FESTIVAL REVIEW: UK Tech-Fest 2018 – Thursday
It’s that time of year again! One of the most anticipated weekends on the calendar for many fans of progressive, tech and death metal as they descend on Newark Showground and reunite with the Tech Fam for four days packed to the rafters with incredibly talented musicians at UK Tech-Fest. The scorching heat promptly made itself known and it was evident the Factor 50 was going to be required for the foreseeable future. What is now dubbed as the Tech-Twister greeted some unfortunate campsites as it uprooted airbeds, tents and anything in the nearby vicinity and launched them skyward in what has to be one of the most peculiar turn of events to grace the festival. Distorted Sound was on the ground and ready to get the lowdown on the weekend’s festivities!
FRACTIONS – Waghorn Guitars Stage
Not three hours after the Newark Showground gates were officially opened and the swarms of eager punters came pouring through, Leicester-based metalcore act FRACTIONS hit the second stage and began powering through an impressive performance. With the Nottinghamshire heat at its absolute peak, this band wasted no time in raising the temperature even more, smashing through a selection of delights from 2017’s Forces EP, and charming the crowds with an eclectic amalgam of metalcore and tech. Though this was a performance utterly laden with energy and confidence, frontman Christopher Hare’s vocals proved to be the unequivocal strong-point, whilst the relatively poor live mixed often rendered the instrumental content as muddy and lacking in clarity. This being said, not too much can be taken away from the band themselves: the songs clearly boasted structural integrity and creativity, and the overall performance came across as technically competent, even though the poor sound prevented them from truly flourishing.
Rating: 7/10
Words: Sam Alberti
FROM HER ASHES – Waghorn Guitars Stage
Not even vaguely deferring from the heavy theme of the opening day thus far, Derby-based metalcore act FROM HER ASHES fulfilled their 2pm slot time and in the process elected to brave the sultry deathtrap that was the Waghorn Guitars Stage. Whilst nothing stylistically earth-shattering, this act certainly served to bring bouncy and jovial vibes to the sweltering masses, delivering a series of enjoyable riffs, chorus hooks, and breakdowns; the complete metalcore package. Once again, this band’s performance was ultimately let down by a live mix that often felt empty and imbalanced, something that perhaps overshadowed the overall musicianship at play. Nevertheless, FROM HER ASHES certainly powered through, appearing thoroughly unphased, and seemingly pleasing their audience; something significantly bolstered by the confidence and presence of frontman Tom Croft. It’s hard to expect groundbreaking material from a second-stage act on the Thursday of UK Tech-Fest, and so in the context, FROM HER ASHES certainly fulfilled their duty and gave it their all.
Rating: 7/10
Words: Sam Alberti
EMBODIMENT – Waghorn Guitars Stage
After winning their Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses heat and appearing on the fabled New Blood Stage last year Bristol’s own EMBODIMENT have been creating quite a stir and have rightly earned a slot on the Waghorn Guitars Stage for this year’s edition of UK Tech-Fest. Firing through tracks from their self-titled, full length release with military precision they imposed their inviting blend of flamboyant tech-death on all in attendance. The quirky sweeping intro to The Beast was just what the doctor ordered as EMBODIMENT provided one of the most enjoyable sets on the opening day.
Rating: 8/10
Words: Dan McHugh
SIAMESE – Waghorn Guitars Stage
Appearing as just the sixth act of the entire festival in addition to offering something drastically different to what UK Tech-Fest typically offers, Danish rockers SIAMESE certainly had a challenging task on their hands. This being said, the four-piece promptly hit the stage at 5PM amidst a wave of merciless summer heat, and immediately commenced with expertly delivering their unique brand of metal-based pop-fusion. Boasting stunningly delivered falsetto vocals, an instrumental backbone of metalcore structuring, and the quirky addition of electric violin for a welcome flavour of orchestral influence, the Waghorn Guitars Stage was unmistakably brought to life. Though a nearly flawless set, it must be noted that we were left temporarily miffed at the band’s decision to rattle through a three-minute pop-cover mashup, neglecting the opportunity to sell their brand and present thirty minutes of their own music. Nevertheless, the crowd’s response never faltered, and it seemed as though SIAMESE were exactly what the UK Tech-Fest faithful needed to dispel a lingering grogginess from the blistering heat, kickstarting the four-day bonanza in true style.
