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.

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.

A festival is defined by more than the bands on its stages. It’s the smiles between old friends, the excitement of discovering new music, the sea of battle jackets, the spontaneous conversations, the food and market stalls, and the countless little moments in between that truly bring an event to life. Alcatraz 2025 was no exception.

Throughout the weekend, our photographers turned their lenses away from the stages every now and then to capture the spirit of the festival itself. From the dedicated fans and lively crowds to the unique atmosphere that fills the grounds from the first note to the final encore, these images offer a glimpse into what makes Alcatraz one of Belgium’s most beloved metal festivals. Dive into the gallery below and experience the people, the atmosphere, and the memories that made this edition so special.

The final day of Alcatraz Open Air 2025 once again demonstrated why the Helldorado Stage has become a favorite among festivalgoers looking beyond the main stage. Our photographers captured a diverse selection of performances, from Belgian heroes Bark and hardcore pioneers Congress to the outrageous goregrind spectacle of Gutalax, and the industrial groove of Dope and Static-X.

From circle pits to singalongs, the Helldorado Stage once again delivered its own unique atmosphere throughout the festival’s closing day. Dive into the gallery below and relive some of its highlights.

The final day of Alcatraz Open Air 2025 saw the Swamp Stage immerse itself in the darker corners of metal. From the haunting intensity of Gaerea and the uncompromising black metal of Tsjuder to the progressive soundscapes of Borknagar, the legendary presence of Emperor, and the ritualistic atmosphere of Rotting Christ, the stage offered a compelling journey through some of the genre’s finest names.

Our photographers captured the atmosphere, intensity, and memorable moments from the Swamp Stage throughout the festival’s closing day. Dive into the gallery below and relive the highlights.

The final day of Alcatraz Open Air 2025 offered one last chance to soak in the atmosphere before another unforgettable weekend came to an end. On the Prison Stage, the festival closed with a lineup that perfectly reflected Alcatraz‘s broad appeal: the mechanical precision of Fear Factory, the thrash pedigree of Kerry King, the timeless guitar mastery of Michael Schenker, the majestic darkness of Dimmu Borgir, and an explosive closing performance by Machine Head.

Our photographers captured the energy, emotion, and spectacle from the festival’s biggest stage as Alcatraz 2025 reached its grand finale. Dive into the gallery below and relive some of the highlights from the closing day.

The Hellsinki 03 stage once again provided a home for some of the festival’s most atmospheric and immersive performances on the second day of Hellsinki Metal Festival 2025. Our photographer captured the dark rock of Alfahanne, the towering post-metal soundscapes of Cult of Luna, the haunting blend of folk, blues, and dark country from Nergal‘s Me and That Man, and an emotional finale with Blood Fire Death – A Tribute to Quorthon and the Music of Bathory, featuring many prominent musicians from the Norwegian and Swedish black metal scenes.

Together, these performances showcased the diversity and depth that made the indoor stage such a rewarding part of the festival experience. Dive into the gallery below and relive some of the highlights from Day 2.

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!