Archive for May, 2011

(We Are) The Roadburn Crew (by Invisible Oranges)

Posted on Monday, May 9th, 2011

Roadburn 2011 ended a little over three weeks ago, yet I am just now getting around to being able to write about it. Had I done so immediately following, the review would consisted of little more than all-caps and mindless babble. The enormity and awesomeness of the festival shocked me, and took a while to sink in. Now, looking back, I believe I can express how it made me feel, and it changed my perception on how a good metal gathering should be constructed.

Setting the stage

I had very little idea what to expect prior to arriving in Tilburg, other than Godflesh was going to be playing Streetcleaner in its entirety the first night (a drunken night randomly trying to discover new music led me to stumbling upon the fest).

My exposure to metal festivals had been limited to outdoor amphitheatres or parking lots: a scattering of metal fans, with a lot of people who just like an excuse for drinking all day long. Fair enough, but that’s a very different experience from a relatively small gathering of 1500 or so people who have traveled from all over the world to see fairly specific sub-genres of music.

I knew some of the bands involved, but knew very little about the majority of them. While normally I would meticulously study the bands and map out my schedule for seeing them, for whatever reason I did the exact opposite and did no studying.

And then there was Roadburn

Our traveling party consisted of me and my good friend John. We spent some time in Amsterdam prior to traveling to Tilburg, mentally preparing for the onslaught, and took a train in Thursday morning, the first day of the festival. Scattered among the cars were several groups of people in obvious metal garb. We felt safe.

There was a connection just outside Tilburg. On the platform, a group of folks with camping bags approached us. “Excuse me, mates (they were from New Zealand, it turned out), but you look like you’re going to Roadburn. I assume we’re on the right track?” They were, indeed, and it felt good to be helping shepherd the throngs of metal fans to their Mecca.

Continue reading: Invisible Oranges: (We Are) The Roadburn Crew.

Tags: Godflesh, Invisible Oranges, Roadburn, Roadburn 2011, Roadburn Festival, Roadburn Festival 2011, Tommy Young
Posted in 2011, Festival News | 1 Comment »

Roadburn Festival 2011, Tilburg, the Netherlands – Day One (by Noise Road)

Posted on Monday, May 9th, 2011

Where were you? Where were you when, in clear breach of the Geneva convention on sub-audible sonic warfare, Sunn O))) caused the mass bowel evacuation of Tilburg? Where were you when Circle and then the Master Musicians of Bukkake tripped our collective b@lls? Godflesh performed the industrial masterpiece, Streetcleaner, for ...read more

Album of the day: Orthodox – Baal

Posted on Monday, May 9th, 2011

Lovingly pinched from MSN Headbang: The Spanish doom trio Orthodox released its fourth full-length in March. It’s called Baal, and it’s an excellent record—all their records have been excellent—and, as always, it marks a change for the band. Their debut, 2006′s Gran Poder (“Great Power”), was an ultra-heavy doom metal ...read more

Album of the day: Master Musicians of Bukkake – Totem Three

Posted on Sunday, May 8th, 2011

Praise for Master Musicians of Bukkake‘s Totem Three from San Francisco’s aQuarius Records: Yet another mantric missive from these musical missionaries and cosmic sonic seers, a collective of sorts, its membership drawn from several somewhat similarly likeminded groups, including Earth, Sun City Girls, and Burning Witch among others. And as ...read more

The Obelisk – Jesu Interview: Justin Broadrick Confirms New Godflesh Studio Album, Discusses Roadburn, And Much More

Posted on Saturday, May 7th, 2011

JJ Koczan of The Obelisk recently conducted an interview with Justin Broadrick of Godflesh and Jesu-fame, and it features questions focusing on a new Godflesh album, Jesu’s latest, Imperfection, Self Indulgance, Roadburn and much more. The Obelisk: How was your Roadburn experience? JB: Roadburn’s a fantastic festival. It’s such a ...read more

Album of the day: Krallice – Diotima

Posted on Saturday, May 7th, 2011

Praise for Krallice‘ Diotima from San Francisco’s aQuarius Records: Thee latest blast of confusional sonic chaos from this sort-of black metal supergroup, featuring avant outsider axeman Mick Barr (Orthrelm, Ocrilim, etc.) and bass shredder Colin Marsten (Behold The Arctopus, Dysrhythmia, etc.) is Krallice album number three, the follow up to the ...read more

Roadburn 2011, Tilburg, The Netherlands – Day 3 & Afterburner (by The Sleeping Shaman)

Posted on Friday, May 6th, 2011

..and so, as with all good things, Roadburn has to come to an end. One final day of the festival itself, and one ‘mopping-up-the-remains’ day, ‘Afterburner’. Feeling the after-effects of the night before, namely suffering from one massive Voivod-induced bangover, I steered my sorry carcass into the Midi to watch ...read more

Album of the day: The Gates of Slumber – The Wretch

Posted on Friday, May 6th, 2011

Lovingly pinched from The Obelisk: If you thought you were glad Saint Vitus is back together and touring, your joy can’t possibly compare to the trad-doom revelry on Indianapolis trio The Gates of Slumber’s fifth album, The Wretch (Rise Above/Metal Blade). A self-acknowledged “return to form” for the band, The ...read more

Nachtmystium: Von Collaborations, Lineup and Recording Info

Posted on Thursday, May 5th, 2011

Since returning from their extensive North American tour as direct support for Cradle of Filth in March, Nachtmystium have been devising their next studio effort. The current band lineup consist of a majority of the recent touring lineup, including Andrew Markuszewski (Avichi, Lord Mantis), Charlie Fell (Lord Mantis, Avichi), and ...read more

Album of the day: Olde Growth – Olde Growth

Posted on Thursday, May 5th, 2011

Lovingly pinched from The Obelisk: Originally a 2010 self-release, the self-titled debut from Boston bass / drum duo Olde Growth is given a second look thanks to MeteorCity. The 46-minute offering plays to a wide host of riffy influences, and the duo do well in carving out an identity for ...read more