THE GHOST INSIDE - Doornroosje, Nijmegen | 2026

Thursday 13 August 2026, Doornroosje, Nijmegen – With a tropical 38 degrees outside, Doornroosje seemed like an unlikely place to throw yourself into a mosh pit. Yet the crowd proved once again that metalcore fans won’t let a heatwave stop them. Doors opened at 19:00, with the first riffs of the night starting half an hour later, kicking off an evening that would build steadily toward one of the year’s most anticipated metalcore shows in the Netherlands.

Swanslaughter warm up the home crowd

Opening honours went to Swanslaughter, the Nijmegen crossover outfit taking the stage as the local heroes at 20:20. The room took a while to get going, understandable given the heat, but the moment a wall of death was announced, the floodgates finally opened. Bodies collided, sweat flew, and the temperature inside the venue quickly rivalled the one outside. A strong opening set that showed the local scene has nothing to envy in the international names further down the bill.

Deez Nuts turn up the heat

Next up were Deez Nuts, tasked with pushing the temperature even higher. The Australians brought their trademark blend of hardcore, punk and rap, steadily building the energy in the room toward the night’s main event. Circle pits opened up across the floor as the band tore through their set, leaving little doubt about why they’ve built such a loyal following on this side of the world.

The Ghost Inside bring the night home

Taking the stage at 21:30, The Ghost Inside delivered on every ounce of anticipation. The American metalcore band, who made an impressive comeback after their devastating 2015 tour-bus crash, played a tight, emotionally charged set that ran through both fan favourites and deep cuts:

Avalanche
The Outcast
The Great Unknown
Wrath
Secret
Going Under
Dark Horse
Pressure Point
Out of Control
Light Years
Wash It Away
Mercy

Opener “Avalanche” hit like exactly that, immediately setting the tone for a set that never let up. “The Great Unknown” and “Wrath” kept the pits churning, while “Going Under” and “Dark Horse” gave the crowd room to scream every word back at vocalist Jonathan Vigil. “Out of Control” and “Light Years” landed as clear highlights, met with some of the loudest singalongs of the night, before “Wash It Away” and closer “Mercy” brought the show to an emotional finish. True to form, the band’s mix of crushing riffs and raw, personal lyrics carried the same resilience that has defined their story since the accident, and the room responded in kind: singing, jumping and moshing without restraint until the very last note, around 22:45.

Final Verdict

All in all, a successful night at Doornroosje, with three bands that matched each other in energy and a crowd that refused to let the heat hold them back. If this is what a Thursday night in Nijmegen looks like, the European leg of this tour is off to a very strong start.