Brainstorm Festival celebrated this year 15 years of existence. I only had been twice before for one day (Fleshkiller day plus In Mourning/Darkwater day), but the line-up for 2022 showed on both days two bands I definitely wanted to see, so a weekend ticket with hotel was booked.Now Brainstorm is different from most festivals as the binding factor is not a specific musical genre. A a result of this factor, it is not likely that you like all bands very much, but as mentioned before for me there were plenty of reasons to attend both days.This meant that I was not walking around Holland Heavy Festival, with old skool Dutch HM bands, nor in Baroeg for some Dutch Doom Days. Gigant it was and after struggling with the complicated garderobe system for some 28 minutes I was ready for the first bands, IPA in hand.
Vetrar Daugurinn had the honour to open the festival. This band plays doom, with female vocals. The latter not always being my thing this mix worked OK. I saw them before and if around I would go see them again in two weeks time in Musicon. Just for a good night out meeting some friends and having decent music to join you. Not shocking for me, but a welcome opener, but why such a hard to remember band name?
Next on were Wytch Hazel the first band that made me take a train to Apeldoorn. Now I had some personal issues as when the show started I got a message from Josie informing that all who we met for lunch a week before and herself were suffering from Covid. So I was worried about spreading the disease, did not shout along and left after they finished soon to find myself a self-test at AH and call Josie. She only had a cold, not positive and my test was negative as well. So resuming not ideal circumstances to get into the mood and I watched from a distance. I have one of their albums on CD and pretty much like their Thin Lizzy inspired seventies hardrock. Live these men in medieval white lacked some balls for me, but maybe also due to distance issues. They might like balls, they did not lack religion as lyrics, crosses and open hands were pretty much around. Now I am a strong believer in science, but for me music is always about the music itself. So nothing offputting here. I mean noone takes the dragons in Powermetal, or the devils in black metal very serious either (I hope). Resuming I need to give Wytch Hazel another fair chance when timing is better.
After my rush to supermarket, selftest, negative in hotel room and return I arrived just in time to pick up the early songs of Signum Regis, from Slovakia this time. They play Power Metal and trying to stay away from cliches in Power Metal is a near impossible task. Signum Regis showed some classical poses, but headed by a masterful guitar they gave us a good set, which I pretty much enjoyed. Not so much that I rushed out getting their CD's, but entertaining they were and rather popular as well with the crowd. Talking about the crowd, there was something different from most metal shows I attend, but hard to put your finger on. Maybe the God's Squad patches were part of it, but overall this festival shows that metal is for all and everyone.
Than the Friday came to an end with the first total highlight of the weekend Scar Symmetry. The band with the two vocalists, two guitarists, one drummer and no bassist gave us a show to remember. Even if you are not into their melodic death metal, you must love the enthusiasm and top quality of their show. I do like their music as well and managed to miss them so far live at PPE or Patronaat. So I was blown away by the lively presentation, where the clean vocals seemd to be coming from Jeff Scott Soto's twin brother. As hectic as both vocalists might be, the true star of the band is Per Nilsson. Why is ths man not often quoted among the world's guitar heroes? Actually second guitars by Ben Ellis were almost as good. This band made the day, if not the festival and were a joy from start to finish. After they finished I shared some beers with Jean Paul and his friend (whose name I never asked, shame on me) until the bar closed at 01:00 and a very good Friday evening came to an end.
Saturday morning meant waking up in Hotel de Paris. I could not get a very late check-out as a certain Ron and Astrid were on their way to Apeldoorn, taking over my room. They would come for the Saturday only, like many people I know based upon two bands. Iotunn and Swallow the Sun. Before these two would prove us right, first other bands would come. Sáwol from Finland being the first. They only got some 30 minutes, but their doom/death was welcome to my ears. The vocalist proved the clichee that Fins are more at ease playing music than talking, but they were pleased to play for us. And I was pleased to hear them. So one fine start of the Saturday.
Next on were Fallen Sanctuary an Italian/Austrian band with Georg Neuhauser from Serenity fame on vocals. Now I am not Serenity's biggest fan and it turned out nor will I be Fallen Sanctuary's one. Their Power Metal was to me formualic and did not do much for me. A plus was that they lived by the rule that God does not approve of cheating, so backing vocals were actually sung and not from tape (unlike several other bands this weekend). Result was that it was not always pure, but it was honest. Now that I found that I was not so impressed with Fallen Sanctuary I realized gaps in the program appeared as Fallen Sanctuary would be back for an interview first ad later an acoustic slot in the Theater.
While the theater was discussing 15 years of Brainstorm the hall was starting to buzz. After all Iotunn would be on next and those who saw them at ProgPower this year knew we would be in for a treat. And so we were! Moving most upfront for the weekend I found my spot close to the stage and let Iotunn blow me off my socks. As they had a slightly shorter slot than PPE, they played their full album minus one song this time. And yes they did keep the high level of performance we now seem to be getting from them always. If you like their album, you simply must love their show. I can only hope the world sees what I see and Iotunn will keep on rising to great heights. Their music is for many and their performance is ace, so bring on that new album and conquer continents. This time I also was so smart picking up my XXL tee upon arrival, going for the longsleeve in the end, as by now the weather turned shitty in Holland. I just saw a picture of the band with the crowd after their set. I turned into avatar/smurf on that one beautifully covered in blue stage light.
Next on would be an unknown band to me in Sleeping Romance. So with Willem, Ron and Astrid we decided on a proper dinner break outside, since we were not in for elephant burgers. This meant I only saw the last two songs of the band with the weird name. Some words describing the band: Power Metal, Italian, Female vocals. This meant they would be fighting an uphill battle to win me over. I did see an enthusiastic hall, but this style of music is not for me to go wild on.
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My closing band for the weekend would be on next and a guarantee for success: Swallow the Sun. Their latest album Moonflowers is another masterclass in melancholy and several songs would pass by tonight. Swallow the Sun are not here to go wild on stage, but to present us dark and moody metal of teh highest class. Almost all of them hooded on stage their doom ruled over de Gigant. Obviously a band of topclass it was impossible not to be impressed by their performance. For me a great way to end one fine weekend in Apeldoorn. Firewind woud still be coming on, but as I saw them a few monmonths ago at Dynamo and the train home would be long I called it a weekend. Meeting several friends over the days, enjoying many good shows and one fine atmosphere throughout the weekend proved that my choice for Brainstorm this weekend was the right one. After a short scare even the Duvel got back on tap to make Ron happy, while I liked my Brand double bockies. So beer and metal and for some a bit of religion were a fine combination indeed.
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