The Irish are well used to looking overseas, casting eyes toward
far off coastlines, be it in search of adventure or simply a living.
Similarly, seekers of musical stimulation have long drooled over the
lineups gifted to our continental cousins and stateside miscreants.
Emulating the Wild Geese, many Irish have left on campaigns of catching
must-see acts, splashing the cash to hit some of the most obscure
festivals worldwide that boast better and better lineups year on year.
As
such, the earliest whispers of hands at work at what would eventually
become Unconquered Darkness sent ripples through those with their ears
to the ground in terms of contemporary death metal. It was obvious from
the outset that veteran Irish label Invictus Productions working
alongside the endlessly impressive Dark Descent Records could only
produce good things - and as was to be seen, it was a collaboration that
certainly delivered.
Unable to catch Friday's burnt offerings to the void, the weekend's fruits were lined up for consumption. All in moderation, of course.
Saturday's
second act, Sweden's Head of the Demon worked well as an intro to the
more intense acts that followed in their wake, employing repetitive,
hypnotic mid-tempo grooves that told of a definite, bass-heavy Mercyful
Fate heritage with just enough dissonance to push it into more
contemporary, occult rock-focused arenas.
Almost
the exact antithesis, Qrixkuor, a consistently spell-binding and
improving live act, unleashed wave after wave of labyrinthine,
atmosphere-soaked, blasting death metal. Their cacophony is endless,
working its way around the Voodoo Lounge's long lamented pillars and
generally disappointing acoustics, but the delivery allows it all seem
fitting. It's meant to be filthy. The band utilised the significance of
April 30th as Walpurgisnacht to release their most recent EP, 'Three
Devils Dance', via Invictus Productions.
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| Qrixkuor - 'Three Devils Dance' EP |
The
ultimate wind down, of sorts, Qrixkuor's follow up (in the uninspiring
guise of Anguish) plodded through a set of tedious doom metal that sent
most shuffling to the bar for top ups and into the smoking area for
better conversation. It somehow failed to fit and while doom metal's
general vibe is often one of dejection, a fairly lacklustre stage
presence and presentation did the band no favours.
Local
favourites Zom blew any cobwebs that had formed well away with their
trademark punk attitude-infused black/death metal racket, easily showing
some of the more established acts how it's done. Passionate,
uncompromising, and most importantly: enjoyable. Yet another act that
seem to improve every time they take to a stage, and rumour had it the
band hadn't rehearsed in some time. Some bands simply have that magic.
Alongside
Zom, Belgium's Possession helped to further set the tone for the
potency that was primed to be unleashed across the final few acts of
Saturday night. Though only catching their last couple offerings, a mix
of wild guitar work, intense percussion and howling vocals, the venue
was shook and a mixture of nods and beaming faces, once instruments were
downed, told of a sold crowd, pumped for what the remainder of the
evening would deliver.
Adversarial's brand of
wide-shouldered, aggressive US death metal had most rooted to their spot
for the length of their performance. Razor-sharp, jarring riff work, a
commanding frontman and an incredibly unrelenting stint from their
drummer impressed all no end.
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| Adversarial |
A definite
highlight of the weekend, Lvcifyre were the perfect accompaniment to
label mates Adversarial's barrage, though sounded more technical and
textured, even amid the now constant discordant hum that reverberated
around the venue. This lent the band an emphatic and memorable presence
as they hammered through twisting track after twisting track. As with
most worthwhile situations, it was all over far too quickly.
Closing
the evening on a high, veteran act Morpheus Descends pushed through the
lingering din left by the previous two bands with crisp, punctuated,
classic death metal that was both atmospheric and brought with it
welcome tempo variations. A lively, tight set, devoid of some of the
more debatable 'hoods up, wall of sound' trappings of contemporary death
metal, there was a definite sense of "this is how it is done".
Sunday's
zealots, nursing hangovers or simply continuing their Saturday nights,
rolled into the venue on time for one of the fest's biggest and most
entertaining draws. Slovakia's Malokarpatan set chins wagging last year
(and well into 2016) with their debut full-length offering, a quirky
mixture of Slovakian folklore, primal black metal and a 'worn on the
sleeve' heavy metal heritage. They rolled into their set with gusto
while bathed in red light and easily awakened the venue.
