Desertfest London
By: Andy Little
All things doom, sludge, stoner, electronica, weightiness is descending upon us again for the 5th anniversary year of North London’s Desertfest. Spanning across 5 venues of varying sizes from the intimacy of Our Black Heart pub, Devonshire Arms, the Underworld to the larger Electric Ballroom and Koko, all a handy stroll or brisk walk away with Camden tube station conveniently located in approximately the centre. In addition to the copious amount of buses that pass through, this makes it an easy access festival, no long trawls through fields loaded with rucksacks and awkward shaped camping equipment to get here. Last year the path leading to the Our Black Heart pub was a festival goers’ only entry and made it the prime meeting point to eat, drink, hang out and chat amongst its friendly, laid-back atmosphere in-between choosing the monstrous rock goings on to groove to, which essentially lies at the heart of this festival.
So, onto the elephant stamping slab of heaviness on offer this year, let’s begin with an overview of Friday’s opening day schedule. Some hefty influential bands duly arrive with New Orleans Crowbar kicking off their European tour with their slow grinding, down-tuned, sludge. Frontman Pepper Keenan is back in the Corrosion of Conformity fold no doubt to remind, if it’s needed, why they shot to success with his arrival in the early 1990’s. For fans of further big riffing, roaring ferocity, then the UK’s own Raging Speedhorn shall, no doubt, outburst their outrage. On a lighter side providing an eclectic mix of 1970’s US carefree retro-rock, funky hard rock, jamming sounding inspired shindig is Lionize, the first band other than label owners Clutch to be signed to the Weathermaker Music record label. Confronted with controversy, accusations of racism and sexism in their home country involving a petition to change their name is Portland, USA’s, retro stoner, psychedelic rock band Black Pussy. While the day’s instrumental representation is a stoner and proggy mix supplied by Rotor. Over at the Our Black Heart pub venue the return of a The Quietus takeover is the order of the day, and London’s very own masters of exceptional mind expanding, melting pot of techno, krautrock, electronica, is sonic adventurers Teeth of the Sea, thrillingly unpredictable with their set and sound every time they play.
Saturday we see the second consecutive appearance of Manchester’s blues tinged, big hearty stoner riffers, Ten Foot Wizard headline the Devonshire Arms. With the arrival of a new album Ark of Octofelis due out the same weekend (check out the glowing review by fellow Echoes writer Martyn Coppack on our website) is experimental doomy, sub-genre defying, slammers Spider Kitten. For those who want further indulges in the heavier side of things then there is the brutal howling ‘caveman battle doom’ fury of Conan, black metal in the form of Germany’s Mantar, and the explosive rampage of Unearthly Trance’s black, death, doom metal splurge. If requiring less ferocity and rage, but instead require a preference for some fuzzy stoner rock grooves then Sweden’s Truckfighters are on hand. Providing post-rock/metal atmospherics is Illinois instrumentalists Pelican before rounding off the evening headlining the Electric Ballroom to continue the all things post genres theme is Russian Circles.
Strange to be talking about the last day of the festival before it’s even begun, but a heavy doom flavoured Sunday has in store new old school doomsters in the shape of Californians Beastmaker and Farnborough’s Witchsorrow. In contrast, celebrating their 30th anniversary is Chicago’s doom pioneers Trouble to lay down their colossal Black Sabbath inspired power chords. The original line-up now morphed into two bands (original bassist Ron Holzner and vocalist Eric Wagner now in The Skull) as original guitarist Bruce Franklin heads Trouble, so anticipate many fine doom classic tunes to be on show. For an early 1970’s occult rock vibe then head for Mondo Drag promoting their recent record. Extending to a psychedelic, progressive rock twist is Blood Ceremony. While Monolord’s frightening potent guitar tones conjured from the murkiest depths of ampsville should hit the spot hard. And to finish the weekend’s activities are two underground legends, influential industrial Metallers Godflesh and doom boundary pushers Electric Wizard.
There is a tank truck load of more bands on the bill to check out, so don’t take my word for it, proceed with haste to the Desertfest website for more line up info, stage times, travel, accommodation, up to date ticket availability and how to purchase tickets. And enjoy!
