We had to wait 2 years for this edition, due to COVDI-19! I just miss Rainover from the original call out from 2 years ago but somehow they had to let go (also miss their new album), but I’m still very happy to discover some new bands and see some others again! As always this festival is a very friendly festival where you are close to the artists.
Just as with the last edition we have nice weather, making it so that before and after all the visitors can enjoy the sun and take some fresh air, take pictures or talk with the stars of today. I must say: I did my part.
First band is ABHCAN (FR): Melodic modern Heavy Metal with a frontwoman who knows how to seduce the audience and who also has a great voice! I didn’t want to miss this band and came really early and I can stay I don’t regret getting here early! I was happy to have a short chat with them before their gig and can say that they are really kind people. Since I listened to The Pit my heart was conquered! On stage they rock like animals whilst giving away the best possible show! The band is on fire and are more then happy to finally perform on stage! It feels as if they kept the energy they couldn’t fire off on stage for those 2 years and fire it all off now. Lina can really sing high and low and grunt like a real monster: it’s really incredible what she can do! She also knows how to heat up a crowd! This is clearly a jewel and deserves to get higher up on the following festivals! The lyrics are also worth checking out, just as the new songs! I can’t wait to review the new stuff! The Pit was the perfect final, making us all sing together with the band (another hit was Sex It Up, btw)!
HARBOUR OF SOULS (NL) brings us Heavy Metal influenced by Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath & Thin Lizzy! I also had a nice chat with these gentlemen’s and had a nice time. After our interview I was really eager to see them on stage and they didn’t disappoint me! They really sound like a pumped up and younger version of the names I dropped higher up! Their singer is a very muscled guy and I can imagine some women/girls would want to get closer and have a chat with him! On stage he’s a real beast. I adored his (fake) Scottish accent on stage. The band and the singer have a great synergy on stage and thus setting the roof on fire! They really deserve to play higher up! It's clear they have great tracks! You rock!
ALLIENCE PLAYS IRON MAIDEN Cover IRON MAIDEN (BE): they are the local band and with Thierry on guitar they even have a member of this organisation within their ranks! It’s not the first time I see them on stage and just as the last time they bring a best of Iron Maiden set! The fans really love it and change the gig into a massive karaoke set: singing along (2 Minutes to Midnight for example), clapping hands and headbanging! This is already the 3rd highlight of this day! Their frontwomen also rocks like a young girl on fire! What a show, what a blast! This was pure fun!
The crowd wanted more, but hey there are 4 more bands planned after them and we all have to go on!
ELFIKA (FR-BE) brings us Symphonic Metal. I loved their album and was looking forward to see them finally on stage! It’s clear that Laure Ali-Khodja has a great voice: walking over the vocal chords like you and me make a short walk in the park without getting exhausted! The band is also top! They rock like the best! Once again I feel that the pandemic made them charge up their batteries and now it’s time to unload! Laure is also the perfect frontwoman firing up the crowd and giving it all! It’s definitively a must see band! Also cool to see other bands are enjoying this one! Another good thing is that the band mixes power trips with ballads and more fragile moments. They give you goosebumps at certain moments! What an epic set! They close their set with a big bang! Wow! Thank you!
SYR DARIA brings us Heavy Metal (FR) and throws a bomb from the start. Once again the gig fever strikes and gives us an all fired up show with no time to catch some breath! I should have listened again to their previous album just to get their songs again in my head as they are really worth it! Tears of A Clown is for sure a highlight of their show! What a blast! Pornstar is their last song and is another bomb! This was really a great show and totally enjoyed it! Thank you guys!
PANDORA'S KEY is the last band from The Netherlands and brings us beautiful symphonic metal! They sound a bit like The Gathering but with a symphonic metal touch and some grunts! I hate to say it over and over but here also I can see and hear that they are more then happy to be here on stage. It’s like looking at a ray of light piercing the darkness! I can see the happiness on their faces! Besides rocking they also have a more fragile side and a beautiful ballad filled with pathos and energy! Once song even gets us into Dutch folklore with dito lyrics! It worked and rocked like in their dreams! Vera Veldhuizen did a great job as frontwoman! They clearly conquered the hearts of the crowd (and mine)! You should all check out their work! To be continued!
WHYZDOM brings female fronted symphonic metal (FR) and is the 3rd time I see them on stage! They are on fire: filled with energy and enjoying to be here on stage! I can see other bands having a party in the front row. I enjoy their hits and can confirm that the new songs also work out well on stage! The show is top! Marie looks fragile but she has a voice that can reach France from here in Ittre! What a powerbomb! They are really on their place, I just wished there was a bigger crowd as they also worked hard on the promotion of this festival (and that is always nice to see). They gave it all and can be proud of their passage here!
EXISTANCE (FR) brings us vintage Heavy Metal like young wolves with tons of experience! They are the last band and play hard, fast, loud and energetic! I like the lead vocals! Their live show is 100% professional with the right lightshow, smoke and real fire on stage! It’s like a mix of Rammstein, Iron Maiden and Evil Invaders! I can see that they have fans and they are having fun and cheering! It’s a good closure for a really nice festival! I missed the end as I was too tired after a long day (shouldn’t have gone cycling in the morning). What a blast!
On a personal note: it’s nice to get a shoulder tap from Sylvie to thank me (for all the promo I did for this festival). I have to thank all the bands, the people behind the festival, the volunteers, the crowd! Those who missed it will read this review and hopefully regret they didn’t attend it! Keep up the good work!
copyright pictures: Filip Van Muyl (raw & unedited)
