CVLT Nation Captures
Amplifest 2013 Day Two

Text & Photos: Nuno Bernardo

The second day started with two Portuguese acts, Black Bombaim and la la la resonance, in one wonderful project that brings a huge excitement to the table. A big jam where space rock is mixed with the psychedelics and jazz and afrobeat are elements of the final “product”. Unfortunately, the sound was not that great and the project was unable to show their full potential like they did a few months before in another Portuguese festival, Milhões de Festa. Nevertheless, this is one of the most exciting projects in Portugal and it will probably blow people’s minds when they release their record. Amplifest it’s not only a festival of music, it’s way more than that.

CHELSEA WOLFE 

BLACK BOMBAIN & LA LA LA
Because of that fact, we choose to show up to the Amplitalk, where three musicians talk about life on the road. That was, in the end, a good choice, since we had the pleasure of listening to the testimonies of François R. Cambuzat (Putan Club and L’Enfance Rouge), Carla Bozulich (Evangelista) and Hugo Santos (Process of Guilt). Almost two hours long, we were subjected to many ugly realities that are really important to know about, since it’s, or should be, a concern for all of us music freaks. The difficulties of touring in the United States, the actual condition of Canada, and how booking agencies are always fucking bands without mercy were just a few of the many topics talked. Information is power, and music fans need to know how fucking ugly and disgusting the music business can be, even when we’re talking about DIY scenes. Carla Bozulich made a promise to “lose” her time writing a manifesto about some of this stuff, like the issue of the booking agencies. Enough is enough. Musicians need to share these problems with the fans. For that reason, Carla’s manifesto will be crucial. Please Carla, make it happen.

Back to the music with another highly anticipated show. Chelsea Wolfe has been a constant topic everywhere because of the unique approach of the singer and songwriter. With a new record released this year, Pain Is Beauty, Wolfe’s show was just like everyone was imagining and hoping…a series of moments of pure magic. Opening with “Feral Love,” the show went only uphill, ending with the total satisfaction of all present. Wolfe’s music is really unique.

CHELSEA WOLFE
Damn! From the introspective environment of Chelsea Wolfe’s show to the total madness of Utopium. This band from Lisbon fucked everything and everyone with their ferocious grind that ended with the crushing “Like Rats” of the giants, Godflesh. Great cover and a nice touch, since Godflesh played in the first edition of the festival.

You need to have intelligence when performing. Body/Head was the next project on stage. Presenting Coming Apart, their debut album, the duo was able to showcase completely pointless music. I mean, you don’t want to have structure in your music and you want to go beyond all boundaries? Fine! But try to have some sort of guideline. What the fuck are you trying to prove with disconnected sounds, made by guitar effects? Worst show of the festival, without a doubt.

BODY/HEAD

Russian Circles were next on the stage. The band has being growing not only in recognition but also musically. Presenting their new record, Memorial, the band gave, as always, an energetic and gripping show. It’s funny, because the drumming of Dave Turncrantz was one of highest points of the whole day, just like with Zatokrev in the beginning of the festival. But it was on the encore that the excitement levels were over the top, with Chelsea Wolfe singing the title track to the latest Russian Circles’ album. A nice show with the Portuguese public supporting, as always, the power-trio.

RUSSIAN CIRCLES

Two days of music, two days of intense emotions, various memorable and unforgettable experiences. Amplifest is without a doubt one of those rarest of events where you feel like you are at home. See you soon, Amplifest 2014.

BLACK BOMBAIN & LA LA LA

CHELSEA WOLFE

ALUK TODOLO

HARD CLUB HALL

BODY/HEAD

KATABATIC

THE RUSSIAN CIRCLES