Damnation Official Photo © Gobinder Jhitta
Again, four stages permitted a fair amount of choice with the eclectic selection of performing bands. This year the much sought after Bolt Thrower found themselves headlining the main stage, with a host of other worthy bands delivering their music from the early afternoon through to the headline slots.
Xerath - Damnation Official Photo © Tim Finch
Back at Damnation, Xerath were over on the second stage this year and armed with a new album to show off. The imaginatively titled III provided the entire set, apart from the final song of the set "Unite To Defy". Unfortunately for the band, this illustrated quite painfully how comparatively dull the latest album is compared to 2011's II.
Winterfylleth - Damnation Official Photo © Tim Finch
Winterfylleth get around a fair bit these days, and their distinctly Pagan form of black metal offered a bit of a change from the death metal we had been watching. The band's music is both greatly fulfilling and powerful, but also requires a certain kind of atmosphere to translate perfectly live. Maybe the sound was not perfect, or something else, but this wasn't the greatest Winterfylleth show ever. Not to say it wasn't enjoyable, just that something was missing. These guys are utterly brilliant, but maybe it would have been nicer to hear their sounds coming from the booming system of the main stage.
Revocation - Damnation Official Photo © Gobinder Jhitta
The festival sold out this year, and was therefore packed. This meant that if there was any chance of getting a good view of Anaal Nathrakh on the second stage, we'd have to get there pretty sharpish. As expected, the room packed out for Anaal Nathrakh and chaos ensued. These guys, Dave Hunt especially, have played here countless times and were therefore no strangers. Perhaps a tad more complacent than you might have hoped, the band veered through their set. Seeing Anaal Nathrakh live used to be something really special, but for a number of years now their material hasn't seemed to go anywhere new and it just seems like the same thing over and over. Anaal Nathrakh were enjoyable, the packed audience certainly responded well, but it's hard to remember a time when this band hardly ever played live. Maybe you can have too much of a good thing.
Anaal Nathrakh - Damnation Official Photo © Tim Finch
Cannibal Corpse - Damnation Official Photo © Gobinder Jhitta
Damnation Festival has been around for ten years now, and deservedly so. Each year the organizers get together an intriguing and enjoyable collection of bands, and each year the choreography and fine details of the festival become smoother and more refined. We are lucky to have such a great event year after year, and for that we are grateful.
Bolt Thrower - Damnation Official Photo © Gobinder Jhitta
For another year, thank you Damnation.
