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METALTOWN

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FESTIVAL

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Gothenburg, Sweden: 26 – 27 June 2009

Metaltown Festival finds itself in arguably the home of metal, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Unlike Novarock, this 2 day festival, is without camping. That’s right, 15,000 people trying to find somewhere to sleep in the city. Obviously this can be a problem, as anyone who plans to attend the festival without a bit of planning ahead (ie hostel accommodation) will struggle to find anything. *cough* me *cough* Luckily the hostel I was staying at had an emergency room, with some beds stolen from the 14th century, but it was still somewhere to sleep.

The second problem is getting in. Due to its location on the docks in Gothenburg, there is only one entrance. One entranced manned by 2 people. Once through these gates you have to go get a wrist band, this is done by maybe 6-8 people, once that is done there is the wrist band check, 3 entrances, then the bag check and pat down, and now you’re in the festival.

Once these problems have been encountered and you’re inside the venue, you might be lucky like me and catch the second band of the day, many however missed out on seeing Pain. I only know the band from their catchy as fuck song shut your mouth, and luckily the rest of the set didn’t disappoint, but shut your mouth was clearly the song the majority knew, and were happy to dance a long to.

After that joyous experience I wasn’t able to prepare myself for the onslaught approaching on the main stage as I’d misplaced my timetable. The festival has 3 stages, 2 next to each like at the Big Day Out, and a small tent for ‘rising talent‘ shall we say. Where was I? Right, Luckily after the first few minutes of noise there was a nice little introduction in a proper British accent that this band is Napalm Death. The band, mainly singer, move around like freaks on stage, a second standing still is a wasted second. I’m sure people with A.D.D. could appreciate the music as there is that much going on, but this wasn’t my scene. The songs 3 shooting the band was enough for me to head back to the guest/press area.

Now Trivium cop a lot of shit. You won’t find any of their music on my music players, yet I’m also not signed up to blabbermouth.net to bag the band, but you have to admit they know how to get a crowd going. They come out running, and continue up that pace for the full 45 minute set, while having fun, which is nice to see when compared to the band up next, Meshuggah.

Clearly comparing Trivium and Meshuggah can’t be done. Well, shouldn’t be done, but here goes none the less. Trivium is fun shit, the crowd love it, and the band is having a good time on stage. Meshuggah on the other hand are a very tight unit, they make a virgin look loose, which can sometimes lose the fun as, sure the singer pulls his weird faces, but thats not really firing up the crowd, unless you have a fetish for that. The fans in the crowd still enjoyed their set though, clearly a different audience to that of Trivium.

The banner of COBHC was hanging nicely in the lead up to Children of Bodom hitting the stage. They were the first band in the ‘1 hour’ category, everyone before them played for 45 minutes, everyone after (including them) for an hour, excluding the headliner, 75 minutes. Children Of Bodom have the moves, and with an enthusiastic crowd they put on a top show. Volbeat took the slot of 3rd last band. A band I only know of by name. And after a set that wasn’t bad, but well, nothing special, I’m not planning on increasing my knowledge of the band. 3 songs in the pit was enough for me to realise a drink was more important than listening to the rest of their set.

Disturbed are a band I’ve seen a few times before, and while nothing amazing – and still living in the glory years of nu-metal – they have generally put on an entertaining show. This one seemed different however, front man David Draiman seemed very unenthusiastic, but the band seemed on form. It was all going ok, until Draiman uttered some horrible words.. he.. he asked for a wall of death. Well, not exactly like that, he was rambling on some shit, but the general idea was he wanted a wall of death. Whats with everyone trying to prove how brutal they are these days? It was pretty much a failure, and it was a shame a band like Disturbed had to be the first of the festival to want one. Down with the Sickness started, and I knew the set would soon be over. Thankfully.

