LIVE REVIEW: Old Grave Festival 13 (Bucharest, Romania)

Going to Romania for the first time and to a festival I had been dying to visit, naturally this is a report I felt the need to make. Rather than talk about every band I watched (which was pretty much all of the lineup), I have chosen to talk about the real highlights. So after some days of visiting museums, cemeteries and other Romaniac adventures, let’s get into it…

Thursday – Cold Grave Warmup

Finland’s blackened speed metal maniacs Rapid were added quite last minute to replace At War. At first I was a bit sad to miss At War, but then I got familiar with the Finn’s latest record “Enter the Realm of Fire” and realised what a strong replacement this was. Immediately the power trio gripped me with their off-kilter but powerful attack of truly evil blackened metal with these cool otherworldly post-punk sounding moments and generally very unique approach. Much like on the record it felt like things could derail but in the best of ways. As far as bands who fall into the blackened speed metal niche, Rapid are definitely one of the most interesting newer additions and certainly a band I recommend both the album and live show of.

Tonight’s headliner are the mighty Holocaust, playing their classic debut album in full. This was my third time seeing this LP played from start to end and it felt just as fearsome and exciting as before. I am not quite sure how they retain such a heavy feel to their classic NWOBHM assault all these years later but I am extremely glad whenever they pop up on a festival lineup. “The Nightcomers” is still a timeless classic and these Scottish hard rockers still have all of the passion and fury to deliver it as it should be. John especially has so much presence on stage and clearly loved showing Romania his music for the first time. Heavy metal mania all the way!

Friday – Day One

One band that maybe surprised some was Cherokee. As a hard rock outfit playing on the same day as a bunch of black and death metal bands, the uninitiated might worry they would lack the punch of their stage-mates. Of course such an opinion would be foolish and their intensity rivalled the most brutal acts on the bill. I don’t think I can remember seeing a band where each member excelled at their instrument quite this much. Each drum fill, bass line, guitar melody and vocal hook was sublime. They somehow managed to be enchanting and yet rock harder than the hardest with a magical show that left my jaw on the floor. Every song had the headroom for each member to have their moment to shine but most importantly it all felt united and served the purpose of the music. Absolutely astounding show and the best newer hard rock band I have seen live.

I have been a fan of Finnish cybernetic black speed metal punks Bonehunter for some years now. Their last three full lengths especially are some of my favourites in the genre. Yet I had sadly not seen them live. The trio launched on stage in an interesting mix of attire that would only adorn a band who give zero thought to trying to please anyone. The powerful bass lines and snarling vocals rode in on waves of d-beating fury with some of the tightest and fiercest guitar work of the festival. I was especially pleased to hear so much from their latest, and my personal favourite, album “Dark Blood Reincarnation System”. This set was a flash of chaos that was not afraid to get in the faces of those in attendance.

Messiah played my favourite of their albums in full, “Choir of Horrors”. The mix for them was extremely powerful and the band clearly had refined this performance to near perfection. Seeing the Swiss death-thrash titans was certainly a ruthless experience and one I am very grateful for. One of those rare classic bands who still nail their own songs and haven’t lost touch.

As one of my all-time favourite bands, I will never tire of seeing Blasphemy. Their twenty-song setlist covered all of the essentials from “Blood Upon the Altar”, “Fallen Angel of Doom” and “Gods of War”. The Canadian powerhouse has never loosened their grip on being one of the most savage and evil performances you can witness and their Bucharest barbarism was no exception. A lethal blend of menacing guitars, dominating drum onslaughts and barked blasphemous incantations proved to be as essential and vital to the underground as ever. Nobody should die before seeing Blasphemy live. Their war command was felt by Romania’s underground and I expect shall never be forgotten.

Saturday – Day Two

As a festival mixing favourites of many genres, Century represents one of my favourite newer heavy metal bands. The Swedes have two killer albums plus and equally strong demo under their belts and their third LP is underway (ed: make sure to grab the two-song promo tape if you can, both rip and the b-side is exclusive – singles never die!). Anyways, back to the point. The lads very kindly opened with my favourite song “Neon Warrior” and didn’t let up with a stampede of melodic, catchy and mystical metallic triumphs. Each time I see them they have gotten a little better too. The first time at Keep It True in Germany was great, then Metal Magic in Denmark was even more fun! Now in Romania, my third time seeing them was my favourite yet.

It is no secret that I love Chilean metal. Santiago blackened death thrash horde Force Of Darkness may only have three members but sound massive. The bass work immediately blew my mind while the guitars, drums and vocals certainly didn’t let them down. With plenty of releases under their banner, they played a ripping and crushing set of total destruction and blackened sorcery. Few three-pieces manage this level of technicality and intensity and pull it off so ruthlessly well live, but I am not surprised to see Force Of Darkness triumph and deliver such carnage.

Sticking with the Chilean theme, epic doom metal masters Procession are up next. Felipe has one of the best stage presences in heavy metal, regardless of which band he is with or instrument is in his hands. Bewitching all in the room with a perfectly forged example of doom metal that has magical vocals, unforgettable riffs and a mighty rhythm section, Procession left me awestricken for the duration of their show. Having never seen the band, I was blown away! Featuring live members from Dead Congregation and The Rite, I knew Felipe had picked the perfect team and nothing fell short of spectacular.

Another band I have been dying to see for years is Tampa’s Perdition Temple. Of course we all love Angelcorpse but Gene’s current death metal band should not be put in its shadow but seen as an equal force. Having released several totally maniacal albums, this set was one of the tightest shows I’ve seen by a death metal band. The maddeningly intense drum work and razor-sharp riffs were all held on the edge of a blade by the commanding bestial vocals and bulldozing bass of Alex Blume (also of Ares Kingdom). The fact that these musicians all have such strong accolades in various bands makes it obvious why they are so strong tonight. Total obliteration of the highest quality.

My favourite black metal band of the last couple of decades Negative Plane are, unsurprisingly, the best set of the weekend for me. Focussing on their best album, and one of the best black metal albums of all time, “The Pact”. Last time I saw them it was a much shorter set, a less cool festival and with only one guitar – and it was still magnificent. That said, their Old Grave show took an already near-perfect experience and launched it into the stratosphere. The interwoven guitar passages, enormous drum sound and cleverly paced songs with the most twisted and bewitching atmosphere all left be entranced from start to finish. “Even The Devil Goes Into The Church” and “Three Turns to the West” are feasts of genius riffing and “And So It Came To Pass” remains a marvel of songwriting I am still wrapping my head around. After their majestic and flawless set, a cover of Black Sabbath ended things with total heavy metal force and honoured the late Ozzy Osbourne beautifully.

What an amazing lineup and in such a unique city. I am extremely pleased I finally made it to this killer underground festival and got to explore the city that forged it. My enormous respect to the Romanian Thrash Metal Club for their hard work which inarguably paid off. If, like myself before, you have not visited Old Grave – then fix that!