Airfield of the Aeroclub Dinkelsbühl, Dinkelsbühl, Germany18th of August 2010 - 21st of August 2010
Summer Breeze Open Air - Day 3: Deadstar Assembly, Letzte Instanz, Destinity, Pantheon I, Anathema, Cannibal Corpse, Hypocrisy, Gorgoroth, Watain, Dying Fetus, Hail of Bullets
After a relatively good night (for festival circumstances) I woke up at eight o’clock due to some heat in my tent. A nice breakfast (coffee!) followed and I also met the first known people. The sun shone from the very beginning and the task for the day was to see a lot of bands but also to spare some energy. At twelve o’clock, I went to see the first band, DEADSTAR ASSEMBLY.
Deadstar Assembly
DEADSTAR ASSEMBLY is an American Nu / Industrial Metal band, starting in 2001 in Florida. The band is especially known in the gothic scene due to their way of marketing and has so far released three full length records, the latest being entitled ‘Coat of Arms’. http://deadstar.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/deadstarassembly
Music & Performance
DEADSTAR ASSEMBLY was the third band of the day but the first I went to see. Although the sun was shining bright from the sky and the heat was already considerable, many people had gathered to watch the Goth stars play their first European show ever. Matching their music, they all had put on dark and ostentatious make-up as well as dark clothes - appearance is everything. Musically, they provided an overview ranging from older songs to new material from the latest album ‘Coat of Arms’. The keyboarder was especially funny to watch, since he acted rather strange and moved his instrument up and down a lot.
Setlist
01. Coat Of Arms
02. Arm and a Leg
03. F.Y.G.
04. Death Wish
05. The Darkest Star
06. Send Me An Angel
07. Unsaved Pt. 1 & 2
08. Killing Myself Again
09. Blood Bags
Rating
Music: 5
Performance: 7
Sound: 7
Light: - (daylight)
Total: 6.1 / 10
Letzte Instanz
LETZTE INSTANZ, founded in Dresden, Germany in 1996, is a German medieval metal band particularly noted for their use of the violin and cello. The founding members included Hörbi, Tin Whistle, Muttis Stolz, Kaspar Wichman, Holly D. and Markus G-Punkt. Benni Cellini and Robin Sohn entered the group a year later. To date, they have released six studio albums, one live album, a live DVD, a single, and have appeared on a number of mix CDs. http://www.letzte-instanz.de/ / http://www.myspace.com/letzteinstanz
Music & Performance
For many people, this well-known German band remarked the first highlight on this day. A considerably large amount of fans was occupying the first rows and during the show, many moving lips could be seen singing along the catchy music. Also, people could be seen dancing and getting lost in the music. Personally, they were a suitable band to sit down on the floor and enjoy the sun whilst being entertained by easily listenable rock music.
Setlist
01. Mea Culpa
02. Mein Engel
03. Flucht ins Glück
04. Ohne Dich
05. Dein Gott
06. Finsternis
07. Komm!
08. Wir sind allein
09. Rapunzel
Rating
Music: 6
Performance: 8
Sound: 7
Light: - (daylight)
Total: 6.9 / 10
Destinity
There are very few bands that have undertaken such a spectacular journey through different styles of extreme metal since their formation as France's DESTINITY. Formed 14 years ago as a pure melodic black metal act, they later added a big slab of death metal to their style and nowadays play brutal death / thrash, yet they still incorporate their black metal beginnings here and there. This can be heard on their current hate work 'XI Reasons To See', which was released in February by Lifeforce Records. http://www.myspace.com/destinity
Music & Performance
Again after a little break, I headed for the party stage (tent), where already some people had gathered to watch the French DESTINITY. They really surprised me and put on a good show, even though they were the first band in the tent for this day. The first ten lines had lots of fun and enjoyed the show, including mosh pits, occasional head banging and shouting, invited by the straight-forward, heavy and fast music. Furthermore, the front man was posing a lot and entertained the crowd as well, so he crowd-surfed once or twice and shook hands. To show their approval of the show, the crowd sang a French song (I have to admit I did not recognize if it was the national anthem). Definitely a band to be checked out!
