Photo Reports

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.

Ufomammut stopped in Ghent with their 25th-anniversary celebration tour in collaboration with VIERNULVIER, Democrazy and Dunk! Records. Huracán was booked as support.

Belgian band Huracán opened the show and brought an intense mix of rock, grunge, and stoner during their performance. Their name, Spanish for ‘hurricane’, lives up to their live performances: what the audience got was nothing less than a sonic storm that didn’t leave you unmoved. From the first song, Huracán set the tone. The band immediately came in with a raw energy that immediately grabbed the attention of the audience. Huracán proved live that they are not just a band, but a force to be reckoned with. Their music, raw and intense, feels even more powerful in a live setting. It is an experience you won’t soon forget, and it tastes like more. If you get the chance to see Huracán live, don’t pass it up. This band brings a stormy, unfiltered energy that takes you away and leaves you full of inspiration and adrenaline

When you go to see a band like Ufomammut live, you know that you don’t just attend a concert. Known for their unique blend of stoner, doom, and psychedelic music, this Italian trio delivers an auditory and visual experience that will put you in a trance. Their performance in Chinastraat, Ghent was no exception and proved why they have been a fixture in the underground metal world for years. From the moment the lights dimmed and the first notes filled the hall, the audience was sucked into an almost ceremonial atmosphere. The heavy riffs and pulsating bass lines not only filled the room, but seemed almost tangible, as if they were undulating through your body. The visuals projected behind the band – a combination of abstract art and cosmic imagery – enhanced the psychedelic immersion. The audience was completely sucked into the experience. There was little movement in the room, not due to lack of enthusiasm, but due to the total focus and fascination that the band evoked. At the end of the set, the applause was deafening, proof of how deeply the music had touched.

40 years – what an anniversary for the Brazilian metal icons SEPULTURA. At the same time, it’s a farewell tour ‘40 Years Farewell Tour – Celebrating Life Through Death‘. A perfect reason to go on a world tour. With 15 albums to their name (the latest long player ‘Quadra‘ was released in 2020), the band has enough material to put on a great show.

The first band in the four-pack of the tour is JESUS PIECE. The metalcore five piece from Philadelphia kicks things off with a bang. There is a small circle pit right from the start. Unfortunately, their performance takes place in front of a very sparse crowd and many empty seats. It’s simply too early, and they suffer from the trend of filling concert evenings with more acts. More value for money – in itself great. But when the first band goes on stage at 6:20 PM, many normal people are still between work, home, and the concert venue. The audience doesn’t quite ignite, which could be due to the thin crowd, the poor sound, and the subpar light show. It wasn’t due to the musicians’ effort.

OBITUARY has it much better as the second act of the evening. The hall is already better filled. Sound is better – light is better. The audience starts to get into it. Furthermore, Obituary has the advantage of a 40-year band history and consequently a larger following. The range of ages present is varied. Musically, it’s a shift to classic death metal. After the first five songs, the first serious moshpits form, deserving of the name. The first crowd surfer of the evening is spotted.

JINJER returns to the metalcore sound and genre. The sound, unfortunately, is not better, the bass booms too much and gets muddled. However, the hall is now really full, properly. Tatiana Shmayluk has the crowd immediately under control, who enthusiastically follows her. The entire floor is united in collective headbanging. The partly quite progressive set of material is gratefully received. The Ukrainian four-piece does not disappoint. Great lighting adds to the overall effect.

