SHOCK ROCK AND ZOMBIESShock rocker ROB ZOMBIE is the next top act to be confirmed for the sixteenth edition of Graspop Metal Meeting. His last Belgian show dates back to 1995 when he was still with White Zombie. When White Zombie called it quits in 1998, Rob continued under his own steam and went on to eclipse his former band’s success. Apart from excellent studio work such as ‘Hellbilly Deluxe 1 & 2’ en ‘The Sinister Urge’, Zombie is also known for his phenomenal live shows with a special focus on the visual aspect. In the meantime, the multi-talented Rob Zombie has also made a name for himself in Tinsel Town. His debut ‘House of 1.000 Corpses’ and his sublime interpretations of ‘Halloween 1 & 2’ captured the imagination of horror fans worldwide. Feast your eyes and ears on this creative centipede at GMM2011!
THE ABC OF CLASSIC ROCK
When WHITESNAKE returned to the big stage in 2002 after five long years of silence, hard rock fans were somewhat skeptic but David Coverdale and his excellent new band quickly put those fears to rest. The 2008 release ‘Good to Be Bad’ saw the former Deep Purple vocalist in excellent form and the band’s previous GMM appearances in 2006 and 2008 proved that Whitesnake can still deliver the goods. They say good things come in threes so we’re proud to announce Whitesnake’s third appearance in Dessel. Apart from Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach, the master will be joined by a new drummer and bass player and the show will feature material from the new album to be released next spring.
Thirty-five years of rock and a truckload of classics but no GMM appearances to show for it? Let’s face it: we had a moral duty to right this wrong. British-American rock legends FOREIGNER, famous for their hits ‘Cold As Ice’, ‘Say You Will’ and ‘I Want to Know What Love Is’, obviously need no introduction. Under lead vocalist Lou Gramm and guitarist Mick Jones, the classic rock band scored hit after hit through the seventies and eighties. In 2003, Gramm left the band to be replaced by Kelly Hansen, who helped Foreigner confirm their status as one of the world’s leading melodic rock bands. Their latest album is called ‘Can’t Slow Down’, which the legendary rockers are looking forward to prove at GMM2011.
The American formation JOURNEY is an undisputed heavyweight with record sales in excess of 75 million copies. Especially popular in the US and Japan, Journey’s commercial rock has nevertheless always had its fair share of European fans as well. Their GMM2008 show was one of the highlights of that edition, thanks in large part to the fantastic performance of Philippine vocalist Arnel Pineda. Both Foreigner and Journey are on a mission to put classic rock back on the map in 2011 and they’re well on their way to achieve just that. Founding member Neal Schon has promised Journey is bringing its new record as well…
ALSO CONFIRMED
The Greek melodic power metal band FIREWIND released their sixth full-length album this year with ‘Days of Defiance’. The band centres around lead guitarist Gus G who, in the past, wielded the axe for the likes of Dream Evil and Arch Enemy. In 2009, Gus G replaced Zakk Wylde as Ozzy Osbourne’s lead guitarist but Firewind remains his first priority. The Greeks are currently on a world tour in support of their new album; the Prince of Darkness puts Days of Defiance in his personal top 10 of this year so check them out!
It took them four full-length albums but the British band ARCHTECTS are finally on the verge of a major breakthrough – and deservedly so. Their fresh and modern sound has helped reinvent metalcore and has given the genre as a whole a tremendous boost. Their new album is called ‘The Here and Now’ and is set for a January 2011 release. The new material leaves no doubt this is a band ready for the next big step. Their appearance at GMM2011 is not a surprise; after their support slot for Bring Me the Horizon at the start of next year, GMM is simply the next logical step.
Our younger metal fans in particular will be pleased to learn that ESCAPE THE FATE is flying in from Vegas to get the party started. After distributing their first two albums through punk and hardcore label Epitaph, Escape the Fate released their self-titled third album through the mighty Interscope at the start of November. Escape the Fate stands for catchy melodies, in-your-face lyrics and groovy solos galore. Newcomers on their way to becoming a household name…
SUICIDE SILENCE – FM – GHOST – ALL THAT REMAINS
TICKET INFO
Tickets are available via www.graspop.be/tickets_EN
Source: Newsletter
