Photo Reports

This year, as a concertgoer, you’ll be bombarded with a fireworks display of great concerts in the last quarter of the year. It’s really hard to pick out the highlights of the highlights. However, if you didn’t choose to attend WITHIN TEMPTATION‘s ‘Bleed Out Tour 2024’ stop in the Porsche Arena on this third of December in Stuttgart and its surroundings, you missed out!

BLIND8 from Ukraine kicked off the evening with their metalcore. A solid performance that took place in a not-yet-full hall. The four Ukrainians were able to convince, although there is room for improvement in terms of sound and lighting. Another musical gem from the war-torn country that you can put next to JINJER.

With ANNISOKAY (Ann Is Okay), another metalcore combo took the stage. You can tell that the band has been around since 2007. The performance is routine and secure. As a German band, it is also a kind of home game for the guys from Halle (Saxony-Anhalt, Germany), in the Swabian capitol. The audience is enthusiastic. A special highlight is the short appearance of WITHIN TEMPTATION singer Sharon Del Adel at the end of the set, with Sharon visibly having fun as well.

When Within Temptation take the stage, there is no holding back. The fantastic stage with the huge LED walls offers a visual delight that is second to none. A mixture of video and animations adjusted to the songs have been presented, simply eye-candy deluxe. Even without pyro, but with smoke columns, it’s an impressive affair. Musically, the band can draw from the full discography, and they do. The sound is wonderful and brings Sharon‘s voice fully to the fore. An absolutely great concert!

VOLA earlier impressed on the main stage of Tuska Festival in Helsinki, and clearly a proper show of their own was necessary, looking at how many people absolutely adored these guys. On the back of the release of their latest new album ‘Friend of a Phantom’, they embarked on an extensive tour throughout Europe with special guest Charlotte Wessels and openers Feather Mountain, guaranteeing an evening of proggy and gorgeously atmospheric music. Of course, they dropped by in Finland as well for a couple of shows, and their performance at Helsinki’s very pretty and fitting venue Vanha Ylioppilastalo will be a 2024 highlight for many of those who attended.

Phrenetix Thrashes Asgaard in Gentbrugge

The Lithuanian thrash metal force Phrenetix unleashed their signature thrash attack at Asgaard in Gentbrugge, delivering a blistering set of high-energy riffs and relentless aggression.

Opening the night were Germany’s Nuclear Warfare and Belgium’s own Steamroller, who brought heavy grooves and powerful performances. Steamroller introduced their new bass player Tom, a dedicated volunteer from the venue’s own team, adding a fresh dynamic to their performance. It was bittersweet, however, as it also marked the final show for their drummer Bert.

After the music ended, the energy did not stop. We all partied with Phrenetix into the early hours. It was a night of metal, camaraderie and memories that will linger long after the amps were turned off.

This year, all thrash metal fans in Europe received a special treat, an early Christmas present: KREATOR & ANTHRAX feat. TESTAMENT. Practically a Big 3 instead of the Big 4 of Thrash Metal. ANTHRAX and KREATOR performed as co-headliners. It would be a misnomer to refer to TESTAMENT as a support act in this line-up. They kicked off the early December Saturday evening as the opener.

And what can be said about TESTAMENT? Simply wow. The music and power were overwhelming. Chuck Billy‘s vocals are still top-notch, as is his belly. Given their age, the performers paid tribute to the stage action, which is no longer as energetic as it once was. The assembled crowd of headbangers didn’t mind, they were still fully engaged. With great lights and plenty of pyro spectacle, it was quite literally a hot show. The best thrash metal theatre with 60 minutes playing time before a medieval inferno painting as the background.

Then ANTHRAX (the secret headliners of the evening for me) turned off the mood limiter on the amplifier and cranked it beyond the red zone. Bam… straight to the gut. Thrash metal from NYC. The guys were having so much fun and wanted to play; it was almost unbelievable, the energy on stage. Joe Belladonna, no longer as ultra-shrill and cutting in his voice as in 1985, but still full of power and strength. The hall boiled, Charlie Benante speed drummed his bass drums almost to destruction. Chuck Bello is still the role model for the Duracell Bunny, sprinting across the stage. Scott Ian stomped and whirled as always. Material from all episodes was played, with particularly loud cheers for the pieces from ‘Spreading The Disease‘ and ‘Among The Living‘, with the most appreciation for ‘Indians‘. With a tiny tear in the eye, the author remains – ‘Gung-Ho‘ as the final number was somehow missed that evening and was replaced by ‘Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)‘.

