Het Zesde Metaal is one of Belgium’s most singular and compelling bands, led by Wannes Cappelle. Singing in dialect, the band has, over the past decade, become a cornerstone of the alternative music scene in Flanders, resonating far beyond linguistic borders through the emotional depth, literary quality and cinematic intensity of their work.
Their latest album, Het Langste Jaar (2024), is a testament to their evolution, written in the wake of personal loss and global stillness, the record explores grief, memory, and resilience with disarming honesty and quiet grandeur. Sonically, it marks a subtle shift: still unmistakably Het Zesde Metaal, but more spacious and reflective, with a renewed focus on atmosphere and texture.
Following the untimely passing of founding member Tom Pintens in 2023, the band embraced a new formation, bringing in fresh energy while honouring Pintens’ indelible influence. The current line-up sees long-time collaborators joined by new faces, each adding depth to the band’s already rich palette.
Over the years, Het Zesde Metaal has steadily built a loyal following, performing in sold-out theatres and festivals, and earning critical acclaim for albums like Nie Voe Kinders and Calais. Their music has always defied easy categorisation—equally rooted in indie rock, folk, and art-pop, but it’s Cappelle’s voice, both literally and lyrically, that remains the band’s compass: intimate yet universal, regional yet timeless.
