Photos + Report by Christian Tallone

After spending nearly 6 hours trapped in a car to travel just under 300 km (thanks, Italian highways), I seriously feared I’d have to give up on this day — the only one I could attend at this year’s Luppolo in Rock 2025. We ended up arriving at the Parco delle Colonie Padane about three hours late.

That little delay made us miss the opening bands: The Burning Dogma, Sexperience, and In Autumn.
I reached the stage just in time to catch the last two songs by the Cremona-based Embryo — too little, but enough to understand what they’re made of. A band I didn’t know but one that definitely deserves a deeper listen.

NECRODEATH

At 6:45 PM, the legendary NECRODEATH finally hit the sweltering Luppolo stage — a piece of Italian (and not only Italian) metal history.
Their backdrop displayed the debut album Into the Macabre, almost like a final glance toward the past, because yes — sadly — this is their farewell tour after 40 years. Personally, it feels like the end of a part of my life. I’ve followed them forever — we’re basically from the same area. I’ve seen them everywhere, from tiny now-defunct clubs in Genoa to various festivals, including one where they shared the stage with tonight’s headliner.

But enough nostalgia. Just half an hour and seven tracks:
They opened with “Hate and Scorn” and “Forever Slaves,” followed immediately by “Necrosadist,” “Whore of Salem,” “The Creature” (one of my favorites), and they wrapped up with “Storyteller of Lies” and “Mater Tenebrarum.”

A short but powerful performance from Flegias and the gang. It’s a pity such an important band had so little time — and were a bit penalized by the Candlemass meet & greet happening during their set.
But their tour isn’t over yet — I urge everyone: go see them before it’s too late!

INFECTED RAIN

After a longer-than-expected stage change due to technical issues, around 7:40 PM it was time for INFECTED RAIN from Moldova, performing their last date of this summer tour.

Fronted by the charismatic Lena, a real stage powerhouse who knows how to engage the crowd! Speaking perfect Italian, she fired up the Cremona crowd into moshing and circle pits.
She was backed by a massive groove from Alice’s bass, marking every drumbeat and darkening Vidick’s crushing guitar even more.

Songs included:
“Vivarium,” “Pandemonium”, and the set ended after about an hour with the beautiful “Sweet Sweet Lies.”
I saw them exactly a year ago — and I hope to see them again next year… maybe as headliners, not just at a festival.
But for now… it’s beer time before Coroner.

CORONER

At 8:40 PM, it was time for CORONER, highly anticipated by many. Active since 1983, the Swiss thrashers took over the stage with frontman and bassist Ron Royce leading the charge.
The stage setup was minimal — dominated by black and the band’s name.

A setlist moving from classics to newer material:
“Serpent Moves,” “Semtex Revolution,” “Die by My Hand.”
Forty years of history — from being Celtic Frost’s road crew, to their split-up, and then the 2010 reunion. A chance for old metalheads to see an iconic band — and for new generations to discover them.

The double kick drums were omnipresent under a dark, powerful sound — old school at its best! Also notable: Vidick from Infected Rain was on stage the whole time, taking photos (clearly fan #1).
An hour-long set for them too, ending as the sun went down, making way for Candlemass.

CANDLEMASS

9:45 PM… The sun sets, and CANDLEMASS arrives like a funeral march. Their logo on the backdrop is iconic — it gives you chills.

No introductions needed — we are in the presence of the kings of doom, the “Scandinavian Gods” (to quote one of their iconic tracks), arriving from Sweden to give us an unforgettable concert.

“Mirror Mirror”, “Solitude,” “Dark Are the Veils of Death”…
Lars Johansson’s guitar is precise, deep, dark. Johan’s voice is timeless. They transported us to another world.

You could write a book to describe the feelings at a Candlemass live show, but even just two words would suffice:
Another level.
Experience, legacy, atmosphere, power.

If you were there — lucky you.
If not… I’m sorry.

CRADLE OF FILTH

After nearly 30 minutes of stage change, the English vampires entered shortly after 11 PM.
A huge backdrop of “The Screaming of the Valkyries”, ghostly green lights, iron gates and ivy at the stage edges housed the gothic setup of drums and keyboards.

The visuals were great — though the drummer was completely hidden, so Martin Škaroupa was virtually invisible. But let’s be real… Cradle is Dani.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect — was I excited or worried?
I’m a huge fan of COF since their beginnings. If I could squeeze the walls of my teenage bedroom, you’d get every note from “The Principle of Evil Made Flesh” to “Midian.”
Then I drifted away — maybe due to lineup changes. I’m attached to the old lineup — Paul, Nicholas, Lecter.
That’s why I haven’t seen them live since 2000… 25 years!

The intro begins. Dani enters last, hooded, swaying toward his iconic mic stand.
“To Live Deliciously” kicks things off — devastating, fast, ferocious, and powerful as ever.
Zoe Marie’s blonde hair spinning behind the keyboards was the only bright spot in the darkness.

Then came “The Forest Whispers My Name” — and yes, the fan in me woke up.
They’re still them… the COF I’ve always loved.

Marek and Donny’s guitars synced perfectly.
Martin was a train.
Daniel’s bass shook the whole park.
A lineup worthy of replacing the old legends.

17 songs, but they flew by like it was just 5.
I don’t even know how long they played — I lost track. It felt too short, even if it probably wasn’t.

“The Principle of Evil Made Flesh,” “Burn in a Burial Gown,” “Nymphetamine”…
A fun unscripted moment — Dani left the stage to change and forgot to bring the mic back. A frantic tech ran to return it just in time. Dani’s face was a mix of “what’s going on?” and “what the hell are you doing here?”

Then:
“White Hellebore,” “The Creature That Kissed in Cold Mirrors”, and for the encores — a glorious throwback:

“Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids,” “Death Magick for Adepts,” “Her Ghost in the Fog” — featuring a mysterious masked man joining for backing vocals — and finally, the “Outro.”

And so ends the day.
COF did not disappoint — most of the audience was clearly there for them.
They gave us a killer concert and a perfectly balanced setlist.

I would’ve loved to hear “Dusk and Her Embrace,” but hey… you can’t have everything.
A great show as always!

CONCLUSION

I want to end this live report by dedicating a few words to those more important than any band that graced this stage, this year and in past editions:

The organization and full staff of Luppolo in Rock!
Thank you for creating the coolest metal festival in Italy.
Everything was top-notch: free parking, no BS like “gold seating” or exclusive areas — just like the old days.
We’re metalheads — we’re all brothers!

Free and open meet & greets (I can’t stand when autographs or photos cost money).
The chance to buy blind tickets for next year at a fantastic price — sure, we don’t know who’ll play, but has anyone ever been disappointed so far?

And let’s not forget…
THERE’S BEER!!! 🍻

See you next year — because one thing is certain:
It’s going to be epic all over again!