Photo Reports

When the Arcane Dimensions Tour stopped at Vorst Nationaal in Brussels, the night unfolded a little differently than other dates on the tour. Unlike shows elsewhere, the Brussels stop was far from sold out. Rather than letting the vast hall feel empty, the production team moved the stage much further forward than usual, creating a noticeably cosier and more intimate atmosphere that made the venue feel surprisingly full.

Charlotte Wessels opened the evening as the warm-up act, delivering a strong and personal set. Her presence became even more meaningful later in the night, when she returned to the stage during Epica’s set to sing a duet with Simone Simons — a highlight that brought together two beloved voices from the symphonic metal scene.

Amaranthe kept the energy high with their genre-blending sound and relentless momentum. Epica then closed the night in commanding fashion, their symphonic grandeur translating beautifully in the more intimate setup.

2025 was another great year of concert photography in my neck of the midwest! I captured many bands I wasn’t super familiar with, which makes it fun. And I captured quite a few bands that I had been patiently waiting to capture.

It was super difficult to narrow down my photos but I present to you my 2025’s best of list! The bands included here, in no particular order are: Nonpoint (first and last band captured in 2025!), Black Stone Cherry, Asking Alexandria, Ivent Animate, Aurorawave, Ayron Jones, Close Enemies, The Plot In You, VCTMS, What Lies Below, Powerman5000, Northlane (crowd), and 2 very special local to me bands, Graveyard Daisies and Never Again!

Being able to start and end the year with Nonpoint was beyond amazing. Another highlight was getting to witness Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith) play with his new band Close Enemies. And as always, the metalcore crowd surfers are always a fun and exciting highlight!

I am happy to be going into my 5th year covering shows for GRIMM!

For My Pain… were on a Finland tour to celebrate the release of their new album ‘Buried Blue‘. We managed to catch up with them at Olympia-Kortelli in Tampere on the 15th of January.

2025 was yet again filled to brim with gigs and other adventures. I went to a total of 35 concerts, covering everything from small club shows with less than 20 people to big arena and stadium shows with more than 20.000 people. In addition to that I covered to festivals during the summer including, for the first time for me, Tuska Festival.

It’s been a good year.

My favorite shots of the year include pictures of shows from Battle Beast, Hammerfall, Finntroll, Wednesday 13, Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus, Apulanta, The Rock Orchestra, Sonata Arctica, Apocalyptica, In Flames, Popeda, Bloodred Hourglass, Volbeat, Blind Guardian, Leverage, Cyan Kicks, Bush, Sabaton, Catch Your Breath, Indica, Shade Empire, Michael Monroe, Lordi, The Legendary Orchestra, Cemetery Skyline, Powerwolf, TOTO, Amoral, and Nothing More!

HELLOWEEN celebrate 40 Years of Power Metal Mayhem. Back in 1985, four guys from Hamburg ignited a sonic revolution that would echo across the globe. Fast-forward to 2022, and HELLOWEEN are celebrating four decades of power metal dominance with a massive world tour. On November 22nd, the European leg thundered into Stuttgart’s legendary Schleyerhalle—and what a night it was.

Opening the evening, Finnish powerhouse BEAST IN BLACK proved once again impressively why they belong on the big stage. With electrifying energy, razor-sharp guitar play, and a stage presence that channels the swagger of early ’70s rock legends STATUS QUO, the band fired up the crowd with a choreographed spectacle that was equal parts muscle and melody. They laid down the perfect foundation for the night’s main event.

During the past decades the band has grown into a seven-member band and nowadays HELLOWEEN pull out all the stops. Their stage setup was nothing short of epic: a massive, towering LED wall pulsing with custom animations, pyro blasts, stadium-sized visuals, and confetti showers that turned the venue into a metal extravaganza. The sound? Immaculate. The setlist? A sweeping journey through their entire legacy.

From the first riff, the crowd was all in—singing, headbanging, and celebrating every moment. It wasn’t just a concert. It was a full-throttle tribute to a band that helped shape the genre. A night of pure metal magic that honoured 40 years of riffs, rebellion, and relentless passion.

