Last week Graspop announced the 3 big headliners of their 2017 edition. The first name that was dropped immediately caused quite the commotion. even more so than previous years. Some think its awesome, others not so.

Lets put myself in a category close to the awesome part. We got Deep Purple on Friday, Rammstein on Saturday and Evanescence closes the festival on Sunday.

Those are pretty unusual names for Graspop, as it was the habit that the same bands returned in a 2 or 3 year cycle. Over the years there was more and more critics from the long time Graspop attenders it was starting to become predictable and monotonous. Now the organisation tries to break that with these unusual names. Especially Rammstein is such a big hitting name it will consume a big chunk of Graspop's budget.

But my jaw dropped really to the floor when Evanescence was announced. With a career spanning at least a decade and only 4 full albums. And very few European gigs done since their debut, it's very surprising they got picked. The last time they did Europe was more than 4 years ago. I sadly missed them but this makes me all the more excited. 

And last Friday the festival released no less than 64 bands in one go. Most likely the result of an error that was made by Opeth. They very briefly posted the exact same line-up a day before. And the internet wouldn't be the internet if this went viral shortly after that. The long list of everyone can be found underneath in alphabetical order:

Airbourne, Alcest, Alestorm, Alter Bridge, Amorphis, Anathema, As Lions, Avatar, Axel Rudi Pell, Baroness, Chelsea Grin, Clutch, Comeback Kid, Danko Jones, Decapitated, DevilDriver, Devin Townsend Project, Emperor, Epica, Europe, Evil Invaders, Five Finger Death Punch, Gotthard, Grave Digger, Hacktivist, Hardline, Hatebreed, In Flames, Inglorious, Kvelertak, Mayhem, Memoriam, Meshiaak, Ministry, Monster Magnet, Motionless in White, Northlane, Of Mice & Men, Opeth, Primus, Prong, Psychotic Waltz, Queensrÿche, Red Fang, Rhapsody, Rob Zombie, Rotting Christ, Sanctuary, Shvpes, Sinistro, Slydigs, Solstafir, Steel Panther, SubRosa, Suicidal Tendencies, Tarja, The Black Dahlia Murder, The Charm The Fury, The Dead Daisies, The Devil Wears Prada, The Monolith Deathcult, Tribulation, Ugly Kid Joe, While She Sleeps.

Concerning Evanescence, we have some more news too. The lasts news that reached our continent was the band being put on hiatus more than 4 years ago. Since then no tours or gigs have been announced. With the Graspop-headline however comes another gig in the Netherlands. A dedicated show in the 013 venue in Eindhoven that sadly enough has been sold out at the first day of presale. This all comes after a small tour in South America early next year. So, are we seeing the construction of a European tour? If so, you saw it first on Darkview. 

Also, within the realm of possibilities it could be that a new album would be recorded somewhere next year. As they have already re-recorded 2 old songs this year. Things are defininitely in motion around Amy Lee. 


Update: Our friends at Grimm Gent report more Evanescence and Rammstein dates are now known. The Big Stone rock Fest headlines the 2 bands. The finish metalfest is held in the weekend of 9 june 2017 and features some weird names such as Infected Mushrooms Live. Which should make a kickass goa-psytrance party.