Day 3 and the end of Brutal Assault
Kylesia:
We couldn't attend the full set of american band Kylesia, but aside from one or two titles we could had a really good spectre of what their sound is; I would totaly classify this band in this vague sub-genre that is called « post-metal » nowadays.
There is a girl in the band, who is playing guitar and singing back/un-back voices: that is rare enough to be noticed.
I would say the sound of the band is pretty good, compositions are interesting, even if less complex and powerful than other bands in this scene, but still interesting.There is two drummers in the band: a bit numerous for what they do, but it makes the sound more percutant and powerfull!
Sodom should have played just after, but due to a technical problem, they have been postponed to 02:30 AM, for the tears of their fans who where screaming in front of the stage... Too bad we could not see them, since we already have seen them on Brutal Assault 4 years ago, and it was really a great concert!
Finntroll:
We've already seen Finntroll in Brutal Assault four years ago, certainly for the outing of « Ur Jordens djup » (2007). With one album more now, the band has evolved a lot. If I am not a found of their very first album, I must admit their mid-carreer albums were quite appealing to me.
They are totaly in this very-in-the-mood pagan metal scene (which I'm not found of), but I like their kind of a bit naïve touch, a bit flokloric, but analogic at the same time (they absolutely don't use any tradinionnal intrument, so the sound can be closed sometimes to some RP games!). Sometimes, I definitely think their songs sound a bit like a fantasy anime band film ;)
They use to have this pagan look also on stage: playing in kilts or dressed like vikings.It was not the case this time and their show was less « paganized » than before, talking from their sound (more recent albums) and their look. The band is evolving I guess, even if the show was totaly honorable.
Immolation:
I must say, it was really a surprise for me, because it's not particulary one of the band we were really waiting, but this have been one of my favorite concert of the whole festival.
Immolation is an old, emblematic band, who definitely has this typical old swedish sound of death metal. Technical, powerfull and efficient, Immolation played a large range of songs, from all their career. Drums are perfect, guitars are transcending, and voice has just the right tone. Totaly my taste, as you may have guess!
Their bass guitarist and singer ( first founder of the band, Andrew Sakowicz) is quite impressive and charismatic, and have really long long hair!
Six Feet Under
A very different type of death metal after Immolation. The songs are well written, but the voice definitely bother me, the pig screams of Chris Varnes ( ex- Cannibal Corpse) being the worst part of it. So we went to queue and eat a pizza during a part of the show (fucking great pizza with fresh basil and cheewy cheese on it).
At the Gates
I can only write a few words on At the Gates, since I was defending my place for a following band on the other stage, but saw a little of it from where I was. At least, we can really say the band has changed a lot. Even their look is more « urban » than before. I was not found of their music, and still not is.
You can have an idea in this video:
Immortal
I must confess it was one of the band I was the most waiting to see in the whole festival; As you may now, I'm really found of this band, all career long: from the first album (« diabolical fullmoon mysticism ») to their latest releases. I must admit I was not disppointed by their latest release ( « All Shall Fall») that I find of good quality.
Anyway, I already seen this band live, not so long ago, because we attended their show in Lausanne, early this year in january, on their european tour (« ... »). I must confess that I prefered the january playlist and sound: they played « At the Heart of Winter » in his fullest size, and also, really rare: they played one title from the very first album! It was incredible to see that live.
On Brutal Assault, the band played a lot of titles from Sons of Nothern Darkness, and only one of AT the Heart of Winter, but they did not have that much this kind of transcendental epic touch I personaly like Immortal for. They played titles like « Tyrants » (usualy, this is to close their concerts but here they played even two songs more after) and even a title of « Battle in the North », an brutal album that is well loved by old fans, but not that much from other, who are destabilized by its noisy touch. Again, I disagree with the setlist website...
Anyway, the show in itself totaly worthed the travel. What was cool in this festival configuration, was all those pyrotechnic effect the band settled up: brillantly Immortal, I must say. Yes, it's kitch as the band can be, but hey!, it totaly fits the atmosphere!
