horizon ignited | Dark Art Conspiracy

Nummirock 2024 was a hit! So much so that the festival asked for compliance in keeping campsites no larger than necessary to accommodate a high attendance expectation. Although the lineup itself was a bit underwhelming for Nummirock standards, it felt like the festival was attended better than it had been in the past few years and possibly even pre-covid years. Last year, I noticed the camp grounds being almost full by Tuesday and even with lake side camping being almost doubled in size this year, it felt already on Monday there were more people than last year (yes, me and my camp arrive earlier and earlier each year now). Of course, I wondered how the festival would top the beyond epic finale Behemoth gave us last year and unfortunately this years finale did not come close though Kerry King and the others on stage did provide a pretty amazing and memorable show . However, the festival seemed to focus more on improving in other ways. The festival organizers really listen to the feedback of the attendees and provided more showers and toilets to the camping areas, a larger area to sit and recharge in the festival area, more efficiency at the gates to reduce ques, plus more variety in food including an improved cafeteria style setup in the relamo area with daily menu’s including breakfast. There were also brand new (or not regular) additions to the festival such as a book truck and mini market, bungee jumping, helicopter rides, a mölkky (Finnish yard game) competition in addition to the regular frisbee golf competition and many others like corpse paint workshop and book signing/interviews as well as meet and greets. Some regular favorites included the lovely Tampere Burlesque, stand up comedy acts, bingo, rock yoga and Stereo Terror DJs who always end the festival on a memorable note.

When it came to the music, Body Count , Thy Art is Murder and Blackbraid seemed to be the most anticipated bands amongst festival goers. Martti Servo & Napander, Tarot and Warmen were also up there. One of my personal highlights, Kallomäki were also highly talked about. Many people weren’t familiar with them before, but were blown away by their performance including dancing dark fusion duo MorteDohlen. Not only was their music perfect for kicking off a midsummer insanity, their show ranged from pure mosh pit inducing metal to folk ballads included pagan rituals such as an on stage “sacrifice” and the audience getting individually marked with blood by one of the band members. The crowd was 110% enthralled and put everyone in the mood for the weekend to come. I had been waiting years for Kallomäki to make their way to Nummirock and was so amazed and excited for them and how the crowd responded to them. If I’m not mistaken, their music was also played during an unofficial event that happened in the camping area by one of the most recognized camps. It was an epic ritual type event organized by the camp (invitations by word of mouth), that happened on the forest side before the festival began. It included a sombre speech made by the host, and though it was a bit difficult to hear, attendees (maybe between 20-30 people including the camp members) kneeled as the host gave his speech and offered everyone a chance to pay respects to the giant totem the camp had built called Seppo and make their sacrifices at the alter for a good midsummer/Nummirock (photos in Festival Life).

Other highlights were Deathchain, although not my typical style of music, their show blew me (and many others) away. The new lineup works flawlessly and they simply had a raw and genuine energy that no other band could touch.
The Halo Effect was also a perfect edition to the Thursday lineup. I think they should have been a headliner. They just fit so well on that main stage, and have such a great connection with the audience and each other.
It was also bittersweet to see Warmen on that main stage, playing Children of Bodom songs where I had seen CoB headline the entire festival multiple times. Although Warmen is still reclaiming their status, I think they could have also easily been a headliner. They were definitely a crowd favorite and with no questions why. It was really interesting to see so many bands this year that have been reformed or newly formed with well recognized members of other bands. To see what these talented musicians can do other than what we are familiar with. Petri Lindroos gave us a triple shot in three very different bands including Warmen, Satanic North and Ensiferum (who surprised me with their show, like somehow out of nowhere the life had been breathed back into them). Crownshift also still in their debut stages showcasing members who are well known for their other bands playing fresh new music in a completely new context. And also a first time for me seeing Tarot and Marco Hietala in his element. They were also an unexpected highlight for me. Similiar to The Halo Effect, just perfect music and energy and a perfect edition to the days lineup. Marianas Rest should have been on the Inferno stage in my opinion, with a later time slot and a MUCH LONGER set. Specially with their style of doom and moody tunes, thirty minutes was just a teaser. But either way, the short but bittersweet show as a definite highlight for me. And Blackbraid, probably my most anticipated act since I had never seen them and was incredibly curious how this unique mix of Native American aesthetics and black metal would work live (not to mention I really dig their sound). They did not disappoint! They will also be at Hellsinki Metal Festival later in the summer but I would love to catch them on a club gig and really hope they come back to Finland outside of festival season. I have to also mention how I love this growing tradition of midnight black metal on the Inferno stage. In general I thought this year had a pretty decent mix of genres spread evenly through out the four days. Bit of something for everyone which not every metal festival is capable of achieving.

Saturday also brought my two favorite non band acts – Tampere Burlesque and Stereo Terror DJs. I think during a four day camping festival, including acts such as these are an essential part of the festival experience to switch things up and give festival goers a chance to experience something different as well as let the stage be taken over by other forms of music entertainment. I hope all of these extra curricular acts and activities stay part of the Nummirock experience in years to come, it definitely adds to the uniqueness of the festival. Cant wait to see what they have in store for next year!