Setlist
01. Intro
02. My Senseless Theory
03. A Dead Silence
04. Enemy Process
05. In Sorrow
06. Evolution: Devilution
07. Thing I Will Never Feel
08. Your Demonic Defense
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 9
Sound: 7
Light: 7
Total: 8 / 10
Pantheon I
Formed in late 2002 and hailing from the city of Oslo in Norway, PANTHEON I is an extreme metal band that combines brutality, aggression and speed with heart-wrenching melancholy. Rather than resorting to the use of synths with string samples, the symphonic aspects of their music are highlighted by the use of the cello. The current line-up is composed of Kvebek on guitar and vocals (DEN SAAKALDTE, ex-1349), Sagstad on guitar (TROLLFEST, SARKOM), T.R.S. on bass (1349, DEN SAAKALDTE), Mads G on drums (THE ALL SEEING I, ZEENON), and Julianne on live cello. http://www.pantheon-i.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/pantheoni
Music & Performance
Concerning that PANTHEON I play black metal, they entered the stage relatively simple: without corpse paint or any spikes in large numbers. I especially enjoyed their cello-player, although the cello itself had a rather poor sound (probably due to electric regards). Yet, this added a nice background to the music, which itself was not too innovative as one might suggest, but nice to watch anyways. The crowd reacted really reserved at first, but later began to respond more.
Setlist
01. Serpent Christ
02. Defile The Trinity
03. The Wanderer And His Shadow
04. Enter The Pantheon
05. Where Angels Burn
Rating
Music: 7
Performance: 7
Sound: 7
Light: 7
Total: 7 / 10
Anathema
Back in 1990, this group found their beginning in Britain, at first forming and focusing on death/doom metal, whilst they later created their own melodic/atmospheric rock sound. So far, nine full-length records were put out, the latest being entitled ‘We’re Here Because We’re Here’ (2010). http://www.anathema.ws/ / http://www.myspace.com/weareanathema
Music & Performance
Still with a chance of getting immense sunburn, many people simply were seeking for shadow during the set of Anathema. Also, the little shower the pain stage was providing did its part to get along with the heat. For people who did not know ANATHEMA, I am pretty sure they found their set rather boring. Yet, some songs of them were nice and the singer really put a lot of intensity and emotions in his voice, which of course also fitted the lyrics of the band. Some more depressive aspects of course did not fit to the weather conditions, but a nice overview was given over the band’s discography - starting with more heavy songs and also including newer, softer songs.
Setlist
01. Deep
02. Empty
03. Lost Control
04. A Simple Mistake
05. Closer
06. A Natural Disaster
07. Sleepless
08. Universal
09. Fragile Dreams
Rating
Music: 7
Performance: 9
Sound: 8
Light: - (daylight)
Total: 7.9 / 10
Cannibal Corpse
Established in 1988 in the United States, CANNIBAL CORPSE have emerged to be one of the best-selling and controversial acts in Death Metal. Due to their horror and splatter-orientated lyrics and artworks, the first three albums were indexed for a while. Eleven studio records were released, among those ‘Tomb of the Mutilated’ (1992), ‘Bloodthirst’ (1999) or the latest one ‘Evisceration Plague’ (2009). http://www.cannibalcorpse.net/ / http://www.myspace.com/cannibalcorpse
Music & Performance
CANNIBAL CORPSE really put on an entertaining show - playing 15 songs in one hour with more notes and speeds than other bands play in their whole career. The crowd definitely had lots of fun, starting mosh pits and a wall of death. Excessive head banging, as simulated by Corps grinder, destroyed lots of necks. In general, CANNIBAL CORPSE are always fun to watch. Obviously, their music is not the most innovative death metal either, since some songs sound pretty alike, but the speed and brutality always tend to get the masses (into extreme music) going.
