The first day of Heavy Week-end kicked off on Friday, June 5th, under the banner of one of the most anticipated events in the metal calendar. From the very first riff to the final explosion of pyrotechnics, the festival delivered on every promise, a relentless parade of heavy music, theatrical performances, and a really energetic crowd who was constantly asking for more.
Dominum set the tone for the evening with a striking and unsettling presence. The singer stepped on stage with bold and horrific makeup, while the rest of the musicians performed behind masks, creating an instantly memorable visual identity. Even if the crowd wasn’t full, they knew how to make them move. Their horror-themed spectacle with ghoulish visuals featuring zombies that perfectly matched the darkness of their sound, was a perfect start for the festival.
Avantasia brought their signature operatic sound to Heavy Week-end, and one of the most welcome sights of the night was seeing a woman on stage, even if her role was limited to backing vocals. The band’s trademark approach of gathering multiple guest singers paid off, offering variety and energy across their set. Each voice added a different texture to their theatrical metal, keeping the crowd engaged throughout.
Savatage proved why they remain a beloved name in the metal world. The public answered their set with genuine enthusiasm, singing along and raising their fists to collectively celebrate this iconic heavy metal band. There’s something timeless about Savatage, and the crowd made sure the band felt every bit of that appreciation.
If the previous acts warmed up the crowd, Sabaton turned the festival into a full-blown military campaign. The Swedish war metal giants closed the night with one of the most spectacular productions the Heavy Week-end stage has ever seen. Three giant tanks dominated the stage, surrounded by walls of fire, explosions, and cascading fireworks that lit up the night sky. The scenography was nothing short of extraordinary, a real battlefield brought to life.
The setlist was sharp and perfectly curated, hitting every anthem the crowd wanted to hear. What truly set the show apart, however, was the energy of the band itself. Every musician was in constant communication with the audience, and frontman Joakim Brodén was a force of nature, sprinting across every corner of the stage. A particularly memorable moment came when an actor portraying Napoleon joined them on stage, adding a theatrical dimension that only Sabaton could pull off convincingly.
This first day closed with the kind of energy that sets the tone for an entire festival, raw power, theatrical force, and enough fire to melt steel. Heavy Week-end announced itself to the metal world with authority, and if this opening night is any indication, the days to come promise something truly special. To celebrate this first day, they announced the fourth edition with low prices for this first sale. All photos of the weekend can be found here!
