Photography & Report by Pavel Kovalančík / Dark Art Conspiracy

DAY 3 – FRIDAY

Friday had a pretty busy schedule for me. Czech band Cuttered Flesh started early at half past ten with their sledge hammer hard death metal and they surely enjoyed being at Brutal Assault as much as we did. In the early afternoon, death metal squad from California appeared at one of the main stages. Sadistic Intent spat some good old school death metal at us. Rick Cortez, the guitarist was the main star of this band for me. His leather armor which resembled the time of 80’s and 90’s with the combination of B.C. Rich Warlock which was very popular instrument for metal players that era and although it looks weird it is very comfortable to play. A few hours after, another death metal band was showing us their horns. Guys from Polish Hate were very good with the delivery of black and death metal combination. For some time, blacked death metal from this country has its similar sound as some kind of a trademark. The same could be said about another band Azarath, where mighty drummer of Behemoth, Inferno, dwells as well. But again, at the later hour at the Metalgate tent… Music was, of course, real delicacy.

The best of the day and for me personally of the festival has been waiting for the prime time that night . Behemoth was the main band I was there for and even while waiting near bars for about two hours to keep a decent spot (far from perfect anyways) was damned annoying, as my photopass into the photo pit was given only for few chosen bands, it could be described still as a worthy turn. I am very glad for my height in cases like this. Music wise, the songs from the Satanist album were, in my opinion, the strongest of the performance. The set was interleaved with other old ones as well as the new ones from upcoming album I Loved You At Your Darkest. Those songs were Wolves Ov Siberia and God=Dog. The presentation was really flawless. Nergal acted like some hellish little imp on amphetamine, with great attitude and with voice from (anti)gods. The stage presence was strong, heavy and dark but was not overdone or fake. The show also contained many fire geysers with musicians near them, including some blood and masks at the end as well for O Father, O Satan, O Sun. As I said, top band, top music, top performance. As with Myrkur’s case, Behemoth shall get additional space and bigger exclusive gallery.

I mentioned light of bands like Marduk or Carpathian Forest before. After heretics from Poland, it was Carpathian Forest’s turn. Besides the impenetrable wall of blue and red light CF was actually entertaining by themselves as the frontman is really little funny guy and does not give a damn about anything. When he came up full of energy, probably with the help of some booze or coke or both, and presented the bands with words: “We are Carpathian Forest and we play rock ‘n’ roll, oh Jesus Christ!” I just had to laugh, almost dropping on my knees which made methink about another funny black metal character who does not take it too seriously – Abbath. Yeah, that was a great moment. As I love very dark stuff, this approach makes my other half happy. 🙂

The Friday was closed for me by Slovakian cocktail of heavy metal mixed with slight black metal scent – Malokarpatan. Those guys know how to play and how to deliver energy from themselves to the crowd. Also maybe because of a bottle of wine which ended up empty in the singer’s throat by the end of the concert. Music was rich and old school. Thrashy rhytm drums, thrills on guitars and heavy metal or rock solo parts are what makes this band very, very interesting. Playing at the Metalgate tent very late night, it was hard to see anything, but the music was great and I highly suggest it to anyone who likes metal which is not very modern or djenty…