Together with more than a thousand metalheads, I found myself at Mainstage in Den Bosch on December 15th, 2024, to see a wild package of three thrash metal bands. And not just any bands but even one of the Big 4: ANTHRAX was playing although KREATOR was headlining this evening. They brought TESTAMENT out as a support.
With these three monumental thrash bands that all play a slightly different approach to the genre, this is the ultimate evening out for thrash lovers. From the very first moment of the evening, when TESTAMENT played their first song we were welcomed with pyro that would set the tone of this evening. All bands this evening have quite an extensive catalog to narrow down for a setlist. We got treated to old songs, smashing hits, and fan favorites by all bands. TESTAMENT even threw in a beautiful ballad.
ANTHRAX had a long intro with a curtain and videos projected on it by different names from the metal community, saying something about ANTHRAX‘s long career; it was quite impressive and made us want the band to start their set even more. They played their show in their quite known green and yellow lights (or at least the times when I have seen them over the many years). The band didn’t have pyro but their energy was wild and entertaining. Their singer Joey Belladonna entertained the audience just like the guitar skills of Scott Ian and Jon Donais. The crowd did not need any convincing to let this be a successful show, but still, they gave it their all.
The headliner this evening was German KREATOR and they brought back the pyro and added flames and fog. The audience soon went absolutely wild and I think I have never seen up to thirteen or more crowd surfers in one line from left to right going to the front. The double bass from their drummer Jürgen Reil could be felt in your stomach from time to time. They went through their setlist like wildmen one after another and the end was near way too soon. They took their spectacle a little further with their song “Pleasure to Kill” and pyro, flames, fog, and a fire curtain to end the show. They went out with a big bang.
Testament
Anthrax
Kreator
Photos by Elvira Visser
