FESTIVAL REVIEW: Desertfest 2019
Having been impressing crowds since its birth in 2012, Desertfest has mapped itself as a focal event in the stoner rock scene. With various hefty line ups in the pocket and now in its eighth edition, the festival returned to boast arguably the most intriguing and varied lineup yet. Storming the streets of Camden, the stoner,doom and sludge event induced three days of mayhem across multiple venues ranging from the iconic Electric Ballroom, Roundhouse and the infamous Underworld to the beloved gems Blackheart and The Devonshire Arms. Metal T-shirt or not, the festival being one of the very few succeeded in inviting a variety of crowds out to play whilst still sticking to the core of what it is all about; outstanding artists giving it their all on stage for us. And with that it was day one.
Friday
ZIG ZAGS – The Underworld
Desertfest’s party atmosphere is established early on, thanks largely to an astonishing set from the Los Angeles trio ZIG ZAGS. Wasting no time in proving why they are there, the band pulls off an act echoing the sounds of BLACK SABBATH, BLACK FLAG and their more obvious influence MOTÖRHEAD. Fast, furious and very loud. The headbangers of the fest may have taken a back seat on this one but the energy in the room is not lacking. The Underworld packed to the brim displays a crowd at this point completely absorbed with the fast riffs of Jed Maheu, the bass fury of Patrick McCarthy and the overall heavy hitting rage of drummer Bobby Martin. Relatively still a fresh band, these riffers have already cranked out six singles including one with Iggy Pop on vocals. As first timers at Desertfest the group showcased a variety of tracks from their last album as well as some of their older works including crowd favourite The Fog from their 2014 self-titled album. Definitely ones to keep an eye on.
Rating: 8/10
GRAVE MIASMA – The Electric Ballroom
London’s very own death metallers GRAVE MIASMA had a tough job to execute from the very start. The crowd, originally expecting WIEGEDOOD to be performing in their place, was already warm from the previous act and was nothing short of hungry for a heavier set as the clock struck 19.00. The band arriving on stage sported matching leather and were everything you would expect from an occult death metal outfit. Hair down accompanied with customary expressions of anger the band channelled a MORBID ANGEL vibe. Songs filled with esoteric references as well as the expected odes of death worship, the overall sound was a rather old school sounding one. Whilst not an earth shattering set overall the band did prove convincing enough to validate their presence in the fest. For anyone enjoying the sounds of DESTROYER 666 and CRUCIAMENTUM, GRAVE MIASMA certainly deserve a deeper listen.
Rating: 7/10
R.I.P – The Underworld
‘Hell yes’ being the first words that come to mind the crowd bears witness to Portland-based noise crew hit the stage. The vocalist Fuzz, shirt off sporting his signature white leather storms on ready to ravage with his raspy range. Having clearly drawn influence from the likes of PENTAGRAM and SAINT VITUS, the band makes a point to play slow and heavy. As the set progresses it becomes evident that R.I.P have an ongoing hypnotic beat that hooks you from the very start. Both dark and groovy all at once, their punchy riffs and buzzing bassline leaves you in a type of trance. If at first listen the dudes don’t completely blow your mind their live show certainly will; total ragers that certainly ripped.
Rating: 9/10
WOVENHAND – The Electric Ballroom
Penultimate act of the stage and kneeling before entirely different altars, WOVENHAND provided a slightly lighter tone to Desertfest. Following death metallers GRAVE MIASMA and without much effort, WOVENHAND leader David Edwards succeeded in sounding more possessed than his predecessor. Opening with Glistening Black from their iconic 2012 album The Laughing Stalk, the band delivered a 40-minute sermon. The crowd, whilst at first slightly unconvinced, were taken on a lyrical pilgrimage as Edwards soared through a variety of gems including Hiss, Five by Five, and The Quiver ending with Salome. Having previously supported the likes of TOOL, the band are no strangers to holding a stage that is not entirely their own. Their overall vibe and atmosphere that surrounds them confirms why you would see such an act at any festival – WOVENHAND simply transcends genres. Basking in awe-inspiring sounds and old testament infused desert rhythms, this band were possibly the most surprising set of Desertfest‘s first day.
