Roosendaal Open Air - The Loods H.O.F. Roosendaal, 2 September 2023

Roosendaal Open Air I heard of it before, but never managed to attend same. No idea why, but Roosendaal in my head is further away than it actually turned out to be. A direct train brought us in one hour to Roosendaal Centraal. With the Loods being located next to the football stadium behind the station, arriving there was very easy. This year the moment Hellripper was added to the line-up I put a big mark at 2 September in my imaginary agenda. The line-up was mainly on the heavier end of metal, but I saw four bands before and liked all of them. Marko encountered a good timing at home to join me, so we  took a train togeter both debuting at Roosendaal Open Air.

Upon arrival we immediatly loved the set-up. A small festival, with an indoor alternative for when the weather stinks. Entrance for 21 Euro only already starts fine for 8 bands. Food and drinks also normally priced plus lots of benches to sit on. Special beer lovers also had a corner, with several beers going up to 9/10% alcohol. With the sun out most of the day I knew that entering those would come at a cost (if not fast at least the next morning). Another good point was the split in the audience. All decades were represented in good numbers, from teenagers to old, bold and grey jurassic bangers like us. Actually after some ten minutes in Marko already stated that this is one to return to every year. I tend to agree. Finally one running gag through the day turned out to be the airfilled items flying around. It started with a beachball and unicorn. When the unicorn died a crocodile appeared, a safety belt, more balls and an airmatrass. All going around in good fun.

Since we both had a morning program we missed the first two bands. Headless Hunter I wil check out at Metal Experience Fest in Nobel (new name) 23 September. Sepiroth I saw a few times before and will see again no doubt. So our first band was Your Highness from Belgium. Even if catching up with some people you bump into at every metal event possible, I liked what I heard from a small distance. Sludge / Stoner Metal Archives mentions and that might well be. I liked their overall performance and after several beers killing the thirst of the trainride in, we were in the mood. 

We stayed in Belgium for Mordkaul. The band were announced by a guy I recognized from his other non-dayjob as vocalist in Razorblade Messiah. He called them the Belgian At The Gates. Being referd to another band makes originality complicated, but I did not care. Their Melodic Death Metal went down a storm and this bad got the crowd moving. They also included a Death cover which showed they are technically a good band indeed. Slowly we started liking the day better and better with on forehand unknown surprises liek these.

The stomach asked for food and the Robuuste Burger was a treat. No sloppy festival burger, but a massive and more important tasty burger to fill us up. We finished in time to be back in the shade for An Evening With Knives. I saw this doomy stoner trio before and liked them at the time. Today they turned out to be not for all as the lightweight on the menu. Or was it dinner time for many? Anyway they struggled to get a crowd, but in the end convinced me again. Just a very good band, at maybe not their best festival. A welcome break of moodswings inbetween all the sonic violence of the day they were.

Coffinfeeder came on next and what a blast this was. Again a Belgian band who gave us deathcore with slam death vocals and brutal death metal blended in. The band went wild and so did the audience. These turned out to be the wildest pits of the day helped by last daylight and an overdose of energy coming off the stage. While I would not play this at home that quick, I loved their performance and tight set. Robocop soundbytes blended in and all out metal in your face most of the time, made this one of the  highlights of the day.

Then something strange hapend. When the show was over a disco hit was played and almost everyone went crazy. I am too old for that and in spite of many repeats by Marko on the song title it did not survive the night in my head. After this tasteless intermezzo the DJ went for party songs and the mood went through the roof on tunes of Motorhead and Twisted Sister. This definitely was the best festival to be at during that specal break, but more was to come.

More came with Hellripper the band I only discovered this year, but is among the ones that absolutely blew me away this year. This time they brought Black Arts & Alchemy on CD, so I am nearing completion (collectors do understand this). As Hellripper already played The Netherlands at Welcome to Hell, Pitfest and supporting Midnight this year, they have become quite a name already. What I liked is that among the youngest fans present 90% wore a Hellripper Tee. At the same time, speaking to my generation, many admitted looking out most for Hellripper. And no they did not disappoint. What an energetic rollercoaster they take you on. Giving a career overview we got a bit of everything and the crowd loved them. At the end James soloed crowdsurfing again and the hour flew by. Defintely one of the bands guaranteeing the future of metal, as all generations find something for their liking here. All Hail the Goat it is..

The festival would end with Baest from Denmark. I saw them before both indoor Paard and outdoor at DMF a few years back. A proper Death Metal band seemed the right choice to end the festival. Even if in a bar in Roosendaal a Metallica cover band woud be waiting. We decided to leave before the end catching a comfortable train home. What a surprising nice festival this turned out to be. A big thanks and thumbs up for all in organization and volunteering along. Roosendaal Open Air proved for me once agan why I prefer small scale festivals over the huge experiences big time. So ending in Coffin Feeder Schwartzenegger quoting style  "I'll be back".