NINE hours, 12 bands, dozens of metallers and multiple pints. DistortionFest '16 was an endurance test as well as a marathon of metal decadence, but every painful foot, aching neck and hangover was a mere travail on a glorious afternoon and evening.
An international toast to metal, fans were treated to acts from the USA, Netherlands, Germany and Romania, plus aa visit from some Scottish cousins. None of the overseas acts and none of the Northern Ireland bands put a single foot wrong. There was even a breakfast of Corn Flakes and Buckfast tonic wine on offer...
A mild October Saturday (29th) heralded the early start, for
what was to be a feast of a festival, and a general mood of celebratory joy for The Distortion Project's 16th Birthday Bash.
Opening the proceedings were
Erosion, who have been steadily working their way up the gigging ladder over the past year.
Given they were starting off with the autumn sunshine beaming through Katy's windows and it was an accomplished performance that set the tone for the day, and it was notable that several of the foreign bands were at the back of the venue nodding appreciatively at their prog tinged stoner groove.
The only flaw was that Mark introduced a new song...and tell the crowd what the title was.
To show that variety is the spice of metal the hurried transfer to Limelight2 immediately slowed the pace to sludge, with
War Iron cranking the volume and bringing doom.
It is hard to perform this type of set with panache but amidst atmospheric lighting and a set that was, as always from War Iron. James from Terminus joined them for a song, while Baggy offered up the cereal and tonic wine - breakfast of champions.
Romania's
Bloodway saw a trickle of fans become a few hurried walk for as their set of well constructed songs drew wavers into Katy's. A lot of the power came from the dynamic of the songs that displayed that rare ability to balance loud segments with more delicate playing.
Even though the day was still young there was a sense of the night as
Drakonis brought the blackness to Limelight2 - Halloween revellers might don corpse paint, but for Drakonis this is their normal gig attire.
Featuring tracks off their new EP (review coming soon) they have managed to echo the classic black metal with their own sense of drama. A misbehaving mic stand did not dent their confident delivery.
Bloodthread were determined to get the mid afternoon crowd energised and flatten any visible flagging in Katy's. The rowdy Glaswegians have an anger and attitude that is both admirable and well executed.
When
Zlatanera first emerged from the ashes of other acts, their Sabbath, stoner groove was immediately engaging, but some doubted whether it was wit or irony in their lyrical content.
Within two shows there was no doubt that this was an act who used metaphor and humour in the words to match the real potency of their music. Sure, we all love the Satanic trio, but on Saturday they once again pound a collection of songs that might doff the cap to Cathedral and Corrosion, but with their own distinct stamp. The follow-up to Legerdemain is eagerly awaited!
Once again moving between venues Germany's
Valborg brought the doom theme back, but with more than a hint of prog metal. Most of the set was mid-tempo doom, but with the shouty vocals a perfect contrast with some of the shifting elements of their sound.
With exhaustion not too far off for many (or was it the consumption of beer?) any sense of the show suffering early evening blues was quickly dispelled as
Rabid Bitch of the North getting the Limelight2 baying for classic metal shapes and soundly delivered hell.
Their anthemic choruses could overshadow the accomplished nature of a set that is littered with gems. Their recent run of continental dates have further enabled Rabid Bitch to measure out a set of meaty metal. As the 'other' revellers were donning their fancy dress for their rubbish disco the onstage declaration "Us Against Them" was a clear message of defiance welcomed by all in Limelight2.
Closing proceedings in Katy's in a half hour slot from 5:15
Sinocence eked every second from those 30 minutes. Their back catalogue, the two ' No Gods, No Masters' EPs so far from the trilogy means that they can choose from a plethora of tracks. As always, they choose well, with headbanging coming as the response.
Sinocence have a tight sound on the night, with poise, presence and power. It might be a 'Long Way Down' but they left all rising up in delight.
Dutch power metallers,
Lord Volture, may have been unknown to most, but quickly impressed. They produce a well balanced set, with plenty of stagecraft and some excellent melodic lines in the mix of Euro Metal.
Their three quarters of an hour went by in a blur that stirred up many and teetered on the edge of tipping over into parody of the likes of Helloween, but stayed just on the right side of having their own identity.
One of the real strengths of metal is, for example, the diversity on show at DistortionFest. From doom and sludge to thrash and old school metal. If we were all able to push aside the genre boundaries that bedevil modern metal maybe more people would turn out for
every show from The Distortion Project.
And, with a real sense of the 80s beginning to permeate the air
Stormzone arrived with the usual confidence and purpose. The first show with Gordy behind the drum kit it was a seamless transition.
It has been a time since Stormzone graced a Northern Ireland stage, but there is no doubt that they are still a well prepped metal machine, with melodies, twin guitar lines and a set list of all the familiar fan favourites.
Time for the guys to get back recording and get back playing for all their devotees here and further afield.
Headliners
Warrior Soul have almost achieved legendary status for all sorts of reasons, but the Kory Clarke crew have survived for a touch short of 30 years playing their politically charged American metal.
Opening up with the duo of 'Shock Em Down' and 'Punk and Belligerent' they are clearly five-piece that still feels they have a point to prove.
Unfortunately, diabetic needs of the review team (of one) allied with tiredness and more than the allotted safe pint level meant we bowed out after four songs, but from what was in evidence - and feedback from the hardy that stayed to the end - Warrior Sould have maintained the potency and anger that many acts of a similar vintage have lost.
With the dying embers of pre-Halloween parties almost upon the gig goers there were other shows to go to, and more opportunities to swallow what came to hand. Settling in after the show, with blood sugar levels okay, reflecting on what DistortionFest meant is not an easy task.
Yes, all the bands were impressive. Yes, all in attendance left with more than a smidgeon of a smile upon their face. Yes, it had a celebratory under-current. But, what also should be said is that we need the devotion of promoter such as 'Sir' James Loveday for taking the risk to bring a sensational line-up to Belfast. The faithful gather, as required, but tell your friends, nag your acquaintances, badger your workmates if they even have a hint of metal in their veins to get out and see the magical maelstrom of metal on their doorstep.
Review by Jonny
Pictures by Darren McVeigh
Reproduction by written permission only
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