The final countdown to GMM 2015: part 8

Seven days left until Graspop Metal Meeting 2015! This edition  we are welcoming more than 100 bands to the stage. Time to take a closer look at those bands.

Betraying The Martyrs

Betraying The Martyrs is a six-piece fine-tuned killing machine that has a refreshing attitude to modern metal that is certain to take the music scene by storm. It is important for Betraying The Martyrs to use their music to deliver positive messages to the masses. They are looking to help people through their songs with words and idealisms that may help people figure out who they are and what they believe in, whether it be Christianity, a new way of life or just to help people find happiness for themselves. BTM can’t wait to meet open minded people that will discuss music, idealisms and beliefs with them.

Sunday 21 June - Mainstage 2 - 13:10 to 13:50

 

The Charm The Fury

In spite of the fact that lead singer Caroline Westendorp embodies both characteristics the band name refers to, the Amsterdam five-piece is more fury than charm on stage. They deliver a brutal combination of metal and hardcore centred around the versatility of Westendorp’s voice: the ease with which she alternates between clean vocals and grunts is impressive. The Charm The Fury is inspired by acts such as Underoath, Architects and Every Time I Die but their debut ‘A Shade of My Former Self’ made it clear that the band is crafting its very own brand of metalcore. Metalcore at its finest! (Text: Steven Verhoeven / Translation: Nick Devos)

Sunday 21 June - Jupiler Stage - 13:10 to 13:50

 

Winterfylleth

Formed in 2007, Winterfylleth quickly gathered a following in the UK with the release of their first two albums. Performing in Dessel for the third time in four years, this black metal band from Manchester is fast becoming a GMM favourite. Their music has been dubbed ‘English Heritage Black Metal’ and evokes the glorious past of the British Isles. Razor-sharp, fast and melodious, their epic and emotionally profound compositions are marked by singing harmonies. Although not fundamentally different from their previous recordings, their fourth album, ‘The Divination of Antiquity’, is undoubtedly their best offering to date. Hearing the new stuff live will be a treat! (Text: Morbid Geert)

Sunday 21 June – Marquee - 13:15 to 14:05

 

Tremonti

Some musicians just can’t get enough and Mark Tremonti certainly belongs to this category. In the past, this artist pur sang has been successful as a guitarist with both Creed and Alter Bridge. In addition to being recognised as one of the most talented guitarists of his generation, Mark also proved his talent as a vocalist on his first solo offering ‘All I Was’ (2012). Released under the name Tremonti, the album was an instant hit and the band proved the perfect vehicle for a number of musical ideas for which Mark previously had no release. Tremonti plays edgier stuff than Creed and Alter Bridge and the band’s no-holds-barred metal appeals to a different audience. Tremonti’s Graspop show is the perfect occasion to showcase the new material off ‘Cauterize’, Tremonti’s sophomore album, which is set for an early June release. (Text: Robby Embrechts)

Sunday 21 June - Mainstage 1 - 14:00 to 14:45

 

Evil Invaders

If you were fortunate enough to be there, you’ll definitely remember the little thrash bash Evil Invaders threw on the Jupiler Stage last year. If you didn’t have a weekend ticket or if your memory of the event was erased by a bout of booze-induced amnesia, you’ll be delighted to learn you’re getting a second chance this year. Not only are they taking the Belgian metal scene by storm with their furious riffs, razor-sharp solos and high-pitched vocals; their speed metal attack has also made a genuine impact in the rest of Europe and even Japan. Last February they released their much anticipated full-length debut, ‘Pulses of Pleasure’, an occasion celebrated with a number of high-octane release shows. Judging by the crowd response at the Up the Belgians! Fest in concert hall De Kreun in Kortrijk, ‘Pulses of Pleasure’ really delivers the goods. Evil Invaders’ second appearance at Belgium’s premier metal festival is clearly a must-see. (Text: Niels Desmedt)

Sunday 21 June - Metal Dome - 14:00 to 14:45

 

