If you like heavy metal then, unless you have been living under a rock for the last few years, the chances are you will be familiar with the name that is Damnation Festival. Taking place annually at Leeds University, the festival has previously featured headline performances from the likes of Devin Townsend, The Dillinger Escape Plan and Carcass. This year doom overlords Electric Wizard are heading the bill and yet somehow the event has not completely sold out yet.
If you have been indecisive as to whether to attend this festival or not you need to stop sitting on the fence and chuck yourself into the action. This lovingly curated bill manages to fit more genuinely quality heavy bands in a day than some festivals would manage over an entire weekend. Certainly fans of slow, monstrously heavy riffs are in for a treat on the Jagermeister Stage as Electric Wizard’s headline slot is preceded by fellow doom legends My Dying Bride. The gloomy Yorkshiremen will be exclusively showcasing new material.
If it is more the fast and furious side of things that gets you going, however, then be prepared for the headline appearance on the Terrorizer Stage by Pig Destroyer. Putting the extremity into grindcore in a way that few other bands have ever managed, the Virginians will tear an already battered crowd to shreds following a slew of other top quality extreme acts on the same stage. Amongst those warming up for them will be iconic blackened death metallers Belphegor, Aura Noir, British legends Extreme Noise Terror and heritage metal troupe Winterfylleth.
Having completed one of the metal tours of the year a few months ago, Irish pagan metallers Primordial will be returning to these shores once more on the Jagermeister Stage. Expect another truly incredible set from the band, led by charismatic frontman A. A. Nemtheanga. Meanwhile Dutch wizards Textures will be bringing their bewildering pre-djent sound to Leeds as well, alongside homegrown post-metal heroes Devil Sold His Soul and Northern Irish thrash quintet Gama Bomb.
Down in the depths of the University venue, the Eyesore Merch Stage will feature a landmark headline performance by Belgian sludge kings Amenra. Amongst the most horrific and powerful bands on the face of the planet, their appearance is not one to be missed. The resurrection of Bossk will also be of keen interest to fans of unrestrained sonic power, whilst you should expect a healthy dose of melodic yet intense post-rock from Stereoboard faves Maybeshewill. The cherry on top is perhaps a set by local quartet Blacklisters, whose live show somewhat resembles being kicked in the balls by a 78 year-old pensioner at the same time as being fondled by a rather overfriendly Sainsbury’s employee from Stockport.
Other, no less awesome, acts confirmed to appear on the bill are monumental emotive doom trio 40 Watt Sun (sure to be a uniquely depressing festival highlight), Vreid, Witchsorrow, Wodensthrone and Hang the Bastard. There is still one final sprinkling of acts to be confirmed. With tickets priced at a ludicrously cheap £32 there can be no moaning for potential attendees about not having the spare cash. Events like this, and the hard working team who run it, are what keep Britain’s heavy music scene going strong. Get involved and reap the rewards of a fantastic day of skull crushing live music.
Damnation Festival takes place at Leeds University Student’s Union on 3rd November. Tickets are available at the aforementioned price of £32 from www.damnationfestival.co.uk. If you don’t buy one I am going to get on the phone to that Sainsbury’s employee from Stockport...and he WILL hunt you down. You have been warned.
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