California Deathfest VI – Day 3

January 30th, 2022

Day 3. The last day of the 6th edition of the California Deathfest.  This day was to be the one I looked forward to the most, in which I personally feel it had the most varied lineup.  Ranging from Black Metal, Death Metal, Old-School Death/Thrash Metal, to name a few. 

I did find it odd, that the page and venue said that Sunday was close to selling out.  Perhaps, because tonight did go later than expected, also that Sundays are tricky for some out there, the turn-out while sizeable, wasn’t like the first 2 nights previous.

            Opening the final day, Imperialist would also be the first Black Metal band to perform this weekend.  I’ve heard their name around the scene the last year or so, and the musical abilities onstage alone, I definitely saw those same positives.  The production felt like the beginning of the “wall-of-sound” Black Metal that was prevalent in the late 90s, yet the riffs/melodies sounded current, simply not a copycat of the early times.  Sergio Soto’s grim, higher-pitched harsh vocals had character, chilling diction, and immense sonic force.  The around 4-minute mark into “Parallax Descends”, Imperialist aren’t hesitant to slow the pace, with a tremendous riff passage involving Rod Quinones creating separate counterpoints and drum fills, all while Soto and Bryant Quinones’s majestic chord/higher note sequence, sound quite uplifting.  The mic for the snare drum was loud in the mix, taking away some comfort in hearing the band clearly.  This is Black Metal I prefer, with the emphasis on the riffs.  Imperialist impressed, and would love to catch them with a longer set.

1.  The Maw

2.  Parallax Descends

3.  Chronochasm

4.  Terminal Odyssey

5.  Call of Vulcain

          Described to me the other day as, “Caveman Metal”, Ruin certainly didn’t disappoint in the description, however my expectations were exceeded from their performance.  It was a hymn to Old-School Death Metal, but the difference was the extremely lower tuning.  Not only was the production grimy, toxic-waste heavy, but it didn’t sound off-balanced or muddy to the point of lack of cohesiveness.  Bob Babcock, formerly of Exhumed and Gravehill, showed off his relentless windmilling, all while laying down the boulder crushing breakdowns.  It was a pleasure to see the different genres performed by the same members, as former vocalist of Gravehill, “Mihail Jason Satan” also showed off the oozing stench of Brutal Death Metal, performing low gutturals and moving all around the stage to the fans delight.  I’m personally not a fan of that thinner-sounding Thrash production, especially in Death Metal, so hearing how uniquely crushing Ruin was, gave them a special advantage over those performing the same style of genre.  Ruin’s “Caveman Metal” made Los Angeles proud to have them tonight.

            The crowd grew closer to the stage, with Akhlys being a talking point through a couple of my friends, and the immediate buzz you can feel throughout the building.  A drone-like atmosphere, with some desolate, low-end notes that felt like a buzzing whirlwind: Black Metal right at home.  The project of many from Naas Alcameth of Colorado, the chaotic passages found in “Pnigalion” were agonizing joy, wondering how far to the depths of Hel you imagine the journey to be.  Twisted open-chord based riffs, high-note tremolo melodies of evil, the atmosphere of sinister drumming from Eogham, Akhlys’s 3-song performance despite the 8-minute average of the songs, still felt short.  Their set was a huge surprise, and further confirming the excellent evolution Black Metal music has taken the last 15+ years.       

1.  Ephialtes

2.  Pnigalion

3. Tales of Oneiric Darkness

4.  The Dreaming Eye

            Certainly, one of my favorite acts to watch live, and the growing anticipation for the hungry fans of live Metal, Decrepit Birth’s first performance in over 2 years, was met with vicious moshing, welcoming it seems to be the return of Bill Robinson, an absolute force of a vocalist and front man.  The sound on stage clear as Lake McKenzie, all of the instruments and presentation from Decrepit Birth, allowing the songs from the And Time Begins record to have their menacing palm-muted riffs, transitions and breakdowns, to be as ferocious as the album had always been.  Gabe Seeber’s ridiculous drum schedule assisting most of your favorite bands (including double-duty for Obscura and Vale of Pnath on their 47-date tour later this week), was highlighted tonight, as his tight double-bass work and clever cymbal attack provided further complexity and grit to Decrepit Birth.  It brought back memories to hear the hypnotizing dissonant end sequence to “Resonance”, so disgustingly enjoyable to listen to.  Following what I believe to be that special rule at festivals:  Decrepit Birth’s entire discography was represented, not a “Greatest Hits” list to be found.  It was a glowing joy to see Bill and Matt Sotelo on stage again, and you could tell how excited they were to be playing tonight.  Sotelo’s signature solos and effortless playing, continue to show his already high level of playing, to still improve after all of these years.  Seeing the band for so long get barely 30-minutes of playing time, it was refreshing to hear a 45-minute set, which satisfied the cheering crowd.  Decrepit Birth cannot tour here soon enough.

1.  Intro

2.  Vortex of Infinity – Axis Mundi

3.  Spirit Guide

4.  Of Genocide

5.  Prelude to the Apocalypse

6.  The Resonance

7.  Hieroglyphic

8.  Transcendental Paradox

9.  The Infestation

10.  A Gathering of Imaginations

11.  Symbiosis

            Bringing people together, is a vastly critical aspect of live music.  From reconnecting with old friends, meeting new ones, and enjoying the library of bands and songs, I feel it’s such an essential part of living.  There was to be one of those moments with Dark Fortress, as this special performance would be the first time the band has ever performed in North America.  The crowd fed off that announcement, all while appreciating the Progressive/Melodic Black Metal Dark Fortress demonstrated.  From the blurry sounding passages homage to the early Black Metal days, the lead guitar had a mind of its own, either performing similar melodies to the rhythm, or these haunting notes reminding you of the moment your sanity was finally lost.  Morean’s stage presence through this stoic scowl, met with reverence from the vocal performance he put forth, ranging from unique mid-ranged clean singing, to the somber desolation of his shrieks.  Morean also announced this was to be the last performance of long-time drummer, V. Santura.  Dark Fortress put on a stellar show, and was thankful they received such a warm welcome from the audience.

