The day moved on, and after a short break, things continued with metalcore on the North Stage, brought by the guys from Asking Alexandria, who had travelled over from the island. After several years, the Brits were finally back in Belgium, kicking things off with “Alone Again” from their 2021 album “See What’s On The Inside”. Vocalist Danny Worsnop appeared wrapped in a black cloak, his face mostly hidden behind oversized sunglasses and a hood. Respect to him for choosing such an outfit in those temperatures.
From the South Stage, I headed straight over to the neighbouring North Stage, where the guys from Pro‑Pain were getting ready. The U.S. American band was already making their seventh appearance at Graspop in Dessel and can look back on an impressive career spanning more than 30 years, even if bassist and vocalist Gary Meskil has been the only constant throughout that time. As soon as the intro from their 2002 album “Shreds Of Dignity” began to play, it was clear what was about to happen.
From the dark tent, we stepped out into the sunshine in front of the Main Stages. This was where the ladies of Thundermother performed, a band that had caused quite a stir not long before. Band founder and guitarist Filippa Nässil seems to be a rather difficult character. After the first early successes following the band’s formation in 2009, Nässil decided to replace all band members. As the band continued to rise, she clashed so severely with then‑vocalist Guernica Mancini during their U.S. tour earlier this year that she kicked her out of the band. Out of solidarity, drummer Emlee Johansson and bassist Mona Lindgren also left, forcing yet another fresh start.
The second day began in a fairly relaxed manner in the Metal Dome. On the schedule was the Belgian rock band Black Mirrors. The female‑fronted ensemble led by singer Marcella Di Troia brought along an interesting blend of rock, blues, and hard rock. In their nearly ten years of existence, however, they have only released a rather modest number of records.
From the Swedish rockers of Ghost over to the American hard rock legends Guns N’ Roses, who can now look back on a 40‑year band history filled with many highs and even more lows. The area in front of the stage was well filled, and everyone was waiting for the show to begin. But the older gentlemen took their time. With a five‑minute delay, a three‑hour ride through all their released albums finally began. After the intro from tape and once all band members had taken their positions, “It’s So Easy” from their 1987 debut “Appetite For Destruction” kicked off an emotional rollercoaster.
To secure a halfway decent spot for the upcoming Guns N’ Roses show, I had already moved over to the South Stage during the Ghost performance and watched the show from there. So please excuse the slightly unusual angles and greater distances in the photos. With Ghost, opinions among metal fans are always divided as their sound is very pop‑leaning. Nevertheless, Tobias Forge, in his current incarnation as Papa Emeritus IV, together with his Nameless Ghouls, delivered an undeniably impressive stage production.
After the sweat‑drenched performance by Papa Roach, things continued with an equally big name. Alter Bridge were up next, a band I had wanted to see for a long time. Having already seen Tremonti, the solo project of guitarist Mark Tremonti, at Wacken Open Air in 2018, it was now finally time for the full Alter Bridge lineup: frontman Myles Kennedy, Creed members Mark Tremonti on guitar, Brian Marshall on bass, and Scott Phillips, well hidden behind his drum kit.
After spending the entire day hopping between tents (which honestly wasn’t the worst idea given the temperatures), it was finally time in the late afternoon to head outside to the Main Stages. Nu‑metal veterans Papa Roach were on the schedule, and it seemed I wasn’t the only one excited. The area in front of the South Stage was already nicely packed. They’ve been shaking up the scene since the early 1990s, and today I finally had the chance to see them live for the very first time.
And on it went inside the tent. After the heavy sounds of the two Butcher Babies front women, it was time for something much more melodic. The Raven Age from Great Britain were now set to conquer the smaller Metal Dome. They brought along very melodic metalcore, and their stage presence was immediately on a completely different level compared to the previous band. The atmosphere in front of the stage kicked in right away, and you could see on the faces of all five guys just how much fun they were having.
Right after Orbit Culture, the next band took over the Marquee tent: Butcher Babies, led by front women Heidi Shepherd and Carla Harvey, stormed the stage and kicked things off like a wildfire. They brought along their current double‑release “Eye For An Eye” and “’Til The World’s Blind”, and opened with “Red Thunder”. Given the temperatures, the ladies were dressed rather lightly, and the gentlemen Ricky Bonazza on bass, Henry Flury on guitar, and Devin Nickles behind the drum kit also delivered a powerful performance.