Bboo : thanks to an unusual voice on clear parts, it started well for me. One Song, two songs, three songs … wait … did they not already played it ? Unusual but not original … quickly everything looks the same and boredom settles in.

SpiriT : I’ve never been a big fan of those American’s trashers in their heyday, due to a characteristic singing that I have never been convinced with. A few years later, I found it extremely difficult to listen to more than two or three old songs in a row.

Anyway it started well with songs from the last album, then old rather calm titles. The band does not talk a lot, is rather cold and never smile. I do console myself thinking that at least the songs seems to have smoothly evolved. Unfortunately, I should have better shut my mouth. Not 10 seconds after my remark did the band get back to what is their brand : a vindictive, doggy, singing, to the limit of bearable and beyond …

Hurry to Alchemist.

Bboo : If My Dying Bride is for sure the first reason we moved here, Alchemist’s “amputated” performance in Hellfest is also in for the count.

The “Australian psychedelic metal band » as they define themselves, ensure a good show. The crowd seems to be in “discovery” mode and the atmosphere under the tent will warm up quickly. A little later we’ll see some newly acquired t-shirts of the band proudly worn, there and there in the festival, ultimate proof that the band was able to enlarge their fan’s ranks.

Note that in the presentation booklet (in dutch) given at the festival entrance, mention is made of AC/DC and Rose Tattoo in Alchemist page … Maybe someone can enlighten me?

SpiriT : One of the two bands that had led us here, I was all the more motivated after the Hellfest’s incident, where the band had to stop playing after 25 minutes due to “material blowing”. The bands seems really happy to play here, in front of a large crowd, and will keep a big smile on their face during all the show. Very enthusiastic response of the audience which does not seems to know the band. Far from Hellfest worries, the Australians can at last deliver their full show : a 45 minutes play, with an excellent sound (the tentstage, unlike both of her sisters, will be spared most of the day of technical problems).

It started on the wheel caps with “Wrapped in a guilt’ which immediately warms the atmosphere. Then followed an incredible “Chinese Whispers”, while the atmosphere will reach its climax on “Yoni Kunda”. Adam Agius is really an impressive singer. They’ll play from every album, except for the first one. All my favourites tunes will be performed : 45 fucking, but really too short, minutes. Definitely the best show (by far) of the festival for me.
When will they do an European tour with some shows in france? Please, please ….

Still on a little cloud at the end of the show, I choose to take a look around. Damn it, it’s hot here. Not the smallest shadow in sight, It’s impossible to escape the sun saved from the tent. And it’s damn hot, at least 40° under the sun. The field is now quite filled, but people seems more interested in food than what can happen on stage. It’s what surprised me the most here: people are here enjoy some kind of holidays. It’s a celebration, they come here primarily to eat and drink, and possibly see concerts from time to time. Symphony X will learn it at its expense a little later.

The crowd is older than in France, and you have a familial audience here. There are a lot of people installed as for a picnic, a large beach’s towel on the ground with ice and inflatable mats. Holiday mood.
Everything should be for the best, and yet the Dutch public is quite execrable in the end.

On one side, communicating with the crowd (mostly English friendly) is easy and the bands are much more talkative than with the French public. On the other, if the crowd knows how to express its approval from time to time, the public is very mellow most of the time and does never sing, as it was just not concerned. It seems to be less receptive to any order : almost impossible to make any “wall of death” or circle pits, no matter how many tries will bands make all over the afternoon. Strange.

Then, this is the most dirty crowd i’ve ever seen. Everyone throw everything on the ground without the slightest thought. The field looks like a giant garbage after the festival (good luck to clean this mess).
But all this things are nothing. The icing on the cake is the “beer throwing”. National sport here, I must have been showed over a dozen times by the end of the day. I did yearn to murder someone on many occasions, and I was not the only one. Far from that.
If the crowd is very mellow, there is a lot of latent aggressiveness in the air. I have attended several fight’s start on only one day, against zero for three days in France and zero over four days in Czech Republic.

In the end, we have a strange mix: on one side lot of friendly people, having fun like they were at the beach during their holidays, and on the other side a bunch of punk, completely drunk by 2PM. It saddens me as the festival is very nice and most people I met there are very friendly, but at the end of the day I was happy that the festival last only one day, because I would find it difficult to stay out of trouble one more day. Whatever, it seems that those punks are to be found in most Dutch or Flemish festivals, and soon probably in France … a beautiful generation takes off ?.

Bboo : Ah !!!!! Some Death metal…. Yay yay!
Heavy atmosphere and slow rhythm with good riffs. This band is to advised to all those who love the “pose” attitude. It’s 200% Dimmu Borgir, with the warpaint’s exception.

On each note, worthy disciple of Vortex, does the bassist raise the beast on his knee. Seeing is eyes lost in the horizon, there’s no doubt that he does this movement as instinctively as he breath. Sadly, by doing this on and on, it becomes ridiculous and the credibility of the band suffers from it.

Bboo : First try in the photopit, taking a vacation from the crowd. If the dutch public is not violent, it is nonetheless quite unpleasant. There are endless beer’s throw and not need to have an expensive photo gear to find it completely stupid.

Whatever… Let’s get back to the action: Death Angel performed a flawless set, as pleasant and dynamic than the French’s one. Jump, jump !

SpiriT : The band is pleased to be here. Much people has come to see the Americans who seems to be on conquered land, here in the Netherlands. A lot of speech and a big response from the crowd. For the rest it’s a copy paste of Hellfest’s show. Dynamic and pleasant, a good time.

Bboo : Classic but effective performance for the fest’s pappies. A real slap for the youth ;). Musically there’s nothing to throw, everything is square, under control, allowing the band to take it confortable and talk, joke with the crowd. Rock’n Roll attitude in all its glory, all the bikers meets up in the first row for this show.

Again, beers fly at the rhythm of the music… “courage fuyons!”

SpiriT : Arrived just in time for « Rock and roll outlaw », no surprise for the old rockers. Again, the band have a really good time and seems very communicative with the public. Show guaranteed, set-list similar to Clisson. A safe bet these Australians.

Bboo : Complete locking on for me. I did not hang on during Hellfest and this new try will no change the situation. Not that there is really something to blame them. It’s just both to musical level as attitude.

Fans seems satisfied, but nothing catch my attention. I go my way…

SpiriT : Missed in France, i cannot compare the performances. The bands is all smiles, with a nonchalant attitude that makes a strong gap with the sharpness of their riffs. Somes songs sounds very similar to Slayer, others are a little flatter. This shall be my main criticism: their music is quite effective but for one who doesn’t know their whole discography, I fear their lack of relief can be boring in the end.