Graspop Metal Meeting started off as wet as a tropical rainforest but that did absolutely nothing to dampen the spirits of the metal hordes. Four days later, as the 27^th edition of Belgium’s premier metal festival draws to a close, it’s safe to say it’s been yet another extremely successful four days. Heads were banged, mosh pits exploded, kindred metal spirits came together and most of all: a torrent of memorable performances sent the metal faithful into rapture.

As was the case with recent editions, GMM2024 was completely sold out and the weather-beaten arena welcomed some 55,000 music enthusiasts per day as they soaked up both familiar classics and up-and-coming talent. Household names like Judas Priest, Scorpions, Alice Cooper and Deep Purple know the lay of the land in Dessel but like every year, the festival paid particular attention to the next generation of metal heroes. Polyphia, Slaughter to Prevail and Wargasm were just a few of the acts to make their Graspop debut this year.

Our homegrown bands delivered standout performances. Stake dropped by to celebrate their 20th anniversary on the huge South Stage. It was a particularly emotional occasion as guitarist Cis Deman will be leaving the band shortly to chase his American Dream. Brutus’s Graspop hazing challenged the tensile strength of a chock-full Metal Dome as the band met with a triumphant reception.

Honourable mention goes to Tool’s first GMM gig. The American prog metallers closed out the first festival day in grand style with a musical and visual display that dropped jaws across the festival arena. Metalcore sensations Bring Me The Horizon added a fourth notch to their GMM belt. Saturday marked their first headlining slot here and the Sheffield natives repaid that confidence in spades. They sent the Graspoppers off to bed – or to their inflatable mattress – with a blissful smile.