Sylosis

Early in their career, Sylosis was signed by Nuclear Blast Records and that deal has taken them to every corner of the globe to share the stage with the likes of DevilDriver, Trivium and In Flames. Sylosis was a relatively unknown band when they made their Graspop debut in 2010 but their modern thrash with a light industrial touch made a lasting impression. Sylosis like to use tempo changes and melodic interludes and this sets them apart from other bands in the same genre. Following the success of ‘Monolith’, they’re coming to Dessel this year to introduce their fourth album, ‘Dormant Heart’. NWOBHM at its absolute best! (Text: Nick Tronckoe)

Sunday 21 June – Marquee - 14:45 to 15:35

 

Parkway Drive

Surf culture and metal: a bad combination? Nearly a decade ago, Parkway Drive set out to prove the opposite and it’s fair to say the Australian band has succeeded. Their GMM debut several years ago hit the Dessel plains like a shock wave – and we happen to like shock waves. Today Parkway Drive are the undisputed masters of metalcore, a fact illustrated by their sold-out tour with Heaven Shall Burn at the end of last year. Originally scheduled for the autumn of 2014, the release of the new album was put off until March/April 2015 so look out for the new material at GMM2015. There’s no surf at GMM but what we lack in surfing waves we will more than make up for in crowdsurfers and mosh pits. That’s a promise. (Text: Nick Tronckoe)

Sunday 21 June - Mainstage 2 - 14:55 to 15:40

 

Motionless In White

Motionless in White may well be the most hyped new American metal band right now. Their playing is tight and innovative and the band members mesh well on stage. Their music itself has been referred to as horror metal and, rather predictably, their anti-religious stance has sparked a fair amount of controversy across the Atlantic. Musically they can best be described as a cross between Marilyn Manson and A Day to Remember: many of their songs sound simultaneously melodic and as brutal as a headbutt, albeit with a special twist. In late 2014, they toured Europe with Lacuna Coil and Devilment, two bands that also feature on this year’s bill. (Text: Nick Tronckoe / Translation: Nick Devos)

Sunday 21 June - Jupiler Stage - 14:55 to 15:35

 

Devilment

The thought of bringing together a bunch of multi-talented people to write an album that would stun the critics was an idea that appealed to musical mastermind Daniel Finch. The band formed in late 2011 but the initial line-up proved unstable and replacements had to be found. The stars didn’t align until 2013 when a new bass player, guitarist and drummer were hired and Finch enlisted the help of his good friend Dani Filth of Cradle of Filth fame. The result is Devilment’s debut album, ‘The Great and Secret Show’. To a certain extent, the material and lyrics are reminiscent of more recent Cradle of Filth; thanks to, amongst others, the female backing vocals and the symphonic elements, there is no doubt that this a wholly different - and promising - band. (Text: Stef Maes)

Sunday 21 June - Metal Dome - 15:45 to 16:30

 

Black Stone Cherry

Formed in Kentucky by four friends at the start of the millennium, Black Stone Cherry originally started playing music to escape the boredom of rural Edmonton, Kentucky. The band was immediately successful on a local level and before long the hard rock quartet attracted the attention of the bigger labels. They released their self-titled full-length debut in 2006 and they haven’t looked back since. Last year’s ‘Magic Mountain’ is undoubtedly their best album to date. Black Stone Cherry’s brand of hard rock is flavoured with southern rock although ‘Magic Mountain’ sounds a bit harder than its predecessors. If you like no-holds-barred hard rock with the occasional ballad thrown in then Black Stone Cherry is a must-see at GMM2015. (Text: Stef Maes)

Sunday 21 June - Mainstage 1 - 15:50 to 16:40

 

Ensiferum

The expression ‘three is the charm’ certainly applies to Ensiferum. Apparently there’s something about the combination of Belgian beer and Finish pagan/folk metal that awakens the beast in our GMM crowd. Epic songs, melodic guitars, breakneck riffs, Ennio Morricone interludes, Celtic breaks, simple party songs… Ensiferum’s got it all. Their previous two shows were very festive and beer-drenched affairs and this one won’t be any different. Their new ‘One Man Army’ album was released late February so be sure to check out the old classics and the new CD at GMM2015! (Text: Niels Desmedt)

Sunday 21 June – Marquee - 16:15 to 17:05