02-04-2016 Amsterdam Metalfest

[schema type=”event” evtype=”Event” name=”02-04-2016 Amsterdam Metalfest” description=”By: Sabine van Gameren” sdate=”2016-04-02″ street=”Melkweg” city=”Amsterdam” country=”NL” ]
Amsterdam Metalfest. An event that started small but through the years grew large enough to fill up the Melkweg Oude Zaal. This year a promising line up was awaiting us, so we were happy to be there!

The evening starts with a Dutch formation called Veil of Delusions. The band formed in 2010 to make Melodic Metal and released an EP. The band has a heavy approach, you may expected a bit more like that ‘typical’ female fronted act, but the lady on the front has character and is not to be missed.

As a little point to work on they could perhaps think the stage presence through. Fair enough, they didn’t have a lot of space, but they sometimes seem to be a bit unsure of how to move around.
A powerful opener of the evening though.

Herder we ran into some times last year. As they come from the north of our country, they played these Frysian festivals we like so much and so we knew what to expect. With their stage attitude you may sometimes think a bit of the Swedish Shining, the carelessness, the ‘fuck you all’ attitude. Marching around back and forth. But musically they are to be found in the Stoner/Doom side and this is noticeable by the long captivating songs they make. You are easily dragged into their music and although their set is not longer than 30 minutes it easy to imagine it an hour for when you are in, you are listening with detail. They are certainly no everyone’s cup of tea (let’s go for beer anyway), but they seem to captivate a lot of people.

Heart of A Coward is around since 2009 and created a fine fanbase since. They landed a contract with Century Media and the band released their latest album “Deliverance” in Autumn 2015. The Metalcore formation does not need a lot of time to get this place in motion, a bit of moshing, people banging their heads, the band hits it off.

And it makes sense, the band does not stick with a certain idea but does not fear to put in whatever elements they found suitable. A groovy bass makes the songs flow easily and when the band is playing with different tempo’s they show themselves masters in building up the tension. An act that brought a bit of a surprise, we were not sure on forehand how their sound would fit into the rest of the line up in the following they bring with them, but it worked!

God Dethroned is a Dutch name of allure. A quarter century of them around has created a reputation for the guys and each show is living up to it. They have a deep and impressive sound of Blackened Death that brings the heaviness in the venue to a new level.

Sure, we have not seen any new release in the last couple of years as they have a splitup in the past, but now they are back together to play some shows. Perhaps it lightens the spark. One thing is sure. When these guys were playing the Melkweg was full. Everyone is watching and it is quite clear that with a long discography with them, they have plenty to draw from. We kind of felt that for many it did not even matter what they choose to play as with a consistent level like they have they hardly can do anything wrong.

Carach Angren is quite a change from what we saw before. The band makes Symphonic Black Metal and do so for about 15 years. Although the band is giving us a proper contrast with God Dethroned, the audience is certainly not disliking it. A moshpit is there just as well and while vocalist Seregor stamps around the stage, having a bewildered look on and sometimes comes a bit closer to the audience.
The band picks a good selection from their discography, not having their latest album called “This Is No Fairytale” only in there, but also take some more of those Carach Angren classics, the fan’s favourites on board. Their envisioned drama comes across well and so the band shows that they their Symphonic Black Metal is a great thing for a festival like this.

Last on for this year’s edition is the Polish band Decapitated. Where the audience is ready for action, all warmed up by the previous acts the Death Metal of these guys is having a slower start than many hoped for, the band teases them a bit. When they pick it up and go all in they seem to harvest the energy from the audience and take it up themselves. Musically they are a bit more groovy than what we heard before, an addition that sets them on a display, Decapitated it is, not just any band you have to deal with. The platform at the front of the stage seem to symbolize the statement, climbing on and off to reach out a bit higher over the audience vocalist Rafal is looking around with a satisfied look on his face. Melkweg is eating out of their hands.

A sold out edition it was, this year’s Amsterdam Metalfest. They have grown from the small Sugarfactory in Amsterdam to the Melkweg’s small stage. Who knows if the success of this year opens a door to the larger stage, or perhaps the use of both. Maybe the organization chooses to embrace the cosy atmosphere and keep that up. Whatever it will be, if they put up a strong line up like this again, it is certainly to be recommended to get your tickets in time next year!