Last year was a huge organisational test as the festival sold extremely larger amounts than previous year and setback was visible mainly in extremely long ques for entrance, top up and drinks. We were hoping there would be no more long queues this year but unfortunately that was one of the main objections alongside that there was no free access to drinking water which has become standard at other festivals. Bad news were also: Blind Guardian and Attila cancellations, but that was just bad luck and not the fault of the organisators as the cancellations came at the last moment due to health reasons.
On the positive side, more seating space has been added but no screens were available there. No wasps were spotted, which was great as last year they were the main menace and they were everywhere, especially around drinks. It’s also great that the festival is being held for the last time at this location as the new one must be bigger and better, or at least we hope so! Organisers stated: “moving to Ghimbav: bigger, easier to access, no-queues, right around the corner” so we keep our fingers crossed that is exactly what is going to be delivered. This year’s edition has been sold out which is great news for future success of the festival and we hope all the best is going to happen in future.
Day 1 – 30.7.2025 – Third AC stage sounds great
It’s extremely hard being objective and nearly impossible covering all bands so we will cover the main ones and those that stood out with great gigs. Coming early to the festival grounds was sometimes a bit challenging as we didn’t succeed to find camping tickets, both camps were sold out way in advance as coming from distant accommodation was sometimes a bit tiring. That would be the main objection we have: camping grounds were not extended and no additional camping was added although the demand was high.
Day one had one of the best lineups for the third stage (AC- Andrei Calmuc stage) as it hosted the following: SHINING, WITCH CLUB SATAN, KANONENFIEBER, MYRKUR and others.
Main stages hosted: KATATONIA, EMPEROR, MACHINE HEAD, ZEAL & ARDOR, MASTODON and others.
EMPEROR had a great performance but issues with sound unfortunately. WITCH CLUB SATAN, KANONENFIEBER, MYRKUR all performed at the third stage and had a special atmosphere of “the stage in the woods” kind of vibe. WITCH CLUB SATAN performed almost naked which raised some controversy in some media but they were genuine and not only provocative for the sake of it. MYRKUR had a great and mystical performance and KANONENFIEBER lighted up the audience! MACHINE HEAD rocked the festival ground with extremely powerful sound and performance. Their fourth song “Now we die” got everybody engaged and left us stunned. Great gig and atmosphere!
Day 2 – 31.7.2025 – Early bird catches the best shows
For some, the day started with a magnificent performance of 1914, the second act of the day. It’s a shame the band didn’t have a later performance with more audience, but true fans showed up in time. WOLFHEART performed third and also represents a band that could have a better placement (a later one) as they were simply brilliant. Early day continued with OMNIUM GATHERUM, a melodic death metal band beloved by all fans of the genre.
Evening on main stages was reserved for: SOEN, OBITUARY, WHILE SHE SLEEPS, WITHIN TEMPTATION and GOJIRA.
Evening on the third AC stage: BRUJERIA, EXHORDER, ORANSSI PAZUZU, THE KONVENANT and MADBALL.
OBITUARY had an insane gig and proved their status as one of the iconic bands you must experience live. “Slowly we rot” was one of the highlights of the concert, although there were many others also. BRUJERIA and MADBALL both had great and explosive performances. WITHIN TEMPTATION had an exceptional performance and crowd attendance and peaked with performances of “Shot in the dark” and “Paradise (What About Us?)“ which were incredible to experience live. GOJIRA was incredible as always and the fans could be satisfied with the setlist of fourteen songs, out of which they also played the magnificent masterpieces: “Stranded” and “Flying Whales”. They didn’t play my favourite song „The art of dying“, but that’s my personal wish I’ll fulfil at some of the upcoming concerts. Everything else was great!
Day 3 – 1.8.2025 – “We are here to drink your beer” day!
Third AC stage in the evening: ME AND THAT MAN, ASPHYX, WITHIN DESTRUCTION, PRIMORDIAL, HELLBUTCHER.
