**This is my story. My personal journal account of time at the festival, my thoughts and feelings. This is not a technical review of gigs, but more of a story telling my experiences and activities of attending Time To Rock Festival 2025. Hopefully, this will help inspire your attendance in 2026. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.**
Time to Rock has obviously grown, especially over the last few years. But they insist that they will maintain their “coziness”. So, how much growth is too much? A question I ask no one in particular. But here on day 2, I saw the first evidence of the growth impact. I thought perhaps the doors were a bit late in opening, but that was not the evidence. The lineup to get in was horrendously long (compared to anything I’ve seen here in past years).
I walked the length of the line until I reached the end and added myself to the growing queue. I will estimate that it took approximately 30minutes to get through the line, bag checks, etc and into the park. Still not even that bad to be fair. I did miss my photo time for Bonafide, which I had been looking forward to. But it simply teaches one to be better prepared and tomorrow I shall line up earlier! Though a separate media entrance would be nice🤷🏻♂️.
In speaking with press officer Andreas as I reached the press tent, he translated the slogan on the crew t-shirts for me. It was Swedish for “We’ll fix it“. The entrance crowd for the start of the day has never been an issue for them in the past. And I do absolutely believe that they “will fix it“. **I did notice the next day that the exit side was used at the start of the day for bagless entry, creating more lines for bag checking.**
MEISTER’S DAY
In any case, I was excited for “MY” day at the fest. Today’s lineup for my tastes is top of the pack! So many awesome bands and the most jam-packed day for me. In fact, as it would turn out, I worked so hard from band to band that I literally had one beer all day! And that was watching the closing songs of Udo!
Catching a couple songs of Bonafide, I wandered the lower grounds. I’d just seen Bonafide a couple of weeks back in the UK, but they are one of my top bands. I was disappointed in missing my photo time, but I’m sure there will be other opportunities and it was great music to begin the day with as I wandered.
HELLGROOVE
Hellgroove was the first band of the day for me for photos. I believe they are a part of Studieframjet, which supports new music and unsigned bands. The guitarist was quite facially animated as he doled out the ample riffage. The modern-ish sound is not particularly in my enjoyment wheelhouse, typically, but the vocalist had a way of drawing you in. Almost like she was summoning with her incantations. I thought perhaps they were still trying to find themselves and hone their sound, but certainly on a good track. I shall search up some of their tunes once home for further examinations and rituals.
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Full photo gallery: HELLGROOVE
RIOT V
Next on the agenda would be the legends that are Riot V. Entering the stage, Donnie Van Stavern hoisted high a bottle of Jose Cuervo Gold. A little drop on the stage, a little drop for Donnie, all in salute to Mark Reale, original driving force of Riot. So began “Swords and Tequila“, which began one of the best sets on the best day of 2025’s festival. This afternoon, we were served up a big pile of classic Riot tunes, concentrating heavily on the Fire Down Below release. Thundersteel also got representation, along with a song from the latest album. But for me, it was awesome to hear “Road Racin’” off of Narita.
One little hiccup along the way with a flying drum cymbal didn’t slow anything down. Riot V again delivered excellent sound quality during the blistering set. A cheers to Mark Reale towards the end was tasteful as always.
Full photo gallery: RIOT V
Full Spotlight Blog: RIOT V – Time To Rock 2025
AMBUSH
For ten years, I have been waiting to witness this next band. In 2015, I came across an album called Desecrator by a Sweidh band called Ambush. It made my top 10 of the year and still sees play. This was the first live experience and it did not disappoint. The photographers were not allowed into the photo pit for safety reasons on account of the pyrotechnics to be used during the set. Awesome! Fireballs, flash bangs and fog machines everywhere while the band issued choreographed guitar Kiss-type moves. The uniformed code featuring black leather studded vests helped ram down the true heavy metal offering. I head banged, fist pumped, and screamed along with every song, my photos suck though. Best gig of the festival!
