The final countdown to GMM2014: part 1

It is getting closer and closer. In eleven days we are officialy opening the doors of Graspop Metal Meeting 2014. Time to take a closer look at the bands performing at the festival!

Dyscordia

Dyscordia arose in 2010 from the ashes of several renowned metal bands from the West Flanders region. Dyscordia stands for wonderful melodies, tempo changes, engrossing vocals and a healthy dose of West Flemish power. These progressive gentlemen have been pretty busy in recent years. Countless shows on stages great and small and the release of their 2013 debut ‘Twin Symbiosis’ have cemented Dyscordia’s reputation as a future band to be reckoned with. Graspop Metal Meeting certainly took the hint by billing this promising band and there’s no doubt in our mind that they will rise to the occasion. (Text: Niels Desmedt)

Thursday June 26 - Jupiler Stage - 16:00 to 16:40

Atmospheres

Of je het nu ambient metal, postrock of zelfs een extreme vorm van shoegazingmuziek noemt: de fascinerende geluidsmuur van Atmospheres met zijn dikgelaagde gitaren en ijle maar melodieuze vocals, zal aanstaande zondag geheid de aandacht trekken van publiek en jury. Vorige maand al opgepikt door de Britse vrienden van BBC en volgende maand op Graspop Metal Meeting!

Thursday June 26 - Metal Dome - 16:45 to 17:25

Ostrogoth

The history of the legendary Ostrogoth is common knowledge by now. This traditional metal band from Ghent emerged onto the scene in the early 80s and their arrival didn’t go unnoticed: to this day, metal god James Hetfield is a self-proclaimed fan. Meanwhile, the band has been around for over thirty years and despite their admirable staying power, the ride has been far from uneventful. In the spirit of ‘What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger’, Ostrogoth have recently returned to their natural habitat: the stage. Considering the band’s longevity and their status as metal pioneers and in spite of their fragmented history, it’s still hard to believe they haven’t played Graspop before. Bronco, Grizzly and Whiteshark may have aged slightly, together with Hindrix and Ployaert they still do ‘Full Moon’s Eyes’ and all the other classics justice. Expect pumping beats, groovy bass lines and intricate melodies seasoned with a traditional metal sauce. Ostrogoth have returned! (Text: Steven Verhoeven)

Thursday June 26 - Jupiler Stage - 17:30 to 18:10

Temptations For The Weak

Gooi het strafste van Machine Head, Killswitch Engage en Trivium in een blender en je krijgt de nietsontziende, razende metalcore van deze band uit Antwerpen op je bord. Dat de brulboei van dienst groepslid was van één van de winnaars van de vorige editie van Red Bull Bedroom Jam, kan hen mogelijk de nodige extra ervaring bijbrengen om ook dit jaar weer in de prijzen te vallen.

Thursday June 26 - Metal Dome - 18:15 to 18:55

Evil Invaders

Lightning-fast riffs, ripping solos and high-pitched vocals or the perfect mix between heavy and speed metal: that’s probably the best way to describe Evil Invaders’ brand of metal. Last year, this outfit from the Campine-Limburg region launched their campaign to conquer Belgium and Europe with the release of their maiden EP. Their ambitions also extend beyond Europe and they were able to build a fanbase in Japan thanks to two successful shows in Osaka earlier this year. Evil Invaders are currently recording their first full-length album so don’t miss their GMM debut if you want a taste of the new material!

Thursday June 26 - Jupiler Stage - 19:00 to 19:45

Knives To A Gunfight

Some band names leave little to the imagination and that’s obviously the case for this metalcore outfit from Antwerp: a top-heavy and uncompromising mix of steaming hardcore and pulverising metal that As I Lay Dying, Madball and Killswitch Engage fans will no doubt appreciate.

Thursday June 26 - Metal Dome - 19:50 to 20:30

Diablo Blvd

No one in his or her right mind would say no to a badass rock ‘n’ roll show by this band from Antwerp. That’s right, Diablo Blvd is back for round two! Three years ago, the five-man outfit around Alex Agnew came, saw and conquered the Dessel plains with an ease normally associated with much more experienced bands - who doesn’t remember the legendary ‘wall of tit’? The fact that figurehead Alex Agnew has shelved his successful career as a stand-up comedian to focus on his musical ambitions proves that Diablo Blvd means business. Don’t let his sacrifice be in vain! (Text: Niels Desmedt)

Thursday June 26 - Jupiler Stage - 20:35 to 21:35

The Treatment

In 2012 the young guns from The Treatment made a lasting impression on their GMM debut and the Cambridge natives are eager for a repeat performance. Their music has a wonderfully ‘classic’ feel, with overt nods to AC/DC, The Cult and Aerosmith, and there’s also a bit of early Def Leppard and vintage Thin Lizzy in there. While the songs are reminiscent of the heydays of vinyl, these youngsters are able to distil their influences into a surprisingly fresh sound. Expect a splash of exciting rock rooted in the 70’s and (mainly) the 80’s. Passion, stage presence and burning ambition, that’s what The Treatment is all about. (Text: Wim Vander Haegen)

Friday June 27 - Metal Dome - 11:30 to 12:10

Alestorm

This particular pirate ship has moored in Dessel on three previous occasions. The ensuing raids were so lucrative that folk metal heroes Alestorm couldn’t resist hoisting their Jolly Roger and plotting a course for Dessel yet again. In November they released a live CD/DVD entitled ‘Live at the End of the World’. Fortunately they haven’t sailed off the edge of the planet yet so they were able to include Graspop in their summer schedule. So raise your mugs, screw on your wooden leg and sing (and drink) along to Alestorm’s irresistible metal sea shanties. (Text: Stef Maes)

Friday June 27 - Mainstage 2 - 11:40 to 12:20

Novembers Doom

It’s always fun to see major bands at GMM but it’s just as enriching to discover bands that rarely if ever make it to our neck of the woods. A fine example of the latter category is November’s Doom. Six years ago, this fantastic American doom/death band crossed the Atlantic especially for GMM and they’ve agreed to come back for an encore in 2014. It’s high time, too, since they never toured Europe in support of their most recent album ‘Aphotic’ (2011). Expect riffs of reinforced concrete, memorable and melodious leads and the unique vocal chords of Paul Kuhr, the man who switches effortlessly from brutal grunts to soothing clean vocals. A must-see for doom/death fans! (Text: Geert Struyven)

Friday June 27 - Marquee - 12:00 to 12:40

Jeff Scott Soto

With Jeff Scott Soto, GMM is bringing one of the best heavy metal vocalists to Belgium. The singer with Puerto Rican roots and the powerful but soulful voice gained international fame with contributions to various albums of top solo artists such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Axel Rudi Pell and Lita Ford. The list of bands who enlisted his services is just as impressive and includes Journey, House of Lords, Stryper, Saigon Kick and more recently W.E.T. In addition he is also part of the live cast for Trans- Siberian Orchestra. For years, Jeff Scott Soto was the respected singer of Swedish band Talisman but he also took the time to put out several solo albums. Right now Jeff is working on the follow-up to 2012’s Damage Control with the likes of Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Firewind), Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob) and Jason Bieler (Saigon Kick). Rumour has it it’s going to be a heavy record and it’s bound to make a major impact in the spring of 2014. (Text: Wim Vander Haegen)

Friday June 27 - Mainstage 1 - 12:30 to 13:10

Suicidal Angels

Be prepared for fast and furious thrash metal, 'cause when it comes to Suicidal Angels that's the only metal you'll get!

Friday June 27 - Metal Dome - 12:35 to 13:15