Evening on main stages: SEPTICFLESH, WIND ROSE, BLOOD FIRE DEATH, ELECTRIC CALLBOY, FIT FOR A KING, ALESTROM and KERRY KING.
HARAKIRY FOR THE SKY performed third and I was sorry the band didn’t have a more primetime placement, but the crowd was solid and who wanted to hear them- came. They had an impressive performance and for me personally: one of the top 3 on this festival! ME AND THAT MAN was an exceptional experience for all Nergal fans and it was wild seeing Nergal in such a new setting, apart from Behemoth. HELLBUTCHER also had an extremely exceptional performance. WIND ROSE gathered their army of fans and lighted up the audience with a great performance! ALESTROM were traditionally good and managed to have everyone in the crowd jumping up and down to their hits! KERRY KING proved his status of a living legend and we couldn’t be happier for catching him live! BLOOD FIRE DEATH took us into their own world and a different time and place, while ELECTRIC CALLBOY was a great refreshment as it stood out form majority genres and added up to diversity of the festival!
Day 4 – 2.8.2025 – Blood of lions and the black sheep
Third AC stage in the evening: DISCHARGE, KRISUIN, KATAKLYSM, BANE and DARK ANGEL.
Evening on main stages: FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, LORD OF THE LOST, POWERWOLF, RIVERS OF NIHIL, ENSIFERUM, APOCALYPTICA and CARPENTER BRUT.
KATAKLYSM had one of the top 5 performances of the festival! Great energy from a great band! “As I Sliter” was performed as a security test as the band asked for as many crowd surfers as possible and the wish was granted. Security passed the test big time, during this and all other concerts and a big praise goes out to them! Last song for the day was “The Black Sheep” which is also one of the greatest the band possesses! DISCHARGE and DARK ANGEL had exquisite gigs and we couldn’t be happier that all the genres are included apart from metal band. FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE showed us their unique world in which all combinations are possible, including a clash of opera with metal. POWERWOLF and ENSIFERUM definitely had one of the best performances of this day and it’s impossible to single out our favourite as both were great. APOCALYPTICA was great as always and charmed their way into our hearts. CARPENTER BRUT was a nice refreshment and we support this kind of genre mixtures.
Day 5 – 3.8.2025 – Domination of the third AC stage
Third AC stage in the evening: SWALLOW THE SUN, DYING FETUS, DRACONIAN, TERRORIZER and MARDUK.
Evening on main stages: PALEFACE SWISS, BLOODBATH, STATIC X, WARDRUNA, AGNOSTIC FRONT, DIRTY SHIRT and SEPULTURA.
PARTY CANNON had the most insane mosh pit of the day with firefighters stepping in to throw the water with fire hose above the crowd! BLOODBATH had an insane gig and the absolute highlight was the performance of the “Cry My Name”. AGNOSTIC FRONT very pleasantly surprised us with a performance of “Blitzkrieg Bop (“Hey Ho! Let’s Go!”)“ and a touching dedication to The Ramones! DYING FETUS had one of the best performances of this festival day with highlight being: performance of “Wrong One to Fuck With“! DIRTY SHIRT had a great gig with an army of their fans. SEPULTURA was on fire and no one was left coldblooded as their performance was the peak of the whole festival! Be sure to catch them live while you still can! WARDRUNA transformed their concert into a mystical journey into their spiritual world and we stood in awe and observed the magic that the band creates. “Lyfjaberg (Healing-mountain)“ which was performed is one of the most powerful songs of all time which transforms the spirit into calmness instantly. MARDUK was the perfect choice to close the festival! The gig was awesome and we enjoyed it to the fullest!
Fireworks were spectacular and the occasion was to celebrate the end of the Râșnov era. Hopefully all will be great at the festival’s new location and mainly: the visitors will have more space and no more extremely long queues for drinks because many people missed large parts of shows while waiting in line. Also, we hope that the new location will have some of the surrounding woods and charm of the heart of Transylvania, as the previous location had.
