A very cold day and a warm venue where many metal fans had gathered for the first edition of Eindhoven Metal Meeting. One day where twenty-one bands would perform and two bands that roaming the stage at the after party if the metal fans are not tired enough. This indoor festival took place at Effenaar in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. With a strong line-up and a cheap prize for your entrance ticket this winter festival was sold out. When waiting in the queue to get in I heard many German speaking persons who had travelled to see these metal bands.
Unfortunately, Krisiun already started playing when i got in. It amazed me how many people were already there, usually at the beginning it is quite quiet and later on the day it will get crowded. Krisiun is a Brazilian three-piece that play death-metal. I only caught a glimpse of this band as I was finding out how to get to the other stage. It sounded very good and a lot of energy was coming from that stage. I got all excited about this day. I wandered off to the smaller stage, which was sponsored by Jägermeister. Devious was the first band to open on this stage. The Dutch band is currently touring with Entombed and Merauder. Bringing you a good doze of death metal but somehow they were not convincing. There was a little crowd watching them. I have to say that Krisiun was a lot better, although I have only seen one track.
A band that I was on my to see list, with a mark, was the Swedish band Grave. A band that has been around for quite a while. Being the longest running Swedish death metal (since 1986 as Corpse) I had to see them. People had gathered in front of the stage and they became a bit more enthusiastic as the metal heads seem to need some time to move their (mainly) long hairs. The first little mosh-pit was there. When looking at the stage act I have to say that they were a little tame, almost a bit boring. Just playing their songs, quick talk to the fans and back to drinking in the dressingroom? I lost my attention halfway during the set, not because of the quality of the music but more how they presented it. Hopefully next time they will be a bit more playful on stage, showing that they actually like to be there.
I left before the end of Grave’s performance and found my way to the smaller stage where the Belgium doom metal band Serpentcult was going to play. I was curious because what I had heard of them was not appealing to me. There is something about Michelle’s voice that I do not like. Think the music could have been better with another voice or they should add some male vocals, which will make it quite cliché. She, as a front women, being the only one that day does show emotions when singing, which did add to the show for me. She was better than expected especially the growling parts amazed me. A little bit of a wall of sounds with sometimes weird vocal melodies. Surely being different then other bands.
All was up to the next band from Sweden that gathered a crowd in front of the stage. Wild screaming fans before they entered the stage. The Shining has a growing fan base, mainly due to their explosive music in combination with a little absurd show on stage. Might be a little shocking for some, others love it. It basically means you never know what this band is bringing you, although you know you can expect some craziness. Tonight it was sharing some spit, singer kissing the bass-player and the singer put out a cigarette on his chest. Besides the show, they got the crowd going although some were a little flabbergasted. Pounding energetic black metal with nice solo’s. A very nice band that could have played a little later on the day but I guess it got the audience wild and ready for the other bands.
Halfway through the show from The Shining the Norwegian band Posthum started playing on the smaller stage. While finding my way to that stage I saw many people returning. When seeing the guys I knew why. They were boring as hell. No movement, they were like scarecrows standing on one spot. If the music was amazing, that would not have been a problem, but that was quite on the contrary. First of all you could not hear the singer at all. Then the music was very dull sounding even when I took out my earplugs. Hopefully they had a big hangover and whas it all a technical problem. True fans were still watching them and when listening their myspace, I can finally hear what they are about because this came not across at Eindhoven Metal Meeting.
Next up was Equilibrium from Germany that was the first band that would link to paganism. The band gave away a good show. Sadly the samples they used where not so nice mixed with the “live”music. Sometimes the samples sounded a bit odd, not fully there and had some momentary failures. The band had some steps on stage with some light and smoke machines under it, which gives away a pretty sight. Especially the guys with the long hair. It was a solid show I guess as this was the first time I saw them. Expected a little more from them and think they can do better. Though everyone seemed to enjoy this band. There were less people around than with The Shining but I guess that had more to do with dinner time, which was perfectly arranged. They had very big burgers, simple “broodje kroket” and lasagne for the vegans. Another good point is that you could pay everything with money and not with coins.
I missed out on Ulcerate, I really needed a drink and some food. The café was a nice place where people were eating and hanging. When I got back in the main hall it was time for some Finns on stage. What I heard on the myspace was not that promising but they really made me change my mind. There are two things Finns are good in; drinking and swearing and they did the later one a lot, in Finnish. They even talked to the audience in Finnish, which was quite funny if you understand a little something. Many people gathered in front of the stage and started moshing, cheering and screaming. I think this band got with Satyricon the most response from the audience. (from those that I have seen of course). It showed that the guys on stage had as much fun as the ones watching the band. Very powerful thrash metal from Impaled Nazarene that left a sweating audience.
