The eleventh edition of Damnation Festival is approaching, and with it another collection of some of the finest names in underground music. Nowhere is the more obvious than the Terrorizer Stage, which in recent years has seen amazing performances from the likes of Napalm Death, Cannibal Corpse, Extreme Noise Terror and Paul Catten playing a selection of old Medulla Nocte material.
This year is no different, with a line-up to rival some main stage line-ups in recent years. It all starts with Disentomb (1:00–1:30) as the Australian brutal death metal four-piece kick things off, continuing their European tour with an early stop if in Leeds. They seem a good bet to get things off to a rowdy start,
Following that we have some Belgian black metal from Wiegedood (2:00–2:35), returning to the festival to spread some more atmospheric intensity and bleakness. The three-piece could easily turn out to be one of the sets of they day if reports from their recent UK run supporting Winterfylleth are to be believed.
Vallenfyre (3:15–3:55) may be too honest about not rehearsing, but their recent UK shows should see them thoroughly practised and in fine form (especially if their Manchester show I saw is anything to go by). Expect vicious tunes and some occasional light-hearted moments between the sonic violence.
Dragged Into Sunlight (4:45–5:30) were hugely impressive during their shows with Mayhem earlier this year and if you like you unrelentingly malicious music accompanied by an equally intense strobe, it could easily end up being one of the highlights of the day
Nails (6:20–7:10) finally make it to the festival after cancelling last years’ appearance amidst a short-lived hiatus. One of this years most anticipated sets, the grind icons bring and a guarantee that there will be absolute carnage in and around the stage. You have been warned!
Dying Fetus (8:10–9:00) have gained some serious coverage over the last year on the back of the #WhyNotDyingFetus? campaign that got them a slot at the Download Festival; and with the excellently received new album behind them, the band have shot themselves into the top bracket of death metal, and should see an impressive crowd watching a band at the top of their game.
Finally, headlining the stage this year are the ever evolving grindcore legends Agoraphobic Nosebleed (10:00–11:00). The band have kept busy working most recently on a series of albums each curated by a different member of the band. With that work and also their extensive discography, their hour-long set could be go any number of ways, but each one of them is an excellent prospect. By the time it all draws to a close, as well as recovering from all of that, all you have to do then is decide which other headliner to see, with Bloodbath on the main stage or Grave Pleasures on the Tone Mgmt Stage. The choice is yours.
