Live Evil Festival 2011 Day 1 review
Words: Antony Roberts
Photos: Antony Roberts
SETLISTS are taken from setlist photos and may not be 100% accurate due to changes
We headed to the second annual Live Evil Festival this weekend at the Camden Underworld. For those who’ve been living under a rock this festival started last year, under the idea of selecting the line up using the Darkthrone Band Of The Week blog, handpicked by the legend that is Fenriz.
Described by the organisers Mark Lewis from Mythology Agency and Marek Steven (aka Skill Wizard) as “presenting underground Black metal, Thrash, Speed, Death, Heavy Metal, Metal Punk and Doom bands from around the world” it sounds like every real metal heads wet dream. Having missed it last year due to other commitments, and seeing the amazing lineup, it was a case this year of buying early bird tickets as soon as they were announced, the pedigree of last year’s line up meant it had to be good.
This years event started with Age Of Taurus, and with previous bass player issues meaning they were unable to play Seven Churches Festival earlier in the year, it was great to finally catch them live. Think rocking traditional doom with clean vocals, backed by a twin guitar attack of SG and Flying V. They were playing a stonking set full of crunchy riff laden doom with masterful solos (sadly missing from so many bands nowadays). Unfortunately some amp problems on fourth song Unto The Hour Of The Dead dampened the brilliant set somewhat, as the band continued whilst guitarist Al tried to sort out the head problems. Be sure to check them out if you can, now they are back on the touring circuit
SET LIST:
A Rush Of Power
Barren
Sinking City
Unto The Hour Of The Dead
Unborn Destroyer
Check them out here:
http://www.myspace.com/ageoftaurus
Next up were Sweden’s Witchgrave, the first of many bands over the weekend I was yet to hear beforehand. They came on and proceeding to smash out some awesome early primitive thrash/heavy metal. More guitar problems but this time it was the pickups not the amp, so a quick rush off and back on stage holding Age Of Taurus’ Flying V “Who’s guitar is this?” before plugging in, tuning up, and smashing out more Venom-esque metal, definitely one of the weekend’s surprise highlights.
Check them out here:
http://www.myspace.com/witchgrave
Following Witchgrave were more Swede’s in the shape of Maim. Whilst on record they are heavy as f*** what became more apparent live, was just how much groove these guys have. Keeping the riffs and vibe of mid-era Entombed, and making it even heavier really works. It would have been nice to a bit more movement on stage, the performance was a tad static, completely at odds with the awesome pounding death that was coming through the PA. They did however really make up for it with the music, finally getting the mid afternoon Underworld audience to start moving.
Check them out here:
http://www.myspace.com/maimdeathmetal
Raven’s Creed, the second UK band of the day took to the stage to a much quieter Underworld, with their teatime slot perhaps people were getting some much needed food, to help keep the beer down. By mid set it had filled up somewhat, and those there got to witness their singer stalking the stage like a man possessed. Whilst I enjoyed the old school thrash/death backing, I could not get to grips with the vocals, so it was time to venture and catch up with friends.
Check them out here:
http://www.myspace.com/wwwmyspacecomravenscreed
Brazil’s Em Ruinas were set to prove their dominance as South America’s finest, and the Camden audience seemed to lap them up. I heard many people later in the weekend stating them to be their festival highlght. Something didn’t sit right with me though and I just couldn’t get into them, maybe it was my stomach aching at me to go and get food.
SETLIST:
(INTRO) Nuclear Nightmare
Somente A Morte E Real
Burn In Hell
No Speed Limit
Son Of Hell
Morbid Pits
Only The Brave Ones
Headbanger Race
Hellhammer
Check them out here:
http://www.myspace.com/emruinas
Mid Em Ruinas food was searched for and I got back to hear rumours of Jaguar’s singer playing the set on a pogo stick. Entering the downstairs to what was now a packed Underworld, the rumours were indeed true, and the crowd were going mental. I am really, really ashamed to say despite knowing the name, i’d never actually heard Jaguar, having never managed to buy their many albums since they started in 1979. After witnessing them I will be searching them out, born too late perhaps, but I will make up for my mistakes. Pure classic Heavy Metal played with more energy than I’ve seen from bands half their age. Seasoned musicians like this can play comfortably whilst mucking around, and it was clear how long they’ve been playing with how tight they were on stage. Much like seeing the resurged interest in Anvil and Sweet Savage at Festivals around the country, these old school bands seem psyched to be playing, smiles a plenty, and a natural stage presence that had the Underworld singing along.
SETLIST:
Run Ragged
Out Of Luck
Battlecry
Master Game
The Fox
Rawdeal
Dutch Connection
Axe Crazy
Run For Your Life
Check Them out here:
http://www.myspace.com/jaguaronline
Moving on from old school legends to the new breed snapping at their tails, In Solitude took to the stage and despite seeing them at Roadburn this year, I don’t remember them being so young! Ghoulishly made up singer Hornper complete with dead fox wrapped around his neck tore into The World, The Flesh, The Devil as the rest of the band moved around like a tornado either side, hair flying in all directions. Playing material from both albums, particular crowd favourite Witches Sabbath turned the venue into an ocean of swirling hair, as it seemed the entire downstairs of the underworld banged in unison, fists raised to an absolutely brilliant performance. If you haven’t heard these guys yet, go and look them up they are a superb live band.
Check them out here:
http://www.myspace.com/insolitudeheavymetal
Pagan Altar finished the first day with an amazing set. Why and how they are still playing small venues around the UK I can not understand, they should be huge. The first dry ice of the day whisked around the stage as they set about captivating the audience, with around an hour long set of classic NWOBHM/Doom. Hailed by the underground, hopefully more slots like this will give them the exposure they justly deserve. Live Evil day 1 drew to a very successful close with punters heading out to the Black Heart, around the back of the Underworld for the after party. With the tunes of Pagan’s Altar ringing in my head, it was time to venture onwards for food and sleep ready for day 2.
SETLIST:
Pagan Altar
In The Wake Of Armadeus
Demons Of The Night
The Sentinels Of Hate
Samhein
Lords Of Hypocrisy
The Aftermath
The Black Mass
Judgement Of The Dead
Satan’s Henchmen
check them out here:
http://www.myspace.com/paganaltar
Check out our photos from Day 2 of Live Evil here.
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