Excellent
Soen
One of my current favorite bands delivered a great show. The fact that they opened with Sincere already made my day. But it was much more than that, the whole setlist was strong and the performance solid.
Dream Theater
After seeing them on a 3hr headline set last year, a 1h15m show could be disappointing, but hell no! They still delivered. New songs were added to the 2024 setlist and they worked great. Peruvian Skies was one of the highlights of the festival.
Slipknot
Perfect Slipknot show, I have nothing to complain. Best time I saw them live and I loved the setlist.
Dødheimsgard
They win the prize of surprise of the weekend for me. Great black metal atmospheric proggy stuff. Very entertaining frontman. I was right in front, a fantastic experience.
Primordial
Great band, frontman, setlist and sound. I was also right in front and it was a joy! Too short for them but well they made made the best out of it.
Apocalyptica
This was so much fun. I probably had more fun than I would've with Metallica (nowadays). I was singing all those songs, so for me worked well.
Airbourne
Much better than I expected. Great show, good songs and a lot of fun.
Creeper
I knew I loved their latest album, but I had no clue they were so good live as well. I was right in front and singing like a funboy, great stuff!
Savatage
Legendary band, one of my all time favorites. They can't have a bad setlist, I was pretty close and had a memorable experience (again, as I saw them in April as well). The songs they changed worked for me and enhanced the experience.
In Flames
Another one of my favorites, strong setlist, lot of energy, simply perfect In Flames festival show.
Judas Priest
Initially I was not planning to see them again, but when I saw the setlist, wow! All but 2 songs out of Painkiller which is one of my favorite albums of all time. So I decided to watch and it was great. I was really close and had a blast. However, I did not want to miss King Diamond, so I left just before the encore.
Great
Deafheaven
First band of the festival, the sound wasn't great. But it was great show, all but one song from the new album which is a strong one. Short set but decent, I missed hearing Brought to Water though.
Landmvrks
This one I saw from a distance as I looked for a shadow to hide from the heat. But I was positively surprised with the Frenchmen. Good modern metal with a French touch.
Paradise Lost
I only saw half of it due to the need to go to find a spot for Dream Theater. But what I saw was great, so I will try to see their headline tour later this year.
Iron Maiden
That's a tough one. It was close to what I expected. I loved the beginning of the set and the epics were also a highlight (Rime and 7th Son). But there were several disappointments as well, mainly the stage based on screens and the encore. Aces High didn't sound great, I can't stand Fear of the Dark and Wasted Years is not a setlist closer. I wish we had a couple more surprises, including another song from FOTD and one from NPFTD (as it was implied by the tour announcements).
Hatebreed
Great show, but I was super tired and missed the beginning as it was not easy to get there from all the way in front for Iron Maiden. 1:15 for Hatebreed is quite long so they played almost every hit.
British Lion
I really like this band which is now 40% Iron Maiden lol. But that doesn't really matter, the fact is that the songs are great and the setlist was very strong.
Orange Goblin
Great show, I don't know the songs very well. But enjoyed it a lot, it's sad that they are retiring from touring.
Vandenberg
So much fan, a short trip down memory lane with a set of only Whitesnake classics. I also really like the singer.
Lorna Shore
It was so fucking hot that at times it was difficult to pay attention. But their performance, specially from the singer, is from another planet. I think they will keep growing. Fun note, I saw their patch for sale on the first day. During the last day I went back to buy it, and got the last one. Sold out!
Power Trip
I was surprised by the new singer who has immense shoes to fill. Strong setlist and very energetic band. One of the only thrash metal acts of the whole weekend.
King Diamond
I only saw the last 40% of the show or so due to the clash with Priest. But I loved every minute of it. I really wish I didn't have to make this choice.
Good
Beast In Black
One of my favorite bands currently and I've already seen them several times. While the show was not bad, it was the worst time for me personally. Short and not my favorite setlist.
Me First And The Gimme Gimmes
It's more for the show and fun, it's not to be taken seriously. So mission accomplished.
Blood Incantation
Worst technical problem I witnessed this festival. It was a big let down. Despite of that they played the new album which is fantastic. I am happy I saw their headlining show a couple of months before.
Whitechapel
Nothing wrong with the band or show, it just didn't have a wow factor or memorable songs.
The Dead Daisies
Basic old school Hard Rock is always fun to watch. Bonus points for the covers: Fortunate Son and Helterskelter.
Dragonforce
I didn't love the setlist, even though the show and performances were good. Cutting Last Dragonborn from the set was a big let down for me.
Seven Hours After Violet
A good surprise. Good new band with a kind of diverse and dynamic modern sound.
Beyond The Black
Very generic female fronted power metal. But still good songs and capable frontwoman.
Heaven Shall Burn
I love this band, specially early albums. But Marcus was out sick. The lady replacing him did a good job. but it wasn't the same experience overall. Also I wasn't too crazy about the setlist despite some of my favorites like Combat and Eindzeit.
OK
Warkings
First time seeing them and not super familiar with their material. But enjoyed it quite bit, good performance. It's kind of basic power metal, nothing too special.
Bloodhunter
They kept my attention and the singer is good and also good to watch. The music? Very generic melo death and very similar to Arch Enemy.
Knocked Loose
Not bad, but this was a breathing moment for me, I watched more from the back under a shadow.
Gloryhammer
The "new" singer is very poor live and the new songs take place from the much better ones from their now more and more distant past.
Behemoth
I was really tired, rather far and it was super late. It wasn't bad, but also it's not a main stage headliner. Their show at Alcaraz was so much better.
Unto Others
A bit boring honestly, but used the time to rest a bit. To make matters worse they skipped the Ramones cover.
Bullet For My Valentine
It's not a band that I need to listen to a full album on a festival. They are "best of" band for me.
Bad
Nothing More
That's the worse band I saw this festival. I just didn't like their sound at all. Also not crazy about a shirtless frontman.
Epica
Honestly I didn't pay much attention as I don't like them really. But I was standing there waiting for Maiden.
