The final countdown to GMM 2015: part 3

Twelve days from now we’re kicking off the 20th edition of Graspop Metal Meeting. Reason enough to check out the bands playing at GMM 2015!

 

God Seed

Their GMM set two years ago left the fans dumbfounded. God Seed, the black metal supergroup formed by two former members of Gorgoroth, released an epic debut with ‘I Begin’. In addition the new band has also gelled remarkable well on stage, as illustrated by what was probably the creepiest et at GMM2013. Even more than the eardrum-shattering riffs, the supercooled podium presence of frontman Gaahl was responsible for the bone-chilling atmosphere. ‘I Begin’ is a self-fulfilling prophecy, indicating that this is just the beginning. Their second album should hit the shelves before GMM2015 rolls around. We can’t wait to see what’s next. (Text: Morbid Geert)

Friday 19 June - Marquee - 16:15 to 17:05

Northlane

In recent years Australia has become a force to be reckoned with on the metal scene. And no, we’re not thinking about the usual suspects such as AC/DC and Airbourne but bands like Parkway Drive, Deez Nuts and Thy Art Is Murder. Next in line is Northlane. They have just two full-length albums to their name but already they’ve seen their fair share of Europe and the US, opening for the likes of Architects, Veil of Maya and Bring Me the Horizon. They’re no stranger to Belgium either, because last October they were the support band for Parkway Drive in the Brielpoort in Deinze. Northlane combines the natural aggression of hardcore with an innovative metalcore sound. Northlane has the potential to be one of the most exciting discoveries of GMM2015. (Text: Nick Tronckoe / Translation: Nick Devos)

Friday 19 June - Jupiler Stage - 16:40 to 17:20

Life of Agony

Life of Agony is an American alternative metal band with a very eventful history. When their debut ‘River Runs Red’ (1993) was met with huge critical acclaim, critics predicted a stellar career for the New York foursome and they were right – initially. As a transgender, singer Keith Caputo felt trapped by the band’s huge success. In the end he couldn’t deal anymore and left the band, which was the beginning of the end for Life of Agony. They struggled on for a while but finally called it quits in 1999. Fifteen years and two reunions later, the original line-up has reformed (even though Keith Caputo is now Mina Caputo). Her voice is as powerful as ever and their performance at the Alcatraz Hard Rock & Metal Festival in the summer of 2014 proved that old flames can be rekindled, even after fifteen years. (Text: Stef Maes)

Friday 19 June - Mainstage 2 - 16:50 to 17:40

 

Sarke

Next to God Seed, Sarke is the second supergroup on this year’s bill. Many black metal fans dream of a final Darkthrone tour but the odds of such a miracle are less than zero. Pairing ex-Darkthrone frontman Nocturno Culto with (former) members of, amongst others, Tulus, Khold, Satyricon, ICS Vortex and Spiral Architect is probably the next best thing. The line-up is impressive but the music itself is nothing short of obliterating. Firmly rooted in black metal, Sarke’s music is also infused with a spectrum of influences ranging from thrash and punk to psychedelic rock. Sarke doesn’t tour all that often due to the members’ busy schedules so make the most of it! (Text: Morbid Geert)

Friday 19 June - Metal Dome - 17:30 to 18:15

 

Cannibal Corpse

Few metal bands have earned as much attention from censorship committees as the American death metal outfit Cannibal Corpse. Song titles such as ‘Meat Hook Sodomy’, ‘Necropedophile’, ‘Fucked with a Knife’ as well as the juicy album covers are an eternal pain in the ass of any self-respecting moral crusader… and that’s how it should be! As for the band themselves, they simply ignore the ruckus and choose to concentrate on making mouth-foaming, lightning-fast and deadly efficient death metal. After a quarter century and millions of album sales, it’s safe to say they’re doing something right. Their success is also due in large part to their live prowess so get ready for their fifth Graspop appearance. (Text: Morbid Geert)

Friday 19 June - Marquee - 17:45 to 18:35

 

Cavalera Conspiracy

Max Cavalera is one of those rare people that never disappoint. Max and his brother Igor were the driving forces behind Sepultura and following the less than amicable split in 1996, he set up a new and equally successful project with Soulfly. Still, blood is thicker than water: in 2008, the Cavaleras finally mended the fences and teamed up again in the Cavalera Conspiracy. Their debut album ‘Inflikted’ as well as their maiden GMM show that same year left an indelible impression and three years later they blew away the Marquee. Cavalera Conspiracy returns to the GMM stage in 2015 in support of their new album ‘Pandemonium’, which was released in October 2014 to huge critical acclaim. (Text: Stef Maes / Translation: Nick Devos)

