Arriving halfway in the set of Leprous was a bit of a let down for me. Their latest effort called Coal made a huge impression on me and I was really curious if they could pull it of on stage. Well to be honest I’m not able to answer that question. The fact is that due to the wind the sound was mostly all over the place which is killing for a band like Leprous that has so much details in their music. This of course had also some affect on the audience since most of the people just arrived and were more interested in catching up with each other in stead of the band on stage. What I did see was a band that did everything they could and played their asses off. I certainly do love to see them in a venue. (Niamen)

 

Enforcer had the honor of opening the mainstage of Fortarock this year. Their latest album called From Beyond was released several months ago and of course during this tour the focus lies upon that album. To be honest I was quite sceptic if this band would fit on the huge stage, but during the first couple of tunes ‘Destroyer’ they proved me wrong. Although they sometimes looked a bit strange during the first couple of songs they did get some crowd moving which motivated the band even more to play their thrashy 80s hardrock with more fury than they already did. Great show of a great band that is worth checking out. (Niamen)

 

Converge is one of the reasons why I wanted to attend Fortarock in the first place. The band manages to create an intense massive sound based upon their hardcore roots. Their latest album, All We Love We Leave Behind, is already a couple years old but is still present in my cd-player from time to time. I do have to admit that Converge is a band that doesn’t create easy and simple music, which is probably the reason why most of the audience attended the show of Sylosis on the other stage. Those who where present witnessed a band that gave it all during their set. The intensity of their music and stage performance certainly had its effect on the people present and even some good moshing took place. (Niamen)

 

On the main stage it was time for a band probably everyone present knew. In the early 00s songs like ‘Awake’ and ‘I Stand Alone’ were everywhere around you. On TV, on the radio, you couldn’t escape these songs by Godsmack and therefore I was looking forward to hearing these tunes live for personally the first time. The setlist contained of a mixture with tracks from their 2014 album 1000hp and older ones like the previously mentioned. Unfortunately their typical American stadium rock didn’t do the trick for the metal fans in The Netherlands. The show was dull and the music a tame. All in all just a boring show to be honest. (Gilles)

 

If there’s one band that generated a lot of media attention in the last week before Fortarock it’s certainly Dying Fetus. One of the gynaecologists of the nearby hospital found the name offensive for young parents who have just lost their infant. But enough on this subject, let’s talk about the show. After the disappointing sound at the Leprous show I was pleased to see the wind decreasing. I was a bit surprised by the huge amount of people that showed op to see these guys. Especially since this years edition of Fortarock wasn’t very crowded. I don’t know if it has something to do with the fact that Flotsam And Jetsam were taking the other stage at the same time or the fact that you never can go wrong with Dying Fetus. Indeed this show was tight as hell and with a nice overview of their albums they certainly topped my list as one of the better performances today. (Niamen)

 

I hope the guys from Godsmack stayed at the festival to watch the bands playing next, cause Papa Roach for example was showing how to put on an entertaining and energetic show while mixing new music from their recently released record F.E.A.R. with classic oldies. Through the years they’ve incorporated electronics more and more in their sound and this raised some eyebrows right from the start of the intro. People who haven’t follow the band’s career and just wanted to hear tracks like ‘Between Angels And Insects’ and ‘Last Resort’ were a bit surprised, but this band still managed to get everyone along. Their music is so damn catchy and the variation between old and new worked out well. Officially due to logistic problems the organisation switched the slots of Parkway Drive and Papa Roach, but I think it was best for both. Papa Roach can perfectly handle a big main stage during the day and I already can say that Parkway Drive can close a smaller stage even better. (Gilles)

 

This year there was one major clash for me. I had to choose between Exodus and Red Fang. Although a lot of people watched Exodus taking the stage I witnessed yet another great show of Red Fang. It could have been the beer or the music or the clear blue sky or a combination of all this together that I really enjoyed their performance. Let’s face it, some good stoner music and a nice cold beer in the sun. A match made in heaven if you’d ask me. Especially when you add the nice show of Red Fang. (Niamen)

 

Contrary to my colleague I did go and see Exodus tear up the smallest stage of the festival. The ferocious Bay Area thrash metal legends did a great job entertaining the mainly older part of the festival audience. Their main focus lied on their classic release Bonded By Blood and their newest record Blood In, Blood Out and the audience loved it. Don’t expect something really new. They just play the thrash you are used of them and nothing more, but still they stand the test of time. The Jeff Hanneman tribute and shout out to their bandmate Gary Holt who couldn’t be here due to his commitments with Slayer and the following Slayer riffing completed the show. (Gilles)

 

On the main stage the loudest band of the day was up next; Lamb Of God. Loud, heavy and groovy. That’s practically all I have to say about Lamb Of God’s performance. With their charismatic frontman Randy Blythe they fired up the crowd and went on a true killing spree. Playing a set that covers their entire career they did a great job entertaining the crowd. After giving a sneak peek of the new records with the song ‘Still Echoes’ they really tore down the stage with favourites ‘Redneck’ and ‘Black Label’. Even the wind couldn’t blow this show. (Gilles)

 

If you want a band that knows how the entertain you’ll just have to ask Jamey Jasta to show up with his companions from Hatebreed. This frontman and this band perfectly know how it works to entertain, to keep the energy level high and the audience going. Jumping, clapping, waving with shirts, towels or any other fabric, it was all incorporated in a show of a band that walks the thin line between metal and hardcore. With just hits and classic songs that everyone could sing along it was once again a very pleasant encounter with this touring beast called Hatebreed. A club show gives even more energy, but these guys really know how to get most out of such a performance on an open stage in front of a varied audience. (Gilles)

 

Closing the 2^nd and 3^rd stages were Venom and Parkway Drive. A difficult clash for me, but in the end I went to see Parkway Drive and I didn’t regret it for a second. Right from the start it was all fireworks with this Australian band, literally and figuratively. This metalcore band mostly appeals to the younger fans and although a big portion of the audience already waited in front of the main stage for headliner Slipknot the biggest moshpit was created in front of these Aussies. A tight show, an energetic performance, a good interaction with the crowd; it all came together very harmoniously. They’re not just “hip”, they just fucking kick ass. (Gilles)

 

15 years ago I attended the Dynamo festival at the same park where this years edition of Fortarock is being held. Back then it was Slipknot who made an indelible impression on me. Nowadays they’re headlining the entire festival. Although a lot of people didn’t think of Slipknot as a headliner I have to say that they did pull it off very nicely. The nine headed monster took Fortarock by it’s balls and didn’t let go until the end of the set. With a handful of new songs and of course their biggest hits they scored pretty easily if you’d ask me. The funniest thing about the entire show is probably the adults around me turning into 15 year old kids at the intro of songs like ‘Wait And Bleed’ and ‘(SIC)’. (Niamen)

More pictures can be found here.