GRASPOP METAL MEETING 2025: SUN, SWEAT AND SOARING GUITARS
You’ve got another thing coming! With just Judas Priest and Till Lindemann to go, our annual metal high mass is reaching its apotheosis. Like last year, Graspop Metal Meeting experienced extreme weather but this time Graspop laboured under a scorching sun - perhaps to make up for last year’s deluge. Slipknot was just one of the bands that provided the perfect soundtrack for this reversal of fate.
Graspop Metal Meeting was buzzing with activity because the festival grounds in Dessel was once again filled to capacity. Every day, 55,000 metalheads convened to enjoy the sunshine and a generous selection of the best that the metal spectrum has to offer. The reunion with household names such as Judas Priest, Powerwolf, Behemoth and Korn was a joyful one but at the same time Graspop honoured its tradition of showcasing fresh talent. Rise of the Northstar, Falling in Reverse, House of Protection and Yellowcard were just a few of the bands to chalk up their first Graspop Metal Meeting appearance this year.
Homegrown talent featured prominently in the 2025 line-up. Psychonaut, the band fronted by Studio Brussel radio host Thomas Michiels, kicked off this year’s festivities. After their maiden performance at GMM2024, Brutus were given pride of place this year on the huge South Stage, and legendary Kortrijk sons Amenra dropped jaws with their stupendous headlining gig in the Marquee on Friday.
In addition to the usual Gatling gun riffage and chugging stomps, there was also room for a new generation, spearheaded by several bands who owe their success to social media platform TikTok. Acts like Poppy, Nova Twins and Kim Dracula helped bring down the average age on the festival grounds. Iron Maiden celebrated a special anniversary at Graspop Metal Meeting on Thursday night. Golden balloons in the crowd spelled ‘Happy 50th birthday Iron Maiden’, bringing a smile to frontman Bruce Dickinson’s face. Polish blackened death metallers Behemoth surprised friend and foe with a unique mini performance on the sky deck. Guided by torches, they mounted the sky deck and performed in front of the delirious crowd. Honourable mention goes to iconic industrial rock legends Nine Inch Nails, who finally made their first appearance in Dessel after a career spanning almost 40 years. Their visually spectacular show was the perfect conclusion to another successful festival day.
This edition of Graspop Metal Meeting is truly one for the history books, not just because of the exceptional quality of the bands on the bill and the unrivalled atmosphere but also because of temperatures that can best be described as ‘hotter than hell’. Naturally, the organisers had taken all the necessary precautions to keep the metal legions as comfortable as possible while they engaged in that most holy of pastimes: celebrating heavy music. True to form, Graspop Metal Meeting provided access to free drinkable water across the festival grounds and the number of faucets was significantly scaled up. Free sun block was also available in copious amounts. Bare shoulders, faces and bald heads were diligently smeared at multiple stands dotted around the grounds and at the We Care a Lot stand. Several spray systems were installed at the various stages to help keep the little grey cells below boiling point. These large cannons sprayed a fine mist over a grateful crowd, bringing the temperature in front of the stages down to acceptable levels. True to the motto ‘stay safe, stay metal’, the Graspop faithful took care of each other like the big metal family they are.
The devil works hard but the Graspop Metal Meeting crew works even harder! The organisers explicitly acknowledge the hard work put in by the countless crew members whose tireless efforts helped create the best possible festival experience for guests and artists alike. You guys rock!
Feeling nostalgic already about GMM2025? Then be sure to mark 18, 19, 20 and 21 June 2026 on your calendars for the 29th edition of Graspop Metal Meeting! We will appease the weather gods and order generous sunshine, the odd cloud or two and a gentle breeze. Hope springs eternal!
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