Killing Mode, Incantation, Belphegor, Behemoth, Pungent Stench, Unleashed, Nile

The 2005 version of Harvest Festival hit England on the 7th of September this year and the lineup was spectacular to say the least. I was waiting in line with a thrilled expression on my face as time came up on 2pm and the doors were supposed to open. I finally made it into the venue at 3pm after technical difficulties had delayed the opening of the show. Not to worry though, it was well worth the wait, even though I wouldn't have minded the first band to play while the doors were closed. We would all have been better off that way.

Killing Mode was formed in Brighton, UK, in 1997 and describe themselves as "Crushing Brutalcore". Now let's start off with that classification. First, there was nothing crushing about the music of Killing Mode, rather it's a sleepingpill and the only thing that actually kept me awake during their set was the highpitched cries of the vocalist when he wasn't just growl-rap-singing. Second, there wasn't even a shred of brutality present during their performance. The only thing they seemed focused on was to act as spoiled brats and constantly complain about the sound on stage. I will not bother watching this band live again and I wouldn't advice anyone to do so.

So much better was the good old band Incantation. You could tell straight away that the guys have been on stage numerous times and feel secure in their performances. The music flowed through the set and it was with a sly grin of appreciation and impression I watched them leave the stage and make way for Belphegor.

Now this was a band that impressed me. I haven't heard much of this eastern european black metal band before but I can easily say that they now have my attention. There was energy, kaos and (most of all) lightning speed. They lpayed a set just long enough to leave the audience wanting more and still presentr themselves in full. I will definatly look out for future gigs by this act.

Then Behemoth come up on stage. Oh. My. God. Kaos and disorder and death and destruction ensued. this band totally blew me away and they did just everything right. From the volume through the performance through the visual show to the contact with the audience, Behemoth completely ruled. After they were done, I was well convinced that nothing were to beat that in a good while... and I was wrong.

Pungent Stench was the next band out and it was good to see the old tripple live again. Their death'n'roll was exactly what was needed after the onslaught of Behemoth and finally I took my leave to the bar and had a slow pint while I cleared my head to the tunes of Pungent Stench. They did well musicwise but I must say that I wasn't impressed at all with their stage show. It was very static and it seemed more as if they wanted to play everything perfect to the note rather than entertain the listeners. Even though, I enjoyed the gig. Next out came my old time heroes and homeland companions, Unleashed.

Now there's a band who know what they are doing. From start to finish they hel a solid viking-metal entertainment and involved the audience in little singalong games thoughout the gig. They played a good mix of songs, old and new, and I was happy to hear that they played songs as old as from their first album and it took me back to the good old days in the cold north of Sweden and all the stupid things I used to get up to before I moved over to Oxford. While they played, I readied myself with another time and then found my way to the floor as Nile invaded the stage.

Words cannot describe the slaughter these guys wrecked on the very essence of my being. It was a ruthless storm of riffs, drums and vocals, a river of perfection flowing from a majestic visual show and phenomenal musical presentation. Nile was and is, hands down, the best live act I have ever seen in my life. The only thing I can complain about was their abrupt ending of the show and that they left without coming back on stage for a extra. And when I can't find anything else to complain about, there isn't much there. I always find something wrong with music and performances, or I should say; I have always found something wrong with in musical performances until I saw Nile. The gig at Harvest Festival at Koko, Camden, London, UK, completely changed my perspective on Nile. They are and will remain the present kings of Death Metal.

The photo of Nile above is not from the event.