22-04-2016 Dark Mental Festival

[schema type=”event” evtype=”Festival” name=”Dark Mental Festival” sdate=”2016-04-21″ street=”Kraftwerket” city=”Copenhagen” country=”DK” ]

Another day for Dark Mental. The first band that we get to see was Ironguard. The band founded in 2008 and makes Heavy Metal.
As we understand the band has been without a singer for a while, yet we have the vocals of Andreas to hear today. He has a relatively dark voice, we expected that to be a bit higher, but nevertheless the band manages to impress. They have quite an energetic stage presence which sparkles the audience to enjoy them. Moshpit came by even. The audience at least is enthusiastic about them. Here and there things probably could have been tighter, but hey… a good start for the evening!

Rockformation Kibitzer is bringing a rather different thing. Melodic songs, a guitar solo here and there letting each member show their quality and yet it comes together nicely. The band has a nice collection of well thought songs to play for us and although the majority of the audience seem to be coming for the more extremer metal bands that play today, the band seem to interest the audience for many stick along.
The band’s commercial touch combined with the heaviness that is also there seems a winning factor, may they not had the biggest crowd of the evening, it is likely they’ll find that elsewhere, a fine band.

Fjorsvartnir was playing a show that stuck in mind. A powerful performance on which they these Danish Black Metallers are giving a strong show. The band founded in 2007 and last year they came with a second full length album which they play some songs of today.

The melodic parts of this band are giving their sound the needed drama, the tempo is sometimes a bit slower than we had may have expected, but with the guitars they are captivating us wildly. The vocals are bringing an icy cold atmosphere over the music.
Later we learned about the band being bothered by the group Antifa… protesting about the lyrics and symbolism used. What can we say: ironically… they are amongst the big ones now. Too bad them people fail to see a good show by these locals.

Beyond The 9th is Thrash formation from Denmark. The band is not bringing us that stereotypical Thrash, but has Melodic elements in there, bringing some comprehension in there but also give it a bit of catchiness. A genreblend we have not seen before a this festival and brings something unique in there, although we could easier seeing them playing amongst Metal- and hardcore bands.

The show has the energy in there but although the music is giving us something slightly different, the actual stage presence could be lined up with that more. Inventiveness with that they could bring them to a next level and bigger stages. Although this stage of today would not lend itself for it, some video art maybe could do the trick. It’s all there, perhaps we’ll see them again to see what they do with that someday.

Eciton brings some Death metal into the venue. They have a good level of brutality in there, the ability to go deep and raw. What stand out in their band is the drummer, which at first seem to stay back there, but knows to put a stamp on the sound of the band within a few minutes.

If you look at what they bring it is of good quality but maybe lacks a bit of inventiveness. The question is, how much of that would you need if some steady Death Metal is there, but it could be something for them guys to consider to see if they can lift themselves above the mass some more.

Norwegian Black Metal is taking over the venue. A name to be known around here as the place is packed when the band starts playing. The band formed in 2004 but it took some time before they actively started to release material. This year the band released a full length album called “Den Vandrende Skygge”.

Black Metal is doing well at this festival and Mork is no difference. They are cold and icy with a raw sound. Norwegian Black Metal as we know it. In the slowest moments they drag you in and give the climax just a bit later. A band that could take you in that roller coaster. A solid sound in which their vocalist impresses easily, but let all come together well. A band we like see more often, for sure the best Black Metal act we saw in the festival.

It’s more than an hour later than originally planned (sound issues ruled the day) when headliner Dark enters the stage. In 2015 the band came with a self-titled debut album and this show marks their first performance. Of course the members have been known from previous bands. Dark makes Gothic music. Not the fairy tale stuff, but think more like early 80’s The Cure or Sisters of Mercy going a bit more Metal.

And don’t forget, it’s called Dark for a reason. Deep vocals are telling you a depressive story and combine that with a melancholic instrumental backing and you come into the right atmospheres. A calm performance for the band, suitable to the music which you easily give the focus this way. Unfortunately the band’s set was a bit shorter due to all the delay, but it was a nice close of the day. Something new, something we had not seen before.