For progressive metal fans, Euroblast has always been one of those events circled in red on the calendar – one of the rare festivals in Europe fully dedicated to progressive music. For years, I’d been wanting to attend, and when VOYAGER announced their exclusive European appearance, I did what any responsible adult does: I stared at my holiday balance, tried to bend the space-time continuum of work schedules, and finally booked the trip from Finland to Germany.
It wasn’t my first time in Cologne, but it was my first time experiencing music there. I already love the city. It’s easy to reach from Belgium, where I’m originally from, and always feels a bit like coming home. So the thought of adding a full weekend of prog metal to that backdrop was pretty much perfect. Euroblast 2025 ran from September 26th to 28th and featured names like ROYAL SORROW, BENTHOS, NIGHT VERSES, VOYAGER, TESSERACT, and many more.
Before we knew it, the final day of Euroblast had arrived. How did that happen so fast? The weekend had blurred by in a haze of riffs, laughter, and very little sleep — which probably just means we were having an absolute blast (pun once again fully intended).
We arrived early — again. At this point, I think we’d earned the title of “Euroblast’s Most Punctual Metalheads.” But that paid off, because first up was BENTHOS, an Italian progressive metal band from Milan who just released their second album “From Nothing” on InsideOut Music. I hadn’t heard of them before, but that quickly changed. Their sound was wild: imagine a blender full of prog, mathcore, post-hardcore, jazz fusion, and psychedelia, set to “maximum chaos” mode, but somehow still melodic. It was technical, unpredictable, and borderline mad scientist stuff. Exactly what my brain needed to wake up. The set pulled entirely from the new album, which was perfect; a full introduction to their current sound. Eight songs of organized mayhem later, I was left both dazzled and slightly dizzy. Not the easiest breakfast music, but definitely nourishing for the prog soul.
Next up, in the cellar, was SECOND HORIZON — another instrumental act, and yes, after three days of Euroblast, my brain immediately went, “Oh dear lord, no, not another one,” but they quickly won me over. They announced they’d be playing some unreleased material — brave move! — but considering their last album “Albdruck” came out in 2017, I think the crowd was just happy to hear anything new. Their sound was heavy on atmosphere and guitars, which filled the cellar beautifully. The low lighting and smokey ambience fit the vibe perfectly. It was moody, immersive, and one of those sets where you kind of forget what time it is or whether you’ve blinked in a while.
Then came something completely different: RON MINIS and his so-called “brutal jazz.” As someone who secretly adores jazz (even if I can only name BOHREN & DER CLUB OF GORE and a few Miles Davis albums), I was really curious about this one. “Brutal jazz” sounded like an oxymoron — like saying “gentle tornado.” They had a few technical issues getting started, which gave me time to wonder whether the metalheads in the room would give them a chance or just migrate to the bar or go get food. But nope, the floor was packed. Apparently, everyone was ready for some organized chaos with a double bass and snare.
Once they started, though, wow. It was strange and chaotic, but in a beautifully soothing way — like your brain getting a deep tissue massage while someone hits you with a baseball bat of syncopated drum patterns. Their latest album, “Smart Phones Stupid People” (2023), served as the main backdrop, both literally and musically: they had the title printed on a banner draped behind them. The set was eccentric, clever, and weirdly calming. I could feel my inner jazz nerd smiling.
Over at the cellar stage, things got weirder (in the best way) with SUNBORN. Their sound was a mix of nu-alt-pop and prog from France, and they recently released “LOVE IS GOD,” which they pulled songs from. Their vibe was distinctly different — more electronic, dreamy, and modern, but with punchy moments that kept it grounded. Oh, and they performed in bandage masks like stylish mummies, making them the first masked act of Euroblast 2025. The blend of pop, electronic textures, and heavier segments worked surprisingly well.
Next up was ESOTERICA, a name that had been floating around in my playlists but never quite clicked until this festival. And then — boom — they released “Ether Metal” right before Euroblast, and now I can’t stop listening to it. Seriously, it’s one of those albums that sneaks into your brain and refuses to leave.
