Fagerlund's reviews

First band of the night was these guys from the mid-north of Sweden. Pretty technical Death Metal, pretty new band. They were all right, but nothing that really stood out for me. Good opening act pretty much.

 

First out of two bands from Sundsvall this evening. They played pretty straight forward oldschool Death Metal. I really don't know what they had done with the drums, because they sounded horrible. It didn't help that the start of the set was really not tight at all. They did step it up though, and finished the set good. You could tell that they have been playing for over ten years, being pretty comfortable on stage, and I think the most talkative of the lot. Odd thing that, northerners are known for being silent. Ohwell. Epic beard anyhow.

 

Second band from Sundsvall, and we go a lot more technical this time. The drummer and bassplayer impressed me a lot, they were really skilled. Then you add a good guitarplayer and a vocalist who kind of glows with autorithy. "You Will Headbang Now." Okay! 

No really, they had some really nice stuff going on and with a drummer hitting like a clockwork you can't go wrong when playing this style. Nice variety of speeds as well. Really nice set!

 

Second time I see them, and this time they brought a big screen showing movie clips in the background. I was a bit confused about this one at first, because for the first song they showed bumblebees and grasshoppers... and the second song was wolf puppies... I thought the connection to Death Metal was a bit vague. But it got grimmer the longer the set went, with concentration camps and nuclear bombs...

Anyhow, they go for some kind of atmospheric Death Metal I'd say. They try to create this dark and broody atmosphere, and they do it quite well. Like last time I saw them however I get this feeling that it's quite monotone... I don't know, they simply don't quite appeal to me. But with that said, still a very solid set.

 

Third time I see these zombie-loving lumberjacking Death Metallists. I mean, the band name says it all pretty much. They're heavy as fuck, going for a pretty groovey style of Death Metal aiming to crush you. Quite slow set this night, I'd expect some more faster songs but I guess it shows the direction of the band.

They also have a pretty charismatic frontman who's good at bringing in the crowd I think. Needless to say a very solid gig, despite missing their regular guitarist (or if he left? I'm not sure).

 

So the last band of the night was the only non-Swedish band. Despite them apparently having been around for twenty years I've never heard of them before. But it's Polish Death Metal in the same vein as Vader. In fact, if you imagine Vader you will be very close to what this is about. Really fast, Thrashy riffs and lots of headspinns. 

Since I love Vader I loved this as well! Can't argue with that kind of playing really! The only let down was the crowd that had mostly left before they started... feels so typical for the Stockholm-scene sadly. A non-Swedish band ends the night and people just leave. Oh well. Those of us who stayed made the best of it at least!

The sound was really good all evening, which is really nice for a Death Metal gig. Glad to see they make an effort! Also glad to see this "mini-festival" make it another year, hopefully they'll keep doing it every year!