Report
Desertfest London 2024: Day 3 That includes Godflesh, Nightstalker And Ozric Tentacles
As soon as once more, we come to the finale. The final day of a pageant is all the time bittersweet. A time of unhappiness as a result of issues return to regular tomorrow, but in addition of pleasure as a result of there’s one other day filled with nice music forward. Whereas attendees did not have The Roundhouse to take pleasure in on the final day, the Electrical Ballroom was open to us once more and boasted a wealth of expertise able to carry out. As all the time although, The Underworld was open for enterprise and that is the place we start right now’s report.
Heading down the staircase and into the venue, the gang have been welcomed by Noisepicker. The duo, comprised of Orange Goblin bassist Harry Armstrong on guitar & vocals and drummer Kieran Murphy, emit the vibe of an area band one may see down the pub, however the variety that it’s a must to inform your pals about immediately. They combine a wholesome number of music, together with doom and punk to create one thing enjoyable and full of life, engaging the gang with a very good time. Whereas the music itself is stable and really fulfilling, the tongue does appear to be positioned firmly in cheek with Armstrong’s supply and banter with the viewers. Truthfully talking, there will not be an enormous legacy forward for Noisepicker itself, regardless of the good moniker, however they’ll positively craft out a very good status as a stay band, one which completely opens a present and will get everybody in the suitable way of thinking.
Returning to the Electrical Ballroom after a day’s hiatus, we discover inside Italian doom stalwarts Ufomammut. The trio from Tortona are an interesting unit, consisting of huge energy and a dream-like area rock affect, which creates a singular soundscape. There have been quite a lot of Ufomammut shirts within the crowd and it is secure to imagine that neither followers nor curious onlookers left the historic venue disillusioned. Unleashing epics equivalent to “God,” the three piece one way or the other expands their signature sound within the stay setting, enveloping the viewers in an incredible ambiance. Ufomammut are very a lot a band which lets their music do the speaking, and rightfully so, because it’s an ideal mixture of the heaviness doom followers crave and the intricacies prog followers take pleasure in.
After a half-hour change over, the Ballroom was able to welcome its subsequent act, Monolord. The Swedish doom outfit solely fashioned in 2013 however rapidly established themselves final decade as one of many nation’s finest younger bands within the area. It might be unsurprising then to learn that they lived as much as the hype, after which some. Opening with “Icon” from their debut album, “Empress Rising,” the trio instantly captured the eye of everybody within the room, letting free an thrilling tackle the style which despatched followers right into a frenzy. The set represented most of their catalogue very nicely, with solely their newest album, “Your Time To Shine” being neglected, whereas “Rust” and “It is All The Identical” have been marketed through their title tracks. Monorlord boasts an excellent stage presence too, placing a substantial amount of vitality into their efficiency that solely enlarges their bombastic sound, which continues to reverberate via songs like “Larvae,” “Audhumbla” and set nearer, “The Final Leaf.” A superb set from a band nicely value your time.
I discussed within the report on Day 2 that I actually do not like instrumental rock/steel. It simply feels incomplete to me. That being stated, you’ll be able to’t deny expertise and Ozric Tentacles have tonnes of it. This was a way more mellow set than the opposite bands lined right now, however there’s nonetheless an edge to the music, which coupled with the photographs on the display screen behind them, is like an invite into an incredible new world. Clearly not being conversant in their music because of my aforementioned prejudice in opposition to instrumental rock, I can not title any of the songs introduced out right now, however I can affirm that every one hit the suitable notes, reaching one thing contained in the listener that brings out a smile. There is a great mixture of audio and visible delight on provide and in the event you’re sat down watching, it is a good instance of musical escapism. Not solely did Ozric Tentacles make me suppose twice about instrumentals, however they made me need to see them once more. Completely great.
