Back in December they announced Iron Maiden would headline the festival with a 2 hour show in celebration of their current ongoing Maiden England tour. As most fans know, Maiden England is part 3 in the History Trilogy of the 1980’s video/DVD releases and therefore it’s likely this will be the last time ever the band will tour with an 80s based setlist and it will be the last time you have the opportunity to hear some of these songs live.
 

Besides Iron Maiden the organization has managed to arrange a strong and diverse line-up. With the slogan “All About Heavy Music” the 18 selected bands range from black to thrash and from hard rock to metalcore. Some are, with all due respect, metal dinosaurs, while others are new and up-and-coming.
 

For example you’ll be treated by the female fronted, Amsterdam based, metalcore from The Charm The Fury. Inspired by bands like Architects and Every Time I Die they will kick start the festival in a great, energetic way. On the other hand, when into black metal you can worship Satan (don’t know if they have red wine to go with it) on the demonical and shivering musical notes of acts like Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir. And for the die-hard thrash heads out there? Two of the Big Four in thrash will be present that Saturday; Anthrax and the almighty Slayer. They surely have something for everyone.
 

The whole line-up: Iron Maiden, Slayer, Alter Bridge, Dimmu Borgir, Anthrax, Sabaton, Carcass, Trivium, Gojira, Behemoth, Ghost, Graveyard, Vandenberg’s Moonkings, Skillet, Caliban, Deafheaven, Blood Ceremony and The Charm The Fury.
 

As a pre-party there will be an international conference and showcase festival for loud music in the Doornroosje venue in Nijmegen; Buma ROCKS!. With a wide variety of speakers (for example members of bands like Volbeat and Anathema, people from booking agencies and journalists), a barbeque and music of Redwood Hill, Aborted, Herder, Paceshifters, Wasted Bullet and Purest Of Pain this is a great starter of the FortaRock festival the day after.