They have passed 50 but are still exploding on stage as if they were teenagers - almost, says Sofia Bergström at Aftonbladet.
She has higher expectations for the 2025 edition of Sweden Rock in Norje outside Sölvesborg than in recent years. One reason is the nu-metal bands, which she hopes can contribute to the resurgence of a young audience.
I don't think the festival will survive if you only go down the nostalgic track. Nu-metal is extremely popular right now and is going through a renaissance where several new bands are following in Korn's and Slipknot's footsteps, blending styles wildly, says Sofia Bergström.
As broad as possible
Sweden Rock's great challenge is to continue being a festival for everyone. That's what the festival's marketing manager Hannes Emeus means.
We want to appeal to younger people at the same time as our core audience and older visitors are incredibly important to us and have been for many years. We're trying to be as broad as possible and catch everything, he says.
For him, this year's personal highlights are Turbonegro, DAD, and Sex Pistols' fresh reunion.
Was it obvious to book Korn and Slipknot, who were quite ridiculed within the metal genre when it happened?
Everything becomes nostalgia in the end, doesn't it? You should remember that we are a nostalgia festival and it has been going on since 1992. For 10-15 years ago, it wouldn't have been as obvious, but it feels fun that we "rejuvenate" ourselves, even though those bands broke through in the late 90s, early 00s, says Hannes Emeus.
The future of hard rock
Sofia Bergström believes it's only a matter of time before Sweden Rock books more younger acts, such as Poppy or Sleep Token. She notes that Spiritbox played at the festival in 2023.
She herself is most looking forward to seeing Múr from Iceland, who is making their Swedish debut at this year's festival. She also gives a thumbs up to the fact that the festival has many great Swedish bands, such as Orbit Culture, but most of all, she wants to tip off about the festival's smallest stage, Piston Head Stage, which usually has sharp Swedish bookings.
I hope that those who are on site really take the time to check out the future of hard rock, she says.
Kristoffer Viita/TT
Facts: They play at Sweden Rock (selected)
TT
Wednesday: Slipknot, Opeth, King Diamond, Within Temptation, Sacred. Thursday: Korn, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Kreator, Samantha Fish, Myrkur, Stryper.
Friday: Scorpions, DAD, Danko Jones, Meshuggah, Múr, Orbit Culture.
Saturday: Sabaton. Hypocrisy, Turbonegro, Wishbone Ash, Eagles of Death Metal, Exodus, Knogjärn.
