Summer is arriving in full force, so the festival season is creeping nearer. One of the biggest metal and rock festivals in Belgium is the internationally known Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel. Every year you get bands and artists from several branches of the heavier music scene for you to pick from. With 100+ bands spread over 5 podia it can be a daunting task to figure out what bands are a “must-see” and which are to be traded for some beer and/or food time. So here we are… we put our heads together and every member of our team pushed forward 1 or more bands of which they think it’s a definite “must-see” and try to convince you in a few lines.
Have a look at “The GRIMM editors’ pick”!

Friday

Galactic Empire: 12:00 – 12:40 in the Marquee (written by Vaim)

Geeks are not an uncommon occurrence in the metal community. I’m thus pretty sure that there will be quite the gathering in front of the stage where the Dark Side of the Force will be represented by Boba Sett, Bass Commander, Dark Vader, Kyle Ren and Red Guard, bringing their instrumental/progressive metal versions of the original Star Wars soundtrack. May the Force be with you!

Avatar: 12:40 – 13:20 on Main Stage 1 (written by Timothy)

They played main stage early in the morning last year, so some of last year’s visitors might have missed them… But now they’re back on main stage and they’re playing a little later, so this time there is no excuse! Avatar brings a heavy metal in a shiny, royal jacket. With Avatar, it’s not just about playing good music, it’s also about putting down a show to remember; something that visually entices you to keep coming back time after time. Matching outfits, choreographed songs, a jerrycan, trombone, cowbell, tribal mask bubble machine… A BUBBLE MACHINE? Yes. All that and more. So come and check them out, the king demands it.

Zeal & Ardor: 14:00 – 14:45 in the Metal Dome (written by Samoht)

If you think you’ve heard it all in these postmodern times, I invite you to go and see Zeal & Ardor on Friday in the Metal Dome. I’m pretty sure nobody else has ever tried to mix negro spirituals & delta blues with lo-fi black metal. As incredible as it may sound, Swiss born American Manuel Gagneux actually makes it work. As if you’ve walked into an occult concoction of Django Unchained and an old Hammer movie. Those lucky enough to see his performance at last year’s Roadburn have an inkling what to expect. For the others I can only say “Devil is Fine!”

L7: 16:40 – 17:20 on the Jupiler Stage (written by Addy)

L7 are an iconic, bad ass all girl band from the height of the ”riot grrrl” era – having made a comeback recently that didn’t disappoint, this band is not to be missed. All girls oughtta be at the front of the Jupiler Stage for this one, that’s for damn sure!

Pist*On: 17:30 – 18:15 in the Metal Dome (written by Hanna)

Pist*On from Brooklyn seemed to be over with for 14 years, but in 2015 they announced a reunion and now they’re finally coming to Europe. To my friends I’ve always promoted the band’s sound as Alice in Chains and Type O Negative’s love baby. You can hear the band was closely related to Type O Negative, who also sprung in Brooklyn, with Josh Silver producing one of their demo’s and Johnny Kelly filling in when their drummer was forced into a short respite. The bands were on tour together too, so I was happy to hear new life was brought to this band.

Killswitch Engage: 18:20 – 19:10 on Main Stage 1 (written by Vaim)

One of the godfathers of metalcore and still killing it! Ever since the return of original vocalist Jesse, some of their earlier raw power has returned and you know you’re always up for a high octane energetic show with these guys! Be ready for the jokes and craziness of Adam and shout-along moments with some of the classics like “My Last Serenade“, “My Curse” or more recent highlight “Strength of the Mind“! And who knows, maybe you’ll get to hear a bit of the new album they’ve been working on…

Avenged Sevenfold: 19:20 – 20:50 on Main Stage 2 (written by Annet)

A band that’s better live than on CD… At least, that’s what people say who have seen them before. After a strong desire to see them live, the time has finally come for me to see them live at Graspop. High expectations are there, but Avenged Sevenfold will easily make these expectations come true or even go beyond them. Lead singer Matt Shadows has an overwhelmingly good voice. To be more specific, a very good clean AND a very good harsh voice. Something that I don’t experience very often. That in combination with one of the fastest and most technical guitar players in the world, Synyster Gates, you’re up for something.

Less Than Jake: 20:20 – 21:10 on the Jupiler Stage (written by Annet)

Less Than Jake is an energetic ska/punk band from Florida. You might have heard of them before form the good ol’ Tony Hawk’s pro skater games. Besides energy, also expect a lot of humor during their live shows. They make a lot of contact with the crowd and make you feel like you’re part of the show. Who knows, they might even invite you on stage. Less Than Jake released their new EP ‘Sound the Alarm’ last year. Be sure to check that out before you start listening to them at the Jupiler stage on Friday at 20:20.

Wolves In The Throne Room: 22:00 – 23:00 in the Metal Dome (written by Vaim)

The masters of Cascadian atmospheric black metal are back! Wolves In The Throne Room returned to true form last year with their latest release “Thrice Woven” (check out our review here) and have already put down some amazing shows throughout the world. In a dark tent with hopefully a lot of smoke and some candles you’ll be taken away on a journey through the beauty, rawness and destruction that is the nature that inspire these boys…

Ayreon: 23:05 – 00:20 in the Marquee (written by Annet)

Wow… Ayreon is a band that’s able to take your words away. It’s a project form the Dutch singer/songwriter Arjen Anthony Lucassen. The genre is somewhat power metal-ish, but it has many different varieties. Each album tells a different story and each story has different characters who are each represented by different singers. It’s like a fantasy world that has come to get you. Another comparable project like this is Tobias Samet’s Avantasia. Tobias himself also voices a character in Ayreon‘s latest album ‘The Source’. Their show at Graspop is their first exclusive festival show and no less than 14 original Ayreon singers will be performing: special guest Barry Hay (Golden Earring), Simone Simons and Mark Jansen from Epica, Tom Englund (Evergrey), Damian Wilson (Headspace), Tommy Karevik (Kamelot), Mike Mills (Toehider), Anneke van Giersbergen (VUUR), Marcela Bovio (Stream of Passion), Irene Jansen, Robert Soeterboek (Star One), John ‘Jaycee’ Cuijpers (Praying Mantis), Maggy Luyten (Nightmare), and Lisette van den Berg (Scarlet Stories). Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see Ayreon live!