Rating: 9/10
ELECTRIC CITIZEN – The Underworld
Headlining day one at Desertfest at The Underworld, psychedelic rock giants ELECTRIC CITIZEN stirred the room into a cocktail of utter madness. Switching between fast tracks and wail-style vocals to more intimate tones, lead vocalist Laura Dolan proved to be an electrifying sight. Bagging a record deal with Riding Easy Records only after a year after their creation, the band has been met with mass success, having toured with the likes of PENTAGRAM and FU MANCHU. Whilst not known for being a ‘throwback’ band, subtle tones of 70s rock was present in their sound. Iommi-style riffs paired with URIAH HEEP style keyboard playing made for an interesting final result; a modern fusion of SABBATH meets PENTAGRAM.
Rating: 9/10
SKRAECKOEDLAN – The Black Heart
The Swedish trio with a tough name to pronounce sober, let alone drunk, were the last to take the stage. They may have been the closing set but within their first notes it became clear that they were every bit worth the wait. Allocated one of smaller venues, The Black Heart, successfully accommodated their intense sound as each note bounced off the walls only adding to the overall gritty acoustics. What remained of the crowd by 11pm was a small group of zombie-like troopers eagerly awaiting the start of the final set. Wasting no time SKRAECKOEDLAN were ready to oblige. Having received generally mediocre reviews for their latest album, the band showed no sign of nerves and brought the fuzz and heavy to the stage. Between bashing out bangers vocalist/guitarist Robert Lamu was not too busy to bust a few jokes in Swedish and interact with the crowd. It is not often you see a band so connected with their crowd, but seeing a basement style performance with a feeling of utter class enabled them to further make their mark. Once again Desertfest reminding us what it’s all about.
Rating: 9/10
Saturday
As day turned into night, crowds gathered and thickened by the hour, eagerly rearing their hairy heads through chilly Camden. With unforgettable moments forged on day one, there was more room yet for a day that would leave everyone a sleepless cripple. And so, Desertfest unleashed day two on all the music hungry souls.
STONED JESUS – The Electric Ballroom
STONED JESUS being the much-anticipated newcomers of Desertfest made their mark in true fuzz fuelled fashion. Marking a decade since their first show, the band has been busily touring around the globe. Stylistically flawless with tones of slight awkwardness resonating in tracks like Thessalia the trio are certainly not your average try-hard stoner band. Committed to exploring new territories with each release, much of the band’s sound is heavily acquired through vocalist/guitarist Igor who belts out psychedelic goodness in a type of killer groove. The other members are certainly not paddling behind. Mid-set the audience bare witness to drummer Dmytro delivering a pounding progression of powerful drumming through songs like Hands Resist Him. As for the bassist, Serhij Sljussar, he holds possibly the hardest role within the band; to drive the music along, which he successfully does and does it very well. Too many bands do not utilise bassists to their full potential, STONED JESUS not being ones to fall into this trap. Many fans deeming I’m The Mountain to be the Stairway of Heaven of stoner rock, this trio is on its way to colossal heights, and boy did their ‘pilgrims’ at Desertfest appreciate being part of this journey. An overall excellent and very groovy set.
Rating: 9/10
KADAVAR – The Electric Ballroom
BLACK SABBATH meets LED ZEPPELIN in the form of German trio KADAVAR. This comparison may be a known cliché, but it is almost impossible not to spot the 70’s influence in their sound. Having previously reared their well brushed beards at Desertfest in 2013 the trio opened with a masterclass performance of Into The Wormhole from their 2017 album Rough Times. The hit proving to be a real crowd pleaser set the right tone to what would build to be an enormous set.
Blasting through the first half it became evident that whilst one of many this was not just another gig for the Berliners. The Drummer Christoph Bartelt holding the fort for the band headbanged his way through the entire set, leaving no chance for snoozing. Lupus, whilst at moments struggling to keep the vocals sharp managed to deliver a furious performance often reminding the crowd that whilst they may have been at Desertfest this set could have easily taken place in Woodstock. This being the pure magic of KADAVAR, an uncompromising mission to transport us back to the good old days.
