Photo Reports
Here we are again, one of Belgium’s or possibly even Europe’s best metal and rock festivals of every summer. Alcatraz festival in Kortrijk, Belgium is one of those place you want to go back to every year if you’ve gotten a taste of it once. The combination of an amazing atmosphere, solid line-up that has something for everyone who is into the heavier side of music and smooth organization has made it quickly to be the favorite destination of many. On day 2, the “Helldorado Stage” was the place to be for modern metal with Ankor opening, the best nu metal jukebox around with Bizkit Park, some decent stoner with Red Fang, Benelux punk rock legends Heideroosjes and as cherry on top, the hardcore institution that is Hatebreed!
Once again, Finland’s capital pulsed with the thunder of riffs, roars, and relentless energy as the second edition of Hellsinki Metal Festival took in the Nordis area. With a stacked line-up ranging from underground cult favorites to genre-defining heavyweights, the festival delivered two scorching days of pure metal mayhem. On day 1 of the 2024 edition we got massive shows from Massacre, Obscura, Soen and Swallow The Sun on the third (indoors) stage!
Once again, Finland’s capital pulsed with the thunder of riffs, roars, and relentless energy as the second edition of Hellsinki Metal Festival took in the Nordis area. With a stacked line-up ranging from underground cult favorites to genre-defining heavyweights, the festival delivered two scorching days of pure metal mayhem. On day 1 of the 2024 edition we got massive shows from Deathchain, Terrorizer, Hellhammer, Deicide and Satyricon on the second stage!
Once again, Finland’s capital pulsed with the thunder of riffs, roars, and relentless energy as the second edition of Hellsinki Metal Festival took in the Nordis area. With a stacked line-up ranging from underground cult favorites to genre-defining heavyweights, the festival delivered two scorching days of pure metal mayhem. On day 1 of the 2024 edition we got massive shows from Wolfheart, Emmure, The Amity Affliction, Heaven Shall Burn and Avantasia on the first stage!
Here we are again, one of Belgium’s or possibly even Europe’s best metal and rock festivals of every summer. Alcatraz festival in Kortrijk, Belgium is one of those place you want to go back to every year if you’ve gotten a taste of it once. The combination of an amazing atmosphere, solid line-up that has something for everyone who is into the heavier side of music and smooth organization has made it quickly to be the favorite destination of many. For the lover of the more extreme and dark side of metal, on day 1 we found on the “Swamp Stage” Sadus, Paradise Lost and Cradle of Filth in front of our cameras!
Here we are again, one of Belgium’s or possibly even Europe’s best metal and rock festivals of every summer. Alcatraz festival in Kortrijk, Belgium is one of those place you want to go back to every year if you’ve gotten a taste of it once. The combination of an amazing atmosphere, solid line-up that has something for everyone who is into the heavier side of music and smooth organization has made it quickly to be the favorite destination of many. On day 1 we got a killer start on the mainstage, better known as the “Prison Stage” with Belgian favorites Dyscordia and Channel Zero, a good serving of more power metal vibes with Orden Ogan, Beast In Black and Feuerschwanz, heavy metal legends Saxon and viking melodeath mastodons Amon Amarth to wrap up!
Here we are again, one of Belgium’s or possibly even Europe’s best metal and rock festivals of every summer. Alcatraz festival in Kortrijk, Belgium is one of those place you want to go back to every year if you’ve gotten a taste of it once. The combination of an amazing atmosphere, solid line-up that has something for everyone who is into the heavier side of music and smooth organization has made it quickly to be the favorite destination of many. On day 1, the “Helldorado Stage” was the place to be for mostly punk and hardcore with Funeral Dress, The Casualties, Cro-Mags, Madball and Life of Agony, with a touch of modern metal and progressive through Sylosis and The Ocean!
Day 5 of the Lokerse Feesten was blast, marked by the exclusive Belgian appearance of the iconic band Korn. The day was a whirlwind of diverse acts, each bringing their unique energy to the stage. Besides the main stage, you could get a taste of something different in between those acts by checking out the bands on the inside “Club Studio Brussel” stage.
Woyote brought the energy to Club Studio Brussel, with frontman Aaron Nordstrom’s all-white outfit and intense stage presence getting the crowd headbanging early on. Ho99o9 took to the Club Studio Brussel stage, delivering a chaotic and intense performance of industrial hip-hop. Their raw energy and unique blend of genres made them a standout act. The Warning showcased their talent with a high-energy set of alternative rock. The three sisters impressed with their technical skills and catchy melodies. The night concluded with a wild party set by Klakmatrak, featuring a mix of techno, gabber, and remixed pop hits.
