graspop metal meeting 2008

We took the train from Haarlem station at around 6.30pm Thursday evening, direction Eindhoven station, where our festival shuttle bus would take us directly to the camping site outside Dessel, Belgium.

While waiting I met some of my great countrymen; Magnus, Magnus and Magnusson plus their two friends from Hungary and Portugal.

Because of the Dutch time optimism, we arrived about half an hour later than scheduled, and managed to put up our tent amongst the other 40 000 festival campers, in the dark, minutes before rainfall.

We shortly discovered that our sleeping bags were not exactly cut out for.. to be honest, I dunno what weather conditions these sleeping bags were suppose to function in, cause they were simply terrible. The inner lining was polyester, i.s.o. cotton, and stuck to your sweaty skin like glue. Yes, surprisingly enough you were sweating at the same time you were freezing to death cause of the sleeping bag refusing to keep the temperature any higher than the outside one. Also, our isolation mats were just that, to isolate from the cold ground. It didn't take away any of the mud lumps, rocks, twigs, body parts, or archaeological excavation under your, after minutes only, sore body. Keep in mind for next time - real, warm blankets, and inflatable madras. We fell asleep at a temperature of at least minus five, waking up to rainfall, followed by 45 degrees in the tent cause of the sun was suddenly up and flooding our tent with extreme heat.

Next morning, first experience of festival toilets - amazingly already a handfull was clogged up and unusable at 9am. Picture moment I'm sure.
I resisted. We continued with breakfast, before heading down to the camp site offices, getting our wristbands and buying food tickets. Apperantly food tickets were the only form of payment available at the festival grounds. 1 food ticket = 1 €. At the festival, prices were such:
For 3 food tickets you could choose from 1 piece of watermelon or 1 portion of frites.
For 4 food tickets you could fiest on a slice of pizza. Add another 2 food tickets and you could get a full, small dish of pasta - and for 7 food tickets only, you could get yourself a nice portion of questionable thai food.
Luckily we avoided the worst food traps - we did enjoy our 3 € piece of water melon and 4 € slice of pizza, other than that we ate what we had brought with us; carrots, paprika, banana, chocolate paste and bread rolls. Because the beer could only be bought using drink tickets; 9 € for 4 tickets - 1 ticket a beer - we drank a whole lot of water instead. Pretty good idea, considering the sun and the heat.

There were alot of Swedes at this festival,
as well as other fellow Scandinavian neighbours.

These are our European neighbours from Cyprus. When I told the gang I was from Sweden, three dudes started cheering from inside a tent, crawling out as fast as they could - all three at the same time - to see the Swedish miracle. Me.

We didn't take too many photos of the bands playing,
too busy enjoying the god damn excellent shows.
But above we see Biff Byford,
lead singer in Saxon (UK), performing on Day 1.

Here's a crappy picture of Testament (US) (the black haired dudes in the back) during their signing session.
The line was too long and we were too late and never made it.
Instead we were handed out an even crappier postcard
picturing the band and lots of advertisements. No autographs either.

The gods were shining down on the festival
and its 130 000 metal fans during these three days.
So bright I burned my shoulders.

We were also blessed with a full moon.
In the middle of the day.
Not on picture: his face with mayonnaise smeared all over it.

Morbid Angel (US)
Had to leave after just a few songs cause the extreme flashing lights were a bit too much too handle.

Highlight and head star of Day 1 - Judas Priest (UK)
Great performance, not too good spots though. Only two songs from their new album Nostradamus, which was strange considering the whole stage setting was based on it. One of their greatest songs, Pain killer, was a slight disappointment because, well Rob Halford is 60 now and so his screams are just not what they used to be.

These lovely ladies are locals, except the front one - that's my boyfriend.
They were enjoying the thousands of fans passing by
and quickly turned into a very popular photo scene.


Don't remember who these were again. Vincent, help me out here?

Ministry (US)

one dirty monkey

two dirty monkeys I

two dirty monkeys II

We were hanging out with Jarkko Aaltonen (right), bass player in Korpiklaani (FIN).
He was later asleep sitting down next to us.
Then he was almost falling off the bench. Then he fell off the bench.
Apparently Jarkko had a plain to catch in one and a half hour.
We knew he wouldn't make that,
considering the fact that check-in closes 1 hour before departure.
I wonder what happened to him...

We also met the swedish guys again, who bought us beer :D
The guitarist and the bass player from Sabaton (SE),
also came along to hang. Great guys.

Header of Day 2 was KISS. Yes, they're big. Yes, they're extremely popular (somehow...),
but their attitude is just so lame, so we left after just a few songs and headed back to our tent.

Day 3 started with
Rose Tattoo (AUS)
Surprisingly great - never heard of them before.
I will check them out more later.
Actually I think even some in my family would like them.

Apocalyptica (FIN) Metal on 4 cellos, with, I have to say,
two gorgeous looking front guys
with the most charming Finnish accent and excellent finger work.
These ones I also need to check out more,
cause during their live performance all I heard was the bass drum.

This is what 60 000 people looks like.
Waiting for Iron Maiden (UK)!!
Header of Day 3 and the whole god damn festival.
Worth the the ticket alone..


two dirty monkeys III - waiting for Maiden..
we had excellent spots, practically at the very front, coz we're so metal.


Stage setting was revealed to the tones of their cover of "Doctor, doctor".
Brilliant performance, including some minor difficulties changing the back curtains.
But Bruce just played along - the stage is his personal playground.

Morning after; packing up and go home...


...leaving our garbage in neat little plastic bags.

It was a great festival, my first yes - but not the last I'm sure. But coming home to a hot shower, a clean toilet and delicious home cooked food was - ah! like being reborn.