Full Spotlight Blog: AMBUSH – Time To Rock 2025 (Festival Blog)
ECLIPSE
Straight from stage to stage, the action continued with Eclipse. I was surprised to see the pyro in the Eclipse show as I photographed from the pit. Had they ever used pyro before? I couldn’t remember. In any case, I am not the age I used to be and needed a break. I also required phone charging, so off to the press tent it was at this juncture. Plus, I’ve seen Eclipse a lot and while a solid melodic rock band, they are not an absolute “must” for me. Unless there’s ever a Bleed And Scream album in its entirety show….then I’m first in line!
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Full photo gallery: ECLIPSE
WYTCH HAZEL
Wytch Hazel brought me back out, camera in hand. I have heard some stuff from them that I really like and some not so much. Their brand of Sabbathy doomish traditional metal was good, but I struggled to find hooks and memorability in the songs. Their look is very much like Angel (as my friend Jo described), all in white robes and an altar at the back of the stage. While some folks were raving about them, I decided to wander the arena.
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FIRST FISH
Time for the first installment of my staple diet today. Casey’s Fish & Chips! Met and chatted with the boys, Shane and Nathan, today as they prepared my order. I grabbed a couple of photos of the guys hard at work and I know later in the day they will be lined up. I highly recommend you try Casey‘s when you see them at an event.
Y&T
Y&T are absolutely one of my all-time top bands. I’ve been listening to them ever since I can remember. Their band logo appears in my full sleeve tattoo and I’ve seen them live many times. Dave Meniketti is a wonder, he still plays and vocally sounds fantastic at now 71 years old. This was the first time I’ve seen them since Dave‘s cancer and he was still on point. Y&T led off with “Hurricane“, which was particularly suiting as it was raining quite hard. I captured a couple of fast photos and quickly ran the camera back to the press tent to keep it out of the rain.
They played a setlist much as I expected, including “Don’t Stop Running“, “Dirty Girl“, and “Mean Streak“. The rain started to get heavier again as we went through “Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark“, “Coming Home” and “Winds Of Change” before I decided to take shelter. I caught a little more of the end of Y&T and it was awesome to see Dave back on stage and kicking ass.
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STRAY
With the rain finished, I was now intrigued by a band called Stray. I didn’t really know anything about them, but a friend told me they were an old school NWOBHM band. Well, that’ll grab my attention as I love that historical movement. True to that information, I immediately picked off that these were not young kids on stage….lol. Stray‘s first song had me toe-tapping as I readied my camera for songs 4, 5 and 6 that we were allowed in the photo pit. The vocalist/guitarist definitely had some chops and he next asked, “Are we living the dream?“. Which was the title for the next song and what a great one it was, too.
I definitely have to get ears on these guys when I return home. I was able to catch other song titles (I think) such as “After The Storm” and “1600” ahead of “Black Sun“, which we were told was from a new album titled About Time…because it was about time. Great set!
Full photo gallery: STRAY
Full Spotlight Blog: STRAY – Time To Rock 2025
FIREWIND AND FISH
The conflicts are a part of multi-stage festivals such as this and I had to depart Stray to catch a little of Firewind, whom I’ve seen previously. I walked up to some blistering solo work as expected from Gus G. A couple of songs I was also able to catch were “Mercenary Man” and their cover of Michael Sembello‘s “Maniac“.
I answered the rumbling call of my stomach by swinging by Casey’s Fish & Chips while Firewind raged on so that I could still take them in. There may even be more food vendors at Time To Rock than last year, I thought. The selection of choices was fantastic and there must be something here for everyone. But for me, no matter how good the other vendors looked, Casey‘s is king!
MEETING STRAYS
Taking a break (and avoiding Nestor like the plague), I sat in the press area chatting with peers until it was time to meet Stray. I had received a message earlier from my friend Helena, who also happened to be Stray‘s publicist. I was not passing up the chance to briefly meet this band and say thanks for a great set today! **As a note: most of the bands do have appointed signing sessions where fans can get autographs and photos as well.** The guys were fantastic as I met and thanked them. I spent a few moments speaking with band leader Del Bromham, who was extremely personable and funny. Hopefully, we can connect down the road for a chat on my radio show. Del was also so very kind in answering my questions about the new album’s availability by handing me a copy! Cheers, Del and Stray!