For those who had not seen them live yet, I would say definitely go! They are really true to themselves, with little mix between black metal and heavy/trash: a small touch of Kiss in iced cold river of noisy guitars. Yes, they do this sort of famous « crab » dance like in their clips ;)
Anyway, the sound stays really professionnal, clear, technical and precise. So, definitely a really good concert.
Moonspell:
That was the dilemma of the festival. Since there is now 3 stages (2 big ones, playing alternatively), Moonspell was playing at the same time as shape of despair. So we decided to see the beginning and the end of Moonspell, with a small part of SHpe in the middle :) Sandwishes concert. First slice was really not that good, with a title that we hate; the voice and way of speaking of their singer has changed a lot on their latest releases. Visually fun, because the same singer came on stage with a whole-head mask of centurion (horse?!)
When we came back, the last title sounded better, probably from their third album. We would have really like to see them completely, because live reports from their last show stated they were playing some old songs from « Irreligious » and « Wolfheart » (our favorite albums). Anyway, according to setlist website, they played 5 titles of those two albums, but also 3 titles from their last album « aura noir », on which must be the title we really disliked at the beginning.
Shape of Despair
We totaly did not regret coming for Shape of Despair. This old band is really into doom, slow, and weavy doom, even funeral doom. Not my favorite style usualy, but I must admit it was really more powerful in live, and their compositions, which are really refined on CD gain something in the flesh by being played live.
The band was playing in a kind of obscure/ low-light atmosphere, saturated in green and deep violet. A perfect atmosphere.
Godflesh:
I must confess I always gave Godflesh a distract ear (oreille distraite?) from time to time, but this time, this band, which was nearly closing the festival, really spoke to me. It was far from what I heard before, and I liked this new mouture a lot!
Godflesh has always been classified as the pioneers of industrial metal, but their sounds really evolved around 2002 and a long break in their carrer that extended to 2008. They now have a soundsystem which even more in front, with some various atmospheres, sometimes closed to dubstep. Powerful, striking and hypnotic, this concert was really interesting.
Visualy, in itself, the band has nothing special -two guys at the guitar + machines- but the diffusion of short films and mysterious images in the background were totaly fitting the sound.
One of their co-founder is an ex-member of Napalm Death, which is not taht surprising, since Napalm Death is, to me, one of the most experimenting band in the « metal » scene (they even played with John ZOrn in the beginning of his carrer! Listen to the little jewel called « naked city »!). So it must have been a good preparing school for Justin Broadrick before starting Godflesh.
Checking the set list on this website:
http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/godflesh/2
I am a bit dubitative because they stated they played a lot of old compositions. Apparently 4 titles from « streetcleaner », their debut album back in 1989, which I found really surprising... I found the sound really really modern/even say contemporary, but perhaps those where old compositions that they re-interprated in a more modern way? If there is any fans of Godflesh here, I would be curious to know.
I think I will definitely have an ear to Jesu (the new project of JUstin Broadrick, and buy Hymn, Godflesh's latest release (back to 2001, because the band just made a come back for live, since 2010, but never published any new material except limited boxes of old records).
A few pics of friends we were glad to meet there ;)
Geant, very serious on this picture, whereas he is never like that!
Jeremy, our french fellow we only meet abroad on festival, with who we shared a hand of good concerts!
Fresh beer and brutal Assault Glasses (and a good T-shirt from Ulver!):
In conclusion, I would say that this year's edition was again a really good event for us! We always like to go to Brutal Assault, because it is a very good festival, that really stuck, as I said in my first post, to metal extreme, and this specialisation is highly appreciable.
Gatien & Cindy, who also made a looong way to be there (with who I discovered I like whiskey!)
The festival is still growing bigger each year, but the organization is more and more better too! I just regret the Gambrinus partnership, but... anyway, the festival and welcoming are perfect, and close to the wishes of the public.
This year, I have been able to have a photo pass thanks to Shizmo, from Shindy Productions: I wanted to thank him here too!
