09-08-2014 Into The Grave

Location: Leeuwarden (Netherlands)
By: Sabine van Gameren

Into The Grave had a nice bill this year, so of course we were back to see the festival happen.

First act of the day was the Dutch formation Teethgrinder. Earlier this year we saw the band playing at the Dokk’em Open Air festival. The band makes a mix of diverse genres as they indicate themselves, but does not really seem to have one thing that shows their identity. Maybe the hangover of Cityrock was still a bit over the festival as although there were quite some people around already it does not really seem to hit the audience that much. Hardly any response.

French formation Hacride seem to be able to put more people into motion. Musically the band has progressive style that comes with a good dose of energy from the band self. Especially comes to notice is the vocalist who is not only quite active at the performance, but also seem to put a lot intensity in each word that is brought. Last year the band released their album “Back to Where You’ve Never Been” and after that the band has toured quite intensive. The results of that were visible as the band had some fans along here today. Perhaps the band got themselves some new ones as well as their show was exactly what the early birds needed to get into the mood for today.

Yesterday we had Bandenberg’s Moonkings for our Hard Rock needs, but for this day it was vanderbuyst that made an appearance to show us some of that. The band started in 2008 and their name being a little wink to the bigger names from the past they got themselves a name in relatively short time. Vanderbuyst is a name that many have come across as they tour intensively and came across varied festivals and clubs already. What say, three years and over 200 shows are on the counter and with Into The Grave they have another nice one to add to the list.

The guys have their focus on the music and let the show part only be minimum and that is exactly their strength. Well though compositions that flow easily are entertaining the audience easily. So we expected exactly that from a band with a live reputation like them. A band you can blindly trust for a good show as it seems.

Time for some Thrashmetal. And the American band Havok will bring it. Clearly they were looking forward to play as the band comes onstage with a lot of enthusiasm. Thrash seem to be very welcome here in Friesland as the atmosphere seems all up for it. Musically they may not really bring you something new. Thrash as you expect it to be and perhaps this charm is working in their advance. Even those who aren’t familiar with the band’s music pick it up easily and before you know it you end up in a wild moshpit. Safe to say that Havok has the people on their side today and they did not really have to put a lot of effort into that.

An immense contrast, Trashmetal band Havok and Icelandic Solstafir. It is very atmospheric music that comes from the Icelandic, but were people are still hyped up from the previous act it seems to devide the audience deeper than any band can do today. Some may listen carefully, let themselves slip along into the ecstasy that Solstafir gives, but others are taking the opportunity to get some food and a beer and simply ignore the band.

In a few weeks the guys are releasing the album “Ótta” of which they played the title track. A track that shows perhaps a little shift in their music. Deeper and darker than before and maybe a little questionable to play at an audience that just comes from an energetic set. Yet for those who give it a chance the guys are giving a show that was worth watching, however the band did not get the most of their show this way.

And after Solstafir we would be thrown back to Thrash once again. This time it is Flotsam and Jetsam hitting the stage. The band is formed in 1984 and with twelve full length albums on their name it is safe to say the band has created a legacy already. This year the band’s latest one came into the world named “No Place For Disgrace”.

The band seem to suffer wildly from sound troubles, here and there guitars were not coming across very well and also on the vocals it did not get to an highlight for the band. Luckily for them they have the backup of the ever changing but supportive part of a band: the fans. While they were singing along, head banging and showing their appreciation in any way they can it is clear that the band is winner today anyway.

So Gorguts cancelled their show at Into The Grave because they neglected to do their homework and came to the conclusion they could not afford to come, which caused disappointment at many of their fans. Yet Into The Grave got themselves a good replacement. Schirenic Plays Pungent Stench it is and yes, the band got featured also at Neurotic Deathfest earlier this year, so they make another impression right here. Due to a fight over their name the band now performs under “Schirenc plays” but basically you may expect exactly Pungent Stench. And so the band plays many of their most known songs, the classics, which is appreciated here today. Perhaps some may be disappointed about Gorguts not being there, but the guys of Pungent Stench proved themselves to be a worthy replacement.

The mighty Vader was giving an appearance as well. The Polish formation is hardly a stranger to anyone in the audience and with a long list of releases on their name you may never know what the band brings you today. Of course on the list of expectation were some tracks of the band’s new album “Tibi et Igni”. That is not quite what happened.

The band did not focus too much on the new album but played some older material as well. For example “Silent Empire” from their 1995 release “De profundis” and also “Fractal Light” out of 1997 came by. Good for the long time Vader fans, an opportunity to hear some of the older material again and with that said it also caused a lot of recognition within the audience. Vader is a band that almost never disappoints, the guys always play a tight show and regardless the sound issues that were there for the majority of the bands, they gave a good lesson on how to perform a show.

Mister Mustaine and co were headlining. Megadeth is here and the band seems to be in a good mood. With some colourful lights coming from all sides of the band the whole seems very alive and where Vader was already a big success with the audience, Megadeth could easily tag along with that. What sutis the band is that the show is never really overdone. Some videoarts is played but altogether the band keeps the attention with the show self. For what comes to the playlist, it is hard to say how much it pleased everyone. The band gave a well-balanced list with songs from throughout the years so for each there was something to find.

For seeing Megadeth many times before, it is to say that the whole seems quite relaxed today. Performing here at the cozy atmosphere of Into The Grave seem to suit the band well. A great close of the evening and with the knowledge of next year’s edition already having a headliner we can look forward to another edition next year. Sepultura will be there, so enough reasons to get your early bird ticket.

Photo’s by sabinevangameren.com

Links:
Into The Grave website