Live, they were phenomenal. I’d already seen a few reels of their bassist, Mike Watchorn, doing parkour-level acrobatics on stage, and in person he did not disappoint. The man is pure energy, as if someone plugged him directly into a power outlet and forgot to unplug him. He jumps, spins, and twirls. If there was an Olympic event for “Most Hype Bassist,” he’d win gold. The stage looked incredible too — all teal and orange lighting to match their album’s artwork. The band opened with “Into the Ether,” and also included songs like “I Am Just One” and “Burn” — all highlights of the new record. Their mix of melody, atmosphere, and unrestrained energy was infectious.
After that top-tier performance, ISBJÖRG from Denmark brought the exact opposite vibe, giving a heartwarming performance in the likes of SENNA from the day before — calling their sound “math stadium rock” (yes, that’s apparently a thing). Their 2023 album, “Falter, Endure,” set the tone: warm, melodic, and cozy. It was like sipping hot chocolate while watching rain hit the window; comforting, heartfelt, and rich with piano-driven melodies. Their set was full of beautiful, cinematic moments, and “Ornament” was a standout track that stuck with me long after. It was exactly the breather I needed in the middle of such an intense day.
Then came SLOPE, and everything descended into a delightful frenzy again. I hadn’t listened to them much beforehand, but when I saw the “Freak Dreams” cover art, I realized I had heard that album — and remembered how funky and unhinged it was. Their live show was even wilder. Every single member (except the drummer, obviously) was jumping, spinning, and just generally acting like they were powered by espresso and mischief. Their sound was this fascinating mash-up of funk, hardcore, and prog.
It was one of the most entertaining sets of the day, but also where things hit me emotionally. If you’ve read my earlier reports, you’ll know my grandfather passed away just four days before Euroblast, and while the music had carried me through the weekend, SLOPE’s high-energy performance unexpectedly cracked something open. There I was, trying to headbang and dance, and suddenly I felt tears welling up. It was one of those bittersweet moments where grief and joy coexist, and weirdly, the band’s funky, chaotic energy helped me let go a little. Music really does that, doesn’t it?
Then came BAIKAL, the final act on the cellar stage and yet another new name for me (seriously, at this point I was questioning whether I actually listen to prog or just talk about it). They had just released their self-titled debut that weekend, and it was an absolute vibe. Slow, heavy, atmospheric post-metal with trip-hop textures; dark, moody, and hypnotic. The cellar’s dim lighting and thick air fit perfectly. After all the chaos of SLOPE, BAIKAL felt like floating underwater; calm, vast, and introspective. It was the perfect way to wind down the underground part of the festival.
Finally, it was time for the big one: TESSERACT. I had been really looking forward to this. I loved their latest album “War of Being,” which is cinematic, emotional, and heavy in all the right ways. But I also felt slightly guilty, because the last time I should have seen them live, I skipped part of their set to see my friends’ album release show. So this was in a way my redemption arc.
They opened with their signature precision and atmosphere — everything sounded flawless, and the production was sleek. Yet… something was missing. Not musically — they played great, the sound was clean, the visuals gorgeous — but there was a certain spark, that raw edge I’d seen when I caught them briefly in Helsinki. Maybe it’s tour fatigue, maybe just the vibe of the night, but it didn’t quite hit as emotionally as I’d hoped.
That said, hearing “Legion” live was a full-circle moment since it’s easily my favorite song from “War of Being,” and has become one of my all-time TESSERACT tracks now. When that chorus hit, I got goosebumps. The setlist mixed newer songs with fan favorites like “Juno,” and they wrapped up with “War of Being”; an epic, sprawling closer that filled every inch of the venue. Still, I couldn’t help but think VOYAGER’s euphoric energy might’ve been a better closer for the festival; something a little more celebratory. But maybe that’s just because I didn’t want the weekend to end on a melancholy note.
And with that, Euroblast 2025 came to a close. Three days of incredible performances, emotional highs, laughter, tears, and way too many moments that’ll stay with me forever. I arrived curious, left inspired, and rediscovered why I love this scene so much: the people, the passion, the shared catharsis. Even if my feet hurt and I may have eaten my body weight in Käsepasta, I left the festival with a full heart.
Text & photos by Laureline Tilkin