Your loyal veterans with fresh beers:
Kylesia:
We couldn't attend the full set of american band Kylesia, but aside from one or two titles we could had a really good spectre of what their sound is; I would totaly classify this band in this vague sub-genre that is called « post-metal » nowadays.
There is a girl in the band, who is playing guitar and singing back/un-back voices: that is rare enough to be noticed.
I would say the sound of the band is pretty good, compositions are interesting, even if less complex and powerful than other bands in this scene, but still interesting.There is two drummers in the band: a bit numerous for what they do, but it makes the sound more percutant and powerfull!
Sodom should have played just after, but due to a technical problem, they have been postponed to 02:30 AM, for the tears of their fans who where screaming in front of the stage... Too bad we could not see them, since we already have seen them on Brutal Assault 4 years ago, and it was really a great concert!
Finntroll:
We've already seen Finntroll in Brutal Assault four years ago, certainly for the outing of « Ur Jordens djup » (2007). With one album more now, the band has evolved a lot. If I am not a found of their very first album, I must admit their mid-carreer albums were quite appealing to me.
They are totaly in this very-in-the-mood pagan metal scene (which I'm not found of), but I like their kind of a bit naïve touch, a bit flokloric, but analogic at the same time (they absolutely don't use any tradinionnal intrument, so the sound can be closed sometimes to some RP games!). Sometimes, I definitely think their songs sound a bit like a fantasy anime band film ;)
They use to have this pagan look also on stage: playing in kilts or dressed like vikings.It was not the case this time and their show was less « paganized » than before, talking from their sound (more recent albums) and their look. The band is evolving I guess, even if the show was totaly honorable.
Immolation:
I must say, it was really a surprise for me, because it's not particulary one of the band we were really waiting, but this have been one of my favorite concert of the whole festival.
Immolation is an old, emblematic band, who definitely has this typical old swedish sound of death metal. Technical, powerfull and efficient, Immolation played a large range of songs, from all their career. Drums are perfect, guitars are transcending, and voice has just the right tone. Totaly my taste, as you may have guess!
Their bass guitarist and singer ( first founder of the band, Andrew Sakowicz) is quite impressive and charismatic, and have really long long hair!
Six Feet Under
A very different type of death metal after Immolation. The songs are well written, but the voice definitely bother me, the pig screams of Chris Varnes ( ex- Cannibal Corpse) being the worst part of it. So we went to queue and eat a pizza during a part of the show (fucking great pizza with fresh basil and cheewy cheese on it).
At the Gates
I can only write a few words on At the Gates, since I was defending my place for a following band on the other stage, but saw a little of it from where I was. At least, we can really say the band has changed a lot. Even their look is more « urban » than before. I was not found of their music, and still not is.
You can have an idea in this video:
Immortal
I must confess it was one of the band I was the most waiting to see in the whole festival; As you may now, I'm really found of this band, all career long: from the first album (« diabolical fullmoon mysticism ») to their latest releases. I must admit I was not disppointed by their latest release ( « All Shall Fall») that I find of good quality.
Anyway, I already seen this band live, not so long ago, because we attended their show in Lausanne, early this year in january, on their european tour (« ... »). I must confess that I prefered the january playlist and sound: they played « At the Heart of Winter » in his fullest size, and also, really rare: they played one title from the very first album! It was incredible to see that live.
On Brutal Assault, the band played a lot of titles from Sons of Nothern Darkness, and only one of AT the Heart of Winter, but they did not have that much this kind of transcendental epic touch I personaly like Immortal for. They played titles like « Tyrants » (usualy, this is to close their concerts but here they played even two songs more after) and even a title of « Battle in the North », an brutal album that is well loved by old fans, but not that much from other, who are destabilized by its noisy touch. Again, I disagree with the setlist website...
Anyway, the show in itself totaly worthed the travel. What was cool in this festival configuration, was all those pyrotechnic effect the band settled up: brillantly Immortal, I must say. Yes, it's kitch as the band can be, but hey!, it totaly fits the atmosphere!