At the same time as Impaled Nazarene Hackneyed from Germany rocked the stage. It was crowded in this hall and when I finally found myself a spot they were already playing their last track. The boys are all quite young and it was fun to see them on stage. Throwing their picks into the crowd. These little ones are bound to have a bright future.
It was time for the Dutch band Legion of the Damned and many people gathered to see this band. Many Dutch metal fans know this band and many lyrics where sang along. Again some moshpits and people cheering. However I have seen this band playing a much better gig. The vocalist was not at his best but knew how to build a party anyway. They entertained the crowd. Around the same time the Norwegian band Elite was showing their skills. This band was the better one on the small stage. The smaller hall was packed with people and even though the music was quite loud you could hear some fans who sang along, and screamed at the top of their longs. It became a little party with a good doze of black metal. A band that deserves to be on the main stage.
A band that has earned his status is Entombed who were next up. These Swedes play death metal and was formed in 1987 under the name of Nihilist. They mix their metal with hardcore and punk influences. The three tracks that I have seen them play were not leaving a big impression on me. It did not sounded bad but comparing to other bands earlier today they were pretty tame. Downstairs on the smaller stage the Dutch band Genetic Wisdom was playing their reunion. They make old school thrashing power core according to the band. For playing after such a long time they came across pretty well. There were not so many people watching them which was a pity. They put down a good show as if the venue was filled up, with a lot of energy enjoying themselves and doing their thing.
After finding my way to see Nile it was really crowded. People waiting because the band started late. Which was also quite funny because you could hear the sound guys talking over the monitors in front of the stage, making comments about them being late again. Nile is death metal from the United States. The lyrics and music are inspired by Ancient Egyptian myths, culture and history as well as middle European music. Their music can be called very atmospheric, they could have added to their show with a more impressing light show. At certain times the music came to the audience as a wall of noise, other times you could hear all the different instruments very well. A nice show from an interesting band.
Something totally different today were Darkened Nocturnal Slaughtercult and Merauder. Both playing on the small stage. Darkened Nocturnal Slaughtercult is a German band that stands for own satanic and nihilistic beliefs, along with the conspiracy for raw black metal this spirit is carved deep into their hearts. Personally I am not a big fan of those satanic bands. This band is something different to see then all the other bands that roamed the stage today. With crosses up-side-down and pig blood that the female vocalist would spit out over the faces from the front row if you were too close. She looked a bit demonic in her movement and nothing that they did could move me. Musically it was a lot of noise with no atmosphere. The vocals were mixed with so much effect that to me it had nothing to do with singing. Only screaming in a way she could not do herself. It was more a little theatre show. It is clearly that I do not get this music, others might have because there were many people watching this band. Merauder from Brooklyn plays hardcore. Grittiest gangsters that rap, growl and scream with a metal background. Something different at Eindhoven Metal Meeting, something that I missed out on except the last track.
The Norwegian band Satyricon made sure the hall was as crowded as could be with fans waiting for this known band to appear on stage. It took them quite a while and then there was this long intro that build a nice tension. Satyricon was the best band this day, got the audience going wild. According to themselves this was going to be a party as this was their last show of the tour. Well they sure did. With a lot of tracks the audience sung along, the one even more loud than the other. You can also notice that the band knows how to entertain. “Satyr” the singer jumps off stage and stand on the barrier like it is nothing….continuing singing and screaming while fans try to touch him. The music sounds great and keeps your head nodding all the time. Best performance of the day I would say. Energetic from start to end and way to short.
It was then up to Thyrfing from Sweden to end this evening. For those who had not enough there was still an after party with The Devils Blood and Hollenthon. It was hard for Thyrfing after the great performance of Satyricon to come close, and to get the same response. I think Satyricon should have been the last band playing because it was the explosion of the day. Many people started leaving before Thyrfing started and because of that the enthusiasm of the band drifted away. They tried to give their all, they invited a female opera singer to add a little special touch to the show. Great singer, although she was nervous when she entered the stage she did a great job. Thyrfing was good but just not as good at Satyricon. Still I am curious to see a gig by this Swedish band that is inspired by the Scandinavian myths and tales. If they would have played after Equilibrium I think the band would have left a much bigger impression and probably got the crowd going. We have to wait for next time.
The first edition of Eindhoven Metal Meeting was a succes and the date for next year is already anounced!
More photo’s of this event can be found at Photographic Retentions
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