Friday at Rock Castle: Wolf Mass and a Thrash Metal Storm
From Dark Pagan Myths to Human Voices Without Guitars
Friday's programme opens with home-grown stalwarts Dark Gamballe. Their electronic-rock riffs reliably draw the first fans out of the campsite. A darker, rawer atmosphere and heavy guitars come courtesy of The Heathen Scythe. Performing under the hot midday sun in extravagant costumes, they even make use of a megaphone. Fans of female vocals are well catered for by the goth-tinged Rainover, Italy's Ironwill, and the symphonically oriented Xandria. The frontwoman praises us for enduring this typically summery weather, and as a reward we get both new material and older hits. J. Harry Harris & Band were supposed to provide a welcome change of pace, but unfortunately the band had to cancel their performance due to sudden health problems. The replacement set is handled by Czech musicians Free Fall.
The concept of Van Canto presents the metal community with an unusual dilemma. By replacing the traditional instrumental line-up with five vocalists and drums, they split the audience into two irreconcilable camps. From one side comes the cry: "No guitars, no metal." On the other are those who see extraordinary talent in the band. Imitating a distorted guitar or a rapid solo using only the human voice requires flawless technique and breath control. Songs such as Master of Puppets by Metallica and Fear of The Dark by the legendary Iron Maiden are performed.
A Female Whirlwind and a Californian Hurricane
We get our thrash/death metal assault with the arrival of Nervosa. The biggest mosh pit of the day so far erupts, and the first crowdsurfers turn the pit into their own swimming pool. The show is part of the band's extensive world tour supporting their new album Slave Machine, released in April this year. Tracks such as Seed of Death, Under Ruins, and the aggressive single Impending Doom ring out across the castle park.
"How are you doing, my friends?" Chuck Billy asks us before opening the set with the blistering Into the Pit. The grounds begin to shake under the raw force of thrash-metal riffs from Testament. Bassist Steve DiGiorgio feels right at home in Czechia; in June, he performed at Basinfirefest with Death to All. At Rock Castle, he once again confirms his reputation as an outstanding musician and a pioneer of fretless bass in extreme metal. Guitar wizard Alex Skolnick also shines in the line-up. The sound is clean and punchy, and the rhythm section runs like Swiss clockwork. The show serves as a showcase for their fourteenth studio album Para Bellum. Modern tracks from it such as Shadow People and Infanticide A.I. make the set, but the tried-and-tested classics are not forgotten either, so there is something for everyone. Even after more than forty years on the scene, Testament still has plenty to offer.
A Mass of Light, Flames and Dark Anthems
The climax of the entire day is Powerwolf, who bring a huge production with them. According to the organiser, handling the logistics of their trucks and getting all the scenery onto the stage was extremely challenging. The stage is not as large as, for example, the one in Vizovice, so it was quite a puzzle. Fortunately, everything runs perfectly and after more than an hour of preparation, the ceremonial metal mass can begin. Massive Gothic stained-glass windows, familiar religious motifs, pyrotechnics and wolf projections complete the atmosphere. An organ rolls onto the stage, Attila, wearing his iconic black-metal makeup, praises the brilliant audience and serves up Amen & Attack. "My friends, we are all united and we all have one credo tonight and that's to celebrate heavy metal!" Attila reminds us, and the park responds with loud approval. His trademark long speeches accompany the entire performance. The whole castle park sings along to the anthem Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend. Another magical moment comes during Stossgebet, when the stage is engulfed in a fiery inferno and a platform carrying the singer rises from it. The wolves undoubtedly deliver the most visually elaborate show of this year's festival. The epic finale arrives with the cult track Werewolves of Armenia and a shared chant of the iconic "HU! HA!". The final echoes of the flames fade away and we leave with satisfied smiles on our faces. Good night to all metal souls gather your strength and we'll see you back in front of the stage tomorrow!
Lenka Svatoňová