Desertfest London
By: Andy Little
Charmed by the many delights of last year’s Desertfest, it was with great pleasure and honour to be able to attend this year.
It’s always a pleasant sight to see a place taken over by hordes of rock and metal fans and this year is no different. As is always the case with festivals the best laid plans on who to see may not bear fruition due to the impossible task of preventing time clashes (an unfortunate festival hazard), or just a case of soaking up the atmosphere, oh ok then, hanging out chatting with many friendly like-minded metal devotees. But this adds to the immense charms of any good festival. And Desertfest is indeed a mighty fine festival. So, despite the odd other excursion – like going to eat – many bands were viewed and a packed review follows starting with Friday.
A time swap between bands saw me first take in Planet of Zeus deliver their beefed up, gritty vocal roar, stoner rock to a decent crowd. Back in their home country of USA, Black Pussy’s controversy must surely only be due to their name rather than any musical content. Sporting immaculately tangled free long hair –shampoo conditioner advert offers must surely be on the horizon – as their hazy sun drenched fuzzy brand of stoner rock flowed uncontroversially.
Lionize delivered a set of massive groovy funky space psych style jams in the intimate Underworld. Their infectious riffs, keyboard runs, songs about ‘dungeons and fucking dragons’, exceed and evolve in an hour long set, which sees them shake their tail feather and really partake in the swing. They are expansive taking in many styles including a dub reggae refrain, which the crowd digs its infectious slow swing. Frontman Nate Bergman also wins top costume prize for his matching top and trousers multi-coloured, eye-catching psychedelic designer wear.
In a complete contrast in musical style the reformed Raging Speedhorn exploded with severe forceful intent. Their duel vocal frontal attack provides extra dynamic ammunition. Like all good hardcore gigs the mosh pit was swivelling with committed fervour and the band’s sound is immense. Showcasing two new songs from their forthcoming new album including an homage to the recently departed Lemmy. They overtly enjoy the occasion and are back with their mojo firmly on the ready to destroy button.
While on the Quietus stage upstairs at the Our Black Heart pub, Teeth of the Sea’s collective layered merging of unlikely sounds (roaring black metal vocals, horns, guitar, keyboards) develops from an opening intense dirge of noise into a compelling sonic sound wave, head rush, of all-absorbing danceable electronica. This was a good ending to viewing bands as downstairs in the bar sing along classic rock was helping to continue the start of the weekend party feel.
Saturday was a bright spring day so what better way to blast away any head fuzziness from Friday’s festivities than the solid iron girders heaviness of BongCauldron. Fine chunks of some of the best monstrous riffs of the weekend, add in down to earth witty banter – ‘we’re three pissed up Yorkshire lads in a band never to be taken seriously’ – clearly loving their moment in the spotlight, and delighted by ‘beer people’ providing immediate alcoholic beverage requests straight to hand. Just as tight as they were heavy, this was an explosive set.
There has been a good response to the new Spider Kitten album and so with keen anticipation I headed to the Black Heart. While vocal duties are shared among the band adds variety to their big power chords doom, it is not necessarily a criticism to suggest that they are a tricky composition, especially as a first listen in a live setting, so to fully appreciate their intentions further listening is required.
Post-rock is generally a mood music and while I do enjoy atmospheric instrumentals I do have to be in the right mood. At first I didn’t think I was going to appreciate the delicate textures of Pelican on a Saturday night, but all credit to them as their gradual building up of their sound did reach impeccable heights at key moments. Not afraid to swing between quiet to loud crescendos, which requires skill to keep the listener embraced, Pelican achieved this to a good turn out at the Electric Ballroom.
Primarily Sunday was a doom day takeover and Witchsorrow had the unfortunate task of kicking things off early in the afternoon. While their brand of old school doom has many finely paced songs the set was littered with a couple of slow paced big power chord numbers that had fillers written all over them. The vocals of Necroskull lacks the personality to elevate their doom above the happy to listen and nod along to category into being considered essential. A good turnout at the brisk 10 minutes walk away Koko venue for Monolord were rewarded not just with a mesmerising swirling pysch backdrop, but also a heavy, rocking horse one paced sway of infectious riffy, absorbing grooves, that got the head bangers banging wholeheartedly around me.
There have been some good reviews circling around Californians Beastmaker. It was the last night of their European tour and they deliver a high octane spirited set. Their old school style doom mixes Sabbath refreshingly with Witchfynde General and ending their rollicking high energy performed set with a blistering version of Danzig’s ‘Am I Demon’, pleased this reviewer.
So after two new purveyors of old school doom it was onto legendary doomsters Trouble celebrating thirty years albeit with only two original members. Lucky enough to catch and remember the original line up at their peak back in the day, I was a bit apprehensive about this latest incarnation, and unfortunately it proved to be. While it was great to hear classics like ‘End Of My Daze’, it all sadly felt like a tribute act, not helped by vocalist Kyle Thomas referring to songs by their year and his over zealous in-between song banter mere shots at goal hitting the corner flag.
What was required was some lighter style rock, less on punishing heaviness and more concentration on smoothly caressed rock grooves. Blood Ceremony were a refreshing change. Orchestrating her occult/psych outfit from the front behind hefty sized keyboards, while creating a Jethro Tull vibe with some additional flute, hit the spot.
It was a great pleasure again, attending Desertfest. Its well organised layout, close community feel, friendly atmosphere, makes this a special annual event. Also credit and special mention should go to the employment of bar staff who were also friendly, and fans of the bespoke music, to help further enhance the joys of Deserfest.