For those who had not seen them live yet, I would say definitely go! They are really true to themselves, with little mix between black metal and heavy/trash: a small touch of Kiss in iced cold river of noisy guitars. Yes, they do this sort of famous « crab » dance like in their clips ;)Anyway, the sound stays really professionnal, clear, technical and precise. So, definitely a really good concert.
Moonspell:
That was the dilemma of the festival. Since there is now 3 stages (2 big ones, playing alternatively), Moonspell was playing at the same time as shape of despair. So we decided to see the beginning and the end of Moonspell, with a small part of SHpe in the middle :) Sandwishes concert. First slice was really not that good, with a title that we hate; the voice and way of speaking of their singer has changed a lot on their latest releases. Visually fun, because the same singer came on stage with a whole-head mask of centurion (horse?!)
When we came back, the last title sounded better, probably from their third album. We would have really like to see them completely, because live reports from their last show stated they were playing some old songs from « Irreligious » and « Wolfheart » (our favorite albums). Anyway, according to setlist website, they played 5 titles of those two albums, but also 3 titles from their last album « aura noir », on which must be the title we really disliked at the beginning.
Shape of Despair
We totaly did not regret coming for Shape of Despair. This old band is really into doom, slow, and weavy doom, even funeral doom. Not my favorite style usualy, but I must admit it was really more powerful in live, and their compositions, which are really refined on CD gain something in the flesh by being played live.
The band was playing in a kind of obscure/ low-light atmosphere, saturated in green and deep violet. A perfect atmosphere.
Godflesh:
I must confess I always gave Godflesh a distract ear (oreille distraite?) from time to time, but this time, this band, which was nearly closing the festival, really spoke to me. It was far from what I heard before, and I liked this new mouture a lot!
Godflesh has always been classified as the pioneers of industrial metal, but their sounds really evolved around 2002 and a long break in their carrer that extended to 2008. They now have a soundsystem which even more in front, with some various atmospheres, sometimes closed to dubstep. Powerful, striking and hypnotic, this concert was really interesting.
Visualy, in itself, the band has nothing special -two guys at the guitar + machines- but the diffusion of short films and mysterious images in the background were totaly fitting the sound.
One of their co-founder is an ex-member of Napalm Death, which is not taht surprising, since Napalm Death is, to me, one of the most experimenting band in the « metal » scene (they even played with John ZOrn in the beginning of his carrer! Listen to the little jewel called « naked city »!). So it must have been a good preparing school for Justin Broadrick before starting Godflesh.
Checking the set list on this website:
http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/godflesh/2
I am a bit dubitative because they stated they played a lot of old compositions. Apparently 4 titles from « streetcleaner », their debut album back in 1989, which I found really surprising... I found the sound really really modern/even say contemporary, but perhaps those where old compositions that they re-interprated in a more modern way? If there is any fans of Godflesh here, I would be curious to know.
I think I will definitely have an ear to Jesu (the new project of JUstin Broadrick, and buy Hymn, Godflesh's latest release (back to 2001, because the band just made a come back for live, since 2010, but never published any new material except limited boxes of old records).
A few pics of friends we were glad to meet there ;)
Geant, very serious on this picture, whereas he is never like that!
Jeremy, our french fellow we only meet abroad on festival, with who we shared a hand of good concerts!
Fresh beer and brutal Assault Glasses (and a good T-shirt from Ulver!):
In conclusion, I would say that this year's edition was again a really good event for us! We always like to go to Brutal Assault, because it is a very good festival, that really stuck, as I said in my first post, to metal extreme, and this specialisation is highly appreciable.
Gatien & Cindy, who also made a looong way to be there (with who I discovered I like whiskey!)
The festival is still growing bigger each year, but the organization is more and more better too! I just regret the Gambrinus partnership, but... anyway, the festival and welcoming are perfect, and close to the wishes of the public.
This year, I have been able to have a photo pass thanks to Shizmo, from Shindy Productions: I wanted to thank him here too!
Your loyal veterans with fresh beers:
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