Photo Reports

Away from the main stage, the Village Stage at Väen Valkeat offered a more intimate and communal space, where music and ritual felt closely intertwined. Surrounded by people rather than barriers, the performances unfolded with a sense of closeness that encouraged listening as much as participation.

With Trio Krauka and Kajos drawing from traditional sounds and storytelling, the Village Stage became a place of shared moments and quiet intensity. As night fell, Blackout Fools transformed the field near the main stage with a striking fire ritual, bringing the day to a visceral and elemental close. A reminder that Väen Valkeat is as much about experience as it is about music.

Set against the natural surroundings of Väen Valkeat, the main stage became a meeting point for contemporary folk expressions that draw deeply from tradition while confidently shaping their own paths. From hypnotic rhythms to ritualistic intensity, the performances unfolded at a pace that invited both reflection and movement.

With Okra Playground, Kallomäki, Kjell Braaten, and Noiduin each bringing their own interpretation of Nordic and folk-rooted music, the day highlighted the breadth and vitality of the scene grounded in heritage, yet very much alive in the present moment.

After their successful show last autumn Apulanta joined forces again with Lahti’s Symphony Orchestra for an even greater experience. This time they played a fantastic two and a half hour long show at Tampere’s Ratina Stadium. This massive production on 23.08.25 didn’t leave any hearts desires unfulfilled and went all out making the show look and sound amazing.

Brutal Assault 2025 once again turned the historic Josefov Fortress into a haven for extreme music fans from all over the world. With a lineup that spanned legends, cult favorites, and fresh blood alike, the festival delivered four days of intensity, atmosphere, and unforgettable performances. From the crushing riffs echoing through the fortress walls to the vibrant energy of the crowd, it was a true celebration of heavy music in all its forms. Our photographer was on the ground to capture the madness, the magic, and everything in between. Dive into our gallery below and relive some of the most striking moments of day 1 at this year’s Brutal Assault on the more underground Obscure and Octagon stages with 3 Inches of Blood, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Inter Arma, Frayle, Ruïm and Oranssi Pazuzu!

Brutal Assault 2025 once again turned the historic Josefov Fortress into a haven for extreme music fans from all over the world. With a lineup that spanned legends, cult favorites, and fresh blood alike, the festival delivered four days of intensity, atmosphere, and unforgettable performances. From the crushing riffs echoing through the fortress walls to the vibrant energy of the crowd, it was a true celebration of heavy music in all its forms. Our photographer was on the ground to capture the madness, the magic, and everything in between. Dive into our gallery below and relive some of the most striking moments of this year’s Brutal Assault with Skálmöld, Static-X, Dying Fetus, Kerry King and Rotting Christ on the Marshall and Sea Shepherd stages!

The Swamp Stage delivered another strong and varied lineup on Day 2 of Alcatraz, bringing together some of heavy music’s most respected names alongside exciting newer talent. We captured the modern metalcore punch of Signs of Algorithm, the crushing death metal force of Baest and Vader, and the epic doom metal grandeur of Candlemass. Four bands, four distinct approaches to heaviness, and another memorable day at one of the festival’s most beloved stages.

Check out the gallery below for some highlights from Day 2 at the Swamp Stage.

The second day of Alcatraz brought another diverse selection of bands to the Helldorado Stage, ranging from progressive soundscapes to crushing modern metal. We captured the intricate compositions of Ne Obliviscaris, the technical brilliance of Rivers Of Nihil, the atmospheric melodies of VOLA, the high-energy metalcore of Fit For A King and the captivating performance of Leprous. Together, they showcased just how broad and exciting the modern heavy music landscape can be.

Check out the gallery below for some highlights from Day 2 at the Helldorado Stage.

The Prison Stage continued to deliver memorable moments on the second day of Alcatraz, bringing together four acts that each left their mark in a very different way. From the oriental metal flair of Myrath and the aggressive groove-laden assault of Nailbomb to the timeless heavy metal spirit of Doro and the theatrical spectacle of Avatar, which was also the one and only festival performance of the summer, the stage offered a diverse showcase of what makes live music at Alcatraz so compelling.

Check out the gallery below for some highlights from Day 2 at the Prison Stage.

The Helldorado Stage once again proved to be one of the most diverse corners of Alcatraz on the festival’s opening day. We caught four acts that each brought their own flavor to the stage: the crushing modern heaviness of Heriot, the relentless deathcore assault of Cabal, the rock ‘n’ roll swagger of The Hellacopters and the industrial metal power of pioneers Ministry. Together, they showcased the broad musical spectrum that makes Alcatraz such a compelling festival year after year.

Check out the gallery below for some highlights from Day 1 at the Helldorado Stage.

I caught Auri on their first tour ever, during their show in Tampere on Saturday the 16th of August. It was very special to be able to witness one of the very first live shows this band has ever put together. The candlelight stage setup gave even the big auditorium of Tampere-Talo the intimated atmosphere of a campfire hangout with friends.