The final countdown to GMM 2015: part 9

Six 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!

Counterparts

If you’re not familiar with the Canadian band Counterparts it’s high time you picked up a copy of their third studio album, ‘The Difference between Hell and Home’. This stand-out release features an exciting band that clearly knows what a perfect amalgamation of rage and melody is supposed to sound like. Greeted with a positive reception, ‘The Difference between Hell and Home’ offers a wonderful mix between metalcore and hardcore. Counterparts may not be the most innovative outfit around but every member is an accomplished musician in his own right. Also, with the new album, Counterparts appears to have found a signature all their own. If you’re into melodic hardcore performed by a musical sledgehammer then Counterparts is just the ticket. (Text: Steven Verhoeven)

Sunday 21 June - Jupiler Stage - 16:40 to 17:20

 

Papa Roach

Through the years we’ve always been quick to invite bands with an exceptional GMM track record for an encore and in the case of Papa Roach, their new album F.E.A.R. (Face Everything and Rise) provided the perfect excuse. Charismatic frontman Jacoby Shaddix & Co have been working with a stable line-up for the last eight years and that pays dividends on stage. In recent times, the band has been leaning towards heavier and faster stuff and thanks to the changes in musical direction over the years, their catalogue includes a variety of styles such as metal, punk, hardcore and rap. Papa Roach breathes Hollywood metal so for a short while, Dessel will be at the heart of the music universe. Who's ready for a rock show? (Text: Nick Tronckoe)

Sunday 21 June - Mainstage 2 - 16:50 to 17:40

 

Equilibrium

Is black metal too gloomy for your liking? Does it lack the optimistic note that’s typical for many power metal and folk metal bands? If so, you should definitely check out Equilibrium. This German band has been around for fifteen years and built their foundations on a combination of black and pagan metal. As the years progressed, they integrated more and more folk influences and symphonic power metal into their songs. Their latest album ‘Erdentempel’ is the perfect example of this evolution. We have no doubt Equilibrium will get the masses moving! (Text: Morbid Geert)

Sunday 21 June - Metal Dome - 17:30 to 18:15

 

Septicflesh

This band has featured on our wish list for years and it’s a privilege to finally be able to announce them: Septicflesh are coming to GMM! The Greek dream masters have created a unique and bombastic mix of symphonic death metal and black metal that rivals the material of commercially more successful bands like Dimmu Borgir. The band split in the early noughties only to reform in 2007. Meeting with unanimous critical acclaim, many pundits have labelled their latest album ‘Titan’ the No. 1 extreme metal release of 2014. The special atmosphere of their live shows is also legendary. We can’t wait! (Text: Morbid Geert)

Sunday 21 June – Marquee - 17:45 to 18:40

 

Airbourne

Four years after their 2010 GMM debut, Australian party animals Airbourne are back for seconds. Airbourne is synonymous with hard rock in the purest sense of the word. Their uncompromising what-you-see-is-what-you-get attitude has endeared them to hordes of metal fans across the globe. The set list will undoubtedly include quite a few songs from their third full-length effort, ‘Black Dog Barking’ (2013), which was very well received by fans and critics alike. Their next album is tentatively scheduled for an autumn 2015 release so who knows, they may even surprise us with a new tune or two. The recipe hasn’t changed since they were last here: naked torsos, tight jeans, (soon empty) beer cans and an irresistible dose of hard rock. And don’t forget to bring your binoculars because Joel O’Keeffe likes to climb the scaffolding … (Text: Steven Verhoeven)

Sunday 21 June - Mainstage 1 - 17:50 to 18:50

 

Texas In July

Formed in 2007, Texas in July was one of the youngest metal bands around at the time. With all of the members still in high school, this didn’t stop them from hitting the recording studio virtually from the start. This band was one of the revelations of GMM2012 where they confirmed the rave reviews they’d been garnering almost since their inception. Three years later they’re back with their new album ‘Bloodwork’ and a much bigger fan base. If you’re unfamiliar with Texas in July, think of a cross between Misery Signals and August Burns Red. Spit-shine those shoes because the mosh pit awaits! (Text: Nick Tronckoe / Translation: Nick Devos)

Sunday 21 June - Jupiler Stage - 18:25 to 19:05

 

Lamb of God

Lamb of God are no strangers to Graspop. They’ve been a guest here on several occasions and they never disappoint. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Lamb of God are responsible for eight groundbreaking and rock-hard albums, with record sales in excess of two million copies in the US alone. Lamb of God are quite popular on this side of the Atlantic as well. Considered one of the leading bands of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal, Lamb of God’s music has been described as a mix of thrash and death metal with a shot of metalcore. Groove was a strong influence throughout the noughties, but their most recent release Resolution marks a return to the riff-laden work of ‘As the Palaces Burn’ and ‘Ashes of the Wake’. (Text: Robby Embrechts)

Sunday 21 June - Mainstage 2 - 19:00 to 19:50

 

FM

The British AOR band FM formed in 1984 when former Samson members Merv Goldsworthy (bass) and Pete Jupp (drums) joined forces with brothers Steve (vocals/guitar) and Chris Overland (guitar), both ex-Wildlife. Keyboardist Philip ‘Didge Digital’ Manchester completes the line-up. FM was extremely popular in the latter half of the 80s, with hits such as ‘Indiscreet’, ‘Tough It Out’ and ‘Takin' It to the Streets’. Even though 1992’s ‘Aphrodisiac’ – Chris Overland had left the band by then – is generally viewed as their best album, FM’s success began to dwindle and they finally split in 1996. More than a decade later, FM briefly reformed for a one-off reunion concert when they headlined Firefest IV. The response was so huge that the band started to make records again, this time with Jim Kirkpatrick as lead guitarist. FM has been touring extensively since then and has also recorded three more studio albums. They are now firmly re-established as a household name in heavy rock land and with ‘Heroes and Villains’ a new album is in the works for 2015. (Text: Wim Vander Haegen)

Sunday 21 June - Metal Dome - 19:15 to 20:05

 

Motörhead

‘We are Motörhead and we play rock ‘n’ roll’: every self-respecting hard rock fan has heard these words straight from the mouth of Motörhead frontman and living legend Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister on at least one occasion. Lemmy founded the band in 1975 and two years later, the legendary lineup including Lemmy, Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor (drums) and ‘Fast’ Eddie Clarke (guitar) recorded Motörhead’s self-titled debut album. Motörhead was one of the few bands that appealed to punks and metal fans alike. Follow-up albums ‘Overkill’ and ‘Bomber’ were extremely successful but it was the 1980 classic ‘Ace of Spades’ (1980) and the single of the same name that turned Motörhead into one of the most influential hard rock ‘n’ roll bands in the world. Personnel changes in 80s diverted the attention from the music but Motörhead retaliated in 1991 with ‘1916’, an album featuring both Phil Campbell and Wurzel on guitar. With the addition of Mikkey Dee, ‘the best drummer in the world’, Motörhead continues to churn out excellent albums with highlights including ‘Overnight Sensation’ (1996), ‘We Are Motörhead’  (2000), ‘The World Is Yours’ (2010) and their latest CD ‘Aftershock’ (2013). Since the departure of Wurzel back in 1996, Motörhead has been a three-man outfit but that doesn’t stop them from annihilating any obstacle that gets in the way.  (Text: Wim Vander Haegen)

Sunday 21 June - Mainstage 1 - 20:00 to 21:00