MORE CONFLICTING CHOICES
Probably my biggest conflict at Time To Rock 2025 was now upon me. Dirkschneider, which of course is Udo Dirkschneider doing the full Accept – Balls To The Wall album to mark the 40th anniversary, at the very same time as the young Swedish band Velveteen Queen. Now, I have seen both bands before, so that made it a little easier to stomach, but in a perfect world, I would see every minute of both sets. It is what it is and I have to try to catch some of both sets. I figured I’d start out with Dirkschneider, as photographers were awarded songs 1, 2 and 3 in the photo pit there. And then boogie over to the Pirate Stage to catch Velveteen Queen for songs 4, 5 and 6 in the photo pit. So, off we go….
DIRKSCHNEIDER
True to form, the man, Udo Dirkschneider, entered the stage sporting his usual camouflage gear, baseball-style cap crammed down low on his forehead. In his best Michael Jackson impression, Udo also sported white gloves…lol. “Balls to the Wall” had the crowd chanting right along with the well-known Accept classic song. I once sang it at karaoke at a work party, that was before I’d known the lyrics better….lol. The stage lights were dark and reddish, which made it difficult for photographers and looking back, I did not do a good job with adjusting my settings. Following the album order, “London Leatherboys” came next. Knowing what was next, and not my top Accept songs, I decided to exit my photo time early to get over to Velveteen in time, but don’t worry, Udo and crew, I will be back.
VELVETEEN QUEEN
I first ran across this band as they performed acoustically in the Cylinda/Elon tent that used to be at Sweden Rock Festival. Not normally an acoustic type of guy, they drew me in and next year I got the full electric experience at Sweden Rock Festival. Since they have issued some new music and I was looking forward to seeing the band’s progression. “Bad Reputation” would be the first photo song as the orange coats flooded the pit. Immediately, the energy and passion and fire swamped over me. These guys were here to rule!
My friend and fellow tog, Dimitris from Greece, passed me in the pit as we switched positions to capture all the action. “Wow, best band of the day!“, he exclaimed. I describe them as a young GnR to people, as I hear a lot of that in the music. The guys fired in a cover of the Aerosmith classic “Toys In The Attic” ahead of “Too Far Gone“. “Last Sensation” and “Barrel Of A Gun“, which is definitely a top track to check out if you’re wanting a starting point. Also, try for the latest single “Liar“, which I will assume got played before I arrived. Back to check on Udo, hoping to catch “Losers and Winners“.
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Full photo gallery: VELVETEEN QUEEN
RETURN TO BALLS
Well, the Casey’s Fish & Chips stand is within great sightings and listenings to the Falcon Stage, so why not cap off the evening with the rest of Dirkschneider and a lovely fish? And a godamned beer, I haven’t had one all day, I’ve been so busy. Udo and his crew were ripping through “Guardians Of The Night” upon my return. Damn, I’d missed “Losers and Winners“. The Balls To The Wall album closer “Winterdreams” was, of course, next and the end of the album played in its entirety.
“Princess Of The Dawn” continued the stage time and what a great track, one of my Accept top choices. “Fast As A Shark” had the telltale “Hidey Hi-doe” intro and while the song is identified as a precursor to speed metal, it’s not my favourite. That didn’t stop me from singing along, however. Complaining of the cold here in Sweden, citing 36 in Germany to the 16 degrees of right now, Dirkschnieder completed the set with “Burning“. I had hoped to have some “Metal Heart“, but overall another great show (even though I missed the middle)
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Full photo gallery: DIRKSCHNEIDER
MEISTER SLEEPS
The beer went down so well during Udo‘s set. I can’t believe that it’s the first one today! What a great day jam-packed with awesome bands and sets. I saw so many great musicians on stages today, this is what keeps me alive! Back to the camper and a beer or two with our wonderful hosts to end the evening. Tomorrow is Sunday at Time To Rock 2025 and the day is not as heavy for me with “must-see” bands. So I plan to spend a little more time visiting with friends and enjoying beers tomorrow. Good Night, Time To Rock!
Cheers,
The Meister
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