1.  Pali Aike

2.  Ylem

3.  When 1,000 Crypts Awake

4.  Isa

5.  Pulling at Threads

6.  Chrysalis

7.  The Unflesh

8.  Evenfall

            The punishing mosh pit expectations, were about to be tested from Onslaught, who received one of the strongest cheers and reactions by far this entire weekend.  I overheard a few earlier in the day that they are here mainly for them, and after their hour-long set, the reasoning was more than justified.  Onslaught’s fast-paced grooves and surprisingly current guitar work, given how long the band has been around, was a sound success to watch.  Their Thrash Metal approach with the vibrant Hardcore Punk style they initially started out as, allowed the music to stand on its own, also providing the fans to go bonkers simultaneously.  Nige Rockett, currently the lone original member, showcased a number of fun pull-off looking riffs, and a steady rhythm guitar, allowing the dazzling old-school solos from Wayne Dorman to energize the crowd.  You couldn’t tell that David Garnett was the newest member of Onslaught, as his high-scream vocal delivery, and constantly on the moshpit to grow and to multiply, just fitted with Onslaught like a glove.  Their set flew by, and it was announced that they’ll be performing at Maryland Deathfest 2022.  I was planning to go as it was, but Onslaught again would be icing on the cake.

1.  Strike Fast Strike Hard

2.  The Sound of Violence

3.  Let There Be Death

4.  Destroyer of Worlds

5.  Bow Down to the Clowns

6.  Metal Forces

7.  Fight with the Beast

8.  66’Fucking’6

9.  Power from Hell

10.  Thermonuclear Devastation

            Not the Pentagram a casual Metal fan was expecting, but the other just as important, and depending, your preferred Pentagram.  Tonight, would be Pentagram Chile, Thrash Metal later to add Death Metal elements from the mid-80s.  Hearing one of the founders onstage Anton Reisenegger announce a number of these songs were 30+ years old, you would have been surprised given how fast the songs were played, and the sheer, raw riffing performed.  Anton’s vocals had that raspy edge to it, and it fit well with the higher-tempo tracks.  Those 4-chord sequences down tempo parts, and the notes switching off between lower and higher, reminded me of those late 80s Death Metal acts.  Remarkable with so much influence, the number of legends in these genres, and we still don’t give the proper nod to the other greats.  Pentagram Chile’s no-nonsense Old-School Death Metal show, was an uplifting reminder of the other various influences we’ve had under our nose this entire time.  We are honoured to have you here.    

1.  Fatal Predictions

2.  The Malefice

3.  Temple of Perdition

4.  Profaner

5.  The Death of Satan

6.  Evil Incarnate

7.  Demented

8.  Spell of the Pentagram

9.  Demoniac Possession

            As I mentioned previously, the show at this point was about an hour behind, and because it’s a Sunday evening in the winter season, there weren’t as many in the venue left as I would expect for this rare and special performance.  Thankfully, the ones who did stay, gave all of their dedication, horns and cheers to Sacramentum.  Not only is the appearance from the band alone extremely rare, they would also perform their entire 1996 debut, Far Away from the Sun.  This era was the “coming-out party” of that Melodic Black/Death Metal scene, famously Dissection’s Storm of the Light’s Bane, where the darkened riffs weren’t afraid to shine grim and frostbitten melodies alongside them. 

            Vocalist Nisse Karlen’s optimal attitude on stage, brought so much joy from the fans.  From the exciting headbangs he was excluding, singing close to the crowd, high-fiving and fist bumping all around, it was a pleasure to see the man responsible for this album, to be so elated performing it.  In between songs, Karlen also performed spoken interludes, setting the atmosphere for this 9-track behemoth of a record.  Other founder guitarist Anders Brolycke’s delicate work can be especially heard roughly :50 seconds into “When Night Surrounds Me”.  Various tremolo riffs playing in this dark crystal cathedral-like rhythm, the higher note sequence at the end, bringing forth the benediction within these icy, forgotten chambers.  It was astonishing to see such a profound record performed in whole, not too many moments you’ll get to have the chance.

            Sacramentum’s iconic set, ended fittingly with the epic, twin melody intro on “Darkness Falls for Me (Far Away from the Sun, Part II).”  A short song in terms of the instruments, leaving the audience to graciously cheer and fist pump during the 2-minute mist-inducing atmosphere of the keyboard outro.  For the ones braving this stay as Day 3 ended at 1:30 AM, this was a brilliant performance of Far Away from the Sun.  Absolutely nothing from this sounded forced.

Day 3 of the California Deathfest VI, had come to a close, with the two previous nights filled with gems, unexpected performances, all-around outstanding turn-out, particularly the first 2 nights, it was a glimpse of hope for future festivals California, and other hot-spots, can experience again.  We just don’t know if we’ll lose all of that time again, so if there is a special show, tour, or festival package, attend it.  You’ll love bands, you won’t like others, but the colours surrounding your musical palette will grow, expand, and evolve.

Far Away from the Sun

1.  Fog’s Kiss

2.  Far Away from the Sun

3.  Blood Shall be Spilled

4.  When Night Surrounds Me

5.  Cries from a Restless Soul

6.  Obsolete Tears

7.  Beyond All Horizons

8.  The Vision and the Voice

9.  Darkness Falls for Me (Far Away from the Sun, Part II)