» Gefle Metal Festival 2017

Gefle Metal Festival 2017

This was the second edition of Gefle Metal Festival, taking place in the middle part of Sweden. The exact same location was home to Getaway Rock Festival from 2010 to 2015, and is now occupied by Gefle Metal. The latter organisation has gone for a slightly smaller festival set-up and compared to Getaway Rock, there is now focus on pure, more aggressive metal, with its various brands. This is probably a wise approach in order to endure and stand out in the competitive festival business, attracting certain groups of the metal public. The line-up this year was appealing, boasting big names like Amon Amarth, Opeth, Testament and Arch Enemy, complemented by many other quality acts.

Overall, the rather compact festival area is well-planned and easy to move around in, with no large distances. Having the two outdoor stages close to each other is comfortable. The absence this year of the biggest indoor bar (aside from the VIP one) was a bit of a shame though, and during the first day there were long queues to the bars outside. That seemed to be because of technical problems though, and there were no complaints heard during the rest of the weekend.

Apart from enjoying ourselves in the open festival site, us Metal Covenant reporters spent some time backstage. Unfortunately, interviews with Amon Amarth, Testament, Sanctuary and Arch Enemy did not happen for various reasons but one with Opeth and one with Paradise Lost can be found in our coverage below, alongside reviews of a number of acts. After the termination of Getaway Rock, it is very nice indeed to still travel to this place for a weekend of metal and while the concept is a bit different, it is just as pleasurable under the banner of Gefle Metal.
//Mozzy

|Friday| - |Saturday|

Reviews by Mozzy/Tommy

Friday - July 14

Band: Death Angel
Goat Stage 17.05 - 18.05

~ By Mozzy
After getting glimpses of Fleshgod Apocalypse and Krisiun, my first must-see at Gefle Metal comes in the form of Death Angel. The Bay Area thrashers go on a bit late due to technical problems, and then the response from the gathered audience proves rather half-hearted. It is not until Thrown To The Wolves that there is some spark, with a small mosh-pit forming. Being the experienced bunch they are, the band deliver a solid effort and frontman Mark Osegueda spurs on the crowd.

Still, it is apparent that the vital element of the band feeding off the crowd is missing somewhat due to the average response. It would surely have been preferable to include at least one more Death Angel classic instead of having three tracks from the latest album, out of the set's ten songs. The cover of Sabbath's Falling Off The Edge Of The World is cool though, and the crowd assists with loud singing in Kill As One. Without a doubt, I have seen more memorable gigs with Death Angel, although it is always good to be treated to their characteristic thrash metal which serves as a nice start to the festival.

Performance: 6 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 7 chalices of 10
Best: Kill As One
Worst: A couple of average numbers

Setlist:
The Ultra-Violence/Evil Priest
Claws In So Deep
Father Of Lies
Caster Of Shame
Thrown To The Wolves
Seemingly Endless Time
Lost
Falling Off The Edge Of The World
Kill As One
The Moth

Band: Sanctuary
Fire Stage 18.10 - 19.10

~ By Mozzy
Since their reunion in 2010, I have longed for an opportunity to see Sanctuary live. The same had been heard from many festival visitors, so it is a big moment when Sanctuary take the stage, also for what must be the band's first performance in Sweden. Opening with the two first tracks from 2014´s excellent comeback record The Year The Sun Died, the sound is quite bad as the bass drums dominate and Warrel Dane's vocals are too low in the mix. It is taken care of though and we get a well-balanced set with heavy metal jewels from all the band's releases, old and new. Fifth number in the set is the classic Future Tense which gets the audience going.

Inevitably, much of the spotlight is on Warrel Dane. The celebrated, inimitable vocalist is a character and just to see him again after many years since Nevermore disbanded is great. Looking thinner than usual, the American has certainly had some refreshments and is in an excellent mood cracking many jokes and getting the crowd to sing some "Fuck Trump" and "Trump is a cunt" lines. As for his voice, its immense power is missing at times, but even so his voice is enjoyable.

His partners from the original line-up, guitarist Lenny Routledge and drummer Dave Budbill, put in a solid performance. So do the freshest acquisitions, bassist George Fernandez and stand-in guitarist Attila Voros, although it is a shame that original bassist Jim Sheppard has had to leave the band because of health reasons. Although it is not a flawless performance, it is delightful to finally see Sanctuary who sign off with 1990 hit Taste Revenge which sees a wild response from a welcoming, happy crowd.

