Day 2 of Graveland festival starts with the entire festival grounds full of mud due the heavy rains of the day before and the over night rains. It did make difficult to move around without slipping or getting all shoes and pants dirty but this did not stop everyone to have a great time.
Nothing like getting them sun shines while them last(?)
Day starts with Mortifero which we could say was a bit different from the rest of the line up, however, it did not disappoint, we are up to discover new and different stuff.
Mortifero is a Netherlands based acoustic neo-folk'ish band, with a stage full of occult-like trinkets in place. Throwing up some ballads around the day slowly started to warm up and sun started to shine once more in the festival grounds.
Fun fact or probably not-that-fun; Festival had "Mortifero" and "Mortiferum" in the line-up, which were totally poles apart.
Next up, more Dutch metal! This time we got some thrash metal directly to the vein.
Feeling the old school influences of the good ol' tupa-tupa-tupa! Awesome riffs and thrashy solos did conquer the stage.
More Dutch metal bands take over the festival grounds!
Up next black metal band: Helleruin!
From Groningen! Helleruin!
This band as started to get more and more attention lately and without a doubt, their last release "Devils, Death and Dark arts" is a hell of an album in my opinion. I've had the chance to see Helleruin live 3 times so far and their stage performance is always exciting and full of essence. Carchost (Vocals) always delivers his 100% when on stage and the vocals are always impeccable. The other musicians are as well a great line up on their live performances which never disappoints. If you haven't listened yet, give them a chance, some of their "bangers": "The Flame Still Burns Within Me" "None of Us" and "Invincible".
"Yet we are here
Waiting for that terrible night to come"
Waiting for that terrible night to come"
Claustrum from Italy took over on what it continues to look like a sunny day after all the rain and mud.
Another Power-trio playing some gruesome death metal, old school death metal.
This is a pretty recent band formed in 2023 with a single Demo and a one Full-Length, I feel people did enjoyed this putrid and heavy dose of death metal. Their Self titled album "Claustrum" is worth the listen if you are into old school death metal. Good riffage, drums and gruesome vocals! What else could you ask for? I'll leave the player on the left for your ease of looking them up!
Pablo delivering some gruesome vocals.
Things continue on the death metal caravan, with the next band showing up Graveland festival how death metal is done right! From Germany, Teratoma.
Teratoma also is a pretty recent band formed in 2021 with a single full-length "Purulent Manifestations".
With nasty vocals, grimy riffs, heavy basslines and well done drums this is again one of these bands that deserve a listen post-festival.
Death metal fans eating good these days eh'?
Death Metal fans rejoice, the death metal train continues it's march! Mortiferum!
Mortiferum up next, and this time the death metal one, not to be confused with mortifero perhaps.
Mortiferum from the United States brings us some death doom in the modern times.
Seeing them with a different live guitarist was odd however not to be alarm since he was more than capable to deliver these doom death riffs not showing a single expression. *Big sunglasses, Cool band.*
Mortiferum has some demos and 2 full lengths which are highly recommended! Their most recent release on 2021 "Preserved in Torment" is a masterpiece of modern death/doom metal.
Live they did deliver an energetic set and look, Max is repping one of those awesome B.C. Rich - Ironbird! NJ Series with Kahler tremolo! #ironbirdlegion.
We go back to black metal for a while! This time Gaerea from Portugal takes the stage ablaze!
An intensive performance was provided by Gaerea, which delivers a modern black metal which do not fall out the niche, their live presence is breath-taking, intense and strong as it should be! These masked dudes will 100% meet the expectations, the vocals dude is fun but challenging to photograph as he moves and dances around the stage. They were playing live a pretty new single "World Ablaze" the crowd was very happy and received them with lots of energy.
"As twilight falls, he finds solace within
For he's tasted freedom, despite the world's din"
For he's tasted freedom, despite the world's din"
Fire! - Graveland ablaze!
Wolves in the throne room took over the stage next.
WITTR from the United States brings some very very very atmospheric-filled black metal and a performance filled with fire.
They do have a lengthy career since the 2004ish which is now around 7 full length albums.
Not very into atmospheric black metal so I cannot write a lot on this, but overall a nice set.
Next up, Necrophobic!
More Swedish delights, this time Necrophobic, bringing up their blackened death metal to Graveland festival.
With their lengthy career they brough up a nice setlist which they played both new and old songs, some new from their latest release such as "As Stars Collide", "Grace of the Past" and "Stormcrow", some oldies as "The Nocturnal Silence" and fan favorites as "Revelation 666".
Love the energy they pack up every show. Certainly a must see live! Enjoyed their set.
Everything needs to come to an end and in this edition of Graveland Festival, Carcass is the chosen one to close the festival.
Carcass brings a heavy mix in their repertoire, from old classics such as "Keep on Rotting in the Free World", "Corporal Jigsaw Quandary", "Exhume to consume" and newer stuff from Surgical Steel and Torn Arteries albums, Carcass to this day still delivers everything they are capable and more! Respects to the band!
With this well mixed, energetic and gory set, the Graveland Festival officially comes to an end, overall the festival was enjoyed by the bands, crowds and even the staff was seen enjoying on their well deserved breaks.
A big thank you to the organization who allowed us to document this festival being a small media outlet, a giant thanks to the staff in the festival grounds who where more than happy to help and resolve any issues, and to the festival goers for being an awesome crowd!
Hope to see you all next year!
-Photo Report by: Rodhnny.
