Alcatraz has always been a celebration of international heavy music, but it never loses sight of its roots. Every year, the festival proudly showcases homegrown talent alongside some of the biggest names in metal, giving Belgian bands the opportunity to shine in front of enthusiastic crowds from all over the world.

This gallery puts the spotlight on five of those acts: the hard rock energy of Room13, the modern metalcore of Signs of Algorithm, the crushing grooves of Bark, the theatrical horror metal of Cult of Scarecrow, and the uncompromising hardcore of Congress. Together, they showcase the diversity and strength of Belgium’s heavy music scene, all through the lens of our photographers at Alcatraz 2025.