Performance: 7 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 7 chalices of 10
Best: To finally hear these quality Sanctuary tracks live
Worst: ---

Setlist:
Arise And Purify
Let The Serpent Follow Me
Die For My Sins
Seasons Of Destruction
Future Tense
Question Existence Fading
Frozen
Eden Lies Obscured
Soldiers Of Steel
Taste Revenge

Band: Paradise Lost
Fire Stage 20.30 - 21.40

~ By Mozzy
As I have not seen Paradise Lost in a while, it is a wonderful surprise when the old crushing tune Pity The Sadness appears as second number. It is followed by One Second which is drastically different musically but just as appealing. As the set goes on, there are continuous similar shifts between the heavier and the softer sides of Paradise Lost. What really strikes you is how large a number of great tunes the English veterans have amassed by now, stemming from all periods and styles of the band's career.

That they have a devoted fan base in Sweden is apparent as the response from the crowd is heartfelt. Maybe that is why singer Nick Holmes is complementing his normal dry English humour with an unusually cheerful attitude, even smiling. Otherwise, Paradise Lost' live is not entertaining visually, but the music is in the forefront and speaks for itself, being a joy to listen to. The stage sound is tremendous too, enhancing the massive heaviness as well as the magnificent melodies.

What is also prominent is Holmes' singing, especially during the heavy songs. His growl definitely sounds more inspiring now. In fact it sounds awesome, exemplified during the colossal Beneath Broken Earth. Surely, him joining Swedish death metallers Bloodbath a couple of years ago has played its part, and his effort here is a superb appetizer for his gig with the aforementioned group tomorrow. At the end, we get a treat in The Longest Winter from the upcoming album, before the excellent set is brought to an end with The Last Time.

Performance: 8 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 8 chalices of 10
Best: Pity The Sadness
Worst: ---

Setlist:
No Hope In Sight
Pity The Sadness
One Second
Gothic
The Enemy
Isolate
Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us
Embers Fire
Say Just Words
Enchantment
Beneath Broken Earth
Eternal
The Longest Winter
The Last Time

Band: Amon Amarth
Goat Stage 21.45 - 23.15

~ By Mozzy
Headlining the biggest stage on the first day is Sweden's own Amon Amarth, who have become used to high festival slots. While they have been a great live band for many years, it is also apparent that the band have developed their proficiency onstage even further. These are pros at work onstage, intent to entertain. From opener The Pursuit Of Vikings, the effort is committed as usual, with fervent headbanging, although guitarist Johan Söderberg is now often substituting the wildest neck movement in favour of throwing guitar shapes. The contact with the audience is very good as well, led by the grinning Johan Hegg who apart from possessing a powerful voice knows how to get the crowd to participate.

Every single number in the set is a natural fit and after one particular song feels like a highlight, a new one appears straight after. After twenty years and numerous albums, the band can assemble a setlist brimming with memorable tunes and fan favourites. In an odd way, it is almost a bit predictable at times because you know that Amon Amarth always deliver. But tonight, the guest appearance of Messiah Marcolin in Hel is a surprising, very cool feature. At this stage of their career, Amon Amarth can also put on an ambitious stage show. We get a big light show, continuous pyro effects with flames shooting in different directions, huge backdrops, and the big viking helmet on which the drum podium is placed is simply genius. During The Way Of Vikings, a battle between two actors is taking place, enhancing the music and lyrics.

The response from the packed crowd is enthusiastic throughout the show and culminates during the encores. Raise Your Horns, a truly ideal song for the live environment, has everyone raising either their horns or beer while joining in the chorus. Then it's another fan favourite in the form of Guardians Of Asgaard before final number Twilight Of The Thunder God. The latter anthem and Amon Amarth signature song kicks off with Johan Hegg swinging a big hammer to the floor setting off pyro, and an inflatable serpent soon appears onstage. All in all, this is yet another successful and very impressive performance by the Swedish quintet.

Performance: 8,5 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 8 chalices of 10
Best: Raise Your Horns
Worst: ---

Setlist: (might be slightly inaccurate)
The Pursuit of Vikings
As Loke Falls
First Kill
The Way of Vikings
At Dawn's First Light
Cry of the Black Birds
Deceiver of the Gods
Tattered Banners and Bloody Flags
Destroyer of the Universe
Death in Fire
Father of the Wolf
Runes to My Memory
War of the Gods
Raise Your Horns
Guardians of Asgaard
Twilight of the Thunder God

Band: Testament
Fire Stage 23.20 - 00.30

~ By Mozzy
Having just witnessed Amon Amarth, it is not any band that is next: none other than Testament. Not a bad metal evening at all, this. The Bay Area legends suffer from a poor sound during the first number but this is fixed, ensuring a thrash metal feast. It is the band's first gig in some weeks and one can really see that the members are excited and in a great mood when performing tonight. The first four numbers include three from the latest album and one from the one prior and they go down very well with the equally excited crowd, but it the upcoming classics that really get the party started.

