Photos by Jana Chržová
Thursday the 17th started off with a rather cumbersome hike back to the festival ground from our hotel, but we managed to make it a bit earlier than we initially thought, stopping at the supermarket for some electrolytes and rehydration amongst other things. We managed to make it to the festival area all sweaty, meeting up with some mates before making our way to the Grind market, to see what was up. For the most part the stands were still being set up, but it was good seeing some familiar faces, especially the lads from Power It Up records.
After many a consideration and deliberation within my own psyche, I managed to pick up some merch before heading down to see which of the artists arrived. The lads from ACxDC were setting up and I managed to speak to front man briefly before the first act started.
Implore were the first act of the day and opening to a rather hung-over Obscene Extreme isn’t the easiest thing in the world let me tell you. Being relatively new to the game as a band, which only formed last summer they did a spectacular job in kicking of proceedings with their blend of grind, crust and hardcore, which was very refreshing. They pretty much killed it and the few stranglers that weren’t hung over made it to the stage for a thoroughly enjoyable set.
Implore
The afternoon was pretty relaxed with the bands that I was keen on seeing only playing way later, so I managed to get to talk to some of the bands who arrived and set up some interviews with the lads from Chiens, ACxDC and Whoresnation.
It was finally tome to see Norwegian metallic crust act Livstid who managed to get the crowd going as a lot more people poured to the stage to see an incredible combination of crust, metal and sometimes black metal elements being chalked up and mixed up for our enjoyment. Aggressive, fast, rhythmic and kind of melodic melodies at certain intersects of the above mentioned. They put on a thoroughly enjoyable performance that set up the rest of the afternoon and evening nicely.
Next up it was Chiens, whom have been described as the fastest band in Europe by some and I am kind of leading that way as well. As the 3-piece grindcore/fastcore inferno took the stage, they kicked off their set, which felt like a swift kick to the genitals if nothing else. It wasn’t all speed as there were hints of powerviolence elements in the more rhythmic section throughout the set. Their on stage presence is absolutely incredible as the front man has the ability to jump and run around on stage, tirelessly, getting the crowd into a frenzy. It was aggressive, energetic, on point and well executed from start to finish, as Obscene Extreme didn’t really know what hit it until after. This performance had it all, incredible riffs, fastest drumming, vocals and just the atmosphere made it all come together in one big punch to the face, incredible set from the French grinders.
Chiens
Dark Horse had the seemingly impossible task of following up their French predecessors, but with true Aussie grit and fighting spirit they brought their own to the party and man did it go hard as fucking nails. The combination of metallic crust and hardcore punk was ruthless and awe inspiring with a no bullshit attitude to their music. It was short, sweet and neck breaking all in one, excellent live performance from the Aussie geysers.
It was time for another French grindcore act in Whoresnation, whom I caught by chance last year in Prague after Obscene Extreme and they absolutely blew me away, so I knew exactly what they had in store of the crowd. Ripping into us at breakneck speeds, the power and rawness of it all is where their charm lies. No bullshit, straightforward grindcore whose sole purpose is to pulverize you into oblivion. The 4-piece grindcore marines truly ripped Obscene Extreme a new one. I had an absolute blast! An amazing performance by the lads and they’re the coolest guys you’ll ever meet! Be sure to catch them later this year as they’ll be performing in some spots. They toured with Chiens, which made for a truly deadly combination. French grindcore is the future my friends.
Whoresnation
I managed to get my interview with the lads from Whoresnation after their set and I wasn’t sure who was more nervous, them or me, incredible bunch of guys and super friendly as well. It was a massive cluster fuck, but you can listen to below. After that I managed to catch up with Sacha and Jubs from Chiens, which went a lot smoother and you can listen to below.
I managed to make it back to the front of the stage as ACxDC were about to kick off, probably one of the most anticipated acts of the festival for me personally as I can identify with the straight edge nature of the lyrics. It was a hurricane of powerviolence, which was fast, rough, raw and relentless. That they could play that fast and be so tight with regards to their instruments was truly inspiring. It was shorts burst of machine gun fire as they just finished song after song, round after round of powerviolence. The crowd of course responded in kind, even if they were a bit awe struck right at the start. They had the most energy and most incredible atmosphere for a band that wasn’t doing some derivative of pornogrind at the festival for sure, which brought a huge smile to my face.
ACxDC
I managed to catch up with the whole band after their show down at the grind market and you can listen to below.
Berns meets ACxDC
Finally it was time for Japan’s very own Final Exit, who was on their maiden tour outside of their homeland. The masses didn’t really mess about with this one as we stood as far back as the festival ground allowed us. Their set-up was an interesting one, being a 2-piece, they lined up facing off to one another, guitars and drums. You could sense the anticipation and atmosphere in the air as the duo introduced themselves to the crowd in a rather humorous fashion, which was incredibly well received by all involved. They didn’t stand of ceremony as they let rip and the speed and the intensity was counter balanced by the shortness of the songs, each of which was met with a roar of applause from the crowd.
Final Exit
After their short but incredible set the crowd of course demanded more, so they did a Cripple Bastards cover, as Giulio The Bastard appeared and did vocals; the crowd at this point erupted in applause and whistles. It was a truly special set by a special band. It was an honour and a privilege to see these guys perform live and it was just out of this world, an all-round performance from start to finish.
The bands were starting to run out on the first full day of Obscene Extreme 2014 as those noisy Aussie bastards The Kill took the stage, with one objective, to rip you a new fuck hole. They did exactly that as the 3-piece in somewhat humorous manner got things kicked off with hells fury. Unrelenting grindcore madness was unleashed and they did what Captain Cleanoff did last year, if no one knew who they were before, they sure as fuck did now. Ears began to prickle as the set raged on and people started gathering to the sweet sounds of Aussie grindcore ringing throughout the night sky. The nailed it and the crowd responded in kind like only an Obscene Extreme crowd can.
The Kill
I managed to catch up with Nik from The Kill a few days later at the after party for a quick interview, which you can listen to below.
The rest of the night’s line-up featured Master and Inhumane, but I was an absolute wreck and head off to bed after Master did their ting as per usual. The energy started dying about midway through the Master show, for me anyway as I headed on my 3KM long walk back to my hotel to grind another day.
ACxDC
Chiens
Chiens
The Kill
Whoresnation
