Grilled (photo)chicken from the pit
[Dajana] Saturday also begins in a dignified manner, as the nightly visit to the party tent was relatively brief and without any major incidents. Unfortunately, when I slipped into my sleeping back, I ACCIDENTALLY terrorized people in the middle of the night with phone calls, meaning, I somehow activated the call button when throwing the mobile down (hence the exact time of my return from the party tent ;)). Sorry, Psy (luckily, he didn't have his cell phone in the bedroom).
BRT and Moni left in the morning for Berlin to attend other festivities. Thankfully, BRT activated Chris again to fill in for the one or the other band (as he already did during his absence from the Rock Hard Fest). Thank you Chris, you help is much welcome :*
It's the hottest day of the festival. Shortly after noon, the thermometer showed 30°C, but thankfully it didn't rise any further. It was interesting to watch the fans sliding along with the shades every inch ;) For this last festival day, the organizers had put out the shower again. So, anyone who wanted, could go there and catch a refreshment.
[Chris] At 10 a.m., I was actually standing in the tent watching the Magdeburg Turbonegro tribute band :: ASS COBRA :: They were really good, and there was already a lot going on here. Awesome!
[Dajana] Um... nope, it was too early for me. I preferred to stay a little longer in our camp with a bottle of delicious Sangrita...
:: pics :: SCALPTURE ::
[Dajana] The first band on the last festival day was announced with the words: “They come from far up north...” *ahem* Far up north from North Rhine-Westphalia, perhaps...
[Chris] Bielefeld's :: SCALPTURE :: actually have four full-length albums under their belt. Their death metal is varied and comes across as really powerful. In keeping with the band's war theme, there is a strong statement against dictatorships, intolerance, and war. Very likeable.
[Dajana] The Bielefeld- AND Münster-based band SCALPTURE... please... ;)
Singer Thorsten mentioned that people say they've become too refined... which the band immediately proved absurd... Death metal... the brutal way. Hahaha, a great start to the last day of the festival!
Band: Thorsten (vox), Felix (git), Tobias (git), Niklas (bass), Moritz (drums)
Setlist: The Fall, Into Catastrophe, Schwedentrunk, Dam Busters, Yperite, Til Jeret Undergang, Flattened Horizons
:: pics :: BLOCKHEADS ::
[Chris] The French band :: BLOCKHEADS :: are pretty much unknown to me, but they really got the crowd going with their Grindcore blasts. They have six albums, but I've completely missed them so far. They also made a clear anti-fascist statement.
[Dajana] Yep, for unity and equality. Liberté, égalité, fraternité – comme tu sais.
And yes, I had never heard of these guys before either. But I found them to be a very likeable band. No vegetable Grindcore, even though it would have fit the time of the day. Xav expressed himself very eloquently in English, probably reading from a script, but, who cares. The man gave his all on stage and even jumped into the audience ;) That was a really good pick-me-up :) I like!
And on the way home, I met them again at a rest stop and briefly paid my respects :)
Band: Xav (vox), Fred (git, vox), Raph (git), Erik (bass, vox), Nicolas (drums, vox),
:: pics :: NECROWRETCH ::
[Chris] France again...
[Dajana] And awesome Frenchies again... Oops, I interrupted you, sorry ;)
[Chris] :: NECROWRETCH :: play blackened Death Metal, which reminds me of bands like Necrophobic. That went down really well and made me want to check out this band, which is new to me. Awesome!
[Dajana] I'm ahead of you there. I've come across NECROWRETCH quite a few times. I think their latest album, Swords Of Dajjal, is really great. And it was a hot show too, literally, there was probably plenty of propane gas left. First time grilled in the photopit… ;)
Band: Vlad (vox, git), W. Cadaver (git), R. Cadaver (bass), N. Destroyer (drums)
:: pics :: SCHIZOPHRENIA ::
[Dajana] :: SCHIZOPHRENIA :: had swapped the day with Suffocation. Why, how, what for, I have no idea, but it doesn't matter. SCHIZOPHRENIA also made a clear statement - drummer Lorenzo wore a very stylish “Fuck Nazis” shirt.
[Chris] The Belgian youngsters SCHIZOPHRENIA play death-thrash in the vein of Sepultura or Demolition Hammer, mixed with influences from Morbid Angel and Slayer. Their performance is intense, and you can really tell that this young, hungry band has touring experience, and the audience thanked them with the first proper mosh pit. Awesome. The band also wins the prize for probably the biggest backdrop and the coolest lettering.
[Dajana] Yep, the guys were literally bursting with enthusiasm and had a blast on stage. It was really contagious ;)
Band: Ricky Mandozzi (vox, bass), Romeo Promos Romopoulos (git), Marty VK (git), Lorenzo Vissol (drums)
:: pics :: NIGHTBEARER ::
Dajana] Actually, I now wanted to see Night In Gales in the tent. But there were a few changes in the running order too. Well, since we're already here... Then let's start with :: NIGHTBEARER :: ;)
They're also from around the corner. Far from the east... so to speak ;) (Could become a running gag... hahaha).