After many of the day within the Electrical Ballroom, it was time to return to The Underworld for one thing fairly particular. Astroqueen are a Swedish band who, for many who do not know, solely launched one studio album, “Into Submission” in 2001 earlier than breaking apart in 2005. The fuzz/stoner steel outfit finally reconvened in 2014 and have carried out sporadically ever since, although no second album has materialised to this point. Nonetheless, the quartet have been in London to deal with Desertfest to a uncommon go to and so they proved to be well worth the wait. Opening with the brief “Rufus Jr.,” earlier than plunging into “Planet Mud,” Astroqueen immediately acquired the gang transferring with their excessive vitality strategy to music. The set was largely comprised of fabric from “Into Submission” as one would count on, however in addition they shocked just a few by reaching into their demo recordings and pulling out such songs as “Tidal Wave.” The very good “Superhuman God” was performed after all, a lot to the delight of the followers in attendance and the set as an entire was acquired very warmly.
Sadly as an Astroqueen fan, I wasn’t capable of see the top of their set however I’ve an excellent motive; Godflesh. The commercial steel pioneering duo have been headlining the Electrical Ballroom and whereas their affirmation initially raised some eyebrows from the Desertfest devoted, those that witnessed the set would certainly testify that they are a band in contrast to another. Kicking issues off with the superb “Land Lord” from their newest album, “Purge,” earlier than following it with one other observe from the file, “Military Of Non,” the crushing heaviness of Godflesh is indeniable and inimitable. With such a legendary catalogue, it was nice to listen to so many albums represented, together with the underrated, “Us Vs. Them” within the type of “I, Me, Mine.” After all, there have been loads of favourites for followers to sink their tooth into equivalent to “Tiny Tears,” “Avalanche Grasp Tune” and “Like Rats,” all of which have been greeted with huge enthusiasm. It actually cannot be exaggerated simply how heavy Godflesh are stay (my ears have been throbbing for 3 days afterwards to make use of one instance,) and their music captures the crumbling state of the nation, maybe the world, completely. One does not see Godflesh, they expertise them.
Talking of experiences, there was one like no different ready in The Underworld. The final act of a pageant has an enormous job on their palms as attendees will be drained, unhappy in regards to the occasion ending or perhaps a little grumpy, so they need, possibly even demand, to exit with a bang. Enter Nightstalker, the Athenian veterans who are sometimes classed as “stoner steel,” regardless of them rejecting the tag. From the opening notes of “Set off Glad,” they have been acquired rapturously. I’ve seen dozens of exhibits at The Underworld, together with some insane crowd reactions, however nothing like this. Nightstalker’s present was a complete celebration of rock and roll in all its kinds and the viewers did not accept a second, climbing up the pillars, stage diving, singing and dancing. The group one way or the other remained calm and picked up witnessing the bedlam earlier than them, although they have been clearly having a very good time.
As for the music itself, it was unbelievable. “Child, God Is Lifeless” actually shook the room with its infectious rhythm, whereas “Candy Knife” pierced the viewers in one of the simplest ways attainable. The bluesy sing alongside, “The Canine That No One Wished” was one other spotlight, creating a beautiful vibe, earlier than the memorable title observe from their 2012 album, “Lifeless Rock Commandos” continued to sonically roll punches. Even in the direction of the top, the viewers did not decelerate, nonetheless welcoming every tune like a name to arms, which amazed the band as a lot because it did myself, or another onlooker. After “Nice Hallucinations,” Nightstalker returned to the stage to complete their set, and thus the night, with “Kids Of The Solar,” an ideal mix of exhausting rock and blues. I sincerely hope Nightstalker is again quickly as a result of this was a present of such immense positivity and it needs to be seen to be believed. An ideal finish to a different improbable version of Desertfest.
Wish to know what else occurred at Desertfest London 2024? Take a look at our studies on the earlier days under!
Desertfest London 2024 Day One
Desertfest London 2024 Day Two
Ollie Hynes has been a author for Steel Underground.com since 2007 and a steel fan since 2001, going so far as to journey to different international locations and continents for steel gigs.
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