Setlist
01. Scalding Hail
02. Unleashing The Bloodthirsty
03. Savage Butchery
04. Sentenced To Burn
05. The Wretched Spawn
06. I Will Kill You
07. I Cum Blood
08. Evisceration Plague
09. The Time To Kill Is Now
10. Death Walking Terror
11. Make Them Suffer
12. Priests Of Sodom
13. Staring Through The Eyes Of The Dead
14. Hammer Smashed Face
15. Stripped, Raped And Strangled
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 9
Sound: 8
Light: - (daylight)
Total: 8.4 / 10
Hypocrisy
In 1990, Peter Tägtgren founded the Swedish death metal band HYPOCRISY and released their debut record ‘Penetralia’ in 1992. Until 1994, Masse Bromberg (who is nowadays singing in DARK FUNERAL) was responsible for the vocals, since his departure, Peter has been doing the vocals himself. It was in 1997, were Peter almost decided to dismantle HYPOCRISY in favour of his new band, PAIN, which veered more into the industrial direction. Over the time, lots of albums were released, such as ‘Hypocrisy’ (1999), ‘Catch 22’ (2002) and ‘Virus’ (2005). After the last studio album in 2005, Peter decided to concentrate more on PAIN, which meant a break for HYPOCRISY. http://www.hypocrisy.tv/ / http://www.myspace.com/hypocrisy
Music & Performance
Already few minutes before HYPOCRISY’s show would begin, many fans had gathered in front of the stage to get a good view upon the cult band around Peter Tägtgren. From the first few notes on, it became clear that the next 70 minutes would mean a lot of partying and head banging. The band provided a slightly different setlist than on their headliner tour, including ‘Adjusting the Sun’. All in all, most classics were played and also the shredding ‘Weed out the Weak’ from the newest output. Definitely, this show did not have to be missed since it was one of the last ones before an anew break for the band. Unfortunately, the song appeared to be pretty bad, with a strange-sounding drum and too undifferentiated strings. Yet, they really deserved their slot as a co-headliner.
Setlist
01. Fractured Millennium
02. Weed Out The Weak
03. Eraser
04. Pleasure Of Molestation / Osculum Obscenum / Penetralia
05. Apocalypse / The Fourth Dimension
06. Let The Knife Do The Talking
07. Adjusting The Sun
08. A Coming Race
09. Killing Art
10. Fire In The Sky
11. Warpath
12. Roswell 47
Rating
Music: 9
Performance: 9
Sound: 6
Light: 8
Total: 8.4 / 10
Gorgoroth
This well-known Norwegian Black Metal band was founded 1992 in Bergen, their name being related to the ‘Lord of the Rings’. The band’s history is rather complex and contains quite a lot of controversy and changes among the members. In 2009, their eight and most recent studio record has been released, ‘Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt’, following pieces such as the 1994 classic ‘Pentragram’ or ‘Incipt Satan’ (2000). http://www.gorgoroth.info/ / http://www.myspace.com/gorgoroth
Music & Performance
From a musical point of view, I had been really looking forward to seeing this band, since I missed them at Wacken 2008. Yet, I have to say I was rather disappointed. Firstly, the band started with a delay of 10 minutes and only played 40 minutes instead of an hour. Then, no real pyro show or other stage action was provided. Of course simplicity is also favourable, but there was surely something missing since Black Metal also includes (or at least has to, in my opinion) posing and showing off. Actually, the band itself appeared to be rather unmotivated and they only played their songs, without interacting with the crowd or having fun. This of course got transferred to the audience and many people left the area earlier. Also, the newer songs by far do not reach the cult status of older ones, such as the album ‘Pentagram’.