Anyway, they also have a new album out, hot off the press and already receiving fantastic reviews. Their third work, Defiance, has received the highest rating in many reviews. Rightly so, in my opinion. And the Paderborn band proved that impressively here on the tent stage. Brutal death metal paired with unbridled enthusiasm and an insane atmosphere in the tent. It was like a madhouse! Add to that the grimaces of singer Michael – he could easily pass as Jens Kidman's little brother. Exhausted and drenched in sweat, I made my way back to the main stage. With a huge grin on my face (and a Köstritzer in my hand). Damn, that was awesome! Highlight!
Band: Michael Torka (vox), Dominik Hellmuth (git), Tristan Schubert (git), Florian Böhmfeld (bass), Manuel Lüke (drums)
Setlist: His Dark Materials, The Dragon Reborn, Lycanthropic Death Squad, Beware The Necromancer, Dying Knows No Bounds, Defiance
:: pics :: ANALEPSY ::
[Dajana] No rest for the wicked. Finest brutal death metal with :: ANALEPSY ::. The Portuguese drag their feet when it comes to new releases and feed the masses with singles instead. Though, it’s really time to release something new again. It's always fun and a good workout for the neck seeing those guys playing live ;)
Band: Calin Parashiv (vox, git), Marco Martins (git), Joao Jacinto (bass), Leo Luychx (drums)
:: pics :: EREB ALTOR ::
[Chris] :: EREB ALTOR :: :: offer some variety in the day's line-up in the best sunshine and thrill the crowd with their Bathory-influenced epic hymns. The string section's choir singing is absolutely fantastic. Pure goosebumps. The more doom-oriented sister band Isole would also be a good fit to the PSOA line-up.
Band: Mats (vox, git), Ragnar (git), Björn (bass), Tord (drums)
:: pics :: NIGHT IN GALES ::
[Dajana] After swapping slots with Avulsed again, it was finally time for :: NIGHT IN GALES :: in the blazingly hot tent. I had been really looking forward to this show. It had been a long time since I had seen the guys from far out west... *ahem*... live. Beautiful melodies, lots of groove, but also blast parts and aggressive vocals – melodic death metal at its best.
However, there was only one song from the current album Shadowreaper. Instead, NIGHT IN GALES made a pilgrimage through their newer works and took a short detour to the band's early days. That's fine too.
Thank you guys for the great show, it was an extraordinary pleasure. And it won't be long until the next time, as I'll be able to see NIGHT IN GALES live again at the Compassion Fest in October :)
Band: Christian Müller (vox), Frank Basten (git), Jens Basten (git), Tobias Bruchmann (bass), Adriano Ricci (drums)
Setlist: Dawnlight Garden, The Spears Within, Into The Evergrey, Transition To Doom, Razor, Autumn Water, Sylphlike, Iron Maiden
:: pics :: SKELETAL REMAINS ::
[Chris] One of my Saturday highlights was :: SKELETAL REMAINS ::, who pay tribute to early 90s American death metal. Fat growls, strong riffs, awesome melodies and solos – what more could a death metal heart desire? Afterwards, my neck reminded me that I'm too old for this shit...
[Dajana] Oops, seems like the line-up has changed completely. Well, I haven't seen the Californians live in a long time...
The heat is now also noticeable in front of the main stage. Only a few die-hards are celebrating the band in the blazing sun, while the rest squeeze into every available shade and slide along with every centimeter. Or enjoy a cold shower at the merchandise stand.
After my photo job, I also grabbed an iced latte and ice cream and sat down in the shade. At PSOA, you can listen to the bands very well without sitting directly in front of the stage ;)
Band: Chris Monroy (git, vox), Mario Salcedo (git), Andrew Bowen (bass), Ruston Grosse (drums)
[Chris] The Swedish-Dutch conglomerate :: DÖDSRIT :: sounded absolutely great in the tent, but the last day took its toll and an urgent break was needed.
Band: Christoffer (vox, git), Georgios (git), P. (git), Jelle (bass), Brendan (drums)
:: pics :: PIG DESTROYER ::
[Dajana] So, let's move on to :: PIG DESTROYER ::. This is definitely not a band for everyone. But if you like Napalm Death, you'll get along fine with PIG DESTROYER. Fast as hell, ultra brutal, sometimes groovy, and songs that rarely exceed the 3-minute mark. So, it’s like 50 songs in 30 minutes (okay, greatly exaggerated). This is not for the faint of heart, nor for the vegetable-fun-loving-Grindcore crowd. PIG DESTROYER are deadly serious. And at the end of a show, you feel like you've been run over by an ICE train.
That's exactly what happened at PARTY SAN. I loved it! A band like this should play at the end of a festival. Short, intense, wiping out all pain and sensitivities, and, at the end, leaving people exhausted but happy, falling into a deep sleep. Yep. That's how it should be!
Band: J.R. Hayes (vox), Scott Hull (git), Alex Cha (git), Travis Stone (bass), Adam Jarvis (drums)
:: pics :: GRAVE ::
[Dajana] What's actually going on with Swedish death metal veterans :: GRAVE ::?