Another Sunday Funday in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Nu-Metal Nu-Year edition with the mighty Nonpoint!! Piere’s was stop #2 on their mini midwest tour featuring special guests Boy Hits Car and Aurorawave! Fans battled the rain, wind and tornado watches to come out Alive and Kicking on this epic night! It was a packed Piere’s!!

Aurorawave brought their unique “Reggaecore” fusion to the stage! They brought the energy and delivered a dynamic performance for those that were familiar with the bands and those that were listening for the first time. We were movin’ and groovin’ and throwin’ horns. I highly recommend!

Boy Hits Car entered the chat next, bringing yet another distinct sound to the venue. They have been labeled as “LoveCore”! They were a great vibe all around. I would consider them a well rounded rock band!

And as always, Nonpoint explodes onto the stage from the jump and the high energy extends to the closing song. I have said this once and I will say it again, Nonpoint BRINGS IT every single time. You will bang your head and you will dance(at least I do!). They played a 17 song set list, starting off with Mindtrip and ending with Bullet With a Name. They also played the Phil Collins cover of “In The Air Tonight” which was a special treat. Keep an eye on these guys, they announced via social media that 2026 will be bringing new music! 

December 7 was a high mass for the dark souls in Belgium. Cradle of Filth stopped by Trix in Antwerp for the very last stop of their “Splintered in Winter tour” with death metal legends Suffocation as special guest. Mélancolia was added as support. Thanks to Hard Life Promotion we had the opportunity to attend this evening.

First up in a nicely filled Trix was Australia’s Mélancolia for their first ever show in Belgium. Formed in 2022, this Melbourne based band brings a blend of melodic blackened nu-metal with deathcore influences and gothic undertones. Alex Hill, the charismatic vocalist, owned the stage with an impressive presence and the band’s performance was stunning. What a tight set, this was the perfect start to the night!

Next up, Suffocation. This band needs no introduction, they pop up in several top ten best death metal bands lists. From the moment the lights dimmed and the first notes hit, Suffocation invigorated the crowd with a delivery that reaffirmed their legendary status in technical death metal. Throughout their set they played both classic and newer material with precision and brutality. The vocals of Ricky Myers were astounding, one of the best vocal performances I have ever heard. The cleanliness of the low-end gutturals was otherworldly. The guitars were razor-tight, and the rhythm section locked in with near-mechanical precision. Even as a support act, Suffocation played as if headlining and they surely would have justified it…

Headlining: Cradle of Filth. After the turbulent waters the band has navigated this year, the audience eagerly anticipated the performance they were about to deliver. Where Suffocation brought blunt-force trauma, Cradle of Filth brought spectacle. The band’s set unfolded as a carefully staged performance, blending extreme metal with gothic melodrama and a commanding frontman presence. Dani Filth remained the focal point, effortlessly switching between shrieks, growls, and theatrical narration while engaging the crowd with his charisma. The band’s work was very tight. The crowd’s response was notably different from the one to Suffocation—less purely physical, more immersive. Sing-along moments, raised fists, and sustained attention underscored the band’s enduring connection with its audience. Cradle of Filth demonstrated why they continue to headline venues of this size.

Indica together with Erno Laitinen and Jarkko “Jakke” Saarinen played a special acoustic show at Tampere’s G Livelab on Friday the 19th of December. A fun show, that has left me wanting more.

Amorphis are currently on their ‘Borderland‘ Finland tour together with special guests Atlas and Wheel. They came to Tampere’s Tavara-Asema on the 18th of December for a steaming hot and crowded, sold out show.

Touring in support of their latest album ‘We Should Be Buried Like This’, Bloodred Hourglass brought their modern metal assault to Tavastia in Helsinki, delivering a set that was as precise as it was relentless. The band’s tightly honed songwriting translated with full force in the intimate confines of the venue, keeping the crowd locked in from start to finish.

With local deathcore upstarts Enemies Everywhere opening the night, the show highlighted the strength and diversity of Finland’s heavy music scene. From crushing breakdowns to sharp melodic hooks, this was Bloodred Hourglass pushing forward with confidence and intent.