SCREAMFEST AUSTRALIA DAY 1

DAY 1

The Enmore opened its doors around 5pm with the first deluge of metal fans slowly getting their tickets checked and staking their claims along the crowd barrier, a few of these people had lined up for some time this New Years Eve afternoon. This festival, already, that what we have to expect over the course of the next two days is something to be excited about.

I went in with no idea of what to expect, there was no band here I was particularly after seeing as none of the bands on the list were in my lists of music I listen to at home. Sure I had heard of most of them from time to time, be it word of mouth or online, but I couldn't call myself a fan of any.

SCREAMFEST AUSTRALIA was going to be something new, I was entering as an interloper to the anti-commercial scene of death, black and power metal alike (and its subsidiaries) and I was curious to see how I would come out the other end. I am a fan of metal, but not exclusively, other music consumes more of my time than metal and over the last few years it's been taking more and more of a back seat to my personal tastes, but it's always been there, let's see if this could rekindle my interest in the genre.

The first band to kick off a phenomenal metal line-up (In Australian standards anyway) are local boys DARKER HALF, though I only caught about 3-4 of their songs after a short outside issue, they didn't do too badly. The still cool crowd was yet to be charmed into participation or much movement at all, but they remained focused on the group. The band played like it was a headlining gig for them, their sound and ability proving that this wasn't a sloppy thrown-together pub gig we are used to, but a professional showcase of talent. Vo’s voice pierced the mix like a knife with Dickenson like wailing while the rest of the band didn't seem to make a mistake throughout their short set.

Eventually they garnered a generous cheer from the crowd, which in my eyes seemed like them thanking the band for making them know that it can only get better from here, so we have a lot to look forward to, though everyone was reeling in shock of the drink prices. After what was a good, solid set, it was time for a quick break outside.

Outside was a different place now, sunny, traffic, normal people. At one time a duo of lads wandered past bemused at the small group wearing black sporting longer hair than their sisters and wearing indecipherable band shirts, their cool swagger turned into an awkward, sped-up gait once they noticed a few dozen more beyond the first group.

Upon return, VANISHING POINT further energised the crowd with what was a well crafted but seemingly short set. It is somewhat a shame that a lot of local and interstate groups get screwed on stage-time in favour of the international acts, but no one seemed to mind too much. In this case, the band used the time well to play a showcase of their best work and the crowd was far from disappointed at this. Song after song was made for the stage, a live performance best-of which everyone would remember. You did good fellas.

SYNPERIUM blasted onto the stage heralding a change in feel and direction, their weighty, technical death styling making it difficult for in-crowd head-bangers to keep a rhythm, but proved to be an interesting listen as their form remained tight yet unpredictable at every turn. With one less member on stage than the previous bands they made certain to be noisier than either of them, proving that you can have more with less if needed.

The drummer was a monster, tight-as wild drumming interspersed with blast-beats amidst some mental guitar work, both complimented by their roaring vocalist. Their music was fierce and delivered with style and great volume, sure to scare the crap out of any newbs to the scene.

The Duke of Edinburgh Hotel, or 'The Duke', became the place to go between sets, almost asylum for many. The drink prices were, on average, about half that of the venue and they were accommodating with their music, overriding the jukebox with whatever metal they could play. Many returned there many times over the time the festival took place, me included. The place would suddenly empty half of its patronage when the next band was due to play, so you didn't really need to pay attention to the time if you just kept an eye on everyone.

The first band that seemed to garner some hype by the crowd was international group SPAWN OF POSSESSION, featuring some Swedes and Tasmanians (some mix, eh), one notably enough, the old singer from Psycroptic at the helm. Also, apparently, this was their first gig together and only the second time they had played together. The mind boggles.
These guys got a big cheer and played like they earned it, all their elements fit together in a disgusting metal harmony and they kept it together like glue throughout the whole set. It was hard not to like their music, even the bass had a complication that was hard to follow without blocking out other parts of the mix. It will be great to hear these guys recorded, because it will take a few listens to decipher it all, but for now, everyone is just going with the well constructed mayhem they spew forth through the speakers.