The performance of Die Baby Die fulfilled its purpose and was easily the highlight of their set, proving honest, loud and a true testament to the talent that is KADAVAR. The Berlin stoners acquiring much success over just a few years demonstrated yet again their ability to maintain their classic sound whilst delivering a transcendent performance live- long beard, 70s retro style. Would we have it any other way with them…
Rating: 9/10
SALEM’S BEND – The Black Heart
Pending their upcoming album release on the 24th of May and mid tour, the LA Based psych trio graced the UK shores for the first time this year at Desertfest. As the story goes, the trio emerged from their basement into the sunlight in the summer of 2014, bringing us not only their own spin on the underground stoner retro sound but their debut album that was soon to follow.
Similar to KADAVAR, SALEM’S BEND was another band to echo the recurring 70s fuelled sound that was present throughout Desertfest. Whilst an overall decent set, the trio were unable to demonstrate something that was not yet seen at the festival. Having surely absorbed many albums from veterans SABBATH, ZEPPELIN and more modern influencers KADAVAR, they have created a sound that whilst echoes all the best of past and present has failed to be unique. By no means a reflection of their true potential, only time will tell whether the trio will clean up their musical deliverance. On this occasion the live set simply did not measure up to their otherwise delightful material.
Rating: 6/10
AMENRA – The Electric Ballroom
To see AMENRA live is to experience something that can’t quite compare to any other band. Lights down, with a cloud of smoke and an intense almost terrifying atmosphere lingering in the air the room was waiting. Quiet murmurs quickly disappeared into silence as vocalist Colin H. van Eeckhout took to the stage. Immediately as per tradition he positioned himself in the centre keeping his back to the crowd captivating the audience in the first seconds of his arrival. From this point on the already powerful atmosphere in the room only intensified.
Hailing from Belgium the post metal giants stormed through a set which was a mix of tracks from their Mass VI album including Children Of The Eye and A Solitary Reign right down to their older material. AMENRA’s agenda was clear. Whether you like them or not, whether you’ve even heard of them, the band set out to imprison the crowd and immerse them into their spiritual abyss. Pleasuring those who have gathered with some of the most authentic, transformative and emotionally draining music no one was able to look away. Whether their sound will ever be appreciated by the masses is unclear, but AMENRA transcends the masses, and is an acquired taste, one for which dedicated crowds will continue to gather.
Rating: 9/10
BLACK TUSK – The Underworld
By no means newcomers nor the underdogs of Desertfest, BLACK TUSK headlined the stage of The Underworld. After a rather forgettable intro song, the sludge trio carried on with business in a manner which was frantic and yet not always musically tight whilst also lacking the thickness that was previously present in their sound. Sure, some good elements were present, a free willing punk spirit, fiery and rage fuelled vocals, but these were overshadowed by utter lack of subtlety and overall loose group dynamics. This absence was present early on and throughout the 40-minute duration of their set. Having suffered a tragic loss of founding member Jonathan Athon in 2014 the band has since bounced back with two albums worthy of attention, Pillard of Ash in 2016 and their latest release T.C.B.T last year. Whilst at times managing to deliver testosterone fuelled rage and catchy riffs, the band were a long way away from being reigned as legends or deserving of their headline slot this year.
Rating: 5/10
Sunday
Many now are battling incurable hangovers as result of the carnage of Saturday night the fans braced themselves for Desertfest’s final night of madness. With the lineup offering some of its juiciest acts yet, including MONDO GENERATOR and FU MANCHU one thing was certain; you must survive. Easier said than done but by whatever means necessary survive they did, what was left of them after this however is a story for another time. Day three and the final day of Desertfest and a whole load of headbanging ahead.
WITCH – The Roundhouse
WITCH’s trademark sound driving the 70s style resurgence train first hit the world in 2005. Releasing their self-titled debut album in 2006 and a sophomore and last effort Paralyzed in 2008, the band were in grave danger to be disregarded and forgotten. Thankfully, quantity has never implied quality. Rather than forging a career on the back of yearly releases and endless doom-riddled SABBATH washed riffs, WITCH have produced two albums of quality, showing no signs of rushing to spew out another nor of not performing in the meantime.