Overall, day 5 of the Lokerse Feesten was a diverse and exciting event, showcasing a wide range of musical styles. From the raw energy of Wargasm to the technical prowess of The Dillinger Escape Plan, there was something for everyone.
Day 5 of the Lokerse Feesten was blast, marked by the exclusive Belgian appearance of the iconic band Korn. The day was a whirlwind of diverse acts, each bringing their unique energy to the stage.
Wargasm opened the main stage, delivering a high-energy set that blended nu-metal with industrial elements. Frontwoman Milkie Way’s captivating stage presence and Sam Matlock’s raw vocals made for a memorable performance. Nova Twins followed, offering a more melodic rock sound. Their catchy tunes and energetic stage show kept the crowd engaged. Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes proved once again why they’re a fan favorite. Even with a slightly less polished performance, the band managed to connect with their audience, from a heartwarming birthday shoutout to a massive mosh pit. The Dillinger Escape Plan brought their mathcore fury to the main stage, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their debut album. Their complex compositions and intense live show left a lasting impression.
The day culminated with the highly anticipated performance of Korn. Their setlist included a mix of classic hits and newer material, and the crowd went wild. Unfortunatly we weren’t able to take pictures of the show due to restrictions put in place by the band’s management.
Overall, day 5 of the Lokerse Feesten was a diverse and exciting event, showcasing a wide range of musical styles. From the raw energy of Wargasm to the technical prowess of The Dillinger Escape Plan, there was something for everyone.
After a well-deserved summer break, the new season opened with a bang. Fat Bastard Promotions and Asgaard managed to book 1914, one of the most interesting bands of the last decade. Bokkerijders was chosen as support. No wonder the tickets flew out the door. After a few days, the event was hopelessly sold out.
The kick-off of the evening was given by Bokkerijders, a thrash/black metal band with sometimes some influences of death and maybe even some other genres. Bokkerijders stormed the stage at with an intensity and raw energy that can only be described as electrifying. The crowd responded instantly, drawn into the band’s dark and heavy atmosphere. The instrumental pieces in the songs are technically very challenging, but were performed impeccably and with a lot of power. The combination of the raging drum and the groovy bass play with the aggressive riffs was a feast for the audience. Frontman Laurens Oostrom was a commanding presence. His raw, visceral energy was palpable as he fed off the crowd’s growing excitement, occasionally locking eyes with audience members and pulling them deeper into the void. By the time Bokkerijders closed their set, the crowd was exhausted but euphoric. They left the stage as they had entered it—ferocious and enigmatic, leaving behind an audience that was buzzing with adrenaline and awe. In an era where metal can feel overproduced and polished, Bokkerijders’ raw, unrelenting performance was a reminder of the power of live music at its most primal. For fans of heavy music with a rebellious edge, this is a band not to be missed.
And then it was time for 1914, the moment the public was eagerly awaiting. Ukrainian blackened death-doom outfit 1914 delivered a soul-crushing performance, dragging the audience deep into the horrors of the First World War with a sound as intense and brutal as the subject matter they channel. Known for their conceptually driven music, which blends historical themes with punishing sonic landscapes, 1914 proved why they’ve become one of the most respected names in extreme metal. From the moment the band took the stage, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Dressed in period-inspired military garb, the band members looked more like soldiers than musicians, immediately setting the tone for the night. The haunting intro quickly gave way to a barrage of blast beats and sludgy, doom-laden riffs, dragging the audience into the grim trenches of war. Frontman Dmytro Kumar was an imposing figure on stage, his deep, harrowing growls cutting through the dense instrumentation like a commanding officer barking orders. His presence is magnetic; he doesn’t just perform these songs—he seems to live them, channeling the anguish and devastation of a century-old conflict. At a certain moment, he walked into the audience to interact with crowd members, to share his despair about war. The guitar work was especially powerful, alternating between atmospheric, haunting leads and crushing, down-tuned riffs that felt like the earth shaking under heavy artillery fire. 1914‘s live performance is not just a concert—it’s an immersive, visceral experience that leaves you reeling. Their ability to blend history with such punishing and emotional music is truly unmatched, and last night’s gig was a testament to their unique power as a band. For those who appreciate extreme metal with depth, intensity, and meaning, 1914 is an essential live act.