First up is an old gem which is great to have back in the set: Electric Crown. It is greeted with loud cheers and generates passionate singing and headbanging, activities which continue during one Testament classic after the other and the atmosphere among the crowd is superb. During Into The Pit, a good-sized moshpit is formed to the delight of frontman Chuck Billy. Just as expected, Testament provide an excellent ending to the first, splendid festival day of metal.

Performance: 8,5 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 7 chalices of 10
Best: Electric Crown
Worst: ---

Setlist:
Brotherhood Of The Snake
Rise Up
The Pale King
Centuries Of Suffering
Guitar Solo
Electric Crown
Practice What You Preach
The New Order
Into The Pit
Over The Wall
Low
D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)
Disciples Of The Watch

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Saturday - July 15

Band: Nervosa
Fire Stage 14.20 - 15.05

~ By Mozzy
A large gathering is waiting for Nervosa to take the stage this sunny afternoon. The fact that this is a band consisting of three women playing thrash metal - something that is not that common - may well be a part of the big interest. The main reason though, I'd like to think, is that the trio has convinced on record and many are eager to check out the band when they make a rare visit in Sweden. From first number Hypocrisy and onwards, they prove impressive onstage as well. Aided by a great stage sound, Nervosa's intense, adrenaline-filled thrash metal has an attacking impact and it is played with much dedication. Singer/bassist Fernanda Lira and drummer Luana Dametto lay a strong rhythmic foundation over which Prika Amaral delivers sharp riffs with a deadly guitar sound. And just how the small Dametto, who joined the band this year, punishes the skins relentlessly is a sight to behold.

Songs like Intolerance Means War and Guerra Santa are two highlights, and the crowd's response is enthusiastic, with chants of the band's name taking place as well. While her vocals are vicious, Lira has a smiling, positive approach onstage and has great contact with the audience. Overall, it is awesome to witness the girls' passion for metal, something that Lira expresses between songs, and Into Moshpit, with its references to classic thrash albums, sees a lovely unison between band and fans. Although their material is not on the same level as the thrash greats, Nervosa's performance at Gefle Metal is a real treat.

Performance: 7 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 8 chalices of 10
Best: The passion shown
Worst: Some songs are rather similar

Setlist:
Hypocrisy
Arrogance
Surrounded by Serpents
Death!
Guerra Santa
Theory of Conspiracy
Into Moshpit

Band: Bloodbath
Goat Stage 17.05 - 18.05

~ By Tommy
Bloodbath did not put up much of a show, apart from some splattered blood, but what they lack in the visual area they make up for in form of a massive guitar sound. This was the first time for me seeing the band live, and they managed to my slight surprise bring their grand sound on the albums to the stage. Nick Holmes on vocals (also vocals in Paradise Lost, performing the day before) is in more than one way a bit different than his predecessors but I feel he works very well in his role. His scaled off persona on stage with minimal and subtle gestures make a great contrast to the music and thus a vital impact to the whole outcome.

The overall sound was a bit blurry at occasions but it was tight as hell with the competent drums/bass section standing out a bit. The setlist was great and for a band that is not playing live that much it did not show at all. They delivered a highly pleasant show and I could not have hoped for more.

Performance: 8 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 7 chalices of 10
Best: Breeding Death and the crushing guitar sound
Worst: ---

Setlist:
Let the Stillborn Come to Me
Mental Abortion
So You Die
Breeding Death
Anne
Ways to the Grave
Cancer of the Soul
Weak Aside
Church of Vastitas
Soul Evisceration
Like Fire
Outnumbering the Day
Mock the Cross
Eaten

Band: Grave
Goat Stage 19.15 - 20.25

~ By Tommy
When Sodom sadly was forced to cancel their gig this day due to Tom Angelripper injuring his leg, Grave got the task to step in on one day's notice. Even though being a highly adequate replacement, I have always felt that Grave in a live situation is a bit boring in the long run, so I was a bit put down by this shift. However, and to my honest surprise, I ended up being really satisfied. I have never on five previous occasions seen Grave this good before.

