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DARK BOMBASTIC EVENING 2013 - den 4 + cestopis

DARK BOMBASTIC EVENING 2013 - day 4

  • kdy: 17.8.2013
  • kde: Romania, Transylvania, Alba Iulia

Blessed be the hammock! The last morning in Alba Iulia passes away very slowly, we are just lazing in the area. One is rocked gently by that ingenious invention (hammock) and listens to Solefald and Esoteric, their sound-checks I mean. But then we leave, get a bit stuck in the town and miss Heretoir.

At the next set, however, we stand in front of the stage. GLACIATION is a comparatively new band from France with the drummer and, “surprisingly”, Neige of Alcest. They have so far released one LP called “1994”, apparently a reference to one of black metal’s most essential years. Music from those days is a chief inspiration of the French, for one they have definitely heard the first few Satyricon records, but they also have their own – and typically French – decadent and tense vibe. The album is more chilling and the guitarists seem at times uncertain, but as this is their first live performance ever, it can be forgotten. But their soon-to-be-former singer Valnoir is quite a flaw as his silly posing on stage is not redeemed by a great performance; he’s at best mediocre. Quite surprisingly, when Neige comes in the last part, the set gets much better thanks to his scream. The drummer Winterhalter is also great. Overall, I expected a bit more, but it was a solid (first) show of a promising band.

areál - In Vain na podiu

I don’t really like IN VAIN. Formally and technically they’re beyond doubt good, but the content is empty; the best moments are simply unsuccessful aping of Opeth and Solefald. Still, the DBE audience like them very much and the reactions are even more warm than on Solefald.

Solefald

My fears of how SOLEFALD will sound on stage were dispelled by the great performance at this year’s Brutal Assault and here they simply proved it was no fluke. The uniformed commando again begins with CK II Chanel N°6 and the party can begin! Solefald seem more self-confident and natural than just a short time ago; they mix the more cheerful, livelier songs such as Backpacka Baba, The USA Don’t Exist (I couldn’t get it out of my head for a long time) with the more serious, hymnic songs such as Sun I Call, Song Til Stormen and the black metal of four Linear Scaffold songs. Lazare sings his difficult parts with ease, sometimes he’s supported by In Vain, Cornelius is not so good, but ok, and at least he adds a comic element (meant in the best possible sense!). In pauses he comments on the great atmosphere here with no barriers and no securitas, reminisces their journey to Romania many years ago and promises something special for the end. Well, they couldn’t have let this opportunity go: as When the Moon Is on the Wave ends, Transilvanian Hunger begins. I’ll never hear it in a more authentic setting.

Altar Of Plagues

I have already seen ALTAR OF PLAGUES before, but I’m not particularly fond of them, even though they rank among the better of that post-rock/black metal wave. Well, this time they are much better. Maybe because of the sunset and the apocalyptic clouds, the nightfall, that creates the best possible background, because of the great sound and because the band themselves plays as if they should die tonight. The atmosphere is just great. The post-black metal of the Irish sounds a bit like „Cult of Luna on speed“, but they are more impressive than the Swedes at the Brutal Assault even though there are just two guitarists and a drummer on the stage. In the end the growler smashes his guitar and throws it into the audience. This concert was allegedly one of their last ones and they really proved they have both style and skill.

Esoteric

ESOTERIC were the main reason to go and the only certainty of real quality before the festival. All potential doubts are dissolved by the initial tones of Loss of Will. It is exactly as spacious, massive and crushing as it should be. The vocals could be louder, but that depends on listener’s position; still, it sounds a stuff of nightmarish monsters. The will to resist disappears almost immediately; I’m taken away with the river of sound as the next song is the colossal insanity called Circle. The guitar picking in the beginning sends shivers down my spine; this is sheer genius of psychedelic funerals. The 20-minute song does not have a weak spot, in fact, it gets more and more massive to the point of unbearable. Unlike last year (I´ve seen them in a club in Prague), they have a projection this time, psychedelic hallucinations mixed with the covers of their albums. Aberration, rhythmical twists and turns shift to the trademark interstellar void. Then the “hit” Cipher, a clever composition rich in both instrumentation and emotion. Esoteric are one-of-kind; a long time ago, they have left Earth for their very own musical dimension. They are just “beyond” and for me, the festival could well have ended here.

Esoteric

TURNING GOLEM are a cooperation of Vulture Industries and Happy Gorilla Dance Company, a group mixing dance and theatre. Musically, it is obviously inspired by another Norwegians, Arcturus, but just like In Vain – formally OK, but their music is not for me. The theatrical part has a concept, a story, but I don’t get it, in fact, I don’t even try too hard.

The last band, MOURNING BELOVETH, play more or less classic doom/death metal, quite OK, but not after the Esoteric set; I leave soon and go to sleep.

The festival has ended. Just like last year, it was an engaging and relaxed event with no serious problems, organisation and crew of the festival was absolutely great. Overall great sound and really good performances of most of the bands. Some of them were quite a surprise, but everything was surpassed by the almighty Esoteric. So I hope, that I can say „la revedere!“ next year!

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