Belgium’s heavy metal history began in the early 1980s, when the New Wave of British Heavy Metal inspired the first generation of Belgian metal acts. Bands like Killer, Acid, and Crossfire brought aggressive riffing and high-energy performances to the European underground scene.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Belgium developed a reputation for its extreme metal output. Death metal acts such as Agathocles pioneered grindcore and “mincecore,” while bands like Enthroned and Ancient Rites established Belgium as a respected force in black metal.
The 2000s saw Belgium expand its influence in modern metal, with Channel Zero becoming the country’s biggest metal export, combining thrash and groove metal elements. Aborted, formed in 1995, rose to international prominence as one of Europe’s leading brutal death metal bands.
Belgium is also home to important metal festivals, most notably Graspop Metal Meeting — one of Europe’s largest and most diverse metal events, attracting global headliners and underground favourites alike. Other notable festivals include Alcatraz Metal Fest and Metal Méan.
CITIES
FAMOUS METAL BANDS FROM BELGIUM
Aborted
Acid
Agathocles
Ancient Rites
Channel Zero
Crossfire
Drakkar
Enthroned
Killer
Magic Kingdom
Upcoming gigs in Belgium
13 Aug 2026
In Flames
OM
15 Aug 2026
Cryptopsy
DVG Club
22 Aug 2026
Parkpop Oostkamp 2026
Parkpop Oostkamp 2026
8 Sep 2026
Funebrarum
DVG Club
11 Sep 2026
Fear Factory
Vooruit
11 Sep 2026
Hate
Vooruit
13 Sep 2026
Raven
Hell
18 Sep 2026
Judas Priest
Vorst Nationaal / Forest National
18 Sep 2026
Nevermore
Vorst Nationaal / Forest National
27 Sep 2026
Hellripper
Belvédère
30 Sep 2026
Krisiun
DVG Club
4 Oct 2026
Anvil
South of Heaven
7 Oct 2026
Anvil
DVG Club
8 Oct 2026
Anvil
Kid’s Rhythm ’n Blues Kaffee
16 Oct 2026
Mork
C.O.C.
18 Oct 2026
Orbit Culture
Lotto Arena
21 Oct 2026
Anvil
Zik Zak
25 Oct 2026
Bruges is Doomed 2026
Bruges is Doomed 2026
Artists
- Oranssi Pazuzu
- Wolves in the Throne Room
27 Oct 2026
Beast in Black
Ancienne Belgique
1 Nov 2026
Suffocation
Kavka Zappa
1 Nov 2026
Carnifex
Kavka Zappa
17 Nov 2026
Pain
Ancienne Belgique
17 Nov 2026
Wolfheart
Ancienne Belgique
17 Nov 2026
Fulci
Le Botanique (Le Musée)
23 Nov 2026
Evergrey
Kavka Zappa
26 Nov 2026
Wednesday 13
Reflektor
3 Dec 2026
Imperial Triumphant
Le Botanique (La Rotonde)
5 Dec 2026
Týr
RCJC Het Entrepot
13 Dec 2026
Accept
Ancienne Belgique
13 Dec 2026
Tailgunner
Ancienne Belgique
14 Jan 2027
Floor Jansen
Trix
21 Jan 2027
Black Veil Brides
Ancienne Belgique
24 Jan 2027
Whitechapel
Trix
31 Jan 2027
Amorphis
Trix
8 Feb 2027
Lamb of God
Vorst Nationaal / Forest National
10 Feb 2027
Tarja
OM
25 Feb 2027
Omnium Gatherum
Trix
25 Feb 2027
Lacuna Coil
Trix
10 Mar 2027
Manowar
AFAS Dome
15 Mar 2027
Ice Nine Kills
Vorst Nationaal / Forest National
23 Mar 2027
Megadeth
Vorst Nationaal / Forest National
4 Apr 2027
Ministry
Ancienne Belgique
4 Apr 2027
Die Krupps
Ancienne Belgique
1 Dec 2027
Kanonenfieber
Ancienne Belgique
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