08-11-2014 Brainstorm Festival

Venue: Gigant, Apeldoorn (Netherlands)
By: Sabine van Gameren

Brainstorm festival took place in Apeldoorn. It attracted a good range of people with their line up.

When entering the venue the band La-Ventura is about to start. The band founded in 2005 in The Netherlands and in 2013 the band released their second full length album. Nowadays you see them popping up at more and more shows and festivals. Here in Apeldoorn they started off with a couple of songs that have their strength. Obviously well thought, but maybe not really bringing you anything you have not heard before. The waiting is for a song that stands out and makes you remind them, and eventually the band plays a new single which seem to come closer to that. With the people present taking it in as is it seems that the band is somehow feeding curiosity but probably is playing a bit too early to make the crowd really warm up for them.

In the theatre hall of the venue the festival had programmed some special events as well. At first we get to see Premnath, a dark piano act that brings a bunch of songs in between all the metal. We know this man from playing also in Dutch Metal act Slechtvalk.
The stage looks beautiful; butterfly wings behind the piano (keyboard), some candles and some nice light effects make the atmosphere right where it needs to be. Musically, we are thrown right into there as well. A couple of songs without too much words in between them are played and the audience is listening calmly. What comes to notice are the many effects that are added to the music. It seems a bit overdone in some moments, for the music itself does not really need it. In this intimate setting a more nude version would have suited just as well, but altogether we must conclude that the show was a good one to experience. Just a little different from all the Metal scheduled, a minute to come to peace.

Some Doom metal could not stay out at the festival and we get that presented in the form of Akelei. Akelei is a Dutch formation that has been around since 2006 but only had one full length out in 2010. Waiting for a new release the fans were happy to see them play at Brainstorm as it seems. What is to say is that Akelei sings their Doom in Dutch. In a way it seems very interesting but can the words come across? Well not at all points. Here and there people seem to live into it right away but the majority of the audience seem to take a bit longer to take it in. In the beginning the band appears a bit messy also, as if not all goes as planned and some sort of manic arises while they try not to show. Maybe not really what we expected from it.

From Doom to pure happy and hilarious entertainment of Pene Corrida. The band has a Mexican theme and plays covers. Only covers. With a variety of vocals the band can bring a variety of styles up and so they do. In the beginning the have Eiffel65´s “Blue” covered which certainly hypes up the audience. The band does not really take themselves too serious and builds a party right away. How much fun as they are when the band comes to the end of the set they have a couple of songs for us which seems to be covered too much alike. Completely different songs, same principle and that may be the band’s trap as some of the audience had seen enough of it at that point. Perhaps a wiser setlist choice next time and even that problem gets out of the way. Then nothing that stops the guys from their world domination.

All the happy and joy fades away when Crimson Moonlight enters the stage with their Death/Black. It has been quiet around the band for quite some years, not seeing much releases but this year a single got out. Gives people hopes for more and with them playing some shows the fans have something to hold on to. It was a dark show, intense at many levels. Vocalist Pilgrim does not really show himself much other than having a great presence in the music. He is quite upfront and where the others are mainly in the back they altogether come to a thick sound to bring to their audience. A good show made, making curious to a full length from the band. Hopefully they will bring it soon.

Symphonic Power Metal is perhaps not a genre for everyone and when the Scottish men of Gloryhammer perform it is clear that they really have their own audience. Luckily they got quite some of them as their fantasy themed music is chasing some of the fans of harder metal out of the place. But whether you like their music or not, there is no denying that the band has their show together. The outfits, the lights and the songs are all coming together in a scenery of epic tales. The band seem to have a lot of fun in what they are doing and so come the audience gets hooked as well. Gloryhammer is entertaining and brought a good show to Apeldoorn.

The wildest ones of the days are the War of Ages. A hardcore formation that instantly gets the whole place moving whether one likes it or not. The moshpit is massive and before you know it you are joining in, letting the energy get out. The band released their sixth studio album “Supreme Chaos” recently and now made their way here. The stage performance is perhaps as active as the audience which does not allow themselves much of a break and gives them all until the end of the show. A crushing experience.

Orphaned Land we came across earlier this year at Tuska Open Air festival. Unfortunately it was raining in combination with a sharp wind which did not bring people in the mood for a show of these guys. Here in Apeldoorn it was very different. A warm hearted entrance and the modesty of these guys makes that people open up for them. ‘Shalom’ they say and the crowds answers identically. Their music is not only Metal but it is also about peace. And is to dance with. And today’s show is also a bit special. The band is touring to celebrate the anniversary of their album “Mabool” and so they played the whole album for us today. Seeing what a great joy they brought into the place it is no wonder to see the guys have much success all over the world. And also, it is good to see that their music comes across so well here indoors where earlier on the Tuska stage it appeared a bit pale.

The last band that we would see would be the Finnish guys of Immortal Souls. They have been quiet for a while and so it is nice to see the band letting know that a new album is actually in the making but has been delayed for a change of label. Their show is also quite modest. It is the music that does the talking and the band does not really have much around that. But fair enough, the ‘wintermetal’ the guys make is filled with plenty to enjoy. Melodic parts, a solo that stands out and simply how all comes together is what makes that the guys have their spot up here. Their minimalistic show is maybe a bit of a downpoint after the acts that were before them. They have to pull up a bit harder to keep people interested there, but overall it is clear that the guys set down a sound that is solid and strong. A good teaser for a new release.

Photo’s by sabinevangameren.com

Links:
Brainstorm Festival