Melanie Engel & Simon Roth
Ahoy, fellow hardcore pirates! Dominator welcomed us aboard a treacherous and thrilling “Voyage of the Damned.” This year’s edition took us on an unforgettable journey through the stormy seas of hardcore music. With pirate-themed stages that immersed us in a world of maritime mayhem and a daring zipline running over the Mainstage, Dominator proved once again why it stands tall as the captain of all hardcore events.
The organized bus travel
Our journey to Dominator started from Dortmund at 7 am with German bus travel organizer Hardtours. After boarding all the hardcore and rawstyle lovers, we headed towards Eersel with the bus pre-party already on fire before we reached the motorway. Our tour guide provided beats for everyone’s taste, acting as the smartphone DJ using a big boombox he brought with him, while he always made sure that the vibe was great. Only around three hours and two generous breaks later, we already entered the Dominator parking lot an hour before the venue opened.
After the end show, there was absolutely no need to rush as the bus had kept its parking space – therefore, everyone knew where to go back to, no searching needed. As soon as the other buses started leaving and we could get out, our well-rested driver safely brought us back to Germany again. Some took a nap, some continued the party – but everyone had a great time. 10/10 would recommend it for next year again!
The Venue
E3 Strand in Eersel truly became a legendary playground where the spirit of hard music thrives, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who ventured into this hardcore wonderland. With its sandy shores and crystal-clear waters, the E3 Strand transformed into a surreal hardcore paradise, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for all the dedicated festival-goers. Packed with attractions, stages, food courts, and chill-out areas, Art of Dance and Q-dance once again got the best out of this iconic venue.
The Stages
Coming from entrance A, there couldn’t be a better view when entering the festival grounds. There it is, the hardcore Mainstage we’ve all been waiting for. The design was very detail-oriented this year, featuring the Dominator logo built from sailing masts and hanging cages with skeletons while bringing the original pirate vibe. Included in the actual stage was a tower from where adrenaline junkies could slide across the main floor with an absolutely unique view of the stage and the crowd directly below.
But also, the Raw stage stood out against all the other stages, resembling a sunken pirate ship having run against a rock. Perfectly located at the water, with the ferris wheel in the back and an amazing view, there couldn’t be a better spot for legends like Rooler, Act of Rage, Unresolved, and many more. The Frenchcore, Terror, Hardcore, Extreme Hardcore, and Classics stages were all tents packed with hardcore fanatics and insane laser shows.
The Artists
Levenkhan
It’s time to hit it off! For the first time in history, Spanish DJ and producer Levenkhan played at Dominator, opening the Frenchcore stage on Saturday. Being on the field on time rewarded us with 60 minutes of his characteristic music style, where he incorporated elements of Rawstyle and hardcore into his tracks and the set, as well as some of his famous collabs with various DJs.
Mad Dog
Italian hardcore legend DJ Mad Dog still is a guarantee for a packed floor. This time, he brought us new music from his lately released EP “No Gimmick” as well as well-known tracks like his famous Masters of Hardcore anthem “Magnum Opus” – still brutal, rough, fast, and hard, as we know him!
AniMe
With a live act of the official Dominator anthem, “Voyage of the Damned,” together with MC Nolz, DJ AniMe kicked off the set with a blast. The special anthem show featured only the best of the best: pyro, fireworks, and lasers, as well as some more AniMe action with tracks like “Go Insane,” “Letting Go,” “Blow up,” and “Fine Night.”
The Grand Finale
As the day came to an end, the damned could finally experience salvation from their 300-year-long voyage and be free. The end show of Dominator Festival was a mind-blowing crescendo of hardcore energy. With tracks like the anthem, “Voyage of the Damned,” “That’s What I Do (ID)” by Angerfist, and “ID (Freed From Desire)” by Deadly Guns & Warface & Heavy Damage, the crowd was engulfed in an ecstatic frenzy. The stage erupted in pyro, fireworks, and a mesmerizing laser show, creating an unforgettable spectacle that left us in awe.
Conclusion
Dominator, like every year, had it all: Hard sounds, thrilling beach races, crazy stage and water performances, a Mainstage zipline, bungee jumping, the legendary wedding chapel, printed timetables and floorplan, hammocks, good vibes, the iconic DOMINATOR letters in the water, a ferris wheel, and spectacular shows. There even was a huge rainbow right before the endshow, leading to the legendary pot of gold. But legends say the treasure has never been found and remains hidden until next year for another insane edition of DOMINATOR!