It’s Saturday morning and while the sky is overcast the arena is warm and dry so we can’t complain there. Hitting the stage first are Deitus, and the weather seems rather fitting for this Death metal band covered in blood. After playing a lengthy intro, vocalist A.G joins the rest of the band onstage clearly ready to give us hell. With driving beats, fast riffs and growling vocals, these guys are certainly making sure we’re awake! It’s not just the music with this band though it’s all about the performance that comes with it as each member of the band comes forward while headbanging or staring menacingly towards the crowd. Deitus are here to make a statement and that they certainly have!
Up next are Ukrainian melodic metal band IGNEA for their first ever UK festival performance. With a mixture of haunting melodic vocals and deep growls, the range of Helle Bohdanova is impressive to witness live as she switches between the 2 with ease. Her whole performance is captivating to watch as she headbangs with the band, dances across the stage and encourages the crowd. Using a keytar to add a more traditional folk sound to their music also adds something different and special to this bands sound that also uses enchanting folk tales in their lyrics. Ending the set with a bang while playing ‘Leviathan’, Bohdanova jumps off stage to greet the crowd, while a circle pit opens up, showing just how much this band appreciates the fans who have come down early to catch them play.
Taking us into the afternoon are Brazilian Death Metallers, CRYPTA. As the all female 4 piece take to the stage, a crowd quickly gathers round to see them perform. And what a performance it is as vocalist and bassist Fernanda Lira uses her facial expressions to fully emote the songs while growling them out. Watching her is truely captivating but at the same time, your eyes dart across to the rest of the band who are throwing their all into this performance. There’s a whole lot of talent on the stage with these guys from fast and technical guitar solos to the rhythmic beats, this once side project is officially a fully formed band encompassing everything Death Metal. The chemistry that these guys have on stage too is undeniable and adds to what is already an incredible stage performance. With the circle pits open and the crowd surfers breaking through, we’re officially into the swing of the day!
