Blistering.com Special Report: Hellfest 2008 - June 20-22, Clisson, FR
By:
Having two major name and highly-influential extreme metal reunions in the form of Carcass and At the Gates is surely enough to salivate the chops of anyone of even the slightest metal persuasion, let alone the fantastic amount and variety of bands on show at this year’s Hellfest, which featured a good selection of black metal (old and new), thrash (old and new) and death metal (old and new) as well as the (un)holy trinity of ultimate doom bands (My Dying Bride, Candlemass and Katatonia).
Before we delve into the brilliant line up, a brief word on the organisation of the festival. There were ample amenities; plenty of space and not too many people, all evidence of a well-planned weekend, many thanks and congrats to the organisers.
Friday
Born From Pain are a mere taster of what is about to ensue, but despite being slightly tedious, their Slayer tinged hardcore is mildly satisfying. Death Angel are however, the real heroes of the first half of the opening day. Playing with confidence but not overtly arrogant, this was a good slice of afternoon thrash.Problems began on the first day with Australian spacey metallers Alchemist. Despite an amp being destroyed by the sheer weight of some of their expansive sound, it is a solid performance.
Septic Flesh give power and presence to their recorded material and it really does arise from the studio version to morph into a force to be reckoned with. “Communion” is particularly devastating.
Dimmu Borgir suffer from the bright afternoon sun striking the dust and steam coming from the front, obscuring the view of their epic backdrop and equally epic outfits. Donning their whole body armour is a brave move on such a hot day. A fairly timid set is lifted by numbers such as the title track from In Sorte Diaboli and the always aired “Progenies of the Great Apocalypse.”
Testament draw a mighty crowd and front man Chuck Billy carries the set so well. As usual, the solos are particularly polished and the staple songs from the discography are blasted at ridiculous volume.
The astonishingly tight and relentless Krisiun make themselves the highlight of the day as a frankly euphoric set of their Brazilian brand brutal death metal is enjoyed by all in the Discover stage.
The hotly anticipated reunion show of Carcass was up next and as soon as the intro sample for “Inpropogation” begins to play people swarm like rats heading towards the stage. Whether by accident or as a joke, Jeff says, “Hello Wacken!” after the first song is done. Either way it is treated with an awkward murmur across the spectators. Mainly because the majority are French and didn’t get what he was on about? Maybe.
Carcass’ sound is perfect, with a gory edge and Amott’s and Steer’s solos being suitably sloppy, especially during “Corporal Jigsore Quandary.” Material from most studio albums is given a night of revival, and even “Keep On Rotting In The Free World” is enjoyed, and “Genital Grinder 2” and “Ruptured In Purulence” are rare treats.
Venom are supposed to be idiosyncratically shit (or should I say DIY?) and this large stage and big sound make Venom’s raw essence dissipate and what is left is a bit soulless.
|
