Damnation Festival 2023 – BEC Arena, Manchester, 04/11/23 (Live Review)

It’s Damnation o-clock once more! This is always such a good festival to attend. The line up is an interesting and varied one, with some bands I’m less interested in, some that are an essential experience, and some frustrating clashes. I missed some great bands today, unfortunately, but that’s always going to be the case with such a jam-packed festival.

The festival also run a pre-show event the day before, (Night of Salvation), but this year this was a much-expanded version that almost turned the festival into a 2-day event. I couldn’t make it sadly, but by all accounts it went very well.

On to the main event then. Below are the running times for the day, which were adhered to more than you might expect for many festivals, (Ahab unfortunately had to pull out and were replaced by Bossk) –

Laster

I arrive in time to catch the very end of Laster‘s set. It’s not much, but I enjoy what I do see. The band give a good account of themselves in the brief time I’m with them.

Nordic Giants

I’ve never heard Nordic Giants before, but I catch them because why not. It turns out that they put on a very striking show. It sounds like a smörgåsbord of resplendent post-rock and atmospheric worldbuilding, and I like what I hear. The music, visuals, and samples conspire to tell stories, and it’s all remarkably captivating and cinematic. I’m impressed, and would definitely go see these again.

Khemmis

I’ve been waiting four albums to see Khemmis live, so I wasn’t about to miss this opportunity. I haven’t been disappointed, and they play a solid set taken from across their career. I like that they’re clearly so very into what they’re doing. Khemmis dip into each of their albums, as well as playing a couple from their EPs. It’s a well-rounded set overall. They bring the doomed heavy metal very nicely, and I leave satisfied.

Unearth

Playing all of 2004’s The Oncoming Storm, you know before they even start that Unearth are going to be a riot. And they are. They get a circle pit and some crowd surfing going during the first song, but then I’d expect nothing less. As the set progresses it only gets more lively in the pit.

So many breakdowns, so many riffs, so much energy…it’s an irresistible combination fashioned into some classic metalcore songs. I’ve spent a lot time with this album in the past, and to hear it now in its entirety is a treat.

Strigoi

Strigoi have a good stage presence, and their death/doom fills the Holy Goat Brewing stage like a malignant aura. The band’s singer is particularly animated, moving to the music in esoteric ways that are unfathomable to mere mortals. Strigoi were one of my must-see bands this weekend, and they live up to my hopes for them. Their songs work well live, with a mixture of ugly speed and crushing doom that’s immense.

Despite, (because of?), the rampant doom and gloom that is Strigoi’s music, their set makes me a very happy bunny. Closing with the imposing majesty of United in Viscera, Strigoi are morbidly triumphant.

Julie Christmas

Here’s another must-see artist, and then some. Julie Christmas has one of the most distinctive and amazing voices in heavy music, and has amassed an enviable discography. Today, she leaves jaws dropped all around the arena.

Beginning with the dramatic Bones in the Water is an opening statement of intent that’s simply unbeatable. This is a special show, and I feel privileged to bear witness to it. Julie Christmas’ performance is mesmerising and her presence absolute. The rest of the band support her well, and it doesn’t hurt that she has the guitarist/vocalist of Cult of Luna in her band either, who has a presence all of his own.

Highlights? Take your pick. The delicately menacing Secrets All Men Keep (Salt Bridge, Part II), the restrained chaos of Peew, the thundering groove of Bow…it’s just a stunning set.

Sound-wise my only complaint is that I would have preferred her voice a bit louder in the mix. Other than that though, I can’t fault it. An awe-inspiring display of rich emotion, visceral presence, and tangible atmosphere.

Absolutely phenomenal.

Undeath

I’ve been going to Damnation since the very first one, and although there have a been a few I’ve had to miss, I’ve been to the majority of them. In all that time though, I never remember a clash causing me as much difficulty as the Undeath/Downfall of Gaia one. Genuinely gutted to miss out on the latter, but opted in the end for the former simply because after Julie Christmas’ sheer emotive excellence, somewhat of a blunt, brutal palate cleanser is in order.

By the time I actually get to the Holy Goat Brewing stage I’ve missed the first handful of songs though, which is a shame. Regardless, Undeath are brutally good fun, despite a bit of a dodgy sound in places. They have a circle pit to rival Unearth’s, and seem to be enjoying themselves immensely. The singer in particular looks like he is having a whale of a time, and just seems very happy to be here. He seems quite joyous throughout.

When Undeath hit their gruesome stride they’re fiendishly entertaining. They get a good, active response from the crowd, and the security guards are kept busy at the front of the stage. In many ways Undeath are the epitome of crowd-friendly death metal, and they play to their strengths well.

Katatonia

It’s been a while since I last saw Katatonia, but they put on a good show despite me not knowing some of the newer songs. A technical issue delays them somewhat, but looking at the crowd that might not be a bad thing, as there’s far less people in attendance than I would expect, so this gives people more time to appear. I think they might have finished early for some reason, too.

The band put on a good performance though, and their set is a solid one. It reminds me of why Katatonia have achieved the status that they have.

Rotten Sound

Now this hits the spot quite nicely. Rotten Sound blast the cobwebs away with their blistering brand of grindcore. High intensity blast beats combined with furious groove, what’s not to like? The band acquit themselves nicely. It’s good to see a grind band get a decent audience too.

The bursts of distorted hostility become hypnotic and strangely soothing after a while. Having said that, I do end up missing the very end of their set, unfortunately.

Enslaved

Enslaved playing the whole of their 1994 debut album Vikingligr Veldi was always going to be a draw for me, and I’m not alone. With the best sound of the day so far you can really soak up the ancient black metal vibes.

The band are clearly loving performing this album, and why wouldn’t they? With such strong material and so many classic moments, the entire set is immaculate. It’s great to see a veteran band so obviously passionate about what they’re doing.

A supreme display of blackened potency, and a great experience all-round.

Anaal Nathrakh

From the cold atmospheric Nordic realms to something far more vicious. Anaal Nathrakh are an unstoppable force of destruction and shockingly infectious songcraft. How they manage to be so extreme yet so catchy is beyond me. But they are, and they’re a fantastic band because of it.

By the time Enslaved finish Anaal Nathrakh are in full flow, laying waste to the crowd with an incendiary live performance. The stage is more packed than I’ve seen it today, and the band are on fire. The charismatic singer’s voice is just as venomous and epic as it is on record.

I’ve been listening to Anaal Nathrakh since their first album, and it’s great to see the breadth of quality material that they have amassed over the years reflected in tonight’s set. Whether it’s taken from their earliest days – Submission Is for the Weak – or their most recent – The Age of Starlight Ends – Anaal Nathrakh are just murderously good. They run over, allowing them to play two more songs, and that’s fine with me. Forward! damn near blows the roof off, while the last song – Endarkenment – caps the evening with a suitably explosive ending.

Anaal Nathrakh combine feral mayhem with infernal magnificence, and tonight they demonstrate just why they are so superior to so many extreme metal acts. I can’t say enough good things about their show. Loved it.

By the time I get to the main stage to see what Electric Wizard are up to, they’re already hard at work dooming out, a good way into their set. After watching them for a while I decide to make the executive decision to leave them to it, as it’s late and at this point my fatigue levels are off the chart. Besides, as much as I like the band and they’re obviously performing well, Anaal Nathrakh were so superb I’d rather end the day on their intense high.

All in all, another solid year for Damnation. If you’ve never been, make sure you get your tickets early for 2024. I have no idea who will be playing, but it’s always a top show.