Friday 19 June - Mainstage 1 - 17:50 to 18:50

 

Heidevolk

Dutch is not exactly a language you’d spontaneously associate with metal but there are still a number of bands out there to prove it can be done. One of the leading bands in the genre is Arnhem-based band Heidevolk, a pagan outfit that formed a decade ago and enjoys an enviable status on the pagan metal scene. The band members’ pseudonyms may sound somewhat funny to native speakers of Dutch (Splintervuyscht, Bomenbreker, Roodbaert, den Vellenknotscher, Vruchstbaert and Nachtbraeker) but most of the songs are dead serious in evoking the history of the tribes that lived in the Low Countries two millennia ago. Still, that doesn’t mean they don’t have a sense of humour: just listen to the hilarious track ‘Vulgaris Magistralis’ (be sure to check the Youtube clip!). (Text: Morbid Geert)

Friday 19 June - Jupiler Stage - 18:25 to 19:05

 

body Count

Body Count are the undisputed pioneers of rap metal. Fronted by rap guru Ice-T, the group starts their metal adventure in 1990 and their self-titled debut is released two years later. Ice-T doesn’t like to mince words and his metal project is the perfect vehicle to ventilate much of his frustration and discontent. He doesn’t shy away from any topic and the track ‘Cop Killer’ triggers a heated controversy. The track is removed from the album but not before kick-starting Body Count’s career. The recipe on their fifth and most recent album ‘Manslaughter’ (2014) hasn’t changed. Both lyrically and musically Body Count are not a rap star’s hobby project, they’re the real deal. The lyrics are downright poisonous and the music’s ferocious. Just the way we like our Body Count. (Text: Robby Embrechts)

Friday 19 June - Mainstage 2 - 19:00 to 19:50

 

Marduk

Founded a quarter century ago, the Marduk bullet train still shows no signs of slowing. The black metal legends from Norrköping, Sweden, are still putting out new albums like clockwork. Contrary to many of their contemporaries, they haven’t mellowed over the years, neither musically nor lyrically. Back in the day, they were mainly inspired by satanic and anti-Christian themes; in recent years, though, they’ve also been writing about WWII and the Third Reich. The Swedish band’s 13th studio album ‘Frontschwein’ is the perfect illustration of where Marduk are today. The frantic pace of the album also marks their live performances, although their curriculum includes a number of slow and ominous tracks as well. Marduk will undoubtedly be one of the more ferocious bands to hit the GMM stage this year. (Text: Morbid Geert)

Friday 19 June – Marquee - 19:15 to 20:05

 

Evergrey

With four previous appearances to their credit, this Swedish outfit is no stranger to Graspop metal Meeting. In 2010, Evergrey’s future hung by a thread when three band members quit all at once. They were duly replaced but a few years later, two of the three newcomers left again and in a sudden turnaround of events, both Jonas Ekdahl and Henrik Danhage returned to the fold. The reunion signalled a marked return to form, as illustrated by their most recent album ‘Hymns for the Broken’ (2014). Frontman Tom S. Englund is back to his old self again and we’re looking forward to their first GMM gig in five years. For the countless fans of the old line-up this will be a much anticipated and triumphant return to the GMM arena. (Text: Stef Maes)

Friday 19 June - Metal Dome - 19:20 to 20:10

 

Slash

Once they’ve had a taste of GMM most artists are eager to return. Former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash is no exception. Ever since Alter Bridge vocalist Myles Kennedy took up live vocal duties with Slash’s solo project, the curly-headed guitarist in the iconic top hat has truly come into his own. Slash, nee Saul Hudson, has been a guest at GMM on two previous occasions – the second time he even played two shows because he also joined Ozzy Osbourne on stage as one of his ‘Friends’. Thanks to his excellent relationship with his touring band mates, he clearly enjoys being in a band again. Slash feat. Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators have just released a new album entitled ‘World on Fire’ and this summer they’ll set the Graspop arena ablaze. The band’s infectious rock ‘n’ roll with Slash’s signature sound is bound to raise the temperature. (Text: Stef Maes)

Friday 19 June - Mainstage 1 - 20:00 to 21:00