Slipknot headlined the day, or by this time the night. As annoying as bad entrances and accommodation are, running a timetable ahead of schedule is more annoying. At least if it’s late, you still know its coming, but early?! Grrr. You cant predict that. Anywho, Slipknot came on and put on a very solid show. I’ve always liked them live, well, on this tour at least. They are a metal band who don’t have to prove how brutal they are. They don’t call for crowd surfers or circle pits, or even walls of death. The biggest call you’ll get out of Corey Taylor is ‘jump’. Just the way it should be. Or maybe I’m getting too old for this and I’m turning into one of the old guys who gets a beer and watches from the back, while complaining about it later?Anyway, a solid Slipknot set, with a set list featuring many more tunes from All Hope is Gone than their tour of Australia last year.

Its a weird feeling after day 1 of a festival to be walking back to the city to catch a tram to the hostel, rather than a casual walk to the tent. Its missing a fair chunk of the fun there, despite the positive, laid back feel of the festival during the day.

After a somewhat average sleep, day 2 started somewhat different to day 1. On a positive note, the lines were a lot smaller. Clearly there weren’t many who bought day tickets for the Saturday. And another positive, the passport I’d lost the night before had been found! In the course of trying to find a pay phone though (read: buy a Swedish Sim card) I missed most of Evergrey, catching only the last song and highlight, a touch of blessing.

The Haunted were up next, and despite knowing hardly any of their music, had quite a feeling of deja-vu with the last time I’d photographed them. Except for the now bearded beast that is Peter Dolving, vocalist of The Haunted.

I had never been too keen on Dragonforce, sure the song on Guitar Hero is kinda cool, but I’d never been tempted to check out their music further. But god damn, these guys can put on a show. From the vocalist in tight black leather pants, a semi see through cowboy hat, and a long sleeve shirt that shows his midriff, to the eccentric keyboardist in pink and yellow. Still, no desire to get their music, but I’ll be much keener to check them out on their next tour.

All that Remains fill the slot of token hardcore American band, and from the photo pit had a horrendous sound, so burning in the sun seemed like a better idea in the press area than while listening to them. My Dying Bride were in weird position. Between American hardcore, and Mustache, a Swedish hard rock band, but they put on a killer show. With the opening words from the brits being ‘its a nice sunny day, lets see if we can change that‘, the doom that is My Dying Bride was spreading like a cold fog amongst the small crowd gathered to see them. Extremely small I have to say, but a killer show none the less.

Sweden’s Mustache were up next, and with some fancy facial hair I cant be too hard on them, so I’ll leave their review now. Opeth filled final slot number 3. This really surprised me. A metal festival in Sweden, and they are playing third last, behind Manson as headliner, and Dir En Grey, a Japanese thrashy band. Craziness. Opeth played a usual Opeth set, with a tightness similar to Meshuggah, but energy on stage somewhat lacking. Up now were Dir En Grey, a band I had seen the week before before playing in the early afternoon sun to a small crowd, were now second headliner to Marilyn Manson, with an extremely vocal crowd gathered, made up 99% of teenage girls. My ears will never be the same from the screams as they took the stage. Clearly the somewhat androgynous look is coming back into fashion. For knowing none of their material, they put on an entertaining show, with my ears still ringing by the end with the singers somewhat pig like squeal. Different.

Marilyn Manson was to finish off this years Metaltown Festival. A black curtain hung down over the stage in the lead up to his time slot, which was kinda surprising considering the simple stage setup he had with the band. A somewhat larger Manson took the stage fully decked in coat and hood, before stripping of a layer as each song finished. The set featured heavily with his newer material, but only featuring ‘If I was your vampire‘, from the bands previous release. Due to certain circumstances, most of the set was listened to from the press area, but an enjoyable set was played including classics the dope show, beautiful people, the love song, and more, making me really keen to check out his upcoming Australian tour!

Overall Metaltown is an enjoyable festival, it has a laid back atmosphere inside, and with the stage set up the way it is, you wont miss any of the more established bands on the main 2 stages. If you sort out accommodation in advance, get there early enough on the first day, and are OK with long lines for food, an enjoyable festival will be had.

Review and photos by Scott Boelsen