SEPULTURA. Bam – the house is boiling over. There is no holding back. The crowd gets what it expects. You can see the band’s enjoyment in playing, as they sweep and dash across the stage. Especially Derek Green (vocals) and Andreas Kisser (guitar). You wouldn’t notice at all that drummer Greyson Nekrutman joined the band spontaneously as a replacement for Eloy Casagrande. Non-stop crowd-surfing begins, and a considerable moshpit in front of the stage gets going. Great animations on the video screens in the background of the stage and on the stage itself provide the visual finishing touch. The madness starts for real when they announce and play songs from the late 80s. Old School Thrash Metal, for example from the album Schizophrenia. After over 2 hours, this spectacle should remain in the memory of all fans. It must. Who knows if they will ever be seen on stage again…

When 3 of the biggest names in the (Swedish) melodic death metal game join forces and create a giant tour branded “Rise of the North” to trek around Europe and bring a night of amazing music and showmanship to fans all around, you know you have to mark it in your calendar. In Flames, Arch Enemy and Soilwork did exactly that, and it really was a tour you didn’t want to miss out on if they came anywhere near you! We caught them at a packed Jäähalli (Ice Hall) in Helsinki, Finland and we saw it was good…

Founded in 2023 in the small town of Rheingau in Germany, THE NEW ROSES landed a track from their debut album on the soundtrack of the TV series ‘Sons Of Anarchy’. Since then, it’s been a steady rise for the German quintet.

To mark the release of their 5th album ‘Attracted To Danger’, the guys are going on tour. With this album and tour, they aim to reach new heights.

To kick off the concert evening, MOONSHOT from Helsinki, Finland takes the stage first. With unembellished, straight rock, they win the hearts of the crowd. The Scandinavians also offer a lot of action on stage, including a theatrical entrance. Musically, they draw from their two albums released so far, and they do not disappoint.

Shortly after 9 PM, it’s time for THE NEW ROSES. Classic rock immediately captivates the fully packed ‘Im Wizemann’ club. Songs from the entire spectrum of all five albums delight the audience, which includes people of all ages, from children to seniors. The music is simply mass and radio-friendly, inviting everyone to sing along. The crowd proves to know the lyrics by heart. For two hours, the Roses play new and old hits, incl. ‘Down by the River’, ‘Every Wild Heart’ and many more, before leaving the stage to cheers and lots of applause.

Simply a successful rock evening!

Hell’s Bells Belgium: Metal Mayhem with a Side of Food

Hell’s Bells Belgium once again brought the metal community together for two days of pounding riffs and raw energy. Officially billed as a “food and music festival,” the event offered a lineup that catered to the heaviest tastes, while the culinary side of things—though decent—left some hoping for more.

Attending only the first day, we were greeted with an impressive roster of performances that set a high standard for the weekend. Triptykon, the day’s headliner, delivered an unforgettable set, combining their signature dark sound with a stage presence that commanded respect. Thomas Gabriel Fischer and the band took the audience on an intense journey through crushing riffs and haunting atmospheres.

Part of the excitement was the (unofficial) inclusion of the  “Endtime signals” tour, featuring Dark Tranquillity, Moonspell, and Wolfheart. Dark Tranquillity showcased their melodic death metal mastery, blending soaring melodies with heavy rhythms. Moonspell brought a theatrical, gothic vibe, creating an immersive experience for the audience. Wolfheart, with their relentless energy, delivered a fiery performance that left no one standing still.

Noticeably absent, however, was Hiraes, a band also featured on the tour but missing from the festival lineup (since this festival was not officially part of the tour). While their absence may have been felt by some, the remaining bands like Primordial, Vltimas, Carpathian Forest, Dead Head, Hellripper and The Monolith Deathcult more than compensated with powerful and memorable sets.

Beyond the music, the festival offered an array of food options to keep energy levels up. While the selection was acceptable, the “food festival” label might have set expectations too high for what was ultimately available.

Despite this minor shortcoming, the atmosphere on day one was electric. Fans filled the grounds, bonding over their shared love for metal and making the most of the vibrant setting. The energy of the crowd, combined with stellar performances, ensured the first day was a resounding success.

For those who experienced only the first half of the festival, it was a night to remember, packed with music and camaraderie. Hell’s Bells Belgium once again cemented its reputation as a must-visit for metal fans, even if its culinary ambitions didn’t fully hit the mark (yet).