show was way more emotional and intimate than its heavier counterparts. The short set at Tampere’s Kaleva Church felt like a relaxed evening of singing Christmas corals with friends and family.

For this set the Raskasta Joulua line up was stripped down to just the band (Timo Pudas, Erkki Silvennoinen, Erkka Korhonen, Tuomas Wäinölä and Mirka Rantanen) and three singers, Antti Railio, Marko Hietala and Ilja Jalkanen.

Ufomammut stopped in Ghent with their 25th-anniversary celebration tour in collaboration with VIERNULVIER, Democrazy and Dunk! Records. Huracán was booked as support.

Belgian band Huracán opened the show and brought an intense mix of rock, grunge, and stoner during their performance. Their name, Spanish for ‘hurricane’, lives up to their live performances: what the audience got was nothing less than a sonic storm that didn’t leave you unmoved. From the first song, Huracán set the tone. The band immediately came in with a raw energy that immediately grabbed the attention of the audience. Huracán proved live that they are not just a band, but a force to be reckoned with. Their music, raw and intense, feels even more powerful in a live setting. It is an experience you won’t soon forget, and it tastes like more. If you get the chance to see Huracán live, don’t pass it up. This band brings a stormy, unfiltered energy that takes you away and leaves you full of inspiration and adrenaline

When you go to see a band like Ufomammut live, you know that you don’t just attend a concert. Known for their unique blend of stoner, doom, and psychedelic music, this Italian trio delivers an auditory and visual experience that will put you in a trance. Their performance in Chinastraat, Ghent was no exception and proved why they have been a fixture in the underground metal world for years. From the moment the lights dimmed and the first notes filled the hall, the audience was sucked into an almost ceremonial atmosphere. The heavy riffs and pulsating bass lines not only filled the room, but seemed almost tangible, as if they were undulating through your body. The visuals projected behind the band – a combination of abstract art and cosmic imagery – enhanced the psychedelic immersion. The audience was completely sucked into the experience. There was little movement in the room, not due to lack of enthusiasm, but due to the total focus and fascination that the band evoked. At the end of the set, the applause was deafening, proof of how deeply the music had touched.

Founded in 2023 in the small town of Rheingau in Germany, THE NEW ROSES landed a track from their debut album on the soundtrack of the TV series ‘Sons Of Anarchy’. Since then, it’s been a steady rise for the German quintet.

To mark the release of their 5th album ‘Attracted To Danger’, the guys are going on tour. With this album and tour, they aim to reach new heights.

To kick off the concert evening, MOONSHOT from Helsinki, Finland takes the stage first. With unembellished, straight rock, they win the hearts of the crowd. The Scandinavians also offer a lot of action on stage, including a theatrical entrance. Musically, they draw from their two albums released so far, and they do not disappoint.

Shortly after 9 PM, it’s time for THE NEW ROSES. Classic rock immediately captivates the fully packed ‘Im Wizemann’ club. Songs from the entire spectrum of all five albums delight the audience, which includes people of all ages, from children to seniors. The music is simply mass and radio-friendly, inviting everyone to sing along. The crowd proves to know the lyrics by heart. For two hours, the Roses play new and old hits, incl. ‘Down by the River’, ‘Every Wild Heart’ and many more, before leaving the stage to cheers and lots of applause.

Simply a successful rock evening!

Hell’s Bells Belgium: Metal Mayhem with a Side of Food

Hell’s Bells Belgium once again brought the metal community together for two days of pounding riffs and raw energy. Officially billed as a “food and music festival,” the event offered a lineup that catered to the heaviest tastes, while the culinary side of things—though decent—left some hoping for more.

Attending only the first day, we were greeted with an impressive roster of performances that set a high standard for the weekend. Triptykon, the day’s headliner, delivered an unforgettable set, combining their signature dark sound with a stage presence that commanded respect. Thomas Gabriel Fischer and the band took the audience on an intense journey through crushing riffs and haunting atmospheres.

Part of the excitement was the (unofficial) inclusion of the  “Endtime signals” tour, featuring Dark Tranquillity, Moonspell, and Wolfheart. Dark Tranquillity showcased their melodic death metal mastery, blending soaring melodies with heavy rhythms. Moonspell brought a theatrical, gothic vibe, creating an immersive experience for the audience. Wolfheart, with their relentless energy, delivered a fiery performance that left no one standing still.

Noticeably absent, however, was Hiraes, a band also featured on the tour but missing from the festival lineup (since this festival was not officially part of the tour). While their absence may have been felt by some, the remaining bands like Primordial, Vltimas, Carpathian Forest, Dead Head, Hellripper and The Monolith Deathcult more than compensated with powerful and memorable sets.

Beyond the music, the festival offered an array of food options to keep energy levels up. While the selection was acceptable, the “food festival” label might have set expectations too high for what was ultimately available.