They played a little longer than the previous bands, giving their music more time to grow on me, by the time they were done tearing up the stage, I was a fan, and after talking to some of the members later on, I can say that they're pretty awesome blokes as well. These guys are definitely up there as one of the highlights of the gig.

Next up, the first band that I was looking forward to a live introduction to: ROTTING CHRIST. The name was being thrown about in the pub as one of the bands I shouldn't miss no matter what. By the time their sound-check was done and their opening music set the scene, I sensed a great deal of crowd anticipation. I was suitably impressed with them, for sure, the chanting over their blackened metal created an awesome atmosphere that hadn't been tread upon so far, they sounded like the war to end all wars.

The bass heavy mix pummelled the crowd; even the projector beaming their band-name over the back wall fell into problems keeping stable (And remained like that for some time). Their songs lasted some time longer than average, but no energy was lost in enduring them, the crowd had their fists in the air at any moment that deemed it appropriate. The band roared through songs with no intention of slowing down for a breather moment and the floor was in constant movement. This is what people came to see, true metal being belted out with true force with no regard for ear-drum or bum-ticker alike, the energy around the room was at a peak and everyone felt it. This is why metal-heads love metal.

Followers MALEVOLENT CREATION was personally disappointing. While suitably intense and professional, everything seemed a slight bit on the lacklustre side, like no matter what was happening, something was missing, and the set suffered for it. I couldn't keep my attention on

them to be honest and while I would have liked things to have improved over time, nothing seemed to happen. It felt like a dull monotone in comparison to previous bands. Sorry guys, just wasn't your night.

Aussie ex-pats DESTROYER 666's duty was to bring back the vigour of the crowd and the quality of music, and they did this with ease. Their set was nothing short of awesome, turning the crowd into a hair-whipping frenzy.

There is a good reason why these guys are one of tonight’s head liners and the brutality abound is helping everyone forget that there is a new year impending. The drums alone sounded like imminent doom and the band as a whole was like an apocalypse. If the world had ended on the new year, I am sure no one would have noticed.

The vocals sounded something like a regiment of chanting soldiers while the band blasted about a concussive servo, occasionally letting a screaming solo force it way through the maelstrom. They had a hell of a command over the crowd throughout their set as fan favourites were met with raised fists and shouted lyrics.

So far D666 have been the highlight of the night, this kind of intensity is hard to top, and there is still another band to go...

I was a little disappointed that I had missed the minute 2009 finally pissed-off and it was within the ten minutes after D666's finale, but you get that. A celebratory pint at the Duke was well received, but we had to get back to see SONATA ARCTICA, tonight’s headline act all the way from Finland.

They had just gotten under way as I arrived and it seemed everyone was there, and the front-of-stage crowd was heavily concentrated. By the end of the first song, the crowd response was the biggest of the night. At one point during a toilet break, I missed what sounded like an amusing spectacle, everything during a song had cancelled out into a 50 cycle hum, and did someone unplug the mixing desk? It wasn't long before they were back under way like nothing had happened.

They had a more polished harmonic approach to their music, with galloping beats and soaring harmonies, a lot more theatrical musically than anyone else. They kept the crowd locked into their command, but it just wasn't my thing. Entirely enjoyable, but you just have to like that sort of thing.

At one point, and this has to be my favourite point of the night, the singer Tony Kakko asks the people about the old saying that 'A new year washes away old sins' or something to that feel, he then went on the speculate whether or not the next song was or wasn't about sins, he wasn't entirely sure.

But as the song started, in full metal-guitar stance, their axe-man began doing what he did best, before realising he hadn't triggered the distortion on his guitar, much to the amusement of the singer. The crowd got a good laugh too.

They powered on with a great sound, laughed at their own mistakes and just had fun, as did the crowd. It was more light-hearted than the band before them, but left people smiling.

Probably a good way of having things considering the people are coming back tomorrow for more bands.....