Fortarock – Park Brakkenstein, Nijmegen, The Netherlands – July 3rd 2010
The classic metal festivals Dutch headbangers grew up on, like Dynamo Open Air and Waldrock, have kicked the bucket. It was not just the line-up that made these festivals great, but the complete vibe.
Always good, clean fun. Well, usually not so much the clean part! Personally I feared there wouldn’t be another festival to have that same relaxed atmosphere, regardless what bands would be playing. But here it is, my new favourite Dutch metal festival: Fortarock! Conveniently held close to a train station at an amazing location surrounded by trees, Fortarock set up camp for the second year. 13 bands from all over the globe, divided over two stages, made thousands of headbangers flock together for another party. Opening act Textures (Tent Stage) and Ex-Deo (Open Stage) could barely get the hands together at this early hour on a hot and sunny day. It wasn’t really until the war machine called Hail of Bullets came rolling in. Uncut death metal from the old school. Amazing tracks from the band’s overwhelming ‘Of Frost And War’ blew the beer right out of our glasses. Van Drunen’s hellish vocals were, again, the point around which this whole band revolves. While Decapitated and Watain really got the crowds going, it was also time for checking out the metal fair. Always a nice addition to any festival, even if you’re not going to buy anything. Baroness are artists, if nothing else. They breathe their music, it’s in-depth and soul searching. Even though it might not really be your cup of tea, the intensity will keep you glued to the stage for sure. A nice variety of songs from the band’s ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ records pass us by and gain much deserved respect. Behemoth were fashionably late. The time they need to prepare their act takes just too much time for a festival like Fortarock where sets are short. True adepts of this Polish band said they came and conquered. I seem to have totally missed the point. After having skipped Ensiferum, as even metalheads have to eat sometime, a true legend of the 90s stepped to the plate: Fear Factory!
Fear Factory (pic: Paco Weekenstroo)
Having what can best be called a comeback album (by the name of ‘Mechanize’) under their belt, it was time to see if Bell and Cazares could really pull things off again. I had my doubt, but they thoroughly eliminated any concerns one might have. Songs from ‘Soul of A New Machine’ up to ‘Mechanize’ were played enthusiastically. Bell is an amazing frontman and could get the crowd going like there was never going to be another party. Industrial metal with an organic heart and soul. Amazing! Kreator just had to mention that Germany had just beaten Argentina 4-0. But could the Teutonic thrash squad also convince thousands of rabid fans of their old school metal? They could! Especially after playing the title tracks of the first five albums of their discography—being ‘Pleasure To Kill’, ‘Endless Pain’, ‘Terrible Certainty’, ‘Extreme Aggression’ and ‘Coma of Souls’—back to back. These combined with other legendary songs and several new tracks made this one gig to remember. Pouring rain and the orange smoke added some interesting tension.
Killswitch Engage (pic: Paco Weekenstroo)
On record Killswitch Engage are amazing. They have almost single-handedly made the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal into what it is today. I am afraid, though, that they will be overtaken by many of their peers for the years, or possibly just months, to come. They still are good, and have an energetic live act, but the soul—much needed for this type of music—has left them. Maybe it’s just an off day, but I fear it has damaged the very fibre of this legendary band. When it comes to soul, you have to watch Mike Muir of Suicidal Tendencies. What a party he can bring! With a bass player who just seems to be rebelling against any sort of arrangement, it had a totally fresh approach to things. ‘War Inside My Head’, ‘Possessed To Skate’ and ‘Pledge Your Allegiance’ sounded so much different from their recorded versions, it made it a great experience. ST purists might probably just think the whole gig sucked, as the bass player totally went crazy quite a few times. Personally I thought it added some pure uncut Suicidal madness to the performance and Muir is still a king among his devoted followers. Welsh metal giants Bullet For My Valentine had the privilege of closing this amazing festival. After the not-very-original, Camina Burana intro, they gave the kids what they wanted: modern metal with a poppy twist. Not really something old school headbangers can easily digest… a headliner that split the audience into lovers and haters as if we were the Red Sea. Me, I belong to the latter I’m afraid, but at least this old man got home in time for his much-needed sleep. I’ll be back next year. Fortarock, thanks for a modern festival with an old school atmosphere.
Bullet For My Valentine (Pic: Paco Weekenstroo)
Fortarock site: www.fortarock.nl
More amazing photos of this festival can be found at: www.pacoweekenstroo.com
