Rock The Lakes

The first day of the festival reminded us of the scorching heat from the previous year. Upon arrival, the size of the new site was immediately noticeable, offering a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. There were plenty of areas to sit and eat, zones where you can relax and of course, two large stages placed side by side, allowing concerts to flow seamlessly without interruption. The shows started at 1 pm, one after another. The first show we could cover was at 7:20 pm with Amaranthe. They are known for a modern blend of melodic metal with touches of electro and pop, bringing a contagious energy that encourages the audience to sing and dance. After the announcement at Wacken 2023 of their new album “The Catalyst” and their 2024 tour with Dragonforce, this was the first festival where Amaranthe performed their new songs in an open air setting. The robotic intro before the first song added a futuristic and immersive touch, reinforcing the cybernetic atmosphere the band cultivates through their visuals and musical themes. On stage, Amaranthe delivered a technically flawless performance, with smooth transitions between songs. Elize Ryd, Nils Molin and Mikael Sehlin showcased impressive vocal mastery, and with heavy guitar riffs they kept the energy at a constant peak. After the song “Archangel,” Morten asked the audience how many more songs they wanted by holding up one or two fingers; the crowd was enthusiastic for two more. So, they launched into the final two songs of the set; “That Song” and “Drop Dead Cynical.” A big thank you to Basi, Amaranthe’s tour manager, for allowing me to capture some awesome shots throughout the concert.

It was time for a break, and there were various food trucks offering foods from different continents, like Canada with Poutine, Greece with Gyros, etc. It started to rain, and we were almost happy to cool off after the extremely hot weeks we had experienced.

For those who felt cold, it was short-lived as Behemoth, the Polish band, set the stage ablaze with an intense and dark performance that captivated the audience. The band, known for their imposing stage presence and dark visuals, did not disappoint with a setlist that mixed classics with more recent tracks. The show was marked by a mystical atmosphere, enhanced by dramatic lighting and pyrotechnic effects, creating an enchanting environment that drew fans into Behemoth’s dark universe. The band’s performance was praised for its precision and energy, with lead singer Nergal leading the charge with his powerful voice and charismatic presence. The extreme metal fans responded enthusiastically, turning the space into a true scene of collective catharsis. The most popular tracks triggered particularly strong reactions, showing that Behemoth remains an unstoppable force in the blackened death metal scene.

For those who still had energy left, Comeback Kid closed the evening. After a packed day, I headed home with plenty of photos to sort through. Unfortunately, I only had access to the photo pit for Amaranthe, so you’ll find a few photos of the other bands that I took from the crowd. I deliberately took very few crowd photos so as not to disrupt the experience of the festival-goers who came to have a good time.

After a Saturday evening drenched in rain, not beer, I arrived by car. The parking lot had turned into a swimming pool, so we had to park along the roadside. The festival grounds were already quite muddy, with rain falling several times throughout the day, making the festival slippery. Fortunately, the terrain is flat. If the festival had been at the same location as in 2023 with the same rain, it might have been possible to slide down to the stage. Several bands, including Swiss bands like Infinitas and Illumishade, performed in the rain. In the late afternoon, it was Dragonforce’s turn to take the stage. Herman Li spoke to the audience in French and asked us to start a circle pit during a cover of Taylor Swift’s “Wildest Dreams,” followed by the final song of the set, the famous “Through the Fire and Flames.”

After a few showers in the afternoon, we waited for Jinjer! The Ukrainian band delivered an impressive performance, captivating the audience with their unique blend of metalcore. Tatiana Shmailyuk, the band’s charismatic singer, impressed with her powerful voice. The band demonstrated exceptional technical skill, with hard-hitting riffs and complex rhythms that electrified the crowd.

The final band of the night was Kreator, who kicked off their set with their usual intensity, starting with the song “Hate Über Alles.” The band unleashed a powerful performance, embodying the essence of German thrash metal. During the song “666 – World Divided,” when Mille Petrozza sang “the world is in flames,” there were usually flames on stage, but none appeared during the first chorus. Perhaps the world wasn’t in flames yet. The pyro effects kicked in during the second chorus. After the song “Hail to the Hordes,” Mille told us that it was his first time at Rock The Lakes, but it wouldn’t be the last. He thanked his fans for staying through the relentless rain. He asked who was born before 1985 and after 1985. It seemed that most people were born before 1985. The audience appeared to have an average age of around 40, a classic for this type of rock/metal event. Kreator delivered a powerful set, mixing the band’s iconic songs with tracks from the latest album. The sharp riffs and pounding drums set the Rock The Lakes main stage on fire, creating a brutal energy and a lot of circle pits. The band left a lasting memory, confirming their status as leaders in the current thrash metal scene.

A 4th edition will be organized next year. Tickets will already be on sale starting August 22, 2024. It’s a pity that the festival didn’t reveal a few names for next year as they did in 2023. However, we do know the dates! Mark your calendars from August 15 to 17, 2024, and save your spot to attend the best rock/metal festival in the French area.

His festival is much loved by the French-speaking Swiss due to its location; it’s the only festival of its kind in the region. See you next year!