Setlist
01. Bergtrollets Hevn
02. Satan-Prometheus
03. Profetens Apenbaring
04. Aneuthanasia
05. Forces Of Satan Storms
06. Ødeleggelse Og Undergang / Blood Stains The Circle
07. Unchain My Heart
08. Destroyer
09. Katharinas Bortgang
10. Revelation Of Doom
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 5
Sound: 7
Light: 7
Total: 6.8 / 10
Watain
Formed in Sweden in 1998, WATAIN put out their first official release in 2000, ‘Rabid’s Curse’ after sending cassettes and demos to friends and journalists. They play Black Metal and thematically are influenced by Satanism. Musically, they also carry some melodic influences, comparable to DISSECTION. Recently, their 4th studio output was published, being entitled ‘Lawless Darkness’. http://www.templeofwatain.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/watainofficial
Music & Performance
After the disappointing GORGOROTH, I was really sceptical how WATAIN’s show would be. The first time I saw them live, in Wacken 2008, I also got really disappointed since they were suffering from bad sound conditions. Luckily, they had better luck this time in the party tent - the sound was much differentiated so that all elements and aspects of the dark black metal could be heard. Furthermore, they provided nice stage acting - being dressed with spikes, blood and corpse paint, having a burning inverted cross on stage and also candles in form of inverted crosses. This is of course highly related to the black metal cliché, but also fits the music and creates a fitting impression.
Setlist
1. Intro
2. Malfeitor
3. Sworn To The Dark
4. Reaping Death
5. Legions Of The Black Light
6. Wolves Curse
7. Total Funeral
Rating
Music: 9
Performance: 9
Sound: 7
Light: 8
Total: 8.6 / 10
Dying Fetus
DYING FETUS is an American death metal band, known for their outspoken political views, and for being one of the few death metal bands who follow a political nature. Earlier lyrics showcased graphically gory themes. Constant line-up changes throughout the years have left John Gallagher the only remaining original member. The band's sound is characterized by blast beats, complex riffing and heavy metal slams. The vocals range from very low death growls to more abrasive upper-throat screams. http://www.myspace.com/dyingfetus
Music & Performance
Dying Fetus were gifted with one of the best sounds in the tent. They really put on a great show, with their fast and without compromise mixture of death metal and grindcore. This was greeted by the audience and also resulted in moshing and partying. In general, the Friday evening provided lots of good bands for fans of extreme metal.
Setlist
01. Praise The Lord (Opium Of The Masses)
02. Your Treachery Will Die With You
03. Eviscerated Offspring
04. We Are Your Enemy
05. Justifiable Homicide
06. Homicidal Retribution
07. One Shot One Kill
08. Grotesque Impalement
09. Pissing In The Mainstream
10. Kill Mommy
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 8
Sound: 9
Light: 7
Total: 8 / 10
Hail of Bullets
Formed in 2006 from (ex) members of bands such as PESTILENCE, ASPHYX or BOLT THROWER, this Dutch Death Metal act has already released one full length album ‘…of Frost and War’ (2008) which has been released through Metalblade Records. Due to the fact that almost all members are active in other projects, the beginning appeared to be rather difficult. Yet, also a mini LP was put out in 2009. http://www.hailofbullets.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/hailoffuckenbullets
Music & Performance
HAIL OF BULLETS being the last band for me of the day, my feet were not compatible for standing so long. Yet, I really enjoyed their straight-forward death metal and also the presentation of a new song which they had never played live before. Also during their set, the tent was considerably filled and the song remained well-understandable and well set. Of course, this band does not have a routine in playing as other ones might have, but they really put on a good and shredding show.
Setlist
01. General Winter
03. Red Wolves Of Stalin
03. Nachthexen
04. Operation Z
05. Warsaw Rising
06. Advancing Once More
07. Berlin
08. Ordered Eastward
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 7
Sound: 8
Light: 6
Total: 7.4 / 10
All pictures by Pierre Lehman and curtsey & copyright Summer Breeze Festival
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