Photo Reports

Tolminator isn’t just about the main stage mayhem… its heart also beats strong at the Beach and DIY stages, where the atmosphere gets raw, personal, and unpredictable. Between the laid-back riverside grooves and the underground chaos, these stages offered some of the festival’s most memorable moments.

Our intern photographer Nox captured the spirit of it all, from Unlocked’s energy and Stagewar’s thrash assault to Nihilo’s heaviness, our friends of Marche Funèbre’s brooding doom, Party Cannon’s absurd death metal fun, and the local force of TLMNTR. Take a look at these snapshots that showcase the wilder, more intimate corners of Tolminator.

The first day of Tolminator roared to life on the main stage with a lineup that perfectly set the tone for the week ahead. From the thrash assault of Warbringer and Angelus Apatrida to the melodic force of Omnium Gatherum and the dark, dramatic flair of High Parasite, all leading up to the legendary Kreator closing the night in pure destruction, it was a start to remember.

All these moments were captured through the lens of our intern photographer Nox, who did a stellar job freezing the intensity, sweat, and emotion that define the Tolminator experience. Dive into the gallery below and relive the chaos and passion of Day 1 on the Tolminator Stage!

This past summer, we embarked on a unique journey to the Tolminator Festival in Slovenia, known as one of the most scenic and spirited metal festivals in Europe. But this year wasn’t just about music and mayhem. It was the first edition of a new project where we invited trainees to step behind the scenes and learn everything that goes into running a festival, from sound and tech to reporting and photography.

Our photography team was made up of trainee Nox, who took on their first major assignment with passion and sharp eyes, and our seasoned house photographer Tom, who guided them throughout the festival. Together, they captured the atmosphere of Tolminator in a way that words alone can’t describe. Their photos—raw, joyful, chaotic, and full of life—showcase the very soul of the festival: its people.

Whether it’s a crowd-surfing fan, a dusty circle pit, or a quiet moment by the Soča river, these images explain why we love Tolminator so much. It’s why we didn’t just go, we organized a bus trip, making sure as many people as possible could experience it with us.

This article marks the first in a series documenting our project and the festival experience. Stay tuned, next up: photos of the bands that shook the valley.

Want to see the people of Tolminator? Scroll down and dive into the gallery…

Charon are back! After over a decade of silence, they returned with a small tour around Finland, starting in Tampere. We made it to their packed gig at Olympia-kortteli on Friday the 29th of August.
As JP Leppäluoto putted it “Now that we’re back we have nothing to prove anymore and just want to enjoy the gigs and so should you” and that’s exactly what I did, I enjoyed the gig and had fun and felt nostalgia over songs I hadn’t even ever heard before.

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!

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.