The crowning finale was provided by KREATOR with their incredible stage setting. The curtain fell, and the opulent stage with the familiar creatures from the KREATOR universe was taken over by Mille Petrozza and his men. The band threw everything into the performance, Mille‘s vocals precise and cutting as ever. It was ‘Hate Über Alles‘ in pure culture. The pyro mania reached a new peak, spiced with a few bangs and symbolic ‘witch burnings’ on stage, it was not only musically but also visually a hot ride. Here too, a great repertoire was played, from classic old-school KREATOR material like ‘Pleasure To Kill‘ to material from the 2020s. This was the high school of thrash metal. No breaks, no downtime.

All three bands were in a class of their own that evening – there was no support, only headliners. This evening will be remembered by all thrashers for a long time… Perhaps as Big 3 Night.

Kortrijk’s DVG Club transformed into a haven for symphonic metal enthusiasts on November 28th, as Norwegian band Sirenia and German act Xandria joined forces for a co-headline tour, along with Italian openers Genus Ordinis Dei.

Hailing from Italy, Genus Ordinis Dei set the stage with their blend of symphonic (death) metal and metalcore. The trio, featuring two guitarists and a drummer, delivered a powerful performance that included a cover of Manowar‘s “Hail And Kill”.

Next up was the seasoned Norwegian act, Sirenia. While Emmanuelle Zoldan encountered some technical difficulties, her passion and stage presence were evident. The band’s setlist included a mix of new and old tracks, with the French cover of “Voyage Voyage” being a particular highlight for the Francophone frontwoman.

The stage was then reset for the German symphonic metal band Xandria, celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. Despite a few lineup changes over the years, the band delivered a solid performance, featuring tracks from their latest album, “The Wonders Still Awaiting.” The band’s set showcased both their powerful and delicate sides, with a heartfelt ballad that touched the audience. The crowd, which included many fans who had already mastered the new single “200 years,” was clearly enjoying every moment.

Overall, the concert was a testament to the enduring appeal of symphonic metal. The three bands delivered a powerful and unforgettable performance that left the audience wanting more.

Piere’s in Fort Wayne, Indiana was the place to be on Thanksgiving Eve this year for the “Animal Instinct Tour” with Pop Evil and Bad Wolves along with special guests Sierra Pilot and ONI!

Considering it was a cold and rainy night in the Midwest, it was a packed house inside Piere’s for this barn burner of a tour! I have said this once and I will say it again, the Midwest loves their metal!!

First up was ONI, a metal band formed in Canada by vocalist Jake Oni. With their unique blend of metalcore and progressive, they come at you with heavy hitting riffs, powerful vocals and melodic elements. They did an amazing job getting the crowd engaged and warmed up for the evening! I was super impressed by them and will definitely be adding them into my listening lineup.

Next up, hailing from our northern neighbor Canada, Sierra Pilot is a rock band that incorporates a fusion of rock, grunge and modern rock influences. They brought the energy and continued to build the connection with the audience that takes any great concert to the next level. 

It was finally time for Bad Wolves, a high octane metal band originally formed in LA. I was super excited to see them, as I have been trying to catch them for a while, and it finally worked out! They had an unrelenting, high-energy from start to finish! They were heavier than I anticipated, which I loved!! A pit even broke out at one point. They played several hit tracks including ‘Killing Me Slowly’, ‘Lifeline’, ‘Sober’, ‘Legends Never Die’ and of course the hit song that pushed them into the scene, The Cranberries cover of ‘Zombie’! 

Closing out the night was the legendary hard rock powerhouse Pop Evil, formed in Michigan over 20 years ago! After 3 amazing, high vibrancy bands, they had no problem keeping the crowd captivated with explosive energy and kept everyone on their feet for the entire set. Leigh Kakaty’s commanding stage presence and powerful vocals created an electric undertone throughout the rest of the evening. The connection between the band and their fans was undeniable! Many hit songs including ‘Eye Of The Storm’, ‘Trenches’, ‘Torn To Pieces’, ‘Breathe Again’, ‘Waking the Lions’ and new track, ‘Deathwalk’. A highlight for me was a little kid rocking out perched on their parents’ shoulders for the entire show, all 4 bands! I was so happy to catch them for the first time, and I definitely hope to see them again sooner rather than later!

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.

In November, Benighted and Baest stopped in Ghent with their “Beast against Beast” European co-headline tour. During the tour Coffin Feeder was the special guest, and tonight Carrion was the local support. Unfortunately I had to miss out on the always great Carrion due to circumstances, but overall this was an absolute killer of an extreme metal night!

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.