Rating: 8/10
Words: Sam Alberti
URSUS – Waghorn Guitars Stage
Arriving on stage donning long hoods and coated in black paint the ominous presence of URSUS created a heightened sense of intrigue before they even played a note. Filling one of the holes in UK Tech-Fest‘s lineup left by various cancellations the Swindon based progressive metal outfit packed a punch as they rhymed off a barrage of hard hitting riffs whilst resembling the devil’s henchmen. Their intensity rarely wavered but the material on offer gradually started to feel rather linear as the set progressed. Regardless of this, the future looks bright for URSUS and they will have definitely acquired new fans off the back of this performance.
Rating: 7/10
Words: Dan McHugh
RAVENFACE – Waghorn Guitars Stage
RAVENFACE are by no means new kids on the block. Forming in 2008 their roots were heavily embedded in the metalcore scene and impressed with albums This Is Annihilation and Divided Kingdom before splitting in 2014 to focus on other projects. 2018 sees their triumphant return with new material and a new lineup in tow. Now harbouring members of tech metal favourites NO SIN EVADES HIS GAZE, ALIASES and THE COLOUR LINE, the five piece hit the Waghorn Guitars Stage at UK Tech-Fest unleashing a mixed offering of nostalgic material and fresh tasters of what is to come. Tyrants And Kings and Fighters sounded particularly impressive but despite their beaming smiles and buoyant stage presence the intensity never really reached boiling point, just slightly simmering on the surface. The new tunes show a lot of promise but on this particular day they were outshone by their counterparts.
Rating: 7/10
Words: Dan McHugh
CRYSTAL LAKE – Winspear Stage
With the first day of UK Tech-Fest 2018 in full swing, Japanese progressive metalcore outfit CRYSTAL LAKE stormed into action on the Thursday evening at 8pm, ensuring that the day’s proceedings remained very much at full tilt. Being the festival’s first main-stage act, in addition to a band that has seen a dramatic upward trajectory in popularity of late, the hype for this performance was undoubtedly tangible, and this certainly reflected in the performance. The immaculate acoustics of the Winspear Stage working wonders, the quintet exploded into action and immediately began boasting an impressively tight and balanced sound, each member giving their all both in terms of energy and technical proficiency, not least the striking vocal prowess and tireless vigour of vocalist Ryo Kinoshita. This being the first ‘big’ act of the festival, the crowd were immediately appeased, and from this point forth the stage seemed to be set for an incredibly weekend.
Rating: 9/10
Words: Sam Alberti
HEART OF A COWARD – Winspear Stage
In 2015 Milton Keynes quartet HEART OF A COWARD released one of the most regarded albums that year in Deliverance and the earth’s atmosphere felt like it would not be enough to hold their trajectory. The shocking departure of frontman Jamie Graham last year still feels like an open wound but as soon as HEART OF A COWARD took to the Winspear Stage on Thursday evening at UK Tech-Fest, any form of apprehension or concern was dispelled instantly as the crushing riffs of Hollow rang through Newark like a gunshot. Newly recruited Kaan Tasan is no stranger to UK Tech-Fest and as soon as he hit the stage he commanded every inch of it, slicing through their back catalogue like a knife through butter. Witnessing him nail the soaring highs in Skeletal I: Mourning Repairs was a beautiful sight to behold and despite their recent single Collapse receiving a divided response it sounded massive and was lapped up by all in attendance. It will never grow tiresome experiencing the entire crowd locking arms with one another and simultaneously headbanging to the monstrous breakdown in Shade and judging by this clinical performance, the future of HEART OF A COWARD is certainly not in any form of jeopardy.
Rating: 9/10
Words: Dan McHugh
And that rounds off our coverage of the first day of UK Tech-Fest 2018! Keep posted to Distorted Sound as we bring you our roundup of the action from the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of this year’s festival!