Taking the 6pm slot in The Roundhouse, the set took us through a catalogue of debut album tracks, including Seer and Rip van Winkle. Admittedly the vocals did prove slightly draining at times but did not destroy the quality of the set overall. What seemed to separate this band from the many of the ‘stoner’ tag was their lethargic song composition and the diverse change of tempos within the same track, prime example being Isadora. With fuzzy guitar playing and the rest of the band’s solid instrumental skills WITCH are ones who never disappoint.
Rating: 7/10
ALL THEM WITCHES- The Roundhouse
Penultimate act of the stage and with a hefty buzz surrounding their name, ALL THEM WITCHES flew into the venue with an air of blues-fuelled psychedelic rock types of groove. Having no trouble asserting their presence in the room, the now three-piece made highlights of the festival through songs Harvest Feast and Workhorse, both from their 2018 album ATW.
Not concerned with impressing nor with blasting out their fastest or the most acclaimed tracks, the trio demonstrated a great amount of grace, class and expert musicianship; things we often hope for but don’t always see even with the more seasoned acts. Admittedly having never truly settled on one sound the group is known for experimenting, most recently adopting a more stripped-down version of their original sound whilst still filtering all the heavy from album Dying Surfer Meets His Maker and the dreamy psychedelic tones of Sleeping Through The War. A must see wherever it is that you may have a chance to do so. Luckily for all, their tour dates never seem to end.
Rating: 8/10
FU MANCHU – The Roundhouse
With a catalogue basking in 34 years worth of musical masterpieces, the sheer grandeur that is FU MANCHU was without doubt the most anticipated act of the night. The set is given an explosive start as guitarists Bob Balch and Scott Hill kick off the proceedings with Evil Eye sending shockwaves through the crowd with hundreds left in a frenzy that never diminished. Amongst other classics, a great deal of older material was also played which was positively received by those wanting a trip down memory lane, King Of The Road being one of the highpoints of the set.
Frontman Scott Hill deliveries on Hell On Wheels sounded as crisp as they did back in 2000 when it was first released, hypnotising us with his perfectly sharp vocals and a powerful stage presence, anchoring the entire set into a massive success. Sunset boulevard, cars, chicks and choppers may have been where FU MANCHU found their inspiration and what hailed from the heat was a band with guts. The hour-long set at Desertfest proved to be nowhere near long enough, but it provided us with not only a glorious journey of the classics but confirmation of why they’ve been around so long and why they will continue to surprise us, both for existing fans and the newcomers to the FU MANCHU clan. What a set to end the night on.
Rating: 8/10
MONDO GENERATOR – The Underworld
Last but certainly not least for Desertfest’s swansong performance there he was, carrying his own gear with a cigarette hanging off the corner of his lips. Broad shouldered, veteran eyed and in impressively great shape Nick Oliveri prepared for his own-led, tattoo filled pirates MONDO GENERATOR to take stage. Being the only KYUSS member on this entire three-day bill having been the original bassist as well as the ex- bass n balls of QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, Nick needed no introduction to the crowd.
The audience by this point ranging from shirtless to unbuttoned were sweating all the same, grinning from ear to ear knowing what’s about to happen. As for those who didn’t, were heavily about to. Opening with the lava-like slithery KYUSS classic Molten Universe everyone is in a trance. The pace picks up and transitions suddenly and very powerfully into MONDO GENERATOR‘s 13th Floor (also known as QOTSA’s Tension Head). The riff shakes the ground and the “Hey! Hey! Hey!” charged fists are in the airl a messy incoherent moshpit is forming in time for the rhythm section to explosively kick in. Nick lays down grizzly basslines and swings effortlessly from screeching to singing melodically in the same breath as the entire set is laced with a heavy punk rock vibe.
From singing along to screaming to laughing demonically the fans are witnessing history being made in The Underworld. Amongst classics such as I Never Sleep, Green Machine, and Love Has Passed Me By, MONDO GENERATOR end the set with You Think I Aint Worth A Dollar But I Feel Like A Millionaire, causing energy to surge among the entire crowd. This proving not to be the last song after all, Nick returns to the stage by himself this time screaming Six Shooter at everybody before stagediving till the lights go out. Everybody has gotten what they wanted; leaving the venue limp- limbed and satisfied. A triumphant end to Desertfest.
Rating: 10/10