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| Malokarpatan |
Their
frontman, Temnohor, enthralled the majority. Despite toe-tapping song
after toe-tapping song, he remained quite static throughout the set.
Clutching a tinned beverage and expressionless behind aviator
sunglasses, he did nothing but emit wails, croaks and snarls, as well as
utterances in his native tongue between some numbers. However, it
worked perfectly, adding to their generally quirky nature and 'band from
another time' bearing, playing on against the wishes of the sound man
and then ending abruptly to return to wherever they'd stashed their time
machine. A brilliantly bizarre set.
The great
interaction between attendees that the fest effortlessly fostered
continued on the Sunday afternoon. With the hum of distortion as
ambience, the staccato of multiple accents, guffaws and the recognisable
click of cigarette lighters formed the true soundtrack of the
Unconquered Darkness weekend. With the risk of drifting into saccharine,
United Colors of Benetton nonsense, it was the concept of music as a
'universal language' in action, even if us Irish were thin on the
ground. To have devotees of underground music travel to Ireland from far
and wide, inspired by such a lineup, is excellent in itself.
Drawing
us toward the evening and Sunday's headlining acts, Antiversum launched
into an unapologetic black/death metal maelstrom, creating that total
vacuum heard on 2015's noteworthy EP. Sounding close to Antaeus at
times, the band was probably the most black metal of the fest, at least
in contemporary terms; detached yet devoted, and thoroughly impressive.
Scotland's
Ellorsith stepped up with ease next. An intriguing act, their naturally
frosty, insistent black metal sounding somewhat more polished than what
Antiversum had just offered, these two acts did feel like the resident
black metal delegates, but obviously no one was complaining. Yet another
impressive performance and another step toward a building intensity.
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| Ellorsith - '1959' EP |
Sepulchral
death metal masters She'ol added to Sunday's wall of sound with a
stirring set of mouldy, well-paced total death worship, each member
wholly comfortable behind their instruments and focused on the creation
of some of the finest death metal emanating from UK soil of late.
Yet
another draw, Finland's Lantern were quickly acknowledged as a
veritable highlight by the majority in attendance. A set full of pulsing
energy and pensive presence, Lantern's output was visceral yet suitably
dusty and capacious, riffs twisting here, there and everywhere.
Seriously good and very memorable. 2013's 'Below' is highly recommended
More
Finnish genius rattled bones in the form of Krypts. An intense, zero
blather affair that brought with it a truly tangible heaviness and
hanging, oppressive atmosphere; tempos chopped and changed without once
losing the band's inherently unhinged quality. A possessed performance.
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| Krypts |
Sunday's
final act wrapped up proceedings in the most suitable fashion with a
tribute of utterly blistering death metal. Closing the unholy Finnish
triangle, Corpsessed, though last on stage for the whole fest, delivered
unreal, seemingly insatiable energy as they pummeled through song
after song. The vocal performance must be pinpointed here, being
incredibly audible and pronounced amid the clashing instrumentation on
display. A powerful end to a powerful, landmark weekend.
Speaking
to Darragh (of Invictus Productions) at various points over the course
of the fest, conversation invariably turned to attendance. "Where are
all the Irish?" The hordes that emerged for the likes of Diocletian and
Witchrist in 2010 were nowhere to be seen. Surely Unconquered Darkness
would attract similar clientele? "Maybe this kind of thing simply isn't
cool to people currently?"
Obviously, the
hanging question here is, was it ever? Many of these acts are as niche
as it comes, these gigs draw all the same faces, the usual underground
stalwarts, plus competing with more mainstream events in Dublin over the
May bank holiday weekend is no easy feat.
Despite
debates surrounding turnout and the various reasons why such a fest
boasting such a lineup didn't pack out the Voodoo Lounge (a pretty small
venue, in truth), consensus speaks of a successful, satisfying event,
and one thoroughly appreciated by those that did show up, be they local
or otherwise. Kudos to Darragh and Matt (of Dark Descent Records) for
organising and pushing through Unconquered Darkness right to the bitter
end and many thanks to all the bands, helpers, participants, Voodoo
Lounge management/staff and attendees for making it what it was. Here's
to the next instalment.
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