They radiated vitalness, energy and a seemingly newfound joy and they were carried along a good and fat sound which helped creating that little extra feeling. There is nothing more to say really, since they do play a very meat & potato sort of death metal, and they pulled the job off well this day but with no surprises which I do think noone in their right mind would expect either. I personally would not mind seeing them again soon and that is for me a good sign.

Performance: 7 chalices of 10
Stage sound:8 chalices of 10
Best: The energy
Worst: The somewhat

(sorry, no setlist)

Band: Dark Funeral
Fire Stage 20.30 - 21.40

~ By Tommy
Playing in close to broad daylight (bear in mind that this festival takes place in the northern part of Sweden during summer where the sun sets first around 23.00) is not an ideal situation for a band like Dark Funeral. Quite devastating, actually. Their show with pyro and constant buring fires looks kind of silly and loses most of its intended effect.

Add to that the lowest and weakest sound on the whole festival and this did not turn out especially well. It's competent and tight but due to the nature of the music, being mostly a wall of guitars without much variation and melodies and an almost static pace, it quickly becomes pretty boring, and when not having the night show and its added effect to rely on, this was something I quickly lost interest in.

Performance: 5 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 5 chalices of 10
Best: ---
Worst: The sound and the monotony

(sorry, no setlist)

Band: Opeth
Goat Stage 21.45 - 23.15

~ By Mozzy
Just like yesterday, the headliner hails from Sweden but the two acts undoubtedly differ in terms of both music and show. As regards to the latter, Opeth does not even have a proper backdrop this time and the music is of course very different compared to Amon Amarth's. Under all circumstances, there is equal passion for the music, which is what Opeth focus on. And what music it is. Opening with the title track from latest opus Sorceress, the response in the front rows is ecstatic from the start and continues when two older Opeth staples follow: Ghost Of Perdition and Demon Of The Fall. These feature growling from frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt who once again impresses when switching between this singing style and his mellow, soulful vocals. His banter, meanwhile, is funny like always and he takes the time to wave and say hello to his kids standing on the side watching.

His bandmates are as usual more laidback onstage but their proficiency is always obvious and this is indeed an extraordinary group of musicians who form a very strong unit. It's difficult not to name Fredik Åkesson - a brilliant, versatile guitarist whose solo in The Wilde Flowers is superb. Also, drummer Martin Mendoz really showcases his skill by switching from his slaughtering drum performance with death metallers Bloodbath earlier tonight to a much more varied and subtler style in Opeth.

Opeth's setlist tonight consists of nine class compositions, with three from the latest album and it is a treat to finally hear Era, which works great live as expected with its hook. Opeth deliver music that is truly captivating and I feel pleasure and thankfulness inside. That sentiment is shared with many, judging from the warm, thrilled atmosphere among the large crowd. As always, the riffing during the end of the colossal Deliverance is an epic conclusion to a marvellous music display.

Performance: 9 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 8 chalices of 10
Best: ---
Worst: ---

Setlist:
Sorceress
Ghost Of Perdition
Demon Of The Fall
The Wilde Flowers
Cusp Of Eternity
Heir Apparent
Era
The Drapery Falls
Deliverance

Band: Arch Enemy
Fire Stage 23.20 - 00.30

~ By Tommy
Together with Amon Amarth this was definitely the festival's best concert. With a very good and clear sound, Arch Enemy delivered a gig that was tight, visually appealing with good choreography and nice lighting and they lined up hit after hit. The concert gradually lifted all the way to the end and never really dipped at any point and this was what I would call an almost complete show. The only thing missing was a larger stage and a longer setlist.

Alissa White-Gluz is a perfect front woman with a fantastic voice and this night she was as good as always, vocally as well as character wise, and is a natural center of attention and pulls it off seemingly with ease and a geniune dedication. The band delivered just as expected on the high level they are on at the moment, and with the album Will To Power, recently released when writing this, they proved even further that they are somewhat at a creative peak.

Performance: 9 chalices of 10
Stage sound: 8 chalices of 10
Best: No Gods, No Masters and Alissa White-Gluz
Worst: ---

Setlist:
Enemy Within
Revolution Begins
War Eternal
Ravenous
Stolen Life
My Apocalypse
You Will Know My Name
As the Pages Burn
Under Black Flags We March
Avalanche
No Gods, No Masters
We Will Rise
Snow Bound
Nemesis

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