They haven't released a new album in 10 years, they only perform live sporadically, mostly at festivals, and guitarist Ola Lindgren is the only constant in the lineup. They haven't officially broken up or gone on hiatus either. Hmm.
But, yeah, it's great to see GRAVE live again, and in the original lineup from the 1988 incarnation, with a special set from the first three albums :)
What can I say? GRAVE still has it! This show was pure nostalgia for the young-at-heart oldies who remember GRAVE from their early days, and a tribute to their own heyday. It was great entertainment!
Band: Jörgen Sandström (vox, bass), Ola Lindgren (git, vox), Jonas Torndal (git), Jensa Paulsson (drums)
:: pics :: TIAMAT ::
[Dajana] Now it gets difficult... How do I describe what happened on stage?
:: TIAMAT :: have only been touring sporadically for many years and play exclusively at festivals. Okay. Musically, there's been nothing new for over a decade. That's okay too. I think it's fantastic that TIAMAT are currently touring the world with a Clouds/Wildhoney special set. I love both albums, which are now celebrating their 30th anniversary. It couldn't be better. Or so I thought...
Then, a (supposedly) 70-year-old man came on stage, confused, shaky, and had to find his bearings first. My first thought: Help, where's the emergency doctor?
Then followed a show with the familiar melodies and hits from the two albums Clouds and Wildhoney, with an excellently rehearsed band and a frontman who couldn't hit a note with his broken voice, sometimes forgot his lyrics, and otherwise seemed out of touch with reality. It was as if someone had accidentally beamed Johann Edlund from his nirvana into hell, aka PARTY SAN. It was heartbreakingly awful. I mean, this man on stage is younger than me...
I lasted until Wildhoney, then I couldn't watch any more...
It should be mentioned here that we saw TIAMAT with the same set in 2018 at Rock Hard Festival. This is how it was back then: excellent band, great sound, Edlund with a great voice... but acting bored to death with zero motivation... Hmmm...
Band: Johann Edlund (vox, git), Anders Iwers (bass), Rikard Zander (keys), Lars Sköld (drums)
Setlist: In A Dream, Clouds, A Caress Of Stars, The Sleeping Beauty, Divided, Wildhoney, Whatever That Hurts, The Ar, Visionaire, Vote For Love, 25th Floor, Gaia
[Chris] Italians own :: FULCI :: closed the PARTY SAN METAL OPEN AIR 2025 in the tent with an absolutely fantastic sound. Old school death meets brutal death metal, all staged with horror movie clips projected onto the screen.
Band: Fiore (vox), Ando Ferraioulo (git), Dome (git, synth), Klem (bass), Edoardo Nicoloso (drums)
:: pics :: GORGOROTH ::
[Chris] :: GORGOROTH :: brought pure Norwegian black metal to the stage, no frills, everything straight to the point. Unfortunately, there's nothing for the eye to enjoy in the stage show; I would have expected a little more. Musically, however, I have nothing to complain about; it was great.
[Dajana] Hm. Yes. I wasn't sure what to expect. GORGOROTH... first wave of true Norwegian black metal. Cult in the scene, but more headlines than music. And then with Hoest as singer... who was bursting with (tuned) energy but otherwise came across as very tame. Blood-red stage lighting and pyrotechnics, plus a full moon right next to the stage... It all fit together nicely.
Band: Hoest (vox), Infernus (git), Aindiachai (git), Guh.Lu (bass), Tomas Asklund (drums)
Setlist: Bergtrollets Hevn, Aneuthanasia, Prayer, Katharinas Bortgang, Revelation Of Doom, Forces Of Satan Storms, Ødeleggelse og undergang, Blood Stains The Circle, Cleansing Fire, Destroyer, Incipit Satan, Krig, Kala Brahman, Unchain My Heart
:: pics :: BLOODBATH ::
[Dajana] And so we've already reached the end of PARTY SAN METAL OPEN AIR 2025. While the first dismantling work was already underway in the background, :: BLOODBATH :: gave it their all once again to rouse the weary crowd and bring the festival to a worthy end. This isn't the first time the Swedes have closed out PSOA. They also closed the festival in 2019, which was neither spectacular nor visually appealing.
This year, the stage remained as dark and foggy as usual, so at first, I could have sworn that it wasn't Nick Holmes on the mic, even though his static, bored demeanor suggested otherwise. Well, it was him after all ;) It was a solid show as usual, but it wasn't the festival finale burner.
This time, I skipped the party tent and went straight to bed. It had been a long, hot day, and I hadn't missed a single band. In fact, I found every band so exciting that I didn't miss a single band on the main stage this year. That speaks for the line-up :)
So, I'll say goodbye at this point, sleep well and get home safely, everyone. See you next year :)
Band: Nick Homes (vox), Anders Nyström (git, vox), Joakim Antman (bass), Martin Axenrot (drums)
Setlist: So You Die, Soul Evisceration, Breeding Death, Like Fire, Putrefying Corpse, Cancer Of The Soul, Brave New Hell, Mock The Cross, Let The Stillborn Come To Me, Cry My Name, Eaten
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