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CVLT Nation Covers:
Roadburn 2012 Day 2

Published

April 24, 2012

Friday, Day 2
One day has passed already, but it’s time to attack day two. The program of the day looked promising, featuring several bands I was really looking forward to seeing.

Nachtmystium
Let’s start the day with Nachtmystium playing the main stage. For this set, the band decided to play its entire “Instinct:Decay”. The band delivers a correct set, but time passes by and I was actually more excited to see Hexvessel hit the stage at Het Patronaat.

Full gallery after the jump…

Hexvessel
It’s been a year already since their debut album “Dawnbearer” has been released, receiving on the way many positive feedbacks. The album, full of poesy and character, managed to build a very strong and unique atmosphere, and I was really curious to see how it would translate on stage. I came in late in the middle of “Invocation Summoning,” but the hypnotic ambiance rapidly takes over. There is a lot going on with Hexvessel, eight musicians on stage, drums, violin, tambourine and a full set of musical accessories all contributing to the mystic setting. The band seems to be genuinely happy to be here, a real breath of fresh air. For an hour, the band played pieces from their debut and upcoming opus. The show is heterogenic and very emotional, swinging between magical melodies, slowly moving up to more intense phases. McNerney’s perfect vocals really makes the final touch – pure poetry! This will be probably one of the most memorable performances for me so far.

Witch
So far the day has been great, and I am really looking forward to the next three performances. It is now time for Witch to take on the main stage. The four Americans played some of the most effective songs of their two albums. Unfortunately, after 45 mins, the band announces its last song. The show ends with a brilliant “Seer,” but leaving us wanting more…

Yob
Finally, YOB is back at Roadburn! This year, the band is playing two sets, one on Friday where the album “The Unreal Never Lived” will be played in its entirety, and another additional set on Saturday. Tonight’s set was supposed to be mind-blowing, as “The Unreal Never Lived” is probably my favorite. The three gentlemen enter the stage with thunderous applause. The first note of “Quantum Mystic” resonates in the venue, immediately driving everyone crazy and soon the whole venue headbangs in rhythm of Mike’s killer riffs. The set I witnessed was insane, and once again, YOB confirmed that they were one of the best bands around, able to deliver both top quality albums and outstanding performances. Moreover, their simplicity and spontaneity makes of YOB a band you want to see over and over again.

Black Breath
Unfortunately I am not able to follow YOB’s performance until the end as the dudes from Black Breath are getting set in the Green Room. Once again, the room fills up within a few minutes and I’m glad I got my spot up front. Black Breath takes on the stage, smile on their faces and ready to tear the place apart. The set starts and quickly the outstanding energy of the band spreads into the room like plague. Soon a small mosh pit is forming, my hair is pulled out, I get hits on the head, but the show is so insane that I can’t help but continue on shooting. What else can I say, the band came armed with a set of very effective songs including I am Beyond, Eat the Witch, Escape from Death, Heavy Breathing. All in all, a crushing show that will be hard to forget!

Dopethrone
Black Breath ends and there is no time to put yourself together as Dopethrone starts right after. The room is still a bit crowdy, translating into a very anticipated performance. The three Canadians open the festivities with their filthy sludge, playing Dark Foil Tape Runner, Demon Smoke and a couple of new songs, finishing on the very catchy “Zombie Powder”. The set could have been a bit wilder from a stagecraft point of view, but the songs spoke for themselves and the band delivered.