Despite this minor shortcoming, the atmosphere on day one was electric. Fans filled the grounds, bonding over their shared love for metal and making the most of the vibrant setting. The energy of the crowd, combined with stellar performances, ensured the first day was a resounding success.

For those who experienced only the first half of the festival, it was a night to remember, packed with music and camaraderie. Hell’s Bells Belgium once again cemented its reputation as a must-visit for metal fans, even if its culinary ambitions didn’t fully hit the mark (yet).

Last week, Vola passed through Finland on their ‘Friend of a Phantom’ tour with Charlotte Wessels and Feather Mountain.

The gig started with Feather Mountain giving the most unspectacular entrance I have seen in a long while. No dimmed lights or any intro, as I’d never seen Feather Mountain before, it took me a moment to realise that this time the people walking around the stage were the actual band and not stagehands trying to get things ready. Their show itself though was rather nice, and I very much enjoyed how much emotion singer Mikkel managed to convey with his voice.

It stayed very emotional with Charlotte Wessels performance, especially when she talked about the story behind the song ‘The Crying Room‘ and how hard it was to perform a song about stage fright when you’re dealing with stage fright. To make the situation easier on herself, she put on a comfy t-shirt and then got some snacks from her cargo pants, that she shared with the fans. The set ended in a strong combo of ‘Soft Revolution‘ and ‘The Exorcism‘.

Vola blinded us with all of their light effects. Lasers, big LEDs, plus the normal stage lights, it was a bit too overwhelming in my opinion. And while the light show was very well executed, it was overshadowing the well-thought-out, soft and on point songs a bit. Overall though, the fans seemed to very much enjoy the gig and happily sang along when prompted to. In the middle of their set, Vola looked back at their humble beginnings and told us about how they recorded their first album in their improvised, self-made studio, aka their dorm room. This was followed by the song ‘Gutter Moon‘ from this first album. After about one and a half hours, the show came to an end, and we were sent on our way home with ‘Stray the Skies‘.

On October 30, Trix in Antwerp hosted an extraordinary night of metal music, with Kamelot headlining the show. The evening began with the high-octane performance of Frozen Crown, an Italian power metal band known for their fast-paced riffs and powerful melodies. Their set was tight and full of energy, captivating the crowd right from the start.

Following Frozen Crown, the stage was taken over by Blackbriar, a Dutch band with a unique gothic twist. Singer Zora Cock entranced the audience with her haunting vocals, weaving a spell of dark, symphonic sounds. Their performance was intense, building up the anticipation for the main act.

The third supporting band was Ad Infinitum, a Swiss symphonic metal group led by the charismatic Melissa Bonny. With her impressive vocal range, she brought power and emotion to their performance. Bonny’s dual role as lead singer for Ad Infinitum and background singer for Kamelot added a unique connection to the night’s lineup.

When Kamelot finally emerged, the crowd erupted. The band opened their set with signature flair, combining powerful visuals and impeccable musicianship. Tommy Karevik’s voice commanded the room, delivering each song with passion and precision. The setlist spanned both classic hits and new material, blending the familiar with the fresh. The band’s performance was enhanced by guitarist Thomas Youngblood and drummer Alex Landenburg, who delivered electrifying solos and tight rhythms. Kamelot‘s mastery of theatrical elements was evident in their use of lights and stage effects, drawing the audience deeper into their world.

Throughout the show, the band’s interaction with the audience was genuine and warm. Karevik created an intimate yet powerful atmosphere that resonated with the fans. Every song felt like a shared experience, as voices joined in unison to sing along. Kamelot‘s set was a perfect blend of grandeur and raw power, illustrating why they are regarded as legends in the symphonic metal genre. The audience’s enthusiasm never wavered, maintaining an electric energy from start to finish. The encore brought the night to a triumphant close, leaving fans wanting more. The collective energy in the room was a testament to the impact of live performances and the bond between artists and fans.

The night ended with resounding cheers and the satisfaction of knowing that Kamelot and their supporting acts had delivered an unforgettable experience. Frozen Crown, Blackbriar, and Ad Infinitum provided the perfect lead-up, making the event a complete package of symphonic and power metal brilliance.

Within Temptation is a straight shot of nostalgia for many of us, having been a mainstay in the metal scene for almost every generation since their inception and especially their early rise to fame during the heydays of symphonic metal. In the meantime, they’ve grown out to be a band that fills arenas in most countries, and are much loved by metal fans of all calibers. It’s been a moment since we got to enjoy a proper long show by them in Finland, so there was little to no hesitation to go to the Helsinki Ice Hall where they landed on a Friday night halfway October. With them came their German friends of Annisokay and some pretty cool guest appearances, turning the night into an excellent musical celebration.